Hearts' Remedy

Chapter 15

The inn was a dazzling glow of light and mirth, all thanks to Serena's well thought out planning. The laughter in the big room rose and left the window like a flock of birds taking flight. Music was being played in the background and in the very center of the room two people danced. They would have the first dance because it was his birthday and the party was her gift to him. Standing beside Seiya, Darien watched them dance. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

He watched, until the two parted and found his dazed eyes stare right at an outgoing Serena. Clad in the velvet dress she had shown Darien, she stretched her arms out as if ready to take him in. Just as he reached for one of Serena's hands, Seiya took the other. Seiya and Darien shared confused looks, but Serena laughed lightly.

"Poor, boys. You are bored aren't you?" Serena sighed, a blush on her face. She pulled them closer to her and offered to dance with both of them. For a moment the three of them stood in awkward silence. Serena looked at Darien, smiling, before she took Seiya's hands and started to move her feet with the music. Seiya grinned as he danced along. Darien felt out of place just standing there. Yet, he was brought out of his state when Serena suddenly pulled him into the circle. She released Seiya to dance with him, but just as Darien was getting used to following the beat, the music ended.

Breathing heavily Serena turned to Seiya and spoke gaily. "His Highness learns quickly, don't you agree?"

Seiya nodded. Serena said to Darien, "You catch on quick. It's very unlike dancing in those big fancy balls, right?"

Darien shrugged. "It's a bit wild and somewhat unorthodox, but…" Darien took a deep breath, "It was great fun."

"Fun is the point of it." Serena's voice seemed to echo in the suddenly hushed room.

The threesome noticed how everyone's eyes were directed towards the stage. Serena looked, too. A young woman with sea green hair, framing a young, fair face looked at the crowd with a harp in front of her. She was a beauty as far as men saw; even the women were entranced by her grace. Her green eyes washed over them for a moment, tranquil and deliberate. Her eyes didn't look like they were searching, but more like welcoming.

A young sandy, blonde man came up from behind the woman, sliding a chair over to her. He was tall and moved with elegance, as if he were born a nobleman's son. Yet, he dressed as simply as the woman he stood by.

After the woman seated herself, the man took a seat at the bench beside the piano. The woman closed her eyes and raised her hands over the strings. She seemed to falter, like she was trying to feel something. Then she swiftly plucked a finger at a cord. It rang, clear, soft, and mellow.

The piano player started. He played with authority and strength, just like his character. The woman opened her eyes slightly and smiled. She strummed at the chords and sung a ballad.

"There was once a Queen from far, far away

She had two daughters, and lovely were they

Oldest was raised queen to be

Youngest was raised to believe and see…"

The ballad went on; singing a story about how the youngest princess ran away and the queen adopted a cloistered life. She locked herself in her room and went mad. As the song came to an end, the woman's gaze fell on the girl, who had watched her the most intently. She smiled at her and waved to her. Serena froze. The woman gestured her to come up, encouraging her with a cheerful smile.

Serena went up, taking hesitant steps. Mesmerized, she felt herself being seated in the warm chair that the woman had been sitting. Unaware of it, Serena was making music on the harp. After all these years, she could still play.

Before Serena could finish the song, she stopped. 'No.' The woman placed a hand on her shoulder. 'No.' Serena clenched her eyes shut, realizing that everyone was staring at her as if she had grown two heads. 'No!'

Serena, the girl who wore men's clothes; did men's chores; fought like a man; she just played the harp with as much fluidity and grace as the green haired beauty. 'No.' At that moment, Serena tipped her chair over and ran for the nearest door. She ran out and around the barn and hid behind a shrub.

She sat with her head bowed. Those painful, yet vivid scenes of memories flooded back. She gripped her skirts with tenseness and had not noticed the presence of two people, who had disappeared from the party just as she did.

"Serena…"

Serena looked up and cried. "Amara, Michelle!" She ran into Amara's arms. "It's been so long," Michelle said with a sad smile. Watching Serena with a curious eye she said, "How is life to you?"

"Michelle… I miss you." Serena peeked up at her music teacher from so long ago, without letting go of Amara.

"What about me?" Amara asked.

"And you, too." Who could forget the one who taught her to ride astride and fix an arrow to a bow?

"Especially you."

Serena stepped away from them slightly, so that they could get a good look at her.

Amara frowned. "When we heard you ran away some years ago, we rushed back to Luneria. It was hard, but we got there."

"My mother?"

Michelle looked away. "We still continue our travels, since we are bards."

"But what of my mother and Selene?"

"I do not know. It's been awhile, since we have seen them, to be honest," Michelle said this with furrowed brows. "We were, more worried about you, since we weren't sure whether you were alive or not."

"You won't tell will you?!" Serena panicked.

Amara placed her hands over her shoulder. "No, it's none of our business. We wouldn't want to upset you."

Michelle sighed. "Oh, how heartache and suffering can be contagious."

Amara rolled her eyes at Michelle. "Michelle is tired. We both are. Kenji was lucky to find us and we are lucky to find you, Princess."

"Do not call me that."

"I'm only teasing, Serena."

"We will stay awhile, but then, we must move on," Michelle whispered.

"So soon?"

"Don't worry, Sweets, our lips are sealed. We will all move on," Amara promised.

They walked back to the inn, where Serena received the encore she left too soon to accept properly earlier. Amara, Michelle, and Serena bowed and allowed themselves to fade in with the party once again.