Author's Note

SUMMARY: At the end of a long day of royal duties, Celestia prepares to turn in for the night until she receives an unexpected visit from a certain banished, former student. (You know... Sunset Shimmer...)

Short 2: Sunset's Amends

***One Last Ride: Short***

Princess Celestia sat quietly in her study. She looked up from her desk and out the nearest window, out into the night that covered Canterlot like a shroud. The soft glow of the moon kept her study well lit along side the candles by her desk.

Using her horn, Celestia closed the forms on her desk and tucked them away within the drawers below, a chore that would have to wait until the morning.

"Off to bed already? The life of a princess really is a dull one..."

Celestia wasn't easily startled, but the silence breaking voice scared her. She looked towards her door to see a dark figure standing in her way.

The figure stepped forward and into the dim light.

"Sunset Shimmer..." Celestia let out a long breath. "I had seen you the day your daughter had her foal, but you dissapeared before I could speak to you..."

Sunset kicked her hooves timidly and looked at the floor.

"It wasn't exactly a good time..." Sunset said quietly.

"And... Now is?" Celestia asked. "A good time, I mean."

Former student and teacher stood in silence for several awkward moments. It was Sunset who broke the painful silence.

"Sunshine and Dennis don't know I'm here." Sunset said at last, meeting Celestia's gaze. "I promised them I'd keep my distance... I'm only to visit on Christmas and Thanks Giving..."

Celestia cocked her head curiously.

"Christmas?" The princess asked.

Sunset chuckled and shook her head.

"Forget what I said about that." She said quickly.

Celestia smiled and nodded her head.

"Of course... Would you like a seat?" She asked, motioning her head towards an emptie chair.

Sunset accepted her offer, and sat down.

"I can have us some coffee delivered, if you'd like." Celestia continued as she sat at her desk.

Sunset shook her head.

"Thank you, but I'll be alright..." She said politely. "I won't be staying long..."

Celestia smiled warmly.

"You've made quite a name for yourself, Sunset..." She said. "You've understood the value of friendship, married and settled down... Not to forget, you have a wonderful daughter, who now has a husband and a colt of her own."

"Hmm... You should try having kids, Celestia." Sunset said with a light chuckle. "It's an unforgettable experience."

Celestia's cheeks turned a pink hue, and her gaze turned to the endless forms on her desk.

"Were I not a princess and a ruler of a country, I would certainly give it a try..." Celestia said softly. "Can you... tell me what it's like?"

Sunset was a bit surprised by the question.

"What... do you mean?" She asked. "Raising a child?"

Celestia nodded her head.

"Whew..." Sunset breathed heavily. "Well... Where do I begin? It's a lot of work, for one... Without Applejack and the rest of her family, I don't think I could have done nearly as well as I did with Sunshine. They helped a lot with the majority of the chores that come with raising a child."

"Like what?" Celestia prodded.

Sunset shrugged her shoulders.

"The early years are the messiest, for sure... Cleaning up after her meals and 'accidents' gets a little tedious... Then, we always had to buy her clothes as she outgrew her old ones. We paid for her schooling and cared for her when she got sick or hurt, which happened very often..."

"Hmm... That sounds almost as difficult as running a country..." Celestia said with a chuckle.

Sunset cracked a smile.

"You'd think so... As back-breaking as it was, I enjoyed every precious moment of it..." Sunset admitted. "There were the times when I felt being a mother was the greatest thing in the world... Now, those times are gone... I'm still a mother, but not the one I used to be. My baby is... She's not my baby anymore, is what I'm saying..."

"Have you and your wife ever considered having another child?" Celestia asked.

Sunset nodded her head and wiped a single tear from her eyes.

"We have... Back when Chief was... still alive, we wanted to... have another... But we got to busy taking care of Sunshine, so we decided to wait until she was older and required a little less maternal matinance. By that time, Chief had already passed, so we were out of options. I didn't want to mate with another stallion from the stable, and I certainly didn't want a human male..."

Celestia offered Sunset a tisue, which she took graciously.

"Thank you..." Sunset said softly. "But... That was years ago... I've let go of the notion of... having another child..."

Celestia offered her a warm smile.

"You're a proud mother, Sunset Shimmer, and a grandmother too, now. I am happy you have found success and happiness in a world and situation many would fail in."

Sunset managed a smile.

"I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for you banishing me. I suppose I need to thank you."

Celestia stood from her desk, followed by Sunset, and the two mares embraced each other tightly.

"It has been wonderful to see you again..." Celestia breathed into Sunset's neck.

"I've missed you too, Celestia..."

When they broke away, both mares, teacher and student, had tears building in their eyes. Sunset slowly began backing towards the door she came in.

"You... are welcome back in Equestria, Sunset Shimmer, time you should choose to return..."

Sunset grinned, but her smile quickly faded.

"Thank you, princess, but I should... be getting back... It's movie night..." Sunset said with a chuckle. "Seriously, princess, find the time to have a child. It'll change your entire world..."

Celestia beamed at her.

"I shall give it some thought." She replied. "Farewell, Sunset Shimmer..."

Sunset gave the princess a subtle 'wink', and without another word, she dissapeared into the corridor.

***