Chapter One: A Melancholy Princess.

Queen of the Changelings:
The Stolen Throne

By Inkquill

CHAPTER ONE

A MELANCHOLY PRINCESS.

“Don’t forget her majesties spiced-nectar,” Flare urged as she oversaw the preparations of morning meal; each especially and dutifully selected serving being carefully placed on the trolley. “You know her Majesty needs it for her morning meal.”

“I remember, I remember.” The elderly changeling replied with a nod. Apis, the head chef of the royal kitchen, was an older changeling, past his prime, was always nipping at the heels of his underlings to perform at their at most supreme quality. Flare then took up the jade flask of honey in her claws and placed it amongst the other breakfast attire on the trolley.

With everything accounted for and situated in their proper place, the little dragoness continued on her way to the royal bedchambers. It was quite as she moved through the vast hallways. Everything seemed to be asleep or lifeless; almost devoid of all activity. The only sound being the rolling of wheels and the steady steps of her clawed feet on the marble floor.

The walls were decorated in plates of paneled gold, shaped and worked to resemble creeper vines that would crawl up the side of stone pavilions. Thick, polished pillars held up a lofty vaulted roof that was at the moment obscured by shadow, due to the lack of light.

Expertly navigating through the corridors, she soon came upon the ornately decorated doors of her destination, the princess's chambers. As was the trend of most Changeling architecture, it was finely crafted and intricately detailed. Ebony-hewn, polished timber, embroidered with emerald trim and the royal seal of her majesties household.

Two Sentinels stood attentive at each side of the doorway fully armored and alert. They remained quiet as Flare approached with her tray; the one on the right gave her a slight nod of acknowledgment and the little dragoness proceeded.

Composing herself, Flare approached the doorway and took a breath, raising her claw and adequately knocked three times in keen intervals.

“Come in.” A female voice called out from inside the room.

Smiling warmly, she stepped into the room, pushing the trolley in before closing the door behind her politely. As was the trend of changeling architecture, in furnishing their homes they kept everything in the center of the huge rooms, leaving all the wall spaces free for decorative treatment. The royal chambers were no exception. From the ceiling hung bronze lanterns, lit through electro-chemical means, bathing the room in soft auburn light.

“Flare?” A tired, strained voice called out from behind the velvet curtains at the far end of the chamber. “Flare I need you…”
Parking her trolley so that it was out of the walkway, the little dragoness hastily trotted towards her friends calling voice. “Lacewing?” She called back, “Lacewing what’s wrong?”

Darting through the curtains, she found her companion hunched over on a nearby stool placed just before a large bathing pool that was sunken into the floor. The changeling mare was shaking and quivering violently as she sat there, her hooves wrapped around her own lithe frame. Ruby-red eyes stared forward at the little dragon through long locks of rosé-pink hair.

“Flare? It’s happening again… I’m aching all over.” Lacewing said through jittering teeth.

“Oh sweet Amaryllis, Lacewing.” Flare said rushing over to the bath and quickly began to fill it with hot water. “Get in the bath, just relax, I’ll call for the Vassals.”

Helping her friend into the quickly filling tub, Flare rushed over to a long rope that hung down from the ceiling and pulled at it three times, sounding a bell high up in the rafters. Not five minutes later, the Sentinels that stood watch outside opened the doors, allowing four Vassal stallions in. Obediently, they proceeded into the bath chambers and stood attentive around the bath while Flare joined Lacewing in the steaming waters.

“Gently Lacey,” Flare said helping the milk-white changeling lean back into the bath. “Let the love flow.”

Lacewing closed her eyes and took deep, penetrating breaths, her magic reaching out in all directions. The four Vassals tensed as they felt the royal’s magical tendrils slip into their mouths and down into their throat, their eyes glowing a pinkish ethereal light.

Their bodies began to shake and quiver in the same fashion that Lacewing had been as their energy was drained out of them. Slowly, the changeling began to stabilize, her limbs growing still and her breathing even.

One of the Vassals collapsed.

“Slowly… take it slowly Lacey.” Flare interjected as one by the one the Vassals collapsed. “You wear them out faster than they can handle.”

Finally, the magical aura subdued, leaving the room deathly still as Flare and Lacewing lingered in the bath.

Lacewing sat up, placing a hole-riddled hoof on her brow.

“You alright Lacewing?” Flare asked worryingly.

Taking a cleansing breath, Lacewing expelled the cold sickness that filled her lungs. “I'm... I'm fine, Flare... now at least.”

Nodding knowingly, her faithful draconic companion gave a light sigh of relief as she helped Lacewing out of the bath, “Okay then, lets just get you dried off and enjoy breakfast.”

“No.” Lacewing interrupted as she flared her magic, levitating over a towel to herself and looked towards the physically and emotionally exhausted ponies. “Help them first.”

Once again, Flare nodded knowingly, quickly dashing over to the bell and giving it a few more rings as Lacewing slowly went over to her vanity mirror and sat down silently. Before long, a small group of handmaids entered the room and promptly removed the withered pony Vassals, being sure to treat them with care as they carried them off.

“You know I worry about you.” Said Flare with a sigh as she began to brush through the princess’ mane. “I mean this is the third episode this week. Have you been taking your medicine before going to bed?”

Lacewing hesitated for a moment before answering. “I know Flare…” She said finally. “And I have been. It… just came out of nowhere.”

Flare snorted slightly with a smile as she continued to gently work through Lacewing’s mane. “You know your mom was looking for you earlier? I told her that you were still sleeping she’d let you rest a little longer. But she did give me a list that we need to follow for today~”

Flare was suddenly interrupted as large ball of pressure formed in her chest and quickly rose to her throat, heralding the fireball that then erupted out from her in a flash of noise and light. When the fire subsided, a small packaged materialized in mid air where the flames had once been and upon feeling gravity claim it, fell onto the vanity in front of the now startled princess.

Covering her mouth, Flare embarrassedly uttered out, “Excuse me.”

Fanning the smoke away with her hoof, Lacewing looked down at the little present curiously and read the tag.

Dear Flare, please if you are not with my daughter just yet please make sure to deliver this to her as soon as possible.

Q.C

“A present from mom.” Lacewing said with a smile. Igniting her magic, she tore away the wrapping paper and ribbon that bound the package, revealing a blackish-blue velvet box with a heart shaped latch, along with another card. Holding it up, Lacewing read it allowed.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart.

I know it’s a tad bit early, but I wanted to give you this before the ceremony. I think you’ll just look so beautiful with it. Also, please make sure to take your herbal tonic. I don't want you to faint and hit your head on something. Plus you need to be in top shape for this ceremony.

I’ll meet you in the Gala room at four. Flare will help you get ready and dressed so don’t worry about anything. It’s going to go great.

I love you and I’m so proud of you my sweet baby.

Love, Mommy~

A mixture of bashful embarrassment and loving warmth filled her as she finished off the letter. Though she somewhat recoiled from the part about her fainting spells. Physically, she was in truth very weak and frail. An unfortunate side effect of her albinism, needing to take special herbal remedies to maintain her health. However, despite her physical limitation, what she lacked in strength, she made up for in magical capability. Though as it was for most children, she still found it a bit annoying having to have her mother tell to take her medicine...

“Well what are you waiting for?” Flare asked excitedly. “Open it girl, let’s see what it is.”

“Oh! Yeah.” Lacewing chuckled as she opened her present. Her eyes widened as they fell on the contents of the box. Biting her lip, she felt her breath become caught in her throat as she lifted the ornate feature into the air.

“Oh my goodness!” Flare exclaimed. “It’s beautiful!”

Enveloped in Lacewings magic was a small crown. Like the one her mother wore but instead of the customary black polished metal and blue jewels, this one was fashioned of ivory white steel, topped by several spherical rubies that matched her complexion perfectly. She stared at it warily, a bit of sweat dripping down her head.

“Lacewing?”

The sound of Flare’s voice brought the distracted princess back into the field of reality.

“You alright girl?”

Putting on her best smile, Lacewing nodded and placed the little crown on the side of her vanity. “Uh, yeah! Yeah, I’m okay. I’m good. I’m more than good, I’m… I’m great!” She said with a nervous tone and smile.

Flare hesitated before speaking, trying to figure out what to say to Lacey’s clearly nervous behavior. Though knowing that they were pressed for time she decided to let it side and gave a shrug. “Alright then. But now lets get you ready. Don’t want you to be late for your own birthday party right?”

Author's Note

Flare and Lacewing:

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