//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 - Reunion 
// Story: Return 
// by MadameDragonFlower 
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The journey to Canterlot took a full week’s time. It would have been shorter to fly, but Heart Charmer insisted she accompany me. As an earth pony, she was constrained to the ground, so our method of travel was slow by pegasi standards. I was vigilant as we traveled, taking in as much information as I could. The world had changed a lot in a thousand years. I wondered how hard it would be to adjust to this new era. 

Heart Charmer kept up a steady stream of conversation throughout the journey and I focused on the odd vernacular in which she spoke. Even speech had changed dramatically. I discovered that she was a doctor, one of the best in all of Equestria. That explained the examination she insisted upon before we left Fillydelphia.

We rode together in a small donkey-pulled cart for the last leg of our journey. Heart Charmer insisted that this method was better than riding the train. Being uncertain as to what a train was, I agreed with her choice. 

As we entered the gates of Canterlot, I felt my jaw drop. My, how the city had grown! One thousand years ago Canterlot had just barely been started, a few rough-hewn roads and caves in the side of the mountain. Now the city was a major metropolis.

"There’s the castle," remarked Heart Charmer as we rode through the streets toward the largest building that sat at the heart of the city. "Princess Luna has her quarters in the North Tower and holds court in the Hall beneath her quarters. She should be available soon, it’s almost dusk."

"Thou art efficient, and it seemeth we hath timed our arrival perfectly," I replied. "I wouldst like to thank thee Ms. Heart Charmer; thou hast been most kind and helpful."

"We should go see Princess Celestia and give her our greetings before she lowers the sun,” she suggested with an excited smile. “Watching her lowering the sun will always be one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen."

I snapped to attention at the sound of the tyrant’s name. "DO NOT SPEAK THAT NAME TO ME!" I shouted. The donkey pulling our carriage came to a sudden halt and looked back at us. I was breathing deeply, trying to cool the fire that had sparked in my chest. "I thank thee, driver, but I shall carry on alone here." 

I disembarked from the cart and began walking despite Heart Charmer calling out after me. I could not see Celestia. Even if my princess had forgiven her sister for her banishment, I could not. My anger began to cool as I walked through the bustling streets. I would contact Ms. Heart Charmer on the morrow and apologize. My reaction was out of line and I feared I may have hurt her feelings. The most important thing right now, however, was to return to the service of my princess. 

As I approached the castle I saw the two sisters rise into the sky as they performed their duty, Celestia lowering the sun and Princess Luna bringing out the beautiful moon and the stars. Her banishment had not tarnished her appearance at all, Princess Luna was just as striking as she had always been. How would she react when I appeared? Would she even remember me after a thousand years? The thought gave me pause. What if she didn't remember? What would I do? I banished the unwanted thoughts. I would continue as ever, serving my princess in any way possible. Regardless as to whether or not she remembered me.

I approached the gate just as the guard was changing. After waiting for the switch, I presented myself before the Night Guard in an attention stance.

"My name is Sir Cloud Twist," I announced upon being prompted, "and I seek audience with Her Royal Highness, Princess Luna, ruler of the night."

"What business have you with the princess?" one of the guards boomed. 

"I am the princess' most loyal servant, wishing to return to her service. Wilt thou please inform Her Highness that I am requesting an audience?"

"Follow me," said the guard, and immediately turned for me to follow. 

I followed him through the gates and into the castle. I was careful to memorize the layout as we passed through. I would not want to get lost later. We stopped outside a set of large double doors. 

"Wait here," said the guard just before he passed through the doors into what could only be a Reception Hall. There was silence from behind the doors and then a sudden commotion. The guard quickly returned and ushered me inside a large room with pillars running down each side of a vaulted ceiling. Directly across from me, at the other end of the great room stood she, Princess Luna, the ruler of the night. 

☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁

I stood in awe of her beauty and majesty before remembering myself and bowing before her. "My Princess Luna, ruler of the night. I, thine loyal servant, Sir Cloud Twist, have sought an audience with thee in the hopes that thou wouldst reinstate my position as captain of thy Night Guard."

"THOU MAY RISE, SIR CLOUD TWIST,” Princess Luna stopped and seemed to swallow. When she continued, her voice was much lower than her usual royal shout. “After one thousand years apart, for thou to return to me..." 

I looked up and saw that her eyes were filled with emotion, barely containing the tears I could see filling them. In a blink, the princess was embracing me, abandoning decorum. My own eyes began to tear. She remembered me, even after a thousand years, she remembered me. 

"How is this possible?" she asked, her voice a whisper, stepping back and looking into my eyes. "Truly, it is thee? But how canst thou be alive after one thousand years?"

"Dost thou remember my promise to thee? I promised I would always be there for thee. When thou were banished to the moon, I imposed mine own exile. I persuaded Star Swirl to induce a sleep that would end only when the Princess of the Night returned from her exile. And behold, here thou art and here am I." I bowed once more to my princess, "Wouldst thou reinstate my position as captain of the Night Guard? Or perchance another position if that one be filled already? I wouldst be happy however I might serve my princess."

With a couple beats of her great wings, Princess Luna returned to her place on the dais. She regarded me intently for a moment before replying to my request. "We have a more important position than any other for thou to fill. We wouldst like thee to be our Companion. Whilst we hope and strive that we shall never again become Nightmare Moon, we would be comforted in some extra assurance. It shall be thine duty to protect me from myself. T’is a duty I would entrust only to thee, Sir Cloud Twist."