20171225 - Chapter 3 Sneak Peak · 3:58pm Dec 25th, 2017
Merry Christmas everyone 
Sadly there's no way for me to get the next chapter out by the end of the year (or a Christmas one-shot), but as a thank-you to all the support that you have shown me with this story, I'd like to share a sneak peak at the start of chapter 3 (the longest chapter of 'Of Scales and Moonlight' to date) with you all. I've pulled the stops out to get this section edited in time, but please forgive any errors I may have missed at this early stage 
I hope you enjoy! And once again, thank-you to everyone who has supported me and my story. As always, it means the world to me 
Many Regards,
Guardian
CHAPTER 3
Of Scales and Moonlight
The bright afternoon sky had given way to a beautiful twilight as Celestia made her way through the palace gardens, her frayed patience from her meeting with the envoy of the House of Lords slowly healing as she took in the beautiful sights and sounds of the summer-kissed gardens around her. Sighing contently and making a mental note to thank the gardeners upon her next meeting them, her stroll through the private gardens suddenly took a detour as she turned from the set path through the masterfully sculpted landscape. Moving, instead, onto a rough track, obscured to those who did not know of its existence by the hedgerows that surrounded it, she started to walk toward what could easily be called her favourite part of the castle. The Stardew Allotment.
As the old stone wall that she knew so well came into focus, signifying that her walk had come to its end, Celestia couldn't help but feel her heart sore ever so slightly as she looked upon the old stonework in front of her. For something as simple as a wall, she was still amazed at how quickly it that brought back so many of the warm memories she held of those long summer evenings that she and her son shared in this magical place.
Allowing herself to succumb to these very memories, Celestia smiled warmly as she gazed at the stonework. It felt like only yesterday that the entire area around her was little more than waste scrubland, long forgotten to all, save one small dragon. Even now, Celestia could remember his excitement as he showed it to her, and her considerable scepticism at his idea of turning it into a vegetable garden. Not that her doubts were helped by her son getting himself stuck up a tree at the back of said scrubland merely days after his discovery, causing more than a mild panic among her and her personal staff when he did not turn up for dinner that evening.
That aside, however, the Princess of the Sun was more than happy to admit that she was proven entirely wrong on her initial scepticism. Having watched her dear Spike pull together his cousins, and all the friend he had made along the way, in the face of such a mammoth task before them, she couldn't help but beam in pride as she thought about how they had turned the once overgrown wasteland into something beautiful. Something that had since, with the aid of her nephew, gone on to help so many of her little ponies in need by providing them with food that was not only nutritious but, more importantly, affordable. Yes, thought Celestia, still beaming with pride, my dear Spike will be quite the prince when he comes of age..
Her mind drifting back to the present, Celestia used her magic to gently push open the ivy-covered door leading into the allotment, her ears giving a slight twitch as she heard the faint sound of laughter echoing out from behind the weathered slab of oak. Smiling softly to herself, she quietly made her way through the stone archway while making sure she went unnoticed by her son and sister, not that she needed to worry about being spotted as both appeared to be too profoundly engrossed in their conversation to notice anything happening around them. Spike energetically moving around the raised beds, undoubtedly telling stories about all the memories he had made within the grey walls that surrounded them, and Luna rapped on every word.
Continuing to smile at the heartwarming sight, Celestia couldn’t help but wonder if she had made it in time to hear him tell his aunt the story about the Black Watch and the greenhouse; one of her personal favourites. Or, failing that, perhaps the time that that cute filly from the Wonderbolt Cadets, who he had quite a crush on at the time, had nearly caused a mass flood of the gardens by catapulting the unsuspecting dragon into one of the rainwater tanks. Maybe I should take another stab at getting the two of them together. They did make quite the adorable pair after all, though Celestia as she giggled happily into one of her hooves.
“You seem in good humour your Majesty,” said a warm voice beside her, snapping her out of her plotting.
“Ah Lord Greenhoof, good evening,” replied Celestia with a smile as she gave the old stallion a polite nod, “I thought you would be here. Especially considering I have just spent the last 3 hours in an audience with young Orchid.”
“If it is any consolation, your Majesty," answered the old Lord with great humility, "I did attempt to talk some sense into that son of mine. Unfortunately, the young fool seems as stubborn as I was at his age.”
Smiling, Celestia turned her gaze back towards her own son. “I wouldn’t worry about it Cereus,” she replied kindly as she gave a gentle nod, “I know what it’s like to have a stubborn son myself.”
Chuckling to himself for a moment before he too turned his gaze upon the young dragon in front of them, his smile slowly falling away into a concerned expression. “How’s he taking it. Finally meeting her after all this time?” he asked softly.
Celestia’s smile wavered...
