After being released from the hospital, I made my way back to the house, thinking to myself. I did have a lot to think about, after all.

Well, I think it's safe to say I won't be attending anymore picnics. Getting poisoned by a manticore, upsetting the local princess, and being found out by said princess. At this point, I'll just just stick to home meals and takeout.

For once, I agree with you. That was a little hectic.

"Yo, Adrian!" A familiar tomboyish voice calls, derailing my thoughts. Sure enough, Gilda was hurrying to catch up with me... but she looked worried.

"Gilda?" I say, stopping completely. She quickly reaches me, panting slightly.

"Adrian, Scootaloo had her friends over and they were in your room. They found your medals!" at her words, I felt my whole body go cold, my body freezing up.

No

"Adrian?" Gilda asks, concern in her voice. I felt my body begin walking again, quickly gaining speed. "Adrian! Snap out of it!"

No no no

The buildings blurred as I charged, one or two rocks cracking as my hooves pounded on the gravel road. Gilda was left behind, and the house was in sight. I put on an extra burst of speed, giving a fierce cry as I charged through the door. Farfar was sitting on the couch, with the three fillies sitting on the floor in front of him in a semicircle. They all turned to look at me, three in surprise, and one with a smile.

"Ah, fågelunge! Just in time!" Grandfather says to me, patting the spot next to him. "We were waiting for you. These småflickor* want to hear how you received so many awards!"

"Du behöver inte berätta barn dessa historier, särskilt ponnyer, farfar." I hope the fillies don't speak our tongue. They look at me in confusion, but grandfather raises an eyebrow.

"Varför inte? De vill höra dina triumfer! De hittade din "Lejonet Från Norden"* medalj" At this, my blood chilled again, a lump of lead settling in my stomach. My brows furrowed and I turned to the confused fillies.

"Why were you three in my room?" I ask, my tone low. Scootaloo swallows, Apple Bloom and Sweetie belle look at each other before Sweetie cracks.

"It was Scootaloo's idea!" she squeals fearfully. Scootaloo's eyes widen and she waves her hooves in the air.

"We were just curious! We weren't gonna stay in there long!"

I narrowed my eyes dangerously at them all, no longer caring if they were children. "Don't ever go through my stuff, or into my room without me being there." They nod quickly, going pale. "Grandfather tells me you found one of my more special medals. I don't care how curious you all are, that little piece of history is better left buried."

"Y-yes, sir." Scootaloo lowers her head in shame, followed by her friends.

"Ah'm sorry, mister Adrian." Apple Bloom says. Sweetie belle nods silently, none of them meeting my eyes.

"Just make sure it doesn't happen again, okay? I went through hell to earn those awards, and I have them hidden for a reason."

"Yes sir..." they say in unison. Apple Bloom looked up at me with watery eyes.

"Can ya please tell us how ya got the big medal, at least?" she asks in a broken voice. Memories of the war came rushing back to me, and I could feel the sting of tears in my eyes at the hellish experiences. All the pain, the uncertainty... the uncountable warriors and families I've slain...

"... I was given that medal during Griffonia's most recent war, during one of the last battles of the war." I start, and the fillies heads perk up attentively. "It's the highest honor any krigare can receive, and I'm first person to receive it in half a century. Grandfather earned it as well."

The fillies "wow!"'d in unison and looked at me with a new respect... but the tears finally spilled over, trailing down my feathers and across me scars.

"But I keep it as a reminder that behind the glory and riches, the awards and money and fame..." I lowered my own head now. "War is horrible."

"M-mister Adrian, are ya okay?" Apple Bloom asks. I quickly wipe the tears from my face.

"I'll be okay, girls. I just need a minute." I say, just barely keeping my voice from cracking. Grandfather stands, clapping his hands once.

"Tell you what, girls! How about we go get some ice cream!" He says, earning an excited giggle from the girls as he scoops them up in his arms. "We'll be back in a bit, Adrian." he says with a wink.

... tack så mycket , farfar.

+Excerpt from the Griffon book of Honor+

Lejonet Från Norden- one of the highest honors in the Griffon military, given to any warrior who's managed to confirm more than 800 enemy deaths in any major battle, imprinted with the face of Gustavus Adolphus Rex, the Great Warrior King, a Griffon with a lion's head and first king of Griffonia. Legends tell that the Great Warrior King drove the Diamond Wolves to extinction with his own claws and teeth before establishing the Kingdom of Griffonia. Warriors bearing this medal are exempt from further military service or granted the title of Generalissimus*.

Total number of bearers of Lejonet Från Norden in history

Red-Talon bearers: 3
Green-Talon bearers: 2
Black-Talon bearers: 5
White-Talon bearers: 0

Redfeather bearers: 0
Greenfeather bearers: 0
Bluefeather bearers: 0
Blackfeather bearers: 0
Whitefeather bearers: 0
Greyfeather bearers: 1

Most recent recipient: Greyfeather Adrian Sparkle, with 1,893 confirmed kills.

Author's Note

*little girls

*The Lion of the North

*General of generals, highest achievable rank in the Griffon military.