Fluttershy took delicate care as she placed her tea tray on the small outside table. It was mid afternoon. The sun was out, and spring was in full swing as all of her woodland friends went about their business around her cottage. The stream crossing the path down from the dwelling babbled and frothed playfully, and the wind rocked the branches of the surrounding trees, playing a natural, soft cello suite for the canny listener. Birds taking residence in the trees provided a soothing, if somewhat chaotic, choral melody to complete the charming scene.
The table and its two accompanying chairs were placed in the side yard of the cottage, in the shelter of an elder oak. A backdrop comprised of the cottage wall and inset window lent a comfortable feel to the small eating nook. Fluttershy took two porcelain teacups from the tea tray and placed them at either end of the table, then took a seat opposite her visitor for the day.
As she reached over, teapot in hoof to fill her guest's cup, she said,“I think you're really going to like the tea Rarity. It's made with fresh honeysuckle I picked from the meadow the other day. It makes for a very mild, sweet drink, with just a hint of wild aftertaste. It's one of my favorites.”
Rarity pulled back her expertly curled purple mane and hovered her nose over her cup of the warm, viscous liquid. She breathed in lightly, letting the faint fumes pervade her senses. “Ooh, that does smell wonderful. It's like wildflowers.”
Fluttershy took up her own cup and sipped primly. “Oh yes. It has a very nice bouquet. Try some,” she urged. Rarity carefully levitated the cup to her lips. She tipped it slightly, taking care to maintain its balance, and sampled the fragrant tea. The brew was warm on the tongue, a different warmth aside from the physical heat. It was unobtrusively sweet, and as Rarity swallowed she noted the wild but not unwelcome residual taste.
“Mm, that is delicious,” she approved enthusiastically. “Fluttershy, wherever do you come up with such ideas?”
Fluttershy took another sip and smiled bashfully at her friend. “Oh, I don't know. I suppose I just spend a lot of time outside, and have a good sense for nature. You'd be surprised what kinds of things you can do with many common plants.”
“I see.” Rarity cast her gaze out across the stream to the path and meadow beyond. The sun in the sky bathed the land in a golden hue that seemed to float just above the ground. “You know Fluttershy, sometimes I wonder about you. What I mean is, I wonder why somepony like you, so demure and elegant, somepony with such grace and poise, would choose to live out here, away from town like you do.
“It just seems to me like you would be much more at home in a stylish townhouse on a quiet city street. But then I come visit you out here, on what would be a normal, uneventful day in Ponyville, and somehow I can begin to understand. It really is beautiful isn't it?”
Fluttershy looked out at the landscape and considered her friend's words. “It is. I love it here, and wouldn't trade it or my animal friends for anything. For whatever reason, I know this is where I belong.” She turned back to Rarity, her face slightly pinkened. “I think you might be praising me a bit too much though. I'm not sure I'm all you make me out to be.”
The unicorn tossed her mane dismissively. “Nonsense. You really shouldn't sell yourself so short darling. As a self-proclaimed expert on the subject, let me tell you that you are, without a shadow of a doubt, the most classic example of beauty and poise in Ponyville. Aside from myself of course,” she finished, holding her head high in a comedic show of pride.
Fluttershy gave a small laugh. “You're very kind Rarity. Thank you. Um, how is the boutique doing?”
“Oh, superbly,” Rarity said. “I just sold another round of pieces to a very stylish shop in Canterlot, with no small thanks to you. The nature themed ones received particular attention, just so you know,” she said with a wink. “How about you dear? How have you been?”
Fluttershy took another sip of her tea. “I'm just fine. All the animals have settled into their routines for the spring, so I haven't had nearly as much work to do, like feeding them and such. Oh, but the other day, the beavers-”
“Yes, yes the animals, all cute and loveable,” Rarity cut across. “No darling, I mean how are you doing with him.” She tilted her head, pointing her horn toward the cottage. The nearby window rendered a view into the cottage living room, where the wounded pegasus still slept. “Has there been any progress at all?”
“Oh.” Fluttershy looked down into the remaining tea in her cup to see her face reflected in its surface. She wore a look of mild gloom; clearly she had expected different results by now. “Well, he certainly is much better now than when I found him. His burns only took several days to mend. I removed the dressings from both legs three days ago, and the lesions are healed. The scars won't ever go away, but at least I was able to keep infection out. His left wing needs another week, and the right will need another two, but...”
“But what about him waking up? It's been two weeks to the night. He hasn't moved at all since then? Is that not bad?”
Fluttershy looked up from her cup, her gloom now mixed with worry. “Well, to be honest I don't really know. It's natural if your body is hurt badly enough for your mind to shut down until it gets better. I've never heard of or seen a case of unconsciousness for this long, but I also haven't seen anything so horrible as his condition before. I can't really say.”
“But how can somepony go on like that? What about food and water, and just moving about?”
“Oh, I can take care of that for him, in a manner of speaking. I've been taking the apples that Applejack brought me and crushing them for his food. If you rub someone's throat the right way while they're asleep, you can trick the body into swallowing. The juice from the apples will do for water as well.”
“But what about exercise? It can't be good for a body to just lay there all the time like that.”
“You're right, it's not. Every day I have to take each of his legs and wings and work them through their ranges of motion so they don't get stiff.” Fluttershy moved her forelegs back and forth, mimicking the motion. “It's also important to massage his muscles to keep blood flowing well.”
Rarity paused to picture Fluttershy's method of care. A sly grin crept across her face. “So, you massage his muscles do you?,” she said with a knowing inflection in her speech.
Fluttershy took on a look of bemusement. “Yes. It's to keep up blood flow. Is something odd about that?”
“I don't know,” said Rarity, amused at Fluttershy's confusion. “It might be odd if, maybe, you were massaging his body not just for his benefit.”
Fluttershy pondered this thought momentarily. “I don't understand. Who else would benefit from it?”
Rarity persisted, her tone unchanged. “Come now, Fluttershy. I'm sure it's not a chore, getting to rub down that...statuesque body of his. It seems to me it would be almost enjoyable.”
Fluttershy's puzzlement increased at this last statement. “Not really. I mean, I'm happy to help him, but his muscles are rather large, and it takes a lot of time. And my front legs get tired after a while.”
Rarity let out a groan and placed her head in her hooves dramatically. “Fluttershy, dear...I give up. I just don't know what else to say.”
“What's the matter? Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry,” Fluttershy apologized quickly.
“No darling, it's nothing. Nothing at all.” Rarity removed her hooves from her head and placed them on Fluttershy's shoulders. “In fact, I take it back. I do know what to say.” She smiled sincerely at her friend. “Don't you ever change Fluttershy. Never ever. You're absolutely perfect the way you are, do you understand?”
Fluttershy continued to look befuddled. “No. I don't understand at all. Are you alright Rarity?”
Rarity sat back in her chair and laughed. “I'm perfectly fine dear. As are you.” She let her mirth subside before taking a final draft of her tea. A refreshing gust of wind swept past the cottage up under the sheltering oak, and the two friends sat contently for a time, relishing the comfort of the surrounding nature.
“Ah, I just remembered,” said Rarity, a thought coming to her. “I happened to pass Pinkie Pie the other day, and amidst her rambling it sounded like you and Twilight had possibly uncovered something about your guest. Is that so?”
Fluttershy seized upon the topic happily. “Oh, yes. Well, Twilight found something. She came by with a load of books on different things and really looked hard at all of the armor. I don't think she really likes not knowing about things. Anyway, she brought one really big book about all different kinds of metals, and after a lot of searching she said that there wasn't anything in it that matched what the armor is made of. I thought that was kind of interesting.
“She also had this book on magical runes. I tried to read some of it, but couldn't really understand much. Twilight took a really long time to look at all the runes, and she kept talking to herself about how none of it made any sense. When I asked her about it, she said normally runes were lined up in a certain way to produce a certain effect. The problem with those runes is that they don't make any sense. The way they line up doesn't mean anything; at least that's what Twilight said.
“Oh, and there was one more thing. I hadn't really thought about it until she pointed it out, but Twilight noticed that he doesn't have a cutie mark.”
“No cutie mark?,” said Rarity, seemingly astounded by this revelation. “But that can't be right. He's a grown stallion. How could he not have a cutie mark?”
Fluttershy shrugged. “I don't know. But I thought back to when I washed his body to treat him, and there wasn't one then either. He just doesn't have his mark.”
“But how does that happen? I've never heard of such a thing. Late bloomers happen of course; but to never get your mark?”
“I don't know. I guess it seems possible,” Fluttershy reasoned. “You would just have to never have discovered your special talent or skill.”
“But surely something like that would have manifested itself by that age.”
“Not necessarily, I suppose.”
“You know,” Rarity mused, looking at the window of the cottage, “this is the first pony I've ever seen who becomes more mysterious as I learn more about him. It's the strangest thing. All we can seem to come up with are more questions, never answers.”
“I found something marked inside his helmet that may be an answer,” Fluttershy volunteered. “There was a word with something like a poem below it. I didn't understand the poem, but I think the word sounds like a name, and Twilight agrees. We think his name is Feragrimm.”
“Feragrimm?,” Rarity repeated. “I've never heard a name like that before.” She mulled the name shortly. “It's a bit odd. It sounds like a good, strong name though.” She gasped, making Fluttershy jump slightly. “Ooh, what if he's not a local. What if he's...exotic,” Rarity breathed with a flourish. “My, he certainly looks good; but imagine him with an accent. He could be positively scrumptious.”
Fluttershy's look of confusion returned. “What would being foreign or having an accent have to do with anything?”
“Everything,” Rarity said with gusto. “Now that I think about it, this whole thing sounds like a romance novel. A tall, handsome soldier, his body broken from his time at war, his mind steeped in the horrors of combat, is lost in a foreign land. He happens upon a lovely young maiden after a tragic turn of events, and she takes him in and cares for him; healing his physical and psychological wounds. Oh, the parallels are simply too much.” Rarity held her hoof to her horn in anguish, her show of dramaticism finished.
Fluttershy could not help but giggle at Rarity's display. “You do have a wonderful imagination Rarity. But I think you may be over thinking things.”
“Most likely,” Rarity sighed. “There's a reason they're called novels after all. Still, a girl can dream.” She turned once again to look at the window. “But you must admit Fluttershy; he is quite a looker.”
Fluttershy lowered her view to the tabletop. “Yes, well...”
Rarity quickly turned from the window to stare at her friend, her eyes hungry with anticipation. “Yes...what?”
Fluttershy shrank away, uncomfortable with the attention she had brought to herself. “Well...that is...” She spoke slowly, trying to choose her words. “I mean...I think he looks...nice.”
“I knew it!,” Rarity exclaimed. “It is just like the novels. You've fallen in love with the handsome ruffian you've rescued. Now the intrigue remains if he will ever wake up. If he does, what will he be like? Will he reciprocate your love? Can your love stand the trials to come? Has he already pledged his heart to another? Good gracious, the tragedy; the suspense!”
Fluttershy was blushing furiously now. “Rarity, n-no! It's not like that at all. I- you're- laughing. Why are you laughing?”
It was true; Rarity's poor attempt at covering her mouth could not hide the gaiety shaking her body. Her words were punctuated with small bursts as she tried to speak. “Dear, please...please Fluttershy, forgive me. It was...cruel of me. But I just couldn't...couldn't help it.” She calmed herself as she wiped a small tear from her eye.
Fluttershy was unresponsive. She was looking down at the table again, her face a brilliant shade of scarlet. Rarity's mirthfulness shifted to concern. “Oh no. I've gone and upset you haven't I?” Fluttershy merely squeaked.
Rarity stood from her chair and hurried to her friend's side. “I'm so sorry Fluttershy, truly. Here.” Rarity swung her front legs around Fluttershy's neck, hugging her tightly. “I really am sorry. I didn't mean any of it. I was having some fun and got carried away, and it was wrong of me to do that at your expense.” Rarity loosed her hold and looked Fluttershy in the face. “Can you forgive me darling?”
Fluttershy hesitated, then looked up. “So you don't think that about me, about what I'm doing to help him?”
“Of course not,” said Rarity, dismissing the notion. “Never. I know full well you mean nothing but the very best. Forgive me?,” she said with a hopeful look.
Fluttershy smiled back. The blood had receded somewhat from her face. “Yes, of course I forgive you. I could never be mad with you Rarity. It's ok.”
Rarity hugged Fluttershy again. “Thank you. I really am sorry about that. It won't happen again. And you really are the best friend anypony could ask for. I want you to know that.”
“Thank you Rarity. You're a good friend yourself,” Fluttershy said warmly.
Rarity drew back and inspected her mane, making sure her curls were still in place after all the commotion. “Well, now that we've gotten that behind us, I should probably be leaving. I left Sweetie Bell alone at the boutique with Opal, and I'm sure I have some cleaning to do by now.”
Fluttershy stood from her chair. “Oh, I see. Do you need any help with Opal at all?”
“No no, dear, thank you. I can handle her most of the time with little injury. She may need a grooming soon though. Would it be alright if I came by in a few days perhaps?”
“Yes, anytime. I'd love to help.”
“Splendid. And if you feel like it, maybe we can have more of that excellent tea of yours.”
“Of course. I'd love to.”
“Now is there anything I can do for you before I go? Perhaps some help with a certain pegasus?,” Rarity asked, partially regaining that inflection in her voice.
“No, I can handle it. But thank you for offering,” said Fluttershy, wary of the inflection.
“Alright, if you insist. Goodbye Fluttershy. Take care now.” Fluttershy waved after Rarity as the white pony made her way to the path in front of the cottage. She had almost reached the bridge over the stream when she turned to call back. “And Fluttershy, don't have too much fun treating your patient.” With that she crossed the bridge on her way back to town.
Fluttershy watched her go, confused once again at what her friend had said. “I still don't understand what she means by that. I don't see anything fun about it,” she said to herself. She sat down and looked out over the landscape before her. Ponyville was off in the distance, a sprawling collection of buildings nestled among the hills of the lowlands north of the Everfree Forest. Celestia's sun beamed its radiance upon the earth, the heat bending the light upon the grass to create an illusion of flowing amber water, on which Ponyville rested but would not rock.
Fluttershy closed her eyes and relaxed as her mane was brushed back and forth by the gentle breeze. As she sat, her mind roved over the events of the past two weeks. Every day since the pegasus had arrived at least one of her friends had come by to visit, sometimes two. They never said so, but Fluttershy knew they were checking on her to make sure of her safety. She didn't mind however; it just meant her friends cared for her and had her best interests at heart.
'I'm so lucky to have my friends,' thought Fluttershy. 'They've been so understanding of the whole thing; supportive even. I'm so glad.' Her mind trailed back to the day two weeks ago, when she was so intent on hiding the pegasus. Wisps of anxiety and fear meshed vaguely with the memories of the day. Now those feelings seemed so misplaced, even foolish. Fluttershy wasn't entirely sure what had prompted them; but it didn't matter now.
Truly the only one who made known their adversity to the situation at all was Angel. Ever since that night he had actively tried to avoid the living room, only staying for any amount of time when Fluttershy was there. She would ask the bunny for help when she went to massage the pegasus's body, having him paw at the back muscles, to which she could tell he agreed grudgingly. Fluttershy for the most part disregarded this behavior, as she was sure it was resultant of the scare he had suffered upon the pegasus's arrival, but it was still unsettling to some degree. Then again, Angel always was odd about things when it came to her interaction with other ponies, even sometimes her friends. She supposed that was just how Angel was.
'What's Angel up to right now?,' Fluttershy wondered. 'I haven't seen him since this morning. I should probably make sure he's not getting into trouble. He does tend to do that.' She stood and trotted back around to the table in the side yard. Rearranging the two cups and teapot onto the tray, Fluttershy prepared to take them back inside when she felt a small mass fall onto her back, then jump up onto her head. Angel grabbed Fluttershy's ears and lowered his face in front of hers.
“Oh, there you are Angel bunny. I was just about to go looking for you. Are you doing alright?,” Fluttershy asked sweetly. The white rabbit nodded, his ears flopping about.
“Good. Have you been behaving well? You haven't been up to any mischief have you?” The rabbit shook his head, his ears flopping again.
“Such a good bunny you are. Come on, let's go back inside.” Fluttershy picked up the tea tray precariously in her mouth and headed toward the front door of the cottage. With her wing she tripped the latch and the door swung open. The familiar smell of wild lilac underscored with earthy tones caressed her senses as she entered her home. Angel hopped down from Fluttershy's head to close the door behind her.
Fluttershy went to the kitchen and placed the tea tray on the table, to await cleaning later. She returned to the living room where Angel was sitting on the floor, eyeing the strange pegasus cautiously. “Angel,” Fluttershy called softly. Angel broke away from his suspicion and looked up at her. “Would you like to go ahead and take care of him for today? After that, we can have supper. What do you think?”
Angel considered the proposition for a moment. He then scowled, signifying his lack of will to help. Fluttershy had expected this. She knelt her down and nuzzled the white rabbit. “I know he makes you uncomfortable,” she soothed, “but I could really use your help. And I'll make vegetable soup, and let you have some. How does that sound?”
Angel reconsidered at the prospect of vegetable soup, as Fluttershy knew he would. He initially looked as though he was going to again decline, then hung his head and shrugged, acquiescing at last. “Thank you, Angel bunny. I'll make sure the soup is extra good, just for you.”
With the promise of soup motivating him, Angel hopped onto the back of the unconscious pegasus. He was quite small in comparison to the large body size of the pegasus, but the back muscles did not need as much stimulation as the appendages did. His job was simply use all his paws at once and use his body weight for rubbing, saving Fluttershy time and effort. It was not a hard task, but everything about the pegasus seemed to make Angel uneasy.
Fluttershy sat down at the pegasus's right, facing him, and began as she always did with the right wing. She lifted it gingerly in her hooves, taking the span just beyond the back joint in her right hoof and placing her left under the wing bone before the splint. Fluttershy began to move the wing in a path resembling a flapping motion, moving it up and down while simultaneously working the wing bend back and forth. It was difficult to do; the wings were rather heavy, and their sheer size made them very unwieldy.
Fluttershy started to sing to herself to take her mind away from the mundane task. It was a soft, sweet song; very befitting of her honeyed voice. She timed the cycles of motion with the rhythm of her song, her voice occasionally perforated with the sound of rushing air from the wing's down stroke.
When the sun goes down in the west
And the tides are tamed by the moon
I'll lay your little head down to rest
And see you to dreamland soon
The stars are alight in the sky
Like gems in an endless sea
And as you hear this sweet lullaby
The sweeter your dreams may be
As Fluttershy sang, she began to notice the cycles becoming less burdensome. The motion was easier to control, and more fluid. More air could be felt circulating from under the wing.
Suddenly Angel squeaked and bolted from his perch on the pegasus's back. With a mighty thrust of his legs he jumped over Fluttershy's head, onto her back, and grabbed tightly to her mane. Fluttershy let go of the wing in surprise. “Angel? What's wrong bunny? What hap-” She gasped and jerked back, away from the pegasus. The wing she had just been supporting was now flapping of its own accord, working its way through the air in slow, powerful strokes. It continued for a short time, then sank back to the floor to lie much as it had for days prior.
Fluttershy was rooted to the spot, watching the pegasus for the slightest signs of movement. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest, and her mind was gripped with apprehension. As she watched, the pegasus drew a long, deep breath and exhaled. His legs twitched, as though control had been reclaimed by an awakening mind. His tail flicked once, an arc traveling through the long, white hair.
His head rocked a little, as if he was deciding which way to turn it, and a deep groan vibrated through his throat and escaped his lips. With a half-roll his head faced to his right in Fluttershy's direction and lay still. At this all movement ceased, save for his breathing. Fluttershy continued to look on, unsure of what to do or how to approach the pegasus. This was the most action she had seen since the night she found him. If there was ever an opportune moment to wake him, this would have to be it.
Seconds passed, and the pegasus remained immobile. Fluttershy, resolving to not let this opportunity slip by, moved as warily as she could toward him. She reached out a hoof to nudge the pegasus. Her heart felt as though it was nearing the top of her throat now, beating ever faster. She could barely keep her outstretched leg straight as tremors began to shake her body. Her hoof was mere inches away now; just a quick nudge was all it would take. She inhaled sharply as she neared the point of contact, then halted as the pegasus slowly opened his eyes.
Fluttershy was confronted for a third time with the sight of those captivating gray eyes. The first time she had seen them, they were filled with pain and purpose. The second time, for however brief it was, they were racked with fatigue and bewilderment. This time they were different once again; there was no pain, no fatigue or confusion. These eyes told of a strong will, an unyielding strength, and a distinct undertone of what Fluttershy knew all too well to be sadness.
The pegasus lifted his head from the floor and made what looked like an attempt to speak. When no sound came he screwed up his face and coughed, rasping as though to clear dust from his vocal cords. His throat warmed, he tried again at speech. His words came thickly, breathily, as if with great effort. “Please, where...am I?”
Fluttershy knelt down closer to the pegasus's face, the better to hear him. Her apprehension was gone, replaced with a need to take care of her patient. “You're in my cottage. You were badly hurt, and I took you in. Do you...do you remember?”
The pegasus closed his eyes as if trying to dredge from the depths of his mind the memories of that night past. “I remember...blood, and pain. I remember a distant light, what I thought was... a window. And then darkness.”
Fluttershy felt a small twinge of undirected gratitude. It was good he still had some memory of the incident, however faint. She decided to try and go further. “Do you know why you were wounded like that? Did something attack you?”
“There were claws. And there was fire... and the thrust of wings.” His eyes could be seen flitting back and forth under his eyelids. “Dragon.” he finished.
Fluttershy squeaked. “A dragon? You were attacked by a dragon?,” she whispered in disbelief.
The pegasus opened his eyes and fixed them on the soft spoken pony watching over him. “Yes. I managed to...” he flexed his wings, lifting them on either side, and gently rested them on the floor again. This seemed to cause him discomfort. The thickness in his speech was no more; he remained calm, but was very direct now. “Where is my armor?” he asked.
“Oh, it's right here,” said Fluttershy, pointing in the direction of the wall. “Well, the parts for your wings anyway. I put the other parts in the sitting room behind you. I'm sorry if you didn't want me to, but I had to take it off to care for you properly.”
The directness of the pegasus's tone abated, some perceived anxiety assuaged at the knowledge his armor was not lost. “I see. Care for me, you say?” He shifted his right wing into his line of sight and examined the splint. He then turned his head and noticed the sling tugging at the base of his neck, supporting his left wing. “You did all of this?”
“Oh yes,” Fluttershy nodded. “I mean, you were in terrible shape. This wing was broken, and that one was wrenched at the base. You had some awful burns on your body, and your right legs were both gashed open, and I think you probably had some damage to your ribs. The ribs had to heal on their own, but I believe I mended everything else fairly well. Um, how do you feel?”
The pegasus seemed to gradually regain his cognizance. “To be honest, exceedingly well, in light of what you say” He took a deep breath, testing his chest cavity. “And you were correct about my ribs. Cracked, as I would hazard a guess.”
“I'm glad. Not about your ribs. Well, I'm glad I was right and took it into account. What I mean is, I'm glad you feel better.” The pegasus nodded appreciatively. After a brief lapse in the conversation, Fluttershy asked, “Oh, I'm so sorry. I forgot my manners. My name is Fluttershy. Um, is your name Feragrimm?”
The pegasus's facial expression became stern at the question. His voice reverted to the tone when asking about his armor, calm yet direct. “Where did you hear that name?,” he asked quietly.
Fluttershy hung her head a little and looked away, afraid she had upset him somehow. “I- I didn't mean to pry. I'm sorry. It's just that I saw it printed inside your helmet, and thought... that was your name.”
The pegasus softened his expression and tone. “Forgive me. It was not my intention to sound angry or to offend. It is a true honor to meet you, Fluttershy. And to answer your question, that is indeed my name. I would prefer however you did not address me as such. Grim will suffice.”
“Grim,” Fluttershy repeated, more to herself than aloud. She beamed at him. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Grim.”
Grim's visage cracked into a wan smile. “Likewise.” He cast his eyes around the living room, taking in the detail of Fluttershy's cottage. His gaze turned to the floor, and as he shifted his leg he noticed a minute difference in the level of dust underneath and the amount blanketing the exposed wood. “Tell me, how long have I been like this?”
“Well, it has been some time. Two weeks today, actually.”
Grim fell silent. He was focused on the floor, looking as though he was deep in thought. “Two weeks,” he mumbled to himself. “I wonder what the reaction was; what it will be. What happens now?”
Fluttershy was listening closely. When Grim stopped mumbling she asked, “Is everything alright? Is there something you need to do?”
“No,” Grim said quickly, snapping back to the present. “No, it's nothing. But I fear I have lain here for far too long.” He contracted his legs to his body, putting hoof to floor, in an attempt to stand. His legs strained shortly, then collapsed under his weight. He grunted in aggravation. “It seems however my faculties have yet to be completely restored.”
“Here, let me help you,” said Fluttershy, holding out her hooves to proffer assistance.
“No, thank you,” said Grim with a shake of his head. “This is something I must do on my own. I have trespassed upon your kindness for too long already.”
Fluttershy withdrew her hooves, looking slightly saddened. “Oh. I understand.”
“But,” Grim recovered, sensing he had hurt her feelings, “I suddenly find myself to be very thirsty. I would not begrudge you for some water.”
Fluttershy brightened at the chance to help. “Of course. I'll bring it right away. And here.” She swiveled her head around to look behind her and grabbed at something. She removed a flailing white mass from entanglement in her mane and placed it on the floor in front of Grim. “This is Angel. I have to go out to the well, so he’ll keep you company while I’m gone.”
She addressed Angel, “Now bunny, I want you to be good okay? He’s our guest.” Angel looked at Fluttershy imploringly, as if to ask how she could do this to him. Fluttershy patted him on the head, then got up and trotted to the entryway to the kitchen. “I won’t be long,” she called back.
Grim listened as the back door opened and closed. He tried again to lift himself, actually getting off the floor this time, but dropped back down on top of his wobbling legs. He sighed heavily and laid his head squarely on the wood beneath. Angel crept slowly toward Grim’s face and stood on the flats of his back legs inches away. Grim’s gaze came level with Angel’s, and the two locked eyes.
“Angel, was it? It's a pleasure. My name is Grim, as I'm sure you heard.”
Angel nodded curtly, keeping his eyes fixed on the massive figure before him. Grim cocked an eyebrow, to which Angel responded with a scowl.
“I take it you don't care for me?”
Angel gave another curt nod and tapped his nose, telling Grim he had caught on.
“I see. And what, may I ask, would prompt such an attitude?”
The rabbit looked Grim over for a moment, as if to decide if this was a trick question. Concluding it was not, he contorted his face and raised his paws over his head menacingly. He then pointed to the entryway to the kitchen, then back to himself as he tapped his head.
“So...you believe me a threat, to both your master and yourself. Am I correct in my interpretation?”
Once more Angel touched his nose, then pointed to his eyes with one paw, and at Grim with the other.
“Watching me, are you?,” Grim asked, cocking his eyebrow again.
Angel nodded and crossed his front legs over his chest, looking as tough as he could, given his stature.
“Allow me to guess; you are Fluttershy's lieutenant of sorts, yes? You are the faithful follower, the ever present companion who serves as a backbone and force of will to your demure master. Is that a summary of the situation?”
Angel looked briefly at Grim in surprise, then shot him a haughty glance and turned his head up and away.
Grim gave a slight grin. “Are you insulted at my presumption? Or are you annoyed that I've grasped your relationship dynamic?” Angel gave no response. Grim continued, his grin fading and his tone becoming progressively more melancholy. “Well, it doesn't matter. Your vigilance and love toward your master are truly noble, and I bear only respect for such virtue. I am a stallion of honor, and I am in debt to your master more than you can know. I will not ask your approval, nor will I ask a chance to prove myself, but know this. I give you my word, Angel; you have nothing to fear from the likes of me.”
Before Angel could respond to what Grim had said, they were interrupted by the sound of the back door. “I'm back,” Fluttershy called. She flew gracefully into the living room, carrying a metal pitcher and a glass. She landed in front of Grim and placed the drinkware on the hearth of the fireplace. “I'm sorry I took so long. I dropped the bucket the first time.”
Fluttershy bent her head down in front of Angel. “Did you behave while I was gone?,” she asked. Angel hopped around to Fluttershy's back, up onto the top of her head. He then vaulted onto a miniature flight of stairs imbedded in the wall, leading to the small catwalks suspended from the cottage rafters. “Was he good, Grim?,” she asked again, deciding Grim was the more reliable of the two sources anyway.
“He was,” Grim affirmed. “If I may say so, you are fortunate to have him for a friend.”
Fluttershy looked after Angel affectionately. “I knew he'd be good.” She asked Grim, “Did you try getting up again?”
“I did. I suppose the result is obvious.” Grim tilted his head toward the pitcher. “Could I trouble you to hold the glass up to my mouth?”
“Oh, yes. Here.” Fluttershy took the pitcher and filled the glass. She knelt down and put it up to Grim's mouth and tipped. Grim gulped down the water continuously as Fluttershy poured, draining the glass in no time. He let out a breath of satisfaction.
“That was very much needed. Thank you.” Grim planted his hooves firmly on the floor. “Now, they say that the third time is the charm.” His body trembled at his effort to straighten his legs, markedly unaided by the deadweight of the wings which he dared not use inside. He could feel the dull rumble of his straining muscles as blood rushed to them. By what seemed to be shear force of will, he began to rise. Loud cracks and pops resounded from within his joints, a joyful chorus of the body from the release of his pent up energy. As Grim reached the crest of his stance he twisted his head, releasing more pops inside his neck.
“Ah, that is better,” said Grim, now in full upright position. He arched his back, clearing several more noises from his bones. He spread his wings as far he could, taking extra care to avoid hitting anything, and tensed the shapely muscle tissue. A sweet burning sensation spread throughout his wings as the film of disuse melted away. Grim noted the soreness at his left joint and the dull pain on his distant right. Now thoroughly stretched, he collapsed the feathered structures to his side comfortably. As a finishing touch he tossed his head, and the hair from his mane fell elegantly to one side of his face. He gave Fluttershy an approving look.
This was the first time Fluttershy had seen Grim properly, as opposed to collapsed on the ground. She could now appreciate just how much larger he was compared to herself; the tips of her ears would not be able to touch the bottom of his jaw. Grim stood with a very proud and stern demeanor, with his broad chest out and his neck arched high. His pose struck Fluttershy as reminiscent of the guards Princess Celestia would bring with her on her royal visits.
Fluttershy was dimly aware of how laying prone did his muscular structure little justice. The thick sinew rippled under his coat like chiseled stone, accentuating his skeleton perfectly. The apparent power of Grim's wings was put into perspective by his now active muscles; they bulged around the base joints and even over the wing arms, noticeable under the small feathers that covered them. The proportion in wing size to the rest of his body was also much higher than Fluttershy had realized. When folded, her wings fit nicely within the profile of her torso at her side. Grim's however hung to about his knees, the lengths of the wing hands spanning almost from front leg to back.
“Is something the matter?,” Grim asked with a curious look.
“Huh? N-no, nothing. Um, how do you f-feel now?,” asked Fluttershy, not sure as to why she was stuttering.
“Much better than I anticipated; quite well, actually.” Grim lifted his front right leg, then the back, the better to see them. “Those scars are permanent I expect. Well, I suppose it can't be helped.” He flexed the bend of his right wing and held the splint up to his face. “Was it a clean break? I could not gauge the severity in the state that I was. I was not very coherent after my...encounter.”
Fluttershy shook her head. “No, it wasn't. I felt around the bone, and there was still some attachment. I set it right after I brought you in, so it should be well on its way to being healed.”
Grim analyzed the wrapping on his wing in detail. “This is well made. Do you have special training in medicine?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that,” said Fluttershy, blushing. “Um...I just take care of a lot of animals, and they get hurt from time to time, the poor things. I wouldn't say training, so much as experience.”
“I see.” Grim rotated his left wing about the shoulder joint. “And what of this one? Wrenched, I believe you said?”
“Yes, it was. I could tell from how it slumped when you were laying down. Normally I would tell a bird to rest and just keep off a wing like that, but yours was so large I thought it probably needed extra support, so I made a sling for it. How does it feel?”
Grim rotated the wing again. “Sore, but much better than what it was, I'm sure. A sling... and no medicinal training whatsoever?”
The red hue in Fluttershy's face deepened. “N-no. Never. It just seemed like something that made sense, was all.”
“A sharp sense you have then. It is a gift.”
Fluttershy tossed her mane so it fell into her face, hiding her right eye and, she hoped, the show of happy embarrassment she knew she wore. It was an automatic reaction caused by her shyness, for this is what she felt, in place of the more expected feeling of fear. She thought it very peculiar. Grim's voice was deep and somewhat harsh, though she could tell unintentionally so. His disposition was very stoic and matter-of-fact, something that was potentially off-putting in conversation. Considering this along with his build, under any other circumstances she knew she would be terrified at even making eye contact. But this was different somehow; perhaps it was the familiarity with him in nursing him to health, perhaps it was dealing with him in a weakened state, or something else. Fluttershy did not know why, but she was unafraid of Grim. Quite the opposite, talking to him made her feel oddly pleasant.
“Are you positive nothing is wrong?,” Grim asked with a note of concern.
Fluttershy was pulled from her thoughts. “Yes,” she replied quickly. “I'm sorry. I was just...thinking about something.” Grim was still watching Fluttershy when his stomach gave a loud gurgle. He growled in annoyance at his innards for betraying his controlled veneer. Fluttershy picked up on Grim's subconscious desire for food. “Are you hungry? I was planning on making vegetable soup for supper. I'm sorry that it's not something more special, but I promise it's good. Would you...like some?”
Grim rubbed his belly. “Only if I am not imposing. I will be content with whatever you choose to give me.”
“Vegetable soup it is then. Come on, you can sit in the kitchen while I make it.”
Fluttershy led Grim into the cozy kitchen adjacent the living room. She picked up the abandoned tea tray and placed in a wash basin to be cleaned later. Grim strode past as he saw the windows in the back of the room. He stood in front of the back door, peering through the glass pane at the yard and wilderness beyond. “So you live at the very edge of the forest. That would explain the eternity.”
“Are you talking about the other night?,” Fluttershy asked, glancing up from the water filled cooking pot she had placed on the stove. “What do you mean 'eternity'? What do you remember?”
Grim's words were very pensive. “I remember picking myself up from the ground. My body was broken, and I knew it. I tried to use my wings, to fly above the forest canopy to view the landscape, but I had no strength left. I remember estimating as best I could my position and heading. I was determined to not die in such a manner, so I pressed forward. When I say eternity, that is how long it seemed I had staggered through those miserable trees. It is nothing short of a miracle that my strength reserves held long enough for me to traverse the distance here.”
Fluttershy had been tending the stove as Grim spoke. A fire was crackling in the wrought iron belly, and she had now moved to the pantry to pull out the necessary ingredients. “That sounds just awful. I'm so sorry you had to go through that.”
“It is of little consequence now.” Grim left his window view and went to the table. Deciding the chairs were all much too small for him, he pulled one at the end nearest the living room aside and sat in its place on the floor. His height placed his chest and head reasonably above the table top.
Fluttershy had gathered the vegetables she needed and was breaking them up at the counter, preparing to put them in the pot of water. “Grim, do you mind if I ask what happened to you? I mean, if the memory isn't painful for you.” Grim did not immediately speak, but rather closed his eyes in what appeared to be great concentration. “It's fine if you don't want to. I understand.”
“No,” Grim said determinedly, opening his eyes. Fluttershy gave a small start as she dropped pieces of carrot into her pot. Grim softened his voice. “I apologize. No; it is a fair question, and the least owed you for your kindness.” He breathed in deeply and exhaled. “I am an elite soldier in the Pegasus Royal Air Corps, Royal Guard Division. Officially, I hold the rank of Major; unofficially, I avoid dealings with the Corps at large almost entirely. My missions are highly specialized. I serve to track, engage in dialog with, and respond to acts committed by various creatures categorized as potential threats to our country and its citizens. As I'm sure you can surmise, dragons would fall well within such a category.
“I was on such a mission. I had been hunting one dragon in particular for three days prior. There was an incident ending in the deaths of two fillies near Trottingham, and reports had implicated this dragon as being involved. I was sent to speak with him, and to possibly discern his guilt. If I deemed him worthy of suspicion, he would be brought to trial before a royal court. The irony of the situation, with regard to the outcome, is that my purpose was only to speak with him. Everything that resulted was utterly unnecessary; but I digress.
“Earlier on that day two weeks ago I had finally located him. He was holed up in a mountain cave in the forest. If I am not mistaken, it was inside the very peak visible from your window there. I eventually found the beast in a large room at the back of the cave system. I should note here that I am, by royal mandate, first and foremost a negotiator. Dialog is always my first resort, and force my last. If I am attacked however, should I judge the creature to be a danger to civilization as a whole, I do have license to, in lieu of a more graphic term, 'remove' the danger.
“When I found the dragon, I did attempt initially to speak with him. He was verbally hostile, but made no move to strike. At the time I did not fully grasp it, but it was as if he was stalling for something. Had I seen the entrance to an adjacent room in the shadows, perhaps I would have been able to avoid the entire incident; but as I said before, it is of little consequence now.”
Fluttershy had since finished combining her vegetables in the pot and left it on the stove to boil. She was now sitting in a chair next to Grim, very intrigued at his story.
“I pursued an exchange for a short while. I would ask a question, to which he would rudely and inadequately respond. I was beginning to lose patience when a dull rumble came from somewhere within the cave. A jet of fire burst from behind a rock formation to my right, and would have destroyed me had I not thrown up my wing to react. My armor absorbed the heat, but I was blasted back against the cave wall, breaking my focus long enough for the second dragon, whom I would only assume was a mate the first had found, to pounce upon me.
“I managed to dodge, but not before a snap of her jaws lacerated my legs. Much of what happened next was product of adrenaline and instinct; the memory is fragmented. I remember thrusting my wing into the female's neck as she recovered from her pounce. If done correctly, a sharp jab will crimp the pipe to the bile sac, keeping a dragon from breathing fire. I knew I had struck true when she began to cough plumes of smoke.
“It was at this I took my cue to exit the cave. It is one matter to spar with a single dragon; it is quite another to battle two, and close quarters with a dragon is the worst setting in which to fight. I do not remember how I got out, only climbing high into the open air outside. I felt the sting of a burn at my flank, and realized the female had been quick to follow, and was now flying after me. I wheeled around to face her, and another jet caught me in the side.”
Fluttershy interrupted, her curiosity overpowering her mounting dread at Grim's story. “B-but, I thought you said she couldn't breathe fire anymore,” she spluttered.
Grim nodded. “That is true. At that point she was unable to produce a flame. But do you know how a dragon does this?” Fluttershy shook her head. “A dragon carries a sac near the base of its throat. This sac contains a potent, volatile bile which, when heated, bursts into flames. When a dragon breathes fire, it super-compresses air inside its lungs and belches it forth at high speed. A separate pipe feeding from the sac releases bile into the air stream, and the bile is ignited. A dragon does not truly 'breathe fire', but this is the effect we see. And if the bile can't be injected into the air stream, there still remains a superheated air jet that can be quite harmful. The burns on my body were testament to that.”
Grim could see Fluttershy's emotion etched in her face, but didn't know what to make of it. “Have I upset you? Should I continue?”
“Um, the details are kind of...scary. Maybe just how you were injured, if that's ok?”
“As you wish. The female was the more aggressive of the pair, so I focused most of my attention upon her. I was able to create an opening, and smashed my wing into her arm, breaking it. I then sunk my other wing into her main wing joint, cracking the bone beneath and crippling her flight. As she fell, I flew up then dove at her. I brought the front profiles of my wings together about the back of the neck with as much force as I could muster, effectively severing her spine.
“When the body crashed into the mountainside, the male became even more enraged. He flew at me, spewing fire as he went. I dodged the fiery column, and tried to fly under him to attack his neck, but he was faster in his frenzied state. He managed to grab my left wing in his claws. My plate kept him from crushing my wing to a pulp, but he took me and threw me mightily. I hit the ground hard, and rolled. Before I could stop myself, my right wing was bent the wrong way against the edge of its plate, breaking it. My left was wrenched when I was thrown, I would imagine. It is also likely that my ribs were cracked by the same force.”
As Grim finished, he registered the mixture of what he believed to be sadness and fear on Fluttershy's face. “Perhaps I should have used less detail,” he muttered, more to himself than to his host.
Fluttershy's mouth was slightly agape. She gulped squeakily, then spoke. “H-how did you g-get away? From the d-dragon, I mean.”
Grim took care as he answered. “Suffice it to say, he is no longer a threat.”
“And what about the other dragon? The female?”
“She is also no longer a threat.”
Fluttershy turned her eyes from Grim to the table. She asked somberly, “So, they're both...”
“Gone,” Grim finished for her, saving her the pain of the word. Fluttershy sniffed, and Grim could see a tear rolling down her cheek. “You have my apologies. Had I known, I would not have told you as I did.”
Fluttershy sniffed again. She barely spoke above a whisper. “It's ok. I asked. It's just...I just wish it had turned out better. For everyone. It's so sad, so needless.”
“I agree. It was needless. But very little in this world happens for the better, or has a higher purpose. Such has been my experience, in any case.” Fluttershy did not respond to this last remark. Grim went to make an attempt at comforting her, but stopped as the smell of soup drifted into his nose. He rose from his spot at the table and walked over to the stove.
“Oh, I forgot the soup!,” Fluttershy exclaimed.
“Allow me,” Grim said as he removed the pot from the stove and placed it on the counter. “If you tell me where everything is, I can finish preparation.”
“I can't let you do that. You're my guest. And you're hurt.”
Grim's lips curled into the faintest of smiles. “I can assure you that my body is made of tougher stuff than you seem to believe. I insist. Allow me to help.”
“Well, if you insist, there are some bowls in the cabinet above you there. There are napkins in the drawer to your left, and the drawer left of that has a ladle. Oh, and we'll need an extra small bowl please.”
Grim set about retrieving what was needed for the meal. He took two napkins and placed them on the table, and ladled soup into the two larger bowls for Fluttershy and himself. As he set the bowls on table he asked, “What need is there for the small bowl?”
“That one's for Angel bunny. Once he smells the soup, I'm sure he'll come to eat. You can put it on the end of the table there.” Sure enough, as soon as Grim had set down the smaller bowl of soup, Angel scurried into the kitchen and hopped from a chair onto the table. “There you are Angel. Are you ready for your soup?,” Fluttershy asked sweetly. Angel nodded fervently, and hopped to his bowl at the end of the table.
“Did you say you take care of animals?,” Grim asked, taking his seat at the opposite end of the table, next to Fluttershy.
“That's right. All sorts of animals. I guess you could say I manage all the wildlife around town.”
“Around town? Is there a town nearby?”
“Yes, Ponyville. It's a wonderful little town. Everyone there is nice, and it's so peaceful.”
“Ponyville.” Grim tapped his chin in contemplation. “I seem to remember hearing of it once. Is it famous for anything in particular?”
“No, not that I'm aware. Rarity sells dresses to places all over, and Applejack's farm produces a lot of apples, but I wouldn't say there's anything famous.”
“I see.” Grim took his bowl in both hooves and tipped it to his mouth. He took a mouthful, chewed, and swallowed. A deep, satisfied growl escaped from the base of his throat. “This is excellent.”
Fluttershy finished a mouthful herself and smiled broadly. “I'm glad you like it. It's usually a treat when I make vegetable soup. I don't make it often because it's so much, and Angel and I can never finish it.”
“You live here, on the edge of the forest, all by yourself?,” asked Grim in mild surprise.
“I do. It's not as bad or dangerous as what you'd think though. Monsters from the forest always stay near it's heart. For company I have all my cute little animal friends, and of course Angel. I go into town a lot, and I have my friends in town who come visit me here. There's Rainbow Dash and Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie, and Twilight Sparkle, and they're all very good friends.”
Grim put his bowl down after another swig of soup. “Twilight Sparkle? There's something else I recognize. Is she well known for something?”
Fluttershy thought for a moment. “I don't think so. She's really good at magic, but not famous or anything. Oh, but I do know she's a favorite student under Princess Celestia.” It was very slight, but Fluttershy thought she could see the muscles in Grim's jaw tighten. “Is something wrong, Grim?”
“Not that I am aware. Why do you ask?,” answered Grim. His tone remained characteristically stoic, save for a hint of puzzlement.
“Oh, It's nothing.” Fluttershy discarded the notion, downed some more of her soup, then asked, “By the way, where are you from? Where do you call home?”
“I do not really have a home, at least not in the way most would use the word. If I wished to be poetic, I suppose I could say the open sky is my home. I spend much of my time in the wilderness, performing my duties. But I imagine you mean 'where do I make my dwelling', in which case my answer is the Royal Palace in Canterlot. I go there to give my reports upon mission completion, and to receive new assignments. My quarters are there as well, housing what few possessions I own but do not carry with me.”
“That sounds nice, living in Canterlot. I imagine it's all so lively and grand in a place like that.”
“In a way it is. There are no shortage of amenities, and it is a cultural capital, or so they say. Few things are as they seem on the surface however. It is difficult to live in such a place if you are not of the correct 'stock'. Status is nearly everything in a place such as Canterlot, and you are immediately at a disadvantage if you are not a unicorn.”
“What do you mean? What does being a unicorn have to do with anything?”
“Canterlot is a center for magical education and research, boasting the best institutions anywhere. All the lesser nobles who live there are unicorns, as well as most of the residents. Pegasi, though I doubt anyone would admit to this, are generally considered second class. If you are not a guard or a performer, you most likely must find work as a messenger, a courier, or something of the like. So called 'earth ponies' are below that, and there are almost none to be found in the city.”
“Oh my,” Fluttershy said, somewhat deflated. “I didn't realize that things were like that.”
Grim frowned at her reaction. “I hope you can forgive me. I'm sure I made it sound much worse than what it truly is. I have an egregious predisposition toward pessimism. For what it's worth, I have scarce felt that way touring the city in my off-duty hours.”
Fluttershy perked up again. “That sounds better.”
Grim returned a softened expression and turned his gaze to his nearly finished bowl of soup. He sat quietly for a time, then asked, “Fluttershy, would you mind if I asked you a personal question? It is something I have yet to understand.”
“I don't see why not. What did you want to know?”
“I want to know...” Grim seemed to have trouble expressing his thought into words. “Why did you help me?”
“I don't know what you mean. Help you do what?”
“What I mean to ask...is why did you help me on that night two weeks ago? And why did you put forth so much effort in the days since. I have seen my share of injury, and seen it in my fellow soldiers. I know what my condition was like, and the amount of care it took to heal me to how I am now. You did not simply lay me on your floor and comfort me.”
Grim's stone gray eyes fixed themselves on Fluttershy's lustrous blue orbs. “You gave me drink and food. You monitored my wounds, gave me treatment I would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. You had to have taken some measure to assist my blood circulation; my muscles were still spry when I awoke. I wish to know what would possess you to show such compassion to a complete stranger, with no promise of compensation. I do not understand.”
Fluttershy looked at Grim almost pityingly. Before her was a proud and noble stallion of enormous strength and intelligence, confused by a simple act of kindness. The glint of sadness she had seen in Grim's eyes when he first awoke was now at the forefront of his inner world, swirling with an indescribable thirst for enlightenment, for spiritual sustenance. Fluttershy felt her eyes burn slightly as tears began to form, prompted by the gravity of Grim's inner struggle.
Her body willed by some unconscious force, Fluttershy rose from her chair and approached Grim. Without a word she stood on her hind legs and threw her fronts around Grim's neck, hugging him as tightly as she could. A tear rolled down her cheek and into his iron gray coat. She spoke in a whisper, the words forming of their own accord. “Kindness isn't something to be understood or examined. It's an expression of the heart, which in and of itself cannot be quantified or logically reasoned. Kindness exists for its own sake, and need only be appreciated and reciprocated.”
Grim was motionless. Fluttershy was soft and warm against his large chest. She smelled inexplicably sweet, and her heartbeat was able to be felt by his shoulder. There was no amount of training, no previous experience that could have prepared him for this. He regarded emotion as nothing more than a nuisance, and vehemently discouraged it, especially in the elite ranks of the corps. He would not succumb, but for the first time in many months, he almost felt as though it would be acceptable if he did.
Gently reaching up, Grim slowly eased Fluttershy's body away from his own. He stood and walked to the center of the kitchen, then spun round to face her. He assumed the most regal of bows, kneeling on his front legs, his head held low. He fanned his wings fully, spanning the entire kitchen, with the tops angled toward Fluttershy. “If that is your answer, then I have made my decision. I owe you a life debt twofold; once for my body, and again for the use of my wings. In accordance with this debt, I hereby pledge my allegiance to you, to serve as your guardian, to do whatever you ask of me, until my debt can be considered paid in full. A life for a life, and kindness for kindness' sake.”
With that, he withdrew his wings and stood straight. Fluttershy did not know what to make of Grim's proclamation. She merely stared, trying to sort through what she had heard.
“Do you accept my oath of fealty?,” Grim asked after a pause.
“Grim,” said Fluttershy, her tone uncomfortable, “you don't owe me anything, especially not your life. I was only doing what I could to help.”
“But I do owe you my life. There is no denying that I would have died if left in my state. You saved me, and saved my wings.”
“What does this oath mean though? What does it mean that you pledge your allegiance, to serve as my guardian, to pay your debt?”
“All it means is that I promise to stay by your side, to use my strength to protect you, until I can find a way to give you what you have allowed me to keep. I implore you, let me act upon the principle of kindness. Allow me a chance to reciprocate the kindness granted me.”
“But what is there to protect me from? And you have other obligations you have to go back to don't you?”
“Believe me when I say that I will find a way to repay what is owed. And as for my other responsibilities I am first a stallion of free will, and second a stallion of honor. Loyalties can change given honorable circumstances, and a more apt example I have never heard. The corps is in dire straights if they sorely miss a single soldier.”
Fluttershy struggled to find a rebuttal, but came up empty. “I still don't know. How do you mean stay by my side?”
“I will go where you will have me, make my bed where you allow me room, and provide company if it is pleasing to you.”
Fluttershy sighed, defeated. “I'm not going to change your mind, am I?”
Grim continued to be steadfast. “I have made my decision. I humbly ask your response.”
Fluttershy racked her brain, trying to come to a solution. An idea suddenly occurred to her. “I...um...what about this,” Fluttershy proposed shakily. “Instead of an oath of fealty, what about a pact of friendship? It's almost the same; you can stay by my side, and protect me from danger. It's much more pleasant sounding, and it doesn't make you seem like a servant. How is that?”
Grim considered this. “And what of my life debt?”
“Unless a chance comes up for you to save me, as far as I'm concerned you don't have one. And that's my decision.”
Grim mulled these new terms. He then hung his head in a short bow and said, “I agree to your terms. So it is spoken, so it shall be; a pact of friendship.”
Fluttershy gave him a warm look. “See? Doesn't that just sound better than some silly oath?”
“It does, in a manner of speaking. It is an odd feeling, but not unwelcome.”
The fire in the belly of the stove was almost out now, and the daylight from outside was quickly waning as night approached. The breeze from earlier that day was gone, and the trees stood still, silently beckoning for Luna's heavenly blanket to arrive.
“It's time for bed,” Fluttershy observed as she looked out her kitchen window. She yawned squeakily. “I am very tired. What about you, Grim?”
Grim yawned in turn. “Yes, I believe I could do with some sleep myself. Today has been an interesting one to say the least.”
“Where would you like to sleep? I have a guest bedroom upstairs that you can have to yourself.”
“Something tells me your bed would not be able to accommodate my size. No, thank you; the floor in the living room is more than adequate.”
“But it can't be good for sleeping. Are you sure you don't want to try the bed at least?”
“I am sure,” Grim affirmed. “Besides, it is much easier for me to sleep with my wings spread out. Do not worry about me.”
The two ponies walked through the entryway into the living room. Grim prepared to lay down as Fluttershy made to ascend the stairs to her room. “Goodnight Grim. I hope you sleep well.”
Grim gave a final half-bow. “Goodnight, Fluttershy.”
As Fluttershy climbed the stairs, her heart skipped a little. She hazily registered the small jolt of excitement she had felt at hearing Grim say her name like he had. She entered her room at the top of the stairs, pulled back to covers on her bed, and settled in for the night. As she lay there, sleep overtaking her, her mind straddled the elusive border between consciousness and the world of dreams. A thought suddenly came to her, and in a flash was lost to that mental oblivion. She would not recall it the next morning, but for a fraction of a second she distinctly thought 'He's exactly how I imagined he would be.'