>Another cold and lonely winter night patrolling around the Canterlot Castle.
>I’ve been Prince Artemis’ night guard for almost 4 years now.
>Since the beginning, I worked really hard to make him happy and feel safe.
>Yet, I was always pushed to the background by the other guards.
>None of them really liked me, nor respected me.
>I’m not sure why!
>I’m friendly, approachable, good looking….
>It’s already bad enough that most ponies think I’m a freak….
>But not even my fellow kind shows appreciation towards me.
>It’s been… less than desirable.
>Why lie?
>It’s been awful.
>I hate it!
>But… it’s not so bad when I really think about it.
>I gain the most pleasure of serving my prince.
>He makes my duties worth the pain.
>He is just so absolutely… wonderful.
>So… so wonderful~
>”MOON. SHADOW. PAY ATTENTION!”

>I snap my head up and see my superior angrily glaring at me.
>My heart begins to race.
>I tend to drift off often on my shifts.
>There is just so little to truly do!!
“I-I’m sorry! I was just checking around here, s-sir…”
>He scoffs at me.
>”You are absolutely terrible at this job! It’s a wonder why Prince Artemis keeps you around!”
>My heart hurts… I can’t stand this-
>”Get your ass back on schedule and do your damn job right!”
>He trots angrily right past me, bumping me hard as he goes by.
>I stare at the snow-covered ground for a second.
>I feel so saddened.
>Nonetheless, I continued my patrol route.
>Long, and lonely.
>The snow gently falls as I circle the castle grounds.
>I decide to cut it short and head up into the castle a bit early.
>I shake the snow off of my wings before proceeding inside the torch-lit halls of the castle.
>The route in here was much more pleasant, especially since I get closer to Prince Artemis.
>I always tried to take a detour to walk past the Prince’s room.
>It would be great fun to just see how the Prince was doing….
>No! I can’t! My superior is already angry with me.
>I just need to do my sad and solitary job.
>….
>Maybe I can just stop by for a quick second.

>I trot briskly up a few flights of stairs, down a few halls….
>It would be too risky to fly straight up to the Prince’s chambers.
>But this is taking a bit too long.
>I’ve never felt so excited!
>There’s a slight chance that I can see my beloved Prince Artemis….
>I can’t wait!
>After a few minutes, I arrive at the long hallway leading up his chambers.
>I slow down to catch my breath.
>Relax, Moon Shadow, you’re just stopping by to say hi.
>That’s all!
>You peer over the edge of the hallway.
>The night sky is beautiful.
>The snow is still falling.
>The moon… so large and gorgeous.
>My Prince always does such a nice job raising the moon.
>I love the night.
>I really do.
>And Prince Artemis makes me love it even more.
>He truly is such a magnificent-
>I look up and see the large doors leading to his chambers.
>They are adorned with dark gemstones, and the emblem of the moon.
>Beautiful….
>I look around, cautiously.
>I don’t need any other guards to know I’m doing this.
>I knock gently on the door.
>*Tap. Tap.*

>No response.
>I knock a tad louder.
>*TAP. TAP. TAP.*
>…
>Still nothing.
>Clearly my Prince is out on important business!
>But… as a Royal Night Guard to His excellence, it would be against my duties to not check up on him.
>My heart begins to race.
>I never had seen his room before….
>Am I really about to do this?
>….
>I push the door open slowly.
>My nostrils are immediately met with the scent of… cinnamon?
>I peer my head in and look around.
>The room is absolutely gorgeous.
>There is a large, lush purple bed in the middle.
>Floating red candles, giving the room a dim glow, surround the lovely bed.
>The walls are adorned with various crests, photos, weaponry….
>Such an incredible abode!
>I step in, trying to contain my excitement!
>I quickly take a gander at all of my Prince’s belongings.
>His bookshelf is stocked full of interesting tomes.
>His desk is covered in undoubtedly important documents.
>This is so much to take in at once!
>My beloved Prince, a scholar, a visionary, a great leader!
>How I love him so!
>I continue to explore every nook and cranny of his room.
>I try to take it all in as best I can!
>This may be the only opportunity I will ever have to be in such a wondrous place.
>After a few minutes, I decide that it’s best if I leave.
>I must return to my duties of course!
>And clearly, my Prince is doing fine elsewhere.
>I turn to head for the door.
>My legs stop moving.
>My Prince is standing before me.

>I immediately fall to my knees.
>My body is trembling so fiercly!
>What have I done?
>I keep my eyes closed, and my head down.
>This is it… My job as a guard is over….
>I hear Prince Artemis trot slowly over to me.
>The door shuts behind him.
>”Why… hello, my dear Moon Shadow.”
>His words gently press against my eardrums.
>They relax me, and send me into a state of peace.
>I yearn for him to speak more before I inevitably lose my job….
>”Why are you still kneeling? Stand, my friend.”
>Friend?
>His words… My heart cannot stand it.
>I rise slowly, my body still trembling, but my mind at ease.
>I keep my eyes closed, for my shame is still-
>”Let me see your eyes, my dear friend! There is no need for all of these royal formalities.”
>His words slowly spread my eyes apart.
>I look up.
>I’m greeted with Prince Artemis’ beautiful eyes.
>They seem to swirl before me like a galaxy of harmony.
>He is smiling at me.
>His smile…. His smile!
>My Prince is such a beautiful, beautiful, bea-
>”Now, what brings you to my quarters, Moon Shadow?”
>My mind begins to spurt out an endless stream of words.
>The emotion overtakes me!
“Uh….”
>Brilliant, Moon Shadow.

>Prince Artemis walks slowly over to his bed.
>”Come, Moon Shadow. Sit with me.”
>I quickly head over to his bed.
>I sit down slowly, with a nervous smile on my visage.
>I must look absolutely silly!
>”Moon Shadow, why are you so nervous? Relax, my dear friend. There is nothing for you to be frightened of.”
>His words.
>Oh me, oh my.
>His gorgeous words.
>They are so warm and gentle.
>If I could latch onto them for the remainder of my life I would!
>I take a deep breath and exhale.
>I smile at my Prince.
“I am very sorry, Your Highness. I… I j-just came by to check on you and…”
>My heart almost beats out of my chest as Prince Artemis lays a hoof on my shoulder.
>He smiles at me.
>My body must have turned to jelly by now!
>”Moon Shadow. You must learn how to relax around me!”
>He gets up slowly and walks over to his desk.
>”In all the time that you have served me… I have never seen you act calm around me!”
>He laughs as he begins to search for something on his desk.
>I laugh quietly.
>My body begins to stiffen again.
>”I must be honest with you, Moon Shadow. I’m quite happy that you are here tonight.”
>Prince Artemis returns to his bed, by my side.
>I cannot handle him being so close!
>His body is so warm… and soft…. And-
>”You are one of my favorite guards. No. That is a lie! You are undoubtedly my absolute favorite!”
>Nothing he said processed in my mind properly.
>He shut me down after “one of my favorites….”
>”In fact, I wish that all of the nights that you decided to walk by my chambers would have resulted in us… hanging out!”

>How could my Prince possibly know that I….
>I must be dreaming.
>This must ALL be a silly dream.
>Moon Shadow, hello?
>You are drifting off on your duties again!
>Wake up!
>”Are… you ok, my friend?”
>I snap back to reality.
>I look into my Prince’s beautiful eyes.
“I apologize… I… I am not accustomed to such kindness. In fact… my time serving you…”
>Prince Artemis puts a hoof up to my mouth.
>He shakes his head solemnly.
>”I know what you are going to say. I know that your time here has been difficult.”
>He scoots closer to me.
>”My other guards have been very… awful to you. For that, I apologize.”
>I feel like crying.
>Such kindness… from the most important being in my life.
>It…. It is too much.
>I cannot hold it in.
>A tear rushes down my cheek.
>My Prince rubs it off, making me flinch slightly.
“I’m… This is so embarrassing, Your Highness. I’m sorry! I… I just…”
>My words are stopped.
>My Prince has wrapped his forehooves around my neck.
>His warmth sends my pain away.
>His body feels incredible.

>”I know… that you care more for me. You care more for me than any other pony I know. That means something to me.”
>I slowly return my Prince’s sign of affection.
>My heart is pounding harder than ever.
>This… this is truly happening!
>”I have not been able to return the same feelings, but I have had them for just as long as you have.”
>Feelings?
>How….
>He knows my secret….
>”I cannot hide it anymore, Moon Shadow. I cannot allow you to be pushed so far away. I cannot allow you to be tormented by your peers.”
>I hold onto him more tightly.
>He returns with a tighter hug as well.
>I feel so warm… so wanted…..
>”I want you to be by my side, Moon Shadow. I want to watch over you, as you have watched over me for so, so long.”
>My insides begin to tighten.
“Prince… Prince Artemis….”
>I cannot even form words.
>I am overrun with emotion.
>I feel so… so happy!
>So truly happy!
>”You are unique. You are intelligent. You are strong. Moon Shadow, you are far more important to me than you may think.”
>My Prince pulls away from me.
>He looks into my eyes, filling me with more joy.
>He leans in and kisses my forehead.
>I feel my cheeks get hot.
“M-my Prince!”
>He kisses me on my cheek.
>He knows what he is doing!
>My Prince is… My Prince cares for me!
>I lean in closer to him, yearning for more attention.
>Prince Artemis smiles at me.
>He leans right up to me.
>His lips meeting mine.
>It feels as if I no longer exist.
>As if my entire being has been absorbed into the ether.
>I kiss My Prince, long and lovingly.
>He kisses me back, giving me more warmth and joy.
>I have never felt happier!
>We pull apart.
>My heart continues to pound as I smile at my beautiful Prince.
>”Would you do me the honor of staying in my chambers with me tonight?”
>My mind began to spew a millions words.
>I took a deep breath.
“But what of my superior? He-“
>Artemis kisses me again.
>He pulls away quickly and smiles at me.
>”Never mind that old fool. Just stay with me tonight, my lovely Moon Shadow.”
>I nod my head goofily.
>I would never turn down such an offer!
>My Prince laughs as his horn glows.
>One by one, the candles lose their dim flames.
>With each candle being put out, I lean closer to Prince Artemis.
>We kiss again.
>My body yearns for more.
>Soon, the last candle is extinguished.
>And my night with my Prince begins.
“My beautiful, beautiful Prince Artemis….”

~