Another lick of his lips, and another delightful shiver. But Skye noted her change in expression, and followed suit. "I'm sorry if I made you sad, Princess. I do worry because I care what happens to you. It's in my nature and it's part of me, and I wouldn't change it. Forgive me for being inquisitive, but the more I know about you, the better I get to know you. Here, your secrets are safe, and I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to. Everypony cries, it's nothing to be embarrassed about."
It is not your fault Skye. It seems that these days, I cannot stay happy.” Luna thoughtfully looked up at the moon. “It's funny, really. I should be glad to be back, and yet...I find that I am not. But I would not give it up to go back to my imprisonment, oh no. But it has been so long that I cannot seem to find a place here any longer. As for crying...it's simply something that a Princess should not do...it isn't...proper.”
Skye turned, and nudged another bucket. "Here, have some more. I promise you'll feel right as rain before long. Then maybe we can find some of those berries I was talking about." he added.
Luna moved over to Skye and dipped a hoof into the bucket, then licked it clean once again. It was sweet, yes, very sweet indeed. But it did not bring her the pleasure that it had the first time. Still, she smiled, to show that she was grateful.
“Berries sound wonderful! Maybe I could take some back to the castle if—if that's alright.”
The deer licked his lips again, then turned and began to lead her down a side path, one less evident than before. The bushes pressed in, leaves brushing on either side, but still evidence of an animal trail of some kind. As they walked, he occasionally dropped his nose to the ground and sniffed at various tracks, watchful of any hidden dangers. Once or twice, he paused and held a low-hanging branch aside for Luna to pass. Luna blushed every time Skye held a branch out of the way for her. She wasn't used to other creatures, not even ponies, doing her any sort of kindness. But Skye was different. He continued chatting with her as they walked. "It's too soon. Someday, you'll look back on these days and wonder why it took so long. We form memories of things we cherish, at the strangest of times and don't even think about it until later. I think I prefer you here to up in the moon. I'd talk to you then, but you can talk back to me now. And I'm sure even Celestia cries."
They approached a dark mass of growth, and as it became evident in the moonlight, discovered to be a vast blackberry bush that had been here for ages. Signs that it had been nibbled by other passersby were visible, but there were still several large masses of berries all over itself. "Now comes the next best part. The biggest ones are the sweetest, but also not always as flavorful. So you go for some of the big ones, and then some of the smaller ones to add a bit of tart. And think about the maple sap as you do, and compare the flavors. Sweet, and tart. Combine them both, and they're like memories." he delicately nibbled a few nearby, chewing carefully so not to squirt too much of the juice. Even then, some stains still decorated the fine whiskers around his lips. "Too many of either will make you sick of them. But combined, and you have something worth enjoying."
When they had reached the berries, Luna did as she was told, sampling berries here and there. She was very dainty about it, careful not to squirt juice anywhere—it just wasn't proper for a Princess. There were some berries in the bushes at home, true...but Luna wasn't sure if some of them would be poisonous or not. After all, no matter how colorful the berry, it didn't erase the danger it could hold.
Skye paused, his tongue flicking out to lap away the juices that had collected on his chin, angling his ears towards her. He smiled as he noticed the careful way she picked berries from the bush, watching and approving as she took one, then another. There were a great deal on this particular bush, it appeared as if it had many years to grow and from the look of the indentations around it, was frequently patronized by other creatures of the forest.
Luna swallowed some berries, and then spoke. “Perhaps, Skye, when you visit the Royal Gardens, you can tell me about the types of edible plants that are there. There are berries there, as well, but I admit I have not been able to taste them. I do not know which ones may be poisonous and simply for decoration rather than consumption. I am no Botanist, Skye, but you seem to know a great deal about the plants of the wood.”
At her complement, Skye ducked his head. "When you're born and raised here, you learn quickly what to eat, or starve. Many creatures of the forest will show you what is edible, and what is not, if you look. There's a great deal many things to eat here. Fruits in the trees, scattered by seeds left behind by birds or other creatures, or careless ponies that drop their snacks along the way. The main road doesn't stay clear of its own accord.”
He paused, thinking on Luna's suggestion. “I think I would enjoy that someday. If there's a way I can visit without intruding. Perhaps a quiet lift some night, somepony could come down for me in one of those fantastic balloons I see crossing overhead from time to time. I would be delighted to accompany you through the castle gardens."
Well, generally at the castle we if we need to travel anywhere, we use Pegasus drawn chariots. We don't really have a place for balloons to land, and they aren't very practical considering for us royals, anyhow. Celestia is far too large, and I will be one day too. But I could always send for you that way. I would—I would enjoy that as well.” she smiled.
Skye suddenly thought of something, and looked up to the trees nearby. He soon located one with a nest perched in its branches. Quietly, he indicated with his antler the sleeping contents. Luna looked up when he indicated the tree, squinting up at it, trying to see the nest that was barely visible in the moonlight.
Skye spoke. "Oh, for example, these birds. They love the berries, too. They come, they take some, and they drop some wherever. When the berries land, they grow, and they come back for more. In their way, they help feed us all, by taking them further and further. The wood is full of them."
It's an entirely different world out here, isn't it?” Luna said, half to herself.
Skye's ears perked suddenly and he turned to glance off in another direction. As Luna gingerly reached for another berry, she felt Skye press against her. Skye had turned and was attempting to guide Luna back the way they had come, or at least, into the immediate undergrowth Luna was about to reprimand him, but then he spoke. "Shh, something's coming."
Luna turned, looking behind them, while keep step with Skye. “What is it?” she whispered.
The Peryton ushered Luna behind some thicker bushes, just low enough to hide them from view, but overlooking the berries they had just been picking at. He shh'd her again after a moment, and looked out over the edge of the bush. Then he leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "I'm sorry for being so forward, Princess. But another one of your subjects is coming by, probably for a nibble at the berries."
In a few moments, a regular deer poked its head out from around a tree, her slender form following a few moments later. A doe, followed by a couple of fawns barely old enough to scamper on their own entered the moonlit clearing. "Many creatures of the wood are awake this time of night, searching for food." he murmured. His warm breath tickled her ear as he spoke, just loud enough to be heard.
"But they're very shy, and seldom come when company is about. I heard their footfalls as they approached, but it might have been our voices that attracted them. You never know with deer."
Luna peeked over the bushes to see, her dark mane blending in with the surrounding shrubbery. She spoke in hushed tones. “I am aware of the creatures of the night. It is the time when I am most active as well, being ruler over it.”
Skye nodded, still keeping an eye on the deer as they supped on the bush. "It's not common to see them this soon at night. I suppose you would be, I was not sure how versed in the nocturnal animals you would be. I apologize, I meant no affront."
Skye leaned back a bit to watch as the doe brought her fawns in to nibble at the berries. "Are there any in Canterlot? Any traces?"
I have seen very few creatures outside of what reside in the castle garden. Mostly it is small animals and flying creatures, likes rabbits, squirrels, and birds, as well as bats and owls. Deer, I suppose, cannot make it up the mountain, and, even if they could, the garden is boxed in on all sides by walls.” Luna said.
Skye listened to her explanation, his ears splaying. "I suppose it would be difficult for them, just as it is for me to make the trip. I've seen some of our more sure-footed cousins on the mountainsides, but I can't even make it up partway without fearing of setting off an avalanche, and that would be dangerous indeed."
She inched her head upward ever so slightly, to get a better view. “Oh, they're so cute!” she whispered. As she shifted ever so slightly, her foot pressed against a stray twig. It snapped, sounding much louder than it was in the quiet. Skye had been smiling, but at the sound he quickly turned to look back at the deer, then he froze. Luna gasped and ducked down. She held her breath waiting. The doe looked up sharply, her fawns flattening instantly to the ground as they listened.
Skye held his breath as well, waiting scant few heartbeats before a soft bleating noise, his antlers sparkling for a moment. Then he held silent and watched. After several moments, the doe calmed back down and went back to browsing with her fawns, who rose as if nothing had happened. "Aren't they cute? Two more precious lives with their mother. When they grow up big and strong, have fawns of their owns, I'll watch them as well as I can, as I would any who come here." he whispered again.
Suddenly, as they finished feeding, the deer dashed off, their white tails flagging silvery in the moonlight. Luna watched as the deer disappeared off into the darkness. She sat down on the ground, turning to Skye as he spoke. "And off they go. I may never see them again, but I'm proud to know they live here too. To be a part of life's story, as I'm proud to be a part of yours, Princess."
Thank you Skye. I'm flattered, really—“ she paused to yawn, covering her mouth with a hoof and then blushing. “I'm sorry that was rude—“ she was interrupted by another yawn. “—terribly rude...” she sighed. “—But I really am glad that I met you, you've been—been—“ Her eyelashes fluttered as she fought drowsiness. “—so kind and generous....” she yawned again, sliding down and laying her head on her front hooves. “I shouldn—shouldn't—'s not right....at all...” Luna mumbled something else, before she fell fast asleep.
The Peryton smiled at her, and nodded as she settled down. He continued to watch her as she began to yawn, though he remained seated where he was. "Sleep well, Luna." as she began to fade, laying her head down on her hooves. "Sleep well, and dream too." he settled down nearby as she closed her eyes and began to breathe regularly, the soft sounds of sleep.
Skye looked up to the moon where her figure had until so recently been on its surface and flicked his ears, then down to the sleeping pony in the soft patch of grass she'd bedded down in. He'd watch over her through the night, as he always had before, as he always would for as long as he could, keeping the Princess of the Moon company for many years to come.