Stars of Destiny

Chapter 8

Prince Endymion did not disappoint. Queen Serenity smiled down at the letter in her hand. His father had extended an official invitation for them to visit their court. She folded the delicate parchment neatly. Queen Serenity's intuition had not been wrong. The prince had not been able to stay away. She couldn't wait to tell Serenity the good news. She was about to rise from her seat in her chambers to find her daughter, when a feeling of foreboding came over her.

The strange sensation opened up in the pit of her stomach once again. That nagging feeling of events sailing out of her control returned. She could feel the hand of destiny pushing events. Something had shifted into place, irrevocably changing the course of their lives. For a brief moment, she considered declining the offer. She didn't like not knowing what was coming.

Footsteps disturbed her thoughts. She headed to her door in time to see Serenity drifting aimlessly down the corridor. According to the Sailor Guardians, Serenity hadn't been herself since Endymion left. Even the queen had noticed how often her daughter's eyes were raised to Earth filled with hope and sorrow.

"Serenity!" She called to her daughter.

Serenity answered without her usual exuberance. Joining her daughter in the hall, Queen Serenity linked arms with her. "Let's take a walk."

Serenity accented, but couldn't bring herself to make much conversation. She stifled a sigh that rose in her throat as her mother led her out to the garden. The same garden she and Endymion shared their first kiss. It had been such a magical moment. Now, the garden wasn't so much of a magical memory as it was a reminder of the man she could no longer see. Her eyes strayed to the bench where she spent so much time in his arms.

"Do you miss him that much?" Queen Serenity inquired.

Serenity released a pent up sigh. "You know I do. I know that I haven't exactly been myself. It's just hard."

Her mother nodded and pulled her in for a hug. "I have news for you." She held up the letter. "Prince Endymion's father has invited us to their kingdom." She watched her daughter's face light up with joy. Her laughter rang out as she gave her mother a tight hug and raced off, no doubt to tell the guardians about the invitation. Queen Serenity watched her go with a mixture of joy and wariness.

The queen returned to her chambers, deep in thought. An alliance with Earth's kingdom would be beneficial. She felt certain Prince Endymion would propose to her daughter once they saw each other again. Their bond had formed extraordinarily quickly. However, that sense of foreboding still bothered her. She summoned the outer guardians. Uranus and Neptune arrived soon after, bowing to their queen.

Her chamber door closed on the sound of Serenity's joyful laughter and chorus of cheers from the other Sailor Guardians. Queen Serenity smothered a smile and spoke. "I assume you know why I've called you here."

Uranus exchanged an amused glance with Neptune and replied. "We ran into the princess on the way here."

Queen Serenity couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her lips. Clearing her throat, she continued. "Good. I will accept their invitation. We will leave in the next day or so."

"We will watch over the princess without fail." Uranus pledged.

"Thank you. I have an additional request for both of you." All amusement had gone out of her voice. Uranus and Neptune looked up in surprise and alarm at their queen.

"Did something happen?" Uranus asked urgently.

Queen Serenity shook her head. "No, but something will. I don't know what. I can just feel...something on the horizon. Something dark. When we go to Earth, I need you both to keep an extra close eye on Serenity."

"Your majesty, if it's not too bold a question. Why are we going if you sense danger?" Neptune inquired.

Queen Serenity smiled gently. "The die has been cast. I have a feeling events have already been set in motion. I would rather we rise to meet this darkness, than have it break down our doors."

Little did she know how prophetic her words would become.