Gifts
"Beautiful maiden, may I have this dance?" asked an elegantly dressed gentlemen, to a lovely lady in red.
"I do appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I'm not inclined to dance." Was the calm reply.
"But my lady, do you not wish to enjoy yourself at tonight's festivities? I'm sure I can be of much service to you in that endeavor." Said the young man with a devious smile, that promised much more than just dancing if the maiden agreed.
With an irritated voice the young lady promptly replied "Sir, I assure you, I was not being coy when I politely declined. I do not wish to dance, or 'endeavor' to do anything else with you!"
The man just stared in disbelief for a second before speaking. "Surely you know who I am! As Leto the son of the Lord of Lunaris, you should not just appreciate, but be honored that I have asked you to dance! I have no need to stoop to the level of a lady in waiting, when I could easily have the princess!" Sneered the offended, nobleman. Running a hand thru his hair he made to leave, when the Lady spoke once more.
"Sir, Leto, was it? I am sincerely sorry to have wounded your sensitive ego, but I regret to inform you that my princess would never stoop to the level of one such as you. She is not in the habit of entertaining pigs." Sweetly stated the raven haired beauty, known as lady Rei. "I'd save myself the trouble, and not worry to much about getting near her, you wouldn't want that hypersensitive ego of yours getting turned down twice." The startled noble could only open his mouth in shock. He had heard of the lady's temper, but expected it to sway for him, and his title.
"Oh, and a word of advice, don't go raising yourself above others, you truly never know who you are stepping on while doing that. You might end up regretting it."
The red faced nobleman swiftly turned on his heel, and not willing to take anymore insults, stomped of.
"My, my Rei, you could have at least just fancied him by dancing with him, just once before turning him away." Said a blue haired woman. With her short hair and slender features, the fairylike beauty came to a stop before her longtime friend and warrior.
"Ami, I wouldn't wish anyone that torture!" Countered Rei.
"Well if you ask me, he was handsome enough to overlook his snobbish ways! One should always appreciate beauty!" Stated a sunshine blond. Batting her lashes over sky blue eyes, she turned to rei and continued, "He was dreamy...
"until he spoke" finished off a tall brunette, who just joined the group.
"But Lita, if Rei would have just been nice, maybe he wouldn't have been so mean" argued the blond.
"Listen Mina, eventually he would have tried inappropriate things with Rei, and we all know it would have been much worse for him if he had tried!" Then, whispering, she continued "Rei, would have scorched him with her fire and blamed it on a misplaced candlestick, just like she did with Lord Hensley when he tried to grope her at the last ball!"
The girls could only nod in agreement, then with a change in tone, Mina the leader of the ladies in waiting to princess serenity, spoke. "Are you excited? The time has finally come! After tonight we shall return!"
"Return to what?" Asked a curious princess, who was only just arriving to greet her friends.
"To our regular routine Serenity! No more prepping and practicing. The stress is now gone! We can return to idle chatter, and lounging about when Luna is not near!" Said the bubbly blond, in a hurried attempt to cover up her unchecked comment.
"Well I regret to inform you that Luna is here and will continue to be, as long as the princess is in need of tutoring, which she still is. Last time I checked" stated luna in a serious voice.
The girls all straightened up and simultaneously turned to look upon the face of a very amused Luna.
"So I take it, you four are to blame for the princess's failing grades I see!"
The princess blanched at having had her latest test result flung in her face. Truth be told, it wasn't the girls who where to blame, but her nervousness about today's celebration. She would no longer be a child. Today marked the day she would use the remainder of her days in service to her people. She had bonded with the silver crystal at birth, but starting tomorrow she would enter the prayer room and begin learning how to manipulate the crystals power to do her will. She had finally reached the age where her true training would begin. She had progressed well in her studies, but it was just until recently that she had trouble concentrating. She had the ominous feeling that soon, her life was going to change. Granted, the use of the crystal was definitely going to be a life changer, but she felt that there was something more. Something she couldn't quite pinpoint. Hence her lack of passing grades as of late. She would have to correct that, "mother wont like me failing at a time like this" she thought.
Her quietness was noticed by her close group of friends, and before it could persist, Lita spoke "Serenity I must say, that speech, was flawless. All the time spent writing and practicing truly showed!"
"The people where truly moved! They really love you Serenity!" Congratulated Mina.
"Well, if all it cost to show your ability to move hearts, was one failed test, then it was worth it darling" said Luna in an apologetic tone, realizing her previous comment had hurt her princess.
She had already given her an earful earlier before the speech, on account of the comments that put her in a rather embarrassing position with Artemis. Which lead her to quickly take a glance to her sides. For, after she had been dropped of at Serenity's prep room, she had been tactfully avoiding running into him. As if the silent walk back toward palace hadn't been enough awkwardness, when they arrived at the suite, they both stared at each other with nothing to say. Finally, when Artemis had attempted to say something, Luna quickly knocked on the door and let herself in, leaving Artemis standing in the hallway with words in his mouth. She could not bear to see him after such a display! But, her life was not a wish granting factory. It came with little shock when out of the corner of her eye she cought a glimpse of his white locks. Making her way to excuse herself from the princess, she found she was too late. For suddenly from behind her she heard the voice that brought both butterfly's and chills at the same time.
"May I have this dance?"
She could only turn around and whisper her response.
"Wow! In my sixteen years of existence, I never imagined I would ever see Luna so content! She is usually trying so hard to be an example, that I've hardly seen her crack a smile at a man. Yet, there she is! blushing and smiling for the world to see!" Serenity beamed with pride, knowing she had a part in the scene before her. Among gasps of astonishment by the onlookers, the grand military general, Artemis, who never danced, was now graciously leading Luna to a waltz. The pair moved on the dance floor lost in their own world.
"How Romantic! See! I knew I was right to tell you that Luna was making goo goo eyes at Artemis!" Mina gleefully informed Serenity.
"Well I thank you for your keen observation, I think a dose of love looks well on Luna!" Exclaimed the princess.
"Well, now that our princess is done playing cupid, how about you tell us what the queen has planned for you this evening?" Questioned Lita.
"Well it appears Mother requests a private meeting with me in her communication's chambers. So I wont be able to entertain you girls tonight." Serenity said with a sigh.
"Do not worry about us, today is about you! Come, let us enjoy the festivities! There are quite the young bachelors waiting to steal you away for a dance!" Ami joyfully responded.
With that the girls made there way to the dance floor. Waiting to be asked to dance, and knowing it wouldn't take long.
With a long slow exhalation Serenity knocked on the large door that lead inside her mothers communications room. From said room, the queen was able to reach all corners of the moon kingdom. She too would soon learn how to use that room as part of her training. For now, she was content to just look at the large monitors that hung from the wall. There were five in total, all lined up in a row. One large round one in the middle, with two square ones on each side. Those where the screens that would allow her to see her kingdom, and if all went well tonight, maybe more of her universe.
The room was intimidating, with a raised platform that held a replica throne of the one that lay in the throne room, facing the monitors. The crest of the moon kingdom hung behind the throne. To each side of the throne were columns made of crystal. These were made from the silver crystal and helped amplify the power, so that the chamber had sufficient energy to send out its signal to the far side of the moon. Her favorite part of the room was the marvelous vista it had of the earth. For the wall that lay behind the monitors was made of glass and faced the earth, her favorite planet. It was her last thought before she heard her mothers voice calling from behind to come in.
She opened the door and made her way to the throne, where her mother was sitting. "Serenity, my wonderful child! How overjoyed am I to see you turn into such an accomplished young woman" said the queen standing up, and gracefully walking over to embrace her child. The swishing of silk was heard as serenity walked over to her mother in order to meet her. She was taken into the arms where she felt safest in the world. Growing up as the heir apparent, she was always unsure of herself, and aimed to be a great ruler like her mother. Hearing these words made her feel like crying for joy. Her mother was such a nurturing person, she could not ask for more.
"Your father would have been so proud my precious!" Whispered her mother while hugging her tighter. Her father, the man that was taken from her before her birth, she let a tear fall in his memory before regaining her composure.
The queen then gently grabbed her hand and looked her in the eye. "Serenity, I must reveal to you something of great importance. Before I continue I want you to know that all that was done, was in order to protect not just you, but our universe."
Serenity could only nod in agreement for her mother to continue. All was silent, untill the screens behind them turned on. With that serenity quickly turned her attention to the screens only to notice four pairs of couples displayed on four different screens. They appeared to be sitting on thrones, similar to the one setup in her mothers communication room. Beside each couples throne was a flag with what appeared to be royal crests. Serenity could only stare at each couple, until she noticed something that shocked her to her core. Behind each couple, she could make out clear glass, just like their communication room, the views she saw where not attainable from the moon. The backdrop showed Ice covered cliffs, orange colored land, desert like backgrounds and lightning covered skies. Those views where not possible from the moon.
She turned to her mother's side only to have her say "Serenity, this is my council. Before you, are the reigning monarchs of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury. Serenity, we are not alone as we have lead you to believe. All the planets in this universe have life. Our satellite home, the moon, is the guardian of a crystal strong enough to ensure peace to not just us darling, but them too." Serenity was feeling lightheaded, it all seemed like a dream.
"There is more. Your ladies in waiting, that you love so much, are so much more. They are skilled warriors that have come from these four planets in order to protect you darling. They are princesses in their own right, and have been serving you while disguising their true identity." Serenity could not believe her ears, how could this have been going on? How long had she been lied to? What else didn't she know?
"Let me formally introduce your guard serenity." With that she heard footsteps coming from her right, turning she was greeted by the sight of each of her friends in outfits she had never seen before. Each had on what could be described as a white bodysuit attached to a very short and distracting skirt. The skirts worn where in different colors. Mina orange, Rei red, Ami blue and Lita green. While each wore gloves, not all wore the same foot wear. While Mina and Rei wore heels, Ami wore long boots, while Lita wore Ankle boots. What stood out though, was the fact that each wore a tiara around their head.
The queen went on to say,"Before you stand princess Mina of Venus, Princess Rei of Mars, Princess Ami of Mercury and Princess Lita of Jupiter."
With that a chorus of "Pleased to formally meet you princess" was heard as they each bowed in unison. Once they where all straightened, they made eye contact with the princess. She just weakly smiled before her eyes closed and she fainted to the floor.
flasback...
"Once again Serenity, what was the name of the uprising of the year 1001s.m.?"
"It was called the dark moon uprising. It was lead by a rebel group of lunarians who wanted to spread anarchy in our kingdom. They where lead by a Witch known as Nehelenia, who had brainwashed the people to distrust mothers reign. She was destroyed by my fathers forces at the battle of the sea of serenity." Recited the ten year old princess.
"Correct"
"Luna, why does mother not allow me to leave the palace? If the war was won, why fear our own people. I wish to explore what lies beyond the palace walls! Maybe one day we can even venture out further! To earth!"
"Oh darling, what great imagination you have! One day you may leave the palace grounds, but that time has not yet come. You must be older and able to control the silver crystal, that you may be able to protect yourself."
"So that I wont get hurt like daddy was? Is mommy afraid ill get hurt?"
"Your daddy was hurt by someone who was supposed to be guarding him, but had been brainwashed by that witch. Even though the battle was won, on his way home, he was attacked by his own general. Artemis was there and was able to take down that man. When they questioned him, he poisoned himself to not say anything but, Artemis being the strong and genius man that he is, was able to wipe all of those people out. You have nothing to worry about, your mother just wants you to focus on your studies now, so that when you turn sixteen you will be able to solely focus on your training with the crystal."
"I feel so isolated, stuck here in the castle!"
"but you are not alone, you have your four dear friends do you not?"
With that the princess grinned as she remembered her ladies in waiting. She loved them so much! They did allow her to pass her days in the palace much more happily. She often wondered where their families lived, but always had the subject brushed off. They were from some distant parts of the moon was all she was told. The girls would tell her stories about how kind and loving their parents were. Also about how proud they were that they served her. One day, when she was allowed to leave the palace, she would meet them and express her gratitude for allowing them to be a part of her life. They were like family to her and she planned on making up the time lost to their own families one day.
Her thoughts were brought back to attention by Luna's next question.
"Can you explain why the other planets have no life on them?"
"Their atmosphere does not allow for life to form, the extremes of temperature and lack of elements necessary for life make them uninhabitable. Yet, I fail to see how earth cannot sustain life. It has all that is necessary." stated the princess.
"Well, it has a large amount of vegetation and animal life, but it appears to have no human life. It is said that they destroyed themselves thousands of years ago. Now all that's left is remains. Our job is to watch over it, and see if it eventually develops."
"Have Lunarians ever visited that planet?" asked the princess with large wondering eyes.
"Long ago, but we never deemed it necessary to return, we have all we need here. The silver crystal provides everything. It allows for the bio dome that encapsulates the capital city and all other settlements we have here on the moon. We are a blessed people, tasked with protecting the moon and watching over earth. Who knows, someday it may eventually awaken again".
"Well when I get to rule, I want to start exploring the other planets. I'm sure if we look hard enough we might find something!"
"Maybe we will darling, maybe we will" said Luna while patting her soft buns lightly.
End of flashback…
Lavender. That was the smell that greeted the princess when she woke. That could only mean one person. Luna. Slowly wiping at her eyes she noticed she was in the familiar surroundings of her room, lying comfortably in her bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better, where is mother?
"She wanted you to rest, and would like for you to meet her as soon as possible. She is still in the communication room. Apparently making arrangements with her inner council."
"About what?"
"I'll let her explain that to you. Is there anything I could do for you before I go?"
"Answer me, why did mother do all this? What could have necessitated such actions? I mean,
Why go through all this trouble if we have the strongest power in the universe?"
"That's a complicated question, one that has many factors. I suppose, the truth must be said in order to clear all that up. Nehelenia was not just a witch responsible for your father's death. She was your aunt as well." A gasp of horror was heard from the princess.
"She came from one of our colonies on the dark side of the moon, it has now been destroyed, but long ago it held some promise. She was the daughter of a nobleman and married your uncle Alexandrite. Ever since her arrival, she envied your mother, she held a darkness in her soul that no amount of light would rid her of. She constantly tried to cause mischief in the castle, until the queen had her banished back home, along with her husband, who was blindly infatuated with her. One day the report of your uncle's sudden passing came to us. Your mother attempted to go investigate the matter, but was informed that it was not safe to travel to the dark side of the moon, as there had been some fighting going on. She was further advised not to go as she had just recently found out that she was expecting you as well. Your father, Apollonius, vowed to take care of the matter himself. That ended with the destruction of that settlement."
"No wonder I never heard of such a place" mumbled the princess.
"It is good that you have not. Your father arrived back home telling us that we had just uncovered the tip of a horrible plan that went much deeper. Apparently, the whole colony was tainted by the dark arts and had plans to destroy the capital. That plan was thwarted when the queen kicked Nehelenia out. When her husband found out, he had plans on leaving and informing the capital, but was killed. The dark moon uprising happened after that. What you didn't know, was that it was only until two years back that all of the remnants of her followers were destroyed. We have enjoyed relative peace since then."
"That still hasn't answered why all the extra protection around me, and the need to hide things from me"
"Well you see, at your presentation, shortly after your birth. Your life was threatened and the Queen, having seen the lengths of power the darkness had on people, decided to close down all the modes of entry to the moon. She did not want you to feel captive on your planet and decided it best you did not learn of the existence of anyone else, that you may not want to venture out."
"What good that did! It only had the opposite effect on me!"
"She was expecting you to take after her more quiet gentle ways. She did not expect you to have your fathers thirst for knowledge or adventuresome ways. That's genetics for you! You have your mothers face, but your fathers heart. I suppose that's your charm. You got the best of both of them!"
"Luna, how was my life threatened?"
"Some words where uttered, I cannot recall the exact statement. Yet, it was enough to put your mother on guard. She was counseled not to let fear take hold, but I believe in that moment she did not think fear drove her decision, now I think she realizes she played into it."
"I understand that it was all for my benefit. I am thankful Luna. In the end no harm was done, to me at least. I will spend my life paying back with gratitude the sacrifices that the inner council did for mother and me."
"Now I must go meet mother, it is late, and I am sure there is much to do."
With that, the princess stood up from the bed, but before she reached the door she turned around and said "Oh and Luna, don't think I didn't notice what went on with you and Artemis tonight, you have much explaining to do when I get back!"
Luna's face lost all color as she stared after her princess.
For the second time that evening, Serenity found herself outside of the communication's room. She was about to knock, when she heard voices coming from within. Leaning her ear on the door she could make out the sound of a female voice. One she did not recognize. Then her mother's voice started talking once more:
"How handsome he has grown! How old is he now?"
"Twenty. He is already commanding the armies, he has met his father's expectations. I believe he has taken him to bond with the cry..
The words were not finished as Serenity had leaned too heavily on the door and had pushed it open. Tumbling to the floor in all her unannounced glory. If only she had realized that her hand had unknowingly turned the knob when she had leaned in. Her mother swiftly stated "I'll get in touch with you later" to the screen. The main screen went blank, but before the minor screens could go blank, Serenity looked up in time to see the image of the most handsome man she had laid eyes on. Hair as dark as the night, and skin that appeared to have color on it, very uncommon on the moon, as most Lunarians where very fair in color. What had fascinated her the most though, where his eyes, sapphire blue, just like the color of the earth. She briefly wondered who he was, before her attention was brought to more important things, like her mother staring down at her in wonder. Quickly she got to her feet and dusted of her dress.
"I came as you ordered mother, sorry for that intrusion, I did not mean to come in like that"
"I'm sure you didn't." the Queen chuckled.
"What do we need to discuss?" asked Serenity worriedly.
"Well, now that you have been informed on the matters of the solar system, it is my wish that you meet that which you help to govern. We will be starting a tour of the planets in about six months' time. I will start making arrangements with my council. We will visit all the planets we help protect."
"Does that include earth as well? They are the primary planet we protect."
"That they are Serenity, but we will start with the planets that we have alliances with. Luna will fill you in on the state of affairs the moon has in the solar system. For now I want you to start your training on the crystal. You have six months to learn the basics. From then on we will specialize in between our touring."
"Thank you mother! You have given me all my heart desires. I will do my best with my training so that you do not worry about protecting me on out travels!" The princess made to leave, ecstatic about the future prospects. When her mother called her back.
"Serenity, I have not given you your present yet. Come here, It is something your father wanted you to have."
With that she walked to her mother to receive the precious package. It was small, small enough to fit in her palm. Slowly she opened the elegantly wrapped silver packaging. Inside was a gold star shaped watch with the phases of the moon. She looked up to her mother with tears in her eyes.
"It was your fathers, a gift I gave him while we were courting. He said that he wanted you to have it, that you may give it to your love. When you were old enough of course!"
Serenity could only stare at the watch and hold it to her heart. She could not see how she would want to part with it ever. With watery eyes she thanked her mother, and kissed her cheek.
"I will make sure to give it to someone that is truly worthy of such a gift mother!"
"I know you will. Now I want you to go have a good night's rest. Tomorrow will be taxing on you, and it is the beginning of a hard six months, but I am sure you will handle it well."
With that the princess walked to her room, with her head full of many happy thoughts, as well as a dark haired mystery man.
The Golden Castle was an architectural wonder to many who first laid eyes on it. To those who called it home, it was much more than marble floors, Massive gold covered arches, or floor to ceiling glass windows. It was a place filled with memories running down corridors, hiding behind silk drapes, or sitting by his mother's large vanity, watching her comb her long shimmering black hair. Which was what his mother was doing when Endymion entered her room.
"Mother, may I have a word with you?" he said as he leaned up against the wall.
"Sure, Endymion. What can I help you with? Said the queen laying her ivory brush on the marble vanity top and turning around to make eye contact.
"I went with father to meet Helios." He stated, as he began to walk towards her in a sly manner, his dark blue eyes lighting up with joy.
"Oh, I see. Did you go to Elysian with him?" stated the queen as her dark green eyes pulsed wide with hope.
"Yes, I bonded with the crystal" her son replied with a beaming smile on his face.
The queen stood up instantly and quickly made her way to hug her son. As soon as his arms embraced her he lifter her off the floor and gave her a twirl.
"I forget it is not me who gets to do that anymore. You lift me as if I were a simple piece of hay!" huffed the queen.
"Mother, you are more than hay to me, you know that" chuckled her son. "I am just so excited to finally have father with me! You should have seen his eyes when the crystal accepted me as its host and merged with me! Now I can feel the state of the earth simply by touching it! I feel as if I am in tune with everything around me! Helios said I can start practicing in Elysian as much as I want. Father said he wants to go with me to help! I have never seen him so happy by my actions!"
"He has every right to be. We have expected great things from you. When you were born Helios came to visit us telling us that the crystal pulsed with energy, something that had not happened in hundreds of years. You see Endymion, no king on earth has been able to use the crystal after the first king hid it away in Elysian. The Royal family were the ones tasked with keeping it safe in a place only open to those with Royal blood. It makes me so proud to know that you, who have worked so hard, have gained that privilege. Now you must work hard at mastering its use. I'm sure you will be able to help protect this planet even better now!"
"Mother, I plan on not only that, I want to know what is out there. I would like to see if Earth has other planets we can learn from, technology that can help advance our world. I want to open up communications, I'm sure with the Golden crystal behind it, we can do anything!"
"I know we can. Just focus on mastering it for now, all else will come naturally." She said as she made her way to her small table. Gesturing to the tea, he nodded his head.
"Of course mother. Thanks for always guiding me and comforting me when things got difficult. It is you I can thank for not allowing myself to drown in sadness." He said grabbing the offered tea he took a sip.
"Your generals have also helped in that, don't forget about them." She said taking a sip of tea herself.
"Of course, Kunzite has always been like a father figure to me. It must distress them that I've been secretive as of late. I will let them know. I see why not. I am sure they will be happy for me and what it means for earth."
"Darling, before you go, I want to ask. Have you thought about marrying anytime soon?"
Caught of guard by the question, the prince nearly choked on the tea he was drinking. "Not really, I still have much to accomplish and with training now, it's not a priority.
"Good my son, I was hoping you had not set your heart on anyone yet." Pouted the queen.
"Mother, if it were up to you, I wouldn't set my heart on anyone ever!" laughed the prince.
"Well, as a mother I just wish to know if my son has already set his sights on someone, that I may dissuade him from such a match. For I have someone better in store for him!"
With a sudden renewed interest in the conversation the prince quirked his brow and asked
"Who would that be mother dearest? I hope not Cressenda, I do just put up with her for your sake mother! I would not consent to such a match!" firmly stated the prince.
Giggling the queen replied, "Oh heavens no! I just put up with her because her mother is a dear friend of mine, if I cannot stand her, I don't expect to yoke her to you! The one I have in mind is a far superior girl, who comes from an impeccable family. Her beauty is incomparable, but her kindness surpasses even that. She will make an excellent queen for you someday."
Putting the teacup down and leaning close to his mother he asked, "May I know who this lovely maiden is, that I may judge her myself?"
The queen only smirked and said "Darling if I did that, you would look for all her bad traits just to prove me wrong. You shall meet her one day. I will leave a sign for you to know who it is I speak of. See this necklace?" the queen held up her most prized necklace. Made up of small moonstones, with a ruby stone shaped like a rose in the middle. "I will instruct her to wear it when she has fallen in love. I just hope it's with you, I'm pretty sure it will be though, who can resist your good looks? When you see it on her, you will know I was right, and by then you will be so in love, you won't resist!"
"Well mother, I hope you are right, otherwise, you would be giving away that necklace in vain!"
"Even if you will not have her, I'm sure I won't regret giving her such a lovely gift."
"Well I'm always up for the challenge mother, but I must leave, I have a meeting with my generals I must attend to."
With that the prince walked out of the room leaving the queen to her thoughts. Gently running her hands over the moonstones she thought out loud "Such a gift would be befitting of you, wouldn't it Serenity?" She took a long sip of tea, and wondered how much longer till she got to meet her in person. She had quickly caught a glimpse of her falling into the communications room with her silver hair shimmering every which way, and her skirts splayed around. Yet, before the screen had shut off, she had seen the expression on the young princess's face as she stared at the image of her son, it was priceless. She grinned, thinking how perfect it had been that the princess had seen the image that was intended only for the queen's eyes. It reassured her that at least on that end, she wouldn't have trouble. Unless her son let out his rather unpleasant ways of warding off women. She had time though, and she would make sure he acted his princely self when they did meet. Smiling she put her teacup down.
