Once in a Dream
Part 8 --- The Sound of Thunder
By: Neo-Queen Serenity
E-Mail: serenausako@hotmail.com
webpage: http://crystaltokyo.cjb.net


	Serena sat in a chair in front of her dressing mirror.  Her 
blonde curls pooled around her shoulders as she brushed her smooth, soft 
hair.  After retiring to her own bedroom from a night of dancing, she 
dressed in a white, silky nightgown. Serena looked in the mirror, as it 
reflected the red glow from the hearth.  She smiled happily at her own 
reflection as Molly entered the room without knocking.  

	Without turning around, Serena smiled at her lady-in-waiting 
through the mirror.  Sensing a worried expression spread across 
Molly's feature, Serena spun around in astonishment.  

	"What happened, Molly?  You seem so--"  

	"My lady, Her Majesty, your mother, has sent a messenger to  
Perth two days earlier to retrieve you.  Lady Mina's housekeeper reported 
that you were here.  Her Majesty ordered that you must be back at the royal 
palace by tomorrow afternoon." 

	Caught greatly surprised, Serena questioned Molly carefully, 
"Why? She promised me I could stay at Mina's palace until the 10th 
of January.  Why is she-"  

	"But, your highness.  The Queen ordered you to be back by 
tomorrow.  Your luggage at Perth were already sent back to the palace 
with the carriage.  The messenger did not say much, I think it's 
something vitally important.  Her Majesty's royal summon cannot be denied!" 

	Serena leaned her head against her elbow, as she pondered about
her mother's all too sudden and unusual summon.  

 	'What's happening?' she asked herself as she tried to calm herself 
and failing, remembering that Darien would demand an explanation from her if 
she leave for London.

	"But, Molly, if I must be home by tomorrow, then that 
means I must be leaving right now!  I can't even say good bye to Darien."  

	"Your highness, Lady Mina and Lord Charles are already aware 
about your departure.  She will inform the others tomorrow.  You should 
hurry, my lady." A very worried Molly urged.

 	Serena stood up quickly, her mind in a state of a jumbled mess.  
"Let me have a moment alone to think this over.  Go and prepare my clothing." 

	Molly curtsied and left the room.  Serena listened carefully
for Molly's steps to disappear on the carpeted hallway. Once she heard 
no more, she opened her bedroom door and hurriedly sneaked out downstairs.

**********

	Serena hurried down the red carpeted hallway, her mind working on 
overtime, worried about what will happen next.  Her feet padded lightly on 
the floor and led her to a large French door.  Serena hesitated for a moment 
but turned the handle silently.  

	The door wasn't locked and it led to a rather huge bedroom.  
The room was dark, its master already asleep.  Serena's heart pounded
ferociously in her chest as she stepped into the room she had been in 
numerous times before.  

	Even though Molly did not say, an uneasy feeling in her 
blood told her it may be a parting... forever.  Yet, so in love 
with Darien, she could not bare to leave him.  Her heart and mind refused 
to even think that way.  But it was the Queen's order, her mother 
and superior.  

	Serena moved slowly towards the bed, her body shaking 
from fear and sadness.  The dim glow from the hearth reflected Darien's 
handsome face,  so peaceful and asleep. 

	Serena slowly placed a shaky finger on his forehead. 
Trembling, she managed to push a few dark bangs out of his closed 
eyelids.  Her tears flowed freely down her pale cheeks, she dreaded this 
moment.  
	
	The dark side of her told her that this might be a farewell 
forever.  Fearing that she might wake him, Serena turned her face away.  

	She looked around the room, memorizing each article that belonged to 
its master, the man she loved to distraction. She thought of all the 
wonderful times she spent here, then looked back at Darien's sleeping face, 
an image captured deeply in her mind.  


	She bent her waist, as trembling lips lowered to his.  A 
constriction in her throat made Serena's heart twist in pain.  Unable 
to hold out any longer, the girl turned to leave. 

  	Looking back at him once more, Serena stepped out of the room 
with her face in her hands.  The moment she stepped through his 
door, her whole being broke down sobbing brokenly.  

	Serena felt as if she was going to collapse right in front of 
Darien's room as her knees weakened like jelly.  

	With heavy steps, she dragged herself to the staircase and climbed 
up tiredly.  Tears stained her pale thin face and heavy heart. Pearl like
tears fell onto the red carpet under her feet, saturating it.

*********

	Serena and Molly sat in their carriage.  Mina stood shoulder by 
shoulder with Charles, waving and sobbing. She hugged Serena earlier 
and tried to comfort her distressed friend, but to no avail.  Serena looked 
at them dully, her mind elsewhere. 

	The carriage sailed out from Darien's great castle at Leeds and into 
the covering light of early dawn.  

	Serena suddenly turned around, her gaze locked on the grand 
mansion, as orange rays of the early sun lit the amazing elegance of the 
mansion.  A soft blanket of snow covered the nearly 20 acres of land, 
that sharp whiteness that left a huge blank in Serena's crying mind.  

	It was a new day.  

	Once again, tears blurred Serena's vision,  her heart ached 
and cried out farewell.  

	Charles hugged his wife silently as they watched Serena's 
carriage take off.



To be continued...