The Frost Chronicles: Book 3: Tide's of Destiny

CHAPTER 3
A Sad Farewell

Shortly after my talk with Luna, I left the castle to go and gather my friends for Iron Star’s funeral. From what Luna said, they had been magically preserving Iron Star’s body, so that he could be properly buried, and that he had always wanted a true warrior’s funeral. Luna had decided to hold the ceremony in the old crystal stadium, where the Crystal Empire proudly hosted the Equestria Games.

Every pony had dropped what they were doing and made their way to the center of the large stadium. It was sufficient to say that the old stadium had obviously seen better days, and that it was one of the few buildings to take the most damage, aside from the castle itself. Using some large piles of wood, they made a large stack of them, and laid his corpse, which was now wrapped in sheets, on top of the pile, like it was a bed.

By the time the preparations were finished, the sun was beginning its slow descent on the horizon, giving the sky an orange and purplish glow. After constructing a quick, make-shift stage, Luna and her top lieutenants made their way on to the stage, along with Aurora who stood next to her, even Spike had come to honor a fallen hero, which seemed only fit for a creature who held honor highly. Many of us had lined up in large columns, each facing the pyre. I stood next to my friends as we all looked on with sorrowful expressions, River leaning ever so slightly into my side for support.

As Luna approached the center of the stage, we could all see the saddened look on her face, but we knew none of us could blame her, Iron Star was a close friend to her. But most of all, we could see that it hurt her to bury yet another captain, who gave their life to the Night Ranger’s cause.

We watched in morbid silence as she lifted her head up and took a deep, shaky breath. “My friends…we are gathered here today, to say our goodbyes…to a true Equestrian Hero” she started off by saying. My gaze drifted among the other faces in the crowd, and I could see that man of them were silently weeping to themselves.

My gaze turned back to the stage as Luna continued her sad speech. “Iron Star was…in every way, a brave, wise, and caring stallion. For many of us he was a mentor…and a close friend. Many of us have lost those we care about, have left our lives behind, Iron Star was just like us in that sense. He lost those close to him…and then…dedicated his life to our cause, and the liberation of Equestria” she said as she slightly choked up a bit, causing her to stop for a moment and reassess herself.

“Iron Star…gave his life for the betterment of our kingdom, and I truly believe…that he would want us to keep fighting. He would want us to never give up in the face of danger. My friends…I ask that while we honor our fallen friend…that you also honor all those who have given their lives, to not only aid in our cause…but to bring balance back to our kingdom” she said as her voice grew in strength slightly as she continued.

I turned to see my friends bowing their heads in respect, tears lining their eyes, with even some dripping down their cheeks. I felt River grasp my hoof even tighter, as tears dripped down her cheeks, as I heard her weeping as quietly as she could. As Luna continued her speech, I too felt tears begin to well up in my eyes, even though I took Luna’s words to heart, I still couldn't help but feel that I was partly responsible for his death. If I hadn't just stood there, he wouldn't have needed to risk his life for mine.

“My friends…we must not let Iron Star’s sacrifice be in vain!” she said with a confident tone, but nopony cheered out in happiness. Luna’s face turned solemn again as she looked up into the sky, “Iron Star...you will be greatly missed, and we will not let your memory dies with you” she said as she turned to one of her lieutenants, who sadly lit a torch and gave it to her. Instead of using her magic, Luna took it with her hoof, and slowly walked over to the base of the pyre. With a look of great sadness in her eyes, she threw the torch at the base and watched in sorrow as the wood caught fire.

Tears began to spill down all our cheeks as the fire slowly climbed it’s way up the wood, until it slowly began eating away at the wrapped body. I looked up to see Luna staring at the fire, tears slowly slipping down her cheeks. As I watched her, I could see the fire reflecting in her eyes, as the fire began to full consume the body of our dear friend, which I’m sure was reflecting in my eyes as well.

As the sun began to settle, Luna closed her eyes, and we all watched in awe as her horn lit up. We all turned toward the horizon behind us, and with gasps of awe, we saw the moon rise overhead, just barely cresting the mountains. We all turned back to the pyre, and my eyes wandered up, seeing the ashes rise up into the sky, and slowly drift across the wind.
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After successfully making sure that the fire was contained, and everything was fixed and put away, one by one, each of the ponies that attended the funeral, all began to leave the stadium. It took a few moments, but my friends finally managed to convince me to leave as well, but not before I sneaked one last glance at the smoldering pile of wood, that once held the lifeless body of my dear friend.

Since it was later into the night, many ponies simply felt the need to go and sleep, not feeling and sort of cheer or joy in their hearts. My friends and I though the same as well, and made our way back to our temporary homes. But as we walked, I turned around to see a suspicious site.

It was Aurora.

I watched her as she looked around, and quietly made her way up into the castle, clearly not aware that I was the only one who saw her. I thought for a moment and stopped, which caused my friends to notice, “Frost? What’s wrong?” Dust asked with a concerned look, even he was not nearly as sarcastic as he usually was. I turned to them and thought for a moment, “it’s nothing…you guys go on ahead, I just…need to talk a walk for a little while” I said. Both Vapor and Dust simply shrugged and walked off toward the house they stayed in, while River gave me a concerned look.

I did my best to smile and cupped her chin with my hoof, “everything’s fine. I’ll be there soon” I said with a comforting smile. She still had the concerned look on her face, but she nodded anyway and walked after our friends. I sighed to myself and turned to make my way into the castle.
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Since nopony was in the castle right now, none of the torches on the walls were lit, which only made it harder to see. When I came into the main entry way, I tried to stay out of sight, as Aurora looked around and took a deep breath, her horn instantly lighting up. Her horn stayed glowing like a light bulb, and she made her way up the stairs into the higher floors, I did the same, only I made my lit dimmer, so she wouldn't notice me following her.

By the time we were in the higher floors of the castle, Aurora turned and walked down a hallway, the floor littered with broken pottery, ruined paintings of the old world. As I made careful precautions, not to be heard, she sighed sadly and turned into a room. I slowly crawled along the wall, and made my way over to the door, where I tried peaking my head around. I gasped when I saw that it was a large room, with a large bed, that could only be explained as…her bed.

This was Aurora’s room.

As I looked around, I heard her sigh and speak up, “you don’t have to keep hiding, I know it’s you Frost” she said with a surprisingly calm tone. I cringed and sighed for a moment, before I walked into the room, only to see her standing in the far corner, staring at me with a calm expression. “Sorry Aurora…I just thought you might want…some comfort. I know you were close with Iron Star” I said with a concerned tone. She chuckled lightly and smiled at me, “thank you for your concern, but Iron Star wasn't the first close friend I've lost” she said with a saddened tone.

An awkward silence fell between us, but I looked around the room in interest and sighed, “So…this was…” I said, but she nodded and looked around as well. “Yes…this was my room. It’s been so long since I set hoof in here. All the fond memories come rushing back” she said with a distant tone. I watched her for a moment, as her eyes widened, when they feel upon a small toy chest against the wall.

Her mouth opened in shock as a surprised gasp came from her. I watched in concern as she walked over to the small chest, seeing the layer of dust on it, she wiped it away with her hoof. I gave a worried expression, and walked over next to her as she flipped open the chest lock and pushed off the lid.

Her eyes widened again as her gaze shifted over a large assortment of books and old toys for fillies. A slight mist came to her eyes as she shuffled through them, until her hoof came across a small box, which she lifted out with her magic. She walked over to the small desk and placed the box on top, she magically grasped the key in the lock and turned it a few times. We both heard a slightly ticking noise, as gears inside the box began turning. We both watched in awe, as the lid lifted and a small porcelain pony couple rose out and began twirling to a soft piano rhythm.

Aurora’s eyes began to tear up once more, “I remember this. My parents gave it to me for my first birthday. My mother had it function to a lullaby, she would sing me to sleep with” she said as the small pony couple continued to dance around in a clockwork circle.

Aurora lowered her head briefly and cried to herself, not really knowing what I was doing, I walked up to her and placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. She raised her head and stood up, and paced around the room, “so much has changed since then. These books…my mother used them to read me to sleep on a stormy night. They toys my father and I used to play with…everything I ever came to know and love, was all ripped away from me. My parents…my home…my throne” she said with a sorrowful expression.

I stood there for a moment, simply watching her think back to the old memories. The memories of her father and her playing with her plastic soldiers and jigsaw puzzles. I knew what it felt like to lose my home, but I was not sure if I could fathom the idea of witnessing your own kingdom, the place you would come to rule in the future, be taken away from you in one day.

“Aurora…I’m so sorry, your parents gave their lives to protect you, and give you a fighting chance. I promise you…we’ll avenge them, and that you will gain your rightful place on the throne” I said to her with a confident tone. She wiped the tears from her eyes and turned to me, a sad expression on her face, but she quickly smiled warmly at me, and then did something I didn't expect.

She hugged me!

She lunged forward and wrapped her hooves around my neck, tears spilling down her cheeks, letting them fall and hit my shoulder. I was momentarily stunned by her action, but I smiled and gently placed my hooves around her shoulders. After a few minutes, she sighed and pushed away from me and smiled, “thanks Frost, you always have a way of comforting ponies. I think Iron Star would be proud of you, come on…it’s getting late” she said as she turned and made her way out of the room, I smiled at her and we quickly left the room behind.

The small chest still spinning and giving off it’s lullaby.