The Fall and Rise of Miss Cherilee

1: Reassignment

The peace and quiet of the barracks court yard is shattered as a platoon of the unicorn palace guard, led by their instructor, canter through the narrow, arched gateway after their early morning run, the sound of their hooves on the cobbles rattles around the high walls.

“Platoon!” Hollered the Sergeant “Trot … Walk, and halt.”

Their Sergeant turns round to face them as the new days sun crests the high towers of the castle, catching the steam rising from their hot bodies, three rows of four troopers stood at perfect parade order in the centre of the sun lit square, sweaty, muddy in their battered training armour, but as neat as he’d ever seen them achieve.

“Attention! All right you dozy lot. Praise where praise is due, not a bad morning’s work. Be ready for weapons drill after breakfast.” The Sergeant stares at them, daring just one to look smug. “Right then. Platoon!” Followed by a snarling “Wait for it! Dismiss.”

Whoops and laughter fill the court yard as the troopers head in to the buildings to clean up and head for their morning meal.

“Keep it down now.” The Sergeant instructs, quietening the noise as he follows them towards the barracks washrooms.

“Sergeant!” A voice stops the white unicorn NCO at the door and he turns around to see his commander approaching. “A word with you, if I may.”

“Sir.”

“Those new recruits, a fine job Sergeant, a fine job. How does the training progress?”

“Thank you Sir. They are about done. Should make good general palace guards, the elite royal? One or two, may be.”

“That’s excellent. I shall see to the postings this very afternoon. Again a fine job Sergeant.” The senior officer removes his monocle for a brief polish and glances round the square.

“Sir.”

“Now. I have orders anew for you.”

“Sir?”

The commander replaces the eyeglass and produces a scroll baring the royal seal. He opens it and begins to read, the Sergeant is starting to feel worried.

“To, Commander, Palace Guard. You are requested and required to instruct Sergeant Shimmering Heart to report to the privet chambers of Her Royal Highness Princess Celestia on this day at 10 o’clock for reassignment of duties. Singed HRH…. I think you probably know the rest.”

The Sergeant looked shocked “To the Princess? For reassignment Sir?”

“You now know as much as I do old boy.” The senior officer offers him the scroll and gestures to the large clock above the arched gateway. “And judging by the time you had better get a wiggle on.”

“Sir!” the Sergeant salutes and turns to leave.

“Oh and Sergeant, before you see the Princess……” The commander wrinkles his nose and smiles.

“Sir?”

“Take a bath!”

“Thank you Sir.”

****

Scrubbed, groomed and wearing his best armour, polished to a mirror finish, Shimmering Heart approached the entrance to the royal chambers in Canterlot castle, a pair of towering and intricately carved golden doors, flanked by a pair of the very cream of the palace guard, both of them he has trained.

The senior trooper, while hardly moving a muscle, winked and grinned “Sarg.”

Himself smiling, Shimmering Heart reviews the two guards. “Royal Guards report!”

“Sergeant. All guards present and correctly posted. There are no incidents or threats on this watch to be reported.”

Shimmering Heart returned the troopers salute “A good report. You both a credit to your watch and officer, but you have forgotten one thing. You have not challenged my presence here. Never assume that somepony known to you could not be a threat to her highness.”

The two guards are now rigidly to attention “Sergeant. Please present your orders and state your reasons for being here.”

Unnoticed by the sergeant as he submits the scroll and to both troopers, the grand doors are silently opening.

A sweet, lilting and slightly amused voice drifts through the entrance way “That will not be necessary. The Sergeants company is both requested and appreciated. You may allow him entry.”

Shimmering Heart looks at the doors and takes a deep breath. You are not a raw recruit now, best hoof forward and march like you mean it.

It was only a few dozen paces into the Princess’ presence and in line with his years of military training Shimmering Heart assesses the room in seconds as the doors swing closed behind him. No threats. It’s not as big or as formal as he was expecting, more a grand sitting room or study, part of the privet apartments. To the left a curving wall with bank of huge south facing windows. To the right a solid wall with a doorway with laden bookcases ether side. To the far side of the room, a fire place with two striking portraits hanging over it, Princess Twilight and Princess Luna, now that is a surprise to see those side by side.

In front of him is a large coffee table covered in papers, scrolls and a tray containing a tea pot, some slices of lemon and presumably the remains of Celestia’s breakfast. To each side are large floor cushions and beyond is the princess herself. She is comftably lounging on a wide sofa facing the windows, reading a hefty file. Her normally flowing multi-hued mane and tail are tied up and braided with purple and black ribbon. Perched on her muzzle are a pair of spectacles and magically floating before the princess is a mug of tea, not a fine china cup as Shimmering Heart would have expected but a large heavy mug emblazed with the legend

LADY LUCY

CREW

Confusion and contradiction are starting to gain a hold on Shimmering Heart’s nerves, even though this is not the first time he has been summonsed before the Princess, his audiences had never been this informal, nor had he been singled out for such personal attention before. I must get this moving before I lose the plot. “Reporting as ordered your highness.”

“Very good Sergeant, please be seated, I will be with you in a moment and please remove your helmet.”

As Shimmering Heart settles into one of the cushions, placing his head gear in front of him, Celestia takes a long sip of her tea, shuffles a few papers and slammed closed the file. She looks up and then stares at the Sergeant so intensely he almost falls backwards in alarm.

“Well, well, so Cadence wasn’t exaggerating.”

“I beg your pardon your highness?”

“Oh it’s nothing really Sergeant.”

“Princess Cadence, my grandmother?”

“Indeed, but really it is nothing though it could make the next few months a little interesting for you.”

“You’re Highness?”

“Never fear Sergeant all will be revealed in good time. Now your orders…., orders, orders.” Celestia begins to rummage through a large pile of documents on the table “Ah found them. I just don’t seem to be that well organised these days, getting old I suppose,” The Princess smiles and offers Shimmering Heart the sealed file.

“Now Sergeant, in there are your new orders, a royal warrant giving you executive powers in my name to complete your duties, your promotion to Regimental Sergeant Major, tempory transfer to Diplomatic Protection and the details of your principal. Any questions?”

“Err, um? Who is the principal?”

“The Dowager Countess of Ponyville.”

“How many troopers in the detail?”

“Just yourself.”

“I see. And the main threat?”

“The Dowager Countess of Ponyville.” Celestia says with a sly smile.

“And who is the Dowager Countess?”

Celestia starts to look a little sad. “She is very, very old, so this will not be a detachment of any great length. She is a pony who is very very important to Equestria and to me particularly, so don’t mess this up. She is very cantankerous so don’t annoy her. If you do, be aware that even now she is a deadly accurate shot” Celestia rubs her head in an absent minded way. “So you will qualify for hazardous duty pay.”

The Princess can see that the newly promoted RSM is now completely confused so gives him the final pieces of information that he needs.

“She is presently living on the Royal estate at Horseshoe Bay and you may know of her better by her former title….. The Princess Consort Cheerilee.”

****

As the early train for Baltimare pulls out of Canterlot station Shimmering Heart is still dwelling on a mental image of his mouth dropping open as he shouted “What!? She can’t possibly be still alive!”

Thankfully Celestia had laughed at his shocked outburst “Oh Sergeant you are a picture.”

After taking his leave of the Princess, Shimmering Heart had spent the rest of the day tying up loose ends, easing in his replacement and paying a call on his now former Commander.

“That’s the long and short of it Sir. I will be catching the train to Baltimare in the morning.”

“Well I’m sorry to be loosing you old boy.” The commander is clearly not happy to be with out one of the Palace Guards best instructors. “Diplomatic Protection you say?”

“Yes Sir. Temporary detachment, a few months according to the Princess.”

“May well be Sergeant, but I doubt you will be back with us, this sort of thing is highly irregular and once you have a name for it the mud sticks, so to speak.”

“The identity of the principal would indicate that, Sir.”

“Thought so. Classified?”

“Yes sir. Sorry.”

“Hmm. Well Sergeant congrats on the promotion, do your duty, keep your head down and hopefully this situation won’t blow up in someponies face.”

“Thank you Sir.”

The Commander, with a feeling of foreboding watches Shimmering Heart leave.” I may be wrong, but I think Princess Celestia has other plans for you my boy.” he mutters to himself.

“Sorry Sir?” The commander’s orderly appears with sizable pile of documents. “Signatures required Sir. The usual stuff.”

“Ah, Bumf before dinner, what more could a pony want.”

“We’ll find a use for you yet Sir.” The orderly grins.

“The Commander rolls his eyes. “The heavens forbid that anypony should mistake me for being in charge of this one trick circus.”

****

The dramatic scenery of south east Equestria rolls past the train, completely unseen by Shimmering Heart, yet for the last two hours he has done nothing but stare out the window, noticing neither hill nor dale, bridge or tunnel.

“Travel light “The Princess had instructed” The royal warrant will provide anything you need”

So far, so good. The train conductor probably didn’t read any more then “In the name of Princess Celestia, you are requested and required…..” before moving on to the next passenger and leaving him in peace.

The file, given to him by the Princess is still spread out on the seat beside Shimmering Heart, reading it has created more questions than it answered and the train leaves a steep sided cutting the coast and the huge inlet that is Horseshoe bay come into view. He snaps out of his confused musings to marvel at the view and then tidies away the papers and secures his saddle bags as the train crosses the viaduct above Baltimare, knowing that it will soon will be arriving at the station.

The train works its way through the suburbs and down onto the waterfront, following the tracks along the top of the sea wall. The surface of the bay glitters in the warm late-morning sun casting rippling reflections on the underside of the platform canopy as the steam engine halts in the station. Standing on the platform the Sergeant soaks in a view he remembers from so many years ago, the row of pretty little shops and guest houses along the esplanade overlooking the rail line and station, but just behind them, the seedier side of Baltimare. His first posting in the military after training was to the guard detail for the Royal docks, not far from the station and this part of the town was a great place to be young, single and well paid.

“Food, then action.” He mutters to himself and heads for the small station café tucked into the back of the sea wall. After two apple fritters, a coffee and an eye full of the waitresses saucy little wiggle every time she passed his table, Shimmering Heart closes the map and stows it away. The royal estate is still several hours’ travel on the southern headland of the bay.

“Miss?” he calls to the waitress “Could you fill this please.” Placing his water canteen on the counter.

“Sure hansom.” She replies “And its three bits for the coffee and fritters.”

Shimmering Heart places four on the counter, collects the now full canteen and gives the waitress a smile and snappy salute.

****

The Sergeant hit the road at a fast trot following the coast line of the huge bay, hoping to make up for missing his morning P/T and now in the noon heat he stops on some higher ground for a drink of water and to study the way ahead. The high and rocky southern headland is clearly visible as is a long, wide stretch of golden sand tucked into the sheltered bay side of the headland. A real afternoon sun trap he thinks. To the back of the beach lay a series of widely spaced low buildings. Got to be the Princess’ holiday retreat, about another hour and I’m there. Back to the fast trot and the road has become narrower and less well traveled. 30 minutes brings him to the estate entrance, an open gate and empty guard post with a gravel drive beyond, leading down through a narrow, steep sided, wooded valley. Another 30 brings him to the complex of buildings and still not a sole to be seen.

“Guard! Guard!”

****

The estates housekeeper Autumn Leaves is deeply irritated, the silly old fool in the lower bungalow is being demanding again. The midnight blue unicorn clatters around the kitchen preparing the estates only resident a late lunch, and now she has a guest arriving today, so Autumn has to prep another room at short notice. At least whoever it is will be staying with the countess so only the second suite and not a whole bungalow to do.

“Guard! Guard!”

“OH now who is that!” She says to herself, but she flicks her black and grey striped forelock out of her eyes and continues with preparing lunch. Kettle’s boiling, warm the tea pot, sandwiches are done, load the tray…..

“Guard! Where is the Guard?!”

“It’s definitely turning into one of those days.” Autumn is just fed up now. She bangs open the kitchen door and marches out to see a white unicorn, the purple and rose pink stripes contrasting rather nicely with his very dark grey mane and tail. He turns to look at her. Wow! He’s a bit of a hunk she thinks, her aggravation all but forgotten Got to military

“I am RSM Shimmering Heart, where are the guards?”

“There aren’t any.” She retorts “Nopony, other than the Countess comes here anymore and there is only me and two others who live here.”

“And you are?” The Sergeant inquires in a more friendly tone.

“I’m Autumn Leaves, the house keeper.” She looks thoughtful for a moment “Corporal of the night guard. Retired.” She places a lot of meaning on the final word.

“And why are you here?” She adds.

The Sergeant accepts that this could turn in to a battle he may not win, so acknowledges her with a salute “I am assigned here as close protection for the Countess of Ponyville. Where may I find her?”

Autumn indicates to the bungalow at the eastern end of the beach, tucked under the bulk of Horse Shoe Bay’s southern headland “As you are going that way you can take her lunch with you.”

Shimmering Heart collects the heavy tray from the kitchen, Autumn has been kind enough to add extra food and a cup for him and heads down the pathway following the palm lined edge of the beach to the Countess’ bungalow.

****

The Dowager Countess of Ponyville stands bathed in the afternoon light with her rear to the wide glazed doors that lead out on to the veranda. In front of her is a sizable canvas on an easel, she looks at it, then starts to sketch with a piece of charcoal and stops just as quickly. “No. No, the perspective is all wrong.” She rubs out a number of lines and stands back for another look, when she hears hoof falls on the veranda steps behind her.

“Autumn? Is that my lunch? Be a dear and poor the tea, I’m parched.”

“My apologies ma’am. I am not the housekeeper.” States a distinctly deep stallion’s voice.

Cheerilee doesn’t immediately turn around to inspect her visitor. “Ah, you must be the bit of eye candy Celestia has sent me, you are expected. And don’t call me that!”

“Ma’am?”

“Yes. That!”

“Highness?”

“NO! That’s even worse.” She turns, fast as lightning and a piece of charcoal whizzes past Shimmering Heart’s left ear and explodes against the door frame.

“Countess! You could have hit me with that.”

“Believe me, if I meant to get you, Autumn would now be sending for the doctor. And I suppose that I can just about live with that silly title. Now, do as you are told and poor the tea.”

The Countess watches her new body guard with some interest as he sets down the tray on the veranda table and complies with her instructions. The family resemblance is incredible, apart from the flashes in his mane and tail which remind of another pony very special to her, he is the very image of her late brother in law.

“There should be fresh lemon juice on the tray.” She tells the Sergeant as she turns back to the canvas. “I will have a tot in my tea thank you.”

Shimmering Heart adds the lemon to both cups and takes a sip while he examines his new surroundings. The old magenta mare has returned her attention to the easel and is furiously sketching away. Her two tone pink mane is turning quite grey as is her muzzle, although it’s currently covered in black dust from the charcoal. The veranda is spacious and cool and the beach in front of the bungalow looks smooth, wide and warm.

“Bring my tea please.” Cheerilee requests “And talk to me while I work.”

He enters the bungalows main living room. “I am Sergeant Shimm…..”

“It’s all right. I know who you are and why you were sent and it’s probably not for the reasons you were told. Just talk to me, I get so lonely some times. What part of the military are with and what do you do?”

“I was with the palace guard as an instructor before being reassigned here, drill and weapons training mainly. I’m pretty good with a lance, Guards champion three years running and I like working with the new recruits”

“You have no desire to follow in your Grandfathers hoof prints and become Captain of the Guard?”

Shimmering Heart is a little surprised by the question but lets it pass. “No thanks, far too much paperwork. I get enough of that with the training reports, but I don’t mind so much because I enjoy the instructing side of things.”

“So. You are like me then, a teacher.”

“Well, I think that’s stretching things a little.”

“Do you take young minds and bodies, shape and improve them, make them more than they could have been on their own?”

“That could be one way of looking at it.”

“TEACHER!” She cries. “And before that?”

“Border Guards, south west and Bovinia. Before that, up north, Yakyakistan border.”

“Seen some combat then?” Cheerilee smiles at him and inquires. “You really don’t remember me do you?”

“Yes, more than I’d like to talk about and yes I do, but it was a long, long time ago.” Looking around the room Shimmering Heart takes another sip of the hot tea. “Not bad, but I would have preferred coffee.”

“There isn’t any, so you will have to make do.” A voice states from the veranda doorway. Autumn Leaves indicates to the bits of charcoal all over the floor “I only cleaned in here this morning.”

“Stop complaining you silly old thing.” Cheerilee says with some humour in her voice.

“Ha! Who are you calling old? I’m still in my prime! I shall deal with the Sergeant’s rooms and then, just maybe, I’ll clear this up.”

Shimmering Heart moves away from the two mares to look at the paintings hanging on the living rooms far wall, all the countess’ work judging by the signatures, three in particular catch his eye. One is a formal portrait of Princess Celestia, another a very pleasant landscape of Canterlot Castle under a rainbow, but it is the third and largest that really stands out, a striking seascape. The cream and white object in the center of the picture, looking as it is heading straight towards him, is an incredible contrast to the dark, stormy sea and sky. At the bottom of the plain and heavy frame is a small inscribed plaque.

A straining mainmast.

The storm we shall take.

Swinging the lead

.

A safe channel to locate.

Square the yards.

Safe harbour to make.

It suddenly dawns on him what it is and where he has seen something very similar. “It’s a sailing ship.”

Autumn Leaves has gone about her duties and the Countess’ attention has returned to him. “Yes that’s right, the Lady Lucy. She was a four masted barque.”

“I saw one when I was a young trooper. It was tied up at the royal docks, but…” Shimmering Heart indicates to the ships white hull. “This part was black with a white stripe and it didn’t have all of this.” He waves a hoof over the high stack of bulging sails.

“That would have been the Lady Eleanor, the Lucy’s sister ship. As she was docked the sails will have been furled.” Cheerilee explains as she joins him.

“I have come across that name before, Lady Lucy.” Shimmering Heart frowns trawling his memory and then looks down at his cup. “Tea! Princess Celestia.”

“Has Tia still got that horrid great mug?” Cheerilee smiles as fond thoughts flood back “The Lady Lucy, her captain and crew were so important in our lives, Twilight and I.”

“I am aware of a family connection between you, me and Aunty Twi, but not what it is.” Shimmering Heart winces as he realises just how familiar and casual he has been.

Autumn reappears interrupting the conversation “Everything is prepared for your guest Countess. Fresh supplies will be here in the morning including coffee.” She nods to the Sergeant “So that’s it I’m done for the day. If you want anything, deal with it your selves! I shall be relaxing in the tub.”

“Thank you my dear, have a lovely afternoon.” Cheerilee replies graciously and waits for the housekeeper to leave. “She is such a treasure. The connection between us is marriage.”

“Who’s?”

“Twilight and me of course. How do you think a humble earth pony attained the title Princess Consort?”

The late afternoon turned to evening as the Countess and the Sergeant talked, getting to know each other and putting the world to rights. As the sun dipped to the western horizon he can see that the Countess is watching it set and becoming increasingly distracted.

Suddenly she stands up. “Please excuse me Sergeant, I have something to do.” And then leaves via the veranda doors and descends the steps and heads out onto the beach.

Shimmering Heart gets up with the intension of following her, but on reaching the veranda he realises that she is not alone, Autumn Leaves is walking along the sand towards the Countess. The two mares meet and embrace, then sit side by side gently leaning against each other as they watch the sun set over the western end of bay in a blaze of colour and the twinkling stars finally come out. The moon rises above the skyline and they stand and embrace once more, then separate and head for their respective beds.