Chapter One: Stranger In A Strange Land
Dragon Lord Ember stood gazing out the window of her chambers, watching the sun rise over the jagged horizon. Considering the momentous events of the day to come, she could not help but muse that her homeland might look like some alien world to visiting outsiders. The rocky cliffs and mountains, glowing a beautiful rusty red and brown in the sunrise, probably looked stark and barren to races like the Ponies who loved lush vegetation and grassy forests. The volcanic lava flows that sculpted the arid landscape into winding valleys would likely be a fearsome sight to those who loved calm streams and lakes of cool, clear water, the ash and smoke drifting into the morning sky likely being offensively acrid to those who preferred gentle rains and fresh woodland breezes. To such gentle warm-blooded creatures this terrain of lava hewn volcanic rock probably looked like Tartarus on Equestria. But to Ember the landscape of her beloved Dragon Lands was a beautiful sight to behold. It was her ancestral home and had been the home of her proud race for centuries, and she would not trade it for anything else in the world.
With a final yawn and a stretch, her green and blue wings spreading out behind her and catching the golden rays of the rising sun to briefly cast a turquoise glow into the room, she took a deep breath of the warm sulfur-scented morning air. Then she relaxed and leaned against the obsidian windowsill with her foreclaws, her head bowed for a moment in even deeper contemplation. She couldn't help but ask herself if what she was about to do today would really be the best thing for her nation. Dragons had lived for so long without any allies, reliant only on their own strengths to survive, needing no friends and defiant against all enemies. There were many of her subjects who openly opposed today's diplomatic meeting, and for a moment she took pause to wonder if they were right to object. No, she thought as she actually shook her horned head. Her rule would be a new age of enlightenment for Dragonkind and today's talks would be a major step toward achieving that historic goal.
Ember turned from the window with renewed resolve, pausing a moment to crack her knuckles and her neck with a brisk tilt of her head to the left and then the right. Then she spoke aloud to her empty bedroom.
“Okay. Let's do this...”
* * *
At Canterlot Castle, on the broad balcony that served as the arrival and departure point for the royal sky chariots, Princess Celestia prepared to embark on a momentous diplomatic journey. Her sun was just peeking over the horizon so her sister Luna was there with her as well, having not yet retired for the day. Also assembled were the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, often affectionately called the “Mane Six” by the citizens of their hometown, Ponyville. The group of friends was gathered to bid farewell to one of their own.
Rainbow Dash yawned unabashedly, rubbing her bleary eyes with one forehoof. As a Wonderbolt by now she should have been accustomed to being up before Celestia's sun, but her old habits were still dying hard. And just as this was too early for her to be awake, this definitely was too early in the morning for emotional displays. Sluggishly, she approached her childhood friend Fluttershy and put one foreleg around the neck of her fellow Pegasus. “I'm gonna miss ya, Kiddo,” Rainbow said softly, giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek. This made Fluttershy blush because she knew that, for her spectrum-maned friend, such could actually be considered an outpouring of emotion.
“I'll miss you too, Dashie,” said Fluttershy as she hugged her friend.
“Yeah,” said Rainbow with a sniffle. “Stay frosty.” Then she stepped back to let the rest of the assembled friends bid Fluttershy farewell.
In sharp contrast to the sleepy-eyed Pegasus, Pinkie Pie bounded up next as if her body was made of springs. “Hey!” the curly-maned Earth Pony said effervescently. “I know they don't have cupcakes in the Dragon Lands, so I packed a month's supply for you!” With one forehoof she gestured toward the royal sky chariot and a very large pink confectioner's box that sat behind one of the seats. Then she wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy and hugged her tightly. “So eat one a day to keep the frowns away!”
“Thank you, Pinkie,” said Fluttershy, giving her friend a quick kiss on the cheek before she was able to bounce away.
Next came Rarity, whose Unicorn horn glowed as a bundle of parcels floated beside her. “Darling, I've packed you dresses and hats for every occasion,” she said as the bundle then drifted through the air to the sky chariot. “You're going to be the best-dressed Pony in all of the Dragon Lands!”
Fluttershy giggled as she hugged the ice-white Unicorn. “Well, I'm going to be the only Pony in the Dragon Lands...”
“Yes, well... then of course I'm right,” Rarity laughed, then giving Fluttershy kisses on each cheek. “So of course you're going to be a shining star wherever you go!”
“Thank you, Rarity,” smiled Fluttershy.
Next came Applejack, tears already glistening in her eyes. “Now you remember what ah taught ya, Sugar Cube. If'n any o' them Dragons give ya any trouble, ya hit 'em with the ol' one-two!” The Earth Pony punched at the air with her forehooves to illustrate her meaning, then pantomimed bucking an apple tree. “An' if'n that don't send 'em packin', ya hit 'em with an applebuck!”
Though she could not imagine herself ever striking anypony, let alone a Dragon, Fluttershy still smiled broadly at the display. “I'll remember, AJ. Thank you.”
The two embraced so tightly that Applejack's signature hat fell off. “Imma gonna miss you, Sugar Cube.”
“I'll miss you too Applejack,” said Fluttershy as they parted and Applejack retrieved her hat.
“Oh, and don't you worry none about the critters. Me an' Apple Bloom an' Doc Fauna are gonna take real good care of 'em.”
That made Fluttershy happiest of all. She knew her animal sanctuary would be in good hooves. “Oh I'm so glad of that. Thank you!”
Next came Spike, holding in his outstretched claws a green book with with gold engraving on its front cover. “Don't forget this, Fluttershy!” the small Dragon exclaimed exuberantly.
“Oh, what's that?” the Pegasus asked, unable to decipher the markings on the book's cover.
“It's a link book,” Spike proudly declared. “You know, like the ones Twilight and Sunset Shimmer use.”
Fluttershy looked impressed. “Oh! Well thank you!” She kissed the Dragon atop his head, causing him to blush.
“Princess Celestia and I don't want you to feel alone while you're away,” explained Twilight Sparkle as Spike scurried off to put the book in the sky chariot. “So I suggested that we make link books especially for the occasion.”
Though Fluttershy knew that Twilight would be accompanying Princess Celestia and herself on the trip, she gave the violet Alicorn a tight hug just the same. “Thank you, Twilight.”
In that moment there was a flash of light and an almost comical popping sound and in the next a tall Draconequus appeared between them, actually causing Twilight to stumble backward a step. “Excuse me, Princess Twilight,” he said perhaps sounding a bit insincere. It was no secret that Discord enjoyed annoying Equestria's newest Alicorn Princess. “But I also have a gift for Fluttershy.” With that he knelt before the Pegasus and extended one mismatched paw, in which was a pink hairpin in the shape of a butterfly.
“Oh, Discord,” gasped Fluttershy. “It's beautiful.”
“Yes, it is,” replied Discord in his usual smug tone. “But it's not just for looks, you know.”
“Oh?”
The ornament vanished from Discord's paw and instantaneously reappeared in Fluttershy's rosy mane. “That's right.” The Draconequus leaned closer and spoke in an almost conspiratorial whisper. “You see, I've placed a very special glamour on it. If you're ever in trouble and need my help, just say my name and I will hear you.” Then he raised his voice to a pseudo-whisper so the others could hear him as well. “But it can only be used once, so make sure you save it for an emergency. Celestia said she doesn't want me constantly interfering with your your assignment. As if I've ever 'constantly interfered' with anything...”
Princess Celestia rolled her eyes as if extremely annoyed, but in truth she did so mainly for Discord's benefit.
“Oh, Discord...” Fluttershy hugged him tightly. “Thank you so much...”
“Aw... it's the least I can do for my Bestie.” Then Discord stepped back and gave Fluttershy a gentlemanly bow. “And if those stuffy Dragons will allow it, perhaps we can still have our weekly tea.” With a flash of light and the sound of bouncing springs, Discord then vanished... then suddenly reappeared. “Farewell, Fluttershy. I'll be in touch!” Then he vanished again in a tiny burst of pyrotechnics.
“Goodbye Discord,” said Fluttershy with a warm smile.
Now Princess Luna approached the Pegasus, not being one to be outdone by the Draconequus. “I have a gift for you as well, Fluttershy,” she said as she knelt in front of the shorter Pony. “But mine cannot be seen or touched. It is my blessing.” The dark Alicorn then bowed her head and closed her eyes, her horn glowing eerily as she continued.
“In the dark of night,
Seen without sight,
If your heart feels blue
Or dreams trouble you,
Run not from pain,
But call my name.
Do not hide,
I will be at your side.”
With that the glow faded from Luna's horn as she rose and opened her eyes. “With this blessing you will now be connected to me more closely than the average Pony and so your dreams will always have my protection.”
At a loss for words, Fluttershy simply bowed to the dusky monarch. “Thank you, Princess Luna.”
Having witnessed all the tearful exchanges thus far, Luna decided it was time to interject a bit of her unique levity. “You are welcome, Dear Fluttershy. But I am confident that you will be fine. After all, it is not as if you are moving to the moon.” This evinced laughter from all assembled.
Now Princess Celestia stepped forward, looking toward her sky chariot. Six helmeted and rather muscular Pegasi stallions had finished hitching themselves to its rigging and stood ready to do their duty. “I know leaving home is not easy,” she observed. “And I don't wish to rush you, Ambassador Fluttershy. But we have a long journey ahead of us and it appears that all is ready when you are.”
Fluttershy nodded in acknowledgment. “Okay. I just have something to say before we go.” She faced her gathered friends with watering eyes. “All the adventures we've had together have been the most special days of my life and I wish I could take you all with me as I go on this new adventure. But even though I will miss you all, I know that I will not really be alone because you all will be with me in my heart.” With that tears began to flow anew from many eyes and the rest of the Mane Six all gathered around Fluttershy to give her their final farewell embraces and kisses.
Once the last goodbyes had been said Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight and Fluttershy all boarded the royal sky chariot to depart. The team of Pegasi swiftly bore them aloft and away from the palace, circling the tower once to gain altitude before setting off on their assigned course. As she watched the group of her friends seem to fall away from her, waving back to them as they all waved farewell, Fluttershy indeed felt that she was embarking upon an entirely new adventure now. But of all the challenges she had ever faced in her life, facing this challenge without even one of her closest friends at her side intimidated her more than she thought anything else could. She was about to face her greatest fears alone and far from any home she had ever known and, though everypony assured her that she was going to be a success, somehow in her heart she was certain that she was destined to fail.
* * *
It was just before noon when Chancellor Sand entered the Citadel throne room dressed in his ornate blue and orange ceremonial robes. Dragon Lord Ember knew what he was going to say before he was able to speak and mused that her guests were right on schedule. She admired punctuality. “Your Greatness,” the aged Chancellor said with a reverent bow. “The Delegation from Canterlot has arrived.”
“Excellent,” Ember replied as she rose from her throne, a blue and orange sash draped across her chest. “Show them to the Gathering Hall. I will receive them there.”
The Chancellor bowed again. “As you command, Greatness.” Then the wizened green Dragon departed, habitually closing the massive double doors of the throne room behind him.
Ember paused a moment to make sure she was not wearing her embroidered diplomatic sash upside-down or inside-out. Being Dragon Lord was still new to her, affairs of state and diplomatic customs doubly so. Though she never would have admitted it to her subjects as it would be considered a sign of weakness in their leader, Ember was nervous about this meeting. The rulers of Canterlot were extremely important figures in Equestria, a world named for its predominantly Pony population. In fact they were responsible for the movements of the very sun and moon in the sky, responsible for the very existence of day and night. The thoughts of how immensely powerful the magical Pony Princesses must be and how drastically outnumbered the Dragon minority was by the Pony majority intimidated Ember. She knew that making some mistake today, that offending her visitors in any way, could possibly prove to be the most catastrophic mistake in Dragon history. After a long deep breath to attempt to settle her nerves, she whispered to herself as she walked toward the opposite end of the throne room.
“Okay, Ember... Don't screw this up...”
* * *
General Gnash uttered a low guttural growl of disapproval as he observed the Citadel through a spyglass with his one good eye. A glistening gold-embellished sky chariot drawn by six sparkling clean Pegasus Ponies had just arrived, carrying the equally immaculate Pony Princesses of Canterlot. He grumbled to himself as he lowered his spyglass, feeling that his stomach could stand no more of the sight.
“Disgusting...”
It infuriated Gnash that he, a renowned veteran Dragon Warrior who had led his people in more victorious battles than any other General in the history of the Dragon Army, now had no more influence upon the decisions of the Dragon Lord than a common peasant. In fact, Dragon Lord Ember seemed to value the opinions of the common Dragon more than the opinions of her most loyal chiefs of state.
“Foolish child...” the large black and violet Dragon continued to mumble as he turned from the window. He had advised against any relations with the pacifist Ponies, had warned Ember that an alliance with them would make Dragonkind appear weak in the eyes of their enemies and in fact would eventually actually weaken Dragonkind as they were gradually contaminated by the Pony philosophies and culture. But the neophyte Dragon Lord would hear nothing of it and remained resolute in her position that such an alliance would surely have countless benefits for both sides.
“Nonsense...”
Gnash looked around his cavernous office for someone to shout orders to. There was only one other Dragon there, a mere Private who was busying himself with polishing a statue of their previous ruler, Dragon Lord Torch.
“Private!” the General barked abruptly.
Startled that he was actually being spoken to, the young red-scaled soldier whirled about and snapped to attention facing his superior. “Yes, Sir!”
Crossing the chamber on all fours as Dragons his size and age were wont to do, Gnash's good eye narrowed as he scrutinized his relatively small subordinate. “What's your name, Son?”
“g-g-Garble,” the soldier stammered, suddenly feeling rather vulnerable as the much larger Dragon's hot breath was upon him. Though one of General Gnash's scarred eyes was hidden beneath an eye patch, his remaining red eye always looked like it burned with actual fire. Garble could not help but wonder what he had done wrong to draw the General's attention. “Private Garble, Sir!”
“Private Garble...” the General said slowly, as if still considering whether or not the Dragon before him was even worthy of his time. “I have a mission for you...”
Garble was both ecstatic and simultaneously terrified. “Sir?”
“I want you to secretly observe the dealings of Dragon Lord Ember with the Ponies and report back to me everything that transpires. Understand that this is a secret stealth mission. No other living soul can know of your mission and under no circumstances must you be detected. Do you understand, Soldier?”
For a second Garble could only nod. A secret mission to spy on the Dragon Lord? And the General was giving this mission to him? “y-Yes Sir! I understand, Sir!”
“Good.” Gnash actually seemed to smile slightly. “You will observe Ember's relations with the Ponies today and then report back to me at midnight. If I am satisfied with your performance of these duties, you will be rewarded with a promotion.”
“Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!”
“But if you fail and are discovered...” At this point in his long career, Gnash felt it really was not necessary to complete such sentences. His soldiers knew his reputation well enough.
“y-Yes Sir...” There was then a moment of uncertain silence as Gnash's great fiery red eye seemed to burn straight to Garble's heart.
“Well then, Private...” Gnash breathed as he leaned even closer. “You have your orders.”
Garble just stood there trying with all his might not to visibly tremble as he gazed up into the blazing crimson eye before him.
“So get a move on, Soldier!” Gnash barked. “Dismissed!”
“Yes Sir!” Private Garble crossed his foretalons across his chest in salute then whirled about to leave the office as quickly as he possibly could, almost taking flight as he went out the door.
Gnash smiled with satisfaction. The lowly Private was an ideal pawn, he mused. He was small enough to be stealthy, but if he got caught spying on the Dragon Lord then the General could deny any knowledge of the mission and let the subordinate take whatever punishment their ruler deemed fit to prescribe. But if the Private actually was successful, then all the better. He could continue to be used as a spy at no risk to the General himself.
“Perfect...”
* * *
Chancellor Sand entered the great Gathering Hall escorting a trio of Ponies. “Dragon Lord Ember,” he said in the most officious tone his old voice could muster. “I present to thee the Princesses of Equestria.” Then with a bow he humbly backed out of the chamber, leaving the assembled royalty to their meeting.
“Thank you, Chancellor,” said Ember, now approaching the Ponies. “Welcome, My Friends!” She smiled broadly with open arms. Though they had never met, there was no doubt to Ember that the tallest among them, an undeniably regal white Alicorn with a flowing pastel mane, was Princess Celestia. And of course she recognized Princess Twilight Sparkle, the purple Alicorn she had already met on more than one occasion. But the third Pony standing between them was totally unfamiliar. She was a Pegasus rather than an Alicorn, which as Ember understood it meant that she was not a princess. Perhaps the timid-looking amber and pink Pony was their servant? “Greetings Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight.”
Both of the Alicorns momentarily bowed their heads humbly. “Thank you, Lord Ember,” said Celestia. “Your welcome does us great honor.” Then with one forehoof she gestured toward her meek Pegasus companion. “I would like to also introduce to you Ambassador Fluttershy.”
In that moment the Pegasus made direct eye contact with the Dragon for the first time, and for that moment Ember was at a loss for words. The Pony's soulful eyes were like two great pools of glistening blue-green water the depths of which could not be fathomed with a mere glance. “A pleasure,” was all Ember could think to say.
“Likewise,” said the Pegasus in a voice so gentle it was like the sheerest of silks being caressed by the gentlest of breezes.
“Also,” Princess Celestia continued. “My sister Princess Luna asked me to convey her sincere regret that she could not attend this meeting as well. Hers is the realm of the night and so she must have her rest in the day to ensure that she may adequately perform her duties.”
At that Ember suddenly seemed to be snapped from some reverie back into the immediate moment. “Oh! That's something I've been wanting to ask you Princesses about for a long time.”
That elicited a curious gaze from Celestia. Was Ember about to ask her about the conflict between her and her sister over a thousand years ago? “Oh?”
“I've always been fascinated by how you and your sister control the sun and the moon. How do you do it? What's that even feel like? How is it even possible?”
Celestia smiled with a humble laugh. “I would be happy to discuss all of that with you sometime... or perhaps even my sister would like to discuss it during her own visit.” Ever the bastion of regal modesty Celestia looked down to Twilight, who continued to remain silent yet had a look in her eyes as if to respectfully remind the elder Princess to stay on track. “But first let us address the primary reason for our visit, if we may.”
“Oh... of course.” Ember gestured toward a very large rectangular table of polished stone at the center of the Gathering Hall. “You all must be fatigued from your journey and ready for refreshments.” She let out a little chuckle as she led them to the table. “I know I'm starving. I actually skipped breakfast getting ready for our meeting today.”
“Thank you Lord Ember,” said Twilight, speaking for the first time since they had entered. “We are a bit parched. It's a bit warmer here than we're used to.”
At one end of the table was a large sculpted stone chair that would obviously have been meant for the Dragon Lord even if she had not been approaching it now. Near that prominent position silently stood a rotund female Dragon wearing an apron over her blue and white scales. “Mace, you may begin serving now,” said Ember.
“Yes, Greatness.” With that the servant turned to head toward a door almost hidden by a large tapestry that had been pulled to one side and tied to leave the door now easily accessible. As she went it was apparent why her parents had given her such a name. The scales and spikes at the end of her stout tail actually formed a barbed sphere that could not be called much else but a mace.
Ember gestured toward the smaller seats surrounding the rest of the table. “Please, be seated My Friends.”
The Ponies paused a moment as they looked at the remaining seats. They could hardly be called chairs, being little more than roughly-cut blocks of stone with smoothly-polished horizontal surfaces on top. Needless to say, they did not look at all comfortable. Being the leader and diplomat that she was, Celestia took the initiative to round the table and sit in the first seat nearest its head while Twilight and Fluttershy sat in the two chairs directly opposite her. This arrangement would make conversation more comfortable and foster a sense of intimacy as they talked during the meal. “Thank you,” the Princess said, her words then being echoed by Twilight and Fluttershy in turn.
As they all were seated Mace and two younger female Dragons returned through the serving door with a trio of carts. The first bore several trays containing an assortment of both common-looking rocks and otherwise precious gemstones, all of which Mace arranged before her ruler. From the second cart she took a number of wooden bowls containing fresh fruits and vegetables which she arranged before the guests. From the third she took two pitchers and then four goblets, all of jewel-encrusted gold, which she placed where Lord Ember could then serve her guests. Near them she also placed a stack of orange and blue cloth napkins. “Thank you Mace,” Ember said, pleased by the efficient presentation. Finally, as her peers left the room with their two now-emptied carts, Mace took one more item from a lower shelf of her cart and placed it upon the table. It was a wire cage containing perhaps a dozen small white-furred mice. Then, after bowing to her ruler, Mace turned and left the way the others had, closing the door behind her.
Fluttershy's wide eyes had not left the small cage and its frightened contents from the moment they had come into view. “Uh... what are those for?” she asked, her gentle voice wavering.
Ember smiled happily. “Those are for dessert.”
“Oh no!” With no thought of diplomacy, no regard of what her ruler would think of her actions and no fear of any possible repercussions they might have, Fluttershy reacted on her first impulse. She snatched the cage up between her forehooves and whirled around sharply to sit it on the tiled floor. With her teeth she deftly and swiftly opened the cage and, in a voice so full of urgency that it barely sounded like her own she shouted: “Run! Run away!”
The mice did not need to be told twice. The instant the cage door was opened they rushed out and scurried off all in different directions.
In the uneasy silence that followed Fluttershy, sitting on the floor with the empty cage, peered up over the table to Princess Celestia with the nervous expression of a child who had just broken something very valuable and now sought forgiveness from a parent. She found no solace in the look of mortification now upon Celestia's normally divine countenance.
Twilight levitated a large yellow apple from one of the bowls to her mouth and in her nervousness bit off nearly half of it with a loud chomp, the juices bursting onto her muzzle and streaming down her chin. “Mmm! These apples are delicious! Are they from Appleoosa?”
The futility of Twilight's comment prodded Celestia to say something that didn't sound ridiculous. “Forgive us, Lord Ember. We Ponies are vegetarians.”
Ember smacked herself on her forehead. “Gah! I knew that, but while I was worrying about getting food that you would eat it never dawned in my mind that you might be offended by the food you wouldn't eat.” Rising from her seat, she extended a foreclaw to Fluttershy to help her up. “It is I who must ask for forgiveness.”
Rather than accept the offered talon of friendship, Fluttershy shrank away from the Dragon Lord. “y-You eat animals...” she said, stating the obvious with fear in her trembling voice. “Do you eat... Ponies...?”
Ember shook her head emphatically. “No no... We're not monsters! We don't eat other intelligent creatures.”
“Lord Ember,” Celestia intervened. “To Fluttershy, all animals are intelligent beings. She has a special connection with them and can communicate with them in ways that even I do not fully understand. They are as much her friends as any Pony could ever be.”
Ember considered this for a moment. She could not help but be impressed with how readily the seemingly docile Pegasus sprang to defend minor creatures that she considered her friends. “You have my word as Dragon Lord that you will come to no harm here,” she said, extending her open talons once more. “And while you are here I will make every effort to be sure that none of your friends are harmed either.”
This sounded reasonable enough to Fluttershy. She put one forehoof in Ember's offered talons and allowed herself to be helped to her hooves. “Thank you,” she said, gazing into Ember's eyes with sincere gratitude.
As this transpired Celestia levitated a napkin to her fellow Alicorn with a mirthful grin, silently urging Twilight to wipe the apple juice from her face.
Ember sighed as she seated herself again. “Well, this has already been a learning experience, hasn't it?” she said with an uneasy smile.
“Indeed,” agreed Celestia. “Which is why I feel so strongly about having a Pony Ambassador to the Dragon Lands. I believe that there is much we can learn from each other, that we can all benefit in some way as allies.” With that she looked to Twilight, silently signaling her apprentice to continue the small speech they had rehearsed.
“For longer than the Two Sisters have lived, Dragons have been a mystery to Ponies, and we imagine that Dragons have known very little about us for just as long. But recently there have been historic changes in both our cultures, changes so momentous that we can no longer deny that both our cultures are growing beyond the antiquated notions of the past and toward a brilliant new future.”
Celestia gave Twilight a small nod of approval, silently signifying to her apprentice that she had delivered her piece well. “And it is our sincerest belief that in that bright future all of Equestria will prosper as a united nation where individuals are no longer judged by their race or appearance but instead by their deeds and their merits, each life being equally precious in its own unique way. But such solidarity cannot happen overnight, and it is the small first steps that we take here today that will enable us to take even bigger steps of progress in the future.”
Dragon Lord Ember nodded in agreement as she began to pour wine for her esteemed guests. “I don't think I could have ever said it so beautifully, but I feel the same way.” She passed the first filled goblet to Princess Celestia. “Ever since Spike passed the Bloodstone Scepter that rightfully belonged to him to me instead so that I could become Dragon Lord, I've known that he has learned things from living with Ponies that we Dragons have been missing. Important lessons that we need to learn if we are going to be a part of Equestria's future.” The second goblet she passed to Princess Twilight. “And speaking of Spike... isn't he still your official Ambassador to the Dragon Lands?”
Twilight answered as she accepted the goblet. “Spike has become our official representative to several kingdoms now. Yes, he's still considered our liaison with the Dragon Lands, but he is also our Ambassador to the new Changeling kingdom ruled by Thorax and he has been our Ambassador to the Crystal Empire for quite some time now. With so many responsibilities in so many distant lands, we think it would be both unfair and unwise to burden him solely with this responsibility as well. Spike will still check in with the Ambassador periodically, but his other duties will keep him from being here for prolonged periods of time.”
Celestia nodded in concurrence. “That is why I've chosen to appoint Fluttershy as the new Ambassador to the Dragon Lands.”
It finally sank into Ember's brain then. When Princess Celestia had first introduced the Pegasus she had called her Ambassador Fluttershy, but Ember had not realized that the Princess had meant that she was to be their Ambassador here. But duh, why else would she be here then? “I see,” she said, rising a moment to pass the third goblet of wine to the Pony seated farthest from her. “Then on behalf of the Dragon Lands I welcome you, Ambassador Fluttershy.”
“Thank you,” Fluttershy said, blushing slightly. Her voice had now returned to the normal soothing tones that Ember was coming to find strangely fascinating. “But I'm still not sure I'm the right Pony for the position.” Her timid gaze turned to Princess Celestia for a moment, seeking reassurance. Fluttershy could not stand to be a disappointment to anypony, but most certainly she would be ashamed to disappoint Princess Celestia.
For a moment Celestia's expression was warm and compassionate, much like that of a mother encouraging her child. “My Dear Fluttershy, in my heart I have no doubt that you are exactly the right Pony for this position.” Her gaze then returned to Ember. “But there is one very relevant thing you must know about our Fluttershy before she can officially take her position here.” She paused for dramatic effect, all eyes upon her. “She has a phobia of Dragons.”
Ember looked appalled and then confused. “Wait... she's afraid of Dragons?” she asked, as if saying it aloud could make herself better understand. Her quizzical gaze then turned to the Pegasus. “You're afraid of me?”
“Well, uh...” Fluttershy replied meekly. “Not really you so much... just the really big Dragons really. They're scary...”
“I see...” said Ember, rubbing her chin thoughtfully as she looked back to Celestia. “How in Tartarus would that make her the perfect one for the job of our ambassador? We're Dragons!”
“Think about it like this:” Twilight spoke up to try to explain. “If a Pony who is afraid of Dragons can become friends with a Dragon, then anypony can become friends with a Dragon. And if a Dragon can become friends with a Pony who is afraid of Dragons, then any Dragon can become friends with anypony.”
Ember thought about it for a moment as she filled her own jeweled goblet. “Well, that does make sense. But it sounds like it's not going to be easy.”
“The best things in life often do not come to us easily,” asserted Princess Celestia. “But those are the things most worth working for.”
Ember could not dispute the logic and insightful wisdom of one who had controlled the sun itself for over a thousand years. She thought for a moment that drinking wine with such a venerated being might be the closest she would ever come to meeting an actual deity. But then she looked to the Pegasus who was so unlike Celestia. The name Fluttershy seemed so befitting of her as she sat there silently watching the assembled royals making decisions that would change her life. Ember wondered if Fluttershy was afraid of just Dragons, or if truly she feared everything.
Doing her best to hide her uncertainty, Ember held up her goblet of wine. “Then I propose a toast,” she said with a wide, pearly-fanged smile. “To our bright future.”
The Ponies raised their goblets as well, the Alicorn Princesses levitating theirs with their magic and the Pegasus balancing hers between her forehooves. In unison they all robustly agreed: “To our bright future!”
It was all Ember could do to not laugh out loud as the Pony Princesses tasted the Dragon Wine. Celestia very nearly maintained her full regal composure, releasing but a tiny cough after she had swallowed, yet Ember could see tears beginning to well in the ancient Alicorn's eyes. Conversely, Twilight very nearly spit out an entire mouthful of the drink, coughing repeatedly and even punching herself in the chest with one forehoof as if to beat the fiery feeling out of herself. “Ooh...” The younger Alicorn said, sounding like her throat was full of gravel. “That's strong...” Then Ember's eyes widened in awe as she watched Fluttershy drink. The Pegasus turned the goblet up and swallowed its contents steadily without pausing for a breath, sat down the emptied vessel and with a smack of her lips and tongue simply said: “Ah...”
As she finished her own drink Ember mused that this Pegasus might prove to be full of more surprises than her docile demeanor suggested. “To our bright future...”
The rest of the luncheon was comparatively uneventful, the conversation focusing less upon matters of state and more upon the Dragon and the Ponies simply getting better acquainted. Though the atmosphere became more relaxed, all seemed to deliberately avoid looking at the empty cage that still sat on the floor behind Fluttershy. The Ponies also avoided drinking any more of the Dragon Wine, instead enjoying fruit juices that their hostess was happy to provide when Mace returned to see if they needed anything. It was while the servant was exchanging the wine with the juices that Dragon Lord Ember gave her a command that impressed all the Ponies, but particularly thrilled Fluttershy most of all.
After quickly downing another goblet of wine before it was taken away, Ember got up and retrieved the small metal cage. “Mace,” she said with a look of consternation. “Take this with you, please.”
The servant took the wire container with a smile, apparently assuming that her ruler and the guests had consumed its prior contents. “Yes, Greatness. Would you like me to bring more?”
“No!” Ember said sharply, almost snapping at the visibly startled menial. Then her expression softened a bit, though remaining stern. “In fact, I would like you to deliver a Royal Imperative for me.”
Mace looked dumbfounded. “Uh... yes, Your Greatness?”
“Tell Kitchen Master Opal to immediately release any and all live animals being held for the kitchen. Immediately.”
Mace simply stood there blinking in disbelief.
“Also ask her to convey to Stock Master Geode that in the morning I will publicly be issuing a Royal Decree strictly prohibiting the consumption of any living creatures in all the Dragon Lands.”
Though she thought her ruler must have suddenly gone insane, Mace knew better than to question the orders of a Dragon Lord. “As you wish, Greatness.” With that she bowed and then left the Gathering Hall with her serving cart.
“Sand!” Ember then called out.
An instant later Chancellor Sand scurried into the Gathering Hall through its main entrance, or at least scurrying as much as his aged legs could manage. “Yes, Greatness?” Apparently the Chancellor made it a practice to remain withing earshot of Ember in case the Dragon Lord required his services.
“Chancellor, schedule a Royal Announcement for tomorrow morning following breakfast. I will be putting into effect a new Royal Edict.”
“Yes, Greatness?”
Ember hesitated uncertainly for a moment, looking at the servant's entrance. “Ah, well... the whole Dragon Lands will probably know about it by morning anyway. Chancellor, I will be publicly declaring that it will now be illegal to possess or consume animals of any type as food.”
The Chancellor simply stood there silently, perplexed.
“That will be all, Chancellor. Thank you.”
“As you wish, Greatness.” With a bow, Sand turned to again leave the chamber.
As Ember returned to her seat Princess Celestia smiled with admiration. “That was a very noble gesture, Lord Ember,” the Alicorn said graciously. “But surely that decision will be quite unpopular among your subjects.”
“Surely,” admitted Ember. “But as we've been discussing here, this is a time of change for us all, change for the better.” As if to illustrate her meaning, she took a pear from one of the bowls of fruit and took a bite. She was totally unprepared for its texture and flavor, having never eaten any fruit, and she winced slightly at its sweetness. “But my subjects will learn to live with it. Eating meat is not a nutritional requirement of Dragons, just an archaic indulgence that we've apparently allowed to continue for too long now.” She looked to Fluttershy with a warm smile. “Furthermore, I made a promise to the new Pony Ambassador to the Dragon Lands, and I always keep my promises.”
“Oh!” Fluttershy could not contain her joy at this. Again with no regard for diplomatic etiquette, she left her seat with fluttering wings to pounce upon Ember, giving the Dragon Lord a long hug. “Oh, thank you!”
Ember just sat there with her foreclaws held out to either side as if she had no clue what to do while the Pegasus embraced her. It was no secret that Dragons generally were not keen on such physical intimacies, at least when not mating. She did not find the experience unpleasant, however, and in fact the feeling of the Pony's warm body, soft mane and feathery wings against her scales was somehow inexplicably pleasant.
Princess Celestia intervened when she deemed that the embrace had gone on just a bit too long, initiating the tried and true faux clearing of the royal throat. “Ahem...”
Fluttershy knew that sound, and at that released the Dragon Lord. “Thank you.”
“This does bring up an interesting fact about Ponies,” interjected Princess Twilight, ever the fount of academic information. “In our ancient past, we were also carnivorous.”
Ember looked to her with interest. “Really?”
“Yes, but thousands of years ago, of course, before Ponies had even developed a written language. Our cavepony ancestors were barely more than wild animals themselves. But over time we evolved both physically and mentally, and a large part of that evolution was that we learned to respect all other living creatures. I would bet those primitive Ponies of the past would think the Ponies of today are very strange.”
Ember frowned a bit at this. “Do you think Dragons are primitive?”
A bit surprisingly to all, as both the Alicorns struggled to find the appropriate diplomatic response to not offend their hostess, it was Fluttershy who quickly spoke up. “Oh, no. Not at all,” began the Pegasus, apparently quite pleased to be able to speak on a subject she knew well. “It's just a matter of physiological differences. Ponies are mammals and Dragons are reptiles, so of course there will be some major natural differences. Many reptiles like snakes, for example, eat small mammals like mice. Even though I don't like to think about it, I have to accept it as a part of the natural order of things. There are some similarities of course, like how some reptiles hibernate but some mammals hibernate too, but there are also differences, like how reptiles lay eggs but mammals give live birth.”
Twilight just sat there blinking, rather surprised by her friend's sudden change in demeanor. For a moment she imagined Fluttershy actually standing before a lecture hall filled with zoology students.
Fluttershy looked rather embarrassed as she continued. “Saying that all out loud now, I guess I kind of overreacted earlier. I should have expected something like that and accepted it not only as a different custom but also as a part of your nature.” She absently stared down into her drink now. “I'm sorry.”
“Hey...” Ember reached out to put a claw on one of Fluttershy's forelegs. “It's okay. It's just as much my fault. As a Dragon Lord preparing for a major diplomatic meeting I should have been studying about Pony culture, about your customs and beliefs. But not me. No, I just fly around thinking everything will be fine, that everything will work out on its own.” Now Ember was the one gazing down into her own goblet. “I guess I'm not much of a Dragon Lord.”
The experienced mediator, Celestia interrupted before the mood could decline further. “Both of you are entering new chapters in your lives and exploring new things. Not having all the answers and even making mistakes is nothing to be ashamed of. These things too are a natural part of life.” The expressions of both Ember and Fluttershy brightened with these words. “The important thing is that we learn from our experiences. That is what makes us wiser and stronger.”
Twilight smiled as well, in admiration. She hoped to someday be as wise as her beloved mentor.
“But believe it or not,” Celestia grinned with a bit of a chuckle, almost as if she had read Twilight's mind. “There was a time when even I was new at my job. New experiences can be challenging, believe me.” She then noted Ember still touching Fluttershy's foreleg. “But I can assure you that learning with someone is easier than learning alone, and can be much more rewarding.”
As she realized now how long she had been touching the new Pony Ambassador, the Dragon Lord's foreclaws returned to her goblet while her eyes remained on Fluttershy. “Then something tells me that we are going to learn to work very well together.”
Fluttershy nodded in agreement.
The four becoming more relaxed with each other, the conversation turned from matters of state and diplomacy to more personal interests. Celestia inquired about Ember's father Torch and Ember explained that he had decided to retire to the Moojave Desert where he had always talked of spending his golden years. Twilight asked if the Dragons had a library and Ember explained that they kept some historical records on stone tablets in the Citadel but that Dragons otherwise had never been much for writing. Though disappointed by this news, Twilight still asked if sometime she might be permitted to study the historic tablets and Ember said that she could arrange a time for Twilight to do so. Fluttershy was for the most part a quiet bystander in the conversations, but at one point she timidly asked how Dragons were able to breathe fire. Ember gave the explanation that Dragons have a gland which reacts to certain types of stones and gems that they eat and that by eating different types of minerals Dragons could actually change what type of fire they breathed. This was why different Dragons breathed flames of different colors and some Dragons could even breathe electricity or ice. All the Ponies found this quite fascinating and their interest inspired Ember to even give a small demonstration of the principles she had described. All the Ponies were impressed by the display, but Fluttershy was doubly so since even she knew of no other creatures that could perform such a feat.
Ever-mindful of the position of the heavenly body that was her charge, Princess Celestia called their meeting to a close as the afternoon became the evening. “Dragon Lord Ember, I thank you again for your great hospitality. But it is getting late, and Princess Twilight and I still have a long journey back to Canterlot.”
“Of course,” said Ember. “But you both are welcome to spend the night here in the Citadel if you wish.”
“We appreciate the offer,” replied Twilight. “But if we neglect our duties for too long, 'Princess' Spike might have a nervous breakdown.” All laughed at Twilight's levity, then as they all rose and prepared to leave Twilight paused with a look to Fluttershy. “Oh, I almost forgot...” There was a glow of a lavender magical aura around the Alicorn's horn and a green book with a gold-embossed front cover appeared on the table. “Fluttershy, don't forget to write.” Then in another flash of magical light a stack of pink and pastel-wrapped packages materialized on the floor nearby.
“What's that?” Ember asked in sincere curiosity. Though the Ponies all knew that the book had been in their sky chariot and Twilight had simply teleported it to them now, to Ember it was as if the item had been conjured from thin air.
“It's a link book,” answered Twilight, always happy to divulge her magical knowledge. “It is an exact copy of a book back in Canterlot Castle. When Fluttershy writes something in this book, the same words will appear in that book. Likewise, when someone writes something in that book, the words will then appear in this one. So Princess Celestia and Ambassador Fluttershy can send messages to each other instantaneously.”
“That sounds very convenient,” observed Ember.
“It is,” agreed Twilight. “But the books are very difficult to craft, so not everypony can have them.”
Princess Celestia also paused for a final word to Fluttershy, but she seemed to be considering her words carefully before speaking. She had already taught Fluttershy all she could about diplomacy and she knew that reminding the Ambassador of her duties now before Ember would only undermine Fluttershy's confidence. “I know you are going to be a fine Ambassador, Fluttershy. I look forward to reading your reports.”
Fluttershy bowed to the Princess, but had barely straightened her posture before Celestia embraced her. Both Alicorns said farewell to the Pegasus with hugs and friendly kisses on her cheeks, making Fluttershy blush. “We'll miss you,” said Twilight, a tear glistening in one eye.
“I'll be fine,” said Fluttershy with a smile. “It's not like I'm moving to the moon.”
The Ponies all laughed. Had someone else made that joke in Celestia's presence it might have sounded offensive, but to hear it from a bearer of one of the Elements of Harmony made it as acceptable as when Princess Luna had first made the joke herself.
After the Alicorns left the Gathering Hall Chancellor Sand escorted them back to their sky chariot, leaving Ambassador Fluttershy and Dragon Lord Ember alone together for the first time. “Well, here we are,” said Fluttershy rather self-consciously.
“Yeah,” said Ember, feeling strangely at a loss for words herself as she scratched her head with one claw. “I guess this is it...”
* * *
As the Dragon Lands shrank on the darkening horizon behind them, Twilight Sparkle stared at the floor of their sky chariot with a worried frown.
“You look troubled, Twilight,” observed Princess Celestia, already suspecting what was bothering her apprentice. “What's wrong?”
Twilight looked to her mentor with eyes filled with conflicting emotions. “Princess, I'm still not sure that leaving Fluttershy alone with the Dragons was the right thing to do. I feel like we're leaving a foal alone in Everfree Forest with Timberwolves.”
Celestia nodded slowly. “Part of me feels the same way... but part of me also knows that it is the right thing to do. I am as certain of this as I was certain that sending you to Ponyville to make new friends was the right thing to do. I cannot explain how I know these things... call it intuition... but the feeling is just as strong now as it was then. Fluttershy has her own destiny to fulfill now, a destiny that will also help shape the destiny of all of Equestria.”
Her mentor's words did not abate Twilight's concern. “But I have this strange feeling that Fluttershy is in danger somehow...”
“My faithful student, that is your own Alicorn intuition growing stronger. You will learn to always trust it, just as I do.” Celestia gazed off toward her setting sun. “As it has been for you, for Fluttershy the path to her destiny will not be an easy road to follow. She will have her own obstacles to overcome, and pain and sadness will seek her out as she seeks pleasure and happiness.”
That just made the uneasy feeling in the pit of Twilight's stomach heavier. “That's what I'm afraid of...”
* * *
The sun was low on the jagged horizon when Garble finally released his grip on the weathered stone wall outside the window of the Citadel's Gathering Hall. He had been hanging out there all afternoon and now was feeling quite fatigued, so he allowed himself to simply fall down the side of the tower for a moment before he spread his wings to catch the air. It was a good thing that the Hexagon, the hub of all Dragon military activity, was located on lower ground than the Citadel, allowing him to just lazily glide to his destination. Once he was directly over the Hexagon, the young Dragon angled downward toward one of the many vent-like openings that served as launch bays for airborne troops.
Once inside the Hexagon, Garble made directly for the office of General Gnash. There he found the General leaning over a large table with a map spread out over its surface. On the map were assembled two groups of small marble figurines, the effigies in one group all being shaped like Griffons while those in the other group were shaped like Dragons. As Gnash carefully arranged the diminutive sculptures on the map it was unclear whether he was re-enacting some ancient historic battle or planning for a new military movement. Either way, the General seemed oblivious of the young red Dragon now standing in the entrance to his office.
“General,” said Garble, crossing his foretalons over his chest in salute. “Private Garble reporting, Sir.”
The massive Dragon turned and strode across the room on all fours. “What are you doing here?”
“I have news, Sir.”
“I told you to report to me at midnight,” the General snorted at his subordinate. “What if some Dragon from the Citadel saw you coming back here?”
“s-Sorry, Sir. But there is news you s-should know.”
“Then give your report, Private.”
“Sir, the Ponies left one of theirs here in the Citadel with Dragon Lord Ember. They said she is their Ambassador.”
“I suspected as much,” snarled Gnash. “I suppose Ember will expect us to treat this Pony like a dignitary. It makes my stomach turn.” He began to turn away from Garble then, apparently expecting that to be the end of his report.
“There's m-more Sir,” Garble stammered nervously, knowing that his next words would make the General anything but happy. “Lord Ember said she is going to announce a new law tomorrow morning.”
“What?” Gnash looked back over his folded wings, his one eye widening curiously. “What law?”
“She said she's going to make it illegal for Dragons to eat any animals.”
“Whaaat?” the elder Dragon bellowed, the roar shaking the room to the extent that most of the marble figurines on his battle map fell over and some even toppled off the table to the floor. “Has she lost her Pony-loving mind?” For a moment he simply stood there growling, thinking that if Ember were standing before him right now he would hit her hard enough to knock such silly notions out of the upstart child. Then he turned back to face Garble directly. “Well, we can't allow that.”
Garble was visibly shaking. “b-But how can we stop her?”
“Hmm...” The General thought about the question for a moment, considering his next move carefully. “You're right. There's not enough time. But that might be for the best. No Dragon is going to obey such a ludicrous law! There will be protests, riots!” He actually laughed as he envisioned the mobs of angry Dragons. “Yes... there will be riots...” Actually smiling a jagged smile, Gnash moved to look out the window of his office toward the Citadel.
Having never seen the General smile, Garble now felt more nervous than ever.
“In the end Ember's own actions may do her more harm than any sabotage I could ever imagine. For now, let's just wait and see what else our new Dragon Lord does. Politically she just might end up slitting her own throat.”
“Do you want me to keep watching them, Sir?”
“Yes, Private, and report back to me every night... at midnight!”
“Yes Sir!” With a salute, Garble then left and headed back to the barracks for the night.
General Gnash was still smiling in spite of himself as he looked down at his military figurines scattered on the stone floor. Perhaps becoming the next Dragon Lord would be easier for him than he had anticipated.
* * *
Ember and Fluttershy stepped from the curving stairwell onto the uppermost floor of the Citadel tower, a bulky male Dragon close behind them carrying the Pony's luggage. “Your room is up here, close to mine,” said the Dragon Lord, pointing with the lit torch she held. “Since you're an Ambassador, you are entitled to royal accommodations.”
Fluttershy hesitated a moment before responding, still not accustomed to being addressed as Ambassador. “Oh... uh, thank you.”
They stopped before a wide vaulted wooden door which Ember now opened with a pull of a large iron ring. The room beyond was spacious, but appeared to be decorated only with a few slabs of stone. “Here we are,” said Ember, gesturing toward the interior.
Fluttershy just stood there blinking in dread. This was what she had always imagined a cell in a dungeon might look like.
Ember could see the doubt in the Pony's expression. “What's wrong? Don't you like it?”
“Well, um...” was all Fluttershy could say.
Ember smacked herself in the forehead again. “Oh, duh! What was I thinking?”
“I'm sorry,” sighed the ever-apologetic Pegasus.
The Dragon Lord sighed as well. “No, it's not your fault. I was expecting Spike to be the one staying here so I just left the room furnished for a Dragon.”
Fluttershy snickered. “I guess you've never seen Spike's bed...”
“When I visited Ponyville I noticed that you Ponies like a lot of soft things. When I found out it was you staying I should have remembered to send a servant up here to change this.”
“Oh, well, it's not so bad...” lied Fluttershy.
“Don't be silly. Marl, I need you to run an errand.”
The muscular porter carefully sat down the boxes he had been holding. “Yes, Greatness?”
“Go downstairs and gather as much hay and cloth as you can carry and bring it back to this room as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Greatness.” The brown and orange Dragon bowed, then headed back to the stairs.
While they waited for Marl to return, Ember placed the torch in a wall sconce just within the threshold. Then the Dragon Lord sat on the edge of the largest stone slab which apparently was meant to be the bed, looking a bit dejected. “I'm sorry for all the confusion and misunderstandings. When I was in Ponyville last time Princess Twilight and I had talked about having a Canterlot Ambassador here, but she never said who that would be. Princess Celestia's message did not mention it either. All this time I just assumed that it would be Spike and it would sort of be like having a little brother running around the Citadel.”
With a flutter of her wings, the Pegasus hopped up to sit next to Ember. “It's okay. If it helps, I knew all about what I was supposed to do, but now that I'm here I really don't know what I'm supposed to do.” Fluttershy looked down at the floor in embarrassment. “But I don't think an ambassador is supposed to admit that to the ruler of the kingdom she's ambassador-ing to.”
“No, I suppose not.” The Dragon laughed halfheartedly. “But I suppose it's okay if the ruler doesn't know what she's doing either.” They both laughed more sincerely, but still each of them felt that there was an uncertain tension between them. “I guess Celestia was right about how we will be learning together.”
Fluttershy nodded. “I think she's the wisest Pony I've ever known. I guess that comes with being over a thousand years old.”
“Yeah, my father is the same way. He's not quite that old, but sometimes I think he knows everything.” Ember gazed out the window at the stars growing brighter in the darkening sky. “Like when he held the Gauntlet of Fire to find his successor. He never told me this, but I really think that when he forbade me to participate in the competition he actually wanted me to and knew that I would anyway.”
Fluttershy gazed at her curiously. “Then why would he forbid you?”
“Because I didn't want to be Dragon Lord. But he knew that telling me I couldn't do it would make me want to do it. That sneaky old Dragon. Somehow he was even certain that I would win.”
“Do you regret it? Winning, I mean?”
Honestly, sometimes I do. Most of the job can be a real pain in the tail.” As if having a sudden idea, the Dragon then hopped down off the bed/slab. “But times like this aren't so bad.” Then she stepped out into the hallway.
Curious, Fluttershy followed her but had barely made it to the door when Ember came back into the room carrying the large pink box she had brought with her from Canterlot.
“You know, we really don't get many guests here,” Ember said as she sat the box upon one of the smaller pieces of stone furniture in the room. “I guess we Dragons aren't really known for our hospitality.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Fluttershy opined, her words a bit muffled by the green and gold book she held in her mouth. Bringing it from the hallway as well, she sat it down on the bed. “You've been very hospitable to me.”
Ember was back in the hallway now, fetching the stack of festively-wrapped garment boxes. Once she had deposited them in the room as well, she stopped to look down at the shorter Pony meaningfully. “Well, you're very easy to be hospitable to.”
Fluttershy blushed modestly, the warm glow of her cheeks almost matching the color of her rosy pink mane. “Thanks. I just always try to treat others the same way that I would want them to treat me.”
Suddenly Ember found herself simply standing there staring into Fluttershy's eyes for a moment. Something about those big soulful eyes, perhaps the way the flickering torchlight was now reflected in them like sparkling stars reflected upon a serene sea, made the Dragon completely forget what she was about to say next. They were eyes that were just as gentle as the Pony's soothing voice, displaying innocence and kindness that seemed to have impossibly limitless depth. Ember had never experienced such an overwhelming sense of tranquility as she felt now gazing into this Pony's enthralling eyes.
Ember opened her mouth as if to say something, but a rustling sound from the corridor distracted them both. They stepped out of the room to see that the porter had returned, dragging behind him a large burlap sack filled to its limit with hay. “Thank you, Marl,” said Ember, taking his burden from him. “That will be all.”
“Yes Greatness.” The Dragon bowed and then departed.
As Fluttershy watched, Ember dragged the sack into the chamber and emptied its contents into a pile in one corner opposite the doorway. Then she stood there for a moment, looking at the pile of hay and scratching her chin with one claw. “No... that just won't do. I'll be right back...” She then spread her wings and flew out of sight down the curving hall, returning a moment later with a large blue and green tapestry trailing behind her. Entering the chamber once more, she then draped the tapestry over the pile in the corner. “There, that should be better.”
Fluttershy touched the fabric with one forehoof. It was a plush velvet that instantly evinced a feeling of warmth and comfort.
“I'm sorry it's not the royal accommodations you're probably used to in Canterlot,” said Ember with a sigh. “But I think it's the best we can do on such short notice. Tomorrow I will see about getting some more appropriate Pony furniture for you.”
“Oh, I think this will be fine,” said the Pegasus, still caressing the fabric with her hoof. “Thank you.”
“You're most welcome.” Ember smiled, happy that her guest was pleased with her feeble attempt to make her comfortable. “Now we should probably get some sleep I think. Tomorrow might turn out to be a busy day.”
“Okay.” Fluttershy reclined upon the makeshift bed, wriggling a bit as she made a comfortable spot for herself. She noticed Ember still standing in the doorway watching her and smiled. “Good night, Dragon Lord Ember.”
Ember blinked as if jostled from a dream. “Yes. Good night, Ambassador Fluttershy.” Then she closed the chamber door and headed off to her own quarters.
As Fluttershy curled up and was about to close her eyes, several small white mice scurried to her from out of the discarded burlap sack. The surprise was a pleasant one that made her smile. “Oh... well hello there,” she giggled in her characteristic sotto voce.
The mice gathered around her, their noses and whiskers all twitching excitedly. One of them sat back on its haunches and squeaked in her direction.
“Oh, no...” said Fluttershy, completely understanding the creature. “I wasn't going to let that happen at all.”
The mouse gave another squeak.
“Well you're welcome,” replied Fluttershy.
More squeaks followed.
“Yes, you can stay with me here tonight. I'm sure we'll be fine.”
At that the mice all leaped onto the tapestry with her and cuddled close to her body, some even nestling in her mane and tail, making the Pony giggle softly as they tickled her. As Fluttershy closed her eyes, her last thought before drifting off to sleep was of how nice it was to know that even this far from her home in such a strange place she was still loved.
Back in her chambers, Ember stood staring out the window much as she had at the dawn of this day. She felt strange, like there was a warm coal smoldering in her chest. She thought for a moment that maybe one of the rocks she had eaten during her demonstration of fire breathing had given her indigestion. But this didn't feel like heartburn. It felt more like something was melting inside her. Maybe she was just tired...
Lying on her back on her bed, as she closed her eyes Ember tried not to think about the amber and pink Pony sleeping in the room down the hall. “I hope I'm not coming down with the sulfur flu...” she sighed aloud to herself. “Yeah, that would be just my luck right now...”
