Through the day, Amor and Chrysalis worked on the stairs. They finished the staircase hours later, making it to the spot where Amor started on the ceiling. They had a small square built built at the top where it stopped, leaving plenty of room to turn, if there was anywhere to turn to at this point. The day was coming to an end, so they decided it would be time to head back to the castle, where Purity was sitting in her throne. Amor could see it, she was just as weak as the rest of the hive.
“Queen Purity.”
She looked up, slightly dazed. “Oh, hello father, hello mother.”
“My queen, as you know by now, the hive is growing hungry again.”
“Yes, I can tell. I have been trying to think of a way to feed them without force.”
“I know you have, but I think I have a plan.”
“Already? What have you come up with?”
“Well, if you would remember, our changelings were doing fine when they were in Canterlot,”
“Yes, but it is too late to move into Canterlot. We have made our decision.”
“I never said we would move.”
“Alright then, what have you come up with?”
“Simple, we ask Celestia if Canterlot could host some sort of social event every so often. Let the changelings into Canterlot to make friends, talk with the friends they made while they were living there, things like that.”
“Maybe.”
“So far, that’s all we have, unless you’ve come up with something?” He felt Chrysalis give him a sharp elbow to the ribs. “Right, sorry.”
“No, it’s fine, he’s right. Tomorrow we will go see Celestia, all three of us.”
“You mean you two.” Both Amor and Purity looked at Chrysalis.
“Chrysalis, what do you mean?”
“I don’t feel comfortable going. After what I did, I don’t want to show my face in Canterlot.”
Amor looked up at Chrysalis. Ever since he cast that spell on her she’s been so, different. Amor couldn’t help but feel guilty. “If you don’t want to go, I won’t make you.” Chrysalis looked up, staring straight into his eyes. “It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry, Amor.”
“For what? I understand your guilt, I share your pain. I understand you don’t want to go.” He wrapped a hoof around her. “It’s okay.”
Purity, who was silent the whole time, finally spoke up. “So, have we made up our minds?”
Amor looked up. “Yes, my queen, it looks like it’s going to be me and you.”
“Alright, I just have one request.”
“And what is that?”
“Please stop saying ‘my queen’. It feels so weird coming from my parents.”
Amor chuckled. “Alright, Purity. Guess I can’t really call you little one anymore either.”
“Please no, that would just be embarrassing.”
“Alright, permission to leave?”
“Granted.”
“Thank you.” Amor stood on his three good legs and left, followed by Chrysalis. He sat on the edge of the bed while Chrysalis headed to the bathroom.
“I’m taking a bath.”
“Alright. Let me know when you’re done, I need to get this wax out of my tail.” Amor fell back in bed as he heard the water run into the tub. I can’t remember the last time I had any time with Purity. When was it? About two months ago when we found her? She has proven that she can lead, but she is still so young, inexperienced in leading the hive. She can’t do it alone, but… Amor shuddered at the thought. But what if something happens to me or Chrysalis? Yes, a royal changeling has a lifespan that can compare to that of an alicorn, but death is never expected. Thinking back to all those before him, Amor couldn’t recall that many changelings who reached the end of their life naturally. Most died in battle, some were assassinated, killed by wildlife, natural disaster etc. Recalling past events, Amor is surprised he is still alive. Let’s see, there was the run-in with the ursamajor, those royal guards could have killed me and been done with it, if Celestia wasn’t so sure that I was harmless, I could have been executed when I attacked that pony. Then there was that whole ordeal with the timberwolf that could have and should have ended me. Amor sat up. Maybe I’m part cat, he thought to himself jokingly. In that case, taking into count all those times, I have, what, like five lives left? Or maybe this could be my ninth life. Amor felt something pulling at the bandage around his neck that made him jump. He turned his head enough to see Chrysalis, still dripping wet after her bath, untying the bandage.
“Careful. It’s about time to change your bandages again. That, and I’m pretty sure it’s not a good idea to get theses wet.”
Amor looked at the nearby mirror. His neck wasn’t as bad as he imagined it, but it was still bad. Some of his fur was missing, leaving bare patches of grey skin, but the hair would grow back. In other spots, he had large teeth marks, in one spot he had an exact replica of the timberwolf’s jawline. It all would easily be hidden, but the scars will be forever. Amor closed his eyes and sighed, and Chrysalis caught every moment of it.
“Don’t think about the day.”
“It’s hard not to.”
“I know, but sometimes, you have to stop thinking.”
Amor was starting to stress out from all the talk of his injuries. “I’m sorry, but you don’t know the pain.”
“I could, if you want me to.”
Amor looked at her puzzled. “What are you saying?”
Chrysalis couldn’t hide it anymore. She sighed heavily and looked at Amor in the mirror. “Well, when I said I don’t like you keeping secrets, I guess I have secrets too.”
“Chrysalis, what are you hiding?”
“A new meaning to the expression share your pain.”
“What?”
“Just sit still.” Amor felt Chrysalis’s horn latch to his. Her horn hummed and Amor felt a strange sensation over his body. With her behind him, Amor couldn’t see Chrysalis’s face, but she was groaning, as if in pain. After a few moments, Chrysalis’s horn stopped humming, and Amor didn’t feel anything anymore, other than something pulling heavily on his horn. When they finally unlatched, Amor heard a heavy thud behind him. He turned to see Chrysalis on her knees, breathing heavy. He was quickly at her side.
“Are you okay? What was that?” Chrysalis tried to respond, but the pain made it impossible to speak. As she opened her mouth, tears of pain filled her eyes. “No, never mind. Don’t speak yet.” Amor quickly picked her up and put her in the bed, her wet mane clinging to his legs. He pulled the blankets over her. “I’m going to get help.” Amor turned to run out the door, but was stopped when Chrysalis grabbed his leg. He turned to see her shaking her head, telling him no. Amor stood bedside, nervous, scared, but overall caring.
After a few minutes her breathing slowed slightly. She still looked as if she was in pain, but she tried to talk between breaths. “I’m…sorry.”
Amor was quickly at her side. “What was that?”
“A spell. I can…feel your pain…share my pain…give or take…memories.”
“What did you do?”
“I…took memories…took pain…since you left…until now.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Share…your pain.”
Amor didn’t know what to say. He always told her to share her pain, but never imagined this. All he could do was try to calm her. He began casting the spell all changelings know by heart: the mind control spell. The spell was completely useless in controlling a changeling, the one who originated the spell almost two centuries ago made a failsafe so that it wouldn’t work, but it gave off a calming, almost pain-easing side-affect. As soon as the spell hit, Chrysalis began to relax. Her eyes eased shut and her breathing slowed even more. After a while, she fell asleep, and Amor stopped casting his spell, tucking Chrysalis in. “Why, my sweet? Why did you do that? Why bring so much pain to yourself? I know you meant well, but that was just…just…well, stupid.”
Amor did everything he could. He walked into the bathroom and turned on the cold water. Using his magic, he grabbed a washcloth and levitated it under the water, wringing the excess out. After folding it up, he placed it onto Chrysalis’s head. She shuddered at the touch, but quickly adjusted. Amor then placed a glass of water bedside. I’ve been in here too long, need fresh air. Amor opened the window to the main hive. Looking out, he could see a watch balcony at the hive mouth. With buzz, Amor was off across the hive, finding the balcony empty. Still shorthanded. Amor looked out over the forest, the cool breeze against his fur and the bare flesh on his neck and back. He almost forgot about the wax in his tail until he felt how heavy his tail was. He pulled it forward and began chewing on the wax again. Keeping it wet would stop it from drying. He began pulling on it, biting down harder, but that didn’t do much. Biting down chipped away at it, but when he pulled the most he could do was rip out the hairs they were trapped in, and other than ripping out half of his tail, that would hurt. A lot.
“Lovely veiw.”
Amor turned around to see Purity standing behind him. “How did you find me?”
“Well, you weren’t very subtle when you left. Where is mother?”
“She’s…sleeping.”
“Really? You seemed a little too hesitant to tell me she is sleeping.”
“Well, yeah, she’s sleeping. I just needed some fresh air.”
Purity stared at Amor. “You look troubled.”
Amor quickly came up with an excuse. “I’m just tired.” Amor didn’t know if Chrysalis told anyone about the spell, but he wasn’t about to let it slip. He looked up at the full moon. “It’s going to be so different looking up and not seeing the Mare in the Moon.”
“The what?” Amor was about to say something, but came to the sudden realization that Purity wasn’t alive to hear the stories.
“There is a story about how Princess Luna envied the sun. Ponies would play in the day, have fun, but slept when night fell. Luna grew angry and an evil form took over. In an attempt to bring eternal night, Celestia used the Elements of Harmony to imprison her on the moon. But after one thousand years or so she was released, and the new embodiments of the elements released her from her evil form, bringing back the true Princess Luna.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry, I’m no good at telling stories. Do me one favor though, do NOT bring it up in front of Luna. I’m not sure if she ever forgave herself for what she did.”
“Alright.”
“You don’t talk much when I’m around. Is something wrong?”
“We aren’t around each other that often.”
Amor sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s fine.”
“Well, at least it will be me and you when we go to Canterlot.”
“Yeah.”
Amor stretched. “Well, it’s about time we go to bed. We leave tomorrow.” Amor turned back to the hive. “You coming?”
“I’ll be there soon.”
Amor buzzed his way straight back to the open window. Chrysalis was already a mess in bed. The rag was next to her head, and her hooves were hanging off of the edge of the bed, the blankets a mess around her. With a sigh, Amor went to work. Using his magic, he gently lifted Chrysalis above the bed and pulled the blanket out from under her. He placed her back atop the bed and moved her legs to a better position before placing the blanket back on top of her. He took the rag and dampened it again. Amor kissed Chrysalis on the forehead and placed the rag back in place before whispering in her ear.
“Don’t ever bring that much pain on yourself again.” Amor was about to go to bed until he realized the wax still in his tail. With a quick bath to clean his wounds, get the wax out of his tail, and all together, clean up, he got out of the bath and looked at himself in the mirror. He matted his hair down before levitating a roll of bandages in front of him. As he wrapped his neck and back he found himself too tired to think, which surprised him. He then walked back out into the room and slid next to Chrysalis before instantly falling asleep.