Maidens Day

“Princess Twilight Sparkle,” the guard announced, as Twilight stepped into Celestia’s throne room. Twilight smiled and gave a small bow, as Celestia now stood and matched with one of her own.

“Twilight, it’s wonderful to see you.” Celestia said with a smile. “What brings you to Canterlot today?”

“Um, I made an appointment,” Twilight pointed out. “I had a question to ask you.”

“By all means. Go ahead.” Celestia studied Twilight, slightly worried.

“You know how I’ve always wanted to learn about Maidens Day? Since I first heard about it when I was a foal?” Twilight asked with an eager smile starting to form on on her face.

Celestia relaxed, nodding. “I do remember that, yes. It bothered you so much that there was something other ponies could know that you couldn’t.”

Twilight blushed, but it couldn’t remove the smile from her face. “Yes, well... um, as an alicorn, I’m technically part pegasus, and part earth pony...”

Celestia smiled indulgently at Twilight, but said nothing. Twilight was hoping that the princess would answer before she had to ask, but after a few seconds of silence Twilight’s patience gave up.

“Can I go to the Maidens Day festivals now? Can I please?” she blurted out, her eyes sparkling with the hope of being allowed to learn something previously forbidden. “Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy and Applejack and Pinkie Pie are all going, and they’d explain things to me, and I’d never tell another pony. I promise!”

Princess Celestia chuckled. “Yes, Twilight. The earth ponies and pegasi allow the princesses to attend as they wish. You will not be participating, of course, that is a role reserved for the true earth ponies and pegasi.”

“Of course!” Twilight nodded happily. “Just being allowed to observe would be the chance of a lifetime. I have so many questions, the books are all so vague.”

“How much do you know?” Celestia asked suspiciously.

“Nothing!” Twilight said quickly, then she added, “I mean, only what’s in history books that anypony could find. All that I know is that it’s a fertility ritual, and was historically an act of unity between the tribes, but when you took over the duty of raising the sun the unicorns decided not to participate.”

Celestia raised her eyebrows in amusement. “Well, this will be enlightening. Just remember, Twilight, magic can take many forms. This is an ancient ritual, and it’s changed very little in thousands of years. Keep an open mind, and I’m sure you’ll learn quite a lot.”

Twilight grinned. “So, it’s like primitive magic? Oh wow, I can’t wait to see it! What do they use to channel the magic? Is there chanting? Or fire? I read that fire used to be used in the raising of the sun, and I’ve always wanted to see fire channel magic-”

Celestia held up a hoof. “Twilight, you’ll see the ritual soon enough.”

“Thank you, Princess! I’m sure I’ll have lots to talk to you about afterwards!”

“I’m sure you will,” Princess Celestia said, suppressing a smirk. “Farewell until then, Twilight.”

“Yes, until then. I have to go tell the girls!” Twilight flapped into the air and flew quickly out the door.

Once Celestia was sure she was gone, the princess allowed herself a chuckle. She glanced over to see the pegasus guard raising an eyebrow. As soon as he noticed her looking, his face dropped to the typical flat expression required for his job.

“Did you have a question?” Celestia asked gently.

His eyebrow went up again. “Don’t you think you should have warned her about the ritual? I don’t think unicorns know this stuff still happens.”

“And deny her friends the look on her face when she realizes? Besides, the earth ponies and pegasi are the ones who truly understand the ritual. I’m sure all of you can explain it better than I.”