Luna yawned as her magic receded, the world coming into view once more. Gently, she eased the moon down to the horizon, ending the fleeting night as the sun rose again. They had already passed through the crossroads now, and all that was left was to sleep herself.

“Finished for the night?” Arin asked, watching the sunrise with her. She gave a quiet nod, turning back to her knight.

“It is done. The night has been guarded once more.” She looked back out the window, inhaling the view as the mountains began to recede. They were cutting through the valley of the Gorge, the Unicorn Range Mountains sinking down to the ground as the minutes would melt by. Ever north they went, headed for the Crystal Empire.

Snow was becoming common on the ground, heavy tufts having formed on hills and ditches along the railroad. The carriage air had become cool, chilly even – as they cut through the mountain side.

Luna closed the window, blinking in the darkness. Arin stripped his gear again, bag and boots forming a neat pile with his quiver and sword. Unfolding his bed, he prepared for another day’s rest – job completed once again.

“Arin…” Luna began, the Seraph looking up from the sheets.

“Mm? Yes Luna?”

She hesitated, before those words came back to her. Something familiar, from someone special. Words from a Pink Alicorn, right before the knighting ceremony. Be yourself. Slipping her hoof shoes off, she approached the side of his bed.

“We have a request of you, my knight.” She said, her voice wavering. She breathed, trying to take the stone mask her sister wore, and apply it to herself.

Arin’s face softened into a smile, almost laughing at her attempt to be so cool and collected. “And what is that, my Princess?”

Luna cursed quietly to herself, biting her lip. Breathe, Luna. Be yourself.

“We wish for you to protect Us in Our sleep.” She stated, puffing her chest out, her head raised high.

“…Protect you in your sleep?” He asked, bewildered. “I uh… guess I can stand watch, though I’ll need to sleep eventually.”

Either he is playing dumb, or he is teasing us, Luna thought. She steadied her breathing, clarifying.

“We… wish for you to… hold Us. Me. Hold me.”

To say one or the other blushed was wrong; both of their faces turned red in an instant, Luna nervously running one front hoof over the other.

The silence of the carriage was deafening – the bump of the tracks beneath the floor completely ignored, leaving total quiet as Arin thought.

In her face, Luna was cool and expressionless, her stone mask returning after the slip. Inside, she was screaming. Her child side was screaming, her royal side was screaming, inside of her were two ponies; and they were both screaming.

“Uh… sure. I can do that.” He said, slipping backwards into the bed. Luna had to suppress those same to voices, as they both screamed – this time in delight.

“V-Very well then! We thank you, kind knight. Thy valor is unmatched to accept… such a dangerous task!”

Nailed it. She thought.

Arin chuckled softly, raising the comfy sheet up. Luna snatched her pillow from the other side, immediately hopping up into the embrace of the shared bed. Within a moment, her hooves had locked quickly around her knight, squeezing him tight like a plushie. Her face pressed firmly into the crook of his neck, her wing darting around his side.

“That was… well, that’s fast.” Arin said, gently draping her in his protective hold. Who was he to deny her those simple creature comforts? The comfort of being held, of being warm? He wanted to be held, too – and he was, and it was great.

He found himself curling around her slowly, his nose pressing into her soft, relaxing mane. It went from starry night to a simple baby blue, resting on the bed in a long sheet. His hands tucked under her wings, pulling her to his chest – sharing his warmth in the chilly cabin.

As usual, things seemed to move much too fast to recount. Not more than mere weeks ago, he was being helped out of the tub by a pony caretaker in this strange, foreign land. Now he’s snuggling one of it’s princesses like a kitten. Odd.

Luna quickly became soft putty, Arin’s firm grasp holding her close. A tingly warmth spread from his chest outward, his heart taking flight from the feeling. When she was laying down like this, the full length of her body became apparent as her hind legs tangled between his legs.

They were still friends, right? Friends did this sometimes… didn’t they?

He felt his mind losing its trail of thought as that sweet lavender scent lulled him to sleep.

~

As dusk approached, Luna awoke first. She was an absolute tangled mess in her Knight’s hooves – hands, she would mentally correct herself – and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her tail had wrapped itself around Arin’s leg, while Arin’s left hand had traveled up, locking her muzzle into his chest.

She breathed in slow, taking in his scent. He smelled partially like the gardens of the castle – but lavender clung to him now, a scent she shared with him from their proximity. Her wing tucked in under his arm, squeezing him close. It wasn’t the same scent she bore – there were mild differences now, a hint of masculinity filling it and giving it new life. And she enjoyed it immensely.

Perhaps We have taken this too far… Luna thought, her hoof trailing over Arin’s chest. Feeling the strong muscles underneath, his heart beating slow and steady beyond it all. Luna couldn’t help but wonder in this moment what he thought of her.

Her time sealed away really did distance her from reality. Her Sister would think ill of her, if she knew – sharing feelings of love with not just a commoner, but an alien creature no less. How could she have stooped so low so quickly? Was she perhaps becoming… desperate? Desperate enough to fall for this kind soul?

Kind… he was kind indeed. He was a bit brash at first – blunt even, but his kind nature overtook that in a way. And he seemed so intense, listening to her every word – not to mention sharing company. He didn’t fear her, nor shy away due to her stature. In fact, he seemed to flock to her… the thought alone made her hug tighter.

Soon, the brief moment was dashed – she was running thin on time, as the sun neared the far horizon, the moon must rise. With finesse, she slid her tail free of Arin’s leg – wing withdrawing as her body slid from his grasp. He stirred, but stayed asleep in that moment as she moved to the window once more.

It was snowy outside, cold and blue melding with the soft orange of the setting sun. Her horn glowed, and once again, night fell over Equestria – just as Celestia set her sun. She painted the stars once more, taking her time to assure their beauty as they twinkled in the sky.

She willed her mane and tail to grow with swirling energy, stirring with their magic once again. She turned back to the fold out bed, crawling back in against Arin to enjoy the warmth.

Arin murmured in his sleep, saying her name quietly. She blushed, looking up into his closed eyes. She thought idly about peering into his dreams, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not with him so close, it felt wrong. Like an invasion of privacy. And he seemed happy; why disturb that?

Instead, her head tucked in against his, enjoying the comfort of the bed in the cold cabin. He stirred, running his hand over her back, slowly blinking away his sleep. He could see the moonlight filtering in from outside, Luna pressed to his chest in a warm bundle. Her mane stirring in magical wind.

His hand slipped up, gently scratching over the back of her head. Luna blushed, her ears flicking at the affection, pulling back to look him in the eyes.

He seemed so relaxed, so calm and quiet as his hand traveled over her scalp. Scratching behind her ears, her legs shuffling at the touch. Smiling.

“Good night, Luna.” He said quietly, making the Princess blush.

“Good night to you as well, Sir Arin.” She said, as they relaxed for a moment more. His eyes turned to the window, the winds whipping. A blizzard it seemed, cold and harsh, had overtaken the moon as they traveled further north.

“We should be arriving in the Crystal Empire in a few hours or so. Let me get dressed; Shining and Cadence will definitely be up for our arrival. And uh… I think I’d have trouble explaining why I’m cuddling you.” Arin smiled sheepishly, Luna giving a sigh.

“Thou are correct. We shall simply wait out the last hoof of the journey.” Sitting up, she untangled herself from Arin once more – affording him the chance to scoot over to the side of the bed, and start donning his gear. Luna’s magic grasped at the other bunk, pulling it free to lay down in a flat bed. Her pillow was chucked across the way, her own sheet lazily draped over the bed to feign sleep.

With her evidence set, she was ready to lie about her cuddling habits if need be. Arin stood up, stretching as he approached the window. Looking out over the snowy drifts as they chugged through deep snow, the darkness of the night becoming familiar to him.

But something else caught his eye as he looked. At first, he thought it was some kind of black wolf – sprinting above the snow to keep up with the train. But it weaved closer, a dark amalgamation of clouds that churned and bubbled as it swerved around trees.

He watched curiously for several moments, the chug of the train dulling out the world. It was like a ball of smoke… could it be a reflection of the engine’s smoke stack? It didn’t make sense to him.

“Luna, what’s that-”

A blast shook the train as the engine derailed, throwing Arin against the glass window. He lost hold of Nocturne – the blade slipping free of the scabbed and sucked out of the shattered pane as the cabin spun onto its side. The roof was torn free, and he was yanked out – distant screams of the scant passengers growing quiet as the heavy train spun free of the rails.

He crashed hard against his right shoulder – narrowly missing his quiver for padding as he fell to the soft snow, stunned. The screech of metal became distant as his blurry eyes cracked open, trying to stay conscious from the critical strike.

The sound of crunching snow soon overtook the now terrifying silence, as he looked up beyond his double vision. Before him stood something he thought we would never see again.

Long white wings, an imposing figure that stood tall – armor donned across the Seraph’s chest, as it gazed down at him. The nameless Ascended gazed at the fallen form before him, eyeing him curiously from beneath his helm.

The Ascended sneered, withdrawing a dagger from his waistband. He stepped towards Arin, wings tucking in as he grabbed his brown hair in his gloved hand.

“You weren’t supposed to be on the train.” He said, drawing the blade to the fallen Knight’s throat.

So this is how I die. Killed in snowy wastes by an Ascended. Arin thought, as the Seraph readied a killing blow. His mind began to falter, barely holding on to consciousness as he stopped, as if hearing something.

A black whirl of shadows slammed into the Seraph’s side, a masculine grunt following as he stumbled hard to his left. Blood pooled in the snow, a dark horse stepped back from the fatal wound. Her red, curved horn dripping in blood.

The Seraph stared in shock, the now dying Ascended collapsed into the snow. Clutching his mortal wound before quickly bleeding out. Arin could only watch, his vision fading as the shadowy horse turned to him. It approached in regal steps, examining him curiously as Arin lost consciousness.

~

When Arin awoke, he found himself tightly bound in warm blankets, his right shoulder in immense pain. He could see the clouds above him, dimly lit by the moon as snow fell against his unprotected face.

He was in some kind of sleigh – wrapped tightly in warm fabrics and leathers to protect him from the cold. He could feel a weight against his chest – a familiar weight, the heft of Nocturne. He continued to stare into the sky in his daze. The steps ahead of him were from one creature – four heavy hoof falls that crunched pleasantly in the white powder.

If he was being captured by something, he didn’t have the strength to struggle free.

“Where are you taking me?” He asked, coughing. His throat had turned dry from the event, pain seeping into his words.

The crunch of snow stopped, before turning slowly to meet him. A pair of red eyes met his own, the blood covered horn of a gray unicorn gleaming in the moonlight as his suspicions were confirmed. He didn’t want to believe it. He didn’t think he could believe it. But standing there, gazing down at him – was the form of a mare he had only tales of. Bewilderment and fear shook him, and he was left nearly dazed from the seeping malice of her eyes.

For a while she stared, remaining quiet as she examined the Seraph. Her horn flashed, and he felt a familiar tingle of magic wash over him.

“Curious. You don’t share the same magic as your kin, creature.” She said in a strong, unwavering tone. She carried herself regally, almost like Princess Celestia would – but something seemed off about the way she did it.

It felt like her royal manner came from power, not from experience. That’s what Arin could come up with, in such a short notice.

“Tell me, creature. What is your kind?” She asked, hefting Nocturne in her red, magical grasp. “And how does one such as you come into possession of a fine blade as this? It belongs obviously to the scabbard at your side, I will not accept wrong answers.”

Arin wondered if he should even respond to that, blinking away snow that fell into his unprotected eyes. She was patient, and waited for the words. When none came after several long moments of staring, she returned the blade to its sheath on Arin’s chest.

“Very well.” Was all she said, sitting before him. “Let’s try again. My name is Queen Umbra, the rightful ruler of this land. What, pray tell, is yours?”

Arin didn’t respond immediately. But a name couldn’t hurt, and he spoke with slight bitter in his voice. “Arin. I am a citizen of Equestria. What you are doing is kidnapping. Let me go.”

Umbra’s face didn’t change. Instead, she nodded. “If you wish to be free, it would be unwise. You are several leagues from the Crystal Empire. Your wounds would kill you before you made it up the nearest hill.”

A snap of her magic, and the several cords binding him released – all at once, it seemed. He shuffled forward, wincing as the pain he suppressed came all at once, knocking him soundly back into the sleigh. He didn’t cry out, but he knew when he’d been beat. She had a fair point.

“You’re just going to let me go? Just like that?” He asked, freeing his left hand from the warmth of the leather bindings. “I could kill you, for the crimes you’ve committed against Equestria.”

“Many have tried.” She said. “You would be the next to fail. Do not tempt me, creature. I chose to spare you out of the kindness of my heart. If you would stop your fruitless struggles, I may tend to your wounds in the safety of my abode. Or, you may perish in the cold. The choice is yours.”

Arin thought it over. He was in no condition to fight, or move. And judging by the unicorn’s cold voice, he could tell she was being honest. If she wanted him dead, he was one strike away from it. When he remained silent and unmoving, she began her journey forward again – the snow crunching under hoof as the sleigh slid silently through the snow.

Without the weight of the restraints holding him to the sleigh, he had to struggle to stay on. If Umbra noticed, she didn’t care.

“Why take me at all? Why not leave me to my grave?” He asked. For another dozen steps, there was no reply.

“While we may be distant from society, I am not oblivious to it. Word reached me of a strange creature, recently knighted in Canterlot. I believe you to be of value, if you truly are said knight.” Her steps continued as the sleigh angled up over a hill.

“So you crashed the train?” He asked, spite in his voice. He could feel his insides burning with fury. How dare she? Steal him like a trophy! He wanted to strangle her, and impale her on his sword! …If he could move.

“No. It was not I who derailed it. That would be your kind, creature. I had come across them stalking my lands not too recently. At first, I eyed them out of curiosity. But reckless destruction would bring prying eyes to places I’d rather they not be – so I did away with them. Too late, I believe. And since I’m sheltered close by and ‘dug in’, as some would say, I have little choice but to weather the storm they’ve caused from their actions.”

She turned into a hollow, her elegant steps bringing the sleigh towards the long end of a cave. Arin bit his tongue, thinking of what to ask next.

“Then why take me? You know I hold value to the Crown. They’ll come looking for me.”

“If you are coveted, you are of value. And I can not leave what meager shelter I have, at the moment. As it stands, you are nothing more than a bargaining tool, and a guest.”

She was right. Arin blinked as the sound of a heavy door turned, and warmth flooded in. He shuffled his neck with difficulty, looking up to see where he was being imprisoned.

It appeared to be a small, underground fort of sorts. From where it came from or when it was crafted he was unsure, but a warm fire eased him slightly in the fireplace on the far wall.

“So you’re just gonna throw me in a dungeon or something?”

“No. A queen does not lie; you are a guest in my halls for the time being. Though this is not the land I deserve, it is the last place I may call home in these wastes.” She took the blade from Arin’s chest, raising it up in her magic to the mantle of a small fireplace, just out of reach. He heard the shuffle of his quiver, and it joined it up high.

Her magic lifted him all at once, making him gasp in pain – an urge he quickly suppressed, as she settled him in a soft, cushioned chair. Still wrapped in the leathers of the sleigh, he looked around the room – taking note of the details.

The walls were made of a soft, gray brick, supported by black crystal beams across the corners and walls. Hundreds of portraits, pictures, and décor lined each and every surface of the chamber; landscapes painted by hoof, pictures in black and white. He couldn’t make out much from his position against the warm fire, but he could see the craftsmanship that went into everything.

The room was small and content, cozy even – a few bookshelves broke the walls apart, making it seem tended. Arin tried to move his neck to turn – but grunted in frustration.

“Be at ease, Sir Arin. Your injuries are severe, and if my knowledge serves correct, you fractured your collar bone on the tree and broke your right arm. You need rest.” She said, sitting on a chair across the way, almost like a throne. Though it was angled to the fire, she directed her eyes on her guest.

“Your ankle was also shattered and misaligned. It will be a time before you may set your weight on it. I managed to fashion a splint from wood, to allow you to heal.”

“Why do this for me? Don’t you know we’re both enemies?” Arin asked, feeling the wood tight against his arm now that she mentioned it.

“I have done nothing against you.” She replied, “if anything, I lean more towards what that pathetic new blood Alicorn would call a ‘friend’.” Her eyes narrowed, leaning back into her chair. Gazing into the fire, letting her thoughts wander.

“But you may treat me with disrespect. I know well of my actions of the past. I do not ask for companionship. Not from you. Not unless it suits me.”

At those words, Arin felt a little bad. She had a point; she never directly did anything against him, if she was being truthful. It just arose more questions.

“How do I know you’re not lying to me? That you’re simply not going to kill me when I lose your interest?” He asked bravely. His heart began to slow, regardless – the fire wearing his broken body down.

She didn’t respond again, remaining quiet. Lost in the flame, her eyes twinkling with distant memories.

“Lies are for the guilty. I do not feel guilt.”

That had an impact on him, more than he’d like to admit. She was covered in blood, yet she felt no remorse for her actions. The honesty sent a shiver down his spine; she would stab you in the back and admit to it immediately, rather than be caught in a lie.

For this reason alone, he had to give her a little trust. If he wanted to survive and recover, he had to trust this monster – this menace – with his well being.

“I’m a Seraph.” Arin said, after a long pause. “I come from the land of Erenorn. I am considered an Inert of my people; without inherit magic.”

She placed her thoughts together, before speaking again. “Yet I detect it inside of you. Curious…” She said. She made it to her hooves, turning to a door to her left. Without a word, she vanished past the heavy cedar frame – the wood clinking shut.

Arin was worried for a moment, but let the fear go. If she wanted him dead, he would be dead. For whatever reason, he was alone now to his thoughts. He stared at the fire, worry creeping into his soul.

He hoped Luna was okay. That Shining, Cadence, and Flurry Heart made it out of the train safely. That no other passengers were hurt in the attack, that the grumpy old conductor didn’t pass from the deadly attempt on their lives.

He closed his eyes, exhaustion creeping into him. Just at the edge of sleep, the cedar door reopened – Umbra returning with a bowl in her magical grasp.

She approached Arin’s chair with elegant ease, towering over him. She was on eye level with him, he was sure of it – if he was standing, of course. Her black mane swayed slightly with excess magic, the blood cleaned from her coat as she sat before him.

With a spoon, she levitated a scoop of hot stew from the bowl. Bewildered, he looked her in the eyes. She didn’t seem to hesitate, holding the wooden utensil to his mouth.

“You eat meat. Correct?” She said. Arin gave a sniff of the stew, seeing several notable things within – carrots, potatoes, onion, and small, finely cut pieces of meat. “Do not fret. It is elk.”

Slowly, he opened his mouth – and with terrifying care, she slid the spoon inside. He closed his lips, tasting the gamy nature of the wild meat. It reminded him of the forests of Elma Soli, when he hunted his prey by the great lake Chalice. It was well seasoned, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of home.

He was being spoonfed by an evil queen that had tried to enslave an entire Empire. If he had to write a list of ‘things that would never happen in his life’, this would be at the top of his list, right in front of ‘becoming a royal knight’ and ‘being treated with respect’.

“How did you know I eat meat?” He asked. She withdrew another spoonful, never once giving a smile or a hint of emotion – beyond a stern glare, when needed.

“Your teeth reveal as such. If you think you went without inspection, you are mistaken.”

Arin didn’t know how to feel about that. She was silent as he finished the bowl, returning beyond the door for whatever she decided to do next.

Which was, apparently, wash the bowl out.

Easing back into the comfort of the living space, she began the process of stripping Arin free of the leathers around him. He found it now to be the best time to speak, to show a little kindness for her effort.

“You cook well. Thank you.” He said quietly. Umbra stopped in her work, looking up into his eyes. And for the first time, she smiled, showing off an impressive set of fangs.

“Thank you. We slayed the elk ourselves.”

Just like that, the moment was gone. Arin was removed from the heavy hides around him, as her magic lifted him up. He could feel his body throwing a fit over the movement – shaking in pain as she quietly brought him across the way – to another room.

It was a bedroom. After seeing it, he felt silly for thinking it might be a cold stone dungeon. He began to wonder just how big this miniature castle was, as she set him in the bed. Her magic fumbled with the buttons on his vest, her face forming a scowl.

“Dragon hide?” She asked. Arin gave a painful nod.

“The Court must find you valuable to bestow such protection.” She said, managing to free him from the leather and mithril piece, Arin yelping in pain as she maneuvered it around his devastated shoulder. The shirt came next – but with a spell, it phased through his body with ease. She quickly folded it, stripping him of his boots, drawing another groan from his as his battered ankle left him whimpering.

He breathed deep, suppressing the pain quickly. It dulled, leaving him panting, but free of the agony.

She watched the tension release from his twitching muscles. “Seraph… unique. What is your kind doing in Equestria?” She asked, the boots joining the neatly folded pile of clothes.

“Before today, I believed myself to be the only one. And I was a special case – I am the last of my kind, the only one living without magic or wings. My kingdom spared me my fate, and sent me here. Your guess is as good as mine, Umbra.”

“Queen Umbra. You may refer to me as ‘your Majesty’.” She corrected. Arin shook his head.

“I don’t even call the Princesses ‘Princess’.”

She quietly pulled the blanket over him, that stone mask returning. That was one trait she shared with Celestia – they both could wear an expression that persisted, no matter the moment.

“And the reason being?” She said, looking over him.

“They are both my friends.”

“Friends.” She repeated, letting her emotion seep through in a frown. If only just; it was replaced in an instant. “Do friends not refer to themselves by titles, then, Sir Arin?”

“Of course. Friends don’t have to.”

Queen Umbra had the particular habit of turning her thoughts inward before speaking, this led to long pauses in her conversation, but gave her an air of authority.

“I see. Friends… did Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville teach you this?”

Arin caughed, gently shaking his head. “No. It’s something you learn on your own.”

The Queen nodded. “Very well. Then you may call me Umbra, if this is what friends do.”

Another shock. Umbra seemed to be more flexible than one would think – an evil queen bent on taking over the world, allowing herself to be addressed by her first name. Why? He wanted to ask, but she left the room before he could.

“Rest well, Arin.” She said, the door closing behind her.