Violet irises fluttered open to a new day. The newly-risen sun set the tent to a soft warm glow. Tourmaline felt a small smile play at her lips as she took in a content breath. Lifting her head, she could see the auburn foreleg draped over her, and her ear flicked at the soft breathing from the owner of that foreleg. Her smile widened as she felt Wanderer’s warmth against her fur and shivered a bit as his breath blew against her neck. Snuggling deeper with their shared pillow, she settled in to enjoy the feeling a little while longer.
Inevitably, the weight of his leg on her wing was beginning to cause a cramp and she realized it was time to get up. Gently lifting her wing, she slipped out from under him and stretched her wings to full span once she sat up. A soft moan escaped her as she stretched the cramp out, wincing a bit at the lingering ache in her loins.
Turning a loving smile at the sleeping stallion, her smile widened at the silly grin on his face.
“You goof,” she whispered before lightly kissing him on the cheek.
He gave a soft groan and hugged the pillow tighter, smacking his lips before settling again.
Suppressing a chuckle, she ran a hoof through her mane and hissed as it snagged.
‘Ow… It’s been too long since I last brushed my mane.’ She gave her mane a toss and looked around Wanderer’s tent. ‘Now where does he keep his brush?’
She dug around the tent, finally finding his brush in the bottom of his saddlebags. A bemused frown crossed her face as it appeared brand new.
‘No wonder his mane always looks like a mop.’ Shaking her head at the sleeping earth pony, she ran the brush—painfully—through her mane.
Once it was to her satisfaction, her ears flicked at the sound of a humored chuckle.
“I always did like how you did your mane,” Wanderer said, peering up at her from the pillow. “I thought it was cute.”
She turned back at him and smiled, seeing him sitting up from the bedroll. “I knew you did,” she said. “Good morning, sleepy head.”
“Mm.” He stretched and yawned at the same time. “Morning, Tourmaline, did you sleep all right?”
A blush crept up her cheeks as she recalled memories of the previous night. “I slept better than I have in months.”
She noticed his cheeks take on a redder hue and she couldn’t suppress her chuckle.
“Yeah, well,” he rubbed at the back of his head. “I kinda slept like a log.”
“And snored like one too,” she said, nodding.
He glowered at her grin. “I don’t snore.”
An impish smile tugged at her lips. “You so do.”
She laughed again when he rolled his eyes, but tilted her head a bit as his blush deepened.
“I hope… I, ahh…” he said, blushing deeper.
Walking over, she gave him a little kiss. “You did fine, Wanderer, don’t worry. I was nervous too.”
A relieved smile played across his muzzle. “I was worried.”
“I know you were. You were shaking.”
Again, he glowered. “Well, so were you.”
She laughed, unable to deny it.
He joined her in the laugher before he pulled her closer and kissed her fully. Closing her eyes, she embraced that kiss with the same passion.
“I love you,” he said when they parted. “I’m glad we talked.”
A warm feeling ran through her and she rested her forehead against his. “I love you too. And I’m glad we did. It was something we should’ve done a long time ago.”
Smiling at her, he took his brush back and started sorting through his matted mane. She chuckled and shook her head at his curses. As he worked on his mane, she took the time to start preening her left wing. After sorting a few of the pinions, she turned back to him and spoke softer. “I am glad it was you.”
He stopped his brushing to peer at her. “Hmm?”
She smiled a bit more. “I’m glad it was you, Wanderer, that I chose to… be with.”
Blinking, he tilted his head. “What do you mean? Was I your first?”
“Mm-hm.” she nodded.
“But...why?”
This time, it was her turn to blink. “Didn’t you know?”
“Know what?” he asked, forgetting all about brushing his mane—said brush caught in his tangles.
A frown tugged at her lips as she looked down thoughtfully. “That’s right, you’re an earth pony. You probably don’t know.”
“Will you tell me already?”
Grinning at his impatience, and the concern it carried, she looked back at him. “We pegasi mate for life. Whoever we choose to mate with, and trust ourselves to, we remain loyal to that pony all our lives. It’s not anything we can control, it’s just how we are.”
He frowned. “But I’ve known other pegasi who are…free with that sort of thing.”
Nodding, she continued. “Maybe it’s because they lost theirs, or they’ve separated, but they can’t really be... satisfied, I think is the best word to describe it. Kind of like how dad is. He and my mom in Manehatten were a pair until…” she looked away and scowled before speaking again. “Anyway, that is why Dad never married your mom. Because he knew he couldn’t give his all to her.”
Wanderer looked at his hooves, a pensive frown on his face. “That would explain a lot.”
“Your mom knows.”
“She does?” he asked, looking back at her.
“Mm-hm.” she smiled. “But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like her or anything, it’s just… how we pegasi are.”
He blinked and she almost laughed at the vapidness of his look.
“Huh, I never knew.”
“Because you’ve never asked.” She chuckled and nuzzled him, sighing contently.
She felt him wrap his forelegs around her and nuzzle her back. “I’m glad to be yours then, Tourmaline.” He pulled back and smiled at her. “Even if I’m a dense lump.”
“And you can be.”
Again, he glowered at her. “Said the pot to the kettle.”
The two shared a hearty laugh.
As he collected his hat, she took the time to finish preening her wing. He sat quietly until she turned for the other.
“You know,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you preen before. I know pegasi do it, just never seen it done.”
She felt the first tinges of a blush on her cheeks. “That’s because we prefer to do it in private. Our wings are… delicate.”
His gaze turned to her unpreened wing, a bemused frown on his face. “There’s more to pegasi than I thought.”
With a smile, she kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t worry, you’ll learn.”
A smile grew across his face and he looked back at her wing. “Can I try?”
She blinked. “To preen me?”
He nodded.
Biting a bit at her lip, she lifted her wing for him to see. “Okay. Just try to keep them straight. If there’s a broken one, pull it out. It will regrow pretty quickly.”
He scooted closer and looked her pinions over. She watched as he found a few that were askew and tried nosing them into place. Failing that, he tried using his teeth.
The moment he clamped down on one, it sent a jolt down her spine and she hissed, instinctively pulling back her wing.
He jumped and he looked at her with wide eyes. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean for it to hurt.”
“No, you’re fine.” She suppressed a shudder and flexed her wing back out. “Just don’t bite so hard on the healthy ones, they’re sensitive.”
She almost wanted to chuckle as he approached her wing with the same look he would have given a coiled snake. He watched her expression as he bit down gently and moved a feather into place.
As he did so, she had to suppress another jolt down her spine. Unlike before, the sensation almost caused her wings to flare out again. Each time he nuzzled her feathers or tried moving them sent a jolt of pleasure coursing through her body. She had preened herself for years, and remembered the lessons her dad had taught her what it can do to a pegasus—and had learned to accept them as an everyday thing—but feeling of Wanderer doing it to her was a completely new experience. Numerous times she had to bite at her lip to keep from moaning.
As he found a broken feather, he turned to look at her. “So I just pull it out?”
She shifted at a tinge of longing for him to continue. “Mm-hm. It’s no good anymore and it has to come out for the new one to grow.”
His brow furrowing, he bit down on the feather and tugged.
A humored grin spread across her flushed face. “Pull harder, Wanderer. You won’t hurt me.”
Nodding, he gave the feather a sharper tug. As it pulled free, the sensation proved too much and a loud moan escaped her.
He spat the feather out and looked at her, worry etched in his face. “Sorr—”
That was as far as he got before she pressed her lips against his—her desire not allowing for anything less. Only after a shocked second did he return the affection, leaning into their kiss.
Tourmaline knew she’d have to go back and fix what he missed, and she knew that the others would be waiting for them before long, but for now, she was going to enjoy her loving goofball of a stallion.
-0-
Even during the day, the fire pit in the center of the village snapped and burned hotly. Tormod welcomed it as it brought relief to his shoulder in the chilly morning. He sat watching as the villagers dismantled Trixie’s stage, smiling as the deer carefully set aside the beams and folded the makeshift curtain. Half expecting them to have just tore it down after the show, he was pleased that they took so much care in taking it apart.
‘It’s so much different than yesterday,’ he thought as he watched the villagers come and go. ‘They seem happier. It’s amazing how a single event can cause such a change.’
He turned as a splotch of blue made its way through the streets of tan-colored deer. Trixie trotted down the lane, a smile on her face as the deer hailed her. While he was sure she didn’t understand most of what they said, they way the said it—smiles on their faces and friendly waves—was more than enough.
“You look well rested,” he remarked as she got closer, his smile making its way into his tone. “Did you get enough sleep?”
“Trixie hasn’t slept like that in a long time,” she said as she settled next to him, her gaze shifting to the deer that carried her stage away. “No nightmares to keep her awake this time.”
He nodded before he took in a deep breath of the crisp, morning air. A slight breeze blew through, sending fallen leaves scuttling by. Shivering from the chill, he scooted closer to the fire and closer to her. As he did so, he glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. Seeing the faraway look in her violet eyes, and the soft smile tugging at her lips, he could imagine what she was thinking.
His ears laid back as he considered if he should pry. Knowing well enough that the two of them were friends, he also knew that the magician was not one to really share her thoughts with others. A trait she likely picked up when travelling the roads for years on her own—a habit he could understand. Still, the look in her eyes told him that maybe it was time to at least try.
Again, he took in a breath before speaking, “It’s really amazing, Trixie.”
She tilted her head as she regarded him. “Hmm?”
“What you’ve done,” he said, turning to look at her. “In one night, you managed to lift the spirits of everyone in Maederhallow. The deer are happier, a few were evening laughing, enjoying themselves. That’s something I haven’t seen the entire time I’ve been here. I even saw Ol’Nut and Scarlet sharing a laugh after all they’ve been through.” He smiled a bit. “Your talents really are nothing short of amazing.”
A small blush crept up on her cheeks, but she was quick to lift her head up. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has always been the best of performers and she proves it once again.”
A wider, if not disappointed, smile crossed his face. “I would say so. When we return to Equestria, I am certain you’ll be known as the great performer you were.”
Her smile faltered a bit but she nodded. Before he could continue the conversation on another route, she spoke in a whisper.
“Can Tr—I share something with you, Tormod?”
His eyes widened at her catch and he nodded, replying in a low tone, “Of course. What’s wrong?”
Taking in a long breath, she let it out before speaking, “When I was up on my stage, I was nervous… scared even.”
He tilted his head as he regarded her. “Well, you were about to perform for a crowd who didn’t really know you.” A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “And the deer have to be the toughest crowd you’ve faced yet.”
Again, she shook her head. “It wasn’t just that. I was scared… of myself.”
Furrowing his brow, he nodded for her to continue.
“I was afraid that if I messed up, or if the crowd didn’t like my show, it would’ve proved I really don’t have what it takes to be the Great and Powerful Trixie anymore...” She lifted her starred cap from her head and stared at it. “And if that happened, I just… don’t know what I could do.” Setting it beside her, she continued, “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be since I was a filly. If I couldn’t be the Great and Powerful Trixie… I’m not sure what else I could be.”
“You were afraid that if you failed, you would’ve lost any drive you had? Any reason to keep going as a performer?”
“Something like that,” she said, even as she turned her gaze to the Mother Oak above them, her eyes taking on that faraway look again.
Tormod watched her a moment, biting at his lip. This was probably the first time she had ever opened up to anypony before and he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say. Stumbling through many responses in his mind, he finally said, “I don’t believe it, Trixie.”
She turned her gaze back to him, tilting her head. “Hmm?”
“I don’t believe it,” he said as he shifted his weight. “As I’ve known you, you’re not a mare who takes a beating and lays there afterwards. Rather, you get back up and you go back at it again and again until you’ve mastered it. Even if it is hard, or emotionally draining, you still perform and put on the best show you can. It’s what you do.” He smiled at her. “I can’t really see you ever giving up something as important as that, even after getting booed at.”
“It was more than just booing, Tormod.” She sighed. “I was escorted out of Trottingham by the city guards, and that was just before I came to Greensborough.”
He smiled wider. “And even after that, you kept going, right?”
She blinked, her eyes widening.
“Exactly. You didn’t give up because you can’t give up on the things you love doing, Trixie.” He shivered as a breeze ruffled up his mane. “You’re many things, most of them great, but you’re not a quitter. Never a quitter.”
“I…” She bit back whatever she was going to say, a pensive frown tugging at her lips.
He let her stew on her thoughts, remaining quiet. Smirking a bit, he could almost hear the cogs turning in her mind. Hopefully, he hadn’t said anything that would close her off or upset her in anyway, but when he thought back on what he said, it didn’t seem likely.
Finally, after a time, she turned her gaze back to him and smiled. “Thank you, Tormod.”
“I try,” He smiled but blinked as she rested a gentle hoof on his shoulder.
“Thank you. You really are Trixie’s closest friend, and her biggest fan,” she said, his grin widening a bit as she reverted back to her third-person mode of address.
“Anytime, Trixie,” he said, resting a hoof on hers’ for a moment before they turned their gaze down a lane where they saw Tourmaline and Wanderer make their way towards them.
A pleased smile crossed his face as the two approached, the wide smiles on their faces told him a lot. The two walked next to each other, holding hooves—lively springs in their steps.
‘About time,’ he thought as the two sat down next to them. “I take it you two finally patched things up?”
A wider smirk crossed Wanderer’s face. “More or less, yeah,” he said as he wrapped a foreleg around Tourmaline and gave her a squeeze. “We let a few things out that needed to be let out.”
“I swear… “ Tourmaline glowered at him—her cheeks taking a redder hue—and shook her head before turning back to Tormod. “Thank you, Tormod, for showing me the book. It… really helped.”
Tormod shot Trixie a sly glance. “I figured it would.” He turned a teasing smile their way. “I just didn’t expect your talk to have taken all night.”
Trixie’s laugh joined his as the two blushed furiously, doing anything to keep from looking at them directly.
“I take back everything I said, Tormod,” Tourmaline finally said as she tried to force her blush away.
“Love you too, dear sister,” Tormod said before looking at Wanderer, his mirth fading some. “Remember what I said back in Greensborough, Wanderer, I meant every word.”
A confident grin spread across Wanderer’s face. “Trust me, you’ll never have to worry. And if I do do something stupid, I know you’ll whack me upside the head.”
“If I don’t do it first,” Tourmaline said, elbowing him in the side.
“Same goes for you, beautiful,” he said, a challenging grin spreading across his face.
After another chuckle, Trixie spoke up, “What did you both think of my show last night?” A wider grin spread across her face. “Trixie performed the Dance of the Will-o-Wisp just for you.”
Tormod’s brow furrowed as Tourmaline’s expression soured for a moment before she responded. “It was nice what you did, Trixie.”
‘Seems not everything is resolved yet,’ Tormod thought.
Wanderer must have noticed it too as he nudged Tourmaline before speaking to Trixie, “I loved it, Trixie. I thought it was even better than the showing you did back in Greensborough.” He turned a pointed glance at Tourmaline. “The fact you centered your main act all for us, tells me a lot.”
Tourmaline looked away, a frown forming.
‘Good,’ Tormod thought as he shifted his weight again, the loose gravel turning underhoof. ‘You’re thinking, Tourmaline, that’s a good sign.’
“So, thank you, Trixie,” Wanderer continued. “It means a lot to us.”
A wide, if not proud, smile spread across Trixie’s face. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is always pleased to perform for her fans,” she said, even as she cast a cautious glance Tourmaline’s way. “The show must go ever on, and so will the Great and Powerful Trixie.”
The four chatted for a time, sharing their thoughts on Trixie’s show and about the change in the deer’s demeanor, before Faithful Watcher and the Elder arrived. Even as the deer all venerated the Elder, the ponies got to their hooves as he approached.
“Good daylight, everyone. I trust your spirits have been raised as have my people’s?” he asked, casting a warm smile Trixie’s way.
Tormod smiled himself as Trixie’s cheeks took on a reddish hue and she lifted her chin. “The Great and Powerful Trixie feels wonderful today. As she always does after a successful showing of her amazing talents.”
A wide smile burst across Faith’s face. “You were amazing, Trixie. I have heard from so many that they have not felt so elated in such a long time, that they want you to perform again soon! In fact, they—”
“Faithful Watcher,” the Elder softly chided. “One does not need to shout when so close.”
The doe ‘meep’ed and lowered her gaze, her tan cheeks taking on a redder hue. “I am so sorry, Elder. Please, forgive me for being out of line.”
He smiled, and it seemed to Tormod that he wanted to nuzzle her, but held restraint as a few of the White Tail looked on. “It is understandable, Faithful.” He turned his gaze to Wanderer and Tourmaline, his head tilting a moment before speaking. “I also sense a difference between you two. Have your personal matters been seen to as well?”
Wanderer scratched at his cheek. “Yeah, we had a long talk and sorted a few things out.” A wry smirk tugged at his lips. “Who knew that all we had to do was talk to fix things up?”
“It would have taken more than a simple, heart-felt discussion, earth-tamer,” the Elder said. “The experiences you have both undergone has helped you both realize what truly matters. Minor grievances and arguments may seem enormous at the time, but when one sees the larger tapestry that is life, we see that such threads truly are minor.” A warm smile crossed his face. “And the bond you both share has deepened dramatically for it.” He gave them both a small nod. “It makes my old heart swell to see love bloom.”
Tormod frowned a bit. “But the White Tail are forbidden to develop such bonds, right?”
The Elder shook his head. “No, not forbidden, but warned against.” He looked up at the Mother Oak, even as a gust of wind sent the fur standing on all of them. “The White Tail have lead tragic lives for so long that our Elders wished to spare us of the pain of such loss.”
As Faithful looked away, a sad expression marring her features, Tormod wanted nothing more than to argue his point. However, being in the middle of a village full of his people, he also knew that debating with their Elder in front of them would not have done any of them good.
“Even so,” Wanderer said, casting Faith a quick glance as he spoke, “We all had a good night, but now we gotta get back to saving everyone and stopping the Gorgon, right?”
Faith nodded, her sadness giving way to a determined frown. “Yes. We cannot stop until the Gorgon is sealed away for good!”
“Indeed so.” The Elder nodded. “Now is the time I will begin teaching you both the spell that will reverse the Advent’s effect on the Gorgon’s prison,” he said, looking between Faithful, Trixie and Tormod. “Should I not be able to be there in person, there has to be others who can perform the ritual. And the three of you have the strongest magical potential to pull it off without straining your bodies too much.”
“And what do you want us to do?” Wanderer asked, as both he and Tourmaline watched him.
“Your strength and speed will be imperative to keep them safe while performing the ritual. I am going to suggest that the two of you not only improve your own combat skills, but also learn to use each other’s unique talents to make you both a formidable team. To where even the Harbinger will not be able to stand against you.” A humored smirk crossed his features. “I feel that you two will not be apart much either way.”
A cough escaped Wanderer, as well as a flush to his cheeks, all of which earned him a jab in the ribs from an equally-blushing Tourmaline.
“So,” the Elder continued. “Let us see to our tasks today, and we will discuss more come the evening meal.”
As they went about their separate ways, Tormod watched as Tourmaline flew after the Elder.
“Elder, wait,” she said.
He turned a curious brow at her. “Yes, sky-rider?”
Tormod had to strain to hear her as she lowered her tone. “I… wanted to thank you. For what you did for me.”
Now the buck tilted his head, nodding for her to continue.
She took in a breath and let it out, facing him with a raised chin. “For what you told me back on the tree. I didn’t realize it at the time, but you were right. I should have listened.”
He smiled. “I am wise, sky-rider, but that is only because I have experience. You did not, at the time, and thus you were not ready for my words. I am glad now, that you understand what I was trying to tell you and that they have helped you.”
She nodded. “Still, thank you. I appreciate all of it.”
A warm smile crossed Tormod’s face. All in one night, it seemed as if everyone grew just a little bit. All of which was owed to his unicorn friend who sat watching them with a wide, happy smile.