Dear Princess

Dear Princess…
Chapter 3

It was Erebus’ first night on the job and he was very excited. He entered Luna’s chambers to see that she had been still asleep, but was not surprised she was always like that he just smiled and started looking around for tasks. First he went to feed the nocturnal animals, as he got there he found that there was already someone else was already doing it. “That’s alright” he thought “just one less thing for me to do” and he walked off. The next task was watering the night flowers there were several moon flowers in the garden, but like before someone else was already there watering the flowers. Erebus’ heart sank with the thought that the tasks he was once entrusted with were now easily given to somepony else. Now struck with a feeling of uselessness he decided it was time to head back to Luna’s chambers, upon returning he found that she has awoken.
“Good evening Erebus, how fairs thee.”
“Princess, if I may ask what is it I am expected to do as your assistant?”
“Well… as you may have seen after you and I were banished my sister had taken the role of keeper of the night and in doing so appointed several ponies to perform the tasks of the night.” She said with the same dismal expression Erebus had.
“So what should you have me tend to Princess?” Erebus wanted to change the subject to try and lighten the mood.
“Erebus, come with me I wish to show you something.” Luna turned to an old bookshelf in the corner of her room and used her magic on it. It then begun to glow and then swung open to reveal a secret passage and Luna motioned for Erebus to follow. It was a dark downward leading spiral staircase and the only light source came from Luna’s horn. They walked for what seemed like hours until they reached a large door with light filtering out from all around it. Luna pushed the door open and after Erebus’ eyes adjusted to the light he saw that the room was fairly large and it was full of books and scrolls.
“Princess what is this” Erebus said cocking his head in astonishment,
“This is the night’s royal archives, I haven’t been down here for some time and it has grown rather squalid in my absence. For your first task Erebus I would like for you to clean this area.” And with that Erebus nodded his head and the Princess took off back up stairs. Erebus had begun animating brooms and mops to clean for him giving him time to look around at the many books, but one caught his eye. The book that grabbed his attention was none other than his own journal that he started the first day of being Princess Luna’s student. He blew the dust on the cover to reveal his name scribbled on the front, it was indeed his old journal so he opened it and began to read it reliving the moments once again.

“Day 1, I am so thrilled that I was chosen above others for this grandiose position. I can’t wait for all the amazing things I will get to see and learn while I’m here.” “I was so happy back in times of old” he thought to himself and he skipped ahead a few pages.
“Day 43, I have gotten to know everypony in the castle fairly well, the chefs in the kitchen sometimes slip me an extra muffin at lunch.”
“Night 60, I have grown used to the nocturnal life as the Princess’ student and from hence forth I shall write in nights to honor Luna.”
“Night 150, I hath been taken speech classes by request of milady the Princess to raise appeal.” These were all fond memories for Erebus but then he decided to see if they left the later entries, so he skipped ahead but this time by eight years, for in those two years Luna had begun to change into something Erebus wished he could forget.
“Year 8 Night 17, I have been milady student for eight cycles now and I had thought I have seen every side of her, but like most ponies everyone has a side they keep hidden and try to never show. Luna was no exception I have started to see her spite, jealousy, envy, and even hate they are not shown openly but I can see them behind her eyes with every glance towards her sister. Part of him wanted to close the book now and forget about the rest but, he wanted to finish he needed to finish for this was his history.
“Year 9 Night 162, Luna has demanded that all who serve under must now refer to her as master and has kept everypony awake all night for a week now I may not mind but the day guards and workers seem quite upset.”
“Year 9 Night 237, I’ve seen something on my way to the library that scared me more than anything in my entire life, it twas master… but she was as dark as a stormy night and the look in her eyes could kill with but a glance, it was something I could only describe as a nightmare.”
“Year 9 Night 317, this one’s master has donned a cloak to shroud her new form from the rest of the castle but this one hath already seen everything, it still haunts the nightmares of this one. Now master has given many a strange request for me spying, tampering, and even sabotage I have seen what happens to those who disobey I feel as though I have no control over my actions anymore, but I can say this, the monster that calls herself the Princess is not my Luna… not anymore.”

Erebus reeling in agony as he dropped the book and the dark memories flooded back, he then lost concentration causing the cleaning utensils to fall to the ground all around him. Luna had returned shortly after and saw a quivering stallion staring off as if in a trance. She quickly rushed to his side and saw the book that he had read and embraced him saying softly in his ear “worry not, for the nightmare is over and shall never return.” Upon hearing the kind words spoken by the one he had always cared for and admired snapped Erebus back to reality and reassured him of Luna’s return and permanent stay. Seeing how Erebus was once again ok Luna released him and steeped back to say something to show she was never going back to the darkened state that was Nightmare Moon. “Erebus I know it must have been a great strain on thee to with stand such torture that I once bequeathed to thee. But I should say that I may have read your journal while you were out and I rather enjoyed the final entry.” After so long Erebus had forgotten what the final entry was and Luna opened the book to the final page.
“Year 11 Night my last for a while, this is going to be my final entry into this journal, I have seen Celestia banish Nightmare Moon and Luna along with it. I have since approached Princess Celestia and pleaded for the following request; I wish to be banished to the moon with Princess Luna, and I want to be there for as long as she for when she does return she will need someone on which she can depend and trust. For every great treasure needs a guardian and to me Luna was the greatest treasure in all of Equestria and I wish to be by her side for as long as I live.” Luna then closed the book and returned its place on the bookshelf Erebus had a big smile on his face remembering his final words to the Princess. Erebus had been in the secret library for quite some and then Luna remembered that she had to go and lower the moon to make way for her sister, as she left Erebus resumed cleaning and soon finished in no time at all he felt exhausted and decided that it was time for some rest as he ascended the winding staircase once again. Upon reaching the top he saw Luna flying in from the outside after finishing her duties and she also gave out a yawn, then as she saw him motioning to leave her quarters she stopped him.
“Um, Erebus can I ask thou a favor?” She said half looking at Erebus and half gazing at the ground.
“What is it milady you know I would do anything for thee?” She then looked up at him fully
“I’m sure you would be more at ease if you slept in my room tonight so I had asked the staff to prepare you a bed over there.” She said pointing to a smallish bed a few feet from Luna’s own. Erebus could see from her face what she clearly wanted to say but he enjoyed the Princess’ company and walked to his new bed and with Luna now sleeping next to him he felt as ease, his eyes started to grow heavy and his thoughts had begun to wondered as he soon found himself surrounded by the warm embrace that was sleep.

Erebus awoke at the dawn of the next night, but this time Luna had gotten up before him and already raised the moon and begun to put up the stars. He pondered what his tasks for the evening were for he had finished cleaning the nights archive room what could the Princess have need for him tonight, Luna entered the room as Erebus was in mid-thought.
“Ah Erebus I see thou hast awoken, art thou prepared for tonight’s duties.” Luna had said a bit happier that normal which was good.
“Milady I will always be ready, name the task and it shall be done.” Erebus replied with confidence for seeing Luna’s smile made him feel like he could take on the world. With that Luna gave Erebus a scroll and proceeded to explain.
“Erebus this is your job for tonight, I hope thee can handle it.” Erebus looked confused until he opened it.
“Milady this looks to be a list of… uh, well complaints and tasks”
“Indeed it is Erebus and I wish for thou to see to them and hopefully gain favor from the citizens of Canterlot, I wish thee luck Erebus.” And with the list in hoof Erebus went off to see to the first item on the list. Upon gathering a few things such as a pen some paper and a bag he headed out of the castle and headed off to the first pony’s house. There certainly were a lot of homes in Canterlot compared to Ponyville but after a bit of effort he managed to find it and knocked on the door. When it opened a young Pegasus filly greeted him.
“A bit late for house calls don’t you think.” She said in a tired voice rubbing her eyes
“My apologies young miss but I am here on behalf of Princess Luna about your problem” this made her a bit more serious and she invited him in her home.
“I’m sorry it’s a bit messy I wasn’t expecting company, now about my problem.” She sat down in front of Erebus as she began to explain her trouble.
“You see the problem is that the track around where I practice is poorly lit at night and I was wondering if I could get some lights put up to make things easier to see.” A simple request surly one Erebus could handle.
“I shall see to your problem with haste and get some lights put up around the track.”
“Oh thank you mister… um I don’t think I caught your name.”
“It’s Erebus, current assistant to Princess Luna.”
“Well my names Spitfire it was nice meeting you.” Erebus then returned to Luna to make the arrangements for a construction crew to put up some lighting and receive a bit of congratulation. This isn’t so bad Erebus thought then he unrolled the list completely, the size of the list pared with the constant addition of new tasks almost made Erebus lose heart but after some encouragement from Luna he decided to continue on to the next task.