Dreams of Discord

Princess Elanor cared nothing for politics. She saw them as trivial in comparison to the other duties of a royal. Still, she knew there was nothing she could say or do when her father, King Badar, insisted on a meeting between him and the king of The Crystal Empire, to talk of peace. She would have to play hostess as her mother, Queen Kalinda, was away for the entire month.

Badar and Elanor waited in the throne room for the arrival of King Azhaire. They'd been waiting almost an hour before Elanor's patience wore thin.

"Father, this is useless. King Azhaire is not coming." Elanor said wearily.

Badar looked down at his daughter from his throne. "Be patient, Elanor. We will give him another half an hour. This meeting is important. There's been much hostility between our kingdoms. "

Elanor opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it quickly. She knew her father was right; that this fight had gone on too long.

Suddenly, the doors to the throne room burst open. A male unicorn, not much older than Elanor, with the grayest of coats and blackest of manes, entered and bowed.

"Your Majesties." The unicorn said.

Elanor and Badar shared a look. This was certainly not Azhaire. Perhaps, he was a messenger or a servant.

"May we help you, sir?" Badar asked.

The unicorn smirked. "You don't know who I am then?"

Badar shrugged. "I fear we don't."

The unicorn chuckled and bowed again. "I am Prince Sombra. The heir to The Crystal Empire."

The shock must have been evident on their faces because Sombra gave a hearty laugh.

"I see that my father has failed to mention my existence. No need to be embarrassed, he tends to do this often." Sombra explained.

Badar gave Elanor an unsure look before addressing Sombra. "Where is your father, Prince Sombra?"

Sombra frowned. "I'm sad to say that my father took ill and died en route."

Elanor gasped and Badar shook his head sadly. There was absolutely no reaction from the young prince, however. His face was completely blank.

"You have our condolences, young prince." Badar said.

"I have come to this meeting in his stead. I trust there are no objections, as long as peace is still the objective. " Sombra said, as if he hadn't even heard Badar.

"O-Of course it is. Please, if you'll follow me to dining hall, we will be happy to feed you after such a long journey." Badar said.

Badar stepped down from his throne and Sombra and Elanor followed him out of the throne room.

"I haven't had the pleasure." Sombra whispered to Elanor.

"Princess Elanor." Elanor whispered back.

"The pleasure is mine, princess." Sombra said.

"Your Majesty, may I ask you a question?" Elanor asked, and Sombra nodded in response. "Why are you not sad? Your father has died."

"I cannot pretend to mourn someone that I will not miss." Sombra said quietly and Elanor gave him a horrified look. "Understand, princess. Not everyone loves their parents."

Sombra left Elanor and hurried to catch up to Badar. Elanor couldn't have been more appalled by Prince Sombra's coldness. Yet, she could have sworn that she caught a glimpse of something in his eye; something that he did not want anyone to see. A deep mournful look.

In the park, the sun was starting to set and all of the party guests had left, save for Fluttershy and Princess Luna.

"So, Princess Elanor felt that Prince Sombra was just pretending to be cold?" Fluttershy asked.

"Precisely. Do you remember when you were chosen to reform Discord, Fluttershy? Do you remember how everypony felt he was unkind and unable to change? You saw something else. You saw that he was lonely and in desperate need of love. Sometimes, the ones able to see the best in those that others deem different, are perhaps simply having a case of "love at first sight."

Fluttershy blushed briefly before looking up at Luna. "Will you tell me the rest of the story, your Highness?"

"The sun will soon be down, I must tend to my duties. Come to see me tomorrow at the castle, and I will tell you more."

Fluttershy gave a small smiled and left Luna alone by the pond. Luna looked down at her reflection and couldn't help but imagine a scornful look from Elanor. In a fit of rage, Luna splashed away the illusion.