Moonlight Visits

Princess Serenity fell asleep almost immediately on the soft back of King Endymion. As they made their descend from the Moon Kingdom, King Endymion stop for a moment to take in the scenery. He saw twin shooting stars intertwine as they fell to the Earth. He took this as a sign that he had made the right choice in his bride. Taking a moment to breath in the enchanted breeze he continued onward.

Serenity was happily dreaming about the Earth. She was running through a field carpeted with a zillion different kinds of flowers. She danced in the golden light of the invigorating golden sun. She fell to the ground and rolled around like a newborn puppy. She giggled as the wind tickled her cheek.

King Endymion smiled at his bride's amusement. They had finally reached Earth. As soon as he reached the velvet grass his bride woke up with a start. She was shaking from the cold wind.

"Are you all right, Serenity?"

"I feel cold and my skin has little bumps all over. Is that normal?"

"You're just chilly. You're not use to the temperature of the Earth. We have a variety of weather. I know it's constantly the same on the Moon. But you'll be fine. A few goose bumps never hurt anyone. Come let us rest for the night."

Princess Serenity looked up and gasped. She was seeing the sunset for the first time. It looked like a painting with the vivid colors and it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She tried to drink it all up as she took a deep breath, as if hoping to take it all into her soul. Her gaze then took in all that the colors glisten off. They're at the edge of a forest. She was in awe with all the trees and taking pleasure in hearing the first bird songs she ever had heard.

"Oh! It's more beautiful then I ever dreamed off! This is truly magnificent! Are we at Elysion yet?" she asked excitingly to which her groom chuckled.

"No, dear Serenity, we're not to my Kingdom yet. We still have a long journey ahead of us. It will take us about a week or so before we reach the Golden Kingdom. Right now we are at the Crystal Forest. As you can see some of the trees here are indeed made up of crystal. There is a place we can stay not to far from here. It's called Pegasus's Glen. There is a spot there we can stay for the night. We might even get lucky and see some of the creatures of the Crystal Forest. We may even catch a glimpse of Pegasus himself."

"I would love to see him. I heard stories about him from the merchants who came to the Moon. They say he's white as snow with eyes as orange as the setting sun. And he's the most beautiful creature in all of the Forest to behold. I also heard about other animals. I love to see more of your world."

You'll see more it in the daylight. Night is falling fast and it will be dark and cold soon. We need to build a fire and bunk down for the night. Come, Serenity, let us make camp."

By the time the twilight had set in completely they had reached the Glen. They found a small arch of crystals with soft spring grass under it. Serenity eagerly slipped off her shoes and wiggled her toes on the bright green grass. However, King Endymion gave her a stern look. She nodded and slipped her slippers back on. The pair swiftly gathered some firewood and with King Endymion's help they started a fire. Serenity was entranced by the glowing molten gold and amber flames. She was still a bit unpleasantly cold, but was enjoying the experiences nonetheless.

King Endymion could see that his bride was shivering so he left for a few moments and just as the moon rose into the sky he returned with a large piece of moss. "It's not much but it should keep you warm for the night. I would sleep with you, but I fear I might crush you by accident. So this will have to do."

But all of Serenity's attention was upon the silver crescent moon in the midnight blue sky above her. She was gazing at it intensely. She jumped when he nudged her. "Oh! Endymion! Don't scare me like that!"

"Is everything okay, Serenity? You seemed a bit preoccupied."

"Well, dear Endymion, I've spent so much time gazing at the Earth, now I'm for the first time seeing the Moon from afar. It's a truly unique and special moment. I wish I knew how Mother is. She was so sad to see me go. I only hope I did not break her heart too much," she replied sadly as a tear fell from her blue eyes.

Endymion brushed the tear away and nuzzled her tenderly. "I understand your pain, beloved. I miss my father, King Adam. He was a great man, just as your mother is a great woman. My heart is full of sorrow at times and I also worry about my mother too. I've not seen her since I left on my quest. I only hope that she is okay, and that Beryl hasn't done anything wicked to her."

The amber fire danced merrily as each told their own tale about their parents or their childhood. It was amusing to hear all these colorful tales and it brought them closer together. Serenity had just started her tale about how she broke her mother's favorite flower vase when Endymion suddenly yelped. She looked at him concerningly and asked franticly, "Are you all right, my beloved?"

"I'm really sorry, Serenity, but I must go for now. Sleep and I'll be back by morning," he replied hurriedly as he disappeared into the dark cloak of the night."

"ENDYMION!" she called out but he already had vanished. So she threw my wood on the fire and curled up and tried to sleep. She hoped that Endymion would be back. She didn't want anything to attack her.

Little did she know as she slept watching from the thicket was Endymion. He was a man once again. But he knew if she saw his face in the campfire light he'd belong to Beryl. So he hid from view in the shadows and hoped that come morning they could get back to his Kingdom as soon as possible. "Good night, my beloved."

Before dawn arrived Serenity was up. She didn't know why but she was glad. She watched as the sun ascended into the periwinkle skies. Smiling she walked over to a nearby pool of water and started to undress. She looked cautiously around to make sure no-one saw her naked. She then eased her way into the water and started to clean herself up. As she bathed she started to sing and soon all the creatures of the forest came to see who was singing so beautifully.

As she vocalized she realized she was no-longer alone. She quickly sunk into the water and peered into the bushes. Out of the bushes emerged scores of cute and adorable creatures. Her smile became elated by all the cute creatures. The whole menagerie of animals delighted her so much she forgot about being embarrassed. She swam over to them and began to fondle a few of them. "Oh! I've never seen such adorable creatures like you before! You are so much cuter then even Luna!" she giggled as she played with the many forest creatures.

Deer, horses, foxes, rabbits, all kinds of birds, and even butterflies and squirrels. She was so joyful to be with each and every one of the flora and fauna. She was having such a good time that she didn't even comprehend she was ravenous till her stomach growled. She had been playing with a red tail fox when she realized for the first time she was hungry.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she apologized to the bemused canine. The other animals looked at her and disappeared. "No! Come back! Please! Oh!" she started to cry, but was surprised when the animals returned with food.

"Oh! Thank you! You are most kind!" as she eagerly ate the delicious fruit and fish. By this time Endymion had got done with his own bathing. He followed the sound of her laughter and smiled at her happiness.

"Serenity?" he called softly to her.

"Oh! Endymion! So nice to see you! I thought something terrible must've happened to make you run away last night. I was so scared without you there to protect me. What that you got in your mouth?" she asked as she removed something red from his mouth. She gasped; it was a rose, a red rose. The one flower she had dreamed of all her life of finding, the eternal symbol of true love. Her whole life she had waited and wanted this flower and now she never want to let it die. Her mother once told her something about roses. She said that a red rose blooming in winter snow was like true love. That the love was so strong that not even the winter's cold could kill it.

With silver tears dripping down her face she threw herself at Endymion. "OH, ENDYMION! THANK YOU!" she cried as she hugged and kissed him. All of the creatures of the forest smiled at the tender sight. Then were force to say goodbye to the pair as they left to continue on their journey to the Golden Kingdom. As they left the Crystal Forest they heard the rustle of wings and got a glimpse of something blue and white with a bit of gold to it. They knew it must be Pegasus who was sending them his blessing and good luck on their journey.

Though the journey was a long and stressful one they enjoyed each other company. They talk and sang songs and played games. And all the way the wonders of the Earth never failed to astonish the young princess. Though every night just before midnight Endymion would vanish and wouldn't return till after the sun rose. This worried the young princess but she still loved the bear. Their bond had grown stronger from their journey together. At last after traveling for fortnight they finally reached the Golden Kingdom.

They had reached a cliff that looked over the valley where the Golden Kingdom was in. It looked so fairy tale like and it seemed to cast a magic spell all over the young princess. It was sitting in a sea of roses and cherry blossoms. And she saw pure snow white swans gliding down on a turquoise lake. It was just like her picture. She knew at last she was home, the home she had always dreamed of.

"Welcome home, Serenity."

"Oh, Endymion! It just as I pictured it! This is like a dream come true! Oh I can't wait to see more of it! I'm sure your people will be glad to see you again! Let us go home together."

And they happily descended into the valley below. They took a long winding trail to passing scores of breathtaking surprises. Like wildfire the people of the Golden Kingdom praised and spread the word that King Endymion had returned with a beautiful bride. Their prayers had been answered at last.

As the people beheld them though there was one person who didn't join in the excitement. Beryl watched from the edge of the forest. Her dark red hair blowing in the cold wind with a look of deepest contempt etched on her pale face. She wasn't happy that Endymion had found a bride, although she knew this was only a small setback. And she sent a reminder to Endymion as she caused an icy breeze to envelop the valley.

All of the people shiver but the King and he knew what it meant. Beryl wouldn't be defeat so easy. He knew that even though he had found someone to love him, it would be a long and difficult seven years to come. And he shutter to think about what she might do to him and his new wife. And he worried about his mother for he quickly learned that she had vanished shortly after he was cursed.

When they finally reached the castle Serenity burst into tears of happiness. This was the place she had long to be her whole life. And she was at last home. Endymion showed her too an elegant and beautiful bedchamber.

"What shall I do here?" she asked as she marveled at her new surroundings. She saw that there were roses all over the room, they're in the vases by the stain glass window, craving on the wall, and even on the bed. Her smile became more elated each moment that passed.

"Wait for me, Serenity. I'll be back at midnight," promised the polar bear king. And the oak oriented doors closed.

Exhausted and weary from the long journey the young moon princess took a quick hot bath and then fell into the bed and slept. They had traveled so long that there was no moon that night.

As the princess slept dreaming happily she didn't realize she wasn't alone. Though not as skilled as Beryl, Queen Gaia was too skilled in the art of magic and had used her talents to make herself invisible. She hoped this would be enough to protect her son and his new wife and their family to come. She crept quietly over to Serenity's bed and tucked the covers tightly around her and laid a rose on her pillow.

"Such a beautiful and kindly girl, how brave she was to follow him here. Sleep well, dear child, and know that you're loved. I shall protect you when my son cannot."

Before she could say more the doors opened, so the Queen retreated and vanish back into the dark clock of the moonless sky. Standing in the doorway was a silhouette of a young man. He was careful not to let any light touch him. He walked quietly over to Serenity's bed and sat down. She woke up and gazed at the stranger.

"Who are you?"

"I'm King Endymion, your husband."

"But how? I thought you're a polar bear. How are you now a human?"

"Part of the enchantment that is cast upon me is that every night at midnight I turn back to a human. But no-one not even you can see my face, not until the spell is over. Because if you do or anyone else sees my face I shall belong to Beryl."

"My poor, Endymion."

"Though I'm happy to be home, and happy to have you as my wife, I'm deeply saddened, not just because of the spell, but because my mother now has gone missing. I hope Beryl hasn't done any harm to her."

"I'm sure she okay, my love. And I'm sure she is trying to help you. Love ones are never far from our hearts."

And so began the nightly visits of King Endymion and his wife who took the name of Neo Queen Serenity.