Chapter 9:Doubts.

Luna was quiet on the return flight, as was Defender. Both of them were considering their respective visits into Talisman's office.

Luna.

Her mind roamed over the meeting in general, but paid special attention to his last series of questions, analysing them, considering them closely.

Why did I let him off so lightly? Why did I offer him the position of personal guard anyway? It makes no sense when you consider it all. Tal's right, he was instigated in several criminal acts in his town of birth. Hay, he was banished because of these instigated crimes! What if he's trying to get into my good graces?

Her expression turned from pensive to concerned.

What if he's just another assassin, sent with a false story to deceive me into letting him in, then sending the first lot of assassin's as cannon fodder, let him kill them in cold blood to make me trust him even more? Who's to say he's what he seems to be? Who's to say he's not the REAL assassin?

Her mind had gone off on a wild tangent, but all of her focus was now on these details. Now that she thought about it, it seemed to make even more sense. She looked warily over to him. His face was deeply troubled and his eyes were downcast. His wingbeats lacked the energy they had earlier when they were flying to Ponyville.

What is he thinking..?

---

Defender couldn't bring himself to look at his princess. The implications revealed by the curious psychologist baffled, concerned and weighed him down exponentially and it took everything he had simply to keep flying. He kept trying to refute Talisman's claims, turn them around into false ones, but he couldn't. No matter how much he tried, the plain sort of unicorn's observations rendered his arguments invalid. He was trying not to face the now clear cut truth.

You're in love with Luna Defender you romantic fool. What were you thinking?

Of all the ponies to fall for, it had to be the one who he knew he could never, ever have. Not only that, but his employer to boot.

Could that get anymore cliché or stupid? Ugh, dammit Defender, get a grip and whatever you do, don't let her know.

Then there was the scream.

The one piece of possible symbolism Talisman simply couldn't identify. The last piece of the puzzle that just didn't seem to fit the bill. The context was all wrong, and it was completely and utterly out of place. It obviously didn't belong.

I'll be damned if it doesn't give me a bad feeling though. It chills me, scares me, and not much does that. Something about that scream… And it's obviously a mare screaming, not a stallion.

He gulped down a surge of dread as something occurred to him.

What if…

He finally looked over at Luna. By this time, she'd stopped looking at him and was now look straight ahead, still with a disturbed look to her features.

What if it's her scream..?

He looked forward, his face settling into a determined scowl.

That's not going to happen. She'll never have reason to scream whilst I'm around. Never!

They flew the entirety of the way back to Canterlot in absolute silence. Neither one could come to speak to the other, but both for entirely different reasons. To Defender, that silence was almost unbearably loud. He wanted to speak, to banter like they always had, but that meeting with the unassuming psychologist had seemed to have robbed him of anything to say. What could he say after everything that had been 'revealed' to him?

Nothing, that's what. Not even telling her how I… wait, no. I didn't… I'm not in love with Luna, she's my employer!

The pair landed on the veranda of Luna's personal quarters, still not speaking. The rest of that night passed in a blur for both of them, neither of them really focusing on anything, nor really able to talk to one another. Defender was almost glad when Stonewall came to relieve him, taking his place quickly. Defender rushed down to his room and practically fell into his bed.

Luna liked Stonewall. He was gruff, blunt and often didn't stand any complaints or whining. But he still somehow managed to be respectful of her and the ponies he spoke to. It was a fine line, but one he walked quite confidently. She also knew that she could talk to him and nothing she said would leave the room if she asked it of him. Although sometimes, like Defender, he had a problem with calling her Luna. Not as much, but sometimes. Often just enough to remind her that she was, in fact, a Princess and not a normal pony. Not necessarily something she liked to remember, but she did know that it was necessary. His level headed way of looking at things large or small was refreshing and often rather insightful.

He was also closer to her in age, though only by a decade or two.

He stood by her side even now, sitting out and admiring the view of Canterlot in the early hours of the morning. She couldn't sleep, and her mane was losing its beautiful shimmering and flow that it had during the night. Instead it was hanging loosely, cascading down to her shoulders and a few inches past like a light blue waterfall. She was tired, yes, but her mind was so preoccupied that she couldn't even consider the thought of sleep. Tired of the silence, she spoke, not looking at him, but clearly addressing Stonewall.

"Sergeant, what do you do if you start to question past decisions?"

Stonewall was silent for a moment before he looked at her.

"Past decisions Luna? This isn't about proclamations or rulings is it ma'am? I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to advise you in such things effectively. I never did have a knack for that."

Luna shook her head gently, trying to keep her thoughts in order.

"No, nothing like that. It's… complicated."

Stonewall felt an eyebrow rise.

"Complications are rife in all decisions ma'am. But if you want my help, you need only ask."

"I know… But this is a little sensitive, so I'd prefer you didn't allow it to leave these walls."

"Of course not Luna. On my life."

She smiled gently at that.

Always so serious Stonewall.

"It's about Defender."

"Yes ma'am?"

She hesitated, doubts flooding her mind.

What if Stonewall is in on it as well? Is he an insurgent as well? They've had some time, quite a lot of time together to plan and such. He could be just another member of this stupid Luna Republic.

She mentally scolded herself at the mere thought of this.

Preposterous. He's been dead set loyal to Tia and just as loyal to me since I returned. No way he'd be one of them.

She sighed, making up her mind. Stonewall had sat silently during her little silence.

"Stonewall, I want you to be completely honest with me. You know Stalwart Defender better than anypony in the palace. Do you believe he has any… ulterior motives?"

Stonewall, to his credit, managed to keep a straight face, but his voice betrayed his confusion.

"Ulterior… motives ma'am?"

"Ugh… This isn't easy for me to ask."

She took a deep breath and spoke before she lost her nerve.

"Stonewall, do you know if he's been acting suspiciously or planning anything with anypony at all that doesn't seem to fit with any of his duties?"

There was a moment of stunned silence before Stonewall spoke. His voice was level, and his face was as responsive as that which he was named after.

"Are you insinuating that, Stalwart Defender, who saved your life, is plotting against you behind your back Princess?"

Luna winced.

"Well… you make it sound as though I should be shot for such a question."

Stonewall didn't reply. A quick glance revealed he was, in fact, thinking.

"Princess. May I speak plainly?"

"Of course."

He looked at her, stony faced.

"That's an absurd notion that should never have either left your voice box nor should have ever been cultivated inside your mind young lady and you should be ashamed of yourself."

She went to retort angrily and he held up his hoof.

"I'm not finished yet! Stalwart Defender is the most dedicated, unyielding and downright stubborn, often to the point of foolishness, Stallion I've ever met, let alone had the pleasure to share duties with. His entire life, nay, his entire world revolves around you Luna and you'd do well to remember that. He'd sooner cut off his own leg before he let you get even a scratch upon you young mare and don't you ever forget that!"

Luna sat in stunned silence of the lecture. He was speaking to her as though she were but a foal and it was certainly a new feeling. Not even Celestia spoke to her like that, but rather treated her as an equal, sister to sister. In retrospect, she should have expected a lecture, but she supposed she had thought he'd give an honest reply.

Well, at least you don't get much more honest.

"Do you, perchance, have any children Stonewall?"

Taken momentarily off guard by the question, Stonewall paused to collect his thoughts.

"Yes ma'am, two little ones."

She found herself smiling at the grizzled veteran.

"You spoke to me as you would a young foal who just did something silly."

He nodded.

"I'm aware. You did say something silly Princess, and I was admonishing you for it."

She couldn't help but giggle at him. She brought her hoof up to her chest in mock fear.

"Oh my, am I being a bad filly? You're not going to spank me are you?"

The stallion grinned and shot back.

"Don't tempt me young mare, it might be the only thing to teach you a lesson."

Luna coloured, her plan to embarrass him backfiring.

"Oh my."

---

Light shone through the window, the light of the moon. The stars weren't out that night, or they were covered by clouds. It was difficult to tell which. He saw Luna sitting at the railing of her verandah, pensively staring out at the lights of Canterlot. He looked down to calm himself and noticed he was sitting down and was wearing his old, Coltsvale uniform. Wearing his stone scale armour. He always hated this armour. It was much too brittle and heavy for his tastes. He took a step, the familiar sound of clinking stone on stone. Luna turned around to face him.

"Stalwart Defender. What art thou doing within thine princess's room?"

He paused, confused.

"What are you meaning in that dear Luna? Thine invitations lead me here of course."

She shook her head.

"Nay. Thou shouldst not arbitrarily impose upon mine space."

"I… but Princess. Thou art constantly telling me…"

"Nay! Thou shouldst never have entered."

Completely confused now, he took another step forward. She frowned at him darkly.

"Take no more steps towards thine princess. Thou shalt leave this instance."

"But Princess!"

He took another step forward and the room faded from view. He was now in a corridor, dank and dark. He barely noticed, he was too fixated upon Luna, who looked alarmed.

"Defender! Help us!"

"Luna!"

A door, made of old wood, probably oak, started swinging closed in front of Luna. Defender panicked and started running.

"LUNA!"

She was fighting invisible bonds, straining to lift her limbs.

"Help us! Please! Help us!"

The door was still swinging shut. Defender was galloping full pelt, and still felt like he was walking through chest high water. Panicked breathing, pounding hooves, the sound of his heart racing at a million miles a minute before…

The door slammed shut in his face and he collided with it. And all he could hear was a bone breaking, blood freezingly terrified scream.

"LUNA!"

Defender was running before he was even aware that he was running. He wore no armour, having left too quickly to don it. His wings were beating in time, lending him speed. Speed he used to his advantage as he burst into Luna's royal chambers, shoulder first.

"LUNA!"

Oh Celestia, please let her be alright.

The room was in shambles. Vanity knocked over, shards of glass from the mirror on the floor. Her shoes, abandoned at her bedside. The curtains were on the floor. The prone form on the floor caught his attention and he rushed over.

"Stonewall! Stonewall, wake up come on!"

He pushed the body over and froze, a choking sob coming to his throat.

Stonewall… I'm so sorry…

A long, jagged cut ran the length of his chest and several on his legs. His armour, it seemed, hadn't been enough. The crumpled chestplate, or a piece of it, was hanging off of the railing. He was missing an ear and covered in blood. His eyes were still in a determined glare. Tears in his eyes, Defender gently closed them, one by one.

"I'm sorry Stone… so sorry."

Then he spotted something that made his blood go cold.

No… she never went anywhere without that…

Luna's tiara, the one piece of jewellery that Luna had once told him she'd never let go of was laying in pieces under one of Stonewall's hooves.

Right next to a bloodstained Celestia plush toy.

"Well well well. This does make things much simpler."

The last thing Defender remembered was spinning around and then pain. The last thing he saw was the floor as his face hit it and he blacked out.