CHAPTER 15: We’ll Do It Together
Accord waited patiently with the king and queen at the dining table for the children to arrive for dinner. The hall was very quiet, with only the ambience of some small burning torches nearby and as the sounds of some pots and pans in the nearby kitchen where the servants worked. Suddenly, there were footsteps, and Luna and the dragons came in.
“Accord!” shouted Luna, joyfully. “You’re dining with us tonight?”
“I certainly am, my little pony.” he responded.
“Awesome! It’s been like, forever since you last joined us for dinner!” Penny added.
“Where is Celestia?” Accord asked.
“Eh, she’s probably still studying or something. You know Tia.” Percy explained.
“I hope she’s not going to be too late though.” said the king. “There’s a good reason why Accord is dining with us tonight.”
“There is? What is it?” Luna asked.
“You will see, Luna.” said Chernalia.
Just then Celestia walked in while still reading a book. She looked quite serious and it surprised everyone how she knew where she was going. She then bookmarked the page and put the book down next to her pillow, then sat attentively onto her pillow to prepare to eat. Suddenly she noticed Accord.
“OH! Accord, you’re here!” she exclaimed.
“It’s good to see you, Princess.” Accord said politely.
“Wow, I’m glad to see you’re joining us for dinner. We haven’t had you here for quite a while as you’re being so busy with all the renovations.”
“Ahem.”
“Oh, sorry, Father.” Celestia responded as they all bowed their heads in prayer before eating.
Solmidas recited the Equestrian Blessing.
“Blessings of the heavens and all good things of this world be bestowed upon the food which we are about to partake. May the Great One give us health and wisdom, and keep us together through all circumstances. Till all are one.”
“Till all are one.” repeated everyone else.
They then all put their heads back up and opened their eyes, and the servants began bringing in the dishes of food.
“So Accord, is there a reason why you’re here to have dinner with us tonight?” Celestia asked. “I was sure you’d be very busy today…”
“Oh, I was indeed very busy, Little Princess...” he replied. “…but your father needed me here on important matters tonight.”
Everyone began eating their food that had been placed before them while listening to Accord.
“Celestia, Luna…” he began. “It has come to my attention that you two have been mishandling your studies lately…or more specifically, you’ve both been at odds with one another concerning said studies.”
Celestia and Luna looked surprised at hearing this, and looked down at their plates bashfully.
“Yes…” Celestia admitted.
“Celestia, you’ve been studying so incredibly hard that you seem to be overdoing it, and Luna, you don’t seem to be studying enough. Now, pray tell, is it true that you two have been quarreling over this? I would like an honest answer, please.
After a long pause Luna finally spoke.
“It’s true, Senator.” she said respectfully.
Celestia nodded her head before taking a small spoonful of some oats.
“Alright.”
Accord took a sip from his cup before continuing.
“Let’s all finish eating, and then I would like the princesses to remain with me.”
Everyone continued to eat their food without speaking a word. Celestia and Luna appeared quite moved by what Accord said and seemed apologetic, but were afraid to face one another. Accord, however, had a slight smile on his face. He knew how he could handle these two.
A few minutes later, everyone but the princesses and Accord exited the dining hall. Accord was ready to start.
“Alright, my dear princesses.” he said. “One at a time, what seems to be the trouble? Celestia, how about you go first.”
Celestia nervously began to speak.
“Well……I guess you’re right when you say I’m over-preparing and all…it just…it worries me that Luna doesn’t seem to be taking it so seriously. I want her to study more than she is because I know this big assignment is for the both of us, and if one of us can’t do it then how will we hope to pass?”
“Alright. And now for you, Luna.”
“Um……I don’t know really, Accord. I guess I just don’t like it when Tia tells me how to study. I thought I was getting enough studying done. I have memorized the text very well after all. But…I still worry that Tia might be over-preparing a little. I’m sorry if we sounded like we were fighting too much.”
“Well let’s save the apologies for later, Luna. But for now…”
Accord got up from his pillow seat and walked towards the windows, one of which had a stained-glass image of the royal family.
“Over here.” Accord said.
Celestia and Luna got up and walked over quietly towards Accord.
“You know, when Luna was born, I was so glad to see that Celestia would have a sister. Not just because she wouldn’t be lonely anymore, but because she would learn by teaching this younger pony and setting a good example, while the other would learn by looking up to her older sister.”
Accord paused for a few seconds and then turned around.
“Both of you have been so kind to one another most of the time, and have surprised your parents with everything you’ve done. I’ve seen you both grow up and love one another. Of course, like always, it pains me to see others fighting. It is especially hard to know my two favorite princesses are doing the same.”
Luna and Celestia glanced at one another quickly and then looked back down. Luna started moving her hoof around in a circle on the ground.
“I’m sorry, Luna.” Celestia said. “I guess I was getting a little worked up. I should have been nicer to you. I was just so stressed out about the exam and everything.”
“I’m sorry too.” Luna responded to her sister. “I guess I should have listened to you. We were both wrong.”
“Yes, we both were.”
A few moments passed, and then the princesses embraced one another with Accord watching happily.
“That’s better.” he told them, joining in the hug. “Come over here for a minute, I’d like to show you something.
Accord then walked over to a nearby door, which lead out to a balcony just outside of the dining hall. He came to the edge of the balcony, and looked out to the northern sky with the sunset barely visible in the corner.
“Look at the city below you, my princesses.” he told them.
Celestia looked at Everfree with her sister hovering right next to her, since the columns on the edge of the balcony were a bit too high for her.
“That city beyond these walls and many others in the countryside are depending on you two. Tomorrow you’ll help to bring two factions back together for the good of Equestria, and you’ll have to do it with each other. Your parents have worked together on many important issues, and they’ve done it with the parliament’s help and mine many times. They are all living proof that teamwork and harmony will keep this nation running properly.”
Accord put his hoof on Celestia’s shoulder, and Luna landed next to him and nuzzled against his leg.
“Thanks, Accord.” said Celestia. “We promise we’ll do this together no matter what. Right Luna?”
“You bet, Sister!” Luna said cheerfully.
They all turned around to see their parents and the dragons waiting for them.
“Well, it’s getting late and you both should prepare to move the sun and moon here.” Accord told them using his wings to push them along.
Celestia and Luna rushed off to bed with the dragons following them. Solmidas and Chernalia walked over to Accord.
“Accord……thank you.” the king said gratefully.
“It was no trouble, My Liege.” said Accord bowing.
“Our daughters will always remember your wise words, Senator.” Chernalia told him. “We would be nowhere without you.”
“Thank you.” Accord replied to the queen. “I must be off to my study now. I have a lot to catch up on.”
The king and queen gave a bow of respect to the alicorn senator as he took off, flying gracefully to his tower.
He landed on the balcony, and entered with a smile on his face. As soon as he got inside he stopped smiling and then locked the door. He then closed all his windows and lit a candle. Levitating the candle, he entered his bedroom, and made his way up some stairs to a door at the top. He entered and then disappeared into the darkness, off to his own mysterious deeds.