//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 - Perspectives 
// Story: Return 
// by MadameDragonFlower 
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My mind was in a daze. I still could not believe what my princess had just done. I had come to see her simply to request my old post of captain of the guard, yet now she had declared me her Companion. What rank did that hold, I wondered.

I tried to focus my attention on the Night Guard before me. Once I had accepted her shocking post, she had promptly announced that she had some duties to attend to, and that she would catch up with me anon. Until then, the stallion in front of me, Shield Wright, was to show me around the palace. I needed to pay attention, but it was hard getting my mind off her.

“Her Royal Highness Princess Celestia holds court here,” Shield Wright opened a great door to a dark, empty room. The room was vast, certainly with enough room to hold at least several hundred ponies. Banners hung from the ceiling and cool moonlight could be seen pouring in through large stained glass windows. Shield Wright continued in his deep voice, “To date, Her Royal Highness Princess Luna has not held a general court. It has not been said whether or not she will.” 

I nodded to him, and the older stallion led me back out to the grand hallway and down another side hall.

“Each princess has a wing of the castle to herself, including a more private meeting hall, which is where you had your audience.” I could feel him eying me speculatively. I kept my eyes on my surroundings, hoping I would be able to remember all he told me. We had already been walking the palace grounds for close to three hours. “Princess Celestia’s wing is located in the tower down this hall.”

I stopped mid-stride. The mare who had caused so much pain and suffering lived in the tower before me; was likely there right now. I could not see her; could not bear to be near her. ‘Twas bad enough that I knew she was here. 

Shield Wright stopped a few paces before me, turning back to look at me quizzically. “Sir?” 

“I should like to return to Princess Luna’s wing of the castle now,” I stated, trying to contain my anger. 

“Ah, yes, but Sir, this is the last portion of the castle you haven’t--”

“If thou will not lead me, I shall return to the Princess of the Night’s wing of the castle myself. I have no wish to see further,” I abruptly turned and began walking back down the hall. Seconds later I heard hoofsteps behind me and very soon Shield Wright was before me once again, leading the way, his head held high.

I shifted my wings, suddenly acutely aware of my need to stretch them. Perhaps if my princess had not yet returned I would take a short flight.

☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁  ☁

Make my rounds. I must make my rounds. I could feel a few nightmares from young colts and fillies begin to stir already. I flew across the night sky, allowing my presence to be felt, soothing the nightmares away. I flew along the borders of the kingdom, high, high up among the stars. 

The stars offered little comfort. Their cool, distant light reminding me of the distance between my subjects and I. I thought I had been alone before, yet never was I alone as I found myself now. One thousand years had passed. Every pony that I knew from my life before, who served me then, all were gone. My memory had been relegated to legend and most ponies were not prepared for my legend to come to life. The only thing consistent from my old life to this new was my sister, and the fact that most ponies still slept through most of the night.

Then today, after six months, Sir Cloud Twist appeared as if from the mists of time. My most faithful servant, captain of my guard. He said that he asked Star Swirl to use a spell on him. I would have to ask him about that later. Doubtless, he would have questions for me also. Here now was someone from my old life who would understand. Yet, what had he sacrificed for me? Did he not have a family so long ago? My eyes began to cloud with tears at the turn my thoughts had taken. I blinked them away and turned back toward the castle.

I had been impulsive in my decision to make him my Companion. There were many things that would have to be worked out about it. But I stood by my decision even now, as the chill night air cleared my emotions. The direction my thoughts had taken was not a good one. I did not want to give my sister another reason not to trust me. Therein lay the problem. The reason for Sir Cloud Twist’s promotion: I could not trust myself.