Storms Upon the Heart
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Prologue
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In the lands of Fellotinhan, there was much discontent. The country had been at war with the land of Hershim for many long, gruesome years. There seemed to be no end to the constant warring of the countries. At all times, there were attacks and battles between the two upon the borders of each country.

The vast country of Fellotinhan was under the rule of the Queen Melodine, who was quickly losing strength by the day. Her weak frailness was becoming evident to everyone around her. The rumors flew that soon the queen would pass into the void of the gods to join her late husband, the great King Corrion.

Years before, when the king still had been in rule of Fellotinhan, there had been peace between Fellotinhan and Hershim. The two countries were the strongest of allies. But upon the arrival of his unexpected death, caused by a plague in the winter, the two countries began war. The young daughter of Corrion, Serenity, had been promised and betrothed to the King of Hershim's son, before Corrion's death. It had been the last agreement the king of Fellotinhan and his closest friend, King Dermius, had agreed to before his unexpected illness.

When Queen Melodine heard of this agreement set upon her daughter, she vowed that she would see Hershim fall before her daughter would dare become the queen of such a land. Through the years of peace with Hershim, Melodine had despised and resented King Dermius, for he had refused to marry her in the earlier years of her courtships.

The words of Melodine were sent to that of King Dermius, and soon a council was called between the lands of Fellotinhan and Hershim. Dermius demanded that even in her young years, Serenity be sent to Hershim, where she would have the proper raising of a future Hershim queen. Queen Melodine refused profusely, stating that her daughter would not ever set foot upon the ground of Hershim.

These words angered Dermius to the point that he declared war upon Fellotinhan, stating that war would not end unless Serenity married his son.

Melodine sent out the armies of Fellotinhan to protect their lands and soon battles were taking place upon the border lands of Fellotinhan.

War raged for over ten years, and on the day of Serenity's seventeenth birthday, Dermius asked for a peaceful council with Melodine. She agreed.

He stated that Serenity was of age for marriage, and if the young girl would agree to marriage and alliance of their countries once more, that all war would cease and peace could be upon them once again.

Melodine was stubborn in giving her daughter's hand to a Hershim, however, and refused.

It was then that the eldest son of Corrion, Motoki, decided it time to settle the war. He sat in the council and took back his mother's refusal. He stated that both Hershim and Fellotinhan had been suffering for years, all because of an unfulfilled agreement. With a fierce place of mind and a devotion to his father's wishes, the future king of Fellotinhan made agreements with King Dermius. Dermius agreed to the arrangements.

Serenity, his beloved little sister, would wed the son of King Dermius, Prince Endymion, on the death of King Dermius.

Motoki argued that Hershim would be able to proceed on after Dermius's death with the new king and his betrothed wife.

Melodine was displeased that her daughter was to marry Endymion, but at the fierce voice of Motoki's reasoning, agreed.

Peace came upon the countries again.

Melodine soon after became sickly and weak, and it was decided that Motoki would have to take his rightful place as king of Fellotinhan as soon as possible, as the queen was no longer fit to rule.

The problem arose that Motoki was without a queen, and it was unfit for the prince to take his place upon the throne unwed. Motoki, like his father, took great heed to the words of Dermius and the prince Endymion, and called for a council between them.

Dermius granted the betrothal of Motoki to his young daughter Makato, in exchange for an earlier wedding of Prince Endymion to Princess Serenity.

With a rueful heart and thoughts upon his sister, Motoki saw no other way…he agreed, stating to his good friend Endymion that he must care for Serenity with his life. Endymion embraced Motoki in encouragement, telling Motoki that he must care for Makato with his life as well.

Dermius saw the good friendship between the sons of Fellotinhan and Hershim and decided the weddings of the sons and daughters were of the greatest interest to both countries.

The wedding of Serenity and Endymion was set to be in two months time after the council.

It is now that we begin the story.

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The Lands of Hershim

King Dermius
Queen Cassandra
Prince Endymion
Princess Makato
Generals Kunzite, Nephrite, Jaedite, and Zoicite –sole guardians of the prince Endymion and his closest friends.

The Lands of Fellotinhan

King Corrion (deceased)
Queen Melodine
Prince Motoki
Princess Serenity
Lady Minako—orphaned niece of king and queen, cousin to Motoki and Serenity
Lady Rei—friend to Serenity and Minako…and to Makato.
Lady Ami—friend to Serenity and Minako, also a high doctor in Fellotinhan