After the Pelican managed to limp it's way back to Ponyville, we were met by a larger contingent of guards, loading those that couldn't fly back into chariots, this was Standard procedure. . .in and Emergency the Princesses made their way back to the castle as quickly as possible, no matter how far away they were. Fortunately Canterlot was only a few miles away, though most of that distance was strait up into the mountains.
I didn't speak with Obsidian on the return journey, I told myself it was because I was busy with making sure everypony was safe, but that was patently untrue and I knew it. She was good at the silent treatment, unsurprisingly and I found myself glad she was still wearing the locket I had gotten her. Perhaps that was a good sign,perhaps she'd just not thought to take it off.
I told myself I'd talk to her when we got back to the dorm, try to untangle what I'd said the night before. I desperately just wanted to talk to her, try and explain that she was special to me . . .I honestly had no plan. When the sun was finally down I walked back into the dorm and knocked on Obsidian's door, and there was no answer. My heart sank, where was she? We were technically on a"Grievance Leave" because of Morning Blast's death, officially off duty for a few days . . .had she gone into town to see her grandparents?
I pushed open the door, peeking inside. . .the room was empty,cold,dark and lifeless. There was still a hint of her perfume in the air. Here where her and I spent magical times together, where I learned to love and be loved. . .now was empty. I could relate to this room,Without Obsidian I was empty. I could look for her, ask around. ..but if she wanted to speak with me she would, and I wasn't sure what I'd say anyway.
I laid in my bed, under the blankets that Obsidian helped me pick out on our second "date" resting my head on the pillow she recommenced, and turned down the lantern she showed me was on sale. Everything in my room reminded me of her, of the way she made me feel at home. Still, this was as it should be. . . I owed the princess everything, and denying her wishes for my own desires was against everything I was ever taught about my role in the world. I closed my eyes, and forced myself into sleep.
----*----
My Dreams were unpleasant.
I found myself on a ridge, on a red night, wearing a tattered white turban and robe to fend off the cold of the night. Below my, a city burned. My fellow legionaries, carrying torches, stormed into the town but I remained on the rocky ridge, the sounds of slaughter below. . .screams of children, men begging for their lives. My commander roared at the Legionaries, demanding they had no mercy. The dark of the night was made an eerie red from the flames, so bright it illuminated the clouds from below. I was hiding in the cleft of the rock, watching the chilling slaughter as well as I could in the dim light, which thankfully gave me no view.
"Why are you hiding Windjammer? Why are you not down there with your brethren, in that city who's name you do not remember?" The ghostly voice of princess Luna called out.
I turned my head to see the Indigo princess outlined in the orange of the distant firelight, her eyes sad.
"They demanded we march through the streets, burning every house, shop and stall." I explained as if this was all the answer I needed. "anyone who resisted we were to kill,"
"But you were indentured to the Tajir, shouldn't you have done what they said?" Luna asked.
"Yes, but-"
"And were you penalized for your insubordination?" she asked.
"I was beaten, and my debt was increased."
"Then why did you not simply do as they said?" She asked. "You certainly didn't know any of the ponies in this city, you owe them nothing."
I shook my head, "I could never kill innocents, I couldn't have stopped it but I refused to participate, my own conscience is clear. Still, it was ultimately for nothing; the city still burned."
"I see," the Princess said.
The scene in my dream changed dramatically, twisting and warping into a bright and warm day in a crowded market. A chubby flower merchant smiled at me, holding a bouquet of Jasmine flowers.
"That will be five rel," The Merchant said.
I reached into my modest coin purse, handing almost half the money I had to the merchant.
"Thank you sadik, and you mentioned you wanted these delivered?" The kindly merchant said.
"Yes, to a mare named Jamila, on Fortune square, the red house."
"I will take it there myself later today," The Merchant said, "Would you like to include a note?"
I thought for a moment, "Yes, tell her. . .Do not loose hope, your family is well and we love you. . . we will return to you."
The Merchant wrote down the message and nodded. "Of course, I will include that."
"Thank you," I said with a smile, walking away from the Merchant's stall.
Just around a corner in the street I saw Princess Luna, shielding her eyes with a parasol at a market cafe, eating from a bowl of dates.
"That was a very nice gesture," Luna said, "But I thought you were Forbidden to contact your mother while you were indentured."
I nodded, "I was,"
"And your superiors, did they find out?"
"Yes,"
"This time, you received far more than a beating."
I paused, hating the memory. "I was branded with hot irons, and starved for three days. They only started feeding me again because they needed me for a fight. It was nothing but molded bread and rotten rice."
Luna motioned for me to sit, and I did.
"Windjammer,it's unusual, you have a rebellious heart, you have always been determined to do what was best for other regardless of the consequences to yourself. You did good with no hope of reward, and somehow you still feel you deserve nothing. You have such a good heart, I have rarely seen one so selfless and pure."
I smiled humbly, but these were not good memories for me.
Luna changed the scene again, we were standing in that city again, the who's name I failed to even remember. A few blocks were scorched and burned but I was surprised to find most of the streets were untouched. I saw a father hold his children, a Merchant proudly open his shop, a road side diner handing out food to those that lost their homes, a cloth seller handing out blankets to homeless to fight the cold night. This town was supposed to be nothing but ashes, yet most of it still stood.
"I had no idea,"
"These ponies are alive to this day because you inspired a mass desertion,and the Tajir was unable to harm these people as they wished."
With this, I knew my act of rebellion, those scars from the whip that Ihid because I was ashamed of them. . .they were now marks I could be proud of.
"I will show you one more thing, and it may disturb you." Princess Luna said plainly, "But you will see that what you do is not in vein."
With that, we were in that red house on Fortune square, the house where I grew up. Then, I saw my mother. She was older than I remember, but wearing her years well. She was thin, and the hijab she always wore was now threadbare. I wept, she was alive and well, and there on a shelf near the window were all the wooden ships I made her for hearth's warming eve. She was talking to Al-Abalah, and the conversation was one I never knew took place.
"Madame Jamila," Al-Abalah greeted.
"Remove yourself from his house," She said with a scowl, "Only my husband is welcome here, and once the religious courts review my appeal he will return."
"That is the matter I wished to discuss with you," Al-Abalah said. "I fear there was an accident at the Oil field, and your husband and sons have died."
Jamila's eyes were wide, shimmering with tears, "No. . ."
"It's A LIE!" I shouted,
"Windjammer,this is but a shadow of the past, none can hear you." Luna explained, "But do not despair, this will get better, just watch."
"Madame Jamila," The Tajir grumbled, "I am quite sorry for your loss,they were good workers all of them. But I'm afraid that their debt passes to this house, I will have to take it."
"Please,don't do this!" Jamila said, sobbing openly, "This home has been in my family since the time of my grandfather, don't make me loose all I have left of my family,"
Al-Abalah sighed, "Well, there is something I can do. If you were to become one of MY wives, I could release the debt. You know how long I've desired you, Jamila. . .I offered you a place in my harem so many times but instead you chose to marry a penniless foreigner. I cannot offer you love as he gave you, but I can offer a life of luxury,wealth and power. And, I'll allow you to keep this. . .hovel. We can use it for storage, or you can live here as long as I'm allowed to visit so you can fulfill your. . .Marital duties."
Jamila winced at the words.
"Come with me to my palace, you can grieve and I can show you a sample of the life I can give you."
My mother was devastated. . .looking like an empty husk. I wanted to hold her, wanted to let her know I was there, but I knew this was the past.
"You have won Al-Abalah," She said, defeated. "If you let me keep this home, I will go with you."
Al-Abala smiled, "There you go, you were always so much smarter than the other Girls, in time you will realize you've made the right choice. Let us go,"
Jamila put on her face veil walking out the front door with Al-Abalah to the front stoop where I used to sit with my brothers and play games and watch Fortune square beyond. There on the stoop was a bouquet of Jasmine flowers. I sent those flowers for a reason, my brothers and I used to walk to the Oasis and pluck the fresh Jasmine there, and every time our mother would put them on the dinner table, proudly telling my father how we found them for her. She knew they were from her family, I could see it in her eyes.
"Doubtless,someone has . . .heard of your family's death. . ." Al-Abalah said,trying to explain.
My mother read the note and She smiled broadly with that same smile she had when I presented her with those flowers as a young colt. Then quickly, the look turned to rage.
"Al-Abalah YOU are a liar!" She hissed, "My family Lives!"
"Anypony could have sent those. . ."
"I was a fool to believe anything that comes from your vile mouth!"
Al-Abalah grabbed my mother's foreleg and pulled her along, stomping on the bouquet in the process. "You stupid woman, your family is as good as lost, if you had any sense at all you would join my Harem and live in luxury, you will come with me to the Palace or I will drag you there!"
"Help!"Jamila called out. "I am being Abducted!"
A burly enforcer lumbered toward Jamila, wielding a long Scimitar.
"Release that Mare!" He Shouted,
"This is none of your concern enforcer," Al-Abalah said, tossing a bag of gold coins on the ground, "Take that, buy yourself a new cloak."
The enforcer kicked the bag of gold back at Al-Abalah, the coins hitting his face, "You damned Tajir, thinking you can buy whatever you want, Madame Jamila will be going nowhere with you. Now leave this place or I'll drag you to the Mullah and we'll see how well you can bribe the courts."
Al-Abalah scowled, "Very well," he hissed. "But mark my words, Jamila. ..your family will NEVER be free, I will own your grandchildren and their descendants until the end of time!"
"I told you to Move along!" The Enforcer said aiming his scimitar at the Tajir, "Or I'll forget the Mullah entirely and cut you down for resisting an enforcer of the sheikh!"
Without another word, Al-Abalah gathered up his gold and trotted off. The Enforcer picked up the flowers, handing them to my mother.
"Are you harmed Madame Jamila?"
Shes hook her head, "No Enforcer, thank you for your help."
"I will take my leave," he said with a bow.
I felt myself start to awake, willing myself back to sleep. I wanted to stay there, with my mother. . .the last thing I saw was Jamila putting those broken, stomped-on flower into a vase and putting the mon the dining room table, as she always did. Just before I awoke, I heard Luna's ghostly voice call out to me one last time.
"Windjammer,for all this good you've done. . .you deserve to be happy."
I awoke looking up to the sunbathed windowsill to see sompony had placed a single Jasmine flower in a vase on the windowsill.
----*----
Morning Blast was headed home for the last time, his remains would be taken what to his family in Whinnyapolis. Four-Speed would be traveling with it, and presenting a folded Equestrian flag at his funeral. I met him at the gate, to say goodbye to Blast, and wish Four-speed safe travels. Star shine hugged her friend, the two sharing a solemn word. I wondered where Obsidian was, it seems she'd want to say goodbye to her friend as well but I figured she'd likely already done so.
I placed a hoof on the coffin, saying the first prayer I'd said in decades.
"The peace of the All-Father be with you," I said, "Rest well friend,"
Four-Speed shook my hoof, nodded to me.
"I think you should know Obsidian came by my room last night," He said, unceremoniously. "She was crying, told me everything. Slept on the couch, said she didn't want to be alone."
I looked down at the grass, feeling suddenly ashamed.
"You know, she was quiet for so many years because she was afraid we were going to be like the ponies she grew up with. . .call her names, make fun of her. She'd just go back to her room and play those records,all alone. I don't know what you did man, but when you came along she opened up, started to feel not so alone. Then you went and screwed it up."
"I'm sorry-"
"I don't give a damn about your apology," Four-Speed said, angrily. "I gotta go bury my best friend, and I sure as hell don't want to loose another. If you just shrug her off because you're afraid of being happy I'll loose her as a friend, she'll just close herself off. . .I can't deal with that."
"If there was something I could do I would," I said.
"She loves you. . .you know that?"
"Yes."
"If somepony ever bothered to love me I'd do anything to make it work,"Four Speed said, pulling the wagon past the gate. "I don't know who broke your will, but I think I pity you more than anything."
Star Shine watched the wagon leave, looking into my eyes for a brief second, her eyes were sad and seemed to beg me to make things right.
"Sergeant!"I heard Lieutenant Ruckus shout.
"Yes Sir," I said as I Saluted.
"Come with me."
I followed the Pegasus into the palace, where he walked into a near-invisible side door, and the decor of the palace ceased at the narrow stairwell, only cold grew wall leading down to a torch-lit hall. It was a Dungeon, I wasn't aware there was any need for a Dungeon in Equestria, judging by the cobwebs and dust it didn't see much use.
At the end of the long narrow hall, Captain Shining armor stood outside the door, wielding his spear. I saluted sharply and he returned to salute.
"At ease, Windjammer." Shining armor said. "Take a look in the cell,"
I complied, and in the dimly lit cell, standing on a bed of straw. ..was Al-Abalah. The Tajir looked worse for wear, sporting a new black eye and swollen jaw. With his expensive robes and jewelry having been stripped away he looked broken and without pride. When he saw me, I saw fear in his eyes.
"After we heard the distress call from the Pelican, we suspected Al-Abalah had something to do with it." Shining Armor explained, "We found him near the docks, at the home of a griffon known for shady contacts."
"He hired the assassins," I said, feeling my rage build.
"He confessed everything after a little. . . coercion." Ruckus explained. "He liquidated his estate, used the money to hire the assassins, figuring once the Princess was dead he'd get his slaves back."
"We're going to have to send him back to Saddle-Arabia for trial." Shining Armor said, "The Tajir aren't too popular there now, they never were I guess. He'll probably be beheaded, if somepony he's wronged doesn't kill him first."
"Yep, somepony he's wronged might get to him before he goes to Trial,"Ruckus said. "Somepony he took away from their family, sompony he's treated like a dog for years. Can't say I would hate that."
"But,if he tries to escape, one of the guards would kill him." Shining Armor said plainly. "He's going to die in Saddle Arabia anyway."
I saw Al-Abalah shiver at the thought.
Ruckus and Shining Armor looked at each other and nodded, Shining Armor handed me the spear, and Ruckus unlocked the cell, pulling the door wide open.
"Well,we have things to do." Shining armor said, and then the both ofthem left, leaving me alone in the dungeon with the Tajir.
I Stepped into the cell, and there I was; armed with a spear, and alone with the stallion who ruined my life. Al-Abalah looked up at me, his eyes sad but resigned to the fate that would inevitably befall him.
"Well, looks like you've won." he said, quietly. "I won't give you the satisfaction of begging, you want to kill a broken old man with nothing left. . .go ahead."
I aimed the spear down, lining it up for a thrust to the heart.
"I somehow knew it all along, you were far to wily, to strong to be subjugated. To much of your mother in you, to much of your infidel father. It was inevitable, that you'd beat me somehow."
I shook, it would be so easy, so simple, just one thrust, no pony would blame me.
"I only wish I could had said goodbye to them,"
"To who?" I found myself asking.
Al-Abalah looked up, suddenly panicked, "You will never find them! I sent them away as soon as the Fatwa was issued!"
"WHO!"
"My Daughters if you must know!" Al-Abalah shouted, his voice cracking."And they had nothing to do with me! They despised the Inducement system as much as you do. . .but even if they defied me I would never allow them to come to harm! So Kill me if you must but if you harm my family then I will curse you from the grave!"
Just one thrust . . . I didn't know what was holding me back!
"If only I had one more chance to speak to them, I could tell them they were right." Al-Abalah said, tears in his eyes. "Tell them I love them despite it all, they'll never know I truly cared for them."
I shook with anger, both at Al-Abalah and myself.
"I four places were reversed, If you were holding the spear, you would kill me wouldn't you?"
Al-Abalah scowled, "Yes!"
I thrust the spear, feeling it connect with the stone floor just in front of Al-Abalah's head.
"But I would not!" I roared, "Because I'm better than you!"
"You fool, just do it!"
"I will not," I said, picking up the spear. "I will spare you, where you would not spare me. That puts you in MY debt, you are familiar with that system aren't you?"
"What could I possibly give you? I have nothing left!"
"Return to Saddle Arabia, the courts will allow you to see your Daughters before you are executed. They are innocents, and will be able to get though the mob."
"How could I face them?" Al-Abalah said,
"You're in my debt, so you must." I insisted, "You are a vile beast of a man, but your love for your daughters is no different than the love I have for my Family. I won't take away your chance to tell them you love them, and make peace."
Al-Abalah nodded, barely a hint of a smile on his lips. I walked out of the cell, slammed the door and as I walked out of the dungeon making my way down the torch-lit hall. I turned before I reached the stairs,feeling I had one last thing to say.
"Al-Abalah, one last thing."
"Yes?" the old man said tiredly.
I took a deep breath, finding these next words, very hard to say. "I forgive you. May the All-Father have Mercy on you and your kin."
There was a long pause, then I heard his voice from the darkness.
"And with you Windjammer, Go in his peace."
I climbed out of the Dungeon and saw Ruckus, Shining Armor and Night Glade waiting for me in the palace hall.
"So?"Ruckus said.
"He didn't try to escape." I explained, handing Shining armor his spear back.
Lieutenant ruckus sighed, turning to night glade and handing him a few bits. "I could have sworn he would do it,"
"This is why I don't gamble," Shining armor laughed, "Especially when it comes the the integrity of my Guards."
Glade laughed, "I wouldn't have set this up if I thought he would go through with it, Ruckus."
"Well,I supposed I better organize a squad to get that sack of crap to Saddle Arabia." The Lieutenant said, patting me on the back, "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I lost that bet, Windjammer."
"Come with me, Windjammer." Night Glade said, "We're going to have teawith the princess."
I was confused, "I should get my Armor. . ."
Glade laughed, "You're not on duty, she doesn't want you to guard her while she has tea, she wants to have tea with you."
I followed Glade, feeling thoroughly unworthy, I tried to take my mind of having tea with a princess.
"So,why do you hide that you're an alicorn?" I asked as we ascended abroad marble staircase.
"I was just wearing a hat," Glade said with a laugh. "I never told you I wasn't and Alicorn.
I nodded, "I suppose Star Shine found out,"
Glade laughed, "She was okay with it." he said. "Are you making conversation because you're nervous?"
"Yeah. ." I admitted.
"Don't be, Celestia is a pony, just like any of us. And don't start in with all that 'goddess' crap, I've seen some very. . .interesting beings in my adventures that are far more qualified to be called Gods than her. Gods demand worship, they rule with fear. . .Celestia rules with love and compassion."
I wanted to argue, but his point made sense.
"I've seen ponies worship her. . ."
"Zealots,"Glade said simply, "Saddle Arabia is full of them, but you know that. Have you ever been near Baharra and seen those guys who worship a dry lake bed?"
I laughed, "The Salt people. . ." I said, remembering. "They actually worship water but the spring they worshiped dried up centuries ago,"
"Good folks, but a little weird."
"Oh yes,"
Glade pushed open a broad door leading to a Balcony that lead to balcony,that gave a stunning view off the cliff side of the palace. Princess Celestia sat there, a tray with teapot and cups next to her. Unusually, Celestia was not wearing her crown or royal jewels, it was jarring. . .almost like seeing her nude. Night glade gave her a hug, and sat next to her on a silken pillow.
"Join us, Windjammer." Celestia said.
I nervously walked in, sitting on the pillow next to Celestia,expecting another guard to drag me out any second.
"How do you take your tea?" Glade said, levitating a cup.
"I've.. .never had tea," I explained.
"Sugar, you'll want sugar." Glad said levitating a sugar cube to the cup.
"Glade, I've told you the natural flavor of the tea should not be covered up with sugar," Celestia said.
"Well,I like my tea sweet, and I bet Windjammer will to."
"Whatever you think best. . ." I said, accepting the cup, taking a long sip. It was good, though I believe I preferred coffee.
"Windjammer,when you swore your oath to me, we had a conversation afterward, do you remember what I told you?"
I searched my memory as I sipped my tea, "You, requested that I do my duty"
Celestia shook her head, "After that, I'm sure you remember."
I sighed, "Yes, you said 'above all else, do what makes me happy'"I said,
"Have you done that?"
"Your Majesty, my own happiness isn't important,"
"Answer the question," Celestia said Calmly, sipping her tea. "And be honest."
I closed my eyes, hating to admit it; "No,"
Celestia and Night Glade shared a glance, both nodding.
"Star Shine and Obsidian had me over for breakfast," Night Glades explained, "She didn't say a lot but she did mention, she spent the night before crying, because of something you said."
"I make a point not to get to involved in the lives of my guard if I can avoid it, but this is different." Celesita said. "You grew up with no rights whatsoever, but you resisted every opportunity you had, but you still have this idea that your owe me something, so I made an exception and told you quite clearly that you owe me nothing."
"Yes, you did."
"Then why do you insist that you do?"
I thought before I answered, "You. . .freed me, freed my family,"
Celestia shook her head, "Windjammer, you were the one who escaped the Legion, you were the one who gave me the excuse I needed to make the Fatwa. I knew the Tajir would send assassins, but because one of their indentured were now in my service it would not result in a full-scale war, I would be seen as freeing one of my servants, not as a foreign ruler imposing my will on a sovereign nation. Because of you my Holy Edict was celebrated, not despised. It was YOUR courage that freed the oppressed, not mine."
"You did help," Glade offered.
"To some degree," Celestia admitted with a shrug.
I realized she was right, it was Celestia who was forced to act, because of me. If I would have never gotten out of the legion, her Holy Edict could have caused the relations between Saddle Arabia and Equestria to collapse.
"If you were to take that appointment with Count Valeris, you wouldn't have a chance to see Obsidian very much, almost none at all to be honest."
"That is true," I replied.
"So,because you believe that I desired you to take the assignment,perhaps you figured it would be best to push Obsidian away instead of drifting apart over time."
I shook, "Yes,"
Glade Frowned, "That won't do my man, not at all."
"Windjammer, because I insisted you do what makes you happy, then you have ultimately defied me, correct?"
"Yes,"
"So?"
"I would rather not take that assignment, I would rather be with Obsidian."
"Yes! You know it!" Glade said giving a fist pump, "I knew he'd get it!"
"Calm down, Glade" Celestia said rolling her eyes. "honestly, let's not embarrass him."
"Sorry, your Majesty," Glade said with a blush.
"I. . .said some things that hurt her," I said, "She'd never forgive me."
"Oh really?" Celestia said with a smirk, "But did you not just spare the life of Al-Abalah? I'm sure you don't feel for him the way Obsidian feels for you, so her forgiveness with certainly come a little easier."
I turned to Night Glade, "You set this up,"
Night Glade pointed a hoof to himself, "Me?"
"Oh please Night Glade, you're fooling nopony,"
Glade blushed and sipped his tea.
"Now, Windjammer, I'm sure you have things to take care of." Celestia said, "If I know Obsidian, when she feels down she goes to Pony Joe's and gets a cruller. If you hurry, you will catch her."
I stood, looking to Celestia and bowed, "I. . .thank you Your Majesty, for everything. And you Night Glade, for being meddlesome."
"Hey,you were just as meddlesome when It came to Star Shine." Glade said.
"I suppose," I admitted.
"So, you help me I help you." Glade said.
"Hurry, Windjammer, and be honest." Celestia said.
I smiled, and dove off the Balcony, flying into the sky over the castle. Halfway across the city my nerves began to get to me. . .wondering all along how I could possibly take back what I'd said,explain what a fool I'd been, how I could find the right words. I could face armies. . .but facing the mare I'd hurt was making me want to flee back to the castle. I was most of the way there, no turning back. . .the only way out was through.
I landed in front of the doughnut shop, on a Sunday it was fairly deserted, and through the window . . .Saw her. She was so beautiful,but looked so sad as she sipped on her hot cocoa and worked on aplate of crullers. I forced myself forward, now almost shaking in fear. She saw me, and her eyes showed anticipation, fear, a hundred emotions at once.
Like a sword master looking for an opening move, I searched my mind for something. . .anything I could say to explain why I showed up out of nowhere and were now staring at her blankly. I decided that I had to say something, so I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind.
"I'm an Idiot!" I said far louder than I intended to.
Obsidian looked at me confused, "Okay . . ."
"Uh. . .can I sit?"
Obsidian looked away, and Nodded.
I sat and a helpful waitress brought me a cup of hot cocoa. I rapidly thought of something else to say.
"I talked to the princess," I said, "I'm not going to Saddle Arabia,"
Obsidian sighed, "Windjammer, if you want to take the position, I shouldn't ask you to turn it down."
"No, it's not what I want, and I won't do it, and if you want to stay herein Canterlot instead of going back to college, I'd really like that."
"You were right, you just met me," Obsidian said, "If your duty is important to you then. . ."
"It's not," I said, "You're important to me,
"Windjammer don't-"
"I love you!" I barked out suddenly, Loud enough that a few patrons turning to look.
Obsidian's eyes softened, but she seems to be trying to process what I was saying, so I decided to give her more information.
"I love your big expressive eyes, your long soft mane, the ribbon in your tail, how when we're holding each other everything that was wrong in my life is suddenly right. I love how you laugh, your voice, how you make me feel like I have a home again, how you taught me it's okay to be happy. . .how you stand by me, how you fight with courage, I'm head over-hooves hopelessly madly in love with you, andI can never forgive myself for EVER trying to push you away."
Obsidian looked up at me, her shy smile.
"I love you too," She said quietly, "I love how you talk to me like I'm just like every pony, I love how you make me feel like I belong. Anypony who's been though what you've been though should hate everything, but you don't, you care for everypony, you're generous and kind and you dared to love me. . .a big goofy mare who likes obscure records, and that makes me so lucky. I just, Love you a whole lot."
I reached across the table to touch my hooves to her's.
"I'm not, prefect," I explained, "I wish I could take back what I told you, what I said about Morning Blast. . . I can't. But I will keep the promise I made you on the Pelican, I will always come back to you. And I will always cherish you. Because I love you, and nothing will ever change that."
"I,know you were mixed up." Obsidian said, "I was just. . .so scared you would push me away."
"Never again," I said, "I thought I was just a fool drifting though life, but I was shown by a few, very special ponies that I'm not. I thought I was just lucky but I did it, I made my life better, and I am not powerless. And I swear to Celestia, I want you in my life, and I won't let go of that."
Obsidian leaned forward, giving me a kiss, that felt a lot like our first,soft, but deep at the same time. It was if our souls were connecting in the moment, just as they did before. I felt warm all over, perfectly at one. . .We were in love.
"So," Obsidian said, after a moment "I actually checked with Baltomare University, if I was willing to spend a bit more time on it, I can take the rest of my classes via mail. So. . .in a week when I'm out of the guard I can just move into a place in town and work on my degree there."
"That works perfectly," I said, "And you were right, there are other guards who can speak Saddle-Arabian. I already told Celestia I didn't want the appointment so-"
"Celestia?"Obsidian said, surprised, "Not 'princess' not 'her majesty' not 'my Goddess'?"
I shook my head, "She's not a goddess," I said, "Something Quite better actually, she's a pony who cares for others."
Obsidian smiled her broad smile, "Well you'll get to know her better as time goes on." she said.
"I look forward to knowing you better, my star, my mare of the night, my love. . ."
Obsidian blushed, "You will."
And for many years afterward, I learned more about Obsidian, like discovering new facets of a Jewell. I came to Canterlot to find my purpose, and I did. My Purpose would be the many years we spent together afterward, my adventure would be that quiet life. My duty,to love and be loved. There were far more adventures afterward, to be sure . . .far more than can be written of here.
One day, I may just tell you about them.
THE END