Luna reflected on the Warrior’s words, and his role in this whole affair. It was clear he was no warden, at least not to her, otherwise why leave her to her own devices? Was what he spoke true? Had her sister banished her here in order to protect her, or were these just words? Doubt laid it’s leaden fingers across her as she pondered these things, and she went completely unaware of her next visitor until she spoke out.
“Don’t mind the Warrior my dear, his methods are crude and boorish, but he means well in his heart”.
Luna turned her head to see a great pure white Serpent, a welcoming(?) smile upon her reptilian lips. She remembered her from the few previous night’s where she had just lay prone, her grief too heavy a burden to bare. She had been a caring and motherly voice who insisted that the other all-too eager to help stars were kept in check.
“Who is he, and why did he bring me… OH! Wherever are thy manners, We don’t believe We have introduced thyself!” The Princess stood in order to offer a formal greeting.
“I am Luna, Princ…” Her Royal Caterlot voice failed her before she got the words out.
“No, not anymore…” though barely a whisper, her words stood out against the silent backdrop as she sat and dropped her head.
“Tis alright my dear, I know full well who you are, after all it is why the four of us are here. As to my name, you may call me Serpens, the Serpent star. The Human you met is called Aiden, the Warrior Star. He is here to, believe it or not, provide you with compassion and guidance whilst you battle your Darkness” Serpens hissed, trying to make light of Aiden’s recent lack of subtlety.
“Hmpf, I find that creature, that “Human” as you call it, almost without compassion or any form of useful guidance outside of demeaning thee for pleasure.” snapped Luna, remembering back to the way he had spoken to her. “What manner of creature is a “Human” anyway, We are sure that We hath never seen nor heard of such a beast before, erstwhile we most certainly hath avoided such an encounter!”
“Well some is feeling better” thought Serpens, whilst she positioned herself better to address the Princess.
“Humans are a warrior race not of your world, and he, Aiden, was one of their most celebrated.” Serpin replied as simply as she could manage.
“Not of thy world? Then which? And why is he here?” Luna demanded crossly, forgetting decorum and speaking as such. Serpens merely gave a gentle smile and continued unabated.
“He fought in many wars, and went on to lead many more, but his victories were not celebrated for their military prowess, but more so for their lack of cruelty and less overall loss of life. He always strived to make the quality of life better for those whose territories over which he fought, and for this, he won the hearts of the people. It is said that there was no need to garrison the towns in conquered lands where his influence laid, as the towns people were his most staunch supporters, and whilst I have my doubts, at least some of it must ring true otherwise why would he be here amongst the stars if he were not deemed worthy?” The Serpent asked at length, putting the question to the Moon.
Luna considered this, thinking back to the Palace Guard. She had on occasion watched as they trained, and of course interacted with them on a daily basis. They came across as stiff and brash, always jostling for dominance and perpetually on guard. But many also had their own super special somepony and many had foals of their own, so it made sense that there was more to them than what she merely observed. Satisfied, Luna summoned her composure and once again addressed the Serpent.
“And what of thee, Lady Serpens, what is thou role in this endeavour?”
“Oh ho! And what has become of the pained and depressed lump I have been watching over for these past few moons? It is almost as if I find myself addressing a Princess of the Royal Canterlot Court!” Serpens hiss out a laugh.
“Verily, thou art…” Luna gave pause as she remembered the Warriors words about being sorry “… I was incorrect in thy manner and assumptions, and wish to put the incident to rest.” Replied the Moon, straightening her posture and rising her mussel, looking as regal as she could manage given the circumstances.
“Well, well… what is this then? It looks as though I have grossly underestimated this one…” The Serpent mused, giving a dramatic bow as she made ready her reply.
“Of course, your Highness, I am Serpens, the Serpent star, and I come to you at the behest of your sister, the Sun, Princess Celestia of Equestria, to aid and guide you in these one thousand years of solitude so as to foster hope where the Nightmare would show you none.” Serpin addressed the Princess formally, as befitted her title.
“Hope, you say?” Asked Luna hesitantly “H-how is one to foster hope of all thing’s, in such a p-place?” She stammered, losing what little fortitude she had fought for so far.
Serpens watched on, putting as much soothing effect as she could muster into her voice, approaching her ward and lifting her hanging head with the tip of her tail.
“Tell me this Princess, why do you think that a Serpent has a forked tongue?” She asked, enjoying the confused look on Luna’s face. Unable to answer, she merely shook her head and waited for the Serpent to continue.
“It is because we are a creature of two halves, connected by one heart. The head is said to be violent and cruel, with poisoned fangs and a mouth to swallow our prey whole, yet our tail is supple and cool, without anger or remorseful tone, and yet the two are inexorably linked by a single bright and shining heart.” The Serpent removed her tail from under Luna’s chin as the Alicorn Princess stared intently on, hanging on her every word.
“And thus our tongue must speak for both our halves, and it must speak true from our heart, least our head or our tail rule the other.” She finished in reply, drawing back to give her dutiful student time to take in her words.
“In this way…” she continued “…I may guide you, young Princess, in maintaining the balance between your very own nature and the nature that leaves you out of balance, so that you can once again connect with your heart, and know true well and with confidence that the words that leave your lips are yours and yours alone, as spoken from your heart.” Serpens fell silent, leaving room for The Moon to reply.
These words struck a deep cord with Luna, as though they were being etched upon her very soul. It was as though Serpens was reading from her most fearful and pressing insecurities, and relating to them on the most intermit of levels. They had shaken her to her very core, from which she could feel the slightest ray of light emerge. If she were to be supported and guided by one who could relate to her on such a level, then all was not lost. What she needed now more than anything was someone who understood, someone who could relate to the opposing forces at work within her heart.
Without realising it, she had at some stage screwed her eyes shut. She slowly opened them to see she was looking back down at the barren cold ground. For the first time in longer than she could remember, a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“Thankyou.” She replied in the smallest of voices, closing her deep aquamarine eyes and opening them again to look upon the Serpent. She sat there coiled, a warm smile amidst a barren and cold moonscape.
“Come Princess, I shall introduce you to the others who will guide you through your trial, and I can assure you, if you found the Warrior boorish, then you will find the others both boring and brash respectively” the Serpent giggled and hissed as she made her way back the way they had come. “It is best if you do try to bare them though, it seems we may have to cohabitate for some time to come.”