Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Lament ❯ Merci 1 ( Chapter 2 )

Love & Lament

Chapter two

Later that night as Makoto reveled in the love and comfort Fiore gave her, Ami found a different kind of comfort in her mother's protective embrace. The last month Ami had been plagued by terrible nightmares. Tonight they would not find her. The nightmares would be replaced by something else, a final gift the mortally wounded Garoben left her young lover. The gift of the past.

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"Princess look out!" The young woman felt her guardian's sonar cry just in time to avoid being killed by the creature hurtling toward her. As the creature turned for another pass, the young princess's body guard swam to her side bracing for the attack.

Princess Merci, and her best friend and body guard Bruuna had left the safety of the city several hours ago. It had been some time since they explored the outer regions of Merci's father's oceanic kingdom. The two had intended on spending the day relaxing away from the hustle and pomp of the life of a Mecurian noble. They enjoyed escaping as much as time allowed over the six years of their friendship, normally however they would find places around the city to avoid being bothered.

Bruuna watched the creature that attacked her princess as it turned for another attack. Still relatively young herself, Bruuna had never the less seen and done many things. In all her experience, she has never seen or heard of anything about the creature she now faced. The creature had a short stocky humanoid body. Its head, however, looked as if a giant deep sea fish had grown where the creatures head should have been. Instead of skin, it was coated in a layer of slick scales, and covered with many frills. The creature's webbed hands and feet looked comically large, but probably aided well in swimming. The long, wicked claws protruding from its fingers were obviously not for show.

The surrounding waters of Merci's father's kingdom should have been relatively danger free. That being the case Bruuna only wore a light fish scale armor that was used more as a mark of her station rather then actual protection. Lucky for her, she always insisted on carrying her trident with her. The massive three pronged weapon was an eight generation family heirloom, and it rarely left her side. Merci had adequate training in combat, but unlike her guard, she was unarmed and wore nothing but a few pieces of jewelry.

Bruuna watched as the creature suddenly sped up, its webbed appendages giving it a greater boost of speed than imagined. She managed to block the attack, but the force of the charge sent both combatants tumbling over a dozen feet. Merci let loose a sonar pulse in the hopes of summoning anyone nearby.

As the two combatants hit the ground the creature pushed up from the ground in another charge. Bruuna thrust her trident forward, impaling the startled creature. With tremendous strength and speed, the creature wrenched the weapon from its body and from Bruuna's grip. Flinging the trident aside the creature lashed forward with one of its massive claws. Unprepared for the speed of the attack, Bruuna couldn't avoid the claw as it ripped open the left half of her face. The pain of the attack was incredible, and judging from the strength of Merci's sonar scream it looked as bad as it felt.

Even mortally wounded by Bruuna's trident, the fish creature was not stopping its attack. Acting on sheer instinct Bruuna dodged the creature's next attack and managed to get in close enough to wrap her long arms around the creature's thick slimy neck. Assuming that the creature had gills too, Bruuna knew that choking it would do no good. The guardswoman was blinded by the blood clouding the water around her face, and could feel her strength failing her. An image in her mind of her princess being killed by this creature gave her a sudden burst of strength. A loud crack sounded through the waters as the creature's neck snapped.

"Bruuna!" Merci's sonar cry reflected off the exhausted guardswoman. The princess swam quickly to her friend's side, immediately offering her slim shoulder for the much larger woman to lean onto.

"Princess, are you hurt?" Bruuna signaled as she tightened her grip on her friend.

"I'm ok. Don't worry about me… Bruuna, your face."

"Never mind that! Give me my trident; we need to get out of here before more of those things show up." Even though the Mecurian's sonar speak could not reflect emotion, Merci could feel the added strength of her friend's command. Quickly retrieving the abandoned weapon, Merci returned it to her friend.

Bruuna sighed inwardly as her hand clutched at the familiar grip of her weapon. ::Great, hopefully all my blood won't attract any sharks, or any other unsavory creatures.:: Bruuna kept that thought to herself knowing how petrified Merci was of the ancient flesh eating beasts.

Even though Merci was only eleven years old, she still had enough wisdom to see how dangerous a situation they were in. With all haste the young princess and her guard swan back to the safety of the city. The trip was not an easy one, as Bruuna was blind, and passed out on more than a few occasions. It was only through sheer determination on Merci's part that allowed for them to make it to safety together.

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"Hmpf! That's preposterous!"

Three days have passed since Merci and Bruuna were attacked. Bruuna spent the first day unconscious in the hospital from loss of blood. Now however, the energetic guard only wanted to leave and return to her duties. Only Merci's direct order to stay in bed kept her there. Now that she was healthy enough to entertain guests, Bruuna, had to suffer through inquiry after inquiry of what happened to them.

Official after pompous official laughed at her story. Like the man mocking her now, none had believed a word she said. Still, more and more showed up. Even though Merci was her fathers fourteenth daughter, and very low on the totem pole of power any attack on royalty warranted a detailed investigation.

Bruuna was sick of all the snide comments and disbelieving stares. Things were made worse because the hospital she was in was on dry land. This was necessary for sanitary reasons. Like most Mecurians, Bruuna preferred life underwater and was uncomfortable out of it. Most of Mecurian life took place underwater, the only exceptions being hospitals, some farms, palaces for visiting other world dignitaries, and the odd hermit who preferred land to water.

Bruuna was definitely not one of those. That, coupled with the fact that she was crowded, and still in considerable pain made her irate and thoroughly miserable. The wound to her face was devastating. Her eye was a complete loss, and the scarring would be horrific if not properly treated. Unfortunately, the physicians seemed to be under orders to do anything to help her in that department.

The only thing keeping her sane, was the constant presence of her mistress, the princess Merci. Bruuna had been at her side protecting her for the last six years. Bruuna was ten when she first started working for her. She had just received status as a working citizen, and was purchased by Merci's father. At the time of their introduction, Merci was only six years old. Since then, the two passed beyond the boundary of master and servant, instead choosing to become good friends.

Merci's father frowned on this, but in the end his fourteenth daughter did not warrant enough of his attention for him to care. After all, the best he could hope from her was that she would marry a lesser noble of one of the smaller Mecurian provinces. That is if she married at all. The Mecurian lord's household was infamous for producing spinsters. He had sired sixteen children, all daughters, before his wife died. Out of the sixteen, only four found husbands.

Regardless of her status, Merci at least warranted a visit from her father when she had been attacked. Bruuna, forgetting her injuries, sat up to attention as the Mecurian lord stormed into her room. Merci followed meekly, a step behind his massive frame.

"Guard!" The king roared, addressing Bruuna. "What have you done to my daughter to make her spread this blatant lie about you attack?"

"My lord?" Bruuna spoke, clearly shocked.

Lord Egrenon spoke as if he were addressing a slow child. "According to her tales you fought a Sahuagin, a creature that has been extinct for nearly two-hundred years. She has gone so far as to say you slew it with your bare hands!"

"I did wound it with my trident first, my lord."

"SILENCE!" The king's bellow rattled the walls of the hospital. "Do you know what kind of hysteria these lies could cause? The Sahuagin were our people's most deadly enemy. Three generations of my fathers died fighting them."

Bruuna was shocked that her king discredited everything his own daughter told him as lies. Being on the king's bad side could be very dangerous for someone as lowly as a guardsman. "My lord, these are not lies! My ruined face is testament to the creature I fought. It took my eye for Serenity's sake!"

"Do not speak… Little guard." The king's voice was deathly cold. Bruuna, turned pale as a fear filled resignation settled around her. Merci looked upon her friend with fear and misery. The young princess was miserable with the knowledge that she could not stop her father from punishing her friend.

"I had my men search for signs of your alleged combat, we found none. I don't know what you did to your face, and frankly I don't care. The next time you fabricate a story to spare yourself embarrassment, I will kill you myself." Lord Egrenon paused to allow his words to sink in. "Starting immediately you are removed from duty and you will report as a private to the commoner's army."

Bruuna sat stock still, showing no signs of the horrible feelings raking through her. She had just been demoted to the lowest class assignment and position in the army. It was very nearly a death sentence as these troops were frequently used as fodder in shark and sea monster attacks.

"Father no!" Merci stepped in front of her father, ready to stand up for her friend. A large meaty hand batted her aside. Startled she fell to the floor and was pinned by her father's angry glare. "Don't even start with me dear girl. You are lucky that I don't punish you." Without another word, the king and his stuffy advisors left the room to its two stunned occupants.

"Oh Bruuna." Merci whispered, her face was a clear mask of guilt and sorrow.

Bruuna remained in a state of stunned disbelief. She just lost half her face and nearly died protecting her princess. Instead of thanks, she received a near death sentence. And even worse for Bruuna, the punishment that she could not even begin to imagine, was to be separated from the person who had come to mean everything to her.

"Bruuna, Merci!." The call came from outside Bruuna's room, quickly followed by a worried looking woman bursting in.

"Lady Tetisu?"

"Sister!" Merci smiled at her older sister. The Lady Tetisu was in her mid thirties, the third daughter of King Egrenon, and one of the four of his daughters that were married. She was a beautiful woman who did not look her age. Her smooth light blue skin and luxurious navy blue locks helped greatly in the illusion of youth. Bruuna's late father had been her body guard for fifteen years. Tetisu considered the younger woman a sister, if not a daughter.

"Oh Bruuna, your handsome face." Tetisu spoke with a motherly tenderness as she gently stroked Bruuna's unmarked cheek. Merci considered it the greatest of injustices that the only person in her family to have a maternal side was cursed to never be able to have a child.

"I just had words with your doctor." Tetisu's voice barely concealed her anger. "It seems he was instructed to let your face scar. I on the other hand am under no such orders, and would not follow them if I was. I brought a miraculous salve that will do wonders to aid in mending your face." Tetisu moved to unwrap the bandages that masked half of the former guards face. Bruuna stopped her hands halfway, a nervous plea evident in her remaining eye. Tetisu was confused at first until Bruuna flashed a quick glance to Merci, who watched nearby.

"Oh!" Tetisu mouthed silently, understanding what Bruuna was asking. "Merci, could you wait outside for a moment." Tetisu turned to face her sister. Merci knew it wasn't a request, and reluctantly departed.

"Please call me as soon as you're done." Merci was confused as to why they wanted her to leave, but decided not to argue.

Tetisu gasped as she lifted Bruuna's bandages. With a tender touch, she began to apply the soothing salve. "You love Merci." Tetisu spoke with compassion. It was the secret Bruuna always kept to herself, but could not deny.

"I do, she's my best friend and princess." Bruuna spoke trying to deflect the conversation.

"You know that is not what I meant." Tetisu gently chastised her friend.

"Yes… I love her more than anything." Bruuna spoke the words out loud for the first time. She felt relief at finally being able to express that to someone other than her own reflection.

Tetisu smiled sadly. "You know how dangerous your feelings are. Does Merci know?" Tetisu loved both Bruuna and her sister dearly and could not help but feel bad for Bruuna. Same sex couples were not tolerated in many parts of the galaxy. Venus and The Great Lady Serenity's court were the only havens for lovers of that persuasion. Then of course, Bruuna, was of a much lower class than Merci. The romance just was not possible.

"No." Bruuna sighed, long ago having come to the same conclusion. "And she never will." Tetisu gave her a sympathetic gaze. There was nothing she could say.

"Doesn't matter anyway." Bruuna spoke softly, resigned to the thought. "Starting tomorrow I doubt I will ever see her again."

"WHAT… Why?" Tetisu was shocked, Merci and Bruuna were inseparable. The tone of Bruuna's voice scared her, she had never heard her friend sound so defeated before.

"Lord Egrenon dismissed me from my position. I am to report as a private to the commoner's army as soon as I am able."

Tetisu gasped. Bruuna saved her sister life, and her father repaid her by giving her a demotion and a position with an incredibly high mortality rate. "Saturn take that old bastard!" Tetisu cursed as she rose angrily from Bruuna's side.

"No, I will not allow this." Bruuna stared open mouthed at her friend. She had never before seen Tetisu angry, and she was more than a little curious as to what she could do to help her.

"Merci, come in here please." Tetisu called for her sister whom hastily entered the room.

"Is Bruuna ok?" Merci questioned, relieved when she saw that her friend was all right.

"Merci, as soon as she is healed, Bruuna will be assigned to my household." Both Bruuna's and Merci's eyes widened at the proclamation. This was an incredible honor, especially since Tetisu's husband was one of the three most influential men on Mercury.

"I need you to bring me her working citizen's seal before father finds it." The seal was the Mecurian symbol of ownership. Although slavery was abolished by Lady Serenity, Mercury's economy was based off a form of paid slavery. Once members of the lower class reached the age of ten, they would choose a patron lord whom would buy them. The lower class were then paid a small wage, but were still property of their chosen lord.

Bruuna had chosen Lord Egrenon on the condition that she be assigned to Merci. Even though Merci acted as her patron, Bruuna was still Lord Egrenon's property. Of course, if Tetisu could purchase Bruuna from her father's head of household before he got wind of it, then he would have no say inn the matter.

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Later that evening Tetisu and Merci shared a celebratory meal with Bruuna, who now officially worked for Tetisu. After the meal was over Merci joined her sister in the guest suite provided to her while she visited her father's capitol city. It was an elaborate aquatic structure conveniently located a short swim from the manufactured island that held the hospital.

Tetisu stretched on her shell lined sleeping nook. "Oh I am so happy to be out of those horrid body drapes."

The sonar pulses in which the Mecurian's communicated bounced off Merci, who agreed whole heartedly. While underwater there was no need for clothing of any kind. While in the hospital, clothing was mandatory for sanitary reasons.

"Merci, you know that father is going to use your Seepa tomorrow as an opportunity to marry you off. Not that he's had success with any of our other sisters, but you know he will try."

The thought of this brought a frown to Merci's face. The Seepa was a Mecurian's twelfth birthday, when they became fully recognized as an adult. For many women, especially women of high station it was a day used to market her to potential suitors. Unlike most of her sisters, Merci didn't inherit her father's looks and personality. Due to this blessing, she actually had an opportunity of finding a suitable husband. It was whispered that many a young noble were planning to bid for her hand at the ceremony.

Merci sighed, absently watching the bubbles it produced trickle away. "I don't want to stay here." Merci spoke after a lengthy silence.

"Hmpf, maybe I will get luck and find some one I actually like." Merci's eyes shot round as saucers as she realized what she just said. "Oh sis, I am so sorry."

Tetisu shook her head unconcerned. It was no secret that she married her husband for the exact reason Merci spoke of. Living under her father's roof was maddening. Her husband was a decent looking and kind man, but she had no feelings beyond friendship for him. Tetisu was desperate to leave the house, and that had been when her mother was still alive. Now that the queen was dead, Lord Egrenon was even worse.

"Well," Tetisu started. "If you're desperate, I know that my brother in law is looking for a wife."

"Duke Aspagyn?!?" Merci made a comically horrified face.

"He's not that bad. Besides, it would be nice to have you live close to me. I know Bruuna would like that too."

All was silent for a moment until Merci started to sniff. "I'm going to miss her sis." Merci looked as if she were going to cry. Tetisu quickly swam to her side to hold her.

"I know Merci. Everything will turn out fine."