Silence Unbroken

Silence Unbroken Chapter 4: Partial Truths

By: Midway Bridge

Some fitting music: Here

Fluttershy stood next to Silence's bed. She listened to his soft breathing. Every once in a while he would move about in the bed, but otherwise he was quite peaceful in his sleep. She still hung onto the dream catcher that Silence had given her at lunch.  She didn't feel comfortable receiving such a meaningful gift at first, but he seemed so intent on giving it to her she couldn’t refuse.

When Silence fell unconscious Fluttershy immediately woke Rarity and the two rushed him to the hospital. It was so scary for her. Fluttershy decided it would be best if she stayed here while Rarity told the others; they were the only people who really knew him and could relay any medical information.

Nurse Redcross came into the room and checked the equipment that was monitoring Silence's vitals. She took a small syringe, stuck Silences hoof, and pulled the piston drawing Silences blood. The sight made Fluttershy queasy so she averted her eyes. The nurse quietly shut the door behind her, leaving Fluttershy alone in the room.

A few minutes later Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Applejack walked into the room with stallion that Fluttershy assumed was the doctor who was in charge of caring for Silence.

"… Have you seen his cutie mark?" asked Twilight, the question directed to the doctor in a quiet but inquisitive tone.

"I have. Unusual yes, but not the problem at hoof," he answered, "perhaps we can ask him about it when he wakes. Now. Who here knows anything about his medical history?"

Nopony said anything.

"Nothing at all?" he asked.

"He told us he was a mute," piped in Applejack.

"He also told me about some medication he had in his saddlebags," offered Fluttershy, "but there wasn’t any there when I looked."

"If he has medication he must have some sort of medical documentation somewhere," reasoned Twilight, "a prescription somewhere perhaps?"

There was a swishing sound coming from the bed as Silence shifted around in his sleep.

"What do you think he's dreaming about?" wondered Pinkie Pie who was hovering near the bed.

-========-

“Here we are,” announced Augur Silvertongue, “Welcome to Equestria Silence.”  He filled his voice with gusto like was announcing some sort of sports event.

Silence took a long look around him.  “It doesn’t seem that different Dad,” commented the young silver stallion that now pulled the wagon alongside his father, “It’s just another country, another town.”  It’s not that he was unhappy with his surroundings, he was just unimpressed.

“You didn’t think so when you were younger,” remarked his dad, “you used to believe that something magical would take place when we came here.”

“Psh… magic, I have little need for it,” retorted Silence.

“Says the unicorn who can’t do a basic levitation spell,” joked Augur with a smile.

“Hey now that was a kick below the saddle Dad.”

“Boy’s stop it or I will,” called Olive from within the wagon.

“Sorry,” they both said in unison. They didn’t want to make Silence’s mother upset, after all she was 6 months pregnant and what she says goes.

"Back to the topic at hoof, I think you may enjoy it here in Equestria. Sure we won’t stay anywhere too long but we'll travel all across its borders. If I play my cards right I may be able to convince the other members to get us to go to Canterlot."

"Hooray..." Silence cheered sarcastically.

Augur shook his head; it was getting harder and harder to please Silence. Augur almost wished he had Silence back as a young colt were he could tell stories and teach him things to entertain him. It was difficult to be a father. Silence had all he needed here in the caravan with the Travelers but Augur could tell that he wanted more than just a family, Silence had longings to settle down in the world, to start a family of his own.

"Silence we both know that you are 18 years of age and are now technically no longer under my jurisdiction. You can leave the Travelers if you want explore the world for your own or find someplace to be-"

"Dad I couldn't leave you even if I wanted to, there's no place in this world for me; I've practically been to all of them. The only place I could ever want to be is here, with my family."

Augur wished he could believe him, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

Silence admired the plant and animal life that lived along the roads in Equestria, not many places in the world had such green grass or vibrantly colored flowers. There were all sorts of birds that nested in the trees that spread into a thick canopy overhead providing a cool shade against the summer sun. The dirt underneath Silences hooves was crumbly and made a wonderful crackling sound as the wheels of the wagons rolled over it. To the side of the road was a small wooden sign that read “Ponyville 3 mi,” with an arrow pointing directly ahead. It seems that they would soon be making their first stop soon.

There was a loud crash and a holler from somepony a couple wagons ahead. There was more commotion and a trumpet blast signaled immediate halt and an emergency happened. Silence unhooked himself from the wagon and trucked ahead racing past the other travelers to see what happened.

Silence pushed past a small circle of ponies to see that a wagon had broken a wheel. All of the wagons contents had spilled out onto the ground. The travelers few medically trained personal were already on the scene attending to the pony who was pulling the wagon at the time.

"What happened?" asked Silence to a group of bystanders.

"From what I heard the wagon wheel broke and pulled him down funny," answered one.

"I hope he's okay," said a dark brown colored mare about Silences age.  She had a long black mane that was braided back and deep brown eyes.  Her name was Mahogany, a carpenter who's family did most of the woodwork for the Travelers She was one of the only few Travelers that Silence grew up and was friends with.

"Don't worry, I'm sure ev-everything will be, be f-fine," said Silence.  He cursed out loud, he hated when his faulty speech would spring up every once in a while.

"Hey Silence, you almost slipped there. We've made progress over the years, don't start going back now."  Mahogany was the only other pony besides Silences family in the Travelers that was patient with Silences speech impediment, and really helped him grow out of it.

Silence composed himself, "I'll be okay."

"Look at the wagon," Mahogany pointed out.  Silence saw a large crack splitting the wooden hull into two pieces.  "The wagons hull ended up splitting so we might need to make a new one in addition to medical treatment.  That could take a while.”

The Travelers helped clean up the mess and move the ruined wagon to the side of the road.

One of the ponies who were attending to the hurt stallion came over to the group of leaders.  Silence could overhear the conversation as he passed by.  "He has a dislocated shoulder and a foreleg that sprained really badly; he shouldn't be on the move at all for the next 2 weeks.”

“Looks like you’re going to get your extra week," chuckled Augur who arrived at the scene a few moments after Silence. "Don’t waste them,”

Silence gave one of his rare smiles, “don’t worry Dad I won’t.”

-========-

“Is he awake?” whispered one voice.

“I don’t know,” replied another, “you should call the doctor just in case.”

“I’ll do that, you guys just stay here and keep an eye on him.”

“Hey Si’ wake up,” called a voice; a voice that Silence recognized as Pinkie pies.

“Pinkie leave him alone."

"I hope he's going to be okay."

"Don't worry I'm sure he'll be fine."

Silence groaned too many voices. Too loud. Silence opened his eyes to find himself in a very bright room. He closed his eyes and groaned. Too bright. There were rustling sounds around him.

"He's awake, he's awake he's going to be okay!" cheered a booming voice.

"PIKIE be quiet!" hissed Twilights voice angrily.

Silence opened his eyes. The mares around him hushed up.

"How you feeling?" asked Fluttershy.

He tried to motion for a notepad. Twilight got him one. He tried writing something down but his hoof kept slipping and wouldn’t write the words. Frustrated he gave up.

Applejack and The doctor came through the door. The latter was carrying a clipboard with the blood test results.

"No, that can't be right…" he muttered looking over the charts with a puzzled look. After a minute or two of him shuffling through the clipboards contents he looked up. ”Nurse Redcross, a moment please?"

The doctor and the nurse walked outside for a few moments and conversed in hush tones just beyond the door. Twilight and her group of friends exchanged nervous glances. Silence just lay on the bed calmly awaiting the news of what happened.

The door opened again and the doctor came back into the room. The doctor fixed his glasses before he spoke. "Mr. Silvertongue I don't know how to say this in any easy way so I'm just going to say it. You should be dead."

The words hung in the air.

All eyes were on the Silence who was nervously fiddling around with the pen. He wrote something down on the notepad, a bit sloppier than the last few notes he wrote.

"I wish to discuss my medical ailments while retaining doctor patient confidentiality." He later added, "Alone." He gestured dismissively to all of the mares in the room.

“Alright then,” agreed the doctor. “You ladies are going to have to leave, I must respect Mr. Silvertongue’s wishes. Nurse Redcross please show these ladies to the waiting room.”

There were mixed grumblings and complaints about leaving Silence; Twilight was especially distraught as she really wanted to learn about Silence, something about his problems, something about his past, anything really, but once again Silence closed up and avoided the truth.

The six friends all waited in the waiting room for a few minutes. Silence walked through the doors escorted by the doctor. Once again he was carrying all of his possessions in his bags.

“It appears that Silence will not be staying in the hospital overnight, it would not be best for his health-“

“But isn’t it hospital regulation to keep the patient until the exact cause of the incident is discovered?” interrupted Twilight.

“Don’t lecture me on hospital regulations,” growled he doctor. “The patient and I have already discussed the causes and he is well enough to leave if he wants to, even if it is unorthodox to do so.”

Silence looked happy with the ruling seeming eager to get out of the hospital as soon as possible.

"But however, we aren't going to let Silence live on his own in his house we need somepony to supervise him and to make sure he doesn't have another problem. Since we can't afford to lease any medical staff we ask that one or more of you are to look after him at any given time."

Silence looked like he was going to write something in protest but didn’t do so.

"So who will it be?" The doctor looked over the group.

"Not I," said Rainbow Dash, "I have to supervise the weather team for the storm we've scheduled. There’s a lot of preparation and paperwork involved. We can't have any mistakes like last time." Everyone in the room minus Silence knew what she was talking about but he didn't want to ask.

"I’m already babysitting for the cakes,"  gibbered Pinkie Pie, "I can't be two places at once unless I cloned myself."

"I can't, my apple farm and family need me almost all day long. Though I reckon I could spare a few hours from now till before sundown, that’s all."

"I have to check on Sweetie Belle and make sure she does all of her homework. But perhaps I could drop in from time to time tomorrow."

"I could watch him overnight," suggested Twilight, “Spike is old enough to hold down the library for a day.”

"After I take care of my animals I could easily care for him for awhile."

"It's settled then," declared the doctor, "see that he gets his food and sleep check on him occasionally also. He'll know how to handle the rest."

Silence had written something but nopony was paying him attention and didn’t read it until now, "I can care for myself."

"No we don't want you to have an... 'episode' when you’re all alone," stated the doctor, "unless you'd rather stay in the hospital. In all honesty it would be a lot easier for everypony."

"I don't like hospitals." and he left it at that. “I’ll stay if it’s too much trouble for everypony else."

"It’s no trouble at all," reassured Twilight. She now had a prime opportunity to ask Silence some questions. This time he'll have to answer. No more dodging questions.

"Good now all of you get out of my waiting room before I change my mind about this whole matter," snapped the doctor rather impatiently.

And they did just that. Applejack, Twilight, and Silence walked towards his house, everypony else when about their own way.

"You’re letting him go?" asked Nurse Redcross unbelievingly when they left.

"He was incredibly persuasive," said the doctor who was starting to doubt his decision. "What's the worst that could happen?"

-========-

“We never got to really meet officially, name’s Applejack.”

He took the time to write out “Pleasure,” then went back to walking. It was hard for him to communicate on the go. Twilight and Applejack held a hushed conversation about current events and other gossip. Silence didn’t seem to be listening and his eyes were still trained front.

They reached Silence’s house. He opened the door with his key.

When they walked in the room Twilight noticed that the room was very different than it was the day before. All of the white sheets were gone revealing all of the furniture that lied beneath. The furniture itself was rearranged so the two armchairs were near the fire and a sofa and coffee table lied behind them. The room was dusted rather well and diligently, not leaving a spot untouched. The chandelier that hung from the ceiling was polished and sparkled brightly when Silence switched on the lights.

“Mighty fine place you have here,” commented Applejack.

“How did you clean it up so fast?” asked Twilight, “when I was here last it was all a mess.” Twilight quickly checked to see if he used magic to help clean, but once again no magical traces were left behind.

Silence sat at the table and penned a note. “I’ve simply been at it for a while, all of last night and this morning actually.”

“When did you sleep?”

“Didn’t.”

Silence got up and lit the fire place with a match. Soon as the crackling fire was ignited, he sat down comfortably on his chair.

Twilight noticed a rather nice albeit old grand piano in the corner of the room. “Do you play?” She gestured to the instrument.

“Occasionally, help me think.”

Twilight sat in the adjacent armchair opposite of Silence. Applejack simply flopped down on the couch. It creaked under the sudden gain of weight causing Silence to cringe.

Silence wrote something and tapped it with his pen and then pointed at Applejack.

“Silence says, ‘Please refrain from doing that, these pieces are very fragile’,” Twilight read this aloud so Applejack could hear.

“Sorry ‘bout that…”

“This is a very nice armchair,” Twilight comented admiring the craftsmanship. The cushion was very plush and had ponies and vines interwoven in perplexing ways. The wooden arms of the chair reflected the orange fires glow. “It must have taken a very long time to make.”

“It did.”

“You made it?”

“Yes, with some help from somepony named Mahogany.”

“Who is this Mahogany friend of yours?”

“She’s an old friend of mine. I haven’t talked to her in a really long time. Finest carpenter I’ve ever met.”

“Did you meet him on your travels around the world?”

“Did Fluttershy tell you about that?”

Twilight nodded.

“No matter,” he wrote with a sigh, “Yes, Mahogany was one of many who I traveled with.”

Applejack walked pulling up a chair over eager to get in on the conversation, “How many did ya’ll travel with?”

“Somewhere short of one hundred ponies were a part of the Travelers. We were one big family.”

“Wow that’s a lot. And here I thought you were a bit of a loner,” said Applejack.

Silence fiddled with his pen, “I am all alone now.”

“Where are the Travelers now?”

“Gone. Most likely in some frozen, remote part of the world selling ice to the windigos.”

“Do you miss them?” asked Applejack. She couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from her family.

“I haven’t spoken to them…” Silence counted back the years before continuing writing, “…somewhere close to sixteen years. Even if I knew where they were in the world they are, if fear they will not speak with me, for I had left them in an ill manner. But no more about them for I had burned that bridge many years ago.” Silence gazed off into the flame mesmerized by its movements.

"16 years is a long time sugar cube, I'm sure they miss you too." Applejack could see it in the grey stallion’s countenance that he longed to see his family again. It was a similar face Applebloom and Big Mac wore when pappy passed away; a sad face of regret and loss.

For a few moments nopony said anything and just thought about the conversation they just had. Twilight was still trying to piece his life together using the few parts that she knew. He was vaguely coming out and starting to open up about his past, but he was still holding back something, a lot of something actually. He was still a strange and mysterious stranger to Twilight and her friends.

“The Traveler’s…” Applejack trailed off , “why does that name sound so familiar…”

“Wait a second, the Travelers came to Ponyville when I was just a little filly,” exclaimed Applejack, “you’ve been here before haven’t you?”

Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of pen scratching paper. “Yes, I have been here before, but it was a lifetime ago.”

“I knew your face looked familiar! I have seen you before.” Now that she remembered him memories of the Travelers came pouring back, a long forgotten time of innocent bliss and happiness.

“Wait you two met?” asked Twilight surprised at the sudden turn of events.

“Not officially, he and I saw each other and nothing more.”

“Honestly I do not recall our encounter.”

“Ya’ll were in an awful hurry to get somewhere, and didn’t even bother to stop to see if I was okay as ya’ll passed me by.”

“I sorry for that it was something of utmost importance.”

"It's alright, no need to apologize now."

"What did the Travelers do in Ponyville?" asked Twilight to Applejack.

"They did everything! They had merchants, entertainers, musicians, artisans... why when they came to town they were the most fun ah had in years."

"Silence what did you do back then?"

"Our family served as the translators for the group, but I am talented in many fields of work, we all were.  Learning how to make things and to acquire new skills was the best way to turn profit."

"Fascinating..." Twilight liked the sound of constantly learning, she practically did it already with her studying.

“What time is it?” Applejack looked at the grandfather clock, it was already into he early night. “I’d best get going before my family starts to get worried. Twilight you’re okay if I go right?”

“Yes, that’ll be fine.”

Saying her goodbyes the apple farmer left the two unicorns.

“You hungry?” asked Silence.

-========-

Silence prepared supper and served. The two ate in the silence of the room the only sounds being the birds outside and the crackling fire that burned steadily. When Silence and Twilight finished their meal, he stood up and proceeded to do the washing up.

"Silence why did you come back to Ponyville?" asked Twilight.

"To remember and yet to forget, to be forgiven and to be condemned, to start over but to relive the same life, and to remind myself that I was once greater and also lesser than the one who I am now."

Twilight gave his cryptic message a puzzling look. “Why was it always more riddles with him?” Twilight thought to herself.

“I bid you goodnight,” and with those final words Silence left the notepad and pen on the table and walked upstairs, concluding all further conversations.

-========-

Twilight woke suddenly in the middle of the night. The fire was now out and a cold aura filled the room. She shivered. It was no wonder he lit it as soon as he got home, this place was built before heating units were installed into Ponyville. What really woke her were some sounds coming from upstairs. Rustling sounds. Twilight decided to investigate. She got off the couch that she was previously sleeping on and cast a spell so she could see.  Her horn casted an ominous purple light throughout the room barely illuminating it enough to see a few feet in front of her.

She walked in the direction that she remembered the stairs to be. Yes, she was right. As she ascended the steps the sounds grew louder. They came from a room across the dimly lit hallway. The door was slightly ajar. Twilight pushed against it. It led to Silences bedroom. The beds owner was having restless sleep. He was actively shuffling about in his slumber.

“Silence wake up,” Twilight called out. She switched on the lights. She discontinued the use of her illumination spell.

Silence opened his eyes, awoken by the sudden commotion going on around him. Still in the daze of his nightmares, he reared back when he saw Twilight, fright full in his eyes.  His chest was heaving like he was out of breath.

“It’s okay it’s only me. Just me. It was just a bad dream,” Twilight reassured him.

Silence nodded and slowly lowered himself back into the bed pulling up the covers. He had a pen and paper on the nightstand next to him.

“Sorry did I wake you?”

“Yes, but I was supposed to check on you anyways see if there was anything wrong.”

“I see.”

“Though I don’t know what to check on if I don’t know what the problem is.”

“I need to get my sleep.”

“I’m going to stay here, to make sure there are no problems.” She pulled up a chair next to the bed.  She had no intention of leaving him alone.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight Silence.”

Click!

The lights went off.

Click!

The lights went back on.

“Something the matter?”

He nodded with a sheepish smile. “Just an old habit I grew into, bear with me.”

Click!

The lights were out again.

Click!

They went back on.

Click!

Darkness.

Click!

Bright.

Click!

Dark. This time the lights stayed off. Soon enough his breathing slowed down and into a rhythmic beat. He sounded like he was asleep.

Twilight had a sudden thought. Whatever happened to Fluttershy only happened when she touched him so if Twilight were to lay a hoof on his forehead now…

“No.” Twilight said aloud attempting to banish the thought from her head. The thought tempted her. The more she thought about it the more she was sure she became. There was no better way to learn what happened to Fluttershy than to experience it herself.

She walked over to the bed. She brushed his mane out of his face. He was sleeping so peacefully. Twilight thought better of disturbing him, but once again her curiosity was too much for her.

She laid her hoof on his head.

-========-

Chapter 5: Speechless

From the first time he laid his eyes on her he felt an unknown feeling.  He felt a strange sensation in his chest that caused his heart to race, rapidly increasing its pounding tempo.  He felt rushed when he had all the time in the world.  He felt anxious when there was no reason to be.  She was the perfect match for him; a smile for his frown; a golden sun to his silver moon.  He would be anything for her. Do anything for her.  Be her shield, her friend, her lover.  For the first time in his life it wasn’t an impediment that left him speechless.

-========-

Disclaimer: I am not Laruen Faust incognito, and henceforth I do not own MLP: Friendship is Magic. I make no claim for Hasbro’s characters or world. I am just a humble fan fiction writer, nothing more.  Please leave your questions, comments, and constructive criticism in the comments below so I can better myself as a writer and enhance your experience as a reader.  Also I'm looking for any good moving / sad music to incorporate on the top of the page, leave links below.