In which our heroine must weigh conflicting loyalties and more actors join the dance.
Celestia was holding morning court. An earth pony and a unicorn stood before her, both with tucked tails and lowered heads.
“Let me see if I’ve fully understood the dispute.” Celestia said gently. “You, Opal Glow, are a landlord for several shops on Gold Pony Way, a street renowned for the sophistication and elegance of the shops to be found there. You decided to lease one of your shops to Antimony, who is a fender smith. Antimony then set up a smithy in the shop to create and sell decorative fenders. Antimony claims, and you have not disputed, that his fireplace fenders are among the finest to be had in Canterlot, and are in fact in great demand among the nobility. As such you jumped at the chance to lease your empty shop to him for a period of one year, at a price the two of you agreed was fair.”
“After Antimony had operated his smithy for three months you discovered his shop produced large amounts of soot from the chimney, and this soot is being carried by the wind and dirtying a great many other shops on the surrounding streets. Understandably annoyed, the affected ponies came to you and demanded that since your shop was the source of the soot that you either recompense them for the vastly increased costs of keeping their own shops clean, or provide a cleaning service to them at no cost to themselves.”
“Unwilling to bear this additional cost alone you approached Antimony and demanded larger payments to cover the cost of the cleaning service. Antimony responded by saying you should have been aware of the issue and made allowances for it when you leased the property to him. He refused to pay anything extra. I believe his exact words were ‘a deal is a deal’.”
“Finding yourselves at an impasse the two of you decided to bring the matter to me, your Princess,” she stressed the word delicately, “to resolve. It is, of course, your right to do so since you,” again the merest hint of emphasis, “could not find an amicable solution.”
She smiled at the two ponies, who were growing increasingly nervous under her benign gaze.
“As I see it, this dispute has two parts: the actual problem, and the proposed solution. In regards to the actual problem, neither of you are being unreasonable in your positions. In fact, I commend you on your agreement concerning the existence and nature of the problem and its urgency.”
“However, it is the proposed solution where I believe the difficulty lies. Both of you seem to be so fixated on the obvious solution that you neglected to explore other options. Had you done so, Opal Glow, I’m sure you would have run across the Institute for Practical Application Of Magical Arts. IPAMA’s charter is to create and foster an association of professional unicorns that use magic to solve an array of problems just like yours. In fact, the spell to turn smoke from a chimney into small solid chunks of charcoal is, if I recall, only seventh circle and thus quite common and inexpensive. A small gem-powered device attached to the chimney would be far less expensive than a cleaning service for several dozen shops, and the annual recharging fee would be fairly reasonable for a shop of this kind. Even better, Antimony could use the charcoal produced to augment his forge’s fuel supply, as the charcoal the spell creates produces a superior flame.”
Both ponies’ mouths hung open. The glance they turned toward each other was calculating, but not nearly as antagonistic as when they’d come before her.
“So this is what I propose. Antimony’s lease amount will not change. Opal Glow will make arrangements to obtain a gem-powered converter for the chimney at her own expense, while Antimony will supply the labor and hardware needed to install the converter. Further, Antimony will agree to extend his lease from one year to three years to help Opal Glow recover her expenses, the additional two years cost being renegotiated based on the results of the converter over the remainder of the first year. Does this sound fair to you?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” The silvery-white earth pony bowed, his bright red mane nearly brushing the floor.
“Your Highness has shown her kindness and wisdom yet again,” the unicorn mare said, gracefully going into the full bow due her sovereign. “I gratefully accept your judgment, Princess.”
“I’m glad I was able to help. I do hope you learned that with a little thought you can often come up with less obvious but far superior solutions to your problem,” Celestia said with a warm genuine smile. “Case closed. Please stop by the clerk of courts on your way out.”
The two ponies bowed again and beat a hasty retreat.
Celestia allowed herself a small glow of satisfaction. It was rare she was able to resolve matters so neatly. As a bonus she doubted either pony would be in any hurry to appear before her again.
Win-win, I believe Matthew called it, she thought to herself.
Alas, her momentary self-congratulations were cut short when she noticed Faerie Mist approaching the throne with a carefully neutral expression.
“Visionary Law, was that the last case for today?” she leaned down to murmur to her bailiff.
“Yes, Your Highness,” The pale auburn unicorn replied, his green eyes reflecting his delight at the prospect. Celestia straightened on the throne as her first lady-in-waiting rose in the air to hover close to her.
“Yes?” the princess asked in a soft voice.
“We just received an urgent communiqué from Ambassador Truth Speaker, Your Highness,” the pegasus murmured. “Kongen Fjell informed him there was an incursion. An undead creature called a draugr penetrated into the very heart of his palace.”
Celestia stiffened.
“There’s more, Your Highness. Fjell said the draugr claimed to be an emissary, but would not name its master. And worst of all, the draugr was a pony.”
ooOoo
In a private residence a few minutes’ flight from Canterlot Castle, four griffins gathered casually in the dining room of the Ambassador from Gryphus, the largest and most influential of the scattered griffin eyries. The Ambassador’s name was Zilarrezko Atzapar, but in Equestria he went by the pony-friendly name of Silver Claw, since ponies often found Griff too harsh and difficult a language to master.
The conversation was being conducted in Griff to make the job of any magically eavesdropping ponies harder. To make it harder for other eavesdropping griffins the walls were soundproofed and routinely checked for hidey-holes, listening tubes, magical amulets and other ingenious spying techniques so beloved of the arrano lehoia.
“I understand the ponies have developed an unexpectedly close relationship with the trolls over the last few months.” The speaker was a resplendent example of a young griffin dandy, complete with gold inlaid claws and an iridescent crest. Jet-black feathers swept down either side of his head to merge with his natural red plumage and black fur. Wide flame-like patterns of brilliant yellow dye lent him a rather theatrical flourish.
Personally, Silver Claw thought he looked ridiculous, but kept that observation to himself. The young griff had quite a reputation in court circles and it was best not to make enemies needlessly.
“Indeed, Firewing.” The older griffin said calmly. “I believe that is the handiwork of the new troll queen. Rumor has it that she comes from the same bloodline as the Sun Princess herself—and Celestia has never denied it.”
“Some beings will believe anything,” snorted a fierce looking older griff with white feathers and tawny pelt. Grey hairs were liberally scattered through his fur, although his eyes were still bright and piercing. “The troll queen is a biped, Silver Claw. The top of her head barely reaches a normal troll’s belly! She’s got bright red fur on her head that reaches down her back and her bare skin is pale pink, not slate green. She’s no troll, much less a pony. More like a shaved monkey than anything else.”
“Yes, Iron Beak, I have seen her, although I’ve never had the pleasure of actually conversing with her,” the Ambassador said. He made a calming gesture with his paw. “My resources are not prone to telling wild stories more suited to chicks begging hero tales, you know.”
Iron Beak snorted once again but said nothing.
“So what do you know of this new queen then?” Firewing asked. “My sources tell me the World Below is preparing to receive her. The trolls are full of questions about their new queen but few seem to have any answers. Hejm is reportedly uneasy. Well, as uneasy as trolls ever become.” He chuckled.
“I am told she does not come from this world,” Silver Claw replied. “My friends tell me she always comes out of the Everfree Forest when she arrives, and always departs from there as well. None of them were able to find out where she goes inside the forest, and the Royal Guard are as tight-beaked as ever.”
“I may be able to shed some light on her most recent visit,” A soft female voice responded.
“Lady Silkwind?” Silver Claw asked, surprised. The fourth member of the group seldom broke her silence. Indeed, she was famous for it. A beautiful griffiness just past the bloom of youth, with golden pelt and natural patterned plumage of orange and red, she disdained the feather dyes and decoration sported by the younger griffins, relying on her fitness and grace rather than artifice.
“Yes, Silver Claw?” She smiled demurely. “Don’t act so surprised. I do have a voice. I just choose to use my ears more than my tongue. You would be surprised how often prey simply wanders into the claws of the silent.”
“We all hunt our own way, Lady.” Iron Beak grunted. “Some of us prefer the thrill of the chase to the boredom of the ambush.”
“True enough,” she admitted readily. “To each their own prey, my friend. But this tasty morsel does not in daylight play. Rather it comes to me from the lips of ponies completely unaware. I must admit to a most indelicate eavesdropping while secreted atop a wall, where I was enjoying a sunbath.”
Now that she had the attention of the three males she seemed content to lapse into silence again.
It was Firewing who finally broke first. “Well? What is this tasty morsel?”
“Dear Firewing, you are so impatient,” she purred in amusement. “It seems Discord dropped in to visit the Sun Princess while she was enjoying a quiet glass of wine.”
“And?” Iron Beak asked, brow furrowed. “That is hardly unusual these days. Thank the endless sky Celestia managed to rein that terror in.” He bristled, feathers fluffing to increase his bulk.
“I did not make myself clear, dear Beaky.” Silkwind was smiling now, one of genuine enjoyment. Firewing covered his laugh with a polite cough while Silver Claw carefully said nothing. Iron Beak’s gimlet stare focused on the griffiness, who simply let her beak open further.
“When I said ‘drop in’,” the griffiness continued, “I was being quite literal. Apparently Discord fell from the sky, crashing into the Sun Princess’s table hard enough to reduce it to scrap iron. I heard the poor darling was smoldering a bit as well.”
“Are you saying he did not intend to come crashing down? This is Discord, after all.” Silver Claw pointed out after a moment.
Silkwind nodded.
“I do indeed. It seems that he had run afoul of Lady Teagan a second time.” She allowed herself a decorous chuckle.
“I had heard Discord was defeated in single combat by the troll queen last year,” Firewing said, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “It seems ridiculous. How could someone so tiny defeat the Lord Of Chaos?”
“She wields Mendiko Bihotzean, do not forget.” Silver Claw interjected. “Discord lairs in Ponyville so that the Elements Of Harmony can contain his excesses, does he not? Thus it would seem Dronning Teagan has emerged from the Everfree once more.”
“Only this time one of my friends was nearby,” Silkwind said in genteel satisfaction. “The dear sweet thing managed to stay unobserved and watch as an army of changelings attacked a wing of the Royal Guard, who were escorting the troll queen at the time. The queen was also companioned by two of her bodyguards and Kona Søyle herself!”
“The troll king’s wife?” Firewing asked, eyes widening. “This does not bode well, Silkwind! Should we be sharpening our claws? Will we have rampaging trolls smashing through Canterlot by dinnertime?”
“Calm yourself, Firewing,” She said sedately. “If I did not trust my dear friend implicitly I could hardly credit what he told me. Shall I tell you a hero’s tale, my chicks? For it would thrill the most jaded cub’s heart to hear this bedtime saga.”
“A hero’s tale?” Iron Beak asked sharply. “Are you saying the troll queen survived?”
“Oh yes, Beaky. Not only survived, but triumphed. Twenty pegasi, one unicorn, one massive earth pony, three trolls and their queen against hundreds of changelings, led by Chrysalis herself, and she protected by her full personal guard. Such impossible odds! Yet our heroes vanquished their enemies, losing only one single unicorn in the process.”
The griffiness now had the three males’ complete attention; indeed they resembled nothing so much as three griffin cubs enraptured by a storyteller.
“Are you ready for the most heroic part? My friend swears that the troll queen flew into the air and slew Queen Chrysalis with a single blow! When the queen’s guards attacked her another single blow from her club splattered both of them messily across the battlefield below.”
“She flew?” Iron Beak scoffed. “She grew wings? Your friend must have been drunk!”
“Perhaps she leaped?” Silver Claw asked diplomatically. “I find it unlikely, but that is not as impossible as a monkey growing wings.”
Silkwind shook her head. “He was most insistent that he saw her change direction in mid-air, fully reversing her course to attack the Bug Queen from behind. She could not have done that by simply leaping.”
The males were silent as they digested this astounding news.
“I have heard something about this new queen as well,” Firewing said abruptly. “She has claimed not only Celestia as family, but all ponies. She insists they are part of her clan.”
“You do realize that makes them clan to trolls?” Silver Claw asked, frowning.
“The ponies and the trolls united as a single clan?” Iron Beak shuddered. “Skies above! This cannot be allowed to stand.
“We have always been ignored by the World Below.” Firewing protested. “Griffins have no desire to tread dark caverns, and trolls do not want the sky. There has never been cause for conflict between us.”
“Not with the trolls perhaps,” Lady Silkwind said delicately, “but pegasi, however…” She let her sentence trail off.
“Gryphus and Canterlot have no quarrel,” Silver Claw said quickly. “Whatever our disagreements with Cloudsdale were, they were settled long ago. There has not been fighting in living memory.”
“Not so, Silver Claw,” Iron Beak growled. “Celestia remembers. She was the point of the spear in our last battles against Cloudsdale. It was she herself who drove us back. Centuries to her are like years to us. She has not forgotten.”
“The Sun Princess may remember, but she is not the sort to nurse a grudge,” Silver Claw objected. “I’ve dealt with her for over a decade. I know her.”
“She has lived a thousand years and more,” Lady Silkwind murmured. “Who but a dragon could live long enough to truly know her? What are a hundred years to her? She is a master of her craft, Silver Claw. We are but clever chicks pitting our wiles against an elder. She lays plans within plans and has the patience of centuries to let them hatch.”
“You council surrender, Lady Silkwind?” Firewing asked, his bland words hiding a razor thin blade. Iron Beak winced, watching the griffiness.
“No, my dear peacock,” she said sweetly, “I council caution. One does not plunder a dragon’s horde by charging through the main entrance shouting a war cry. The Sun Princess is ancient and cunning and wise beyond all but the oldest dragons. If we are to pilfer any sweetmeats from under that snow-white muzzle we must be clever and quiet and take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves.”
“You speak of theft, Lady Silkwind? Have you forgotten we are griffins? We do not need to steal. We conquer our prey and feast!”
“I too was once young and proud, my dear peacock.” The griffiness studied him. “How many dragons have you feasted upon?”
The dandy frowned. She smiled at him.
“There is a time for pride, my young friend. Facing a dragon all alone is not that time. Make no mistake. The Sun Princess is a vast ancient dragon and we are merely chicks playing in her shadow. While it is true she shows a kind face to the world never forget her nation of soft little prey have survived and flourished for over a thousand years. There is a reason they have not become food and you would be well advised to contemplate that reason.”
“It cramps my gizzard to say it,” Iron Beak scowled, “but Silkwind has a point. Once the trolls and the ponies have learned to cooperate, the pegasi of Cloudsdale may begin to remember old grievances. We cannot let this alliance stand.”
“Agreed,” Silver Claw clacked his beak. “Now the question is what can we do about it without attracting Celestia’s attention?”
ooOoo
An apologetic Søyle roused her just before noon, and informed her that Princess Celestia had requested their presence for lunch. Emma had apparently already risen since there was no sign of her. Still bone-tired but feeling halfway human again, Teagan stole a few minutes to soak in the hot bath that Lantana had thoughtfully drawn for her.
The hot water eased the ache from her abused muscles but all too soon she forced herself out of the water, got dressed and went into the main room.
“Hey sleepyhead,” Emma greeted her friend. “Feeling any better?”
“Yeah,” Teagan yawned and stretched herself, feeling joints pop with an almost sensuous pleasure. “Good morning, Bobbin, are you our guide today?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The colt bowed with the same perfect courtesy he’d shown the previous night. Teagan was feeling mellow enough to merely smile at the serious young pony instead of wanting to cuddle him. “If you are ready I’ll be delighted to escort you to Her Highness’s presence.”
“Who’s been invited to lunch?” Teagan asked.
“Yourself, Kona Søyle, and Lady Emma,” Bobbin informed her. “Lunch is scheduled for half past noon in the Ivy Bower, a lovely out-of-the-way niche deep in the Royal gardens.”
“Ah, a quiet little lunch meeting,” Teagan noted ruefully. “What a perfect way to start the day.”
Flint and Skrent chose that moment to join them, and Teagan instantly noted the two trolls were armed with their long slender clubs.
“Hey guys, what’s with the arsenal?” she asked curiously. “You really think you’re going to need it here in the castle?”
“We escort you today, Dronning.” Skrent said in a stony voice. His scowl was positively chilling. Flint said nothing, but his stance spoke of implacable immobility.
“Wow, scary much?” Emma spoke up. “What’s with the war faces, guys?”
“This not war face,” Skrent said. “This disappointed face. We should have been with Dronning when she hunted kjører liket. Kongen will not be pleased we not there. No more.”
“That was my decision, Skrent. You weren’t to blame. Nobody could have predicted that. It started as pure insanity and just got weirder from there.” Teagan protested.
“We not there, Dronning. Will be next time. This I swear.”
“This is proper,” Søyle spoke up. “Mountain Heart is our heart, Dronning. You are bound with it, so your heart is Mountain Heart. Your heart is the heart of all trolls. By guarding you they guard us all. Do not leave them behind again. This is the Law.”
“I have to take them everywhere now?” Teagan asked incredulously. Søyle nodded.
“Save when you sleep, then they will guard your door, sleeping only when other clan members guard you.
“Can’t you just see those two lurking in algebra?” Emma said, snickering. Teagan’s eyes widened.
“Søyle, I can’t take them back to Earth with me!”
“Everywhere,” Søyle said with fierce emphasis.
“That won’t work, Søyle!” Teagan said. “There are no trolls on Earth, where would they stay? How could we keep them hidden? They’d blow my cover for sure!”
“What is cover?” Søyle asked, confused.
“Earth doesn’t know about Equestria! If two trolls show up they’d think they were aliens or something!” Teagan was beginning to panic. “The government would arrest them! No, no they absolutely cannot go to Earth!”
“Ponies did,” Søyle pointed out. “If ponies can then trolls can too.”
“Søyle, it was one pony, and he was only there for a few hours, and he didn’t leave the living room! Besides, it was pretty cramped for Sun Hammer! Can you imagine what two trolls would look like in my house? My house is built for humans, like me! I doubt either one of them,” she gestured at her bodyguards, “could stand up straight. You remember the train, right? That’s about how tall human ceilings are.”
“Teagan, calm down,” Emma said placatingly. “We’ve got all summer to figure out something. Right now Celestia’s waiting. Guys, I totally understand where you’re coming from with this but for now can you dial it back a little? Teelo, why don’t you let them do their job? Personally, I don’t have a problem with them coming because they’re awesome when it comes to fighting and stuff. I’d feel a lot safer having them with us, even in the castle.”
“Okay, fine. But you won’t be having much fun,” Teagan told the two trolls. “These kinds of meetings are either boring or infuriating, especially when you’re doing the whole bodyguard thing.”
“We do what is proper, Dronning.” Flint said with a huge smile that still didn’t bare his teeth, forcibly reminding Teagan that her bodyguard wasn’t human. Among trolls showing the teeth was not an amiable gesture.
“All right, Bobbin, lead the way.” Teagan said with a sigh of resignation. The colt bowed and five of them followed him out of the suite.
ooOoo
Twilight had joined Celestia in the Ivy Bower a good twenty minutes before Teagan’s group was due so Celestia could brief her on the calamitous goings on in the Everfree that Teagan’s arrival had precipitated.
“Oh, that’s a problem.” Twilight said fretfully after she’d heard.
“Why?” Celestia asked, surprised. “Emma should be safe enough here in the castle with us. It’s only three weeks.”
“But I told her parents she’d be home yesterday,” Twilight exclaimed. “I didn’t know about the ambush, or how badly Teelo upset the forces of the Everfree. I told them there was nothing wrong on this side! I feel like such a liar now.”
“You didn’t lie to them, Twilight,” Celestia said soothingly. “As far as you knew everything was fine.”
“Yes, but it isn’t, is it? Sweetie Belle was kidnapped and Teelo had to fight a troll to get her back and then kill it, she was ambushed by an army that tried to kill her and Emma, there’s a conspiracy creating an army of draugr for who knows what sinister reason—and now Emma’s stuck here and can’t go home for at least three more weeks!” Twilight growled, panting for breath.
Celestia blinked. She was used to Twilight’s panic attacks, having had to deal with them on a weekly basis as her brilliant but obsessive student grew up, but anger was something she wasn’t used to seeing from the volatile unicorn turned alicorn.
“Are you all right?” Celestia asked mildly. “Rest assured, we’ll get through this. We always do.”
“It’s just so frustrating,” Twilight groaned. “I thought Ponyville was crazy! I never expected being a princess in Canterlot would be even crazier! How can you stand it?”
“Practice, my dear Twilight,” Celestia chuckled. “I’ve survived much worse. Discord, and Chrysalis, for example. Not to mention the Great Sisters Pudding War not long after Luna’s return. Ah, now that was crazy.” The look in her eyes was wistful.
“Was that before or after the Ivory Abacus incident?” Twilight asked, momentarily distracted.
“How did you hear about that?” Celestia asked, appearing almost shocked.
“Professor Nimbus mentioned it,” Twilight said evasively, suddenly realizing she didn’t want to talk about her disastrous interlude with the good professor. Celestia studied her a moment.
“I see,” Celestia’s face turned placid again. “Oh, it was a few months before that. Luna and I enjoy pranking one another and on this particular occasion we went a little overboard, I’m sorry to say. The janitorial staff earned quite a bit of overtime that month. As a token of apology I made sure they all got a bonus for the extra trouble we put them to.” Her eyes twinkled. “I haven’t had that much fun in hundreds of years.”
“What happened with Chrysalis?” Twilight asked, trying to shake off the remnants of her aggravation. It seemed unusually persistent.
“Ah, that’s a very interesting story. One of the reasons for my blue fur, actually.” Celestia chuckled. “I promised to tell you about it over dinner didn’t I? Pity you didn’t make it back in time, it was quite memorable. The short version is Chrysalis and the changelings are actually flutterponies that Discord transformed as punishment for allying themselves with Tišina thousands of years ago. I persuaded Chrysalis to forgo her vengeance against Equestria in exchange for becoming a flutterpony again, along with the rest of her hive. Or I should say kaleidoscope, which is the correct term for flutterponies.”
“To guarantee her abiding by the agreement we exchanged magical oaths. That triggered a booby trap Discord put in the transformation spell.”
“A trap? Oh no! Are you all right?” Twilight asked, her irritation overwhelmed by her panic.
“I’m fine, Twilight,” Celestia said reassuringly. “Discord told me how to deal with the trap.”
“Is that why you’re blue and your voice is so squeaky?” Twilight asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Yes. I had to roll in a patch of poison joke for an hour, and I have to let the effects play out for twenty-four hours. Zecora already supplied me with the antidote. Rest assured I plan to have a nice long bath later tonight.”
“So now that Chrysalis is a flutterpony she’s not evil anymore?” Twilight asked, brightening up. “I suppose that’s one bright spot in all this.”
Celestia hesitated. “Well, I wouldn’t say Chrysalis was ever truly evil, Twilight. Misguided, certainly, and given the circumstances she and her children had to endure for so long, I suppose she may have become a bit unhinged, but she wasn’t evil.”
“She is better now, right?” Twilight asked hopefully.
“For a certain value of better, yes, I suppose you could say that.” Celestia admitted reluctantly. “When Spike attacked her she was careful not to injure him and managed to bleed off the excess magic that caused his transformation. The old Chrysalis might simply have killed him.”
“Doesn’t that prove she’s good then?” Twilight asked, confused.
“No.” Celestia shook her head. “She did it to put you in her debt, I think. Be careful when you pay that debt, Twilight. Do not allow her to place you in a compromised position, and please tell me whatever payment she asks of you. I should also tell you that even now Chrysalis does not have any love for Equestria—or me. When I asked her to help recover Sweetie Belle she refused.”
“How could she do that?” Twilight asked, aghast. “Not help a poor filly captured by those monsters?”
“She has sworn to give up her vengeance, but that does not mean she would not stand by and cheerfully watch Equestria be destroyed.” Celestia said sadly. “Perhaps in time she could be persuaded to ally herself with us, but it will take many generations I think.”
Twilight was considering that when Teagan’s party joined them.
ooOoo
Earth, Sunday morning, May 29, 2013 08:00 AM
The knock on the door wasn’t completely unexpected. John rose from the breakfast table and went to answer it. He discovered Jacob and Olivia Halstead on the porch, with the keepsake cradled in the woman’s arms.
“Is Emma back?” Jacob asked immediately.
“No, you know we’d call you the instant she got back,” John said sympathetically. “Won’t you come in?”
“That unicorn said she’d tell Emma to come right home,” Olivia said in a worried voice. “Why didn’t she come back?”
“Probably because Subtle Dancer had to rest,” John replied. “I saw him open the Bridge once. It looked like it exhausted him. Maybe he didn’t want to risk doing it three times in one day.”
“I want to call them again,” Jacob said. “I want Emma home, John.”
“I know exactly how you feel, Jacob. When Teagan disappeared—well I know how you feel. At least you know Emma’s safe. She’s in a castle with hundreds of guards. Nothing’s going to hurt her there.”
“I still want to find out what the holdup is,” Jacob said stubbornly. “Hello, Elaine.”
“Good morning.” Elaine eyed the box in Olivia’s arms. “I don’t have to guess why you’re here, do I? You guys want some coffee?”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.” Olivia sat down, placing the keepsake on the table.
“None for me. I’m already too keyed up,” Jacob demurred. “You have a table in the sun, right John?”
“Yes, but let me do the talking, all right? You’re so wound up you might offend Twilight. We wouldn’t want that,” John said.
“I guess not,” Jacob admitted reluctantly.
Emma’s father fidgeted impatiently while waiting for the other three to finish their coffee. Once they were done he charged out the kitchen door making a beeline for the patio table.
Once everyone was seated and Twilight’s figurine was in full sunlight John spoke up.
“Hello, Twilight. We need to talk to the real Twilight again, if you’d be so kind.”
“Not a problem!” The little figurine said cheerfully, horn lighting up.
ooOoo
Teagan finished another full pony-sized helping of stew and began eyeing the large chocolate cake on the side cart. She thought she’d be able to manage a good-sized piece, even if it was sized for ponies and not humans.
Her hunger was mostly sated and her weariness had faded. Princess Celestia, upon seeing her fall on her food had tactfully kept the conversation light and well away from more important matters until she had her fill.
“I can’t believe you ate all that,” Emma said. “One filly-sized bowl and I’m stuffed. How are you doing that?”
“Magic,” Teagan said with a chuckle, settling back. She didn’t feel uncomfortably full, even after three full helpings. “Crush is refueling. I think it’s turning the food to energy as fast as it hits my stomach. After all, I used Crush harder yesterday than I have ever had to before.” Her conscious prodded her but she refused to think about all the grief she’d been put through in the last twenty-four hours. The food had restored her and left her with a good mood she was not going to lose.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Twilight asked. “Fairy Song’s Endurance isn’t something you can just shrug off with a single night’s sleep.”
“Who’s song?” Teagan asked, confused.
“The spell Crush used on you last night,” Twilight explained. “I don’t know if it’s the same one or not but it’s certainly similar. You should have been asleep for two days.”
“No, I’m fine,” Teagan assured the alicorn. “I had a hot bath this morning and that soaked out the soreness. Lunch seems to have pepped me right up. I feel great.”
“In that case, would it be all right if we discussed Emma’s situation?” Princess Celestia asked gently. “Her parents have asked her to come home immediately but there are certain practical difficulties that make that impossible.”
“Emma mentioned it. The Everfree’s in an uproar, right?” Teagan responded. “So much so you or Luna can’t safely open the Bridge for us. Subtle Dancer’s out of commission for at least three weeks and the three of you are the only ones who can open the Bridge.”
“Exactly,” Celestia nodded. “As much as I wish it were otherwise, Emma can’t return to your world for some time. She is welcome to stay here at the castle while we wait for the Everfree to settle down again.”
Teagan frowned. “I really don’t want to leave her here by herself. Although I am grateful for the offer, believe me! But I can’t take her with me to Hejm either, because I won’t be back for three months and I don’t think the trolls would appreciate me delaying my trip for three weeks.”
“It would not be proper, Dronning,” Søyle said carefully. “Every day we tarry here is one less day you will spend in the World Below. Our people wish to meet their Dronning. They have waited far longer than is seemly. Some believe you favor ponies over trolls, it would be best if they see it is not so.”
“Sorry to be so much trouble,” Emma muttered, embarrassed.
“You could not know, child,” Søyle said firmly. “Trolls value loyalty, and you have shown that in full measure. No troll will think ill of you for that. Dronning, it would only be right for Emma to come to Hejm with us. She is already clan. The others think highly of her.”
“Her parents would have a cow,” Teagan said, shuddering. Celestia looked surprised and Twilight’s mouth fell open. “I mean, they’d get very angry and upset,” Teagan said hastily. “Sorry, human expression.”
“What does a cow have to do with being angry? The cows I’ve met have all been calm and sweet.” Twilight couldn’t resist asking.
“I—honestly don’t know,” Teagan answered, caught off guard. “Maybe because a cow is so big? You know, comparing the size of the reaction to the size of a cow? But that’s just a wild guess, I don’t really know.”
“That sounds reasonable,” Twilight said, nodding thoughtfully.
“I’m sure if I could talk to my parents I could convince them,” Emma said, “as long as nobody mentions the ambush. Or Sweetie Belle’s kidnapping. Or the whole fiasco with Spike.”
“Or my flashback with Discord,” Teagan chuckled.
“Oops,” Twilight said, wincing. “I kinda already did, Teelo. Sorry!”
“What did you say?” Teagan asked carefully.
“Um, that he landed in Canterlot yesterday and that Princess Celestia had asked us to release him and that Fluttershy reformed him. Sun Hammer never got around to telling you all that, I guess. Your mom was kind of upset until I explained. I’m sure it’s fine now,” Twilight smiled widely at Teagan, who face palmed.
“Well, I’ll deal with that when I get back.” Teagan said, straightening.
“Any way I could use that spell of yours to talk to my parents?” Emma asked hopefully.
“No, I’m afraid not,” Twilight said regretfully. “It transfers my awareness into my figurine, as though I were there. But it takes a simulacrum that already knows the spell. Not even Princess Celestia’s figurine knows it.”
“Darn.” Emma said, settling back on her stool. “It would have been nice.”
“What about dream walking, Twilight?” Celestia asked.
“That…could work!” Twilight exclaimed excitedly. “If you cast it while I was using the spell you could at least see and hear what I do, and I could hear your voices. They wouldn’t see or hear you but at least I could act as an interpreter.”
“Better than nothing,” Teagan noted. “Human teens do that sort of thing all the time when we talk on the phone.”
Twilight and Celestia lapsed into a rapid fire exchange of magic technobabble that left the human girls completely adrift. It lasted a good five minutes as they hammered out the details of what they wanted to do.
“Hold on—my simulacrum is calling. Princess, is the matrix stable? I’ve got to go. She can’t hold the connection alone.”
“Go ahead, Twilight,” Celestia replied. “It will take a few moments, but we’ll be there.”
Twilight closed her eyes and her horn began to sparkle lightly. She set her head on the table and began to breathe slowly and deeply.
“I’m about to cast the dream-walking spell,” Celestia announced. “We’ll be engulfed by darkness but that’s completely normal. Just stay seated, the darkness will fade. Once it does we’ll be able to see and hear what Twilight does, and she’ll be able to hear our voices. Are you ready?”
“Go for it,” Emma said with a cheerful smile.
Nodding the alicorn lit her horn, a soft golden glow surrounding it. The summer day around them faded in a matter of seconds to be replaced by the inky blackness of a cave. Before long the darkness lightened, revealing a metal plain with cobblestone-sized bulges underfoot. Teagan gripped her chair as the view swung around, revealing two giants with the faces of her parents, rapidly followed by two more giants who turned out to be Emma’s parents.
Teagan could still see the table and her lunch companions. Twilight, however, she couldn’t. She realized suddenly she was seeing the scene through Twilight’s eyes, which is why the scene swung back and forth unpredictably.
“Hello!” Twilight’s voice came out of nowhere. “It’s good to see you again. I’m actually glad you called.”
“We were wondering if there was some holdup,” John asked mildly. “Emma didn’t come home last night. Was Subtle Dancer too tired to open the Bridge again?”
“Um, actually there’s been a bit of a problem on this end,” Twilight’s voice was nervous. “But before I get to that I wanted you to know that Emma and Teelo are fine, in fact they’re having lunch with me, Søyle, and Princess Celestia at the moment. In fact, we’re trying something new. Princess, are you there?”
“Yes, Twilight, the dream walking spell is working,” Celestia responded. “We can see and hear what you do. Can you hear us?”
“Hi Twilight!” Emma called happily.
“Yes, I can hear you, it worked! Teelo, are you there?” Twilight asked in excitement.
“Yes, I’m here,” Teagan replied.
“Perfect! All right, Lord and Lady O’Gara, Mr. and Mrs. Halstead, we’re using a dream walking spell so they can see and hear what I do, and I can hear them. You won’t be able to hear them, but I can relay what they say to you.”
“Emma, baby, can you hear me?” Olivia called loudly.
“Ouch! Mrs. Halstead, no need to shout, they can hear you as easily as I can,” Twilight said urgently.
“Yes, Mom, I hear you,” Emma said
“Emma says she can hear you,” Twilight relayed.
“Sorry,” The woman said in a more normal voice, clearly embarrassed.
“So what’s the problem on your end?” Jacob Halstead asked suspiciously. “Why hasn’t Emma come back yet?”
“Um Princess,” Twilight asked nervously, “what’s the best way to explain it?”
“What should we tell them?” Celestia asked Emma. “They will find out sooner or later. I suggest it’s best if they find out now.”
“Crap. Can you at least try to leave out some of the gorier details?” Emma asked.
“Twilight, go ahead and tell them the truth. Remember what I taught you about delivering bad news.” Celestia said calmly.
“Right. Okay, well, Subtle Dancer can’t open the Bridge because he’s in the hospital.” Twilight said in a rush.
“Hospital? Why?” Elaine demanded suspiciously. “What’s been going on over there? Another war? Was it Discord’s doing?”
“No, Discord didn’t do anything,” Twilight said quickly. “Um, there was an attack in the Everfree, Subtle Dancer got hurt, but no one else did.”
“What kind of attack?” Olivia asked, alarmed.
“Some changelings.” Twilight replied. “Apparently Subtle Dancer had encountered them before and they were looking for some pay back. The Royal Guard drove them off, but not before Subtle Dancer was injured.”
“But Teelo and Emma are okay, right?” Olivia demanded.
“Yes, nobody but Subtle Dancer got hurt,” Twilight said confidently. Teagan silently applauded her performance. Every word Twilight had said was completely true—but the deceptiveness was absolutely breathtaking. She resolved to have Celestia teach her a few of those lessons about delivering bad news…
“I know it’s a lot to ask of Princess Celestia,” John said slowly, “but we need both Emma and Teagan back here for a day or two. The Department of Children and Families left us a letter. They said they’re investigating a report of neglect and a lady called Mia Gant wants to interview us. Looks like Teagan’s guidance counselor found a way to get back at Teagan for snubbing her in January.”
“That’s just great.” Teagan moaned, throwing her hands in the air. “It’s not like my plate isn’t already full!” She ran her hands through her hair.
“Oh dear,” Twilight said in dismay. “I’m sure Princess Celestia would be glad to help, but the fight stirred up the creatures of the Everfree. The Council won’t permit either Princess Celestia or Princess Luna to enter the forest until things have settled down. It’s too dangerous.”
“You mean my daughter is stuck there for who knows how long?” Jacob growled. “You said there wouldn’t be a problem!”
“I know, and I’m sorry! But when we talked yesterday I didn’t know about Subtle Dancer getting hurt, or how badly the forest was disturbed,” Twilight blurted.
“Calmly, Twilight,” Celestia’s voice was soothing. “A princess must stay serene to keep everypony else from panicking.”
There was the sound of a deep breath and when Twilight spoke again it was in a much steadier tone.
“Mr. Halstead, I really do apologize for this, and if it were one of my friends stuck in your world I’d feel the same way you do. But Subtle Dancer will be out of the hospital in three weeks time, and by then the Everfree will have settled down. In the meantime Emma will be our guest in the castle, safe and sound.”
“Could you open the Bridge?” John asked suddenly. “According to the show you’re extremely powerful.”
“I wish I could, Lord O’Gara,” Twilight said regretfully. “Unfortunately the spell to open the Bridge of Days requires a caster of at least the eighteenth circle, and I’m only eleventh. I have the power, but not the magical senses or control to cast it.”
“You mean to tell me in all of Equestria there’s nobody who can cast this spell but Subtle Dancer and the two Princesses?” Elaine asked in disbelief.
“You must understand, Lady Elaine,” Twilight said in a patient tone. “First of all, almost nopony knows about the Bridge of Days, so the spell itself is pretty obscure. It’s also extremely intricate and takes a long time to learn. On top of that, the caster has to be able to perceive the Bridge directly and then have the enormous reserves needed to actually cast the spell. I have the reserves but I don’t know the spell nor can I see the Bridge when it’s closed. Professor Nimbus has the magical senses but doesn’t know the spell and he doesn’t have the reserves to cast it. You have to have all three, which is why only Subtle Dancer or the princesses can open the Bridge. But even if someone could cast it and was willing to risk the Everfree, would you really want Teelo and Emma taking that chance?”
Jacob let out a frustrated huff. “When you put it that way, I guess not. But if Teagan’s not back when the DCF comes calling it will be a complete disaster for John and Elaine. They could get tied up in legal challenges for months, maybe even lose Teagan.”
“They would take her away from her parents?” Twilight squawked in disbelief.
“It’s a real concern,” John said, nodding.
“This will not stand,” Søyle growled suddenly. “This DCF threatens the Dronning’s clan? They will fall to our claws! To threaten the Dronning is to threaten all trolls!”
The troll’s outburst startled the other three, who had almost forgotten she was present.
“Søyle, it doesn’t work like that,” Teagan said, shaking her head. “I would dearly love to see the look on Miss Bainbridge’s face if she ever met you, but the trolls can’t go to war over this. The logistics alone are impossible. We’re having trouble getting two human girls over the Bridge, much less a troll army. Besides, I don’t want a war over this! The DCF is just doing its job. Believe it or not, they’re actually on my side, it’s just they don’t understand what’s going on and if I have anything to say about it they never will.”
“You have said this?” Søyle asked, clearly at a loss.
“I have said this,” Teagan said firmly, nodding. “Trust me, this is a human thing. It’s complicated.”
“You are Dronning.” Søyle said, relaxing. “If you say this I must trust you know the correct passage, even if I do not.”
“Thank you, Søyle.” Teagan placed her hand on the troll’s arm. “It means a lot to me for you to say that.”
The troll nodded but remained silent.
“Twilight?” John asked as the unicorn figurine’s silence became uncomfortably long.
“I’m still here,” Twilight replied. “We were just having a short discussion on this side.”
“Any ideas at all on getting them back here? It really is important,” John said seriously. “I understand the risks but…”
Teagan met Celestia’s eyes. The alicorn was watching her with sympathy.
“I wish there was a way to get you home, Lady Teelo.” Celestia said softly. “Is the peril to your parents truly grave?”
“Yes,” Teagan replied. A sudden thought struck her, and would not go away. An unwise thought, an audacious thought, completely irresponsible and utterly foolhardy.
A thought so crazy it just might work…
“I have an idea.” The smile on Teagan’s face was joyous, and completely insane. Celestia tilted her head.
“From the look on your face I would guess it’s something Matthew would approve of,” Celestia said, a small smile tugging at the corners of her muzzle.
“Oh yes. It was something Matt said when we were out of options and it looked like Tišina couldn’t be stopped,” Teagan replied. “He said a wise man once said ‘nothing’s impossible if you’re crazy enough’. We can’t win by following the rules, right?”
“So it would seem,” Celestia murmured thoughtfully.
Teagan’s smile got even wider and she felt a wild elation surge through her.
“Then it’s time to change the rules.”