Fallen-Song

It seem’d the further on they went, they fell
In more with sand and dust – what else could dwell
Amid such drought? Too true, they met those who
Could stand the heat. They noted quite a smell

They could not place, but they’d dismiss it too.
Perhaps it was a part of here – who knew
Its inner works? They would have to deduce
Those for themselv’s. The princess also flew

Quite a long way, and had not one excuse
To keep on flying, not when she’d reduce
Her capability right down to nought.
Try as she might to keep up, ’tis no use,

For her guide weigh’d too much for her. She ought
To keep to th’ ground, as Providence had taught
Her weaknesses. She shook her head, and went
Along with him, to’ place that both them sought

By sister’s order. Yet where they were sent
Was still so far away – she wanted t’ vent,
But knew much better. Last that she would want
Would be to drive him off, or to torment

Him with her grievances. This land would taunt
Her with such promises that it would flaunt
And take away without a second guess.
And yet the baker would stay nonchalant;

Perhaps he grew too us’d to torments, stress,
And fortune ill from times before – unless
He told her how he persever’d, he’d take
His secret to the grave at life’s end. “Yes,”

He said aloud, “I think we’ll sooner make
It to the moutain-top, if we awake
The spirits of this land, who might impart
Assistance t’ us. We ask not for a lake

Or e’en a lift straight up, but just the heart
To make the journey safely there.” How smart,
She thought, he was to ask so little for
Provisioning. Perhaps if I depart

This land, I’d learn to ask for little more
Myself. But does he think his words could pour
Across this land for it to hear him speak?
“I have to ask,” she said – “are you well sure

You can trust it to point us to the peak?”
“Why should I not?” he shot back. “If you seek
Its favors, then you’ll be blest with the best
It can offer. This quest need not be bleak,

You know!” She knew, but who knew how the rest
O’ th’ walk would go? So far, she never guest
She’d find so many others on their way,
To distract them – O how she wanted t’ rest

Without a soul to nag them on! This day
Eternal beated down so hard, and they
Were weary almost beyond words. But no,
They would not stop so soon, not when their stay

Here might be permanent. It went to show
That, when their lives are on the line, they’d throw
Their diff’rences behind them. “This I see,”
Said Luna. “Now, how much more do we go?”

Honeycomb shrugg’d, which made her think that he
Might not be quite as bright as he could be.
Regardless, he got her this far; she can’t
Complain too much about these issues wee.

The baker call’d out to the wind, “We shan’t
Fail now, not when we’re ever closer. Grant
Us strength to break through obstacles that stop
Us otherwise.” It did not hear his rant,

Apparently, for that one mountain top
Did not move closer to them. They could hop
Up just a hoof or two, but come back down
Achieving nought at all. And worse, the drop

Meant sinking more into the sand, to drown
In something hot beneath their hoov’s. A frown
Would furrow on her face, but she would dare
To persevere, with her guide and her crown.

So send them storms and creatures! They’d not care
At all, when something so important there
Would wait for them, and only them to come.
And yet, as though it acted on a dare,

A twister sprung from right behind. For some
Odd reason, maybe none at all, too numb
They prov’d to be, upon its dreadful sight,
As though they cared not at all. How dumb!

It did not matter anyway, for right
Before it came to them, it would make flight
Away from them. They did not notice this,
Nor that they fled from this imagin’d plight.

Forsooth, perhaps they would not be remiss
T’ ignore them as they come, but just dismiss
The lot as temporary folly. Thus,
Their ignorance would bring them subtle bliss.

No matter how this land could cause a fuss,
They learn’d not to acknowledge those things – plus,
They knew, eventually, it would provide
Relief – whenever they would come. A muss

She notic’d of her mane – and so she pried
A bit of magic through the locks, and tried
T’ untangle them, without too much success.
She sigh’d, slid her hood back, and with her guide

She kept a steady pace. Had she to guess,
It was a natural effect, unless
The cloak had done that messing to her mane.
(It did look better that way, she’d confess.)

As for Honeycomb, he had not that pain
Himself – he must not care, or such he’d feign.
Why stew over a minor detail, though?
They’d bigger issues in their minds to strain!

But still, they could not always worry so –
How tiresome and how dull the trip would grow!
The walk between where they were and where they
Have ought to be had still so much to go.

Deliverance atop the point, she’d pray,
And that she and he were not here to stay.
This heat was most unbearable, and sand
Would itch them – did she see the mountain sway?

Perhaps it was another trick o’ th’ land
That plaid its dazzling sights upon her, and
They were no closer to there than before.
That seem’d more likely to her – nothing grand

Had happen’d to them right then, that she swore
T’ herself. But was that true? This sealess shore
Held many revelations for the two.
It would be most unwise for them t’ ignore

These warning signs of danger – for these two
Had seen the consequences of those few
Disasters they had seen along so far –
What others wait for them? O if they knew –

But they’d discover soon enough the mar
That rubb’d o’er them and others. From afar
The effect was apparent not, but when
They took a closer look, well – how bizarre!

And still, the mountain sneer’d at them – but then
They’d get to th’ top, regardless of how its ken
Stretcht out. This challenge was not worthy of
Their ridicule; they’d conquer so – amen!

She lookt to the clear sky, and saw above
A bird amid its flight – was it a dove?
Perhaps it was, and it was gliding further out
To where they could well see a sight they love.

“Does water flow there too?” “I’d likely doubt
Such fortune, but – ” she pointed with her snout –
“It does mean, where we are, it can lead us
To where we need to go. Its liquid route

We follow in reverse, against it – plus,
We are in danger nary longer. Thus,
I make it our imperative to go
Along its path. Our passage has no fuss!”

The baker understood what that would show –
“But still,” he askt, “what dangers must we know?”
“Beyond those you found in Equestria hence,
There’s nary in that way – you’ll see it flow

Unbroken ’long the way; it’d not make sense
For smoother flow if obstacles so dense
Were plac’d amid the river.” “So I see,”
Honeycomb said. “What’d be the consequence

If we found something that must make us flee
Fro th’ flow?” “We’ll fight it off,” she said with glee.
“We’ve put too much into this journey now;
We cannot let a simple thing stop. Me,

I have my magic; it would not allow
A single threat to pass us by.” “But how
Would magic help us in this sand and heat?”
“That’s also why we travel like the scow.”

The baker nodded, and he dipt in sweet
Water to cool himself. “O what a treat
This is!” he said aloud. He took his cloak
Off his back, and submerg’d until a sheet

Of water flow’d above his head. “To soak
Is plenty well for you and I,” she spoke,
“But do not leave your cloak behind. This stream
Will not forever last – this is no joke.”

Honeycomb could not see what she would scheme,
But took her words well anyway. He’d deem
This sound advice – for who knows what they’d find
Along the way? His theories grew extreme,

But he’d dismiss them all the same. His mind
Felt like ’twas scatter’d ’cross this land – behind,
In front, and all around. The water’d chill
His head, and focus him again in kind.

“And should this stream dry up?” he askt. “What will
We do about it? Eh?” “My magic skill
Can hold our waters longer, but we’d ought
To hasten our trip even more, until

We’d reach our destination. Thus, we’ll trot
Without a blockage.” Yet such things be wrought
Sans warning by this land. How could I tell
Before I would encounter them? she thought.

She saw a gleam within the stream, which fell
Her eyes upon a nearby hilltop. Well,
Who was she to deny her own regard?
She’d push against the flow to see who’d dwell

Upon that hill; the baker saw it, hard
Against the brightness of the sky, unmarr’d
By sand or other landish elements.
“O Princess Mine!” he call’d. “Have you a shard

Of sense still to your name? Such an instance
Of folly need not be attended. Once
We stray fro’ th’ path, it just might disappear!”
“I’ll know if such shall pass, if such absence

Will impact us.” Then Luna stept sans fear
Fro’ th’ water, kicking off loose drops to smear
Along her fur. The baker trail’d behind
Reluctantly, but not before he’d veer

The banner in the water. “I would find
Its liquid to be nice, if you don’t mind.”
She nodded her head so. “I don’t see why
You cannot do that, but do not be blind

T’ your cloak.” “Of course,” he said. “I’d never try
T’ abandon you for something like this.” Dry
The banner would not be for quite a while,
Or so he hop’d. The hilltop was nearby

From where they were, a mere few yards – a pile
Of harden’d sand – amid the stream, an isle
So dry. And there, he could see something, bare
I’ th’ elements of heat and sand. A smile –

But why? It must be mis’rable o’er there!
Then why such jollity? Why would he care
About this? Then he lookt, and saw that she
Bore on her face the same exact joy’s flair.

“Why do we grin?” she askt. “I cannot see
What humors us. Is it something to flee?”
“I do not know, but we must caution so.”
He tread so lightly, weary of the glee

That plag’d them both. So far as they could know,
No danger threaten’d them, not one that’d show
So suddenly. The baker train’d his eyes
Upon th’ horizon; Luna too, also

Upon their own surroundings. She’d advise
Him of the same, but she would be more wise
Not to distract him from their current work.
Would this be yet another trick, t’ disguise

A thing more cruel than they could think to lurk?
“At least there’s nary in the way of murk –
We clearly can see where I saw that sight,”
She said through her involuntary smirk.

And when the glare of that dreadful sunlight
Would clear away fro’ th’ hilltop, they saw quite
A sight ridiculous. There sat a fool,
One Luna never saw before at night.

“She must be causing our amusement’s rule
Upon our faces,” said he. Quite the tool
Indeed, if jollity was her intent.
“I never thought how humor could be cruel – ”

“But here we are,” said Luna. “I’d repent
Whatever you regret, for if you vent
Your troubles to her, you might set her off.”
“I see,” he said. “Unless we truly meant

Offense, I reckon we’ll be fine.” A cough,
As sand would go into his throat – a quaff
Of water solv’d that problem. “Now then, how
Do we approach the fool? I should not doff

My soaking cloak or banner too right now.”
“With me here,” said she, “I’m sure she’d allow
Th’ attire.” She made the few steps left to see
The pony. “We hail you, then – could you endow

Us with your name?” To her surprise great, she
Leapt to her hoov’s, as though were so free.
“I’m Minute Mirth, and glad to see you two!”
She said this with no small amount of glee.

“I see one tawny, and another blue –
You look like Princess Luna; how ’bout you?”
Her voice spill’d like the nectar, sweet and fast,
And they had trouble keeping up. “So few

Had met me here, I thought myself acast
Away in timeless loneliness. The past
Seem’d less real to me with each passing day.
But now I meet you two here – quite th’ contrast

To th’ current circumstances. Sans delay,
We’ll celebrate our newfound friendship!” “Nay,”
Said Luna, “we are on important task.
We haven’t got the time to stop and play,

Regrettably.” The fool droopt down, to bask
In renewed sadness. “But I have to ask – ”
She perkt up in an instant – “can you tell
About how you came to this place? Your mask

Says quite a bit about you – where you dwell,
And what you do, and all before you fell
Into this desolation.” “Yes indeed, it should!”
Her vigor inexhaustible, she’d spell

An epic all her own. “And yet, I should
Warn you – my story isn’t always good.
I’d hate to disappoint – ” “We’ve heard the same
From other beings in this land; we could

Withstand a bit of sadness.” “If your aim,”
Said Minute Mirth, “is sadness, as you claim,
Then I would like to disappoint. I shy
Away from misery; it brings me shame

If I don’t spread my jollity.” “But why?”
Askt Luna. “Why must you spread joy from nigh?
Not ev’rything in life needs to be great.”
To which the fool would instantly reply,

“My tale discusses of my dismal fate
From when I fail’d just once. I’d truly hate
To see you frown; I’ve worked hard to show
A smile upon your faces.” “That bears weight,”

The baker said, “but I say, even so,
You should tell anyway. You never know
If joy could be born from discover’d grief.”
The fool star’d at him – then she said, “Although

You speak of such a truth, I must be brief:
The tale I tell you is beyond belief.”
“As were so many others – yet we pray:
Could you, for only us, turn o’er new leaf

And speak of sadness?” Came th’ reply then, “Nay,
’Tis most unbearable! You should away
Before you tempt me down that path of glum.
I say to you, there’s nought that I could say

That grants you or me happiness.” “But come
Now, there’s no reason for your speaking thrum.
I’ll tell you what: if you indeed make us
Frown at your words, you can cheer us up some

With yet another tale.” The fool said, “Thus
I will begin! I’ll tell you sadness, plus
I would not go back on my word of joy.
So gather ’round, with nary further fuss!”

The two were seated, her beside th’ envoy.
The fool began, “I hope I don’t annoy
Again, but I will start off with the sad.
And yet, all th’ same, I hope you will enjoy

The words I speak to you.” We would be glad
If you got on with it, she thought. We’ve had
T’ traverse such territory difficult.
Then Minute Mirth clear’d her throat. “So, nomad,

You wish to know what I had done, consult
With me about my life? Then such result
Shall come to you. This tale starts long i’ th’ past,
When I was born, t’ a clan that would exult

Each little event. But this would not last
For all my life – as long as my mind’s cast
A shadow, I’ve not known a time in youth
Where I knew endless pain. That time slipt fast

Before I knew, and I’d soon learn the truth
Once I learn’d to become an unknown sleuth:
So few were ever happy, quite like me.
I took it on myself to change, forsooth.

At first, my strategy was t’ let them see
The natural joys of the world. But we
Had nary in that way, so I’d’ve t’ go
So far beyond my home, from shining sea

To still-wild forest, bringing what I’d know
To spark that feeling coveted. That throe
Was worth it in the end, for they would find
Amusement in what little I could show.

But I wisht to see e’en more, in my mind –
My people was not nigh enough. My bind,
However, was I could not eas’ly leave
My ponies and my town I love behind –

For if I did, they’d lose what I believe,
But if I could – O what I could achieve!
And so I settl’d – I would leave a note
Before I’d set off in the later eve

To rid the world of misery. I wrote
It quickly, making sure that I would quote
Another who had made the trip as well.
I left it in the open, and I’d float

Along Equestria ever since. To tell
Of my success would not come now. I fell
More times than I could care to count;
Although I could not conjure up a spell

Like th’ mages that would roam. On my account,
One even bested me to a viscount.
I did not mind at all – at least my tries
Gave him some joy in life, as I recount.

But that was just a highlight, I realize.
As I would roam beneath the bluer skies,
I would encounter much the same success
Without intent – but still, that was my prize,

And I’d accept it all the same – unless
I would deserve it not at all, I guess.
Regardless, there was jollity to spread
Throughout the land – and then I found distress

Within the heart of Everfree. My head
Would search for answers, and my heart would dread
And terrify that none could e’er be found.
This filly lost her mother, nearly shed

A tear – but I would not allow! I bound
Her back to town, and ralli’d up a sound
Search party, seeking out the one she lost.
Alas, when we discover’d she had drown’d

I’ th’ river, I was heartbroken. The cost
Of time seem’d far too great for such star-crost
Fate. I could never cheer her up again,
And trust me when I say I did exhaust

Each method in so doing – for the pain
Of losing one she lov’d the most would drain
Her of her vim. I gave up after some
Time, and left her town, where she would remain.

I’d focus more upon my craft – such glum
Would not survive for long; this’d be the sum
Of my skill. I vow’d to return one day
And try again with newfound tricks for numb!

And so I went about the land, to stay
A few days’ time, and show to them my way
Of jollity, which never fail’d to show
A grin upon their visages. And they

Would beg me to remain, but I said ‘No’
Each time – why should I stay in one spot? So
They’d have to come to me? Nay, I would not
Be bound to just a single place! I’d go

To other ponies, much to see what wrought
Their own depression too, what things they’ve fought
To stay alive, and show them brighter time.
In fifteen years of doing so, I’ve brought

Such joys without a fail. I had a chime
I knew would stick, and so into the rime
I’d disappear again one day, and made
My way to Everfree. In springtime’s prime,

I would arrive, and found the town i’ th’ shade
To be much chang’d. I found her, as a maid
To greater wealth. And when I askt to see
Her, they replied, ‘My dear, I am afraid

She does not want to see you. You would flee
Her at the slightest whim, upon a spree
Across Equestria, when she needed most
Of all your presence. You had left her – she

Would not forget this, nor would she play host
To other who might do the same.’ ‘Almost
Everything I’ve tried,’ I had fir’d back,
‘Yet none would yield a smile – the innermost

Expression of one’s joy.’ ‘Perhaps th’ attack
Upon her soul had left her weak. Your knack
Could not identify this, so you ran
Away.’ But nay! I’d not accept this smack!

But they were not quite done. ‘What was your plan,
In any case? That you’d return fro’ th’ span
Of all this land, to plan another try?
Don’t be ridiculous!’ And they began

To laugh, but that was one I would not pry
From other ponies. I swore, by the sky
Above, I’d try as they forbade me so.
As night fell later, I would happen by

A hole within their wall of stone. It’d go
From out by th’ road, into their garden – though
Past that was rather well-kept by their guard,
But if I stuck to th’ shadows – who would know?

I fit my head inside, and found it hard
To get the rest of me through to the yard.
But I kept trying, and I would succeed.
I nearly cut myself upon a shard

Of glass left on the ground where I had kneed.
I lookt about for their guard – and indeed,
He stood where he could see th’ entire place
Without obstruction. He would not take heed

Where I was, and I’d ascertain. The space
’Twixt him and I would vary by his pace,
But I kept to the dark, and out of sight.
I slipt right past the guard, and left no trace

Of where I was before. And in that night
He would n’ at all suspect that something might
Be wrong. I quickly found her quarters, then
I’d waited ’til your sister’s morning light

Would shine and wake the household. I’ th’ den
Where she slept each night, I awaited when
She’d wake as well. And when she did, she found
Me by her side, as was before i’ th’ fen.

She seem’d most terrified, but made no sound,
To my relief. With noöne else around,
I introduc’d myself to her again.
But to my great surprise, she would expound

How I had penetrated where she lain
For sleep. In hindsight, they’d to me explain
That she’d not want to see me, and I saw
The reason why. But it’d not be in vain,

Or so I vow’d. She threaten’d t’ call the law
Upon me, but I clamped shut her maw
And begg’d her for forgiveness. Yet she’d give
Me none, for that and other things. I’d thaw

Her mood, but it would freeze. I could not live
Without amends to be made, yet t’ forgive
Was much beyond her. I left later, and
I’d not return to her, for such motive

Was absent from me. Thankfully, their band
Of guards did not see me go ’cross their land
And out the hole i’ th’ wall, with noöne t’ see.
I would admit that nothing went as plann’d,

But I’d surrender not. For now, I’d flee
From her, and replan my approach. To me,
It seem’d that something needed to be done
To gain her trust again. What could it be?

What have I done to her? Why would she shun?
Did something happen after I had run?
What else could it have been? No matter what,
I’d find the reason, and make her see fun.

I put upon a more confident strut
To cover up what I had done there, but
They discovered my ruse, and so
I swiftly was captured, and then shut

Away i’ th’ cell, where I would rot and grow
Bor’d with my situation. I’d not go
About the land again – I fell asleep
One night, and woke up here. Would you two know

What happen’d then?” She paus’d – but not a peep
Erupted from the other two. “I’ll keep
You waiting not at all – say what you think!”
“What I think,” Luna said, “is nought to weep

O’er pointless folly quite like you. The pink
Skies of the morning last not long – they wink
Out from sight just as soon as they arrive
As nary more than just a moment’s blink.

Of course, she needed help, and you would strive
To give it to her, but she could not thrive
From it alone. She had t’ move on, alone.
You did the best thing for her, to deprive.”

“But how could such thing be?” she askt. “I’ve known
How weary sadness makes a pony, prone
To feelings that would drive him mad. How must
Old I accept that on my very own?”

“’Tis simple,” said she. “You ought to put trust
I’ th’ fact that ponies cannot really just
Push past their sadness. Nothing you can do
Can change this fact; ’tis as sure as the dust

That does surround us even now.” “And too,”
The baker added, “I’ve had just a few
Tragedies in my time. And as each came,
I sprung right back – and I know so can you.”

But Minute Mirth just sigh’d. “I think it lame
That I could never master my own aim.
’Tis as if you could never raise the moon!”
“Some nights, I can’t,” said Luna. “All the same,

My sister would take over for me. Soon
The job’d be done, in any case; the tune
O’ th’ heavens shall go uninterrupted,
From noon to night, and once again to noon.

If you cannot learn this, then we must rid
Ourselv’s from this place. You cannot forbid
The sadness for its sister – they exist
Together in a balance. – If you’ve hid

From solemness for all your life,” she hist,
“Then it again comes, but you can’t resist
Its much-enhanc’d effects. It has to come
And go, and nought you can do can consist

A treatment for the thing.” “Well, that was some
Tale,” said Honeycomb. “What would be the sum
Of it, in any case?” “I just can’t stand
The awful feelings,” Minute Mirth said. “Glum

And sullenness had plagu’d my life – now, sand
Dominat’s ev’rything around me, and
I cannot find a way back home. Pray tell,
Do either you have something like that plann’d?”

“I’m sorry,” Luna said, “we cannot dwell
On such a task, if we are burden’d well;
We also wander though this cursed place.
I do know this – it cannot use a spell,

Nor would I know as much.” “Then why keep pace
If you have nowhere left to go, My Grace?”
“Perhaps we’ll find an answer, in due time.
Now come, Honeycomb – our time left shall race

Away before our eyes!” The baker heard her rhyme,
And got upon his hoov’s. And she said, “I’m
Quite sorry I’d not lift your spirits high!
I’ll try again, if you return fro’ th’ climb!”

“How did she know our bearing?” “’Tis a lie,”
She said, “as far as she can know. The sky
And sun shall light our way up to the top;
The stream will cool our hides whilst we shall try.

We’ve nary more to need, so why we stop
Again?” “Who knows? There could exist a drop
That we’d not know before, or e’en a chart
That’d point us up a shorter way, to lop

Some time from our trip.” “There’s no need, apart
From rest perhaps, to halt advancing. ’Tis an art
Alone to climb a mountain to its peak.
But do not yet surrender – bear your heart

To th’ elements, and face them whilst we seek
Our goal.” The waters parted in the creek
To their stride, as they travel’d up its flow.
And high above them, the mountain’s mystique

Train’d focus on their vision. Who would know
What wonders liv’d above, what hazards t’ show
As well? They only need to climb to view
Them for themselv’s. Perhaps the storms’d not blow

Them off the path, but who could say for true?
The sand staid calm along the banks – a clue
Tranquility for them was here to stay,
A fact so blatant, even Luna knew

It to be right. But for how long would they
Be safe? A number of things might delay
E’en more than they could plan for on their trip.
This land could try, she thought, but I say nay,

It won’t succeed in stopping us – a grip
Of iron she had upon her mind; she’d rip
Their prize from out its grasp, if that need be.
A splash came from a forceful step, to drip

Its water off her naked hide – so free
She felt, without the stifling cloth from knee
To head along her form. And too, she saw
The baker lik’d his soaking banner – he

Would find it also cool; perhaps the raw
Flow o’ water made a better sweat. In awe
He found himself, apparently, at how
He needn’t suffer in the heat, as was the law

Of this land. They’d not run to trouble now,
She hop’d. So far, this wasteland would endow
Them with the chaos of a storm, or turn
To wetter pastures, such as this. She’d vow

Not t’ anger it, lest she and he would learn
Its fuller wrath. She wonder’d if they’d burn
In greater heat, or simply swept away
Inside a sandstorm. How could this she earn?

Regardless, she’d not addle her mind. They
Would make it to the destination, way
Up in the heights, come storm or sun or heat;
No matter what came, they would never stray!