DISCLAIMER: Sorry, I still don't own BSSM.
"It's him," she uttered.
Apollonia scrambled for the scrolls in her traveling sack. She somehow knew
that the Earthen prince was at the center of whatever was going to play
out. The arrival of Prince Endymion was just the stimulus Apollonia needed
to decipher the oracle's message.
* * * * *
Eleven years have passed since the lunar princesses met the young Earthen
prince.
At the age of sixteen, it was time for Nehelenia, as well as Serenity, to
consider marrying. It was not a pleasant subject for the heir to the New
Moon's throne. Nehelenia had grown tired of hearing how she had to do it
for the good of the kingdom. She didn't understand what the rush was. Her
father, King Rodrick, made mention of the fact that he wasn't getting any
younger. He wanted to make sure that Nehelenia was taken care of after he
was passed on. Rodrick even went so far as to remind her that her mother
had married at the age of fifteen. Nehelenia always countered with the fact
that Queen Serenity was eighteen when she married. Nehelenia just wanted to
make sure that the choice she made was right for her.
Nehelenia went through her bureau and pulled out more clothes.
'This should be enough,' Nehelenia thought as she folded the garments. She
was preparing to spend the week with Serenity in the Moon Kingdom.
Dyanera walked into the room and saw Nehelenia organizing her belongings
for her trip.
"You've been spending a lot of time in the Moon Kingdom lately."
Nehelenia turned around. "So I have."
Dyanera took the blouse Nehelenia was folding from her hands. "Any
particular reason why?" Dyanera neatly folded the blouse and placed it in
Nehelenia's overnight bag.
Nehelenia blushed. She gently shook her head. "I like spending time with
Serenity. She knows what I'm going through. It's nice to have someone to
talk to who understands."
"And what of Prince Endymion? That fact that he is scheduled to be there
has no baring on your decision to go?"
Nehelenia's cheeks burned with embarrassment. She thought no one knew of
her burgeoning feelings for Prince Endymion. "I don't know what you are
talking about."
Nehelenia began nervously flitting about her room. She would pick up one
item, only to discard it moments later. Dyanera grabbed the princess by her
shoulders and sat her down.
"Nehelenia, it is quite obvious to be that you're taken with Prince Endymion."
Nehelenia marveled at the magic that is hosiery.
"Nehelenia, I'm serious."
The New Moon princess looked in the eyes of the woman that raised her.
"It's not that easy. I've known Endy for so long. He treats me like his
sister.
"Endy??"
I've called him that since we were young."
Does HE know you call him that?"
"It was his suggestion."
"Oh, I see." Dyanera was exceedingly glad to hear that. The prince had let
Nehelenia into his inner circle. The fact that he allowed Nehelenia to
address him so casually spoke volumes. Dyanera was certain that there were
definite possibilities for the dark haired royals. Perhaps Prince Endymion
was the reason Nehelenia was not responding to her suitors. Dyanera was
making preparations in her mind for the joyous event.
"Actually, Endy told both of us to call him by that name." Nehelenia busied
herself collecting toiletries.
"Both of you?" Dyanera asked.
"Serenity and me of course."
Dyanera's face changed slightly. It seemed that Princess Serenity was a
part of this as well. Serenity's involvement could prove problematic.
Serenity had her choice of the most powerful and influential suitors. In
fact, many of Nehelenia's suitors were rejected by Serenity for having some
unknown flaw. If Serenity decided that she wanted Endymion, Nehelenia
would not stand a chance. There was too much power connected to the Moon Kingdom. Endymion's parents would be fool to reject such a prospect.
"Dyanera, are you okay? You look a bit green."
"I'm fine." Dyanera stood and walked to the door. "I'll go and see if your
carriage is ready."
Dyanera left Nehelenia with her thoughts of Earth's prince.
* * * * *
KNOCK KNOCK
Serenity slowly sat up. She reached over and grabbed her robe. Wrapping the sheer garment around her shoulders, she walked to the door.
"Yes, who's there?"
"I have a message for you from Prince Endymion of Earth."
"A message from Endymion?!" Serenity nearly ripped the door of the hinges.
"WhatnewsbringyouofEndymion?" Getting no response, Serenity took a deep breath and repeated herself.
"What news bring you of Endymion?" In her haste, Serenity hadn't noticed
that the messenger was carrying an obscenely large bouquet of red roses.
"What is this?" Serenity stared incredulously at the mountain of roses
before her. She reached out to touch one of the delicate crimson blossoms.
"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady." The messenger slowly lowered the
bouquet to reveal his face.
"Endymion," Serenity gasped. "You're not supposed to be here for another
three days."
"I wanted to talk to you."
Serenity appeared confused.
"Without Nehelenia."
"Oh..." Serenity realized that Endymion was still holding the bouquet.
"Come. You can put these in here." Serenity pointed to a large empty vase
in her sitting room.
Endymion arranged the roses so that no bloom was obscured by another. Once satisfied, he sat on a pale blue loveseat. Endymion wondered where Serenity had gone. Confident that she would return shortly, he waited. His
confidence proved well placed as he watched Serenity walk into the room.
"I was beginning to worry about you." Endymion patted the cushion adjacent
to the one he was sitting on.
Serenity hesitantly sat next to her best friend.
"Endymion, what is going on?"
He laughed. "You still won't call me Endy. Why?"
"I love the sound of your name. Have you actually listened while someone
says it? Never has a name sounded so melodic, so perfect. Endy just doesn't
do you any justice."
'Ever the poet,' Endymion thought. He watched as Serenity spoke. There was
a fire in her eyes, as she waxed philosophic. The unobtrusive passion
Serenity exuded reminded the prince of Queen Serenity.
Serenity became aware of Endymion's gaze. She stopped speaking and returned the gaze.
"Am I talking too much?" Serenity blushed. She had a habit of rambling when she was nervous. Right now, her stomach was in knots. Serenity could not fathom what Endymion wanted to talk to her about.
Endymion shifted nervously shifted in the seat. He ran his fingers through
his hair. Serenity could easily see that something was troubling her best
friend.
"Endymion, what's wrong?"
He appeared as if enchanted by the pattern on the floor. Slowly, he opened
his mouth to speak.
"I have to get married," Endymion said solemnly.
Serenity fought to keep a straight face. Eventually, the urge to laugh
prevailed. She fell over laughing.
"Here I thought you were going to tell me something dire." Serenity finally
managed to squelch the laughter. "In case you didn't know, I have to get
married. You have to get married. Nehelenia has to get married. We're all
getting married." Serenity threw her arms in the air dramatically as she
fell back into the loveseat.
"You don't understand." The dread in Endymion's voice broke Serenity from
her reverie. He still would not look into her eyes.
"My parents have arranged for me to marry a princess I don't even know."
Endymion's voice was beginning to fail him. He could not imagine marrying
someone that he did not love. There was a young woman holding his heart.
Endymion feared that she might never know because of what his parents had
done.
"Oh Endymion." Serenity rested her head on his shoulder. "I didn't know."
They sat in silence, contemplating how cruel fate could be.
* * * * *
Nehelenia stepped out of her carriage in front of the Moon Palace.
"Greetings Princess Nehelenia," Luna said as she directed the groomsmen.
Nehelenia shook her head at the small black cat. "How many times have I
told you, just Nehelenia?" She scooped Luna up in her arms.
"I know Nehelenia, but those were newly commissioned men. I have to set a
good example."
Nehelenia laughed. Luna was always a stickler for protocol. Amidst the
hustle and bustle of the palace gates, Nehelenia noticed a carriage bearing
Endymion's crest.
"Luna, had Prince Endymion arrived already?"
"Why yes. He has been here for about three days."
'Three days?!' Nehelenia's mind exclaimed.
"If I had known, I would have tried to get here sooner." Nehelenia wondered
why he hadn't told her of his early arrival.
"Actually, no one knew. In fact, he came early just to speak to Serenity.
I'm not sure what's going on, but by the way they've been looking, it's
serious."
Luna jumped from Nehelenia's arms. She proceeded to give orders to the
groundskeeper.
Nehelenia walked into the palace. As she slowly ambled to her usual
quarters, she wondered what was going on. Nehelenia entered her stateroom.
Looking around, nothing was out place. She smiled.
'Serenity always takes such good care of me,' Nehelenia thought.
She placed her toiletry bag on the dresser. Digging for a few minute,
Nehelenia found her brush and a face cloth. She took some time to freshen
up before going to find Endymion and Serenity.
* * * * *
Nehelenia had decided to change clothing as well. She liked being
comfortable when she visited the Moon Kingdom.
'These halls are way too long,' Nehelenia thought.
As the New Moon princess wandered through the halls, she heard two maids
talking about Endymion. Nehelenia feigned interest in a portrait of
Serenity's great-grandmother so she could eavesdrop.
"I think it's adorable how he dotes on Serenity."
"I know he's been here twice this month already. I wish someone would do
that for me. Jason lives less than a mile from me and I don't see him
as often as Serenity sees Endymion."
Nehelenia had heard enough. She slowly turned around and then ran like the
wind to her quarters. As Nehelenia entered her room, she realized that
tears were falling from her eyes. She didn't know what to feel. Nehelenia
felt hurt and betrayed. Most of all she felt left out. Had Endymion become
one of a growing number of people who preferred Serenity's company to hers? Quickly she dismissed the thought. Serenity was Endymion's friend. It was only natural that he'd go to a friend for help. Nehelenia decided that she
would be a good friend and help Endymion in any way that she could.
"No point in looking a mess," Nehelenia said as she poured water from a
crystal decanter into its matching bowl.
She dipped her face cloth into the basin. The cool liquid had a claming
effect on the young woman. She swirled the face cloth in the bowl to make
sure it was completely wet. Nehelenia wrung the cloth out, folded it in
half and placed it over her closed eyes. Dyanera taught her that a cold
compress reduces puffiness around the eyes.
As Nehelenia sat down and let the refreshing cloth work its magic, she
recalled that Dyanera was fixated on one's physical appearance. Nehelenia
assumed that Dyanera went out of her way to make sure she always looked
beautiful so that the people would have one less reason to gossip about the
poor motherless princess.
Nehelenia removed the face cloth. She walked to the mirror to examine the
damage.
'Not too shabby,' Nehelenia thought. She turned her face to the left and
then to the right. Thinking her cheeks were a bit pale, she pinched them to
give the appearance of a healthier glow. Pleased with her appearance,
Nehelenia renewed her search for her best friends.
* * * * *
Serenity admired Endymion as fretted over a sapling that was leaning to far
over. She watched with amazement in her eyes as the prince of Earth
fettered the sapling to a fallen branch. Serenity could not help but smile
as she looked upon Endymion's dirt smudged face.
"What is so funny?" Endymion asked as she approached her on his hands and knees.
"Nothing, good prince," Serenity replied in an affected noble manner.
Both Serenity and Endymion laughed at her mockery of the old nobility. As
the laughter subsided, Endymion became captivated by Serenity's cerulean
eyes. He marveled at how she treated the lowliest of creatures like
royalty. Serenity respected the sanctity of all things living. She strove
for a peaceful life and a harmonious existence for those she loved.
Endymion was simply in awe of the petite young woman.
Serenity noticed an unfamiliar look in Endymion's eyes. For some unknown
reason, it was more calming than unsettling. She wanted to know what was
going on in his mind.
Serenity lifted her hand to wipe the dirt off Endymion's face. As her hand
touched his cheek, Endymion placed his hand over hers. Startled, Serenity
looked deep into Endymion's eyes. A foreign feeling had awakened within the
princess.
"Endymion…"
The Earthen prince said no words as he pressed his lips to Serenity's palm.
Nehelenia watched the scene between Serenity and Endymion play out. It did
not look like Endymion was having a particularly hard time. In fact, it
looked like he could be any happier than he was at that moment. Nehelenia
fell a single tear flow down her face. She quickly wiped it away,
remembering that she promised to be a good friend to Endymion.
Nehelenia slowly walked up to her friends. Serenity and Endymion were
oblivious to her being there. Endymion was recalling his disdain for his
arranged marriage.
"Serenity, I don't understand why they're forcing me to go through with
this. I am perfectly capable of finding my own wife."
"Then why haven't you?"
"Yes, Endymion. Why haven't you chosen your wife by now?" Nehelenia sat on Endymion's left. This placed him between the two lunar princesses.
Endymion scratched the back of his head. "I guess that I just haven't found
that special someone. Call me old-fashioned, but I want real love. I don't
want to marry some princess for the sake of the kingdom."
Endymion let out a long sigh. He did not want to have this conversation
with Nehelenia. There was something about the dark beauty that made him
apprehensive. She lacked a warmth that invited people to confide in her.
Behind her amber eyes, Endymion could see a darkness that worried him.
There was something lurking behind those dazzling orbs. What that was
remained to be seen. Endymion looked over at Serenity pleadingly. He knew
that Serenity could handle Nehelenia in a way that would not offend.
Nehelenia glanced at Endymion. Finally she found her kindred spirit. He
wanted the same things that she did. "I understand how you feel. I've been
hearing the marriage speech from my dad for the longest time. I don't think
they see what this pressure is doing to us."
"But this isn't exactly like your situation," Serenity interjected.
"Endymion's parents have arranged for him to marry some princess."
Serenity looked over at Endymion. "Did they even tell you her name?"
Endymion shook his head. "All I know is that she comes from a prosperous
kingdom."
"Actually Serenity, this is exactly my situation," Nehelenia smugly began.
"Before I came here, my father told me that I had been betrothed to a
prince from an unstable kingdom. Apparently, there is the hope that I will
be able to put an end to the unrest."
AN: Well there it is. R/R. Let me know what you think. Sorry this is so
short. I simply ran out of ideas and decided that this would be a good
place to end it. Be safe.
Sorry about the formatting. I was having a bit of time getting it to look the way it should.
The Deadly Diva