Chapter FOUR

While Endymion stood there in the same spot, playing with the gold crystal on the gold chain that Serenity had given to him the night before, looking in the direction that Serenity, her parents and their guards had rode off in, he heard the people around him all talking.

"Oh it's going to be a sad day with the little princess gone." Endymion heard someone say. "We will see her again right your highness?" Another one asked the queen. She smiled when she noticed Endymion move his eyes but not his head, toward her for a second then he looked forward again.

The queen looked at the people around her and then said in a voice loud enough for all to hear, "I'm sorry but no not for awhile. Serenity's mother told me that Serenity will be married. Yes married very soon. She is sixteen after all and there are a lot of men asking for her hand in marriage, a new man, almost every day, showing up and asking for her. If it wasn't for Serenity's father, her mother said that Serenity would have been married already." "So we will see Serenity with her new husband then?" the king asked as he walked over and joined his wife.

The queen nodded her head up and down while she looked at him and then over at Endymion and said, "Yes. Serenity will be with another man….. when they come back for a visit. Oh I hope he will be nice. Serenity deserves the best she is so sweet." "Yes she is a sweet young woman and does deserve the very best…Oh well as long as the man who gets her is good to her and she is happy then what can we do?" the king said as he and his wife looked at each other.

"I wish I was a prince and older then I would go and marry her then princess Serenity would be here all the time." Everyone around heard a young boy of seven say as he looked down to the ground and kicked some dirt with his left foot. The adults all smiled as his mother went and took his hand. "I'm sorry my dear boy Helios, eliosHbut you are just a young page. The best I have with the promise of becoming a wonderful squire and a great knight. But my boy, Serenity needs a strong young future king to be hers." the king said as he patted the boy on his head. Helios looked up at the king then over at Endymion who was silent and looking straight ahead off to the distance.

"I wonder if that one king will be there waiting for their return. Oh what was his name…her mother told me all about this young king who had shown up right after the four took Serenity. Her father finally had to send the young man home….what is his name….?" the queen said looking like she was thinking. Knowing she was making everything she just said up. 'Get Endymion thinking about another with Serenity….. And that should work….' the queen thought to herself.

"Are you thinking of that young king from the northeast?" the king asked as he and the queen looked and smiled at each other each knowing what the other was thinking. "Yes dear. What is his name?" "I do not remember it dear wife but I have heard of him. Yes Serenity's father told me about him also. Handsome man they say with blond hair, dark green eyes and he is very young….. around Serenity's age." "Oh that would be good for her to have someone close to her age. They should have a lot in common. But of course age does not matter when it comes to love." the queen said noticing her son's body that seemed to tighten up and his left hand made a fist. "So true my dear wife and who wouldn't love Serenity. So sweet and nice. I'm sure that young king will love her even more….. after spending time….alone with her." the king said also noticing his son.

Husband and wife, parents to Prince Endymion, smiled at each other then they both looked at their one and only son and waited.

Endymion stood with his body firm looking in the direction Serenity had ridden off toward with a scowl on his face. He thought about all that he and Serenity had in common. He twirled the crystal with his right hand between two fingers and the thumb faster and faster. His eyes suddenly narrowed when he thought about another man lying with Serenity and touching her where only Endymion had. Kissing her sweet lips and hearing her soft moans of pleasure leave those same lips. He thought about her eyes and how he loved to look into them and how Serenity looked at him with love.

"No she will only look at me that way! I can't wait a couple of months!" Endymion suddenly whispered to himself. Everyone standing around watched as Endymion suddenly ran to a knight and took the horse from the man then the prince got on the horse fast and made the horse run as fast as it could in the direction he had just been looking toward.

The king and queen both smiled even more and looked at each other after Endymion was out of sight. "Have the Prince's things moved to the west wing now!" The queen called out looking to her servants. Everyone gave a loud cheer then ran off to do what their queen asked. They all knew that when the prince married he was going into that wing of the castle. Those not helping with the move went to the kitchen to start cooking for the banquet they were all sure was going to be held later that night. The young page Helios ran off toward the guard tower to keep watch with a huge grin on his little face.

While everyone rushed to do what their queen asked and the queen and king supervised them, only four young men from the household were missing. And the king allowed them to be missing knowing they were all passed out sleeping. They had arrived with Serenity's parents and each man went to their room and passed out right after her parents yelled at them. And their king would let them sleep knowing that later they were going to be going out on their horses again very soon. As a matter of fact they were going to be going out in the morning. Their uncle the king and Serenity's father had a very special assignment for the four young men one they knew the four would be happy later to do.

Endymion rode fast thinking of only Serenity. Images of her with another man flashed now and then making Endymion wish the horse would move even faster. He finally saw her parents and their guards all stopped letting the horses take a break. A couple of hours had passed since Serenity's father who knew Endymion was looking played around with the young prince even at one time leading the prince in a circle. He finally stopped after his wife told him to.

Endymion stopped his horse and jumped off and looked around for Serenity finally spotting her over by a stream away from the others. Endymion never noticed her parents both smile as he ran to their only daughter.

"Serenity!" Endymion said her name softly but fast as she turned around and looked at him as he took her hands. Serenity was very surprised he was there. She didn't think she would see him so soon. Not after what he had whispered to her earlier that morning.

"Marry me my little one please! I can't live without you I can't even last an hour without you by my side. And I love you with all my heart." Endymion suddenly said as he pulled her closer to his body.

Serenity removed her hands from his then threw them around his neck and hugged him tight. Endymion hugged her back harder while he smiled and then asked, "Is this a yes?" Serenity nodded her head up and down fast and said, "You have my crystal." Endymion smiled even more then asked, "Yes I do but do I have your love?" "Yes Endymion oh yes!" Serenity said as her grip on him tightened a little more.

Endymion pulled her head back a little so they were looking at each other. "Is it a yes?" He whispered. Serenity smiled just a little more then whispered, "Yes Endy only you. Yes I will marry you and only you my one true love." Endymion pulled her close again and held her close to his body while his eyes closed and he smiled then sighed in relief. Serenity's grip tightened around his neck while her legs dangled.

After a few minutes he put Serenity down on the ground but held her at arms length. "I would kiss you but not now with everyone looking at us." He said in a soft voice with a tint of blush on his cheeks. Serenity only continued to smile then she looked over to the left at her parents as they walked up to the two.

Endymion looked to where she was looking then let Serenity go but held her hand as he also watched her parents who were both smiling as they walked. They both stopped in front of the two.

"Took you long enough to get here." Serenity's father said then he started to laugh his jolly laugh. "Oh leave him alone dear at least he came the same day. It took you two days to figure it out and come for me." Serenity's mother said as she smacked her husband's arm playfully. "Hush dear don't let anyone know that." The king said looking at his wife then around while she only smiled at him then at Serenity and Endymion who smiled back.

Endymion reached and shook the king's hand while he said, "Can we please talk sir." Serenity's father smiled once again then took Endymion by his shoulder and lead the young man who was about to be his son-in-law away from his wife and daughter so they could talk alone. "Of course we can talk my boy. My dear wife, send them on home." Serenity's father said as the two men walked away.

Serenity looked at her mother who smiled at her then waved to the men who were waiting. She waved her hand once then some men mounted their horses and then rode off. The king and queen both knew that they were sending some of their men back to their castle so Serenity's older brother and the two's four female cousins would have escorts for the wedding later. Serenity and her mother then hugged each other.

Serenity then stood and waited while her mother walked over to her husband's horse and then her own. She held the reins and waited for her husband to join her. Endymion and Serenity's father walked away from each other with her father going to his waiting wife and horse while Endymion walked over to Serenity after he retrieved the horse he had ridden on.

Serenity's mother gave the reins of her horse to Endymion and told him to ride it and to give the horse Endymion had rode on a rest. Endymion smiled and patted the horse he had pushed to run and promised the beast that it would get a well deserved rest.

Endymion then put Serenity on her mother's horse then got on behind her and pulled Serenity closer to his body then started to horse and holding the other horse by the reins toward home riding a few feet behind her parents. The knights who had stayed behind were not far from them.

"He has her! The prince has his future queen! They are coming! They are coming! Serenity is coming home!" Young Helios yelled out as he ran through the castle then out the front doors to wait with everyone including the king and queen joining him.

When they arrived everyone smiled while Endymion helped Serenity off of the horse then took her hand and they walked together to his parents. His father and then mother both gave Serenity a hug and then Endymion. Helios worked his way forward and not only hugged Serenity but he gave Endymion a big hug also.

Endymion let the boy hug him and then he took Serenity up to his rooms. Endymion noticed most of his things gone and he smiled as he realized that his parents knew all along that he would go and get Serenity and marry her.

After Endymion closed the door he looked at Serenity. She blushed then looked down to the floor. Endymion placed his hands on both sides of her head then slowly moved her head up so he could look into her eyes. Serenity blinked her eyes a few times then closed them as Endymion tilted his head over and then down to capture her lips with his. Serenity moved up onto her tiptoes.

Endymion lowered his hands to her hips and leaned his body into hers, stepping foreword just a bit pushing her back, one step and then another, until she was against the closed door.

Serenity's fingers curled into his shirt in the front wrapping folds of fabric around her hands while she pulled him closer to her body. Her mouth opened wider against his, her tongue meeting his giving him silent permission for his own tongue to explore her mouth. Endymion grasped her wrists and then laced his fingers with hers, pulling their joined hands downward, breathing in the essence of her, as bit by bit, she relaxed in his hold and her body yielded to his.

After another few minutes had gone by, Endymion let go of her hands, then wraped one arm around her lower back and sliding his free hand up along her ribs. Then his hand moved higher to embrace the full, round shape of her breast, making her nipple hard against his palm.

Endymion tore his lips from hers and trailed kissed along her jaw as his hand shaped and caressed her breast. All he wanted to do was to take her over to his bed and make love to her just like the other night. He wanted to feel those long legs of hers wrapped around his body and he wanted her to say his name, over and over while he made love to her.

But Endymion would not let it go that far again so soon, he could not take the chance again before they were properly wed. But he did want just a few more tastes of her before he let her go. So his lips trailed kisses up her throat, along her jaw and over her chin to her mouth. He recaptured her lips and felt Serenity pull him as close as she could to her body.

Endymion was the first to remove his lips from hers. He smiled while they both caught their breath. He reached and picked Serenity up and then walked over to his bed and gently laid her down then got into his spot beside her pulling Serenity into his arms.

They held each other and quickly went to sleep since they were both tired. Both of them hadn't slept the night before. The two never knew when their mothers walked in and went and covered them both with the blankets. The two women talked about how the two's new bedroom was bigger. They left out of the room making sure that the two wouldn't be bothered since they knew that Endymion and Serenity hadn't slept the night before.

Later that day Serenity woke up and found Endymion looking down at her. He smiled and then kissed her on her lips then worked his way to her ear and then her neck. Serenity held him and sighed loving how he made her body feel.

"Endymion?" "Yes?" "Are we going to do what we did the other night?" Endymion moved back and looked down at her and smiled. "No not yet. Not until our wedding night." "Why not?" Serenity asked looking like she was disappointed. Endymion kissed her nose then said, "I really don't want to chance you getting with child until after we marry. I don't want them to know about what we have done yet. And my father would love to have something to pick on me about if I got you pregnant before the wedding. And heaven forbid my four cousins find out….I would never hear the end of it."

"I understand and we will wait. I understand about cousins." Serenity said then smiled as her mind drifted to her own cousins. Endymion gave her another kiss then stood up and helped her up then hugged her.

"So we won't tell anyone what we did. We will let them believe we are waiting." Serenity said while Endymion nodded his head in agreement. After another hug the two left the room and went and joined the others for the feast. That night Serenity went and got into the bed and waited for Endymion. Her parents agreed to let Serenity stay with Endymion since she had been with him all that time and Endymion told them that he would wait for the wedding. Endymion had hoped they would believe since he wouldn't look at the four while he talked. But they did believe since when they looked at Serenity she stood there looking down and bright red in her face.

After Endymion got into the bed it took him a few hours to fall asleep since he kept thinking about Serenity. But after getting up and going to soak in some very cold water Endymion went back to the bed and went to sleep. Endymion was very happy to know that the wedding would be in less then a week.

The next morning the two got up and left the room and went down to the main floor. They saw Endymion's four cousins looking like they were getting ready to leave. Endymion asked them where they were going. The four all sighed at the same time then told how they were getting sent by both fathers to escort Serenity's brother and cousins to the wedding. They also had to help move Serenity's things. It was their final punishment for taking Serenity.

Endymion laughed since he knew that the four had just gotten home again but now they had to leave again. Nephrite looked at the other three and then at Endymion and said, "We shouldn't be punished. If it hadn't have been for us taking Serenity you two wouldn't be together." "Yeah we should be thanked." Zoisite said while Kunzite and Jadeite nodded their heads in agreement. "No. Serenity and I already had met and I was just waiting for her and her parents to show up a few months later. Yes with you taking her, we were able to be together sooner but you all were still wrong in taking her." Endymion told the four. He then took Serenity by the arm and took her out of the area going to find their parents.

The four guys just stayed silent and got their stuff and walked out going to their horses. They all looked to their king and Serenity's father when they walked to them. Their king handed them a paper and told them to leave. Kunzite took the paper and he and the other three all watched the two kings' walk away while they started their horses. The four young men had each noticed the smiles on the king's faces but they didn't think anything about it. The four left with some fellow knights not far from them.

After awhile, Kunzite opened the paper to look at it then gasped out loud and stopped his horse. "What's wrong?" Jadeite asked looking at him while he and other two stopped their horses.

Kunzite stayed silent and just looked at the paper. "Kunzite." Nephrite said while Zoisite took the paper from Kunzite since he was closer to him. "WHAT THE…!" Zoisite suddenly yelled out. "What is it?" Jadeite and Nephrite both asked as they each went to grab the paper. "It's a map…. a map showing where Serenity's family lives." Kunzite finally said. Jadeite got the map and he and Nephrite both looked then each went wide eyed. All four guys looked up at each other.

"They live right next door." Jadeite said in a whisper. "To the right of this kingdom." Zoisite whispered. "Only a five days ride from here." Kunzite said in a whisper. "Three days if we rode fast." Nephrite then whispered.

The four looked at each other as they each remembered the night they had arrived with Serenity and how their uncle smiled and sent one of his messengers out. Zoisite was the first to recover and he looked at the other three. "Come on there is nothing we can do about it." He said as he started his horse to walking again. The other three did the same and they each rode in silence while they heard the knights with them all chuckle or laugh.

Endymion and Serenity spent the day together and at times with their parents who were each acting like they didn't know the other. The next day Endymion left out alone with a few guards leaving Serenity with their mothers. He went to a nearby village and took almost three hours looking for a gift for Serenity. He smiled big after he spotted what he wanted and then he rode home fast. Finding Serenity in the garden by a fountain with the young page helping the boy make a flower ring. Endymion stopped walking and listened to the two talking.

"And if you and the prince have a girl can I marry her?" Helios asked looking up at Serenity. "Maybe. You will be a knight and what girl doesn't want a strong brave knight to be hers. And since you are related to your queen I'm sure you will be a lord or duke later." Serenity said softly knowing that the young boy seemed to have a little crush on her. "But what if we have a boy first?" She asked. Helios looked down then up and smiled and said, "We will be best friends." Serenity smiled and finished the flowers.

Helios spotted Endymion then ran off after Serenity put the flowers on his head and then kissed it. She watched him running off then looked at Endymion as he walked to her. Serenity smiled and ran to him. Endymion caught her pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight which made Serenity giggle. He smiled even more as he realized that she hadn't changed one bit and it made Endymion happy.

They let each other go and Endymion took Serenity by the hand and walked over to the fountain then sat her down while he sat down beside her. They both noticed that they were by the tree from the night before. Serenity looked while Endymion showed her his closed right hand and then turned it and opened it to reveal a silver crystal hanging from a pure silver chain.

Serenity smiled when she noticed that the crystal was the same size and style as his. She picked up her long hair and bent her head over a little to let Endymion place it around her neck. Endymion then found Serenity in his arms hugging him tight. They both pulled back from the other and each looked down to the others crystal and then into each others eyes. They moved together and let their lips meet and kissed each never noticing that when they did both crystals seemed to glow just a little.

Endymion and Serenity were married six days later. The day after her brother and their cousins showed up with Endymion's cousins. Serenity's cousins all sighed in a dreamy way when they first saw Endymion. He only smiled at them as he walked past going to Serenity who was standing by her brother. Endymion smiled even more when he noticed the four girls all checking out his four cousins then they each giggled and started whispering to each other about the guys. His smile grew when he noticed the four young men all start to act like they weren't tired after they noticed the girls checking them out.

The four guys all started to bump into each other trying to get to the four girl's bags to help and to escort them to the rooms they were going to be staying in for their visit. Endymion laughed out loud and Serenity smiled even more after her brother said out loud that he was glad there were other guys around to help him out with the girls. He also told the two how the guys acted on the trip and how the four girls for the first time in his life left him alone and he would admit that he didn't know what to do with himself. Serenity's brother then hugged his sister and then met the man who had stolen her heart. Endymion and her brother got along great and noticed right away that they had a lot in common. They were both glad to find out that they were the same age.

After the wedding and eating the big formal meal, Endymion took his new wife up to their new rooms. The only ones to notice them leave were their parents. Endymion's cousins were over near Serenity's cousins waiting on them hand and foot with each young man with a silly look on their face. While the girls all smiled loving the attention. The two kings and two queens each smiled and started to talk about four new wedding that they knew would be taking place soon. They then started talking about having one big castle built in the middle of both kingdoms and then everyone could live together. Serenity's brother was busy with all the single women who were now drawn to him since Endymion was married, and he didn't notice that anyone left the room.

When they arrived at their door, Endymion picked Serenity up and then carried her into the room. He closed the door and locked it and then turned around. They both gasped out loud at how nice the room was and how big the seating room and the bedroom were. Endymion held Serenity in his arms while he walked around in the rooms so they could check everything out. He then walked over to one of the sofas and placed her down and then sat down beside her.

They looked at each other and Endymion picked up one of her hands. "Are you okay my little one?" Endymion asked after he kissed her hand. "Yes now that we are in here alone away from the others." Serenity said as she reached and moved some of his hear out of his eyes. "Is something wrong?" "No…Well I was embarrassed." "Why my sweetness?"

Serenity looked at him then down and sighed deeply as Endymion notice the slight tint on her cheeks.

"I had to sit and listen to my mom talk about sex and then your mom joined and they both got to talking about their first time. And then they got to talking about our fathers and started to compare them. AND then my cousins came in and laughed at me and then when our moms weren't looking, the four got to whispering to me things telling me what I should do to you. Didn't you see them all point at me and then you at different times and then giggle?" Serenity said. Endymion smiled as she pouted. "Are those four innocent?" He asked. "Yes they will be until they marry and I feel sorry for whoever marries them for they aren't going to give their man a break. I can't wait until mom has the "talk" with them." Serenity answered still looking down.

Endymion smiled again then said as he leaned back on the sofa, "Well my little wife let me see what they told you to do for me. Come on and show me." Serenity looked at him fast with her face redder. Endymion laughed and pulled her to be on his lap and then whispered in her ear with a husky voice, "Do not worry my love. As your husband, I will show you what I want. I will wake up your body to my touch." Serenity sighed and gave him a hug. "We will learn everything together?" She asked in a whispered voice. Endymion pulled her back and nodded his head up and down in agreement.

He then pulled her close for a kiss. They made love there in front of the fire on the sofa finally making their way to the bed in the early morning. Endymion couldn't get enough of her and by her actions he could tell that Serenity couldn't get enough of him.

Endymion woke up first the next morning smiling as he felt her in his arms with both of them naked with her hair down and around them. He was glad she was sleeping beside him again. For before the wedding Endymion had ended up having Serenity sleep in a different room just so he wouldn't be tempted again. But now she was back with him and he loved every second feeling her body by his and knew that now they both would be able to sleep better.

He continued to look at her and thought about how much he loved her. He chuckled as he remembered what he had whispered to her that day he asked her to marry him. That morning when she was leaving him and they both thought they wouldn't see each other for a few months. Endymion had loved how Serenity's eyes had lit up and the big smile that had graced her face. He knew that he had meant every word that he had said to her.

He had bent down to her left ear and whispered so only she heard. Endymion knew everyone had wondered what he had said to her. Endymion had first just breathed into her ear like the night before.

"Watch for me my little one. I will kidnap you next and bring you back to my room in a few months." He then smiled and then kissed her cheek and stepped back from her body. Only Serenity saw the twinkle in his eyes. And only with Serenity would he let her into his heart and see the real Endymion inside. No other woman would ever get to see the real Prince and know what he was thinking and feeling. Only the young girl he had met under the weeping willow tree that one clear beautiful summer night.

The End.