Vivid Colour walked down Glacier boulevard, one of the largest streets in Canterlot. It ran neatly from the castle to the platform overlooking the drop-off of the waterfall. Gated and protected gaps in the middle of the road occasionally showed the meter drop to the surface of the river it was named after, a placid seeming surface beyond which Vivid could not perceive, but she knew the measurements well. The channel was three meters deep and ten across, and the road covered all of it except the small windows.
Long long ago when Canterlot was built, the river had been diverted so that the massive foundations of the city could be driven into the bones of the mountain without risk of erosion. The river fell nearly a thousand meters before impacting the Glacier Break, a large pile of dense stones moved to that location to take the impact of the enormous stream of water.
But before she could reach the lookout platform and the small garden there, she turned left on Rail Road. A playful name, but an honest one. It had once been the path rail took to cut through the city itself and then head up to the peak, but now the rail lines had been split and the city had filled in the middle, all full of life and laughing ponies, homes and shops blending together with a charming sort of ease that Vivid found more in these more mundane parts of the city, than the riches and opulence in either the Castle district or near the edge, where the wealthy sought views in defiance of gravity and fear.
Unless they were Pegusi, of course, in which case they would often request extensions to their homes that would stretch out over the railings into the air. Requests which Luna denied on principle, to prevent a second city from growing off the capitol.
But the Rail Road still led to the station, and Vivid's destination. The train was just pulling in as the station came within range of her spell, and she caught the appearances of each pony exiting the train, one by one, as she approached and then finally stepped onto the platform to meet Lemon Tart as he settled his bags on his back and stepped out of the train car.
Silently, they embraced.
He had a beard, she noticed. Tightly trimmed. A mustache too. He wore glasses, and wrinkles around his eyes reflected a smile. Five years? Six years? It had been five, since she'd seen him in person. Two since they'd spoken through a spell she'd been crafting. A month since she'd sent a letter. He'd aged into himself, and seemed stronger in the way he stood, and Vivid wondered if it was a confidence born only from travel.
"Where is he?" Vivid asked with a coy smile.
Lemon laughed softly, before gesturing with his head back at the train car. Inside, a slight but tall stallion was doing his best to balance a pile of four suitcases on his back. Suitcases! Not saddlebags like sensible Lemon had, not even soft bags which could be laid atop eachother, but hard covered suitcases all bound in fabric.
Vivid snickered, and lit her horn, lifting all of the suitcases up and floating them out the door, quickly followed by the stallion, who huffed.
"Coulda got it, truly," he insisted with a slightly more dramatic accent than either Lemon or Vivid, distinct as coming from the Londos region.
"Vivid Colour, please meet the love of my life, Sharp Tack."
"A delight," Vivid said as she took Sharp's hoof and kissed it softly. "Welcome to Canterlot."
Sharp giggled, sitting back to put his un-kissed hoof to his chest. "The pleasure's mine, through 'n through. Charmer atop bein near the most legen'ary creature produced by Suffolk, that sleepy place."
"I do try," Vivid said with a little bow. "Now please, I've arranged rooms for you both. Together."
The stallions both had pink cheeks immediately, but Vivid didn't notice as she turned and began leading the way, bags floating easily behind her.
"So! You told me you'd cast that spell again, to chat! That was... how many years ago?" Lemon asked curiously.
"Two," Vivid sighed. "And I'm sorry, I didn't even tell you why I cast that spell, did I?"
Lemon shook his head, still smiling.
"The last... four years? For the last four years we've been dealing with incursions by the griffins. They've allied with the dragons and formed a force along our southern border. For the first time in three hundred years it was necessary for us to post troops in the Buffalo lands. It's been a constant game of diplomacy and slow troop deployments to fend them off, which necessitated long range communication--"
"And what's more long range than Bitain," Lemon finished, nodding. "Put me to some use, I don't mind that."
"Yes, but I should have made the time to contact you again," Vivid insisted. "But I became so busy. As various members of the castle have retired or moved into the military, I've taken on more responsibility, and had less free times. Would you like to know all my titles?" she asked sarcastically.
Sharp ran forward to trot next to Vivid, wide eyed. "Oh, please!"
Vivid blushed, and sighed. "Lady Vivid Colour, Mage of Equestria, Consort to the Lunar throne, Arbiter of the Arcane, High Magistrate of the Court, General of the Unicorn Offensive Division, and Archway Mage."
Sharp seemed genuinely impressed, while Lemon giggled. "Poor shy Vivid, right in the sunlight."
"No, it's quite dark, even at court. Easy to hide," Vivid muttered, her blush deepening.
"But you're so noble! So much effort, leading ponies of Equestria onward!" Sharp said with stars in his eyes.
Vivid groaned, and Lemon laughed. "You'll come to love him," he said with a gesture towards Sharp. "There's something quite nice about such awe."
"Maybe some day I'll agree," Vivid grumbled.
"Some day you must agree," Sharp insisted as they turned onto Glacier Blvd.
"I must do no such thing, but I shall become accustomed to it," Vivid corrected before Sharp drifted over to the viewing holes that dropped to the river.
Vivid slowed and stopped as Lemon and Sharp admired the construction. She smiled.
"The river, it's the waterfall?" Lemon asked.
Vivid nodded, and then started leading them to the lookout.
It was a small crescent moon shaped park, and the reverent quiet that fell over the place was enough that the roaring below could be heard constantly.
Lemon held Sharp's hoof tightly as they gazed over the side, at the streaming water shimmering in the moonlight. She relaxed a little, watching them. Taking in the wonders of Equestria.
"Thank you, I know you're busy," Lemon said softly as they finally turned back and returned to Vivid's side.
"I have enough time to let you two see the falls," she said with a little smile. "At least that."
They started walking again, and soon they were walking into the door of the inn, the nicest inn that she'd been able to afford. The red curtains filtered the magical light through as a glow onto the street, and once they were inside a comfortable warmth settled in.
"Lady Colour?"
"Just Vivid," she said with a bit of a smile as she stepped forward.
"Of course, Vivid, we have your room, one large bed, full service?" the receptionist said with a soft smile as she stepped out from the counter with a key floating in her magic.
Vivid nodded, and let her lead the way up two flights of stairs. The room had a balcony looking out over the boulevard, the moon low in the sky, the bed draped in silks.
With a smirk, that's when Vivid realized that she was fairly wealthy, as Lemon and Sharp openly gaped.
Vivid stacked Sharp's bags and stepped up next to Lemon.
"Yours, for a week," she said casually.
"By Celestia's breath, you're joking me," Lemon said breathlessly.
She laughed and turned to leave, but Sharp gently stopped her with one hoof.
"And... Is a'right, is a'right innit fer ponies ta know, round ere?" he asked anxiously.
Vivid turned back and steadied him with her hooves.
"You can be yourself, and let others know whatever you wish for them to know," she said firmly. "I... I hold my Luna, but rarely kiss in public. But when we do, I am not shy of others, just of my own timidness. You are safe here."
"Thank you," Sharp said, embracing her quickly, before she slipped out of the door, down the stairs, and out into the dark streets of Canterlot.
The streets were busy now, as the moon rose higher in the sky. Plenty of wealthy ponies bustling through Glacier road, now that it was 9, most ponies were awake. Vivid pulled up the hood of her cloak and moved quickly to the castle, ignoring the crowds and the occasional pony who would wave to her, trying to get her attention for a variety of unimportant reasons. Usually asking for a ruling on some minor issue that they would just have to wait for.
Once she passed the wrought iron gates and entered the gardens, she put down her hood and relaxed, her steps slowing.
Like a compass needle turning to the North, she found her steps carrying her to the side rather than into the castle itself. Deeper into the trees and the soft magical lights that glowed along the path borders.
She found Luna sitting next to a reflecting pool, staring into the mirrored surface with a contemplative expression.
"Love?" Vivid said softly as she approached.
Luna put out her wing, and Vivid found her spot under it, leaning close against her.
"Are you well?" Vivid asked, a bit worried.
Luna smiled just a little and kissed her on the cheek. "Your concern is touching," she whispered. "Just reflecting on missed opportunities."
Vivid Tilted her head, confused. "Missed opportunities?"
"Before you, I had one relationship," Luna admitted. "Just one, and... I waited too long, I was too nervous, thinking more than acting, and... I regret that."
Vivid thought on it for a bit, frowning, before looking back to Luna. "How long ago?" she asked.
"Six hundred years," she sighed as she looked up to the stars above.
"And you... haven't met anypony you've loved since then, was she... like me?" Vivid asked, now curious about this mare that Luna was occupied with this night.
Luna chuckled a little, and tilted her head. "I don't believe so. In some ways of course, all ponies share some traits, but she was a quiet mare that lived a quiet life. You have had a fire in your heart since you came to Equestria. Burning, determined."
Vivid blushed and smiled a little. "You think so?"
"I know so," Luna said, her smile growing. "It's incredible, you know. I spent five hundred years coming to terms with my essence, who I am and who I love. Then you come from a place of darkness, a place of pain, and over how few years, you admit your love to me and you make that love a reality we can share."
"If you'd told me how much work I'd take on, I would have kept it between us," Vivid joked, and there was a moment of concern in Luna's glance before she relaxed and chuckled.
"Surely it isn't all bad. Once Griffinstone calls off their offenses, things will settle down, and you will not be so busy."
"You mean I may even have a chance to take a few days off?" Vivid asked with false eagerness. "I can use that time to catch up on the paperwork that I'm not doing because I have so much paperwork!"
Luna sighed and pulled her close. "Some day soon, we will have days where you need not even read a page or scroll. I swear."
Vivid hesitated, suddenly nervous as she leaned into the hug, and frowned. "I don't take promises lightly, Luna..."
"I know. But I believe in this," Luna whispered. "I believe in us."
"I haven't visited her tomb in so long..." Luna sighed. "I was just remembering the last time I visited, that's what had me occupied."
"Where is she?" Vivid asked.
Luna pointed off towards the Southwest. "The forest has overgrown the old castle, but it is in the Everfree, a wild forest near the farmlands."
Vivid looked off into the distance, pondering the length of travel. "You could teleport there? Just the two of us?"
"I could," Luna nodded. "But it's a dangerous place. I would bring at least one guard, and would not recommend you attempting the transport."
"Why not move her here?" Vivid asked, annoyed by the growing complexity of such a visit.
Luna shifted a little, tightening her wing's grip on Vivid while ducking her head to be on eye level.
"That is where she fell," Luna said firmly. "And where she served me. I would not remove her from it. Some day, were the resources available, I would prefer to see a town established nearby, that could tame the area enough to make it an easier journey, but there is too much happening now for such a thing to take priority."
Vivid did not give up though, instead she was more motivated. "Then let us arrange this trip. Tomorrow night as soon as we wake."
"Tomorrow Evening is the latest command court," Luna sighed. "I'll be up early for that and then busy with the results for hours."
"Then let's go now!" Vivid insisted, tone sharp. "It's nearly midnight, and I know that we are unoccupied, as I'd scheduled much more time for my friends, before I realized they needed more time for themselves."
Luna was quiet, pondering the idea until finally she nodded.
In only took minutes to round up a guard, and inform the castle staff where they were going. All too quickly, Luna was charging her horn and they were vanishing, to reappear in an ancient castle courtyard, lush grasses growing up in every bit of dirt where flagstones and shifted. Vines and fully grown trees sprouted up through old structures, once mighty courtyard walls having fallen long ago, leaving open gaps through which Vivid could see a black forest, the moon overhead shedding only enough light to reveal the vague shape of the trees which were taller than some of the towers that still stood.
Luna looked around, and sighed, before continuing through the nearest door, inside.
As she walked, and Vivid followed next to the bat winged guard who carried a spear under one of her wings, soft blue magic touched upon gemstones set into the walls, lighting them up with a glow that just barely illuminated the path ahead, and the room it led through.
The doorway they had entered through was once two doorways. The first had fallen long ago, then a short entryway had passages to either side that entered the walls themselves, before a second doorway which still held against the elements. Swollen wood strained against rusted iron bands, and the lock had rusted away.
But when Luna pushed the doors open, Vivid and the guard both gasped softly, as the magical lights spread.
Vast skylight windows had fallen in so long ago that the frames had fallen as well, and been cleared away, leaving rectangular holes in the roof that let in shafts of moonlight, starkly outlining the thrones in black and white, as all the little magical lights revealed tattered tapestries along the walls, and other passageways.
But most astonishing to the two smaller ponies, as the Princess proceeded to one of the side passages, was the very fact of their being two thrones. The banner behind one held golden wheat in a sheaf, while the other held the moon and a scroll.
In Canterlot, a single throne stood, with a council room for Luna to meet with her advisors. The solar court was, even now, a minor thing. A very old tradition. To see it placed on par with the Lunar was jarring.
"Coming?"
Vivid broke her gaze from the solar throne and sped to catch up, the guard following her just as quickly.
They went only a short way down a hallway before turning through a still locked door which Luna managed to open without a key. A spiral staircase then led down and brought them to an antechamber with several doors. This time, the guard stepped forward and unlocked the appropriate door with an old key, which was returned to a velvet pouch after use.
And though the room beyond the door had once clearly been a vault, the back wall had been sundered, cut away with magic into a smooth tunnel which led about a hundred feet before ending in a circular chamber twenty feet high with a domed ceiling, pillars along the walls, and between the pillars directly opposite of the entrance there was a stone sarcophagus.
They were very quiet, as they approached. Every hoofstep seemed too loud so they stepped with grace.
Carved into the lid of the sarcophagus was a statue of a mare laid out on her side, sleeping. The mare had a very old style of mane, but Vivid could see her features. A softer rounded face, the sturdy build of a pony from a long line of hard workers. She was a unicorn, and her carved cutie mark was of a seal of nobility.
At least, Vivid was fairly certain it was of nobility. In the same style but not of a family she recognized.
Draped over her middle was a fine blanket. Just as much stone as the statue of the mare but the edges of which were actually gilded in gold, to imitate lace. It didn't make sense to Vivid why it would only cover her middle, but it must have some significance, she thought.
Luna stepped up next to the sarcophagus and touched her hoof so carefully to the statue's cheek.
"Hello Primrose," she whispered, smiling a little as a tear wet the corner of her eye.
Vivid hesitated nearby, but Luna gestured for her to come closer.
"This is Vivid Colour," Luna said as Vivid sat next to her. "You would have liked her, I think. Though certainly you wouldn't have approved of how much work I've given her to do."
"I don't mind," Vivid protested weakly, blushing. "I really don't."
"Ah, but I haven't made you Castilian yet," Luna hummed. "Primrose was Castilian in her day. Ran the entire castle."
"She must have worked very hard," Vivid said respectfully, but still nervously.
Luna leaned down, and kissed her on her cheek, before laughing a little and looking back to Prim.
"Ah yes, I do that now. In public, no less... I'm sorry I did not fight harder to give you that opportunity."
They fell silent again, Vivid leaning against Luna as they sat and focused on the statue in front of them, the pale lights all around them providing such a steady light that everything seemed to stand still for a while, just their breathing interrupting the silence.
"She looks like a farm pony in build, was she not from a noble family?" Vivid whispered.
"She was one of the first ponies that was not of Noble blood that gained such power," Luna nodded. "It took us far too long to embrace all of our ponies equally, and though I would like to think that I did so nobly, it was in part to annoy the nobility that had my sister's ear."
"You gave her a position of power out of spite?" Vivid asked incredulously, an eyebrow arched.
Luna's cheeks darkened, but she nodded. "It was an auxiliary position of sorts. All Lunar court positions were considered secondary to the Solar ones. So I did not actually care overmuch who took them. Just that they would actually serve me rather than my sister."
"Things were tense between you," Vivid observed.
Luna just sighed, and nodded, before stepping forward and kissing the statue on the cheek, then using a cloth to dust and clean her.
"I'm... Curious," Vivid started, waiting for Luna to look to her before continuing. "Why is her blanket so small?"
Luna looked back to the statue before smiling a little. "Yes, I suppose it would look odd to a modern pony. It's a saddle blanket. Not usable of course, but ornamental."
"Saddle?" Vivid asked with a raised brow. "You had a blanket just to cover the saddle?"
"Not the part of our back," Luna shook her head. "It is so called due to... Long ago, near to a thousand years, there was a period where tribes of ponies were ridden by two legged creatures that now reside far far to the South. Beyond even the buffalo lands. I don't even know if they still live. But the ponies that served them well would be rewarded with saddles, a back brace which would act as a seat as well. More comfortable to be ridden. It became a sign of servitude even to other ponies. And as she served me well.... It was engraved to show that."
"Well... It looks beautiful," Vivid said with a smile, as Luna stepped to the center of the room and looked around.
"I'm glad. I had hoped some day this place would be special in the histories of my ponies, but I fear Nopony besides us will see it. And my guards of course."
She smiled to the guard that had accompanied them, who bowed a little and smiled in return.
"We could make it known," Vivid pondered aloud. "Tell her story in a book, and make it available to Equestria."
Luna nodded, before grimacing. "Only half of Equestria is literate at all, sadly. So the reach would be limited."
"You have no public education?" Vivid asked, concerned that she'd missed such an important part of this country.
"It has been beyond our means for so long due to disparate control of various regions. It is just now becoming possible."
"Then name it for her," Vivid proposed, an eagerness in her voice. "So her story is spread even more. The Primrose program. Teaching every pony to read and write."
Luna pondered it, looking back at the sarcophagus. After a minute she smiled and nodded.
"She would have liked that. Yes, I think you're right. Thank you, Vivid."
"Somepony has to keep you from falling into a funk," Vivid said proudly as the trio started their walk back through the castle.
The last sounds the tomb held as they left were the laughs of Vivid and Luna, and a minute later the magical lights dimmed and winked out one by one, leaving the chamber dark once again.