“… and because the earth ponies are taking up so much room for their farms it behooves me to speak on behalf of the unicorns…”
Blah,blah,blah! Why can’t they just come out and just say what they want in a few sentences? Do they think that they will get extra points for words?
“On the matter of allotted land south of the Everfree,” The unicorn continued in a monotone voice. He had one hoof to his chest, neck ramrod straight and his head high in the air as he spoke.
Yet he can still look at my sister, why can’t they ever address me? They know that I’m here too.
Princess Luna knew she shouldn’t feel such anger burning up inside of her but the small voice telling her to be patient was quickly drowned out. Trying to keep her irritation out of her expression she looked over at Celestia who was listening to the unicorn with an unreadable stoic face and the patience of a saint.
“We are left with tiny gardens while the earth ponies have huge lots land, so large that it takes an entire family to maintain it. It seems unfair that they be given such generous portions of the land while we only have small portions around our homes. This limitation greatly reduces the size of our gardens and beauty is extremely important to us unicorns.”
Yes I suppose having room for your luxury gardens is more important for food to supply the kingdom, Luna thought bitterly, and not every farmer is an earth pony.
“I see,” Princess Celestia said slowly. “I know how important this is to you but you do realize however that the land there was given out to farmers in order to supply the kingdom with sufficient food?”
The unicorn fumbled with his jeweled hat while Luna grimaced bitterly.
“That land was specially given to farmers, not all of which are earth ponies if you take the time to look, because the ground has perfect soil for growing crops. If you’ve noticed, we’ve had a few lean winters and the Pegasus had to extend the growing season beyond what was natural. There are other places in Equestria in which anypony can have a house with land for large gardens. I’m afraid that you must either accept a small garden area or simply relocate to another area. I’m sorry but your request for reallotting the land is denied. Celestia finished with a slight bow of her head indicating that the hearing was officially over.
The unicorn stared back with an open an if he was going to argue but then bowed his head low, “Yes, your majesty.”
After he strolled out Celestia dismissed the guards for the day and the two princesses left their thrones. Golden and silver clad hooves clicked against the stone floor as Celestia led the way to the highest tower. There were few servants about and they bowed to the princess as they hustled off to their quarters. Nearing the upper reaches of the tower Celestia opened a huge ornate door with her magic and lead the way in. She glanced out the large arched window at the sun sinking to the horizon.
“Barely in time to raise the-“
“BANG!”
Celestia jumped as Luna bucked the door shut. She spun around to see fire burning in her bright blue eyes.
“YOUR MAJEISTY!” Luna roared. “Your majesty,” she repeated in a mocking tone. “Not your majesties? Could he not see that I was there? This is the third day that I have taken part in hearings and no pony directs a question at me and most have yet to notice that I’m there!”
“Luna, it is still new to them and they will need time to adjust. This kingdom itself still need time to adjust. Don’t forget some of them have great-grandparents who can remember a time before we became rulers.”
Luna snorted and trotted up to the window. She leaned on the window seal and narrowed her eyes against the bright sun. In spite of herself Luna couldn’t help but feel resentment for the bright shining orb and could hardly wait until it was gone from the sky.
“I know that I have been keeping to the night when they sleep from their hard labors and I have not been appearing before them during the day but still. I have been seeing to the night and providing them with peaceful and restful sleep for decades. Yet they do not really see me as a ruler of Equestria, do they? I am like a figure from a myth, or just a piece of their dream to be forgotten when they wake. They do not appreciate the night and rest that I provide for them. They take it for granted before they wake and go dance in the sun.” Luna glared at the ray disappearing below the horizon wishing it would vanish for a long time and force the ponies to work and play under the moon.
“Oh, Luna,” Celestia sighed draping a wing across her sister’s shoulders. “Of course they appreciate the night. They enjoy the rest and quite that you provide for them. Where will they be without rest?”
“Just because somepony needs and enjoys something it does not mean that they really appreciate it or the pony who provides it. All they see is you. Me? I’m just the shadow in the background. Do you really even care,” Luna snapped but instantly regretted her words. Her sister hid it well but Luna could still see the hurt in her eyes.
“Of course I care,” Celestia replied. “Why do you think I asked you to take part in the evening hearings? Over time ponies will learn to recognize you properly as a monarch.”
“A lot of good that did,” Luna grumbled. “They would hardly look at me beyond the initial surprise of seeing me there.”
“They’re just not used to it yet,” Celestia replied. “It’s only been three days.”
“And I’ve been their princess since most Equestrians were born,” Luna retorted. “They should know me as a real, living Princess of their kingdom.” She leaped out of the window before her sister could reply. She knew how hurtful it was to leave such a bad not but she also knew that if she had stayed she like would have said something worse. Her sister just did not understand what it was like for her. Oh, how she wished she could.