THIS CHAPTER IS NON-CANON. THIS IS A CHAPTER MADE BY A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE WHILST I STRUGGLE TO DEAL WITH WHAT LIFE IS THROWING AT ME RIGHT NOW.
I sat on my haunches, staring blankly at the bed in front of me. My surroundings meant nothing to me, and I was diligently ignoring the cold feeling of the marble floor against my coat, the idle ticking of the clock, and the faded conversations which I could hear trickling through the door.
My thoughts were focused firmly on the bed, and the man who was lying in it. As I continued to watch him, he stirred — his eyes scanning the room before coming to rest on me. I smiled warmly and he slowly sat up.
"Luna?" he groaned as his arms struggled to lift him into a more comfortable position. I helped by using my magic to gently pick him up, fluffing his pillows in the process. "You're too good to me, you know that?" he chuckled.
"I try my best, Owen," I replied. "But never mind all of that. How are you feeling just now?"
"I could be better," he said. "But having you here makes the pain worthwhile. Now get over here and give me a hug."
I did better than that. I stood up, walked over to the bed and climbed onto it, lying down next to my beloved. I cast aside the flimsy blanket and draped my wings over him, allowing him to snuggle into my chest and me to gently kiss the top of his head.
"Seventy years," he muttered.
"Hmm?"
"Seventy years we've been together," he continued. "And I've enjoyed every single second of it. Sure, there have been the occasional bad moments, but those pale in comparison to the wonderful memories I have."
"I know how you feel," I replied with a contented sigh. "For I share the same memories, and I will cherish them forever."
"Forever..." Owen repeated. "That's just it, Luna. It will be forever for you. For me... well, for all I know it could be a matter of days. Hell, it could even be a matter of hours."
"Don't speak like that," I scolded. "You have lived a long and happy life, and you have plenty more of it left to go."
"If that's the case..." Owen paused for a moment. "If that's the case, then why am I in the hospital?" When I didn't reply, he raised an eyebrow at me. "Come on, Luna, I can smell the disinfectant from here."
I sighed. "I guess there's no point in trying to hide it then, is there?" I replied. "I'm assuming that you can remember why you're here in the first place?"
"It's because I'm old," Owen grumbled. "And because I fell down the stairs after having a heart attack. You know, that old chestnut."
He laughed at this, as if it was some kind of joke, but I wasn't so easily amused. I buried my face into his neck, sobbing uncontrollably. Owen stopped laughing and gasped, before running his fingers through my mane in an attempt to ease my worries.
"Shh, shh," he cooed. "I was only kidding, Luna. Please don't cry." The flow of tears stopped and I looked up at his caring face. "There you go, love, everything is going to be just—"
"How can you be so cheerful about this?" I interrupted. "You nearly died, and yet here you are making jokes as if nothing happened."
"What can I do?" he grumbled. "I know that my time is coming, Luna, it's just a matter of when. So you can bet your sweet flank that I'm not going to live in fear of the Reaper. When that bastard comes for me I want to stand tall and proud, knowing that my life was worth it. Especially the parts with you in them."
"Ever the hopeless romantic," I sighed. "It's just that... I don't know what I'm going to do after you're gone."
"I'll tell you what you're gonna do," Owen replied. "You're going to continue with the rest of your life. You're not going to mourn me, you're going to live each day to the fullest and remember all the good times we've shared. And eventually, when you're up to it, you will find a new suitor and the process will begin anew."
"But I don't want to find a new suitor," I pouted. "I want you to remain by my side for all eternity."
"Well I'm sorry to say that my body has other ideas," Owen snapped. "Even with your blood flowing through my veins, I am still destined to meet my Maker. If I had things my way, I would rip Death's nipples off were he to come within a few feet of me," he growled. "But sadly, that is not the case. I know life without me will be hard, but you have to remember that while I am not eternal... your memories of me are."
I looked at him pleadingly, searching his face for any sign that he was worried. But he wasn't. His face, while ravaged by time, was still as kind and caring as always. He smiled, revealing his still pearly-white teeth (a habit I had forced on him more often than not), and kissed me gently on the cheek.
"Y-you're right," I said. "The last time I gave myself to grief and sorrow... she managed to take over. I will not let that happen again, my love. You have my word that I will move on from you... in time. Allow me at least some grief at least."
"That's the spirit," he replied. "Now come on, it's been a while since we cuddled up together."
I nodded enthusiastically and curled up next to him, the two of us sharing another kiss before we drifted off to sleep.
*** Optional Music ***
I awoke to the blaring of alarms and the distant shouting of the medical staff mixed with their frantic hoofsteps thundering down the corridor towards our room. I looked down to see a peaceful smile on Owen's face.
I quickly got off the bed as the door opened, a team of doctors and nurses rushing in. I stood to one side as they worked, calling out instructions to each other as they battled to save my beloved. A couple of minutes later, as I watched the lead doctor giving Owen chest compressions, a thought came to me and I approached.
"Stop," I said firmly. "Don't do anything."
The doctor looked at me in horror. "But, your majesty, I can save this man!" he replied. "I just need a little more time!"
"No," I shook my head. "He knew that his time was coming, and he was prepared to accept that. And judging by the look on his face, he is ready to go. So please, let him."
The assembled staff exchanged unsettled looks with each other before nodding. "As you wish, Princess," the lead doctor replied. "Time of death, 3:18am."
One of the ponies jotted this down on a piece of paper attached to a clipboard, as the rest of them began putting away the equipment they had brought in. As they worked, the door opened and two familiar faces entered. It had been a while since I had last seen my sister and Twilight Sparkle, and their presence seemed to act as a sort of sedative, soothing my frazzled nerves. I didn't say a word to either of them, not even when Celestia pulled me into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Luna," she whispered. "But he's in a better place now." Twilight joined the hug as well and I embraced them both. "I hate to ask... but was it a merciful death?"
"He didn't suffer, if that's what you mean," I said. "If the smile on his face was anything to go by, he actually seemed glad that his time had come."
"Will you be okay though, Luna?" Twilight asked. I nodded and she smiled. "Well always remember that Celestia and I are always here for you, so if you ever need to talk then feel free to find us."
"I think I'll cope," I said with a genuine smile. "We talked about this last night, and Owen gave me some sound advice. He basically told me that I shouldn't let my grief get the better of me, and that I should move on in time while cherishing the memories I have."
"Sound advice indeed," Celestia nodded. "But you need not walk the path of grief alone, dear sister, for I will be by your side for as long as it takes. And so will Twilight, as she has had to walk the same path several times — after the loss of each of her friends."
Twilight looked downcast, painful memories of losing her friends flooding her mind. "I still miss them," she murmured. "But you were always there for me, Luna. Each and every time when I was grieving or the one I'd lost, you were there. So it is only right that I do the same for you."
I smiled warmly, bringing both of them in for another hug before finally turning my attention to Owen. His arms had been folded across his chest, and the peaceful smile was still evident. I trotted over to him and planted one final kiss on his lips.
"Goodnight, my love," I whispered.
With those words I walked out of the room, with Twilight and Celestia following close behind, and straight into my new life.
A life... without my beloved human.