A/N- So I'm sorry, but this might be like a BS chapter. It's just getting the story to the time I want it at and catching up on people. Hope you guys like it!

cosmoscrystal96- Don't get your computer/keyboard too wet from the drool! Thanks for the review.

Chikyuuhime- The relationship is on the mend so don't worry. Things start coming back together in this chapter.

Sunny38- Glad you liked everything!

Silver Moon Goddess1- Thanks!

Lady Tristana Rogue- Glad you like it!

Dertupio- You won't find out what happened to Serena's father and brother yet… well you'll get some of the very basics. Nothing too detailed.

Melody87- My pleasure, here's the next one.

"Molly, will you please help me?" Serena begged her friend. They were out in the fields where Molly was tending to some of her family's vegetables. It had been a few weeks since the ball and Serena had been put on a stricter grounding. Everyday she would beg Molly to take a letter to Darien and everyday she would say no.

"No Serena. I'm lucky your mother did not tell my father. She really is very nice." Molly said.

"I know she's nice, she's my mother remember? I live with her everyday." Serena groaned. "Anyways, she put Casey on babysitting duty. I can only be in the field if I want to be out of the house. I can't go to the stables or the edge of the forest or go to pick wild flowers!"

"You are lucky she hasn't chained you to your bed by now." Molly replied. "Serena, I need to go make dinner. My father's coming back from scouting tonight and I want to have dinner ready tonight." Serena just nodded and sighed. She walked back to the village with Molly and then parted ways when they came upon Molly's home. "Do you want me to come see you tomorrow?"

"Please, Casey barely talks. I'll soon die of boredom if I don't see someone!" Serena gasped.

"Well alright, I'll call on you tomorrow." Molly gave Serena a hug before entering her home. Serena stood there for a little bit before continuing on to her home. Selene was sitting in her study when Serena walked in and glanced up as her daughter made her way up the stairs to her room.

Serena was silently looking over a book her father had given her when there was a loud commotion down stairs. Curiosity got the better of her and she opened her door. Casey was not in the hall, probably sitting elsewhere because he was free to do what he wished when Serena was home. Serena crept over to the stairs, but stayed low so the people hopefully would no see her. She recognized Molly's father among the three men who were facing her mother.

"Selene, the humans have broken out into war. It is our understanding that it a foreign king who we can not identify attacking King Darien's forces." Molly's father explained.

"How large is the fight this time and why does it concern us?" Selene asked.

"It is far larger than anyone could have suspected. There are men not fighting still, protecting the homes and people that are in the other kind's land. It might not concern us directly, but every time the king rests in the valley to wait for people to come and help him he gets closer and closer. Your daughter and Tristan saw them last time and Tristan told me every detail of what he saw."

"Very well, keep an eye on the fighting. Who is winning right now?"

"It seems to be a deadlock my lady. King Darien and his generals have been able to keep their enemy away from the actual city, but there is still a lot of fatalities on either side."

"Thank you. Who is scouting tomorrow?" Selene asked.

"Tristan, Cyrus, and Justin." Molly's father explained. "I believe that I shall go with them as well."

"Very well, be careful and report back to me when you return. Now I believe your families have dinner ready for all of you. I will see you all a better time and hopefully with better news." Selene said. The men nodded and left the house. "Serena I know you're up there." Selene said without turning around.

"I'm sorry mother, but I was intrigued." Serena said walking down the staircase to her mother's side.

"You always are. I suppose you heard everything?" Serena nodded and her mother let out a sad sigh. "I know you want to help them Serena, but that is how your father and brother were lost. They went to help human friends. In fact they were King Darien's parents. It seems that our family has always been linked with his somehow…"

"Mother, please, we must help them! Darien and his generals are strong, but the forces I saw had intimidating numbers!" Serena gasped.

"I will not let you go into battle! You have been good for the last few weeks, you may write your friends letters and send some of the real birds to them. Let us hope the birds do not get killed." Selene said.

"Thank you mother!" Serena squealed. She hugged her mother and run up to her room.

Meanwhile Darien and his generals were stuck in council debating the next attack and defense plan. "We need to take a defensive stance otherwise Diamond will come in while we're attacking!" Jadeite argued.

"But he's probably expecting that, we need to take an offensive stance. I say attack them at dawn. They'll be changing guard and won't be as prepared for anything." Malachite argued.

The argument wore on most of the day until Darien finally had to stop it. "Let us try and make a compromise. I think Malachite is right with attacking at dawn. We'll send most of our men, making it look like all of us, to this front to fight this offensive battle. The rest of the army will be here ready for an attack from Diamond's men."

"How many men will be here?" Zoicite asked.

"We have 500,000 men right now. I want 400,000 on the offense and then 100,000 on the defensive. I want the men sent from King Terran's lands on the attack. They're known more for that area. King Francis' men will be on defense. Is that understood?" Darien asked. Everyone nodded and waited for the next instruction. "Zoicite, Jadeite, and Nephrite will be on defense. Malachite, Andrew, and myself will be on offense." Darien concluded the council and got up from the table. Everyone followed him out and they were greeted by the girls in the dinning room.

"Any news we should know about on the war?" Rei asked. She had always liked being involved in the country's affairs. Lita also perked up and listened in. Nephrite rubbed her back and he leaned back on his chair and closed her eyes.

"We will be attacking soon, but will have a lot of men here." Darien explained. "And that is all you need to know." Darien added when he saw his sister getting ready to ask another question.

There was a knock at the dining room door and everyone looked up as the old hawk master walked in with a golden eagle on his arm. "My lords, my ladies, my king, this eagle has just brought two letters. One for you, King Darien, and one for everyone else."

"Bring them here. Give me mine and then give the other one to one of the girls." Darien said. The hawk master nodded and approached Darien to give him his letter. As soon as Darien had his letter Rei and Mina nearly pounced on the poor man so that they could get at the letter. The man jumped back and threw the letter at the two girls who nearly tore it apart.

"It's from Serena!" Mina shrieked.

"Well? What does it say?" Ami asked. Rei smirked and grabbed the letter from Rei and started reading it.

"My Friends

I made it home safely and I'm sorry for not getting in contact with you sooner. My mother did find out that I had left and grounded me from everything. I was only allowed out in a field where my friend grows some vegetables and my house. I thought I was going to die of boredom, but my mother is allowing me to write you now. That should give me something to do. Well Tristan is working with his brother and the other men. They're always out scouting and hunting so I almost never see him anymore. One of the other guys from my village, Casey, is now my babysitter. Well, please send me a reply or replies using Goldy, the eagle. I named him when I was younger so don't bother me about the name.

Love Always,

Serena"

"Aw, well I hope she'll get off her punishment soon so she can come visit us again." Lita said. Everyone murmured their agreements and looked at Darien.

"I'm not going to read mine out loud, at least until I've read it first." Darien said. Rei groaned, but the food was served and the attention was taken off of Darien and his unread letter. That night the girls went out for their traditional walk in the gardens, but this time Darien told the guys to join them for he wanted to read is letter. Darien walked into his chambers and looked at the note. He carefully opened the letter and started reading its contents.

Dear Darien

I started missing you as soon as I left. I know it sounds cheesy, but it is the truth. I miss everything about your kingdom, but still, mainly you. On to other things before I start crying. My mother had a meeting with some of the men who were scouting the surrounding area. They told Mom about the war you are in and I'm worried. I want to help, but can't because I'm still stuck in my home and the garden. Please be careful in this war. If there is anything that you need please tell me and I will see if I can have it sent to you. Thank you for the ball, it was one of the most amazing nights I have ever had. It was also one of the best nights of my life since my father and brother died. Next time I see you, which will hopefully be soon, I have something I need to tell you.

Always Yours

Serena

After reading the letter Darien immediately set to finding a pen and some paper. He took some time and wrote down his response to Serena's letter, stopping at times to re-read Serena's letter. When he was done he got up and walked out to the Hawk Master's home. The little hut was dark and Darien groaned. He wanted the letter delivered as soon as possible, but knew nothing would get done tonight. As he turned to leave a voice stopped him.

"My King? Do you need something?" A voice asked from the home's window.

"Hawk master?"

"Aye it is me." The man said. "Hold on, I will come outside." The man went back in the house and came out a minute later dressed in a robe. "My lord, is there something you need?"

"Yes, the hawk, or eagle, that came today, I need it sent back as soon as possible."

"Your sister and her friends will want to reply will they not?" The man asked. He started leading Darien to the small barn where he kept the birds.

"They will, but it will take them a day or so. I will deal with them, but I would like you to send my letter back. I have made a request for the eagle to return so my sister and her friends can send a reply." Darien explained.

"Then I will be more than happy to send the letter for you. May I have it?" The man held out his hand and Darien gave him the letter. The old man curled the paper up and tied it with a piece of leather that he tied to the eagle's foot. The man took the eagle outside and sent him off. The eagle quickly turned soon after lifting off and headed towards the mountains.

"Will Diamond's forces see him?" Darien asked when he noticed he went over the camps of his enemy.

"They might, but he is fast and it is dark so they might not." The man said. "Do not worry my lord, I am sure that your letter will get to its destination."

"Thank you, here's your money." Darien dropped a small purse in the man's hand.

"This is too much my King." The old man said trying to just take some of the coins and giving the rest back to Darien.

"No, sending that note meant a lot to me. Plus I woke you in the middle of the night. You take the rest, you deserve it." Darien said pushing the money back to the man.

"Thank my lord." The old man bowed before he hurried home to his family.

"No, thank you." Darien said as he walked out of the stable and back to the castle.