Canterlot Castle was constructed from gleaming white marble as the centerpiece of Canterlot hundreds of years ago. It was shining and unmistakable whether under sunlight or moonlight, and the magnificent edifice was built prominently on the side of a large mountain which made it visible even from miles away. This monument earned the capital city the nickname of "The White City", and before night fell, ponies would travel from all over Equestria to gaze upon it.
Even under eternal night, the castle had a glow all its own, and Nightmare Moon ensured that staff were kept busy keeping it that way. To her, it proved that the light of the moon was every bit as beautiful and awe-inspiring as a sunrise, and as such it was one of the few things that she took personal interest in over the years.
Nightmare Moon herself was a striking black alicorn. Her mane and tail flowed deep blue with the currents of a strong magic which reflected the night sky even deep in the corridors. She wore an obsidian crown and a deep blue crest across her chest, bearing the same light turquoise crescent moon as her cutie mark. She also wore ornate, deep blue steel shoes, with guards reaching nearly to her knees. It resembled the armor that she had worn upon her return from the moon, save that she no longer wore her helmet.
The lack of a sunrise had failed to hold back bureaucracy for long and her rule over Equestria had fallen into a routine rather quickly. Morning was marked by the clock rather than the sky, but otherwise, things would still be done on a schedule. This morning, by the clock, she strode quickly through the halls. Her hooves clapped loudly against the smooth stone floors and she moved without hesitation even in the darkest shadows of the corridors where moonlight failed to reach.
At her side was an unusually large grey wolf who stood as tall as her shoulders. He kept easy pace with her as he related the day's news. Ulfrid was the sole remaining administrative staff - the rest having fled in Nightmare Moon's early months out of fear for her angry tirades and threats. He was also the only one who seemed to be able to carry out her orders, as far as she could tell.
"… There is a report that the Griffin Kingdom has scientists working on an artificial sun."
Nightmare Moon snorted. "Let them work. We saw how well that turned out last time."
The wolf nodded, "Yes, your Highness. The settler ponies on the western frontier have reported an increase in hostilities from the local buffalo. That area is at risk of destabilizing."
"Send a dozen guards. That should stop them from complaining."
"Of course, Highness. Ah, and we have a report from Ponyville that a meteor struck the Everfree Forest last night."
"Troublesome place," Nightmare Moon grumbled. "Remind me to send an entire meteor storm to flatten it."
Ulfrid smiled and nodded again. "Yes, your Majesty."
The pair stopped at a large ornate door and the wolf bowed low. "Your court awaits," he noted.
"I don't know why we bother with this every month," grumbled Nightmare Moon. "Hardly anypony shows up, and when they do, it is nothing but petty complaints and meaningless bickering that I am asked to deal with."
The wolf remained in his bow, his face towards the floor. "It is how your citizens remember that you are here for them, and how you show them that you care about their concerns, my Liege."
Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes and then lit her horn to open the door and enter the throne room. Only after she passed did Ulfrid rise and follow her. The throne room was tall and long, adorned with dark purple banners and a plush red carpet leading from the far door to the base of the throne. The throne itself stood on an elevated platform and was carved from an enormous black gemstone which was evidently kept extremely well-polished. Nightmare Moon made her way onto the dais and finally settled down onto the large, plush cushion that completed her throne. Ulfrid took his spot to the side of the long red carpet, one step lower, and then nodded to the guard at the far end of the room.
"But one petitioner this morning, my Liege," he told Nightmare Moon as the doors were swung inward. She peered at him and briefly wondered how he always knew this. Leaving that thought be for the moment, she shook her head.
"Pointless, as I said," she muttered. "It will be some pointless demand that I change something, like when the bankers come asking me to approve a change of interest rates. Hardly work for a Queen!"
Ulfrid smiled softly and nodded towards the carpet, where an earth pony was making her way slowly towards the throne. She was light blue with neatly woven yellow pigtails and she was wearing a simple and faded pink dress that was nonetheless immaculately cleaned and pressed.
She looked nervously left and right as she approached, looking anywhere but directly at Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon waited quietly as this was also a part of the ritual that she had become used to. Some days she was flattered by the fear, some days she was bored by it. Today it irritated her.
Finally the little pony reached the base of the dais and dropped into an awkward bow with her face touching the carpet. "I... m... my… my name is Golden Mill. I… I run a… a wheat farm outside Fillydelphia…?"
Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes again; she already knew exactly where this was going. She fixed Golden Mill with a stern look. "What do you want?"
Golden Mill shuddered, even though she didn't look up. "I… I… we… um… we expanded our fields. I… I know light is rationed, but… to make the wheat grow, we… we need twelve more lumens. Please?" She chanced a look up, and shrank back at the glare. "Um… ten might do?" she squeaked.
Nightmare Moon stood up and flapped her wings once in annoyance. "Perhaps ten weeks in the dungeons will give you opportunity to consider wasting my time?" she growled. "Ulfrid! See to it that this pony gets what she deserves!" She cast a final glare at Golden Mill, then strode back to the ornate doors and stormed through them, out of sight.
As the doors closed the wolf came forward. He sat on the bottom step and faced the little pony. "Twelve lumens it shall be," he said quietly. "I shall ensure that you have your quota before you leave the castle today."
Golden Mill's eyes widened as she looked up at the wolf, her slowly forming tears stopped by pure surprise. "But… but! N… Nightmare Moon said…?"
Ulfrid nodded his head once. "I obey her Highness' order without question. Come with me, and we will get you set for your return journey to Fillydelphia."
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Nightmare Moon lay quietly on the largest balcony of the castle. It was attached to the largest of the royal bedchambers, and it was positioned such that it could look out over much of Equestria. It was from here that Celestia had often performed her duties with the sun and moon. It was also here that Nightmare Moon had confronted her and banished her to the sun.
For the moment, Nightmare Moon was amusing herself by racing meteors in the night sky. She guided them as they left flaming streaks through the atmosphere, curving their paths and tracing intricate patterns until they turned to ash, nothing left to burn.
Ulfrid entered, silently approaching and sitting beside her. Nightmare Moon mused that she would never detect him were it not for her magic - he was unnaturally quiet and rarely made a sound that he did not mean to make. But she did detect him and when the current race ended, he spoke.
"So will you destroy the Everfree Forest now, my Liege?" he inquired with just the hint of a tease in his voice. "You asked that I remind you."
Nightmare Moon smiled at the teasing and wondered whether she would tolerate it from anyone else. "Too much trouble to gather enough meteors," she replied as she smirked a little. "I fear that I have burned up too many already, at least for now."
They sat quietly, each with a small smile on their face, until Nightmare Moon spoke again. "What of that farmer pony? Did you deal with her?"
Ulfrid nodded. "Aye, Highness. She shall not soon trouble you again."
Nightmare Moon gave a satisfied grunt and nodded. "There are so many little things to worry about. It hardly seems worth it some days." She looked up to the moon and her voice became more gentle. "But have I not given them everything they need? Have I not given them all that they want?"
The wolf shifted a moment, and then nodded, speaking clearly but carefully. "All but the sun, my Liege."
Nightmare Moon frowned, and shook her head. "You know as well as I do that is impossible. The instant that the sun crossed the horizon, Celestia would return and destroy me. But I have compromised. I have given them their light, I have given them protection, and I have given them their freedom. In return, I have this... this... I do not know. Monotony is not quite the correct word, but it is close. It leaves me uneasy."
Ulfrid smiled reassuringly to her. "It is not such a bad thing. Monotony means that we are at peace, and that nopony is starving or in danger. It is good that all is calm."
Nightmare Moon frowned, and let her gaze drift off towards the horizon. "Unless it is the calm before the storm."