Flowers
Petals of flowers all sorts rained down on his armor. The irony of flowers on steel. The grey metal unshaken by the gentle wave of air. His ears deafened by the noise around him. Celebration. Bells. Sunlight. All these forces combined and fused together. Still, he was so out of place on the Royal Balcony. Her Grace at his side, Her Night on his other. He was being raised as a champion for slaying another soul. An Essun isn't a pony, they're just toy-soldiers. Why would one want to give an medal to a being made of medal? He almost grinned under his soulless grey helmet at the small joke.
"..Thus fourth, elections for a Paladin begins midday of marrow!" He couldn't hear most of the speech by Her Grace's mother, Her Sun, but he heard those last few words. Paladins were the most elite rank an soul could ever hope to achieve. Under oath and law, they must be near at least one of Her Three's side. Never. It's one of the few ranks higher than an Essun. They were chosen under great times of stress or periods of war. Luckily, both rarely ever happened,
The last Paladin was Far Fire. Back when Pyromaniacs were allowed in the Guard, he rouse to the title after many years. The war with Golumais, the Minotaur High Chieftain, had been raging for an decade. With their number of front line soldiers deflating, Golumais sent assassins to kill Her Sun in dark night. But, with the fire-born warrior at her side, any that dared to end her reign was burnt and sent back.
Eventually, even the most strongest fall. But Paladins don't. They are given eternal life for eternal service. The power consumes many, but these selected warrior's minds are completely taught to defend Her Three. Once the time of emergency is over, they are sent to Her Chambers. A hallway deep, deep below. There, they turn into statues. Most normally, this is the safety place for Her Graces and Sun. Paladins erupt from their stone homes when any of them are in danger whilst in Her Chambers.
While in his thoughts, he didn't realize that Her Grace's eyes were locked onto him. Following him when he shifted in his uncolored armor. Her eyes were almost trying to burn into his hide. A snicker from Her Night brought her attention off him.
She was staring.
She knew she was. Thankfully, he didn't even show any sign of anything. His face was still being held captive by that helmet. Celestia was thinking of ways to get him to remove it, but a giggle from her sister caused her to stop. Celestia looked around the handsome and strong guard to glare at her sister. She looked back and laughed into her hoof. A bit irritated, she opened an telepathic link with her.
"Knock it off, sister!" The Sun Princess thought and the words should form in Luna's head. The Moon princess placed her hoof on her chest, mocking hurt.
"Whatever am I doing, dear sister?"
"I don't like him!"
"Nuh-ha"
"Ya-ha!"
"Nuh-ha"
"Both of thou, cease!"
Their mother cut in the mental conversation. Her commanding voice shut both of them down. Celestia hung her head while Luna looked away. The Essun still stood without moving, probably totally unaware of the three's communication. The mother went back to the public.
"Until we've decided upon a Holy Paladin to protect my daughters, I ask of this Essun to guard and serve as The Paladin. He has saved Her Grace from quite the terrible fate. For this, I grant him ownership of Redshin Manor and-"
Celestia stopped listening after "Cute and strong guard always at your side with his big muscles" part. Him, always with her. Could it be dreamed? He didn't move or show any sign that he heard Mother speak. Essuni Hardis guards were always like that, silent unless spoken too and act like a simple machine. Unlike the unspoken guard, Celestia was practically jumping up and down with anticipation
The Essun blinked under the visor of his helmet
"You better be up on yo' best behavior. I know yo' moves be weak, homes"
The voice in his head always talked to him in ways he didn't know was possible. Ever since his father gave him up to the guard, that annoying voice has been there. The Essun never really knew what it was, maybe his conscious mind trying to awake? Perhaps his own brain trying to take the reins back in his body? He stopped trying to figure out years after his cadet suit was taken off.
"Come on, brother man. I be up in yo' head and stuff, I'ah know what ya'll dinkin' homeslice."
The Essun didn't reply or offer any sigh he heard. Just stood completely still. Observing. Her Sun dismissed the crowd huddled beneath the balcony. She turn to the three behind her. Her bright-orange mane flowing all the way to the ground.
"I'm sure my two daughters are very tired," She threw a scolding glance at both of them. "Take this as your first assignment as a Paladin. Escort them to their separate chambers. From there, you shall stand guard outside and ensure they get all the rest they require."
The Essun performed a quick and sharp salute and took his position at the entrance of the Balcony, patiently waiting. Before either of the younger allicorns could protest, The Mother spoke again,
"I'm more than sure you are capable of directing my children to their rest, Essun." She swapped her sights to the two in question. "And I'm certain you two will be polite to the noble guard" With that, she disappeared in a flash. Leaving only her fume on the air. Soon after, that followed. Celestia turned and walked out without looking at the guard, Luna shooed a playful glance at him as she left.
He quickly followed them into the Royal Chamber, passed the massive door, and though the Main Hallway.
Their Mother sent them off to bed for that little incident on the Balcony. it wasn't fair, Luna started it. She huffed while being escorted. However, Luna seemed to be enjoying the stroll. Practically hopping down and up on the carpet. She opened a telepathic link with her sister.
"Why are you so bubbly?"
"Hmm, I don't know."
"How can you not know?"
"Don't know either. Let's ask our escort"
Before Celestia could protest, Luna turned at break-speeds and looked at armor-donning escort behind them. She smiled widely.
"Guard, why do you think I'm happy?" To add more effect, she cocked her head to the side and looked deeply in his visor. The Essun really didn't understand the question but opened his mouth to speak. Before he could, Her Grace stopped him.
"I don't think he'll know either, sister." She said a bit strongly, Luna disregarded this and kept speaking.
"Actually, I'm a bit too tired to trot anymore. Guard, can you carry me?" A sly one, she is. Luna waved her forelegs at him like a helpless damsel would a hero. Without a sound, The Guard lowered a shoulder at her and she climbed on the armored back. After she got comfortable, he continued escorting. Unaffected by the extra weight. Luna re-continued the conversation,
"Sister, he is quite strong, is he not?"
"Yeah, sister. All our guards are"
"Why, I'm sure he could carry you and your cake-filled flank"
Celestia blushed hotly and hid her flank with her tail, having no effect on the guard behind her
"Sister!"
"I'm just chiving you, dear sis! Your flank is very desirable!"
This did little to stop the red in Celestia cheeks from spreading out to her entire face. Thankfully, they soon arrived at the end of the Royal Hallway. Both of their rooms with on either side.The guard posted on each side opened the doors leading into each room. Luna slipped off his back and danced into her room. Celestia simply walked in. The Essun stood in the middle of the the hallway. Standing guard for both princesses.
He waved the Royal Guards away and they trotted down the hallway.
"Now." The Essun said in his head. "I wait,"
