//------------------------------// // The Princess of Day // Story: Rocinante, The Best Knight Ever // by Charliemane //------------------------------// There was little daylight left as Sassaflash and Rocinante reached the doors of the castle keep. They had been left to wait outside almost until dark while the guards checked to see if Princess Celestia did in fact intend to invite a lance-wielding knight-errant to tonight's Gala, but considering the absurdity of what they were asking, Sassaflash was impressed that they got in at all. Even after she heard Rocinante read the letter, Sassaflash still wasn't convinced they were actually going to meet Princess Celestia, until the Princess herself met them in the hallway leading to the throne room. Princess Celestia was at first surprised at Rocinante's appearance, but on reflection the idea that he had not left his armor behind, even for such a formal event, all but guaranteed the sincerity of the character before her. While formality would typically dictate such a meeting, the guards had held Rocinante and his squire far longer than she had anticipated. Now there wasn't much time before she had to take her position at the grand staircase to greet all of the Gala ponies. With a broad smile she rushed to meet her guests ahead of the throne room in an effort to regain as much lost time as she could. “I'm so glad you could make it!” Rocinante removed his helmet and bowed so low to the ground that his head rubbed the carpet. “You have given me far too much honor, your Noble Highness.” Sassaflash was so stunned by the fact that the actual Princess Celestia was greeting them in person, that she had almost forgotten to bow before Rocinante had finished speaking. “Th-Thank you for the invitation your Highness.” Princess Celestia smiled as she motioned towards one of the branches down the hallway. “I'm sure you're wondering why I've asked you here specifically. I have a small... I have a problem, that I believe you are capable of dealing with.” Rocinante and Sassaflash trotted after Princess Celestia and her larger strides as they continued down the hall. “Your wish is this humble knight's command, your Highness. For I have faced numerous evils in the past and emerged triumphant. Your foes will tremble before my righteous lance commanded by your most noble cause.” Celestia heaved a small sigh as she dismissed the guards, leaving the three of them alone in the hallway. She wasn't certain if Rocinante was truly the best answer for her sister's problems, but now there was no time left to second guess herself. “I'm glad to hear how eager you are. The task I have for you is not a simple one.” The more the two ponies talked, the more concerned Sassaflash became, but there certainly wasn't anything she could say or do about this now. Struggling to keep her knees from knocking, Sassaflash followed after the two as Celestia elaborated on the problem. “My sister, Princess Luna, needs...” Princess Celestia's voice trailed off as she considered her words. To say that she needed a friend presented her as too vulnerable, or perhaps it made the problem sound too simple. Faced with the sudden challenge of how to phrase the problem, Princess Celestia began to wish she had considered her words ahead of time instead of dealing with the fretting ministers over tonight's boring Gala. As they stopped near one of the stained glass windows, Rocinante took her hesitance as a sign that she was uncertain of his prowess. With another bow, Rocinante calmly interrupted Princess Celestia's thoughts. “Your Highness, fear not for your sister's condition nor her cause. For I, Rocinante, am ready to champion any task you set before me. I promise you, on my honor as a knight-errant, that whatever you need done will be taken care of in the swiftest and most efficient manner possible.” Princess Celestia was startled back into reality, not by what his words' meaning, but by his word choice. Rocinante unknowingly solved her problem for her. With a warm smile and a small chuckle, she turned and looked back to the two ponies following her. “Yes, I can see that you are more than eager to help. What my sister needs... is a champion.” “Then who shall I utterly crush in her Highness's name?” Princess Celestia couldn't help but smile at Rocinante's misconception. “This task is not an easy one, in fact I suspect that tonight's opponent will be unlike any you have ever faced. My sister's enemy is none other than herself.” She had expected Rocinante to voice some confusion over the matter, but he said nothing as she continued. “Over a thousand years have passed since Princess Luna was banished to the moon and the world has changed a great deal in that time. Princess Luna no longer recognizes it. It is a foreign and foreboding place to her and worst of all, she still blames herself for the problems caused by Nightmare Moon. She is all alone and, as the pony who banished her to the moon, I cannot easily bridge the gap between us. She needs a champion, a knight who will stand by her during this exceptionally lonely night. I believe that such a pony will renew her confidence, not only in the world, but most importantly, in herself. She needs a pony who can look past the errors and see the pony inside of her. She needs somepony who can identify with her and convince her to forgive herself.” Princess Celestia turned and looked back at Rocinante as he closed his eyes and considered her request. A silence fell on them as they continued their way up the tower that lead to the room where Luna was waiting. What she was asking was not simple or easy. Rocinante however, after considering her words, smiled as though the request was nothing and bowed once again before the Princess. “Your Royal Highness, the task you have appropriated for me is truly nothing out of the ordinary for a noble knight-errant such as myself. For all true knights are courteous to ladies, regardless of their rank or stature. Have no fear for my part in this, for all shall be done as you have hoped for.” Princess Celestia breathed a sigh of relief. “I am glad you understand. Though I have to ask that you don't bring your lance in to see her.” Without so much as a single word of protest, Rocinante took his lance into his hooves and handed it to his squire. With one sentence Princess Celestia managed to do what Sassafash couldn't do ever since the Summer Sun Celebration, disarm Rocinante. Sassaflash, took the lance and then looked to Princess Celestia. “Wh-Where may I put this, your highness?” Princess Celestia smiled and motioned down another corridor. “There is a room down the hall you can use if you like. I wish I could show you the way, but I'm almost out of time. Once the Gala begins I won't be able to get away from the crowds.” Sassaflash bowed and immediately proceeded down the hall. The idea of royalty around her made her nervous and she was glad to go somewhere that made breathing a bit easier. But Sassaflash wasn't the only pony who was nervous. Princess Celestia understood that she didn't know much about this strange pony she was asking to help her sister or even if her plan would work, but she did know that they were out of time. Knocking on the door, Princess Celestia called out to her sister on the other side. “Sis- Ahem. Princess Luna? Your guests have arrived.”