//------------------------------//
// A Visit to the Castle 
// Story: Melchizedek 
// by Super Trampoline 
//------------------------------//


...yesterday afternoon...


He was a gentlestallion through and through, so he got Celestia's attention the old-fashioned way: he waited his turn. When he reached the front of the line, he smiled and said hello. Thanks to his cloaking of sorts, most ponies didn't seem to care that there he was waiting in line to petition the princess, but Celestia of course saw right through his shield of boringness. She took one look at him, and smiled a deeply knowing smile. "Long time no see, old friend."

She raised her hoof and he shook it. "Likewise. How long has it been? Fifteen years? Too long at any rate."

"You know you're always welcome here. Although I am holding court right now. Think we perhaps could catch up later?"

"Of course your majesty, I understand."

"Please Mel, we're both royalty here. Just call me Celestia. You know that."

He grinned. "What ever suits you Tia. Where and when would you like to meet?"

"If you want to hang around here, I'll be done with this in about an hour. Nay, actually, go explore Canterlot, I know how you like exploring. Meet me at the garden gate at 7:30 tonight. And welcome back."

"Thanks. It feels good. See you later alligator." He again shook her hoof, and then departed her presence, the room, and the castle, to visit a favorite bookstore of his for a few hours.





At 7:41 (He was late on account of having to tear himself away from a most excellent illustrated story which he regretted he had not the bits for. He vowed to get some currency exchanged with Celestia.), Melchizedek trotted up to the garden gate and knocked with a cutesy pattern he was not at all ashamed of. "Who's there?" an alto voice sounded. Sounded familiar, that is.

"It's Melchizedek."

"Melchizedek whooo-oooo?" she sing-songed. It took him a few seconds, but he was able to place the voice.

He sighed. "Luna, it's me. You know I don't have a last name."

Immediately the large door swung heavily open and inward, and he barely had time to prepare himself before a blue ball of fur slammed into him, pinning him in a hug.

"Oh my gosh Chizzy my friend! I thought-I thought I would never see you again! Tia told me of your return. Oh I am so so so so glad you are here. I-I-I..."

She let go of him. "I thought I had lost a friend."

He smiled and gave her a second, gentler hug in return. "Me too. I'm so glad you're back. So very glad."

They unwrapped from each other, and he began to trot through the entryway. Luna was surprised. "Pray tell, comrade, where do you think you're going?"

"Well," he replied as she cantered to catch up with him, "I imagine we will be be meeting in the auxillary tea room, where Celestia typically greets foreign dignitaries is it not?"

Luna looked somewhat baffled. "I-but... yes, but well... how did you know that? And are you aware of its location within these castle walls?"

He gave her a sad, sad look, as they passed some guards positioned at the doorway they crossed under. "I'm so so sorry Luna. But you were gone a thousand years. I was not. I daresay I know these walls better than you."

Luna looked crestfallen. "Yes, I suppose this is true. BUT! 'Tis no time for sadness-sodden reflections. I'm sure Celly is eager to catch up with you, and I a hundred times more so! To the tea room!" she declared. She galloped down a hall in a flash and was gone.

Melchizedek giggled and grinned. "Nope, she hasn't changed." And he walked off to join her.