Passion for a Prince
Chapter 7

By: Silent Moon

Mail: silentmoonstar@yahoo.com

Rated: R

Disclaimer: standard


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"...And my love says...

I am your moon
and your moonlight too
I am your flower garden
and your water too

I have come all this way
eager for you
without shoes or shawl...

Oh Sweet Bitterness!
I will soothe you and heal you
I will bring you roses
I too have been covered with thorns"

From "Bittersweet" by Rumi
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Running. He remembered running.

And jumping. He made one great leap to her.

But pulling out his sword was a vague blur. Clashing it with Andrew's a dull
echo of sound.

But that moment--when he knew she was saved--that had brought time back to it's normal
speed.

He was engraged. Truly. Passionately. For the first time Endymion was enraged.
But even blinded by anger he did not let hate guide him to death.

Instead he threw his brother back to the ground and raised his sword to stab him--in
the leg.

Andrew screamed out in pain, clutching at his leg as his brother withdrew, then turned
to walk away.

"You missed!" He cried with hatred, "Finish me!"

Endymion turned back and his father watched what small speck of his temper the boy
possessed flash in his eyes,

"I did not miss. I told you I would not kill you. You are lame now, useless."
He leaned down at his brother who now backed away in fear, "Live with your shame."

His words rankled and even the haughtiest of aristocrats in the Court realized
the depths of his power and command.

Then Endymion took Sere's hand, ushered Molly and the Driver to follow and
walked out.

But what was truly astounding to everyone, was that every last Guard followed him
out.

The King stared open-mouthed from the now weeping Andrew clutching his bleeding
leg to the empty hallway and closed door through which Endymion made his exit.

He shook his head in disbelief. Then he rose to retire to his chambers--he
needed to think.

"Someone attend him." He gestured impatiently to Andrew, then he left.


~~~~~~~~~~~~&~~~~@

The King paced his chambers restlessly. His mind a whir of surprise and sharp
calculating. Though a cruelly tempermental man he was a strong believer in providence--as
well as survival of the fittest.

He would never have expected such a show of strength from Endymion. He had always
been so mild--like his mother.

Although--the influence his gentle Queen had managed to hold over him--her strength
and goodness--had surprised him for their brief years together.

He could still see her when she arrived to marry him--a stranger. Small and slender and
shy--igniting a fierce urge to protect in him he had never expected.

And when she fixed him with her wide beautiful eyes he found he could refuse her
nothing she asked.

His reign had been much kinder while she lived.

He paced over to the painting of her hung on the wall. Long, midnight black
hair, wide serious blue eyes.

Endymion took all his looks from her--and her spirit as well.

A knock at the door failed his notice and Endymion found him gazing at the painting.

"Father?"

He turned abruptly.

"Endymion. Enter, sit--we have much to discuss."

Endymion nodded and the two sat opposite one another at the massive oak desk.

Endymion spoke first.

"I took my right and suceeded--you will pass the crown to me now?"

The King nodded gravely, "Yes. In fact--tommorow evening. I wish to retire--I planned
to as soon as Andrew married."

He shook his head, "I never expected this from you. But as I was just thinking--you
are much like your mother--and she held a hidden strength as well."

Endymion was silent.

The King paused a moment then asked, "When shall you wed?"

"Tommorow afternoon."

The King nodded, "Then the eve shall bring the coronation of a new King AND Queen!"

He paused thoughtfully, "It will be good to have a Queen again."

Endymion was still silent, then "I shall restore her title in the morning."

Then he rose to leave.

"Endymion."

He turned slightly,

"There's something you should know."

Endymion made no response but waited.

"Twas your brother killed her parents, not I. I planned to evict
them and banish them from the Kingdom--Andrew arrived first and killed them
in my name."

He watched his sons shoulders stiffen before he continued his exit.

"I hope I may attend the wedding." He called after him.

Endymion never answered.

He walked slowly to his chambers in a dream like state--trying to absorb all
that had taken place in such a short time.

One day.

It had only taken one day for him to change from a Prince, to a farmer to
the successor to the throne. And Sere, a servant, a Mistress, soon his wife
and then...his Queen.

He stopped suddenly and paled. He had no idea if she wished to be a Queen.
The simple life they had aimed for was a thing of the past now--was she still
willing to stay by his side?

He stood trembling outside his door long moments, afraid to ask her. Finally he
entered and found her sitting in a chair by the fire. Turning as he entered she
smiled softly, carefully.

She ushered him over and he sat at her feet, eyes staring vacantly into
the fire as he tried to appear calm.

Kissing his forehead and rumpling his hair she spoke, "You have done beautifully
my love--you shall be a wondrous King."

He looked at her then, face tilted, eyes wide and overwhelmed, "And you my Queen?"

She smiled, flushing, "If you truly wish....?"

He cupped her face gently, "It is all I wish."

He kissed her deeply and pulled her into his arms murmuring softly--and all that stopped
them was the knock at the door.

"Yes?" Endymion managed dazedly.

"Tis Molly--I brought tea."

Sere rushed over to let her in.

"I thought you could both use some after all that."

"I'd imagine you could as well you goose!" Sere retorted, ushering her to sit
and join them.

But Molly shook her head, "If you please, the Driver might like some as well."

Sere raised her eyebrows and Endymion grinned as well, "And what might this
young drivers' name be Molly?"

Molly blushed brighter, "Melvin. Melvin LaCroix." She glared at their grinning
faces, "If you'll excuse me!"

They laughed at her, "Good luck!"

She turned back a moment later, smiling, 'Thank you--your Majesties!" and
she bowed low with finesse.

"Molly!" They both exclaimed.

She laughed and skittered away, "No one deserves it more than you two!" She sang
back.

Then she was gone.

Endymion turned to her, "Tommorow it shall be so love. Right after we are married."
He pulled her close, "I shall restore your title in the morning, we marry in the
afternoon--and the eve is our coronation."

Sere's eyes widened, "Goodness, it is all very rushed isn't it?"

"The King wishes it so--as do I."

She nodded, "Very well."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly, then he leaned over her, his forehead against
hers, "I thought I might lose you...my love..."

She silenced him further with her lips and he let his own speak with touch--offering
hungry gratitude to a greater power for the gift of her.

Her hands slipped about his neck and into his hair as she murmured a pleased sound
and he couldn't help but press her back against the rug, trailing kisses down her
beautiful throat.

He tugged at her dress, unable to get enough sensation. Just a few short hours ago
he thought he might lose her forever, now here she was, warm and alive and loving him.

He felt her hands slip inside his shirt--the familiar rush of desire. Soon
they were bare and lay tangled in each other, basked by the flames of the fire
as they made love.


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The King knocked only once before entering Andrew's chambers. His elder son sat
in bed with is leg bandaged. He barely acknowledged his father's entrance.

"You would actually crown him King?" He flung out bitterly.

The King nodded, "He fought for the crown and won, honourably."

"He is too weak to rule this Kingdom!" Andrew blurted angrily.

"A strong man does not ensure a strong leader." The King said steadily,
"Besides, he bested you by sword. He proved his strength."

He turned to leave, "We shall speak again in the morrow, before Endymion's coronation.
In the meantime heal well and you may be useful to this Kingdom."

Then he was gone as Andrew glared hatefully after him.

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