//------------------------------// // 461. Troll by Ashi // Story: The Sun and the Stars: A Twilestia Prompt Collab // by Fuzzyfurvert //------------------------------// by Ashi *** Princess Celestia awoke with a groan to the sound of a sharp knocking at the door to her chambers; she felt the beginnings of a scowl tug at her muzzle, and she cast a narrow-eyed frown of irritation at the grandfather clock adorning the opposite wall. A lavender figure stirred in the bed next to her, slowly opening one eye in order to regard her sleepily. “What is it?” asked Twilight Sparkle, covering her mouth with a hoof in order to stifle a yawn. “Somepony's at the door,” replied Celestia, not even bothering to mask the annoyance that she felt at the intrusion. “This early in the morning?” “Mm-hm.” “It must be important, then. I mean, if they've come all the way here instead of going straight to your sister.” “Yes,” Celestia said with a nod. Princess Luna had agreed to take over all royal duties, both day and night, for one day out of every month so that Celestia and Twilight might at least have some time to themselves without constantly being torn away from each other by their respective duties. “Are you going to answer them?” Twilight's eyes flicked briefly in the direction of the heavy, wrought-iron door. “Do I-” more knocking, a shade more insistent this time “-have to?” Celestia winced, rubbing her temples to stave off a headache. “Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight Sparkle,” a stern, commanding voice – doubtless that was old Cannon Fodder, the head of the royal guard, himself – said, “we regret to bother both of you so early in the day, but the Council of Unicorns has requested your presence on a matter most urgent.” “Most urgent?” said Twilight Sparkle in a low whisper so that Cannon Fodder wouldn't overhear her, shifting herself around on the bed until she was lying on her stomach, her violet tail swishing back and forth playfully. “Sounds pretty … urgent.” She giggled lightly at the repetition. “What is this most urgent matter?” asked Princess Celestia, trying to ignore the fetching way that Twilight's tail had fallen over her cute purple butt, putting enough heft into her tone that the royal guard commander sounded like a frightened colt by comparison. “Regretfully, ma'am, I'm afraid I must report that I am unaware as to the extent of the situation,” the commander replied, his attempt at sounding apologetic ruined rather by the low note of exasperation creeping into his voice at the princesses' continued recalcitrance. “The council refused to discuss the particulars with the guard, saying that it was a concern for the attention of the princesses alone. They, um, they were quite insistent that you meet with them as soon as possible, however.” Twilight rolled her eyes, shooting Celestia a can-you-believe-this-guy expression. “The one day of the week that you can sleep in and they're trying to drag you out of bed, and they won't even do you the courtesy of telling you why.” “Pfft,” Celestia said, sticking her tongue out in distaste. “Try going through this same rigmarole for ten thousand years. Last time, it was to deal with a party of trolls that had made their home under one of Darwen River's bridges.” “Just get rid of them.” “We did. Oh, the unicorns. I couldn't do that.” She looked thoughtfully at the ceiling. “Could I?” “You could-” “-Don't say I could banish them to the moon or you'll be going straight back to Ponyville without any breakfast, young lady.” Celestia shot Twilight a grin to indicate that she was joking. No way was she planning on passing up a tasty morning treat. “Commander, please return to the Council of Unicorns and tell them that, on my personal authority as Diarch, I am ordering them to tell you what the situation is. Then, we shall decide whether or not to attend their meeting.” “I … yes, ma'am. I shall return presently.” They heard the sound of hooffalls disappearing into the distance. “Now where we?” Celestia asked Twilight, grateful to have bought at least a little more time. “Breakfast,” replied Twilight, an innocent expression on her muzzle as she rolled onto her back. “What do you fancy?” By way of an answer, Celestia lowered her muzzle to Twilight's and kissed her softly on the lips; collapsing on the bed with her, she wrapped the smaller alicorn up in all four of her legs, embracing her warm body to her own. “I fancy you,” she said, breaking the clinch for air. “Always have done.” “Always?” asked Twilight, one eyebrow raised archly. “Don't start.” Pulling her hindlegs up with her forelegs, Twilight wiggled her flank under Celestia's nose. “Were you checking this out before it got the star of approval?” “That,” Celestia said firmly, shaking her head at Twilight's antics, “will be getting a slap if you keep this behavior up.” Twilight's mulberry eyes flashed. “Is that a promise?” Before Celestia could reply, the guard commander returned. “Ma'am, the Council of Unicorns request your presences in order to discuss the possibility of opening trade negotiations with the Minotaur lands beyond Equestria.” Celestia bit her lip softly, a look passing between her and the younger alicorn who was shaking her head disdainfully. “Those discussions have already been scheduled for a week from now. Why are they trying to move them up all of a sudden?” She already knew the answer, of course: some overeager puppy on the council got a whiff of the exotic riches to be found beyond Equestria and now they wanted a taste. Still, a trade agreement with the Minotaur tribes would bring incalculable benefits to all the ponies of Equestria. Getting the proposals out of the way now wouldn't be so bad, really, would it? Except that it would really, really ruin her morning plans. “They did not say, I'm afraid.” “Tell them that, regretfully, neither I nor Twilight Sparkle will be able to make it.” “But … what reason shall I give them for your inability to appear before them?” A smug smile crossing her muzzle, Celestia gripped Twilight's curvaceous flank tightly and said, “Tell them that I'm feeling a little hoarse.”