The moon had risen and the sun had departed beneath the horizon. The ruined portion of the city was blocked off long ago by the guard and a reconstruction team had begun their plans. Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow had gone to their room to meet up with the rest of the elements. Sulyvahn had asked if he could see the library. Luna had to deal with the political aftermath during the Night Court. And alone in the banquet halls of the Royal Castle were two beings of unimaginable strength. They sat before one another drinking tea, the only thing that divided them was a small dining table. Artorias had set aside his helm revealing a somewhat pale creature. His hair was long, and his eyes were an ice cold blue. Despite being a fierce adversary, and older than Celestia herself, Artorias’s face seemed to be quite young.

“Not the largest fan of earl gray, but it’s still a fine tea. Can’t say I remember the last time I had it, so it’s a nice change of pace,” Artorias sipped more and set it down.

Despite her many years and experience, battle was not her forte. And compared to Artorias she was a novice. Despite that she knew she had several things over him. The first was magic, sure he had strength, speed, and a some knowledge on magic, but she out classed him in every way. The second was knowledge. Artorias had been cast in stone for thousands of years and so his knowledge was incredibly outdated. But this was a double edged sword to balance upon. Though she may have more “recent” knowledge, Artorias carried with him knowledge before ancient knowledge. The third was conversation. Over the years as a leader she honed one of the most powerful weapons, speech. The ability to command ponies, negotiate, deceive. She mastered it, and made it a strategic weapon.

“Understandably we got off on the wrong hood Artorias. Allow me to apologize for my… rash thinking,” her first goal was to see what his ambitions were. For that to happen she had to make sure he harbored no anger.

“It’s in the past, not like it matters,” he set down his teacup onto its platter. “Tell me Celestia, how long has your kingdom stood? I am curious.”

“With this capital, over a thousand years. With the incursion of the Everfree Forest, we moved location,” she took another sip.

“Interesting. Was there a large serpent when you built this at the base of the mountain.”

“No, if there was such a creature, we would have dealt with it. I must say though the handling of the situation was rather quick,” she said as she poured herself another cup.

“Myself and Sulyvahn were a bit rusty, so it took longer than expected. If we were in our prime, I’m sure we could have mitigated the damage further.”

“No, no, no. It’s fine. Truly. We are grateful that you had slain the beast. In fact, no ponies were injured. You must tell me of your time from before your petrification,” Celestia knew that heroes and knights loved to boast about their accomplishments. This was just a segway.

“There is not much to say, there was war, disease, famine, and as a result of those; death. My kingdom was not so different from yours. It stretched from coast to coast, from the tallest mountain, to the deepest pits. And it all came crashing down,” silence took over the room. Not even the noise from outside could permeate the walls. And Artorias sat there, motionless. He stared at his tea, his reflection stared back.

“I didn’t expect glory when I had founded the kingdom. I didn’t expect respect. All I wanted was peace and prosperity.”

“I am sorry Artorias. I had no idea,” He isn’t lying, if he was my spells that I had casted earlier would have detected it. Even if they weren’t able to detect it, no creature could recreate sorrow in his eyes.

“We should move on. I’m sure when you asked that, you were expecting more glorious tales. I suppose I could tell you one,” he downed his cup and set it aside. “Long ago, even before my kingdom, were three men. They were far shorter than I, and they had aspirations and dreams. One wanted to change the world by governing. Another wanted to be a well respected scientist. The last, well he just liked to make stuff.”

“As with any story with a moral, I’m sensing a ‘but.’”

“Right you are. The three of them had their choice in life stripped away and they were thrown into an unforgiving world full of hate and destruction. They weren’t completely helpless, the entity that thrown them in there had given them strength and power. They lived their lives and became heroes, but that dream they held within that had burned brightly faded. Is it isn’t obvious enough, I am talking about myself and my compatriots.”

“So you're telling me you are not originally from this world?”

“Not quite, I am not from this dimension. My friends and I had lives before this one. Honest, hardworking lives. You could say we were reborn into this world. Nonetheless, here we are now. Once again, we have been reborn, or rather, revived. I know not why, but I do know that this universe play games,” he stood up and grabbed his helm.

“What do you mean Artorias? What games?” worry had spread across her face. Even he was defeated, and his kingdom was destroyed.

The two were off to the side of the room, Artorias had worn his helmet and equipped his sword and shield. The princess was pleading for Artorias to explain, but he didn’t listen. He began to approach the princess with sword in hand. He can’t possibly mean to attack me!

He was right in front of her, his sword at his side. He knelt down on one leg, his icy eyes staring into her. He bowed his head. “I, Knight Artorias, do solemnly swear to follow you to the ends of the world. To battle any obstacles that interfere with your goals, as your goals are mine. My sword, my shield, my magic are yours to command, I give you my life.”

Celestia was caught off guard by this display. She could tell that Artorias was a warrior, she knew that he was a great leader. For such a legend to bow to her, to give her their life so suddenly. He barely even knows me!

The two of them remained motionless as time passed, the only thing Celestia could muster was a “Why?”

“I too was once a symbol of peace and prosperity, but I had failed and my kingdom had fallen. Even during my rule, my kingdom suffered. But you. You succeeded. You’re people do not die of hunger, disease or war. Sure there are a few things here and there, but that is natural. I am no longer fit to rule, so I will follow those who are.”

Celestia backed away from the knight, this was truly frightful. Thoughts of herself falling victim to failure and her own kingdom flashed in her mind. It wasn’t Artorias that she feared, but what had become of him. He was noble, proud, strong. But he fell. Would she become the same? No! I won’t let it. The ponies of Equestria look up to me.

Celestia laughed a little at her antics, she was afraid. Afraid to fail, afraid to lose everything. Her imagination had run wild and meeting Artorias only worsened it. It was similar to the time when she was about to send Twilight off not too long ago. “Artorias, I Princess Celestia of Equestria, bestow upon you knighthood. But more so I ask of you to become my protector,” she used her magic to lift his sword and tapped each shoulder. “It’s not much of a ceremony, but I suppose you can now officially call yourself a knight.”

“Indeed, I suppose by the state’s eyes, I wasn’t a knight,” he stood up and sheathed his sword. He took off his helmet once again, “I look forward serving you your Highness.”

“Celestia, please. I still want you to think of us as equals, and besides I think it would be more beneficial to our friendship. Speaking of which, what tea do you prefer,” she smiled, remembering his dislike for earl gray.

“Red tea, I also like adding a little honey.”

“I’ll keep that in mind then. Tomorrow my sister and I will be having breakfast, I hope you will join us as well as your compatriots.”

“I’ll see to it you- I mean Celestia.”

“You didn’t seem to have trouble earlier when you weren’t my protector.”

“That was before I swore myself to being your protector.”

Celestia gave a small yawn, “It is getting quite late, and I believe our conversation went successfully, wouldn’t you say? I am heading off to my chambers now,” she began making her way out of the room. As she did so, Artorias bowed his head as she passed by. It was only when she reached the door that she stopped and turned back. Her mane covered one of her eyes as she turned to look at Artorias, “Are you not going to escort your princess? I would much enjoy your presence as we made our way to my room.”

Shivers found their way up his spine as he heard his princess’s sultry voice, “Pardon?”

Author's Notes:

Random chapter attack! Out of all the chapters I enjoyed this chapter, I feel it really displays the relationship that Artorias and Celestia will have. Artorias was strong, but failed. Celestia by comparison was weak and succeeded. They both truly have respect for one another as one is a leader, and the other was. With this chapter I really wanted to highlight their dynamics.

Too lazy to write this part, if you've been reading the author's notes, then you know what to do.