Chapter One: Introductions

Reverie always enjoyed the beautiful sounds of the night. Animals cooed to one another, some getting ready to rest while others started stirring awake. Crickets chirped from their hiding places deep inside the shrubbery lining the path, singing to their neighbors. He took a deep, heavy breath, the warm summer breeze carrying the distant smells of grass and animals. His shoulders heaved, relaxing momentarily but unable to fully release the anxiety rising in his chest.

Large castle doors loomed ominously at the end of the path, flanked by two guards and bathed in the flickering orange light of nearby lanterns. The shadow of their helmets well hid their gaze, but he could feel their eyes burning through him. The guard that accompanied him was unphased by their presence, their matching armor shining in the light like fire. He gave the others a short nod and they nodded back obediently. Their horns started to glow, and together they pushed the doors open.

A low groaning noise echoed as the bottom of the doors scraped against the floor, quieting the forest around them. From inside, the glowing white walls reflected their brightness into the clearing, and Reverie couldn't help feeling in awe. As they started up the steps and into the hall, his eyes couldn't help but be pulled from one marvel to the next. He'd been in many a great estate before, but none so lovely as this. But, of course, what castle would be more extravagant?

Reverie indulged himself, relishing in a moment that so few ponies found themselves in. He stared slack-jawed at the vaulted ceilings hanging above him, held aloft by massive, intricately carved pillars. Painted ponies adorned the surface, each in graceful poses with peaceful or joyous expressions. He lost himself in the luxury of it all for just a moment, savoring every glance. Then suddenly, the door slammed behind him, and he was all too quickly reminded of the reason for his "visit."

In an instant, the nighttime ambiance that had faded into the background, taken for granted, had disappeared, leaving only deafening silence in its wake. His heart beat so hard against the inside of his chest he swore it echoed against the eerie white walls. So, he lowered his gaze to the red carpet that stretched ahead, seemingly endlessly, and hurried along his way.

He considered those who had walked this hall before him. The artists that created these intricate luxuries, the guests and noble ponies that admired them as they passed. He wondered how many hooves had stepped in the same spots he was stepping in now, their hoofprints intertwined with his across space and time. Could anyone tell his prints apart from the others? He didn't imagine the others taking their tours with enchanted collars around their necks.

The purple jewel on his collar hummed, barely audible to anyone near him, but a sound he was intimately familiar with. In the silence of the castle, it was a clear warning that said in no uncertain terms that the collar was active. So he quickened his pace to keep up with the guard that accompanied him, hoping to avoid the magic's ill effects. He was beginning to wonder how much longer he would have to match the taller stallion's pace when they rounded the corner into the castle's east wing.

A sinking dread washed over him as he looked at the grand door at the end of the hall. Until now, Reverie assumed he was making his way to the servants' quarters, or perhaps at worst, he'd be stationed with the guards for personal use, but he'd seen enough noblemen's estates to know a private chamber when he saw it. Even if it were hard to believe, he would be headed for the dwellings of a Princess inside the walls of Canterlot castle.

His heart raced as he considered who might be behind the door. Maybe there was still hope that one of the princesses had purchased him for a foreign dignitary as a gesture of goodwill, but he couldn't imagine being chosen to impress. Had Princess Celestia sent for him to satisfy her own desires? He imagined the shining light of Equestria standing before him, and he could feel his blood pressure spiking at the mere thought of disappointing her.

The guard's sharp knocking on the chamber door ripped him from his thoughts. The door was opened fully, revealing the truth about who he was meant for. He thought the doorway was empty for a moment, but as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, a silhouette appeared. The shadow towered above them, much taller than he'd expected, bright blue eyes staring at him with thin-slitted pupils.

"Princess Luna," the guard started, his voice nearly choking him as it squeaked out. He cleared his throat before continuing, "Your sister sends her regards."

He reached into his saddle bag and procuring an amulet that matched Reverie's collar. There was a moment of silence, Reverie and the guard avoiding her powerful gaze. Then, finally, she scoffed, waving her hoof.

"Don't bother us with such a trivial matter," she said. Her tone was even, but her powerful voice boomed, shattering the quiet. Reverie nearly jumped out of his skin, her shouts ringing in his ears. He glanced up at the guard, who winced, but otherwise managed to keep his composure.

The stallion opened his mouth to speak, but he struggled to make a sound, instead opting to gesture in Reverie's direction and offer the amulet to her. She breathed a heavy sigh, and her blue eyes closed in apparent frustration. Her hoof extended from the shadows, taking the artifact from him and waving him back down the hall.

"Take him to his chambers," she hissed, "and leave us."

The guard stuttered out an affirmation, and the door slammed shut in response. The force of it closing blew Reverie's mane back, and he couldn't help but flinch as though it would hit him. He took a deep, shaky breath, and his shoulders heaved from the weight in the air. A pit started to form in his stomach, fueled by both awe and fear.

He hadn't gotten more than a glance of her, his eyes too fixed on avoiding her gaze to see her entirely, but what little he had seen was turning over in his mind, churning his stomach. He'd had the pleasure of meeting Princess Luna, one of the great royal sisters, and her first reaction was to send him away. He couldn't help feeling as though he'd not met her expectations.

He looked up to see the guard starting down the hall, walking in the direction the Princess had sent him. Reverie started to follow him but paused. He looked down at his collar, its familiar crackling running down his spine as he took a step away from the door. The guard glanced over his shoulder, and for a moment, he could see past the stallion's royal mask. He gave Reverie a sympathetic look, the two wondering if he'd be made to sleep in the hall instead.

But before either could say a word, the jewel's glow faded, and the sympathetic air disappeared. Then, just as quickly as the mask had slipped, it returned, and without another moment, the guard turned his back and continued leading the way. Reverie followed him as he'd done before, jogging to keep up despite the magic's deactivation. Partially to end this tiresome journey but more to put as much distance between him and the Princess as he could. For however long he could.

Author's Note:

Thank you so much for reading! I revised it quite a few times because it is so hard to actually start. But now that I got it exactly the way I want it I am calling it official and moving on, lest I be tempted to rewrite it forever.

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