"Cadance! Cadance, where are you?" Shining Armor begged, he is being driven crazy by trying to get Flurry to sleep. "It’s okay sweetie. Please just settle down,” cooed Shining, as he attempted to rock her in his front forelegs to no avail.
Flurry cried, bursting out in a fit of tears. But he had already checked, and she wasn't wet or hungry! Maybe she just needed her mother more than she needed him right now. No matter the reason, he had to get going fast! As much as he loved Flurry, he still had royal duties to attend to,and it was his sworn duty to help the people of the Crystal Empire whenever they needed him.
Princess Cadance entered the room, her eyelids looking half-shut as she yawned solemnly. She looked towards Shining, who was handing Flurry over to her, quickly kissing her before darting off toward the throne room.
"Shh...Flurry, it’s okay. Mommy is here. What’s wrong sweetheart?" she asked her gently. Despite the presence of her mom, Flurry still seemed upset, and even rocking her in her hooves and singing songs to her simply weren’t having any effect. Cadance sighed. She hadn't had much sleep either, but she was determined to calm her little foal down and get her settled down for a rest. Flurry needed her sleep as much as Cadance did. Maybe she had just had a nightmare and was afraid to fall asleep? Cadance had tried everything she could to find out what was troubling Flurry. The only other thing she could think of would be asking someone for help, but she didn’t know any other parents that might be up this early, and she certainly didn’t want to wake anypony. Just when she was about to give up, she remembered there was one friend her sister-in-law had that she said always knew how to solve even the craziest of problems when they asked for her help.Zecora! Cadance gently sat Flurry down in her crib, still crying, and quickly went to gather a few things for a trip to the Everfree Forest.
"Let's go, Flurry, we're going to go see Auntie Zecora," she said, her voice soft as a bed on Cloudsdale. This had a slight effect on Flurry, her sobbing seemingly stopping for a single moment. This gave Cadance the reassurance she needed. She was doing the right thing. She just hoped she could get to Zecora’s safely, and that she wouldn’t be causing the zebra too much grief with a completely unexpected visit. She knew that some might think she was crazy for taking her young daughter to the Everfree Forest, after all, since it certainly wasn't a place known for its calmness and tranquility, but she knew the place wasn't as bad as it had seemed. As long asno timberwolves came across them, it wouldn’t be that bad.
Princess Cadance entered the Everfree forest, her hooves trampling slowly through the muck and rotted leaves. The whole area seemed deserted and... eerily quiet. She held Flurry close to her. She, at least for now, had finally stopped crying. But at this point, she was clinging to her mother's neck, very visibly scared.
“Shh...I'm here for you sweetheart.” she whispered in her daughter’s ear as she approached Zecora's door. She took a deep breath and knocked three times.. She hadn't really spoken to Zecora that much, but she heard a few stories from Twilight. She had visited Ponyville a few times back before Flurry was born. At first the local ponies were afraid of her, but they quickly grew fond of her when they got to know her. Cadance had a feeling she knew what something like that felt like. Her daughter had unfortunately been feared for a long time, before they were able to fully curb her magical outbursts.But she wouldn't have had her daughter turn out any other way. She adored and loved her baby from day one, as every mother should, and she wanted to see her become a strong Alicorn when she got older. But right now she simply needed help getting to sleep, and Cadance had remembered how Zecora was really good with rhymes. Maybe she could help Cadance write Flurry a nursery rhyme, or a lullaby, to finally help her little filly fall into a soft subtle slumber so her body could rest.
Zecora came to the door within seconds. She didn’t seem very surprised to see two princesses at her door.
"Princess Cadance and her lovely daughter! What brings you here to my backwater? " asked Zecora sweetly.She couldn't help but notice how the young child clung to her mother in fear. She had seen this before, it was often a mistake for most ponies that entered this land, they could only see the negativity and the darkness and weren't aware of how radiant it could be if they allowed it to be so.
"Do not be scared, dear young Flurry. You’ll be safe inside, do not worry," spoke Zecora as she allowed Princess Cadance to enter her home,shutting the door behind them. She sat across from her in the small cabin. "So what is it that brings you to me with your foal?" she questioned curiously. “You’ve come a bit far for a casual stroll.”
"Well you see Zecora, Flurry has been having trouble getting to sleep lately. I think she may be afraid to sleep for fear of a nightmare," she explained. She was extremely tired herself, but she had to make sure Flurry would be okay before she even thought about going to sleep.
"Ah yes, now I see. That can be quite an issue for a baby. In fact I remember when I was a foal, my mother taught me many lullabies from her scrolls. That was a long time ago, I admit, but I believe I still can recall some of it. They are well known for helping scared little ones rest. You may lay on my bed with your foal, be my guest.” replied Zecora, looking around for the book of songs she had written with her mother many moons ago. As she did this, Cadance laid Flurry down on the bed and sat next to her, as Zecora had offered.
"Ah, here it is. Lullabies for young and old," explained Zecora. "You seem rather wearily, Princess. I can read to you both if it will help you rest.I could offer to babysit if she does awaken. You appear completely exhausted, if I’m not mistaken." Zecora politely stated, somewhat concerned.
"No I'm fine, I appreciate the thought though, believe me. But I’d rather be awake in case Flurry starts crying again.” replied Cadance, so used to the other kind of attention from fans that the genuine care coming from this mare was a rare treat for her in itself.
“Very well. Now Flurry, could you look at me please?” questioned Zecora in a soft and comforting tone, reaching out a forehoof.
Flurry hesitated at first, but allowed Zecora to take her from her mother's side.Zecora held herself against the young alicorn, and began to rock her gently on her arm. “Do not worry young princess, I’ll put you to ease.”
“Rest now young one, let your eyes slowly close,
know that in this home there’s nothing to fear,
let pleasant dreams come to you unopposed,
know that your mommy will keep you safe here.
With comforting warmth and pure love, the star shines,
it longs for you to be joined with its night.
Dreamlight’s embrace, in its peace and its grace.
Joyous and loving, for you it awaits.
Sleep little one, your weary day is finally done.” sung Zecora in a very soft tune but yet a gentle beat of melody to go along with her words as she saw Flurry start to yawn and bundle against her body. She was finally starting to drift off into a steady slumber. Zecora couldn't help but to look over towards Cadance and know how she was even feeling sleepy at her tune. She gently placed Flurry back onto the bed,putting the same arm she had Flurry inaround Cadance with just as much steady calmness..
“Are you sure that you are alright my dear? You look as though you’ve been awake for a year. There is no shame in needing assistance. Nopony can have a perfect existence. Zecora sweetly offered. She knew better than most that royalty was a very hard thing for many to understand, but she also knew from her own upbringing how important it was for the leader to be able to have time to themselves.
"I don't want to trouble you Zecora, I really should get Flurry back to her crib while she is still asleep." replied Cadance with a soft but long yawn, wanting more than anything to just curl up by her baby and sleep right there. But she couldn't. She still had so much she needed to do, and so little time in which to do it! It was easy for Zecora to see signs of exhaustion and burn from the way Cadance looked, but she knew it was not her place to advise her to take a break when it was very difficult to do so. But... there was one thing she could do.
"Allow me to watch Flurry for now, I insist,” she offered again. “I can show her how safe it can be in the forest.”explained Zecora, turning to look towards Cadance. But, to her very mild surprise, Cadance had fallen asleep where she sat on the bed, and was now leaning into Zecora’s shoulder. Very carefully, the shaman guided her down next to her young daughter, and covered them with a soft blanket. She smiled softly for a moment, before returning to her research.
Daylight came faster than Cadance realized, as she awoke to blurry eyes and the strong smell of...pancakes?. She slowly got off the bed, looking over to see Flurry Heart had still been sleeping soundly beside her. It made her happy to see her daughter finally getting some rest. She felt pretty refreshed herself, in fact. She looked over to find Zecora was walking over to her with what most certainly were freshly made pancakes.
“You fell asleep last night with quite little warning. Would you care for some breakfast to help start your morning?” Zecora offered, her tone sweeter than syrup.
“Oh, I couldn't. You've already done plenty Zecora. ...I simply don't understand how anypony ever could have feared you.”
"It is quite common to fear the unknown. They are scared of what calls this forest its home. They saw me enter the forest they fear, and to that fright they all did adhere. Once you have learned to see past your fright, the beauty of nature opens to your sight. Though to help Flurry from getting bad dreams, I would hang a dreamcatcher from one of your beams. They are often used to help young foals to sleep.This in turn would allow you to count your own sheep." explained Zecora, holding out a small package she already had wrapped up.
"Oh thank you, Zecora! You really are too sweet," replied Cadance as she opened up the package to reveal an intricately-patterned dreamcatcher, with shapes unlike any she recognized. Had she the time to ask what they meant, she was sure Zecora would be able to tell her, but that would have to wait for another time.
"You are quite welcome my dear," replied Zecora. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
“Oh no, you've done enough, I really should get going. Shining Armor is probably up to his ears in worrying where I've wandered off to again.”
"A quite common thing for a young married couple. I'm sure he’ll be happy we’ve solved your kerfuffle.."
With a smile Cadance gathered Flurry up in one arm, giving Zecora a quick embrace and then leaving out the door with the dream catcher in the other. Though, even as she was leaving she couldn't get Zecora off her mind. She had no idea what was going on, but she felt as though she had started developing a deep connection to the zebra. She wasn't even sure what to say to Shining. She loved him dearly, but she couldn't help but fear how he might respond to this news.
Princess Cadance went immediately to Shining Armor after putting Flurry in her crib and embraced him softly. "I missed you, dear, how was your day?" she asked quietly.
“Hectic. A message came in from the princess. It seems another threat is trying to get into Canterlot, and she wants me to make my way there as soon as I can to figure out what’s going on. I just hope it's not Chrysalis again.
“Oh dear, I hope not, she was just terrible. Please, whatever it is, just keep yourself safe out there!” she warned. Just as Shining turned to leave, Cadance got a knot in her chest. She had to say something to him. “Shiny, wait!” he quickly turned back to her, looking puzzled and slightly concerned.b “There's something I have to tell you.” she began. She knew her husband was likely tired, but she had to tell him. After all their years together, she owed him the honesty he always paid her, and she refused to hide things from him in kind.
“What is it dearest?” he asked, sitting down beside her. It really had been a long night for him, but he still took solace in the fact that at least Cadance had had better luck with getting Flurry to sleep where he had failed to do so.
"Well, you see Shining…” she hesitated. “I uh, went to talk to Zecora yesterday, to see if she could help with Flurry, and while she really is sweet, and smart, and kind, and… everything Twilight said she was and... I think I might be falling for her," she finally admitted to her husband.
"Zecora? The shaman from the woods out by Ponyville? Please tell me you’re just telling bad jokes because you’re tired again.” he said, genuine not sure what was happening.
"I’m not! Shiny, this is serious. I mean…” she hesitated again, trying to find the right words. “You know I would never leave you.Not in a million moons, but my mind is racing and I don’t know what to do. But...just in case I am feeling what I think I am… and just in case she maybe feels a similar way... I was wondering if you would be okay with her and I?" she asked, all possible answers spinning in her head at once, making her nauseous.
Shining froze, trying to decide if he was really okay with this. “You know I would do anything for you dearest, even have to share you with another. Zecora really does seem like a good mare, and if it's what’s in your heart then I say go for it. But I want to know everything, and I’d like to meet her as well, just to be safe.” smiled Shining Armor, kissing his wife softly.
“Thank you dearest. I love you so much. I'm not even sure what she's going to think, but I have to go back and see.” replied Cadance.
"Well I'm sure it will go easier than what I have to do right now, so there’s nothing to fear except fear itself." smiled Shining Armor.
“Good luck dear.” replied Cadance, kissing him once more before heading back towards Zecora's. She was nervous as Tartarus, but she was determined to see this through, no matter the consequences. What was the worst that could happen? After reaching Ponyville, she headed down to Sugarcube Corner to get something nice for Zecora before dropping the big question on her. Pinkie Pie was behind the counter, apparently working on cupcakes for an order.
"Hey Cadance! What can I do for you today?" asked Pinkie, who couldn't help but notice she seemed very nervous. Her eyes got wide and her tail twitched something fierce. "Oh, whatever it is,it’s a doozy! You’re gonna need a full cake for this one!” she bounced.
“Oh yes, I think a cake would be wonderful.” smiled Cadance.
Pinkie Pie knew that her tail never lied. There was something happening that was so out of the ordinary that she made sure to make it the bestest greatest cake ever and before she even thought of handing it over to Cadance. Just as Cadance’s coinpurse started floating out of somewhere, Pinkie raised a hoof and smiled even bigger than normal “No charge! This one's on the house.” winked Pinkie.
"Thank you so much dear," replied Cadance as she accepted the kind gesture and went into the Everfree forest and knocked softly on Zecora's door. She still wasn't sure what she would say or even if her feelings would be reciprocated, but she couldn't help the way she felt, and she knew she had to do this. It was like it was a sign from the stars, and Cadance had a feeling Pinkie already knew just by her reaction earlier.
“Why Cadance, what brings you back here today? Did the dreamcatcher not keep Flurry’s nightmares at bay?” she asked softly, just then noticing the cake and the soft tender look in the bright pink alicorn’s eyes. Zecora could see more than most, and she knew right then and therewhat Cadance was here for. She hadn't been expecting this, and she certainly hadn't thought Shining would want to share his wife with anypony, let alone a mysterious shaman like herself.
“ I can see it in the way I’m being viewed. You have come to care for me, haven't you?” she asked softly to confirm her suspicions.
"Yes, Zecora. I wasn't expecting it, but after yesterday I can't deny what’s in my heart. I care for you. And I have to know if you might return my feelings." questioned Cadance.
“Princess Cadance, you needn't the trouble of the question. I can see a good omen just in your expression. However the future it brings may well fare, I’m ready to face it with you as a pair." Zecora smiled as she leaned in to softly kiss Cadance upon the lips, Cadance returning the kiss with equal passion, completely forgetting about the cake, letting it fall from her hooves as the two embraced passionately.
