Well here is the 4th chapter. I can feel all the daggers you are throwing at me for not updating and I'm terribly sorry….!!! But here it is and it's a fairly long chapter so I hope that satisfies you at least…!!!
Chapter 4- A Confusing Matter
As Darien and Serena reached the drawing room they quietly made their way in different directions. Serena to sit with her mother and Darien to join his friends in there deep conversation.
" Serena dear are you sure you don't want to go back up to your room now, you look rather pale," her mother inquired as the young princess gingerly sat down beside her and laid her head in the queens lap. The queen gently moved hair out of the girls face and smiled.
" I would like to stay here a bit mother if you don't mind." The queen shook her head and continued speaking with terra as Serena's eyes fell upon her sister who had taken quite fast to the young prince jadeite. They were speaking in hushed tones and Serena could see the blush that lightly graced her sisters' cheek and couldn't help but smile as she thought about her sister falling in love.
As the night wore on the young princess fell asleep in her mothers lap while the night still carried on around her. Darien, although involved in the debate going on between the guards, watched her closely as she had been looking at her sister. He too had noticed the instant connection between his brother and the fiery princess. No one seemed to notice she had fallen asleep until Darien got up from his chair and made his way to the queens.
" If it's alright with you serenity I will take Serena to her room and her maid can put her to bed, she has already fallen asleep," he said softly gesturing towards the slumbering girl. The queen looked down at her daughter and smiled.
" Thank you Darien, I hadn't even noticed."
Darien bent down and gingerly lifted the small princess into his arms and walked out of the room, a maid leading him towards Serena's chamber. As he carried her, she snuggled closer into his chest, the actions bringing a small smile to his lips and a light blush to his cheeks.
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Serena woke the next morning surprised that she was in her room.
" I don't remember going to bed," she said to herself as she swung her legs over the side and looked out the window.
" That's because prince Darien carried you to your room when you fell asleep, miss," her servant said as she came out of the bathroom, startling her.
" Oh Molly you scared me!" she said as she turned to look at her friend. The girl just smiled in response.
" I've run you a bath and laid out some clothes for you," she said as she gestured towards the lay-about, where indeed clothes had been set down.
" Thank you molly," Serena smiled. Molly nodded.
" The queen said she will come up and get you for breakfast as she wants to check up on you," Molly smiled as she noticed Serena's face.
" Hurry up and have your bath and I will do your hair for you," she ordered good naturedly as she ushered her towards the bathroom.
" OK, OK quit pushing," Serena laughed as she entered the room. Molly continued chatting to her as Serena had her bath and she cleaned up the room.
" So the gossip is that the prince jadeite and Raye are getting quite close already," molly half queried half stated.
" Yes, that is true. I'm quite surprised really, Raye has never shown interest in males before," Serena answered. Molly laughed. She new all to well how the eldest handled her male admirers.
" And mina and the other girls seemed to get along quite well with his guards. They had numerous on-going debates and conversations last night," Serena added as she came out of the bathroom drying her hair. Molly sat her at the dresser and finished drying her hair for her.
" Yes I heard the guards talking this morning in the gardens. They seemed quite surprised by the amount of knowledge and opinions the girls had about certain topics," molly added as she began combing out the knots. Serena giggled.
" I'm not surprised, they would have just thought they were all for show or something. I get the feeling that they aren't used to being compared to females in regards to combat and fighting. I would love to see how they would react to seeing the girls train."
" And fighting against them. I'm sure the girls would give them quite a fight," molly said thoughtfully. They both smiled, as a comforting silence fell over the pair. Molly finished brushing her hair and began braiding it into two braids, letting a few tendrils fall around her face. As she finished she turned Serena around to face her.
" Serena, is it true that Raye has stepped down from the throne, and left it to you?" she asked quietly. Serena looked up smiling slightly.
" Yes she has. I'm quite worried though molly, I don't want to disappoint anyone. I feel like I'm not going to be good enough," she said as she got up out of the chair and walked towards the window. Molly walked up and stood beside her.
" From what I've heard, Raye stepped down because she thinks that she won't handle it. And she believes that you can. And everyone agrees with her. All the staff I have spoken to or heard talking about it thinks she did the right thing in stepping aside. We all believe in you Serena and it's about time you started believing too," molly stated as she turned to her friend. A knock at the door startled them both.
" Serena are you awake?" Serenity asked as she walked through the door.
" Yes mother, I was just about to come down. Thank you molly," Serena said as molly began heading for the door, the girl turned and smiled before leaving the pair alone.
" Now are you sure you want to come down? We can always have someone bring it up to you dear," serenity said as she felt her daughters' forehead.
" Mother I'm fine, let's just go before we hold everyone up," Serena said as she swatted her mothers hand away. The queen laughed as they walked out of the room.
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Darien awoke in the morning feeling a lot more refreshed than he thought he would have. Sleeping in a bed other than his own often lead to sleepless nights for him. He cracked a small smile at this. There is always a first for everything. He made his way to the bathroom and had a shower. He could already hear jadeite in another room conversing away about the beautiful Princess, Raye. Darien sighed. He actually felt a little guilty for not even trying to better acquaint himself with the female royal family last night. He let the warm water soak him from head to toe, promising himself that he would at least hold a conversation with someone today. As he was getting out of the shower he heard his brother enter the room.
" Hey Dare where are you man? Breakfast will be ready soon and I'm starving."
" I'm in the bathroom, I'll be out in a sec," he replied coolly.
Jadeite made himself comfortable on the bed. He had a crooked half smile glued to his face as Darien walked from the bathroom with a pair of slacks on. One look at his brothers face and he sighed.
" Alright jadeite out with it." His brother jumped up so excited, he reminded Darien of a small boy at school.
" I think I'm in love bro!!" he almost shouted gleefully. Darien looked at him, eyebrows raised.
" Oh come on Jade you don't even know the girl, how can you deduce that after one night with her?" Darien, ever the logical one asked.
" Who cares?! Haven't you ever just had this feeling when you know that something is meant to be?" Darien looked at his brother incredulously. Was this really his brother or had some other being taken over his mind.
" Seriously jadeite? What have you been smoking? When have I ever paid attention to anything like that?" jadeite smiled.
" You can stay in your morose mood, but I know that coming here was the best thing that has happened to me," he replied to Darien as he walked out the door. Darien just sighed. He knew that he should have been happy for his, but seriously, he had only just met her. He found a casual shirt and put it on, as he finished getting ready before he walked out the door to join the rest of them for breakfast.
As he walked into the hall he realized that he was the last one there.
" I'm sorry that I am so late," he apologized. Serenity smiled.
" It's not a problem Darien. Terra and I were just discussing some things for the ball in a couple of days." He smiled and took his seat beside his mother. He looked around the table and noticed that everyone had sat in their groups, with Serena comfortably placed between her sister and guards.
" So what do you all have planned for today?" serenity asked the young group. Lita smiled.
" I've decided that we are all going horse riding!" she stated staring directly at Serena. The young princess looked up startled.
" Lita you know I don't like riding in…" but she was cut off.
" I told you yesterday Serena, no excuses. If you would like to join us there are plenty of fine horses in our stables," she said as she looked towards the guards and princes. They nodded their heads eagerly.
" We'd love to," Nephrite replied for his comrades. The girls smiled.
" Hold on a minute Lita, but if you haven't forgotten, Serena is supposed to be bed-ridden," Serenity informed the excited group. Serena looked up.
" No mother, its quite alright I'm feeling much better today and maybe the fresh air would be good for me," she piped up quietly smiling at her friends.
" It's settled then! Hey maybe we could even have a picnic!" mina said excitedly. The group agreed. So as they all left the table planning their day they arranged for the maids to prepare them a picnic basket.
The girls hurried to their rooms and quickly got dressed into their riding outfits. Meeting in Serena's room before they headed towards the stables.
" Oh my gosh I can't believe we are spending the whole day with them!" mina squealed excitedly. The girls cringed.
" Tone it down mina, we don't want the guys to think we are a bunch a whiny girls now do we?" Raye said shushing her overly excited friend.
" Yes, Raye is right. We don't want them to run scared now do we?" Ami said, knowing she had hit a point when mina quickly stopped jumping around.
They made their way from the castle to the stables. The closer they got the more excited Serena was getting. She loved her horse, Guardian, and the more she thought of him the more she enjoyed the thought of riding. She was no longer worrying what her friends would think about her. When they reached the stables she ran towards her horse and smiled. The girls watched not expecting this reaction from her. She turned to look at them, seeing the stunned looks on Mina, Raye and Ami's faces. Lita just chuckled and made her way towards her own horse. As each of them saddled their horse silently the guys finally walked in.
" Wow you girls are certainly eager," Jadeite joked as he noticed they had all prepared their horses and were just about to lead them out side. The girls laughed. Lita walked forward towards some more stalls that held the rest of the horses.
" You can ride these ones here. They are all thoroughly looked after as you would expect," she gesturing towards the far wall. No one noticed that Darien had walked towards one of the last stalls.
" What about this one?" he asked. Lita spun around, and seeing the one he had spoken about frowned, making her way towards him.
" He has never been broken in. none of the stable hands or trainers can achieve it, I'm afraid he's not an approachable horse," she informed him as she turned back and made her way to her own. He turned back towards the horse.
He was the most beautiful horse he had ever seen. A midnight black coat from head to toe, Shone so beautifully he looked as though he was constantly groomed. As everyone found a horse, saddled them up and walked out of the stables, Serena made her way towards him.
" Lita doesn't know this but Shadow has been broken in," she said so quietly, it startled him. He turned to her stunned.
" How can you be sure?" he asked, watching as she unlatched the door and walked towards the dark animal, holding out her hand as she did so. He walked towards her and let her hand gently touch his nose.
" Because I was the one that broke him," she replied not looking at Darien, but instead marveling at the one before her. He edged through the door.
" Stay there and don't move, if he comes to you then he has accepted you. That is why no one believes he is tamed, because he won't let anyone near him."
Darien heeded her words and stopped moving. The horse sensing someone else looked towards the intruder. Serena stepped away. She looked from the horse to Darien and back again, and smiled as Shadow slowly, but surely made his way towards him. He stopped just in front of him, just enough so that Darien could reach out and touch him. He lifted his hand slowly and timidly touched the end of his nose. The horse sniffed and sensing no danger nudged his hand.
" He likes you," Serena said smiling. Darien turned to her and smiled.
Having noticed that the pair were missing the group walked back into the stables to see what was going on Serena saw this and shushed them all. They were surprised to see her in the stall of Shadow. Everyone new that the horse wasn't stable. It was a rather volatile horse, and here she was as if he were the most genteel thing in the world. But they were amazed and so watched on as Darien and Shadow bonded. Serena told him to try the saddle, and Shadow had let him place it on his back. Darien stood in front of the horse again. His hand at his nose. And all of a sudden Shadow had nudged him towards the saddle. Serena giggled.
" Mount him Darien, he's giving you permission."
So bewildered, Darien placed his foot in the stirrup and swung himself up onto the saddle. Everyone watched expecting Shadow to buck, but he stayed as he was, waiting. Serena began walking from the stall holding open the door for him as Darien urged shadow on. And as elegantly as anyone thought possible, shadow slowly walked from the stall. Serena smiled as she saw their faces and began following Darien and shadow from the stables. They mounted their horses and began walking from the stable area.
" So where are we heading for exactly?" Raye asked, everyone turning towards Lita. She smiled and looked at Serena.
" I have the perfect place!" she said excitedly as she picked up the pace.
" Hey Serena, ill race ya!" Serena laughed, looking at her tall friend.
" Alright Lita, your on!" and before anyone could stop them they both took off. Every single mouth dropped in astonishment.
The girls, because they had never seen Serena ride, let alone take off and actually race Lita, the one girl in there whole kingdom that could race and beat anyone, including the best horsemen in their army.
And the guys, because they had never seen a young lady let alone a princess, frolic in such a manner. They all began laughing and instantly took after the pair.
Serena knew the place that Lita wanted to set up the picnic. She had taken her there when they went riding days before. It was near the very edge of the castle grounds. Surrounded by a thick forest, a lake was situated in the middle. The water was an amazing clear blue, and contrasted with the lush green grass and trees that surrounded it, in a circular pattern.
As the pair neared the forest they began to slow, to let their friends catch up. As the group grew nearer the girls smiled.
" So who won the race?" Raye asked skeptically, looking from Lita to Serena. Lita laughed.
" Actually it was a tie." The girls all looked at the pair stunned. Serena, seeing their faces blushed.
" Can we get to the lake before we launch into a story?" Serena quickly said as she turned guardian towards the forest and proceeded to lead him along a path. The group murmured their agreement and began to follow.
Jadeite quickly pulled his steed up to Raye and began talking softly. No one was able to hear what they were saying. The path was narrow and so the group unwittingly found themselves partnered off. Shadow had made his way to the front closer to Serena, Darien not having much to say about it. The guards behind them had paired as well, and had begun questioning and answering their fighting skills.
As Serena and Guardian broke through the clearing, the sunlight graced her face and she smiled, closing her eyes and letting the warmth wash over her. When she opened her eyes she looked out towards the lake. Pulling Guardian further into the meadow she gracefully dismounted, and began taking off his saddle allowing him to walk freely. The rest of the group followed suit letting the horses graze. Lita pulled out the picnic set and began laying it out.
" This place is gorgeous guys! How did you find it?" mina asked excitedly as she looked around the area.
" Lita brought me here the other day when she took me riding," Serena answered as she walked up beside the cheery girl. Lita smiled.
" I found it awhile back after one of the races with the guards. He had left to go back to his duty and I had never been this far from the palace so I had wanted to explore. I somehow stumbled on this, and I visit every so often," Lita replied as she finished setting everything up. The group sat down together.
" Well I have to say ladies that you aren't what I ever expected to find when we were told we would be visiting your kingdom," Kunzite offered as he looked at the five beautiful women before them. Mina, Lita and Ami laughed, while Raye began fuming and Serena merely blushed.
" And what is that supposed to mean?" Raye asked angrily, the group flinched a little, the girls expecting her anger while the boys were shocked.
" Raye calm down, he doesn't mean any offence, he is merely just pointing out that we aren't like you everyday princesses and guards," Serena said quietly in a soothing voice. Raye closed her eyes and willed herself to be calm. The group sighed in relief.
" Speaking of guards, when are you girls going to start my training?" Raye turned to her friends eagerly. They laughed while the guys couldn't quite understand how she went from angry to eager in just a few seconds.
" Explain to us why you are being trained? You are next in line for the throne, aren't you?" Zoicite asked. Raye turned to him and smiled.
" Well it's a long story. Yes I was next in line, but I stepped aside so that Serena could surpass me."
" You stood aside? But why?" jadeite asked disbelieving. Raye smiled.
" Because it was the right thing to do for my kingdom. You saw my temper just now. I get angry at the littlest things. I can't control myself and for that reason I don't want to rule my people like a tyrant. Serena is much like mother is, and with her ruling the kingdom would flourish as much then as it does now," Raye explained.
" You underestimate yourself too much Raye," Serena said sadly as she stood and walked towards the lake. The group watched her walk away.
" She hasn't quite accepted it has she?" Darien asked. Raye frowned and shook her head.
" Serena worries that she won't be able to live up to everyone's expectations. And although Raye didn't mean for it, she unwittingly placed more burden on Serena's shoulders," Ami sighed looking back towards the group.
" But she knows deep down that it's the right thing to do," Raye whispered. Mina put an arm around her friend.
" Yes Raye she knows that, but now she fears that if she should fail, she will not only let her people down, but also her mother. And worst than that, she fears letting you down the most," mina explained.
They all turned to watch Serena as she sat at the waters edge and let he feet dangle in the water. Guardian walked up behind her and nudged the girls' hair. Serena looked up and smiled as guardian sat beside her. She stroked his mane absent mindedly.
" But no matter what she does I will always be proud of her." The group stayed silent for awhile watching the young princess.
" Serena we are going to have lunch now because I'm kind of getting a little hungry," Lita shouted out to her friend.
" Ok I'm coming," she said as she stood from her spot brushing the long mane before walking back towards her friends.
" So Serena are you excited about you birthday?" jadeite asked. Serena groaned and sat down.
" Don't remind me. Mother just had to have a ball, this is not going to end well," she sighed. The group laughed.
" Oh come on Serena you'll love it! Just think of the dress I gave you for your birthday! You're going to look gorgeous!" mina said excitedly.
" That's what I'm afraid of," Serena mumbled, but Darien had heard and he chuckled. The guys turned to look at him stunned. Jadeite smiled.
" Well my brother and I have brought you a gift, so when would you like us to give it to you?" jadeite asked. Serena sighed.
" You should give it to her tonight, that way she will have it for the ball," nephrite piped up. The prince nodded.
" Good idea. We'll give it to you at dinner," jadeite smiled. Serena made to protest but was cut off.
" Princess it's your sixteenth birthday, you cannot refuse a gift, no matter how much you want to. And besides you can't exactly do it in front of the queens now can you," Ami spoke softly looking at her friend.
" I guess not," she sighed looking the princes.
" Hey Serena, I've been meaning to ask you, how on earth did you get so close to Shadow?" Lita enquired. Serena smiled.
" OH that? It was easy. You girls had gone off to ride after I had refused. I noticed the stable hands trying to get him out of the stall but he wouldn't move, one even went so close that Shadow ended up kicking him. So they had given up and moved on to another. When they weren't in the stable anymore I went back to the stall and just stood there watching him. Everyone thought he was a violent horse, but I never saw him be anything more than frightened. I never tried walking into the stall, I just stood at the door and watched him," Serena explained, smiling.
" I went back everyday when I knew no one would be in there and I would bring him carrots or apples, something different than what he was always given. I would leave them in his stall. Eventually one day when I was sitting on the edge of the stall, he timidly walked over to me. He stood far enough away I would only be able to touch his nose, so I held my hand out, and he sniffed it. We continued like this for a few days and eventually I was able to walk into his stall and pat him. So I began to brush him down and clean him. He got used to me, and allowed me to saddle him and eventually break him in."
" But what about the stable hands? Weren't they still trying?" Lita asked. Serena smiled.
" Yes they were, but they never gained his trust and so even though he was broken he wouldn't let them near him. He feared them."
" OH I see, wow that's unexpected," Lita said laughing. The group began eating the picnic that Lita had set up for them. After they had finished eating they had all got up to look around the beautiful area.
As mina made her way around the edge of the lake she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to find out who was following her and was surprised to see kunzite.
" Hello kunzite, care to join me for a walk?" mina asked as she stopped allowing him to catch up.
" Would love to lady Mina." She smiled as she began walking again. The pair walked in silence before mina stopped and sat by the lake. Kunzite followed suit.
" Mina, I was just wondering about the ball. I wish to know if you would be my date," he asked looking at the beautiful golden haired girl. She turned to him and smiled.
" I would love to Kunzite." He smiled.
Lita had walked off to give a treat to her horse Lightening. As she was stroking her horses' nose she turned to find nephrite behind her.
" He is quite a beautiful horse you have," he commented as he walked up and stood beside her. She smiled.
" Thank you, his name is Lightening." Nephrite smiled.
" Yes suits him quite well seeing as he is a fast horse," he laughed. He stroked along the horses back.
" Lita, I have a question I would like to ask you," he stated as he made his way round to her. She looked at him expectantly.
" Would you care to be my date for the ball?" she looked at him and smiled.
" I would love to nephrite."
Ami had gone straight to the waters edge and sat with her feet dangling in the water. Zoicite walked up and stood beside her.
" May I join you?" he asked. Ami looked up and smiled.
" Of course." The pair sat in silence as Ami kicked her feet gently in the water.
" Are you looking forward to the ball?" Zoicite asked quietly. Ami sighed.
" No not really. I would much prefer a good book," she replied smiling. He laughed.
" As would I. well then Ami it would greatly honor me if you would accompany me to the ball," he said turning towards the blue haired genius. She looked up and smiled.
" Well as long as it's with someone I can hold an intelligent conversation with, I would be honored to accompany you," she replied smiling.
Serena had gone to find her horse, and Raye had walked with her.
" Serena, you are ok with me handing you the throne aren't you?" Raye asked with a worried frown marring her face. They reached Guardian and Serena turned and smiled at her sister.
" Yes Raye I am. I know your reasoning behind it and I guess I am just nervous. I don't want to fail," Serena replied softly stroking the horses' nose. Raye hugged her and they smiled at each other as she pulled away. Serena noticed jadeite walking up behind them.
" You have a visitor," she whispered in her sisters ears as she giggled and walked away, leaving jadeite with Raye.
Serena went in search of Shadow. She hadn't seen him grazing with the other horses. She found him just at the edge of the forest. Its seems he was also timid with other horses. She felt sorry for him as she called out softly to him, and he slowly walked towards her.
" Why are you hiding yourself in here shadow?" she asked the animal softly as he stopped in front of her and she began gently patting his nose.
Guardian had seen her and began making his way towards her. Shadow seeing the movement began backing away. Serena turned to notice guardian behind her and reached to pat his nose. She had her hands held up towards both of the horses. Shadow watched as Guardian edge closer to her. Serena turned to wards shadow.
" Its ok shadow he won't hurt you," she said soothingly, as she let her hand drop from guardians' nose. He walked up and stood beside her as she continued stroking Shadow. Eventually Shadow made his way forwards and sniffed at Guardian. Serena stepped away letting the pair bond.
" Well you certainly have a flair for bringing people together," a voice said from behind her. Startled she spun around.
" Darien," she gasped, and he smiled. This girl was having a huge effect on him.
" Sorry Serena I didn't mean to scare you." She smiled slightly, shaking her head.
" No that's ok just wasn't expecting it that's all. What brings you here?" she asked. He shrugged.
" I was actually looking for shadow and couldn't find him but then I noticed you were here and he was with you." Serena laughed.
" Yes he was hiding in the forest, a little too timid to mix with the other horses," she said smiling back at the horses, who were now eating the grass.
Well I think I will leave it there…!!! Review and let me know what you think…!! I'm sorry if half way through this chapter the characters or story seem to have gone off track a little but I started this chapter ages ago and only just started writing it again…
Cheers angel =]