A Lost Princess
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon
Authors comments: I have to admit that when i start a story i don't
really know where it's going until it happens. It's as much a
surprise for me as to anyone reading it.
Send comments!
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The first week was somewhat uneventful actually, and it was
something that she wasn't unhappy about. She journeyed at every
moment, at most times walking herself in order to save her horse. She
ate only when she absolutely had to, thus loosing the little bit of
weight that her thin figure had ever held. But she was strong, and
she kept on through even the worst of weather.
It was in the second week that she even met another traveller,
and she wished she had not met him. Her was a heavy man, being put in
the politest of ways. He walked with a limp, and panted heavily like
he had never had any exercise before in his life. His stomach stood
out far from his frame, and his face was damp and red from his
exertion.
Serena was walking along her horse at the time, and the
repulsive look that he had cast on her made her stomach lurch, and her
head swim. She felt dirty, even in the exact moment. And it got
worse, for he had spoken to her.
"What is a pretty little thing like you doing out in a place
like this?" He asked stepping right up to her. He was obviously a
wealthy man, judging by his expensive suit and gold ring. He leaned
close to her, his foul breath suffocating her. She had no wish to
answer, so moved on.
"Oh come now, don't be shy," he laughed at her, following
slowly as she hurried past him. He reached out to her and placed his
hand on her waist. That was when she spun around on him.
"You're a feisty young one aren't you, and I bet you're just
ripe huh?" He looked her up and down for a second time, and she
looked away, ready to move on. "I have a proposition for you my dear,
one that might benefit you greatly. All you need do is wash up a bit,
get rid of the smell, and you would be the greatest of mistresses to
me."
That was enough, she fully turned away and sprang up onto her
horse. Within another second, she had run past him and left him
behind her, hopefully forever. But the feeling of disdain that she
had received upon looking at him had stayed with her, so she had
bathed at the next lake that she had come across, ridding herself of
the dirty feeling.
After ten days of long travelling she came across a very
small village. On first glance, she knew that she wouldn't be able
to stay there, not even for a moment. But the deep rumble in her
stomach begged her to stop.
She approached a tavern, looking through the windows. She saw
them all in there, all the men after a long days work. They were all
drinking, looking to have a great time. Her stomach would have to
wait.
All in all, she was disgusted with even the site of men. She
could not believe that an entire rave of people might live in such a
dank way. Only the thought of her well to do father, who had never
set foot in a tavern unless meeting with a client set her at ease.
Perhaps there were some out there worth even speaking to.
Now, with her stomach aching, and her strength starting to
leave her, Serena pressed on through the night. Sterling, her horse,
was also getting weary, but his love for her kept him pushing on.
They shared a bond, girl and horse, and that bond held them together
even through the worst situations. Together they went, a pair made to
be whole, and they went until sleep over took them, and the rested
well out of site of any path.
Serena awoke with the wetness of rain starting to splash down
on her, and she felt nothing but disappointment at the sudden change
in weather. With nowhere to stay, rain was not something she had
wished for throughout her journey. She had hoped that the fall
drought would have continued on. But now the winter rain was coming,
with all its icy winds and freezing temperatures. She knew that it
would weaken her, so she had to start away. The castle was getting
closer, if only she might reach it within the next few days, before
she was killed by either the cold or by hunger.
She sat on Sterling, knowing that the faster he went the
warmer he would stay. She pushed him on; he knew that she was
thinking of him only and not herself. They ploughed ahead, even as
the rain came down in sheets, drenching them. Serena could feel a
terrible chill coming over her, but she paid no head to it, for her
mission did not allow it.
When the day had come to an end, the rain had not. Serena
had long got off her horse, giving him a rest from his exertion. She
walked quickly beside him, and it became apparent that she would have
to walk all night, and so it was what she did.
But the rain finally did stop, and she was glad for it. The
wind however made up for the loss of its friend, and her soaked
clothes soon became cold event to the touch. The situation was
getting worse by the second.
When the sun rose, it came with the first spark of hope. She
could see the castle. It was very small in the distance, but it was
there non the less, and it made her heart soar, for she knew that she
might reach it.
With renewed hope she pressed on, and at noon she came into
the city that surrounded the great structure.
When she entered the city, it was to a few surprised glances
of the people. She realised the state she must be in, but after the
thought had come it left, for it wasn't important. She led Sterling
behind her through the crowded streets. She stopped only once to buy
some food and grain for herself and Sterling. After a short pause for
eating, again they started on towards the castle, but the looks still
came.
Serena realised that they were not sneering at her, but
looking on in amazement, like they might know her or something. It
puzzled her more than she could explain, for she had never been there
ever before. She only knew it from the books that Mrs. Dutton had let
her read from her library. Mrs. Dutton had been a neighbour of some
sort; a retired schoolteacher who had taken Serena under her wing and
taught her everything she knew. Through her, Serena had learned about
the royal family, the other planets and their royal families, the
history of the moon, the path of the stars and every other aspect of
writing, math, science and philosophy. She had been fascinated by
it all, and she had been glad of the knowledge given to her by so kind
a lady.
But now here she was, and the people stared at her as she
might have starred upon her cows newly alive. Something that she
would not ever expect happening. And so it came that she walked to
the palace gates, and the guards glared down at her without the
expression that the others held for her.
"I have come to seek guidance from the Queen," she said
seriously, standing tall against these guards. It helped that she
wasn't a short girl, but it didn't help that she looked as frail and
harmless in physical appearance.
"Who is calling on her?" One guard asked, testing her.
Serena stood tall. "My name is Serena Striker, and I come on
behalf of my family, simple farmers a two week journey from here."
"And why do you seek our Queen?" He asked.
"Because she is my Queen as well as yours, and I need her
help," Serena said.
The guards looked at one another, then one guard stepped
aside. "Come with me, and we shall see if she has time for a simple
farmer named Miss Striker," he said, doubt showing obviously in his
voice.
Serena followed, intent on talking to someone within the
castle.
Queen Selenity rested her head on her hands, while her elbow
rested on the table in front of her. There were other people in the
room, but she was tired, and she could only listen to them and not
talk.
The room consisted of the Queen herself, with four young girls
of about eighteen. These girls were the princesses from the four
inner planets of the solar system, who had been summoned to be her
daughters guards and therefore the sailor scouts. They had been with
her during the event that had taken her life away from her, but they
had only been at the age of five like her daughter had been and they had
no power to protect her.
They had stayed with her throughout the years, and they had
not once given up the search for their lost princess to whom they were
forever loyal.
Another person occupied the room, and that was the prince
Darien from earth. He was now the age of twenty-four, and had grown
into the most handsome man that was sure to ever been seen. But
despite this, he had confined himself to the moon palace, throwing
himself into the only task of helping with the search for his one day
bride to be. He could not find it in his heart to believe that she
was dead, but he could tell from the faded light in the Queens eyes,
that she had little hope left.
"Selenity, there is still more that we may do," Princess Amy,
who was Sailor Mercury said seriously. She spoke softly, but her
eyes were also fading.
"What is there that we haven't done?" The Queen asked
finally. "We have searched everywhere. I cannot think of anything
else to be done." She leaned back in her chair.
"Selenity, we must not give up hope," Princess Raye from Mars
said quietly.
"No Raye, I have long given up hope. I still pray that she is
alright, and that the evil has not been able to touch her, but my
power is running short, and I have not the strength to be brave
anymore."
They all looked to their Queen, saddening at her expression.
"There is still a kingdom here to be run, and I cannot loose
sight of them. They are my people, and they have to survive even
through my loss," The Queen said. "If I loose site of them, I might
never deserve my daughter back to me."
"Nobody thinks that this tragedy was your fault," Prince
Darien said softly. "It was nobodies fault. That is, it is not one
person more than the other."
"Why then did the crystal go with her?" The Queen asked. "I
have power over the moon, but it is weakening to me without the
crystal. It could not have been stolen, or else it would have been
used against us by now. I can only guess that the crystal went with
her, because it chooses who is worthy of it," The Queen explained.
"If Serenity has the crystal with her, then that adds to my
hope," Princess Mina from Venus said. "It will give her strength."
"But she had no power when she was taken, and then no means on
which to learn how to use the crystal. If she has it, then she might
not know what it is," Princess Lita from Jupiter said.
The Queen sighed. "I do not wish to dwell on this subject,
for I know that we will not come up with an answer. Please, let us
dwell on other matters for the moment," she said, and they all knew
that she was close to the tears that had been with her every day since
her daughters capture. It pained them all, but they all knew that she
was right.
At that moment there was a slightl knock on the door, and a
servant came in slowly. "I am sorry to interrupts your majesty, but
there is a young woman here who wished an interview with you," The
servant said evenly, bowing to show respect to the whole room, but
directing his bow at the Queen.
"Who is it?" The Queen asked.
"She says her name is Miss Striker, and she is a farmer from
the east. She comes for help, and I would say that she has travelled
a long way judging by her appearance." He stopped himself before
being rude.
"What does she look like?" Princess Raye asked.
"She is a farmer milady, and she is dressed the part. She is
a very pretty young girl, with blonde hair and fair skin, but she is
dirty and sickly, with little colour left in her cheeks from the
journey that she says took her two weeks," The servant explained.
"And what is it that she wants?" Prince Darien asked.
"She said that she has come to seek the Queens help, for her
family has fallen on some hard times and she comes as her only resort
to living through the winter," The servant answered.
"I think that we may see her," The Queen said evenly, leaving
no room for argument in case anyone might be thinking to object, but
none of them were. If this girl needed help, then they would give it.
They waited and quietly arranged themselves around the table
as the servant went to go and get the girl. They were all surprised
when she came in.
The first thing this girl did when shown in to the room, was
look towards the ceiling. It was evident that she was impressed with
the advanced paintings that adorned every roof in the castle, except
that of the princesses' chambers for those who knew it. She had
always said that it seemed to busy, and that she wanted a plain white
roof too look up to when she slept.
But this girl also grabbed their attention by her looks. By
everyone in the room, she might be the sister of their Queen sitting
beside them. She had the same clear blue eyes, and slightly paler
skin. They had the same structured cheekbones, and the same small
nose. The only difference would be this girl had golden blonde hair,
piled behind her in a messy state, while Selenity's was a white silver
colour, and it was brushed and down neatly as ever. She had captured
the attention of every one of them, for at once they all though it was
her.
But then Serena looked at them, and bowed quickly to show her
respect. She missed their looks, and started on why she was there.
"I beg forgiveness on my interruption, but I come on the most
urgent of terms," she said solemnly. "I am but a simple farmer, and
my family and I live two weeks journey to the east. My mother and
father are at our home now, where exactly two weeks ago our
livelihoods were taken. We farm cows your majesty, and the disease
that has pressed itself in the north has swept its ugly hands through
our land as well, killing all our cows. We had not yet gathered
enough for the winter, and we shall surely die unless I can find help.
That is why I implore you to help me, and I beg assistance in this
matter with the most urgency I can muster." She finished.
They all looked at her, not knowing how to react at first, but
then Prince Darien gathered his wits and realised that the idea of
this girl being the princess was highly improbable, but the idea never
left his mind.
"How is it then, that a farmer such as yourself gathered so
extensive a vocabulary as to address us like this?" He asked her.
Serena forgot herself at that moment, for she was too tired to
control her own wits. "Stupidity only exists in those who think
themselves better then those below him." She said indicating him
obviously.
Darien was surprised, and that was saying the least, but he
was not taken back by the comment. In fact, he admired this girl's
bravery, so he laughed. "You are right indeed, and I apologise for my
rudeness," he said.
Serena realised what she had said and took a step back. "May
I ask who you are?" She asked quietly.
Darien smiled and leaned back. "Who do you think I am?" He
asked, teasing her.
Serena glared at him. "If I had to guess, I would say that
you are the Prince Darien from the earth, but as you say I am just a
farmer, and have not the knowledge to place to high a regard on my
guess." She said evenly.
Raye couldn't help but laugh at the nerve of this girl. She
had finally got over her initial shock, and then along with everyone
else, immediately liked her.
"What did you say that your name was?" Raye asked easily.
"My name is Serena Striker," but then she thought about it.
"Or at least, that is what I am called." Something nagged at the back of
her, and she couldn't push the feeling away. She suddenly realised
that it might not be her name, and she might be called something
entirely different. She did not wish to live a lie.
The Queen leaned forward suddenly, catching Serena off guard.
"What do you mean by that?" She asked. "Come now, you can tell me
with the promise that I will tell no one if it is your wish."
Serena thought about it, but saw no harm in the matter. She
thought that any story was worth it if it would help save her family
back home. "When I set out to find you two weeks ago, my family was
well aware as I was, that I might never return. They therefore
decided that it was the right time for a world of truth.
They told me that I was indeed not their daughter, in the way
that my mother had never given birth to me. They said that they had
found me, half starved and near death at the age of five alone and
destitute at the site of carriage wreck a little ways off the path on
the way to their new home. They heard my cries and came to my rescue.
Since that day, they have cared for me and raised me as their own
child, for my mother was not able to have children of her own."
Serena explained.
"And did they not think about whose daughter you might be?"
The Queen demanded.
Serena was slightly taken back, but held her ground warily.
"What would you have expected them to do your majesty?" She asked.
"They were poor farmers, out in the middle of nowhere. Their home
lies away from an even smaller town, and we have forever provided for
all our own needs. They had no way to send out a message that I had
been found, and even then, have you any idea how many people would
claim me as their own with no proof but hostilities towards my
family."
"Was there no clue to who you were?" Amy asked.
"My mother gave me this when I was young," she said pulling a
long gold necklace out from under her dirty clothes. She was wearing
pants and a mans shirt, with a heavy cape over top and old boots. She
realised that not only was she dirty, but any woman who wore a mans
clothes was not usually kindly looked at.
The Queen held out her hand for the necklace, so Serena took
it off and gave it to her. "She told me at the time that it was what
made me unique, and it didn't occur to me until right now what that
meant. My family has never been wealthy enough to afford something of
that value, so I always wondered where it came from," Serena said.
The all examined it, and at once recognition dawned over all
their faces. It was indeed the necklace that had been given to her
upon her birth, by Darien for his bride to be. The all looked towards
him as he took the necklace in his hands and starred at it. Confusion
was easily read on his features.
"How did you get the name Serena?" Lita asked hurriedly.
"My mother said that it was what I called myself when they
asked my name. I was five when they found me, so I was able to talk
although I had no memory of my past before then."
There was silence for a few moments, and then the Queen looked
eagerly at the girl. "I will help your family in their time of need,
but I am afraid that it will come at a cost," she said.
Serena looked unsure about this. "I have no money in order to
pay . . .. ," she started, but was cut off by The Queen.
"I do not want your money, and I wish nothing permanent of
you. I fear for your health, that is all. You will give directions
to a servant of mine to where you house is, and he will then guide a
heard of cattle along with food and money to your family. You will
write a letter to them explaining that I have asked you to stay here
in the castle until I am fully satisfied that you are at full health,
and then I fear that I will not allow you to travel if it snows. That
would mean that you are to remain her until the spring. That is the
cost, and it is what I ask in return for my help," she said.
Serena almost said no, something about the offer plagued her.
But her families' interests were constantly upon her mind, and she
nodded her head silently. She was not happy about this, but she knew
that it was the only way.
"Very well, I wish for Princess Mina to show you where your
room will be until the time that you are to leave. I believe that you
will find some clothes there and the means of washing up. There will
be paper and a pen for you to write you letter, and a servant will be
along directly for the letter and your directions. Then you may clean
up before diner, for I would wager that you're hungry," she said.
Serena didn't directly answer, but nodded her head softly.
Mina got up from her chair and motioned that Serena should follow her,
she did.
"Is it her?" Lita almost vaulted over the table at The Queen,
asking the question resting on everyone's mind for sure.
"I'm not sure." But the Queen sounded excited, and the glow
in her eyes had reappeared almost to its fullest. Everyone knew that
she thought it was, and the hoped for her sake that it was.
"But how did she come here, why now? It doesn't make any
sense," Amy said.
Darien was the one to answer, for he had been silently working
it out in his head. "We couldn't find her because she didn't know she
was missing. We were looking for their hiding place, and didn't
realise that she might not be hiding at all. She lost her memory, so
she would have no pull back towards the castle. It was only chance
that brought her here today, and the love of her family who she would
do anything to save," he explained.
"Even without her years of royal schooling, she still grew
into the role of ruler. Only so many people can truly be faithful to
the ones that they love, and she has shown that to the fullest," Raye
said with admiration.
"But she doesn't know who she is, even now." The Queen said.
"We can't just tell her who we think that she is; it has to come out."
"That's why you invited her to stay," Lita stated for the
record.
"Yes, and I have instructed Mina to give her Serenity's old
room. Maybe if she sees things as she might remember them, her memory
of us will come back," The Queen said. "I can feel her again, like I
haven't felt her in a long time. It is her, I am sure of it." The
smile formed on her face, and her cheeks burned brighter than they had
in years. She could hardly sit still, and her eagerness to see her
daughter again was almost too much for her to hold in.
"We have to stay calm though," Amy said. "We might scare her
if we start acting all strange around her, and then she'll leave. We
must act like we don't know her and that we're just being kind to
someone in need."
"You're right, but it is too much. How could we have missed
her all these years? How could I have not felt her presence?" The
Queen asked falling back into her chair. "She has had to live her
life in such hardship, and I could not even speak to her."
"Maybe it was all for the best," Raye said. "Surely a Queen
who has been apart of the public would know better their needs than
someone who can only guess." She didn't mean it as a slight, and
everyone saw that.
"We should not talk about the future, for I have learnt that
it leads to only bad things happening. We will live in the present,
and we will show her our love for her even through these hard times."
The Queen stood. "I must go and arrange my promise to her." And they
all departed.
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End of Chapter 3
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