Luna rose ahead of her usual time and presented herself to her sister in advance of their scheduled evening handover meeting.
“Luna, I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon; is anything the matter?”
“Good afternoon Sister” she replied “I seek to raise the moon from Ponyville tonight and must begin my journey soon if I am to arrive in time. Are there any issues of significance for me arising from this day?”
“Nothing that can’t wait” smiled Celestia “Go enjoy yourself with a clear conscience.”
“Thank you Sister, I shall.”
The two gave each other a brief nuzzle and then Luna set off for Ponyville once more.
The sun was getting low in the sky when she arrived over Ponyville and flared to make a perfect landing outside Carousel Boutique. She walked the last few steps to the door and gave it a push, hearing the bell tinkle above her.
“Right with you” chimed a familiar voice from the workshop.
Luna looked around and noticed that the display had changed since the night before, admiring the new couture that Rarity had put on display. From her position on a cushion, a pampered white cat looked up and smiled; the blue alicorn would forever be associated with large portions of food and was an instant friend.
“Hello, and what can I do for …” Rarity stopped in mid-flow “Oh Princess, how lovely to see you again. I’m afraid I must apologise for my behaviour last night; I don’t know what came over me. I hope we’re still friends …”
“Dear Rarity, no apology necessary. You had worked so hard on your new range of dresses that you just got a little over-tired.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t remember everything I said or did last night. I hope I didn’t embarrass you …”
“Not at all. In fact, you were very generous. Now I should like to repay the compliment if I may. Can you close up for the day?”
“Oh sweet Celestia!" gasped Rarity checking the time "I hadn’t realised how late it had got.”
“Good, then follow me when you’re ready.”
Luna led Rarity out of the door, sat down on her haunches and spread her wings.
“What are you doing Princess?” she asked nervously.
“Tis an invitation for you to mount me” replied Luna matter-of-factly.
“Pardon?” asked Rarity, incredulous.
“I wish to take you for a flight” she clarified.
“Oh … I see” said the dressmaker climbing carefully onto the blue body before her.
Luna launched herself into the air as Rarity giggled with delight. She had experienced having wings fleetingly before and secretly wished she had a pair on call for her use whenever it suited, but that was not to be. They soared over the Everfree toward the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters and put down in the courtyard, where her passenger dismounted, filled with exhilaration after a wonderful treat.
“Why have you brought me here?” she asked.
“This is where I grew up. I consider it home far more than Canterlot ever will be. Come, follow me.”
Luna led Rarity through the old castle and up a few flights of stairs that led onto an imposing balcony with a beautiful view of the sunset.
“If you would like to watch, I shall perform the traditional ritual of summoning the moon to rise into the sky.”
“Oh, please!” said Rarity, clapping her forehooves together.
“Come stand by my side and you and I will be the first to see the moon rise tonight.”
The white mare moved forward to stand close to Luna who reciprocated by pressing into her, sending a shiver of expectation through Rarity’s body. A blue aura formed around her horn, electrifying the space around her; the space occupied by her guest, who gasped in pleasure. Luna smiled appreciatively and turned her focus to the moon, drawing it from its slumber and sending it on its way across the sky.
“Princess … I …” gasped Rarity, clearly with something personal on her mind.
“Would you like to see something very precious to me?” asked Luna.
The white mare was speechless, but her wide eyes spoke volumes as she gently nodded her head.
“Come, follow me.”
Once more, Luna led the way through old passageways and up a further flight of stairs. No words were exchanged as Rarity’s heart raced with anticipation. Finally, they arrived at a closed door, the same blue aura reaching out to unlock it for the first time in over a thousand years. There was a click and then a long drawn out squeak as protesting hinges were summoned from their long repose.
“This was my bedchamber” said Luna allowing Rarity in to see for herself. It was very grand but a little musty and showing clear signs that time had not treated it kindly.
“It’s magnificent!” gasped Rarity in awe, trying to take in the period décor.
“This, this is where I consider home, but you are the first pony I have shared it with in countless generations.”
Rarity pressed her body against her and gave her a squeeze, “Thank you for showing me Princess. It means a lot to me that you should want to share it with me.”
“You gave me your heart and soul in your beautiful dress designs and had the kindness to name the range after me. It is the least I can do” said Luna in a hushed tone.
“Princess …” whispered Rarity quietly, turning to face her, her eyes glowing with an intensity of passion that Luna had not seen in a long time.
"I will show you one more thing, if you wish” said Luna, not leaning in to the kiss that Rarity so desperately wanted, but she understood the cue.
The blue aura spread once more from her horn and a doorway appeared in the wall, the door opening at her magical touch.
“You may enter if you wish, Rarity.”
Overcome with curiosity, she entered as Luna knew she would and gasped at what she saw.
“My sister was always wary of my abilities as a dream walker; it meant that I could see into anypony’s innermost thoughts and dreams. She developed very astute abilities at gaining information from others through different means, a talent that serves her well in the politics of Equestria to this day. I however, needed to have somewhere she did not know about for my own personal reasons. This then is my secret place. It can only be detected and opened by my magic. While you are within, you are not trapped and can leave at any time, but may never come back in without me.”
Rarity looked around the secret bedroom. It was as pristine as if it had just been freshly prepared. The only thing that gave away that it had remained untouched for generations was an oil painting of a pink unicorn on the dresser.
“Who’s that” asked Rarity in a hushed tone.
“She was my last true love” said Luna wistfully “I have been to her grave since my return and laid fresh flowers for her. I believe she went on to marry and have foals, but she will forever have a special place in my heart.”
A tear started to form in the corner of her regal eye as she hung her head.
“Princess …?” asked Rarity, closing up to give her a hug.
“I do not give my heart easily, Rarity” she replied.
“Then I hope I am worthy” whispered the white mare giving Luna the softest of kisses on her lips.
She pulled away gently and reclined onto the large bed, fixing the Princess of the Night with her deep blue eyes. Luna looked at her longingly, daring to believe that she may have found true love once more and joined her on the bed, her wings stiffening with anticipation.
Morningtide brought with it the need for Luna to perform her duty of lowering the moon once more to make way for Celestia’s sun. There were still a few hours before she needed to attend to this task and so she gently woke her new marefriend.
“Hmmm …?” queried Rarity, roused from her sleep.
“Would you like to come to Canterlot to see the sun rise?” she asked.
“Oh darling …” began the white mare “Anything to be with you.”
The two lovers kissed once more, as they had done so many times during the protection of that night.
“I shall have to leave a note for Opalescence to be fed” she stated, remembering her responsibilities.
“We can send a scroll by dragon mail to Twilight Sparkle” suggested Luna.
Rarity rolled over and smiled, “You think of everything darling.”
“Actually, yes” came the unexpected reply.
Rarity looked up at her lover with an inquisitive expression across her face.
“Can you make yourself ready in, say, ten minutes?” asked Luna.
“You’re up to something, I can tell” said Rarity “OK, you’re on.”
From out of nowhere, she mustered a selection of brushes and proceeded to groom her mane and tail to perfection.
“Now do tell; what’s going on darling” she pried.
“Follow me” said Luna simply, and led her out to the front of the castle where a chariot awaited.
“How did you arrange this?” gasped Rarity.
“I arranged the chariot for me before I left” replied Luna “It is just fortuitous coincidence that you happen to be available to accompany me. Would you like to share my ride?”
Rarity was beside herself and went to thank both Bat Ponies personally before getting in alongside her Princess, her lover and her new marefriend.
The two snuggled up to each other during the flight. Rarity had enjoyed riding on Luna’s back, but it would have been uncomfortable to have hung on for such a long journey and she was delighted to be treated like royalty herself. All too soon they descended through the darkness to the Royal Castle at Canterlot, illuminated with pinpricks of torches against the darkness. The landing was performed expertly, neither passenger feeling the slightest bump and both emerging feeling rejuvenated.
There to meet them was Princess Celestia. Rarity had met her several times in the years since Twilight Sparkle had come to Ponyville, but this morning it was quite different; no longer merely the Bearer of the Element of Generosity, but Luna’s marefriend. She trembled a little at the change in relationship with the most powerful alicorns in Equestria, but soon got a grip of herself and settled back to enjoy the experience.
“Good morning Sister” said Luna brightly.
“Good morning Luna” said the Sun Princess “And good morning to you too Rarity. It is a pleasure to see you here at Canterlot so early.”
“Good morning Princess” replied Rarity, striking the perfect balance between respect and self-assurance.
“Unless I speak out of turn” announced Luna “I expect that we shall be seeing more of Rarity in Canterlot in the fullness of time.”
The dressmaker blushed noticeably, even in the torchlight.
“Good; we could do with an experienced eye over the décor and furnishings in the castle” interjected Celestia, then adding conspiratorially to her new sister-in-law “It’s been years since they were updated, and I can’t wait to see something new!”
The two princesses attended to the lowering of the moon and the raising of the sun, both noticing the new-found radiance on Rarity’s face in the morning light.
She may not ever have wings of her own, but right now she was flying.