Grey clouds hung heavy in the skies over Ponyville allowing only small glimpses of the sun the peer past the thick canopy of rain clouds it looked like the weather patrol had arranged for an all day downpour, but in truth Trixie felt the atmosphere was only fitting considering the circumstances. She had been led to the living room where Broadsword lay, but now she was finding herself growing evermore reluctant to enter. She took a deep breath, then another until she’d gathered enough courage to open the door. Finally pushing the door open she entered the room, but as she stepped in her eyes were met with the sight of a large silhouette leaning against the windowsill.
“B… Broadsword?!” the azure mare stood in disbelief as she looked upon the brown stallion.
He’d spent the last few moments trying to compose himself before getting to his hooves, however despite his best attempts to get up from where he lay he still had almost no control over his balance and quickly fell to the floor.
“Miss Trixie? Erm… this is kind of embarrassing, but if you wouldn’t mind.” He gestured for her to turn around, but the magician mare refused to just let him struggle and rushed eagerly to his side. After sliding her head under one of his forelegs Trixie helped the larger pony stand, allowing him to use her as a temporary prop while he regained his balance.
“What are you doing? You should rest!” Trixie scolded through concern, secretly very thankful that he even awoke at all.
“I… felt like stretching my legs… heh…” The large stallion lied horribly, even with his memories returned he was still a bad liar; this time however Trixie refused to humour his lie and pushed the question further.
“Broadsword, Trixie is worried about you and she demands to know.” Her defensive third pony speech pattern returned as her concern grew.
Broadsword looked at the small mare who was currently gazing up at him expectantly, as his eyes met hers he knew he just couldn’t lie to her and so he heaved a sigh before resting his muzzle on hers.
“I have to go to Canterlot… you see, during my unconscious state my memories returned and one of them was a task I left unfinished. I’ll tell you all…” his words were cut short as he felt the soft lips of her muzzle press against his own, the kiss lasted for only a few brief moments but it left it’s desired mark as the two ponies stood blushing; their lips still locked in a sweet embrace. Trixie eventually broke the kiss and looked at the large stallion with eyes that told everything at a glance, she had something she desperately needed to get off of her chest.
“I’ll go with you, I don’t know what you intend to do but I want to be there with you through everything.” The azure mare stated shyly, her cheeks now a rich crimson. It was in that moment that Broadsword saw a new side of the unicorn mare and found he was falling more in love with her as each second passed.
“Miss Trixie… I…” once again his words were cut off, but this time instead of a kiss his muzzle was met with the light press of a hoof. The magician mare’s eyes softened as she stared at the large Pegasus, smiling she slipped out from under his foreleg to allow him to get his balance properly.
“Shush, you can tell Trixie… I mean me when we get back from Canterlot. So please rest and I’ll be ready whenever you want to go.” With that she turned and left the room, leaving Broadsword still blushing and confused.
***
It had taken the rest of that day and most of the night before Broadsword was in any state to travel, even then Nurse Redheart had advised against it. Nonetheless Broadsword had to do what he’d set out to and so he and Trixie left the very next morning.
The path to Canterlot’s main gate was exceptionally long with almost no rest stops which made the trip more arduous than it already was, but no matter how far they had to travel the pair weren’t swayed. After many hours of walking the two ponies finally arrived at the tall gold edged white gates that separated the high white stone walls that surrounded the capital city. The city on the mountainside was a magnificent and majestic sight to behold; the streets were paved with white stone, the tall spires and buildings serving to frame the most magnificent sight in the city: the royal palace.
This was the first time Trixie had ever been to Canterlot and even she found herself being daunted by the sheer size of everything, it was very different to rural Ponyville so much so that her eyes were wide and her mouth was left hanging open as she looked at every tower she and Broadsword passed.
***
The pair finally reached the palace gates where they were immediately surrounded by several white Pegasus stallions clad in golden armour and brandishing spears.
“Halt! What business do you have here?” the squad sergeant asked in a commanding tone as he stepped forward. Upon seeing the sword on the brown stallion’s back he gestured for the other guards to be ready for trouble.
“Answer! Who are you and what business do you have here?!”
Broadsword stood unshaken by the weapons being waved at him, however the same couldn’t be said for his unicorn companion who retreated and tried to hide behind the larger pony.
“I am former captain Broadsword of the first Night Guard Company and I have come to speak with her Royal Highness Princess Luna.” The Brown Pegasus stallion stated in an equally commanding tone.
Trixie’s eyes grew large as she heard him state his rank and reason; she didn’t know that he was a soldier although when she thought back on it the evidence had been there and what’s more he was a captain? This was completely unexpected, worst of all though was that he wasn’t acting like himself; he was distant and cold, nothing like the stallion he was before.
Once again the white stallion spoke up, this time however he sounded more sceptical. “Alright ‘Captain’ leave your weapon with my squad, I’ll take the both of you to captain Shining Armour who’ll confirm whether your story is true or not.”
Broadsword complied with the sergeant’s command then he and Trixie were led towards the barracks where more guards were training under the watchful eyes of a white unicorn stallion with a blue mane. As the pair led by the sergeant approached the training ground, the white Pegasus strode towards the unicorn who was training the recruits.
“Captain Shining Armour! Sir, these two seek an audience with princess Luna, one of them claims to be the missing captain of the first Night Guard company.”
“Captain Iron Broadsword? Sergeant Phalanx this had better not be a joke. Let me see them.” With that he was led to meet the duo, the moment he saw the Brown stallion he immediately pushed the sergeant out of the way.
“Broadsword! What happened to you? Where have you been?”
“Armour, can I explain later? I need to see the princess.” Broadsword stated as he spoke with the other soldier; Trixie just watched and became saddened as the stallion she had fallen in love with disappeared beneath the personality that he’d recovered. It took mere moments before they were being escorted down the solid white corridors of the palace.
***
Hoof steps echoed through the empty halls and corridors of the palace, each step sounding infinitely louder than it should have been; as the two captains strode forward in silence Trixie fell in the rear quietly thinking to herself.
‘Why is he being so distant? He’s acting completely different from the way he was a few days ago, maybe this is what he was like before the accident… but I don’t want him to be like this, I want my Broadsword; what if he never returns? Would he leave me?’ these thoughts plagued the azure mare causing her to well up with sadness as she felt the stallion slipping away from her emotionally.
“Don’t go…” the fear of being alone finally overflowed and became a very quiet plea. “Don’t go…” again the thoughts burst out from Trixie and became audible; finally she stopped in her hesitant steps and came to a halt. “Don’t Go!” she cried out causing both stallions to stop dead and turn to face her.
“Miss Trixie?” Broadsword quizzed as her moved towards her.
“The great and powerful Trixie demands that you don’t go…” the blue mare managed to say through her tears as all her anxiety boiled over the surface and she felt increasingly more alone. She was afraid of losing the only pony she’d cared for since her parents had died and all that fear manifested itself as she shook and cried in the corridors.
“Broadsword don’t leave Trixie…” as she felt these words leave her lips she felt two forelegs wrap around her and hold her tight; she looked up at the large brown stallion that embraced her with eyes filled with stifled tears, but they weren’t held back for long and she quickly began to cry once again.
“Miss Trixie, I’ll never leave you… I promise that as soon as I finish my task here we can go home; to our home… I mean if that’s what you want?” the brown stallion whispered as he held her tight and wiped her tears; all the azure mare could muster was a small nod before burying her muzzle in the course brown fur of her companion.
The white unicorn captain cleared his throat as he looked at the pair. “Ahem, if we could keep moving please. I do have a lot of new soldiers to train.” The two ponies quickly regained their composure and looked at the armoured stallion in embarrassment.
“Sorry Armour, let’s keep going.” Broadsword said as he helped Trixie stand properly smiling as he did.
***
The long corridors finally drew to an end as the three ponies stood before the overly large and extravagant door to the Princess of the night’s chambers. The former captain took a deep breath and turned to salute the other captain before he left. Broadsword hadn’t been expecting to return to the palace so soon, but his conscience was driving him insane and he had to set things right.
“Broadsword? Are you alright?” Trixie asked looking at the Pegasus with softened and worried eyes.
“Yes… it’s time I face my demons…” he said and opened the door to Luna’s chambers.
***
The interior of the royal mare’s room was just as ornate as the halls that had led up to it, as Broadsword entered a familiar sensation flowed through him. The smell of the finest perfume filled is nostrils and his eyes adjusted to the dimmed light that the princess of the night preferred; a soft operatic music enveloped the dark room creating the perfect atmosphere for Luna to relax in.
“What is it guard? We are trying to sleep…” Luna snapped as she lay in a darkened corner of her chambers, it was clear that she hadn’t taken the time to learn her new soldier’s names in an attempt to not grow attached to them. Since the incident she’d resolved to isolate herself to avoid getting hurt when they will eventually leave her. She sighed and turned to face the door as she sat up.
“What is so urgent tha…” her words evaporated along with her irritation upon seeing the Pegasus stallion that stood silhouetted against the light in the hall way. She didn’t think or hesitate, her body moved of its own accord and she leapt from beneath her covers to embrace the cloaked stallion. He barely had time to brace himself before the beautiful royal blue mare landed on him and grasped him so tight that the breath was squeezed from his lungs.
“Broadsword?! What are you doing here?” she asked with a softened tone while embracing the Pegasus; she knew why he’d returned, she had always known that as soon as he found out what he’d done he would return to face his crimes. Still, that didn’t matter for the moment; all that mattered to the princess right now was seeing the stallion she loved.
“Luna… I mean prin…”
He was immediately silenced by Luna. “We told you before, there’s no need for titles…” she smiled before looking up as she remembered the other pony that accompanied the stallion. “We apologise, you must be Trixie.”
Trixie was taken aback, first by the way she pounced on Broadsword and second by thy the fact that a princess knew who she was; she convinced herself that it must be because she was so famous but she knew deep down that that wasn’t the case.
“Yes… yes I am the great and power…” Trixie found herself cut off by the stallion who stopped her show boating.
“Trixie you don’t have to do that, Luna doesn’t like titles…” he said rising to his hooves before turning to face the princess who was blushing lightly as she faced Trixie. “Luna, I came to face my demons and pay for what I’ve done…”
Luna and Trixie felt their hearts sink as the words left his mouth; although to the princess it was inevitable, to the magician mare it was a total shock to her system to think that the kind and brave stallion she’d fallen for was also a criminal. She’d sooner believe that gravity was a myth. Silence fell over the trio like an ominous fog, it was almost suffocating.
“I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for me and… I wanted to apologise for disobeying your orders and returning.” He sighed deeply. “Please look after Trixie while I speak with Celestia…” before they could answer he left the room and trotted towards the audience hall where the sun princess spent most of her day.
***
Celestia sat silently on her throne in the audience hall, her brow furrowed in thought as she stared at the cross word she was working on while she waited for her next visitor, finally she raised both front hooves to her mane and scratched in frustration at the clue it had given her.
Suddenly, the large wooden doors creaked and she instinctively hid the puzzle and tidied her mane in an attempt to look serious about her boring chores. Again the large doors creaked finally opening to allow a rather beaten up looking Pegasus in a dark blue cloak to enter the hall. At first the princess was surprised by the visitor’s appearance as he didn’t look at all like her usual council or guards; instead he was a dark figure with chocolate brown fur and a matt black mane, his clothing was equally dull forming a harsh contrast with the blinding white stone that surrounded him. Celestia found her eyes being drawn to his wings, they were ruined, wrapped in filthy bandages and badly contorted they truly were an appalling sight to behold.
“Your highness.” He began and looked up at the sun princess. “I have come to pay for my crimes; I’m Broadsword the former captain of…”
“Captain Broadsword of the first night guard, what crimes do you speak of?” she cut him off with a question of her own, her face in a quizzical expression.
“Your highness… I am responsible for the death of my company. While under the influence of Discord’s magic I turned my sword upon my own soldiers and slew them. I claim no defence for my actions, however I do have a request if you would please hear me out?”
“Go on captain.” Celestia said in an emotionless tone, in truth she wasn’t completely sure that she understood the situation and several questions mulled themselves over in her mind as she listened to the captain.
He took a deep breath and began “I would like to personally visit and make amends to the families of the stallions I killed before I am tried and punished…”
“WAAAAAIT!” Suddenly, the doors burst open and Luna accompanied by Trixie entered the room, rushing to take a defensive position in front of the brown stallion.
“Sister, you cannot execute him or banish him to the moon. It wasn’t his fault! That fiend Discord was…”
“I am fully aware of that.” Celestia interrupted her younger sister’s protest much to her surprise then looked at the small azure unicorn that also stood in defence of the captain. “You there, my loyal subject why do you defend the captain?”
Trixie stood taken aback for a moment by the princess’s rather obvious question, still, she found herself answering anyway. “The great and powerf...” she was cut off by the large royal mare before she could finish. “There’s no need for bravado here, just tell me why you protect him.” Celestia had seen through her boastful attitude and put the question to her as bluntly as possible.
“Because, he owes Trixie his life.” Trixie stated, her third pony speech pattern returning through intimidation.
“Is that so?” the royal mare thought silently for a moment and finally she pointed at Trixie. “Everypony except her leave, I wish to speak in private.” At first Luna protested, but found herself obeying her elder sister’s command. Broadsword was equally hesitant only leaving at Trixie’s request and even then he stalled.
After the others had left Celestia descended from her throne and stood before the azure mare, her eyes focused only on the small unicorn making her cower as she moved closer.
“What are you doing?” she asked as the large white alicorn bent her neck and laid her horn on her head; suddenly, she was an open book. Celestia could see every memory as clear as the moment it happened; the night she’d saved his life, his pain over his lost memories, nightmare night and even when he brought Scootaloo home for the night. Each memory surged with emotions from happiness to anger; each feeling was overwhelming, even for a mare as ancient as Celestia.
Finally, the royal mare withdrew and gazed upon her subject. “I see, he’s too valuable for you to lose…” She trailed off and looked at one of the stained glass windows. “You love him don’t you?”
“What? What are you saying? Trixie doesn’t…” She felt the golden plate of Celestia’s horse shoe press against her lips, its cold touch silencing her in an instant.
“Shhh… your secret’s safe with me.” She chuckled before letting herself continue. “Although… maybe a kiss isn’t the best way to hide your feelings.” She said with a wink and re-ascended to her throne.
“Your highness, what are you going to do with him?” Trixie asked as she watched Celestia sit back in her seat.
“If I punished him in the manner I am expected to I would be harming both you and my younger sister, but if I don’t punish him he will never be free of the guilt that weighs so heavily on his shoulders…” She took several moments to think before looking back at the magician mare.
“What do think?”
The sudden question took Trixie aback. “What… what do I think?”
“Yes, my little pony what do you think I should do?”
“I don’t know…” She stated and looked at the floor.
The princess stared at the unicorn, no matter what she decided on it would end in pain for somepony. Finally she called Luna and Broadsword back into the hall for her final judgement.
The pair entered the white stone room and sat before her; the stallion looked at Trixie and smiled as she came closer to him, her eyes were still filled with concern.
“Upon speaking with this mare…” Celestia began. “I have decided that you shall not face punishment as you have already repaid your debt to society.”
“Your highness, I don’t understand what do you mean?” the large Stallion asked in shock.
“Trixie has told me in great detail of how you saved those fillies and how you selflessly took in an orphan when she had no where to go…” she paused to look at the stallion once more.
“Your highness I don’t…” Broadsword began only to be cut off by the princess.
“And after all the good you have done, you still felt the need to repent to the families of those stallions, going so far as to forfeit your own life if necessary. Now I ask you; do you still feel you need punishment for actions you had no control over?” again she paused, letting silence fill the room as the stallion thought about what she’d said.
“Princess…” Trixie broke the silence. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that he is free to go… but as requested he is to visit the family of each stallion formerly in his command. After that you may return to your normal life in Ponyville captain.” The royal mare stated as the trio looked on in awe.
“Thank you your highness.” He said finally, the dark brown stallion stepped towards the golden throne and smiled at the sun princess; he felt some of the weight of his guilt lifted slightly although it would never be fully gone at least he had the chance to make amends to the families who lost their loved ones at his hoofs. With a bow he turned to Luna and Trixie who were smiling back at him. Then just as the trio started to leave Celestia asked the azure mare to stay back much to Trixie’s confusion.
“Trixie I would like you to send me a letter each week telling me how the captain is doing.”
“Why your majesty?” Trixie asked tilting her head to the side in confusion.
“The captain was a dear friend to my sister and it would mean a lot for her to know that he is safe and well.” Celestia continued.
Trixie simply nodded in response then turned and ran to catch up to the others as the white alicorn sat thinking about the events that she’d seen in the azure unicorn’s memory. ‘Even with those broken wings you still managed to soar didn’t you captain.’ Celestia chuckled to herself.
***
After Broadsword had visited each family to make amends he thought about their reactions, some were so angry at him that they slapped him and slammed the door in his face, others were just glad they had some closure at last. The reaction of each family he visited left a permanent scar on his emotions until he reached the last house. It was the home of his youngest soldier a stallion by the name of Gladius; he’d only been with the captain’s company for three months before the incident with Discord and it pained Broadsword to think that he’d cut the young stallion down in the prime of his life. Of all the homes he’d been to so far this was the one he dreaded the most. Finally, he took a breath and knocked on the door expecting the worst; it creaked open to reveal an earth pony mare roughly the same age as Trixie with a blue mane and a pink coat.
“Hello?” She said sounding confused as she stared at the injured Pegasus in front of her.
“Hello, I’m here about Gladius I assume he was your brother.” He stated as he handed her the stallion’s helmet as an offering.
At the sight of the helmet the mare choked up. “What happened?”
“He was killed defending the princess last week, I’m very sorry for your loss and if it’s any consolation he fell as a hero.” The stallion explained as he watched the young mare at the door who was hugging the helmet tightly.
“And who are you?” she asked with tears welling in her eyes.
“I’m his former captain and I understand if there’s anything you need to ask me.” He began and looked at the ground in respect.
She took a deep breath to calm herself and asked him inside to explain everything. After hearing the tale of her brother’s death she slapped Broadsword several times and he took each blow without resistance; he felt he deserved more than he received, but she broke down in tears after the first few strikes. Broadsword comforted the pink coated mare for several hours until she’d calmed herself down. The two shared memories of the stallion and eventually she forgave him understanding that it wasn’t totally his fault.
***
When Broadsword finally left the mare’s home it had turned dark, the street lamps had all been lit and the normally busy streets of Canterlot were almost deserted. Despite being forgiven by the young mare Broadsword still felt low; it would take more than being forgiven to lift the guilt that weighed so heavily on his shoulders. Still, visiting the families was all he could do.
The clock tower struck seven, it was later than he thought and he really needed to get back to Trixie who was currently staying in one of Canterlot’s luxurious hotels courtesy of princess Luna. She had told him to hurry back so that they could eat together, it was a ritual she had enjoyed since she’d invited him to live with her and there was no way she wanted to miss it. With the thought of Trixie waiting for him in his mind he began trotting to the hotel guided only by the halo of street lamps as he passed beneath them.
***
Trixie sat at the table looking at the meal that room service had delivered just over an hour ago, it had long since gone cold but she wouldn’t mind as long as she got to eat it with him. She looked outside at the darkness and thought about everything she’d been through since she’d met the stallion; as always the good memories over shadowed the bad, the meals they shared, the night with Scootaloo and of course the first kiss. She paused on that memory for a few moments and touched her hoof to her lips; it was almost like she could still feel his muzzle pressed against hers, the surprising softness and sweetness of his lips, it was like a dream to the azure mare. She could feel her cheeks burning as they became a light shade of crimson.
‘Will he kiss me tonight?’ She thought as she returned her gaze to the table where she sat. She could see it all now; the candle in the centre of the table providing only small flickers of light as they shared their meal, he would offer her a sip of wine and some would ‘accidently’ escape her lips then he would say. “Here let me clean that for you…” He would move closer and gently lick the few drops she deliberately let slip then he would run his hoof through her mane as she gently whimpered and closed her eyes; finally he’d inch closer and closer until…
She squealed in excitement and pressed her hooves against her cheeks to cover her blush. “I hope he gets here soon.” She wished as she tried to hide her red cheeks.
Thirty minutes passed, then finally the door opened and Broadsword stepped in; his eyes instantly finding the beautiful blue of Trixie’s own eyes. Suddenly, the depression that had smothered him since he’d spoken to the young mare earlier melted away and he lost himself in the azure mare’s smile; it was a truly welcome sight for his sore eyes.
“I’m sorry I’m so late.” He said as he sat at the table next to Trixie.
“It’s alright, I had room service bring our meal up, but it’s probably gone cold now.” She said lifting the lid off of the platter.
“It doesn’t matter, as long as I get to eat it with you.” He smiled as he offered her the first bite.
The couple enjoyed the meal despite it being cold and sat with a single glass of wine as they snuggled close on the hotel’s sofa. He brought the glass to her lips and she couldn’t help but let some slip out in an attempt to make her fantasy come true. Of course he saw through the act as soon as he noticed her blushing cheeks in the candle light; he knew what she wanted and he was happy to give it. Bringing himself closer he gently licked the few drops that escaped her lips and moved closer until at last their lips met.
Although neither actually said it they both knew exactly what the other wanted to say.
“I love you…”