Celestia had left the library about twenty minutes ago, yet Twilight continued to stare out the window which faced Canterlot. Her tiny ears pinned back as Spike was sitting next to her, rubbing a claw gently down her back.
Luna smiled, sadly glancing at the moon. It was late far too late for Twilight to still be awake, yet she wasn’t sure if she was within her rights to make her go to bed. “...Twilight?”
After a few moments Twilight turned her head to face Luna, the fur under her eyes wet. Luna felt her heart break. My poor baby, you must feel so betrayed. “Twilight, I know that this is hard for you, how could it not be? Your life has been completely torn asunder. But know this, Twilight: I am here to help you. I do not desire to take everything from you, your name, or your life.” Luna shook her head. “I could never even dream of doing so, so tell me right now and be true. Twilight, do you want me to leave now? Pretend none of this happened? Constructing an illusion would be difficult, but not out of my realm of pow—” Luna stopped as she felt a small hoof on her own and looked down to see her small daughter.
Twilight stared up at Luna. Now that she knew the truth that Luna was her mother, she was able to see the familial resemblance between the two of them. Their muzzles had the same shape, as did their eyes. “I… I understand what you are trying to say, Lun-Mother, but I do not want you to do something that might be difficult for you. Or… or hurt you?”
Luna glanced away at the question, partially amazed by how quickly Twilight had figured out how much energy a glamor took from the one casting it. “Alright, Twilight, I promise I will not do anything which will hurt myself, if at all possible.” Luna lay on her belly to look Twilight in the eye and smiled.
Twilight nodded. “Good, th-that’s good, because I don’t want you hurt. Not at all.” Her ears pinned back. “Is this it, then? My two choices are to be a foal or to selfishly risk your well-being?”
Luna shook her head, wrapping a gentle wing around her daughter. “There is always a third option, Twilight.”
Twilight curled under her mother’s wing, laying her head down on her fore hooves. “A third option?”
Luna nodded. “Always. There are at least three options and more if you are bright enough.” She smiled as she heard Twilight huff and felt her tail flick up against the underside of her wing.
“Alright, well what is that third option then, Lun-Mom?” Twilight asked, wiggling out from under Luna’s wing to stare up at her.
Luna simply shook her head. “That, my dear, is for you to discover on your own.” Luna stood up and stretched her wings. “It has been a very long night though, hasn’t it? What do you say we get a bit of sleep before we need to travel to Canterlot?”
Twilight nodded as she stood up. “Luna?”
Luna closed her eyes for a moment as Twilight did not even try to refer to her as ‘Mom’, but shook her head. “Yes, Twilight? What is it?”
Twilight stared down at her tiny hooves as she pawed against the floor. “I’m very tired, but I’m afraid of the dreams I may have.”
Luna gently lifted Twilight into her arms. “If I go too fast for your comfort, please tell me?”
Twilight nodded, allowing herself to curl up to her mother’s sweet smelling coat as Luna began to rock her softly back and forth, humming a familiar lullaby.
“I was surprised to find upon my return that Celestia had released my little song and that it was so popular. But, I did write it for you. It will keep the bad dreams away.”
Twilight felt her eyelids flutter closed as Luna sang quietly.
“Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now it’s time to go to bed...” Luna glanced down to see Twilight curled up, her breathing slowed, a peaceful look on her face as the fur under her eyes began to dry. Luna carried Twilight upstairs and tucked her in, kissing her cheek as she did so. Her ear flicked as she heard the sound of a throat being cleared behind her.
Luna turned to see Spike standing in the doorway and relaxed a touch. “Hello, Spike. I’m sorry, I forgot you downstairs. What is it?”
Spike opened his mouth and promptly closed it again, frowning for a moment. “What happens now, Princess?”
Luna shrugged a bit. “Tomorrow we’ll go to Canterlot to speak with Twilight’s foster parents and then with the court so that I am able to have full custody of her again. What happens after that is up to Twilight. You have to understand, Spike, I feared my daughter dead for one thousand years. Finding her alive and well? I don’t care if she curses me and Celestia and moves away from Equestria. As long as she is safe. Do I hope she chooses to stay and let me… semi-care for her? Yes, of course I do. I know it is selfish, but no pony is perfect. In the end though, Twilight needs to figure out her third option.”
Spike nodded and walked past Luna to climb into his basket and close his eyes. After a minute he reopened them to see Luna standing over Twilight, stroking her hair. “I, um... When we get back from Canterlot I’m sure Twilight will get the other bed down and made for you.”
Luna simply nodded, a sad smile apparent on her muzzle.
“She’s happy you’re here, you know? If she was still a mare she’d be overjoyed. It’s just…” Spike touched his claw tips together.
“I understand, Spike, I understand. Now sleep; I’ll watch over both of you tonight.” Luna sat down on her haunches and closed her eyes to keep watch on three particular dreams.
Dream of your third option, my daughter.