//------------------------------// // Chapter Five: Before Eternity Came // Story: Noble and Free // by Kaffeina //------------------------------// Chapter Five Before Eternity Came Have you ever wondered why? Why would a blind man walk? Why does the caged bird sing? Why does the sun rise on even the dreariest of mornings? Why does life move on when they are gone? Why? Because they must. The blind man walks, because if he doesn't he will never know the world. The caged bird sings, for that is all it has left. The sun rises because not even the loss of all hope stops it. Life goes on, simply because it must, because it does. When anyone loses hope, they wish the world would stop with them, but it doesn't. It never does. I lived for so very long without hope, so very long without even the brightest of lights piercing the veil that had fallen over my eyes. A veil, not of rose pink and nostalgia as I think, but a black and unending hail. Like the full moon at night, so large and bright, my silver eyes could not bare the blight. For eternity I walked, for eternity nothing talked, for eternity I was stalked by the dark, as it crept along, hence then it did hark, a dreary dead song. Whispers on the wind sailed the sea of trees, never ceasing, never leaving. Just the wind, the trees, the sky, and I, for eternity as it so seemed. I do not remember my name, theirs, or what it could have been, but I remember the songs and all we did. In the sea of trees, much as it is now, we lived. It was not this lonesome place, as it had long since become, in the time before eternity came. In those days, the forest was alive with hopes, dreams, love, and a life worth living. I remember the place I was born, one of the smallest villages of our people. Small in people and places, but not in nature and beauty, not in love and dreams. Our brothers and sisters, from the villages far and wide, would come and go with stories and laughter. It was not the forest that gave our world it's beauty, it was those around us. I remember my last days there, before eternity came, when we were all free and happy. Then, just as dusk falls each night, that happiness was gone. I watched as, before my eyes they vanished, becoming truly one with nature itself. For as long as I hoped, I watched to see that happiness return. And, yet, though dawn always comes, it never returned and I was left alone. The moon watches a lonely world, a phrase all knew, something we all knew. I am left to wonder, was it truly the moon that watches the lonely world? It's silver moonlight gazing through the trees, watching as I now do? Does the moon wait through the night, for the sun to return? Does the moon know that it's mithril light will never bring dawn? It matters not, for I believe the moon waits as I do, for dawn to finally break and give it's much needed break. My people prayed to the sun, to the trees, to the light. However, the lonely moon knew only silence. I believe it knows, yes, that it brings dreams and wonder to all, but does that stop it from being lonely? That, I doubt, and so, as dusk breaks, I pray to the moon that our nights will end. Forever, silver gazed upon the world, alone. My child, it says to me, if none watch over them, what may happen? At the end of my eternity, before I felt the magic of the forest return without them, I remembered what the last of my people had said. Amber eyes, for this was the last born child after I, had gazed at me. I could not see sadness in them, I could see nothing but... our beauty. Hope, dreams, love, and life. The child had smiled at me, for it was her name, and no other, I could remember. We had been the last for awhile, Auyn and I. I remember the last days, for she was not there for very long after the others, when we would watch sun rise and wait for our final sleep to take us. We did not talk, for what need was there? We watched the days pass, and the nights, before she went to the tree they prayed at and laid her hand upon it. "It must be up to you," she spoke in warm velvety tones, her amber eyes sparkling in the morning sun and her unusually dark hair swirling with the soft touch of cool breezes, "I am sorry to leave you alone, but as they sleep, I must as well." With a final smile, she began to fade, as though she were dust blown away, "Watch well-" but her final words I could not remember. My name? Even that I do not know, for I have long since forgotten it, but that may have been her final word. I am sorry, Auyn, but I can watch alone no more. It has been so very long, and I am so very tired. Can you hear me? That I doubt. A cusp of wind blew through my hair, as though a hand were caressing my face. Even my little fox has gone now, and I am truly alone. The forest is as silent as I, never a sound from either of us. Even the wind had gone silent, it's strength no longer enough to rustle the leaves. As I sought my sleep, I could find it no more, Was I a ghost? Was I the last leaf of a dying tree? I do not, I did not know. I finally made my prayer, and it went unanswered. And then, when I finally wept, I found myself asleep. Who would watch while I was gone? Would they still know I was there? I see no reason to wonder, for there is nothing to watch. That was when I heard whispers on the wind. My feet moved onwards through the forest, the griffon had long since gone and I saw nothing else. Tracks were scattered here and there in my way, which was most certainly normal, as they had never gone. Yet, some were fresh, as though creatures had been here since. As I watched, a young bird flew past, and I felt a smile grace my face. They were here no more, but that did not mean nothing else was. The bird let out a few tweets before disappearing into the trees once more. Maybe my home, ourhome would once again see a life worth living. As I walked on, a few more small creatures crossed my vision and the smile never completely left my face. I walked along to the soft crunch of dead leaves and soft birdsong, a far more merry mood having fallen upon me. My heart still twinged for my lost ones, but that no longer meant I was utterly alone. For the first time, since before eternity came, I no longer felt as if every moment were covered by the dark gray clouds of a thunderstorm. Light had finally began to worm it's way into my heart again, and this time I knew it would stay. What I had lost was beginning to return to me, things which I never knew I missed showed themselves. It was not a euphoria, it was peace. I knew now, that my heart had found peace again. Up ahead of me, the edge of the forest began to show. Beyond the trees, great rolling plains of green grass and gentle winds gave way to a sight of mountains in the distance. A light brown, for I could not see them, was interrupted by only white snow caps and fluffy clouds adorning the sky and their tops. In nearly a run, I made my way out into the open fields where my hair was brushed and blown about by wind. The grass shifted and rustled as gusts blew through the field. I felt my feet sink into soft dirt, brown and warm. I could not control myself as I danced through it, letting out a joyous laugh. Oh, I did so love the forest, but the plains? The open sky? They called to me, in their own way the forest could not. They spoke of freedom, laughter, dancing, and games. Another laugh escaped me, and I could not control myself as tears flowed down my face. I was a lone watcher no more. Oh moon, do you feel the way I do when day comes and you can rest? Do you feel the freedom of dancing? Of open places, where open skies and fluffy clouds greet you with joy, asking to play? If not, I hope you do one day too. Beyond the sea of trees and off to the south on the mountains of Canterlot, a blue mare sat on the balcony of the tallest tower of the castle she and her sister called home. The sun shone brightly over the lands of Equestria and she wondered, would they play like this at night? No, they would not, but that was a problem no longer. If she did not give them night, when would they sleep and wait for another day of play and life? That, she could not forget, and it was because of that she became their watcher. She would guard their hopes and dreams, to make sure each day would come and be as lively as the last. That she could not and would not forget. Luna stared into the blue skies, wondering if she would ever see a day like that. Would she see a day they thanked her for the night? For sweet dreams and happy peace? She doubted that, but if she did it for them did she really need thanks? No, but that would be nice. Yet, until she earned their forgiveness, she knew they would never thank her, and some may even hate her. Her heart was pained, but this time, she would learn and be loved, just as her sister was... she hoped. As she watched the skies, the pegasi moving the clouds to give those below shade, or rain, or any weather they need, she heard a whisper in the back of her head. It was soft, melodic, joyful, and yet at the same time it was heartbroken, sad and full of loneliness. While she was not sure who or what it could be, what it said surprised her. It was not as they dreamed, it was not a prayer, it was not even sarcastic. It was... filled with understanding more than anything else. Oh moon, do you feel the way I do when day comes and you can rest? Do you feel the freedom of dancing? Of open places, where open skies and fluffy clouds greet you with joy, asking to play? Unable to control herself, Luna smiled. The question seemed so childish, yet, she herself couldn't say she didn't feel childish at all. She had done many terrible things for reasons only a child would. With a wistful sigh, Luna let out a small laugh. "That, I do not know, little voice," she looked down and giggled, "But I hope to." With that, Luna stood and told herself she would see about doing just that. She knew her sister would encourage it, for she was the only one who would love her no matter what she did. Making her way down the stairs, past the portraits, dusty but still visible, of her and Celestia, Luna wondered to herself how a voice she didn't know could bring her such a strange peace. Some would say she was crazy, or being tricked, but above anything else, she knew for certain that the little voice that had asked her meant nothing ill towards her. It understood, it wished she could feel the way it did. "I hope we both get back what we have lost, whatever that may be."