A/N- Hello! I know you guys are getting sick of nothing really happening, but I promise the next chapter starts the war again. So action is coming, don't worry.
Eternal Cosmic Sailor Saturn- Thank you!
PazaakGirl- Serena's strong, she can defy Diamond as long as she needs to probably. Darien gets the girls to be quite and does get some rest after a while so don't worry about him.
Zoey89- Molly gets another big part as a shifter! She has a big part in this chapter and in the next one too.
Melody87- Don't worry, Molly's strong and does have some training because of her father. She just doesn't have a lot of training.
Silver Moon Goddess1- Thanks!
Lady Tristana Rogue- Definitely big trouble and big action coming up.
Sunny38- Glad you like everything!
vegetasprincess1- This update did come pretty fast, but that's because I haven't had a lot going on this weekend. Between the rain and having Semester Break today I've had some free time to write.
Serena had been able to get out of the cot Diamond had her in, but he moved her to his bed instead. She was able to walk around, but in order to make sure she wouldn't escape Diamond chained her to the post. Luckily it was a long chain so she could make it to his desk and around most of his room. Diamond himself was not in the room most of the day, but Serena thought the time he did spend in the tent was still too much. To occupy herself Serena would go to his desk and just write. She would either write letters to those back at Darien's castle or home with her mother. She would write to those who had already fallen and to some entity she had never met. Everyday before Diamond would return (his schedule was pretty basic and something he kept the same day in and day out) she would hide the letters under the bed where she had dug a hole.
As Serena was finishing a letter, this time to her mother, she heard the flutter of wings outside the tent. The guards started yelling as they grew annoyed at the offending creature and ran into the tent following the bird. "We'll take care of the bird my lady." One guard said.
"No it is quite alright. The bird may stay for now. I have a feeling it will leave when it wants. Anyways, you are only scarring it so it will only fly from you more." Serena said. She watched the owl circle the top of the tent as the two guards thought about what Serena had said. The nodded their consent before leaving the tent and returning to their post outside.
"Molly?" Serena whispered. The bird landed on the dirt and morphed into the shape of her friend. "I can't believe it's you!"
"I know. I can't believe I'm here." Molly said. She dusted off her dress before standing straight up and walking towards Serena and giving her a hug.
"We need to keep our voices down. The guards think you're still an owl." Serena said. Molly nodded and walked over to the bed. "Why are you here anyways? I thought you'd be locked into your house waiting for your father to return."
"I was home last night. I was just having dinner when my father came to me…"
Flashback
"What do you mean you need my help?" Molly asked her father.
"Serena and her friends were kidnapped a few days ago by some of Diamond's men." Charles said.
"What? We need to tell Selene. She'll want to know what happened to Serena." Molly said. She tried to make her way to the door again, but her father stopped her like before.
"No, you can't. Selene will not think straight and will send anyone into the camp and kill everyone. Then she'll go after Darien and his people."
"If she doesn't kill Serena in a raid, then she'll kill her by killing Darien." Molly said quietly. Charles nodded and led his daughter into their kitchen. "So, why do you need my help?"
"In my bird form I will not make it past the guards. Eagles are hunted or captured and I cannot risk either happening. Owls on the other hand, are just seen as another bird. They are not usually harmed and seen as good animals since they eat the rodents men hate. I, we, need you to go into Diamond's camp and establish a contact point with Serena."
"You want me to fly into enemy territory and see if Serena is alright in other words?" Molly asked.
"Yes, but only if you want to." Charles said.
"Who is the we you spoke of before?"
"Darien, his generals, Princess Rei, and the other girls Serena had become friends with."
"What happens if I say yes?"
"You'll fly back to Darien's castle with me immediately. From there we'll go over the plan to establish contact and after that you fly."
"Won't Diamond and his men find it strange that an owl is flying during the day?"
"They might, but we need to risk it. Also, animals are known for being random. Who says an owl can't fly during the day at all?"
"Alright, I'll help you." Molly smiled. Her father took her hand and the two made their way outside through the back door. They quickly changed into their bird forms and flew back to Darien's castle.
End Flashback
"What happened next? Did you go talk to Darien?" Serena asked.
"I did go see Darien and we talked about the first steps of some plan. They're just telling me what I need to know and what they want me to tell you." Molly replied.
"And that would be?"
"Everyone misses you and wants to know if you're ok." Molly said. "Darien is suffering from constant headaches because Rei and the others are constantly at him to get him to come save you."
"Really? I should probably… Wait, I can write to them!" Serena exclaimed quietly. Molly gave her a quizzical look. "Diamond has been letting me write pointless letters to keep me busy. I can write some and send them back with you."
"Well then, hurry up!" Molly laughed. Serena nodded and walked over to the desk and started writing the letters. One letter to Darien, one to Charles and Tristan, and one to everyone else. As she worked she let her foot jiggle, making the chain clank. "Why are you chained to the bed post?" Molly's eyes followed the chain from Serena's ankle to the latch on the bed.
"So I won't leave. It's the only way Diamond will get me to stay." Serena said. She quickly finished the letters and handed them to Molly. "Here, you go. You need to get going because Diamond will be getting back soon."
"Alright, hopefully I'll be back with some good news."
"Just seeing you is good news. It's hope something is going to happen." Serena smiled. She gave her friend a hug and watched as Molly put the letters into the sash on her dress. Molly said her goodbye before changing back into the owl and flying out of the tent.
"Had a visitor today?" Diamond asked walking in as soon as Molly had left.
"Who? The owl? I guess you could say that." Serena said nonchalantly.
"Here's your dinner. I expect the plate to be empty and you to be sleeping." Diamond said. He placed the tray on the bed and walked right back out of the room. Serena let out a breath she had been holding and relaxed into the chair behind Diamond's desk. She quickly ate the food Diamond had brought, but instead of going to the bed to fall asleep she pulled a pillow and a blanket off the bed and found the farthest corner she could get to and fell asleep on the ground.
The next day Serena woke up to find Diamond watching her from his desk. He was holding a glass of brandy. "Is it not a little early to be drinking?"
"Not for me, luv. Ready to become my queen? Your precious Darien will be dead soon and we will be left to rule."
"I will never be your queen and you will never get that chance to rule." Serena growled.
"I never knew phoenixes were fortune tellers. O wait, that is because they aren't." Diamond laughed as he got out of his chair and walked over to Serena. "Why do you choose to sleep on the ground? The bed is a bit more comfortable."
"Because I know you'd be too proud to sleep on the ground. The thought of you not sleeping next to me is the only thing that has been putting me to sleep." Serena responded.
"Yes, well, maybe we should shorten that chain. That way you can only get to… well the bed. Then you will not have a choice." Diamond replied. The two spent some time in silence as Diamond ate the food that had been delivered to him.
"Diamond?"
"Yes my dear?"
"Can I go for a walk? I just need to get up and walk around more than I am allowed to here." Serena asked.
"I'll think about it. You'll have guards on you if I decide to say yes. Now eat your breakfast. I'll be back later." Diamond brought over a tray to Serena before walking out of the tent. Serena picked at the food slowly and hoped that Molly would be back soon.
oOoOoOoOoOo
As Molly left the tent she watched as Diamond entered the tent. She figured he was talking to Serena and hoped he didn't ask too many questions about an Owl's presence in the tent. She flew straight back to Darien's castle, but it still took her just over an hour. She flew right into an open window which led her to the kitchens. She flew as close to the roof as she could so less people would notice her. She navigated her way through the castle until she found Darien's study. Darien wasn't in the room, but Malachite and Jadeite were. She landed and quickly turned into her human self. When Jadeite turned around he jumped back, causing Malachite to spill some ink.
"Jadeite!" Malachite yelled.
"Calm down Sir Malachite. I believe Jadeite had a reason to be spooked." Molly said calmly.
"Lady Molly, you just returned?" Malachite asked.
"I did. I was hoping to find King Darien, but obviously I missed him." Molly said.
"We finally got him to get some sleep. If you don't mind, I don't want to wake him yet." Malachite said.
"Of course. I have letters for people though. One is to Darien, but it can wait. I have one for you, the other generals and the girls and another for my father and Tristan." Molly said. She took out the letters and showed them to Malachite.
"Well then, we'll send for everyone, but Darien." Malachite said. He called in a soldier and gave him orders to get everyone. When Malachite turned back around Jadeite still had his mouth open and his eyes were wide. "Close your mouth, Jed. The flies are becoming disinterested it has been open so long." Jadeite snapped out of his stupor and came back to reality.
"Molly, you're back." Charles said as he rushed through the doors of the study. He quickly engulfed his daughter in a hug before putting her down.
"Serena wrote a letter for you." Molly said. She took back the letters from Malachite before finding the one for Charles and Tristan.
"How did Serena write letters?" Tristan asked as he read the letter over Charles' shoulder.
"Diamond never thought she could write them and send them. He's been letting her write letters to prevent too much boredom. Or at least, that is his hope." Molly explained.
"Who else has letters?" Charles asked.
"The generals and girls have one and Darien has one." Molly explained. She held up the two other letters before finding the one for the generals and handing it back to Malachite. Malachite quickly read it before handing it to Jadeite to read.
"She has a plan." Malachite whispered.
"She has a plan." Charles smiled. "Let's wait until Darien wakes up so he can read is own letter. Then we can plan on how to send a reply and learn more about her plan."
"Alright, where are the girls? I sent that servant minutes ago." Malachite growled. A few minutes after his observation the four girls ran in followed by the two other generals. Rei and Mina were the first to reach the letter and nearly tore it as both grabbed it.
"What are we going to do now?" Amy asked after she finished reading the letter.
"We're going to send her a reply and find out more about her plan. First we're waiting for Darien to wake up though." Jadeite explained.
"And for now, I'm going to find somewhere for Molly to sleep. Transforming and detransforming can drain one of their energy." Charles said.
"We have extra rooms in the castle. I can find her one that she can stay in." Lita said. "Follow me Molly, we can get you a bath and some food as well."
"That sounds so good right now. Thank you." Molly followed Lita out of the room leaving the others to look over the letters and try and figure out what the plan was. When the pair made it to the empty guest room Molly was going to be staying in Lita said her goodbye and thank you before walking away. "Um, excuse me, Lita!" Molly called down the hall.
"Yes?" Lita asked turning around.
"I still have Darien's letter. Could you give it to him?" Molly asked holding up the letter.
"Of course. I'll be sending some maids to help you with your bath as well."
"Thank you." Molly smiled. Lita returned the smile before walking out of the hall.