Origin of a Hero

Chapter 3

Many a pony enjoys the sound of birds chirping in the early morning, Heavy Shield was not one of them. He viewed morning as a time when one would be most vulnerable to attack; many ponies would be tired and still be rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. He quickly changed the guard detail schedule when he made captain where there was more guards alert in the predawn hours.

He did get a few hours of sleep, trusting his second in command to take his place watching the princess’s tent. A half hour before sun rise he decided to poke his head inside to see how the occupants were fairing. As he looked he first noticed that, as usual, the two princesses moaned their beds closer together. However instead of there being three sleeping forms, which were what he was expecting, there were only two.

He took a quick look around and saw a small form standing a few feet in front of him.

xxXxx

Moments before Heavy Shield looked in on the princesses and their guest, the little filly started to realize that what she thought was a dream was more than that.

She felt refresh, in a way she hasn't felt in a long time. Her body didn't ache like it normally did and her stomach didn't grumble painfully like usual. She vaguely remembers being lifted up and being placed somewhere warm and comfortable.

Her internal clock practically forced her awake. She became accustomed to waking before the sun, and didn't really mind waking so early. What she wasn't used to was feeling like the center of a sandwich.

Though she felt rested, she still was fairly weak, otherwise she would have shot out of the bed waking her sleep her eyes shot open to see a beautiful snow white alicorn. She felt some strength return to her body and carefully slid out from between her fellow occupants. Once she was out she saw the other pony was much like the other, except she was black as night and a bit younger.

She then heard a rustle behind her; she turned around and saw a large brown and gray stallion standing in the tent opening. He looked very intimidating and seemed to be built for nothing short than combat. She was frozen in place and felt very nervous of what to do. He then gestured for her to come outside with him. Not knowing of anything else to do she followed his silent instruction and walked outside.

It was a typical preforming feel; cool air, birds chirping here and there, the wet smell from the morning dew. The only thing truly different was that she was in the center of a fair sized camp.

"How was your sleep young one?" asked the large pony

"Better than any I've had in months." she replied shyly

"That's good to hear." he said calmly. "I am Captain Heavy Shield, what's your name"

"Little sister."

"Not much of a name." He commented

"It isn't my name, it's just what I was called back in my herd." she said irritated

"Well what is your name, young lady?"

"Don't have one. We devil ponies chose our names after we receive our marks. Till then we are brothers and sisters of the herd." She explained

Heavy Shield simply nodded at her explanation. He continued to escort her around the camp in silence. She took note that he wasn't shy quiet, like she was, but more like a stoic quiet. Over all he reminded her of another, more frightening, pony.

As the morning came into swing, the two of them returned to the tent that she slept in. Heavy Shield turned to her, "Go back inside and wake them up, breakfast will be delivered shortly."

She simply nods and enters the tent. Upon entering she is suddenly attacked by a black blur. "There you are, we were very worried when we woke up and saw you missing."

The filly looked and saw that the one hugging her was the black pony while the white one lounged on her bed who said, "Luna get off of her, you're scaring the poor dear half to death."

"Oh, sorry about that, I have a couple of bad habits when I'm making a new friend." Luna said as she was getting off the filly.

"Um, Captain Heavy Shield said that breakfast will be ready shortly." she said as she got up.

"I wonder what's there to eat today, Tia?" said Luna

"We'll just have to wait and see, now wont we Luna." The white pony said then turns to the filly and continued, "My apologies little one we've been very rude to you by not introducing ourselves." she got up and walked over to her, "I am Princess Celestia and it's a pleasure to meet you."

"And I am "Princess Luna, her younger sister."

"I am called little sister by my herd, but I have known name."

xxXxx

Over at the mess tent, Heavy Shield waits for the camp cook to be finished with the princess’s breakfast, when he heard a set of hoof steps approach him from behind.

"I couldn't help but notice that you were giving our little guest a tour around our camp earlier, Captain."

Turning around Heavy Shield responded, "Councilpony Quill, isn't it too early for you to demean my decisions?"

"Captain why must we constantly be at odds with each other? Would it not be simpler for us to at least act like we're on good terms?" asked Quill

"Simple, Councilpony, we just don't like each other. Never have, and most likely never will." answered Heavy Shield plainly

Sighing to himself Quill spoke, "Do we know what that creatures condition is, now that it's up and about?"

"I will have to examine her after she's had something in her belly, Councilpony."

The two of them turned and saw that Clover was standing nearby. Quill continued, "My apologies, Healer Clover, it was not my intention to over step my bounds and presume who is medically and who is not."

"Don't fret about it, Councilpony. Medicine is no more your field than politics is mine." she said then turned to Heavy Shield, "She will most likely act like she's starving and would want to eat more, However you must be careful of how much and how fast she eats. I'm no expert on devil pony physiology, but anypony else would get sick in a similar condition from over eating."

"I understand, healer, and I will see to it that the princesses understand as well." replied Heavy Shield as he carried the three meals prepared for the princesses and their guest.

"Tell me Healer Clover, do you feel it is wise to let that creature into our midst?" inquired Quill

"Councilpony Quill, you have been in the service of the princesses for several years now haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Almost as long as I've known them when I was learning to become a healer in fact and during that time I must admit that there have been moments that I found myself wondering what were they thinking. But over the years I learned that they have rarely made the wrong choice, and those times that they were wrong it was only on minor decisions. So as for your question I would have to say that I trust in their judgment." She then picks up her own food and moves to find a place to eat.

xxXxx

He announced himself just before entering the tent with their food. As he entered he saw Celestia braiding the filly’s mane while Luna was working on the tail.

"Healer Clover has instructed me to tell you both not to let our guest eat too much or too fast so that she doesn't get sick." he said

"Okay, Heavy, we'll keep an eye on her while she eats." Luna responded

He shook his as he left thinking "It will be a miracle when she learns how to speak to others in a proper manner."

Once Heavy Shield had left Celestia spoke, "You know after breakfast, if you're willing that is, you can share with us as to why you were out here all alone in the wild."

The filly stiffens slightly and said, "I don't know, it's not exactly the happiest story in the world."

"Don't be foolish. If we're going to be friends then we need to know both the good and the bad about each other." said Luna

"You mean like how Princess Celestia drools in her sleep?" the filly teased

"I do no such thing." exclaimed Celestia

"Yes you do. Once I had a dream that I was drowning because you were slobbering all over me." said Luna

"Oh Luna, you're terrible." said Celestia as the three of them had a good laugh as they ate their meal.

End Chapter 3