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	   	      Written by Avanla Mireille


Book Two, Chapter Five - "A Visit to Ielaque"
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	All activity stopped after that day, and Besunta went back
to be a quiet, conniving country. Serena and her court were puzzled
by their actions, but didn't press matters. Endymion sent Lord General
Rochetia and Lord General Dublar to discuss political matters with 
Serena, and regretted he could not be there himself. It seems he was 
having troubles within his own borders. 

	The two generals were very pleasant and respectful men, and 
Serena found herself becoming found of Nephlite. The two were seated in 
Serena's private lounge while Kunzite was located somewhere roaming 
through the palace.

	"So," Serena smiled, placing her chin on her hands. "Tell me
about your king."

	"He's kind, but sometimes cruel." Nephlite said. "He loves his
people but demands loyalty, justice, and honor from them. Those are 
our codes. You know Ielaque is less civilized than you or these new
worlds, but we are strong enough in our ways."

	"And does Endymion have a lady in his favor?" Serena asked with
a twinkle of gossip in her eyes. Nephlite smiled, chuckling.

	"Quite the opposite, I'm afraid." Nephlite replied. "Endymion
is not the kind of man to use women as nothing. He's a gentlemen, even
if his demeanor suggests otherwise. He's waiting for that one special
someone-he's kind of a hopeless romantic, but don't tell him I said 
that." Serena laughed, leaning back on her chair. 

	"And what about you, my lord. Are you married?" Serena asked
and he nodded with a grin.

	"Yes I am, the only general to be." He said quite happily. 
"I've been married for four years, and I'm afraid I left my wife quite
pregnant. I hope to return before she gives birth."

	"Well, I won't detain you for long, I promise." Serena smiled.
"What can you tell me about the other generals? What were their names
again..?"

	"General Jedeite and General Zoycite. Both of them are quite
younger than Kunzite and I. Jedeite is twenty-two and Zoycite, his
younger brother is twenty." Nephlite said. "And if you got a bad
feeling from Jedeite, don't feel guilty. He's not exactly the greatest
model of human decency. But he's a good soldier and a trustworthy
friend, no matter how conniving he can be. Zoycite stays pretty much
in his brother's shadow, but he has a great mind for his work though."

	"What does he do?" Serena asked. 

	"He's the Head of Treasury of Ielaque, as Jedeite is the Head
of Arms, and I'm the Head of Economy." Nephlite answered.

	"And what does Kunzite do?" Serena questioned and Nephlite
grunted.

	"Boss us around." He smirked and Serena giggled. "He's sort
of what Maxxel is to you, your Prime Minister. If anything were to
happen to Endymion, which I hope not, Kunzite would take his place.
Speaking of Kunzite, I wonder where he is?"

	"I think my Lady Mina is taking him on a tour of the gardens."
Serena said and rose. "Shall we go look for them?"

	"Yes, let's." Nephlite agreed and took her arm. "I think my
friend is taking quite a liking to your beautiful lady."

	"Too bad it can never be." Serena smiled sadly.

	"Why not? Do you forbid your ladies to marry before you like
I hear other countries do?" Nephlite said.

	"Oh no." Serena shook her head. "My ladies promised their 
chastity to me as proof of their loyalty. It was their choice, not 
mine."

	"But what if one were to fall in love, what would you do?"
Nephlite asked and Serena shrugged.

	"I don't know." Serena said honestly. "I don't know."

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	They found Kunzite and Mina talking quietly on a stone bench
before a large pointed fountain. Mina suddenly laughed, her tone mixing
with the tinkling water. 

	"Lady Mina, Lord Kunzite." Mina stood up quickly and cleared
her throat, Kunzite quickly following. Kunzite bowed respectfully, and
Serena smiled.

	"I hope Mina is keeping you quite entertained." Serena said
and the two looked at each other sideways.

	"Yes, she is." Kunzite replied. "She was just telling me some
things about the palace."

	"Well your lesson is going to be cut short, for it is time
for lunch. I have asked it to be set up in the Gazebo, for it's such
a lovely day." Serena said and led them to the secluded gazebo in the
middle of the gardens.

	
	Broc, Maxxel, Artemis, Setsuna and the rest of Serena's ladies 
awaited them.

	"Good day, your highness." Maxxel bowed his head, pulling out
her seat.

	"Good day, thank you." Serena nodded as she sat down. 

	"How are the generals enjoying their stay?" Maxxel asked as
everyone was seated at the round table.

	"Best two weeks of our lives so far." Nephlite answered with a
smile.

	"Yes, and I do believe her majesty and I are almost done with
the treaty?" Kunzite said, and Serena nodded in approval. 

	"Almost." Serena said. "Another day or two, and Nephlite can
go home." Serena smiled knowingly. "Have you news about Besunta, Broc?"

	"No your highness, they're as quiet as a church mouse." Broc
replied, gracefully, but all but stuffing, a piece of meat into his 
mouth.

	"It's odd." Serena shook her head, taking a sip of her drink.
"Did Rubeus change his mind, or what?"

	"For once could we have a civilized dinner and just enjoy
ourselves?" Rei grumbled, but suddenly looked at Serena guiltily. "Your
highness."

	"Yes!" Mina agreed, shaking her head. Serena just smiled at her
two best friends lovingly.

	"Of course, I'm a little tired of politics." Serena said.
"How are the crops growing?"

	"Serena!" Mina and Rei yelled and Serena giggled.

	"I'm only kidding." She smirked. "It has been unusually
hot though, almost stifling these last couple days."

	"That is has." Broc said. "And for a man of my condition
it's almost lethal."

	"Your condition?" Maxxel asked.

	"Yes well, my 'ancient' condition." Broc replied, grunting.

	"Ancient! Bah! I'm twice your age! Come back in twenty years
and tell me that. When you can barely walk up the steps, or even think
about anything without forgetting it five seconds later." Maxxel went
on and everyone rolled their eyes. 

	"Would you wish me to build you an elevator?" Serena asked.

	"For what?" Maxxel questioned.

	"You said you were tired of walking up steps." Serena reminded.

	"I did not." Maxxel shook his head.

	"Yes, you did." Serena corrected.

	"I did?" Maxxel grabbed his chin. "What were we talking about?"
He said, and the whole group groaned. Maxxel chuckled, shaking his head.

	"I'm only joking, I'm not that far gone." He said.

	Suddenly a quiet servant came up to Serena and bowed respectfully.
He handed her a letter, bowed and then walked away without another word.
Serena carefully broke the seal, which was Ielaquian, and began to read
its context. Her eyes became large, as everyone waited patiently. 
Unfortunately, Rei isn't very patient.

	"Well, what is it?!" She yelled. Serena hopped out of her chair
and turned to Nephlite.

	"Your wife is in labor!" She announced, and he immediately 
sprang to his feet. "Endymion has commanded you come home at once, and 
bring us along as well to celebrate. So let's make haste and get to
Ielaque as soon as possible!"

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	"Now we shall make our move, after sitting in the shadows for
too long." Rubeus said. "It's the time Emerald said to start the 
attack."

	"And do we always have to do everything she says?" His commander
whined. Without a word Rubeus shot him a look of steel. 

	"Of course we do, of course." He coughed. Rubeus shook his
head annoyed, and turned back to the window. 

	"Send the soldiers, this time they're to burn every village
they come in contact with." Rubeus commanded.

	"Yes, sir." His commander bowed, and left the room quickly. 
Rubeus sighed, rolling the dice he held in his hands. "Now, let's see
which way this game shall roll." He said, and tossed the dice to the
floor.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	The group, minus Broc and Maxxel, arrived in the early morning
the next day, after riding non-stop towards the Ielaquian capital. As 
they raced to the palace, Serena looked around for it, but could not
locate it.

	"Nephlite, where's the palace?" She asked as they crossed a
bridge which led from the city to a large platform. He pointed up,
and Serena followed his finger. With large surprised eyes she finally
befell upon the Ielaquian palace.

	"Why, it's carved into that cliff!" Serena said amazed.

	Serena could see now that the large platform had some contraption
on it that was held by four heavy strong chains that led up to a 
machine on another large over platform.

	'An elevator.' Serena thought. The front was made of wood and 
shields of black and red were placed on either side of the large gate, 
with a roaring lion of gold on it. Four other large fronts, two on either
side, where visible from the outside.

	"Inside is a series of caves and rooms." Nephlite explained,
seeing her confusion. "There's only really one way in, and one way
out." He pointed to the entrance. "There is a small stream that runs 
through, which leads to the river which you could take, only if you can
hold your breath for more than a minute."

	"It's..it's-"
	
	"Primitive." Kunzite cut in.

	"No!" She shook her head. "I've just never seen anything quite
like this, is it damp and dank inside?"

	"Surprisingly no." Kunzite shook his head. "I can't quite 
explain it, you'll just have to see for yourself." They crossed the
bridge and jumped out of the carriage onto the lift. Slowly with a
big jolt it lifted 23 feet into the air to the higher platform.

	Without a second thought Nephlite burst from the elevator and
into the palace, while the other's tried to keep up with him. When
they got into the entrance, five different hallways greeted their eyes.
The ones to their immediate left and right led downstairs, while the
next two went up, and the one in the middle spanned off to what looked 
like the throne room. 

	"Follow me." Kunzite said, and ascending the left one up. On
the first floor two hallways branched off, but they kept going to the
third floor, where there were three hallways, and took the second. 
Serena and the rest soon found themselves lost as they turned corner
after corner.

	"I hope you know where you're going!" Artemis yelled up to
Kunzite, who smiled in return.

	"The royal chambers are hidden well from the outsiders, as a 
safety precaution. Here we are!" Before he even said it they could hear
the faint cry of a baby. He opened the door and allowed Serena to go
first. The room was dimly lit by some candles, which cast the silk around
the bed in a haunting glow. Nephlite sat on the bed and held his new born
child in his hands, as a doctor and a nurse helped clean the mother up
a bit. Serena approached Nephlite and he smiled up at her.

	"Your highness, I proudly present my son, Kelvaudius." Nephlite
said proudly, and handed his son carefully to Serena. Serena smiled
into Kelvaudius' green eyes, and curled a tendril of dark red hair 
around her finger. 

	"Welcome to the world, little Kelvaudius." Serena cooed.

	"Congratulations." Serena jumped a little at the deep voice,
and turned to the corner where it came from. A man stepped out of 
the shadows, and at first Serena didn't recognize him, but his shining
blue-violet eyes gave him away.

	King Endymion had cut his long hair so that it barely reached 
his eyes, but was still long in its own shaggy way. His face was
clean-shaven, and even his clothes had turned from animal fur to a 
simple black outfit. She found that Kunzite was surprised as well, and
Nephlite had to take a second glance.

	Carefully Serena handed the baby back to his father, and walked
up to Endymion. She gave a small bow of courtesy, and he bent down and
kissed her hand. 

	"I hope you haven't changed your appearance on the account you
knew I was arriving." Serena joked. 

	"I thought it wise to, since I soon hope to enter the new world
order of things." Endymion said. "But let's not dwell on these political
things, we must celebrate my newest little council member!"

	"Oh no Endymion, you're not taking another one of my men."
Said the woman from the bed. She sat upright slowly and wiped her long
curly red hair from her wet face.

	"Oh come now Molly, Endymion was only joking." Nephlite smiled
and kissed his wife gently. "Serena, this is my wife, Moleara."

	"But just call me Molly, everyone else does." Molly smiled.
"Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get cleaned up, and get some sleep.
So get out!..please." Endymion chuckled lightly, waving everyone out
of the room. 

	"We won't impose of you any longer lady. Come on."

	"I'll stay a bit, if my wife doesn't mind." Nephlite said, 
and she smirked. The group piled out of the room and down to the Main
Hall. 

	"How is this achieved, how does it stay so warm and dry?"
Serena asked as they all were assembled together.

	"It's probably better not to ask, just like how all those 
mirrors light your palace. It just, does." Endymion shrugged. 

	"I see. Well, if you wish to join the world of the 'civilized'
you must be more informed." Serena smirked.

	"Oh, I'm slightly informed. Like I know that Besunta is
bothering you, Erise is your ally, I'm working on the ally thing, and 
the Portrian king is your lover. What is there to know?" He said, and
she looked at him startled. "Why should I go outside my boundaries?"

	"Oh, but you cross boundaries which you shouldn't." She shook
her head. 

	"I'm only trying to lighten the mood you see." He waved his
finger. Serena rolled her eyes and looked over the Main Hall. They were
seated above everyone else on a balcony, two long tables coming from
the risen platform as well. Below, two other long tables wound their
way around the circular room. People danced below quickly to a light
music. The room was full of laughter, and Serena found it contagious.

	"Your people love you." She stated.

	"Yes well, they don't like their king's new look." He shook his
head. "Or the fact that I want to join the new world order. I'm only
doing it for them, and their well being."

	"Sometimes you must do things even if it costs you everything." 
Serena sighed.

	"And what if I'm not willing to give it all away?" Endymion
asked. Serena turned to him and for a long moment the two just stared
at each other, not having an answer but both knowing it inside. 

	'What is this I'm feeling?' Serena thought, as their faces
seemed to be getting closer and closer. She licked her lips, an
action that didn't go unnoticed by Endymion. Closer, closer...

	But suddenly the doors were thrown open and Anthony came 
bustling in. At once Serena stood up when she saw him.

	"Anthony?"

	"Your highness, Lord Dunsterk send me to fetch you at once.
Alvediaca is under attack by Besunta once again." Serena sighed, 
punching the railing. She turned to Endymion who smiled at her 
sympathetically.

	"Why is it that when we're together Rubeus always seems to 
separate us?" He said. 

	"Maybe we're just not supposed to be together. It could be a
sign." She said and started walking down the steps. "Ladies, Artemis,
let's go. Give Molly and Nephlite my blessings!" She called over her
shoulder. From the balcony Endymion watched as Serena marched out the
Hall. Kunzite came up beside him and sighed. 

	"She's the one." Endymion said, and Kunzite turned to watch
his eyes.

	"Yes, but shall she be the one to bring love, or our 
destruction?" He said, leaving Endymion with his thoughts.

	
	"Mina." Mina squealed lightly as someone took hold of her arm
and pulled her into a corner. Kunzite immediately lowered his lips onto
hers, and with a sigh she melted into his embrace.

	"Goodbye." He whispered into her mouth, pulling a breath apart.
Mina opened her eyes and looked up at him, moving a piece of moon-
white hair behind his ear.

	"Goodbye, dearest." Mina smiled. "Till next time?"

	"MINA!" Serena called, and with a quick peck on the cheek Mina
disappeared outside. Kunzite watched as they were lowered down over the
cliff, a blood red sunset behind them. 

	'And what will you bring, Kunzite?' He thought to himself,
turning back inside.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	The attacks went on for at least another month, irratical and
unreliable. I grew closer to the Ielaquian king, Endymion, and his
charming generals.(Minus that pompus Jedeite) We wrote occasional 
letters to each other, and I found myself being able to trust him with
things I never would even tell my ladies. Maybe it was because he was
far away and these were just letters, I wasn't looking at his face.(His
gorgeous face that is) However, Diamond must have gotten wind to these
letters and sent some of his own. Honestly, I don't know what he's
worried about. It's like I could ever love Endymion...

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	Hey! Hmm, what does Avanla have up her sleeve now? Well, just to
warn you right now, next chapter is a little dark and like, BAM, in
your face. So don't say you weren't warned. It's gonna start getting
R-ish, so, parents, hide your children! ^_^ God Bless!
					
				_Avanla Mireille_