//------------------------------//
// A Surprise Reunion 
// Story: Ponies and Grey Wardens: A Dark Spawn 
// by Icecane 
//------------------------------//

Commander Cousland was unable to do anything, unable to say anything, barely even able to think. The once mighty hero was utterly dumbstruck as he looked up at the unicorn scholar Twilight Sparkle, the pony mare looking down at him in turn. Their gazes were fixed on one another, not a word or sound being made besides the commander's own unsteady breathing. 

Regarding her as one might a hallucination after a lucid dream, all the commander could do as he slowly regained movement of his body was raise a trembling hand up to the creature lying on his bed. “Can't be...” he murmured, still unable to believe his own eyes. It had to be a trick. A cruel attempt by a demon to take him. Maybe even his mind being claimed by the insanity of the taint that coursed through his veins.

Slowly, barely moving, his arm stretched out toward the mare. She did nothing herself, eyes slowly moving from the Warden's own to the tip of his outstretched finger. Tentative motions continuing, the space between them both ended as the commander lightly poked the tip of the unicorn's nose, causing her to blink suddenly and bringing a large smile to curl across her face. It was far different than the warrior thought would happen, expecting his hand to pass through her, or for the mare to suddenly disappear from the nothingness she had come from.

In reaction to the human's touch however, Twilight's body suddenly surged forward, sliding off the edge of his bed as she landed with a light thud on his chest. There, their faces met, their noses touching as only a miniscule gap separated their eyes, brought as close as they could possibly be, both lost in the vastness of the orbs.

“T-Twilight...” the commander then murmured, not with shock or disbelief, but with a sweet and loving tone. Raising a hand, he gingerly stroked her cheek, running his palm down her neck and side before it fell back at his side. Slowly, the mare gave a slight nod of her head, as though affirming to the human the truth in his simple sentence. In that moment, she was swallowed up by the warrior as his arms wrapped around her, holding her in a tight embrace as he laughed jovially. “Oh, Twilight!”

Tears welling up in her eyes, Twilight returned the gesture, wrapping her forelegs around the human as best as she could, burying her face in his shoulder as she took in the loving hold. “It's been so long,” she whispered, words trembling from her unsteady voice. All she wanted to do was hold the human as close as possible, to never let go of him, struck with the fear that if she did, she would lose him yet again.

They stayed like that for some time. Neither time nor their position on the floor were ever a detail to them as they remained locked together. The room soon fell into silence, only being broken by their light breathing and the occasional, pleasant sigh escaping the mare as she snuggled in deeper against the warrior. Sadly, their parting was inevitable, as it usually was for them. Separating just enough, the two looked each other in the eyes once again, sharing several more moments of silence.

Being the first to speak, confusion took over the commander's expression. Just seeing her there, before him now, was such an impossibility to him, simply being with her then and there continued to make him think of it as some kind of cruel dream. “Twilight,” he said softly, “what... what are you doing here? How did you get here?”

Before answering, the mare adjusted her position, allowing the human to sit up fully as she sat in front of him. A thick frown then spread across her face, her head hung down as she eyed the floor. “It was so long since you left,” she murmured in reply. “So many years... It felt like you'd never come back. I... I wanted to see you again so much. So... I made this...” Lifting up her foreleg, Twilight showed to the commander what had gone unnoticed through his joyful eyes. It was a large bracelet, covering much of the lower half of the limb. The metal was smooth, as reflective as a mirror. It was decorated, but not in anyway one would think for a piece of jewelry. Several shards of what looked like glass were fitted into it, with a clear, half-sphere in the center that was filled with a crimson liquid.

“What is it?” the commander asked, running a finger across the surface of it. As he touched the glass shards, he felt a strange sense of familiarity. Even though he was far from being magical, he could feel a power radiating from them. 

Twilight could see it in his eyes, a light gasp coming from him as his searching thoughts finally realized what he was looking at. A simple nod came from her, letting him know how right he was. “The mirror you used when you returned to your world from ours,” she said, her gazing drifting down to the bracelet. “Though you left, it remained with us. But it was broken... useless... or so I thought.” A happy, almost proud smile stretched across her face as she continued. “It took so long, but I managed to use them to make this bracelet, allowing me to use it like you used those mirrors. Of course... I had the Elements of Harmony to help. Without their magic, I doubt I'd have ever been able to make it.”

“And this?” the Warden questioned, tapping the circular ornament at the center. It was strange, but it too seemed familiar to him.

Commander Cousland could hear the unicorn swallowing before she answered, taking her gaze away from the piece of jewelry as she said, “It's... your blood.” From the look on her face, it was clear that the morbidity of it wasn't lost to her. Quickly however, she faced the commander, already seeing his own reaction to it as she explained herself. “It was the only thing of you that was left. There was plenty spilled from your fight with that monster, so I preserved some of it. I remember how you needed something connected to your world to return to it, so this was the only way I could come here...”

“And here you are,” the commander murmured, still hardly able to believe that the mare was sitting in his room, visiting his world like they did hers. It was then that it fully dawned on him just what that meant, his eyes growing wide as he realized that the magical talking equine was in his world. “No...” Springing to his feet, the commander's expression turned to worry as he paced the floor.

“What's wrong?” Twilight questioned, growing confused and worried herself over his sudden shift in behavior.

Biting his lower lip, the commander didn't stop pacing as he turned to her and said, “Twilight... you can't be here.” Surprise showed clearly on the scholar's face, not understanding him. What pained the Warden most was the hurt in her eyes as well, forcing him to elaborate. “This is... bad. I mean, I'm happy to see you, believe me. But... this is bad.”

Twilight merely tilted her head in a confused stare, having no idea what the distraught human was going on about.

Seeing her lack of understanding clearly, it made it all the more difficult for him to explain it to her. “Okay...” he started. “People... aren't as open-minded as the ponies in your world are. I mean... they're suspicious, fearful, very difficult when it comes to accepting differences... You remember how I reacted when we first met, right?”

“Um... yeah,” Twilight answered, thinking on that very day. Looking back, it was almost comical.

“Think of that, but a lot  worse, okay?” he replied. “I mean, just the fact that you're a talking animal is reason enough for anyone to think you're some kind of demon. Maker forbid the templars ever found you. Oh, Andraste's breath, the templars! I'm practically already their worst enemy, if they were to think I was harboring demons, they'd storm the keep. They'd claim you were some kind of abomination and try to kill you... and that's only the best case scen-” The commander then jumped with a startled yelp as a light knocking came from the door.

“Commander? Is everything alright?” a voice asked from behind the closed entrance.

A sharp gasp of fear erupted from the commander as he looked frantically from the source of the knocking to Twilight. “Someone's at the door!” he stated obviously. “Twilight, you have to hide!”

Looking around, the mare couldn't see any immediate hiding place for her to fit into. Despite it, the knocking persisted, not letting up even as the commander nearly bit off his lip in frantic searching. With nothing else, the human grabbed the sheet off of his bed and tossed it over the scholar. It was a poor disguise, only creating a large lump on the floor, but he didn't notice it as he then ran to the door and opened it hastily.

On the other side of the threshold, the elven Grey Warden stopped himself mid-knock as he gazed upon his commander. “Uh... Commander Cousland,” the elf murmured cautiously. “I heard a slight commotion from nearby, is something the matter?”

Sweat was already beading on the Warden's brow as he rigidly shook his head. “N-nope,” he answered uneasily. “Nothing's wrong at all, I just had a bit of a fright in my sleep, that's all.”

The commander's demeanor didn't go unnoticed by the elf, his gaze looking him up and down. “Ser...” he said questioningly, “you're looking a little flushed, are you feeling okay?”

Feeling as though his skin was indeed burning from the inside, the commander' developed a sheepish smile. “It's nothing to worry about,” he replied, still doing poorly at not looking suspicious. “I'm just a bit under the weather.” Gaping his mouth open wide, he gave a gut-wrenching yawn that was as bad as it was forced. “I'll just be turning in for the night. See to it that I am not disturbed.”

“Yes, Ser,” the elf nodded, allowing the commander to close the door and breathe a sigh of relief.

Turning back to his bed, he could see Twilight already throwing off the cover that was consuming her. Before another word could be said, he wrapped his arms around her once again, hugging her as tightly as he could. “I'm sorry,” he said sweetly. “I'm so happy to finally see you again, after all these years apart.” Breaking away, he looked her in the eyes, running a hand through her mane. “But, you can't stay here. My world is dangerous, in more ways then one. You've had a taste of it before, and I would never forgive myself if something were to happen.”

Sorrow etched itself onto the scholar's features. Seeing the human wanting to send her away struck at her heart harder than any physical blow could. “Is it because of those monsters?” she asked. “Those 'demons' that attacked me before? Please... I've gone through that once before, it'll never happen again.”

A small huff of amusement escaped the Warden as he nodded. “Of course,” he murmured. “You're far too strong to fall prey to the demons again. But, I've already said it. My world isn't as accepting as your own. I don't want to have to hide you away from everything, and I'm not worth you abandoning all that you've known.”

With a saddened sigh, Twilight looked away from the human, silently murmuring, “I'm not even sure if I can go back...” Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the shock on the Warden's face, pushing her to explain herself. “This bracelet, even when I made it, it took so much of my magic to make it work. Though you weren't here, I could see that this was your room, so I waited. But, ever since I came to your world, I've felt so weak.” She shook her head, dismayed and unable to collect her thoughts fully on the matter. “I don't know... your world feels... so different.”

Scratching his chin in thought, the commander mulled over the mare's words. The conclusion came to him quickly enough, seeing what the problem was. “It's because you're not used to a world without magic,” he concluded. “I remember sensing it in Equestria while we were there. The air itself seemed saturated by it. But for our own, it's devoid of such things. Magic here comes from the Fade, something that you're not connected to. While it comes naturally from your own power, mages have to tap into it.”

“I've never felt so weak before,” Twilight murmured, looking more tired than anything.

A lighthearted chuckle came from the Warden as he said, “You're just not used to such an empty world. Maybe... it's just a matter of waiting. You just need to give it time and I'm sure you'll be able to recover.”

Sensing the truth in his words, Twilight nodded her head. Meeting his gaze again, she quietly asked. “And until then... can we spend that time together?”

Copying her previous nod, a large smile spread across the commander's visage. Without another word, they leaned toward one another, the Warden cupping the mare's cheek in his hand, rubbing the soft coat underneath his fingers. Slowly, the broke the gap that separated them, bringing themselves together as their lips locked and they kissed passionately.

They stayed like that for several minutes, engaged in an act of affection that they had gone without for far too long. By the time they finally broke apart, Twilight was beaming brightly, no trace of sadness over their inevitable separation. It was something they both had to learn to live with, cherishing every moment they'd have together.

Not letting the human out of her sights, Twilight climbed atop his bed. It was certainly a comforting piece of furniture, making the mare fully aware why she had fallen asleep in it before while waiting for the Warden to return. Sleep was the last thing on her mind this time however, her loving, half-lidded gaze locked onto the creature she cared for.

With a weak spark, the unicorn's horn began to glow, developing a dull aura of magenta. It was a clear sign of her weak form, but it did not stop her from using what little magic she was able to control into levitating the upper sheet of the bod. It lifted upward and coiled around the commander's neck, resting on his shoulders before he could feel the slightest of tugs trying to pull him forward.

It was all the Warden-Commander could do to not laugh at the display. Of course, he could easily resist the attempt. But the commander simply smiled as he allowed himself to be pulled toward his bed, falling into the warm of the mare waiting for him.





Far from the keep where the two lovers were together, an entire world away, a ruler stayed awake through the night, dread gripping her heart.

In the privacy of her chambers, Princess Celestia's calm demeanor of utter serenity was gone. All she wore was an expression of worry and concern as she rifled through the scrolls set before her. The plush cushions that she laid on and the hypnotic crackling coming from her fireplace did little to relax her.

She was fully aware of what her faithful student was up to, being one of the first to know of her work during the time she searched for a means to reunite with the creature she had met during that fateful time. It was a heavy burden she had to wear however, her mind racing with concern for Twilight's well-being. Of course, the princess knew full well that the young unicorn could take care of herself, it did not make it easier for her to accept the fact that she was in no position to help if the worst was to happen.

Compounding her anxiety, the papers that she levitated in front of her gaze made things all the worse. For sometime, she could feel a certain uneasiness stretching across the lands. Something about it was eerily familiar, reminding her of a time years ago. A dark, nightmarish feeling that nearly made her sick to her stomach. 

The soft sound of echoing hoofsteps tore the alabaster ruler's attention away from her own thoughts. Ears perking up, a gentle, pleasant smile grew across her lips. Only one soul would be brazen enough to enter her chambers without so much as a knock, not that she minded.

“Sister,” Princess Luna said, the azure equine approaching her sibling, “it is late. You should be resting now. Do not worry, I will safeguard the night, as always.”

“But worry I must, Luna,” the elder sister replied, her eyes drifting back to the papers she was reading. “Look at this. Two of our guard patrols have been late returning to the castle. What could possibly be keeping them?”

“It wouldn't be the first time,” the nightly princess murmured. “They get restless after such long stays in the castle. It's quite possible they saw their own shadows and decided to give chase.”

Celestia merely shook her head. “If only I could accept that,” she murmured before looking to her sister. “And you? I don't think you came by simply to see if I was sleeping. Aren't you usually watching over the dreams of our subjects at this hour?” 

Eyes falling to the ground, the princess of the night shifted uneasily in place. “It's nothing,” she then said, very little confidence in her tone.

“Luna,” the princess said expectantly, easily able to tell when her sister wasn't giving her the truth.

Huffing out a sigh, Luna faced her older sibling, holding an expression that matched her own several moments ago. “I feel as though... something is amiss in the land,” she said, sounding unsure. “I've no idea as to what or why, it might be nothing at all. But... everything feels so unbearably calm, as the land is just before the pegasi release their thunderous storms.”

Hearing her brought a nod from Celestia, understanding showing clearly on her face. “Yes,” she murmured. “I've felt such things as well. But I'm unsure if they are truly things to be concerned with, or if I'm worrying over nothing.” A dull sigh left her as the princess' eyes became locked onto the fire burning in front of her. The flames dancing within their confines with no sign of stopping, burning with a ravenous hunger that would consume anything that it could claim. “But, with everything that's happening, and Twilight's departure to visit that strange world, is it all just coincidence?”





A raspy groan emanated from Commander Cousland's throat as his eyes cracked open. His drowsy mind was filled with the painfully loud knocking at his door. Sitting up in his bed, the Warden felt his stiff joints popping as they moved, making the simple act of awaking all the more strenuous.

Despite his discomforts however, there was no stopping the smile that made its way onto his face as his gaze fell onto the still sleeping form of Twilight, nestled right next to where he was previously lying. Her peaceful rest was only slightly disturbed by the knocking that filled the chamber, her form stirring only slightly before falling still once again. It was clear enough how tired she was, both from the exhaustion of her trip to the Warden's world, as well as from their other activities performed in the dark on the night.

Still however, the incessant knocking at his door forced the commander to break away from the magical equine and climb out of bed. Grumbling angrily to himself as he wiped his eyes clean of any drowsy remnants, he opened the door to see the keep's only Dalish Grey Warden standing there.

Dressed in her usual robes, the elven mage Velanna stood at the threshold as the door came swinging open. Upon seeing the Warden-Commander, the woman's eyes widened as her cheeks became inflamed with a bright shade of red. Adverting her gaze and turning her head away from the Warden, she coughed into her hand as a means to clear the suddenly awkward air. “Creators,” she breathed, still not looking at the commander. “Um... I believe you've misplaced something.”

Looking over himself, a surprised gasp left the commander as he realized he was stark naked. Developing his own tinge of embarrassment, he slammed the door shut between them. “Heh... sorry about that,” he called through the wooden barrier between them, as though the apology would make things right. With haste, he grabbed for the pair of pants that had been previously discarded sometime ago, not bothering with his undergarments as he put them on.

Able to open the door once again, the two shared an uncomfortable silence for a few moments before Velanna turned her head slightly to barely look at him. Seeing that he was no longer exposed, the elf fully faced her commander and handed him a letter.

“What's this?” he asked, taking it from her. Though the parchment was typical, the envelope was closed by a wax seal bearing the mark of the Grey Wardens, his name being written on the front.

Trying to stifle a yawn, Velanna frowned at the letter and said, “I know it's early and all, but you've made it clear that you are to be given any letter coming from that insufferable fool posthaste. So, here it is.”

“Oh,” Commander Cousland murmured, surprise etching onto his face as he looked at the letter with a new light. “Well... thank you, Velanna.”

The elf gave a nod of welcome before walking away, saying, “If you'll excuse me, I'll be off trying to forget that this moment ever happened.”

Smirking to himself, the Commander murmured, “It couldn't have been that bad,” as he returned to his chambers and shut the door behind him. 

Eying the letter, the Warden's mind quickly became abuzz with rampant questions. The most dominant one being just what Anders would be sending a letter all the way from the Deep Roads for. Not waiting a second longer to find out, he broke the wax seal and opened the note that was inside. 

Scanning every word that was written, eyes becoming riveted to the piece of parchment, the commander's jaw slowly descended. Though the letter was short, barely anything being written on it at all, it said so much to him. Once again, he was struck with utter disbelief as he looked from the letter off to his bed where Twilight was still resting.

For years the commander had been waiting to hear such news from the endearing mage, to hear of some sort of breakthrough in what they had been working on. It almost seemed impossible for such news to come to him now, coming shortly after the discovery of Twilight's visit. It made him pause his train of thought for a moment to dwell on the definition of coincidence.