The night was cold.
I was walking alone in the darkness along a path I knew well.
Even though I had walked this same route through the fields so many times before and had come to know the individual bumps and trip hazards, I never ceased to experience the feeling of awe as I looked up at the night sky.
Tonight, the stars were bright and the crescent moon was riding high on her pre-ordained precession.
Beautiful.
Don’t get me wrong, I liked the warmth of the sun and would be amongst the first seeking the feel of the summer sun gently massaging my skin, but the night was always special; somehow more personal and intimate.
I enjoyed these night time walks; the absence of street lights and brightly lit houses; nobody else around for miles.
This was the best opportunity for my mind to wander, unhindered by the mundanities of life and chance encounters with others.
This was my time; time for me to absorb the subtle beauty of the night and the sounds of the nocturnal animals that had chosen to shun the bright garishness of the daylight.
On some nights, the stars would dazzle like myriad jewels against a pure ebony backdrop, but when the moon joined them to shine in her full majestic beauty, they would never fail to dim their own brilliance in respect of her regal presence.
On other nights, cloud would draw a veil across the enchanted vista and then there would be nothing but the embrace of overwhelming darkness.
On such nights, I would do my best to find my way by memory and whatever glow nature provided, but could sometimes end up straying from the path and have to resort to my pocket torch to get back on track.
I resented that torch, as to use it meant that I had failed to stay true to the path, and so used it as sparingly as I could, and even then, I kept my hand over the light source as much as possible to retain my night vision, and my dignity.
I had always felt privileged to enjoy an hour or so in this unspoiled environment, but now was so much more special, for I had been close to losing it forever.
My heart attacks had come in quick succession, and it was only by the skill of dedicated doctors and nurses that I had been spared to experience this wonderful enveloping beauty once more, rather than simply failing to regain consciousness in hospital.
However, this could not be a permanent cure, and no estimate was given for how long it would last.
Much as I didn't want to admit it, it was now apparent that more years lay behind me than in front of me, and the clock was ticking.
I was walking much more slowly than ever I could remember, as I fought to keep the pain in my heart at bay and not to let it overwhelm me.
I rested, as I had to these days; unable to keep up the pace to which I was formerly accustomed.
It frustrated the hell out of me.
How I longed for the fitness I had only recently lost.
In a clearing, I tilted my head back and twirled around slowly on the spot, drinking in the silent panorama that extended from horizon to horizon, and naming all the constellations that would be there long after I had gone, marvelling at the ingenuity of our ancestors for creating such enduring stories about each one.
Just then, my respectful reverie was punctured abruptly, as a sensation I had felt only a few times before began to rise up from within me and proceed to grip my heart in its tightening fist.
I dropped to my knees, clutching at my chest.
This was like the last times, only much worse.
The pain grew, stabbing sensations in my heart adding to the vice-like grip that refused to release it.
My cry of pain was carried out into the vastness of the night as if for help, and the animals within earshot all stopped what they were doing; the hooting owls turning their heads to listen, the deer freezing stock still, and the little scurrying mammals stopping their rummaging among the dead leaves.
My final scream was nothing more than a temporary disruption to their nocturnal existence, and shortly each would return to their respective activities, disinterested, as their lives moved on.
I clutched at my chest harder, unable to satiate the exponentially rising pain within, and felt only a vague awareness that I had lost my battle with gravity as I toppled over, not caring to make any effort to protect myself from the rocks and tree roots I would be falling onto.
The stabbing pains reached their ultimate crescendo and I tried to scream, but all that emerged was a horrid rasping noise.
Then, all was calm.
The silence of the night returned, quietly covering the drama of my final dramatic act with peace, like a blanket covering a body on a stretcher.
The last of the tension began to ebb out of my cooling body and my contorted expression of only a few seconds ago relaxed gratefully into its final enigmatic smile.
As the pain drained from my body, I felt a lightness wash over me, like I was being rejuvenated into a younger, fitter incarnation of myself.
I stood without effort and looked down reverentially upon the untidily sprawled body at my feet.
I knew who that was, or rather, who they had been, and felt pity; pity for the dreams left unfulfilled and pity for the goodbyes that would now never be said.
A gentle nudge on my shoulder made me turn.
Two beautiful teal eyes looked back at me, shining with a greater radiance than could have been reflected from the moon alone.
A shimmering ethereal cloud extended from her mane, punctuated by a dark lunate crown and a dark blue horn pointing heavenwards.
I could see a damp trail trickling down her muzzle from her eyes as she rested her chin on my shoulder.
She felt warm.
She closed her eyes and I reached up around her neck to give her a gentle hug.
“Thank you” I whispered softly into her ear, “I’m glad it was you who came to get me.”
She said nothing as I turned my head to place my lips on her muzzle and planted the softest of kisses onto her midnight blue fur, and hugged her gently.
I saw a fresh tear flow down the salty trail that already despoiled her perfect muzzle fur, and broke my hug to wipe it away with my finger.
She opened her eyes, a deep sadness etched across her face.
“We are pleased that you welcome us on this sad occasion” she said softly, carefully gauging my reaction.
It was not every day that someone met an alicorn, let alone one that spoke with such tenderness, despite the stilted nature of her language.
“Thank you Princess” I offered, not as surprised with the encounter as she could have expected, “It is such a beautiful night.”
“We are pleased” she replied, a slight blush forming under her dark blue cheek fur, “We were especially careful to make it one of our best.”
“What now?” I asked, pulling back to see her in her full beauty.
Luna had always been my favourite, and I had collected many plushies and artworks of her, but seeing her actually in front of me, as a living, breathing pony was a treat that exceeded even my most vivid dreams.
Her blue mane and tail wafted softly in the ethereal breeze, outlining her elegantly proportioned body against the starry sky.
A small lock of her mane wound cheekily out from under her crown and around her horn in a teasing curl, somehow emphasizing her large expressive eyes.
“Are we not what you had expected?” she asked, a flash of concern flickering across her face.
“Oh Princess, you are so much more beautiful in person than I had ever dared to imagine” I said, before realising that I was being a little too familiar, seeing as we had only just met, and looked down, hoping I had not misspoken.
Her expression lit up with joy and she lifted a forehoof to cover a gentle giggle.
“We are pleased; do not feel embarrassed” she reassured with a soft smile, “But perhaps we should not tarry at this scene of sadness?”
“Where will we go?” I asked.
“Wherever you wish, for you are to be the author of your own destiny.”
I paused, surprised to have such open options available to me.
“I want to be with you in Equestria" I replied immediately, then after a moment's thought added, "If that's alright with you..."
She wrinkled her nose in mild amusement, as if this request had been expected, and nodded ascent with a twinkle in her eye, "We think you would make a fine stallion."
I felt dizzy with happiness, but something tugged at my conscience and after a moment's sober refllection I added, "But I should also like to be reunited with family and friends. How could we possibly do both things together if I am human and you are a Pony Princess?"
She giggled again in that infectious way of hers, and tossed her head, taking a step backwards before her mane and tail swirled around, enveloping her in a blue mist that cleared just as quickly as it had come.
Standing in front of me now was the most radiant woman I had ever seen; slender and toned, and wearing the most graceful of dresses in midnight blue.
Long dark hair spilled over her exposed shoulders counterpointing her delicate alabaster skin tone.
However, it was her eyes that were so striking; still smiling at me through that same deep teal colour that could belong to nobody else.
A small lock of hair still curled out from under her lunate crown, leaving no doubt as to who she was.
This time she did not misunderstand my stunned silence, and moved forward confidently with her hands reaching forward to find mine.
We touched.
Her hands were warm.
A shiver of expectation ran through me.
She took my hands in hers and pulled me gently to her, our faces stopping such a short distance apart as she looked deeply into my eyes.
“This is our human form” she whispered as softly as an evening breeze, her gaze never breaking from mine, “We hope you approve?”
Before waiting for a reply, she tilted her head gently to one side, let her eyelids fall softly and closed the last remaining distance between us as our lips made contact.
I love you, Princess Luna.
