A day later, I laid on a bed in the infirmary. I shouldn't have been surprised at how empty it was. There were a couple sick ponies and a few nurses walking around, but it's not like I was able to chat with them. The nurses tried to avoid the guards unless they actually needed attention. To annoy me further, I had my captain interrogating me. He's the most strict and annoying earth pony I ever met.
"So let me get this straight, you were outmaneuvered, crashed into a tree, and lost the changeling spy?"
"Yes captain."
"I see. Although it is unfortunate that you lost it-"
"Her."
Captain Bronze Plate looked annoyed at my interruption, but also disturbed at the correction. "What was that?"
"I lost 'her.' I believe the changeling was a female."
"Male, Female, you can never really tell. They are monsters and can change into anypony. Don't forget that."
He looked at me with an intimidating look. I hate to admit it, but it worked.
"Of course. Sorry captain."
"Although you did lose the spy, you performed well out there. Your speed and determination set a fine example in the Royal Guard."
"Thank you sir." It isn't often the captain gave a compliment. For most of the guard, it was a rare thing. At that moment, I couldn't help but think about Circe. I was actually worried about her. Was I worried about what she could be telling her kind? Or was I worried about her safety? "Umm, by chance did we find out anything about the changeling? Why she was here? Any traces of her?"
"We still haven't found IT. From what we investigated, it seems nothing important was missing throughout the castle. Even if it made it back to it's hive, we don't believe it collected too much information. The only problem we have is that it now knows our defenses."
Oh pony feathers, of course she did.
"We have the Reserves investigating the forest. We doubt it is still there, but we are hoping to find clues to where it might have went."
"I see. Well, I will return to my duties." I wasn't able to get up as I felt a large amount of weight hold me down.
"Oh no you don't. Although it is greatly appreciated, it is better you rest for a couple days."
"But captain, the injury isn't that serious."
"This is an order."
Oh great, he used the "This is an order" routine. Once that was said, I really had no choice.
"Yes captain." I gave in and laid back on the bed.
The captain then got up, put on his helmet, and proceeded out the door. I began to wonder, "What the hay am I supposed to do for the next couple days?" That is until one of the nurse ponies came in.
"Excuse me Titanium, but you have a visitor."
A visitor? I asked the guards not to notify my parents to not have them worry. Who could have known I was here?
"Who is it?"
"She didn't say. She said it was a surprise."
"She?"
"Umm...Hello Titanium."
Behind the nurse I heard a small voice. My heart nearly dropped as it was very recognizable. I turned my head slightly and I believe the pony I was looking at was Circe. She was not in her changeling form of course, instead she was in her blue Pegasus disguise; the same disguise I caught her in the day before. She has no idea how much I was trying to keep my cool. I lied for her to escape and yet there she stood... with flowers?
"Circe!?!"
Not only did I scare Circe, but I startled the nurse and anypony else in that room. They stared at me like I committed murder, only I didn't...yet.
"I mean, this is so unexpected. I am so excited to see you." I said as I gritted my teeth.
"Ah, so you two do know each other. Then I will leave you two alone." As the nurse was leaving, she whispered something into Circe's ear. I don't know what she whispered, but it caused Circe to blush and drop the flowers. The nurse giggled and helped her pick them up. The nurse left and Circe proceeded to my bedside.
I whispered to her, "What are you doing here!?!"
"I'm sorry I...I...wanted to thank you for helping me." She extended her hooves holding the flowers.
"Thanks..." I took the flowers and looked at them for a little bit. Observing them, they are actually nice flowers. Each flower had their own unique color. The flower that stood out for me was the camellia. It was like that one flower contained over a hundred petals.
"I'm sorry, do you not like them?"
"No I... I do."
"Are you mad at me?"
I swear, it was like talking to a little foal. Before answering her, I placed the flowers on the closest nightstand. I felt like I had to be easy on her with the questions, but I needed answers.
I whispered softly to her, "Why are you here? I let you go."
"Well... you see... I just wanted to thank you. Those herbs you collected helped me heal nicely and I had enough time to hide from the guards. I came by earlier, but the nurse said that you were here in the infirmary. I didn't want to come in empty hoof. So I made a quick stop to a flower stand."
I guess this was very thoughtful of her, but now I felt like Hasbro is giving me another chance to turn her in. It is like he is shouting at me, "Now do your job right!" Then again, an enemy wouldn't bring me flowers would they?
"Are you sure you should be walking around? It was a pretty nasty crash."
"Oh, I'm fine." She came closer to me for a whisper. Although she seemed harmless, I kept my guard up. "You see, the ponies of Canterlot spread much love. Changelings heal faster in this sort of environment."
Did she come here to visit me? Or did she come back to the city to heal quicker?
"Oh, but I really wanted to see you again."
I swear she was reading my mind!
I took a deep breath, "Thank you Circe, but it is dangerous for you to be here. My Captain has guards on edge here at the Castle. Plus, he has the Reserves searching for you in the forest. You should just head back to your hive."
After saying this, Circe looked very upset and lowered her head.
"Circe?"
"I...I don't have a hive..."
"What do you mean?"
Circe stood up and began to walk away from me. I really wanted to call her back to my bedside, but I felt like I might have somehow upset her. What did she mean when she said she didn't have a hive? When Princess Cadence and Shining Armor defeated them with their love, it isn't like they destroyed the changeling race. What could she have meant?
That night, I couldn't really sleep. I was actually worried about Circe and hoped that she made it out safely. I wondered if that day was the last time I would have seen her. Deep down, I was actually hoping that it wasn't.
As Luna's moonlight shined through the window, all I could stare at was the flowers under the spotlight.
"Aww pony feathers, I forgot to ask for a vase."