Legends from Ages Past

Beardy had levitated the wagon’s straps up and tied them to Angus, who had nominated himself to bear the load for Celestia and her family. Freya had joked that he probably did it to show off how strong and manly he was to Rose which had rekindled a note of laughter amongst their sorrowful party.

“Don’t worry lass, you might come back yet. Never give up hope. Your home is where your heart lies, and mine is with my friends. Yours can be too Tia.” Angus looked at Celestia with his great smile before giving her a gentle hug. Though he tried to sound as optimistic as possible Celestia knew that even he didn’t believe she would ever come back.

Angus understood what it meant to lose your home. He was just a young colt when his village was attacked by a group of Griffons. They burnt everything in their path and left the survivors to starve to death. Angus had watched as everyone he knew and loved died one by one around him. When he was the only one left he continued on. His hooves were bloodied and raw from his journey, his body thin and sickly from starvation. If he had never found the Equestrian Explorers camp he would have died just like all the others, yet another casualty in the ongoing cold war between the Griffons and ponies. He understood more than most what it was like to lose ones home. To have that one spot that is the centre of your life taken from you. Celestia thought of what she would have done if it it was her home and family that were destroyed all around her. Anger began to bubble inside her, but she doused the flame and put those thoughts to rest.

What dark thoughts existed in Angus’ mind during those bleak days, she thought as she looked at the cottage that stood before her.

As their belongings were packed into various trunks and saddlebags, Celestia thought about the entire situation. She wasn’t leaving everything behind, all those memories she had from when she was a filly would come with her, and she could still dream of her days in the meadows with her mother and sister. But would she still get that same warm feeling in her heart, the one that surfaced each time she returned from a walk in the woods to her cosy cottage, or whenever her mother smiled at her while the two of them cooked in their kitchen? Would coming back to a dark and wet camp to her friends really give her that same feeling of safety and comfort she had always felt under a thatched room and by the fire? According to Angus it would, eventually, but he had been through a lot and was a highlander. He was tough and could take on change and accept it. Celestia on the other hoof was too used to having a home and all the comforts that it brought.

“Right let’s get moving, we cannot linger forever.” Beardy’s expression was that of a stone wall, unyielding and determined. Celestia could see the spinning cogs deep in his eyes grinding out a plan and determining the best path to follow.

While they had been packing the card Luna had taken the opportunity to curl up in the wagon to rest her weary eyes, as did Rose who had begun to cry again when they made their final preparations before leaving their little cottage. Celestia on the other hoof couldn’t sleep. She was too busy thinking, and though Luna and Rose had been drained by everything that had happened, Celestia was wide awake and restless. She walked along just in front of Angus with her head bent down staring at the ground as she thought everything over once more.

“The outside world is a different land entirely child. Compared to our peaceful home it will seem certainly wild.” Nzuri’s voice carried back towards Celestia, lulling her into moving up to walk alongside the Zebra.

“Have you lived in the woods your whole life too Nzuri?”

Nzuri didn’t answer that. She continued on in silence. The only sounds the party made were the trundling of the wagon wheels on the dirt path and their hooves clopping along the ground beside it. After what became an uncomfortable length of time Nzuri finally spoke.

“No. I have roamed many lands to this day, but in none of them I cared to stay.” Nzuri’s voice grew fainter, “I miss my loved ones and my tribe, who knew it would cost so much to become a mere scribe. Though since Freya and I met, I have not felt anywhere near as upset.”

“You love each other don’t you?”

“I used to believe the most important things in life were what I could brew, because of Freya I now know this is not true.”

Celestia looked at the slender Zebra. Moments ago she sounded as though her heart was breaking inside from the thought of missing home and she was trying to cover it up, yet now she was smiling.

“Yes, we love one another.” Nzuri craned her head round to look back at Freya who was walking along behind them with Beardy. Freya looked back at Nzuri with that same smile. They were beautiful together, proof that in the dark world of Equestria there was still love and kindness to be found.

Freya trotted up to walk alongside them.

“Did Nzuri ever tell you that she used to be a pirate too before she met me?”

“And I bet she still can’t find a word in our tongue that rhymes with pirate,” Angus said grinning at the Zebra. That mischievous spark was back in his eyes, his inner child obviously wanted to see if he could have a bit of fun.

“I cannot help the way I speak same as you cannot help but be a giant freak.” Nzuri’s grin was even wider and put Angus’ to shame. Freya burst into hysterics and pointed a hoof towards a large vein that was now pulsing down Angus’ forehead. Celestia had to stifle a laugh as Angus’ mock surprise and anger became a small theatrical spectacle for them all to enjoy.

“Freak!” he shouted, “I may be a giant compared to most of you, but that is rich coming from the only hoofed creature in a hundred leagues who’s no a pony!” Angus continued to grin but at the sound of Luna stirring in her sleep a look of genuine horror shot across his face before turning to Iron Shield and whispering, “Did I wake her up?”

Celestia turned her attention back to Nzuri and Freya, both of whom were still smiling after managing to get one up on their giant companion. “So what happened? Why did you give up being a pirate and take up alchemy?”

The smile melted away once more as she was questioned. “I never gave up on my task, there is a reason I am marked with a flask.” She nodded towards the markings on her flank that were similar to a pony’s cutie mark. “A pony’s mark shows the special talent they posses, whether its being a smith or knowing how to make a dress. A Zebra’s brand instead tells others the gifts given to them by the land.”

“When you say ‘by the land’ you mean the Zebra Gods don’t you?”

Nzuri's smile returned to the corners of her lips as the conversation veered away from personal things onto something more general about her heritage.

“Indeed. Starswirl has taught you well it would seem. The Zebra Gods to a pony may sound like a fairy’s dream, but to some they are as true and real as that gentle stream.” She indicated with one of her hooves to the small trickle of water that ran parallel to the path they followed. It snaked its way along beside them, moving closer and farther away as it meandered around obstacles and mounds in the ground. At one point the mud path they followed came to a small bridge that crossed the stream and then continued away from it. Celestia watched as a small white flower floated by under the bridge and down the stream into the distance and out of sight amongst the trees.

“There are four Zebra Gods aren’t there?” Celestia continued as the part of her mind that craved knowledge kicked into action. Nzuri tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow as if she was debating whether or not there were actually four or not, but she then nodded and Celestia continued. “The lord of the sea was Maji. Moto was the lord of fire. Udongo was the lord of earth, and the lord of the wind was Upepo. Beardy told us that the Zephyrian Zebra revered Upepo above the others because it was he who protected them from the stars.”

“A scholar you truly are of the Gods of Mania, perhaps you belong in the colleges of Saddle Arabia.” Nzuri and Freya both laughed together. Their laughter almost made Celestia forget about all the sorrowful things that had happened that day, almost.

“Who are the Manians?” Celestia had never heard Beardy mention the Gods of Mania before during their lessons.

“I did not mean it as such, that name is given to the Old Gods many Zebra worshipped too much. Their followers were excessive, and it caused many to feel the Gods themselves were too oppressive. It is no wonder many flocked to the Younger Gods who at the time seemed so impressive.”

“There are other Gods too?”

“Yes, but I can’t tell you all the stories just now. One day when Beardy isn’t shouting you over I will tell you, this i vow.”

Looking around Celestia noticed that Beardy was waving for her to come over and walk beside him. She excused herself as both Nzuri and Freya exchanged a mischievous smile and began talking more about the ancient Zebra Gods.

“Tell me again the stories of the stars my dear,” Freya asked her lover in her gentle voice.

Celestia’s focus shifted from Nzuri’s story to her teacher. Beardy was at the head of their party and was using his magic to try detect the presence of anything that may be lurking ahead of them. “Sorry Beardy, I was talking to Nzuri and Freya.”

“I could see that. But I need to talk to you just now. How do you feel?”

Celestia was confused. He was asking her it as if she had been infected with something and had just been treated for it. Was there something wrong with her? Or was he just making sure that the sudden events of the day had not taken too great a tole on her?

The forest around them grew denser. Much like the idea that the night is darkest just before the dawn, in the Birdsong Woods the trees were thickest around the edge of the forest. She could tell they were close. Both she and her sister had never in their living memory been this close to the edge of their woodland home, nor had either of them set hoof outside it since they were tiny foals. The sun’s light was divided across the forest floor by the branches above as the clouds moved away to reveal the sun’s radiant glory to the world. Droplets of water on the leaves above them glistened in the light. The sound of the birds above was like a message from her past. The rhythmic sound of quails intertwined with the complex calls of nightingales to create a majestic song that echoed around them and in her memories, reminding her of times long past. Deer ahead of them stood and turned their ears in their direction, startled at the sound of the wagon. Upon seeing their party they continued to graze happily by the banks of the stream that came meandering into view once again. How could they be leaving a place this beautiful behind? Celestia was being taken from this perfect world and thrown into a war against a delusional and dangerous Demi-God. It seemed there was no way she could escape this fate, just as she could not stand and continue to gaze into the scene that lay before her for all eternity.

“Tia?” Beardy’s voice was gentle. He sounded concerned and when Celestia looked at him she could see he was looking deep into her eyes to see what she was really thinking.

“You haven’t called me that since I was a filly Beardy.” She looked back at the forest around her. If she was to leave this land of beauty forever, then she was going to drink in as much of it as possible before it was lost to her.

“How do you feel?”

Celestia turned back to him but did not look into his eyes. “I feel sad. I don’t want to leave my home, but I have no choice. Deeper down still I feel anger, why was I lied to all this time? Why couldn’t it have been somepony else? But most of all, I am frightened.”

“And you are coping with controlling these emotions?”

“Yes. I will admit I am surprised I have been this calm on the outside. Perhaps my mind is too numb to spur me on to do anything other than accept it and continue on.”

“Let me tell you about an old friend of mine who is quite unlike any creature you have ever heard of before. He was the only creature I have ever known to conquer all his feelings and have complete control over them all. If we allow emotions to take a hold of us they can change us. I don’t mean just mentally, it is possible for a pony to change physically due to the weight of certain emotions upon them. It is believed by other wizards that it is generally negative emotions that cause such transformation to take place, such as jealousy, hatred or sorrow.” Beardy paused a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing.

“Equestrians always believed that the Zebra lands across the sea are the farthest corners of our world, but beyond them are even stranger and more magical lands than those that existed in the grandest of ponytales. Here there exists an empire that exemplifies splendour, strength and wisdom, but with a history stained by a millennia civil war. All of these combine to forge a very martial civilisation of creatures, the Kirin.”

“In this empire dwells an order of monks, Kirin who have devoted their entire lives to learning to control their emotions. Each day they spend many hours chanting together, perfecting their martial arts, disciplining themselves and meditating so they might become the masters of their own minds and bodies. Like I said I had the honour of counting one of the most legendary of these monks among my closest friends.”

As their party passed through the forest and over yet another small wooden bridge, the light of the sun changed the forest to shine like it was made of gold. Even the air seemed to glitter under the radiant light as images of mighty temples, legions of armour glad warriors, and palaces as grand as the heavens themselves invaded Celestia’s mind. Beardy had told her tales of the Kirin when she was younger. They were four legged creatures same as ponies; but with skin like dragonscales; a sharp, magical antler that curved backwards; and a cloudy aura that surrounded their hooves, allowing them to almost glide over the ground or fly in the cases of the most powerful amongst them.

“Master Jian was his name and he was the most honourable creature I have ever known. Jian was the first to witness a creature physically change due to the pressure of emotions within them. His best friend Zhi and he joined the monks at the same time when they were just young. While Jian perfected his fighting style and physical abilities, Zhi became adept at meditating and perfecting his mind to hone his magical skills. Though the two were talented in different areas, jealousy grew inside Zhi as he watched Jian grow from a lowly initiate to one of the most respected members of their order. This jealousy grew and grew inside him until he began to lose the conviction in his actions and his meditations were restless. Over time he blamed it on Jian and eventually confronted him over it.”

“I remember watching them fight. The various pink shades of the blossoming trees covered the mountainside as Jian taught me how to meditate in the tranquil forest. When Zhi found us he began screaming and yelling at Jian, telling him how it was unfair that a Kilin who focused on his physical strength could outshine one who’s magical ability had not been seen for centuries. As his anger boiled Zhi’s form changed. His coat grew darker and darker until it was as black as a starless sky on the coldest of nights. His mane burst into a seething mass of magical energy, and the clouds upon which he glided became a dark purple like colour, with stars gleaming in amongst it. Jian stood his ground against the nightmare that was once his beloved friend, a monster from a darker realm we do not see during the light of day. From his pocket Jian pulled out a small seed.”

“Jian looked into the eyes of the beast that stood before him.”

“The Zhi I knew and loved is no more, you are but a demon of the void. Your jealousy and your rage will tear down our land if I do not put a stop to you here and now. I’m sorry, my friend.”

“The small seed floated up into the air before him as he was enshrouded in a great light. I watched as from the light my friend emerged wearing a rainbow coloured necklace that glittered around his neck. In the centre of it was the small seed, encased in crystals. The two fought for what felt like an eternity, whenever one gained the advantage the world changed to reflect it. The sun faded with each of Zhi’s strikes and grew brighter with each of Jian’s. The dark magic of Zhi lashed out against my friend, but he fought on, each attack caused his hooves to shine with a pure energy I had only ever seen in the sun itself.”

“Finally, Jian’s hoof connected with the centre of Zhi’s chest and a mighty rainbow appeared overhead. It shot straight into the air from the seed within Jian’s necklace and then came crashing down to engulf Zhi. As the light from the rainbow became to bright to bear I was able to get one last glimpse of Jian before I closed my eyes. His eyes were as white as the purest of snow and I heard him call out my name. When I opened my eyes again Jian lay on the ground, unconscious but breathing thankfully. With the aid of the other monks we were able to restore him to his full strength, however, he vowed never to strike another creature again. To see his childhood friend destroyed by the jealousy that had taken over him caused Jian to retire from his training and instead become a teacher at the monastery. Several times he came to visit me here in Equestria in the years that followed, most recently just a few years before The Order conquered Equestria. During that time he entered the dark and forbidden Everfree Forrest alone and said never to ask what he had been doing. He merely said…”

“When the sun and moon are ready, the seed will have spouted.”

Celestia drank in the images in her head. Two mighty powers clashing in a forest that sounded as beautiful as the forest they walked in now. She understood now why she could not let her anger take over her. Celestia’s thoughts shifted to think of her mother Rose, could her sadness deep down that she had bottled up all these years cause something to happen to her? Or could Angus’ hatred for Griffons eventually burn through and corrupt him? Could Luna, her precious sister, ever fall to such a fate? Every pony has their vices after all, but they also have virtues. For now, there was only one question that needed answering.

“We need to find this seed?”

Beardy shook his head. “Not yet, as he said you need to be ready, and I fear you require a lot more preparation before you meet The Order in any form. I have already been working on a plan for some time however, and found several ponies willing to share in an adventure or two along the way. Our first stop is Fort Pegathens, we need to know what has become of the Golden Triangle, the previous leaders of Equestria and before that the leaders of the original three tribes. One of them believe it or not is an old student of mine, called Clover the Clever. Last I heard she had returned from a journey that took her across Equestria and back again, and that along the way she found several clues that might just be what we need to get started.”

The trees around them grew sparser and sparser. Not indicating that the forest was coming to and end, but instead that they had changed direction and were now heading back deeper into the woods. Celestia imagined what this “fort” of Freya and Nzuri’s would be like. She had no doubt that Beardy would tell the others of his plans once they had safely stored everything away and packed what they needed for the journey ahead of them. Beardy was silent now, his tale had been told and he need not say more, she understood why she had to control her emotions. Looking behind her at the others who had fallen behind slightly she stopped so she might look around her once again at the forest. The golden light had lessened and now everything appeared deep green in colour. The tall trees stood proud around them as the path weaved from left to right between them. The birds still sang their beautiful tune, and animals continued to roam the forest floor searching for food or drinking from the small streams that lay scattered throughout the landscape. Celestia closed her eyes and once again began to drink in the perfect beauty of everything around her. She could not let even a moment of this strange bliss that had overtaken her go to waste.

Then her ears picked up a sound in the distance. A gentle song that was different from those sung by the birds; quieter, yet moving in a way Celestia could not explain. Beardy had heard it too, for when she opened her eyes he had motioned for the others to stop.

“Leave the wagon at the side of the road, I will conceal it with some spells. Celestia, go wake your family. This will be a sight and sound none of you will ever get the chance to witness again in your lives. Come, quickly.”

The others did as he said, keeping as quiet as possible. Celestia moved over to the wagon to wake her family.

“Mother. Luna. Wake up. Beardy says there is something we need to go see.”

After they were all ready they crept as quietly as they could towards the song. It took them off the path and into the forest, just as the sun began to set. By the time twilight was upon them, they had found the origin of the sound.

Hidden behind a fallen tree, they waited for Beardy to give them a nod when it was safe to look. On the other side of the tree there was the sound of several creatures singing together, their melodies were beautiful and yet somehow sorrowful at the same time. Celestia felt completely awed by it. They seemed to blend together at times, as if one song was ringing out from several instruments all at once. Beardy crouched down again and nodded. Together, the group slowly lifted themselves up to look over the fallen tree.

Before her, Celestia saw a clearing amongst the trees bathed in moonlight with a small spring at its centre. Around the clearing hundreds of tiny blue and purple moths fluttered about in circles, almost as if they were dancing to the song. Circling the clearing stood a wall of standing stones with intricate carvings and symbols Celestia had never seen before in her studies. The creatures that the song came from stood around the spring at the heart of the sacred glade and were unlike anything Celestia had ever seen before in her life. The sight of them brought several gasps from the others in their party.

Standing on four legs; with two long, curving antlers; and manes of varying shades of green and brown, they were like creatures from the most ancient of ponytales. If all you could have seen of them was a silhouette, anypony would have mistaken them for a deer of some kind. What proved they were something more, however, was the fact they were made entirely of wood and their manes were made up of a bushels of tiny leaves.

“Timberelves,” Beardy whispered to them as they gazed in wonder at the four singing creatures in the moonlit glade. “Rarely does anypony get to hear their songs from a distance, never mind see one of them this close…”

Beardy stopped then as a fifth Timberelf appeared from out of the shadows of the trees. Nearly twice the size of the others, with half a dozen horns and a body covered in shining streaks of purple that seemed to move around its body, it was undoubtably an ancient and powerful being. It did not sing though, instead it stared directly at the tree they were hidden behind.

Celestia dropped her head down instinctively as she felt its gaze nearing her. Even though the creatures seemed peaceful, it had a presence unlike anything she had ever experienced. In stories, Timberelves were said to have been the guardians of forests from the dawn of time. They nurtured the trees, gave them names and grew the forests till they stretched from horizon to horizon. But if they felt threatened they could summon the powers of nature to bear down upon their enemies using magics that predate the earliest of the arcane arts.

“And so the time has come that the sun and moon are leaving the sanctuary of our forest.”

Celestia watched as everypony’s eyes widened at the voice. It was perfect, melodic and magical in its entirety. Like the song of the other four continued in the background, the great creature too had a voice as beautiful as the heavens themselves.  While the singing quartet were female, this creature was male, their leader it seemed. Beardy rose from behind the tree to look back at it.

“My name is Starswirl, and these are my companions, The Wardens of the Sun and Moon. We did not mean to trespass or interrupt, but I have heard of the songs of the Timberelves in many tales passed down by our kin and I could not allow such a good omen to pass us by.”

“The children of Epona have always looked to the world around them for signs of good fortune like so many of the other children of the Gods.”

Celestia stood up to face the Elder Timberelf, soon followed by the rest of their group. The great creature looked from one to the next as they stood up, as if assessing them all in turn. It’s eyes lingered on Luna for some time, causing her to shift her weight between her hooves, nervous as to why the creature had taken such an interest in her.

“You brought them all here hoping that the songs of our kind might in some way lessen the terrible burdens you will all face on your journeys. Sadly, our songs do not grant any kind of blessing. We sing so that our father might know we are still here, protecting and nurturing the woodland realms. However, seeing as your hearts are noble and your quest is for the betterment of our world, we can provide guidance for your journey if you wish it, and if our father allows it.”

Celestia stepped forward.

“What are you?”

The great creature, towering over Celestia, brought its head down to her level. Its eyes were as black as the night, but deep within them was buried a wisdom and power no living being could match. Celestia felt it looking into her eyes, her soul even, searching through her every desire and whim to discover the kind of pony she was destined to be.

“We are what the children of Epona call Timberelves, though in our own tongue we call ourselves by a different name. Just as you are the children of Epona, we are the children of Cernunnos, the lord of all forests. Our role is to protect and grow the woodland realms of the world to provide a safe sanctuary for all beasts and creatures that need it. You will need our help before the end Celestia, as will you Luna, once your destinies are revealed.”

“How do you know our names?” Luna asked, stepping forward and sitting in front of the Elder Timberelf. Beardy stepped back and whispered something to the others before they all made themselves busy setting up camp just beyond the fallen tree they originally used for shelter.

“Our father tells us many things. Things that were, things that are, and things that are yet to be, if the will of the Gods and their children allow it.”

“Which Gods?” Over the many years Celestia had been taught of many of the religions that existed across Equestria and beyond. Beardy had spent many of their lessons teaching Luna and her about them as well as where they originated, but this creature seemed to believe in Gods she had never heard of, and judging by its age and wisdom it may know something about the world that ponykind did not.

The Elder Timberelf followed Luna’s example and lay down in front of the two sister, even then it towered over them like an enormous statue of wood and magic, built to watch over the world. Celestia took this as an invitation to do likewise and so lay down at her sisters side to listen to the wisdom of the forest.

“We do not profess to know the ultimate truths to the creation of our world if that is what you seek, Celestia. We do however know of the creation of life within our world. In the beginning, the world was wild and untamed, inhabited only by the spirits of the Gods. Cernunnos and Epona were just two of these spirits, many others existed, both benevolent and malevolent. Some you will meet on your journey, and some you have met and do not yet realise it.”

“But you did not sit here to listen to the tales of my kind. You are on a journey that will last for thousands of years. Though your teacher may believe the end lies in the salvation of your kin from chaos, your destines are even farther beyond that horizon. Our father and your mother were close, as such he will allow us to provide you each with a prophesy from him that will guide you on your journeys. Do you accept his gift?”

Celestia and Luna nodded. By now night time had fallen over the forest; the others had retrieved the cart and their camp was set up not too far away from the glade; and the singing of the other four Timberelves had fallen to just a quiet whisper on the wind.

“To you Celestia our father says this.”

You are the child of the sun, and like the sun you shall be an inspiration to all. Your light will be a beacon in times of need, a warm hearth in times of despair, and a shield in times of war. Your light will be the banner under which millions will swear allegiance, read to fight and die for you. Your light will be the torch with which countless numbers of your kind shall banish the darkness.

However, you must always remember that should your light burn too bright, it shall even banish  hold most dearest to your heart. Beware the shadows cast by your sun Celestia, for when you turn to face the sun, you turn your back on the shadows and the darkness that can hide there.

Dear Princess Celestia, you will have many lessons to teach, but for now you have many lessons to learn.

The great creature closed its eyes. When it opened them again, it stared at Luna with a thoughtful but solemn look.

“To you Luna our father says this.”

Many battles may lie before you, but the greatest battle is always fought within.

Though you are the child of the night, and were created to bring peace to our world, evil thrives in the darkness. If it takes hold, it will fester and corrupt even the greatest of creatures, twisting their minds and bodies. Though it will fall to you to keep this darkness in check, you may also need to call on its power when all else fails. But should you fail to control it, it will spell pain and despair for a thousand years.

Your light is not the lesser light, little Luna. It may be a lonely road you walk, but if you were not up to the task, you would not have been given it. Find strength in your gifts, and never let your vigilance of the night falter.

“Children of Epona, our father rarely speaks to your kind. But know this, the fact he has proves that you will have strong allies on your journey. You will come across many different creatures, and while many will stand against you, there will be just as many that will stand with you. But first, you must give them something to believe in. Now go, sleep over what you have learned this night, and send the others here one at a time should they too wish to hear the words of our father. The forest grows restless, and we are needed in other places where your feet can not tread. Go now, and remember our words.”