I suppose Artemis must feel rather indignant, feeling that I'm forcing him to take this vacation for no good reason. I cannot help it. Without this vacation, I fear that he may soon collapse on himself!
Well, I suppose it was mainly Luna's idea. You should have seen the look on her face when she stumbled into my room one day inquiring as to how Artemis' health had been at the last quarter-annual report. Perhaps the look that followed it was her sheer delight at being able to catch me indulging in one of my favorite pasttimes.
Even princesses need a break! I thought I might have been able to nibble a bit on my secret cake stash without any interruptions, but she caught me red-hooved. Or cake-hooved, rather. It was quite embarrassing, let me assure you.
While I had attempted to claim whatever dignity I could with cake frosting around my mouth, she sat there giggling in the corner, her face full of mirth.
"Oh, 'Tia, if you could only see the look on your face...!" She stuffed her hooves over her mouth in an attempt to suppress her giggling, which only succeeded in making it worse. Finally, she succumbed to her emotions and started laughing uncontrollably on the floor.
I remained stoic the entire time, my face set in a look of stern reprimand. I felt a small urge to smile as well, but I had to maintain my pride as an older sister! "Are you done laughing at me, Luna?" I have to admit that I pouted a little bit. Nopony, not even a princess, likes to be caught with their theoretical breeches down.
"Forgive us, sister, we just can't sto- AH HA HA HA~" Luna continued laughing until she wheezed for breath, unable to control the fountain of mirth that erupted from her throat. "W - we have not laughed like that for 1,000 years."
"Well, I suppose it was rather funny." Allowing myself to grin now, I stared my sister in the eyes and composed myself. "What was that you were asking about when you walked in? I was...busy when you first asked me."
Luna's face instantly darkened. "Dear sister, we are most concerned for the librarian Artemis. While we have not seen in the the past three months, as our royal duties have often kept us busy well into the morning, We have heard reports from the palace staff that he has been looking wearier by the day. Please, sister, will you allow him to take a vacation in order recuperate? It does not sit with us well to see the pony who worked so hard to usher us back in society be repaid so poorly."
I stared deeply into Luna's face and she blushed, averting her eyes. She actually cared about this librarian, now, did she? Flashing her a mischievious smile, I asked, "There wouldn't be any motives in having him vacation around this time of year, hm? Is my little Luna growing up now?" I giggled. It's been too long since my sister had her eyes on a stallion, and oh what a stallion she had chosen for herself this time!
"Sister! We do not harbor 'those' kinds of feelings for him!" Luna's fur blushed an even deeper blue, not convincing anypony but herself. "We just wish to thank him for what he has done for us. Is that so unusual?"
My sister can be so cute when she's embarrassed. Chuckling, I decided to drop the subject until later. "Actually, I've already tried to send him off on vacation at least twice since he's started his work at the library and Archives, and each time he's refused me." I sighed, remembering his exact words in rejecting my offer. "He assured me both times that he would much rather prefer being surrounded by his precious books than anywhere else, and that even if he were to go on vacation he would spend it studying in the Archives."
Luna nodded her head slowly. "We are aware of this, but we were wondering if you might issue a medical order forcing him to vacation?"
I opened my mouth to push aside that suggestion when I realized the merit in her plan. If I had a doctor issue a medical order to Artemis forcing him to vacation on the grounds of him overworking himself, and then had that order specify him leaving for another location (say, Ponyville), then he would have no choice but to rest! This plan was perfect. Now, only to arrange some things before letting it take effect. A quick letter to my most faithful student should solve the rest.
"Rest assured, Luna, that I will do everything I can to help you with your 'unusual' request." I winked at her, watching in amusement as she blushed once again.
"Thank you, 'Tia. We must retired to bed now, for it's getting rather early in the day and I must rest." Luna quietly exited the room, shutting the door behind her while I turned to my desk. Removing the cap from my inkwell, I dipped a fresh quill and began to write a letter to my protege Twilight Sparkle.
To my Most Faithful Student,
I will be sending over one of my trusted advisers to be in your care for a week. His name is Artemis and he's a rather dour pony. He seems to prefer the company of books rather than the company of any other pony, seeing as he is quite the recluse. He might be disagreeable with you at first and maybe for the rest of the week, but it is my utmost wish that you and he eventually get along. You might find that you both share many interests in common if he were inclined to be sociable. If he does hurt you in some form or fashion, please send me a letter as quickly as possible. While I value him as the Chief Scholar of the Archives, sometimes he is quite sharp and doesn't quite understand how to act around other ponies, much less be considerate of their feelings. I wish you the best of luck.
-Princess Celestia
PS. Try to help him be what he once was.
Finishing my letter, I sent it on it's war before walking quickly to the throne room to request the presence of one sour-faced librarian. I'm sure he will be most thrilled.