The Royal Lunar Quarter of the Palace had been renovated after a thousand years of standing empty. Located in the West Wing of the palace, its magical enchantments kept the hallways in a permanent twilight, the purple flames of the lamps casting dark shadows that danced in the dim. Eclipse Penumbra, formerly Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the Solar Guards Night Shift, carried a large duffel bag over one shoulder as he moved with care, his single eye adjusting to the dark as he left the brightly lit sections of the palace.

Having lived in the Barracks for the last month, his landlord was not surprised when he asked to close out the lease on his apartment in the Middle Ring of Canterlot, and was kind enough to refund security deposit despite minor water damage to the ceiling from a cooking accident. His new quarters were to be granted by Luna personally, somewhere in the Lunar Quarter. Nodding at several of the attentive guards, he strode past them with a measured gait. Before him were the two massive doors featuring the phases of the moon in a circle, and the guard on the left saluted before knocking.

“Princess Luna! Eclipse Penumbra, here to see you!” cried the mare, rapping her halberd on the polished metal door. After a moment, a clear voice came through.

“Send him in, if thou would be so kind.” Her tone was somewhat stressed, and Eclipse prepared himself. As far as rewards went, if he was to be quartered in this luxurious section of Canterlot, it couldn’t be too bad. The door swung open, and he squinted at the gloom inside.

For the first time in several years, he was without armor or weapon, and his ‘uniform’ consisted of dark and drab colours with a lunar crest on the right breast. This matched the decor perfectly, but his vision was drawn to the balcony where the Lunar Diarch stood, her horn glowing as the sun set and her moon rose above the horizon. Setting his bag down near the door, he approached, clearing his throat.

“Lieu- er, Eclipse Penumbra, reporting as requested, Princess.” His tones, more clipped and formal than he had ever used with Captain Mithril Weave, washed over her as she turned towards him. Behind her, the stars began to blink into view one at a time, a bright swathe across the sky.

She stood silently for a moment before sighing. “Since my return, I’ve seen nothing but flattery and condolences. Please, your formality is appreciated, but unnecessary. I see you have brought your bags. You are truly prepared to leave the day behind?”

He blinked. Her shift from stilted, marekspeareian language to a more casual tongue was nearly as unexpected as her mane, which was not floating etherialy but hanging in long tresses around her head and shoulders. “I am, your grace. If you have duties for me to attend to, I am ready, though I would like to stow my belongings in my quarters. I haven’t been told where they are yet.”

She nodded. “Unlike Raven, whomst Celestia grants her own offices and quarters seperate from the Solar Wing, mine Night Court is smaller and less formal. Few ponies seek my council and many of mine duties are related to the administration of our Armed Forces… or they were, when our country was still young and vulnerable. Now, our army has no war to fight, and our guards have… few foes.” She grimaced at the end.

Almost without thinking, Eclipse replied. “Few external foes.” Instantly, he paled. What the HAY did you just say that for?

She winced. “That is… a fair statement. I do not wish to discuss such matters now, however. Please, come with me, and I will show you your new quarters.”

He shook his head. “I can follow directions, your Highness. Just tell me where to go, there isn’t any need to trouble yourself.”

“Nonsense! It will be far quicker to show you.” Turning quickly, she lead him not out the door as he expected, but to a side room next to her sleeping chamber. The door was far smaller, though still plenty tall for his slim frame, and she opened it with a wave of her hand and a glow from her horn. What he saw put any abode he had stayed in to shame.

A large cloud bed and nightstand (or daystand, he supposed) were in one corner, while a large array of cabinets and a comfortable desk, all hand-carved, were pressed against the far wall. For an accountant and clerk who lamented the time wasted by traveling between an office and his home, it was a dream come true. Everything he could need, all within two hundred square feet. The bathroom and shower were separate from eachother, and his own smaller balcony extended from a large double-paned glass paneled door. The most remarkable aspect, however, was revealed when he looked up.

“It’s… beautiful…” he said, gazing upon a ceiling that was only visible by the unlit chandelier hanging from it. Rather than the dusky tiles covering the rest of the lunar quarter, it showed a perfect replica of the night sky, with the moon hanging gently overhead. A wispy cloud drifted over it as a night patrol winged overhead.

“Indeed” replied the lunar princess. “The enchantment was renewed by Twilight Sparkle. It can be suppressed if you wish. Please, these are your chambers.”

He blanched. “I am to share your quarters? I mean… if that is your wish.” He struggled to come to grips with this: his impression was that he was to be located somewhere within the West Wing, but he had hardly expected to be sleeping less than ten yards from the princess of the night herself.

“Unless it is a problem? I would prefer to have mine loyal aide close to hand. Please, make yourself at home. Night Court begins in an hour, and we have far too much to do.”
Her departure was marked by the swish of her cloak as she departed the room. After marveling at the luxury for a moment, Eclipse shook his head and carried his bag over to the bed, setting it on the poofy mattress. It sank nearly an inch. That’s gonna take a while to get used to. Good thing I don’t spend much time sleeping. Prodding it, he finally began unpacking his few possessions of note.

It was only ten minutes later that he appeared, immaculately groomed. Princess Luna was standing near the balcony looking at her night sky as the stars twinkled overhead. The glow of the sun under the horizon was gone leaving only a deep blue fading to black as the now-blank moon stared down at Equestria. Turning to her newest retainer, she smiled.

“Your choice of outfit is quite tasteful. Now, are you ready to begin? Our first Night Court begins in half an hour, and I have yet to partake of my evening caffeine. Now, perhaps we shall impose upon the kitchens before undertaking this night’s duties?” Her right eyebrow arched, and he could sense a slight tone of anxiety under the gentle humor.

“Coffee sounds like a good place to start a shift, your Highness.”

The blue alicorn and her unicorn companion, flanked by two Pegasi with bat-wings made a bit of a stir arriving directly at the kitchens without warning. The only chef on duty, Vanilla Pudding, was nevertheless quite pleased to see them.

“Good Evening, your Highness. Lieutenant.” The earth pony bustled around, his hat tilted to one side as he pulled out an oversized mug, putting it under the nozzle and dispensing a brown liquid with the consistency of mud. Luna’s eyes lit up as she accepted the proffered beverage.

Eclipse looked at it longingly. “Actually, it’s Adjutant now. Technically retired from the Guard.” At his gaze, the pony chef pulled another mug down and began filling it. “Can we actually get a full barrel of it?”

He nodded as Luna raised her eyebrow. Leaning over, she whispered “Wait, we can do that? I’ve only had one cup at a time. We can have more?”

The question gave Eclipse pause. If I remember history correctly, a thousand years ago Coffee was exclusivly imported from Zebracica. Rare luxury, reserved for royalty and upper-class. “I don’t see why not, Your Highness. It’s the third-most grown crop in Appleoosa, after Carrots and Apples. Actually, the Guard is the tenth-largest consumer of coffee in Equestria. Right after the Astronomy Guild.”

“Then the Productivity shall be Doubled, at the very least. Yes, Chef. A large barrel of your finest Saddle Arabian, if you please!” Chuckling, the chef nodded. “It will be ready shortly, Princess. I will have somepony bring it over to you.”

Leaving the smells of the kitchen behind, the small group made its way to the Throne Room, which had the Lunar Crest draped over the solar sigils of the day while the lights were much dimmer than before. Humming to herself, Luna sipped her drink. Eclipse, taking his cue, nearly scolded his tongue on the steaming beverage. The two guards with them opened the doors as they approached, before standing aside to open the Night Court for business.

“I suppose Coffee was a bit of a rarity back when… well, a long time ago?” asked Eclipse diplomatically.

“Before I succumbed to darkness, attempted a coup against my sister, and tried to plunge Equestria into eternal night? Indeed. Please do not feel the need to hold your tongue around me, Penumbra. I know your dreams, and have seen your pain.”

In a moment, the atmosphere crystalized. Her calm demeanor was replaced by the best poker face Eclipse had ever seen (which was saying something, considering how many games of cards he had played with his fellow guards off-duty) as they stopped less than ten feet from the throne.

“It… is not my place to judge, Princess. My duty is to serve as you need, and to aid you in your… return to society. My opinions on the matter are hardly relevant.” It took every year of service he had performed to summon the right words. Duty and Honor always went ahead of personal feelings, and gripes were shared with peers, not dumped at the feet of Royalty.

“Eclipse Penumbra, I think it is high time thou and myself had honest intercourse upon this subject. Thou art troubled deeply by mine return, for reasons quite understandable. We owe a debt to Our subjects that can never be fully repaid, and We… I… would prefer to make amends. Thou are not the only one suffering the effects of Nightmare.” Her words, clipped and formal, were a far cry from her humor of earlier, and it was as if a mask had been torn away.

Striding forward, she seated herself upon the throne in the empty hall. Setting the cup down, she gazed fixedly at Eclipse with an expression best described as ‘intense’. Licking his lips and buying time by taking another (smaller) sip of coffee, he shook his head. “My problems are mine, Your highness. Your duties are heavy enough-”

“Thou hast but one duty: Never lie to Us. Since We have returned, nopony has had anything but praise and flattery. The Nobles seek favours through flattery with no regard for what truly needs to be done; We… ah, I, cannot make our… MY… wrongs right if I am not told the simple truth. You hide your fears well, but if you wish to serve the Night, then that is all I ask of you: Be the one pony who will never hesitate to call us out on our wrongs.”

The colour slowly returned to Penumbra’s face. This wasn’t what he had been expecting. The calm, placid, and somewhat humorous Night Princess had been replaced by somepony with a bleak expression, dull eyes and slumped shoulders. Her entire bearing was that of somepony afraid of the response they would get from another after asking a painful question.

The fear of rejection.

She… is afraid. What on Equuis of? His mind faltered for a moment, before the train of logic arrived at its station. The same thing she was afraid of a thousand years ago. That nopony loves her. She knows I don’t, that I am afraid of her as anyone else. What do I do then? What do I say to that?

By her own request, the truth. “You are right.” She paused at his words, unblinking. “You are right. It is a debt that cannot be repaid. Desk Cartes, Grape Fruit, Regal Bearing, Iron Hoof, Steel Wing, Simple Task, and a couple dozen others I didn’t know personally. They won’t get to go home. By Your Moon, Princess, Grape had a Fiancee and was going to meet her parents. She’s never going to get to do that. If you wish for Honesty, there it is. It will be difficult to earn trust back, and more so to earn the admiration of… well, of Us. The smallfolk.” With each name he listed, her ears drooped further until they lay flat against her head. Her ethereal mane slowed its undulations as she slumped slightly.

“The truth can be painful, Your Majesty. Many fear it. Few choose to face it. If it is the truth you seek, then I will give it to you: Many fear you, but none hate you. My uncle told me that “With great power, comes great responsibility”, and few possess such power as yours.”

She nodded finally. “I… thank you for your candor, Eclipse. I can never apologize enough for the wrongs I have done, but I wish nothing more than to make them right. Once again, I ask you… will you aide me?”

Eclipse nodded. “I have given my word, Princess. I’ve never broken it before, and don’t intend to now. Seeking to break the tension and move to a less hurtful topic, he tilted his head. “Are you aware you tend to revert to Middle Equestrian when you are… stressed?”

For a moment she said nothing. Then, she let out a most un-princess like snort of laughter. “Indeed. How is it you say now? Old habits die hard?”

His reply was interrupted by the doors to the throne room opening One of the guards outside, poking her head in, stated simply “Mithril Weave to see the Princess.”.

In strode Mithril Weave on the heels of that short statement. Both ponies looked at her as she approached the throne, helmet tucked under her truncated arm and an arming sword at her side. Luna’s eyes lit up. “Ah, the new Captain of mine guard! A most welcome sight.”

Mithril Weave stopped ten paces from the throne, before nodding. “Princess. Lieu- er, Adjutant. Captain Mithril Weave, ex of the Solar Guard, reporting to swear in. If you are not busy, your Highness, I would like to submit my oath and assume my duties.” Princess Luna looked to the side at her aide.

“Ah, Our first official duty! Eclipse, if you would be so kind as to transcribe.”

Horn glowing, Eclipse pulled a piece of parchment from his belt-pouch and a quill from his pocket. Wetting the tip with his tongue, he dipped it in an inkwell with the force of habit given to the most utilized of clerks. Setting it to the parchment held in his magic, he nodded. “Ready when you are, your grace.”

Princess Luna arose, towering over her captain by a full eight inches (despite the fact that Mithril Weave was among the tallest in the guard… an advantage in a fight many bemoaned when facing her in practice sparring matches), she strode forward to stop less than four feet away from the one-armed pegasus mare. Her formerly despondent attitude vanishing, she summoned a grave expression. “You are aware that, unlike the Solar Guard, appointment in the Lunar Guard is for life, and carries with it both a Boon and a Price? To swear oneself to the Night is no simple thing: Once made, this oath cannot be Unmade. There is no shame in declining this, and you will be free to return to the Light of Day if you wish to do so now.”

Mithril shook her head. “My Princess, my mind has been made. If you will have me, then I will gladly offer my services to you.”

Luna nodded approvingly, and Eclipse could see her visibly relax as the more familiar and formal words fell upon her ears. “Then I, Princess Luna, am prepared to hear your oath.” With those simple words, she waited as Mithril Weave searched her mind for the vow she had so carefully memorized. Bowing her head, she knelt on one knee before setting her helmet down and drawing her sword. With a small metallic clink as it lay flat across her archanomechanical hand, she smoothly adjusted her grip to allow it to lay across both of them. Eclipse prepared to write, though he had a good idea of what was about to be said.

Speaking in a clear voice, Mithril Weave began. “I, Mithril Weave, daughter of Adamant Plate and Iron Hoof, do hereby declare my allegiance, offering my life and sacred honor to the Night. From this breath until my last, I swear to be your true Mare, to dedicate my strength and skill to the safeguarding of your body and life. I shall follow all orders given to me, without hesitation or reservation.”

Princess Luna nodded, her formal demeanor holding fast as she gazed upon the first pony in a thousand years to make this oath. “I, Princess Luna, do hereby accept your vow. In return, I swear to provide for your needs, to quarter you within My palace, and to take council with you when I have need of it. From this moment until your last, Mine hand shall shield you from the attacks of nobles that you may perform your duties without impedance.”

Mithril continued without missing a beat. “I swear, upon pain of death, to act in good faith and without deception in Your service, to represent you as a Loyal Retainer should, and to provide no disservice to Your name or image.”

“And I swear that your service shall not be abused nor leveraged for ill.” The Lunar Diarch lifted the sword from her hands, examining the blade before touching it to each of Mithril Weave’s shoulders. “By My Moon, and by the Authority granted to me, I recognize thee as Captain of the Lunar Guard. Rise, my Protector, and accept the Gift of the Night.”

What happened next gave even Eclipse pause. As the sword touched her shoulders, a ripple overcame Mithril Weave. Her eyes narrowed to slit pupils as the feathers of her wings began to fall out. Bones stretched and popped though she gave no sign of pain, and before the last feather touched the ground she had the appearance of one of the Lunar Pegasi that Eclipse had seen around.

“Arise, Ser Mithril Weave of the Lunar Guard. I recognize thee as a Knight of the Realm, granted the rights and responsibilities of such. From this moment until I release you, you are now Mine.”

The only sound in the chamber after that proclamation was the scratch of a feather quill as the Unicorn finished transcribing her oath.

Author's Note

Alright, here it is. I don't intend to keep to any kind of schedule, but I want to TRY to put out at least one chapter a week if I can. Between looking for new employment and dealing with depression (I muscled through and found 'awesome' on the other side), I do want to do as much writing as possible since it is a great stress relief.

Please Like, Hate, and Comment as you see fit. I promise, there is some romance and action coming up, but like it says, this is a slow-burn romance. Still, slow-burning fires CAN grow fairly hot.