Second Heartbreak

No pain last forever and when summer finally faded away giving way to autumn Neo Queen Serenity's heartbreak had healed to the point that she wasn't an emotional train wreak. Though she still felt the deep pain from losing her first child she had started to live once again.

At the moment she was taking a twilight stroll through the orchard and having a ripe scarlet apple. She found that even by now she was still enthralled by the abundance and variety of food on the Earth. It was truly astonishing how diverse this world was. So unlike the land of her birth the Moon, which had very little diversity and here it was aplenty. As she lay under the apple tree she smiled at the sight of two doves weaving a nest. She reached into her pocket and pulled out some seeds.

The heavenly white doves stopped their work and flew to her dainty hand. She smiled widely and stroked them gently. "You are so beautiful my feathered friends. You're such a pure symbol of unyielding faith and hope. Perhaps this is a sign from God that I will be reunited with Chibiusa someday. Yes it's been many a months since she was taken from me. There isn't a moment I don't think of her, and yet maybe this is the sign that only good times are ahead of me. Soar free my friends. Take pleasure in twilight's magic," she said dreamily as the sun set behind the mountains.

Neo Queen Serenity stood there silently for a moment in total darkness as the stars began their nightly frolic, and her home the Moon rose steadily into the skies. As the light of the full moon filled her soul she felt it was like the warm and tender embrace of her mother. And with that loving sensation enveloping her soul she felt for a moment liberated from her pain and anguish. She touched the crescent moon upon her forehead and smiled.

"Message received, Mother, message received. Even though we are far apart and though I feel alone, you are always there for me. You're love isn't far from my heart. I love you, Mother. Thank you," and with that she plucked a few apples off the tree and glided back to the palace to compose a new letter for her mother.

As soon as she reached her chamber she discovered that someone had brought a beautiful bouquet of exotic flowers with two doves sculpted out of gold nesting at the bottom with a beautiful golden winged heart gemstone. Resting next to it was a white scroll with a pink ribbon tied around it. Rather then lighting a candle she sat on the windowsill and read her mother's latest letter in the invigorating moonlight.

"Dear, Serenity,

"How are you doing, my beloved Daughter? Have you jumped in a huge pile of golden amber leaves yet? Or had a midnight picnic under the moonless sky? I'm incredibly appreciative for the painting you sent me. You looked positively radiant; you've blossomed from a little girl into a ravishing young woman overnight. And it looked even more beautiful in that golden and jeweled framework you sent. I'm sending via traders a painting of my own. I hope it arrives soon. It will make you less homesick I hope. I was thinking about you and how I realized something. The pain I felt when you left must feel a hundred times worse the losing Chibiusa. But have heart, I've a feeling she is still alive and well. And I shall continue praying for both you and your family. Even Luna and Artemus are praying for you. Don't lose faith, honey. I love you, Serenity. I'll write again soon.

Lots of love,

Queen Serenity"

Neo Queen Serenity smiled happily at her mother's loving words. She hugged the letter close to her heart and then kissed it. Yawning she went to bed hoping it would bring sweet dreams of happiness. As she climbed into bed she cocked her left ear. She thought for a moment she had heard a giggle, an infant giggling. She looked around her room but saw no-one. Deciding she just imaged it she collapsed onto her bed and was out like a light.

King Endymion arrived promptly at midnight. He was pleased to see that his wife was finally sleeping peacefully. He'd been profoundly distraught by her depression. He too felt the same heartache as she did, from losing Chibiusa. But he'd recovered a little more quickly. Nevertheless he too was in deep agony. He had lost both his father and his mother was still missing, losing his daughter had been a devastating blow. Still one way or another he had recovered more quickly. So it was a pleasant sight without a doubt to see Serenity at peace.

He strolled slowly over to his slumbering and laid a red rose across her pillow. He then kissed her forehead and opened the star locket. He then cocked his right ear. He swore he could hear another melody, different from the one of the locket. It sounded like a flute and the tune was one of his mother's original sonatas. He looked all over the darken room but couldn't see anything. And the melody had died away as quickly as a bird took to the wind.

Shaking his head he muttered sadly, "I've been so down in the dumps I'm starting to image things. I miss my mother so much I merely imagine hearing her favorite song. And this curse and losing Father is making me slowly lose my grip on reality. Beryl would be so pleased, but I won't let her get away with it. I must be strong."

That night King Endymion decided he wouldn't wake his wife up. He let her sleep and he too slept. They both slept for three days straight exhausted from all of the turmoil. Queen Gaia was incredibly busy making sure both of them were alright and caring for her infant granddaughter. She had cast a spell that made sure the only one who could see or hear Chibiusa was herself.

Following the three days of rest had passed things got back to normal or as normal as possible for the young couple. King Endymion went on a small number of ambassadorial missions and oversaw the day by day contractual obligations of the Kingdom. Neo Queen Serenity helped out best she could in whatever duty or activity she could find. In next to no time she found herself expecting for a second time. And everything went back to the nerve-racking and troublesome ways.

One and all were even more on the alert and concerned then when Chibiusa was born. The whole Kingdom wanted to make sure that not a soul and nothing could harm this child. As a result extra security measures were being taking to make sure that nothing happen to either mother or child. So someone was with the Queen at all times. Even when she was sleeping someone was with her. They did leave her alone when King Endymion came for his moonlight visits.

Neo Queen Serenity was once more frustrated with everyone's concern. Yes she too was worried about her child, but it was still suffocating from all the extra people. So she spent her time writing more letters to her mother. Right now she was watching the sunset and writing a letter to her mom.

"Dear, Mother,

"How are you? I got that painting you sent. It was so beautiful that I had it hanged in my room above the fireplace. Endymion said he love it as well. It was very realistic and a true masterpiece. He showed me a painting of his parents King Adam and Queen Gaia. I found it also to be a masterpiece. I've taken a few of your suggestions and carried them out. Last week under the moonless sky we had a delicious picnic and we also have been taking strolls through the twilight. I'm sending you another picture of how the land looks at summer. My birthday is coming up and I know I'll be sad for it will have been Chibiusa's first birthday. I miss her so much and I hope wherever she is that she safe. I miss you and hope you write back soon.

You're loving daughter,

Serenity

P.S. I'm also sending you some Earth food to share with everyone. "

She quickly read over the letter and smiled. She bit into an apple and rolled up the letter. "Eva?" she called and the redhead materialized.

"Yes, my Queen?"

"Take this letter to the traders and make sure they and all the gifts I wish to bestow to my homeland are ready for the trip. And here take this painting and make sure it gets to my mother. Thank you."

"It shall be done, Neo Queen Serenity. Do wish fresh fruit juice as well? You must be very thirsty."

"Thanks that would be delightful. You can pick up some fruit juice after you make sure my gifts are already to go. You are such a good child and a dear friend. Thank you."

"You are a true friend, Neo Queen Serenity. You've made both me and this Kingdom very happy."

A few nights later it was once again midnight and the young queen's birthday. And just like it had been the year before it was time to give birth. She screamed loudly alerting the whole palace that she was in labor. Once again King Endymion hid in the shadows and Queen Gaia kept hidden and watched as the Queen gave birth to twins!

One of the twins had a mop of lavender hair just like Queen Serenity and pale blue eyes. The couple named her Kousagi meaning Little Rabbit. The other twin was much smaller and had reddish pink hair. Because she was so tiny they named her Chibi-Chibi.

Though she was overjoyed by the arrival of her new children, the Queen still felt the pain of losing her first born daughter, Chibiusa. As she feed the twins she wondered if she would ever see her again.

But Queen Gaia there was no time to rest. The forces of darkness were once again ready to besiege the Golden Kingdom of Elysion. As a powerful storm raged outside she removed both infants from their cradle and wrapped them up in a protective cloak of invisibility.

As the storm raged outside the window shatter and glass was spewed everywhere. Neo Queen Serenity worrying about her children rush to get them but found once again the cradle was empty.

King Endymion dashed into the room and roared in anguish when he saw the toppled cradle. "This time Beryl wasn't here! What has happened to our children?!" he demanded as both he and his wife mourned the loss of their children.