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. 
She was dressed in a white, silky night gown of hers, after retiring to her own 
bedroom after a night's dancing. Serena looked in the mirror, as it reflected
the red glow from the fire hearth.  She smiled happily at her own 
reflection as Molly enter 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 2 days earlier to retrieve you.  Lady Mina's housekeeper reported that 
you're here.  Her Majesty ordered that you must be back to the royal 
palace by tomorrow afternoon." 

	Caught greatly surprised, Serena questioned Molly carefully, 
"Why? she promised me I could stay at Mina's place 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 didn't' say much. I think it's 
something vitally important.  Her Majesty's royal summon can not be denied!" 

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

 	What’s happening? She’s tried to calm herself but failed, remembering
Darien’d 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 were already aware 
about your departure.  She will inform the others tomorrow.  You should hurry 
my lady." Molly urged her, very worried.

 	Serena stood up quickly, her mind a 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 hall way. Once she heard 
no more, she open her bedroom door and hurriedly sneaked out downstairs.

**********

	Serena hurried down the red carpeted hall way, her mind trying 
hard to register what was going to happen.  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 pondered
ferociously in her chest as she stepped into the room she had 
been numerous times before.  

	Even though Molly didn't say, an uneasy feeling in her 
blood told her it may be a departure... forever.  Yet so in love 
with Darien, she couldn't 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 toward the bed, her body shaking 
from fear.  The dim glow from the fire 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 
eyes.  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 to wake him, Serena turned her face away.  

	She looked around the room, recognizing 
and 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 bend her waist, her trembling lips lowered to his.  A 
constriction in her throat made Serena’s heart twisting in pain.  Unable 
to hold out any longer, the girl turned to leave. 

  	Looking back to 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.  

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

	She dragged her heavy steps to the staircase and climbed up 
tiredly.  Tears strained 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 crying friend but had no success.  Serena looked 
at them dully,  her mind elsewhere. 

	The carriage sailed out from Darien's great castle at Leeds 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 cast lit the amazing 
elegance.  A soft blanket of snow covered the nearly 20 acres 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 arched 
and cried out farewell.  

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

To be continued...