As the small platoon of creatures descended from the illuminated tree-stump, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Gordon could not help but look about in wonder at the forest that surrounded them. Back in Equestria the only major forests they had seen were the Whitetail Woods, which while very pretty were rather small, and the dark and foreboding Everfree Forest, which few dared to enter alone. And Gordon, ever a mountain-dwelling griffon, had seldom seen forests at all!
Far above their heads, the silvery white trees stretched up hundreds of meters, and all around them were nothing but their massive trunks, linked together by shimmering white walkways and staircases.
“…If Twilight could see where we are now…” Rainbow Dash whispered in awe.
Applejack and Gordon could only nod in silent agreement.
Oakwood led the way as they walked along a dirt road on the forest floor, his massive glowing antlers lighting the way ahead. As the other ponies huddled together in the middle of the column, Fluttershy walked slightly ahead, alongside Yarrow and Marigold. The young buck could not help but grin at Fluttershy’s dumbstruck expression.
“I take it you like what you see?” he asked.
The pegasus nodded. “It’s… it’s beautiful. What kinds of trees are those? I’ve never seen them before.”
“A rather special tree, of our own creation,” Marigold replied. “We call them Celevon Eryn, which translates to ‘silver wood’ in your language.”
“They’re amazing… How old are they?”
“They were grown by the first stag who ever lived here, thousands of years ago,” replied Yarrow.
As they passed a significantly smaller and younger tree, Fluttershy reached out a forehoof. The bark of the tree was hard and slightly cold, almost like they were carved from massive white stones. But she still felt an odd sensation emanating from the trees, feeling somehow welcoming and intimidating at the same time, as if to say ‘You are welcome here, but don’t mess with us’. Looking ahead, she squinted through the darkness of the trees at the golden yellowish glow in the distance ahead.
“What’s that? That light up ahead?” she asked.
“That is our destination, little pony,” Oakwood replied.
For a few minutes, the walk continued in relative silence, save for the muted hoofsteps of the group, and the occasional gasp of wonder from their four guests as something else caught their eyes. Every so often they could see figures on the walkways above, watching them with curious eyes. Most were dressed in the familiar green and brown tunics that the rescue group were wearing, though a few wore long robes or flowing dresses instead, still in the earthy browns and greens. But despite their rustic colour schemes, everything looked clean, well-kept and very much unspoilt.
Suddenly, a voice from above broke the silence. A high, wispy voice, singing out something in the strange, ethereal language of the Deerfolk. The ponies and Gordon looked around for the source of the singing, but could see nothing. From either side, other voices echoed the same words, and more joined in as the song travelled out ahead of them into the distance, towards the source of the golden glow.
“Lebyreg anglennar! Rawdhoron anglennar!”
“What do you suppose that’s all about?” Rainbow whispered to Applejack. The farmpony simply shrugged.
“No idea. Mighty pretty to listen to though,” Applejack replied.
“No need to be alarmed,” Yarrow reassured them. “They’re just signalling our arrival, passing on the message. It’s not often we get guests such as yourselves in our forest.”
“I had no idea ponies lived this far from Equestria.” Marigold added.
“Actually, we are from Equestria,” Applejack replied.
Yarrow looked back with curiosity. “Really? Then what are you doing this far south?”
“Now now Yarrow, don’t pester them,” Oakwood interjected, his deep voice echoing among the trees. “I’m guessing you four are tired?”
The three ponies and griffon nodded.
“Well it’s only a little further, and we will be at the capital of Cervidas. Some hot food, a warm bed, and a safe haven to rest.”
“You had me at hot food!” Rainbow called from the middle of the pack. The deer surrounding them could not help but laugh as she took to the air and flew ahead. Moments later, she flew back, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. “Uh… heh, which way?”
“Straight ahead, towards the light,” Oakwood replied with a grin. “But you’d better stick with us. It’s easy to get lost in here, you know.”
Rainbow nodded, and instead took to hovering above the pack. “Aahh, it feels good to stretch my wings again. It’s been way too long since I flew last!”
Gordon stretched his wings too, and flapped up to her height. “Mind if I join you?”
Rainbow Dash grinned, and the two began flying around, circling and swooping over eachother in the cool, still air. The pack below, and a few curious deerfolk on the lower platforms of the trees, watched in wonder as the two looped and rolled through the air.
But about ten minutes later, both Gordon and Rainbow Dash slowly sunk back down to the ground as the group cleared the last row of trees, and saw the source of the glow. Yarrow could barely resist a proud grin as he saw the dumbstruck expressions on their guests’ faces.
In the centre of the forest was a clearing, well over a mile across. And in the centre of the clearing stood the largest tree any of them had ever seen. Nearly five times as thick as any of the other silver trees in the forest, it stretched high into the evening sky, nearly piercing the clouds above. Massive roots, each as broad as a train tunnel, snaked out in all directions from the base of the trunk. And high above, hundreds of branches pointed out like long, spindly fingers. All around the trunk and the branches were walkways, staircases and bridges, connecting together large flat platforms built into the branches and the sides of the trunks like ledges, as well as bridging the gap from the enormous tree and the other trees around it.
Deerfolk of all shapes and sizes could be seen out and about on the platforms, travelling along the walkways, making daring leaps between particularly close ledges, and going in and out of white and brown buildings that were constructed on the platforms. The source of the golden glow was obvious now as well; while the rest of the trees of Cervidas were that ethereal glowing silver, this incomprehensibly large tree almost appeared normal, except for great golden lines that ran up and down the trunks and along the branches, to the tips where they shone out like great golden flames. And far above them all, settled in the very top branches of the tree, was a single platform, nearly an acre in width. But anything built upon that platform was obscured by the thick boughs of golden leaves that grew only on the highest branches of the tree.
Oakwood turned around and proudly held his forehoof out to the sight. “The golden capital of Ostaure. You will be staying here.”
But the four could not respond. They were rooted to the spot, and left picking up their jaws of the ground, by the sight of the tree that stood before them. Majestic, shining, colossal. It was unlike anything any of them had ever seen.
A good twenty minutes of walking later, the four found themselves entering a small cottage in one of the highest platforms of Ostaure. It was a medium-sized platform, with many small houses and buildings scattered across it. A single walkway connected to the side of the platform, which merged with a small road that led into the centre, where it terminated in a large circular patch of road, around which the houses were built. Applejack imagined that it was probably their equivalent of a suburban cul-de-sac.
“Now, you will be sleeping here tonight,” Yarrow said as he led them indoors. It was fairly simple on the inside: A small living room with three couches surrounding a low table, and doors on the sides that led into individual bedrooms, and a bathroom through a door on the far end. Everything seemed carved out of the silvery wood of the surrounding trees. On the table were four small bowls, filled with steaming brown soup, with a farl of bread beside it.
“FOOD!”
Before anybody could say anything, Rainbow was upon the food in a flash, munching on her loaf of bread and eagerly slurping down the soup. “Oh man, this stuff is delicious!”
“Thank-you kindly fer this,” Applejack said as she joined Rainbow at the table. “We really can’t thank y’all enough for this.”
Yarrow smiled and nodded. “No thanks are necessary, friends.”
“Aww c’mon now, no need to be modest. If it weren’t for you and yer friends, we’d all still be stuck in that fort!” she replied.
Rainbow Dash nodded as she put down her bowl, already half-empty. “Yeah! I mean, we’d totally be able to escape on our own… but you guys sure saved us a lot of trouble.”
Gordon sat down on the third couch without a word, simply nodding his thanks.
“Thank you so much, Yarrow,” Fluttershy said sincerely. “I don’t really like to think what might have happened if you never showed up.”
“Neither do I, Fluttershy,” Yarrow replied. “Now, get some rest. You’ll be safe here. Even when the Fainum do breach our forest’s border, they never make it this far in.”
“Fainum?” Rainbow Dash tilted her head in confusion.
“The yellow-eyed monsters. The ‘Blight’, I think you call them?” Yarrow paused as the ponies nodded. “Well, we are far away from them, so don’t worry. Now, I will return in the morning. The White Hart has requested you join him for breakfast, and I’ll escort you there. Until then, I bid you goodnight.”
Applejack looked up from her food. “The White Hart? Who’s he?”
The young deer paused as he turned to leave. “Ah, that’s right, we haven’t told you about him yet. The White Hart is the Lord of the forest, our ruler.”
Fluttershy daintily sipped her bowl of soup. “B-but, why does he want to meet us?”
“No idea.” Yarrow shrugged. “I suppose he’s just interested in having newcomers. Especially you, Gordon.”
Gordon looked up at the sound of his name, a few crumbs of bread still clinging to his beak. “Hmm? Why me?”
“Because if there is one thing rarer than a stranger entering our land, it is a griffon entering our land.”
“Well, they’re sure as hay missing out! With trees this massive, I bet there’d be plenty of places to perch, eh Gordon?” Applejack said, tearing into her bread. She stopped chewing a moment, however, as she heard no reply from the young griffon. She saw him give a half-hearted nod, but it did not conceal the look of unease on Gordon’s face.
Lucky for them, Yarrow was still there to break the silence. “Well, I’ll leave you four to get some rest. I’ll come by to pick you up tomorrow morning for breakfast. Until then, losto vae.”
And with those last Deerish words, Yarrow gave one final bow and closed the door with a shimmer of his antlers.
Rainbow mopped up the last of her soup with a chunk of bread, before popping it in her mouth. “Mmm… This stuff is delicious! I wonder what’s in it?”
“Yeah, I might see if’n I can talk to one of the cooks or somethin’. I reckon a dish like this would go down well back … back home,” Applejack agreed, her voice trailing off at the mention of home.
Fluttershy sighed wistfully as, for the first time since she was captured by the Blightlings, she found herself thinking of her little cottage in Ponyville. “Home,” she mumbled. “It feels like it’s been years since we were in Ponyville.”
“I sure hope everypony’s alright back on the farm,” Applejack said.
Fluttershy stared down at the last few dregs of soup left in the bowl before her. “A-and all my little animal friends… I-I hope they’re managing without m-me…”
Hearing the first warning sniffles from the little pegasus, Rainbow Dash swiftly flapped over to Fluttershy’s couch and sat beside her. Draping a wing over her shoulders, Rainbow nudged her gently. “Hey, c’mon Fluttershy. They're probably doing fine, I'm sure of it. They're a tough bunch, they can take care of themselves."
The cream-coloured pegasus wiped her eyes with a hoof. "I-I guess so..."
"I mean, you've said so yourself about how they keep finding where you keep the food. They're probably fast asleep after an awesome meal right now!"
"That... That does sound like them," Fluttershy said with a smile. It only lasted a few seconds before falling again. "I still miss them, though."
She squeaked slightly in surprise as she felt Rainbow Dash's forelegs wrap around her in a gentle hug. "Don't worry, Fluttershy. We'll find the others and get back to Ponyville before you know it."
Silently, Fluttershy raised her hooves and hugged back. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash. You always seem to know just what to say," she said with a smile returning to her lips.
"Yeah," Applejack added with a smirk. "Ya might try to come off all rough an' tough, but ya can be a real softie when ya want to!"
"Oh shut up, farmgirl!" Rainbow replied, unable to keep the chuckle from her voice, before returning to her meal.
As the four of them ate, Applejack could not help but notice Gordon’s silence, as well as his restless appearance. “Hey Gordon, y’alright? Ya seem a little, I dunno, on edge.”
“You don’t need to worry, Gordon,” said Fluttershy. “You heard what Yarrow and the others said, we’re safe as long as we’re here. Those monsters can’t get to us.”
“It’s not the monsters I’m worried about,” Gordon said with a frown.
“Then what’s up?” Rainbow asked.
“It’s these Deer,” he replied. “I dunno, I guess… I guess I’m just not that comfortable around them as you three.”
Fluttershy looked at him quizzically. “Why is that? I mean, they seem really nice, don’t they?”
Gordon sighed as he leaned back in his chair. “Yeah, I suppose so. But the thing is… you know how that guy said that they rarely get griffons here? Well the reason for that is… well, let’s just say Griffons and Deerfolk have never really been on good terms.”
Applejack nodded. “I do remember Twilight sayin’ somethin’ about that back in Canterlot. So that’s what’s bothering you?”
He nodded. As Rainbow mopped up the last of her soup with a slice of bread, she asked, "But why exactly? Why exactly don't deer and griffons like eachother?"
"I'll be honest, I'm not sure of the details," Gordon replied. "There's just been some sort of grudge between our races for centuries, I dunno if anybird even remembers why! Though if I were to guess, I'd say it's just because our cultures clash so much."
"Clash how, exactly?" Applejack asked.
"Well, the old myth is that we griffons are some sort of warrior culture, who use fighting as our way to solve all problems," he explained. "That's just what it is, a myth. We're not warriors, we're industrialists, builders. Whenever you have some big technological advance in the world, nine times outta ten it was a griffon who came up with it. We're one of the few races who have hands for holding tools, and are smart enough to use them. So we build, and we design, and we invent new things to help advance civilisation. And, well, it just so happens that what we're best at making are weapons."
Gordon got up out of his chair, going over to the window. Resting his chin in his claws, he looked out the window into the forest below. "But then look at the Deerfolk. They live in treehouses, never daring to go past their borders, preferring magic over technology, and refusing to share their powers with others. And the way they keep slipping in and out of Deerish, you never know what they're saying. You can see how they wouldn't like us griffons much."
Fluttershy joined him at the window. "Well, I suppose I can see where you're coming from. Still, haven't they ever tried to get along?"
Gordon chuckled humourlessly, "Heh, a few times. But both sides' politicians are stubborn. Neither side wants to admit that the other has a point. Plus, Deerfolk and Griffons do have a bit of a, uh, turbulent history. There's never been an all-out war, but there have been a couple of skirmishes in the past."
"And what about you?" Applejack asked. "What side are you on?"
"I dunno," Gordon said, sighing in resignation. "I mean, I can see where both sides are coming from, but I feel like I'd be abandoning my own kind if I sided with the Deerfolk."
Rainbow got up and stretched her limbs. "Well, hopefully it won't keep ya up tonight. I dunno about you guys, but I'm ready for a long, comfy sleep!"
The ponies and griffon nodded. Tidying their plates up, the four of them said their goodnights and snuggled down in their individual beds. Within a matter of minutes, the house was filled with the sounds of snoring, mingling with the sounds of the forest outside.
As Applejack rolled over in her bed, she felt the warmth of the morning sun on her face and cracked her eyes open. The sunlight streamed through the windows of the bedroom, casting golden pools on the floor, its brightness only magnified by the pale coloured walls and floor of the house, and the subtle glow of the silvery trees outside.
"Mmm... Boy howdy, I haven't slept that well in days!" she murmured to herself as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Tossing aside the crisp white blanket, she lowered herself to the floor and stretched her legs. The bed seemed to have been build for a deer, since it seemed to be a further drop from the bed to the floor, likely to accommodate their longer legs.
One quick rejuvenating shower later, Applejack plopped her hat back on her head and dried herself off on a fluffy white towel, the same gleaming white as the bedsheets and the curtains, that seemed to glow in the sunlight. When she returned, she found Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Gordon in the lounge, stretching their limbs, rubbing their eyes and their hungry bellies.
"Good morning, Applejack," said Fluttershy. "Did you sleep well?"
Applejack nodded. "Like a log, Fluttershy. It's nice to sleep in a proper bed again."
"You got that right!" Rainbow Dash agreed. "Still not as comfy as a cloud, but sure beats the ground. So how's the shower?" she added, pointing to Applejack's damp mane.
"I'd nearly forgotten how refreshin' a morning shower can be. Y'all have got to try it for yerselves!"
Fluttershy nodded. "Oh I know! I woke up earlier than the rest of you, so I thought I'd have a quick shower for myself. It feels wonderful!"
"Yeah, well, maybe I'll try it after breakfast" Rainbow replied. "Speaking of which, where's that Yarrow guy? I thought he was supposed to be taking us to see this White Hart..."
"Ah, glad to see you're all up."
The four of them started as they heard the voice coming from the doorway. Standing there was none other than Yarrow, a cheeky smile on his face. "Suilad, melloneamin," he said, bowing his head slightly. "I trust you four slept well?"
"Very well, thank you," Fluttershy replied.
"So, you here to take us to breakfast then?" Applejack asked.
Yarrow nodded. "Indeed I am. Follow me please, the White Hart awaits."
With Yarrow in the lead, the group headed out onto the massive platform build into the side of the tree. All around them, Ostaure seemed to be waking up. Deer exited their cottages and towers, walking along the stairs and walkways built into the enormous tree, and even in the distant trees surrounding the clearing, tiny figures could be seen milling about. Bucks went to their jobs, does escorted their youngest fawns to schools. On tall pedestals and ledges, particularly large stags stood still and silent as watchmen, looking for all the world like well-painted statues. Of all the deer about, they were the only ones dressed in any sort of armour, as opposed to the simple earth-colour tunics and robes that most of them wore. It was a curious, elegant form of plate armour, form-fitting and curved, with a vague look of leaves or waves done in golden and bronze plates, with silver trim around the hems. It consisted of barding around the withers and flanks, and a two-piece helmet that clasped together down the sides, to allow the helmet to fit around the antlers.
"Hey Yarrow, who are those stags?" Rainbow asked as she pointed to one such stag who stood on a ledge beside the walkway they crossed. "The ones in armour? They look pretty important."
Yarrow glanced at the stag, who nodded back curtly. "Those are the Tirn, the elite guard of Ostaure, some of our most powerful spellcasters. Even if we barely ever get intruders or invaders making it this deep into the forest, it can't hurt to have some extra security for the White Hart."
As they passed another Tirn on a ledge by the stairwell, Applejack saw that the stag was keeping an especially close eye on the four of them as they passed. Indeed, all around them, there were many Deerfolk who watched them as they passed, some with curiosity and intrigue, some with unease. It was obvious that they were not used to outsiders, especially in the capital.
After about ten minutes walking up staircases and walkways, the four found themselves at the highest platform of the tree. At the top of the staircase was a large door, that looked to be gilt from solid silver. On either side stood another of the armoured Tirn, who glared down at them with calculating eyes.
"This is as far as I go, friends," Yarrow said, stepping back. "Just go straight through the doors and you'll be in the White Hart's sanctuary. He'll probably be there to greet you."
Giving one last nod of farewell, he hurried down the stairs again to the platform below. The four friends looked up at the silver doorway with some apprehension.
Fluttershy gulped. "Well... I guess we sh-should go in..."
Leading the way, she ascended the stairs towards the door, and cleared her throat. "Um... hello... Can we go in, please? I-I think the White Hart is s-supposed to be expecting us?"
Without so much as a twitch or a move of his head, the stag on the left of the door's antlers shimmered yellow and gold, and the door swung open.
"Oh! Um, thank you," Fluttershy whispered to the Tirn, who nodded back, stonefaced. Together, the three ponies and griffon passed through the door, under the guards' watchful eyes.
Inside, they found themselves on a completely flat platform, held up by the uppermost branches of the tree. The branches curved over the platform, forming a loose dome of branches and leaves, where the sunlight poked through holes in the canopy. In the middle was a small lake, its waters completely still, with a round island in its centre. On this island sat a single tree, its leafy boughs hanging over like a lopsided parasol. A sheet of white cloth lay on the grass under the hanging boughs, laden with silver and golden tableware, with a small woven basket on the side. And on the island, its lone inhabitant, was a single stag.
He was quite unlike any deer the four of them had seen. Standing nearly a head taller than any other deer, almost the same height as Celestia, he stooped by the side of the island, lapping water from the lake. Unlike the earthy brown and red speckled fur of his subjects, this stag's fur was the purest white, and his enormous antlers were a strange silvery colour. A thin grey beard hung from his chin tied up by a string. He was clad in a simple green robe, with a golden trim around the collar, and a turquoise sash around his waist. And on his brow sat a simple crown, which was really nothing more than a band of gold, with a large teardrop-shaped plate on the front, with strange script going around the band in some unknown alphabet.
As they apprehensively approached the circular lake, the stag raised his head, ears perked up as he heard their approach. As he saw the four, he smiled, a broad welcoming smile. "Ah, there you are," he called, in a strange voice, not entirely masculine or feminine.
"A-are you the White Hart?" Applejack called, tentatively stepping forward.
"That is I," he replied, bowing low. "El sila nan lu egovaded vin. Welcome to my humble home."
The four bowed respectfully back.
"Won't you join me for some breakfast?" the White Hart asked, standing on the bank of his lake.
They nodded silently and approached the lake, unsure exactly how to reach the island. Did they have to jump? Was there some hidden crossing? Did they just have to wade through the water?
As if answering their unasked question, there was a slight rippling on the surface of the lake, as five broad, flat stones rose up from the lakebed, in a straight line from the bank to the island. They crossed these stepping stones and sat down on the white blanket. The Hart joined them, and with a shimmer of his massive antlers, plates, cups and cutlery began flying out of the basket beside him, as well as platters laden with a loaf of white bread, bowls of fruit, yoghurt, nuts, shrubbery and flowers, and a small variety of drinks, all of which came to rest in the middle of the blanket while the plates and cutlery laid themselves before each of the diners.
"Enjoy," the White Hart said cheerfully as he helped himself to bread and fruit, and filled his wooden cup with steamy, fragrant tea from a small teapot.
Needing no second bidding, the four guests eagerly dug into the food, which was simple but undeniably delicious and filling. Even Applejack, with her mighty appetite, found herself somehow sated after only a few apples and some bread and jam. As she poured herself a cup of apple juice, she glanced at her surroundings, then back to the food, confusion creeping into her mind.
The White Hart noticed her slightly troubled expression. "Something troubling you, miss...?"
Applejack put down the jug. "Oh, that's right! How about that, we come up here and eat yer food, and we don't even introduce ourselves! My name's Applejack, sir."
"And I'm Rainbow Dash."
"My name is Fluttershy. It's a pleasure to meet you," Fluttershy said politely.
"The pleasure is all mine, friends," the White Hart replied. "So, do tell, Applejack, what's the matter? Is the food not to your liking?"
"Oh no, no, nothin' like that, sir!" Applejack sputtered. "This food's just about the tastiest I've eaten in a long time. And mighty fillin' too. But it's... well..."
"You were expecting that breakfast with a king would be a little more grand?" The White Hart suggested, with a knowing smile.
The farmpony nodded sheepishly. "Heh, yeah, I guess so."
"She does have a point though sir," Rainbow Dash added. "No disrespect meant, but when I think 'breakfast with royalty', I don't exactly think of a picnic by a lake."
The stag nodded. "I understand. And I would be lying if I said that I never indulged in the occasional extravagant banquet. But when I'm eating on my own I like to keep things simple. If I'd known sooner that we would have guests, I would have had something prepared."
"Oh no, there's no need for that," replied Fluttershy. "This is just fine. This is the kind of breakfast I'd have on a normal day anyway."
"And what about you, young sir?" the White Hart said, turning to Gordon. "I do not believe we've been introduced."
Indeed, Gordon had remained silent throughout the whole meal. Swallowing a mouthful of bread, he replied, "I'm Gordon, son of Gideon the king of Fjaereir."
"And is the breakfast to your liking? I'd assume that being royalty yourself, you would be used to more extravagant meals than this."
"Yeah, that's about right," Gordon replied. "Back in my hometown the nobles and royalty all dine together, and breakfast can sometimes go on so long, by the time we're done it's already time for lunch!" The White Hart suddenly snorted and stifled a chuckle at this, before he regained his composure and motioned for Gordon to continue. "But when this is the first proper meal I've had in weeks, I'm in no position to complain. It's not often that a deer would show a griffon this kind of hospitality, or so I've heard anyways," the griffon added.
"Sadly, you have heard correctly," the White Hart replied. "Relations between our two races have been... tense, at best. But in my eyes, you are a guest first and a griffon second, so please don't feel uneasy during your stay."
"Well that's real nice of you to offer and all, but we can't stay."
All eyes turned to Rainbow Dash, who had finished her breakfast and was just getting up. "What do you mean?" The White Hart asked.
The pegasus frowned. "Look, your majesty, I really do appreciate everything you and your Deerfolk have done for us, but we can't stay here. We gotta find our friends!"
"Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy tried to interject, but the White Hart stopped her.
"Your friends? You mean to say there are more of you out here in these lands?" he asked. When the three ponies nodded, the White Hart's smile slipped a notch. "That is... not what I had hoped to hear. Perhaps you could tell me what, exactly, led you to find yourselves so far away from Equestria?"
Gordon nodded. "Yeah, to be honest, you never exactly told me what you were doing out here either. I'd be interested to hear it."
The ponies looked uneasily to eachother. Just what could they say? On one hoof, these deer had indeed saved their lives and given them a safe haven from the Blight, and Gordon seemed trustworthy enough. But on the other hoof, just how much should they tell?
The three ponies huddled together a moment, as Gordon and the White Hart watched in silence.
"What do you two think?" Rainbow whispered.
"I guess we got no choice," Applejack said. "Not like we can just refuse royalty, right?"
"But Applejack," Rainbow whispered. "We barely even know these guys. You really think we should tell 'em?"
"I think so," replied Fluttershy. "They've been so nice so far, and they don't seem to like the Blight any more than we do. I think we can trust them."
Rainbow Dash, however, was not convinced. "But what about... y'know, it? D'you think we can really tell them about it?"
"It's not like they can try to steal it from us," Applejack said with a shrug. "Wherever it is, it's mighty far away from us, that's fer sure."
"Yeah, I guess you got a point. Okay, Applejack, you're the honest one, you tell 'em."
"Don't keep me in suspense, ponies," The Hart said from behind them. "Let us hear your story."
The huddle broke, and Applejack stepped forward. "Sorry... Alright, we'll tell you everythin', but could you keep whatever we tell you just between the five of us?"
Gordon and the stag nodded.
"Thanks. So then, where to begin... Well, it all started back in Ponyville, which is the town where we come from..."
And so Applejack, with occasional assistance from Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, told the griffon and the Hart everything. From Twilight's discovery of Starswirl the Bearded's notes, how they started their journey from Canterlot heading north towards the Crystal Mountains. Of their first encounter with the Blight on the plains at night, and how they took shelter with the mysterious pony Rowanoak. Of how they followed Rowanoak's riddle through the forests, and their encounters with the kelpie and the Grey Ones, until they met up with Starswirl the Bearded, resurrected from the dead to help them in their quest. She told of their hike through the Crystal Mountains, until they reached the Shard, and were confronted by Tharos the dragon. How he took them into that mysterious realm where the Tears were hidden, and the gargantuan planet-sized monster that bore down upon them as they fled with their treasure. The aerial battle with the Blight and their subsequent kidnapping. And finally, their rescue from Maudhul by Yarrow and his team. Throughout the whole retelling, Gordon felt his admiration for the ponies growing with every word. The White Hart, meanwhile, also sat with rapt attention, but his calm face betrayed no emotion as he listened, only nodding in understanding every now and then.
"...And then the deer brought us here, and... well, here we are." Applejack finally finished. By the time her story was at an end, the morning had worn on considerably, and the sun shone high in the sky above their heads, beams of light piercing the canopy of branches.
She sat down with her friends, as Gordon and the White Hart sat silent, still processing the story they had been told.
"Well... that's one heck of an adventure you've been on," Gordon said weakly. "It's impressive that you've made it this far, even though you've... y'know, lost some friends along the way."
Fluttershy shook her head. "Well, it is painful not knowing what happened to them. But, I'm not sure, I feel that the others are still alive and well. I can't really explain it, I just know it."
"What interests me more is your encounters with the Fainum," the White Hart said. "Not to mention this artefact of yours, the Tears of Gaia. You say that these creatures were following you?"
"Yeah. We first ran into them on the plains, up in Northern Equestria. And ever since then they'd been following us. And as soon as we had the Tears, they ambushed us."
The Hart frowned. "That is disconcerting. I think that a connection between your search for the Tears and the Blight pursuing you, would not be too far-fetched of an assumption."
Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yeah, it did seem like they were coming after us for it."
The Hart fell silent, closing his eyes in thought a moment. "This is not good," he muttered, getting up and crossing the stepping stones linking his island to the rest of the sanctuary.
"Erm... Sir?" Applejack said, following him across the lake.
Fluttershy, Rainbow and Gordon followed after her, and the four tentatively approached the Hart. He glanced at them out of the corner of his eye, then turned back to the walls of branches that surrounded the room. As his horns shimmered with magic, the branches suddenly sprung to life, writhing and wriggling almost like tentacles. They parted, leaving an opening in the branches that looked down on the rest of Ostaure, that sprawled out amongst the branches below.
"Look at this city, friends," he said in a low voice. "Look at my people. Tell me, what do you see?"
The four stood close to the opening, looking down at the city. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary or unusual. "It looks like a peaceful city of Deerfolk, sir," Gordon replied.
With a sigh, the White Hart replied. "An illusion, I am afraid. This city, indeed, all of Cervidas, are not quite as peaceful as you may imagine."
"How so?"
"Because, little ponies, while the city may look calm and peaceful to the unsuspecting eye, the truth is that we Deerfolk are at war." He stooped low, so his head was level with theirs. "We appear calm and collected, simply because that is the nature of our race. But for over a year now, we have been in the midst of a war with the Fainum."
Rainbow Dash squinted her eyes, peering down at the thousands of Deerfolk milling about on the walkways and platforms below. "But how? Apart from those guards around the place, I don't really see any soldiers."
"Oh but you do," he replied. "The entire city, indeed, the entire forest is filled with thousands of them. From the day they reach maturity, every deer is expected to come to the aid of the kingdom in times of war when summoned. Stags and does, young and old, they are all soldiers."
"But what about armour and weapons and stuff?" Rainbow asked. "Doesn't that get expensive?"
The White Hart shook his head. "Only the Tirn have armour, since they protect the welfare of our capital, and therefore have top priority. And with magic like ours, we have little need for physical weapons. Ironic, isn't it? Of all the species in this world, one would never suspect that the placid, mysterious Deerfolk would be the one made up entirely of warriors."
Gordon snorted derisively at these words. Either the White Hart did not hear him, or simply chose not to respond. "But for the last few months, both us and the Fainum have been in a deadlock. Neither side has the power to take the other on face to face. So while we have been sending out small parties of soldiers to exploit weakspots and gain intelligence, we have not the strength for an all out assault on their forces, and neither do they.
Which is why this news about the Tears is so concerning to me. If they gained access to that much power, I hate to think what they could do with it. It is a dangerous treasure even in the most responsible of hooves."
Fluttershy raised a hoof. "Um, you almost sound like you already knew about the Tears..."
"I did know," he replied. "I hate to brag, but we Deerfolk were among one of the first species that were written of in the Teithad Minui."
Applejack raised an eyebrow. "The what-now?"
"The First Writing. When the beings you referred to in your story as the 'Others' first created our world and life as we know it," he continued. As he spoke he returned to his island and sat down, the ponies and Gordon following. "You refer to those beings as 'Alicorns', but in our tongue they are the Ainur, the Holy Ones. And when they created life on our world, we Deerfolk were the first species to be created. And I was the first of the Deerfolk."
Fluttershy's eyes grew wide with amazement. "You were the first deer?! So... you're the one who created this forest then?"
He nodded. "It seems somebody has told you the legends of our trees then. Indeed, I was the creator of Cervidas. And I know the strength of the Fainum all too well."
The ponies could not see it, but a single tear rolled down the White Hart's cheek as he recounted this memory. However, they could hear the slightest hint of a sob in his voice as he spoke.
"Um... Sir?" Fluttershy whispered, tentatively placing a hoof on the White Hart's broad shoulder. "Are you okay?"
The stag raised his head, gazing straight up at the canopy above. Taking a deep breath, he turned with a smile to the pegasus. "I am fine, thank you Fluttershy. But more to the point, I implore that the four of you do not leave Cervidas just yet."
"Why not?" Rainbow asked.
"Because out there the Blight are amassing. My scouts have reported their movements across all the land. And if what you say is true, they have even reached as far as Equestria," he replied. "They have already tried to use you to get to the Tears, and who knows what they would do to you if they got that chance again. So please, for your own safety, stay with us."
"But what about our friends?!" Rainbow Dash cried. "They're somewhere out there too!"
"She's right, are we just supposed to sit on our rumps and do nothin'?!" Applejack added
"Girls, please..." Fluttershy implored, but found herself interrupted as the Hart raised a hoof.
"She does have a point. And I promise you, if my scouts do find your friends, then their safe escort to Cervidas shall become their top priority. And as Fluttershy said, if they had been captured, we would know it. If they had, the Blight would have the Tears by now and would be bearing down upon us in force."
Rainbow sat back down as his counterargument sunk in. As much as she hated to admit it, he did have a point. "Alright I... I guess we can stay."
"Your loyalty and concern for your friends is admirable, Rainbow Dash," the Hart replied. "You four are welcome to all Ostaure has to offer. And you have free reign to explore the rest of Cervidas as yo see fit, though I Insist that for your own safety, you have some of my deer accompany you if you leave the capital. It is easy to get lost in the forest."
"I guess we could have Yarrow and his pals come with us if that happens," Applejack replied.
He smiled. "Excellent. Well, I won't keep you four any longer. Feel free to explore my kingdom to your hearts' content, and if you wish to speak to me, don't hesitate to visit."
With that, he bowed low to the four, and escorted them to the doorway back to the upper platforms of Ostaure. As each of them bowed in return and left, the White Hart spoke one more time. "Oh, and Gordon?"
The griffon turned. "Hmm?"
"I know that relationships between the Deerfolk and the Griffons are frosty at best, but you are as welcome as our pony friends. If anyone acts openly hostile towards you because of this, rest assured that they will have me to answer to."
"I will, thank you." Gordon replied stiffly.
"Very good. Enjoy your stay, harthon gerithach aur vaer." The stag smiled one more time, before closing the doorway behind them, leaving the four on the stairway. The clacking of hooves on the floor heralded the approach of Yarrow again.
"Ah, excellent, you're back! So, friends, how did it go?" he asked with a smile.
Applejack waved to him. "Howdy, Yarrow! It went alright, I guess. Well, we had breakfast with him, he asked us about who we are, where we came from, that kinda stuff."
"And he asked us to stay in Cervidas," Fluttershy added. "He said it was too dangerous to head back outside the forest for now."
Yarrow nodded. "Well, he'd be right. The Fainum are up to something out there, so it's best you stay with us until it's safe to travel again."
"Well then," Rainbow Dash said, taking to the air once more, "We'd better get to know this place if we're staying here! How about a tour, Yarrow?"
The young stag smiled. "I'd be happy to oblige. Follow me, friends!"
So Yarrow led the four friends down the stairs back to the platforms of the city. As he showed them the various platforms and levels of the tree, and what could be found on each one, Fluttershy found herself musing more on what the White Hart had said to them. Or rather, how he had said it to them.
"Excuse me, Yarrow?"
"Hmm?" he stopped as he led them through a less populated area. "Something wrong, Fluttershy?"
She scuffed the floor with a hoof as she spoke. "Well, umm, I was just thinking about something the White Hart said to us. He was talking about how he was, you know, the first Deer, and how he created Cervidas. But it... it almost sounded like he was sad when he mentioned it. Did something happen then?"
Yarrow's permanent grin sagged as he understood. "Ah. Yes, rather... well, he would be when talking about that. You see, the reason he created Cervidas as a home for the Deerfolk was... well, according to our legends, because the original home of the Deerfolk was lost. We don't know alot about it ourselves, and he refuses to go into detail about it."
"What happened?" Applejack asked.
"Well, we have an old song that tells the story. Would you mind if I... you know...?"
"Oh no, please," Fluttershy replied. "Go right ahead!"
Yarrow nodded, cleared his throat, and sang in a slightly quavering, but still very beautiful, voice:
"From East he came, the Elder Hart,
the Ainur-son.
Lamenting for his ancient home,
A land long gone.
At last his hooves, they came to rest,
deep in a glade,
He raised his head, and as he sang,
The realm was made,
O Cervidas.
Of leaves he sang,
and leaves of gold and silver grew.
Of wind he sang,
the winds, they came and through them blew.
The sun shone down
upon new land of timeless joy,
His perfect child,
No mortal force could dare destroy.
O Cervidas.
Though like the leaves,
We'd fade and fall, through all the years,
Of our demise, and our downfall,
He had no fears.
Though light may fade, and shadows grow,
And dark descends.
He knew the dawn was brightest still,
When night-time ends..."