Gaurdians of the Millenium: Destined for Love
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1. Still in the past here...
Chapter 6: Sweet Surrender? Whispered Declarations of Love:
Mina frowned. She couldn't find any of her friends, no matter
where she looked. Dancing is fun, when you have someone to dance
with. She looked around for anyone she knew. Over in the corner,
she saw two of the gaurds that had escorted her to the Moon Kingdom.
"Adonis...oh, and Lord Vulcan" She focussed on Adonis, and
said, "I have a free dance!"
The gaurd smiled at her "I haven't seen you for these
two weeks, Princess...I would be delighted to " Adonis started
to say, when Vulcan swooped past him and grabbed Mina's hand.
"Ah...Princessss I would have asked you to dance, earlier,
had you not been foolishly and childihly playing with the High
Princess. But let me show you what a dance really is...."
Mina felt her skin crawling at the touch of the slimy hand...
he pressed her into a dance, and she felt more than a little
uncomfortable..."Please, your holding my hand too tight."
Dejected, she could see Adonis leaving the hall. She wanted to
call to her friend and tell him to wait...to maybe cut in on
this guy...She winced in pain. Her foot!
She kept her head averted, for this guy's breath was extremely offensive...
What had she gotten herself into? Oh no, her foot again!
Someone, save me! She thought..her brain froze as the guy droned on....
suddenly, she felt him jerk to a stop.
"May I exchange with you?" A deep voice said.
Vulcan looked up (he was about Mina's height). "I believe the Lady has
no need or desire to change ....excuse me." He tried to maneuver her away.
"No! I'd love to!" Mina answered in violation of protocol....she didnt'
care who it was...she needed to be free.
"The lady would prefer you leave her..." The voice was pure authority.
"OH! Lord Malachite--I had no idea it was you." bowing profusely, Vulcan
moved aside.
"Oh Lord Malachite, thank you...that was most kind of you!" Mina said,
very relieved.
"I know him, and I realize that dancing with him wouldn't be pleasant.
Why did you?" He asked curious.
"I couldn't hurt his feelings, by turning him down cold." She said.
"I may not desire his company, but still..I thought it couldn't be too bad.
I was wrong."
Malachite smiled. "I hope I'm a much better dancing partner." He waltzed
her around the room. She tried to hide it, but she was wincing. "What's
wrong? "
he asked.
"It's nothing to do with your dancing, but I must stop dancing.
I really need to sit. He stepped on my foot so many times..." She smiled
though he could see tears forming in her eyes.
Malachite, surprised yet again, "Of course. I had no idea."
"A princess does not cause scenes at a ball, " She thought of her dancing
with Serena "Well, those that indicate pain anyway. Everyone should have a
good time, and believe that of everyone else. That is part of my duty."
He admired her resolve..."Come, lets go sit in the hall of fountains."
Inside the palace was a room with beautiful hothouse flowers
(the kind that grow on Venus), and magical dancing fountains
that shot water from one base to another.
The room did not feel sultry, due to the high ceilings and
graceful arches that wove overhead.
They sat down on a low slung swinging bench. The torches on the wall
provided a warmer light, but the room was still dim, mostly lit
by earthlight through the large silvery tinted windows.
Using a spell light, Malachite bent. "Princess, let me look at your foot.
You appear to be limping."
She blushed, as she lifted her foot, rolling back the folds of her gown,
and he
gently looked at the damage. He swore, excused himself, and said "That Lord
Vulcan shall have an interesting training session on earth tommorrow..
I'll see to that....and that he never bothers you again."
"Um, part of that is from when *I* tripped...it really wasn't his fault."
Mina was shocked by the vehemence in his voice. "Really, that's ok. I feel
much better now. I do."
"You don't need to excuse him" He said. "No one as graceful as you could
be responsible for a bruise like that."
Mina blinked. Under her breath she said, "You don't know me very well."
"Let me heal you." He said. He closed his eyes, and spread his hands over
her foot. She felt very warm, and light...as his energy spread to her...
Slowly she felt the herself being healed...After a minute, he opened his
eyes.
"Are you ok?"She said, placing a hand on his chest, as he looked a little
weakened.
"I'll be fine. Healing magic is draining...it's a momentary bit of
weakenss..."
He smiled, "But I'm afraid you bring out more than a momentary weakenss
in me."
"What?" She said, puzzled at his meaning.
"I couldn't stop thinking of you, My Lady. And this feeling I had just now
when I felt my essence merge into yours--you must have felt it as well" He
leaned
forward as if to kiss her....
She was stunned and drew back. "Lord Malachite!" She said...she couldn't
help it.
She giggled. Her face grew warm at his offended expression "I'm sorry..I
don't
mean to laugh at what you've said--it's just very surprising, coming from
you of all people, that's all. You have a reputation for a stone heart and
mind."
"The surprise is you." He smiled. "You are like the Sun...everything
brightens in
your presence. Is it any wonder I should feel as I do? That smile of yours
melts stone, even of heads as hard as mine. " He took her hand, and kissed
her palm.
"I'm sorry. I overpowered you with this--but I make quick decisions. I
shouldn't expect you to feel as sure as I do."
"Sure of what?" She said.
"That I love you." He said, and this time, he succeeded in kissing her.
* * * *
"I never knew we had so much in common!" Serena said...she'd been
walking around the gardens for hours now, with Dar--no, Endymion.
She couldn't believe *he* was actually the Prince of earth. The one she was
forbidden to meet.
"I was curious about the Moon Kingdom, this palace and you... since I was
forbidden to come here..."
"And what do you think of it?" She asked hestitantly
"It's wonderful...amazing...and so are you." He colored slighlty, and l
ooked at her with a serious expression. "I have a confession, the reason
I teased you so much was that I found you very attractive, and I ...you
didn't seem
to notice me at all. I'm not used to that."
"I can belie--er, I mean, " she blushed..."I think this is much better,
don't
you? You're really fun when you're not being obnoxious!" She blushed...
Why did she always stick her foot in it?
"That's ok" He laughed..."I deserved that...and I agree....
I never want this to end."
"Does it have to?" She said.
"I have to leave tomorrow with the rest of the gaurds....and I dont think
I'll
be able to come back. I was lucky my "disguise' worked this time...
but if your mother knew!"
"That stupid legend..I don't understand where that came from really...
if she met you she'd know there was no way you could harm me!'
"I'd rather die than harm you."he thought...surprised at himself as
he realized he knew that was true. "Let's just make the most of the
time I have left here, ok?"
"Great--let me show you the Moon caves!" Grabbing his hand,
she pulled him along.
* * * *
"Ah, I see we are both well and firmly being put to use" Laughed Jaedite
as he noticed his friend Neflite ladling punch into a glass. Jaedite's
hands
were full as well for his own lady. "You know this means you've lost our
bet."
"Jaed...I know I never expected to be ...captured." He laughed. "But what of
you and our Princes's cousin? Aren't you playing with fire there?"
"More than you know! Though you always tease me about breaking hearts"
his friend replied..."I'm the one liable to get my heart, or more broken
this time."
"I'm surprised this flirtation of yours has lasted this long without
Endynion
finding out..I don't think it was wise of you to escort her tonight...though
Endymion doesn't seem to be around anyway....but someone is sure to tell
him"
"Yes. I Ôll tell him. This isnt a flirtation. I love her." Jaed said
forcefully.
"WHAT?" his friend said, shocked..."You're in love?"
"I asked her to marry me." He smiled. "And she said yes."
A shocked Artemis, who had been looking for Mina crawled out from under the
punch table. "Rei? Engaged? I'd better tell Luna" he thought...and he
wondered
what they meant about Endymion ...they spoke as if he were actually *here*..
which was impossible, becase...he padded away.
* * *
The sun was just coming up--the ball's traces were already being cleared
away.
A very weary Endymion and Serena were walking back, as slowly as they
could....
"I just don't *yawn* feel tired when I'm with *yawn* you." Serena said,
as she stumbled along. Her feet were really sore, because her party
slippers
were not really designed for walking through the rough surface of the
caves and craters.
"Sure, dumpling--Serena. But right now, I think we've stayed out longer
than was good--though the caves *were* fantastic. Here, let me carry you."
He picked her up before her half-hearted protest could even be formed. "I'm
really tired myslef, and we'll get back much faster this way." He smiled,
as
she layed her head on his shoulder. It felt so right, he thought.
"Are you sure I'm not too heavy?"her voice whispered in his ear, her
breath teasing his skin's surface.
"Your light as a ...moonbeam. Surprising considering how much you eat!"
He laughed as she sleepily pushed his shoulder. "I don't eat that much"
came the mumbled response.
"Serena...." he said shaking her..."Wake up..." He smiled as he laid
her on her bed. She smiled, sleepily --"ooh my bed..." She lazily pulled
the pins out of her hair, so that the long blonde strands fell down around
her.
"G'night, En'dmn" She said....without taking her dress off, she climbed
under the covers....
"Hey!" He said, pushing the starnds out of her face...."Don't I get a
goodnight
kiss?" He leaned forward to kiss her cheek...she moved so he could kiss her
forehead, and of course they ended up in a more personal kiss...She
could feel the warmth of his body all around her, so welcome after the
chill of the lunar night in the caves.
After a minute or two, the princess pulled away "Oh..." She was beet red.
Endymion stood up, reluctantly releasing her from his arms...
."I'm sorry..." he said..."I had better go..."He vanished with magic,
leaving
only a single crimson rose by her on the pillow.
She woke in the morning, wondering if everything, the walk through
the caves, the dancing in the garden, hiding from Beryl, had that been a
dream?
She was surprised to find herself still in her dress....something soft as
the
kiss she remembered stroked her face. She turned to find a rose on her
pillow,
next to her face. Attached was a note. "S--forgive me, but don't forget
me.
I know I'll always remember tonight-- E"
She felt suddenly happy--and then sad, as she realized he was leaving that
morning--oh no, she thought! What was the time...had they left already?
A knock on her door, and she stood up, shedding her dress, and grabbing her
robe.
"Wai-"she got out, as Luna and Mina entered, leaving Artemis respectuflly
outside the door.
Mina looked tired, but at the same time exuberant, "Are you ready--we're
late
and they'll leave. I came to check where you were....I'm sorry I lost you
at
the ball last night...I got distracted."
"I did too...it's ok. I got back really late...let me change". Almost
magically,
she got her hair into form, and slipped into a pale blue dress...
"Where were you two! Queen Serenity sent me to get you--" Rei snapped,
uncrossing her arms, tapping her feet "what took you so long!?"
"Humph--let's see *her* change so fast" thought Serena as the three sprinted
down the halls...
* * *
" So, they're really gone." Lita said dejectedly...."I can't believe It...."
She felt too sad to think about the wonderful night she'd had. She might
never see him again. It didnt' seem fair. "So do you want to practice that
maneuver with the lightning fire birds Rei---hey, Rei"
Rei was dreaming and humming...She seemed to
be fiddling with the pendant on her necklace...
..
"Hello, MoonKingdom to Rei" Lita said.
"Oh, sorry." She blushed...."I wasn't listening."
"You've been like that for awhile, what's going on" Ami inquired.
"I have to wait til Serena and Mina get back from eating.and that could
take awhile...I was going to tell you all at breakfast, but we all seemed
to get up at different times...oh, wait, here they come."
Everyone seemed to be full of talk of the ball.
"Hi everyone, how was the ball"Serena said sleepily...after eating
all she wanted to do was take a nap.
"Lord Zoicite and I had the most enganging conversation regarding
derivative uses for Freysaria..."Ami said "And the most extraordinary
chess match!"
"I danced all night with Neflite" Lita said, happily..
Mina smiled. "I wandered through the hall of fountains with Lord
Malachite..."
Everyone was shocked at that "He seems so stern!" Serena said.
ÔYou can't be serious!"
"He's not...he's very..." She blushed....should she tell them he was in
love with her? But she could scarcely belive he meant it...and she wasn't
sure how she felt yet. "What about you Rei?" She said changing the subject.
Lita remembered that Rei had something to say. "Yeah, What were you going
to tell us?
Rei's eyes shone. "Lord Jaedite asked me to marry him--and I said that I
would if Queen Serenity and my Father would consent." She smiled.
She held out the necklace so they could see it held a ringwith
rubies and moonstones.
Everyone was stupified. "What!?" They said, as their eyes grew large...
"Isn't this kind of fast Rei?"Serena demanded.
Rei laughed. "I met him a year ago...when he visited Mars with my cousin
Endymion...He says his heart knew he loved me the minute he saw me,
but it just took his brain a little longer..."
Suddenly that reminded Serena of her adventures last night---"I Can't
believe you didnt' tell me" She blurted out. She blushed,as
everyone stared at her for the outburst.
"He only proposed last night Dumpling Head!" Rei said, her temper
starting to rise.
"No...Oh, I'm really seriously happy about your engagement, of course,
though I wish I'd met the guy, you know...I mean, you are part of my inner
court even if we've only known each other a couple of weeks....but it
seems like longer too.. but what I meant to say was that ....why
didn't you tell me "Darrien" was really, your cousin Endymion ?"
Rei's face went as red as her dress. Sheepishly she said "Uh, how did you
find
that out? Queen Serenity doesn't know does she?" She started to worry. She
could get in trouble for this...and not now when she needed the favor of the
Queen.
She hadn't wanted to go along with his plan, but since as he pointed out,
was already in the Moon Kingdom she might as well just keep quiet. Sometimes
when he looked at her, she couldn't help but do what he asked...
"Don't worry. He told me...and I havent told my Mother. " She
said..."He..."
Her eyes grew dewey and dreamy "He's really nice."
"I thought you didn't like him!" Mina chided.
"Well..so did I ...until last night, when we walked through the gardens and
talked all night...I've never met anyone like him..." Her smile crept
round the room, except for Rei.
Rei put her hand on Serena's shoulder..."Serena, you *know* he's engaged?
I mean, my cousin is very,er, well, " She blushed..."He tends to tease
a lot of women, and I wouldn't want him to hurt you. Actually...."
She looked at her friends
"All the Lords do--you should understand that they may not have been serious
in their attentions to you last night. " Everyone rounded, a little shocked,
at Rei's tactless warning.
Ami seemed to deflate a little. "Neflite wouldn't do that"Lita said,
her hands knuckling up defensively.
Mina squeezed Artemis a little tighter (too tight, thought the white cat
as he slipped out).
"OH." She said. "I didn't know that." She brightened a little though,
after some thought "I guess that's fine...there's lot of seas to
fish in right? And I'm too young to have one man tie me down."
* * *
"I can't believe it!' Endymion said as his friend and gaurdian announced his
engagement to his cousin Rei...
"When--I had no idea! " Mock angrily he said "How dare you hide this from
me!"
"See, that temper of yours is exaclty why I didn't tell you!" his friend
chuckled out.
"My temper? You might want to reconsider your bride--your BRIDE. I can't
believe this! You engaged?"
"You said that already." Jaedite said. "You've been betrothed your whole
life--
so why do you find it so odd that I might want to think about my future as
well?"
"That doesn't count...but to my cousin--but wait, She's pledged to serve the
Princess Serenity--how can she marry you?"
"We'll deal with that problem when we have to. I've asked her father...and
he's deliberating. He can't break his vow to Queen Serenity of course, but I
think he will consent if she does release Rei from her duties."
"Yes, but they're only supposed to be officially released when the
Princess marries or assumes the throne herself, and even then, they will owe
her loyalty as lesser rulers within the Millenium Empire.
She would one day assume her throne on Mars..."
"Yes my lord and that is why I've come to ask *your* permission, as
well as your blessings..." Jaeidtes tone became serious. "I have served you
as an obligation of fealty to my King, upon the betrothal of Beryl to you.
I was but a babe then,as were you, and we have out of this duty I think
grown a friendship. I will always protect you, as is my duty. I was born
to it.
Yet I think I was also born to love her--and so, I ask that you release
me."
Dryly, Endymion noted that Jaedite must have researched that speech--or Rei
had written it for him. Jaedite did not usually go oin for casual elegance
of that sort.
"Would it help if I begged?" Jaedite added...that was definitley not in
his script, thought Endymion.
"Is that how you got Rei to accept?" Endymion teased. "But I would be
honored-- if anything, it would strengthen the ties between the Kingdom
of Earth, and Mars... and considering the Moon Kingdom's stance on
*me*, as the future ruler I will need the all the allies I can get.
But I condition this on one thing--"
"What?" Jaedite asked.
"You have to help me see the Moon Princess again." Endymion said.
"That's easily done... Rei and I should be able to think of a way to
do that, without, I presume alerting Beryl."
"That goes without saying."
"Of course, now that I have settled on a woman myself, I can't contine to
suppport your reckless ways. Not that I suppose I ever should have
supported them--Nominally I probably owe some deference to the
B,--but demon's legs, I might be her vassal but I"m *your*
friend and gaurdian"
"So you'll do it?"
"Sure...just tell me when you'd like to see her.?" Jaedite smiled.
"Tonight." He said..."or sooner if you can arrange it!"
Jaedite's smile vanished, and he hit his head as his prince left.
What had he gotten himself into?
* * *
Serena was staring dreamily as Rei recounted how Queen Serenity
had indeed consented to her engagement. She *was* listening, but in
her mind she kept remembering back to the evening she'd spent with
Dar--Endymion. In her mind played a song that they had danced to
in the garden. "Da da dah-dah da da daaa duh, duh da dunt da dah
da da da dahhh..." she hummed, until Rei started waving her
hands in front of her face and almost wasphishly asked "were you
listening Dumpling-head!"
Serena blushed beat read, but she noticed that she was not the only
one of her friends to be distracted and unable to concentrate.
"I'm *sorry* Rei. I was listening....it's just..." She sighed.
She was tired (again) because she couldn't sleep anymore.
She just kept staring at the night sky and the lovely light of earth ,
where her love (did she admit it to herself?) lived.
"I wonder if he even thinks about me..." she said...doodling on a
piece of paper. She was sketching a man holding a rose, his long
black cape swinging out behind his formal dark clothes.
"It'd be easeir to know that he felt...well, if he felt as much as I did.
I know its not to be...but..."Her voice faded.
Inside Rei wasn't sure how to react to her friend's predictment....
she was glad that her own love was not forbidden her, but then again,
she thought, maybe Serena *really* just had a crush...she'd just met the
guy.
What could Serena really know about Rei's cousin?
It was as likely that Lita or Mina or even Ami were in love, if the Princess
was...
she wondered at the odds of *that* happening. Regardless...she'd wanted to
wait til she revealed *her* own happy news before she told the princess of
Jaedite's secret message. After all, she *knew* that though Serena was a
good friend, she would be terminanbly distracted once she'd heard the Prince
had asked to see her.
"Serena, your mother consented, and my father did as well." She
said, as her friend jumped up and swept her in an embrace.
"Oh that's wonderful!! " For the first time since Endymion had
left her, Serena seemed completely happy and undistracted. "Of
course we'll have the wedding here...."
Surreptiously checking to make sure that the prying eyes of Luna, or the
gossipy ears of Artemis were well and clear of the room, Rei removed the
small package that Jaedite had sent to her. Inside,was a smaller package
from the Prince to the Princess.
"Serena....I have something for you..." She said simply. She smiled.
Serena, confused, reached for the package...her cheeks grew hot as she
realized that the small golden packet was decorated with
the Earth Kingdom seal....it had to be from Endymion. Inside was a
bright red rose, a small locket which played the tune they'd danced to,
and a letter.
"Every second until I see you again will be an eternity." The simple
message said.
"OH REI!" Serena shouted. "When do I...how do I?" She
was back to distracted.
"QUIET" hissed Rei..."We have to keep this a secret from your
mother--if she knew! Jaedite and I have a plan so you two can
see each other again."
"OH REI! This is the best ...you're the best...oh! Endymion!"
She sang.
Rei put out her hands to steady her giddy friend... " Serena,
you are my friend, but I'm also your gaurdian. I couldn't in
concious let you go to see him, unless I warned you of the old
curse that he will hurt you...."
"What's this curse?" Serena said...
"I don't know if I should be the one to tell you, now that I think about it.
Ask Mina...." Rei frowned.
* *
"Mina...Rei said I should ask *you* about the curse that
made my mother forbid me to see Endymion. "
"OH!" Mina frowned....She whispered ."Well..I suppose
, it *was* my father that made it the way it is."
"What?!" Serena said, surprised. "Why are you whispering?"
"This is a forbidden story....Queen Serenity never mentions
your father, right?"
"I've wondered...but when you're growing up like I am,
I realize there are many things that are different about me..
I just never asked...well I tried once--but Luna warned me off doing so."
Serena's eyes grew wistful...she sat, slowly on the stone bench of
the garden where they sat.
Mina put her hand around the smaller girl. "I suppose then that you
dont know that we're cousins...our fathers were twin brothers."
She smiled wistfully. "I wish you could meet my Dad...but he's forbidden
to come here---Serenity can't stand seeing him. I was actually surprised
that she appointed me the leader of your guard!"
"Why not? Doesn't that make sense...we're very close cousins if
are fathers were twins right?"
"Like half-sisters, I guess, that's why we look so much alike.
Are you sure you want to hear all this...It's an old story...and
sometimes, its better to let the sleeping dogs ride...?" Mina said.
Serena nodded "That's lie. No body tells me anything. They're always
protecting me...Please?"
"Say, what *would* a sleeping dog lie about? That he didn't steal a bone
or something? And I thought honesty was the rest of the policy. "
"Um, Mina, now?" Serena said, shaking her friend.
"OH yeah. Here goes--Serenity was very sad...she asked that my
father never appear here on the moon, and then, no wait, this happened
first.
To end the fighting of the Earth and Mineral Kingdoms, Queen Serenity
used the crystal to...I'm not sure, but then Beryl and Endymion were
pledged,
and oh, ...are you listening?"
Serena was feeling seriously dizzy. "Um, maybe I should ask Ami to tell
me..."
"Wait< I love telling stories...don't you want me to help...?"She called
after
the rapidly departing Princess.
"Ami! You have to help me! " Serena said.
"Princess, what's wrong?
"I need to know, please, why is Endymion forbidden to come here?"
She gasped out as she breathed in.
"I'm glad to see your finally taking an interest in politics! However,
I think to understand this, I should go over the history with you of
your Kingdom--where are you going?'
"I..." she was red in the face..."Someone just tell me!" She
screamed in frustration...and the wail took on a life of its own
as a beam of pure energy shot forth from the sigil on her brow.
The Sailor Scouts materialized and stared at their princess....
"Tell you what?." The voice was that of a small scout, one they'd never
glimpsed before. Her large eyes were glazed, her dark purple hair
was short and fringed. She carried a deadly looking glaive..."Everyone's
so silent suddenly. I am Princess Holly (Hotaru)....of Saturn. You woke
me up...."
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