“Your Majesty, there are more reports of an amassing army of headless ponies that gallop through the farmlands of the Unicorn Range. These reports are coming from reputable sources, ponies of strong character and good reputation. Lord Granite’s mane has turned white from what he saw and he is willing to testify under oath that there are headless abominations running rampant through the county. More reports come in daily of strange creatures lurking in the lakes and waterways. It seems that your sister is wreaking havoc from her lunar prison. The best unicorn wizards of our age seem to be powerless to do anything about your sister’s continued rampage,” Heat Stroke reported.

Celestia held Coronach aloft in her magic, watching as he continued to take shaky steps. He was able to hold more of his weight now. Spring was now in full bloom. Winter Wrap Up had been concluded only a few weeks ago. Coronach scowled as pain shot up and down his legs and through his body, but he did not cry out. As he walked, he flapped his wings weakly. No bandages were left on his body, and he was mostly whole again. Moonlight and the best care that Festus could muster had done wonders for the lunar pegasus.

“I do not know how to stop my sister’s continued magical assaults,” Celestia admitted in defeated tones.

“We have troubling reports of unicorns going mad as they cast spells, trying to find some solution to the troubles we face. The nobles are desiring to speak with you about seeking aid. The peasantry revolts against them. There are riots. I do believe they desire to be brought back into the fold. Cloudsdale is suffering as well. It is difficult to describe what is going on there. They are under siege from invisible imps or some other type of low visibility creatures,” Heat Stroke divulged.

“Arrange a meeting. Seems as though they will be willing to discuss terms soon enough,” Celestia commanded. “Threnody, report.”

“Your Grace, I have much to tell you. Lord Autumn Night is secretely having incestious relations with his sisters. I do believe that a proving blood spell is in order for many foals within that family. The accusation alone will likely level what is left of their noble house, but actual proof should completely devastate them. I… stumbled into this information as two of the sisters stayed here during the last round of discussions. They spoke openly in their chambers about their frequent rutting and how Lord Autumn Night has given them both genital warts. Several of the noble houses are plotting to assassinate Lord Copperlocke, who is openly sympathetic to your cause. They discussed this matter here, in Canterhorn Fortress, whilst enjoying the new bathhouse recently constructed. Lord Silverstar works to find allies to aid him in poisoning one of your future banquets so you will take the blame and unicorns everywhere can see your treachery,” Threnody announced.

“I take it that you have already been hard at work with solutions my dear and trusted Threnody?” Celestia asked.

“Yes, of course your Grace,” Threnody replied.

“Do I want to know anything about those solutions?” Celestia questioned.

“Well, Lord Silverstar is going to have a most unfortunate situation of events where the poison he precured in going to end up in his own kitchen…”

“No more!” interrupted Celestia. “I cannot bear to hear this, I trust that what is absolutely necessary is being done.”

“Yes, your Grace, of course,” Threnody said with a bow.

“Threnody… how do you… approve of these actions?” Celestia queried.

“I do not approve of these actions. I am merely the messenger. It bothers me a great deal that I know as much as I do. However, I also understand that we live during extenuating times. As much as I do not like what is happening, I understand that certain things must happen,” Threnody answered, choosing her words carefully and looking very distressed as she spoke. She blinked several times, her ears falling sideways along her head.

“I suppose only history will be able to tell if we were right or wrong,” Celestia whispered sorrowfully.

Threnody walked to her father’s side and nosed him, an openly affectionate gesture rarely ever seen among the lunar pegasi. Coronach gave a grunt in reply and kept working at his walk, moving in a slow circle around the room. His joints creaked and popped with each step. She kept pace with him, walking with him, occasionally prodding him with her wing knuckle.

“More and more of the pegasi seem to be in favour of your marriage to Coronach,” Threnody reported. “The earth ponies overwhelmingly approve of your action. The unicorns are going to attempt legal wrangling to try and block it, and then attempt to use political leverage to force you into marriage with somepony loyal and favourable to the unicorn cause.”

“I figured the military clans of the pegasi would approve in time,” Heat Stroke commented.

“And speaking solely for myself, I approve of this union as well. Don’t you scowl like that father!” Threnody said, poking her father with a wing-tip. “You get that grumpy look off of your face this instant you rancid old goat!”

“Ugh, you are insufferable,” Coronach growled, stumbling slightly as he continued his walk. His entire body was covered in sweat and he trembled with each halting step.

“I understand that this marriage is political, but please, do try to make sure my father is as miserable as possible,” Threnody requested.

“Threnody!” Coronach barked.

Celestia laughed, a rare sound these days, throwing back her head and letting go. She laughed and laughed, until she finally began to heave, and then chuckled as she tried to suck in air. She retreated to a large sofa and settled her body down upon the cushions.

Heat Stroke felt better hearing her laughter, and even managed to laugh a bit himself, which was getting rarer and rarer these days.

“I cannot do this any more,” Coronach gasped, slumping in defeat, hanging in midair, suspended in a golden glow.

“You did well father, each day you walk a little longer and take on a little more weight,” Threnody praised.

The night was full of thunder and fury. Threnody sat upon the floor staring out the window, watching the raindrops trickle down the glass. Nearby, sitting with her in her quarters, was an earth pony colt named Hickory. Hickory watched Threnody’s statuesque form, observing her every movement, keeping his eyes on her tufted ears in particular, which fascinated him.

“Doesn’t the thunder scare you?” Hickory asked.

“No,” Threnody replied.

“Doesn’t us getting caught scare you?” Hickory questioned.

“Not in particular. I refuse to believe that what we are doing is wrong,” she answered. Her ears twitched during a bright flash and then perked forward during the crackling rumble that followed.

“But you are you, and I am an earth pony, and you are Celestia’s page and I work for the quartermaster pulling wagons all day,” Hickory stated thoughtfully.

“So?” Threnody asked.

“I don’t know. I am scared I guess,” Hickory confessed.

“You should be scared… of me,” Threnody reminded.

“Oh, I am, believe me. Every time I see you smile I think about the first time I saw you smile,” Hickory replied.

“And you pissed yourself,” Threnody teased.

“Yeah I did,” Hickory admitted. “You know, I cannot even reach your quarters on my own. You live in a converted bell tower above Celestia’s quarters and there are no stairs.”

“And I carry you up here to my sanctuary,” Threnody responded.

“Every time my hooves leave the ground I want to piss myself,” Hickory whispered, his voice full of shame.

Threnody turned and stared at Hickory, her gaze predatory. “Do you love me?” she asked, her ears folding back against her skull.

“That’s tricky to answer. See, I want to answer that. But if I do, I am worried that you will think I am only saying yes to improve my chances of being with you to… well, you know, do that one thing we talk about sometimes. I don’t want you thinking that I feel that way, but I don’t know how to tell you about how I really feel about the two of us so I don-”

Hickory was cut off when Threnody tackled him and pinned him to the floor. She stared down at him, her heterochromic gaze almost hypnotic. He gazed up at her, trembling, both of his eyes focused on her long white fangs. Her breath stank of fish, cheese, and garlic. He was pinned beneath a vicious predator and completely powerless.

Threnody leaned down until her lips touched Hickory’s ear. “The smell of your fear is delicious,” she whispered. “It keeps wafting off of you, the stink of your terrorised sweating… and I like it.” She drew her tongue along the folds of his ear, and then snorted, causing Hickory to shiver. “I intend to keep you. Do not resist me. My kind are fiercely matriarchal. If anypony has a problem with our relationship, I will deal with them personally.”

“I am indentured, paying off my grandsire’s debts,” Hickory breathed, closing his eyes and shuddering as he felt Threnody’s hot breath on his ear.

“Then I shall speak with Celestia about purchasing your freedom, so I can claim your life as my own,” Threnody hissed.

“You would do that for me?” Hickory asked in a breathless whisper.

“Yes, I think I would. And I don’t care that you are an earth pony. I don’t care about tribalism,” Threnody said, punctuating her words with a soft nip to the fleshiest part of Hickory’s ear.

“Ow!” Hickory yelped, more from fear and surprise than actual pain.

“I have been in season a few times now, and when the summer comes, I will be in season once again. There is something I want from you,” Threnody demanded.

“Oh, I am sure there is!” Hickory gasped.

There was a bright flash of lightning and the whole room shook with thunder, making everything shimmy and rattle.

“Give me your heart,” Threnody hissed.

“Yours,” Hickory answered. “All yours. Just please, don’t eat it!” he begged.

Threnody giggled. “You are so soft and submissive. You just want to please me, don’t you?”

Hickory nodded.

“Well, that’s funny, because I’d like to do the same for you,” Threnody said, her voice softening, becoming gentle and melodic. “I might play with you a bit, but you must know, I would never harm you,” she promised.

Hickory nodded once again.

“I will speak with Celestia first thing on the morrow, after I get my dawn briefing. I will do whatever it takes to free you of your indentured servitude and release you from your debt. And when I do, you will live up here with me, and we will be happy even though the world is going wrong all around us,” Threnody explained.

“Marriage?” Hickory questioned.

“I thought you’d never ask,” Threnody giggled. “I accept.”

“Um, wait, what?” Hickory replied, now very confused.

“I accepted your marriage proposal,” Threnody announced.

“Oh. I see,” Hickory stated, nodding his head. “I should be getting back before I get flogged for not minding the stores.”

“You don’t understand, I am not letting you leave. At dawn, I will claim you. The drunken sot of a quartermaster cannot reach you up here,” Threnody replied.

“Oh,” Hickory said. “Well, if that is the case, I am pleased to be your guest.”

“The world is a dark and dangerous place. You make it bearable,” Threnody said, baring her heart.

“Um, I wish I had your gift for words,” Hickory said. “We’re both so young.”

“Yes, we are, but not that young. I am old enough, Old enough to bleed, old enough to breed,” Threnody said. “My father approaches his quarter century mark. He is getting old. He has lived for a long time and has been a good father. I want to bless him with grandfoals before he gets too old to enjoy them.”

“I can help with that,” Hickory said with a smile.

“I know,” Threnody acknowledged.

Author's Note

Another chapter.

I suspect the age issue is going to disgust or bother some readers.

Keep in mind, Threnody, while young, is age appropriate for her society and the times in which it lives. She's known her father for about half of his life, so imagine how old he was and her mother was.

It all evens out.

Anyhoo, thanks for reading.