//------------------------------// // 8 – Princess // Story: Frozen // by B_25 //------------------------------// ~ 8 ~ Princess Spike felt his heart ready to burst as he was led down the long corridors of the tower. The weight of his rucksack had become stupidly heavy the closer to the tower he got. Luckily, once Shining and he were inside, he was permitted to take off his hood, but the sight of the passing guards on his side made him wish he had it back on. “The formalities of being in the presence of a princess are simple.” Shining was a few feet ahead on the red carpet—it was although he was leading him to his execution. “I trust you haven’t forgotten them?” For something posed as a question, it sounded like anything but. “Yeah, I remember them.” Spike tried to distract himself by looking up and out the passing windows. “Kneel. Bow my head. Speak only when spoken too.” “And to answer all questions honestly and truthfully.” Shining glared back at him. “Your sudden departure from Ponyville has raised a lot of questions.” He returned to looking forward and at the upcoming door. “And concern.” Spike continued to stare out the windows. Soon, the stained glass turned into depictions of crystal ponies standing around a crystal heart. The next prorated buildings with families gathered in front of them. History soon changed to war as the next depiction was of the crystal ponies bearing arms and charging against a mist of blackness, eyes glowing red through the darkness. Wind cut across Spike’s face. He shook his head—his heart jolted—as just a few feet ahead, the door to the throne were pushed open by the guards who had been standing on duty. Spike looked back up to the glass only to see six ponies gathered around a crystal heart. He quickly shook his head, quickened his pace, and after a few steps, slowed down once he had entered the throne room. Behind him, the doors resounded with a thud as they were then closed. “Make sure the third patrol answers to me immediately upon their return,” Cadence ordered from her throne to the guard bowing below her. A royal cloth was draped over the arm of her throne. “Shining Armor may have made contact with the missing assistant of Twilight Sparkle. Have another patrol ready to—” “That won’t be necessary, my love.” Cadence gazed down the red carpet and gasped at who she saw approaching her. “Have any guards set for patrol set on standby and all those who return sent to their homes for the time being.” He came alongside the bowing guard and said to him: “You are dismissed. Get some rest while you still can.” The guard gave a salute. Once given permission, he turned and began down the red carpet, passing another as he did so. A few moments later, the doors were opened for him, and once he was out, the princess bounded down the steps from her throne. “Shining dear! You had me so worried.” Cadence quickly threw her forelegs around the neck of her love, hugging him dearly as he was quick to do the same. “Your squad returned saying you had wandered off. Then I had our handkerchief delivered by—” “That’s another issue we have to deal with.” Shining’s voice became cold once more as he stepped away from the hug. He raised his muzzle and glared down at the approaching drake. “Princess Cadence, I’ve brought with me the—” “Oh, Spike!” Cadence didn’t hesitate to rush over to the drake, throwing her forelegs around his neck and pulling him against her chest. She nuzzled the side of his head, saying: “Where have you been all this time?! So many ponies have been worried for you.” Spike didn’t know what to say in response. He expected punishment instead of comfort. “I… I’ve been wandering a lot.” “Wandering away from home!” Cadence pulled back so they could face each other. “You can’t just leave home without telling anypony where you’re going. Didn’t you ever think about how your friends would feel about this? What if something had happened to you?” “... I left them a letter.” “A letter is nothing compared to a proper goodbye.” Cadence smiled as tears burned at the corner of her eyes. She quickly wiped them away. “Ponies care about you, Spike. They love you as well. You can’t just leave them like this.” She brought his head against her chest, her soft fur rubbing against his smooth scales, the beating of her heart bringing about a long forgotten warmth in the drake. In a way, the guilt Spike felt was worse than any punishment. He let himself sink into the alicorn, giving himself to the mare. “I’m… I’m sorry.” Cadence kept holding him. “I… I didn’t mean to hurt anypony.” Spike felt his voice crack. “I just thought that if I left a letter, that everything would be okay! That if anything happened to me that the g-girls would be okay with it.” “Why would the girls ever be okay with something happening to you?” Cadence eyes widened with realization as she dropped her muzzle on the top of his head. “No, no, no. That wasn’t your fault. Do you hear me? None of what happened is your fault, okay?” She nuzzled him the best she could. “Nopony is mad at you for what happened. None of your friends would rather see you freezing in the north than back home with them.” “I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” “You have nothing to be sorry for!” “I’m sorry…” Shining turned around, gritting his teeth as walked toward the door and left. Spike cried onto Cadence’s coat.