Fluttershy and Discord met on the second floor. She held her hooves out to him and he scooped her up in a tight embrace, crushing his lips against hers. Her hooves instantly wrapped around his long neck and his claws entangled in her silky mane.
"I missed you," she said between kisses.
"I miss you too," he said against her lips. "These last two-hundred-forty-eight hours, thirty-six minutes and thirteen seconds have been agony."
"You've been counting?"
"I'm always counting."
He kissed her again and she moaned softly against his lips.
"I heard about the Lavender Arrow," Fluttershy said. "I was so worried they had…"
"Don't you worry about me, my love," he said, cupping her chin. "Nothing, not even a lavender arrow, can stop me from coming home to you."
She whimpered in delight as their lips met again and she felt his paw move down her back and to her thigh.
"Discord!" Tirek's voice boomed.
Discord groaned as he regretfully broke apart from his wife. "What now?!"
He yelped as Tirek grabbed him by the pegasus wing and dragged him towards the map room. "You can fool around later. We have important matters to discuss."
Looking to his wife sadly, Discord said, "I hate to keep you waiting longer, darling, but…"
"I understand," Fluttershy said. "I'll see you tonight then?"
He smirked seductively. "You just wear your best nightgown, darling, and I'll be there!"
He gave a small wave before Tirek shut the door on them. Fluttershy waved back with a smile. Then she noticed the stares from several Diamond Dogs, making her blush. She had quite forgotten they were there.
They'd been watching all that time, she thought in embarrassment. I wonder what they must all think of me.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of rattling chains. Turning to the open door leading to the North Tower, she saw Rover on the spiral staircase, tugging on a golden chain.
"Get moving, you wench!" he hollered to his prisoner.
A young pony in simple male attire came into view. Despite her disguise, Fluttershy could tell that she was a mare, for part of her long mane had fallen out from under her hat.
"I'm comin', okay?!" Applejack shouted. "Walkin' on two legs may seem easy for you Diamond Dogs, but us ponies?! Sheesh!"
As Rover continued to yank on the chain, the two of them disappeared up the steps. The entire scene had made Fluttershy frown and shiver in discomfort.
"Hi, Fluttershy," Spike said, coming up to her.
"Spike!" Fluttershy said, shaking her head. "Hello. It's good to see that you're safe."
"Uh, here." He took out an envelope from his pocket. "Discord told me to give this to you. He thought I'd be back before him so…"
She smiled as she took the letter. "Thank you, Spike." Then her frown returned. "Um…Spike? Who was that pony being taken up the North Tower?"
Spike glanced sadly at the open door to the staircase. "Applejack. He's a colt I met on the way back here."
"Colt?" Fluttershy said, raising an eyebrow.
"He saved my life, and I agreed to take him to Applewood, but…Uncle Tirek found us and…he says Applejack stole something from him, but I'm not sure what." He looked to Fluttershy hopefully. "Do you…do you think he'll be alright?"
Fluttershy didn't know the answer, but she didn't want to disappoint the young dragon. She was fond of him and she sometimes felt like a mother to him.
"I'm sure he will, sweetie," Fluttershy said, laying a hoof on his shoulder.
"Do you know where I can find Uncle Tirek?" he asked.
She pointed to the map room and he quickly thanked her. Running up to the door, he opened it slowly.
"You mean he really has no idea?" he heard Discord say. "How can he not tell after what, two whole days? It's so obvious!"
"But surely he's to know eventually," said Scorpan's voice. "I mean with the wedding…"
"We might have to hold off on that for a while," Tirek said, "until we know just how much…"
He stopped once he noticed Spike in the doorway. The three massive creatures were huddled around a table with a map of Equestria, Tirek in the middle. Discord and Scorpan turned to look down at the dragon.
"S-Sorry," Spike said, closing the door. "I should've knocked first."
"What is it you want, ward?" Tirek asked with a twinge of impatience.
"I just need to know," the dragon said, nervously approaching the table, "what's to become of Applejack?"
Discord snorted, but then stopped upon catching Tirek's glare.
"At this moment," Tirek said, "no harm is to befall," he cleared his throat, "him."
"But what has he done to deserve such imprisonment?" Spike asked. "In our time together, Applejack has saved my life on numerous occasions. Surely he warrants some mercy after that."
Tirek raised his claw. "The only mercy that youth is receiving now is that he isn't receiving a beating for his disobedience." He smoothed out the map on the table. "If that is all you wished to know, we have important matters to discuss."
"Actually, it isn't," Spike said. "I heard this rumor that you have…"
Scorpan's shoulders tensed as he feared the dragon's question.
"…arranged a marriage for me?"
The gargoyle sighed in relief.
"Ah, yes," Tirek said. "I meant to bring it up with you in Trottingham, but there were…complications."
"But I thought you said marriage was for weaklings!"
"Hey!" Discord said, putting his paw and claw on his hips. "I'm married!"
"And you're all the more incompetent for it," Tirek said with a growl. "However, where business is concerned, marriage is sometimes necessary. The mare you are to marry is extremely wealthy, and has connections with both sides of the war." He smirked. "And don't worry about loving her. I'm sure the two of you will at least get along."
Discord chuckled. "You could say she'll be like your brother."
Tirek stepped on his tail, making him yelp. "Besides, once you're of age and Midnight Castle becomes yours, you will need to produce an heir."
Spike rubbed the back of his neck. "It just sounds kind of…detached."
"There will be no arguments. You will do as I say and marry this mare." He looked back down at his map. "You are dismissed."
Seeing that his guardian was in a bad mood, he decided to take his leave. His claw was on the doorknob when he paused. After a few seconds of afterthought, he turned to the centaur.
"Uncle Tirek?"
Tirek groaned. "What?"
Spike gulped. "It's just…when I overheard the Lavender Arrow's conversation, they…well, this isn't the first time this has been brought up and…"
"Out with it."
Taking a deep breath, the dragon slowly asked, "Did you…did any of you…play a role in my father's death?"
He shut his eyes, prepared for an explosion of anger. However, there was only silence. Tirek slammed his hands on the table, startling Spike into opening his eyes.
"You dare ask me that again?" Tirek said, his voice dangerously low. "Have I not already assured you that these accusations are the fabrication of murderers and thieves, that as your late father's friend and your guardian, there is none more loyal to the House of de Dragon than me?"
"It's just…what they said," Spike said. "They didn't know I was listening and…it sounded like…they wanted revenge for…" He straightened up and folded his claws behind his back. "I mean no disrespect, Uncle Tirek, but you did have the most to gain from my father's death. As my guardian, you have control of my estate until I am of age. I…I am not accusing you, but surely you can see why suspicion may be cast on you.
"If I am wrong, then dispel my fears and let me hear it from your mouth that you are not responsible for my father's death, then I can rest easily. If I am right…well, I hope that I am wrong then."
Tirek clenched his fist, but his face remained calm. He took a deep breath and put on a smile.
"You are right to be curious of your father's death, dear boy," he said in a light tone. "But rest assured, none in this room have played a part in that heinous crime." He looked between his comrades. "Am I right?"
"Absolutely!" Discord said, placing his paw over his heart. "I had nothing to do with old Spikus' death!"
Tirek glanced to Scorpan on his right. "Right, brother?"
The gargoyle hesitated, a worried look upon his face. Spike gazed at him curiously.
"Well, speak up, brother," Tirek said, throwing his arm around Scorpan. "Tell him you played no part in Sir Spikus' murder. The lad won't be satisfied until he hears assurance from our lips." He narrowed his eyes at him. "All our lips."
Scorpan glanced uneasily at his brother and then at Spike. The dragon was frowning, afraid of the truth.
"I…" Scorpan said, his lip quivering, "played no part in Sir Spikus' murder."
"Swear it," Tirek said, shaking him sharply.
The gargoyle gulped. "I…I swear it. As a knight, I swear it."
Spike stared at him long and hard.
"There you have it, boy," Tirek said. "Are you satisfied?"
"Y-Yes," the dragon said, turning to the door. "I'm…sorry for doubting you."
"Think not on it, my dear ward. You are forgiven. Leave us."
Spike obeyed him and went out the door. Truthfully, he wasn't satisfied. If Scorpan was as innocent as he claimed to be, why had he been so hesitant?
Once the dragon was gone, Tirek's smile fell. "He suspects too much."
"Goodness, brother," Scorpan said, letting out some air. "It was a cruel thing, making me lie to that boy, and to make me swear on my knighthood as well!"
"Would you rather face execution, brother?" Tirek said, glaring hard at him. "Or worse, have the boy you care so much about see you as a murderer?"
Scorpan's jaw hung open for a long time. Then he shut it and looked away.
"That's what I thought."
"Well I for one had nothing to feel guilty about!" Discord said in a chipper tone. "Because I had nothing to do with all this!"
Tirek wrung his neck. "Your knowledge makes you just as guilty as the rest of us! And you better not go spreading it around either! Especially not to that wife of yours!"
Discord scowled as he slipped out of Tirek's grasp. "As if I would involve her in any of this anyway! You think she'd still want to be married to me if she knew just what you were making me do?!"
The centaur poked him in the chest. "See that she never does."
"But what I don't get is why you didn't tell him that the so-called colt is the mare he's supposed to marry!"
"I agree, brother," Scorpan said. "He clearly cares for her already. Would it not make the arrangement easier if he knew who she was?"
"Perhaps," Tirek said, "but we have other things to worry about at the moment."
Scorpan shook his head. "Holding the mare here against her will, it simply isn't right. I know she has money, but is it really worth all these extremes?"
Tirek slammed his fist on the table. "This isn't just about money!" He pointed to Applewood on the map. "There is a powerful magic on that little farm of hers, magic that can help bring this war to an end." He clenched his claw. "But those confounded Apples refuse to share it! Once the land is mine, they will have no choice but to relinquish that magic to me!"
Just then, Rover burst through the door. "Lord Tirek!"
The centaur rolled his eyes. "Does no one knock in this castle?!"
"S-Sorry," the Diamond Dog said, bowing his head. "It's just…Master Spike has been asking questions. Not just me, but all the Diamond Dogs here. He's asking about…his father's death and…"
"Enough!" Tirek shouted. "Return to you duties, and remember, say nothing!"
Not wanting to make him angrier, Rover bolted out the door.
"He's a persistent young lad," Tirek said under his breath.
"What more do you want us to do?" Scorpan asked. "We've already sworn that we had nothing to do with…"
"Leave us, brother."
Scorpan's mouth shut tight as he left the room.
"Discord," Tirek said, rolling up the map, "come with me. I have a special task for you."
Spike flopped face-first onto his bed. After the past few days, he was more than ready for a good night's sleep. He didn't even care that he was still wearing the same outfit he'd been wearing for days, despite it being soiled with mud and smelling like old cheese.
But as he turned onto his back, he realized there was no possible way he could sleep now. So much was on his mind.
Why had Uncle Scorpan hesitated? Spike thought. Why did he look so scared when I asked him about my father's death?
Now that he was thinking about it, Scorpan had appeared afraid every time Spike had asked anything concerning his father's death, even if it wasn't to accuse him. Scorpan had been Sir Spikus' friend as much as Tirek, so the memory could have been too painful for him to relive.
Still, that didn't explain why Scorpan hadn't immediately denied his involvement in Sir Spikus' murder.
Spike had tried asking the Diamond Dogs, but all that did was make them run to Tirek. They were afraid too, but why?
And why do I get the feeling that everyone's hiding something from me?
He wanted to talk to Applejack. At this point, the colt who had been his traveling companion the past couple of days was the only one Spike felt like he could trust. He wasn't sure why, but there was something about Applejack that seemed genuine, like he could never tell an untruth.
Especially now that Spike was starting to wonder if Applejack had been right…about everything.
A knock came at his bedroom door and Spike sat up. "Come in!"
Rover opened it. "Pack your things. Lord Tirek wants you to sleep in the guest bedroom above the kitchen tonight."
Spike raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Housekeeping, he says," Rover said, waving his paw. "He knows how tired you are and doesn't want you waiting until the room's clean to sleep in."
Looking around, the dragon said, "This room doesn't look too messy to me."
Rolling his eyes, the Diamond Dog said, "Listen. I'm just following orders. Your guardian wants you sleeping in a different room tonight. Now get your things and get going."
Spike was still confused, but he obeyed nonetheless. He picked up his bow and quiver, for he liked falling asleep beside them. Thinking of his father, Spike gripped the bow tightly.
What would you do if you were here, Dad? Who killed you?
Applejack had been ramming herself against the door to her cell for what felt like hours. But no matter how many times she kicked or collided into the door, it wouldn't budge, for it was made from solid oak. The two Diamond Dogs guarding her door must've known this, for they did nothing to stop her.
Finally, after one last weak thud, Applejack collapsed, sliding against the door in exhaustion. She massaged her shoulder, which was incredibly sore.
She gazed at the dark sky through the barred window. She had already ruled that out as an escape route, for she was at least fifty feet up from the ground, and her straw mattress didn't have any sheets to make into a rope. She had considered using her clothes, but even that wouldn't have made a long enough rope.
With a heavy sigh, she pulled her knees to her chest and lowered her head onto them in defeat.
What's the point? There ain't no way I'm gettin' outta this one, she thought. Well, worst case scenario is that Tirek'll marry me to Spike.
She raised her head to look at the stars out the window. Then again, would that be so bad? I mean Spike's nothin' like his guardian. I mean maybe he seemed that way at first, but he's kinda…sweet.
She blushed upon the thought of being Spike's wife. Then she frowned as another thought occurred to her.
Of course, would he wanna be married to me once he finds out I'm a liar? And there's no way he feels that way about me if he thinks I'm a colt.
She buried her face in her hooves. Well, at least if we're together, we can find a way to escape from Tirek, married or not.
"But why put him in another room?"
Applejack stiffened upon hearing Discord's voice outside, accompanied by a series of hoofsteps.
"It'll make things easier," said Tirek's voice.
Applejack pressed her ear against the door so she could hear better.
"Make what easier?" Discord asked.
"How's our guest?" Tirek said, ignoring his question.
"Noisy," said one of the guards, "but secure."
"Good. But perhaps, so we don't have to go on another…excursion, we should take extra precautions. Discord?"
There was a snapping sound and Applejack heard something that sounded like someone blowing into an empty glass jar.
"Done," Discord said. "Even if she does manage to get out of that room, she can't leave the castle."
"Excellent," Tirek said. "That'll make the chase much swifter."
"Anyway, what's with having the boy change rooms? And why that room above the kitchen?"
Boy? Applejack thought. Is he talking about Spike?
"You remember that…I showed you?" Tirek asked.
"The one that has an…?"
The voices were fading away, so Applejack had to move her ear to the keyhole to get better reception. She only got bits and pieces.
"Do…" Tirek's voice said, "should've done to…Sparkle."
"You mean…?" Discord said.
There was silence for a long while.
"Why…" Tirek said. "…never trouble before."
"But he is like your son!" Discord said, his voice becoming louder with surprise.
"His usefulness to me has…"
"…the girl?"
"…not needed…other ways…look like an accident."
Applejack gasped upon hearing these words. There was some more muttering, followed by a yelp from Discord, she presumed. Then came Tirek's voice, this time his words were as clear as a bell.
"How much do you love your wife, Discord?"
For a long while, there was silence.
"Excellent," Tirek said.
Having heard enough, Applejack leaned back against the door and started breathing heavily. Now she understood Tirek's true intentions. Now, more than ever, she was determined to get out of this prison, find Spike and run away with him to Applewood where they would both be safe from Tirek.
Assuming she wasn't too late.
Fluttershy was pacing her bedroom, thinking about the mare she had seen being dragged into the tower. Questions were swimming in her head, and she was afraid of their answers.
"I'm sure there's a good reason behind this, Fluttershy," she told herself. "I mean…Discord would never…I mean I know he wouldn't, but…" She frowned. "Would…would Tirek? Would he involve Discord in…?"
She turned to the door as it opened. Her husband sidestepped in and quickly shut the door. His paw and claw were still on the knob as he sighed heavily.
"D-Discord?" Fluttershy said, attempting to get a view of his face. "Are you alright?"
Taking a deep breath, Discord put on a big smile and faced her. "Perfectly perfect, now that I'm here with you, my love."
"Oh, good." She bit her lip hesitantly. "Discord, I want to talk to you about…"
She squeaked as his large arms suddenly swept her up and she was brought to his eyelevel.
"If you don't mind, darling," he said, smirking seductively, "I'd rather we not be talking right now."
Closing his eyes, he leaned towards her with his lips puckered. Scowling, Fluttershy stopped his lips with her hoof.
"I'm serious, Discord."
He opened his eyes and grinned. "As am I."
He then grabbed her hoof and pressed it further to his lips.
"Discord!"
"Sorry, darling," he said, kissing up her foreleg, "but I'm only here for a short time so we might as well make the most of…"
With an angry grunt, Fluttershy yanked her hoof out of his grasp and pulled away from him. Discord frowned at her reaction.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Fluttershy sighed. "Sorry. I know, believe me I know, we haven't been alone together in a long time, but…" She twaddled her hooves. "Discord, I really must talk to you about something."
Although he clearly regretted it, he took a step back from her and folded his mismatched arms. "Very well then. What is it?"
With her eyes on the floor, she sat down on their bed. "I…saw a mare dressed as a stallion—I could tell she was a mare, yes—chained up and taken to the North Tower." She looked up at her husband. "Who is she, Discord?"
Discord couldn't help but smirk. "You're not jealous, are you?"
"No," she said with a blush. "I just…what does Tirek want with her, Discord?" She bit her lip nervously. "He isn't…I mean she's a chained up mare and…"
"Oh, no, no, no, no!" He held up his paw. "Tirek didn't bring her here for that. He brought her here for Spike."
Fluttershy blinked. "Spike?"
"Yes. She's Spike's betrothed."
"Betrothed?"
"Well…kind of, you see…" He quickly stopped himself. "Never mind. This is what I was talking about in my letters. Having another mare here other than Rarity will be good for you. I mean you have a lot in common. You like gardening, she was raised on a farm. You like embroidery, she likes…" He frowned. "Well, you both like gardening."
Fluttershy's sad expression did not change. "In the letter Spike gave me, she's the 'fickle fugitive' you were talking about, wasn't she?"
"Ah, yes. She gave us the slip, but we managed to catch up with her."
Her eyes closed. "So…you brought this mare here against her will…to be married to someone she doesn't love?"
Discord cringed. "W-Well…not exactly. I mean," he scoffed, "you're gonna laugh at this. But turns out, while that mare was disguised as a boy, she ran into Spike and they really hit it off. He won't stop talking about her. Although, get this, he still thinks she's a boy!" He burst out laughing. "Funny how fate works, eh?"
"Nonetheless," Fluttershy said, turning her head away from him, "that doesn't make the fact that she has no choice in the matter okay."
His shoulders slumped. "Oh, come on, Fluttershy, this is nothing like…"
"Isn't it, though?" Her mane whipped around her head as she faced him. "I almost married some pony I didn't love, Discord, and you saved me from that." She shook her head. "How could you possibly be okay with this?"
His eyes closed. "It doesn't matter if I'm okay with it or not, Fluttershy. You know I'm bound to follow Tirek's orders."
"But until when Discord?" She took his paw. "I know that…you sometimes have to do…unspeakable things, but…surely you have some say in all this, don't you? At least…more than I do, anyway."
Discord then remembered his latest assignment. "And…if I wasn't okay with it, what do you expect me to do?"
She pulled his paw to her chest so that he could feel her heartbeat. "Do you remember when we first met?"
Opening his eyes, he smiled at her. "How could I forget? Three years, two months, thirteen days…"
She giggled. "No need to tell me the exact moment. Anyway, when we met, I was being forced to do something I didn't want to do. My head told me I had to follow my father's orders, but my heart told me…" Her eyes met his. "Well…I chose to follow my heart."
Discord stared into those gorgeous teal orbs of hers. The sight of them always made his heart melt. It still amazed him that someone so sweet and gentle could love someone as…complicated as him.
Winning her hadn't been hard. Keeping her, on the other hoof…
He dreaded the day she'd realize precisely what he had to do to be allowed to keep her. While she suspected, she didn't know the details. She never asked for them.
She was too understanding to ask.
"Do you still want to come to bed?" Fluttershy asked sweetly.
Sighing, he shook his head. "I think the moment's passed for both of us."
She nodded slowly. "What do you want to do then?"
He stroked her beautiful face with his claw. "Just stay with me awhile."
Smiling, Fluttershy gently wrapped her hooves around his middle and cuddled up to his side. Discord grinned as well as he returned her embrace.
"What would I do without you?" he whispered.
Thinking the question was rhetorical, she gave no answer. Little did she know that Discord was being quite literal, for if he didn't do what he was supposed to do tonight, he feared he might receive his answer.