The royal palace was covered in a soft, creamy orange glow, illuminating the stained glass portraits embedded in its walls. Celestia wore a smile as she trod through, admiring  her most cherished wing of Canterlot Castle. The Great Corridor was bathed in a sea of colors and hues, as if a rainbow in the sky, flooding it's recesses of the imminent shadows which would soon lurk about.

For, you see, it was only at the time of day when both moon and sun shone upon Equestria that such a phenomena could happen. The Great Corridor had been built specifically for this purpose; or, at least, that is what the greatest of scholars could determine. It's effect likened to that created by the Elements of Harmony when Celestia had first used them to defeat Discord. Likewise, the effect could only be produced under certain conditions.

Celestia, herself, believed it was by no accident this corridor, as with the Elements of Harmony, had been designed in such a way. She could feel her magic transpire at dusk and dawn, it's strength surged through her. It was a unique sensation; making her alert, more awake, and aware. It was this evidence that led to many of Celestia's convictions of the nature of magic. It was a force far beyond the physical, yet seemingly physical itself. Even after hundreds of thousands of years of intense study by Equestria's finest scholars, naturalists, and magicians, the knowledge of magic's intricacies remained a mystery. Progress had certainly been made in understanding it's composition, form, action, and reaction; but at its core, Celestia believed magic was something that came from inside. It was an entity formed by nature, yet still unnatural in it's workings.

Enveloped in her thoughts, Celestia soon found her walk come to an end as she neared the corridor's balcony; it's doors had been opened to let in the fresh, Summer breeze. The smell of sweet petals and moist air flowed towards her as she took in the summer wind, enjoying what little bit there was to be left. Closing her eyes, Celestia allowed the aroma to transport her to Summer's past. Scenes flashed before her memories: a garden picnic under the shade of an oak tree, a walk through the fragrant palace flowers, a hard day of work which ended in a cool, summer rain. The same rain  she felt on the day of her mother's passing; the same summer rain which watered the flowers strewn throughout the Field of Mourning, their buds as scarlet as the blood of those patriots who had fallen in battle in defense of-

"It has begun" a voice suddenly pronounced. Celestia's thoughts dissipated as she was startled back to the present, the bittersweet taste of a summer rain on her tongue, a scene of mourning in her mind. She looked to her sister Luna, already placed upon the balcony. Celestia replied with a forced smile as she joined Luna, watching the sun begin to descend, the moon ascending to its place in the sky. As the sun hid itself from Equestria, so too disappeared her thoughts of the past, destined to arise once again in time.

Both Princesses were silent as they observed the phenomena. The orange star faded from their view, greedily taking the warmth it provided. It disappeared behind lush, green hills and large, dark mountains. The moon rose to its home in the sky, usurping darkness and shadows across valleys and fields, now awake with new life. The green glow of fireflies consumed the landscape, while bats took to the sky, kings and queens of the night.

Celestia preferred a silent balcony to the large crowds of Canterlot, concerning ritualistic affairs. Once per week, she would ceremonially raise the sun at the Canterlot Gardens; but it was nothing more than show. Raising the sun did not depend on Celestia's actions. Instead, she believed it was a matter of her internal magic. When she was a young filly, Celestia could not control the sun. This had changed, however, with the death of her mother. Again, she tasted a bittersweet memory.

Celestia shrugged her thoughts away, shifting her gaze instead toward Luna.  Her sister did not wear a smile, nor a frown, but simply gazed at the life which newly emerged from the fields and forests. It was not out of character for Luna to be silent during these times of reflection, often gazing at some faraway place. Celestia had often inquired as to Luna's thoughts. At times, they were met with rich conversation on some piece of philosophy or history which Luna had found that day. Other times, Celestia was met with a quaint remark and silence. She had grown to know Luna over the years they shared together, and could often decipher the meaning of her mood. Tonight, it seemed something was again on her mind.

"Sister, is there something which is bothering you?" Celestia asked gently. Luna's eyes seemed to falter from their strict attention, a statue filled again with life. Luna did not acknowledge her sister for some time, but instead slowly fumbled through the words she tried to convey.

"I..." she began, stifling herself before she could say any more. Luna took a deep breath, exhaling it in frustration before speaking.  

"Sister, all of my confidences are held within you. I trust what I reveal will be kept between us?"

"Of course, my dear Sister! I would not dare break the confidence you have bestowed upon me." Celestia drew closer to Luna. It was not often that she questioned Celestia's trust; she immediately inquired further. "What is it that bothers you so?"

"I still mourn for him..." Luna trailed off. Celestia did not speak, but rather nudged Luna forward with her silence. She was reluctant, bearing the stillness for a time.

"Not a week has gone by in which I do not think of him, Sister. Whether I sleep or wake does not matter; in some way, I find him in my thoughts. I cannot escape it, cannot prevent it. He is a part of me, Sister; a part of my life. I cannot cast his memory aside as some object... I do not want to."

"And you should not," Celestia replied, bringing herself closer to Luna. "We should never forget those who hold the greatest place in our hearts."

"At times, Sister, I am not so sure..." Luna replied. She stood silent, wordless. Celestia nuzzled her Sister gently, feeling Luna's warmth in the cool Summer night. She did not speak, but comforted her with affection. Celestia could see the pain in Luna's eyes, accompanied by the rising of tears.

"What am I saying, Celestia? How terrible of me to want such a thing! He... he deserves better from me than this."

"Come now, Luna; it is all right. If he were here with us-"

"If he were here with us..." Luna repeated softly. Neither sister spoke, but stood, listening to the creatures of the night in their symphony of chirps and shrieks, accompanied by Luna's stuttered breaths. Celestia stood by her sister for what felt like hours; she listened to her uneven breaths, and felt her cold tears. Celestia's heart mourned silently for her sister, but no mourning could bring comfort to the bereaved.

At last, Luna removed herself gently from Celestia's embrace, looking into her eyes.

"Sister, you... I hope you will excuse my absence. I require some time alone." Celestia nodded to her sister, nuzzling her once more.

"If you need anything, Sister, I will always be here for you." Luna broke the embrace, careful not to offend her sister as she turned away.

"No Celestia... not always," Luna said, a soft whisper floating upon the cold Summer breeze. She spoke nothing more, again turning into the statuesque form which Celestia had first met upon the balcony.

The night was alive with nature's symphony, playing a soft, sweet tune of staccato chirps and intense cries. But Luna did not hear these things, could not see their beauty. Tonight, there was only one thing truly on her mind; it played its own bittersweet symphony of memories, accompanied by soft sobs and heavy tears, an aching heart the only instrument unheard.