Well, here it is, the fourth and concluding part.  
If I need to remind you again [and I assure you, this 
will be the *last* time], the ideas from "Anastasia" are 
the property of 20th Century Fox Films, and Sailor Moon 
and all its characters are owned by Naoko Takeuchi, and 
copyrighted by Toei, Kodansha Ltd., Bandai, and DiC.  I 
never have and *sigh* never will own these ideas.  If I 
did, let's just say I wouldn't be a poor college student 
anymore!  Enjoy! 



Memories of Yesterday
Chapter Four
by Sailor Elysia



     Sere was in the outer gardens again.  But this 
time, it was with her mother.  So much had happened in 
the last three weeks since she had come here.  She 
discovered her true identity as the princess, and little by 
little, started to recover some of her childhood memories, 
with the help of old pictures and journals she had found.  
Her mother was also planning to throw a large party in 
her honor.
     Sere tried to listen to her mother explain the 
details of the party, but the garden reminded her too 
much of Endymion.  If only he was still here, then 
everything would be perfect.
     Serenity noticed her daughter was no longer 
paying attention.  This worried her because, even though 
she finally had her daughter back, Sere still seemed 
withdrawn and distant.  "I sense something is troubling 
you, darling.  Would you care to tell me about it?  Is it 
about something or someone, perhaps?"
     Sere's head shot up, and she glanced into her 
mother's knowing eyes.  Was it *that* obvious?  She took 
a deep breath and tried to put everything she was feeling 
into words.  "Well, I was thinking about someone.  He 
and Artemis came with me to meet you.  We became 
good friends along the way, *really* good friends."  She 
blushed.  "He even taught me how to dance."
     Serenity sat down next to her daughter, and 
placed an arm around her shoulder, listening in silence as 
Sere poured her heart out.
     "Then, on the day I finally met you, he left 
without an explanation."  A tear trickled down Sere's 
cheek.  "I tried to get him to stay, but--but he was so 
cold towards me.  He just walked away, and I haven't seen
him since."
     The queen pulled her daughter close to console 
her, and she started sobbing uncontrollably into her 
shoulder.  Serenity stroked Sere's head gently.  So that's 
what all this was about.  Her little girl, now a beautiful 
young woman, had experienced her first brush with love, 
but it had just brushed her aside.
     She suddenly had an idea that could help bring 
Sere out of the dumps. "Luna?" she called.  In a matter of 
minutes, the black cat was at her feet.  "You called for 
me, your Majesty?"
     "Yes. Would you take the princess back to her 
room, and then find Artemis?  Tell him to meet me in my 
parlor as soon as possible."


          ~*~*~*~*~*~


     "Luna said you wanted to see me, your Majesty?"  
Artemis said from the open doorway.
     Serenity looked away from the bay window.  
"Yes, Artemis, perhaps you can help me.  My daughter 
informed me of another who accompanied you here.  Tell 
me more about him."
     Artemis' tail twitched nervously, and stared at 
the floor.  "Well, Endy is. . . for lack of a better word, 
he's an interesting fellow.  He prefers to keep to himself.  
Why do you ask?"
     "I figured you would know him the best after 
spending so many years with him.  Do you have any idea 
where he might be?"
     The white cat looked up into the kind face of his 
queen.  "I believe he's staying somewhere in town until he 
can earn enough money to return to the moon."


          ~*~*~*~*~*~


     A loud knock on the door jolted Endymion out 
of a deep sleep.  He stumbled half-awake to the door and 
opened it to find a surprising visitor.  "Artemis?  What 
are you doing here?  You've never knocked like that."
     "Endy, we need to talk," Artemis replied, as he 
walked in.  Only then did Endymion look up and notice 
the shadowed figure still standing in the doorway.  
"Artemis?  Who did you bring with you?"
     The cat looked over his shoulder.  "Actually, 
she brought me.  She's the one who needs to speak with 
you."
     Endymion was fully awake now, and dreading 
the answer to that remark.  "She?  Artemis, please tell me 
you didn't. . . "
     "He didn't."  The stern yet soft voice of the 
figure replied, as she stepped into the light of the fading 
sunset.  Endymion gaped at the woman standing before 
him.
     "Queen Serenity?"


          ~*~*~*~*~*~


     "I don't understand.  Why have you come to see 
me?"  He sat on the unmade bed, and she seated herself 
in the overstuffed chair across from him.
     Serenity looked directly at him.  "It concerns my 
daughter, young man.  It has come to my understanding 
that you and she are good friends, and she has expressed 
to me how much she would like to see you again."
     Endymion looked down at his hands.  "I-I can't."
     "And why not?  What's keeping you away?"
     He didn't answer.
     Serenity decided to use her last resort.  "Prince 
Endymion, look me in the eye and tell me why you won't 
visit my daughter!"
     His head shot up, shocked at her form of 
address.  The queen's face softened, and she sat back in 
the chair, an amused smile crossing her lips, knowing she 
would get a reaction from that.  "You didn't think I would 
know, did you.  The first time Artemis mentioned your 
name, I knew it sounded familiar, but I didn't realize it 
until I saw you myself.  You are the spitting image of your 
mother, god rest her soul.  If only your parents were alive 
to see you now."
     "I don't know what to say," he replied hoarsely, 
still in shock at hearing all this from the Queen.
     "Do you love her?" Serenity asked abruptly.
     "Excuse me?"
     She stared at him intently.  "Are you in love 
with my daughter?"
     Endymion knew he couldn't deny the truth any 
longer.  "Yes, Queen Serenity, I am.  I love Sere and 
would do anything to be with her again."  She nodded, 
content with his answer.  "If you love her that much, you 
have my blessing.  Alliance or no alliance.  Nothing 
should stand in the way of love, especially one as strong 
as this."
     His eyes widened, trying to grasp the full 
meaning of what she had just said.  "Do--do you really 
mean that?"
     Serenity smiled. "Yes, I do.  But there's 
something I want you to help me with first.  I have a plan 
to bring you two back together."


          ~*~*~*~*~*~


     Later that evening, Serenity knocked on the 
door to her daughter's room, then opened it slowly.  
"Everyone is waiting for you, Serenity.  Are you coming 
down any time soon?"
     Sere sat at her vanity table in only her petticoat, 
her chin in her hands.  Her dress still hung in the 
wardrobe, untouched.  "Why, Serenity, dearest, you're not 
even dressed.  What ever is the matter?"
     Sere sighed.  "Do I have to do this, Mama?  I 
really don't feel like going tonight."
     Serenity pulled the white dress from its place in 
the wardrobe, and laid it on the bed, smoothing out the 
wrinkles.  "Now, dear, I know you're not used to all these 
parties, but everyone did come to see you.  I know of 
some young men that are especially anxious to meet you.  
Now, come put your dress on, and then I'll fix your hair."
     Sere reluctantly stood up and went over to the 
bed.  She stepped into the silky gown and stood silently 
as her mother buttoned up the back and tied the bow at 
the waist.
     Serenity picked the hairbrush up from the table 
and began brushing Sere's long golden tresses.  She 
parted it in half, twisted each into a bun on top of her 
head, and secured them in place with matching pearl 
barrettes.
     "There, now you look like a princess--royal 
hairstyle and all."  She took Sere's chin in her hand and 
lifted it so she could look at her fully.  "Please, try to 
have fun tonight.  Who knows, you might even enjoy 
yourself."  Serenity handed her the mask she had chosen 
to wear, and led her out the door.


          ~*~*~*~*~*~


     Sere tried her best to stick to the shadows of the 
grand ballroom, but it was no use.  She was constantly 
pulled out onto the dance floor by one eager young man 
after another.  She finally managed to escape to a secluded 
balcony after dancing with a young man who had 
continually stepped on her toes.  She massaged her aching 
feet, and drank the fresh air in deeply, grateful for the 
chance to finally be alone.
     Sere leaned over the railing, staring up at an 
endless sea of stars.  The full moon hung in the sky, and 
she recalled her mother saying they planned to return 
there sometime soon.  
     Suddenly, she realized she was no longer alone.  
She turned around quickly, and saw a young man decked 
out in a tuxedo, cape, and hat standing in the doorway.  
A small white mask covered his eyes.  "May I join you, 
my lady?" he asked softly.
     'He doesn't seem like the others, the bunch of 
animals.  They practically jumped every time I looked at 
them.  For some reason, this feels right,' Sere thought.  
Not wanting to appear impolite, she nodded her head 
slightly in his direction.
     A small smile crossed his lips, disappearing as 
quickly as it had come.  He walked over to the opposite 
side of the balcony, and leaned on the railing.  After 
several moments of awkward silence, Sere decided to try 
to start a conversation with this mysterious young man.  
"It's a beautiful night, don't you think?"
     "Not nearly as beautiful as the company I'm in," 
he replied.  Sere blushed visibly at his comment.  
Whoever he was, he certainly knew how to choose his 
flattering words wisely.
     He faced her now, and gently took one of her 
hands in his gloved one.  "I hope you don't think me too 
forward since we haven't properly introduced ourselves, 
but would you do me the honor of granting me a waltz?"  
For some reason, the words--not to mention the voice--
sounded *very* familiar to Sere, but she didn't know why.  
She curtsied, accepting his offer to dance.
     As the two waltzed beneath the starlit sky, she 
became more and more determined to find out more 
about this mysterious and handsome young man who had 
captured her attention so easily.
     "What brings you here tonight?" Sere asked.  He 
looked into her eyes, partly hidden by her feathery white 
mask.  "Same thing as most everyone else here, I suppose.  
I'm just like any other person, a prince continuously 
searching for his princess."  She blushed again, grateful 
for her mask to hide it.  Her curiosity was getting the 
best of her, and she reached up to peek under his mask. 
     A small smile played around his mouth, his eyes 
following her movements, and his hand grabbed hers in 
midair.  "Sorry, princess.  You know the rules.  Everyone 
removes their mask at midnight.  You've still got two 
more minutes."
     Her eyes widened in shock and surprise.  "How 
did you know I was the prin--" 
     He released her hand, brought two fingers up 
and placed them on her lips to quiet her.  "I have my 
ways," he replied.  He removed his fingers, bent down, 
and softly kissed her on the lips.
     Sere quickly lost herself in his warm touch and 
gentle kiss.  How could someone she'd only known for a 
few minutes captivate her heart so easily?  She 
reluctantly pulled herself away as the clock chimed 
midnight.  "I sincerely hope this isn't a fairy tale," 
she murmured.
     He stepped back and gently lifted her mask 
away from her face.  Her eyes shimmered in the 
moonlight as she brought her hands up to remove his 
mask.  A loud gasp of shock and joy leapt from her throat 
when she saw his face.  Only one man had deep blue eyes 
and a smile that could melt her heart like the one she saw 
before her.
     "Is it. . . is that really you?" Sere stammered.
     "Well, I could pretend to be someone else, if 
you like," Endymion said with a grin.
     Sere shook her head quickly. "No, never.  I love 
you just the way you are."  His facial features softened 
immediately.  "Do you, Sere?  Do you mean that?"  Her 
face flamed bright red, realizing what she had just said. 
After a moment, she looked up at him again.  "Yes, Endy. 
I really mean it.  I love you with all of my heart."
     "Oh, Sere. You don't know how long my heart 
has yearned to hear you say those words."  He opened his 
arms and swept her up into a crushing embrace.  "I was 
so afraid you would never feel the same way about me," 
he whispered in her ear.  Her head came up and her eyes 
locked with his.  "You mean. . . " she tried to say, but 
didn't finish.  She already knew the answer.
     Sere suddenly recalled his comment he had 
made earlier.  "Endy. . . what did you mean when you 
said you were a prince?"  He grinned, and held her tightly 
to him, the mere presence of her enough to sustain him 
for life.  "Remember your eighth birthday party again, 
and all the friends you invited?  Do you recall how you 
begged to let a young prince attend. . ." he trailed off.
     The memory flooded Sere's senses again as she 
gazed into his face, this time seeing someone new 
standing before her.  "That was. . . you!  *You* were the 
prince from Earth.  My best friend. . .  Why didn't I see it 
before?  I should have known. . ."
     Endymion silenced her again with a soft kiss.  
He then bent down on one knee, and took her hands in 
his.  He drew in a deep breath, and started to speak.  
"Sere, from the first time I saw you, I knew you were 
special.  And I was right.  I never knew anyone could fill 
my heart and soul as much as you have.  I can't and don't 
want to imagine a life without you in it.  Princess 
Serenity, would you please do me the great honor of 
becoming my wife?"
     Tears streamed down Sere's face as she gazed 
adoringly at Endymion.  "I'd be crazy to say no," she 
replied softly.  "Of course I'll marry you, Endy!" she 
exclaimed, and flung herself into his arms, causing both 
of them to topple to the ground.
     He stroked her head while she clung to him 
tightly.  "Oh, Sere," he sighed, "you've just made me the 
happiest man alive." She responded with a gentle kiss of 
her own.
     Endymion slowly stood up, and held out his 
hand to help Sere up. She brushed her dress off, and 
quickly smoothed her hair back into place as best she 
could.
     He kissed her gently on her forehead, tucked her 
hand in his, and started walking towards the doorway 
leading into the main ballroom.  He stopped, and looked 
over at her.  "What do you think your mother will say 
when she sees us walk in together?"
     "I think she'll be pleased.  She thinks very highly 
of you, you know."
     Endymion smiled, the memory of yesterday still 
very fresh in his mind. "I know."




          ~*~*~*~*~*~




     Yes, that *is* the end.  Not the best I've done, 
but hey, I'm at my wit's end trying to finish school, pack 
up what has been my life for the last ten months, but 
I wanted to put a little something out in the meantime.  
I know some of you may be asking why no second 
confrontation with Beryl?  The truth?  I suck at writing 
battle scenes, and also, I didn't feel up to it.  *sheepish 
grin*
     I am *so* done with finals!  Yippee!  Hallelujah!  
No more teachers, no more books for at least four months!  
*blissful sigh* I know that there are some out there who 
are in the same situation, and I wish you the best of luck!  
     Arigato to everyone for their kindness and 
awesome support, and I'll be anxiously waiting to hear 
from you!  The addy is julcie@juno.com, so please, 
*please* tell me what you think.  [My roommates are 
driving me up the wall!  This is the only outlet of 
sanity I have left!!  ^_~] Ja ne!
Elysia-chan

This story copyright *me* May 1998 Revised 
March/April 1999