It took but a few minutes, and Cadence and Shining showed up at his door, accompanied by a frazzled-looking Silas, beard in full-poof.
“Somba! Amber! What happened?!” The elderly stallion gasped, then pausing as Cadence held up a hoof.
“Give him a bit Silas. I get the feeling it felt more than a nightmare. Am I correct Sombra?”
The compassionate ruler's eyes bored into his own, and the stallion nodded simply.
“It was him, the demon. I talked to him.” The full brunt of emotions crashed back, prompting Sombra to clench his jaw together.
“I just got through talking to Princess Luna; she actually contacted me.” Cadence said, taking a seat along with Shining and Silas.
“I hope this will help ease your nerves; but she said that while your dream was vivid and terrifying, it was only a dream. The only thing that was odd about it, was that she was unable to enter your mind and stop it, but magical disturbances can cause that from time to time.”
Sombra let out a slight huff, resting his head on a pillow.
“Lucky me.” He muttered, still not able to believe it was just a dream.
“I had a hard time believing Luna as well. You blasted a hole in the side of a sturdy house and charged towards the crystal heart. Some dream.” Shining added, despite a warning glance from Cadence.
“I what?!” The stallion's jaw dropped open as he looked towards Amber for confirmation, to which the mare simply nodded.
“I don't remember any of that, just finally finding peace.” The stallion didn't meet the gaze of either ruler, grasping how odd and suspicious his behavior must seem.
“I think we should cut Sombra some slack. Being possessed by a demon for over a thousand years would wreck havoc on the strongest mind.” Silas now spoke, his tone calm and reassuring.
“We can't just ignore your dream though. I think you should see a doctor, and I feel like a fool for not advising you two of this earlier.” Silas glanced over to Cadence and Shining as he spoke.
“Sombra's mind is surely traumatized; we have plenty of counselors available. This may give you some peace of mind, Sombra, and would allow us to monitor your progress- and certain allay any fears from others, knowing something is being done.”
The dark-furred stallion mulled over Silas's words, finally nodding in agreement.
“I would appreciate that.” He said softly, then looking over to Amber.
“Can she come too?”
Cadence nodded in response, prompting a slight smile from Amber.
“Of course. I think you both would benefit from it.” The ruler's voice was warm and inviting, causing Amber's smile to grow a bit wider.
Sombra, however, couldn't muster as much as a twitch of his lips into the beginnings of a grin. The demon's words had hit home, and dream or not, the experience had been disturbing on multiple levels.
“I-what do I do now?” The stallion asked, looking over to Cadence and Shining.
“For today? Rest. You can meet with the doctor as soon as you feel well, but no later than two days or so, at least that's what I recommend. I'll have a guard sent to show you where the construction office is, and you can get started on some work.” Cadence seemed to have a greater grasp of what to do, Shining appearing to just follow her lead, Silas nodding as well.
“I'd like to see this doctor as soon as possible, perhaps tonight, if that is ok.” Sombra said, his haunted gaze looking over to the two rulers, who nodded in response.
“I'll arrange to have him ready. In the meantime, take it easy. I'll have someone come by and get you this evening so you and Amber can meet him.” Cadence said, motioning for the other ponies to leave Sombra be.
“Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.” Silas said, nodding to the two ponies before taking his leave.
“Amber, you too. The nurses are just going to look him over a final time before discharging him. Let us know if there's anything we can help you with either of you.” Shining's voice lacked the steely tone present earlier, instead carrying with it genuine care.
The final exam only took a few minutes, the nurses checking the basics; blood pressure, lungs, magical levels, and so forth, then letting him go with a soft smile.
Amber was waiting for him in the lobby, the others having left. The mare quickly walked over to him, head tilted slightly, caring curiosity shining in her blue eyes.
“You ok? We can go get something to eat if you'd like.” Her voice alone soothed some of Sombra's nerves, but frayed others. He managed to nod, following her out as the mare picked up some saddlebags from the front desk.
The main street was busy, but not overly crowded. Ponies trotted hither and thither, some stopping at the official buildings, others at the shops that branched out down side streets. A few clouds dotted the sky, the sun shining brightly. Beams reflected off the many crystal structures, sending colors slowly dancing across the streets.
Amber led the stallion down the main streets, then stopping at a small eatery on a branching side path. Sombra's eyes flickered across the various ponies, clearly unsettled by so many individuals.
“You alright Sombra?” Amber asked after ordering, Sombra ordering the same item as she did.
His amber eyes met hers, and a brief shake of the head was his response. The dream had shaken him far more than the stallion would originally admit.
Sombra's large frame seemed to relax, at least in demeanor, as they ate quietly. It wasn't an awkward silence, but more of an acknowledgment of presence. Every so often, Sombra would glance up at Amber, and his eyes would soften before he turned back to his meal.
Paying for the two of them, Amber walked over to the stallion, who sat lost in thought as his gaze looked out across the streets.
“Lets go back to the park and talk for a bit, hmm?” The mare nudged Sombra's shoulder, and got him to snap back to reality for a moment.
The walk to the park was made in silence, the noise of the city soothing, the calm energy it radiated providing a nice feeling of normalcy. A few families played in the distance, and once the pair arrived to their favorite spot, a small hill under a tree, Amber settled down onto the grass and looked over to the stallion.
“I-if you don't want to talk, I can understand, just know that I'm here.”
Amber's words cut through the haze in Sombra's mind, put there by the demon's words, which refused to let him find peace.
Amber couldn't help but be a bit startled, but pleasantly surprised, when Sombra dropped his head and nuzzled her mane. His breaths were a bit shaky, revealing the inner turmoil that wracked his heart.
Oh Sombra, what is troubling you? I just want to help.
Moving her head, Amber drew back to look the stallion in the eye, then leaned forward and rested her cheek against his. She still was unsure of what their relationship actually was, so a kiss wasn't an option. But, she knew he always liked simple gestures like this.
His cheek was both soft and warm, sending a pleasant tingle down Amber's spine. She could feel him draw a surprised breath as Amber pressed back gently.
Just like I remember. Fur like velvet.
“Amber.”
Her eyes widened, Amber's cheeks now damp with a few tears that had leaked from Sombra's eyes. His voice was barely a whisper, and more of a whimper than anything else.
The stallion that had once stood proud against a demon that had threatened a nation, now lay on the grass, eyes wide and unfocused as unforeseen terrors assaulted his consciousness.
Laying down in the space between Sombra's legs, Amber rested her head across his, occasionally nuzzling his ears with her muzzle.
Despite it all, I still care about him. To what extent, I'm not sure still, but I hate seeing him like this. He was there for me, so many times, and now I can only watch as he suffers.
Breaking out of her thoughts, Amber noticed that Sombra no longer stared out into oblivion, but instead had curled his head around to rest against her hooves. She continued to nuzzle his ears, finally speaking softly.
“Can I do anything to help?” Her question was simple, and there was no hiding the worry and affection in her tone.
He was quiet for a time, and when he finally spoke, the stallion's voice was equally as soft.
“You don't know how much just you being here means to me. After a thousand years without kind words, or a soft touch, without anyone caring-” Sombra's voice was cut off, emotion closing his throat. What could he say?
“Well, now you do.”
Amber simple heartfelt reply caused the stallion to shut his eyes against tears, more than a little confused as to why he was crying so much.
But, at that moment, he didn't care.
-
Amber Leaf's heart melted as the pony she cared for whimpered again, curling a bit tighter around her, resting his head in her hooves, and her own neck now laying across his. Feeling his side rise and fall against hers stirred up tender memories, and a feeling of comfort the mare had long since forgotten.
Before, Sombra had always been distant. It was only by her own investigations that Amber had discovered what he was planning to do; and meet Sombra just before he fought the demon.
Now, that proud and stand-offish exterior was gone.
No, not gone.
Amber hugged Sombra close, feeling the shaky breaths he drew ease, her embrace providing at least some level of comfort.
He always put up his mask; after his family died. He had started to show me his real self at times, but he always wore it, even around me.
Now, that mask is gone. So this is you Sombra, this is the pain you refused to share for years.
Amber's own eyes started to glisten with tears at that realization, prompting her to hug her stallion all the tighter.
My stallion? What will happen between us? What does he feel-?
I guess I'll find out. For now, he needs me.
As Amber Leaf rested her neck against Sombra's, taking in the scent of his mane, another, final thought floated through her mind. This thought prompted a very slight smile, and a tighter hug to her special somepony.
He needs me, and I need him.