Let the Silence Sing 2
Part 1: Hedge Maze
Big Macintosh walked at an easy canter between two orchards. He’d finished his chores for the day, showered and groomed, and was off for his own activities. It wasn’t apple-bucking season just yet, so he often had half the day to himself this time of year. Sighing with a simple sort of contentment, he continued down the path until he spotted Featherweight.
The long-legged colt ducked his head and wilted his ears like he might be struck. After publishing that picture of Big Mac and Princess Celestia last week, he’d been condemned to paint all the fences in Sweet Apple Acres. The fields were color coordinated too, so it wasn’t gonna be easy. The dark green this particular fence row was supposed to be was coming along nicely, but it was still just the fifth of eight fields.
Big Mac offered a measured frown to make sure he was doing a good job, but saw nothing wrong with his efforts. He’d insisted on deciding the colt’s punishment for his violation of privacy—and exposing his relationship with the Princess to the general public. The flow of green paint and the paint cans that were smattered around the grounds would keep him going at least another four days or so.
The papers had been printing about it all week, nonstop with the same picture. There wasn’t a pony alive that didn’t know the Princess was dating somepony called ‘Big Macintosh.’ Thankfully the media and other such ponies hadn’t found him yet. Ponyville knew, but they seemed to be keeping it quiet. After all, housing x-number of national heroes, surviving plagues and dragons and all sorts of other things had sort of mellowed the population out. There had been a few congratulators, but nothing crazy thus far.
Finally reaching the grain silo, Big Mac looked about. Nopony was around. Reaching, he opened the door and stepped through. The two guards on the other side were briefly startled, but nodded respectfully. Beyond the magical doorway was Canterlot, the capital of Equestria. Celestia had placed it there so that they might visit more often and more easily. One guard shut the door behind him, then gestured to the floor.
Big Mac looked down, then sheepishly wiped his hooves on a waiting rug. The palace staff was still in a titter about him leaving a trail of dirt the last time he’d been there. He wasn’t exactly spic and span during his last visit. Emerging out into the hallway, he turned left and then right. Which way was it, again? He wasn’t sure. The palace was big and labyrinthing in his eyes. It was easy to get lost, end up outside, on a balcony or even in the tallest tower. It wasn’t like the easy rolling hills of Sweet Apple Acres. Grumbling at all the fancy filigree and stained-glass windows that blocked his natural view, he decided left and went on his way at a slow loping pace.
He received nods and sometimes salutes as he went by. The royal coltfriend, they’d called him. As though there were such a title. Smirking with just a smidgen of male pride, he turned down the appropriate hallway when he found it. Exiting out a pair of massive double doors he found himself in the royal gardens. The gentlest spring days were the only ones that found the palace this time of year, and it showed. Puffy clouds, blue skies and a crisp little breeze all made for the perfect day. The weather pegasi were always hard at work around the capital to keep it nice.
Then finally he found her. Princess Celestia lay on her back beneath a swaying tree. The hishhhh-hishhh of all the branches had lulled her into a sort of afternoon doze, and the careful absence of guards spoke volumes. He found himself smiling as he approached, wider and wider. Her hair lay rained all about her in a display of three colors, and the glow of the reflected sun made her seem angelic under his gaze. Her nose worked itself when a single blade of grass tickled her nose.
Choo-!
Guh, his heart could barely take the cute. Leaning, he nosed her just once. Her long lashes fluttered and she gazed up at him silently. They shared a private smile, and he leaned to give her a chaste kiss.
Turning to hide her sun-exposed pink belly, Princess Celestia righted herself and stretched her wings. The two of them turned as one, walking side-by-side until they came to the castle maze. It was quiet, private, and away from prying eyes. They could visit and be merry away from any hiding guards, spying photographers and such in its many winding paths. She leaned daintily against him, draping a massive wing out over his back.
Big Mac smiled sheepishly, having to look up just a little to see into her face. He still wasn’t used to having to look up at her. Playful, he nipped one of her primaries. The Princess yipped softly, then whapped his back just a little with her feathery touch. They shared quiet, giggly laughter as they disappeared into the winding paths of the hedge maze.
Finding one of the open spots some distance in, they settled at a tiny coy fish pond. The fish were shy at the sight of them, but darted around none the less in a brilliant orange display of fleeting bodies. They settled on their bellies, side by side, and leaned into one another. A long time passed while they watched the fish, and Celestia heaved a great content sigh. He could see the stress of ruling melting out of her bit by bit in his presence.
The great red stallion leaned into her embrace, closing his eyes contentedly. Her chin rested atop his head in a rather cute ‘big spoon’ sort of way. Chuckling in a rumbly way down in his throat, he stroked the length of her withers in silence. Another happy sigh.
Turning after a long time, Celestia lifted her opposite wing. Leaning with her teeth she unzipped a hidden little purse she kept under there. Emerging with a long bar of gourmet chocolate, she set it near him to share. Working the wrapper off with her magic, she offered him the first bite. He found it was cold. Cold chocolate was always a great treat. He dug his teeth in harder, but it wouldn’t break. Celestia cocked her head, wiggling it in his mouth. He bit harder, straining a bit. She pulled his head about like a fish that had been caught biting a worm. Putting his back into it the candy bar finally snapped audibly. Big Mac flopped over backward from the sudden lack of resistance. The chocolate he’d bitten off launched into the air… then plunked into the coy fish pond. The fish fled from the sudden foreign object. Her wing rushed over him to pull him close as she threw her head back with full-throated, gay laughter. Big Macintosh smirked, then grinned, then joined her. Apologizing, she broke off a bite-sized piece with her magic, then fed it to him. He liked it. There was a mysterious taste of orange mixed in with the dark chocolate—how fancy!
They shared the rest of the bar without incident while the lazy afternoon stretched on. Celestia had also brought a pair of small milk bottles to wash down all the chocolate. She thought water was too bland, and teas and such had a bad aftertaste. Milk was just right. Big Mac agreed.
Having had their fill, they settled next to the coy fish pond. Big Macintosh slowly stroked his muzzle down the Princess’ long withers, then rested his chin at her shoulder with his eyes closed. She did the same, pulling both her wings forward to embrace him. The rest of the world passed the quietly by—little dandelion seeds floated gracefully by on the breeze, and the occasional insect toddled by, minding its own business. Celestia sighed once more, leaning her weight into him. A quiet, murmuring hour of nothing at all.
C-CLOP.
Both ponies startled, turning to look. An armored pegasi stood there after having landed, saluting with all seriousness. The Princess gave a formal nod, all the shields coming back up as she did so. She raised herself up into a regal posture to display her height. Big Mac looked up as the not-quite-real neutral smile settled on her features.
Bowing, the intruder gave her a scroll with a griffon nation’s seal on it. She flipped it open with her magic, then slowly stood. Big Mac looked up, frowning in concern. She patted his head with her wing. It was nothing world-ending or war-causing, but it did need to be seen to right away. Leaning rather boldly and with the guard watching, she kissed him on the lips. Big Mac went a slightly deeper shade of red. The armored guard looked sheepishly to one side, feeling more and more guilty that he’d had to interrupt them.
With a rather ‘kissed him because I can’ smile on her face, Celestia cantered for a bit then took wing. Her guard would need to escort Big Macintosh back to the palace. Duty called, being the ruler of a nation. He smiled fondly after her. He understood. It made their little meeting-dates all the more romantic when their demanding jobs gave them just a little time for each other. Even just a few hours like today.
Big Mac caught the armored pegasi measuring himself up against the earth pony. What did he have that a soldier or noble or other stallion didn’t have? He couldn’t tell, but he saw Big Mac watch him checking him out. He startled a little, then went back to his stony-official-guard-face. It was this way back to the palace, he assured the royal coltfriend as they took off down a path.
End of Part 1
A sequel:
I quite like how you're able to tell the story with no dialogue at all.
I think you mean 'koi'. Coy means shy, and I'm not sore a 'shy fish pond' is quite what you mean.
Lol wut? Fimfiction you are drunk. The chapter itself has a word count, but apparently the story has 0 words xD Although I find that kinda funny as there are no words between the characters.
Aww hell yeah. Now I have something to fill my need for more CelstiMac.
It lives
And big mac may die of overcuteness... That counted as a word on my iPad mky
"Kissed him because I can" smiles are some of the best, in my opinion. Shows that a lass has cheek!
Sweet, I've been wait far too long for this
Nice to see the continuation, where do you plan on taking this though?
A sudden rise in a peasant and a princess causing a social outcry? Or something else entirely new?
Now I need to read more.
Brilliant example of the power of pure narrative.
Also the CelestiMac is adorable as heck.
4427005 I want to see what happens when the tables flip. Before Celestia was always visiting. Now, its Big Mac in Canterlot.
Yay! A sequel to one of my favorite stories, and it's just as romantic as the first, oh, my inner romantic loves it soooo much!
HUZZAH TIMES 54404040302023040502945053035085820285!
AEGIS! Good to see a sequel to a good one. Nice to see you're still active.
4427111 A snotty Noble starts harassing Celestia in Court.
Big Mac walks in - appearing huge and intimidating to said Noble...
Mac just gives the stuffy Unicorn the Farmer's GlareTM and the Big Frown of Au-thor-i-tah!
It is very effective.
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Finally, you have no idea the amount of happiness and joy reading this fic gives me.
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Approves he does.
If I had any more yes to give this you'd have a vast surplus of yes.
Actually, I'm pretty sure you've already got a vast surplus of yes... Take mine anyways.
This made my day! Thanks for that, Aegis! Now I have to go back and read the first one again because I want more.
Hm….
I didn't even read it yet and the favorite star got clicked. And yes, glad to see a sequal to this.
4426623 Koi fish are shy though, so technically it's still correct.
4428090
Nah man, koi aren't shy, it you have koi that you feed regulary you can go up to the pond and stick you hands in the water and they will nibble on you fingers expecting food (they dont have any teeth so it doesn't hurt or anything).
edit: hmmm... reply fail...
4428161 I did not know that. However I doubt that Celestia or Big Mac personally fed them. If the koi don't recognize you, as with most fish, they will dart away from you.
4428184
Blame
AzanorCommunismRepublicansDemocratsNazisTexasCanadaKnightygenetics.I always enjoy a good dose of Aegis Shield(the author or the stallion, and oh lord how I miss that Spartan)
Instant fave, simply because of author+known series.
Seriously, listen to some Johnny Cash while reading this, it really sets the tone.
I've reread the original many times. But I'm not sure how I feel about a sequel. Sure, more Silence is what I've always craved deep in the darkest pits of my soul, but I really liked how the first one wrapped everything up. Eh, whatever. I'll read and love this one too.
This is good!
I feel like a clop seen is in order
4429041 Why the hell is Canada in that list!?
4429831 This.
Why was pegasi written when referring to a single pegasus?
Yahoo! A sequel!
......i do hope Mac gets a boost to the whole mortal-lifespan thing....not a fan of the "and she loved him...and he died eventually" fics.....here's hoping.....
4429831 cause South Park
4430214
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No.
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OMG A sequel! *squeeeeeees*
4430648 What the heck? I just thought someone was missing a reference gag. Also, I'm Canadian.
4429831
I'm basically referencing every silly 'Blame' statement I've heard.
4430670 Oh... well... this is kinda awkward...
Oh yay a sequel!
*sees this story in the featured box*
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The Silence story got a sequel!?!?!
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ITS HERE, ITS HERE! SWEET EVER LOVING BABY JESUS, I'M SO EXCITED I COULD BUST A NUT!
Just ignore the fact that I'm not reading this until there's like two or three chapters. I have to marathon my favorite stories. It's a sickness of mine.
yay!
4432358 Yes, I'm quite sure Mac is quite intent on Praising the Sun.
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Still loving the minimal dialogue style you have here, although you could do with being a bit more creative with the story's title and cover art.
scattered, I think? Cause smatter doesn't quite fit as far as I know.
4432746
That sounds painful.
OMG! yes! Number 2!!!