Disclaimer: As always, I don't own these character, I'm just borrowing them.

				Secret Garden- Chapter 12

	Serenity took a deep breath as Endymion offered her his arm.  She tentatively
 reached out her hand to place her delicate fingers on the armor covering his forearm and,
 as he started to step forward, she drew back, tugging on his arm, "I cannot do this.  She
 will yell at me." She said, pulling away from him to pace about his room, twisting her
 hands in front of her.

	Endymion sighed, walking over to her and placing his hands carefully on her
 shoulders as she stopped in the doorway of his balcony.  They looked out over the garden
 and the courtyard in silence.

	It was dusk, the sun having just set, and Serenity had been informed that her mother
 would be coming to talk to the Queen of Earth because of her.  Serenity shivered as a cool
 breeze wafted through the window and over bare skin.  She was dressed once again in her
 formal gown, her hair, save for two long braids, was done up in it's usual buns.  The two
 braids were wrapped around her head, covering her crescent moon, once again, while she was
 in the palace.  

	Serenity found she rather enjoyed the style and had vowed to wear it more often when
 she returned home.  Her dress fluttered in the gentle breeze, billowing about her bare legs
 and against Endymion's armor, seeming to whisper words that were just out of reach.  The
 faint light of the sun that had descended below the horizon and now shed its light on the
 clouds, causing them to be purple, pink, blue and red hued. In addition it cast its faint
 light on the Princess and Prince, illuminating their faces as Endymion slid his arms around
 her shoulders and pulled her flush against his armor.  She raised her hands to grasp his,
 her fingers tightening with a surprising strength.  He felt her shiver as she light faded
 off the distant clouds and the Moon began to rise.

	Endymion bent his head to kiss the top of hers, "Your mother will be arriving
 shortly, my love." He said softly.

	She closed her eyes, feeling strength flow through her as the first rays of the moon
 hit her flesh.  "I know.  I cannot see her, Endymion.  She will be angry and disappointed
 with me, how can I face her?  Can I not just stay here with you forever and never see her
 again?  I would forsake my birthright!"  She turned towards him; her eyes shimmering with
 unshed tears as she begged him not to make her go see her mother.

	Endymion freed one of his hands, shaking his head slowly, keeping his eyes locked on
 hers, "I cannot ask you to do that, Angel.  You and I both know what we have done, and now
 we must face the consequences.  You know that as well as I." He gently placed his hand on
 the curve of her cheek, tracing the shape of her face with his fingers and thumb.  She
 leaned her hands into his hand, still looking at him.

	"I do not wish to lose you, my Prince."

	He smiled, leaning down to kiss her.  "You will never lose me, my Angel." His lips
 settled onto hers gentle but the kiss quickly turned passionate as she reached up with her
 free hand to grasp him around the neck, kissing him fiercely.  Endymion was caught off
 guard at the passion in her kiss.  She stepped onto the toes of his boots to get closer to
 him, deciding absently that the ridges of his armor didn't hurt that much after all if she
 could be this close to him.  She locked her fingers into the rough silk of his hair,
 keeping his head down as she boldly explored his mouth with her tongue.  She felt his
 surprise through the sudden stillness in his body.  She continued to kiss him, suddenly
 feeling very vulnerable.  If he pushed her away...

	Endymion froze as Serenity began to deepen the kiss of her own initiative.  He was
 at a loss for several seconds and felt her slight hesitation as she continued.  He groaned
 into her mouth and pulled her even closer to him, crushing her against his body armor.  She
 squeaked in surprise as he boldly thrust his tongue into her mouth, dueling with her tongue
 and exploring the secret corners of her mouth.  He marveled at her taste once again. 
 Sunshine and sweetness; freshly fallen rain in a meadow or newly fallen snow.  Never had
 Endymion tasted anything so innocent, so pure, and he knew then he was addicted to her like
 a jockey was to riding.  

	Serenity tore her captured hand out of his grip as she was trapped against his body,
 locked in a passionate kiss, and snaked it around his waist.  Her fingers, of their own
 accord, began to loosen the straps and buckle of his breastplate.  She barely realized what
 she was doing until he jerked as her cool fingers slipped under his shirt and encountered
 the heated flesh of his back.  He tore his mouth off her, breathing heavily, as she slid
 her hand up his back under the loosened breastplate.  

	"Serenity, what are you doing?" he gasped out, loosening his hold slightly on her as
 he looked down into her eyes.

	She opened her eyes to see his passion darkened, midnight eyes staring back at her.
  Flames licked the surface of his pupils as he stared at her and she knew he was
 controlling himself amazingly well.  Her senses were twirling as she breathed raggedly,
 trying to bring herself back down to earth, "Kiss me again, please my love." She asked
 softly, her breathing still far from regular, "I know this is right, I need you to hold me,
 to love me."

	He swallowed hard, "I can do one, my Angel, but the other is for when we are wed."

	She looked at him blankly, as if not catching his meaning and he smiled down at her,
 one of his hands sliding down the bare skin of her back to settled on her waist, his thumb
 gently caressing the bare skin of her spine just above where the waist began.  He bent his
 head and her eyes fluttered closed as he places a gentle, whisper soft kiss on her cheek. 
 She turned her head towards his and he planted a similar kiss on her other cheek. She
 frowned, turning her head towards him again only to receive a light kiss on the nose. 
 "Endymion..." she said in a soft complaint.

	He chuckled down at her, finally brushing a whisper of a kiss across her lips,
 pulling back when she tried to move forward, and teasing her by keeping just out of reach.
  Her brow furrowed in frustration, her eyelids parting so she was looking up at him through
 her lashes, her eyes dark with passion.

	Finally he touched the seam of her lips with the tip of his tongue, tracing the line
 gently, as he settled his lips over hers.  Serenity parted her lips to allow him access,
 tasting his dark flavor greedily.  Her hand, that lay forgotten at the base of his head,
 slid into his hair, burying all five of her fingers into the dark, soft strands.  She
 gripped the back of his head with surprisingly strong fingers, stretching her neck to mold
 her lips to his, angling her head beneath his so she could kiss him, and receive his kiss,
 better.  Endymion's fingers, on her waist, continued to brush liquid fire across the base
 of her spine, igniting desires in Serenity she had only felt around this man.  She knew she
 was playing with fire but could find no reason to stop.

	Serenity slid her still cool fingers up his back, dragging them back down and raking
 her nails gently, but firmly, across his back.  She felt, more than heard, his gasp of
 pleasure and did it again, feeling the sudden spasm of his hands.  His other hand slid from
 her cheek to the curve of her neck, cupping the column in a firm grip as his thumb played
 with one of her earlobes.

	Endymion finally pulled away from her lips, trailing feather light kisses down her
 jaw line and down her throat, tasting the pearly skin with lips and tongue.  He gently
 nipped her, gently, with his teeth, and felt her shiver.  He finally came back up to kiss
 her again, feeling her body shiver against his.  He pulled away, ducking his head, eyes
 closed, to rest on her shoulder.  Endymion fought hard to control himself.  She was playing
 havoc with his emotions and self-control and he knew that if they continued on this course
 they wouldn't be leaving his chambers anytime soon.  As Endymion regained his focus he
 noticed for the first time that he was leaning against the doorjamb for support.  He
 straightened; his knees feeling weak, and locked them, holding Serenity in a tight embrace
 until she stirred, her breathing ragged.  

	"Endymion?" she asked.  Her voice was low, more from suppressed passion than from
 any desire to keep it down.

	"Yes, Serenity?"

	"I have never felt anything like that.  What just happened?" her voice was a
 whisper.

	He closed his eyes, "The earth moved," he replied honestly.

	She giggled softly, "You felt it too, then?"

	He nodded, opening his eyes to look down at her.  She removed her hands from behind
 him and brought them up to rest on his breastplate. He smiled at her, his breathing slowly
 going back to normal as his heart continued to pound.  "Yes, Angel, I felt it too.  We are
 supposed to be meeting your mother."

	She blushed, meeting his nearly black eyes with navy colored orbs, "You will forgive
 me, I pray, if I say I do not wish to see my mother.  Not from any reservations about being
 punished, though.  I do not wish to leave your side this night, my love.  I am home."

	He hugged her tightly and then set her on her feet, "You are forgiven.  You must
 understand, Serenity; that I feel the same way.  I do not wish to go through with this any
 more than you; I could lose you forever this night.  We must go, though we do not wish it,
 to ensure the future of our kingdoms."

	She nodded; sighing regretfully as she checked to make sure her dress was as
 pristine as usual.  Endymion watched her, a slight smile on his face, "You have never
 looked lovelier to me than at this moment, my love.  I hope you know just how much you
 truly mean to me."

	She smiled, backlit by the rising moon.  The silver beams glittered around her, as
 if drawn to her form, like a glowing cape.  "I know, my prince, I know." 

	Endymion let her step towards him and almost pushed her away when she went to put
 her arms around him, but froze instead as she quickly tightened the buckles and ties on his
 armor.  She hugged him briefly and then pulled away. "I hope you, as well, know what you
 mean to me, my love, my Endymion."

	He favored her with a smiled as he presented her his arm, "I know, princess, I
 know."

	Serenity accepted his arm and, together, they exited his chambers to face the
 consequences of their actions.

********

				Secret Garden - Chapter 13

	Queen Serenity and Queen Mindaya greeted each other formally in the throne room in
 the palace of the Earth Kingdom.  The King of Earth was away on business, leaving his wife
 and son in charge of the Kingdom.  The two Queens were dressed in their robes of state. 
 Queen Serenity was looking absolutely breathtaking in her royal gown, the white fabric
 hugging her curves and hiding her feet.  She, and the rest of her entourage, had taken a
 bit of time back on the Moon to adapt themselves to the earth's gravity.  As a result they
 were able to speak to the Royal family much sooner.

	Queen Mindaya was dressed in the blacks, navy blues and dark reds of the court of
 earth.  She wore a plain black dress with an over dress done in red and black roses with
 navy blue leaves.  On her feet were delicate slipper-like boots made from pure obsidian.
 She wore her hair in a long braid down her back and carried a scepter of obsidian and ruby
 in one hand.  To greet the Queen of the moon she wore a smile on her usually dour features.

	They spoke the formal greetings of the court before the two women embraced, hugging
 each other tightly in greeting.  The royal guards of both houses stood off to the side as
 the rulers greeted each other, both sides looking very confused as the Queens embraced one
 another.

	"Serenity, it has been too long since you and I last chatted.  I only with it could
 have been under better circumstances.  It seems we have something of a problem."

	Queen Serenity nodded, smiling at her old friend, "Indeed, Mindaya, we do have a
 problem.  I, too, wish we could have talked under better circumstances.  Where is my
 daughter?"

	Queen Mindaya sighed, "She and my son, Endymion, will be along shortly."

	Queen Serenity sighed and gladly accepted the chair that Mindaya had brought for
 her.  The two Queens settled into them and dismissed their guards as they began to chat
 about various things.  Mostly their children.  After awhile, the inevitable became the
 topic of discussion: the relationship between Endymion and Serenity.

	"I swear, Endymion has been nothing but a terror with the ladies since his 16th
 birthday.  I have never seen him happier than with your daughter though, Serenity, she is
 quite the young woman.  You must be very proud of her."

	Queen Serenity smiled, "Oh, I am.  I regret that I have not yet found the
 opportunity to meet your son, Mindaya, hopefully we can remedy that shortly."

	Mindaya nodded, "Where are those two?" she asked absently.

	Serenity shrugged gracefully, "Perhaps saying their goodbyes?" she said, tentatively
 probing for Mindaya opinion of the relationship.

	Mindaya sighed regretfully, "You are not, perhaps, interested in an alliance with
 the Earth, are you my friend?  I have never seen my son happier than with your daughter. 
 Perhaps we can come to some agreement to keep them together.  They are, after all, soul
 bonded."

	Queen Serenity's face transformed into a huge smile as she reached forward to grasp
 Mindaya's hands, "You have just suggested the very thing I wish to do.  You know, as well
 as I, that with the meeting of those tow that the peace will be shattered in the future. 
 If we join our Kingdoms, perhaps we can be strong enough to fight back the darkness."

	Mindaya sucked in a surprised breath, "Serenity, are you sure?  I mean, I wish for
 nothing more than to see my son, and your daughter of course, happy, but a marriage to
 forge an alliance?"

	"Why not?  If the children do not object to becoming wed, we can build our armies
 and strengthen our forces for the coming battle."

	The doors to the side of the hall opened as Mindaya nodded her accent and both
 Queen's turned to look as the stewards held the doors open for two people.  Queen Serenity
 gasped as she saw the picture her daughter and the dark haired young man made.  She knew
 immediately after seeing them, and catching the glint of a ring on her Angel's finger, that
 an accent to a wedding between these two would be the least of their worries.

	They made a striking pair.  Endymion was dressed in his armor, the lights in the
 chamber glinting and catching the silver edges.  He looks dashingly handsome and
 determined.  Princess Serenity was glowing, more than usual, on his arm.  Her hair draped
 around her like two molten gold rivers, flowing down to her feet and framing her petite
 body.  The two braids wrapped around her forehead looked like some sort of natural golden
 tiara.  Her bare feet peaked out from under her skirt as she walked.  She looked like a
 little porcelain doll, breakable and beautiful.  He was darkness to her light and the
 vision they made told Queen Serenity that these two were meant for each other.

	"Serenity!  Angel, I have been so worried!" the Queen picked up her skirt and walked
 quickly to her daughter.  Princess Serenity, for her part, squeezed Endymion's arm as she
 let go and then went forward to embrace her mother in a firm hug.

	"Mother." She said, smiling.  Her blue eyes held a tinge of fear as she pulled away.

	"Are you alright, my daughter?"

	Princess Serenity nodded, extending her hand to Endymion.  He stepped forward and
 took it, kissing the backs of her fingers as he let his fingers slide between hers. 
 Princess Serenity dropped the bombshell with a calmness she didn't really feel, "I have
 never been better, mother.  Endymion, this is my mother, Queen Serenity.  Mother, this is
 my fiance, Prince Endymion of Earth."

	Endymion bowed to the Queen of the Moon formally as his mother's shocked voice
 carried over, cutting off his greeting, "Fiance?  Endymion, what is this about?"

	Princess Serenity curtsied to the Queen, "It is good to see you again, your
 Majesty." 

	Mindaya nodded her head to the princess and then looked to her son.

	Endymion smiled, his gaze taking in both his mother and the Queen of the Moon, "I
 asked Princess Serenity to marry me this morning.  She has accepted."

	The Princess shy extended her hand to show her mother the ring they had chosen that
 day.  Queen Serenity looked back at Mindaya over her shoulder and winked at her friend. 
 Mindaya came to stand next to Queen Serenity and they both looked at their children.  "Do
 you wish to tell them, or may I have the pleasure?" she asked conversationally.

	Queen Serenity fought to keep a smiled off her face as her daughter and Endymion
 exchanged worried looks, their hands clasping tighter together as if someone would rip them
 apart, "Oh, I really wish to do this, though, if you must, Mindaya dear, you may."

	"Oh I would never deprive you of the privilege, my friend, please, be my guest."

	"You are absolutely positive you don't mind?"

	Endymion had had enough. "Tell us what?" he growled, trying to maintain a civil
 exterior when he was terrified he was about to be torn away from his true love.  His hands
 were shaking and he knew that Serenity, who was now holding him about the waist, was
 shaking and worried as well.  Her eyes held such terror at the thought of being torn away
 from him that he could stand it no longer.  The look was tearing at his heart.

	His mother threw him a look that showed she was very disappointed in him for not
 being able to take this.  She froze when she saw Princess Serenity close to tears, her big
 blue eyes looking frantically at the three of them, her eyes resting on Endymion most of
 the time.  Mindaya could tell by the look that the Princess couldn't take much more of this
 without breaking down.

	"Really Endymion, such a tone," scolded his mother, but there was no anger in her
 voice.  "Serenity, dear, you tell them, your daughter is nearly in tears with worry."

	Queen Serenity looked at her daughter and immediately regretted teasing the
 youngsters.  "Serenity, honey, we were going to ask if you and Endymion would consent to a
 marriage of alliance between the earth and the Moon.  You have just saved us from forcing
 you into it."

	Princess Serenity looked at her mother dumbfounded, tears glittering in her sapphire
 eyes.  "You... you mean you were... just teasing?" she said softly, disbelieving her own
 ears.

	Queen Serenity nodded, smiling kindly, "After all you've put me through a scare did
 you good, I believe."

	Princess Serenity closed her eyes, tears trailing down her cheeks from behind closed
 lashed.  She turned her face into Endymion's shoulder, her arms wrapping around him tightly
 as his arms came around her, holding her close.  "They approve," she murmured, her voice so
 low that Endymion barely caught it.

	He closed his eyes with relief, as if hearing her confirm it, made it real and
 lowered his head so that he was standing cheek to cheek with her.  His breath was soft and
 warm on her ear as he spoke, "I love you."

	Serenity smiled, "And I you, my prince."

	The Queens looked at each other once their bomb was dropped and Mindaya cleared her
 throat delicately, "Now that the two of you know of our plans, perhaps you can take her out
 into the gardens tonight before she leaves, Endymion." She motioned for the prince to exit
 with his fiance, and he quickly left, leaving the two beaming parents alone in the throne
 room.  As the doors closed behind him and his princess he heard his mother asking the Queen
 of the Moon if she had seen her quarters yet.

 ********

 Author's notes: Phew... that took a lot out of me.  Describing stuff and all that can be
 trying *grin* but I've just about finished this thing! Amazing, isn't it?  After all this,
 what started out as being a short ended up as a ten (or will be 10) part story!  So go read
 the last part already, you can mail me when you're finished!  Jade_Max@innocent.com

