Freya's right brow rose slightly. “Thou art not noble nor ignoble; know that thy loss would rob happiness from those you love. Shall all be miserable because of the indecision?”
Spike shook his head. “At least they would live, maybe find new loves. In any case I’m taking the happiness from another. I still can’t make a choice. I’m not strong enough to make that decision.”
Freya frowned. “Thy own soul shall pay for only one other of thy friends."
Spike spat. "I goddess damned dragon. I'm immortal that's got to count for two! You make it work!"
Freya raised her scythe. "Thou presume to threaten death?"
Spike stood still. “I don't fear you... I guess it’s rather hypocritical after I told Luna to live...that I would choose death. I guess I'm the sort that you can threaten not with my own life at least...Everyone has sacrificed so much. Yes, I'm coward for choosing none...or am I courageous. I don’t know or care. I don’t have the right to decide.”
“I shall not judge thee.” Freya pursed her lips and lowered her scythe. “Then I shall accept thy offer and greet thee as friend.” She extended her hoof.
Spike hesitantly grasped it. He felt a coldness penetrate him as he did. He cringed but the flash did not hurt. He felt suddenly light as the weight of world lifted from him.
“What happens now?”
“What are thy thoughts upon reincarnation?”
Upon a cold night, a soldier returns home. His walk is weary and steps plodding, however his eye fill with tears when he see the warm glow of the cottage’s light in the distance. He sprints the last distance to that open door.
At the entryway he is startled to find a different pony from who was expecting. Nurse bows stepping aside. “The delivery was just hours ago. Please be gentle.”
He slows his steps but cannot hide his eagerness in his voice. “Eeeyup.”
Sitting at the fireplace, the mother cradles the newborn bundle. Her husband gently nuzzles her and his emerald eyes grow wide as he’s shown their child.
She speaks softly and weakly. “Oh my love… a healthy foal... a little colt, all ours.”
He was wanted to recite a long speech, he was only able to squeeze out a single “Eeeyup.”
The small foal swatted combatively at his father’s nose.
He chuckled. “I think we've got ourselves a fighter not a farmer.”
The mare shook her head. “You promised you’d retire.”
Her husband grinned. “Ah gave them my papers and ran here fast as my legs could carry. Ah ain’t missing a moment more.”
The mare smiled. “Our baby needs a name.”
He scratched his head. “Ah was thinkin’ he could follow the family them.”
“You said he was fighter and not a farmer. How about Spike?”
“Dear, we're not naming a dog's name. You're crazy.”
“Crazy in love with you.”
“Nope just crazy. I'm crazy too I guess for falling for you.”
Outside the cottage flitting across the moon were two forms. They stopped upon a hill far from the glow of the cottage lights.
The figures spoke. “Princess, it won’t be him.”
“I know… but perhaps in time should the evening call to him…”
“Princess…”
“Thou art correct... still I wonder what if… such are thoughts that drive mares to madness. Let us be away.”