Hello readers! Here's chapter 3 of "Weaving a Romance" for your enjoyment. Right below there are some scenes with Darien and the generals, (yes, that dance scene with Zoicite and Malachite as well as Zoi's comment on "always being the lady" were planned. I thought it would be cute what with the DIC dub's gender change on him). But the REAL shocker comes at the end...as I said at the end of #2, it is going to change the way Serena acts for the rest of the story. Very shocking. E-mail SlrUnico@aol.com to comment! I have not as of now recieved ANY feedback on chapters 1-2! I need some! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Weaving a Romance" CHAPTER 3: A Most Distressing Announcement ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Easy does it now, Darien," soothed Jedite. He almost staggered a bit himself as he helped the prince into his chambers. "Confounded girl," grumbled Darien. His friend surpressed a smile as he recalled the scene on the ball room floor that evening. While he had charmed some Moon girl, oh, he didn't recall the name, Darien was getting his foot smashed by the Imperial Princess of the Moon Kingdom herself! It was utterly priceless...the look on the prince's face and the triumphant Serena leaving him near moaning in pain...the chaos as the crowd tried to make sense of what had just happened and the fierce gossiping when they learned the truth. Imagine...the princess of the Moon and the prince of the Earth in a bitter feud! It was almost to good for the grapevine of either kingdom to believe! "I mean," continued Darien, "what did I ever do to her?" "Nothing," replied Jedite, knowing that any other answer would bring on his friend's wrath. "Except that, well, you two definatly do not mix." Darien chose not to answer that one out of sheer spite. He had been quiet all through the beam ride back to the Earth, silently reflecting on the evening's events. Serena was unlike any girl he had ever met in his life. She made him crazy with a strange feeling every time he saw her. An alien feeling...that he depicted as anger. Jedite helped Darien to his bed and started back toward the door. "I'll go inform your parents we've returned." The prince nodded, suddenly exhausted. "Very well." Suddenly there was a noise outside of the door and the sound of footsteps. It sounded as if someone was arguing. "I think the best way to approach it is with rational but firm handling..." "Oh come off it, Neflite. We need to take immediate action or the revolts will spread faster than we can control them." "But the people have nothing to do with it, they're just pawns in Beryl's game!" The voices stopped outside of the door, and Darien could see the shadows of Zoicite, Malachite, and Neflite. "Hey there, Dar," called the form of Zoicite. "Have fun?" The other two snickered as they entered the room. "Yeah," chorused Malachite. "We all heard about your little...accident!" "Do ya' need an ice pack for your foot, Dar?" asked Neflite. "I'm sure Princess Serena has one, she was REALLY cold to you!" He and the other two burst into laughter and even Jedite had to cough down a chuckle. Darien glared at them darkly. "Knock it off." But they would have none of it. "Oh Prince Darien!" said Zoicite in a high pitched and girlish tone, "You're sooooooo wonderful!" "Yes, I know," said Malachite in a deep and booming voice. "Here, let's dance." The two clasped hands and with Neflite and Jedite providing a waltz of tapping feet and humming, danced around the room. "Oh DARIEN!" said Zoicite with a giggle. "You're sooooooo charming!!" "I know," Malachite responded. Then he leaned over and made a kissing noise. "Gay alert, gay alert!!" screeched Neflite and Jedite in unison. Malachite made a growling noise with his throat. "Never mind," Jedite said laughing. "I apologize. That was un-called for." "Well, I don't!" chortled Neflite. "I think it's hysterical!" Ignoring their friends' remarks Malachite and Zoicite continued their dance until Zoicite, in one sudden movement, brought his boot clad foot down on his partner's toes. Malachite exaggerated a loud scream and then collapsed to the floor in a fit of laughter. "The end," chuckled Zoicite. Darien was glaring steadily at them. Jedite, seeing this, intervened. "That sure was funny guys. Zoicite, you make a good girl." "Why do I always have to be the lady, any ways," pouted Zoicite. "Because you're a pansy," muttered Darien. "AM NOT!!!" "Are too!" "Am not!" "Are too!" Malachite broke in. "Come off it you two, you're acting like toddlers." He examined his nails thoroughly as the others quieted down. "Much better." Darien groaned and leaned back on his bead wearily. The night had left much to be desired, all thanks to the Moon Princess. "Slip of a girl," he murmured in an annoyed tone. "Such an innocent child." And yet, he thought, there is something odd about her that I can't quite place... Serena was trying to look interested. Really, she was! But it was hard to when her mother was reprimanding her. Especially for something Serena wasn't sorry she had done. "...but I never expected in a million years you would do something so childish! Serena, where was your head?" You mean my simple minded one? she thought slyly. "I must not have had my wits about me, Mother." Her head continued to replay the image of herself stomping on Darien's foot, so much that it got to the point where she had to hold in a giggle. "I should say you didn't! Really, Serena..." Serenity shook her head. "I don't know what we're going to do with you and the Prince. Keep you apart like little babies? You two just cannot be civil to one another, Serena! Celia and Aaron and I cannot understand your problem. Please be so kind as to explain." Serena bit her lip. "Weeeeell, I dunno exactly... ummm...he's just so darn frustrating, Mother!" She was filled with fire. "You've never been around Darien much at a time, and when you have been he's different. I think he just hates me for some reason. All because I fell into him that day when we met, and that was totally by accident!! And now every time he sees me he just, just, I dunno, he always seems to have some sort of catty and arrogant remark - and ugggh, his arrogance, someone needs to get him off his high horse, Mother! He thinks he's king of the world and he sure as heck, pardon me, isn't!!! I mean, I'M more important than he is, and you don't see me acting all snobby and putting on airs!" She was out of breath, but hopefully she had gotten her point across. Serenity did not look amused in the least little bit. "Serena," she said in a calm and controlled voice, "you will be courteous and nice before Prince Darien and his family or else. Is that understood?" "Yes ma'am." "Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and try and un-do this great political damage you and the prince have managed to get us into with your fighting." Serenity left, her white gown sweeping up the tile stones behind her. Serena sighed and marched up the stairs to her room. Once again Darien had succeeded in getting another lecture out of her mother, who never seemed to tire of giving them. "I wonder if Queen Celia and King Aaron chew him out like Mother does to me after these incidents?" she mused aloud, reaching her bedroom. "Probably not," she decided, once inside. She lay down on her bed and contemplated her options, which were not very many. "What am I going to do about Darien," she murmured, hugging her pillow to her chest. "I can't exactly avoid him for the rest of my life...no matter how awesome that would be. I guess I'll have to learn to be 'civil' around him." The princess snickered. "Yeah right, in the next millennium or so." A thin wave of music reached her ears, traveling up to her room from the dancing going on downstairs. Serena wondered where Mina and the others were. She figured they were probably all having fun dancing. Darien wasn't...she had seen him and his friend leave on the beam right after the incident with his foot, cutting short their time at the ball. After awhile her loneliness consumed her and she felt the compelling urge to get up and DO something. "But what?" Serena grumbled. "Everyone who's ANYONE is at the ball." Except for me, she finished silently. And Darien, but certainly THAT toadstool doesn't count as "anyone". More like an amoebae or something. Not feeling like going down to the ballroom and facing all of the guests after her little episode with the prince, she sighed and leaned back on her bed... soon drifting off to sleep. Dawn was an unwelcomed thing in Serena's room the next morning. During the night she had woken up and changed into her nightgown, only to find Raye, Mina, Lita, and Amy sprawled on her bedroom floor still in their dresses from the ball. Serena had been too tired to care that they must have come back to her chambers and fallen asleep there while talking about the boys they danced with and the clothes the other society belles wore. She stretched out her arms as the rays of sunlight creepily made their way in through her window only to rest on her bed sheets. "Go away," she muttered, trying to escape their harsh glare by rolling onto her side. "Oh, it just can't be morning yet, it seems like just a few moments ago I stomped on Darien's foot..." A sleepy smile crept onto her face. What a wonderful memory. It would almost be worth getting out of bed just to see what the Moon Kingdom newspaper had reported of the whole thing. A snore from the foot of her bed reminded her that the Princess of Jupiter was still draped across the carpet like some fallen woman, most likely accompanied by the other three Inner Planet Princesses. Serena's hand fumbled about her bed sheets for a small throw pillow and tossed it in front of her off of the bed. A startled yelp sounded and the yawning head of Mina peeped over the mattress at her friend. "What in heaven's name was that for, Serena?" she demanded, her slightly tousled blond hair sending a stray lock over her eyes. She brushed it aside in irritation. Serena giggled. "Just making sure you all were awake. How is the situation down there?" Mina's head disappeared for an instant before returning to Serena's view. "Lita's asleep, but Amy's just starting to wake up. Raye's not here. Musta gotten up a mite earlier." Serena nodded. "Morning, Amy," she remarked, rising to a sitting position upon seeing a blue haired head appear next to Mina's. "Good... morning, Serena. Oh dear," she exclaimed in an almost apologetic voice. "Whatever are we doing in your room?" A snore erupted from Lita. "We fell asleep," laughed Mina crazily as she whacked her noisy friend upside the head. "Hey, Lita, what are you trying to do, wake up the dead??" Amy frowned. "We fell asleep? I know that, but how did we end up in here?" Lita opened one eye to gaze critically at Mina, then closed it. "I guess I DID wake up the dead," she responded in a grumpy tone, "'cause just about the dreariest looking corpse I've ever seen is sitting right in front of...oh, I'm sorry Mina, it's you. You really must do something about your morning breath, it smells like rotting flesh, ya' know." Amy turned green and ran to the bathroom. Serena laughed and held her stomach. "Good one, Lita, but next time try to keep the graphic descriptions less, well,...graphic!" Mina's eyes narrowed to mere slits. Before anyone could say a word, she snatched the pillow that Serena had thrown and clobbered Lita with it. A pillow fight ensued between the two girls. Meanwhile Amy came back looking a little better. "I think," she quipped, sitting on the edge of Serena's bed - a safe distance from the slight warring of Lita and Mina - "that there was something rather disagreeable in that caviar last night...I just had a slight case of morning sickness." Serena wrinkled her nose in pure disgust. "Ewww...fish eggs...of COURSE you'd be sick after eating that, ANYONE would." "So much for the novel and widely held idea that princesses have refined tastes!" laughed Lita as she dodged one of the pillows flying at her. "Truce, Mina, truce!" Mina was laughing also, and after swatting her friend one last time with Serena's stuffed rabbit, she put it down and leaned back on her elbows. "Hey," Lita remarked, glancing around. "Where's Raye?" "Right here," came a voice. The door opened and Raye appeared standing there with a platter of food teetering in her hands. The entire tray was endanger of falling. Luckily Serena and Mina got to her aid just in time. "Whew!" gasped Raye. "Thank goodness, I thought I was going to drop the whole load before I got up here. Thanks guys." "Never mind the thanks," interrupted Serena, smacking her lips. "What about the food - what all did you bring up? I didn't have anything but a few cookies last night before, well," she broke off, seeing the others' smirks, "that little accident." "Serena," Amy interjected, "your 'little accident' had the potential of causing an international incident -- just what were you thinking??" Serena tried to look innocent. "My, ahhh...foot slipped?" "I can only imagine what your mother had to say about the whole thing." "Alot." The Moon princess sighed wearily. "Honestly though, Amy, why do you have to always play the mother hen at times like these. I said it was an accident and I already got enough of Mother's reprimanding last night without you putting in your two bits. Besides, what matters is that arrogant son of a gun had it coming." "So you admit it!" Lita pounced on the remark like a lion on a gazelle. Serena had to struggle to hide her guiltiness. "I never said that...exactly." "Let's drop it," muttered Raye irritably. "The food is getting cold and I refuse, absolutely REFUSE to go back into that kitchen and warm it up. So Serena, unless you have a hankering for cold eggs and lukewarm bacon I suggest you work you mouth at chewing rather than talking." "Temper temper," replied Serena, stuffing a biscuit in her mouth. Later that day, Serena was walking around her garden having fun simply knowing that it was a beautiful afternoon and she was a part of it. Part of her good mood was attributed to the fact that the Moon Kingdomer had written up a nice sized piece about the ball and her behavior towards Prince Darien. "The imperial princess Serena," the article quoted, "was radiant and charming as always, excepting her attitude about dealing with his highness Prince Darien of the Earth who also attended the royal ball. This was brought to public light after she and he exchanged a few words and after a particularly nasty accident, sent the princess to her chambers and the prince storming home to Earth." Serena could scarcely hold in her laughter as her mother had read her the article in chastisment. So Darien had left in a raging huff! she thought. Serves him right. I hope his planet's newspapers took note of that. The only downside, (even though in Serena's opinion it was a slight one) was that her mother had been fuming. She had not gone as far as sending word to the Kingdomer editor that she was displeased, but had somehow found the time to give Serena another one of her famous lectures to which Serena had been no stranger since Darien came on the scene. The princess sighed. But it was well worth it. At least she didn't see the article they wrote up in "Royal Grapevine", she thought with a giggle. "Highness?" A voice came from behind and when Serena turned to see who it was she smiled even wider. "Gretchen," she addressed the maid. "What can I do for you?" "Your mother requests your presence in the drawing room." "What for?" Serena asked. Maybe she DOES know about the Grapevine article! her mind thought feverishly. Oh, she'll just KILL me when she realizes I knew and I didn't tell her...but if I keep it cool... Her silent plans distracted her so much that she almost missed what Gretchen's reply was. "There are some visitors here to see you and your mother." "Guests!!" laughed Serena. "Probably some duchess and her son or something, oh that's all right Gretchen, you don't have to tell me who, I'd rather be surprised!" She skipped off, leaving the maid far behind. Her good mood was back. Guests were so much fun! And when they were REALLY important people from other kingdoms her mother served those yummy cookies and tea! Oh, this really was an event to look forward to! Once she reached the drawing room, she brushed off her dress and made sure she looked presentable. Good thing her gown was appropriate for a meeting...it was a light baby blue with two little bows tied onto her pigtails and Morocco slippers the shade of icicles. Amy had helped her pick it out at a Mercurian boutique, which explained the color. "Psst!" Serena whipped around, her pigtails creating a temporary curtain around her. "Huh?? Who's there?" A shrub appeared to be talking! "Serena, who's that hottie??" "Huh?" The leaves sprouted four heads: Mina's, Lita's, Amy's and Raye's. "That guy!" whispered Mina. "Some guy just walked into the drawing room...we saw him with our own eyes!" Serena put her hands on her hips. "And just WHAT do you four think you're doing spying?" "We're not SPYING," hissed Raye. "We just happened to be walking by at the same moment...right after we watched that neat transportation beam land and those people get out." Serena sighed. "I have to go in, okay? My mother and whoever else is in there has requested my presence." "Put in a good word for me!" Mina insisted. "With that guy, the blonde one! Remember, her royal highness Princess Mina Victoria of Venus, daughter of Stefanie and Tyrell...the royal monarchs of Venus. I enjoy dancing, watching the stars..." Serena chose to ignore her friend's babbling and instead opened the door and peered inside. She saw her mother, radiant as always, seated on the love seat. Opposite her were the two arm chairs, one holding a woman who looked a little familiar, but not so much the princess could name her right off the bat. And in the other chair... "Bruce!" Serena squealed. "Oh it just can't be!!!! But it is!" Her mother and the other woman stood and smiled as the tall, fair haired man she had greeted ran to hug her. "Serena, my heavens, it's been ages!!" "Ages upon ages on ages!" she laughed as he twirled her around in his arms. It had indeed been a long time since Serena had laid eyes on her friend, Prince Bruce of the planet Lerence. Their mothers were cousins distantly related, and also old friends. Serena and Bruce had often gotten together when they were younger, though the last time they'd seen each other they'd been just two little kids. Serena figured that she herself couldn't have been more than six or seven. After that Bruce had gone off to academy, as most young nobles did. He stayed on Lerence year round, and she'd never heard of him coming to the Moon's realm, which was an entirely different galaxy, for business or anything recently. She wondered briefly why he was there now, but dismissed the question in her head immediately. "Surprised?" asked Serenity from beside Queen Estelle, Bruce's mother. "I thought you might be. Bruce and Estelle here were not supposed to be due in for awhile, but I had them come up now." The two queens looked at each other with faces that Serena could not read. Bruce did not notice, and was still staring at Serena. "Darling, how lovely you look, and how grown up. Last time I saw you, why...you were scarcely knee high to a grass hopper!" "And I suppose you were so much taller," she teased back. "Honestly, Bruce, we were practically the same height...and still are!!" It was true, their builds were almost just the same. They looked almost like twins...blonde hair, laughing smiles... If it wasn't for Bruce's green eyes they would have been a close call to identical. Bruce chuckled and nodded. "I stand corrected!" He then leaned over her hand and kissed her fingers, a lock of golden hair falling in his face. Serena giggled as he rose back up. "You're such a charming gentleman, my dear Bruce! Unlike SOME certain princes who SHALL remain nameless..." "Dear," reprimanded Serenity. "Not here." Bruce looked at her with a puzzled expression as did Estelle. Serena sighed and rolled her eyes. "So, anyway, Bruce, why are you here?" Bruce looked quickly at his mother, who looked at Serenity. "You mean you haven't told her?" exclaimed Queen Estelle in awe. Serenity shook her head calmly. "No, I hadn't gotten around to it, the time...hasn't been right." Serena felt an odd sensation at the pit of her stomach. Like something was about to happen. "What?" Her mother glanced at Bruce and then at Serena. "Well, you see, Prince Bruce and Queen Estelle aren't just here for a small and meaningless visit. You and Bruce have been betrothed to each other since you were born, daughter, and now is the time to carry out the arrangement." The princess looked at the three people blankly. "I...I don't understand." "Serena," Serenity said patiently. "Bruce has come to marry you." At that moment the world fell out from underneath Serena's feet and things went hazy. Why is it getting dark? she thought to herself sleepily, it's not night time yet..., right before she blacked out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Does it seem as if Serena is always fainting in my stories? (see "The End of the Sailor Soldiers" - Dancing and Romancing to see what I mean). She's a very emotional young girl, and I think that a fainting spell was in order to capture the essence of the drama. Tune in next time for Chapter 4, in which the Inner Princesses learn of the wedding as well as another very important character that we all know and love...Darien. What are their reactions? The truth may shock you. See you then! E-mail SlrUnico@aol.com to comment!