After 1,000 painful years of solitude and loneliness, the royal sisters were finally united to rule together, as they should've been from the start. Thanks to Twilight Sparkle, Celestia's most faithful student, and Twilight's newfound friends, the royal sisters could finally begin their reign together.

Fate had been cruel and order unkind

But you have returned to stay

As thanks, Celestia permitted Twilight to remain in Ponyville. It was a small favor in comparison to having her sister by her side. Of course, she wasn't ignorant and she knew Luna was going to need time. Luna had only smiled once since she returned, which was after a few ponies had given her a rose garland. And Celestia was fine with that. She was willing to give her sister all the time she needed.

The blame was my own; the punishment, yours

But finally, it's over today

As they returned to the castle, Celestia quietly led Luna along as the latter still stared at the ground. She hadn't spoken a word since her apology. Celestia remembered her mistake a millennium ago, not noticing Luna's despair until it was too late. Luna may have accepted her friendship, but that didn't mean Celestia could pretend there was nothing to amend.

But into the stillness, I'll bring you a song

And I will your company keep

Celestia led Luna to her bedroom. Her heart silently screamed with joy this room would no longer be sorrowfully empty. Luna didn't smile, but she did gaze around at the familiarity. Over the course of her imprisonment, she had forgotten what this room looked like, but seeing it again immediately jogged her memory. Naturally, it was very much outdated now, but she didn't care. A little more interesting detail she noticed is it was spotless, and she realized Celestia must've kept it clean for her all that time.

However, after her admiration of her old room, she slowly lowered her head and gazed beneath her once more. Celestia nuzzled her and gently lifted her head up, and she gave her older sister a questioning look.

"Are you tired, dear sister?" Celestia asked. Luna stared at her bed for a moment, back at Celestia, and nodded.

Till your tired eyes and my lullabies

Have carried you softly to sleep

Luna stepped out of her shoes and climbed into her old bed. Its feel stunned her at first, but she quickly settled herself into it. It scared her how she'd forgotten such small things like the feel of comfort and the look of her room, but it was to be expected. Celestia pulled the cover over her, just as she'd do so long ago before heading out for her daily royal duties.

Yet, Luna seemed like she couldn't sleep. Her eyes wouldn't close. She fidgeted around a little, but discomfort wasn't the problem.

Were Luna not unhappy at the moment, Celestia could've smiled. This was like a millennium ago. Back then, Luna also had occasional trouble falling asleep. That was when Celestia would...

"Once did a pony who shone like the sun

Look out on her kingdom and sigh"

Luna relaxed again and listened, surprised for a moment as she watched her sister. That song. How was it so familiar? Where and when did she hear it?

"She smiled and said, "Surely, there is no pony

So lovely and so well beloved as I"

Celestia paused and rested on her knees at Luna's bed. Luna moved a little closer to her, and looked at her intently. Celestia was shocked for a small moment, but quickly smiled before she continued.

"So great was her reign and so brilliant her glory

That long was the shadow she cast"

Luna felt herself becoming more drowsy. She felt like her eyes might close.

"Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved

And grew only darker as days and nights passed"

But not yet. No, not yet. She wanted to hear.

"Soon did that pony take notice that others

Did not give her sister their due

And neither had she loved her as she deserved"

Luna sat up on her knees at that part. Celestia's face was somber and her voice had a hint of the same.

"She watched as her sister's unhappiness grew"

Luna began to remember. She knew when this song was from. But she'd always thought it was all in her head, that she was only hearing things.

"But such is the way of the limelight, it sweetly

Takes hold of the mind of its host"

This is when Celestia looked like she could begin crying.

"And that foolish pony did nothing to stop

The destruction of the one who had needed her most"

Luna remained seated and still, listening, but slowly beginning to fight the same urge.

"Lullay moon princess, good night sister mine

Rest now in moonlight's embrace

Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth

Through cloud, and through sky, and through space"

But the threatening tears were restrained for a little longer when Celestia saw Luna smile. And she smiled brightly.

"Carry the peace and the coolness of night

And carry my sorrow in kind

Luna, you're loved so much more than you know"

Luna jumped off her bed and hugged her sister as the happy tears broke loose.

"May troubles be far from your mind

And forgive me for being so blind"

"I do," Luna whispered.

Celestia's own tears now broke loose. She held her sister tightly, and neither was letting go soon.

"The years now behind us

Lonely, but now the past

I never imagined

This long I could last"

Luna understood. She knew. She felt it. And she couldn't have smiled more brightly if she tried.

"May these thousand winters

Swiftly pass, I prayed

I love you"

Luna: "I missed you"

Both: "All those miles away"

Celestia helped Luna climb back into her bed and pulled the cover over her once more. The tears from both ponies had ceased, leaving only soft smiles between them.

Celestia: "May all your dreams be sweet tonight"

Luna: "Safe upon my bed in my sister's light"

Luna pulled Celestia into her bed, and snuggled into her sister's embrace again as much as possible.

Celestia: "And know not of sadness, pain, or care"

Luna: "And when I dream, I'll fly away and meet you in daylight there"

Both: "Sleep... sleep... dream..."