
      Once A Millennium


      Author: aria


      Rated: R



      Chapter 4
      Serena woke from the strangest dream shed ever had. She had somehow 
      gotten herself sent back in time and was some warrior woman. Putting a 
      hand on her face and laughing to herself Serena sat up. Talk about weird. 
      She opened her eyes expecting to see her green walls and her pictures and 
      froze. The walls were cold stone and tapestries added some colour to the 
      otherwise stark room. She looked down at herself and saw she was dressed 
      in a large shirt and sitting in a large bed situated in a strange room. 
      Serena panicked for a second then felt someone move around next to her. 
      She looked down to see a sleeping Darien tucked in next to her. The sight 
      ignited a whole new succession of worries.
      The night before came back to her in vivid detail. The fire, the bath 
      everything. Well almost everything. After the bath, she drew a complete 
      blank. Serena pulled back the covers to go and pace. What had they done 
      last night? Did they...? She would have gotten out but a hand around her 
      wrist stopped her.
      "Good morning Serena. " he lazily wrapped an arm around her waist and 
      pulled her back in next to him. "Where are you going?" Darien couldnt 
      believe how right it felt just waking up next to her. He threw the covers 
      back over Serena and put his other arm around her.
      "Morning Darien." She closed her eyes at the warm feeling that coursed 
      through her when he touched her. But she was still tense over her lack of 
      memory of the night before.
      "What is the matter?" the words rumbled though his chest and into her 
back.
      Embarrassed, Serena mumbled the question into her pillow.
      "Huh? What was that?" he propped himself up onto one elbow and turned her 
      over to face him? "What did you say?"
      "Did we... Did we?" she couldnt say it any other way.
      Darien stifled his laughter. She was so cute. "You would remember if we 
      did, dear heart." He held her too him and remembered his train of thought 
      the night before while he watched her sleep. "Serena, I was thinking."
      She was leaning against him and sighed her answer. "Yeah?"
      "If you are the warrior maiden...we should not do anything until we find 
      out for sure." He couldnt risk the kingdom for his selfish needs. 
      According to legend she had to be a maiden in order to complete the 
      mission. No matter how much he wanted her he couldnt just turn his back 
      on his friends and allies, his home.
      Serena leaned back and looked at him in amazement. He was incredible. 
      Slowly she nodded as the realization seeped into her mind. He was right. 
      If fulfilling this legend was the only way she was going to get home she 
      would have to do it. But when she looked into his luminous blue eyes 
      Serena wasnt quite sure that she wanted to go back. "Youre right. But 
      what if I said that I dont want to go back?"
      Darien bit back a groan when she pressed up against him. "Serena..." his 
      mind went blank when her soft lips touched his ear. Taking a breath he 
      tried again. "Serena...please. You still have to be innocent to fulfill 
      the...the..." Darien stopped talking. He had let his eyes wander over her 
      while he was trying to reason with her. Big mistake. The shirt that he put 
      on her last night did nothing to hide her beautiful body. He could see her 
      breasts rise and fall with each breath under the thin linen, their rosy 
      peaks brushing the cloth. Struggling for a breath he tore his eyes from 
      her and turned toward the wall. "Well go back to the castle today and 
      talk to Diamond and find out what he knows about the legend."
      Serena pulled the blanket up around her neck. It was hard enough without 
      her tempting him. "Diamond said something about a wise man that we had to 
      find. Hes supposed to be able to identify the warrior maid."
      "Right. Well return to the castle and search for the man." He got up and 
      smiled. "The sooner we find out the better."
      Serena definitely agreed.
      They quickly got dressed, backs facing each other, and headed down to get 
      some breakfast. Geoffrey and Christopher were already there enjoying their 
      meal. Christopher was the first to notice them.
      "Serena, Darien. Nice of you to join us!" he said laughing at the pair. He 
      looked at their flushed faces and laughed even harder. Serena was dressed 
      again in mens clothing but she had left her hair loose so it drifted 
      around her shoulders and part way down her back. He could see why Darien 
      was so infatuated with her. She was lovely.
      Serena sat in between Darien and Christopher and took a few pieces of 
      fruit. She looked around at all the people and saw that they were staring 
      at her strangely. She looked at Darien then at Christopher. "What?"
      "I do not think that they know what to make of you." Geoffrey leaned over 
      to her. "It is not often that you see a lady in mens clothing especially 
      with one of the lords of the manor."
      "I guess I should have worn a dress huh? Oh well." She looked around again 
      and caught the gaze of Lady Caroline.
      She and the other ladies sat at another table and was staring daggers at 
      her.
      Serena turned away and returned to food, which Darien was cutting up with 
      his knife since she didnt have one yet. Smiling he took a few pieces and 
      ate off of her plate. Serena picked up a piece of apple and brought it to 
      her lips. Just then a commotion caught her attention.
      Lady Caroline had slung her plate onto the floor and was tearfully running 
      from the room.
      Feeling sorry for her, Serena got up as well to go and talk to her. Darien 
      put a hand on her shoulder to stop her but she shrugged him off. "I want 
      to talk to her, ok?"
      "You are too kind. Come back quickly." He shoved another piece of apple in 
      her mouth before she turned and followed the upset woman.
      Serena walked down a corridor, led by the sobs she could hear. Serena 
      found her standing by a window crying uncontrollably. She approached her 
      and put a hand on her arm. "Caroline? Are you ok?"
      "No! I am not ok! You walk in here and suddenly he is interested in you!" 
      she took a shuddering breath. "And look at you. You wear mens clothes! 
      You are barely a woman!"
      Serena looked down at herself. Compared to Carolines luscious curves she 
      did look like a teen but it didnt bother her. She knew that the other 
      woman was upset and was looking for a way to release her pent up 
      frustrations.
      "I didnt show up suddenly. Weve known each other for a while now but 
      weve just only realized our feelings for one another. I wish it could 
      have been some other way. Some way that wouldnt hurt you, but it cant 
      be."
      "How dare you mock me!" Caroline slapped her across the cheek.
      Serena didnt flinch. "Does that make you feel better? Im sorry that it 
      has to be this way. But believe me, I didnt intend for this to happen." 
      Giving her a reassuring smile, Serena walked back to the dining hall to 
      rejoin the others.
      Caroline could only stand, staring at the strange woman that had captured 
      Dariens heart.
      Serena walked back in knowing that everyone was watching her every move. 
      Ignoring the looks, she sat back down and smiled at the brothers.
      "How did it go?" Darien knew Caroline was quite high strung and when she 
      got emotional it could get ugly. "Are you ok?" he noted the redness of her 
      cheek and knew what had caused it.
      "Its fine. She just needs some time to get over you thats all."
      "Ok if you say so." He leaned back and watched her eat. "Are you feeling 
      well enough to go looking around the kingdom?"
      Serena nodded, "Yup."
      "Geoffrey cannot join us, but Christopher would like to come along to 
      help. Is that ok with you?"
      "Of course! The more the merrier I always say." She smiled at the two 
      other men and marvelled at how closely they resembled each other. They all 
      had the same dark hair and laughing blue eyes, it was remarkable. "Diamond 
      and Colin were going to come as well." Still caught up with her thoughts 
      she didnt notice Darien frown at the mention of the prince. "I guess we 
      should get going huh?"
      Darien and Christopher nodded, though Darien didnt look as happy as he 
      did moments before. Serena noticed it. Puzzled, she followed him out of 
      the hall and back to their chambers.
      "Darien whats the matter?" Serena put her hand on his chest and looked 
      him directly in the eye. "And please dont say nothing."
      "The prince...Diamond. What has he said to you?" Darien had wanted to talk 
      about this for a long time. He had seen the long looks Diamond had been 
      giving her and couldnt help the twinge of jealousy he felt in his gut 
      every time.
      "Nothing much, just that we have to find the wise man and that hes 
      grateful--"
      "No. Of his feelings for you."
      "Oh." Should she tell him everything that Diamond had said to her? If they 
      were to have any type of relationship she knew they would have to start it 
      off right. And that meant complete and total honesty. "Hes admitted to 
      having feelings for me. But as soon as we see him again Im going to tell 
      him about us." She looked at his pensive expression. "There is an us isnt 
      there?"
      In response to her ridiculous question, Darien swept her up in his arms 
      and deposited her on the bed. He took a moment to look at her form laying 
      before him before he plundered her lips. Quite a long, pleasant while 
      later he moved back and smiled at her heavy lidded eyes and look of 
      languid happiness.
      "Does that answer your question?"
      She nodded eyes glued to his, "Yes." That more than answered her question. 
      Her entire body felt heavy and she became aware of an insistent throbbing 
      deep within her. Serena knew it had something to do with Dariens 
      ministrations. She found herself hoping that she wasnt the warrior 
      maiden. She laid on her side mirroring Darien and let her hand play in his 
      hair. "What if Im not the warrior maiden? What then?"
      The minx. "Then I will have to do what is right." He took her hand and 
      pressed a kiss in her palm. "We will get married and I will make you 
mine."
      Wide eyed, Serena stared at him. He was totally serious. "Youre 
      proposing." Heart fluttering wildly she watched him pull a ring out of his 
      pocket and stuff it unceremoniously onto her ring finger of her left hand.
      "Yes I am. Is that a problem?" It never occurred to him that she would 
      refuse. His heart stopped while he waited for an answer.
      "No its not." Serena whispered. She stared at the ring on her finger. It 
      looked incredibly old to her. Then she almost laughed at the thought. Of 
      course it looked old! Look at where she was!
      The shining gold was fashioned into a loose, yet thick braid and in the 
      centre was a large emerald that sparkled in the morning light. It wasnt 
      anything like the engagement rings her friends flaunted and she loved it.
      "Darien its beautiful!" she tore her eyes away from it to look at him. 
      Serena threw her arms around him and laughed happily. She could feel him 
      relax, the tension dissolved from his shoulders as he hugged her back.
      Darien could feel his heart kick-start back to life and start beating 
      again. It had been the most nerve-wracking moment in his life. When it got 
      easier to breathe he spoke again.
      "It was my mothers and hers before that. From what I remember it has been 
      passed down for generations." He laughed. "I guess somehow she knew I 
      would be needing it first."
      Serena smiled up at him and gazed lovingly at the ring on her finger 
      again. It really was old. "Its absolutely lovely."
      "I am glad that you approve." He kissed her nose. "Come we should get 
      going. The sooner we find this wise man the sooner we can get married." 
      Darien pulled her off the bed and they started packing up their things 
      once again.
      With the new incentive to motivate them, they finished up within the hour. 
      They took everything they could possibly need, even a couple of dresses 
      for Serena in case she ever found the need. He and Serena carried their 
      packs down to the stables and waited for Christopher.
      She handed her bag over to Darien who slung it easily over Samsons back. 
      "Have you noticed that we havent stayed in one place for more than a few 
      nights?"
      "Yes I have. And it is something I wish to remedy soon." He winked at her 
      and smiled when she blushed. It was true. He wanted nothing more than to 
      laze about in bed with her all day long and explore every inch of that 
      body of hers. Darien stopped his thoughts dead and cleared his throat when 
      he saw Serena staring at him. It was as if she knew what he was thinking.
      "I feel the same way."
      "Huh?"
      "I want to just cuddle up with you all day long too."
      "How did you...?"
      "I was thinking the same thing." She smiled impishly and nudged him. "Here 
      come your brothers."
      Geoffrey and Christopher sauntered over in their usual style, nothing 
      besides a catastrophe ever hurried them it seemed. Serena noticed 
      Christopher didnt have anything with him though.
      As if he knew what she was thinking, he smiled and answered. "I cannot go 
      with you today. I can catch up in a few days time if you tell me where you 
      will be headed."
      Darien glanced up from busily strapping the loads down and gave his 
      younger brother a questioning look. "Why not?"
      Geoffrey stepped forward then "Well it seems young Christopher here needs 
      to speak to Lady Evelyn about a delicate matter."
      Serena could guess what was coming next when she looked at the younger 
      Colvilles chagrined expression.
      Geoffrey continued with his speech without a look at his brothers obvious 
      embarrassment. "It seems she is in a delicate condition and she thinks it 
      is due to our brother here."
      Darien put his gloved hand over his face and groaned. "Lady Evelyn? That 
      clueless girl that has been hanging around court? Christopher, what were 
      you thinking?"
      Serena put her hand on his arm and tried not to laugh. He sounded like a 
      parent chastising a child. "Darien I dont think that he was thinking 
      quite right when it happened." She turned to Christopher. "Am I right?"
      He shrugged but still said nothing.
      The older Colvilles groaned in unison.
      Serena smiled at the young man. "Dont worry Im sure things will work out 
      for the best." He didnt look convinced.
      Darien slapped Christopher on the back. "Serena is right. Mayhap you will 
      be a father before the rest of us!" He started laughing heartily when he 
      saw Serenas blush.
      Both the other men saw her discomfort at the statement and joined in.
      Geoffrey smiled at them both when he saw the ring on her finger. "Ah 
      mothers ring. So you two are serious then?"
      "Yes we are." Darien put his arm casually around her waist, looking very 
      happy.
      Christopher finally found his tongue and asked, "But I thought she was the 
      warrior maiden," he emphasized the word. "She surely cannot marry you 
      then."
      "That is what we are now going to find out. She is to be my wife either 
      way but if she in not the warrior Diamond is looking for than Serena and I 
      will be married sooner."
      Darien made it sound so easy. Though they still had no clue who or where 
      this wise man was.
      "Darien, dont get ahead of yourself. We still have to find him and that 
      could take some time yet." She definitely hoped it was soon though. "Maybe 
      Diamond will know where to start."
      "Perhaps." Darien gave her a leg up onto Samson then got on Goliath. 
      "Christopher. Get this mess sorted out and we shall send a messenger to 
      tell you of our whereabouts."
      "We will." Geoffrey put his arm around Christophers slumped shoulders. 
      "Be careful." He patted both Serena and Darien on their backs.
      "See you soon." Serena and Darien galloped off in the direction of 
      Diamonds home.
      ----
      Serena enjoyed the ride through the countryside. Looking at the gorgeous 
      blue sky and the trees lightly shifting in the breeze and found herself 
      wondering just how much longer it would be before shed be seeing nothing 
      but buildings and smog when she looked up. The thought didnt hold much 
      appeal to her, unless there was some way of bringing Darien with her. 
      Serena smiled at the thought. Perhaps there was a way. She would have to 
      ask the wise man when they found him. They rode side by side the entire 
      way there at a leisurely pace, talking about everything.
      "Too bad Lady Evelyn didnt live in my world." Serena mused out loud.
      "Why?" Darien had been watching her for some time, not wanting to take his 
      eyes off his fiance.
      "She could easily find out if she was pregnant and who the father of the 
      child is with a few tests."
      "How would one do that?" his brow raised sceptically.
      "They take some blood and analyse it. I dont know the specifics about 
      that. They can even show you a picture of the baby."
      "While it is inside?"
      "Yup."
      "Must be some sort of sorcery." Darien wasnt sure if her should believe 
      her or not. But why would she lie about that? If it was true her world was 
      very bizarre.
      She laughed and told him more about the modern world and he marvelled at 
      the things she described. The buildings, cars and planes, everything 
      interested him. At some points Serena got the feeling that he didnt 
      believe her but he nodded and smiled, listening intently.
      Darien in turn told her more about his life. Being the middle child, he 
      was not burdened with being the heir to the manor but nor was he fussed 
      over like Christopher. Serena got the feeling that he was ignored quite a 
      bit as a child but she didnt push him to talk about it when she saw the 
      shadow come over his handsome face. He moved on to talk about the battles 
      he had been in and how futile he thought the whole thing was. But since 
      Geoffrey was the diplomat and Christopher the irresponsible one and he was 
      the best fighter of the three brothers, he had been the one to go and 
      fight. Darien had been in every major battle since the time he was fifteen 
      years old. Serena now knew how he had become so good at it, and why he was 
      weary of fighting.
      By the time they arrived at the palace, they knew everything about each 
      other. They rode in through the gates and looked around. Serena couldnt 
      see a single person anywhere. She looked questioningly at Darien.
      "Where is everybody?" she slid off of Samsons back and handed to reins to 
      Darien who had done the same.
      "I do not know." Darien could feel that something was awry. There were 
      always people milling around. Where was everyone? "Serena take up a 
      weapon." His directions were curt. Dariens warrior instincts were taking 
      over. He drew his sword and led the way into the eerily silent building. 
      If something had indeed happened here, the perpetrators could very well 
      still be inside and he wasnt going to take chances with Serenas life.
      Serena took her crossbow and followed behind him. Anxiety gnawed away at 
      her. Had someone attacked her friends while they were away? It was 
      definitely possible. Serena prayed that no one was hurt. Padding silently 
      on the stone floor, she watched Darien peek around the corner and then 
      motion for her to follow. She followed him to the main hall.
      The doors were open and you could hear voices floating out of it.
      "My lord! Woodard is not what he seems! Why else would he have such 
      strange things in his room?"
      Serena stiffened at the sound of Collinwoods voice. What had he gotten 
      from her room? She looked over at Darien her emotions evident in her 
      expression.
      Darien held a finger to his lips and leaned in to listen to more.
      "Ralph. I cannot condone what you have done. Those are Woodards private 
      possessions. You had no right to be in his room in the first place!" 
      Diamonds voice rang clear even out in the hall.
      "But sire! I did this for your protection! Someone has been poisoning you! 
      And it started just after he arrived at this very place." Murmurs could be 
      heard, both in agreement and in opposition. "It is true you cannot deny 
      it!"
      Sapphires voice boomed now. "Why would Woodard want to hurt the prince? 
      Everyone saw how gallantly he fought in the battle. He fought better than 
      you I might add! Besides, Woodard cured the prince and found who was 
      making him ill!"
      "It is a trick! To lull you into a sense of security before he strikes, 
      like a snake waiting in the grass!"
      Serena had heard enough. Incensed, she strode into the room with Darien 
      following close behind.
      "And there the cad is! Guards! Arrest him!" Collinwood pointed at her, 
      eyes wild.
      "Hold!" Diamond glared at the impudent man. "I will not allow it!"
      "But sire! He has womens clothing in his room." He held up several 
      garments as proof. "What kind of man wears dresses? And spends all of his 
      time in the company of his master like Woodard does, making eyes at Lord 
      Colville. Everyone has seen it!" again murmurs of agreement.
      "Youre an idiot!" Serena walked right up to him and confronted him toe to 
      toe. "What the hell do you know about me?"
      "Enough to prove that you are an enemy of the Princes" his eyes gleamed 
      with triumph.
      "Tell me what you know about me!" Serena truly doubted he knew anything.
      He wasnt going to back down. "Why do you have dresses in your room? Mixed 
      in with your normal clothes?" he thrust the clothing in her face with 
      every word accenting each syllable.
      She could see the amused looks on Darien, Diamond and Sapphires faces. Of 
      course they were the only ones here besides Colin who knew her secret.
      "Because I am a woman." Her words hung in the suddenly silent room. It was 
      so still that she could hear and discern the breathing of every individual 
      person next to her.
      Ralphs eyes widened. He gritted his teeth and shook his head vehemently. 
      "You lie! No woman can ride or battle the way that you can! You are a man. 
      A sick man at that."
      "Im a woman. My name is Serena." She watched his eyes widen even more, if 
      that was possible.
      That beauty Serena was this boy? He looked at her face and saw it. The 
      anger at being tricked caused his vision to blur. Still, he was determined 
      to get rid of her. "I do not believe you. Prove it!"
      Cries from the crowd agreed with him. No one could believe that a woman 
      could do all the things that Serena had done.
      There was only one way of proving it and it didnt appeal to her. 
      Pleadingly she looked up at the dais at the three men standing there. She 
      could see that they didnt like where this was going. Darien the least 
      impressed of the three.
      Darien wasnt going to let Collinwood strip her bare for all to see. He 
      would cut the weasel down before that could happen.
      Diamond held up his hands. "Silence! I will not let you do this to Serena. 
      I can truly say that she is a woman." He couldnt let something so 
      humiliating happen to her. Heart pounding he looked out at everyone daring 
      someone to challenge him.
      Darien and Sapphire nodded in agreement. "She is."
      Collinwood ignored the bloodthirsty looks in the Prince and Dariens 
      faces. If he could get the people to agree with him, there was nothing the 
      three of them could do to stop him from trying Serena as a witch.
      "He has you under a spell! He is a perverted man that is trying to kill 
      you! Why can you not see it?" he smirked at Serena. "If she, as you call 
      him, can stand in front of everyone in this room and they can all see that 
      she is a woman then she will be free to go. For she cannot put everyone 
      under her spell!"
      Darien and Diamond stepped forward, flanking her.
      "We will not allow it!"
      Hands trembling, Serena put them on their shoulders. "There is no other 
      way." Her voice was barely a strained whisper. Her entire body shaking, 
      Serena began to disrobe. Darien let out a growl and put a big hand on her 
      shoulder.
      "No! I care not what they think. I will not let you bare yourself in front 
      of everyone." The look in his eyes was deadly serious.
      Diamond nodded in agreement but wasnt able to say anything. He glared at 
      everyone in the room like they were the minions of the devil himself.
      Serena placed her hand on his in a comforting way, though she needed 
      comforting more than anyone at the moment. "Darien. Its ok. If itll 
      prove who I am, then I have to do it." She turned to her other side. 
      "Diamond, please." They both backed down at her request. A tear sliding 
      down her cheek she let his hand drop to his side and she went to work on 
      her clothes again. Silently she took off her jerkin and let it drop with a 
      soft plop. Eyes downcast she untied the fastening to her billowing shirt. 
      She pulled it off over her head and let it join its companion on the 
      floor. Keeping her eyes closed from the stares she could feel on her, 
      Serena started on her britches. Somehow if she could block them out it 
      wasnt that bad. She was stopped before she could slip them off, however.
      Darien couldnt believe this was happening. He could see the mens eyes 
      widening at her soft flesh being exposed. Gorging themselves on her bared 
      breasts, her smooth skin and the graceful curve of her back. Not able to 
      bare it any longer he grabbed her discarded shirt and wrapped it around 
      her then swung her into his arms.
      "Enough! Shes proven herself!" without further adieu, he carried her 
      softly shaking body to his room.
      The next thing Serena knew was the feeling of being carried and then being 
      gently lowered to a soft bed. She opened the eyes that she had squeezed 
      shut and looked up at Darien. Tears streaming down her face in the 
      aftermath of the indignity she just suffered. He came down to her and 
      wiped the tears from her face with gentle hands.
      "Sweetheart, are you ok?" His concern for her over rid his anger. What 
      matter most was Serena. "I never should have let it go that far. That ass! 
      I am going to-"
      Serena put his finger on his lips. "Its ok Darien."
      "No it is most definitely not!" feeling his blood boiling over again he 
      got up and stalked about the room.
      Serena watched him and was reminded of a caged tiger looking for a way 
      out, the power and the magnificence barely held in check looking for an 
      outlet. Wiping away the remaining tears Serena put her shirt back on and 
      wondered what was going to happen next. Was that enough proof for 
      everyone? Or was Ralph going to look for something else he could pin on 
      her? Her thoughts were interrupted but the knock at the door.
      "Serena? Are you alright?" the soft concerned voice came through the thick 
      wood. Diamond.
      Serena nodded and Darien opened the door letting the prince in.
      Diamond barely acknowledged Dariens presence. He strode over to Serena 
      and knelt by the side of the bed, taking her hands.
      "Serena are you ok? I am going to have that man drawn and quartered!" In 
      his concern for her he had followed them out not bothering to listen to 
      anymore of Collinwoods ranting. He touched her chin at her shaky nod. God 
      she was tough! "Here, I have brought you your jerkin." Diamond handed it 
      to her keeping his eyes averted from the delicious sight slightly veiled 
      by the thin shirt. He noticed the ring on her finger when she reached for 
      her clothing. He knew that ring. Brows drawn together he gently grasped 
      her hand and brought it to his face. "Dariens mothers ring." His voice 
      was uncharacteristically quiet. "Am I to understand that..." he looked at 
      Darien and then back at Serena. Diamond didnt need it to be spelt out for 
      him. "I see. Congratulations." Diamond stood up and took a step back as if 
      to find a respectable distance from her. "I am happy for you two." Diamond 
      said the words, but his eyes betrayed him.
      Serena saw it. She didnt like seeing him hurting this way but what could 
      she do? She was in love with Darien. Helpless she simply smiled weakly and 
      nodded.
      Diamonds jaw clenched but he managed to grind out, "We will discuss the 
      mission later once you have recovered Lady Serena. I assume that is why 
      you have returned here." He swept, magnificently as ever, from the room.
      Darien didnt like seeing his friend hurting so much. He put his hand on 
      Serenas and she nodded, knowing what he was thinking. "I will be back 
      soon. Get some rest love." He kissed her and disappeared out the door.
      ----
      Diamond strode quickly down the hall. His eyes burned terribly and had to 
      blink several times just so he could continue down the narrow corridor. He 
      wasnt going to cry. He was the crown prince of the realm for gods sake! 
      Still he couldnt stop the ache he felt in his chest. She was happy and 
      that was what he wanted. Serenas happiness was paramount. Even that 
      didnt dull the pain of rejection.
      Diamond found himself at the stables. He couldnt even remember walking 
      out of the building but now that he was here...
      Darien got to the front entrance in time to see Diamond gallop away. He 
      knew where he was going.
      ----
      When Serena woke up she was alone in the bed. The room was illuminated a 
      warm orange by the fire on the other side of the room. Getting up, she 
      wondered what time it was. Serena walked to the window and looked out. A 
      silver sliver of the moon cut the dark velvet sky letting the stars 
      sparkle more prominently. Just as she was settling down on the windowsill 
      she saw two figures ride back through the gate at a terrifying rate their 
      shouts rattled the panes of glass. Something had happened.
      Panic rising in her throat, Serena grabbed a jerkin and pulled it on as 
      she ran out the door.
      "Whats happening!" she ran to the entranceway and was joined by several 
      other men.
      Darien pulled her aside. "Serena I want you to lock yourself in our room!"
      "Darien! Whats going on?" She let herself be dragged back toward their 
      room.
      "We are under attack!" He half pushed half carried her to the room. "Just 
      stay in here! You will be fine." He handed her a small arsenal of weapons.
      "Attack? I have to get out there with you!" Serena didnt like the idea of 
      him going out without someone watching his back. She tried to move past 
      him but a muscular arm blocked her way.
      "Serena please. I cannot let you endanger yourself." He wished she would 
      just listen to him for once. "Please."
      "Darien I-"
      He cut her off with a hard, almost brutal kiss. "I shall return." Darien 
      touched her cheek and was gone.
      Serena dumped the weapons on the bed and pulled on the handle on the door. 
      It wouldnt budge. He had locked it from the outside. The jerk!
      "Darien! Let me out!" Serena kicked and banged on the door with her fist 
      but no one came.
      Serena ran over to the door that linked her room with his and tried to 
      open it but got the same result. It was locked from the other side as 
      well. Serena kicked the door in frustration.
      Shouts could be heard from the courtyard and Serena ran to investigate. 
      She could see men from the castle charging men in enemy colours. She had 
      to do something to help, but what?
      She pushed the windows open and leaned out. It was too far to jump and 
      there was nothing around that she could climb down on. An idea hit her. 
      Running back into the room she went to the pile of weapons Darien gave 
      her. Serena grabbed the quiver, her long bow and the crossbow along with 
      its accessorizing arrows. From the window she had the perfect shot at the 
      enemy. Without a second thought, she took aim at the nearest man in the 
      wrong colours and began picking them off aiming for the ones that were 
      heading in Dariens direction first.
      Serena could see the confusion in her friends at seeing the men drop for 
      no apparent reason. Then Diamond spotted her in the window. He nodded his 
      thanks though from the look on his face he did not look at all pleased.
      Darien shouted up at the window. "Serena we must pursue some of them. We 
      will return shortly!"
      "Ok just send someone to unlock the door. I don't like being caged!" she 
      could hear his laughter.
      "Fine as long as you promise to stay here and not follow." he waved his 
      hand at Colin, who scampered back into the castle.
      "I promise. Take care of yourselves!"
      He and Diamond nodded and rode off into the night.