Just another day... I wish
It was another stormy day today, the hard rain beating against the roofs and windows of houses all across the county, the angry clouds alive with thunder and spears of lightning striking the ground in seemingly random spots and Fianna of all stripes rushing to get to cover when they had to move, with more than a few umbrella's being shared by strangers on the road. Children played in the mud and ran screaming and laughing despite the furious sky above them, their antlers mere bumps on their heads, enjoying both the rain and their own youth. Even through the rain and wind, the smell of fresh bread and other bakery goods was slight but ever present.
I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Such a sight isn't uncommon, yet it's one I'll never tire of. The small town of Prods has always managed to remain untouched by the rest of the world's troubles. Many are born here, many will stay here until their dying days. One could only hope this peace would last.
With another flash of thunder, I turn back to watch my herd. Thankfully, they've long grown past being spooked by our county's near constant storms. A herd of twenty three goats and four yearlings, all grazing about the grassy hill we'd stopped at, shielded somewhat from the rain by the few trees that grew there. Gripping my cane tightly, I wave it above my head and shout to get the small herd moving. They moved without complaint, and once more we braved the storm.
They were cooperative, used to me leading them after being in my care for this long, and soon enough, my family's single-story house and the neighboring sheltered pen came into view-
Wait. Why are the lights on? I know I put out the lights before I left... unless someone decided to "drop in" while I was away...
My eyes narrow and I quickly herded the goats into the pen and hurriedly closed the gate, filling their water trough before running to the oaken door, turning the handle and slamming it open and stomping inside, mindful of my antlers as I passed through the doorway and into the living area.
"Atá sa diabhal atá tú?! Cén fáth a bhfuil tú i mo theach-"(Who the hell are you?! What are you doing in my house-) At first I was shouting, but upon seeing what it was that decided to drop in stopped me in my tracks.
Sitting on my family's old couch was a white pony, with a horn almost two thirds the height of my antlers, her white dress doing nothing to hide the pair of wings folded at her back, the crooks of which were barely peeking a bit above her shoulders and her hands were folded in her lap. Her pastel rainbow mane billowed about her shoulders as if blown in an unseen breeze.
Looking at the pictures on the back wall was a somewhat smaller dark blue pony, wearing a black dress and sporting a horn and wings as well. Her mane held the same billowing quality, but depicted the night sky.
Sitting by the fire in my Da's old rocking chair by the fire was a pink pony, smaller than the previous one and without the billowing mane, though she as well had the horn and wings. She looked to have been dozing off, rocking gently in the chair.
Finally, standing with her back to me was the smallest of the four, a purple pony with-you guessed it- a horn and wings. Her own mane was a dark purple with a hot pink stripe running through it.
At my sudden (and rather loud) entrance, the white one quickly turns her head towards me, as did her dark blue companion. The pink one sitting in the chair jerks awake, sending the rocking chair and her tumbling backwards. The purple one squeaks in surprise, clearing the room in a jump and crashing into the couch the white one sat on.
I just stare on in bewilderment as the purple one manages to free her head from the couch cushions. The white pony gave me a friendly smile.
"Mister Dearg, I assume? I'm sorry to drop in like this unannounced, but we'd appreciate a moment of your time." she asks. If it had been someone else she was asking, she would've gotten a confused stare by way of answer. Me Da' made sure that I understood Equestrian well enough to speak it, in case ponies came to town looking for milk or cheese.
Regardless of my understanding of Equestrian, I stare at her in confusion anyway. If I remember correctly, ponies with horns and wings were called uni-wait, no. Alicorns. That's it. Immortal ponies tied to aspects of society or celestial bodies, with terrifying amounts of magical power...
Shaking myself out of my recollection, I tilt my head at her. Let me test something...
"Cad a rinne dhíth ort?" (What did you need?) I ask. The now recovered purple alicorn looks at me in a combination of fascination and bewilderment, while the pink one just looks lost. The older looking two seem to understand me.
"Ní mór dúinn do chabhair. Cloisfidh tú dúinn amach?"(We need your help. Will you hear us out?) The white one answers without missing a beat.
"Gabhaimid leithscéal as dul isteach i do theach gan chuireadh, ach tá sé práinneach."(We apologize for entering your house uninvited, but it's urgent.) The dark blue one pipes up. The purple one smiles widely and gives off a *squee*
"A Red Fianna! A living Red Fianna!!" I can't help but jump at her sudden outburst, and before I understand what's happening, she's well within my personal space, examining me rather closely.
"Twilight, please give the poor deer some space. He's probably not used to having princesses show up in his home unannounced." The white one says to the purple one, Twilight I'm guessing, who blushes in embarrassment as she looks up at me.
"Eheh... Sorry about that." she apologizes before turning to join the white one.
"Don't worry about it." I say with a grin. Her head immediately whips around, eyes wide again.
"You could speak Equestrian this whole time?!"
"Yes, though not easily." I answer, crossing my arms. "Me Da' taught me it in case any pony traders made port here."
"Anyways, will you hear our plea, Sir Dearg?" The dark blue one speaks up again. It seems she's growing irritated...
"Fine. But before I do... Ye ladies want anythin'?" I ask, making my way towards my modest kitchen. "I've got some tea if ya want."
About 20 minutes later, the Alicorns, who's names I finally learned were Celestia, Luna, Cadence and, of course, Twilight, were all seated at my dining table with steaming mugs of tea. I sat at the head of the table with a glass of uisce beatha.
"Now, let's get straight to the point." Luna says, "I don't believe you need me to tell you that your lands are on the brink of a civil war."
"You'd be right. Usually the airdrígh would keep the clan heads in line, but Da' said he was dyin'." It was troubling indeed, but there wasn't a lot that could be done about it. The storm picked up in intensity outside while I was making their tea, and was now howling like a ravening wolf.
"If at all possible, we'd like to avoid a civil war being fought here, but Equestria has no presence in these lands." Celestia picks up her mug and sips the tea, before sighing. "Most Fianna are outright hostile towards my little ponies."
THAT I knew all too well. Only the northern counties tolerated the presence of Equestrians. Even then, they didn't trust them. But that begs the question...
"I understand that pretty well, but what does this have to do with me? And for that matter, how did you even know about me to begin with?" I ask.
"What this means is that we need somepony to make it to the capital and talk with the High King before it's too late. But there's few we can trust in these lands... your father, Cormac, was one of the few we could." Celestia says with a twinkle in her eye. "And it's safe to say you've grown since I saw you last..."
Wait. Waitwaitwait...
"You knew me Da? He never talked about you!" There's no way she's telling the truth... I'd imagine Da would've told me about knowing a foreign princess!
"We asked him not to, but that's not the point." The pink one spoke up.
"Then get to it." I state, taking a drink from my glass and sighing at the burn. "All o' this beatin' around the bush is gettin' tiresome."
"We were wondering if you'd be willing to escort our little Twilight here to the capital." She states.
...
"Escort a princess?" I ask, dubiously. "Me, a goat herder, escort an Equestrian princess to capital? On hoof I'm guessing?"
"We know this is a lot to ask... but there's nopony else we can ask." Celestia speaks up, meeting my eyes. She looks... apologetic. "Will you help us?"
"Who'd watch over me goats?" I ask, narrowing my eyes.
"We'd have one of our best herders watch over them in your absence." Celestia answers evenly. "They'd be in good care."
This whole thing sounds fishy to me... but at the same time, what if I really am their only option?
I down the rest of my drink and pinch the bridge of my nose. I just know I'm gonna regret this...
"Fine. I'll help ye." I relent. Celestia gives me a warm smile, Luna nods, Cadence takes a drink of her tea. But Twilight? She was practically bouncing in her seat.
I slam my glass down on the table loudly.
"BUT!!!" I cut in loudly before they can say anything else. "If this whole thing turns out to be a waste o' time, if any o' me goats go missin', or if ye lied to me about all o' this, you'd better BELIEVE there'll be hell to pay. Princess or no princess."
Despite my threat, they all grin.
I'm regretting this already...