Night Shade sat there and stared up at a door leading to an unknown room, Marveling at the oak used for it. He ran his hoof over it and smiled at the texture. It's coolness fit the chill of the night. He turned his head to peer out of the window to his left where the moon was silently peering in. He moved to the window and stared up at it's glorious face as it shined down, casting it's light over the city of Canterlot. He could see the light from the city as well, showing that Canterlots night life was awake as ever. He would've stayed there the whole night had he not been startled by the Night Guard.
"Night Shade." He said gruffly.
"Oh! Um, Coming." Night Shade replied, trying to calm his nerves.
He turned and began following him down the long expanse of the hallway. He couldn't help but be captivated by the walls and all the numerous paintings that hung upon them. The torches, which blazed with a magnificent blue shimmer, seemed to glow with an eerie but soothing light. And the Carpet that him and the guard had been walking on was as soft as could be under his hooves, the color matching the torches. Night smiled as they came upon the doors to the Throne Room. They were tall and magnificent, depicting on one side, Celestia The Princess Of The Sun. And on the other, Luna The Princess Of The Moon. Each side also had there respected sigil. Night smiled even more, first at the beauty of the castle, and second at the thought of what he was about to do.
"Wait here." the guard said, showing no emotion.
"Uh, Alright." He replied.
The guard opened the door and stepped inside, leaving Night standing there.
* * *
Luna sat upon her throne, head in hoof and a bored look on her face. This was the most boring night court she'd had since her return, and it's all because none of the complaints from the canterlot ponies was anywhere close to entertaining. She knew she should be taking this more seriously, like Tia, But the boredom that seemed to eat at her made it all the harder to focus. Twice she found herself nodding off, and both times it took Alustra, Her Right hoof Night Guard, tapping her with a wing to keep her awake. Watching as a couple walked out of the throne room, she sighed.
"Alustra, it's been two years since my return and this still remains boring. I don't know how my sister does it." she said, waving her left hoof around as if a fly had been bothering her.
"Well your Grace, She has had a lot longer to get use to it than you have. I'd give it a couple hundred years and you'll have it down just as well as she does." Alustra replied.
"I don't want to wait Alustra, I'm tired of being so bored all the time. I'm either sleeping, or ruling, delegating and solving petty problems. I miss the old days, when things where much more exciting. I miss many of my old friends as well." Luna said, a sad look adorning her face.
"Your highness, I understand what it's like to lose friends, although I can't say I understand going a thousand years without them. But It'll pass. It just takes time, and on some occasions, convenient distractions. Though I must say Princess, Your Equestrian is almost perfect now. I think you've done wonderful in that regard."
"You make a fair point. And thank you Alustra, I worked very hard with Twilight Sparkle so that I could speak a little easier with the ponies of our kingdom. I must say, some words still elude me at times." Luna replied.
"Nobody is perfect Princess."
"True."
At that moment the Night Guard who had been escorting Night Shade entered the Throne Room. Gruff Shield was one of Alustra's best friends and another of Princess Luna's confidants.
"Princess another pony has come to seek an audience with you." Gruff said in his usual gruff voice.
"Gruff, one of these days your going to have to smile." Alustra said.
"What do you mean? I am smiling." He replied, face as blank as ever.
"Sure you are big guy. Sure you are."
"Well Lieutenant Gruff, You may send them in." Luna said, readying herself for another bout of boredom.
* * *
Night Shade shook a bit at the thought of what he was about to do. He wasn't sure if his nerves would last at this rate. Deciding that maybe he should come back tomorrow night instead, Night started to turn back. But as soon as he moved, the Throne Room door opened and the Night Guard who escorted him waved him in. Taking in a deep breath Night nodded. He began walking through the door and there before him, about a hundred hooves or so ahead, was Princess Luna, sitting with what looked to him to be a rather bored look. She was looking out the window to the side as her moon's light shone in, silvery and shining. In that moment, Night knew there was no sight more beautiful in the world. Shaking his head a bit to focus he continued inward until he was a good ten hooves away from the throne.
"State your name and reason for this audience." Luna said in what Night automatically understood as the most bored tone he had ever heard. The princess had to be bored out of her mind.
"Princess, My name is Night Shade. I came to seek audience with you because there was something I absolutely needed to tell you." Night replied. The shakiness of his voice breaking through on the last few words.
"Oh. Very well then. But first I must ask. How did you come about the name Night Shade. It seems a very peculiar name for a pony." Luna said, a bit of interest creeping into her voice.
"Well your Highness, I was born during a full moon, and my parents a well known botanists with an affinity for plants that only flourish at night. My father wanted to call me Night Phlox after a Night Blooming Flower. But my mother decided to call me Night Shade, as it was her favorite." Night replied.
"Hmmm, then a well deserved name. You may continue with what you need to tell me." Luna replied, boredom creeping into her voice again.
"Well Princess...um...I..I-uh.....PRINCESSLUNAI'VEBEENINLOVEWITHYOUFORYEARS!!!" Night blurted out. There, he had done it. He told her. He could feel himself beginning to sweat as he waited for her response. Would she be happy? Would she be angry? Or would she just reject him and tell him to be on his way. He didn't know and he was scared stiff, unable to look and see what her reaction was. Cracking one eye open he peeked at her, and he noticed that she had stopped. Her face bore a shocked look, light tinges of pink gracing her cheeks. He could also see that her Right Hoof Guard was just as shocked as well. Night looked down at the floor while he waited for her to speak.
* * *
Luna was in shock. Simple plain shock. Never in her life, and she had a very long life, had she ever been confessed to. It was always her sister, always Tia who would get suitors daily, and the letters never stopped coming in. But Luna could not believe what she had just heard. Was it true that this pony, this Night Shade, was sincere in his feelings? Luna honestly did not know what to say or how to respond. It was as if all the switches in her brain were suddenly turned off. One thought managed to break through though. One thought that made itself heard amongst the silence.
Somepony loves me!
It was a simple thought, but once it broke through, Luna couldn't help but dwell on it. She could see the fear hiding behind his downturned face. He like anypony else, feared rejection, and Luna could see it. She could also tell that her silence was making him antsy. If she stayed like this any longer, then he would most likely flee. Luna could not allow this. This was her chance, but, it had to be handled delicately or she would inadvertently ruin this poor stallion.
"I-I'm flattered Night Shade, that you think of me in such a way. Know this, I am not rejecting you, but I need some time to think on this. Can you handle that?" Luna asked.
"O-Of Course!!! I'll do whatever I need to Princess!" Night said, his doomed expression making way for a brilliant smile.
Luna smiled down at the now smiling stallion. "Good, come back in a week and I shall speak with you again on this matter. Goodnight Night Shade, may your dreams be safe."
"Of course, goodnight Princess, may the moon shine over us." Night replied. He turned and made his way out of the Throne Room, leaving a still shocked, but excited Princess, and two very shocked Night Guards.
Author's Note
How's it goin peoples. I've finally decided to start this baby back up again haha. And I've also decided to change it from a one shot to a multi chapter story, possibly with a plot to it as well. So i'd love for you all to tell me what you think, and we will see where it goes from here.
Have a great day!!!! -StormHoof