12. Carrying the Torch
My Farrier Lady, Sunspot
Carrying the Torch
Captain Periwinkle. It had a nice ring to it, but Perry did not have nearly enough time to appreciate his promotion to Captain of the Royal Guard. There was an endless series of tasks that needed his attention, paperwork with unfilled lines, reports on all of the things he was going to be responsible for within the next few months, including one that the outgoing Captain Stone merely referred to as, “You’ll find out.”
Despite an ever-growing mountain of papers awaiting his attention, one thing he could not put off one more day was his new shoes. The old ones practically rattled on their worn nails when he walked, and the last thing Perry wanted was to throw a shoe when he walked up to Their Highnesses during the promotion ceremony, the last official act of the Royal Sisters until they stepped down and Princess Twilight Sparkle became his boss.
He’d probably fall right on his face and die of embarrassment.
“Last hoof, please.” Golden Hammer, the Royal Guard farrier, was a big stallion who always made Perry feel like a young colt again, although all he could see of the pleasant fellow was his slab-like side of rusty red hide with a golden hammer cutie mark. Plus, Hammer let Perry move himself down to the shoeing brace instead of picking him up like a toy, which was nice of him and slightly calming.
“I’m just glad you agreed to stay open late tonight, Mister Hammer,” said Perry while moving. “I’m probably going to be working until past midnight again.”
“You said we were going to have dinner this evening,” came a familiar female voice from the shop’s sliding side door, which was open to let the cool evening breeze in. “We had it planned last month.”
“Bunny?” Perry tried to turn so he could see, but Hammer kept him pinned while pulling out loose nails. “Bun-Bun, honey?”
“Keep him right there, Mister Hammer,” said the fuming pegasus mare as she came around to his limited field of vision. “He can’t duck out on me this way.”
Hammer said nothing, because he was holding a file in his teeth. Lucky stallion.
“Look, Bunny,” started Perry in a forlorn attempt at reason, “you knew when we started to date that there would be times when the job comes first. Like Mister Hammer here. He’s staying open late so I can get my new shoes before I get promoted.”
“Actually, we’re catching up on some backlog while waiting on our marefriends,” said Silver Nails, who had just leisurely sauntered out of the enchantment booth to one side of the forge area. “Hi, Dust Bunny. The girls are shopping for some foals’ things this evening, so when given a choice between working a little late and that...”
“It was an easy choice,” said Hammer, once he had put the file to one side. “Why don’t you two come along with us tonight?”
“I can’t,” said Perry in what was supposed to be a decisive tone, usable for giving orders to his fellow Royal Guard, but which he suspected sounded more like a whine.
“You never can when it’s something I want to do,” said Dust Bunny, sticking her bottom lip out and pouting in the way that always liquefied his heart.
“But it’s important,” he managed. “I’ve got mountains and mountains of paperwork to cover—”
“You have subordinates now,” insisted Bunny. “You don’t have to do everything yourself.”
“Not everything!” said Perry. “Besides, there’s a problem that just came up when I was reviewing the last Captain of the Guard’s files. I was going over the logs for Their Highness’ evening schedules, and there are holes...” Perry slowed to a stop. “Bugger.”
With a low clucking of his tongue, Nails shook his head. “Not even on the job and you’re already leaking secrets. So Their Highnesses sneak out at night sometimes. Who cares. They deserve it.”
“I need to know where they’re at every minute of the day or night. I’m going to be responsible for them,” he hissed, giving Dust Bunny a sideways look of ‘Oh Please Don’t Say Anything Because I’m In Enough Trouble Already.’
“Seems to me princesses are pretty responsible all by themselves,” rumbled Hammer, who had given his hoof several expert strokes of the hoof rasp and was examining the results. “I remember the first order Princess Celestia gave Cadet Periwinkle when little Twilight was here, getting her worn-out shoes replaced. You got to escort her back to the palace.”
“Seems like so long ago,” chimed in Nails. “They grow up so fast.”
“And when she got her first set of shoes as a Princess, you were assigned to stand guard outside the forge,” added Hammer. “That was a lot of responsibility for the both of you.”
“I’ll say,” said Nails. “After what we went through to get her last set of shoes enchanted, I’m starting to think you were protecting the city from her, more than protecting Twilight.”
“Spike stops by the shop whenever he’s in town alone,” said Hammer. “I think he likes our brand of coal. He’s got all kinds of stories about her.”
“Please, don’t go spreading stories about Her Highness,” said Perry, wincing a little when Hammer gave a rough spot on his hoof an extra stroke of the rasp. “Are you about done, Mister Hammer? I still have a lot of work to do.”
Dust Bunny gave off a sharp whinny of frustration and pounded one hoof against the floor of the forge, which did not seem to hurry Hammer’s extensive examination of his last unshod hoof one bit. She might have continued to berate Perry, if not for the welcome arrival of two mares who strode through the side door of the forge room and right up to their respective coltfriends.
“Good evening, you big stud. We found all kinds of gifts around town for Star’s new little one, and dropped them off at the house so we can wrap them later for the foal shower.” Autumn Sunspot, one of the multitudinous clerks and aides at the palace, gave Hammer a quick peck on the nose, then turned to Dust Bunny. “Hello, Dusty. Haven’t seen you in ages. Are you taking Captain Periwinkle out for dinner this evening?”
“He’s busy!” the young mare fairly spat.
“It’s important!” countered Perry. “Mister Hammer, will you please put my last shoe on!”
There was a short but silent pause, and Hammer shook his head. Perry tried to break free and fly back to the palace, but the big stallion just leaned on his shoulder and trapped him in the shoeing brace.
“Hun,” rumbled Hammer. “Think your new Captain of the Guard needs some Away time.”
Perry turned to face the palace servant and found himself eye-to-violet-eye with Sunspot, who had a serious expression of such intensity that he had only seen it once before.
On a much taller mare.
“Sister,” she called out in a calm but affectionate tone of voice. “Please stop kissing Nails and come over here for a moment. I believe Mister Hammer has a point.”
The taller dark pegasus came strolling up from behind Perry’s field of vision, tucking a mussed strand of grey mane back behind one ear. “Yes?” she asked.
After leaning a little more on Perry’s leg in order to suppress any further escape attempts, Hammer cleared his throat. “Your new Captain of the Guard is working too hard. Seems he found out that Their Highnesses skip out some evenings, while he won’t. He’s determined to work overtime until he finds out why and that’s causing issues with his marefriend.”
“A most serious accusation, indeed.” Shadow turned toward Dust Bunny, who appeared confused, but still angry. “Miss Bunny, how many times has Our Captain promised a romantic liaison and failed to deliver?”
“Lots.” Bunny obviously was picking up on the change of tone in the room, and her eyes flickered back and forth between Sunspot and Shadow, as if she were seeing something new about them. “He is awfully busy, though,” she backpedaled. “He’s so dedicated to his job. It’s one of the things that attracted me to him in the first place.”
“Hm…” Sunspot pursed her lips. “A strong, committed fellow. I understand the attraction.”
Shadow added, “Do you think he shall make a good father to your foals?”
Dust Bunny promptly blushed bright pink around the tips of her ears, something that Perry had always found unspeakably adorable. “Yes,” she whispered. “If we can ever get the time.”
Sunspot turned back to Perry and regarded him with a frown that needed no words behind it.
“Once things slow down,” he started, only to be cut off cold.
“You are off-duty tonight,” said Sunspot. “I recall a memo sent to you that ordered it. And even so, you are going to return to work, to do your duty although you are off-duty?”
Despite the difficulty in standing his ground while having one hoof trapped in the shoeing brace, Perry put as much effort into his words as he could. “It would help if the Princesses would stay put!” he snapped. “What am I going to have to do when I become Captain of the Guard, chain them in their rooms at night! This is my duty.”
“Duty.” Sunspot’s voice was calm as a millpond, with a thread of pain under it. “You have no idea what duty entails.”
“Sister,” cautioned Shadow, putting a hoof on her shoulder.
After a long, deep breath, Sunspot continued, “Duty can be a terrible master. It can isolate you, turn you away from everypony who cares until you feel all alone in the world. If Cadence had not shaken me out of my mindless devotion to duty, if Twilight Sparkle had not given me hope, my duty would have blinded me to events, and I never would have regained my sister.”
“I… Uh…” The correct words escaped Perry’s frantic verbal grasp. Autumn Sunspot was staff in the palace, but she was speaking from the same position of authority as—
“It is unbecoming of our Royal Guard to break their word of honor,” announced Shadow. “Your duty doth not apply merely to thy lieges, but to those whom you love.”
There was a long, awkward pause as the puzzle pieces came together. The small pale pink earth pony with the larger dark pegasus at her side. The absences of Their Highnesses during certain evenings. The far too familiar look that he was getting from both of them. The prickle of cold sweat that was starting to trickle down his wingpits.
“Understand yet, Perry?” whispered Hammer.
Perry nodded, because there was still something wrong with his voice. Even Dust Bunny was looking on with wide white eyes and apparently trying to decide between a curtsy or a faint.
“Good.” Hammer stuck the last shoe on Perry’s bare hoof and prepared to begin the nailing process while talking around the handle of his tools. “Because I’m going to give you a piece of advice that a wise stallion once gave me. You let that one go and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Agreed,” said Sunspot. “Opportunity is knocking, Captain Periwinkle. If you don’t answer that door, it could get away from you. Take a little time off this evening. Take this young mare to someplace where the two of you can have a few drinks, get something to eat, and relax. Otherwise, you are going to miss something very special.”
“Oh, I’m not that special,” said Bunny just as fast as she could form the words. “You don’t have to do this on account of me.”
“You are too very special,” countered Perry. “You have to be in order to put up with me.”
He hesitated, only to have Shadow lean closer and whisper, “Would it help if We made that apology dinner an order, Captain Periwinkle? I would hate to think We selected the wrong guard for this position.”
Bunny’s big dark eyes got even larger. “Oh!” she squeaked, obviously coming to the same conclusion that Perry just did. His eyes darted around the forge area as the crushing metaphorical weight of his position settled onto his shoulders. Once he had made sure there were no civilians lurking in the shadows, he choked down his intended shout into a forced whisper.
“Your Highnesses! Why was I not told?”
“You did not need to know,” said Sunspot.
“And now you do,” said Shadow. “You need it in the worst possible fashion.”
“You need a break,” said Hammer as he finished swaging off the final nails on his shoe.
“Tonight,” added Nails. “Captain Periwinkle. Miss Dust Bunny. Would you care to accompany us this evening?”
“Sure,” said Bunny, sounding more than a little stunned. “Where are we going?”
“Away,” said Shadow. “Where the beer is good, the food is novel, and the companionship beyond compare.”
“Sometimes, even we need to get out of the castle and let our manes down, Captain Periwinkle,” declared Sunspot. “Or shall I just call you Perry for this evening?”
It deserved an answer that he could not give. Perry looked between the disguised princesses, then over at Bunny’s lovely eyes. She swallowed, nodded once, and gave him the courage to say, “Yes, Your… I mean Miss Sunspot.”
“Please,” said Nails as he helped Perry out of the shoeing brace, “as long as we are Away, you have to call her Spot. She does this little wrinkled-up nose thing if you catch her just right, which is just the cutest ever. Shall we be off?”
“Not all of us quite yet,” said Shadow with a wing-brush along Perry’s flank that made him hop toward the door. “The proprietors need to get a quick shower before they join us, and I believe it is your turn to buy the first round, Spot.”
“No way,” protested Sunspot. “I bought the first round last time.”
Bunny blurted out, “Perry just got promoted. Shouldn’t he buy?”
“Excellent idea,” proclaimed Shadow. “A fitting wit to be paired against our new Captain.”
And Periwinkle allowed himself to be led away into the city and in the direction of tomorrow.
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Not the end, just where the writing stops, because stories like this never end. A special thanks to Tek who was the inspiration and driver for this as well as long-suffering editor for a great deal of my stuff over the last several years.
A fine story this, I was very pleased to read it. Thank you for the tale.
A delightful read from beginning to end, thanks for sharing it :-)
10054563
"The end of what? The story? There's no end to the story, just the part where the storyteller stops talking"
Absolutely amazing
That was just too cool, Georg! I wonder if Twilight will ever know?!
Six ponies, a perfect opportunity to play the Friends theme. I can already hear it.
Shame it already reached the end. Regardless, thank you for the adventure!
My overly romantic side saw this coming while my pragmatic side rolled its eyes at such naivety. Romantic side is now gloating and saying “I told you so!”
Nice fade and link to ensure that Spot and Shadow have one less roadblock on their trips Away.
Excellent story, characters and characterisations that capture your heart and mind with a sprinkling of mystery and suspense. Top notch as usual.
Delightful stuff, especially the stealth foreshadowing in the smiths' names. Thank you for a wonderful read and a much better reason to abdicate than canon gave us.
I find myself disappointed with how this story ended. I don’t think it’s a bad ending but it leaves a lot of questions unresolved as to the full nature of how their relationship works. Do they only meet in secret? Do they plan on ever making their relationship more open and official? What’s going to actually happen rather than this pseudo blase happily ever after. It felt like this story was setup for a big climax with regards to Celestia’s real identity and all we get is an anticlimax.
I like this story and can say it was an enjoyable story but I can also say it wasn’t a story that stands with the greats.
This was a really satisfying story, but then I’ve enjoyed lots of your stories that I’ve read. It was a really good “ending” though I’m sad it’s over; there’s more of your other story chapters that I'm looking forward to as well so it’s not as crippling a blow as it could be. Maybe Tek will someday come come up with a impelling cascade of ideas that will demand a sequel to this... eventually. Who knows? Muses are annoyingly fickle, but at times are demandingly insistent. Anyway, thank you for the quality entertainment.
A wonderful story as usual, Georg. Didn't have me on the edge of my seat, but upright and tapping my toes. It's nice to see they can get a little reprieve now and then. Creators know they deserve it. I just wonder what any potential foals would be like...
Wonderful ending
Is good, I much like. You can haz fave.
This was very cute. Happy to see a happy ending all around.
Y'know, that's a good enough place for the words on the page to end, though the words in my heart go on for a mile.
Thanks for sharing this with us, and for giving some princesses some much-deserved time Away.
My guess Celestia had to retire before the foal starts showing.
(Just to finish the ongoing joke that's been going on in the story)
Oh, Perry, dude...these are all child's play in comparison to some of the stories I'm sure they could be talking about instead.
Bwahahaha, yeah, that seems like Luna all right.
I had figured you were going to do the time skip, since it struck me as the logical way to wrap things up, so nice to see I was on the right page for that. Would've liked to have seen a bit more about Spot and Hammer discussing the aftermath of the previous chapter in more detail, because they surely did at some point...but at the same time I see why you didn't. It wouldn't have added or taken anything to or from the story that wasn't already there, so might as well just keep moving forward on to the end.
I great end but at the same time I wonder if they’ll ever be foal shopping for there own.
Another great story Georg, I love these royals undercover stories if they are done *this* well.
This story was a very charming, fluffy tale that was eagerly consumed each morning! I may have anticipated more drama than ultimately arose with the climax, but I’m pleased that the characters got a happy ever after regardless...
Nicely done, and thanks for sharing it!
Now that is a good ending!
The way you ended this story makes me envision someone retelling a yarn by a fireside perhaps in a small town pub. While I admittedly wish you would write more about this fun and beautiful pairing, I cannot say that I am necessarily upset about how you chose. Perhaps in time you could write a sequel.
Great work once again Georg.
The story was great. It wrapped up neatly. The writing has stopped, and I'm finding myself angry about that.
I wanted to see so much more. 11/10 would read again.
Huzzah for a nicely and neatly concluded story. Enjoyed it all the way through.
It would be nice to know if Twilight ever cottoned on as it were, and if she ever finds/found her own Away.
Hee. Now that's a stopping point.
10055470
Twilight's Away is any library she might happen to poke her nose into. Everypone should know this!
A nice little story, potent characterization and reframing of events from a different perspective.
So many franchises could benefit from such writing skill... (glares at Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who... pretty much everything... WHY DO HOLLYWOOD AND THE BBC SUCK SO F'ING HARD??!! WHY MUCT THEY DESTROY EVERYTHING WE LOVE?!!!!)
*Alondro's unfathomable rage begins to grant him powers... dark powers that many would find... unnatural.*
Another great story! Every day, I looked forward to reading a new chapter and am amazed by how you managed to write this out. You have to have great mental fortitude to write and publish the next chapter in the next day. And I don't mean just this story either. I can't imagine being able to write all these stories to completion (I haven't reached that work-life balance yet). Keep it up! Love your stories.
10055622
Do any of those dark powers include writing talent?
Very nice. :)
And another good story; thank you for writing. :)
10055860 Pfft, no. They are useful for creating horrible mutant freaks, however!
I love everything about this story.
Headcannon accepted
Pony words like this are just the absolute best.
Happy ending for all, and a merry time was had.
Thank you for the lovely and comfy story. The characterizations were great and the situations completely believable. I would've liked to see a little bit more on Shadow's development and how she and Nails get along though things are pretty obvious. This story is an easy add to the favourites pile. Well done Georg, Tek. Well done.
pleaaaaaaaaase I need sequel. Or at least a bunch more chapters before and after 12
This. Was glorious. Loved it and want more
10059332
Sadly author has already decreed No.
However the silver lining is that this is a prolific author. There are other excellent stories to use to ween ourselves off of the need for more Sunspot.
Daily life
10056412 But how do you create those mutant freaks if not by writing them?
This was just the best.
10077041 And you have been thanked! Seriously, very nice.
10064164 Alondro has his ways. Mysterious ways.
10055622
And thus the Alondro-verse was born. :)
I am not a major consumer of pony-fic, though I do read some that my husband points out. (Including this one)
I absolutely adored this, and will have to read some of your other works.
I do enjoy this type of 'Day in the Life' fics, where nothing major happens, we just get to see down time of characters.
(You may enjoy some of M.C.A. Hogarth's work: Her Instruments is a good start.)
10089435 If you like day in the life of stories with a sprinkling of romance, I'd suggest you start at The One Who Got Away, a seapony story about an over-wound Canterlot unicorn accountant who finds his place in life when he is given a Barony which has no land, no castle, and no ponies, only a river. And the sequel, Drifting Down the Lazy River in which a young painter from a tiny town on the river decides to run away from his orphanage to seek the life that he thinks he is destined to live, only to find that the ponies you meet on your journey are sometimes far more important than your destination.
Neighrator Pony and company did a delightful reading of The One Who Got Away, which may be found here as a whole playlist.
10089416 Also known as Clown World. Honk honk...
mobilespyworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/creepy-clowns-closeup-iphone-spy.jpg
Cute as all hell, 10/10
10103764 I am THE Troll.
Great story. I really enjoyed it.
Wow, that was amazing.