Author's Note: I decided to add a few more chapters to this story, as my mind started racing about the history of the Moon Kingdom. So, Chapter 1 was just a beginning for me, but now that I have a direction, Chapter 1 will actually fit into later chapters. Enjoy – this is one of my first stories that I have written in a long time.

The Lunar Memoirs

Chapter 2 – The Birth

As I dodged Serena's flailing limbs in her mad-dash for her clothes, backpack, lunch, and pretty much anything else that was along the way, I took haven in a sunny window adjacent to the kitchen and continued my reflection on the earlier parts of my life – particularly when Serena was born.

My role before Serena was born was limited, as I was young and just starting to learn the inner workings of the palace. My mother, Theia, was originally Queen Serenity's advisor and long-time confidante. As my mother was getting up in age (although she never looked it), she was slowly replacing herself by having me tag along to meetings, small trips, and other endevours. I remember one conversation just weeks before Princess Serena was born:

"It's all happening so quickly!" Theia muttered as she quickened her step.

Luna quickly tried to catch up, constantly dodging various servants running around in the hallway, "Mother, I hope that all of these people will stop running all over the place when the new heir is born. It's really starting to hurt!"

Theia turned immediately, entering a small room and began to relax. Luna followed, and continued her complaining, "I wish they would have a cat walk, or something for the smaller creatures of the Kingdom.

The room was small, but cozy – and built solely for Theia and her family. It was not lavishly decorated, but did present itself in a royal manor: elegant marble flooring, lush fabrics and multiple areas for sitting, sleeping and all the like. Luna went on complaining as she sat down on a dainty sofa, while Theia found herself pacing back and forth, until she found what she wanted to say, "Luna, I need you to pay careful attention..."

Luna stopped her constant spouting and tilted her head to one side. Theia continued, "... Queen Serenity just informed me that you will be the advisor and essentially the guardian of the newborn heir of the Kingdom. It is quite..."

She was cut off by Luna ecstatic response, "Mother, this is great! I knew there was a reason for all of this indirect training! I'll be able to..."

Theia was not at all impressed by the response given by her daughter, "Luna! You must control yourself. This is not a matter for your pride, but rather a large responsibility – one so important that it is almost a curse. This is not even close to the job that I have with Queen Serenity. You are actually going to be a large influence on the heir of the Moon Kingdom! You will be providing educational, emotional and spiritual guidance for this small child. You will be solely responsible for the well-being of this child! It is vitally..."

I remember tuning my mother out while she continued to discuss the importance of my new position. With every sentence that she spoke, I felt my excitement drain away into a growing pool of fear. I was just barely old enough to be responsible for myself, let alone the heir to the Moon Kingdom. I had questions whirling around my head, concerns that I could barely communicate and emotions that could barely be contained. At that moment I realized that I needed to pay more attention to the things around me, the situations that were at hand and the people that could help me.

My mother concern continued until the day the child was born. Much like Earth, the birth of a child is celebrated by family and friends, colleagues and other important individuals. In the palace, the birth of the only heir to the Moon Kingdom created quite a stir. Once Queen Serenity had announced that it was time and made her way into the birthing chamber that was specially created for this event, servants began running their own unique errands, to get: towels, water, blankets, other people... it was quite a dance. One poor boy had the job of announcing the birth to the entire Kingdom, and I found him pacing outside of the room practicing his lines: "It is with great pleasure... no, It is with high honour... bah! I can't do it..."

I passed the boy as he continued to practice as I entered the door made my way into the birthing room. I was requested by the Queen herself to be at the birthing of the heir. Up until the actual birth, not one soul knew the sex of the baby. Queen Serenity was up on a soft bed, draped in the finest fabrics, being waited on constantly even for the smallest thing as a word of encouragement. There were many nurses, midwives, and other medical support staff. There was also the King and my mother at the Queen's side, smiling and laughing, attempting to help her through the pain.

Just as I walked up to the bed to take a seat off to the side, it began. The Queen started to wail as she was told to push. I couldn't pull my eyes away from the whole spectacle. The King held her hand and tried to smile as his wife moaned and gritted her teeth for another push. My mother muttered words of encouragement and praise to the Queen; she always knew what to say during important times. I found myself to be useless, but I was soaking up the knowledge and experience so that I would be able to tell the new heir about this historic event of the Moon Kingdom.

After what seemed like hours, but was only minutes in length, a small little girl was born. It was rather exciting to be one of the first to look upon the new heiress, with her large blue eyes and small tuft of blonde hair. I smiled and moved closer, wanting to get a better look. The Queen held onto the newborn babe as the King raced out to the young boy herald at the door to inform him of the news. My mother continued to talk, relaxing the Queen and, in turn, relaxing the baby. I took a moment to glance at the Queen; she looked like a mess – hair all over the place, sweat beads on her brow, a general look of exhaustion had formed on her face, but was melting away into a more content, and essentially happy form.

The Queen looked up at me, smiling and said, "Luna, I'd like you to meet Princess Serena, our new baby girl; you two will be wonderful friends..." She continued on, discussing the future plans, expectations and hopes for the child, but all the while smiling and gently rocking the beautiful baby in her arms.

I reflected on my role as the child's advisor and guardian. What would I do when she first began to talk? How would I help her when she first asked about the Moon? What do I teach a Moon Princesses? All of these things continued to press in the back of my mind, but I realized that it will be a learning experience for the both of us, and together we would get through it just fine. It was my first moment of contentment and actual enjoyment that I had since my mother told me of my newfound role in life.

I continued to listen as the Queen and my mother talked, and I piped in as plans began to form about a formal dinner in honour of the new heiress; all of the excitement of being a new mother and she still continued to be a party planner, wife and political figure head of the Moon Kingdom!

In retrospect, I feel as though I was pretty smart for being so young and that I could have saved myself a lot of headaches if I had just learned to trust my instinct sooner. I glanced over at the forgotten lunch bag on the kitchen counter and muttered, "Serena, what would you do without me?" I jumped over to the lunch, picked it up and raced off to school after her.