Title: Chronicles of the Moon: Life of the Late Queen Serenity
By: AJ Martinez Email: Goodnight_Spoon@hotmail.com Rated: TV PG Started: 4:07 PM; May 11th 2002 Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is copyrighted as follows.Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Kodansha Ltd., DiC, CWI, Pioneer, Mixx, and quite a few other people. Any characters that you do not recognize are my inventions, and I would prefer that you not use them, except in and under special conditions.
Thanks as usual to my editors: SmokyBlackDragon and Lady Elanial. It's so much help to be able to bounce this stuff off people before posting it up for the world to see. ^______^
Well, that's all...
Wait! Almost forgot. This chapter is dedicated to my mother, because it's Mother's Day tomorrow and the only money I have is the $3 she gave me today to buy ice cream (in case you haven't already guessed, that means no Mothers Day present). Love ya, Mom!
~~
~~~
Serenity strained her ears, trying to discern whether or not Raphael was still awake. His breathing was rhythmic and he had not stirred, but something told her to be cautious tonight. *He usually falls asleep immediately, anyway,* Serenity reasoned with herself, more for the purpose of hurrying things along before she, herself, fell asleep than for any reassurance. Still not completely at peace with her decision, Serenity slipped from the bed quietly and walked through the dark room. The earthlight shone through the balcony draperies, casting a bluish hue over the marble floor and alabaster furniture. Using her hands, Serenity patted her way from one dresser to the next, until she had arrived at main dresser, which doubled as a vanity. It was situated right next to the fireplace (where Serenity brewed her tea) and so that the mirror reflected the bed. Pulling open the bottom drawer, Serenity took out her dressing robe, and then opened the top drawer, intent on getting out her kettle. At the exact moment that her eyes caught on the tea herbs--which she had not placed in the drawer--a voice said, "I hope it's the right blend." Serenity spun around. Her eyes had adjusted slightly to the darkness, so she could just discern her husband's silhouette from the other varying degrees of shadow. He was propped up on one elbow, and leaned over to the bedside table to turn on an oil lamp, the latest fad on Jupiter, and a gift from their monarchy.
Serenity blinked in the sudden light, turning her head away slightly. Then, remembering that he had asked a question (although most likely it was meant to be rhetoric), Serenity replied with, "It is the right kind." *Thank you,* the Crystal reminded, from its spot on the bedside table. "Thank you," Serenity added, more to appease the Crystal than because she was thankful for his intervention. Indeed, she was far from thankful. Bewildered and consumed by panic that he may know of the wilchide would more adequately describe her current disposition. Serenity swallowed, then decided to cut to the chase. "How long have you..." she paused, searching for a word that would not implicate her. "Known?" "Three weeks," Raphael replied, deciding to be truthful. *Three weeks!* Serenity could already feel her face coloring, and was thankful for the minimal lighting. *Three weeks he's known and remained silent, waiting for what? To catch me in the act?* *I think not. He could have done so a dozen times over,* the Crystal chimed in. When Serenity did not reply, it added, "He obviously does not know of the wilchide. You are safe for now, child.* Unnerved by Serenity's drawn-out silence, Raphael cleared his throat to get her attention, then said, "I had tea brought to this room to save you the walk. Had you mentioned something sooner-" "Thank you," Serenity said again, cutting him off. She lifted the tea- herbs and kettle from the drawer, and knelt to build a fire; a trick she had learned from years of watching Annie. "Here, I'll get that," Raphael jumped from the bed, and Serenity turned beet-red, jerking her eyes to the floor when she saw that he was still unclothed. When she dared to glance up again, he had wrapped a cloak around himself and was headed toward her. She shot to her feet when Raphael knelt down beside her, and stared religiously at the rug while he built the fire. When her eyes wandered back to him, she noticed that his hair, when undone from its usual ponytail (as custom deemed it should be worn in the presence of a lady) was really quite long. This was a good sign, she remembered from her studies of Lunarian history and customs: a boy was given war- training at the beginning of the age of twelve, although he was not allowed to call anyone out for a duel until he reached the age of fifteen. At that age sparring turned to dueling, and the boy was named a man. He could call out anyone he wished; however, to lose a duel meant the cutting of one's hair to chin-length. *He must be very good,* Serenity thought, eyeing her husband's hair more closely; it was very pale blond, almost a pure white, like her on, and cascaded down his back in slight waves. It was thick and almost went to his belt loop, she noticed. It looked very soft. *Hair is an odd thing,* the Crystal commented. *Ever wonder why it determines the color of royals hair on every planet in this universe, but changes only the hue of all earthlings' skin, monarchy and paupers alike?* Serenity had never wondered this, but she answered the Crystal automatically. *That's because every planet has a different sort of light source; we, the Moon, have nine planets, their moons, stars and the Sun as our light source. Mars, for example, has the light of eight planets, their moons, stars, the Sun, as well as us for light. Each planet has the added light of moons, stars, the Sun, plus eight other planets, unhindered by their own light shining down on them. It's a different combination on each planet. * It is for that reason that my hair is white. Were I a royal on Neptune my hair would be varying shades of aqua, or...* *Then why is it that Mars and Saturn are both known for raven-haired heirs? And what is your excuse for the earthlings, with their variety?* the Crystal countered. Serenity was silent. *It is,* the Crystal said, answering its own question, *Because of their religion, organized and otherwise.* *Do you mean to say,* Serenity began, *That one's choice of religion, or lack thereof, can have an effect on the way the planets cast light on them?* *Of course,* the Crystal responded. *Because the planets are not the only thing shining down on them.*
~~
Raphael was looking at Serenity quizzically. He had finished the fire and moved to a chair in the corner, but still she stood, staring at the place where he once knelt. It took him a moment to notice that her eyes looked slightly glazed. Then, suddenly, she broke out of her trance-like state and looked down at the floor, blinking rapidly. When she looked up at him there was an embarrassed flush on her cheeks. Not meeting his eyes, Serenity went about to fill the kettle with water from the adjacent bathroom and to hang it over the fire. Raphael watched his wife move about the room self-consciously, and frowned. He had no idea why his gesture upset her so, but it obviously had. *Probably just frightened her.* He mused, remerging how, moments earlier, he had leaped from the bed, forgetting to clothe himself first. They remained in silence while the water heated, Serenity standing next to the fireplace, fiddling with her robe, and Raphael sitting in the chair. When at last the kettle whistled, Serenity bound toward it and grabbed the handle, forgetting how hot it would be. With a yelp, Serenity dropped the kettle. Raphael sprung up from his seat and ran across the room to where Serenity stood, clutching her burnt hand. "Are you alright?" he asked. Then, "Never mind. Stupid question. Wait here and I'll be right back." Serenity nodded, her eyes tearing over. She had never experienced pain like this before; her hand was throbbing and felt like it had been sliced across the palm. "Here," Raphael said. He held up a wet cloth. Serenity uncurled her hand slowly, each movement igniting white, hot pain. When she at last had her hand open, Raphael placed the cloth in her hand and closed her fingers over it. Serenity looked up at Raphael, eyes moist and brimming. Raphael looked down at her, and was suddenly aware of how close their bodies were; he could feel the heat radiating from her arm. He leaned closer to her, captivated by her eyes. But then, when there was only inches between them, the reality of what he was about to do prevailed over his bodies' inclinations, and Raphael turned the movement into a quick turn. Once his back was to her it was easier to walk to the bed, get in it, pull the covers over himself, and turn off the oil lamp. What wasn't easy was getting her eyes--a bit frightened, then hurt and questioning--out of his head.
~~
The next morning Serenity awoke to find herself in the bed and the room empty. And, while the latter was normal, the former had her confused. *He moved you in the night,* the Crystal answered her unspoken question. *He waited until you were asleep, lifted you from the chair and placed you in the bed, then left for his own chambers, I presume.* This confused Serenity. She would never have guessed Raphael capable of such a tender, even intimate gesture. But then, he had been surprising her a lot lately, mainly the night before, when he had placed the tea-herbs in the drawer for her. A flush rose to her cheeks as she remembered the other events of last night. *He was going to kiss you,* the Crystal supplied. Serenity was silent. Indeed, he had seemed about to kiss her. *Then why didn't he?* Serenity wondered, and was instantly horrified at her own thoughts. She didn't love Raphael, and didn't want to be married to him. *Things could have been much worse,* the Crystal said. *He's young, intelligent, healthy...what more could you possibly wish for?" "Love," Serenity whispered. *Silly princess,* the Crystal chided. Not deeming to answer, Serenity rolled onto her side and sighed deeply. The movement rubbed linens against her burnt hand, and Serenity winced. She slowly uncurled her fingers, and saw that the cloth Raphael had handed her last night was still in her hand, and that it was not a mere cloth- scrap, but his own silk handkerchief. His name was embroidered neatly in the corner, in a navy blue thread. Serenity stared at the handkerchief for a long moment, slowly remembering and reliving her surprise at the tea-herbs, dropping the kettle, and.. "Oh no," the words escaped her lips on a breath, so quiet that they might not have been heard by human ears. *The wilchide...oh no...what if?...oh no...* Serenity's chest began to throb, and it was only then that she realized she had been holding her breath. She inhaled sharply. Air and saliva went down the wrong pipe and she hacked, sitting up and clutching at the breast of her night robe as coughs overcame her. When she finally regained her composure, Serenity flew from the bed and stood there, unable to formulate a train of thought. Finally *...the wilchide!...* trickled through, and she sprinted for the door, flung it open, and collided into a servant. The servant jumped to his feet, and when he noticed that it was the crown- princess who lay sprawled on the ground before him, a tremor went through his entire body and he looked as though he might be sick. "Y-Y-Your Highness," he swallowed with effort, then began to speak quickly, leaving Serenity no room to reply. "I beg your f-forgiveness. It was my fault, entirely. Are you hurt? I'll get a healer..." "Wait," Serenity called to the servant, who was already headed away, in the direction of the healer's chambers. "Come back here." The servant stopped walking, but took a moment before turning around and walking back to her, his eyes already tearing up with anticipation. Panting slightly, Serenity rose to her feet, then looked the servant over: tall, graying, and thin, Serenity guessed him to be in his mid to late forties. He wore the livery of a servant of the High Kingdom of the Moon, but nothing distinguishable that would set him apart or suggest that he worked in a special division. "The fault," Serenity said, having finally regained her breath and wits, "is no one's. You will not be punished." The servant breathed a sigh of relief, and Serenity smiled at him in reassurance before turning back into the wedding chambers. *Lucky that he was there at that precise moment,* the Crystal said. *Heads would certainly turn if you ran down the hallways in your robe and nightgown.* The Crystal was right, Serenity knew. She hadn't been thinking straight, dashing about half-dressed; her only goal at that time had been to reach her own chambers, where she had secreted a small stash of wilchide. Feeling sick, Serenity held her stomach, certain it would be half and again its normal size by the time she woke up tomorrow morning. Hugging herself loosely, Serenity took a step backward, until she could feel the solid consistency of the door behind her. It felt cold and unyielding; Serenity pressed herself against it until her legs ached, and when she eased up on the pressure she slid into a sitting position on the floor, arms resting on her belly. "Please," Serenity whispered. "Please, no...I can't...please..."
~~
It had been four days since that fateful night with Raphael, and since then Serenity had not been granted access to the wilchide after their "duties" had been performed. Three nights a week she lay with Raphael, but now, instead of going to sleep immediately after, he stayed up and drank tea with her. Usually they said nothing to each other, and when the tea was finished (and Raphael had a tendency to linger on his cup, small as it was) he put out the oil lamp and they went to sleep in the same bed. In the morning Serenity would wake to find the bed empty. Then she would dress and bathe and run to her own chambers, where she would brew and drink a whole kettle of the wilchide-tea, surreptitiously pinching her stomach for excess growth, although, as experience would later teach her, it took months for any new life to become visible. At this moment Serenity sat on her bed, copying the last blueprint for Mea and the Cause. Her excitement at a goal now in view had made her clumsy, and the proof was in two crumpled up almost-blueprints, which now lay in a trash-carrier by her desk. There was a knock at her door, and Annie scuttled in, a bundle in her arms. "Here is your cloak, princess," Annie placed a charcoal-gray cloak--the same one Serenity had used on all of her outings as Luna--on the bed next to the princess. "Your note has been delivered to the Queen Mother." Serenity nodded absent-mindedly, then smiled. "There we go," she murmured, then, louder, "The last blueprint." She held it up for Annie to see. "After the ink dries I'll be off." Annie nodded. As the days drew closer to the gladiator-pit raid, Annie became more and more worried for her young charge. Agreeing with a cause, even championing it, was quite a different thing than throwing royalty to the wolves, as she believed Serenity was doing now. To hurry the ink along, Serenity sprayed a sealing ointment on it, then carried it out onto her balcony, where, after laying it on the floor, she placed a jewel on it to keep the paper from being snatched away by the wind (she had almost lost another blueprint that way). Humming to herself, Serenity wandered back to her bed, stretched, then turned and went to the wardrobe. "My Queen Mother gave no reply?" Serenity queried, although she had to know that Annie would have told her if it was so. "No, princess," Annie replied, watching Serenity shift through the gowns. "None." Serenity seemed to accept this. Selecting a gown and sandals, she turned and went to her dresser, where she had already set out a choker and bracelets. As she dressed, Serenity thought. Everything had been working out rather well so far: she was in the Cause, they were going on a mission--a *real* mission--and no one seemed the wiser for it.
~~
Serenity waited in the courtyard for Mea. She had not sent him any notice that she would be coming, but then, he had not given her the means to. It was a pleasant day, and the September sun was shining just enough to light up the clouds and faces of everyone she saw. The smell of baking bread and fermenting grapes was strong, and Serenity's stomach growled, reminding her that she had not yet eaten that day. A breeze was blowing, sweeping and playing with her hair and sending sand and dirt into miniature twisters throughout the courtyard. Three kittens bat at one, running and then jumping into it, and Serenity smiled, thinking of Luna and Artemis. They were bigger now, although still obviously kittens. Artemis was playful, curious and energetic to the point of being almost hyperactive, while Luna seemed to have a single motto to life: "If it doesn't move, it doesn't matter". Smiling at that thought of her two smallest friends, Serenity meandered into the stables and over to where the horses were. A friendly whicker greeted her, and Serenity hurried over to the second stall on her right, and grinned when she saw the Appaloosa, already straining its head toward her. "Hello, pretty boy," Serenity crooned. "Hello...hellooo..." Mea smiled from the stables' entrance, warmed by what he saw. Serenity had laid down the bundle that she had been carrying, standing on the tips of her toes to wrap her arms around the Appaloosa's thick, muscular neck. The stallion was leaning from the stall, rubbing its cheek against Serenity's hair and snuffling, one ear turned toward her in case she said anything. Then it drooled in her hair while trying to nibble her choker, and the moment was broken. Serenity jumped back, hands instantly going to her slimy hair, and then just as quickly jerking away as she felt the mucus on her finger pads. She let out a sound, halfway between a keen and a moan, and looked at the Appaloosa as if it had betrayed her. Mea laughed lightly, and then realized with a start that this was the first time he had laughed in longer than he could remember. *And you have her to thank for that,* his traitorous mind said, but he dismissed the thought just as quickly, in no mood for another row with his conflicting feelings. Serenity jerked her head toward him at that moment, and a smile lit her face. "Mea!" she cried. "I've finished the blueprints." She stooped to pick up the bundle, turning the movement into a graceful dip as she ran for him, stopping at a polite speaking distance. Mea, suddenly aware of his hunched back and long--brown--tangled hair, frowned. Today was as every other day that he saw Serenity on had been; anticipation and excitement when he heard that she had arrived, and then shamed suspicion and anxiety while she was in his presence. She discomfited him, yes, but he had no intention of letting her know that. Mea held out his hand, and Serenity passed him a bundle of cloth that he presumed held the blueprints. Gesturing for her to follow him, Mea turned and walked back into the stable, to where the hay was bound and stacked before it was brought into the (small) hayloft. Perching on the edge of a rectangular load of hay, he unwrapped the cloth and found ten scrolls, all in scroll-casings fashioned of hollowed tusk, horn, or bone; no cardboard this time. Serenity remained standing as he looked over each and every blueprint, comparing it tediously to the original, which Serenity had brought along as well. Pleased at that they were more than satisfactory, he looked up at Serenity, who had remained standing, and allowed the pleasure that he felt inside to show a bit on the surface, in his eyes and dancing about on the corners of his lips. "These will work well," he said, and could almost hear Serenity's sigh of relief. "You may keep the original; study it religiously and come back here in eight days, on the fifteenth of the month. We will have one meeting on that day, and the raid will be exactly one week from then." Serenity nodded excitedly. "Yes, Mea. Whatever you say." Mea seemed to accept that. He rose laboriously to his feet and trudged toward the stable door. He paused when he got there, turned around, and caught Serenity's eye before saying, "We're counting on you."
~~
Indeed, we're all counting on her. Sorry that this chapter was so short/boring and took so long to come out. I got lazy last week, and it's hard typing everything up on a palm pilot (at least I have the foldable keyboard, though; think how long it would take me if I had to write it all out with their graffiti!). Hopefully the next chapter will be out sooner, but I can't make any promises.
As usual, emails are appreciated! I have MSN messenger (under Goodnight_Spoon) and AIM (AJluvs2Bannoying), so I can be contacted through either of those (preferably AIM, though; I don't know how to use MSN messenger very well).
And last but not least.please try and participate in the ASMR Readers Choice Fanfiction Awards ().
^_______^
Ciao, AJ
By: AJ Martinez Email: Goodnight_Spoon@hotmail.com Rated: TV PG Started: 4:07 PM; May 11th 2002 Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is copyrighted as follows.Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Kodansha Ltd., DiC, CWI, Pioneer, Mixx, and quite a few other people. Any characters that you do not recognize are my inventions, and I would prefer that you not use them, except in and under special conditions.
Thanks as usual to my editors: SmokyBlackDragon and Lady Elanial. It's so much help to be able to bounce this stuff off people before posting it up for the world to see. ^______^
Well, that's all...
Wait! Almost forgot. This chapter is dedicated to my mother, because it's Mother's Day tomorrow and the only money I have is the $3 she gave me today to buy ice cream (in case you haven't already guessed, that means no Mothers Day present). Love ya, Mom!
~~
~~~
Serenity strained her ears, trying to discern whether or not Raphael was still awake. His breathing was rhythmic and he had not stirred, but something told her to be cautious tonight. *He usually falls asleep immediately, anyway,* Serenity reasoned with herself, more for the purpose of hurrying things along before she, herself, fell asleep than for any reassurance. Still not completely at peace with her decision, Serenity slipped from the bed quietly and walked through the dark room. The earthlight shone through the balcony draperies, casting a bluish hue over the marble floor and alabaster furniture. Using her hands, Serenity patted her way from one dresser to the next, until she had arrived at main dresser, which doubled as a vanity. It was situated right next to the fireplace (where Serenity brewed her tea) and so that the mirror reflected the bed. Pulling open the bottom drawer, Serenity took out her dressing robe, and then opened the top drawer, intent on getting out her kettle. At the exact moment that her eyes caught on the tea herbs--which she had not placed in the drawer--a voice said, "I hope it's the right blend." Serenity spun around. Her eyes had adjusted slightly to the darkness, so she could just discern her husband's silhouette from the other varying degrees of shadow. He was propped up on one elbow, and leaned over to the bedside table to turn on an oil lamp, the latest fad on Jupiter, and a gift from their monarchy.
Serenity blinked in the sudden light, turning her head away slightly. Then, remembering that he had asked a question (although most likely it was meant to be rhetoric), Serenity replied with, "It is the right kind." *Thank you,* the Crystal reminded, from its spot on the bedside table. "Thank you," Serenity added, more to appease the Crystal than because she was thankful for his intervention. Indeed, she was far from thankful. Bewildered and consumed by panic that he may know of the wilchide would more adequately describe her current disposition. Serenity swallowed, then decided to cut to the chase. "How long have you..." she paused, searching for a word that would not implicate her. "Known?" "Three weeks," Raphael replied, deciding to be truthful. *Three weeks!* Serenity could already feel her face coloring, and was thankful for the minimal lighting. *Three weeks he's known and remained silent, waiting for what? To catch me in the act?* *I think not. He could have done so a dozen times over,* the Crystal chimed in. When Serenity did not reply, it added, "He obviously does not know of the wilchide. You are safe for now, child.* Unnerved by Serenity's drawn-out silence, Raphael cleared his throat to get her attention, then said, "I had tea brought to this room to save you the walk. Had you mentioned something sooner-" "Thank you," Serenity said again, cutting him off. She lifted the tea- herbs and kettle from the drawer, and knelt to build a fire; a trick she had learned from years of watching Annie. "Here, I'll get that," Raphael jumped from the bed, and Serenity turned beet-red, jerking her eyes to the floor when she saw that he was still unclothed. When she dared to glance up again, he had wrapped a cloak around himself and was headed toward her. She shot to her feet when Raphael knelt down beside her, and stared religiously at the rug while he built the fire. When her eyes wandered back to him, she noticed that his hair, when undone from its usual ponytail (as custom deemed it should be worn in the presence of a lady) was really quite long. This was a good sign, she remembered from her studies of Lunarian history and customs: a boy was given war- training at the beginning of the age of twelve, although he was not allowed to call anyone out for a duel until he reached the age of fifteen. At that age sparring turned to dueling, and the boy was named a man. He could call out anyone he wished; however, to lose a duel meant the cutting of one's hair to chin-length. *He must be very good,* Serenity thought, eyeing her husband's hair more closely; it was very pale blond, almost a pure white, like her on, and cascaded down his back in slight waves. It was thick and almost went to his belt loop, she noticed. It looked very soft. *Hair is an odd thing,* the Crystal commented. *Ever wonder why it determines the color of royals hair on every planet in this universe, but changes only the hue of all earthlings' skin, monarchy and paupers alike?* Serenity had never wondered this, but she answered the Crystal automatically. *That's because every planet has a different sort of light source; we, the Moon, have nine planets, their moons, stars and the Sun as our light source. Mars, for example, has the light of eight planets, their moons, stars, the Sun, as well as us for light. Each planet has the added light of moons, stars, the Sun, plus eight other planets, unhindered by their own light shining down on them. It's a different combination on each planet. * It is for that reason that my hair is white. Were I a royal on Neptune my hair would be varying shades of aqua, or...* *Then why is it that Mars and Saturn are both known for raven-haired heirs? And what is your excuse for the earthlings, with their variety?* the Crystal countered. Serenity was silent. *It is,* the Crystal said, answering its own question, *Because of their religion, organized and otherwise.* *Do you mean to say,* Serenity began, *That one's choice of religion, or lack thereof, can have an effect on the way the planets cast light on them?* *Of course,* the Crystal responded. *Because the planets are not the only thing shining down on them.*
~~
Raphael was looking at Serenity quizzically. He had finished the fire and moved to a chair in the corner, but still she stood, staring at the place where he once knelt. It took him a moment to notice that her eyes looked slightly glazed. Then, suddenly, she broke out of her trance-like state and looked down at the floor, blinking rapidly. When she looked up at him there was an embarrassed flush on her cheeks. Not meeting his eyes, Serenity went about to fill the kettle with water from the adjacent bathroom and to hang it over the fire. Raphael watched his wife move about the room self-consciously, and frowned. He had no idea why his gesture upset her so, but it obviously had. *Probably just frightened her.* He mused, remerging how, moments earlier, he had leaped from the bed, forgetting to clothe himself first. They remained in silence while the water heated, Serenity standing next to the fireplace, fiddling with her robe, and Raphael sitting in the chair. When at last the kettle whistled, Serenity bound toward it and grabbed the handle, forgetting how hot it would be. With a yelp, Serenity dropped the kettle. Raphael sprung up from his seat and ran across the room to where Serenity stood, clutching her burnt hand. "Are you alright?" he asked. Then, "Never mind. Stupid question. Wait here and I'll be right back." Serenity nodded, her eyes tearing over. She had never experienced pain like this before; her hand was throbbing and felt like it had been sliced across the palm. "Here," Raphael said. He held up a wet cloth. Serenity uncurled her hand slowly, each movement igniting white, hot pain. When she at last had her hand open, Raphael placed the cloth in her hand and closed her fingers over it. Serenity looked up at Raphael, eyes moist and brimming. Raphael looked down at her, and was suddenly aware of how close their bodies were; he could feel the heat radiating from her arm. He leaned closer to her, captivated by her eyes. But then, when there was only inches between them, the reality of what he was about to do prevailed over his bodies' inclinations, and Raphael turned the movement into a quick turn. Once his back was to her it was easier to walk to the bed, get in it, pull the covers over himself, and turn off the oil lamp. What wasn't easy was getting her eyes--a bit frightened, then hurt and questioning--out of his head.
~~
The next morning Serenity awoke to find herself in the bed and the room empty. And, while the latter was normal, the former had her confused. *He moved you in the night,* the Crystal answered her unspoken question. *He waited until you were asleep, lifted you from the chair and placed you in the bed, then left for his own chambers, I presume.* This confused Serenity. She would never have guessed Raphael capable of such a tender, even intimate gesture. But then, he had been surprising her a lot lately, mainly the night before, when he had placed the tea-herbs in the drawer for her. A flush rose to her cheeks as she remembered the other events of last night. *He was going to kiss you,* the Crystal supplied. Serenity was silent. Indeed, he had seemed about to kiss her. *Then why didn't he?* Serenity wondered, and was instantly horrified at her own thoughts. She didn't love Raphael, and didn't want to be married to him. *Things could have been much worse,* the Crystal said. *He's young, intelligent, healthy...what more could you possibly wish for?" "Love," Serenity whispered. *Silly princess,* the Crystal chided. Not deeming to answer, Serenity rolled onto her side and sighed deeply. The movement rubbed linens against her burnt hand, and Serenity winced. She slowly uncurled her fingers, and saw that the cloth Raphael had handed her last night was still in her hand, and that it was not a mere cloth- scrap, but his own silk handkerchief. His name was embroidered neatly in the corner, in a navy blue thread. Serenity stared at the handkerchief for a long moment, slowly remembering and reliving her surprise at the tea-herbs, dropping the kettle, and.. "Oh no," the words escaped her lips on a breath, so quiet that they might not have been heard by human ears. *The wilchide...oh no...what if?...oh no...* Serenity's chest began to throb, and it was only then that she realized she had been holding her breath. She inhaled sharply. Air and saliva went down the wrong pipe and she hacked, sitting up and clutching at the breast of her night robe as coughs overcame her. When she finally regained her composure, Serenity flew from the bed and stood there, unable to formulate a train of thought. Finally *...the wilchide!...* trickled through, and she sprinted for the door, flung it open, and collided into a servant. The servant jumped to his feet, and when he noticed that it was the crown- princess who lay sprawled on the ground before him, a tremor went through his entire body and he looked as though he might be sick. "Y-Y-Your Highness," he swallowed with effort, then began to speak quickly, leaving Serenity no room to reply. "I beg your f-forgiveness. It was my fault, entirely. Are you hurt? I'll get a healer..." "Wait," Serenity called to the servant, who was already headed away, in the direction of the healer's chambers. "Come back here." The servant stopped walking, but took a moment before turning around and walking back to her, his eyes already tearing up with anticipation. Panting slightly, Serenity rose to her feet, then looked the servant over: tall, graying, and thin, Serenity guessed him to be in his mid to late forties. He wore the livery of a servant of the High Kingdom of the Moon, but nothing distinguishable that would set him apart or suggest that he worked in a special division. "The fault," Serenity said, having finally regained her breath and wits, "is no one's. You will not be punished." The servant breathed a sigh of relief, and Serenity smiled at him in reassurance before turning back into the wedding chambers. *Lucky that he was there at that precise moment,* the Crystal said. *Heads would certainly turn if you ran down the hallways in your robe and nightgown.* The Crystal was right, Serenity knew. She hadn't been thinking straight, dashing about half-dressed; her only goal at that time had been to reach her own chambers, where she had secreted a small stash of wilchide. Feeling sick, Serenity held her stomach, certain it would be half and again its normal size by the time she woke up tomorrow morning. Hugging herself loosely, Serenity took a step backward, until she could feel the solid consistency of the door behind her. It felt cold and unyielding; Serenity pressed herself against it until her legs ached, and when she eased up on the pressure she slid into a sitting position on the floor, arms resting on her belly. "Please," Serenity whispered. "Please, no...I can't...please..."
~~
It had been four days since that fateful night with Raphael, and since then Serenity had not been granted access to the wilchide after their "duties" had been performed. Three nights a week she lay with Raphael, but now, instead of going to sleep immediately after, he stayed up and drank tea with her. Usually they said nothing to each other, and when the tea was finished (and Raphael had a tendency to linger on his cup, small as it was) he put out the oil lamp and they went to sleep in the same bed. In the morning Serenity would wake to find the bed empty. Then she would dress and bathe and run to her own chambers, where she would brew and drink a whole kettle of the wilchide-tea, surreptitiously pinching her stomach for excess growth, although, as experience would later teach her, it took months for any new life to become visible. At this moment Serenity sat on her bed, copying the last blueprint for Mea and the Cause. Her excitement at a goal now in view had made her clumsy, and the proof was in two crumpled up almost-blueprints, which now lay in a trash-carrier by her desk. There was a knock at her door, and Annie scuttled in, a bundle in her arms. "Here is your cloak, princess," Annie placed a charcoal-gray cloak--the same one Serenity had used on all of her outings as Luna--on the bed next to the princess. "Your note has been delivered to the Queen Mother." Serenity nodded absent-mindedly, then smiled. "There we go," she murmured, then, louder, "The last blueprint." She held it up for Annie to see. "After the ink dries I'll be off." Annie nodded. As the days drew closer to the gladiator-pit raid, Annie became more and more worried for her young charge. Agreeing with a cause, even championing it, was quite a different thing than throwing royalty to the wolves, as she believed Serenity was doing now. To hurry the ink along, Serenity sprayed a sealing ointment on it, then carried it out onto her balcony, where, after laying it on the floor, she placed a jewel on it to keep the paper from being snatched away by the wind (she had almost lost another blueprint that way). Humming to herself, Serenity wandered back to her bed, stretched, then turned and went to the wardrobe. "My Queen Mother gave no reply?" Serenity queried, although she had to know that Annie would have told her if it was so. "No, princess," Annie replied, watching Serenity shift through the gowns. "None." Serenity seemed to accept this. Selecting a gown and sandals, she turned and went to her dresser, where she had already set out a choker and bracelets. As she dressed, Serenity thought. Everything had been working out rather well so far: she was in the Cause, they were going on a mission--a *real* mission--and no one seemed the wiser for it.
~~
Serenity waited in the courtyard for Mea. She had not sent him any notice that she would be coming, but then, he had not given her the means to. It was a pleasant day, and the September sun was shining just enough to light up the clouds and faces of everyone she saw. The smell of baking bread and fermenting grapes was strong, and Serenity's stomach growled, reminding her that she had not yet eaten that day. A breeze was blowing, sweeping and playing with her hair and sending sand and dirt into miniature twisters throughout the courtyard. Three kittens bat at one, running and then jumping into it, and Serenity smiled, thinking of Luna and Artemis. They were bigger now, although still obviously kittens. Artemis was playful, curious and energetic to the point of being almost hyperactive, while Luna seemed to have a single motto to life: "If it doesn't move, it doesn't matter". Smiling at that thought of her two smallest friends, Serenity meandered into the stables and over to where the horses were. A friendly whicker greeted her, and Serenity hurried over to the second stall on her right, and grinned when she saw the Appaloosa, already straining its head toward her. "Hello, pretty boy," Serenity crooned. "Hello...hellooo..." Mea smiled from the stables' entrance, warmed by what he saw. Serenity had laid down the bundle that she had been carrying, standing on the tips of her toes to wrap her arms around the Appaloosa's thick, muscular neck. The stallion was leaning from the stall, rubbing its cheek against Serenity's hair and snuffling, one ear turned toward her in case she said anything. Then it drooled in her hair while trying to nibble her choker, and the moment was broken. Serenity jumped back, hands instantly going to her slimy hair, and then just as quickly jerking away as she felt the mucus on her finger pads. She let out a sound, halfway between a keen and a moan, and looked at the Appaloosa as if it had betrayed her. Mea laughed lightly, and then realized with a start that this was the first time he had laughed in longer than he could remember. *And you have her to thank for that,* his traitorous mind said, but he dismissed the thought just as quickly, in no mood for another row with his conflicting feelings. Serenity jerked her head toward him at that moment, and a smile lit her face. "Mea!" she cried. "I've finished the blueprints." She stooped to pick up the bundle, turning the movement into a graceful dip as she ran for him, stopping at a polite speaking distance. Mea, suddenly aware of his hunched back and long--brown--tangled hair, frowned. Today was as every other day that he saw Serenity on had been; anticipation and excitement when he heard that she had arrived, and then shamed suspicion and anxiety while she was in his presence. She discomfited him, yes, but he had no intention of letting her know that. Mea held out his hand, and Serenity passed him a bundle of cloth that he presumed held the blueprints. Gesturing for her to follow him, Mea turned and walked back into the stable, to where the hay was bound and stacked before it was brought into the (small) hayloft. Perching on the edge of a rectangular load of hay, he unwrapped the cloth and found ten scrolls, all in scroll-casings fashioned of hollowed tusk, horn, or bone; no cardboard this time. Serenity remained standing as he looked over each and every blueprint, comparing it tediously to the original, which Serenity had brought along as well. Pleased at that they were more than satisfactory, he looked up at Serenity, who had remained standing, and allowed the pleasure that he felt inside to show a bit on the surface, in his eyes and dancing about on the corners of his lips. "These will work well," he said, and could almost hear Serenity's sigh of relief. "You may keep the original; study it religiously and come back here in eight days, on the fifteenth of the month. We will have one meeting on that day, and the raid will be exactly one week from then." Serenity nodded excitedly. "Yes, Mea. Whatever you say." Mea seemed to accept that. He rose laboriously to his feet and trudged toward the stable door. He paused when he got there, turned around, and caught Serenity's eye before saying, "We're counting on you."
~~
Indeed, we're all counting on her. Sorry that this chapter was so short/boring and took so long to come out. I got lazy last week, and it's hard typing everything up on a palm pilot (at least I have the foldable keyboard, though; think how long it would take me if I had to write it all out with their graffiti!). Hopefully the next chapter will be out sooner, but I can't make any promises.
As usual, emails are appreciated! I have MSN messenger (under Goodnight_Spoon) and AIM (AJluvs2Bannoying), so I can be contacted through either of those (preferably AIM, though; I don't know how to use MSN messenger very well).
And last but not least.please try and participate in the ASMR Readers Choice Fanfiction Awards ().
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Ciao, AJ