Pretty Little Ditty

by Closer-To-The-Sun

Heima [At Home]

Heima [At Home]

"Þúsund orð í arum/Þúsund ár sem segja allt sem er/Enginn sér, á bak við orðin tóm/Býr alltaf eitthvað." –Sigur Ros, “Heima”

(Translation: "One thousand words in years/A thousand years which tell the whole story/No one sees, behind empty words/There's always something." –Sigur Ros, “Heima”)

My name is Princess Luna. All ponies know of me. Perhaps they know of me from the classic tale of how my sister Celestia and I worked together to save Equestria from the chimera known as Discord, or perhaps they know me as the princess of night and the alicorn that moves the moon throughout the night sky. But more than likely, they know me as a monster. A monster that was once called Nightmare Moon.

This was something of my own creation. I have no excuse to give for my behavior or my actions during the time I went by that name. However, I am apologetic for my conduct and deeds. My sister was generous to me accepting me back. I was given forgiveness. I was given pardon for my endeavors. I was even given a warm welcome back by Celestia. However, it was not her I was worried about taking me back. It was the citizens of Equestria.

While I still am a princess, that doesn't exactly mean the citizens of my land can or will immediately be accepting of my return to my place next to my sister on the throne. No, I could never expect that. I have hurt many with my actions. I have altered lives of ponies everywhere. I have even made an attempt on my own sister's life. Such things like fear do not leave a pony's mind so quickly. I, Princess Luna, have been called a monster, a beast, and a sinner, and I deserve no less.

I could try to explain myself. I could explain my thousand year imprisonment on the moon and what it did to me on the inside. I can state how it was cold, how it gnawed at me knowing that while I was trapped on the moon, far away from another soul. I can describe the icy feelings I felt, both outside and in. I could say many things, but nothing would help my case.

It has been almost a year since I returned from the moon to my role as a princess. In fact, this is my first Hearth's Warming Eve since my return. I had forgotten about this holiday during my time in exile. I loved it when I was young. I would remember Celestia and I would trot around our home of Canterlot, enjoying the weather, the sights, the sounds, and everything. From the singing carolers on the street corner, to the rich scent of peppermint filling the air, from the lights that shine brightly on the cold night, to the taste of a falling snowflake gently falling to the ground, and everything in between. It's something that would always end my year wonderfully for me. It was always the highlight.

I returned back to the winter streets of Canterlot this evening. It was just as remembered. The sense-tingling atmosphere reminded me of my youth. It took me back to my childhood. Right in the middle of a street, I revisited those days the help of a group of young colts and fillies. Those youngsters joined me in tasting the snowflakes that fell down from the sky. Their laughter warmed my heart the same way Celestia's offer to accept me back had not so long ago. They thanked me for joining them, for playing with them. Their words of 'Thank you, Princess Luna', it made the years on the moon seem worth it. Those simple words made the thousand years seem worth it just to hear the fillies and colts say thank you to me.

After a thousand years, words seem to fail me to describe how I feel about this. I have shed countless tears for those I have hurt and wronged. I have regretted the harsh words that I have spoken. The wounds I have caused still hurt many. Behind the empty words of Nightmare Moon, there is a mare who grieves for what she has become known for. But slowly, time is moving on and nursing the damage that I've done. The wounds and gashes are healing. The tears on the cheeks are being wiped away.

I finally am beginning to realize where I am again. Now, I'm finally home.

END