Storms Upon the Heart

Chapter Fourteen

--lol, I had a review asking about couches in 'this time period'. Well, actually, if you read closely… I haven't given a time period, really. I haven't given an exact place on earth, either, for a distinct purpose. I created like….a different time and a different place. Hershim and Fellotinhan don't exactly exist at any exact location on Earth, and I didn't name a time period because… what's the point in that if the place doesn't even exist? So, I suppose, if I want couches, I guess I can have them. But I see your concern. But no worries…I try not to use the term 'couches' too much anyways… because it's a formal setting, really, and… doesn't sofa or settee sound a bit better than 'couch'? lol. Besides… people in olden days had to sit on SOMETHING, ne? Okay, enough with my rambling… on to the story!

Endymion scowled as he entered the palace in a storm, fury raging through every bone in his body. His generals followed after him, but he turned and stomped up the staircase, leaving them at the bottom, staring up in concern.

"Well… what happened tonight?" Jaedite asked, leaning over and whispering to Nephrite.

"Erm… I have no clue." Nephrite twisted his mouth, shrugging.

Motoki walked up to the four, placing a hand on Nephrite's shoulder. "It's been a long night for everyone. I'm sure Endymion will talk with you in the morning… why not retire for the night?"

Kunzite brushed a tired hand through his hair and agreed, turning to head to his own quarters. The others followed, each casting a glance up at the staircase that Endymion had ascended.

Motoki watched as they walked down the hallway, and then turned around to see his mother, Makato, Minako, Cassandra, Ami, and Rei running towards him.

"Motoki!" Melodine cried, throwing her arms around him. "Where is my baby? Where is she?"

Motoki patted his mother's arm. "She's in the stables. She'll be here in a moment… she refused to come in with Endymion." He shrugged helplessly.

"Why ever not?" Cassandra asked.

"Well… they had a bit of a… tiff…"

"Tiff?" Melodine shook her son gently, prodding for answers.

"Endymion… took Setsuna prisoner and Serenity was angered by it… angered immensely, more like it… and she refuses to see him, speak to him, or marry him, until Setsuna is free."

"But that's absurd! The wedding is in two days! She can't back down now!" Cassandra raved, waving her arms.

"By law even she cannot." Melodine uttered, sighing.

"Well… then I doubt they will have a romantic wedding night." Motoki shook his head, sighing along with his mother as his wife came up and placed a hand on his arm. Motoki put a tired arm around Makato and started to leave.

Rei spoke up suddenly. "You said she was in the stables, Motoki?"

"Yes, Rei… why?" He stopped and looked at her.

"Ami and I will go talk to her." She took her friend's arm and headed for the door.

"Yes… I suppose we'll talk to her!" Ami called back, looking slightly frazzled at the sudden turn of events… who was she to meddle in Serenity's affairs… and why was Rei taking charge of her like that?

Minako ran after them. "I'm coming too!"

Serenity sighed, brushing the horse she had ridden with Motoki, listening to the quiet of the night. "Poor Setsuna… she's probably so scared." She mumbled, nuzzling her nose up against the horse's face. "Wouldn't you be frightened if some buffoon tried to take away your life?"

"Sere!"

Serenity turned to see her friends and young cousin coming towards her. She put down the brush, wiped her hands on her dress, smiled, and went to them. "Hello girls. It's late… shouldn't you all be asleep by now…Minako especially?"

"We've been waiting for you." Minako piped up, smiling tentatively.

Serenity smiled back. "I'm so sorry you were all so worried. Everything worked out alright, though… well..." She laughed loudly. "Except for the idiocy of Endymion, anyways."

Rei sighed and took Serenity's arm. "Let's go sit in the gardens and talk."

Arm in arm, they walked quietly out of the stables, Ami and Minako following behind closely.

"Why would you ever defend Setsuna, Sere? And refuse to marry Endymion? You're so in love with him! Even I can see it, even now, in your anger!"

Serenity sighed and tilted her head back, looking up at the dark night sky. "Setsuna resorted to the last thing that she could think of to gain my attention… she desperately needed to talk to me. She had to know for certain that it was time for her to move on past Endymion… I suppose I was the only person able to do that, and able to give her closure. Even Endymion would not have been able to truly convince her. But… after she realized that she needed to move on… we became friends." Serenity's eyes became cold, and tears pooled up in her usual happy eyes. "Brief friends, because Endymion had to rush in to play the silly part of the hero and 'save me'." She spat out the words in sarcasm. They stopped at a bench, where Serenity and Rei sat, while Minako plopped in the grass, Ami beside her.

Serenity stared down at her nails. "Save me. Yes… well, he has to learn that although I may be weak physically, he does not rule my life, and he has… he has got to listen to me! You were not there, my friends. You didn't see and hear him… you didn't hear him when he belittled my opinion! When I begged and pleaded Setsuna's innocence, he downright ignored me and sent her away with those ferocious guards! She's my new friend, one who needs help and comfort! And… I will not marry him until she is free. And I will not marry him until he learns that I have a mind of my own, and I know what is right and what is wrong. And what he's doing to Setsuna is wrong."

Ami jumped up. "I agree with you!"

Rei was startled. "Ami!"

"Well, she has a point!" Ami ranted, beginning to pace around on the grass. "Men think that women are simply their wives and child bearers… they are egotistical and believe that only they have minds able to take in sciences and the great beyond of knowledge! Many have laughed at me because of the medical career I have pursued! But I am just as capable as a man, and I understand Sere completely!" She grabbed Serenity's hands. "I think what you are doing is noble and brave… and if Endymion doesn't see it that way, then he doesn't deserve you!"

Minako squealed and clapped her hands. "Yes, Ami is right! I'm not marrying anybody who doesn't listen to me!"

Rei shook her head. "But… but… Sere, your wedding is in two days!"

Serenity sniffed and turned her head. "Well, if Endymion doesn't apologize and undo his wrong in two days, there will be no wedding."

"But the law!"

"They will have to drag me down the aisle in chains."

Rei sighed. "Oh, Sere… I know you're right, but… it's such a mess!"

Serenity smiled and wrapped an arm around her friend. "I know, dear… I'm sorry I'm so much trouble. But this is something I believe in, and I have to do it. Besides…" Her eyes held a twinkle. "I want you all to meet Setsuna. We'll have tea once she is free, yes?"

Minako jumped up onto Serenity's lap. "Does she like dolls?" She looked up with a big smile on her face, and they all laughed.

"Well, dear, I do suppose you will have to ask her yourself!"

Endymion paced back and forth in his bedroom, grumbling and raking his hands through his hair. "What on earth is she doing! Putting off the wedding, all for SETSUNA? Is she crazy?" He sighed and threw open the glass doors leading to the private balcony. He walked out and leaned over the stone railing, breathing in to try and soothe his nerves.

Looking down, he blinked when he saw Serenity sitting and laughing with Minako on her lap, Rei sitting beside her, and Ami sitting close at her feet.

"Well, dear, I do suppose you will have to ask her yourself!" He heard his beloved say, and he watched as she placed a kiss on Minako's temple, who giggled.

Rei had a small frown on her face. "I do hope that this works out."

"I'm sure it will." Serenity said. "If not… well, then… I suppose I won't be getting married."

Endymion took in a sharp breath.

Ami was shaking her head. "I think it wise. Rei, you have to see that Sere is simply standing up for herself. You should be ready to do the same for yourself someday! Would you want a man to treat you as if you were simply his shadow, ready to oblige to his every wish and will?"

Rei's frown became deeper as she understood. "Well… no, of course not."

"Then you finally see my point." Serenity smiled. "It's late, dears. I'm so very tired… I'd like to sleep. Well, alone, of course!"

The other girls laughed, and Endymion cringed.

He turned away and went back inside, throwing himself on the bed that he knew only he would occupy that night. He sighed miserably, his face buried in a pillow. After several long moments, he forced himself up and made his way to the washroom.

Serenity made her way to her bedroom, the others already tucked away in their own rooms. She opened her door and walked in, leaning her head briefly against the door before turning around.

Her eyes turned dark as she noticed Endymion sitting in the bed, his head propped up against the pillows. He was reading a book, and he looked up when he heard her enter.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Sere!"

She let out a huff and made her way to her armoire. "For one thing, do NOT call me Sere, and for another, I told you to find a guest room."

He smirked. "It's my palace, princess."

She rolled her eyes and slammed the armoire door shut before spinning around and facing him, a nightgown in her hands. "Well, aren't we the arrogant dolt? Good night, Prince Endymion." She left the room, slamming the door loudly behind her.

Endymion sighed and rubbed his temples with his forefingers. "Why?"

Suddenly the door opened again and Serenity rushed in.

He looked up and blinked. "Serenity?"

Her face was red. With anger, he supposed.

She balled her hands into fists and walked up to the bed, standing a mere step away from him. "Endymion…"

"Yes?" He raised an eyebrow warily, refusing to look her in the eye.

"You are an egotistical, rude, arrogant, snobbish, ridiculous idiot. At the moment, I can barely stand to be in the same palace as you, let alone the same room. So unless you want to apologize for the idiot you've been, then I would suggest that you do not approach me, or come near me, at all. Do you understand?"

He rolled his eyes and turned away, not answering.

"And Endymion?"

He turned his head hesitantly, and his fears became reality.

A hard slap met him on the face. He blinked, a red mark already beginning to spread across his usual perfect features.

"That's for stealing my room and locking up my friend!"

She spun around and left… slamming the door again.

Endymion grumbled and got up, dressing quickly and fingering his injured cheek. He left the room and walked down the hall. He opened door after door, searching every guest room for sign of where Serenity was.

Disgruntled when he had went through every one and had not found her, he made his way down to the queen's sitting room, where he found his mother and father, as well as Melodine, sitting.

"Have you heard of Serenity's refusal?" He asked, collapsing in a chair.

Cassandra was sipping a cup of tea. "Yes, dear. And I, personally, agree with her."

Endymion sat up. "WHAT!"

"As do I. But as her mother, I suppose I would." Melodine stood up. "I'm going to retire. Good night." She left, shooting a sharp glace at the Hershim prince.

He ignored her and turned to his father. "Father, what do you say?"

The king sighed. "Son… yes, Princess Setsuna out stepped the boundaries of the law slightly…"

""SLIGHTLY?" Endymion roared.

Dermius continued. "But Serenity holds no contempt against her, and actually wishes for her company… so I don't exactly agree with what you are doing. I know you don't… particularly like Setsuna, but Serenity, for some reason, does. And son…" He looked at Endymion imploringly. "You have to learn that in marriage, you have to agree with you wife… always. Or you will end up alone many, many nights. And even one night is far too long and cold." Dermius cleared his throat and looked at his wife, who grinned smugly back at him. "Women always have that power over us… you just haven't realized that yet." He took his wife's hand, who put down her teacup. "We're going to sleep. I suggest you either give up and talk to Serenity, or… well, I suppose you'll be alone tonight. And bride-less, if you keep this up."

They left the room, and Endymion stared at the ceiling for a long time, his head swimming in thoughts as he muttered to himself. "Well, how can I even talk to her when she's hiding from me?"

End Chapter Fourteen

(A little short, but I'm busy with work at the moment… I'm going to write as much as I can, though, I promise! I'll write at night when I'm not working! Lol. Sorry this is a bit of an 'in-between' chapter… not much really happened… but you have to have these sometimes, anyways! Lol, please review, and thank you so much to all the people who have been reviewing! You all have no idea what it means to have so many supportive reviewers! Thank you!)