Amor was lead to the front gates of the city while bound in chains. His front two legs were chained together, and the same with his back two. A collar was placed around his neck, and two chains ran from it to the mouths of the two leading guards. The other two followed behind, spears ready for any flinch. One of these two held Amor’s crown. His magic was still bound, and his wings were tied down by yet another collar like piece going around his chest. When they finally reached the front gate, the four guards stopped, and the lead two gave a hard pull on the chains. One of the two rear guards stepped forward and spoke to one of the guards positioned next to the city gate.
“What have you to report, soldier?” said the gate guard.
“We found this outside of the city.”
“I see. Put it in the dungeon. We should let the princess know as soon as possible.”
“Yes sir.”
The ponies on either side of the gate turned and looked at the huge door to the city. Both of their horns glowed, and the heavy doors slowly opened.
“Come on, parasite. Get moving.” Barked the guard behind Amor. The two lead ponies gave a hard tug on the chains, and with a low growl, he followed the orders.
When they entered the city, Amor was surprised to see the townspeople all look straight at him, disgust and hatred in all of their eyes. When the gates closed behind him, the worse of it began. Some of the ponies began throwing rocks at Amor, some coming close, some missing altogether, and some hitting him, hard. One caught him right behind the ear, and just like that, his headache was much worse.
“Ha! I got him! Hit him right on his head!” cried the pony who threw the rock.
Amor was lead straight through the center of town, the quickest path to the castle. Although it was only minutes, the trip felt like an eternity to Amor. Around every corner there were more and more ponies. Some only assaulted him verbally, using names and rude comments like ‘love sucker’. Others kept throwing rocks. Amor was angry, but overall confused. How is it that so many ponies know of his kind? How is it that he has been out of the hive for only days and has already managed to make enemies with an entire town?
Finally, the group of four guards and a changeling made it to the castle, where Amor was thrown into a small stone cell.
“I’ll go find the princess. The rest of you, keep an eye on it.”
It? Thought Amor. I am so low to these ponies that I am referred to as an it? Amor took a quick look around his cell. There was nothing in there but a crude lavatory and a small shelf-like wooden plank, being held to the wall by chains. This was his seat, and it doubled as his bed. Hmph, I’d much rather lie on the ground, that way I can see out the door. So he did. Amor fell on his side and lied down in the center of his cell, his eyes concentrated on the door.
“What is so important that I must see to it at this moment?” a calm and majestic voice echoed down the hall.
“Well, your majesty, it would be better for you to see it yourself.”
Amor looked to see a tall white mare, an alicorn to be specific, with a flowing rainbow mane and tail staring at him, her jaw hanging slightly open. She wore a golden crown and shoulder piece, both with a single diamond shaped amethyst in the center. Her cutie mark depicted the sun. After staring at Amor for a few minutes, she spoke to the guard beside her.
“Was he alone?”
“Yes, your majesty. But it did have this.” The guard presented the alicorn with Amor’s crown, and her eyes grew wider. She then spoke to Amor.
“You have a lot of questions to answer. First, and least important at the moment, who are you?”
Amor rose from his spot on the concrete floor before giving his answer.
“My name, is Amor. I am the former king of the changeling hive, but I fled days ago, and found myself here. You, I presume, are Princess Celestia, correct?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Okay then. Before you ask me anymore questions, I would like my crown back.”
Celestia obliged, and Amors crown floated into his cell, where he took it and placed it back upon his head.
“Okay, continue.”
“You said you left the hive days ago. Then you have no knowledge on the recent attack on Canterlot?”
“No, I do not. Why would I?”
“The attack was led by the queen of the changelings.”
“Chrysalis.” Amor mumbled this under his breath, just quiet enough that Celestia couldn’t understand what he said.
“What was that?”
Amor looked at the princess. “Nothing, go on.” They don’t know her real name, he thought to himself. With a slight hesitation, Celestia continued her questioning.
“Would you know why they would have attacked.”
“Starvation, famine, a will to live, if you would.”
“I see. And why is it you left the hive?”
“I have my reasons. But I guess it would have to be the guilt I felt.”
“Guilt? Explain, please.”
With a sigh, Amor went on with his answer.
“Well, as you should know, princess, a changeling must feed off of love to survive. Many thought it would be easiest to steal this love, thus the reason the hive attacked Canterlot instead of befriending you. I, however, have a heart. I always feel guilty when I steal love, but I did it to survive. Every part of it made me feel horrible, the feeding, the transforming, the deceit of it all.”
“I see.” With a moment of hesitation, Celestia addressed the guard again.
“Open the cell.”
“Princess, are you sure?”
Amor chimed in sarcastically. “Yes, princess, I may bite.”
Celestia let out a small chuckle.
“Open the cell. He is pure, I can see it in his heart and his eyes. He may be angry, but I can see he means no harm.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the guard opened the cell door, and Celestia addressed Amor once more.
“You my stay in the castle for the time being, so long as you don’t cause too much trouble. We cannot risk letting you free just yet, but if you prove yourself, you may stay as a permanent resident at my castle.
“Thank you, princess.” As Amor stepped out of his dark cell and into the light he made one more comment. “Any more questions?”
“Just one. Why do you have a cutie mark?!”
Amor looked down at his flank. “That-is a very good question.”
“And what does it mean?”
Amor hesitated a bit. He knew exactly what it meant, but was looking for just the right way to word it. “It means…It means I can fix a broken heart.”