Chapter 2 - Drifting Dawn

With the moon slowly fading away, putting an end to the night, and with the sun still waiting to be risen, Luna had given herself a rare chance to walk the castle halls without disruption.  Poking her head through the thick wooden door while keeping it almost completely shut, Luna scouted the large Throne Hall from the eastern corridor for any sign of activity. Knowing that only few of the servant ponies would ever be awake so early, she pushed herself through the doorway without hesitation.  The coast was clear, Luna let out a heavy sigh of relief before silently making her way over to the western side of the hall.

Fearing that she might wake the rest of castle with the echoing sound of her hoof steps, Luna lowered her head and crept along the ground as she gazed around the room. At the southern end of the hall, Luna saw the two enormous gold plated doors that stood as the main entrance to the castle, underneath them, a thick river of red velvet burst through into the center of the room, leading down to the throne at the northern most point of the hall. Accompanying, a vast collection of stained glass windows shone what little light the day had yet to bring into the room. The windows closer to the entrance portrayed a wide array of heroic feats that had been accomplished the many ponies of Equestria, while those found closer to the throne illustrated the important events of history. As Luna came closer  to the western side of the hall, she drew her head back in front of herself and fixed her eyes onto the exit.

Nearing the exit, sounds from the corridor could be heard from the other side, which gradually grew louder as Luna began to push against the door. Slowly, with the door opening in front of her, the sounds of distant chattering seeped through the cracks, and on hearing these voices,  Luna quickly pulled her body from the door and leapt back. At that moment the door swung on its hinges, hitting the wall hard as several ponies swarmed out, galloping right passed the princess.  Luna turned to see the servants spreading out in all different directions, muttering to themselves the list of tasks that had been set for each of them.

"Ah, Just the pony I wish to speak with." announced somepony from the corridor. Luna, who had almost been knocked to her feet from the herd of busy servant ponies, regained her balance and glanced up.

"Oh, Celestia it's you, you wanted to speak to me?" queried the sapphire maned pony hesitantly as several more servant ponies flooded passed the tall, rainbow maned alicorn.

"It's about the Summer Sun Celebration, I was wondering if you had anything planned for the evening." Princess Celestia began walking through the hall, passing Luna and summoning her to follow suit.

"Oh yes!" whispered a delighted Luna, turning to follow her sister then, suddenly, began gently shaking her head. "I...I mean, no. No I have not."

"Really Luna, After all this time I thought that even you would made some friends by now." Princess Celestia had reached the center of the back of the hall where her throne sat, and slowly climbed the steps leading up to it.

The sapphire maned alicorn placed her hoof on the first step and leant forward in protest to her sister."No no, it didn't mean that!"

Celestia turned, looked down, and with raised brow she stared down at Luna. "Oh? Then you have made some friends?"

Luna hesitated, for a year she had prided herself on raising the moon like she had a thousand years ago, she thought that her sister would be happy knowing that she had managed to readjust after such a long time away, while continuing to do her royal duty. Yet still, Celestia was disappointed with her.

Luna looked up to her under her mane, and while forcing a grin over her face, she started slowly. "Of course I have." she found what little confidence she could muster, raised her head high, straightened out her face and continued. "What kind of princess would I be if I weren't involved in the lives of my subjects?" Luna silently praised herself on an excellent delivery of her 'Regal Princess' routine and rewarded herself with a more relaxed stance.

"Oh, really now?" asked Celestia surprised, almost in belief of what Luna had just said. She backed herself onto her throne and now with a more playful tone began to speak again. "Well, this is a surprise, here I thought that you had been doing nothing but spending all your time locked away in the towers, it's good to hear you've been generous with yourself, I'm sure you've made some wonderful friends."

Luna was in shock, normally she was an open book to Celestia, never able to get anything passed her without an accusing hoof pointed in her direction, however she managed to keep the look of disbelief from her face, and with a light hearted chuckle she went on. "Yes, yes. Quite wonderful indeed.  Now If you'll excuse me, I believe I must go meet with them, I hope to arrange plans for the coming celebrations." With that Luna turned on her hooves and made for the main castle doors.

For a few seconds, her face remained calm, but as she turned and faced the larger golden doors, her mane falling into place around her, Luna bit her bottom lip as feelings of panic invaded her mind.

Next Chapter: On Guard Estimated time remaining: 16 Minutes