When Luna arrived in his dream, she found Aurick already waiting for her. He sat upon the couch scratching his beard as he idly looked back at the princess that had walked through the front door.
“So what’s happening?” He asked her, making one of her brow raise.
“How did you know?” The question came with a small frown as she stepped around the couch and sat in one of the arm chairs.
“There’s a big pink bubble around Canterlot. So unless this is some strange festivity, I would assume something is happening.” He replied, upturning a hand.
“Yes, I suppose Canterlot is visible from Ponyville.” She muttered, a hoof to her chin as she looked down. Her eyes darted back up to him before she spoke again. “Me and my sister have been informed that an unknown entity is planning an attack on the city during my niece’s wedding.”
“You have a niece?” He asked with a raised brow before shaking his head. “Forget that. Any idea what kind of attack?”
“We do not know. All we know is that it will occur the day of the wedding. That ‘pink bubble’, as you call it, is a shield constructed by the Captain of the Royal Guard. As of right now, Canterlot is screening anyone that enters the city.”
“And what if they are already inside?” Aurick asked with a frown.
“Of course, the guard are on high alert. Patrols are set up and anyone entering the castle is kept under close eye after a magical scan.” He nodded in approval as he scratched at his beard.
“Then it seems you have everything under control. What do you need me for?” He asked leaning forward in his seat.
“One can never be too cautious in a situation like this.” Luna told him. “The wedding is not being canceled, nor postponed. We plan to wrap everything up quietly and play the situation off as a drill for the guard.”
Aurick’s face displayed his distaste of the idea. Personally, if the information was reliable, he would have cancelled the wedding and put all of his effort into foiling the enemy’s plan. This was not his country, however, and though he would have made his opinion known, Luna continued on despite it.
“We would like you to come to Canterlot so that we may put your abilities to use.”
“And what if I refuse?” He asked with a raised brow. Luna looked taken aback for a moment before she recomposed herself and gave him a look.
“Would you?”
He shrugged. “No, but I like to know where I stand in situations like this.” She closed her eyes for a moment while Aurick proceeded to sigh. “I assume you want me there tomorrow?”
“That’s correct.”
“How will I get there? The train thing?” A shake of her head opposed the idea.
“No. A pair of guards shall arrive in the morning to transport you on a chariot.” Aurick wondered how a chariot would be able to take him to the mountain city, but he trusted the lunar diarch’s choice, so he made no comment.
“Can Ashwyn come? She doesn’t like being away from me too much.” His question was responded by a nod.
“Of course.” She confirmed.
“Good.” Aurick said, running a hand through his hair. “Is there anything else I should know?”
“That is all for tonight, Aurick. We shall speak more of what we would ask of you when you arrive tomorrow.”
“As well as payment?” He smirked, making Luna roll her eyes.
“Yes, we shall speak of payment as well.” She told him before rising from her seat. “Until then, Aurick.”
~-~
The morning came just as quickly as his sleep, and with it, a sigh emerged from his throat. Just when he was beginning to get used to a simple life, he had to go help prevent a siege on the nation's capital. He could only hope that it wouldn’t take too long. He still had projects he needed to work on after all.
Looking down, he could see Ashwyn still asleep, her head resting upon his shoulder. He briefly thought about waking her, but decided to let her sleep. She’d probably like this development less than him, and he’d rather let her get some more rest before dropping it on her.
As such, he gently extracted himself from her embrace, doing his best not to jostle her. Successful in his motive, he scratched at his beard and got out of bed. His legs were swift in bringing him to the bathroom, and after a short series of motions, the shower was running.
While it was warming up, Aurick quickly brushed his teeth. It was after he rinsed his mouth out that he began to undress and step into the shower.
The water was a pleasant warm, and for a short time, the elf simply stood under the water. Letting the warm liquid wash over him as he tried to mentally prepare himself for the day he was to have.
~-~
Ashwyn awoke alone. Again.
A small frown crossed her face as she repressed a sigh. She understood that they wouldn’t wake up naturally around the same times, but she kinda wished he would just wake her up. The rest just wasn’t the same if she didn’t wake up next to him.
Maybe she was just getting a bit sentimental, but that didn’t change her opinion. Perhaps she should just talk to him about it.
Either way, she slowly climbed out of the bed, a yawn escaping her as she stepped to the ground. Sniffing the air, she was easily able to pinpoint the Alpha’s location. His scent brought another with him, and with it, the frown on her face began to fade.
Perhaps she’d be okay with waking alone if she was met with bacon every time.
Wasting no time, Ashwyn made her way downstairs. As her nose had promised, the Alpha was in the kitchen. A small plate of bacon rested upon the table, as well as other breakfast items. The Alpha was simply sitting at the table and sipping a cup of coffee.
He noticed her presence immediately, though she wasn’t trying to hide it. His eyes turning towards her as he lowered his cup.
“So apparently I’ve got a job to do.” He told her, running a hand through his hair. Ashwyn tilted her head in confusion for a moment. Doesn’t he always have a job to do?
Then she remembered what they saw last night. “Princess need help?” She asked as she approached the table and took a seat.
“Yeah. That bubble’s not for show. It’s some kind of magical shield to protect the city. Supposedly they got some information about an attack planned on them.” Ashwyn blinked at him for a moment, having paused in the process of grabbing some food for herself.
“They- what- ho- who would attack Canterlot?” She asked incredulously. “Have peace with all nations!”
“I don’t know, and if Luna does, she didn’t see fit to tell me. I don’t even know what they want me to do yet.” He admitted, leaning back in his chair and sighing.
“She no trust you?” Ashwyn raised a brow. She had thought the Alpha and the Princess were fairly close. Could she have been wrong?
“Who knows.” He shrugged.
“Then why help?” The Alpha gave her an odd look at that, then he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
“There’s plenty of reasons. Luna and her sister saved my life, for starters. I at least owe them a debt for that. Not to mention that Luna’s my friend. I don’t particularly like abandoning friends in situations like this. Also there’s the fact that I kinda live here, and if the capital gets sieged, that’s gonna affect us. So I’m gonna go help.” Ashwyn had to admit, that all those points made sense. “Now you can come with me or not, it’s your-”
“I come.” She stated firmly. “If you go, I go. Period.” Ashwyn was pleased to see a smile cross the Alpha’s face as he heard her words.
“I didn’t expect any less of you.” He told her warmly. “Now, I’d recommend eating that before it gets cold and taking a shower. Luna said they’d send some guys to pick us up and bring us to the castle this morning.”
Popping a piece of bacon in her mouth, Ashwyn nodded and gave him a mock salute before returning to her food with gusto.