Chapter 9:

Reunited, If For a Moment

The menagerie of the royal palace was the most peaceful of settings in the whole of Canterlot. With an unmatched collection of plants, trees, and animals, no other place in the city or Equestria could rival its beauty. The morning dew multiplied fresh scent of the gathered flowers and added to the tranquility. Even the most tempest of minds could find peace here. The daisies, lilies, orchids, lilacs, and countless other flowers from the nearby gardens all filled the air with their aromas. Each of those perfumes were accentuated by from the morning moisture. Peace would come to anypony who ventured in, such as a certain blue princess.

For the first time in this last 24 hours, Princess Luna sighed with calm and reverence. It was a rare treat for her to enjoy the menagerie during the early morning with her moon still high in the sky. Normally, Luna was on her way to her to the dining hall to eat with Celestia before lowering her moon. She would retire for the day after eating leaving no time to enjoy the menagerie or garden in the morning. But today, she needed a moment to reflect. Her gothic chariot had only just left her in the menagerie after returning from Ponyville with her joyful news. The Princess of the Night strolled the path and took in the symbolism of the new flowers that come with spring. For she too was with new life. And just as the dew collected on the flower petals, Luna's tears of joy collected in her eyes.

Luna awoke to Apple Bloom at the foot of the bed. The blue princess was overjoyed to see her little friend again. Surprisingly, Apple Bloom had only come to wake the princess to ask for help with her history homework before supper. After Fluttershy, Big Mac, Applejack, and Apple Bloom went to bed; Luna and Granny Smith spoke long into the night about raising children. Luna picked every bit of information she could think of from Granny Smith. And for Granny, it brought back fond memories of her when her children and grandchildren were young. The two spoke of story books, toys, games, feeding, lullabies, and everything else a new mother might need help with. But the best advice Granny Smith gave was for Luna to listen to her maternal instincts. Luna did question if she was ready for a child. More if she could raise her child correctly, especially considering her checkered past as Nightmare Moon. Granny Smith reminded her that Luna was not alone in this adventure. Prince Rogue Storm was going to be there right by her side. And the elder pony reminded the princess of just how good the Prince of the Sky's paternal instincts were. The two ponies giggled as they thought back to Joseph handling Apple Bloom's tussle with Diamond Tiara. The way he acted as a human, there was no doubt Rogue Storm was ready for children. After Granny Smith went to bed, Luna stayed in the den to visit the dreams of her many subjects before making the journey back to Canterlot.

A butterfly wafted past the princess as she stopped and sat beneath an Oak Tree. The sounds of the crickets were dying down. And the many birds gathered in the area began to sing and welcome the new day. It made the princess a little curious about something.

"Do you hear the birds singing, my little one?" Luna cooed to her stomach. A hoof raised and gently caressed her blue torso. "For that matter? Can thou hear min, my beloved child?" A tear filled the alicorn's eye and the bright smile of motherhood graced her face. The princess had her baby inside her. It was almost too good to be true. "We cannot wait to introduce thee to all that is here. We foresee this menagerie will be blissful to thee. I can see Rogue setting a picnic as you rest swaddled in silk in my loving embrace." But introductions of other kinds were on Luna's mind as well. She wanted to know if she should tell her husband of the joyful news right away or wait. Unlike other mares, Luna did not have the luxury of time. Doctor Defib's evaluation had revealed she had only a matter of days before the baby was due to be born. It could be the day after tomorrow or sometime next week. And there was still so much to do to prepare for the baby's arrival. They didn't even have a bassinette for the baby. Luna shook the panic away and thought back. She remembered that Prince Rogue Storm had been through a lot these past few days. The selection of the Storm Corp, the upcoming reception, acclimating to his new life and royal title; it was too much for most creatures to handle. And she was continuing to worry about the nightmares he was having. Would it be wise to tell Rogue Storm he was going to be a father? Could his shoulder bear any more?

The chirping of two blue jays above Luna broke her thought and she looked up. A male had just flown back to his nest and gave his mate a worm to eat while she sat in the nest. The princess fluttered her wings and flew up to the branch. The female gulped down the worm and nuzzled her mate tenderly. She stood up and checked the precious eggs below her. Luna smiled again as the mother bird kissed her three eggs and settled back onto them. The male then looked to her and smiled. Seeing the look of joy on that male bird's face convinced Luna. Knowing of his coming child would do nothing but bring the soon to be father great joy.

"I'll tell him. Thank you, little feathered friends," Luna said and swooped upwards to her balcony on the adjacent tower. Landing with unequaled grace, Luna took a deep breath to prepare. Her blue eyes locked onto the double doors and drawn curtains. The knots in the alicorn's stomach began to twist as she prepared. "Rogue Storm, we have wondrous news…" she mused. Luna thought for another second. "Darling, there is something thou must know…" Luna sighed and brought a hoof to her forehead. Through all the trials these two lovers had shared, it was still possible to lose their words with each other. "Take heed, Luna. Thou hast defended Rogue from Celestia, declared thy love for him, and lost thy father for him. Informing him of this pregnancy shouldn't stifle thy tongue." The princess took a final look at her ghostly reflection in the glass door and straightened her mane and fur. For a final bit of inspiration, Luna shook off the greave on her right fore hoof where she hid her gift from Granny Smith. Luna's confidence rose from the booties and she got ready to the news with Rogue. Back Luna's hoof went to hide the gift. Her horn charged and magic gripped the handles on the doors. She took a deep breath and readied herself. "We hope we will not disturb his slumber." The princess stepped forward and the doors swung open…

"NO, NO!" Rogue was screaming. "Get the hell away from me!" Luna dashed in to see her husband tossing violently in a pool of sweat on the bed. "Get off of me!"

"Rogue!" Luna called and jumped on the bed to be at her husband's side. She saw his eyes were clenched shut. "He's dreaming." Luna said. She grabbed her husband and shook him to wake the distressed prince. "Darling, wake up. Wake up." Rogue continued to violently shake and his eyes shot open like lightning. Rogue leapt from the bed with his horn charged pushing Luna onto her side of the bed. His sword flew from its scabbard on the dresser and hovered before the prince. He briefly swung the blade wildly before he came to his senses and relaxed himself. The sword fell and clanged on the ground. Rogue soon followed his blade to the ground.

"Not again." Rogue whispered with ragged breath. "Not another one."

"Darling?" Luna chimed and the prince turned. The look on Rogue made the princess recoil a little. Rogue's brow and body were soaked with sweat and his eyes had bags beneath them. The ethereal black mane was so heavily split, it looked like a mosh of tendrils flickering in the air.

"Luna!" Rogue called and rushed over to her. "I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?"

"Nay, Rogue," Luna said. "Have you had another nightmare?" Rogue's breathing started to calm down and he ran a hoof through his mane.

"I'm ok, darling," he said sheepishly. "It's just a dumb dream." Rogue hopped up on the bed to hug his wife. But Luna put a hoof up to stop him.

"Let me see what has been troubling you, Rogue," she said raising her hooves to Rogue's face.

"Luna, you don't…" Rogue began.

"Hush!" Luna rebuffed in her most serious tone. "You have not slept well in days. Not since the last night of our honeymoon." The Princess of the Night touched Rogue's cheeks and closed her eyes. "Make haste, dear husband. Dreams are quickly forgotten upon waking. Relax and think of the dream you just woke from." Rogue sighed and relented to the wishes of his wife. As Rogue closed his eyes, Luna opened hers. The blue alicorn's eyes shone like her full moon and the spell was in full swing.

The blue alicorn opened her eyes to a grey haze. She looked left and right but couldn't find Rogue Storm or the cause of his nightmares. But just because she couldn't see anything, it didn't mean there was nothing there. Luna was cold. The air was dark, dank, and dreary. All of this brought the princess to a near shiver. Fear slowly crept up her spine and told her to run. But Luna needed to find something, anything, to give her a clue. She had to explore the dream, not out of duty but love for Rogue Storm.

"There must be something here," she mused. "Please do not let Rogue's memory falter." Luna dared to take a few steps into the unknown mists. The temperature started to drop and soon the Princess of the Night could see her breath. All the while, fear continued to grow inside the princess. The cold nipped her flesh and Luna soon began to shiver. "We…can now see…why R-R-Rogue…is so vexed," she stuttered from the cold. On she went further into the mists. After a few moments, Luna was beginning to lose hope of finding anything. "Oh dear, Rogue may have forgotten his entire nightmare by now." The princess was about to stop the spell when a shadow caught her eye. Slowly the princess proceeded towards the movement. After passing through another bank of mist, Luna saw what she was looking for.

Rogue Storm was on the ground being stomped by an older human in a charcoal suit. Behind the human, two ponies were having a discussion. Luna couldn't make out who they were. She could only see one was male and the other female. She heard no sound from the group. All of their movements were blurred and choppy. Rogue's mind was forgetting these images the longer he was awake. The Princess of the Night charged at the figures to find out what was going on. The full scene brought terror to the Princess of the Night. Rogue was bleeding from the mouth. The older human continued to pummel the grey alicorn on the ground. In between blows, the figure pointed and was shouting at the prone alicorn. Try as she did, Luna could not make out whose face was on the assailant. All she could make out was the mouth. The visions began to blur further. But Luna made out one word coming from the older human's mouth.

"Joseph..." the figure mouthed. The spell snapped and Luna was cast out of Rogue's mind and back into her bedroom. There wasn't enough of the dream left to sustain her visit. The princess lowered her hooves and her eyes stopped glowing.

"What did you see?" Rogue asked.

"Do you not remember?" Luna asked.

"No, not much of it," the grey alicorn said. "That's what's weird. I remember most of the last few nightmares. But not this one. Something was different about it. I feel…"

"Rogue, you were attacked," Luna began cupping Rogue's cheeks. "Thou were the victim of an assault. A violent one." The eyes of the grey alicorn widened at what his wife said. The previous night, he was assaulted before in his dreams. "And thou were coughing blood; a very large amount of blood. Pray tell, min love. What is happening in thy mind? Please, let me aide you." Rogue saw the concern in Luna's eyes. The hellacious manner of the last few nights were finally starting to weigh heavily on the prince. Blood, assaults, the return of his father, and those mysterious ponies were starting to chip away at the little patience and sanity Rogue could muster. Perhaps it was time to talk with Luna. But before Rogue could answer his wife a knock on the door broke the two from their moment.

"Enter," Rogue called. The door opened and Page Master came into the room.

"Good Morning, Sire," the blue unicorn said. The aide dropped into a bow upon seeing the royal couple. "And Good Morning to you too, Princess Luna. I trust you two are well this fine day." Page Master's magic swung the curtains open and Rogue recoiled from the morning sun. Page Master noted his reaction and reveled in it. The prince was getting worse with each slumber. "Oh my," he said with false concern. "It would appear that nap did nothing to assist you, Sire." Though Page Master perfectly wore a sympathetic look, on the inside he was ecstatic with the prince's appearance.

"T'was another nightmare, Page Master," the princess said lightly pushing the prince back to the mattress. "Rogue has not slept well since we returned from our honeymoon. Please assist in returning him to bed."

"I can't go back to sleep, Luna," Rogue said as he found his strength and walked to the bathroom. His steps were slow and dragged on the marble floor. "I need to get ready."

"Darling, please," the blue alicorn begged. "Thou art exhausted and must rest." The prince continued his slow pace into the bathroom.

"I can't," he said turning on the shower. "I have a breakfast meeting with some important guests." Luna watched as Rogue quickly looked in the mirror and shook his head at what he saw.

"Prince Rogue Storm is hosting some VIPs with Prince Blueblood for breakfast, Your Highness," Page Master said.

"Can he not reschedule?" Luna asked.

"I'm afraid…" the blue unicorn began.

"Oh accidenti, che è freddo," Rogue shouted as he jumped into the deluge of water.

"…the Prince has already canceled once," Page Master finished with a puzzled look. "Is he alright? I'm not familiar with what the prince said."

"Rogue taught me some of his Italian language during the honeymoon," Luna said. "The cold shower he jumped into was colder than he expected. I refuse to translate its literal term." The princess looked into the bathroom with concern then back to Rogue's aide. "Perhaps I should join him and help prepare my beloved."

"No, Luna," Rogue called. "It's alright. The water already has me wide awake." The princess was moments away from demanding her husband rest. Even before the time of Nightmare Moon, Luna had seen far too many ponies fall into madness and depression from a lack of sleep. The shower shut of and Rogue came out shivering to dry himself. Once dry, the grey alicorn looked at his aide. Luna was ready to force her husband into bed until Page Master started to talk with Rogue. "How many are coming?"

"Only five ponies, Sire," Page Master said. "The guest list includes Jet Set and his wife Upper Crust; Stock Ticker, the Honorable Judge Gavel, and Prince Blueblood's workout partner Close-Up. Close-Up is quite well known as a trainer to the most elite of Canterlot. He is most assuredly somepony to network with." The urge to force Rogue back to bed was quickly dashed from the princess's mind. Upon hearing who these very important ponies were, she knew why Rogue was insistent on keeping this breakfast engagement.

"And what time will they arrive?" the Prince of the Sky asked as he ran a comb through his ethereal mane and tail.

"Promptly, Sire," Page Master said. "Prince Blueblood is likely greeting them at the moment before escorting your guests to the garden. The prince's black mane whipped back and forth violently at the blue unicorn's words. Even Luna was aghast at the aide. Page Master had always been very keen on time and punctuality. Why now would he deviate from that nature? Such a breach of habit and protocol raised the princess's anger.

"What!?" Rogue snapped turning. "Page Master, I told you to come and get before they arrived." Even Luna glared at the royal aide. Despite having two angry alicorns staring at him, Page Master maintained him composure.

"Prince Rogue Storm, I did come to wake you 30 minutes ago," he began. "But you're exact words were, 'Please give me a little more time to rest. I'll be up and ready then'. You were so peaceful in your sleep, Sire. Despite my better judgement, I agreed to give you a little more rest." Luna looked with more suspicion at the unicorn's statement. She had seen the amount of sweat on the bed and her husband when she woke him. There was no way a brief nightmare could produce that much perspiration. It could only come from one lasting the whole night. She was about to speak her mind when Rogue placed a kiss on her lips.

"We'll discuss this later, Page Master," he said before turning back to Luna. "I'm glad you're back, Luna. After breakfast, I want to hear all about what happened in Ponyville. You look so much better."

"We do feel wondrous," Luna chimed. Rogue placed another kiss on his wife and made his way to the door. He turned back to give Luna a parting wink and Prince Rogue Storm left the room with his aide. Luna smiled as she watched her husband leave the room. But when the door closed, she fell to her haunches with a little sigh. The princess did not get a chance to tell Rogue Storm of the blessed event. It hurt that she couldn't. The Princess of the Night was worried twofold. She was worried about Rogue's ongoing nightmares and how it was affecting him. But she was more concerned about the growing life inside her. Time was of the essence. And Rogue needed to be informed as soon as possible. But how?

The two stallions walked through the halls in silence as they made their way to the palace gardens. Rogue had adopted his formal poise after leaving the bedroom. The two were discussing Blueblood's and Page Master's decision to let Rogue sleep a little more. But the disguised changeling's mind was not solely focused on the prince's words. Page Master was elated to see he had the upper hand. The exhaustion from constant nightmares had weakened Rogue's fortitude and quelled his nature. Rather than feel the same strength from the selection from the Storm Corp the previous night, Page Master could feel Rogue's emotions faltering. It was very clear Rogue Storm's show of strength from the other night was the last remnants he could muster. His spirit was finally starting to crack. As such, the prince was more malleable to Page Master's changes.

"…so the next time I tell you to wake me up," Rogue continued. "I expect my wishes are to be honored. Even if I beg and plead for a few more minutes." The changeling stopped walking and adopted a shamed look.

"Forgive us, Your Majesty," he said with a submissive bow. The prince's stern face subsided and the two continued on.

"Now, I assume you have prepared dossiers on the ponies I'll be meeting today," the grey alicorn said.

"Yes, Sire," Page Master said. He produced a scroll and unfurled it. "Jet Set and his wife Upper Crust are socialites with their hooves in several industries. Jet Set is an investor of impressive skill while Upper Crust known to frequent several charitable committees, when they are not lounging at the nearest country club that is. Stock Ticker is a unicorn with hooves of gold. Any stock, bonds, or mutual funds he touches sky rockets in value. Quite an impressive fortune he has amassed. Judge Gavel is known as one of the one of the harshest judges in Canterlot. If you should find yourself in his courtroom and on his bad side, well don't." Prince Rogue Storm raised an eyebrow at Page Master's words. It sounded as though the judge would be someone he would enjoy being around. "And lastly is Close-Up. He is a renowned model and workout partner of Prince Blueblood."

"What else can you tell me about them?" the Prince of the Sky asked.

"This meeting could be pivotal in your trade negotiations after the reception," Page Master began. "Stock Ticker and Jet Set can provide you with an in-depth understanding of the implications should the trade deal fall through."

"Fall through?" Rogue snapped. "You doubt my abilities to handle a simple negotiation, Page Master?" The disguised changeling was enjoying this new short tempered version of the prince.

"I doubt nothing, Your Majesty," he answered. "But there are severe implications to this deal. Should anything go amiss, it will be felt from Yakyakistan to Griffonstone."

"This deal is that big…" Rogue mused with another yawn. "Saddle Arabia's reach must be interwoven with all of Equestria's finances."

"An understatement to say the least, Sire," Page Master said.

"Then I'll have to do my best," the prince said as the two came out of the hallways and approached the doors leading to the palace gardens. Rogue deviated away from his aide and took a peek from behind the curtain. Out in the garden was Blueblood, Moondancer, and all of the guests. All were posh, poised, and dressed in their best. Two ponies were dressed in a matching suit and dress while they moved together like they were attached at the hip. Jet Set and his wife Upper Crust most likely. The prince wanted to comment on how the mare's upper lip could only get that stiff from botox. An older stallion in a crisp black suit with matching tie came into view with another younger stallion. Even at a distance, Rogue could see the suit the other stallion wore was expensive. Judge Gavel and Stock ticker no doubt about it. At the table sat Prince Blueblood and another white stallion with platinum blonde mane and tail. That had to be Close-Up. Rogue let the curtain go and sighed heavily with exhaustion with a hint of dread. Something was not sitting well with him. And it was not in part the fatigue from his lack of good sleep. Memories came back from his previous life. An aura from several parties were a good time was the least on some people's minds. Instead, they wanted something. Every party Joseph ever attended he had felt this aura. It always proved to be true. And tonight he was getting the same feeling in the pit of his stomach. By all that was sacred, he wished Luna was here with him.

"Ah I see you are taking your regal time, Sire," Page Master mused with humor in his voice. Making them wait while you make your grand entrance. Brilliant, Sire. I applaud your decorum.

"If only that," Rogue said with another yawn. "The second we sit down, I want the strongest coffee you have brought to me, Page Master. If these ponies are the sharks that Blueblood said they are I will need every bit of everything I can gather." The disguised changeling nodded and reached for the doors as the Prince of the Sky quickly smoothed his coat with his chain mail sleeve. "Here we go, boy. Don't fuck this up." Rogue said as he steeled himself for what he knew would be a very trying meal.

A/N: It's been so long my little brony friends.

Did you think I was gone forever, that this story was gone forever?

No no no. I have much to do to twist your thoughts of the Prince and fair Princess.

What will become of them?

Will their baby come sooner? Later? Perhaps not at all…

And will the devious duo of Blueblood and Chrysallis find themselves on the throne.

More so, what will happen with my other story, or perhaps…stories…

Tune in next time for the continuing adventures of Cross the Line.

And be ready…there is another tale brewing in the darkest reaches of my mind.

Read & Review

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I missed you all, too. Ha ha ha ha ha ha