As the first hour of Night Court went by, the air in the throne room was stiff as silence was hung in the air.
Princess Luna was regally sitting on her throne, as her horn was lit up, signing the paperwork that a concerned noble pony had given to her a few moments prior over the security of Canterlot and handing them over to her unicorn assistant before the same assistant to their live to file the documents. This wasn’t the first one that both Princesses have received this past week.
Ever since the destruction Tirek left in his wake a lot of ponies, majority of them being members of Canterlot who were more concerned with their reputations safety, were asking for more security around their homes in fear of the unknown.
Whilst both of the Princesses understood their citizens concerns to increase security over the recent chaos, frankly, Princess Luna expressed her tiredness for the repetitive questioning on their guards capabilities.
Two of her trusted Lunar Guard was in the throne room with her this very night and she had faith in their capabilities as she did every member of the Lunar and Solar Guard.
One of the members of the Lunar Guard, Night Wing, who stood to the left of the Princess, was standing tall and proud with a face made for the duty he was given to him. No pony, not even the Princess herself, could tell that this stallion was having a mental argument that if spoken aloud – he would be sure the whole of the kingdom could hear.
“This getting tiresome,” he mentally complained, “just a few more hours to go then back to the barracks.”
Night Wing didn’t really like to complain too much. Whilst he firmly believed every pony should voice their thoughts when necessary, he felt that he shouldn’t bother any pony with his thoughts. That was due to his up-bringing where he learned a lot of things in life you have to take in stride and he has done so for many years, but there were days where just wished things weren’t so stressful.
“If things weren’t so stressful then it wouldn’t be boring, if you think about it.”
Using all of his willpower to breathe normally and keep stance, he mentally gave a long and exhausting sigh.
“Still though, doesn’t stop it from having it’s good days and bad da- Oh, quit complaining and think something more positive will you!?!” he mentally chided himself, forcing his train of thought to not go in a mood dampening direction.
Princess Luna could faintly hear the heavy breathing coming from Night Wings direction. It sounded rough and forced with a hint of frustration. She had worked with Night Wing before but never seen him so pent up. Looking over to the other Lunar Guard member, Dusk Drift, she noticed he was also slightly tense as well. She had worked many nights with various members of the Guard but she hasn’t worked with an adjacent pair of frustrated ones.
She began to rise from her seat, as she did; she took a deep breath through her nostrils and closing her eyes then released it slowly and calmly before taking the sight of the throne room in once again. As the breath left her lips, she began to step down from her seat. The Lunar Guard members remained ready for her command.
“You two may relax, I am merely taking a breather to stretch my legs.” Luna said, calmly and with a friendly tone, as she walked by the duo.
Both Night and Dusk blinked in surprise for a moment before glancing at each for a quick second, then turning their gaze back to the princess who was methodically walking down the throne room. As they took her notion into account, both stallions began relax their stiffened posture but remained in their position.
As Luna continued to walk down the room she stopped and turned to look up at the recent addition to the throne room’s paintings.
The painting told the story of how the six Elements, the spirit of Chaos and the young dragon, unlocked the chest that granted the Elements of Harmony the power to vanquish Tirek. She looked upon the painting with a smile. She was proud of how far the Elements overcame, especially Twilight, their latest trial from the lessons they learned.
She then took a step back and looked upon the two Lunar Guard members once more and couldn’t help but the events that transpired this past week.
Almost each and every member of the Guard that was not on duty in Canterlot, were sent out among the lands of Equestria as a call for increased security to help calm the citizens fear of the unknown future and to reassure that the lands are safe once more.
She received reports from various sources from where members of the guard were sent to, came back with positive response.
She felt proud of them and at the same time felt sorry for them. The guilt came from the fact that they were sent out with no exception and they did so dutifully and willingly. The few years she had been back and she has seen all of the members of the guard worked so hard for the sake of Equestria, and these two in the throne room with her are no exception.
With a little more positive feeling in her step, she trotted over towards the throne once again, but she came to a stop when she was in between the both of them.
“If you both would turn your attention to me, please, I would like to say something,” Luna said calmly and welcoming them to hear her words.
Both Night Wing and Dusk Drift, felt confused and surprised at this sudden change of tone their Princess was sporting but acknowledged her request as the both turned from the post position to face their bodies entirely in her direction, giving her their full attention.
“Thank you,” she said with a lot of care and honesty.
This left both of the members of the Night Guard gobsmacked at this sudden gesture and Night Wing was about to speak up, “Not finished,” before he was cut off by the Princess.
“I know that, from my return and possibly before that, a lot of the members of the Royal Guard including you two, have worked to the bone and more in doing your jobs,” she paused to let out a small chuckle, “some more than others but all of you have worked your hardest nonetheless.”
She began to step up towards her seat, “I know things haven’t been the easiest this past week and you two, like all the other members of the guard, have been practically exhausted with the increase in security. But, I can see that all of you are still working with every fibre of your being. I guess, I feel silly in seeing that now after taking a step back.”
Reaching the top, she turned around and looked upon the two who were still giving her their undivided attention, “I will be sure to give the rest equal treatment for such dedication but for now you two are the first to hear me say, with genuine honesty,” before she finished she placed a hoof on her chest and bowed gracefully to the pair at the bottom of the stairs, “Thank you.”
The pair of them stood dumbstruck at this sudden gesture and yet the same time they could feel a warm and grateful smile forming on their features. Whilst Dusk Drift remained happily dumbstruck, Night Wing removed his helmet and respectfully bowed to the Princess.
Luna raised her head and wondered what he was doing.
With his eyes closed he spoke with pride, “We will do anything for Equestria your highness, and work to the bone for you forever more, if we could.”
Dusk Drift, followed his comrade’s action and spoke up as well, “We don’t deserve your thanks your highness, we will always do as you and your sister command,” his voice, like Night Wing, is filled with pride.
The Princess took their response with a content smile, “You may rise,” she commanded gently, “shall we return to this mundane shift then you two?” she asked jokingly with a slight chuckle.
As they rose, they placed their helmets on once more before saluting their majesty with passion, “Yes, Your Highness!” they both proudly responded before they returned to their original position.
As things returned to normal neither member of the guard felt their previous frustrations. Night Wings had one singular thought that summed up his mood, “I don’t know whether she read my mind or not, but that has just made things a lot better.”
As Luna looked at the large throne room doors once more, waiting for her next guest to come through and for her assistant to return, a small smirk crept up on the right side of her lips.
The End