Mending the Crownby ocalhounChaptersFragmentsBecomingWholeFragmentsI hold my hoof up to knock on my sister’s door, just for a moment … but then think better of it. Scarcely more than one day has passed since Twilight and her new friends vanquished Nightmare Moon and returned my sister, my dear sister, Luna to me. Only yesterday, this ‘Royal Guest Suite’ had been a mostly-forgotten mystery to all other residents of Canterlot Castle. Before last night, nopony had ever slept in these rooms. Few have ever been inside them at all, save for the hastily summoned cleaning staff to come in and thoroughly dust everything off yesterday evening. Few now remember that their vaunted Princess once had a sister, and until now, nopony had realized that this special suite was built in the new castle specifically in the desperate hope that I might someday have a sister once more. Despite the jubilance of the celebration in Ponyville, the chariot ride back to Canterlot had mostly passed in awkward silence. It was only then, during the trip, that I noticed it had been everypony else at Pinkie Pie’s party in Ponyville who’d done all the talking. Luna said scarcely a word the entire time. “You’re going to love Canterlot,” I’d told her during that chariot ride, though now I have my doubts as to the truth of it. I had only desired to spark a conversation. “It’s built on top of a soaring mountain, and when you stand atop the high towers, you feel closer to the sky there than nearly anywhere else!” Luna had looked at me, and merely nodded. A spark of hope glimmered in her eyes, yes, but was soon quashed. She seemed almost … afraid? But there is nothing to be feared in Canterlot, certainly. And now I find myself staring at the door to my sister’s suite, in my own castle, not knocking. Perhaps there is something to fear in Canterlot after all? It’s silly. Ridiculous, even. Why should I hesitate to visit my dear sister, now reunited after so long apart? And yet … doubt gnaws at me, a pernicious and binding pinch of worry. For the first time in centuries, I find myself unsure of how to proceed. I last knew Luna a millennium ago, and I’ve spent the last thousand years maturing on my own without her. She even looks different now – not the way she looked just before becoming Nightmare Moon, but like a much younger version of herself. She looked much the same as when she’d only just ascended to become an alicorn. Could the Elements have erased more than just the Nightmare from her? What if they had taken centuries of her life as well? Perhaps I should allow Luna some space, some time to recover from the effects of the Elements. How traumatic it must have been, to be blasted not once, but twice by the most powerful magic known to pony-kind? Was it painful? How could it not be? The Nightmare had taken hold of her – it was part of her. Are we not shaped by our experiences, both positive and negative, even one’s darkest thoughts? The Elements must have ripped all of that away, and none too gently. How must it feel, to be missing a part of oneself? I know that well, actually, now that I think about it. Have I not felt the same, when I had to send my sister to the moon? When she was ripped away from me, it took me years to recover … if I ever truly did. So, surely, I should give Luna more than a single day… And yet… The last time, I waited too long to approach her, too long to ask her about her feelings. Can I afford to make the same mistake again? That look of fear in Luna’s eyes, the fear that smothers hope… Staring at her door, I suddenly see it as clearly as if she is right next to me once more. Could she fear … me? The elder sister, towering over her, who outshone her at every turn for so long that bitterness devoured her heart. The elder sister who neglected her for ages before, eyes burning with tears and rage, unleashing the Elements of Harmony upon her and locking her away for a thousand years. What if attempting to talk to her might make things worse? The very first moment I saw her, after the Nightmare had been banished… That frightened gasp, the panic in her eyes at the mere sound of my voice, no matter how gentle. Yes, she certainly feared me then, as she lay amidst the crumbling remains of Nightmare’s armor, the evidence of her crimes, lying all around her. What had she thought might happen in that moment? Did she think I would banish her once more? Or worse? No. I need time to think. Luna needs time to recover. After irresolutely standing before her door for heavens only know how long, I resolutely turn and walk away, back down the hall to my own suite. For better or for worse, the decision has been made. I have much to arrange now, after all. Though I know it not, just on the other side of her door, Luna turns away as well … keenly aware of my presence, and of my choice. ☀️ ❇️❇️❇️❇️❇️ 🌙 Instead, one day later, I’ve decided on a more subtle, more diplomatic approach. It seems to me the best way – a balance between being sensitive to my sister and seeking to involve her, but also not forcing myself on her when she still might be frightened of my mere presence. I’ve sent a missive, by way of the royal servants, formally inviting Luna to a presentation breakfast, a welcoming ceremony of sorts to introduce her to the nobility of Canterlot, to ensure that they know she has indeed returned. And now I wait, seated at the head of the table in the Formal Dining Hall, every seat full of eager nobleponies, save for one: the seat directly to my right. Trim Tables, ever the one to concern himself over the ‘extraordinarily busy’ schedules of the nobles, steps up discreetly to my side. “Are you certain that your sister will be in attendance this morning, Your Highness?” “Not at all,” I reply honestly, keeping my face as serene and neutral as ever. A few among the nobility are vicious and cannot be allowed to see any sign of weakness. Mercifully few, but a few nonetheless. “Oh, they’re not going to like that…” Trim shakes his head. “Perhaps I could find some alternate way to assuage them and make them feel that their precious time hasn’t been wasted? We could move up your scheduled discussion of tax rates. Most of the ponies scheduled to attend are already present here, and if we—” It isn’t like Trim Tables to be suddenly silenced like that. Something must have truly shocked him. I glance back toward the doorway, and I find… Luna. My heart breaks all over again, just seeing her. She looks so small now, so alone, as she hesitantly steps through the large gilded doorway into the Formal Dining Hall. Perhaps I should not have made the design of our new castle quite so imposing… But she came – she truly came! To be darkly honest, I have found myself having doubts ever since she disappeared into her chambers. Had my sister truly returned? Or had I – as seems far more likely – worked myself up into some sort of fever dream enough to convince myself that she had been redeemed, that the faults of our past had been healed, no more than fantasies brought to life by a guilty conscience? And yet, here she was! Truly, right in front of me and everypony in the hall. Living proof that I am not yet a madmare. Living proof that my past choices are not irredeemable. “Luna…” Despite long centuries of practice in keeping my bearingsbearing, there is a quiver to my voice as I say her name. “Welcome. I’m glad you could make it. Please, have a seat.” I gesture toward the chair next to mine, every bit as opulent as my own, but finished in blue, rather than red. “We were just about to begin.” A little grumbling rises from the nobles about that. Grumbling which makes Luna wince as she slowly and self-consciously steps behind them all, making her way to her seat. A flash of anger burns through me for a moment. How dare they? Can they not see the state she’s in?Do they not care for her in the slightest? With a long-practiced deep breath, I banish the feelings of anger from my body. Acknowledge them, feel them, and let them flow away, far away. Such feelings rarely prove useful, and are more often a hindrance. Especially when trying to reintroduce a pony who seems as fragile as Luna does now. It is a welcome surprise to see her here at all. Could this be a sign that she is healing? I had feared that my sister might end up as a recluse, never venturing out of her chambers. Since arriving at the castle, the only indication of her presence has been that I no longer need to lower the moon. Luna has not been raising it, only lowering it. Curious… Is it because she fears overstepping her bounds again, or is it some sort of deference? I would love for her to take on her former duties fully, but I mustn’t press her before she’s ready. Still, it’s a marvel to see her at all. A part of me can still hardly believe she’s actually, truly back. It’s as if everything that has happened might have been only a pleasant dream, and I’m constantly in fear of waking from it. And yet, here she is, now standing almost at my side. She hesitates, glancing at the only empty seat … and she takes a small step backward. “Please,” I say, trying to sound as anodyne as possible, “have a seat here with me. The nobility of Canterlot is eager to meet you, Sister.” Well, at least they’re certainly eager to get on with this and get back to whatever keeps them busy all day. Near enough to the truth. Luna looks at me and forces a smile. No reply, only a hurried nod before she rushes into the seat as if she hopes to be hidden from view there. Far from it. Throughout the entire Formal Dining Hall, every eye is on her. Even I am guilty of that. All these nobles are seeing Equestria’s other princess for the very first time, and none of them seem quite sure how to react. Even the serving staff stand speechless. That won’t do. It’s only making Luna feel even more uncomfortable! Quickly, I turn back to Trim Tables and attract his attention with a subtle gesture. “Everypony is here,” I whisper. Thankfully, he takes the implication perfectly and hurries away toward the rear entrance. Breakfast can finally be served, and I know he’ll see to it. And now I can turn my attention back to Luna. She’s wilting under the curious gaze of all the nobleponies, her eyes darting from one to another as if wondering which one might strike her first. Ah … she can’t possibly know who any of them are, can she? Every single one of them was born long after she was sent to the moon, and all the ones she knew then are now… Oh. Oh… Could that be part of why Luna is so upset? Except for myself, every last pony Luna ever knew is now gone. As alicorns, both of us were always used to outliving our friends and even our lovers, all lost to the ravages of time, but they would always be lost one by one, replaced by new friendships and new love. But to lose all of them at once… She would feel almost completely alone, wouldn't she? How can she stand it? Truly, my sister is stronger at heart and more resilient in spirit than I have ever imagined. But enough brooding! We’re here for a purpose, after all. As soon as I stand up, the room’s attention focuses back on me. Oh how easily Luna is ignored in favor of me yet again… This event is for her, however, so I can easily give back the stolen attention. “Welcome, everypony,” I proclaim, “it is my great pleasure this morning to introduce my long-lost sister, Princess Luna, now returned from the darkness which stole her from me so long ago. Now that we’re together once more, everypony has an opportunity to make new introductions and offer her a fresh start, with all the love and support in Equestria.” Gentle applause. Ah, good. Things are going well, and at least I haven’t lost my touch. As I glance down to Luna, however, things don’t seem to be going quite as well. She’s looking down at her own hooves, her lips pursed tightly. Hm… What could be wrong with that? Should I have let her speak first? She’s shown no indication of wanting to speak, and somepony had to say something… Before I can elaborate further or begin the long line of introductions, the castle’s Head Chef, Perfect Pinch, wheels a covered cart into the dining hall, followed by a small army of waiters with carts of their own. Ah, a welcome distraction. Moving as if I planned this timing exactly, I sit back down next to my sister. Perfect Pinch’s accent is thick, but his enunciation is impeccable: “Greetings, everyone! Today’s breakfast is Griffonian-style waffles with a blueberry glaze and a cherry-almond cream cheese trifle.” Disappointingly, the waiters rush to serve me first, and it takes quite a bit of subtle gesturing and throat-clearing to get them to serve the guest of honor, Luna, first instead. Once again, I’ve ended up stealing her spotlight without even trying. Not an auspicious start. This event is supposed to be entirely in Luna’s honor. And even if it wasn't, aren’t the two of us supposed to be treated as equals? Why do the serving staff continue to give preferential treatment to me, rather than her? I make a mental note to have a word with them about it… Once my sister and then myself are both served, it’s finally time to eat. Both Luna and I are certain to be quite busy with introductions, so we might not get much of a chance except for now, as the waiters are busy distributing plates to everypony else in attendance. The waffles are, of course, excellent. Somehow perfectly crispy and warm, despite the long delay, with a perfect buttery-sweet flavor nicely balanced by the tangy-tart blueberry glaze. I can hardly wait to try the trifle! Of all the perks of being royalty, the food is the only one I think I couldn't do without. Scarcely pausing my thinly veiled gluttony to do so, I glance over at Luna. “This is one of my favorites. These thick Griffonian-style waffles are just so much heartier and more satisfying than the Equestrian type, don’t you agree?” “... Waffles?” Luna hasn’t eaten any of it yet. She’s merely poking at it with her levitated fork. Oh dear… Were waffles only invented in the past thousand years? I can’t quite recall. I’ll have to stop eating for a moment to explain. “Right, well … do you remember how some ponies used to cook flatcakes between iron plates? Well, sometime later, they began imprinting designs on those irons, merely decorative at first, but as the designs became deeper and more elaborate, ponies very much started to prefer their flatcakes like this – not so flat anymore. And eventually, that developed into a deep grid that gives it a wonderful and delicious crispy texture with lots of surface area to coat with more delicious things. Go on, try it. I’m sure you’ll love it.” Still eyeing her waffle with a dubious squint, Luna carefully cuts out a section with her fork and tries it. Instantly her eyes light up with joy. She turns to me, smiling wide despite her full mouth … and then retreats back into herself just as quickly. She looks away, hangs her head low. “Is it to your liking, Sister?” A tiny, almost imperceptible nod. She’s just pushing it around on her plate with her fork now. Come on! I saw her, just for a moment: the sister I remembered! How could she have come and gone so quickly? I have to try and keep her engaged! “What makes Griffonian waffles so special is that the indentations are much deeper than usual, and the batter is a little less sweet than Equestrian ones. I think that combines to make the waffle not just a treat, but a truly satisfying meal, wouldn't you say?” “Ah… Yes?” She’s still mostly just pushing things around. At least she does take one more small bite … but no intense reaction now. It’s as if she’s afraid to be seen so much as looking at me. Oh, right. I’ll have to catch her up on some history as well. “Also, by the way, we made peace with the griffons about seven hundred years ago. And the dragons as well … as much as it’s possible to be at peace with dragons.” “Oh…” Luna takes another small bite, still not even looking at me. Momentarily accepting defeat, I return to my own waffle, no longer enjoying the flavor quite so much. What can I even talk about with a pony so profoundly ignorant of current events and modern society? And I must be cautious, avoiding anything that might embarrass her or make her feel even more isolated. My conversation thus far probably hasn’t helped in that matter. When Luna was last in Equestria, the centuries were punctuated by bitter on-again-off-again wars between Equestria and the Griffons. What must it be like to come from a world like that into one that’s now so different? I’m also in severe danger of domineering the conversation. Again. Now as it ever was. I had always dominated conversations back when we were younger, always loud and bold and ready to take charge … while overshadowing my quieter sister and seldom even allowing her to get a word in. I can remember one instance quite clearly, and with deep regret in hindsight. The two of us were in a diplomatic meeting with Yakyakistan, hoping to negotiate a mutual defense pact that could help protect both kingdoms from Griffon raids. Over and over, I reiterated to their prince that both of us had much to gain from this. Over and over, I highlighted how Equestria’s numerical superiority and use of magic could protect Yakyakistan. Over and over, I ignored what Luna was trying to whisper to me from the side. Luna had been trying to tell me that the yaks were a proud people, resentful of any implication that they might ever need help of any kind. That we should instead stress how much ponies needed the strength and resilience of the yaks. It was a negotiation tactic that likely would have worked. But I hadn’t listened, not even for a moment. I’d been too busy talking to the yaks to listen to my sister, and she’d been too demure to insist. In the end, the two of us had gone back to Equestria without any mutual defense agreement in place, which had only made the Griffonian wars all the longer and more bitter. So … I should give Luna every possible opportunity to speak her mind freely now, yes? But how can I do that when she seems to show no interest in speaking whatsoever? Unfortunately for my appetite, the waiters are quite efficient in their work, and all of the nobleponies are soon served … before I’ve managed to finish even half my waffle, and the poor, delectable-looking trifle still remains entirely untouched. Now that breakfast is served, they’ll be expecting royal introductions, which will leave scant time for any further eating. I’ll have to remember to request this dish again from the chefs … later, when I can take the time to truly enjoy it. For now, I have expectations to fulfill. “Everypony, this is my long-lost sister, Princess Luna, who long ago used to rule by my side, equal in every way.” True … if only in theory. Now was time to put that into practice. “Though stories of her have passed into legend and myth, she has now returned, and I would see her fully welcomed and accepted, just as she once was in the past.” There, the light applause in response is a good sign. Time to get to the heart of the matter. “Please feel free to approach the head of the table and introduce yourselves to her. Since she has been gone for so long, she knows none of you, and I am certain she would be pleased to make your acquaintance.” That last part was very likely a lie. Luna does not look pleased at the prospect of meeting them. But, after all, polite society is built on a foundation of comforting little lies, is it not? Though I’d invited them to come in any order they pleased, that is not how Canterlot nobility operates. The pecking order immediately becomes apparent, with the highest-ranking and most insufferable of them, Prince Blueblood, at the very head of the line. “This is Prince Blueblood,” I say, well practiced in hiding any disdain. “A descendant of yours, actually. His many-times-great grandfather was Prince Bloodheart.” If the mention of her son from nearly two thousand years ago excited Luna, she certainly showed no sign of it. She greeted Blueblood with not a single word, only a polite nod. And then it was onto the next, and the next, and the next … all with quite similar results. It seems nothing can pique Luna’s interest or draw anything more than the slightest acknowledgement from her. She is just so withdrawn … how am I supposed to draw her out? The meal ends up being one of the least satisfying I have ever known … and not just because my waffle is cold and disappointing by the time all the introductions have finally concluded. I would trade a week’s worth of delicious breakfast delicacies in exchange for just a few more words from my sister. Throughout the entire proceeding, she has hardly said anything at all. How am I supposed to relate to her? How am I supposed to draw her out of this shell she’s confined herself in? Or is it I who have confined her? Or perhaps the Elements of Harmony? After a perfunctory speech thanking the nobles for their time and making excuse-filled apologies for how taciturn my sister was, the event is over. And now, I find myself heading back to my study, alone. I have much to think on. Despite my high hopes, the gap between us seems wider than ever. Perhaps even worse than it was before this morning. Despite how close we are – merely a few castle walls – Luna feels so distant that she might as well still be trapped on the moon. There must be something I can do… ☀️ ❇️❇️❇️❇️ 🌙 The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. For centuries, it was the center of all splendor in Equestria … now fallen into abject ruin. More a pile of rubble than anything else, and surrounded by a wild forest where ponies fear to tread. Until recently, it had been over nine hundred years since I last walked these castle grounds. And the last time I was here – to see what had become of my sister – I had come only in the early glow of a much-delayed morning, with quite a lot of other things on my mind, so I hadn’t exactly gotten much of a look at it. Even the royal staff do not know I’m here. They still think I’m in the middle of a desperately needed rest in my bed back in Canterlot Castle, not to be disturbed under any circumstances. If they had known I was coming here, they would have made an entire royal procession about it. If they had known that I secretly teleported out of my chambers and flew the rest of the way down into the heart of the Everfree Forest, they would have declared a national emergency. Commotion wouldn't suit the mood of this place. The huge, dead castle now rests in well-earned peace. It would be sacrilege now to disturb it more than dictated by utmost need. The cobblestones under my hooves have been broken and churned by the roots of mighty trees. What once had been a carefully manicured rose garden is now a dangerous wilderness. The grand and serene statues that once graced the garden now haunt it, their broken visages peering out from behind twisted tree limbs and poisonous vines. Of course I knew the old castle had fallen to ruin. The very reason I moved the seat of Equestria’s government away to Canterlot instead was because my desperate fight against Nightmare Moon had destroyed most of what my sister and I had built here. But, in my mind, I’ve always pictured it just as we left it, a smoldering, smoking ruin. The fires now are long gone, but a thousand years of being attacked by a forest full of wild magic have not been kind to what was left. Another casualty of my struggle against Nightmare Moon – with so much magic released against each other so carelessly, of course some of it would escape the bonds of will and become wild magic. Another reason I relocated to Canterlot. Though it is much calmer now than in centuries past, it will be centuries more before the Everfree Forest, formerly Everfree City, recovers enough to once again be safe for ponies to inhabit. Is what I seek even still here? Everything has changed so much. If not for centuries of muscle memory, I might not even be able to locate the old Throne Room. It would surely take modern pony archeologists days to find the old twin thrones, but I needn’t even look. If not for the encroaching overgrowth of dangerous plants, I could walk there with my eyes closed. Turn right from the garden, into the main entrance hall. Climb what’s left of the Grand Staircase. Then through the Memorial Hall. The great golden doors are no longer on their hinges, but despite their immense value, they remain strewn on the broken floor. With so much wild magic at play in the surrounding forest, it seems nopony has dared to loot the old castle… A good sign. Maybe the rumors of a curse on the old castle have some use after all. Perhaps what I seek really is still here. Had I wished to gaze once more upon the twin thrones of the royal pony sisters, I would be sorely disappointed. They were one of the first casualties of Nightmare Moon’s magic, both of them shattered as the black void consumed my sister, leaving behind only a crater in the stone, now filled with glossy-leafed ferns and sickly white flowers. But what I’m looking for is something she cast aside just before that moment, discarding it as if it no longer held any meaning for her. Perhaps it truly did mean nothing to her then. Perhaps it still means nothing to her, and this is naught but a fool’s errand. Well, then I shall be a fool. Carefully, I tread into the grasses and small thorny bushes behind where the thrones once stood. If this, however foolish, has even a miniscule chance of aiding my sister’s recovery and bringing her back to her former glory, then I must make the attempt. There! Beneath the matted leaves, half buried in fresh dirt and old crumbled stone, a small point of absolute darkness glimmers. A shard of Luna’s crown! Carefully, being sure not to scatter even the tiniest pieces of it, I use my magic to seek out all the fragments of the crown, clearing the undergrowth away from them, gradually pulling them one by one from the soil and rubble. The black crown is not in any way powerful or magical. It is merely a symbol, merely jewelry. Broken jewelry. I am still not sure quite what it was made of. Some sort of glittering black stone, dark as the darkest night sky, with a polished sheen at the edge that still toys with the light to this day. Some sort of obsidian, perhaps? Though I’ve never seen any quite so black and quite so perfectly smooth as this. Even when she first received it, the crown had been a mystery. These crowns were gifts to us, given by the ponies of old when they somehow decided that our ability to raise the sun and moon all by ourselves meant that we should rule. My own was simply gold set with a few gemstones, easy enough to understand, though still strikingly beautiful and a breathtakingly rich gift for the impoverished ponies of that day. Luna’s crown, though … even at the time, it was a mystery. Nopony told us how it was made or where it came from. Though smaller than my own, its beauty was mystifying and unique. Today, its origins have surely been forgotten entirely. Looking at the shards of it now, I almost suspect there is some subtle dark magic infused into these cold, sharp stones. Surely not. Both my sister and I are experts in magic, and if there was any magic acting upon this crown, surely one of us would have noticed sometime over the centuries she wore it. And yet… There. This seems to be all of it… But I will scour the ground here once more nonetheless, to be sure I’ve collected every last little piece. The royal artisans of Canterlot are superbly skilled, but will they be able to work with this mysterious black material? Certainly, they will be unable to replace any missing parts, so I must make every effort to ensure that there are no missing parts. It must be perfect. Author's Note This story is a commission for Miss Direction. If you'd like to get a commission of your own done, you can find out everything you need to know on my Commissions Page. And remember, SubscribeStar supporters get big discounts on commissions! You can also offer support – and get the same benefits – with Direct Support! No other accounts or other websites needed. All you need is a PayPal account or other way to send payments. BecomingUnexpectedly, Luna is already waiting here in the castle gardens with the head groundskeeper when I arrive late in the evening. I had thought she might be late as with the breakfast invitation, but it seems she has actually shown up substantially early this time… “I apologize for my tardiness,” I say, hoping to be as tactful as possible even though I am by no means actually late. “But duty must always come first, must it not?” That part is by no means misleading – I have spent all day in meetings with various nobles who have all wanted to know what the return of Equestria’s second princess means for their own personal affairs, and I have just come from one such meeting. Actually, at this point, a relaxing stroll through the castle gardens might be just as beneficial for me as for my sister. The flowers are so fragrant at night. This may just be the relaxation that both of us so dearly need. “It’s so nice to see you, Sister,” I say with my very gentlest smile. “I’m glad you could make it.” Luna looks away and nods timidly. So distant… I look up at the bright moon tonight. As far away as my sister seems right now, she might as well still be there. A traitorous part deep down inside me perhaps even misses that simpler time, when I didn’t seem quite so beset with unsolvable problems between Luna and me. Having her back now feels almost a punishment, when it should have been a joyous occasion. What should have been fanfare has become a dirge. What am I to do? Surely there must be some way to close the vast rift between us. It must be healed. Even though it suddenly seems woefully inadequate, I cannot think of any better course of action than to continue on with the night as planned. Perhaps at some point during this walk through the gardens, she will finally open up to me? Or at least I might be able to get more of a read on her and better understand what she needs from me. “Shall we go?” I ask. “I’m eager to show you what we’ve built here in the last thousand years.” Oops … perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned that thousand-year gap? Certainly not a pleasant memory for her. Better try to distract from it. “I think you’ll find these grounds to be every bit as grand as the old castle’s, perhaps even exceeding them. But I’m certain that our head groundskeeper, Delphinium, can explain them all better than I.” A glance is all it takes to get a hasty nod from him. “If you would, Your Highnesses, we can begin our tour in the herbalist’s garden…” Delphinium, despite his relatively high position among the castle staff, would seem to be nothing but an ordinary gardener at first glance. Brown coat, robust earth pony build, and perpetually with a bit of rich black dirt stuck to his hooves. But I know better. Though he truly does love to get his hooves dirty with actual gardening work, most of this is mere affectation. His role is strictly supervisory, and he spends the bulk of his working hours in a well-appointed office, not in a dirty garden bed. Still, I very well know that he didn’t begin his gardening career in that office, and after working in these gardens for decades, he knows them better than anypony in the world. There are no other ponies in the gardens tonight, not even the customary castle guard patrols – a detail I ensured just this afternoon. I saw how uncomfortable Luna looked around all those unfamiliar nobleponies, and I found it understandable. Perhaps things will be easier if it is only her, the groundskeeper, and me. Or… Perhaps not. I was sure Luna would be interested in the gardens. She always used to love strolling through them in the old Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. By all rights, this should be the perfect calming excursion for her. But it hardly seems so. Constantly, she’s looking over her shoulder to see if I’m watching. And any time I am, she immediately averts her gaze. Delphinium’s words seem lost on her, arousing no hint of interest. That said, I’ve become so preoccupied with my sister that I haven’t been paying any attention to him either. Poor pony. He doesn’t deserve this. I try to split my attention, at least a little. “This area is particularly dear to us gardeners,” Delphinium says. “Not for the flora, but for the fauna. Here, we house neglected, traumatized, or displaced animals from all over the continent, in a peaceful sanctuary where nothing can possibly harm them anymore.” I glance over to my sister. “Isn’t that wonderful, Luna?” Luna’s smile, which had been slowly growing, instantly fades. She looks down and away, and she gives only a slight nod. Was it something I said? Does she think of herself as an abused, neglected animal in need of sanctuary? Sanctuary from what? Luna still looks away. Even when a rare snowy owl flies directly across our path, she doesn’t even look up. Sighing, I shake my head. Something else, then? “Perhaps we should move on to the hedge maze?” I suggest. Delphinium winces away from Luna. “Ah, er … yes, of course, Your Highness. Right this way…” ☀️ ❇️❇️❇️ 🌙 Seeing the maze has, of course, taken quite some time. Not as much as it might have, thanks to Delphinium. Few ponies could navigate it without getting lost. Even I might have to resort to taking advantage of my wings and simply flying out if I were on my own. But Delphinium seems to know every turn and dead end perfectly, leading us on an unwavering tour of its many highlights. And yet… Luna still seems aloof, disinterested. Hadn’t she loved mazes, traps, and secret passages when helping me design the old castle? And yet here, she walks stiffly, head held low, her eyes scarcely glancing toward all of the clever details of maze design and construction Delphinium points out. She should be enraptured with all of this, her head buzzing with new ideas and suggestions to add to the maze … shouldn’t she? Or… Or what if I had only imagined her prior enthusiasm for such things? My memory of times so long ago is, unfortunately, imperfect. Hazy. I’m well aware of my own limitations, of my mind’s tendency to invent memories rather than admitting to being unable to recall them. Could Luna’s love of mischievous architecture and design be one such false memory? I had thought it was something we shared, but what if she had only been going along with it, following my lead, feigning enthusiasm in an attempt to mollify me? Would I have noticed the difference? I’d like to think I could now … but back then, when I was blind to her suffering? As we leave the maze and follow Delphinium toward the botanical greenhouses, I once again wonder if Luna is even here of her own accord. I stressed to the servants to convey the message as an optional invitation, but would it not be all too easy to see an ‘optional invitation’ from the beloved ruler of Equestria as not truly optional? It’s very possible that Luna is only here because she fears possible consequences for declining such an invitation. Does she truly trust me so little? And yet, given her experiences, can I blame her? She’s been through so much… What rankles me the most is that I cannot simply ask her. Or, rather, I can ask, but I cannot expect an honest answer. If she came of her own volition, she would surely say so … but if she came due to feelings of obligation and fear, she would also surely say it was of her own volition. Oh, how I long to actually be able to talk to my sister again! How is it that after her return, after all this time, I still cannot so much as hold a meaningful conversation with her? Even at night, the greenhouses are well lit, warm, and smell of fresh spring air. Truly a marvel, and with no small expenditure of magic to accomplish it. Despite their blatantly artificial nature, I often find them to be one of my favorite parts of the garden, particularly in winter, when the rest of it looks rather bleak. Luna actually seems to show a spark of interest as well, which is a blessing to see. Her head is a little higher, and she’s actually looking around, at least. “Nearly every known flower variety in Equestria is grown in these botanical greenhouses,” Delphinium says, “even the hazardous ones, so please do watch your step, Your Highnesses.” Quite abruptly, Luna stops near a cascade of purple-flowering vines. She holds up a hoof to touch one of the delicate petals. Delphinium is quick to notice. “Aha! Yes, those are a personal favorite of mine as well. Violet nightingales, as they’re commonly called, native only to a few islands off the coast of Southern Equestria, but stunningly beautiful. I imagine they hadn’t yet been discovered and cultivated in your time, Your Highness?” “Oh… Yes, of course.” Luna slowly lowers her hoof, looks away, and resumes walking down the center hall of the greenhouse. The corners of Delphinium’s eyes are pinched. The normally affable and sociable stallion looks up at me as if begging for help. Now that Luna is a few steps ahead of us and hopefully out of hearing, I can at least reassure him a little. “Don’t mind her,” I comfort him, “she has been through quite a lot lately, and she merely needs some time to recover.” I hope that’s true. “Is she…?” He glances worriedly in Luna’s direction, as if she might overhear him and curse him with dark magic. Is she … what? However Delphinium intended to conclude that question doesn’t matter. It still hangs around my heart like an anchor weighing me down. Is she … going to turn back into Nightmare Moon and terrorize us all again? Is she … even capable of interacting and conversing like a normal pony anymore? Is she … going to survive whatever it is she’s going through? Each question is as painful as the last… But the worst part is the fear in the groundskeeper’s eyes. He’s been through a lot – I should know – and yet it’s clear that he finds my sister at the very least unsettling, if not outright terrifying. How will the rest of the ponies in Equestria see her, after centuries of spooking each other with tales about Nightmare Moon, each more sordid than the last? I had thought such fantastical terrors would soon be put to rest by seeing my bright, cheerful sister once again in the public eye. The Luna I once knew was so innocent, so adorable; nopony could fear her once they met her. But this Luna… This quiet, reserved, brooding Luna… If even a pony as stalwart as Delphinium could fear her, then what hope is there for everypony else? And being thus feared would certainly not improve Luna’s mood or outlook on life. Is she already doomed to a downward spiral? Is there no means of escape? As we exit the greenhouses, I resolve anew that no matter what, I will not fear her. Nor will I mistrust her. I know the Elements purged every last remnant of darkness from her heart. I must put my faith in time, love, and acceptance to heal the wound that separates us. “And that just about does it,” Delphinium states, back at the entrance to the gardens. His eyes are entirely on me, avoiding my sister. “For a quick overview, anyway, that is. I’d surely be pleased to show you anything in particular you’d like to see in much more detail, Princess…” He glances toward Luna as well, “Either of you, that is.” He seems relieved when he can look back toward me. “You’re both of course more than welcome here at any time, and don’t hesitate to ask for me if there’s anything more you’d like to know, or anything you’d like to see changed.” I glance over at Luna, hoping to goad her into saying something at least. It’s quite ineffective. All it managed to get out of her was a timid nod of acknowledgement. “Thank you, Delphinium,” I finally say, unwilling to stretch the moment out any further. “I’m sure we shall both be back on many occasions. For now, though, perhaps it’s time to rest.” “Yes, thank you.” Luna dips her head, in something between a nod and a bow. And then, just for one invaluable moment, she actually looks up at me. Our eyes meet. There’s an inscrutable depth to her gaze – hints of something there. Not resentment or loathing; maybe something softer, something like wistful desire? But before I can say anything, she looks away again. Her wings flare, and she sets off into the night. Perhaps on her way back to her quarters in the highest tower, perhaps some mysterious elsewhere. And I’m left there, standing next to Delphinium and wondering if the night’s excursion has actually accomplished anything at all, or if perhaps this might be the wrong approach altogether. ☀️ ❇️❇️ 🌙 A week later, and I have yet to summon Luna again. Surely she is capable of emerging from her quarters on her own, for her own reasons? As much as I may want to encourage her, that may only be counterproductive if she sees it as a fearful obligation, rather than a polite invitation. I want to make it clear that it’s her choice … but in order to do that, she must make the choice. But it cannot be good for her to leave her brooding in those dark rooms for so long… For now, though, there is another matter: five of the castle’s finest artisans, nervously waiting in front of my throne with a small golden box held in their foreman’s magic. A couple of them glance nervously toward the empty throne next to mine. I already had this second throne constructed and placed next to my own, but my sister has not yet sat in it. Nor, to my knowledge, even seen it. She has, after all, never actually been in this throne room as far as I know. Hopefully, soon, that may change. Hiding these thoughts, I smile benevolently down at these craftsponies. “Good news, I hope?” The lead artisan, a tall and slender unicorn with a flowing golden mane, bows low in front of me, the rest of them quickly following. “As you predicted, we were unable to identify the material used, and thus, we haven’t been able to restore it perfectly to its original condition. However, we’ve found it to be amenable to platinum sintering, and we hope that you’ll be pleased with the results.” Looking back up, he uses his magic to float the box nearer to me. But it isn’t me who needs to be impressed by it. This is for my sister, after all. Hopefully they’ve remembered that in their work. I can only imagine what a mess they might have caused if they tried to force it into a copy of my own crown instead… Well, no sense in worrying about that. Time to open this box. Taking it into my own magical grip, I bring it even closer and open the lid. Nestled in dark blue velvet lies Luna’s pitch black crown, its shape perfectly restored, and its glittering sheen as impressive and mysterious as ever. Now, though, shining silver lines run here and there throughout it, criss-crossing over its surface, almost like… Like constellations among the stars. The realization takes my breath away. Was this the artisans’ intention? If anything, the crown is now more beautiful and intricate than ever before, rewarding close examination with ever more shining, glittering detail. “It’s…” I glance up at the artisans, who gaze back up at me, clearly hanging on my every word. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, thank you all. I could not have asked for better.” “Our pleasure to serve,” he says with another bow. “Um… Your Highness?” another of the artisans says, a dark red mare. “Hush!” the foreman tells her. “I told you, don’t speak unless you’re spoken to!” “It’s quite alright,” I assure him. Even without already being in high spirits from the exquisite craftsmanship of their work, I always make an effort to be approachable to my little ponies. “Please, continue, ah… What might your name be?” “Ruby Gleam, Your Highness.” Closing the box and setting it down beside my throne, I smile to her, hoping to appear as unintimidating as possible. “Is there something you wanted to ask of me, Ruby Gleam?” She casts one nervous glance toward her superior before looking back up at me. “Um, Ma’am … does this … does this mean there will be a coronation soon?” I can only hope. But I dare not say anything in answer, lest the rumors fly wild. Only a slow and enigmatic smile, a well-practiced gesture. But within … within, I am screaming. How desperately I want an answer to that very same question! It seems like ages now since my sister returned, and it still remains a mystery whether she shall ever recover from her ordeal and once again take her rightful place by my side. The Luna I have seen since her return would hate being subjected to a coronation ceremony. I’m certain she would attend it, at least, but would it not be abject torture for her, in the state she’s in? But what’s the alternative? How can I bring this up with her at all? What if she merely accepts the crown, nods, and walks away without a single word? What if she shuns the royal responsibility entirely? Well, in that case, she would still be my sister. Princess or not, it’s the pony underneath the crown who truly matters. I will respect her decisions, and I will continue to aid her recovery. Hopefully, in the right moment, this rebuilt crown will help with that. It’s best for now that the crown remain entirely secret, though, until I find just the right way to introduce Luna to it. To that end, I stand up before the artisans, coming closer to them. “Thank you, once again, for your exquisite work. However, I do have one more request.” I look each of them in the eye, especially Ruby Gleam. “Please keep any news of this to yourselves for now. It must be kept secret until the time is right.” Under the deluge of the artisan’s fervent promises, I silently wonder if this is the right decision … and whether reviving this old crown has even been a good idea to begin with. Author's Note This story is a commission for Miss Direction. If you'd like to get a commission of your own done, you can find out everything you need to know on my Commissions Page. And remember, SubscribeStar supporters get big discounts on commissions! You can also offer support – and get the same benefits – with Direct Support! No other accounts or other websites needed. All you need is a PayPal account or other way to send payments. WholeIt was more than five days later before I again saw my sister. I hadn’t sent her any direct invitations, lest she misinterpret them as mandatory summons. And apparently, unfortunately … that seemed to mean that she would no longer be leaving her chambers for any reason. After two days of not seeing her, however, I had made it known that she was welcome to join me for my midmorning tea, any day she liked. That was an open-ended invitation and couldn't be seen as an order, given that it specified no particular date. Or at least that was my theory. Whether Luna sees it that way is anypony’s guess. By this point, I’ve given up on that working. Perhaps she won't come out unless she thinks she’s directly told to do so? It’s a discouraging thought, but the longer she waits, the more I favor that solution. However, the situation is not as dire as that, it seems. To my utter shock, when I come to sit down at my favorite sunny nook by the kitchens and enjoy my tea, Luna is already there, waiting for me, looking at me over the sunny little table. For a moment, I merely stand there, rather stunned. Had I lacked my many centuries of practice, my magic might have faltered, leaving the floating teacup and saucer in front of me to plummet to the marble floor. As it is, though, I manage to keep my composure and poise, as ever. Only my pause and hesitation betray the shock I feel to see that Luna had finally voluntarily come to see me. It’s … it’s wonderful! My first impulse is to run to her, to embrace her. But I subdue myself. Luna might not be ready for that just yet. I musn’t scare her off now, after she’s only just mustered this courage. Instead, a more restrained welcome is in order. “Luna! It’s wonderful to see you again.” Luna glances away. Have I done wrong? Have I called undue attention to her days of solitude? There’s nothing for it but to press on. I notice that the table before her lies utterly bare. “Did Copper Kettle not offer you anything? Let me just make a quick trip back to the kitchen. They have everything you could possibly want and more that you’ve never tried.” What was it that Luna liked best? Blast! It was so long ago. White tea, wasn't it? And from some particular region of early Equestria, but however much I shuffle through the dusty memories in my head, I can’t recall the name of it, always just on the verge, but never quite there… Luna’s looking up at me again. Ah… Forget it, suggest something else. She’s still keeping to her customary nocturnal schedule, isn't she? “If you’re heading to bed soon, perhaps something herbal? Copper Kettle’s specialty is a lovely subtle blend of cinnamon, apple, and peppermint. You simply must try it.” She looks down. “No thank you.” “It would be no trouble at all, just a moment and I’ll—” When she looks back up, I stop instantly. “That is not what I came for. I actually came to…” For a long moment, Luna hesitates. “Nevermind. Perhaps now is not the time.” It’s already more than I’ve heard her say for a thousand years. I can’t let her stop – not now, when she’s so close! Quickly, I come over and sit down next to her. “For you, Sister, I have all the time in the world.” It’s literally true, after all. “And if you’re not in the mood for tea, I won’t force you. I just…” Would it be too much to say it? Oh, but I can’t hold it in! “I miss you, Luna. I lost you for a thousand years, and I’d hate to lose you again, even for a minute. If all you want is to sit with me, I ask for nothing more.” “Thank you … Sister.” She glances up at me. A slight smile – I saw it! Then … silence. Silence again. Luna looks away, studiously unmoving. Inscrutable. Distant. For a moment, I had her back. Only to so very quickly lose her again. But is this so bad? Perhaps I should just sit here in peace with my sister. That might be enough. It’s far more than I’ve had for a thousand years now. If she wants to venture outside the ramparts of silence she has built around herself, that would be wonderful. If she’d rather sit in silence, I can accommodate that as well. No need to rush her. No need to pressure. It might be that she would enjoy my quiet company as much as I enjoy hers. A silence is only awkward if one makes it so. With a slight nod and a sip of my – quite delightful – tea, I resolve to sit here quietly with Luna as long as she allows me, and for now I am content. Is it so bad, after all, to simply sit back and remember the good times I’ve had with my sister? Happier times, when we…? It’s all so long ago now, isn’t it? My memories are faded, blurred, and muddled together. I can’t quite tease them apart into discrete, concrete moments in my mind, no more than I can grasp smoke between my hooves. I remember sunshine, laughter, my beloved sister running and playing when we were merely foals… But wait, was that before we ascended to be alicorns, or after? Where exactly did it happen? Or did it happen at all? I’m well aware that the mind invents memories to fill any vacant holes, and I am certainly no exception to it. There were times, in the last few hundred years, when I questioned whether I’d ever actually had a sister in the first place … or if she might have been an imaginary friend from my foalhood years. But no. I mustn’t get too distracted with what was, or what might have been. My sister is here, in the flesh, as real as the seat below me, as real as the tea on the table in front of me. I look back up at her and smile. Old memories seem irrelevant now that I have an opportunity to make new ones. The memories are merely ghosts, shadows of the real sister before me now. Can I admit to myself that I have forgotten so much about Luna? Perhaps the distance that now separates us isn’t hers alone. In some ways, it’s almost as if I’m only just now getting to know her for the very first time. Perhaps that’s exactly the admission she’s been waiting for. I take another sip, bracing myself for just how badly this might go. “I must admit … my memory isn’t what it once was. I’m afraid I may have lost much of what I once knew of you. I wish I could remember more of the good times we shared, so long ago.” She glances up at me, and I think I can see an openness in her eyes. An encouraging sign. Perhaps it’s time to press my luck? “But I’m going to love making new memories with you by my side. Once you’re…” Hm… How to put it delicately? How to ensure it doesn’t insult her? “Once you’re feeling up to it.” Luna takes a deep breath and sits more upright. She looks straight toward me. “Sister, I need to tell you. I…” She glances away, deflating again. “There’s no rush,” I assure her. “Take all the time you need. Perhaps if you join me for tea tomorrow, we could—” “No.” Though quiet, the force of the word sends a shock through me. Oh no… I have done something wrong, haven’t I? I should have just sat here with her, keeping my mouth shut. I should have just enjoyed that when I had the chance. Why do I always have to push her like this? She shakes her head slightly. “No… this must be said. I must say this.” For a long moment, Luna is silent once more. Though she stares intensely down at the table, her wings ruffling and her tail flicking behind her. Though I have resolved to never again fear her, I fear what damage her words might do to our already-fragile relationship. Luna looks up at me, her aqua-blue eyes nonetheless fiery. “You may not remember it, but I do. I remember everything.” Shouldn’t that be … a good thing? Not judging by the look on her face. Not hateful, no, but there’s certainly something there. Not the Nightmare, no, but still a hint of darkness. Patiently, I wait, not even a sip of tea, as lovely as that might have been. This is difficult for her to say, and I should wait for it. She deserves at least that from me, among much more... “I remember everything,” Luna repeats quietly, staring down at the table. Almost a whisper. “I can still remember the way it felt. All those years in the shadows, in your shadow. I … I know it isn’t your fault. I know that now. But knowing it wasn’t your fault doesn’t change how it felt. It doesn’t change how it feels.” Oh no… I don’t know whether to be hopeful or terrified for her. This could be the mending of our relationship … or the end of it, and I feel as if I have no control over which way that might go. What can I say? I know I mustn’t say anything. I mustn’t interrupt her. One way or another, she needs this. She looks back up again, and I see tears in the corners of her eyes. “I … perhaps foolishly … I longed for just a single moment in the spotlight for myself. But it never came. I was only ever seen if I was seen with you. A moon with no light of my own – merely reflecting the light of the sun. I could only ever be acknowledged as the other Princess, as the other Sister, as the other pony by your side. Every time they deferred to you first, heeded your words while ignoring mine, loved you more than me… Every time it happened, it was like a little piece of me was eaten away, one bitter little nibble at a time. Until there was nothing left… nothing but hate.” She closes her eyes tight and breathes a deep sigh. “I’m sorry, Sister. I’m so sorry for what happened. For what I did.” Oh how I wish to hold her! But that might be going too far, perhaps she isn’t quite ready yet. But still, I can’t allow her to wallow uncomforted like this. I shake my head. “No, Luna. It is I who should apologize. My blindness and neglect inflicted this festering wound to begin with.” I move toward her along the bench seat, feeling the time might finally be right to embrace her… but Luna holds out a hoof, pushing me away, preventing me from coming closer. I back away. “No,” Luna says, shaking her head almost violently. “No, you don’t understand. You don’t understand who I was … who I am. It felt good to lash out at you, Sister. I know it was wrong, I knew it was wrong at the time, but it felt so good to finally give voice to the bitterness inside. It was the first time in hundreds of years I had felt pleasure, satisfaction. The maniacal grin of that … that monster I became is the only genuine smile I’ve had in … in … as long as I can remember.” She sighs and slumps down against the table. “I … I hated you, Sister. And it felt good to hate you. It was the only joy in my life.” I wince at what my neglect had caused. “And … now?” Her face still against the table, Luna turns her teary eyes up at me. “Sister… Why am I here?” “Of course you’re here. You’re—” The look she gives me shuts me up instantly. There’s so much pain in her eyes. “When I saw the Elements of Harmony light up around you, I thought that would be the end of me. I thought they would turn me to stone forever, as they did to our enemies in the past. And I knew, in that moment, I deserved such a fate, after everything I had done, what I was still trying to do.” She raises herself up. “But their magic spared me. Why? It shouldn’t have. It should have ended then. It should have all been over.” “Luna…” “But instead, I brooded and rotted on the moon for a thousand years. And when I came back … when I came back, I did it all again. And once again, the force of the Elements came against me, once again, I thought I’d met my well-deserved end.” “You do not deserve to die, Luna.” “But now I’m here again. With my sister. And I don’t know how to put the pieces of me back together. The Elements purged the bitterness of envy from me. They burned away a thousand years of hatred.” She shakes her head, squinting her eyes shut. “It was so much a part of me, so much of myself devoted to it. It was like a rose’s thorns wrapped around my heart, but no matter how much it hurt to hold on, I couldn’t let it go, because then I wouldn’t have it anymore and I’d be nothing again… Now it’s gone. Forever.” Luna pauses. “But the shadow of it remains, and I feel its absence. The Elements scorched the hate from my soul. But they haven’t healed the wounds those thorns left behind. Not in me, and not in others. I don’t know how to go back. I don’t know if I can go back. What if I’m destined to only ever be a nightmare – that Nightmare? What if that’s all I can ever truly be?” It seems almost impossible to me. How different these words sound than the last time I’d heard my sister speak. These defeated, self-denigrating whispers are such worlds apart from the vengeful vows of the Nightmare. And yet, neither one seems capable of love. And all of it is my fault. “I’m … I’m trying to heal. But how do I let go? Everypony wants to act like it never happened, but it did happen. It was real.” She shakes her head. “Do I even deserve to get better? How can I ever make up for something so unforgivable?” For a long moment, I’m silent. How can I respond to that? And what if she has more to say? But as her pleading eyes look up at me, I know I must to say something … even if nothing in my long, long life had ever prepared me for a moment like this. I give her a firm gaze. “You can try. One small step at a time. Only do your best – nopony can ask for more.” “What madness is this? It was – no. Not in a thousand years could I ever atone for what I did. I was one of the worst evils ever to befall—” “We have all the time in the world, Luna. And we have each other.” My raised hoof blocks all further protest. “After all this time apart, we can finally be sisters again. We can fly together in the cool night sky, we can bask together in the sunlit fields, we can spend time together like we should have all those years ago.” Moving closer, I took her forehooves and held them in mine. “I will not let our past mar the joy of your return.” Luna looks down and away, shaking her head slightly. I reach out and, with a gentle touch, turn her back toward me. “Let go of the past with me. Don’t let it ruin today. Don’t let it ruin tomorrow. And don't let it ruin us.” Luna gives a slight smile, a slight nod … and for the first time in literal ages, I see hope in my sister’s eyes once more. ☀️ ❇️ 🌙 After a tear-filled hug, Luna had finally admitted to very much needing sleep. She had kept her nocturnal schedule after all. And thus, I did not see her again until sunset. For nearly a thousand years, I had come alone to this highest balcony in Canterlot Castle to work my magic, to do what ponies have grown to nearly worship me for. Even after Luna’s return, she lowered the moon on her own, privately. Both of us, of course, can do this from anywhere, drawing on our innate connections to the celestial elements. But I have always preferred to do so here, in a private tower where I would never be interrupted, so high and so close to the sky I feel like I can touch it. Of course, in some ways, I can. It is my solitary duty, my time to reflect alone. But not this evening. This evening, I am not alone. I look over at my sister, scarcely able to breathe from the swell of pride in my chest. Look at her! So regal, so poised. I can almost believe already that she’s fully recovered and whole again. Perhaps she’s only putting a brave face over inner turmoil, but her face is brave nonetheless. “It’s time,” I say. “Shall we?” Luna takes a deep breath and nods. And for the first time in a little more than a thousand years, I do not raise the moon in the evening. I need only concern myself with lying my tempestuous sun calmly down to bed, which seems nearly effortless now that I no longer need to split my attention and my power. At my side, Luna’s own magic comes to life, raising the moon herself. The deep oranges of sunset fade into purple, and then into the silver glow of the moon. Luna never looked quite so beautiful as when seen under a fresh moonrise. How many times in the past had I ignored the sight, numb to it after centuries? The way the moonlight glimmered in her aqua-blue eyes, the way it played in graceful shimmers along her mane, the way her coat seemed to drink in the darkness and refine it into the deepest possible blue… She is truly in her element, and an under-appreciated element at that. And yet, I cannot tell her. What if she takes it the wrong way? What if she thinks it condescending? I know I mustn’t ruin this perfect moment. Thankfully, I have another way to tell her. “Luna?” I ask. “Yes, Sister?” “I… I have something for you. If you could wait here just a moment.” She pauses, then gave a slight nod. In a rush, I hurry through the balcony’s doorway, down the hall, and to the right, into my personal quarters. And I find that small golden box once more. Though I suppose there’s no need for such haste, I nonetheless rush back. Luna should not have to wait any longer for this. Luna peers apprehensively at the box as I approach – as I try to inconspicuously catch my breath. She looks back up at me. “What … what is this?” I know what waits inside will need no explanation, so I merely use my magic to open the box and hold it up for her to see. Her eyes go wide, reflecting the sparkles from inside the box. “This … this is…” “I asked the palace jewelers to repair it as well as they could. And, well, I … I truly hope you enjoy the new lines of platinum running through it. They remind me of…” “Constellations,” we whisper in unison. “It’s like looking at a map of the constellations. Sister, this is… This is incredible! I thought it destroyed! I thought it lost forever.” “As did we all.” I give her a gentle smile. “But what is gone need not be gone forever if it can be made whole once more.” For a long, long moment Luna stares at her crown. When she finally looks back up at me, there are tears in her eyes. “I … I cannot accept this.” I close the box. “I know.” “You know…?” “I do. But I want you to know that it’s here for you. It’s here when you’re ready.” I lean in and nuzzle her slightly. “As am I.” Author's Note This story is a commission for Miss Direction. If you'd like to get a commission of your own done, you can find out everything you need to know on my Commissions Page. And remember, SubscribeStar supporters get big discounts on commissions! You can also offer support – and get the same benefits – with Direct Support! 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FragmentsI hold my hoof up to knock on my sister’s door, just for a moment … but then think better of it. Scarcely more than one day has passed since Twilight and her new friends vanquished Nightmare Moon and returned my sister, my dear sister, Luna to me. Only yesterday, this ‘Royal Guest Suite’ had been a mostly-forgotten mystery to all other residents of Canterlot Castle. Before last night, nopony had ever slept in these rooms. Few have ever been inside them at all, save for the hastily summoned cleaning staff to come in and thoroughly dust everything off yesterday evening. Few now remember that their vaunted Princess once had a sister, and until now, nopony had realized that this special suite was built in the new castle specifically in the desperate hope that I might someday have a sister once more. Despite the jubilance of the celebration in Ponyville, the chariot ride back to Canterlot had mostly passed in awkward silence. It was only then, during the trip, that I noticed it had been everypony else at Pinkie Pie’s party in Ponyville who’d done all the talking. Luna said scarcely a word the entire time. “You’re going to love Canterlot,” I’d told her during that chariot ride, though now I have my doubts as to the truth of it. I had only desired to spark a conversation. “It’s built on top of a soaring mountain, and when you stand atop the high towers, you feel closer to the sky there than nearly anywhere else!” Luna had looked at me, and merely nodded. A spark of hope glimmered in her eyes, yes, but was soon quashed. She seemed almost … afraid? But there is nothing to be feared in Canterlot, certainly. And now I find myself staring at the door to my sister’s suite, in my own castle, not knocking. Perhaps there is something to fear in Canterlot after all? It’s silly. Ridiculous, even. Why should I hesitate to visit my dear sister, now reunited after so long apart? And yet … doubt gnaws at me, a pernicious and binding pinch of worry. For the first time in centuries, I find myself unsure of how to proceed. I last knew Luna a millennium ago, and I’ve spent the last thousand years maturing on my own without her. She even looks different now – not the way she looked just before becoming Nightmare Moon, but like a much younger version of herself. She looked much the same as when she’d only just ascended to become an alicorn. Could the Elements have erased more than just the Nightmare from her? What if they had taken centuries of her life as well? Perhaps I should allow Luna some space, some time to recover from the effects of the Elements. How traumatic it must have been, to be blasted not once, but twice by the most powerful magic known to pony-kind? Was it painful? How could it not be? The Nightmare had taken hold of her – it was part of her. Are we not shaped by our experiences, both positive and negative, even one’s darkest thoughts? The Elements must have ripped all of that away, and none too gently. How must it feel, to be missing a part of oneself? I know that well, actually, now that I think about it. Have I not felt the same, when I had to send my sister to the moon? When she was ripped away from me, it took me years to recover … if I ever truly did. So, surely, I should give Luna more than a single day… And yet… The last time, I waited too long to approach her, too long to ask her about her feelings. Can I afford to make the same mistake again? That look of fear in Luna’s eyes, the fear that smothers hope… Staring at her door, I suddenly see it as clearly as if she is right next to me once more. Could she fear … me? The elder sister, towering over her, who outshone her at every turn for so long that bitterness devoured her heart. The elder sister who neglected her for ages before, eyes burning with tears and rage, unleashing the Elements of Harmony upon her and locking her away for a thousand years. What if attempting to talk to her might make things worse? The very first moment I saw her, after the Nightmare had been banished… That frightened gasp, the panic in her eyes at the mere sound of my voice, no matter how gentle. Yes, she certainly feared me then, as she lay amidst the crumbling remains of Nightmare’s armor, the evidence of her crimes, lying all around her. What had she thought might happen in that moment? Did she think I would banish her once more? Or worse? No. I need time to think. Luna needs time to recover. After irresolutely standing before her door for heavens only know how long, I resolutely turn and walk away, back down the hall to my own suite. For better or for worse, the decision has been made. I have much to arrange now, after all. Though I know it not, just on the other side of her door, Luna turns away as well … keenly aware of my presence, and of my choice. ☀️ ❇️❇️❇️❇️❇️ 🌙 Instead, one day later, I’ve decided on a more subtle, more diplomatic approach. It seems to me the best way – a balance between being sensitive to my sister and seeking to involve her, but also not forcing myself on her when she still might be frightened of my mere presence. I’ve sent a missive, by way of the royal servants, formally inviting Luna to a presentation breakfast, a welcoming ceremony of sorts to introduce her to the nobility of Canterlot, to ensure that they know she has indeed returned. And now I wait, seated at the head of the table in the Formal Dining Hall, every seat full of eager nobleponies, save for one: the seat directly to my right. Trim Tables, ever the one to concern himself over the ‘extraordinarily busy’ schedules of the nobles, steps up discreetly to my side. “Are you certain that your sister will be in attendance this morning, Your Highness?” “Not at all,” I reply honestly, keeping my face as serene and neutral as ever. A few among the nobility are vicious and cannot be allowed to see any sign of weakness. Mercifully few, but a few nonetheless. “Oh, they’re not going to like that…” Trim shakes his head. “Perhaps I could find some alternate way to assuage them and make them feel that their precious time hasn’t been wasted? We could move up your scheduled discussion of tax rates. Most of the ponies scheduled to attend are already present here, and if we—” It isn’t like Trim Tables to be suddenly silenced like that. Something must have truly shocked him. I glance back toward the doorway, and I find… Luna. My heart breaks all over again, just seeing her. She looks so small now, so alone, as she hesitantly steps through the large gilded doorway into the Formal Dining Hall. Perhaps I should not have made the design of our new castle quite so imposing… But she came – she truly came! To be darkly honest, I have found myself having doubts ever since she disappeared into her chambers. Had my sister truly returned? Or had I – as seems far more likely – worked myself up into some sort of fever dream enough to convince myself that she had been redeemed, that the faults of our past had been healed, no more than fantasies brought to life by a guilty conscience? And yet, here she was! Truly, right in front of me and everypony in the hall. Living proof that I am not yet a madmare. Living proof that my past choices are not irredeemable. “Luna…” Despite long centuries of practice in keeping my bearingsbearing, there is a quiver to my voice as I say her name. “Welcome. I’m glad you could make it. Please, have a seat.” I gesture toward the chair next to mine, every bit as opulent as my own, but finished in blue, rather than red. “We were just about to begin.” A little grumbling rises from the nobles about that. Grumbling which makes Luna wince as she slowly and self-consciously steps behind them all, making her way to her seat. A flash of anger burns through me for a moment. How dare they? Can they not see the state she’s in?Do they not care for her in the slightest? With a long-practiced deep breath, I banish the feelings of anger from my body. Acknowledge them, feel them, and let them flow away, far away. Such feelings rarely prove useful, and are more often a hindrance. Especially when trying to reintroduce a pony who seems as fragile as Luna does now. It is a welcome surprise to see her here at all. Could this be a sign that she is healing? I had feared that my sister might end up as a recluse, never venturing out of her chambers. Since arriving at the castle, the only indication of her presence has been that I no longer need to lower the moon. Luna has not been raising it, only lowering it. Curious… Is it because she fears overstepping her bounds again, or is it some sort of deference? I would love for her to take on her former duties fully, but I mustn’t press her before she’s ready. Still, it’s a marvel to see her at all. A part of me can still hardly believe she’s actually, truly back. It’s as if everything that has happened might have been only a pleasant dream, and I’m constantly in fear of waking from it. And yet, here she is, now standing almost at my side. She hesitates, glancing at the only empty seat … and she takes a small step backward. “Please,” I say, trying to sound as anodyne as possible, “have a seat here with me. The nobility of Canterlot is eager to meet you, Sister.” Well, at least they’re certainly eager to get on with this and get back to whatever keeps them busy all day. Near enough to the truth. Luna looks at me and forces a smile. No reply, only a hurried nod before she rushes into the seat as if she hopes to be hidden from view there. Far from it. Throughout the entire Formal Dining Hall, every eye is on her. Even I am guilty of that. All these nobles are seeing Equestria’s other princess for the very first time, and none of them seem quite sure how to react. Even the serving staff stand speechless. That won’t do. It’s only making Luna feel even more uncomfortable! Quickly, I turn back to Trim Tables and attract his attention with a subtle gesture. “Everypony is here,” I whisper. Thankfully, he takes the implication perfectly and hurries away toward the rear entrance. Breakfast can finally be served, and I know he’ll see to it. And now I can turn my attention back to Luna. She’s wilting under the curious gaze of all the nobleponies, her eyes darting from one to another as if wondering which one might strike her first. Ah … she can’t possibly know who any of them are, can she? Every single one of them was born long after she was sent to the moon, and all the ones she knew then are now… Oh. Oh… Could that be part of why Luna is so upset? Except for myself, every last pony Luna ever knew is now gone. As alicorns, both of us were always used to outliving our friends and even our lovers, all lost to the ravages of time, but they would always be lost one by one, replaced by new friendships and new love. But to lose all of them at once… She would feel almost completely alone, wouldn't she? How can she stand it? Truly, my sister is stronger at heart and more resilient in spirit than I have ever imagined. But enough brooding! We’re here for a purpose, after all. As soon as I stand up, the room’s attention focuses back on me. Oh how easily Luna is ignored in favor of me yet again… This event is for her, however, so I can easily give back the stolen attention. “Welcome, everypony,” I proclaim, “it is my great pleasure this morning to introduce my long-lost sister, Princess Luna, now returned from the darkness which stole her from me so long ago. Now that we’re together once more, everypony has an opportunity to make new introductions and offer her a fresh start, with all the love and support in Equestria.” Gentle applause. Ah, good. Things are going well, and at least I haven’t lost my touch. As I glance down to Luna, however, things don’t seem to be going quite as well. She’s looking down at her own hooves, her lips pursed tightly. Hm… What could be wrong with that? Should I have let her speak first? She’s shown no indication of wanting to speak, and somepony had to say something… Before I can elaborate further or begin the long line of introductions, the castle’s Head Chef, Perfect Pinch, wheels a covered cart into the dining hall, followed by a small army of waiters with carts of their own. Ah, a welcome distraction. Moving as if I planned this timing exactly, I sit back down next to my sister. Perfect Pinch’s accent is thick, but his enunciation is impeccable: “Greetings, everyone! Today’s breakfast is Griffonian-style waffles with a blueberry glaze and a cherry-almond cream cheese trifle.” Disappointingly, the waiters rush to serve me first, and it takes quite a bit of subtle gesturing and throat-clearing to get them to serve the guest of honor, Luna, first instead. Once again, I’ve ended up stealing her spotlight without even trying. Not an auspicious start. This event is supposed to be entirely in Luna’s honor. And even if it wasn't, aren’t the two of us supposed to be treated as equals? Why do the serving staff continue to give preferential treatment to me, rather than her? I make a mental note to have a word with them about it… Once my sister and then myself are both served, it’s finally time to eat. Both Luna and I are certain to be quite busy with introductions, so we might not get much of a chance except for now, as the waiters are busy distributing plates to everypony else in attendance. The waffles are, of course, excellent. Somehow perfectly crispy and warm, despite the long delay, with a perfect buttery-sweet flavor nicely balanced by the tangy-tart blueberry glaze. I can hardly wait to try the trifle! Of all the perks of being royalty, the food is the only one I think I couldn't do without. Scarcely pausing my thinly veiled gluttony to do so, I glance over at Luna. “This is one of my favorites. These thick Griffonian-style waffles are just so much heartier and more satisfying than the Equestrian type, don’t you agree?” “... Waffles?” Luna hasn’t eaten any of it yet. She’s merely poking at it with her levitated fork. Oh dear… Were waffles only invented in the past thousand years? I can’t quite recall. I’ll have to stop eating for a moment to explain. “Right, well … do you remember how some ponies used to cook flatcakes between iron plates? Well, sometime later, they began imprinting designs on those irons, merely decorative at first, but as the designs became deeper and more elaborate, ponies very much started to prefer their flatcakes like this – not so flat anymore. And eventually, that developed into a deep grid that gives it a wonderful and delicious crispy texture with lots of surface area to coat with more delicious things. Go on, try it. I’m sure you’ll love it.” Still eyeing her waffle with a dubious squint, Luna carefully cuts out a section with her fork and tries it. Instantly her eyes light up with joy. She turns to me, smiling wide despite her full mouth … and then retreats back into herself just as quickly. She looks away, hangs her head low. “Is it to your liking, Sister?” A tiny, almost imperceptible nod. She’s just pushing it around on her plate with her fork now. Come on! I saw her, just for a moment: the sister I remembered! How could she have come and gone so quickly? I have to try and keep her engaged! “What makes Griffonian waffles so special is that the indentations are much deeper than usual, and the batter is a little less sweet than Equestrian ones. I think that combines to make the waffle not just a treat, but a truly satisfying meal, wouldn't you say?” “Ah… Yes?” She’s still mostly just pushing things around. At least she does take one more small bite … but no intense reaction now. It’s as if she’s afraid to be seen so much as looking at me. Oh, right. I’ll have to catch her up on some history as well. “Also, by the way, we made peace with the griffons about seven hundred years ago. And the dragons as well … as much as it’s possible to be at peace with dragons.” “Oh…” Luna takes another small bite, still not even looking at me. Momentarily accepting defeat, I return to my own waffle, no longer enjoying the flavor quite so much. What can I even talk about with a pony so profoundly ignorant of current events and modern society? And I must be cautious, avoiding anything that might embarrass her or make her feel even more isolated. My conversation thus far probably hasn’t helped in that matter. When Luna was last in Equestria, the centuries were punctuated by bitter on-again-off-again wars between Equestria and the Griffons. What must it be like to come from a world like that into one that’s now so different? I’m also in severe danger of domineering the conversation. Again. Now as it ever was. I had always dominated conversations back when we were younger, always loud and bold and ready to take charge … while overshadowing my quieter sister and seldom even allowing her to get a word in. I can remember one instance quite clearly, and with deep regret in hindsight. The two of us were in a diplomatic meeting with Yakyakistan, hoping to negotiate a mutual defense pact that could help protect both kingdoms from Griffon raids. Over and over, I reiterated to their prince that both of us had much to gain from this. Over and over, I highlighted how Equestria’s numerical superiority and use of magic could protect Yakyakistan. Over and over, I ignored what Luna was trying to whisper to me from the side. Luna had been trying to tell me that the yaks were a proud people, resentful of any implication that they might ever need help of any kind. That we should instead stress how much ponies needed the strength and resilience of the yaks. It was a negotiation tactic that likely would have worked. But I hadn’t listened, not even for a moment. I’d been too busy talking to the yaks to listen to my sister, and she’d been too demure to insist. In the end, the two of us had gone back to Equestria without any mutual defense agreement in place, which had only made the Griffonian wars all the longer and more bitter. So … I should give Luna every possible opportunity to speak her mind freely now, yes? But how can I do that when she seems to show no interest in speaking whatsoever? Unfortunately for my appetite, the waiters are quite efficient in their work, and all of the nobleponies are soon served … before I’ve managed to finish even half my waffle, and the poor, delectable-looking trifle still remains entirely untouched. Now that breakfast is served, they’ll be expecting royal introductions, which will leave scant time for any further eating. I’ll have to remember to request this dish again from the chefs … later, when I can take the time to truly enjoy it. For now, I have expectations to fulfill. “Everypony, this is my long-lost sister, Princess Luna, who long ago used to rule by my side, equal in every way.” True … if only in theory. Now was time to put that into practice. “Though stories of her have passed into legend and myth, she has now returned, and I would see her fully welcomed and accepted, just as she once was in the past.” There, the light applause in response is a good sign. Time to get to the heart of the matter. “Please feel free to approach the head of the table and introduce yourselves to her. Since she has been gone for so long, she knows none of you, and I am certain she would be pleased to make your acquaintance.” That last part was very likely a lie. Luna does not look pleased at the prospect of meeting them. But, after all, polite society is built on a foundation of comforting little lies, is it not? Though I’d invited them to come in any order they pleased, that is not how Canterlot nobility operates. The pecking order immediately becomes apparent, with the highest-ranking and most insufferable of them, Prince Blueblood, at the very head of the line. “This is Prince Blueblood,” I say, well practiced in hiding any disdain. “A descendant of yours, actually. His many-times-great grandfather was Prince Bloodheart.” If the mention of her son from nearly two thousand years ago excited Luna, she certainly showed no sign of it. She greeted Blueblood with not a single word, only a polite nod. And then it was onto the next, and the next, and the next … all with quite similar results. It seems nothing can pique Luna’s interest or draw anything more than the slightest acknowledgement from her. She is just so withdrawn … how am I supposed to draw her out? The meal ends up being one of the least satisfying I have ever known … and not just because my waffle is cold and disappointing by the time all the introductions have finally concluded. I would trade a week’s worth of delicious breakfast delicacies in exchange for just a few more words from my sister. Throughout the entire proceeding, she has hardly said anything at all. How am I supposed to relate to her? How am I supposed to draw her out of this shell she’s confined herself in? Or is it I who have confined her? Or perhaps the Elements of Harmony? After a perfunctory speech thanking the nobles for their time and making excuse-filled apologies for how taciturn my sister was, the event is over. And now, I find myself heading back to my study, alone. I have much to think on. Despite my high hopes, the gap between us seems wider than ever. Perhaps even worse than it was before this morning. Despite how close we are – merely a few castle walls – Luna feels so distant that she might as well still be trapped on the moon. There must be something I can do… ☀️ ❇️❇️❇️❇️ 🌙 The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. For centuries, it was the center of all splendor in Equestria … now fallen into abject ruin. More a pile of rubble than anything else, and surrounded by a wild forest where ponies fear to tread. Until recently, it had been over nine hundred years since I last walked these castle grounds. And the last time I was here – to see what had become of my sister – I had come only in the early glow of a much-delayed morning, with quite a lot of other things on my mind, so I hadn’t exactly gotten much of a look at it. Even the royal staff do not know I’m here. They still think I’m in the middle of a desperately needed rest in my bed back in Canterlot Castle, not to be disturbed under any circumstances. If they had known I was coming here, they would have made an entire royal procession about it. If they had known that I secretly teleported out of my chambers and flew the rest of the way down into the heart of the Everfree Forest, they would have declared a national emergency. Commotion wouldn't suit the mood of this place. The huge, dead castle now rests in well-earned peace. It would be sacrilege now to disturb it more than dictated by utmost need. The cobblestones under my hooves have been broken and churned by the roots of mighty trees. What once had been a carefully manicured rose garden is now a dangerous wilderness. The grand and serene statues that once graced the garden now haunt it, their broken visages peering out from behind twisted tree limbs and poisonous vines. Of course I knew the old castle had fallen to ruin. The very reason I moved the seat of Equestria’s government away to Canterlot instead was because my desperate fight against Nightmare Moon had destroyed most of what my sister and I had built here. But, in my mind, I’ve always pictured it just as we left it, a smoldering, smoking ruin. The fires now are long gone, but a thousand years of being attacked by a forest full of wild magic have not been kind to what was left. Another casualty of my struggle against Nightmare Moon – with so much magic released against each other so carelessly, of course some of it would escape the bonds of will and become wild magic. Another reason I relocated to Canterlot. Though it is much calmer now than in centuries past, it will be centuries more before the Everfree Forest, formerly Everfree City, recovers enough to once again be safe for ponies to inhabit. Is what I seek even still here? Everything has changed so much. If not for centuries of muscle memory, I might not even be able to locate the old Throne Room. It would surely take modern pony archeologists days to find the old twin thrones, but I needn’t even look. If not for the encroaching overgrowth of dangerous plants, I could walk there with my eyes closed. Turn right from the garden, into the main entrance hall. Climb what’s left of the Grand Staircase. Then through the Memorial Hall. The great golden doors are no longer on their hinges, but despite their immense value, they remain strewn on the broken floor. With so much wild magic at play in the surrounding forest, it seems nopony has dared to loot the old castle… A good sign. Maybe the rumors of a curse on the old castle have some use after all. Perhaps what I seek really is still here. Had I wished to gaze once more upon the twin thrones of the royal pony sisters, I would be sorely disappointed. They were one of the first casualties of Nightmare Moon’s magic, both of them shattered as the black void consumed my sister, leaving behind only a crater in the stone, now filled with glossy-leafed ferns and sickly white flowers. But what I’m looking for is something she cast aside just before that moment, discarding it as if it no longer held any meaning for her. Perhaps it truly did mean nothing to her then. Perhaps it still means nothing to her, and this is naught but a fool’s errand. Well, then I shall be a fool. Carefully, I tread into the grasses and small thorny bushes behind where the thrones once stood. If this, however foolish, has even a miniscule chance of aiding my sister’s recovery and bringing her back to her former glory, then I must make the attempt. There! Beneath the matted leaves, half buried in fresh dirt and old crumbled stone, a small point of absolute darkness glimmers. A shard of Luna’s crown! Carefully, being sure not to scatter even the tiniest pieces of it, I use my magic to seek out all the fragments of the crown, clearing the undergrowth away from them, gradually pulling them one by one from the soil and rubble. The black crown is not in any way powerful or magical. It is merely a symbol, merely jewelry. Broken jewelry. I am still not sure quite what it was made of. Some sort of glittering black stone, dark as the darkest night sky, with a polished sheen at the edge that still toys with the light to this day. Some sort of obsidian, perhaps? Though I’ve never seen any quite so black and quite so perfectly smooth as this. Even when she first received it, the crown had been a mystery. These crowns were gifts to us, given by the ponies of old when they somehow decided that our ability to raise the sun and moon all by ourselves meant that we should rule. My own was simply gold set with a few gemstones, easy enough to understand, though still strikingly beautiful and a breathtakingly rich gift for the impoverished ponies of that day. Luna’s crown, though … even at the time, it was a mystery. Nopony told us how it was made or where it came from. Though smaller than my own, its beauty was mystifying and unique. Today, its origins have surely been forgotten entirely. Looking at the shards of it now, I almost suspect there is some subtle dark magic infused into these cold, sharp stones. Surely not. Both my sister and I are experts in magic, and if there was any magic acting upon this crown, surely one of us would have noticed sometime over the centuries she wore it. And yet… There. This seems to be all of it… But I will scour the ground here once more nonetheless, to be sure I’ve collected every last little piece. The royal artisans of Canterlot are superbly skilled, but will they be able to work with this mysterious black material? Certainly, they will be unable to replace any missing parts, so I must make every effort to ensure that there are no missing parts. It must be perfect. Author's Note This story is a commission for Miss Direction. If you'd like to get a commission of your own done, you can find out everything you need to know on my Commissions Page. And remember, SubscribeStar supporters get big discounts on commissions! You can also offer support – and get the same benefits – with Direct Support! No other accounts or other websites needed. All you need is a PayPal account or other way to send payments.
BecomingUnexpectedly, Luna is already waiting here in the castle gardens with the head groundskeeper when I arrive late in the evening. I had thought she might be late as with the breakfast invitation, but it seems she has actually shown up substantially early this time… “I apologize for my tardiness,” I say, hoping to be as tactful as possible even though I am by no means actually late. “But duty must always come first, must it not?” That part is by no means misleading – I have spent all day in meetings with various nobles who have all wanted to know what the return of Equestria’s second princess means for their own personal affairs, and I have just come from one such meeting. Actually, at this point, a relaxing stroll through the castle gardens might be just as beneficial for me as for my sister. The flowers are so fragrant at night. This may just be the relaxation that both of us so dearly need. “It’s so nice to see you, Sister,” I say with my very gentlest smile. “I’m glad you could make it.” Luna looks away and nods timidly. So distant… I look up at the bright moon tonight. As far away as my sister seems right now, she might as well still be there. A traitorous part deep down inside me perhaps even misses that simpler time, when I didn’t seem quite so beset with unsolvable problems between Luna and me. Having her back now feels almost a punishment, when it should have been a joyous occasion. What should have been fanfare has become a dirge. What am I to do? Surely there must be some way to close the vast rift between us. It must be healed. Even though it suddenly seems woefully inadequate, I cannot think of any better course of action than to continue on with the night as planned. Perhaps at some point during this walk through the gardens, she will finally open up to me? Or at least I might be able to get more of a read on her and better understand what she needs from me. “Shall we go?” I ask. “I’m eager to show you what we’ve built here in the last thousand years.” Oops … perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned that thousand-year gap? Certainly not a pleasant memory for her. Better try to distract from it. “I think you’ll find these grounds to be every bit as grand as the old castle’s, perhaps even exceeding them. But I’m certain that our head groundskeeper, Delphinium, can explain them all better than I.” A glance is all it takes to get a hasty nod from him. “If you would, Your Highnesses, we can begin our tour in the herbalist’s garden…” Delphinium, despite his relatively high position among the castle staff, would seem to be nothing but an ordinary gardener at first glance. Brown coat, robust earth pony build, and perpetually with a bit of rich black dirt stuck to his hooves. But I know better. Though he truly does love to get his hooves dirty with actual gardening work, most of this is mere affectation. His role is strictly supervisory, and he spends the bulk of his working hours in a well-appointed office, not in a dirty garden bed. Still, I very well know that he didn’t begin his gardening career in that office, and after working in these gardens for decades, he knows them better than anypony in the world. There are no other ponies in the gardens tonight, not even the customary castle guard patrols – a detail I ensured just this afternoon. I saw how uncomfortable Luna looked around all those unfamiliar nobleponies, and I found it understandable. Perhaps things will be easier if it is only her, the groundskeeper, and me. Or… Perhaps not. I was sure Luna would be interested in the gardens. She always used to love strolling through them in the old Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. By all rights, this should be the perfect calming excursion for her. But it hardly seems so. Constantly, she’s looking over her shoulder to see if I’m watching. And any time I am, she immediately averts her gaze. Delphinium’s words seem lost on her, arousing no hint of interest. That said, I’ve become so preoccupied with my sister that I haven’t been paying any attention to him either. Poor pony. He doesn’t deserve this. I try to split my attention, at least a little. “This area is particularly dear to us gardeners,” Delphinium says. “Not for the flora, but for the fauna. Here, we house neglected, traumatized, or displaced animals from all over the continent, in a peaceful sanctuary where nothing can possibly harm them anymore.” I glance over to my sister. “Isn’t that wonderful, Luna?” Luna’s smile, which had been slowly growing, instantly fades. She looks down and away, and she gives only a slight nod. Was it something I said? Does she think of herself as an abused, neglected animal in need of sanctuary? Sanctuary from what? Luna still looks away. Even when a rare snowy owl flies directly across our path, she doesn’t even look up. Sighing, I shake my head. Something else, then? “Perhaps we should move on to the hedge maze?” I suggest. Delphinium winces away from Luna. “Ah, er … yes, of course, Your Highness. Right this way…” ☀️ ❇️❇️❇️ 🌙 Seeing the maze has, of course, taken quite some time. Not as much as it might have, thanks to Delphinium. Few ponies could navigate it without getting lost. Even I might have to resort to taking advantage of my wings and simply flying out if I were on my own. But Delphinium seems to know every turn and dead end perfectly, leading us on an unwavering tour of its many highlights. And yet… Luna still seems aloof, disinterested. Hadn’t she loved mazes, traps, and secret passages when helping me design the old castle? And yet here, she walks stiffly, head held low, her eyes scarcely glancing toward all of the clever details of maze design and construction Delphinium points out. She should be enraptured with all of this, her head buzzing with new ideas and suggestions to add to the maze … shouldn’t she? Or… Or what if I had only imagined her prior enthusiasm for such things? My memory of times so long ago is, unfortunately, imperfect. Hazy. I’m well aware of my own limitations, of my mind’s tendency to invent memories rather than admitting to being unable to recall them. Could Luna’s love of mischievous architecture and design be one such false memory? I had thought it was something we shared, but what if she had only been going along with it, following my lead, feigning enthusiasm in an attempt to mollify me? Would I have noticed the difference? I’d like to think I could now … but back then, when I was blind to her suffering? As we leave the maze and follow Delphinium toward the botanical greenhouses, I once again wonder if Luna is even here of her own accord. I stressed to the servants to convey the message as an optional invitation, but would it not be all too easy to see an ‘optional invitation’ from the beloved ruler of Equestria as not truly optional? It’s very possible that Luna is only here because she fears possible consequences for declining such an invitation. Does she truly trust me so little? And yet, given her experiences, can I blame her? She’s been through so much… What rankles me the most is that I cannot simply ask her. Or, rather, I can ask, but I cannot expect an honest answer. If she came of her own volition, she would surely say so … but if she came due to feelings of obligation and fear, she would also surely say it was of her own volition. Oh, how I long to actually be able to talk to my sister again! How is it that after her return, after all this time, I still cannot so much as hold a meaningful conversation with her? Even at night, the greenhouses are well lit, warm, and smell of fresh spring air. Truly a marvel, and with no small expenditure of magic to accomplish it. Despite their blatantly artificial nature, I often find them to be one of my favorite parts of the garden, particularly in winter, when the rest of it looks rather bleak. Luna actually seems to show a spark of interest as well, which is a blessing to see. Her head is a little higher, and she’s actually looking around, at least. “Nearly every known flower variety in Equestria is grown in these botanical greenhouses,” Delphinium says, “even the hazardous ones, so please do watch your step, Your Highnesses.” Quite abruptly, Luna stops near a cascade of purple-flowering vines. She holds up a hoof to touch one of the delicate petals. Delphinium is quick to notice. “Aha! Yes, those are a personal favorite of mine as well. Violet nightingales, as they’re commonly called, native only to a few islands off the coast of Southern Equestria, but stunningly beautiful. I imagine they hadn’t yet been discovered and cultivated in your time, Your Highness?” “Oh… Yes, of course.” Luna slowly lowers her hoof, looks away, and resumes walking down the center hall of the greenhouse. The corners of Delphinium’s eyes are pinched. The normally affable and sociable stallion looks up at me as if begging for help. Now that Luna is a few steps ahead of us and hopefully out of hearing, I can at least reassure him a little. “Don’t mind her,” I comfort him, “she has been through quite a lot lately, and she merely needs some time to recover.” I hope that’s true. “Is she…?” He glances worriedly in Luna’s direction, as if she might overhear him and curse him with dark magic. Is she … what? However Delphinium intended to conclude that question doesn’t matter. It still hangs around my heart like an anchor weighing me down. Is she … going to turn back into Nightmare Moon and terrorize us all again? Is she … even capable of interacting and conversing like a normal pony anymore? Is she … going to survive whatever it is she’s going through? Each question is as painful as the last… But the worst part is the fear in the groundskeeper’s eyes. He’s been through a lot – I should know – and yet it’s clear that he finds my sister at the very least unsettling, if not outright terrifying. How will the rest of the ponies in Equestria see her, after centuries of spooking each other with tales about Nightmare Moon, each more sordid than the last? I had thought such fantastical terrors would soon be put to rest by seeing my bright, cheerful sister once again in the public eye. The Luna I once knew was so innocent, so adorable; nopony could fear her once they met her. But this Luna… This quiet, reserved, brooding Luna… If even a pony as stalwart as Delphinium could fear her, then what hope is there for everypony else? And being thus feared would certainly not improve Luna’s mood or outlook on life. Is she already doomed to a downward spiral? Is there no means of escape? As we exit the greenhouses, I resolve anew that no matter what, I will not fear her. Nor will I mistrust her. I know the Elements purged every last remnant of darkness from her heart. I must put my faith in time, love, and acceptance to heal the wound that separates us. “And that just about does it,” Delphinium states, back at the entrance to the gardens. His eyes are entirely on me, avoiding my sister. “For a quick overview, anyway, that is. I’d surely be pleased to show you anything in particular you’d like to see in much more detail, Princess…” He glances toward Luna as well, “Either of you, that is.” He seems relieved when he can look back toward me. “You’re both of course more than welcome here at any time, and don’t hesitate to ask for me if there’s anything more you’d like to know, or anything you’d like to see changed.” I glance over at Luna, hoping to goad her into saying something at least. It’s quite ineffective. All it managed to get out of her was a timid nod of acknowledgement. “Thank you, Delphinium,” I finally say, unwilling to stretch the moment out any further. “I’m sure we shall both be back on many occasions. For now, though, perhaps it’s time to rest.” “Yes, thank you.” Luna dips her head, in something between a nod and a bow. And then, just for one invaluable moment, she actually looks up at me. Our eyes meet. There’s an inscrutable depth to her gaze – hints of something there. Not resentment or loathing; maybe something softer, something like wistful desire? But before I can say anything, she looks away again. Her wings flare, and she sets off into the night. Perhaps on her way back to her quarters in the highest tower, perhaps some mysterious elsewhere. And I’m left there, standing next to Delphinium and wondering if the night’s excursion has actually accomplished anything at all, or if perhaps this might be the wrong approach altogether. ☀️ ❇️❇️ 🌙 A week later, and I have yet to summon Luna again. Surely she is capable of emerging from her quarters on her own, for her own reasons? As much as I may want to encourage her, that may only be counterproductive if she sees it as a fearful obligation, rather than a polite invitation. I want to make it clear that it’s her choice … but in order to do that, she must make the choice. But it cannot be good for her to leave her brooding in those dark rooms for so long… For now, though, there is another matter: five of the castle’s finest artisans, nervously waiting in front of my throne with a small golden box held in their foreman’s magic. A couple of them glance nervously toward the empty throne next to mine. I already had this second throne constructed and placed next to my own, but my sister has not yet sat in it. Nor, to my knowledge, even seen it. She has, after all, never actually been in this throne room as far as I know. Hopefully, soon, that may change. Hiding these thoughts, I smile benevolently down at these craftsponies. “Good news, I hope?” The lead artisan, a tall and slender unicorn with a flowing golden mane, bows low in front of me, the rest of them quickly following. “As you predicted, we were unable to identify the material used, and thus, we haven’t been able to restore it perfectly to its original condition. However, we’ve found it to be amenable to platinum sintering, and we hope that you’ll be pleased with the results.” Looking back up, he uses his magic to float the box nearer to me. But it isn’t me who needs to be impressed by it. This is for my sister, after all. Hopefully they’ve remembered that in their work. I can only imagine what a mess they might have caused if they tried to force it into a copy of my own crown instead… Well, no sense in worrying about that. Time to open this box. Taking it into my own magical grip, I bring it even closer and open the lid. Nestled in dark blue velvet lies Luna’s pitch black crown, its shape perfectly restored, and its glittering sheen as impressive and mysterious as ever. Now, though, shining silver lines run here and there throughout it, criss-crossing over its surface, almost like… Like constellations among the stars. The realization takes my breath away. Was this the artisans’ intention? If anything, the crown is now more beautiful and intricate than ever before, rewarding close examination with ever more shining, glittering detail. “It’s…” I glance up at the artisans, who gaze back up at me, clearly hanging on my every word. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, thank you all. I could not have asked for better.” “Our pleasure to serve,” he says with another bow. “Um… Your Highness?” another of the artisans says, a dark red mare. “Hush!” the foreman tells her. “I told you, don’t speak unless you’re spoken to!” “It’s quite alright,” I assure him. Even without already being in high spirits from the exquisite craftsmanship of their work, I always make an effort to be approachable to my little ponies. “Please, continue, ah… What might your name be?” “Ruby Gleam, Your Highness.” Closing the box and setting it down beside my throne, I smile to her, hoping to appear as unintimidating as possible. “Is there something you wanted to ask of me, Ruby Gleam?” She casts one nervous glance toward her superior before looking back up at me. “Um, Ma’am … does this … does this mean there will be a coronation soon?” I can only hope. But I dare not say anything in answer, lest the rumors fly wild. Only a slow and enigmatic smile, a well-practiced gesture. But within … within, I am screaming. How desperately I want an answer to that very same question! It seems like ages now since my sister returned, and it still remains a mystery whether she shall ever recover from her ordeal and once again take her rightful place by my side. The Luna I have seen since her return would hate being subjected to a coronation ceremony. I’m certain she would attend it, at least, but would it not be abject torture for her, in the state she’s in? But what’s the alternative? How can I bring this up with her at all? What if she merely accepts the crown, nods, and walks away without a single word? What if she shuns the royal responsibility entirely? Well, in that case, she would still be my sister. Princess or not, it’s the pony underneath the crown who truly matters. I will respect her decisions, and I will continue to aid her recovery. Hopefully, in the right moment, this rebuilt crown will help with that. It’s best for now that the crown remain entirely secret, though, until I find just the right way to introduce Luna to it. To that end, I stand up before the artisans, coming closer to them. “Thank you, once again, for your exquisite work. However, I do have one more request.” I look each of them in the eye, especially Ruby Gleam. “Please keep any news of this to yourselves for now. It must be kept secret until the time is right.” Under the deluge of the artisan’s fervent promises, I silently wonder if this is the right decision … and whether reviving this old crown has even been a good idea to begin with. Author's Note This story is a commission for Miss Direction. If you'd like to get a commission of your own done, you can find out everything you need to know on my Commissions Page. And remember, SubscribeStar supporters get big discounts on commissions! You can also offer support – and get the same benefits – with Direct Support! No other accounts or other websites needed. All you need is a PayPal account or other way to send payments.
WholeIt was more than five days later before I again saw my sister. I hadn’t sent her any direct invitations, lest she misinterpret them as mandatory summons. And apparently, unfortunately … that seemed to mean that she would no longer be leaving her chambers for any reason. After two days of not seeing her, however, I had made it known that she was welcome to join me for my midmorning tea, any day she liked. That was an open-ended invitation and couldn't be seen as an order, given that it specified no particular date. Or at least that was my theory. Whether Luna sees it that way is anypony’s guess. By this point, I’ve given up on that working. Perhaps she won't come out unless she thinks she’s directly told to do so? It’s a discouraging thought, but the longer she waits, the more I favor that solution. However, the situation is not as dire as that, it seems. To my utter shock, when I come to sit down at my favorite sunny nook by the kitchens and enjoy my tea, Luna is already there, waiting for me, looking at me over the sunny little table. For a moment, I merely stand there, rather stunned. Had I lacked my many centuries of practice, my magic might have faltered, leaving the floating teacup and saucer in front of me to plummet to the marble floor. As it is, though, I manage to keep my composure and poise, as ever. Only my pause and hesitation betray the shock I feel to see that Luna had finally voluntarily come to see me. It’s … it’s wonderful! My first impulse is to run to her, to embrace her. But I subdue myself. Luna might not be ready for that just yet. I musn’t scare her off now, after she’s only just mustered this courage. Instead, a more restrained welcome is in order. “Luna! It’s wonderful to see you again.” Luna glances away. Have I done wrong? Have I called undue attention to her days of solitude? There’s nothing for it but to press on. I notice that the table before her lies utterly bare. “Did Copper Kettle not offer you anything? Let me just make a quick trip back to the kitchen. They have everything you could possibly want and more that you’ve never tried.” What was it that Luna liked best? Blast! It was so long ago. White tea, wasn't it? And from some particular region of early Equestria, but however much I shuffle through the dusty memories in my head, I can’t recall the name of it, always just on the verge, but never quite there… Luna’s looking up at me again. Ah… Forget it, suggest something else. She’s still keeping to her customary nocturnal schedule, isn't she? “If you’re heading to bed soon, perhaps something herbal? Copper Kettle’s specialty is a lovely subtle blend of cinnamon, apple, and peppermint. You simply must try it.” She looks down. “No thank you.” “It would be no trouble at all, just a moment and I’ll—” When she looks back up, I stop instantly. “That is not what I came for. I actually came to…” For a long moment, Luna hesitates. “Nevermind. Perhaps now is not the time.” It’s already more than I’ve heard her say for a thousand years. I can’t let her stop – not now, when she’s so close! Quickly, I come over and sit down next to her. “For you, Sister, I have all the time in the world.” It’s literally true, after all. “And if you’re not in the mood for tea, I won’t force you. I just…” Would it be too much to say it? Oh, but I can’t hold it in! “I miss you, Luna. I lost you for a thousand years, and I’d hate to lose you again, even for a minute. If all you want is to sit with me, I ask for nothing more.” “Thank you … Sister.” She glances up at me. A slight smile – I saw it! Then … silence. Silence again. Luna looks away, studiously unmoving. Inscrutable. Distant. For a moment, I had her back. Only to so very quickly lose her again. But is this so bad? Perhaps I should just sit here in peace with my sister. That might be enough. It’s far more than I’ve had for a thousand years now. If she wants to venture outside the ramparts of silence she has built around herself, that would be wonderful. If she’d rather sit in silence, I can accommodate that as well. No need to rush her. No need to pressure. It might be that she would enjoy my quiet company as much as I enjoy hers. A silence is only awkward if one makes it so. With a slight nod and a sip of my – quite delightful – tea, I resolve to sit here quietly with Luna as long as she allows me, and for now I am content. Is it so bad, after all, to simply sit back and remember the good times I’ve had with my sister? Happier times, when we…? It’s all so long ago now, isn’t it? My memories are faded, blurred, and muddled together. I can’t quite tease them apart into discrete, concrete moments in my mind, no more than I can grasp smoke between my hooves. I remember sunshine, laughter, my beloved sister running and playing when we were merely foals… But wait, was that before we ascended to be alicorns, or after? Where exactly did it happen? Or did it happen at all? I’m well aware that the mind invents memories to fill any vacant holes, and I am certainly no exception to it. There were times, in the last few hundred years, when I questioned whether I’d ever actually had a sister in the first place … or if she might have been an imaginary friend from my foalhood years. But no. I mustn’t get too distracted with what was, or what might have been. My sister is here, in the flesh, as real as the seat below me, as real as the tea on the table in front of me. I look back up at her and smile. Old memories seem irrelevant now that I have an opportunity to make new ones. The memories are merely ghosts, shadows of the real sister before me now. Can I admit to myself that I have forgotten so much about Luna? Perhaps the distance that now separates us isn’t hers alone. In some ways, it’s almost as if I’m only just now getting to know her for the very first time. Perhaps that’s exactly the admission she’s been waiting for. I take another sip, bracing myself for just how badly this might go. “I must admit … my memory isn’t what it once was. I’m afraid I may have lost much of what I once knew of you. I wish I could remember more of the good times we shared, so long ago.” She glances up at me, and I think I can see an openness in her eyes. An encouraging sign. Perhaps it’s time to press my luck? “But I’m going to love making new memories with you by my side. Once you’re…” Hm… How to put it delicately? How to ensure it doesn’t insult her? “Once you’re feeling up to it.” Luna takes a deep breath and sits more upright. She looks straight toward me. “Sister, I need to tell you. I…” She glances away, deflating again. “There’s no rush,” I assure her. “Take all the time you need. Perhaps if you join me for tea tomorrow, we could—” “No.” Though quiet, the force of the word sends a shock through me. Oh no… I have done something wrong, haven’t I? I should have just sat here with her, keeping my mouth shut. I should have just enjoyed that when I had the chance. Why do I always have to push her like this? She shakes her head slightly. “No… this must be said. I must say this.” For a long moment, Luna is silent once more. Though she stares intensely down at the table, her wings ruffling and her tail flicking behind her. Though I have resolved to never again fear her, I fear what damage her words might do to our already-fragile relationship. Luna looks up at me, her aqua-blue eyes nonetheless fiery. “You may not remember it, but I do. I remember everything.” Shouldn’t that be … a good thing? Not judging by the look on her face. Not hateful, no, but there’s certainly something there. Not the Nightmare, no, but still a hint of darkness. Patiently, I wait, not even a sip of tea, as lovely as that might have been. This is difficult for her to say, and I should wait for it. She deserves at least that from me, among much more... “I remember everything,” Luna repeats quietly, staring down at the table. Almost a whisper. “I can still remember the way it felt. All those years in the shadows, in your shadow. I … I know it isn’t your fault. I know that now. But knowing it wasn’t your fault doesn’t change how it felt. It doesn’t change how it feels.” Oh no… I don’t know whether to be hopeful or terrified for her. This could be the mending of our relationship … or the end of it, and I feel as if I have no control over which way that might go. What can I say? I know I mustn’t say anything. I mustn’t interrupt her. One way or another, she needs this. She looks back up again, and I see tears in the corners of her eyes. “I … perhaps foolishly … I longed for just a single moment in the spotlight for myself. But it never came. I was only ever seen if I was seen with you. A moon with no light of my own – merely reflecting the light of the sun. I could only ever be acknowledged as the other Princess, as the other Sister, as the other pony by your side. Every time they deferred to you first, heeded your words while ignoring mine, loved you more than me… Every time it happened, it was like a little piece of me was eaten away, one bitter little nibble at a time. Until there was nothing left… nothing but hate.” She closes her eyes tight and breathes a deep sigh. “I’m sorry, Sister. I’m so sorry for what happened. For what I did.” Oh how I wish to hold her! But that might be going too far, perhaps she isn’t quite ready yet. But still, I can’t allow her to wallow uncomforted like this. I shake my head. “No, Luna. It is I who should apologize. My blindness and neglect inflicted this festering wound to begin with.” I move toward her along the bench seat, feeling the time might finally be right to embrace her… but Luna holds out a hoof, pushing me away, preventing me from coming closer. I back away. “No,” Luna says, shaking her head almost violently. “No, you don’t understand. You don’t understand who I was … who I am. It felt good to lash out at you, Sister. I know it was wrong, I knew it was wrong at the time, but it felt so good to finally give voice to the bitterness inside. It was the first time in hundreds of years I had felt pleasure, satisfaction. The maniacal grin of that … that monster I became is the only genuine smile I’ve had in … in … as long as I can remember.” She sighs and slumps down against the table. “I … I hated you, Sister. And it felt good to hate you. It was the only joy in my life.” I wince at what my neglect had caused. “And … now?” Her face still against the table, Luna turns her teary eyes up at me. “Sister… Why am I here?” “Of course you’re here. You’re—” The look she gives me shuts me up instantly. There’s so much pain in her eyes. “When I saw the Elements of Harmony light up around you, I thought that would be the end of me. I thought they would turn me to stone forever, as they did to our enemies in the past. And I knew, in that moment, I deserved such a fate, after everything I had done, what I was still trying to do.” She raises herself up. “But their magic spared me. Why? It shouldn’t have. It should have ended then. It should have all been over.” “Luna…” “But instead, I brooded and rotted on the moon for a thousand years. And when I came back … when I came back, I did it all again. And once again, the force of the Elements came against me, once again, I thought I’d met my well-deserved end.” “You do not deserve to die, Luna.” “But now I’m here again. With my sister. And I don’t know how to put the pieces of me back together. The Elements purged the bitterness of envy from me. They burned away a thousand years of hatred.” She shakes her head, squinting her eyes shut. “It was so much a part of me, so much of myself devoted to it. It was like a rose’s thorns wrapped around my heart, but no matter how much it hurt to hold on, I couldn’t let it go, because then I wouldn’t have it anymore and I’d be nothing again… Now it’s gone. Forever.” Luna pauses. “But the shadow of it remains, and I feel its absence. The Elements scorched the hate from my soul. But they haven’t healed the wounds those thorns left behind. Not in me, and not in others. I don’t know how to go back. I don’t know if I can go back. What if I’m destined to only ever be a nightmare – that Nightmare? What if that’s all I can ever truly be?” It seems almost impossible to me. How different these words sound than the last time I’d heard my sister speak. These defeated, self-denigrating whispers are such worlds apart from the vengeful vows of the Nightmare. And yet, neither one seems capable of love. And all of it is my fault. “I’m … I’m trying to heal. But how do I let go? Everypony wants to act like it never happened, but it did happen. It was real.” She shakes her head. “Do I even deserve to get better? How can I ever make up for something so unforgivable?” For a long moment, I’m silent. How can I respond to that? And what if she has more to say? But as her pleading eyes look up at me, I know I must to say something … even if nothing in my long, long life had ever prepared me for a moment like this. I give her a firm gaze. “You can try. One small step at a time. Only do your best – nopony can ask for more.” “What madness is this? It was – no. Not in a thousand years could I ever atone for what I did. I was one of the worst evils ever to befall—” “We have all the time in the world, Luna. And we have each other.” My raised hoof blocks all further protest. “After all this time apart, we can finally be sisters again. We can fly together in the cool night sky, we can bask together in the sunlit fields, we can spend time together like we should have all those years ago.” Moving closer, I took her forehooves and held them in mine. “I will not let our past mar the joy of your return.” Luna looks down and away, shaking her head slightly. I reach out and, with a gentle touch, turn her back toward me. “Let go of the past with me. Don’t let it ruin today. Don’t let it ruin tomorrow. And don't let it ruin us.” Luna gives a slight smile, a slight nod … and for the first time in literal ages, I see hope in my sister’s eyes once more. ☀️ ❇️ 🌙 After a tear-filled hug, Luna had finally admitted to very much needing sleep. She had kept her nocturnal schedule after all. And thus, I did not see her again until sunset. For nearly a thousand years, I had come alone to this highest balcony in Canterlot Castle to work my magic, to do what ponies have grown to nearly worship me for. Even after Luna’s return, she lowered the moon on her own, privately. Both of us, of course, can do this from anywhere, drawing on our innate connections to the celestial elements. But I have always preferred to do so here, in a private tower where I would never be interrupted, so high and so close to the sky I feel like I can touch it. Of course, in some ways, I can. It is my solitary duty, my time to reflect alone. But not this evening. This evening, I am not alone. I look over at my sister, scarcely able to breathe from the swell of pride in my chest. Look at her! So regal, so poised. I can almost believe already that she’s fully recovered and whole again. Perhaps she’s only putting a brave face over inner turmoil, but her face is brave nonetheless. “It’s time,” I say. “Shall we?” Luna takes a deep breath and nods. And for the first time in a little more than a thousand years, I do not raise the moon in the evening. I need only concern myself with lying my tempestuous sun calmly down to bed, which seems nearly effortless now that I no longer need to split my attention and my power. At my side, Luna’s own magic comes to life, raising the moon herself. The deep oranges of sunset fade into purple, and then into the silver glow of the moon. Luna never looked quite so beautiful as when seen under a fresh moonrise. How many times in the past had I ignored the sight, numb to it after centuries? The way the moonlight glimmered in her aqua-blue eyes, the way it played in graceful shimmers along her mane, the way her coat seemed to drink in the darkness and refine it into the deepest possible blue… She is truly in her element, and an under-appreciated element at that. And yet, I cannot tell her. What if she takes it the wrong way? What if she thinks it condescending? I know I mustn’t ruin this perfect moment. Thankfully, I have another way to tell her. “Luna?” I ask. “Yes, Sister?” “I… I have something for you. If you could wait here just a moment.” She pauses, then gave a slight nod. In a rush, I hurry through the balcony’s doorway, down the hall, and to the right, into my personal quarters. And I find that small golden box once more. Though I suppose there’s no need for such haste, I nonetheless rush back. Luna should not have to wait any longer for this. Luna peers apprehensively at the box as I approach – as I try to inconspicuously catch my breath. She looks back up at me. “What … what is this?” I know what waits inside will need no explanation, so I merely use my magic to open the box and hold it up for her to see. Her eyes go wide, reflecting the sparkles from inside the box. “This … this is…” “I asked the palace jewelers to repair it as well as they could. And, well, I … I truly hope you enjoy the new lines of platinum running through it. They remind me of…” “Constellations,” we whisper in unison. “It’s like looking at a map of the constellations. Sister, this is… This is incredible! I thought it destroyed! I thought it lost forever.” “As did we all.” I give her a gentle smile. “But what is gone need not be gone forever if it can be made whole once more.” For a long, long moment Luna stares at her crown. When she finally looks back up at me, there are tears in her eyes. “I … I cannot accept this.” I close the box. “I know.” “You know…?” “I do. But I want you to know that it’s here for you. It’s here when you’re ready.” I lean in and nuzzle her slightly. “As am I.” Author's Note This story is a commission for Miss Direction. If you'd like to get a commission of your own done, you can find out everything you need to know on my Commissions Page. And remember, SubscribeStar supporters get big discounts on commissions! You can also offer support – and get the same benefits – with Direct Support! No other accounts or other websites needed. All you need is a PayPal account or other way to send payments.
