Moonlight Midnight Glory

By Michelle Harris aka Lady M. Harris

Chapter 13

Precious Treasures

The County of West Maire . . .

"So, how fares m'lady, Matilda today?" Darien asked as he paid the peddler for a sweet cinnamon roll. For once, the old lady seemed to be in the upmost of good spirits. She even sported some new clothes and shoes on her frail frame, Darien observed. He bit into the warm pastry, his senses briefly registering the heavenly scent of cinnamon and sugar that wafted to his nose as he warily scanned the marketplace. As usual, it was bustling with common folk, animals, traders and crammed with vendors filling every corner with their wares.

Darien was tired. Kunzite and he had been scouring over the same region again and again with no avail. Serena's disappearance pointed in the direction of the County of West Maire as one of the most likely places for her to be found. However, not even an inkling of her silvery aura could be traced backed to her. It seemed, almost, as if she had vanished from the entire galaxy.

He sighed, his mind recollecting the past couple of days and the new events unfolding before him. Lady Fate had deemed it necessary to cut his journey short once again. Tidings from the palace were beckoning him to return home. His sister had finished her training with Warrior Mercury, Princess Amy. She was now fully qualified to call upon the powers of Mercury to help protect Earth and the other planets, should the need arise. But Water-Weaver still believed that her place was beside her family and with the Cienna tribe and so she was also preparing to leave the palace to return home.

King Damian believed that Darien was ready to take his place as the new governing King of Earth. Damian was prepared to rescind his position to his only son. It would do the people of Earth good, he had quietly proclaimed to those in the boardroom of the palace and governing region ambassadors that Darien was fully capable of managing such a large kingdom. His father was not taking any chances in waiting for Darien to find his queen and neither would Earth.

It was funny how things had worked out between his father and him. In the dark days that passed, his father had been the only one, besides Kunzite, to give him the support he had sorely needed. Despite Darien's attempts to push him away, his father been ever present beside him and readily took the insults his son had hurled his way. Strenuous months had passed in a blur of heated arguments, voracious battles of swearing and even strained silences meant to annoy and frustrate each other; even so, they were so alike in many aspects. Eventually, King Damian managed to breach a tiny crack in his hard wall of armor. The last couple of weeks were a testament to the change in their manner toward one other—it was almost as if a quiet truce had settled between the two disparaging Spartans. Darien wondered if he had finally put the ghost of Lily to her final resting-place with the quiet acquiesce of his father.

"All goes well, m'lordship," Matilda replied, smiling. It was indeed, a fine day—my, my, my, Matilda thought. First, the diamond baubles from Ruby that had supplied her with a wealth of food to last her for months, and now, real gold coins from the pockets of Prince Darien, no less! She gave a toothy grin to the prince and he couldn't help but chuckle, dissipating his grim thoughts for the moment.

"If I may be so bold as to ask, your highness, what keeps you coming back to our humble village?

"You are bold, Matilda," Darien replied. He smiled wanly, "personal business brings me through here."

"Your search for the princess?" She questioned nonchalantly, rearranging the cinnamon rolls with care. Everyone knew about the prince's search for the still missing princess. It was old news.

"Aye," he said, absently, his mind already wandering away from the conversation. Kunzite certainly was taking his sweet time at the town hall. He wondered what could possibly be taking the man so long.

"As you may or may not know, the Moores are having a bit of trouble trying to find Ruby's family as well," she replied, trying to keep up the conversation, but the prince's mind seemed to be elsewhere. "Quite a coincidence, if you ask me—but of course, no one has—that is, asked me."

"You mean the redhead?" He asked, sighing as he looked down into Matilda's booth. He had heard that last part of her comment said underneath her breath. For a fleeting moment, his spirit lifted. The old woman was certainly tart. The rising morning sun began to warm the cool spring air. He caught the scent of the sea herself as a gentle ocean breeze made its way through the street.

"Aye, your lordship, can you imagine not having your memory and have to care for two wee twins to add to your worry. But, she is a generous soul that one!" Matilda rattled on.

Darien's mind wandered away from Matilda's prattle, half of his mind elsewhere once again. His body grew still as he slowly closed his eyes. The subtle power grew within him, obeying him involuntarily like the heart that beat strongly within him. Tunnels of coiled tension built within him, the aura of energy swirling restlessly within his tight reign waiting to burst forth from his grasp. Like a lashing lasso, he shot forth the inquiring auras with a blast of encompassing power throughout the vicinity of the village.

Maybe this time he would find something, anything that would bring back some news of Serena's whereabouts. But how many times had he done this with no avail? He had lost count. Yet, as each new day dawned bright like the rising sun, brought the hope that today, Serena would answer his lost call for her. He opened his eyes slowly and redirected his attention to the tail end of Matilda's single-sided conversation.

"...why, he has hair as black as midnight and eyes the color of the sky on a clear day! He's a regular riot, if you ask me! And his sister; dainty and as sweet as apple pie!" she laughed, her skin crinkling in amusement. "She has the most unusual silver eyes and silver hair, though," She paused in her musing before adding with a chuckle, "they sure are cute little pumpkins, but a handful, I'll say!"

Darien went taut and he nearly forgot to breathe. His head snapped forward as he stared at Matilda with a look of shock and disbelief painted across his chiseled face. A tiny, joyous ray of hope shot through his heart now suddenly beating at an unhealthy pace.

"What did you just say?" He grounded out slowly, cautiously.

Startled, Matilda stuttered to a stop in the middle of what she had been saying. For a moment, she was afraid that she had just insulted the prince. " I. . I. . ." she stammered. What did she say? My God, she thought with alarm, as she gazed back at the prince. She could practically feel the sharp, shards of glass from his piercing blue eyes slice through her jumbled thoughts as he stared intensely into her withered face.

"I. . .I was saying that they were cute as—" she began, but he interrupted her, now impatient for her to gather her thoughts together.

"No, I mean before that," he grinded out.

"Y-you mean, that the twin boy was born with black hair and blue eyes?" She asked. She could feel her old bones shaking in her new shoes.

"And the girl?" He prodded her, "what about the girl?" He edged her, trying to remain patient with her, his gaze still intense on her face.

"I just thought that it was highly unusual that Rini was born with silver hair and silver—Oh my God!" Matilda exclaimed, raising a trembling hand to cover her mouth as she continued to stare at the prince. "Ruby could not be—it doesn't make any sense," Matilda mouthed out loud.

"Where does this Ruby live?" Darien hoarsely bit out as he grabbed Matilda's shoulders.

"Beyond the second rise at the second bend of Crane Lane," Matilda replied, pointing toward the cliffs. "It's the only house in that area, they have their own fishing dock. You can't miss it."

"Thank you, Matilda," Darien stated with near relief, his eyes flashing with eternal gratitude.

He turned sharply away and called out brisk orders to his party. Two riders departed from their group heading toward the village town hall. Matilda watched the prince mount his black steed, deftly handling the huge stallion with finesse. She was surprised once more, when the prince guided his horse toward her booth.

Darien threw a large, cloth bag into Matilda's tray of pastries, temporarily displacing some of the rolls onto the ground. Onlookers, surprised by all the sudden shouting and commotion going on with the prince's party watched the exchange with great curiosity.

Matilda nearly swooned with happiness as she gazed into a bag full of gold coins. She looked up, ready to thank the generous prince, but he was already galloping away from the market. Only the wavering swirl of his great coat could be seen in the distance of his disappearing silhouette.

The Moores . . .

"How long do you think they'll be, Mary?" Serena asked as she dried the dishes in the sink. Tim and Stephen had left the house a short while ago. The night before, Mary had told her of their plans for today along with their thoughts that she might somehow be affiliated with one of the royal houses. She was faintly surprised, if not skeptical at the thought that she might have some royal blood in her. Still, her heart galloped at an unsteady pace and excitement tingled along her nerves that at least she might have a real family looking for her. The possibilities now seemed endless.

Serena hadn't missed the sad expression that had crossed Mary's face as she told her about what Stephen and her had discussed.

Serena could very well imagine what was going through Stephen's mind. In a way, she had come to care for him, but not in the way he had hoped. Had she been free from her weighing heart, perhaps then, she could think differently about Stephen. He was genuinely fond of the twins. Yet, she could not discount the feeling that something, or someone, was waiting for her. It was buried deep in the hidden recesses of her memory. It was this feeling, of her subconscious mind playing a simple, but complex mind game with her lost memories. She could almost feel the lost memories, hovering, just beyond her grasp. Tantalizing glimpses of images, pieces of these memories—oh so fleeting—would flash before her eyes, only to disappear again before she could firmly pin them in her mind. They were like fragments of some wonderful dream but if only she could awake to them.

"Not too long, I should hope," Mary replied, as she finished folding the laundry. "Tim still has to get to the boats to secure them before the sun goes down. How long have the little ones been asleep?" Mary asked, suddenly changing the subject.

"Oh an hour or so, I should think. You know how I always have to wrestle with Ruark, while Rini just drops off as soon as I lay her down," Serena chuckled, nodding her head.

"That Ruark! What a temper that boy has! You're going to have your hands full when he gets older!" Mary remarked, laughing quietly.

"Yes, I know . . ." Serena grinned as she put the dried plates into the cabinet. Suddenly, her train of thought was broken by the sound of thundering hooves rumbling through the tiny house. Serena and Mary looked at each other in alarm.

"Who could be visiting at this hour? It wouldn't be Tim and Stephen returning already; they've just left barely an hour ago," Serena voiced her thoughts aloud.

"I should think not," Mary answered Serena's concerns.

"Too many horses to be Tim and Stephen," Serena added.

"I agree," Mary said as they made their way outside and onto the porch.

They waited as a large company of men on horseback made its climb up the steep hill to the tiny house. Mary's eyes grew wide with shock as she spotted the crest that the party carried. What could the prince's party possibly want with them? They couldn't be here for Ruby, could they? It didn't make any sense. Tim and Stephen would just be arriving at the town hall. Mary's eyes then caught sight of the figure on the black stallion and she gasped with stunned disbelief. The prince was actually here!

"What is it, Mary?" Serena asked with concern as she looked over at her friend. Serena brushed a wavering hand through her hair, most of which was caught up in a loose, single braid. Some of it was now coming undone and wisps of auburn hair were escaping from the braid, curling slightly as they framed her face. She knew she was a complete mess, with her hair coming undone and her dress stained from washing dishes. She definitely not feel as if she could make a good first impression with such noble visitors.

"Our visitors are from his majesty's Royal Palace!" Mary said above the sound of the gathering horses in their tiny courtyard.

"Oh my!" Serena exclaimed, suddenly anxious. "And who is that splendid man on the black horse?" She asked, before she realized what she had said suddenly curious as she watched him bring his horse before them. He was absolutely magnificent.

"He is the Prince of Earth, no less!" Mary exclaimed, suddenly feeling as she could faint herself. The prince was the first to reach Mary's house. He reigned in his horse tightly, his control obvious and executed with finesse as the horse snorted to a full stop before Mary and Serena.

Serena grew still, her breath suddenly gone from her as she gazed into the man's hard, blue gaze that somehow seemed riveted on her. His face was a beautiful, like a raw piece of chiseled marble and she could make out a visible tick in his left cheek as they continued to gaze into one another's eyes silently. The rest of the man was broad-shouldered, slim-hipped, his limbs appearing to sinew and strong as they gripped his horse. He was dressed in a simple, yet elegant white shirt that stood out against the black, stripped satin vest. His pants were also black as were the shiny, knee-high boots that adorned his feet. His great coat swirled in the background, dancing to the music of the wind. He sat tall on his prancing steed like a proud monarch, for here was a male specimen who was beautiful, arrogant and self-assured of himself.

Serena began to tremble, too startled to say a thing or understand her reaction to the man's piercing, steady gaze. What was it about this man that he could make her tremble so? And those eyes of his! Had she seen them before? Those hard, blue eyes flashed at her, like another lost dream, beckoning her forward. She took a hesitant step, then stopped, unsure of what she wanted to see. But in a flash before she could make up her own mind, she saw again, the color of his eyes blazing with unleashed anger. And at other times, hooded and hidden or another filled with great desire—and such desire it was, that it made her spine shiver, her toes uncurling in their shoes, unconsciously. And yet again, they were mocking and infuriating. As quickly as they came, the images scattered and vanished, fluttering away again like dry leaves in the wind. Who was he, this Prince of Earth that she could know such images in her mind? She had a great sense of having known him somewhere, but where? Was he from her past? If only she could remember!

Then he spoke to her. The sound of the name was softer than a caress on a morning breeze, but it was carried clearly to her ears above the din of still thundering hooves. It was a name that meant no meaning to her, but was spoken to her as her own.

"Serena . . . ?" Like a sharp, piercing knife, the pain sliced through her mind, tearing down the invisible barrier erected around her like a protective blanket before her breathing halted and her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she collapsed on the porch in a dead faint.

An unknown time amount of time later, Serena came to her senses. She was back in the Moore's house, lying in bed. The house was now filled to the brim with the prince's party. Tim and Stephen had also apparently arrived during her black out. Serena blinked her eyes rapidly as she focused on Mary's concerned face.

"W—what happened?" She asked as she tried sitting up, but Mary pushed her back against the pillows with little effort. Serena could feel her temples throbbing with pain.

"Just lay still, Ruby! You fainted," Mary said with concern.

Darien quit his pacing as he came over and stared down into Serena's face, worry written across his face as plain as daylight.

Serena leaned back into the pillows holding the prince's gaze with her own bewildered eyes. How could she not? He had to be the most wondrous looking man that she had ever laid eyes upon. Dazedly, she wondered how many other ladies had thought that same thought as she.

"How do you feel, Serena?" He asked, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.

"Do you know me?" She asked, quietly amazed.

"Go easy on her. She doesn't remember you, or anything else for that matter," Stephen said to Darien. Darien held the other man's gaze for a long moment, his expression closed. His eyes flickered in understanding as he realized the depth of Stephen's feelings for Serena. He wondered with escalating unease if Stephen was now her husband.

"It is not as you think," Stephen replied quickly, boldly, not caring whether or not he was addressing the prince properly. He knew what the prince was thinking. If I thought I had even a chance with her, I would have married her long ago and buried your ghost forever. But the memory of you kept her from loving anyone else, Stephen thought as they measured each other silently.

"Nevertheless, she must be told," Darien stated quietly, turning back to Serena. He gazed back down at her and felt his heart melt like liquid. How beautiful she looked, lying there, despite the paleness of her face and the worry in her eyes. Her auburn tresses lay in disarray about her lovely face and her dark, green eyes gazed steadily into his. She was as lovely as the first day he had gazed into her depths that fateful night in his chambers.

Had it really been almost two years now? She was even more beautiful now as a full-grown woman, than she had been as a girl. He missed the silver hair and smoky-gray eyes, but he knew they would return when her memory was restored. He sensed it wouldn't be long. Now that she was with him again, everything became brighter; he felt…complete.

"You do know me, don't you?" Serena asked again, her heart making leaps and bounds at the thought.

"Yes, your name is Serena," Darien began, answering her question with a slight smile.

Her breath caught as she stared into his face, mesmerized. How handsome he was when he smiled, even if it was a small one.

"Serena . . ." She said aloud to herself. She liked the sound of her name, already. "Yes, it seems fitting, but who am I really—you must know," She asked him. "And how did I come to know you, Prince of Earth?" She wondered.

"You, Serena, are the Supreme Princess of the Moon Kingdom that is no more. You are Princess Serena and you are wife to the Prince of Earth. You are my wife, Serena. And I have finally found you." He said quietly over her shocked gasp.

"You?" She breathed, still in disbelief. She was married to this incredible looking man? He nodded, confirming her question. But she knew absolutely nothing about him or about her former life.

"But how can that be possible? " Tim asked, amazed that all this time, they had been housing the princess of the Moon. "Everyone knows that the princess has silver hair. Rub—I mean Serena has red hair! Unless she hennaed it, and I seriously doubt it," Tim finished as Mary nodded, agreeing with her husband.

"Yes, her hair is red," Kunzite added as he joined in the conversation, "but, when I first met you, Serena," he said now directly addressing her, "we were preparing to leave the palace. At the tine we were disguising ourselves from the Sapphire's spies. You changed your hair and eyes to the color of what you now have with no more than the toss of your head," he smiled, remembering the scene, fondly. "And I remember quite distinctly how pissed Darien got with your total disregard for our enemies."

Serena laughed quietly, wondering at herself. "That cannot be me, surely you jest?" She said, flushing.

"You're saying that Serena changed her hair and eyes with no more than a blink of an eye?" Stephen asked, amazed as he stared down into Serena's face. Was she really a princess, the missing Moon princess? It did not even seem real.

"Perhaps, you had been thinking about that scene when we broke apart in the battle. It would certainly explain your loss of memory," Darien thought out loud.

"What battle? You mean that awful battle between Queen Sapphire and Earth? I was in that?" Serena asked, now incredulous. How could she forget about such an important event? It was all so confusing to her, mind-numbing was more like it and she felt dizzy as her mind tried to process all this new information about her past.

"I will tell you the whole story on the way home," Darien said, standing up and stretching his long, tired legs.

"Home?" Serena perked up, once more surprised. "Where are you taking me? Where is home?"

"The palace is your home, Serena and I'm taking you home, where you belong," Darien promised, resiliently.

Within an hour, preparations were made for Serena to depart the Moore's tiny house. It had been home to her for nearly a year. The twins had roused from their sleep, only to discover that the house was filled with strangers.

Ruark, being the most vocal of the twins and had just learned about being apprehensive around strangers, let loose a cry loud enough to cause every person in the vicinity of the house to come skewering into the twins' room. Rini on the other hand, stared at her brother with a tiny frown on her face as if she was annoyed with all his fussiness.

Darien was the first to arrive by the twins' side. Amazed at the voracity of his son's bawling, he gazed down into his children's faces for the very first time. Serena came up behind him, smiling softly as she noted Ruark's fierce expression. Darien reached down and plucked the hollering child from his cradle and held him up to gaze into his son's face with almost revered awe. Serena's heart throbbed almost painfully as she gazed at the two, father and son, so alike. Ruark was the exact image of his father already, with his shock of jet-black hair and bright, blue eyes. However, Ruark did not know the stranger with the fierce eyes and dark hair and he let out another howl of fright.

Serena took him from Darien, chuckling and she soothed Ruark in her arms. Darien had already picked up Rini and it seemed as if the two already knew one another as they gazed into each other's eyes. Her big, smoky eyes locked with her father's in genuine curiosity. There must have been something that Rini liked in Darien's eyes for she smiled demurely as if she were enchanted by the face before her, and Serena could hear Darien's in-drawn breath as he continued to stare at their daughter.

"They'll be hungry soon, my lord," Serena said, cautiously to Darien as he continued to hold Rini.

"Just Darien, Serena," Darien replied, slowly looking away from Rini.

"I'm still nursing them, although not as often," she said, ducking her head slightly as a blush blossomed on her cheeks.

Darien cleared everyone from the twins' room as she settled into a rocking chair with Ruark. Darien turned around and sat on the bed next to the cradles, still holding Rini in his arms.

"A-aren't you leaving, too?" She stuttered, her fingers halting on the buttons of her blouse.

"No."

"Oh," Her hand faltered on one of the buttons. She swallowed nervously as she looked up shyly into his face. He gave her a lopsided grin.

"You must forgive me, Serena. I haven't had the pleasure yet to watch my children with their mother in the most of intimate situations, such as nursing. I intend to make the most of what I can," he finished, settling his back against the wall, then added, "don't be shy, I promise to be as quiet as mouse," he said, smiling.

Serena nodded her head, still blushing. Ruark, having been quiet all this time, roused himself up, knowing it was time to eat. She pulled out her engorged breast and offered the puckered nipple to Ruark. She heard Darien's intake of breath as he watched them under the cover of his lowered eyelids. Her emerald eyes met his from across the room as a slight flush covered her from head to toe. His eyes smoldered as they continued to gaze at one another.

The nursing from Ruark brought forth the necessary milk and Serena was once again overwhelmed, as a sense of peacefulness and contentment washed over her. It was always that way, when she nursed her twins. But now, with their father in the room, it felt . . . complete.

Having suckled his fill, Ruark sleepily changed positions with Rini, without any fuss. As Rini suckled Serena's other breast, Darien caressed the soft down of his son's hair. He still couldn't believe that he was holding his son in his arms. His long search was finally over; he had found Serena and his children. He could feel the weariness leaving his bones as he continued to contemplate their current situation.

He now realized why he couldn't find her. It was because of her lost memory. He hadn't known about Ruark because Ruark's powers were dormant. The same way his had been when he was a young child. He recognized Rini's powers, but they were in such an infant and untaught stage that he couldn't have called out to her even if he had wanted to.

But he now had the time to let Serena regain her memory. There was a certain advantage with her memory loss, he thought. He could take the time to let her get used to him as a husband, but most importantly, to let her get to know him, and to woo and court her as he should have done when he had first laid eyes on her. He would show her how much he cared for her, and now, for their children as well.

He watched her silently as she laid her head back, looking out the window and he wondered what kind of life she had experienced here, in this tiny town with these kind people. The room was quiet and peaceful, only an occasional outburst of someone talking outside of the room disturbed the calm.

Serena cradled Rini's head, unconsciously and like so many other times, softly kissed the tousled silvery curls that adorned Rini's head as she gently rocked back and forth in the rocking chair.

And in the depths of the night, when all seemed to despair and darkness filled his heart, regrets for things left unsaid, for actions left undone and—ah God how many times had he ached to see her like this—to be able see her with his children and for them to be a family? More times than there are stars in the sky.

The cool morning air gave way to the warmth of the afternoon as they left the Moore's house and the small county of West Maire. Serena said her goodbyes to the Moores. She cried in Mary's arms, and managed to elicit a visit from them as Tim patted her head awkwardly, turning his face away from the tender scene in order to avoid giving in into his own tears. As Mary wiped at her red-rimmed eyes and blew her runny nose, Tim finally gave into his feelings and gave Serena a gigantic bear hug, nearly squeezing the life out or her. Carol and Jim were not present, but Mary said she would give her best for Serena.

It was very hard to say goodbye to Stephen. Because in her own way, Serena had come to love him.

"I'll be here, Ruby," Stephen said to her, preferring to call her by the name they had given her. "If you ever need me. . ."

"I know, Stephen. Thank you for everything that you've done for me and the twins," she said, her smile sad. "I don't know what to say... You deserve someone better than me, someone who isn't chasing memories."

"You don't have to explain yourself, Serena. Your intentions were always good, but I believe that your heart already belonged to him," he nodded, but his smile was wane, his heart breaking at the same time, as he took her hand in his.

"I-I don't know about that—I don't know him at all. But, there's something about him that pulls me to him," she answered. "Take care of yourself, Stephen."

"Godspeed, Ruby," he said, kissing her knuckles, softly and released her hand. His heart was in his eyes, uncaring that her husband stood but a breath away and witnessing his demise.

She nodded, unable to say anything else as tears formed in her eyes. What could she say to a man who had loved her unconditionally…

Darien nodded a farewell to Stephen and the others and then reached over and helped Serena into the waiting carriage that Kunzite had ordered earlier. It wasn't until the carriage disappeared from sight, did Stephen go back into the Moore's house.

Stay tuned…Lady M. Harris.