A/N- Here it is! It's long so get ready. This chapter is a background chapter. It will help set up characters so in a way it will help the plot. Our favorite villainess is in here so beware! But our favorite prince takes care of her… so read on and review!
Dertupio- Thank you!
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mysterious advisor- Thank you! Don't worry I'll be writing this one until I think the end is right and right now… that isn't for a while.
eliza-morgan22- some questions are in this chapter so don't worry… but I wanted to put some romance in the last chapter so I put the garden scene in there.
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AmberJupiter- To tell you the truth, for some reason I hate an ending that is cliché… in other words, the hero and/or heroine win…. But, I don't plan on making it a sad ending. So a happy ending it is. It just might not come to easily.
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cosmos serenity- You never know, but probably. Sorry about the cliffy again, but the wait shouldn't have been horrible.
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"A prince who left one day and never came back…"
oOoOoOo
25 years ago
"Damion, my friend!" King Seamus greeted his old friend as he got out of the carriage.
"Seamus! How are you?" The two kings embraced each other and smiled.
"Good, but tired, very tired. The little one has decided to keep us up all night." Seamus said with a smile.
"Don't worry they grow out of that stage soon enough." Damion said with a laugh.
"I hope it is sooner than later." Seamus sad with a smile.
"Now where is this child you two are talking about?" A soft voice asked from behind Damion.
"Ah, Seamus, you remember my wife Terra." Damion said. He took his wife's hand and brought her to stand next to him.
"Of course, one would not forget a face so fair." Seamus said kissing Queen Terra's knuckles. Terra bowed her head and did a small bow for her front.
"And this is our son Endymion. He'll be three in another month." Damion said proudly as a boy stood in front of him. The boy looked up to Seamus and gave a wide grin.
"Daddy let me practice with the soldiers today!" The young boy said.
"He's starting you off early, but that is a good thing. You'll be a great soldier one day." Seamus said as he knelt down in front of the young prince. The boy just smiled and nodded his head vigorously. He stopped when his father squeezed his shoulder.
"Terra, Damion, excuse my husband's lack of manners. Please come inside so we can sit down." Queen Selene said as she walked up to the group carrying a small bundle.
"Is that her?" Terra asked walking over to her friend and looking down at the small bundle. Selene moved the blankets over so Terra could get a better view of the child.
"Who is it Dad? Who's her?" Endymion asked looking at his father.
"You'll find out soon." Damien told his son.
"Why don't we take Selene's suggestion and go sit down." Seamus said. He led his guests to a sitting room down the hall from the foyer. "You can go see who she is." Seamus said looking down at Endymion.
Endymion looked over at his father who nodded and then looked towards his mother who was smiling at him. He carefully walked over to where the women we sitting and looking into the bundle of blankets. Inside was a small child with blonde curls covering her head and big blue eyes staring right back at him. The child gurgled and smiled a toothless smile.
"What's her name?" Endymion asked.
"Serenity." Selene answered. Endymion nodded and looked back down at the child. His hair fell into his face and the baby grabbed a strand that was close to her little arms.
"OW!" Endymion exclaimed and backed up. He rubbed his head where Serenity had pulled his hair and looked back at his mother. "Why did she do that?"
"She's just curious. Give her one of your fingers. She'll hold onto that instead." Terra instructed.
Endymion nodded and put his finger near Serenity's hand. She prompty grabbed it and started looking around at the room again. When Endymion tried to take his finger away Serenity held onto his finger and tightened her small grip.
"Here, why don't you hold her?" Selene said as she freed Endymion's finger. Selene showed Endymion how to hold the baby then placed Serenity in his arms. Serenity looked at the boy who was now holding her, grabbed a fistful of his shirt, snuggled into his chest, and promptly fell asleep.
oOoOoOo
8 years later (Serenity's 8, Darien's 11)
"Endy!" as she barreled down the stairs and into Darien's arms.
"I see you're doing well." Endymion said as he hugged her back.
"Very and how have you been?" Serenity asked.
"Good, but busy." Endymion said.
"Is that why you stopped writing the letters? I really miss getting my letters Endy!"
"I know Sere and I'm sorry. My tutor has been keeping me busy with work and I have training. Will you forgive?"
"Only if you start writing again." Serenity said.
"Of course." Endymion answered.
"Ok! I forgive you!" Serenity said. She gave Endymion another hug. "Let's go to the stables! Daddy got me a new horse and I want to show you her." Serenity said grabbing Endymion's hand.
"Wait, lets go tell our parents. I think Dad wants me back for a meeting." Endymion said.
"Alright, c'mon!" Serenity grabbed Endy's hand and tugged him to where their parents were talking. "We're going to go to the stables." Serenity announced.
"That's fine as long as Endymion is back an hour before dinner." Damien said. Serenity smiled and nodded her head while Endymion just bowed his head. Soon Serenity was tugging Endymion behind her and towards the stable.
"Isn't it un-princess like for you to be running around?" Endymion asked.
"Isn't it un-manly to be led around by a girl?" Serenity countered.
"Touché. How about we slow down and walk together?" Endymion suggested.
"Hm… alright." Serenity said coming to an abrupt halt and almost making Endymion fall into her. Serenity and Endymion talked until they reached the stables. A mare stuck her head out and neighed as the two approached her.
"Her full name is Will'N'Chick, but I call her Willie." Serenity said patting the mares head.
"She looks like a nice, smart horse." Endymion said. He reached out to try and pet her, but was forced to pull his hand back when the mare tried to bite him.
"Sorry, she does have a bit of an attitude. She doesn't really like strangers. Here give me your hand." Serenity said as she turned around and got something from a bag. The mare's ears picked up and her focus was on Serenity. Serenity cupped Endymion's hands and gave him a handful of grain. "Easiest way to make friends, give them food." Endymion laughed, but sure enough Willie was soon eating out of his hand and allowing him to pet her.
"Let's go for a walk." Endymion said. They said good bye to Willie and headed for the gardens. "You know things are going to change right?" Endymion asked Serenity looking over at her.
"I know. You'll be working on more politics and army things while I'll be working with my mother and becoming more 'proper'." Serenity said.
"We'll be getting busy, but we'll make time for each other when ever we are within the same proximity." Endymion said.
"That tutor is teaching you big words, Endy." Serenity giggled. "Don't worry I know what it means." Serenity said when she saw Endymion start to try and explain the definition. "Is that a promise though?"
"Promise." Endymion said as he kissed Serenity's knuckles.
oOoOoOo
6 years later (Serena's 14, Endymion's 17)
"Serenity, Endymion is almost here." Selene called through her daughter's door.
"I don't care! I don't want to see him!" Serenity yelled back.
"Serenity, what's wrong?" Selene asked her daughter as she sat down next to Serenity.
"I just don't want to see him." Serenity said clutching her pillow.
"He did something didn't he?" Selene asked understanding the clear signs of heartbreak.
"Go greet the guests and you'll see." Serenity said.
"What am I going to tell him when he asks about his absence? You always greet him with a hug in the front." Selene said.
"Tell him that I'm not feeling well and Lita is taking care of me." Serenity said.
"Fine, but you will show up for dinner and you will be civil." Selene instructed her daughter. Serenity was about to protest, but stopped when she saw her mothers grill. Instead of yelling back she threw her head into the pillow and let her mother leave.
In the courtyard of the castle, Selene joined her husband on the top of the steps. When he gave her a questioning look she responded with a "I'll explain later" look.
"Damien, Terra, how are you?" Seamus greeted.
"Good, trip was a little bumpy, but good." Damien said.
"Where's Endymion?" Selene asked, eager to get to the bottom of her daughter's behavior.
"He's following us with a guest." Terra said with disgust.
"Here he is now." Damion said as he watched another carriage pull around the courtyard.
Darien got out of the carriage and turned around to help someone out. Seamus and Selene were surprised to see a feminine hand take Endymion's. A tall, skinny, woman with long wavy red hair stepped out. Endymion led his guest over to where the group of royalty was standing.
"King Seamus, Queen Selene, I'd like you to introduce you to Lady Beryl." Endymion said. Seamus and Selene nodded their heads while Beryl bowed and muttered a "Your highnesses".
"Now I know why Serenity was so upset." Selene thought to herself. "Molly, please show our quests to their rooms." Selene ordered a nearby maid. The maid nodded and walked over to the group. Before she could get close enough to ask the group to follow her Selene stopped her. "Put Beryl in the farthest room for Serenity and Endymion's rooms. Then go fetch Lita and tell her I need to talk to her." Selene whispered. Molly nodded her head again and walked over to the guests.
"Please follow me." Molly said quietly with her head bowed.
"Molly, do not worry about leading us to our rooms. We know where they are. Just show Lady Beryl." Terra instructed.
"Yes Queen Terra." Molly said. She turned to Beryl, made eye contact, then started walking through one of the corridors.
"Selene, why is Molly taking Beryl to the opposite side of the castle from everyone else?" Endymion asked.
"Some of the rooms are being renovated and that is where our current guest rooms are." Selene said.
"One more question. Where is Serenity."
"She's not feeling well. She won't be down for dinner, but might be around tomorrow." Selene said. "If you'll excuse me I have some matters to attend to." She said and walked into the library waiting for Lita. Seamus said his good byes and followed his wife.
"What was that about?" Seamus asked when he closed the library door.
"He's broken Serenity's heart by bringing that… that… tramp here!" Selene said.
"How would Serenity even know Endymion was bringing Lady Beryl?"
"Don't you know they've been writing letters back and forth for years?" Selene said. "He probably mentioned it in his last letter. That's why Serenity's mood changed a couple days ago."
"I wish I was told about this before they got here!"
"Sorry, but I didn't realize it until Beryl stepped out. I should have seen the signs. I even asked what he'd done, but she didn't say anything." Selene said.
"Excuse me your highnesses, but Molly told me you wanted to see me." Lita said as she bowed.
"Yes, Lita can you tell Serenity she doesn't need to come to dinner and get her some food from the kitchen. I will let the chefs know." Selene said.
"Yes your highness."
"Good, now go keep her company. With Lady Amy gone you're probably her closest friend." Selene said with a smile. Lita bowed her head and quietly made her way out of the library.
Dinner
"Is Serenity still sick?" Endymion asked as he sat down at the table.
"Yes she is, but don't worry about it. She should be better tomorrow." Selene answered.
"Oh, I thought I heard some crying from her room." Endymion said.
"Her emotions are crazy when she's sick." Selene answered.
"It is a shame I can not meet the woman Endymion speaks so highly of." Beryl said.
"I said she'll be better tomorrow. You might see her then, but I never know where she goes most of the time now."
The rest of dinner was spent in silence or conversation between Seamus and Selene and Damien and Terra.
Endymion walked Beryl to her room where she tried to entice him in, but he rejected the invite and left for his room. Before entering his room he stopped in front of Serenity's room. He heard Serenity talking and guessed Lita was probably inside with her.
"Serenity, can I come in?" Endymion asked as he knocked on the door. He got no response so he knocked again and called for Serenity. This time he was answered, but not the way he wanted. He heard the lock click shut and a quiet "go away" from inside.
"Serenity! Serenity, open the door!" Endymion called again. Once more only silence replied. Eventually he gave up and walked into his room. He changed and got into bed, but he could not get a good night's sleep. His dreams were plagued by a certain golden haired goddess who usually greeted him by jumping into his arms.
Next morning
"Endymion, you slept in." Beryl said as she gave Endymion a good morning hug. Endymion barely responded and just moved away and towards a window.
"Good morning Son." Damien said walking up next to Endymion.
"Morning father." Endymion responded without looking.
"If you don't mind I'm going to talk to my son… alone." Damien added when he saw Beryl try to attach herself. Beryl fell back into the shadows at Damien's glare and watched as the two men walked out of the room.
"What is it, father?" Endymion asked as they walked out to the gardens. He didn't want to be there because of all the memories he had of Serenity and him playing there.
"You know what you've done don't know?" Damien asked.
"What are you talking about?" Endymion asked.
"Serenity's not really sick, well not physically at least. She's sick with something that no one in the world knows how to heal except one person." Damien said.
"What does she have? Who do I need to find?" Endymion asked frantically.
"Who you need is to find yourself. By bringing and telling Serenity about Beryl you've broken her heart. You must be blind Endymion. She's had feelings for you for the longest time. What made you this way?" Damien asked. Darien was too stunned by his father's rampage to say anything. "Maybe now you'll make a more conscious decision about your actions. Realize this, your actions might be good for you, but can hurt others."
"How do you know all this?" Endymion asked.
"Anyone can see Serenity's feelings. I had hoped you'd see them to. As for her being heartbroken; the main sign is her not showing up to see you, but I also talked to her parents who have talked to her, but she's lost to them." Damien said. "I suggest fixing what you've done. Your mother and I are behind you when it comes to Serenity, but let me make it clear, we do not like Beryl."
"But father, Beryl has been nothing but nice and respectful." Endymion said.
"Only when you are around. She's rude to the servants and tends to like punishing them for the smallest thing. She constantly yells when she is not given her way and tends to manipulate until everything does go her way." Damien said.
"I had no idea." Endymion muttered.
"Hopefully this talk will open your eyes." Damien said.
"It has father. Thank you." Endymion said.
"I think you want to go to the stables." Damien said before leaving Endymion where they were talking. Endymion quickly took off towards the stables hoping his father meant Serenity. Sure enough Serenity was sitting near her horse.
"Serenity." Endymion said looking at his angel.
"Endy!" Serenity gasped. She quickly got up and brushed the dirt off her skirts. "Endymion, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Lady Beryl?" Serenity spat. Endymion cringed at his full name.
"Sere, please…" Endymion started.
"That's Serenity." Serenity said. Endymion sighed and looked at his princess.
"Serenity, please listen to me." He pleaded.
"Why? So you can tell me how much you love her and how you're going to marry her? So you can tell me I meant nothing to you and I was just some princess you knew!" Serenity yelled.
"Serenity stop! Just stop alright. Please hear me out." Endymion said. Serenity sighed and turned to her mare. The mare nodded her head then pushed Serenity towards Endymion.
"Fine I'll listen." Serenity huffed.
"I never meant for any of this to happen. Lady Beryl came to the castle…" Endymion started, but was stopped when someone called his name.
"Endy!" Beryl called from the other side of the stables.
"Endy?" Serenity hissed. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at Endymion.
"Endy, there you are. Your father came back in without you so I came looking for you." Beryl said latching onto Endymion.
"Lady Beryl, I'd like you to meet Princess Serenity." Endymion introduced the two.
"You are the princess everyone was in such a hype about? With the way Endymion talked about you I thought you'd be older and more… matured." Beryl said.
Serenity gasped and narrowed her eyes even further. "I'm sorry to say the only time Endymion mentioned you was that he'd met someone at a home. Though all the years I've known him I never thought he'd go for a whore." Serenity said.
"Why you…!" Beryl hissed.
"Beryl! You will not lay a hand on Serenity." Endymion said stepping in between the two.
"I'm sorry Endy. I know I shouldn't be worried. How could you possible have feelings for a princess who looks like a maid and frolics in the dirt with horses?" Beryl said with a smile.
"You have no idea what you're talking about Beryl. Serenity is more of a woman than you'll ever be. She doesn't mistreat her servants like you and she shows respect to everyone who deserves it." Endymion growled. Beryl and Serenity gasped at Darien's outburst.
"Don't tell me you have feelings for this girl." Beryl said.
"More than I do you. I've come to the knowledge of your true nature and have put small events together. You are a spoiled Lady who is used to getting everything you wanted, including men. I'm not going to be one of your conquests…"
"You'd never be one of my conquests." Beryl said.
"You admit you have them though." Endymion said. "Alright, not a conquest, how about a way to more money and a higher title?"
"Endy…" Beryl pleaded.
"Never call me Endy again. I never even gave you the right to say that. You will address me as Prince Endymion or your highness." Endymion growled. "That name is reserved for the only woman who I do care about." Beryl whimpered at the verge of tears. She had never been rejected before and had never been so humiliated. Serenity's eyes were wide at Endymion's outburst and realization at what had happened.
Beryl's tears overwhelmed her and were soon pouring down her eyes as she looked up at Endymion. "Please say you're joking. Please." Beryl pleaded clutching his arm.
"Get off of me. There will be a carriage awaiting you in the front. I'm asking with the backing of Seamus, Selene, and my parents. Who may I say have never liked you." Darien growled. Beryl turned around and was about to run away when he stopped her once more. "If I find out you've injured any other servant then whatever you did to them will happen to you. When we meet in the halls I will act like you are invisible and will not acknowledge you." Darien said. The tears kept flowing down Beryl's face and she was soon running back into the castle and into her room.
"You realize that's going to be the talk of the castle now right?" Serenity asked.
"I know, but I don't care. What can I do to make it right with you Serenity?" Endymion asked.
"First, look me straight in the eye and tell me if what you said was true." Serenity said looking at Endymion straight in the eyes.
"What I said about the only person I have feelings for? Yes Serenity, you are the only woman I have feelings for. I wish I had seen it sooner so I could prevent this situation, but I was blind. Now I can see everything and I want nothing to do with Beryl and I want you to be my world." Endymion said. Serenity's eyes started welling up with tears at the thought of Endymion's confession. Endymion took Serenity's hands in his and looked straight into his princess's eyes. "What I'm trying to say is that, Serenity, I love you."
"Oh, I love you too!" Serenity said jumping into Endymion's arms.
"I'm so sorry I caused you so much pain." Endymion muttered into her hair.
"Stop saying you're sorry and kiss me." Serenity said.
"Yes milady." Endymion said before he bent down and captured Serenity's lips in his. It was a soft passionate kiss that made Serenity's legs give out. Endymion was now holding her up against his chest and she was clutching his shirt just like she had done when she was a baby.
"You almost broke your promise to me." Endymion said when they broke apart.
"What promise?" Serenity asked.
"You were going to let me leave without seeing me. We made a promise to all ways make time to see each other." He said.
"I remember don't worry. I'd say good bye, but now I don't think we need to worry about fulfilling that promise." Serenity said as she leaned up and gave Endymion another kiss.
Present time
"That night we talked to our parents and they agreed on a betrothal. We were to wed when I turned 16, which would have been about a year and a half later." Serenity said.
"But you said you weren't married." Darien said.
"When I turned 15 my parents threw a ball for my birthday. It was the best and worst night of my life. Endymion was there so it was the best of my life, but it was the same night I met Diamond and you know what happened with him. Endymion stayed for two more weeks to make sure Diamond left because we both did not trust him. Endy was supposed to stay longer, but he received an urgent letter from his father. He left to go home and never returned. He made me promise him I would wait for him and I'll always honor that promise."
"I understand." Darien said looking at his hands. During Serena's stories he had moved to sit next to her on the bench. "Tell me what the date was when he left." Darien said.
"It was around July 14th three years ago." Serenity said. "I'll never forget that day." Serenity told herself.
"That's funny." Darien muttered.
"What's funny?" Serenity asked.
"I have no memory past July 29th of three years ago." Darien said.
"What are you talking about?"
"The short version is that I guess I was found by Malachite, who was getting a pirate crew ready. He found me in a gutter in Triste and recruited me. I eventually took over the ship, but we've been friends ever since." Darien explained.
"There's more to the story isn't there?" Serenity asked.
"Of course there is, just like there is more to your story I presume." Serenity nodded and looked out of Darien.
"Darien, I might not be able to love you, but I do feel something deeper than friendship." Serenity said. Darien's head snapped up to look at Serenity. She nodded her head and laughed when he engulfed her in a hug.
"Come, I think it's time we go to dinner with our friends." Darien said helping her up.
"How am I supposed to face Seiya?" Serenity asked.
"The girls have probably explained everything to him and though he might not like it he'll have to live with it. Plus you'll have me to protect you. I'd never let anything happen to you." Darien said kissing the back of Serenity's hand.
"I know you wouldn't." Serenity said. Soon they were on their way back to dinner where they found their friends in the middle of their m
A/N- Wow, that was a lot, but I wanted to update tonight because I didn't want to make you guys wait a long time. Hope you liked it and should clear up some questions about Serenity's past. Yes, Darien's puzzle is coming together as well, but I don't know when that will be complete. I think it will be in the next couple of chapters though because Serenity and Darien are going to be sharing stories.
