2.3

The moon had risen over the small, peaceful village. They had stopped their reconstruction efforts to rest for the night. A small celebration and feast was held for the Princess and her triumph over the dragons much to her quiet disapproval. She did not think that expending so much food was wise when they needed to focus on rebuilding; however it had been eons since she last had to rule her subjects and she didn’t know how to say no.

Luna cared deeply for her ponies but she lacked a certain social presence that she used to have. She would have inspiring moments where her will was strong, but she just couldn’t mingle like she used to. She could face dragons and the most fiendish creatures, but what she feared most was the interaction she had longed for but was unready to take part in. Because of this, she stayed close to Midnight Sky and talked with him most.

The feast was held in the town square and Luna’s party and the nobility sat at the head table. Several long tables hosted the rest of the town and caterers and cooks actively supported the feast to ensure that all were served.

“Tis not a trouble Princess,” Midnight said with a large plate of apples and baked foods in front of him, “The food will grow back, and they may need to work a little harder to harvest it all.”

“It is that they are demonstrating excess in a time of scarcity,” Luna complained, eating only a minimal amount of food.

Luna waved down a waitress.

“Servant, we have finished. We would like our food given to a deserving and hungry pony,” she said, giving the plate to a mare.

“Yes, your highness.”

The mare scurried off.

“You are most stubborn,” Midnight commented.

“I am finished eating and I can share my wealth with my subjects, tis a simple concept.”

The mayor had observed the act and also commented.

“Most merciful, your highness. Midnight Sky, thou should mind thine tone, this is the Princess of Canterlot,” she said with a smile.

“Find me a more stubborn pony and I shall eat my words,” he replied, almost talking more to Luna than to the Mayor. He gave Luna a nudge, “It is good though, Canterlot needs a powerful ruler in these times. The Crystal Empire encroaches on our northern front and Concordia from the south. I see war ahead of us.”

“War is a bit much to assume Midnight,” Luna said quietly, “Mayor, how has the adjustment to daylight been for your town?”

The Mayor shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

“It has been controversial,” she said honestly, “I mean, never in the stars would I imagine daylight, I only heard of it in legend.”

She paused for a bit, looking out into the crowd of her people and friends.

“Some of the older ponies are against it and the tradition of night was in jeopardy, but they soon learned that the daylight warmed our houses without fire and magic, and our crops grew without need of artificial assistance.”

“I prayed as much. It was needed for balance,” Luna replied strongly, “From what I understand, Concordia does not approve as much as the Crystals or Canterlot do.”

“Rest assured. Canterlot is very much still a kingdom of night. The tradition is strong and the night is graceful,” The Mayor supported officially.

After the feast Luna had met with Midnight to stroll through the surrounding countryside in secret. She had, had enough of the constant attention of her subjects and wished to be alone with her friend in peace. They walked down an old dirt road to an abandoned farmhouse.

“Sometimes I am not so sure that returning the day is the right decision,” Luna said solemnly, slowly walking next to Midnight, admiring the stars above her.

“You had not a choice and it has improved the lives of everypony everywhere,” he replied optimistically, “Do you remember the days of needing to have tree growing spells just to have enough timber to keep the cold out? Or when sunlight lamps or other spells were needed to grow crops? It is for the better.”

Luna felt better from Midnight’s words of encouragement, but the worries of other ponies did not bother her.

“It is something else, and I feel terrible for being so selfish but…”Luna gulped hard and took a deep breath, “Thou knowest how I was imprisoned, right?”

“I errhm… Never fully understood the nature of it,” Midnight admitted.

“Well, for some reason that has long since been forgotten to me, I was imprisoned in a place of unfeeling. All I saw was white and all I heard was a ringing,” Luna explained, distressed from remembering the details, “Nothing more than that for hundreds of years. It was maddening. I lost my mind and soul in that wretched place.”

“That must have been horrible…” Midnight said, imagining the prison.

“I cannot begin to explain the sadness and emptiness I felt. Timeless misery and suffering.”

Luna had stopped walking and her lip was trembling as she looked up to Midnight.

“Moments before I returned, I had fallen into darkness. Tis do silent and dark. I had never felt such happiness to finally be of another place. The blackness was the beginning of my reawakening and ever since I spend as much time as my eyes will allow me, looking up into the moon and stars.”

“It is… comforting in ways I couldn’t explain,” Luna continued, “Conversely, the daytime reminds of the eons spent wasting away.”

Midnight now understood Luna’s pain in ways he couldn’t before. The day was a constant reminder and flashback to sadness and the night soothed and lifted her. Midnight went to embrace her.

“You are a hero and legend, my princess. You returned day to the dark lands and brought prosperity to your people all at you ownr expense.”

“I am grateful for thou Midnight, thou are truly my greatest companion,” Luna said with a big smile on her face.

They spent the rest of the night talking and exploring the abandoned farmhouse. She almost felt like a child with Midnight, getting scared by scary stories while they made their way through the spooky old house, looking at old memories scattered around it of a family, long gone.

By piecing together a few old diary passages Luna found, ripped out and throw to the floor, she came to understand that the two ponies who lived there had fallen in love and bought the farm together. They had one child who came to own the farm, but died alone and left it to a distant relative who never bothered to come and see it. Luna recognized the name and wondered if she couldn’t find the current owner and let them know of its existence.

“What is the name?” Midnight asked, looking at a few old portraits in the wall.

“Apple. It was all left to a young filly named Granny Smith,” Luna answered.

After they grew tired of the house, they ran into the fields and got lost amoungst the tall stalks of wheat. They took turns chasing each other and trying to sneak up on each other laughing the entire time.

Luna had been stalking her navy blue prey for some time now and was ready to pounce. He seemed unaware of her and she moved silent as night. She was only a few feet away when she leaped up onto the unsuspecting the Midnight Sky.

“Thou, I haveth now!” she shouted, mid-leap.

As soon as he saw her, he faded away to the left and she landed on hard ground. For a moment she was confused by his speed until from the left dashed Midnight Sky, toppling her over. They rolled through the wheat until. Midnight landed on top of Luna and their eyes met. Luna’s striking features never presented themselves more clearly than this moment, her eyes glistening and her mane sparkling in the moonlight.  Her coat reflected the silver light in a sort of radiant blue that looked divinely inspired.

Luna blushed.

“Oh my, it would appear that thou would have me instead,” she said with a blushing smile.

“Yes, thou the most quickest,” Midnight boasted, admiring the mare in front of him, “Now that I have thou, what shall I do with you?”

Luna looked up at him and closed her eyes. She nuzzled him affectionately on each cheek and then gathered her wits.

“Thou would take advantage of a defenseless young mare? Tis brutish. Pray, let me go,” Luna accused with a smirk.

“Oh uhh… yes milady, of course!” he said getting off her quickly.

“When will thou learn?” Luna taunted, playfully nodding her head.

They spent the rest of the night teasing each other and talking before going home to rest.

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