//------------------------------// // Chapter 23: A balancing act // Story: Shield and Shadow Part 1: Rise and Fall // by LucidReverie //------------------------------// Ice. Spring Mist concentrated on walking, making sure each step was deliberate and precise. One false move and he would tumble down into the castle grounds below. This is absurd. I mean, really. Who came up with this idea? I should have just walked through the castle like a normal pony, Mist thought to himself as he walked across the narrow band of light. Mist was almost to the other side: Princess Luna’s balcony, where the mare herself stood. She had not seen him, instead engrossed in looking out over the city and into the night. She walked back into the castle through the door on the balcony, still not noticing Mist standing in the middle of the air, treading cautiously as if on a tightrope. Mist had not noticed her departure, and once he had finally reached the balcony, he was surprised to discover it distinctly lacking a Princess. Mist looked around, trying to determine if he was in the right place. Indeed, directly across the way was Princess Celestia’s balcony. Mist approached the door leading into the castle. Light came from within, but no sound. Mist looked through a crack in the door and saw Princess Luna sitting in the middle of the room on a very large and plush-looking cushion. She was reading something, Mist couldn’t tell what. Mist breathed in and out a few times, readying himself to announce his presence. He gathered up his nerve and raised a hoof. He gave a simple knock at the door. Mist heard no movement from inside, but decided to wait. After a few moments, Mist knocked again. The door opened just a crack, and Mist could see Princess Luna looking out onto the balcony. “Who goes there?” she said with a firm voice. Mist did not hesitate to answer, “It’s Spring Mist, Princess.” “Spring Mist? What are you doing out there? How did you get out there?” “In the most absurd way possible.” “What?” “Could I maybe come in? Or you come out?” “Oh! Of course.” The door opened wide, and Princess Luna stood before Mist, gesturing. “Please, enter.” “Thank you Princess.” “Now, this is most inappropriate, Spring Mist. A pony cannot just intrude on a Princess’s personal study unannounced. Which brings me to my previous question: how did you get out there?” Mist grinned sheepishly. “Ah, yes. I am sorry for the intrusion. I was meeting with Princess Celestia, and she just sent me over here… on a thing… of light.” “Interesting. We used those when we were fillies,” Princess Luna faded, drifting into a memory, “Most impractical, and nothing but nonsense. Never let my sister do that to you again… How went the meeting?” “I’ll keep that in mind. Nothing but castle passages for me. And it went well, thank you. I delivered the reports from the astronomy tower, and had very brief words with the Princess.” “So what brings you here?” “I’m not entirely sure. Princess Celestia just told me to come over.” “So she is entirely behind it?” Mist lowered his head, “Admittedly, it was a fine idea. But I was expecting to meet with both of you, so it is rather fortunate that I am here now, I suppose.” “Indeed. I am glad you are here. I had not expected your presence quite so soon.” Mist was unsure of how to respond, and as such, a silence stretched out into the corners of the room. Not uncomfortable or awkward, but definitely not entirely a good silence. Mist finally decide to break through with a question, “Would you like to know anything about the tower?” “Please. I would be good to hear.” “Very well. It seems that each pony is quite good and certain of their fields, and they seem very happy with what they are doing. I actually enjoy the smaller group of scholars. It seems more close, more friendly. And then there are the recent astronomical phenomena which had the scholars buzzing. Quite exciting, really.” “And you are happy at the tower?” “I am, Princess. Quite. Mind you, I’ve only been there a few days. Wow, a few days. Feels like a lifetime already.” “And you are adjusting well?” “So far. I do sometimes miss my home, but it is good to move on and try new things.” “Indeed. Spring Mist, could I ask something of you?” “Anything.” “Would you teach me the stars?” Mist was greatly confused, “What do you mean, Princess? Surely you know the stars better than anypony ever could.” “Yes, that is true. But I know them as only I can. I wish to know them as you do. Perhaps we could share what we know.” Mist was unsure of the request. It was most odd, and it put him in a potentially uncomfortable position. He was unsure of how to answer. Say yes, you fool. Yes. Just say it. Mist croaked out a soft, uncertain sound. Princess Luna sensed his discomfort, and her ears drooped, before a scowl appeared on her face. She went from contented to disappointed to angry quicker than Mist you blink. Before he knew what was happening, Princess Luna reared on him, standing, towering. Her eyes glowed and she shimmered with a dark energy that sent ripples around the room, distorting the air. Clouds formed and wind whipped at everything in the area, knocking over vases, paintings, sending papers flying. Mist began to panic, searching for a place to run or hide. A loud voice boomed out, as if coming from the very walls. “If thou fearest us, then know our wrath!” Lightning flashed, the clouds growled angrily. “If thou dost not wish to be in our presence, be gone from our sight. We wish no longer to look upon thine form. Flee!” Mist stood stock-still as the dark Princess floated above him, yelling. “We said be gone! Dost thou defy us?” Mist remembered Princess Celestia’s words, hearing them echo in his head. He remembered what he swore to do. He stood firm, unrelenting, “Yes.” “Thou insolent worm, we shall have thee cast into the dungeon for thine disrespect!” “I don’t believe that, Princess.” “Thou doubtest our words? Our power?” “Your words, yes. Your power, never. Now please. I’m sorry.” She calmed slightly. At least the dark clouds were receding. How odd. Some are purple… Mist thought, but soon removed the distracting thought from his mind. “If thou dost not wish to be in our presence, we bid thee leave.” Mist stood his ground, “What do you want?” “That is irrelevant. Leave.” “No. What do you want?” Mist repeated. Princess Luna’s eyes returned to their normal blue, and she landed softly on the ground. The winds she had conjured died down, and the last of the clouds faded. What Mist saw before him was a pony wracked with fear and shame. Tears rolled down her face, darkening her coat. Terrific. Can’t make it just once without her bursting into tears. You’re fantastic, you know that? “Forgive me.” Princess Luna said frailly, meekly, catching Mist completely off-guard. Impressive considering what he had just seen and withstood. “Princess, if anything, I should be begging your forgiveness.” Princess Luna gave him a hard look, tears streaking down her face, “Mist, please. Forgive me. I was brash, wrong.” “Of course Princess.” “Think no less of me…” “Never, Princess.” Princess Luna smiled slightly, but collapsed to her knees. Mist rushed to her side, concerned. “Princess, are you okay?” “Just weary.” “Come. Up, and let’s get you over here.” Mist helped her get to her hooves, trying to ignore the feeling of her soft coat, like cashmere, and the warmth radiating from it. They moved over to the center of the room. Mist pulled the cushion over with his magic, and Princess Luna ungracefully fell onto it. She adjusted her body, making herself comfortable. Mist looked her over as she lay of the cushion. How very odd. I wonder what could be wrong with her. There is no way that magic tired her that much. She looked exhausted, and she flitted in and out of consciousness. Mist awkwardly stood in the middle of the room. He decided to make himself useful and maybe start cleaning up. It would be rude to leave the Princess’s study in such a state. Mist moved about the room, straightening paintings, setting vases upright, clearing up spills of ink and water. He salvaged as many scrolls as he could, and even tried to organize them. It was a challenge not to read too much of what was written, but Mist managed. He reorganized the desk in the corner, fixing the quills and ink jars, stacking the scrolls as best he could. The room was mostly cleaned-up by the time Mist heard a shuffling behind him. Princess Luna stirred. He trotted over to her and saw that she was looking healthier. I must speak to Princess Celestia about this. He lowered himself before Princess Luna, who looked at him through hazy eyes and half-lids. “How are you feeling?” he asked gently. She did not respond, so he repeated the question, “Luna, how are you feeling?” “Better. Forgive me, I do not know exactly what happened.” “It was nothing Princess. No harm was done, and I’ve almost completely fixed the room. But I do think it best at this point if I take my leave.” He turned towards the door, fixing his saddlebags as he went. He was halted by a small voice. “Please. Stay,” it said, pleading. Mist turned around to see Princess Luna wearing a look of mixed fear and hope. Unable to stand to upset her any further, Mist hung his head and turned back. He walked over to the cushion, removed his saddlebags, and sat on the floor. “You know, if you were just clear from the beginning, we could have been spared most of this bother,” Mist said casually. A guilty look appeared on Princess Luna’s face, “Perhaps you are right. Now could you tell me what happened?” Mist grimaced, unsure of how to tactfully answer, “Well, what’s the last thing you remember?” “You didn’t answer my request. To teach me the stars and share my in my knowledge of them.” That look of guilt then appeared on Mist’s face, “Ah, yes. After that, you kind of… exploded. There was wind, and clouds, and thunder, and lightning. And you were loud. Really loud.” “That sounds… very odd. I’m sorry, Spring Mist. I remember none of this. It must have been horrible for you.” Mist offered her a grin, “Not at all. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” “You are a very odd pony. And you called me ‘Luna’.” “Yes, so I have been told. And, yes… I’m sorry about that, Princess. I beg forgiveness.” Princess Luna looked around the room, seeing evidence of the destruction she wrought, and how Mist had cleared up and cleaned as much as he could. He simply sat at watched her, like a doctor watches a patient. “It’s quite alright. I like it” she paused briefly, “I’m sorry you had to see me like that.” “Princess, you can stop apologizing. It’s okay,” Mist reassured her, “And besides, it’s hardly fair to only see you at your best.” “Indeed. I just wish my ‘worst’ wasn’t so terrible. And I wish I could remember it.” “Why do you think it is that you have no memory?” “I have no idea. All I know is that it is something I wish never to repeat.” “I can understand that.” Mist chuckled. Princess Luna giggled slightly at Mist’s statement, and soon both ponies were struggling to breathe through fits of laughter. When they finally calmed, the conversation turned serious once again with Princess Luna’s question, “So, what is your answer, Spring Mist? Will you take me up on my offer?” Mist looked away, at nothing in particular, formulating an answer with some difficulty. But upon seeing Princess Luna’s face drop with each second, he found the answer came as simply as breathing: “Yes.” Princess Luna beamed, showing that rare smile that Mist had only seen once before. It was still surprising, but very welcome. It was a relief for Mist, seeing that smile. Mist was still quite shaken by earlier events, but seeing that smile calmed his nerves, and he felt he could relax. Unfortunately, all of that calm was undone the moment Princess Luna did the unspeakable. Princess Luna leaned in, impossibly close, and planted the lightest peck on Spring Mist’s lips. The movement was swift and fleeting, but it shook Mist to the core, and then lingered. His mind raced, his heart like a drum, breathing rapid, seeing the light blush on Princess Luna’s face merely served to exacerbate the sensation. That was… uh… … Oh boy. Author's Note: Dear readers, I bring this update to your early. And here's why: I will be in New York for BronyCon this weekend, so I may not get easy access to internet. I'll try to update regularly, but do forgive me if I don't. If any of you are there, you could probably find me. I wouldn't mind meeting people. Oh, and Equestria Daily rejected the story, but no worries I suppose - I've still got all of you wonderful readers here! Have a wonderful weekend everypony, and as always: May the stars bless you with their beauty, and the moon light your way in the dark.