Someday SMRFF Lyric-Wheel By: Jessica M. Moonflower E-mail: salud731@earthlink.net Rated: PG-13 Timeline: Alternate Universe Summary: A duel between Prince Endymion and King Marc will determine the fate of Serenity's kingdom and who she'll end up with. Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer applies ANs: The song I used for this fanfic is 'Someday' by Eternal. "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all wrongs." ~Proverbs 10:12 ~~~~~~~~~* *~ Someday When we are wiser When the world's older When we have learned I pray Someday we may yet live To live and let live Someday Life will be fairer Need will be rarer And greed will not pay God speed This bright millennium On its way Let it come Someday *~ Princess Serenity glanced at the dark and thunderous clouds looming over the horizon. Flashes of lightning brightened the sky and quickly faded to just a small spark of light. The biting winds howled furiously over the land, rustling the leaves on the treetops to a swaying motion. She shivered in her pale pink dress as she closed her eyes and sighed. The weather was a bad omen of the duel that was surely on its way. Her kingdom was in trouble, and the cause of it was a neighboring kingdom on a distant country of Cyrene. The ruling king of Cyrene, King Marc, had been after her hand in marriage for months now. She always refused his request for marriage, and would often watch him stomp away with a blinding rage. Eventually, he'd calm down and come back the next day to start the whole process over again. She knew what kind of a man he was--a cruel and manipulative tyrant who brutally beat or killed those who opposed his rule. He thrived on the fear he struck in people's hearts, and walked on those weaker than him. Her first meeting with him had left her utterly repulsed by his presence. His confident and overbearing arrogance made her blood run cold while his dark emerald green eyes stared up and down her figure like she was a piece of meat to be torn apart by savage claws. It made her feel naked and vulnerable under his roving gaze. On numerous occasions he had tried to come onto her in her own home, but was saved just in the nick of time by Prince Endymion. Endymion provided her comfort and security during the times Marc had made it his duty to drop in for a "friendly visit." He didn't trust the King of Cyrene one bit, and decided to act as Serenity's personal body guard. He was always ready to personally remove him off the premises if he ever stepped out of line. Marc was agitated by Endymion's watchful glare and his hovering presence near the Princess. Everywhere he turned, he would be there. He feIt like some criminal they were monitoring every hour of the day instead of the king he was. It started to aggravate him until he decided to do something about it. It was a simple plan really, one that would eliminate the threat Endymion posed on him and guarantee Serenity's hand in marriage. Marc had changed his tactic of proposing. It was just too clever for words, and he wanted to smack himself over the head for not thinking of it sooner. Oh, he had proposed to Serenity as usual, but with an unexpected twist. *~Flashback*~ "Marc, aren't you tired of asking me to marry you?" Serenity stifled a yawn, bored by the usual redundancy of the situation. "I told you before, I will not marry you because I love Endymion." "On the contrary, my sweet, you will agree to marry me this time. For once in my life I won't be the one to leave here empty handed." His mouth curled into a triumphant smirk, his eyes gleamed with the knowledge of something devious but wasn't going to make it known. "What are you talking about?" Serenity tried to keep her voice neutral as if what he had to say wouldn't have any affect on her. However, she felt her whole body quiver with the fact that what he had to say would be something she wouldn't like one bit. "If you don't marry me, Serenity, I'm afraid I'll have to declare war on your kingdom as well as Endymion's." He paused for a dramatic effect before continuing. "You wouldn't want that would you, Serenity? All those innocent lives killed for no reason at all?" "You monster," she whispered, "You wouldn't dare!" He threw his head back and chuckled lightly as if he were laughing at a joke. His laugh made her bristle and her eyes to stare venomously at the man who dared to call himself royalty. "I'm quite serious, my dear, and you know I would do it, too." "No." She turned her head away as she held herself back from running over and straggling him. She saw flashes of her freedom, the love of her life, and her peaceful kingdom taken away from her in an instant. She didn't want to imagine what her future would be like if she were permanently linked to Marc as husband and wife. It was likely she'd hang herself before the night of their wedding. "Say yes, Serenity. It's the only way to avoid all this unnecessary bloodshed." Marc was delighted. She would surely be his now. It was a reasonable proposition, if not, a little unfair, but when had he ever been a fair man? Serenity felt everything close in around her. She was trapped. A simple yes or no would have consequences attached to them. If she said yes, she'd be forced to give up on Endymion and allow her people to suffer once Marc had full control over her kingdom, if she said no, war and bloodshed would break out all throughout the country. Not only would she have her kingdom to worry about but Endymion's as well. She didn't want to drag him into something that didn't concern him at all. If there was one thing she had learned during her years as a princess, it would have to be her willingness to make sacrifices for the common good. Whether she wanted to or not, it was her duty and sole responsibility as the ruler of her people. Before she could respond with a disheartening yes, Endymion burst through the large palace doors. The heavy oak doors slamming against the marbled walls shook colorful tapestries in their place and the polished armor that stood off to the sides. His eyes burned intensely at Marc's unflinching stare. If Endymion's glare had the power to make Marc burst into flames, he would have used it without hesitation. He pulled Serenity into his protective embrace, clutching her to his side like a boy would with his bear, without ever removing his eyes away from him. "Serenity will do no such thing, Marc. I will not allow her to yield to your mindless threats." He growled indignantly, his voice steady and calm. If it were up to him, he would have had his head on a silver platter by the end of the day. "Mindless? Far from it, I dare say. I'm perfectly capable of holding my end of the bargain." "I will not stand aside and let you have Serenity and poison her kingdom with your totalitarian rule!" "She has no choice. It's either my offer or war on both your kingdoms." He shrugged carelessly, his arms crossed over his chest. He made it seem like their situation was merely an everyday occurrence, nothing to be alarmed about. Endymion's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as he felt his blood pressure rise to a dangerous level with his anger. He was ready to draw out his sword from its protective sheath and point it at his throat when he felt Serenity's hand try to restrain him from doing such a rash thing. "Over my dead body, Marc! I will fight you long before you ever claim Serenity or her kingdom as yours," he spat, relaxing the grip on his sword to Serenity's relief. "Done." "What?!" she spoke up after quietly observing the heated exchange between the two men. "I challenge Prince Endymion to a duel in Minerva Forest. Whoever wins, shall get your hand in marriage and everything that comes with it," he responded simply. Serenity's eyes grew wide with fear and astonishment. How did everything go from bad to worse in a span of ten minutes? She faced Endymion while grasping onto the front of his shirt desperately and fiercely. Her nails unconsciously bit deeper into his chest until he started wincing from the pain. "Endymion, tell him you don't accept! Tell him!" She shook him violently to get him to come to his senses. Endymion closed his eyes and pushed her gently to the side. He tried to block out Serenity's desperate pleas and protests as he walked closer to his adversary. He offered his hand to Marc and shook it as the sign of a done deal. "Excellent. I'll have my messenger deliver the exact time and date of the duel in due time." Marc turned on his heels, his cape swirling around him in a wave of soft velvet as he quietly departed. He grinned maliciously as he heard Serenity's cries of anguish resound all throughout the palace before closing the doors behind him. *~End of Flashback*~ Serenity opened her eyes as her tears streamed steadily down her pale cheeks. The fight between Endymion and Marc was inevitable, and a day she had been dreading ever since the day they agreed to it. She knew Endymion was only doing it because he wanted to save her and her kingdom. Although it seemed like a noble thing to do, she wished he had backed down. She couldn't bear the thought of seeing her beloved dead at the hands of Marc. She wiped the tears from her eyes and then laid her arms comfortably on the balcony's railing. Life was so much simpler then. She was once an innocent girl who saw the world as this bright and happy place full of goodness and love. As she grew older though, she started seeing the darker side of it. Violence, greed, poverty, pain, and hatred resided with the good. It tore her heart to see the world like this, but she had always believed that hope, faith, and love will conquer against the evil that threatens to consume the peace and harmony. "Serenity? Serenity?" She turned at the beckoning call of her aging mother, watching her pull back the billowing lace curtains with a delicate hand. Queen Rhea stepped outside with a kind smile on her face. The curtains blew gently behind her, caressing the back of her dress with the soft material. Although a few noticeable lines and wrinkles appeared on her face, she still retained her beauty at her old age. Her mother's brow was creased with worry and sorrow as she examined her daughter's worn and tired face. She knew of the fight that was to take place. It would determine the fate of her little girl and the rest of their kingdom. She could almost feel her pain without even asking her how she was feeling. If only she could shield her sweet angel from all this. "Serenity, what are you doing out here? Do you not want to see Endymion before he departs for Minerva Forest?" She looked away from her mother and ran her hand along the cool marble railing. She traced the black swirls embedded in the white stone with her fingertips as she softly replied, "It's so hard to see him when it's quite possible that I may never see him again. I shudder at the thought of what my life would be like if he wasn't here with me." Queen Rhea watched as her daughter's hand closed into a tight fist on the railing. She gently seized her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "Serenity, you must never give up hope. You must pray for Endymion and believe he will win this. Be strong, my dearest." Serenity leaned forward to place a kiss on her mother's cheek and nodded. "You're right. I must be strong, for Endymion's sake." Serenity gathered her skirts and proceeded to meet Endymion in the royal gardens where she knew he'd be. It was their favorite meeting place, and a place where they have shared many fond memories together. *~ Someday Our fight will be won then We'll stand in the sun then That bright afternoon 'Till then On days when the sun is gone We'll hang on If we wish upon the moon *~ She passed by a few guards on duty who each gave her a slight bow. She greeted them with a passing smile and hurried away. Her shoes lightly stepped on the carpet of green grass below her. She breathed in the fresh air and took off running at a rapid pace towards the rose gardens. Running was an unladylike thing to do, yet she didn't care. It gave her an exhilarating rush and made her feel free. It was almost as if she were a bird flying high above the land and soaring through the clouds. Her pulse quickened and her heart was thumping loudly against her rib cage at the anticipation and longing to spend just a few spare moments with him. An elegant water fountain covered in red rose vines came into view and she slowed her run into a fast walk. She heard the gentle trickling sound of the water coming from the fountain, and it soothed her troubled heart for the time being. As she got closer, she saw a dark haired young man look up and smile at her. He held his arms out for her as she graciously fell into his warm embrace. "You came. I was beginning to think that you didn't want to see me," he whispered gently in her ear while running his fingers through her windswept blond tresses. "Are you kidding? I would never forgive myself if I didn't see you before you departed." She sniffled as a few tears fell from her eyes. Endymion wiped her tears away and kissed her softly on the lips. He knew how distraught this was making Serenity feel. He didn't want to worry her, but he loved her too much to let her go without a fight. "You act like this will be the last time we'll ever see each other again." He pulled her closer to him to savor the feel of her body and scent pressed up against his own. He loved everything about her and he had no reason to doubt if this duel was worth it. If it involved Serenity, she was worth everything and more. "I can't help but fear that I might lose you and yet, I strongly believe that you'll defeat Marc no matter what." "I will. I refuse to die knowing that I have failed you. If I must go down so shall he. I won't have you marry a tyrant like him, and let him practice the same brutality on your kingdom like he does with his." He squeezed her hand to reassure her of his promise. "Please, just end this and come back to me. I love you too much to lose you." Endymion gazed deeply into her tear filled eyes and kissed her deeply before whispering, "I promise." *~ There are some days dark and bitter Seems we haven't got a prayer But a prayer for something better Is the one thing we all share *~ Serenity sat by herself on an ivory bench, long after Endymion had left for his fight. She wanted to go with him to act as his moral support, but it was no place for a princess to be. She twirled a white rose between her fingertips, and buried her nose into the soft folds of the petals to inhale its intoxicating scent. The scent reminded her of Endymion, and how he always smelled of roses. Endymion. How was he doing at this very moment? Was he wounded? Had he gained the upper hand against Marc? She always hated waiting. Waiting made her anxious and think the worst of a current situation. Except this time, her ill feelings were overwhelmingly stronger. She clutched at her heart and found it difficult to breath properly. The rose in her hand was clenched tightly in her fist until the thorns pierced her skin, and she let out a yelp of pain. What was this feeling? Why did she feel like something was amiss? When the mind numbing pain subsided and her vision became less clouded, she dropped the rose in her hand as drops of blood trickled from her bleeding palm to the white rose on the ground. The fresh bloom laid helpless on the dirt with the petals stained red with her blood. She stood up slowly while carefully cradling her hand with the other. She stuck it under the fountain to wash off the blood when a piercing scream disturbed the tranquility she had been occupied in. Her breath was caught in her throat and her ears were straining to hear anymore signs of danger. A loud crash followed the scream moments later, and fear and apprehension rocked the very depths of her heart. She hastily ripped a part of her dress, wrapped her wounded hand in the cloth, and ran quickly back to the palace. The sight of the palace in chaos was something she wasn't prepared for. Servants' screams filled the chaotic scene as they ran in all different directions, some with children in their arms, while the palace guards rushed outside the doors with their swords drawn. Broken china laid shattered on the floor and beyond repair, linen that needed to be ironed and pressed were scattered carelessly on the carpet, and tipped over vases which contained freshly cut flowers were knocked over during the frenzy. She surveyed the mess with confusion and concern. What had caused this to happen? Why was everyone panicking? She carefully walked over shards of glass, and continued walking down the halls in a daze. A palace guard who caught sight of her quickly ran up to her and took a hold of her hand. Serenity let herself be dragged by the guard until she decided to ask him to explain what was going on. "We're under attack, your highness." "Under attack?" Her eyes grew wide with shock. "By whom?" "By King Marc's army, your highness." "His army? I thought he wasn't going to attack my kingdom?" The guard shook his head. He wiped the sweat off his brow before replying, "He lied. It seems like he planned this all along. He wanted to make sure he had your kingdom under his control. I doubt he'd declare defeat if Prince Endymion won the fight, your highness." She was reeling from the information she had received. He had planned this all along? How could she have been so foolish to trust Marc? She should have known better. He had no intention of playing fair from the very beginning. The duel between Endymion and Marc was a ruse to set the stages for an attack against her kingdom. Then that meant--he would kill Endymion whether or not he won! Serenity dug her heels on the plush carpet causing the guard to turn around with a questioning glance directed towards her. "Is something wrong, your highness?" "I-I must go." She pulled her hand away from his grasp and ran in the opposite direction, away from the safety the palace guard tried to take her to. "Your highness! Please come back! I promised the King and Queen to bring you out of this fray." Serenity turned back to give him a sad smile. She was determined to take some sort of action and try to save Endymion. She wasn't going to cower in a corner while her kingdom was being ripped apart by King Marc's relentless army. "Tell my mother and father there was something I had to do, and that I'm sorry." She continued to dodge a few running servants while ignoring the desperate calls of the palace guard to come back. No one was going to stop her. Her mind had been made up long after she came to her startling conclusion. She ran through the open doors of the weapon room where different kinds of swords, armors, and shields were displayed. She reached up and grabbed a sword from one of the display cases, the smooth blade shining in the dim lighting of the room. The sword she held in her hand was a favorite of hers. She used it often whenever she trained with her fighting instructor. It wasn't heavy like most swords, but effective enough to cause a lot of damage if she wanted to. Her fighting skills were superb and matched any skilled fighter on the battlefield. She never got the chance to test out her skills in a fight before, but now was the best time to put it to good use. With the sword in her hand and determination blazing within her sapphire blue depth, she took off for the stables. *~ Someday When we are wiser When the whole world is older When we have learned I pray Someday we may yet live To live and let live One day, someday Someday Life will be fairer Need will be rarer Greed will not pay God speed This bright millennium Let it come If we wish upon the moon One day Someday Soon *~ Beads of sweat dripped off his forehead and onto the soft earth below him. His breaths came out in ragged gasps as he continued to clang swords with the man in front of him. Endymion was exhausted, and had a few cuts and bruises around his face and hands. However, it didn't stop him from keeping a strong stance against Marc who lunged at him mercilessly. He had his fair of share of cuts and bruises as well, but neither showed signs of giving up anytime soon. They both fought with an intensity and severity that fully consumed their natural state of mind. Losing was not an option that crossed their minds. The only rules they had set for this duel was whoever was defeated first won the duel and Serenity. It seemed simple enough, but nothing was ever simple when it came to the King of Cyrene. The duel seemed to rule in Endymion's favor as he delivered a blow to Marc's upper thigh with one swift stroke. It knocked Marc off his feet and caused him to land backwards on the grass. Endymion pointed the tip of his blade to his throat, a victorious grin on his sweaty face. "I win," he gasped. He stepped back to give Marc room to stand up. "You'll leave Serenity, her kingdom, as well as my kingdom alone. You lost this one, Marc. I won fair and square." Endymion turned his back on him to wipe his blade clean with a small handkerchief. He failed to notice the wicked flash in Marc's eye as he slowly stood up and removed a dagger hidden in his left boot. "You fought well, Endymion. I commend you on your skillful fighting techniques. However, I'm sorry to say that you cannot win this one. Especially when your opponent doesn't play fair." Endymion's head whipped around just in time to see Marc make a flying leap towards him with the dagger in his hand. He dodged the leap before the dagger was plunged in his back, but wasn't quick enough to avoid injury. The small blade sliced across his lower torso as blood seeped through his dark blue tunic. Thankfully, the gash wasn't too deep to cause any serious damage. Marc had already picked up his discarded sword off the ground and was prepared to attack Endymion again. Endymion took on a protective stance, his sword blocking off more blows and thrusts. What surprised him the most was Marc's ability to fight with both sword and dagger. He soon found it difficult to avoid injury on either side of his body when Marc alternated between using the two weapons. Endymion was thrown off guard when he received a severe blow to the ankles by the back of Marc's sword. He was thrown off balance, but managed to kick the dagger in Marc's left hand. It flew into the air and out of his reach. Endymion didn't have time to catch his breath as he raised his sword up to keep Marc from slitting his throat with his own. Marc threw his head back and laughed maniacally, his eyes turning a deeper shade of green until it was frightfully menacing with an insane look twisting and distorting his features. Endymion's body screamed in pain. His hands were completely scratched up and bruised from the rigorous fighting he had engaged in earlier, and the muscles on his back ached from the hard impact his body made with the ground. It hurt to breath normally as if his lungs were being squeezed shut. Despite the stabbing pain he felt, he continued to fight. He had made a promise to Serenity and he wasn't going to break it. "What's wrong, Endy? Feeling tired? Don't worry, this will all be over soon once I finish you off." He grinned, pushing his sword further to try and break Endymion's defenses. "I should have killed you when I had the chance." He growled, doing his best to push the blade off of him. "That's what I love about you. You were always the gentleman and the one with the noble heart. Although those are very good qualities, it also makes you a weakling. I should tell you, I gave my army direct orders to attack Serenity's kingdom just before our duel. I told them to take whatever they wanted and kill whoever they wanted, but to leave Serenity unharmed. You should thank me for leaving your kingdom untouched. It'll be one less thing you'll have to worry about." He watched Endymion squirm beneath him with a sick satisfaction. It was only a matter of time before he finally gave up, admit defeat, and accept his fate. "I had you all played like the fools you were, and now I'm going to get everything I ever wanted." "You bastard! You're going to pay for this!" Endymion barked, apprehension filling his thoughts as he thought about Serenity. "How can you stop me if you're already dead. Whether or not you won this duel, I was still going to kill you. My plan was foolproof." Both swords shook violently as both men tried to concentrate their full strength and energy in gaining the advantage over the other. Endymion felt his strength ebbing away little by little as Marc's sword became dangerously close to his throat. Marc noticed his defense was weakening and took full advantage of it by putting all his weight into it to deliver the final strike. "Give up, Endymion. You might as well quit since it'll only prolong your inevitable death." "NO! ENDYMION!" The sound of a shrill cry caused Marc to loosen the pressure he had on his sword. His head perked up to see where the irritating disruption came from, momentarily forgetting about his opponent. Taking his distraction as his cue to regain the advantage, he lifted his left leg up and kicked him hard in the stomach. He fell to the ground, breathing sharply and erratically. He raised his sword to defend himself as he tried to get back on his feet with some effort. Serenity rode into the clearing where she saw the two men fighting. She jumped off the horse with her sword clutched tightly in her hand. She watched Endymion stagger a bit as Marc managed to wound him on his upper arm. She was certain Endymion wouldn't last any longer in the condition he was in. Feeling the adrenaline pumping in her veins and a rush of excitement filling her body, she threw herself into the fight without flinching. Serenity screamed and swung her blade across Marc's left leg. It left a long nasty gash on his skin, and he stumbled back surprised by the unexpected attack. He glanced over to her who continued to lunge furiously towards him. He found it rather intriguing that Serenity had a backbone and was a fierce fighter. He always thought she was a fragile young woman who needed to be handled with care. Now he knew looks sure can be deceiving especially in her case. He shook off the shock of seeing the prim and proper princess turn into a warrior woman and proceeded to fight back. Endymion leaned against a tree to catch his breath until it came back to a normal rate. He was relieved to catch a slight break, but was speechless to see his beloved fighting Marc with great skill and ease. He was unaware of Serenity's fighting ability, but could tell she had the best training in the world. She was focused, had the correct fighting positions, and knew how to handle herself with a sword. He was proud of her nonetheless. Marc, on the other hand, found it difficult to block off Serenity's blows and disarm her. Somehow, she managed to find every available opening he had and didn't hesitate to inflict more wounds on his body. Her eyes were dark and void of any kind of emotion which was unusual for her. She had detached herself from feeling anything except wanting to hurt the man before her, the same man who lied and used trickery for his own personal gain. Deciding it was time to tip the tables a bit so they were back in his favor, his fist made contact with her stomach and knocked the wind out of her. She gasped in alarm and clutched her lower abdomen where he struck her. He advanced forwards and used the back of his sword to strike the back of her head. Serenity fell to the ground, losing her grip on the sword and clattering next to her fallen form. Her vision became hazy and saw the whole forest spin around her. She closed her eyes to try and block off the swirling colors and blurred images that filled her vision. She heard swords clashing and yelling above her. She panicked. She wanted to help Endymion, but was in no condition to get back into the fight just yet. She only had her hearing to rely on for right now to help her figure out what was going on around her. "Serenity may have bought you more time to regain your strength, but I'm going to win this one." "Not if you're going up against me!" Endymion declared confidently. She then heard a loud thud like a body hitting the ground. She opened her eyes, hoping that the haziness had cleared, but she still couldn't see anything. Her vision hadn't recovered to make out solid objects just yet. "It ends here, Endymion." Hearing his name made her cry out desperately, pleading with Marc not to kill him, but it was too late. She heard a sword making contact with soft flesh. Serenity's voice died in her throat as she cried brokenly on the ground at the death of her beloved. She heard the sound of approaching footsteps and a sword being dragged on the dirt ground. She moved away from the footsteps and started shouting insults and curses. "Get away from me, you bastard! I'd rather be hanged than marry you!" She used her legs and arms to kick away Marc. She felt firm but gentle hands enclose around her wrists to keep her from hitting him while the sound of his voice caused her to stop her resistance all together. "Serenity, calm down. It's me, Endymion." "Endymion?" Had she heard right? Was it really him? It sounded like him, but she had to be sure. She opened her eyes and was able to see clearly again. The forest had stopped spinning and she no longer felt dizzy. The pain on the back of her head was still there, but wasn't as excruciating as before. She looked up at the person kneeling in front of her, and was overjoyed to see Endymion's smiling face. She embraced him, showering kisses all over his face, neck, and hands. She never thought she'd be able to hold and kiss him like this again. Now he was here with her, a little bruised and scratched up, but in one piece. After their tearful reunion, Serenity pulled away from Endymion and looked over his shoulder to where Marc lay. A dagger was lodged deep within his chest as blood soaked the front of his shirt. The sword he had been fighting with was held loosely in his lifeless hand. "I thought he was the one who was going to kill you." Endymion stared down at her with a loving tenderness as he brushed away a lock of hair away from her face. He kissed her softly on the lips and shook his head. "No. I wasn't going to let that happen. He tried to when I tripped over a root and was backed up against a tree. He thought he had me cornered until I felt the dagger I knocked away from his hand earlier. It was sitting behind the tree and away from his view. Just as he was about to drive the sword into my chest, I threw his own dagger into his chest." Serenity smiled and hugged him once more. "I'm so glad it's all over." "Me too." He hugged her back until his calm expression dissipated only to be replaced by one of concern. "What about the attack on your kingdom?" "I-I don't know. We better get back." After Endymion helped her off the ground, they heard a horse's hooves beating the ground in a fast gallop. They turned to see a messenger from Serenity's palace approaching them. She turned to Endymion feeling slightly anxious who in turn held her hand tightly in his. "Your highness, I was sent to inform you that the army has retreated. Your kingdom is now safe, but I'm afraid the palace and towns have been badly damaged." "And what of my parents?" Serenity eagerly asked, wasting no time to get information about their well being. "They are both well, your highness." She breathed a sigh of relief and told the messenger to inform her parents about Marc's death and they will be on their way back to the palace shortly. Serenity turned to Endymion with a weary smile on her face. She fell into his embrace once more overjoyed that the threat to her kingdom and her relationship with Endymion was nothing but a distant memory. She laughed thinking about the long lecture and scolding she would be receiving from her mother while her father would just stand there quietly by his wife's side and wink at her. Endymion heard her laugh and smiled down at her. "What, pray tell, do you find so funny?" "I was thinking about how my mother would react to seeing my dress tattered and torn with dirt smudging my face." Endymion's eyes danced with merriment and tapped her on the nose. "Your mother was always the proper lady. She will be shocked to see her daughter rolling around in the dirt like men." They shared a laugh or two, then sobered up when they smelled wood burning in the distance. Curious to see where it was coming from, they mounted up the horse and rode away in the direction of the burning. They slowed down when they saw huge clouds of black smoke coloring the sky and orange flames burning and eating away at the houses up ahead. They heard children crying, saw families covered in soot and ashes who stared at their charred homes, and a few dead bodies laying on the ground. Serenity covered her mouth with her hands, too horrified at the sight. "Endymion, this is horrible. Look at the damage Marc's army caused." He put his hand on her shoulder and watched children try to gather up scraps of food and clothing they could use and survive on. His heart shattered at the sight. These people didn't deserve this--they didn't deserve any of it. "We'll figure out something to help these people. I'll ask my parents to send some supplies over to aid those who suffered the full brunt of the attack." "It's not fair for them to suffer like this." Serenity held back a sob. She felt responsible for their misfortunes when it could have been prevented. She knew it was Marc's fault for stooping so low, but why should royal affairs affect innocent lives? She looked up at the sky and prayed for a better life for these people. "Someday I believe this world will get better with time. We have to believe it will. For now, I trust God will help us through the difficult times." Endymion put his arm around her waist and nodded. "Me too, Sere. Me too." *~ One day Someday Soon *~ The End ~~~~~~~~~* I thought I was never going to get done with this fic. I'm not really satisfied with it, but I tried my best. Please leave your comments since it makes the author happy! ^_^ *Completed June 1, 2003*