Present day, Griffonian Royal Gardens

Optional music

The moon was nearing the end of it's journey across the sleeping heavens, it's half-full radiance casting long shadows across the expansive gardens. The gardens themselves were divided into three sections: the western, the northern, and the eastern, each named after a few true heroes in Griffonia's history, be they griffon or otherwise.

The northern gardens, Trädgården av Gustaf, were overshadowed by the statue of Gustavus Adolphus Magnus, the great hero king and first recorded lion-head Griffon. The gardens themselves were enormous fields of Gladiolus and Amaryllis flowers, the Gladiolus flowers arranged to resemble swords in shape, with the Amaryllis flowers adorning the "hilt" of each sword. The statue of Gustavus was facing the east, claws bare and head thrown back into a triumphant roar. On the well maintained statue was a bronze plaque, the barest hints of corrosion showing at the edges. On it, it read,

Ingen väg är farligare än vägen inte rest . Ära vare han som ristade sin egen väg för oss , gav oss vårt rike och förhoppningar inför framtiden mot en omöjlig fiende .

Erövraren och Kung.

The eastern garden, Trädgården av Olaf was overlooked by a statue as well, flanked by two almond trees. This marble statue depicted a young Griffon couple, both bearing the royal seal on their shirts, with a Minotaur between them and arms slung on their shoulders. The female was holding a hatchling close to her chest, a tear making its way down her cheek as she looked at the minotaur. The male was smiling as well, a similar tear staining his marble face. The minotaur was smiling wistfully at the baby, his eyes almost shut and head hanging limply. On this statue was another plaque, made of gold, which read,

Ett kungarike i kaos, en barmhärtig hövding, det yttersta priset.

Till minne av hövding Olaf Bluehorn, som gav sitt liv så den unge kungen Havard och hans fru kan leva, och deras barn att födas. Det första offret i ett krig som inte berör hans land. Genom din osjälviskhet, ska du hedras evigt.

Vila i evig fred, käre vän.

Around this statue were beds of Campanula and Gerbera Daisies, arranged into open hands in a circle around the statue, paying homage to Olaf's kindness, even to a people that the rest of his kind hated bitterly. Through his actions, the Griffons and Minotaurs eventually settled their differences, becoming fast friends and allies.

And finally, to the west stood yet another statue, surrounded by beds of Amaranthus caudatus, Lobelia, and Marigolds shaped into claws. The statue itself was of a large griffon back to back with a smaller Hippogriff, bearing an enormous, two handed sword and snarling fiercely. The Hippogriff bore no weapon, looking to the ground with it's paws clenched and tears streaming down his face, which was pulled into a mask of pain and rage. The griffon's eyes were carved topaz, which glittered in the light of the sun. The eyes of the Hippogriff were cut from amethyst, and would dully glow in the waning hours of the day. On the base of this statue was a steel plaque, which read,

En okuvliga krigare och terror kungen, krigare som förde i slutet av vårt århundrade långa kriget. Slayers för många en fiende och odjuret, bördan de bar var störst.

En kämpade tappert, vilket anklagelserna om otaliga bataljer.

Den andra skakade världen med sina skrik av raseri, varje steg som tas , vann en strid.

Ivan och sonson, Adrian.--

A dauntless warrior and the terror of the king, warriors who brought the end of the war with their efforts. Slayers of many an enemy and beast, they brought an end to our hundred year war.

One fought valiantly, leading the charges of many a battle.

The other shook the world with his screams of rage, every step taken, another battle won.

Ivan Black-Talon and his grandson, Adrian Greyfeather.

A young Griffon woman stood at the foot of this statue, her features covered by her cloak, but her posture clearly indicating her gender. Her hooded face was turned up, looking into the amethyst eyes of the stone Hippogriff. A single tear fell from her face at the sight of it's obvious pain.

Don't worry, Adrian. she thought to herself, We'll be together soon. I'll find you... wherever you are now...

++++++

Sweat was dripping from my feathers and soaking my fur as I carried what had to be my 43rd basket of apples back to the barn. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little tired at the moment.

Probably because this is your third day into applebuck season!

That might have something to do with it.

"Sugarcube?" I nearly jump out of my feathers, I completely missed Applejack. She gave me a worried look as I set the basket down, turning to greet her.

"Yes, Applejack?"

"You've been workin' awful hard lately, partner. Somethin' on yer mind?" ... Damn her perceptiveness.

With a sigh, I turn and pick the basket back up. "Again, nothing I feel comfortable talking about yet. Same as always." she lets out a snort of frustration at this.

"Adrian, it's obvious somethin's been botherin' ya fer a while, why can't ya talk to us about it? Isn't that what friends 're for?"... she has a point...

But we both know how that will turn out. Maybe later, when they can understand without freaking out.

My thoughts exactly.

"I didn't say I never planned on telling you all. Just... give it some time."

She looked like she had more to say, but sighed. "Alright, sugarcube. If yer sure." As much as it hurt to see the girls worry, I couldn't share my experiences with them. Ponies are peaceful creatures, the closest things they have to soldiers are glorified castle guards! And to top it off, herbivores tend to be less tolerant towards violence.

Besides, how do you explain to your new, peaceful pony friends that you've killed an entire city's population, not counting the rest of your-

Shut up, you. I've got work to do.

Author's Note

Eh, slow chapter progress. But life's a bitch, what's a guy to do?

Anyway, same as usual, if you see any spelling errors or have something to comment, feel free to leave it in the comments.