"You put too much faith in their ruler."
Upset by the growing trend of pessimism from his aide, "Not only is she loved by the masses she practices magic. With magic of her own there is less need for the completely rational fear of an unknown Magician-wizard approaching a top tier political figure."
"The same paranoid figure who is always watching your every move."
Persistence to face off with the voice of logic, "If she is not comfortable in her own castle there is no chance of a discussion ever."
"You can't just pop in on royalty uninvited."
"Of course, we will be invited in from the front gate." The idea of just popping in on royalty would be a good way to ensure attack on sight orders.
"What will stop them from attacking you on sight?"
Utim seemed to be out of sync or something, "Why you and your silver tongue."
Now in front of the castle gates with a 'borrowed' potted bonsai tree the Utim discretely got the attention of the guards on patrol. "Salutations! O Noble guardians of the aristocracy. I am Utnapanapishtim, ambassador of Titania, queen of fairies. I apologize for getting lost on my way to the meeting with the royal court. I hear many of your brothers and sisters in arms were sent to guide me here, but I have finally found my way and the courtesy was most thoughtful."
The two guards were unsure of what the proper procedure for such an occurrence was in this situation.
"Should I wait here for the captain of the guard to escort me to the Princess or is there a waiting room inside." They took the hint and one went to report to Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard. In no time at all Shining stood before the talking tree and creature his sister had mentioned.
"Greetings captain, I am sure the Princess mentioned that we were coming to discuss a sensitive situation so we took the extra effort to come here undetected. If we are too early we can always go on a stroll through the town: see the sights, try local cuisine, partake in small-talk with some of the locals, you know the usual ways one would, 'kill' time."
Doing his best to ignore the threat, it was true that Princess Celestia would want to question their guest if possible. Shining decided to keep the facade given to him, "Right this way ambassador." After navigating deep into the castle they reached the throne room. "One moment while I make the necessary introductions."
"Feel free to drop the act whenever you want."
After a few moments of explaining to the Princess the doors to the throne room were encased in a gold aura and opened for the tree and mage. When the doors closed behind them Utim gave Oren the signal and he began to glow.
"Before we begin, 'ambassador' Utnapanapishtim, I will ask that you do not attempt to threaten me with such a weak display of magic."
"You insult me dear Princess, all he does is silently shout for all to observe him so that you don't get any ideas about killing us behind closed doors. This ultra-visibility spell makes it so that there is no way to not be seen. All those in the castle can see us and those close enough will be very inclined to observe us. In return, should we try anything your entire castle guard will know immediately. Unless of course you object to this peaceful discussion being so public."
"...No it is fine, shall we move on to the business at hand. Why did you come here?"
"You see I have been tracking a strange series of blood stains I believe come from a creature from far away, when it came to my attention that I was not the first to be investigating. Since you clearly know more about it than I do maybe you can inform me of what I am missing."
"Are you aware that the creature you travel with is tainted with evil?"
"Are you aware that won't be the case in 92 hours?"
"And why is that?"
“Surely you noticed his left arm, it is kind of hard to miss.”
“Yes, what of the markings?”
"Oren was sight-seeing when he noticed which way the country was headed and wanted to use his little remaining life to better it. Those markings allow him to see if a creature is willing to cooperate. For example there was that time in the field where he was looking to see if a friendly pink pony was willing to help him overthrow the reigning monarchy.”
Princess Celestia was deep in thought so Shining Armor stepped in, "Do you really think you could come here before the Princess and get away with such treasonous talk."
"I am but a humble tree who has bathed in the light of our ruler's sun for almost a century. As for him it would only be treason if he was a citizen."
The tree seemed to be throwing its ally in front of a cart. Shining felt compelled to clarify, "Then you have come to turn him in?"
"So the Princess can banish him from his exile or is that reserved for family only. No, petrification is a much better way to go, then you can use him as a common lawn ornament. If you want, I can save you the trouble and do it myself."
Ignoring the knowledge the tree somehow acquired he was outraged at the rudeness of the potted speaker, “How can you speak of such tragedies of the past like they are nothing in front of the Princess.”
“It really is quite simple. That lavender unicorn I spoke to earlier seemed like such lovely thing. It is a shame that because of her Princess's persistent pursuit, obstructing Oren's endeavors that her life will be put in danger, despite her dear brother's duty.”
Shining Armor could take no more and restrained the creature in his telekinesis.
The tree had but one last parting remark, “Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system.”
“Negotiations have failed Oren.”
A quick snide remark to Utim, “Thank you for your most helpful insight,” while with his inhale the aura wavered and dissipated off of him on exhale, instead holding only the tiny tree. Shining Armor's attempts to re-include Oren continued to fail.
“There is a statue by the Labyrinth that would be best for your departure.”
But before that, while pointing at Princess Celestia, “Nimis exaltatus rex sedet in vertice, caveat ruinam.” Then where he once stood was the statue of Discord.
“Shining Armor, I do not hold you accountable but you have allowed the tree, Utnapanapishim, to play upon your emotions and into whatever it was planning.”
A hung head, sigh, and apologies were her reply.
“It is alright but we need to find out why they wanted to be seen being attacked first.” Thoughts on Oren's adamant refusal to speak up on his own behalf lingered.
/– –/
Invisibly stepping down from the statue's platform Oren began the trek to a safer location. “Care to inform me as to what you were discussing when they decided to turn hostile.”
“They were not to thrilled with the idea of you opposing Uther's wish to eliminate all that is magical nor of you getting help from any of the residents here. But the final straw was when I asked them to at least let you search for a way home without hindrance.”
Disappointment hanging off of him, “I see, you were right then. There can be no such thing as a benevolent monarch, magical or otherwise. A loved dictator, Julius Cesar all over again.”
/* far too high up sits the king at the summit, let him fear ruin */