Twilight's Visit to Trottingham
Originally handwritten by Prince Luna
Transcribed by Feefers
On an average morning, the ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia had summoned her ever faithful student Twilight Sparkle to her castle in Canterlot.
Swiftly and without hesitation, the unicorn boarded the next train the next train from Ponyville to reach her mentor’s side.
Once in the magnificent hall of Canterlot Castle, Twilight asked why the princess had required her presence. Princess Celestia chuckled.
“I have a very rare opportunity for you Twilight. You see every ten years in a village called Trottingham...”
Twilight interrupted arrogantly, eager to show off her knowledge, “They hold a celebration of their heritage, right?”
“You know it!” Celestia laughed, “Now my student, I usually attend to gift the Queen of the Land with something found in Equestria only; alas I can not make it this year. With Luna back, I’ve had my hooves filled with teaching her out modern ways.”
Twilight instantly understood what the Princess was asking of her, making her thoughts become filled with a strange mixture of excitement and anxiety.
Once the thought her task became singular in her mind, she nodded, but hesitantly asked questions; or so she thought. She spoke quickly and hurriedly.
“Why me? How am I going to get there? I’ve never been to Trottingham! Are the rumors true? Is everypony snooty and obsessed with tea? I’ve never met a Queen before Princess! How do I behave?”
Celestia calmly put her hoof over the young unicorn’s mouth and told her to relax. She said to just act naturally and all would go fine.
Twilight calmed down and accepted the task. After she returned to Ponyville and packed her bags, she waited for her transport to arrive at her library . She waited for a few minutes, then noticed that the ground, no the town had been enshrouded in shadows. Confused, her head darted left and right for an explanation as to as to why it had suddenly become dark so early.
Then her head slowly turned upwards.
Her pupils dilated in shock at what she saw.
Above her floating in the air somewhat ominously, was a huge purple blimp. Her agape, awe filled mouth transformed into an excited grin as a large ladder of stairs descended from the blimp. Building form a steady trot to an eager gallop she reached the airborne blimp in no time.
She was greeted by two well-dressed white unicorn guards inside the blimp. They wore crimson red robes and and seated on their horns were fluffy black hats. They made no eye-contact with Twilight Sparkle.
“Hi?” She squeaked, there was no response.
Then a familiar looking brown colt trotted from around a corner.
“Oh!” Twilight explained happily, “Time Turner!”
“Hello Miss Sparkle!” The colt spoke with an obvious Trottingham accent.
“What are you doing here?” Twilight asked.
Time Turner smiled and explained to the Unicorn that he was her escort, “Now hurry! The Queen awaits!” He said giddily.
“The Queen?” Twilight whimpered, following the excited colt.
After twists and turns of the blimp interior, Time Turner stopped at a door which he knocked on three times.
“You may enter!” A powerful voice said from inside.
Time Turner put a hoof around Twilight’s neck as they slowly trotted in together.
before them sat on a large purple cushion was a large and magnificent white Unicorn. She bore an amazing red mane, most of which was neatly tucked under her jewel-encrusted golden helmet. Her coat was so amazing, it was literally shining, her cutie mark was a curious grenade shape.
“Your Majesty!” Time Turner bowed with Twilight quickly following.
“This is the one Princess Celestia sent?” She asked, her voice was loud, yet soft. She seemed to pronounce every letter when she said her words.
“Indeed. This is Twilight Sparkle.” Time Turner introduced, “Twilight, this is Queen Britannia, ruler of Trotland.”
Twilight bowed once more and spoke shakily, “It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness!”
Britannia studied her for a moment, then nodded, “And you also!” She boomed.
Time Turner looked to Twilight expectantly, then she remembered something, her horn suddenly became surrounded by a pink aura as did one of the saddlebags on her side, which opened up and a small box, the size of a small eraser was brought out.
The pink glow quickly turned to a deep red as Britannia assumed magical control over the box.
She opened it and smiled, bringing out the contents. From the box came a small gold ring, embedded by sapphires, rubies and emeralds. She brought the ring to her horn and wore it halfway down.
“Please, give Princess Celestia my thanks.” She said to Twilight happily.
Twilight nodded, then Britannia told her and Time Turner to settle down and relax.
“We will arrive in Trottingham in a day.” She announced as the blimp shook and took off.
Over the hours, Twilight learned more of Trotland’s ways; which were not too different from those at Ponyville. Thing there seemed to be more strict however, mainly to keep everypony safe.
The three shared some tea from Britannia’s homeland, the best that Twilight had ever tasted.
“No wonder you guys drink it all the time!” She exclaimed taking another sip.
Time Turner and Britannia shared a confused glare but laughed the mare’s comment off. Soon night fell and everypony retired to bed.
The next morning, Twilight was awoken by a loud noise. Confused she looked out the window to find the source of the continuous ramble.
She gasped in awe, not too far on the ground was a huge crowd of ponies; the blimp was descending to a landing point!
Twilight looked behind her to see Britannia and time Turner ready to leave the blimp.
“Hurry Twilight!” We’ll be parading any minute!” Time Turner worried.
Britannia laughed, “Do take your time dear. Time Turner should have a better sense of time, he’s just panicking.”
Twilight giggled with the queen , then trotted to a mirror to brush her hair.
An hour later the blimp landed and opened to reveal a chariot on a road, pulled by the motionless Unicorn guards that Twilight encountered at the blimp entrance.
Britannia quickly sat in it, then gestured for Twilight and Time Turner to follow. They sat at either side of her, smiling widely as the guards pulling the chariot trotted down an aisle line by thousands of whooping and hollering ponies as colourful confetti rained from the sky.
Britannia began to wave to the civilians she passed, then nodded at the mare and colt beside her, inviting them to join in.
Twilight was overjoyed with the fun and attention she was having, then the carriage stopped.
Britannia rose and ponies at the sides of the aisles bowed. The Queen closed her eyes and surrounded her horn with a slight crimson glow, then the ring that Celestia had gifted her spun on her horn. The gems shone brightly reflecting in the sunlight and dotted blue, red and green light all around as the carriage moved to deliver the magical wonder to the whole village.
Twilight may not have spent much time with the Queen to talk but she learned a great lesson which she wrote down on the blimp home that night.
"Dear Princess Celestia
I know you may not be expecting a letter so soon, but I would like to thank you for this amazing opportunity and I want you to know that I had a magnificent time.
When meeting Queen Britannia, at first I was very nervous and slightly afraid of her, but your gift and her reaction brought peace to my mind. I almost stayed out of character when talking to Britannia but I remembered you told me to be myself, so I did and we got on fine.
I learned that no matter who you are, you should always be yourself.
Now matter how confused or unsure you are about whomever you are talking to.
Your faithful student
Twilight Sparkle."