//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: An Heir's Excitement! // Story: The Northern Crown // by CoronaBorealis //------------------------------// The idea of war is taxing on the mind for most ponies, and because of this fact the higher ups in the Equestrian military as well as the Crystal's military have kept the information of the possible threat from the public so as to not cause an upheaval during a time of celebration that they have not seen in a number of years. After careful consideration on a southern defense strategy she decided to apply a few aspects of Iron Shield's plan into her own, sending more soldiers to their southern settlements near the border, but still far enough to keep them out of sight so as to not arouse suspicion from their impending invaders. Much to the royal's glee nothing has come about from their borders for the next few years, leaving their officers to conclude that there is no present threat. Because of this most soldiers have been ordered to return to their home stations, leaving only a few to guard their southern and northern border. The weight on the shoulders of Helios and Diamond being lifted has been a big relief as they have been able to spend more time with their families, though even then it is sometimes not guaranteed since they have taken on most of Harmony and Virgo's duties so that they can always be with Celestia and Corona to nurture them without being impeded by their duties. With a few peaceful years the young prince and princess have each been taught the basics of magic by their mothers. They were also taught simple history of Equestria and the crystal empire, as well as telling them that one day they will be big and strong leaders just like their parents are. Corona and Celestia grew very close to their mother's and always enjoy being in their company in their young eyes they are like angels with all the magic in the world, completely oblivious to the great power of their own that rests within them. With time they were also informed that they would both be older siblings which brought an elevated level of excitement for them, with that news and knowing that they will be starting learning magic under the tutelage of the great Starswirl the Bearded, which they have always been told is the greatest mage to ever live by their parents. How could they not be happy with so many great things happening to them. But after all they are a Prince and Princess so everything will be great for them...... Right? ***** "Mommy mommy mommy wake up! Today's the first lesson with Starswirl!" Celestia says as she bounces up and down in excitement, shaking the bed as her mother groans softly from the covers. "It's already time?.... alright Celestia I'm up i'm up..." she says as she slowly sits up and yawns, maneuvering in an awkward manner due to her grown belly once again. Since she has been in this situation before it is nowhere near as difficult as it was the first time, but that still didn't get rid of all of the challenges pregnancy had to offer. Celestia has a big smile on her face as she watches her mother get up, Virgo looks down and sees that her faded mane is brushed and her fur groomed. Virgo chuckles softly and kisses her head, "I see you are excited for this, you even brushed yourself this time" she says as she climbs off her bed and floats a brush to her so she can do the same, looking in a mirror as she does. Celestia nods quickly and looks up at her in wonder as she brushes her long beautiful mane "I'm sure Corona is doing the same! we couldn't stop talking about it when we were out playing yesterday in the courtyard!" she says with a voice of high spirit, "We're going to learn so many magic spells today! We'll be just as good as you mother!" Her enthusiasm brings a warm smile to Virgo's face as she listens to her bold claims, "I'm sure you will be Celestia, but it will take more than a day for you to become a strong magic wielder." "Really?" she tilts her head in confusion "How long will it take mommy?" she says in a slightly worried tone. "It could take many years Celestia, you must learn to be patient my dear, I know you want to be a great princess, but those things take time. If you stay dedicated to your teachings you will be a greater princess than you could ever imagine, of this I am certain," she says in a gentle and wise voice as she looks down at her filly. Celestia pouts and looks at the ground as they walk towards the door, "But I don't wanna wait that long... I wanna be a strong princess now!" she says with a tone of impatience, prompting a chuckle from her mother, remembering her impatience when she was a filly, and how quick to fire up she has become now. "This isn't something to be rushed my little star, you need to learn to enjoy the journey because that will make the destination all the more rewarding," she stats as she floats her brush back to the nightstand and opens the door for her and Celestia to pass through. "Yes mommy..." Celestia says with her ears down, feeling a little down that she has to wait for her dream to come true, following her big and graceful mother out onto the balcony, Virgo kneels down and Celestia gets up on her back as she opens her wings. "Hold tight!" she says with a grin as she flaps her wings and takes to the sky, not going too fast so Celestia can stay on her back. ***** Corona grunts in frustration as his regalia is tightened to his body uncomfortably, "Must I wear this mother? it's so uncomfortable" he says as he pouts up at Harmony. "You have to dress formally to make a good impression Corona, remember this will be the first magic lesson you and Celestia will have, you need to show Starswirl that you are taking it seriously. And as a prince you need to maintain your appearance," she says as she puts on the last of his horseshoes, the silver on them shining elegantly. "Yes mom..." he says with a sigh as his head sinks, letting her finish and brush his mane. "I understand it can be hard my son, just be glad it isn't a delegate meeting" she says as she nuzzles his head which brings Corona to soft laughter, his mother always knowing how to cheer him up. "You're my handsome little prince right?" Corona nods up at her and gives her a big grin with his eyes closed, "Thanks mom! me and Celestia have been so excited about this! I wonder what amazing spell mister Starswirl will teach us today!" he stats bouncing with glee as he runs to the door and reaches his hooves up to push it open, taking a bit of effort considering how big the doors are compared to his tiny body. He then steps to the side and looks at Harmony, "After you mother!" "Awww well how polite of you my chivalrous prince!" she says with a giggle as she plays along with him, walking through the door with him as they walk off to the magic school that isn't too far from where they already were. After a few minutes they soon reach the school of magic and Corona looks up at it in awe, a twinkle sparkling in his eyes and his coat sparkles brightly. The look of excitement makes Harmony feel a little envious as she misses when she had those eyes of wonder when she was a filly. "Now then... shall we go..." Harmony says before being cut off by another voice. "Hello Harmony!" Virgo says as she walks towards her and Corona, when he hears her voice Corona's ears perk up and he looks at her like a deer, when he sees Celestia's head poke out from her back he jumps in excitement, "Celestia!" he exclaims with glee as he runs over to them, the sight of his best friend making the day all the more better for him. "Corona!" she says with equal excitement as she jumps off her mother's back and runs to hug him, Corona returning the hug eagerly. "I'm so excited about today! I couldn't even sleep last night!" "I know I couldn't either! I'm going to learn so many spells today!" he says with a happy and confident grin. "Oh yeah! well not as much as I will!" she says as she sticks her tongue out cutely, bringing a frown to her mother's face. "Now now Celestia, be polite now" she states as she looks down at Celestia and nudges her with her hoof, "Sticking out your tongue at another pony is not lady like." Celestia blushes and lowers her head in a little embarrassment, "S-Sorry mommy... I-I'm just so excited about learning new magic." "I know you are sweet heart, but always mind your manners understand? It is unbecoming of a princess," she states sternly at Celestia, prompting her to nod slowly as she doesn't want to be scorned by her in front of her best friend, "Yes mom..." Corona looks at her concerned when she looks a little down and he lifts his hoof up to put on her shoulder to comfort her, only to be interrupted by Harmony, "Alright then, I think we've kept Starswirl waiting long enough, come along little ones" she says while she opens the double doors with magic and walks in with them. As they walk in Corona and Celestia see a lot of adult ponies, most of whom being mages or practitioners of magic, they quickly move out of the way of their Queens and bow for them as they walk past with their foals. Corona and Celestia blush as they still haven't quite become used to the sight of having many eyes on them. After some quiet moments of walking through the halls of the school Celestia looks over at Corona and how well groomed he looks, as well as his shining regalia, feeling glad she isn't the only one that came formally dressed and groomed, "Corona... your regalia looks nice" she says softly so that their mother's can't hear. Corona smiles shyly with his face turning red, "Y-You think so?... I was thinking that I looked overdressed..." Celestia smiles warmly and shakes her head, "No Corona it looks great!" Corona laughs softly and looks over at her, noticing her elegant regalia as well, "T-Thank you... you look great in your's too" he says with a slightly shaking voice, not used to taking compliments from her so it threw him for a loop. Celestia giggles and gives him a quick hug, "Awww thanks!" she says with more confidence than Corona had, not really thinking too much about it. "Alright little ones we're here!" Virgo says as she knocks on the door of Starswirl's training room. After waiting a few moments the door soon opens and the foals giggle at Starswirl in his goofy attire. "Ah I'm glad you are finally here your highnesses, I must admit I am rather excited for this as well, I will take the prince and princess and teach them everything I know," he says with a beaming grin, still having some of that foalish excitement coursing through him that he first felt years ago when he discovered their latent magic. "We are confident they are in the perfect hooves Starswirl, Now say hello to your teacher you two" Virgo says looking down at Corona and Celestia, nudging them both forward. Celestia laughs softly and looks up at the old stallion, "Hi there misters Starswirl! my name is Celestia!" she states happily looking up at him with an adorable smile. "And my name is Corona Borealis!" They both look at each other with a foalish grin and say in unison, "And we're best friends! And we'll be the bestest unicorns the world has ever seen!" they say in perfect unison, obviously practicing it prior to today. The sight makes Virgo and Harmony giggle and Starswirl chuckle as it looks very adorable to them. "Well with enthusiasm like that I'm sure you will be" Starswirl says with a smile and soon looks over at his Queens, "Have a good day your highnesses, and make sure to take it easy now that you have two more heirs coming..." "Of course, fortunately for us our husbands have shouldered a lot of responsibilities for us so that we may rest," Harmony says which makes Virgo nod in agreement. "Do not worry about us my friend" Harmony says as she gives Starswirl a warm hug, Virgo soon follows and does the same. Corona and Celestia look up in wonder, seeing how much respect they are giving the old unicorn and how they treat him like a close friend, Celestia walks up next to Corona, "Whoa... he must be a really important pony for mommy to be treating him like that..." "Yeah... my mother is the same way... maybe he's not a goofy old stallion..." Corona says softly, thinking he wasn't heard by his mother but is soon met with a hoof to the back of the head making him yelp in surprise as he feels the back of his head "Oww!..." "Show some respect Corona, Starswirl is one of the greatest innovators Equestria has ever had, you will not be disrespectful understand?" she says sternly at Corona. His ears go down and his head sinks "Yes mother... I'm sorry Mister Starswirl..." "It's quite alright Harmony, I've been teased about my age plenty of time by my fellow mages" he says with a chuckle. "Yes but they are your peers, Corona needs to learn respect," she says as she looks down at him and sees his head is down. Her smile sinks as she feels a little bad, thinking she scorned him a little too hard; She lowers her head to nuzzle him softly "Corona it's ok sweet heart... just please mind your manners in the future." Corona's ears stay down and he nods slowly, "Yes mom..." he replies in a down voice. Smiles and slips her hoof under him to hug him and kiss his head, making Corona giggle as it tickles a little bit, "Cheer up my son, it was just a little slip up" she says as she puts him down and Corona looks up at her with his ears perked up, a big smile on his face, "Thanks mom!" "Of course son, make sure you pay attention and learn a lot!" she says with an equally happy smile as she turns to walk to the door with Virgo, they both give their foals a wave goodbye before shutting the door behind them. "Now then... What say we get started shall we?" Starswirl says to his two new students. Corona and Celestia look at each other and then at him and have big happy grins on their faces, "Yes Sir!"