//------------------------------// // Road to Laughter (Cadance) // Story: Love's Light: Is it possible to love again? // by Phoenix Skyfire //------------------------------// Chapter 7: Road to Laughter Cadance         ‘I wonder where Twilight went after reading the note.’ I thought to myself. ‘Rose only told me she left shortly after decoding the message.’         I sat at a table near the kitchen eating a nice breakfast as I continued to think about Twilight and the note I sent her two days ago.         “Zomething on your mind, princezz?” Gustav asked from behind me.         “How could you tell?” I replied back to the old griffon.         “You’re mumbling to yourzelf,” he said, taking a seat next to me. “Anything Gustav can do to help?”         “I don’t think so. I’m just worried about Twilight,” I told him, hanging my head down. “I just want to see her happy again.”         “You and Twilight were alwayz cloze. Maybe you can find zome way to help her,” Gustav said, smiling at me. “You were her first friend after all. My father use to have this old zaying. ‘The branchez of an Olden-Tree may wither, but the roots zhall alwayz stay ztrong.’”         “What does that mean?” I looked at Gustav, hoping he would answer.         “It meanz, my dear princezz. Get your lazy rump up and go help that mare!” He said, getting up and pulling me up onto my hooves and pushing me out. “Now off with you. Twilight needz you.”         “What did that saying mean though?”         “Honestly? I have no bucking clue. My father was crazy. Now go.” He finished saying, pushing me out the door and closing it behind me. I stood there dumbfounded. What the buck just happened? Gustav has never been like that. And what did that saying mean? I shook my head clear of what happened deciding to try and find Rose. 'Maybe I can find out where Twilight went, if I can find Rose.' I thought to myself. I started to walk away from the dining hall hoping to find Rose, or at the very least, figure out what Gustav’s saying ment. ‘I think I remember reading about an Olden-Tree in a griffon botany book, but I can't remember which one.’ I thought to myself as I continued to walk down the hallways of the castle. ‘Maybe the castle library will have the book I'm thinking about.’ I changed course and heading for the east wing of the castle, where the library was located. As I walked, I continued to think about Twilight, and the note that I had sent her. I found myself in front of the castle library, remembering how Twilight’s “perfect day” involved spending the day, the entire day, inside the collection of books housed here. ‘You always did love your books. I think the only thing you loved more was Fluttershy,’ I thought to myself, walking into the library. As I walked inside, I took a look around and found the librarian. Walking over to him I asked, “Would you mind helping me find a book?” The middle aged colt turned around and I saw his eyes go wide before quickly dropping into a bow. “Princess Cadenza. I didn’t know you were here in Canterlot. What can I do to help you?” I sighed, he did the two things I hate. Bowing, and calling me Cadenza. “You can do three things. One, don’t bow to me. Two, don’t call me Cadenza, call me Cadance. And three, can you point me in the direction of a book talking about ‘Olden Trees’ please,” I asked him softly. “Of course, Princess Cadance,” he said, getting back up. “I believe the book you’re looking for is called, ‘The Hinterlands of Old’ by Sky’ree. If my knowledge is right, thats the only book that speaks of ‘Olden Trees’ at least, that’s the only one here in Equestria. You should be able to find it in the culture section, row six." he said, pointing in the right direction. “Thank you for your help.” I told him, as I started to walk over to find the book.  I started to scan the shelves, looking for the book the librarian mentioned. It didn't take me long to locate it as it was leather bound, and most books which are written by ponies are made of synthetic leather rather than real leather like this one is. 'I remember reading this book once, but I don’t recall 'Olden Trees'.’ I thought to myself, finding an empty table to sit down at, in order to check out the leather bound book. I flipped through the pages of the book, looking for anything about ‘Olden Trees’ until I found something that looked promising. ‘In this age everyone has forgotten the name of our honor tree. Anymore most griffons refer to it as an olden tree. This tree grows quickly, reaching its full height in just a two year timeframe. Only few olden trees remain these days and are all symbols of honor. Studies have been done on fallen olden trees to try and find out what makes them grow so fast but nothing was found, but something else was found instead. Even though the limbs of the tree had withered and died, unable to grow back, the roots under the ground were still strong as could be.’ ‘Thats why I don’t remember seeing ‘Olden Tree’ its not a name, more like a placeholder.’ I thought to myself. After reading everything in the book about ‘Olden Trees’, I thought I had figured out what Gustav’s saying meant. Maybe I could use it to help Twilight. I got up to put the book away when I took notice of another book on the shelf. A book Twilight herself had shown to me several years ago. She told me it helped her through her parents death. The book ‘Kingdom of Sorrow’ was about an old kingdom, whose king and queen passed away and left their young son alone to rule the kingdom. He was heart broken about his parents death, but it was thanks to the support of his friends that he was able to get through this hard time and be a great king. ‘This book helped you once. Maybe it can help you again.’ I thought to myself, taking the book up to the front. “Excuse me sir?” “Yes, Princess Cadance? Is there something else I can help you with?” The librarian replied to me. “I was wondering if there was any way I could purchase a book from the library?” “Normally it isn’t allowed but I do know Princess Luna has done it a couple times. So I don’t see a problem with it. What book were you wanting?” “This one.” I said, placing ‘Kingdom of Sorrow’ on the desk. "Give me one minute to see if we have another copy thats in better condition." The librarian said, turning away to look for the book. As I waited for the librarian to return, Rose came in through the doors and saw me. “Hello, Princess Cadance. How are you today?” She asked with a smile, and thankfully not bowing. “I’m doing fine, thank you Rose. And yourself?” “Been running errands for Lady Twilight this morning. This is actually my last stop. She wanted me to pick up a book she ordered.” “I’m glad Twilight has someone like you looking after her.” I said to the pegasus, smiling at her. “Princess Cadance? I found a copy of that book you wanted.” The librarian said, placing the book on the table. “Thank you very much, sir. How much do I owe you?” I asked the librarian, turning my attention to him. “Ten bits princess.” I smiled at him and placed ten bits on the table for the book. “It was a pleasure to help you, Princess,” he said, smiling at me as he picked up the bits and turned his attention to Rose. “You must be here for Lady Twilight’s book, correct?” “Yes I am.” “Give me one minute to retrieve it and I'll be right back.” He said walking off. “Rose?” Rose turned her attention to me before replying, “Yes, princess?” “Would you happen to be able to meet me in my room later? I would like to talk to you about Twilight if we could.” “Of course princess. After these errands are finished, Lady Twilight has already said that I’ll have the rest of the day free to relax. I can meet you in your room when I’m done.” "Thank you, Rose. I'll see you later on then." I said to her, before turning around and leaving the library, heading back to my room. 'I'm glad I was able to find her,' I thought to myself, looking at the book floating beside me. 'I hope this book can help you again Twilight.' As I rounded a corner heading for my bedroom, I started to hear voices causing me to stop when I recognized them. "....bucked up bad, Luna. I know Cadance is mad. She's not even answering her door." I heard Celestia say. "I did try to warn you, and you wouldn't listen to me. Maybe you'll finally learn to just leave things be. I know your intentions were for the good of the Crystal City, but what of Cadance and Twilight?" I heard Auntie Luna say to Celestia. 'Maybe then we wouldn't be in this situation, now would we?' I thought to myself, as I stood behind the corner. "Don't worry, Luna. I don't plan to do that again. For now though, I'll leave them both alone. I know Cadance..." I heard Celestia say before her voice faded away along with both sets of hoofsteps.  I sighed in relief. I really do not feel like talking to Auntie Celestia yet. I continued heading for my room and reached it with no more trouble. I walked into my room, and sat down at the writing desk. I set the book down and opened it up. 'I remember reading this book after Twilight told me about it. A story about a young prince’s sorrow after losing his family,'  I thought to myself, running a hoof over the book. 'I hope this helps you one more time.' I began reading the book to refresh my memory on the story. After about thirty minutes, I heard a knock at my door. "Come in, it's open." I called out, marking my page and placing the book down. I heard the door open and turned to greet Rose, but the pony I saw wasn't her, causing me to freeze. Standing before me was my Aunt Luna. “Hello, Cadance. I’m guessing by the look on your face, I was not the pony you were expecting. Am I right?” Luna asked me, closing the door behind her. “Aunt Luna. What are you doing here?” I asked, shocked she was here. “I didn’t expect you to come see me.” “And why wouldn’t I come see my niece when she’s visiting? Namely when it’s been almost ten years since last we saw each other,” Luna said, smiling at me. “But, I do have a reason for coming to see you. I wanted to talk to you about Celestia.” “Sorry auntie, but I don’t want to talk about Celestia,” I told Luna, turning back to the desk. “What she did was uncalled for.” “Yes, it was.” I turned around and looked at my auntie. “You knew she was keeping the fact that Fluttershy had died, away from me? Why wouldn’t you tell me, when you found out? I thought you cared about Twilight, Luna.” Luna sighed, before sitting down in front of me. “I would have told you, if not for the fact I didn’t learn that my sister was keeping it from you, for two years after Shy had passed away,” She said, while looking at me. “I went to her and asked her why you hadn’t come to see her. I was sure you would have. It took me a while but I was able to learn the truth.” “But why didn’t you tell me then?” “Because, by that point Twilight had already gone too far into her depression to really listen. I’ve been trying for the last six years to help her through her dreams, but even then she wasn’t responding. So I had thought that even you wouldn’t be able to break her out of it with your attention divided like it would have been.” "So your reason was the same as Celestia's. To protect the Crystal City, and leave Twilight alone." Luna looked up at me with a fury in her eyes. "Never say I would leave Twilight alone," she said to me, anger clear in her voice. She calmed down and continued, "my reasons are different than my sister's. My reason was to protect you." "Protect me from what, dear aunt. I don't see anything for you to protect me from." "A choice that would have torn you apart. When I was trying to help her I was neglecting a lot of my duties and it was having little effect. Now tell me Cadance, could you have chosen? Focus on Twilight, focus on the uprising, or try to split between the two which you would see, would not work. You would still be leaving Twilight on her own, and the uprising would still be going on as we speak.” I fell silent at my aunt’s words. I couldn’t split my attention, Luna was right.So could I have truly chosen? Help the ponies I’m meant to protect, or help Twilight. “I’m sorry for getting upset, auntie. You’re right. Trying to make the decision would have torn me apart. Twilight means a great deal to me, but it’s my duty to keep the crystal ponies safe.” I said, sighing in defeat. ‘At Least Luna was looking after me, and not the Crystal City.’ I thought to myself. “Now about my sister. I was wanting to tell you that I’ve been able to talk her into leaving both you and Twilight alone. She will bother neither of you. Both of us believe you are our last hope, to bring the Twilight we remember back to us. Even I have agreed to no longer meddle in her dreams.” "Wait, what? You're not going to keep helping her?" "We both want to, but we have tried for six years. Neither of us has gotten close to bringing her back," Luna said, hanging her head. "Last time Twilight visited 'Wisdoms Empyrean' was eight years ago. Then two days ago, I saw her walking in there.” My eyes opened wide. She visited ‘Wisdoms Empyrean’ after reading my letter. “Do you think she visited Sunset?” I asked, trying to confirm my thoughts. “Thats the only pony I can think of that she would visit. She never visited Star Swirls grave after all, and you know how much she looked up to him.” ‘My letter did have an effect. Even if it was a small one.’ I thought to myself, glancing over at the desk with ‘Kingdom of Sorrow’ on it. ‘I can only hope the next one will affect you just as much if not more.’ I looked up and saw my aunt with her head still low. She and Twilight were close friends. Passing letters to each other back and forth almost weekly. Seeing Twilight how she is now, and unable to help. If that was me, I don’t think I could take it. I strode forward and wrapped my hooves around my aunt and hugged her close. “Everything will be fine, auntie. I promise, I’ll do everything I can to bring Twilight back to all of us.” “Thank you, Cadance. You don’t know how much hearing you say that helps me.” She said to me, wrapping her hooves around me to  return the hug. ‘Pinkie, I hope your book helps Twilight once again, just like it did when she lost her parents.’ I thought to myself.