Chapter 4: An unexpected visit.
Having a long trip by train paid off. I was able to get a little more rest, seeing how I had little last night. Got something to eat finally. I then turned back to my room to try on the dress Rarity had so thoughtfully given me.
She was right, I was going to see the Princes after all, even though it was not really necessary it did make me feel a little better being able to look a little more presentable rather then going as is.
Rarity did know my tastes. It was not overdone. She likely had little time to work on it anyway, being as busy as she is. Still very nice overall.
It wouldn't be Rarity not to put some effort into it. She does have her reputation to think about if anyone did ask who made it.
A thought crept into my mind. There is a chance she was also trying to get another one of her pieces of work looked upon by those living in Canterlot.
I gave my self a small chuckle at the thought. Rarity such the enturpanure, just looking for a chance to sell her work. Then I gave a sigh. That was unkind.
Even if that was the truth, it was still a very nice and thoughtful gift. What would be the harm in helping her out and repaying her back for it by letting anyone who asked that it was made by her. It would be the least I could do. But I am not going to make a big deal of it. I will except this and treat this as the gift within the spirit in which it was given. That would only be right.
The train slowed to a stop, with a whistle signalling the end of the trip and the time for departure from it. Having not much to gather I asked one of the bell hops working at the station to dispose of the empty box from my room on the train.
I looked out past the Gates into Canterlot up to the Castle which was to be my next destination. Finlay there I would get to see the Princes.
It has been so long, much too long. I was hoping the visit was not do to some emergency, or something else that would cut my visit short.
I strolled through the streets full of such memories. I realized something, I spent so much time here in Canterlot growing up but never really appreciated it.
It was all familiar but also somehow as if I was looking at it for the first time. Compared to Ponyville it was big and spectacular. Finally paved streets of smoothed concrete like stone work, unlike the simple cobble stone work and dirt streets found in Ponyville. Smooth white walls unlike the painted wood ones I am now use to seeing. Grand well kept parks, finally sculpted statues, bustling streets full of well dressed ponies.
It was home, but now I just don't see it that way anymore. I guess I never really did see it for what it is. Not like my new home in Ponyville.
What was I missing all that time? With my face in a book I could not see what was all around me, all those years ago. Not anymore. I have friends that need me and care for me, and I need them. I need to see more then what can be found in just books. All of my latest experiences told me this.
I will have to thank Celestia for helping me to see that when I see her. I know in part she sent me Ponyville to gather those that would be the bearers of the elements, but it became so much more then that, and I think she was indeed trying to help me there as well, as she told me.
"Get your nose out of dusty old books, and make some friends."
She even made it an order.
I was so flabbergasted. Why would she see that as so important? Mostly during what was about to happen, it was like she planed it that way, and more. She just knew.
I feel my eyes are now open to what I was missing. I have become so grateful for it. Well, enough reminiscing, off to the Castle.
I came to the castle gates, the guards looked me over and asked me to state my name. I told them "I am Twilight Sparkle, and I"
but was cut off by one of the guards stating "Yes, of course! I should have recognized you Twilight. It has not been that long. The Princess has been expecting you. Right this way please." He broke off and guided me into the Castle to where Princess Celestia was attending to some business.
After she turned her attention to me. This was a site I was never blind to, and has always held me in a state of awe. Glorious was a word that fell short of what I felt seeing her each time.
Her voice strong yet full of kindness like a bird flying in the wind. Everything about her radiated power, yet soft and inviting. A sight to behold for anypony no mater how many times you saw her. I embarrassedly found my self staring.
She spoke "It is good to see you my student, Twilight Sparkle."
I was shaken out of my laps. "It is good to see you too Princess. Ah... may I ask why I am here?"
The Princess answered "There is no grate emergency if that is what you are wondering"
I breathed a sigh of relief.
She continued "Your letters are well and good, and I do read them all, But it is not the same as getting to speak with you in person, as we use to. This is just for a friendly visit, I promise," she finished with a smile. "Was there something on your mind Twilight?"
I froze up. I could not deceive her, even if she was not asking about anything all to specific. "I do have one concern about my visit. It may get cut short. I am so sorry, but I have made a promise to someone I would cast for them the Life Name spell when it is time, and I am afraid that time will be any day now." I looked down sadly.
"That is great news Twilight. It is nothing to feel sorry about. I fully understand if you need to go when called upon. I am glad to know you are fitting in with others so well now. Please, come with me and you can tell me all about it."
We walked down the hall to a room off to the side. A room that I knew to be a lounge room. It was adjacent to the Castle library. I know, I spent many a day reading in there.
To my surprise I found Princess Luna in there reading, just as I would. I looked to Princess Celestia with mild shock, and my mouth agate. Then I quickly looked back to Luna. I had no idea she would even be around, much less see her, or get too speak with her.
Celestia spoke "Sister dear, Twilight has come to visit for a while, and she has a story to tell us."
I gulped. Was I to confess my story in front of Princess Luna as well? With guidance from one of Celestia's wings I walked in. Some how I felt more small then usual. With some deliberation I found a cushion near Luna and Celestia sat in one on the other side of me.
Luna looked to me and put aside the book she was reading, preparing to hear what I have to say, with a look of some interest. Looking from one sister then to the other, I started to speak.
I told of the Cake's inquiring of me, if I would cast the Life Name spell for them, And much of what was said on that day to each other.
Luna looked down with a sad look on her face.
I sat beside myself wondering what I had said that would have upset her.
Then she looked up at me "This is wonderful news."
I was left confused. If this was good news, why did she look so sad? Despite myself I just had to ask "If this is good, Why dose it make you feel sad? I don't understand."
Luna looked away and up to her sister. With a tear in her eyes she looked back to me. "I will tell you. Long ago while my sister and I ruled together before my banishment, we did many of things for our people. Preforming the Life Name spell was one of them."
I looked to her with much interest. I felt I was going to get to know things I might not have. But in the same way I also felt I was not going to like where this was going. I became very still and silent, listening very intently, trying hard not to interrupt.
"While times back then were much more simple, and not as many ponies as there are now, My sister and I had enjoyed some of the tasks we set out to do. Some of them were more of a ceremony rather then a necessary task. My sister however got to enjoy them more then I."
She had a rather stern look now. "Over a period of time, ponies would praise of the deeds my sister had done for them, as if it were a grate blessing. While the deeds I did was not looked on so favorably. It got to the point that some got to fearing my gracing their home or lands as if by doing so was like a curse on to them. In time I was seen as nothing more then a nightmare, while my sister was seen as their shining light."
Celestia added "I was so blind at the time by the love I received from my little ponies that I did not see my sister's pain or how she was being treated by the others. As one of the royal sisters she was not given her proper due respect nor love for who she was or the things she did for them. I did not see that by this she would fall into despair and become the monster you known of as Nightmare Moon. By the time I found out what was happening, it was all too late"
Both sisters looked to each other with tears in their eyes. I myself was starting to tear up at this sight.
Luna looked to me again "I tell you this, You have done so much for me banishing the darkness that filled my hart instead of me all together, letting my sister and I reunite once again, and giving me a chance at a new start in these new times where I feel I will not be so feared."
Luna then surprised me by reaching out and pulling me close in a warm embrace. "Thank you Twilight for saving me from myself, and the things I might have done. I can never thank you enough."
I was practically glowing. The gratitude I was feeling right now from Luna was much as I felt for Celestia for sending me to Ponyville in the first place. I held fast to Luna telling her I am so gad I was able to help.
Then I turned to Celestia "And thank you Princes Celestia for sending me to Ponyville. It has changed my life in ways I can hardly describe. Though I do try within my letters to you"
While being so close to Luna, for a moment it had hit me, I was like Luna. Only I did not know what was missing in my life, while Luna had it taken away from her. It made me shutter, The thought of what it might do to me if I lost all my friends. Would I become a monster as Luna did?
I did not wont to think of it, but I had to. I had to make a choice right here and now. Would I let darkness fill my hart and clouded my mind if I was to lose all I hold so dear? For the sake of all, I swore to not let darkness overtake me, no matter what. I would do all I could to keep my mind sharp and my heart pure.
Conversations continued, with me being held by Luna like a stuffed toy. Luna filling me in with some of the new things she has discovered in this change in times she is now in, while I filled her in with some of my tails of things that went on in my new life in Ponyville.
My intent in coming here was to spend time with my mentor, but that has been all forgotten as Luna and I wiled a way the time in communal banter, as Celestia for the most part just listened.