Twilight and Trixie lay back on a quilt in front of the library's fireplace that acted as the room's sole source of light. Up above them hovered a book, shrouded in the purple aura of Twilight's magic. Twilight with much enthusiasm read every word aloud for them both to hear.
Trixie wasn't so much listening to the words but rather Twilight's soothing reading voice. Nor was she looking up at the book but rather Twilight's sparkling eyes and giddy features as the purple alicorn enveloped herself into the world of the book she was reading.
Trixie enjoyed these times more than any other, when all of the worries seemed to melt away. Trixie often worried about Twilight after the last of her friends, Pinkie Pie, died two years ago of age. Since the first of her friends departed this world she had become depressed and as her remaining friends fell victim to the unavoidable fate of death her depression became worse and worse. Since Pinkie she had become nearly inconsolable at times. During these spells the only pony she would allow near her was Trixie.
At least once a week Twilight visited the graves of her friends. Not even Trixie followed her there, accompanying her as far as the gates of Ponyville. Trixie really wished she wouldn't visit them so frequently seeing as every time she returned from her trips she seemed so empty. The idea of asking her to refrain from visiting her friend's graves was inconceivable however. Trixie ruffled her wings at her sides as she remembered one such time when a concerned guard had stepped forth.
Twilight Sparkle trotted slowly toward the main gate of Ponyville, her head down and mane hanging low over her muzzle. Trixie, as is custom, trotted along side her for support. Two of the royal guards, part of a battalion that had been stationed in Ponyville for Princess Twilight and Princess Trixie's protection, opened the gates as they approached.
Just before Twilight crossed the threshold one of the guards stepped forth to announce his presence. Twilight stopped but made no other move to acknowledge the guard. The guard bowed low with uncertainty but with no hesitation. “Your highness, if I may be so bold as to suggest you stay within the walls this day? Many others as am I are concerned for your welfare.”
Trixie wished the guard would not have said that and looked between him and Twilight with caution. Twilight looked up, glaring at the guard with an expression of anger Trixie had rarely seen. The guard began to shudder but otherwise remained low to the ground, afraid that moving may trigger the purple alicorn.
A moment passed and to Trixie's relief Twilight took a deep breath and seemed to relax before continuing on her way out of the gates. Trixie commended the guard for his bravery but gave the order not to interfere with Twilight's private affairs unless she was in mortal danger.
For a while things continued this way. Twilight was not always upset but more so than not. Then one night Twilight surprised Trixie.
“T-Trixie?” Twilight nudged open the door to Trixie's study where she sat writing in the candlelight.
Trixie looked up with concern. “Are you okay Twilight?” Trixie asked as she released her quill and arose from her seat.
Twilight took a couple of steps into the study then stopped. “Trixie will... Will you come with me tonight?”
“Where?”
Twilight's only answer was to lift her head and gaze at Trixie with the all to familiar sadness that had taken root in her eyes.
Trixie immediately understood but still could not stifle a brief look of surprise. She stepped forward and nuzzled the soft fur of Twilight's neck. “Of course,” she whispered.
It took but ten minutes to trot to Twilight's friend's final resting place after they departed the gates. They detoured from the main path in favor of one hidden amongst a thicket of white rosebushes. A faint glow from Twilight's horn parted the thorn gates that protected the path. Tree's that were nestled close together on either side of their trail did well to hide them from all else.
At last they came upon a statue that represented the elements of harmony that surrounded words engraved into the stone that read.
Here lye the Elements of Harmony.
Protectors of Equestria
and
Loyal Friends.
Twilight paused for a brief moment and touched the tip of her muzzle to the stone. Trixie thought she saw a tear fall to the ground but she couldn't be sure. Sympathy and sadness for Twilight coursed through Trixie, nearly bringing her to tears herself. Out of respect she remained silent. A minute passed before Twilight continued up the path, Trixie not far behind.
Another twenty or so hooves up the path and the path gave way to a small meadow. In the middle of the meadow there stood a stone pedestal with an old leather book resting atop it. Beyond that, at the other end of the clearing five tombstones sat in a half circle around the pedestal spaced out by a few hooves a piece.
Twilight stopped at the pedestal and sat. Trixie was not going to go any closer to the graves than Twilight out of respect. Though closer inspection was not necessary as she could see the details of each from where she sat. The first of the graves was imprinted with the design of a cloud. Out of the cloud there spouted a rainbow colored lightning bolt. Under the design, carved in the stone were the words.
Rainbow Dash
Loyalty
“Never give up!”
Beside the grave there sat a turtle shell and a book. Trixie could not make out the title however.
The next grave had the design of three pink butterflies in a rough circle. Below it read.
Fluttershy
Kindness
“Sometimes all we need is
to be shown a little kindness.”
As before a book rest against the stone.
The next had a beautiful jewel above the words.
Rarity
Generosity
“In the name of friendship,
nothing is too generous.”
Another book accompanied this one as well.
The next stone had an old cowfilly hat resting atop it and the design on this grave was of three apples. Under them...
Applejack
Honesty
“Hard work always pays off.”
A book lay there as well.
The last grave had three balloons. This one read...
Pinkie Pie
Laughter
“Never stop smiling.”
As with all the others, another book completed the pattern.
Trixie was grief stricken by the sight. She had not been too close to any of them but she had known them to be wonderful ponies and had known them to be closer too Twilight then anypony else. Trixie looked to Twilight with pity and unfurled one of her wings to rest upon Twilight's back in a gesture of comfort.
Twilight shuffled closer, leaned against Trixie and began to openly sob. Twilight never felt safer to let her emotions pour out as when she was with Trixie. Trixie rest her muzzle atop Twilight's head and could not but help to cry with her for a while.
At long last Twilight's sobs began to subside. She nuzzled Trixie's neck and said in a whisper, “Thank you.” Then kissed Trixie upon the cheek before wiping away her remaining tears with a forehoof.
“No, thank you for sharing this with me.” Trixie replied, returning the kiss.
Twilight smiled before looking down at the book that lay before them. “I'm sure you were wondering about the books.” Twilight stated.
“I was.” Trixie admitted though she would not have bothered Twilight with such a trivial manner at such a delicate time.
“Those books... Those books are their favorites from the library. I know it sounds silly but I wanted them to have something to read in case there were no books where they are now.”
“That doesn't sound silly, in fact that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard. They were...” She paused. “Are lucky to have a friend like you.” Trixie replied.
Trixie was happy to see the smile on Twilight's face broaden. “This one is mine.” She said as she opened the cover of the book. On the left page there was the first picture of Twilight and all her friends. On the right was a wall of text. “This book is comprised of photos that captured our best of times, and every letter I have ever written to Princess Celestia about friendship. Princess Celestia had a scholar copy them all into this book.” Twilight explained as she flipped through the pages of the better part of her life.
Trixie was nearly overwhelmed with emotion, struck speechless and settled with following Twilight's life as Twilight turned the pages. Halfway through she closed the book and Trixie could tell she was fighting tears all over again. “I'm just glad I will always have you.” Twilight whispered.
Twilight could not have known how special she had made Trixie feel that day. The experience was more intimate than any bed they had ever shared and any flights they occasionally took together. From that day forth Twilight never seemed as sad as she had before, even after her scheduled visits. However the fire of depression has not yet been extinguished all together.
Trixie often found herself wondering if Twilight would have been okay without her. By the graces of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna that had never come to be. Celestia had approached Trixie one day while Twilight and Trixie were together.
Accompanying Princess Celestia was Princess Luna. Celestia had made the comment that Twilight would one day take her position but they still needed another for Luna. At first neither Twilight nor Trixie understood what she meant. Luna stepped forth not a second later and cleared their confusion.
“Trixie Lulamoon, if you would have it we would like thou to become our replacement once our rule is done.”
“W-wh- I mean... Princess Luna I... I don't know what to say.” Trixie stuttered. Twilight remained speechless and held her composure despite the overwhelming joy that boiled inside of her.
“It is but a yes or no question miss Lulamoon.” Luna smiled with amusement.
Trixie uttered the single word that would fulfill her dream. “Yes.”
That had been the happiest day of her life. She became an alicorn, a Princess, and this meant she could stay with Twilight forever.
For now Trixie just basked in the moment as of current. She giggled when Twilight found it appropriate to explain a scene in the book to her. This amused her for the simple fact that Trixie herself had written the book and knew the exact meaning behind it all. However she was not going to kill Twilight's vibe.
Trixie had taken to writing a short while after becoming an alicorn and as a result Twilight insisted she read everything Trixie wrote. Even if Trixie herself thought it less than entertaining.
Trixie propped herself on her side to face Twilight who stopped her explanation to gaze at Trixie's beauty in the warm glow of the fire.
With a forhoof Trixie brushed the mane out of Twilight's face, closed her eyes , leaned into her, kissing her passionately and resting her left wing over Twilight's torso.. Twilight returned the favor, wrapping her forhooves around Trixie's neck, closing her eyes and holding the kiss between their lips, taking in all of the emotion and passion she could grasp from the gesture. To help her concentrate she lowered the book to her side, almost immediately forgetting it in the heat of the moment.
After an undetermined amount of time Trixie reluctantly broke the contact and stifled a giggle when she saw the disappointment in Twilight's eyes.
Trixie gave her another peck on the lips before saying, “I love you Twilight.”
A tear escaped Twilight's eye, not of sadness but of joy and love. “I love you too Trixie.”
They did not continue reading, nor did they get up. Instead they lay there, wrapped in each other's wings and forehooves by the fireplace until at last, the blissful world of sleep washed over them.
