Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply, don't own, don't sue, etc.
Author's Note: The first time I tried to write this, the computer ate it - but I guess it worked out for the best, because it fits in best around where the story is now (and that would be chapter 10ish).
In the late afternoon of one particular day, as courtiers filed out of the hall where Queen Serenity was wont to hold open court with any who sought audience with her, a small black cat slipped into the room and padded up toward the queen's dais. Somewhat hesitantly, Luna expressed her concern that the young princess had been skipping lessons lately; she was obviously worried that she would be blamed for not being able to keep her charge under control, but the queen had only smiled slightly and said she would take care of it.
As Luna hurried off with a relieved air, the queen drew herself to her feet and moved out into the corridors of the palace, nodding absently to acknowledge the respectful bows of those courtiers still hovering near the door. She had an idea of where the girl would be – though Princess Serenity had reluctantly obeyed her mother's command to not return to the Earth, she had obviously not been happy about it. The queen suspected that she had also found some way to continue communication with the Earth prince without breaking the letter of the edict. It didn't surprise her, honestly; she had hoped to nip this particular problem in the bud, but she had apparently been too late by the time she had found out about it.
The queen arrived at the viewing room, pausing a moment in the open doorway to look inside. As she had expected, Princess Serenity was there, staring at the screen with a look of distress on her face as scenes of the chaos and warfare on the planet below played before her.
"I did warn you, my daughter," Queen Serenity observed, drifting into the room and pausing directly behind the girl. "The laws exist for a purpose. Our people are to observe those on Earth, not to interfere. After my communication with the previous king I had thought that perhaps they were ready to move on in their evolution – but it seems that I was mistaken. They are still as fond of bloodshed as ever."
The princess looked up at her mother with tears gleaming unshed in her eyes. "But this conflict – it was caused by us. By our presence here, guarding over the planet. They knew we were here, but because we held ourselves distant, they came to believe all kinds of horrible things about us. Had we interacted with them, had we allowed them to see just who and what we truly are, they would have known such things were not true."
Queen Serenity shook her head sadly, resting a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder. "That they were so willing to believe only evil of us only shows their hearts are not set on peace. Only fear and hatred rule them now. All we can do is watch over them until they grow and mature."
"You speak of them as though they were less than us." The princess drew away slightly, an unaccustomed spark of rebellion in her eye. "The people of Earth do not have the powers we do, the lifespan or the knowledge, but they can love just as strongly as any of us, and their lives are certainly of equal worth."
"I know. Your prince." Queen Serenity sighed faintly, glancing up at the screen and lifting one hand. The display obediently shifted in response to her silent command, showing an image of the prince as he strode down the corridors of his palace, deep in thought with worry creasing his brow. "He does seem like an honorable man, but, my daughter – that is not all there is. Believe me, I have been watching over this planet for far longer than you have been alive. I have seen the Earth people make great strides, advance farther than I had ever imagined possible. But still, they are not ready. They have not proven themselves worthy of joining the other worlds in our kingdom."
The princess's attention was caught by the sight of her beloved, and for a moment she could only watch him, blinking rapidly to keep her tears from spilling over in concern for the grief and pain writ large upon his countenance. She finally tore herself away and looked toward her mother, her voice pleading. "Can't we help him now? Can't we stop this war, return peace to the planet? Are we not supposed to take care of the people there?"
Queen Serenity only shook her head sadly. "No, Serenity. Part of guiding them is allowing them to make mistakes, for that is the only way they can learn from them. The laws are firm – I cannot interfere in this matter. They must resolve it themselves."
The younger Serenity only stared up at her mother for a long moment before the threatening tears finally became a reality, and she brought her hands up to cover her face as she rushed from the room with a muffled sob. The queen watched the girl go, unmoving, though with an expression of almost anguished compassion on her face; though she wanted only to draw her daughter into her arms and try to comfort her, she knew the princess would not accept words at the moment. She wanted to save the one she loved – but that was impossible. It was something she would have to learn, as the queen-in-waiting.
Queen Serenity sighed again, gesturing to turn off the screen and then staring at its empty blackness for a time. Though she knew this was how it must be, it did not make it any easier for her to live with.
