Against All Odds

Author: tokyo_rabbit

Rated: PG13

Chapter 3

"Because I hate him…! That's why!" Serenity raged at her guardian-advisor.

"Come now, Serenity. How many times must I convey to you the importance of the situation? Your life was in danger and he agreed to protect you. Why then do you hate him so?" Luna sighed, exasperated.

"And how many times must I must, in response, convey to you my reasons as to why I despise him so?" The young princess placed her hands on her hips, "The man tore me away from my bed in the middle of the night! Not, of course, before gaining my trust while attending the ball held in my honor! He is a snake! A liar! A deceiver!"

Luna sighed once more, rubbing her temples, "Yes, of course he could have handled the situation differently--"

Her princess snorted. "However," she continued, "You must present yourself in a mannerly fashion and represent the Moon before their Majesties. That does not include sulking in your room until this whole thing has blown over."

Years of experience told Serenity when yelling and huffing did nothing to alter one's unwanted circumstances, one must change his or her tactics. Sitting upon the bed, she crossed her arms, looked at Luna coolly and said with unbelievable calm, "I am not going to breakfast, Luna. You go without me. There, you may express my deepest gratitude for his Majesty for rescuing me, and forward my apologies for not sitting with them this morning."

The guardian narrowed her eyes. She had seen this before, knowing it to be a ploy. The princess would cool off within a blink of an eye and would seem all-forgiving. Some would believe the conversation over. However, what had really happened was the princess had become as cold as ice and would ignore all pleas, protests and counter-attacks from the second party.

So Luna changed her tactics as well, "Serenity. I am surprised and disappointed at your behavior."

"Oh?"

"Do you understand what is happening?" She queried, beginning to feel slightly guilty for what was about to be said, "Do you realize what is happening on the Moon while you sit here?" Serenity remained silent. "Your Guard is risking their lives to protect you. Freya is putting herself into the direct line of fire in hopes you can return home safely. His Majesty was also correct when he said that he put his kingdom in jeopardy. If your mother found out, it would mean an all-out war. His people, innocent people, Serenity, are in danger because of you."

With that said, Luna straightened and turned on her heel to leave, but not before saying, "Yes, Serenity...poor you. Now, if you would please excuse me, I am joining their Majesties for breakfast."

She felt guilty, yes. Serenity hadn't really deserved it, but Luna hoped this was the jolt needed to motivate her Princess. After all, it wasn't her fault that Serenity was pampered and over protected all her life... no matter how hard she tried to shape her own path under the Moon's Light.

Walking into the grand hall, the Moon's advisor was announced. The moment she approached the table to inform the young King and the Queen Mother the reason for Serenity's absence, a second party was announced. It was then she felt pride well up within her breast as the Moon Princess strode gracefully into the room, head held high with no trace of grief or tears of self-pity.

~*~

Freya studied her handheld mirror lost in thought. She hoped with all her heart that Serenity was all right and that the switch had gone unnoticed. She paced through Serenity's daily routines: she went for her morning lessons with Talaria of Mercury and made as much of a fuss as her princess might; she went for a stroll in the gardens, and gazed upon the Earth. She had conversations with ‘her Guard' and laughed along with them as Serenity might have.

What she didn't do was make prolonged contact with anyone other than the Guard, especially Queen Selenity. Just because she knew all of Serenity's habits by heart from watching over her for sixteen years and looked like her twin, Freya didn't want to risk being caught. So naturally that meant to stay away from those who had known the princess as long as the Soldier had. That was more than half of the Kingdom, but not only that, she had to pull it off without making it look suspicious -- piece of cake, right…? Freya only hoped that Serenity was fairing better than she was.

~*~

"I have not had the privilege of being on the Moon in ages, Princess. You must tell me, how is your mother? I always did enjoy her company so," a soft, loving voice brought the princess out of her uncomfortable reverie.

Serenity had been poking at her food for several moments, trying to stifle any and all urges to throw her grapefruit at the king. The only pleasant aspect of the morning had been the pleasant company of Endymion's mother, Gaea. She was beautiful, with her earth-toned hair tumbling down in silken waves, calming blue eyes, and wonderfully comforting smile.

Serenity smiled, "She is doing well. I know that she misses your company as well as she would often tell me of her friend on Earth. Routinely, laughter ensued as she related her stories, for she would delicately tell us of your adventures together as children."

Gaea chuckled softly, "I am sure she also included a kind-hearted warning not to have those events repeated, smiling all the while."

"Of course," the princess responded, allowing herself to laugh politely.

"I know that the delegations of the Silver Court have prevented her from visiting over these long years and once my son became king, it was unnecessary I attend the counsels held between the system's Ambassadors."

"Yes, Mother always works as hard as any, even though we are at peace." A brief silence descended upon the table at the mention of the word ‘peace.' There was a foul taste in Serenity's mouth at the thought and its significance given its fragility.

"I am sorry your first visit to our fine kingdom had to be under such grim circumstances." Gaea's maternal, understanding smile never faltered.

Luna's maroon eyes, as did Endymion's cobalt blue, flew towards Serenity's face to gage her reaction, thinking she may still be bitter about the previous night. But the princess placed her soft hand upon the Queen Mother's and returned the kind smile, "Your kingdom is doing me a grand favor. Think not of it as something so grim on my part; to do so would only take away from my fascination with your home." Serenity's comments earned her two quiet coughs.

"Such a pleasant girl...." Gaea's happiness radiated in gentle waves over those around her, she then turned to her son, "My dear, I have a lovely idea. In a few days time, when all wrinkles have been smoothed out indefinitely, why not take Princess Serenity out amongst our people and let her stretch her legs? I am sure she would love to see our planet."

The king seemed to glower for only a moment, trying to hide his utter distaste concerning the subject raised by his mother, settling his cool gaze upon the princess, he gave answer, "I think that can be arranged. That is, if the princess would approve of my ill company."

Serenity's eyes narrowed marginally while Luna's widened. Gaea only chortled, "Now, I think that you can be pleasant when you want to be. Serenity, darling, how does that sound?"

"I will be honored to accompany his Majesty," she answered, biting her tongue to make sure something more didn't slip out -- something unpleasant.

The rest of the day was spent exploring the golden castle of Elysian with Luna. If she couldn't appreciate anything else about her predicament, the castle's structure was something to lift her spirits.

The cream marble held flecks of gold making the halls sparkle with a magical glow, as the Sun's rays played through the high windows of white and sky-blue. It was different from the Moon Palace, as her home possessed very few glass windows. Most of them were open for the atmosphere of the small sphere was always the perfect temperature; the main, ivy-covered palace's dome contained a computer system strictly for controlling the Lunarian weather.

When she was a child, Serenity had, more often than not had asked Sailor Mercury -- her tutor -- about Earth. She had learned as much as she could about the planet without experiencing it first hand. Now she was here, on her dream planet, held captive. Something she'd desired for so long, she decided, was not going to be spoilt in her bitter attitude towards Endymion. She wasn't going to let him have the satisfaction of seeing her discomfort, but she would have the satisfaction of his.

Coming upon a brilliant glass mural, Serenity whispered, "How beautiful…."

"That it is," Luna agreed, equally in awe of the sight.

The stained glass ascended towards the sky at around two storeys high. The pictures beautiful and intricately depicted told a story Serenity tried determinedly to follow, but couldn't.

"King Endymion had this commissioned after the War with the Dark One," a masculine voice explained. The two young women turned to see a tall man with long brown hair and dark green eyes standing next to Luna. He wore a military uniform donning many foreign medals telling of great things achieved by this man. "He was a mere child when it happened. King Terran was killed while fighting along side his comrades." The man turned to face the princess, "By King Apollo's side."

"My father...?" Serenity squeaked, turning her gaze back to the stained glass.

"Yes, they were inseparable those two," Luna smiled, "Much like your mother and Queen Gaea. They died by each other's side, fighting to the last as Warriors do."

"Endymion never ventures down this corridor. Many say he feels bitterness towards his father for dying, leaving him and his mother alone." The man's eyes were cold for a moment, but turned merry once more when they shifted to Serenity, "Of course, you didn't hear that from me."

"And you are?" The princess asked, feeling slightly bitter herself. She knew almost nothing about her father and never had the chance to meet him.

"Nephrite, Your Majesty," the man bowed smiling, "General of Earth's armies and best friend of the brute, I believe is what you called him, who brought you to our fair palace."

"Oh…! Well, I…." Serenity flushed, embarrassed a tad over the events that had taken place the night before.

Nephrite smiled, "Don't worry, I've called him worse on many an occasion, as have the other Generals. I believe you saw them last night as well."

"I'm not really sure about that, General. I wasn't all that aware of my surroundings last night. I'm sure you understand."

He laughed quietly while Luna sent her a halfhearted look of disapproval. "I've never seen him so angry. It was quite amusing," Nephrite's green eyes were filled with great mirth and delight when he announced, "If I show you around, can you promise me something, your Majesty?"

"What would that be, General Nephrite?"

"One, allow the formalities to drop away by calling me by my name, and secondly, promise to get him that angry more often. He needs it."

"I think I can do that," Serenity shone when she smiled her first real smile since the previous night, which had Luna scathing at what her princess was agreeing to, "If you call me Serenity."

"I think I can do that."