Chamber Guard

Another evening meeting. Celestia could remember so many of them. But unlike the meetings she conducted with the various diplomats of her kingdom, these meetings were always much anticipated. Not too long ago, she dreaded this time of the day, for she was reminded of how lonely she truly was. When Cadence came into her life, she didn’t feel as lonely as before, but there was nopony who could replace Luna. The Princess of the night was speaking at the moment, relaying her progress with the recently reinstated night court. Celestia listened intently, savoring the sound of her sister's voice.

“Attendance has increased twofold in the past week, now that w--I, have implemented Twilight's suggestion of recruiting more of the younger ponies to hold important functionary positions. As a happy consequence, nefarious acts committed in the nighttime hours has dropped considerably.” She smiled at the purple alicorn, who blushed at the praise.

“Please, Princess, you're so good at convincing them, I hardly helped at all.” She said, dipping her head to Luna.

A chuckle escaped from Celestia. Seeing her former student doing so well always filled her with a deep sense of pride. “You can be far too modest, Twilight,” she said with a smile. “I believe that concludes state business. Now to the matter of considering next month's candidates for Guardianship... Yes, Twilight?”

The young princess had timidly raised her hoof, her blush deepening. “If I may, Princess, could I be excused?”

Celestia put on a pleasant expression to hide her disappointment. “Twilight, you may call us by our names, you are one of us now and more than welcome to participate. Why not stay and discuss this important matter?”

Twilight squirmed in her seat. “I...I don't, um... feel comfortable with the Guardians yet Pri--Celestia.”

“But Twilight,” chimed Cadence from the looking glass, “you know most of them very well. These stallions are hardly strangers.”

Twilight's ears drooped. “I know,” she sighed, “that might be part of it. I... may I go, please?”

Celestia nodded to her. “You may. Sleep well, Twilight.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

“Take care, Twilight. It was good to see you again. I have to say, this looking glass spell of yours is simply amazing. Beats reading letters any time.” Cadence smiled and waved from her crystalline image.

Twilight smiled back. “Thanks, see you tomorrow.” She briskly left her seat at the table with a final furtive glance at her mentor.

Celestia watched her go with an uneasy feeling settling into her stomach. “She can't avoid this forever,” she announced to the room.

“Well,” Cadence said ruefully, “this is a lot for her to take in.”

“Yes, but Celestia is right,” Luna said with a determined nod. “I will speak with her before I begin night court. Perhaps she will see the necessity of what we do when her situation is explained.”

Cadence giggled. “Really, Luna? Why shouldn't Celestia speak with her? Or myself, for that matter. We both know her better; don't you think it would mean more coming from us?”

“Luna has a point here, Cadence.” Celestia held up a hoof to forestall her sister. “We have both spoken with her on the subject, but her discomfort still bars her participation. Twilight isn't the kind of mare to have a compunction without reason, and in this case, I believe that she feels that way because she doesn't understand. You have been away for a while, so it isn't your fault you don't know, but Twilight has... attached herself to Luna.” She couldn't help but smile at her sister's severe gaze. “It's rather sweet, if you ask me, of Luna to take her under her wing during this time of change.”

“Um, can we finish soon,” Cadence asked, motioning to somepony unseen, “there is a certain stallion I'll need to see to.”

Celestia chuckled. “Very well. Let us hear how things have been going with starting a chapter of the Guardians there in the Empire.”

“Oh, I've spoken with Shiny about it, at length, and he seems to be okay with it, at least in theory. Until it starts happening, well, I just can't be sure. Though I bet he will see reason before the month is out.” She turned to smile fiendishly, probably at a Shining Armor out of earshot.

Luna tilted her head to the side. “Why is that?”

“He's decided that he is stud enough for me,” she replied with a wicked twinkle in her eye. “I plan to show him the err of his ways.”

“Ha, just don't break him. Twilight won't be very happy with you if you hurt her favorite brother,” Celestia teased.

Cadence put on an exaggerated expression of deep affront. “You know me, Tia. I'm the very embodiment of poise and control. I won't break him, but I will run him ragged... He asked for it.” She winked at Luna who only rolled her eyes in response.

“Truly, Cadence, exercise restraint,” Luna pleaded. “The last thing we need is for Twilight to further associate these things with negative consequences.”

“Don't worry, I know his limits. He just doesn't know mine.” She tisked at Luna's scowl. “Oh alright, I'll be careful. Is that all you'll be needing me for?”

“Yes, I think that will be all. Keep up the good work, Cadence. The Empire will be back to its former glory in no time.” Celestia said.

“Thank you. Same time tomorrow evening?” Both Celestia and Luna nodded. Magic appeared around the pink alicorn's horn. “Good night.” She said as her image began to fade.

“Good night,” the elder princesses replied in unison.

Soon the mirror was no longer a window to Cadence. Instead it reflected Celestia's concerned visage. “Are you sure you can convince Twilight to overcome this fear she has of intimacy?”

“With time, I'm sure, but we don't know how much time we have.”

Celestia nodded. “Then I entrust her to your capable hooves, sister.” Luna turned to go but a light touch from Celestia stopped her short. “Be careful, Luna. Twilight is possessed of great magic, even more so now that she has changed. I don't doubt your abilities, but she could hurt herself greatly if she cannot control her power.”

Luna gave her sister a soft hug, placing her head on the elder alicorn's withers. “Do not worry, sister. Twilight is intelligent and you have taught her well. I will be careful.”

Celestia finally let her go. As she watched the dark princess leave with her guards, she fervently hoped that Luna was right.

Luna walked purposefully to Twilight’s quarters, her two Guardians in tow. She cursed her old habits of keeping her emotions tightly sealed away as she scowled at the hallway, trying to think of what she could say that would break Twilight out of her self-imposed celibacy. Her sister’s warning rang in her ears. Indeed Twilight was powerful, she didn’t like to admit it, even to herself, perhaps more powerful than she. Whatever confidence she was able to convey to Celestia would be most welcome, if she had any in the first place.

“Princess,” said a deep voice next to her, “you're muttering under your breath again.”

Luna glanced to the side. Thunderhead, a charcoal pegasus with a shocking blue mane, dutifully scanned the hall, though she knew it was he who spoke. “Thank you,” she said flatly.

“I recall my Princess instructing me to make her aware of when she muttered under her breath.” He said out of the corner of his mouth, still watching the hall and every window they passed. “I was only serving my Princess.”

A soft chuckle escaped from Breezy, the other Guardian.

Luna shot a sly smile at Thunderhead. “You may come to regret that last remark, Guardian.”

“With you, Princess,” he replied, giving her his own sly grin, “I never regret anything.”

She could only laugh ruefully as they drew nearer to Twilight's rooms. She descended deeper into her own thoughts, nearly blocking out the richly decorated hall. Versions of her impending conversation with the young alicorn played out in her mind, every one ending in either disaster or awkward silence. Anxiety built up in her chest like a river behind a dam, threatening to overwhelm her weakening confidence. Her thoughts were suddenly derailed by the soft impact of a warm body with her chest.

“Princess,” said a concerned version of Thunderhead's rumble.

Luna blinked at the guard. He was standing in front of her, preventing her from walking headlong into Twilight's door. “Oh,” she whispered.

“Is there any way we can assist you, Princess?” Thunderhead asked, stepping back respectively with an apologetic bending of his neck.

Luna shook herself. “No, I'm afraid your presence would only aggravate the problem. Thank you for the offer, but there are some things you cannot protect,” she tried to smile for him, “no matter your bravery or prowess.” She turned back to the door, a suddenly foreboding portal. “Be prepared,” she said quietly, “I may require your aid, if this conversation goes well.”

“If it goes, well, princess?” Thunderhead furrowed his brow.

Luna only nodded as she raised her hoof to knock. With a final calming breath, she rapped sharply twice. “Twilight, may I speak with you? It is very important.” After a few moments of no response, she turned to the other guards, two veterans of the Royal Guard, “Princess Twilight has not left, has she?”

“No, Princess,” the senior guard replied.

“Thank you. You are dismissed,” she said kindly.

The guard blinked. “But--”

“You are no longer required to fill this posting, and you may resume your normal duties. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Princess.” The guard bowed, then jerked his head to his companion.

Luna waited for their hoof steps to fade from the hall before turning back to the door. “Breezy,” she said quietly, “fetch me Corderoy and Dawn, they will be the first set for Twilight’s rotation of Chamber Guard. Once you have sent them here, inform Miss Quill that I wish to speak with her in an hour. Be quick.”

The pegasus saluted sharply, took to a gallop immediately down the hall, then soared out of one of the balconies into the fading light.

With a burst of blue magic, the princess of the night entered the anteroom of Twilight's apartments. She shut the tall, ornate doors, ignoring Thunderhead's concerned gaze. The spacious anteroom was similar to her own, though Twilight's had been converted into a small library. Instead of seating, the room held several short book cases whose shelves sagged under the weight of old tomes. Wall runners of gold satin and purple silk fluttered in a soft breeze, though there were no windows. Luna could recognize the scent of the breeze, an imitation of the meadows of wildflowers that surrounded Ponyville. The faint gurgle of a stream out of sight, as if just beyond the next hill, accompanied the faint breeze. She could even hear the occasional bird song warbling in the background. The dark princess paused as she crossed the large room. The magic was simple, mimicking sounds and smells was something first year students at Celestia's school learned, but the subtleties and overlapping influence of Twilight's ambient spells were very effective. She could almost believe she was walking into Ponyville.

This was in no way a display of power, Twilight was not that sort of mare, this was far more concerning to Luna. She hardened her resolve as she approached the opposite door. Three sharp knocks rang through the artificial ambiance. “Twilight?” she asked in a loud voice.

A faint gasp slipped under the door.

“Twilight, are you well...?” Luna gently opened the door. The heavy scent of a mare in heat hit her in the face like a brick wall. The pheromones were so potent that her eyes began to water and her head to feel light. Twilight's bedchamber was devoid of torches, not a single candle lit. Luna had no trouble finding the crepuscular princess, notwithstanding the shadowed room.

The young alicorn lay sprawled on her bed, the covers roughed into a heap at the foot. She had her hind legs stretched to either side, her rump elevated and tail raised. The purple feathers of her extended wings trembled at her every gasp and shudder. Muffled moans escaped from teeth clenched, breath hissing in short bursts through her nose. A hoof moved vigorously between her legs, squelching softly betwixed the swollen lips of her vulva.

Luna was transfixed, the display before her robbing lips of words and mind of thought. With each successive whimper from Twilight, the elder princess drank deeper of the scent. She could feel herself becoming aroused, panting along with the mare on the bed. But then the cadence of her breath shifted, growing in intensity. Twilight stiffened, her legs drawing together and lifting her rump higher into the air. Her hoof moved faster, producing more and more moans. Luna was not prepared for this.

A final cry ripped itself from Twilight's throat as clear ejaculate erupted from beneath her hoof. So forceful was her climax that droplets of the sweet liquid dampened Luna's face. She flinched at the impact, but otherwise stood still. Twilight huffed on her bed, tiny convulsions rolling through her body.

Luna entered the room, shutting the door softly behind her.

The sudden change in lighting prompted a frantic gasp from the young princess. She scrambled to sit, a deep blush staining her cheeks as she turned to face her visitor. “P-princess,” she panted, “how... long were you--”

“Long enough,” Luna interrupted softly, approaching the bed. “How long has this been happening?” She sat at the head of the bed, next to a breathless Twilight.

“P-princess... I... I’m not that kind... of mare... it-it’s just that I-I..”

Luna placed a hoof on the young mare’s shoulder. “It is all right, Twilight. I will not judge you for such a small thing as this, but I must know how long you have been doing it. It is very important.” She spoke with a tenderness that surprised her. All thoughts of trying to emulate her sister vanished from her mind, clouded though it seemed from the heavy scent of Twilight’s need.

The purple mare got her breathing under control, her shoulder still tense under Luna’s hoof. “Two weeks... I think. Please, princess, don't take this the wrong way... I-I just, I needed to...”

Luna draped a wing around the young princess, pulling her closer. She still trembled, though from her pleasuring or embarrassment it was hard to tell. The nightly princess tried to give her what she hoped was a warm smile. “I understand, Twilight. This is quite normal. I am sure you have already studied the reproduction process...”

“Yes, princess, but... something's wrong. I've been in heat before, I mean, it's natural... but for it to last so long...” She shuddered, leaning into the elder alicorn. “It's so intense...”

“That is because you have changed. As an alicorn, your power is greater, your body is stronger, but your needs are also stronger and harder to satisfy. This is why we started the Chamber Guard, or at least one of the reasons. Why do you not feel comfortable around them? They are, every one, wonderful stallions.”

Twilight fidgeted under her wing. “I know... B-but, I've... never been with a stallion before,” she mumbled.

Luna furrowed her brow. “Truly? You have never taken a stallion?”

Twilight nodded bashfully.

“Hmm, and, because you never have, you are apprehensive. That is understandable. What frightens you about it, Twilight?”

“I don't know... I've asked my friends about it, you know, what it's like. Those were some, awkward, conversations but... they couldn't tell me, or I guess, I wasn't satisfied with their answers.” She bit her lip. “But if it feels this intense now,” she whispered, making a little squeak, “I'm afraid of what it will be like when it happens.”

“Twilight, you cannot go on like this forever. The longer you wait, the more unbearable it will become. Eventually, there will be no room for anything else in your mind. You will know only the craving for release.” She lifted the the other mare's head with a hoof under her chin. “New experiences can be frightening, but believe me when I say, this is perhaps one of the most important things you can do as a princess of Equestria.” Luna paused, deciding on what to say next. Twilight stilled her trembling, but breathed heavily under the midnight wing. “Did you know, all of the Guardians were once stallions without hope?”

Twilight shook her head.

“They have all been hurt, in one way or another. It is shameful that it could be this way in our fair kingdom, but ponies will hurt each other with wounds of the heart that cut deeper than a spear and pierce farther than a lance. For instance, do you know Thunderhead?”

“Yes, he joined the guard a few months before you returned. He was always very kind to me.”

Luna nodded. “Beneath the stoic and tough exterior he wants everypony else to see, is a kind and gentle soul. How anypony could hurt him is beyond my ability to comprehend, but, he was hurt. Before my sister brought him under her wing, he was happily married. He had a family that he loved dearly. After several years of what he thought was a good marriage, his wife left him. She left for work one day and never came home. He searched for her for many months, fearing the worst, only to find that she had flown off with another stallion. He pleaded with her, to find out what he did wrong and how he could do better, but she told him she did not love him, that she never had. Thunderhead was devastated, to say the least. He flew back to Cloudsdale a broken pegasus. He sank quickly into a deep depression, he lost his job, lost his home, lost his family. Everything that he held dear, taken from him. He tried to save himself. He came here to Canterlot, looking for work, doing odd jobs to feed himself, but he felt like he would never be able to be the pony he once was. He decided that he was going to end it all. He broke his own wings, and tried to throw himself from the North Tower, to the rocks below. Fortunately for him, Celestia happened to see him fall as she lowered the sun.”

“I... I never knew...” Twilight whispered.

“What we do, we do out of love. I know that it can be hard to understand, but I love these stallions, not out of pity or lust, but because they deserve it. We give them a new purpose and we give them hope. In return, they give us their love and if need be, their lives. There are more than changelings and ancient evils that wish us harm, Twilight.” She looked into the young mare's eyes. “The boon you will grant to them runs deeper than physical strength and binds tighter than any oath. But first, you must overcome your fear, and let them into your heart.”

Twilight let out a weary sigh. “How can I grant anything by simply loving them, or satisfying my own needs?”

“It is impossible to explain.”

Twilight flinched.

Luna moderated her tone, letting out a short breath. “This is deep magic, and it is different for everypony. You must experience to understand." Twilight scrunched up her nose in thought, then her face lit up with a new idea. She was doubtless on the verge of sharing, her mouth open and hoof raised, when Luna cut in. "No, there is no book beyond those you have already read to prepare you." The young princess's face fell, her ears drooping. Luna rested her head on top of the other mare's. "I have arranged for a rotation of Guardians, whom I know quite well, to be your first. They are kind, gentle lovers.”

Twilight leaned into Luna's chest with a frustrated sigh. “I... I don't know, Princess... I don't know if I'm ready to... To give them what they need.”

Luna furrowed her brow, grateful for the progress, but thinking fast for a way over this hurdle. “Would it help, if you were to have practice?” she asked slowly. “Perhaps with a stallion who is not in need, but one who is experienced with mating and breeding?”

“I don't know... There seems to be an awful lot that I don't know,” the young princess answered h hollowly. “I'm a lousy princess... too afraid to even--”

“Nonsense, Twilight. You are performing quite admirably. Confidence will come with practice and wisdom with time. We never expected you to be perfect, just to do your best.” Luna held the diminutive alicorn for a few moments more. “We will arrange for a breeder to give you lessons tomorrow, does that sound good to you?”

Twilight nodded forlornly.

Luna felt as if she should say more, but there was nothing else she could say. This was something Twilight will have to face, one way or another, and Luna was powerless to aid her. She beat down several doubts and misgivings as she left the dark bedchamber, making sure to not shut the door completely. The torches in the anteroom had been switched out for the night by a servant during their talk, so the room was now bathed in a soft blue light. The nocturnal matron stopped a short distance from Twilight’s bedchamber doors.

“Thunderhead,” she called firmly, loud enough to be heard on the other side of the door. A soft rustle came from Twilight’s room. Luna did not turn to look, but she knew that the young alicorn was watching from the door left ajar.

The door at the far end of the room opened slightly. Thunderhead poked his head inside. “You called, Princess?”

“Yes,” Luna said with a slight hiss, “I need you, now, Guardian.” She had not meant to be so forceful, but she was indeed aroused, almost to tears, from Twilight’s scent.

Thunderhead did not hesitate and entered the room, trotting to his princess. Luna removed his armor as he approached, setting it aside quietly. She lowered herself to the floor, resting on one haunch. Thunderhead was already almost erect, no doubt drinking in the scent of both Luna and Twilight, as the latter entered the room from the gap in the door. As he got close she motioned for him to bend an ear to her. “We are being observed,” she whispered, “take no heed of it. Be quick, but thorough, she has never observed a coupling before. I know you will not disappoint.”

The stallion nodded and took up his position. He was energetic as ever, soliciting quiet moans from the dark princess. As he worked, Luna could hear echoes of her moans trickling from the dark crevice of Twilight’s door.