Worthy of the Sun

While generally the picture of grace, Princess Radiance Blueblood was known for having a temper at times; a mare of wealth, power and documented special treatment, "No" was a word she hadn't heard often, and one she handled poorly at the best of times.

And so when Radiance departed for the ancient mountain, far from Equestria, the castle staff anticipated that she would not return for a while. Veterans among the Princesses' guard recalled that following initial visits to the mountain, the Princess had screamed into a pillow, remote glade, or at less-than-swift retainers for literally hours, until she was hoarse. Repeatedly, over the course of several days, if not weeks. Especially when the word "Crown" was uttered within earshot. Of course, the princess had matured since then, so an extended absence as Radiance screamed into a remote cave or otherwise calmed down before returning was not unexpected.

As the one-year milestone approached, however, the question of Radiance's location was raised, as was the wisdom of allowing the heirless ruler of Equestria to make the journey on her own. Various royal artefacts belonging to the Princess were recovered by scouts in fringe towns, often in the possession of those too poor to recognize the provenance of such items, traded for simple travelling provisions and supplies, and it painted a worrying picture.

Where Radiance Blueblood had gone, she had not wanted to be followed.

But her scouts were masters of their art, and not even Radiance Blueblood could deceive them; as they followed, they found impressive attempts to deter pursuit, false trails and even doubt that they were on the right path at times. But they persevered, journeying far beyond Equestria for years, forever in pursuit of their missing princess, clinging tightly to the tales and accounts of a beautiful unicorn's journey almost always a year previously.

The trail led across barren wastelands, inhospitable mountain ranges and even through the kingdom of Avalon, where even gryphonic warriors spoke respectfully of Radiance's passage. And it was here that they finally asked why she travelled where she did, what she might seek that would impress the otherwise stoic warriors of Avalon; they learned of the sky demon that dwelled in the lands to the East.

Garuda, a roc of phenomenal size, ruling with an iron claw over all he could see, devouring anything he pleased, and anything that displeased him. Garuda the Glutton, a legendary foe that countless heroes had opposed, each one failing like the last. To seek Garuda willingly was a deed worthy of respect in itself. To defeat Garuda would be to liberate a land and to inscribe oneself on the tapestry of legend with glory unparalleled.

Now knowing Radiance's destination, her rangers, legends in their own right for the land they had traversed, redoubled their pace; now scarcely half a year behind her, theirs was a desperate gambit. To save their princess, they would have to find Garuda before she did.

With every trick in their arsenal and every iota of talent they possessed, they closed the gap, pushing further into a land that most couldn't depart quickly enough, word of the only other soul crazy enough to do so reaching their ears, whether they sought it or not.

And so they were present to bear witness to the birth of a legend, Garuda cursing her name as she sealed him in a brilliant, point-cut amethyst, the only royal artefact that Radiance had not sold or bartered in her journey.

As they approached the Princess, struck with awe, it was as if Radiance was coming to her own epiphany, staring thoughtfully at the gem she held, mouth moving nigh-silently. In the years that followed, the ranger with the keenest ears, Butterscotch, would claim to have heard but a few words:

"What a fool I was," Radiance whispered.

"Your highness," the lead ranger said, taking a reverential knee.

Radiance turned around, and saw her rangers bowing to her as one; once, it would have been demanded of anyone who sought to speak to her. Now, though, this far from her domain…

"No need to bow, gentlecolts," she said, waving a hoof dismissively. "Forgive me, it has been a while, but… Yearling, wasn't it?"

"That is me, your grace," the lead ranger confirmed.

"You're a long way from Equestria," Radiance remarked. "What are you doing here?"

"To confirm your fate," Yearling said. "A mission that I can now proudly say that we have thoroughly failed."

"It isn't often one takes pride in one's failings," Radiance said.

"It isn't often one defeats an immortal roc," Yearling replied. "Where to now, Princess?"

Radiance sighed. "Well, I don't know about you, Yearling, but I think I'm due to go home."

♦♦♦   ☼   ♦♦♦

Radiance stood on the edge of the plateau, looking up at the old sun king, silence in the frosty air between them.

"You know why I'm here," Radiance said.

"I can only hope," Solarion replied.

"Will you give me the crown?" Radiance asked.

Solarion didn't move. "You know my answer."

"Very well, then," Radiance said, without a trace of venom. "Farewell, Solarion."

"That's it?" Yearling asked as she turned away from the throne.

"That's it," Radiance agreed, making her way down the mountain.

"But…" Yearling looked back at the throne and fell in line. "The crown."

"He's not giving it to me," Radiance said. "His song hasn't changed since the first time I asked for - no -  demanded it."

"I know, I was there when you first sought it," Yearling said. "But you've grown. You've defeated Garuda. You have the power to just take it now, and our support. Why not?"

"It's like he said, Yearling," Radiance said. "Violence won't sway him, and it won't make me worthy."

"Princess," Yearling said, conceding the discussion.

"Haven't we been over this?" Radiance sighed. "I think if anyone has earned the right to ignore my title it would be you four."

"Princess," Yearling hissed.

"What?"

"Wake up, Princess!"

Radiance jolted awake, and looked around. Next to her was Yearling in his guard armor, the aged stallion looking sharp as ever. She was lying on top of a wide, round bed, not unlike a large cushion, that sat in the middle of her chamber; she couldn't go back to a four-posted bed after all those years in the wilderness, and it was almost all that Yearling and her rangers could do to get her to not sleep on the floor.

The return of Princess Radiance Blueblood was unexpected, but a homecoming that changed Equestria; policies set in place before her departure and the rule of several regents in her absence had not done any favors for Equestria, and Radiance had spent barely ten minutes in Canterlot before undoing the damage caused in her absence and early rule.

The rangers accompanying her testified to her identity, but many still had difficulty in accepting that the Radiance that returned was the same Radiance that had left almost ten whole years previously.

Many argued that no matter how you looked at it, she wasn't. Radiance had changed for the better, her temper subsumed by a seemingly infinite, new-found patience, her changes to the structure of Equestria no longer based on immediate results.

And as word of her renewed rule and deeds in far away lands began to spread, Equestria and the surrounding lands began to bow to Princess Radiance Blueblood -- not because they had to, but because she was a leader worth bowing to. Tithes given not because it was demanded, but because they knew that every bit, every ounce of gold, would be used to improve Equestria and it's demesnes.

"Apologies, Radiance," Yearling said, nodding. "It seems like the only way to wake you up is to call you Princess."

"It's not a problem," Radiance said, stretching. "What is the matter?"

"It's about to be sunrise," Yearling said. "You scheduled an audience with a merchant for sunrise."

Radiance groaned softly. "Right. I remember. Allow me a minute."

Yearling saluted, and started to move away, but hesitated.

"Something on your mind?" Radiance asked, almost without looking as she rolled over and slid onto her hooves.

"In a sense," Yearling said. "Is something on yours, Radiance? You sound tired."

Radiance paused, facing the window. Yearling cleared his throat.

"It's not my place to ask, I suppose," he said. "I'll tell everyone you'll be out in five minutes."

"Thank you, Yearling," Radiance said, walking over to the window. She heard the door close, and let out a gentle breath, just as the tip of the sun broke the horizon and began to cast light across the highest points in the land; and far away, beyond equine sight, Radiance saw the world from atop the mountain, could almost feel the cold mountain air and the warmth of the sun above.

"Good morning to you too, Solarion," she muttered.