Title: Apples & Oranges
Author: Marie J.W.
Chapter: Three / Adopted
Rated: PG
Email: angellady41@hotmail.com


` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

 "Father, that's hardly fair to the girl." a deep serious voice  
punctured Serenity's mind.
 "We don't know where she came from, son." another voice replied.
"That doesn't matter. She's obviously in trouble-"
 "Why don't we just throw her in the lake, then we wouldn't have to  
discus this anymore." another manly voice cut in.
 Serenity's eyes opened wide.
Three men stood in her view with their back to her.
 "Please, Nick, can't you be serious for once?"
Where is Maggie? Serenity sat up in bed.
 "Mag, are you sure you want to keep her here?" the Father asked.
"Of course." Maggie replied. Serenity was glad the Maggie was in here.  
She wasn't sure she could handle being alone with these men, especially  
with the one who wanted to throw her in the lake.
 "I still like the lake idea." the shorter man announced.
The taller man elbowed him, "Shut up, will ya?"
 "If that's the way you feel Maggie, we'll leave her with you, but trust  
me, I'll have Garneth and Nick come check on you and the girl from day  
to day. Strangers can never be trusted." the older man replied  
gruffly.
 Serenity felt upset that this man thought she was a thief of some kind.  
He had no idea what kind of person she was, how dare he make snap  
assumptions!
 "Excuse me." Serenity caught everyone's attention.
The three men turned around. Serenity finally got to see their faces.  
The man on her right was obviously the father of the two younger men  
standing next to him. The father's face was tan and his eyes were a  
deep green. Serenity was surprised to see that his eyes were actually  
kind looking.
 "My gosh, she's awake!" the younger of the two men let his tongue loose.  
He was shorter then the man in the middle and the father. He had dark  
brown hair and green eyes. And he wore a two-week-old beard that looked  
slightly out of place due to his age. He looked about eighteen.
 The man in the middle looked drastically different from his father and  
his younger brother. He had blonde hair and a clean-shaven face. And his  
eyes were a lighter green.
 After staring for some time at the men, Serenity collected herself, "My  
name is Serenity and am I NOT a thief as you want to make me to be."
 The men stared at her in surprise.
Finally, the man in the middle broke out laughing. The shorter man chuckled  
as well but the Father remained serious.
 Maggie pushed past the boys, "Have you no feelings?" she sighed and gave  
her attention to Serenity, "I'm sorry you had to hear that. It's just  
that Samuel is very protective of me. Don't take it to heart." she  
glanced at Samuel (the father of the boys), "He treats everyone like  
that."
 Serenity relaxed a bit.
"I suppose now that you're up you're probably wondering who all these  
strange men are."
 Serenity said nothing, as she knew Maggie would tell her weather she  
really wanted to know or not.
 The two boys stopped laughing and were now standing strait with big  
smiles on their faces.
 "This," Maggie said indicating to the blonde, "Is Garneth. And that,"  
she pointed rudely to the brown haired man, "Is Nick. And of course,  
their father's name is Samuel, but we just call him Sam."
 Serenity bowed her head, "It's nice to meet you."
"So where did you come from little fairy?" Nick asked.
 Serenity stared at him, "I'm not a fairy, or at least I don't think  
I'm a fairy, I'm a girl."
 Nick raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
Serenity nodded.
 Garneth cleared his throat, "Where do you come from?"
"Oh, I doubt you've heard of it. It's not a very pleasant place."  
Serenity replied matter of factly.
 The men exchanged looks.
"Well," Maggie interrupted, "dinner is ready. I don't know about you,  
but I'm starving!"
 Serenity's eyes widened, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you wait!  
You should have eaten without me if you were so hungry!"
 Maggie chuckled, "I'm not starving literally, dear."
Serenity looked at her silently confused.
 "Never mind me, lets just get you out of bed and some food in your  
tummy."

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

 "Chad! Put that down now!" Andy stood on a chair in the study,  
"I mean it!"
Chad held a big tarantula with a big smile on his face, "It's not  
going to hurt you, Andy."
 "You say that if you were holding a rattle snake in your hand."  
Andy backed further against the back of the armchair. Chad smirked,  
"You're right but I promise, I'll leave you alone if you let it rest  
on your shoulder for thirty seconds!"
 Andy glared at him, "I refuse to take that dare!"
"Chad please stop scaring Andy stiff I need him to help me train the  
new horse that came in yesterday."
 Chad turned around, shortly forgetting Andy, "A new horse! Hey, how  
come you guys didn't tell me?"
  
"She's not a poppycock!" Chad glared at his friend.
 Andy jumped off the armchair, "It's a white horse with gray shoes.  
It's beautiful, you should see it Chad."
 Chad turned around, purposely putting the Tarantula in Andy's face,  
"Really? You'll have to show it to me after you hold this thing."
 Andy backed up, "Chad if that thing touches me you won't be able to  
walk for three days!"
 "And how are you going to carry that out?"
"Give me a sword and I'll show you." Andy replied with a grin on his  
face.
 Chad cleared his throat and backed up. He put the Tarantula in a box  
on the side table.
 "So where is that horse?" Chad asked Ken.
"It's in the West Stables. But I wouldn't ride it, it's not trained  
yet."
 "What did we get it for anyway, everyone has horses already, don't  
they?"
"It's for the PRINCESS the prince will marry." Andy rolled his eyes,  
"They're four of them that he gets to pick from."
 "Four? And he gets them all to himself?!" Chad frowned.
Andy shrugged his shoulders, "They get here in three days."
 "What does Darien think about this?" Chad asked; some how he already  
knew the answer.
 "Do I have to repeat everything he said?"

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `  

 Four Days Later:
  
 "You're going to make a hole in the floor if you keep doing that."  
Mina teased.
Ray paced across the girls room, shooting up a storm.
 "He's an imbecile! We come all that way from the Moon and he just  
says 'nice to meet you but I have other meeting to attend to, please  
excuse me' oooh! Men!" Ray continued to pace the room.
 Lita sighed, "He is... pig headed, isn't he?"
Amy glared at Lita, "That's hardly a nice thing to say behind the  
Prince's back."
 Lita rolled her eyes, "Who cares about that! I'm sure he's saying  
much worse about us!"
 Amy gasped, "He wouldn't!"
"He would that slimy snake!"
 "What is with you and the Earth away, Ray? Ever since I can remember,  
you've had something against it." Lita asked.
 Ray stopped and glared at Lita before pacing once again.
"Well, I don't know about everyone else but I like him just fine! I  
wouldn't be unhappy at all, if he chooses me. Imagine being the Princess  
of Earth!" Mina stared starry-eyed.
 Lita knocked her over the side of the head, "Get a life! You don't even  
know him!"
 "Yeah, I thought you were hung up the marrying for love thing." Ray  
stopped to stare at Mina.
 Mina blushed, "Well, yeah, but... didn't you see his eyes?!"
Ray growled and clenched her fists, "Yes! But how cares about his  
eyes?"
 Knock... Knock...

"Come in!" Mina called.
 A maid stepped in, "Lunch will be served on the West Balcony, Princess.  
The Majesty's wish for you to join them."
 Mina jumped up, "Of course!"

` ` ` ` ` `  ` ` `

 "She has to come from somewhere!" Darien threw a book down after  
flipping through the pages, "She can't just appear and then disappear!  
She had to come from somewhere!" He threw another book on the floor,  
"She didn't seem very wise..." Darien stopped in thought, "In fact,  
she seemed...lost and confused. Do you suppose that she was teleported  
here without knowing why or how? Maybe there was a war on her planet..."  
Darien shook his head, "Either way, she has to come from one of the  
seven planets!" The prince threw another hardback book down. It slapped  
the floor.
 "You're Majesty, lunch is ready on the West Balcony." A Servant approached  
the Prince.
 "Lunch?" Darien asked confused, "Oh, lunch... Dang, can they wait."
"No sir."
 Darien sighed and looked over the large shelf of books.
"I assume to books are not going anywhere soon, sir."
 Darien glanced at the servant from the corner of his eye. Humor kind of  
guy, is he?  
 "Well, I suppose not. Tell Mother I'll be there as soon as possible."
"Of course, you're Majesty." The Servant left.
 Darien leaned against a back of a chair in thought, "Where are you  
Princess?"

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

  Ray tapped her figures against her glass of lemonade unconsciously.  
She stared the large garden just beyond the balcony thinking of home or  
being somewhere even more pleasant.
 "Ray..." hissed Lita.
Ray gave her attention, "Um?"
 "Stop tapping."
Ray looked at her hand and blushed. She looked up at the Queen and the  
four generals. That fact that all were staring at her made her blush  
harder.
 Amy cleared her throat; "You were saying something about the history  
of your gardens, your Majesty?"
 Queen Agasta smiled pleasantly, "Yes, the gardens are the Earth's pride.  
Their quiet historical; especially the Apple and Orange orchards."
 "I didn't know the palace had an orchard." Amy sat up.
"They were put in several years ago. They're still young but they are  
baring fruit. At first we wanted to put them near each other so we wouldn't  
have to walk so far but then they didn't seem to want to grow together so  
we separated them."
 Amy nodded for her to go on but just then, Prince Darien arrived.
"Sorry I'm late, Mother." he leaned down and kissed Queen Agasta on the  
cheek. She smiled and patted his cheek, "Next time try to be on  
time."
 Ray stiffened as the Prince sat next to her.
Ken cleared his throat, "The Queen was just informing the Princesses  
about the two orchards."
 Prince Darien nodded, "Yes, they are a site to see."
"I doubt you go there often." Ray put in.
 Darien smiled charmingly at her, "In fact, the opposite, it's one of  
my favorite places."
 Ray rolled her eyes. I'm sure...
Lita gave her a warning look but it was already too late.
 "Am I mistaken Princess Ray or do you actually dislike me?" Darien  
questioned with some amusement and concern.
 Queen Agasta quickly tried to cover up for Ray, "Don't be silly,  
son."
"No," Ray looked at him full in the face, "I don't. Just because we  
came here without kicking and screaming and making a totally idiot of  
ourselves doesn't mean that we all are happy to be here. Especially me."  
Ray looked at Queen Agasta, "I'm sorry you're Majesty, no offence to you  
or your palace but I thought I should be blunt."
 Queen Agasta swallowed but did not reply. She looked stunned silent.
Ray couldn't take the pressure her announcement brought on the crowd and  
stood up, "If you'll excuse me."
 Amy tried to smile to break the tension. It didn't work.

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

 "What's this?" Serenity picked up the limp leg to a chicken.
Maggie turned around to look at it before going back to slicing tomatoes,  
"It's a dead chicken dear."
 Serenity gasped and stepped back, "You mean it was alive?"
"Of course." Maggie was getting used to Serenity's... erm... lack of  
knowledge. The girl would gasp, scream, or faint when she learned  
something new. If Maggie were lucky, she would get a more pleasant  
reaction out of her.
 Garneth and Nick were getting along nicely with Serenity but Sam was  
having a hard time trusting her still. The two boys loved to take Serenity  
into town and show her around and teach her about their planet.
 "What are we going to do with it?" Serenity looked at Maggie.
"Eat it."  
 "But... it's... it was alive!"
"What did you think you ate last night? That duck sure was alive before I  
cooked it."
 Serenity stared at the chicken in horror.
Maggie chuckled, "Don't worry about it, love. They don't feel a thing. They  
tiny souls go right to heaven where, I'm sure, they're much happier."
 Serenity slowly sat down, "How long has this... eating animals been going  
on?"
"Since the very beginning of the Earth."
Serenity sighed, "I'll never understand."
 "Don't you eat meat where you live?"
Serenity thought about it, "I suppose so... but do you think it was alive  
before we ate it?"
 Maggie broke out laughing.
"What's going on?" Nick came in, "I don't want to miss out on a good joke."  
He looked from Serenity to Maggie.
 Garneth came in the door from behind Nick, "What's going on?"
Maggie took a deep breath, "Nothing... nothing... you would have to be  
there to understand."
 Nick shook his head, "Here's the fire wood you wanted."
"Good, put it in the back." Nick started for the door, "And make sure it's  
by the door where I can reach it!"
 Nick disappeared.
Garneth sat next to Serenity; "You want to let me in on what was so  
funny?"
 Serenity looked at Maggie, "To tell you the truth I have no idea what  
was funny. I didn't... see any joke in what I said."
 "What did you say?"
Maggie startled to chuckle.
 Serenity sighed, "I only asked about the chicken. I didn't know the poor  
thing was alive before we ate it."
 Garneth tried not to smile. He put on a grave expression and looked solemnly  
at the chicken, "Poor thing... it lived a short life..."
 Maggie turned and glared at him, "Give the girl a break, Garneth or I'll  
be having you pluck that chicken for me!"
 Garneth put on an innocent smile, "I don't know what you're talking  
about Maggie."
 Serenity stared at the chicken; "I think I'll just have a salad  
tonight..."

` ` ` ` ` ` ` `  ` `

 Two Days Later:

 Serenity walked swiftly next to Garneth on the way back to the cottage.  
Maggie would be waiting for them by the door. They were already late as  
it was.  
 "Why are we going to the palace? Does she know the Queen?" Serenity  
asked.
Garneth smiled, "Yes, but that's not why we're going. My sister is the  
Queen's Lady in Waiting. Maggie always takes her a basket of homemade  
bread and butter on Thursdays."  
 "Why?"
"Molly is Maggie's... treasure... unlike the rest of us." Garneth added.
 Serenity smiled, "She likes you."
"Oh, sure, as much as she likes liver."
 "What liver?"
"Never mind."

 Maggie met them half way with the wagon, "Get on you two. Molly will  
have to wait all day at this rate!"
 Garneth helped Serenity onto the back and hopped on himself just in  
time as Maggie started to pull away. The two sat at the back, swinging  
their legs off the side.
 Serenity laughed, as they seemed to go backwards.

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

 "Darien... don't you have something better to do?" Ken stood, leaning  
against the banister in the library.
 Darien mumbled something to himself, not hearing, or just ignoring  
Ken.
"What was that?"
 Darien turned around, "She isn't just a figment of my imagination! I  
saw her... sort of." Darien ran his figures through his thick hair.
 Ken raised an eyebrow, "Dar, relax. It was probably some peasant  
girl."
"No, she had the bracelet on." Darien pulled out another book and  
flipped through it, "She's a princess, I know she is."
 "Don't you think you're getting a little obsessesive?"
Darien glared at Ken, "Don't you have somewhere to be?"
 "Don't 'you' have somewhere to be?" Ken countered, "If I'm guessing  
right, there are four beautiful women out in the gardens right now,  
just waiting to be swept off their feet."
 "Hardly."
Ken sighed, remembering the little incident at lunch a couple days ago.
 "At least be nice to them, you don't have to hibernate in the library  
looking for some clue to a... a strange girl."
 "Hello, boys and girls!" Chad popped his head in the door. Ken looked  
down from his perch watching Chad look around the seemly empty room. Chad  
looked up and saw Ken, "There you are!"
 "You might as well leave, the girls are outside."
Chad cleared his throat and walked in, "Now, why would you say such a  
thing Ken?"
 Ken rolled his eyes, "If he's staying, I'm leaving."
Darien ignored him as he walked around the shelf to the other side.
 "Well... since you two are busy, I'm just going to go on a walk. See ya!"  
he quickly disappeared.
 Ken sighed, "I have a lunatic and a obsessesive prince for friends.  
Great."

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

 "Out, out, Molly will be wondering where we've been." Maggie jumped down  
from the wagon, "I just want you to know, Garneth, I'm holding you  
responsible!"
 Garneth rolled his eyes as he helped Serenity down from the wagon,  
"Yes, Mam'."
"Good."  
 Serenity was in awe. The palace was huge with white stonewalls. Beautiful  
green vines climbed up and around the windows until it reached the top  
of the structure.  
 "Well?" Garneth whispered next to her ear.
Serenity turned and smiled at him, "It's beautiful."
  
 The three walked into the palace from the back door near the stables. The  
halls were magnificent. The palace was even more beautiful then the Dark  
Planets Palace.
 Guards stood at every door, standing tall and at attention. Serenity  
couldn't help but stare at them. They looked so... out of it. Serenity  
stopped in front of one and stared at him. He didn't even blink or move  
his eyes.  
 "Serenity, keep moving." Garneth pulled her along.

"Molly!" Maggie's voice startled Serenity out of her state of awe.
 The girl named Molly was sweet looking. She had short red hair pulled back  
by a pink ribbon and white lilies. Her dress was made of green silk and  
it graced her figure beautifully.
 Serenity thought she was the prettiest thing she'd ever seen.  
"Garneth! Maggie!" Molly gave Maggie a short hug before giving Garneth a  
long one. Garneth was all smiles. Serenity could tell that he loved his  
sister.
 "Molly, this is Serenity." he pushed Serenity towards his sister.
Serenity gave a slight curtsied, "It's nice to meet you."
 Molly smiled and nodded her head. She looked at her brother questioningly  
but Garneth only shrugged his shoulders.
 Maggie, feeling a little left out, walked up to the small group, "Now where  
are those generals that I so adore?"

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `
  
 "She's here! Hide!" Andy came running in the meeting room where Ken, Chad,  
Greg and the girls were. The generals were showing the girls the  
historical armor that hung on the walls.
 "Who's here?" Ray asked confused.
All of a sudden, the men were anxiously looking for a place to hide.
 "How long till she gets here?" Ken asked.
"Right now!" Maggie's voice boomed in the men's ears, "If I knew you were  
so excited to see me I'd have come yesterday!"
 Ken immediately put on a charming smile, "It's good to see you Maggie."
The other three men put on smiles as well. Ray stared at the generals.  
'What is going on?'
 Amy, Lita and Mina were wondering the same thing.
"I brought you some nice sweaters that you can wear this winter. I had them  
done by a friend of mine." she put her basket down and started rummaging  
through  
it.
 "She 'always' has a friend make them." Greg whispered in Ken's ear.
Maggie pulled out four... er... purple and green sweaters... "Aren't  
they beautiful?"
 Ken swallowed and nodded mutely.
"I won't make you try them on now... I don't want you to get your hair  
all messed up. But make sure to put them where you'll remember them when  
winter comes." She gave each of the boys their sweater. It was ruff and  
itchy in their hands.
 "Thank you." Chad managed to get out.
Maggie finally noticed the four girls behind them, "And who are these  
fine ladies?"
 Ken cleared his throat, "Oh, forgive me. These are the Princesses from  
Mars, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter."
 "Oh! Well, welcome!" Maggie smiled brilliantly, her chubby cheeks  
practically covering her eyes.
 The girls curtsied, smiling graciously as well.
"I think it's wonderful that you are visiting Earth, and you've come  
quiet a distance!" Maggie shook her head, "Oh, that reminds me. I have  
adopted a girl... I think she is from another planet herself. You must  
meet her."
 "Excuse me?" Ken stepped forward.
"Her names Serenity. She's with Garneth and Molly right now. Come, you must  
meet her." she took Ken's arm and took him with her. The others  
curious, followed.
  
 "...and she's always making us fetch things, of course, we don't mind.  
I wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea or anything!" Molly smiled,  
"The Queen is really wonderful."
 Serenity was surprised that the Queen had Ladies to wait on her.  
Queen Beryl only had men who did as she bid, there were never many  
women around.
 "Serenity." Maggie came up to the girl, "I want you to meet the  
Prince's generals."
 Ken stepped forward and bowed, "Milady."
Serenity smiled, "Hello."
 Maggie soon introduced everyone. The Princesses were quite curious  
about her. She seemed perfectly normal as far as humans go. However,  
there was something familiar about. Finally, Mina figured it out.
 "You're hair!" she burst out, startling Serenity. Serenity quickly  
brought her hand up to her hair to see if there was something wrong.
 Mina quickly shook her head, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you,  
it's just that I was wondering why you looked so familiar and it's  
because of your hairstyle. It looks just like Queen Serenity's."
 Serenity's brow scrunched, "That's the second time I've heard that name.  
Who is this Queen?"
 Mina, Ray, Lita and Amy stared at Serenity in surprise.
"You mean, you don't know." Mina asked.
 Serenity shook her head.
Maggie cleared her throat, "She's from a distant planet..."
 "Even so, every one knows about Queen Serenity." Ray put in.
Serenity felt strange under everyone's curious gazes. Why was everyone so  
awed that she didn't know who this Queen was? Everything was becoming  
confusing very fast.
 "Andy, I want you to come with me. I need-" Darien stopped when he  
realized who was here.
 "Darien, come here, I want you to see someone." Andy motioned.
Serenity backed up. She didn't like all this attention at all.
 Darien walked up with an air of authority, "Who is it?"
Serenity looked up at the tall man approaching. He was wearing a dark  
blue shirt and black plants. He didn't look princely at all except for  
the prideful air about him.
 Darien was surprised to see a little girl with long blonde hair put into  
Queen Serenity's hairstyle. She looked a little frightened as her mouth  
was set tight her and her eyes were wide.
 Darien raised an eyebrow, "She isn't very much is she." He thought  
aloud causing every one to gasp or to glare at him.
 "Darien!" Maggie scolded.
Serenity glared at him. No matter what she thought, she was something! What  
kind of prince was he? Serenity swallowed down the venomous reply she so  
wanted to throw. Even if he didn't think much of her, he had no right to  
say so!
 "Andy, I need you to come with me." Darien turned to his friend.
Andy was still glaring at him, "Darien, I think you owe her an apology."
 Darien looked back at the girl then at Maggie whose face was screwed up  
in the most unpleasant manor. He cleared his throat, "Sorry for being so  
rude, my mind was preoccupied with other things." His bow was short and  
stiff.
 Serenity didn't think he was sorry at all for insulting her. It's bad  
enough being thrown around on the Dark Planet! I thought Earth was...  
was a wonderful place, where people at least had respect for one  
another.
 When Andrew still wouldn't move Darien begged, "Please, Andy, I don't  
want it to get too late."
 Andy sighed and gave Serenity an apologetic smile before turning to go  
with the Prince.
 Serenity's hands tightened at her sides. The nerve of that man! He had  
no respect for his friends or acquaintances!
 "Next time, I hope we meet on better terms, 'Prince' Darien." Serenity's  
voice was stiff and challenging.
 Darien stopped in his tracks; he turned around to face her, and walked  
back up to the girl.
 Molly bit her lip. What was the Prince going to do?
Serenity stared up at him boldly.
 "I'm sure we will..." he looked up at her hair, "Meatball head."
Serenity's mouth fell open in surprise.
 He smirked and started to turn.
"You... you... how dare you call me that?!" Serenity yelled at him. He  
continued walking to the door.  
 Maggie quickly caught the girl before she could run after the Prince.
Serenity's heart was beating to war drums. He insulted her by telling  
her "she wasn't much" and then by calling her "Meatball head"! What kind  
of prince was he?
 "Serenity, please calm down." Maggie's voice soothed her thoughts.  
Maggie had never seen the girl so worked up before.
 Serenity relaxed and looked at the men and women surrounding her.
Ray smiled, "I think I'm going to like you."
 Mina elbowed her, "Don't mind her, she just doesn't like him."
Serenity sighed, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have over reacted." What an  
idiot I must seem in front of all these fine people! Serenity thought  
as she bowed her head and looked at the gray marble floor.
 Amy giggled, "Don't worry, we're used to it. Lita is often loosing her  
temper in court."
 Lita smiled, "Have you seen the rest of the Palace?"
Serenity shook her head. Everyone was being so good about this.
 "Maggie do you mind." Ken asked.
Maggie shook her head, "No, go ahead, I wanted to talk to Molly  
anyway."
  
 The group soon broke up. Serenity followed the three men and four women  
around the palace. The fairy tale like palace was enchanting to her. Flowers  
and beautiful green planets sat in corners of the palace, climbing up the  
walls and ceilings. Serenity found the guards very interesting. They looked  
like statues yet she knew they were human.
 "Do they ever talk?" Serenity asked as they passed two men standing at  
their stations.
 Greg smiled, "Of course. However, right now they're on duty."
"They're job is to stand stiff and guard the door?"
 "Sort of." Greg smiled, amused.
"Next we have to show you the hot springs!" Chad announced.
 "What's a hot spring?"
"It's a natural resource. In some places on the earth, like here, there  
are pools of warm and sometimes hot water that spring up from the ground.  
It's great to relax and swim in." Greg informed.
 Serenity's eyes were wide, "Where is it?"
"On the East side of the palace, we're almost there." Ken walked a long  
side her.
  
 When the doors opened steam blew out at them. Serenity coughed, caught  
off guard. Ken guided her in slowly. Serenity looked around, it was misty  
and somewhat hard to see clearly.
 "This is it? Where's the-"
"Whoa!" Ken grabbed her arm before she could go sailing into the spring. Serenity gasped, "That's it!" I almost went in there!  
 Chad knelt down and put his hand in the water, "It's not too hot. Want  
to take a swim?"
 Serenity quickly shook her head.
Ray glared at Chad, "I hope that wasn't a serious proposal."
 Chad blushed, "No milady."

 An hour later, the girls were left alone in the sun room while the men  
went to order some drinks and something to eat.  
 "Do you all live here?" Serenity asked, curious.
Ray shook her head, "Of course not. We're... or at least, three of us  
will be returning home in a month or so."
 "Why only three?"
Mina blushed, "We are the Prince's choice for a bride. He must pick one  
of us before the month is over."
 "What?" Serenity stared at the girls incredible, "One of you has to  
marry that man?"
 Amy nodded, "It's for the good of the planets."
Serenity shook her head, "I could never do anything like that. Didn't  
you ever think of rebelling or... just running away?"
 Ray stood up, "It's our duty to our people."
Serenity didn't understand. It's not always easy to run away. Serenity  
thought, thinking of her own case. But it's worth it. Look at me. I ran  
away from all the darkness and evil... and my... Serenity shivered.  
Family.
 "Serenity? Are you alright?" Lita sat next to her.
"Uh? Oh... I was just thinking." Serenity smiled sadly.
 "Of what?"
"My... family... I guess."
 "Aren't they with you?"
"No..." Serenity sighed, "I ran away." Serenity looked strait into Lita's  
eyes, "And I don't regret it at all."
 Lita's eyes widened, "Serenity... didn't they... I mean, love you?"
 The girls listened intently.
"I don't think so... My Step-mother is the Queen of the planet where I  
live and my step-sister and brother could care less about me. None of them  
care about me..."  
 Everyone stared at her.
"You're a Princess." Mina questioned, confused.
 Serenity nodded.
"Then what are you doing with the woman named Maggie?" Lita asked.
 Serenity smiled, "I was lost and sick so she took care of me."
The girls all exchanged glances.
 "From what planet are you from exactly?" Amy asked.
Serenity looked at the girls. If she told them, they might send her  
back.
 "I... it's..."
"Food for everyone!" Chad came in with a large plate of fruit.
 Mina jumped off her chair, "Wonderful! I'm starving!"
Serenity sighed in relief. She didn't know what she's say if they pressed  
her.
 "Hey, you forgot the cheese, Jack!" Lita glared at Ken.

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

 Darien moved aside some dead leaves, "We were about right here weren't  
we?"
Andy was sitting on a log, emptying the rocks out of his boots, "How  
should I know? Everything looks the same to me."
 Darien rolled his eyes, "I brought you because I thought you could  
help."
"No, you brought me because I'm great company and... because you needed  
a guard." Andy grinned, "Poor Prince, can't go anywhere without a  
babysitter."
 Darien glared, "Shut up, Andy, and help me find some clues."
"What do you want me to find? A long trail of mud leading right to where  
she is?"
 Darien grunted as he stood up, "Just something."
"What about that girl you insulted back there? Maggie says she's from  
another planet. Maybe she's the girl-"
 "Get real, Andy."
"You know... you don't have to be rude to every girl your attracted  
to."
 "Attracted!" Darien stared at Andy amazed, "Where did you come up  
with that idea?"
 Andy smiled, "She challenged you. I'd say that's enough to get your  
blood flowing."
 Darien shook his head, "You have got some imagination."

```````````````````````````

 Serenity snuggled into the warm covers. Today was an exciting day and  
she hopped to visit the palace with Maggie more often. The Princesses  
were wonderful and easy to talk to and she wanted to get to know Molly  
better.
 Maybe Garneth would take her some time... or maybe even Nick.
Maggie was already fast asleep next to her. She snored softly before  
falling silent. Serenity hit her pillow to make it more comfortable  
before resting her head and closing her eyes.
 I hope I don't see that Prince again... I lost my temper... I hardly  
ever loose my temper! How could I do that? Maggie and everyone else had  
been so nice to me. Serenity sighed mentally. I know Maggie disapproved  
of my behavior. I could tell by the way she was looking at me when we got  
home. Oh, how could I yell at him like that? What is wrong with me? I  
never yelled at Queen Beryl before!
 Serenity tossed and turned. Something was bothering her.
I've seen the Prince before... somewhere.
  
 I just hope it wasn't on the Dark Planet or something.

Where did I see him?

 Am I just going crazy?

I need to go to sleep.

 He has to marry one of the Princesses.

What are they going to do?

 Whom is he going to choose?

That other general looked familiar too.

 Go to sleep.

I wonder if he's secretly in love with someone.

 I am crazy.

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

 Queen Serenity paced her room. It was late, she knew, but she couldn't  
sleep. Ever since that sudden attack on her powers... she could feel a  
force... near her. It was hard to know if it was good or evil. All she  
knew is that it felt familiar. Someone had tapped into her powers over a  
week ago. And it bothered her. She didn't know many people that could  
do that.  
 She thought of telling Luna but that would only cause her to become  
over protective. Besides, it surely was nothing, wasn't it?
 Serenity stopped pacing and sat on the edge of her bed.
Please... tell me what to do!
 Serenity stood up and walked out of her room and down the hall. Somehow,  
she had gotten an answer. She started jogging down the hall until she  
stopped suddenly at the one room she hadn't gone in for years.  
Queen Serenity's heart sped up at the sight of the door. Why had she  
stopped here?
 Queen Serenity closed her eyes as she twisted the doorknob. It came open  
with ease. Serenity opened her eyes. The room was dark but she could  
dimly see the shape of a small bed, dresser and toys occupying the  
floor. Serenity felt tears come to her eyes. She quickly wiped them  
away.
 My daughter... she's home...


(To be continued...)

``````````````````````````````````

 Yeah! I got another chapter done and this one was much longer! I hoped  
you liked it!

 Thanks for Read'in, minna-chan!