The Eternal Mistake

by Lets Do This

Rating: everyone
Tags: Starswirl the Bearded, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Luna, Comedy
Length: 2210

Why are alicorn rulers in Equestria princesses, and not queens? Because when Celestia was crowned, it was the mistake of a lifetime...

Why are alicorn rulers in Equestria princesses, and not queens? Because when Celestia was crowned, it was the mistake of a lifetime...

Published 2019-06-07 20:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-06-07 20:50:01 UTC

The Eternal Mistake

The Grand Castle of the Unicorn Kingdom, standing gleaming and without peer on a hilltop near the boundaries of all three of the pony kingdoms, was abuzz with excitement, for today was finally the day...

Coronation Day!

Henceforth, all of Equestria would be guided and watched over by their Glorious and Regal Majesties, the Alicorn Sisters Eternal. No longer would petty disputes amongst the rulers of the earth, pegasus, and unicorn pony tribes delay action that must be taken. No longer would rivalries, petty grudges, and outright corruption amongst the nobility hamper the process of law and justice in the newly-formed nation. Against sovereigns with alicorn-level power, immortal and ever-watchful, none could hope to stand.

And above all else, throughout the Three Kingdoms there was a sheer, unbridled, unrestrained outpouring of relief that their Regal Majesties were in every extent entirely worthy of the honor being bestowed upon them. Their kindness, patience, and fairness were legendary. So too, was their resolve and unrelenting fierceness when provoked.

None who saw Celestia, Princess of the Sun, and Luna, Princess of Moon and Stars, striding together sternly and proudly through the throngs of their genuflecting subjects, could ever doubt that here at last there was an embodiment of strength, dignity, and resolve that would serve the new nation of Equestria throughout all eternity.

So it was probably a good thing that no one else was present in the royal robing chamber, or they might have seen Her Royal Highness, Luna, Princess of the Moon and the Stars...

... prancing about like a filly, squealing with delight...

"Tia! Tia! Tia! 'Tis so exciting, dost thou not think it? Today is the day, come at last! Unbelievable! We can hardly credit it! Today we shall be made Queens! And we shall rule with power and authority that shall know no bounds! Huzzah! Hooray!"

"Calmly, Sister Mine," said Celestia, staring doubtfully at her own reflection in the robing chamber's semi-circle of mirrors. "And there are only the two of us here, so the royal phrasing is not needed. You and I can just 'let it all hangeth out, dude', as I believe the modern phrasing puts it."

"It is such a waste of time, having to decide the form of address appropriate to each social occasion." Luna made a face. "It is so much more efficient to just pick one and stick to it -- dost thou not agree?"

"... says the pony who only yesterday dithered for an hour over whether to have crescent moons added to the train of her coronation robe... and then decided to leave the train off altogether, because she kept tripping on it."

Luna stuck out her tongue. "We intend to leave matters of diplomacy firmly in thy capable hooves, Sister, and focus on tasks more appropriate to our own wit and skills."

"Whatever floats your boat, Lulu." Celestia smiled with a longstanding fondness for her sister's youthful iconoclasm. Then she turned her attention back to her reflection... and sighed sadly.

"What troubles thee, Sister?" Suddenly all seriousness, Luna trotted over to stand next to her. "Thou sighs at thy reflection as at a lover with whom one bids eternal part!"

"Crude yet observant as ever, my dear Sister." Celestia's horn gleamed as her magic adjusted the crown upon her head, the hang of the golden peytral on her chest. "Today I bid eternal farewell to that which I have always been, the kind and fair Princess of my subjects, and take on the mantle of Queen of all Equestria."

"Co-Queen, Tia," Luna reminded her. "We shall rule together, and shall always be there for each other. Neither of us shall stand alone."

"This I know, Luna. And I am glad I shall have you standing with me, upon the throne of our land. But still, up to now I have been able to merely advise, guide, and shepherd our pony subjects. Now I must decree, must serve justice, must make decisions I shall have to live with for all of my long life. I feel..." She stared at herself, a lost look in her eyes. "... I feel as if something shall be irrecoverably lost, being made Queen. I shall be set apart from those whom I must remain close to. They shall never look upon me the same way again."

"Speak for thyself, Sister," Luna smirked. "We have awaited this moment our entire life, ever since we two were granted immortality as alicorns. To be made Queen of our realm -- excuse us, Sister, co-Queen -- and be accorded honor and dignity befitting such a title. And to have servants to bring our tea in the morning."

"You already have servants to bring your tea. You wake half the Castle using the Royal Voice to summon them."

"Yes! But it shall be as Queen that we summon them! And as Queen that they shall bring it to us!"

"Luna, this is simply a nominal change of title. Our powers shall be as they have been for some time. This merely formalizes it, as the law of the land..."

"... says the pony who's been staring at that mirror all morning, like she fears losing something."

"Touché, Sister."

"The point is, Tia, thou fears thou will lose something by being made Queen. Whereas we merely see it as our due -- as our joint due, Sister Mine. Is that not a better way to view it? We are to be accorded all due honor, by those whom we have pledged to serve with all our heart and strength and will. We shall stand together before them, as Queens of Equestria. None shall fear our reign, nor want for justice!"

"You have a flair for the dramatic, Luna. And I can always count upon you to lift my spirits."

Luna smirked. Then she turned and begin twirling about, admiring how her coronation robe swirled and bunched about her like a darkly sparkling galaxy.

Celestia took one last, deep, fortifying breath, and then turned from the mirrors, determined to put the past behind her and make the future everything that she and her Luna hoped it would be.

At that moment, there was a gentle rapping at the door. At length. And in code. Rap. Rap-Rap. Rap-Rappity-Rap. Rap-Rap...

"Star Swirl," Celestia called with mild scorn, "we know it is you! Pray enter and stop being so ridiculously clandestine!"

The door swung open and the white-bearded Court Wizard entered. The bells on his star-spangled hat and robe jingled softly with every step. "Well," he said, brightly, "one cannot be too careful, today of all days." Coming to a halt in the middle of the room, he looked from one to the other of them, clearly at a loss.

"My young students, and cherished friends," he said at last. "It is time for you to move on. Time for you to take the place prepared for you, as official rulers of the nation that you already guide, so wisely and true."

"We have you to thank for that, old friend," Celestia replied. "You have taught us so much. I hope that even with the change of title you shall continue to be the font of advice and wisdom upon whom we have come to rely."

"In as much as I can be in the time remaining to me, I shall, Your Highnesses!"

"That is well," Luna replied, striding forward to stand next to Celestia. "You still owe us nine hundred and seventy six bits for the games of Pony you have lost to us."

"I should have never have taught you card games, my dear Princess Luna," Star Swirl said. He reached out to take hold of her forehoof, which Luna willingly offered. Then he reached for her sister's hoof as well. "And I should have taught you to smile more, my dear Princess Celestia."

"Only tell me all shall be well, Star Swirl," Celestia replied. "And I shall be all smiles 'til the 'morrow."

Luna nudged her shoulder playfully. "Now who is being dramatic, eh, Sister?"

"I was being maudlin, Lulu. There's a difference."

Star Swirl stared at them both. "I am an old pony, and such a creature of habit. I shall miss being able to call you Princesses, and shall have to get used to referring to you as Queens. But it is only your fair due, Your Majesties. I am certain you will not fail in any way in living up to your new titles."

"As I myself was telling her only a moment ago," Luna said, smugly. "You see, Sister?"

Celestia ignored her. "We shall do our very best," she declared firmly. "And hope that it shall be sufficient, as always."

"Are you both ready then?" Star Swirl looked them over skeptically. "Yes, I think you are. Right-o! Let's go get you two crowned, and then see what happens, eh?" Turning, he trotted halfway through the door, then looked back.

"Aren't you coming? Or did I misread the invitation, and it is actually I who am to be crowned Queen today?" He grinned toothily.

"In a pig's eye," Celestia replied, striding forward to follow him.

"Nicely put, Tia!" Luna whispered as she followed as well.

"Thou art a bad influence, Sister Mine."

The moment had come. The bells stood ready to chime, the choruses to sing, the heralds stood ready to speed word to every corner of the land: today we have a Queen... or rather, Queens...

Princesses Celestia and Luna stood together, tall and stern, upon the dais in the main Audience Hall, under the watchful eyes of all three tribes of ponies. The clock ticked down to the moment deemed most auspicious for the crowning. And before the Princesses stood Star Swirl the Bearded, their teacher, mentor, and greatest of friends. Beside him stood the Chief Steward, bearing the velvet cushion containing their crowns.

The great moment extended into an uncomfortably long pause.

"Er... please bow your head, Highness," Star Swirl whispered urgently. "Unless you wish me to run and fetch a stepladder?"

Celestia managed to maintain her dignified expression. She smoothly lowered her head to put it in reach.

"By the authority granted me by our now-united tribes of ponies," Star Swirl intoned, "and with every ounce of pride and willingness I can offer, I present to all Equestria, its new co-ruler... Princess Celestia!"

The crown was placed, the Princess lifted her head... and only at that moment did both of them realize what just happened.

Star Swirl's eyes went wide. "Oh, my dear sweet Celestia!" he whispered, "My sovereign, what have I done? I have made an unforgivable mistake!"

Celestia gazed down upon him, with a mild smile on her face.

"Old friend," she whispered. "Could you ever truly make a mistake?"

And then her Royal Voice rang out in the stunned silence of the Audience Hall:

WE ARE PLEASED TO CONTINUE TO BE KNOWN HENCEFORTH AS PRINCESS CELESTIA... FOR OUR PURPOSE IS NOT TO RULE EQUESTRIA, BUT TO GUIDE AND LEAD OUR SUBJECTS BY EXAMPLE. AND WHAT BETTER EXAMPLE COULD WE OFFER, THAN ESCHEWING A TITLE THAT WOULD DISTANCE US FROM THOSE WE LIVE TO SERVE. WE ARE DEEPLY AWARE OF, AND HUMBLED BY, THE HONOR AND RESPONSIBILITY ENTRUSTED TO US. WE SHALL ENDEAVOR ALWAYS TO CONTINUE THE FINE WORK WE HAVE BEGUN ON YOUR BEHALF, FOR THE GOOD OF ALL EQUESTRIA!

There was stunned silence in the Hall -- and then an upswelling cheer, and rousing applause. Star Swirl stared around at the applauding nobles, commoners, and guard ponies, utterly astonished. He looked to Celestia, who smiled sagely at him.

Then both of them looked at Luna.

She was staring at them, wide-eyed, in disbelief and near-betrayal. Her head sank. Her face was ashen and mournful. For a moment, it seemed she might protest, might insist on being crowned Queen, as planned...

And then she lifted her head, proud and aloof as ever. She stamped her armor-shod hoof for attention: once, twice, thrice. Silence fell. And Luna's Voice rang out in the stillness:

THEN WE SHOULD LIKEWISE BE PLEASED TO BE KNOWN HENCEFORTH AS PRINCESS LUNA! FOR NEVER WOULD WE WISH TO BE ANYWHERE OTHER THAN AT OUR SISTER'S SIDE, NEVER ANYTHING OTHER THAN HER CO-EQUAL IN ALL THINGS!

Star Swirl somehow managed to complete the dual coronation, without passing out from mortified embarrassment.

And then the two eternal co-Princesses of Equestria stood forth, to the thunderous applause of their subjects.

And that is why, amongst all the lands of Equus, Equestria alone is ruled always and only by immortal alicorn Princesses, and not by Queens and Kings. For true leadership is achieved by guidance, true loyalty is earned through trust...

... and true friendship rises above even the most irredeemable of mistakes... by making them not be mistakes after all...

The End

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, its characters and indicia are the property of Hasbro.
No infringement is intended. This story is a work of fan fiction, written by fans for fans of the series.