The Equestrian Scrolls: The Lost Queen

I never knew a grouping of strangers could live together so well. In a hive there was little infighting almost no changeling on changeling crime. Granted there were the occasional oddities but for the most part the hive worked in perfect unison. But that was because we shared everything with each other. Our thoughts, feels, secrets. What one knew all knew. So when I see a place that doesn't have that-the most intimate of connection one could have, and it works. It makes me wonder what they could do if they had that connection.

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A woke with a startled cry as a cold, a VERY cold wave washed over me. Sputtering I threw myself up in the bed, my head whipping back and forth shaking the water from my head.

"Good morning, did I wake you?" Edan said setting down a bucket next to him. I can only guess that it held water not too long ago.

Shivering slightly, I looked down seeing bits of ice lying about me. How did he get ice? It's nowhere near winter.... I think.

“Did you have to do that?” I asked getting out of the bed. The ice tinkled as I moved.

“Yes, you need to learn to start waking at this time. Your body will learn faster if your mind has reason to learn faster. Hence the water.” Edan said moving around the hut gathering items and placing them in a saddlebag that he had procured from somewhere.

“And ice. Don’t forget the ice.” I mumbled rubbing an eye with my newly acquired hoof.

“Yes and hence the ice also.” He added slipping a jar full what looked like some kind of pickled vegetable. He had lifted a basket of something from the top self but stopped when it came level to his face. Staring into the basket for a brief moment, he looked back at me. “Friend of yours?” he asked tilting the basket so I could see.

Craning my neck slightly I spied a little brown furry animal inside. It was the little squirrel that has been following me around. I really need a name for him. He was sprawled out in the middle of a small pile of nuts, his little stomach was bulging out. He had himself a nice feast apparently.

“Yeah, he’s with me.” I said wrapping the little guy in my aura and lifting him from his ill-gotten gains. “Sorry about that.

“It’s quite alright.” Edan said chuckling. “Animals will be animals. Nothing can be done about it. But speaking of which, eat this so we can leave as soon as I’m done.” Edan horns glowed, a small ball of green light quickly formed in between them. With a flick of his head he tossed it at me.

I had just finished depositing my sticky paw friend onto my back when I felt the magic coming at me. Snapping my head up, I snatched it out of the air and jerked back in surprise. The magical warmth I get from eating it was still there but it was a completely different taste from yesterday. Today it tasted like a pepper, and not the sweet kind like bell pepper. The spicy kind like a jalapeno, not the same taste but something similar.

About to say something about it, I paused thinking about what to say. I don’t think it would matter if I could taste magic but it could be….better be honest. He is feeding me after all.

“Edan, what spell did you just use?” I asked after a moment.

“Hm? Just a small one. Mainly used to start fires. I just packed quite a bit of magic into it is all.” He said not looking away from what he was doing. “Why?”

“It just tasted different. Took me by surprise is all.” I said, It might have tasted spicy because it was some sort of flame spell.

His process halted briefly before continuing. “You…can taste magic?” he asked after finishing packing his saddlebag and settling it on his back. “Is that normal for magiclings?”

“No, it’s be-wait magicling? What is a magicling?” I said confused.

“It’s a shorten name for your hive type. Thaumaturgic eat magic, so magicling. Painlings eat pain, lovelings eat love and so on and so forth. Now don’t change the subject. Is that normal for a thaumaturgic to taste magic?”

I processed that information before answering his question. “No, only I can taste magic.”

“Why?” Edan asked turning around and facing me. His face was a mix of confusion and curiosity. Nailed it, he is a knowledge type. Loves to learn.

“Because it’s another thing the Discord gifted me.”

At Discord’s name, Edan’s face took on a worried look. Staring down he started to mumble to himself under his breath.

I barely heard something along the lines of ‘She did say that…why and…..He’s up to something.’ This went on for several minutes before he looked up at me and asked a question.

“What gifts did he give you exactly?”

“The first is that he made it so I could taste magic. He said that not even my hive type could do that naturally. The second was a memory from about my mother, I guess it was my name technically.” I said using one of my hoofs to scratch the other. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, I didn’t want anyone to know that I made a deal with that trickster.

“Care to elaborate on that?” he asked

I gave a brief description about what the orb looked like and what happen when I touched it. And another one about what I say and what I gained from it.

“Ah a memory orb,” he said nodding after I finished “A rare magical item. Well not that rare but not exactly common either.” He continued to nod before he remembered something. “Hmm, anything else? I believe there was at least one other thing. You mentioned it last night.”

“Yeah, he also told me to go west.”

“West huh?” Edan had went over and gathered up his staff from where he left it last night “If you continued to go west, you would have….” His eyes flickered slightly as he realized something “hmmm.”

I watched the whole process, I have to say. It was slightly amusing to see him mull it over in his mind.

“Anything I should know?” I asked

Me speaking seem to have snapped him out of his thoughts, and he shook his head. “Know nothing important. At least not right now. Come, we need to be off.” He said making for the door. “Time is waning.”

I ignored that fact that he changed the subject, “Where are we going?” I asked following the Elderly buck.

“We are heading to a nearby village. I have some things to sell as well as some herbs, ointments and salves to deliver.”

A village?! I finally get to see a real life village, along with some real life ponies. Memories are fine and all but I found them to be lacking in quite a few aspects.

We quickly closed up the hut and made our way down the hill that his hut sat on. It was a slow journey, but with the sun rising in the distance it wasn’t so bad. Very pretty. I was in a very relaxed mood from it. After my last week it, this put me at ease.

We eventually made it to the village. It seemed to have just come on us. One moment we were walking along and I was admiring the scenery then we were in the middle of a busy road at the entrance of gated wall. Carts were being pulled by all shades of ponies. There was all manner of noises. Ponies call out to other ponies or call out their wares to everyone in general.

What’s more is that everypony seem to know Edan. They all greeted him with when they saw him. Calling out good mornings and how are you.

He replied in kind to each and every one of them. I followed him as he made his way over to a large area down the main road. It consisted of large and small stalls side by side, as well as three buildings making an off set triangle around the stalls. Two of the buildings were smaller than the last one. Though the smaller ones were still somewhat large, the two combined couldn’t match the size of the third one.

There were signs over the doors of each of the buildings but I couldn’t see them every clearly yet save for the largest buildings sign. I am going to assume that is a tavern. why? Because the sign was a oversize mug, topped with a large head of foam and a clock in the middle of the mug. The clock was interesting, it is shaped in such a way that it looked like it wrapped around the mug.

“Ya in the way lassy.” A deep rough voice sounded from behind me, it sounded like somepony was growling as they were talking. I was so engrossed by looking around that I was just standing and staring all about me.

“Sorry,” I said stepping out of the way for the…dog?

A massive hound, hurried past me. He was straining to carry a crate of what looked like ore of some kind. He walked on his hind legs and held the crate between his arms. Ponies made way for the him as he barked at them to get out of the way.

I watched in amazement for moment before a tingle in the back of my brain was trying to tell me something. Diamond dog, he was a diamond dog.

"That was Forge, he's the blacksmith of the village. Darn good one too." Edan said coming up from behind me. "He ought to be, he's a diamond dog. No better smiths over or under."

A few foals ran by laughing. They cast openly curious looks at me. This made me realize that almost everypony was looking at me. Albeit they were sly glances, not trying to catch my attention but still trying to get a look at me. Makes sense, I’m new in town and all.

They were still openly staring when one of the fillies spotted Edan. She gave a squeal.

"Edan is here!"

More squeals and cheers went off around the filly as they changed directions towards Edan.

Under his breath I could hear Edan give a small groan before he started to get into his bag. "Never should have gave it to them. Biggest mistake I've ever done." he grumbled

The small herd gathered round Edan all talking at once. They didn't even notice that they pushed me out of the way. Annoying brats.

"Edan, Do you have any Candies?" they questioned, both fillies and colts jumping up and down around him.

Edan spent a minute fishing around in his saddlebag before pulling out a small bag. The foals gave a cheer as he started to hand out little amber colored pebbles. After making sure every foal had gotten a piece, he ruffled the mane of one before telling them to run off.

They ran away laughing, picking up where they left off. Most likely playing some sort of game know only to them.

“What was that about?” I asked finally getting a chance to get closer.

Edan sighed before heading off towards a stall. “I made the mistake of making a childhood candy of mine and giving it out. Now whenever they see me the beg me nonstop for more. I make it just so I can get peace and quiet.”

Edan had a brief conversation when the stallion before Edan’s aura dragged out a small bottle of some kind of liquid. Some coin exchange and Edan handed the bottle over before moving on.

I followed him to the next stall with a elderly mare with a dark green coat. she was currently dozing in a rocking chair, it slowly moving back and forward.

Edan coughed lightly, making her jump slightly.

Looking around she finally noticed the buck. Her eyes brighten apon seeing him. "Oh Edan, Lovely to see you. Did you bring my youth potion?" She asked leaning forward and disappearing under the stall.

Edan laughed "Why Miss. Pepperfield, do you need to any younger? Your as young and ask beautiful as mature oak tree."

"Ha, If only. They live to be several hundred years old." She said around a bag in her mouth.

They continued to banter like that all through the exchange. It was disgustingly sweet. The two oldies must have some sort of relationship going on. Feeling like a third wheel I started to tune them out when Miss. Pepperfield suddenly turned to me.

"So, who are you?" She asked sitting back into her chair.

I looked at Edan, He still hasn't told me what I was to tell people. He must have understood or he was just waiting for the right moment, either way he came to my rescue.

"This is Zenith, she is my granddaughter." Edan said.

Pepperfield's head snapped back to Edan. She studied his face trying to see something. Edan's face was calm and still held the smile from before.

"So...Your daughter's daughter?" She asked after failing to gain anymore information from him.

"Yes, her presents had just recently become known to me. She was raised far to the south."

Miss. Pepperfield's eyes flickered to me and back to Edan before smiling, "Well, She's here now. It's very lovely that you have family here now."

"Indeed it is." He replied smiling back. "Now I have other deliveries, I wish you a good day." He added nodding towards her.

"Ah well it was nice seeing you."

They wished each other well before parting. I followed Edan closely, though something did catch my eye. Just out of the corner, I could see somepony had moved over to Miss. Pepperfield and was speaking to her in a low tone. After moving some distance I asked in a low voice, "How important is me being your granddaughter going to be?"

He said nothing.

After that the Morning rolled on by. He would move onto the next stall or to a pony and have a brief talk with them. Since I didn’t have much to do but follow him around, I couldn't help but listen. Most of the time it was instructions on had to use the medicine or salve, a few times it was berries or certain foods that could help with various types of aliments. One of bucks left me with the giggles, he needed a root for marital issues of the bed nature. Though I was composed enough not to in till he left. Edan gave me a warning look for it though. He didn't find it as funny as I did.

I had gotten bored with listening and tuned out what Edan was doing. I started watching my surroundings again. And the ponies, they were the main focus of my study. They were fascinating to me, though I couldn't tell you why.

We had made our way into cobblestone area that was if my guess is correct, a common area. There were benches and table as well as blankets laid out. There was also a washing area near a well, I've seen a few with clothes so they do need to wash them.

I watched in amusement as a colt wailed, getting dragged away by a older buck. The foal was throwing pebbles at bird and accidentally knocked over a jug of milk. I could only guess that he was going to get a punishment of some sort.

A sudden scampering up my next on my head made my eyes flicker up. My little squirrel friend was leaning over to the side his nose twitching as it smelled something unknown to me. With a swivel of my head towards that way my gaze fell upon a group of mares, they were sitting and talking around a massive tub of green peas. Every minute or so one would take take one and shell it into a bucket next to them. I say every minute or so but that is not so. They shelled them quickly and efficiently, obviously years of practice.

I looked towards Edan, he was busy explaining something to somepony. Seems like a good time to meet my fellows.

I made my way over to the group and I had gotten just a few feet from them when one of them a bright yellow one, had noticed me and said something to the others. The work stopped and they went silent and every muzzle turn towards me. Yay they noticed me....now what? Clearing my throat I smiled and said "Hello,"

The bright yellow one smiled back "Hiya," she looked around at her group which prompted a round of greets from them.

"So who are you?" The yellow asked as she started her work again.

I was about to give a witty remark but decide against it, "Zenith,"

"O~oo exotic sounding. I'm just called Sunflower. This is Lavender, Pearl, Sandy, Orchid, Cinnamon,..." She pointed at each mare in turn. It took a moment since there were about a dozen of them, though that was not what was impressive. What was impressive was that she did it all with one breath. Pointing at the last mare and name her off she added. "Would you like to join us?"

"Um sure,"

A few of them moved over to give me room and I sat across from....Lilly I think it was. She was a pretty little mare, might be the youngest of the group if I had to guess. She was a pale white with bluish white hair.

I felt a jolt as the squirrel launched from my head, diving for the bucket. His a red and brown flash, a hollow thump sounded as a bucket intercepted the flying creature.

"I don't think so." A voice said and placed the bucket front of me. A old red mare named Cinnamon, Just chuckled before adding, "Since your here. join us in the shelling. Also keep an eye on your friend."

I looked at the bucket, then the mare, then back. "Oh...yes...helping, sure why not."

Reaching out with my magic I took a pod and stared at it. "Um how do i..." I said looking around at the others.

"Like this sweetie." The red mare took the pod and split it down the middle and with a practice motion dumped the pees into my bucket. After a moment she reached in and scooped my little friend out. He had grabbed one of the peas and was nibbling on it. She then shelled a few more showing me how to do it properly before she let me try. Using my magic I grabbed another pod and with a surprising amount of effort I split the pod and tossed the pees into the bucket.

After about my sixth or seventh one Sunflower asked "So....what's your relation with Edan?"

"Eh? Oh, he's my grandfather." I replied casting a glance Edan's way. He had moved on to another stall though I could tell he was keeping an eye on me.

"Drat," The purple mare, Lavender said. She fished out a bit and tossed it at Sunflower who was grinning.

"Told you they weren't lovers." I heard her whisper to another pony. That amused me to no end.

"Really? I didn't know he had any children." The old red mare said in surprise, "The again he has a whole other life in his old home. So it's not really that hard to believe." she added looking a me with a critical eye. "You do have a bit of him in you. Around you eyes and in your muzzle."

Unable to think of anything else I just said "Thank you,"

"So what's the name of this village?" I asked before anyone could ask anymore questions. I didn't fully know what Edan was going to tell everyone.

"Oh this place, it doesn't official have a name but we call it Edgeville. For it being on the edge of kingdom of Mugruith's Territory."

"Makes sense." I said. I opened my mouth to ask another question but Edan suddenly interrupted from behind me.

"Sorry ladies but I have to pull Zenith away from you. We have other deliveries."

I almost jumped out of my hide. I snapped my head around looking at him. He stood not three feet from me. He moves quick for an older fella, last time I saw him he was across the way.

"No problem sweetie." Cinnamon said "Drop her off anytime. We were just starting to get to know her."

"Next time. Come Zenith." With that he turned and started walking towards one of the buildings.

With a word of goodbye to them, I stood and followed after the buck. After catching up with the Edan I asked in a low voice. The squirrel ran up my leg making sure not to be left behind.

"What is the kingdom of Mugruith?"

"Its my homeland, the deer kingdom." He said just as quietly.

"You know you are going to have to fill me in about my background if I'm going to be staying here." I said to him "I was afraid that they were going to ask a question I couldn't answer."

He looked back at me and nodded "you are right, I should have. It was my mistake, I apologize."

Looking towards one of the buildings, the largest one. He then said, "It's a little after noon, let's take a lunch break." pointing towards the building.

Edan headed towards the tavern. "Um, I don't know if they have magic on the menu." I said thinking back on all the ponies that I've saw. Most of them were earth ponies. One or two pegasi but I didn't see a single unicorn.

"I gave you enough this morning. Try eating food, It might not sustain you like magic can but eating is a pleasure as well as a necessity." edan said. And with Edan in the lead, we trotted through the door. Noise exploded as soon as it was open. Music and conversion flooded over me, making me stumble back in surprise. Once again the memories doesn't quite prepare me for the real thing especially if its a noisy tavern.

My ears flickered in overdrive trying to take in and process all of the information. One thing I could hear clearly through the haze of noise was Edan chuckling right next to me.

"Are ponies always so loud?" I asked lifting a hoof and rubbing my ear trying to sooth the throbbing it just acquired.

"For the most part, yes they are quite loud."

Looking around I watched mares that were wearing matching clothes, move between tables and patrons, each one balancing a tray laden with food and drink on their backs. One passed right by me, giving me a good look what was on the tray. Cups and goblets filled to the brim with frothy drinks. Those were the side notes. The main thing that caught my attention was the plates laden with food. The aroma, dear Celestia the aroma. It made my mouth water and stomach grumble in wanting. Maybe Edan was right, I should try the food. I could feel the bobbing of a small figure onto of my head. It was turning every which way unsure which way to go.

Edan moved swiftly through the flow of ponies to a table in the back of the tavern. I had to stick close to him, not out of fear of losing him or anything but because the room was packed with ponies. It seemed like the whole village was in here.

Getting to the table, one of the mares in the matching clothes was already next to us before we even sat down.

"What'ch ya want sugar?" She asked with a thick southern accent. And with the flick of her head, pencil bounce out from behind her ear and into her mouth. It was then used to wright on a notepad she had pulled from somewhere. Even though she was talking to Edan she was giving me side looks. It feels weird being on everypony's mind.

"House special, and two mugs of cider."

"Alrighty. be right back with that." Said said with a muffle around the pencil. writing it down she gave a flick of her head again and sent the piece of wood back from where it came from.

"Oh by the way Edan." she added after a thought. "My daughter has gotten that wet cough again, do you have that one potion from last time?"

"No, but I can make something similar that should do the trick. Same price as last time." He replied settling into one of the low chairs.

"Thanks sugar, it was be a goddess send. She kept me me up half the night last night." With that said she walked off towards the giant fire pit, it held various cooking equipment

"You get alot of orders." I said when she was far enough away. I sat down in my own chair still looking around the place.

"I'm the only healer for some distance around here." Clearing his throat, Edan tapped his hoof of the table. "Alright, let's get started."

"Then you start with you and your daughter."

He stared at me annoyed. "Seeing how you are suppose to be my granddaughter then I guess I have to."

He took a moment to collect his thoughts before drawing a long slow breath.

"My daughter's name is Blossom Myth. And she the reason I was banished from my homeland, never to return on pain of death."