Title: Chronicles of the Moon: Life of the Late Queen Serenity

By: semper_fi

Rated: TVPG

Email: Goodnight_Spoon@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, not mine. Story, mine.

Dedicated to: Guine-chan/Lady Guinevere (Jan. 8th 1984 – Jan. 11th 2003). I miss you, girl. We all do.

Okay, here's part two...

~~

Everything is so benign

Safest place you'll ever find

God forbid you change your mind

He thinks he'll keep her

~~~

Serenity had to check the compulsion to skip more than once as she headed to the stables with Nicolas walking beside her. The stables weren't very large—twenty horses might have fit—and Serenity began to question her request; if fifteen or twenty horses were all these escaped slaves owned, was she wrong to demand one?

Certainly not, she thought firmly. He has my Crystal, does he not? And what a rude demand that was! He acts as though I cannot be trusted…

Her thoughts were cut off as they entered the stables. A small child who looked about eight due to malnutrition, but was actually ten summers old, was singing in a high, clear soprano. He was dragging a bale of hay toward the stalls, and a young cat was pouncing on his feet as he sang. His voice was impossibly high and very beautiful, but when Serenity turned to Nicolas to comment, he was frowning.

Very well, she thought, He may have no appreciation of fine music, but I certainly do.

The child's song had wound to an end, and Serenity clapped charmingly. "Wonderful," she complimented. "You sing beautifully."

"Thank you," the child replied, in the same lovely, impossibly high soprano. And then he went back to his work.

Puzzled, Serenity turned to Nicolas, to see him glaring at her. "Of course he sings well," Nicolas replied hotly, "His master severed his vocal chords t' assure he only sing in th' clearest and highest of voices. He was to perform for the likes of that royal brat tonight, but we got lucky when he wandered away from camp two days ago."

Humiliated, Serenity kept her silence as Nicolas stomped off toward the horses, and she followed demurely.

There were seventeen horses in the stables; one black, ten brown, two cinnamon, one bay, two gray, and an Appaloosa. The Appaloosa caught her eye at once because he looked strange and even belligerent. He was a sooty color that could have been either black or dark gray, but it faded to light gray and almost white halfway down his neck and remained that color over his entire torso, finally returning to black as it neared his knees. His tail was very dark gray, and long. His eyes were large, shiny and black. All over the white and light gray area were what Serenity's perceived as black polka dots, not overly large, but definitely visible.

Serenity reached out her hand without meaning to, and touched the Appaloosa's velvety nose. Then she turned to Nicolas, "Him." She said. "This is the horse that I desire."

Nicolas looked at her skeptically. "'Tis no Lady's horse you've taken a liking to, ma'am. Perhaps the bay…"

"No, thank you. This is the horse that I desire."

"'E's no average horse, ma'am, but a stallion stolen from…"

"I care not for your excuses." Serenity said. "Saddle him, please."

"Yes, ma'am."

Nicolas hurried over to get down the equipment, but Serenity thought that she saw his shoulders quiver, then tremble rhythmically, as if laughing.

Or crying? She wondered. By Hope and Lance, I was not that hard on the man!

Feeling guilty, Serenity waited until the Appaloosa was out in the courtyard, saddled, then extended her hand to Nicolas, intending for him to take hold of her around the waist and lift her onto the saddle. He stared at her out-stretched hand in bewilderment, surely knowing what she intended, but dumbstruck that she would consider him her servant. Serenity, however, thought that he was merely overcome with gratitude, and smiled politely at him, extending her hand further.

Growling to himself, Nicolas lifted her onto the saddle, where she sat, both legs on one side, the epitome of femininity and grace despite her disheveled appearance.

"Fare well, Nicolas. And do pass on my blessings to Mea." That said, Serenity clucked to the Appaloosa, and he trotted out of the courtyard, through the high wooden gates—which had been opened for her—and out into the city.

They were a distance from the cathedral when Serenity glanced down at her steed, and saw that his eyes had gone sly. That was all the warning she got, and then she was sitting on the ground on her rump, wondering where her horse was.

He was three feet away, whickering gaily and prancing his feet.

"Bad," Serenity hissed, and the Appaloosa's ears went back. Surprised at herself and at her snake-like tone of voice, Serenity cleared her throat hurriedly, hoping that no one had heard her. There were a great many people around her, all laughing and making merry. "Bad," she said in a clearer, stronger voice. "Now come here, you."

The Appaloosa tossed his head jubilantly and swayed, as if overcome with mirth. Serenity got to her feet and approached him, too ignorant of horses to be concerned for her safety around this huge animal. He was not as large as her own white gelding, and Serenity found that, if she jumped a bit, she could fit her left foot into the stirrup. She was in the process of pulling herself up onto his back when the Appaloosa took a quick step forward, and Serenity plummeted, her foot still caught in the stirrup hoop.

A few people stopped to watch, but Serenity was too preoccupied with detaching her ankle to be upset or embarrassed. More than anything, she was mad. Her evening had been going so well, all until the Appaloosa tricked her with his good looks and then subjected her to his tasteless humor. But she would get him back, oh yes she would.

Back on her feet and warier than ever, Serenity rushed him and jumped. Her foot caught in the stirrup and she propelled herself all the way onto his back. The Appaloosa was still for a moment, and Serenity was pleased. She clucked to him, and he took three steps forward before dipping his rump. Serenity slipped off as though she were made of soap and landing painfully on the ground, rear-end leading.

Serenity felt like screaming. She felt dirty, sweaty, tired, sore, and just wanted to get back to the palace where she could take a long hot bath and soak until she was pruney. And there stood the Appaloosa, tossing his head and whickering, happy as a lark.

"We'll see about that," Serenity hissed. She got to her feet and stalked up to the Appaloosa, head lowered snake-like. She paid the growing crowd no heed, and climbed onto the saddle slowly, watching for a trick. The Appaloosa watched her curiously, and obeyed effortlessly when she clucked to him.

Serenity began to let out a guffaw of delight, but then checked herself, already beginning to blush at the thought of what she almost did. It was late now, and she guessed that she had been gone for the better part of four hours, if not more. Fear elapsed her as the implications of this began to sink in. She had shamed herself and let everyone down, most of all her planet.

"Quicker, boy," Serenity urged, and the Appaloosa, picking up on the under tone in her voice lengthened his stride until they were almost at a full gallop, and civilians were diving out of their way and shouting curses. As they dashed from the city limits Serenity wished that the Appaloosa would travel quicker, but knew not how to order him to do so. She had been taught only that Ladies always kept both legs to one side of the saddle, and when Serenity had inquired as to the usefulness of that custom, her teacher had been affronted. "We are not courtesans, child!" the older woman had cried, aghast.

The minutes dragged by like hours, and they very well may have been to her parents and husband, who were alternately worried and furious. Somewhere far away, like a thought on the outside of her mind, groping to get back in, was the reassurance, All will be well, little one. Once we are together again we shall right the planets, you and I.

Serenity could see the lights from the palace now, though they seemed muted. She leaned forward on the Appaloosa's neck sleepily, and he doubled his speed, shaking Serenity of her sleepiness and forcing her to grip the reins until her knuckles whitened. Her hair whipping all about her, wind blowing, eyes nearly tearing over by the force of the ride, and, to quote her father, "straddling the horse like a harlot", Serenity had never felt more free or blissful in her entire life.

…But now she was rushing the palace gates, and the Appaloosa had slowed down to a trot. The guards were doubled tonight, and a small, wiry one with brown hair regarded her with unconcealed curiosity.

"State your business, ma'am."

Serenity blinked, and was almost insulted that they did not recognize her, considering her earlier finery, but she was in too splendid a mood to mind all that much. Sitting up straight, stomach in, shoulders back, chin up, Serenity looked down at them regally. "'Tis I, Crown-Princess Serenity of the Moon." Smiling, she urged the Appaloosa forward, only to find the guard's spear in her way.

"You'll forgive us, princess, but 'tis only procedure that we must first be certain." He held up a tracker, and the small metallic device gleamed slyly.

"Very well," Serenity relented, not in the mood to argue procedure. She waited until the guard had hurried to her right hand side and lifted the tracker, so that she would not have to inconvenience herself with bending over, and then extended her hand slightly. The tracker was touched to it, there was a familiar nip, and then the guard was nodding curtly to his comrades. One was already rushing off in the direction of the palace, Tatattling to my royal parents, no doubt, Serenity thought, as the other guard was offering to escort her to the stables.

"No, thank you." Serenity replied, and clucked to the Appaloosa. He trotted eagerly toward the stables with no urging on her part, apparently smelling hay and mares. Serenity gave him free rein, and the stablemaster was waiting for them in the doorway as they entered the stables.

"Good eve, princess," he greeted, but his eyes gleamed with knowledge, and Serenity had no doubt that, from gossip, he had been expecting her all night. "'Tis a lovely stallion you've got there."

Serenity could tell that he was fishing for details, and as he lowered her from the Appaloosa's back she replied with, "Yes, he is, and I'd have you take extra special care of him for me, if you would. Please keep him next to my mare so that they can get to know one another and so that all will know he is mine."

"Yes, princess."

Serenity was barely a yard away from the stablemaster when two guards emerged from the shadows. "Your presence is requested in the King's study at once. We shall escort you there, princess."

By now Serenity knew that it was futile to argue the cause. They were walking through yet another marble hallway when Serenity said, "I wish to stop by my chambers and freshen up." She knew that after gallivanting through badger holes all evening she was not looking her best.

"Our orders were to escort you directly to the study, princess," the first guard contradicted.

Serenity smiled pleasantly. "My royal parents grow old and the throne will be passed onto me. Therefore I think that it would be quite wise of the two of you to be in my favor when that time comes. Yes?"

The guards looked at each other for a moment. In this age of war and bloodshed it was very likely that Serenity would be crowned young. When they turned back to her, the second guard nodded curtly. "Make haste," he warned, and Serenity raised her brows slightly.

They detoured and she reached her chambers quickly, then hurried inside and lit a torch. She looked at herself in the mirror and could have cried. Her white gown was gray and brown, and there was dirt and grass in her hair, which looked tangled. The moons drawn onto her skin had rubbed off, and she looked tired, but flushed. She snatched the brush from her dresser and brushed out her long white hair, but that only took care of the dirt and grass in it. This would never do.

What shall I do? Serenity wondered, and then she had a wonderful, horrible, vindictive idea. Tugging at the ribbons sewn into her dress, she pulled two out, and then, parting her hair down the middle, pulled half of it up so that she had a fistful up at one side of her head. She folded it over itself so that she had one large loop of hair with a long tail trailing from the loop's end, then secured it with the ribbon. She did the same to the other side of her head, and cast one last, rueful look in the mirror. Licking her thumb, Serenity cleaned most of the dirt from her face, but nothing could be done for her dress, and she had not the time to change.

At least my hair looks nice, Serenity thought wryly, and left her chambers.

The guards had been pacing and considering the wisdom in disturbing her, but when Serenity came from her chambers they wished that she had remained inside. No woman—let alone Lady—had ever worn her hair up, under any conditions. It was just…obscene, regardless of the fact that her wrists and neck were covered by chokers and bracelets.

Serenity regarded them pleasantly and began heading for her father's study, and they could do nothing more than follow in fascinated horror. When they reached the study Serenity let them open the doors for her, and she walked inside demurely.

The study was well lit, and a long table had been arranged in the center of the room, with seven chairs and six thrones arranged around it, all but one occupied.

Good, she thought, as her eyes lit on the empty throne, They know better than to slight me twice.

Her throne was at the head of one side of the table, on her father's left, and the other three thrones were opposite, at the other end of the long, rectangle table. On either side of the table, the chairs were all occupied. At her mother's right was Jonathan, the Prime Minister. He was a thirtysomething balding man with a strange, tawny complexion and expressive eyes. Next to him was Edward, the ancient Royal Advisor, and next to him sat Bernard, Minister of Courtroom Affairs, who looked bored. Then came Leon, the Captain of the Guard, who was about twenty-three, and looked out of place. The king and queen of Constance, her in-laws, and Raphael sat next to him, and then came Michael, Minister of Internal Affairs, Gabriel, Minister of Local Affairs, David, the Royal Ambassador, and finally Geoffrey, Minister of livestock, gardening and foodstuffs. All turned when she entered the room, and as they saw her condition and her hair, it was as though a dark cloud passed over the faces of everyone present, save her own.

…And then their training took over and their faces became, once again, blank. Serenity made her way to the empty throne and took her seat regally, folding her hands together on her lap and clenching them so that they would not tremble. She was frightened of the consequences that her actions had brought about, and was now wondering if it had been wise at all to put up her hair. The answer, of course, was a resounding no, but she had no time to contemplate this because her father was speaking, his voice full of controlled anger.

"Now that our guest of honor has arrived we may begin this council. The subject, of course, is where we are to go from here, considering all that has befallen us. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

Prime Minister Jonathon made a quick, respectful gesture requesting permission to speak.

"Granted," the king said, then added, "And we may as well follow Serenity's lead and forget about protocol. Proceed, Jonathon."

Jonathon cleared his throat. "I feel that before any decisions can be accurately made, we must first know the nature of Her Highness's…outing."

All eyes turned to Serenity, and she had to force herself not to fidget as Raphael's gray eyes found her own, and they bored into hers until she glanced down. "Seeing as that is personal information, I will say only that I went for a long ride, and…"

"Forgive my interruption," Geoffrey, minister of food, gardening and livestock said demurely, "But if the princess truly went riding, it was not by a horse from our stables. Neither was the stallion she returned on of our stock."

"Thank you, Geoffrey," the king said quietly, his eyes never leaving Serenity's face.

"If you'll excuse my bluntness, Majesties," Michael, Minister of Internal Affairs spoke up, "I think that it would be best to skip all preamble and address the problem directly," at the king's nod he continued, "By disappearing, princess, not once but twice, and during celebrations, you have caused quite a few problems. First of all we must wonder where it is that you are going, and whether it poses a danger to you or anyone else. Even providing that it does not, you still have responsibilities—duties—that must be performed." His eyes were harsh and insistent as he begged, "Just think of the talk that would abound should the servants get word that you slip off to a private life somewhere! The scandal would ruin your own reputation and cast shame and embarrassment to both your own royal parents and your new husband. Think on this, would you, and then tell us where you really were this night."

Serenity bit her bottom lip. She had always liked Michael for his wit and quick responses, as well as his blunt honesty, but now she wished that it were turned anywhere but on her. She also knew that she would not betray Mea, even if it cost her another few hours in this stuffy chamber with ministers breathing down her neck and her husband staring at her.

"Serenity?" her mother prodded, and Serenity believed that she almost heard a crack in her royal mother's voice.

You went on a walk outside the palace walls to clear your head and tripped, dirtying your gown, came the voice, on the outside of her mind, very faint this time and almost nonexistent. Frightened of your parents response, you left the palace grounds and walked until you came to the city, then joined in the revelry. You realized that it was getting late and bought a horse with your bracelet and hurried back to the palace, but were too afraid of your parent's reaction to tell them the truth the first time you were asked.

Serenity broke down in a heap of tears, and choked out, "It was all so much to take in…I had one drink too many went out into the Royal Gardens to breath in the night air. Then, not just a little tipsy, I sneaked from the palace grounds and went to the city. By then I had sobered but was too frightened to return, for fear of your anger, and I hid and cried amidst the revelry," she could see their faces softening to her lie, and continued, "After a bit I went in search of a means to get back to the palace, and I loaned the Appaloosa with my veil and the promise of compensation later. I was halfway home when he threw me, ruining my dress. I had to remount him myself, and then the only way to stay on was to straddle him," she sobbed at this part, and felt her mother's sympathetic gaze on her lowered head, "And now, when I finally return to the palace, I'm treated like this?"

There was a silence, and Serenity looked up to see every face a mask of sympathy, save Raphael's. Looking into his eyes she realized that he knew. He knew that she lied, and he was determined to know why.

"Would you like to retire to the wedding chambers, Serenity?" her mother asked gently.

Serenity nearly choked at this, but managed to nod.

Crown-Prince Raphael was already out of his seat. "I shall escort you, princess."

"Thank you, Prince Raphael," Serenity replied formally, and they left the room. As they walked down the marble hallways her mind was awash with thoughts, all feverish and clouded. She wanted nothing more than to run away from Raphael and his anticipations, but knew better than to do so. That would be the unforgivable, and no lies or tears would save her from the Moon's wrath should she try to escape her wifely duties tonight.

Their wedding was a unique one because, for centuries, it was the practice that the new brides would move into their husband's estate with her new in-laws and reside there until the parents passed away. In the case of her kingdom, the High Kingdom of the Moon, she should be moving to Constance on the morrow, but because her kingdom held more power and she was the sole heir, they would be staying here, and she would not have to leave her home.

What made her wedding unique, however, was that the first and only child born to the High King and Queen had always been male, although a few times more than one child was born. Regardless, the first was always male. The queen had born a babe twice before Serenity, both male, and both stillborn. Her royal mother was a woman who, while she was strong in spirit, was weak in the flesh. After numerous miscarriages and the deaths of her two sons came Serenity, and that threw a wrench in everything. The healer had warned her parents not to try again, lest the queen die in childbirth, and they were stuck with their daughter.

Now they had reached the wedding chambers, which were down the hall from Serenity's own chambers. Raphael had—conveniently—been given the chambers next to hers...complete with a door that led from them into Serenity's. This made Serenity uncomfortable, but she said nothing as he opened the door for her and she walked in.

The room was huge and all done in white marble, save the floor, which was white oak, covered liberally with pelts of the theme color. A balcony provided little diversion from the huge white four-post bed in the center of the room, pushed against a tall marble wall. Serenity walked over to the vanity and leaned her arms on it, back to Raphael. She could hear him moving about behind her, and turned slowly.

"Would you like me to take my hair down?" she asked, hoping to engross him in some sort of conversation, but he was eyeing her neck and coming closer to her.

"No," he murmured, and blew out the torch.

~~

Well, what did you think? this has been one of my "bomb"

chapters, where a lot happens. I hope that you enjoyed it, and please

email me with your thoughts, comments, whatever - good critiques are

appreciated, too!

Ja!

AJ

Goodnight_Spoon@hotmail.com