A Fallen Rose

Chapter 6: The Grieving has Just Begun

By - DreamHeart

AN- 'A Fallen Rose" has undergone some seious revisions. I hope that you enjoy it even more. Tell me what you think! I promise that I don't bite )

DISCLAIMER- I do not own Salior Moon or any of its characters BUT I DO own the story. Remember plagerism is bad!

Amy sat by the lake by the palace walls. As the water senshi, this place was able to put her mind at ease.

It was a world all in its own. Water lilies graced the glass like surface. Fire flies played amongst the bushes and flowers. And occasionally a fish would jump or a frog would croak to remind Amy that she was not the only one who enjoyed this tranquility.

Then suddenly the glass like water began to swirl as if a whirlpool were forming. And yet that was impossible for it was only a lake.

Oh, no! Something's happened, Amy's mind raced. She remembered what her mother had told her when she became the queen of Mercury. Any form of water would react violently to aware the Royal family of Mercury of danger or that something was horribly wrong. Then it would become suddenly calm again and serve as a mirror showing the peril that awaited or an event that had occurred.

The spiraling vortex then began to spin in the other direction for a few seconds. Then all of a sudden the spiraling ceased and the water returned to its glass like state.

Amy took a deep breath and closed her eyes, preparing herself for whatever the mirror might show. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the scene.

What greeted her was Raye's lifeless body. Like Rini, Raye had been stabbed multiple times yet her face was only battered and bruised. The only other difference between the two murder scenes was that the murderer had folded her hands on her chest and clasped a single red rose in them.

"Not another loss! Great Hermes, protect us!" Amy cried before collapsing in grief.

Elsewhere in the palace, Serenity sat before her vanity in her white silk nightgown. She stared blankly at her reflection – thinking of all her flaws and the night that her daughter was murdered. Was there something that she could have done? No. That's what everyone said . . . but she didn't believe that. She usually knew when something was wrong . . . when something happened to the ones she loved, but she didn't know. And that was eating her up inside.

Just then a knock came at the door. It was Mina.

"Serena, are you . . . . You're not ready. We're going to be late if you don't hurry," Mina expressed, as she bustled her away from the vanity.

"I know. I just . . . feel so guilty," Serena sighed.

Mina looked into her friend's sad eyes and willed herself not to cry. Hugging Serenity, she whispered, "It's time to say goodbye. I know that you wouldn't want to miss that."

"You're right. No matter . . . how much I hate it, I have to move on. And I'm going to need all of you to help me through this."

Mina squeezed her friend tightly. We're not going anywhere, Sere. You can count on it, she answered mentally.

Serenity pulled herself out of Mina's embrace and smiled. Then she snapped her fingers quietly and was instantly dressed in a black form fitting spaghetti strap dress complete with a set of black wings.

It was time to face the moment of truth. Could she handle her daughter's funeral? She wasn't sure. But it was a comfort to know that her best friend and all of her closest friends would be there for her. She didn't know what she would ever do without any of them.

Bracing herself Serenity walked out into the courtyard.

There in all of her glory, stood the ever-powerful Selene and next to her stood Serena's mother, Selenity.

An overwhelming sense of anger seethed from every fiber of Serenity's being. And from this anger, a desire to strike at Selene sprang forth.

Sensing this Selene cast a gentle and comforting glance in Serenity's direction, as if to say that she understood. After all, she knew the identity of Rini's killer and what he had just done. The pain filled the castle . . . the pain that filled the moon . . . she felt. She knew that the events had to play out, but inside she promised Serenity that justice would be served.

It took every drop of will that Serenity possessed to walk towards Selene and kneel before her. This was her goddess that was SUPPOSED to inform her of ill tidings, and yet she did not. The very goddess that was SUPPOSED to protect the royal family. The very goddess that had let a murderer kill her only child.

"My child, it is alright to be angry with me. But let me assure you that she is in a better place now. There was nothing that you could have done. Please . . . it is time to say goodbye," Selene stated.

"My little girl . . ." Serena bit her tongue knowing that she would say something disrespectful if she continued.

Selenity took her daughter in her arms and telepathically told her that it was ok to cry.

At that Serena leaned on her mother's shoulder and cried her heart and soul out . . . until she was unable to cry anymore.

Artemis led Endymion into the room bound in shackles. And if Serenity could have found more tears to cry, she would have.

"Where is Queen Raye?" Artemis bellowed.

At this question Amy came flying into the room.

"No matter, I shall take full responsibility for him. Turn him over to me," Amy commanded.

"Your highness, I would but . . ."

"You dare question my word, Artemis?! Or do I have to remind you of why I am the Queen of Mercury?"

"Of course not . . . I am truly sorry if I have offended you, Queen Amy," Artemis stammered as he undid Endymion's shackles.

Thank Hermes. Hopefully Serenity will not find out about Raye . . . until after these unhappy proceedings. I don't think she could bear it if she found out now.

"Let's begin. Everyone please take your seats," Selene expressed.

All of Serenity's court sat beside her and Endymion . . . all that is except Raye. As everyone found a seat Serenity searched the courtyard for her best friend but was unable to locate her. She just figured that Raye was tending to some last minute detail . . . but wished that she would hurry.

"Our beloved little princess has come to join me. Even though you are grieving try to remember the good times that you shared with her. She is in a better place, a place where she will no longer feel sadness or pain, a place where she shall find eternal rest and peace. I'd like you to share your memories of her . . . before I spread out her moon dust onto the gardens."

Lita walked towards the middle of the courtyard. Before she began, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Rini was such a sweet and caring little girl. She takes after her mother. My favorite memories of Rini are of her cooking with me. She loved every food, no matter what is was. And we'd sit and talk and laugh over a cup of juice . . ." That was all she could handle, so with that Lita returned to her seat.

Amy and Mina followed sharing similar memories and always ending in tears.

Serenity stood up and walked to place where the others had stood. She beckoned to Endymion. He looked at Amy, his eyes begging for her permission.

Though her mind screamed No! her heart truly believed that he was innocent. Thus, she nodded her approval.

As Endymion joined her, Serenity found her strength returning to her. For no matter what happened he was truly her rock. She took his hand and began, "Rini was truly a breath of fresh air into this boring ol' castle. Everyone adored her. She'd draw pictures of all the queens that would make me laugh. Pick flowers for me when I was sad . . . . The gardens were her favorite place in the entire castle. I remember that when she was little that I'd be sitting in the throne room and I'd take off my heels. And before I knew it she'd taken them. Rini would either hide them somewhere or they'd end up in the mud. But there was just something about that little girl that made you smile, so you just couldn't stay mad at her."

Endymion squeezed his wife's hand and took a deep breath. Clearing his throat, he too began to share his memories with the people that he cared about the most. "Rini was a very clever little girl. She could always trick me into reading her two or three bedtime stories. Or hijack some bread from the kitchen to feed the ducks. All of the animals loved her, but then again it was impossible not to. She was a very compassionate person and she would have grown up to be a magnificent ruler. And I think that it is safe to say that her reign would have been the happiest times that the kingdom had ever seen. Because she was so cheerful and could make anyone smile with just her presence. She was my little angel."

With that they both returned to their seats.

Selene returned to the middle of the courtyard. "If no one else would like to share . . . then it is time that we proceeded to the gardens."

Serenity looked over her shoulder. Where was Raye? Surely she wouldn't miss this. She loved Rini, besides she knew how important it was to her that she was there. She's probably somewhere at the back.

Selene put her left hand out in front of her and waved her right hand over it. Instantly a glass vase appeared and inside silver and gold dust glimmered. For both Selene and Raye had decided that it would be too hard for everyone to view the little angel's mutilated body.

The congregation followed as Selene led them to the gardens. Once there, Selene raised the vase for all to see. Then she closed her eyes and let it go. It hovered above the flowers and waited for Selene to proceed.

"In this vase are the remains of our dear little princess, our little angel. It is time to let her go, to let her rest, to let her find peace. And what a better place for her to rest than her gardens. Serenity, Endymion, it is time to say goodbye one last time before I release her moon dust over the gardens," Selene proclaimed.

Serenity forced herself to gaze upon the glass vase and whispered, "It's ok baby. I'm going to be just fine . . . be happy and find peace."

Next to her, she heard Endymion murmur, "My precious little angel, I've prayed that this was just a horrible dream and that you'd come jump on me at any second and wake me up. But it isn't a dream; I actually have to let you go. Remember that I love you, that everyone loves you, and find peace."

She squeezed his hand to comfort him. Endymion looked at her gratefully. And Serenity realized that the tears in his eyes . . . were mirrored by the ones in her own.

Smiling gently Selene nodded at the vase and it began to float to every corner of the gardens. Spreading the silver and gold dust as it went.

Little did anyone know that Artemis was standing at the entrance of the gardens. Waiting until the funeral was over to deliver more bad news.

And somewhere in this sea of mourning, one person knew that this was not all that was in store for this kingdom. No a great deal more a waits.

Selene watched as the vase finished emptying its contents. Once done, she walked over to Serenity and gave her a hug. "Be strong my little one. Everything will be ok. But I must leave now. These trials are yours alone . . . but I shall always be here to comfort thee." And with that Selene stepped back from Serenity and vanished.

Just as Selene left, Artemis came running in. He tore Endymion's hand from Serenity's and once again put him in shackles.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Serenity shouted. After all one of her faithful friends and advisors had just interrupted a very personal event.

Artemis bowed. "Your majesty, I am truly sorry for interrupting. But I have allowed you more than enough time with him . . ."

"I believe that is for me to decide. After all you did place him in my custody. Or did you not, Artemis?" Amy snapped.

"That is true. But recent events must be considered."

"Recent events?" Mina inquired.

Artemis looked down and sighed. "I would rather not have to tell you, but I must. Queen Raye was discovered murdered in her quarters. Like the princess she was ruthlessly stabbed to death, but this time the culprit left behind something. He left a single red rose, which he clasped in her hands. As we all know . . . a red rose is the king's signature mark."

Serenity turned sickly pale at the news. Raye's dead.

"He couldn't have killed her and you know it, Artemis," Lita seethed.

'Yes, he was in the dungeon. Someone's just trying to make it look like he did it . . . just like they did with Rini," Amy glared. Come on now! How much sense does it make that he could be in two places at once. He may be king, but if Serenity does not posses the power to do so then he could never even dream to do so. Wait! Did I just say he didn't kill Rini? No, I couldn't have. I don't know that for sure. There's so evidence against him. Why did I say that?

Mina's mind raced, Could it be that it was the same person? Why would they want to frame Endymion? I know he didn't kill Raye he was under Serenity's seal . . . he couldn't have. But Rini . . . I wish I knew.

"Well, ladies, I'm sorry but I must take Endymion back to the dungeons. After all the evidence does seem to indicate . . ." Artemis began.

Dungeons? Endymion? The words dungeons and Endymion thrust Serenity back into reality. "No! He is my husband and this is my kingdom. I will not allow him to remain in the dungeons any longer!" Serenity yelled.

At this a gentle hand was placed upon Serenity's shoulder. It was Selenity. "My dear, you have no choice. You may be queen but there are laws . . . that even you cannot bend. And I'm afraid that this is one of them. Endymion is a murder suspect and therefore must remain in the dungeons until his trial."

"And when will that be?"

"As soon as you desire. What remains of your court and myself shall be the jury . . ."

"Well, you're all here. So why delay the proceedings any longer? But I would like some time alone with my husband first . . . and as the queen and his wife I have that right."

Selenity looked around, seeking support from the other queens. However they were adamant . . . their friend would not endure the dungeons anymore. Her only ally was the silent Artemis . . . but he refused to anger his queen any further.

"Ah . . . silence is compliance, isn't that what you taught me,
mother?" Turning to her beloved friends, Serenity sighed and fresh tears came to her eyes . . . but she vigorously wiped them away, refusing to be weak at this moment. "I don't know why Raye was murdered but I do know that she was . . . all I can tell you is to have a guard with you at all times or send for your husbands. But I refuse to allow any of you to fall to the hands of this madman. Please?

Mina stepped forward and curtsied. "I shall send for Andrew at once. Besides, I think that it will do Endymion a world of good to see his best friend again. Don't you?"

"Thank you."

Lita looked at Amy and nodded. "We shall do the same, milady."

"It will be a comfort to know that you are safe. Now if you will excuse me, I wish to spend some time with my husband." Taking Endymion's hand once more she led him away from the gardens and into their chambers.

Endymion walked in and collapsed on their king-sized feather bed. Selenity went and sat down beside him. She ran her hands through his midnight black hair and over the contours of his face. This was the man she loved, the man her child loved, the man her friends adored . . . and this was the man that they accused of murder. It was so inconceivable, Endymion loved Rini. He would have died before he'd let any harm come to her. And the others were beginning to realize this once more.

At that moment Endymion sat up. He took down the two 'meatballs' of Serenity's hair. Gazing into his wife's eyes he gently pulled her into a kiss. And secretly he wondered if this would be the last time he would ever hold her, ever see her, ever be able to . . . just be near her.

"Dare, I couldn't bear to lose you. My daughter and my best friend are gone . . . . What would I ever do if I lost my soul mate? I know that you didn't hurt our little girl. I know that you wouldn't kill our daughter. I just need to hear it one more time from you," Serenity pleaded.

Endymion lifted Serenity's chin so she could see clearly into his midnight blue eyes. "I love you, so much. I need you and Rini . . . like I need air to live. I could never have killed her . . . it would have been like killing myself, killing my soul. Do you believe me now? Will you stand by my side at the trial?"

"Nothing could keep me away. . . . But tell me you didn't kill Raye. Tell me that this is all a bad dream Darien. Tell me that we didn't just attend our daughter's funeral and that we have to prepare a funeral for Raye. Tell me Darien. I need to hear it. Please?"

Endymion leaned back on the soft goose down pillows and closed his eyes. "I was in the dungeons. I have been in the dungeons for the past two days except to comfort you and to attend the funeral."

Serenity got up from the bed and walked over to her dresser. She gingerly picked up a photo of her and Raye dancing the night away before their wedding.

Endymion got out of bed as well and took the frame from her and set back on the dresser. "Listen to me. Do you know how damn powerful that seal is over the door, Sere? Of course not, it's nothing to you. But I can't break it. Hell knows I tried, but I couldn't break it. You're just too damn too strong! I didn't kill her, Sere. I was trapped like a rat in my own house, in my kingdom, for killing my only child! You may be grieving, but I'm grieving too. Just remember that you're not the one accused of murdering them, Sere. I am, and that makes this a hell of a lot harder for me." He gripped her hands. "But wait didn't you already know that, you're my soul mate. You're supposed to know that. I love you, Sere. But damn it understand that I loved them too. So stop fucking around, do you think I killed them or not?"

Serenity looked down at the ground and felt this sure of anger come bursting forward. She pulled herself out of his grip and looked him straight in the eye with a fire that had long since gone out. "I don't think you killed them. But think of the mountain of evidence there is against you, against us. That's right, bastard. You may not like it but I am your wife and what happens to you happens to me. And if you are found guilty, what then? My family, our family, is gone. My world, our world, is falling to pieces. I don't need this from you right now. Or have you forgotten my best friend was found dead a few minutes ago and our daughter is dead too?! If this is what you're going to be like go back to the dungeons until your trial and know that I won't be there!" With that Serenity turned to leave, but Endymion caught her arm.

He suddenly was much older. The twinkle that usually graced his midnight blue eyes was gone. He was deathly pale and each and every wrinkle that had ever graced his face was now extremely prominent. Taking a deep breath, he started, "I'm sorry. I had no right to talk to you like that, please forgive me. I don't know what to do, Serenity. I wish that I could honestly tell you that this was just some horrible nightmare . . . I wish. I know that we both loved them . . . we have so much to lose. I can't lose you . . ."

"You're no losing me, Dare. I just . . ." Serenity trailed off as she collapsed. The emotional and mental tribulations of the past two days had finally taken its toll, and like always Endymion was there to catch her.

Andrew was waiting in Mina's chambers. He had sensed that Mina would send for him, so he had saved her the trouble. He loved that smile . . . the one that she gave him when he showed up at exactly the right time.

However, he was taken back when he saw her in a billowy black satin dress instead of her normal form-fitting gold silk and white satin dress. "Mina, what's wrong? Why are you dressed like that?"

Mina looked at him and gave him a weak smile. She opened her mouth as to say something . . . but instead she began to cry uncontrollably. She had to be strong for Serena, but all that had happened was taking its toll. Thus, she fell to her knees and cried into the carpet.

Andrew ran over and picked her up. He walked over to the bed and sat down, letting Mina cry into his shoulder and he rocked her trying to calm her down. "Shh. It's all right. I'm here now. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I love you." After what seemed like an eternity, he cleared his throat and traced the outline of her face. "Are you ready to tell me what happened?"

"It's just too horrible," she sobbed.

Knowing that whatever it was . . . was too unbearable for Mina to relive, Andrew kissed her forehead. Then looking deep into her eyes, he silently asked, "May I?"

She nodded.

Andrew placed his hand upon her heart and closed his eyes. As the King of Venus, Andrew was able to see into a person's heart when his hand was upon it. Scenes of Rini's bedroom, Rini's body, Endymion in chains, Serenity's breakdown, the funeral, and Raye's body flashed before his eyes.

"My poor baby, this has been hell for you . . . . But I can't even imagine what Endymion and Serenity have been going through. Shh. . . we will find their murderer."

"Promise?" she murmured.

"We can even start right now, if you'd like?"

"Now? Oh, no! I forgot Endymion's trial will begin soon. We don't have much time. Where do you want to begin?"

"I know that this is going to be hard. But beginning in Raye's chambers is probably the best place where we could get some insight as to who the murderer is."

Mina looked down hesitantly. She remembered Rini's room and the sight of her lifeless friend. She wasn't sure if she could handle it again. But it was the only way . . . "Alright. Let's go."

Andrew hesitated before Raye's door. He took a deep breath and turned to face Mina. "Are you sure?"

She squeezed his hand. "There's no turning back now. Raye would've wanted us to find their murderer."

He nodded. Then sighing he turned the brass handle and opened the door.

The room had been cleaned in accordance with Serenity's orders. But Raye's body was now lying on her bed . . . waiting to be prepared for burial.

Walking in, Andrew noticed that there were ashes in the hearth. "She must have done a fire reading. I wonder . . ."

"You don't think she learned who the killer was do you?" Mina inquired.

"Maybe that was why she was killed . . . because she posed a threat to the killer."

"Then maybe we can learn the identity." Mina walked over to Raye and drew the cover off her face. She leaned over and kissed her friend's forehead. "Help me. Help me save Endymion," she whispered softly into Raye's ear. Slowly she rose and turned to her husband, "Pick her up and place her in the middle of the room."

Obediently Andrew wrapped Raye's body in the sheet, picked her up, and set her down on the floor. While he did this, Mina had walked over to the hearth and scooped the ashes into her hands. Then she began to form a circle with ashes around the spot where Raye laid.

"Are you ready?" Andrew inquired.

"Yes. You know what to do."

Andrew kneeled and placed his hand upon Raye's chest just where her heart would be. Silently he prayed that this would work for they had never tried to tap into a dead person's heart before. But then again he never ceased to be amazed by Mina's powers, for they were forever growing and changing. He glanced over to Mina to seek some reassurance . . . and he smiled when he found that she had already transformed back into her form fitting gold silk and white satin gown. She was ready for this. He reached his hand out for hers . . . she would take it when the time was right.

Mina now stood into middle of the circle with her arms raised towards the heavens. "Great Aphrodite, I, the Queen of Venus, call upon you. Grant me your power!" A ribbon of light then wrapped around her until every cell in her body glowed with power. She folded her arms to her chest and then thrust them outward emitting a beam of energy to the circle of ashes.

Then taking Andrew's hand she called out once more . . . but this time it was not her own voice. It was Raye's. She knelt before the circle, blew into the ashes and just like before the fire sprang up immediately. She smiled. But unlike the time Raye had done he fire, the flames were ready immediately, as if they had been burning for hours.

All Andrew could do was gaze in amazement as his wife began to chant words that she had never known in her life. He knew that it wasn't Mina . . . all of her movements and words were as if they had been done and said a million times . . . it could only be Raye.

Andrew was thrown out of his thoughts when Mina stopped the drone of her chant.

"Great Fire, a horrible crime has occurred. It has left many of the people I hold dear in pain. Please show me who has caused their pain. The future of the universe is at stake. Great Fire, please show me," she prayed.

The fire grew and intensified as, once again, she began to chant. Shadows began to dance in and out of the flames. Amongst these shadows six figures began to form. Once again the flames licked the ceiling and did not scorch it.

"Great Fire, show me. Show me Rini's killer."

My God! I was right . . . she asked the fire. But . . . was this really the right thing to do? Raye was killed, possibly for doing this fire reading. Someone didn't want her to know, to tell us the truth.

At this the flames continued to grow until the entire room outside of the circle was bathed in fire. Five of the figures faded back into the darting little shadows that they had once been. The last figure became more predominant but Andrew was still unable to make out its features. Thus Mina began to chant once more.

The figure faded back into the flames. And again she called, "Show me Rini's killer."

The fire grew once more. Until the light it emitted rivaled that of the sun. This time the figure was crystal clear. So clear that Andrew could've sworn that there was a man standing in the flames, a man with dark piercing eyes. But the figure only remained there a moment for the fire died instantaneously. And as the fire died, Mina collapsed.

Andrew rushed to his wife's side. "Mina, baby, are you ok? Answer me, please," he pleaded. Please, Aphrodite, let her be ok. He's my best friend, let me suffer the consequences of this not her! Just let her be safe. After a few moments Mina came to. Andrew flooded her with kisses to show her his relief.

"Ah, the happy couple, sorry to break up such a tender moment. I must say, I am impressed by the powers of the fair Queen Mina. But then again, I always have been," a voice called from the shadows.

"Who's there?" Mina cried.

"Ah. I forgot you probably wouldn't remember . . . but I know who does. I, my fair queen, am the ghost, I am the murderer."

Andrew drew his sword and pushed Mina behind him.

"The valiant King Andrew, tell me, what good will it do if you have to fight something that you can't see?"

"Why did you murder them?"

"I killed Raye because she was a threat. She has always been the most powerful of senshi other than Serenity, of course. I knew that it would just be a matter of time before she figured it out. So I laid in wait until she did and eliminated the threat to all my plans. And I plan to do the same to the two of you because you are now both a threat. Him, because he knows my identity . . . and you because you could continue to aide others who seek my identity. But I must say, that it is a horrible day when someone as noble, as myself, am forced to slay such a beautiful woman. For you, Queen Mina, could pass as Serenity's sister . . . you are that beautiful."

"Enough! I will not stand here and listen as you hit on my wife. You are a coward," Andrew roared.

"A bore to the end, eh? Very well, any last requests?"

"Show yourself and face me as a man!"

"I very well doubt that you could put so much as a scratch on me with that toy. That was all that Raye was able to do . . . and she was much stronger than you." Thus the figure stepped out of the shadows. He was dressed in a white suit. "Goodbye!" With that he sent two blades of purple energy at Andrew and Mina.

"Why?!" Mina called, it was the last thing she ever spoke.

As he watched the blades slice through them . . . cutting them in half, he replied, "For Serenity."