MOONLIGHT MIDNIGHT GLORY

 

Chapter 13

 

The County of West Maire . . .

 

 

"So, how fares m'lady, Matilda today?" Darien asked as he paid Matilda for a sweet cinnamon roll. He bit into the pastry as he scanned the marketplace

warily. As usual, it was alive and bustling with traders and vendors filling every corner. He was tired. Malachite and he had been scouring over the same area again and again. Everything pointed to the County of West Maire as one of the most likely areas where Serena should have reappeared.

He sighed. It seems that Lady Fate has deemed it necessary to cut his

journey short this time as well. Tidings from the palace were beckoning him home. His sister had finished her training with Sailor Mercury, Princess Amy. She was now fully qualified to call upon the powers of Mercury to help protect Earth and the other planets, should the need arise. Water-Weaver would now leave the palace and return home to the Cienna.

His father was also preparing to leave and have Darien take his place as

the new governing king of Earth. It would do the people of Earth good to know,

that a new and fully capable king as wise Darien, would govern Earth. Even without his queen by his side. It's funny how things had worked out between his father and him. In these dark days, his father has been the only one, besides Malachite, to give him the support he sorely needed. Despite all of Darien's attempts to push him away, his father was there and readily took the insults his son had hurled toward him. The following months had proved strenuous between the two; they were so alike in many aspects. Eventually, King Damian had managed to breach his hard wall of armor, cracking it open slightly. Thhe last couple of months was testament to the change in their manner toward each other--almost a quiet truce had settled between the two. It was as if they had finally put the ghost of Lily to her final resting place.

"All goes well, m'lordship," Matilda replied, smiling. It was, indeed, a fine day. My, my, my! First, those diamond baubles from Ruby, which supplied her with food for months, and now, real gold from the Prince of Earth himself. She gave a toothy grin to the prince and he couldn't help but grin back at her.

"Indeed, my lord, what brings your party back through our humble village, again? If I may be so bold as to ask?"

"You are bold, Matilda." Darien replied. He smiled wanly. "Personal

business brings me through here."

"Your search for the princess?" She asked, arranging the cinnamon rolls

with care. Everyone knew about the prince's search for the still missing princess. It was old news.

"Aye." He said, absently. Malachite certainly was taking his sweet time at the town hall. He wondered what could possibly be taking him so long?

"The Moores, themselves, are having a bit of trouble trying to find Ruby's family," She replied, trying to keep up the conversation, but the prince's mind seemed to be elsewhere.

"You mean the redhead?" He asked, sighing as he looked down into Matilda's booth. The morning sun was beginning to warm the cool spring air. His nose caught the smell of the sea herself as the warmer ocean breeze swirled through the street.

"Aye. Ruby had two healthy twins! Imagine, not having your memory and

with two wee ones to add to your worry. She is a generous soul though, that one!" Matilda went on.

Darien barely concentrated on what she was saying. Instead, he stilled his body and closed his eyes. Tension coiled within him as the aura of energy swirled restlessly within his tight reign. Then like a lashing lasso of bursting energy, he shot forth the inquiring auras within the vicinity of the village. Perhaps, this burst of energy would bring back some news of Serena's whereabouts. How many times had he done this to no avail? He had lost count. Yet, each new day arose with the hope that today, she would answer his lost call. He opened his eyes slowly and redirected his attention on the tail-end of Matilda's single-sided conversation.

"...Why, he has hair as black as the midnight and eyes the color of the sky on a clear day! And his sister; she's as petite ass they come." She laughed, her skin crinkling in the morning sun. "Silver eyes and silver hair to match!" She grinned, then added, "Their cute little pumpkins, but a handful, I'll say!"

Darien froze. His hard body stiffened and became still. His eyes widened and his head snapped forward as he stared at Matilda with a look of shock and disbelief painted across his chiseled face. A tiny, joyous ray of hope shot through his heart, now beating at an almost unhealthy pace.

"What did you say?" He ground out slowly.

Startled, Matilda stopped in the middle of what she had been saying. For a moment, she was afraid that she had just insulted the prince. " I. . I. . ." She stammered. What did she say? My God, she thought with alarm, as she gazed back at the prince. She could practically feel the sharp, shards of glass of his piercing eyes slice through her jumbled thoughts as he stared intensely into her withered face.

"I. . .I was saying that they were cute as--" She began, but he interrupted her.

"No, I mean before that."

"You-you mean, that the twin boy was born with black hair and blue eyes?" She asked. She could feel her old bones shaking in her shoes.

"And the girl?" he prodded her, his gaze intense on her face.

"S-she was born with silver hair and silver--Oh my god!" Matilda exclaimed, raising a trembling hand to cover her mouth as she continued to stare at the prince. Ruby could not be--it didn't make any sense, Matilda thought.

"Where does this Ruby live?" Darien gasped out hoarsely as he gripped

Matilda's arms tightly.

"Beyond the second rise over yonder," Matilda replied, nodding toward the cliffs. "It is the only house in that area, not too far from its own fishing docks."

"Thank you, Matilda." Darien said with sincere emotion, his eyes flashing in gratitude.

He turned away and sharply called out to his party. Brisk orders were

shouted out and two riders departed from their group heading toward the village

town hall. The prince mounted his black steed, deftly handling the huge stallion with finesse, and guided it toward Matilda's booth at a gallop.

The prince of earth threw down a sizable cloth bag into Matilda's tray of pastries. Onlookers, surprised by all the sudden shouting and movement within

the prince's party watched curiously.

Matilda screeched with happiness as she gazed into a bag full of gold

coins. She looked up, ready to thank the generous prince, but he was already

speeding away at a full gallop. Only the wavering swirl of his great coat could be seen in the distance.

 

 

 

The Moores . . .

 

"How long do you think they'll be, Mary?" Serena asked as she dried the

dishes. The night before, Mary had told her of their plans for today along with

their thoughts that somehow, she might be affiliated with one of the royal houses. This news came as a complete surprise to her. Still, her heart sang in excitement and hope with the thought that she might have a real family missing her. But she also didn't miss the sad expression that came across Mary's face as she told her about what her and Stephen had discussed.

Serena could imagine what was going through Stephen's mind. She had come to care for him very much, but not the way he had hoped. It was more like how she would care for a brother or a close friend. He was genuinely fond of the twins, that much she could see in his gaze as he played with her babies. Yet, she could not discount the feeling that something, someone, was waiting for her. It was buried deep in the hidden recesses of her memory. It was this feeling, of her subconscious playing a simple, but complex mind game with her lost memories. She could almost feel these lost memories, hovering, just beyond her grasp. Sometimes, glimpses and tantalizing images, pieces of these memories--oh so fleeting--would flash before her eyes, only to disappear again before she can grasp them. They were fragments of a wonderful and beautiful dream, if only she could awake to it.

"Not too long, I should hope." Mary replied, as she finished folding the

laundry. "Tim still has to get to the boats before the sun goes down and pull the nets in for the night. How long have the little ones been asleep?" Mary asked, changing the subject.

"Not too long. You know how I always have to struggle with Ruark, while

Rini just drops off as soon as I lay her down." Serena chuckled.

"That Ruark! What a temper that boy has! You're going to have your hands full when he gets older!" Mary remarked, laughing quietly.

"Yes . . . " Serena grinned as she put the plate into the cabinet.

Suddenly, her train of thought was broken by the sound of thundering hooves

rumbling through the tiny house. Serena and Mary looked at each other in alarm.

Who could be visiting at this hour? It wouldn't be Tim and Stephen returning

already; they had left barely an hour ago.

" I wonder . . . who could be coming this way?" Mary thought out loud, a little concerned.

"Too many horses to be Tim and Stephen." Serena broke in.

"I agree." Mary said as they made their way outside onto the porch.

They waited as a large company of men on horseback made its climb up the steep hill to the tiny house. Mary's eyes flew wide as she saw the crest that the party carried. And a high ranking royal house, as well. What could they want? They couldn't be here for Ruby already. Tim and Stephen would just be arriving at the town hall. Mary's eyes then caught sight of the figure on the black stallion and she gasped with disbelief.

"What is it, Mary?" Serena asked with concern as she looked over at her

friend. Serena brushed a wavering hand through her hair, most of which was caught up in a loose, single braid. Some of it was now coming undone and wisps of auburn hair were escaping from the braid, curling slightly as they framed her face. She knew she was a complete mess, with her hair coming undone and her dress stained from washing dishes. Definitely not a good first impression with such noble visitors.

"Our visitors are from his majesty's Royal Palace!" Mary said above the

sound of the galloping horses.

"Oh my!" Serena exclaimed, slightly nervous. "Who is the man on the black horse?" she asked, as she watched him coming towards them. He was absolutely magnificent.

"The Prince of Earth, himself, no less!" Mary exclaimed with surprise.

The man on the black stallion was the first to reach Mary's house. He

reigned in his horse tightly, his control apparent and expertly executed as the

horse snorted to a full stop before Mary and Serena. Serena's breath caught as she gazed into the man's hard, blue eyes that seemed riveted on

her. His face was a raw, beautiful piece of unchiseled marble and she could make out a visible tick in his left cheek as they continued to gaze into each other's eyes. The rest of him was broad-shouldered, slim-hipped and his legs appeared long and large as they gripped his horse. He was dressed in a simple, yet elegant white shirt. The shirt standing out against the black, satin vest. His pants were also black as well as the tall, black, shiny, knee-high boots that adorned his feet. His great coat swirled in the background, dancing to the music of the wind. He sat tall on his prancing steed like the proud monarch that he is. Here was a male specimen that was beautiful, arrogant and self-assured of himself.

Serena could feel herself trembling as she continued to be pierced by his steady gaze. What was it about this man that he could make her tremble

so? And those eyes of his! Had she seen them before? Those hard, blue eyes

flashed at her, like another lost dream, beckoning her forward. She took a

hesitant step forward, then stopped. In a flash, she saw again, in her mind's eye, the color of his eyes blazing with unleashed anger. Other times, hooded and hidden. And another filled with great desire. And yet again, mocking and

infuriating. As quickly as they came, the images scattered and vanished,

fluttering away again like dry leaves on the wind. Who was he, this Prince of

Earth? She had a great sense of having known him somewhere, but where? Was he

from her past? If only she could remember!

Then he spoke to her; the sound of the name was softer than the caress of the morning breeze, but carried clearly to her ears above the din of still

thundering hooves. A name that meant no meaning to her, but is spoken to her as

her own.

"Serena . . . ?" Like a sharp, piercing knife, pain sliced through her

mind, her breathing halted and her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she

collapsed on the porch in a dead faint.

 

 

 

An unknown time amount of time later, Serena came to. She was lying in

bed, the Moore's house now filled to the brim with the prince's party. Tim and

Stephen had also apparently arrived on the scene. Serena blinked her eyes rapidly as she looked into Mary's concerned face.

"W--what happened?" She asked as she tried sitting up, but Mary pushed her back against the pillows with little effort. Serena could feel her temples

throbbing with pain.

"Just lay still, Ruby! You fainted." Mary said with concern. Darien quit his pacing as he came over and looked down into Serena's face, worry written across his face as plain as daylight.

Serena leaned back into the pillows still staring at the prince. How could she not? He had to be the most wondrous looking man that she had ever laid eyes upon. Dazedly, she wondered how many other ladies had thought that.

"How do you feel, Serena?" He asked, his deep voice sending shivers down

her spine.

"Do you know me?" She asked, quietly amazed.

"Go easy on her. She doesn't remember you, or anything else for that

matter." Stephen said next to the prince. Darien looked for a moment at Stephen, his expression closed. His eyes flickered in understanding as he realized the depth of Stephen's feelings for Serena. He wondered for a moment, if Stephen was now her husband.

"It is not as you think." Stephen replied. He knew what the prince was

thinking. If I thought I had a chance, I would have married her long ago. Yet,

your ghost, however buried it was, kept her from loving anyone else, Stephen

thought as they measured each other.

"Nevertheless, she must be told," Darien stated quietly, turning back to

Serena. He looked down at her and felt his heart become liquid. How beautiful she looked, lying there. Her auburn tresses lay in disarray about her lovely face and her dark, green eyes gazed steadily into his. As lovely as the first day he had gazed into her depths that fateful night in his chambers. Had it really been almost two years now? She was even more beautiful now as a full-grown woman, than she had been as a girl. He missed the silver hair and smoky-grey eyes, but they would return when her memory was restored. He sensed it wouldn't be long now. Now that she was with him again, everything became brighter; he was complete.

"You do know me, don't you?" Serena asked again, her heart making leaps and bounds at the thought.

"Yes, your name is Serena." The prince said to her smiling slightly. Her breath caught as she stared into his face, mesmerized. How handsome he was, she thought again.

"Serena . . . " She said aloud to herself. She liked the sound of her

name, already. "Yes, I like the sound of it, but who am I really?" She asked him. "And how did I come to know you, Prince of Earth?" She wondered.

"You, Serena, are the Supreme Princess of the Moon Kingdom, that is no

more. You are princess Serenity and you are the wife to the Prince of Earth. You are my wife, Serena. And I have finally found you." He said quietly to her.

"You?" She breathed. She was married to this incredible looking man? He nodded, confirming her question.

"But how can that be possible? " Tim asked, amazed that all this time, they had been housing the princess of the Moon. "Everyone knows that the princess has silver hair. Ru--I mean Serena has red hair and it's definitely not dyed!" Tim finished as Mary nodded, agreeing with her husband.

"Yes, her hair is red. " Malachite joined in, "But, when I first met you, Serena," he said now addressing Serena, "we were preparing to leave the palace, disguised from Beryl's spies. You changed your hair and eyes to the color of what you now have with no more than the toss of your head." He smiled, remembering the scene, fondly. "I remember Darien here, got pissed off with your arrogance."

Serena giggled, "Me? Arrogant?" She said, flushing.

"You're saying that she changed her hair and eyes with no more than a blink of the eye?" Stephen asked, amazed as he stared down into Serena's face. Was she really a princess, the missing moon princess? The whole situation did not even seem real.

"Perhaps, you had been thinking about that scene when we broke apart in the battle. It would explain your loss of memory." Darien thought out loud.

"What battle? The battle between Metilla and Earth? I was in that

battle?" Serena asked, amazed. How could she forget about such an important event? It was all so confusing to her, mind-numbing was more like it and she felt dizzy as her mind tried to process all this new information about her past.

"I will tell you the whole story on the way home." Darien said, standing up and stretching his long, tired legs.

"Home?" Serena asked, surprised. "Where is home?"

"The palace is your home, Serena. I'm taking you home, where you belong."

 

 

Within an hour, all the preparations had been made for Serena to depart the Moore's tiny house. The twins had roused from their sleep, only to discover that the house was filled with strangers. Ruark, being the most vocal of them all and had just learned about being apprehensive around strangers, let loose a cry loud enough to cause every person in the vicinity of the house to come skewering into the twins' room. Rini on the other hand, stared at her brother with a tiny frown on her face as if she was annoyed with all his fussiness.

Darien was the first to arrive by the twins'' side and he stared down int his children's faces for the very first time. Serena came up behind him, smiling slightly as she noted Ruark's expression. Darien reached down and plucked the hollering Ruark from his cradle and held him up to gaze into his son's face with awe. Serena felt her heart throb almost painfully as she gazed at the two, father and son. Ruark was the exact image of his father already, with his shock of jet-black hair and bright, blue eyes. Ruark, on the other hand, did not know this stranger with the fierce eyes and dark hair and he let out another howl of fright.

Serena took him from Darien, chuckling and she soothed Ruark in her arms. Darien had already picked up Rini and it seemed as if the two already knew each other as they gazed into each other's eyes. Her big, smoky eyes locked with her father's in genuine curiosity. Then she smiled, and Serena could hear Darien's indrawn breath as he continued to stare at their daughter.

"They're going to get hungry soon, my lord." Serena said, cautiously to

Darien as he continued to hold Rini.

"Just Darien, Serena," Darien replied, slowly looking away from Rini.

"I'm still nursing them, although not as often," She said, ducking her head slightly as a blush blossomed on her cheeks.

Darien cleared everyone from the twins' room as she settled into a rocking chair with Ruark. Darien turned around and sat on the bed next to the cradles, still holding Rini in his arms.

"A-aren't you leaving, too?" She asked, as she began unbuttoning her

blouse.

"No."

"Oh." Her hand faltered on one of the buttons. She swallowed nervously as she looked up into his face. He gave her a lopsided grin.

"You must forgive me, Serena. I haven't had the pleasure yet to watch my children with their mother in the most of intimate situations, such as nursing. I intend to make the most of what I can," he finished, settling his back against the wall, then added, "Don't be shy, I promise to be as quiet as mouse," he said, smiling.

Serena nodded her head, still blushing. Ruark, having been quiet all this time, roused himself up, knowing it was time to eat. She pulled out her engorged breast and offered the puckered nipple to Ruark. She could hear Darien's intake of breath as he watched them under the cover of his lowered eyelids. Her emerald eyes met his from across the room, a slight flush covering her from head to toe. She could see his eyes smoldering as they continued to gaze at each other. The sucking of Ruark's mouth brought forth milk and Serena was again, overwhelmed, feeling of a sense of peacefulness and contentment as she nursed her son. It was always thatway, when she nursed her twins. But now, with their father in the room, it felt. . . complete.

Having suckled his fill, Ruark sleepily changed positions with Rini,

without any fuss. As Rini suckled Serena's other breast, Darien caressed the soft down of Ruark's hair. He still couldn't believe that he was holding his son in his arms. His long search was finally over; he had found Serena and his children. He could feel the weariness leaving his bones as he continued to contemplate their current situation.

He now realized why he couldn't find her. It was because of her lost

memory. He didn't know about Ruark because Ruark's powers were dormant. The same way his had been when he was a young child. Although he already recognizes Rini's powers, they were in such an infant and untaught stage that he couldn't have called out to her either. He now had the time to let Serena regain her memory. There was a certain advantage with her memory loss, he thought. He could now, woo and court her as he should have done when he had first laid eyes on her. He would show her how much he cared for her, and now, for their children as well.

He watched her as she laid her head back, looking out the window. The room was quiet and peaceful, only an occasional outburst of someone talking outside of the room disturbed the calm. She cradled Rini's head, rocking gently in the rocking chair. How many times had he ached to see her like this--to be able see her with his children and for them to be a family? More times than there are stars in the sky.



 

The cool morning air gave way to the warmth of the afternoon as they left the Moore's house and the small county of West Maire. Serena said her goodbyes to the Moores. She had cried in Mary's arms as Tim patted her head awkwardly before giving her a gigantic bear hug and nearly squeezing the life out or her. Carol and Jim were not present, but Mary said she would give her best for Serena.

It was very hard to say goodbye to Stephen. In a way, Serena had come to love him.

"I'll be here, Ruby," Stephen said to her, preferring to call her by the

name they had given her. "If you ever need me. . ."

"I know, Stephen. Thank you for everything that you've done for me and the twins." She said, smiling sadly. "I just wish, I could've been the one for you. You deserve someone better than me. Someone who could love you fully."

"I know. Your heart already belonged to him." He smiled, taking her hand into his.

"I-I don't know about that. But, there's something about him that pulls me to him." She said, smiling back. "Take care of yourself, Stephen."

"I will." He said, kissing her knuckles softly. "Take care."

"I will." She said, then turned away. Darien reached up and helped her

into the waiting carriage that Malachite had ordered earlier. It wasn't until the carriage disappeared from sight, did Stephen go back into the Moore's house.

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for chapter 14 . . . Lady M Harris.
Editor: Sun Princess!