Comfort on a Lonely Night
Lonely Nights Don't Last Forever
By PixelMoon
~X~X~X~
Princess Luna walked slowly through the castle patiently. From the outside, it seemed that she was just walking around the palace, or possibly heading somewhere. But on the inside, she was incredibly anxious. Getting to her destination hardly could wait.
Alas, a princess needed to maintain a public appearance. She couldn't just run through the hallways; it'll alarm the maids and cause the guards to follow her in an attempt to protect.
So that left her with only one option; walking. She could perhaps trot a bit faster, but even then, Luna didn't normally walk fast. Leaving the moon princess to walk with grace through the hallways where the west tower side of the castle met the eastern side.
Today was a special day to Luna. For today was the one day that her sister, Princess Celestia, had promised that she would lower the sun and raise the moon with her. Just like they used to.
Normally, they would both be too busy to do so. But ever since Starlight Glimmer had brought them closer than ever, Celestia had managed to cancel some of her schedule, allowing them to end the day and begin the night together.
That brought Princess Luna back to the present. Her clopping of hooves could be heard throughout the corridors, as of the hallways only consisted of herself and the guards.
Princess Celestia wasn't anywhere to be seen, so that was a good sign, Luna supposed. On every other day, she'd be with a bunch of nobels, prancing throughout the halls.
Princess Luna continued to walk through the hallways, and eventually came upon the throne room. A few ponies were in there, waiting for what she presumed was Celestia. But that couldn't be, she was supposed to be off!
Luna gulped, a feeling of doubt growing in the pit of her stomach. She continued to walk across the hallway, however, and to the eastern side of the castle. Nothing was going to stop her.
She then walked with a determined expression graced on her face. She turned her path so she would be in the direction of the west tower.
She traveled through the hallway that seemed to be hardly used. And in this case, it wasn't used in a millennia.
The guards had bowed to her, which she dismissed with a nod of her head. Luna continued to walk through the hall until she saw the doors to the room she was searching for.
There it was. The very room where Celestia and Luna were supposed to raise the sun and moon each and everyday. Originally built a thousand years ago by Princess Celestia after Nightmare Moon's defeat.
Celestia had intended to continue the tradition of raising the sun in a certain place where her sister would soon join her, but as she did before Princess Luna's fall, the sun princess lost the tradition and became too busy.
After talking a bit, they had decided to try to start that tradition again. So here Luna was, a hallway away from the doors.
She didn't care anymore. Luna fell into a full gallop towards the doors, alarming the guards in the hallway. Quickly she was met with the two doors.
Luna panted for a minute before lighting her horn. The same dark blue aura that surrounded her horn then surrounded one of the door handles. Slowly, she opened the door, which made a creak from years of not being used.
The princess held her breath, not deciding on whether to be excited or scared for what would be in the room. She opened her closed eyes as she opened the door fully.
What she was met with was a enormous room with stained glass windows of the moon and sun and a younger Celestia and Luna. The sun lazily shun through the windows, the orange color filling the room.
In the center of the room was two stands. One was a golden yellow in the shape of the sun. The other was a crescent moon.
There was one thing missing though. Despite everything else being there, the most important figure in Luna's life was not present.
Deciding that she was just a little early, Luna waited a few minutes. But when nopony came and minutes became a half an hour, she sadly started to have the realization sink in.
Princess Luna attempted to hold back her tears as pain filled her heart. She was unable to. Tears rolled down her cheeks and fell onto the ground. Slowly as she usually did, Luna walked out of the room.
Princess Celestia; her own sister, had bailed on her like she had a thousand years ago.
Celestia ran through the halls quickly, ignoring the surprised guards around her. She had to meet with Luna, no matter the costs.
The princess had completely forgot about today, as much as she hated to admit it. She was helping Princess Twilight feel comfortable with her room she was staying in while she visited Canterlot and the thought had completely slipped her mind.
Now she was paying for it. Cursing silently under her breath, Celestia ran quickly through the halls and across the easily me from the north side of the castle, where Twilight was staying, and to the eastern tower to meet up with Luna.
Silently thanking her alicornism for being faster, she had made it across the castle in no more than ten minutes. She quickly opened the doors to the room she wanted to be in, but was met with an empty room.
She walked inside, figuring Luna was trying to scare her. But when she saw the tears on the floor in the shape of a broken heart, she realized what had happened.
She had been too late.
Luna sadly walked into her room in the western tower. She slammed the door shut and pounced onto her bed.
Tears ran down her face as she flipped herself onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Suddenly, an ethereal force tugged at her horn. Luna changed her based to the window in her chambers, and saw the faint golden aura surrounding the lowered sun.
Knowing exactly what to do, Luna's horn glowed as the sun fell under the Earth, and her moon began to raise. Though the moon was upset for being awakened from its slumber so violently, it happily agreed to be shown to public once more.
Once the princess had completed a rather easy task for herself, she was not done entirely. Luna's horn still glowed, and one by one, the stars all twinkled alive and made themselves known. Once she was done, she then allowed her horn to stop glowing.
Due to the thought of Princess Celestia and Luna herself raising and lowering the sun and moon together that night, Luna's duties in the dream realm had been cancelled and was announced to the public the day before. Though there was a few hesitant ponies, eventually they all agreed to give both princesses a day off. After all, they did control the sun and moon, the very orbs that everyone depended on besides alicorns themselves.
Luna sighed. There was nothing for her to do. She dismissed the thought of just doing her dream duty as a princess; when did she truly ever get a day off?
That left the alicorn to lay in her bed with absolutely nothing to do. She kept tossing and turning, trying to get comfy. But, despite everything she did, Luna couldn't rid the feeling of loneliness.
Perhaps - just maybe - Luna was in need of company. She had the castle guards and maid, of course. Princess Celestia sometimes, too. Yet, that wasn't the kind of company she wanted.
Luna shook her head in realization. Could it be possible that a princess over a millena could wish for company? Despite coming to the conclusion several years ago that she could never find any true love?
She didn't know.
The princess groaned. Deciding to distract herself from the thought, Luna left her chambers and exited her tower completely.
Despite their complaints, Princess Luna managed to get her guards to stay at their posts and not follow the princess and attempt to protect.
Heading down the stairs, Luna swiftly trotted around to no place particular. She wasn't in the western tower side of the castle by then; she was nearing the throne room.
Princess Celestia had tried to get Luna to hold Moon Court like she previously did before Nightmare Moon, but Luna declined. That was more of Cece's forte.
Luna stood in the throne room. She trotted slowly towards the throne and once close enough, sat on it. The princess had dismissed her guards that night, leaving the castle vulnerable besides the places that Cece had strictly commanded her guards to stay at their posts no matter what.
Still sitting on the throne, Luna giggled a bit. The memories of the times she had dreamed of ruling with an iron hoof flooded into her mind. Of having Equestria and everything else she wanted. And most importantly, somepony to love.
The words she thought reminded her of one of the older songs popular in Equestria. Well, popular wasn't really what it was. It had been released by Queen before she returned to Equestria; about twenty years prior.
"Can anypony find me...somepony to love..." she sang quietly.
Suddenly, the doors to the throne room opened. Off of instinct, Luna's horn glowed threateningly. However, once she saw who it was, the glow immediately disappeared.
"Twilight Sparkle! What brings you here?" Luna exclaimed.
"Um...I'm staying in Canterlot, remember?"
Right. "Of course. Just, whatever are you doing in the throne room?"
"I should ask you the same," Twilight said with a soft tone. She slowly trotted through the throne room and towards Luna, who suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Twilight sat next to Princess Luna with an expecting look. "Well? You can trust me with anything, Princess. What's bothering you?"
Luna couldn't help but smile. Twilight; no matter what, always managed to make the princess smile. She had such...glee with everything she did. With pride, and always wanted to know more. It was...cute.
Cute. The word echoed inside Princess Luna's mind. Her eyes widened, and she turned her head to face Twilight. She was staring at the older alicorn expectingly, yet had a soft and reassuring smile.
Realizing she was quiet for longer than needed, Luna spoke with the truth. "I suppose I'm just lonely. Celestia hasn't been the best of sisters lately, despite Starlight Glimmer helping us."
Twilight nodded. Much to Luna's surprise, the young princess wrapped her wing around the other alicorn's body. Luna tensed up, much to Twilight's dismay.
"Please, Princess. Let me keep you company. It could be nice."
That cursed voice of Princess Twilight. It was so sweet and loveable!
How did Luna not notice this before? Twilight was everything to her! She was the one pony who truly loved the night sky almost as much as Luna did herself. Plus, Twilight's full name literally delt with the night sky!
Twilight, for the time between the day and night.
Andromeda, for the lavender of her coat like the star.
And Sparkle, for the way the stars sparkle.
It might not be the way anypony else thought of it, but Luna enjoyed seeing the glorious name like that.
"Um, Princess?"
Luna shook her head violently. "Hm? Oh, right! Best apologies, I was merely lost in thought, I suppose. You don't have for stay with me, Twilight."
"I insist, Princess. Besides, I want to know fully why you seen down, besides the fact that you are lonely." She rubbed the back of her mane with a hoof. "Plus, I may or may not be a bit lonely too."
Luna smiled. It was astonishing how much the pony beside her cared just for somepony who was alive for over a thousand years and was thought to be able to take care of any problem they encountered. But no, Twilight Sparkle didn't think that. No matter the social status or age, she cared for every good soul in Equestria.
"Well, since I seem to not be able to get rid of you silly little pony, I suppose I can talk to you..." Luna gave in.
Twilight smiled and rubbed her head against Princess Luna, earning a blush from the princess.
"Well, I suppose I've been lonely. And not in the regular way either, where I want just regular company of anypony. Sure, I have Cece, the guards and even the maids to keep me company, but..."
"It just isn't enough," Twilight finished for her. Luna gave her a surprised stare. "I understand what you mean, Luna. I'm lonely too. All of my friends have found their special someponies. Heck, even Spike did! I'm the only one who hasn't."
Twilight's ears dropped and she stopped smiling. "They...they're getting older everyday, Luna. I'm afraid that soon they won't be around by the time I find someone. I'd truly be alone..." Twilight stopped talking to hold herself together and not cry. "We're immortal, Princess. And I've accepted that. I just...wish to find someone and allow my friends to be there and meet him or her so I won't be alone yet..."
Luna lifted Twilight chin, forcing her to stare into the teal irises. "You're not alone, Twilight. I'm here for you, and I will never leave your side."
Twilight's smile returned, but was smaller than before. Tears started to stream down her face as she thought carefully of what to say next.
"I...This may be too soon, and we haven't really known each other for a while, Luna. Some may think I would do say this to Celestia, but...I deny the feelings with her."
Luna suddenly felt dizzy. A blush seeped into her cheeks as she started to feel like she knew where the conversation might be headed.
Twilight continued to talk, a blush adorned her face. She held Luna's horseshoe adorned hoof, and they both had sat up.
"I've been waiting for the perfect moment to say this, and was going to at some point, but dismissed the thought. I thought that you wouldn't love somepony as young as I am, with you being I've a thousand hears old and all. But now, I don't care. I will say this with pride, no matter the cost: I love you, Princess Luna."
"..."
Luna had no words. While she hqd a feeling she knew where the conversation was headed, it still felt weird to hear Princess Twilight say it aloud.
"I..."
Twilight had her eyes closed, and she was visibly shaking. When no response still came from Luna, she was more scared than ever. She was about to open an eye to see Luna's reaction, but was stopped when she felt something press against her lips.
It felt delicate at the touch, and tasted like a faint rose. Twilight's eyes shot open, only to be met with a navy blue alicorn in her face.
When Luna released the kiss after a few seconds, she had a few words to say, and hoped for the better.
"I love you too, Princess Twilight."
The End.