Golden Rose: The Day of Remembrance
The front door of the palace of Canterlot did not exactly have a lot of hoof traffic, save during the Grand Galloping Gala. While nobles, diplomats and the occasional invited visitor passed the great portal into the grand foyer with some regularity, it was still not exactly well-trod. That suited the two who staffed that entrance.
The two given the great honor of being guards for the daylight hours were Cavalier Golden Stare and Miles Scutum Rosy Cranberry, Celestian Royal Guards. Both were white, as the Celestian pegasus guards tended to be. That was where the similarities ended. Golden was a tall, strong, imposing-looking stallion, who seemed to have a perpetually stern look on his face, which lent a certain power to the piercing power of his golden eyes. Rosy was, by contrast, slightly smaller and slimmer, a lithe and gracile figure. He did his best to look similarly stern, but it was undone by the small presence of a light pinkish blush on both cheeks, which looked perfectly natural. Both were clad in the familiar golden barding with the plumed helmets, Golden having both a larger plume and extra piping along his uniform to show his rank.
The two stood stiffly, slightly in the path of the door, glancing out towards the large courtyard and the formal gate beyond. Rosy spoke aside to Golden, softly so as not to draw attention to himself, “I'll bet right now you'd give anything to have to talk to her majesty Luna's special companion.”
Golden snorted softly and lifted his head a little. “I don't need some wandering scoundrel to come in here to make life more interesting. We can find ways to make the time pass without needing to consider extremes.”
Rosy thought about things for a moment then said, “So, The Day of Remembrance is coming up and...”
Golden cut in very quickly, “Now wait just a minute, I don't think I was exactly very fair to that rather dashing fellow, trotting in and out and giving us some decent conversation on various subjects...”
“We go through this every year, honey. Every year...” Rosy sighed, leaning in to slowly nuzzle against Golden's throat, his head twisted to keep the barding from scraping on Golden's coat. “I know why, and I understand why but it hurts to see you hurting...”
Golden remained standing tall, even as he felt his husband's smooth, warm face sliding along his coat. His tail flicked lightly, the only concession to the feeling moving through him. “I'm so sorry, Rosy. I never want to. But it just comes naturally. I can't help it. I wish it didn't.”
“No you don't,” Rosy said, in a stern tone that seemed odd for him. “It's what makes you such a good pony. That natural care that wells up inside you. It's one of the attractive things about you,” Rosy noted, with a deeper blush, his lips brushing against Golden's throat.
Golden nickered softly, his eyes fluttering a small bit. “Really? Right here? You're supposed to be the shy one...”
“It's a quiet day,” Rosy noted, pressing a kiss in against his husband's throat, stepping slightly closer. His wings fluttered a little bit and his blush grew darker. “And I like being here with you. Not everypony can be as lucky as we are. We can spend all the time we like together, thank Celestia.”
“Yes, thank me,” came Celestia's mirthful voice from behind them. The great sun princess was smiling down on the two guards, flying gracefully just a few feet off the ground, explaining how she came up so soundlessly.
The blush spread and deepened on Rosy, to nearly conquer all his cheeks in crimson heat, while Golden coughed and returned to a straighter, more formal posture. Golden spoke with his usual firm, sonorous voice, “Your Majesty! I can assure you that we did not in any way remove our focal powers! We were fully aware of all things before us and stood as appropriate aegis against improper entry!”
Celestia laughed musically behind her hoof, looking down on the two guilty guards with great mirth. “Don't worry. I'm not here to give you any trouble. I thought you might be bored, but I see you are taking care of that yourselves. I applaud your creativity and independent spirits.”
“Thank you your Majesty,” Rosy squeaked out, lightly shivering as he stared forward, “You are very kind. But... we should return to our duty.”
“Of course, of course. I know that you are very dedicated to this job, and that you understand the honor that has been given to you,” Celestia said, nodding to the two of them. “I thank you for your commitment. To this and to each other. I don't necessarily want you to stop but perhaps a bit more discreet. And please do try to have all the emotions you need to over The Day of Remembrance. That's what is really important.” With that she casually flew back into the palace.
The two guards stood stiffly, unsure if Celestia was truly gone or just hovering just away from them, watching. Rosy even stepped back to his previous spot, still slightly shaking. Rosy spoke, his voice slowly calming, “You know... she's right. All emotions are appropriate when you're talking about that day. Even if it hurts me to see you like that... I'm proud of you for that same reason.”
Golden stomped all four of his hooves in order, settling himself into his proper posture once again. He returned to his stern gaze, gold eyes looking out at nothing. However, he nodded just slightly in reply. “Thank you. I appreciate all you have ever said and done. I'm always appreciative you let some growling Cavalier have the pleasure of your company.”
Rosy's blush had gone down, though a lovely cranberry shade remained lightly covering part of his cheeks. He, too, put on the sort of serious look that he had had before and also focused on the big nothing that was before the two of them. However, Rosy also slowly extended one wing, looking over slightly to Golden. Golden also looked aside and slowly stretched out a wing, gently touching the tips of the longest feathers together.
“The orderliness of the Guard may prickle some folks,” Rosy noted as he and Golden made their way through the crowd of barding-clad ponies and other creatures, gold and silver alike, “But I like that we always have a place and know exactly where it is.”
“You're right there,” Golden said, gallantly motioning a wing to Rosy to allow him to slip into a space beside several unarmored ponies dressed in golden cloth attire, leaving a space beside himself for Golden. “Especially for a day like this.”
“Cavalier!” The pony beside Golden shot up straighter and lifted a salute to his chest. He was a dark gray unicorn, his mane buzzed down to Guard standard.
“At ease, Scutarius. This isn't a parade drill, and I'm not your Destrier,” Golden said firmly, adopting a very commanding tone for a moment. He then lowered his voice, which did not make it significantly less powerful. “What is your name, Scutarius?”
“Scutarius Evening Shadow, Cavalier,” the unicorn responded, lifting another salute and then lowering it with a sheepish grin.
“Well now, that would make this your first Day of Remembrance. I hope you are ready for it. It's never an easy thing,” Golden noted, looking up at the stage placed before the assembly of palace guards. The gathering was in one of the many gardens around the palace, by a wall covered in a huge silk sheet, which was behind the stage that contained a large podium. The podium and the stage were both empty. “But you may be lucky, you never had the chance to know anypony that was lost.”
“Yes. I'm from the Kleinpferd region, so I didn't know any palace guards before. It was amazing that I was accepted to the Palace Guard training program,” Evening said, continuing to look sheepish.
“Wilkommen, and I hope you can stick it out. It won't be easy. Sure, it's no Wonderbolts training but I like to think we keep it tough, to make sure only the dedicated and talented get through. I know what is involved,” Golden noted, further comment being silenced by the blowing of horns and the simultaneous snapping to attention of all the assembled ponies. “Ah, here we are.”
The horns swelled to a tremendous, resonant note as Celestia and Luna flew down onto the platform before the guard, causing them all to snap up to a salute. Both princesses returned the salute, and bowed their heads grandly to the guards. Princess Luna stepped up to the podium and shouted out with the force of the Royal Canterlot Voice. “As it was so long ago and as will be far in times to come, we be brought together in august grandiosity to recall, with due pomp and gravity, those of the most loyal and grand Royal Guard who have been lost.”
Celestia flashed her horn and brought down the silk sheet, revealing a wall covered in brass markers, some suns, some crescent moons and a few scattered suns cupped in crescent moons. The ponies scattered in the crowd who were clad in cloth gave soft gasps and quiet comments. Even Evening gasped. “Amazing... but... what happens when the wall fills up?” he asked of no one.
The answer came with the simultaneous magical activation from Celestia and Luna, the wall rumbling lightly, stretching upwards and pulling forward, to allow further walls to slide out and unfold from behind, exposing more moons, suns and crescent-cupped suns. “They add another one,” Golden stated quietly.
“Commanders! Come ye forward and be thou seen by all,” Luna cried to the crowd.
Several ponies strolled forward through the ranks, heads held high. The Captain of the Day Guards and Captain of the Night guards strolled side-by-side, both flanked by two Centurions bearing up their respective standards. Behind them was a single dark puce mare with a curly black mane in a bark brown hooded cloak, which had several large, showy medals clipped to it, carrying a standard marked with a silver crescent moon in front of a dark forest. Behind her was a unicorn stallion in a reasonably-ornate robe that included both a hood and mask, who was followed by a small collection of ponies wearing dark suits and sunglasses. “Cavalier?” Evening said to Golden, very quietly, “I don't recognize the folk behind the Captains of the Guards.”
“I'm not surprised by the mare but I thought young folks liked reading spy novels and would know Spooks when they see them,” Golden said.
“I was more serious and studious. My friends used to say I was boring,” Evening admitted.
“That mare is Section Chief Slivovitz, of the Everfree Nightwatch. She has been given the honor of coming here on the Day of Remembrance representing the Nightwatch because she earned the Order of the Diamond Crescent, and is so far the only living Nightwatch Chief to do that. And behind her, the Deputy Director of the Office of the Cult-Finder General, and a few hoof-picked Officers. They always send the Deputy, the Cult-Finder General himself is never seen anymore.”
The four commanders ascended the stage, their followers taking up a silent position in front of the stage. The four stood at attention behind the princesses, looking out over the crowd. With that done, Celestia stepped up to the podium, Luna graciously giving the podium over to her. When Celestia spoke she also used her own version of the Royal Canterlot Voice, which contained almost more force than Luna's own, but was less pure power and more deep, touching reverberation. “Guards, Scutaria up to you commanders on this stage, we meet here once more to give all due and just honor to those of your fellows who, in the past year, have fallen in service to this nation. As well, we honor and remember all of those, Constables and Royal Warriors from the distant past to now who fell that we may be free and happy.”
Celestia and Luna lit their horns, causing magical letters to glow above the walls of symbols. The glowing letters formed the words, 'Let not the sacrifice of they that came before be in vain; let not they that come after fear being in their number.' The princesses used their magic to lift up from behind the podium a collection of metal insignia, like the ones on the walls. Luna nodded to the collection, and said, “These be they, that may be remembered forever in out hearts and psyches. Let us recall them ever after. Their names be inscribed that all may see and know of all they have given.”
The two princesses sent the symbols flying towards the emptiest part of the newest wall, driving the pointed rods at the obverse sides into the solid wall and settling them carefully in. Three moon-cupped suns, five crescents and four suns. Golden grunted softly as one of the suns was driven into the wall, Rosy silently extending one wing to touch his. When all the insignia had been placed Celestia called in her powerful voice again, “All! Salute the fallen!”
The four commanders faced the wall and threw solid salutes to the insignia, in time with the salutes of the princesses. This was followed by their fellows at the front of the stage, and then a huge, ringing thump of hooves on metal as all the rest of the assembled saluted with all their might.
The salutes held for several minutes of silent reflection before they all fell like a wave across all of the figures. Princess Celestia nodded to the commanders and the guards, speaking to them all, “I thank you all for your participation and you are free to go about your day as you wish. If you are needed you will be called but unless that happens... enjoy you Day of Remembrance.”
The various companies of Guards marched off under direction from their various direct superiors, eventually leaving Golden and Rosy mostly alone on the field. “Are we going to your sister's house this year for the barbecue and celebration?” Rosy asked.
“I love your house Rosy, make no mistake, and your family is very nice. Higher terraces are lovely but I love having Lime around, and she only wants to go to her mother's house. Can't say I blame her,” Golden said.
“So... you're bringing the picture, right?” Rosy questioned, somewhat hesitantly.
Golden threw a leg around Rosy's shoulders and leaned in against him. “I'm not afraid of my emotions. I just have an image. But this is the Day of Remembrance, and I should let out a little more emotion than usual today.” Golden gave Rosy a kiss on his cheek and motioned his head towards the palace. “Come on, honey, let's go get changed. I like folks saluting me on the way down but this isn't really comfortable traveling attire.”
Two hours later, after getting changed and making their way down via the tram to the seventh terrace they arrived at a very active cul-de-sac made of closely-packed narrow, tall brownstones. The yards of each were small but essentially all combined into one large, semicircular lawn broken by the dirt paths to the front doors. The entire neighborhood seemed to be out having a good time. Equestrian flags flapped everywhere, along with a few United Colonies flags thrown into the mix, likely to seamlessly include an extended family of Diamond Dogs into the festivities. Foals, and a couple of pups, ran around the street and on the lawns, laughing and either tossing balls around or playing a rather anarchic game of tag. The adults were milling about around a few tables that had been set out as kind of makeshift buffets, with bowls of punch and bottles of soda, and large trays of cold vegetables, fruits, flowers and pastries. A few grills were in use, all of them, including the one being used by a Diamond Dog, had aromatic and root vegetables cooking on them.
“Uncle Golden! Uncle Rosy! Hey!” Lime Sherbert the green unicorn mare rushed up to Golden and Rosy, throwing a giant hug around both of them and squeezing them good and tight. “You made it! I was afraid you were going to go to Uncle Rosy's terrace again. It's really fancy up there... and I think we've all gotten used to fancy stuff.”
Golden broke his stern look completely and smiled big and bright as he gave his niece a powerful hug. “Hey there, Lime. I had to come down here because I really felt like seeing you.”
Rosy gave Lime a little kiss on her cheek and laughed softly. “You know how much I love your company Limey-wimey. And this terrace is always so lively and exciting! I love coming down here.”
“And we all love having you down here, Uncle Rosy,” Lime said, switching over from sharing in her larger uncle's bone-crushing hug to her fey uncle-in-law's gentle embrace. “Are you going to be able to enjoy the celebration? You know, because...”
“Yes, I'll be able to. I have to take care of something but I promise I'll be out here singing songs and having a good time. In fact, do you think sis would mind if I ran into the house really quickly?” Golden asked, looking to one of the nondescript building faces.
“She didn't even lock the door. But don't be too long, I'm sure the first vegetables are about to come off the grill very soon,” Lime noted.
“I'll be fast,” Golden shouted as he galloped around the various gathered figures and dashed into the house. It was a bland place, mostly painted and floored in neutral colors, with old but sturdy furniture set up in the living room that served as the branching point for the rest of the rooms of the house.
Golden removed a Celestian Guard Corps rucksack from his back and slowly opened it up. He slowly reached into the pack and reverently removed a framed photo. The frame was just an inexpensive rectangle of wood and glass, and the photo within was a simple copy of a graduation photo, showing a gray unicorn mare with her mane hidden under a Celestian helmet. At the bottom of the photo was the name 'Miles Scutum Foggy Lea,' along with smaller words written beneath it. 'Randomoid Weapon.'
He set the photo on the coffee table and stepped back a few feet. He was standing at attention when he noticed a presence behind him. He turned his head and noticed Rosy standing behind him. “I... just wanted to join you.”
Golden nodded firmly and waited for Rosy to step up beside him. “I say it every time... I may be a Cavalier now, but you know well I was a Destrier for many good years. And every good Destrier that takes a raw group of Scutaria and molds them into strong, dedicated Milites remembers every single one of them.”
Rosy nodded, standing at attention as well. “I know. I know. And I'll look forward to seeing her on the wall with the others.” He read across the bottom and shivered a bit. “A Randomoid device...”
“An insidious machine,” Golden said, coldly. “But she saved all those workers and halted the monsters long enough for the others to sweep in and arrest the lot of them.”
Rosy did not add further comment, but only threw a salute, a leg across his chest and head held high, the motion matched by Golden, both of them reciting at the same time, “I pledge from this day hence my heart, my mind and all my life to support, defend and advance this land and all who live within. Though I may seem separate from the population I am ever an integral part of it and never will there be a division between myself and any citizen, for we are still the same. I will be strong and dedicated and faithful in the execution of orders righteously given. I will serve as lance or aegis as appropriate, to strike at dangers that thoughtlessly come and protect against the mindful dangers that seek with malice to harm and destroy. I will never fear what may befall me, for so long as I am serving this nation my cause is just and my works good, so I will be remembered long after I pass. Let me, so long as I serve, be worthy of being remembered, by my service and by all the lives I nurture and preserve. This I swear, in the names of the Princesses and for the sake of harmony. Delendam Discord, Gloria Harmonium, Ave Reginae.”
The recitation done, Golden tucked the photo back in his pack. He hiked the pack onto his back once again, kissed Rosy lovingly on the lips and then both of them went back out to join the festivities.
