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// Convincing a Goddess 
// Story: Children of the Night 
// by ColorBlack 
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Sleep was strange. My dreams consisted of a mismatch of scenarios, nothing sticking long enough for me to remember in the morning. The others, it seemed, had similar dreams. Only Luna and Aurora were unfazed. “Aunt Luna controls dreams, so sleeping nearby her causes one to dream the dreams she creates for others.” Aurora told me. Luna nodded in agreement. “Raven, would you help me gather wood for tonight?” Aurora nodded in the general direction of the forest and wandered into it.
Once we had made it a short distance I decided to speak up, my usual cocky mood picking up, “So, why did you have to get me alone, going to profess your undying love to me?” I grinned, half hoping she would say yes. She turned back and glared at me. My grin fell as I saw her face. With the mid-morning sun casting natural shadows to the forest floor, her hair shimmered even more than the last nights campfire light. I began to blush.
“Uhh, no.” she said with more than an undertone of indifference. “I brought you out here because I need your help.” I shook off the stunned look on my face.
“What do you need my help with?” A voice in the back of my head hoping it was to give her a massage.
“I need your help to convince Luna to go home.” 
“What? Why?” I was rather confused
“Celestia knew Luna was going to leave, so she asked me to go with her and get her to come home.”
“Then why do you need my help?” I usually wasn't so dense, but this mare's beauty had me dumbfounded
“Well duh” she emphasized my stupidity “you have such a way with words that I'm sure that if anypony can make Princess Luna return to the castle, it's you” I though it over before flying up to a dead tree. “How rude! Do you just fly off whenever someone asks something of you?!” Picking up speed, I flipped my body and bucked the tree, dead branches falling haphazardly around it. I gathered up a bundle and pinned it under a wing. 
“Well, we did leave claiming to get firewood. We'd only look suspicious if we returned empty hooved.” I stated matter-of-factly. Finally, I had my words back. She looked at me realizing what I was saying.
“So, you'll help?” she looked at me pleadingly.
“It isn't going to be easy, but I'll do what I can.” I said. She squealed and hopped around a little.
“Thank you soo much” she was grinning from ear to ear. She hopped up and pecked me on the cheek. My blush reappeared and I almost dropped my sticks. She remained unfazed and trotted over to the remaining sticks and gathered them under her wing in a similar fashion to mine. We walked back to camp and dropped the firewood in a stack near our fire pit. My mind was whirring. I had to try to convince the princess of the night sky to return to her sister, and I didn't have any good ideas, so I decided to try simply talking her into it.
“So, princess, why did you leave the castle?” I asked nonchalantly. I could feel eyes burning in the back off my skull. I turned to see Princess Luna glaring at me.
“Why. You want to know why?!” her voice was growing louder “Because Celestia is basking in power and glory and doesn't give a damn about her own sister!” her voice was dripping with venom. Maybe it was because I was used to talking back, to bullies and to teachers alike, but I suddenly grew a voice. A loud voice.
“And have you even TOLD her about this?! Hm? Did you even try to work this out before you stormed off with your hoofmaiden?” I gestured towards Aurora. Aurora shrank back unsure of why I was dragging her into this. “Did you even attempt to think this through!?” I was shouting now. I always enjoyed a good argument every now and then, a guilty pleasure. Luna looked at me.She opened her mouth. Closed it, then opened and closed it again, unable to find the proper words. She lowered her head and let out a small sob, a tear streamed down her face.
“You're right.” she said, her voice was full of heartache. “I didn't plan for this. I didn't talk to her. I never even tried.” she laid down and crossed her forelegs in front of her before lowering her head into them and crying. My heart was pounding and my breath was short. I looked up at Aurora. She was looking between the crying Luna and me. I nodded towards Luna. Her eyes went wide and she nodded. I looked over at North and Kora. North had a look of shock on his face and was looking at Luna. Kora was glaring at me. She walked over to me. 
“Mind explaining your little outburst, Raven?” she emphasized my name as though it was an insult.
“I did what I had to” I said. I was unable to meet her face.
“Yes, perhaps you're right Aurora,” I heard Luna say. “There is enough time to patch things.” I turned to where Luna was standing. North was standing to her left and Aurora was on her right. 
“What's going on?” I asked, eager to leave Kora's interrogation. 
“I have decided to return to the castle to mend things with my sister.” She smiled. “Thank you Raven.”
“Uh, yeah, don't mention it” I didn't want to talk about it any more than I had to. 
“You three are welcome to join us. The castle is a days walk away and I want you three as my personal guests.” There was a hint of pleading in her voice. “I'll need as much encouragement as I can get.” she admitted. I nodded. I was not about to pass up the chance to go to a royal castle. Plus, any time I could spend with Aurora was a definite bonus. North bobbed his head enthusiastically. He had taken to Luna like his own mother and it was obvious he wanted to be with her. Kora looked to the both of us.
“Might as well,” Kora said, shrugging. “Don't know what I'll do there though.” 
“Well, the royal library is fully stocked.” Luna offered.
“I'm not to into reading.” Kora sounded bored. I wasn't sure if she being a pain on purpose or was just being honest.
“We have hallways full of tapestries and artwork” Luna said. Kora shook her head. Luna rubbed her chin. “The only other thing I can think of is the royal guard, but they're all combat and business” Kora's eyes lit up slightly.
“Combat? I always enjoy a little workout.” Kora smirked slightly.
“I'll schedule you some workout time while you're there.” Luna smiled. “Well then, onward” Luna pointed in a direction “We have quite a walk ahead of us”