Author's Note: The chapters are going to be much longer than I usually
make them, so I hope you guys like that! :) Happy happy happy reading!
Oh, by the way, sorry I've been a sucky updater, and I promise that I will
update more regularly. This story is too good to pass up and I really like
the plot... so expect chapter three out much sooner than this one came out!
^_^ Thanks for being so understanding!
=========================
Stubborn Love Chapter Two Lady Amethyst PG-13
========================
Summary: Her kind, loving, beautiful one and him the cool, cold, but strikingly handsome. When tragedy brings them together, they both fall for each other hard, but they have strong wills to match the other...neither will admit it. Obstacles suddenly threaten their vulnerable love...even if Endymion will never admit it, he'll fight against all the odds to keep Serenity by his side...will they tell each other before it's too late? Who will crack first and admit their deepest desires? Or will they never get the opportunity...? Only time will tell...
========================
Endymion's breath caught in his throat the moment he glimpsed her angelic face. Her skin looked was milky-white and looked soft as satin. Her hair cascaded past her hips in sun kissed, glossy blond waves. Tendrils of hair framed her cerulean blue depths that had flecks of silvery dust around the pupil and he saw the way her eyes glowed with curiosity and he felt himself immediately become drawn to her.
She was absolutely breathtaking. All day his thoughts had been centered around the mystery girl all morning. Endymion decided that someone as beautiful as her couldn't possibly possess a single intellectual or kind gene in her body. She couldn't possibly be as perfect as he perceived her to be; but despite himself, he knew in the back of her mind that she was indeed more perfect than he imagined-perhaps more.
"Hi." She said self-consciously, her eyes avoiding his.
"Hello." Endymion said stiffly, ignoring the hurt look that crossed over her features. "Welcome to Earth, Princess."
He could tell, from the way his mother sharply looked up at him, that he had put more emphasis on his words than necessary.
The small smile on Serenity's face slowly slid away and was replaced by a blank look. "Thank you for letting me stay here, at this beautiful planet."
Endymion searched her face for sincerity, he was sure that beneath her innocent and timid act was a bratty, snotty princess who was used to always getting her way.
That thought consoled him as he began building mental barriers around himself and steered clear from looking into her fathomless depths that captivated him to no end.
The queen bristled in annoyance when a maid asked for her attention elsewhere. "I'll only be a moment." She told them, her eyes trained on Endymion the entire time. The exchange did not go unnoticed by Serenity; she only blushed furiously and looked down.
Endy watched his mother follow the maid down the hallway and disappear behind the large pillars.
"I'm sorry."
Those two words, simple as they were, sparked a curiosity and softness in Endymion's heart that he could not shake off. "Pardon?"
"I said I was sorry. For being so bothersome and ruining your plans." Serenity repeated, her eyes wide with misery and her tone apologetic.
"It's fine, I had no plans anyway." Endymion told her, inwardly confused at why he had felt the strongest urge to set her heart at peace that she hadn't been a problem at all.
In fact, unknowing to either of them, in the near future, Serenity would prove to be a blessing rather than a curse...
========================
Serenity wanted to smack this rude, self-centered, heartless man! She had done nothing wrong to him, but he still continued to treat her as if she was the lowest being on the planet and he couldn't stand being in the same room as her.
But, despite her deepest desire to hate this prince, she knew she never could. Every time his haunted cobalt depths touched hers, she melted completely.
Damn him for doing this to her!
"Do you miss your mother?"
Serenity was caught off guard by his question. What had inspired the change of heart and sudden interest in her feelings? "Of course I do. Wouldn't you miss yours if you had to leave her for who knows how long?"
"I'll take it that you and your mother were close?"
"Yes, yes we were." It was Serenity's turn to be impatient and shoot Endymion clipped answers.
"And I'm sure that you miss your protectors as-"
"Is this conversation going somewhere?" Serenity asked, partially angry with him for acting rude one moment, then the next minute he brings up touchy subjects. "Who are you to have the right to ask me such personal questions?"
"Just trying to make conversation, princess." He said sarcastically. "I'm obviously no one compared to your high standards."
Serenity glared at him from between narrowed eyes. He was insulting her now?! "Obviously since you have no respect for anyone except the one person who doesn't deserve it! Yourself!"
Endymion didn't flinch, with a hard expression; he stared at Serenity with emotionless eyes. Serenity, however, flinched visibly, now fearful of his dark gaze, even though she knew that no matter how... rude he was, he wouldn't raise a hand against her... or at least she hoped. "I only give my respect to those who deserve it."
Serenity opened her mouth to retort to his comment, but Gaia quickly walked up to them, her eyes flashing furiously. "Endymion, take Serenity up to her quarters then see me, please."
Endymion heard the hint of threat in her tone, but nodded curtly. The farther away he got from this princess, the faster his bewildered feelings would put some order into themselves! "Of course, Mother."
"I hope that you will find your room to your liking, Serenity." Gaia said to Serenity, her voice only held tenderness and compassion. It was as if her anger towards Endymion had disappeared. But Endymion had yet to let out a relieved breath; he knew better than that.
"I'm sure that I will, thank you." Serenity murmured, her cheeks a pinkish hue as she bowed slightly. Her eyes connected with Endymion's mothers' briefly before she stepped away. Within the deepest pits of his stomach Endymion secretly wished that the smile Serenity had directed towards his mother had been meant for him instead.
But when Serenity turned to Endymion, her eyes no long twin azure pools of warmth, but now a steely azure blue, icy with irritation and insult. "Thank you for escorting me to my room."
Instead of offering her a smile of truce as his heart prodded him to do, he only nodded in understanding of her words and began leading her up the stairs.
========================
Serenity hated this unbearably tensioned filled silence between her and Endymion, but could she help it? He had brought it onto himself!
"Well, here are your quarters for your stay." Endymion said as he pushed the double doors open to reveal a queen-sized bed veiled in a pale, shimmery beige material. But what drew Serenity's eyes, was the balcony across the room. The glass doors were closed, but even Serenity could see that the balcony overlooked the rose garden, then the endless rolling fields of green.
"My mother had our maids prepare you some outfits, since you didn't bring much with you. I'm sure you're going to want to look at those and-" But when Endymion turned around, Serenity wasn't behind him anymore, instead, she was out on the balcony, with her upper body pressed against the railing as she leaned over with closed eyes and inhaled the fresh air that was mingled with the scent of budding roses.
Endymion was shocked, nonetheless. Once he saw Serenity outside, with her face turned towards the starry sky, he felt his heart squeeze and his eyes warm with adoration.
But when she turned back towards him, with her eyes a glassy blue color, darkened with intensity and thought. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes hair a bit windblown. It took Endymion a bit off guard, but the only thought that registered in his mind was that she was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on.
It was then that Endymion began to feel a bit regretful of their rocky start.
=====================
Serenity wondered what he was staring at. It couldn't be her, since only a moment ago he could barely stand having to be near her. Realizing there were clothes hanging neatly in the giant bureau, Serenity stepped closer to him. "Are those the clothes you were talking about?"
"Yes, they were. Help yourself to them." Endymion said, controlled. Even Endymion was amazed at how cool and collected he sounded. "Those were especially picked for your size, so if they do not fit, my mother will exchange them immediately."
To Serenity, it felt as if he was reading from a script, his words were so lifeless. "Thank you again."
"So, is everything to your liking?" Endymion asked, looking around the room and wondering what he could find wrong with the room.
"Everything is perfect."
"Then, I'll be on my way. If you need anything, just ring and one of the maids will come to assist you."
Serenity opened her mouth to say more, but Endymion had already turned swiftly on his heel and headed out of the room.
Falling onto her bed, Serenity pulled her legs up underneath her. The room was beautiful and it was more than she could ever ask for, but it felt so big and so empty.
Burying her face into the nearest pillow, Serenity wished once more that she could go home; back to her familiar surroundings and to her mother and friends. Serenity wished that she could leave this planet, however beautiful and wondrous it was.
=====================
"I am not pleased with your behavior, Endymion. It's disrespectful to the princess and to her planet. Remember that your actions and words represents the entire planet Earth!" Gaia sighed, "What Serenity must think of us now! If she thought that we were bad before, then she must think we are horrendous people now!"
Darien's brows furrowed as his expression darkened. "What? She thought lowly of us before?"
Gaia stared at him point-blank. "Honey, it was no mystery before of what kind of reputation Earth has earned itself."
Even though Endymion was indeed well aware that the entire solar system thought Earth was a barbaric place because of the past actions the humans here had taken, he still refused to meet his mother's eyes and feel guilty for how he had treated Serenity. "Yes, but that doesn't mean anything. That was before, she shouldn't judge us based on the past."
"And you have not judged her once?" Gaia asked, amused by her son.
"I-I..." Endymion faltered, knowing that he had judged the princess more than once.
"I think that you will need to think of a way to show the princess your apologies. Until then, you are to stay in your quarters."
Endymion stared at his mother in disbelief. Was she actually grounding him? She hadn't done that since he was nine-years-old because he had kicked Malachite in the shins and given him a bloody nose!
Those had been the simpler, lighter days, Endymion thought to himself. "I'm going out riding, it helps me think."
Before Gaia could protest, Endymion hurtled himself out of the room and ran outside, gratified to see his favorite chestnut horse, she threw her head back and jumped up and down, happy to see Endymion.
Smiling, Endymion patted her side and led her out of the stable. "That's a girl. Let's go for a ride. You're the only kind of girl that doesn't confuse and send my feelings into overdrive every other second."
With those last words, Endymion pulled himself on the horses bareback and the two rode off into the woods, with no destination in particular.
=====================
After having a refreshing and mind-clearing ride, Endymion entered the castle and rubbed his hands together. His cheeks were bright red and his fingers were ice cold. He hadn't noticed the extreme temperature drop until he had tied up Fay (the horse) and started walking up the path that led back to the castle.
Looking around, Endymion's forehead wrinkled in confusion. Everything was silent and sullen, no maids rushing every which way, his mother's voice wasn't floating into the foyer from the other rooms... it was utterly quiet, for the first time in Endymion's memory. Had he missed something?
Looking inside the room where his mother was usually in, he found not a trace of his mother. Strange.
Shrugging his shoulders in puzzlement, Endymion trudged upstairs to his room and decided he would get to the bottom of this mystery... later, perhaps later as in tomorrow.
Right now his shoulders and thighs ached and he needed to get to bed, even if it was only seven o'clock, before he feel dead asleep right there on the spot.
=====================
The next morning, Endymion found the fine hairs on his arms standing at ends. A chilling silence filled the entire castle when he woke up and started making his way downstairs. Pausing outside of Serenity's door, he wondered if she was staring out the balcony again, or if she was like any other princess and scouring through the new clothing, pitching ones that she thought were ugly to the side.
Overwhelmed by his curiosity, Endymion pushed the door open slightly, and what he saw before him, shocked him beyond words and made his heart racing painfully. Had he been that mean? Was she truly that unhappy?
She was crying.
For some reason, Endymion found it odd, seeing her cry. He had never imagined her as the person who was able to cry, but seeing her shoulder gently shake and her entire body quiver every once in a while, Endymion's suspicions were confirmed and he was sure that she was crying.
Stepping closer inside, Endymion saw that she had heard movement from behind her. Sitting up slowly, she sniffed. Startled, Endymion backed away from the entrance to the door and disappeared behind it before she turned away. Endymion let out his breath and stared at the mahogany door. He was curious on why she was crying, but even Endymion had the decency to know when not to intrude on someone.
After battling with himself about going back and comforting the princess, Endymion finally settled on leaving her alone. He would want to be left alone... that's what she wanted, right? To be left alone?
"It's alright, you may come in." A voice broke into his thoughts. Endymion's head jerked towards the voice and his heart broke when he saw that the princess had been crying, her cheeks were flushed, her lips were puffy from crying, and her eyes were bloodshot. "You probably know, and I really don't want your pity, so if that's what you're here for; a pity party, then you might as well leave."
Endymion stared at her in confusion. Pity party? For what? "Ummm... princess, I'm... I don't understand. Why would I pity you?"
Surprise showed across Serenity's features. "You don't know?"
"Know what?"
Serenity sighed and turned back towards her room. "How do you not know? It's all anyone has been talking about."
"I... I..." Was what happened explained the unbearable silence in the castle? "I went straight to bed, so did this happen while I was riding? Or did it..."
"The galaxy pirates, you've heard of them, have you not?" Endymion could only nod; his voice was caught in his throat, as he realized what she would say. "They landed on the moon yesterday, around one o'clock and invaded the kingdom. They work fast and they are merciless. They must have killed the Lunarians by the dozen." Serenity shuddered and looked towards the ground.
"I have a feeling that that isn't the only reason you are crying so."
"My mother... she was one of the causalities."
Endymion felt as if someone had socked him in the stomach. He leaned against the bedpost for support. "She's... dead?" Endymion's voice cracked, but no tears fell from his eyes, he was too stunned to cry. The moon queen was... dead? How could this be!
"She is." Serenity uttered as she started crying again. Endymion awkwardly wrapped his arms around her and felt himself visibly relax as she fit perfectly into his larger, broader frame.
Looking up, Serenity smiled at Endymion, the first genuine smile he had seen her give him. "Thank you... for..."
Once his own lips lifted into an upward arch and into a timid smile of his own, Endymion saw that Serenity understood he knew how much his kindness meant to her.
Burying her head back into his shirt, Endymion listened as Serenity cried, and he heard his own heartbreak as he realized he could do nothing to stop the pain that would forever hurt Serenity.
=====================
Oh man, that took a while to get out. But I got it out, didn't I? Ya know the drill. I post chapters, you guys' review! ^_^ Don't be bailing on me... right when we're getting to the good part too!
If you guys thought Serenity and Endymion's reconciliation was a bit fast, it's only because I've got other stuff in store for them, and they have to actually start liking each other for that to work, if you know what I mean. ~Lady
=========================
Stubborn Love Chapter Two Lady Amethyst PG-13
========================
Summary: Her kind, loving, beautiful one and him the cool, cold, but strikingly handsome. When tragedy brings them together, they both fall for each other hard, but they have strong wills to match the other...neither will admit it. Obstacles suddenly threaten their vulnerable love...even if Endymion will never admit it, he'll fight against all the odds to keep Serenity by his side...will they tell each other before it's too late? Who will crack first and admit their deepest desires? Or will they never get the opportunity...? Only time will tell...
========================
Endymion's breath caught in his throat the moment he glimpsed her angelic face. Her skin looked was milky-white and looked soft as satin. Her hair cascaded past her hips in sun kissed, glossy blond waves. Tendrils of hair framed her cerulean blue depths that had flecks of silvery dust around the pupil and he saw the way her eyes glowed with curiosity and he felt himself immediately become drawn to her.
She was absolutely breathtaking. All day his thoughts had been centered around the mystery girl all morning. Endymion decided that someone as beautiful as her couldn't possibly possess a single intellectual or kind gene in her body. She couldn't possibly be as perfect as he perceived her to be; but despite himself, he knew in the back of her mind that she was indeed more perfect than he imagined-perhaps more.
"Hi." She said self-consciously, her eyes avoiding his.
"Hello." Endymion said stiffly, ignoring the hurt look that crossed over her features. "Welcome to Earth, Princess."
He could tell, from the way his mother sharply looked up at him, that he had put more emphasis on his words than necessary.
The small smile on Serenity's face slowly slid away and was replaced by a blank look. "Thank you for letting me stay here, at this beautiful planet."
Endymion searched her face for sincerity, he was sure that beneath her innocent and timid act was a bratty, snotty princess who was used to always getting her way.
That thought consoled him as he began building mental barriers around himself and steered clear from looking into her fathomless depths that captivated him to no end.
The queen bristled in annoyance when a maid asked for her attention elsewhere. "I'll only be a moment." She told them, her eyes trained on Endymion the entire time. The exchange did not go unnoticed by Serenity; she only blushed furiously and looked down.
Endy watched his mother follow the maid down the hallway and disappear behind the large pillars.
"I'm sorry."
Those two words, simple as they were, sparked a curiosity and softness in Endymion's heart that he could not shake off. "Pardon?"
"I said I was sorry. For being so bothersome and ruining your plans." Serenity repeated, her eyes wide with misery and her tone apologetic.
"It's fine, I had no plans anyway." Endymion told her, inwardly confused at why he had felt the strongest urge to set her heart at peace that she hadn't been a problem at all.
In fact, unknowing to either of them, in the near future, Serenity would prove to be a blessing rather than a curse...
========================
Serenity wanted to smack this rude, self-centered, heartless man! She had done nothing wrong to him, but he still continued to treat her as if she was the lowest being on the planet and he couldn't stand being in the same room as her.
But, despite her deepest desire to hate this prince, she knew she never could. Every time his haunted cobalt depths touched hers, she melted completely.
Damn him for doing this to her!
"Do you miss your mother?"
Serenity was caught off guard by his question. What had inspired the change of heart and sudden interest in her feelings? "Of course I do. Wouldn't you miss yours if you had to leave her for who knows how long?"
"I'll take it that you and your mother were close?"
"Yes, yes we were." It was Serenity's turn to be impatient and shoot Endymion clipped answers.
"And I'm sure that you miss your protectors as-"
"Is this conversation going somewhere?" Serenity asked, partially angry with him for acting rude one moment, then the next minute he brings up touchy subjects. "Who are you to have the right to ask me such personal questions?"
"Just trying to make conversation, princess." He said sarcastically. "I'm obviously no one compared to your high standards."
Serenity glared at him from between narrowed eyes. He was insulting her now?! "Obviously since you have no respect for anyone except the one person who doesn't deserve it! Yourself!"
Endymion didn't flinch, with a hard expression; he stared at Serenity with emotionless eyes. Serenity, however, flinched visibly, now fearful of his dark gaze, even though she knew that no matter how... rude he was, he wouldn't raise a hand against her... or at least she hoped. "I only give my respect to those who deserve it."
Serenity opened her mouth to retort to his comment, but Gaia quickly walked up to them, her eyes flashing furiously. "Endymion, take Serenity up to her quarters then see me, please."
Endymion heard the hint of threat in her tone, but nodded curtly. The farther away he got from this princess, the faster his bewildered feelings would put some order into themselves! "Of course, Mother."
"I hope that you will find your room to your liking, Serenity." Gaia said to Serenity, her voice only held tenderness and compassion. It was as if her anger towards Endymion had disappeared. But Endymion had yet to let out a relieved breath; he knew better than that.
"I'm sure that I will, thank you." Serenity murmured, her cheeks a pinkish hue as she bowed slightly. Her eyes connected with Endymion's mothers' briefly before she stepped away. Within the deepest pits of his stomach Endymion secretly wished that the smile Serenity had directed towards his mother had been meant for him instead.
But when Serenity turned to Endymion, her eyes no long twin azure pools of warmth, but now a steely azure blue, icy with irritation and insult. "Thank you for escorting me to my room."
Instead of offering her a smile of truce as his heart prodded him to do, he only nodded in understanding of her words and began leading her up the stairs.
========================
Serenity hated this unbearably tensioned filled silence between her and Endymion, but could she help it? He had brought it onto himself!
"Well, here are your quarters for your stay." Endymion said as he pushed the double doors open to reveal a queen-sized bed veiled in a pale, shimmery beige material. But what drew Serenity's eyes, was the balcony across the room. The glass doors were closed, but even Serenity could see that the balcony overlooked the rose garden, then the endless rolling fields of green.
"My mother had our maids prepare you some outfits, since you didn't bring much with you. I'm sure you're going to want to look at those and-" But when Endymion turned around, Serenity wasn't behind him anymore, instead, she was out on the balcony, with her upper body pressed against the railing as she leaned over with closed eyes and inhaled the fresh air that was mingled with the scent of budding roses.
Endymion was shocked, nonetheless. Once he saw Serenity outside, with her face turned towards the starry sky, he felt his heart squeeze and his eyes warm with adoration.
But when she turned back towards him, with her eyes a glassy blue color, darkened with intensity and thought. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes hair a bit windblown. It took Endymion a bit off guard, but the only thought that registered in his mind was that she was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on.
It was then that Endymion began to feel a bit regretful of their rocky start.
=====================
Serenity wondered what he was staring at. It couldn't be her, since only a moment ago he could barely stand having to be near her. Realizing there were clothes hanging neatly in the giant bureau, Serenity stepped closer to him. "Are those the clothes you were talking about?"
"Yes, they were. Help yourself to them." Endymion said, controlled. Even Endymion was amazed at how cool and collected he sounded. "Those were especially picked for your size, so if they do not fit, my mother will exchange them immediately."
To Serenity, it felt as if he was reading from a script, his words were so lifeless. "Thank you again."
"So, is everything to your liking?" Endymion asked, looking around the room and wondering what he could find wrong with the room.
"Everything is perfect."
"Then, I'll be on my way. If you need anything, just ring and one of the maids will come to assist you."
Serenity opened her mouth to say more, but Endymion had already turned swiftly on his heel and headed out of the room.
Falling onto her bed, Serenity pulled her legs up underneath her. The room was beautiful and it was more than she could ever ask for, but it felt so big and so empty.
Burying her face into the nearest pillow, Serenity wished once more that she could go home; back to her familiar surroundings and to her mother and friends. Serenity wished that she could leave this planet, however beautiful and wondrous it was.
=====================
"I am not pleased with your behavior, Endymion. It's disrespectful to the princess and to her planet. Remember that your actions and words represents the entire planet Earth!" Gaia sighed, "What Serenity must think of us now! If she thought that we were bad before, then she must think we are horrendous people now!"
Darien's brows furrowed as his expression darkened. "What? She thought lowly of us before?"
Gaia stared at him point-blank. "Honey, it was no mystery before of what kind of reputation Earth has earned itself."
Even though Endymion was indeed well aware that the entire solar system thought Earth was a barbaric place because of the past actions the humans here had taken, he still refused to meet his mother's eyes and feel guilty for how he had treated Serenity. "Yes, but that doesn't mean anything. That was before, she shouldn't judge us based on the past."
"And you have not judged her once?" Gaia asked, amused by her son.
"I-I..." Endymion faltered, knowing that he had judged the princess more than once.
"I think that you will need to think of a way to show the princess your apologies. Until then, you are to stay in your quarters."
Endymion stared at his mother in disbelief. Was she actually grounding him? She hadn't done that since he was nine-years-old because he had kicked Malachite in the shins and given him a bloody nose!
Those had been the simpler, lighter days, Endymion thought to himself. "I'm going out riding, it helps me think."
Before Gaia could protest, Endymion hurtled himself out of the room and ran outside, gratified to see his favorite chestnut horse, she threw her head back and jumped up and down, happy to see Endymion.
Smiling, Endymion patted her side and led her out of the stable. "That's a girl. Let's go for a ride. You're the only kind of girl that doesn't confuse and send my feelings into overdrive every other second."
With those last words, Endymion pulled himself on the horses bareback and the two rode off into the woods, with no destination in particular.
=====================
After having a refreshing and mind-clearing ride, Endymion entered the castle and rubbed his hands together. His cheeks were bright red and his fingers were ice cold. He hadn't noticed the extreme temperature drop until he had tied up Fay (the horse) and started walking up the path that led back to the castle.
Looking around, Endymion's forehead wrinkled in confusion. Everything was silent and sullen, no maids rushing every which way, his mother's voice wasn't floating into the foyer from the other rooms... it was utterly quiet, for the first time in Endymion's memory. Had he missed something?
Looking inside the room where his mother was usually in, he found not a trace of his mother. Strange.
Shrugging his shoulders in puzzlement, Endymion trudged upstairs to his room and decided he would get to the bottom of this mystery... later, perhaps later as in tomorrow.
Right now his shoulders and thighs ached and he needed to get to bed, even if it was only seven o'clock, before he feel dead asleep right there on the spot.
=====================
The next morning, Endymion found the fine hairs on his arms standing at ends. A chilling silence filled the entire castle when he woke up and started making his way downstairs. Pausing outside of Serenity's door, he wondered if she was staring out the balcony again, or if she was like any other princess and scouring through the new clothing, pitching ones that she thought were ugly to the side.
Overwhelmed by his curiosity, Endymion pushed the door open slightly, and what he saw before him, shocked him beyond words and made his heart racing painfully. Had he been that mean? Was she truly that unhappy?
She was crying.
For some reason, Endymion found it odd, seeing her cry. He had never imagined her as the person who was able to cry, but seeing her shoulder gently shake and her entire body quiver every once in a while, Endymion's suspicions were confirmed and he was sure that she was crying.
Stepping closer inside, Endymion saw that she had heard movement from behind her. Sitting up slowly, she sniffed. Startled, Endymion backed away from the entrance to the door and disappeared behind it before she turned away. Endymion let out his breath and stared at the mahogany door. He was curious on why she was crying, but even Endymion had the decency to know when not to intrude on someone.
After battling with himself about going back and comforting the princess, Endymion finally settled on leaving her alone. He would want to be left alone... that's what she wanted, right? To be left alone?
"It's alright, you may come in." A voice broke into his thoughts. Endymion's head jerked towards the voice and his heart broke when he saw that the princess had been crying, her cheeks were flushed, her lips were puffy from crying, and her eyes were bloodshot. "You probably know, and I really don't want your pity, so if that's what you're here for; a pity party, then you might as well leave."
Endymion stared at her in confusion. Pity party? For what? "Ummm... princess, I'm... I don't understand. Why would I pity you?"
Surprise showed across Serenity's features. "You don't know?"
"Know what?"
Serenity sighed and turned back towards her room. "How do you not know? It's all anyone has been talking about."
"I... I..." Was what happened explained the unbearable silence in the castle? "I went straight to bed, so did this happen while I was riding? Or did it..."
"The galaxy pirates, you've heard of them, have you not?" Endymion could only nod; his voice was caught in his throat, as he realized what she would say. "They landed on the moon yesterday, around one o'clock and invaded the kingdom. They work fast and they are merciless. They must have killed the Lunarians by the dozen." Serenity shuddered and looked towards the ground.
"I have a feeling that that isn't the only reason you are crying so."
"My mother... she was one of the causalities."
Endymion felt as if someone had socked him in the stomach. He leaned against the bedpost for support. "She's... dead?" Endymion's voice cracked, but no tears fell from his eyes, he was too stunned to cry. The moon queen was... dead? How could this be!
"She is." Serenity uttered as she started crying again. Endymion awkwardly wrapped his arms around her and felt himself visibly relax as she fit perfectly into his larger, broader frame.
Looking up, Serenity smiled at Endymion, the first genuine smile he had seen her give him. "Thank you... for..."
Once his own lips lifted into an upward arch and into a timid smile of his own, Endymion saw that Serenity understood he knew how much his kindness meant to her.
Burying her head back into his shirt, Endymion listened as Serenity cried, and he heard his own heartbreak as he realized he could do nothing to stop the pain that would forever hurt Serenity.
=====================
Oh man, that took a while to get out. But I got it out, didn't I? Ya know the drill. I post chapters, you guys' review! ^_^ Don't be bailing on me... right when we're getting to the good part too!
If you guys thought Serenity and Endymion's reconciliation was a bit fast, it's only because I've got other stuff in store for them, and they have to actually start liking each other for that to work, if you know what I mean. ~Lady