Luna sat upon her bed, baffled and terrified by the events of the day. An assassin? They really did hate her; they really would not forgive. To the public, she was still Nightmare Moon, and a pony had died for it. She could not comprehend why he had so willingly sacrificed himself. Who would want to save Equestria’s hated princess?

     Luna spent the rest of the day wallowing in self-hatred. She’d asked not to be disturbed, but was almost grateful when somepony came knocking at her chambers. Her sister probably wanted to check on her. She slowly rose from her bed and shuffled over to the door, her head hung low, her body aching with misery. She took a moment to steel herself and look normal before answering; she didn’t want Celestia to know how much this ordeal had really gotten to her.

     It wasn’t her sister, but one of the night guards. He bowed low before speaking. “He…he was a friend of mine your highness. He wanted you to have this.” The guard withdrew from his bag a large black book and placed it at Luna’s feet. As he bid her goodnight and rushed away, she could’ve sworn she saw tears in his eyes. So much pain, and it was all her fault. She closed the door and wandered back to bed, levitating the book in front of her. Why had one of Celestia’s guards left her a book?

     It soon became clear to her that this was no ordinary book. As Luna skimmed through the pages, she realized that it was a journal. She noticed her name cropping up again and again and it piqued her curiosity. In any case, the poor thing had died for her, so if he wanted her to read it, then she supposed she owed him that. Luna set the diary down on her pillow and opened to the first page.

     I can no longer keep my feelings bottled up like this. It is rending my heart and I must have release. Maybe these pages will give it to me.

     It was a short and cryptic first entry, and Luna was now intrigued in earnest. She turned the page.

     Night watch. At the tower. Again. Sometimes I think the universe has a sick sense of humor. Then again sometimes I think fate is trying to tell me something. I hate it when this happens. Not because I do not wish to do my duty, but because of her. Night after night I must watch her despair, knowing I can do nothing to assuage it. I suppose it is fitting that one lonely heart guard another. I wish I could tell her how I feel, but I know deep down I am not worthy. Beautiful Luna, I love you so.

     At these words Luna was taken aback. This pony had feelings for her? Was this why he had laid down his life so readily in her defense? She turned to the next entry.

     She walked by me today. Now I can’t get her off my mind. She was so close I could’ve reached out and touched her. Yet I stood silent. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing or being a fool. I wanted to embrace her. I wanted to hold her. I wanted to tell her how I felt. I wanted to do something, anything, but I stood silent.

     Yes of course it was the right thing to do…how could I have even questioned that? How could I for one second think myself worthy of a princess? No. I am a pony, she is a goddess, and we can never be together. Even if I did say something what am I expecting? For her to fall head over heels in love for me? That we live happily ever after? No. Even if all my dreams came true in the end I would still have to leave her when my time comes. Pain, that’s all I would cause her in the end.

     I am a guard of the royal family, and I must do my duty, even if it means hurting inside. The princesses are my charges, and nothing more. To say something would be selfish and pointless. She is the goddess of the night; she could never love me.

     “You don’t know that…” Luna whispered. She closed the journal and held it against her chest. “You don’t know that…”

-----

     When Luna awoke that night, she was still cradling the black book. Suddenly she realized how late it was and that she had to raise the moon. She brought the journal with her to the watchtower and after fulfilling her nocturnal obligations somewhat hastily she began to read again. The next entry was a poem.

Lovely beacon in the night,

Radiating fractured light,

Lick my wounds and taste delight,

Shining you come closer to me.

Chase your gleam into the dark,

In the distance but a spark,

On my heart you've left your mark,

Shining through the night you lead me.

Drawing closer as I long,

To touch your light, but something's wrong,

Your darkling glow is not as strong,

Dimmer in the dusk before me.

Terrified I back away,

Your gentle touch commands I stay,

Once you were as bright as day,

Flickering so faint before me.

Now you hold me close my dear,

Swallowing my pain and fear,

Together for one moment here,

With one last glint you disappear.

     “So you were a poet, too…” Luna’s eyes were tearing up. It was beautiful. Written below it was a single sentence.

     I love you, Princess Luna.

     And somewhere deep within her, something stirred.

-----

     Night after night, Princess Luna read the guard’s journal, and night after night the frost which had so long covered her heart began to melt as she sifted through the thoughts of a soul that longed for love. They were so much alike, yet so different, and maybe this difference was why he believed they could never have been together. Through pages of musings, poetry, and art, she came to know this pony. He too, had loved and lost. He too had made his mistakes.

     The journal had begun as a place for his thoughts and feelings, but over the years it evolved into something sad: a tribute to a love he knew he’d never have. His longing for her was ever present, and as his words kept her company in the lonely dead of night, she could not help but long for him. One night Luna came upon another poem.

     It was about her.