Chapters Soft, yellow light woke her up. She stretched and yawned, then rang the bell by her bedside to call in a servant. Goblet got up and opened the curtains to gaze out upon Equestria and sighed in happiness. Such a beautiful land. It was a large land and sometimes frightening, and Goblet was very glad the palace was by the coast. She really loved the sea.
A soft pink pony with a darker pink and white mane and tail came in. She had a tray with a letter on.
"Your highness, I heard the bell, and hurried up but your father's chief guard gave me this and told me to give it to you from your father. That is why there was a fourteen-second delay." she said. Goblet grinned. Prim Rose, or, Rose, as they called her, was always very precise with time and hated being one second late.
"You're fine, Rose. Please lay out some clothes. I don't want any crowns, just a simple head piece. I want to visit the gardens and maybe the ocean, today." Goblet said. Rose bowed and started looking through the closet for clothes.
It was never very cold in this region, so the ponies always wore light clothing and light jewelry. The crowns were simple, slender, small and delicate. Nothing heavy and fancy and adorned with jewels, like some other regions.
After laying her things out, Rose helped Goblet into a simple, light purple garment. It was very thin, and very simple. It was a wide skirt that flowed over her backside, and was fastened by a purple flower-shaped pin under the belly. Straps came down around the belly, and a simple halter strap around the neck made it look gorgeous.
Next, a few sections of Goblet's black and white mane were clipped back and a simple, silver head piece put in to hold them together. Goblet had purple painted on her eyelids and a thin like of black below that.
When Rose finished helping Goblet get dressed, they both went out to the gardens.
"Which garden do you wish to visit, highness?" asked Rose.
"Um, maybe the lotus garden. I really like that one and the flowers have just bloomed, or so says mother, who visited yesterday." Goblet replied, and they started off for the lotus garden.
Lotuses were very beautiful flowers. Rare and fragile, they were usually white or turquoise or a combination of both in Equestria. Goblet liked wearing them in her mane.
"Well, here we are." said Rose. They sat down on a bench nearby a patch of blue flowers. Goblet bent down and sniffed them. They smelled so wonderful.
"If you will, pick a blue one and fasten it in my hair with the hairpeice? Or will that look too shabby or weird?" Goblet asked nervously.
"Oh it will look wonderful, highness." Rose bent and picked one, then put it in her mane.
"Oh yes Highness, very beautiful. Very beautiful. I assure you." Rose said. And she didn't just say that, for the princess was always so beautiful, and today even more so.
"Shall we visit another garden?" she asked.
"Yes, let's. Lets go to the snapdragon and lily gardens yet, then go to the ocean."
But just as they started off a pony trotted in and called for 'highness Golden Goblet.'
Goblet turned and looked. It was Dragon's foot (his parents were always bad at naming) or Don, as they called him. He was a messenger boy, and rather new. Goblet always had had a soft spot for him.
"Yes, Don? What is it?" Goblet walked up to him. He took a deep breath.
"His Majesty the king Silver Steel wishes you in his throne room immediately. Her highness Gemstone Flower the queen is there also." he said breathlessly, for he had run as fast as he could to get there, like always.
"Oh, okay. Thank you Don. You may go."
"No, no-must--stay...and be ready for duty." he said, sounding very out of breath and worn out.
"I'll tell my father to get someone else, so you can have a rest." Goblet said, and her and Rose started to leave.
"Thank you, your highness, most appreciated!" said the polite messenger, and with one last smile Goblet and Rose entered the courtyard of the palace and crossed it to the door.
"Oh highness I do think you need a gaurd. Someone who can be here to defend you whenever needed." Rose suddenly said. Goblet looked at her in surprise.
"What caused you to bring that up all of a sudden?" she asked.
"Nothing, just, there's a murderer who everyone thinks is headed to our parts and I worry for your safety. Oh sure, you have me, you might think but I'm useless when it comes to fighting and protecting royalty. I'm just a maidservant." Rose said in her usual worried kind of voice.
They started to ascend a flight of steps. Goblet smiled down at Rose.
"You aren't exactly a guard, I know, but I don't need one. I know fighting myself, as I am learning the arts of Krav Maga and karate, so I could probably handle things myself. I don't need a guard staring at me all day when I can take care of myself. But thanks for worrying." Goblet assured her. Rose sighed, obviously not agreeing, but Goblet was unmovable when it came to things she believed in.
Finally they reached the throne room. Goblet waved Rose to wait at the wall and she trotted up to the throne, where her parents were waiting.
"Hello darling. You have a visitor." The king said, and told his guard to show him in. She gulped.
HIM?
A well-groomed pony the color of wheat with a bushy red and white mane and tail stepped in. He smiled sheepishly.
"Majesties. I'm here to offer myself to the princess." he said in a stronger voice than Goblet thought he'd have.
"What? What do you mean?" Goblet shrieked.
"Calm down Goblet. Calm. Down." said her mother and smiled sweetly at the porter.
"What is it you wish to offer yourself to her for?" she asked.
"To court her, as she is the future queen of this region, she needs a husband to help her rule. I know ruling pretty well since I read all about it." he said. Goblet shook her head but a look from her mother stopped her.
"Oh, so you would like to court and possibly marry her so you can rule?" she asked so sweetly he didn't realize what she was trying to reveal.
"Yes, of course."
"Hmm. Well, we'll think about it and send you and answer by Wednesday. Thank you, sir and goodbye. " Goblet hid a grin. Her mother handled things so well. She only hoped to be as good as her one day.
"Thank you, majesty. Thank you." and he bowed awkwardly a couple times before leaving.
"You better not answer with a yes because I will not marry him! It's plain what he wants." Goblet grumbled.
"Of course I'll say no. But it's better to do it politely, dear. He's just out for the gold and riches and fame." her mother said with a sigh.
"He's out for what being king will do for him, not what having an amazing wife will do for him." Steel said.
Like so many others, Goblet thought as Rose escorted her to her room to dress appropriately for a day at the ocean.
They all wanted the same thing. Fame. Riches. Glory. And they thought marrying her was the only way. Which it was. So that scraggly pony was definitely not the first to ask her that.
Oh how I wish for someone to come to the gates and not offer himself for marriage (for that was always a bad sign) but to slowly and surely court her and win her heart and then perhaps marry.
It just never worked out for her.
It was troubling, indeed. Not even Rose could comfort her.
"Goblet, you MUST wake up! Your father requests your presence!" Rose urged, shaking her awake. Rose was the only one Goblet let do that.
"Okay, alright! I'm up and coming!" Goblet pushed her away and drowsily got up. She yawned as Rose trotted here and there, grabbing clothes and jewelry. She looked rather nervous. Goblet knew why.
"Rose, my father knows how hard it is to wake me up. He won't mind if you are a few minutes late!" she insisted.
"Sure, sure, but it's always good to be on time." Rose retorted. Goblet sighed and shook her head. The same answer. Every time. What more did she expect?
So she reluctantly let Rose put on a very light green dress, with a shorter yellow dress over top to make it look pretty. A necklace, golden earrings, and green veil to keep the hot sun off her eyes, and a light yellow paint on her eyes, she was set. Well, not quite, according to Rose. her hair was brought back and Rose expertly twisted strands together and held them in place with a green, emerald clip.
As Rose escorted her to her and her Father's favorite meeting place, the fountain in the Lily Garden, Rose tugged on strands of Goblet's mane, adjusted the veil, and flicked stray eyelashes off her cheeks.
"Rose! I look fine! Thanks to all your meticulous grooming, I'm well set so leave off!" Goblet said in annoyance.
"Fine! Fine. But if someone scoffs at your appearance, don't blame me." Rose retorted.
Goblet sighed and shook her head, then motioned for Rose to wait for her by the gate.
She smiled at the guard, who smiled back, and went inside to her father. She was always friendly with the servants and the guards.
"Hello dear. You look wonderful." her father greeted her. She smiled sheepishly.
"Thanks, but really, Rose would be better fit with that compliment." she said, and kissed his cheek.
"Darling, I have been thinking, and I've decided that you need a guard."
What?
"A..guard? Why?" Rose had brought up the same thing....
"Rose just mentioned it to me, and I thought it was probably a good idea." her father answered. Goblet smiled. That was her Rose. Always looking out for her.
"She's sweet to say so, but I don't really need one...." I said.
"But me and your mother both have one, so I think you'd do good with one. He will follow you at a distance, disguise himself as needed, but will ultimately be your guard and defend you with his life." he said.
"Well, who is my new guard?" I asked.
"I haven't found one yet. We have no trained ponies to spare, and no time to train one. So, I'm going to travel all over Equestria till I find you one."
"Really?!"
Goblet loved traveling. She'd only done it once or twice, and never very far, but she loved seeing new places!
"Oh, Father, can I come? Please! I mean, after all it is my guard and it might help if I help do the choosing-" but her father was already laughing.
"Of course you can, My Dear! I intended to bring you! We leave early tomorrow, so don't push your poor maid off when she comes to wake you up." he said with a mock firm voice.
"'Course not. I'll be packed in no time. Rose may come too?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes, definitely. We'll probably head to a small town called Ponyville first, and stop at any towns on the way. I'm also going to have an audience with Her Grace Princess Celestia. I have a few things I'd like to talk to her about." at this the slightest frown creased his face but was gone before Goblet was sure she'd even seen it.
"Well, then, I can't wait!" and with a farewell kiss to her Father's cheek, she dashed (very mare-like, or so she tried) back to the gate where Rose was waiting. Don came running in.
"Majesty...fairest grace...sorry.." he puffed, quickly bowing.
"That's alright Don!" Goblet said.
"Must...deliver message...your Father! Greatest majesty!" and he ran by. Rose and Goblet looked at each other and giggled and then Rose was informed of Goblet's new upcoming adventure.
"Oh my, highness! What a great venture this will be! I must pack your things right away!" she said, and tugged her princess along with her.
"Whoa, Rose! I can't have too much to lug around. Two small suitcases is all I need. Our garments don't take up much space and neither does one or two warmer things." Rose bowed and was itching to start packing, but would not leave Goblet.
Goblet smiled. Though Rose was strict about time, very easy to worry, and sometimes a little nagging, she had loyalty nothing could buy.
"Go ahead, go pack. I'll be fine on my own for a little while." she emphasized 'little' silently knowing that Rose was a super-packer.
"Okay...call me if you need me...you hear?" Goblet laughed and nodded, then they parted.
Goblet went to the kitchen and grabbed a couple pastries. After stuffing her face, she went to the lotus garden, picked a flower, put it in her hair, then headed down to the ocean. Ah, she really did love the sea.
Her veil blew back in the slight breeze, and she took in the salty, fishy scent of the sea that she loved. A lot of people didn't like the smell of the sea, but she loved it.
She took her light clothing off and dived in off her favorite rock into the cold water below, and swam happily. Her mother always called her half seahorse, as much as she loved swimming and water. She bumped noses with a puffer fish, and played hide and seek with sharks. She swam one hundred yards from the shore, then decided if Rose would ever forgive her for running off she'd better get back.
But oh she couldn't wait till tomorrow, when she could go with her father and explore Equestria, even if it meant she'd be far away from the coast for a few weeks.
That was the ONLY downfall.
That and the fact her mother couldn't come along. But she shook it off and walked back to the palace, shaking sand from her hooves and walking straight to the laundry mat, where she dropped off her sandy things, then took her jewelry and went the rest of the way home.
When she got home, she did get quite the scolding from Rose, but it rolled off like water off a ducks back. She had had a great time at the ocean and couldn't wait till tomorrow. Nothing could ruin her good mood.
"Goblet, would you like to go to the shop today? Your skill is one that could always use some fine-tuning." Rose suggested. Goblet nodded and let Rose lead her to her second favorite place in the world.
Her gold-making shop.
As the name suggests, her talent was Gold making. She loved making delicate plates, goblets, cups, necklaces, hooflets, and the like.
When they got to the shop, Goblet tied her hair back and put on her gold-making apron.
"What will you make today?" Rose asked, settling down on the mat to watch.
"I've been wanting a new bracelet. I want it to be two slender, delicate slivers of gold curled together with an emerald in the middle. So, could you run to the jewelers shop and fetch me a couple small emerald pieces?" Goblet asked, removing a couple pieces of gold from the shelf.
"Of course." and Rose ran off immediately. She returned soon with a couple small, rough pieces of emerald.
"Now, could you heat up the stove, start the burner, get some oil burning, and pound me a small sliver of gold?" Goblet asked, completely forgetting that Rose knew how to do none of that.
"What in the hay-highness I would if I could..." she stopped.
"Oh, sorry! I forgot who I was talking to. No, don't. forget it. I will." she smiled in Rose's direction and did the things herself.
By the end of that day, she had a beautiful bracelet to take with her on her journey.
Author's Note
Hmm. Never really thought about the authors notes section until now. I think it's really cool, now that I will start using it!
Golden Goblet smiled out the window of the carriage as they bypassed endless prarie with a few, lonely trees.
Rose had woken her up very early, as promised, and she had quickly dressed in a white and red gown, a light one, and ruby jewelry. Thanks to Rose, she looked amazing for this journey.
They had stopped at Cake Town first, and found no worthy guard. Goblet was rather glad, for the ponies at Cake town wore very fruity colors and were a bit silly.
The stallions pulling their carriage were their best. They were gray with blue and red manes and golden armor. The carriage they pulled was wooden, then covered with a very thin layer of gold with silver inlays. It was very beautiful, but lighter than it looked. Inside were beautiful, plush, blue seats with gold edging that could hold their belongings in chests or suitcases underneath. In one side sat her father, and the other side her and Rose.
They had only been traveling for ten hours, up till lunch (which they'd had in Cake Town) and had gone through hilly terrain and tree-covered terrain. Right now the prairie was so much larger and the sky so large. It rather reminded Goblet of Trottingham, her hometown, where instead of prairie they had desert, but still could see the huge, blue sky.
She thought back to her town. Bustling and large, with beautiful brick buildings that held warm and friendly ponies. She loved her home by the sea, but was also excited for this adventure.
“What town will we arrive at next?” she asked her father. He looked up at her.
“Hmm. I'm not sure.” he pulled out a large case and pulled out a large map. His gray-blue eyes scanned the page until they stopped and landed on one spot.
“We will arrive at Baltimare next, and then after that will be Las Pegasus which is where we will stay the night.” he answered, then rolled up the map and put it back.
“Sounds interesting. Mind if me and Rose do a little shopping in Baltimare while you look around?”
“Of course not. Go ahead.” he dismissed it casually with a wave of his hoof.
“Thank you!” then she turned to Rose, who was quite disheveled. Her mane hadn't been combed, her ears drooped and she kept yawning. She was almost asleep.
“Rose, dear, are you alright?” she asked.
“What? Oh, yes, just this climate makes me incredibly sleepy. Don't mind me please unless you need to.” and she yawned so hard her jaw popped.
And it was true. The climate was very crazy. Overhead were white clouds, no trace of blue. (They'd just crossed into a bleaker prairie) and the air was the worst part. It wasn't hot, just a weird, lukewarm accompanied with a very slight breeze that blew it at you and either choked you or made you drowsy. Goblet preferred the later, for being choked wasn't her style.
When they arrived in Baltimare, the stallions opened the doors for them, and Rose accompanied Goblet into the town.
“I'd like to shop for some fabric to maybe make a dress. Foreign fabrics are always so interesting.” Goblet said. Hearing this, Rose perked up and hastily nodded her approval.
“Look! Let's try that place.” Goblet said, pointing.
It was a cute green and white shop, called “Hem's Cotton” and had a cute wooden deck and door.
So they entered and as they did a cute little golden bell announced their presence. Goblet gasped and could feel Rose prancing around in excitement.
All around them were bold, beautiful colors. Scarlet, golden, dark purple, royal blue. Forest green! Now that's what Goblet wanted.
“Hello mistresses! How in the world are ya?” she spoke with a heavy accent.
“Doing great. We'd like some of this forest green material, please.” Goblet answered, touching the beautiful fabric.
“Ah, great choice, great choice! It'll go nicely with your strange, golden complexion...say, you're not from around here, are you?” she asked, obviously seeing their strange, light cloth and fancy jewelry and veils.
“No, we aren't.” Rose murmured.
“Now, how much of this would you like?” she asked.
“Enough to make a dress for me.” Goblet said, smiling.
“Of course! And who will you get to sew it for you? If you are new here I can sew one up for you in two days time!” she babbled.
“Oh, that's very kind of you, I'm not very talented in the clothing department. That would be my assistant Rose, here.” she said, hoping Rose noticed the word assistant instead of servant, then she realized something.
“Wait! Rose could sew it for me on the journey, since, I'm sorry, we'll only be staying a few hours.” Goblet suggested.
“Of course! I have a pattern she can borrow. Where are y'all headed?” she asked, snipping the fabric.
“Any town we happen to pass. Every town till we find her a guard.” Rose said without thinking. Goblet looked sideways at her.
“Guard...?” the pretty green pony slowly turned to face them.
“Yes! Every princess needs a guard.” Rose said, again not thinking of what she was saying.
“Your highness! I'm so sorry! I did not know!” and the pony bowed clumsily, her scarlet mane flopping over her neck.
“Oh, outside of Trottingham I'm not that important and you are not in my power. I'm just any other tourist.” Goblet assured her, then winked, payed for the material, accepted the pattern and left.
When they got back to the carriage, the ponies put their purchase under their seats and headed to another store for scarlet edging (Rose said they MUST have some) and some Baltimare-style jewelry to go with it.
“Oh! This is simply wonderful! I love this city! I could stay in it forever!” Rose exalted, looking at the displays in various fashion stores.
Up ahead, Goblet saw a store called “Trimmings and Lace.” Perfect. They entered the elegant purple and white building and were greeted by the owner, who was a dark purple pony with a white and purple mane and tail.
“Hello, how are you ladies today?” she asked. Rose and Goblet nodded in affirmation and as Goblet went to look for scarlet edging, Rose stood and gawked at the pony.
“I'm sorry, but I just adore your outfit!” she praised the purple mare.
She was wearing a most fashionable greed dress that was slightly ruffled on the skirt and had a slightly high collar embedded with golden fake jewels. Her hooves were in gold shoes with tiny green bows.
“Thank you. My name is Lace, by the way, well, that's what I want you to call me, anyways. You are a lover of fashion?” Lace asked.
All Rose could do was nod.
“Well! If you have time there is a fashion show starting soon, and you would adore the styles and makes they will be showing. Take your golden friend with you.” she said.
“Oh that sounds wonderful! I think I will! Thank you, Lace! And I'm Rose!” she called over her shoulder as she trotted over to find Goblet.
When she did, Goblet was purchasing scarlet edging with golden curly Qs.
“Beautiful fabric choice, Goblet. Guess what!”
Rose burst out the story, and Goblet smiled with amusement.
“A most delightful thing! Of course we shall go!” Goblet exclaimed. And once they purchased the edging (along with a golden and bronze colored bead necklace) and delivered them to the wagon. It was still an hour or more till they had to leave, or however long it would take her father, so they had plenty of time.
“I wonder where the theater is?” Rose lifted her head and looked around.
“I think I saw one earlier. Come on, let's go see.” and together they trotted off.
Sure enough, it was the same theater. They quickly paid entrance and went inside, taking front row seats, excited about the fashion.
A white pony with a brown and black mane up in a fashionable up do stepped out. She looked around the crowd, then brought the microphone to her mouth using her magic.
“Hello mares and gentlecolts! Today we present you with the hottest fashion from around Equestria and surrounding areas. First up is a lovely young mare, Miss Peacock, sporting a look from Vanhoover!” she said. The crowd cheered.
The mare stepped back into a dark part of the stage so she wouldn't steal the spotlight.
Miss Peacock came strutting out. And she was a beautiful pony. She was midnight blue pony with a white and light blue mane and tail. Her mane was swept up into a messy bun on the side of her head. She wore a light yellow summer dress with a high collar, and a blue see through cloak over that. It had thin white sequins sewn on.
As most ponies did in Vanhoover, she had a thick line of black painted along her eye and into a graceful cat-eye look. A thin, silver head piece dangled above her eyes and silver shoes caressed her hooves.
“Beautiful.” Goblet whispered to Rose. Rose nodded in agreement.
“Next up, we have a lovely miss Jacqueline from Prance, sporting the newest look. This look is a classical look molded with a more modern twist.” the mare announced from her spot in the shadows.
Out stepped a graceful white pony with a yellow and blue mane and tail. Her mane was flowing, and her bangs fastened back with a gold clip. She wore a fancy green dress with ruffles, that had fake jewels on the front, which had long sleeves. She had a thin silver necklace with a simple “J” on it, and silver earrings. She had a very faint green painted on her lids and fine white powder dusted on her nose.
“Elegant.” Rose whispered. This time Goblet nodded.
The show went on like that. Ponies from different regions or cities, sporting high class fashion. There were two more left, and Goblet was excited to see them.
“Lastly we have a model from Trottingham. Miss Lotus is wearing the latest royal fashion trend.” and the pony stepped back into the shadows.
“Wow. I'm excited to see this.” Goblet said eagerly, wanting a glimpse from her hometown. Rose grinned, excited as well.
Out stepped a cobalt-blue mare, with a stunning black and purple mane much like Goblets swept back and held in place by a silver head piece much like the ones Goblet and her mother wore. She wore a sleeveless silver gown with silver jewels imbedded around the collar, and white shoes with silver studs on the toe. She wore a see-through veil, with white and silver sequins, and a good coat of white was painted on her lids above a thick line of black. She wore a necklace on a simple chain with a silver amulet, and another silver piece fastened her tail up high.
“Wow. Just as stunning as you are, Goblet.” Rose whispered. Goblet smiled at her friend and clapped for Miss Lotus.
“And lastly we have a pony from Chestnut Isle, a worthy mare in high standards. Give it up for Miss Ivory!” the ponies cheered.
Out stepped the weirdest mare Goblet had ever seen. She was black, a smooth, ivory black that confused Goblet, with a long, extremely straight red mane and tail that threatened to put Goblet's senses into overdrive.
She wore not a dress but a cloak, a dark blue cloak with a high collar. She wore an amulet on her neck that had a ghastly symbol of a crooked horn on it. This pony had a long black horn that seemed too smoothly colored to be real. In her ears were two red earrings, each with a sparkling star hanging from them. She wore red shoes that seemed harmless enough, if it weren't for the strange redness of the color.
That was all she wore. Yet she had a royal and frightening aura about her that scared Goblet into clapping.
“Who is THAT?” asked Rose. Maybe she didn't feel the extremely weird thing that Goblet felt.
“M-miss Ivory...remember?” she stuttered.
“I know, but who is she to think she can come in here with that ugly outfit among all these shining ponies?” Rose hissed.
Nope. Rose didn't feel a thing.
“We better get back to the carriage.” Goblet said nervously.
Miss Ivory suddenly turned her head slowly and looked directly into Goblets eyes. Goblet had never seen such eyes.
A bright, fiery orange, they seemed to look right through Goblet. Suddenly, as she was watching, she narrowed her eyes and they suddenly they turned to nothing but orange sockets. She bared her teeth slightly, but it was enough to show Goblet the orange fangs.
Then, she looked back at the other ponies. Goblet blinked and saw she had completely changed her eyeball-less, fang-mouthed look and no other ponies had realized what happened.
“Come, R-rose lets...l-l-lets go..!” and Goblet dragged Rose out to the exit. When she turned back, she saw Miss Ivory looking at her. Her eyes were gone and the orange sockets had returned. So had the fangs. She took a single step forward.
That was it.
Goblet grabbed her friends hoof and ran to the carriage, somehow feeling she was being chased. She heard nothing but the sharp intake of an angered breath that sounded creepily close to a hiss.
“Faster, Rose!” she said, not daring to look back.
The carriage came into sight and the two ponies raced faster till they got to the carriage.
“There you are, dears. Sorry, we found no guard, so we must move on...say, what is it? You look deathly pale yellow.” her father said as they raced up.
“No time for explanation. Get in, get in! We must go, now!” and Goblet shoved Rose inside. She reached out and pulled the carriage door shut, positive the mare was right on her heels.
But all she saw as she closed the door was an orange mist that hit the door, then, with a hiss, receded back and disappeared. Goblet knocked on the carriage to tell the stallions to go, and go they did.
Goblet looked back as they left, and saw nothing but a peaceful town.
But she had seen something, she was sure of it.
But what in Equestria was it?
Author's Note
okay, just to let you know, I did NOT plan the weird orange, red and black mare thing. It just tumbled out. Now I have to figure out how to add it in!
