Celestia was gone the rest of the day and the next. I didn't care. I liked the privacy. I wasn't allowed to wander either. Two guards had been posted outside my room to make sure I stayed put. I guess I could go out the window, but I was some eighty or ninety feet from the gardens below.

I should try to see Luna. Perhaps Celestia would allow it before she has to go out tonight.

Foolish thinking of course. Celestia wouldn't let me anywhere near Luna. And I'm sure she was keeping Luna away from me too. I stomped a hoof in frustration. What had gotten into me? I should be trying to get home. My friends were probably worried sick. What about Fluttershy? She would be out of her mind with worry by now. My mind turned to the fact that Twilight was Celestia's pupil. Would the princess tell her I was here? Would she say why?

What happens if Fluttershy finds out? What then?"

I shook my head. I couldn't bear the thought. My heart ached to think of Shy's reaction to learning that I had romantic feelings for another mare. But could I deny Luna either? The thought of rejecting her was nearly as painful. I thought over all the letters we had written each other. We had told each other so much. I doubt that anypony knew Luna as well as I did besides Celestia herself. She had written her soul into her letters. I had done likewise. But she had never outright told me that she had feelings for me. And yet when she had kissed me last night in Ponyville, I remembered that I hadn't been surprised. It had been a shock of course, but not a surprise. We had gotten to know each other over the past few months and now something else was forming. I should have seen it coming, but my feelings of friendship for her had gotten in the way. Now they weren't.

I walked out onto the balcony and looked down at the gardens. I smiled. Fluttershy would love it here. It was a beautiful sight. I wonder if the princesses took care of the garden themselves. That certainly would account for the beauty of every plant. My mind drifted to Fluttershy again and I found myself reliving memories of the past few months; laughing, cuddling, kissing, having fun with our friends, the dragon, the Cloudsdale Ball. I sighed. It had been great.

The sun was beginning to set. Luna would be raising the moon soon. I did enjoy the night. The stars were always so wonderful to look at. You couldn't do that with the sun. There was a knock at the door. "Come in." I didn't turn. It was probably Celestia coming to check up on me. I listened as the hoofsteps made their way across the room and then onto the balcony.

"Speedy."

I spun around. There she was. Luna. I smiled. "What are you doing here?" She pulled me into a hug. "I needed to see you. Celestia's busy with the sun, so I came." I returned the hug. "Thank you." She pulled away and looked me over. "Have you been treated well?" I chuckled. "Did you expect your sister to beat me?" She smiled. "No. I guess not. I was just worried for you." She hugged me again. I held her and we stayed on the balcony for what felt like hours, whispering to each other. But the sun dipped below the horizon and Luna had to get to work. She took off from the balcony and I watched her go.

It wasn't long after that Celestia came for a visit. I smiled and welcomed her in. "My sister has been here hasn't she?" I nodded. "She has. We sat out on the balcony together." She sighed. "What am I to do?" I tipped my head to the side. "What do you mean?" She sat down and looked at me. "Luna's love for you is strong. I've never seen her so...happy. Not since we were much younger." I sat down in front of her. "So what's the problem?" She eyed me and a single tear appeared in the corner of her eye. "She can't be with you. No matter how happy it makes her. And yet I can't bring myself to break her heart. She's my sister. I couldn't." I nodded slowly. Celestia really was having trouble. I had first thought it selfish that she didn't want me here, but now she sees how deep into it we all were.

I put a hoof on Celestia's shoulder. "I'm sorry for your dilemma. You are the ruler of Equestria. You can do a great many things. But forcing the feelings of ponies is not one of them. Perhaps....perhaps if Luna and I were to spend time together...." She looked at me from the corner of her teary eye. "You think that this would solve the situation? Furthering those feelings?" I shrugged. "Perhaps this needs to happen. It may lead to something big." She wiped away her tears. "And what of your friends? What about Fluttershy?" I lowered my head. "I need time to sort through my thoughts. Please allow me to see Luna."

Celestia stood and walked to the door. "She will not be busy tonight. Go and see her." And she was gone. I smiled. I had to find out if what Luna and I had was truly love. And I had to do it tonight.

And what if it is?

Then perhaps I should remain at the castle.

And Ponyville? Fluttershy?

There would be some explanations in order. But one step at a time for now. I walked back to the balcony to see the stars blinking into existence and the moon rising over Equestria. A wonderful sight. And it got even better when I heard the sound of wings flapping nearby. I looked up in time to see Luna descending to the balcony. She landed in front of me. She smiled. "Hold on tight." Before I could ask what she meant I found myself being lifted into the air. Luna flew us down into the gardens below, landing softly on one of the many paths.

I looked around at the garden surrounding us. I had only admired it from a distance. Now I was here and it was far more amazing than it was from eighty feet up. Luna motioned to me. "Let's walk." I fell into step with her and we walked side by side through the garden.I looked up at the night sky again. "It's beautiful tonight. I don't know how you do it." She blushed a little. "I enjoy it. It's like painting a mural every night." I smiled. We continued to walk until we came to a small cove. I did not remember seeing this from the balcony.

We sat down next to a fountain. The moonlight hit Luna's face perfectly. I sighed. "You are amazing. How could somepony so perfect be in love with me?" She giggled. "Because you are not like other ponies. You're special." I stared into those gorgeous eyes of hers. Without thinking, I leaned in.

I'm going to kiss her, aren't I?

She closed her eyes as our lips met.

So I've decided. I would stay with Luna and break Fluttershy's heart. She will never be the same. Her friends will be affected by my leaving. They will all suffer. How glorious-

I broke the kiss and stood. I felt out of breath. Luna looked up at me, concern in her eyes. "Speedy?" I backed away. "I...I need... I need to..." I stopped stammering. I felt my face tighten as fury overtook me. "I should have known." Her eye's widened in shock. "What?" I backed away from her. "I refuse to live like this any longer. I need to find it." Luna stood and took a step towards me. "Speedy, what are you talking about? What do you need to find?"

"The answer." Next Chapter: Speedy's Search Estimated time remaining: 13 Minutes