The Fall and Rise of Miss Cherilee

4: The Shire Horses

The Dowager Countess of Ponyville gazes out over the veranda railings at the perfectly flat surface of Horseshoe Bay, there is not a breath of wind, nor a sound and the afternoon sun is turning the beach into a furnace. The old mare smiles, the aches in her joints are so much less on these really hot days, but the intense sunlight hurts her eyes.

“Countess?”

She turns her attention back to her two companions sitting across the table from her, leaning against each other, furtively touching hooves together and glancing at each other. The image reminds her so much of the old and faded picture beside her bed of herself and Twilight cuddling in a restaurant booth, smiling for the camera.

“Cheerilee?”

“I’m sorry my dear, did you want something?”

“You were talking about the Shire Horses and Twilight and then suddenly…..Stopped.” Shimmering Heart leans forward, frowning and studies the Countess closely.

“Are you ok?” A concerned Autumn asks as she gets up and moves round the table to Cheerilee. “Do you want some more to drink?”

“Yes please my dear.” Cheerilee smiles happily as Autumn fills her glass and then settles down beside her. “I’m sorry, I was thinking about the weather. I do like it when it is hot like this. It reminds me of the happy times in Saddle Arabia.”

“Not me!” Shimmering Heart shakes his head. “Too much like the desert beyond Appleloosa.”

“Better warm than cold.” Autumn adds.

Shimmering Heart looks thoughtful. “I don’t know which was worse, freezing my bits off on the Yakyakistan border, or being baked alive in the desert. At least in Canterlot I had a nice bed and running water.”

“And this assignment is so bad?” Autumn inquires haughtily.

“No, it’s not.” His face softens as he smiles for her. “This is definitely the best I have ever had.”

Good, exactly what I was hoping for. Cheerilee thinks to herself. “I believe I was standing in Twilight’s study trying to delay the dreaded question.” She returns to her tale as her companions undivided attention return to her.

****

“Cheeri, come and sit with me.” Twilight pats the sofa beside her. “I still have something to ask you.”

Cheerilee wanders the long way round the room, casting an eye over the book shelves, scanning the titles on the spines of the bound books and playing for time before settling on to the sofa, nose to nose with Twilight. She leans forward, offering her lips to the lavender unicorn and the two mares tenderly kiss.

Twilight breaks away and gives Cheerilee a serious look. “Now, there has been something bothering me since we had dinner at the Peppermint Club.”

Recalling the evening, Cheerilee cannot think of anything particularly disastrous that happened during dinner and their first night together had been wonderful. “What is it that has you concerned my love?”

Twilight takes a deep breath and nervously rushes on. “The colt that asked for your autograph and the gold disk in your cottage. I want you to tell me about the Shire Horses.” From the table she picks up an album sleeve, Hoof in Hoof. “I bought this when I was in Canterlot.”

“Is that all?” Cheerilee chuckles with relief. “Sweet Celestia, you had me worried for a minute.” She studies the sleeve. “Want me to sign it for you?”

“Well, maybe. I have listened to it a few times now, it’s interesting and you have a lovely voice, but it’s not really my sort of thing.”

Cheerilee stares at the album cover in quiet contemplation until Twilight begins to worry. “You’re not offended are you?”

“No my love I am not.” She gives Twilight a fleeting kiss and slight smile. “It’s just…. Memories, lots of memories. Our music was very much of its time and it was a long time ago.”

“But ponies still seem to know of you?” Twilight is perplexed.

Grinning, Cheerilee visualises a particular part of her life. “Because we really were that big for a short time.”

“Resulting in the gold disk?”

“Hoof in Hoof, our second album. A huge best seller, still sells a few copies even now. We toured all over Equestria, Maretainia and even did a concert in Saddle Arabia and were partied, wined and dined and Buck Stallion, the big Bridleway actor ask me to marry him.”

“What! Isn’t he….?” Twilight’s mouth drops open in surprise.

“Oh yes, but it was ages before any of that came out and anyway, don’t judge, so are we.”

“Ah, good point. I hadn’t thought of it like that.” Twilight pauses for a moment. “So how did it all start?”

“How did it all start?” Cheerilee mumbles to herself. “My last year of college in Fillydelphia, a bunch of us were loafing about and complaining, as students are want to do, about how our course work was not representative of youth culture. Our lecturer got fed up with all the bitching going on and challenged us to do something creative and representative to prove our point. The task was to form a band, write an original song and perform it on stage before the end of term. So five of us, myself, Lilly and Saffron Buds, Lightning Jet and Thunderhooves, he was a big lad and gave the band it’s name, got together and formed the Shire horses. It was all too easy, we had most of what became the first album written and had done ten gigs and had bookings for another dozen by the end of term. Our lecturer had to eat a very large portion of humble pie and we all got A grades.”

“Wow. All good friends creating together. So how did you become so famous?”

“To start with we were really close friends and that was what made it work so well, but by the end, no, bitter, bitter enemies, sniping at each other and working on individual projects. It all really started just after we finished college. We had decided to do the last few gigs that we were booked for and then go our separate ways, I was heading for Manehattan and a string of auditions on Bridleway.”

“You wanted to be an actress?” Twilight is very surprised by this revelation.

“It was what I was studying at college, my love. Drama with music”

“Yes, silly me not paying attention, but how did you end up being teacher in, well, such a small school?”

Cheerilee tickles Twilight under her chin. “I will get to that in a moment.”

“I know.” Twilight gives a big sigh. “I just cannot match up the different images of you. Actress, big music star and lowly small town teacher.”

“Less of the lowly, thank you.”

Looking contrite, Twilight apologises. “I am sorry Cheeri, I know what you do is important and you are very good at it and it is plainly obvious that the children love you.”

“It’s ok my love and thank you. I really do enjoy my work and present life.”

Sliding closer to her, Cheerilee gently nuzzles along the crest of Twilights neck, causing a deep and contented sigh and her hooves begin a little intimate exploration.

“Famous.” The lavender unicorn manages to squeeze in between groans of ecstasy.

“Indeed, famous.” Cheerilee whispers. “It was a bit of a fluke really, we were only supposed to be doing a couple of numbers in support of another band, only they didn’t turn up, so we ended up doing the whole gig ourselves. There was a talent scout in the audience, come to see the other band and within a few days we were contacted by his record company with a rather attractive recording deal and a chance to tour in support of the Rolling Ponies. You are listening to me aren’t you?”

Twilight has rolled over onto her back, offering her soft underbelly for Cheerilee’s attentions and lays there, eyes closed, lips pouting, waiting to be kissed.

“I thought you wanted to know about the Shire Horses.”

“I do, but I want you to kiss me as well.” Twilight reaches up and wraps her forelegs round Cheerilee’s neck and gently encourages the earth ponies head down till their lips meet.

Cheerilee attempts to keep the kiss brief and light and continue with her narrative. “Now, a good student pays attention when she is being instructed.”

“May be the teacher should make her one to one lessons a little more intimate.” Twilight gives a soft innocent smile and bats her eye lids, but does not release her tight hold on Cheerilee’s neck.

“You are a tease! Where was I? Yes, recording our first album, Forelock to Fetlock. It just seemed to be the right thing at the right time, the Bud twins needed the money, Lightning and Thunderhooves had no plans for when they finished college and to me it looked like the easy option over the Bridleway audition circuit.

We went into the studio and it recorded and ready for release in just over a week, did a string of promotional gigs for the album and then joined the Ponies on their tour. Now that was grueling, it lasted for months and we went all over Equestria and Maretainia and as soon as it had finished we were straight back to gigging and promotional stuff for Forelock to Fetlock. There’s more to this being famous lark than you might think and before we knew it the record company were pressing for the second album. Well that took a lot longer to sort out, we hadn’t even considered a follow up, so nopony had created anything new and by this time we were all fairly tired. So the other three took off on a holiday while Thunderhooves and I sat down and wrote most of the next album that became Hoof in Hoof.”

“Most of it?” Twilight inquires.

“Alas not the title track, that was Lightning Jet.”

“That really surprises me, it’s the best track, so passionate and intense and you sang it with such feeling that I thought you must have written the lyrics.”

“It was the song that sold the album and I do love it. Unfortunately my love I didn’t write any of the lyrics that was Thunderhooves. The music was my thing, it’s like a wonderful mathematical second language to me. As for Hoof in Hoof, it’s about me. I didn’t realise it at the time, but Lightning Jet admitted it in an interview about the album some years later. He had feelings for me at the time, but never let on.”

Twilight snuggles herself closer to Cheerilee. “You do seem to have a way of inspiring ponies to fall in love with you.”

“If that is the case my dear Twi, I wish it wasn’t so, almost all of my relationships have been disasters. In fact I can only think of one that isn’t completely soul destroying.”

With a hopeful look, Twilight asks. “Who was that with?”

“Guess.” Cheerilee replies and passionately kisses the lavender unicorn until they both need to breathe again. As her breathing evens out, Cheerilee gently strokes Twilight’s muzzle and asks. “Do you want to hear the last bit or go to bed?”

“Umm, umm.” Twilight looks in confusion at Cheerilee, then to her bedroom door and back again. “Oh ponyfeathers, I can’t not know, it will bother me all night.” Her voice becomes increasingly sultry. “And I do not want any distractions at all once we go through that door.”

“I thought that may be the case.” Cheerilee grins and stretches out on the sofa. “Well, now then. We came back together and went into the studio, recorded and released Hoof in Hoof and POW, everything just went crazy. The album sold and sold and we went into what seemed to be a nonstop cycle of interviews, parties, promotions and gigs and then this huge international tour that just went on and on and by the end I was exhausted and we were completely sick of the sight of each other and yet, Hoof in Hoof was still in the charts.”

“Is this when the band broke up?”

“Not quite, but it was certainly the beginning of the end. The record company wanted us to carry on promoting Hoof in Hoof and even though we were worn out, that was alright with Thunderhooves and me, as being co-writers of the album we were making a tidy sum of money from all the sales. That did not sit well with Lilly and Saffron, who complained about the income situation constantly. The first album we shared everything equally, but then we all had an equal input. That wasn’t the case with Hoof in Hoof so the money was proportioned up accordingly and I freely admit that with hind sight that it was the wrong thing to do, plus the overpaid celebrity life style had very much kicked in by then. On top of that, the record company wanted a third album to capitalise on the success of Hoof in Hoof and as had happened before, we had been concentrating on promotion so much that there was no new material for another album. To be honest with you, by this time I was fed up with the whole thing and could not face the thought of doing it all again so soon, so I told the other four to get something sorted out and let me know when they were ready to record and came back to Ponyville to spend some time with my sister.”

By this point Twilight is utterly fascinated. “Did you record the third album?”

“Oh yes, Canterlot Express and it was a flop, a complete disaster. Thunderhooves just had not made an effort with the lyrics, his heart wasn’t in it either and who ever arranged the music made a right mess of it. The studio staff told me that the rest of the band had spent the previous eight weeks squabbling and working individually, not a jot of communication. A lot of the songs were outside of my normal range and style and I had to push quite hard to get them right and that had hurt my voice by the end of recording. Well, the record company wanted us to go straight out on a promotional tour, but I had such a rotten throat infection that was never going to happen. I could hardly speak yet alone sing for nearly a month and alongside that my acceptance to the Canterlot Teacher Training College had come through, so one sunny morning I stood up and put my hoof down and quit and that was the end of that.”

“Hold on, you have left something out.” Twilight frowns. “Namely how, where and when, with a large side order of ‘How in Celestia’s name did that come about?’ regarding how you decided to become a teacher.”

“That was a bit of a fluke as well.” Cheerilee chuckles and then frowns as she remembers the whole cascading and complex sequence of events over that particular summer. She sighs deeply “I came back to Ponyville and decided to stay with my sister in the family home. Well that was a mistake, after a week I wanted to throttle her. You’ve met my sister?”

“I have, in passing.” Twilight looks uncertain. “It was, umm, an experience.”

“Very tactful and believe me you have no idea what an experience she can be. Anyway after a couple of disturbed night’s sleep, thanks to my sister bringing her drinking buddies home in the early hours, all demanding autographs, I had almost decided to head back to Manehattan, but on a pleasant mornings ramble through the town I spotted a rather pretty cottage with a ‘For Sale’ sign on it….”

“You don’t mean ‘your’ cottage do you?” Twilight interrupts.

“The very one. I never thought that I would end up living in it permanently when I bought it. It was supposed to be a bolt hole when I needed to be here to deal with my sister. The place was already empty, so the purchase was very straight forward and completed as soon as the money was transferred from my Manehattan bank. Well, after a bit of a tidy up and some furniture I moved in and met the neighbors, one of who turned out to be my old school teacher, Miss Ruby.”

“Wow, was she a great influence on you early life?”

Cheerilee considers the question. “No, not particularly. She was a good teacher and I loved school as well, but I was always one for a bit of clever mischief with Rarity, who was definitely a bad influence in her youth. Sweetie Belle is so much like her sister.”

“Somehow that does not surprise me.” Twilight grins. “So what was it that persuaded you to become a teacher?”

“There had been so much talk amongst the class about the ‘Pop Star’ in town that when she found out that it was me, Miss Ruby asked me to come into school one morning before the term ended for the summer and speak to her students about my life and the Shire Horses and being famous, so on a whim, I did. Ended up spending all day at the school helping with the lessons and loved it so much that I went back the following day to assist Miss Ruby. Well, it was that lunchtime that I told her how I really felt about the band and the so called celebrity life style, not the glossy magazine version for the children and it was she who pointed out that I did appear to have a talent for education and if I was that unhappy with my present life, maybe I should consider a change of career. By the end of the week I had the application forms for the Canterlot Teacher Training College, filled them in and sent them off along with a rather complimentary letter of recommendation from Miss Ruby. A few weeks after that the studio contacted me, they were ready to start recording Canterlot Express and with everything else that was going on in Ponyville at the time I was only too glad to be away. By the time I got to my apartment in Manehattan the letter of acceptance from the training college was on the door mat waiting for me.”

“And that was the end of one life and the start of another.” Twilight gently releases her hold on Cheerilee’s neck and slowly stretches as she moves herself into an upright position. The clock tower across the other side of town faintly chimes the hour. “Dear sweet sun and moon, is that the time?”

“Doesn’t it just fly when you are having fun.” Cheerilee yawns.

“I know, but that’s ridiculous.” Twilight looks at her companion with surprise and concern. “Darling, you look exhausted!”

“It has been quite a day, my love.”

“Come on, follow me.” Twilight beckons as she steps off the sofa and heads across the study.

Cheerilee tries to obey, but stumbles as she gets up and bumps into Twilight, who swiftly catches her before she crashes to the floor. “Sorry, wine and tiredness, not a good mix.”

“I guess I’m going to have to carry you to bed.” Twilight’s horn glows and Cheerilee finds herself enveloped in a wonderful purple cocoon and tenderly lifted into the air. The bedroom door opens and she floats towards, then through it, yet there is absolutely no feeling of motion, Twilight follows behind her and Cheerilee watches in awe as they approach the bed. The covers fold back and she tucks her legs under her before coming to a gentle rest on the soft mattress. Cheerilee settles her head on to the wonderful pillow as the covers smoothly flow over her body and tuck themselves in.

Twilight approaches the side of the bed and lovingly kisses Cheerilee’s inviting lips. “I will be with you in a minute.” She turns away to her dressing table and Cheerilee watches with heavy, fluttering eyelids as Twilight works before the mirror with a silver backed brush and a small sent spray.

“Wrong side.” Cheerilee mutters sleepily.

“What?”

“You have brushed your mane on to the wrong side. Fillies dress to the left, colts to the right.”

By the time Twilight has finished correcting her mane, Cheerilee is fast asleep, and she does not hear the faint, but explicit sexually frustrated curse, nor feel the passionate kiss on her lips. The altering in the mattress barely registers as another body settles into the bed close beside her, but the legs that wrap themselves round her feel so right and the softly whispered ‘I love you so much’ into her ear brings a delicate, happy smile to her lips.

****

“Miss Cheerilee? Miss Cheerilee!”

“Yes child?” The school teacher looks down to locate the source of the voice and the enticing smell of fresh coffee, to find beside her desk, holding out a cup and saucer, stands a small purple and green….DRAGON!

“Sweet Celestia! There’s a Dragon in my classroom!”

“Miss Cheerilee?”

“Haarrg! Somepony fetch a fire extinguisher!” A fading voice cries.

“Cheeri darling, wake up.” A second wonderfully gentle voice drifts through her ears and a hoof tenderly drifts its way across her belly. “Sweetheart you are dreaming, wake up, Spike has brought us coffee.”

Cheerilee’s eyes snap open in confusion and stood beside the bed, wafting a cup of coffee under her nose is a small purple and green…. DRAGON! A startled whinny escapes her lips.

“Really! Miss Cheerilee!” Spike is shocked and slightly upset by the reaction.

“It’s all right Spike.” Twilight comforts her assistant. “I guess I didn’t realise just how deeply asleep Cheeri still was. Leave the cups on the bedside table and we will drink them in a minute.”

“Ok Twilight.” After depositing the two cups the little dragon turns away muttering to himself and heads for the door, still a touch sulky.

Cheerilee shakes her head to try and clear the sleep and lifts herself up to call after him. “Spike, I’m so sorry and thank you very much for all you have done for me.”

Putting on his best nonchalant pose, Spike glances back to the bed as he leaves the room. “Hey, it’s Ok.”

“Don’t worry, he’s not as offended as he likes to make out. In fact I think he rather likes you.” Twilight leans over and showers kisses on Cheerilee’s cheek, she then sits up to retrieve her book which is about to fall onto the floor.

Cheerilee rolls over and wraps her forelegs round Twilight’ middle. “I’m so sorry my love, I fell asleep didn’t I?”

Peering over the corner of her book, Twilight gives a mischievous grin. “You most certainly did and I am now feeling very frustrated.”

“Oh Twi I am so very sorry.” Cheerilee hugs and then allows her hooves to wander as she nuzzles Twilight’s side.

Putting her book down onto her lap, Twilight gently strokes Cheerilee’s forelock and poll. “My dear sweet Cheerilee. I don’t want to dampen your desires, but we will have to get up shortly.” She directs Cheerilee’s attention to the bed side clock. “The Spa appointment is booked for midday.”

“Merciful Luna! Is that the time, why didn’t you wake me earlier?”

Twilight smiles, more softly this time. “I thought about it when I woke up, but you looked so peaceful and even though I tried to read, I have actually just sat here and watched you sleep and then I remembered something you said.”

“If you come to bed with me and we just cuddle and fall asleep together and then I wake up in the morning to see you beside me I will be the happiest mare in all Equestria.” Cheerilee mumbles contentedly into Twi’s fur.

“And do you know what? I Am!” Twilight continues her tender caresses “But you are still going to have to drink your coffee and get up shortly.”

Sitting up, Cheerilee catches her coffee as Twilights magic pulls the cups to them. “What are you reading Twi?” She asks.

Marking her page, Twilight shows her the cover. Nothing Is Lost For Ever. The Search for the Tomb of Starswirle the Bearded by Dr. Appleloosa Dunes.

“Hmm, read it and its wrong.” Cheerilee grins at Twilight’s surprised look.

“Perhaps you would like to justify that rather sweeping statement?”

“I have read it and profoundly disagree with the notion that Starswirle’s tomb is in Equestria.”

“And what makes you such an expert?” Twilight’s tone is distinctly annoyed and Cheerilee realises that she has crossed a boundary into a subject that Twilight is clearly an authority in and passionate about. A quick and contrite explanation is in order.

“I am sorry my love. To complete my teacher training course I had to prepare a dissertation in a short time on a subject that I knew nothing about. I believe the idea was to see if we could research and produce an interesting and instructive series of lessons on subjects we had little knowledge of and one of my weakest is history. Well, the topic I was hoofed was the final, known part of Starswirle’s life, from his final treatises on Alicorn magic to his rumoured departure on the quest to discover the original source of all pony magic.”

“So, you believe that he actually left Equestria.” A thoughtful frown crosses Twilight’s face.

“All the research that I did in the Canterlot archive for my dissertation has left me sure that he did.”

“I am not convinced that he would have left his office as Protector of Equestria, what were your sources of information?” Twilight inquires.

“I was granted supervised access to the Starswirle wing and to his personal papers from this time and his last two diaries.” Cheerilee pauses to take a deep breath. “The overwhelming impression that I got, particularly from the last diary was of an all-consuming obsession with the origins of magic and the papers contained some very detailed travel plans, but only vague hints at destinations.”

“Oh, well that puts a whole new perspective on this.” Twilight looks at the cover of her book and then throws it on to the bedside table. “If I haven’t read those diaries yet then Appaloosa Dunes certainly has not and I am incredibly envious that you were given access to them. Even I’m more likely to be refused entry to the Starswirle wing than be given access, who authorised it?”

“It was put before the Princess and she personally signed the order. I think I still have it tucked away somewhere.” Cheerilee stares at the dregs of her now cold coffee.

“Hmm, I will have to make some inquiries into this, I would really like to read those diaries.” Twilight’s thoughtful frown deepens and hardens and then she glances at the clock. “Ponyfeathers! The time, the time. Come on, if we hurry, we can probably get something to eat at Sugar Cube Corner before the Spa appointment.”

****

Cheerilee gingerly lowers herself up to her chin in the Spa’s hot tub, every part of her body relaxed and tingling from the attentions of the resident masseuse. She glances round the room and spots Twilight laying on a treatment bed as one of the spa ponies works on her horn with some sort of balm. The process finally over, Cheerilee watches as Twilight rises, thanks the technician and joins her in the hot tub, settling into the deep warm water beside her.

“Oh that feels so good.” Twilight sighs as she rests her head on Cheerilee’s shoulder.

Chuckling to herself, Cheerilee encircles Twilight with a foreleg and as she gently pulls her close, she feels a hoof slide down between her thighs and obligingly parts her legs a little more, allowing Twilight unrestricted access. “Mmm, you’re right that does feel good. I think we will have make this a regular….”

“Cooee, girls!” A high voice calls from across the Spa interrupting Cheerilee and the two mares look about to find its source.

“It’s Rarity.” Twilight cries with joy as the white unicorn crosses the room to drape herself over the side of the hot tub.

“So, it was you two that pilfered my Saturday slot.” Rarity dips a hoof into the tub and then playfully flicks water into Cheerilee’s face. “It’s been a while since you were last in for a hooficure.”

“If you didn’t have the place booked solid, I would make more of an effort.” Cheerilee states happily as she wipes the moisture from her eyes and then returns Rarity’s gesture with a small tidal wave.

“Aaahh! My hair, my hair!” Rarity’s anguished howl shatters the quiet.

“Oh don’t give me that.” Cheerilee grins. “You know that I know that you are here to have your mane and tail done.”

“Well, true” Rarity agrees and turns to the Spa pony now stood beside her. “I will skip my facial and hooficure darling to have a soak with my friends and then….” Rarity runs a hoof under her now limp and damp mane. “The usual I think.”

“Very well Miss Rarity. Call me when you are ready.” The Spa pony bows slightly and takes her leave.

“Oh that feels wonderful.” Rarity moans as she slips into the hot water opposite Cheerilee and Twilight.

“I think that’s where we had got to.” Cheerilee tells her.

“Really? It is, is it?” Rarity arches an eyebrow at her companions. “Twi? If that hoof is heading to where I think it is, not in polite company darling.” She lilts.

Twilight’s cheeks flush bright with embarrassment as the leg is quickly retracted from between Cheerilee’s thighs, but as she tries to pull away from the magenta mare, Cheerilee tightens her embrace, pulling her close again and Twilight relents and relaxes, resting her head back onto Cheerilee’s shoulder and the foreleg now draped round her neck.

Rarity lounges against the wall of the tub and watches the scene unfolding in front of her. “You know, you two make such a perfect couple. I hope you will let me design your wedding outfits.”

“What!” Twilight jumps with shock. “I think that it’s a little early to be making marriage plans yet.”

Cheerilee glances at her. “OH, so you don’t want to commit to me then. This is all physical to you is it?” She huffs.

“No! No Cheeri I love you. I just want things to be right.” Twilight’s voice is filled with worry.

“I know my sweet.” Cheerilee smiles and gently kisses Twilight’s forehead. “I am teasing you a little. We are alright aren’t we?”

“Oh yes! We are.” Twilight snuggles up against Cheerilee.

Still observing her friends from across the tub, Rarity can feel the waves of love and happiness radiating from them. “You may well not be quite ready yet, but you two will marry. You are meant to be together.”

“Thank you Rarity.” Twilight mumbles contentedly now that her head has moved onto Cheerilee’s breast and the earth pony’s forelegs are cradling her like a beloved child.

After a period of quiet contemplation between the three mares, Rarity starts to feel a little uncomfortable as what started as quick friendly kisses between Cheerilee and Twilight have become a frantic and passionate joining of lips. A distraction is needed before things become needlessly…. biological.

“Well Cheerilee my dear, are you all set for your little trip next week?”

Cheerilee breaks away from Twilight and organises her thoughts for a moment. “Everything is sorted and the contracts are ready to sign, it’s the traveling I’m not looking forward to. From here to Canterlot and then to Fillydelphia and finally back here. All in one day, exhausting.”

“Cheeri?” Twilight asks, her tone tipping back into worry. “What contracts and why so much traveling? Is it any thing I can help you with?”

“It’s alright my love.” Cheerilee comforts the unsettled unicorn. “They are just sales contracts, I am selling my apartment in Canterlot to buy a property in Filly’ and I need to get it all sorted this coming week, but I can only get a substitute teacher for Thursday, hence the rather long day on the train.”

“I think it’s a shame you should even consider selling you Canterlot pad.” Rarity complains. “It’s beautiful.”

“Oh it looks nice and has a privet access to the battlements and the location makes it worth a small fortune.” Cheerilee replies. “But believe me the pluming’s a mess, the roof keeps leaking and it costs a mint to heat.”

“Where about in Canterlot is this place?” Twilight inquires.

Rarity grins and answers before Cheerilee can. “You know the southern gate?”

“Yes, you get a lovely view of it from Princess Celestia’s study, it’s a wonderful piece of architecture.”

Pointing at Cheerilee, Rarity mouths. “The Gatehouse.”

“Really? That place is huge.” Twilight gasps.

“Again, it’s not all it appears.” Cheerilee adds. “The apartment is only the top two floors of the gate house and it’s a pain to get too up that spiral stair case. It’s not very big inside, thick walls and although there is plenty of width, it, only as deep as the entrance way through the city walls.”

“So?” Twilight asks. “If you don’t like it why in Equestria did you buy the place?”

Cheerilee thinks for a moment. “Well, I needed somewhere to live when I was doing my Teacher training and there was a certain amount of style over practicality, but mainly I suppose, more money than sense.”

“I’ve always taken you to be a very sensible pony.” Twilights surprise is clear.

“At the time I really did have that much money to play with.” Cheerilee hugs and kisses Twilight.

“But where…?”

“Oh Cheerilee!” Rarity interrupts with mock disapproval. “You have told her about the Shire Horses haven’t you?”

“Oh right, yes.” Twilight groans and rolls her eyes. “Hoof in hoof, my mistake. Sometimes I forget just how well you two know each other.” She looks up at Cheerilee and asks. “So, just how many homes do you have?”

Chuckling quietly to herself, Cheerilee notices Rarity smirking at her, she sticks out her tongue at the white unicorn before responding. “At the moment, just the one, home is where the heart is.” And she nuzzles and kisses Twilight a little more. “But over the years I have invested in some property and now have a few places dotted about Equestria. There is my cottage and my sisters place here in Ponyville, the Gatehouse in Canterlot, my apartment just off Bridleway, it was handy for the late nights at the recording studio. Then there is the big house in the Coltsbridge part of Manehattan, a cottage in Trottingham, my little holiday place at Rainbow Falls and the apartment in Fillydelphia, to which I should be adding the rest of the building on Thursday, another three apartments for the loss of the one in Canterlot.”

“What do you do with them all? Nopony can live in that many places at the same time.”

“Except for the two places here in Ponyville and my holiday home in Rainbow Falls the rest are normally rented. It’s the source of extra income that supplements my salary and the schools budget, allowing me to do all the little things that make life worthwhile.”

“You, doing little things? Oh please.” Rarity snorts. “You go to work, go home and once a fortnight have dinner at the Peppermint Club and that’s about the extent of your life these last few years. I almost collapsed with shock when you asked for those Show of Hooves tickets.”

“I know. I know.” Cheerilee sighs. “I have gotten stuck in a bit of a rut just lately. I love my work, but you are right, I have let it become all consuming.”

“Well. I am glad to see things are changing.”

“Yes! They are.” Cheerilee smiles as she feels a wonderful flush of confidence.

“Just remember my dear, you have plenty of friends who care about you.” Rarity continues. “And now a very, very special somepony who needs you as much as you need her.”

Cheerilee can see Twilight’s cheeks flushing as they hug and the sweet, gentle smile on her lips tell all that is needed to know.

Rarity lifts up and examines a lock of her damp, lank mane. “I had better find somepony to deal with this mess. I will see you two latter.” Exiting the hot tub, Rarity dons the robe she left beside it and strides across the Spa calling for the attendant. “Cooee, Aloe. Are there you are my dear. I’m afraid I have a bit of a disaster for you to sort.”

Looking down on Twilight’s sleepy face, Cheerilee asks. “Do you want to go?”

“Hmm?” Comes the faint reply.

“Home, Twi.”

“And bed.”

“Yes, and bed.”

“Oh yes. I really want too….consummate our relationship.”

“Somepony has been doing a bit of studying, haven’t they? You know that there is no written test for this subject.”

“A little light research. I was, at the very least, expecting an oral exam.”

****

The Countess snickers to herself at the wonderfully vivid memories of that weekend and as she looks up, she can see her body guard sitting opposite her across the veranda table, wide eyed and flushed cheeked.

“A little racy for you my dear Sergeant?”

“Well…I….Umm?”

“Believe me, at my age you get your thrills where you can.” Cheerilee looks around and a shadow of concern flickers across her face. “Where is Autumn?”

“She went to see to dinner.” This is a subject Shimmering Heart feels a lot more comfortable with.

“That was some time ago.” Peering down the beach, Cheerilee cannot see any sign of Autumn. “I wonder if you should….”

“Go and check on her?” Shimmering Heart finishes, now a little worried himself.

“I think that’s a good idea.” Cheerilee watches him with concern as he disappears round the side of the bungalow.

Shimmering Heart heads the short distance to the kitchens, his ears scanning around, listening for sounds and hears hardly a thing. Which in its self is odd, if Autumn was preparing in the kitchen she would be singing.

He arrives at the door and swings it open. The scene before him is of chaos, smashed plates and spilt food all over the floor and laying in the middle of it all, her face contorted with pain and right hind leg stuck out behind her at a very awkward angle is Autumn Leaves.

“Sweetheart! What’s happened?” He cries as he rushes to her.

Autumn grunts as another spasm of pain rolls through her hind quarters. “My stifle joint has locked.” She gasps.

Leaning over her hind quarters, Shimmering Heart pulls from the depths of his memory a spell that a medic had taught him a few years ago. His horn glows and tendrils of magic energy flow down into Autumn’s leg, seeking and massaging the cramped muscles until they free up and the joint releases. As his magic works deeper into her thigh he feels it hit an odd hard lump next to the joint that does not want to free. He increases his level magical energy and presses harder on the lump.

Autumn shrieks in agony and snaps at him. “Be careful, you great clod! That hurts!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” The fright of her scream has caused Shimmering Heart’s spell to shut down. He starts again, using a small amount of energy he soon locates the hard mass and tracks it, realising that it is larger than it first seemed, running across the inside of her leg ,on to her belly almost to her rib cage.

“Autumn, what has happened to your leg?”

She looks at him, tears forming in her eyes. “I was wounded.”

Scarring, it dawns on him what it was that he could feel and a good deal of it from hasty and heavy hoofed surgery. “My poor darling, it’s alright.”

Autumn’s head sinks back to the floor as she surveys the mess all round her. “Poor Cheerilee. There is nothing for her dinner now.”

“I think she will be more concerned about you than a lack of anything to eat.”

The Kitchen door opens again. “There is nothing to….? Autumn!” Cheerilee cries with concern, races to Autumn and cradles her head. “Oh my dear. Your leg?”

Autumn manages a short nod of her head as she screws closed her eyes, trying to fight back the tears of pain and shame.

It’s going to be alright my dear, I am here now.” Cheerilee’s voice a soothing whisper. “Remember what the doctor told you.”

A wave of relief flows across Autumn’s face as the rigid leg relaxes and she draws it back under her before rolling upright. “I’m so sorry, I have ruined dinner.”

“Not a bit of it, dear Autumn.” Cheerilee banters on with a happy peaceful tone. “Shimmering Heart and I will tidy up. Sergeant, fetch a broom and sweep up please. Now’ I believe you baked fresh bread today?”

Autumn nods and points to a storage bin on the work surface before returning her attention to Shimmering Heart and giggles at his dreadful broom skills. “Do you need the instruction manual for that?”

He huffs at her, but says nothing and carries on sweeping a growing heap towards the bin.

Cheerilee has removed two loaves from the bin and the smell of fresh bread fills the kitchen. “I think we can manage with sandwiches tonight. Now, what shall we have on them?”

“The salad bowl is still in the fridge, so is pudding.” Autumn struggles to her feet, her right hind still held off the ground.

“That’s just excellent.” Cheerilee starts to fill a large tray with assorted items. “Sergeant. Have you finished?”

“Yes Countess!” He throws her a snappy salute as the lid of the bin clangs home. “The floor wants a wash though.”

“That can wait till tomorrow. Please wash your hooves and fetch the salad bowl and dessert from the refrigerator and then you can add them to the tray and carry it back to the bungalow.”

“Yes Countess.”

As Shimmering Heart carries out his tasks, Cheerilee turns to Autumn and gently nuzzles her cheek. “Are you up for a little walk?”

Autumn carefully places her right hind on the floor, winces as she puts weight onto it, but thankfully the leg holds and she takes a few faltering steps. “I think I can manage.”

“Good, then let us return to the bungalow.” Cheerilee escorts Autumn to the door and opens it for her. “Sergeant, bring the tray and follow us.”

The trip back to the bungalow was slow and uneventful. Autumn’s movement was freeing up with each step, although she had a little trouble with the veranda steps. They settle down to eat in the main living room, on a bank of cushions under Cheerilee’s paintings, with Autumn and Shimmering Heart cuddled together and Cheerilee opposite , contentedly watching them fooling around. Shimmering Heart is waving a cherry left over from the pudding under Autumn’s nose and before she can bite it he pulls the fruit just out of her reach. She giggles like a little filly and snuggles herself closer to him, distracting him just long enough to grab the cherry.

“How are you feeling now my dear?” Cheerilee asks.

“Much better the pain has gone, just a little stiffness.”

“I think we should go to Baltimare tomorrow and you can see the doctor. Your leg hasn’t been this bad for a long time.”

Autumn nod in agreement, but the thought of being poked and prodded does not sit well with her.

“So, what happened? How were you wounded?” Simmering Heart inquires

“It was just after I was promoted to Corporal and just before the Night Guard was disbanded. I was part of a small squad that was assigned to escort a convoy that was taking supplies to some of the border garrisons, there was only seven of us to protect a fifteen wagon convoy. We were still just over a day’s travel from our first stop when one of the Troopers reported that he thought we were being followed. Our officer dismissed the report and kept the convoy moving without checking. They knew where to hit us, once we were strung out in that narrow mountain pass they blocked the track ahead and there was no room to turn round or group together and then they attacked.” Autumn stops, takes a deep breath and shivers.

“Who attacked you?” Shimmering Heart asks, suspecting he already knows the answer. There is only one part of Equestria where everything needs a military escort. The border between Bovinia and the Minotaurs.

Cheerilee remains silent, knowing the story already and remembering all too well the heart ache from comforting Autumn during the period of the screaming, terror filled dreams after she was discharged.

“Minotaurs and Diamond Dog mercenaries.” Autumn continues. “It was a slaughter, there must have been five of them to every one of us. Our officer ran at the first sight of them, took off like a startled rabbit. The Sergeant tried to organise us, but the Troopers were to widely separated and several of the Minotaurs were carrying those massive crossbow things that they use. They sent the Diamond Dogs in to attack so we couldn’t use our shield spells and picked us off one by one with the crossbows. We lost three Troopers in the first attack and the Sergeant was wounded. We regrouped among some large rocks with a few of the wagon teams who had managed to arm themselves, but they had no training for this sort of thing and broke when the Dogs hit us again.”

Autumn falls silent once more and Shimmering can feel the fear shivering through her body, he hugs her tightly and kisses her behind each ear.

She trembles some more and screws her eyes tightly closed. “Then I was wounded. A crossbow bolt hit a rock beside me and was turned into me, hitting just here.” Autumn rolls over slightly and pats the area of soft loose skin between her hind leg and belly. “The force of it knocked me flying and the Surgeon said that I was very lucky, if it had gone any further into my leg, the blade would have severed the big artery.”

“You were very, very lucky, a full force hit would have taken your leg off!” Having witnessed a test of a Minotaur crossbow, Shimmering Heart knows what an understatement this is, they are so powerful, it takes two Minotaurs to cock the bow. Although Autumn was unlucky enough to be hit by a ricocheting bolt at a weak point in her armour, where there is normally only a short chainmail skirt to allow free movement of the leg, assuming the pony had even attached it which most out on patrol no longer seem to do, she was incredibly lucky because no part of pony armour will stand up to a direct hit. In fact only the more powerful shield spells will stop a crossbow bolt, most just slow them down enough to not be too much of a threat. The horrid things are just too big and heavy.

“I thought it had when I was hit.” She glances up at Shimmering Heart a tear forming. “It hurt so much. I passed out and when I came round again it was almost dark, the Minotaurs and the Diamond Dogs had looted the convoy and every other pony was dead. I managed to drag myself underneath one of the wagons for shelter and was really lucky, there was a half full water tank slung under the chassis that they missed. The Dogs must have taken my water and food because my packs were empty. I was under that wagon all night and most of the next day until a column of troopers arrived from the nearest border fort, they were so busy dealing with the dead, if they hadn’t moved the wagon I was under they would have missed me. Thank the sun and moon the troopers had brought their surgeon with them, he had that bolt as quick as he could and they placed on the wagon and got the column out of that narrow valley before night fell. I was taken back to the small fort and then taken to garrison hospital in Cowbull.”

“I’ve been in there.” Shimmering Heart grins guiltily.

“Were you injured in Bovinia?” Cheerilee inquires.

“Errm, no. I must have eaten something, had a nasty case of the trots.”

Cheerilee chuckles. “You wouldn’t be the first. Now, I believe this is where I enter this particular story.”

“Indeed you do.” Autumn smiles at the Countess. “While I was in the hospital, who should turn up, but our officer. The one who ran out on us, claiming to have fought to the last until making his escape. The problem for him was that he didn’t know that anypony else had survived and I had already made a report on the disaster, so there had to be an investigation into the contradictory statements.”

“I was still Governor of Bovinia at this time.” Cheerilee takes over allowing Autumn to rest a little. “Admittedly I had only a few weeks left till I retired for the second time in my life. The position of Governor includes being in charge of the garrison forces, so the enquiry and subsequent courts marshal were my responsibility and my last official acts in office.” She stares intensely into Autumn’s eyes and reaches out a hoof to stroke her cheek. “I had to spend a lot of time talking to Autumn for the investigation, it was the first time we had spoken to one another in years.”

Shimmering Heart looks up at the Countess, confused. She has just said something that does not make any sense to him, but before he can say anything she holds up a hoof to silence him allowing Autumn to continue.

“By the time all of the proceedings had finished, Cheerilee was officially replaced as Governor and I was fit enough to travel as part of her escort back to Canterlot. Once we were back I was reassigned to the new Unicorn Palace Guard that replaced the Day and Night Guards, but my leg still wasn’t right and I just wasn’t interested in a ceremonial role and light duties, so I took a medical discharge and was offered the job as house keeper of this place. And who do you think I found as the estates sole resident when I arrived?”

“The Countess?” Shimmering Heart responds.

“I most certainly was and here we have both been ever since.”

“But….?” Shimmering Heart starts.

“No more tonight Sergeant. It is late and I need my sleep.” Cheerilee stops him. “I think Autumn should stay here tonight. Why don’t keep her company for a while.” The old mare stands up and crosses to her bedroom door before turning back to Autumn and Shimmering Heart. “No hanky-panky now, I will be able to hear you. Goodnight you two.” Cheerilee heads into her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She settles at her dressing table to brush out her mane and listens to the low voices coming from the main room. She hears Shimmering Heart go to his room and return with a blanket before settling down again with Autumn and then she climbs into her own expansive bed. The voices from the living room have gone quiet and just before she extinguishes the bedside light, Cheerilee gazes at the painting on the wall beside her bed, one she had done so many years ago. A portrait of a happy, smiling Twilight Sparkle sitting on the sofa in her study in the Golden Oaks Library.

“Goodnight my love. Sweet dreams.”