Tainted Love: A Twysalis Prompt Tag Collab

by Foals Errand


Improve by Knight of Lycaeus

by Knight of Lycaeus

Twilight,

I knew that by accepting this task what lay ahead and I never anticipated that this would be easy. The ones who deny my claim to the High Queen throne have proven to be as strong and resourceful as I feared. Still in spite of setbacks we have been making progress in bearing down on their forces. Yet I don't know how much longer this struggle, this civil war will last. I hope that it will end soon with our forces victorious. There is nothing more I wish than for you to be here with me or I was home with you but we both know why this can't be. But no matter what happens you'll be in my thoughts always, I look forward to the day when I'll be with you again.

Love from Chrysalis

I set down the letter after having read it over again. I had received that letter months ago when the civil war began.

That was the first news I had of the progressing civil war, a war that seemed at times to be balanced on the point of collapse, there were no certainties in war. Every new letter told of success and failures in removing factions and elements opposed to her challenge to the High Throne.

I looked around the room which was much more disorganized than usual. Whatever books I could find on war, rebellion, titles, ascension, and Changelings were all piled on the every available surface. On top of the books were quills, ink pots, letters, notes; the entire mess was the result of me trying to understand the war more ever since Chrysalis left.

That was what I had told everyone else around me but everyone I knew could tell what the truth was. In truth it was all a distraction to keep me from worrying endlessly about Chrysalis and her well being. I just couldn’t help myself, Chrysalis had become increasingly important to me and not knowing just how she was doing worried me, her letters only told so much. I looked to one of the more recent addition to the mess that lay nearby, another letter that came only a few days ago.

Twilight,

We have made good progress in driving out most of the factions opposed to ascension to High Queen however a few factions still remain. I miss you still even more than when this damn war began. It has been a long road and I have no idea how much longer it will be before the last of the rebellious factions have been quelled but I can only hope it will be soon. My forces in spite of losses still remain strong but morale is wavering, some have expressed doubts of removing these last few factions. Despite this I must press on, I hope that by removing one of these stubborn factions I can boost morale but the remaining factions are the ones I knew from the beginning would be the hardest to remove yet I long for the day that this all ends in our favor and I can return home to you. I still remember our promise and I hope I will be able to fulfill it.

All my love,

Chrysalis

Often I would write back as soon as I was able to, most of my replies were almost immediate but now after all this time something was making me hesitate from replying to this letter. Seeing that first letter I had received made my mind drift back to when this all began.

A couple months ago Chrysalis had left to fight for the right to be the first High Queen that the Changelings had not had for many generations. I wanted to support her not because she dreamed of being High Queen, no that was not her dream anymore, I wanted to support her because I love her. She had entered my life suddenly and unexpectedly and now I wanted nothing more than to be with her for as long as we have together. My love had left because duty demanded it of her, she left alone because she must. We had word that the Changeling Collective was falling apart on itself and we knew no one else we could trust but Chrysalis.

Chrysalis accepted the difficult task even though she knew she was going back to deal with those that had once exiled her. Her duty took her away from me and it's her pride and her species' culture as to why I couldn't be there no matter how much I wish I could be there even if all I do is sit there as Chrysalis' support.

Setting down the letters I began pacing my room, it's something I've been doing more and more lately. From the bare minimum that Chrysalis has taught me on Changeling culture still confused me by its paradoxes. A society that thrives on a peaceful co-existence of being unknowns yet within the Collective power sets one apart, it divides the Hive Royals from every other Changeling and it sets the hierarchy of the Collective. Peace and dominance, seemingly so paradoxical to the other.

It was this strength, this need to prove yourself by exerting power over others that determined that I could not go with Chrysalis despite my own wishes. This strange paradox I barely began to understand, how peace and coexistence is the source of life but so is strength and dominance for it keeps them unified.

I let out a deep sigh as I continued to pace, despite the crystal floor being many times stronger than magically reinforced oak I still had managed to leave a noticeable enough groove.

The moon was high in the sky yet I could find no solace, sleep or even rest was difficult. I missed her presence. I missed just being with her. Every time I received a new letter I could not help but feel anxious as my stomach churned, I had no idea what each new day would bring. The next letter I receive could be the last time that I would hear from her. The remaining factions who challenged her right to lead could have a final triumph that rendered all of Chrysalis' work for the past couple of months useless.

I ceased my pacing and went back to the bed carefully avoiding Spike's slumbering form. Spike had taken to staying with me as much as he could even more than usual, a source of comfort in this rough time. However even with his help I just couldn't sleep. Like so many nights and so many days I couldn't help but place a hoof on the ring I wore around my neck. The black and gold ring, commissioned as a pair and worn by both of us as a necklace. Our promise, our commitment to each other to be together even if the laws says otherwise.

A gentle knock on my door alerts me to the presence of another. Opening the door I found a Changeling Guard with deep green plates that Changeling Guards wore as reinforcement to chitin. The Guard remained silent but merely bowed before presenting a letter to me.

Just as quickly the Guard left. The scroll was like so many I had received over the past few months. Tightly bound with a deep green ribbon and stamped with Chrysalis' seal in black wax.

Unfurling it, I found her fine script with a simple message.

Twilight, I’ve kept our promise. I'll see you soon.