Chapter 1
Luna pushed a pebble around in the dirt with her hoof. The moon seemed to be directly above the hill where she stood. She looked down at the pebble and decided to kick it off of the steepest side of the hill. It rolled down with very soft thuds. She turned to walk down the path when she saw a tree off in the distance illuminated slightly. The thought that somepony might be enjoying her night made her smile. She walked over to the tree, saw it was a home, and could hear small patters of creatures scurrying about.
Walking around the side, she went through a fence and saw a small familiar pony. "Please everyone, it's very late you shouldn't be playing these games." The small pony said softly, trying to get them to listen. The animals were all running around and playing a game that seemed to be tag. Luna watched the small pony as she arched her back, with her back side in the air, bending over to talk to the smaller animals.
Luna took a few more steps into the gated area and spoke with her royal commanding voice. "Creatures, if you are to live under the care of this young pony then you must go by her rules. She cares for you and you MUST respect her." The creatures shuddered and scurried into their homes, peeking out to make sure Luna wasn't going to come closer to them. Luna stood firm as the animals receded into their homes. With her head held high, she approached the young pony. Luna was about to speak but was interrupted.
"Oh Princess, please try to keep your voice down, I didn't want to scare the poor things, just get them down for the night." The small pony said softly, doing her best not to meet the royal's eye line. Luna was slightly taken aback for a moment at the pony's words. "But, I do of course appreciate the help, your highness." Luna continued to look at the pony and her soft mane, clean and unfazed, even after chasing around the animals and trying to keep them under control. The small pony carried herself with such grace and poise. Luna tried to remember her name.
"Fluttershy, is it?" Luna asked softly.
"Ye-yes ma'am." Fluttershy said with a slight squeak in her voice, and backing away. The same pony who had helped her get in touch with the citizens of Ponyville. Without the young pony's help, she would still be feared by everyone. She wanted to thank the pony, but couldn't find the words. Thinking for a moment and seeing her beauty, Luna couldn't help but wonder if the pony would be interested in a small night out.
"I apologize for frightening any of your little friends; I simply wanted to help you." Luna said with a small smile.
"Oh," said Fluttershy. "Thank you." Still not meeting her gaze, Fluttershy turned and padded at the ground below her. Luna watched her movements. Such grace! Every movement was so fluid, as if the pony were weightless. Her coat, bright and yellow, seemed almost somber in the moonlight. Fluttershy, finally gaining the courage to look up into Luna's eyes, asked
"Is… Is there something you need, princess?" Luna looked into the mare's eyes. They were an unusual shade of blue, like the ocean. Luna loved the moonbeams that reflected off of them. The way the small pony's body was shaped, everything looked so perfect. Her coat looked so soft. From the distance, Luna wanted feel it, to softly run her leg along the tiny pegasus' curves.
"Yes," Luna started. She knew if she just left, the beautiful pony would just go into her home, but she couldn't let her go. "I would like you to come with me."
"Now?" Fluttershy said with muffled surprise.
"Yes," Luna replied, "I… Believe I heard an animal, a strange one, near the Everfree forest and was wondering if you could identify it."
Just the thought of the Everfree forest made Fluttershy shake for a moment. "Oh, but couldn't it wait till morning your highness? I am so very tired." Her voice shook.
Luna saw the pony's body quivering and her eyes glazing over. Luna knew the pony was frightened. "I promise I will protect you. Don't you trust your leader?"
Fluttershy gazed up at Luna, noticing how her mane seemed to sparkle in the moonlight and the moon on her flank seemed to glow with the light that hit it. Fluttershy felt warmer somehow, as if there were an electric feeling inside her that she didn't know. "Well, um, if it's important to you, your highness, I guess I should go with you." Fluttershy felt slightly more at ease.
"Sh-should I bring anything? Just to be safe?"
Luna gave a reassuring smile, "Just your beautiful face. Any creature we come across could only melt at the sight of your eyes." A small smile and bashful 'thank you' nod was all Fluttershy could say in response. "The night is my time. You will be safe with me, young one."
"Yes, princess." Fluttershy said softly, stepping towards her.
"Please," said the royal, "call me Luna." Fluttershy stared into her eyes where the moon glowed brightly. The two turned and began walking out of the gated area.
The two walked along the path silently. Fluttershy was as quiet as Luna expected. She thought back to when Fluttershy had helped her speak with the ponies in Ponyville. Luna had always spoken with the same tone, the same demanding and conquering voice she had been taught to use since her fillyhood. She cherished the thought of spending time with such a sweet pony like Fluttershy and she knew she had to spend time with her this night.
Fluttershy walked alongside princess Luna, taking frequently larger steps and occasionally doing a small trot to keep up with
her stride. Luna wasn't much bigger than her, but she was definitely a stronger and more agile pony. Fluttershy liked that
about her, though. She was so meek and humble, quiet and soft, that when she met someone who was stronger and could
hold their own, she wanted to stand by their side and know she would be safe. Perhaps that was why she liked Rainbow
Dash so much, but after being turned down twice, she was afraid to put her heart out again.
Luna guided Fluttershy off of the path and up a hill near the edge of the Everfree forest. Fluttershy's stomach began to
churn as she looked into the almost pitch black blanket that filled the gaps of the outlying trees. "Oh dear," she said softly.
Fluttershy then looked up at Luna, who was standing tall, staring into the void of the Everfree forest. She did not shake or even bat an eyelash as the leaves of the brush almost imperceptibly shivered and whispered a rustle to the night. Luna stood firm, and Fluttershy's stomach seemed to slowly calm down. Her eyes drifted to look at the princess' haunches. They were strong, firm, and reminded her of Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy looked away for a moment at the thought of her old love. Luna noticed her movements.
Stepping closer to Fluttershy, Luna gently spread her wing out and softly placed it on the small pony's back. Fluttershy jumped slightly and looked up into Luna's eyes. "Is something troubling you, beautiful?" Luna asked with a gentle smile and reassuring eyes.
"N-no, it's nothing your highness." Fluttershy's voice trailed off as she spoke. Luna's wing pressed against the pony's side and Fluttershy instinctively moved closer to her. Their sides met and Fluttershy began to feel warm. Luna felt the small pony's heart beginning to beat faster.
"Is there anything you would like to tell your princess?" Luna asked in a suggestive tone.
"I-it's nothing really," Fluttershy began. She tried to talk more but tears began to form in her eyes and her throat closed up.
Luna didn't know the pony's past with the magnificent flyer. Fluttershy turned her head into Luna's side and softly nuzzled her head against it. Luna's wing slid over the pony to shield her from the cold.
Standing there for a moment, Fluttershy gathered her thoughts, and stared into the Everfree forest. "So, uhm, what was this creature? Or rather, what did it sound like?"
Luna looked at the small pony and brought back her wing and stared into the forest. She was thinking of some sort of sound to make up. "It was… Almost a hiss, but a roar," said Luna, but her voice faltered.
Fluttershy turned her head to the side, clearly showing her confusion. But still thinking, she didn't want to let down her princess. "Well, maybe I just need to hear it first or something."
Luna took a step towards the Everfree forest and padded a hoof on the ground. "Do you think you will be able to come?"
Fluttershy looked at her nervously; she had made it this close to the edge and the trees were only a few yards down from the bottom of the hill. She looked down at the ground and pushed a small clump of dirt with her hoof. "Umm…" said
Fluttershy, "Are you sure we have to go in?"
“You have been in the forest before, have you not?”
“Um…yes, but only when I really had to,” she whispered.
Luna wanted to break the pony out of her shell; she knew that Fluttershy would trust her if she could impress her somehow. She decided to start walking towards the tree line. Fluttershy watched her walk on and suddenly grew very nervous. Luna got farther and farther away and Fluttershy's knees began to shake. A big bright light flew right in front of her face. After a small jump and a muffled scream, Fluttershy sped towards Luna, now at the edge of the Everfree forest. As she took a step towards the forest, Luna looked down at her; Fluttershy was visibly shaking. Luna walked right beside her and started to slowly pick up the pace of each step, keeping Fluttershy right by her side.
Fluttershy's eyes darted around the forest and continued to check and make sure Luna was right beside her. She was nervous, but as long as she didn't wander from Luna, she would be safe. The thought alone sent more shivers down her spine. Luna only looked ahead and down at Fluttershy to give reassuring smiles.
They continued walking through the woods until they reached a small clearing. It was a small little hill, almost a bump with large trees surrounding it. Luna walked up and stood there. Fluttershy looked around, checking every angle something could sneak up on her from. Luna looked up at the cloud, they hadn't walked very far at all but she was sure the young pony wouldn't agree with that statement in the slightest. "Would you like to go back?" Luna asked softly. "This is a little ways in, if you would like to turn back I wouldn't blame you. "
"Could-err, if it's okay with you princess, I would just like to wait here for a moment." Fluttershy said, still looking around.
"Certainly, my sweet." Luna replied. She knelt down and sparked up a small fire for the two of them. Fluttershy lay down beside it. Luna stood and walked over to where the pegasus was resting. Lowering herself to the ground, she spread her wing over Fluttershy as she had done before. This time, Fluttershy reacted more contentedly. She leaned against Luna's side and stared into the fire, watching the flames dance in the air and sparks land on the ground below.
Luna stuck her head out and nuzzled a few stray hairs away from Fluttershy's face. Fluttershy blushed, and looked at the ground. "There shouldn't be anything in the way of that beautiful face of yours." Luna said softly into Fluttershy's ear.
"Um, thank you your highness." Fluttershy said in a barely audible tone, trailing off at the end. She looked up at Luna and saw the reflection of the night sky in her eyes. The stars seemed to twinkle on their own, and Fluttershy could see one shoot across. "I…" She started, but couldn't think of anything to say. She wanted to return the favor somehow, but didn't want to sound forced or generic. "You have beautiful eyes," she managed to say. Luna smiled. "You probably get compliments all the time." Fluttershy’s gaze returned to the flames.
"Yes," Luna said "But none that I appreciate more than from such a cute little pony like you." Luna leaned down and kissed Fluttershy on the cheek.