Lithera can't cope with the plans her hive has for their captured ponies. and flees her home in disgust looking for the only village where ponies and changelings live together, Respite.
Being sick of the way her hive treats their captives. Lithera escapes her life as a drone and heads towards the surface world. Once there however she finds out that not everything will be easy.
Will the now self appointed earth pony Bluebell find her way to the fabled village called Respite?
I had finally made it. My horn was cracked, and my gossamer wings torn, but I had finally made it out of the caverns and into the lush forest. The morning sun warmed my black chitin as I blinked in the bright light, trying to gather my wits about me.
Now what? I had fled my hive after learning what they were planning to do to the inhabitants of a nearby village they had ransacked. I believe it was called Hoofstead by the locals. Yet, now I was standing here, without food or water, and not one bit to my name. Yes, I was aware that I needed money in the surface world, we changelings aren’t exactly ignorant you know?
First, though, I needed a disguise. And seeing as Earth ponies were the kind of pony that were by far the most common in this area, I decided that becoming one of them was my best chance to blend in. It also saved me the hassle of explaining why my horn or wings weren’t functional every time I ran into some passerby.
Green flames engulfed me and within moments, where once a changeling nymph stood, there was now an earth pony mare. I made my way to a nearby stream and gazed at my reflection upon the surface of the clear, running water.
Let’s see… Beige fur? Check. Smooth two tone blue and indigo mane? Check. Bright hazel eyes? Also check. Then, I turned my head for the last detail. Cute flank with flower picture? Yup! Say goodbye Lithera, and hello Bluebell.
Satisfied with my new appearance, I headed out to solve my next problem: getting something to eat and ask for some directions. Since I had currently no clue which way the nearest settlement was. I had only heard the name of the pony village my hive had raided. I had not been with them on the raid, or seen a map showing its location.
Soon, I noticed something downstream. A lone pony sat on the shore next to what looked like a flimsy cocoon made out of some sort of fabric. Alright then, Lithera I thought by myself. It’s showtime girl! Trotting towards the pony, I flattened my ears against my mane and cried out as pitifully as I could.
“Oh please, can anypony help me!” I called out, “I got lost in the woods and have ran out of supplies!” Nailed it. Sure, it was cliché as could be, but the pony—a stallion—perked up his ears and looked my way before quickly scrambling to his hooves.
“Hey! Over here little lady, you’re safe now!” He nickered. I raggedly galloped towards him while feigning distress as I half-tackled the stallion. I Buried my muzzle into the crook of his neck while sobbing softly for added effect. I was especially proud of the tears running down my cheeks.
He held me close and caressed my mane tenderly. Making soothing shushing sounds while I eagerly drank from the well of caring emotions he expressed towards me. They tasted delicious, mind you. “T-thank you, kind sir.” I stammered. “I’m Bluebell, and I got lost in the woods. It was so frightening.”
“You’re all right now, filly. I’m Evergreen and I often go camping in these woods. You can stick with me until we get back to somewhere with a bit more civilization if you like.”
Nodding against his chest, I whispered. “Yes please, thank you, Evergreen.” And I was thankful. He had already fed me some and even volunteered to help me on my way. I would somehow find a way to repay him for all of his generosity, that was for sure.
He withdrew from me and smiled warmly. “No problem Bluebell, but, tell me, what happened to your supplies? And are you hungry?”
I had to think carefully now, seeing as a good cover story made your disguise all the more believable. “I visited a village called Hoofstead, but soon needed to flee when it was attacked. I had no time to grab my saddlebags.” I’m so clever.
Evergreen frowned. “Yeah I heard about that tragedy. Wonder if those changelings ever realize how much they hurt innocent ponies with their actions.” I tried so hard not to cringe with guilt when he said that. A neutral flick of my tail had to suffice for the moment while I thought.
I lowered my gaze, flattening my ears subconsciously. “Somehow, I bet that some of them don’t approve of such actions. You must hate all of them then?” Bit of a gamble there, Lithera I thought, holding my breath.
He looked at me for a moment and shook his head. “No, Bluebell. Because hating anypony never solved anything. I just wish they opted for a more peaceful existence.” If only more ponies and changelings thought the way this stallion did. Equestria would be a better place for everyone. I was already beginning to like him.
My stomach growled and I smiled sheepishly at Evergreen. He got the rather clear plea and placed a kettle filled with something over the campfire near the cloth cocoon. “I’ll take that as a yes for the being hungry question then.” He said with a laugh.
After a meal of what proved to be a variety of mushrooms and assorted vegetables, I was quite full and took a better look at Evergreen’s cocoon, guessing that ponies used them for sleeping outdoors. Then, the stallion’s voice shook me, startling me out of my reverie. “Sorry Bluebell, I only have the one tent. But if that’s an issue, then I’ll sleep outside if you want?” So it was called a tent huh?
I blinked and looked at him. “Oh no, Evergreen. We can share, that’s okay.” He was willing to give his tent up for me? None of that! Mister Gentlepony and I would just have to cuddle up a bit and we would fit just fine.
Evergreen nodded and I smiled at him, then tilted my head curiously. “Hey, Evergreen, how far from here is civilization anyway?” I asked. Not that I was in a hurry to leave this kind pony, but we were still too close to the hive in my opinion.
“About three days, give or take. But don’t worry, we’ll be fine here.” He reassured me while clearing away the dishes. I must admit that he looked like he knew what he was doing. His camp appeared tidy and pleasant, even if I didn’t know what a camp was suppose to look like.
The sun was setting by now, and Evergreen fed our campfire a few more logs of wood. I cosied up next to him and he inclined his head at me. “Where were you headed anyway, Bluebell? I mean, before Hoofstead was attacked that is.”
I thought for a moment and nickered gently at him. “I left home to find my own place in the world, you know? I thought that travelling around Equestria some, I would eventually find a nice place to settle down.” That actually sounded like a pretty nice idea, now that I thought about it.
“Striking out on your own, eh? I totally understand wanting that. Take me for example, I love being an outdoor pony, so I’m often in the wilderness, but I came from a city myself.” The brown stallion replied as he flicked his yellow mane away from the flames.
I leaned into him, searching for warmth, earning a chuckle from him while he nosed my mane. “Bit cold filly? It gets that way when evening falls here in the higher mountain ranges.” It still amazed me though how friendly ponies were in general, even towards those who were complete strangers.
Shivering a little, I tried to burrow deeper into Evergreen’s side. Being used to living in warm caverns surrounded by my brethren, these surface evenings felt chilly indeed. “Yes I am. Before my journey, I was never much of an outdoor pony myself I’m afraid.” I giggled and gave him a playful nudge.
Evergreen must have been lonelier than he let on out here by himself. Just those few simple words and a little contact with another pony brought forth another burst of emotion from Evergreen. I could taste his kindness and appreciation directed at me. And—like any positive emotion—it tasted delicious as well as being rather nourishing. I now felt a little bad for tricking my new companion and vowed right then and there that I would return that kindness to him for the rest of our trip.
“Where did you come from yourself, Evergreen? From a city you said, which one?” I inquired while playfully nipping at his shoulder in the hopes of teasing him a little and perhaps feed on some more of those delectable positive feelings.
He didn’t disappoint me, sending a mix of amusement and slight interest back my way. “I’m from Dodge Junction. And even if I said city, it’s more a large town out near the Badlands. But I’m rarely home since I travel a lot.”
“Well, I guess we will enjoy being on the road for a while then,” I said with a laugh, “Will we not?” This situation had turned out much better than I had feared initially. I had actually found myself a decent pony.
Smiling, he stood up and nickered. “Yes indeed, it is getting rather late though, Bluebell. Shall we turn in for the night? Then we will see where we will travel tomorrow.”
I got to my hooves as well and made my way to the tent’s opening. Then, I looked over my shoulder and gave my tail a flick, calling teasingly. “You just want to get me into your tent.” That got a snort out of him and I headed inside with a giggle.
“Sure thing, little filly. Will be a lot less cold tonight.” He chuckled to himself and came inside where I had already snuggled into the bedroll on the floor. Laying on my side, I sighed. “I’m sorry. That was meant in jest.”
He lay down behind me, a large warm mass, and embraced me around my barrel. A gentle kiss finding my ears. “Don’t worry, little lady. I can take a joke, so don’t you worry now alright?” I smiled nuzzling his jaw and made myself comfortable.
I awoke sometime later in the night as I felt something warm poke against my rump. Trying to swat it away with my tail didn’t help at all, so I turned my head looking down at what it could be.
Well hello there!
If there had been any doubts about Evergreen’s masculinity before, those notions were certainly gone now. Feeling a blush heat up my cheeks, I stared at the situation and swallowed softly. On the one hoof this was really flattering. On the other hoof, embarrassment was a thing.
In the end being cozy and warm won out and I decided that social awkwardness could wait until the next morning. Because, to be fair, I had teased him just before bed, so this was most likely my fault. But, to be honest, he was asleep so it probably happened unconsciously right?
Yet, secretly I still hoped I was the cause of it.
The next morning, I found myself laying next to Evergreen, waiting for him to wake up. Any movement on my part would make for a rather awkward awakening for my companion since the situation was still as interesting as it had been last night. So, instead, I nuzzled him insistently and whispered. “Wake up, Evergreen.”
He mumbled incoherently, but slowly opened an eye. My face, however, still felt hot due to the current situation. He blinked, then obviously felt what was amiss as he looked down and became as red as I undoubtedly was myself. “Oh Celestia… Bluebell, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean—”
I put my hoof to his lips and smiled. “It’s alright. I’m flattered, even if it’s just the standard thing stallions suffer in the morning.” Giving my rump a little wiggle, I winked at him and watched his face go an even deeper shade of red.
Continuing in a more serious tone, I said, “But honestly. Thank you for helping me and offering me shelter, Evergreen, I am quite grateful.” I empathized this by kissing him softly. Brushing my lips briefly along his, making him inhale sharply.
He returned the gesture sweetly and sat up looking down at me. “I couldn’t just ignore the cry for help from a cute mare like you, now could I?” Such a gentlestallion he was.
He trotted out of the tent and I got up myself to follow him. Despite not having slept much last night due to that little interruption, I wasn’t tired. Even in his sleep, Evergreen’s care gave off enough emotions to keep me quite sated.
It was a beautiful—if bright—morning and I blinked against the sunlight a few times as I stepped out of the tent. Luckily, pony eyes were a lot less sensitive than my normal changeling ones.
I saw Evergreen near the fire, heating up a container of some sort with what I thought was water in it. Looking on curiously, I tilted my head. “What are you doing Evergreen?” I asked him and he looked back up at me with a smile.
“I’m heating up water to make some coffee. Would you like some?” He replied. Coffee? What was that? A kind of soup? I nodded just in case and sat next to the fire.
Soon the coffee was ready and Evergreen carefully poured the steaming brownish black liquid into two metal cups, giving one to me. It certainly didn’t smell like soup or broth, yet he drank it happily. So I brought my own cup to my lips and took a quick drink from it.
My eyes widened and I dropped the cup as I spat the mouthful of coffee into the fire pit. “Blargh! W-What is that foul substance?” I exclaimed, only to find Evergreen trying not to laugh.
“Mental note, Bluebell doesn’t drink her extra roasted melange black.” He snorted loudly and I gave him a sour look. How could he enjoy this vile stuff?
I got up with a soft huff and made my way to the water’s edge. Leaning down to rinse my muzzle, I briefly considered dunking my entire head to rid myself of the coffee scourge. At the last moment I decided it was far too cold, and settled instead for scrubbing the disgusting taste off of my tongue.
Hearing a soft clink behind me, I turned my head swallowing a mouthful of bitter water. Evergreen had dropped his cup and was staring at me for some reason. “What?” I nickered grumpily and fixed him with a frown.
He shook his head quickly. “No, it’s um, nothing, Bluebell.” He answered, which prompted me to roll my eyes. Stallions Well, he would undoubtedly tell me later or perhaps it was a some personal thing. Whatever.
Making my way back to him I started to feel guilty again. With a sigh and a resigned flick of my ears I apologized. “I’m sorry, Evergreen, I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. Have you decided yet where we’ll be headed today?”
Smiling, he stood up and stashed the cups, and what I later learned to be called a kettle together. “It’s fine, filly. Laughing at you wasn’t the nicest thing either. Today we’ll be heading further north. Towards a little farmer’s village called Summerglade.”
I nodded and helped him clean up the campsite as best I could while he packed the tent itself. Miraculously, it fit into just one of his saddlebags. Even watching Evergreen put it away, I couldn’t figure out how it was possible.
Having soon collected everything, we lastly made sure that the fire pit was completely doused to prevent fires before we went on our way.
The sun mercilessly beat down upon us as we made our way along the trail leading out of the woods. The trees slowly gave way to large open plains, and shelter swiftly became less abundant.
Soon I was sweating profusely as I trotted next to Evergreen. Yet even though the stallion was carrying most of our belongings, he seemed to suffer far less from the oppressive heat.
I nudged him and nickered. “You’re carrying more than me and have a darker coat, yet you seem to be bothered by the heat far less. What gives?”
He chuckled and looked at me. “I’m simply more used to this weather and conditions than you are. I assure you that I’m sweating quite a lot under these saddlebags.” He replied. I, however, still thought he had some tricks for keeping cool.
Thankfully when night fell the temperature dropped along with it, and I decided that I hated cold places more than warm places for certain now. Evergreen told me that the reason for the large fluctuations was that it was autumn, and that day and evening temperatures tended to shift a lot this time of year.
Whoever designed these season things needed to be kicked in painful areas. Shivering, I grumbled about the weather while Evergreen set up our tent and build a firepit near it. This drew my interest and I moved closer to watch him as he worked.
“Why do you put those stones around the wood anyway Evergreen?” I asked the earth pony while he placed rocks in a circle around a heap of dry grass and twigs.
He smiled looking at me for a second. “To control the size of the fire Bluebell. Like I did in the camp near the stream. It’s the smart and safe thing to do really.” That sounded logical to me.
I knew from experience that fire couldn’t devour water or stone. Luckily our hive only had an incident involving fire once in my lifetime. Fortunately, our queen knew how to fight it with water back then.
“Ah, that makes sense then,” I said and waited for him to light it. After he did I stared into the flames and allowed my mind to drift back to that very day.
The fire had first appeared from a mound of old leaves and nesting material that we kept in one of the side tunnels. In our generally dry hive, the flames didn’t have much trouble spreading, setting more and more things ablaze within minutes.
Panic spread swiftly alongside the heat and smoke and only increased when a few of us couldn’t escape and were overcome by the racing flames. We tried spitting resin slime at it but that only seemed to fuel the fire.
Then our queen, Femora had shown up leading a group of warriors carrying huge bowls of water. She called to us over the roar of the flames, telling us to stay under the smoke and where they poured it flames died away. I would never forget the sights or smells from that day.
I felt somepony nudge my cheek and blinked realizing it was Evergreen. “A bit for your thoughts?” He said, and offered me that delicious warm smile of his.
Smiling back I shook my head. “I was thinking about my former home.”
He nodded and poked the fire pit a few times with a stick to rouse the flames. “Regretting that you left little filly?” He nickered while he focused his attention on me again and gently ran a hoof along my back.
I snorted. “No, I’m happy that I left that horrible place. There was nothing left for me in that hole. Besides with the way you’ve been treating me you are far better company than anypony there ever was.” Yes, he was sweet and I appreciated it more than he might know.
I knew what I didn’t regret. And that was traveling with this amazing stallion, he had gone far out of his way to help me while not even knowing me. And asking for nothing in return, I wish I could give him something, anything to show him my genuine appreciation.
Then it hit me, I had something.
Brushing my cheek along his own took him by surprise, bringing my lips onto his however immediately snapped him out of his stupor. There still was a faint hint of that disgusting coffee in his mouth, but I didn’t care. It was him and that’s all that mattered.
The emotions he fed me at that moment would go straight to my hips I’m sure. But hey a mare was allowed to indulge in a vice at least once in awhile, right?
Our kiss broke and Evergreen smacked his lips a bit. “That sure was something else, what did I do to deserve that sweetheart?” He asked, going back to lightly caressing my neck and back.
“For being a great stallion that cares about my well-being and looks after me.” I purred and felt my cheeks heat up. Doesn’t hurt that you look pretty handsome either, I didn’t tell him that part.
He chuckled and softly bumped my nose with his own, I could taste a rather interesting emotion coming from him. “You are without a doubt, a pretty sweet mare yourself Bluebell.” He whispered giving me a soft kiss.
I giggled and got to my hooves, trotting towards the tent with a swaying gait. Then looked over my shoulder. “Let me show you how sweet.” I nickered in a sultry voice, meeting his eyes and flagging my tail at him.
Evergreen did not need a second invitation.
I startled awake during the night when a loud crackle followed by a deep boom broke the silence. I squeaked in terror and huddled against Evergreen even more tightly than I already was.
He stirred, half-awake and pulled me closer to him, his scent calming me. “What’s wrong beautiful?” He mumbled just before a bright flash illuminated the insides of the tent. Followed almost immediately by another peal of thunder.
I whinnied in fear again and closed my eyes tightly, ears instantly flattening against my head. “W-What is t-that?” I stammered, tears running down my cheeks as I started to shiver.
Fully awake now, Evergreen nuzzled my mane and planted soft kisses along my ears. Which in all fairness did soothe my nerves rather nicely. “That’s just lightning followed by thunder sweetheart, it’s storming after the hot day.” He calmly reassured me, earning a shaky nod in return.
His gentle hoof, gradually, caressing down my belly soon made me forget about the terrible weather, as Evergreen made me focus on something quite different and once again reminded me how great he was.
The next morning I trotted next to Evergreen as we resumed our journey to Summerglade. Had I been too eager to invite him for a night of innocent pleasure like that? Was it too soon?
It’s not that I really regretted my choice, oh sweet mother no. Evergreen had been a patient and gentle lover. But part of me dreaded how the stallion would think about me after last night.
I must have looked troubled or agitated because he soon sidled up next to me and tenderly nuzzled my cheek. “Hey, what’s bothering you filly?” He asked kindly, and I flattened my ears. Suddenly finding the dirt road especially interesting.
He raised my chin and looked at me. “Bluebell, what’s the matter sweetie? Is this about yesterday?” I nodded. “Bluebell that was spur of the moment love, you felt playful and heck I’d be lying if you didn’t get me excited too. So whatever is brooding in that pretty head of yours, don’t worry about it.”
“But—” I couldn’t finish that sentence however since Evergreen swiftly nipped at my flank eliciting a gasp from me.
“Yes, and a very attractive one at that.” He quipped while I was sure that the heat of my blushing could ignite the grassy plains around us.
If all ponies were like Evergreen, then surely my hive had been totally wrong in their method of harvesting love from ponykind. Because if I kept being fed like this every day I would become a very bloated bug in no time!
We moved on and after an hour or so I could see the silhouettes of what I thought to be structures becoming visible in the far distance.
“That there is Summerglade,” Evergreen said and I nodded, I had expected pony villages to look completely different from our changeling nests. But I was still very impressed seeing it for the first time.
In a silly moment, I nipped at him playfully before giggling, breaking into a gallop towards the settlement, after the initial surprise wore off he chased after me, soon he was right on my tail snickering. “Come back here you tease,” he yelled.
Entering Summerglade I was in awe, I saw numerous ponies milling about in a bright sea of moving colors. My base instincts kept insisting that I had found the banquet of a lifetime.
Luckily I was a somewhat rational changeling and not one of those Locust. Though I had to admit that my former nestmates had been little better than them.
Besides, Evergreen kept me filled up with love pretty nicely, so I was not exactly craving for a snack at the moment. Yet the sight still left chomping at the metaphorical bit.
We slowly cantered into central Summerglade and were welcomed with genuinely kind smiles by its inhabitants. There was what ponies called a market I believe because I saw various ponies behind a kind of table in the distance trying to sell their wares.
Noticing me looking Evergreen gave me a nudge and passed me a small satchel I could carry along my barrel, he also gave me a pouch with a few bits. “Why don’t you take a look at the market see about getting us some fresh vegetables, while I go arrange a room at the inn over there?” He asked.
I smiled softly and nodded. “Sure thing, and afterward I will catch up with you at the inn.” He nodded in agreement and trotted off towards the building to our right that was a ways off.
While Evergreen did that I made my way to the market on the lookout for a pony that sold carrots or maybe radishes, I kinda liked those I had recently learned. I soon found a mare that sold red and white radishes. Yet, for some reason, she mentioned she was out of bananas, apparently those were popular.
I overheard a conversation near me that caught my attention, however, two pegasi were discussing something that my hive considered taboo but which held my personal interest.
“Hey, Skydancer?” The stallion in question said to the mare next to him. “According to these directions they gave us, Respite should be a few days travel to the east by hoof or only a day or so flying.”
I saw the mare nod and ruffle her wings a bit in excitement. “That’s great Drizzly! We’re going the right way then. Come on Sure Stroke sweetheart we’re leaving.” At her call, a young pink pegasus followed her and the trio trotted off.
Respite? That was Queen Euphoria’s domain wasn’t it? Surely her village of Caretakers would welcome me in? The Caretakers were one of the five great hives and were known to promote coexistence between ponies and changelings. I knew I had to get to Respite too if I had any hope of making it on the surface.
I had never known that Euphoria and her subjects lived that close to my own hive. Elated by this new knowledge, I quickly purchased the vegetables that we needed and galloped towards the inn. I needed to tell Evergreen I had found a place I wanted to go.
Arriving at the inn I saw Evergreen was already waiting for me. And after exchanging a short nuzzle he showed me the room where we would be staying. I excitedly told him that I had overheard two ponies talking about a friendly neighboring village and thus wanted to visit Respite.
He agreed, perhaps, a bit too easily with the idea. “You’re not even going to ask why I specifically want to go there?” I laughed and sidled up to him in front of some sort of complicated indoor firepit in the corner.
He shook his head. “Nope, if you desire to go there I’ll gladly escort you. I once visited there and am not surprised you chose that place to go to filly.”
I gave him a puzzled look and asked. “Not surprised I chose Respite? Why?”
He smiled softly at me and caressed my cheek. “You know why, sweetling.” Swee— He knew! But, how had he figured it out?
I sighed and flattened my ears. “How did you know, Evergreen?” I asked him, my voice barely a whisper while I felt ready to cry.
He never stopped smiling or making low soothing noises while he gently rubbed my back. “A couple things in the past few days were a mite suspicious and had me wondering dear. But secondly, the fact that you admitted it yourself just now silly mare.” Oh sweet mother, I was an idiot.
Well, it was fun while it lasted. I stood up and prepared to leave turning around before I felt Evergreen lay his hoof more firmly on my back, nickering. “Where are you going?”
“Obviously, our travels are over now that you’ve discovered I withheld the truth from you.” That was at least the logical outcome in my mind.
He turned my head with his hoof and kissed me passionately. It was sudden enough that my mind needed a second to process it. Before I could object he pulled me down to the soft rug with his hooves wrapped around my barrel.
He looked at me a moment and nickered softly. “Show me the truth little lover before getting yourself worked up worrying over worst case scenarios.” I blinked but hesitated for only a moment, no more secrets.
Green flames washed over my form as my pony disguise fell away. Beige color replaced by black, my mane turning a darker shade of blue and finally two small fangs protruding from my upper lip. Bluebell made room for Lithera once more.
“Still beautiful,” he breathed kissing my jaw. “Now tell me about yourself.”
I closed my eyes and nodded. “My given name is Lithera, I fled recently from a hive near where I found you because we mistreated ponies from Hoofstead and it disgusted me.”
While he listened his eyes wandered to my cracked horn and I felt his hoof probing tentatively along my torn yet healing wings. “And who did this?” He asked as I tasted an anger that wasn’t directed at me.
“I ran into a patrol on my way out, they got my horn and wings while I struggled to escape. I hid in older tunnels for a few hours before I could break free to the surface.” I replied, giving my wings a gentle but useless buzz.
“I will need to tell a guard about those ponies when we reach a bigger settlement next Lithera. So was I just food for you then?” He asked, which stung a bit but it was a fair question and I needed to be truthful with my stallion to make clear I thought differently now.
Sighing I shook my head. “At first yes, but you surprised me completely with your genuine kindness and care for me. And I came to see you in a different light, I do care for you Evergreen and won’t deceive you again.”
He nodded without hesitation and traced my lips with kisses. “I believe you Lithera, or do you prefer Bluebell? If you didn’t care you would have left me after I sent you to the market, is there anything more I should know?” He had a point there.
I shook my head again and felt strangely relieved that he didn’t flinch away from or even mind my true form. “Just that I am glad to have met you that day and wish to spend more time with you. And call me Bluebell please,” I said, changing back to the matching pony disguise I had grown to enjoy.
As I rest my head against his chest enjoying the comforting sound of his heartbeat he caressed my mane again and responded. “Thank you for coming clean about all this sweetheart. I will gladly travel at your side a while longer.”
I smiled and nestled my head under his chin, basking in the warmth of my companion. If I could help it I would never be dishonest with Evergreen again.
As we went on our way again the next morning I felt a little stiff but satisfied. I would no longer need to hide anything from my stallion anymore. Yet he had told me that sadly our next stop was Hoofstead on our way to Respite.
Thinking about that village filled me with guilt, my hive had done terrible things to those ponies. I just hoped that I could handle facing them eye to eye.
