Dawn
Dawn
by Arcelia
Celestia rose from her bed, the air around her was cool as she approached her royal dresser. Outside, the city slumbered away in the darkness. A soft, chilled breezed drifted in through her window, sending a shiver through her as her feathers shifted about. Atop her dresser was her crown and necklace, accompanied also by a flower crown she had picked for the occasion. She rose it to her head, weaving it around her horn and ears so it sat properly on her head.
She walked towards the door and retrieved a velvet dressing gown from the hanger. Wrapping the soft, red fabric around herself, Celestia felt its warm embrace and the chill of the air no longer reached her.
Out in the hallway, the royal guard stationed outside her door recomposed himself. His legs straightened as he pushed out his chest, his armour rattling about as he did so. “Your highness, it is a pleasure to bid you a good morning.” the stallion said, saluting her as she walked past.
Celestia smiled as she spoke. “There is no need for the formalities, Brazen Helm. Please, be at ease.”
The stallion softened his posture, relaxing his shoulders as dropped his hoof. “Yes, your highness. May the day find you well.”
The princess simply lets out a giggle as she continued down the hallway, dimly lit by the sconces that lined the walls. Flickering in the breeze that drifted in through the window, their flames stayed alight. Almost as persistent as she had felt that morning, she had to keep the hope inside her alive for what strife laid ahead.
Out in the open, Celestia watched out on her balcony at the sleeping city below her. Lit only by the lights that lined the streets, Canterlot was blanketed in a layer of deep blues and stony greys, the city always looked so pretty at night. She took a moment to enjoy the calmness of the quiet and the sleepy, idyllic state of which she would have to awaken the city from. It was time to start the day, a day she was never going to forget.
Encasing her horn in an ethereal glow, Celestia closed her eyes as she focused her energy. Lifting the celestial orb from its resting place beyond the horizon, she slowly raised it into the sky high above the dormant city.
Opening her eyes, she let out sigh. Her breath clouded the air. This day, a thousand years in the waiting, had at long last arrived. It was here, she had placed all her faith in a pony of whom she could only hope was ready for what the day would bring.
In the first rays of sunlight, Canterlot glowed in the warm colours of the sun. Light pinks and yellows melted into the scene as Celestia stood there, knowing that the fate of her beloved subjects rested in somepony else’s hooves.
After another moment of standing out on the balcony, she turned and went back inside the castle. She had cleared her schedule for the day and requested that many of the castle staff take a day off. The hallways were all empty except for the royal guards, who had been stationed in and around the castle walls. All of the remaining staff had been told that today was not a day of any significance and to carry out their duties as usual.
Celestia took the winding staircase that led to the dining and food preparation wing of the castle. When she entered, the kitchen it was empty. All but one of the chefs had been given the day off, which meant that Silver Sugar was downstairs in the basement collecting ingredients.
On the countertop was her breakfast, freshly baked apple strudels and a hot cup of tea sat there waiting for her. The warm scent of the apples wafted towards her, she brought them over to where she stood before leaving the kitchen. All she needed now was a quiet place to enjoy the sunrise.
Towards the end of the corridor was a little window where the sun warmed the room. The soft velvet shifted about against her coat as she settled herself onto the stone floor. Perched by her favourite window, Princess Celestia nestled into a cosy blanket of warmth as she sipped her tea.
Just outside, the sun shone brilliantly over the castle, casting its warm rays down on her gentle face. It was now that she realised she hadn’t taken a day off in a long, time. Not since the banishment of her dear sister, a thousand years ago. But today would be the end of her sister’s exile, today she would return and bring back the same darkness that she had once so long ago.
Today, Celestia thought. Everypony would be busy preparing for the annual Summer Sun Celebration. They were all unaware of the fact that she had been presiding over them without her sister, which had been no easy feat itself. What a long and lonely millennium it has been without you, dear sister. But today, you are finally coming home. She sipped her tea, a lump grew in her throat as she felt a shiver go down her spine. Underneath her velvet gown, she shifted about. Everything about today was so...uncertain.
If there was one thing she could be sure of, however, it was that she had complete trust in her pupil, Twilight Sparkle. Everything else was up to fate, which was starting to make her feel a little nervous. After all, the fate of Equestria rested squarely on the little pony’s shoulders and she wasn’t even aware of it!
Now, now, Celestia you need to calm yourself. Twilight is more than capable of handling the situation. Even if she needs a little bit of a push in the right direction.
At that same moment, a flash of light appeared before her and from it a neatly wrapped scroll. A hint of dragon’s breath still lingered in the air, it was from Twilight. She had been expecting a letter from her any day now, she was up to the mythological figures and legends part of her studies. Which is precisely where Celestia had intended her to be.
She removed the ribbon and seal, the parchment unrolled before her. Taking a sip of her tea, she scanned its contents carefully before summoning a quill and bit of parchment by her side. It was finally time for her pupil to embark on her greatest quest. The one that she had been preparing her for since the beginning. Celestia only hoped her with all heart, that her pupil was ready.
Taking up her quill, she began writing a response. With enough confidence, she hoped that Twilight would do the right thing, not just for herself, but for Equestria. It would be one of many trials she would have to face.
Celestia could feel the sun grew warmer now, her cheeks glowed as she sat there. Rolling the parchment, she sealed it and sent it away in a trickle of light. All she could do was wait, the rest of today’s schedule had been cleared and she realised how good it felt to have a day off.
Outside she could hear the wind in the leaves and the birds in the sky, the distant chattering of ponies as they started their days. For just a moment, all was right with the world. She closed her eyes and focused on the scent of the tea, mixed in with the warm apple strudel in front of her. All the smells and sounds eased her aching heart and calmed her mind.
For with the cool breeze blowing in, the sun continued to rise with its golden rays of dawn.
The End
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You paint a very good picture. There's just the right amount of detail, not too much, not too little. Celestia's thoughts are rather nice. She knows this day hinges on a lot of happenstance, yet has faith in her student.
All in all, a very good job. I look forward to more from you~
A nice read about Celestia's day. Have an upvote.
8331389
Thank you very much for your feedback. I honestly wasn't expecting any, but it definitely feels good. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and I'm also glad that you found there was just the right amount of detail.
I hope to have more stories soon.
Simple, short, and sweet. Celestia's voice was well done.
I was honestly expecting the peace to be shattered by Nightmare Moon showing up, which may have ended up ruining story's tone and purpose. But seeing as her return is merely glanced upon, and in a way that fits in the tone, this is a very nice story. Certainly something I'll read again next time I'm unwinding.
8331405
Thank you.
8331475
I'm glad you thought so. I have written her in a couple of stories before so I am rather familiar with her character.
8331505
Thank you, I'm glad you find the story calming and I hope you enjoy just as much as you did the first time. Your feedback is appreciated.
Sweet, short story that answers my question of what Celestia was doing in the Season 1 Premiere.
8333616
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it and I'm glad it answer your question.
This was an okay story
I didn't think that the image in the beginning of the story was needed since we see that as the coverart of the story when we first view it.
Loved reading Celestia inner thoughts of the events on the final moments before Luna's return.
It could have been better if you added Celestia having worrying second thoughts like as shown in Celestial Advice
The descriptions of the surroundings were great at conveying the mood.
This is a very good one-shot.
Hooray! A new story from you! :3
I really enjoyed the picture you painted with this story. I have kind of a soft spot for anything with Celestia as the focus, but especially for stories that delve into her thoughts and emotions, which I think you did very nicely here. I have a very similar image of Celestia in my head to the one you put forward in this, so it made me a happy camper to read it. X3
I liked your descriptions of everything, and I think you did a wonderful job setting up a certain tone and emotion for the story -- something I value above most other things in writing.
I'm super excited to see you posting stories again, and can't wait for the next one! I agree that you do a great job with these more emotional pieces, and I look forward to your more complex works. :3
8334613
Hi Mix, thank you for feedback. You are the first person to give any sort of constructive criticism so totes to you. I'm sorry you felt as though the first few hundred words were unnecessary but I personally felt that expanding on the story a little more would help give us time to get more emotionally connected with our character. As opposed to jumping right in with her thoughts right off the bat. Thanks for your feedback and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
8334796
Thank you.
8335025
I'm glad you're excited, Daft. It certainly is a welcome return to be getting feedback from you. I'm so glad you liked the story and I really appreciate your comment. I look forward to seeing more of your excellent responses in the future, I'm as excited as you are for the stories that I hope to publish in the future.
An affa nice wee mood piece. It sets its scene nicely, feels very genuine to Celestia, and creates a sedate, relaxed tone... with just a hint of foreboding for the day's events. A few wee tense hiccups here and there ('The princess simply lets out a giggle' - drop the s at the end 'lets' to make it consistently past-tense), but otherwise, a very good piece of work.
8337100
Thank you, Carabas for your feedback. It surprises me that you took the time to read one of my stories but it feels my heart with overwhelming joy anyway. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate your comment, sorry about the little hiccup there. I will be sure to fix that soon.
I just love little character pieces like this, they don't have to be long stories, they just give us great little insights in the character in question. And this fic was absolutely beautiful in doing that.
8341604
Thank you so much. Your feedback is so important to me and I appreciate every word. I'm really glad you like enjoyed the story and I also really enjoy writing little character pieces. But lately, I've felt like I need to be working on bigger, more complex stories. After all, I am eighteen and it should only make sense that I strive to do something much greater. But thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you again soon.
8341955
Well, I wish you the best of luck and I hope you succeed in your endeavors.
A nice bit of light reading, hitting the note it aims for quite well.
In need of a proofreader as there's a fair amount of hiccups, but nothing too annoying.
Nice job, have an upvote.
Happy 1 year anniversary!
You can has review!