A/N - This is part of a much larger series I've finally gotten the lady balls to write. This particular story was a spark of inspiration that didn't quite fit with the rest, but needed to be told nonetheless.

The destruction of the Moon Kingdom shaped who they were to become. We all know their stories. But does the history of the Moon Kingdom look so rosy through the eyes of an outsider? Perhaps there is more to the story than we initially believed.

How strange to look back on that time with fondness, after all the death and oppression, the pain and suffering that was endured over centuries. Yet, it was a simple time, relatively speaking. What was expected of me and the role I held was easy, mindless even, though had they known that, I would have probably been punished for it.

But I'm not making much sense, am I? Perhaps I should start at the beginning, though I'm not even sure where to begin.

I lived on the Moon for most of my life. I suppose most of my existence would be a more accurate way to phrase it, but the technicalities aren't important.

I was born and raised on the Earth, and I was happy there. I was a princess, you see, and far from a proper one. I had many older brothers and sisters, so I didn't have to worry about ruling, not that I wanted to anyway. I was allowed to focus on my own powers, which would prove to be my greatest strength and greatest weakness.

There was peace between the different Kingdoms, and often times I was called to help one of them with an attack or uprising, but my naivety blinded me to their resentment, their hatred of depending on another to defend their own world. That hatred eventually reached its breaking point. Looking back, it's obvious what pushed them so far, but then we were all blind to its influence.

I wasn't very old when the Unification happened. Early twenties, I suppose, though its been so long. Though it gave rise to the Moon Kingdom that is well known and loved, it was a dark period in the history of the planets, and one that is not easily forgotten. Even today, I can see the rifts and alliances that were formed during that time, shown in much more subtle ways, such as who stands next to another, how they all classify themselves, and the strength of the bonds that hold them together.

It was then that I lost my freedom, my power, my strength, and my planet.

My crime? Defending my world. Do not misunderstand; unifying the kingdoms was and is a good thing. However, the basis upon which it occurred was far darker than the history books say.

My punishment? Far greater than I wish to admit. Many of the requirements for my punishment are obsolete or meaningless by this time, but the greatest and perhaps the most harsh of them still stands.

My sentence? To serve until I am no longer needed. While this may seem like a gift, to live until my purpose is done, what does that leave me with? My time in this world is unknown, the moment I leave this world dictated by people who care nothing about my fate.

I curse my immortality sometimes.

So for a thousand years, I watched and served, advising the Queens on the matters of the System, how to speak with the other Kingdoms, dictating power and authority. Early on, it was a hard and thankless task, as the Queens remembered the resistance, and treated me with disdain, and I felt the same towards them. But as the years passed, the memories of that time faded, and with it the knowledge of my past and origins. I became just another face behind the Queen, albeit a constant one.

I watched as strong Queens and weak ones ruled masterfully or blundered through their reign. I watched as Princesses from other Kingdoms came and went, offering companionship and allegiances to the current young Moon Princess. I watched as their ties were forged, strengthened and broken, alliances switched from one kingdom to the next and back, political intrigue and deception rise and fall.

Even the Moon had these constants, though they diminished with time as the Kingdoms grew closer.

In the end, I came to grow fond of the Queen and Princess. It was inevitable really. I had long since given up my feelings of resentment and hatred. I was beyond resignation and despair. All that was left was acceptance. Why not try to enjoy the time I had? After all, my life could end at a moment's notice.

I suppose I was rather cruel in the beginning, in a way. My charge was to defend the Queens of the Moon to the best of my (severely handicapped) ability. Needless to say, early on, I did not quite do the job that was expected of me, though a Queen never died while under my protection. I will admit, however, there were times when I wished something would happen, and I would be just a moment too slow, or a second behind, just enough to fail my duty and end my misery. As time went on and I accepted my fate, I began to care a bit more about my position and the responsibilities it entailed. I began to care about the Queens and their safety.

I find it rather ironic then, that the one Queen whom I cherished above all others was the one person I could not protect.