Chapter III. Approaching the Castle

Serenity found herself at a beautiful fountain. Lilies were planted all around the stone structure, while streams of crystal clear water flowed from a rose statue in the middle of the fountain. It was a simple yet entrancing illusion.

Endymion noticed her fascination with the water. "You like it?"

"Yes, I do," she replied softly.

The prince smiled. "One of my Shitennou sculpted it himself. He's quite artistic."

The moon princess's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Shitennou?"

"Ah yes, I forget where you come from," joked Endymion. "The Shitennou are my personal guardians. They assist me in protecting the Earth."

Serenity nodded. "I have guardians as well. They were sent from other planets to join me on the Moon."

"Really? That's quite interesting. I do notice, though, that they are not here with you. Where are they, if you are here alone?"

"I could ask you the same thing," retorted Serenity. She crossed her arms, upset at the prince's arrogance.

Endymion chuckled at the princess's indignation. "I do apologize, I believe I have offended you," he said, bowing low. "You are right to question me. I do not have to travel with them when I am within reasonable distance of the castle." He rose up and smiled. "So, then, what is your reason?"

Serenity was speechless for a moment, somewhat impressed by the prince's smooth answer. Not only was this man very well-mannered, but he was very well-spoken as well. It would figure such a man whom she fancied would have to possess what Luna would call a "smart mouth". He was just as rebellious as she was. That was fine—two could play this game, she reasoned. She reassumed a haughty demeanor and tried to act carefree. "Well, I can travel without them as I please," she said offhandedly, pretending to be interested in her nails.

"You left them on the Moon without notice, didn't you?" the prince inquired. Serenity stared at him in shock. "It is not hard to tell. You do not make for a good liar," he said gently with a dazzling smile.

Serenity pouted her lips in full. "Fine, you caught me. At least one of them knows my whereabouts. Besides, I could leave at any time."

"I wish you would not," spoke Endymion softly.

Serenity felt her heart skip a beat. Trying to retain her outward appearance, she calmly asked, "And why is that?"

"As I said before, there have been none as beautiful as you. I would request that you join me for dinner tonight."

"Tonight?" Serenity looked up. The sky had darkened and the same stars she saw from the moon peeked through the Earth's night sky. "Oh…I am unused to nighttime coming at such a strange time."

"I suppose things are different where you come from. Will you accept my invitation?" asked Endymion.

The blond princess turned to her newfound companion and nodded. "I should be delighted."

"Splendid. I am sure the cooks have already made their arrangements for the evening. They always make extra, however, so one more guest should not surprise them in the least. Come, let us go together." Endymion extended his arm to Serenity graciously.

Serenity smiled contentedly and linked her arm with his. Together, they made their way to the castle together.

"You let her do what?" asked an exasperated black-haired senshi. The four inner senshi, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus, had gathered in Jupiter's private chambers. This was after the other senshi had inquired as to the princess's whereabouts. Jupiter had asked them to move to a more private setting, and revealed the truth. As it appeared, the others did not have the same carefree attitude about the princess's trip.

"Shhh, Mars, you must not shout so loud," replied Jupiter. "It's a short venture. She will be back before anyone notices."

"Are you sure about that?" questioned a blonde beauty from the corner of the room. Venus herself seemed more agitated than usual. Her cheery demeanor had turned to concern and tension. "I do hope you warned her of scum that traverse that planet."

"Now, now," chided Mercury, her soft blue eyes shining with patience. "That certainly is not pleasant to say about those who live there. Have you even met a human?"

"No, but I do not intend to. I have heard enough stories of their actions, I do not wish to witness it," retorted Venus.

Gazing out the window of her room, Jupiter sighed. "Well, for what it is worth, I felt it was the right decision. I cannot explain it…but I think she was always meant to go." She turned to the other senshi. "Did you not see it, Mars?"

Venus and Mercury turned around to stare at the senshi of fire, who appeared stunned by the sudden disclosure. She said slowly, "Yes, I have seen it, but I have also seen disaster."

"Disaster with her actions tonight?"

"Disaster in the future."

Jupiter smirked. "Then it is not the same thing, is it?"

Venus' mouth was gaped open. "When were you planning on telling the rest of us? We are a team, remember?"

"Shhh, I am sure she had her reasons," murmured quiet Mercury.

Mars sighed. "I suppose it cannot be helped. In any case," she said to Jupiter, "if the Princess goes again, then one of us shall accompany her. Is that understood?"

Jupiter nodded, her green eyes blazing with excitement.

"Well, while we are on the subject girls, where is the pen?" piped up Venus.

…..

Serenity and Endymion made their way through a stone path from the garden leading to the castle. The sheer size of the castle immediately impressed Serenity—her own castle was rather large, but this one was quite larger. Stone angels hung from turrets high; carefully carved windows with stained glass glittered in the shimming night. The stone appeared dark and old, but at the same time, warm and familiar. Several towers stood high with intricate designs covering their roofs.

"It is quite impressive," the moon princess commented.

The prince replied, "It was built by my ancestors a long time ago. It has and always will be our stronghold."

"Your own personal fortress?"

"You could say it is such. It can be fortified with heavy security if there need be."

Serenity turned her head to the side. "Forgive me if I appear too forward, but do you…do you engage in battle?" She bit her lip in nervousness, afraid to offend the handsome man by her side.

Endymion stopped in his tracks, gently pulling Serenity to a stop as well. "Now where would you get an idea like that?"

Serenity looked down in shame, all the more secure in her fear of upsetting the prince. "I have heard of wars that occur on this planet. It is said that they occur quite often and sometimes for no reason at all."

Endymion stared at her curiously. "Well, you should not accept only what you hear."

"But you mentioned security…"

A sigh erupted from the prince. "That comment was meant for a good impression only. I wanted you to feel safe and secure here. While we do hear of rumors of raids in cities far away, it has not occurred here in quite some time." He studied the young princess carefully. "Have you ever seen war?"

His partner shook her long ponytails. War…Luna had mentioned it briefly in a lesson, though Serenity had probably dozed off into her dreams by that point. All she remembered is that death was involved, and it was a rather scary notion to watch any person lose their life.

Judging a no from her silence, Endymion nodded in understanding. "I could not even begin to imagine it if I had not witnessed a small portion myself. It is not pleasant to view, nor is it pleasant to discuss." He cleared his throat abruptly and started walking towards the castle again with Serenity walking in step with him. By this time the darkness was descending rapidly, causing the foreign princess to become tense. She could not help it; darkness had never been her friend.

Noting her fear, Endymion put his arm around her. "There is nothing to worry about. We are almost there." He was correct; they were steps from the front gate of the castle. The gate was rather grandiose itself; it was tall, cast iron bars that swung open. Above the gate was the beginning of the castle, arced over the tips of the bars themselves. In the center of the gate was an emblem—Serenity could only assume it was the emblem of the Earth royalty, as Endymion had the same emblem on his sword casing. The pair continued to walk, crossing an open area within the castle walls. It was circular with arcs between the numerous stone columns. They soon reached the front doors to the interior of the castle. "Are you ready?" Endymion asked.

Serenity hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure."

He pressed on the large wooden door, and together they entered the stronghold of the castle.