Noble

by Zenop

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Original Character, Adventure
Length: 1193

A warrior goes in search of riches and acclaim.

It is a legend passed in passing; a tired old tale told by tired old stallions, in the way that one hopes the fortune of the storied treasure may rub off on them in time. How did it go?

Emerald Scales, as the winds say,
hoards up his treasure, in a mount' far away,
(and the words that follow are told to this day),
whom they cannot slay, whom they cannot slay.

And the warriors that seek him, find to their dismay:
whom they cannot slay, whom they cannot slay.

Published 2016-09-12 03:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-09-12 03:00:01 UTC

Noble

He trudged through the snow,

the snow that did blow,

that swirled through wind-washed landscapes.

He trudged over mountains,

through howling gusts

as the bitter air stung his face.

He trudged along caverns

and cliffsides and footholds,

by pits and chasms below.

But In spite of this cold,

in spite of this wind,

he did not shiver;

he did not slow.

He galloped 'long plains

and burning hot deserts–

He traveled the Whitetail;

through the Everfree Forest

its canopy blocking all light.

He journeyed a journey that was exhausting

and deadly

yet his place remained in his sight.

For you see, he was a warrior,

a stallion called Noble Quest.

And this was his penultimate trial,

this was his final test.

He would prove to himself and all,

that of warriors,

he was the best.

He was proud, and large, and chivalrous,

and a little strong in the head.

Many fine mares from terror he's saved;

many monsters, of him are dead.

He has spelunked through the changeling caves,

nearly driving him mad.

He’s fought the tatzlwurm, the manticore, the Ursa–

and put down the terror, King Crag.

He’s had victory over the parasprite swarm

(though actually doing them almost no harm.)

He’s even tamed Ceberus, and it is said thus:

free passage to Tatarus, he has.

They sung songs of his deeds and his doings,

His charm and impeccably good looks.

Yes, he was the hero that everyone knew;

He was the hero that everyone sook.

Now this journey he went on,

it should surely be said,

filled most others with terror,

most others with dread.

For he was to slay a creature,

the thought of which shook the soul.

It was a beast of might, of fire, of flight.

It was a dragon, this was his goal.

The dragon with emerald scales, they say,

lived in much solace, quite far away,

surrounded by frost, where no one could stay.

And the legends of him:

"They cannot slay."

So Quest went on this journey,

to defy this legend of old.

He gave up everything:

his trinkets, his fine clothes,

his house even eventu’ly was sold.

It could be said that he was foolish,

to take up so momentous a task.

"A dragon," some trilled,

"by them can't be killed.

For death, Quest," they lamented, "you ask."

But Noble Quest, at his own behest,

so boldly went his way.

And he did not budge,

though him others did judge,

and bid them farewell with a smile so gay.

"I'll be back," he told,

"with a chest full of gold,

and the head of the beast 'bove my fire.

Now you all hear, and don't you fear,

I'll bring pride to this town, Whinnyshire.”

Of these mem'ries he thought,

as the deep cave he sought,

and the dragon it held within.

He found it at last, and entered it fast–

–but not before, as he thought some more
taking a peek at the sun.

This look could be,

solemnly thought he,

his absolute very last one.

He breathed musty cave air,

and began to prepare,

for his battle with beast in the cave.

The pit was foreboding,

he could hear the wind moaning,

nevertheless, he felt stoutly brave.

Taking deep breath,

with his sword in his sheath,

he went downward and onward below.

And came to a clearing,

with a hole in the ceiling,

big enough to let through a home.

He continued on, his resolve still strong,

and spotted some dragon tracks,

that went further back

in the cave he was in.

And then he could hear

from a place quite near

a snoring, resounding within.

His heart took a leap;

the beast was asleep!

He now went off at a livelier trot.

For what could be easier

(though perhaps a bit sleazier)

to fight a beast that could fight back–

not.

He slowed down his pace

as he arrived at the place

where Emerald Scales did sleep.

And though Scales was snoozing

Quest thought not of losing

so into the shadows, he did creep.

He rounded a corner

as he thought his plan over;

what he saw, could no one expect:

A house in this pit

quite extravagantly lit

though it was a bit derelict.

Inside were some stands

from which hung clothes so grand,

collecting dust on the linens and trims.

This confused Noble Quest

as he yet could not guess

why a dragon would do this on a whim.

The mirrors were polished,

the paint wasn’t peeling,

the dining room table was set

It was all bewildering,

this display of housekeeping,

this thing that Quest couldn’t quite get.

As he pondered this strange mystery

up to the dragon he krept.

And within the claws of the beast he could see

as the dragon all the while still slept–

–A portrait of times ago, on which our hero caught sight

of a beautiful mare,

with deep purple hair

and a white coat which shone in the light.

She smiled at Quest with a look so warm

the effect of which softened his heart.

This kindly fair miss who seemed incapable of harm

reduced his diamond of resolve to a shard.

From whence she came,

let alone her name

Quest sadly knew he knew not.

But here was something in her face,

her beauty and her grace,

for a moment, of the beast he forgot.

Then Emerald Scales yawned

and stretched his neck long

and Quest, he could finally see:

that this dragon was old

with faded scales far from bold,

and like dust,

they no longer gleamed.

The dragon drew the portrait close to his chest

and rolled and laid on his side.

And though he spoke not a word to our Noble Quest

his secret he did already confide.

Quest put down his sword

and gave his true word

that this quest he would no more pursue.

He realized with a smile

that all the while

this dragon was a friend too.

His name was Noble,

and so he was able

to resist all the gold and the jewels.

He bowed politely

and trotted out lightly,

bidding the dragon farewell.

As he left the cave

He found something strange:

an opening not noticed before.

He might take a small look

at what lay 'round the crook;

what he saw caused

his sorrowed heart to soar.

The dragon's trove!

protected not by

that who owns

the gold, and treasure.

You see,

for in the room's back

Quest discovered a plaque

with a single word: "Generosity"

It was all clear to Noble Quest,

this strange little truth he could see;

Though of warriors, he being the best,

the dragon was noble, as was he.

He put some gold in a sack,

slung it up on his back,

and felt a warmth that replaced his chill

He exited the abode

of the dragon alone

And left the beast "that they would not kill."

The dragon let off a sigh

as he thought of past times

and of his lady as he soundly slept.

For today was their anniversary

and he dreamt of her blissfully,

and of her, he would never forget.