The Reluctant Protector

The Decanter in the middle of the table was almost empty now. It was mostly drunk by me and the sisters. At one point in my story, Lyra had a small sip too. No one knew what to say. What could they say? These… These… Children. These mere foals. They have no idea what’s out there. They can be told, of course they can. But they’ll never know. Not truly. Not unless they see it for themselves. And I pray to the creator, to whatever god is benevolent enough give our realm a passing glance, that they never have to see.

No. Praying is useless. If it wasn’t, the battle of Dream Valley would have never happened. The dead would not have risen, and our friends and families wouldn’t have joined their numbers. It’s not up to the gods. It’s up to me. It’s my job to shield the people from such cruelty. Such evil. And that is exactly what it is. Evil.

People have argued that there is no such thing as pure evil. That there is a nugget of good in everything. That anyone can be saved. After seeing good people who were laughing and smiling, hugging their children and telling them that it will be okay, now doing everything in their power to snuff out the happiness, the life, that they have created. Who would have the audacity to argue such a thing?

I would.

There is the light. With light, comes shade. It is inevitable. Yin and Yang. A law of the universe. It is our job, my job, to be a beacon. To be a guiding light to those in the shade and show them the way to a peaceful life. One filled with happiness and love and memories that can be looked back on with eyes filled with tears. But these won’t be tears of sadness, these will be tears of happiness because you know that those memories happened. Not only did they happen, but they brought so much light and life into peoples lives that they will take with them for generations to come.

Just because it’s my job, doesn’t mean I can’t get some help along the way.

“Artemis…?” That voice. It may be my job to be the guiding light of the realm, but that voice… That’s my light. I turned to my right.

Her magenta eyes, puffy. The light blush on her pale cheeks, streaked. Her hand on my arm, warm. So warm. “Yeah Cel?”

“Are you o-” She stopped herself. She knew better than to ask that but I knew what she meant. I just put my hand on hers and a gave a smile. It was a hollow smile, but it was a smile.

Twilight cleared her throat. “Um… Sorry but, there’s one thing I don’t understand.” I looked to her, prompting her to continue. “Well, it’s just that, I’ve never heard of Dream Valley before. In all my time studying in the Royal Archives, I’ve never seen it mentioned. Not once.”

Celestia sighed and I looked to her. She met my gaze, then looked away. “Dream valley was stricken from the history books.” She spoke. “It had to be. I mean, look at you all.” She motioned to Twilight, Fluttershy and Lyra. “Could you imagine what people would think knowing that there was a paradise, a place that was as close to a utopia as you could get, and yet it was beaten by an unstoppable wave of death. Literal death.” The three mares were quiet. “People would call us insane. There is no way they would believe it. And then, when they finally opened their eyes to the truth, that the dead are out there. The panic would destroy the country. Then, it would infect the realm and there would be chaos.”

I closed my eyes. “But you didn’t have to wipe every mention if Dream Valley. Of… Of Megan.” I opened them and she was still looking away. “Of me.” Her eyes closed and a fresh tear fell. “Don’t the Archives have a, I don’t know, forbidden section or something?”

“They do.” Lyra said, Coldly.

Celestia’s brows furrowed. “Do you have any idea how painful it was to even think of you when you where gone? When Luna left, I had a permanent reminder of my mistake staring at me every night. One that I had to raise and lower myself. Ever morning a reminder of banishing Luna, then every night, the same. I had to live with that.” She finally looked at me. “With you, I had a means to forget.”

“Sister!” Luna gasped.

“I’m sorry!” Celestia yelled. “I’m sorry.” She held onto my arm, frantic. “I was alone! Alone, running a country by myself were I had to be the pillar people looked to. If I even read a mention of Dream Valley or your sister or you, it would destroy me for a week. I couldn’t let that happen anymore. The Realm is bigger than the three of us and people needed me and on some nights I just couldn’t handle it and Artemis I’m so sorry please-”

I cut her off by wrapping her in a hug. Her voice coming out muffled as she broke down and sobbed into my cloak.

Twilight looked… I don’t think she was expecting the strong role model she’s known since she was a child to be muttering apologies into the shoulder of someone she hates. Lyra, she looked conflicted. She is just as much an avid learner as Twilight, despite her childlike nature. It can’t be sitting well that part of history has been completely omitted from the general population. Fluttershy hadn’t stopped crying since about midway through my story, now, she had. She looked on at Celestia, her kind ruler, with pity.

Luna spoke. “I think it’s time we all went our separate ways for the day. I have some sleep to catch up on.” She stood and left without a second thought or another word. She wasn’t angry. I’ve seen angry Luna. Right now, what she needed more than anything, was to be alone.

“Where… Where is Dream Valley?” Twilight asked.

“Is this really the time to ask that?” Lyra said, not hiding her disdain.

I ignored them both. “Come on, Love.” I whispered and guided Celestia to her hooves. She gave a weak nod and stood. “Lyra, I want to see you later on tonight. Show me what you’ve learned.” She smiled and nodded. Keep that smile, Lyra. The world could use more of them.

On the way back to the palace, me and Celestia walking arm in arm, I stopped and turned back to the gazebo. The three mares hadn’t moved, they likely had a lot to discuss. “West.” I said, loud enough so they could hear. “West. Across the Unending Ocean.” Then I walked Celestia back to our room.

Once we were inside, I closed the door and locked it. Now, I could let myself go. Tears came, fast and unbidden. I slid down the door to my knees and cried. I could do nothing else. I cried for a home, now lost. I cried for friends, now lost. I cried for Megan, now lost. “Please. Please don’t leave me. Please.”

Celestia took me by the shoulders and helped me up. “Come here.” She said, her voice quavering. She was trying to be strong now, but she couldn’t. She helped me over to the bed and we lay next to each other. Holding one another. We cried.

A while later, her hands in mine, I remembered something. “Celestia?”

“Mm.” She responded; her eyes closed. She was probably drifting off to sleep.

“You still have your ring.”

Her eyes opened and looked into mine. She looked down at her hand and brought it up to her face. The plain gold ring was glinting in the sunlight that trickled through the closed-over curtains. “Yes,” She said. “I still have the ring.”

“You said you purged the history to forget me. Does… the ring not remind you of me?”

She smiled. A sad thing that cut through her delicate features. It had no place on her face. She grasped the ring between her thumb and middle finger and twisted. It came off with a bit of effort and she held it up. “Of course it does.” She said. “It’s the only thing I have left from back then.” She looked deep into the gold, contemplating. “This was your moon. Every day I would look at this and be reminded of you, just like the moon for Luna.” I nodded, following along. “It’s hard to explain… Looking at a mention of Dream Valley in a book. Or one of your many exploits… It was difficult to handle. But this ring, it would give me resolve… or hope… or… something, I don’t know.” She slipped the ring back on and snuggled closer to me, I wrapped my arms around her. “It’s my most prized possession.”

I closed my eyes. When they opened, the sheets where a bit ruffled and she was gone. I must have fallen asleep. The clock on the wall told me it was an hour later. I sat up. “Celly?” I called. No answer. I stood and stretched then moved to the bathroom to take care of business. On the sink was a note.

Gone to day-court. If you wake and see this you’re welcome to join.

-Celly

Day-court huh? Well… it’s not like I have anything better to do. I stretched one more time, jumped up and down to get the blood flowing, and brushed the bed-head out of my hair. The walk to the throne room took about five minutes. Guards and maids either ignored me or gave a polite nod, which was nice. I’m glad they’re not running or nervous like that one maid when I first got here. I guess they’ve had time to acclimate to a human running around. Or… lying around. I haven’t done much running, admittedly.

There was a long line outside the large doors. A maid was wandering along, up and down the queue with a trolly of small snacks and beverages. People would be able to take what they want and it appeared to be free of charge. I guess when you decide to come to court, you don’t know how long you’ll be waiting for, so this is a nice addition. When she got close, I stopped her and poured myself a coffee into a small paper cup. The people in line were staring at me.

I took a sip and smiled. “Um… Hello everyone. I hope you’re having a good day.” No answer. “Yeah, mine could be better too.” No answer. Another sip. “Nice weather at least.” No answer. I nodded. “I’m just gonna go now.” I turned from the line of people and towards the heavy double-doors. The guards either side, ever dutiful, pushed them open and with a nod, I walked inside with the confidence of a woman who didn’t just cry herself to sleep in her lover’s arms.

The throne room is big. I could, in the distance, spot Celestia sitting upon her throne. Curiously, both hers and Luna’s thrones been moved slightly to the left, making a space that was suspiciously equal to one of the thrones atop the dais. I continued walking… and walking… until I finally reached her. She was in the middle of talking to someone. Two people in fact. A stallion, who was stood in front of the dais looking up to Celestia and a filly, who was sat on Celestia’s lap with a huge smile on her face.

I finished the coffee and crumpled the cup, putting it in my pocket to throw away later. Litterers are scum. I ascended the dais and the three ponies looked to me. “Artemis!” Celestia said. “I’d like you to meet someone very special,” She said, bouncing the child on her knee, making her giggle. The stallion gave a polite smile but I could see he was worried. I was a complete unknown, and I was about to talk to what I assume to be his daughter.

I absolutely love children. Creatures completely filled with innocence and potential. I ignored the stallion; I had a much more important person to greet. I squatted down to her level, she was so tiny compared to me, considering that I’m taller than Celestia, I could practically fit this little filly in one hand. So cute!

“Hello, little one.” I said with a warm smile. “How are you today?” The filly stared at me with wide eyes and hid slightly behind Celestia’s arm.

Celestia laughed and whispered in the foal’s ear, “It’s okay, Daisy. Artemis is nice, you’ll see.” The filly gave a timid nod.

“Um… I- I’m okay.” She said, quiet enough that I had to strain my ears.

“Well, that’s very good to hear. My name is Artemis. What’s yours?”

“D- Daisy.”

“Daisy?” I said, impressed. “Such pretty name for a pretty filly.” She smiled, blushed and hid behind Celestia’s arm again. We all chuckled at this. I turned to the stallion. “Did you get what you came for today?”

The stallion started a bit at being addressed by me and said, “O- oh yes, um, Ma’am. It’s Daisy’s birthday today and she wanted to meet Princess Celestia.”

I gave an amused smile. “Is that so?” I turned to the filly and squatted down again. “And how old are you today, Daisy?”

Again, she peaked around Celestia’s arm to look at me. “S- Six.”

“Six?” I asked, shock on my face. “My goodness. That means you’re in school, right? Do you like it?” She nodded. “And what’s your favourite thing to learn about?”

She thought hard for a second and then said, “I like learning about all the plants.”

“Really? I like plants too. My favourites are snowdrops, what’s yours?”

She thought hard again. “Um… Tulips!”

“…Really? You know, I would have guessed Daisies.”

Daisy pouted. “People always say that.”

I laughed and bowed my head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to presume.”

“What’s pre- press-?”

“Presume?” I asked, she nodded. “Presume means to think something about someone or something.”

The filly nodded and thought again. She scooted around Celestia’s arm until she was sat on her knee properly and then said. “I’m sorry too. I thought you were scary when I saw you, but you’re nice. I didn’t mean to press- presume.”

I smiled wider. How could I not? “You’re a quick learner, Daisy. I bet your teacher is impressed with you.” She said nothing. “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“A Princess!” She shouted.

I gasped. “Really? You know, Princesses are pretty tall, you’re going to have to get used to that. Want to see what it’s like a little early?” She nodded fervently, making grunts of affirmation as she did. I turned to the stallion. “Do you mind if I…?”

His eyebrows raised, “Oh, not at all!”

I took Daisy gently under her arms and hoisted her up and onto my shoulder. Her arm wrapped around my head, keeping her balanced. I’m sure she looked like a parrot what with our height differences. “Wow!” She yelled giggling. “Look Daddy, I’m so tall!”

The stallion laughed with a big smile on his face. “I can see that, Princess!” he yelled up to her.

I whispered into daisy’s ear and her eyebrows shot up. She looked conflicted, but I gave her a nod, telling her it was okay. “You there, guardsman!” She yelled in her squeaky voice and pointed to a guard close to the throne. “Fetch me chocolate cake!”

The guard gave a subtle look to Celestia who gave a subtle nod in return. The guard gave a proud salute to the filly and ran off to fulfil her first order as Princess.

“You know, Princess Daisy,” I said. “There’s a lot more to being a Princess than getting cake when you want it.” She was listening intently. “Can you guess what?”

“Um…” her brow furrowed in concentration. “A Princess… needs… to be… kind!”

“That’s right!” I praised. “Can you think of anything else?”

“Um…” She gave a shy shake of her head.

“That’s okay, you have plenty of time to learn. For now, you should focus on being kind, honest, and know how to have a laugh. Can you do that for me, Daisy?”

“I love to laugh!” She spoke.

“That’s wonderful! I love to laugh too. Do you know what’s worse than finding a worm in your apple?” I asked. The filly on my shoulder looked at me strangely, likely wondering why I changed the subject so drastically. Still, she thought for a bit and then shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “Finding half a worm!”

She was quiet for a second, letting that sink in and then stuck her tongue out and laughed. “Eww! That’s a good one!”

I laughed too. “I’m glad you liked it.” The guard that ran off earlier came back in through a servant’s door wheeling a trolly with a small chocolate cake on it. “Ooh, that looks good! Here, let me put you down before Princess Celestia eats it before you do.” I could feel Celestia roll her eyes at that.

Daisy immediately ran off towards the cake then stopped, turned and ran back towards me. She glomped onto my leg and squeezed tightly. “Thank you, Princess Artemis!”

My eyebrows raised. She called me Princess without being told I was one...I reached down and patted her head. “You’re very welcome, sweetie.”

She then ran to Celestia and did the same. Celestia hugged the filly tightly and whispered something in her ear. The filly nodded and then ran towards the cake. I’ve never felt sorry for cake before but, well…

Celestia stood and hugged me. “That was wonderful to watch.”

I blushed and scratched the back of my head. “Nah, I couldn’t get the little terror away fast enough.”

“Oh yes,” She laughed. “I could tell.”