Some Years later

It had been an awaited thing; dreaded, hardly dared to be believed in- but here. After so long, millennia of ancient torture and pain that had seen separation all but unbreakable.

She was here. In her arms, struggling to move forwards as a thousand years of exhaustion crashed upon tired bones and saw her made to stumble. Of course she did, how could she not? With so many years spent bearing an unforgiving weight, to move without it was to be like learning to walk all over again. It might take another eternity before she ever learned how to stand on her own two feet yet again. But she would not have to learn the process alone; hands would be there beside her, there would be a chance for her to learn the ways of a world she had never known. It would be hers to enjoy, to frolic within and be found at home; in time, and with a little patience, they would learn to love her.

It had been a secretive journey they had made, once they’d departed the celebration. Good, wonderful, absolutely glorious Twilight Sparkle had done it; the best bet anyone could ever make had undone the irreversible, seeing the most ancient of wrongs made right. To think that the day had begun with such darkness! Now all that Celestia could see before her was light, everything good and noble and pure in life suddenly radiating forth in the world. A page had been turned, and that sweet young girl did not even know it yet.

I am surrounded by destiny, my era passing me by, she thought, And I am so glad I can be here to see it.

“Sister… where are we going?” Of course Luna asked; hurried along through a palace that was hers yet she did not know it, kept out of sight for a time longer until the proper day came. Better not to reveal the horrors of imprisonment when so many eyes could still yet condemn. There would be another time, when the flower had blossomed yet again. “I am sorry, but…”

“Hush, you’ve nothing to be sorry for,” Celestia said gently. Luna could ask for the world right now, anything at all- she would gladly give it. Just to have her in her arms after so many years was more than any daydream could hope to match! “I’m bringing you to see a friend- your friend, though you’ve not met her yet.”

“Oh. Alright,” Luna muttered as she was hurried along. “Who… who is she?”

“She is royalty of her own making,” Celestia smiled. “A healer in the arts of old, far older than even you or I. And she has been anxiously waiting to meet you.”

“But… why wait for me?”

“Because she has heard so many stories of you, and wishes to meet the heroic princess of old,” Celestia explained as they turned the next corner; a little further now and then they would be within the safest of places.

“I- I’m not that girl anymore,” Luna mumbled.

“And she believes you are, even if you don’t see it yet.”

She was too wearied to believe anything just yet; so many years spent within the clutches of an enemy had done their work in seeing her made doubtful, pride ripped to tatters and made to hang low. Luna was just one step away from monstrousness, yet now was implored to seek out nobility that she had abandoned long ago. What sort of hero was she any longer? Certainly not one that would be there to stand as the iron defender between the darkness and her people. She was more shadow than shield; to think that there was a chance she could ever, ever go back…

Tired though she was, the splendor of the garden that surrounded her was enough to send her eyes flying wide. Luna looked about at the lush greenery that reveled in its place beneath the last shadows of sunlight; deep, verdant greens of tree and bush that were marked by the soft yet lurid colors of blooming flowers. How comfortable was this place! The warmth of the early evening on her skin, the smell of flowers within her nostrils; spring was here, in full force as though celebrating her return back to the land she’d loved. Perhaps did the most ancient of magic still linger on in this place? Though she dared not to believe in it –just yet- the once-brilliant royal could not resist the whispers of nature that beckoned her to joy. The full moon would bring warm nights soon. Maybe, just maybe, there would be souls eager to stay out and enjoy the starlight.

“Here we are…” Turning a corner, Luna was ferried towards the very heart of the garden and found herself surrounded by the most beautiful of flowers. A fountain poured out fresh streams of water, clear and cold liquid that would give life to any who caught its outpouring. And there, seated on a bench that lay filled with books, sat a being of incredible beauty. Upon her head lay a simple tiara of pale silver, within its very center a studded jewel of dazzling sapphire, shaped in the form of a radiant heart that so beautifully contrasted her lustrous locks of colorful hair. The gown she wore was of a simple design, faint pink in color and trailing down beyond her feet and pouring across the lush grass beneath. Her glowing eyes caught sight of this new arrival and they were soon crinkled into a smile, if not two. One for Celestia, for the sight of her brought this woman joy a kind that could not be mistaken- and yet soon came another for her! Luna found herself caught in this woman’s gaze, the happiness at this meeting an unexpected thing. Somehow, in some way, this woman had known they would meet.

“Sister. This,” Celestia breathed, “Is Cadance…. The Princess of Love. And she’s here to help us both.”

Another? In her absence? Enough of that old demon remained that the younger sibling wished to buck against her guide and descend into rage once more; yet the happiness of this young beauty was irresistible. She looked at the both of them and found joy to share, each of its own kind. Luna wanted to know why she was so happy, to discover what could make someone so akin to the very heartbeat of life itself. It seemed, despite so much of herself, there would be only one way to find out.

“Luna! Oh my goodness, it’s so wonderful to meet you,” Cadance declared, stretching out a hand so that the young royal might shake it. “Celestia’s spent so much time talking about you, I’m so glad you’re here! I hope we get to be the best of friends.”

“L- like…wise,” Luna stumbled. The words were foreign, not natural to her tongue, but so desperately did she wish to mean them. “You know my sister..?”

“I guess she told you that she made me a princess a few years ago,” Cadance explained. “And she’s my girlfriend! She’s been so much to me for so long now, I can’t wait for you to hear it all! Please, sit down and let’s talk for a while! Welcome home, Daughter of the Moon; there’s so much we have to talk about- take all the time you need!”

Author's Note

Happy Valentine's I guess. Still don't know how I fared with all this.

Enjoy.