Big Macintosh walked to the top of a large hill at the very edge of Sweet Apple Acres. From this vantage point he could see the faintest lights from Ponyville and the foreboding trees of the Everfree Forest. A drip of sweat ran down the back of his neck and on to his harness. With practiced ease, Big Mac slipped off the harness and dropped it to the ground. He plopped down beside it. The cooling winds of an autumn dusk played through his unkempt mane and his thick crimson fur. He inhaled the smells of harvested apples, the earth, the falling leaves, the hint of rain gathering for the scheduled storm tomorrow. A deep whinnying sigh escaped his muzzle.
Shades of flaming red and vibrant orange light streaked through the sky and danced around Celestia’s sunset. Big Mac leaned down and picked up a lone sprig of wheat that the wind had cast on top of the hill. All over Equestria, ponies and dragons alike watched in awe at the particularly magnificent sunset. Big Mac chewed on the wheat sprig. The sun set, spreading its yellows, oranges, and reds across the rolling green hills, the dense forest, and the nearby barn. Big Mac watched a ladybug crawl on a black of grass.
The moment Princess Luna’s stars shone in the sky, the stallion looked up. His eyes widened as Luna’s moon, full and bright, rose slowly. The dancing colors of Celestia’s sunset seemed to linger just so they could caress the moon and tint the starts for just a single moment. Big Mac sat at the convergence point of the dancing lights. His muscles relaxed and his eyes closed as the wind, the lights, and the sounds of the night danced around him.
As Big Mac bathed in the evening, he thought back to almost a year ago. Twilight Sparkle’s transformation into an alicorn and her work in saving Equestria was being celebrated at Canterlot. Twilight walked through the processional with a sheepish smile on her face. Queen Celestia stood in the middle of the dais, wearing her crown and her most regal robes, with Princess Luna and Princess Cadence on either side of her. On the left side of the dais, Applejack smiled with pride and tried not to look too uncomfortable in her "fancy doodads." Dignity and pride radiated from Rarity, while Dash trembled with enthusiasm. Fluttershy smiled, for once too happy to bury her face in her flower wreath and hair. Pinkie Pie beamed her best "It's almost Party Time!!" smile. Twilight walked up to the dais with a full singing processional following her. Spike offered Twilight her new crown. Everypony cheered. Then Celestia and Luna escorted Princess Twilight to the highest balcony, where ponies from all over Equestria gathered to cheer their new Princess. Streamers and confetti rained down from the sky. Tears of joy were shed. Parties were held all across the land.
All Big Mac saw was Princess Luna.
He stared at the constellations of stars flowing in her mane. Her mysterious eyes glowed with the light of moonlight across the waters. Her silver shoes shined, the intricate lacework dancing up her gorgeous legs. She was so dazzling she made the gaudy cape she wore look like the garments of a goddess. He worked his way through the crowd, trying to get closer.
Power radiated from her. Grace flowed from her. All the beauty and fierce passion and tender secrets of the night danced in her. It reminded Big Mac of a poem he’d read in school as a colt – “She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies; / And all that’s best of dark and bright / Meet in her aspect and her eyes.” But there was something else – Princess Luna gave off a small whimper from the soul. Big Mac seemed to be the only one who noticed. He had to get closer. He had to hold her, comfort her, make a fool of himself - anything to ease the Princess’ inner sorrow.
“Hey, watch it, buddy!”
Big Mac looked down. A burly, short pony looked up at him. “You almost knocked me over! Watch where you’re going!”
“Yeah, get in the back!” Another pony called. “We can’t see around ya!”
“Sorry…” Big Mac slunk to the back of the crowd.
The train ride home was even worse. Everypony clamored around Twilight, talking and laughing and smiling. Big Mac sat alone by the window. Stupid stallion, Big Mac thought. Thinkin' I could be any help to a princess. She's got a whole kingdom at her beck and call. All the servants and lovers and treasures she wants. I ain't got nuthin' to give that they can't do better'n me.
“Big Mac? You okay?” He turned to see Applejack sitting down beside him.
“Eeyup.”
“You sure? You’re bein’ awful quiet, even fer you.”
“Eeyup.” He gave his sister the best smile he could muster up.
“Okay, if you say so…” Big Mac nodded. “Anyways, we’re gonna go down to th’ dinin’ car. You wanna grab a bite to eat?”
“Nope.”
“Alright, big brother. Just – let me know if you need anything, ya hear?” AJ smiled and ruffled her big brother's mane.
Big Mac gave his sister a genuine smile this time. “Eeyup.” AJ stood up and followed everypony else to the dining car.
That moment of sisterly concern didn’t keep Applejack and Apple Bloom from teasing their older brother over the next few days, though. “Big Mac? Stop daydreaming about Princess Celestia and get movin’.”
“Maybe it’s Princess Cadence who caught his eye.”
“Naw, she’s a married mare. Big Mac’s got more sense than that.”
“Maybe it was one of those cute maids at the castle.”
Then Granny Smith would poke her head out from the nearest window. “Will you three get ta work?! The south forty’s gotta be bucked today! Zap apple’s comin’ soon and we need ta clear the orchard b’fer they get here!”
“Yes’m, Granny Smith.” Apple Bloom and Applejack hung their heads.
Big Mac stared at the ground. “Eeyup.”
“That’s better. Now scoot!” The three siblings scooted.
In time, the teasing stopped. The Apple family no longer gave much thought when Big Mac had a faraway look on his face. But Big Mac could not forget the wave of emotions washing from Princess Luna.
After a year of dwelling on it, Big Mac watched Luna’s moon shed the colors of the sunset to take on its own ethereal glow. Making sure nopony was within earshot, Big Mac whispered “Ah – Ah don’t know if you can hear me, Princess Luna, Yer Majesty…but I just want ya to know I get it. I been thinking a long time on this...” He gulped a bit of the chilly air. “When other ponies see ya, they see Nightmare Moon, or Princess Celestia’s little sister, or the pony they gotta talk with because the other princesses are too busy. I get it.” Big Mac looked down at the grass. “Ponies never see you fer you. Just like they don’t see me fer me. Maybe that’s why I – think about ya all the time. I want ya to know I see you fer you. And maybe – someday I can…”
He scoffed and hung his head. “Bah. Ah’m just a fool ta believe I got anythin’ she needs…” Popping his harness back on his neck, Big Mac looked back at the moon. “Sorry ta trouble ya, Princess. Y’all have a good night.”
***
Princess Luna closed her eyes and gave a radiant shine to her moon. As she had done so many times before, she stretched her consciousness across Equestria to sweep for troubled dreams from the early sleepers. She calmed several toddlers as they struggled through nightmares and helped a few nightshift workers through their last minute anxiety dreams before they had to wake up.
Luna’s eyes opened. She smiled in satisfaction. “Lady Luna,” a voice called to her from her outer chambers. “Evening court will be starting soon.”
“We thank thee, Nightfang. We shall be there soon.” The moment she turned to leave her balcony, a troubled voice from Ponyville grabbed her attention. “Who is calling to us?” she asked the night.
Big Mac’s voice reached her as if she sat next to him. “When other ponies see ya, they see Nightmare Moon, or Princess Celestia’s little sister, or the pony they gotta talk with because the other princesses are too busy. I get it.” Princess Luna dared not move. Every constellation around Ponyville flashed through her eyes until she found one close enough to use so she could watch the lone stallion.
“Ponies never see you fer you. Just like they don’t see me fer me. Maybe that’s why I – think about ya all the time. I want ya to know I see you fer you. And maybe – someday I can…” Luna beamed with all the colors of the night. She smiled at the brave, handsome stallion speaking to her.
“Bah. Ah’m just a fool ta believe I got anythin’ she needs…”
All of the joy and light fell from Luna. “Do not go…” she whispered.
***
A gentle zephyr wrapped around Big Mac. He cocked his head to the left. It was almost like the wind itself was trying to say something. "What is it?" he whispered back.
“Big Mac!” Applejack’s voice called from the distance. “Food’s getting’ cold and Granny’s worryin’ about ya. You comin’?”
The zephyr collapsed. “Eeyup.” Big Mac got up on his hooves and walked down the hill towards his sister.
"Purty night tonight," Applejack commented as they cantered towards the farm house.
Big Mac's voice was low. "Eeyup."
Behind them a single star fell from the sky.
***
Princess Luna wiped away a tear and raised her head when she heard her aide approach. “Lady Luna.” Nightfang’s voice was respectful but insistent. “The court is assembled and the herald is ready to announce you.”
The Princess of the Night did not turn to face him. “We shall attend – I will be there in a moment.”
Nightfang paused. Luna said nothing further. “I will let them know there is a slight delay due to other affairs of state, and that you will be arriving shortly to open court.”
“Nightfang…” Luna stood and turned to face him. Their eyes met. “Thank you.”
“At your service, my Lady.” Nightfang bowed his head slightly. Luna summoned parchment and a quill.