A Rocky Start

Drill Sergeant Stonehoof walked slowly in front of the assembled initiates.

"You ponies have proven that you have the skill, determination, and intelligence for the crucial tasks that a guardsmen faces on a daily basis." The veterans listening from hidden vantage points suppressed laughter, as this was the very same speal as their initiation. They quieted down and perked up their ears once more.

"There is an assignment of great import that I can give to only one of you and only the best will do." Stonehoof caught the slight puffing of each initiate's chests, suppressing a smirk at the ease of provoking these little displays of pride.

"The selection process is a difficult one.That said, I have never been one to shirk my duty and you will know within a few days. Dismissed!"

The recruits filed out with the practiced synchronization that training had produced. He knew that they'd be babbling in excitement as soon as they were out of sight. He chuckled and headed down to the mess, where all the eavesdroppers waited. They were silent, for a while, until he said: "Well, what's the betting?" they all laughed and began yelling out their suggestions in one voice.
"Creampuff!" one shouted; Creampuff being the nickname they gave to the young,arrogant aristocrat in the group. "Beefy!" said another-that needs no explanation.

"Alright,alright! Settle down! " said Stonehoof , in his gravelly voice, immediately quelling the noise: "All of them are capable, but which is more likely to snap first?"

"I reckon 'Silence' would do." said the Quartermaster. His suggestion was met with resounding agreement and nods. 'Silence' had been the only recruit to immediately grasp the curt answering style that most struggled with.

"How will he survive Blueblood's chatter?" Said one, imitating Blueblood: "Oh,I just bought the finest fur coat,fitting,for a royal, such as myself to wear,no? " The assembled burst out into laughter.
"Ok, 'Silence' it is." said Stonehoof and the assembled broke out the kegs they'd bought for the occasion and toasted the poor unfortunate.

'Silence', whose actual name was Lavender Sentinel,a name he got teased for a lot, was just as excited as the other recruits. He listened to the wild speculation:
"Perhaps we'll guard Celestia herself! which would be fitting for a pony of my breeding." said 'Creampuff', modestly,putting a hoof to his chest and smirking as if he'd already got the job.
The others laughed, "Yes,we know the story already: Born to the finest Equestrian stock, bar the Royal family." 'Nails' rolled her eyes. 'Creampuff' laughed. It'd taken him almost all of the training to get a sense of humor. Although he still had his aristocratic air,he was getting better at talking with the others.

"Maybe we'll be sent on a secret mission into Changeling territory! " said 'Nails', puffing out her gray coloured chest. "They'll obviously pick me." "Yeah," said Porky "If we were spies and not guards." 'Nails' huffed: "Hey,we're the best there is, so it could be! "

"Oh, it's we now? Here I thought we'd just been initiated." 'Nails' was very easy to rile and she bridled. Before the argument started and Porky ran for his life, 'Creampuff' stepped in: "Look, it's probably just 'Guard the lower balcony.' I mean, what else would they trust new blood with?" They all slowly subsided and 'Nails' contented herself with a half hearted punch to Porky's shoulder.

A messenger came to let them know that there would be no drills in the morning and that they could have a longer rest. The news was greeted with grateful smiles.

It turns out that the messenger lied and they all tumbled about in a fit to reach the parade ground on time.

"Good morning, Buttercups! Enjoy your rest?" a grinning Stonehoof said. The recruits were wise enough not to reply and to keep their expressions neutral.

"Now," Stonehoof said, returning his face to neutral "I was able to make my choice earlier than expected. Know that each of you had many qualities that were taken into account, but I could only choose one of you. 'Silent' step forward. The others struggled not to let their feelings show as Lavender stepped forward.

Stonehoof looked him over briefly with a critical eye: "Report to my office this afternoon. Now, all of you! 100 laps! "

They performed the laps without complaint and Lavender headed to Stonehoof's office, trying his best to rub out the track dust from his coat. He knocked and waited. "Enter!"came the voice. He walked in and stood at attention. After the introductions, Stonehoof went straight to the point: "You are to be the personal guard of Prince Blueblood." Lavender was momentarily taken aback and was about to break into a series of heartfelt thank yous before his training kicked in and he subsided.

Stonehoof saw the brimming excitement and couldn't help but feel a stab of guilt. Although it was a harmless prank, he hated seeing the new recruits return to hand in their resignation. It did help them keep their emotions in check,however.

"Now, as Blueblood's guard you will have a live-in position at his manor in Canterlot."

Lavender's pupils dilated slightly in awe, he'd never imagined that he'd have that much luxury.

Stonehoof walked over. "Now son," He said, in a rare moment of tenderness, "the prince can be very demanding of his guards and you should be ready for that." He said, vaguely, not wanting to entirely discourage the youth.

"If it becomes too much to bare," he continued, "I can always re-assign you."

This piqued Lavender's curiosity, but he replied steadily: "Yes,sir! I won't let you down,sir! "
Stonehoof smiled and passed him directions to Blueblood's manor.

"Very well then Guardsmen Sentinel. Report to your station.

Lavender tried not to exit too fast, or let the glow of pride show as he made his way to the recruits' bunk. He told the others in as matter a fact way as possible, in an attempt to soften the blow. Although more than a little jealous, they patted his back and wished him well. 'Nails' joked: "If you get in good with the prince,let him know about me,eh?" Lavender laughed and promised he would.

"I'll come to visit if I can." He said as if he were moving miles away rather than across the city. In that moment he realised how attached he'd become to these ponies, they suffered the same hardship,ate together,and laughed together.

"Well, goodbye." He said, keeping his emotions in check.

He exited the palace, his belongings strapped to his back, and headed for the manor-excitement and nervousness battling within him . He headed through the streets, crowded with well to do ponies and tourists from exotic places. Soon he came to an area with very few ponies in the streets and he passed the gates of various high society mansions before coming to a stop at Blueblood's. He pulled on the rope to sound the doorbell. Soon enough, the door swung in by itself and gave way to a beautiful garden:all manner of richly coloured flowers lined the path to the house, concealing small alcoves that held statues of ancient ponies,fig leaves covered their modestly,albeit a little.

He soon remembered his job and headed into the house. He was greeted by an empty hallway with gleaming white marble steps at the end. Lavender passed various art pieces to reach the foot of the steps.
"Sir?" he called, "Guardsman Sentinel, reporting for duty,sir."

"Ah,yes! came a voice that can only be described as snooty.The cream figure of the prince emerged from one of the rooms,his mane tacked up in a perm. "Tea. Now. A little milk,a shaving of sugar, and a bun, with cream in the middle." He said,in the most nonchalant way.

"But,sir," Lavender said,taken aback, "that's not my duty."
The blue eyes bore into him and the prince's mouth upturned, smugly.
"Well, it is now."

Author's Note

Sorry if this was a little long and or boring; I wanted to flesh out the story a bit first before the action. :P I hope you've enjoyed it so far. If not,please tell me how to improve. ^^ There are likely a few errors,so please don't hesitate to point them out!