Chapter 2

AN: Time-warp! It is going to jump ahead several years now. The ages will be revealed within. However, reminder, 1st chapter: Serenity 6, Endymion & Demando 9 and we won't be to the age of the major action for at least another chapter. Side note about Raye being Endymion's mother, well... yeah, I wanted it like that. I almost put Michiru into that place, but I feared what you'd all think later on and didn't want to confuse anyone with who the father is. As for the father, he's what I imagined Endymion's father would really look like, he's not a character in the manga/anime. You'll see why later on, unless there is someone with those features, but I don't think so. I hope its obvious why I had Artemis and Luna be Demando's parents. If there is any confusion, please ask and I shall explain.

Serenity was by her mother's side, shielding her eyes from the sand as the wind kicked it up at the royals as it did the commoners. This time it was Endymion's family that arrived first. She hadn't seen either of these males in almost six years. She wondered what they would look like now and if they were any different than she remembered. Endymion was in the lead atop a large sandy colored horse. He was appraising her home with a bit more warmth than the last time.

His eyes swept from the top of their three story buildings to the women standing in front. His eyes gazed at her mother for a split second before roving over onto her. They arrested hers as he took her in almost as he did the buildings behind her. They entered through the gates and stopped to allow their horses and belongings to be settled within their quarters for them. Endymion jumped easily off his horse and came forward, an easy greeting on his lips, but otherwise stoic features. "Thank you for having us once more, Queen Selene." He bowed and kissed the back of her hand.

Selene seemed pleased at this greeting. "My, you have grown into a charming lad." She retracted her hand and put it onto Serenity's back.

Serenity had been cultivated into exuding as much charm as him. She curtsied low while looking up at him. "It is our pleasure to house you and your family." They were just coming up behind him and the man nodded towards Serenity and then looked to her mother with a face that could make granite look soft.

Endymion's features were gradually changing into his father's, but he still had a little longer to go as his were still soft, just not as baby-fat as before. Serenity's too was still sweet and innocent, but was losing some of its chubbiness. "I am delighted to be within your company once more, Princess Serenity." Endymion spoke to her and helped her out of her curtsy.

"As I am yours." Serenity smiled easily and brilliantly and why not? Already he was a lot more friendly and open than the last time she had seen him. Perhaps he was only an solemn child and that was what was to blame for his sullen behavior. Now that he was older, perhaps he was happier with life and would be willing to show it as well.

Ami stood behind the royal women and Endymion's gaze paused momentarily on her. "Pleased to see you once more as well, Countess Ami. It has been too long."

It was true, the last time Serenity and Endymion had met, Ami was not along, having stayed here while the two of them went to the Southern Kingdom to welcome the arrival of Demando's younger brother.

Ami nodded politely from behind her royals, the rightful place for her to be, and did not speak much. "You are too kind. Welcome."

Selene looked at the children for a moment as Raye gushed over how Serenity had grown more beautiful since the last time they had seen her and how grown up she already looked at 12. "How old is Endymion now? I don't believe his birthday has yet passed."

"He is 15." Raye responded. "And already so adult." She shook her head. "Time has really flown by. I have missed you Selene. I do wish you would come up to visit us."

"I would love to, but it is difficult to get away without a solid reason to." Selene and Raye looked to the three children who seemed to be getting along well this time. "Maybe there will be one coming up in our near future."

"I'd like that." Raye smiled brilliantly, ignoring her husband as he walked ahead of them into the palace. "Come along Endymion! There will be plenty of time of getting to know Princess Serenity and Countess Ami again."

"My ladies." Endymion bowed to them before following after the head of the royal families.

Ami and Serenity shared an excited look when they were no longer needed to be appropriate. "He's so cute now!" Serenity gushed as they went to go sit in a protected niche away from the sand whipping up a frenzy this time of day.

"And a lot more charming." Ami agreed, recalling the stoic little boy that had first presented himself to them, how he did not talk, nor smile and seemed disinterested in everything around him. "I wonder what changed?"

"Does it matter?" Serenity sighed. "I'm just glad it did. I don't think I could have put up with him this time if he was the same as before."

"I just hope that he is as studious as he was before, I have every intention of beating him in the test scores."

"He's probably already finished with his studies." Serenity sighed dejectedly. "I wish I were, I hate studying."

"You have gotten worse over the years." Ami nagged, waving her finger at Serenity. "You're still smart though, which I loathe!"

"Not as smart as you." Serenity made a face. "That's not for me."

"Serenity!" Ami stressed. "You're the Princess!"

"And your point is?" Serenity drew her pink clad knees up to her chest.

"You're supposed to know this stuff, it will be detrimental to your future." Ami sighed in frustration when Serenity only shrugged.

A noise was heard and Serenity sat up straight, her feet dropping to the ground as something infinitely more exciting was going on than talking about their futures and how studying would make or break hers. The other prince had been spotted!

Serenity ran back to the front and skidded to a halt in the nick of time and this time she patted down her appearance to make sure that the second prince would have no reason to glare at her. "Wow." Serenity whispered to Ami as the prince stepped out of the carriage, the wind was blowing harshly, whipping the sand at the sides of it, making a loud noise. The King and Queen soon followed and then their youngest also came out. He was only what, six? Serenity melted at the sight of the young boy with a mop of dark hair on his head, it was already starting to look shaggy.

"He's cute." Ami murmured in appreciation for the older sibling who was standing with a lot more pride and none of the shyness that had plagued him the first time here. He was looking out for his younger brother though minor movements, but it was endearing even if there wasn't a threat. "So sweet too."

Serenity's head bounced as she nodded and then walked away from Ami to go greet them. Demando beamed at Serenity. "You never once mentioned in your letters how darling you have become, Princess Serenity." He bowed to her. "I'd like to formally introduce you to my younger brother, Sapphire." Demando put a hand on his brother's shoulder to keep him from running off. There was nine years difference between the two. "Sapphire, this is the Princess Serenity I was telling you about."

Sapphire tilted his head, and for the first time, Serenity saw his eyes, they were red. Not like he had been crying, but the actual color of his eyes. On closer inspection she realized it was just a really red brown, but they were striking. He blinked at her for a moment then a grin crossed his features. "You're not old!"

Serenity laughed. She shook her head, no, she wasn't. "I take it that is a good thing?"

"Demando is ok, but he's so much older than I am. He's almost like another mom." Sapphire wiggled out of Demando's grasp and clasped onto Serenity. "You look closer to my age. How old are you anyway?" When Serenity told him, he looked a little misgiving about the fact that she was double his age, but relaxed shortly after when he realized that she acted about as young as he acted mature so they found some place in the middle.

–

"I'm sorry we're so late." Artemis explained to Selene. "It is a hassle when you have two children to get moving. Though Demando's a dream these days. It's Sapphire that's been a little terror, running around, taking his clothes off, hiding things that you've just had packed. Our servants have been so patient with our little nightmare."

Selene laughed as she watched the youngest interact with Serenity who was being so good with him. "You're speaking to the one that raised Serenity single handedly and we haven't even gotten into her teenage rebellious years."

Luna shuddered at the thought. "Serenity seems calm enough now."

"She's on good behavior. Ami has been helping with that. I hope with other royals nearby to offer her an example of how she should be, it will further the cause. However she has far more energy than any child should."

"I hope Sapphire doesn't backfire your plans then." Though Sapphire was in bed long before the rest of the children each night, so he didn't interfere too much.

Luna looked down at Serenity and ran her fingers through one of the blond's streamers.

The touch from Luna had surprised Serenity, who looked up at the Queen with questioning eyes. "May I help you with something, Queen Luna?"

"I see a very familiar style icon."

Though it was different than the Queen's not only in color, but also result, the influence had been clear. Serenity nodded. "I remember when I first saw you, when I was six, that it was a very attractive style. I hadn't been able to duplicate it exactly and it took awhile for my hair to be long enough to keep it in. I hope you are not too angry."

"On the contrary." Then Luna graced Serenity with a wide smile and Demando eyed his mother with something akin to shock. He transferred his gaze onto Serenity, and she wondered what he was thinking behind those silver eyes. He smiled at her as well and she relaxed.

–

They all went inside and joined Endymion and his family. He smiled at the four making their way to his table as they all had refreshments and watched the water display in the center of the room. "I had forgotten how nice and relaxing this could be." He gestured to the water shooting out from the center of the room and then falling back down.

"I thought you said it was a waste of valuable resources the last time you were here." Ami lifted a brow. "Why the change in opinion?"

"I guess I see the aesthetic a lot better now." Endymion justified. "Before it had been different and I didn't appreciate different."

"Now you do, I suppose?" Serenity leaned forward over the table, looking at him with innocence and exuberance.

Endymion hesitated before answering. "Yes, I suppose I do now." Serenity nodded and then pulled Demando into the conversation.

"What new has happened since your last letter? It has been too long since the last update."

"The two of you have been corresponding?" Endymion looked between the other two royal children and they nodded. "Since when?"

"Since I was six." Serenity answered. "Demando and I found we had a lot of similar interests and we wanted to continue sharing after he had to leave. I didn't think at the time that you would wish to write to me, as you hardly spoke to us at all. I apologize if that was out of line."

"No, I probably wouldn't have wrote back. It was a year or so before I would have become interested in that sort of thing. Though I don't really see the value in it still." Endymion turned to Demando before Serenity could speak. "So please do enlighten us on what else is new in your life."

Demando gave Endymion a long look, before he tilted his head up a little. "We have been working on opening new shelters for those without homes. I have been put in charge to spearhead our children demographics without parents."

Serenity's eyes grew wide. "That's wonderful! How has the project been shaping up?"

Demando smiled at her good cheer and complete faith that it was doing well. "Good, we had a slow start at the beginning but word of mouth soon spread and I'm having to work on another building to try and house them all."

The four of them chatted for a long time, Ami really becoming interested in it when he started talking about specifics and figures. Serenity started losing interest in the conversation at that time, so it was nice that someone could continue how pleased she was in the project. She couldn't believe that someone not much older than her, and not an adult, was managing to do so much. She felt like a bum when listening to him.

Selene announced that they were all going to go on a walk around the estate and that the children were welcome to join them, but Serenity was without an option. Serenity looked startled at the notion of joining her mother and all of the adults, she feared that it would be boring and that she would step too far out of line.

Endymion's father was looking at her with cold eyes and Endymion stood up and joined her side, stepping into the line of sight even, though Serenity didn't think he noticed. "I'll join. I imagine that this place has gotten more wonderful since the last time I have been here. Have there been many additions added?"

He wasn't much taller than her, only a couple of inches, but she felt like he was protecting her. What on earth from though? Nothing here was a danger to her, this was her land and she knew all of it well.

Demando joined them, stepping up next to Endymion. "I think I would like to see these grounds as well." He bowed to Selene slightly. "Thank you for suggesting such a thing." Ami shrugged, she wasn't really being taken into consideration whether or not she desired to, but she would anyway. She wanted to remain with her friend and these two princes, they seemed to have so much knowledge to offer her and she was excited to pick their brains at every moment.

Sapphire clung onto his brother's hand, his other hand's thumb was inserted into his mouth, but he nodded too. "Well then, everyone it seems is coming with us." Selene was pleased and she started the tour. Serenity and Ami hung back a little as the woman talked.

Demando noticed but was trying to listen in on the woman's speech. Endymion somehow joined the two girls and he smiled charmingly at them. "I see that you had very little choice in the matter. Have you been missing out on your lessons about the grounds or are you just here to make sure she doesn't forget anything?"

Serenity laughed. "I am here to offer moral support. There are a lot of members of each family here, if I wasn't, my mother would be alone."

"I didn't even think of that." Endymion's gaze rested on the kind Queen's back. "She is very calm and gentle, isn't she? She rules with a strong but loving hand."

Serenity nodded. "She does indeed. Her kindness is not a weakness to be exploited."

Endymion offered Ami a nod to include her as well. "The two of you were talking before I arrived, what about?"

"We were trying to figure out how much of the land we would see before Sapphire grew tired." Ami admitted. "We were having a bit of a friendly wager."

"What are the stakes?" Endymion inquired.

"Whoever loses has to jump into the river." Serenity answered.

"But don't the two of you do that all the time anyway?" He remembered clearly how he had been pushed into the depths and how he had somehow managed to keep his head above before someone had helped him out, one of the guards.

"Yes..." Ami drawled. "But that's why it is a friendly wager."

"Then I don't get how-"

Serenity sighed, giving in. "Because mother hates it when I do it with my dress still on and that's part of the terms."

"That's only a punishment for losing if you lose, but what about Ami?"

"She has to do it with a dress on." Serenity insisted.

"I really don't-"

"Serenity's ignoring the fact that you are unaware of some of the finer details going on around here, that you couldn't know. I hate swimming with extra layers because then I can't go as fast or smoothly." Ami looked around Serenity to hold Endymion's gaze as she explained. Then she looked at her friend. "Why are you being difficult?"

Serenity shrugged. "I guess I forgot at first that he didn't know, and then it was fun to see him guess at it." Ami rolled her eyes for Endymion's benefit and he didn't feel annoyed at all. "Look, it's already happening." She touched Ami's arm before pointing at Sapphire. He was lagging behind and Demando had to pull him on to keep up, but then even Demando started falling out of step and then he stood waiting as Sapphire sat down on the ground.

Ami sighed miserably. "You win."

Serenity gave a little cheer that was blatantly ignored by her mother though the other adults turned to look at her curiously. She lowered her raised fist and blinked innocently at them. They turned back to where Selene was telling them about how in this area it was a popular location to find fish.

Sapphire started fussing at Demando who attempted to pick him up. "No!" He batted at his brother's hands. "I don't want you to carry me!"

"Well then walk." Demando held out his hand, but Sapphire refused to get up.

"Your legs are too long." Sapphire pouted. "Its too hard to keep up."

Serenity stopped by them and lowered into a squat, her light pink dress pulling at her knees as she bent and she smiled kindly at him. "I know how you feel. My mother is a giant! Even your brother seems to have a stride that I can't match. You know what I do instead?"

Sapphire looked at Serenity for a long time, waiting on her words, but she didn't say. Finally he shook his head no. "What?"

"I run." Sapphire laughed and rubbed at his legs. "But you're too tired now to do that?" He nodded at her and she held out her hands. "I'll carry you if you wish. It's not as scary from how close we are to the ground."

Sapphire latched onto Serenity's neck and buried his head there, his legs wrapping around her waist and she wobbled into a stance. He had one heck of a death grip on her. Endymion held out a hand to stabilize her, but she didn't need it. Demando was looking at Serenity and his brother with a peculiar look on his face. Then he came forward. "I can take him."

Sapphire turned his head back and forth, not wanting his brother to and Serenity ran a hand down his back. "It's all right. I have him for now." She laced her fingers together beneath him, just in case and continued walking. His little belly pressed against hers and her heart melted a little at how trusting he was with her.

Demando hung back with her for awhile, Endymion and Ami strolling together off to the side and the two of them seemed to be getting along well. Demando pulled Serenity into a discussion and he had her laughing the entire time.

It wasn't too long of a walk. Artemis laughed up ahead of them as they headed back, and towards dinner. "You sure do know how to stir up an appetite Selene."

Serenity's stomach rumbled as she realized suddenly that she was too. "We're making a dish from Endymion's country." Serenity told Demando, though Endymion was in hearing distance. "They sent down some ingredient last week and the chefs have managed to figure out a way to make it and incorporate it into our cooking style." Her eyes flickered over to Endymion. "I hope that you're not too distraught by the change."

"I'm sure it will be another good different."

Serenity's muscles were starting to strain under Sapphire's slight weight and she shifted him again, more frequently than she had before and she talked with Ami, looking away from the boys. Endymion plucked Sapphire right out of her hands without her noticing and he gave the child back to his older brother who took him without a second thought. Sapphire didn't stir. Though an annoyed expression did cross Demando's features when Serenity's head was turned after thanking the dark haired boy. Endymion seemed undaunted by it.

–

Dinner was an entertaining affair. Or at least it was for the boys. The girls their age and nobles all gathered around and made room for themselves. Serenity was squashed between several of them and Ami had been brushed aside all together as if she didn't exist. The only reason Serenity didn't fair the same fate was because she was the Princess and theirs on top of it. The male nobles of that age looked on with mixed emotions.

Serenity kept looking back to Ami who was back to eating with her family and seemed amused by the hormonal teenagers blocking her view from her food as all of the girls asked a hundred of questions and all were sighing over how attractive the two boys were. Serenity really didn't think so and the boys looked a little awkward as well, clearly not old enough to be interested in those kinds of attentions yet. In another year or two maybe. Serenity was really out of loop on that. She thought they were cute, sure, but not that cute.

"Excuse me." She said over the blabbering of girls and pulled her plate out, smearing some of the sauce on some of the dresses on its way towards her. She tried to catch the Princes' attention over their heads. "I'm going to go eat with Ami and her family." She got out of her chair and it was instantly filled with another girl.

On her way over, she heard her mother speaking to their parents. "Well the boys are certainly well-received. I highly doubt one of them will have a difficulty in securing a marriage in the future."

"Too true." Raye agreed, catching sight of Serenity. "Serenity, come join us. I want to know all about you." Raye patted the seat next to her. Her husband was on her other side and Serenity hesitated, usually she would sit next to her mother if she sat up there. Selene tilted her head forward, giving her agreement that she could and Serentiy sank into the seat beside the younger woman. Luna just seemed older than Raye, though her mother seemed older than both, but just barely.

"Queen Raye, it is a pleasure to join you." Serenity finally had an entertaining meal, and she could actually eat in peace now, or at least had space.

Raye was an entertaining woman who was full of lively banter and entertaining stories. Her son took after her in no way that Serenity could see, except maybe he was finally learning some of her charm. If Serenity had to say he took after either in looks or personality, both would have been laid at his father's doorstep until she'd seen him again today. If she didn't have a clear visual memory of her past, she would have suspected that he wasn't the same person at all, that a new boy had taken over his role as prince.

Serenity found she could talk to Raye about anything. They discussed hair and clothing and it was interesting how different opinions were in the different regions of their larger land. "I'll bring you a few of my dresses from my younger days the next time I see you. As well as some newer fashions for your age. Will you take me shopping here in your Kingdom?"

Serenity readily agreed, she enjoyed doing so, and not just for clothes. Raye smiled brightly at Serenity. "Thank you for being so kind to me. I must seem totally alien to you."

Raye laughed. "No my dear, you are a fresh change of pace. I am surrounded by males it seems in our Kingdom. I enjoy my conversations with my son and husband, but I really miss the idea of a girl to share all my wisdom with. I longed for a daughter, but I got a son instead." Raye's eyes lingered on the one she just mentioned. "Though he has turned for the better in recent years. Perhaps I was just too hard on him."

Serenity didn't know what to say to that, but when she looked down at her plate for an excuse to have her mouth already occupied, she saw that her plate was clean. She bit her tongue. She didn't know what to think about him. He was so different than the older boy she had first met and yet despite being more ready to talk and discuss and charming, he still seemed a little cold.

Squaring her shoulders, she nodded, she would just have to try harder, perhaps be herself a little more and less this personality she pulled on over herself when she knew she would have to be entertaining fellow royalty and this time she had to be more mature. It just felt like a dress that was too tight and she couldn't breath. She hated it, she was only twelve after all. Though Ami loved it, Ami should have been the one born into royalty, she fit it perfectly. Serenity's thoughts usually went down that mutinous path some days when her mother compared the two, but with Raye's praise, Serenity felt for the first time like she really could be a princess, that she was similar to her mother in some way. It made Serenity long to be more like the beautiful woman related to her by blood.

"Perhaps some day you shall have a daughter as well?" Serenity innocently asked and she did not miss the clouds forming over Raye's face and the pain in her hand as the Queen squeezed it painfully and then everything cleared and Raye was smiling at her once more.

"No, my lovely girl, I don't think that will be happening." Raye patted Serenity's hand and then went back to eating. Serenity didn't understand but didn't press it. Serenity's eyes scoured over the crowd and she saw Endymion ignoring all of the girls trying to talk to him, his attention otherwise occupied and Serenity found it on her and his mother. There was a scowl once more on his features.

Serenity looked away, not wanting to see the look in his eyes. She caught a waiter's attention and had more food brought to her, to occupy her time if nothing else.

Dinner finished without much longer of a wait and Serenity went to join Ami but her mother cleared her throat. "We have a welcoming show for our royal guests. All of the nobles are invited to share in it as well." Selene led them to another room.

Water started jumping, music playing and colors shimmered through the glass-like streams falling from the ceiling. The music was slow and concise, a low beat that was punctured to match every staccato movement of the dancers all in shimmering blue. Men and women both showcased who they were, the thing they represented the most. It was one of Serenity's favorite shows, it got better each year when she saw it again.

She also liked to see their reactions. Every one of their guests were enthralled by the performance and Serenity was pleased that they enjoyed it. Some more than others, but all of them at least took something away from it. Serenity also enjoyed the waterworks herself, each time was new and different for her, as the water never fell in exactly the same way.

Today it seemed the greatest enthusiast for the show was Sapphire. He oohed and awed about everything. He tugged on Demando's hand and pointed at one thing, and then at another. Demando smiled down at the boy and it was such a soft look. Serenity couldn't help but watch and feel touched by the display.

Someone was watching her. Serenity's gaze swung to the other side but no eyes were on her when she looked. While she was looking, Endymion realized her attention was in his direction and he looked back at her, a slight frown gracing his features as he learned she was eying all of them, wondering about something. His gaze swept quickly across his family's faces, but they were all enjoying the water show. Serenity shrugged and then turned her attention back on to the dancers.

At a point during the festivities, Sapphire began to grow sleepy again and he leaned heavily on his brother. Sapphire's other hand wrapped around Serenity's and didn't want to let go until she agreed to say goodnight in his room. Serenity looked back at Ami frantically as they were lead away, she had no idea what to do with children, Ami had less idea than she did and her friend smiled cheekily at her, waving her goodbye. Endymion stood at Ami's shoulder, watching the Princess and Princes walk away with brooding eyes. It seemed as if the old Endymion had come out after all.

EAN: So, the next chapter, maybe two will continue with this age but then there will be a time jump again. I'll let you know when that happens. :)