[AiE] Luna's Knight -Part 2-

>You wake up from your lush and warm bed looking over the room you slept in.

>after a long night's sleep and having time to think over what happened you're not exactly sure what to think

>there are MANY pros and cons to your situation.

>living in a peaceful land filled with magical equines.

>you can honestly and safely say you didn't really see this coming.

>it's not completely unwelcome however.

>Jumping out of your bed with new found vigour you clean yourself and strap on your armour ready for the day ahead

>Before you leave the bedroom you take this moment to look outside and give yourself a birds eye look of the city below.

>even as a man you find it very beautiful but it's nothing like your capital city back home.

>you hear a knocking at your door and open it to find princess Celestia standing there.

>you immediately drop to one knee

“Princess I did not expect you, please forgive my dishevelled appearance.”

>”it's quite alright Anon.” she says with a chuckle

>”I was wondering if I might show you to the dinning chamber, seeing as you do not know your way around yet.”

>You know she meant that with nothing but sweetness and care that you would find from mothers and their young but it still hurts to imagine you'll have to get used to this.

>You still don't know if you “LIKE” it here and one night's sleep certainly helped get your head round the whole concept but you are still miles away from knowing if this was a good thing.

>or maybe you're reading too much into it.

>Walking down the halls of the castle you feel the need to ask about your new master, this Princess Luna sister of Celestia

“if you may permit me, what kind of person is Luna?”

>”She is just like any other mare, only more so. Strong willed and polite, She likes fine arts and pretty dresses, walks around the castle gardens and most other things mares might enjoy.”

 

 

>Sounds nice you think, you also wonder if she would look like her sister.

“Will she be joining us for breakfast?”

>Celestia laughs loudly and very un-princess like.

>”I would be amazed if she could stay up this long, one thing I didn't mention anon is that while I am regent of the day, looking after everyone in the day my sister is regent of the night, it is her duty to look after the sleeping ponies of the land and maintain the night. by this time in the morning she is already tucked up asleep.”

“Then it seems if I am to serve you sister, princess Luna I must figuratively break my body clock, I wish you would have told me sooner your highness.” you say jokingly and with a small grin.

>Celestia turns to you probably worried you have changed your mind about serving her sister but once she sees your childish smirk she relaxes and playfully whips you with her tail.

>You enter the dinning chamber and take your place gingerly in the middle of the table, unsure if it would be too presumptuous to sit near the head along with her highness, after all she might have lots of family to attend to.

>Celestia quickly ushers you closer to the head of the table to sit next to you however.

>”You needn’t be so modest Anon, you can sit with us if you wish, or would you rather eat alone farther down the table?”

“No thank you Celestia, I do wish to talk more, I just thought it rude to assume I was welcome among your seats.”

>She waves her hoof dismissively as the food begins to arrive at the table.

>You see fruits of all shapes and sizes adorn the plates and plenty of cheeses and bread.

>You wait for Celestia to go first before helping yourself to a few apples and dairy.

>the fruit is as delicious as it looks but the cheese was lacking in it's texture and tang

>Still good enough to warrant a second helping though.

 

 

 

 

“Celestia, I wonder, if your sister is nocturnal when shall we meet her?”

>Celestia gently dabs her mouth removing any icing that might have smudged from her cupcake

>where did she even get that?

>And why don't you have one?

>”I have told her to wake early today, so early evening I would think.”

>So not only will you have the whole day ahead but also an entire night to stay awake.

>not only this but you want to make a professional and respectable first impression.

>which means staying alert and attentive, which is not something you can do because you're exhausted lugging about a huge set of armour all day

>perhaps it would be prudent to have a long rest at mid-day.

>Breakfast continues with a third helping of apples and a cupcake

>You and Celestia walk the castle learning the layout and memorising the rooms

>you meet several guards along the way.

>”Guards, this is Sir Anon of Earth, now of Luna's night guards, he is to be given no trouble by any of the royal guards, please tell Shinning Armour if you will.”

“This Shinning Armour, would he happen to be the general or captain?”

>”Captain yes, I think you and he would get along too but that is another time, we must get you ready for your meeting with Luna.”

>She asks you to follow her to what looks like a quartermaster's office you see a gruff looking unicorn shining some armour

>”Hello Tarkus, a pleasure to see you again.”

>the unicorn raises his head and bows in respect before turning most of his attention back to the armour

>”when you are done I need you to return Sir Anon's weapons to him...”

>she motions to you standing next to her.

>He slow puts down his hammer and walks to a chest on the other side of a room where he hands you back your sword, dagger and shield

>You gleefully strap them back to your person relishing in their familiar weight and feel

 

 

 

>Celestia looks at you with a mix of emotions

>you can tell she is uncomfortable being near weapons but at the same time you can tell she is happy that you have something so personal back in your possession

>she feels more like a caring mother than the ruler of the land

>but now you are ready to meet princess Luna

>you still have no idea what's she's like apart from the fact she sleeps during the day

>after saying goodbye to Celestia for now, you take a walk around outside in the castle gardens before returning to your room.

>Laying in your bed you try to get some rest.

>A few hours later you wake up again and see the sun is getting ready to set.

>now is the time to get ready.

>you wonder if these equines even care about first impressions, regardless if the don't you still do

>you quickly make sure you're clean and head out the door to find Celestia.

>many of the guards now bow to you as you pass them obviously having got their orders from shinning armour.

>You find Celestia in the throne-room holding court with some very ticked off griffins

>As quietly as your armour will allow you sneak into the hall and wait at the side for her to be done with these creatures.

>after far too long the griffins leave and Celestia calls you up.

>”Hello again Anon, I hope you managed to get some rest before we meet with my sister.”

“Yes Princess I did, I am ready whenever you are.”

>“The castle is getting ready to switch to the night, and so must I.”

>she tries to hide a yawn and fails

>Let me lower the sun now and we shall meet her.

>You are about to question what she means when she shows you by using powerful magic to forcibly drag the shinning sun down below the horizon and in it's absence a perfect full moon takes it's space painting the land in blissful and still darkness.

“Whoa.”

>”Whoa indeed.” Celestia chuckles

>”Now come, my sister should be waiting for you.”

 

 

>You exit the throne-room and walk along the now dark castle, it feels so different seeing the mighty statues gleam in moonlight giving them an earthly aura that looks almost sinister.

>You arrive a set of heavy doors, embossed on them is crescent moon symbol and standing beside each door is a guard, but instead of the feathered wings you saw on the others these have bat wings.

>You know that these creatures mean you nothing but goodwill, but there is just something so inherently evil about bat-like features.

>It's not until one of the guards perks up at seeing you and talks to you in a cheery and polite voice that you let your guard down.

>”AH princess Celestia! Always a pleasure, would you like me to inform your sister that our guest is here?”

>”Please.”

>the perky bat-like pony knocks on the door and enters closing it behind him.

>a few seconds later he and another pony walk out.

>the second is NOT the princess Luna but a scholarly type who politely shakes your hand. He is dressed in a smart suit (for a pony) and carries a bunch of scrolls with him in a bag.

>”Tis' a pleasure to meet you Sir Anon of Earth,  I am Noctis, aid of  princess Luna.”

>A royal aid, usually uptight and snobby, Noctis however smiles and greats you warmly.

“The pleasure is mine Noctis, I hope we get along.”

>”As do I, but if you'll excuse me, I have to be going now, it would not do well for me to keep Luna from seeing her guest.”

>Noctis trots off, and you doubt that'll be the last you'll see of him.

>The first guard opens the door to her chambers, you and Celestia walk in.

>Sitting at a desk is a large Alicorn only a little smaller than Celestia herself, she appears to be working on some papers but when she sees you she lays her pen down a approaches you.

 

 

>Her eyes betray her curiosity darting all over you as if trying to judge what sort of person you are from looks alone.

>She's quite stunning, a slender almost petite form compared to her sister with ethereal hair that shines like the night

>she certainly earned her name.

>You realise that nobody has said anything yet, so you slowly drop to one knee and bow your head.

“Princess Luna, sister of Celestia, I am Sir Anon of Earth, and if you shall have me, I wish to serve you as one of your guards, my sword shall be yours and shall protect you with my life.”

>You look back up and meet her eyes, she quickly looks away.

>perhaps she is uncomfortable with meeting new people.

>She takes a deep breath and turns back to you still avoiding making eye contact with you

>”Sir Anon of Earth, thou would be most happy to allow you to serve us, and we welcome you with open arms into our nightguard.”

>This whole thing is starting to sound rehearsed, her sister doesn't use any old or archaic so why does she?

>”Oh Luna I’m so pleased you accepted, I told you you would like him.”

>Luna turns away again, not out of anger or disgust but out of embarrassment.

>”Indeed he looks most capable, he shall be a fine addition to my guards.”

>”Actually Luna, I was thinking he shall serve you in a more personal role as your bodyguard.” Celestia continues.

>”A-a bodyguard? Sister please, I am not a foul any more, I don't need one.”

>”And thank goodness you don't, but still I want you to have him around, he is much like you dear sister more than you know.”

>She turns back to you still kneeling on the ground hand placed over your heart in respect.

>though very time she meets your eyes she turns away.

>”V-very well, we shall keep him as my bodyguard.”

>”Excellent, now if you don't mind...” Celestia yawns mid speech “... I think it's time for me to sleep, it has been a long day.”

>Luna looks confused

 

 

 

 

>”No it hasn't, you made today shorter by at least an hour.”

>”A 'busy' day Luna, it's been a 'busy' day.” she says as she walks out the room leaving you alone still kneeling with Luna.

>”You may rise Sir Anon.” and so you do.

“If it pleases you your highness, you may call me just Anon.”

>She smiles

>”And I would like it if you call me Luna.”

>Luna stands there wondering what to do next.

>”D-do you need to sleep or anything, we understand you are not naturally nocturnal.”

“No need I slept through the day, and I am ready to serve you all of the night.”

>Luna looks quite taken back.

>”Oh, well thank you Anon, we may continue with our duties then.”

>Luna walks back to her desk and shifts through her papers putting on some rather cute glasses.

>”Anon can you please inform my two guards and my aid Noctis of your new position.”

“Of course Luna.”

>you exit her chamber and see Noctis on a nearby bench looking through a scroll.

“Noctis...” you call out “...Her highness princess Luna has instructed me to inform you that I am her new bodyguard as of tonight.”

>”I thought as much, Celestia told us that you would now belong to the nightguard but we weren’t sure what position yet.”

>The guard who let you in speaks up too.

>”And it looks like you fit the role quite well, although just so you know Luna finds weapons rather unsettling to be around.”

>That must be why she avoided looking at you.

>Noctis gets your attention again

>”Yes I think now is a good time to go over Luna's.. .and by extension YOUR duties.”

>Noctis pulls a scroll from his satchel and unrolls it.

 

 

 

>”Right now, she will be answering letters to the crown and looking over the castle funds, you can count this as her breakfast.”

>you nod.

>”Then she has some free time, before holding court in the throne room for most of the night...”

>Noctis starts to list off all of Luna’s duties. Some like holding court sounding boring and others quite interesting like easing ponies dreams.

>Luna is becoming more and more interesting by the minute.

>Shortly after Noctis finishes explaining what the day holds (or rather the night) a castle maid pushing a trolley comes in.

>”Goodnight Noctis!” she says beaming a wide and warm smile

>”Hello Velia, Oh and while you're here, this is Sir Anon new bodyguard to Princess Luna.”

“A pleasure.”

>Velia gives a bow while still holding onto the trolley smacking her head on the handle.

>”ooow~”

>”Sir Anon, this is Velia she is the maid for Princess Luna and takes care of her meals.”

>”I do other things you know!”

>Noctis rolls his eyes as Velia pushes the trolley past and into Luna's room

>the pleasant smell of the food reminds you you haven't actually had a dinner yet.

>you decide you'll tough it out, one night without a meal won't kill you.

>An hour passes and Luna opens her door

>She spots you waiting patiently near the door and calls you in.

>”Anon, has Noctis gone over what we are doing tonight?”

“Yes Luna, if you have finished attending to the letter correspondences you currently have some free time before you hold court.”

>”Correct, I usually take this time to walk the castle gardens with Noctis to prepare for what lies in wait when I start court.”

>She looks uncertain.

>”But tonight I think I shall walk with you and get to understand who my new bodyguard is.

“Very well your highness.”

 

 

 

>You both exit the room and walk a few doors down the hall to Noctis's room where you see him organizing some books.

>”Noctis I shall be enjoying my short free time in the gardens with my new bodyguard, please get us when it is time to start court.”

>Noctis nods as he continues to sort through his books.

>The two of you enter into the moonlit gardens and walk around in silence for a few minutes.

>Luna breaks the silence.

>”S-so Anon, what do you think of the garden?”

>It seems she doesn't know exactly how to deal with you.

“It is a very beautiful garden.”

>with a dead end conversation like that you wonder if you should have even come along in the first place.

>you don't know flowers, or animals so you feel very boring.

>”I... don't know what to talk about.”

>Luna said that with just the right amount of guilt and sadness to make your heart break.

>and yet you've only known this mare for a couple of hours

“You don't have to speak to me Luna, if you would prefer I could wait inside and you can enjoy your break alone?”

>”NO!” Luna says with a little panic in her voice.

>She adjusts herself and calmly explains what she meant with that outburst

>”No, I want you to be here, I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable because I don't talk much.”

“I don't mind.” you say with a smile which Luna returns.

>the two of you continue walking in silence but now it doesn't feel as awkward as it was.

>after a long time you circle back round and now start walking towards the castle.

>the quiet peace has given you time to think again and your mind drifts.

>you think about what Celestia said, that you are more like her than she knows and what she meant by that.

>eventually though you exit the garden and rest inside the castle.

 

 

>”I'm happy you came along Anon, it's rare that I get to enjoy the garden in peace, even though I didn't get to know more about you.”

“There will be plenty of time for that later, I don't think I'll be going home any time soon.”

>you said that more as a joke, but Luna looks confused as to what you meant and it looks like she was just about to ask you but Noctis shows up.

>”Princess, it's time to start court.”

>”Of course.”

>She looks at you with a hint of hesitation that borders on fear.

>”Will you join me Anon?”

>she ideally brushes the ground with her hoof

“Always, you need only ask.”

>She beams wildly as you head off to the throne-room

>Luna seems like a nice girl, but you can't imagine her having had that many true friends apart from her Sister.

>And apart from her aid you are probably the longest she has had someone around to talk to.

>you figure you'll ask Noctis who her social circle is, partly to know who's a threat and who's not and partly to see how many other ponies she talks to.

>But for now court is in session and you sit near Luna as she hears the complaints of the people. A small village plagued by bad dreams from a spell gone wrong, a pony requesting a meteor shower to study and all other questions that bore you to death.

>if someone could die from boredom you would soon find out as another pony starts to talk about a potential money crisis if crown spending increases

>you could not give a single fuck and by the looks of it neither could Luna, she looks half asleep and is desperately trying to stifle a yawn.

>but finally he shuts up and waits for Luna's answer, but Luna was far too busy trying not to fall asleep to even begin to process what he was talking about.

>”Um what?” she asks behind half closed eyes and a tired visage.

>you fight the urge to facepalm

 

 

 

“The princess will answer your question by mail, she is currently late for an important meeting and cannot be kept any longer.”

>You motion for the pony to leave the courtroom which he reluctantly does.

“Sorry about that Princess Luna, but I figured it was better to save face than have you appeared bored in front of your subjects.”

>she waves a hoof dismissively

>”I love all my ponies, but sometimes being a princess is hard work, thank you for sending him away.”

“It's only a temporary solution, he'll still be expecting an answer at some point.”

>She looks a little disheartened but she puts on a brave face.

>”well, time waits for no mare, send in the next pony.”

>you open the door and ask the next pony to come in, having a look at the line forming you see at least another ten ponies waiting, some carrying huge stacks of documents which they no doubt want to go through with a fine tooth-comb.

>You hope this'll be over soon as the next pony walks past you confused and slightly scared by what you are.

>as you walk back to your seat (or rather the little ledge you decided to stand at which is just high enough to rest on)

>you think about what you're doing and you realise this is actually quite a lot like your old job when you where knight for your king and not for the princess of the moon, but there are few positive differences that make you happy to be here.

>Luna is certainly a better ruler than your king was

>The land was far more peaceful than yours was

>and you made more friends here in this brief time than you did in an entire year in your old knight position.

>perhaps you'll ask Celestia to take her time in researching a way home for you.

>”Greetings your highness, I wish to ask crown funding for a new project for combining water irrigation methods and seed distribution to increase farming output by a whopping two percent!”

“Dear god above please hurry Celestia and find me a way home.”