As the city came into view, Princess Twilight Sparkle could hear the teeth grinding of the mare next to her, and suppressed a sigh. She could only hope the guard did not ruin this. Too much was riding on this visit.
"I still think we should have brought more than just a couple of Royal Guards," the Pegasus grumbled next to her grumbled as she glared down at the city.
Twilight rolled her eyes for what felt like the thousandth time since they had left Canterlot. "Yes, Captain Rose. As you have been telling me ever since we left Canterlot. You would think we were entering an active war zone with how often you have told me this."
Pearl Rose bit her lips. She knew she was treading a very fine line with the princess on this. But as she had often been told ever since becoming Princess Twilight's personal bodyguard, speaking her mind was something Twilight encouraged. "What do you want me to do, Twilight? You didn't let me plan this out. I've got nothing to go on with any potential threats. For all we know, this is a trap."
Twilight's ears fell. She could feel the anger and frustration in Pearl's response, but something more as well. "That is not all to it I feel?"
Pearl shook her head as the airship began to descend, allowing her a better view of Zephyr Heights. "Some of my family was banished here when it was first founded. On pain of death if they ever returned to Equestria."
Twilight's eyes widened. This was news to her. She knew members of the Storm family had been among the city's founders, but nothing like this. "Why? I have never heard of this."
Pearl nodded. "Plotting to have you murdered. Not everypony was happy when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna retired. Some even less so than others. My great-great-grandmother found out about it and banished them. We never mentioned why because she feared our whole family would pay the price."
Twilight's heart fell right out of her. While she had been many things in her earlier years, she would have never done that. It wouldn't have been fair to punish all for the sins of a few. "Then let me put those fears to rest, Pearl. I never would have done something like this. Why should your whole family pay?"
Pearl smiled at this, for she knew that when Twilight made a promise like this, she truly meant it. A Pinkie Promise in all but name, if she remembered her fillyhood stories right, as they finally touched down, allowing her to see the welcoming party below.
Twilight saw them as well and smiled widely as Pearl and her squad fell into line. "Let us not keep our hosts waiting, shall we?"
Pegasi guards snapped to attention as Princess Twilight and her entourage exited the HMS Harmony. Pearl eyed them like a hawk, assessing just how much of a snowflake or a real guard they truly were. She was impressed that none of the stallions looked too comfortable. Maybe there was hope yet.
Twilight's eyes, however, were on the three Pegasi that awaited her at the end of the red carpet. While considerably shorter than Twilight herself. Queen Haven carried herself with the dignity and respect of a true ruler. Only a slight shiver showed her nervousness, something Twilight could relate to.
Next to her, Princess Zipp tried her best to look the part, but Pearl could see she would be rather anywhere else but here. Princess Pipp wasn't even trying to hide how bored she was with all of the formality as they stepped forward.
Coming to halt several paces away, Twilight bowed. "Your highness."
Queen Haven and her daughters next did the same. "Your Highness. Welcome to Zephyr Heights. I never thought I would see the day the Ruler of Equestria would visit," she intoned formally, but with respect as well.
Twilight chuckled as they rose. "The honor is all mine, Haven. I only wish I had come sooner. Your city is beautiful." She gestured to Pearl, who was doing her best to look imposing. "This is my personal guard, Pearl Rose. She will be with us throughout my stay. Please make her as welcome as I am."
Zipp, meanwhile, was eying something on Pearl's breast. An intricately carved broach, before looking at the guard's flank, and seeing the same symbol. Her eyes widened. "Is that what I think it is?"
Pearl sighed in annoyance as she looked down at her broach, her own cutie mark fused with Princess Twilight's own. Here it came. "It's nothing special."
Haven saw it as well, and her smile grew. "Most would say otherwise, Knight Paladin Pearl Rose. It is truly an honor."
There was an audible gasp from the family's Royal Guard contingent, earning an eye roll from Pearl, and a giggle from Twilight. "It's no big deal. I don't even notice most days."
Pipp gasped, whisking out her phone in excitement. "Are you kidding?! There's only ever been two Knight Paladins. Two, counting you. She died centuries ago if the stories are true. Is it true? Soulbound to your princess, never to die unless she dies? Or releases you from your bond?"
Pearl blushed as Twilight laid a wing around her. "It is. Sadly, I didn't know Luna's for very long, but she was as loyal and brave as Pearl is from all she told me. Refusing to follow her princess into darkness. Going into exile in shame for what Nightmare Moon tried to do."
"Next time, I'm letting the dragon eat you," Pearl grumbled, but she was smiling all the same.
Everyone chuckled as Pipp typed furiously into her phone. Her Pippsqueaks were going to love this. Haven, meanwhile scratched her chin. "But why go around the Everfree Forest? Surely there is nothing you need to worry about, Princess Twilight?"
Twilight shook her head. "I learned long ago that it is better to leave the Everfree alone. It is what its guardian wants, and I will respect his wishes on the matter. He is very passionate when it comes to his forest."
Zipp blinked. "Wait. Are you saying the Everfree is alive?"
Twilight nodded. "In a way. It is hard to explain. I met him not long after my coronation, and while calling us best friends is a stretch, I like to think we have gotten along quite well ever since. Leave the forest alone, and the guardian does not care much about what ponies do otherwise."
Pearl rolled her eyes. Not this again. She still didn't buy into any of this the princess said, and from the looks the royal family was sharing, they were thinking the same thing.
After a moment, however, Haven shook her head. "Shall we move this inside, Princess Twilight? There is a storm scheduled for later, and I would rather not get caught out in it."
Twilight nodded, as their guards fell in line alongside them. "Let's."