A/N- You guys are so cool! Thanks for all the reviews. I've tried to do as you asked, get started with the action and update as fast as I can. Unfortunately, this isn't the full action chapter. Sorry guys, but this is the last chapter of setting everything up. The next chapter is all action. I'll probably have it up sometime on Friday hopefully.
Illuminairi- Updated as soon as I could! Like I said this is the final chapter of setting everything up. That is a definite promise.
Ffgirlmoonie- Thanks for the luck and the review! I already felt your luck because I got a cut for this season's championship! Thanks again!
serenity287- Updated as soon as possible! Thanks for the reviews and luck and like I told Ffirlmoonie, all the luck really came in handy for the meet today. Now I just have the rest of the week…
raye85- Thanks for the review! I try to make my writing as interesting as possible and it's nice to know that I'm doing that.
AmberJupiter- thanks you so much for the review and ideas! Actually, I never thought of the Princess Bride until your comment. To tell you the truth, I've only seen the ending of the movie. I'm going to try and add more thoughts, but it's kind of hard. I will work on it though and hopefully it will get better.
Sailor Libra24- I know what you're talking about with the whole some people never update. I hate it so I try and update as fast as I can. Unfortunately I will be traveling for the rest of the week so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to update this week.
Peaceful Blossom- Thanks for the review and hopefully this story will be interesting all the way to the last chapter!
Sasha- I love pirates too, hence the story. Thanks for the review! Plus I try to update within one or two days. If I can't you'll get an authors note from me.
Thank you to everyone! I love you all!
3 days later at the Castle Ceinlys
For the past two days serenity had done everything she could to either isolate herself or hide from Diamond. She even tried locking herself into her room, but her father found the master key and unlocked the door. Ever since then she stayed in the garden, next to the roses, moping and occasionally crying.
Diamond stood in front of one of the windows that the overlooked the rose garden. As usual Serenity was sitting on a bench just stroking a rose. He wished she wouldn't act like this around him and would try to be happy. What made him angrier was the fact she didn't even try to make this arrangement work. He could only ask himself is he had truly done the right thing.
"Yes, yes I have done what's right. My people will need me to be a king and I'll need an heir. Serenity would be the perfect queen to rule by my side. She'll learn to love me soon." Diamond assured himself. A smile crept onto his face, but disappeared when a young blond haired man ran over and embraced Serenity. Jealousy instantly crept into his mind and swept his smile off his face twisting it into a scowl.
"Do not worry about him. His name is Andrew and he's been one of Serenity's closest friends for most of their lives. He works in the stables and taught Serenity how to ride when she was younger. You need not to worry because he has a wife and if what I hear is true, a child on the way." King Seamus said as he came up to stand next to Diamond.
He had not blindly put aside all of Serenity's attempts of isolation. He knew there was something going on between Serenity and Diamond, but what he did not know. Whether it was due to her leaving, inner feelings towards Diamond, or something else. Hopefully all would be revealed in time.
Diamond only nodded when Seamus explained who Serenity's friend was. He was studying the young man, making sure there was nothing more between Serenity and Andrew than a friendship, maybe a brother and sister relationship, but nothing more. "This is the man that she used to get me jealous? It worked, but I should not have been fooled so easily." Diamond thought.
When Serenity disappeared from his view he turned to Seamus to start discussing final preparations for the departure. "You do not need to worry about her. I will take good care of her."
"I know you will. If I thought you wouldn't I would not have let you marry her. She is my only daughter, my only daughter. She means more to me than anything else."
"I would never let anything happen to her. She will be carefully guarded and…"
"That's not what I want for her. She is not something to be caged up. She needs to be free and be able to live her own life. She'll let you into it, but you can not force it." Seamus explained. "Keep a steady eye on her, not an army."
"Of course. We should leave soon." Diamond said looking at the sun.
"Yes, but first there have been a change of plans. Selene and I believe that it is best for Serenity if she has two friends with her." At the thought of her possibly bringing Andrew the hatred towards the other man flared up once more. "She is to bring Lady Amy, a lady of the court and daughter of one of my advisors, and Lita, her handmaiden." Diamond's face relaxed, but he still wasn't pleased with the idea of the two additions. He knew Serenity brought it up and her parents were just covering for her.
"Of course, they are ready I am guessing. I wish to leave as soon as possible." Diamond said. Seamus nodded and they continued talking as they walked towards the entrance of the castle where the carriages would be arriving.
In the gardens…
"Andrew!" Serenity exclaimed as she saw her friend approach. "How are you?"
"I am doing well. I wanted to come find you before you left." He said as he gave her a hug.
"You make it sound like we'll never see each other again! I am coming back in a month." Serenity said with a smile. Right now that fact was the only thing that was keeping her alive.
"I know…" Andrew said.
"Let's change the subject. How is Rita? I have not seen her lately." Serenity said as she began to walk around some of the different bushes with her childhood friend.
"We're expecting a child. The head maid is giving her fewer chores to do so she can rest and worry about the baby more than you." Andrew said with a smile.
"She never had to worry about me. That was Lita and Molly's job." Serenity said as she laughed. "I really am going to miss you."
"I shall repeat what you said. You will be back in a month. When you get back you can tell me just how horrible your fiancé is." Andrew said.
"If he is any worse then I should just die now. I truly wish I could somehow get out of this arrangement." Serenity said as she picked up a yellow rose.
"You could always runaway." Andrew said sarcastically. When he looked back over at Serenity his smile soon became worried when he realized Serenity was actually considering it. "Oh no, please don't do this Serenity."
"You gave me the perfect idea. I'll have a full plan soon enough and get Lita and Amy to help me." Serenity said with a big smile. "Thank you Andrew!" She said. She gave him one last hug then walked has fast as she could into the castle to find her two friends.
oOoOoOo
On the Sea Cobra
"We'll be approaching their line of vision soon Darien. Zoicite just got back with more information. He said that Diamond will be there a little after midnight with his fiancée. They'll be staying at the Flying Goose." Malachite said as he stood next to Darien at the wheel.
"Thanks for the update. I have more work for you to do though. Not much though. I want you to tell Jones to go into town, get a room facing us at the Flying Goose. When Diamond and his party arrives have him wave a torch in his window or do something to catch our eyes. The get the crew ready and on the deck. I wish say some things before we are completely set." Darien watched as the crew numbly went through their chores. The raid tonight would hopefully make them act like pirates again. "Drop anchor! We rest here until it is time." Darien yelled.
Soon everyone was ready and waiting for Darien to say something. Malachite stood with Zoicite, Jadeite, and Nephrite near the front of the group. Malachite was Darien's first mate and closest friend, but Darien trusted the other three with his life, an honor on the deck of this ship.
"Tonight we get to have some fun. We get to act like real pirates. Plundering an unsuspecting village and taking everything that we need. Tonight is special for another reason as well. Tonight, we meet an old friend have the advantage of surprise over him. Diamond will be traveling with his soon to be wife-" Darien was cut off by the laughs and whistles that were heard from the crowd.
"She is not to be harmed as well as the two other women with her. They are to return here to the ship and then we'll hold them for ransom or something. We'll figure that part out later." Darien said meeting each crew member's eye. "Now we wait till our favorite Prince arrives." He finished. When he was done he returned to the wheel and looked out at the ocean.
oOoOoOo
Castle Ceinlys
Serenity tried to run through the halls, but the dress and shoes she was wearing made it hard. Plus it wasn't proper for a princess to run so she had to walk every time a person was in the hall with her. When she finally made it to Amy's room she rushed in hugging Amy and Lita as soon as she could.
"Are you guys done packing?" Serenity whined. "I want to go." Serenity flopped onto the bed and put her head on the hands.
"We're almost ready… wait, why do you want to go now? What happened to 'I don't want to go with Diamond! I'd rather die! I don't want to be a princess if I have to marry him!'" Lita mimicked. Amy started laughing and Serena stood fuming.
"Serena…" Amy said breathlessly. "Lita is right, what brought around this change."
"I was talking to Andrew and he gave me the best idea!"
"Uh o, what did he say now? I should have never have told him where you were." Lita said.
"He made a joke about running away, but it's a great idea!" Serenity said with a smile.
"We are NOT running away." Amy said, her arms crossed at her chest and her face was trying to look intimidating.
"Yes we are. Don't worry, I have a plan…" Serenity said as she started whispering as she started telling her plan.
"Princess Serenity, Lady Amy, Lita?" Molly called through the door. The girls all looked up and scrambled to look like they were comforting Serenity.
"Come in!" Amy called. Molly opened the door and looked over at the girls with sad eyes.
"You are needed at the front of the palace because it is time to leave." Molly said.
"Thank you. We'll be right there." Amy answered. Lita and Amy helped Serenity up and walked behind her as they walked to the front of the castle.
The servants, Lords, and Ladies that were in the halls all said their goodbyes with forced smiles and sad eyes. The sun shown happily down on them as they walked out of the castle to be greeted by King Seamus, Queen Selene, and Prince Diamond. Diamond's various servants running around getting everything together for the trip.
"There you three are. We were getting worried that you had locked yourself in your room again." Seamus said as he hugged his daughter. "Do not be sad Serenity. You will be home before you know it. Plus Lita and Amy will be with you so you won't be without female companionship."
"I know Daddy. I'll be happy I promise. I just don't want to leave you and mom." Serenity said looking up.
"We will see you soon." Selene said as Serenity gave her a hug. Serenity smiled and walked over to diamond. She tried to hold back a shiver of disgust when his arm wrapped around her waste.
"Amy, you said goodbye to your father already?" Seamus asked.
"He left this morning for the manor. We had breakfast together." Amy said with a sad smile. Her father was the only family member she had left since her mother died when she was 14.
"Good, I'm sorry he had to leave so early." Seamus said.
"Diamond, take care of my daughter and her friends." Selene said.
"Only the best." Diamond said pulling Serenity closer to him. He smiled and opened the door of the carriage and held his hand out for Serenity. Diamond helped Serenity into the carriage and followed her. Amy and Lita were helped by the driver and sat across from Serenity and Diamond.
Serenity eventually fell asleep on the window, much to Diamond's displeasure. Amy and Lita slept I intervals so that one of them could always keep an eye on Diamond. The carriage eventually stopped in a small village that was next to the ocean. The sun had recently set and torches lit the doors of some of the buildings.
"Serenity, Serenity dear you need to wake up." Diamond said as he shook Serenity to wake her up. She just mumbled, swatted his hand away, and went back to sleep.
"Prince Diamond, we'll wake her up." Amy said with a smile. Diamond just nodded and left the carriage. "Serenity, wake up now!" Amy screamed into her hear.
"What? I'm up, I'm up." She mumbled as she rubbed her eyes.
"We need to go in Diamond is getting our rooms." Lita said. The driver helped all the girls out, bowed, and took the horses to the stables behind the inn. The girls walked into the Inn and found Diamond talking to the hostess.
"Oh ya, he's going to be faithful." Lita mumbled as the hostess laughed at something he said.
"Serenity, there you are, Giselle was just getting me our rooms. Are you ready?" Diamond asked holding out his arm.
"Yes I am." Serenity said as she took his arm as Giselle glared at her. "I might not like him, but if I'm going to go along with this I might as well act like he's mine." Serenity thought as she smiled back at Giselle.
Giselle showed them to two rooms, one for Amy, Serenity, and Lita, and another for Diamond. She gave the keys to Diamond and walked away as she gave one last flirtatious smile and wink at Diamond. Serenity rolled her eyes and looked over at Diamond.
"Can I have my key?" She asked holding out her hand.
"Why don't you stay with me? The rooms will be even then." Diamond said taking her hand.
"The people would think the worst and when father hears… he isn't going to be happy." Serenity said with a smile. She slipped her hand out of Diamond's and took the keys with it. She smiled, waved, and winked like Giselle had done before entering her room with Amy and Lita close behind.
The girls started getting ready to start their plan as Diamond went to find Giselle after making sure that the door to Serenity's room was locked like he thought. No one noticed the torch being waved in the window next to Diamond's room. Nor did they notice the black sails that just came into view of the city.
A/N- Ok there's that chapter. I know I know, no action and I'm sorry. Like I said it's coming in the next chapter and that's a promise. Thanks for not getting mad at me for not updating! I'll have the next chapter up sometime tomorrow because I've been ordered to stay home by my coach. Please review again! I love you guys for reviewing so much as it is!
