The Lost Prince of the Sea

by Cursory Note

From the Ashes of Solitude Grow the Roses of Love

Luna stood on one of the castle parapets and looked up at the night sky. Aecorum’s re-coronation had gone wonderfully; the ponies actually accepted him much quicker than Luna thought they would, even though Aecorum still had a lot of work ahead of him. She sighed contentedly and smiled as somepony walked softly towards her.

“I had forgotten how clear the stars were from up here.” Luna turned and smiled when she saw Aecorum standing beside her.

“Aecorum...I cannot tell you how happy all of this has made me. My world is complete again.”

Aecorum smiled and looked up at the moon. “I never thought I would be here again. My crown seems much heavier than it used to be.” They stood in silence for a moment before Aecorum’s face fell and he turned to face her. “Luna…There is something I have wanted to tell you for a long time…”

Luna’s eyes filled with concern at Aecorum’s somber expression “What is it?”

Aecorum swallowed a lump in his throat “I…I should have told you years ago, but…I was afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

Aecorum sighed and took a step towards the edge “I was afraid of what you would have said, afraid of what Tia would have said, afraid…Afraid of how our friendship would have changed, and afraid…Of how it would not. My fear kept me from telling you, and…” Luna took a step towards him and he continued “That is why I sealed myself in that cave, why I blamed myself for what happened. I was…I was certain that if I had told you before, you would never have been consumed by darkness.”

Luna put a hoof on Aecorum’s shoulder “Aecorum…” She swallowed a lump in her own throat “What…Did you want to tell me?”

Aecorum turned towards her and took a deep breath “I…Luna, you are the most beautiful creature in existence. The night, your night, is so much more wonderful to me than any day could ever be. Luna…” He took another deep breath “I love you. I love you with all of my heart, all of my soul, every part of me. There is nothing I would not do to make you happy, no sacrifice I would not make to see you smile, hear you laugh…To be with you.”

Luna gasped “You…Love me?”

Aecorum nodded and bit his lip “I understand if you do not feel the same way, but…You should know that I have been in love with you since the moment I met you.”

“Ae-Aecorum…” Tears welled up in Luna’s eyes and she smiled “I…I never dreamed you…Ever felt that way about me. I thought…I thought it was Tia.”

Aecorum turned away “I am sorry, I should not have said anything, I am…Gods I am such a fool!” He sighed “I will just…Go back to my study and we can forget this.”

He started to walk away but Luna put a hoof on his cheek and looked him in the eye. They stared at each other in silence until understanding finally dawned in Aecorum’s eyes as he realized that the special shine in Luna’s eyes was the same as the one he had seen countless times in the mirror. He hesitantly leaned his head closer to Luna’s and slowly wrapped a wing around her shoulders. Luna returned the gesture and as their heads drew closer they closed their eyes and in an instant that seemed to last for a lifetime, their lips met. After a second they pulled back and Aecorum’s smile grew broader with each second.

Tears of joy started to flow down his face as he laughed and picked Luna up with his hooves, spinning her around in a crushing yet gentle hug. Luna had never heard him laugh with that much heart or joy and she started laughing along with him, their voices ringing across the castle walls and into the night. Suddenly Aecorum stopped spinning and lowered Luna’s head to the ground as if they were dancing. Their smiles were warm and Aecorum kissed Luna again, both of them leaning into the kiss and enjoying every fleeting moment with their entire being.

Aecorum’s ears pricked up and he pulled away from Luna as music started to play. They looked around for a second before Aecorum saw Celestia standing on her balcony, her horn aglow as a harp on her balcony started playing a sweet melody. Celestia’s face was lit up with the warmest, happiest smile Luna and Aecorum had ever seen, and Aecorum nodded to her with gratitude lining his face. Celestia nodded in return and turned to go back inside as Aecorum tenderly grabbed Luna’s hoof. Luna laughed and they started dancing to the tune of Celestia’s instrument, neither one with a single thought besides each other.

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Author's Note:

And so, the lost Prince of the Sea is found. But don’t worry; Aecorum has a long winding road ahead of him. A road filled with new faces, new history, and a budding romance with the Mistress of Dreams. So keep your eyes open, for although Aecorum has returned, he is more like an “Old Shell on New Shores" than the ruler he once was. I extend my deepest gratitude to everypony that has read this, you guys are amazing!

Comments

[SageBrony07]

Awesome story. I enjoyed it. I hope this means there will be a sequel. As for a bit more a review, I give you credit, you were very good with grammar, and story flow. I liked how the story would flip from Luna to Acerum. It was fun read how Luna solved that memory problem. Overall great story.

[Crescent Nebula]

5563088 we are ready knew there was a sequel coming due to a comment on cursory notes profile that hinted it in the most revealing way and a post

[Doubtful]

Dude, that was a fic. I enjoyed every chapter I read, and the final chapter was so full of hope and joy that it made me smile all day long (Yes, I was smiling like a dummy-boy at everyone, but... forget about this )!
I really hope there'll be a sequel. I became too far attached to Aecorum... And this beginning romance is just awesome.

Keep going, Cursory, you'll always have a reader!

[IceDragonKing]

4909349

I would like to see the sequel as well. This story is touching. Not much stories can do that to me.

Only a few can!

[Nightmare Loopy]

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4909777
4909349

I hope Cursory won't mind me revealing this but.. when trying to ask her if I could write a sequel, I was confirmed that there was one on the way!

[Crescent Nebula]

We are ready knew there was a sequel do to a post in September on her profile

[Tryhard McFatface]

5563203
wait September of 2015?

I can't wait that long! (but it'll be worth it!)

[Cursory Note]

5639192
I may be delayed, but I ain't that far behind. Rest assured, the sequel will be up and running well before September 2015

[Crescent Nebula]

5639192 no a post on her profile in September 2014 did you read my comment? How did my other comment get put 23 weeks before a comment that I replied to hmm that's weird

[Tryhard McFatface]

5639706
Awesome, I'll be looking forward to it!

[Tryhard McFatface]

5641060
My observational skills leave little to be desired...

[Doolally Loop]

Fantastic story, I really enjoyed it.

[Cursory Note]

8492339
Hey thanks! I really appreciate it!

[Amos Anon]

Well. I guess there's no sequel. The author hasn't had activity since 2017. Too bad, I really liked this story.

[Theresahall]

9851643
Yeah too bad. I would have loved to see him try to get use to all the changes.