Rapunzel of the Moon
Dreams cast upon the winds of change,
But to those of us who linger in the forests of twilight, is there no liberation?
~*~
Serenity sat on the window seat lost in her thoughts, a princess longing for a future of freethinking and a rich vane of excitement. But alas, it seemed such a wanton fantasy.
Her sister, Princess Luna, would give her that typical enigmatic smile of hers in response to her state of discontent. She shrugged in the usual way she would after unsuccessfully trying to convince her that life on the Moon was all she needed to feel complete. (Why can she not see that?) Luna thought, sighing exasperatedly, her lavender hair flying about her shoulders as she stomped her foot upon the marble floor as the result of Serenity’s listless expression. Her very posture an affront to everything Luna stood for. (Look at her, just sitting there like an aloof Goddess on the window seat, looking as if she were in mourning for her consort, tears streaming down her face because she fell in love with the blue pearl hovering out there in space, a world so ancient and mysterious, reputed to be afflicted with never ending conflict and suffering. And for all its beauty, it was no place for a Lunarian to spend any substantial amount of time)
”Serenity, why is your heart so troubled? You are the first-born. I won’t inherit the throne. You have this honor. But look at you. Anyone would think you were subject to exile on a baron world with Youma stalking your every move. I just don’t understand you,” Luna said, turning on her heel and left her brooding sister in her wake.
(I know there is something more; I just can’t think what it is. Oh, how I wish I could just as Luna says –be content – I am an ungrateful brat I know, but my heart calls me to a destiny to do with that stunning blue planet. I cannot rest until I find out what it is I am meant to find there.) Serenity told herself inwardly.
At that moment, a shadow formed in the corner of the room. Serenity just stared at the figure of petite disposition, not less than six feet away from where she sat on the window seat. For a moment she saw the face of a wraith-like creature, a face etched in hard red granite, malevolent and unforgiving – then it was gone, replaced by that of a seventeen-year-old girl quietly watching her. The young woman’s hair shone in the light of the starlit sky that flooded the bedchamber as it poured in through the arched threshold leading onto Serenity’s private patio.
The woman’s thick lashes stood in sharp contrast to her oval, high-cheek-boned alabaster face, her soft dark gown, gathered beneath her breasts, flowing over slender hips to a broad hem that swam about her sculptured limbs. The woman’s head bowed in acknowledgement of the princess, a gentle smile upon her face. She held a bunch of velvet black roses in her tiny hands, copious strands of shimmering red streaming over her shoulders to her hips and tumbling down her back.
”Who are you?” Serenity demanded, jumping to her feet, her hand a tug away from the golden chord that would -- if she so chose -- bring the palace guard to her aid.
The woman lifted her head and smiled at the princess, blinking rapidly as her vermillion mane flew back behind her rounded shoulders. ”I am Beryl Ravensong, your guardian and teacher.” Serenity tilted her head slightly and was amused by this pixie of a girl’s presumption to take on a role already decided for her by her court, ”I am here to prepare you to find joy and happiness as queen of Luna. Your heart is troubled. I know it is difficult, child, but listen to me… You long for freedom, love and adventure. I can only say that if you were allowed to follow your heart, only darkness and destruction would follow. Trust me, this is not a path for one such as you.”
“I doubt it, but go on,” she said, more confidently than she felt. Serenity stared at the diminutive figure, her hair so long and ruby-red, it almost rivaled her own for luster and length, only differing in color.
”I am also known as the Mistress of the nine paths of power. To claim your mantle, you must sacrifice all in the name of the nocturnal rose, your legacy.”
”I don’t understand, lady. You say I must sacrifice my life entirely to my role as future queen of Luna to all else? Am I not the arbiter of my own fate? I don’t have to accept your terms…I wont!”
”Be not angry princess, for you have not yet drank from the well of dreams that is the power I shall grant you.”
She continued to stare at the sweet looking woman who had placed the dark roses in her hands before vanishing, then speaking in a disembodied voice that filled the night, ”Remember Serenity. Your kingdom is all you need, betray your lineage and all shall fall to ruin, only tears, destruction and death awaits those who deny their destiny and its many responsibilities.”
Serenity looked for a long time at the roses in her hands, her thoughts of The Terran Kingdom and what lay beyond quickly receded as she wondered if Beryl could be right, (was she blind to her destiny? Would all fall in a chaotic spiral to its end if she defied Ravensong’s decree?) She kicked off her soft shoes, allowing her feet to feel the cool stone floor, an amalgam of pink, white and lavender marble and walked to her dresser.
The large dimensions of her bedchamber stood in resplendent contrast to her forlorn expression. (What was she to do?)
~*~
The next day, Serenity went for her morning stroll, the cat guardians, Diana and Artemis accompanying her as they always had. Serenity’s father was a feline metamorph, born on a distant world called Mau, a beautiful world of rich culture and high magic. She had not inherited the Mauan ability to transform into a Moon Cat, but as much as she envied her sister, she was glad to be who she was. She loved her guardians, and Diana was her best friend. Artemis was most fond of Luna, but because they were cousins, Luna – as with everything about her younger sister -- was stubbornly conservative, and on this subject, she was adamant. In no way was she keen on the idea of a marriage that would mix family blood too closely together. Serenity chided her for her narrow-minded prejudice, pointing out that first cousins had, and would, continue to bond and be married. She went on, explaining that the offspring of such a pairing were endowed with incredible psychic powers and often served the Mauan court or became warrior magi, or priests and priestesses to the Temple of Bast.
Luna huffed and would change the subject, only saying, (why do I want such abilities anyway, I don’t need to tell you what you ate for breakfast in a week, or what you might dream, or the name of your first born and future husband. What use is that? You would only find it constricting and your freedom…you so valiantly defend would be further eroded. I worry about you, sister), She would say.
Stopping by the emerald river, she sat upon the soft green grass, tucking the hem of her skirts behind her in a loose bow, exposing her sculptured legs to the cool breeze.
”Serenity! You are an embarrassment to the name of Serenity, baring your naked flesh like that!” Artemis rebuked.
”I shall -- bare my flesh -- as I see fit! They’re my legs are they not? I don’t appreciate you telling me I can’t relax and give myself some comfort, as you have no idea what it is like to be imprisoned in this dress all day,” she chuckled at the thought of the male cat prancing about in a fitted dress, his tail sticking up like the mast of a Moon Boat.
”Princess, please be serious, a lady shouldn’t expose herself like a common—”
”Don’t you dare finish that sentence, Artemis. I think you’ve made your point, and as your princess, I command you cease and desist!” Taken aback, Artemis quickly moved away from the princess. It was too late. He knew what was coming. Serenity stepped gingerly into the water and began splashing the cringing cat, laughing until Artemis gave in and laughed with his princess, despite himself. Diana rolled on her back, kicking her legs into the air, laughing and purring loudly in spasms.
Five minutes later, a very wet Artemis, looking quite bedraggled, acquiesced to Serenity’s demands and remained silent. (She is a spirited girl, but who am I to tie her down and force-feed the etiquette of royal propriety to one so vexing?) He thought and sighed in resignation.
Giggling at her guardian, she relented, stepped from the water, dried her limbs and slipped into her shoes and dried a complaining white cat, ”Hey Serenity, go easy on me will you? I am not a vegetable to be scrubbed for a feast you know!”
”If you’re not careful Arty, you soon will be if you don’t hold still… I may not always agree with you and will often go my own way, but I love you guys and a chill is something I would not wish on you, so suck it in,” she commanded and dried his underbelly making the Moon Cat laugh again, setting off Diana once more.
The expression on Artemis’s face was priceless. Serenity giggled as did Diana and unable to resist the urge, so too was Artemis.
~*~
When Serenity’s head hit the pillow that night, she dreamt of a prince, a young man so good-looking and yet, more importantly, kind hearted and wise beyond his years. She didn’t want it to ever end. His name was Endymion, Such a wonderful name, ”I have not heard it before… I wish he were real,” she sighed hugging herself and soon fell asleep. Serenity found herself walking along a stone colonnade, holding the hand of the tall attractive prince of The Terran Kingdom, flanked by men in grey uniforms, swords sheathed, ever alert, people peeking through their curtains, or standing in doorways waving and smiling at both her and the prince and their entourage. She luxuriated in the sensation of skin upon skin, Endymion’s hand, so warm and secure in hers. Her heart skipped like a child. ”Lady Serenity, my people are good-hearted, though they trust few from your world. But for some reason they’ve taken you to their hearts…of this, I am most pleased,” he said smiling at her with the most adorable smile. She loved his deep-blue eyes; they regarded her with something like admiration and another feeling akin to… She woke abruptly, as cries of soldiers outside announced an impromptu visitor.
Dressing quickly, Serenity rushed downstairs to see what the commotion was all about, for down in the courtyard, stood a massive craft. It shone with a golden hue. The landing struts splayed as if it were a cat trying to prevent itself skidding upon a slippery surface, this image bringing a smile to her face, grinning at the thought of Artemis or Diana in such a predicament.
But she quickly sobered, her eyes shot open. She could only stare. ”It can’t be, no, you’re just a dream. It’s him, Endymion,” she whispered as the blood rushed from her face. She felt her knees giving way beneath her. The next thing she knew, a pair of very strong arms had caught her before she had fallen.
She allowed herself to be carried by her rescuer without protest. When she opened her eyes, those same magnetic blue orbs held her in their spellbinding way, ”Endymion,” were all she could manage.
He arched his brow and asked breathlessly, “How do you know my name, princess?”
She couldn’t speak, nor could he. Serenity, with a trembling hand, reached up and stroked his cheek, and began to cry.
”I am sorry, my lady. I do not mean to distress you. I merely wished to enquire as to when we might have met. But I am such a fool. For one as beautiful as yourself, I would not so easily forget,” he told her, drying her tears away with his kerchief.
”Forgive me, but we haven’t met…not in the conventional way anyway. You are the prince of The Terran Kingdom I take it?”
”Yes, but how…” he trailed off, memories of the frequent dreams that had haunted his nights for years flooding his mind, ”Yes, you are the one I have dreamt of since boyhood. We are not strangers to one another, for I feel you in my heart. I do not understand this, but I feel our paths are destined to cross, and indeed they already have.”
”Only recently have I seen you in my dreams. I must rest. And we must speak of this in the morning, Endymion.”
”I could wish for nothing better, princess,” he whispered touching her cheek to seal their extraordinary first meeting in the flesh.
”Serenity, call me Serenity. Formalities I think, can be dispensed with while we are alone, don’t you think?”
”Absolutely, Serenity…I bid you a good night and look forward to our meeting with much anticipation,” he looked into her eyes and the heady scent of roses like nothing she’d ever encountered flooded her senses.
He took her soft delicate hand, enjoying the sensation of her touch as her fingers unfurled, yielding to his desire to open them. He placed the most beautiful blood-red rose she had ever seen in her hand, bringing a tear to her eyes. She choked up, ”Thank you Endy…”
”Think nothing of it, my princess…see you bright and early,” he smiled, and got to his feet and bowed before taking his leave.
~*~
Tossing and turning, her dreams were ever so much darker. Dragon like creatures kept attacking the walls of the Moon palace. Beryl stood before the creatures, holding the black roses, smiling as the creatures continuously pounded the buttresses protecting the city within. She heard a loud crack and the wall crumble in slow motion. It was horrific, and nothing she could do could prevent it. She screamed as a clawed hand tore the soldier to shreds and she collapsed on the ground weeping.
Serenity woke with a scream, her heart thumping manically within her ribcage. Her body bathed in sweat, ”No, I can’t allow it… I must send him home. Mother, my sister and all my family…our people shall die if I pursue this relationship. She sobbed and cried herself to sleep and with that thought in her head, she began to sink into a pool of brilliant light, finding herself between wakefulness and dreaming and heard it, a melodic tune filling her being. Then it appeared resting upon a soft white velvet cloth, a locket of some kind, she could see it now, a star-locket playing the song of her heart -- visions of Beryl’s wrathful form soon replaced by the fragrance of hot-pink roses. Endymion stood before her in a well-tailored uniform of black, lined with gold trim and a pair of knee-high boots and a thick midnight blue cloak trailing behind him in the stiff breeze. ”Serenity, may I have the pleasure of this dance?” He smiled at her. Everything slowed down, her breath came in short pants as she took his hand. (What a truly wonderful feeling)she said to herself as he led her onto the smooth white marble courtyard. The locket continued to play as they danced gracefully under a moonlit sky. She was in The Terran Kingdom, and the air was sweet and invigorating, her head light with the magic of love. She woke with a smile and Endymion’s name upon her lips.
She climbed out of bed and sat on the window seat once again watching the magenta sky blossom into a bouquet of pink and gold as dawn claimed her mantle.
After bathing, she changed into a fresh nightgown and wrapped herself in a soft warm robe. She sat in a chair on her private veranda and dozed off until just before breakfast.
~*~
Luna strode into Serenity’s room looking for her sister, but she was long gone. Looking down from the veranda, she saw her in the courtyard talking to the Terran Kingdom generals animatedly. Apparently, the prince was in a meeting with their mother. ”What is happening down there? Trust Serenity to go talk to a bunch of Terran men, typical, no sense of decorum,” Luna muttered aloud, catching the eye of one of the red-haired soldiers who smiled up at her and nodded as their eyes met for the briefest of moments. She drew back and huffed, ”The gaucheness of these Terrans. But I must admit, he was rather sweet.” Her thoughts soon turned to Artemis, she couldn’t help it, and she just couldn’t help thinking of him at that moment. He was charming, good-looking -- in either his feline or human form – she felt a liquid warmth spiraling deep within the core of her being and sighed, allowing herself the pleasure of love’s persistent ministrations upon her body, mind and shackled spirit, now given a little more slack.
Luna thought of the predicament in which her sister was placed. Feelings of guilt and sadness touched her heart in that moment as a salty tear made its way down her cheek and its taste surprised her. She wasn’t given to bouts of emotional display like this, not even alone in her most private space within. But this was somehow different. She sighed and shook her head. ”I have been too tough on her. I have forgotten. She is like any other girl; just because we are destined to rule doesn’t mean we don’t have feelings like anyone else, its always duty and responsibility that come first. We must give up so much. But Serenity…she may as well be imprisoned or in exile for all the suffering she must endure…to be married off to a stranger and bear his children and forsake her identity and all…” she shuddered, feeling selfish, and decided to stop hounding her sister.
Her epiphany would se to that, and perhaps some of her conservative notions were tired and redundant too. Serenity taught her this, but why now was she awakening?
~*~
Serenity loved the mid-week. her duties were especially joyous occasions on this day, for she would be teaching the children in Hecate City and she adored the little ones that were so full of life, making her feel a sense of contentment only paralleled by the dreams making themselves manifest in the form of the prince. She scarcely could believe it.
Serenity decided on a knee-length shift of spun blue wool, silver sandals and no regal attire, (Wonderful…I am in my element,) she thought, Sitting upon the cushion holding the crystal harp, she began to play. The children sat in a circle, spellbound by watching their young faces, she felt light of heart and truly happy. They were bound up in the magic of the moment.
Without warning, she began to play the star-locket theme and the children stared wide-eyed at her, for Serenity was glowing. Silvery-blue light was emerging from her heart center, illuminating the room. Then, the children began to sing a choral harmony, so beautiful, it brought a tear to her eye.
The light grew ever brighter, and in a flash, she found herself dressed in a uniform of some kind, a tiara upon her brow, a skirt and top so short and revealing. It would shock Artemis no end, given the exposure of bare limbs and_ flesh -- as he might put it. But then she realized what, or who she was, a Senshi, one of the legendary warriors of the planets. She knew each member of the Silver Alliance had a ruling monarch, a Senshi, her friends: Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and several others only one she’d ever met who wasn’t dressed like this, but she too was a Senshi, Lady Setsuna.
~*~
Still overwhelmed, she sat before the children playing a harp that glowed, as did her body. She continued to play, not caring if she was seen by anyone. The children were in awe of her and continued to sing their choral as her memories of lavish gardens, temples and shrines, mighty cities on worlds she’d never seen and people too, flooded her mind. She re-lived epochs long since past.
Serenity – or in her current form -- Sailor Moon of the Moon Kingdom, ceased playing and knelt upon the cushion, resting her hands in her lap and addressed the children, looking upon each with love, ”I am Sailor Moon, the champion of love and justice… I am here to guide and protect you, my little ones. You are our future and I am so proud of each one of you.”
The children responded by rushing into her open arms as she showered them with affection.
~*~
At that moment, Endymion sensed the presence of a powerful being on the moon, more powerful than were any of the Senshi princesses of the Alliance. He stood still as the waves of energy surged through him. Closing his eyes, he saw her, it was the princess, Serenity.
He asked after her and a temple priestess, Lady Naru, told him he could find her at the children’s education center on the outskirts of the Star Forest.
”Thank you, Lady Naru, I appreciate your help.” He moved quickly, Naru tilting her head, wondering why he was in such a hurry and put it down to Terran temperament.
~*~
Sailor Moon stood holding her scepter of power, staring at its flashing crescent as Endymion moved ever closer. The children had fallen asleep under the waves of gentle force sweeping over them. Endymion stood in the doorway and gasped at the sight. He thought her truly beautiful and a strength she possessed that wasn’t present at their first meeting.
”Serenity?”
”Endymion! I am so glad you have come,” she noticed the scepter had quieted as Endymion entered the room and took in the scene, ”I suppose I rather have that effect on them in this form. I am a Senshi.”
”I had to see you again before my ship returns to The Terran Kingdom tomorrow,” he told her, a hint of sadness in his voice, ”But I have a proposition for you… I would be honored if you would dine with me tonight. I want to spend my final night in your company, great lady,” he said, kissing her hand.
She blushed and detransformed, standing once again in her shift. She beamed, and nodded her ascent.
~*~
She sat on the veranda with the children, looking up at her adoringly as she read to them. Shortly thereafter, their parents came to collect their little ones.
Luna and Artemis walked casually towards her and she dropped her book on the sofa, her mouth agape at the sight of her sister with the man she usually took such pains to avoid at her side. She was amazed how happy they seemed to be in one another’s company. She rushed down the short flight of stairs to greet her sister and Artemis, ”Hello there, it is good to see you. What brings you to the school?”
”Nothing in particular, we just thought we’d take a walk and drop in on you on our way back to the palace…want to join us? ”
”All right, that sounds great…give me a few minutes to tidy up and I will be ready.”
In the shadows, a dark figure stood watching, eyes glowing a fiery red before the dark silhouette vanished into the dappled light of the forest.
~*~
It seemed as if all the majesty of nature paid homage to Serenity and Endymion as they walked casually through the forest of Stars, so named for the nocturnal landscape that gave the observer the impression they were in a forest woven into the fabric of the Milky Way, such was the breathtaking scenery of this location.
”I need to ask you something,” he said, stopping for a minute, ”Have you ever read the legends of Terra? If not, you must!”
”Why is that, Endymion?”
”Because you’re in them,” he said, taking her completely off guard.
”What… You mean, Endy…if I can call you that,” she questioned, blushing at the tone of familiarity that brought her a little closer to him.
”Well…In a codex titled -- The Daughter of the Moon -- it talks about a princess imprisoned on the Moon, but this prison is no dark place of horrors or suffering. No, far from it… It is a prison of power and glory, where the house of Luna is governed by an invisible mistress of night, a being who stands between worlds and must ensure the Lunarian Kingdom is in her keeping by controlling its sovereign. Does that sound in any way familiar to you?”
She turned deathly pale, and stared at him, feeling both the shock of his words and how close to the truth this legend actually was, ”I don’t know what to say. I am not familiar with the text, but…”
Suddenly, there was a loud roar, the trembling underbrush had Endymion jumping before her, sword of shimmering gold drawn as a dark shadow assumed the form of a Star Tiger, and these beasts were indigenous to most of the planets in the solar system. But few were found on The Terran Kingdom, ”It’s a Star Tiger. She won’t hurt us, Endy…she is only warning you to not get too close, her litter of cubs must be close by,” she told him as he sheathed his sword. The Tiger fell silent and vanished into the foliage, ”Star Tigers are mostly peaceful. We have some in our court as protectors, trained by Artemis and Luna as they can communicate with them telepathically.”
He took in her sweet face, warming to her with every passing moment. ”I have news. I will be staying a little longer, my generals on The Terran Kingdom shall as we say -- hold the fort – and I get to spend a lot more time with you.”
She blushed as she wanted to be near him as often as fate might allow, ”I am pleased to have you stay as a guest…how long do we have the pleasure of your company?” She questioned, almost breathlessly.
”I have three weeks to get to know your fine kingdom, Sere,” he said smiling.
~*~
They continued to enjoy one another’s company over the next few weeks, going for walks and even spending time with the trained Star Tigers. He also helped with the Lunarian children and taught her how to use an anti-grav glider, a past time of the elite on Terra.
”Here, the gravity is so low, it is so much more fun,” he explained, helping her balance on the board, enjoying the sensation of her physical proximity to his as they began to move across the gardens several feet above the highest tree.
”Wow I am amazed at how fantastic this feels. What is it like to fly on The Terran Kingdom?”
”A little more challenging, but we use the console to compensate for the gravitational force by creating an anti-grav cushion beneath the glider in case one of us falls off. Believe me, if you’re thousands of feet above the ground, it sure comes in handy,” he laughed at her wide-eyed expression.
~*~
The last few days of Endymion’s stay loomed ever closer, and Serenity had grown both accustomed to and fond of him, (No, it is more than just fondness I feel for him, it’s…)
Three months later
Endymion had sought an audience with Queen Serenity and had asked for permission to wed her daughter.
“I know love grows between you both, and I grant my permission, but you both have a few hurdles to overcome, and these are to forge an alliance between both our worlds, this will secure the Alliance and bring our worlds into a new accord.”
“Thank you mother!” Serenity was so excited she scarcely thought about how the so-called guardian and ‘teacher’ Ravensong would react. (Well, she is just going to have to lump it, for Endy and I are engaged and even she won’t come between us, though she may try, but I will fight her every step of the way, and I shall prevail!)When her mother told her of the proposal she summoned the couple to her chambers and told them of her decision to give her ascent and announced a banquet to be held in their honor and the proclamation would be made.
”Serenity!” Ami cried as she bounced into the room with her portable data module and sat her down, ”You’re not going to believe this, but I am traveling to The Terran Kingdom to join the medical academy in Atlantari, a continent in the southern hemisphere. I am so excited! I have waited for such an opportunity, to study The Terran Kingdom's biosphere and research its microbiological landscapes… I am so happy!” Serenity was truly happy for her friend, but she felt a little sad, as it would be one less anchor holding her sanity in check under the weight of obligation slowly crushing her. Endymion then entered into her thoughts and she realized he understood what was happening to her, but he didn’t know it all. ”Why don’t you come for a holiday? Your mother wont mind, and besides, its not as if you can’t take a brief hiatus from Lunarian affairs… the Kamis only know you’ve earned it,” she urged, letting go of Serenity’s arms that she’d been gripping enthusiastically for the last few minutes.
She nodded, thinking this a way to both get away from the palace to clear her head and escape the watchful eye of Beryl Ravensong and see a lot more of Endymion, ”Okay, Ami. But will your mother help us arrange it? I fear mother will dismiss it out of hand, but if the Queen of Mercury—”
”Consider it done. Mother agrees with me, you’ve been too long cooped up here in the palace and its city and need to stretch your star legs a little,” she said, hugging Serenity fiercely.
~*~
She felt light of heart and truly free as she made her way to her bedchamber, humming an ancient Lunarian lullaby. Serenity stepped into the room, and stripped off her clothing and with a towel over her arm, stepped naked into the bathing pond with its heated spring water and sank her tired body into a sea of fragrant foam and sighed. She untied her Odangos and layback, allowing herself to float and stared up at the sky as twilight claimed the remnants of the dying day. She lay there thinking about her trip to the Terran Kingdom and what she would do when she arrived when she heard the sound of wings close by. Turning her head, she noticed a larger than usual raven and froze, the eyes of the bird locking on hers. It was then she noticed the silver dagger in its beak and gasped, ”What do you want, Beryl!”
The bird flew off and landed a short distance away, immediately transforming into the diminutive woman she had encountered weeks ago, ”So you seek to leave the palace?”
”Yes, I intend to return, you know, so you don’t have to stalk me like this. I am old enough to know my own mind and wouldn’t abandon my kingdom… You of all…err, people ought to realize that!”
”Oh child, you are so gauche, a princess should not travel without the consent of her guardian and teacher? As I see myself in that role, I cannot allow it, Beryl shrilled, her eyes taking on a dark sheen as the woman’s long black nails of obsidian caught the pale light of the dying sun as she gesticulated whilst delivering her decree.
”I don’t think you understand, Beryl, I am going, you have my word that I shall return, and if that is—” she didn’t finish the sentence, for at that moment, she felt a sharp pain in her chest, looking down in horror, she noticed a small puncture wound on her left breast. Serenity glared in outrage at the smiling woman holding the dagger in her hand, a look of triumph on her now crone like face. Then the last thing she remembered with a shudder was the icy laughter of her nemesis as the wraith like figure continued, ”Not if I have anything to do with it…you are going to be too busy convalescing after a long illness, my dear, so your friend will have to go to The Terran Kingdom without you. Sleep well serenity,” she felt herself lifted into the woman’s arms. Beryl was incredibly strong for her size. Wrapping Serenity in a thick warm towel, she had no difficulty lifting her limp wet body from the pond as if she were a cat. Beryl carried Serenity to her bed and dressed her in a nightgown, tucking her in and kissed her forehead, ”Now sleep, my sweet child, and all shall be well.”
~*~
Serenity’s world had spun into a well of darkness, confused and stricken by a vicious fever, Ami ministered to the princess, spending most of her time by Serenity’s bedside.
”I don’t understand it; I think this illness is too unorthodox in its behavior to be anything I have seen on Luna before. I am not certain yet, but after the blood tests, I think we shall know more, your majesty,” she informed the queen, looking into her sovereign’s distraught face. ”I think you need to rest, your majesty, you’ve been as busy caring for Sere as I. It is no good exhausting yourself. I need you to be alert, and if we’re both out of it, I’m afraid Sere shall be worse off for it…now please, get some rest, as your personal physician I insist. You know my word holds sway over a Lunarian queen right now, so no arguments.” Serenity sighed and nodded her agreement.
Struggling to her feet, she patted Ami on the shoulder and Luna helped her mother to her bedchamber.
~*~
Endymion was beside himself, blaming himself for what had happened to the woman, he realized he was not only bound to by fate, but also by a fast growing love. He was convinced there was some sort of curse at work here. He couldn’t be sure, but the sooner he read the prophecy in full, the sooner he could help Serenity. (She was just about to leave the moon, but her illness is too coincidental and Ami now believes Sere was poisoned. I must find the underlying cause of this.)
~*~
After returning to The Terran Kingdom, he broached the subject with his father over the evening meal. King Solaris of Atlantari shook his head, ”Son, I wish I could say there was a way we could help, but if the princess’s life is in danger, we cannot get to her, and it might be interpreted as an act of aggression if we abducted her from her bedchamber. No, my son, if you are to help Serenity, you must do so with discretion as we will deny all knowledge of your actions if you’re caught. I apologize. But many lives would be at stake and we don’t have the resources to fight the Lunarians if they call us to account on the battlefield,” Solaris said, sadly. Arjirea, his raven-haired mother, comforted her son and embraced him while his father tried to think of ways they might help behind the scenes through an advocate. Then he had a brain wave, ”I think we could get help from an old friend of mine on Saturn…leave it with me, Endy and I will see what I can arrange. But you must take full responsibility for whatever the outcome, okay?”
”Yes father. I thank you. It is more than I expected.”
