Selenity and Endymion
                                        by: Shell Presto
                                    PG
Legal Stuff!!!: I don't own any Sailormoon characters. Naoko Takeuchi and
various companies hold that priveledge. *However,* this STORY is my own,
and I'd like to keep it that way. I'd love for you to read it, even
better if you enjoy it, hope you may be inspired by it, but plead that
you do not copy it. Give credit where credit is due, and to each their
own. Have honor, okay? Most importantly, though, ENJOY!!! (P.S. You
probably want to "wrap" this story)
Note: Yeah, I know that's not how you spell her name, but I'm doing it
for "effect." Also, when I speak of "generals," think of Nephrite ,
Zoisite, etc.
One more thing: I should add that the original tale of Selene and
Endymion was written by some Greek writer, I don't know who. I do know
that Naoko's names go with it though, so I'm including this notation in
my story. As I mentioned before: Give credit where credit is due, which
was first said by another person I don't know, and.... Aw heck, I'll shut
up now. Enjoy the story. 

        The wind blew her long blonde hair softly as the moonlight
illuminated it through the panes of the window. The delicate strands were
reminiscent of a spider's web, silky and delicate. She smiled, her hand
in his. She loved his warmth, though it was not to be. Should someone
have found her there, the young woman would be taken prisoner, or, worse
yet, killed.
        Still, 'twas one more chance to see him, his lips curved ever
gently upwards in a slight smile. She remembered the first time she laid
eyes upon that smile. On that starry, moonlit night, just like this one.
She whispered softly, "Do you remember my love?" She needn't have asked,
of course he did, it was impossible to forget...
        
        "Incredible!" the girl uttered, struck with awe of the beauty
around her. The deep blue lake shone brightly in the light of the moon,
and the darkness could not hide the majesty of the gardens of flowers.
The most prominent, in sight and scent, had to be the roses. They were
all over, in the ground, surrounded by  thick, lush grass, not to mention
in the insets in the walls, and covering a grooved, rocky wall that lead
up to a balcony. She took a deep breath, the fresh air and sweet scent of
the roses filling her tiny nose. "Much better than back home," she
commented.
        He always enjoyed the darkness. There was virtually no noise at
night, no one was awake to make any. No people to hassle him, no
servants, no parents, no responsibilities. It was also much cooler than
the taxing heat brought on by the summer sun. He didn't even have to wear
his full armor or wardrobe, though he kept his sword close by. He laid in
the wet grass, staring at the sky, the Moon in particular, just letting
his mind drift into the unending void of space. He loved losing himself
in thought, as many commented on his being a "dreamer." Especially about
the Moon.
        Fairytales from more peaceful times always held his fascination.
His nurse would tell him every one she knew, which was many, for she was
also a dreamer. His favorite being of the beautiful princess of the Moon,
who drove her chariot every night to see her love, a humble sheperd, fast
asleep. She would stay with him every night, and they bore many children
together. He wondered if he would ever find his princess, for it was
coming to the time he should marry soon, and he wished for it to be of
love, not obligation to the throne. Still, he could relax now, while
gazing at that giant white orb in the sky. He smiled, a look of
determination in his blue-grey eyes, "I'll go there one day, just once."
His secret dreams were not as secret as they seemed.
        He was being watched, from a distance. A high marble wall covered
the girl from his sight. Never before had she seen such a handsome man,
with pitch black hair, the color of the night. He wore a tan suit, much
like a general's, with calve-high, black boots on. A stray beam of light
glinted off the edge of his long sword, which laid not even a yard from
him. Although peaceful now, her presence on this ground could prove him
quite dangerous. She decided to make tracks, not noticing the slight
click of her heels echoing through the silence.
        She made her way past a grove of trees, when she heard the faint
sound of footsteps behind her. She stopped and began to slowly turn her
head to see her pursuer in the dark shade of the trees. She had yet to
turn completely before she was greeted by a blade at her neck.
        "Who goes here?" a sharp, cold voice asked in a threatening tone.
When she refused to answer, he continued, "I don't look kindly upon
stangers watching me in the middle of the night, especially recently. Are
you another assasin, sent to kill the man who stands against the war?" He
couldn't make out neither form nor feature in the darkness, and he grew
tired of waiting, "Answer!! Now before I..."
        "NOOO!" the girl screamed as she dropped to her knees, the spaces
between the trunks providing enough light for the boy to realize it was a
female. He immediately let the sword fall to his side. It slipped
completely from his hand as she sobbed, "Please, I'm not trying to kill
anyone, I didn't mean any harm..."
        She was cut off before she could continue, but not before the
tears left her eyes. "D-don't cry! I didn't know you were a girl, I
wouldn't have come after you had I known. I'm sorry to have startled you,
please, forgive me," the young man rambled in a deeper, more comforting
tone. "I...I really hate seeing girls cry." He brought a large hand up to
her face, her tears sparkling as he wiped them away. His expression was a
soft, gentle smile, and as it appeared it chased all doubt from the
girl's mind that this man could hurt her. 
        "My name is Endymion," he said, offering a slight bow to his
lady.
        "Endymion?" the girl asked in wonderment. "You don't mean..."
        Endymion answered before she had a chance to finish, "Yes, I am
Prince Endymion, of Earth, but it seems as though you already knew that.
And your name..."
        "My name..." She turned away, quivering. How could she possibly
tell him? She wasn't supposed to be there, as a matter of fact, it was
forbidden! Still... she looked into his strong eyes, and knew she could
trust him. "My name is Selenity..." and the cresent moon on her forehead
gave off a dim glow towards her features, allowing Endymion to truly see
her beauty for the first time.
        He felt his soul being drawn into those sky blue eyes as he
mumbled," Princess... of the Moon?"
        "That would be me," she assured him.
        "What are you doing here? Our worlds are nearly at war! You could
be killed..."
        "I've lived in a dome all my life. As lovely and as spacious as
it is, it is all artificial. I've longed to see the real thing," she
explained. "I'm sorry, I've caused you so much trouble, I'll leave, I
just..."
        "No, you've caused me no trouble at all. I don't mind, it's just
really dangerous..." He combed through her golden hair with his fingers,
then brought them to a rest on her face. He decided to move on to a
change of subject. "You have both ears pierced," he began, noticing a
shimmering gold spiral ornament dangling from her ear, "...but only wear
one earring. Is that a trend?"
        "What do you mean? I wear both..." She brought a hand up to her
ear to find his observations to be truth. "Oh no! My earring, it must
have..."
        "Fallen out." They searched some time to no avail. "Where were
you last?"
        "The rose gardens." And so they went searching, rather futilely,
for one lone earring.
        Endymion let out a long sigh, "Is it that important?" She turned
to him, her expression questioning his motives. "It's not that I don't
care, I do. It's just that..." he saw the sadness in her complexion, and
rubbed the back of his head in confusion, which he seemed to do often
around women. He proceeded more carefully, "It's just that it's damn near
impossible to find one earring on these grounds in the dark. It'd be
easier to find it in the morning, when it's light outside."
        "But... it's my first pair..." she whined.
        "I'll mail it to you."
        "I don't doubt that, but right now, it's my ONLY pair."
        "So? I don't mean to sound callous, but you can afford another.
In the meantime, surely your mother has a pair you can borrow..."
        "But I'll have one out the whole night." Endymion was absolutely
puzzled by Selenity's fuss over the earring, and before he could comment,
she explained the situation fully. "I just got my ears pierced yesterday,
the hole will close up if I don't wear a pair tonight."
        "Oh, okay. That makes more sense," he said, relieved as he walked
towards her, fiddling with his own left ear. "I can fix that, easy!" Then
he did, by gently sliding his own silver loop into her ear. "There, all
done, no problem."
        She giggled, "You sure don't act like a prince..."
        "That's because I'm not one."
        Selenity stopped laughing, "But... you said..."
        "I'm the Crown Prince of Earth."
        "Right."
        "But not right now, not tonight."
        "Huh?" Then the prince knew the concept was beyond her.
        "I am the Crown Prince, but even though I was born into that
position doesn't necessarily mean I desire it. I'm not a soldier or a
diplomat, nor do I want to be. I'm a lover at heart, and I can't stand
fighting, but I don't have a choice. I'll be a king someday, a great one
I hope. But for now, when I'm alone, I prefer to be just plain Endymion,
and see what I can accomplish for myself, without someone telling me what
to do." He proclaimed this all as he sat down in the grass, a dashing
smile adorning his face, his eyes those of an adventurer's.
        Selenity couldn't help to respond. Her eyes shimmered with some
form of adoration as she spoke to him, "That seems so wonderful, almost
like a dream. I wish I had that luxury..."
        "You don't?" he inquired, one eyebrow slightly raised.
        "Oh, but I just couldn't... it would be so improper..." she said
with as the blood rushed to her face, making it hot and red.
        "You know, sometimes," he advised, now leaning back onto the wet
grass, "you just have to leave your hair down."
        "What does that mean?"
        "It's important to relax, to stop pleasing everyone else and make
yourself happy for a while." As if symbolic of the change she would make,
she removed the pins from her golden lockes. The light summer breeze
taking it away into the dew-covered earth. Endymion gasped in
astonishment, her gorgeous tresses had to be at least twenty feet long.
Her features seemed to beam in her "freed" state, making him at a loss
for words.
        "You're... you're... b...beautiful," he managed to
stutter,"P...Princess."
        "Not 'Princess' anymore," she chided.
        "Then what? What is your name, dear maiden?" he said in a suave,
sophisticated voice. He was only half acting.
        "Why... Selenity, of course."
        "Your going to make me say that?!" he asked, eyes wide and almost
hysterical.
        "Well, yes. Why not?"
        "It's so damn long!"
        "So? Yours is, too."
        "How the heck am I supposed to get romantic with you when every
time I want to say your name I have to say 'Selenity?!' It'll take up
half the night just saying your name!" he let it out too quickly, not
thinking before he spoke. It would have been a great embarassment had she
not let it slide.
        "And you would prefer to call me...?"
        "Selene."
        She smiled,"I can live with that. Is that romantic enough for
you, Ennnnduuuuuuhhhhmmiiiiiiiiooooooonn?"
        Looks like she didn't let it slide... still... Endymion blushed,
then laughed, "My name's not that long, no matter what you'd have me
believe."
        "I still think it's only fair that I get to pick a name for you."
        "Fine, just make sure it suits me."
        Selene eyed him over as he watched the sky, his eyes afire with a
sense of purpose. So bold, he seemed, a true prince, her prince. She
gasped, such thoughts shocked her so.
        "Is something wrong, Selene?"
        "No. No, Endymion fits you well. I have no desire to call you by
any other name." she covered herself, pushing those frivolous thoughts
from her mind. Of course, she failed, then recalled him saying something
about "getting romantic." She was not a princess at the moment, and she
desired to be as daring as the light in his eyes. She laid down beside
him, resting her head upon his firm shoulder. 
        He breathed deeply at her touch, then looked upon her with soft
eyes. She was beautiful, virtually flawless, and she lay on his shoulder,
gentle breath warming his neck ever so slightly. He held her close, and
inhaled the scent of sweet perfume. Her long hair tickled his nose and
lips, and he laughed. 
        "What is it?" she asked, questioning his change of mood.
        "Your hair's in my face, it tickles."
        "Oh, sorry, I'll just..." Her motion was stopped by a strong hand
on her arm.
        "No, don't move. I kind of like it, but it is a little
aggravating to my lips," he told her, an attractive grin on his face.
        "Then, what should I do?"
        "Hold still," and he kissed her upon her forehead, then pulled
her length up towards himself, pressing his lips to hers, a moment of
sheer ecstasy. She responded in kind, and seemed upset as he pulled away.
        "Endymion..."she whispered.
        He placed a single finger against her lips. "Please, be silent,"
he told her in a hushed voice, "For if I do not say this now, I may never
again find the nerve. You've drawn me in, I feel as though I was born to
be with you, to do nothing else than make you happy, content. I wouldn't
be surprised if you found this silly, but just the same, you've captured
my heart. I can't explain it, though I believe in love at first sight,
and you?" She nodded in agreement, and he continued, "Then know that I
love you, Selene, and I will find a way to be with you. I swear it."
        She stared at him, hanging on to his every word. How she wanted
to believe them, the promises of this man, whom she loved, but she knew
this could only end in heartbreak. "If we do this, we would have to
sacrifice everything. To love me could cost you your power, your heart,
your very life," she explained, afraid he knew not the consequences of
his words.
        "I know," he assured her. "And I'm willing to give it all. The
things I feel now I cannot describe. I'm afraid, Selene, not of a war,
but of losing you. Afraid of losing this feeling. I love you."
        "And I you, Endymion, with all my heart." They kissed, and found
themselves feeling safer in each others' arms than they had in their
entire lives. So secure were they, that their lack of sleep that night
caught up with the pair. They slept comfortably on the grass until the
first hint of sun up. Then Selene awoke.
        She didn't move at first, not wanting to leave the warm arms of
her prince. She had no will to move, so it was by her mind alone that she
forced herself to stand. Selene knew she couldn't stay as she watched
Endymion's face, childlike and full of happiness, innocence. This
situation was already wrong, they could never be together. She grew sad,
not wanting to part from him, though she knew it would be better had he
thought it all a dream, that she was not real, that he had not found
love. Tears streaming down her face, she turned from him, desiring to not
view him as she had to leave.
        "S... Selene..." She jumped, as she was not prepared to hear his
voice. "Why are you... leaving?" he asked, voice rough and sleep clouding
his mind. He grabbed a small edge of her dress, as if pleading, "Why do
you leave me... I want you to stay."
        She laughed at his appearance, and kneeled as she answered,"I
must leave you, you knew this from the start."
        "But... you can't go. I promised myself... I'd make you my bride.
My wife with who I'd live forever, and make you the happiest one all the
while." She was dumbstruck by his comments, what he said when not
thinking. He opened himself to her like a book, forcing hopes and dreams
upon her. "I dreamt about it, you know. You're even more beautiful in a
wedding gown, and that's how I knew it a dream, for you could never be
more beautiful than you are now, it is not possible. We had a daughter,
she had your hair. We were very happy. I wish you, too, could have had
the dream."
        She had to stop his next words, she would not be able to leave if
he were to say...
        "I wish we could make the dream real."
        Too late... it was...
        "Too late, my love, it seems as if the stars have dashed your
dreams into so much dust. You know we cannot be together, only in our
dreams, and no where else." She said it solemnly, knowing every utterance
was truth.
        Endymion shook of the effects of his rest, but only whined, "No!
There has to be something we can do! Stay with me, I'll tell my parents
you're of Earth, and they'll allow us to..."
        "You know it won't work..." she chided as she brushed up her
bangs, fully revealing the cresent moon upon her forehead. "Nothing can
hide this." They grew silent, not submitting to the words, good bye.
        "Then take me with you."
        "Endymion?! What?!"
        "Your people are peace loving, do you believe they would accept
me? I'm willing to give everything to be with you, even my home."
        Selenity's eyes lit up with joy. "Yes!" she happily agreed, "Yes,
that would work! You could come be with me and we will be married and..."
        Her eyes grew sad, catching Endymion off guard, "...and..."
        "And the Moon could be destroyed, by a war you will not have
stopped. You're needed here, Endymion. I cannot sacrifice a world, and
us, so we can be together for such a short period of time." 
        "Then... I must stay."
        "Yes."
        "And we must never see each other again."
        "No!" she cried out.
        "What?!"
        "I'll visit you every night, like now, we'll be together! I
promise!"
        "You will never come here again."
        "En... Endymion? Why?"
        "You'll be discovered, and killed. I won't allow it. You and I
will be together when our world's find peace, and they will, I swear it."
There was an unmistakable confidence in those blue eyes, and Selenity
found her heart believing them, though her mind knew better. "I love you,
Selenity." He stood up and kissed her. It was a long, passionate kiss,
one that would last them a long time, to be remembered on darker days,
the days to come when their worlds would turn against each other. Their
love would be tested, and should they triumph, they would again find each
other, someday. In the meantime...
        "My earring," Selenity mumbled.
        "Your what?"
        "I have to come back, for my earring. Mother will be suspicious
if I don't find it," she explained.
        "Oh, right, then come tonight, and I'll be waiting in the rose
gardens."
        "Good. Well then, see you tonight, Endymion!" She turned and
walked towards the woods, now able to do so with the knowledge she would
be with him again. The security wouldn't last.
        "Selenity."
        "Hmm?" she sounded unsure, and did not face him.
        "After I return your earring, your not to come again.
Understand?" his voice was the cold tone it was when she first heard it.
        "Of course," she answered. "I understand." A tear made its path
along her face as she ran into the woods, and Endymion cursed that he
would never see her eyes in the daylight.
        Hours passed, then days, even weeks, though Endymion found no
sign of the princess. The longer time went on the more he believed she no
longer cared, that the night had been nothing more than amusing to her,
though his heart denied it. Moonlit nights became torture for the young
man, and he found himself living more in the day than at night. Soon the
Prince found himself sleeping, for lack of anything better to do. At
least he could have his Princess in his dreams.
        It took her a long time to get over the urge to rush to him,
assure him of her devotion to him, and have him take her in his arms. She
did, however, with a sense of control that she thought was beyond her.
Longer still was it 'til she learned that the jagged, rose-covered wall
led to the place she desired. She also learned to pick a lock, and gained
entrance to that magical domain, to her Prince...

        "And so it goes, every night, my love. I wish I could wake you,
but I know you sense my presense. Otherwise you would not smile so in
your dreams. For now, it must remain this way, as I must be going, again,
before you stir. I come only with the moonlight, my love, until the day
our world's are at peace. Then I will make all your... all our... dreams
come true."
        As the Princess descended from the balcony, the first rays of
morning light hit a small golden object on the pillow, causing the
sleeping prince to stir. "How I love to sleep..." he whispered to no one
in particular, the earring, perhaps. "Only in my dreams may I see my
shining Princess. Yet, I feel as though she would be right there, if I
would only wake. But I'm a dreamer, and I suppose that is how I'll stay."
Suddenly, as if on some heavenly cue, he remembered the name of the tale
he was thinking of that very night he met his love. The entire castle
would wonder why the young Crown Prince Endymion was laughing so hard and
loudly that morn. They would never understand his happiness as he
recalled the title.
        Selene and Endymion.

Hope you enjoyed this one! I know I did writing it! Please email (I'm
mangetsu@email.com) me with any comments or complaints, or if you would
like to see some of my drawings for this story via email. I pretty much
respond to everyone. Oh, yeah! I wanted to ask if anyone knows any good
Tuxedo Mask or Ogreslayer sights, I've checked all the ones on Anipike,
so I'd appreciate help on my quest. Also, anyone know anywhere I can get
some good fansubs? Thanks.

-Michelle Prestileo


     6:23 PM 3/5/99
E1:17 PM 7/16/99