//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: A Welcomed Visitor // Story: The Fallen Kingdom Chronicles. // by Dawnforge //------------------------------// Chapter 3: A Welcomed Visitor The moon rose above the skies of Stormane and shone down upon the city. Its grey walls gleaming dully in the moonlight and spires of rich purple and dark blue rose above homes and shops. A few sparkles from large observatories and their telescopes glimmered over the rooftops and in between the spires. The Palace stood above them all, with its gold trimmed marble walls, and balconies decorated with hanging flowers and vines and telescopes and sitting areas. It was the home of Princess Luna, alicorn ruler of the Southern Kingdom of Stormane and Princess of the Night. On one of the balconies towards the top of the spires, sat a midnight blue alicorn, her mane and tail waving on an ethereal wind and seemingly holding a portion of the night sky captive. She was without clothing or regalia as she was on her private balcony right outside her bedchambers, smiling down at her capital city. The trade and research districts of the city were still bustling at night, both for their own reasons, the alicorn was sure. A few knocks on her large bedroom door echoed to her ears and she let herself sigh, wondering who would disturb her at this hour. She stood and walked to the door, moving to unlock the latch that kept the door from being opened. “Who is it?” “An old friend from Theramare.” A voice answered from the otherside. Luna beamed with a feeling of joy, she recognized the voice and opened the door with her magic, ruffling her wings in excitement. “Twilight Sparkle!” She called out as the door opened to reveal a lavender unicorn wearing robes of midnight blue and purple. Without waiting for a response, the Princess rushed forward and hugged the unicorn, her face beamed when the hug was returned after a moment. “It is good to see you too, Luna. May I come in?” The lavender mare nudged her way inside Luna’s personal and private bedrooms, closing the doors behind her and Luna, who had followed her back in. “I was visiting Cadence while she was here in the city. It isn’t often she leaves my brother alone at Solarium’s Hope.” Luna nodded, smiling at Twilight. “I am glad you decided to pull yourself from those books and the burden of leadership to visit us..erm.. me.” Luna walked to a private little bar she had for herself and close friends. “Bourbon?” She offers to her companion as she pours herself a glass. Twilight shook her head, “Mmm… Have anything lighter? You know what happened last time you gave me something strong.” The lavender mare smirked playfully, before turning to look over Luna’s personal bookcase. “And you know I don’t lead Theramare alone, the city has been ruled by a Council since its founding. Or did you not read that history book I sent you?” Luna snickered and glanced at her. “Of course I did! Why wouldn’t I read anything you suggest, Twlight.” She turned and grabbed a bottle of wine with her magic, pouring a glass for her guest. “Come with me to the balcony.” The Princess of the Night took both glasses in her magical aura and walked out onto the balcony, and was joined by Twilight a moment later. She levitated the glass over to her companion who took it in her own aura with a muttered thanks. “The night sky is always beautiful, especially when it is shared with you.” Twilight blushed, as she delivered the compliment to Luna. Her companion always made her lose the mask of leadership she had developed in Theramare. Luna smiled at Twilight and nuzzled her neck. “But, the night can not capture your beauty, Twilight.” They sat there drinking and just idly chatting for a few hours, Luna was thinking how nice it was to spend time with Twilight without the worry of devastating political backlash, or duties being avoided. It was one of those rare weeks when both were able to dump their duties on others. After a few moments, Luna sighed, their conversation had died, and they were simply enjoying being near the other, but then Twilight frowned looking at Luna. “What’s wrong?” The lavender mare nuzzled Luna’s neck affectionately. “I was… just remembering.” Luna answered after a moment of hesitation, not sure if she wanted to go this route in the conversation. Twilight nodded sadly, snuggling up against Luna. “I miss her too.” Luna smiled at Twilight, it seems that she was still able to read her mind. “We… I, I miss her. And it isn’t the pain of simple loss. She is still alive… somewhere, and somehow…” Luna sighed, frowning as she stared down at her city. “When we drew the lines, she took the northern half of Equestria, and molded it into a land of Light and the day. I molded mine into the peaceful tranquility and freedom of the Night. I never thought the day would come that as my Kingdom rebuilds from a Changeling invasion, my Sister’s burns by the corpses of our subjects…” Twilight nodded, she had heard this before and knew all of this, but, it never hurt her to have Luna spill her feelings again on her. “I miss it too, I remember when I was still learning about magic and friendship under Celestia… I never thought that all the adventuring, learning and books in Canterlot would one day be gone. I miss the parties Pinkie threw and the dresses Rarity dazzled the entire continent with. Or the tricks of Rainbow Dash and Applejack’s honest thoughts and opinions.” “Do you think they can do it?” Luna asked, after a few moments of quiet. “Who?” “Your brother and his Argentum Solarium. Do you think they can do it alone?” Twilight frowned, and sighed. “I hope so. We are in an uneasy truce with the Changelings near Theramare, but… I wish we could get everyone together and march all the way to where that traitor is and end all of it.” Luna nodded. “And we have been having border skirmishes with the Changelings and I have reports of one with the Griffons. We can’t take a war with both kingdoms alone, Twi. We may have to send an ambassador to the Zebra and Donkey nations.… Most of my subjects are tied up, still rebuilding from the last invasion of the Changelings.” The silence resumed as the two sat side by side on the balcony, their empty glasses had been levitated back to the bar. Luna spoke after what seemed like hours. “Come, Twilight. Let us go to bed, there hasn’t been many nights we get to share with each other lately.” She put on a playful smirk, making it her goal not to allow either of them to fall into dark thoughts any longer. “And besides, you may be tardy to that lunch with Cadence and me tomorrow if you stay up all night.” She nipped Twilight’s ear teasingly before trotting back into the bedroom. Twilight, for her part, bristled at the mention of possibly being ‘tardy’. Memories of her last near-tardy-on-something-level-freak-out rushing to the forefront of her mind. She pushed them aside and followed Luna inside. When she saw the Princess sprawled out on the bed waiting for her, she let her emotions for the alicorn finally take full reign as she tackled the other mare. “It has been FAR too long, Luna.” Luna sat back upon the balcony, looking at her starry night. She idly glanced back at the bedroom behind her. It was a mess. Her royal bedsheets were scattered upon the ground and all but one pillow was absent from the bed. Her private bar was a mess of used glasses and empty bottles of various drinks. And if one were to walk into the room, they would be assailed with a stench of sweat and love-making to rival the largest orgies known to ponykind. With a glance to the sky one last time and a small sigh she turned and went to crawl back next to Twilight and the only pillow that managed to remain on the bed. "You were right, my little Sparkle, It WAS far too long." And with those whispered words, Princess Luna feel asleep to pleasant dreams.