Holding my hands around my shoulders, shuttering, rubbing my upper arms, I feel so cold… I can barely see trough the fog. Why is the ground wet? I can feel it under my bare feet. Oh how I wish I knew what evil sorcery brought me to such place! And how I wish I knew where I am or why can't I stop myself from walking. Where am I going? Wait! What was that? Terror is written on my face, I see shadows sneaking, haunting around me. Oh boy oh boy oh boy! Calm down Serena, you are the Moon Princess! You are brave! Ahhh! I let out a silent scream as I feel soft touches on my skin. Okay, okay, everything will be fine – I try to reassure myself – Yes! Everything is fine…I think…Stopping on my tracks I hear voices crying in pain. And it was me they were calling. It was their princess they needed. No! My dear lunarians are in pain! I covered my eyes as I could feel the tears starting to fall. And then I heard it: the most horrible cry of all, my greatest fear, my parents pain. I look up, with blurry eyes, but before I could realize my mistake a painful moment flashes before me : A white haired prince rises his sword and my parents fall screaming my name… Frozen, speechless, I cannot move nor breath; a large weight is anchoring in my heart, full of guilt and sorrow…
"Rena, they have returned!" – Mina came bursting in, awaking me from my nightmares – "He's hurt!"…
He's hurt? Who? I tried to process the information. And then it came to me like a hard felt fist in the jaw. Oh no!
"Demando? – I asked with terror in my eyes – My Demando is hurt?" This is one nightmareI would not want to come true! But so it is, unfortunately. Apparently they came back from the war. Not very successful, as I am lead to believe by prince Safire's expression of lost and anger. My dear one I could not see. A protection protocol was set at his chambers doors. Ahhhh! Damn this protection protocol! Why am I not allowed to see him? Don't they know how I long tocomfort and take care of him? I sigh, leaning against the wall, next to prince Demando's chamber. Its hopeless. I know he's hurt and I'm suppose to wait but… The same question reappeared. I don't know how or why at this moment but it did. When did I start having feelings for him? Sure to Mina all seems so easy, so meant to be. Why on Universe wasn't I born with such an innocent heart as she? Why must I wonder, fear and doubt? Why must I even reason? How awful of me to have thoughts… I think…Weird enough I understand my heart, despite the fact that I question my feelings. Still… I want to see him! Great. You're winning… And why pray tell you want to see him? Because… Because…
I suddenly get send back, somewhere in time. A thirteen year old princess, with golden buns is dancing in circles, touching the grass with her feet. She is dazed and so happy; her crystalline laugh is carried by the wind.
"Serena, stop!" – Two ladies came running down the path; one with long dark hair, with exigent but beautiful features, my wise and dear Luna and the other : a blue haired princess, so delicate and fair in all the Galaxy, princess Michelle of Neptune. "I turn my eyes for one second!" – spoke Lady Luna almost breathless from the run. "Serena, stop right there!" She did.
"Oh no! She must not be so close to the lake! Rena, get away! Come here!" – cried princess Michelle, but it was to late. A water creature arises from the lake. She looks so wonderful and yet so sad. The little Moon princess gets hypnotized by her magic. And she is swallowed by the lake as if she was never there.
"Nooo!" Michelle falls on her knees covering her face with her hands. "That is the lake of Meleth-Gul…" She says to Luna. "Its impossible to get her out!"
"I know." Luna helps the princess get up. They are both at the lost of words. A young prince, whit indigo eyes comes ridding on his ebony horse. He descends and heads towards the lake. A hand on his right arm stops him on his tracks.
"You mustn't, your highness." Lady Luna is concerned. "This lake swallows all around it. They do not die but fall into eternal sleep. Only their true love can get them out without drowning, if you are not her one and only you are sure to die when you go after her!" Both women are desperate. He smiles… and such a soft smile, so calm that it could drive away all sorrows and worries.
"I will get her out." He reassures. Couldn't they stop him? Couldn't they at least try more? Somehow they couldn't. Somehow both ladies remain stoned as prince Demando throws himself into the lake and disappears under its waters. He is gone. As the seconds pass, air becomes harder to breath. Lady Luna holds hands with princess Michelle both fearing the worst but strongly daring to hope. And just when they thought all is done, their prayers where answered. A white haired prince comes out holding a small blond princess in his arms. His eyes are only for her. She is so precious to him, snuggling asleep against his chest, mumbling words "Don't ever leave me…".
"I won't. I promise." He whispers into her ears and he smirks at her small faded smile.
I loose the image as I feel someone slightly shaking me and calling my name. I could recognize two voices.
"Mina, … prince Safire. Was I sleeping?" Well, bravo, my dear! Where you sleeping? That is the most brilliant question you could come up with? Of course you where sleeping, dummy, and on a corridor bench! Not to mention you are drooling! I wipe my face with my sleeve. Great! Nice manners! Mina came to sit next to me.
"You've stayed here all night. You must get some rest…"
"No!" – I interrupted the prince. How could I rest when his brother concerns me so? – "I have… I need to see him, please understand!" He stares for a brief moment at the desperation in my eyes. But still he wont let me have my way.
"You must eat princess, its been ten hours. And you must get some proper rest." He encourages me to get up. Mina holds my arm as I follow her like a shadow. Oh, how I wanted to stay… to see him… but I am to weak to argue. And what could be that horrible sound? Oh dear, my stomach!
I am delighted that Mina decided to join me, even if she mentioned not being hungry. Still who could resist milk and chocolate cookies?
"Mina, do you know the lake on Neptune?" Strangely enough the dream was of my past but a memory I've lost somehow.
"Sure." – she says as cheerful as always – "It belongs to the Goddess of Meleth-Gul. I always wanted to go there, but my parents thought it best not to let me…"
"But you went on Neptune?"
"Sure…" – she deeps a cookie in milk – "…but nowhere near the lake…" She pouts. Funny, she even pouts happy. But why? And did what I dreamed really happened? Huh? Why is Mina looking curiously at me?
"What is it?" – just for a second I narrow my eyes
"Oh nothing!" – she waves her hand – "Your hair got whiter…"
I didn't even paid enough attention at first. Resting on my right arm, I went from a thought to another : the nightmare about my parents death. And now when information is registered by my tired brain I snap.
"My hair!" As if I've seen a ghost my eyes widen and I jump from my chair grabbing my long tails to look at them. "This cannot be happening over night!" I stare at Mina. "This isn't right!" She sits up gesturing to calm me. She could see my shock as my breath quicken.
"Calm down, Rena. Please! Its normal." I still look at her in disbelief. "You're changing, that's all." We both return to our sits. Wonderful! More questions added to my troubled mind! I'm changing… Well this I know happens. Lady Luna has thought me that when the time is right to take my place as rightful Moon Queen, many changes will come. I am to transform somehow and not only in looks, but as I remember, my dear protector mentioned I shall have more powers and the ones I already posses will grow in strength. HA! Now I'll show him! Challenging me dare he? Well if we ever get to a one on one fight I shall show him just how powerful I can be! I give myself a satisfied smile imagining a small fight between my beloved prince and I. How I will surprise him with such abilities he will be sorry he did not took me to war. And just to humiliate him with a blast I shall leave him naked! I smile again. It wouldn't be such an awful view after all. Gazing upon his bare, beautiful, manly chest…
"Rena, are you alright?"
"Huh?"
"You are drooling… and blushing…"
Oh dear! Not again. This has to stop! Never in my life have I let myself consumed by indecent thoughts. I must be charmed or something. I swear if he bewitched me somehow I will… I will…
"Rena!"
"Wow, you don't need to shout, I can hear just fine." – she giggles
"Why were you blushing?" – she asks playfully
"Blushing? – oh! That… instant flash of Demando's bare chest came in mind – Never mind. Better tell me this. Why did you want to see the lake?"
"See it? I want to throw myself in it." – her sudden wide smile its creeping me out…
"Mina that is insane and you know it." I take a sip of hot milk. Should I tell her about my dream? Maybe she knows something. What if it is no dream?
"That – she points at me to emphasize her words – is hope. Hope of finding true love."
Granted, now I know the chances of what I have dreamed to be real are immense, still I have to push. I need to be certain.
"And drowning yourself will help you how?"
"Maidens never drown the lake, silly. – she says with a giggle – If a maiden is captured by the goddess of the like she will fall in to eternal sleep and nobody can save her except her one true love."
She seems so happy to tell this story. If my dream is a memory of the past then surely my feelings towards the dark prince have a reasonable explanation. But how can one loose such important pieces of the past.
Mina told me she read the legend of the lake while we were heading towards our dormitory. How Meleth-Gul was betrayed by the one she loved and cried year after year until a lake was formed around her and she drown in her own tears. Her spirit then became the water goddess that now rules over the lake. It sounded so childish and silly, come to think of it… still she is amazed by this legend and consumed by the desire of throwing herself in Meleth-Gul's waters.
"Well let's get some rest. I'm sure you will be allowed to see him in a few hours."
"I just want to ask about my parents. Prince Safire gave me no details and.."
"Soon, Rena. I'm sure pretty soon you'll get answers to your questions."
"Mina… – I don't understand my hesitation – Have I… Have I ever fallen in to the lake?"
She looks at me surprised. Like she is searching for something in my eyes, being somehow afraid to give me an answer.
"Did your parents… – I lower my eyebrows slightly so she changes quickly what she was about to say – …I mean someone… – seeing my confused look she changes again – Did you had a dream?"
She sighs in relief. Now this was something. Clearly she knew about what happened many years ago and my parents or others might also know… But why was I deprived of such memory? When and who made sure I remember nothing? Mina appears to have an inner fight on wetter she has said too much and on how to convince me to drop the subject. So I decide to spare her for now seeing as we both are tired.
"Well talk in a few hours."
In few moments I have forgotten all about her. I am still thinking about Meleth-Gul and what has happened. For I am sure now that it was a memory not a dream and I mean to find out why I forgot all about it. We were on Neptune…I fell in to the lake… He saved me…Love is the strongest feeling in the Universe, so if this is true, then how is it possible for me to forget who my soul mate is? Of course there is a way to erase one's memories and heart desire if such action benefits the person in cause; but it is lunarian magic performed by the ones close to you, which love you dearly… surely my parents wouldn't…
The door slides open and I stand up abruptly. "Mina?" I ask in a whisper. It wasn't Mina. I involuntary let out a gasp as I see prince Demando's silhouette approaching my bed. My breath quickens as he sits next to me, gently stroking my hair. His intent stare forces me to avoid looking at his face even in darkness. I do not trust myself to speak. Everything seems so unreal, yet it feels so intense. His left hand leaves my hair and cups my face, his thumb caressing my lips. With a swift move he pushed his body against mine. I could feel his hot breath on my skin, with every butterfly kiss placed on my neck, shoulders… His erection is pressing against my thights…
"Rena… Rena… Rena!"
I open my eyes to see Mina holding out a glass of water for me to take. Breathing heavily I realize it was a dream. A dream? My mouth opens in shock upon realization. Am I really dreading to see his naked body, to feel his erection pressing… Oh no! No no no no no! I shook my head violently.
"Are you ok?"
"What? – I stare at Mina who is staring back, a look of concern written across her face – Yes. Yes, of course I am." I take the water she is offering me and begin to drink. "I guess…I had…a nightmare." I say between gulps. She nods at my words.
"You're worried about him, aren't you?"
"Demando? Well I…" I narrow my eyebrows at the sudden grin that extended on her face. "What?"
"When did he become "Demando"?" She asks in a bemused voice, her grin spreading even wider.
"Wha… I can call him that… I mean we… are sort of… you know… friends…"
"Right… Let me know when he becomes "snucums". Will you?"
"Oh hush, you!" I hit het playfully with my pillow. For someone so innocent she sure can produce an evil smile. "You have to tell me." I say very serious this time. She sighs heavily, not smiling any more.
"I… can't." She stands up and walks towards the balcony.
"Mina, we are no longer children. Clearly he has been part of my past and clearly I have forgotten! You have to tell me!" Hearing the exasperation in my voice she turns to me.
"I was bound to secrecy. They… Your parents didn't think him suitable, being a dark prince and all… - I can see sadness in her eyes, revealed at the feeble light of the crystal garden – I'm sorry, Rena… I argued alongside you! We were sixteen… No one would listen." I stand and walk to her. Things could not be clearer. We loved each other. Of course they would make me forget. He is after all our "evil" of the galaxy… And it doesn't matter – I think now, strangely feeling about to cry – It doesn't matter how I feel now. I wouldn't be surprised if he hates me for what they did… For what I did…
*flashback*
Mina was sitting rather apart from us. Reye and I decided to make flower tiaras. I didn't know why Mina was sad, she was usually the life of the party. Maybe today upset her, because prince Jadeite was coming to see me. We've announced our engagement yesterday and Mina disliked him so much, she never told me why.
When we heard trumpets we ran inside the great hall. I was so excited to see him again. But it wasn't my love that came. I remained frozen on the spot as the Dark Moon prince came bursting through the doors. He stared at me for a moment and his expression changed from hopeful to exasperation and then anger.
"What have you done?" He spat menacingly to my parents. What happened? They remained motionless on the spot. The prince turned to me, but before anything else was about to happen, my father, the king, walked towards him and muttered between clenched teeth.
"We did what he had to do! Now leave!" He ordered pointing at the front doors. The prince's breath quickened and with what seems like a desperate attempt to fix something beyond repair he said.
"Only if she doesn't remember me…" He stared at my mother now, with an expression that was both pleading and demanding. My father's eyes seem to be pleading with her to.
"You may approach my daughter." She told the prince.
"Selene, no, you cannot allow…"But my father was interrupted when my mother lifted a hand in to the air and spoke gently.
"I will allow him this much."
Prince Demando gulped. It was so much pain in his eyes. He came in front of me and for some reason I could not look him in the eyes. He grasped my shoulders a little tighter that I would have allowed.
"Serena? – he asked – Do you know who I am? – he made a dramatic pause as if trying to catch his breath – Do you remember me, Rena?"
"Of course I do… - I spoke without even thinking – You are prince Demando of Dark Moon." – there was allot of tension in the hall. My father was grasping my mother's shoulder. Luna stood frozen leaning against Artemis. No servant would move. Not even Reye and Mina, who were never at lost for words. Prince Demando seem to have forgotten how to breath. I look at his face, still avoiding his eyes. "Have you…Have you come to declare us war?" And then "bam", with one last sentence I manage to change everything around. My mother was looking sad, but relieved, my father sighed as if a great burden was lifted from his shoulders, Mina ran from the room and Reye seemed to be grinning. Prince Demando released my shoulders, taking a sharp breath. And then he smiled sadly at me and my whole world felt like collapsing. I found it hard to explain at that moment.
"I'm sorry. – his voice was calm – I never throw myself into a battle I've already lost."
*end of flashback*
"How could I have been so stupid?" I say in whisper. Mina and I were sitting on my bad and it was almost dawn. "He hates me…" The words come out of my mouth before I get chance to stop them.
"No he doesn't…"
"He should!" I instantly argue back. She knows I am right in a way so she doesn't challenge me any further. She decides instead to try and reason with me.
"Rena, you didn't know! Your memory was modified…"
"More likely I was brain washed by my own parents…" There is irony in my voice and Mina noticed. Why would they do this? Did my feelings meant nothing to them?
"Do you remember how you met him?" She asks with a small smile. Sure, leave it to her to transform every situation in to a happy one, by reminding the most innocent, slightly embarrassing, sweet and most beautiful moment of my life.
"You mean the cookie jar incident?" I couldn't help but smile myself. "Do you know… I did not marry prince Jadeite because I knew the second I saw him he was not my true love. – I chuckle at this – And…- I say almost in amuse sadness (if this makes sense) – I always thought I had a crush on prince Demando… A crush! How could they do this to me?"
"Rena…"
"No. Don't even try." I stop her for I am sure nothing could count for their action. But she still had to say something.
"You remember now. – she starts putting a comforting hand on my shoulder – It's never too late…"
"Well sure if…"
I stand up abruptly. Color drains from my face. Its morning and I can see my hands shaking as realization hits me this time with terror and fear. My friend also stands up staring at me in shock and trying to grasp my hand, but I move away from her.
"The lunarian memory charm…" – I start slowly.
"I know, your parents…" But I interrupt her, speaking every word as if it was acid on my tongue.
"It is a charm that you may use on a dear, beloved one if such action benefits to the person in cause."
"Rena, I don't get…"
"The lunarian memory charm can be lifted by the performer or… - I couldn't go on. This was too much and certainly truth, for there was no other possible explanation. – when and if… - my voice was shaken as tears form in my eyes – the performer is no longer… - I couldn't breath. I fell on the ground and I could distantly hear Mina calling my name. My hair changing, my dreams, my memories, all are strong evidence of this horrible truth. My parents were dead.