"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended,
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme
No more yielding but a dream.
Gentles, do not reprehend:
If you pardon, we will mend.
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
To escape the serpants tounge
We shall make amends ere long
Else the Puck a liar call...
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends
And the Robin shall restore amends."

~ William Shakespeare 

Hey, everybody, I am quite proud of myself. I have my own web sight now!
www.geocities.com/lyra_2040/lyras_studio.html. Come see me, sign my 
guestbook and what not

Well, people, here I am again. Crazy and unbelivable as it may seem, I have
returned to ASMR and to 'Wish Upon A Faerie Ring'. This is it, the conclusion
to my first posted fanfiction! I'm so happy...even though I've been a *bad*
monkey for not finishing it earlier.

A few thank you's, as always, and then on to the story. To Mary Ann, Jessica,
Herman and Skott, to Andrea (all hail the mighty webmistress!) for posting
all this wonderful fanfiction (mine and evey'bodies!) and to everyone who
e-mails me with their glowing praise and comments! And especially to those
who have e-mailed with encouragement to get on with it already! Love to all
of you. 

Notes: I have to say that I was inspired by mention of a fairy ring in the
book 'Summer of the Monkeys'. If you haven't read it, you should. After you
read this, of course!

Disclaimer: If you're happy and you know it clap your hands! *clap, clap*
		If you love Sailor Moon clap your hands! *clap, clap*
		Though I don't own Sailor Moon, and I am not rich and free,
		I'm still happy and I know it, good for me! *clap, clap*

(Inane, ne?)

'...' indicates thought/Serena's inner conversations
*...* indicates faerie telepathy

Wish Upon A Faerie Ring
by Lyra Matsuoka

Part 3b
Rated PG-13


	Orpheus made good time through the meadow. Serena smiled as the
powerful horse began to slow. Near the edge of the Royal Forest, she 
reigned him back to a trot, and finally a sedate walk. The air was 
thick with the sweet taste of freedom and rebellion was pulsing 
through her veins. Why she had chosen this time, this way to rebel 
was obvious. But why she took such pleasure in it she couldn't 
explain. After all, Darien had been rather sweet to her
after the whole sordid Crossroads affair. Misguided, but sweet. 

	'It can hardly be construed as his fault that he didn't know 
you could fight.'
	'Pardon? I cannot have heard you correctly. My dear inner voice...'
	'Honest self.'
	'Say again?'
	'I'm your honest self. The little part of you that acknowledges 
every one of your faults and admits to everything you do that is
wrong.'
	'All right, *honest self* then!'
	'It's just more politically correct.'
	'Fine. As I was saying, my dear *honest self*, I have spent
as much time on Earth as I have on the Moon for the last seven 
years. Until last night, I was a total tomboy. I spent hours on
the practice courts perfecting my skills and only a blind, dense
and utterly *self absorbed* prince would fail to notice that!'
	'Prince? Did I just hear a Prince?!'
	'*Person*! I meant person!'
	'But you said...'
	'Did something about the way I was thinking give you the 
idea that I *care* at all what your impressions are?'
	'Well there's no need to be nasty about it!'

	Serena shook her head, unable to believe she was fighting with
herself. And the worst part was, she appeared to be losing! Disgusted 
with herself (what kind of idiot lost an argument with their inner 
voice, for the Moon's sake!) Serena pulled Orpheus to a stop. Patting
his neck and telling him over and over that he was the most wonderful 
horse in the galaxy, Serena swung off his back and grabbed his reins,
tying them to a tree branch and moving off into the cool quiet of the 
forest. This place was so pleasant and calming. An excellent place to 
unwind and sort out her tangled emotions. Serena paused and sank onto
a tree trunk with a sigh. Over all, this whole mess at the Crossroads 
was being blown out of proportion.

	*So true...* came a soft voice. 

	"Eek!" Serena squealed, turning around. She was alone in the
forest. At least, she appeared to be. But appearances are often 
decieving and usually downright misleading. If she had learned
nothing else from the past eight years, Serena was aware that
the most dangerous of enemies lurks beneath the shadow of solitude.
 
	Wary, Serena turned in a slow circle, surveying her surroundings.
Light filtered through the branches of the trees and trilling 
bird song caressed her ears. Smiling, Serena walked deeper into the 
forest. 

	*So cautious...* came the breathy voice again. Serena whirled,
her silver hair flying around her. Furious, and a little frightened,
Serena began looking for a place to sit. She located a boulder set next
to a cliff. Perfect. Back against the stone, she would have a clear view 
of the whole clearing. No one would be able to sneak up on her. Smiling, 
Serena clambered up onto the rock, paying careful attention to her 
clothing and hair. When she reached the top of the rock, Serena planted
herself firmly against the rock wall and surveyed the surrounding area.
Nothing to be concerned about; not at first glance anyway. Serena listened
carefully, straining to hear the voice that had spoken to her. But the
clearing, and her mind, were silent.

	Sighing, Serena pulled her hair across her shoulders, seperating each
ponytail into three equal lengths. Forgetting about the mysterious voice,
Serena began braiding her hair and allowed her thoughts to wander while
she did so.

	'Forgive me for intruding, but isn't it a *good* thing that he was
so concerned about you?'
	'You again? Don't you ever shut up?'
	'No. Answer, if you don't mind.'
	'I do.'
	'Stop being stubborn!'
	'Stop yelling at me!'
	'Then answer my question!'
	'All right! Yes, I'm thrilled that he was concerned for my safety.
But why all this interest *now*? Why not three years ago? A year ago?'
	'Have you ever considered the possibility that he was afraid of
rejection? After all, you never showed any interest in him before last 
night...'
	'Whose side are you *on* anyway?!'
	'Just playing devils advocate.'

	Serena sneered at herself, though she realized it was a wasted 
gesture. It was true that she hadn't shown any interest in Darien before
last night. And she supposed it was possible for Darien to be human 
enough to fear rejection. But she was just certain that wasn't the case!
Pulling angrily at her hair, Serena tugged the last of the braid into
place and began looking for something to secure it with. She spied her
ribbons and had them in her hand when she decided it wasn't worth the 
trouble. Running her hands through her hair, destroying the braid, Serena
streatched out on her rock, raising her arms above her head in a gesture 
of feminine pleasure, carelessly letting the ribbons fall from her hands.

	*Are you going to laze about all day?* the strange voice 
inquired again.

	With a gasp, Serena sat up, her silver hair flying around her in
a mistlike cloud. Her smoky eyes sharpened as they gazed around the 
clearing. She seemed to be alone. But Serena sensed a power that was alien
to her; it was like something she had felt before, in a dream perhaps?    
Closing her lids, Serena tilted her head back and reached for the divine 
power of the moon. Sighing softly as the silver gilt power of her mother 
planet seeped into her veins, Serena reached for the voice with magic. 

	*No need for that. All you had to do was ask,* came the voice 
again. Serena's mind flew about frantically, trying to place that
sunflower and rainbow voice, and the crystalline power that accompanied
it. A vision sprang to the fore: a clearing, a perfect circle of wildflowers
and toadstools...the faerie ring! Eyes still closed, Serena felt for the 
center of the powerful aura and lept for it. She landed smack in the middle
of the clearing, crouched like a cat. Turning her head this way and that,
Serena swept for the mind that spoke to hers. She located a golden glow --
right beneath her.  

	Slowly, Serena opened her eyes. Her eyes then widened in shock. As she
watched, a circle of flowers was growing around her. It was small, barely
leaving room for her to stand. Thinking about it, this circle of wildflowers
was about the size of that golden glow. Outside this first circle, toadstools 
sprang up, spiraling outward to meet another circle. Serena stood in the 
center, watching as the playful wildflowers danced in and out of the 
toadstools. The finished masterpiece bore a striking resemblance to a 
pinwheel. Serena looked on in shock, not daring to break this odd arrangement 
of which whe seemed an intrigal part.

	Orpehus whinnied from what seemed a great distance. Serena shook her
head, attempting to clear it. But the effect of the pinwheel was potent,
and her newly enhanced vision was making it difficult to keep in touch
with the world around her. Serena opened her eyes again to see the ground,
trees and sky laced with golden threads; the threads of life. Serena gasped
and reached for them, pulling back barely in time. These threads were so 
delicate that a human touch could change anything. The change could be as 
small as a rainstorm or as large as an earthquake. Serena turned her attention
back to the pinwheel at her feet, studying it. It too was veined with golden
light, but the light was more whispy, less mortal... 

	*Do you accept our offer, princess?* came the voice again. 

	Serena gaped. What offer? What in the Moon's name was going on? But
as suddenly as those questions occured to her, she realized they didn't matter.
This power, this magic, was far beyond her experience, and Serena didn't
feel like questioning it. Fearless, Serena nodded her head. 

	"I accept."

	And the clearing was suddenly empty. The pinwheel and the princess were
gone. The only evidence that they had ever been there were two silver ribbons, 
lying silently on the lush green grass at the base of a boulder. 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

	Darien was furious, a state that seemed to be permanent now that Serena
had so thouroughly disrupted his life. The fight with Beryl, Serena's thourogh
humiliation of the duchess, his 'rescue'...Darien shook his head in disgust.
This was unbelievable! The whole situation was ludicrous. Yet no matter how 
he tried, Darien was unable to push away the vision of Serena's laughing
eyes. Her laughter was understandable, now that he considered it. After all,
he had 'rescued' her from a situation which she was clearly in control of. 
Who wouldn't be amused? Still, Serena was a female; delicate, vulnerable...

	Shaking his head ruefully, Darien began thinking. No woman he had ever 
known had been totally vulnerable. There was always that part of themselves that
they held back, reserving simply for them. Because they held that little bit
away, no woman was without her defense. She had herself, and that was enough
to get her through anything. Oh, they could be hurt - emotionally, physically,
but so could most men. 

	Nor, Darien reflected, were many woman delicate. They wore gowns and 
face paint and expressions to make them seem so, but those silky drapes
hid an iron core, one that could take just damn near anything. Serena, and 
her mother, and the Senshi, and even Beryl, were living proof of those
basic facts. His own mother had been a great deal like Serena, Darien
realized. Perhaps that was why he had loved his mother so...why he
was falling in love with Serena...

	The rose garden beckoned to the Prince of Earth, offering solice
and a place to reflect upon his realizations. Darien moved toward it
almost unconciously, his body steering him towards peace. But a cluster
of people on a balcony stopped him. Nobles and servants were gazing out
on the meadow in utter silence. Darien closed his eyes. What now?

	Several servants spotted him at the same time, and a gentle hum
passed through the crowd. Darien didn't need to clear his throat; a 
path was already formed for him. He shot a look at some of the nobles,
and saw humor and a bit of chagrin within them. Bracing himself for
the worst, Darien stepped up to the balcony rail and looked down.  

	The sight that greeted him took his breath away. Serena was
flying across the meadow below, head tilted up, silver hair streaming
behind her. Darien blinked. What the...logic dictated that her horse
had to be firmly planted on the ground, but the animals muscles
moved smoothly under its glistening black coat. Orpehus. Darien 
stared, admitting to himself that his horse and the Imperial
Moon Princess made a perfect team. They were as one, blowing
the wind across the meadow, crushing grass and churning up
rich brown earth as they went. And her outfit...by the gods!
What *was* that?! It was too sheer to be considered a blouse,
but there wasn't enough of it to call it anything else!
Darien gaped for a few moments, watching Serena and Orpheus
almost kill Princess Mina and Malachite as they ran toward
the woods. 

	Darien observed for a few moments, waiting until Serena 
was out of sight before he even considered a reaction. He knew
that all the servants and nobles on the balcony were watching him,
waiting for him to say something. He also knew that how he reacted
would determine the palace gossip for the next few days. Serena
had done this to get even with him; he was certain of it. So, the
only way to release his emotion and make certain that she didn't 
get the desired reaction out of him was to...

	Endymion, Prince of Earth, tipped his chin back and laughed.
he laughed until tears streamed down his face. Their marriage would
be many things, but dull was certainly not one of them! Still chuckling,
Darien turned away from the view, cape whirling around him. A smile
stil haunting his lips, Darien walked back inside, the crowd eying
him with suspicion. Whatever reaction they had expected, this was not
it. Darien attempted to school his face to stern and forbidding lines.
He'd had a lot of pracice, fortunatly, so it was fairly easy to manage.

	His boots made echoing clomps as he strode down the hall. A group
of servant boys, no doubt more interested in gambling and girls than they
were in working, scurried to get out of his way. Darien grabbed the slowest
of them before the young man could make good his escape.

	"Run down to the stables and tell them that I want a horse saddled in
five minutes," Darien commanded. 

	"Y-yes, mi-mi-mi lord," the boy stuttered. Darien loosened his grip 
on the boy's shoulder and gave him a reasuring smile. The boy tried to smile
in return, but finally gave up and ran. Darien shook his head again and
headed toward the stables. His horse would be ready when he got there, and 
then he could go talk to Serena. He would have to find her first, but he
didn't mind. Still smiling, Darien walked through the halls of the palace,
oblivious to everything and everyone. In retrospect, he would wonder how
things might have turned out if he had seen the red haired woman slip into
the library. 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	"I want proof!" Beryl hissed. "Anything will do. Try to avoid body 
parts, though. Those are difficult to explain if discovered."

	"Don't concern yourself with our work, Your Grace," purred a 
voice from the shadows. "We've never disappointed you before."

	Beryl smiled slightly, turning her head so that it appeared she 
was examining the numerous books which lined the walnut shelves. To a 
passerby, Beryl appeared to be selecting a novel for entertainment, chatting 
with another noble. No one would have suspected that the blond haired noble 
was actually a paid assassin, one member of an elite group of killers. 
Beryl knew them, and their methods, well. She had made their
acquaintance some years ago, though she'd never admit it.  The Doom and 
Gloom Girls, or the DGG, sutied her purposes admirably. They were quiet, 
discreet, thorough. And more often then not, they made the death look natural. 
Drowning was a favorite. Beryl shivered slightly, a gesture that did not go 
unnoticed by her companion. The blond laughed, a deep seductive sound that 
shuddered right to Beryl's core.

	"Getting squemish, my lady?" 

	"Not at all, Deerana," Beryl denied with a toss of her head. She would
never have admitted it, but the DGG made her, and all other nobels with 
enemies, rather nervous. The DGG had no loyalties; they were for sale to
the highest bidder, and they made no secret of it. All five were highly
trained killing machines. It was unnerving, and a little like staring
at the face of death. Which was why Beryl had always been honest, fair and
prompt when dealing with the DGG. They killed when they had nothing against
their victims; she didn't want to know how they dealt with personal grudges.

	She had considered a simple kidnapping. But that would leave untidy
questions, and suspicions would run high. After careful thought, Beryl
decided to deal with the Imperial Princess in the same way she dealt
with all her rivals.

	"Just get it done."

	"My lady, I am mortally offended! We will, we will. Any preferance?" 
Beryl didn't need to ask what for.

	"Just make it seem natural."

	"Fine." Deerana turned and pulled Beryl into an embrace, as though 
bidding her farewell. Beryl returned the embrace, a slight smile on her 
face. The whole exchange seemed innocent enough. But when the two women 
drew apart, they clasped hands; only the keenest eye would have glimpsed 
the shimmer of nearly invisible gold changing hands. Only an astute 
observer would have made note of the blond woman's slight smile and the 
way her hand drew back into the folds of her skirt unneccesarily. Beryl 
tossed her head and walked toward the door.

	"Later today, then?" she threw back over her shoulder. Deerana nodded, 
the smirk on her face insolent and disrespectful. Beryl ignored that, and 
exited the room. The door closed on Deerana, still standing in the shadows, 
a diamond dangling from her fingertips.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

	Darien's horse was waiting. Mounting up, he galloped out, following 
Orpheus's tracks through the sweet smelling grass. It didn't take him 
long to discover where she had gone, as she hadn't been particullarly 
subtle about it, and he had, after all, grown up here. He finally spotted 
Orpheus, his reins looped around a tree branch. What shocked Darien was 
how jittery the horse was. Orpheus was tossing his head, rolling his eyes 
and stamping his feet. Darien looked around for Serena, while heading for 
the horse. 
	
	"Easy, boy. Calm down, it's all right," Darien said in reassuring 
tones. Reaching for the reins, Darien was suddenly blinded by a flash of 
light. He closed his eyes, throwing up an arm to defend himself. But the 
light was gone as quickly as it had come. Blinking his lids rapidly to 
clear his vision of spots, Darien glanced at Orpheus, who was now 
perfectly calm. Then he peered into the woods, listening.No birds sang, 
no insects buzzed. But there was a reason behind the silence, almost
as though the creatures were still out of respect for something...or 
someone. Darien drew his sword and advanced.

	"Serena?" he called. "Are you there?" 

	His questions went unanswered. Concerned, Darien advanced into the 
forest, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He called for Serena again, 
half expecting her to jump out from behind a tree at any given moment. 
Without truly realizing he was doing it, Darien reached out for Serena's 
aura, the presence of magic and moonlight that hovered around her. It was 
as distinctive as a fingerprint, or a voice. But the aura was nowhere near. 
And that meant Serena was nowhere about. 

	Darien continued walking, though he did not call out again. He 
followed the sunlight to a clearing surrounded by trees. What he saw 
there made his heart stop beating for a moment. Near a large boulder, 
two silver hair ribbons lay, side by side, in the grass. Darien knelt 
down to retrieve them, puzzled and frightened. The combination did not 
show on his face, but Darien was turning the odd combination of events 
over in his mind. He reached for the calming influence of the Earth, 
and felt its magic flow over and into him. Opening his eyes,
Darien saw the magical residue of a transportation lingering on the 
ground and around the rest of the clearing. He blinked, but the ghost of 
a pinwheel did not fade.

	'No earthly force could accomplish this kind of magic. It would 
take hundreds of the minimally gifted, and at least ten of the majorly 
gifted. But if it wasn't someone, or several someones, on Earth, and 
none of the other planets would transport her now, then it had to be...'

	Darien's sapphire eyes widened slightly as the pieces fell into 
place. He smiled slightly, impressed in spite of himself. But if he was 
correct, Serena was in a rather precarious position, and it was up to 
him to figure a way to get her out of that. But Darien never had time to 
think. A twig snapped, he turned, and his world went black.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	The thrill of the hunt was what kept Galerik going. The idea 
that someone's life would be snuffed out at the end of the chase still 
disgusted and disturbed her somewhat, but after eleven years she had 
grown accustomed to the down side of her profession. And what a profession 
it was. Most parents would have been disturbed by their daughter murdering 
people for a living, but Galerik only smirked at that notion. As though her 
parents gave a damn about her.  

	Galerik, a name for a son, she reflected. The last in a
long succession of daughters she was, and her father made no secret of 
the fact that she was a disappointment. As if to drive that point home, 
her father had given her his own name, the name meant for his son. Galerik 
sneered, her lip curling slightly.

	All her sisters had feminine names. April, Primavera, Graciella, 
and Hope. But she, the youngest, was destined to live with a certain 
stigma, it seemed. At the age of six, Galerik had started insisting that 
all and sundry refer to her as Galerik, rather than Gala, her mother's small 
attempt to ease her daughter's obvious exclusion from the feminine circle. 
This show of independence had carried over into other things. Galerik was her 
own woman, and she allowed no one to forget it. She wore her lavender hair cut 
short against the back of her neck, and she refused to don dresses, no matter 
how often he mother had brought home lovely fabrics and glimmering trims. 
Breeches and leather boots for her. And that hadn't been the end of it. 
She'd followed the boys in her village, learning how to play rough, how to 
wrestle and how to shoot a bow and arrow. 

	Her father hadn't approved. After all his harping, after naming her
after himself, her father had been unable to face the idea of his 
daughter playing the role of a boy. He'd taken the time to set up good
marriages for all his daughters, matches that would bring him gold and 
fame, buisness partners, and the sons he had always wanted. But Galerik
refused to fall in line with his plans. She would chart her own future.
But this led to conflict, and her eventual estrangement from her family.
Not that she minded. Anything to get away. 

	The DGG had been a lifesaver. They'd taken her in, trained her, given 
her a home and a steady supply of food and money. Her sisters were all married,
having babies, nurturing and supporting life. Galerik took life away. It
seemed a fair sort of balance, for a person who'd never done as life dictated.	 
And oddly enough, her boy-like ways had been an asset all along. When the DGG
had recruited her at the tender age of thirteen, Galerik had been surprised 
to learn that skills such as hers were required, and that only those who 
possessed those skills were allowed to join the DGG.

	"Gala, pay attention!" Delia hissed. Galerik snapped her head around,
reaching her hand around a tree trunk and creeping forward. In an odd way,
she was sorry about this assignment. She had always admired the Imperial
Princess, marveling at her skills and maverick attitude. But the silver
haired royal was in someone's way. She was a problem; and by accepting a
position in the DGG, Galerick had become a problem solver. 

	Forcing her personal feelings on the matter down, Galerick turned her
attention back to the forest track. Her ears open and her senses alert, 
Galerick gestured the other three members of her party forward. They were
almost there. Galerick shrugged off a feeling of unease. Deerana had informed
them that the Imperial Princess had been seen riding into the forest early
in the afternoon. Gwynely, who was minorly gifted in the magical arts, had
cast a scrying spell, revealing the Princess venturing into the woods. So
Galerick, Delia, Gwynely, and Daphne set out into the wilds.

	Galerick knew they were nearly there. She had recognized the clearing,
and it wasn't terribly far from the palace. After a few moments of silence,
Galerick spotted a break in the trees. She motioned, and the four assassins
spread out through the trees. Galerick supressed a shudder at the thought of
the murder about to commence. Not that she would have any hand in this particular
murder. Delia was more suited to the natural looking. Daphne took
over when speed was more important than subtlety.  Now, Galerick would simply
watch, and wait. There was nothing else to do.

	But there was a surprise waiting in the peaceful clearing. The princess
was there, yes. But she was surrounded by a pinwheel of flowers and toadstools,
and a peculiar light. Delia flinched away from the phenomenon; all members of
the DGG knew that Delia hated the magical and unexplainable. Perhaps that was
why she was so well suited to this occupation. It was real and tangible, death.
But this was unlike anything Galerick had ever seen. This pinwheel...it wasn't
mortal. With her mind, Galerik reached out toward the light, wanting to touch
it more than she had ever wanted anything. But in the blink of an eye, the light
flared to a blinding luminescence, and Galerick saw the others shut their eyes
to protect them from the brilliance. But Galerick found herself unable to look 
away.

	She watched in awe as the golden threads that had been intertwined 
in the pinwheel began to glow brightly, lifting out of the flowers to wrap 
the princess in a golden cocoon. It seemed gentle and loving, for the princess  
was not fighting. Far from it, the princess was smiling, her eyes wide in 
wonder and her brows arched over them in astonishment. Then the light glowed 
brighter still, and the threads vanished, along with the pinwheel and 
the princess.

	Galerick blinked and smiled. 

	'What an interesting development. That's that, I suppose.'

	For some odd reason, the idea was amusing. The princess was gone; the 
fact that she wasn't dead was technicality. Galerick's mind was already 
snapping about, looking for an acceptable alibi. No one would believe that 
the princess had vanished in a tapestry of golden magic. But they would 
believe she was dead. If only there was some sign, some token of hers...and 
Galerick glimpsed two silver ribbons lying on the grass. Delia, Gwynely and 
Daphne were beginning to stir. The flash had knocked them back into
the trees, or rather, they had thrown themselves back to escape it. Galerick 
moved around the trees, smiling to herself. The princess had escaped, and 
Galerick felt relief for the first time in...how many years? The emotion was 
so terribly foreign. But not unpleasent. 

	Galerick was so wrapped up in the feelings she was experiencing 
that she forgot to be watchful. She didn't hear the footsteps of the prince 
coming closer. She was fortunate that she glanced up and saw him while his 
head was turned away. The other three had ducked behind trees, taking the 
protection offered by the shadows. Galerick was not so cowardly. She hid 
herself briefly behind a large boulder, drawing her knife. If he would 
only leave...

	But he didn't. She watched the prince walk around the clearing, 
watched him kneel next to the ribbons, and felt him call upon the power 
of the Earth. Galerick turned her head to look for the others. What she 
saw was enough to chill her blood. Delia and Daphne were near her, aware 
that the ribbons meant payment, and that the prince did not need to die. 
But Gwynely was rushing him silently, knife drawn. There was bloodlust 
in her eyes. Delia and Daphne were cold, their eyes hard. Galerick jerked 
her head and Daphne dove. She tackled Gwynely off her feet, snapping a twig 
as the two of them wrestled. The prince jerked up, and Galerick moved. 
A quick blow to the back of the head, and the prince's blue eyes closed. 
He fell limply to the soft ground. Galerick knelt and checked his heartbeat. 
Strong. Though she pitied him a headache when he awoke, he would live.

	Delia came on the scene. She lifted the ribbons from the grass, and 
turned away from the two girls grappling on the ground.

	"I'll take these to Deerana, and collect our pay. You know when and 
where to meet."

	Galerick nodded, and Delia was gone, running through the trees like 
the wind. Daphne rose from the ground and ran off in the same direction. 
First rule of being an assassin: linger no longer than is absolutely 
necessary. Gwynely lay on the forest floor panting. Galerick walked over 
to her, staring down dispassionatly at her. Without a word, Galerick reached 
down a hand and pulled her to her feet. Gwynely stared at the prince, whose 
midnight hair and inky cape left a dark stain on the spring green grass. 
Galerick saw the flicker of bloodlust still haunting Gwynely's eyes, and 
prodded her along.

	"Go."

	With a look that was half rage and half relief, Gwynely was gone 
as well, vanishing into the foliage, leaving Galerick alone in the clearing. 
Galerick stood silently, watching. She had a theory, and she wanted to see 
if she could possibly be correct. She was not disappointed. 

	Moments after Gwynely had gone, the same golden threads that had 
closed around the perfect form of the princess flew down from the trees 
and clouds and rose from the ground, enveloping the prince and drawing 
him into its warm golden glow. Galerick waited for the flash, and did 
not close her eyes, waiting until she was certain that the prince was 
gone before she turned away and walked back toward the city. She took the 
long route, and she did not hurry. There was no need. Her part in this 
was over, and there was little danger of anyone thinking her guilty of 
anything more than a stroll on a sunny day. She refused to allow her 
curiosity interfer with buisness. There were, after all, standards.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	Serena was floating above a lake. Or perhaps it was a giant mirror. 
Or a pool of molten silver. Possibilities raced through her mind as Serena 
gazed down upon the quiet surface. Her feet hovered several feet above 
this lake, and her silver hair trailed almost to the surface, but nothing 
disturbed the calm athmosphere around her. Serena had been gazing around 
for what seemed like a long while, attempting to distinguish some sort of 
building whose sillohette hovered in the distance. But the lake was 
creating a kind of mist which prevented Serena from seeing very far. 

	'Why am I here, anyway?' she wondered.
	'They asked, you accepted.'
	'But who are *they*?'
	'Do I sound like a mind reader to you?'
	'Ha ha.'

	*You are here to recieve the last of the blessing.*

	Serena jumped. Well, her mind told her muscles to jump, but as 
she was suspended in midair, she suceeded only in jerking her legs around.

	*We are waiting.*

	"Waiting for what?" Serena asked, her voice calm. She was amazed 
at her own poise, but then again, if the voice had wanted to hurt her, it 
would have done so by now. She had been hanging above this lake for quite 
some time, after all.

	'Perhaps you should consider a position as a guard, if the whole 
Queen of Earth bit doesn't work out for you. Your powers of deduction
are simply awe inspiring.'

	To make matters worse, her inner voice had developed a sarcastic 
wit. 

	*For the half that completes the whole. For the anchor.*

	And now the voice was taking on an oracle-like tone.

	A shimmer of golden light caught Serena's eye, startling her out 
of a growing bad mood. Serena focused on the glimmer, it being the only 
shred of color in this sterling silver land. As Serena watched, light 
grew and grew, until it formed the shape of a human body. Gaping, she 
saw the light come closer to her, until the surface of the lake beneath 
her turned to gold. Wonderingly, she reached out a hand, and flesh met 
flesh.
	
	"Serena?" 

	It was Darien. Amazed, Serena pulled back. Or she tried to. Darien's 
hand closed around her wrist, and he pulled her closer to him, enveloping 
her in the golden light.

	"Darien, what are you..."

	Whatever she might have said was cut short by his lips descending on
hers. The kiss was soft and meltingly sweet, and Serena thrilled to his
touch. Even if he was overbearing at times. The kiss seemed to go on
forever, since neither of its participants were willing to pull away.
When it finally ended, Serena didn't notice that the mist around them
had returned to its silver color. All she saw was blue. 

	"Don't ever scare me like that again," Darien whispered, pulling 
her into the curve of his body, protecting her from whatever might
be lurking in the mist.

	"You deserved it," Serena murmured, eyes flashing as she pulled
away slightly.

	"Yes, I did," was the surprising response. Serena raised an 
eyebrow, and Darien began chuckling. "And I deserve that as well."

	"The two of us *agree* on something? My, my. Will wonders never
cease?"

	At that remark the both of them laughed, breaking the tension
between them. Serena ducked her head as she chuckled, and her laughter
ceased abruptly. She gasped. She was no longer wearing the sheer blouse 
and breeches. She was dressed the gown she had worn to the ball last 
night, except that extra material on the back gave the illusion of 
wings. Cool air brushed her neck, and Serena noted that her hair had
been pulled back into buns and pigtails. She glanced at Darien, 
and was surprised to see that his armor had been polished to a 
mirror shine, his cape flawless. Both of them gazed at each 
other in amazement, and turned as the mist around them began to 
diminish. 

	The building in the distance became clearer. A lovely crystal
formation which seemed so smooth that Serena wondered if it had been 
carved from a single stone rose magestically upward. The castle was 
floating above the lake, casting its reflection onto the glassy 
surface. Now that the mist was gone, Serena could see that the lake 
stretched on for miles. It extended as far as she could see in any 
given direction. Her eyes returned to the castle. Serena watched as
the castle began to glow. It shone with the same golden light that
had risen from the pinwheel in the forest! Awestruck, Serena took a 
step toward the castle...and actually moved. The spell on her movement
broken, Serena walked toward the gently glowing castle, aware that
Darien was by her side.

	Together they approched the building. 

	*Not too close. The draw of the Faerie Palace is already upon you.
You have to much to do in your own world to become absorbed into ours.*

	Serena jerked, and pulled Darien back. Her calm blue eyes met his,
and they both stopped, and waited. They didn't need to wait long. The
glow of the palace shattered all at once into a million bits of dancing
light. The lights moved closer to the human couple, dancing around them,
playing with hair and clothing. Serena held out her hand, and one brave 
glow settled onto her palm. As Serena gazed at the ball of light, she
discerned a small female standing there.

	"Could you..." the female clapped her hands to her ears. Serena 
blanched, and tried again, this time in a whisper.

	"Could you dim the light a bit? I'd love to see what you look 
like."

	The female smiled and nodded. In a matter of seconds, the light
dimmed, and Serena could clearly see the small being in her hand. Soft
pink hair, a dress made of a single rose petal, and no shoes. Most 
amazing of all were the butterfly wings attached to her back. They were
pink veined with blue and lavender. Laughing blue eyes stared up at her,
as the female took flight and hovered at the level of Serena's eyes.
Then the little thing was gone in a blaze of gold, dancing with the
others. Darien and Serena looked at each other. Faeries.

	*And so, the two halves are together as a whole. An eternal whole,
never to be parted in any time or world.*

	Darien and Serena gazed at the Palace again. Another golden glow
was forming, but this one was larger, more powerful. Darien began moving 
slowly, placing his body between Serena and that glow. Serena was not 
appreciative, and let him know that she was displeased by smacking his
shoulder. He didn't even acknowledge the blow. 

	But the light did not seem to be coming any closer. Instead it grew
to human size, taking on the shape of a woman. When the glow dimmed, 
another faerie was visible. Her eyes were kind, and long blond hair 
was held back from her face using a golden coronet. Her dress was 
formed from the mist of the lake, and it seemed to breath with a 
vibration of life. Her wings were a prism of shifting colors that 
never stood still. A kind face and warm green eyes added the finishing
touches to an unearthly beauty.

	*I am Rhiannon, Queen of the Faerie. I bid you welcome, Prince of
the Earth. Daughter of the Moon, I extend a hand of friendship. We are
kin, you and I, both born of the magic in the universe.*

	Serena nodded her head, honored. Darien seemed mildly surprised.

	*You cannot linger here for long. The magic of the Faerie tends
to create a peace of mind and a release from woe that few mortals can
resist. I will not risk the two of you, so I must be brief. The two
of you are connected. Bound together in a way few will experience or
understand. I will show you what I mean.*

	The Faerie Queen gestured, and her subjects, who had been hovering
silently, sprang into action. Several flew to their Queen, intesifying 
the glow around her. Others flew between Darien and Serena, sending their
magic out. Serena felt a tug at her mind, as though a door were being 
opened. And then Darien was there, with her, feeling what she felt, and
she could see and feel him just as clearly. And she saw that it was not 
a door that had been opened, but rather a cord between their minds. A
crystal cord that carried emotions and thoughts. It was power, and 
feeling.

	*Yes, my sister. There is no Endymion without Serenity, and there
is no Serenity without Endymion. You are two halves of the same whole.
You are one.*

	Gasping at the words, Serena reached for Darien. Flesh met
flesh, and the cord hummed with contentment, and Serena knew that
she would never be lonely again. She would never lack a companion,
a friend, a shoulder to lean on. She was complete. And she looked
into the cord and saw a bright and loving future. It was marred
by conflict, pain and loss, but she and Darien would never be 
apart. Through it all, they stood together. And at the end of the
road, peace shone like a beacon. Serena was filled with hope, and
with an overwhelming love for the man who stood beside her.

	*And so my task is fulfilled*

	Rhiannon stood, her eyes brimming with love and hope. Serena 
reached out her hand, and when Rhiannon took it, the lake flared
gold and silver.

	*Faerie blessing upon these two, to gift with love and light.
	 Faerie trust upon these two, to always make things right.
	 Faerie hope upon the whole, to ever reunite.*

	It was not Rhiannon chanting, but rather all the faeries whose
voices rose and whose magic fell upon the intertwined hands of Serenity
and Endymion. Serena watched, amazed, as faerie magic became a 
tangible expression around her wrist and Darien's. Delicate strands
of gold and silver metal dipped and twined around each other, leaving 
space between them, forming two identical bracelets on their wrists.
But in the center, the metal of Serena's bracelet formed a depression. 
Or a jewel setting. Serena looked up, and Rhiannon nodded. Two faeries
swirled around her wrist, and when they flitted away, two heart shaped 
diamonds, intertwined, lay in the setting. Rhiannon began to speak, and
Serena didn't give the bracelets another thought.

	*To find true love is rare indeed, a fine and precious treasure,
	 Now we send you on your way, to start your lives together
	 Each to take the other's hand and walk toward forever.*

	As Rhiannon completed her blessing, Serena felt a peculiar
shimmering in her limbs. 

	*Goodbye, my brethren.*

	As one, Darien and Serena turned toward each other. Serena took
her future husband's hand and pulled herself toward him, their joined
hands out to their sides. Serena turned her head to the side for one
last look at the Faerie Queen and her court. The little faeries 
flitted near their castle as Rhiannon raised her hand in a final 
farewell. With a smile, Serena bid the Queen farewell. And the 
Prince and Princess were thrust away from the spellbinding mists 
of faerie land, back toward the world from which they had come.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	Back in the city, two woman stood in shadow. One held out a
hand and the other dropped something into the open palm. A fist 
closed around the object, and the two women parted company. A blond 
woman darted past the East Tower and out the palace gates into the
twisting city streets. The other, her red hair matching the blood 
red shade of the sunset, turned toward a carriage and a wagon full
of luggage.

	"My lady," a servant murmured as he offered his hand to help 
her into the plush interior. Beryl accepted his help, and climbed 
with dignity into her carriage. The servant was not sorry to see
her go, but he did wonder at the smug smile which played about 
her lips. She had no reason to be so pleased. But he wrote in off
as another noble oddity, and continued about his buisness.

	Inside the carriage, Beryl smiled at the silver ribbons in 
her hand. Serenity was dead, and the Moon and Earth would, in all
probability, go to war over her death. Such a pity. Beryl smiled
cruely as she tucked the ribbons into her bodice, and looked out
at the red sky as her carriage took her away from the palace.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
	 
	Serena raised her head slowly. She was lying in the clearing
where this whole debacle had begun. She was dressed in the clothes 
she had taken from Raye, and Orpehus was stamping impatiantly in
the background. Darien was nowhere to be seen. Sitting up, Serena
shook her head, her mind questioning her experience. Serena reached
a hand to her hair. Down. No buns. But as her wrist came back down,
two diamond hearts flashed rainbows at her from the delicate
bracelet on her wrist. Her eyes widened, then relaxed. No matter
what happened now, she knew that Darien was her other half. He
could be annoying and overbearing, and she still didn't like
his attitude about women needing protection, but all 
relationships had their ups and downs. Smiling, Serena stood
and walked away from the meadow. Behind her, several golden
balls of light came out from behind trees and flowers. Tittering,
they waved goodbye, and vanished.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	Darien woke in his chambers. Or more specifically, sprawled
across his bed in his chambers. Grimacing, he touched the back of
his head. A large lump, but the skin wasn't broken. Amazingly, it
didn't even hurt. When Darien brought his wrist back down, he 
noticed the intertwining metal pieces on his wrist. The bracelet
was still there, his head didn't hurt, and he was nowhere near
the clearing where he remembered collapsing. Smiling, Darien
rose, and headed for the door. It was almost time for the
banquet, a private affair with a mere hundred guests. 

	Darien was dressed and out the door in record time. His
evening wear was simple enough; he just donned a fresh cape and 
stripped off his armor. He opened the door and walked 
purposfully down the hall. As he walked he pondered the events
of the past few hours. Carefully, gently, he reached for the
crystal cord. It was there, humming softly in his mind. Grinning,
Darien felt along the cord for Serena. He felt her surprise, then
her mischevious push as she warned him away. He obeyed, pulling
himself back into the confines of his own body. Rubbing the
delicate bracelet on his wrist with his thumb, he pulled a 
sleeve over it as he walked. He was not in the mood to answer 
questions as to its origin.

	"Your Highness," a guard hailed. Darien paused.

	"Is she gone?" The guard didn't need to pretend he didn't 
know who the prince was asking after.

	"Just left, sire."

	"Thank you."

	Darien turned away and continued down the hall. Within moments,
Malachite fell in beside him. They walked for a time in silence,
their boots causing echos in the hall.

	"So, you finally gave Beryl the boot, eh?" 

	"Don't sound so surprised. You knew I was going to."
	
	"True. But you've been threatening to show her the proverbial
door for over six months. And you've been serious about it for three."

	"So I have. I just never got around to it. It didn't seem
important."

	"And it's important now?"

	"Yes."

	"Mind if I ask why?"

	"Yes."

	"Too bad. Why is it important now?"

	"Beryl started a cat fight at the Crossroads. With Serena."

	"Mina told me. According to all my sources, Serenity beat her into
the ground. No contest."

	"True."

	"Ah. I understand. You're protecting Serenity. That's why Beryl is
heading toward her estate. Just so you know, she won't stay any longer
than she thinks she has too. You might want to think of a way to keep 
Beryl at Rainier."

	"I was thinking of transplanting her on another planet."

	"They wouldn't take her."

	By the time they reached the banquet hall, both men had several
ideas of how to keep Beryl away from the palace, each more hilarious 
and unlikely than the last. Both were laughing so hard they could hardly
stand up, and they entered the banquet hall with broad smiles on their
faces. Their good humor spread to the entire room, and as the drinks were
served, every face was smiling.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	Serena arrived at the palace with Orpheus in the nick of time.
Tossing his reins to a stableboy, she ran toward her chambers. Servants
lept out of her way, smiling and shaking their heads. Some things
never changed.

	Annette was waiting with a hot bath, cosmetics and hair brushes.
While Serena scrubbed quickly, Annette styled her hair in buns and 
pigtails. A touch of rouge, a delicate pink dress, and Serena walked
out the door toward the banquet hall. As she passed a mirror, Serena
patted her hair and smoothed her gown. Not bad for 20 minutes. As she 
walked, Serena examined the bracelet Rhiannon had given her. She stopped
abruptly when she felt Darien's mind touch hers. It wasn't like a 
physical touch, because it wasn't that tangible. It was soft, like
a cobweb or a butterfly wing brushing her cheek. Playfully, she pushed
at his mind, warning him away. She could feel his smile, and his 
acceptance of her wishes as his mind withdrew.

	Calmly, she walked down the hallway, lost in her own thoughts.

	*Serenity, beware. Do not trust her when she arrives. She will
seem apologetic, but believe what her eyes tell you, not the words
her lying mouth shall form.*

	Serena gasped, touching her bracelet. A warning? But why? 
Who...and the answers came suddenly. Beryl, Countess of Rainier.
Serena smiled grimly. So, the countess had it in for her. Not
terribly surprising. But Serena was not one to walk into danger
blindly. Turning on her heel, Serena walked back to her room.
Annette was gone, but that was all for the better. Serena didn't
want it widly know that she had an arsenal of weapons hidden in
her trunks. Stepping into the closet, Serena found the mahogany
chest she was looking for. Kneeling down, she pressed a delicate
carving of the moon near the base of the chest.

	With a faint click, the bottom of the chest opened to reveal
a hidden compartment. Inside were several types of knives, daggers, and
a sword. Serena reached for two harmless looking bracelets. Adorned with
metal flowers and diamond chips, they formed circles to fit around
her upper arms. Serena slipped them on her wrists instead, pushing 
the fairy bracelet up to make room for them.

	"Serenity's Pride," she whispered, and the ornaments changed. They 
expanded, stretching into arm guards. Serena reached above her head
and touched them together. A silver mist formed. 

	"Sword," she whispered, and the mist took on the shape of a 
magnificent sword, the hilt silver with diamond chips. Serena 
gripped the hilt and swung the sword a few times. The balance was
perfect, the blade sharp. Serena gazed at it. She was ready.

	"Serenity's Honor," she murmured, and the sword vanished. 
The arm guards shrank, and Serena gentl pushed them up 
onto her upper arms. Clicking the bottom of the chest shut and 
pushing it back, Serena walked out the door for the second time 
that evening, pausing briefly before the mirror to check her
jewelry. Her dress was sleeveless and crossed with silver ribbons
in the front. The entire dress was made of a gauzy, floating 
material, and with the addition of the armbands, Serena resembled
a pagan priestess. Smiling at the effect, Serena left her room.   
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

	"Whoa, there," called the coachman. Beryl woke from a light
doze and frowned slightly. What in the world...a knot of fear formed
in her stomach. Could they have discovered Serenity's body so soon?
Damn the DGG! They had sworn they would make it look natural! Beryl
calmed herself with a great deal of effort. Calm, collected, that was
the key to this.

	The carriage door opened, and Beryl's eyes swung toward it in
shock. She drew her dignity around her like a cape, and spoke with
all the disdain and outrage she could manage.

	"Who dares?"

	"Who but the DGG, my lady," Deerana swept into the carriage, 
black cape and clothes allowing her to blend into the shadows and 
the night. Beryl sniffed. Deerana put her hand out the window and
gestured for the driver to keep going. As the carriage jerked
and began moving, Deerana settled into the plush cushions and 
reached for the bottle of wine Beryl had opened earlier in the
journey.

	"I was certain our buisness was concluded."

	"It would be, my lady, save for the fact that this," Deerana
held aloft Megeen's necklace, "is a fake." 

	Deerana dropped the necklace coldly into Beryl's lap. Beryl's
eyes widened in fear, and she put a hand protectively to her own
emerald pendant. Deerana laughed.

	"We want nothing from you," Deerana said, a smile still
lingering around her lips. The smile, however, did not reach
her ice cold eyes. "Upon discovering that the necklace was a
fake, my girls took no small amount of delight in informing
me that they didn't kill your princess."

	Beryl froze, her look of fear fading into one of 
disbelief.

	"Something about golden light engulfing her and spiriting
her away. Nothing that noble folk would believe. But you'd best 
be getting rid of those ribbons. Suspicious, since the princess
isn't dead, don't you think?"

	Beryl forced her fury down. The necklace...paste? Not that
the news surprised her. Nonetheless, it meant that Serenity wasn't
dead. Deerana laughed, a cruel sound, and she opened the door to the 
moving carriage. Bottle in hand, Deerana jumped out of the door and 
faded into the night. Beryl didn't give her another thought. Eyes
snapping, Beryl leaned out the window.

	"Turn around. And make good time back to the city!"

	Command issued, Beryl leaned back into the carriage and pulled
out her jewelry box. Extracting a mirror and some pins, she arranged 
her heavy red hair in an elegant upsweep, into which she tucked a 
lovely hair ornament. The masses of hair disguised the dagger attached
to the other end of the gold filagreed decoration. Rage clouding her
judgement, Beryl felt the carriage turn and begin galloping back to
the palace. 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
	 
	Perfectly outfitted, with a smile on her lips, Serena arrived
at the banquet. Such an intimant party: a hundred people she didn't
know, as opposed to a thousand or more. Charming, really. Her mother
and the Senshi were waiting at the high table. King Damian was talking
to the ambassador from Pluto, and Darien...was smiling at her. Malachite
was still talking to him, but Darien's eyes were on her. Smiling, Serena
glided past groups of conversing nobles to take the hand that Darien
held out to her. Together, with many speculative eyes on them, the 
prince and princess sat together at the high table. Though no one
noticed, their hands never seperated. 

	The meal was uneventful. Politics, resources and treaties were
discussed. The hours flew by as Serena talked to Amy, Lita, Mina and
Raye about the events of their afternoon. Serena herself didn't feel
like talking, but she was happy to listen to anyone who wanted to
discuss something with her.

	The evening was winding down. Guests were drifting away and servants
had begun clearing glasses and trays away. Serena had just finished discussing
the export treaty between the Earth and Mercury with King Damian when 
her mother and the Senshi arrived.

	"I'm terribly sorry to pry the two of you apart, Damian, but 
I need to talk to my daughter. We have wedding plans to make."

	"Certainly, Serenity. It has been lovely to talk to you, my dear,"
King Damian raised Serena's hand to his lips and gently kissed it.
Darien, who had been talking to Nephlite, turned and smiled at Serena.
Serena blushed, wondering about the wedding...and then the wedding night?

	A telltale blush spread through Serena's cheeks. Darien raised his 
eyebrows, and Nephlite started to laugh. That drew everyone's attention
to the furiously blushing Moon Princess and the rakish expression of
the Prince of Earth, and very soon everyone was laughing. It was for
this reason that no one noticed Countess Beryl slipping into the
room. No one noticed her moving along the wall till she was within
five feet of the Moon Princess. No one saw the flash of light as
Beryl drew a dagger from her hair, and palmed it. 

	A brush of air against her cheek warned Serena to turn around.
Surrounded by the Senshi, with Darien at her back, Serena swirled
around and faced the perfect form and red hair of her enemy. Beryl
swept her skirts out, dipping the assembly a perfect curtsy. 

	"I have come to apologize for my atrocious behavior this morning,
Your Highness."

	Serena stood silently, her silence condemning. Rhiannon's warning
echoed in her ears. Her eyes noticed that Beryl was in traveling clothes:
was she leaving, or returning? And if she was returning, why? Serena was
careful to maintain a neutral expression while she pondered these 
questions. Beryl waited for an acceptance; good manners demanded that
Serena accept. So she inclined her head slightly, just enough to be
appropriate. Warm hands descended on her shoulders, and Beryl's eyes
grew hot and covetous. Serena reached her hand up to touch Darien's,
and pushed an armband down to her wrist.

	Beryl's eyes moved from Darien, down to where his hands rested on
Serena. Serena watched her closely. Beryl's gaze was icy with hate as
she turned them down, her eyelids sheltering her true feelings. 

	"How...surprising, Lady Beryl. You don't seem the type to
regret anything. No matter how damaging it may be."

	Beryl's eyes flew upward, and Serena locked their gazes. The
Senshi and generals moved closer to their prince and princess.
Malachite stepped toward Mina protectively. Beryl noticed the
gesture, and Serena watched her eyes grow cold.

	"Good evening, countess. I believe I shall retire. Nothing
else seems worth my time."

	Serena swirled around, hearing the chuckles of the courtiers
around her. She knew that turning her back on an enemy was dangerous,
but she would take her chances. The Senshi moved aside, as did the
generals. She saw the Senshi's tiara's glittering slightly on their
brows: they were preparing for a battle. The generals had their hands
on their swords. Darien turned away with Serena, speaking not a word
to Beryl.

	Serena listened carefully, even as she walked away. Her slippers
made light clacking sounds, and Darien's boots thumped away. Conversation
was being picked up again. The moment of drama had passed, and Beryl 
was no longer important. But the noise made it impossible to hear slight
movements, and Serena was deeply concerned. The Senshi and Queen Serenity
caught up to Serena and Darien when they had nearly reached the stairs. 
The generals caught Darien by the arm, and unwillingly he relinquished
his hold on Serena's hand. Of her own volition, Serena grabbed his arm 
and twirled into his embrace, turning her face up. She smiled, and twined
her arms around his neck, pulling his lips down to hers. 

	Serena was lost in the passion of his kiss. Though she had been the
instigator, Darien wasted no time in matching her emotions. The room
burst into applause, and Serena's mind grew misty. She forgot to be
watchful, and that was what Beryl had been waiting for. With a low cry,
she charged, dagger within view.

	*Daughter of the Moon!*

	Serena pulled away from Darien, breaking the kiss. She twirled under
his arm, putting herself in front of him. 

	"Serenity's Pride!" she yelled out, her bracelets shimmering and 
stretching into the arm guards. Beryl started, but she did not break
the charge. 

	"Sword!" Serena cried. The sword appeared in the mist above her 
head, and Serena grasped the hilt. Skillfully, quickly, she blocked 
Beryl's swing. Beryl whirled and came again. Serena parried, and thrust
her blade at Beryl's feet. Beryl jumped, and stumbled, falling to the
marble floor. Serena walked around her, pink skirts brushing red hair.

	The Senshi started forward. Serena stopped them with a slash of her
arm. The generals started forward and were restrained by the Senshi.
Darien lept for the two females, and was stopped in mid air but golden 
threads that came from nowhere.
	
	*No, Prince of Earth! This is her battle. Whether she wins or loses
is up to her. You cannot stop this, and I will not allow you to try!*

	Serena looked up. For an instant she saw the misty countanance of
Rhiannon floating near Darien, and she smiled. But Beryl had recovered 
her wits, and she attacked again. Serena sidestepped easily, her anger
and jealousy washed away by the cool mist of the Faerie. Walking calmly,
she approached a duke whose name had faded from her memory. Serena 
reached for his sword, drawing it from its sheath with the slight whisper
of steel on leather. Snapping around, Serena threw it to Beryl.

	"Defend yourself," Serena offered, her silver hair flying around
her. Beryl was struck by the vision that the princess presented, and
it showed in her face. But the amazement did not stop the countess from
grasping the hilt of the sword and climbing to her feet. Striking the
customary pose, one hand thrown out behind her, Beryl raised her sword.

	"En garde," she whispered. Serena smiled and prepared to defend.

	A circle had opened around the two duelists. The clash of steel
grew more and more frequent as Beryl attacked. The two woman, both
skilled in the art of fencing, watched each other closely. Neither
was making mistakes, and it was unclear who was more skilled. Beryl 
struck, Serena parried. Pink skirts flying, Serena attempted a brisk
disarm, but Beryl blocked her. For long moments neither would move.
They would simply watch and wait. 

	But little by little the strain began showing on Beryl. Her 
fury and hate had combined into an unimaginable emotional state, 
and her movements grew clumsy. And Serena took advantage of it,
ceasing her offense and becoming defensive, allowing Beryl to
work herself up even more.

	'Dodge! Parry! Thrust! Attack! Attack! Why aren't you
attacking?!'
	'I am holding the sword. I shall do as I please.'
	'Fine. But don't come crying to me when you get hurt.'

	A breath of air against her arm brought Serena back to the
present. Distracted by her inner voice, Serena had allowed Beryl
a very small opening. Beryl, delighted, had struck. Luckily for
Serena, Beryl's passion made her aim bad, and the sword had barely
missed Serena's upper arm. Raising her eyebrow, Serena knocked 
the sword aside with her left arm guard, and braced herself for
a whirlwind of battle.

	Beryl did not disappoint. Her calm somewhat restored, Beryl
attacked in a furious twister of energy, leaping at Serena. Swords
met in a clang of steel and the two women body locked, each 
attempting to throw the other to the ground. 

	"I will succeed, *princess*," Beryl spat. "Endymion is mine,
and when you are dead he will return to me! The DGG failed to
eliminate you, but I will not!"

	Serena threw herself away from Beryl, shocked. Dead? Beryl
truly wished her dead? The information registered quickly, and 
Serena began questioning the rules of this game. If Beryl was 
serious about this, then Serena needed to be very careful. The
wild look in Beryl's eyes spoke volumes.

	'Be careful.'
	'Oh, I will. But I...'

	Serena's thought was cut off. Beryl was glowing. A dark cloud 
of energy was surrounding her, and it was reaching out for Serena.
Serena stood, mesmerized by the evil apperition. It didn't seem 
possible, and yet...the cloud felt *hungry*. Tendrils of darkness
were reaching out for Serena, and the princess shrank away in
horror. Beryl laughed, her eyes on fire with hate. And Serena
understood. This was the demon that lives inside all humans, the
darkest piece of a soul. Beryl, in her jealousy, had provided 
an outlet for this evil. She saw war, famine, plauge, and death 
in that energy, and it frightened her. The sorrow Serena felt 
at the suffering in that cloud threatened to overwhelm her,  
and Serena nearly fainted with the pain in her heart. Tears 
welled up as flashes of unimaginable suffering were shown in 
the darkness. Serena's spine turned to liquid; she felt herself 
about to crumble in the onslaught of this horrible thing. Beryl
laughed, and the dark aura reached out it's arms of despair to
embrace Serena.

	*Daughter of the Moon! This is not reality! It is the darkest
of times, it is the greatest of all evils! Remember the good, my
sister. Remember the friendship, the laughter, and those you hold
dear! Fight for them, Serenity!*
	
	Rhiannon's voice pulled her back from the edge of the abyss.
Serena turned her head, seeking her friends. They stood, fear in 
their eyes. But the fear was not dominant. Courage, hope, and 
strength took the fore. Serena sought out the four generals, King
Damian, her mother, and saw the same in their stances. And when 
her eyes fell upon Darien, Serena saw all that, and more. She saw
the future in Darien's eyes. She reached for the crystal cord
humming in the back of her mind, and touched it. Hope, trust,
worry, and most of all love flowed from Darien into her and
back again. Taking the strength she needed from him, Serena
prepared herself for battle. 

	A cool feeling washed over Serena, and she straightened. This
darkness would never take her. As she made the vow, she saw the 
neverending battle that all people were destined to fight with 
this force. 

	*The power of love is greater than the love of power.*

	Yes.

	Serena dropped her sword and raised her wrists. She brought the
arm guards together. 

	"Mother?" It was a request. Queen Serenity nodded, and Serena 
turned back toward Beryl and the evil force around her.

	'Silver Imperium Crystal...' Serena whispered. 'Protect us!'

	And Serena too began to glow. The aura around her expanded,
glowing as brightly as the full moon. The Senshi closed their eyes,
shining blue, yellow, red and green as they lent their power to
the Silver Imperium Crystal and their princess. Queen Serenity
closed her eyes, and the light of the crystal grew stronger. The
four generals, Damian, and finally Darien sent their strength to
the crystal, and to Serena. Beryl shrieked, and urged her aura
outward. The evil glow turned from the brilliance of the crystal
and reached out its tendrils for the Senshi, the generals, and 
Darien. Serena gasped, pouring more of her strength into the 
crystal. 

	*The power of the faerie folk,* Rhiannon whispered, and the
light burst into a supernova. Nobles fled the room, servants hid 
behind pillars. The dark cloud shrank away from the white nimbus
that grew around the Princess Serenity. Retracting its arms, the 
shadow grew smaller and smaller. With a poof, it vanished.
Unprotected, Beryl shrieked in pain as the light of the 
Imperium Silver Crystal, the power of kindness, shone upon her.
Unable to stand the knowing love of that light, Beryl lapsed into
unconciousness.

	*Guard this power well, my sister. You will have great need 
of it.*

	Serena nodded her assent as the light dimmed and faded. She
knew that her physical strength was gone, that her power was
drained, but it had all been worth it. Serena felt her
knees give way, felt herself falling, and knew when strong arms 
caught and held her. As her mind lapsed into darkness, Serena
knew that it was Darien who held her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	Several days later, Serena climbed gingerly out of bed.
It felt good to walk again, though her days had been anything
but dull. Invitations, bridesmaid gowns and the design for
her wedding dress had been chosen. Lita was overseeing the 
menu, while Amy and Mina had charge of the guest list and
the decorations. Raye, as maid of honor, was overseeing 
everything. Serena smiled. The Senshi were preparing for 
their own weddings, though they'd never admit it. 

	Serena dressed carefully and snuck down the hallways.
She had an important visit to make, and she didn't want to
be escorted, or worse, forbidden to leave at all. So she
was quiet and calm as she proceeded to the stables. As per
her instructions that morning (through a servant boy well
paid for his silence) Orpheus was saddled. Mounting up, 
Serena trotted out the gates, through the meadow, to a
place in the Royal Forest she knew well. As though sensing 
that his rider were fragile today, Orpheus was gentle and
obediant all the way there. When the two reached their
destination, Serena dismounted, looped the reins around a
tree branch and walked into the quiet of the forest.

	As she walked, Serena reflected on the events of the
past few days. She had grown immesurably, and so had Darien.
They weren't quite sure of each other, but that was all right.
There were some things that Serena didn't need to know about 
Darien, and she was content with what he was willing to share.

	When Serena reached the clearing where it had all begun,
she was silent for a few moments. This had been the place of
great personal growth, and Serena was unsure what she had
come for. But, as always, the Faerie Queen was one step ahead of
her. 

	In the center of the clearing, toadstools and wildflowers
began growing. The bloomed as Serena watched, a gold light
encouraging them to grow. This faerie ring was small, just 
large enough for one person to kneel inside. Smiling, Serena 
walked toward the faerie ring. She paused outside of it, 
formulating her wish. Then she stepped inside, and knelt 
carefully, fingertips resting lightly on the ground.

	'Friends that will always be near me, and a love for all 
eternity,' Serena breathed in her mind. And though she would
never be quite sure, Serena would always swear that she heard
herself laughing, somewhere far away. 

	A smile on her face, Serena opened her eyes and stood. The 
faerie ring stood silent, a testimony to her wish. Serena turned
to walk away, glancing back only once. She wasn't really surprised
to see that the faerie ring had disappeared. Smiling again, Serena
walked out of the woods, into the sunlight, and rode toward her
future, two diamond hearts glittering on her wrist.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
***************************************************************
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

"First rehearse your song by rote,
To each word a warbling note;    
Hand in hand, with fairy grace,
Will we sing, and bless this place...
Through this palace with sweet peace;
And the owner of it blest,
Ever shall in safety rest.
Trip away: make no stay;
Meet me all by break of day."

~William Shakespeare

There it is people. Whew, it took me a *very* long time to get
that done! Maybe that's because it's so long? I am so proud of 
myself. So, mail me and tell me what you think, now that I have 
the story done!

Rhiannon says 'The power of love is greater than the love of 
power'. I heard that from my friend Shoji, who played Christ in
the musical 'Godspell'. It was one of his lines. I was in
'Godspell' too! I played Joann...

I love 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' by William Shakespeare, and
it seemed appropriate for this chapter. Hence the quotations for
and aft. And though it pains me to admit it, I do not own 
'Midsummer' either. Love you all! And mail me! 

skiangel_sv@lycos.com