A/N- Hey guys. This chapter didn't get updated as fast and I'm sorry. Classes and swimming have been keeping me busy. Um, not sure when the next chapter will be up because I have a meet this weekend and it starts tomorrow after school. So hope you guys like this chapter!
WitchyWiccan- Don't worry, I'll keep writing until I'm done with this story and then hopefully I'll either restart Trust or get another idea…
Supersaiyanx- Yep, Serena was def. great last chappie.
Brucasforever- a phoenix is a legendary animal that his known for rebirths. There was on in Harry Potter… I believe it was the Chamber of Secrets. Anyways, they're supposed to be a legendary bird that holds magical powers. One power will be shown in a few chapters…
Coreagurl- Don't worry, this is a Serena and Darien story. Darien has to realize not everyone is out to get his title before he can really fall in love with someone…
Silver Moon Goddess1- Glad you liked it!
Anonymous- She doesn't look like a bird because her spirit is the phoenix. She's pretty much a phoenix in human form. When she needs to she can have certain qualities that resemble a bird. Not sure what those will be exactly yet, but they will be revealed soon.
Endy's Girl- Thanks!
Sunny38- Read Anonymous's answer for the answer to your question. All these things will be revealed slowly, but surely.
Cosmoscrystal96- I expect you to be somewhat patient, but not completely. I will sometimes need someone there yelling at me to update. Make sure you to soak your computer in drool… comps and drool don't usually mix.
Zgirl56- They're comin' as soon as I can get them written!
Pheniox Rose- Thanks! I have seen a couple of stories where Serena is a fairy and decided to change it up. Phoenixes are still legendary and beautiful like fairies…
Melody87- I'm glad you liked it and I'm honored to have so many reviews from you since they are hard to get.
wolfprincess09- Glad you liked it!
"Serena, it is good to see you up and about again." Ami said when Serena entered the library with Mina right behind her. Serena smiled and nodded and sat down next to Lita who was staring at the fire.
"Do you know what you had? I hope it wasn't food poisoning." Rei said.
"It wasn't. I believe it was just a common cold, nothing to get worried about." Serena smiled. "What have you guys been up to? Not bothering the generals and king too much hopefully."
"Lita has been depressed since Neph and Mal left and Ami and I have been busy trying to get the annual winter ball figured out." Rei said. Serena finally realized that Rei had been going over documents and had a lot of paper scattered over the desk she was sitting at.
"What winter ball?" Serena asked looking from one woman to another.
"It's the annual winter ball that our family has held for generations. Nobles and other Royal families come to it every year to discuss what has happened in the last year." Rei explained. "There's dancing, food, music, everything a normal ball would have except the men hold council the day before."
"Sounds… interesting." Serena said.
"You should be coming right? Or are you still thinking about leaving?" Rei asked.
"I… I have decided to stay for now." Serena answered. "I will eventually have to leave to return to my mother and the village… uh o."
"What do you mean uh o?" Lita asked, coming out of the trance she was in.
"Well, um, you see. I was only supposed to be gone for a three days. One to travel, one to visit, and then one to travel home. Malachite found me on the third day as I was preparing to leave. My village is always suspicious and worried about people disappearing and going out alone. They've probably already sent someone out! They always send someone out to look for the missing person." Serena explained. Her eyes were wide with fear as she remembered the customs of her people.
"So you mean someone could be coming here right now?" Mina asked her eyes wide with amazement. She couldn't wait to see if the new person would be another mystical character.
"There could be someone coming, although I do not know when they would get here. I wonder who they would send though…" Serena lost herself to thought and the library became silent once more.
"Lunch is being served." A servant announced from the door way before closing the door and continuing down the hall. The intrusion had stunned all the girls out of their silence and they all got up to head to the dinning room.
When they arrived Ami, Serena, and Rei found themselves being pushed aside by Mina and Lita because Nephrite and Malachite had returned. "You were not supposed to come back today! You said it would take another week!" Lita said after hugging Neph.
"If you did not miss me I can leave again." Nephrite joked. Lita glared at him before playfully hitting his shoulder.
"Let us eat, you can catch up then while the rest of us are filling our empty stomachs." Darien said with a smile. Everyone nodded and took their seats on the long table. The talk was casual and light for the two generals had arrived with good reports that the closest borders and villages were safe.
"Rei, who are you fighting? I keep hearing about a war, but never with who." Serena asked.
"We are at war with King Diamond of the Dark Moon family. They have never liked our family and only wish to take our lands for their own." Rei spat with hate. Serena nodded and continued eating.
"You are talking now!" Malachite exclaimed with a smile. Everyone else thought for a mere second before realizing that Serena had indeed talked while all the men were within hearing vicinity.
"Um, yes, it is hard to keep silent actually." Serena said with a shy smile.
"Surely you have heard of the war, Lady Serena. There have been so many large battles it is hard to miss." Jadeite said.
"My village is very isolated and hard to reach. We grow our own food, raise our own animals, and make everything we need. We have lived in isolation for years and so far it has been a peaceful way of life." Serena explained.
"What were you doing outside of your village then?" Andrew asked. He was sitting farther down from Serena and had a brunette next to him.
"I was visiting a place I try to go to every year. Usually I am undetected, but this year I was not so quiet." Serena said simply.
"And this place would be?" Mina asked.
"I'm sorry, but I do not wish to say." Serena answered quietly. She wiped her mouth clean with her napkin and stopped eating.
"I'm sorry if I upset you my friend. I did not mean to." Mina apologized.
"Do not worry. It's just the place is very emotional for me." Serena smiled. "Why don't we talk about something else?" Rei immediately took up the idea and started talking about the plans she had made for the winter ball.
After lunch Ami and Rei returned to the library to finish the plans for the ball. Darien had to hold council and Mina and Lita decided to stay and welcome Mal and Neph back. Serena decided that she would take a walk in the gardens. When she was in the part of the garden of the Lillies she came upon the brunette that had been sitting next to Andrew. As Serena approached she accidentally stepped on a twig and the girl looked up.
"Sorry, I hope I didn't interrupted you." Serena said.
"No, I was just thinking. You are the girl Andrew brought back from the forest?" The girl asked.
"I am, my name is Serena."
"I'm Rita, my husband is General Andrew." Rita explained. Serena smiled and sat down next to Rita. "I hope Andrew wasn't too horrible to be around when they were bringing you back."
"He was fine. He fought with Jed most of the way home and I rode with Malachite and nearly fell asleep." Serena explained.
"Ah good to hear. Him and Jed are like brothers. They're loyal to each other, but are always fighting." Rita laughed. "So where are you from? I don't tend to be with Rei and the girls as often anymore."
"I'm from a village in the mountains. May I ask why you are not with everyone as much anymore?" Serena asked.
"Of course. When Andrew and I got married Andy built a house in the village so I could be close to my family. We still have a room in the castle, but only sty there when Andy needs to be close or he wants me to be inside during a battle." Rita explained. "My mother and sister also help watch my son and daughter. It's much easier for them if I live closer to them."
"You have kids!" Serena exclaimed.
Rita laughed and nodded her head before responding. "Yes my son, Andrew Jr., is three and my daughter, Julie, is one."
"That is so sweet! Can I come see them sometime?"
"Of course, We will talk about it later for I need to return to my babies. I will be back in the next couple of days and we can arrange a trip then." Rita got up ready to go and Serena stood up with her.
"Thank you! It was nice meeting you Rita."
"It was nice to meet you as well." Rita smiled. She walked out of the garden and left Serena smiling on the bench. She stayed there for a little while before she got up to get ready for dinner. Dinner had its usual talk of war, politics, and village gossip, most of which Serenity ignored.
The next few days passed just the same as the days before. Wake up, eat breakfast, go to the library or garden, eat lunch, walk some more, get ready for dinner, have dinner, and then have a quick walk before dinner. Serena was becoming utterly bored of the palace already. She couldn't wait for the ball or at least some scrap of excitement.
Five days before the winter ball was supposed to happen, the women were in the ball room overseeing the decorations and tasting the food that was to be prepared. They had just sat down when hollering could be heard from the entry hall of the palace and the group rose to find out what the commotion was.
"Where is she? Where is the Lady Serena?" Someone was yelling over and over again. The girls all looked at Serena who had a horror stricken look on her face. They rushed out of the ball room, Serena in the lead, to find a man surrounded with soldiers who were trying to subdue him. As the women came out the generals and King Darien stepped out of the war room.
"What is the meaning of this?" Darien asked. The man had stopped struggling as soon as Serena came into his sight. Darien looked at the man and then where his eyes laid on the blonde beauty. For some reason Darien's blood began to boil and he did not like the man already.
"His name is Alec; he is a man from my village." Serena explained.
"Lady Serena, we need to return immediately. War is brewing, we can feel it in the air and your mother wants you safely returned before any blood shed occurs." The man, Alec explained.
"Who else has my mother sent?" Serena asked.
"Myself and the twins Christian and Tristan were sent to find you. They should be waiting for us near the edge of the forest." Alec explained. He had stopped struggling and was looking at Serena with pleading eyes.
"Serena? What is the meaning of this?" Darien asked.
"Three of us were sent to look for Lady Serena after she did not return when she said she would. We need to be getting back to the village. Your mother is already worried enough that you have yet to return, but will have a heart attack when she hears where you have been staying." Alec said.
"I am sorry, but I must return." Serena said. She tried to turn around to head back to her room when a hand caught her elbow.
"Serena, please stay. You said you would stay for the winter ball." Darien pleaded.
"Unhand her!" Alec shouted. He had out a sword and was ready to charge Darien, but the Generals were already tackling him back to the ground.
"Take his weapons!" Malachite ordered. Nephrite nodded and took the sword and the two daggers that the man had before Zoicite lifted him up and held him.
"I will go with Alec and the twins and I shall return the night of the ball. It would take me five days to go home, spend a day there, and then return. I am sorry, but I must go unless you want another army at your door step." Serena said. Darien nodded and left go of her so Serena could quickly make it back to her room.
When Serena was ready to go she walked to the palace's door with Alec next to her. The girls all gave her hugs and said goodbye while the generals just said their goodbyes. Darien on the other hand took her hand and kissed it. "I wish you a safe journey and a swift return my lady."
"Thank you your highness." Serena inclined her head and turned to Alec. "O, Alec will be needing his weapons back." The generals are grunted before reluctantly giving the man back his sword and daggers. "Bye everyone! I shall see you soon!" Serena said before she started to walk out with Alec.