//------------------------------// // Love's Dawning (Cadance) // Story: Love's Light: Is it possible to love again? // by Phoenix Skyfire //------------------------------// Chapter 5: Love’s Dawning Cadance I woke up, gasping for breath. It was that dream again, the one about the past. 'Why am I still having that dream? It's been twenty years since Shining left this world behind and yet, I keep having that dream about the day of his death,' I thought to myself, placing my head into my hooves. 'Why am I cursed to relive his death so much?' I walked into the bathroom after pulling myself from underneath the warm blankets of my bed. Straightening my mane and tail, memories of last night came back to the forefront of my mind. 'If you would have let me help her, Twilight wouldn't be like she is now, Celestia.' I thought to myself, still angry with my aunt. My stomach grumbled slightly, realizing no food had been given to it at all yesterday. Giggling, I decided it was time to head for the kitchens to get something to sate my hunger. It only took a few minutes to reach the kitchens. When I entered, I took notice of a young pegasus speaking with the chef. "Zo, how iz Lady Twilight this morning, Rose?" the griffon chef asked, with an older griffon accent. "She's doing fine from what I can tell, although I haven't seen her yet. She had a rough night." 'Rough night? What could’ve happened to her?' I thought to myself, after over-hearing the young pegasus speak. "Give me a few minutez, i'll whip up zomething special for her, that might make her feel better," the chef spoke, turning around to cook, apparently. The pegasus turned around and took a seat, so I decided to approach her. "Hello there," I said, walking up to the pegasus. The pegasus looked up at me. She fumbled around getting up to bow to me. "Princess Cadenza, it's a pleasure to see you in Canterlot," the light red pegasus greeted me. As she bowed, I noticed something odd about her but decided to push it to the back of my mind for the moment. "You do not have to bow to me. May I ask who are you?" I inquired the young pegasus, while I had heard her name already it would be rude of me to say I learned it over hearing her talking. “Of course, princess. My name is Rose, I’m High Lady Twilight’s hoofmaiden.” “Hoofmaiden? I didn’t think Twilight would like the idea of having one.” “She didn’t at first. She pushed me away a lot. Over time though, she warmed up to me and lets me help her from time to time,” Rose told me, smiling. “Rose. Lady Twilight’z breakfast iz ready,” I heard the griffon chef call out. “Thank you, I’ll grab it in just a moment,” Rose called back, before turning back to me. “Forgive me princess, but I should take this to Lady Twilight,” she said, giving me a small bow. I watched her walk over to the tray of food, and walk out of the kitchen, wondering the entire time who, exactly, this mare was. I shook my head clear of the  thoughts, my belly reminding me why I had come to the kitchen in the first place. Walking up to the chef I spoke, “Hello, Gustuv. How’s your family in the Empire?” Gustuv turned around to face me, smiling. “They are doing very well princezz. The youngest moved out just a few yearz ago,” he answered, turning back around to clean a few dishes while speaking with me. “And how iz the Cryztal City fairing?” “It’s doing well for itself. Most problems settle themselves now, but there are still a few I have to settle,” I said, smiling at him. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment as my belly grumbled loud and clear, a few moments later. Gustuv turned to look at me, an eyebrow raised, right before he started laughing. “Oh, now I zee why you vizit me. You only want zome of Gustuv’s food don’t ja,” he said, still laughing. “Okay, I admit. The main reason I came down here was for food, but I also didn’t know you would still be here after ten years. How long have you been the chef here now? Forty years? Fifty maybe?” He bellowed in laughter again before saying, “Fifty three and ztill counting, dear princezz. And you bezt not be thinking I’ll be retiring anytime zoon. Cause I’m not, you hear?” His laugh died quickly after that, before letting out a sigh. “After all, who elze knowz what Twilight likez? I ztill remember when zhe and Shy would come visit the princezz’. If zomepony were to take my place, Twilight would never get anything zhe enjoyz.” “What do you...” I started to say, before my stomach growled, making my face turn red. “Why don’t we get you zomething to eat before we continue to zpeak?” Gustav said turning his head away from me. I watched his talons move quickly making me a small breakfast. “Here you go princezz. Just the way you like it, if memory zervez me right. Zmall Zalad just a pinch of drezzing and a zunflower pedal and daizy zandwhich.” “Even after ten years, you still remember what I like. Thank you, Gustav,” I said to him, using my magic to take a bite of the sandwich. “And you still remember how many pedals I like to give it that extra flavor.” “Of courze, princezz. Az head chef here in Canterlot Caztle, it iz my job to know,” Gustav said, smiling at me. “Now what were you zaying?” Finishing my sandwich, I looked at Gustav and asked, “What do you mean she would never get anything she likes? Wouldn’t she just tell the new chef?” “Oh, ja. Sorry, I forgot you haven’t been here since Lady Zhy’s death. Well you see, Twilight is rarely zeen anymore. In the last five yearz, I have only zeen her maybe ten timez in all.” My eyes shot open hearing this. Even Gustav hadn’t seen her very much? I was hoping he might be able to help. “Would you happen to know anypony who has regular contact with Twilight?” “Why are you azking?” Gustav asked, his eyebrow raised. “I wanna see if I can bring Twilight back to us. I saw her the other day, but she wouldn’t even let me talk to her, and very quickly told me to leave.” “Then I would zay to zpeak with Lady Rose. Zhe’z the only pony who iz able to speak to Twilight much. Forgive me princezz, but I must start preparing food for Princezz Celestia and her guests from the Empire that will be arriving soon,” Gustav said, bowing lightly to me before turning around. “Thanks for your help, Gustav.” “Anytime.” Watching Gustav walk off, I began to think about that red pegasus I had spoken to just a few minutes ago. 'Maybe I should go find her. If what Gustav said is right, she may be able to help me with Twilight.' I thought to myself, walking out of the kitchen, and deciding to walk towards Twilight's room hoping to see Rose on the way. After walking some distance through the castle, I came close to the stairwell that lead up to Twilight’s tower bedroom. My ears twitched, hearing hoofsteps coming from the stairs. I looked up the stairwell to notice the red pegasus I was hoping to find, coming down. “Rose?” I called up the stairs. Rose looked up and smiled at me before saying, “Yes princess? Is there something I can help you with?” I smiled back at Rose before I said, “I was wondering if I could speak to you for a little bit? It’s about Twilight.” “It would be my pleasure princess. Where would you like to talk?” “In my room, if we could. So we can have some privacy.” She dropped into a small bow before saying, “If that is what you wish, princess.” I turned around and motioned for the pegasus to follow me. We walked down the hallways in silence before reaching the door to my bedroom. I opened the bedroom door and walked in, holding it open for Rose to come in as well. After she had walked in and the door was closed, I took a seat on some cushions that sat near the fireplace. “Make yourself comfortable, Rose," I said, smiling at the red pegasus. "Of course princess," she answered taking the cushion across from me. "If you would Rose, please, call me Cadance. I’m not that keen on being formal, plus I’m not talking to you as a princess right now. I'm talking to you as a pony worried about her friend.” “Are you sure, princess?” Rose replied, looking nervous. “I’m sure,” I said, giving her a gentle smile. “As you wish, Cadance. What did you want to talk to me about regarding Lady Twilight?” “I was wondering how Twilight has been doing for the six years since Fluttershy died.” I saw Rose let out a sigh before speaking, “I thought that would be what you wanted to speak to me about. I'm guessing Gustav told you I'm Lady Twilight’s hoofmaiden and I might be able to answer you since I'm the only pony who really gets to see her?” My jaw fell open, hearing her words. She knew exactly what I wanted and how I knew to see her, but how? “How did you know all that?” I asked, still shocked. “I'm able to see between the lines of many things. My cutie mark may not represent my talent very clearly, but almost nopony can lie to me and get away with it, as I see right through it, most of the time, and figuring out why you wanted to see me was not that hard seeing how Lady Twilight told me of your encounter last night,” Rose said with a smile. “That’s a really impressive talent, Rose,” I said, smiling as I stole a look at her cutie mark. A wilting black rose, adorned her flanks. “A lot of ponies think I’m bad luck though because of my name.” “Why would ponies think ‘Rose’ is bad luck?”         “My real name is actually Wilting Rose. My mother wasn’t to keen on me when I was born a pegasus instead of a unicorn like her.”         “I’m sorry to hear that, Rose, but I don’t think that about you.” “Thanks, Cadance,” Rose said, smiling at me. “So anyway. Let’s get down to business. What exactly did you want to ask me about Lady Twilight? Besides how she’s doing.” “I’ve been out of contact with Twilight for six years, and when I tried to visit her yesterday she just blew me off. Aunt Tia told me she wasn’t the same as she was, but I didn’t think it was this bad.” I said, sinking my head down into the cushions. “Perhaps she blew you off because she believes you abandoned her in her time of need?” “Why would she think that thou....” I started to said, before remembering what we ‘talked’ about the night before. “She thinks I abandoned her because I wasn’t there for her when Fluttershy died, doesn’t she?” “Sad to say, but yes,” Rose said calmly. “From what she told me, I thought you did it in an angst of grief, but talking to you now, I see that I was wrong. Something happened that meant you couldn't help her, couldn't come to her side? Is that right?” “Something called my aunt, yes.” “Princess Celestia? What do you mean?” “Ten years ago, an uprising started in the Crystal City. Ponies thinking it would be better if we reformed the empire and broke off from Equestria. It only ended two days ago,” I sunk a little deeper into the cushion, speaking about the uprising was not an easy topic. “I haven't received any letters from Twilight in six years. I was worried, but I had to focus on the uprising as much as I could. The other day Celestia sent me a letter asking me to come to Canterlot, if I could, to help her with something. I spoke with her yesterday.”    “Did she tell you what she needed help with?” Rose inquired. “Twilight,” I said softly, so softly that Rose couldn’t hear me. “Celestia took me to the ‘Meadow of Remembrance’. The first thing that I noticed was that there was a fifth gravestone there, one that wasn’t there the last time that I visited. When I realized it was Shy’s grave, I nearly lost it knowing how much pain Twilight must be in. I rushed to see Twilight, to see how she was for myself, and you know how well that turned out.” “What does this have to do with Princess Celestia stopping you from helping lady Twilight?” Rose asked me, with an eyebrow raised. “She used her magic to stop Twilight’s letters from getting to me so I wouldn’t be distracted from the uprising,” I laid my head on my forelegs to get comfortable as I continued to speak. “While I understand her wanting to make sure the Crystal City was safe, she should have known I wouldn’t have let this stop me from protecting the ponies in the Crystal City. I would have been able to help Twilight and still protect the Crystal City.” “I’m sorry that the princess did this to you Cadance. I wish I could do something to help, but I’m just a hoofmaiden,” Rose said, dejectedly. “I was hoping you would be willing to help me, Rose.” “What help could I possibly be?” “My special talent is love. When I spoke to Twilight I couldn’t feel any of the love I used to feel from her. I think if we can show her somepony does still love and care about her, she might start coming back,” I said, raising up onto my flanks. “I still don’t understand how I can help.” “You’re close to Twilight. Perhaps you could tell me if she still likes the same stuff that I remember.” I said, smiling at Rose. “Of course, Cadance, but what are you planning to do?” “Reignite her love, by showing her that there are ponies who love her . I’m going to try using a love letter from a secret admirer.” I said, smiling at my plan. “I’m not sure that would work, Cadance. Lady Twilight receives many love letters, and she just throws them away without reading them.” “What if the letter had a small gift? Something we know she likes?” “That might work, but what gift are you thinking about?” “Does Twilight still have a fondness for lilacs?” I asked, wondering if her favorite flower had changed in the time that I had been gone. Rose sat still for a few moments her hoof on her chin, most liking trying to think. “I believe she does, yes.” “Perfect. Then that will be the gift, plus the letter will acknowledge the flower as her favorite,” I said, smiling. “But where can I get fresh lilacs?” “I know where lilacs grow, Cadance. Would you like me to fetch a bouquet?” “Not a bouquet. If you could get me three, that would be perfect, thanks Rose.” I said, getting up and moving over to my bag to get some paper to start writing the love letter that I hoped would help my dear Twilight. As Rose left my bedroom, I placed the piece of parchment on the desk to begin. I began to write thinking a simple love letter would suffice, but as I wrote I realized for a first time letter, Twilight would not enjoy it. I changed my writing trying to think of small, sweet poems. I heard a series of soft knocks coming from my door, as I finished writing my letter down. "Come in,” I called out, figuring it was Rose with the lilacs I asked for, as I looked over what I wrote. I looked over as my door opened and saw Rose enter with three lilacs under her wing. I smiled at her as she closed the door. “Here are those lilacs, prince... I mean Cadance,” she said, fidgeting slightly as she was probably still nervous about calling me Cadance. “Thank you very much,” I said, before looking at the wing that wasn't holding the flowers. “Please forgive me for asking, but what happened to your right wing? It looks injured. You need not tell me if you don't wish to though. I won’t ask again if you don't want to speak about it.” “It’s alright, Cadance. My wing has been like this for years now. I was living on the streets here in Canterlot for a long time. One day I got cornered in an alley, and was beat pretty badly. The stallion that attacked me broke several of my ribs, one of my legs, and my wing. He was about to rape me when High Lady Twilight found me. She blasted the stallion off me and thats the last thing that I remember, I passed out due to the pain,” as Rose was talking she took a seat on a cuison near the desk. “Do you know what happened next?” I asked, concerned for what Rose had gone through. “I was told High Lady Twilight picked me up and ran me to Canterlot Castle for medical treatment. When I woke up, I was in the castle med wing. I could hear some chatter from outside the door. Only thing I heard was, ‘Somepony has to tell her, High Lady.’ When I heard ‘High Lady’ I remembered what had happened to me, the stallion that attacked me, and how High Lady Twilight had stopped him,” Rose laid down as she continued to speak. “After a few minutes, High Lady Twilight came into the room and saw me awake, she rushed over to my side and asked if I was okay. I told her I was, but after that she asked me about my parents,” Rose’s hooves started fidgeting. “I told her I didn’t have any parents, that there were killed when I was younger. Lady Twilight looked stunned when she heard this. She told me she had some bad news, she was hoping she could tell my parents and they tell me, but since I didn’t have any she would have to instead.” “The news was about your wing wasn’t it?” Rose nodded her head and started to speak again. “Yes. She told me that, when the doctors checked up on me, nearly every bone in my wing had been crushed, and it would probably never heal right. Forgive me Cadance, but we should finish. I need to head for Lady Twilight’s room in a little while.” “I understand, Rose. What do you think about this?” I asked, hoofing over a small note. Dear Lady Twilight, Enjoy these flowers and these words. Three Lilac Blossoms, Sweet in fragrance they await, A lavender kiss. Yours Truly,         A Secret Admirer “To be honest, Cadance.  I believe Lady Twilight would just throw something like this away.” “What makes you say that?” I asked, confused as to why Twilight would throw away something like this. “I’ve seen her throw away notes similar to this before,” she said, handing the note back to me. I sighed and tossed the note into the trash. "Would you happen to know something we could do?" I inquired, looking at Rose. “Give her a puzzle, leading into a small note?” “A puzzle?” I said, placing my hoof on my chin trying to think of a puzzle. “Books! You said she has always thrown away any note she gets right?” “Yes? What about that? And what does that have to do with books?” Rose asked, her head tilted, giving me a weird look. “A Starswirl Cipher, connected to a certain book. Twilight would never throw away a book,” I said, smiling. Rose placed her hoof under her chin thinking before talking. “I think you may be onto something. A Starswirl Cipher might be the key. Also you are right, she wouldn’t throw away a book. I always see her reading some of the books in her personal library. I just have one question, Cadance. What book would you use?” Rose inquired, looking intrigued about my idea. “I think I’ll use ‘Road to Friendship’. I know it doesn’t have anything to do with love, but I thought I would start small, and lead into something to do with love later. Plus if I use a book that has some significance, it might help,” I said, looking at the bookshelf to see if the book I needed was there, sadly it was not. “Damn. Was hopping the book would be in here,” I said letting out a sigh.  “If you want me to, I can go get it. The bookstore should still be open, Lady Twilight sends me there at times to pick up a few books,” Rose offered. “That would be wonderful, Rose. Thank you very much,” I said to her, smiling. Rose smiled back at me, before getting up and heading for the door, before stopping. She turned around and looked at me for a moment. “Cadance, If I may ask, why ‘Road to Friendship’? You said something about having significance, but that book doesn’t seem like it.” I smiled at Rose and began to speak, “that book, was actually the first book Twilight had the former Archmage read when she took her under her wing. Twilight was in truth, her first friend, and both of them held a very special friendship towards the other.” I saw Rose’s eyes go wide hearing that. “I never knew that about the Archmage,” Rose said, turning around and leaving to retrieve the book. I turned around and went back to the desk, excited and ready to start working on the cipher.