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	   	      Written by Avanla Mireille

Book Three, Chapter One - "Spinning Back Into Place"
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	I don't remember much of what happened after that. Everything 
kind of froze, like in slow motion. We pieced together the mess Rubeus 
had left everything in and almost everything changed after that day. I 
saw the world in a different light, well, a different darkness really. 

	People changed as well. Artemis became my Prime Minister in
Maxxel's stead, and a governor was sent to take care of Portrai. My 
ladies changed as well. Mina was four months pregnant, unable to 
hide her pregnancy anymore. Rei and especially Lita became more protective
of me, one of them everywhere I went. A new face graced my small band
of ladies, the Prince of Deline's younger sister, Princess Genevieve.
She was quiet, respectful, and not particulary beautiful, but with the grace
to make her. With light brown hair and different eyes, which couldn't 
decide whether to be green or blue. Mina's family moved in to the palace 
apartments, which were finished a month ago amidst the chaos.

	But of course, things were going to get flipped up side down and
shaken again. I think I was expecting as much, knowing my life was not going 
to be easy, or enjoyable. I could feel it in my gut, and it wasn't just 
indigestion, believe me.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- 

	Serena sat in her lounge, accompanying Genevieve's violin with
her harp. She had learned to play when she was little, but wasn't able
to take it up till now. Serena shut her eyes, letting her hands move on
their own. Their melody sifted through the room, and drifted down the
hall to calm everyone whose ears it reached. 

	Anthony and Setsuna walked into the room, and stood there
politely, letting them finish their piece. The two played their last
note, and they clapped for them. Serena and Genevieve opened their
eyes and smiled at their little audience. 

	"Bravo, majesties." Anthony smiled, pushing back his brown
hair. 

	"Thank you, Anthony." Serena said, and Genevieve just nodded
her head shyly. "I suspect that this little visit was not just to say
hello?"

	"Your intuition amazes me, your highness." Anthony's brown eyes
twinkled. "There is a visitor here to see you, actually, two."

	"Two?" Serena stood up, walking towards him. 

	"Yes, King Endymion and Lord Kunzite." Setsuna announced, and
Serena faltered. 

	"King-King Endymion? Why is he here?" She asked quickly.

	"Well, I don't know. He didn't say, really." Setsuna looked
at Anthony, and back at her. Serena quickly regained her composure, and
smiled. 

	"Please, show me to him. And fetch Mina for me." Serena asked,
following Anthony, while Setsuna went to go find Mina.

	Serena met Mina and watched as her best friend paced nervously
before the door.

	"Serena, I can't go in there! I can't face him!" Mina whispered
loudly. 

	"You knew this day would come, you must go in there and face
him. It's not like you can hide it anymore." Serena said, pointing to
her stomach. 

	"Oh, but Serena!" Mina flung her hands up. Serena sighed, and
grabbed her hands in hers. 

	"Mina, just walk in there and let him do all the talking. I 
guarantee he will." Serena promised. "Now, come on." Mina groaned, nodding
her head slowly.

	"Alright, alright." She gave in. 

	As the door opened, the two men turned and looked at the two
women which entered. As Serena entered, Endymion sighed, and as Mina did,
Kunzite gasped. Mina smiled nervously, unconsciously placing a hand on
her stomach.

	"So it's true." Kunzite shook his head, walking over to her.

	"Excuse me?" Serena raised an eyebrow and watched as Kunzite
placed his hands gently on Mina's stomach. Mina giggled as he whispered
something in her ear, and lightly kissed him on the lips.

	"Oh, a rumor was heard that one of you two were pregnant."
Endymion answered. "So we came to find out which one."

	"Oh I see." Serena smiled. "News sure does travel, even if you
don't say anything. But why would they think I was pregnant, I mean...
oh." With one knowing glance from Endymion she trailed off, blushing. 

	Endymion walked over to the two, congratulating them. Serena
watched with a happy smile as Mina beamed proudly. Suddenly however, 
she felt her pores clear, her skin become hot, and a sudden turning
in her stomach.

	"Serena?" Serena opened her eyes, looking up into Endymion's
worried face. "Serena?"

	She moaned, raising a hand to her face. She suddenly realized
where she was; on the floor and in Endymion's arms. 

	"Wha, what happened?" She asked, trying to sit up.

	"No Serena, calm down first." Minashook her head. "You fainted."

	"I did? I..I don't remember!" Serena breathed, but Endymion
calmed her down by running his hand through her hair.

	"Ssh, it's alright." He whispered. "Has she been feeling well
lately?"

	"Well, I don't know. You know these past months haven't been
exactly easy. She hasn't been sleeping well, I guess. It all probably
just caught up with her." Mina deduced. 
	
	"Well, in that case, let's get you to bed your highness."
Endymion said, helping to lift her up. "Common."

	Endymion and Mina successfully got Serena into bed, and Mina
left the two alone while she went to fetch some water. Endymion chuckled
lightly, as he massaged the side of her face.

	"What's so funny? I just fainted!" Serena huffed indignantly.

	"You just had me worried, that's all." 

	"Worried about what? Me being pregnant, or me fainting?" Serena
asked.

	"Both." Endymion shrugged. "And you had me worried when you
just up and left two months ago. I had no clue where you went to, I 
thought, I don't know, something might have happened to you."

	"I'm sorry, I was just a little bit overwhelmed, I mean-"

	"I know." Endymion smiled understandingly, running his hand
down her cheek. 

	"And what would you have done if I was the one pregnant?"
Serena questioned.

	"Well, I think I would've been the one who fainted." He said 
and they laughed. "Serena I need to tell-" Just then the door opened, 
and Mina returned with Serena's glass of water.

	"Alright, here you go Serena." Mina handed the glass to Serena
as she sat up. Serena drank it and sighed contentedly.

	"Thank you Mina." She said as she handed it back.

	"Now, I must insist you leave now Endymion." Mina said and
Endymion nodded. 

	"I know, I'm going." Endymion smiled and stood up. "Sweet dreams
Serena."

	Both girls watched as he left the room, and Mina waited till
the door clicked in place. She turned to Serena, an eyebrow raised with
intrigue. Serena moaned, sensing her gossipy mood.

	"Not now Mina, I wish to get some rest, please." Serena begged.
After a moment Mina sighed disappointedly, and walked to the door.

	"Alright Serena, I'll let you go this one time." Mina winked
and walked out the door. 

	Serena stayed awake long after she was gone, just thinking, and
thinking some more. But fatigued finally overcame the weakened empress,
and she drifted off to dream of places and things better than reality.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- 

	Serena awoke to the early morning of a light rainy day. She
stretched and yawned loudly, opening her eyes slowly. She took a few
moments to just look outside, and smiled happily.

	"And what are you smiling about?" Serena turned her head to see
Mina and Genevieve enter from their adjoining room. 

	"Good morning, your majesty." Genevieve greeted. Lita and Rei
came in after them, carrying trays of food.

	"Breakfast in bed? What did I do to deserve this?" Serena said,
sitting up.

	"I'm not sure, but I did tell the cook that this probably 
wasn't enough food for you." Rei said, placing her silver tray on the 
circular table. Serena scowled at Rei as she stood up and put her robe
on. 

	"Really Rei, you're with Mina too much. She's such a bad 
influence." Serena said and sat at the table. "And anyways, there's 
nothing wrong with liking to eat."

	"Of course not your majesty, unless your Madame Duvoint." Rei
said and they laughed. They all sat down and began to gossip, like all
women do. 

	"Where's Setsuna?" Serena asked. 

	"Oh, she's with Artemis. I think the two have something going."
Mina informed.

	"They're very close in age." Lita said.

	"But Setsuna just seems older to me." Serena said. "Because I've
known her so long."

	"Oh, speaking of marriage-"

	"We were speaking about marriage?" Lita interrupted Mina. 

	"Well, kind of." Mina said, but then just waved her hand 
dismissively." "Anyways, my big brother is finally getting married!"

	"Oh!" Serena smiled, as everyone chorused in. "Lucy?"

	"But of course." Mina replied. "They're to wed five months from
now. I'm very excited! Getting to be an aunt and all."

	"Yes well, Kaleb shall be an uncle before you shall be a 
sister-in-law." Rei piped in. "How did Kunzite take it?"

	"Well, he was overjoyed!" Mina beamed. "I love him so much."

	"I guess I'll have to congratulate him at dinner tonight."
Lita said, causing Serena to snap to attention.

	"Dinner? Whatever do you mean?" 

	"Oh, I'm sorry Serena." Mina apologized. "Endymion and Kunzite
stayed over night, for Kunzite wished to be with me a little longer."

	"I see." Serena nodded. 

	"Are you alright?" Genevieve asked. Serena looked up at them
and smiled reassuringly.

	"Yes, I'm fine!" She said. "Now where were we?"
	
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- 

	Later, Serena found Endymion under the terrace of the gardens,
looking into the rain. 

	"Lovely day, isn't it?" Serena said as she approached. Endymion
turned to her and smiled. 

	"Beautiful." He replied. "Now that you're here."

	"Oh, what flattery." She giggled, waving her hand. 

	"Oh, and I suppose you want me to stop?" At a vigorous shake of
the head from Serena he laughed. "Are you feeling any better today?"

	"Much. I don't know what came over me." She replied. He smiled,
kissing her knuckles.

	"Serena, I-I'm..I would like to spend more time with you." He
said.

	"Me too." Serena smiled shyly, her heart speeding up. "But-"

	"I know." He interrupted. "Nothing too serious. We can start
over, like it never happened, and just be friends. I don't know what I'd
do if you had been the one pregnant. It be too much to deal with."

	"I know." Serena said. Endymion smiled down at her, and she 
felt as if she would melt. He touched her cheek, and butterflies danced
in her stomach. How strange his smile and touch made her feel, nothing
like Diamond. Serena frowned suddenly, getting drowned in memories.

	"Serena?" Endymion said questionably. 

	"I'm fine." She smiled reassuringly. "I was just thinking."

	"My general is very fascinated with your lady." Endymion said.

	"You don't say?"
	
	"Oh, but I do." They smiled at each other, chuckling. "He plans
to ask her hand in marriage, and get married soon after the baby is 
born. Would you allow it?"

	"Of course." She said without hesitation. "Mina is so much in 
love with him, and her baby needs a father." She sighed, wiping her bangs
away. "I wish I knew real love...I forget what it is now."

	"You will." Endymion reassured, grabbing her chin lightly. 
"Someday." He then bent down and gave her a half lip/half cheek kiss,
sending shocks through Serena's system. He pulled away, but barely,
and she found herself lost in his deep eyes. 

	"Your majesty?" 

	'Ugh, figures!' Serena thought bitterly, turning to see the
page.

	"So sorry to interrupt, but the council awaits." He announced.

	"Oh yes," Serena sighed, turning back to face Endymion. "I must
go to the den of lions."

	"I understand." He smiled. "Have fun." Serena turned, but on a
second thought reached up and pecked him on the cheek. Endymion watched
after her, and shook his head with a laugh.


-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- 

	Later that night, and many miles away from the palace, lay a 
camp hidden underneath bony trees and thorns. The smoke from the fires
rose up, curling like a gray claw around the camp. In the middle of the
camp rose the biggest tent of them all, bones and animal skins covering 
its surface. 

	Inside three men stood, overlooking a large map of the
continent. The one in the middle, shorter than the other two, grabbed a
dagger from its sheath, and it bounced off the torch lights. He raised
it above his head, and stabbed it into the heart of Alvediaca. A cold,
deathly laugh echoed through the tent, rising up to mix with the smoke.

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