Chapters Gruff Call VI, or 'Grandpa Gruff' to the others in Griffonstone, sighed with a tired smile "Well, it might be a good time for you to come back King. 'Course, might not make much difference anyhow."
"Gruff Call... my faithful advisor and friend, you have no need to speak as if I am gone. I slumber in stone, a curse for closing off my heart to happiness, and instead to piety." The Statue seems to whisper to the ancient griffon.
"Wha? ... Must be really be getting on in years if I'm hearing ya talk, ya hunk o' stone."
The moon's light bathes the statue, and a golden glimmer glistens in the statue's eyes "I shall sleep no longer, for I have been freed by the power of that young filly made of brilliant laughter."
Gruff squawks in surprise "M-My king! I... I meant no harm in my words! It's just... it's been over 600 years since ya disappeared!"
The statue blinks slowly, dust, moss, and gravel falling from it's brow, talons clench and wings ruffle, blinding the ancient griffon with debris "I have awoken. She has woken me from my long, stony slumber, and so she had touched my heart to happiness. I swore that should I awaken from my sleep, the one who shattered the curse, should be my queen."
Gruff flaps his wings, blowing away the dusty cloud "Be that- HACK! be that as it may my king, she is gone, and I couldn't tell you where, even for bits!"
Golden eyes glisten with power and pride in the light of the moon's glow. Gruff suppresses a shiver at the form of his long-petrified king "I know that such information seemed irrelevant to you, but I believe one of your Gryffs hath the knowledge I seek."
Gruff removes his worn fez and bows, his milky eye stuck on Grover's impressive form "If you mean my own Granddaughter Gilda, she is rekindling a friendship with another Gryff In her own nesting house. I'll take you, if you wish."
Grover smiles and lifts Gruff's chin with ease "Do not bow to me, your family and mine have been friends for centuries, and I will not intrude on such an important a thing as friendship. But, I do wish to... taste some of her scones, I haven't eaten in over six centuries."
Gruff nods and stands, replacing his hat on his otherwise barren scalp "I shall do you one better, Gilda is baking as we speak, and I think that she'll be surprised when she sees you in the flesh... literally, I suppose."
He nods and motions for the other griffon to lead, smirking at how Gruff shivered in excitement.
Gilda wiped a tear from her eye "I'm so sorry about that, I tend to get... intense... but plucking a feather? Not Cool Greta."
The green-feathered griffon rolls her eyes, still grasping a small white feather "Hey, all is fair in love and war my friend. And anyways, who knew you could do that... what did you call it?"
"Supplex? Oh, I learned that from an Oxtrian coach at flight camp. Nice guy, very thick accent. Well, for a hippogriff."
Greta's eyes widen "A hippogriff?! He must've been ancient like Grandpa Gruff!"
Gilda chokes on her laughter "Nothing is older than Grandpa Gruff aside from the idol and that old statue. He even talks to the thing sometimes. I can't tell if his stories are real, or if he's flown the nest too many times."
Greta snorts "Yeah, but he was right about the idol and you saw the skull right? Of Arimaspi?"
"Yeah, but just its skull. I wonder what happened to the rest of it...? Ah well, once someone gets enough rope or something, we can probably grab it and the idol."
A timer goes off and Gilda turns, taking a batch of Griffonscones out of the cart's oven "Baking powder. Who knew, well, besides that not so uncool Pinkie Pie."
Greta grins and takes one "Yeah, but hey, it got you a steady income and maybe Griffonstone will be a place to live rather than just a dilapidated skeleton of a town on the side of a mountain."
"'Dilapidated'? Egghead."
Greta rolls her eyes and starts to retort, but a knock at the door cuts her off "What the... who'd be up this late?"
Gruff open the door slowly "Behold! The king is back!"
Gilda sighs "Of course... What are you squawking about now Gramps?"
Greta looks over Gilda's shoulder and her jaw drops "Griffolyns!! K-king Grover! It- it's an honor!" She leaps over Gilda and Gruff and bows to the larger griffon.
Grover smiles and lifts her to a standing position, barely hearing the squeal of excitement emanating from her chest "Stand young Gryff. I am no longer a proper king. I have but a question for your friend."
Gilda cocks her head at her friend's behavior "What do ya want to know?"
Gruff chokes in indignation "Such nerve! How can you not recognize your king!?"
She shrugs "He said he isn't king and- whoa now!" Gilda pushes the elderly griffon out of the way and gasps "Gramps... I always thought that story about King Grover turning to stone from loneliness was just a story for hatchlings! I am so sorry about everything I ever said about you behind your back!"
"Weh? What do you mean?" Gruff asks, adjusting his fez.
"Nothing. So... h-how can I help you?" Gilda asks, nervous Ah feathers this is bad! I might've insulted a king! I've never even met a pony princess, but I'm sure kings are worse to those who don't respect them!
Grover sighs "Please do not be ill at ease, I have a question in regards to your two friends who attempted to recover the idol. Where do they live? I wish to extend my thanks and friendship to them personally."
Gilda blinks "Uh... well, they live in Ponyville last I heard. I'm not good with maps and... I could take you, I was going to go visit them, actually."
Gruff grins "Ah! Escorting the king to meet with the friends of the Princess! Maybe we could also foster... what is the word?"
"'Relations and alliances'?" Greta supplies.
"Those. Yes, those." Gruff replies before turning to Gilda "A grand task for the currant vassal of the house of Callers!"
Grover smiles "Yes, but before we go, is that something you'd be willing to do for me, Gilda of the house of Callers?"
Gilda shakes away her shock and nods "Yea- Yes! It'd be my pleasure. But wouldn't it be better to leave in the morning? The passages are pretty risky at night."
He nods "Foresight is an admirable trait. Yes, we shall journey in the morning. Good night Gryffs."
The door closes silently and Greta grabs Gilda by the shoulders "Tell me this isn't a dream!"
Gilda winces "Okay, it isn't a dream."
"King Grover was really petrified, and stood in town for six hundred thirty eight years! I knew that when I saw the crazy pink one talking to him something might happen, but not the king's return! This is the thing that will set the whole of pre-idol history straight! I won't have to search the mountains for the lost historic caches anymore! Well, I still will, if only to back up what we can glean from him, but still! This is a historic moment, Gilda!"
Gilda rubs her earholes "Okay, I get it, you're going to make me go deaf if you keep up with your screeching."
Greta rolls her eyes "You're going to see the first meeting between griffon and pony royalty in recorded history! You're going to be immortalized as King Grover's companion, adviser, and escort into the modern world! They'll name stuff after you!" She gasps "And I'm a historian! I'm going to be the one who records everything! We'll be legends!"
Gilda shivers "Sheesh, you're starting to freak me out, Greta."
Greta pauses and smooths down her fur and feathers "Eheheh... Sorry about that... but you can understand why I'm so excited, right?"
Gilda nods "Yeah... ugh, now you've got me jittery. I'll never get any sleep at this rate. Scone me."
Gilda yawns, quirking an eyebrow at Grover's lack of luggage "You aren't taking anything?"
Grover nods "I have my crown and a spare, some bits, and some scones. What else would I need?"
Okay, I like this king already, better than some of the 'princes' I met at flight camp Gilda thinks to herself and takes flight "Ponyville's about a five hour flight, half a day by claw. Come on, we should make it before noon."
Grover nods and takes flight, his larger wingspan earning a grin from Gilda "Overcompensating?"
He cocks his head "What do you mea-"
"WAIT THE FEATHER FOR ME YOU DROPPING-HEAD!!" Greta screeches, scrambling from her house "I can't believe you'd leave me behind!"
Gilda shrugs "Sorry, you looked so peaceful sleeping. I didn't have the heart to wake you."
"Heart, yeah, you have heart. I'm so sorry about that King Grover."
Grover smiles "It's alright, I hope another companion won't worsen our haste to... 'Ponyville'?"
Gilda shrugs "I don't think so, Hey, are you writing our conversation down?"
Great rolls her eyes and looks up from her journal "No, I'm writing down important details. The date, what time it is, you know, for posterity."
"What do butts have to do with anything?"
"I believe she meant for accuracy, so that when the text is transcribed again, there will be an accurate representation, yes?" Grover asks, earning a nod from Greta "Yes, that's what I meant. Shall we head out?"
Gilda rolls her eyes "Yeah, why not?"
We arrived outside of Ponyvill [sic] at 10:35 Equestrian time, 1035 Griffonic.
Gilda was a bit apprehensive to the idea of entering its borders, but King Grover was patient and let her work up the nerve to enter. I am currently snacking on the last of the scones, generously given at a discount by our guide.
Greta closed her journal and put it in her satchel "Gilda, we have to go sometime."
She sighed "I know, I know, I just wish... that I wasn't so... so..."
"Apprehensive?"
"Yeah, that. You know what, if Rainbow gets pissed that I'm here unannounced, I'm sure her egghead will overlook it. Come on King, we have a princess to meet."
"Is the pink mare the princess?" Grover asks, stretching.
"Uh, no, she's a baker I think. The Princess is purple and has a horn and wings."
Grover shrugs "I suppose she could point me in the direction of the pink one. Lead on, valiant Gryff."
Gilda exhales, puffing out her chest "Okay, I can do this."
She walks slowly into town and looks both ways "If memory serves... Pinkie pops up whenever someone enters town so long as they're new. You two are new to Ponyville so- SQUAWK!!'
"Welcome to Ponyville! I'm Pinkie Pie- Oooh! Hi Gilda! Who're your friends?!"
Gilda pounds on her chest, restarting her heart "Th-these are Greta and Grover. Grover wanted to thank you and Dash personally and... something about an alliance?"
Pinkie squeals "Hi! I'm so happy to meet some of Gilda's friends! And- oh wow! You have a crown! Are you royalty? Wait, Griffons don't have royalty ever since Guido, so you must be an actor! And you look a lot like that charming statue too! Well, I'm gonna go get Twilight and Dashie and everypony else! You guys go to the castle and tell Spike I sent you! Byeeee!!"
Pinkie shoots off like a bullet, and Gilda coughs into her claw "Sooo... yeah, that happened."
Greta blinks several times and starts writing in her journal "The element of Laughter right? Sure seems like the element of sugar to me."
Grover stands still as a statue "Hey, I think King here reverted."
"... She's even more enchanting than I had seen." he whispers, before snapping out of his stupor "Right. If a castle is where we shall meet her again, then we shall go."
Gilda shrugs and points to the castle of friendship "Right there, I guess we have a pass to go in?"
Spike looks over his letter-opener/sword at Gilda "What do you want Gilda? Come to attack Ponyville again?"
Gilda grins "Hey there lizard, is your mistress home?"
"My name is Spike. And even if she was, I wouldn't tell you, cat-bird."
Gilda rolls her eyes "Look, Pinkie said that we were supposed to wait here for her and the rest of her friends, so are you going to act like a little dork, or are you going to let a foreign... what's the word?"
"Delegate" Greta supplies, still writing.
Spike scoffs "You, a delegate?"
"No, our king, Grover." Gilda sidesteps and Grover bows "Hello young drake, I am King Grover of-"
Spike steps back "Huh, well, I guess you can come in, Twilight isn't up yet so I'll go get her, Sir."
He runs off and Gilda shrugs "Apparently he just doesn't like me."
"... Oh, so this is what she meant by foreign delegates. Hello Gilda." A refined voice greets from behind Gilda.
"... Elusive, right?" Gilda asks, extending her talon to Rarity.
"No, Elusive is my flamingly homosexual cousin from Manehatten. My name is Rarity, it's nice to meet you... again." she shakes Gilda's talon.
"Right, sorry." Gilda says, blushing "I... met him a few times and... I get names mixed up."
Rarity shrugs "You wouldn't be the first. Fluttershy was right behind me, but she's... gone now."
Gilda face-palms "I am such an idiot. She's still terrified of me, right?"
Rarity sighs "Unfortunately." she turns "Fluttershy, we can see your mane."
"Eeep!" Fluttershy squeaks, dropping from her hiding place.
Gilda sighs and rests on her chest, crossing her arms "Fluttershy, I'm sorry I was so mean to you. I was jealous of you and Dash's friendship I suppose."
Fluttershy peeks out from behind her mane "It-it's okay, I shouldn't have hidden from you..." she whispers.
"Where is the pink one?" Grover mutters, lifting Fluttershy to her hooves "Pardon me."
"N-no prob-problem..." Fluttershy stutters, darting into the castle.
Gilda sighs "Well, I guess that means she's forgiven me, for the most part."
1125 GT, Castle of friendship.
Princess Sparkle entered the throne room prim and proper, her dragonic slave following with an air of wariness. Gilda has remained quiet, attempting to fade into the background, most likely due to the enclosed nature of the throne room. I find myself invigorated by the prospect of making history and mayhaps a few friends.
Grover, however, is seemingly entranced by the element of laughter Pinkie Pie, and has been displaying a favored rapport with her.
Twilight cocks her head "Uhm, are you a stenographer, by chance?"
Greta shakes her head "No, I'm a historian. Basically making a record of history in the making. Don't mind me."
Twilight smiles "Oh good, Spike, I think you'll just have to keep a loose record this time."
Gilda waves to Twilight "Hi."
Twilight's smile drops slightly "Gilda, thank you for bringing..."
"King Grover." Grover says, standing to bow "First king of Griffonstone, freed by the actions of your two friends."
Rainbow spits out her juice "Wait, what?! I've never seen you in my life!"
Pinkie cocks her head "But we did see his statue, remember?"
Grover nods "Yes, and I am one and the same."
Twilight gasps "You mean that you are the King Grover?! This is a momentous day! I'm honored to meet you my lord."
"Please, I am no longer a king but in name. I wish to thank your friends for saving my kingdom from ruin, and possibly foster relations between our two kingdoms." he turns to Pinkie and Rainbow "Pink one, Rainbow one, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and hope that we may be friends, especially you... Pinkie Pie. You released me from my stone sleep with the mirth in your heart, and so I have found one whom I would love to become closer to."
Pinkie smiles "I'd love to get to know you too King Grover! I mean, how many ponies can say that they know a king? And it's going to be so awesome with two griffon friends!"
Rarity quirks an eyebrow "A king that had been turned to stone that likes Pinkie Pie? Does this remind anypony of someone we know?"
Fluttershy nods "Yes, Discord."
Rainbow shrugs "So long as he doesn't try to do anything evil, I'm cool with a griffon friend besides Gilda."
Twilight coughs "Moving on, what do you plan for this alliance you mentioned?"
"Well, Griffonstone is in ruins as you know, so there is nothing that we can supply of tangible nature, Princess Twilight. I myself have nothing save my crown. I was going to propose that our kingdoms share ideas and trade of goods. We have few numbers compared to you, and even fewer resources. I am afraid that we have nothing to offer other than relations."
Gilda sighs "Yeah, so, we traveled to say 'Thanks' and now we have to get going. See ya later ponies."
"I wasn't finished. I meant relations in the... literal sense of the term."
Twilight blushes "That means marriage... I'm flattered, but I'm afraid-"
"Not you, Princess Sparkle. I meant your dear, dear friend Pinkie Pie." he takes Pinkie's hoof in his talon and kisses it "Pinkie Pie, I was turned to stone because I was so focused on being a good king, worrying about the wellbeing of others, that I forgot to worry about my heart's desires. The curse bound me in stone, like how my heart had become, but you're heart connected to my own, and for that, I have fallen in love with you. This must be overwhelming, but I am sure that the words my heart whisper to my soul are true."
Pinkie giggles nervously, blushing "Oh wow... you really know how to get a mare pink in the face..."
Rarity faints and Fluttershy squeals in joy "This is so cute!"
Rainbow mimics gagging, as does Gilda "Eugh... romance."
Twilight and Greta gasp and the latter starts writing furiously "Wha... I... Pinkie..."
Spike raises a claw "Is that even legal?"
Applejack nods slowly "Sure... my second cousin, Fiddlesticks, is married to a griffon."
"Yeah, but your family is nuts!"
"I thought they were Apples" Fluttershy interjects, tittering to herself "Nailed it!"
Applejack rolls her eyes "So my family members are a bit out there-"
Grover stares into Pinkie's eyes "To whom do I give dowry?"
Pinkie giggles "My family, but I haven't said yes yet. I.. need to know you more... you charmer you."
Gilda sighs "This is going to take a while, isn't it?"
Grover bows to The Cakes "I am to assume the two of you are the parents of my dear love."
Cup Cake blushes "Carrot, what's going on?"
"I haven't the foggiest."
Pinkie hops into the store "Those aren't my parents Silly! These are the Cakes! My bosses!"
Grover lifts his head and turns to coughs into his talon "I... apologize for the presumption. I thought that a mare of such jovial appearance and a stallion of decent breed would have given life to this ray of light."
Both Cakes blush "W-well, wouldn't be the first time..." Carrot mutters.
Pinkie giggles "But they are like family to me! Oh! Mister and Missus Cake, this is King Grover from Griffonstone! The place I went a few days ago! He was a statue when I went, but now he's not!"
Cup smiles awkwardly, moving to bow but Grover grins and shakes his head "No need to bow, I am not a true king but in name. I am , however, hoping to court young Pinkie Pie."
Carrot blinks several times "Court... Pinkie Pie?"
Pinkie blushes slightly "Yyyeeeaaaahhh... there's that too..."
Cup smiles "Well, this is shaping to be a great day, but Pinkie has work to-"
"I understand, I shall return on the morrow to speak with her once I become more... familiar with Pony customs. 'Til we meet again Pinkie."
He exits and takes flight, heading to the castle. Pinkie inhales, still blushing "I... for once, I have abso-fudging-lutely no idea what's going on. What did you need me to- The order from Trottingham! I'll get right on it!"
Cup and Carrot Cake shake their head "This... is new, but it's kind of how I started to date you, right dear?"
Cup giggles into her hoof "Yes, you were shaking when you met my dad. Of course, Pinkie grabbing the eye of a foreign noble? Why is that not surprising?"
Carrot laughs "I have no idea, maybe we're too used to Pinkie's shenanigans."
Gilda polishes her claws on Spike's back "Can't you get a scratching post of something?!"
Gilda grins "Why? I'm a griffon, not a pussy cat." she blows on her claws "Besides, it's hard to polish retractable claws with stationary objects. Just be happy I'd already sharpened my talons, those can tear into dragon scales."
Twilight perks up "What? Really? I thought the dragon hides were too hard to be torn out manually."
"Huh? Really? I mean, we saw a bunch of the adults go after a dragon who took all of our bits when we were nestlings. We watched them tear chunks of flesh from the dragon's back and belly. My cousin even ripped a whole claw off and kept it as a trophy. Still carries it I think..." Greta says, writing and gesturing.
Spike shivers "But that was a bunch of adults, right?"
Gilda grins, digs a talon into Spike's side and pries off a scale "Nah, it just matters how strong your muscles are. Dragons may be stronger, but Griffons are vicious."
Spike faints and Greta rolls her eyes "Great, you've traumatized the help. Good job Gilda."
"'The help'?" Twilight asks.
"Yeah, he's like your... sex slave right? I heard that ponies had weird tastes but..."
Twilight blushes "He's my little brother! He's the royal Scribe and a national hero!"
Greta pauses and produces correctional fluid and applies it to a few pages "Huh, I made a mistake. Then who makes up your harem? Or do ponies not do that anymore?"
"No, we don't. Can we please get back to your history? This is very important." Twilight asks, blushing brightly.
Greta nods and picks up her quill "Where were we?"
Gilda shrugs and starts polishing her claws again.
Grover lands in Canterlot and walks towards the castle, ignoring the gasps and glares from the ponies he passed What odd behavior. I wonder if the white Princess is still ruling...?
A guard grabs his attention, leveling a spear at Grover's neck "Halt! Why are you here?"
"I wish to converse with the ruling monarch about modern customs and to foster an agreement between our kingdoms. I am the first king of Griffonstone, Grover. Tell me, is the white princess still ruling, or has she had a successor?"
The guard blinks several times "Uh... okay, most ponies leave after I say that... uh... let me ask?" he turns to his partner "That's... what we do, right?"
His partner shrugs.
Grover clears his throat "Shall I admit myself, or do I need to enter through clandestine matters?"
The guards stare at each other and shrug, opening the door to the castle "Go on in... I think?"
Grover nods and enters, shutting the door behind him "What polite, though under-prepared guards. I never considered having guards, they had families and I couldn't hurt them by making them risk their lives..."
Realizing he has no idea where to go, he stops a maid "Excuse me young miss, might you direct me to the reigning monarch's current whereabouts?"
She pauses and nods silently "J-just follow the yellow t-trim on the carpets an-and it'll take you t-to the throne room..."
Grover smiles and half-bows "Thank you."
She watches him leave and dashes for the nearest guard.
Grover knocks on the door to the throne room "Enter." someone answers and he pushes the door open.
Sitting on a tall white throne is Celestia "Yes?"
Grove steps forward and bows "I am the first king of Griffonstone, Grover. I wish to speak with you about fostering relations between our kingdoms."
Celestia blinks several times "Pardon? King Grover has been dead for more than six hundred years. Are you saying-"
"My heart had become stone, leading me to become a statue due to my selfless nature, and all I had left was an empty heart. Princess, I have found love in the one who freed me, the hero of the house of Pie."
Celestia shakes her head in disbelief "You are... in love with Pinkie Pie? The element of Laughter?"
Grover nods and Celestia clicks her tongue "My, I thought that she would've become a spinster... This is good! But why come to see me?"
"I spoke to your protégé, and she spoke of your wisdom. I was under the impression that you could better teach me your customs so I may be able to better understand my smiling savior."
Celestia bites her lip This... is like Luna, but at least it's just six hundred years instead of a millennium...
"I do not see why I should deny you that much, King Grover."
He smiles "Thank you Princess. I must ask though, what is the point of such a large castle? Do you house your army here as well?"
"No, don't be preposterous."
Grover cocks his head "Do you house a large collection of artefacts too dangerous to leave out in the open or destroy?"
"Not... too many, I don't think."
Luna walks in and looks at the griffon, then her sister, then at the griffon "... Did I get the date wrong? I swear one day I'm going to learn to control that blasted machine..."
Grover bows and Luna sighs "No bowing my king. Lo, have you just come from Ponyville?"
He nods "Yes, I was seeking intellectual counsel from your... sister?"
Luna nods "That matches up... okay, it's the fifth, so I'm just a few hours early. I'm getting better." she mutters "Well, I would love to assist in that endeavor personally, but considering I am prone to... culture shock... I am unable to assist too well. Tia, if you need any help, I should be in my chambers."
Celestia sighs "Thank you for... not freaking out about my sister, she means well."
Grover grins "I have known her type most of my life. Now, when may I start to learn?"
