Shadow of Naivety

The silhouette of Celestia's shadow danced in tandem with the flickering candle flame that sat on the corner of its table. It was the only light that warmed the room. Its light did not reach far, but it was enough to see the paper work she was working on, so Celestia was fine with this minimal vision. Celestia's quill scratched against the parchment, the sound echoing across the darkness. It was another bill about some land, this time it was about an animal refuge. It was a good thing but it needed some adjustments. This is what she spent her evenings doing. While her sun set across the land, she was reading and signing her name countless times. This monotonous task is something she had accepted as part of her daily life.

This is where she found herself most nights. After the daily routines were finished, she would retire here and work on laws or whatnot. She forgot how this has been has been going. Years? Decades? Centuries? She had lost track counting many years ago.

Even if has only been a few hundred years, Celestia started fearing what could possibly await her in the future. She knew that there would be many millennias that would pass her, and they would eventually start passing her by as if they were days. Would this position of her's become any more exciting? Would she become anything more than just a name signing, mechanical, boring princess?

She could not help but remember the days of the past, before there were any 'royal obligations' to look over and social events with the constant, repetitive and painful conversations. She was just a kid compared to now. What she would give to laugh with her sister as they ran from the baker down the road, their giggles muffled by the bread stuffed in their mouth. If she would to meet that young Celestia now, would she believe what she would become?

She sat her quill down and relaxed her aching neck. Her age never showed, but every once in a while she feels it. Or she thinks she does anyways. The sands of time are a strange thing when it comes to unhindered youth. The hard wood pressed sharply against her chin. The desk was surprisingly comfortable. She was probably just tired enough to believe that anything was comfortable, but she didn't really care.

"Mother, is this what it was like?" She asked the empty room.

“Stay close you two. Your father and I don't want to be searching for you again. Remember what happened last time?”

Celestia slowed to a stop and lowered her head, trying to drown out her mother's voice. All she wanted to do was be out of the kingdom without every pony in the land watching her to keep her safe. When will they ever learn that she is a grown mare now?

“Did you hear me young lady?!” The alicorn stamped her hoof as she raised her voice. Her soft purple, almost mulberry, coat shining brilliantly in the afternoon sun. “I can very easily make it so you will not get to go to the Gala this year. Would you like that?”

It was all that she could do to not turn to her mother and spout off something cheeky, but Luna was faster.

“No need Mother!” She hastily responded, knowing her tempered sister. “We shall be back before dusk.” She assured their mother.

“You had better hope.” She pushed her violet hair behind her horn, before turning and walking away. “Stay safe and have fun. Remember, Uncle Solaris will be joining us tomorrow for the day. Make sure you are clean and proper before his arrival. Love you.”

Celestia mumbled under her breath as she pushed forward. Luna jumped to her side, walking next to her. “You know that she only wants us to be safe.”

"Oh ho ho! Safe now? Luna, there is no such thing as danger in this place. We have no enemies that have armies strong enough to match ours. There is no possible way that they could push any kind of force into the heart of the kingdom and find us. Even if they did, we are alicorns! One of the strongest beings on this planet. What makes anypony think we are in danger?!" Celestia ranted as she walked down the weathered trail. The trail led to town. Their mother was under the impression they were out to have a night on the town, maybe see the circus or something. Celestia had other plans.

Luna rolled her eyes and waited for her sister to finish. "That aside, do you really think that this is wise. Mother will be most displeased if she finds out you are going to Shock's pla-"

"She will never know, if you never tell her." Celestia interrupted. She sped up to a trot as the town came into view. "Don't you have books to read or something weird like that? You should get a colt friend. It would do you some good." She chuckled teasingly. "Get yourself a little fun before we get all important."

Luna felt her cheeks start warming. Her gaze turned away from her elder sister. "I apologize if I take our roles seriously."

"Hmph... Whatever..." The white alicorn flexed her wings and jumped into the air. "If you ever need me, you know where I will be!" Celestia yelled as she watched her sisters figure shrink away. If her sister did not want to live life to the fullest before the coronation, that was her problem. She wanted to be young for as long as she was allowed. Her mother could be content with living forever as a political tool, but that would have to wait for Celestia. She was much to busy having fun.

"Princess Celestia?" The voice was soft, muffled. "Perhaps you should retire to your quarters?" There is was again. Celestia did not want to open her eyes. She did not want to wake up, but that was already out of the question. She forced her heavy eyes to the pony next to her, A large earth pony with a sky blue coat. "Shock?"

"No, your highness, I am Brand. A you feeling alright, Princess?" The colt asked. He had every right to be concerned. She has been working very hard lately, and all of the staff have noticed this.

Celestia's eyes started adjusting to the room again. The candle was now burning low on its wick, holding on to the last of its short life for as long as it could. Celestia watch it shortly before it gave up, accepting the fact that its bright life of dancing was over. "I am alright, just waking from a dream." She weakly took to her feet and smiled warmly at the guard. "Thank you, Brand, I think you are right. I will go to bed now. Have a safe night."

"Of course, Princess Celestia."

The hallway was dim, only being lit with the soft light from the moon high above as Celestia dragged herself to her room. Maybe she would get to finish her dream. She started wondering if she would even remember his face. Everything was so vivid in her memory. His house was always clean and welcoming. His bright and cheery smile every time he saw her. She even remember how his white lightning cutie mark stood against his blue coat so brilliantly, but it was his face that had eluded her. It was buried in her sub-conscious.

Her door clicked shut behind her. The welcoming bed was always something she looked forward to every night. She slid beneath the covers and rested her head on the cool pillow. Compared to the hard wood of the desk, the pillow felt like a puff from a fresh batch of clouds on a summer afternoon. Without another thought, she drifted away again.

Luna sighed as she felt her sister fall again into a sleep. There was no dream this time, but Luna was not worried. In fact, she felt relieved. "Oh sister, I know these are nothing but memories of long ago, but I feel as if there is a great evil festering within you." The dark horse pushed herself to the balcony to oversee her sister's room. "What is it, Sister? It is not the pain of what once was. I feel it is more complicated than that. I feel the overbearing weight of something far darker then we can imagine." Luna shook the feeling from her mind.

It still lingered in her head however, like a foul smell the filled the crisp air. "You feel it too sister, but you are ignoring it." A forced smile pushed itself onto her lips. "You haven't changed on bit. You are as brash and foolish as ever, my dear sister."