Nocturnality

by Kotushk Fier

Lullaby From a Princess

In my dark room I could feel the crushing weight of my embarrassment. I forgot that she would have been able to see my fantasies.

{Why couldn't I keep myself in control?!}

I buried my face in my pillow and screamed myself hoarse. Everything I had hoped to attain just went up in smoke, all because I was too stupid to control my impulses. I knew I had been playing a dangerous game, but had foolishly believed I could keep myself in check. Eventually, I exhausted myself and drifted into my dreams.

I was running from her chambers again. My hooves were a blur underneath me as I panted, desperate to outrun my mistake.

A haunting melody arose in the air around me. A soft, familiar voice sang within it, and drew me off my path. Luring me into the dark woods near my home, I could only keep approaching that ethereal songstress.

I could feel my heart being lifted, as though this mysterious presence was able to sense and alleviate my burden. I slowed down as I caught a glimpse of a meadow through the trees.

Pulled ever closer to the melody of unsurpassed beauty, I finally made my way into the open grove. Soft moonlight filtered through the trees overhead, and it converged upon and illuminated none other than Princess Luna.

I watched, starstruck, as the moonlight surrounding her began to swirl and coalesce into a vision. Once more I saw the room with the statue where I had been practicing spellweaving. But I could see myself as well, straining as I attempted to perfect my lessons. The black death spell launched from my horn, flying towards the hated sculpture. Suddenly, the image exploded with a bright white flash. When the vision cleared, I saw myself struggling to absorb the returned energies. After awhile, I rose to my hooves, ready to continue. A few silent moments of dialogue later, I watched myself fly across the room, propelled by the wind that seemed to come from the... Wait, was this how the scene looked to Luna?

The scene continued to the point when she healed me, and I saw myself as she looked down into my face. My eyes grew brighter, and the colors changed faster, as an image appeared over my head. The fantasy I had while laying in her embrace replayed itself, taunting me with my abject embarrassment once more.

Nothing could have prepared me for the next part of my dream.

As my fantasy was peaking, imagining her mouth descending upon mine, the vision in the clearing neared my face more. The image flickered and darkened, eventually blacking out entirely. Replacing the darkness was a soft pink effervescence, which swirled around Luna as she finished her nightsong.

Finishing her song, she turned and looked at me.

"Dear Novalis... You ran off tonight before I could say anything. Your dreams, your wishes, your hopes, they are nothing new to me. I know how you feel towards me, and always have. I'm not offended by your heart's yearning. Tonight, in the midst of your imaginings, I kissed you. I'm not going to lie; I harbor the same feelings for you, but at the same time, I do not. When you are ready, I will explain what exactly that means, but for now, do not leave my side. I expect you to return to me tomorrow night. Someday, everything will be clear to you.

My dream faded after that, and I awoke to the sounds of chirping birds. My heart felt a great deal lighter, and I decided that I would not run. I would return to her side, patiently waiting to learn everything she could teach me. And someday, I hoped to become ready enough in her eyes to be enlightened on her riddle.