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// 18: The Death of a Couch 
// Story: The Halfling 
// by Scarheart 
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The tea room was one of the few rooms in the castle not overly lavish. It had Cadence’s touch of being welcoming, inviting, and comfortable for visitors. For Shining Armor, he preferred the simplicity it offered as well as the feeling of home it gave him. The tea set was a wedding gift from his mother and father. It was fine china, having been passed down through the Sparkle family for many generations. It was an heirloom, actually, almost four centuries of ponies had sipped tea from the old cups. An old enchantment kept it from chipping. It had to be renewed once a year, but all in all, the old set had held up well and looked as good as the day it made.

        The gigantic changeling holding a tea cup, while sitting in a loveseat, threatened to break both with its sheer size and bulk. Silent Wing was named so because, simply, he had no wings. He was nearly two tons of changeling military command given the role of ambassador for a queen he had yet to announce under which he served. He was so massive he could barely fit through the double doors and those things were, in Shining Armor’s mind, pretty darned wide. His carapace was dark. The light reflecting off him showed darker stripes running the length of his naturally armored frame. His horn was massive, nearly three feet long and jagged. It curved wickedly.

        Yet the Prince Consort smiled nervously at the changeling, noting how its thick armored chitin was slowly destroying the upholstery of the loveseat. Silent Wing was literally made for war and a tea room was a horrible, horrible, horrible place to have him.

        “Sugar for your tea?” he asked politely, hoping desperately the tea cup would survive and even forgive him for letting such a monster handle it. Of course, that was silly. Tea sets could not talk, unless they were enchanted to do so and with pre recorded messages. “Cream?”

        “Ssssugaaaaaar, yessss pleeeeasssse,” rumbled the monstrous changeling, holding out his teacup. “Two lumpssss.”

        Dutifully, the unicorn doled out the required lumps while having an unbidden image of him whacking Silent over his head with a mallet coming to mind. He smiled it away and plopped in two cubes of the requested sugar. He paused at the creamer.

        “Noooo creeeeeaaam!” he hissed, a deep and resonating voice shaking the room. “Lactosssse intoleraaaaant.”

        Smiling again, and a bit forcibly, Shining Armor set aside the cream. Where the was Zeala? She needed to get her skinny butt here so she could translate Changeling to Equestrian. “Of course. How long have you studied Equestrian?”

        “Haaaatessss it. Like sssssspeaking prim-i-tive.” Silent Wing ate the tea cup. It crunched in his powerful jaws. “Ssssspeak of weaklingsssss.”

        A pitiful and poorly concealed whimper escaped from Shining Armor as the tea cup ceased to be. It was replaced with irritation. The changeling was baiting him. Thankfully, the door opened and the priestess walked in, buzzing her translucent wings with a flourish. 

        “Ah, Prince Shining Armor! I do apologize for my lateness. The festival has been a bit… festive.” She smiled, revealing her long fangs. The unicorn noted an odd scent emanating from her form. Her eyes could not help but be drawn to the giant torturing the love seat. “Oh, my, you must be Silent Wing.” A series of clicks and chirps erupted from her throat as she chatted up Silent Wing. He responded with a deeper set of clicks and chitters. She blushed, then laughed behind a hoof as she turned away to compose herself.

        “What did he say?” Shining perked his ears forward, wondering if he could cast a translation spell. He was reminded of the ward on the ceiling certain magics could not be cast in the tea room.

        “He asked if I had been bred lately,” she replied nonchalantly.

        It was the Prince Consort’s turn to blush. “I...see.” He cleared his throat and stood, remembering his manners. “Please, sit wherever you like. I apologize on behalf of my wife. She could not make it, as our son needed her attention.”

        Zeala did so, pursing her lips as she assumed a mask of worry. “Oh? Is Reign ill? His regimen is not due for another two weeks. You should have informed me, my dear prince.”

        “He had a night terror.”

        She sat down. “Oh! The poor dear!” It was difficult to tell if she was sincere or not. “Changelings do not dream in the conventional way you ponies do. It must be a horrible thing for him!” Her smile, he thought, was oily.

        “Tea?” He offered.

        “Oh, none for me. The caffeine would not mesh well with the ceremonial fluids I am required to ingest during the festival. It is an aphrodisiac.” She noted his wild stare. “Oh, it only affects changelings. You have no worries. However, our large friend will become amorous. Which is why he will be going to the temple right after the meeting. His seed will be welcome there.”

        Fluids? Shining Armor was afraid to ask. “Seed?” And there it was! His last encounter with a changeling which had the peculiar scent Zeala now sported had, at the time, bore him with a wonderful son… and Zeala reeked of it. As his mind clicked on what the scent was, he began to shudder inwardly. Memories of a passionate night flickered to the front of his thoughts, distracting him. “Are you sure about that? I don’t think I feel comfortable right now.”

        “I assure you, Shining Armor, you are perfectly safe. Let us get down to business then, shall we?”

        Shortly after Zeala was seated and comfortable, Ambassador Seeadler strode through the same doors she had just come through. The old griffon ruffled his feathers and flared his wings proudly. His talons clicked on the marbled floor, the lion’s tail twitching indifferently. Eagle eyes locked on Silent Wing. His beak snapped open and closed, clicking loudly. The griffon tilted his head to one side, regarding the massive changeling.

        “You are a Warling.”

        “Warling?” Shining Armor asked.

        “A living, breathing fighting machine. Tenacious fighters. Powerful. Cunning. Deadly... What’s he doing here? Is he the bodyguard of the changeling ambassador?”

        “He is the changeling ambassador,” Zeala said with a laugh. She chirped at the giant. “This is Silent Wing, Ambassador Seeadler. He is a general. A High General, if I remember my markings correctly.”

        “Tea?” Offered Shining lamely to the griffon ambassador.

        “No. Tea is for knitting mothers, not warriors. Thank you.” Seeadler made himself at home and sat in a plush chair next to Shining Armor. His eyes never left Silent Wing. Then, without warning, he began speaking the changeling language almost as rapidly as Zeala had just moments ago.

        This baffled Shining Armor.

        The Warling responded. If he was surprised the ambassador could speak, he gave no indication. Zeala listened in, smiling and nodding. She noticed the absolutely lost look on the unicorn’s face.

        “Would you like for me to translate for you, my prince?” she asked politely.

        He nearly recoiled from her, but stopped short. “If you would. I would use a translation spell, but the room is warded against eavesdropping. Unfortunately, it means I can’t use magic to let me understand.”

        “It wouldn’t work, anyways,” Zeala said as she waved a hoof in the air lazily. “The languages are essentially opposite of each other in nearly all the key areas. There are currently no spells capable of breaking them down with absolute perfection.” She kept her voice low as not to interrupt the griffon and changeling while they chatted. “You could use a spell and maybe have a chance at getting half of it right. The rest of it would be very confusing and lead to misunderstandings.”

        “I’m sure my sister would figure it out. I’m afraid I’m not quite as astute in the field of magic as she is.” Shining gave a helpless laugh. He indicated the conversation. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they know each other.”

        She nodded. “They do. Warling Silent Wing is a general serving under Queen Chrysalis, as you call her.”

        “Chrysalis?” He didn’t mean for the exclamation to interrupt everything.

        Zeala sipped her tea. “Indeed.” She turned to Silent Wing and said something. The giant considered her words, then shifted his head slightly in the unicorn’s direction. He replied curtly, his jaws rippling along his lips, revealing fangs that would leave a dragon envious.

        “Indeed,” she breathed. “Prince Shining Armor, it would appear the good general has brought an offering of peace between Equestria and the Changeling Empire. She is prepared to offer reparations.”

        “Changeling Empire?” Shining Armor blinked. “What empire?”

        From somewhere within the folds of the giant’s armor, a scroll was produced and given to the prince. Shining took it after a moment’s hesitation, noting the seal bore a jagged horn imposed over what appeared to be an oval egg with insectoid wings flaring from it. Encircling the tip of the horn was a crown with seven points.

        The giant spoke. “All Queenssss defeated. All thosssse who live sssserve. Thossse who do not are of dead. Make peaaaace.” He poked a hoof at the scroll now in Shining Armor’s magical grasp. “Open. Termssss for you to see. Offer for peace, pony. My queen commandssss for the sssake of her heir.””

        He hefted the scroll, throwing detection spells upon it. It was heavily enchanted with protection spells. Stronger magic was within the scroll itself. Shining scried it. Spoken words were etched upon the parchment. The magic was very strong and very intricate. The patterns within spoke of a great deal of work had gone into creating it and even the words unseen within.

        “I would advise you open it, my prince.” Zeala was eager to see what was in it. She practically leaned into Shining’s personal space. Her scent wafted into his nostrils, sending him reeling. He snorted and glared at her, half serious and almost rendered delirious. 

So familiar… He shook his head violently and gently cleared his throat, giving her a meaningful glare. “If you please?” He shooed her back with a hoof, his heart thudding in his chest.

“Open the scroll,” Seeadler said, rolling his eyes. “Or would you rather look at it in private?” He glared at Zeala.

“I’m as curious as you,” she said defensively, pouring herself a cup of tea. 

Shining noted her actions and the sudden interest in tea. He looked at Silent Wing. “Is this to be opened privately or openly?”

Zeala translated for him without batting an eye.

Seeadler watched her like a hawk.

Silent Wing responded. Zeala said for him, “Only your ears will hear. Only your eyes will see. What you chose to reveal can only come from your tongue.” She frowned, almost pouting.

“Damned magic,” snorted Seeadler. Griffons were disdainful of most forms of magic, but he leered at the priestess. She glared right back at him.

The unicorn sighed. “I guess I’m going to open it.” With a hesitant exhale, he broke the seal. The scroll came to life before him, snapping open until it was flat. It hovered, the words flaring with the magic as it came in contact with the air. Green flames erupted and the parchment angled away from Shining Armor. They danced and swirled as the words rose up from where they had been written. They condensed, spinning before Shining’s eyes, reflecting across his irises. A scent he knew from the depths of his memories, not unlike what Zeala wore and far less intrusive. It enticed his senses as an image to form.

It was without a doubt... her.

“Shining Armor.” That voice. “Years ago, I entrusted you with the most precious thing I have. My Pale Shadow. My one and only son. Our son.” Her form was regal and proud. Her mane concealed an eye. The other eye drank him in, as if Shining Armor was the only being in existence she cared to address. “I have fought for him, Shining Armor. Those who had desired the death of my son have been dealt with. The wars are over. There are still threats. Great threats to our son.” Her voice soothed. Commanded. Pleaded. “Continue protecting him for a little while longer.”

He blinked. Of course he would protect his son!

“Listen carefully, Shining Armor. I have a proposal in the form of an offering of peace between Equestria and the newly formed Empire I have built. I do not wish to have any lingering animosity between ponies and changelings. My eyes have been opened. Needless to say, I wish for us to work towards a peace. I have nothing of true substance to offer for the moment. This is a tentative offer of at least a cease-fire of the undeclared war I started years ago. I realize I cannot have Equestria. Nor do I wish to contend with four alicorns for power.”

His ears perked forward and he tilted his head to one side. Disbelief became him.

“I am prepared to offer a dragon’s hoard valued at six billion bits in exchange for peace and… several other concessions.” Her regal bearing did not change, but more steel affirmed her already commanding voice. “You must think I have no room to make demands, but I assure you, I have cards in my possession you would not even think possible. I do not wish to threaten you, nor your lovely wife… how is she, by the way? I would surely believe by now you two would have several little ones at your hooves.”

Her smile was perfectly innocent, but the glint in her eye was anything but.

“Never mind her failure to present you with sons and daughters. I have given you a son. I have allowed you to raise that son. These words are for you to consider and you alone. Even as I speak these words, you cannot speak what I say to you without my presence. It is a gaes, Shining Armor. Our son’s life hangs in the balance. There is a force at work in your kingdom conspiring against Reign Cloud. Something is shielding it. The magic of the Crystal Heart cannot touch it. I do not know why. I am led to believe it is Elder Magic at work here. This is ancient magic, Shining Armor. It is so old, it permeates everything and overrides most other magic. It is said it is all that is left of the Old Gods, before the time of the alicorns. Even the oldest of changeling history can only grasp into the darkness of the past and make nothing more than educated guesses.”

“Seek it out, Shining Armor. Find the source of this threat and eliminate it. I fear it has moved against our son already. Be wary of Zeala.  She is of the caste of religious fanatics, though I do owe her a debt for the sanctuary she offered me when I sought it. 

“However, I think she is responsible for the deaths of some of my agents I have sent to watch over my Pale Shadow. Dispose of her. The spell in this scroll should break you of the enchantment she has placed upon you. You were a fool to trust her, but she is cunning. She does not use conventional changeling means. Zeala wants Reign for something. I do not know what, but find out and stop her.”

She assumed pleading look. “Please. Shining Armor. I know you despise me. You have no reason to trust me. I do not want your trust. I want you to protect our son. He is the only one I will ever have. Time is running short. My sources are telling me Zeala is up to something big. Reign is in the middle of it.”

Anger flashed across her face. “This could have been prevented! You… you… did not know. How could you know? You and that princess of yours were so easily coerced. Perhaps I would have been better off putting my son in Canterlot. Celestia would have been a far better guardian, as much as I despise her self-righteousness.” She sighed and composed herself. “There is much in hindsight to reflect upon. Ultimately, it will do neither of us any good.”

She shifted on her hooves, becoming thoughtful. Her pose was demure. “Reign is a bright boy, isn’t he? Intelligent, like his mother, I should think. As handsome as his father. I look forward to revealing myself to him. I wonder if you have even told him about me. Nothing good, I would imagine.” Chrysalis frowned. “I should like to meet your wife ruler to ruler. She may select a neutral site where we might meet and discuss the future. Observe the Warling, Shining Armor. It would be...unwise and ill-advised to reject my offer. This will be the only window I will offer. The time is short. Forces move in the shadows and they have designs upon our son.

“I am coming, Shining Armor. If it will be under the banner of peace of the banner of war is completely up to you. Give your answer to my general. I await the moment when I might lay eyes upon you, my dear, stalwart stallion.”

The image faded. The scroll burst into flames, even the ashes disappearing to nothing.

Seeadler was startled. He squawked, “By the gods!” 

The changelings accepted it as something commonplace. Silent Wing was massively impassive while Zeala gave Shining Armor and unsteady look.

“Something happened,” she said flatly.

“Yes.” Shining shifted to face her. “Something did. Tell me. What are you sensing right now? From me?” He gestured between the two of them.

“What do you mean?” Zeala was confused.

“She said things to me… I can’t remember them. What am I feeling?”

She studied him for a moment. “Very well. You are lost. Anger. Sadness. Perhaps a bit of relief. You are worried. You are afraid. Very much afraid. Something happened, that much is obvious. The power of the queen is formidable, indeed. I cannot break her magic.”

Shining gave her a wide stare.

She shrugged. “Habit. As a changeling of some gifts myself, I wanted to test myself against the enchantments of a queen. I must know if I can protect the changelings who look to me for support and protection.” The smile that had come with the shrug faded as she grew very serious. “This queen, this Chrysalis, as you call her, is powerful. I don’t know what her magic was like the last time you dealt with her, but I assure you, I would think her a threat to the likes of Princess Celestia. Most certainly a match for your wife, if not more so. She terrifies me.”

“As strong as Celestia?” Shining practically whispered.

“I highly doubt it. I could be wrong, Prince Consort. What she lacks in power she more than makes up for in her cunning and ruthlessness. Gauging magic from an enchanted scroll and the spells within is a poor way to understand the depths of the user’s ability, but it is a good clue.” Zeala tilted her head to one side. “I trust your wife has been keeping up on her combat training?”

“Three sessions a week, two to four hours each, depending on the instructor. I’ve been teaching her defensive magic, naturally.”

“Naturally,” she agreed good naturedly. Zeala turned her attention to the Warling. She spoke quickly. He rumbled in reply, his eyes blinking rapidly. “The general here wishes to have an answer to his queen’s demands this time tomorrow.”

Shining gaped at the priestess. “Cadence should be here,” he muttered to himself. To her, he spoke up and growled, “Why here? How do I know this isn’t some sort of trap?”

“You have changelings loyal to you here. This baffles the queen,” Zeala said for the Warling. As he spoke, she went on. “She cannot understand why a superior species would allow themselves to be ruled by prey. You do not hunt. You do not stalk. You are all but useless without magic. A changeling can do without magic.”

“What a lovely way to start peace talks,” mused Seeadler. “She is testing you, Prince Armor.” He grinned through his beak. Shining scowled at the old bird. “Changeling politics are never dull, my young friend.”

The stallion grunted and heaved a sigh. “It’s more militaristic.”

The priestess shook her head. “As I said, she is cunning. My advice to you is to not trust her, but hear what she has to offer. War or peace, I should imagine. She is blunt, I think. Her wars have made her weary and she will not suffer fools.”

“Six billion bits,” Shining blurted, suddenly remembering. “She is offering six billion bits as compensation, for starters. Strings attached, I would imagine.”

General...or was it Ambassador? Yes, it had to be Ambassador for this role, Shining decided as the changeling began speaking again. As he did so, he reached within his carapace, his multifaceted eyes boring into the unicorn’s own. The odd, mesmerizing tone of his voice was soft, almost reverent now as he produced a small box.

Zeala translated. “On behalf of my Queen and Her Subjects, I would like to present to you a gift from a mother to her son to be given to the Crown Prince as a belated birthday present.” With a very gentle grasp with his magic, Silent Wing floated a flat rectangular box of lacquered wood of impeccable quality reverently. If it was even possible, his harsh armored features managed to soften.

“What is it?” Shining asked suspiciously. “Why should I accept anything from her?”

“It is not for you,” the changeling replied, hissing irritably. Zeala flinched as she shared his words. Ambassador Seeadler’s crest rose, appearing ready to defend himself. “The Heir to Her Majesty’s Legacy and future king,” the priestess managed, clearly rattled by the sudden change in the giant’s demeanor. The relief was evident in her voice as Silent Wing calmed as if his flaring temper had never existed.

“I would highly recommend not questioning a Warling’s words,” suggested the griffon. He clicked his talons reflexively. “The general here is as honorable an individual as you would expect to meet. I can vouch for his honor and his intentions.”

“Death before disssshonor,” rasped the monster. His crest rose and fell as though he was calming himself. “Apologiessss.”

“I meant no disrespect.” Shining Armor inclined his head deeply towards Silent Wing. His guest accepted the apology with a nod. “I will speak with my wife and give her the terms your queen has offered. You will have an answer in twenty four hours.”

The Warling nodded and rose from his seat. The wood creaked and the sound of more tearing fabric reached the unicorn’s ears. With a grace belying his size, the giant changeling removed himself from the room with motions that wasted nothing. He paused long enough to lean over towards Zeala, his voice rumbling a question. She nodded and he bent his head towards her. She leaned forward and kissed him between the eyes, her tongue following through with a sensual roll around the base of his horn.

Shining Armor shuddered and found himself wondering what exactly was going on in that changeling temple...