Title: PEACE AND WAR
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon
Authors Notes: There was a review after my last chapter saying that Jedeite has blonde hair not black hair. So I looked it up. I can't believe that all this time I just assumed his hair was black. I've written a few stories with him in it with black hair. I was just so surprised that I completely had it wrong this whole time. I thought I knew the story pretty well. I'm going to leave it the way it is for this story, but maybe in future stories I'll get it right. Thanks for pointing out my mistake!
Enjoy the new chapter!!!! Please review!!!!
Serenity watched the well dressed royalty from distant lands walk into the palace. It seemed surreal to her. Some of them she had met before and she smiled politely and wished them luck and happiness while in the country. Others she didn't know and couldn't help but be afraid of.
Her mother had explained to her what was happening today. Weeks ago she had talked with Darien and they were to negotiate peace. Not just between to or three country's, but throughout the whole land. The idea was daunting, but she wasn't surprised that Darien had come up with it. Now that his own war was over and his country was living in peace, he could not be content unless he was fighting for something.
Prince Diamond had been called home, but his army had half stayed in their lands, ready to attack at a moments notice. She was scared.
Prince Diamond came in with his father and brother, and he looked at her with eyes filled with lust. He looked confident, like he knew beyond a doubt that he would win. But she just squared her shoulders and turned back to the rest of the crowd. He might be right, but she would not let him get to her. The idea of united peace throughout the land was unthinkable. But she prayed for it none the less.
Darien walked in then, with his four guards behind him and his sister on his arm. She felt her heart leap into her throat at the sight of them.
As was her duty, she stood firmly in her spot while they came up to her and her mother. She curtsied deeply and smiled politely.
"Welcome to the palace," she said softly. "I hope your stay here is peaceful and enjoyable."
Darien just looked at her. It was the first time she had seen him since she had been in his country and she felt awkward in his presence. It was like there were unspoken words between them, and she wanted nothing more then to speak with him in private. But they acted as if they were simply mild acquaintances.
Raye smiled at her with happy eyes. "I have much to tell you," she said grasping her hand tightly. "I hope we will find time to speak while everyone is within their negotiations."
Serenity nodded. "I am to take part in them a little, but I am sure we will find time. I will find you and show you were my room is so we may visit. Is Lita coming?"
"Yes," Raye said happily. "But not until tomorrow. She was detained while we were leaving and had no choice but to wait."
Serenity nodded seeing her mother eye her gently.
"I will see you soon," Raye said excitedly.
Serenity looked at Darien's guards and felt little under their gaze. She curtsied to them and they all bowed to her, but her eyes lingered on Jedeite. He seemed to study her and she wondered what question he was asking himself.
It did not take long for everyone to get there. It was spread over three days as some people were coming from a great distance, but it seemed like only moments before the negotiations were to start.
Darien looked over the whole room honestly surprised that so many people had come. He had expected a handful and that would be enough. But it seemed that every ruling party of all the countries of the land were curious about the new treaty. It gave him hope.
Serenity was sitting at the front of a crowd of females. His eyes could not help but linger on her for just a moment longer. It seemed so long ago that he had thought they would end up happy. But now, he wasn't so sure. Raye sat beside her, and then there was Lita, Mina and Amy all looking tense and excited.
The room quieted when the Queen called them to order and thanked them all for coming, and then Darien stood up to give the first speech. He took a deep breath, trying to calm him nerves. His hands shook but he did not let it show.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I know that some of you have come a great distance to be here today and I thank you for you time and effort. I know that even as we speak some of you are still fighting wars that have gone on a lot longer then intended." There was a general murmur that went throughout the room. "This meeting is meant for only one thing, and that is peace."
Darien knew from the sound of the crowd that some royals thought peace a far fetched idea. He gulped and continued.
"I know that we have all been brought up in times of war, and we cannot see a world without it. We have attacked one another time and time again and we have never been able to see another way of doing things. That is what we are here to discuss. I want us to consider negotiating terms of trade so that we all have what we need to survive, and nobody needs to go to war."
Serenity looked around the room. Everyone was listening, or at least pretending to listen. Her eyes fell on Prince Diamond who seemed to be looking at a woman across the room. He smiled at her. Serenity felt sorry for that woman.
Some people looked doubtful, and some looked curious. Was it enough to work.
She watched her mother stand up and explain her rules of peace, and some of them seemed to resonate around the room while others caused laughter and jest. But they didn't have to agree with all of them.
And then one by one, those royals who were at war or who were thinking of war stood up to outline the things they wanted.
It happened so slowly Serenity was sure she would die of the anticipation. Each issue was argued until some sort of deal could be decided on. Why go to war for a needed resource when you could trade for one you had plenty of? Some seemed excited about the idea, and some seemed apprehensious.
It went on for hours that day and by the end Serenity had a headache. She had come to the unfortunate conclusion that people could not ever agree on anything.
She went to her room directly after the evening meal had been served. They were still in there arguing. It would go on until late and then start again the next day. She sighed at the thought.
She saw Raye walking towards her bedroom with Lita and stopped her.
"It really is the most boring thing in the world to watch people argue about war," Raye said stretching her stiff muscles as the five girls spread out on Serenity's bed.
She smiled gently.
"Do you think they'll continue on far into the night?" Amy asked.
"No," Lita said. "Another hour or two and it will be called. But this will go on for days."
Mina looked at Serenity and saw the worry lines around her eyes.
"How long does something like this take?" Mina asked.
"Something like this has never been tried before," Raye said. "What Darien is trying to do is so far beyond any one single dream of peace. I don't know why he's reaching this far. Surely he can find another way to stop Diamond from marrying you Serenity."
"Prince Diamonds father has already signed the treaty," Serenity said. "Mother told me a few days ago. If they are to attack us, then those who have also signed it would curse his land until he was completely ruined."
"Then why is this still happening?" Lita asked. "Doesn't that mean you are not in danger of another war?"
"I am already engaged to him," Serenity said sadly. "To refuse him now would give reason for a war. I am sure when it is their turn to give their demands I will be involved. There is nothing Darien can do."
Raye looked at Serenity when she used her brothers' real name and smiled. "What do you suppose his plan is?"
"I don't know," Serenity said softly.
Mina held her hand tightly and Serenity turned to her to see her friend smiling sympathetically at her.
"It turns out you are wiser than me," she said softly.
Mina shook her head. "Serenity, I should not have….."
"You were right," she said sadly. "I was never free to give him my heart. I should have listened to you then. That one decision has ruined everything. If I hadn't told him, then….."
"Then nothing," Mina said sternly. "You would have regretted it you whole life. You cannot hide what your heart feels and you certainly cannot act against it."
Serenity watched her speak.
"I wish there was something we could do," Amy said frustrated.
"Unfortunately there's not. None of us are in a position of that kind of power. We can help by supporting those we believe in," Raye said.
Serenity sat alone late that night and found herself thinking of him. Her room was dark and she had long ago heard the whole palace go to sleep. She was the only one left awake. She looked up at the moon peaking out from the thick dark clouds. At this moment, it had stopped raining. But for how long she didn't know.
She looked back into the darkness of her room and sighed. She would never be able to fall asleep.
Hesitating again, she made a decision.
Quickly she pulled her evening coat around herself and walked to her closed doors. She pressed her ear to them, picking up no sound before unlocking the heavy lock and peering into the blackness of the hall. Even her brightly lit palace turned to shadows during the night.
She walked without a sound, her long robes drifting behind her tangled with her hair. She hardly breathed at all as she made her way into the guest wing.
She knew which room was his as she knew which room all the other guests were staying in. There was no a sound coming from anywhere.
His door stood dark and silent in front of her and she felt her heart beating in her ears. She knew it would be locked but there was more than one way into each room. Just like Darien knew his castle, she knew hers. She gently moved a piece of the door away and it revealed a delicate lock.
She used a small key she had been holding in her hand and unlocked it. A small portion of the door gently opened and she walked in silently locking it again behind her. She put the key in her pocket and peered through the shadows. His bed was empty.
Serenity looked around the room wondering where he might be. She stepped a few feet in.
Suddenly she was grabbed from behind and she couldn't help but give out a short cry of surprise before a hand was over her mouth. Her mind froze in fear, until she recognized his scent.
"What are you doing here?" He whispered in her ear, leaning in close to her.
Serenity tried to get over her shock, but the feeling of him so close to her sent paralyzing shivers through her. "I had to see you," she answered honestly.
"This isn't the best idea," he said gently releasing her so she turned around in his embrace.
"It has been brought to my attention that I do not always make the best decisions."
Darien looked down at her, but they were both shadowed in dark.
"What if this doesn't work?" She asked after a moment.
"Then I will take you away from here," he said softly.
Serenity shook her head. "I won't let you."
Darien sighed, still holding her close. "I won't let you marry him."
"I will do what I have to do for my country," she said gently. "But that does not mean that I will forget about you."
She hesitated before continuing.
"If there is a chance I am to marry him, I don't want to have any regrets in regards to you."
Darien watched her struggle with herself. He wasn't sure he understood her meaning but his heart suddenly thumped loudly in his chest.
"I want to show you how much I support you and your dreams of peace. I want to give you my love so that you will have the strength to continue on."
"Serenity, maybe you should think about what….."
"I have thought about it," she said gently. "I have thought about it for a long time. I want to do this Darien."
She could tell he was hesitating.
"If this works we'll be together anyways," Darien said.
"If it doesn't we might never see each other again."
She pressed her body against his, trying to convince him of her intent.
Darien wanted nothing more than to take what she was offering him, but his struggle continued. He wanted her more than anything, but could he really do this with her right now?
Serenity was sure he would deny her. After a few minutes she was preparing herself to leave.
And then he kissed her.
Serenity was nearly knocked off her feet by the passion he suddenly seemed to pulse into her. He pulled her to him, almost desperately.
After a moment Serenity felt herself pushed against the wall and his kisses became more intense. She felt his body against hers, heating her with a fire that she could not explain. His smell was all around her.
Darien tried to savor the taste of her knowing that this might be the only time he was ever allowed to be with her. He felt almost desperate for her. He lifted her against him, using the wall to support the both of them. Then he turned around and walked towards his bed. He gently lay her down, not breaking contact with her at any time. Slowly he moved himself on top of her.
Serenity let his body mold to hers. She felt his hand move up her leg, firmly caressing her skin as he moved her nightgown out of the way. He broke away after a moment and pulled his own shirt off and over his head exposing his bare chest.
The feel of his hot skin sent pleasure though her very core and she couldn't help herself from touching him. His kisses became more and more passionate as their skin touched.
She arched her back to allow him to easily pull her nightgown up more, and then lifted her shoulders off the bed to continue the motion.
He looked at her.
Serenity felt the heat of his skin radiate off of him and she felt exposed as he looked at her body. She breathed deeply. She wanted him to touch her.
"You are so beautiful," he said bending down to kiss her collar bone. His lips caressed her skin. He ran his hand down her body. "Are you sure this is what you want?" He asked.
Serenity looked up at him. Her heart beat with nerves. This was going against everything she had ever believed in. She was going against the wishes of her mother and the best interest of her country. She was provoking a war. If anyone ever found out she might very well be ruined.
"Yes," she whispered.
Darien sat in the chair watching the other royals come into the meeting room. He couldn't stop thinking about the night before. His mind re-lived the night over and over again in pleasure.
"Are you alright?" Jedeite asked sitting beside him.
Darien just nodded. He couldn't help but smile.
Jedeite looked at him oddly. "What happened?"
"Nothing to concern you," Darien said gently. But his eyes were suddenly captured by Serenity walking into the room and Jedeite was surprised at the change.
Serenity seemed to glow as she had the first time he had seen her. It was as if all the darkness had simply left her and she was back to being pure happiness. She met Darien's eyes and tried to hide a smile.
Jedeite felt his heart pounding in his chest as he realized the situation.
"Are you mad!?" He asked Darien harshly.
Darien just smiled. "I think I might be."
The arguments lasted another whole two days before it seemed that progress had been made. Everyone had made their arguments except Darien.
He stood up doing his best not to look at Serenity. Those who had already signed the document had not given their arguments because it was known they had already negotiated their terms.
He looked over the crowd, his eyes resting on Prince Diamond for a moment.
"We have come a long way with our negotiations and I think that we will soon be able to come to a conclusion. The only name left to sign will be mine."
The room murmured with confusion.
"I know that I am the one presenting this treaty and it is odd that I should not automatically sign it, but I do have one single term. My name will head this treaty and seal it. I will use my army to ensure that every person in this room does not go against the terms they have agreed to today. I will act as the one responsible for continuing the peace long after this day. But only if the engagement between Princess Serenity and Prince Diamond is broken."
The room seemed to gasp at once.
Serenity looked at him startled.
Prince Diamond stood up in fury.
Darien smiled.
End of Chapter Seventeen
Please Review!
