//------------------------------// // The King and I // Story: The Mare Who Became Queen // by misskoifishpony //------------------------------// Chapter 10: The King and I King Xerxes was preparing for the perfect night in the private lounge room. The evening had just began and everything was ready. Fresh fluffy pillows, and curtains closed; fountains in the corners of the room with lotus flowers floating in their waters, dimly lit scented candles decorated all over the room, satin covered tables, and colorful hanging ceiling drapes galore. The King was feeling quite satisfied with himself. Oh Xerxes, he cheerfully ponders to himself, she is just going to be putty in your claws. First, we'll have our lovely evening. Then, I'll declare my undying love to her. She'll be so moved by my irresistible passion that she'll declare her love for me. Then, we'll kiss. Oh yes, we shall indeed kiss. And it will be sooooo...oh, I can already imagine those soft little lips against mine. Ah yes, I can see it now. We'll truly live happily ever after...after this night. With a snap of his eagle talon, a trio of green parrots appeared on the window close to the main dining room. Ready to sing romantic music to the happy couple. Once all the items were placed, Xerxes straightened out the wrinkles in his vibrant red Sultan robe. This was going to be a night of love, so he might as well dress the part. Red has always been his color. Then again, in Xerxes's mind, every color looked fabulous on him. He decided not wear the matching red Sultan hat that went with it, in order to show off his gorgeous horns. Then, he poofed up a little hand mirror. He licked the tip of his fingers and used his them to smooth out his white furry eye brows. Once they were slick and smooth, he wiggled them and admired their movement in his reflection. "Oh just look at you. You old babe magnet." He complimented himself. Xerxes was then interrupted by the sound of the giant yet grand doors squeaking wide open. Slowly yet gently. And there she was...dressed in her very best. Truly, a vision behold. Esther walked in like a shy glowing star. A draping peacock skirt trailed behind her. The skirt traveled all the way to her shoulders, but her stomach was elegantly bare. Her chest covered by a sleeveless peacock feathered top. Her forelegs bare, and golden slippers decorated her delicate hooves. A light see through veil draped over her sweet muzzle; and behind her left ear was a peacock feather, and an exotic golden flower. To Xerxes, she looked lovelier than all the peacocks in the world. She was the queen of the peacocks...and the queen of his heart. He was utterly speechless in her presence. When Esther was finally in front of him, she looked up at him with blushed cheeks, "Um, good evening...Xerxes. You look...very nice tonight." Xerxes's ears wiggled with joy at her compliment. However, he quickly regained his composure and flashed a charmer smile at her. Esther was surprised when he kneeled down by one knee and took her hoof into his claws. "And you look simply ravishing." He uttered confidently in his sexiest voice. After that, he gave her a lingering kiss on her hoof. Esther's face furiously reddened when he did this. Oh my, this isn't going to be an easy night either. she thought to herself. "So, how is Mrs. Xerxes tonight?" Mrs. Xerxes? She pondered to herself. Why would he call me that? Oh...wait. That's right. I am... . "Oh, um, fine. Though, I was quite surprised to find, earlier this evening, that almost all my clothes have gone missing. Ruth and the other ladies in waiting had no idea what happened to them. We looked for them everywhere, but we could only find...this dress." "Oh, I'm sure they're just at the cleaners, my dear." Esther knew just from the mischievous look in his eyes that he had something to do with the lack of outfits in her wardrobe. Xerxes bounced back to his feet and lead his wife towards the table. "Come on, let us eat! I made this meal especially for us." With a wave of his hands, the trio of parrots began to sing... Can you feel the love tonight? The peace the evening brings The world for once in perfect harmony With all its living things... "Oh my." Esther whispered to herself, while paying close attention to the lyrics of the song. Xerxes and Esther reached to the table, and sat in the satin pillows on the ground. Xerxes was making sure that he sat in the pillow closest to Esther. So close that they were touching hips. The shy pegasus couldn't help but notice how touchy the King has been all evening, and she wondered why he wast acting this way. She also wondered why the private lounge was decorated like this, and why there were parrots singing romantic music. All of this made it hard for Esther to confess. She couldn't look at him, she can only look down on her front hooves. One of the parrots,who was female, sang... So many things to tell him But how to make him see The truth about who I am, impossible He'd turn away from me Esther's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Xerxes's voice, "What's wrong my queen? Why so tense?" Before she knew it, she felt something big yet soft nuzzling her cheek. She looked to her left and saw a lion. A brown lion with a grey face and a white beard on its chin. He had a long sleek black mane and a scar on its right eye. She could tell it was still Xerxes due to his front paws being yellow, his left hind leg being green, and his lion tail being all red. She giggled, not only because of his lion fur tickling her nose, but also because she knew that Xerxes would turn into animals in order to cheer her up. One of the other parrots of the trio, who was male, then sang... She's holding back, she's hiding But what, I can't decide Why won't she be the queen I know she is? The queen I see inside? Xerxes pulled away from Esther's cheek, in order to admire that smiling face of hers, "There is! There's that smile." Esther looked up into Xerxes's yellow and red lion eyes...and his warm yet gentle smile. Her smile quickly vanished and new concerns popped into her head. "Um...Xerxes? W-Where is Hamana?" Xerxes transformed back to his chaotic draconequus self and answered with, "Well, my dear visor wanted join us, but her heart was too set on capturing that felon loose in the kingdom. You know how she is. I tried to convince her otherwise, but she sends us her sincere apologies." But the truth was Xerxes saw Hamana earlier before she left on patrol and decided to...'forget'...to tell her. "Oh um, well...that's alright. I'm sure that we'll see more of her...once she completes her mission." "That's the spirit!" Then Xerxes grabbed Esther around by her waist and brought her close to his side...with a bright grin on his face. Esther blushed furiously in his grip. The trio of parrots all sang harmoniously... Can you feel the love tonight? The peace the evening brings The world, for once, in perfect harmony With all its living things Can you feel the love tonight? You needn't look too far Stealing through the night's uncertainties Love is where they are Xerxes then slyly signals them to stop singing. Once they followed his command, he poofed them away. "X-Xerxes? There's something...I need to tell you." "Oh, before you do, I have a little surprise for you. Close your eyes." Esther hesitantly covered her eyes with her hooves. With giddiness and glee coursing through him, Xerxes reached behind his back and magically poofs out a light walnut brown wooden box. "Ta-Da!" Esther removed her hooves from her eyes and gasped at the present. The box was beautiful craved. It was soft, smooth, and fitted perfectly into her hooves. It even had her name engraved in cursive writing. She couldn't believe how gorgeous this simple little box was. "Happy One Month Anniversary! I know married couples usually do the yearly anniversary thing, but...I couldn't resist!" "Oh Xerxes, it's beautiful. Thank you. But,...I didn't get you anything." "I already told you my dear, I don't need anything. Your company is all I could ever ask for. Now, open it!" She gently lifted the lid and her ears were greeted by a musical sound. The melody was soft, sweet, kind, deep, and familiar. It was...her song. Her parents' lullaby. She couldn't believe it. He remembered it. Also on the inside of this wonderful music box was a slow twirling topaz statue of herself flying with a pink and blue jeweled butterfly. This thoughtful and sincere present...took her breath away. Xerxes interrupted her awe a nervous, "I know that I usually go with the more extravagant route, but I figured that you would appreciate something gushy yet sentimental even more." "Xerxes...this is...my song." "It sure is." Then, he took one of her hooves into his claws tenderly. Their eyes meet. "Now, most ponies think I just married you because of your beauty and your song. Don't get me wrong, those are things that I love about you. But they're just cherries on top of the Esther sundae." Poof! Before Esther knew it, Xerxes transformed her into a pony sized sundae. Vanilla cream ice cream, drenched in chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and cherries. All gathered into a blue glass bowl. "Yeeeeahhh hehe...I know, bad analogy." Xerxes nervously and awkwardly chuckled. He transformed Esther back to her normal self and continued with his confession to the best of his ability, "Forget it! My point is, I married you because your kindness. Your compassion. Your sweetness. And your heart. You were the only pony that cared about me that night. You were the only pony that night that was concerned about me. You were the only one that able to see through my Kingly facade. Let's face it, you can read me like an open book and I...surprisingly like that. As our weeks together progressed, I found out more things that drew me closer to you. And last night...I realized something important. And that was the real reason why you become my queen. Esther...you're my queen...and more importantly, my wife because...I love you. I-I love you Esther." Esther's heart began to pound at the speed of light. It consumed her very breath. Her face flared red like Celestia's burning sun. Her eyes widened to their fullest capacity. Her hoof was sweating in his claws. Her jaw dropped down to the pillow. She couldn't believe it... Not only was this first time that any pony confessed love to her, but...Xerxes...the Chaotic King...the tyrant that cruelly took over her kingdom and banished all hope...just told her that...he loved her. Soon her own words began echoing in her mind, Can love come from friendship? She would have never imagined this in her wildest dreams... Soon, she was overwhelmed by anxiety...fear...panic...sadness...and above all, confusion. Her heart was confused. Her soul felt like it was trying to escape her chest. Her mind was flooded with the thoughts of her poor cousin beaten to death, Hamana's evil smirk, and Celestia's shining face. Even though her words were truthful. Her salvation...her cousin's salvation...were rightfully just, but...she felt like her words were going to ooze out like poison. It will pierce through the King's heart. It'll crush him, without a doubt. He'll hate her...and she didn't want that! Why Celestia?! She screamed inside her head. Why?! Confessions of love are suppose to times of celebration and joy, not this! Esther prayed for her strength as tears rushed in. They rushed in like fast hot lava. She broke down in front of the King. "Esther?!" Xerxes exclaimed in concern, as his dear wife trembled and sobbed into her hooves, "Esther, what's wrong? What's wrong my dearest?" He then tenderly grabbed her by the shoulders and searched for her eyes. But...she dared not show them. He expected happy tears, but...not this. Xerxes couldn't bare to see her like this. Why was she crying like this? Could she...be... repulsed by his love? "Esther darling, please, talk to me." When Esther was able to catch her breath, she quickly cried out, "I BELIEVE IN CELESTIA!" Time stopped for Xerxes. His grip on her shoulders loosened. His heart stopped beating and landed in his stomach. He couldn't believe what he just...no! That couldn't be what she just said! Maybe it was "I love you" in a strange coded language. Yeah...that had to be it. "I-I...I'm sorry my dear. I couldn't quite catch that." Then, he popped off one of his horns and used to clean out his ears, "Could you...repeat that again?" Esther cried into her hooves once more, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes, "I believe in Celestia!" Xerxes grew silent again. His paw and claw fell from her shoulders. "Oh Xerxes, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry. I...I didn't mean to lie to you. I-I didn't mean to keep this a secret. But everything went so fast. From arriving at the palace...meeting you...you making me your queen...to just...everything! I'm so sorry!" Xerxes couldn't believe it. She had said it. She had truly said it. The tensed sad air was broken by the sound of the private lounge doors slamming wide open. Hamana came in...dragging Moriyah, Keshet, and Vashti behind her with magically glowing chains. On both sides of each prisoner were two unicorn guards. And behind the line of prisoners were lines of pegasi and earth pony guards. Xerxes slowly stood up and approached Hamana and the prisoners with a serious look on his face. Esther turned around, with tears still in her eyes; witnessing her nightmare coming to life, "Oh no." Hamana wore a victorious yet twisted look on her face, "Sire! We did it! We finally captured the notorious Moriyah!" With her magic, she pulled Moriyah forwarded by the chain attached around the purple unicorn's neck. The purple unicorn looked up at the King with lifeless and weary eyes. "Bow before your king!" Hamana used her magic to pull on Moriyah's neck chain once more, which resulted in Moriyah collapsing towards the King. "Well done Hamana." Xerxes slightly acknowledged Hamana. This made the blue unicorn smirk with pride. Then, he turned his attention back to Moriyah, who was too weak and tired to stand up. But, her eyes were still on him. Xerxes narrowed his gaze "Moriyah Sparkle...for your treason and crime against the crown," He raises his lion paw in the air, "I hereby banish you to...!" "No!" Esther rapidly threw herself on top of Moriyah. She cradled her cousin's head in her forelegs. Her head was on top of her cousin's, and her hair draped over hers. But Esther's eyes were on Xerxes's...looking strong yet pleading. "If you banish her, then you'll have to banish me too!" "Esther...get out of the way." He sternly told her, while trying not to sound too harsh. "No Xerxes, I won't! She's my cousin and I love her." His eyes widened and his raised lion paw dropped down to his side. His face gently softened. His ears flattened. "Xerxes...I have done a great wrong by you. I worship a pony you despise...and I didn't tell you about it. I didn't tell you that Moriyah was my cousin when I should've. I wasn't honest with you. I hid my true self from you. But those are my only crimes. And now, you're committing crimes against me. You are going to banish my one and only family to the barren wastelands. You are punishing her for believing in something that makes up who she is. And you are denying my right to believe in a pony that gives me strength and hope. You have taken away our Sun Goddess! No just from me and Moriya, but from every pony in Saddle Arabia! And...I'm going to stand against you. Or at least...until something changes. This is the path I choose Xerxes...what will yours be?" Xerxes took a slight step back from Esther and Moriyah. His claws were trembling. He looked towards his guards and Hamana for answers, but...their stares were blank and full of confusion. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to feel or say. There's a war going inside him. All that he wanted to do was go back in time. When she and him were ignorantly happy together. On one hoof, he can't let any pony defy him. He couldn't let any pony dominate him. He can't let this blasted Goddess win. He had worked for far too long to keep Celestia under wraps. But on the other hoof, the pony defying him...in this moment is...was his beloved Esther. The pony he just confessed passionate love to. The pony he cherished above chaos and power. His sweet darling...worshipping his enemy...protecting the captain that betrayed him. Why did it have to be this way?! He couldn't bare the thought of her hating him. Above all else, he couldn't live with that. He couldn't having her suffer anymore. He couldn't bare her tears. He didn't want to take away her family. He couldn't take away a religion, no matter how ridiculous it was, that makes her happy. But more importantly...she couldn't just disappear from his life. Not now. Not when their life together had just started. With a heavy yet sad sigh, he turned his back to Esther. He waved his paw in the air. The chains on Moriyah, Keshet, and Vashti disappeared. Hamana and the guards gawked at the King, while the mares gasped with joy and smiled at each other. They cheered and hugged together. "Your Majesty," Hamana protested, "y-you can't do this!" "Can and just did!" Xerxes snarled. "B-But the edict! The law!" "I am the edict! I am the law! So shut up!" "No...NO YOUR MAJESTY! You can't let her..." She pointed her hoof at Moriyah, "get away with this! You can't!" "How dare Moriyah do this to you?!" Keshet proclaimed "Oh that's it! I have had it with you! How dare you...that's right you...use Esther for blackmail?!" "YOU WHAT?!" Xerxes exploded. He brought his angry yet fiery face in front of Hamana's. He was floating in the air, backing the terrified unicorn into a corner. "YOU KNEW! YOU KNEW ALL ALONG AND DID NOTHING! IN FACT, YOU ENCOURAGED IT! YOU INSISTED! HOW DARE YOU!" "It wasn't Hamana's intention to banish her Your Majesty! She only used this fact to persuade Moriyah into giving herself over. Once she did, there would be no need for you or any pony to know. Moriyah is the real criminal here! Hamana was trying to do what was best for you and the kingdom!" Then, Hamana crawled on her knees and pleaded on the bottom part of the King's red robe. There were tears in her eyes, "Please Your Highness! Hamana knew how much you love your queen! She would never take away your happiness! Please have mercy!" "You do not deserve my mercy. You do not deserve the title of royal visor." With his eagle claw in the air, he declared, "Hamana Lulamoon, I hereby banish you. Not to the barren wastelands...oh no...to the barren energy void...a silent waste-less space...a perfect place...for the likes of you!" Xerxes used his magic to lift her in the air, and drag her near a glowing portal opening. "Xerxes stop!" Esther pleaded, flying towards Xerxes. "Esther..." He softly yet tenderly muttered. His eyes directly on the beautiful pegasus coming towards him. "Xerxes, don't this." "Esther, I have to." "No, you don't!" "Oh, yes I do! My dear, she used you as black mail! She black mailed and hunted down your own cousin! She has to pay for what she has done to you!" "No Xerxes, she doesn't! And you know why? Because I have already forgiven her!" Hamana's eyes widened, her surprised stare directed towards Esther. Her jaw dropped and she was at a lost for words. Her heart felt strangely lifted, for a moment. However, it soon became heavy when she realized that...the King will eventually dismiss Esther away. Or worse. "How can you say that?! How can you forgive a pony like this so easily?!" "Because there's good inside her...just like there's good inside you." Xerxes was shocked...yet silent. "You want me to forgive you, don't you? Don't you think that she wants that too?" "And...have I earned your forgiveness?" With a smile, Esther sweetly responded, "Of course you have." Xerxes's now gentle eyes turned towards the petrified pony floating near the portal. Hamana's face was full with so much fear, but some how hope still lingered in her eyes. The King let out a heavy sign before closing the portal. He teleported Hamana back on to the ground. Every pony was speechless...especially the former royal visor. Esther and Xerxes floated back to the ground. Xerxes turned to face Hamana...with slight annoyance, "Alright Hamana. So instead of banishing you and bla di da, I'm going to you imprison you..." Esther cleared her throat. "Seriously my dear! Not even that?!" "She's not going to learn her lesson that way. She needs something more...appropriate...for her crime. Hmmm. How about hiring her as garden animals' caretaker? I think taking care of other creatures will do her alot of good." "But my dear, you already take care of them." "It never hurts to have a helping hoof. Whadda say Hamana? Would you like to do that?" "Ha-Ha-Hamana...would be honored to do so." She breathlessly stated. Then, she bowed towards her merciful queen, "Thank you...Your Majesty." "You're welcome." Esther replied with a smile. Moriyah approached Hamana from the side. The ex-royal visor turned to the purple unicorn cryptically, "Let me guess. You're going to order the now pathetic and worthless Hamana to bow to you as well?" "No, I wasn't. I just wanted to say...I'm sorry...for all that happen. And I...hope that we can start again." Hamana was surprised when Moriyah offered her hoof to her and...smiled. This smile seemed genuine and kind...just like the Queen's. After all that she has done...Moriyah forgaven her and wanted to start over. Maybe...this unicorn wasn't so bad after all. Hamana nervously and slowly shook the purple unicorn's hoof. With his back turned to every pony, Xerxes proclaimed in a solemn yet firm tone, "Well, since good cheer has returned, I guess that's my cue to go." "Xerxes! Wait!" Esther begged, while flying towards him. But, it was too late. Xerxes had already poofed himself out of the room. Without heistation, Esther ran out of the private lounge. Celestia's moon glowed sweetly and calmly on the beautiful palace garden. Especially on Xerxes laying beside the garden's pond. In his claws, so tenderly, was Esther's music box. He opened the lid...and let the soft lullaby music play. He sang sadly... The battle is not ours We look to love For it will guide us safely through And help us rise above... Xerxes closed the music box's top quickly as his ears picked up on the sound of hoof steps coming towards him. He looked up...and saw his dear queen...glowing in the moonlight. "Oh Xerxes, thank goodness!" Esther sighed in relief, "I I found you." She was panting. She really had been looking for him. Yet despite this, Xerxes replied with, "Why are you so happy to find some creature like me?" "Because...I was worried about you." "Save your breath my dear, there's no excuse for a sweet mare like you to be worrying about a tyrant like me." "Xerxes...what happened back there was just a big misunderstanding. What matters is that is you did the right thing. You made things right afterwards." "No my dear, you were the one that fixed everything." Xerxes looked down at the brown wooden music box in his paw, "All I did was ruin everything." "Oh Xerxes, that's not true." "Then tell me this...was the song that you sang to me truly about love?" "Well...yes technically. But only it's...Celestia's love." "Grrrr...Celestia! Blah! I swear if I hear that name one more time, I'm gonna...!" "You...you never told me." "Hmm?" "You never told me why you...hate her...so much. I know that you don't want to talk about her, but...now is the time to do it. So please, tell me why." "It's just that...that...every pony thinks she's soooo great. Every pony thinks she's soooo perfect and sooo wonderful. Well, I got news for ya ponies...there's no such thing as perfect! Life is messy and chaotic, therefore perfection cannot exist! No matter how much you want it to be so! Yet despite this, every pony thinks she's the best thing since naan bread. Ugh, sickening. But that's not even the worst part! Oh no, she's a perfect goody hooves that doesn't even exist! With magic supposedly far superior than mine! Superior than my magic?! Please! She can control the sun, the moon, and the stars, big whoop! So can I!" Then he waved his lion paw in the air angrily and commanded the moon to go dark. Making the whole kingdom shadowed in its darkness. Then, he commanded the moon to go bright again and move up and down from the horizon. After that, he commanded the sun to pop up next to the moon. He even made the sun kick all the stars next to the moon. "CAN THEIR MAKE BELIEVE SUN GODDESS DO THIS?!" He shouted to the heavens. "Xerxes!" Esther flew up to Xerxes's arm and gently pulled on it. With her teal eyes wide and big, she softly pleaded, "Please! That's enough." With his eyes memorized by her gorgeous eyes, he slowly pulled his arm back to his side. He silently commanded the moon, the sun, and the stars to go back to normal. "You think no pony cares about you as a king...all because of Celestia...don't you?" "I don't need them to care about you. I don't need any pony's tender love and care." Xerxes explained coldly, while turning his face away from her. But Esther brought his face back towards her with her hooves, "So...you're saying that...you don't need my love then?" Xerxes's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe that she asked that. His mind almost went blank and his heart almost stopped. Of course that he needed her love! Above all else! But... "I think the real question is...do you need my love?" Esther's grip on Xerxes's face loosened. "Esther, let me ask you this. Did you even wanted to be my queen in the first place?" Esther lost her breath. Her eyes grew wide. She knew what her answer was, but...she didn't know how to explain it to him. With her head turned slightly away from him, she answered "Not at first. But only because I didn't know you and...you never even asked me if I wanted to marry you." Her words began to sting him, but only because what she was saying was true. "However..." "However?" Xerxes asked, with his ears perked up. "However...as we've gotten to know each other and spent this month together, I've realized that...not only do I enjoy being your friend, but..." With a blush forming on her cheeks, she turned her smiling face towards him and said, "I've also enjoyed being your wife too." Xerxes felt faint yet ecstatic. He could die happily right now and wouldn't care. "It is true. I don't love you." Annnddd...the hyped just died. Xerxes groaned to himself in his mind. "But I could." Yes! The dream lives again! He exclaimed inside. "With a little more time, of course. I do care about you Xerxes...but love takes time. I need more time. I hope you understand." With a cheeky smirk on his face, he grabbed Esther by her sides, thus stopping the fluttering flight of her wings. He brought her close to his chest, and passionately kissed her on the lips. Esther's cheeks flared, her eyes widened to their fullest capacity, her whole body stiffened. While Xerxes's eyes were closed, and his mind was in utter bliss. It never hurts to speed up the process, right? He cheekly joked with himself. Esther could feel everything in that kiss...his acceptance about Celestia...his acceptance about Moriyah...his forgiveness for her lies...his apology for all his mistakes...but above all, she could feel his burning love for her. Before she could lose herself in his burning love, Xerxes slowly broke their kiss. With a gentle smile on his face, he whispered sweetly, "I completely understand." Then, he caressed her cheeks with his eagle claw, and pulls some of Esther's pink hair behind her ear, "I'm so sorry...for everything I've..." "Xerxes, I've already told you...I forgive you." He was so happy that his ears wiggled. He gave his wonderful queen another kiss. And this time, Esther eased into it and closed her eyes. The king and queen kissed under the full moon...in the luscious garden...by the glittering pond...with Esther's music box right next to them.