//------------------------------//
// Chapter Four ~ Another Day 
// Story: Treaty Between Lands 
// by Harmony Note 
//------------------------------//

Twilight went into the kitchen and ate a daffodil and daisy sandwich. Afterwards, she drank some chocolate milk and then cleaned up. After eating, she felt refreshed and then went into her bedroom after catching up on her studies for a few hours. She stared out on the balcony as the sun went down. "Just two more days...and tomorrow we do fittings and decide what we're doing..."

Talon hadn't heard what she said, but popped up out of nowhere, "Hello!"

"Ahh!" Twilight jumped back.

He chuckled, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"I-It's fine." she replied while he helped her up.

"Well, ready for our evening flight like you promised?" he smiled.

Twilight used her magic to shut the balcony doors, "Of course."

Talon and Twilight flew off together into the night sky, the sun not quite set yet, but almost. "Oh, I have a surprise for you!"

"Really? What is it?" Twilight questioned.

"Can't tell you that! It wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" he grinned and held her hoof while flying, "Close your eyes." Twilight shut her eyes and trusted him to guide her. They flew closer to the ground, Twilight not noticing. Talon let go of her hoof once they reached a spot in the Canterlot garden. "Alright, open them!"

Twilight gasped, "I-It's amazing." she saw a picnic laid out for them, and fireflies near the bushes, since it was dark now. To be honest, the fireflies did light up the area so it was easier to see. "Did you do this all yourself?" she asked.

"I certainly did. Not necessarily the fireflies, but they do add a nice touch, don't you think?" he remarked.

Twilight blushed a bit and nodded. Then they both sat down on the blanket. Twilight levitated some apple cider and drank a bit, so did Talon, only lifting it with his claw instead.

"Wow, you really didn't know?" Twilight asked.

Talon sighed, "Yep...I didn't know my father passed away until I returned from being rescued."

"And your wing is all better after being crushed?" she questioned.

"Eh, still hurts a little bit here and there, other than that, it's fine." he cringed after trying to move it from his side. It didn't hurt too much, but after flying it made it worse. 

Twilight looked at his wing, "Hold still."

"Why? What are you--?" Talon was cut off. Twilight cast a spell on his wing that healed it instantly.

"Try moving it now." she smiled.

Talon opened his wing, and then closed it to his side again, "Wow, how did you do that?"

Twilight rolled her eyes and chuckled, "Years of practicing magic."

"No wonder you're so smart! I haven't read a good book in so long since being trapped on that mountain." he replied.

"Well, I have a library you can check out anytime you--" Twilight frowned, "Oh...right..."

Talon looked at her, "Are you alright? You've seemed upset most of the day."

"I just don't know if I want to be part of this...this treaty anymore, but I have to for the good of Equestria, but then there's you and I kind of..." she stopped herself, "Nothing, nevermind!" she chuckled nervously.

"Do you actually have feelings for me?" he questioned.

Twilight sighed, "I don't know, maybe...I just feel split. On one hoof, I have my friends and I'm going to miss them, the on the other hoof I have to marry you to make peace between our countries."

"I don't want to force you to do something you don't wanna, but I honestly really do love you, Twilight. You've shown me that ponies and griffons can get along, you're really smart, and you are...well, attractive." Talon admitted.

Twilight blushed, "R-Really?" 

"Yeah, and I know you're a bit upset that you are being married to me in two days, but I promise you'll love it in Griffonstone! Since I left, everything looks brand new. The castle, the village, and we even had the library fixed up." Talon grinned.

Twilight smiled, "The deal doesn't seem as bad now, but...I really am going to miss my friends..."

"You could make new ones in Griffonstone, I know they aren't ponies, but a lot of griffons are really nice and have changed since...what were their names? Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie visited." Talon said.

"Thanks, but...it isn't the same. They just wouldn't be my friends I took the time to get to know, all the adventures we've been on...I'll also miss Spike. I've kept him since he was an egg." Twilight explained.

Talon felt really bad about this treaty now, realizing how much pain he'd be causing Twilight. He knew it had to be done, or his army would attack Equestria. Even if he himself let Twilight go, the ponies would still be in danger. "Look, Twilight...there's something I didn't tell you before, but this treaty was my fathers doing before he died."

"What do you mean?" Twilight was puzzled.

"My father does want me to avenge our ancestors and take the gold from Equestria for all the bad history our lands have had, but my grandfather wanted a more peaceful approach. He wanted my father to marry a pony and unite the two kingdoms. My dad didn't listen and took the violent road. I figured since he is gone, I could do what I wanted. I decided that maybe I should marry a princess from here and unite our lands, but my royal adviser is technically in charge until I become king, and he said I could wed a pony, but he also wrote in a document at the meeting the princesses and I had that war could be brought upon if the treaty is not fulfilled." Talon confessed.

Twilight was confused, "And you were forced into the treaty, too?"

He nodded, "At first I wondered what I had been thinking, you know, on the way here for my four-day visit. I didn't want to force somepony to marry me just because of a dumb treaty and my stupid relatives. I admit, when I first met you, I wasn't interested. Then as I got to know you, I started having feelings and caring about you. I may have only known you for a few days, but I do love you..." Twilight blushed a lot and stared at him. "I-I said too much, didn't I--?" Twilight cut him off by kissing him, this time on the beak. Talon and Twilight both blushed afterwards. "Well, um...that was..."

Twilight blushed, "Nice..."

"Oh, um, it's getting late, w-why don't I take you back?" Talon suggested.

"Okay." Twilight smiled, evaporated the picnic area to clean it up, and then flew up with him back to their suites. Being a gentlecolt, Talon dropped her off first. 

Talon smiled down at her before flying away, "If you need anything, I'll be in the next suite over." 

Twilight kissed his cheek, "Alright." after he flew away, Twilight went into her own room, shutting the balcony doors behind her. She also pulled the curtains over them. She yawned, "Well...time for bed." she levitated her crown off and onto her vanity, then climbed into bed. Twilight blew out a candle on her nightstand, and then slept.