An earth-pony named Marie lives in a cottage inside of The EverFree Forest with no pony, but her mother. One day, when her mother falls ill, her life goes down hill really quickly.
{This story is meant to be based on Medieval Equestria/Times} Marie is only nine years old, and soon after her mother dies of an illness, she is all on her own. Her life starts to go off track once she is gone. She gets kidnapped by a guard of another kingdom. Prince Xavier, a stallion alicorn, wishes to marry Marie after years of spying on her, she rejects his proposal, and things get even worse for the poor mare.
It was a cold, December day in The EverFree Forest. A young filly who was only nine years old stayed with her mother in a wooden cottage. It was also close to Christmas time. The filly's name was Marie, and her mother's name was April. One day, April had gone outside to watch Marie play in the snow, making sure no timberwolves or wild animals got to her.
Marie exclaimed cheerfully, "Come on, mommy! Come play in the snow with me!"
"I-I don't know, sweetie." April replied.
Marie looked up at her with a cute face, "Pleeeaaase?"
April chuckled and rolled her eyes, "Alright, but only for a little while."
As April was building a snowman with Marie, thoughts began running through her mind. She had remembered Marie's father and older brother. Sadly, her dad died in a fire at their old house, and her brother died at birth. April tried not to bring it up in front of Marie, even though she already knew.
Marie's voice interrupted April's thoughts, "Mommy, are you okay?"
April responded as a timberwolf howled in the distance, "I'm fine, come on, Marie. Let's get inside, I'll make us some hot-chocolate."
Marie smiled, "Okay!"
They both went inside, and April began making home-made hot cocoa. Marie was coloring as her mother did so. In the middle of drinking hot chocolate, April coughed and sneezed.
"Do you need a tissue, mommy?" Marie asked.
April smiled and said, "I can get it myself, sweetie, but yes, and thank you for asking." April blew her nose, threw it in the waste-basket, and then went to join her daughter by the fireplace. They both covered up with a blanket and continued sipping their hot-chocolate.
Marie laughed, "Y-You have a mustache, mommy!"
April laughed and wiped the chocolate from her lips. The clock struck, signaling that it was 8:00pm.
"Alright, time for a little filly to get to bed." April said.
Marie yawned, "B-But I'm not...tired..."
April smiled and helped Marie into her bed, she tucked her in. "Goodnight, sweet-heart." April whispered as Marie slept. She walked into her own bedroom and went to sleep, having a hard time as she was falling sick. Marie got up, feeling refreshed and hyper the next morning. She ran around the house looking for her mom, assuming she'd be making breakfast as always in the kitchen. She wasn't there, and Marie started to worry.
She called out, "Mommy? Mommy, where are you?!"
April coughed from her bed, "I-I'm in here, Marie."
Marie ran into her mother's bedroom and hugged her. "Mommy, are you alright?" She asked.
"I...I don't know, honey. I don't think I'm doing too well..." April answered.
Marie questioned, "Y-You're not going to...d-die, are you?"
April replied, "I don't know...I called the doctor, he should be here soon. If you hear a knock, open the door."
"Okay, but...how did you get sick?" Marie remarked.
"We must have been out in the snow too long yesterday." April answered hoarsely. Marie frowned, but then April said something else, "Marie, could you go and get me that music box off my dresser?"
Marie nodded, and fetched the music box for her mother. she was about to hand it to her when April spoke, "I want you to have it."
"B-But isn't this the last Christmas present grandpa gave you?" Marie asked curiously.
April smiled, "Yes, but...this may be our last Christmas together...I want you to keep it. Open it up."
Marie gasped and admired the beautiful silver necklace inside. It had a single flower charm on it. April helped Marie put it on. "You look beautiful, sweetie." April said with a sore throat.
Marie smiled, "I love it a lot, mommy! Thank you!" She hugged her mother.
April started coughing really hard, non-stop. Marie backed away and looked horrified at her mother, but also worried. "M-Mommy! Are you okay?!"
April didn't reply, only her head fell on her pillow. Marie dropped the music box on the floor and ran over to her mother. "Mommy! Mommy, are you alright?! Mommy! No, no, no! Mommy!" Marie hugged her mom and cried softly. "N-No...mommy..." Marie had a hard time believing and facing her mother was now dead.
Just then, she heard two voices from outside. "Ugh! Jim, let's stop for directions! We're lost!" A female voice sounded.
"No! I am a perfectly fine navigator!" The male voice spat back.
Marie heard their bickering, and walked to the window, opening it. The voices were coming from two blue birds. "Um...hello there, can I help you?" Marie politely asked.
The two birds where shocked, but flew down and perched themselves on her window sill. "I didn't know ponies were able to communicate with animals. This is incredible!"
Marie questioned, "I didn't know I could either..." she gasped, "It must be my necklace! I wonder if mommy knew it had this kind of power..."
The female bird said, "Well, since you can understand us, my name is Jill, and this is my brother, Jimmy."
"Nice to meet you both! I'm Marie." She replied.
Jimmy asked, "So, where are your parents? You don't happen to have any birdseed, do you?"
Jill slapped him with her wing on the back of his head, "Jim! We're not here to annoy the poor filly."
Marie responded, "Oh, no, it's alright. I do have birdseed, I'll get it for you." She walked over to the pantry and grabbed a bag of birdseed, spreading it along the window for them to peck at.
"So, your parents?" Jimmy repeated.
Marie looked upset, "I-I'm an orphan now..."
Jill gasped, "Oh no, darling, what happened?"
"My mother died just about fifteen minutes ago from being sick, and my father died in a fire at our old house. My older brother...he died before he was born..." Marie answered.
Just then, the door-bell rang. Marie gasped, "Oh, that must be the doctor! Maybe he can save my mommy! I'll be right back!"
The birds continued eating as the filly ran to the door excitedly. "Hello, are you the doctor?" Marie asked. The pony that stood before her was a tall stallion, a unicorn. He wore a long, black cloak with a cape, and hid his face well.
The unicorn mumbled under his breath, "You'll wish I was." He levitated Marie into a sack and tied it up, putting her inside of a carriage. Then he started pulling it, half-running.
Marie struggled, "Hey! Let me out of here! Where are you taking me?!"
The birds over-heard her shrieks of terror, and they flew after the noise, seeing the carriage and unicorn pulling her away. Jill gasped loudly, "Jimmy, come on, we have to save her!"
Jimmy replied, "Are you out of your mind?! You're gonna get us killed, you feather-brain!"
"Well, then we have to at least see where he's taking her! That poor girl's mother just died, and is now an orphan. We're going to make sure her life gets back on track. Got it?" Jill said.
Jimmy grunted, "Ugh, fine." They continued flying after the carriage.
Marie had fallen asleep on the ride, and woke up in a room inside a castle, much different from Canterlot's.
Marie woke up in a room in a castle. She didn't recognize the castle, and it certainly wasn't Canterlot's.
"Where am I?" Marie mumbled to herself, still a bit drowsy. She still had her necklace on, which she was happy about not loosing. She looked around the room she was in. "Whoa..." Marie said in awe.
In her room, there was a desk with quills and bottles of ink, along with paper in case she wanted to write a letter. There was also a bookshelf, a balcony outside her room, and a very comfortable, fluffy bed. She also found a dumb-waiter elevator, or a lift as some call it, for transporting food up and down from room-to-room. What amazed Marie the most was a lovely bouquet of daffodils on a nightstand. However, she saw a note attached to them, and out of her own curiosity, opened it up and read it.
Marie read the note aloud, "My dearest Marie, I have had my eyes set on you for a long time. I may be twelve, and you nine, but I think you are the most beautiful mare in all of the land. I am also asking of you to join me for dinner. I can't wait to meet you face-to-face for the first time! If you should not wish to come and see me at dinner, I don't want to force you to, but if I must, I will. Sincerely yours, Prince Xavier of Meldania. P.S. If there is anything I or my servants could get for you, please let us know."
As touching and romantic as this letter was, Marie was frankly disgusted by it. "Ugh! I am not going to wait around for somepony I don't even know to have dinner with me! Especially if it means I have to be forced! Prince or not, I have a voice here!" Marie exclaimed.
Meanwhile, back in the woods of Meldania, Jill and Jimmy were stuck trying to find their way through the thick forest and brambles. "We need to help her!" Jill shouted.
Jimmy whispered, "Shh! Keep it down...I don't want a crocodile coming up at us in this swamp..."
They were both caught in a spider-web, and they both struggled. "Ugh! Things just can't get easier!" Jill complained.
"Oh, quit whining, at least there aren't any spiders!" Jimmy said.
Just then, three spiders came crawling out from the corners. Jill tried to slap him with her wing, "Would you just keep your big mouth shut for once?!"
Jimmy replied, "Just relax! I got this!" He used his beak to peck at the web, and they both were free. "Ha-ha! So long, you big, hairy-legged freaks!" Jimmy laughed.
Jill screamed as she was caught by one of their strands of web. The spider started pulling her towards itself. Jimmy whispered, then got louder, "Spoke too soon...hey! Leave my sister alone!" He flew in for a dive-bomb, cutting the web, and then they both flew off without any problems this time.
Jill sighed with relief, "Okay, time to go and find Marie!"
Back at the castle, Marie had her own problems to worry about. She was trying to find a way out, first off, by trying to pull the door. It was locked, and then she tried her balcony doors. They opened, and she walked out onto her balcony. "Huh. I gotta say, a mare could get used to a view like this." She said.
"I wonder if I should try jumping down..." Marie pondered. She looked down, then gasped. Marie realized that if she jumped, she'd be landing in a moat of solid ice. "Yep, going back inside..." She walked back inside, shutting her doors.
Somepony knocked at her door, and it was a guard. He didn't open up the door, but spoke from the other side, "Madam, Prince Xavier has requested I tell you to start getting ready for dinner, then escort you downstairs. I'll be waiting out here for you until you're ready."
Marie whispered to herself, "Well, if it's for a first impression...I guess I could gussy-up a little bit. What do they want from me? I'm only nine...ugh! This is so confusing and ridiculous!" Marie brushed out her mane to be straight, then put a head-band on. "It's not the best, but it's something...I'm not going out of my way for some stuck-up greedy prince." Marie finished.
The guard asked, "Are you ready?"
Marie sighed, "Unfortunately, yes. Lead the way." The guard began leading her down to the dining hall.
"The prince also requested to dine alone with you, I was only meant to bring you here. Enjoy your meal, m'lady." The guard said as he walked away to continue duties.
Marie sighed unsteadily, then walked inside. She saw the prince sitting up at the end of the table.
Xavier smiled, "You must be Marie! Thank you so much for willingly joining me for supper. Might I say you look lovely this evening?"
"Um...thanks." Marie said unhappily.
The chef's brought out salads, oats, mashed potatoes with gravy, biscuits, and tea. Marie only ate a biscuit and not even a quarter of her salad.
"Are you alright? You've hardly eaten or said a word." Xavier asked. He levitated his tea with his magic, and took a few sips of it.
Marie replied, "I-I'm fine, and I guess I'm just not all that talkative tonight. I...I'm having a lovely time, though."
Xavier grinned, "I'm so happy to hear that! There was actually something I wanted to ask you."
"Hmm?" Marie remarked.
"Would you marry me?" Xavier said, levitating a small diamond ring.
Marie looked at him like he was crazy. "What's wrong?" He asked.
"W...What's wrong? What's wrong?! Seriously?! I am nine, and you are twelve! You're asking me to marry you, also, I hardly even know you! Not to mention you kidnapped me, and forced me to join you for dinner! Want a reply to your question?! Well, I have one! Goodnight!" Marie started to walk out.
Xavier had a disappointed and angry expression on his face, he picked her up with his magic. "Put me down!" Marie exclaimed.
"You don't want to be my wife? Fine, you shall be my maid and work for me instead! The castle's always looking for new one's anyways...until you decide to change your mind, you can stay here for the rest of your life!" Xavier declared.
Marie asked, "Don't you have parents?! They can stop you!"
Xavier's eyes softened, remembering his parents. "That doesn't concern you! Even if they were here, then it wouldn't matter! We still need the assistance anyways!"
"What do you mean 'if they were here'?!" Marie questioned.
Xavier growled, "I said forget it!" He dropped her from his magic, placing her on the ground. "Goodnight! I've had it with you, your job starts in the morning." He remarked.
Marie started to walk out, when Xavier called out, "Oh, and if you even try to escape, I'd re-think that decision. I will have guards everywhere patrolling all night every night. Including during the day, and there will be no way out."
She cried softly as she ran to her room and put her face in her pillow. Then, she heard tapping on her window. Marie opened it up, and saw Jill and Jimmy. "There you guys are! I was so worried!" Marie said happily.
Jimmy replied, "We're fine, but we've gotta get you outta here!"
Marie sighed, "About that...I can't...I'm stuck here."
"What do you mean, dear?" Jill asked.
Marie answered, "Well, the Prince of Meldania kind of asked me to a dinner-date, and then asked me to marry him. I didn't want to, and then...he got mad and is forcing me to be a maid, starting tomorrow."
Jimmy exclaimed, "Whoa, whoa, whoa...whoa! Hold up, he asked you to marry him?! You're just a kid! How old is this 'prince' anyways?!"
"Twelve..." Marie responded.
Jill replied, "Yeah, that's not right. Young love is a beautiful thing, but not this early, and especially since you don't return his feelings."
Marie said, "Exactly, but...I don't have a choice."
For the next nine years, Marie worked as a maid in the castle. She was now eighteen, and Xavier was twenty-one. Everyday during those long, nine years, she would mop the floors, serve food, clean up messes, wash windows, feed the animals, do the dishes, dust the castle, tend to the royal garden, and polish the throne.
Marie sighed heavily, "It's been nine years...and still no help! What is it going to take for me to get out of this dumb castle?!"
Jill responded, "I'm not sure...me and Jimmy aren't as young as we used to be, but at least we've grown wiser..."
"Hey, check it out! I found a brown blade of grass!" Jimmy said.
Jill said unsteadily, "At least...I've grown wiser."
Marie responded, "Yeah, well, the Summer Gala is tomorrow night, and I still have a lot of things to get done. I need to do my chores, decorate the room, make the food, shop for an outfit, and make sure 'his highness' has the best party ever. I would add 'get a date' to my list, but no stallion will want to go out with a dirt-poor maid like me."
"Why don't we hit the village first to shop for a dress?" Jill suggested.
"Alright..." Marie said. She put her mane in a side-ponytail, and then began walking down to the village. Jill and Jimmy were flying from behind her. "The village looks so beautiful in the summer time! Everypony is out today!" She exclaimed.
Marie hadn't been paying attention to where she was going, and she ran into somepony. "Ow!" The pony said.
Marie helped the stallion up, and exclaimed, "I am so, so sorry! Are you alright?"
The stallion replied, "I'm fine, thanks, and no, no, I wasn't looking where I was going. My apologizes, miss..."
"Oh, uh, Marie, my name is Marie." She responded.
"Nice to meet you, Marie, I'm David." He answered.
Marie remarked, "Nice to meet you, too."
"So, what is your occupation?" David asked.
"Oh, I'm a maid at the castle." Marie replied.
David grinned, "Quite an honor serving the royal family if you ask me. Well, the prince at least. What happened to his parents...such a shame."
Marie questioned, "What happened to them?"
"Oh, I'm not entirely too sure, but from what I've heard, they were kidnapped by a witch and never seen again." David answered. The town clock rung, and he exclaimed, "I'm so sorry, but I must be off. I'm meant to be at a friend's birthday party."
Marie said, "Alright, see you later."
"Good day." David replied as he walked away.
Jill smiled, "I saw that look, Marie!"
Marie blushed, "What are you talking about?"
"Like you don't know!" Jimmy started cracking up.
"For real guys, what are you..." Marie was cut off by Jill.
Jill interrupted, "You like David!"
Marie looked in surprise at her bird friends, "W-What?! No, no, no! I...I don't!"
"Denying!" Jimmy laughed.
"Okay, okay! I like him...a little, but don't tell anypony...well, you can't...oh for crying out loud, you're birds that only I can understand." Marie said. Ponies walking by looked at her like she was insane talking to animals. "Hehehe...hi..." Marie said awkwardly.
"Maybe he'll ask you to the dance?" Jill remarked.
"Pfft, don't count on it. Look at me, it's a miracle I can go out in public looking like this. I'm a mess." Marie replied.
Jimmy responded, "Look, Marie, if there's anything I've learned about dating, and also from my sister's disturbing looks..."
"Hey!" Jill blurted out.
"Shut up. Anyways, if there's anything I've learned from all that, it doesn't matter how you look on the outside, it's what's on the inside that matters." Jimmy finished.
Marie muttered sarcastically, "That explains why every stallion in Meldania is all over me..."
Jill smiled, "Don't worry, you'll find that special somepony some day. It just may take a while...a way to put it, maybe you have to shift through some sand before you find a treasure."
"Okay, I'm done with this pep-talk, let's go and find that dress." Marie stated. They found a store in the village, and luckily, Marie had the right amount of bits for it. It was a crystal-blue dress with a white sash around the waist and it came with a white head-band to match. She also bought some shoes that were white with it.
"You're going to look so pretty in that, Marie!" Jill complimented.
Marie replied, "Thanks, Jill. Okay, let's get back to the palace, I'm supposed to be serving 'his majesty' lunch." They began walking back, and the birds followed behind Marie once more. They ran into Xavier on the way to her room.
"What do you want?" Marie asked.
Xavier replied, "Would you take it easy? If you're still upset about the proposal thing, that was nearly ten years ago." He added on silently, "Even though I still love you..."
Marie remarked, "What was that?"
"Nothing." Xavier recovered.
Marie responded, "Yeah, well, I've gotta get to my room to put this bag away. Then I have to finish planning your party, so leave me alone."
Xavier rolled his eyes, "Ugh...why do you have to be so strict? Fine, Ms. Bossy, go. I want that gala to be perfect and no less."
"Yes, your Royal Antagonist." Marie replied as she walked away.
Xavier huffed, then walked off in the opposite direction. "I hate him so much..." Marie said.
"We all do, Marie...we all do." Jimmy responded.
Marie hung up her dress in her closet. "Alright, time to finish up party-planning!" She said. Marie trotted off into the room where the Summer Gala was being held, and finished up the details. "Perfect!" Marie said.
"Wow, great job on the decorations, Marie!" Xavier remarked.
Marie gasped and jumped out of her skin, startled, "You've got to stop sneaking up on ponies like that!" She exclaimed. "Why are you here, anyways? I thought princes had other things to do asides from nag their servants." She added.
Xavier replied, "Cool it, I'm here because I wanted to know if you'd be my date to the dance."
Marie looked coldly at him, "I'm not interested."
"Fine, I'll give you time to think on it." Xavier walked away once more.
"Well, now that all my chores are done, and I have nothing to do, I may as well go and take a walk." Marie said.
Jimmy asked, "Want us to come along?"
Marie responded, "Nah, I think I'll go it alone this time."
"Alrighty then." Jill said.
The blue birds flew off, and Marie headed back down to walk around the village. She saw David coming, and tried to act natural, but tripped over a rock and landed in front of him.
David asked, "Marie? Are you alright?"
Marie blushed, "I...um, yeah, I'm fine."
"What brings you into town?" David questioned.
"Oh, just, erm...getting some fresh air." Marie replied.
David looked at her necklace, "That's a very beautiful necklace, what store did you purchase it from?"
"Hmm? Oh, my necklace...I didn't buy it at a store, my grandpa made it for my mother a long time ago. It...it was the last gift she gave to me." Marie responded.
"Oh, well, I came to ask you if you'd go to the gala with me tomorrow night." David said, changing the topic.
Marie blushed and her eyes grew wide, "R-Really? You want to go to the Summer Gala with me t-tomorrow?!"
David chuckled, "I believe that's what I just asked."
"Y-Yes, I'll go with you." Marie blushed, trying to play it cool.
"Great, I'll meet you there. For now, I must get back to work, though. If you need me, I'll be at the library, as I am a librarian." David finished.
Marie replied, "Alright, see you tomorrow!" After he walked away, she started getting really excited, and then she ran back to her room in the castle very happily.
Jill chuckled, "Well, somepony's a happy camper."
"David asked me to the gala!" Marie blurted out.
Xavier had been listening by her door at the time, and his heart broke. He walked away quietly, so she wouldn't hear him.
Jimmy smiled, "Congratulations!"
"Thanks! Oh...I'm just so excited!" Marie answered. The sun started to set and Marie yawned, "It's been a great day, but I think it's time to get to bed." Marie said.
"I agree, 'night guys." Jimmy said, flying away with Jill into a bird-house Marie made for them.
"Goodnight." Marie replied, blowing out the candle by her bed, and then went to sleep.
Marie woke up the next morning, very excited for the big dance that night.
"Oh, I can't wait for tonight! My first real dance! I still can't believe David asked me to go with him!" Marie exclaimed.
Jill said, "I'm so happy for you, darling! I hope you have a fun time tonight. Oh, I believe I heard Xavier say you had to double your chores...meaning, do them all twice rather than once."
Marie panicked, "Dang it! That hardly leaves me any time to get ready! Maybe if I work through breakfast and lunch, I can still have some time to put on my dress."
Jimmy replied, "Going almost a whole day without eating anything? You're torturing yourself, I can't wait to eat some of that cake you are baking! Mmm!"
"Jim, you and I both know that it's for the banquet table. No pecking at the food, guys, I'm sorry. I'll be sure to sneak you out something in the garden later, though." Marie responded.
"Thanks, Marie!" Jimmy said happily.
Marie smiled, "Anything for my friends! I just hope I can get my chores done...horse apples! I should get a start on them! See ya later!" She ran off and did her chores, then lunch time rolled around. Her stomach growled.
Xavier happened to be walking by while she was mopping the floor, and said, "Hello, Marie. Sounds like you're hungry. Want anything to eat?"
As much as she wanted to eat something, she replied, "No, I need to get to the gala tonight. I'm going with David, and thanks to you piling up my chores, I hardly have any time to get ready!"
"David? David?!" He started laughing a little bit, "T-The librarian, smart-nerdy guy?!"
Marie looked annoyed, "Yes, David the Librarian, does that answer your question?"
Xavier responded, "Yes, yes it does. It's too bad you're going with David, though, 'cause I was available and you missed out."
"Oh, ha, ha...ha! You're a prince, I'm sure some kind of mare will go out with a pig like you." Marie answered.
Xavier rolled his eyes, "Yeah, well, just know, you going to the dance with David..." Marie looked at him coldly, then Xavier continued, "Just watch your back..." He walked off to sit on his throne.
"If that imbecile thinks he is going to ruin my first dance, he's got another thing coming!" Marie growled. She did finish her chores, and then got dressed immediately. Marie also put her mane up in a bun, and made sure her necklace was on tight. "I miss you mom...but I hope I'll make you proud one day." Marie sighed.
She made her way down to the room where the dance was being held. Jill and Jimmy were flying from behind her head. "Try not to get into too much trouble while I'm with David, alright?" Marie smiled and whispered.
Jimmy replied, "Will do captain, have fun!" They flew off and did their own thing.
Marie began wondering around, trying to spot David out of the ponies in the crowd. "Where is he? He did say he'd meet me here...right?" She muttered.
"There you are! So nice to see you again, Marie! You also look very beautiful in that gown." David sounded from behind her.
She turned around and smiled, "You too, and thanks! So...what do you wanna do first?"
David looked at her necklace curiously, "Was your grandfather perhaps a unicorn?"
"What?" Marie asked.
David explained, "Your grandfather made that necklace you're wearing, yes?"
"Well, yeah, but...didn't you just hear what I said?" Marie questioned.
"Oh, yes, yes, but your grandfather?" David repeated again.
Marie rolled her eyes, "Yes, my grandpa was a very advanced-level unicorn."
David grinned menacingly, "Interesting..."
Marie interrupted his thoughts, "Again, what would you like to do?"
"How about we go and get some punch?" David suggested.
"Alright." Marie replied, and then they both went over to the punch bowl. He poured punch for each of them, and then they had a conversation as they drank it.
Marie asked, "Want to dance?"
"Sounds lovely." David responded, taking her to dance. After about three dances, they took a break and went out to the royal garden to rest their hooves. Luckily, there was a bench near by.
Marie smiled, "I've had a great time tonight."
David replied, "So have I, and I think I know what may make it even more great."
"Hmm?" Marie questioned.
David kissed her on the lips, and she blushed. David then snatched her necklace in the middle of the kiss, and Marie was stunned for a moment, then realized her necklace was in his grasp.
"Hey, give me that back!" Marie demanded.
David answered, "I know that this necklace allows you the ability to speak to animals, and I can sell it for a fortune!"
Marie asked, "How did you know that it let me talk to animals?"
"Because I knew your grandfather long ago. We were both colts, even though he was a bit older than me. I was always jealous of his inventions, and some how, he discovered how to make jewelry have powers. The first one he made was a bracelet that would let anypony have the power of fire. The second, a tiara that would allow a pony to fly without wings, and the third one...this necklace." David told her.
Marie growled, "So you never liked me? You were only after my necklace?!"
David laughed, "You don't know how dumb you look just now figuring all of this out! Of course I never loved you! You're just a...!"
Xavier stepped in, "She's just a what, David?"
"Ah, Prince Xavier, so nice to see you. Lovely...weather we've been having, huh? Hehehe..." David chuckled nervously.
Xavier stared at him with deep anger, "How stupid do you think I am? I just saw you steal her necklace and heard everything about the inventions. Guards!"
David moved his mane to reveal his horn, and levitated the necklace, concentrating and transforming it into a weapon. It was much like the alicorn-amulet, only more powerful and more dangerous. By time the guards arrived, they were horrified by the power he had. David blasted them out of the way with just a zap of his magic.
"Your guards are down, Xavier, what are you going to do now? Hide in your closet like the scared, little foal you are?!" David laughed.
Xavier glanced over at Marie, and saw how terrified she looked, "No...because this time, I have a reason to fight!"
David laughed hysterically, "For THIS mare?! She's merely nothing more than a house-maid!" He levitated Marie with his magic.
"Put...her...down!" Xavier fired a beam of magic at David, but he blocked it, and the beam hit Xavier instead. "Ahhh!" He cried out, hitting a tree in the garden. Ponies at the gala noticed, and began running away screaming.
Marie growled, "Lemme out of here! What did I ever even see in you?!"
David chuckled, "Looks can be deceiving, but if you're still interested in me, I'd love to have you as my queen."
Xavier got up, limping over, then screamed "You're...not going... to touch her! RELEASE HER RIGHT NOW, DAVID!"
"Never! She is mine now, and she will remain mine forever. Now get lost!" David slammed Xavier into a wall and then teleported away with Marie.
Xavier began to tear up, "M-Marie...no..."
Jill saw Xavier crying, and then looked at Jimmy and spoke, "He still loves her, even after rejecting his engagement long ago, and talking to him rudely? I need to tell Marie! W-Where is she, though?"
"David isn't going to get away with this...don't worry, Marie...I'll get you back...some how." Xavier got up weakly and went to the royal library to find a spell that would heal him.
Xavier had eventually made his way into the library, and healed himself with his magic after finding a spell. "Ah, that's better!" He sighed with relief. "Now to save Marie."
He trotted out the doors of the castle, and decided instead of a pampered carriage ride on this journey, he'd go alone and survive the horrors of Meldania's forest, even though he had no clue where David had taken her.
Jill said, "Jimmy, you go make sure...Xavier doesn't kill himself, I'll try and find Marie."
"On it!" Jimmy replied as he was flying off to follow him. Jill darted off in the other direction.
Meanwhile, somewhere deep in the EverFree Forest back in Equestria, Marie woke up in a small bedroom. "W-Where am I? Why do I always have to wake up and be somewhere else?" She paused for a moment then gasped, "Wait a second...this place...it seems familiar...my old house! This was my bedroom when I was a filly..."
David knocked on her door, "Oh, sweet-heart, I made you breakfast!"
Marie replied from the other side of the door, "Let me out of here! I don't want breakfast, either!"
"That door will remained locked until our wedding day. Love me or not, you're going to be my wife, and Queen of Equestria. With this necklace of yours, now made into a weapon, I can take over this pathetic land. Just think of it, ponies perishing and screaming, towns burning down to a crisp, and we'll be the rulers of it!" David stated.
Marie growled, "No, never! I thought you said last night that you didn't even love me! Why would you want to marry me now?!"
"Because you're beautiful, and an eligible queen, besides, many ponies are suspicious of my behavior. They were all correct, and now, I can force somepony to be mine." David answered.
"I hate to burst your bubble, but I am not going to marry some idiot who stole me away from my home!" Marie shouted.
David scoffed, "Home? Home?! You were a maid there, you should be thanking me, I'm doing you a favor! Think a moment, would you rather be a queen or a nurse-maid?"
Marie replied, "I would rather be a nurse-maid. That is my place, and I was happy there...come to think of it, now that I'm away I..." She began thinking of Xavier, and how mean she was to him, and how he had just tried to save her. Marie realized that Xavier risked his life for her.
David laughed, "D-Don't tell me! You are in love with Prince Xavier?! Ha ha ha ha ha! That is the most RIDICULOUS thing I have ever heard of!"
Marie sighed, "I doubt he even cares what happened to me anyways. He's probably in his castle, sitting on his throne and sipping apple-juice."
However, Marie was way off with her guess, as Xavier was actually a mess. He had mud on his hoofs, brambles and leafs in his mane, and scars from thorns.
"I'm an idiot! I have wings, I can just fly!" Xavier said as he lifted himself off the ground. His wings were a bit sore from being scratched up, but he managed to fly fairly high. He over-looked the forest, then saw a cottage. Jill and Jimmy met up there again, and Xavier had landed in, flying through the window and hitting the wall, "Ouch!"
Jimmy chirped, "Are you okay, X?"
"Uh...I know that the necklace allows ponies to speak to animals, but I'm not one, so I don't know what you're saying." Xavier answered, not knowing what the bird said.
"What was that thud?" David pondered, walking off to the next room.
Xavier gasped, "Oh, no!"
David opened up the door and looked around and saw nothing or no pony. "Hmm..." He walked back to return his attention to his future bride.
Xavier sighed once he left, but he fell from the ceiling fan. "Ow!" He got up and opened the door quietly, seeing David down the hallway. He was wearing the necklace. Xavier slyly placed an invisibility spell over himself, then listened to Marie and David's conversation.
"How does our wedding tonight sound?" David asked.
Marie shouted, "No! I told you, I don't love you, and I don't want to marry you!"
David replied, "You know that Xavier is not coming! No pony is going to save you, and unless you want to die alone, you'll have to accept sometime!"
Marie growled, "I love Xavier, and...well...I can't exactly say he's coming...but I know he'll try!"
Xavier thought in his head, "S-She loves me?"
"Well, you can forget about him. I'll give you time to sleep it over, but I want an answer in the morning. If you still say no, I will just have to force you." David said as he walked away.
Marie began to cry on her bed. "I'm glad this is my own home, but...I miss Xavier." She said sadly.
Xavier turned visible again, and then picked the lock with his horn. Marie gasped, "Xavier!"
"Hey, Marie...um, little help here?" Xavier tried to pull out his horn from the lock.
"Oh, right, sorry!" Marie helped him pry his horn out, and then David was at the door.
David growled, "What are you doing here, Xavier? And why are you with my wife?"
Marie snarled, "I am NOT your wife, nor would I ever want to be!"
"Just let me take her back to the castle, and I won't hurt you." Xavier threatened.
David laughed, "Why would I be scared of you?! You are full of wounds!"
Xavier replied, "Again, let me take her home, I'll die defending her if I have to."
David smirked, "Very well then, if that is what you wish." His eyes lit up red, and then he made the house start to burn down as he teleported out of the cottage. Marie started to cough from the smoke's fumes.
"Hang in there, I'll get us out of here." Xavier picked up Marie and flew her out of the house, but she was put on top of the house as a piece of flaming wood landed behind, trapping Xavier inside.
"Xavier!" Marie shouted as she stood on the crumbling roof. David morphed into an alicorn, only he had fangs, and torn wings. He grabbed Marie and flew up into the air with her. "Ahhhh! Put me down!" Marie screamed.
"You can now watch as your 'prince' dies in the flames. He can join your mother!" David said.
The house completely collapsed, and Xavier was still inside. "NO!" Marie gasped and started tearing up. Then something flew up.
"N-No...you can't...how is that even possible?!" David was puzzled.
Xavier replied, "Next time, don't mess with a high-leveled unicorn!" Xavier lowered his force-field and then took Marie with his magic, zapping down David into the ground. He covered it up with dirt, trapping him below the Earth forever. As the house's remains were about to blow up, they both ran out of the way as quick as possible, Jimmy and Jill flying close behind.
Marie coughed again, "T-Thanks, Xavier."
Xavier smiled faintly, "Of course, I wouldn't ever let anypony harm you. Now, let's get home." Xavier carried Marie on his back to the castle and back to Meldania.
Xavier and Marie were relieved to be home, but she still had questions that were unanswered. Marie had decided to wait until tomorrow to ask her questions, they've had enough for one day. They both went to their separate chambers, and went to sleep. The next morning, they met up for breakfast. The chef served a fruit bowl, pancakes with maple syrup and butter, along with some grape-juice. Marie took an apple from the fruit bowl, a pancake, and a glass of grape-juice. She ate all of her breakfast that time, since she had not had a decent meal for quite some time. All through-out breakfast, Marie and Xavier had different conversations on different topics. Later, the two decided to go out for a walk in the garden.
"So...Xavier, I had something to ask you." Marie said.
"Anything, what is it?" Xavier replied.
Marie answered, "Well, ever since I met you, you've never told me what happened to your parents. Could you tell me the truth on what did happen?"
Xavier sighed and responded, "A long time ago, when my parents were alive, they were always busy and never had time for me. I eventually just packed up and left the kingdom, and hid out in Equestria for a couple years. Once I was eleven, I returned to Meldania, and a war had broken out. Now, over the last year and couple months, it looks good as new. I'm actually not sure if they're still alive or dead. I took over responsibility to rule, as the heir. I assumed that they both died, as I didn't see them. Many ponies recognized me from the staff of the castle. David was running as a replacement king, and since they already knew I was next in line for the throne, I took that position. That's another reason why he hates me and envy's me. When he tried to take you away from me I just..."
"What?" Marie questioned.
"N-Nothing, let's just keep walking." Xavier blushed, and recovered from his stupid comment. They had a picnic for lunch, and then went back to the palace.
"That was fun, thanks, Xavier." Marie smiled and kissed his cheek, then blushed and walked away to her room.
Xavier blushed a lot, and then went to his room, "S-She kissed me...SHE KISSED ME!!!" He shouted.
She went into her room, then blushed and gasped, "What did I just do? D-Did I really kiss him on the cheek?!" Marie was beginning to wonder if she'd actually fallen in love with Xavier. Marie sighed, "It can't be real, though...David was only after my necklace...a joke. How can I be so sure that Xavier isn't playing around?" She sat on her bed.
Jill flew into her room and spoke, "Marie! Xavier isn't trying to play you! He actually cares for you!"
Marie looked at her friend, "I can't understand you, Jill...my necklace is gone. X may have saved me, but my necklace on the other hoof wasn't so lucky."
Jill sighed, and then flew off to hang around with Jimmy.
Marie walked out onto her balcony and sighed again, "I-I can't really be in love with him, can I? Both stallion's I've known have tried to force me into loving them...I may as well just accept the fact I'm forever going to be alone." After admiring the view for a while, Marie went back inside and went to sleep. The next morning when she woke up, Xavier had brought breakfast to her.
"Good morning!" He exclaimed.
Marie replied wearily, "Good morning...uh, why exactly are you here?"
Xavier answered, "Well, I made you breakfast. Plus, when you're done, I have a fun day planned!"
"Don't I have to clean and then you watch over the castle?" Marie wondered.
"Ah, everypony needs a break once in a while." Xavier responded. "I'll meet you out in the garden once you're done." He finished off as he walked away. On the tray, there was a muffin, orange juice, and a waffle shaped like a heart.
Marie face-hoofed herself, "Tell me I'm still asleep." She ate it anyways, and then met Xavier out in the garden after brushing her mane.
Xavier greeted her, "Ready to start the day?" He smiled.
"Uh...I'm going to regret saying this, but yes." She replied.
The two started off with a stroll and chat through the garden. He picked a rose and gave it to her. "Heh, thanks." Marie blushed. Then they both went for a swim in the lake.
Marie splashed him playfully, and he shouted, "Hey! Two can play at that game!" Xavier laughed and splashed her back. It turned into a fun splash war. After they dried off, they went for another picnic.
Xavier summoned a small box in the middle of their lunch. "Here." He smiled, levitating the box over to her.
"What's this?" She asked. He used his magic to open it up before her. Marie gasped, "M-My necklace...b-but how? David still had it around his neck when he fell..."
Xavier replied, "I had the jeweler in town create another necklace, then I found the spell in my library that enchanted it. Now, you can speak to your animals again." He smiled at her.
Marie smiled back at him, and then gave him a hug. "Thank you, I love it!" She exclaimed. They both blushed, and then she released her grip.
Xavier coughed on purpose for a moment, and then asked, "So, wanna head back?"
"Sure, it is getting late." Marie responded.
Once they both got back, they went straight to bed. Before Marie dozed off, she thought to herself, "Maybe I am in love with him..." She shut her eyes and went to sleep.
Marie was in her dream, and she heard a low tone whisper her name. "W-Who's there?" She asked scared. Just then, a shadow-figure appeared and it revealed the shape of David.
She gasped, "David?! Get out of here! I'll get Xavier to...!"
"To do what?" He chuckled, "You're mine, and I'm taking you back, do we both understand each other?" David was about to kiss her, when Xavier showed up.
"Put her down...now!" Xavier blasted him, and he was vaporized.
"Noooo!!!" He screamed as he faded away.
Marie woke up with horrified gasps. "Oh...it was just a dream. Thank Celestia..."
Xavier came in, "Are you alright? I heard noises coming from your room."
"Oh...everything's fine, it was just a nightmare." Marie replied.
Xavier responded, "Oh, alright, try to get back to sleep." He smiled as he walked out of the room. They both went back to sleep.
Marie woke up again, this time not from a dream, but because it was morning. She put the new-version of her necklace on, and hoped it worked. Marie had also brushed out her mane. After doing so, she walked down stairs to have breakfast. Instead of having a big one, she had an apple and a glass of water. Then she walked out to the garden to admire the flowers. Once her hoofs grew tired, she sat down on a bench underneath a tree.
Jill came up to her, "Marie! Your necklace!"
"I can understand you again!" Marie gasped.
"I came to tell you that, well, remember how you were asking yourself if Xavier really had feelings for you?" Jill asked.
Marie answered her, "Yes?"
Jill replied, "Well, he isn't trying to play you, Marie. He actually loves you, I could tell by the look on his face. I can also sense that you do, too."
"W-Well, I care f-for him, but...I don't know if I'd go that far..." Marie blushed.
"You can't ignore fate or true love, Marie. He loves you, you love him, right?" Jill questioned.
Marie blushed, "Well, yeah, but..."
Jimmy interrupted, "Then what are ya waiting for?! Go to him!"
Marie ran to the castle and into Xavier's study.
"Oh, hello, Marie. Can I help you with anything?" He asked with a smile.
Marie responded, "I, um...actually had something to say to you."
Xavier looked at her, "What is it?"
"I...I..." Marie gulped, then sighed with confidence, "I love you."
Xavier's smile turned into a surprised expression, "Y-You what?"
"I love you, and...I'm sorry I was a bit rude to you all those years." Marie repeated.
"I love you, too." Xavier said.
Marie blushed, "R-Really?"
Xavier replied, "Yes, in fact, Marie...will you marry me?"
Marie gasped, "Yes!" She leaped up and hugged him, and then blushed with a cough, "I-I mean, yes, I will marry you."
Xavier chuckled and then said, "Great! I'll let everypony know, we'll have a royal wedding." He kissed his fiancee on the lips, and then walked out of the office, blushing and then went off to tell everypony the good news.
Marie blushed and then gasped, "What was I thinking?! Marrying him means I'll be queen...I can't handle that kind of responsibility...and I don't even think I'm fit to be a queen. A lot of ponies in the village don't like me anyways..." Marie had thoughts run through her head about the wedding, and how it would be for them afterwards.
Xavier interrupted her thoughts, "I delivered invitations to everypony in Meldania, and the staff are all excited to prepare for it!" He noticed Marie looked upset, trying to force a smile. "Hey, if you don't want to marry me still, I understand, I don't want you to think I'm forcing you to..."
Marie stopped him, "Oh, no, it's not that...I-I'm fine..."
Marie sighed, "Well...if I'm to marry you, I'll be queen, and...I don't know if I'm ready for such a huge step forward. Many ponies in the village probably won't want me as a queen..."
Xavier chuckled, then smiled, "I'm sure you'll make a great queen, Marie. My father told me, well, before he disappeared, that being a king isn't an easy task, either. When you become queen, I'll be a king. That's a challenge we can both overcome together. I'm sure everything will be fine, and I won't let anypony harm you, whether they like you or not as their queen."
Marie smiled, "Then the wedding is still on." After around three months of preparing and getting ready for the big day, Xavier and Marie were both nervous. At the moment, Marie was in her dressing room, being helped put into her dress, and Xavier was waiting at the alter.
"Ugh! This tux is squeezing me, and I swear this tie is trying to kill me!" Xavier complained.
Marie had walked out onto the isle way, and everypony glanced over at her, and admired the outfit. Even Xavier was entranced by her beauty. She had a white dress on with short sleeves, a medium-length train, a vial with daisies on it, and she had Jimmy and Jill hold up her train so she could walk without tripping. Once she got up to the alter, they both looked into each other's eyes.
The stallion marrying them both spoke, "Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage bond of Prince Xavier and Marie. Marie, do you take Prince Xavier to be your lawfully wedded-husband, with whom you will care for, respect, and love until death do you part?"
"I do." Marie blushed slightly.
"And do you, Prince Xavier, take Marie to be your lawfully wedded-wife, with whom you will care for, respect, and love until death do you both part?" He continued.
Xavier smiled, "I do."
The stallion concluded, "May we have the rings?" The stallion levitated the rings to the bride and groom. Xavier added the ring onto her necklace as a charm and symbol. Marie put Xavier's ring on his horn. "I now pronounce you mare and colt, you may now kiss the bride." Xavier kissed Marie on the lips, and the ponies in the crowd cheered. Afterwards, they went to the garden for the reception. Everypony was having fun and dancing, even the new royal couple.
Xavier grinned, "I'm glad that we're finally together."
"So am I...I just wish I hadn't been so rude to you all those years." Marie frowned.
"The past is in the past now, and the future is bright. We just have to learn to let things go." Xavier said, trying to comfort her.
Marie chuckled, "I guess you're right."
They both got into the carriage, and Marie threw her bouquet, the bridesmaids fought over it. After they arrived back at the castle, they both got into bed and went to sleep.
