//------------------------------// // All in due time // Story: A Story Told // by Lil Penpusher //------------------------------// In the early morning hours of the following day, the young and beautiful Shycedes sat outside in her garden. She watched as the sunbeams shone down on her through the branches and leaves of the trees, and listened to the beautiful choir of birds which chirped their early morning songs. To Shycedes, it seemed as if the day would simply be perfect, as if it mirrored her feelings. Oh, how filled with joy she was. At long last he had asked her. She couldn’t help but close her eyes for a moment and replay the scene in her head. His charm was simply irresistible. It was almost as if she was powerless against him and his words. Yet never had Shycedes been happier to be powerless, for she loved him with all her heart. The mare breathed in and out, slowly, ever so slowly and calmly. The singing of the birds, the buzzing of the honey bees, the calm breeze of the wind; for just that moment, for the first time in her life, everything seemed perfect. No troubles, no fears. There was only her, Edmond, and the sunny day. The young mare would not be alone for much longer however. In the distance, beneath all the other sounds, she could hear steps. She heard them as they grew louder and closer. “Fernand!” she said joyfully as she opened her eyes, “oh, how nice of you to stop by.” The stallion was caught off guard as the mare quickly embraced him. “It’s nice to see you too, dear.” “Oh, I must tell you the big news, Fernand! I wanted to tell you yesterday, but I couldn’t find you anywhere.” The purple stallion gave out a soft chuckle at the mention. “Terribly sorry, darling. I had a lot of work to do the past couple of days, but that’s over now.” A broad smile formed on his face as he looked into Shycedes’ eyes. “Now it’s just you and me.” “I’m glad to hear that, Fernand. You’ve always been so invested in your work; no, it doesn’t surprise me that you were, as usual, a bit too overwhelmed with it.” She brought out a soft, kind laugh. Fernand simply continued to eye her silently. “Yes, yes,” he said monotonically as Shycedes’ laughter ceased. “In fact, I, myself, have great news for you, my dear.” “Oh my, that’s wonderful to hear! And yet, I would like to tell you the big news first, if you don’t mind.” Fernand gnashed his teeth briefly. He had a very good idea of what she might be talking about. “Of course, my dear. Go right ahead.” “You do remember Edmond, yes?” the yellow-coated mare asked to make sure. “Yes, yes, the son of Louis Dash. What about him?” Fernand asked back impatiently. “Why me and him went out for dinner, and it was simply beautiful,” the mare told him. “Everything was just so perfect. The sight of the sea, the sunset in the distance, his-” “Terribly sorry, dear Shycedes,” Fernand interrupted, “but where exactly is your story heading?” His feelings were a mixture of anger, annoyance and curiosity. “Oh, well, me and him sat there, eyed each other and...” she became quiet, toying with her mane as she began to blush, “and he proposed to me.” “What!?” Fernand gave out, much to Shycedes’ shock. “He proposed to you?” He asked in a slightly calmer voice. “And I said yes!” Only now did the purple stallion notice the ring that hung around the mare’s neck. “Me and Edmond are going to marry, Fernand!” Once more, the stallion was pulled into a tight hug as the overjoyed mare embraced him. “Why that’s... that’s...” Fernand stuttered as he attempted to remain calm, “that’s just wonderful, dear! Congratulations!” the stallion gave out a horrible attempt in faking his happiness. “Oh, you should have been there, Fernand! It was just wonderful! It was perfect!” The mare tried to hold back tears of joy as she continued on. “Oh, yes,” Fernand grumbled, “I would have loved to be there...” “I’m sorry, Fernand, but I just can’t believe my luck!” A single tear of joy escaped her eyes, one which Fernand immediately wiped off. “Don’t worry, dear. I congratulate you. Really, I do!” The stallion sounded slightly more believable this time. “I’m so glad to have you, Fernand, you and Edmond, both.” Shycedes calmly broke the hug as she returned a warm smile to her friend. “But what am I thinking, you wanted to tell me your own great news, didn’t you?” “Ah, yes! Of course!” Fernand replied with renewed interest and enthusiasm. “You see, my dear, there is a good reason for why I have been so busy these days, why I’ve been working day and night.” “Oh?” The mare cocked her head in curiousity. “What might that be, my dear Fernand? You didn’t run into any problems or trouble, did you?” “Trouble? Me? Hah, not quite, dear.” Fernand let out a brief, cocky laughter before he resumed. “In reality, I have been working so hard and much to finally get leave for the grand summer dance!” “Oh, this again...?” Shycedes responded with a fair bit of disappointment. “I have already bought two tickets, my dear Shycedes,” Fernand continued. “Two? Just two?” Shycedes asked. “Why just two, Fernand? Would you not want my fiance to accompany us to such an event? Surely he would wish to be invited, as well.” The purple-coated alicorn gnashed his teeth once more. “Because,” he gave out loudly with the stomp of a hoof, “I wish to be only with you! Is it that much to ask for? Can I not go out with you and have a good time? Can I not?” “Fernand, I-” “No!” he interrupted loudly. “No. I’m sorry I asked.” His voice became quiet and weak. “I’ll go. I’m sorry I disturbed you, dear.” The stallion lowered his head as he turned and walked off. Yet, even in his temporary saddened state, he realised that it would not long last. Edmond was gone, after all. It was only a matter of time now. With every passing day, Edmond would become more myth than reality. And when he really was forgotten, it would be his turn. All was going according to plan. The sound of the ocean was the only thing that accompanied Edmond and the fellow convicts. The few bits of daylight that entered the room shrouded the room in a somber, depressing atmosphere. Every couple hours a pony would throw up whatever food was left in his stomach, sick from the neverending shaking of the ship. Many of the convicts hadn’t had a proper meal for at least a week, and were already beginning to starve. They hadn’t arrived at Hoofatraz, and yet the pain and torture had already begun. And yet, Edmond remained comparatively healthy and calm. His focus still remained on the window to his left, the single access to the outside world that he had. All that he saw was the endless blue of both the ocean and the sky, and yet it was just this view that inspired a bit of courage and hope within Edmond. It reminded him of the docks at Baltimare, reminded him of the Venturer. It reminded him of... her. He knew, deep inside, that he would not be forgotten. The entire lot of them looked up as they heard a bell on the upper deck. They could only assume what it meant, and their assumption made a cold shiver run down their body. They had arrived, at last.