Author's Note

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Chapter 7

It was the night before the nobles reported and for some reason I was excited. Don't know why, but couldn't sleep so I went for a walk through Canterlot. Of course the guards tried to follow along. I shut that down pretty quick. I was halfway through a park when I heard a foals crying. What the hell is a foal doing out this late I wondered. It's almost two in the morning.

Looking for the foal I followed the crying to some bushes to my right. When I parted the foliage, I laid my eyes on a snow white thestral. I couldn't believe it. I've only seen one in my long life and yet here was another. I eased myself around to a clear spot and settled down. A few minutes later I guess the little one felt my presence. When they looked up I smiled.

"What are you doing out here little one?"

"Trying to sleep, sir." A colt I realized.

"Why out here? Don't you have a home?"

"No, sir. I don't have a home. I never had one."

"An orphan then?"

"Yes, sir."

"What's your name little one and how old are you?"

"I don't really have a name. They just called me Snow and I'm four, sir." I frowned at that. No real name and he's four?

"How long have you been there?"

"Since I was born." Okay that rips it. He's coming back to the castle with me.

"Do you know who I am?" He nodded. "Alright then. I'm not leaving you out here. Would you like to come with me?" He nodded again. I had to smile. He was too cute. "Okay then little one." I stood up and picking the little guy up, settled him on my back. He got comfortable and was sleeping in a just a moment. I had just made it out of the park when a patrol started to pass. Flagging them down, I asked the pegasus of the group to fly ahead to the castle and wake my wives.

Walking into the castle about thirty minutes later I watched two upset mares trot up to me. I held up a hood to forestall any questions and turned slightly so they could see my passenger. Luna's reaction was immediate. She sat down and held her hooves up to her mouth.

"Oh! He is adorable. Where did you find him?"

"In the park, trying to sleep under a bush" I answered softly.

"Abandoned" Tia asked.

"Orphan."

"How old?"

"Four. In his own words." Tia looked at the colt and shaking her head and answered the question for the three of us.

"He will be Equestria's new Prince."

"He has no name. They just called him Snow."

"He looks like Night Heart does he not?" Luna said looking at us. Reminding me of a old friend. The colt woke up at that moment and yawning looked around. When he spotted Tia and Luna he froze. Both got closer and started fawning over him.

"After that nap, do you feel better little one?" Tia cooed nuzzling his ear. He nodded while Luna was nuzzling his other ear.

"Are you hungry?" she asked him.

"Yes, ma'am." Both of them smiled and started towards the kitchens.

"Come along dear. The little one is hungry" Tia ordered. I had to smile. This little guy will be doted on by four mares or more. Oh well, there goes my sleep tonight.

After Tia brought about the dawn, I watched her and her sister put the sleeping colt between them on our bed. We had taken in abandoned or orphan foals before and given them a chance at a good life. This little colt will be only the second time we adopted a foal though. The last time it didn't work out too good for us. About a century before Cady and Twilight was born, we had found a two year old earth pony filly crying over her dead parents because of a manticore attack. We took her in then adopted her a month later when no relatives came forwards. We only had three years with little Hope Wind. She was taken from us by a illness. She left a indelible mark on our lives and our family still visit her resting place.

Shaking myself from my thoughts, I smiled at my mates and prepared to leave to deal with the nobles.

"I'm sure the newest member of the family will be formally adopted by the time I return, yes?"

"Yes, your new son will be official by dinner time" Tia agreed.

"Should we name him or let him keep using Snow" Luna asked.

"Get his input. I would rather he have a true name so he knows without a doubt that he is a member of this family."

"Of course my love" Luna replied before I kissed both of them and walked out. Even though I was tired, I still had a bounce in my step knowing I would get to torture...ahem train a bunch of whiney nobles.

Standing in front of the new intake, I couldn't help but wish one of my old friends was here. Claymore would already have these idiots crying. Smiling at the memory, I decided to get this party started.

"ALRIGHT YOU SORRY EXCUSES FOR PONIES. TODAY MARKS THE START OF THE WORST THREE MONTHS OF YOUR PATHETIC LIVES. YOU WILL BE THE FIRST RECRUITS TO GO THROUGH THE UPDATED TRAINING REGIMENT. YOU WILL NOT BE CODDLED, YOU WILL NOT GET SPECIAL TREATMENT AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO QUIT. WHEN THE ORDER IS GIVEN, YOU WILL REGISTER AND BE ISSUED YOUR GEAR. HAVE A NICE DAY!" I just had to add that last little part didn't I. He he he. I'm evil.

When all was said and done, we had fourty noble sons and daughters in training. Which was expected. I was currently watching them go through pt and I wasn't impressed.

"Boss? Are you sure of this?" I looked at the training sergeant who asked me that and smiled.

"Drill, this is the only way that I know of to get these lazy ass nobles to straighten out. I'm tired of them feeling they are entitled to what ever they want. You have royal authorization to beat these idiots into fine upstanding citizens of this country." He smiled at me and saluted.

"By your leave then my Prince." And with that he trotted off and started yelling at a recruit that was slacking off which was music to my ears.