Eternal Moon Shire

A Dream

Alma:                  Stop your struggling! It's of no use! Guards, take him to the cells!

Irvine:                 What?! You can't lock me up!

Alma:                  Yes I—

Moonbay:          Alma! What is the meaning of all of this?!

Alma:                  Your highness, according to Moon Shire law, all traitors to the Empire are never to step foot once again on this land.

Moonbay:          Yes, but, he wouldn't have meant any—

Alma:                  I'm sorry your highness, it is the law. And, if you are to fulfill your duty as Empress, I know you will uphold it. It is, afterall, for the good of the Empire.

Moonbay seemed thrown back by Alma's remark. It was a rule Moonbay had followed completely throughout her lifetime as the empress. But now, she didn't know what to do. To uphold the law of her beloved empire, or to save the life of her old love, for the law for any traitor was: death.

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Flashback:

Alone, all alone. A young boy, just 5 years old. He stood there in the corner amidst the hustle and bustle in the empire. No one talked to him, no one even had time to play with him. He was a lonely child, he always was ever since his mother died. No one ever even spared a passing glance. No one in the empire had liked his father, so why would they like his son? Not even to children in the empire would play with him. They didn't like him. All he had now was his father. How he loved his father with all his heart. No one meant more to him than he did. The problem was, his father was the Emperor's personal assistant. They were just previously acquainted, but became good friends quickly. The Emperor and the Empress of the Moon shire were the only people to accept his father. His father was always gone on business trips and royal business with the Emperor. Now, everything was worse with the new ceremony between the Moon and Shire Empires. They were now to be joined under the rule of the future Emperor and Empress. He sighed to himself, clutching his little bear close to his chest.

Boy:      Maybe daddy will be here today….

The little boy stood up and walked out he palace. He tried avoiding the towering adult servants and tried not to get in their way. But it always was no use. He always got in the way, and he never really meant to. He avoided two maids, whom glared back at the little child, and just narrowly passed a butler carrying a big plate of orderves. They were obviously having a ball or celebration of some sort, and being the child he was, he couldn't help but stare.

Boy:      I want some of that when daddy comes back!

The boy's attention was fully fixed on the plates of deserts. He had not paid any attention to where he was walking, and doing it so backwards when he bumped into someone. The boy backed off with fear, awaiting to be yelled at once again. He bowed his head low.

Voice:   Woah…

Boy:      Oh! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! I did not mean to……..I'm so sorry, I just….

The little boy could feel tears coming to his face. He tried so hard to be a good boy, he tried so hard to have people like him. The last thing he wanted was to cause any trouble before his father came back.

Boy:      I'm sorry……

Voice:   Why the long face my son?

The young boy's face was colored with joy. He looked up to his father and jumped into his arms.

Boy:      Daddy!! You're here!! I missed you so much!

Man:     Yes James, I'm here…..

******End of Flashback******************

James:  Father….why? why did you leave that day? Why………

James then succumbed to the sleep his body forced him to go into, and with that said, he lay himself down and closed his eyes.

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James: Dad! Dad! Don't go!!!!!!!!

There again, a young boy, older this time, but still lonely as ever. His father was out on a business trip for the Emperor, and he was now given into the care of the emperor. He liked the emperor, he was always so nice to him. The only thing he didn't like was the Shire Empire itself. But, they were now moving. Moving to a place called the Moon Shire. He had heard his father speak of it before. That was where he went on trips most of the time with the emperor. He also knew about the empress, but he never really met her. From what James knew, the emperor was "very fond of her", or so his father had said.

Everything in the young boy's life had gone wrong, and he couldn't understand why. All his life he had tried his best, all his life he did everything he could to make everyone like him, but it just wasn't enough. Now, he was in hopes of the new empire accepting him as they traveled on.

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Irvine:   James, James! Wake up! We are here.

James:  Huh?

Irvine:   The Moon Shire Empire James! We are here!

James rubbed his eyes and surveyed the scene. There was nothing around him so spectacular. They were surrounded by lush forests and thick trees, and the only thing visible at the point was an tall gate.

Irvine:   Well?

James:  Uhhh, Irvine…I mean! Emperor! Um, how come there's only a gate? Where is the Empire?

Irvine smiled to himself at the ignorance of this young boy. Irvine took the young boy and guided him towards the gate. Irvine then knocked on the gate.

James:  Emperor, what are we doing here? There cant possibly be anyone living around here. I mean, you cant even hear the sound of voices.

Irvine:   Shhh! Listen.

James listened hard, but he still couldn't hear a thing. Just then, he heard what he thought to be footprints. Then, a little door opened. It was large enough to see a person's head through, but small enough that not even a toddler could get through it. Besides, it was much too high.

Man:     Who is it? Who goes there?!

Irvine:   Why its me old man!

Man:     Old man?! Wait…Emperor Irvine! It's you. Wait one minute.

The door shut and Irvine looked down at James and smiled.

James:  Whada we do now?

Irvine:   Shhh. Just watch.

Irvine continued to smile. James couldn't figure out what was so funny to be smiling about. Afterall, that old man had scarred him. James scanned the gate wall, it was huge! He was studying it's surface when a loud noise had propelled him back in fear. Being the child he was, he hid behind Irvine's leg and wrapped his arms around it for comfort. Irvine couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Irvine:   Common. Don't tell me a little noise is going to scare you?
James:  It sounds like there's a monster zoid behind there…

Irvine:   Don't worry. They're only opening the gate wall, just relax. You want to be brave like your father don't you?

With that said, the little boy looked up at the Emperor, nodded, and smiled. He then moved back to the Emperor's side acting like his "brave assistant".

When the doors opened, a bright flash of light blinded the young boy at first. He looked up to the emperor, but he didn't budge. He must have been use to it, or so James thought. James then turned his attention back to the Empire, and what he saw made his mouth drop. It was the most beautiful scene he ever saw. Everything he saw was flawless, and their were crowds of people awaiting their arrival along a trail with beautiful bouquets of flowers of all sorts. The empire was far larger than the Shire Empire. The sound of music and laughter filled the air, which was mysterious because James had remembered silence just outside of the gate. He looked up to Irvine, awestruck.

Irvine:   Well? They're waiting.

James:  All of them? Are-are all these people here-for-for us?

Irvine:   Well that's what I thought was planned.

James:  Wow!

Irvine smiled and held the little boys hand and walked down the trail. Everyone was throwing flowers and offering gifts. James looked left and right as joy filled his little heart.

James:  So, so this is what it feels like to be welcomed?

James admired everything about the new Empire, Everything. He looked to the side and noticed there was a big clearing, and there were some people working on statues.

James:  That must be where the our Shire Empire will go….but what are those statues?

While walking down the trail, James had heard the sound of a familiar voice, which made him jump back in fear. He once again hid behind Irvine and peeked behind only to find the figure of an old man.

Man:     What is this? A young boy? Why he aint yours now is he Emperor?

Irvine:   (laughs) No, no! This is captain John's son. You remember John don't you?

Man:     Ah yes! John Velde! Your assistant is he not? I remember that young man. So this is his son? Well, I cant say that he bares much resemblance to his father. A bit scrawny there are we son?

James:  ……

Irvine:   Don't be afraid James! This is old man Jasper. I know he may look like a dirty old man, but he wont bite. Wont you Jasper?

Jasper:  Oh heavens no! come boy! Don't be shy now! Come, come! You too Emperor! You don't want to keep the Empress waiting now do you?

They continued to walk down the trail drowned with more flowers and gifts. Until, there she was. Dressed in the finest Garments any Empress would be dressed in. She had her dark brown hair down, which flared out at the ends naturally. She truly was beautiful, and James awed in her presence. He watched as the Emperor walked over to the Empress, bowed down, and kissed her hand. He could see the Empress blush, and knew that all the tales his father told between them must have been true. He smiled and rushed up to Irvine's side.

Lady:    Huh? Irvine, who is this little boy?

Irvine:   This young man is John's son.

Lady:    John's son? Why, isn't he a little cutie?

The Empress bowed down and patted the head of James. James, in return, blushed and smiled.

Lady:    Why, what is your name little man?

James:  Uh…………

Irvine:   James, this is the Empress Moonbay. She is a good friend of your father's and mine. You will say hello wont you?

James nodded.

James:  Um…my name is James Velde. Its….its nice- to- meet you miss.

Moon:  (giggles) Why, aren't we the shy type? Well, it's very nice to meet you James. But please, call me Moonbay.

James:  Um, yes your majesty, I mean, yes Moonbay.

Moonbay continued to smile. She then stood up and turned to Irvine.

Moon:  You'd think after living with you he'd learn how to be just a little obnoxious by now huh?

Irvine:   Was that an insult?

Moon:  (giggles) Well, I don't know? Was it?

James watched as the Empress and Emperor conversed in playful arguing. To him, it was all too perfect. He knew everything about this new place would be perfect. For once in his life, things would go right. He took one last look around him. He could see the last carriages of the people of the Shire Empire arriving. Everyone now would soon be moving in to their new locations under the Moon Shire ground. He smiled to himself and quickly followed after the Empress and Emperor into the palace.

*************TO BE CONTINUED**********************

OKAY, NOW IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW, THIS ALL LOOKING INTO JAMES' PAST. THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS, IF ALL GOES WELL, WILL PROBABLY BE ABOUT THIS. DON'T WORRY, IT DOESN'T CUT DOWN ON THE MOONBAY AND IRVINE FLUFF. BUT IT MIGHT ON THE VAN/FIONA. WELL, YOU STILL MIGHT WANT TO READ IT. JAMES PLAYS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THIS STORY, AND SO DOES HIS PAST. I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY THIS FIC AND KEEP REVIEWING CUZ ITS GOING TO BE A GREAT ONE! KEEP REVIEWING! THANKS TO ALL FOR THE REVIEWS! ADIOS!