The Beauty And The Beast - All Magic Comes With A Price

  "Mother!" the pegasus mare cried as she shot up from her soft, cushioned bed, her body was covered in sweat and her chest heaved from her rapid breathing. She looked around at her surroundings and sighed before wiping a strand of hair that stuck to her cheek behind her ear. It was just another nightmare. Even if it happened so many years ago, that day continued to haunt her like a never-ending plague.

  It had been fourteen years since her mother died, and today was her twentieth birthday. A day she should be happy about, knowing that she was now considered a full grown mare. But the pegasus couldn't help but feel down, especially since she knew of what to expect later on...

  "Oh good, you're awake!" a mare said, her curly, purple hair bouncing off her shoulders as she peeked through the door. "Morning Your Highness! Did you sleep well?" The unicorn mare asked as she entered fully. She held a tray of food in her hooves as she walked towards a table that stood near Fluttershy's bed. She placed the tray down gently  before leaving to pull open the frilled, silken curtains.

  "I guess...." Fluttershy mumbled, the mare looked at her with a query in her eyes, but chose not to reply. Her name was Rarity, and she was a mare of white with beautiful, purple hair, her eyes the color of the bright morning sky. She was Princess Fluttershy's main servant, she was around all the time to assist the princess whom she knew as more of a sister or a friend, rather than a servant or a princess.

  Fluttershy blinked rapidly as Rarity pulled back the curtains, the sunlight shining brightly against her delicate eyes. Rarity turned and sighed before smiling and walking over to Fluttershy's bed.

  "Today is a big day miss! And I would like to say-" Rarity paused and Fluttershy jumped when the mare embraced her in a hug. Any royalty would see a maid hugging someone of the higher class as disrespectful, but in Fluttershy's family everyone was seen as an equal, and rank didn't matter. "Happy birthday Fluttershy, dear!" Rarity beamed, causing Fluttershy to smile and let out a giggle before embracing the mare back.

  "Thank you Rarity, I hope you slept well." Fluttershy smiled as Rarity pulled away and nodded.

  "Oh yes my dear thank you. I slept just perfectly! But, I'm sorry to hear that you didn't..." She mumbled as she finished speaking, causing Fluttershy to sigh. "Is it those nightmares again?" The mare asked as she pulled back the blanket that covered Fluttershy, folding it back neatly. Afterwards she reached out and scooted Fluttershy's table closer to her.

  The princess sighed quietly and nodded as she swung her legs off the side of her bed and picked up a fork from her tray. She tucked a hoof under her chin and played with the food that adorned the plate of well cooked rice, carrots, and beans. "Well, my dear, you shouldn't focus on such things. I know that day was very...tragic...but I think it's time you tried to forget what happened that day, for your own sake." Rarity said as she continued to make the bed.

  "I know...but I can't control my dreams...I have tried to forget them but...it's always hard to forget someone you love.." Fluttershy mumbled as she stuck a piece of carrot in her mouth.

  Rarity gave her a sympathetic smile, she couldn't understand her position or how she felt. She had a rather large, happy family, and never knew what it was like to lose someone like a father, mother, sister, or brother. "Well my dear! Today is not a day for frowns and bad memories! Today is your birthday!" She said brightly, smacking a pillow to fluff it up before putting it back in it's place. "And I know a certain stallion is eager for tonight!" Rarity squealed with delight and a dreamy gaze washed over her features.

  Fluttershy frowned at Rarity and sighed sadly. Fluttershy was supposed to find an heir to the throne, a king that would take care of the kingdom and it's subjects like family. Although, the only way to find such a stallion was through an arranged marriage...

  "Oh, what's wrong my dear? Aren't you happy that the prince will propose tonight?" Rarity asked, coming over and sitting at her side, a look of curiosity on her face.

  Fluttershy bit her lip and glanced at her maid before looking down at her hooves that dangled off the bedside. "I don't know, Rarity...yes he is indeed handsome. And stallions of his kind are in short supply...but...I don't...I don't-" She groaned and rubbed her eyes.

  Rarity seemed to understand and smiled tenderly, "You don't love him?" she finished.

  "No....no I don't..." Fluttershy whispered.

  "Well...there is a chance you'll grow to love him my dear, I mean...there have been many successful arranged marriages and in the end they always end up falling in love." she rationalized while patting Fluttershy's shoulder.

  "Maybe..." Fluttershy whispered, her friend's words failed at soothing her despair. She had always wanted to get to know the one she married, to fall in love cherish him of her own accord. She didn't want to have to learn to love him.

  "Alright, my dear, like I said: today is not the time for frowns! Come!" Rarity said, standing up, a beaming smile adorning her face. "Finish your breakfast and I'll help you get dressed for tonight, today is a big day! Nopony should be sad on their birthday!" she said as she headed to Fluttershy's grand wardrobe. Vine-like designs stretched across the beautiful, hoof-carved wood and spiraled into intricate knobs. Rarity opened it and began peering at the various gowns.

  Fluttershy told herself that Rarity was right, it was her birthday, and she was sure her father would want her to be happy. Despite how she felt, it was not the time to mourn for her long lost mother. Nor dread the choice she would have to make tonight. Even if she didn't love the prince, she also had a duty to take care of her kingdom. Her father was passing his prime and soon someone else would have to take the throne. She was going to need to be strong, and try to do her best to make her father happy, even if it didn't make her happy...

  Fluttershy shook her head to rid herself from her current thoughts and sat straight as she continued to eat her meal, determined to be her best today and be happy. She felt herself brighten and fill with excitement as she thought of the ball being thrown tonight to celebrate her birthday. That was what she had always loved on her birthday, the ball. She loved dressing up and dancing all night long. She was very talented when it came to dancing, thanks to her mother. When she was just four, her mother had already been teaching her how to dance.

  Fluttershy made sure to keep in mind to think of the positive things, and not the downsides. Yes, she would have fun tonight and dance with all her heart. Even though she was a rather introverted pony, she always came out and partied with the rest, even though she was reluctant sometimes. After she finished her plate, Rarity helped her out of her nightgown and into her corset, chemise, platelets and gown.

  For now she wore a simple, light green gown, and she sat patiently at the table as Rarity pulled her hair into an elaborate bun, letting a few wavy strands hang loosely from her forelock to frame her forehead. Fluttershy didn't necessarily like being pampered and dressed, she usually preferred to dress by herself. But she had soon learned after her maid's employment that Rarity greatly enjoyed dressing her up, so she allowed it for her sake. The thought made her smile and she tilted her head up as Rarity placed a small amount of powdery makeup to her eyelids, the gentle pink brightening her teal eyes.

  "There we go, darling, you look absolutely stunning!" Rarity proclaimed as she helped Fluttershy up onto her hooves.  She was about to lead her to the door just as somepony knocked and peeked in.

  "Excuse me your highness..." A light, blue haired mare said, bowing low as she spoke.

  "There's no need for that Coco, I told you you can call me Fluttershy. We're friends, and I'd like you to address me as one, none of this 'Your highness' business." Fluttershy giggled as the mare blushed.

  "I'm sorry, your high-I-I mean...Fluttershy." Coco stuttered, rising to her hooves and smiling.

  "What was it that you wanted to say, Coco?" Fluttershy asked, smiling as she waited patiently.

  "Oh! Uh...your father requests your presence." Coco replied.

  "Okay, thank you, Coco. Tell him I will see him shortly." Fluttershy said, bowing her head slightly as Coco Pommel gave a curtsy and turned to walk away.

  Star Swirl stood in the royal gardens of the castle. The garden was a very beautiful and relaxing place to sit and think your troubles away. The flowers were bright, glowing in the sunshine, the hedges formed beautiful sculptures, and trees with beautiful flowers or fruits dancing in the soft wind, offering shade. Star Swirl took in a deep breath and felt a smile pull at his lips.

  "Papa?" a soft voice called just from behind the stallion. He turned around and felt his chest swell with pride even at the mere sight of his beautiful daughter in a simple gown.

  "Ah! My dearest girl!" he declared, walking over to her and hugging her lightly. Fluttershy giggled before he pulled away.

  "Look at you, my little filly...so grown up." He whispered and stroked a small strand of her rosy hair behind her ear.

  "I'll always be your little filly, daddy..." Fluttershy whispered, all the while smiling at her father lovingly.

  Her comment caused him to chuckle lightly, turning and offering her his arm to place her hoof upon. Then they began walking down along the garden path. "So, my dear, twenty years old, hmm?" he inquired playfully with a smirk, making her blush. "A fully grown mare now. Your mother would be so proud of you..." He whispered, his smile momentarily faltering before he covered it up. "How does it feel?"

  "Well, I don't know. I feel as I always did, I don't feel older, nor different." she replied with a shrug.

  "Hmm..." Star Swirl hummed and glanced at the ground, his gaze lingering only briefly before he looked up. "And how did you sleep?"

  "Oh, I slept wonderfully!" Fluttershy fibbed without regret, her father had enough to worry about with the war. He didn't need the added burden of worrying about her dreams and health.

  "I'm glad you did, there is no doubt it's going to be a long night. You're going to need you're strength, no doubt there will be many stallions asking to dance with you tonight." he winked, making Fluttershy's cheeks darken yet again.

  "Oh, papa..." She grumbled and pulled her hoof out before playfully swatting his shoulder. She smiled at her father's teasing, he always knew how to make her blush or lose her nerve.

  Star Swirl chuckled before halting and turning to face his daughter. "Alright, darling, time to get to why I really asked you out here." he whispered, causing Fluttershy to tilt her head in curiosity.

  "Yes, papa?" she asked in her softest voice, making him smile as his eyes caught those inquisitive, teal orbs that looked so much like her mother's.

  "I..I know that tonight, you are expected to accept the prince's proposal." he began, noticing her frown despite her effort to cover up her displeasure at the subject.

  "Wh-what about it..." Fluttershy mumbled, suddenly not letting herself meet his gaze. Her eyes flitted to and fro and landed on some nearby flowers.

  Star Swirl sighed and moved forward to envelope his daughter in a tender hug, taking her by surprise, but she welcomed it nonetheless. "I know you don't love him, and you need to know that I don't want it to be this way, but this is needed for our kingdom. He's strong, brave, and very wise. I know he'll take good care of you and our kingdom. And I hate to ask this of you, but you will need to accept his proposal tonight..." he sighed, feeling his daughter flinch under his touch.

  Fluttershy gulped and blinked back the tears in her eyes. She knew that this shouldn't be bothering her, she had known from the beginning that she was going to have to accept the prince, but she still hated the idea of going into a completely loveless marriage. She understood that she couldn't be selfish like this and think of such things, but she couldn't help it.

  Star Swirl pulled away when his daughter didn't reply back to him, and smiled sadly at her, she tried to return it, but failed. The stallion felt his heart break as a tear betrayed her and fell down her perfect cheeks. "Oh, sweetie..." he whispered softly, his old hooves reaching up to wipe away the tear.

  Fluttershy took in a breath and blinked her eyes as she looked up at the sky, "I'm sorry papa. I'm fine, I-I just...I'm a little scared..." she whispered, hating how she had no choice in this.

  "I know...." he murmured, stroking her arms, "I know, like I told you, I don't want to do this, but I need to think of my kingdom and my subjects as well....especially since the war is still going..." he whispered, not hiding the exhaustion in his voice as he brought up the wars.

  "Will it ever end?" Fluttershy asked, momentarily changing the subject of her impending proposal.

  "I don't know, Fluttershy, something tells me the ogre wars will last till my dying days. And I have a feeling it will continue long after I'm gone." Star Swirl sighed.

  Fluttershy sighed and looked around her before biting her lip. "I, when prince Sombra asks me to marry him tonight....I...I will accept, for you...and the kingdom." she said determinedly, attempting to stay brave.

  "I'm sorry-" he began, but she placed a hoof to his lips.

  "Don't be, I know my duty and will do it. I know I can't just think about myself when it comes to being a queen, I need to think of others like I've always done in my past. I love you so much papa, I will gladly marry Sombra to protect our kingdom and sign the treaty between the kingdoms." Fluttershy declared, her voice shaky. She felt she wasn't ready to be queen. She was afraid, by God she was afraid. Afraid of the responsibility, afraid she wouldn't be a good queen or do good for her kingdom. She only hoped that she could learn to be brave, for that's what she would need to do in order to succeed as queen of Canterlot. She also hoped that she would be able to find joy in this loveless marriage.

  She knew that the ponies of the kingdom had doubts about her. They knew her to be a queen of a shy nature, which they feared wouldn't do for their kingdom. Which was why her father had called upon Prince Sombra to marry his daughter, to ensure his subjects that it wouldn't just be his daughter taking over for him, but a wise and brave king to protect them for the rest of his days.