The Pirate King
Chapter 11: Departure
The stars shone brightly over the small village that night. Seiya showed Serenity and her maids into a longhouse where they could spend the night.
"So this woman is the mother Endymion thought was dead?" Ami asked as they lay in a circle, talking.
"It appears so…I'm happy for him."
"I wonder if he will stay here with her." Mina pondered.
"Of course he will," Raye replied. "He thought she was dead for twenty years! Who wouldn't want to stay? And now…he has a brother as well."
"But," Serenity whispered. "But he's a pirate. He is the Pirate King. He can't stay here."
"Sounds like you just don't want him to stay." Lita commented. "Wouldn't it be easier this way? You told him you couldn't be together yet you don't want him to leave you."
Serenity closed her eyes to block the tears. "I know…"
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Serenity sat by herself by the river, allowing her hand to rest in the cool water. A light wind pushed against her face. She wondered when they would leave this place. She had not seen Endymion since yesterday when she had left him in the tent with Luna. Serenity hoped he was finally happy. Maybe the pain she had inflicted would be eased by this discovery.
A twig snapped behind her and she quickly turned her head to see Seiya emerging from the woods. He smiled and she smiled back. "Why are you sitting by yourself?" he asked, sitting beside her on the bank.
"More heavy thinking," Serenity laughed, watching the river ripple.
"You shouldn't think so much." Seiya commented. "I have something I want to show you." He said after a moment's silence. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet before dragging her away with him.
"Where are we going?" Serenity asked breathlessly.
"You will see!" he laughed.
They ran along an old, twisting path recklessly, narrowly dodging the trees. Serenity let all her sad thoughts flee her mind as she ran, feeling almost giddy. They finally emerged onto a cliff and Seiya stopped, keeping Serenity's hand in his. Serenity gazed over the miles and miles of land in awe. The early morning mist covered the land in a thick blanket, giving it the appearance of the ocean. The sun was only beginning to crest the mountains. Serenity took in a deep breath of fresh air and smiled. "It's beautiful…"
They stayed there until the sun had cleared the mountains and dissipated the mist before beginning their descent down the trail at a much more leisurely pace. The village was stirring when they returned. Serenity's maids were helping to prepare the breakfast and Endymion's crew was preparing the fires and gutting the fish from the morning's fishing trip.
"Serenity!" Mina called. Serenity walked to where Mina was baking bread. "Endymion said for you to see him at your earliest convenience. I believe he wishes to speak to you in private."
"Perhaps to tell me of his plans to stay?" Serenity thought as she made her way to his teepee. "Endymion? It's me…Serenity. May I come in?" she called through the flap.
"Yes, please do." He voice replied from within.
Serenity moved the flap aside and entered slowly. She kept her eyes cast down to avoid his gaze. "I was told you needed to see me."
"I wanted to talk to you. We haven't really spent much time together since…well…since that night. A lot has happened since then. It seems I find myself with a mother, stepbrother, and a half-brother.
"So Luna told you…"
"Yes…It is to be expected. She was still young when my father died and she I know she truly did love him." They sat in awkward silence for a few moments.
"So do you plan to stay here?" Serenity asked slowly.
"I am happy I have found a family…" Endymion began hesitantly. "But…the ocean is my life. I have lived with it and loved it my whole life. I could not give it up for anything. At least not without ripping out half of my soul."
"Only half?"
"Yes…the other half has already been ripped out." Serenity turned her eyes in shame to the ground. "I didn't mean to make you sad. I respect your decision. You will be a great ruler one day."
"No, I deserve to be sad."
"Serenity, don't talk that way." Endymion stood and went to her, wrapping her in his arms. "I probably would have made the same decision if I were in your shoes. It was selfish of me to demand that of you."
"I want to make you happy…but I just can't." Serenity sobbed into his shoulder. Endymion blinked away his own tears. He had to be strong and unaffected. He had hurt her so much with his sulking and he vowed never to hurt her again.
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Endymion announced that they would be departing the next day at dinner. The men seemed to be relieved that they would be sailing again. Luna looked at him sadly.
"I suppose all good things must come to an end. I am happy to have spent the time with you that I had." Luna kissed his forehead before turning to sit between her husband and Seiya.
Seiya watched Serenity as she ate her food sadly. "Do you want to leave Serenity?" Seiya whispered. Her head jerked up.
"No…"
"Then stay with me! You can make this your home. Make me your family!" he whispered fiercely, grabbing her hand in earnest.
"Seiya…I don't belong here," Serenity replied.
"But I love you!" Serenity's eyes widened in shock.
"No…no you don't…Seiya please…"
"You can stay here with me…Marry me!"
"I can't Seiya…I don't love you."
Seiya's eyes dimmed and he dropped her hand.
"I'm sorry but I can't make myself feel what I can't feel!" Serenity's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry I can't make anybody happy."
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So sorry I haven't updated in a while, college has had me jumping all year. But the important thing is that I did update! So, yeah…I should be able to update again soon but if I don't…rest assured…I will EVENTUALLY update. As always. Thank you for reading and please review! No flames please!