Author's Notes:

The Epilogue was written by Grand Moff Pony, and edited by Loyal.

Moonstone - Epilogue: Memories Kept

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'I really wish she'd hurry it up,' Fleur thought as she watched Luna. The Princess was standing in the doorway to their private quarters, engaging one of the castle doctors in a very animated – and very hushed – conversation. Fleur couldn't hear any of the words spoken between her wife and the doctor, but she didn't really need to anymore. She'd seen the same scene play out dozens and dozens of times over the past year and a half. 'Yet the story never changes for me... Not anymore.'

Finally, the doctor departed, and Luna quietly shut the door after him. Luna smiled gently as she turned around, but even with her blurry vision, Fleur could see the mask of calm that Luna was projecting. She returned the smile in full, though she knew that both of their smiles were as fragile as the crystal pitcher on her bed stand. 'She's still so beautiful...' Fleur thought as Luna padded across the carpet towards the large, sumptuous bed. 'Would it that our masks might crumble like sandcastles in the waves?'

"Would you like some water?" Luna asked as she stopped next to the bed.

"Y–Yes, thank you, dear." Fleur replied quietly. She brushed a lock of faded pink hair out of her face as she watched Luna. Really, Luna was only a mostly-defined blur in front of her, but Fleur had long since given up on keeping her glasses tied around her neck all the time. 'It works better if I just assume I'm always looking at her rump anyway.'

Luna turned back to Fleur, a glass of water held in her magical grip. Fleur reached out with her own magic to take the glass, but it slipped from her grasp almost immediately as the pink aura around her horn sputtered like a worn down candle. A dark blue aura captured the glass mere inches from the bed, and for a moment, neither mare moved an inch.

"Are you alright?" Luna asked as she lifted the glass back up in the air. Fleur couldn't fight the blush in her cheeks as embarrassment and frustration flashed through her veins for a moment.

"Y–yes, I'm alright," she sighed. "Just get me one of those straws."

"Are you sure?" Luna asked in a hurried voice. "I know how much you hate those things, dear. I've told you before, Fleur, it's no big deal; I'm sure we'll get it this ti—"

"Luna, it's alright... Just get me a straw," Fleur's voice cut her off. "I've gotten used to the bad days outnumbering the good days. Please... It's ok."

Luna sighed as she levitated a straw into the glass and floated the entire thing in front of Fleur. She pushed the huge blanket down as she sat up a bit, raising her hooves to further grip the glass. The combination of the cold water and the comparatively chilly air in the room sent a shiver down Fleur's spine. Still, she sipped generously through the straw before lifting the glass back towards Luna.

"Seems a bit cold in here," Fleur said as another shiver rippled through her.

"Maybe for you, miss freezy-hooves," Luna replied with a teasing chuckle. "But, I guess I can help you out a bit." Her horn lit up as she spoke, and the fire in the hearth grew steadily in size and intensity, bathing the bedroom in an extra layer of warmth. "Better now?"

"Hmm... Yes." Fleur turned a bit to the side and lifted the edge of the blanket off the bed with a visibly shaky hoof. "But, I think I could still use an extra blanket. This old mare gets cold easily," she added with a soft smile.

"I think that can be arranged," Luna answered as she turned toward the bed. Fleur couldn't see Luna too well, but she knew she saw a real smile cross her lips for perhaps the first time in weeks. 'Heavens, I'm going to miss those...'

Luna slid under the covers and immediately wrapped her hooves around Fleur, drawing her close to her chest. "I got one of the royal blankets just for you, my love."

"Hmm... Very nice," Fleur sighed as she relaxed into the princess' embrace. "Though, I can't make out the pattern on this blanket. Seems like a big blue and purple blur to me."

"If only you had a pair of glasses that could remedy that..."

Fleur turned her head back just enough to stick her tongue out at Luna. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"No, I'm sure you don't," Luna cooed as she gently kissed Fleur's ear. "I guess I'll just have to scoot closer, then."

Fleur sighed again as Luna tightened her embrace. They laid like that for a few minutes, only the crackling of the fire and the sound of their breathing breaking the silence in the room.

"So, what did Doctor Goodheart have to say?" Fleur asked.

Luna hesitated for only an instant before responding, but even that was enough to tell Fleur all that she needed to know. "He said everything looks just fine, as usual."

"You've always been a terrible liar." Fleur whispered as she rolled over, pressing her chest together with Luna's. She leaned her head up and gently kissed the princess. "I know nothing about my condition has changed. I am the patient here, after all, so I know how I feel.

Luna tried to project calm, but her emotions showed right through to Fleur. "I... I'm sure the good doctor is doing everything he can... He said his research is moving along, and he might have a breakthrough before the year is out."

"Unless he's found a way to stop the aging process in mortal beings, I doubt he'll be able to help much more than he already has..." Fleur's voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Besides, I don't have that much time anyway."

Luna's breath hitched in her throat. "Fleur, stop that! How many times have I asked you not to talk like that–"

"Luna, love, I mean it," Fleur replied, turning her gaze up into Luna's eyes. "My journey is nearly done, believe me."

"H–how can you know that? That... That's not possible," Luna sputtered. "You're just having a rough day, Fleur. I'm sure tomorr—"

"Will be the same as today, which was the same as yesterday." Fleur struggled to keep her voice up, as even that was a strain on her body now. "Take it from a mortal; we know when our time is up."

Luna drew breath after breath, trying to steady herself, but Fleur could see her wife's composure slipping more with each passing second. She could sense the fear washing over her like a slow tidal wave. 'My love... Which of us is suffering more?'

"Please... Please don't say that, Fleur." Luna's voice was half-broken already. "I–I'm sure the doctors will figure something out. They've cured so many diseases, accomplished so much..." Luna's eyes began to shimmer as the first tears welled up inside of them. "S–surely, they can do this too..."

"I wish that were so, believe me," Fleur replied through her own shaky voice. "...but bodies grow old, and there's no cure for the ticking of a clock. Believe me, I'd like nothing more than to jump off this bed right now and drag you downstairs myself, as if I were still a mare half my age."

Luna nearly crushed Fleur into her chest, eliciting a brief cough from the unicorn. "You know I can make that happen this very instant. Just say the word, and the clock stops."

"No, Luna, you know I can't do that," Fleur replied. "We have no idea how long it might take for Twilight to finish her research… Or if she’ll even be successful in the end. Say I did agree, and you performed the spell. How long can you go on with me frozen in time? A year? Ten years? A hundred?”

Fleur cast a pleading look at Luna. “Even if it worked, and Twilight did find the right spell, we’d be exposed instantly to the entirety of Equestria, not to mention it’d put the legitimacy of the crown at risk… And you know I won't allow you to do that."

"Fleur, please!" Luna whimpered as she buried her head into Fleur's grayed, and significantly thinner mane. "I don't care if it exposes us. I–I'll give up my crown if that's what it takes."

"No, Luna, I can't let you do that. Ponies count on you every day; Equestria needs you, now and forever. I am just another mare granted a chance to walk this ground and breathe this air."

"But you're my wife!" Luna wailed, the tears falling down her muzzle and into Fleur's mane. "I can't just let you go like that – not when I can fix this!"

"Luna, listen– Oww... Listen to me," Fleur said with as much strength as she could muster. "The past seventy-five years have been more wonderful than I ever could have imagined. We've done so much; traveled the world, explored the skies, loved until we could love no more, and so much more." She sniffled as tears rimmed her own eyes. "We... We've had a good run, Luna. More than most ponies could ever hope for..."

"Fleur... Fleur, please don't..." Luna's voice was barely coherent now, the tears flowing freely.

Fleur's horn lit up then, the faint pink glow stuttering for a moment before springing to life. With great concentration, she reached into the bedstand's top drawer and retrieved a small velvet bag. She slowly floated it over to the bed and placed it in the small space between her and Luna.

"Luna, put this on."

The princess lifted her head, and gasped when she saw the bag in front of her. "You... You want me... Fleur, you know I can't—"

"Please, Luna. Just this once," Fleur pleaded through her cracked voice. "What I am about to say... I... Just please put it on."

Luna stared at her for a moment, and Fleur could see the tides of emotion raging behind her eyes. Finally, a blue glow enveloped the small bag, and Luna withdrew the black leather collar that had adorned Fleur's throat hundreds of times before.

Slowly, the princess slipped the collar around her neck, gently fastening the clasp with her magic. 'All these years later, and only now do we switch positions...' Fleur thought as she gazed at the collar, the metal loop sitting gently in the hollow of Luna's neck.

"Yes, mistress Fleur?"

"Very good, Luna," Fleur whispered as she kissed Luna's cheek. "I'd hate for you to make any mistakes here, as I'm in no condition to punish you if you do."

She raised her shaky, wrinkled hooves and grasped Luna's muzzle. "As your mistress, I give you two, and only two commands.” She closed her eyes for a few moments, taking a deep breath to steady herself. When she opened them again, she looked straight into Luna’s beautiful, teary irises.

“First, you will one day accept another pony into your heart."

Luna nearly jumped out of the bed. "Fl- Mistress, I could never do that! I love you... You're my wife! I could never love another!"

"Luna, remember, the collar is on, so this is definitely not a request." Fleur focused her eyes as best she could. "It is natural for ponies to find love anew when a loved one passes. Even Celestia has found a new love in Twilight, yet she still celebrates and remembers Ribbon."

Luna opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again without a word. "The second command I have for you is this; Remember me. Remember our time spent together, every success and every struggle. Cherish them, as you have cherished me so much."

"Y–yes, Fleur. I swear to you on my celestial namesake, I will never forget you. And should another come along, I will at least consider the possibility."

"Ah, very good, my pet," Fleur replied with a weak smile. "Always wanted to use that line..."

Luna smiled through her tears as she reached out again to Fleur. "I'm not ready for this to end."

"And you never will be," Fleur whispered as she grasped Luna's free hoof. "None of us ever are." They laid together in silence, sniffling and whimpering occasionally. An hour passed before either of them spoke again.

"Luna?"

"Yes, Fleur? What is it?"

"Do you remember the first thing that you ever did for me?"

"Of course I do. I found you in the hedge maze, panting and out of breath. You looked tired and scared, as if you had been chasing a ghost. I asked if you were alright, and then I stayed with you until you stopped crying."

"Can you..." Fleur's voice cracked as the tears overwhelmed her, "Can you do that again?"

Even through her hazy vision, Fleur could see her wife's heart break inside of her, as if her words had been tied to the weight of the moon itself. "O–of course, my love." Luna wrapped her legs around Fleur, as if she were protecting a foal from a schoolyard bully. "Just calm down, Fleur. Everything is going to be alright... The tears will stop, I promise you."

'Yes, but will yours, my love?' she thought as sleep began to take hold of her. She craned her head up and brought her lips to Luna's in a soft but deep kiss. Even in her debilitated state, Fleur could feel the fire in her heart stir again, if only for a moment. Their lips parted, and Fleur settled her muzzle into the soft fur of Luna's chest.

"I love you, Luna."

"And I love you too, Fleur."

The crackling fire was the only sound in the room as Fleur drifted off to sleep in the warm, protective embrace of her lover, mistress, confidant, and wife. In her heart of hearts, she knew that this was a different kind of sleep; one that she would not awake from. Yet, as she felt her pool of magic begin to fade like a candle without a wick, and her heart grow ever quieter in her chest, she couldn't help but smile.

'Thank you, Luna... For everything.'

------

A quiet knock on the door snapped Luna from her reverie. She turned from the window in her private office, as if expecting to see a familiar face standing in the doorway. She could not stop a defeated sigh when her eyes landed instead on one of the castle’s messengers.

"What is it?"

"Your Highness, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I have some papers to deliver to you." The messenger approached her desk warily, holding a manilla folder in his magical grip.

"Can't these wait? Surely, the kingdom can survive for a few minutes without one of its leaders in the throne room."

"Yes, of course, y-your Highness..." The other pony stuttered, "But I was instructed to give these to you at this exact time."

Luna took a few steps forward and cast a withering glare at the other pony. "And who gave those instructions?"

"Your wife did, your Grace."

Silenced reigned for nearly a minute before Luna spoke. "Very well then... Leave them on the desk."

"Yes, Princess. and, if I may speak, your Highness, the castle staff asked me to convey their condolences."

Luna turned her gaze back to the window. "Please thank the staff for their well wishes, and assure them that I am fine."

The messenger backed out of the room without another word, closing the door behind him. Another minute passed before Luna moved again. Slowly, she turned to her desk and unwrapped the short stack of parchments. A small box was wrapped in the innermost sheet, and she placed this on her desk for further inspection. She unrolled the first of the two sheets and began to read.

My dearest Luna,

If you are reading this, then I am gone. I am truly sorry that I had to leave you, the one true love of my life, and I can only hope that my last moments were spent in the peace and quiet of your loving embrace. Although, if they were spent trapped in an intricate harness that I couldn't get out of... Well, I can think of worse ways for a pony to go.

You know I was never much for writing huge letters, so I'll get the mundane stuff out of the way first. The second sheet of parchment that should have accompanied this includes instructions for the distribution of my assets. I've squirreled away much of my salary as Director of Charitable Affairs, along with some modest profits from mine and my family's investments, expressly for this circumstance.

Yes, I kept one of my accounts open from when I was married to Fancy Pants, though rest assured that he assumed the account was closed decades ago. I'm sorry for keeping this from you, but every mare is allowed one or two secrets, right? After all, I never even told your sister about your patented sneak runs into the castle kitchen to swipe the last of the ice cream.

Now, as for my assets, I wish for them to be distributed as follows:

-A gift of ten thousand bits to the organizing committee of the Trottingham BDSM convention, for the continued expansion and success of both the convention and the committee.

-A second gift of ten thousand bits to Crimson Mark, to be used for the completion of her education, and the continued operation of the 'supply shop' that she inherited from her parents, Aurora and Quill.

-An endowment in the amount of fifty thousand bits for a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, to be named in Ribbon's honor. Consider this my final gift to Celestia, as thanks for accepting me – and us – into her life.

-Any remaining funds are to be spread evenly to charities throughout Canterlot, at your discretion. Balance Sheet, my long-time contact in the Accounting Department, has my ledgers, and all of the details that you'll need.

But there is one last matter that I wish to address, and one more gift that I wish to give.

If this letter has reached you in the time frame that I requested, then I have been gone but a few days. Having lost family members in the past, I can imagine the pain that must be in your heart, my love. Though knowing that you can never join me on the fields of Elysium must amplify that pain – and that sense of loss – to a degree that only you and the other princesses can know.

Luna, I know that you will always remember me, and the many years of bliss that we shared. When we were first engaged, I swore an oath to you and your sister to make all of your days as happy as I could, even in my passing. And it was with this in mind that I give you my final and perhaps most precious gift...

My memories.

In the small box that came with these papers, you'll find a silver pendant and chain. I commissioned this piece from the renowned Silver Gleam, based on a design of my own creation. Much like my cutie mark, the central pillar of the Fleur De Lis begins as something small. Yet as it passes between the dual crescent moons, it is both constricted and protected; the light and power of the moon shaping it and forming it from the inside-out. Finally, it emerges above, stronger, larger, and more beautiful than ever before. Together, the pillar and the moon become inseparable, as symbolized by the double-band that embraces the both of them.

But this particular piece holds one final element for you, my dear Luna.

You have probably already picked up a magical signature from the pendant, and that is not by accident. While you were away on that diplomatic mission to Zebrica, I had the pendant enchanted with a specific series of memory spells. (It pays to have an office on the same floor as the Princess of Magic)

Once activated, the embedded spells will work inside of your mind to show you my memories of our time together. I believe Princess Twilight asked me to explain it as 'dream projection in a waking state,' but I prefer to think of it as a mental scrapbook of a life well spent. Perhaps seeing a replay of our life together – and through the eyes of a mortal no less – you'll really be able to see just how much you meant to me, from the moment you found me to the moment I passed.

Thanks to Twilight's great skill, the memory spells are tuned to last in near perpetuity, though they can be easily refreshed if the need arises. I know that you swore never to forget me, but none of us know how long the arc of time is, and your sister's pain over her lost memories of Ribbon tells me that even your memories may fade with time. So, use these spells on your bad days; use these spells on your good days. But may they help you to never forget, no matter how long you walk this world and command these heavens.

Oh, and one final thing – the trigger. Activating the spells in the pendant only requires you to say a trigger word. I'd hate for you to trigger a memory spell in the midst of official business, so I set the trigger word to be something that I know you'd never say unless you meant to... Something that would never be said by accident.

What's the trigger word then? I really don't think I need to say. In fact, I think you already know what it is.

I know that smiling is hard to do at this moment, but it is my hope that as time passes, you remember to think less of my absence, and more of the incredible love that we shared.

I love you, Luna.

Forever and always.

Your loving wife,

-Fleur

Luna slowly dropped the paper onto the desk. Her hooves were shaking, and tears were welling under her eyes as the weight of Fleur's words sank into her mind. She turned to the pendant, which sat proudly in a small, velvet-lined box, and gently lifted it up in her magic.

The pendant glimmered like a star, reflecting an almost surreal mixture of dark blues, purples, whites, and pinks. The many small gemstones shone like diamonds as they caught the afternoon sunlight that streamed in through the window. The Princess stared in utter silence as the pendant slowly rotated in her magical grasp. She did nothing to even try to stop the flow of tears from dripping off her muzzle onto the desk.

Finally, she opened the clasp on the chain and slipped the pendant around her neck, the stylized version of her wife's namesake hanging gently against the top of her chest. She stepped quietly across the room and laid down on the couch that sat in front of the small hearth.

Luna's magic grasped a small picture frame and moved it to the small end table that sat just beyond the couch. Tears continued to fall as she looked at the now decades-old picture of herself and Fleur on their honeymoon in Prance.

A blue glow enveloped the pendant as Luna's magic took hold of it, and after taking a deep breath, she triggered the memory spell, using the only word that came to her mind.

"Moonstone."