Serena, My Love, Remember Me

By: SilverCrystalArtemis

OH, MY GOD, I'M ACTUALLY WRITING!!!

I feel I have to say this, so please, I know I'm asking a lot of you, my dear readers, but do try to read my obnoxious little AN if you can. First of all, I'd like to thank EVERYBODY who read and reviewed my story, especially those of you who coaxed me back into writing (I'm not going to even pretend, your enthusiasm means the world...and a half), because I would have left this for dead otherwise. Really, I can't thank you all enough, but I'm going to try anyway. That being said, I'd like to alert everyone that, yes, while it is fairly obvious, it has been YEARS. Meaning, my life has changed, my writing style has changed (I'd like to think...) and my outlook has changed, so I'm sorry if the story doesn't maintain the same quality about it that it previously held, but I'm going to do my best, and I appreciate your patience, and continued enthusiasm. Alright, I'm done, so please, without any further ado (three years is long enough, methinks), ENJOY!

As always, I own no part of the Sailor Moon franchise. I've only donated hundreds of dollars over the course of a comparatively short life to their wallets. Speaking of which, where IS that Saturn doll run off to...?

Serena, My Love, Remember Me

Chapter Nine

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Sitting at the vanity in her room, preparing for dinner, Lita just couldn't help but be aggravated. She sighed, frustration mounting, as she let the awkward pile of hair fall from her head, yet again. Nothing set right, nothing looked right with this dress. Why did dinner always have to be a royal affair in the palace? But, then again, she recognized it wasn't just her hair. She was annoyed at the niggling feeling at the back of her conscious. Something so vitally important, she couldn't remember. Not even a trace of the memory to follow to the mark. Since she first saw Serena this morning, the feeling had been pushing at the back of her skull constantly, like a timid migraine. For the first time in a long time- since she had remembered herself at ten years old- she felt ...not quite whole. And she didn't like it.

A timid knock at the door alerted Lita to a foreign presence; none of the other girls, or even Endymion bothered to knock anymore. Expecting a servant, Lita was mildly shocked to see Serena herself, outside her door. She was more surprised to see Serena still dressed in the plainclothes she had given her earlier that day, as a means of decency.

"Serena, what are you doing? You can't possibly be thinking of wearing that to dinner." Lita tsked as she ushered the girl- less timid around her now, thankfully- into her rooms. "Didn't the servant girl...?"

"Oh, Alice was very helpful. She brought me the most beautiful dress I've ever seen, and even offered to help dress me. I've never needed help dressing in my entire life! Then again, I've never worn anything with that many layers. Or ruffles..." Serena plopped on the small sofa as she let out a frustrated breath. Yes, Lita thought, much less timid now, thank the Gods.

Lita snorted, both at the girl's very familiar behavior, and the irony of her statement. Wasn't Serenity's motto "the more extravagant the better"? Serenity would smack herself, if only she could see her now. The though sobered Lita, and she sat down next to Serena, turning toward the girl. "Then what's the matter? I'm sorry if the dress isn't to your liking, but we were a little hard-pressed to find something to suit you on such short notice." Serenity would have laughed. Serena hung her head.

"That's just it, Lita. I love it; I feel like such a princess simply looking at it. It feels wrong."

"Wrong?" Lita wasn't sure she wanted to hear this.

"I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be pretending to be a Lady. I should be dead. Or helping search for Sammy or Ber-" The news was all about that not even remains had been found in the skeleton of the building. People everywhere wondering just what exactly had happened to one of the more beloved families of the city.

Lita stopped her there. She was of the same opinion as Endymion; the less that woman's name was mentioned, the better. "Serena, please. We've been through this. You won't be doing yourself- or them- any favors by running around frantically. The best people available are searching for your family" she almost choked on the word, applying it to Beryl "and we will be alerted the moment someone finds something." Lita winced internally. She couldn't imagine what would be worse, going through what she had, knowing her family was never coming back, or being in Serena's position, in a wretched state of confusion. "Stay here, at least for now; you'll be cared for, sheltered, and they will be brought here post haste. And when, not if, we find them, all will be well again. But for now, we have to get you ready for dinner. Come, I'll help you with that dress." She stood, and, with her hand on the girl's back, led her back to the dressing room down the hall.

As they walked through the room, toward the vanity, Serena turned to Lita, with even more confusion in her eyes. "I don't understand, Lita. Why is everyone here taking care of me? Not that I don't appreciate it, but I'm not anybody special. In fact, I'm technically an commoner's orphan. But here I am, being treated like, well, royalty. And on top of that, by people who I've never met before in my life. I've never done you a service, saved your lives; you don't owe me anything. Why, Lita, if I may ask?"

She tried to hide it, truly, she did, but Lita couldn't help the minor convulsion as she bent down, the automatic response to the girl's question. To cover it, she scratched her nose, then picked up the dress Serena had left, almost reverently, against the couch, preparing to lift it over the girl's head. There were so many ways she wanted to respond, so many things she wanted to say, but couldn't. Instead, she opted for the easiest way out- skirting the answer. "Well, technically," she said, as Serena shimmied out of the plain work dress "You're not being treated as 'royalty' so much as 'nobility'. Had we gone for the royal package, you would've been carried on the backs of four burly men to be dressed." The girl paled, obviously not understanding the joke. How Lita missed Serenity. "As for the why, consider it a testament to the Prince's renowned compassion for his subjects. As his subjects, and his friends, the rest of us are only too happy to oblige him in his desires. Especially when it comes to his philanthropy."
"So you're only being kind to me-" Serena's voice became muffled as the gown was lifted over her head "as a sign of friendship to His Highness?"

Lita sighed inwardly. Good thing 'His Highness' wasn't around to hear that; it damn well may have broken his heart. As it was, it took a considerable amount of Lita's control to not allow tears into her eyes. "Come, now, Serena. Who couldn't help but like a sweet, darling thing as you?"

The girl had the grace to blush, Lita saw in the mirror's reflection of them, and gained comfort in the fact that some things never change; the girl always did get embarrassed by compliments. As Lita finished tightening the dress, she heard her, barely above a whisper, remark "I only hope the other Ladies feel the same as you."

Lita smiled, "Trust me, they will. I can promise you that. In fact, I do believe they're quite excited to meet you. Now come sit, we don't have much time, and we have to do something with that hair of yours." she led Serena to sit at the vanity, and pulled her hair out of it's intricate knot, leaving it to cascade down to the ground. As she started brushing it through, she caught Serena's eye in the mirror, and knew at once the contemplative look in her eyes couldn't mean anything good. "What is it, Serena?"

"I just wonder, Lita. Why is it that the Prince has taken such a level of concern with me? It seems so absurd for him to care even the smallest bit for me of all people. Especially with all the rumors of him spending all his time trying to find his 'destined princess'. And after this morning I..." Lita nearly choked. How, sweet Selene, was she expected to work her way out of this one? The girl was looking up at her from the mirror, expecting a response of some kind. What was she to do? Simply nonchalantly continue working the girl's hair and say, 'Oh, you mean our Princess. Yes, he's been searching for her for years. Hundreds of them, in fact. But it just so happens he found her, and guess what?' The whole point of this was to gain the girl's trust, not scare her out of their lives.

At that moment, the door to the dressing room opened, revealing a blonde elegantly dressed, though dishevelled, and Lita wondered, not for the first time, if Raye wasn't the only psychic one. "There you are!" she gasped, still out of breath from running the three flights up here. "I've been trying to find the two of you; something's happened, and we need to be prepared."

Lita's defenses automatically went up, but she remained calm as she asked, "And you saw fit to barge in and scare our guest half to death?" She knew if it was real danger, Mina wouldn't be still dressed in finery.

"Oh, my, I almost forgot." Forgot Serena didn't know her, that is. "My name is Mina, how lovely to meet you." She walked over to Serena, a bright, welcoming smile on her face. "I'm sure we'll be great friends."

Serena smiled back, feeling much less intimidated than she had this morning. This girl just seemed to radiate an aura of friendship, a loving nature that couldn't be denied. "I'm Serena, nice to meet you, too."

"So what is this 'issue', Mina?" Lita asked, putting the finishing touches on Serena's hair. It wasn't anything special, but the style was enough to convey elegance and refinement. She didn't have to ask, she could see the girl's delight in the style through the mirror.

"Well, it seems that after Endymion's little 'episode' last night, His Majesty's decided to keep a much tighter grip on his son's actions. Oh, come here, Lita, let me do that hair." Serena immediately stood and stepped away, allowing the brunette to sit and be pampered by Mina. "Meaning, he's making sure his son is attending the dinner tonight, by attending himself."

"Damn! This would be so much easier if he wasn't here."

At first Serena was amazed, almost jealous. Watching the two of them, they were much closer than friends; they were sisters. Much as she loved little Sammy and Beryl, Serena had always wanted sisters, or what these girls had, that friendship so deeper than any bloodline. Then she realized exactly what was being said. "Wait, what does that mean? What does it matter that His Majesty is attending dinner?"

Both girls turned to look at Serena, then at each other, then at Serena again. It was Mina who decided to explain. "You see, Serena, with all that's been going on, the King isn't quite as ...accepting of his son's pursuits as he used to be. So, he wouldn't be all too kind to the idea of Endymion taking you in, in this manner."

Serena stared for a moment, the fear slowly rising in her face. "You mean to tell me, that I'm here against His Majesty's wishes? I could be killed! Oh, Dear Lord!"

Mina rushed over, and instinctively hugged the girl. Serena, momentarily shocked, lifted her arms and hugged the girl back; she didn't know why, but it comforted her. "Oh, Serena, don't worry! We couldn't possibly allow that to happen. No, all that needs be done is create a cover story; something to keep you out of the King's suspicions. Something believable... I've got it!"

"Serena," Mina whispered, walking beside the girl down the main staircase, "You need to pretend this is nothing new to you. Wipe that star-struck look off your face before you give us away!"

Serena, on any other occasion, would have complied, or at least turned to Mina to respond, but at the moment she was too busy being overwhelmed by the grandeur of the entrance hall. It was like nothing she had ever seen before; not even the most elaborate pictures could have done this place justice. She had thought the castle was lovely before, walking through the private quarters with Lita today, and the grounds were beyond spectacular, but nothing could have prepared her for this. There was more marble than she thought the world contained. Pillars, floor, ceiling, all fine white marble. It was nearly blinding. The walls were extravagantly painted, scenes of great moments in their kingdom, renditions of the Gods who blessed them, things so ornate Serena could barely make out any real focus point. She lifted her head, and noticed the high walls, the pillars, the ceiling were all carved in the same elegance as the walls, and some designs even inlaid with gold! It was very nearly giving her a headache- or a heart attack, she wasn't quite sure yet.

Mina sighed. This girl was hopeless. She continued to lead her through to the dining hall, getting more and more skeptical of their plan the closer Serena's jaw got to the floor. "Dammit, Serena, pick your jaw up off the- Good evening, Your Majesty!"

Serena stopped short, and her eyes flew down from the ceiling to the man sitting not ten feet in front of them. Serena hadn't even noticed they had made their way into the dining hall; she had been too focused on the artwork above her to pay any attention. But here she was, standing in front of her sovereign, posed as a courtier, and it was all she could do to not let her fear take over. Serena glanced briefly along the table; to His Majesty's right was His Highness, and down the long table she saw Lita. She also saw the other girls she had been told of, and their husbands.

She then looked to her left, where Mina was standing, and noticed the girl hadn't yet curtseyed. 'Just do as I do, Serena,' Mina had said, before they left the dressing room, 'and all will work out.' Well, if she was following Mina, she'd better not get killed for it.

"Good evening, Lady Mina. Who, may I ask, is your lovely guest?" The King seemed in a bad mood, but in better spirits around Mina.

"Majesty, may I introduce my cousin, Lady Serena. She has come from Lidene, to visit with me. I hope you do not mind, but I took the liberty of inviting to stay in the castle for her stay." Serena had to admit it, Mina was talented. She added just the hint of an uncertain tone into her voice, making her sound so true, so innocent.

"Your cousin, you say? I had no idea you had family that far out. But no matter. There is no reason why she shouldn't be able to stay." It was obvious Mina had the king wrapped around her little finger. She could have possibly asked him for the stars, and he would have given them to her. "Lady Serena, was it? I hope you find my kingdom, and my castle, to your liking?"

Something in Serena snapped into place. She suddenly felt so very much in place in this dress, this castle, this situation, it almost made her head spin. But then everything made sense, and she dropped down into an elegant curtsey and responded, "Majesty, thank you, your kingdom's splendor extends far beyond that of nearly any I've seen. I cannot thank you enough for you graciousness; it only proves the stories of your excellence."

Serena looked up to see the king smile in delight, before turning to Mina, who was trying to hide her shock. "Lady Mina, I see flattery runs deep in your blood. I have a feeling your cousin and I will get along splendidly. Come, Lady Serena, sit by me as my guest, and see if you can take Mina's place as my very favorite."

This was all too much for Endymion. He had been worried last night, as to how much of this he could take before he was pushed to his breaking point. But now, he realized he passed his breaking point about five miles behind. Sitting across from her, seeing her sit in that dress, he itched to be closer to her. He couldn't touch her, he couldn't steal her conversation from his father; at least he knew they got along, he supposed. But he couldn't stand it! He'd had to stay away from her, all day, and now he had to act as if they were perfect strangers. How he wished they could be as the used to, that it could be him capturing her conversation, that he could be holding her hand, that he could be as openly loving toward her as he used to. He wanted her back, and this- so damn close, and yet so very far away- was torture.

And now, he'd get even less time with her, after his father's explosion today. He was to be kept on little more than house arrest. What's more, after tonight it would be nothing more than blasted parties, balls, dinners. His father was bound and determined to find him a suitable bride, to get him off his 'dream girl'. He mused what his father would say if he knew she was sitting next to him! But with all this chaos about to happen, how was he ever supposed to get time with her, get her to remember him? Would there even be half a chance? Or would they miss it, wasting too much time on trivialities?

"Endymion?" His head shot up to his father, who was staring, frustrated, at him. "Ahh, you finally decided to come back to the real world, I see." His father turned to Serena, "You'll have to forgive my son; he tends to spend more time in his head than any person should." He turned back to Endymion. "If you don't mind spending a little more time here, with us, would you kindly escort our new guest to a set of rooms?"

Endymion smiled, turned to his love, and, as calmly as he could, responded "It would be my pleasure." Inside, he was jumping for joy. He finally got to spend some time alone with her. However short-lived it may be, it was a start.

As they walked through the hallways, Endymion couldn't keep his eyes off her. She looked absolutely beautiful tonight. But then again, she always did look stunning to him. He kept trying to find some way to open a conversation with her, some way to make up for their less-than-perfect start, but nothing would come to him. Every time he opened his mouth to say something, the words seemed dull, unworthy of her, or too intimate for a girl who wouldn't understand.

He realized they were nearing the rooms that had been prepared for her, and started to panic. He needed to say something, anything, just to open a bridge between them. But he couldn't scare her, he couldn't act like he had with his Serenity. But he couldn't let her go. Desperation won out.

"You were astounding at dinner tonight. I really couldn't have been prouder." he winced, realizing how overly informal that sounded. Now he knew she was going to run from him. He'd just blown his chance in one breath.

She, however, blushed, head hanging down to hide her embarrassment. "Thank you, Highness. And thank you for saving me, for everything you've done for me; it's more than I could have asked of any friend, let alone a stranger, or royal stranger at that. And as for this morning, I-"

He stopped, and turned to her. Empowered by her acceptance of him, however small, he pushed the boundaries again. "Serena, don't think of it. And please," he lowered his voice, taking two fingers and raising her chin, so her face was eye level. "Remember, you are a Lady, here. You do not lower your head for anyone. You wouldn't want to give yourself away, now, would you?" He ended with a wink, a friendly enough gesture, hoping it wouldn't be taken as too much.

She blushed again, but, looking him in the eye, responded with a smile and a "You're too right, Highness. I couldn't bear to get our next sovereign killed on my account."

She joked with him. She felt comfortable enough to not only talk to him, look on him as equal enough company to joke around with him. His heart was soaring, he could have laughed, could have danced, could have flown off a building, he was so happy. Elation was too bland a word for it. "Well, then," he whispered, leading her to the doors of her rooms, "I'll just have to keep a very close watch on you, to make sure you don't cause the ruin of us both". They'd reached her door, and his heart drooped a little. He didn't want their time over, yet. He took her hand, and bowing to plant a soft, chaste kiss on it- oh, how wonderful it felt to kiss her again!- he whispered while rising his head, "May I have the pleasure of your company tomorrow, milady?"

Serena, shocked beyond ability for speech, simply nodded her head, hand still outstretched in his.

He rose fully then, letting her hand fall, and smiled. "Excellent. I'll send a servant to come get you sometime in the morning. Good night, Serena." She whispered a "goodnight" back to him, too shocked to remember to add his title, and watched him retreat down the hall.

He knew he'd pushed his luck. He knew it could have ended horribly. He knew he could have destroyed his only chance at happiness by being so forward. But he was so glad he did. He wasn't sure how long it would take to get his Serenity back, but he knew he was on the right path. He already had plans in motion for tomorrow when he reached the doors to his own quarters. He would do his best to make it a day to remember for her. Blowing out the candles by his bed, he tried to make himself comfortable. It would be a hard task; the bed felt empty and cold without her. However, he drew some comfort in the smell she left on his pillows, and the residual taste of her skin on his lips. Drawing the pillow still smelling of her close, he closed his eyes and waited for the morning. He wasn't sure he'd be able to get to sleep tonight, without her in his arms, but he knew that if he did, he'd have the best dreams in centuries.

AN: Well, there you go. I hope you all enjoyed it. I want to thank you all again for your continued support, and I'll do my best to have the next chapter out in short order. I can't wait to hear back from you all!