DISCLAIMER: I do not now, nor have I ever owned BSSM or anything associated with it. This is written for fun, not profit. I'm reposting this chapter. I took a look at it and it was riddled with errors. I'm going through my other chapters as well. Sorry for the mess.
Apollonia finally reached her quarters. She sat at her desk and quickly wrote down what was revealed to her.
Avarice shall cause the heart to bleed
Calamity shall befall the seed
Terrene desires, hearts undaunted
Vanity's defeat
Purest love forever haunted
Apollonia dropped her head on the desk. "Looks like I still have to visit the oracle." Apollonia rolled up her scroll. She placed it in her traveling sack. With the next dawn, Apollonia would leave on her journey.
* * * * *
In the lunar gardens, the two moon princesses frolicked.
"Seren, these are the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen."
Princess Serenity looked up from the floral garland she was making. "It's finished." Seren placed the garland on top of Nehelenia's head. The flowers drooped upon contact with young Nehelenia. Serenity wrinkled her nose. She had never seen her flowers react to anyone like that.
"What's wrong Seren?" Nehelenia asked.
"Nothing Nehelenia. Let's go to the stables."
Serenity grabbed Nehelenia's hand and helped her off the ground.
"Nehelenia, my mother gave me a new pony. Her name is Sable. She's pretty. Sable is black and shiny, kind of like your hair." Serenity laughed.
Nehelenia touched her hair. She wondered what was wrong with her hair. Her father had always told her about how her mother, Queen Nehelenia, had the same dark hair.
"Come on. Let's go." Seren tapped Nehelenia's shoulder.
Nehelenia looked at Serenity's blond hair with wonder in her eyes. "Seren, why is you hair that color?" Nehelenia asked.
Serenity shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know," she replied. "It's always been this way."
Now Nehelenia shrugged her shoulders. "Come on Seren. Let's go see the ponies."
Nehelenia and Serenity walked through the gardens. Serenity told Nehelenia about all the flowers that were in bloom. The garden was a pastel dream overflowing with pale pinks, blues and lilacs. The walkway leading to the stables were adorned with arches covered with lunar ivy.
Nehelenia marveled at the expanse and beauty of Serenity's garden. Plants like those did not grow in her kingdom. Dyanera told Nehelenia the New Moon Kingdom did not get enough light to support the growth of colorful blooms. The only plants that grew in the New Moon Kingdom were low-lying shrubs and grasses. There were a few non-flowering trees, but nothing remotely comparable to what Nehelenia was seeing now grew in her kingdom.
The two friends continued their journey to the stables. As they reached their destination, Dyanera entered the garden. She looked around, but did not see Nehelenia or Serenity. She sighed. Now the forlorn woman would have to search for the wayward princesses.
'Where could they have gone?'
Dyanera saw an area that looked to be recently inhabited. She knelt down and fingered errant flower petals. Dyanera allowed herself to smile for she knew how much Nehelenia loved flowers.
'I know they were here, but where are they now?'
A gardener walked up to Dyanera. "Excuse me miss?"
Dyanera looked up to see a grandfatherly looking man standing before her. "Yes. May I help you?" Dyanera smiled at the spry older man.
"You seem lost. I just came to offer some assistance."
"Thank you sir. I am looking for Princess Nehelenia and Princess Serenity."
The old man hesitated. He, like many of the Moon Kingdom's subjects, had misgivings regarding those of the New Moon Kingdom. Something about a kingdom cloaked in darkness worried them.
"I think they went to the stables to see her highness' new pony."
Dyanera noticed the gardener's hesitation. She attributed it to old age and gave not a second thought to his action. "Thank you kind sir."
Dyanera nodded her head to the gardener. Dyanera began to walk away when she realized that she did not remember how to get to the stables. She quickly turned back to the gardener.
"Begging your pardon. Could you direct me to the stables?" Dyanera blushed slightly.
The gardener pointed to the path that the young girls traveled. Once again Dyanera nodded and walked away.
Dyanera admired the gardens. She sighed as she realized that she could never have something like this. Dyanera had given up her chance at true happiness when she went into Rodrick's service.
'Dyanera, get over it. You knew it wasn't going anywhere when it started,' she chided herself.
Dyanera knelt down and manipulated one of the delicate blossoms.
"I don't believe her majesty let them come again."
"I know. She's courting disaster."
Dyanera cocked her head to the side. She wanted to be sure of what she heard.
"I heard that Apollonia has been getting mysterious divinations from the oracle since Queen Serenity announced that King Rodrick and his daughter were coming for the birthday celebration."
They verbally sparred about the virtues, or rather the lack of virtues, of the inhabitants of the New Moon Kingdom. Dyanera slowly rose. She walked over to the washerwomen. Feigning ignorance, she initiated conversation.
"Good day. I could not help overhearing. What exactly is wrong with the New Moon? I have never known them to cause the Moon Kingdom any trouble. Why such distrust?"
Dyanera had no choice but to probe. Rodrick and Nehelenia may be in real danger. She had to know whether this was wide spread sentiment or just the idle chatter of bored domestics.
"King Rodrick was once deeply enamored of Queen Serenity. As a teen, he sought to marry her majesty. However, she refused. Queen Serenity simply said that Rodrick was lacking characteristics becoming of her partner." The chubby woman seemed to know much about palace goings on.
"That was pretty insightful considering that her majesty was only a maiden of sixteen when she made that decision." The slimmer of the two washerwomen appeared to Dyanera like she usually did not get the chance to speak once her companion started up.
"Liza, would you stop interrupting. I'm trying to tell a story here."
"Fine Sarai. Just speed it up. This girl isn't getting any younger."
Dyanera giggled at the antics of the women.
The one called Liza nudged Dyanera. "Sarai can get long-winded." Liza smiled at Dyanera then lent her attention to Sarai.
"Anyway, King Rodrick became somewhat obsessed. He tried all types of trick and ploys to get Queen Serenity to reconsider. At one time, things had gotten so bad that he wasn't allowed on palace grounds."
"Unbelievable," Dyanera gasped.
"I know," Sarai continued. "But there's more."
Sarai was a royal expert in her circle. She always happened to know details that only palace insiders were privy to. How she came about the information was always a topic of conversation.
Sarai cleared her throat and recommenced her tale. "While Rodrick was busy pursuing Serenity, his parents arranged for his union with the late Queen Nehelenia."
'Their marriage was arranged? Why didn't I know that?' Dyanera quickly refocused her attention on Sarai's informative narrative.
"Suffice it to say, Rodrick was furious. Even though Nehelenia was heir to the New Moon Kingdom, Rodrick was not interested."
Dyanera was shocked by Sarai's revelations. She always thought that Rodrick's love for Nehelenia was all encompassing. To think that Rodrick was forced to be with her sent chills down Dyanera's spine. If he could pretend such a degree of devotion….
"…but he grew to love Nehelenia. In fact, by the time they were married, Rodrick was truly in love with his bride."
Dyanera breathed a silent sigh of relief. She knew that Rodrick had a good heart. Somehow Dyanera had to figure out a way to get Rodrick to let her in. Dyanera noticed that Sarai had stopped talking. Now Liza was taking her turn to speak.
"I'm just worried that since both King Gareth and Queen Nehelenia have passed, King Rodrick's interest in our queen will be renewed."
Sarai murmured her agreement.
"Do you think that would be a problem? I mean it's been more than 15 years. He couldn't possibly still be interested in Queen Serenity."
Dyanera began to feel as her world closing in around her. She would not believe that Rodrick was still interested in Serenity romantically. His motivations had to be political. A unified Moon would be a powerful force in the galaxy. Then again, there was that remark Rodrick made in the throne room. But he wasn't serious. Or was he?
Sarai and Liza watched as Dyanera's face ran the gamut of human emotion. Liza tapped Dyanera's shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
Dyanera was released from her mental prison. She looked into the worried women's eyes. She was embarrassed for letting her emotions show so easily. Dyanera let out a half-hearted laugh.
"I was just thinking of someone I know who was in a similar situation," Dyanera replied. It wasn't a lie since she was thinking of Rodrick.
Sarai looked at Liza. Neither entirely believed Dyanera, but they decided not to press the issue.
"Liza, I think it's time we get back. There is much to be done prior to Princess Serenity's birthday celebration."
Sarai and Liza took their leave of Dyanera. Dyanera temporarily put her search for Nehelenia and young Serenity on hold. She sat on a small marble bench adjacent to the walking path. Dyanera went over the story that Sarai relayed. She was overcome by a foreign emotion, jealousy. Never had another woman been a threat to her before. In spite of being a commoner, Dyanera's beauty far surpassed that of many noble women of both Moon kingdoms. It was oft said that if she had been born noble, Dyanera would have been a queen. Dyanera wasn't one to dwell on what could have been. She was determined not to return to the small village she came out of. To ensure that she didn't, Dyanera had to make sure that Rodrick was dependent on her. Dyanera racked her brain for a way to become a permanent fixture.
Deep in thought, Dyanera let the flowers she held slip from her grasp.
"Nehelenia," she whispered.
With a renewed resolve, Dyanera sought her young mistress.
* * * * *
Princess Serenity and Princess Nehelenia stood outside Sable's stall.
"I told you she was pretty." Serenity searched for the bucket of oats. In her haste, Serenity ran right into someone. The fair-haired princess raised her head to see whom she assaulted.
"My apologies, I was not -- Apollonia." Serenity wrapped her arms around the priestess.
"Hello to you too." Apollonia reciprocated Serenity's embrace. She then noticed another person's presence. Apollonia turned to see a bashful dark haired girl standing off to the side. Apollonia released Serenity. She walked over to a wary Nehelenia. She knelt down so that the princess could look into her eyes.
"Hello, my name is Apollonia. What's your name?"
Nehelenia peered into the green eyes of the amiable young woman. There was something warm and inviting in the gaze of Apollonia. She was one of few people who reached out to Nehelenia. For as long as the New Moon princess could remember, people treated her like a caged oddity. They admired her from a distance, as if they were afraid of her. Being a child, Nehelenia assumed it was because she was the daughter of a king. However, this woman approached her with ease.
"I'm Nehelenia," the young princess responded meekly.
"Nice to meet you Princess Nehelenia." Apollonia gingerly wrapped her arms around Nehelenia. She felt the same surge of energy that she felt when King Rodrick touched her. The shock of the experience caused Apollonia to prematurely release Nehelenia.
Nehelenia noticed Apollonia's reaction. The young girl's eyes began to well up with tears. This wasn't the first time someone had reacted differently to Nehelenia than they did to Serenity. Nehelenia was upset and hurt. Why did everyone prefer Serenity? What made her so special?
Apollonia could see the hurt in the girl's face. Her knee jerk reaction marred Nehelenia's carefree mood and wounded her fragile feelings. She also could discern the growing resentment for Serenity. Apollonia decided to attempt to repair the relationship between the two princesses.
"Princess Nehelenia, have you ever touched someone and felt a shock?"
Nehelenia thought for a moment. She remembered touching her father's hand, hearing a faint snap and feeling a prick. Nehelenia remembered her father telling her what caused it.
"It is caused by stamic lextricity, right?"
Apollonia smiled. "Close. It is called static electricity. Since I spend much of my time handling scrolls and their casings I'm more susceptible to static charges. It wasn't your fault."
"Oh, I see." Nehelenia felt a little bit better.
"Jason, could you get me my horse ready. I'm leaving in the morning." Apollonia handed the stable hand a list of things to do to prepare her steed.
Serenity, who up until that point had been preoccupied by her pony, heard what the priestess said.
"Apollonia, are you going somewhere?"
"I have to go on a short trip, but I'm not leaving until after the celebration."
"Yay!" Serenity jumped up and down. "Are you going to tell another story?" Serenity then turned to Nehelenia. "Last year, Apollonia told everyone about somebody called Orca and it was a really good story."
"I'm sorry Serenity, I won't be able to tell you any stories this year. I haven't gone to see my friend 'Orca' so I don't have any new stories for you."
Part of Apollonia was pleased that Serenity enjoyed listening to her interpret the oracle's messages.
"Aww man." Serenity pouted.
Apollonia slowly surveyed the stable. She felt another person's presence approaching. The aura was angry and hurt, most likely a female.
Dyanera stepped into the stable. 'How many horse does one woman need?' Dyanera thought as she saw row upon row of stalls. She looked around for Nehelenia.
Apollonia could feel Dyanera searching for someone. "Do you need help?"
Dyanera walked toward the voice. Soon she saw Nehelenia, Serenity and a young woman she didn't know. Dyanera knelt down to dust off Nehelenia's dress. She drew Nehelenia closer to her since she was unsure of what the red headed woman wanted with the princesses.
Sensing Dyanera's apprehension, Apollonia explained how she came to be in the company of Serenity and Nehelenia.
"Good Afternoon miss. I am Apollonia, high priestess of Selene."
Dyanera lowered her head in reverence to Apollonia.
"No need for the formalities. I am just a simple girl trying to do the will of the goddess." Apollonia stood up. "I was in the stable getting by horse ready for travel when I happened on our princesses."
Dyanera nodded her understanding.
Apollonia looked at Serenity and Nehelenia. "I will see you at the celebration this evening. Nice to meet you Princess Nehelenia." With that, Apollonia returned to the castle.
"Nehelenia, Serenity, your parents sent me to get you. The celebration is to start in a few hours. Both of you have to get ready."
"Okay," both girls said simultaneously.
* * * * *
Queen Serenity and King Rodrick sat in the throne room.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to meet with them tonight? I don't want to put any pressure on the girls." Queen Serenity looked over the scroll a messenger has just delivered. She handed the rolled parchment to Rodrick for him to examine.
"I don't see any harm with an informal meeting." Rodrick rolled the scroll up. "You had to know this would happen sooner or later."
Queen Serenity sighed. "I know." She covered her eyes with her hand.
* * * * *
Dyanera oversaw the dressing and grooming of the two moon princesses. She could not help but notice the astonishing resemblance young Serenity bore to her mother. The seeds of resentment began to take root. Dyanera watched as a flurry of servants worked feverishly to make sure Serenity looked particularly lovely. Granted, they did not have to do much. Young Serenity was a striking beauty, as was her mother. Yet the girl was amazingly unaware of the burgeoning beauty within her.
Dyanera cast her glance on Nehelenia. She was beautiful. There was no doubt about that. However, Dyanera knew that the tranquil innocence of Serenity's unblemished beauty could pose a problem if the girls' interests were somehow to overlap. Dyanera had to figure out a way to make sure her charge maintained an advantage as she matured.
* * * * *
Apollonia once again felt the urge to rush to her quarters.
'I've got another piece of this ever expanding puzzle.'
Scorn, Lust, Pride, Distrust
One overlooked
Blind with mistrust
Danger looming
Vessel Unassuming
"What in the name of Selene?!" Apollonia banged her head on the desk. "The more that is revealed, the more remains hidden."
* * * * *
The grand ballroom was full of guests gathered to celebrate the fifth birthday of Princess Serenity. Queen Serenity and her daughter sat on their respective thrones as a herald announced the arrival of the visiting dignitaries.
"King Ares and Queen Phoebe of Mars." King Ares handed Princess Serenity a gilded birdcage that contained a baby phoenix, the symbol of the red planet. Queen Phoebe placed a single ruby in Queen Serenity's hand. The ruby symbolized a promise that her daughter, Rei, serve would as the princess' protector.
"King Hermes and Queen Isis of Mercury." King Hermes gave Princess Serenity an ice sculpture that disintegrated and reformed simply by the owner saying what she wanted it to me. All knew that despite, or perhaps because, of Mercury's proximity to the sun, its ice did not melt. Queen Isis placed a sapphire on the palm of the Queen's hand. It was her promise to her life long friend.
All present were waiting for the arrival of the royal family representing Earth. There was a rumor that there were murmurs of revolution on the green planet. It was questioned whether they would be in attendance.
"King Endymion the fourth and Queen Guinevere of Earth." King Endymion and Queen Guinevere bowed to the Moon Queen.
"I would like to present our son, Prince Endymion to her highness Queen Serenity and her distinguished guest, King Rodrick." King Endymion stepped aside and a young boy was revealed. The child looked no more than nine or ten years old. His thick black hair fell in his eyes. He brushed it away with his hand. The prince bowed respectfully to the Moon monarchs. Endymion cautiously approached Princess Serenity. From behind his back, he produced five long stem red roses.
"I know that these do not grow here, so I brought them as a gift."
Serenity blushed as she accepted the gift.
"He seems nice enough," Queen Serenity whispered to Rodrick.
"He's only a boy. Who knows what kind of man he'll grow to be."
Queen Serenity motioned for the princesses to approach the royal family.
"King Endymion, Queen Guinevere, this is my daughter Princess Serenity." Princess Serenity smiled her best smile at the Earthen monarchs and curtsied. The king and queen responded in like manner.
"I would like to present my daughter, Princess Nehelenia." Nehelenia lowered her eyes and curtsied. King Endymion and Queen Guinevere nodded in the direction of Nehelenia and smiled.
Dyanera stood on the background watching the interactions of the royals. She noticed the slight difference in reception given to Serenity and Nehelenia. Dyanera wondered what gave them the right to cast judgment on Nehelenia without getting the chance to know her. A faint gleam from Guinevere caught Dyanera's eye. The Earth's queen was holding a golden heart shaped locket on a short gold chain. Dyanera could clearly see what was going on. And she did not like it one bit.
* * * * *
Apollonia's body jerked up from its prone position.
"It's him," she uttered.
AN: Thank you for waiting for this long overdue update. Special things are in the works for this fic. R/R. Let me know what you think.
Deadly Diva