Rainbow rolled and bucked her hooves, throwing the angered Princess off of her and leaping to her hooves, leaping backwards and flapping her wings as the Gryphon swiped at her once more. In a matter of moments both Royal and Night guards had surrounded the Gryphon Princess, spears and swords held in magic and near her throat.
"Attacking a Princess is an act of war. The Treaties Term has not yet ended. Do you wish to declare war for your people?" Shining Armor said somberly as he walked past one of the guards.
"ENOUGH!" Celestia called out.
"Guards, stand down. Princess Gilda. Please return to your seat."
"But I...!"
"SIT DOWN!" Niare screamed at her. The Gryphon was quick to obey, her head hanging low. Rainbow managed to keep herself composed, though only thanks to her training throughout the day and the fact that Celestia and Luna were counting on her not to screw up. Though she was sure she had already done that. Celestia's magic was quick to straighten Rainbows mane and Tiara as the pegasus took her seat once more.
"If your Daughters Episode is finished King Niare, we will begin talking terms while there is still some semblance of peace among us." Luna spoke up.
The Gryphon king merely nodded, knowing he had lost the upper-claw so to speak as Gilda had turned all eyes to them, making them Enemy number one, rather than Celestia as had been originally planned. He would not have his way this year and he feared handing over his kingdom to the Gryphon that had cost him that chance. The Minotaur Tribe leader stood first.
"After speaking with the Tribes, the Minotaurs have come to an agreement. We wish to keep peace between ourselves and the Royal sisters as well as the creatures of Everfree. And while we do not wish to be on the same terms as the Gryphons, we have learned that every creature is deserving of a second chance. It is thanks to the Elements of Kindness, Generosity, and Laughter that we have learned these lessons.
We have learned much from them and never had the chance to properly thank them. The only other thing we wish is for our message to be passed along to them." He spoke up with a grin.
"I will be sure to let them know and I am happy to hear the news." Rainbow replied, still a bit shaken from the attempt on her life moments ago. The adrenaline was still pumping through her body, her wings aching for her to take to the air and her body screaming for her to fight back. But she had to keep still, she had to be the Princess that Celestia needed right now.
Celestia smiled as a Timberwolf was next to stand, its head held high and a scraggly moss beard clinging to its chin. The wolf was wise and unlike its younger counterparts was not prone to attacking ponies without good reason. Even in his old age he was agile and limber, capable of holding his own against anyone in the room.
"After much debate and the loss of several wolves, we too wish to continue a reign of peace. We only wish to keep our forest as we have since the day you took your place on the throne. I see no reason for debate between us unless you wish to take back The Ruins."
"The Ruins are yours Elder. They hold too much pain for my sister and I and I am happy they still have purpose in this world." Celestia addressed the wolf, both giving a nod before the wolf took his seat once more.
"What of you King Niare? Do you have anything to say?" Luna asked, barely hiding a smirk.
"I will hold my tongue for now Luna. The Gryphons are undecided and there is still much to be thought about, especially after my daughters outburst."
"But dad!"
"Be quiet girl!" the younger gryphon shrank at her fathers rage. Rainbow felt a little bad for her. A little. Gilda had been one of her closest friends in Flight School, though she had always had a mean streak towards Fluttershy.
"I understand your Majesty, your rooms have been prepared for you and you are welcome to roam Canterlot as you see fit, as per our agreement." Celestia said to them with a nod, dismissing them from the Throne room. Rainbow Dash waited until only her, Luna, and Celestia remained to let out a long held back sigh of boredom and anxiety.
"Finally! I thought that was gonna take forever!" She said, blowing a few strands of multicolored mane out of her face. Luna giggled a little.
"Rainbow, we have only just begun. But do not fret, Celestia and I will be here to help you." she assured the Pegasus with a smile.
"Alright I guess..."
"Rainbow, there is something more I would like to say. Your coronation..." Rainbows eyes went wide as she turned to Luna.
"Y..Yea?"
"Well, With things the way they are, we will have to perform it soon. The best time to do so would be before the Reunion." The room fell silent, save for the sound of Rainbows heart pounding in her chest.
"B...But thats less than a week! I've got less than a week before I'm stuck like this forever?! Thats 'forever' forever! as in actually FOREVER!" Luna put a hoof to her shoulder.
"Rainbow Dash, we need you. I know its a hard decision..."
"No! You don't know! and you aren't even letting me decide anything! This is why I left in the first place!" she yelled at the Lunar Princess, blinking as Celestia pushed her way between them.
"I'll give you until the Reunion to decide Rainbow. You can go back to your old life, to your friends and Ponyville and the weather team. I know its what you want and I won't lose you again because you are being forced into something you don't want."
"Celestia! But we...!" Celestia raised a hoof to stop her sister, keeping her attention on Rainbow Dash.
"I forced my sister to deal with her problems alone and to handle the night while I kept watch over the day. We were shut off from one another and I didn't listen to her pleas. In the end I lost her and almost didn't get her back. I made the same mistake when you were just a filly and look where its gotten us. I won't make that mistake again. I will leave the choice to you Rainbow." Celestia said nothing more, leaving the Throne room without so much as a glance back at her sister and daughter, lest she change her mind on the matter.
Rainbow sat there in shocked silence, Luna watching the doors, hoping Celestia would return. Though it was becoming painfully obvious that Celestia would not return. She had to do something. Celestia needed Rainbow Dash and Equestria needed Celestia.
"Rainbow Dash, I cannot change my sisters decision and I cannot decide your fate. But allow me to say one thing more." Rainbow only gave a small nod.
"Celestia needs you Rainbow. Not for Equestria, but for herself. We Alicorns are beings of magic and our emotions can affect more than just our attitudes. Magic is a mysterious thing Rainbow and it works in strange ways. I know she doesn't want it out in the open but you have to know, as her daughter you deserve that much."
"Know what?"
"She's dying Rainbow."