On her return to the moon shortly Serenity had every intention of announcing her engagement to her beloved prince, even though she knew it would meet fierce opposition from many council members. Innocence and naivety allowed her to hope that time and true love would be enough to sway their disagreements. Little did anyone know, except Princess Mina of Venus, that Serenity's heart already belonged to another.

'It is forbidden.'

In those three words Serenity's heart froze. A lump clogged her voice box as she struggled to find her voice once more.

'Mother, I don't understand. How can it be...' raising her hand Queen Serenity silenced her daughter. Wisdom gleamed in her silver eyes. Delicate wrinkles at the corners of her lips and eyes revealed the depth of her age and responsibilities. 'I love him.'

Now it was the Queens turn to be lost for words. Glistening eyes stared back at her; all her daughters' youthful hopes and dreams shimmered in those unshed tears. Queen Serenity bit her lip. How could she deny her daughter love? Surely she should be the one person her daughter could trust? With a deep exhale her mother asked how long she'd known the prince.

'We met on Venus a few summers ago.'

'And...how long have you loved him?'

Without a pause Serenity answered, 'Forever. I feel that he's always been with me now. He's promised never to leave my side mother and I don't want him to,' at this her daughter smiled childishly, 'that's when he promised to always be there for me. Mother, I thought you would at least try to understand. Why is it our love forbidden?'

Taking her in a deep embrace the Queen stated, 'because a long time ago, the clan that he is a kin with plotted to take the throne. On capture their lives were only spared because enough blood had been split. Instead they were forever banished. Forever.'

That night a lump formed in Serenity's throat as she remembered their last night together; she yearned for his prescene more than anything. Somehow they'd fallen asleep under the stars. Upon waking the reality of their situation weighted down on her. Diamond woke shortly after her.

Tears glistened in her crystal-blue eyes, 'You know what we speak of is impossible.' Her words barely a fragmented whisper.

In his eyes Serenity observed his determination flicker with painful doubt. Diamond refused to look away, his eyes boring into her very soul.

'Why is our love impossible? Why can we not share the same happiness as everyone else' he sighed.

'You know why Diamond...I am descendant of the Silver Moon family and you are of the Dark Moon...a union between our families has been forbidden for generations. Not only has the council denied their blessing but my mother does not even sympathise. Your family will surely object as well. Besides we cannot risk upsetting the truce.'

Diamond huffed as he shuffled off the rock they'd snuggled on only moments before. He thought proposing to her out here, at one of their favourite places on the palace grounds, would be the happiest of his life. With all his being he loved her; being separate from her was like living with only half of himself. Even though he knew the challenges ahead would be tough and never-ending, he was willing to defy all just to be with Serenity. Yet he never thought for a moment that his most frustrating task would be to over-come her doubt.

Running a hand tough his silver hair he faced the illuminated sphere in the midnight sky. 'So you're saying what we have, what we feel and what we want aren't worth fighting for?' He felt a slight pressure on his arm before she embraced him from behind.

Tears choked her, 'Don't say that. More than anything I want to be your wife...it's just...it's just not as simple as I thought...'

Diamond faced her, drawing her close. Serenity rested her cheek on his firm torso; her fears lulled by his the steady heartbeat.

'Diamond my love, my answer is not no...but...but'.

He pressed a firm finger against her lips. Staring up into his eyes she observed the fullness of his love and any words of doubt vanished.

'Then Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, we are informally engaged to be married. I don't care when, but the sooner we can be together, the sooner we can enjoy an eternity together.' He removed his finger and replaced it with his lips, capturing them in a deep, longing kiss.

Serenity swallowed the lump away. Deep down her gut wrenched at the thought of defying not only her mother but her kingdom as well. Yet the thought of a life without Prince Diamond nearly tore her heart to shreds. With a lengthy sigh she decided it best to dwell only on happier thoughts.

Whilst Princess Serenity had been absent from home, a different engagement was being negotiated between the Moon and neighbouring planet Earth. It was agreed that the union between the two strongest, and most turbulent nations of the galaxy would finally secure the Silver Alliance forever. It was widely believed that these two were fated to be united and that only peace and prosperity could come from their union.

The meeting had finally finished, but Queen Serenity's duties were far from over. Her back stiff from hours of extensive discussion her temper wore thin. Even more as the ageing man opposite her studied her face. It had been no secret that the Earth King once desired a formal union between them, yet now he persisted with one between their children.

'If what you say is true your majesty then perhaps we should eliminate the competition.' Queen Serenity grimaced. Multiple scars littered his face and hands; at least he was honourable in fighting the battles he provoked during his life she thought. Silently she shook her disapproval.

'We cannot condemn a man to death for loving my daughter. At least I hope he loves her.

'But we agreed that she was to marry my son!' He slammed into the table.

Queen Serenity glared at his outburst, 'You've always been overtly forceful. We have yet to introduce them, let alone allow them time to accept the proposed union between our two kingdoms. I am just as anxious as you to seal the union and complete the truce as defined by the Sliver Alliance.'

'But if your daughter loves this...other prince...then it makes the arrangement...'

'...it makes the arrangement unlikely' a voice escaped the shadows.

Both adults spun their heads to face the owner of the voice. Deep blue eyes shimmered with mystery; both adults wondered how long he'd been eaves-dropping the supposedly private conversation.

Prince Endymion's face remained stern as he stepped from the shadows. 'Father you know how I feel about arranged marriages.'

The Earth King coughed,' Er well...under normal circumstances I would never ask this of you...but...but' he paused for a moment, took in a lengthy inhale and then stated more formally, 'but in order for the alliance between our planet and the moon we must establish a union of solidarity. That means that you and the moon princess must marry and conceive an heir of both bloods. Only then can peace exist not only for our two kingdoms but throughout the galaxy.' The prince remained silently still, his stern expression unchanged.

Queen Serenity gently placed a hand on the prince's shoulder, 'It is not in our culture to agree with...arranged marriages. Nevertheless this is the only way. I'm sure once I discuss this with my daughter...'

'With all due respect Queen Serenity I think it best that these arrangements be discussed with Princess Serenity present.' And with that he stomped out of the chamber, leaving a stunned king and queen behind.

Serenity lay on her cushioned bed, humming peacefully to herself, combing her hair. Thoughts of Diamond still dominated her; she giggled in remembrance of their little secret. Beside her a whisper made her jump. Next to her sat Prince Diamond, only he wasn't really there. He looked washed out. In fact she could see the furniture and wall behind him. With slight hesitation she placed a hand on his torso only for it to fall into thin air.

'Diamond...what...how?' He grinned at her obvious confusion. He pointed at the gem glistening mischievously on her finger.

'As long as we wear these rings, created with ancient magic and encased with the rarest of gems, we will never be far from one another.' As they departed Venus last Diamond had slipped the ring on her finger, a promise that their separation would not be forever. The gem twinkled in the dim candlelight, mirroring the magic of a star-filled sky.

'We can see each other yet we cannot touch.' Diamond nodded. 'Then it still feels we'll always be forever too far from one another. I want you here with me.'

At her words he stroked her cheek. It almost felt real, almost. 'Patience my sweet Serenity. One day we'll remember these days apart as a distance memory. Besides we are together now so let us lighten the mood and distract ourselves with light-hearted conversation.'

Indeed for the rest of the night the two discussed frivolous matters, neither truly interested in the topic; both were content with sharing their love and laughter until the dawn of the new day.

Unbeknownst to Queen Serenity her daughter had spent a majority of the night talking with her secret fiancée and that was the cause of her absent from breakfast. Queen Serenity hoped to raise the issue of the proposed marriage to the earth prince then. Tapping her trimmed fingernails on the marble table she waited a whole hour before determining that a visit to Serenity's bedchambers was the swiftest course of action.

Just as she rose the door exploded open. Queen Serenity glared at the approaching Earth King and prince. Both were dressed formally, their dark cloaks bellowing behind them. Both wore dark expressions, their jaws and fists tense. Before she could find words to demand the meaning of their fierce intrusion the king banged a fist on the table, a habit that greatly jarred her.

'Are the rumours true?' he roared, 'Is your daughter engaged to the Dark Prince Diamond?'

The queen struggled to form words. Eyes wide with shock a moment passed as she hastily thought back to when Serenity informed her of the affection between the two. An engagement had never been mentioned. Doubt flooded her thoughts; surely Serenity would not have ignored her and planned to marry Prince Diamond, regardless of the consequences.

In the end all she could mutter was that she did not know. 'Perhaps we better speak to Serenity first before we come to any conclusion on the matter.'

Serenity woke to frantic banging on her door. She had barely opened her eyes, stuck together in sweet slumber, when several bodies barged in. Most she recognised from various council meetings. Three figures seized her attention in particular. One of them was her mother, another boisterous ageing man and another man, a younger and more handsome version of the other. She bolted upright in bed, covering herself with the thin sheets.

'So Princess, is it true? Are you engaged?' the gentleman demanded loudly.

He seemed to soften slightly as her mother placed a hand gently on his shoulder. Stepping forward she rested next to her, taking her daughters hand. Serenity gulped. The queen saw the ring instantly. Her mouth gaped open. Water blurred her vision.

'Serenity, how could you?' the whisper was barely audible. With the most delicate of movements she slipped the ring from her daughter's finger, holding it from her, fists clenched icy white. Serenity shook her head as she lowered her eyes. Turning to face the others she stated in a matter-to-fact tone, 'My daughter is embarrassed by these silly rumours. As she is not feeling well I think it best we leave to allow her time to rest. Once she is rested, then it will be the appropriate time to discuss,' hope filled Serenity's eyes, 'the formal arrangements for her union to the earth prince. Leave us now.'

As the hope shattered in her daughter's eyes bile rose in her throat. She did what she had to do as a queen. Now she had to be a mother. She swooped her daughter into a deep embrace, stroking the soft strands of hair that cascaded down her back. Serenity sobbed bitterly as her mother held her firm. For an age the mood remained sombre

'You know your union cannot be. Why did you...disobey me Serenity?'

'I love him mother. You can't ask me to be happy with any other.'

'No my child, but you are the moon princess and heir. You know what that means.' Serenity's shoulder suddenly slumped. 'I hate being the one to insist but promise me that it ends here.' Now Serenity's eyes darkened. Queen Serenity taunted herself; surely she should be the one to protect her from this kind of agony?

Wiping tears from her eyes, which now expressed maturity beyond her years, Serenity nodded.

'Can I at least keep the ring Prince Diamond gave me? I promise never to wear it, just keep it safely hidden away. As a way to remember him by.' The queen could see no harm in the request. How was she to know its secret purpose that the two could communicate via its wear? And how was she to know what her daughter was planning; she did not think their love so strong to overrule a kingdom's future. Slowly she placed the ring back into the owner's hand. The chamber remained silent as she left the room.

(So...what do you think. Please leave a review...positive and negative criticism welcome. The next chapter is already in the making...I currently write the story as I feed my lil boy. He loves me reading and chatting to him lol xxx)