Stay With Me

Silent hoofsteps could be heard echoing through the halls of Canterlot's royal abode. The moon stood high in the sky, casting beams of gentle and silver light through the large glass window panes that lined the hall to Celestia's bedchambers. Creating a natural spotlight for any pony who wished to walked through.

The night princess walked solemnly through the grand hall, her head cast down low in deep thought. Her eyebrows were furrowed and her face gave one off one of an angry expression. Her sister had always told her to lighten up her face as the nightly princess had a habit of looking rather serious all the time. Causing her subjects, both day and night, to regard her with heavy formality.

Naturally, the evening princess did not mean to look that way only that she just happened to be so. Luna had taken such advice in regards but she couldn't help but scrunch her face in that unintentional look when in deep thought as of now.

The night court was one of usual ease. Since her return twenty years ago, Luna had mostly made herself comfortable with the ways of modern day life. Though there was somethings that had largely scared her, like one of her maids vacuum cleaners that she wonderfully destroyed out of ignorance, Luna had mostly adapted to the radically new societal and cultural ways of her subjects and with the help of Celestia's pupil, managed to peacefully integrate herself into Equestrian society.

Night court was one of usual ease, lacking the heavy politicians and paper work that her sister seemed burden with during the day. Hardly any ponies made issue during the night that local authorities couldn't handle and since few politicians made it their business to stay up late at night to handle political and economic affairs, Luna was almost free of nearly any work. Surrounded by bat ponies and others whose work schedule was switched to an overnight one.

She spent her time visiting dreams, nightmares more specifically, to ensure the peaceful sleep and rest of her subjects during the gentle sounds of the her night but this time the princess had ended her nightly duty early. Having returned back to the castle only a mere two hours later after the beginning of her nightly shift.

She came to a stop and her ears and head perked up at the sound of her sisters chamber doors opening. Letting loose a beam of light to shine in the hall. She looked on as a white earth pony with a pink mane came out holding in her mouth a large white case containing medical equipment. Her cutie mark in the shape of a red cross surrounded by pink hearts.

Luna's entire body stiffened up as she looked towards the mare with eyes that spoke no games nor joy. The earth pony came to a halt as she noticed the black alicorn looking straight at her.

“Oh! Princess Luna!” the nurse muffled before sitting down the medical case. "I see that you have arrived...earlier than expected. I thought you wanted to wait til morning before I told you of any results?"

"I do know that is what we agreed on but I cannot be at rest without knowing my sister is okay. Seeing her like this, it has bothered me greatly."

The nurse gave a gentle nod of her head. "That is understandable. Is that why you have retired early from your civic duties?"

"Yes. It was hard for me to focus knowing my sisters state. I figured that the best way to find peace was to come back here and, well, know the results immediately. Also, do forgive me for assigning you so late. I figured that you both would receive much more privacy away from the bustle of castle staff. After all, my sister is  always busy and did not finish her work until late."

The nurse shook her head. "No, no, it is alright. It is a sensitive matter so it is understandable that you want it as private as possible. Besides, you are hardly interrupting my sleep schedule. I'm use to staying up twenty-four hours straight if need be in some cases." the nurse gave a smile and Luna returned a small one in return.

"My sister...is she doing well?"

The nurse gave a sigh.

"Overall her health is...okay at best. Her health has dramatically decreased since I last saw her just two months ago. I did some work and her blood pressure and heart rate is still above the normal threshold of a pregnant mare but in good news, has been steady since the last few times I have checked up on her. So, while her blood pressure and heart rate is above normal it is well that it has remained stable."

Luna gave a sigh. "That is well then...anything else?"

“Yes.  Her belly size has increased exponentially. Much so than any mare. Though she is in the final three months of her pregnancy her belly size is still much larger than typical. The only explanation I have for this is that she is pregnant with more than one foal. But even so it is still rather large of size."

“Can't you check by ultrasound? Did you not perform one throughout her appointments?"

The nurse shook her head. “Her majesty would not allow me. I asked if she would allow me to appoint her for an ultrasound but she gave me a rather strict no.”

Luna narrowed her eyes. “I see...”

“Like you, I am worried greatly about her health after what you told me about her condition. Have you noticed anything else off putting about your sister?”

“I have taken note on how she struggles a bit to raise the sun. She also seems to be growing rather sluggish in her movements.”

The nurse closed her eyes. “I believe the pregnancy has something to do with it. I have not seen something like this and I'm sure my peers can say the same. It is typical of a pregnant unicorn mare to have her magical abilities weaken slightly but never like this. I have asked her who the father might be but she has refused to say anything. Her health does not seem to be climbing but declining. If this continues, I do not think that her health or body can fare much longer."

Luna's face dropped and her breathing became more still at the response that Nurse Redheart had given her. She had only one sister, one other to call family by blood and she was not prepared to lose her. She lost her for over a millennia she will not lose her for good.

The nurse, seeing the moon princess's saddened expression and her eyes locked to the ground, placed a reassuring hoof onto the dark alicorn's shoulder.

“I believe it is important to talk to her, your sister dear."

"What is that you desire for me to say to her?"

"What you believe, your majesty, is important to say. Me and you have talked for the past couple of weeks now and I think it is time to put the option onto the table for her."

Luna stared straight into the eyes of Redheart. "Option...No, no, I cannot do that to her. She wants deeply this foal and-"

"Princess, we both desire the best from her but look at her. You are seeing for yourself that this pregnancy is wearing her away. As to no offense, Celestia is important not to just you and her subjects but all of Equestria's stability. She is our government just like you. If anything happens to her who knows how Equestria may fare?"

Luna pondered the words for a time as she gave a sigh and looked away from the nurse. Her eyes glancing towards the wall in subtle thought. It had been a little over twenty years since her return and though she was well accustomed to life anew she still held onto her insecurities. She had largely been tied to ruling the night court. Shall Celestia disappear or be removed by the throne by any chance by either sickness or even death, how well would she be able to rule over the vast land that was Equestria?

As much as she tried to shake the insecurities from her head she couldn't help but rile these rather important questions. It was staying in Celestia's shadow that that drove her to commit the atrocity of eternal night but now she seemed afraid to not be under Celestia's shadow. She knew that she cannot continue lean upon Celestia always to commit to ruling the nation.

Though, since Celestia's pregnancy, she had been doing well taking over some of her duties. Celestia still had largely did most of the duties. Handling paper work and political demands from bed and chambers but still, she knew only little credit could be held to her.

Luna took a deep breath. "I will...think about it. Give me time. I will see what I can do."

The mare gave a bow. "If you say so your majesty. Now if you do not mind I will be off. I must be ready for work tomorrow."

"Very well then. I thank you for all you have done."

"You are very much welcomed princess." The nurse grabbed her case and trotted off past the night princess. Luna looked on quietly, her silver armour aglow in the dim light of the moon.

She looked to Celestia's bed chamber door and stood still pondering weather or not she should continue in or refrain from doing so until some other time.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Regardless, she would have to get it over with sooner or later.