Chosen
Sailor Moon
Coly456
The next day everyone seemed very relieved to go home. Serenity could tell that like her Mina was starting to feel the effects of the traveling and the pregnancy. As they got closer to home Serenity was happy to see it was snowing. She found she enjoyed the snow as long as the weather wasn't to cold.
"Does anyone else smell that?" Serenity asked as she caught a smell she couldn't place as a breeze blew in through the carriage windows.
"Smells like fire." Endymion mumbled as he pulled back the curtain to see columns of smoke coming from where the town should be. Quickly Malachite opened the door of the carriage it still moving and was walking beside it sword ready n case of any threat. Serenity noticed the other girls and guard were now walking beside the carriage as well ready in case of an attack. Endymion made sure Serenity was holding her small dagger an he had his hand on his sword as they rode through the burning village. Serenity wanted to cry when she saw all the homes and stores destroyed. The smell started to become so strong, and another smell lingered in the air making Serenity want to vomit.
"Look away princess." Mina said as she squeezed Serenity's hand causing her to look into her friends equally sad eyes.
"That smell?" Serenity asked with a frown
Mina swallowed before her frown deepened "Burned bodies princess." she muttered just as serenity turned her head seeing a pile of them. Women, men and children stacked on top each other smoke still rising off of what little flesh and bones that were left.
"Oh god." she gagged turning her head away again a sob escaping her as Endymion touched her arm.
"You cannot cry now. We have to be strong for the other people. If anyone survived mother would have brought them into the Palace gates, they cannot see you break down right now." Endymion's voice was cold causing Serenity to shiver but wipe her tears from her face quickly trying to calm herself.
When they made it through the gates Endymion has been right there were tents set up all around the courtyard. Mothers wee holding their children, she saw Irene helping with the wounded wrapping bandages that's where their carriage stopped. What little people of the village that were left started to surround the carriage solemnly the guard being sure they kept their distance as the King and Queen exited with Mina behind them keeping an eye out for any threats as well.
"Mother what happened?" Endymion frowned as he leaned down healing a small boys burn with a touch of his hand.
"Just two nights ago the village was set on fire. They were like ghost every house and store was set ablaze anyone out on the streets or trying to escape was murdered and burned. The army couldn't capture anyone who was involved it was like they were here and then gone suddenly and anyone who was almost captured slit their own throats." Irene mumbled.
"Then we don't know the reasons for the attack?"
"Of course we do! You married that Moon Whore!" A man in the front of the crowd yelled causing Nephrite to charge an hold the man to the ground his arms locked behind his back and knees kneeling on him causing the women next to him to scream and a little girl she was holding to cry.
"Nephrite! Release him now!" Serenity yelled walking over to them touching nephrites shoulder causing him to frown but release the man being sure to stand between the queen an him as the man stood his wife grabbing hold of him sobbing.
"I am sorry, the guard will not harm any of you, no matter how you speak about me." Serenity glanced between Nephrite and the man before walking over to some grates having Nephrite who was close behind her and Jadeite who was standing there help her stand on them so she could see the faces of the small crowd of people.
"I know we are all scared, and some of you have lost things that the King and I cannot replace. However I assure you the crown will be there to help in this time of need, to rebuild, and to be sure you are all taken care of while the rebuilding is taking place. Now It looks like before we came there was food being prepared let us all eat together while the King hears out all of your concerns and make a list of everything that needs to be done to rebuild. As for me and my ladies we will be shower all of your rooms in the palace are prepared for your stay."
"Commoners in the palace that is not aloud!" A old man Serenity recognized from the counsel yelled.
"I feel no threat from my people standing before me, they are welcome in our home until theirs is rebuilt. If you do not like it then you are free to go back to where ever your home outside the palace is." she said sternly as she stepped down and everyone seemed to stunned to move until the man who had spoken against her moved forward again.
"I am sorry my queen, I shouldn't have spoken so harshly against you."
Serenity touched his shoulder softly "You are scared and have lost a lot, I am not offended or harmed by your words."
With a nod of her head she turned and indicated for her ladies to follow her as she headed towards the palace. She knew there was a mostly empty wing of the castle used for when other guest came for balls. As well as the room her Senshi previously used, there rooms now combined with the guards. After getting a list of names of the households that survived Serenity was sad to see that the list was barely two pages. The rest of the day was spent making sure every room was supplied with extra blankets clothes and finger food for whoever would be staying in the room. Serenity also made sure there was fire wood and that the rooms were warmed. Then she and her ladies personally showed each person to their rooms being sure they were comfortable before they themselves settled in for the night.
"You have out done yourself." Endymion whispered from his desk reading something by the light of a candle as she entered the room. As he looked up she saw that he looked as tired as she felt.
"I feel guilty we were gone so long. Every time we leave these things happen. The people are going to hate me."
"No, Serenity you should have heard all the praise they were giving you when they spoke to me, you did amazing today." Endymion stood taking her hands in his kissing her lips softly. "I have other things to do before I can join you in bed but Malachite and Nephrite are outside the door, you sleep."
Serenity knew better then to argue so nodded her head as he kissed her again before grabbing the candle off his desk an exiting the room. As he walked out Irene entered smiling at her.
"Sorry to intrude so late."
"No you are fine." Serenity smiled as she started to take of all her over coats with Irene's help.
"My look how you have grown." she smiled "Our Small lady is getting big."
Serenity giggled "Yes she is."
"I am sure Endymion told you already but you did wonders today. Not even I could've handled that so gracefully."
"I just did what instinct told me. They are scared and people lash out when they are frightened." Serenity sighed as she sat on her bed, Irene immediately went into mother mode and started tucking in the young queen as if she were a small child causing serenity to laugh.
"Sorry, old habits." Irene laughed "Its has been so many years since Endymion needed me to do this for him."
"Would you stay?" Serenity mumbled "Until Endymion comes back?"
Irene nodded with a bright smile "I would love that. Now sleep, the hard work has only just begun."
The late queen was right about the work just beginning. The King and the Queen were so busy the next three month rebuilding the town that they only saw each other in the mornings occasionally at breakfast or at night when they were going to bed around the same times. The king and his men were n charge of building a new village as well as walls to go around the village and its land where the crops grew. Thankfully building the wall gave more jobs to people in need. On the other end the Queen and her ladies were in charge of making sure the children and women were cared for while the men works as well as taking care of any outside trades that were needed for materials as well as food to keep everyone well fed. Unfortunately since there was no longer that many villagers the town didn't need to be reconstructed as big as before at least for now. Serenity and Mina could no longer hide their pregnancies. At least not as easily as before both of them starting to be nice and round. The weather was still chilly but warming up since it was now early March. A party was had to celebrate the Announcing of the earth and moon heir. Serenity was also excited when the doctor told Mina she would be having twins which meant she wouldn't have to leave to give birth. Statistically twins always come early so they didn't have to worry about people doing the math about when she and Malachite conceived.
The other girls except Rei seemed to be setting into married life. Serenity was sad to see Rei still seemed cold towards Jadeite and the rest of them as well. Ami an Lita seemed excited talking about when they too would start a family. Of course they were waiting to see if there were anymore attack which seemed to have suddenly stoppe as if nothing had even happened. Serenity could tell Endymion was troubled by this, he was thinking the same as her she was sure. That someone within the castle was organizing the attacks and did them when they knew the people would be most vulnerable, which was when they were not there.
