Velvet turned to her mare of honor. "I can't be the only one excited to see him after all this time."
Freya the hippogryph smiled. Her best friend certainly fit the role of 'happy bride'. "It will be good to see Condor again."
Velvet rolled her eyes. She put her leg around her friends withers, standing on her hind legs to do so. "I know you're happy to see him."
Freya shrugged off the powder blue pony's embrace as she pawed at the balcony with her hind hoof. She inspected the talons at the end of her foreleg in vain attempt to conceal her blush.
Velvet lifted her friends face with a hoof. "I'll make sure to lob the bouquet in your direction. Just be ready to catch it."
Freya shook her head. "That's cheating."
"Pshaw," Velvet replied. "All's fair in love and war."
The two friends looked out over the small settlement of Shady Hollow. It was a peaceful town, about a-week-and-three-days journey from Canterlot; unless you had wings. Sometimes ponies would travel through on hoof, on their way to New Amsterdame; other than that, they didn't get too many visitors.
Freya looked at the sunset. Some of Celestia's finest work, she thought.
"Luna's certainly early tonight," Velvet said to her half-pony friend.
Freya looked again. Sure enough the moon was well into the sky, even though the sun was still setting. "It seems as though the moon rises earlier and earlier each day," Freya said, her concern evident.
The unicorn turned to the half-pony-half-griffin. "Don't worry; as long as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna rule, there will be peace in Equestria." Velvet smiled mischievously. "It must have been wonderful traveling so far, seeing so much with Condor."
Freya shrugged as she stretched her wings. "It had its moments, as does anything." Freya frowned slightly. "The last month was hard."
Velvet stared at her friend in concern. Condor had sent Freya to stay with his 'family' for the last month. "Why did he send you here?" It was obvious to all who knew her that Freya was still hurt by that.
"He had to finish the Bojovníci training," was Freya's reply.
Velvet was puzzled by the answer. "Did he not think it would be safe for you?" She paused briefly before continuing. "The Bojovníci devote their lives to the art of self defense. I can't think of any where safer to be."
Freya smiled mirthlessly. "The training is brutal; often times blood is drawn."
"Oh." Velvet understood perfectly now.
"Condor was afraid I would come to his defense," Freya admitted.
Velvet laughed. "I fear for the pony who injured him while you were watching."
"Yes," Freya agreed, then laughed also. "Though I doubt that I would do any damage."
Velvet smiled at the hippogryph. The two had only know each other for a month, but they had taken to each other instantly. So much so that Velvet asked Freya to be her mare of honor.
"I was glad to hear he had found a traveling companion," Velvet said. "I was sad when he left to travel after graduation," Velvet paused momentarily. "I wasn't the only one."
Freya smiled. "Condor said that. He also said there were those who couldn't wait for him to leave."
Velvet huffed, angrily. "Yes, well my father is rather traditional." Velvet shook her head. "I mean he's not happy with who I'm marrying, and he picked him." Velvet frowned as her thoughts lingered on memory lane. Absentmindedly she raised her hoof to toy with her necklace; it was a gift from Condor many years ago, one that her father had never approved of. He had said that it was inappropriate for a young mare of noble stock to have a necklace from a savage. Velvet refused to give it up: it was a gift from a dear friend, one who filled the role of her big brother.
Freya was looking at the necklace as well. It had a simple metal chain. The pendant was amber colored; within it lay two tiny claws, torn from one of Condor's hind paws by an accident.
The sun had almost completely set. If it weren't for the height of velvet's balcony, they would not have been able to see it for the surrounding forest. Freya saw a familiar winged figure fly past in the fading light. Her breath caught in her chest. She made to take off, but was stopped by a leg placed around her withers. She looked at Velvet, who shook her head.
"I want to race over to his home as well," Velvet added. "We need to give him time with his family; they haven't seen him in a long time."
"Right," Freya understood that, she did. That didn't mean she liked it.
"You really love him," said Velvet; it was a statement, not a question. When Freya didn't answer, Velvet had to ask. "Have you told him?"
The resulting chuckle was cheerless. "So many times, so many different ways; from subtle, to bold, to direct, to blatantly forward." Freya sighed, as tear appeared at the corner of her golden eye. She wiped it away as quickly as it appeared. "It doesn't matter: he'll never love me."
Velvet had to resist the urge to slap sense into her friend. "How can you say that?" Velvet incredulously nudged her friend. "You two have been friends for years. You've traveled all over together." Velvet gestured at her friend. "Look at yourself; you're funny, nice, smart and attractive. Condor may be stoic at times, but he doesn't have a heart of stone; he cares for you."
"He has feelings for me," Freya agreed. "But like a sister, nothing more. Besides his heart belongs to another."
This was news to Velvet. "I've never seen him take an interest in anyone." She paused to think. "In all the letters he sent he never mentioned anyone either."
Freya's expression grew sadder. "That's because it wouldn't work between them. If he were to marry her, he would condemn her to death, or worse."
Velvet digested this bit of information. "Then there is still hope for you two," Velvet said cautiously.
Freya shook her head, as she pondered how to explain why her friend was wrong. "Griffins are...different in that regard."
Velvet cocked her head as Freya continued. "A griffin's love is instinct: a part of their very core. A griffin can only ever have one love."
This floored Velvet. "I had no idea."
Freya continued, "Not many do. Griffins mate for life. Even if he didn't see me as his sister, it would never work between us."
Velvet looked heartbroken. "Then you'll never love another either."
Another tear leaked out, as Freya shook her head. "I am only half griffin. My griffin half will always love him, but my pony side," Freya let out a big sigh. "Well time heals all wounds."
Velvet gave her friend a big hug. "And I've been making plans for the wedding the whole time you've been here; I'm so sorry."
Freya lifted Velvet's chin with a talon. "You didn't know. Besides," Freya added hopefully, "seeing your happy ending in the making gives me hope. You really do care for Red Star, don't you?"
Velvet nodded, as she brushed tears from her muzzle. "I've been friends with him for as long as I've been friends with Condor." She then rolled her silver eyes. "My dad took some wining over."
Freya shook her head. "I never understood your custom of arranged marriage."
Velvet shrugged, "It will probably be around for a long time."
"It's good to see you," Red Star said as he broke off the embrace. "I was not sure you would come."
"And miss my brother's wedding," Condor scoffed, as he looked at the burgundy unicorn, with a grey main. "Not likely."
The two were in the rose garden on the family estate; the large grounds were kept emaculate by a dozen gardeners: both unicorns and earth ponies.
Red Star eyed his adopted brothers frame. He was much larger than Red remembered. "You look good."
"Bojovníci training has it's perks." Condor 's green eyes twinkled. "You should try it."
Red shook his head. "Oh no; I like being three-dimensional, thank you very much."
Condor barked a short laugh. "Fair enough." Condor looked slightly amused. "I couldn't believe it when I read who you were getting married to in the letter. How did you get her dad to agree?"
"It wasn't easy," Red groaned. "Mom had to work on him since you left."
"Really?"
"Oh yes," Red affirmed. "Mom and dad only convinced him this was the best choice this year. He is still grumbling about it."
Condor clawed at the ground. "It's probably my fault. He never got over mom and dad adopting me."
"Pfffft," Red exhaled, obviously annoyed. "Velvet's dad gives nobles like us a bad name. He's never happy if he can't complain about something. Currently it's his future-son-in-law."
"I'm back in town," Condor replied. "That should draw some of his ire."
Red chortled. "I think you underestimate how much he hates me."
Condor smirked. "I can say the same thing." His face then grew serious, the corners of his beak turning down. "I have a question I must ask; if you truly think of me as brother, answer honestly."
Red placed a fore-hoof on Condor's shoulder; he almost had to take his other one of the ground to do so. "Of course we're brothers. Whatever your question is, I shall answer it truthfully."
Condor nodded, but didn't seem comforted. "I know this marriage is arranged for political reasons, but I must know; do you love her? "
Author's Note
Well, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and publish this. To anyone who reads this; thank you, I hope you enjoyed it.
If you have any comments, fell free to post them below.
Thanks for reading, future chapters are in the work right now.
A special thanks to Reflective Vagrant. He has provided both the idea for this story as well as permission to write my own take on it.
Thanks again, and happy reading,
~lexomancer
"Do I love her?" As Red Star repeated the question, he searched his brothers eyes. What he found was turmoil. "It hasn't faded?" Red Star turned from Condor's piercing eyes, and inspected a nearby rose bush. For the first time in his life the yellow orange blossoms failed to lift his spirits.
"The fire burns just as brightly," Condor replied solemnly. "Despite distance, time and lack of fuel."
Red Star turned back to his brother, wincing as he met Condor's intense eyes. "So that simple crush from all those years ago: it really was something else." Condor's silent response threatened to crush Red Star. "I'm sorry..." Red Star couldn't find the words.
Condor shook his head, as he paced past Red Star. "Know this; I bear you no ill will for these events." Condor stopped in front of a bush covered in crimson roses.
"I can call off the wedding," Red Star promised. He edged backwards as Condor let out a growl.
Whipping around to face Red, Condor continued in the same tone. "You said yourself how hard mother had to work to get Suede to agree to your marriage."
Red winced at the sound that came from his brothers throat. It was to laughter, as a starving wolf is to a puppy.
Condor continued, his volume lower, his tone just as intense. "That is a marriage to one of equal standing. Even if Velvet would agree to marry me, her father would never allow it." Condor calmed down as he cut off his brother's reply. "I may be your brother, but I shall always be an outsider. The only ones who take my adoption seriously are you, me and our parents."
Red Star took a deep breath. "You truly love her: act on it and hang the consequences," he admonished. "I will step aside for you."
Condor shook his head sadly. "It wouldn't work."
"The hay it won't," Red cursed.
Condor put his giant talons on his brothers shoulder. "Red, even if there wouldn't be a scandal involving both our family houses; even if that scandal wouldn't culminate in this disownment of Velvet and possibly myself, I still couldn't marry her." Condor took a deep breath before continuing. "Velvet has always wanted foals, she has always dreamed of motherhood. Even if I do as you say, and marry her and 'hang the consequences', that is one thing I cannot give her."
Red made a confused sound, as Condor continued. "It is dangerous for any pony mare to birth hippogryph because of their size, and Velvet is small even for a pony. If I take her as my wife she will be foaless, or I shall be forced to bury the mare I love."
Red didn't know what to say. "This makes things awkward."
Condor lifted Red's face to meet his eyes, before sating, "You still haven't answered my question. Do you love her?"
Red swallowed. "She's kind," he began. "She's selfless." The words proceeded tumbling out. "She doesn't care for money or power like other nobles. She's stubborn; at times I don't know whether to kiss her, or smack her upside the head. She's breathtaking," Red paused, searching for more words.
"Is that a yes?" Condor probed.
Red nodded. "The wedding may be arranged, but my heart belongs to her." Red could not believe his eyes. Condor actually smiled.
"That makes this easier. Better you than somepony else; she deserves a stallion that loves her," Condor looked wistful. "You are still the same honest Red Star from my childhood."
"And you," replied Red Star, "are the same loyal Condor." He eyed his massive brother. "There is just more of you."
"Speaking of more," Condor chuckled. "There is one other thing," Condor said.
Red Star noticed they where in the only portion of the rose garden where wrought iron archways blocked the view of the house.
"Yes?" he asked hesitantly.
Condor picked a red rose off of the nearby bush. He spun it in his grip as he spoke. "When my mother died, your parents took me in. Given the social stigma there is against griffins, that alone is huge." Condor sniffed at the rose. "Your parents didn't stop there; they adopted me, and treated me as their son. You have always treated me as your brother." Condor turned to where the house lay. "Mom and dad sheltered me. They fed me. They fought hoof over hoof to make sure I was given the same opportunities as other nobles, going so far as to pay for my schooling. I would have received no more from my own birth mother." Condor lifted a talon to the flower in his hand and drug it across the petals. "But," he said with furrowed brow as petals fell to the ground. "If you ever break her heart, I will rip yours out with my bare talons." Condor threw the now bare stem to the earth. "Just remember that," he said as he stared at Red the way he would stare at a fish. "When you are taking your vows."
Red swallowed nervously, as he eyed Condor's razor sharp talons. "That shouldn't be too hard, provided you are my best stallion." Red tried to make light of the situation. "You'll be right there next to me."
Condor's scowl was replaced with a grin. "You'd still ask me to be your best stallion after that?"
Red nodded. "You've always protected Velvet; that's all you're doing right now." He continued with chagrin, "Were our rolls reversed, I would hope I was stallion enough to say the same thing." Red put a hoof to his chin. "Though with how quick you are to come to her aid, it's amazing nopony else figured it out."
"That's probably for the best," Condor said softly. His heavy face mirrored his heart; both reflected his sadness at his situation, and what he had just put his brother through. "Please don't tell Velvet. She doesn't deserve that."
Red turned to face Condor. "I won't lie to my wife, brother," He said seriously. "She doesn't deserve that either."
The two brothers stared at each other. To Red's surprise, Condor broke contact. "Fair enough," he said.
Red put a hoof on Condor's shoulder. "I will do my best to never bring it up."
"I suppose that is more than I deserve," Condor said quietly. "For what it's worth, I give you two my blessing."
"That means more than you know," Red said as the two moved back to the house.
"Although I'm mad you didn't tell me I would be your best stallion in the letter," Condor said.
Red was puzzled. "Why?"
"I could have brought in griffin dancers," Condor said jokingly. "Do you have any Idea how wild that bachelor party would have been?"
