Epilogue
I drifted in shadow, floating in a darkness that faded in and out of existence but still surrounded me relentlessly. As if by magic I found myself staring into a pond which held my image. I’m a stallion of nineteen years, my coat the color of the clouds of a thunderstorm. I was transfixed by the orb staring at me, the maroon shade of my iris glaring at me. My mane covered half of my face, shadowing my other eye from vision, and as my thoughts drifted away from it the pond slid away as though on a conveyer belt. Suddenly the tree loomed over me in the darkness as it has done many times, various atrocities surrounding it. The tree was dark, standing even darker than the shadows about me, its bark gnarled and coarse denoting a malevolent purpose. The roots of the tree stretched in the darkness below me, floating underneath the gilded throne which held the crown of iron. The abominations around the tree called to me, telling me of the malice which had called me here… they screamed for me to run. Fear attempted to carry me away from the shadowed glade but to no avail, the branches had caught me and as I was drawn into the insidious branches, my scream only received by the shadows which laughed at my sorrow.
****
My Voice ripped out into the cold chill of my bedroom, the chill of the summer night caressed my sweat soaked coat causing me shiver even from within my blankets. I turned dropping my hind legs to the floor and got out of bed; my hooves solidly thumping against the wooden floorboards, the echoes drifted down the hall searching in vain for ponies to hear them. Though the night air chilled me I stared out the window. The moons form hung high in the sky, the visage of nightmare moon easily visible among the craters; a silent solder watching me in the night. My breath made small clouds in the air, each one drifting into the Silver light of the moon. I turned up towards the stars, the constellation of Virgo floating in its usual place. “By Celestia’s light I promise…” I stared at the northern star, pleading, begging… “… That I will be happy.”
I turned away from the window, and walked to my nightstand. On its polished surface lay a single picture, its frames material much more weathered and small burns across its mahogany woodwork. Within the frame sat my parents, they smiled at me from the frame. My father was a noble in Celestia’s court; he was a fairly serious stallion with a face that would tell you he was older than he was. Barely able to do much with me due to his busy schedule but the times I spent with him were easily some of my fondest memories, his face slightly contorted with laughter and his calming voice when I hurt myself. On the other hand my mother was beautiful, her midnight black mane always styled for her next performance. She cherished the small moments she shared with me, especially the ones before she headed off to yet another show. She was one of the greatest stage actresses of her day, and an even more sought after singer. The stages and establishments around Canterlot vied to have her preform, offering her large sums and perks. But even on days where she was out till the wee hours of the morning, I would wake when she would sneak into my room and sung a lullaby, my lullaby. She had written it when I was just foal on the day I was born.
Slowly I let my voice fill the room, echoing the voice of my mother and father on that fateful night 7 years ago.
Don’t Worry Little Child
For If You Are To Cry
I Will Chase Away the Dark
And Bring Back The Light
If You Are To Fall
I’ll Kiss It Until Its Better
For You Are My Heart and Soul
My Little Foal
Forever
As the final words floated through my empty home, I felt my eye’s droop. And as a tear slipped onto my pillow, a true dreamless sleep came to me and I slept without nightmare for the first time in seven years…
