Shadows of Sins Past

A day passed since the battle between Luz and Westwood. The result of the battle required the newly anointed king to rest despite the fact that the shade would rather be out and about. Regardless of that fact, Westwood was looking forward to the visit that Celestia and Luna was bound to give him to renegotiate their treaty. His current status, having nearly been fatally wounded by Luz's sword, made him have to sit still more or less so the rest of his wounds could heal up inside his body as well as the deep scars present on his chest, stomach and back.

"Your highness." A voice spoke to Westwood while the shade's eyes were shut, "As much as I would say it is a good idea to rest, you need to stay awake for when the princesses arrive." The familiar voice of the ambassador spoke to Westwood staying near the dragon as both the alarm clock for the tired king as well as the ambassador to their soon to happen meeting between the royals of both parties.

Westwood sighed hearing the voice of his ambassador, "I get it, trust me I'm trying to stay awake. Need I remind you that I had a gigantic sword stuck through my stomach. The only reason why I'm still alive right now is in part of what happened when I was in the other world." He spoke to Alabaster placing a hand on the deep scar that the blade had run him through in his battle with Luz, "Let's leave that at that for now." He spoke wanting to end that part of his history since it was no longer a part of his current life.

Alabaster looked to Westwood and made a small chuckle, "No one needs to be reminded, they saw what happened in that impressive fight you had with our king." He spoke to Westwood keeping his hands behind his back.

Westwood glanced to the side with a groan. He was not in the mood to reply to his ambassador's statement and all he wanted to do right this moment was to catch up on his sleep.

That was when he heard the announcement, "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna of Equestria present themselves before the might of our king!" The deep voice of a larger dragon called out which boomed through the large enclosure with sunlight shining through the top of the large room.

The two princesses came into view not long after the announcement, their colors standing out more than their features much like how the two had seen the being in the throne.

Westwood, ignoring any pain he felt, stood to his feet and began to walk towards his new peers, "It's good to see you again." The shade spoke as he began moving forward.

The familiar voice of Westwood brought relief to the Celestia, but Luna felt excitement for seeing the dragon alive and well. The lunar princess began to run to the dragon, ignoring the protocol she normally would put emphasis on. The two met before Celestia could interrupt her sister, Luna's forelegs flung around Westwood in embrace.

A small grunt came from Westwood as some strain hit the freshly healed wounds, "It's good to see you too Princess Luna." The shade spoke with some strain in his voice when normally he would have held her up just fine.

Realizing what she was doing, Luna dropped herself from Westwood's shoulders with a red tinge on her cheeks, "I apologize." The lunar princess spoke attempting to recover her composure after her act, "That was out of line." She spoke bowing before the dragon.

Westwood laughed in a low tone, "It's perfectly fine princess." Westwood spoke, some relief was present now that the weight of Luna was not on him.

Celestia had made it to Westwood and gave a bow of respect to the newly anointed king, "I am glad to see that you completed your task my liege." Celestia spoke rising back once more, "It was not expected that I would see you in such a high stature, though dragon laws and traditions are very different compared to Equestria's laws and rules."

Alabaster had been making his way to meet the Equestrian royalty, his presence made more known when a bow was presented to the sun princess, "I am glad that all of this is over your highness. Your shade proved that he could best the warmonger in battle, and now he is our king." Alabaster spoke then looked to Westwood, "I apologize if I speak out of line your highness."

Westwood just shook his head, "Forget titles and ranks for now Alabaster. I know we are here to negotiate our treaty, but for now let's just stay more casual. It's just going to be the four of us for the mean time." Westwood spoke before a sigh came from his mouth.

Celestia could see that there was discomfort in Westwood's movements, "If you wish to remain casual, I have no objections." Celestia mentioned then looked to the throne. It seemed that there was some damage at the edges of the throne's arm rests, now the skulls were gone replaced by the stone being scratched and damaged, "I can tell you are in pain Westwood. I'm sure that your wounds are still in the process of healing." She spoke gesturing her head to the throne that was behind Westwood.

Westwood sighed hearing Celestia, "It's that obvious?" The shade spoke before catching her movements, "As much as I would like to take a seat, I'm afraid if I do I may end up falling asleep." He spoke in a joking manner to Celestia.

Celestia gave a small laugh in reply to Westwood's comment, "If I may suggest, dear king. It may be a better place to recover in Equestria's borders. I do not know the medicine present in this kingdom and I would be more than willing to provide proper treatment for the new monarch."

Westwood would have been more than willing to just leave, but at the same time this was now his responsibility,

"Your highness." The voice of Alabaster spoke, "I am able to assist in caring for your kingdom now that we no longer have war to settle. I will not take control, just mediate until your return. Unfortunately our medical capabilities are rather limited, spending time in Equestria would be beneficial for your well being." The ambassador spoke keeping his hand to his chest while ducking his head.

Westwood sighed, "I see. Then for the mean time I will allow you to moderate what happens. If I come back and I see you doing the same as Luz then you can expect the same thing to happen." He spoke with a small hint in his voice that he was just joking with the older dragon, but at the same time there was a sense of unease in Alabaster with the wording that Westwood had provided.

While hiding the pain of his still healing wounds, Westwood joined with Celestia and Luna. Luna seemed the most excited about Westwood joining their little party, a fact that Celestia could clearly see in her sister. Celestia remained quiet so that Luna and Westwood could have their time together before the renegotiations to the old treaty had to begin. This time as well as the ride to Equestria would be the best opportunity for the two to have their closure.

The walk to where Celestia and Luna had landed was short, the gold inlaid carriage manned by the entourage of white coated stallion pegasi.  The thought of ponies carrying around two princesses perfectly capable of flight on carriage was amusing to say the least, but Westwood was not going to add that to a conversation since this seemed normal to their kind in this world. Westwood followed the princesses onto the carriage. He wanted to fly on his own, but in his current state it would be painful, especially with the long flight to the fortress the previous day.

The next few hours were quiet as the shade had attempted to rest his body against the walls of the carri. The lone dragon was soon asleep, the smooth ride provided made the act easier than expected. Celestia and Luna however spoke in whispers to avoid waking the drake, "You are certain Luna?" Celestia spoke in whisper first.

Luna nodded her head in reply, "Yes. I am more certain than I have ever been before sister." Luna added to the nod.

This though made Celestia uneasy about her sister's decision,  but this was Luna's choice and she was not going to argue her judgement, "As long as you are certain." The solar princess spoke to Luna regarding her choices. Celestia's eyes focused onward to take the visual of their castle.

The castle came into view not long after the sisters' conversation, Luna gently shook Westwood to wake the sleeping dragon, "It's time to wake up my king." Luna spoke to Westwood.

The dragon let out a small groan as he opened up one eye to see Luna in front of him, "Alright. I'm up." The dragon spoke then stood for the last few minutes of their flight. The castle was a welcomed sight, the bright white contrasted his current domain that it was tempting to stay in this place possibly longer than just for his wounds. He remained silent while watching the castle growing closer and closer.

In a matter of minutes the three royals had arrived in a space that their carriage could land safely, the landing was so smooth that no one felt any deviation when the carriage had finally landed on the grass nearest the castle.

Celestia was the first to exit the carriage, Westwood followed after with Luna very close behind the shade. Despite the pain in Westwood's stomach and chest, he was able to move fairly easily.

Celestia was the first to speak, "I apologize for this, but I will need to part ways from here in order to write a revised treaty for our two races. I will leave you in Luna's more than capable hooves. I hope that you are do not have a problem with my choice."

Westwood just gave a short laugh that was cut shorter due to the pain in his stomach, "That's fine." Westwood spoke gripping the scar on his stomach, "After what happened yesterday,  I'd rather not get straight to business." Westwood spoke to Celestia remaining more casual with the princesses with the current circumstances.

Luna had then stepped beside Westwood, "Then if you would follow me your highness." The younger looking alicorn started in an attempt to grab Westwood's attention, "We should take you so see one of our doctors. They would certainly know how to mend such a deep wound" Luna spoke.

Westwood, while appreciating the sentiment, shook his head, "The scars will heal on their own. All it really is is pain right now. For the mean time I'd rather just be comfortable with you." The drake spoke with a smile formed to his face.

The words that the shade spoke made Luna blush, "If you have no qualms with holding back a medical visit then I can accept your choice." The dark coat Luna possessed could not hide the red that seemed to stain her cheeks.

Celestia could not help but to utter a small giggle from how her sister reacted to Westwood, "I see that things are settled for now. I will send a guard to you when the revised treaty has been established." The solar princess spoke before taking her leave to attend to her matters and dismiss the guards that were set to the carriage.

With her sister no longer present and the white coats of the guard no longer visible Luna instantly pressed herself into the shade, "I was so worried you wouldn't make it back." Luna spoke with intensity that she could not express in public view.

Westwood felt the sudden pressure of the lunar princess and pressed back enough so that he would not fall over, "It's alright. It's all over. The fighting, the war, and the hostilities. It's all over now." The shade spoke wrapping his strong arms around Luna to comfort her.

Luna had a realization of what she was doing and pulled away, red still overpowering the dark coat that was on her face, "Yes. It's all over now. Peace between our kind." She spoke attempting once more to regain her composure.

Westwood, while wanting to laugh somewhat, kept his amusement to himself both for his sake and for hers. He then started moving forward to stand before the princess, "Please lead the way your highness." He spoke to Luna keeping his posture straight not like a royal, but as a warrior, "It is your home after all." He spoke to Luna.

Luna cleared her throat to remove any more traces of what she had done before, "If you insist my liege." Luna spoke feeling her more formal nature taking control to alleviate the nervous feelings that she possessed talking with the shade.

Westwood wanted to correct Luna by telling her not to be so formal, but at the same time it seemed to be the one thing that was keeping her more or less sane. Westwood then started to move forward, "Well then. Maybe we should start moving." Westwood spoke with a smile on his face while the pain in his gut was fading away with his amusement.

Luna soon after took the lead, her head kept upright in pride, "Very well." She started as her the air about her became less unnerved and more in control, "Have you eaten since your fight with the former king?" Luna asked keeping her composure.

Westwood would have answered, but the loud growling his stomach produced answered her question before he had an opportunity to do so, "I think that answers your question." Westwood joked with the princess.

Despite the act Luna composed herself with, the fact that the drake's stomach voiced itself so loudly nearly brought a small laugh to the lunar entity, "Very well. The first thing we do is to make sure our dragon royal is well fed." Luna spoke leading the way to the dining room for their meal.

While Luna and Westwood sere spending their new found time with one another, the solar princess knelt beside her desk. A parchment, quill and ink jar as her only company. She had been staring at the blank parchment since entering her dwelling, the request that Luna made for the treaty echoed in her mind as she looked back at the events that had unfolded with the princesses when Luna had escaped from the fortress. As much as she wanted to fulfill her sister's wishes, it seemed more than unusual for Luna to jump so soon into what could possibly be the rest of her immortal life.

After a moment longer Celestia used her magic to dip the quill into the ink to write on the parchment and set the treaty sealing the peace between the races.

'On this day, The fourth day of the six month of the year 1013, an alliance of the kingdom Dracous and the nation of Equestria shall be forged. Under the conditions listed, these two nations will be allies until this treaty has been broken. The first condition, both the kingdom of Dracous and Equestria shall not come into conflict with one another over rights to land, resources or food. The second condition, A representative of the dragon race shall remain in the borders of Equestria as well as a representative of Equestria shall remain in the borders of Dracous.'

Celestia was hesitant on writing the third and final condition to the treaty, this one regarded her sister's fate and future. She was arguing with herself on the final subject. The quill lifted from the parchment while Celestia argued with herself over this one condition. The other two were easy enough, but this was now on a personal level. The image of her sister speaking with her came to mind from the previous day, she had do place this down.

'And for the third and final condition. My sister, Princess Luna, shall be offered to the anointed King Westwood as an incentive to keep this treaty. With this treaty, our kingdoms shall remain in peace, no act of war may be tolerated between the nations listed. Defense will be offered to either nation to defend either race should assistance be necessary."

The princess's quill was finally taken off of the parchment. There was regret in her eyes when she had just about signed away her sister to another nation. Even if this was because of Luna's own choice, the action of signing away her kin to promote peace left a bad taste in her mouth, "I hope you know what you are doing Luna." The solar diarch spoke to herself as she looked out through the window that she possessed in the solitary stillness of her room.