Title: Chronicles of the Moon: Life of the Late Queen Serenity – chapter 2

By: semper_fi

Rated: TVPG;

Email: Goodnight_Spoon@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is mine!!!! I've got her locked away in my basement! I created her!!!!!!!!!

HEY!

I wanna say thanks to Lady Guinevere for writing a positive critique for my fic on ASMR. You're a great friend, gurl!!! And all the rest of you - check out her fic! It's called "Ami's Diaries" and it is by far the best fanfic that I've ever read. Also, thanks to Irena Galaxia for emailing me, and to everyone else who wrote me or reviewed this fic (if I forgot your name this time, I promise that I won't next time, k?).

Now I just wanna say, Don't be shy, people! I love getting email and I'd really like to know what you think of this fic. So will you write me?? Pretty please????

NEway, on w/ the fic!!!!!

~~

Life is bigger

It's bigger than you

And you are not me

The lengths that I will go to

The distance in your eyes

Oh no I've said too much

I set it up

~~~

Serenity awakened to a knock on her door. She blinked, and looked out her window. Then she flung herself out of bed; the sun was higher than she had realized, and she should have been up hours ago, entertaining her guests.

"Enter," Serenity commanded, and tried to look as though she had been awake for more than a few moments.

An older woman entered the room, her skirts fluttering with each step. She was dressed in servants' livery, and her gray hair was swept into a low bun. She was plump, but pleasantly so, and Serenity recognized her as the same woman who had tended to her since childhood. Then, with a start, Serenity realized that she had never had a conversation with this woman, and did not even know her name.

"Good morning, Princess." The woman curtsied hurriedly. "I was sent when you did not request help dressing. Now, what would you like to wear today?" she fluttered over to Serenity's wardrobe. "Oh, look at this dress!" she held up a dress that was identical to the one Serenity had worn yesterday, except there were snippets of lilac sewn

in, to compliment Serenity's eyes.

"Thank you," Serenity replied politely. "That will do."

Standing up, Serenity went into the bathroom, so that the servant could bathe her. The bath was a quick one, as Serenity was in no mood to soak, and when she was out and dressed--veil and all—there was another knocking at the door.

"Shall I get that, Princess?"

Serenity nodded. "Please do."

The servant-woman hurried over to the door and opened it. After a moment, she closed it, and turned to Serenity. "A messenger from your Queen Mother, Princess. She wishes you to meet her for tea and the midday meal as soon as possible, in the Queen's Garden."

Serenity nodded. "Thank you. I shall go immediately." Grabbing her sash--a gauzy, transparent strip of cloth—Serenity draped it across her shoulders and hurried from her room. An invitation to the Queen's Garden was not to be taken lightly.

At the top South Tower, which measured several acres, were the Women's Gardens, a place where the women could go and fraternize. An extension of them was the Queen's personal garden, where no one could go without her permission. Serenity had been to the Women's Gardens more times than she could remember, but only a few times could she recall being invited to the Queen's Garden.

As she hurried up the stairs of the South Tower, Serenity began to dread the invitation. She knew that it was most likely to speak of her betrothal, and she was afraid of what she might say if given the chance. That she was against the marriage was certain, but Serenity knew that there was really nothing short of the death or the disappearance of her or Prince Raphael that would save her from an arranged marriage. Her parents were completely within their rights to demand that she marry and create heirs.

By this time she had reached the double doors that lead to the Queen's Garden. Placing her hand on the latch, Serenity felt the familiar snip of pain as a sample of her blood was taken. There was a clicking noise, and then she pushed open the door.

Trees, flowers and bushes were all that she saw, and a small dirt path. Lifting the edges of her myriad skirts, Serenity walked down the path, past the pond, and until she saw a large white tablecloth spread across the ground. Her Queen Mother sat on one end,

at her father's right hand side. When the queen saw Serenity she nudged her husband, who was staring at nothing in particular, lost in thought.

Serenity walked over and stood above them, loathing to sit, as it would start the conversation; a conversation that she did not want to have.

"Serenity," the King greeted her. "Sit, and we'll have tea brought."

Serenity did not think she could stomach tea, but knew that she would. She sat, legs to her side, hands folded on her lap.

The Queen took a breath. "I think that you know why we called you here, and what it is we shall discuss, but I want you to know that we would not marry you away to some terrible creature. Your betrothed is intelligent, good with both politics and weapons..."

"...And sole heir to Constance, the mining capital of the Moon." Serenity interrupted, feeling brave.

Her mother looked horrified, then took another deep breath. "He will make you a fine husband, and he is near to your age. Twenty three, if I am not mistaken."

"Besides all that," the King broke in, "He is a Lunarian with a bloodline almost as pure as our own. And a royal marriage will please the subjects."

"What about what pleases me?" Serenity asked, her throat tightening painfully. "Why did you not discuss this with me? Now I have very little time to get to know him, let alone love him. Why?"

"Because," her father answered firmly, "We knew that you would react like this, and we did not need you upsetting the servants with moodiness regarding your duties."

"That's all I am to you," Serenity whispered. "A tool. A way to get your job done." She looked up sadly. "Was I ever a daughter to you? When did you start disregarding my feelings in such a way?"

"Serenity--"

"Stop," Serenity covered her mouth with the back of one hand. "Please, stop." She got up and started to walk away, but her mother's voice stopped her.

"Sit down, Serenity. They will be here any minute."

"What?" Serenity gasped, spinning to face them. "You invited my betrothed here for the midday meal just seconds after you lecture me about him? How could--" the servant's voice interrupted Serenity before she could say something that she might later regret.

"Announcing their Majesties, King Leon, Queen Grace and Crown-Prince Raphael of Constance!"

The threesome strode into the garden clearing. The king and queen had their arms linked, and to appeared demure and in control, although Serenity could see the telltale tightening in the soft skin around the queen's eyes. The queen was beautiful, and looked as all the royalty of the Moon; tall, thin, and pale. The king was tall and robust, with a frame that hinted of a warrior's hobbies.

To the left of the king, and almost behind him was a young man. Serenity recognized him at once as the man from yesterday's ball who had escorted her from the staircase to the dais. His hair was a very pale blond that could be mistaken for white, and fell in loose curls to his broad shoulders. It was oiled and perfumed, and put into a ponytail, which was how men wore their hair in a Lady's presence. He wore dark burgundy, and Serenity thought absently that his clothing had as many ruffles as her own.

The King stood up at that moment. "Welcome," he said, clasping Leon on the arm. "It's a pleasure to see you three again, and to finally introduce Raphael and my daughter."

Leon smiled charmingly, "It's a pleasure to be here, and to finally began merging our kingdoms so thoroughly."

There was a pause, and Serenity realized the next move was hers. Curtsying, she met Raphael's eyes. "Welcome to the High Kingdom of the Moon, Prince Raphael. I am Princess Serenity, and it is an honor to finally meet you face to face; I did not recognize you at the ball, and for that I apologize."

Prince Raphael bowed low. "The honor is all mine, princess, and you need not apologize."

"What a charming daughter!" King Leon cried, and Serenity willed herself to blush modestly.

"She is our pride and joy," the Queen said, touching Serenity's hand lightly. The gesture had more concealed in it than Serenity would have believed possible: it was meant to compound the truth in her words, to compliment Serenity on doing well so far, and to warn her against trying to "scare off" the prince and his parents. This was a very important merger.

"As Raphael is ours."

The conversation seemed to have come to a close, and as servants brought platters of food, Serenity wished to be anywhere but there.

~~

Serenity sat in the window's box seat in her room. It had been a long day, and although she had just escaped from the midday meal--which had lasted hours--she knew that at any moment a servant would be knocking at her door to deliver a summons to supper.

Proving her right, there was a hesitant knock at the door.

"Enter," Serenity said, barely loud enough to be heard.

The door opened and the servant woman from that morning—and indeed as far back as Serenity could remember--entered. Her hair was still in it's low bun, at the nape of her neck, and Serenity wondered at how the poor woman could tolerate it rubbing against her high collar.

"Princess," the woman looked nervous, "I know that it's not my place, but might I inquire after your health? You've been awfully subdued today."

Serenity sighed and leaned back into the window. The servant, apparently taking Serenity's reaction as disapproval, curtsied and began to hurry off, mumbling apologies.

"No," Serenity cried, "Wait, please."

The woman turned around.

"Please," Serenity repeated. "I would like some company." She gestured to the window seat, and moved her legs aside so there was room enough for two.

Moving slowly, as if suspicious of a trick, the elderly

servant woman made her way over to the window seat, and made herself comfortable. When a moment had passed and Serenity still had not said a thing, the servant prompted with, "Princess?"

Serenity opened lilac eyes, and couldn't remember closing them. "What is your name?"

The servant looked taken aback, then apparently remembered what was asked of her, and replied quickly, "Annie," then belatedly, "Princess."

"Annie," Serenity murmured, then frowned thoughtfully. "What does it mean?"

"Nothing," Annie replied, "Or, at least, nothing that I know of. Only the royals get to give their daughters names with meanings; the rest of us just go by what we like."

"Ah," Serenity nodded sagely. Then, "Annie, could I tell you something and trust you to keep it between the two of us?"

"Of course, Princess," Annie replied, looking almost insulted.

Serenity nodded, then launched into the tale of the girl, leaving out how she came about this information; it would not do for servants to know of their Crown-Princess gallivanting about in desperation. When she had finished, Annie was very quiet.

"Joshua, Princess." Annie said after a spell.

"Who?"

"Joshua is his name," Annie repeated. "Slavery is his trade."

"Slavery?"

Annie nodded. "By your description of the tent, that's gotta be him. A wholly unlikable man, he is, but not the worst. Not by far."

"There are more?" Serenity asked. "Slavers, I mean?"

Annie nodded. "It's the biggest industry, by far; at least on this side of the Moon."

"I don't understand," Serenity began. "What is slavery?"

Annie started, then stared at Serenity closely. "What is slavery, Princess?"

"Oh, I know what it means," Serenity said defensively, "I've read about it in descriptions of other planets, but I did not know that it took place on the Moon. What I want to know is, what does it detail? Are all slavers that cruel?"

Annie nodded. "All that wish to profit from their trade are."

Serenity was shaking her head. "How can this happen? How is it that father does not know of this?"

Annie was silent, then said, "He knows, Princess. Slavery is a legal trade on the Moon."

Serenity's head snapped up. "You lie," she hissed. "He would not let this happen! They are *killing* people!"

Annie nodded, not intimidated. "I know, princess, I know."

Serenity was suddenly restless. "How could he? It's not true ...tell me it's not true!" but Annie said nothing, and Serenity jumped up from her spot on the window seat, and ran from the room.

Down the hallways she flew, and into the section of the palace reserved for the servants' living area. There was no trouble finding a door, and soon Serenity was outside with the sun beating down on her. There were stables in the distance, and Serenity hurried over to them.

"A horse," she told the first stable boy to pass by, and he rushed off, returning a minute later with a white gelding.

It was a magnificent horse with a pink nose, gray dabbles on its back, and expressive eyes. His mane and tail were long and flowing and speckled with random, small ribbons braided in. Serenity recognized him as one of the gifts mentioned at her ball last night. The feasting would continue tonight, indeed in a few hours, but Serenity did not care. She just wanted to get away from the palace and all it represented.

Serenity waited impatiently while the horse was saddled and

bridled, and then the stablemaster himself came over to help her onto her saddle. Serenity sat sidesaddle--as she had been taught—then clucked to the gelding. He responded immediately, and they were off.

She rode him out the main gates and away from the palace, into the city. There was a fair going on, and Serenity dismounted. Holding the gelding's reins, she walked through the fair, amazed by all that she saw.

A puppeteer had set his works up, and children were laughing and screaming and cheering. This show was nothing like the ones she was used to, and was not about the heroism of nobility, but about a young kid-goat who lost his way when he became overly stubborn and would not listen to instruction.

Serenity joined the small crowd gathered around the gypsy, and soon found herself laughing along with the children.

When the show was over Serenity continued to investigate the fair. A juggler stood next to a large bear, which was on a tether and dancing. As Serenity drew closer, however, she noticed that the tether was a chain, and was connected to a large metal ring jutting from the top of the bear's muzzle. The ring was punctured through, so that the bear could barely close his mouth, and what she had earlier mistaken for dancing was truly writhing, as the bear tried to avoid pain.

Covering her mouth with her hand, Serenity ran away from the bear and his dance. He reminded her too much of herself, and that she did not want to be reminded of. However, now she had reached a very different part of the fair. The children were gone, and the population seemed to be only males. They were exchanging money, and most seemed to gravitate toward the arena that Serenity had seen from the wall.

Reining in her gelding closer, Serenity drifted toward the arena. The closer she got, the more she was disgusted. The area smelled of sweat and drink and decay and unwashed flesh. As she reached the arena itself, the place was choked with people pushing to get in. At the main entrance was a man, flanked by two warriors, who were doubling as bouncers.

"Two coppers't get in, missy," the man slurred, holding out a hand to block her path. Then he got a better look at her, and smiled. "Never you mind that; it's on me."

"Thank you," Serenity replied, and hurried in.

The inside reeked even worse, but was less crowded; apparently not everyone had the two coppers to get in. A long hallway stretched out in front of her, and as she reached the end, Serenity found herself drawing closer to her gelding.

Light hit her as a shock, and Serenity squinted a moment, before someone shoved her from behind, and she was forced to continue on. She was now in the seating part of the arena, and dirty, beer-stained bleachers were to her every side. Directly in front of her was a stone ledge, and many men were leaning against and over it, shouting. The noise was tremendous, and Serenity moved closer still to the gelding.

After a moment her curiosity got the better of her, and Serenity wedged her way through the crowd, until she could look over the edge.

The pit was large, huge actually, and covered in dirt. Two men, a blond and a brunette, who were really only a few years older than Serenity, were in the pit. Both wore only a loincloth, and had weapons; one a sword and the other an ax. They stalked and attacked, dodged and ran, and then one got a lucky break. His ax collided with the blond's ribcage, the momentum throwing the blond back several feet, and wresting the ax from the brunette's hands. He stood there for a moment of horrified victory, then fell to the ground.

The crowds began to cheer wildly, and Serenity, disgusted as she was, strained to see. Three cats had been let into the ring; large, feral cats. Panthers. Serenity recognized them as an animal that was born only on Mars, and hard to come by. These had made a long journey, and they looked starved.

The first panther let out a scream, and ran toward the boy. He wobbled to his feet in time to see his fate--

Serenity never remember having begun to run, only that she was out of breath and away from the arena. Children were laughing and running about her, and the bear was in the distance, still dancing its dance.

Leaning against her gelding's neck, Serenity began to cry.

~~

She couldn't remember for how long she cried, only that now it was dark and cold, and the gelding was becoming restless.

"Here, girl," Serenity sniffed; she knew nothing of horses and assumed she had been given a white mare. "We'll be returning to the castle, now."

Serenity looked around, for someone to help her onto the saddle. But there was no one around; they had all closed up their shops and headed back to their safe, warm cottages. All but the Moon's Crown-Princess.

Looking about, Serenity spotted a large rock. She led the gelding next to it, then, slowly, climbed onto the rock, on her hands and knees. Next she stood, and then, finally, dared to put a foot into the stirrup. Serenity paused. Something was not right. Smiling, she realized what it was; Serenity took her right foot out of the left stirrup, and replaced it with her left. Then, hands knotted in the gelding's mane, Serenity pulled herself belly-first onto the gelding's back. Serenity lay there for a moment, then swung her right leg over onto the left leg's side. Now she was sitting like a Lady, and could begin to ride.

Serenity clucked to the gelding, and he began to trot, the pace his own choosing. The further they got from the fair, the darker it became. Soon they were riding in inky darkness; a night devoid of stars.

The gelding began to blow and snort noisily, protesting the rough terrain and the speed that Serenity was beginning to force on him.

"I'm sorry, girl," Serenity whispered.

They continued to run, every movement jarring as Serenity clung to the reins. Then the gelding misstepped, or stepped on a mouse, or a dozen other things; the result was the same. Serenity tumbled from the saddle gracelessly and the gelding danced, trying not to step on her.

When she fell, Serenity rolled. Rocks, dirt and sticks imbedded and imprinted themselves. When she had stopped rolling, Serenity lay still, then aching, got to her feet. The gelding blew gently, then nosed Serenity's ear.

"Hey, girl," Serenity used a greeting she had heard among the servants, and considered herself adventurous. As she walked to the gelding's side, it struck her that not only was there no one around to help her onto the saddle, but there was no rocks or stumps that she could climb onto to help herself up. Serenity stared at the gelding for a long moment, then tried to put her left foot in the left stirrup. The gelding was tall, and her foot would not reach. Serenity strained. No luck.

Stymied but not defeated, Serenity glared down the stirrup. Then she jumped in the air, reaching her foot out at the same time. Her foot caught, but just enough to send her flying so that she landed on her rear.

Serenity flew to her feet, backed up a few yards, then ran at the gelding. As she neared him Serenity jumped. Her left foot slipped through the stirrup, but she was already halfway on the gelding's back, hanging on tightly. Serenity wrapped her legs around his middle, and painstakingly dragged herself onto the gelding's saddle. Then she found herself with a dilemma: she was not sitting like a Lady; no not at all.

But then the gelding was off, and she could almost see the lights from the palace.

~~

As Serenity rode up to the main gates, the guards did a complete double take, then gaped at each other. Finally, a redhead with a poleax pushed up his helmet, squirmed, then said, "Princess, your parents have been worried about you."

"Thank you," Serenity replied icily. Then she raised her eyebrows.

"Oh, sorry, Your Highness!" the guards opened the gate.

"You are forgiven." Serenity replied, her voice wholly lacking emotion. Then she kneed the gelding gently, and they rode to the stables. Word had traveled fast, and as she reined in at the stable, the stablemaster and the stable boy from earlier was waiting for her.

"I'll take your horse, Princess," the stable boy said, taking hold of the reins as the stablemaster helped her dismount.

"Thank you," Serenity replied. "And please give her extra attention; she deserves it."

The stable boy opened his mouth to inform Serenity that her gelding was a castrated stallion and not a mare, but the stablemaster slanted him a look and he just nodded, mumbling a, "Yes, Princess," underneath his breath.

Serenity nodded to them, then was on her way. As she entered the courtyard, two guards in white came to meet her; they were the Queen's Guards.

"Princess," the guards bowed in unison. "Your Queen-Mother requests you presence immediately. Her Highness is waiting in the King's study. We will escort you there."

"Thank you," Serenity replied, with as much dignity as one can when their skirts are shredded and they are covered in dirt and grime. "That will not be necessary." She began to walk toward the palace's entrance, but the guard's voice stopped her.

"We shall escort you to the King's study, Princess."

Serenity turned around slowly, one eyebrow raised, as she had seen servants do to each other when they did not know she was watching. The guards, to their credit, did not squirm. Instead, the one who had been silent so far walked a few steps in front of her, to the door, and opened it.

"After you, Princess."

Serenity clenched her fists, in no mood for games, but entered the palace woodenly, and walked brusquely. She made it to the study before the guards, and, knowing it would be unlocked, opened the door for herself, without knocking. She was too upset with the guards to allow them the honor of opening the door for her, which was their job, and was too upset with her parents to allow them the simple courtesy of knocking first.

The King was seated in his throne-like chair, and the Queen was leaning against the desk, her hand in his. They both whirled as Serenity walked in, the guards stumbling after her, then yanked her hands away simultaneously, as if caught doing something forbidden.

"You are dismissed," the Queen told her guards. She was blushing, and refused to acknowledge Serenity's presence. Serenity was equally stony, standing straight, shoulders back, chin up, stomach in.

No one moved and not a word was said until the guards had left. Then the Queen sat down, rigidly, in a throne-like chair, which had been brought in and placed next to the King's.

"Sit," she commanded.

Serenity did not want to sit, and especially not when she realized that they had not had a throne brought in for her, as was her right now that she had come of age. They expected her to sit in the same chair as they would have set up for anyone else. That was a grave, and final insult.

"Thank you, Mother, but no." Serenity replied. "I am comfortable standing right here." She smiled pleasantly. "What was it you wished to see me about?"

The King's eyes widened. "Serenity!" he said, aghast.

Serenity was silent.

"Where were you tonight?" the Queen asked directly. The question startled Serenity, as she was used to her parents dancing around issues.

"I," Serenity cleared her throat. "I went out for a ride."

"Like a man!" the Queen cried.

Serenity opened her mouth to reply, but her father cut her off.

"Do not deny the truth, Serenity. We've heard that you came charging into the stables, dirt and stink clinging to you, one leg on either side of that horse straddling it like a harlot!"

The Queen gasped at the vulgarity, but did not reprimand her husband.

Serenity was silent.

The King took a breath, ran a hand through his hair, then glared up at his daughter. "You're lucky that we have people covering this and dispelling it as a rumor. As it is, there will be questions. Prince Raphael was out in the gardens, entertaining your guests, and he was barely able to herd them all away from you, what with the spectacle that you made of yourself.

"King Leon and Queen Grace are willing to forgive this incident, but the wedding will have to be moved up. You will wed Prince Raphael of Constance in three days time. Now, go get cleaned up and join us in the ballroom; your guests are waiting."

~~~

WELL, what'd you guys think about THAT? I hope you guys liked this chapter. I will be releasing a new one about every week.

Also, please read the other fics that I've written, co-written, or posted for my sister. They are "When Haruka Gets a Job" a Sailor Moon parody that I co-wrote with my li'l sis, "The Park" written by my sis, but posted under my pen name; it is also a parody, only it is about the X-Men. The last is "Sailor Moon and Me", which si about me and my buddies getting sent to Sailor Moon Land. It's humorous, but has "drama", too.

I think that that's all… just remember, I'm all alone, so don't be shy! Email me! I've got nothing better to do, and email pen pals are fun! J Or you could write a review and help lure other unsuspecting readers into my fic *grinz*.

Semper_fi