Over the next few weeks, the weather pegasi began to cool the temperatures, and Celestia began to change the duration of the days. Summer was ending, and fall was beginning. The leaves began to change colour, the overall temperature cooled, and creatures began to get ready to hibernate.
As the temperature began to dip, Marjoram's health began its slow decline before it tanked before winter started. It was a familiar thing, now, to Twilight and Spike, but it didn't stop the pain of watching it start, especially not when he'd just started to improve in serious ways.
Twilight woke up, happy in the knowledge of the coming Running of the Leaves. It was the first time she'd witnessed such an event, as changing seasons happened magically in Canterlot. Marjoram had coaxed her into entering weeks before, and now she was giddy with excitement.
“Spike! C'mon, we gotta eat breakfast before we go!” Twilight nuzzled Spike into wakefulness.
“Do we have to?” Spike asked, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes.
“Yes,” Twilight sighed, “You want to be up and ready for Sea Shores, don't you?”
Spike grumbled some more, but slowly got up and began to make his way downstairs, “You are a cruel pony, you know that right?”
Twilight shook her head, “I'll let you make the food.”
The bribe worked, though Spike still glared. He made his way downstairs while Twilight followed. When they entered the kitchen, they noticed Marjoram was already awake, cooking, a blanket draped over him.
“Couldn't sleep?” Twilight guessed, sitting at the counter. Spike followed her lead.
“You know me,” Marjoram rasped, using his magic to open the fridge and put a bottle of milk and several glasses on the counter. Twilight proceeded to serve everypony some.
“I do,” Twilight conceded, “Did Sea Shores tell you if she wanted to watch the run today?”
“She did, and she does. We'll be waiting at the finish line with a cold drink and a tank of oxygen.”
Twilight frowned, “You want to bring the oxygen tank? Already?”
Marjoram's shoulders slumped, “It's a long walk to the finish line.”
Twilight nodded sadly in agreement, “I won't stop you. If you feel like you need it, bring it.”
Marjoram smirked wryly, coughing once or twice. He finished making breakfast, and served everyone, even giving himself a small portion, “I'll wait for Sea Shores here, and we'll head to the finish line from here. You and Spike go on ahead.”
Twilight nodded, “Alright. Tell Sea Shores we'll catch up when we're done. You wanted to see if you could announce, right Spike?”
Spike nodded eagerly, eating fast, “Yes. I'm hoping nopony wanted to do it, so I can tell all the action as it happens, when it happens.”
Marjoram offered a small smile, “If you can't, then come find us at the finish line, alright? It shouldn't be too hard. I'm pretty sure Shores is doing some catering. Knowing her,” Marjoram took a sip of milk, and cleared his throat, “I'll be on a picnic blanket, wrapped in another blanket, surrounded by more food than I can eat in a year.”
Spike giggled, “Sounds good. I'll see you there!” with that, Spike shoved the last of his breakfast in his mouth, then waited for Twilight to finish. Twilight and Spike left, leaving Marjoram with the mess. Marjoram cleaned with his magic, still seated at the counter, idly waiting for Sea Shores.
Less than half an hour later, a knock at the front door prompted Marjoram to open it, revealing a smiling Sea Shores, “Sorry for the wait. I had to set up the table.”
Marjoram offered a wane smile, “It's alright. How was the flight over? Not bad?”
“It was pretty quiet,” Shores smiled, “It was nice to stretch my wings for a while. How are you?”
Marjoram sighed, “Not horrible, considering the weather. Twilight checked, the lesions in my lungs have healed, so I'm doing better than I was last year. I haven't coughed blood for a while.”
Shores offered a smile, “That's good! Anyway, we should go.”
Marjoram nodded, “I'm bringing the oxygen tank. Partially for me, potentially for a few jokes at Twilight's expense.”
Shores chuckled, “Don't worry about your blanket. I brought two for you.”
Marjoram smiled, “You know me so well,” using his magic, he picked up the oxygen tank and put on his cloak, draping his blanket over the back of the couch, “Shall we?”
“Of course. After you,” Shores opened the door, and shut it after the pair of them left, making sure the door was shut firmly.
Marjoram was about to say something, but a cyan pegasus barreled into him, knocking them both some distance away. Shores felt the breath whoosh from her lungs, and she ran over, briefly looking at the mare who was already picking herself off of the ground.
“Marjoram! Oh sweet Celestia, are you alright?!”
Marjoram was already trying to prop himself up, but was choking, coughing, and heaving for breath. He shook his head, his mouth moving, but no sound coming out. Clearly, the impact had knocked the breath out of him.
The pegasus stood up, then stretched her wing. She cried out in pain, her one wing held at a bit of an awkward angle from her body, “I'm so sorry! Is he alright? Who are you?”
“I'm Sea Shores,” Shores growled, “And you'd better be sorry. Who in the hay are you?!”
“I'm Rainbow Dash,” Rainbow replied, looking skeptical at the fierceness of the middle-aged mare.
Marjoram finally dragged in a huge breath, then immediately began to cough. Blood splattered the pavement, and he looked up at Shores, panic clearly written on his features, “not-good,” he choked, blood soon coating his chin.
“I'm calling an ambulance. You stay here,” Shores galloped into the library, then back out. A stream of muffled curses followed her to the Sofa and Quills shop.
Rainbow shuffled her feet, “Are you alright? I'm sorry about that, I couldn't get out of a nasty dive-”
Marjoram's golden eyes shone with a hatred Rainbow knew he could never have put into words. In between coughing fits, Marjoram tried to suck in great lungfuls of air, only really succeeding in making himself cough even harder. Rainbow peered closer, growing alarmed at the amount of blood Marjoram seemed intent on coughing up.
Shores came flying back, babbling a mile a minute, “It'll be alright. The sofa clerk called the emergency number. An ambulance will be here soon, for both of you. Don't give me that look, young lady, I see how you're holding that wing.”
Rainbow was struck dumb. She sat on the cobblestones and watched while Sea Shores checked the discarded oxygen tank, made sure it was still safe to use, then hooked Marjoram up to it, propping him up so he could breathe a little easier.
All the while, Marjoram continued to spit up blood, making it difficult to keep the mask on.
“You've done this before, haven't you?” Rainbow guessed, wincing as her wing shifted.
“Of course,” Shores replied coolly, “Though I've never done this after some pegasus decided to ram into him,” Marjoram let out a choked chuckle, earning a smack from Shores. Shores glared down at him, “Don't you dare talk. If you've opened a lesion, or worse started a hemorrhage, we don't need you making it worse.”
Marjoram nodded, and his ears perked up a little when he heard the sirens. Shores nodded, “Here we go. Get ready missy, if this is anything like the Canterlot Hospital, you're in for an earful.”
Rainbow didn't even have time to nod before the ambulance arrived, and Marjoram, Shores, and herself were swept up in the ambulance, answering questions, and the chaos of being taken to the hospital overtook them all.
(LINE BREAK)
Rainbow was separated from Marjoram and Shores soon after arriving at the hospital. Then she was bombarded with questions, had tests run, and the like. Then, she had her wing bandaged, she was admitted into the hospital for observation, and left to her own devices while they waited for the results to come in.
A few hours later, somepony was rolled in on a gurney, then transferred to the empty bed beside her. Watching, Rainbow felt her heart sink to the floor when she realized it was Marjoram. Oxygen tubes were attached to his nose, and Rainbow could see the faint auras of spells around his body. He was hooked up to an IV, and seemed barely conscious.
After Marjoram was transferred to the bed, and hooked up to an assortment of machinery, the doctors and nurses left. In the moments of silence, Rainbow realized that the horrible, wheezing, choking sounds she was hearing wasn't any of the equipment: it was Marjoram's shallow breathing.
Just as Rainbow came to this conclusion, the door slid open, and Shores bustled in. She glared once at Rainbow before grabbing a chair, and dragging it to Marjoram's bedside, where he could see her when he woke up.
Rainbow shifted uneasily, “Will he be okay?”
Shores looked over her shoulder, then sighed, “I don't know yet. When you rammed into him, he broke open one of the lesions, and it hemorrhaged pretty badly. They've collapsed the lung to 'rest' it, and are using a lot of magic to try to get it to heal.”
Rainbow blinked, “Wow.”
Shores nodded, “Yeah. He could be fine, well as fine as he gets-”
The door opened, and Twilight ran in, Spike clutching her mane in a death grip. Twilight's chest was heaving, and she looked scared, Rainbow noted. A medal hung around Twilight's neck, and Rainbow couldn't help but wonder if Twilight had won the Running of the Leaves race, or if she had just placed.
“I was gone for less than a few hours!” Twilight growled, her wide eyes betraying her anger, “How- Rainbow?!”
Rainbow waved tentatively, “I-um...this is my bad.”
“Huh?”
“I was trying out a new trick before the race. I was in a dive, but couldn't get out of it-”
“She barreled into him and opened a lesion. It hemorrhaged,” Shores finished, “Spike, why don't we go get a few drinks? For us and Rainbow. We can get something for Marjoram from the gift shop, okay?”
Spike nodded, slipping from Twilight's back, and scampering out of the room, Shores following closely. Once the door was shut, Twilight slumped.
“I know what you're going to say, Twi,” Rainbow started, before Twilight could say anything, “I know you've talked to me about the dangers of trying tricks above Ponyville, but I was honestly near the woods when I started. I didn't realize-”
“Rainbow,” Twilight interrupted, “I'm not mad. I'm just glad Shores was there. She made you come here too, didn't she?” After Rainbow nodded, Twilight sank into the chair Shores had vacated, “I'm glad this wasn't worse. If this had happened last fall,” Twilight shuddered, “He had so many hemorrhages that we honestly didn't think he'd survive the winter. After winter was wrapped up, he got better really quickly for a change.”
“I'm really sorry, Twi,” Rainbow muttered, smoothing out the sheets, “I tried to make sure I landed somewhere else, really-”
“It'll be fine. He got medical attention right away, and if everything else fails, I can call Princess Celestia,” Twilight looked at the array of medical equipment crowding the space near the head of Marjoram's bed, “He'll be alright. There's still some time for me to force-feed him some more before winter sets in.”
Rainbow had to bite her tongue to keep herself from asking: are you trying to comfort me, or you?
(LINE BREAK)
Marjoram gradually woke, waking with each new unpleasant sensation. Collapsed lung, lots of bruising focused on the torso, general fall weather misery. Prying open an eye, Marjoram was greeted with the familiar scene of a hospital room, and with each passing moment, Marjoram became aware of the sounds and smells of a hospital.
Heart monitor, oxygen tank, lots of spells to ensure I don't stop breathing. Probably at least one spell making sure I don't tear the hemorrhage open again.
“Marjoram?” Marjoram shifted his head a little, and saw Spike and Twilight curled in one of the uncomfortable hospital chairs. Spike was looking up from the book he held in his claws. Marjoram tried to offer a smile, but it was likely a grimace.
Spike poked Twilight, “He's awake.”
Twilight set her book down, and plopped Spike back onto the chair once she was on her hooves, “I'm going to get Shores. She'll want to know you're up, coffee be damned.”
Language! Marjoram wanted to tease, but he figured he didn't have enough air. Spike waved awkwardly, gaining Marjoram's attention. Spike grabbed something from the floor, hiding it behind his back so Marjoram couldn't see, then climbed onto the bed.
“I-I got you something,” Spike mumbled, he held out a medium-sized stuffed toy. Squinting, trying to move his head so he could see better, Marjoram realized it was a brown and white dog, “I know you don't like stuff that reminds you of the hospital when you get out, but there were nothing else that I thought you might like, and-”
Marjoram managed to shush the dragon, with a mouth that felt like it was drier than the San Palomino Desert. Swallowing, Marjoram managed to whisper a cracked, breathy, “I like it.”
Spike beamed, and tucked the dog under the blankets, where Marjoram maneuvered it under his chin a little, to elevate his mouth and throat a little more. Spike climbed back onto the chair, just in time for Shores and Twilight to enter the room again.
Twilight was carrying two cups with her magic, one of which had a spoon sticking out of it. Shores smiled at Marjoram, “Hey, kiddo. How are you doing? Do you need some ice?”
Marjoram nodded, and Twilight began to spooned a few spoonfuls of ice into Marjoram's mouth, waiting for him to open his mouth again to offer more. Once Marjoram kept his mouth shut, Twilight set the cup down.
“How are you?” Twilight asked.
“Better...now. Ice...helped.”
“Good,” Shores said, smiling, “Now go back to sleep. Celestia knows you can use it.”
Marjoram let out a strangled chuckle. As much as he wanted to stay awake, the burning exhaustion and lead weights attacking his eyes ushered his segue into dreamland.
(LINE BREAK)
He was standing on the balcony of a twisted, towering, stone castle, watching his subjects as they toiled, trying to mine the precious gems that could be found in the ground. All were ragged, too thin, and in poor health. Most were filthy, being forced to work long hours in the cramped, desolate condition of the mines.
While he, himself, looked at his kingdom, stretching out before him. Mile after mile of once beautiful nature, now drenched in blood and the tears of its creatures. All so he, and his loved ones, could stay happy and healthy.
He wasn't the scared little unicorn anymore, nor was he the mourning unicorn who had watched his twin suffer, and die, needlessly. He wasn't that scared little child, crying for his dead parents.
The sight of all the ponies, twisted and dying, both made him feel elated and horrible. He remembered Celestia, the fear in her eyes when she realized he was going to kill her.
He sat, watching as his subjects wasted away for no reason, a smile playing on his lips.
“I am Marjoram, and I rule you all.”
Marjoram was jolted into wakefulness as somepony gently shook him awake. Twilight, eyes tired, but smiling softly, was there.
“Easy, easy,” Twilight whispered, “You're alright. It was just a dream. We're still here, we'll protect you I promise.”
Marjoram's dizzying mind couldn't form words, and his malfunctioning lungs couldn't let him say: you're the ponies who need protecting.
Twilight stroked his neck, “Go back to sleep. You'll feel better in the morning.”
Confused, and already forgetting about the darkened, twisted spires of the haunted castle, and the vacancy in the eyes of ponies, Marjoram was soon asleep once more.
“Hey, Marjoram!' Carnation bounced into the room, then stopped mid-stride, seeing her brother still in bed, “Oh no, not again.”
Carnation approached slowly, unsure of what to expect. She found her twin, laying under the blankets, sweating buckets, shaking and shivering from chills. Using a forelimb, Carnation felt Marjoram's forehead. He was burning up.
“I'll get help-”
“no,” Marjoram whispered, reaching out blindly for his twin, “please. Don't leave.”
Carnation stopped, then went to her brother's bedside, “You need medicine-”
“You-you make me feel better,” Marjoram's golden eyes were glassy and shining. Not a good sign.
Carnation sighed, “Do you want me to tell you a story? Just a quick one, then I'm going to need to get you help.”
“please,” Marjoram whispered. Using a hoof, he gestured towards his head, “so loud. Need to concentrate. Need a distraction.”
Carnation frowned, but nodded, “Alright, but one story is it, then I'm getting the doctor.”
Marjoram nodded, but then relaxed more on the bed, breathing hard.
Carnation took a deep breath, remembering back to their childhood. She remembered the stories their mother told them, “Once upon a time, there was a family of rabbits. They were a loving and happy family, even when they didn't see eye to eye.”
Marjoram shut his eyes relaxing further. Carnation continued, stumbling over the half-remembered words, “One day, the twin siblings left their home in search of adventure, dragging their elder sibling with them. While exploring the woods, they came across a wolf, who was clearly very hungry-”
“And thin,” Marjoram added, “he's thin. Hasn't eaten in a while.”
Carnation nodded in agreement, “Yes, and he's thin. The wolf is very hungry, so much so that he tries to get the smallest of the twins, trying to eat him up for lunch. Of course, the eldest sibling knows he can't let his younger brother be eaten, and so, he charges the wolf, and starts beating on the wolf's paw with his strong legs.”
Marjoram giggled unsteadily, eyes shut, clearly imagining the sight. Carnation continued hurriedly, “The other twin can't stand by either, so she jumps into the fray, throwing herself at the jaws of the wolf, and knocking her brother free. The eldest yells for them to run, so they do. Soon after, he follows, but so does the wolf. Eventually, the wolf catches up, tracking them with his nose. There, the eldest throws himself at the wolf's paws, and begs that he be eaten. The twins lay in the bush, frozen with fear, not sure what to do.”
The wolf contemplates this proposition, and finds it acceptable. Just as he's getting ready to eat the eldest, the twins rush him, smacking at him and biting. Eventually, the wolf retreats, yelling that he can get easier pray elsewhere.”
“They fought against death that day,” Marjoram wheezed, “and they won, with teamwork.”
Carnation, thinking back to how Kafir had left only weeks before, blinked back tears, “Yeah. Now, I'm getting you that doctor.”