Against All Odds

Author: tokyo_rabbit

Rated: PG13

Chapter 6

No

Freya sat amongst a field of flowers with the Moon Palace looming over her in the background. Cerealia and Minerva accompanied her as they talked quietly. Their hands were busy making crowns of flowers and necklaces to match, but their minds were in turmoil. It had nearly a month now and not even the slightest of attempts had been made on Freya's life. The longer this was taking, the terser Venus became because of the ballet she was currently performing.

Looking across the field towards the orchards, she noticed a young boy waving at her. She smiled and waved back vigorously. It was Ganymede, Serenity's friend and of the Guard, but the relationship between the boy and their Princess was special. He also so happened to be someone the Soldier of Venus had to avoid like the plague while disguised as Serenity. He would notice something amiss almost immediately if she did not play her cards right.

The servant boy was only one of several people to steer clear of. The Princess was well loved by all who knew her. Many had watched her grow up, and because Freya had been one of those people and familiar with all Serenity's personality traits, she knew she could easily pick out an imposter at a glance.

So far, if Freya bumped into one of these people, she would have Artemis or one of the girls with her to pull her away quickly. They had been lucky up to this point, but they all felt that their luck was running out.

"I think, if anything is going to happen, you ought to make yourselves scarcer," Freya suggested in Serenity's voice.

Minerva looked at her with intense violet eyes, "I agree, but we are trying to avoid suspicions."

"Yes, however, what happens if Queen Selenity decides it is time for Venus to come back from her ‘diplomatic visits' on Saturn?" Cerealia sighed, "The longer we wait, the more we risk."

Freya was once again reminded how much a toll this was taking on everyone, not just herself. Eris was on Saturn with her father, King Vulcan, and they would vouch for Sailor Venus being there. Freya would have to find a way to get there quickly if the Queen were in need of her. It was all so uncertain, and it was beginning to keep her up at night.

"And what of Luna...? Artemis is usually the one to keep Her Majesty's counsel, but what if she should need Luna to leave Saturn as well?" The Princess of Jupiter added.

"We deal with it as best we can. I will paint Artemis black if I have to," the blonde princess stated matter-of-factly. This made her friends laugh.

"I wonder how she is doing," she said smiling genuinely now. Looking up at the blue marble suspended in the cerulean sky, Freya thought of Serenity and began to miss her sorely. It would not be the first time. The two girls sighed and joined her as all three stared up at the Earth.

Happy the day when their Princess would return safely to them.

---

Selenity leaned over her daughter's sleeping form, brushing the hair out of her face. She looked so sad in the faint light the Moon provided this night. Serenity wanted to comfort her mother and assure her everything would be all right, but she couldn't move.

The Queen smiled a heart-breaking smile and kissed her daughter's crescent moon on her forehead. At this gesture, something happened that both alarmed and confused Serenity. She could see a light emanating from both their insignias. It died down as her mother straightened. Everything had returned to normal save a teardrop of light cascading down from the Queen's symbol towards Serenity.

She felt her distress quicken as the object floated down towards her heart. She thought it might land there and burn her. Instead, it only passed through her flesh.

"I feel so warm…." She murmured.

"Well, you should. The sun is up after all and yet you still sleep," a voice said with a hint of mockery.

The vision of her sad mother melted away to reveal the visage of a smug Luna. Looking around, the Princess realized she wasn't on the Moon, but in her bed on Earth. This donated mixed feelings of relief and homesickness, but she brushed them quickly aside along with the bizarre dream. "I was dreaming," she yawned, sitting up in the soft bed.

"Yes, I gathered as much," Luna smiled wryly, "Would you like to know what time it is."

"Not really, but you are going to tell me anyhow."

"It is late in the morn and all the world has joined the day. All the world, that is, except—"

"Me -- yes, I know," Serenity finished, having heard the same speech many `times throughout her life. Throwing off the covers, she leapt out of bed and almost regretted it immediately. Her training session with the King the previous night left her body aching all over. Muscles she never knew existed cried out in agony, and she loved every bit of it, surprisingly enough. Stretching, she purred with relief, and for the umpteenth time throughout her life, wondered what it was like to be a Soldier and if her friends felt this whole after a solid workout.

"Get dressed, Serenity. I have your dress laid out on the end of the bed," Luna said while rushing around the room.

"What are you doing?" The Princess asked, noticing a small mountain of luggage stacked beside the doors to her quarters, "What is that for?"

Her guardian added another small box to the pile and gave it all a long, pondering look, all the while running through a mental checklist -- did she forget anything?

"Luna." Serenity prompted.

"Hmm...? Oh, yes. His Majesty informed me early this morning that we were going on a trip to various parts of the countryside. These are the things you are taking with you."

Recollection came to her as she remembered the last thing Endymion said to her last night; they were to be taken on a tour of his kingdom this very day. Serenity gawked, "All of it? Surely some of this is yours!"

"And what is that supposed to mean?" The Mauian straightened up and sniffled indignantly, "You are the High Princess. I will not have you looking like a fae child, all disheveled and improper."

She rubbed her temples, "Since when was it I last looked like a ‘fae child?'"

"Only a week before we came here, dear Princess," Luna answered smugly.

"All right, but surely I do not need all this! I will help you unpack some of it."

Her guardian resigned by allowing a few trunks to be unpacked, but firmly stood her ground on the largest. Serenity let her win and as a concession, even allowed Luna to help her get dressed.

She had picked out a white dress made from a lightweight fabric. It had an empire adorned by a blue ribbon around the torso -- the only other color. Its sleeves came level with the top of the dress to hang off the shoulders in small puffs. At first glance, Serenity thought the hemline of the dress -- both top and bottom -- were trimmed in fine lace, but it was cleverly disguised thus; the seamstresses had cut intricate holes into the breezy fabric and embroidered around these. This was a technique the Princess had never seen before and found herself fascinated by the pretty dress.

Robin's egg blue slippers were to be worn as they matched the color of the ribbon on the dress, and Luna informed her she would be in need of a lacy contraption called a parasol. While Serenity played with it, her guardian put her hair up and adorned it with ribbons. After her hair was done, she began to place a weird contraption upon the Princess' head.

"What is that?" Serenity asked curiously, closing the parasol.

"Is it not obvious? This, my dear, is a hat." Luna replied.

"But what is it?"

The feline woman rolled her eyes, "It is to be worn on a head. Let me show you."

She was skeptical, but the instant it was fastened beneath her pretty chin, her opinion of it had been formed, "Take it off."

"What?"

"I said take it off. It looks ridiculous."

Luna placed her hands upon her waist, "It does not. Many distinguished Earth women wear these. It will also keep the sun off your face while you cannot use the parasol."

Is that what this is for…? Serenity thought to herself, giving it another experimental flap open. "Take it off."

Luna sighed as she did so.

After a few servants entered the room to retrieve the chest -- along with Luna's much smaller one -- they made their way down to the grand hall. Endymion was waiting at the head of the massive table with breakfast. Much to Serenity's dismay, her guardian excused herself and left them alone.

Still a little wary, she walked towards him and sat next to his grand chair. Only then did he sit and start eating, which for some reason she appreciated even though it was an act of obligatory courtesy on his part. Silence accompanied them as they ate, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

He didn't seem to be bothered by it, but she was, so she spoke up, "I thank you for letting me sleep in today."

A knowing leer spread quickly across his face, "Sore at all?"

Her face warmed considerably, "No."

"Liar," he said nonchalantly before taking a drink from his glass.

She didn't dispute his claim. The last thing she wanted to do was fight with him today, especially as he was somewhat friendly to her last night. Serenity had to admit that arguing with him was fun, but the excitement of seeing the kingdom kept those fires down to a low roar; that and the fact they were completely alone in the dining hall -- this in itself was unsettling enough.

"How long will we be gone?" She asked.

"Four days at least," he replied, "Our party will be kept small. It should keep our pace steady, considering."

"Considering?"

"Yes, considering the carriage Lady Luna and you will be riding in for most of the trip. It will meet us down at the port. I had figured you would want to see portions of my city first before we travel any further."

"Oh?" The excitement was churning in her stomach now. She was finally going to see the grand city of Elysian! But what was a carriage and where exactly were they traveling to?

The King noticed the look of concern on her face and gave her a sardonic smile, "Do not worry your pretty head any, Majesty. Your tender feet will be safe from walking long distances. We will see the city on horseback."

Her temper flared at his insinuations, "That was not what I was thinking! You cannot go five minutes without turning into a complete cad, can you? It is utterly beyond your capabilities as a person!"

Seeing a golden opportunity to come out on top and goad her more, Endymion purred a low, velvety laugh as he took one of her hands in his -- rubbing his thumb across the top of her soft hand, he gave her a predatory smile as he leaned in closely, "What of your ball, Serenity? I was a complete gentleman then, was I not? I remember you being very impressed."

In a most unflattering way, her jaw dropped as her face went flaming red. She was speechless. Was this an attempt to seduce her? Surely not! No one had ever tried to seduce her before, so how was she to know? Nevertheless, the way she was reacting to this volatile change in his personality was all wrong! She felt as if she had contracted some kind of sickness as her stomach performed a series of nauseating summersaults, her knees felt something akin to pudding, and her heart was hammering against her chest.

Say something, Serenity! she yelled inwardly. Quickly regaining her composure, she abruptly withdrew her hand, slamming her gaze down to her plate. "Only because you opened your mouth but a few times – if you had spoken more, I would have seen you for the monster you truly are then and there!" she retorted angrily, all while feeling strangely lightheaded.

The King burst into a torrent of laughter that echoed throughout the dining hall for all who might have been present to hear. She wished he would shut up or choke on his food. However, as she watched him from beneath her lashes, her heart sang. She ignored it and pretended to eat as his merriment died down.

Silence again filled the space between them. Serenity sat quietly, trying to control her emotions. Endymion continued to break his fast with a triumphant gleam in his eye.

Slowly, something came to her attention. "Your Majesty," she said, "What is a horse?"

---

Never before had she been more terrified in her life, "No."

"What?" Endymion asked, perplexed.

"No." She said again, almost mechanically.

He didn't remember asking her a question, but giving her the once over, he understood. She was as stiff as a board, her knuckles white as she held the handle of her parasol in a death grip, her eyes were larger than usual, and she was pressing her full, pink lips into a thin line.

They were standing outside the royal stables. He had given instructions that the women's things were to be loaded onto the carriage. It then would leave for port and wait for them there. Nephrite and Zoicite were going to be traveling with them as well, but the men would simply have their belongings stored in their saddlebags.

The King then gave orders for the five horses saddled earlier to be brought out of the stables. During the late breakfast, Serenity had mentioned she didn't know what a horse was. This presented a problem. Of course, in all of his delegations on the Moon it was rare to see a horse, as they were not indigenous to the Silver Kingdom. He simply hadn't counted on a princess not knowing how to ride. It was almost a prerequisite.

Once they had brought out the magnificent beasts, Serenity seized up and began her protesting. Endymion supposed that if someone wasn't used to the creatures, they could seem frightening. In fact, he knew of people who were accustomed to horses and still were scared witless of them. Again, he simply hadn't counted on Serenity's apparent horror.

"It is only a horse, Princess." He smirked.

"I know. You told me, and no."

"You keep saying that, but it may become one of the greatest joys in your life."

She swallowed, "If I should live past this day."

Endymion's first reaction was to laugh at her, but he felt that it would be the cad's thing to do at that moment. He would just have to teach her, but this might now mean that they would be traveling through the night to arrive on time….

"No."

He sighed. As he was sorting out the problem in his head, she had regressed back to her monosyllabic refrain.

"It is not all that bad, Serenity." Luna said, coming up beside them.

"You know how to ride, Luna?" The Princess would have looked at her in bewilderment, that is, if her eyes weren't so inexplicably glued to the horses.

"It has been a while, but yes. On Jupiter, they pride themselves on their equines, so you are almost constantly on horseback there. I cannot say that it is the most comfortable thing with a tail and all."

"Yes, they have many a fine beast there. In fact, I received Loki from their Majesties, Zeus and Hera quite some time ago," Endymion stated, pointing to a massive black stallion, who was obviously agitated at being handled by someone other than the King. Once more, Serenity swallowed audibly.

"Serenity, it is all in how you talk to the horse," Nephrite stated.

"Talk to it? Do they talk?" she asked, feeling a little more at ease if she could only find a link of communication with the animal.

Endymion laughed, "No. By talking, he means your posture, tone of voice, and on how you handle it. They are intelligent, free-spirited animals and they know when you mean disrespect or if you are frightened by them, this in turn makes them nervous."

"Oh."

"Here, let me show you," he firmly placed his hand at the small of her back and nearly had to shove her towards the animals.

Waving one of the stable boys over, he singled out a gentle, sway-backed mare that he had already intended for Serenity, thankfully enough. He told the boy to stop when he neared them. The King's hand remained steadfast on her person, even as Serenity tried to back up, "Kyle, do you have any treats on you?"

"Yes, your Majesty. Sugar cubes," the boy answered.

Endymion somehow got Serenity to promise she wouldn't move as he left her side to stand by the mare. Taking a few of the boy's cubes in his hand, he began to feed them to the animal. Serenity thought it was trying to eat him.

Again, he chuckled when she told him this, "Why don't you come over here?"

It took a full ten minutes for her to actually approach the mare, and even when she did, she stayed a good four feet away. Miraculously enough, he coaxed the Princess into feeding a few sugar cubes to the horse.

Serenity heard herself giggling as the strange animal licked the palm of her hand. Slowly, she began to sway towards the mare, closing the distance between them. Looking into its eyes, she saw the gleam of intelligence and the quiet prowess spoken of earlier. Endymion instructed her on how to pet her muzzle, which she found felt like velvet.

Twenty minutes they stayed like that, Serenity slowly coming to grips with this animal that was winning her over. She could feel the horse's own curiosity about her as she became better acquainted with it. Endymion told her the name of the fascinating creature, and she reveled in the sound of Sable's name when she said it for the first time. He was proud of her the way she reacted when Sable had startled her by whinnying softly and she stood her ground.

Placing her hands on Sable's muzzle, she laid her head against her neck and smiled, "Sable, I think I like you."

The horse nickered in approval.

Endymion once more found himself impressed with Serenity's attitude towards Sable. Normally, it took people years to overcome their fear of horses, if ever. She had done this in a mere half hour. Of course, she lost her cool once more after he told her it was time to mount, but progress had been made.

Luna helped her with the basics, and between them, they gave her the best riding lesson possible over a forty-minute period.

"And if you feel you need to get off, or if you start to get nervous, just tell me and we will stop," Endymion assured her, "I will be right along side you all the while."

Looking down at him from her high perch, she could see that he meant it, but she was already nervous. She didn't want to let him know that though. His sincerity throughout the lesson made the experience run smoothly and she felt almost as if she could call him friend.

"Okay," she nodded.

By this time, the others had mounted and finally they were off to see the grand city of Elysian.