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// Chapter 2 - The Return of the Past 
// Story: The Beginning 
// by Newman2007 
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        Skyfall and Princess Aure were hurried down the castle's corridor towards the throne room. It was on the other side of the castle. Along the way, the guard apologized for entering so rudely, but the news was urgent. 
"That is quite alright. Has she been harmed?" asked Skyfall, whose face showed little concern. He had other things on his mind, things that did not deal with the returned queen. Neither that guard nor the princess even recognized his expression.
"Her Highness seem alright, a few cuts and bruises, but nothing too serious." A sigh of relief came from the princess. They hurried past hundreds of unused rooms and down many flights of stairs before reaching the throne room. 

In the throne room was Twilight Sparkle. She was turned sideways and was looking up at the murals on the walls. Obviously, the guard had underestimated the queen's wounds. She was in rough shape. Her cuts were those from the end of something sharp making her look like a war hero, but her bruises seemed to suggest otherwise. One cut in particular ran below her throat, like someone or something had tried to end her life. Twilight was lying on a small "bed" made out of medium size cushion. Her left front leg had been bandaged and elevated on a soft deep purple cushion. There were bags underneath her eyes from a lack of sleep and her eyes were droopy. When Aure saw her mother, she ran to her. Twilight felt her daughter's presence and smiled softly. Aure collapsed on the floor next to her mother and held onto her with a loving embrace. She held her mother in her arms like a mother holds a child and sobbed silently. Twilight burst into tears and the two sobbed together. Skyfall cleared the room with the servants. He felt that the two needed their space. Several servants wanted to stay and watch, but Skyfall insisted that the Queen and the Princess were to be given their space and left alone for the night. Just before closing the door, he caught one last glimpse of the mother-daughter embrace and then closed the door.

There was a familiar scent that hung in the throne room. Lavender. Then, she remembered a distant memory, one she thought would have left her mind completely. The room ventured into darkness as the memory flooded back into Twilight's mind.
Twilight sat at her desk in her bedroom. The scent of lavender filled the air. 
"Oh how lovely lavender is," said the princess. It had always been her favorite. The delicate flowers were held captive in the glass vase that stood on her desk. As usual, she was reading. She did not remember the title, but it didn't seem to matter. In the opening of the room, the wooden doors opened, signaling the arrival of Princess Celestia. Twilight let out a sigh. She had been troubled by the ways of the princess. Celestia had almost no time for Twilight anymore, it was like she did not care. Still, she understood the responsibilities of the princess and removed the thought from her mind. As Celestia entered the bedroom, Twilight carried herself with dignity and showed her proper respects to the princess.
"Was that better?" Twilight asked. She was trying her hardest to be the best princess she could, but it was very difficult. The princess chuckled.
"Yes, Twilight." The princess moved closer to Twilight. Her gait was carried with grace, like a princess.
"Skyfall speaks very highly of you, Twilight. He says that you are learning very quickly." Twilight grinned, but then it left. She looked up at her former mentor, whom she used to look up to for advice. 
"Princess?" Twilight said forcing her eyes to look away. She felt ashamed to accuse the princess, but she did say to her that she could tell her anything. 
"Yes?
"Well...I...um....remember when you told me I could tell you anything?" The princess was taken by surprise. Was something troubling the young princess?
"What has been troubling you Twilight?" Twilight looked at the ground ashamed to tell the princess. She took a big long breath.
"Princess Celestia, do you not like me anymore?" The princess was not shocked at this question. She too had felt a distance had been drawn between them. Celestia moved over the window and watched the sun come down from the sky to make way for the night. It was twilight.
"Twilight, you know that I will always love you. I've just been so busy lately and I haven't had much time for anything anymore..." Her train of thought was lost in the sunset. Twilight knew that the princess did not have all the time in the world for her, she had a kingdom to run. But, she wanted to feel the same bond that they used to have. 
"I understand, princess. I guess that I just wanted to have a stronger relationship with you." Celestia looked at her student. 
"And we will, but it will have to come in time." Twilight felt frustration flooding her brain. She did not want to wait forever to see her princess again.
"I'm sorry Celestia, but I don't want to wait forever to be your friend." Twilight spoke strongly. Celestia pretended not to hear the princess's plea.
"Goodnight Twilight." Celestia did not look back at Twilight. She continued out of the wooden doors and they were closed behind her. 
Tears swelled up in Twilight's eyes. Her princess had abandoned her when she asked for her friendship. Never again would she ask for her advice. Never again would she answer the princess's favors. Never again would she be her friend.