Chapter Eight

Brightest Night or Darkest Day

Serenity shaded her eyes with her hand, turning from the man in front of her she watched the sun filled horizon. The thick black domes that harbored the vampires were clear in the light of day, an obstruction of the landscape and a fear of those with in the walls of the castle. The thick domes were something that had blinded sided those in command; no one had realized how powerful the magic was that the vampires had. The best that could be figured was that the mages took the shadows that hid in the daylight and used them to their advantage. Hiding their forces, and holding an impenetrable wall.

Much in the way she took the light from the night and used it to benefit her.

Despite the power of magic that the vampires were carrying with them, those who commanded the darkness were too drained at night to be of any use to the forces at night, a grateful respite from absolute power.

Licking her lips she crouched back down in the shade and finished the bandages on one young boy. Far too young to be in this battle, but then in times like this the young were called to duty and elders were left to watch them die. Hopefully the sandy haired boy in front of her would not be one of those throw up on the burn pile on the outside the thick white stone walls. Even with out the wind that had whipped through the castle grounds the last three days the smoke and smell of burning flesh was highly present around them.

The burnt the bodies of their dead, a decree by Endymion. To prevent them begin turned in to monsters and allied with their enemies. She had seen his face the first night he had issued the proclamation, and the pain on his face was etched into her memory. He blamed himself for the predicament of his people and he lumped himself in with the monsters that were out there steadily breaking in the walls and killing their forces with hatred.

Smiling to the sandy haired young man she moved down the line of injured and finished up her patch work and started towards the small group of refugees that were out in the yard. Usually about this time everyday most of those inside the castle were sleeping or preparing for the battle to come that night, but these brave women and elders had breached the castle walls and had come to her aid to help with the injured. They smiled to the injured and offered comfort to those who died in the fits of pain and agonizing sickness.

Across the yard she watched as Ethan and a small group of boys wear themselves out in play. Behind them toddled a small two year old girl with bright green hair and equally as green eyes. Even at such a young age it was obvious that she would be a beauty, but at the present she to occupied with Ethan to care. Ethan picked her up and swung her wide in the air, grinning at her giggles and demands for more.

"He is so good with her," Serenity turned and found the child's mother next to her. Heloise was now almost nine months pregnant with her second child, but that had not stopped the Earth priestess from helping. Serenity suddenly frowned as she noticed the older woman's waning complexion and shaky stance.

"He is," Serenity confirmed, "Are you alright?"

Heloise shook her head, and tears fell from her large green eyes, "My husband died in last night's battle. I just don't know how I will raise my two children with out him. How I will learn to survive this birthing. I feel weak Serenity, as though I was dieing inside and my body was fading along with it."

Serenity turned sharply, "Is it time?"

Biting her lip Heloise answered, "I'm not sure, my first birthing was not like this…I'm scared."

Wrapping an arm around the woman she called Ethan forward and told him to take Mara in to the throne room and play with her there. Her mother was not feeling well. Ethan looked concerned but went collect the girl before tugging her off to the castle. Mara went willingly and offered many kisses along the way.

Moving Heloise inside Serenity tried not to show her concern but something was defiantly wrong.

- - - -

"She's a good woman my son, I'm glad that you found her." Endymion turned from the covered window he had been peaking out of to the older woman standing behind him. He didn't need to ask what his mother was referring too. Since the siege had begun three days ago, Serenity had not stopped working. She cooked, cleaned, bandaged, washed, and took charge of every situation. The people went to her, asked question, and leaned in times of loss and distress. And not once through all of it had she offered a complaint or shrunk from her duties.

He was proud of her.

He was in love with her.

He only nodded to his mother, but he should have known she would not let go of the subject so easily.

"I can see the conflict inside of you Endy. You think that you can hide from me, that these old eyes are not as clear as they used to be. You want her so badly, and yet your afraid of yourself…that you will hurt her." She moved closer, and placed a wrinkled hand on his, "You think that with out a cure there will be no life for the two of you, that she could do better to find another man. And yet with all that said you cannot bear to be the one to let her go. Instead you will push her hard enough that she will leave on her own. And then what my son…you will have nothing." His mother looked in to his eyes, and he knew that she was right in what she said. That he was pushing her away, but he couldn't seem to stop…he was afraid…of himself…his monster…his past…and of her.

She didn't wait for an answer but continued on, "Leave it be, and let her make the decision unhindered, I believe she will surprise us all." She left him there in the war room, all alone with his thoughts and with mounds of paper work.

He soaked up her words and turned back to what he was doing. The supplies were running out fast with so many people inside the walls. The walls were crumbling under the onslaught and he was quickly running out of ideas and allies.

- - - - - - - -

"I know how to command troops!" Lita bellowed in the large bedroom. For the first time her anger was not directed at Nephrite…instead at her father.

He snorted, "My way is better."

Lita shot him a glare and thought how ironic as he taught her to command the troops, "Really? Is that why your injured and in bed, while I'm doing just fine?" she smirked.

Her father purpled in rage, and began to sputter but in the end sent her a sulking gaze. The both knew what the problem was…she was not her brother. While she had been the first born, her father had doted on her baby brother and to him went all the praise and high rank.

Lita refused to back down, "You put me in command of your troops when you fell in battle. I will do what I see is necessary and I will keep them alive. Now father I have a meeting to attend." She turned around.

"Lita! Come back here."

Of course she didn't she was far to stubborn and thankful when Queen Pelee entered the room behind her to sooth her fathers nerves and tend to him. Her emotions were out of control as she stalked down the corridors to the war room. Throwing open the large doors she headed straight for Nephrite and plopped down in his lap. She noted his supreme surprise but she really didn't care as she tucked her head under his chin and took the comfort that she needed. He didn't ask what had brought his on, but held her and rubbed her back slowly. The other generals and Prince had a rather startled expression, but Ami laughed out right and even Rei cracked a smiled.

These moments were what was holding them together…just barely…but at least they were together.

"Where are Serenity and Mina?" Malachite asked, he hadn't seen his wife all day.

"A birthing, I believe," Zocite said thoughtfully, "The woman requested them. An Earth priestess I believe."

"Green hair?" Endymion questioned.

Zocite nodded.

- - - - - - -

Serenity held a screamed green eyes girl in her arms, and watched with a solemn expression as Mina closed Heloise's eyes. She had died during the last minutes of child birth, whispering in a fading voice, "Tell them I love them so." Across the bed she met Mina's eyes and watched as the tears began to fall. To soon however, the small baby's voice broke through the pain and they started to clean her.

"Let me hold her," Mina said, scooping the little girl out of Serenity's arms. Wrapping her in a clean white blanket, Mina pulled the child to her breast and began to hum. The soft song lulled the child to sleep. Watching the large green eyes close, Mina could barely keep the tears from her own. Two children were now with out a family and the little one would not make it with out the proper care. Children born amidst the battles of mortals rarely did. The pressure and the lack of care left them for dead.

"What should we name her?" Mina gulped out.

"Heloise? After her mother would be nice," Serenity answered, before calling a guard and walking with Mina down the hallway. They still had Mara to tell and to care for. The walk seemed so very long for the both of them, and thoughts of the pending war and heartache raged in both of their minds. Together they entered the war room, and gazed at those surrounding the table.

"Serenity?" Endymion question, getting up to hold her in his arms. He hated seeing such pain.

"The mother…the mother didn't live through the birthing." She stopped, to take a deep breath before continuing, "the baby has an older sibling that was with Ethan, and I came to find her." She leaned into him, taking in his strength.

"Well Ethan's right here," Rei called, looking down at the sleeping boy in her arms.

Malachite laughed, "Then this must been who you are looking for." Mara was on his lap, and non to gently tugging on his hair. Offering a smile she practically crawled all over him. Looking across the table at this wife, he opened his heart allowing for her to feel his love before saying, "It seems my love, that our wish for a child has been granted," he grunted as Mara nearly fell off his lap, "Though it seems we are getting two in this bargain."

Mina smiled back, and crossed the room. Offering both to have a peak at the small baby…and all could see the joy they shared at having a family.

In years to come Mina would say that it was a bit abruptly…but she would never change it for the world.

A short chapter I know…but I thought that it was important for the set up of relationships and character plot. In the next chapter you will be getting the war. Though it might take me a week or two to get that up. Actually I had considered putting it in this chapter. But it just didn't see appropriate so its in the next, and I hope you all like how the stories progressing.

Love,

Danielle.