Chapter 15: Queen meets Princess
“It's dreadful what little things lead people to misunderstand each other.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Emily's Quest
I felt the cool desert air on my back as I appeared in the Badlands and the deceptive firmness of fine sand below my hooves. I had not visited the Badlands in some time, but there was one place I keenly remembered, a site for me to anchor my concentration and allowed me to create the portal.
A lone obelisk stood in the desert sand. A monument to the last battle, in the first war of my reign, a civil war that had almost torn Equestria apart. Time, and the desert katabats had not been kind to the obelisk, and much of its detail, its glyphs had been wiped away and its marble pedestal was hidden by sand. But I still remembered the tears that had been shed at this monument. The sorrow I had held for ponies who gave their lives to me, a deceiver. On that day of mourning, I swore on that monument to give my all in order to protect my ponies from all conflict. No matter if I had to abandon my vendetta to do so.
It seemed perfect to revisit the place where I had not only acknowledged Equestria’s ponies, as my ponies, but the memory where I had promised to lay aside my vengeance for the ones I loved. I needed to be reminded of my oath because I feared that for the moment my eyes laid sight on Chrysalis. My anger, much as it fueled me, terrified me. It stretched behind me like a dark shadow, waiting to pounce.
I slowly exhaled and looked past the monument, to the Great Chasm, where the red rock of the Badlands appeared to be have been cut into ribbons. I wasted no more time admiring the scenery, less I lose what resolve I had left. So, I spread my wings and flew.
Chrysalis yawned widely, the languorous sound echoing through her private chambers. With a grunt, the queen shifted on her makeshift bed of animal furs and stolen Equestrian fabrics and cushions. The combination of what most ponies would find disgusting in comparison to what some of her subjects would see as soft, made a bed that was surprisingly comfortable to sleep on. As her body relaxed and her mind slipped into slumber, the queen licked her lips as she let the the problems her hive was facing fade into the back of her mind.
The banging of frantic knocks threw Chrysalis out of her sleep. She sprang to her hooves, throwing away blankets and fur coats as she made her way to the door. While Chrysalis rapidly blinked away the sleep she held, she wondered what could possibly warrant the guard interrupting her rest.
The queen opened a crack in the door, showing the concerned face of the guard. That worried Chrysalis, but not unduly, her door guards had always been high strung.
“Why did you wake me?” demanded Chrysalis in a tone that suggested extreme annoyance.
“Princess Celestia…” stammered the guard. The queen examined the guard more closely and frowned. The changeling soldier was quaking in his carapace, his fangs making a awful, chattering sound as they chafed together. The queen’s muscles tensed, there was something more intense about this soldier’s fear that made her heart shudder.
Chrysalis frowned, “Princess Celestia what?”
“Princess Celestia… arrived at our hive’s entrance. She demanded to be taken to the Throne Hall and we… we had to oblige.” The guard barely finished his sentence before Chrysalis slammed the door open and charged to her throne. She raced through the tangled web of corridors within the hive to the final doorway that led to the hall. Once there, the queen took a deep breath to still her the fear shaking her slender frame. Nothing She wanted to be prepared for whatever the Princess of Equestria had in store for her. Yet, as she tried to calm herself, Chrysalis could not stop questions from running through her head. Why was Celestia here? Was it because she didn’t come to the Everfree Forest? What did the alicorn plan to do with her hive?
Chrysalis squashed her panic pounding in her heart and snarled. Whatever that Princess had in store for her, she would confront it as a changeling queen. There were times for changelings to run and vanish, but this was not the time to do so. With a soft click, Chrysalis opened the door with her magic and trotted into the hall.
At the clip of hoofsteps Alternia’s silent contemplation was interrupted. Through half-lidded eyes, Alternia watched her sister make her way to her throne.
Vehemence and fury choked Alternia’s throat as she examined her older sister. Her mother’s death and a much younger Chrysalis’s vindictive expression coming to the forefront of her mind. Her muscles tensed, ready to spring, Alternia almost snarled.
Out of nowhere, another image quickly juxtaposed itself on top of Chrysalis’s sneering expression. It was of a ruined Equestria, thousands of dead ponies and changelings lying on the ground. A massive obsidian obelisk stood over the bodies, its long shadow cutting over their corpses. Quickly, Alternia blinked her eyes and exhaled slowly. She would not let that happen, she hated her sister, but she could not let any pony or changeling blood be spilt because of her want of vengeance.
Anger reigned in, Alternia examined the changes time had wrought on Chrysalis. The queen’s steady walk to had become more regal, but at the same time, heavier. The keen, determined energy she used to have was dulled. But there was fear, greatly suppressed, but Alternia could see the tightness in Chrysalis’s neutral expression. Alternia knew that if she was ever going to have a chance of Chrysalis listening to her, she needed to tread carefully.
“Good evening, Great Hive Mother. I thank you for letting me see your true face,” spoke Alternia smoothly. Much as it pained the changeling queen to greet her traitorous sister in such polite fashion, Alternia was aware that every bit of diplomacy would help in convincing Chrysalis.
Chrysalis’s brow almost creased, but the changeling forced herself to remain expressionless as she considered Celestia’s opening remark. It was as the captured changelings reported; Princess Celestia had an uncanny knowledge of old changeling customs. They were unfamiliar to her, Chrysalis could tell from the strained muscles in Celestia’s jaw. Still, the alicorn princess held herself with elegance and poise unmatched. Though it appeared to the changeling that Celestia was… afraid and her ethereal tail flickered ever so slightly. Chrysalis chuckled inwardly, though in hindsight, this fear would be natural since the alicorn was in the middle of a changeling hive.
“Why do you approach us now, Celestia?” asked Chrysalis, her voice cutting through the silence like a whip.
“To give you and your hive one final chance for peace,” replied Alternia evenly.
Chrysalis allowed her eyebrows to rise ever so slightly. “I am surprised you do not ask as to why I did not show myself in the Everfree Forest.” And that was the truth. Chrysalis fully expected Celestia to go and declare war on her hive right away after her trap didn’t work.
“There is no point to pursuing that avenue of discussion. I am here, unguarded and unarmed and wishing to discuss how we can maybe achieve peace between our two nations,” spoke Alternia her mask unyielding. She could still sense that Chrysalis was afraid, and very wary of her; she had to figure out how to gain her trust.
That statement made Chrysalis blink. Princess Celestia did come unarmed, unguarded into the middle of her hive, right into her hooves. Did that meant that Celestia and Luna’s letter actually genuine?
“So your letter was genuine?” said Chrysalis warily.
Now it was Alternia’s turn to blink. Chrysalis had doubted the intent of the letter of peace? Was that why she never showed? Why would Chrysalis doubt—… Oh.
“You thought my letter was a trap to lure you to a secluded spot where I could assassinate you with my Royal Guard? Why would you think I and Luna would do such a thing?” Alternia gasped in surprise.
Chrysalis sneered. “And exactly what was I supposed to think, Celestia? To believe that everything you wrote of was true? That you would be so willing to forgive us for our ‘sins’.”
Alternia narrowed her eyes as her sister let the word ‘sins’ roll of her tongue like a barb. The changeling -in-disguise gritted her teeth and bit back her anger at Chrysalis. She would not throw away peace for her ponies simply because of a meagre taunt.
“Indeed, Chrysalis. Luna and I meant every word we wrote in that letter. We wish to have a world where changelings and ponies can live side by side. And if that is not possible, we desire to allow changelings to return to the shadows,” said Alternia as sincerely as she could.
“How am I supposed to believe you, Celestia? You gain nothing from appeasing an enemy,” snarled Chrysalis. All the while, Chrysalis continued to read Celestia. Her tensed muscles and tightened jaws, despite her stoic expression, showed that she was indignant, outraged. Chrysalis understood that as natural, since she had been provoking Celestia to get a better idea of what her true motivations were. The changeling queen could feel also suppressed anger, and strangely enough, desperation in the pony.
“Should you accept our offer, we gain peace between ponies and changelings. There is nothing more that Equestria wants, Chrysalis,” said Alternia.
To Alternia’s shock, she felt a flash of rage from her sister. Anger so intense, so fresh that she almost reeled back. The urge to run and flee from her older sibling almost caused Alternia to scurry backward, but she locked her legs and willed herself to stand.
“There can be no peace between ponies and changelings. Not now, not ever,” retorted Chrysalis venomously.
“I will not deny it will be difficult, Chrysalis, but if we work together we can stop this war,” begged Alternia. The changeling was confused beyond belief. Why was Chrysalis so angry? Alternia expected jealousy and fear, for Equestria’s power and Equestria’s prosperity, but anger? She had somehow insulted her sister, but she wasn’t sure how.
“And how would we ever attain peace, ‘your highness’? I doubt the changelings hold the highest approval rating on the opinion polls right now. Even if we sit down to talk, I am sure that you know that my hive will starve to death before any lasting agreement can be made,” growled Chrysalis. Alternia bit her lip and sighed. She hadn’t wanted to reveal this fact, but her sister was so mistrustful that she had no choice.
“I can offer you love to sustain your hive until we can figure a solution and negotiate a way for your hive to continue to collect love,” said Alternia. Chrysalis’s eyes widened as large as plates and Alternia had to resist the temptation to chuckle. Slowly, Chrysalis stood from her throne and trotted slowly to Alternia.
“You lie. There’s no possible way to for a pony to transfer or give love energy to a changeling apart from loving that changeling, and I doubt that’ll happen anytime soon. Besides, I doubt your niece will ever agree to spread love among us,” said Chrysalis. Her focus on Celestia’s features. Ever one of the changeling’s senses was honed like a knife. Yet, what Chrysalis’s observations and instincts told her was surprising. The princess wasn’t lying. She had been hiding that information, but had reluctantly admitted it. That reluctance certainly showed that she had been telling the truth.
“I know a spell that can transfer some of the love Equestria has for me, to your hive. It will not sustain your hive forever, but it can serve as a temporary measure until we find lasting peace,” spoke Alternia.
Chrysalis frowned. She was sure Celestia wasn’t lying about being able to transfer love, but the changeling’s gut told her that the princess was hiding something Quietly, the changeling circled the alicorn, who stood unflinchingly against the changeling’s prying gaze.
“I’m not doubting your spell, Celestia, but I don’t trust you completely. You come speaking promises of trust and peace, yet you hide your feelings behind a great mask,” said Chrysalis in a softer, still dangerous tone.
Alternia almost sighed in relief. At least her sister seemed to have calmed down slightly. “We all have our skeletons in the closet, Chrysalis. I am sure you have your own too.”
The older changeling queen snickered. “True, but that is the delight in the game of deception. Finding your enemy’s secrets, while keeping your own safe.” Alternia allowed herself to chuckle at the old changeling saying, as Chrysalis stalked off to her throne and sat on it.
“I do have some questions, Princess. For one, why would your ponies ever want peace with my kind?” inquired Chrysalis.
“Well, Equestria’s ponies desire peace greatly and are compassionate in nature. There are some who wish revenge upon your kind, but I am sure that if my ponies are made aware of your hive’s difficult situation, we will be able to come up with some sort of agreement, or at least a non-aggression pact,” said Alternia honestly.
Chrysalis’s eyes narrowed. Celestia said that with such certainty and belief that the queen was inclined to believe her, but that made no sense. Not to mention, there was something wrong about Celestia. Her fear, her slightly closed in stance and the suppressed nature of her emotions and body language, all suggested that the alicorn was hiding some secret, a big secret. And given the ponies actions in the past, why would Celestia offer peace now?
“You don’t make any sense, Celestia.”
“I’ve been quite perfectly clear as to what I believe, Chrysalis,” said Alternia.
“That is what I believe too, but I need more proof that you will follow this through,” said Chrysalis. She was still suspicious of Celestia, even more so. Before reading Celestia’s emotions, Chrysalis expected some anger and hate, but the intensity of the anger was something the queen could not anticipate. Admittedly, Celestia hid this anger quite well, but the queen was a veteran at sensing emotions. Most distressing to Chrysalis though, as that mixed in with the anger, was fear. Fear of somepony who had some secret she needed to protect, but what?
Alternia frowned, somewhat bewildered. She could sense that Chrysalis wasn’t on guard so much, an improvement. Yet, her sister was still in fear of her and her anger had not completely abated. It wasn’t even the form of anger that Alternia had expected. The changeling had thought her sister would have a form of ashamed, jealous rage that would make sense given her defeat at Canterlot. But the emotions she felt stemmed from a different source, a familiar one, but Alternia couldn’t place it.
“Chrysalis, can you explain why you cannot trust me? You said you believe that I want peace, what more do you demand of me?”
“There is much that I wish to demand of you, Princess. But what I am most concerned by your attempts to hide your emotions, Celestia. Particularly, I am worried about your anger. Well suppressed as it is.” Alternia flinched in fear, she could not prevent herself from that instinctive reaction, and Chrysalis sneered. “Surprised? I’m a changeling, Princess, I can sense your emotions. You’re very angry right now, vengefully angry even. Which I’d kind of understand since I did defeat you and harm your beloved ponies. Still, it is not a comforting thought to sense you have that much hate for me.” The changeling’s expression suddenly darkened, her visage twisting into a snarl. “Finally, you’ve had your chance before to have peace, to know that we exist, Celestia, and your ponies rejected it. What makes you think you get a second chance?”
Alternia blinked and stared at her sister uncomprehendingly. “I beg your pardon, Queen Chrysalis, but I have no idea as to the chance you are talking about.”
A ear-shattering crack shook the room as Chrysalis slammed her hoof into her throne so hard that the obsidian arm shattered. Alternia almost fired a spell by reflex, but she stopped herself in time. As Chrysalis stood up, flames began to crackle around her and the air began to thrum with magical power. Alternia’s frightened eyes met her sister’s wrathful gaze. She had obviously said something wrong to earn her sister’s ire, but Alternia had no idea as to what.
“You dare deny what your ponies did, Celestia? For one moment, I thought you were not as dishonorable as I thought you were!” boomed the queen’s voice, thundering through the hall like a great tidal wave. Terror at her sister’s actions made Alternia quiver in fear.
“Chrysalis, please! You need to calm down! I honestly know nothing of what you speak!” stammered Alternia. Her instincts were telling her to run and hide, but as Alternia glanced behind her, she saw there was no way out. Oh why did she have to be so noble and check if her obviously crazy sister wanted peace? What would Twilight, Luna, Blueblood and her loved ones say?
“You lie, I should have known I could never trust you. I can smell your fear, your hesitation. Much as your anger masks these emotions, I can still sense you are deceiving me and hiding some great secret from me. If you wish to leave this hive alive, Princess Celestia, you will tell me that secret,” growled Chrysalis. Alternia blinked and cursed at her stupidity. Chrysalis had sensed her fear and her hesitation at her identity being discovered. Her sister had taken that as a sign that she had not been truthful with her. Then again… she wasn’t being completely truthful with her sister.
That knowledge though, was no help to her at this moment. Even if she admitted her secret, her sister would be no less angry. In fact, Alternia was certain her sister would immediately try to kill her.
“I can’t tell you,” announced Alternia, her mind working on a sequence of spells she planned to unleash against her sister. She had to get out, there was nothing else she could do, war was going to happen. At least she knew she had done her best to try to prevent it and Alternia didn’t even want to think of the sorrow she would cause if she died.
“Then we are done talking!” roared Chrysalis. The changeling reared up high, her horn clothed in green fire. Golden light shone from Alternia’s horn as she prepared her own spells.
“Mother stop!”
Chrysalis’s eyes widened, horror filling her mind as she saw her crippled daughter slam open the doors and limp into the hall, right behind Celestia. She could see the alicorn begin to turn her head at her daughter’s voice. If Celestia caught sight of Lamia, her daughter would be doomed.
“Lamia, run!” screamed Chrysalis as she unleashed her fireball. The great emerald flames roared through the air and washed over a shimmering golden shield that the Princess had put up.
Alternia’s attention, slightly distracted by an outburst from behind her, snapped back to her fight with Chrysalis as her shields took the heat of the flames. She knew she had to deal with the enemy behind her though if she had any chance of escaping. If the changeling behind her was truly another of Chrysalis’s daughters, then she’d be a powerful enemy in her own right. Her horn flashed and Alternia shot a fork of lightning, and several blazing beams of light at Chrysalis. The changeling managed to dodge several rays, but the crackling tendril of lightning slammed into her chestplate and threw her over her own throne. Immediately, Alternia spun around, ready to confront a spell or perhaps a weapon. A silent curse came to Alternia’s lips as her gaze settled over the slender form of a changeling queen. Channelling her magic into her horn, Alternia prepared to cast a nasty paralysis spell on her new opponent.
But as Alternia’s eyes took in her enemy, she gasped and lost complete concentration over the spell she was about to cast. Instead, all she could do was stare, horror-struck at the changeling’s missing leg, the scars that gashed her crippled frame and the gaping hole where her left eye was supposed to be.
Despite being winded and her shoulder aching, Chrysalis forced her battered frame to her hooves. All the while, she hoped her daughter was still alive, not blasted to a crisp by the probably furious Celestia. As she frantically searched the throne hall, Chrysalis was relieved to see Lamia still standing defiantly. It was then Chrysalis noticed Celestia, her back turned to the throne and to her. The changeling was about to strike, to end the foolish alicorn princess. But as she raised her horn, she caught a glimpse of Celestia’s emotions.
The sheer bewilderment, shock, confusion, horror and sympathy that Chrysalis felt in the alicorn froze the changeling queen in her place. If that wasn’t enough, Celestia’s question made Chrysalis lose her grip on her spell immediately.
“Who did this to you?” asked Alternia, unable to believe what she had just seen. In her long years, Alternia had seen many wounds. She knew, the only possible thing that could inflict such terrible injuries on a changeling queen was spellfire. And given the extent and control of such spellfire, there were only two suspects, one far more likely than the other. That suspect, was the one she dreaded, but would explain everything that had transpired.
Lamia’s eyes widened. She had fully expected Celestia to slam her with a spell and wipe her off the face of Equestria. Instead, the Princess was staring at her in disbelief and was asking her this question of all things? Bewildered, the changeling hesitated in answering, wondering how would the princess react.
“A unicorn in Royal Guard armor cast the spell,” said Lamia, every muscle in her body braced for however the princess would react.
It was only words, but Alternia staggered as if she had been slammed with a curse. There was no reluctance, no doubt. Alternia searched for all the tell-tale cues of lying or deception and found none. Desperate, Alternia cast a diagnostic spell on her eyes to let her see magic signatures. While a bright green flame shone from most of the young changeling’s body, her injuries were surrounded by a red glow. A shimmering glow that implicated one unicorn with red colored magic.
Alternia blinked, her mind whirling as final piece of the puzzle fell into place. The unexplained hostility of Chrysalis and her anger. The lack of negotiation or forewarning before the changeling’s attacked. The fear and the rage that she had felt from the interrogated changelings. Now, this wounded changeling queen, her sister’s daughter, her niece, damaged and warped by spellfire.
One of her ponies, one of her foolish ponies, had attacked her sister’s daughter. One of her ponies had provoked her sister into attacking Equestria.
Chrysalis, still bewildered by Celestia’s complete inaction lit her horn as the alicorn turned around to face her. Her eyes focused on alicorn’s face, Chrysalis blinked at Celestia’s dismayed expression. The changeling still sensed anger from the alicorn, but most of all, she felt shame, guilt, horror and sorrow.
“Queen Chrysalis, can you explain the circumstances that led to your daughter’s injuries?” asked Celestia.
Chrysalis growled, the mere mention of that day infuriated her. “Several years ago, my daughter wanted to approach your ponies. She wished to promote learning and understanding between ponies and changelings. So she took a small escort and approached the city called Baltimare. On the outskirts, the group encountered a small patrol of guardsponies. Although my daughter landed and advanced on them undisguised, unarmed and carrying a white flag of peace, they started firing spells at her!” Chrysalis sneered as Celestia seemed to grow pale at the accusations. At the same time, a small thought nagged the back of Chrysalis’s head. If Celestia truly did not not know about this, then were her offers and overtures for peace were not a deception?
“Under a white flag,” whispered Alternia disbelievingly, her eyes focused on Lamia, hoping, begging that what Chrysalis said was a lie. It had to be a misunderstanding. Her sister’s daughter had to have struck first or done something to threaten that patrol.
“I don’t know what I did to threaten them or if I did threaten them with my presence,” admitted Lamia. The changeling paused and swallowed as she recalled the events of that horrible day. “But I tried to approach them with a white flag and they launched their spells at me anyway.”
A death knell rung through Alternia’s body and she shook her head, unable to deny the truth. Lamia showed no tell-tale signs of deception, not a single false emotion or attempt at hiding her feelings. Even if Lamia and Chrysalis had threatened the patrol, why hadn’t it been reported and who had authorized or ordered the use of such a dangerous combat spell anyway?
The evidence spoke clearly. Equestria had played a part in eliciting a changeling attack. Alternia snarled, ignoring Chrysalis and her daughter’s gasps. Somepony, was going to pay for bringing this folly on her beloved Equestria. Somepony was going to pay for bringing her sister to Canterlot and starting the chain of events that led to her unmasking. Imperiously, Alternia raised her head to her sister and met her eyes. She had to suppress the urge to smirk as she noticed her sister step back.
“Queen Chrysalis, I make you a new promise on behalf of the Equestrian Diarchy and as a Princess of Equestria. If you sign the ceasefire my sister and I dictated to you and agree to come to negotiations for a way for changelings and ponies to co-exist, I promise you that I will investigate and punish those responsible for your daughter’s injury. Once the criminal has been apprehended, I will do my best to let the entire of Equestria know of the crime that has been inflicted on your heir. Finally, I guarantee that you to have a say in the punishment and investigation of this crime. This I swear on my name, my life and blood and the magic I wield.”
No matter how she narrowed her eyes Chrysalis could escape nor tear herself away from the fire that blazed in Celestia’s gaze. Each word had been spoken with conviction, every phrase backed with pride and confidence. Chrysalis knew Celestia was not lying, and perhaps this had been the alicorn’s aim. Yet, the Chrysalis could not answer the princess. It was as if she had been frozen.
Pull yourself together, Chrysalis. The changeling queen swallowed and wet her dry lips. She knew Celestia was not lying about her intentions and that despite all odds, the alicorn was committed to helping her hive and bringing justice to her daughter’s attackers. But was it even possible for changelings to live with ponies? Could she ever lead her changelings out of the shadows and into the open when they had lived just fine for a millenium? Why should the changelings oblige the ponies who had forced their hooves? Why should predator concede to the wishes of the prey?
Out of nowhere, Chrysalis remembered her mother’s final words to her. She could recall the dark, cold, glare she had as she had spoken them. How they had rung through the chamber of the Everfree Hive like a bell tolling.
Mark my words, Chrysalis! If you refuse to change with this world, you will doom yourself and any changeling foolish to follow you!”
For so long, Chrysalis had buried memories of Chamelia, and the guilt that she had killed her own mother. Most of all, she had tried to forget those last words. She tried to convince herself that these words were pointless, but deep inside, Chrysalis feared they were a curse.
The queen blinked. Her mother’s last words… they had never been a curse, neither had they been pointless. They were… words of advice. Even as she led her coup, Chamelia had been trying to council, to warn Chrysalis. Had these words been meant for this very moment? Chrysalis didn’t know as she was still reeling from her epiphany. But she knew her answer.
“Princess Celestia, I, Queen Chrysalis, She Who Walks in the Shadows and ruler of the Badlands Hive accept these generous terms. Where, when and in what circumstances shall we meet to carry out the discussions that you have mentioned?”
A sigh of relief escaped Alternia’s lips. She could tell Chrysalis wasn’t lying. Though Alternia was aware that they were still in danger, for she knew that the upcoming negotiations would take all her skill and wit, the immediate threat of war had been averted.
“I am glad that you accept our terms. I and my sister respectfully suggest that we and our retinues meet at the Equestrian military base of Camp Draco, South-West of the city of Baltimare three weeks from now for as long as it takes to negotiate a compromise between our races. We shall send a diplomatic party to receive you at your hive six days from now to affirm the number and names changelings that will be attending this conference as well as work out what your preferred living accommodations as well as food,” suggested Alternia, reciting the plan that she and Luna had worked out now that Chrysalis had accepted. Camp Draco, was close enough to the changeling hive and while it was just in Equestrian territory, it was a suitable middle-ground between the hive and Equestria. Moreover, the camp could be easily protected and was close enough to either Baltimare and Chrysalis’s hive should there be a need for reinforcements. It was a perfect negotiation area.
“Agreed. We will see you there,” said Chrysalis. She knew of Camp Draco and would have been one of her suggestions had Celestia not chosen the place. As much as Chrysalis would have liked the Equestrians to come to her hive where she could be safe with her changelings, she knew she could not risk any information about her hive being leaked.
“In that case, I humbly ask to be dismissed from your presence, Queen Chrysalis and Lamia, Queen’s Shadow,” replied Alternia bowing her head. It was time to return to Luna and the others, who would undoubtedly be worrying about her like mad.
Chrysalis nodded. “You may leave, Princess Celestia. It was… a pleasure talking to you.”
Alternia smiled. “Likewise.” With that, Alternia teleported outside of the hive and opened a portal back to the castle.
For a moment, Lamia and Chrysalis stood in silence in the empty throne room. Until the younger changeling spoke up.
“Mother, did you...” asked Lamia, barely able to believe what had just transpired.
The older queen nodded, her expression contemplative. “Yes I did, daughter. Did you not sense Celestia’s emotions? I now have reason to believe that Princess Celestia had nothing to do with the events that led to your injuries. At least not willingly. Not to mention, the princess appeared in our hive, unarmed and without escort. If she never meant to hurt you, I can think of no possible reason as to why she would not actually want peace between our species,” admitted Chrysalis.
Lamia frowned, a frown still masked her mother’s face and she could feel her mother’s suspicion. “But?”
“I don’t trust her. While I now realize I was… wrong in doubting her intentions for peace, there is something that alicorn is hiding from me. And for a pony who wishes for peace, she has a remarkable amount of fear and hatred for me.” Unconsciously, Chrysalis nervously tapped the armrest of her throne. A few days ago, it had been rather simple. She had thought Celestia and Equestria were against her and had proven their intentions quite well in their attack on her daughter and their attempt to trap her. In less than an hour, everything had changed so rapidly. Celestia, had not only been sincere in her letter, she hadn’t the faintest idea of her daughter’s injury and the circumstances that led to it. The alicorn, was an contradiction, sincere in her hopes for peace and yet she was not only suspicious of Chrysalis, she was extremely resentful. Precisely why was an enigma and Chrysalis didn’t like enigmas she couldn’t solve.
“Whatever her reasons mother, I think you made the right choice, and a brave one at that,” said Lamia.
Chrysalis stared at her daughter uncomprehendingly, “Brave?”
“Well I am biased, but I think you’ve been thrust into a difficult position.” Lamia limped over to Chrysalis’s side and nuzzled her mother’s cheek. “Yet, despite your fears and misgivings about Celestia, you managed to see past that and had the courage to try for peace. I think that’s very brave of you, mother.”
“But why aren’t you angry at me for conceding to the ponies?” asked Chrysalis. How could her daughter, so horrifically wounded by ponies ever consider peace a good thing?
Lamia flinched and sighed. “I… am angry at the ponies, but I won’t blame an entire race on the actions of a few, especially since I now know it was the act of a few. Besides, I can never be angry at you mother. Never.”
The elder changeling queen smiled as she nuzzled her daughter back. As she did, Chrysalis felt a twinge of guilt as she wondered how her daughter would react if she knew what had taken place a thousand years ago. “Thank you, Lamia, my Shadow.”
“What does that mean anyway?” asked Lamia, confused.
Chrysalis groaned, and muttering something about young changelings and a lack of education, began to reiterate changeling protocol and titles, while her daughter stood in rapt attention. “‘Queen’s Shadow’ is the title for a changeling’s queen eldest daughter. I was my mother’s, ‘Shadow.’”
“It’s strange that Princess Celestia knows of all of these old changeling titles and greetings,” chuckled Lamia offhandedly. Chrysalis nodded, resisting the temptation to frown, which would worry her daughter. It was very strange indeed.
I stepped through the portal’s golden flames to see Luna, stoically trying to look strong for everypony. She towered over the others, her stalwart presence meant to assure all present. But the pain and the worry in her heart lashed out at me, making me cringe. My nephew was not much better, he was pacing back and forth his once fantastically styled mane an absolute mess. Through all of this, Cyndra sat awkwardly to the side trying to hide herself.
“Everypony, I’m —”
Luna was the first one to notice me and before I could even say another word, I was knocked off balance as she caught me in a hug worthy of an ursa major.
“SISTER ART THOU INSANE OR HAS THE CHANGELING QUEEN RATTLED THY MIND?”
“Can’t, breathe, sister!” I rasped. Luna blushed and loosened her grip so that I could rest on all four hooves. Not that I could because I was immediately met with my frantic nephew.
“Auntie! Why did you leave like that? We could have gone to the hive with you! You could have waited for a full complement of Royal Guard! You could have sent a messenger even gone with auntie Luna! Why did you have to go by yourself?” demanded Blueblood, his voice twisted in anguish.
“Because I had to!” Luna and Blueblood stared at me in surprise at the stern tone in my voice. “I didn’t want to worry anypony, but I had to make sure Chrysalis truly wanted war. Despite the danger, I do not regret my decision to go alone because thanks to my efforts, I have managed to make her agree to a peace conference.”
Quickly, I explained to Luna, Blueblood and Cyndra what had happened in the throne room. In silence, they listened as I described Chrysalis’s apprehensiveness and the hostility she showed. Luna and Blueblood sighed, but did not remark when I revealed I had told them about my ‘spell’ to transfer love. As I talked about her mother’s sudden anger, Cyndra cringed in fear, which turned into sorrow as I told her of her sister’s injuries. But it was when I described my findings on Lamia’s injuries that broke contemplative silence that had settled over my account of meeting Chrysalis.
“In our mother’s name,” gasped Luna her face pale. I grimaced, I had had a similar reaction and even now I was still trying to comprehend the implications of Lamia’s injuries. I glanced at my nephew, who was mouthing, “What kind of fool?”to the cold night.
And Cyndra? She was standing, her eyes wide and her lips slightly apart, shock-still. I could not imagine the grief and the pain she felt from the awful way her sister had been wounded. I sympathised with her and even now, I was still dismayed at what my sister’s daughter had suffered. But now was not the time to be stuck in a stupor. Now was the time for action..
I raised my tired head. “My friends, do not despair. What we have uncovered brought us one step closer to peace between ponies and changelings. And now, ponies and changelings alike have taken a step past the crossroads, towards a path to a new future. A future where ponies and changelings can live together in peace and harmony. Our actions from this day henceforth will determine the success of this peace—”
My speech was cut short as the muscles in my jaws involuntarily opened my mouth. Unable to stop myself I yawned, my eyelids sliding over my eyes. Somewhere in my brain, I realized that the adrenaline and the stress that resulted from my meeting Chrysalis was wearing off. All I could think and feel now, was the urge to sleep. Despite my desire to rest, I tried to fight my dulled senses and keep myself awake for just a little longer.
As if reading my mind, Luna smiled and stood beside me. Gently, she guided my weary body onto a pile of cushions that had been laid on the castle floor. “But first, sister, we must all rest.”
“But… what about…” I opened my mouth and yawned again. Out of the corner of my bleary eyes, I vaguely noticed Cyndra and Blueblood, trotting slowly to their own pallets and sleeping bags. They had been exhausted by the day’s events, and now that they were no longer worried about my safety, sleep had begun to call them to bed.
Her horn glowing, I saw Luna took my regalia away, while she folded a soft, warm blanket over me. I could not find the strength to stop, so I nodded wearily and laid my head down to rest. As I did, Luna leaned in close and kissed my forehead. A burst of soothing love spread through my body, relaxing my tensed muscles.
“You have done a great deed today, my sister. Sweet dreams,” whispered Luna.
I closed my eyes, and smiled, thinking of nothing but how happy I was that Luna called me her sister.