The previous princess of the day, watched as the dawn crept in leaving behind the starry night in its wake. Everything about the sunrise brought her at ease. Whether it was the shinning bright light that accompanied the sun or the glorious new day it brought along with it, she simply adored the morning. Though that morning had been far chillier than a regular sunny morning, for it had been a Hearth Warming Morning. Not particularly on Hearths Warming, but a day before Hearths Warming Eve celebrations were to be held.
It had been several long years since her prized pupil took her place as Equestria's rightful ruler, and it had been several more since the defeat of Cozy Glow, Trek and Chrysalis. No other threats had risen since, most probably because of Equestria’s reinforced security, and the many nations that now assisted each other.
Celestia had known from the very beginning that her successor, Twilight Sparkle, could manage any task at any time, it only was matter of when before Celestia handed the reigns over to her pupil.
Now, as she had promised, she had to revisit her old home in the Canterlot castle for Hearths Warming Eve.
Twilight was hosting a party of sorts, of course she herself wasn't the one planning everything. Pinkie Pie had that covered.
Twilight had sent a letter not long back, inviting the two sisters to the get together. According to the letter, she was planning on inviting all the princess of Equestria, that means Fluttery Heart, Princess Cadence and Sinning Armor were sure to be there. Apparently, that even included currently-not-ruling princesses as well.
"Sister?" Luna called for the older mare.
Celestia turned her gaze toward her. A small smile was stretched across her muzzle as she slowly sipped on the tea, she had made herself prior to taking the seat near the window.
"Yes, Luna?" she asked, placing her tea cup on the wooden table in front of her.
Both sisters had settled down in a little cabin, overlooking the ocean, but most importantly the sunrise and sunset were as clear as day, which both either brought forth or took away. Luna was most definitely the one to have suggested even the mere thought of it. Celestia preferred excitement and thrill, on most days at least. But during the holidays, even she liked the idea of a nice, calming time over any thrill, that could not be acquired when the temperature is near freezing.
"We must finish cleaning up. Only then will we be able to leave at noon," the mare replied with a tint of rush evident in her tone.
Celestia looked away, her gaze not meeting that of her sister's. A frown now graced the older mare's muzzle.
"Is something the matter Tia?" Luna asked worriedly, having not seen her sister look dishearten as so, in quite a while.
"Oh no, everything's alright my sister, no need to worry," she assured with a fake smile now replacing the frown from earlier.
Luna didn't seem to buy it all that well. Her eyes darted around the room, luggage spread all over, the unmade bed at the center, the piles of food on the counter; that place sure did need some TLC.
Forgetting the thought, Luna sat down beside her sister, "is it Discord?" she asked.
Celestia shot her head down toward her sister. "No! No, of course not!"
Luna wasn't buying it; she knew her sister far too well to buy into something like that. "I know you don't want to see him after all this time, but you must go, Twilight's depending on it."
"I know, I know. I do Luna." her gaze fell short, she sipped on her mug one last time before giving her sister a nice, warm smile, "I know, sister" she paused, seeming to be in thought, "Now, shall we clean up?"
The white princess stood from her seat, and levitated her mug with her magic, the bright yellow aura, swiftly wrapping around it. The younger mare gave a nod, as both got started on their preparations to leave.
Celestia made the bed herself, something she had grown used to doing on her own, ever since she left the comfort of Canterlot behind for adventure. Luna cast a small spell to swiftly clean the mess of clothing on the floor, one she had learnt long back when she ruled Equestria, alongside her sister.
They each packed their belongings away in their respective suitcases. Packing their food, any assortment of souvenirs from their travels, pictures of the two princesses, and other sorts of trinkets they found along the way. They packed the essentials and the nonessentials, both in one singular bag. Thanks to a spell, learnt by Celestia, fitting more than the suitcase seemed to be able to, was no hard feat.
All the while they packed, Celestia could not help but think of him.
It had been years upon years, since they had seen each other face to face. It had been only a few months since she learnt of his relationship with Fluttershy. And it had been shorter of a time period between then and when she was properly composed again.
It was quite unfortunate that she found out the way she did. A mere letter at her doorstep was all that told her of something that broke her heart.
Sure, she had met, and had to lose, quite a few ponies throughout her lifetime, and she had even come to expect it. But he had seemed different to her, he was as immortal after all. She had thought that things could start off quite nicely with the two, in a relationship aside from a dignitary one, of course.
"Sister?" Luna called for the older mare, "We have to clean up the kitchen. After the... unfortunate happenings with cooking, I think it's best we do not leave it as so."
Celestia chuckled, "Yes, yes, I remember."
The exciting adventure with Luna and cooking played back in her mind, making the older mare chuckle the recollection. Luna rolled her eyes and trotted into the kitchen; a small smile was left on her muzzle.
I suppose, it's not that bad, having Luna around has always cheered me up. She thought. Perhaps this trip might not be so bad.
Her wings flapped hard, taking her off the ground, away from their little home away from home. The sun shone brightly on the new day it had brought forth, illuminating both the sky around it and the ground below it.
They had now flown a little distance away from their comfy cabin, out in the middle of nowhere, to somewhere north of Canterlot, above the ever so famous Neighagra Falls.
Celestia watched as the rays of light played beautifully on the water's surface, creating all sorts of designs, as if it were dancing on water. A smile soon crept on her muzzle, as she watched the dancing rays of light continue. It seemed as though some greater force, even more so than her, was at power here. A force known to be reckless, known to be chaotic, if she were to put it.
No.
She thought.
Don't think about him.
She shook her head, clearing her unwanted thoughts. Looking up, she finally spotted her old home; Canterlot. The capital city looked near unrecognizable, from all the changes Twilight had, seemingly, done. From the small, little things, such as the pathways form store to store. To bigger, grander, things such as the various creatures roaming about. From changelings, to dragons, to griffons, to Kirin, they were all there.
The two mares, flew over their previous home-city, and over to the massive castle they had once called their home. They were soon greeted by two Royal guards, one of which seemed to be a griffin and the other a dragon. Both had a look of pure loyalty and devotion as they led the two previous princesses through the massive rooms. It was not that they were unaware of where to go, of course not. It was merely the guards’ job to lead guests to the ballroom, at which this little get-together was being held.
While on their walk, however, they had to pass the large room of stain glass windows.
It didn't take them that long to come across one stain glass window, depicting an event of such importance that if said event had not taken place, the world as they knew it, would not be standing. It depicted six, brave, heroines fighting alongside one another for the second time ever, taking down a villain known to be near unstoppable. Each pony as ready for the challenge as the other, none wanting to back down.
All the good times that came after this event, marked a glorious memory in the white mare's mind. All the small get togethers she had with her sister, close friends and Twilight, the small adversities she helped them overcome. That time Twilight had become stressed about a non-existent due-date. The time she had requested Fluttershy to try and reform...
They continued their way through the hallway, not halting even once to take in the picture.
Another window that caught the previous princess's attention depicted an event of an alliance that grew stronger with each passing day. It depicted a group of unlikely foes, ganging up together to stop Chrysalis and her evil doings. A group that had never worked with one another in their entire lives. This group of creatures managed to save their humble country from yet another threat. The glass depicted the changelings' reformation into passive, unaggressive allies to Equestria.
Many great things were achieved after the alliance with the changelings. The school friendship had one more addition to it, that was primary to its success. When fighting against the latest threat yet, the changelings had played a vital part in their victory.
And this was all thanks to those four ponies. Starlight, Trixie, Thorax and Dis-...
She shook her head, trying to erase those thoughts from her mind. The four ponies kept walking, with Celestia trailing a little behind. Her mind raced through different memories with him. The very first time he spoke to her with no evil intent behind him. The time he apologized for betraying them with a bouquet of flowers, which she fondly accepted, though it didn't fully make up for what he did.
A small tear stroked her face. Another shake of the head, and she was back on track.
As they passed by the very last windows, Celestia couldn't help but stop and take in the two.
Both were off weddings, both of which just as magical as the other.
One was off a wedding between the hard-working apple farmer, they all had come to love and the speedy daredevil, who had been willing to give up everything for her country, her friends... her love. Their union came as no surprise to close friends and family. It was what they had expected, both being so very close with one another, and even flirtatious, at times.
But to those not as close to the two, it had come as a huge, and unexpected, surprise. For outsiders, it didn't seem right that the two were engaged and getting married. They bickered and argued far too much for a couple, they'd say. Though the union was much more than a success. The vows said, the words spoken, the love shown, it was enough to change a few, open, minds. And the rest who weren't as pleased stayed that way, and it was beyond the couple's care to fret over them.
They were as happy as can be after the big day. An unforgettable day, it was.
That day had been filled with all sorts of emotions, all of which were positive. Though the very next wedding held in honor of the six heroines, was not as joyful, for her at least.
The very next marriage among the six mares was held in honor of the courtship between the timid, kind mare among them and the mischievous, lord of chaos.
Yet again, this came as no surprise to the rest of the mares, and near relatives as well. But to unfamiliar faces, and distant friends, it was nothing but a shock. Some were pleased with the idea of their friend getting married, some had mixed feelings about the whole union and some out right hated the idea of an inter-species relationship.
The wedding day was one to behold, it was held in a forest to honor both their passions. Though it had been an occasion with the lord of chaos attending, so if a little chaos wasn’t dotted about, it wouldn’t have been right.
Celestia was invited, of course. She attended, of course. But a sorrowful feeling inside her, didn't allow her to feel so very happy for the two. She made sure nopony picked up on this, as she knew how to quite well. The event was a momentous occasion, one which will never be forgotten.
The day when Fluttershy, the element of Kindness, softened the heart of a creature so evil and malicious that he was now near unrecognizable, enough for him to fall in love with her, had been upon them.
Fluttershy and Discord got married.
She paused, taking in the window, remembering that day to its fullest. The cake, the aroma, the guests, the music, all was as divine as you'd expect. But Discord was around so, floating flowers, singing trees, and dancing roses were dotted about. It came as no surprise, too.
"Tia?" Luna called. Celestia turned her gaze to meet that of her sister's.
"Yes Luna?" she asked simply.
"Coming?"
Celestia gave a nod, turned to face the window one last time, before trotting along with her sister.
They soon arrived at the ballroom, to be greeted by Twilight herself. She led them into the massive ballroom, decorated from top to bottom, a chandelier even hung from the top. Little lanterns were flying about probably a spell Twilight cast. The music was beautifully composed by Fluttershy herself. And of course, the entire thing was put together by Pinkie and Twilight. Twilight taking care of all the behind the scenes, while Pinkie worked on the decoration, food and games. That was at least what they assumed.
“Princess, we need your assistance over at the buffet.” a unicorn mare trotted up to the three stood by the door. Twilight gave a sheepish smile, then bent down toward the pony, whispering something, to which the unicorn nodded.
“If you don’t mind, I have a uh-” Twilight started, nervously.
Luna raised a hoof, with a soft smile, “We understand, go right ahead.” she motioned for the two to move on. Twilight nodded, then looked up at her previous mentor who was wearing a proud smile.
“Go right ahead, Twilight.” She smiled.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be long!” she assured and wandered off with the unicorn mare. Both watched as Twilight toted off with said unicorn handle a... mess at the buffet table.
Looking around, Celestia noticed all sorts of ponies and non-ponies about. Each seemed to be having a relatively good time, with each wearing a smile on their faces. That could also have to do with a certain part planning couple walking about.
Celestia quickly spotted the pink party pony trotting about with a little stroller and a foal inside it. Her mane was just as fluffy and as uncontrolled as ever, if not more so. Right beside her, walked Cheese Sandwich; her husband from what Celestia knew.
She trotted over to the couple, since Twilight had to entertain the dignitaries, trotting about.
"Oh, hiya princess!" Pinkie waved to her from afar. She smiled before waving back.
"I am no princess, not any more at least, I am just a pony, like you." Celestia informed.
Pinkie tilted her head a bit, squinted her eyes, incredulously, before popping back with a smile, "No you aren't, princess, you're still Princess Celestia, the pony who ruled Equestria for over a thousand years! No one's forgetting you, princess!" she brightened.
The previous princess merely shook her head with slight sigh. The white alicorn asked the two how things had been for them, and the rest of the conversation remained as be; confusing. Both Cheese and Pinkie sure had a confusing bone in their body, somewhere. Just as mind boggling as they were, they were also quite uplifting, in a goofy sort of manner. With light jokes, proper, laughable, puns, quite funny party gags and more. They definitely were the life of the party. The alicorn had found herself chuckling to more than one or two of them.
"Uh howdy?" A familiar country voice spoke up.
"Yes Applejack?" Celestia was the first to answer.
"Applejack!" Pinkie bounced, giving her friend a warm hug, "Happy Hearths Warming!" Pinkie released her friend from the hug.
"Uh... yea... Happy Hearths Warmin'." she said obviously distracted by something or the other. "Have ya seen RD anywhere?" she asked, still looking around herself.
"RD's the shy one, right?" Cheese pandered, a little confused. At his remark, Applejack merely gave him a dead stare.
"Y'know, my wife? Didn't ya throw her a Birthday Bash or somethin' when ya first got here?" the farmer did not look impressed.
"Yea, we did!" Pinkie bounced, "We threw her the biggest Birthaversary Bash she'd ever had!"
Applejack simply chuckled, "Knowin' her folks, I doubt it" she muttered.
"Wasn't she with you?" Pinkie pointed out.
The orange mare shook her head, "She was with me," then paused to look around, "But after sayin' she had to use the little filly's room, I ain't seen her."
Pinkie Pie raised a hoof and opened her mouth to speak before being swiftly cut off by her husband, "Isn't that her?" he asked pointing at a robed mare trotting out of the ballroom. The only indication to it being Rainbow however, was the bright cyan hoof she used to open the door. That and the fact that there was multicolored tail sticking out as well, might have given it away, just might have.
Applejack narrowed her eyes, and when she saw the mare, quickly rushed off. But first ensured that her hat was still on her head, grabbing it tightly before running.
"Get over 'ere, Dash!" she exclaimed, seeming frighten the other mare, who quickly opened the door and left, out of sight, Applejack not far behind her. Though the farmer did stop midway through, "Thanks a bushel, you two! And thanks too, princess!" and she was off.
Celestia blinked, unsure as to what just happened in front of her. She then looked down at Pinkie for some answers, "Oh they're always like that! Running, chasing, playing! That's how they have fun, princess!" she assured.
"Uhm... If you say so." the white alicorn nodded, unsurely. "I must be leaving, thank you two for the nice time"
"No problem princess!" Cheese replied happily.
"Hi, princess" a meek, soft voice spoke up. Celestia shot her head down.
"Yes Fluttershy?" Celestia asked.
"Discord and Pinkie haven't been causing trouble, have they?" she seemed concerned, though the 'poof' sound from behind her, did seem to relieve her nerves a little.
"Oh, come now, sweetheart, you know me better than that!" Discord nearly sounded offended, though his childish tone didn't sound so.
"Do I?" Fluttershy fumed, her anger, which was nearly never seen, boiled up. Though was quite quickly evaporated and was replaced with a stern glare, "Last year you went and poured juice all over Rarity. Poor thing was devastated at how long it took her to get it out of her mane!"
This only caused Discord to burst out in laughter at the memory, fake tears slipped out of his eyes, from laughing so much. Fluttershy did not seem impressed, "Discord!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, my love!" He stopped immediately, going for a flirtatious move right away. It did not work on Fluttershy, "You’re sleeping on the couch tonight!"
She shot her head the other side and trotted off, seeming irritated at her husband's lack of care for those around him.
"Oh ha! You can't make me sleep on the couch!" he declared.
"Try me." Fluttershy smirked, a wicked, knowing, smirk. One which send Discord array.
"Wait, I was only joking, you know that! It's just harmless playing, ask Pinkie! -" both trailed off, forgetting that Celestia was even present.
She merely sipped her tea.
"That just happened" another bizarre moment to add to the book of oddities from that day alone.
A little while after her interaction with Pinkie Pie and her family, she found herself talking to many ponies, all of whom saw her as a princess, which was quite reasonable. She had after all, ruled over them, for countless generations.
She trotted through the ballroom, looking around, not for anything specific. She noticed a few dignitaries walking about, even at parties they didn't seem to be any fun. She watched as Twilight rummaged through flash cards, assumedly, looking for the right one.
She still uses them? Celestia thought with a soft smile. Something's just won't change, will they?
She also noticed Discord and Pinkie playing a few pranks on other guests at the party. It was nice seeing the two interact, looking back on when he was evil or was considered to be by everypony else, they never quite had fun with one another. But things sure have changed, she'd been learning that the hard way. Though things weren't all different, for one, ponies still call her princess. It still seems odd to her, she had stopped using that title a long while ago, so hearing it being used... was odd to say the least.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a white figure leave the ballroom, exiting to the ever so famous Canterlot Gardens. The soft thud as the door closed got a few guests' attention, though none bothered to investigate. That was except for Celestia. She had been responsible for the ponies of Equestria for a millennium, so it had become instinct to see whatever it was that bothered her subjects, and see to it that I was resolved.
She trotted from the buffet table to the door, used her bright, gold-ish magic to slightly slid the door open, just enough for her to get through.
The gardens sure were pretty, especially with the glorious rays of the sun shining down on it.
Celestia spotted the white figure, a unicorn mare, she noted, one she surely knew.
Her smile grew just a little more.
"Rarity?" the white alicorn addressed, gaining a startled gasp from the unicorn. Said mare turned her head to face her previous princess, slightly on edge.
"Oh, princess, its only you," she said seeming distracted.
"Yes, it's me, expecting somepony else?"
The unicorn mare shook her head, quickly, assuring her princess.
"Well, Happy Hearths Warming." she tried. The unicorn gave her a soft smile, a fake one, but a smile nonetheless.
"Happy Hearths Warming, princess." she spoke with little enthusiasm. The princess quickly noticed her down spirit, and in an attempt to brighten things, she asked just how things had been and how things led to an upsetting Hearths Warming.
"Hm, well I suppose nothing... that I can control," she was quite vague, too vague for Celestia’s liking, though before she could question it, the unicorn answered the query, "I think... I've fallen for a taken mare" she blankly uttered.
Taken mare? As in somepony who was already with somepony else? Is that what she meant? Oh, these new terms are really starting to get to her head!
Well, if that truly was what she was talking about, Celestia perfectly understood.
"I've loved her for as long as I can remember... I thought she felt the same way..." Rarity paused, contemplating her next few words, "I suppose she didn't pick up on the signs all that well..." the mare had a few held back tears, stroking her cheeks. The previous princess knew not but to sit by her side as she continued, seeming to want to talk.
"I had figured I gave her plenty of clues and hints..." a sob soon escaped her, "I attended ever party she threw... every smile she offered, I offered back..." thoughts of happier times popped in her head. "...I just don't see... don't see how she missed them..." another sob halted her, "...should I have been more forward with her? I knew she was oblivious at times... but I didn't think she was... that oblivious to not notice them..." another pause caused Celestia to wonder a little more, but her thoughts soon evaporated as Rarity continued, "...notice me." she seemed finished, nearly content with what she said.
Now Celestia had to speak up, she would have, on any usual occasion, given regular advice; move on, be happy for them, live your life to the fullest. She would have said, and expanded, on one of those, but today's little dilemma was personal. She, herself, knew how it felt to be indirectly rejected by the one you loved the most. Today, she had different advice to give this mare, a more personal, hooves on advice. Something she, herself, used for the last year or so.
"Rarity, I see you're hurting, aches inside to simply think of lost opportunities, to simply imagine the life you could have had with her,"
Rarity stared at her previous princess; her cheeks now slightly stained with mascara.
"But that is no reason to dwell on the past, to think of the 'what ifs' which never happened." Celestia tilted her head down at her past subject, with a look, only a care-giver could muster up, a look of pure wisdom and assurance, "As now, you have lost one, she is happy with her new found love, is she not?"
"She is, she's quite happy... always happy…"
Celestia placed a hoof under the younger mare's chin and raised it to face her, "She's happy where she stands, now, you have to be too. Think of all that you have in life, every last thing, from the morning birds that wake you to the many friends and family that love you. Think of the good times, the happy moments," Celestia paused, a little on contemplation as to what her next few should be, making sure there just right.
"I know for a fact, that it will not be fun, it will not be easy, it'll be hard, tough, near impossible to think it. To think of the one, you love as something less than..." her eyes drifted away, thoughts of the earlier integration with Discord crept into her mind. A light shake of the head cleared them at once, "Someone taken," she spoke, this time a little flatly, "But you must try, right? What has helped you after you found out about Pinkie and Cheese getting together?"
Rarity wanted to deny it, but knew better than to try something so pointless at that time, "Well, I suppose... my friends... Sweetie's helped out, she's the only one who knew... and not to mention Spike. He's been an absolute treasure throughout the year."
"Precisely, think of that. Think of all you do have. Everyone that has helped you, supported you, guided you... then you'll find that little part in you, that you think is missing." Celestia paused yet again, this time contemplating something a little different.
"I know how it feels to lose the one you love; Discord was an amazing being to fall for," she gave a light chuckle. Her statement seemed to shock Rarity quite a bit.
"You, princess?" she asked startled.
"Yes, can a Princess not find love?" the white alicorn answered, jokingly.
Rarity shook her head, "Of course you can, I was just a bit... caught off guard… I suppose Fluttershy and Discord have been engraved in my head for goo long while… I didn’t expect you to fall for Discord…”
"Well, when you’re a thousand years old, your taste for stallions... or non-ponies, does become quite peculiar." Celestia gave her a soft nudge.
"As I was saying, Discord was definitely one to fall for, I'm quite sure Fluttershy can agree. When I found out that he was getting married... it was not easy for me." Rarity looked shocked by the statement, even more so than she was before. Celestia chuckled, "Yes, yes, even princesses do, in fact, get heartbroken. I may not show it as much as you might, but it definitely did sting to read that letter. It took me a little while to find what's important in my life. I wouldn't have if Luna hadn't snapped me back to reality. She knows me well enough," she paused, thinking back on that day, a treat no less.
"Ever since, I've learnt to lean on Luna as a reliable friend and sister. I may not be completely honest with her, Applejack would certainly disapprove, but I have been trying." Celestia cleared her throat, changing topics from her to the unicorn mare sat beside her, "And that's exactly what you should being doing. Enjoying your time, spending it happily with those you care for, let them in, let them know, be happy for yourself, and one day you'll learn to be happy for them too."
Rarity stared away from her princess, seeming to be processing what she had just been told.
It remained quiet, a little too quiet, but it bothered neither the previous princess nor the fashionista. Both sat next to one another, one deep in thought, and the other watching the garden and its beauty unfold in front of her. The grass flew with the wind, the flowers added an aroma unlike any other in the little open area, the hedge walls seem tall and protective, while yet seeming to be comforting and warm.
"I suppose..." Rarity spoke up, she still seemed unsure, maybe still contemplating, "...I-uh..." or just not being able to find words. "Thank you, Celestia." she thanked confidently. Celestia smiled a proud, soft smile. Seems like her message truly had gotten to the mare, that was one thing that would never change.
"My pleasure, Rarity."
Rarity nodded, and stood from her place. She gave the other mare a slow, appreciative wave. Smiling, she trotted off into the ballroom, leaving Celestia by herself, in the great gardens of Canterlot.
She stayed just a little longer, eyed the gorgeous sights in front of her one more time. She drifted a little flower of six petals, over to her, her magical aura wrapped around it. “I suppose, it’s worth a simple shot.”
One tug of her magic and a petal was off, “Love me?” she spoke, simply. Another tug from her magic and one more was off, “Or love me not?” she uttered. One more was off, and another, “Love me not?” she asked the air above her. One more, “Love me?” one more left. She pulled the last petal off, “Love me not.” she said with a content smile.
“Oh well, a fun little game, I suppose.” She dropped the petal-less flower to the floor, and stood from her place. She looked around, one last time, before trotting inside to the ongoing party, inside the ballroom.
The little flower was left on the floor, motionless, as it were.
The End!
Author's Note
Hiya!
This is, as the description implies, a gift from me, Misty, to NaiadSogalatorOar, for the jinglemass 2021, Secret Snata Event!
First off, I wanna say; I truly hope this was worth your read, time and energy. This one took me quite the time to complete, as it is quite a reach out my comfort zone (one place I rarely step out of)
With that said, I truly am glad to be able to try something new for the holidays. There are a few things I want to mention about this, about an A/N is not the place to do it!
Anywho! Have a Happy Hearth Warming /Very Merry Christmas/ happy any-other-holiday-you-maybe-celebrating. And if not at all, have a fun, snowy, holiday!
MSz Out
