Luna sat upon her throne adjacent to her sisters, sitting ever so regal like an eagle atop a mighty mountain. Her sister, like a blazing fire across a icy tundra. All the cold, white, bleakness of daily life being evaporated by her pure radiance. Together, they were the divinity of which even epic legends were only a mere candles flicker in comparison.
The day court was about to come to its close, and soon it was to be the court of the night, held by the herald of such somber elements herself, Luna. That was why she was even there, her nocturnal sleeping habits forcing the time she spent with her sister to be but the briefest of moments.
“Thanks, Princess. You have no idea how much this means to me -- my family.” The subject in peasant's rags bowed before Celestia, before rising once again.
“You’re quite welcome, my little pony; be wary of the dangers of the Everfree in the future. Were it not for my guards, those celestial beasts would have surely followed you into town, and caused more damage than your domicile.
The pony bowed again before replying sincerely, “I will do as much, yes I will.”
As he was escorted out by the guards of the royal hall, Celestia gave a nod signifying that court was now over. Doing as their leader commanded, the guards shut the grand doors of the two sisters, and bowed much in the same way the peasant did before them.
“Do you ever get weary of such trivialities, dear sister?” Luna asked Celestia in a tone of both apathy, and minor curiosity. “Even after all these long years we have ruled over our kingdom, we never seem to see any true changes in the world that we live in. Sister… it concerns me, dearly.”
Luna’s gaze upon her sister bore into her much like a bee stings into the flesh. The poison of which being Celestia’s uncertainty of how to answer such a question, especially one from somepony so close to her.
“Luna… dear Luna, what is it that you wish me to say to such a deep question? I’ve been alongside you for just as long as you have been with me. Do you honestly think that I may hold any stronger answers to such a question, that you -- yourself don’t fully understand?”
Luna rolled her eyes at that, apparent dissatisfaction crossing her features. “You know full well, that you are the more wise and mystic of the two of us. Just look at the ponies that surround us, and by that, I mean you. They adore you, sister. They worship you; and I too know why, Tia. You’re always a shining beacon of light to dispel this darkness, and if that darkness is your own sister’s uncertainty for the current state of the world, than you’ll know exactly what to say to cast away this foggy haze.”
Celestia nodded her head, a bit irked by her sister’s low self-esteem. Taking a moment to ponder what exactly to say to her now, knowing that It would be obvious to try and console the poor saddened night bringer, but she knew her sister too well to try such a direct approach; it’d only make matters worse.
“Luna, I see that you are determined to hear my words, and so I shall grant them. Though, and this comes from my heart, I do wish you would change that pessimistic view you cast upon yourself, it’s not healthy.”
Luna took the words her sister said in stride, nodding in return as if to show that she would learn to control her own self-doubt. Unbeknownst to the solar monarch, Luna was currently grinding her teeth behind her sealed lips.
“Yes, it is indeed true that this world of ours has not changed much since we have come to shed our wisdom upon its inhabitants. However, you must not forget what came before such a time of prosperity -- war, cold, and worse of all, hatred towards one another. Remember, there was no harmony, no friends, not even acquaintances were commonplace.”
Celestia paused her speech, taking a good look at her beloved sister. She was obviously conflicted; she always was such a pony. Despite all of her efforts to ease her pains, the horrid past that they both shared still clung to them, and it was made of an extra strong adhesive for the one who preys upon the evils of the night.
Closing her eyes, and taking another deep breath, Celestia continued. “I know it may not seem like much, but the changes that are taking place, however minor they may be, are still valuable, and should be looked upon with pride and joy. I know things will get better soon, better housing, better life processes to produce food for their family and loved ones, and even a change on the outlook of the night sky.”
Luna inhaled deeply at her sister’s last words. Knowing that she strategically used them to try and give her hope. She didn’t quite know how, but somehow her sister saw right passed her iron defenses, and touched that sweet spot that’s been bothering her that past decade.
Not having proper words to say, Luna had to settle on the usual that she applied when ending a deep discussion with her sister. “Thanks, Tia. It means the world to me, the moon included.”
For the first time since they had greeted each other that evening, Celestia smiled with cordial glee. She could see that Luna still felt conflicted on the inside, but seeing that she hade acknowledged her mishaps, maybe then their relationship wouldn’t be on such a tight rope.
“That’s very good to hear, dear sister. It’s long that I have waited to see you have some positivity in your life as of recent. Here, come closer, for my sake.” Celestia waved her hoof to and fro, beckoning her sister to draw near.
Luna hesitated like a cornerd animal at first, but slowly came to her minds honest desires, and walked to her sister with soft steps of elegance. As she drew near, Celestia reached her forehooves forward, and wrapped them around her sister, drawing her into a warm embrace.
“I love, Luna. You know that, do you not? No matter how dark the world around you may appear, just know that I’ll always be here for you, always.” Celestia held back the watery emotion the was building behind her eyes, as she held onto her sister like it was the end of the world itself. “Remember that, Luna. Please, remember that?”
Before Celestia let go of her sister, she felt a wet filling fall down onto her shoulder, and run down her back like a weary waterfall, ready to shed the last of its life giving water.
Luna’s body trembled under her sister’s hooves, her cold body regaining heat from the close contact with one another. She sniffled onto her sister’s shoulder, wanting to speak, but not being able to find the correct words. Her throat was like a dam, and her words were the water that lied behind the stony walls.
But, much like all structures made by pony kind, that wall soon fell apart, as Luna’s hoarse words escaped from the icy chamber of her soul. “I.. I…”
She moaned in ennui into her sister's shoulder; Celestia’s eyes widening as she felt all the impact of such powerful cries of anguish. “I… I love... you too sister.” She sobbed some more, “Y-Y-You have no idea how much.”
They were stuck there for what felt like years, their bodies stuck together like Equestria was stuck in the gravitational orbit of the sun. The guards that once guarded the hall with their very lives, exited a long while ago, leaving the two sisters to themselves, their sorrow, and love, and all.
With time, and a whole ocean full of grief, Luna finally let go of her sister. Looking to her with swollen, bloodshot eyes. Her fur wet from all the liquid emotion that drained from them. She turned slowly, and then proceeded to walk back to her throne.
She spoke with more life than before, the nazzly grit from subsiding with her burst of pent up emotions. “I’m sorry, I’ve taken up too much of the time that we dedicate to the court of night. Go get some rest sister, I’ll take over from here.”
Celestia shook her head disapprovingly, her face forming a serious, yet sincere frown. “No, Luna. I do not think that will be necessary, You’ve been having a rough week, and I’m sure our subjects would understand if you wanted to take a small break from your nightly court sessions.”
Luna contorted her face in such a manner that it conveyed she didn’t agree with her sister's statement. “No, Tia. I will be just fine, there is no need to worry about me. I’m feeling better now, as you can see, so go rest now. I’ll take care of my duties, as a responsible ruler of Equestria should.”
Celestia just continued to shake her head. “No, no, no, Luna. You mustn't, it’s not what's best for your well being. If you can’t let go of that unwavering pride, it’s going to get you hurt some day, and I don’t just mean emotionally. Please, Luna? Do this for me, at least?”
Luna hid the twinge of guilt behind a smile to assure her sister that everything was alright. “Fine… if it’s so bothersome for you, then I’ll just go and relax for the night. Even if I find such an action deplorable.”
Celestia finally lessened her gaze at her sister. “Good, I know it may annoy you, but it’s what’s best in the long run.”
Luna turned around before rolling her eyes, taking a couple of steps towards the side exit of the throne room before saying. “If that’s what you think…”
Another couple of steps, and she was out of sight. Leaving Celestia to herself as she looked up to the ceiling, pondering their conversation. She knew that she just improved the gap between the two of them, if only just a little. She held a hoof up to her heart, a part in comfort, and another part in pain for the care she expressed for her sister. “It’s still not over, isn’t it? She’s still so far away…”
* * * *
Luna sat upon her bed; only a small candle on the desk adjacent to her forming a dim light in the room. I’ve just woken from my slumber not too long ago; why does it feel like I’ve been up for a millennia? Pondered Luna inside her own head.
Ugh, it’s not just today, it’s been this way for such a long time now. Is this normal, does Celestia too experience such negative feelings? No, of course not, she’s too good for that. It’s just me, and my inability to get matters done right.
Luna sighed, planting her face firmly onto her pillow. She tossed and turned furiously like a pony falling ill to hay fever. It wasn’t even subsiding, she just kept rolling around in a fit that’d give a newborn foal a run for its money.
Damn it all, there it is again! Luna groaned with all the fury of a screeching banshee. The pain in her chest growing stronger and stronger. Every time I find myself alone, this needle that drives into my soul sinks deeper and deeper.
A thought came to her head then, and she quickly slammed herself back onto her pillow. I almost, kinda feel addicted to this horrid feeling, like I accept it as normal. Luna hit her head against her pillow one more time, and screamed into it with all the rage of a army of griffons. No, this is not who I am, why must this masochistic mindset haunt me so?
She raised her head slowly, her eyes growing more and more red as the night carried on. A tightness in her chest crept into her being, much like a stalker to their distant object of affection. Luna trembled, and then she shivered. Somehow, even though it was mid-summer, she still found herself in a frigid state, almost like if she were living in the mountains to the north.
Shaking her head, she tried to get a hold of herself, but it failed to cause any sort of positive reaction. All it did was make the tightness grow tighter, and tighter, almost like it was a noose wrapping around her heart.
She breathed in, she breathed out. Deep breath in, deep breath out. The air around her closed in like a cramped closet, that cut her respiration short. It was like she was suffocating -- suffocating in her own skin.
I’m… I’m… I’m so tired. I’m tired of this repetition. I know my sister is right on this manner, times will change if we wait it out long enough, but I just feel trapped here in my own little bubble -- a bubble in which all time is at a stand still.
She just let go of herself, finally allowing her body to fall back down to her snug, and revitalizing bed. Maybe Tia’s right, I need some rest. I hate it, I want my subjects to be happy, I want them to appreciate my lovely night, and I want them to look at me like they do my sister...
Luna closed her eyes, and took more deep breaths. This time they weren’t as rapid, and didn’t sting on the way in. You just need to try harder; you just need to be better than you are, that’s what’s wrong.
Grabbing the blankets that covered the bed in a haphazardious way, Luna wrapped herself into a ball of warmth. Letting the heat bask away the cold ennui of her dangerous thoughts. I’ll do better, I need to do better. I’m tired of being shoved aside, and I’m tired of nothing changing from this boring old routine.
She sighed to herself. I need help… Equestria surely knows, just look at them? They see you as a poor excuse for a ruler, and you know you are; you need help, Luna.
She started to squirm again, much like a worm trying to escape from danger. “Stop it…” She said lightly to herself. Slapping herself, but not too hard. Just enough to keep her from going into another episode.
You’re gonna have to work extra hard come the morrow, so it’s best you get to sleep. Ignore the pain, and sour memories. Just sleep -- just sleep.
* * * *
When Luna came, it was already night of the next day. She slept all the way through the night, the day, and into the next cycle of the moon around Equestria. She walked down the halls to the throne room, ready to take over her sister's duty, and hold a proper night court, unlike the day before.
“Ugh,” she groaned, and rubbed her temples. “Even after all that rest, I still feel weary…” Shaking her head to get a hold of herself, she carried on strong, much like a ram climbing an insurmountable mountain.
In the throne room, when she made herself present, her sister lied in wait as she finished up the last of her daily court. Making her way towards her, Luna commented. “Is everything going well, dear sister?”
Celestia turned to Luna, looking the princess of the night in her turquoise orbs. “Yes, indeed it is going well. Though, I have worried about you -- you haven’t been around for quite some time. Why is that?”
Luna introspected in thought, as she took her seat next to her sister. “It was as you said, I have been most weary lately, and some rest was exactly what I needed. Honestly, what else did you expect?” Luna told a half-truth.
The bringer of the morning light hid her skepticism, and just replied. “Yes, well, I guess I should have known, shouldn’t I?” Celestia turned to her guards, nodding to let them know that day court was officially over, and any disputes shall be handled by her sister.
“Since you are, as you say, feeling better. Do you believe that you’ll be able to handle your duties for night court, not to mention the paperwork that must be done before the suns shines again?”
Luna pretended to look mock hurt, using a bit of humor to hide her worries in plain sight. Gallows humor taking over her. “But of course, sister! You don’t say you don’t trust Me? How could you? Mother taught you better; for shame.”
Celestia failed to stifle her laughter, taking cues from hyenas yelping, humorous chuckles. “Okay, sister, you made your point clear.” She took her belongings that she needed for the night, and got up from her throne. “I’ll leave you to take care of your duties, but be sure to take it easy still. I worry for you.”
Luna nodded, and Celestia continued her small speech. “By the way, we are expected to meet the king of Griffonstone in a couple of days. We may be able to come to an understanding on the borders of our countries, so that we may finally have peace between us both.”
The night princess looked genuinely surprised. “Is that true sister, does he actually want to settle our disputes diplomatically?”
Celestia smiled. “Yes, it came to much surprise, but we got a messenger griffon today while you were resting. He had his manners well, and he spoke of his king wanting to meet us to sort out some sort of agreement about our problems with our borders. I was just as shocked as you are now, when I learned of this development.”
“Then we must prepare for this meeting as of now, have organizers, planners of any kind. This is most important; we need to make sure it goes smoothly.”
If this goes without a hitch, if I’m able to do most of this work. Maybe then my subjects will give me a sliver of the same attention they give my sister? Luna pondered inside her own mind, concealing her thoughts, and emotions from her sister.
Celestia just smiled, like she usually did. “No need to worry so much, Luna. Yes, this is a very important meeting, but we need to be at our best when we do meet. If we exhaust ourselves now, it will only make matters worse.”
Luna felt a tug at her heart, nothing too major, just a slight jolt of shock she had from making a fool of herself, again. “Yes, I suppose you’re right…”
Celestia nodded, and turned to the side hallway that lead out of the throne room. “Sorry, sister. I must be taking up too much of your time with night court. I should leave posthaste, for being a such a bother.”
There she goes again, being perfect in her manners, and kindness.
“It’s quite alright sister, I’m sure our subjects will understand fully.”
Yet I can never express how I feel about this behavior; something is blocking me from doing so.
Luna watched her sister depart, much in the same way that a pet would long for its owner as soon as they went out of their domicile. Looking, and yearning, and demanding the return of one they cared for so deeply. Though, Luna just turned away from her, the shadow her sister cast was just too dark, even for the commander of the night sky.
“I’ll see you later, dear sister…” Luna said solemnly to herself, taking a seat upon her midnight throne; casting a deep, icy glare upon the new night guards that filed within her presence.
“Bring forth the first dispute, that we must dispose of,” Luna bolstered, and demanded of the guards. Letting them take care of bringing in the first peasant she must take care of as her duty towards night court.
As soon as she saw the two ponies arguing, and yelling with radish colored cheeks of rage, she knew that this was gonna be one of those nights. The ones that drag on, and on, and on. Keeping a hold of time -- locking it behind iron bars so tight, not even a piece of paper could fit through.
Sometimes, I wonder if it’s alright for one to hold such power? Especially one as foolish as myself. Yes, foolish Luna. You can’t even control your thoughts, how do you expect to control, and handle a kingdom?
Her thoughts were interrupted, as a frantic pony in dreary rags, trampled his way into the throne room. Bouncing, and crashing into anything, and anypony in his way.
“P-Princess!” He yelled in a state of hysteria, his breath catching up to him, as he breathed deeply. “I-I-I have urgent news of my hometown -- it’s the Everfree Forest. Something is coming out, and attacking our village!”
Luna raised an eyebrow in question, “And what is it that has come out of such a wretched place?”
“I-I don’t know, sorry princess…” The poor pony apologized, bowing to show his sincerity.
A creature has come out of the Everfree? Has it not been not a couple days back that we had to deal with such an attack against our kingdom? Whatever this may be, I must look into it further.
Luna looked towards her guards, “My knights; my kin. We shall go solve this issue directly, see to it that this pony is rewarded for bringing such news. It must have been traumatizing to see such a beast up close and personal. Also, make sure that after this crisis is absolved, return this pony to the town we must now go and defend.”
There’s no time to worry about yourself right now, Luna. You must protect your subjects, you must protect those who do care for you. Maybe they’ll see you in the same light as your sister after this is all taken care of?
Luna kept that thought with her, as she set out to conquer this evil from the Everfree.
