Inside safe walls

Chapter 3. Tender moments & high emotions

Rainbow Dash liked Applejack, she cared for her a lot. She was her friend after all, but she wasn't sure about her and Milon. She promised Rarity that she wouldn't question it, love is love after all. But Milon is a general of another country, maybe there's something more to it than what they can see? It might be something more. Maybe he's a spy and is using Applejack to get information? But Applejack doesn't really know anything that could be of use now that she. And of use to what? They are here in peace after all, Rainbow huffed as she flew through the air on her daily exercise. She sailed through the skies, reducing the clouds the flew through to small puffs.

"I can't keep it in anymore! I have to deal with this." She exclaimed and headed down towards Canterlot.

Everything seemed to be as usual in Canterlot, bustling with life out on the streets, ponies chatting, shopping and simply living. She landed in the town square, taking much care not to crash into anything. Last time she crashed she broke a few vendor stalls and she had to ask Applejack to help her pay off the stall owners. She had repaid Applejack by helping her buck apples and repair her barn, but she didn't want to make the same mistake twice.

She trotted around, she was looking for Milon but weren't sure where to look, to be honest, she had no idea where he could be. She'd heard that he used to be in town though, he had started to like the local donuts and came in every day to buy new ones. She saw a small group of human soldiers sitting near a fountain near one of the tailor shops. She needed to start somewhere, and maybe the soldiers knew where he was.

She walked over to them and they greeted her with smiles. "Hello miss!" The one that seemed to be the youngest of the three soldiers gave her a short wave.

"Hey guys! Do you know where Milon is? I need to talk with him."

The soldier that had waved at her had the beginnings of facial hair growing on his chin, and he was now scratching it in thought. "I might know where he is, but not just anyone are allowed to speak with him." This earned him a slap from one of the other soldier.

"Are you stupid? The general decides himself who gets to speak with him or not. If he doesn't want to speak with her, then he'll tell her!" He back looked at Rainbow Dash and smiled.

"I'm sorry, he's new. The general were over there last time I saw him." He pointed to the other side of the town square. "He was accompanied by a pony with a hat and a white unicorn."

Rainbow bit her lip. Damn, she wanted to be alone with Milon. But she had to confront him, even if Rarity and Applejack were there or not.

She nodded at the soldiers. "Thank you, he's with my friends so I think it might be easier to find him now, thanks again!"

"You're welcome miss!" All of them said and waved at her as she walked away. She waved back with one of her wings. The humans seemed awfully nice, but maybe it's because they're not in their own country? Trying to show their best side perhaps.

She headed towards the other side of the town square and looked around, for a second she thought she saw Applejack's hat, but the next second she couldn't. Since it was her best lead, she headed towards where she last saw the hat and groaned. "What am I doing? I'm chasing a hat! On hooves!" She shook her head and began to fly above the mass of ponies, and sighed again. "Why does everypony have to be out in the town today?"

_________

Milon, Applejack and Rarity had a fun day out in the town. They looked through shops, market stalls, and of course Milon went to the bakery and bought a whole box of donuts with sugar on them.

It wasn't Rarity's intention to snoop, but she had noticed small signs of Applejack and Milon showing public affection, like when Milon caressed Applejacks cheek when they had been inside a shop selling hats, not only that, Milon had leaned down and whispered something to her.

Rarity was almost positive that he'd kissed her cheek, but she couldn't really see, so she gave it the benefit of doubt. Not that she disliked them doing it, or them being in love at all. She almost wished they were a little more public with it, but she understood that things like this can't be pushed. It had to come gradually, until it felt natural, it had been the same with her and Spike.

Suddenly she realized that neither Milon or Applejack where anywhere to be seen. "What in Equestria's name?" She turned around and saw them further down the street near one of the fountains. As she trotted closer she could see that Milon were sitting on a bench next to the fountain and Applejack were sitting on her rump in front of him. Milon had cupped his hands into the fountain and were holding them to Applejacks lips. She were blushing slightly as she thankfully drank the cold, clean water from Milon's hands. Rarity smiled and stood next to the pair.

She wiped her forehead with her foreleg. "It really is hot today isn't it? I should have brought a hat to shade myself."

Milon cupped his hands into the fountain again and drank some water himself. "Mmmh... Yeah, really hot. The sun has big opportunity to shine when there's barely any clouds. Good thing I decided to only wear my pants today." Which was true, he had started to go without wearing anything on his chest, Canterlot had been stricken by sunshine for a very long time now.

"It's just a bonus that you're looking mighty fine." Applejack giggled at him.

"Oh you." Milon smirked and sat up with his back straight and looked proud.

"She's right though darling." Rarity filled in, "I haven't seen many of your kind, but I'm sure that you're one of the best looking ones."

Milon smiled and bowed his head slightly. "That's very nice of you to say."

"Well there's a reason I am saying it." Rarity continued, not able to hold her smile inside. "At least Applejack likes you for being who you are."

This made Milon and Applejack freeze in their spots.

"Uhhh... What?" Applejack looked at her, she knew what she was talking about but she was shocked that Rarity even knew about the feelings between Milon and herself.

"I didn't mean to spy on you two but, I woke up that night all of us slept near the campfire and I saw you two... Well, I didn't want to disturb you so I turned around and fell asleep. At least I tried, but after a while I did succeed."

Applejack Stood up on her hooves. "So, you don't mind? I mean I don't think that you or the others would like me less because of who I love. But... You know... During the circumstances, he's a human and all..."

Rarity's smile grew wider. "Why, of course not! How could I ever do such a thing, you were nothing but happy when me and Spikey wikey became a pair remember? And let's not forget, love is supposed to be exotic and spicy."

Applejack giggled. "Yeah, I absolutely agree."

Milon cleared his throat and looked at Rarity, with a serious and relieved tone in his voice as he spoke. "I am happy that you understand and that you accept out love. For that you have my thanks."

"Oh don't mention it dear, it's my pleasure. And I am only happy to see that Applejack has someone that she can love and that loves her back. After all she deserv-" She was cut off by a loud voice that the two ponies recognized all to well.

"MILON!" They all looked up and saw Rainbow Dash flying toward them. She landed next to them, nearly knocking over a few ponies in the process, and gave them a stern look.

"I have searched for you EVERYWHERE!" Rainbow Dash stomped her hoof at the ground. "Now, care to tell us what you're doing with Applejack, huh? Trying to seduce her to get some information? Are you some kind of lowlife spy!? Explain yourself!"

it all came as a shock to the three of them and even some of the ponies, unicorns and pegasi around them stared at her and Milon. He was shocked, the accusations she threw at him were preposterous!

"I don't know what you've gotten into your head but-"

"I saw you! " She interrupted him. "And I know you're up to something, what is it!? I'm not going to let you use one of my friends for your little schemes, whatever they are!"

Milon frowned and stood up, the feeling of his whole presence looming over her caused Rainbow to step back.

Milon's voice was calm, but everyone who heard him could feel the firm undertone in it. "This is not the place for this. If you want to talk civilized, we can do it in my tent! Now, if you'll please calm down a bit we'll meet you back at the camp!" With this he took his box of donuts and began to walk away, Applejack following closely beside him, looking back at Rainbow dash with a look filled with sadness and betrayal.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "That went well..."

She heard Rarity clear her throat. She turned her head to her and was met with an angry gaze."How dare you!?"

Rainbow Dash frowned, she didn't want to hear this right now. "Oh, don't start!"

"Oh, but I will! How dare you accuse him of something like that? I have been with them all day and I have seen nothin but pure affection between the two!" Rarity was irate, and her eyebrows were shivering slightly, she were frowning so hard.

"I just got this feeling that something was wrong and- " Rainbow tried to give her friend an excuse, but she was cut off by Rarity's irritation at her.

"Wrong!? How could anything be wrong!? They are in love, Rainbow! What the hay were you thinking!?"

it all dawned on her, she had been an idiot. Rainbow Dash looked down, feeling the shame showering her like a bucket of cold water. "I... Oh dear Celestia... I didn't think! Damn! What have I done?"

Rarity huffed. "Well, it certainly isn't me you're supposed to apologize to." She turned around and headed down the street, towards the city gate, causing Rainbow Dash to run after her to catch up, "And we're heading to Milon's tent right now!"

Rainbow Dash shivered as she thought of what Applejack and Milon would say to her, and if they would even accept her apology.

_________

Milon put his box of donuts down on the tent floor with a sigh. He wiped his forehead with his hand and sat down on his bed, made of a wooden frame that could be dismantled and a mattress stuffed with hay. He used a duvet made of different fur pelts sown together to warm himself at night. He sighed again and put his head in his hands.

"That sure was interesting." He sighed and rubbed his forehead.

Applejack walk around on the floor, like she was restless. "I haven't got the slightest idea what has gotten into her head. This is so unlike her, even though she is quite hot headed she has never done anything like this before!"

"It might be because of who I am, a leader of another country's army, so I guess I have something to hide." Milon added with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Applejack looked at him, certainly not amused. "Absolutely not. I know you have nothing to hide." She walked up to him and looked straight into his eyes. "I can feel that you are as honest as you are kindhearted."

Milon caressed her cheek, with a slight smile. "A womans intuition, huh?"

"I would call it knowing your loved one "

Milon chuckled and kissed her, causing her to close her eyes. She shivered as their tongues touched one another and she felt her cheeks getting warm.

They slowly pulled away from the kiss and Milon chuckled. "So Rainbow Dash isn't always like that you say?"

"No, she is stubborn and competitive, but she isn't stupid."

Milon stood up and walked over to his donut box and opened it, lifting out a big one with sugar and sprinkles on it. "That's always something. Though I can't imagine what made her think that I'm a spy."

Applejack walked around in the tent, looking at everything around her. "I think she's been doing too much thinking. I'm not defending what she accused you of but, this is new to all of us and I think that she's just confused."

Milon nodded and bit into his donut. "Mmh... I still excpect an apology though." Applejack poked one of the shields near the different suits of armour, accidentally causing it to fall over, strartling her.

"WAH! Uh... I hope she'll apologize. As I said, she's stubborn." She blushed and picked up the shield, putting it back in its place.

Milon ate the rest of the donut and pointed at his bed. "So, what do you think?"

Applejack cocked an eyebrow at him.

"What? I sleep in it everyday, I like it, I just asked for an opinion from someone else about how nice and comfortable it looks." He explained to her, giving her a sly smile.

She walked up to him with a playful look and put her hoof on his chest. "If you want to have fun with this girl you better earn it, and you better get ready for a ride when you do earn it~!"

Milon smirked. "Is that so?" <he leaned forward to kiss her again, but they heard footsteps, or hoofsteps really, outside the tent.

"Milon darling are you in here?" Rarity's voice was kind and vibrant, as always.

"Yes, please come in." As she walked in, they realized she wasn't alone. Rainbow Dash followed her inside, clearly ashamed, with her head down.

"Rainbow Dash wanted to apologize for her very mean behaviour before." She turned around and looked at Rainbow Dash. "Isn't that right?"

The blue pegasus looked up. "I'm... Milon, I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't think, I was stupid and I didn't think about your and Applejack's feelings." She looked down again- "Can you please accept my apology?"

Milon was looking at her, thinking for a little bit. Then he opened his mouth to speak. "You accused me of seducing the woman I love to get information"

He chuckled. "Not that I know what kind of information I would be able to get from her though, maybe which food Big Mac likes the most? Or if Granny Smith's hip is feeling better after she used the lotion I gave her? If I wanted any kind of information, I would try to seduce the Princess."

This caused Rainbow Dash to look hang her head.

He huffed, "But you did apologize. I can see that you mean it. But let me tell you one thing: I only want the best for us and for the relation between our countries and the last thing I want to hear is that I'm seducing a girl to get some information. You hear me?"

She looked up and nodded, "I hear you."

"Apology accepted!" Milon held his hand out and Rainbow placed her hoof in it and they shook them.

_________

Twilight were in her room inside the library she were living in, transcribing Spike's notes into a small empty book which she intended to fill with various information about humans and their culture. She had actually stalled quite a bit, the fact that the notes were very interesting caused her to get caught in the reading, rather than transcribing them.

"They like their warfare, don't they?" She said to herself as she wrote down the part about squad formations and Milon's own strategies.

She heard a knock on the door. "Who can that be that at this time of the day?" It had gotten dark outside and she began to feel a bit tired, Spike had already gone to bed and were sound asleep in his little basket on the floor, in his sleep he had kicked of his blanket and were snoring audibly. She tucked him in quickly once again before answering the door.

Outside were Rarity and Flutteshy.

"Hi! What a suprise to see you to here, come in, come in!" Twilight invited them in, happy to get some company.

Both of them walked in and she closed the door behind them.

"We thought that we'd keep you some company, if that's okay with you of course." Fluttershy smiled and sat down on one of the pillows, that were place around a round table."And we have some news we thought you'd like to hear. It's amazing and quite adorable if you ask me."

Rarity nodded. "I was actually there first hand to see it. As was Rainbow Dash."

Twilight looked at them, a bit confused. "Now you really have to reveal this little secret of yours, what did I miss?"

Rarity looked at Fluttershy, who nodded. "Milon and Applejack is a pair now."

Both Fluttershy and Rarity looked at Twilight, excited to see her reaction. "You're kidding... How is that even possible?"

That wasn't really what they expected, but at least she didn't seem to be disgusted about it.

"I mean, she's a pony and he's a human. Are we even compatible?" Twilight continued.

Fluttershy giggled. "They love each other, and I think it's cute. I mean, he seems to be an emotional, caring man. I think they'll be happy together."

"Of course they will be dear." Rarity exclaimed "He's a respectable man. He will do well."

Twilight had been thinking during the two's conversation and turned to them. "But... Doesn't he have a family at home?"

The question seemed to strike the two other ponies, they haven't thought out of that. "Yes, you're right." Rarity answered. "Does he have a family?"

"He didn't tell us, I think." Fluttershy said and walked over to them. "What if he has a family waiting for him at home? Children? Brothers or sisters?"

Twilight's horn glowed with a purple colour and the book she were writing started flipping through the pages. "When I asked him about different things about their warfare two days ago he told me he had been a general for five years, so that means I must have asked how old he- Yes! Here it is, he's twenty-six years old. I don't think he has any children, Fluttershy." She turned around and showed them her scribblings.

"But, what about his family then? And did you say he's been a general for five years... Was he only twenty-one years old when he became a general then?" Rarity asked, taking a closer look at what Twilight had written down.

"I have never heard about such a thing. Even Shining Armour, the skilled strategist he is, were thirty before he became the captain of the royal guard. And we're only one year older than Milon ourselves."

They looked at each other. "I think we have to ask him to tell us the story of how he became a general." They all nodded as Twilight came up with the idea.

"What's with all the noise down here?" Spike walked down the stairs, rubbing one of his eyes, groaning as he had been disturbed in his sleep. "I thought sleepovers meant sleeping. Not staying awake all night..."

"We're sorry darling." Rarity apologized and gave him a kiss on his lips when he came over to her, giving her a hug. "We we're just talking about Milon, you could say that we might have made a discovery."

Spike looked at them with his eyebrow raised. "Milon? I think absolutely everyone is talking about him! When I were in Canterlot yesterday I even heard a stallion say that... Well, it was very creepy and it should have been kept personal."

The girls giggled at this and Twilight used her magic to make the small notebook fly back up into her room.

"The discovery is that Milon is twenty-six years old, and has been a general for five. Which means he was twenty-one when he became a general. But none of us has never heard of such a thing, since getting high ranks in the military requires many years of experience."

Spike nodded and twilight continued, "and even Shining Armor was thirty before he became a captain, Spike. Think about it, a captain! A general must be like, five times the rank."

Spikes eyes widened. "Yeah, that's very strange. How did that happen? How the hay could Milon be ten years younger than Shining Armour and get the top rank?"

Fluttershy opened her mouth. "Can't we just ask him? That is what we planned, right?"

Spike shrugged. "It looks like that's our best bet."

_________

Milon had lit a small fire inside his tent, over which he were grilling a fish that he had caught in the Canterlot lake, and in a pot next to the fish he were boiling water for some pasta he were going to cook.

Beside him sat Applejack, she was looking as Milon had scaled the fish and gutted it before he started to grill it. She had never eaten fish before herself, and ponied werevegitarians, so Milon had gone over to the cooks tent and asked them to make some salad, which he had brought back to her. She hadn't started to eat it yet because she wanted to share their first dinner together properly as a pair. Milon took a few long strands of hard pasta and broke them in the middle and put them in the boiling water. After he did that, he turned the fish upside down by turning the small metal pole it was impaled on.

"It sure is efficient having those hands ain't it?" Applejack looked at them closely.

"Yeah I guess. I mean it's easy to grip, hold and turn stuff with them. But you ponies seem to have done everything good enough without them. You earth ponies and pegasi I mean, unicorns have their magic."

Applejack took off her hat with her hoof and put it next to herself. "I guess it's like you humans, learning to use your hands without any magic, you get used to it after a while."

Milon stirred around in the pot of pasta with a fork. "I guess you're right. But there are very few humans that actually know how to use magic, but for some reason they are outcasts, living alone, far away from people." Applejack took the leather hair band out of her mane and let it fall out onto her shoulders and back.

Milon smiled. "You're pretty, you know that?"

She blushed and smiled back. "Thank you sugarcube. You're pretty handsome yourself."

He smirked and chuckled. "Shaving every morning can do that to a man."

This made Applejack to laugh, almost knocking over her bowl of salad. Milon reached behind himself to get a bowl and got the pasta out from the pan and put it in it, along with some pieces of fish, which he had taken away from the grill and put on a wooden platter.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Milon got up and filled two cups with an inch of the clear liquid that he had called vodka, he also grabbed a bottle of wine and brought it back with him, putting one of the cups in front of his girlfriend. "For us! Also, drink all of it in one go, it's just to get us a bit warm."

Applejack nodded, she knew it was really strong, and it was just good that he'd only taken an inch of it. They knocked their cups together and swallowed their drinks. The taste and strength of the liquid caused Applejack to shiver and grimace. "Brr!"

Milon was used to drinking this, but it still made him grimace, it was that strong. "Oh, fuck me!"

Applejack huffed and shuddered again. "How in Celestia's name can you like this?"

Milon chuckled. "We don't really like it the way someone like drinking milk, it's mostly to warm you up. The worst thing you can do is to drink loads of it, you'll get the most horrible hangover in existence. It will feel like there is a quarry inside your head."

Applejack put her empty cup down. "I'd imagine, sweet Celestia..."

Milon now filled half of their cups with red wine from a bottle. "I love you."

Applejack smiles again, with a slight blush on her cheeks. "I love you too, Milon." She leaned forward and kissed him on his lips, causing him to smile again. He pressed his lips against hers rubbing her left ear as he did.

As they pulled away from the kiss, Milon looked at her, still smiling. "I think we should start eating now, or else the food is going to get cold."

She giggled and agreed.

As they ate and sipped on their wine they chatted away, talking about how life were at the Sweet Apple Acres farm, and in the military.

Applejack asked Milon about his family. "Are your family waiting for you to get back? They must be missing you."

Milon sighed. "I don't have a family."

"Oh..." Applejack felt uneasy, this was awkward. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

Milon smiled at her again."It's okay. I just don't have the happiest family history, and you couldn't have known."

...

The evening went on and it got darker and darker outside. The small fire had burned down and their food was eaten, so all left to do were to either go to bed, or to cuddle. And both you and me know that they would not waste a chance to snuggle, right?

Applejack leaned her head against Milon's chest as she sat in his lap. She was blushing, feeling the heat on her cheeks. Maybe it was because she could feel his body against hers? Or that his arms were wrapped around her, keeping her safe and protected?

It might have been all of it at once. She looked up and saw him looking back down at her, his eyes, kind and warm, looking into hers. She reached her hoof up to his cheek and brought herself closer to him. They kissed each other again, their lips rubbing softly against one another as they kissed each other tenderly, and with each tender moment she felt her cheeks get warmer.

She opened her mouth and let her lovers tongue inside, shivering in pleasure as it rubbed against her own, causing her to let out a soft moan as she massaged his tongue with her own. He pulled his lips away from hers, allowing them both to breathe. Their lips connected again and Milon laid her down on the rug covered ground, kissing her deeply once again.

They both moaned now, Applejack wrapped her forelegs around his neck and clinged to him. She never imagined kissing anyone could feel this amazing. It was totally different from the kissing when she was a little filly, she remembered kissing a little colt, and she remembered that he were even more nervous than she was.

Milon was the opposite, he knew what he wanted, and he seemed to know what she wanted as well. Whenever she wanted him to rub his tongue against hers, he did it without her telling him, not that she were able to at the moment.

It was the same when she wanted him to rub her cheek or just kiss her normally, massaging her lips gently as he kissed her oh so tenderly. They couldn't really tell when the kissing stopped, suddenly they were just laying there, looking into one another's eyes.

"This will be very interesting to write to Celestia about." Applejack said with a soft warm voice.

"Please don't, I don't think she'd approve of me kissing one of her subjects in this kind of manner."

She booped his nose and giggled. "You're wonderful, sugarcube."

He gave her a soft kiss again. "So are you. Come, let's go to bed. It's getting late." They laid down in the bed, holding each other close as Milon pulled the fur duvet over them.

Applejack smiled and sighed contented and enjoyed feeling her lovers strong arms around her. Suddenly she felt something poke into her lower back.

"Milon, what-" "I'm sorry!"

She giggled and blushed again. "You really are quite the man aren't you?"

"I blame you, being the lovely girl that you are."

"Goodnight sugarcube."

...

Applejack woke up, she was tired. The rooster weren't there to wake her up so she had been sleeping longer than she used to. Something was off, not that she was sleeping in a different bed than what she was used to, but Milon was not there. She yawned and stretched as she sat up, blinking a few times- She saw that there was a wooden plate in front of the burned down fireplace with some salad on it, and the cup seemed to be filled with milk this time, instead of vodka.

She smiled. Lover boy indeed. She sat down at the plate and began to eat. As she sat there her thoughts went back to the day that she told Big Mac that she were going to stay for a while with Milon in his camp.

...

Her saddlebags were packed with some apples and different things she thought she needed staying over at Milons camp.

"I hope ya'll won't miss me too much while I'm away." She smiled at Big Mac, who were helping her strap on her saddlebags.

"I just hope that you won't get into trouble. I'm sure that Milon will take good care of you, but you can't be too sure about everyone else."

Applejack turned around. "They are all very nice, they'll make sure I have a nice visit."

Big Mac looked at her, suddenly going quiet.

"What?"

"You like him don't you?"

Applejack to avoid answering the question. "What do you mean?"

"I'm your brother... I can see that you like him. As long as you are happy, I will be happy" he kissed her forehead before putting her hat on her head and started smirking, "I hope you know what you're doing little sis', and please don't break him, im not sure what it costs to repair a broken general."

She giggled. "Don't get any ideas now Big Mac, and make sure to buck those apples, we need to make more cider!"

Their dog Winona were sitting next to Big Mac, panting and waving her tail happily at them both.

"I'm sorry Winona, I can't bring you along." Applejack smiled at the her beloved dog, to be honest, she was a bit sad that she could not bring her alone, but she needed to stay at home and protect the family.

This made Winona lower hear head, and let out a whine.

"I promise that I won't be gone for too long, and maybe I can get Milon to come visit."

This made Winona bark once and start to wave her tail again.

Suddenly a shout could be heard from the living room, it was granny smith.

"Whoa nelly! This is some drink!"

Big Mac turned around and walked out to her, waving at Applejack "See ya, sis'!"

"Take care brother, take care Granny!"

Granny's voice came floating out from the living room. "Oh I will dear! Just let me have some more of this, then we can get this dance started!" She giggled as she walked out.

"Take care of the family Winona, and try not to let Applebloom push you around with all her cutie mark crusadin' you hear?" Winona barked again.

Applejack smiled and closed the door behind her, walking out to the carriage that were waiting on her.

...

She finished her salad and drank the milk, licking her lips. It tasted delicious. She walked out out the tent and looked around. The camp was bustling as it always seemed to do and she walked around, looking for Milon. She didn't ask anyone where he was because she hadn't seen all of the camp yet and she liked to get some exercise and air along with seeing all the things she had missed.

he soldiers greeted her with happy smiles, hello's and the like. A Female soldier even shook her hoof when she greeted her. She wished her and Milon luck with everything. Applejack didn't know if Milon had told them about it, but gossip was bound to go around amongst people, and she didn't mind that they knew, and the fact they were positive about it just made it easier.

There were lots of noise coming from the area where the smiths were repairing weapons, and even making new ones. She walked over, and coughed as a big cloud of smoke engulfed her.

"Okay guys, lets bring the heat up a notch! Remember, these are supposed to be Myrmidon blades! Put the Myrmidon spirit in you into the blade! Let them be strong, swift and reliable! Just like the men and women that will wield them!" As always, Milon sounded like he was in total control.

Another cloud of smoke flew into Applejacks face again, causing her eyes to water and she started to cough.

"Mil- *hack, cough* Milon! Where are you?" A loud TSCHH Was heard and suddenly someone bumped into her.

"Oh goodness, I couldn't see you, love!" Milon put his hand on her shoulder and led her out of the smoke and steam. "There we go."

Applejack blinked and looked up at him. "Thank Celestia, it was hard to even exist in that there environment."

Milon gave her a kiss. "It's not always like that, it's mostly steam, but it does get very thick at times. We've had some broken shields, spears and swords that we needed to replace, that's what we're doing today." She looked over at the forge. The smoke had started to dissolve and she could could see four persons through it.

"Forging swords causes this much smoke?" Milon turned and looked at the smiths at work.

"Both yes and no, right now we're heating up the steel bars and cooling them down repeatedly to make it as hard and durable as possible. After that we heat it up again and start the smithing, pounding it into shape with our hammers." As he spoke the smiths started to work on the steel with their hammers, pounding the steel with full strength, slowly shaping it. "The last thing we need to do, is to create the handles, wrapping leather around it for good grip, and lastly we sharpen the blades to perfection."

Applejack looked back at him. "Didn't you say that you and your family were good blacksmiths?"

Milon smiled proudly. "Yes we are. The best in Holems to be precise. Or that's what we like to advertise. speaking about it..."He turned around to shout at one of the blacksmiths.

"Remember to pound it outwards, Earl! From the base, so that you get the correct shape!"

Earl answered with a "Yes sir!" And continued his work.

The weather wasn't the best, it had rained earlier that morning and the sky was gray with clouds, which meant that Milon didn't go half naked today. He was wearing a brown wool shirt along with the usual skirt pants.

The pair walked away from the forge and headed down one of the gravel trails that went through the camp. The Myrmidons were in the middle of building a Palisade around their camp and both Milon and Applejack decided to help with hammering the poles into the ground, making the ropes that would be needed for tying them up and all the other things that needed to be done.

After a few hours they looked at their work. There were still much to be done but a gate had been finished along with small watchtowers next to it and they were proud of their work. It wasn't long until two crossbowmen were stationed in the watchtowers, keeping a lookout.

It was almost time for lunch and most of the soldiers were heading towards the cooks tent to get their grilled fish, meat, vegetables and cooked pasta. The soldiers in the watchtowers and the soldiers guarding the gates did not leave their posts, they would get their food delivered to them so they could eat at their post.

As Applejack and Milon started to head towards Milon's tent for lunch together, they were addressed by one of the gate guards.

"General! Visitors are approaching!"

He turned around and saw Twilight, with Spike riding on her back, Fluttershy and Rarity walking towards them through the gate. He greeted them with open arms. "Friends! I'm so happy to see you on this, I would say wonderful day, if not for the weather."

The three pony girls smiled back at him. And they greeted him. "Hello Milon!"

Milon smiled at them, feeling very happy that they decided to visit"What brings you here? More research? Or maybe just some quality time?"

Twilight looked around, interestingly studying the half built palisade. "This wasn't here the last time I visited. Why the fortifications?" ¨

Milon smiled and began to walk towards his tent, the others following. "It always feels safer with walls around you, also we will be staying here for a while so I thought we might get a little proper while we're at it." He opened the curtain to his tent and let the ponies in, before going in himself and closing it after himself. Spike jumped down from Twilight's back and began to inspect the tent, looking around at the different things inside it. Twilight looked a bit nervous, which Milon noticed."Anything on your mind Twilight?"

"Yes. I read through Spike's notes yesterday and I noticed that you said you were twenty-one when you became a general and that you're twenty-five now." she shifted where she stood, not sure how to continue. "I'm wondering, how did you become a general at such a young age?"

Milon didn't say anything for a long time as he thought. He then sighed and sat down, starting to light a fire. "If you gather around, I will tell you the tale." He said with a neutral voice.

They all sat down around the small fire as it started to grow and Spike took out a quill, some ink and a roll of parchment.

"Should I write this down?" He asked Twilight, who looked over at Milon. "Is it okay if he does?"

Milon nodded. He put a log of wood on the fire. "It's not a happy story, though, stories of this kind never are.

...
Milon were standing on the wall, looking out over his hometown, the capital of Holems, Darkane. Merchants, peasants and all sorts of people were yelling, talking and living their lives in the streets below.

"Milon!" He heard a voice calling to him. Milon recognized this voice very well. He remembered the first time he heard it, the day his father and him moved to Darkane. He had been living in the Darkane stronghold almost all of his life and since he was the captain of the soldiers in the fortress and his father was the general of the royal army, things were good for them. But what this day had in store for him, would change his life forever.

He turned around and were met by the sergeant, Augustus.

"Augustus, my friend. what brings you here?"

The older male did a salute. "Your father is requesting your presence sir!

Milon chuckled. "I told you, you can drop all the sir and salute things, we're friends you and I."

Augustus smiled and took off his helmet. "Casual as usual I notice," He smiled and patted Milons shoulder "Your father seeks you, he said that it was important, but nothing more than that."

Milon nodded. "the old man is sounding more and more as a wise old wizard with each passing day, but I'll head to his chambers immediately."

Augustus nodded in response and headed back to the barracks, from where he came.

Milon walked through the halls and up stairs, heading towards his fathers chambers. At the end of the top hall were his fathers room. He opened the sturdy wooden door and went inside, closing it after him. "Father, you wanted to see me?"

His father, Rolfe, was old, he was sixtyfive years old and his hair and beard had turned gray long ago.

"Ah... Son..." He stood up from his chair and gave his son a tight hug.

"I need to speak to you. And I'm afraid that this won't be making the day any brighter, I know that it will make the sky dark, for the both of us..."

Milon gave him a concerned look. "Father? What do you mean?"

Rolfe sighed. "I am getting old... I have lived a long life. Taking care of you after your mother died was not easy. But you have been a good son, you're a good man. We have lived here for so long and... What I'm trying to say is... I'm dying."

Milon froze at his fathers words. He knew that this day would come, the day his father told him that his life was coming to an end, but he had always hoped that it would never come.

"Time has caught up to me, and I feel myself getting weaker every day and I am going to die. But I have one last thing to ask of you."

Milon nodded. "What is it that you ask of me? You know that I will do anything for you."

Rolfe gripped his sons shoulder and looked at him, his face serious. "I want you to fight me in a duel, and defeat me to take my position as the general when I die."

Milon wanted to protest, even though he had told his father that he would do anything for him. "Father! You want me to kill you!? I... I don't think I can do that!"

His father shook his head. "I know it's not easy, but there is no one else that I trust will do the right thing with the power my position will give. Remember what I've always told you, We need to protect our people, the people is the kingdom. "

"For without a kingdom, the king will have nothing to rule." Milon finished. "It is our duty to the king."

His father continued. "I also know that you will give me a quick and painless death."

Milon smiled at him, sorrow starting to fill inside his chest. "I promise that I will give you a warriors death, so that Calorossa will accept you into the heavens."

Rolfe nodded. "I'll go talk to the king, we have some preparations to make before the duel."

Milon took his fathers arm, causing him to look back at him."I want you to fight me, no going easy. Or else you won't die like a warrior if I manage to take you down!"

His father chuckled. "I might be old boy, but I'm not so old that I have forgotten the meaning of honour, or how to fight a scrawny shrimp like you."

...

King Gordin were standing in the castle courtyard along with Rolfe and Milon. Captains, Sergeants, the kings men and soldiers were standing around them, about to watch the duel between the father and the son.

"Rolfe." The king spoke loud and clear, so that everyone could hear, and to make them be quiet. "If you are defeated in this duel to the death against your son Milon, he will take over your position as the general of the royal army of Holems, and as an honouring gift for the services you have done for your country you will be buried in the tomb of heroes. Do you accept these conditions?" Rolfe, old as he was, still looked strong and dangerous in the armour he was wearing. He gave his king a nod, accepting the conditions of the duel. "I understand, my liege."

The king turned to Milon, both sorrow and seriousness painting his face now. "Milon, Captain of the Darkane Stronghold soldiers. If your father defeats you, in this duel to the death, the sergeant below you will take over your rank as captain and you will be buried in the Soldiers Graveyard. Do you accept these conditions?" Milon nodded. "I accept."

The king sighed, it was almost like he had wished that one of them didn't accept, so that there were no need for them to duel.

"Then, let the duel begin!" The king backed away,and Milon and Rolfe drew their swords.

The sound of steel against steel filled the courtyard as the duellists swung their swords against one another, sending sparks around them as their blades crashed against each other. As they stood close, their blades connected.

Milon spoke. "I love you father, and I will miss you..."

Rolfe just gave a quick nod and swung his sword again, forcing Milon to jump out of the way. The adrenalin were pumping inside him and his heart was beating harder than he thought was possible. He lunged forward again, causing his father to back away as he parried the blow. Rolfe stood steady, swinging his sword down toward Milon's head. Milons instinct took over, he couldn't really explain what happened. It was as if the sword in his hand took control of him, controlling his movements.

He swung upwards, his sword hitting the handle of his fathers sword, causing it to fly out of his hand. Then he slashed down across his fathers chest, tearing through his armour like it was made of paper. He watched as his father staggered backwards and fell down on his back, defeated.

Milon dropped his sword and ran over to his father, kneeling down at his side. "Father..."

Rolfe smiled at him through the pain. The wound was deadly, they both knew it. He coughed, blood dripping out from the side of his mouth.

"Milon... My son..." He grimaced in pain as he spoke. "You have made me very proud... I know you are ready for what is in front of you. I only wish that I didn't have to die for you to protect our people. I love you, son... May Callorossa give you courage and strength to do what is right, and to protect the ones that need protection..." Tears were flowing from his eyes now, dripping into his bright gray beard.

Milon was also crying. "I love you father..." He could barely speak, the tears were dripping down his cheeks. "I pray to you Calorossa, the goddess of war to take my father, the warrior Rolfe Damel into the heavens. He has died a warriors death!"

Rolfe was dead, and Milon were breathing heavily, trying to hold even more tears back.

"I love you father... we will meet again in the heavens above..."He put his fingers at his fathers eyes and closed them, making him look serene, and finally at peace.