Sessediz

Plot: Serenity is seemingly content with her life until her parents surprise her with her engagement, an engagement that at first feels like a betrayal. After happily accepting her future, she is whisked away from her family and fiancé to the dangers outside the village. Why her and why now, Serenity wonders as she is imprisoned in the home of the leader of the Bryyar Pirates, Endymion.

Rated: M (for future scenes)

Pairing(s): Brooks/Serenity/Endymion

Cover Image: DeviantArtist Xamlllew

I've decided to add another story to my Fanfiction workload! I promise that I am still updating my other stories: Serendipity (currently on a writer's block hiatus, I need encouragement for this one!), The Rules of War (ah, my guilty pleasure, American history with a romantic twist), and Do More Than Just Exist (supernatural story that comes only second in priority to this one).

This story is my first real attempt at a novel so it is definitely alternate universe (AU) but not to worry, our favorite characters Serena(/Serenity) and Darien(/Endymion) are still present and I will be introducing my own original character, Brooks.

I'm pretty passionate about this story, having already written five chapters (which are in the editing process currently) so expect this to be a quickly updated story unless I hit a bad writer's block. I want to hear from everyone ... if you don't like the story, let me know why! And if you find plot holes or a crazed number of grammatical errors, please PM all the details and I will be sure to fix it and credit your help!

Without further gilding the lily, here is the first chapter of Outside the Walls!

CHAPTER ONE

"Serenity!" the name carried through the village, dissipating before I could hear.

Dark clouds were starting to form and I knew that my mother would want me to hurry back into the village. With a storm rolling in, she would want my help ushering the animals under their hut before the first fall of rain, but I needed to savor this moment. I stretched my arms out over the soft cover of moss as I basked in that final bit of sunlight.

This has been the first true moment of happiness that I have felt since my grandmother passed away nearly two moons ago. It was a simple moment and I knew that it could only be because of the coming storm. My grandmother, rest her soul, was a powerful woman in our village and as someone I always looked up to growing up, it was especially hard to let her go.

Storms were her favorite.

My grandmother used to say that the rougher a storm was, the more cleansing the area needed. She assured me that no matter how bad or minute a storm might be the end result would be a fresh start with new life.

And I believed her.

Our farm always flourished after a storm and the village's well would be refilled for a time.

I stared up at the sky, noticing the first flash of light between the layering of clouds. The time for rainfall was approaching and I decided it best to head back within the safe walls of our village, Gaerton.

The thunderous boom that followed gave me hope of something even greater to come, something new to cherish. I picked up the hem of my pale blue dress and dusted off the dirt that I could manage before heading home.

This was the dress that I had worked on with my grandmother when I was sick last year. She had come over with the materials and said that to get better I needed to keep myself busy. A few days later I was well again and dancing through the streets in my new dress. I wore it the day we put her to rest and hoped that I would never outgrow it.

The men guarding the large stone archway smiled at me as I reached the end of the road from the village. I knew that at least two of them were talking with my father about receiving my hand in marriage, but I had a feeling that there were more trying than just them. As soon as my birthday arrived, it's as if I was no longer just a friend to the young men I grew up with.

As for why, it never really occurred to me. My family was not truly the richest of Gaerton though my father did seem to run it as if such were true. I was outspoken and preferred the activities of men over the role I was born into. I do suppose that gave me more time with the men which could cause them to think of me more often than other ladies.

For my appearance, my breasts were the third smallest of the eligible ladies, and only out of those five who currently were of marriageable age. It was my understanding that the woman with the largest breasts would typically be the topic among the men and I certainly didn't fit that part.

My older brother, Samal, was quite popular with the young men in town; both married and still waiting. He always joked with me that if any man tried anything with me, he'd drive a hot poker through their gut. Though I was never sure if he told them that, it made me wonder if his defensive act just made me more desirable to his friends.

Perhaps it was my hair. It's far longer than any other ladies' of our village and the soft gleaming gold was only matched by my mother's, who was far desired in her day as well. My father always told my brother that he was a very lucky man when he was offered the hand of my mother.

I approached the walls with a simple smile.

"Greetings, Serenity. Were you running about in the forest again?" one of the guards questioned. His name was Tobias and I knew him to be the best shot in Gaerton.

"I have. The air by the stream is so much fresher than that of the stables," I giggled. Three of the men chuckled.

"Serenity, your mother says that she will be preparing her roasted lamb for the festival tomorrow," another guard stated.

"She is; I will actually be helping her with the task." The men nodded and I knew that they were pleased to find out that I could, in fact, prepare a meal. "You know, Wesley, I happen to have more gifts than just beating you to the south wall."

Wesley bobbed his head, "That was three years ago, Serenity. Surely you know that you could not beat me as a man."

I tilted my head to the side, staring him down. Why is it that men felt the need to win everything for the sake of being a man? I suppose that isn't true; I never saw the men fighting over who could prepare the best roast or wash their laundry the fastest. Those duties were left to us women and I was beginning to realize that my ability to adopt what my father called a 'boyish take on life' was fading away each morning.

"We'll have to schedule a rematch for us then," I chided. The other guards responded in my favor as they teased their friend. Looking to Wesley, he shrugged it off like it was nothing.

I knew for a fact that I could beat him in a rematch; I just didn't wish to put him in the position of losing twice to a girl. However, since he wanted to play 'the man' I would not deny him the humiliation.

I hurried through the walls and the center of the village on my way home. My friends, Zoe and Nella were stringing flowers together as part of the decorations for the summer festival. Passing by the mill I noticed Brooks walking towards the well with a bucket in hand.

"Hello, Serenity," he smiled. Brooks' long brown hair flowed in the wind that was increasing in strength. He was nearly six feet tall, several inches over me, and he was of a strong build. The hair on his chin was nothing like that of my father's but looked like it might one day be.

"Hello, Brooks," I practically curtsied. As soon as I saw what I was doing I cleared my throat and stood up straight. Why do I always act so weird around him?

I saw him try to hold in his chuckle before he rested his hands on the sides of his green tunic. "Two walks in one day, huh? Are you feeling alright?"

I nodded. Brooks understood my sadness more than anyone else in the village. Most of them practiced short grieving processes and resumed their normal lives like nothing had happened. I was not so easily healed.

"Tabs would have loved this storm we're getting. It's the biggest one all summer." My wide smile faded slightly at the mention of my grandmother Tabitha.

"Yes, I'm excited for what it might bring." My knee-length hair flowed from my back to my side, showcasing the changing winds. I saw something change in Brooks' expression for a moment before he shook it off.

"I'm looking forward to the festival tomorrow. Word is your mother is making her roast lamb."

"Indeed, everyone is talking about it. I'm just looking forward to being able to dance again. It's been so long since this village has had music." Festivals only came a few times a year, but when they did it was quite the celebration. The spread of food was always immaculate and the bonfire in the town center would stretch almost to the heavens. Music was not a profitable hobby in our village and thus it was only really present during festivals. I always enjoyed dancing around the fire to the strumming of a mandolin and the beat of the various drums.

"Save a dance for me, Sere?" he seemed hopeful, but not as hopeful as the guards at the front had been.

"Of course. I best be off; mother is waiting for me."

I continued on my way and reached the small farm where my mother was gathering up today's vegetables.

"Mama!" I shouted as I enveloped her in a hug.

"Serenity! Where have you been, pumpkin?" My mother has been calling me her pumpkin since the time I put one of the hollowed out gourds on my head during the harvest.

"I needed to venture off for a bit, where's papa?"

My mother stared at me in disbelief, "Sere, you know it's not safe for you to be outside at this time. There are dangerous men in the forest. Our village cannot protect you whilst you are a half a day's ride from home." Times were tough and reports from the tradesmen who ventured to other villages said that pirates were torching villages for their valuables. I couldn't fathom anyone who could irrevocably damage the lives of so many people. My mother shook her head, "Just help get the animals inside their house. Your papa and brother should be back from the woods shortly."

Though my mother tended to a farm of vegetables and livestock, my father was a woodsman by trade. Our family's worth was only comprised of my father's earnings, but nevertheless my mother's addition made us one of the wealthiest families in Gaerton. This also allowed us to be a powerful presence despite the disregard for certain social normalities. Although she would state that she didn't mind, I knew that my mother hated how her work couldn't add to the family name.

Honestly, I was just proud of her for trying. Having a mother who was actively working in a man's job gave me hope for a more progressive life myself.

Once the animals and farm was tended to, we headed inside to finish tonight's stew. I looked to the preparation table to see a two full lambs gutted and covered in salt.

"Sere, your father and I would like to speak with you after dinner tonight, so no rushing off again."

"Is something wrong?"

My mother simply shook her head as she stirred our dinner. I knew that her silence was always definite. If she wasn't telling me now, I would just have to wait. My father and Samal arrived shortly and we both helped to get them ready for dinner. I honestly could never understand why men needed help getting ready like they were infants but I once again shrugged it off.

"Serenity, your mother tells me that you're helping her with tomorrow's lamb," my father pulled off another chunk of bread from the loaf.

"Indeed I am. Was there a news bulletin published?" My father raised his brow.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry, papa. It just seems that everyone is aware of mother making her special roasted lamb. Was there an announcement?" I scooped up a chunk of salty beef and was delighted in the taste.

"No. No, I don't believe so," my parents locked eyes for a moment and then looked to Samal.

"I get it, I'm not wanted here," Samal picked up his bowl and turned to leave the main area of our home. I examined his reaction for a clue as to why my father had wanted to speak with me, but he averted my gaze. I watched as the blond head disappeared behind the next wall.

"Papa, what's going on?"

My mother reached over and grasped his left hand tightly as my father lowered his spoon back into his bowl. "Serenity, your mother and I have an announcement to make. We'll be telling the village tomorrow at the beginning of the festival but Vela…," I looked to read her gaze which was still locked on my father, "your mother insists that we tell you upfront."

"Tell me what? Papa?" I swallowed my last bite of bread in a huge gulp.

"We have made arrangements for your marriage. Caleb presented the best offer this week in exchange for your marriage to his son."

"To—to Brooks? You—you're," I shot a glance at my mother, "you're making me marry Brooks?"

"Making you? Pumpkin, I thought you enjoyed his company." My mother seemed confused at my reaction.

"Yes, he's one of the few in this entire village that seems to accept me for who I am but does that mean I have to marry him?"

"Serenity, I would think you would want to marry a man who accepted your rather… boyish lifestyle," There's that word again, "The man's a good fit for you," my father furrowed his brow. "Don't you wish to be married?"

I stared down at the edge of the table, watching my hands as they twisted at the blue fabric of my dress. "Yes, but…," I paused, desperately trying to keep my tears from overflowing, "but does that mean I must marry today? I am only just of age, papa!"

"And such there is no better time. Would you wish for your chance with Brooks to just pass you by as another lady is matched with him? How long do you think the man would wait around for you?"

Suddenly, there was furry in my voice, "If Brooks truly loved me, he would wait an eternity for my hand; not just move on to the next available lady in the village!"

"You best start lowering your voice, Serenity. I am a tolerant husband and father but I will not allow for you to disrespect me."

I paused briefly, trying to decide if the next sentence I was about to utter would be the wrong course of action. In the heat of the moment, I disregarded all sanity. "The only disrespect I could pose to you would be to insult your work as a wood trader."

It's not like I actually disrespected his trade but I did mention that I could. Insulting the trade of a man was one of the few things a woman could hold over his head. It was all they usually knew and the only way they could provide for their family; even suggesting that he was either not good enough for it or that the skill lacked prestige could cause them to lose their temper.

"That's it!" my father slammed his dinner down on the table, stew splattering about it as he stood up. "You will be marrying Brooks by the next moon and that is final! Now, go to your bed. I don't want to see you till morning."

I timidly reached for my hunk of bread when my father glowered over me. Retracting, I stood up quickly to leave.

Why? Why does my father have to marry me off the first chance he got? Samal was nearly nine seasons older and had yet to be matched with a lady, though the ladies of Gaerton certainly showed their interests.

And how could Brooks look me in the eye without as much as a word? Surely he knew; I could now see what that look from earlier meant. He had never stated his interest in me and seemed to have just been a good friend this whole time. I had no idea his family was even talking with mine.

I cried myself to sleep that night, for the first time since the week my grandmother died. Every night I went to bed saddened by her departure but tears had not shed since then. I had hoped that this storm was going to bring about a change; good news not bad. The wind continued to stir outside and I felt a small drip on my head.

I got up and found Samal's tankard from his pack and placed it on the edge of my bedroll. Serves him right for also not telling me about Brooks. I wondered how many others in the village already knew.

This isn't fair. This is not fair.

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