UPDATED 2016

Title: Conquest

Genre: Romance/Drama

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon yet do own this storyline and Fergal, the awesome Sun King

Authors Note:

Thank you all so much for your kind words and for the Birthday Wishes!
I have 3 minutes left to post this on my birthday!

Enjoy.

The tapings of her shoes echoed beautifully down the hall as she headed towards her parents private wing. The final plans were in place for her Peace Committee Gala in one week and she was happy to report to them some of the ideas she had been working on.

"Her Highness the Princess," A moon guard announced into her Parent's private lounge and Serenity turned to suddenly stop in her tracks.

"A meeting? I thought we were having breakfast," Serenity said smoothly as she eyed her parents sitting peacefully at a table with their two trusted advisors Lunar and Artemis.

"A little bit of both my darling. Come join us, we have much to discuss," Fergal said gently and immediately Serenity stiffened. This was not going to be good…

She walked slowly into her chambers, still trying to digest the previous conversation with her parents. Venus followed her quietly, gently shutting the doors behind them and Serenity stilled. The way the door clicked closed seemed to finally snap the words her parents had just said to her into place.

"Are you all right?" Venus asked softly and Serenity turned to her confused.

"I'm a little young to be getting married aren't I?" She questioned with a bit of a gulp and Venus shrugged helplessly. "I mean… I'm immortal… shouldn't I be like two hundred or something?" She asked with a sad smile that poorly hid the pure panic hiding beneath the surface of her usually poised and perfect Princess.

"Maybe not," she responded and Serenity sat gently on a sofa and Venus watched the despair suddenly cross her features.

"I do not even know him…" She whispered and Venus gently knelt in front of her, taking her cousins hands in her own and holding them tightly.

"Maybe they are wrong. I cannot imagine he is betrothed," she said suddenly and shook her head. "Kunzite would have told me," she tried and Serenity looked at her a bit surprised.

"What does it matter about him? Whether he is or not I'm going to have to marry just to gain control of my people. Why did I not think it through?" She chastised herself and Venus shook her head.

"It was a moment of chaos. You had no choice," Venus tried to sooth and tears suddenly filled Serenity's eyes.

"No, now I have no choice," she choked out and Venus quickly pulled her into her arms tightly, pulling her cousin onto her lap and the two women clung to each other.

"Do you not trust Prince Endymion?" Venus asked softly and Serenity buried her face in her cousin's hair. "He has gone to great pain to protect the Sun Refugees… I do not think he would keep them from you. He cares for you deeply Princess," she whispered, gently stroking her cousin's hair.

"Yes. Greatly," she shot back bitterly and Venus closed her eyes sadly.

"This betrothment is a surprise Serenity… It does not seem like him at all, especially since…" Venus tried again and Serenity pulled back, cutting her off.

"Especially since he what? Favors me? He probably uses me as a shield to ward off Marlina…" Serenity spat, her hands wiping at her cheeks messily.

"That is nonsense," Minet growled back, then stilled seeing more tears silently trek down her beloved cousin's face. Gently Serenity placed her hand over her heart. "Why does it hurt? He means nothing to me and yet… I am devastated," she confessed sadly and Venus looked at her cousin sympathetically.

"Perhaps he does not mean nothing," she whispered quietly and Serenity felt a sob tear through her chest.

He pulled at his cape clumsily and Jedite's fingers quickly grabbed it from him.

"Long day sire?" Jedite breathed beside him and Endymion let out a breath.

"If you'd like to call it that Jedite. I feel my patience with my father is growing ever thin…" Endymion grumbled as he rubbed his stiff neck lazily. They traveled slowly towards his private quarters and he was looking forward to his bed with great anticipation.

"My offer always still stands my lord," Jedite said with a small smirk as he opened the door to his master's chambers. Endymion let out a breath as a small smile curved on his lips.

"Why do you tempt me so Jedite?" Endymion questioned as he entered into his dark quarters. The moonlight shone brightly through the large windows upon his bed and he was bathing in it when suddenly a hand grabbed his arm roughly.

"Sire," Jedite breathed warning and immediately Endymion spied the intruder. Upon recognition a growl of annoyance left his lips.

"Beryl," he snapped angrily as he stormed towards the cloaked figure staring out of his windows to the sky. "I believe I have informed you on numerous occasions that I wish you never to enter here," he spat nearing her.

"Sire… I do not believe…" Jedite began quickly but than silenced as the cloaked figure turned around, pulling off her hood to reveal shimmering silver hair and bright blue eyes. Jedite bowed quietly and left as he heard his master's gasp of surprise and than intimate greeting.

"My love what are you doing here?" Endymion breathed as he closed the gap between them quickly, his anger vanishing instantly into joy.

"Beryl…" Serenity spoke with a quiet calm of detachment as she looked at him. "Is she your betrothed?" She asked and Endymion immediately stilled as a shock traveled over him.

"Is she my what?" He hissed with a bit of disdain. Serenity smiled a bit sadly and looked away from him out the tall windows towards her home world once more.

"Did your father arrange it without telling you?" She asked and than tensed a bit when his hands gently gripped onto her arms.

"I assure you that if he had it would not matter since I am not up for sale and have never nor will ever bend to his desires," he breathed into her ear and she melted a bit into his arms, her eyes closing sadly.

"If you are betrothed I am afraid it would affect my life drastically," she whispered and Endymion stilled a moment. Was she about to confess she loved him? He felt his heart speed up a bit and he moved in closer to her, closing the gap between them. She glanced up at him and caught his eyes possessively. "I am not about to confess anything," she snapped pulling from him and he blinked. "If you become betrothed I apparently do as well. In order to maintain some control of my father's people I will be forced to marry a distant Sun cousin of mine," she hissed as her delicate frame began to pace the length of his room.

"You think marriage to a Sun native will give you any power over the refugees here? They are Earthlings my love whether your father wants to accept that or not," she spun, anger flashing in her eyes as she faced him.

"You bastard. They would follow me over you in a heartbeat," she spat and he let out a breath to calm himself.

"You would start a war to take them from a home where they are safe and given unlimited land? I will not allow you to disrupt our people just so they can be called yours and yours alone," he replied calmly and walked away from her to pour himself a drink. This was definitely not going the way he hoped it would upon first seeing her.

"I do not want to marry him," she said, her voice hiccupping on her statement and his heart broke a little at the emotion ripping through her voice. "You think I want to marry? If I marry what will I do with my existence? Plan parties? My only purpose is to secure peace for this galaxy… marrying some stranger from the Sun will destroy any possibilities for me to continue with my work!" She cried, anger at that thought and he let out a breath looking at her completely stunned.

"You think that is all you could accomplish? Treaties? What is this Peace committee you have created? What about your people that you saved and are now desperate for a leader?" He bellowed and she shrunk a bit from him.

"What does it matter? I will not be there leader," she hiccupped. "Even securing a treaty with this world will not ever make me their leader…" He gulped down the liquid angrily and pushed his thoughts out of his mind. The glass clinked against the table as he set it down and he felt his shoulders hunch.

"Still think me to be a bad king my love?" He breathed, his eyes closing slightly. "I guess your peace committee did nothing more than parade me around for the whole galaxy to see what a disappointment you find in me," he pushed away from the table and pulled at his tunic. He was ready to be done with this conversation and for her to leave.

"That was never my intention. This has nothing to do with the way I feel or obviously what I want Endymion," she retorted as she walked towards him to stand in his way. He stilled and glanced away from her, unable to see the disappointment in her eyes from the woman he thought so highly of. "Stop it!" She suddenly demanded and his eyes traveled to hers. "This is not us," she hissed, her voice wavering with emotion as her hands grabbed greedily at his arms.

"Is there an us my love?" Endymion breathed and her eyes glassed over a bit.

"Do you not believe that if I thought my people were in danger I would have ever let them come here?" She breathed quietly and Endymion gathered her up into his arms. She clung to him tightly and he let out a soft breath against her neck, feeling her panic begin to ebb away. "How can two people know each other so well yet miss key facts about one another?" She whispered painfully and Endymion pulled away to stare at her.

"I am only allowed to work within the boundaries you have placed around me Princess," he snapped at her and she pulled out of his arms roughly. He let her go and watched her elegant frame turn to stare out his open windows. "We are not even supposed to be at this juncture… it should have ended long ago," he hissed and Serenity slowly closed her eyes, a tear escaping them to slide down her cheek.

"Are you so cruel to throw my weakness in front of me just to show me how much I have failed?" She rasped out and he let out a breath.

"Is it weakness to love me?" He asked honestly and her form slumped as her arms wrapped around herself protectively. "How could you have failed when I, your greatest enemy would do anything for you?" He questioned and she let out a sob. "I let you parade me around the galaxy like some puppet… I protect your people. I have no taste for anyone but you… How can you see failure in that?" He confessed and she let out a deep breath as she tried to regain herself.

"I am in love with you," she said quietly, another tear sliding down her cheek. "I fought with everything in me… but I cannot fight anymore," she hiccupped on a sob and suddenly she was yanked into his arms, his breath hot against her neck as he crushed her to him. "I do not want to fight it anymore."

"I have written it up a million times…" He began and she heard his voice hitch. "You can see it in my desk… each time giving you everything if you would only choose me," he breathed and she pulled back to look at him and her eyes widened as his words started to dawn on her. "Yet, I knew you would bolt if I sent it. You would leave me. But there is so much more to you than treaties my love… Marriage is not the end of who you are but the beginning of the greatest part of what you could become," he whispered brokenly, trying to get her to see reason as his lips gently kissed her palm.

"What weaklings we are," she snapped a bit harshly and he closed his eyes a bit in defeat, his fingers still curled around hers as she rested in his arms.
"Indeed," he conceded and gently released her.

"You cannot marry," she commanded and Endymion let those words hit him and responded with the only one he knew to be right in this situation. She was the only woman that had ever made him think of marriage and if he couldn't have her… then why do it at all.

"Never," he agreed into her ear and her eyes closed miserably at his statement of defeat. Immediately she pictured him growing old alone with no heir to take over his Kingdom… all because of her selfishness to not marry someone or admit defeat that she had fallen in love? When had she become like this? She always knew she was to never marry for love… why would marrying her distant cousin be any different? Immediately self-loathe came into her being that she would ask of him to give up his life so she wouldn't have to suffer. Her body physically shook a bit in anger at herself. She shook her head roughly as she made a decision.

"Only me," she stated and she felt Endymion tense. "Only me…" She repeated quietly, her body pushing into his arms. Her eyes closed as she buried her face into his neck. He almost couldn't believe his ears. He felt like he was going to jump out of his skin… had she just demanded that he could only ever marry her? A part of him thought he should be angry at that statement… while the other half felt it would explode from joy. Time seemed to trickle on as silence overtook the room. Slowly he moved her face till her eyes met his.

"I have only wanted you. If I cannot have you, I will take no other," he breathed with a soft nod and than his lips dove greedily for hers and she responded eagerly as a bit of excitement built within her at his statement.

"Shall we go now?" She requested and Endymion pulled back to look into her bright azure eyes.

"To be married love?" He questioned and she sucked in a deep breath and her face suddenly grew serious. He seemed to stop breathing as he studied her features desperately, afraid she would take back her statement. Her fingers clasped at his clothes to anchor herself as her gaze fell a bit to his chest as a nervousness took over her.

"Would I make you happy Endy?" Her voice sounded meek and Endymion felt the weight of that statement. She was looking out for him… making sure he got what he wanted. An excitement filled him that he hadn't felt since he was a young child and he yanked her into his arms. His hand lifted her chin so their eyes met and he smiled warmly down at her.

"Sometimes I feel you are the only one who makes me happy," he answered, his eyes alight with affection and a blush came to Serenity's cheeks and she let out a nervous laugh. "Shall we go now?" He repeated quietly, his eyes bearing into hers and Serenity laughed again, throwing her arms around him as she planted her lips upon his own. They devoured each other happily and he hoisted her up, lifting her off of her feet into his embrace. He spun with her, her lips pulling away from his to let out another intoxicating laugh. Suddenly she shook her head, her smile never leaving her lips.

"Wait… wait we must negotiate," she laughed and he grinned putting her back on her feet before him.

"What a surprise," he breathed, keeping her close in his embrace.

"You must call off your betrothment," she requested looking up at him and he looked at her sternly.

"I still have no idea what you are talking about but I assure you it will be done," he said resolutely and she smiled happily at him.

"You must join my Alliance," she demanded and he pressed against her lovingly.

"You said you would marry me without it," he whispered and she groaned, hiding her face in his shoulder.

"You said you would not remember!" She whined a bit and he smirked kissing her head lovingly. "But if you wish to pull that card than I remember you saying you'd give me the treaty just to marry me," she hissed playfully and he smirked. "Perhaps you even put it in writing…" She mused, moving out of his arms to head towards his desk and he let out a chuckle, pulling her back into his arms securely. She watched the joy on his face suddenly become serious and she gulped a bit at his expression.

"I cannot marry you until my father dies. He cannot even know about our intentions," he breathed sadly and she pulled her head back and looked at him a bit surprised. "I will not have him near you. He shall never hurt you or the Moon or our people," he vowed and Serenity gently cupped his cheek.

"Do you not think me capable of protecting myself?" She asked softly and he kissed her palm lovingly.

"You are mine to protect," he said possessively and she nodded, an excitement rushing to her at that statement. "After he dies everything I have is yours. I will give you everything," he breathed and Serenity felt the impact of those words and tears of joy filled her eyes. "I was always going to give it to you," he confessed sweetly and she sucked in a steadying breath as joy spread across her features. "Your diplomatic skills had won me over at the Negotiation Tower, where your intelligence and selflessness far out shown your beauty. An Alliance with you at its head was worth making the risk for," his voice was low and honest and she took in the man before her with complete love and adoration. She could not even fathom a better compliment than the one he had just paid her.

"I will love you… and only you forever," she promised, her eyes bearing into his and he leaned his forehead against hers lovingly, his eyes closing in happiness as he held her to him. His lips found hers greedily and he plundered joyously.

"As much as I hate to break this up…" The two pulled apart quickly, their heads snapping in the intrusions direction. "I thought you might want to put it in writing while it was still fresh," Kunzite offered, a black portfolio in his arms with Earth's emblem embossed on it's center. Serenity deflated a bit into her love's arms and let out a quiet laugh.

"Yes, how thorough of you Kunzite," Endymion mumbled and let out a breath calming his body as Serenity held onto him.

"Can I…" she paused suddenly and Endymion glanced down at her curiously.

"What my love?" He prodded then he watched her face slowly light up with a bright and glowing grin.

"May I add some stipulations to your proposal?" She inquired sweetly and his lips quirked up a bit.

"Kunzite… tell Jedite to bring us some food and wine. This might be a long negotiation," he mused and Serenity curled her fingers around him as her eyes teased his relentlessly.

"Only if you don't succumb to my demands," she retaliated and he pulled her tight against him, his hand roaming up her back as the other held her steady against him.

"I do not think I have ever made it easy for you Serenity… I feel I should not start now," his voice was low and sent a shiver down her spine as it danced across her jaw. "Just know you are not allowed to leave this room until it is complete, you will be my wife." His voice was strong and determined and her tiers lifted up charmingly at him.

"Well, let's not waste any time…"

She sucked in a nervous breath as she stared at the large imposing doors before her. Over the last few hours in her own chambers she had time to panic about what she had just done. She only tried once to call him and cancel it. She somehow knew he would deny her request and who was she to go back on her word anyway? Even if it was completely out of her character and irrational… but was the easiest decision she had ever made. Her panic had not lasted long… she smiled a bit stupidly to herself than nodded to the guard to open the door. Beyond it her most treasured companions waited to have a special brunch with her that she had arranged.

As she entered they stood except her parents who looked at her with love.

"Good morning darling," her mother cooed. "What a delightful meal you have planned for us," her mother said approvingly as she watched the four Warriors and her two advisors sit back down once more. Serenity nodded nervously than sucked in a steadying breath.

"Cousin, are you all right?" Minet asked with a laugh as she took in her Princess' appearance. She looked a bit exhausted and jittery.

"I have accepted a marriage proposal," Serenity suddenly announced to the room and Litelle dropped her fork and it clattered loudly upon the crystal china. Eight blank faces stared at her with confusion and she let out a small laugh. "I am deliriously happy," she confessed and her laughter overtook her.

"Darling," Fergal said suddenly standing and walking to her quickly. Selenity stood as well, uneasiness coming to the pit of her stomach. "About yesterday… there is no need to rush into this," Venus took in the joy upon her cousin's features and she stood abruptly.

"Whose proposal did you accept?" She demanded loudly and Serenity felt her eyes well with tears. Her father grasped onto her softly.

"You do not have to do this, we can figure out another way. Strike up something with Duucan."
"I think he might be in love with me. I mean… he wouldn't have asked if he did not love me?" She said suddenly and Lunar and Artemis stood as the thought Serenity had lost her mind floated around the room.

"Serenity… are you all right?" Fergal questioned, gently putting a hand to her forehead to check her temperature.

"Can I not marry? Was it ok that I choose?" She suddenly asked, fear jumping to her chest and Fergal balked at the question.

"Of course you can marry darling and I want it to be someone of your choice," Selenity stated walking towards her daughter.

"Endymion. You are betrothed to the Prince of Earth?" Minet stated standing and Serenity couldn't stop the smile of utter joy for nothing in the world.

"I have lost my own game. And lost it most willingly," she breathed with a nod and suddenly three other rounds of laughter filled the room.
"This is excellent news!" Mercury cried standing.

"When will you be married?" Mars asked, her Princess's joy infectious.

"Stop," a voice said suddenly and all the chatter ceased and Serenity gulped as her father turned her to him. She stared at the suddenly very serious faces before her and she felt sadness come over her.

"No, we are not disappointed love," Fergal began and he shook his head. "We need to know…" He suddenly stuttered and his wife grabbed onto him for support. "Do you love him? Is he your choice?" He uttered and the room fell silent and stared at her intently.

"How could he not be?" Serenity breathed and Selenity let out a cry of happiness. "I adore him," she whispered, a smile coming over her features and Fergal pulled her into his arms happily, a tear sliding down his face.

"Than we approve wholeheartedly!" He called and everyone jumped up to rush to their princess's side. "Someone bring some champagne… we are celebrating a great and joyous occasion!" Fergal called and servants rushed to fulfill his wishes.

"Shh… it is a secret. We cannot marry until his father dies. He won't allow his father to use our planet," Serenity said, admiration for the man she was speaking of flowing from her.

"Well, let's go kill him," Fergal announced and with a snap of his fingers Mars nodded heading for the door. Serenity let out a laugh and grabbed onto her fiery warrior.

"No. We must be patient. I trust him," Serenity laughed and the room fell silent.

"Do you cousin?" Minet asked, her voice quivering with hope and Serenity smiled as she wrapped her arms happily around Mars' frame.

"I trust him," Serenity repeated happily and the room erupted once more into joyous celebration.

She took in the bright glowing green and blue orb before her in silence. Upon it's surface rested over 80% of what was left of her beloved's kingdom. And it possessed the one man who made her daughter's heart melt. She let out a deep breath and turned back to those standing before her in the dead of night.

"If this was all foreseen why are we all here panicking together about it?" Selenity asked gently into the air and Lunar let out a sad breath.

"She still does not know of the prophecy… while I can attest she has indeed fallen in love with the Prince, I do not know how she will react to finding out this has been some big elaborate scheme," Lunar confessed, her head lowering in shame.

"The Prince is aware of the prophecy," Venus said quietly into the room and Artemis let out a deep breath, his King silent before him.

"What if we tell her now? Can we prove Endymion is truly in love with her?" Fergal questioned and Artemis let out a breath, his mind working quickly to answer his King.

"Besides him taking all of her people onto his home world, following her around for eight months and their continued affair?" Artemis offered and Selenity let out a breath, turning away from them once more.

"You are going to have to tell him," Selenity offered and Fergal pressed his lips together tightly.

"She will run from him if she feels this has all been some elaborate ploy," Venus ventured and the other four remained silent as that thought sat among them. "I know she loves him, I just do not know if her love for him will save us from the lies we have told her," Venus confessed quietly, her voice going smaller and Fergal glanced at his beloved niece.

"I will speak with him," Fergal announced. "Now would be a good time to start praying though."