Points of principle, personal pride, or even wanton whimsy, are their reasons. It is a terrible thing, when the gods duel, because we mortals are often their ammunition. Incomprehensible, might be a fitting word to describe the unknowable perspective of such beings. In the other light though I imagine what you might think of us, puny, petty, or pitiable?

Such difference in our standings, what shared ground is there? One might dismiss you as a natural force, such as the wind and the tides that simply are. What stops me is that I have seen you without that gilded mask; I know perfection is far from what you are. It would be discomforting to some who would worship you, but it means the world to me and makes firmer my faith. You feel, fear, and even find solace in small mortal comforts. A long time ago, tea and sweet cakes we shared in that garden, sweeter still was that genuine sunny smile.  

Like a moth drawn to your flame, I shall forever follow your light. The moth does this because of instinct; I do this of my own will. Know that I did what I did with no regrets.

Love letter to Eternity.

For the sake of others I wore that mask, until it nearly melded to my mind. There are times I curse whatever affliction that keeps me alive while others wither and decay. If only I could join you in the void. Do you recall that time we cracked open that beautiful bottle only to find the fine wine had turned to vinegar?

For so long have I bottled up my emotions, I dreaded the same. I feared I had lost the capacity to feel. Yet you in that most naïve notion of love showed me otherwise.  Blinded by the light of my own hubris, I did not recognize. I am so sorry. I am so lonely. Forgive me my love.

Many think time is cheap to the undying, however the heart remembers. When the world was young, when all was beneath ocean waves, when all but forests covered this land, when the sky opened up, to me that is nearly a forgotten fog… You I shall remember until the end of time.

A Reply from Eternity.

Celestia timidly peered over the castle balcony. The palace garden’s trees were barren but for the adorned Hearth’s Warming Eve floral arrangements. The lights and decorations were but window dressings to the white coated Pegasus stallion. When their eyes locked, she felt a tingle that shot through her spine.  

Luna joined Celestia on the balcony. “Sister, I see your eyes upon that guard. I see his eyes upon thee.” She grinned. “I know of your secret trysts. You hath dated long enough; perhaps it is time to take him.”

Celestia pulled away from the balcony and out of sight for the Pegasus. “How dare you spy on my private affairs and how dare you imply—”

Her sister teased further. “So you do love him!”

“I am not given to rash romance as you are.”

Luna scoffed in offense. “You question the devotion of my love or my lover?”

“Dearest sister, I do not wish to fight. As of late that seems to be all that we do.”

“What do you know of passion? You prude!”

“More than you, younger sister.”

“You are the sun. That guard loves you only because of the warm blessings you have bestowed upon him.” Luna pointed an accusatory hoof at her sister. “You play favorites! You always have.”

Celestia recoiled as wrinkles of doubt warped her face and threatened to crack her mask. She swiftly delivered her counter attack. “What of that Captain of yours, Sanguine Soul? Did you not bestow him with title and privilege also?”

Luna spoke fondly and affectionately. “San loves me truly. He sought me out in the cold and dark when I did not bat an eye towards him. On his own he endured hardship and strove for excellence so that he might become my Captain.” She glared at Celestia confidently. “Your soft flower grown in the sunlight is no match to him.”

“Luna you are very close to incurring my wrath. You assume that because I am not specialized in offensive magic, I cannot strike you down?”

“Your shield against my sword, I wonder which would win. Anyhow, sister Celestia, let us not descend into petty combat. It would trample your little flowers.”

“What would you suggest then, Luna?”

The dark demi-goddess smirked. “A wager, how long will your stallion wait for you if remove the blessings you have given him? No physical contact, no further developments. In that time he mustn’t feel the warmth of your affections. He will be permitted to only enter the castle gardens and stare from afar, where he stands now.”

Celestia lifted her head. “I refuse to participate. This wager is absurd. You would deprive me of my most competent captain.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “Very will in the time of our wager, I will cease further construction of my Fortress in Everfree. That is surely worth the price of your captain.”

Celestia stammered slightly. “We are not at war, why should your new fortress be of any concern with me? There is no point in this wager.”

“You are scared.” Luna laughed. “Will he last ten months, fifteen days, or twelve minutes?”

Celestia brimmed with rage. She exploded in the Royal Canterlot voice she so seldom used. “TWELVE YEARS!”

Luna`s grin deepened. She repeated. “Twelve years then. It's a good chunk of a mortal's life span. Very well, if he remains faithful then I will admit that this mortal's love is equal to love that mine holds for me. I will even bow before thee.” She disappeared into the shadows.

Celestia bit the hairs of her mane nervously. “Oh by the powers, what have I agreed to?”

The curtain of night had descended when Celestia floated down to the garden. The moon seemed to cast a spotlight on the scene. Celestia looked upwards, knowing her sister was watching.

She turned to her stallion. “Icarus, do you love me?”

He bowed. “Forgive me, my commoner’s expression, but 'More than life itself'.”

“You are dismissed.”

“My patrol shift ended hours ago.”

Celestia recoiled in surprise. “It is dead winter, the chill can kill. Why are you here then?”

“For you,” replied the guard, smiling.

Her face twisted in pain as she spoke her following. “Captain Icarus, I meant effective immediately you are dismissed from your duty. Your rank and privileges are to be stripped of you. The property given to you by the realm is to be seized also. From henceforth you are simply a citizen.”

Icarus cried out. “Princess, I do not understand. May I ask why?”

She took on her mask and spoke firmly. “No.”

“May I see you again?”

“Yes.”

He sighed in relief. “Then all is well.” He motioned to wrapped her in a hug only to have her escape before the embrace.

“You may see me from the balcony only from this spot here in the garden. You are permitted to wander nowhere else on the castle grounds. You are free to live your life anyhow you wish with anyone you wish.” Celestia flapped her wings and flew upwards away.

He cried out desperately. “My love, I shall wait for you!”

It became a common sight that a Pegasus would stand vigil in the palace garden. At first Icarus was a spectacle of confusion. Everyone within the palace had a role yet he was without a task. At the rise of the sun he would stand in the middle of the garden and with the setting of the sun he would leave. The animal keepers and gardeners wondered about the new fixture. He answered all of their questions with silence. Once a week he sighted her on the balcony. The routine had reached its third year.

Celestia gestured with head pointing to the figure down in the garden. “See sister, my Icarus waits upon me. Three years have passed; I think it is enough to prove he cares for me truly. Let us end this foolish challenge.” said Celestia.

Luna pouted. “That is not fair sister, you are cheating.”

“How so?”

“You appear at least once a week. Your appearances are regular like he is. This gives him hope. Even now he feels the warmth of your love.”  

“What would you have me do?”

“You will limit your sightings to once a month. The day shall be random. The duration will be shorter than a tick of a sundial.” Luna produced a cloak. “If you are to gaze at him you must wear this shroud of invisibility.”

Celestia spat. “Very well, I accept your new conditions though they were not part of the original wager.”

The cycle of the seasons continued and it was now six years from his day of dismissal. The Pegasus had now become not unlike the topiaries in the garden. A curious new gardener would inspect him then after a while tire of his statuesque behavior. He waited dutifully each day, not missing a single one for fear it would be the day of the month he could see her. Upon a chilly fall, Luna stopped by in front of the guard.  

“Greetings Solar Guard.”

Icarus politely nodded.

She smiled. “Oh that is right, you have been dismissed. You’re but a peasant without title or rank.”

Icarus showed no emotion and continued staring the empty balcony.

“We are amused and confused by your presence. What is that you are looking at? Do you covet my sister? Do you think she gives a single thought about you?”

Still he remained still.

“Answer me.”

He kept his eyes focused on the balcony.

“She is an undying, your life is measured. Why waste it waiting?”

He sighed and spoke. “It is my choice.”

“Leave this garden. Live your life, foolish one.”

“Forgive me, milady. As you said I am not a soldier, as such I am not beholden to your orders. If you wish me to leave then you will have to order your soldiers to drag me out.”

Luna smiled slightly then left.

It was now into the ninth year and in the cobblestones of the garden where Icarus walked were hoofprints etched in stone by his daily visitations. Cicadas chirped tauntingly in the summer heat wave. The sun cooked the ground below, the greenery of the garden was turned brown for thirst. In the garden the lonely sentinel stood, his last drop of sweat evaporated before it touched the ground. His vision of the balcony above him wavered then the world became black.

Heat had taken him out, cold brought him back. He awoke upon a bed, his body covered in ice packs. There was a pitcher of ice water next to him. He reached out and drunk deeply tipping the pitcher. The room was cool and dark as his eyes adjusted he saw the dark azure motif. Stars designs cut into the curtains glow with the sparse sunlight that flicker through. It was a simulation of night during the day.  

“Did you know even the guard drills were postponed due to this heat wave? You are not a slave.”

The voice alarmed him. He focused his hazy vision. The sight made him blush profusely. Luna had donned a nurse’s outfit and refilled his glass pitcher with ice water.

She said floating the glass near him . “Refresh thyself.”

“I’m alright,” said Icarus trying to get up. He was stopped by her hooves against his body. The cool touch stunned him.

“Heat exhaustion is a serious matter,” said Luna, sternly.

“I am fine.” He tried shaking his head.

“The sun’s oppression burns greater than any passion, yours included.”

“Yet without its light we’d all be lost.”

“Moths are guided to that fatal flame.”

“Don’t moths use the moon for navigation? The torch is the mistaken moon.”

Luna smiled. “Well met. We wonder whether waiting has made thee wise or worse the fool. Your loyalty has impressed us.  Forsake the sun, join the forces of the night. We will offer thee more.” She leaned forward, her lips close to his.

He pulled back gently. “You say you are impressed by my loyalty. Would not following you destroy that quality? Don’t you have your own lover? What about your loyalty?”

“Mine heart is big enough to accommodate more than one. Thine condition saddens me.”

Icarus moved aside the blind and climbed out of the window. “I will not be used as ammunition against your sister.” With a wing beat he left.

She sighed as she walked to the door. “Poor Icarus… you are already being used.”

Celestia paced nervously in front of Luna’s chambers. Luna exited closing the door.

Her eldest sister vented her rage. “You agreed to only treat him. How dare you claim him as your own!?”

Luna grimaced. “I have done no such thing. I merely made sure he did not die on his watch.”

“You brought him into your chambers, I can suspect little else,” said Celestia narrowing her eyes. “Admit it!”

“I confess I offered, he refused you should know!” Luna bit back. “I never known you to be so held sway to your emotions.”

Celestia calmed herself. “Nevertheless, I shall not forgive you for trying.”

“The sun burns so strongly because of your passion for him. You caused this, sister. You hurt him. Go to him. Give up this game. Admit that you are wrong!”

“No!” said Celestia in defiance of Luna.

“Oh!” Luna spat in frustration.

Celestia recoiled as Luna left. Her pride withered as she thought of him. She looked down the hallway at the familiar balcony. “I’m sorry my love… please forget about me. Why can I not surrender? Is it weakness or strength?”

Icarus still stared at the balcony, now months passed without a sighting of the princess. He could not help but shiver as the snow robbed him of warmth. This winter had been especially harsh. It was the last winter before the conclusion of the twelfth year. Icarus’s day ended. He was partly thankful the winter days were shorter since he wondered whether he could weather them physically. He shook his head. As he did the ice fell from his mane. He tried to flex his wings to fly but found them painfully frozen. He sighed as he began plodding through the snow to home.

The stalwart Pegasus noticed he was being followed as he trudged home in the snow.

Luna spoke. “Mortal, we simply cannot believe that you still come. It is so very cold.”

“I have done the same for the other winters.”  

“My sister cares nothing for you. How long do you intend to wait?”

Icarus coughed. “I would wait for-forever.”

“You poor soul, you don’t have forever. Your devotion is wasted. My sister values her pride above all else.”

“What are you saying?”

Luna chewed her words carefully. “You should know the circumstances of your suffering. All this time you’ve waited was for a wager.”

He coughed. “It was all just a bet?”

“Yes, it was cruel sport. I apologize for my part in initiating.”

His frozen eyebrows lifted in shock then lowered again. “I suppose in some way I knew… ”

“Such a fool.” Luna jumped and hugged the stallion.

“Let me g—” He stopped struggling when wet tears of Luna dripped upon him. In the cold air, they stung as they hit his flesh as they freezed against his skin.

“We will end this! You deserve better!” said Luna flying off.

He coughed again this time descending into a violent fit. Blood splattered against the white snow.

Luna burst into Celestia’s chambers with such force the doors shook after hitting the walls. Her sister finished hanging up a familiar cloak.

“Sister Celestia, you know that at any one moment you can go to him. Why do you torture him?!”

Celestia smirked. “His faith has been strong. He nears the end of twelve years, are you worried you might lose the bet?”

Luna smacked her sister in the face with her right hoof. “Buck the bet!”

Celestia felt her sore cheek.

Luna pointed to the invisibility cloak hanging on a hook. “I have seen you these past years, you now watch him almost as much as he watches you. Why do you torture yourself as well as he?”

“I…” The white Alicorn stuttered.

“Sister, never a more monstrous cruelty have I seen than your indifference. I have tested him, his love is pure. Our wager was a farce that should have ended long ago.” Hot angry tears flowed from her eyes. “I would not dream of submitting the same tortures to my own beloved, Sanguine Soul. You had power, yet you chose to let him suffer. You have lost touch of your compassion! Oh if only your subjects knew the truth behind the mask they so idolize! Enjoy your victory.” Luna bowed then stomped her hooves and stormed out.

Celestia winced as the giant doors were slammed. She quivered as her eyes watered. “Oh my Icarus! I will go to you. Tomorrow the sun will melt away the ice from my heart. Spring, it comes earlier this year. I shall cast aside my fear.”

In morning Celestia sighed as she looked at the empty garden below. He must be late the winds were rather fierce, she pondered. As her sun reached its zenith in the sky and sunk again so did her heart. However she had to know. She had to see him. She did not believe he would quit now. She threw aside the invisibility shroud surprising several guards.  

“Guard, the Pegasus by the name of Icarus, do you know where he resides?”

“Ironstreet, I can take you there. Shall I summon a carriage?”

“No we go immediately.” Celestia stretched forth her wings.

“What of your guard retinue?”

“I said immediately.” said Celestia eyes glowed.

At the workshop, an old earth pony opened the door. He rasped. “Who calls upon such a late hour?”

Celestia gazed at the old pony. Typically his bowing would occur at this stage.

“Well speak up then! Time is money.”

She now noticed the pony’s eyes were unfocused glossy orbs, he was blind. She spoke softly. “I will pay for your time.”

“A customer, well then Daedalus, a humble machinist, is at your service.”

She said softly. “I am here to see Icarus.”

The earth pony huffed. “I recognize a female voice. So it is you the fool goes to see every day. The lazy lout has found no work since being fired from the guard. My son is upon his death bed. Soon one less mouth to feed.”

“Death bed?!” cried Celestia.

It was a modestly furnished room, with sparse and Spartan accommodations. In the corner bed wrapped in sheets Icarus lay. His eyes were closed. His breathing was faint.  

“What is wrong with him?”

Daedalus scoffed. “He has contracted pneumonia. The idiot came home and collapsed… This night might be his end.”

Celestia barked angrily. “Have you called forth a doctor?”

“The physician says the same.” Daedalus spat sarcastically. “Your highness.”

Celestia ignored him as she shook her head in disbelief. The old pony left Celestia.

She hunched over his bed burying her face in his chest. Strands of her main touched his face. She sobbed.

“Oh my beloved Icarus, I am so sorry.”

Icarus stirred. He wheezed to speak. “Is this a fever dream or are you really before me?”

“Yes it is I, my love. I have come for you.”  

“Princess, twelve falls, winters, springs, and summers I have waited. The first years I believe I was being tested. The last years I tested you. I have given you my youth. Why did you not come to me sooner?”

“Icarus, you chose to wait upon me.”

He rasped with rage. “You chose to let me,” He then coughed in a small fit. “I can’t stay angry… not at you… I am sad for you. Even now as my candle dims, your hearth continues ever bright, however it continues alone…”

Celestia cringed in pain. She noticed the dying candle besides his bed. An idea formed that filled her with hope. “Icarus, I have studied the higher magics. Light is not without shadow.” She bit her lip. “There are ways. I can extend the wick of your candle and light it again.”

The stallion's eyes lit up. “My princess. That magic sounds unnatural.”

“It is magic that is forbidden, a taboo. There is price to pay.”

“I could not ask for such a thing!” He coughed loudly.

She smiled tenderly. “I gladly pay that price. The decision is not yours.” The room glowed with the intensity of a solar flare.

Icarus felt new life course through his veins. His cheeks flushed again with color. He stood up from his bed. “Words cannot express my thanks.”

“I know no one that deserves this more.”

He noticed the Princess smiling. There was a tiny crack in her mask as her smile seemed too wide. “There are limits to such magic. How long shall, I have?”

She looked away painfully. “Please do not ask me that of all things. Let us for now live for the moment.”

“Very well, my Princess,” said Icarus.

“No more masks, call me Celestia.”

“Umm Celestia, I still can’t believe it you’re here in my room. I’m sorry, I am still very tired. Shall we see each other in the morning?”

“We shall not waste a moment you will sleep with me.”

Icarus blushed. His wings deployed. “You mean in your royal chambers? Or…”

Celestia flushed red as well. Then a devious smile formed from her lips. It was a line from Luna but she did not care. “It can be in both senses of the phrase.” She attacked him with a hungry wanting kiss. This time tears of happiness flowed down her cheeks.  

The warm caress of the rising sun’s rays paled in comparison to the heat next to him. Celestia sat by his side as he stirred away. Her horn glowed as the sun arose.

She smiled. “Am I everything you dreamed of?”

“No it wasn’t.”

She frowned in confusion. “I am I not a dream of yours manifest?”

“Dreams are not real; this is better. I love you, but I do not worship you. ”

A wry smile appeared on Celestia’s face. “Some would call that blasphemy.”

“To worship you, would be to disrespect the real you. You and your sister wear different masks. You would prefer it that others think your mask was real. None the wiser, they would worship that mask. It is idolatry. You feel pain. You’re a person, not a statue or an idea.”

She stammered as her eyes softened. She buried her face in his chest. “You waited for twelve years. How did you last so long?”

“Waiting for you, I have built some endurance. I meditated quite bit too.” He smirked then lowered his head in somber reflection. “I know it’s foolish to say. Even as sightings of you became far and few, I felt your presence.”

“You knew I was watching?”

He nodded.

She frowned angrily at herself. “Many moments I wanted to reach out and hold you. My sister’s words worked into my mind. Foolish pride kept me.”

“Was that a blink of the eye for you?”

“My most faithful beloved, time is relative, in those years I was watching you time for me slowed. In my arrogance, I thought there was nothing new I could be taught. You showed me otherwise.”

“You are worthy of worship.”

Their lips locked.

A week passed. Celestia and Icarus were inseparable did all the things that lovers want to do. Like a planet he orbited her sun. Strolls along the beach, dinners by candlelight, and they witnessed the most beautiful of sunsets painted with all the colors of the sky. Even when the classic activities were exhausted they were not disappointed for each others’ company was enough. Forgotten, for a moment, were their differences in time. However as the month neared its end, a deep sense of foreboding hit them.

The two lovers stood watching the sunset from the balcony. There was silent understanding that this would be the last. As the evening’s cold encroached they stood touching each other for fading warmth.

“These last of days with you, I feel as if I have died and am in paradise.” said Icarus.

She cooed rubbing herself against him. “I feel very much the same, lover.”

Tears fell unto Celestia mane. He spoke haltingly. “I feel the fever that would have taken me weeks ago. My sickness is returning. Day by day it gets worse. I'm burning up. I know this sunset will be my last.”

Celestia held him close. “It is not the fever, it is simply my warmth. It was the only way I could buy you time…”

“What did you exchange to buy me this time?” He asked.

“I confess I used a piece of my heart; I would give more if I could but it extends only so far… your body cannot handle the raw power… Icarus with you goes forever a part of my person. In that absence I shall forever feel your presence.”

“How could you? Why subject yourself to such pain?!”

“It is because I love you. I will remember you with sweet sadness until the stars themselves flicker and die along with I. Then even these memories will be lost like tears in the sun.”

“I lov—”

She snuffed out his words as she kissed and hugged him harder than ever before. In blinding flash, Icarus disappeared. Celestia’s eyes flooded as he became light like tears evaporating in her heat.

A millennia has come to pass. The war between day and night was but a healed over scar. Celestia and Luna stood watching a sunset on that balcony from memory.

Celestia spoke. “Sweet sister, what have we wrought against one another that time has not done to us already?”

“Though we may claim dominion over the cycle of day and night we are all subjects to the greater tyranny of time.” Luna frowned.

“I have missed you.” Celestia hugged her sister.

“I missed you so much.” Luna returned the hug.

“Our past difficulties, let us set those aside for the new day.”

“Do not forget the new night.” Luna smirked. “I missed our battles’ banter, but not the actual fighting.”

“I suppose in someway I must thank your even for the battles. Every so often we need reminders. We sit in our high chairs thinking ourselves wise when we are no more invulnerable than mortals when it comes to matters of the heart.”

“Tia, in the thousand years I was gone how did you not fall prey to corruption? What was your reminder?”

“Lulu, my reminder is with me always. It is the tether that keeps me grounded. It is my joy and pain.”

“You gave him a piece did you not?”

Celestia smiled, sadly and serenely. She nodded feeling her chest.

Luna gasped. In between night and day with the moon and sun in the sky they hugged one another. In the present the royal sisters, without their masks, wept for joy and sadness for future and past.

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