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// Chapter 26, My Precious Annie 
// Story: The Chronicles of Summer Rain, Vol. 10 -- Ariel Dawn 
// by shysage 
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My Precious Annie,

Bah, I don't even know why I'm here... away from you...

You know, until you burst into my life as the Mare, I didn't even care about mares; well, I just didn't have the time.  Getting even simple tasks for the Pony Kingdom done seemed to take forever.  I knew I had to try and lead our growing pony race, but every step, every gain...  It was just difficult.  So a mare was the last thing on my mind.  It had to be.  And I knew the Mare would be coming soon, but I really didn't think she would come to me, during my life.

But you...

I think most ponies quietly wondered if the Mare was really you, even after it was clear you had two Cutie Marks, just like the books foretold.  You seemed so simple, so normal, just like everypony else.  I'm sorry, but I felt the same way, at first...  It didn't take long.  I can't describe the light I felt in my soul.  Just having you nearby brought me such calm, such hope.  I didn't have to fight with you, ever.  It was like you just...  You always wanted... did what was best for me...  That was so new, a feeling I had never known.  You gave to me...  Everything you could, even though I know it was hard for you.  Well, of course, I have tried to love you just the same, and I hope I am making progress there.  You really are amazing.  And it didn't take long for me to realize how much I absolutely needed you; I still need you.  And now I'm out here, and want you really badly...  Well, and Celest and Luna too, I miss our girls so much.  I hope we are done here soon, and I can return.

You know this, but the Cougars are coming from far west.  We are doing some scouting to try and find a way to stop them before they can reach Coptol, or at least be alerted when they prepare an attack.  But the land is just so vast...  The guards here tell me they can scout for days and find nothing.  Well, yesterday, we did find an area that looked like it was recently occupied, but probably by ponies, and not Cougars.  And it didn't take long for us to find the remains of maybe a dozen Cougar raiders in the area.  We are just not sure what to make of that.  Even if a bunch of them attacked us, I doubt we could survive.  We certainly couldn't kill twelve like we found there.

Coptol isn't much safer, but I hope to be able to come back soon.  You are there, and now, being with you means everything to me.  And if anything should ever happen to you...

I love you so much.

King Thars