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// A Bow 
// Story: A Dream, A Bow, and a Letter 
// by Pnakotic 
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Fate it seems at times is nothing more ironic, not even a week since Celestia and Luna’s late night discussion there came a changeling “ambassador” into Celestia’s court.  In truth the changeling wasn’t really an ambassador as much as he was an offering.  The changeling was carried into her court bound and gagged with a white flag and a note tied round his neck.  When asked, the guards explained that the changeling was found like this at the palace gateway.  Removing the note Celestia read:
To the ever benevolent ruler of the day,
I realize this may seem like a drastic reversal of character and formerly position, but I send this missive in hopes for an audience.  My people are starving for the love your kingdom is abundant with, my own realm is abundant with minerals and other products which may be of use to yours, perhaps a mutually beneficial agreement could be reached?  In hopes of a peaceful resolution I myself will be visiting in a few days’ time to discuss terms with you.
Signed,
Queen Chrysalis of the changeling empire
“Why didn’t she just do this in the first place?”  Celestia wondered aloud.  With a sigh and a shake of her head Celestia noticed that there was an addition to the letter:

As a show of good faith I have included with this note one of my finest drones for your use and pleasure.

Looking up from the note, Celestia blushed realizing that the changeling was bound rather suggestively.  Celestia deadpanned, “She’s joking… She’s joking right?”  The look of fear and anxiety on the changeling’s face told her that Chrysalis was in fact not joking.  With a sigh Celestia used her magic to unbind and ungag the poor changeling who regarded her with wide eyes.  “Give him quarters to stay in as well as food and drink if he needs it.”  Celestia ordered a guard who saluted and ushered the still shaking changeling out of the room.  Celestia noted from the position of the sun that it was only noon, “It’s going to be a long day.”  She remarked with a sigh.

After an endless sea of petitions, paperwork and concerns regarding a particular changeling the day finally ended.  Celestia decided to join Luna for dinner/breakfast in her room as well as fill her in on the situation.  After showing Luna the letter and filling her in on their guest Celestia asked Luna for her thoughts on the matter.

“Well it seems rather straightforward sister.”  Luna commented.

“How is this at all straightforward?”  Celestia asked incredulously.

“Tis tradition when making a truce to send a gift indicating one is serious about the negotiations, whether it be currency, goods, or in this case a servant.”  Luna lectured.

“I meant about the truce itself not the ‘gift.’”  Celestia said face-hoofing.

“Ah, about that I am as uncertain as you, sister, but I believe a good place to start would be questioning the changeling so thoughtfully provided by the queen.”  Luna replied.

After finishing their meal the two sisters headed to the room given to the captive changeling.  After knocking on the door, tis polite reminded Luna, the two entered to find the changeling sitting by a slowly dying fire.  Upon noticing the sister’s entrance the changeling bowed before them, a gesture most likely out of fear more so than respect.  

“We mean you no harm,” Celestia said kindly, noticing the changeling was shaking, “please tell me what your name is?”  Poor thing, Celestia thought, he must think we’re here to torture him or something.

The changeling shifted his appearance in a puff of green flame to that of a brown stallion with a grey mane; the disguise would have been perfect except for the lack of a cutie mark.  “M-my name is Number 2176.”  Upon seeing the princesses confused looks he quickly amended, “But –um- I was told you could call me whatever you want.”

“How about we call him Olive Branch, for that is what he is more or less.”  Luna suggested.

“I suppose that is as good a name as any, how do you feel about that?”  Celestia asked still attempting not to scare the changeling too badly.

“Tis perfect mistress, whatever pleases you.”  Olive Branch replied, to which Celestia rolled her eyes.  “What is it you desire of me?”

“I ‘desire’ for you to calm down, you have nothing to be afraid of.”  Celestia motioned for him to sit and make himself comfortable.  After Olive Branch had done so Celestia continued, “Tell me about yourself, also I’m curious why you changed form?”

“Most changelings other than Queen Chrysalis cannot speak in their native forms; we must change form in order to converse with other species.  As for who I am I was the librarian of the hive I lived in, I maintained and monitored the tablets which queens of the past have inscribed.  Now, however, I am nothing more than your servant, mistress.”  Olive Branch explained.

“Odd how it is always the librarian thrown under the carriage when manure hits the fan.”  Luna commented.

After giving Luna a deadpan look, to which Luna giggled, Celestia returned to Olive Branch, “Why does Chrysalis want to negotiate now?  Wouldn’t it have made sense to do so before attempting to invade us?”

“You must understand Princess; we did not think you would accept any proposal.”  Olive Branch attempted to explain further, “The only record we had of pony society was of a king by the name of Sombra who ruled with an iron hoof, any attempt of diplomacy with him was met with immediate and violent retribution.  We had no idea that society had changed so drastically since then.  By the time Queen Chrysalis realized the difference in governance the invasion was already in motion.”  

“Could she not have simply withdrawn or revealed herself in a less… for lack of a better word evil manner?”  Luna asked.

“It was too late to withdraw, the Princess known as Cadance had already been replaced.  Furthermore, we were desperate, our stores of love energy were nearly gone we were at the brink of starvation.”  Olive Branch paused before continuing, “It has only grown worse, the plea for a truce is a final resort; while the queen, as you know, is not a humble mare she cares for her people and will do nearly anything for their survival.”

Celestia peered out the window into the now star filled sky.  Could she truly fault Chrysalis for what she had done, would she herself do anything less in her position?  Celestia thought back on her own failure to protect her people, then she tried to imagine being unable to even provide sustenance for them.  All too quickly Chrysalis’ actions seemed all too justifiable, leaving Celestia with a very empty feeling in her stomach.  

Turning once more to Olive Branch Celestia said, “Olive Branch I will require you to teach me everything you know of changeling society before Chrysalis arrives, anything that could help make negotiations smoother.”

“Yes Mistress.”  Olive Branch replied.

“Also, while you walk these halls you shall do so not as a slave or servant, but rather as a free pony.”  Celestia added.

“Yes Mistress.”  Olive Branch replied again.

“And one more thing, stop calling me that.”  Celestia finished with a deadpan look.

“Yes Mi- oh ok…”  Olive Branch said sheepishly.

Three days past, during which Celestia poured herself studied what little knowledge the royal archives had on Changelings as well as any information Olive Branch could give her.  Changelings did not store much written knowledge; most of the hives library was large stone tablets written by previous queens regarding the events which happened during their lifetimes.  The most important piece of knowledge that Celestia gained, however, was how to store love energy.  Apparently love energy was simply magic filled with positive emotional intent; the magic was poured into crystals in order to store it.  The entire process reminded Celestia very much of how the Crystal Empire functioned.

Finally on the fourth day Chrysalis arrived, she strode into the palace flanked by honor guards, past the wary looking guards and into the throne room.  Celestia walked down from the dais to meet her on even ground, they were after all equals.  “Greetings Queen Chrysalis, I trust your flight into Canterlot was pleasant.”  Celestia said speaking first.

“Indeed, but I did not come all this way to comment on the weather.”  Chrysalis replied, “Nor did I come here to beg, I expect our dealings will be fair?”

“Of course, now come let us put the past behind us and forge a new future together.”  Over the following hours Celestia and Chrysalis argued over resources.  What the changelings required was obvious: the love to fill their empty crystals, but what could they give in return?  While the changelings had no real need for material wealth they did have stockpiles of gold, which Celestia refused, she had no need for wealth Equestria was already well off.  The changelings it seemed had almost nothing to offer Celestia which Equestria didn’t already have in abundance.  Thinking for a moment Celestia came up with the solution, while Equestria wasn’t in need of material resources it was desperately in need of a workforce.  The workers of Equestria had shrunk over the years; more and more ponies were abandoning pursuits of manual labor for more “civilized” professions.  With the changelings help construction projects could be completed in months rather than years, food and resource gathering would skyrocket.  After the proposal and a discussion of wages the two finally agreed.

After the negotiations Celestia decided to give Chrysalis a tour of the city she had almost destroyed.  While the streets were usually bustling the sight of the changeling queen made many ponies scurry back to their homes.  “You know I would love to see your kingdom, should this peace last.”  Celestia commented.

“Hmph, I must warn you that it is not as flashy or showy as this city but it is still quite a sight in its own right.”  Chrysalis said thoughtfully, “I must apologize for my actions a few weeks ago, I was not myself, to have something my people needed so close, so within my grasp I let it get to my head.”

“I’ve already forgiven you, but I must ask why you didn’t finish me off?”  Celestia asked, “With my death your victory would have been near assured, Twilight would have been too overcome with grief to think of the solution she did.” 

“Ponies may think otherwise but I am not evil, I came here to provide for my swarm not to kill ponies.  I only wish I had seen the folly of my actions before it was too late, but in the end I was consumed by pride and desire for power, things unbecoming of a true ruler.”

“Perhaps we are more alike than we first thought.”  Celestia said deep in thought, “Know that you are welcome here and in the future I hope it will be with cheering crowds of both of our kin.”