I woke in the bed the three of us had slept in for the night. It had been an ambassador’s bed but he was back in his homeland. The Minotaur had offered us the spot via scrying communication and offered any help that his people could provide in the hunt for Grogar. I hadn’t paid much attention to the details as I had been to exhausted the night prior. The doctor had ordered me on bed rest so I tried to get back to sleep as I snuggled closer to my two girls. Olympia and Pandora had bonded over their shared scare and Pandora slept with her little sister pulled snugly into a hug. I just sat there listening to them breath and waiting as the darkness ticked by. Someone would come by eventually.
I hadn’t fallen back to sleep when Pandora started to stir. I gently pulled Olympia from her grip and let the little one slowly rub the sleep from her eyes. They glowed in the dark and I smiled at her hoping she could see my eyes. Still Olympia slept through all of the movement. Pandora laid down next to me and leaned against me as she played with a bit of the blanket. It had a big poof attached to it and she had some fun flicking the thing. At least she was easily entertained.
Olympia woke with a fuse and soon was crying. Twisting to sit upwards I rocked her gently but I wasn’t certain I could give her what she wanted. Not without some help. I stumbled off the bed just barely catching myself and tried to find my way to the door. I couldn’t however without knocking something over that sent a crashing sound through out the room. I sighed and tried to light up my horns with magic hoping that something would go well from that. Slowly the slight glow sputtered to life and I could see slightly better for it. The aura though was weak and sputtering and I simply focused on the door knob and pulled. It sent the door nob flying across the room and sending another thunderous crash. Try two was shaking the now handle-less door till someone opened it. I shook it till I was exhausted and finally the door opened. A maid stuck her head in and nearly screamed as ten pair of eyes stared at her.
“Help please,” I said. “Pandora stay where you are till we clean up what ever I broke. I don’t want you hurt honey. Please understand what I am saying. Hey you, um maid person please flip the light on please?”
The form in the lit hallway nodded though I couldn’t see any details till the light sprung to life searing several eyes in the room. Pandora cried out and bawled. I felt my hearts pick pace and I nearly crumbled there in spot. Instead I managed to gracefully lay down and yet I couldn’t stop my tears from flowing down my cheeks. Pandora had walked over to me and she patted my back as my tears dried. I pulled her and Olympia into a hug.
“Sorry Mommy has just had a hard couple of days. Lets see if we can get this nice pony to help us okay?” I said.
Pandora nodded and looked over at the pony who seemed stunned. She had no horn nor wings to show but she was well built. Her brown hair and white fur looked off with her little outfit but her emblem fit the maid’s apron well. It was of a feather duster and a note pad. I waited where I was hoping she would go get help or spring into action but she seemed frozen by our appearance I assumed.
“Please go get help or ask for Princess Cadence or Shinning Armor. Or anybody really,” I said. “I am overwhelmed at the moment and I need to get both of these two fed before too long and I’d probably best eat too.”
The mare finally worked up the nerve to nod and she ran out of the room after that. I didn’t hear her screaming for a guard so I assumed I was in the clear. I pulled myself to my hooves and walked away from the shattered mess of the floor lamp. I had destroyed a mirror with the door nob and so the whole room seemed unsafe for the children. Olympia still would grumble from time to time. I had the breasts for a reason and I held her up to one of them. She clamped on almost instantly and I could feel her suck something from me. Thankfully no one else was in the area so I wouldn’t have to be embarrassed when she cried do to not getting anything from me. To my surprise she didn’t give up and I assumed I must have been putting out. It felt all weird though somewhat painful as her little mouth pulled harder on my nipple than I was used to.
Pandora watched excitedly and I tried to even out her poncho so it covered her more evenly. I hoped Rarity would have something for us today. I couldn’t really remember why I thought clothes were necessary but the feeling remained. My mind felt empty devoid of things that used to be there and it ached slightly to think of that. Like a sore leg after it had been hurt. I focused on Pandora again and sat by the door waiting for someone to show up.
A guard trotted over to us and saluted. He looked like every other guard I had seen except for Shinning Armor except that his emblem was different. It was of a sword over a flower. He said, “I was told you need assistance. How can I render that?”
“Can you go get Captain Shinning Armor or Princess Cadence? Or I guess Princess Luna or Princess Celestia?” I asked. “I need some help with well everything right now and ow.”
Olympia had bitten down on my flesh sending a surge of pain through me. I had apparently ran dry and I felt a surge of shame at that. I couldn’t even do that right. I switched sides and she went back to feeding. I didn’t know how much she needed or if I would have enough for later but at least she would stop biting me now.
“Sorry the little one is hungry and I may not have enough. Please just go get any of those four,” I said.
“Captain Armor has already been summoned and should be here soon, Ma’am. I was told you may need more immediate help?” said the guard.
“I don’t think you are the right person to ask but if you could pick up the glass that I sort of broke all over the room that would be grand so I don’t have to sit out here with a toddler that should not be walking off like that. Pandora come back here please?”
“I can do that,” said the guard. He pushed through the ajar door and I lost track of him as I motioned Pandora over to me. “Have an accident in here?”
“Yeah sorry,” I said loudly through the door. “I don’t know how to use my magic well yet and so I sort of ripped the handle from the door. And the lamp was because I bumped it in the dark.”
“It happens. A mage will fix them both later,” said the guard. “I put the shards in the two waste baskets. I’ll leave those out here.”
He had walked out of the room and I struggled back up to my feet. At least I could hide from all of this for a bit. He helped me up with his magic and I graciously took his help. Olympia was still busy sucking away and I felt awkward and exposed feeding her like this. My own stomach was grumbling and it dawned on me that I hadn’t eaten in a long while as well.
“Could you go get some apples or have them brought up?” I asked. “None of us have eaten in a while except well for Olympia but I am running low and I think I may need to eat for her to have enough.”
“Oh of course ma’am,” he said and he rushed off with a hurry in his step.
I made my way to the bed when another bit of pain ran through my form as Olympia bit down on me again. It was gentler this time but I assumed I had run dry. I pulled her away from my chest and covered up as much as I could. I swore they were bigger today than they had been the day prior and I fit under the tapestry less well. I leaned her up against my neck and she threw up onto my shoulder. Great even less food in her stomach now. I pulled the tapestry off of me and used it to wipe off what puke had not fallen on it.
There was a knock on the door and Shinning Armor walked in looking apologetic. He surveyed the room though as if he was expecting a fire or something before he said anything. He said, “Sorry. I forgot to have guard detail on your room. Did the recruit help you with what you needed?”
“He was fine,” I said. “Cleaned up the glass that I broke with out a word about how much of a klutz I am and is off finding me apples now. I need help with some form of clothes now that Olympia decided to throw up half her meal back onto me.”
“What did you feed her?” he asked. I motioned to my chest yet he stared at me blankly. “What?”
“I’m a woman,” I said. “I did as nature intended.”
“Oh,” said Shinning Armor. “Sorry. Uh so what do you need help with?”
“With baby stuff? I don’t know what I am doing. Do you have any idea how hard this is? I’ve been bit twice today in area’s that are very sensitive,” I said. “Pandora probably needs to go to the bathroom before long and we really need diapers before someone poops on me.”
“Oh yeah,” said Shinning Armor. “I’ll go get some supplies then and find Cadence. I’m not hopeless at this but she is much better.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I’ll be here hoping that I don’t get peed on.”
Despite my concern I held Olympia close and Pandora laid on top of me. She looked very unhappy and I tried to cheer her up while we waited. I wasn’t certain what else to do at this point. No one would mind if we found food ourselves probably and yet I hesitated. I didn’t want to drag her out unclothed like I was. Hopefully Shinning Armor would be quick in his return.
A blue head poked through the door and Luna walked in. She looked exhausted and she collapsed on the bed next to us. Pandora played with her hair and thankfully she couldn’t grab the translucent mane as it billowed with unfelt wind.
“How was your night?” asked Luna. “Scouring the dreamscape for Grogar has pr oven both tiresome and ineffective.”
“I’m sorry about that,” I said. “I slept well but the morning has been one disaster after another. I have two ponies running errands for me but I still might get peed on before the day is over.”
“I’ve never had the joy of motherhood but you sell it so well,” said Luna. “Here let me take a load off of you. Our land doesn’t often have single parents but I know that everypony will step up to help you.”
“I’m sorry it is just so much right now,” I said. “I feel so exhausted and yet I can’t stop. What ever you did to my head left a headache that doesn’t seem to go away and I need to eat but I only know I can eat your onions, apples, and carrots. I have no idea what sort of things else I need but obviously I need it because this little one didn’t get enough food this morning or maybe got too much. And here I am just complaining to you. You have a nation security risk to be dealing with and I am complaining that I can’t just sleep all day.”
“Your problems are no less real,” said Luna. “I am used to dealing with threats like Grogar. You however are new to being a mother. I’ll see about getting you a more full time helper.”
“Cadence and Shinning Armor are doing well,” I said. “Though I don’t need to be taking up the time of a princess.”
“Oh Cadence may not want to admit it but she loves the job of taking care of children. Hopefully she will be the first Alicorn to conceive child,” said Luna. “I’m hungry. I can cast a spell on you so that you can tell what would be poisonous to you and we can check the food. Come little one let us go for a walk.”
I wrapped the sheets around my top and tied it off making a make shift robe. Rarity would probably have a bit of a fit at that but I didn’t have much other option at the moment. Luna’s horn lit up and she cut the sheets to fit better before making a tunic out of the pieces and sliding it over Pandora, who was riding on Luna’s back. The four of us got up and headed for the door. The halls were quiet this morning and the salutes we got as we walked past quickly grew tiresome as I almost jumped at each one. On the way we ran into Shinning armor who had a saddle bag filled with baby supplies. The largest of the diapers fit Olympia and Pandora would have to wait. I doubted she was potty trained as she sat gabbing away in a gibberish to Luna. I strapped the bag to my back and the three of us headed to the kitchen.
Small chat was made between Shinning Armor and Luna but I was distracted. My headache was growing as we walked along the halls. A pulse of pain made me stumble and the two magical beings with me caught me in their magic.
“What ails you?” asked Luna. “You need to speak up if something is the matter.”
“Just a bad headache,” I said quietly. “I feel so very heavy too.”
“When did you last eat?” asked Luna. “Or had water?”
“It was yesterday before the first doctor visit,” said Shinning Armor. “So probably twelve hours ago, give or take a bit.”
“I am assigning you a caretaker,” said Luna. “You need to speak up. It is a wonder that little Pandora here isn’t crying for food.”
“Pandora ate dinner,” said Shinning Armor. “Had a wheat based pasta with us late last night. Persephone had already fallen asleep at that point.”
“At least I can count on Cadence to make sure her wards are well fed,” said Luna. Her magic intensified around me and I hovered down the hall after her. “We are almost to the kitchen and then we are going to stuff you full of food.”
“I can walk,” I said. “I am not a child.”
“Technically I could call you a minor. I was the one to go through your memories. Both of your past selves were juveniles. Sixteen years of age is the best I could pull from your memories which I understand is much older to your people than it would be to mine but I am only letting you keep these two children because I think I would cause more damage separating you three,” said Luna. “If you continue to neglect your health I will put you under a guardianship.”
“I didn’t mean to,” I said defensively. “Look it has been a bad couple of days for all of us. Lets not pull out threats like that please.”
“Everyone is a child to my sister and I,” said Luna. “I have less concerns than my sister about treating you as such. Now Shinning Armor where is your dear wife at?”
“I have no idea,” said Shinning Armor. “Probably back at the Ambassador’s room wondering where we are.”
“Can you go retrieve her and Miss Rarity. We shall not leave the dining hall till you come,” said Luna. “I intend to make sure this one has a balanced meal and drink before the hour is over.”
Shinning Armor turned around and headed away. He didn’t even pause to acknowledge the order. We however went through a pair of double doors into a busy kitchen. The whole place froze when the looked up at Luna and myself. A couple dropped into a bow but most were too busy with food prep to do so.
“Carry on,” said Luna. “I need Master Chef Appetite for a while.”
“Of course your highness,” said a tall unicorn he was busy chopping away at some vegetables as he came over to us masterfully cutting them without looking via magic. “What can I do for you, Princess?”
“I need a full spread of all the foods you have on stock. It can be a tour of your pantry,” said Luna. “I have visitors from another world who are uncertain what they can eat of our food. I have a spell to clear that up but I want to get this over with quickly. While you are at it can I get two apples to tide them over till you can prepare them a full course meal?”
“Of course,” said the Brown Unicorn. He paused his cutting and lead us to a large pantry. “Right this way.”
Luna’s horn lit up and I felt a small amount of her mana flow into me. Soon the food in the area lit up in three colors. Green, yellow, and red. Most of the hall was green and I pointed out those that weren’t. Luna had conjured a pad of paper and was listing down the ingredients. We moved on to the refrigerator and did the same. Meat lit up green for me and Luna was doing the same for Pandora somehow. We both found the fish to be appetizing. With our tour done, Chef Appetite got to work frying a fish for the two of us along with some other side dishes. He promised the first course in a few minutes. I couldn’t help but salivate as I ate the half of apple that I had been offered.
We walked through a second door into a small dining room. Luna set us down on the chair and continued to feed Pandora apple chunks. Olympia needed feeding again and I did so as discretely as possible. I hoped I was giving her all that she needed. We were different species but I had no idea if I was capable of giving her the food she needed to grow strong. She didn’t fuss much after feeding though and she only burped on me this time.
The first course came as a small amount of salad with a dressing on the side. It all still glowed green and I fed some to Pandora. She seemed to like it but she still didn’t seem to understand chewing her food so throughly so I had to keep telling her to chew more. She ate as much as I did of the salad and I worried she wouldn’t eat any of the rest of the food. The fish came next and Luna part took in a slice as well. I was surprised to see her eat it but I didn’t care. The thing was done perfectly and I almost didn’t want to share with Pandora.
“Hey,” said Cadence as she walked into the room. “Finally found you. Shinning says you had an eventful morning so far.”
“Yeah,” I said. “The headache is fading though. Are you hungry I’m sure that we can get you some as well.”
“Oh no I already ate,” said Cadence.
“See someone takes care of herself,” said Luna. She was glaring daggers in my direction. “Unlike some little mother I know.”
“I am trying okay,” I said. “This is all new to me.”
“I can only imagine how trying this has been for you,” said Cadence. “I’m here to help you as best I can. Your apartment has been purified and we only need to cast a seal on it now. Nothing like that should happen again.”
“Thank you. I need to learn how to control my magic,” I said. “I could have killed Pandora this morning on accident. I shot the door handle across the room. I need to have control over this.”
“It is going to take time,” said Luna. “Some thing you have plenty of. But we can work on your control. It doesn’t help that you have a depth greater than one would expect for a pony of your age. Twilight should be able to help you learn control. She has had to deal with similar problems all her life.”
“Isn’t she busy trying to track down Grogar?” I asked.
“No she is our last resort against his power but I look to end this threat myself. This goat will not harm more of my citizens if I could only find him. Soon we will have the pieces but villages going dark takes a while to get word to the capital. We have the Army out looking though,” Said Luna. “That however is not your problem. No the goat’s escape is my fault not yours and I shall be the one to worry about that. For now you need to worry about yourself and this two little angels.”
I nodded but I couldn’t help the guilt that ate at me. Whether or not it had been my fault, I was instrumental in Grogar’s escape. How many had died because of my involvement? I pushed the guilt to the side and focused on the small one in my arms. She was sleeping and I felt warm and fuzzy inside watching her. Even if she had four eyes.
Twilight and Rarity walked into the room. They both smiled at me and Rarity pulled out a few things from her bag. Both of them seemed like close friends and I watched as they came close to each other in a near hug. Rarity pulled a couple of deep colored gowns from her saddle bags.
“I brought some prototypes. They aren’t as well done as I would like but they should do until I can work on something better. I only had this color so I hope you don’t mind matching outfits,” said Rarity. “I hope you like them.”
“Thank you Rarity,” I said. “This means a lot to me. The dark colors will be good for the young ones. Will hide the stains they will most definitely put on them more.”
“I did put stain resistant charms on them so they shouldn’t stain to easily,” said Rarity. “Here try this on when you have the moment.”
I took the shirt from her and handed Olympia to Cadence. I pulled it over my head and it slipped on from there. Untying the sheet from me proved harder but the thing worked well enough. I would need something to cover up my chest with as I was already leaking slightly. I sighed. Why my body had adapted so quickly to a child was beyond me but I felt a strange joy about that nonetheless. At least something was working out well.
“Rarity could you make something padded for around my chest. I’m going to be leaking a lot for the next while,” I said. “Olympia will make sure of that. I don’t even know how long I’m going to have to feed her like this or be able to.”
“Is that something other nursing mothers need?” asked Rarity.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I can’t remember anything anymore.”
“I’m sorry dear,” said Rarity. “I didn’t mean to bring up something painful. Here lets see how this fits Pandora. I’m sure it will work well I have some pants like you suggested as well. I figured Olympia wouldn’t need as much though.”
I nodded and lifted the make shift shirt from Pandora’s form. She didn’t fight me until I pulled the much tighter fitting shirt over her head. Getting her arms through the sleeves was the worst of it but she seemed fine enough afterwords. Pants were harder to get her into but soon she was at least well covered. The concept of underwear would have to come later. I felt worlds better with something on and Pandora looked quite cute in her little outfit.
Another set of plates came out somehow the chef having accounted for the increasing number of people and a pasta and Alfredo with zucchini and yellow squash came out. I loved the squash but Pandora refused any more after one bite of the squash. I giggled and ate the rest without sharing. I was beginning to feel full when the final tray of a chocolate brownie over ice cream came out and I threw any thought of that out the window. Something about the desert felt familiar and yet I couldn’t place it. I didn’t dwell on that though as I savored every bite that didn’t go to Pandora. She seemed to love the chocolate and now I had a treat for her to have at times.
“Cadence do you have any suggestions from the castle staff to assign to Persephone as a full time helper?” asked Luna. “While I know that you will want to help out I think having someone from the staff that is there for her in the mornings and when you are not able to be would be beneficial.”
“I don’t need more pampering,” I said. “You have done more than enough for me.”
“I brought you to this castle and as I still consider you a minor, even if I am conceding to let you stay as primary guardian of Olympia and Pandora, which makes you my charge. I am not pampering you but giving you everything that you need to thrive,” said Luna. “As Princess I am allowed such decisions. So no more modesty from you now.”
“I had a caretaker after I came to live at the castle full time,” said Twilight. “I wish I had paid more attention to her. We could have been friends. Still she or he would be your go to for help from castle staff. Is Lunar Crescent still working for the castle?”
“No she retired a year ago,” said Shinning Armor. “I have a few recruits that might make good full time guides but I doubt they signed up for the guard to be a nanny. Still they would not complain to any of us if we were to ask.”
“I’d rather not pull from the guard unless you think there is one who is too soft for the guard but has a good heart,” said Luna.
“What about Recruit Silver Crest?” asked Cadence. “You were just complaining to me about him.”
“He is a wash up that I am surprised made it through screening,” said Shining Armor. “I can’t tell if he is lazy or if he has something else off about him. The Silver Family has always been guards and yet this poor sod can barely get his armor on right.”
“Why haven’t you dismissed him yet then?” said Luna. “Surely if he weren’t fit for the armor then it would be best to weed him out.”
“I plan on doing so but he has only been in for six weeks. We give recruits two months to shape up,” said Shinning Armor. “I can tell he is trying but he just doesn’t have the spirit for it.”
“Why not give him a chance at this?” asked Twilight. “I doubt he is lazy you have to go through so much to apply for the guard. I’m sure he just feels pressured by his parents into the guard. Besides I think you are too hard on your recruits Shinning.”
“I would push them harder,” said Luna. “I have been forbidden from the council to have anything to do with the military though. Not that I am the most experienced general living to this day. No that would make me good at that job.”
“Aunty, you know that is only for a few more years now,” said Cadence. “Still I think that Twilight is right. We should let Sliver Crest have a chance at the job if he wants it. I have met the stallion and he is so gentle. He would be perfect with Pandora and Olympia.”
“He is a blank flank,” said Shining Armor. “I’ve never met somepony as old as he is at twenty four without one. How do you go through life like that?”
“He hasn't gotten his Cutie Mark?” asked Twilight. “He is younger than I am but still that is awfully old to not have one.”
“I agree. Have you had him tested for any pox or something?” asked Luna.
“He came back healthy. The poor sod just hasn’t found his talent,” said Shinning Armor. “I can’t blame him for being such a mess for it but he isn’t guard material.”
“I want to give him a chance,” I said.
“Well, fine,” said Luna. “Shinning go summon him so we may met this recruit ourself.”