Fading Eclipse

“Shield Bearer!”

Guard instincts kicked in immediately as Shield's body snapped to stand at attention. “Yes, Princess!” he barked, keeping his gaze stoic and emotionless.

Princess Luna gave a slight smile. Shield's mouth twitched, but he refused to let it reciprocate. “At ease, guard. I must speak with you about your scheduling regarding the upcoming week. Your transfer here has thrown off some of the routines the other guards are used to.”

His heart leaped, daring to hope this had been what he was waiting for. Betraying his serious posture and years of training, his cheeks rose slightly and his eyes lit up. Luna's eyebrow seemed to rise so slightly that Shield wasn't sure it had at all.

Turning, the princess addressed the guard on the other side of the door. “Radishes, I trust you can handle the post by yourself for a while?”

“Yes, Princess!”

“Good. Then, Shield Bearer, follow me please,” Luna commanded elegantly, turning and re-entering her room.

Shield Bearer did all he could to not let his eyes trail the Princess too closely while he followed her into her moonlit bedchambers. With a glow from Luna's horn, Shield heard a click as the large door closed behind him. Luna turned, staring Shield Bearer down with her unique royal gaze. Shield Bearer's legs wobbled slightly despite concentrating all his efforts on holding his serious demeanor.

With another glow of her horn, Luna's gaze transformed into a bashful smile. Shield felt his heart leap.

"I-I've missed you so much," Shield began, his words coming out quick and unrehearsed as he began to shake, ironically unable to be still now that he had let himself go. "I-I was starting to worry that you had forgotten, Princess, and that I would never-"

Luna gave him a stern look once again, and Shield's face froze along with his heart. "Didn't I say to call me Luna?" she said, giggling slightly and taking a step towards him. He breathed a sigh of relief. "You honestly began to worry that, in only three days I would forget the voice of understanding I had longed to hear for 600 years?" she comforted, crooning her neck down to nuzzle Shield.

Shield smiled a giddy smile as he pushed his snout into Luna, nuzzling her sweetly in return, but still shaking nervously. "Three days seemed like an eternity when I couldn't even look as you walked by, or step forward to talk to you, or-"

Luna silenced him by pressing her muzzle into his, kissing him sweetly with eyes squeezed shut. Shield blinked in surprise before leaning in to kiss her back, heart leaping in joy. Slowly, reluctantly, Luna pulled back and rested her muzzle under his.

"I hadn't forgotten that, either,"she whispered.

"I... I'm glad," Shield replied, opening his eyes slowly and smiling, greeted by Luna’s intimate gaze.

"I know you're right, of course. The only reason you saw me at all is because I couldn't stand the hours between seeing you. It sounds silly, but... I had to make sure you were real. I feel as if dreams have mixed with my reality, Shield." Luna smiled, sending a contented sigh flowing down Shield's neck. "I regret that it took this long, but changing times around to get you posted at my door required I give the guards notice in advance."

"And..." she said, pulling away from Shield's face and walking slowly across the room, "While I absolutely hate to say this, our time here is limited as well."

Shield frowned, stepped forward and opened his mouth as if to object, before turning his gaze fully to the ground. "I understand. You are the Princess, after all. I... I've just..." He sighed, closing his mouth in spite of his mind's bickering complaints.

"Friday," Luna said simply, turning to him with a small smile. "Two nights from now on Friday evening the council adjourns. Castle politics and events happen over the weekends, all of which I receive invitations to, but none of which I shall be attending; they have always been more Celestia's style than my own. If you can wait until Friday, I can promise you the evening."

Shield beamed, nodding furiously in reply. "Of course I can wait. But..." he hesitated, pondering the possibilities of the night. "What will we do?"

"That, Shield, is up to you to decide. What would you plan, were you going on a date with any other mare?" Luna replied with a wink, taking steps towards Shield.

Shield blinked. "Nothing that would involve completely avoiding public eye," he said, his eyes dancing across her figure as she approached him. Well, perhaps one thing...

"Let me worry about that. Just know that you have my time," Luna said, now in front of Shield and looking down into his eyes once more. "And know that I will be anticipating the evening as much as you."

Nodding, Shield only had one question left to address. "So, how long do we have before I must return to pretending this hadn't happened completely."

Luna bit her lip, looking over Shield for a moment, before sighing. "The longer you stay in here, the more chance there is of someone wondering why you're in here at all. Not to mention..." she continued, nuzzling Shield softly as she spoke. "The longer you're in here, the more I'll want you to stay for longer."

Shield bristled at her words, returning her affections with a joyous smile. "Can I at least kiss you again before I go?" he ventured, giving a mockingly curious pout.

"Please," she whispered, leaning her forehead against his own.

Without pausing for a moment Shield leaned forward and kissed Luna, turning his head sideways as he pushed their lips together. Luna shivered with excitement, pushing back against him as she closed her glowing eyes. The seconds felt like over a minute but finally, Luna pulled back, eyes still closed. She breathed a single, shuddered breath against his muzzle.

"Now... please, like I said..." Luna began, opening her eyes only to see Shield standing at the door. With a nod and a smile, he opened it and walked through, beginning what was going to be a long two days for the princess of the night.

Finally off duty, Shield made his way through the castle courtyard and out the gates into the town beyond. Despite reaching the end of a long shift, his mind was still much too active to return home, excited beyond fatigue by the premise of an evening with Luna. His mind raced, attempting to form ideas of what the two of them would do. Since it would probably be late evening, he couldn't exactly plan something conventional. He wanted the night to be meaningful to her; sure they had spent a night close physically, but he found himself wanting to explore the mind of alluringly mysterious princess. But try as he might, no miracle ideas were coming to his head. Sighing, he walked down main street to a familiar building, a large sign atop it that read "Frothy's" in faded yellow paint.

Immediately after opening the large wooden doors, his ears were met with the familiar sound of many ponies talking, cheering and dancing, putting a smile across his face as he entered the warm tavern. The tavern was aglow with comfortably intimate orange light, provided by ever-burning torches and chandeliers that speckled the room. Straight across from Shield was a long bar, behind it sitting a large pony whose face plastered in a wide smile that was pointed directly at Shield.

"Ah, look, it's Frothy's favorite palace guard! Come sit down, Shield-- we’ve got some catching up to do!" Frothy yelled so he could be heard over the crowd. With a grin, Shield stepped forward, invited by the promise of conversation.

As he walked to the bar, Shield listened in to the music from a band, playing an up-tempo rhythm for the ponies to enjoy or dance to. At the front of the band itself was a grinning white pony, tapping his foot as he sang, a pair of black suede horseshoes on his flank.

"Spades Swings-- glad to see he's still coming by," Shield commented, nodding in approval at the choice of music.

"Why wouldn't he? It's a Wednesday night, and we've got a floor full of ponies smiling and dancing to his music. What more could a performer want?" Frothy said with a grin, reaching over and filling a glass with a dark brown ale.

"About that," Shield said, leaning forward and accepting the foam-topped glass from Frothy. "How do you manage to get so many ponies in here, no matter what night it is?"

"Well, Shield, I like to let ponies figure that out on their own; why did you come here?" Frothy asked with a grin, taking out a washrag and beginning to clean an empty mug.

Shield thought for a second, taking a sip of the ale. "Well, I was still awake. Didn't want to go home just yet,"

"Exactly the ticket, Shield. My tavern is the only place in Everfree that stays open into the night. I couldn't help but notice I found myself real awake every night, but with a whole lot of nothing to do. Wondered if other ponies thought the same way, and sure as there's a bunch of em' in my tavern, it was a success, and has been since," He said with a grin, waving his hoof to the tables of conversing ponies before them.

Shield blinked as gears inside his head began to turn and click. "You've got a building..."

"Uh-huh"

"Full of ponies..."

"Glad you're still with me, Shield."

"Who all love being awake during the night!" he shouted, an obvious answer that was the missing puzzle piece of Shield's task at hand.

"As elegant a business model as they get. I've got a feeling you're going to tell me anyways, but let me ask: just why is this such a revelation to you, Shield?"

Shield nodded, eyes wide in excitement. "You see, Frothy, there’s this mare,"

"Ha! You have no idea how many stories begin with that line," Frothy said, laughing heartily but doing nothing to sway Shield's excitement. "Fill me in, Shield; what have you got planned for this mare that's gonna win her heart over?"

"That's just it, Frothy. This mare-- more than anything, she's a night loving pony through and through. Trouble is, she doesn't think anyone else sees it the same way, considering everypony's jobs have them going to sleep right when the moon rises."

"So..."

"So, I've got an idea of where to bring her to prove her she's wrong!"

"Shield, buddy, I hate to break it to you, but my bar ain't exactly the most romantic place in town," Frothy questioned, his eye cocked.

"Not to most mares, but I think this is right what she needs. I wonder if she likes to dance..." Shield questioned, his thoughts now turned inward at what other things he could plan.

"Sounds like you've got some thinking to do. I've got some glasses to fill up, but I hope our little chat has been enlightening to you. Good luck with the filly, lovercolt," Frothy said, dismissing himself with a grin.

Shield hardly noticed, mentally crafting the pieces for was what was sure to be the best night ever.

Princess Luna stood poised on her balcony, overlooking Everfree as the last slivers of the sun cast an auburn light across the mountains of Equestria. Feeling the excited energies of the night sky, she closed her eyes and began channeling their energies through her horn. A great weight placed itself across her back as she closed her eyes and focused on the pale orb that lay dormant past the horizon. Her breaths came long and heavy as she began to lift, the sky darkening ever so slowly as the paintbrush of her magic swept across the sky. Orange became purple, highlighted by the silver glow of the rising moon. Pinpricks of luminosity twinkled into existence as the stars grew brave enough to defy the dark tapestry of the evolving night sky. After minutes of concentration, the literal weight of the world began to ease itself from Luna's shoulders, content on carrying itself for the remainder of the journey. With a final slow breath, Luna sat down, resting from the ritual she was destined to undergo each night.

"My, that's quite a task isn't it? I hadn't ever given thought to how different calling the night must be," Celestia commented, watching silently from inside the balcony doors.

Luna continued resting for nearly a minute, her eyes closed and her head lying between her hooves. "If all I had to beckon was the moon each evening..." Luna replied slowly, finally raising her head and addressing her sister directly. "Contrary to what you might think, it's the stars who are the most fickle. It's almost as if I have to chase them down to get them to show up-- and the constellations wouldn't be correct without each and every one present." Luna looked upon Celestia with a serious gaze, before slipping free into a small smile. "Though, I appreciate you taking notice."

Celestia returned her smile warmly, stepping through to the balcony and lying down with her sister. "If only I had time each evening, Luna. Recently the councils have gotten even more erratic than normally. It might surprise you how... unsatisfied they can be, despite my best efforts."

A small laugh came in reply from Luna. "You don't say? The ponies of the castle dissatisfied by their great Celestia? I almost can't imagine..."

"Ah yes. Always about taking a more active approach to the problems they believe afflict the castle. Even as a ruler, though, I simply cannot be everywhere at once," Celesita mused, turning and looking at her sister. "Speaking of which, I wish I had come only to watch you raise the moon. Unfortunately, there is another order of business I came to speak with you about."

Luna cocked an eyebrow. "There always is. Well, no use keeping you here any longer-- what is it?"

Celestia looked her sister in the eye, now. "Surely you remember that next week the castle will be hosting the Grand Galloping Gala?" Luna blinked and cocked her head, eliciting a sigh from Celestia. "The Grand Galloping Gala. Or, as you affectionately called it last year 'The day I am forced to have royals suck up to me'." Now it was Luna's turn to sigh, once again burying her head between her hooves.

"Oh, night. That's next week? Does that mean I'll have to..." Luna grumbled from between her hooves.

"Correct. You'll have to have somepony escort you. It is customary to pay tribute to our subjects by picking a representative who we believe is an exemplary asset to castle life," Celestia explained, raising her chin slightly, before cocking an eyebrow. "Which of course means for you, whomever you feel is least prone to call attention to you."

Luna gave a devilish grin.

"Which is why this year, I've taken it upon myself to put an end to that tradition," said Celestia, now adopting her sister's grin as it faded into a look of confusion. "You see, I've taken it upon myself to call the nobles for a meeting-- one which you will be attending. Hopefully I can trust you to at least talk to some of them, and perhaps select someone you feel is actually deserving of the title."

Luna groaned, standing up and slouching dramatically into her room. "The nobles? They're the worst out of all of them! Why, they're content with only associating with me so long as it makes their family look good!"

Celestia followed her sister, walking around her and keeping her gaze. "Which is better than you picking somepony at random again to simply spare yourself the horror of actually talking to anypony!" Luna scowled, turning away from her sister and walking back to the balcony defiantly "I won't hear any word to the contrary. I know you may not like it, but I'm going to insist that you attend the meeting this Friday, so you can make an educated and--"

"Friday?!" Luna said, wheeling around in shock.

"Yes. Friday. The day you designate to do practically nothing all day, while the rest of--"

"N-No, Celestia, you don't understand. I do designate Friday to do something. Or, at least this Friday!" Luna stammered, her eyes darting around the room as she furiously formed arguments within her mind.

Celestia cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? You've got something planned the only Friday I need you to meet with nobles, hmm?"

"Well, I haven't got to meet with the nobles," Luna claimed, smiling awkwardly.

"Oh? And why is that, Luna?" Celestia said, her eyebrows now furrowing as she took a step towards her sister.

"Because... well, I didn't want to have to tell you this just yet, but," Luna began slowly, before gulping. "I-I already have somepony to escort me to the Gala this year."

Celestia cocked her head, her mouth opening slightly in disbelief. "What? You never go to any social events, much less get to know ponies well enough to have ever actually picked somepony. Who is it?"

Luna turned away from her sister, letting her eyes sweep across the walls of the room. "Do you remember four nights ago?"

"The night you fled my room in sorrow?"

"Yes! Only, after I fled your room, there was a Guard who ran after me believing I had been harmed," Luna began, unsure and unwanting to continue. "W-Well, after I assured him no harm had been done to me, he expressed worry for my state. He... He shared stories with me of how the guards above him often did not appreciate his work!" she began, turning to her sister with a smile as the story formed in her head. "I, being in the state that I was in, of course could sympathize, and I expressed how much I appreciated his worry for me. After hearing his stories, and seeing his kindness, I felt there would be nopony better to represent the hardworking demeanor that many citizens have!"

"To... to be able to represent a party who is under-appreciated in general, I felt, was a gift the citizens would appreciate," Luna finished, smiling as she nodded her head at the still-dumbfounded Celestia.

"You... wish to have a palace guard escort you to the Gala?" Celestia said, her eyes slanting in disbelief.

"I see nopony more fit to represent the hard work that goes unrecognized daily!" Luna replied, smiling at her perfect patchwork justification.

"Luna, that's... that's... genius!" Celestia exclaimed, taking her sister in her hooves and giving her a hug. "Oh, I knew you cared about your subjects! Why hadn't I thought to represent the everyday citizen before? And how tiresome nobles can get after weeks and weeks of just hearing them talk!" she rambled excitedly, before shaking her head and looking Luna in the eye. "The point is... I'm glad you've found a part of the populous you can get behind!"

Luna's eyes widened at her sister's uncharacteristic outburst, simply smiling and nodding in agreement. "Yes, well, certainly a part more suited for me than nobles or councilponies. I'm glad you feel the same way," she replied, hardly stifling a giddy smile.

"I agree! Well, I'm glad to hear it. So what about your plans this Friday, then?" Celestia asked. Luna felt the blood drain to her hooves.

"I-Uh," she stammered, forgetting that she had mentioned that last bit. "W-Well I'm spending the evening to... prepare him for such a formal occasion! He... he was worried that, being a guard, he would come off as unprepared and unmannerly to the other higher ups who would be attending. So I promised to... personally teach him!" she explained with a crooked grin.

"Ah! Just what I was thinking you should do! Wonderful-- I am glad you're being so suddenly mindful of the social politics revolving around such an event!" beamed Celestia, as she patted her sister's shoulder.

"W-well, you know, I was always mindful of them. Just not so caring to participate. I know how fickle the council can be, after all..." she justified smoothly.

"Of course. Well, as glad as I am to hear that you've taken such initiative to your ruling duties, mine must be attended to as well! I've got to hold a meeting, and they're always so testy when I'm late..." Celestia gave her sister a final sincere smile, before making her way to the entrance of the room. "Good night Luna. Oh, and, check your warddrobe for a dress I think will go just wonderfully with your eyes!" she called, before closing the door firmly behind her.

Luna let out a long sigh of relief, completely in disbelief of how well that had gone. Not only had she escaped a meeting with nobles but had gotten her sister to approve of Shield escorting her to the Gala! Perhaps for once it wouldn't be such an awful, stuffy event.

With a curious tilt of her head, she opened the doors of her wardrobe to reveal...

Pink. Why did she always think pink was a good color? Luna sighed, leaving the dress intact, resolving to pick another one before the week was up.

Trotting away from the wardrobe, she couldn't help but giggle at her own complaints. For once, a simple dress was the most of her worries.

It was a nice feeling.

Walking back over to the porch, and directing her eyes to the night sky, she decided she was in the mood for some painting. The night would have to be as beautiful as she could make it for the week to come.