Icy Wastes

Tharian’s face fell the moment he laid eyes on the gathering of the Royal Court. Namely, the presence of the nobles and of course Prince Blueblood. He wouldn’t have minded so much if they hadn’t all stopped what they were doing to glare at him.

“What is that barbarian doing here?” One of them spoke.

“Why weren’t we alerted?”

“My question is how didn’t you hear me nearly hack that…” Tharian pointed to the door he had nearly detached with his axe, “Door down, or had seen it.”

“Yes, you do tend to make us replace it with every visit.” Celestia chuckled, trying to hide her amusement.

“We’ve had events like that happening recently, what with those two little hellions.” Another scoffed.

“They aren’t hellions. They’re foals.” Celestia retorted.

“Psh, their parents should still learn to control them.”

“Is that projection I hear?” Chrysalis mused.

“Shut it, just because you’re considered ‘good’ by the commoners doesn’t mean we like you.” A noble snapped.

“Auntie, I demand that these two things be dragged out of this court! They don’t nee-” Blueblood was cut off.

“Chrysalis and Tharian are not things, Blueblood.” Celestia snapped, causing all eyes to turn to her. Usually she remained passive, though, she never gave into the nobles demands, but for once she was truly standing up and stamping her foot down. “Tharian is here to make sure his subjects survive a harsh winter. They’re starving, and we’re one of his few allies. Due to this help in the past, and his willingness to support us, I have decided to send his kingdom aid in whatever form he requires. Which, leads me into the next thing…”

“Woah! You’re just going to steal from us to give to him? That’s far from fair! If they can’t survi-” The noble cut himself off, and now there was an icy chill in the room.

“No. Go ahead. Speak.” Tharian ordered. “I desire to hear what you think.” He cracked his knuckles in a threatening manner. “Were you going to say my tribe should just starve? Or, freeze to death? Or die? It’s no wonder your very presence caused all but the guards ordered to stay here to leave. I’m sure they all had patrols they forgot about until your arrival… it’s no wonder you confine yourself to the castle and your manors. You wouldn’t survive a single day if some real threat came to your doorstep.”

The noble straightened up, the others around him supporting him. “You’re just some… relic. You and your kind stay stuck in your ancient ways.”

“Ways that have allowed you to live. Or, should we, stuck in our ancient and time honored ways, have just abandoned your army to their demise hundreds of years ago? Even if that thought had crossed my mind, I would have shut it down in a moment.” Tharian growled. “You believe me to be a barbarian. Yet, it seems those who’ve chosen me as their leader are more civilized then something that calls itself ‘noble’. Ha. If you’re truly worthy of following then I’ll lay down my crown and abandon everything I’ve fought for. Prove me wrong, I fucking dare you.” He glared at the noblemen.

“I, nor anypony I’ve fought beside, can claim to be the sole reason Equestria’s survived. No amount of warriors defending you, nor lives sacrificed, mean anything without a strong and sure leader to bring you all together.” He glanced to Celestia who had calmed back down. “I won’t threaten your life, nor anypony’s here. Yet, you threaten the very survival of a species, for what? Petty grievances because you know little of us?” He growled, dropping down into a chair.

“And you dare call me a barbarian.” He scoffed, crossing his arms.

None of the nobles spoke.

Chrysalis was just staring at Tharian, a small grin on her face.

“No ‘witty’ retorts, or ‘clever’ jabs?” Tharian asked. “What, did I catch you off guard?”

“You caught me off guard…” Chrysalis mumbled quietly.

“Y-you won’t hear the end of this… w-w…”

“What will you do? I’d applaud you if you attempted to stand before this order. But, I doubt there will be a single pony who will allow for any helping hand to be stopped.” Celestia stated. “If you desire to fight, should I contact Twilight and Arkantos? It’d be quite…” She clicked her tongue, “Uncouth, to interrupt their long planned vacation… They definitely wouldn’t be too happy… neither would Cadance or Shining, having to miss seeing their little niece and nephew. Imagine that… two more Princesses angered by your inability to help… Not to mention having the guard turned against you by angering Shining… or gods forbid… After Arkantos’ near sacrifice to defend ponies he didn’t know, let alone who thought ill of him… I’m sure the citizens of Canterlot, would adore seeing him angry at you.” She mused.

Both Tharian and Chrysalis were watching Celestia now.

Tharian was supremely interested in seeing Celestia act like this… her truly hidden ferocity and force made him just desire her completely.

Chrysalis was rather surprised by this, Celestia tended to be kind and caring, even when shutting down bad ideas… but this, this was truly something she stood behind. Gods forbid the nobles try to stand between her and her goal now…

“Not to mention Ponyville falling completely out of your grasp… oooh, then there’s their friends… my, I’m sure several of them would have some very vocal opposition to your attempts to starve another country.” While she was speaking she had teleported an inkwell, quill, and paper to her throne. Even half-paying attention to it, she was still writing out a letter in a painfully slow manner. “Now, I’m sure you’d all definitely come out juuuusssst fine from it… even having all of you denounced publicly… to all nations, even if the Tribes have very little in the way of allies… for years now, they’ve had very little in the way of enemies… I doubt anypony besides the most disgusting and vile creatures would support your decision to let innocent citizens die off…” She tapped her chin, now finishing the letter. Her magic rolled it up and sent it off.

In that moment all of the nobles hearts sank immediately, existential dread thick in the air. Chrysalis was awe-struck, but Tharian was on the verge of laughter. She looked over to him and he leaned in.

“She wasn’t writing a letter about this…” He whispered to Chrysalis. “But, just wait… they’ll all cave.”

“W… wh-what blocking?” A noble finally spoke.

“I don’t remember… a-anything about blocking anything!”

“Yeah! W-we’ll send what ever support we can provide…”

“In fact, we’ll… s-start it!” One last noble spoke before they all bolted out of the room.

Blueblood was left speechless, two god like entities, and one ancient king staring at him.

“Well, Blueblood, did you have anything to say?” Celestia smiled innocently.

“Y… you… j-just…” He mumbled.

“What did I do? I was just making sure Tharian’s kingdom doesn’t starve.” Celestia said.

Blueblood turned and ran from the room.

“That issues been solved.” Celestia sighed, looking to Tharian. “Now, since they won’t be bothering anypony else today, what should we do?”

“Food.” Tharian stated firmly.

“Then food it is!” Celestia grinned, her magic summoning a butler.

“Yes, Princess?” The butler asked.

“Please alert the cooks that we have a code teal.” Celestia said, “And get the first round out here as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, Princess.” He nodded, leaving the throne room.

“This… is going to be interesting.” Chrysalis muttered to herself.

Meanwhile:

Twilight had just settled down on the beach, Spike was content to mess around on his own, only coming over to give her the letter Celestia had just sent. “You… did tell her you’re on vacation, right?” He asked.

“Of course! I’m sure she’s just checking up on us, don’t worry.” Twilight smiled.

“Oooh, great!” Spike grinned. “So, what does it say?”

“What does what say?” Arkantos asked as he walked up to the two from the water, he was soaked head to toe, having gotten into a wrestling match with Rainbow Dash- the pegasus having taken him into the air and throwing him down into the water, in return she got a full blast of water to the face and was now coughing it up- and was just coming back to sit beside Twilight.

“Celestia sent a letter.” She unrolled it, and searched over it for a few moments. “Oooh boy…” She whistled. Everypony else gathered around, wanting to know what was so important. “Well, looks like after we’re done with our little vacation, all of you are going to be lucky enough to meet another world leader.” She shook her head. “Ark, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, please promise me something.”

“What?” The three asked.

“You won’t get involved in any drinking matches he starts… I don’t want any of you being overly humillated… and I honestly don’t want you encouraging him to keep going. Last time he came to the castle hammered… well, it was like a two pony riot occurred.”

“What do you mean?” Arkantos asked.

“The north barracks was trashed, half the throne room was dismantled, both magically, and hacked apart with an axe… they nearly torched the library…” Twilight began to name of a looooong list of events that occurred. Everypony was speechless.

“No, you don’t mean he’s shown up…” Spike muttered.

“Yep. And Celestia wants us to meet him.” Twilight nodded.

“Wait, you said two ponies, right? Who was the other besides this mysterious brute of a stallion.” Rarity asked.

“Celestia.”