Prologue |
Chapter One |
Chapter Two |
Chapter Three |
Chapter Four |
Chapter Five |
Chapter Six |
Chapter Seven |
Chapter Eight |
Chapter Nine |
Chapter Ten |
Chapter Eleven |
Chapter Twelve |
Chapter Thirteen |
Chapter Fourteen |
Chapter Fifteen |
Chapter Sixteen |
Epilogue
Princess Serenity raised her slender arms obediently, and Sailor Venus, leader of the four Sailor Soldiers, pulled the simple everyday dress off over her head. Normally, the heir to the Moon Kingdom would be dressed by her servants and the Princess' bodyguards would have other matters to attend to. Tonight, however, would be a special occasion, and so the four sailor-suited soldiers had sent the maids away. The planetary warriors were said to possess great powers, but although Serenity had spent her entire life in the girls' company there had never been cause for her to witness their magic, and so she considered the four soldiers her best friends rather than her bodyguards. The pale young woman, her crystal hair now grown to the floor, blushed as Sailor Mars adjusted Serenity's undergarments in a businesslike manner. The blue-haired Sailor Mercury blushed also and took a sudden interest in the jewelry on Serenity's dressing table. "Is this really necessary?" Serenity asked plaintively. "It's not my wedding day!" "It might as well be," Venus chided her friend, folding up the day-dress and dropping it on the bed. "You're meeting your betrothed for the first time tonight! That's not something to be taken lightly!" "Yes, I know," Serenity mumbled, hanging her head. She shuffled her dainty feet nervously. "What if he doesn't like me?" "Stop fidgeting," Mars scolded, trying to fit a glass slipper on Serenity's foot. "How could he not like you?" she asked incredulously. "You're beautiful, friendly, graceful... What's not to like?" "Thank you, Mars," Serenity said with a smile, standing still while the violet-haired girl slid her other shoe on. "Still, my stomach's filled with butterflies." The Moon Princess ran her hands over her flat abdomen, examining her reflection in the mirror. There was a soft knock from the sitting room. Sailor Jupiter hurried to answer it, then reentered the bedroom with her arms full of cloth. "Serenity, look!" she called out, her voice warm with barely-restrained excitement. Serenity turned on the footstool she was standing on, and the tall brunette soldier held up the maiden-gown for all the girls to see. The Moon Princess would wear this style of dress from the day of her engagement to her wedding day. It was white, of course, and long enough that Serenity's shoes would not be visible when she was standing still. In that way it was similar to the dresses Serenity had worn throughout her childhood. Representing her advance into adulthood, the maiden-gown had a high waist and was sleeveless, with a band of silver circles lining the gown's top edge. A chain of pearls embraced its waist. "Oh, it's beautiful!" Sailor Venus exclaimed. Rushing forward, she pulled the dress out of Jupiter's arms and pressed it against her own body. "Tonight is Serenity's night, Venus," Mercury reminded her golden-haired friend and leader with a grin. Venus pouted, swishing the dress back and forth over the short orange skirt of her uniform, enjoying the feel of the soft cloth against her bare legs. "It might be a little dangerous tonight, don't you think?" Casually she twisted a lock of blonde hair between her fingers. "All those people... Don't you think perhaps the Princess' double should-" "Oh, come on, Venus! You're not fooling anyone!" Sailor Jupiter whisked the silver-trimmed gown out of her friend's hands and playfully bumped her own green-skirted hip against Venus'. The blonde laughed, giving up her game. Jupiter lifted the dress high and slipped it over Serenity's slim body, cloaking her alabaster skin in pure white. The Moon Princess closed her eyes, absorbing the feeling of the silky soft cloth feathering against her skin and the admiring gasps of her friends. She opened her eyes to behold four faces awestruck by her beauty, then turned to face the mirror. In that moment, the meaning of the day finally became real. Despite her youth, Serenity had long ago crossed the threshold of womanhood. The dress fit her perfectly, the silver circles curving around her well-developed breasts and dipping lower on her back to cradle her shoulder blades. She looked herself over, from her slender elegant neck to the graceful curves of her hips, and almost couldn't believe how grown-up she looked. It was truly her engagement day at last. This dress was the final sign of the reality that would be formalized tonight. Its elegant, yet modest design would serve as a symbol of Serenity's reaching the proper age of betrothal. The Moon Princess took a deep breath to steady herself and shuddered all over to loosen her nerves. That broke the spell; Venus approached with a hairbrush, Mercury with some simple jewelry, Mars with a tray of cosmetics. Sailor Jupiter knelt and began filing Serenity's fingernails. "Prince Endymion of Earth," Serenity mused aloud, staring at her own reflection, at a face that barely seemed her own as her guardians dressed her up like a porcelain doll. "I wonder what he'll be like?" Her eyes strayed to the window. From her place on the footstool, Serenity could nearly see clear to the edge of the castle grounds, where a certain garden grew. Perhaps he would be like...him. What foolishness! That was a long time ago, and she didn't even know the boy. "Turn and parry, now, thrust. Watch your feet! That's much better." Sir Marton locked swords with Endymion one more time, then withdrew and sheathed his blade. "That's all for today." "It is not earthrise yet!" Endymion protested, letting his sword arm drop to his side. "It's close enough," Sir Marton replied. "Besides, I need to wash and dress for the engagement festivities." Endymion sighed and laid his naked sword down, then lifted the knight's breastplate from its hook on the wall. "An extra coat of polish tonight," Sir Marton instructed. "The Moon Knights are performing a demonstration for the Royal Family of Earth tomorrow. I'll see you at our usual time." He paused at the door that led out of the small armory and looked back at the raven-haired young man. "Unless, of course, you'd like to earn a few extra lessons-" "No." Polishing the knight's armor and doing his laundry in exchange for fencing lessons was enough; Endymion was not about to wash and dress Sir Marton as well. He might be an orphaned Earth-child, but he was no one's personal manservant. "Tomorrow, then." Sir Marton shrugged and disappeared into his modest house. Endymion opened a tin of polish and bent over the breastplate, working away the grime of the Moon Knights' daily drills. The engagement festivities, indeed! Sir Marton was such a minor noble that he would be lucky to find standing room in the back of the hall. The young man rubbed the armor until it shone, reflecting his own image as clearly as a mirror. Endymion the stable hand had grown into a tall adolescent, nearly an adult now, who stood a bit taller than Sir Marton. His gray eyes had darkened to a smooth charcoal depth that matched his dark hair. The skin of his palms was rough, but the same years of hard labor had built healthy muscles on his arms and legs, and the sunlight had given his melanin-rich Earth-born skin a luscious tan. Endymion knew that many of the girls on the Moon found his dark complexion attractive, but he looked at his reflection and saw only his biggest shortcoming. Here, you're an Earth boy, aren't you? Lord Artemis had said. It was so long ago now, but the words still stung as if it were yesterday, along with the contempt in the eyes of the white-haired man. Don't hurt him! The sweet voice of little Princess Serenity was also fresh in his mind, fresh as a newly-blossomed rose. Miss Amaris had told Endymion to forget her. That had been the last instruction Endymion had not heeded. Since that day, he had devoted every waking moment of his life to improving himself, so he could someday become the kind of man Serenity deserved. He stopped misbehaving and breaking rules. He efficiently completed any chore Miss Amaris asked of him, and in return, she taught him everything she knew about horses and riding. He weeded the herb garden so the head of the kitchens would teach him table manners. He sought out a knight with ambitions beyond his station, yet too minor to have his own squire, and shined his armor in exchange for lessons in swordsmanship. The matron of the stables was the first to admit that Endymion had become quite the young gentleman and could have gone far - if it weren't for his lineage. Indeed, no matter what advances Endymion made, the same barriers always stopped him cold. He was an Earth-child, and an orphan. Endymion was head of the work-animals division of the stables, and most of the other heads often came to him for advice, but his official career could advance no further without noble birth parents. He could never be trained as a knight, or even a guard. If he wanted to remain in the employ of the Moon Castle, Endymion would always be a servant. Frustrated by his thoughts, Endymion flung the polishing cloth to the ground and strode to the window, as he always did when his shortcomings irritated him. Through the marble-edged opening in the wall of Sir Marton's house, the young man could look down on the lazy sprawl of the city as it spread out below him. The other side of the house faced the Moon Castle, which looked down on the busy metropolis from a slight rise. From this angle, Endymion could see where the common citizens of the Moon went about their daily lives. Things could be worse. He could be down there, trying to scrape out a living in whatever trade would have him. An Earth-child alone in the streets of the Moon's capital city... Yes, things would have gone very badly for Endymion, had Miss Amaris not found him as a toddler and taken him in. He should be grateful for the security of his job on the castle grounds. This reminder of his fortune lessened Endymion's bitterness, and he returned to polishing Sir Marton's armor with more enthusiasm. His pain was alleviated for the moment, but lately he needed to force himself to think realistically more and more often, and each time the misery of his life's stagnation returned a bit faster. Later, Endymion strolled through the grass of the castle grounds, returning to the castle proper from the nobility's sector. He carried his sword in one tanned hand, unable to afford a sheath for the blade. It had taken most of his life to earn the money for his own weapon, and Endymion could make do without the accessories for now. The sun was fading from the sky, and the grand stables seemed nearly deserted as he approached. Of course, almost every handler had been called to the main gates to care for the beasts that would be bringing in the evening's guests. Those handlers with the pale skin and light hair of a Lunarian, at least. There would be Earth dignitaries present, but no Earth-child servants. Endymion paused for a moment to gaze up into the sky at the planet of his birth, which was climbing higher as night approached. It seemed small to his dark eyes, but Endymion knew it was several times larger than the Moon. Looking up at the glowing blue-green globe, he felt as if his mother world had dropped him from his cradle and left him with no way to climb back up. All of the portals linking the Moon and Earth had been sealed or severely restricted by law for more than fifteen Earth-standard years. Not that Endymion wanted to live on Earth, anyway. Everything he had heard described the Earth as a world of poverty and desperation, where pleading citizens reached out in vain toward an indifferent and uncaring monarchy. The lost son of Earth much preferred the Moon, where things sometimes became difficult but nobody slipped through the cracks. "Ah, there you are!" Miss Amaris emerged from the stable entrance, handing the saddle blanket she was carrying to one of the newest stable boys. Endymion's robust caretaker was still firmly entrenched in middle age, but her Earth-born charge was now a full head taller than she. "Walk with me a moment. I need to speak with you." The two of them headed off to Endymion's small house, the structure reserved for a stable hand of his level. It was hardly more than a hut, with only one room, but it was comfortable and snug, and Endymion's own as long as he kept his job. "Listen, son-" Miss Amaris had taken to calling the midnight-haired boy "son" sometime during his adolescence "-I think it would be best if you didn't go around calling yourself 'Endymion' any longer." "What?" Endymion stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the stable matron. "Why not?" "Haven't you heard?" Miss Amaris half-whispered. "The Earth Prince, Serenity's betrothed, his name is Endymion!" "What difference does that make?" He hadn't heard. It must have been mentioned to him at some point, but his mind had been preoccupied lately. "I was Endymion here long before he arrived!" "Not so loud, son," Miss Amaris shushed him. "Look, I know that, but people might think you're getting ideas beyond your station. Besides, he will be King someday! It would just be easier on you, understand? You wouldn't have to change it completely," the older woman added hurriedly as Endymion's face began to darken with fury, "just use something different, like... 'Endou.' That's a nice name." Endymion couldn't even speak. He whirled around, marched into his hut, and slammed the rickety door behind him. It was bad enough that the Earth had ruined his future; did it have to steal his past, too? His name, the only thing he remembered from his childhood before he was orphaned? The young man threw his sword down on the rug, flung himself into a chair, and slammed his fists into the rough surface of the wooden table that stood beside it. The slim crystal vase that sat in the center of the tabletop jumped, tipped, and started to fall. With a gasp of alarm, Endymion lunged forward and caught the transparent vessel gently in both hands before it hit the wood. The vase had been a gift from Miss Amaris on the day Endymion became head of the work-animals stable, but that was a small part of its value. A deep sigh of relief escaped the dark-eyed man's lips as he set the undamaged vase back in its place. Not a single petal had fallen from the blood-red rose the vessel contained. It was the very same flower that Princess Serenity had given to a young garden-invader as a child, miraculously untouched by time. The blossom was as full, its petals as soft, its scent as sweet as the day it left the Princess' hand. Miss Amaris believed it was some manifestation of Serenity's latent magic, even though she was only a child at the time. Endymion had cared for it faithfully ever since that day, and it was his most prized possession. Absentmindedly, Endymion leaned against the table, gazing at the blushing rose with his charcoal eyes. The day was finally here. Princess Serenity's engagement would be made official tonight. She was being bonded to someone, an Earth-child with the name of Endymion, no less. Fate was cruel to give Serenity's betrothed that particular name. Endymion the stable hand groaned as his mind dredged up a memory of the innocent, sweet, flawless face of the child who had given him this rose, a gift that had brightened many a dark day for an orphaned Earth-child. He let his head fall forward onto the uneven wood of the table. He was a mere servant; surely she did not even remember him, and that was as it should be. Serenity deserved a true prince. That Prince Endymion, whoever he was, had better treat her right. The Great Hall of the Moon Castle was decorated to the fullest extreme, decked out from floor to ceiling with ribbons and banners of cloth. Abundant flower arrangements added color to the elegance. The hall was filled with lords and ladies of every class of the Moon's nobility, as well as every Earth-born noble who had been able to afford the permits and passports necessary for the trip. Several attendees from the other planetary kingdoms were in attendance as well, all eager to witness the engagement of the planetary alliance's future leader. Prince Endymion of Earth was to be the crowning gift of an elaborate diplomacy effort by the blue-green planet. His marriage to Princess Serenity would seal a treaty between the Earth and Moon, ending the icy relations that had existed for nearly two decades. The attendees chatted amiably as Earth met Moon, but there was a trace of tension in the air. The dais at the front of the Great Hall was empty save for the grand throne of Selene, built of pure moonstone and encrusted with crystals. The conversation in the room died to a low murmur as a door opened to the right of the dais. Out walked Queen Serenity herself, a goddess incarnate, her streaming lavender hair blending with her royal gown as it brushed along the floor. As she walked, the Queen beamed a loving smile to all the gathered peoples. Behind her walked Princess Serenity, followed by her four guardians, the Sailor Soldiers of the innermost worlds. Serenity shivered as she felt hundreds of pairs of eyes focus upon her and heard hundreds of voices gasp at her blossoming beauty. All she could do was hope she wouldn't trip on her new dress as she followed her mother up the steps of the dais. Queen Serenity lowered her slender body into the Moon Kingdom's throne, and her daughter took her usual place standing by her side. The four sailor-suited soldiers strode to the rear wall behind the throne and stood at attention, providing a forbidding show of strength without appearing threatening to the visitors from Earth. There was a moment of silence, which was excruciating for Princess Serenity. Standing there in her new white dress with its silver trimmings, facing the citizens of ten worlds, Serenity tried desperately not to fidget. She almost wished it were already her wedding day, when her betrothed would be the one standing here expectantly with all these eyes fixed upon him. After what seemed an eternity, the double doors at the rear of the Great Hall were opened and all the burning stares turned in that direction. Princess Serenity heaved a sigh of relief, momentarily out of the public eye and free to nervously pursue her own thoughts. A middle-aged couple in elegant robes entered the Great Hall, and the crowd parted before them, clearing an aisle straight down the middle to the dais. The man and woman wore golden crowns, but the royal way they walked showed their noble upbringing more clearly than any clothing could. The King and Queen of Earth strolled regally toward the ruler of the Moon, pleasant smiles on their faces. As a gesture of trust, they walked without guards. Behind them followed the person Princess Serenity was both eager and terrified to meet, Prince Endymion. From the dais she caught a glimpse of reddish-brown hair, but with the royal couple blocking her view she could not see his face. Serenity was unwillingly given more time to wait and wonder as they approached. What would he be like? What would he think of her? She felt as if she were standing on the verge of her dreams, about to be swept off her feet and carried into a beautiful fairy tale. Eager and impatient, Serenity made a tiny whimpering noise in her throat. "Patience, my child," the Queen muttered beneath her breath. "Be strong." Despite her mother's words, Serenity could detect a slight eager quickening of the Queen's breath as the trio of Earth-children drew nearer. The Princess wanted to scream at them to hurry, but she forced herself to remain still, not even craning her neck for a better view. This man, whoever he was, was destined to be her only true love for all eternity. He would be by her side to support her when she became Queen and ruled the Moon, loving her, caring for her, and sharing his life with her. At last, the Royal Family of Earth reached the foot of the dais. The King and Queen smiled up at Princess Serenity, their son still hidden behind them. They seemed friendly enough. The King cleared his throat. "Queen Serenity of the Moon," he announced in a loud, powerful voice, "we offer our son, Prince Endymion, to your daughter in marriage. Through their union, the blessed lineage of the Moon will be secured. We ask only that the Earth and Moon shall be joined as these two are joined, as allies and friends, and that the second child born of this union be given to our world as heir to the Golden Kingdom as soon as the child is of age. What say you?" Calm, collected, as regal as a true goddess, Queen Serenity replied with a voice that touched all corners of the vast Great Hall. "King Arton of the Earth, I accept your offer and your terms, and give the hand of my daughter, Princess Serenity, to your son in marriage. My blessings be on their union." At long last, the King and Queen of Earth parted, stepping to either side to allow their son to pass between them. Prince Endymion climbed the steps of the dais. He was about the same height as his betrothed and dressed in a handsome black tunic and breeches. Plates of ebony armor were fastened to his legs, arms, and shoulders, and a long cloak flowed out behind him as he approached the Princess. Prince Endymion had auburn hair and deep blue eyes, eyes as dark as the sky after sunset. Serenity glanced at the face of the man she would spend her life with and quickly averted her eyes to avoid blushing. She tried to ignore the fact that she would soon know this stranger intimately and instead concentrated on the rest of the engagement ritual. The Prince reached for Serenity's hand, and she timidly placed her pale fingers in his palm. She kept her eyes lowered, too nervous to look at Prince Endymion's face, as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. The kiss was soft and gentle, a light feathery pressure against Serenity's skin. Her heart quickened slightly at the heat of his breath on her flesh. Prince Endymion lowered her hand again and released it before turning to his mother. The Queen of Earth ascended the bottom step of the dais and held out the engagement pendant to her son, stretching the filigree chain between both hands so the gold-edged blue stone caught the light. From behind the throne, Sailor Venus approached and gave Serenity a similar pendant, with a white stone framed in silver dangling from it. The Prince and Princess faced each other again, each holding a precious gift that would seal their promise to one another. Silver hair pooled on the smooth stones of the dais as Princess Serenity bowed her head, leaning toward her betrothed. The Earth Prince lifted his blue pendant over the round balls of hair atop her head and settled the thin chain around her neck. He then bent forward in turn, and Serenity stretched out her arms to lift her own pendant over the man's head. That was the final step. They were now engaged, promised to one another in marriage. Serenity shook herself inwardly. This was no way for a woman about to be married to behave. This man was going to be her lover and best friend until the end of her days. She had to look him in the eye, as an equal. Besides, Prince Endymion had to be as curious and eager to learn about Serenity as she was to get to know him. Steeling her resolve with the thought that the Prince was surely as nervous as she, Serenity raised her head, looked eagerly into her fiance's face, and found...nothing. Prince Endymion's expression was an emotionless mask. His royal blue eyes, though dark and mysterious, were empty and glassy. His face was like stone with no trace of feeling. Serenity found nothing within his lifeless countenance: no affection, no vague interest, no curiousity, not even bitterness or disappointment. She nearly shivered with cold just looking at him. Had it not been for the warmth of his breath on the back of her hand, Serenity would have found it hard to believe Prince Endymion lived at all. Another flurry of tiny bubbles broke the surface of the tankard of Moon Nectar. Endymion sighed and stared down into the amber liquid, letting his jet-black hair hang over his eyes. All around him, the tavern buzzed with voices and laughter, but the stable hand tuned it all out. He couldn't even explain to himself why he felt so depressed on a night of celebration. In the distance, a chorus of horns sang their musical message to the entire city, marking the official moment of Princess Serenity's engagement to the Earth Prince. All the tavern's clientele erupted into cheers, celebrating this keystone moment in the history of the Moon Kingdom. Tankards were raised, toasts were given, and drinks were distributed on the house. The air within the tavern became charged with the energy of joyous revelry. Through it all, Endymion sat silently at the bar, dark eyes watching the tiny bubbles burst on the surface of his untouched Moon Nectar. As the small ensemble took up their instruments and began to play a slow, warm tune, Princess Serenity shook off her startled reaction to her fiance's stoic appearance. She gave him a friendly smile, filling herself with new hope for their first dance together. Prince Endymion's expression did not change. He bowed stiffly, formally, and Serenity curtseyed gracefully in response, her white skirts rippling smoothly across the floor. Taking her hand, the Prince led his bride-to-be down the steps of the dais and to the center of the Great Hall. The crowd parted to let them through. Sensing all the eyes upon her, Serenity forced a smile to her face. It had to be nerves, just the strangeness of the situation. He would surely warm up to her once they had a chance to get to know each other. As the music kept up its lilting melody, Princess Serenity turned to face her Prince and lifted one delicate arm to his shoulder. He laid his free hand gently, but firmly, on her hip, and they began their first slow dance as a couple. The Prince of Earth was a skilled dancer, leading his partner through intricate steps that were somehow easy to follow, and Serenity concentrated on applying all her training in grace and finesse to match his ability. The two of them glided across the floor, Prince Endymion's heavy boots landing lightly on its marble surface, making even less sound than the soft clicks of Serenity's glass slippers. The royal couple made a handsome pair, the Prince in his polished obsidian armor plates and the Princess in her fine middle-youth gown with the silver trimmings that matched her hair. Their twin engagement pendants sparkled in the light, sending beams of blue and white leaping around the Great Hall. Serenity tried to relax and enjoy the dance despite the audience surrounding them, but her partner, though talented, was as stiff as a statue. His hand was warm in hers, but he moved as if following an unbendable pattern. With innocent hope she looked into Prince Endymion's face, smiling warmly, hoping to help him loosen up once he saw how kind and gentle she was. The auburn-haired man would not meet Serenity's eyes. He stared straight ahead, deep blue eyes unblinking, his blank gaze refusing to focus on the young woman standing less than an arm's length in front of him. Although Serenity's eyes burned into her stoic dance partner in earnest, and then confusion, he did not seem to notice. It was all the Princess could do to keep up her illusion of happiness. After what seemed an eternity of sterile, emotionless dancing, the ensemble transitioned into another song and the suffocating crowd began to pair off. The pressure of attention subsided as the guests' eyes turned to their own partners, and the room began to move with hundreds of dancing couples. Princess Serenity breathed a sigh of relief, then blinked in disbelief as the Earth Prince instantly released her hand and let his arms drop to his sides. She waited for him to speak, but without a word, Prince Endymion turned away and strolled off into the crowd. For a moment, the abandoned young woman stood frozen, hurt and confused. She nearly choked as tears welled up in her throat. She couldn't understand what was wrong; they hadn't even spoken and he already seemed to hate her. Serenity's vision began to swim with tears as she stood alone in a sea of dancing, happy couples. On the brink of breaking down, the Princess somehow found a shred of courage. She was a woman about to be married, and she would not accept this behavior from her lifetime companion without an explanation. Gathering her light, flowing skirts in her hands, Serenity hustled off in pursuit of Prince Endymion, weaving through the whirling dancers. She caught up with him as he was slipping off the dance floor into the semi-corridor formed by the row of pillars that lined the sides of the Great Hall. Reaching the empty space between the pillars and the wall, Princess Serenity hesitated only a moment, watching her fiance striding away toward the dais with his black cloak flowing out behind him. "Prince Endymion, stop, please," she called out, loud enough for her voice to reach him but soft enough to be discreet. He did stop, but did not turn around. Brow knitted in frustration, Serenity jogged up to him, the glass slippers pinching her feet in protest of such an undignified movement. "Please look at me," she whispered. The Earth Prince turned around and met her eyes for the first time. Dark royal blue pools engulfed Serenity's own sapphire eyes, his emotionless face draining her remaining hope. Also for the first time, he spoke. "Princess Serenity." His voice was deep and mysterious, and could have been seductive were it not so flat and empty. The crystal-haired Princess of the Moon gazed up into him, finding layer after layer of cold nothing, and fought the tears that threatened to cloud her own eyes. "Endymion, is something wrong?" she asked quietly. "No, Princess," the living statue replied. "The ceremony was completed according to plan, was it not?" What was the matter with this man? Were all Earth people so unfeeling? "Yes, it was...nice," Serenity replied, absentmindedly lifting one hand to idly play with the engagement pendant hanging at her throat. They were finally having a conversation, strange though it was, but Prince Endymion was still looking at her with the same empty expression. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for her next question, but she could not prevent the blush from tainting her pale cheeks. "Do...do I not please you?" Serenity whispered, her free hand nervously grasping at her dress. "Am I a disappointment?" Surprisingly, a first hint of emotion entered the Prince's face, but it was confusion. "You are beautiful, Princess," he replied matter-of-factly. "My parents are surely pleased." Slightly relieved, but even more puzzled, Serenity tried another tactic. "Where are you going?" "To sit with my parents. We've finished the required rituals." "I thought we might go for a walk together," the Princess suggested timidly. "We could get to know each other better." "Is that necessary?" There was no cruelty in the question, no emotion at all. From those three words, Serenity finally realized that Prince Endymion simply did not believe their marriage had anything to do with love, now or ever. She could almost feel her dream of future happiness crack and shatter. The pleasant music being played in the Great Hall, the hundreds of couples dancing in one another's arms, all seemed to be mocking her with their illusion of love. She felt cold, chilled to the bone, alone and empty in an uncaring universe. The matching pendants around their necks became just so much lifeless stone; a lie. Serenity's mouth worked soundlessly, but she could find no words to respond to her fiance's unexpected question. Prince Endymion waited for a moment before deciding she was not going to speak. He bowed formally, respectfully. "Princess." Then he was gone. "I thought I might find you here." The voice was familiar. Endymion had heard it every day since he was a child. He looked up from his still-untouched tankard and turned toward the friendly voice. "Misa." The little girl he used to squabble with in the stables had grown up into a slender, well-built young woman with brilliant green eyes. She could lift hay bales with her own two arms, and yet her hands were gentle with a bandage when needed. Her skin was as fair as the surface of the Moon itself, and she shone like the sun when she smiled. "What are you up to?" the female stable hand asked her tanned Earth-child coworker. She leaned casually against the bar, her well-shaped arms displayed by her sleeveless dress. A wave of pastel green hair cascaded over Misa's shoulders, released from its usual braid. "Just relaxing," Endymion replied, trying to tune out the noise of the crowded tavern. "Having a drink." Misa leaned forward and peered into the tankard, which was no longer bubbling. "Your drink's flat." Her rosy lips curved into a teasing smile. "There's a street dance going on in the Lower Quarter," she added, laying one hand on Endymion's shoulder. "Want to go?" She was beautiful. Friendly, too, and talented, with a body that could turn heads in any part of the Moon. With his position in the stables and a home of his own, Endymion was considered a good match, despite his Earth heritage. It was a widely-held opinion among the servants of the Moon Castle that the two of them would make a lovely couple. Despite all this, Endymion was not attracted to Misa. As the years went by and Misa began to warm up to the mischievous boy, Endymion ceased to tease her, but he never felt anything more than friendship for the green-eyed woman. For that matter, he had never had true feelings for any of the women who had flirted with him while he pursued his mission of becoming a gentleman. As far back as he could remember, no girl's hair had been pale enough, no complexion fair enough, no eyes blue enough to stir his fancy. Endymion sighed inwardly under the burden of disappointing Misa yet another time. "I'm sorry, Misa, but I'd like to be alone." Her bright emerald eyes took on a look of true concern. "This is a night of togetherness and celebration," she reminded him. "What is troubling you?" The dark-haired child of Earth opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated as he realized the true answer. "I don't know," he replied honestly. Laying a few coins on the bar, Endymion rose from his seat and left the tavern, heading for home. Struggling to contain the grief churning within her stomach, Princess Serenity leaned against a marble pillar and clenched her fists to maintain self-control. The effort was beginning to make her feel queasy. Peeking back into the Great Hall, the abandoned bride-to-be searched for a friendly face. After a moment she spotted her four friends, but they were all gliding across the dance floor in the arms of smiling men. Of course, as nobility of their planets, the Sailor Soldiers would never miss a chance to meet potential mates. Serenity did not want to disrupt anyone's happiness with her own misery. On shaky legs, the Princess headed down the passage beside the wall, breathing deeply to contain her tears. At last she emerged at the side of the dais at the front of the Great Hall, next to the very door through which she had entered earlier. Upon the dais, Queen Serenity still sat in her throne, watching the guests enjoy the ball. To the Princess' slight satisfaction, her mother looked worried. Comfortable chairs had been brought for the King and Queen of Earth, and their son, soon to be Serenity's husband, stood beside them in a refined posture. Steadying her nerves with every remaining shred of confidence, the Princess lifted her skirts and climbed the steps of the dais. Before anyone else could speak to her, she hurried to her mother's side. "Serenity, there you are!" the Queen greeted her warmly. "I was beginning to worry!" "Mother, may I speak with you in private?" the silver-haired heir to the throne whispered. Queen Serenity's eyes narrowed in puzzlement. "Certainly, my dear," she replied, rising from her throne. "Please excuse me," she remarked to Earth's royal family with a warm smile. Together, mother and daughter stepped down from the dais and slipped through the side door into the preparatory chamber, a luxurious room where royalty could make themselves ready for a public appearance. "Serenity, I hope this is urgent," the Queen sighed as she settled herself on a silk-covered couch. "We might insult our guests." "Mother, I..." She could not maintain control any longer. The emotions churning inside the Princess bubbled over and spilled forth, emerging as great heaving sobs. Her vision clouded, and tears flowed freely down her cheeks. The bride-to-be pressed both hands to her face, but could not stop the drops of sorrow from slipping off her chin and splashing against her pale chest. The Queen was out of her seat in an instant and gathering her young daughter into her arms. The silver-haired girl pressed herself into her mother's warm bosom, letting all the frustration and pain that had built up drain into the fabric of her dress. For a long moment they simply held each other, a mother's comfort melting away the pressures of royal decorum. "Now," Queen Serenity said as the sobs finally subsided, "what has upset you so, my dear?" Her daughter stepped back from the Queen's arms and caught her breath, wiping the remaining tears from her eyes. "Prince Endymion, he..." She hiccupped, then tried again. "Oh, Mother, he's like a statue! There's no emotion, no warmth inside him at all!" The Queen gave her an indulging smile. "Calm down, Serenity," she said soothingly. "You've only just met. There's bound to be some awkwardness. Once you get to know each other, things will be better. You'll see." "That's what I told myself at first," Princess Serenity protested, "but he won't even talk to me. He'll barely even look at me!" "It's all just so new and different," her mother argued. "He'll soon learn to love you." The Princess bit her lip and averted her eyes, wringing her hands nervously. "Mother... If he doesn't..." Her voice began to waver. "If it doesn't get any better, I don't really have to marry him, do I?" Queen Serenity sighed and closed her eyes, but when she opened them again, her gaze held a look of deep pity. She looked at her precious daughter, so grown-up and beautiful in the long white dress that complimented her perfect skin. The Queen's eyes swept over her child's long colorless hair - tied into balls like her own - and the blue stone hanging around her neck, and was reminded of her own coming-of-age. She was proud of the young Moon Princess and hated to see her crystal blue eyes bright with tears, but she knew what she had to say. "Serenity, you are the heir to the Moon Kingdom," the Queen explained, looking at her daughter with apology in her eyes. "You must do what is best for your people." The Princess' mouth hung open in disbelief. "You would force me to marry a man who does not love me? Who does not even care about me?" "It is the way things are," her mother replied softly. "As royalty, your marriage must be a contract forged for the good of the Moon. Please, try to understand," she begged, reaching out for her daughter as the younger woman's eyes filled with fresh tears. "Mother, how could you?" Princess Serenity cried in a hoarse voice. Whirling around in a flurry of white and silver, she dashed from the room, leaving her mother standing in a cloud of regret. The Princess ran down the passage between the pillars and the wall, freely weeping, continually clearing tears from her eyes so she could see. Fortunately, all the guests in the Great Hall were still dancing, and no one noticed as one half of the newly-engaged couple fled down the corridor and slipped out the main double doors, drowning in her own misery. Dashing down the front steps of the Moon Castle, past the startled valets and stable hands, Serenity rushed into the night, white dress flying out behind her. Wanting to be left alone, she shunned the castle gardens and headed for the common areas that the servants called home. By the time she reached the cluster of huts near the stables, Serenity's glass slippers were badly chafing against her feet. Limping slightly, the Princess kicked off the hated shoes, imagining them symbols of the class that held her prisoner. The grass was cool and soft beneath her sore feet, and calmed her enough to end her emotional flight. The servants' community was deserted, all its inhabitants off celebrating the very engagement their Princess was running away from. The grounds were silent enough that the distant snorting and stomping of the stabled beasts could be heard clearly. Pausing for a moment, Serenity wiped the tears from her face and neck. Her hands came across the thin silver chain encircling her throat. The engagement pendant felt heavy, like a lead weight, choking her with unwanted responsibility. With a strangled cry, the bride-to-be pulled off the pendant and flung it to the ground, where it lay glittering in the grass. At the bottom of the slope Serenity glimpsed a pond shining with earthlight, the perfect medicine for her stinging feet. Chest shuddering with erratic, dry sobs, the Princess hobbled down the grassy hill. The Moon Castle towered over the surrounding grounds, glowing with the eternal power of Queen Serenity. All its sweeping towers and turrets were ablaze with light on this special evening, casting a shine of celebration and happiness across the entire city. Endymion strolled over the grounds alone, gazing up at the beautiful structure. His life was so close to that of the nobility, and yet so far away. Nearing home, the stable hand noticed a peculiar shine in the grass, reflecting the light of the looming Moon Castle. He bent down and discovered a perfect glass slipper lying forgotten on the ground. After some searching, he soon located its mate nearby. Both shoes were like new, completely undamaged. Endymion was delighted; shoes like these would fetch a fine price in the city. When the young man took another step, a blue flash caught his eye. A stone's throw away he found a priceless treasure: a gold-rimmed blue gem on a silver chain. Endymion lifted it carefully in one hand. It caught the light of the full Earth brilliantly, sparkling as if glowing from inside. Surely this stone was worth more than a crate of glass slippers. However, although Endymion would gladly sell a pair of shoes that the nobility could easily replace, he could not in good conscience do the same with jewelry. A piece of jewelry was a personal gift...like a flower. Sighing, Endymion looked around for clues to the whereabouts of the lost items' owner. He hoped to find a footprint or another lost trinket, but his search proved much easier than he expected. As he raised his head, his midnight eyes fell upon a distant figure wading in the pond at the base of the slope. The mystery person was dressed all in white, and even from this distance Endymion could tell the stranger's clothing was not that of a servant. Apparently a guest of the engagement celebration had wandered away from the others. The stable hand adjusted his worn clothing as he headed down the slope toward the pond he had drawn water from as a boy. Perhaps if he were polite enough, the owner of the pendant and shoes would grant him a reward for returning the expensive property. Out of habit, he glanced at the old gardener's entrance to the royal gardens as he passed by. It was locked, as always. Before long, he drew near to the pond. Endymion hid for a while behind some bushes by the shore, watching the stranger as he tried to decide how best to approach a member of the nobility. It was a young woman, and her back was turned to him and the Moon Castle. She was wading barefoot in the pond, her white skirts gathered in both hands. Even from the back, Endymion was struck by her beauty. She had flawless pale skin, and the sloping line of silver circles that edged the top of her dress flattered her slender curves, adding an extra hint of grace to her every movement. She moved slowly, in jerking steps as if her feet hurt her, and her long pigtails trailed in the water. Something stirred within Endymion's memory, and his eyes widened. Twin streams of hair tied into balls atop her head. A long white dress. Alabaster skin. The raven-haired young man stared at the glass slippers and blue stone pendant in his hands - a Princess' ransom. His heart began to pound within his chest. It couldn't be. Serenity stepped carefully on the smooth stones at the bottom of the pond, soothing her aching feet in the cool water. She breathed a deep, shuddering sigh, all her tears finally spent. The Princess looked ahead, over the grassy fields of the castle grounds toward the city, where the common people of the Moon carried out their common lives, free of the bonds of a noble birth. Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden rustling, a heavy thud, and a muttered curse. Serenity whirled around to discover a young man lying sprawled on the grass beside the hedge that lined the edge of the pond. Startled, she let part of her skirts drop into the clear water. Endymion could not prevent a blush of shame from searing his cheeks as he struggled to his feet, glass slippers and pendant still in his hands. Whatever he may have decided to do, tripping over a root and falling flat on his face certainly wasn't the greeting he had in mind. Shaking his clothes and hair back into place, the stable hand looked up at the young woman in the white dress, who had turned to face him. Endymion stared into a large pair of vibrant blue eyes. There was no mistaking her now. She did not speak, waiting for him to explain his trespass. "Pardon my intrusion," Endymion muttered, averting his eyes. "I found these near the stables..." The Princess sighed, seeing the symbols of her status that she had tried to abandon. "Yes, they're mine," she admitted reluctantly. Don't hurt him! Since then, Princess Serenity's voice had matured into a beautiful soothing tone, filled with birdsong and flowing waterfalls. Endymion pushed the childhood memory out of his mind. Of course she wouldn't remember him, and he was puzzled. Serenity's reaction was not the one he had been expecting. "Well," he said after a moment of awkward silence, "I'll just leave them here, shall I?" Serenity's blue eyes studied the ragged stable hand as he carefully laid her shoes and the hated pendant on the grass. Even in the dim light she could tell he was an Earth-child, and a hard worker as evidenced by his trim body and muscular arms. Something about him seemed familiar, although she could not determine what. His presence was strangely comforting, and as he bowed slightly and turned to leave, the night began to feel quite cold and lonely. "Wait," the Princess called out. The stable hand turned to face her. "If you leave, you'll tell someone where I am," she sighed. "Besides, I could use some company. I thought I wanted to be alone, but..." She bit her lip and looked at him with eyes full of grief. "Please?" "As you wish, Princess." Endymion felt like his heart had leapt up into his throat, choking him. Keep the Princess company? Him? A common stable hand? As Serenity daintily waded toward him, Endymion searched for something, anything, to say. "You know, I used to draw water for the horses from this pond when I was a boy." Serenity froze where she stood, ankle-deep in the crystal-clear liquid. Shivers rolled up and down her spine. "I'm standing in horse water?" With a shriek of horror, she leapt out of the pond and practically flew to the shore, splashing water everywhere. When she reached the grass, the Princess danced around crazily, trying to shake off as much liquid as possible. The tension was broken. In that moment, Serenity descended from the cloud of royalty and became just like any other squeamish young woman. More squeamish, in fact, than the average servant. Watching the Princess yelp like a child, trying to wring the water out of the tips of her hair without touching it with her bare hands, Endymion couldn't help laughing. "What's so funny?" Serenity demanded, glaring at him. "We just draw the water from the pond," the stable hand explained, chuckling. "The beasts don't actually drink here. Besides, the Queen's magic keeps the water pure anyway." "Oh." The faintest shadow of a blush crossed Serenity's pale face, but she quickly adopted a haughty posture. "You shouldn't scare young ladies like that!" "You shouldn't panic at a little horse water," Endymion shot back, smirking at her. "You're rather bold, speaking to me that way," the Princess scolded with folded arms. It was oddly refreshing after the day's suffocating formality. She gave the midnight-haired man a slight smile. "I like it." The stable hand grinned at her. "I am glad to please you, Princess." "So, young man, might I have your name?" Serenity asked, idly squeezing the remaining water out of her silver tresses. "And what brings you out here this evening?" The Princess flinched inwardly at her use of such formal language, scolding herself for falling into old patterns. "I'm Endy-" Endymion bit the word off halfway. He couldn't tell the Princess a stable boy had the same name as her Prince fiance. She'd laugh him right off the grounds. "Endou," he finished lamely. "Name's Endou. I'm a stable hand," he continued, lifting his jet-black hair off the right side of his neck. Serenity casually glanced at the tattoo that served as the young man's permanent passport to the Moon Castle grounds. She would never have asked for proof, but was secretly relieved to see the royal crest marked in silver against his dark skin, proving he spoke the truth. Earth-children were reputably untrustworthy. "Walk with me awhile, will you?" As if any castle servant could refuse. Endymion nodded and hurriedly scooped the pendant and glass slippers off the lush grass again, rushing to catch up with the Princess as she glided away along the edge of the pond. They walked for a while in silence. Endymion was as nervous as if the entire Royal Guard were chasing him. For all he knew, they actually were. Every other step he took, the stable hand looked back over his shoulder or peered into the shadows. Finally Serenity laughed like a peal of silver bells. "Don't worry, Endou," she said lightly. "Nobody knows I'm out here." Endymion's senses were on heightened alert due to his paranoia, or he wouldn't have heard her add, "Or cares, anyway," in a near-whisper. Why would a Princess sneak away from her own engagement celebration? Endymion risked a sideways glance at her. The Moon Princess was still a full head shorter than he, but now it was the result of heredity rather than age. Just looking at the crystal-haired young woman made Endymion's blood rush in his ears. She was growing up beautifully, slender and graceful, looking like an angel in her new white dress. She was older, yet somehow the same gentle child who had given a simple stable boy a rose. Shaking himself out of a near-trance, Endymion noticed the sadness in her pure blue eyes and again wondered what could be troubling her. He wished he had the social status or the courage to ask. Serenity breathed deeply of the cool night air, enjoying her respite from the reality that waited for her inside the Moon Castle. Looking around, she realized that a moonlit pond, grass, and bushes could be as beautiful as a fountain-filled garden. Of course, much of that depended on the company. Serenity smiled absentmindedly, observing her companion out of the corner of her eye. For an Earth-born stable hand, he certainly was handsome. His dark eyes and hair were such contrasts to the light complexion of the male castle servants, and her mother had never allowed her to make friends with any boys of her own station. Here was the forbidden fruit, and what an attractive fruit it was! "So," Serenity finally broke the silence, "you're a stable hand?" A blush flooded her cheeks, but she blurted out the rest of her question. "This might sound strange, but what is it like to work?" Now it was Endymion's turn to laugh. "Necessary," he replied jokingly. The Princess turned her face toward him as they walked, blinking her large innocent eyes with a puzzled expression, and he sobered. "It can be hard, but rewarding," the tanned young man replied honestly. Besides, what if this was some kind of test? "It feels good to support my own life. I enjoy working for the glory of Queen Serenity." The Princess nodded solemnly, her eyes downcast. "I suppose you feel...free," she said softly. "Free to make your own decisions, to choose your own destiny." This time Endymion swallowed his laughter. If she only knew what it really meant to be a servant! Still, he could not complain to Princess Serenity about such things, or he'd be out of a job by morning. The stable hand did not reply, but his royal companion had more questions on her mind. "Tell me, Endou," she began as they strolled through the earthlit evening, "if your parents told you you had to marry a certain person, even if you didn't want to, what would you do?" The mention of parents momentarily distracted Endymion from the true magnitude of Serenity's question. "I... I don't know my parents," he muttered, a shadow crossing over his face. "What? Why not?" The Princess stopped short and stared at him, her pale face a mixture of horror and pity. "I was lost, somehow, when I was barely old enough to walk," Endymion explained. All the servants he saw on a daily basis long ago learned this story, and he was surprised at how much his heart still ached to tell it. "Miss Amaris, the stable matron, found me wandering the castle grounds and took me in. She asked all the Earth-born families she could find, but nobody knew me. I grew up as an orphaned stable boy." "Oh, that's awful!" Serenity exclaimed. "It's all right," Endymion assured her, unable to decide whether or not he wanted the pity of the nobility. "Miss Amaris takes good care of all the children in her charge." "Still, if I didn't have my mother, I don't know what I'd do." The Princess turned to gaze up the sloping grounds toward the Moon Castle for the first time since their meeting. "I suppose I was too hard on Mother. I know she loves me dearly." She sighed a heavy sigh, the sigh of a burden heavier than her delicate body betrayed. "I should go back." Without thinking, she lifted the hem of her dress and extended one dainty foot toward Endymion. The dark-eyed Earth-child stared at her blankly for a moment before they both simultaneously understood. "Oh! I'm so sorry," Serenity babbled, blushing as red as a rose. "Force of habit, you know." She held out her hand to take the glass slippers, but Endymion knelt in front of her. "No, allow me." Face hot with embarrassment, the Princess allowed the stable hand to slide the cool crystal shoes onto her feet. He stood up, brushed the dust from his breeches and then moved to lift the engagement pendant over her head, but Serenity stopped him. "It wouldn't be right," she explained with a slight, halfhearted chuckle. "Once it's on, nobody else is even supposed to touch the thing. It's bad enough that I took it off." She reached out and took the blue stone on its silver chain from him. For a brief moment, their hands touched, Serenity's silken pampered flesh brushing against Endymion's rough calloused fingers. They looked up into one another's eyes, blue engulfing black, black engulfing blue. After a pause that seemed to last forever, Serenity blinked, feeling like she was waking from a peaceful sleep. What was she doing? Numbly, she hung the gold-edged blue stone around her neck and smiled at her companion. "I enjoy talking with you, Endou," she said warmly. "You treat me like a person, not some object defined by blood. I should like to see you again sometime, if you're willing." "Of course, Princess," Endymion replied with a slight bow. "Whatever you wish." A nervous wave abounded within the stable hand's stomach. See her again? A servant like himself? "Tomorrow morning, there's a demonstration of the Moon Knights," Serenity said earnestly, wondering in a corner of her mind why she wanted to see this stable hand again so badly. Tomorrow? How had "sometime" turned into "tomorrow?" "Yes, I know of it." "The Royal Family of Earth will be occupied there, so I should be able to excuse myself," Serenity continued quickly before she could lose her courage. "Can you get away during that time?" "I believe so." Endymion spoke as if he were dreaming, unable to grasp the fact that he was really standing there having this conversation. "See that wall there?" The Princess pointed to the very stones that surrounded the garden where they had met as children. "There's a garden inside, my favorite one. I'll make sure the gardener's entrance is open. Will you meet me there?" "As you wish, Princess." "All right, then. Good night." Serenity turned and hustled away up the hill toward the shining Moon Castle, faster than she had meant to. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she felt as if it would explode if she didn't get out of there. Once again, Endymion turned and headed for home through the cool of the evening. His mind whirled in disbelief. It was impossible. It all had to have been a dream. |
