Peace. Peace at last.
After the liberation of Ponyville and Cloudsdale the surviving griffin forces in Equestria's country side capitulated to Celestia's patrols without a fight. Consolidating on her victory the Solar Princess marched the majority of her army north to break the siege of the Crystal Empire. Hard eyed stallions marched through the snowy wilderness expecting a protracted fight. What they found instead was a bedraggled and weary force hardly worthy of the name "army." Kept out of the Crystal Empire proper by Cadence's magic the griffins had been forced to camp in the harsh terrain and weather surrounding it. Coupled with lightning raids led by Prince Shining Armor had cracked the besiegers morale. Griffins had deserted in scores and those that remained to face Celestia's relief force surrendered without shedding a drop of blood.
With no cohesive forces standing between him and the Equestrian forces, King Dyaros, ruler of the Griffin Kingdom, quickly sued for peace.
A week later, the King marched stiffly down the magnificently appointed length of Princess Celestia's throne room. All around his carpeted approach was flanked by armored stallions in parade formation. Although arrayed as an honor guard there was no mistaking their glittering spear points or harsh gazes. Even in defeat the Griffin King maintained a regal air. Surrounded by advisors and generals, the absence of his only heir was conspicuous, King Dyaros came to a halt at the bottom of the stairs leading to Celestia's throne. Facing him from atop the marble stairs were the four Princesses of Equestria. Giving a shallow bow, he addressed them as one.
"Princesses of Equestria I, King Dyaros, first of my name and ruler of the Griffin Kingdom, do come before you seeking a cessation to the fighting between our forces."
Princess Celestia frowned down at him. He clearly wished to save some face in front of his advisors. The way he worded it one would think that the two nation's forces were locked in a stalemate, not that he no longer possessed a credible fighting force and was completely at the Equestrians' mercy. Still, the white alicorn knew that provoking him would only serve to leave a bitter grudge that might become cause for another conflict at a later date.
"And we receive you to those ends, King Dyaros," Celestia's mother-like voice rang through the room, "Too many lives have been lost. Now, if you will accompany us we will discuss the terms of this peace."
With that the assembled delegates turned and walked into a small side room together.
*****
Several hours later the ruler's of Equestria emerged together onto the dais overlooking Canterlot Castle's grounds. Every square inch of real estate was packed with pony citizens awaiting the decision of the rival monarchs. Stepping to the front, Princess Celestia spread her wings and gazed out over the mass of her subjects. She was bone weary and her heart was heavy. Yes the war was now over and peace was promised, but would it last? She had done her best to outline a peace that was strict but would not lead to lasting animosity. Was that enough? Would King Dyaros invade again? What if he sired another heir? Would the coming years see cooperation between ponies and griffins, or would hatred simmer until it finally boiled over into another bloody conflict?
Celestia shook her head as if to clear it. She could worry over those questions later. For now, her ponies needed her words to steady them.
"My little ponies," she began, " We have lost so much; friends, family, lovers... but through our loss we have secured our future. The cost of this war has been great, so great that to make it through the night, we had to set aside a part of ourselves to see through to the dawn. We set aside the part of us that takes joy in the sound of music, that savors the taste of our lover's kiss, and that clasps our dear children to us. This part, our best part, we set aside, guarded in a safe part of our hearts so deep as to wonder whether it should ever be seen again, but it must be seen again. Now we must shed the iron visage of war and rekindle that which is our best. Once more we must sing and kiss and love if we are to ever feel some measure of distance from our nightmares. "
She paused, panning her head from left to right; it was a technique she had perfected long ago that made it seem as if she was briefly making eye contact with every pony watching.
" Together we have seen the darkness, darkness we never dreamed of in our deepest of nightmares, but together we have overcome it. The wounds of war run deep and I do not know how long we will bear them, but I promise you, that we will bear them together. Together we forged victory and together we will safeguard peace."
It wasn't her best speech. The cheer that rose from it felt muffled and discordant. Still she smiled her most winning smile and held her wings and head high for all to see. She knew that they must see her strength to find their own. So she smiled; merely another mask on the face of Equestria's greatest actor.
*****
Two weeks later, after most of the war's debris had been removed from Canterlot's face, Princess Celestia hosted a magnificent ball for her soldiers and their families. Banners, flags, and streamers sailed through the heavens of Canterlot castle's vaulted ceilings while, far below, a veritable army of cooks, bakers, servants, vendors, singers, dancers, jesters, and troubadours laid out an atmosphere of delectable delicacies and joyous joviality the likes of which had never been seen in the castle's great halls.
A massive banner hung over the castle's main gate proclaiming: "The Festival of Life."
Princess Celestia chose the title herself. The festival was not to commemorate a mighty victory, she explained, but to honor the fallen by celebrating their lives. The wives, partners, and lovers of every fallen soldier were invited to the ball and the ruler of Equestria sought out each one for a few solemn words, shared tears, and more than a few embraces.
The festivities began with a formal ceremony of awarding medals of valor to soldiers in Celestia's army. Dozens came forward with tears in their eyes to accept the trinkets for their own heroism or in place of a friend who was no longer able to do so. The latter, Celestia felt, looked as if a millstone had been placed around their necks. Their pain was plain in their eyes. Why had they survived where their friends had fallen? The Princess had no answer.
Once the ceremony had concluded, Princess Luna and Princess Cadence stepped forward with a goblet of the finest wine floating before themselves in magical grasp. Raising hers on high the Princess of the Night titled the glass forward until it's blood red liquid poured out over the steps leading to her and her sister's throne.
"To our honored dead!"
Then the Princess of Love raised her own goblet and cried: "And to the lives they lived" before tilting her wine to her lips and drinking deeply from it.
A mighty cry rose from the throats of the soldiers as they too toasted their friends for the last time.
And then came the dancing. Mares and colts in their finery danced and twirled around the magnificently appointed ballroom in time to a lively string quartet. It was at this time that Princess Twilight Sparkle found Ares firmly rooted to a pillar near the palace's open bar. A faint tinge of red colored his cheeks as he sipped wine from a crystal glass. He had been fitted for a dress uniform befitting an officer in the Canterlot Guard and he cut quite the dashing figure, though it was plain to see that the high starched collar annoyed him.
"Hello, Ares. Are you having fun?" she smiled.
"I am, Princess," he replied, "and I confess I have never seen such a gaily appointed room."
The purple mare hid a smile at the slight slurring of his words.
"Well why aren't you dancing?"
Ares' face colored even more and he glanced pointedly down at his hooves.
"I-um wel-I, I've never been a very good dancer, Twilight. Nor do I have anyone to dance with."
Feigning shock, Twilight seized him by the hoof and dragged him to the center of the dance floor.
"Nonsense! I'll dance with you!"
Ares quickly found that he wasn't the only one who would not be known for the elegance of his dancing, but for what Twilight lacked in skill she certainly made up for with gusto. And, after a few more drinks, he started to think her dancing was rapidly improving.
All of the sudden, the lights dimmed and the quartet fell silent. At the back of the room a large curtain was raised to reveal a recently erected stage replete with a full orchestra. All eyes turned to the stage as the lights dimmed and the lone form of a brown pegasus climbed up the stage and took position in front of the orchestra. The maestro's red and black mane rested upon his head in a thick, almost unkempt mop, clashing marvelously with his sharp tuxedo and vest.
"Who is that?" muttered Ares out of the corner of his mouth.
"That's Dal Segno. He's the newest composer from Trottingham who's taking Canterlot by storm."
All muttering in the audience fell silent as the conductor rapped sharply on his music stand. With a snap his wings unfurled and, with a motion, waved the orchestra into their ready positions. For a heartbeat the room seemed to hold its breath before the first lilting notes rang out from a solo violin.
Soft and delicate notes rose quickly into a trill that sounded sweet and sharp like bird's song before falling into a steady and beautiful melody that was quickly picked up by the remaining strings. Together they wove a golden tapestry of euphonious major chords, telling a story of life and harmony. All too soon the happy song was cut off by a deep and resonating roar from the timpani and bases. Like the cascade of a waterfall the song fell from its lofty heights into an abyss of minor notes so deep as to be almost overwhelming. The maestro's tail swung like a metronome as once more the song changed its pace. Resounding drums beat like a heart as sharp violin trills chased each other through the listener's ears. It was the sound of darkness, madness, and struggle. Just as the notes settled into a low rhythm a horn cried out through the veil in a bright and piercing tone. Hope blossomed in the heart as horns and drums rose in cadence, answering the low tumultuous tone beat for beat. Both sides of the song pitched and rolled together, rising higher in their clash until at last silence fell like a curtain. For a brief moment the sound of silence reigned, leaving the listener on the edge of suspense, wondering how the story would end. Then, slowly, sound returned. Martial tones swelled in the sound and beat of a victory march clad in the passionate clang of bells. All ponies assembled there felt their hearts swell near to bursting with feverish pride. Note by note the music faded like the morning mist until once more silence was the only sound heard. At last, the solo violin cried out again playing the same song as before, but now major and minor notes sang together. The song was the same, and yet, it wasn't. One wondered if the song would ever be the same again.
As the last notes died out every pony rose onto their hind legs and applauded for all they were worth. Ares was surprised to realize that tears flowed freely down his cheeks, and he was not alone in that regard.
The maestro pegasus turned to his audience and bowed deeply a small smile on his lips. The orchestra too made their bows before carefully casing their instruments and descended to mingle with the crowd. More drinks and hors d'oeuvres flowed through the assembled ponies and a feeling of happiness and merriment reigned to the rafters.
As the night hours began to grow long ponies slowly started taking their leave. The four princesses of Equestria made sure to stand by the door and wish them all the best as they returned to their homes. Princess Celestia smiled softly as Ares approached.
"Ares, our country truly owes you a debt of gratitude."
Ares dipped his head humbly.
"You owe me nothing, Majesty."
"So you say," said Princess Luna, "but you may ask anything of us. It is the least we can do as friends."
The charcoal pony shook his head.
"You have given me a home and friends. I could not ask for more."
"Does this mean your wandering days are over, Ares?" Twilight asked.
With a deep blush Ares looked over his shoulder towards the bar where the composer Dal Segno was chatting amicably with a few of Canterlot's socialites.
"I may have found a reason to stay."
Twilight's head tilted to the side in confusion before realization dawned.
"Oooh," she laughed, "Rarity will be heartbroken."
"Well I've always enjoyed music more than fashion."
Together the two ponies laughed and Ares knew that he had finally found a place where he belonged.