He had made contact with 21 different races. He had discovered 12 islands in the outer sea, fought two sea monsters and discovered one new continent.
He had lived through 52 years of exploration and all together 82 years of life.
And now, Silver Stripe, one of the most well known explorers in Equestrian history was old.
It had come quickly, or at least to him, it had. Just a few years ago, he had made plans to re-visit the zebra tribe, he once discovered for princess and country, and suddenly, his body had become frail, his eyesight bad and his breath short.
Now, he was confined to his bed and on good days, the comfy chair, where he would sometimes welcome young colts and fillies and tell them of his days of adventure. And sometimes, someone else would come...
But this early morning was different. He felt it. The tiredness, the lack of sap and glamour... yes, fate was merciful enough to give him the signs. At least he could face it with open eyes, with his mind still intact and his matters settled. Maybe it would come today, maybe tomorrow, he didn’t mind, he had, after all, lead a great and fulfilling life, full and rich. And it was spiced with an honour that nopony of his time would possibly share. Yes, he had it all... contentment, how much more could one ask for in his final hours?
And as he pondered yet again about his time, his eyes, fogged by age and sickness, went over the paintings, mementos and souvenirs that he had earned on his journeys. Even nestled in the darkness of time before dawn, they were quite a sight: There was a mask from Zebraska, a doll from Voododo isles, pictures of him with his crew and above all: his hat. His proud tricorne, torn in many places and repaired again and again. He had gotten this hat a long time ago, when he joined the Equestrian Navy as a colt and first set sail into the unknown. It was his most loyal companion...
Well... maybe not the most loyal...
The sound of magic broke the silence and a smile crept onto the old explorer’s lips.
“Its you.” He said gently “Not tired of seeing this infirm form of mine yet?”
“And abandon you when you might need me?” the visitor asked gently and approached the bed.
“You know...” the stallion said softly, slowly scooping backwards, so he could sit up “I think I will release you of this duty soon. I wasn’t so sure last week, but today... yes... I think I will depart soon.”
The visitor stood next to his bed and gently nuzzled the elderly sailor’s cheek.
“How lucky I have been...” he mused “To have you in my home harbour.”
“How lucky I have been to have your stories and tales to look forward to.” The visitor answered “And you... you were a wonderful addition.”
“Oh, my dear.” Silver laughed and returned the affection gently “Your words warm me more than your sun ever could. And that you come to visit this old stallion...”
“Still younger than me.” Celestia answered softly tears formed above her smile.
“Now, now, don’t fret.” He said and ran a hoof over her cheek “We both knew that this would be how it ends. At least ever since that fountain of youth turned out to be a doozy.” He giggled “Oh my... what a laugh we had.”
“I remember.” The sun princess giggled as tears fell from her eyes, still nuzzling the wrinkled coat of the old pony.
“Oh, my dear, don’t cry. I am happy, I am so happy that dementia hasn’t claimed me!” he stressed, while embracing her gently, his own eyes growing moist “And that my eyes are still good enough to see you in all your glory and beauty. That I can still move my hooves well enough to embrace. Fate has been so good to me! It has always lead me back into Equestia’s harbours. Always back to Canterlot! And to you!”
“How I will miss you. I will miss waiting for your stories. For your open hooves and your gentle embrace!” she whispered back, tears now filling her eyes.
“Why do you cry?” he asked, teary himself “Even my long time must have been no more than the blink of an eye to you.”
“Maybe... but I enjoyed.” She answered “And even if there were other moments and will be other moments, yours was unique and will never return.” She gave him a soft kiss “You will never return. I have every right to be sad.”
“Was it worth this sadness?” he asked.
“Every bit!” she answered “I will keep you safe in my heart! All the moments you shared with me! All the stories you told me! I will never forget you!”
“Then maybe I should have told you a single true one.” He responded and laughed.
And both laughed merrily as their tears ran freely, unbridled by the sudden yank of joy.
“Thank you, my princess.” Silver said with a smile “All the adventures that I had, they were just a way to spend time between the moments I could share with you. Thank you that I was allowed to love you.”
“Thank you that you allowed me to love you back.” The princess answered and gave the old stallion another kiss.
“You might want to stop that, my dear.” He said gently “My heart may not stand this treatment.”
“It will not go on.” She said softly “My kingdom needs her princess. I shall return tomorrow.”
“If I am still here, I will be happy once again.” He answered and relaxed into his pillow. “Say, my dear, why don’t you take my hat with you? I won’t be needing it, where I go.”
The princess turned to look at the old thing and shook her head. “But, Silver, it is your hat. Don’t you remember what you told me? You shall wear this hat on every adventure you have! And what greater adventure is there than to visit shores so far, that even I shall never reach them?”
“I think you are right.” He said and again, a tear dropped “Would you be so good and give it to me? I need to prepare. Adventure calls!” And clad in gold, his hat approached “I just wish, I could return to tell you what I saw.”
“So do I, my dear, so do I.” Celestia whispered gently and placed the hat on the old sailor.
“My last adventure...” he whispered and laid back “Oh, Celestia, it will be glorious!”
And as his eyes drifted close, Celestia nuzzled him one more time. A gentle snore filled the air, as the sun princess turned to leave.
Again, the sound of magic filled the air and the snoring was alone.
Not long after, it ended and one final adventure began, just as the sun rose.