> Memories
>  by Equimorto
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1001
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There's a guard at the bottom of the staircase leading up to my throne. He's talking to me, saying something about the orders I gave to him. I don't particularly care for anything he has to say, most of it is just formalities. The usual complaints from the nobles, the rumours about me spreading among the population, the same protests about the same issues as every other day. Nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing I have any interest in, but I have to at least listen to it. I am the Princess, after all, who else is supposed to do it?
It still feels weird, to think about that. That I am the Princess of Equestria once again, after all the time that passed. One thousand years away from my homeland, away from everything I knew. I had been forgotten by everybody. Really, I can't blame them for the way they reacted when I first returned. And as much as I would have expected at least my sister to do something to preserve the memory of me, I understand what she did. It must have hurt her greatly, to be separated from me for so long. But that's in the past now, we have solved our divergences.
It still feels weird, even if it's already been a year. One year today, to be precise. Although the celebration will have to wait until morning. It's funny to think that what was once a festivity dedicated to my sister is now eclipsed by that for my return. But that's the way things are, after all. They change with time, and all we can do is adapt.
I learned that myself in my time back in Equestria. I had wished, at first, to re-establish the old customs and traditions, but I soon realized it would not have been possible. Not any more. Things changed far too much during my absence. The ponies, the language, the cities, the land itself. I scarcely recognized it at first. But this is the country I rule over, and it's right that I change to accommodate for the way things are nowadays.
Still, it's not like I haven't kept some things the way they were back before I was banished. Some traditions regarding the uniforms of my guards, some policies on the things I rule over. Nothing too drastic, just something to make me feel at home. Home... I'm having it rebuilt, the old castle. Seeing it in ruins was probably one of the things that hurt the most when I came back. It was a rather interesting series of events, the one that took place there. I remember-
A sound from the bottom of the staircase. I look down and see the guard walking away, and a new one taking his place. He seems excited, somewhat hesitant. Scared, maybe? He's carrying a letter. I incite him to proceed, and after a deep bow he sends the scroll up to me with his magic, mumbling something. I pay him no mind, and instead open the letter. Something catches my attention. Names. I know these names.
It's kind of funny, that I would receive this letter just as I was thinking back to that day. These are the names of those same six mares who stood up to me back then. I remember how they were able to overcome every obstacle I put in their way. I remember how they never lost hope, no matter how bad things appeared to be for them. I remember the look in their eyes.
Often, very often, I have found myself wondering what would have happened if things had gone differently that day. It's a rather pointless waste of time, I realise, but it's still a fascinating thought to entertain. It would have taken so little to have a completely different result. Just a moment more, just one different decision. But things happened the way they did, and there's nothing that can be done to change them now. For the better, certainly.
I dismiss the guard. I watch him bow again, and then awkwardly make his way out of the room. He missteps and falls, then turns back to me, apologizing. He's terrified. If the display hadn't become so common I would find it funny. I watch him fumble with the door until he finally manages to open it, always shooting worried glances back at me, but as he's about to leave a thought strikes me, and I call him back.
I look back at the scroll, back at those names. It would have taken so little for things to go the other way. And I can't stop myself from thinking about it. The guard hurries back. What would have happened if things had gone differently?
Back there, one year ago, when I came back, there in the old castle. I still remember the look on their faces. I stare back at the names on the scroll. I feel rather pleased with the idea of what I just decided to do. My sister had that same look in her eyes when she banished me, and so did I when I was at her side against Discord. They had it in them, to use the Elements of Harmony. They truly did.
And I wonder, what would have happened if they'd managed to? What would have happened if I hadn't destroyed the Elements? Would I have been banished again? Or would it have freed me? It's pointless, I know. I had no control over it then, and I don't now. I can't complain, this is what I want, after all. But it always feels weird, to look at my life like through a window, to see it pass by.
There's a guard at the bottom of the staircase leading up to my throne. I look at him, and I look back at the letter, informing me that they have finally been captured. I tell him to have them brought here. I want to end this.