//------------------------------//
// Chapter 21 
// Story: After Discord 
// by Faindragon 
//------------------------------//

Celesita's eye watch over me.
When I’m awake.
Your embrace spreads its warmth.
Heating up my chilled bones.
Chilled by the night.
Chilled by the dreams.

I opened my eyes, disoriented. Where am I? The sleep still haunted me, the dreams gnawing on my mind. What was that voice? What had Lightheart with all this to do? Who the buck was Warden? And most importantly.

What truth would be told?

Celestia’s eye shone through one of the windows, it looked as if it was the middle of the day. I was still sleepy. I had trashed around in my sleep, resulting in me waking up entangled in the sheets. 

Then it all came back to me. I was in the Carot Mansion. And Honey was here as well! I quickly rose from the bed, taking a step forward.

And landing muzzle first on the floor. I winced in pain as I ran my hoof over my muzzle, slowly dragging myself up again. I slowly untangled myself from the sheets before I slowly stood up again. I withheld a yawn as I exited my room.


*^*


The mansion was huge.
And I was lost.
I trotted in the seemingly endless corridors, poking my head into every room in the searching for my daughter or somepony who could show me the way.
“Dad, I have told you he is my guest. I will not make him leave!” Carrotrose’s angry voice floated towards me.

“This is not a discussion, young lady! He is to leave this mansion this very instant.” the calm voice of a stallion stated. I guessed it was Carrotsword’s voice.

“Dad, I usually listen to what you say, but this time I have to put my hoof down. The poor thing can not be feeling well, and they have no home to return to. I will not throw out a filly on the street. And you should feel ashamed if you wanted to do that to Honey.”

I trotted to the door from which the argumentation was being held. I placed myself in the doorway. None of the two ponies seemed to notice me.

I coughed lightly to present my presence. Carrotsword just turned around and glared at me. He was an elderly earth pony, he had an orange coat and a silvery mane, even though I believed that the mane’s color was from age and not the ordinary color. He scowled at me, opened his mouth.

“Are you up already? You have barely gotten two hours worth of sleep!” Carrotrose spoke up, her voice as calm as her father’s had been only seconds ago. 

“I had a bad dream and decided that I had had enough sleep to see my daughter.” I smiled at Carrotrose before I turned towards Carrotsword. “I thank the honor and nobility of you, Lord Carrotsword, for taking me in with such a short notice.”

I had no idea what I had just said, nor how I had known the words, but they seemed to have a great effect. Carrotsword looked completely taken aback, but scowled at me the same, before he spoke to me. It sounded like every word was drawn out of him.
“Your words are to kind, the honor is mine. Feel free to stay for as long as you wish, the Carrot Mansion is my home and will be as your own for your visit.”

I really did not hope that, the only home I had had the latest years was a burnt down inn that his daughter had owned. And once again did I speak without knowing why.
“Your offer is accepted, but my stay will only be briefly. I thank you once again, Lord Carrotsword, for your hospitality.” 

He looked surely at me.
“Don’t mention it.” he turned to leave. “If you youths need anything will I be in my study.” 

Carrotrose looked blankly at me.
“What was that? One second was he prepared to throw you out, the next he accepted you, if sourly. What did you say to him?”

“Honestly, I have no idea... It just... Felt right to say it.” I admitted. “And it seems like it worked. 
“Did you have anything to do with this?” I questioned the voice. No answer returned.

“Well, it did work. However sourly he is did it sound as if you could stay.” she smiled. “And that I’m happy about. Now, back to bed with you. You are not ready to get up yet, you look exhausted.”

I slowly shoke my head.
“No Rose, I’m sorry but I will not go back to the bed right now. I have to see Honey. My daughter. I thought she was dead. Or worse. I would have gone to her directly when I got her if I was not to tired to protest. And when I woke up did I try to find her, and ended up here. So please, Rose, I beg you. Show me the way to my daughter.”

She smiled lightly at me.
“I was so worried. I thought I had lost you.” she said, the word followed by a small sigh. “I will show you the way to Honey’s bedroom. Although I would like it if you did not wake her up. She cried herself to sleep and she needs this sleep. It was a rough way here for her, she thought you died as well, she wanted to turn around, help you. But I refused, I knew that you would go here if you were alive.” 

She looked away, a tear in her eyes.
“And if you would not return... well then she would at least grow up in happyness.”

I trotted to Carrotrose, gently lifted her head to look at her.
“And I thank you for that, Rose. You wanted to give my child the future I would not be able to.” I released her head. “Now, please, lead me to her.”

Carrotrose smiled at me.
“Follow me, I will show you to your daughter's room.”


*^*


It did not take long before I stood in the small room that my daughter had been given. Thick curtains stopped Celestia’s grace from illuminating the room, shadows playing in the corners.

“Daddy?” a quiet voice whispered from the darkness. My daughters voice.

“I’m here, Honey.” I whispered back, trotting into the room. Carrotrose walked after me quietly.

The bed that Honey lay on was big enough for four ponies. Honey lay in the middle of the bed, whimpering with tear stains around the pillow. She was still asleep.

I turned to Carrotrose.
“On the other hoof, I think I will just get some more sleep.”

Carrotrose smiled at me.
“I understand. Sleep well.” she said, hesitating for a second before continuing. “I will wake you up before breakfast tomorrow.”

“Thanks Rose. I would love that. It feels like I can sleep forever.”

She nodded once before she turned around.
“And try not to wake Honey up, she needs the sleep.”

I nodded before I turned to the bed, trying as carefully as possible to lay down besides my daughter.

“Daddy?”

“I’m here Honey, don’t wake up, keep sleeping. I will be here when you wake up.”

I hugged her tightly against me, and I felt how she relaxed in my hooves. The sleep came slowly to me, my eyes felt heavy.

But I welcomed the sleep. I was with Honey again, with my daughter. Everything was going to be fine.