Princess Sterling's Fate

by Kevin da Ox

Rating: teen
Tags: Death, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Thriller
Length: 14665

Princess Sterling's Father, the King, is dead and she is next in line for the throne. She is, however, much to young to rule. Her cousin, current regent and next in line to the throne, however, isn't.

Princess Sterling has an uncertain future ahead of her, at just under six years of age. She has inherited the throne to a small, yet prosperous kingdom after the death of her late father.
However, being too young to lead the country, a regent, her cousin Prince Chromium, has been established to take care of her and the kingdom until she is of age to rule.
Or . . . until she is no longer on the throne.

Published 2018-10-21 14:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2018-10-22 06:28:33 UTC

Chapter 1: I’m a Queen?

I remember that dreary day in the kingdom so well. The day the king, Father, passed away.

I was draped in a lace black dress, mourners clothing.

I was suppose to be sad in front of the nobles, sad for my “loss”, but I couldn't be sad. I barely knew him.

Looking back it was his fault, he had waited until he had grown gray with age before siring me. He was much too old to watch me himself. So the servants watched over me.

“Has succession been planned out” I overheard one of the council members ask. “Princess Sterling is much too young to take the throne” he added.

“Our late king dictated that a regent should be installed until she comes of age to rule” replied the other.

“Who?” the first councilpony asked.

“Sterling's cousin, Prince Chromium has been asked in the will to act as regent” the second noble replied.

“Oh.” the first councilpony replied in a morbid tone.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the first councilpony was giving me a funny look.

At the time I wasn't sure what that look was meant to be, but looking back I know now that it was a look of pitied concern.

It was a week later and I was playing in my chambers, alone, with my favorite toy, Dollie. She was a pretty doll made of something soft called silk, she was hoof stitched by the royal tailor.

Sometimes I liked to pretend she looked like my mommy, but I’ll never know.

Mom died right after I was born, and she wasn’t queen for long so there were no portraits of her in the castle.

Some ponies would say “sorry” after hearing that, but I didn’t know her either so I wasn’t all that bothered by it.

I didn’t get to play with other foals very often. I’m an only child so I didn’t have any siblings. I wasn’t allowed to play with the kids in the city outside the castle. I wasn’t sure why, something about me being a noble and them being peasants. I didn’t understand what that meant.

I was interrupted in my play featuring Queen Dollie, Rinser the butler, and Lilly the hoofmaid.

There were three big knocks followed by two ponies whispering something I couldn't hear, then the door was opened.

It was Martial, Steel Tip, and the Chancellor, Bright Scroll.

“Princess Sterling” Chancellor Bright Scroll addressed. “The delegation from Hoftwood estate has arrived. Your presents in the throne room is required” he finished.

I looked at him questioningly, before Steel Tip elbowed him roughly.

Coughing into his hoof Bright Scroll reworded “Your Cousin is here you need to come with us, we’ll try our best to explain.”

I remember standing up and following behind them as they did their best to explain the situation to my foal brain. Bright Scroll would try explaining as best as he could with as much detail as possible but he would quickly lose me with the big words. Steel Tip would notice and have Bright Scroll explain again but simpler for me... I still never understood what he meant though.

We arrived in the throne room shortly after Bright Scroll gave up. The chancellor entered first and announced my presents to the rooms occupants. I was after him and Steel Tip followed closely behind me, his hoof never far from his sword.

In the poorly lit room with the big fancy chair there stood four ponies.

I knew three of them. The first was a skinny old stallion named Coin Hide he was the Steward. The second was a lanky mare with fancy white garbs named Jolly Flare. I remember her from my dad’s funeral she was the Court Chaplin. The last pony I recognized was one I rarely saw, she was a young mare with very plain looking clothes, my eyes seemed to almost want to drift away. I don't know what she did, but she was very secretive and wouldn’t talk to me ever, about anything.

The Pony I didn’t recognize was a pudgy young stallion, he looked very surprised to see me, and then very annoyed afterwards.

“Princess, this is Prince Chromium of the Hoftwood estate.” Bright Scroll told me “He’s your cousin, and he will be here to act as your regent for the time being.” he added.

I hadn’t met any family members before at the time, besides father, and I’ll admit I was a bit shy at meeting somepony related to me. I hid behind Steel Tip’s Bulky frame.

“Now now princess” Steel Tip said gruffly. “There be notin to worry about” he said as he pushed me encouragingly towards the four ponies.

Chromium looked dismissively at me, then glanced up at the Chancellor.

“Why was I not told about. . . this” he asked in disgusted

“The King wanted her to be safe in secrecy” answered the Chancellor somewhat warily.

“I thought I was next in line to inherit the throne!” Chromium glared angrily “I thought that was why I was invited here!”

“You ARE next in line Prince Chromium” the chancellor said quickly “AFTER, Princess Sterling.” he added. “The King wrote that in the event he were to die before the Princess was of proper age to lead, YOU would act as regent.” Bright Scroll finished.

“Really?” Prince Chromium said questioningly. “I didn’t even know the former king had any foals.” the prince said bitterly. “How do I know she is of proper Royal Blood, and not some pauper you picked off the street!” he said voice filled with doubt.

To this the Court Chaplin answered “We have a chronicle from five and three quarter years ago documenting the birth of Princess Sterling as the legitimate heir to the old King.”

Chromium huffed in annoyance than thought for some time before asking “Did the King have any other foals that I should know about?”

“No” was the Chaplin’s calm answer.

Chromium relaxed at hearing this for some reason. “Well then” He said with a sudden shift of attitude. “Let's start over” he calmly trotted up to me as I shyly tried to hide behind my relatively short mane. “My name is Prince Chromium and I will be taking care of you and the kingdom from now on.” He smiled at me.

I would have relaxed but something in the way he said that made me nervous.

The following days after I met my cousin he made himself comfortable in the castle. He took over Father’s room and threw out most of dads stuff that wasn’t made of gold, silver or gem-encrusted.

He would duck in and out of the royal kitchen a lot, often with a pastry or two lodged into his overstuffed muzzle.

I remember seeing him get handed a pile of papers to look over once, he briefly glanced over them before handing them back to the steward and ordering most of them be delegated to the appropriate council members.

The small amount of paper he kept must have been something very interesting to him because he smiled after reading them a bit then hurried to his chambers, smiling devilishly as he passed me.

The next day I remember waking up and wondering where Rosie and Petunia, my hoof maids were. I tried to dress myself, doing a poor job about it, and went into the hallway to try and find them. While looking I bumped into Chromium he looked amused, probably by my messy demeanor.

“Looking for somepony?” Chromium asked.

“Where is Rosie and Petunia?” I asked

He smiled briefly then huffed his nose up and answered “I had those peasants dismissed.” He looked at me and gave a forced looking smile “I was just on my way to wake you” His grin contorted as he looked like he was trying to hold back disgust “Princess” he finally added.

“What is dismissed mean?” I asked, the situation not yet dawning on me.

“I fired them, they’re gone, you wont see them anymore.” he clarified.

I felt the shock form on my face as I realized what he said

“B-but I liked them!” I pleaded

“Too bad, they were thieving peasants, trying to rob us blind no doubt.” he said.

“Th-thieving?” I pouted “That can't be right!” I cried.

I trusted Rosie and Petunia with all my heart. They took care of me when I was sick, dressed and groomed me every day, and taught me about life outside the castle. There was no way they were criminals.

“Whether or not you believe it, they were no good for you princess.” he said dismissively as I felt tears begin to build up in my eyes.

“Now now princess, it is unfitting of royalty to cry over a couple lowlifes.” he scolded.

“Listen you’ll have to start getting yourself dressed from now on. I’ll wake you in the mornings if you sleep in too late.” He said sounding like he was trying to be reassuring.

He thought for a moment while I kept sobbing.

“If you want to cry over a pair of thieves then you can do so in your room.” he said as he sent me back to my bed chambers.

I was so confused, I didn’t want to believe my cousin. I had only known him for a few days, but he seemed so sure of what he said. Could Rosie and Petunia really have been stealing from me?

It didn’t make any sense, they had all sorts of toys brought to me from the city, and they never took any. At least not that I knew of, then again they did mention how they were “fallen on hard times” once or twice when they thought I wasn’t listening. But if they didn’t take any toys, then what?

I trotted over to the dresser and checked through it making sure to remember all the dresses I had been given.

After a thorough search I was satisfied that all the dresses were accounted for.

“Chromium must be mistaken” I thought.

“I’ll remember to tell him such next time I see him” I remember thinking and hoping that I could get Rosie and Petunia back.

He didn’t care, what I had to say, he mumbled something about kids not being able to understand then ignored me when I told him to bring them back.

He yelled at me about back talking elders and promised to punish me, then sent me to my room.

I had been sitting in my room waiting for sometime.

It was so unfair! He didn’t have any proof that Rosie or Petunia had done anything wrong.

I sat hooves crossed sitting on my bed sulking.

I didn’t like Chromium at all!

Finally my door opened and Chromium trotted in. “I think I’ve found a punishment that will suit you.” He said with a little too much excitement.

This made me nervous. He made me nervous.

Pulling out a bucket and some weird broom like tool I didn’t recognize he grinned as he said “Follow me” in a sing-songie voice.

I followed him without a word but made no attempt to hide how upset I was with him.

He led me to the top floor of the castle all the way to a couple windows with a ledge leading out onto the roof.

I looked out at the window, unsure of what the punishment was.

Was it all the stairs we walked up to get here? And what was the bucket and tool for?

He turned to me smiled then put the bucket with the strange tool out onto the overhang through the windows.

“Okay so your punishment is to clean the roof of the castle from all the bird droppings” the Prince commanded.

“What!” I said

“B-but its cold and windy and super high up!” I whined.

“What if I fall! Can’t we get a Pegasus to do it!” I continued

The prince lifted his hoof and waved it down dismissively “Nonsense princess, the roof is perfectly safe, you won’t fall if you’re careful. Now get to it I don’t think this task is worth the money to pay a Pegasus to do. And it’s the perfect way for you to see how those who would undermine royalty are treated.” He finished, walking over to me then picking me up and placing me on the roof.

“Your not to leave until the roof is spotless. Now get to it you little brat!” he exclaimed before slamming the shutters behind me.

I was left alone on the poo encrusted roof with the bucket of strange tools.

It was early fall so the chill in the air was easy to feel outside but, the wind made it so much worse.

I shivered as I looked at the bucket, unsure of what to do.

I pulled the tools out of the bucket one by one and carefully looked at them.

The biggest tool looked like a broom but, instead of the dried straw at the end it had an oddly shaped piece of metal. I wasn’t sure but I decided that it was probably used to push the square bits of the roof back in place.

The second tool looked like some funny brush with wire bristles, this was probably what I was suppose to use to clean off the roof.

The last tool was a normal sponge, I knew that.

Having sorted my tools I awkwardly tried to get the wire brush in my hooves before realizing that it was meant to be used with my muzzle.

That was gross!

The last pony who used it probably didn’t even clean it off!

I sighed, I really didn’t want to be up here for long, it was super cold. I reluctantly picked up the brush with my teeth cringing with disgust as I felt it roll into some old grooves somepony else's mouth had whittled into it.

I tried to awkwardly scrape off some of the dried bird waste from the weird roof tiles.

My muzzle was sore by the time I got the first spot clean. I eagerly spit the brush out of my muzzle and went for the sponge. Trying to scrub the tile with my hooves was difficult, I had never done anything like this. Usually when I made a mess Rosie or Petunia would clean it up and tell me not to worry about it.

Remembering them sent a small pang into my heart, I hoped they were doing okay.

I remember asking them once why they took care of me and cleaned the castle. Petunia told me that they got paid to by my dad, and that they wanted to make sure I was taken care of.

The spot I had been scrubbing finally looked pretty clean, I could even see that the sloped blocks that made up the roof were actually a red color and not the dark brown I thought they were.

Gross!

I continued to clean and scrub each of the short bricks until I had made it half way down the roof.

It was getting dark by now and I could see the sun getting ready to set. I’d have to go to bed soon and wouldn’t have anytime to play with Dollie.

I tried to be faster but how close I was to the edge of the roof scared me, especially with the wind blowing so hard.

Eventually I had to get along the edge of the castle roof. I tried my best to be as careful as possible but I felt one of the bricks slip, I gasped and stumbled backward as the brick fell down the ledge under me.

I whimpered as I felt my heart pound. If I had been standing on that all the way I might have fallen.

The stress from the day finally got to me and I started to cry. I wanted the whole day to just end, I wanted Dollie, I wanted Rosie and Petunia, and I wanted Chromium to just go away!

“Hello? Who's up there?” I heard a familiar voice shout from down below.

Poking my head over the ledge I saw Chancellor Bright Scroll holding an unlit lantern.

He looked shocked to see me on the roof of the castle.

“Stay right there!” He shouted.

I did as I was told, scooting away from the ledge and then waited.

I was freezing, and shivering, where the night had brought colder air, carried by the wind to smack right into me.

I heard the shutters open from the windows behind me as the chancellor climbed carefully over the window ledge over to me.

“What are you doing on the roof princess!” The chancellor scolded as he picked me up with his hooves nestling me into his chest. “You could have gotten seriously hurt up here.” he continued as he made his way with me back to the window. Glancing around he noticed the cleaning supplies strewn all over the top of the castle.

“Were you trying to clean the roof?” he asked “Why?” he exclaimed worryingly as he began carrying me to my room.

I sniffled before answering “Ch-Chromium t-told me to” I said “H-he got mad when I told him to b-bring Rosie and Petunia b-back” I stuttered.

The Chancellor’s face went from concern to anger as I explained what happened.

“Oh did he now!” he said, his voice filled with anger. “Well I’ll have a word with him.” he said more calmly.

When we got to my room Bright Scroll opened the door led me to then tucked me into bed.

“You try and get some rest princess your freezing cold, I’ll handle Chromium and get something warm to eat.” he reassured me.

“M-mister scroll?” I asked “can you g-get me my Dollie” I said still shivering.

“Certainly miss” he said, his expression soft and warm.

My doll glowed a deep blue as he lifted it with his magic and set it next to me. I reached out with my hooves and hugged her closely.

I heard the door shut gently as the chancellor left, I was just happy that I wasn’t on that cold windy roof anymore.

Chancellor Bright Scroll fumed as he trotted through out the halls.

He stopped a servant along his way to the old king’s room and ordered her to bring some warm soup to the princess’s room.

Going up the flight of stairs Bright Scroll thought of what he would say to the prince briefly before opening the door, not even bothering to knock.

Inside he saw Prince-regent Chromium lying down lazily on his bed.

“Chancellor Bright Scroll what is the meaning of this, were you not taught to knock before entering rooms?” the prince sneered in disgust.

Ignoring the prince’s comment Bright Scroll angrily started “Chromium what madness has possessed you! I just found princess Sterling on the roof trying to clean the whole bloody thing! Have you any idea how dangerous such a thing is for a young filly to do!”

“That’s Prince Chromium to you chancellor” Chromium huffed “Besides that little brat needs to learn some respect!” he continued “And it’s not like its all that dangerous she survived didn’t she?” he asked a little too questioningly.

“Yes she did” confirmed Bright Scroll “But she still could have been seriously hurt! If I hadn’t heard that shingle fall she might have been next!” the chancellor exclaimed. “You might be Prince-regent but don’t think I can’t have strings pulled to get you replaced if you do this nonsense again.” he threatened “Are we clear?” he asked aggressively.

“Don’t forget your place chancellor.” the prince said “I am the one in charge of state affairs and could easily fire you from your prestigious position on the council” he reminded.

“I’ll remember this prince-regent” the chancellor huffed then took his leave having gotten no closure.

The next day, after the roof incident, I woke up to a knock at my door.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and glanced over to see Chromium’s muzzle poke out from the opening door, followed by the rest of his body.

“Wakey wakey princess” Chromium said tauntingly.

I was wide awake and on guard at seeing him, uncertain as to his intentions.

“I-er WE have a big day planned” he said.

I shifted uneasily in bed and brought the blankets close to me, hugging them tight.

Chromium must have noticed my uneasiness because he gently opened the door and reassuringly said. “I know we may have gotten off on the wrong hoof yesterday, but I think you’ll like what I have planned.”

Still cautious of him I asked “W-what is it?” a bit of a tremor in my voice.

Chromium smiled gently “We’re going for a little trip outside the castle!” he answered.

“I heard you’ve never left the castle. Is this true?” he asked.

I brightened a little at hearing the plan, but remembered who had made them and decided to simply nod my head.

He brightened up at my response “Well this will be a fun little opportunity for you to see the countryside!” he joyfully exclaimed.

It did sound nice. I had wanted to see the city for sometime now, and I remember thinking “maybe I can find Rosie or Petunia and bring them back”

“Okay” I said softly

“Good! Now get your mane brushed and clean your teeth, we’ll be leaving soon.” the prince instructed then left, shutting the door somewhat easily.

I did what I was told brushing my short, curly, paleish-bright orange mane until I thought it looked good enough. Then I cleaned my teeth with some crushed mint on my special little painted toothbrush, not stopping until the taste of the soup from yesterday night was gone.

Washing my face quickly as I smiled a little and trotted out my room thinking “Today might be different, maybe Chromium will be nice for a change”

I went into the kitchen to get myself something to eat where I saw Chromium waiting, his muzzle full of sweet snacks.

“Trrk ur rng enurph” Chromium said through his full muzzle, he swallowed then said “excuse me” then cleared his throat and grumbled “took you long enough, let's get a move on”

“But what about breakfast” I asked.

“No thanks I’ve already eaten” he said “Now let’s hurry these flowers only bloom during the early hours of the morning” he hurried.

My complaints went unheard as he rushed us through the halls dodging servants and the odd noble as we arrived in the courtyard.

I saw the martial yelling at some big ponies in armor at the corner of the court yard.

While Chromium was trying to get the stable master to hurry and get a stagecoach ready the martial stopped and trotted over to us.

“Goin’ somewhere m’lord?” Steel Tip asked

“Ah, yes” answered Chromium somewhat flustered “We are going for a little recreational trip to the forests south of the castle” he hastily answered.

“The south forest?” asked the martial “Best take a guard with ya, though we been tryin for some time to get rid of um, there’s still at least one bandit holdout in the area” he informed.

“Very well I’ll take” he paused for a moment to glance around at the guards scattered throughout the courtyard before picking one of the guard recruits Steel Tip had been training. “Him, he’ll do.”

“Really? Your sure?” Steel Tip asked somewhat in disbelief “We have more experienced guards available” he said. The prince nodded in confirmation before Steel Tip waved a hoof over to the recruits and yelling “Rough Iron get over here!”

The Stallion in question dropped his practice spear once before picking it up and rushing over to us as fast as he could.

“Y-yes Sir!” the big stallion saluted.

“You’ll be accompanying the prince regent and his charge, the princess, as they go to the south forest!” he commanded “Do you understand!”

“Sir! Yes Sir!” the nervous recruit responded.

“Good now grab a spear and follow them! Keep um safe soldier!” Steel Tip ordered.

Rough Iron stumbled for a moment before grabbing his practice spear and lining up next to the Prince.

At seeing this the Martial’s face contorted in anger “A REAL SPEAR MAGGOT!” he shouted startling both me and Rough Iron.

After fumbling around for a bit longer the recruit quickly galloped over to the smith, next to the stables, and grabbed a real spear before making his way back to his former position.

“Now that that’s settled lets hook him up” Chromium said looking at the stagecoach that had been hastily prepared by the stable master while all this was going on.

“W-what?” Rough Iron said in confusion.

Before being interrupted in his train of thought by the vigilant Steel Tip “I’ll be asking the questions here maggot not you!” he rumbled. “Prince Chromium, although my colt’s are trained well, fighting while hooked up to the cart maybe a bit more than he can handle.” he said addressing the concern he knew Rough Iron probably had.

“Understandable, but I wish to travel lightly as to not attract unwanted attention, so a smaller party will have to do, and I doubt the princess could pull the cart” the prince responded.

The martial hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying “Looks like you’ll have to make do private, do your best and make the kingdom proud.”

At that the stable master hooked Rough Iron to the cart and we set off with me and Chromium being stuffed in the back, a little too close for comfort.

We sat in silence for a long time, Chromium slumped to his side of the stagecoach looking very bored.

There were no windows in the carriage and I hadn’t taken any toys in the rush to leave so I had nothing to do but wait and look at my cousin.

I had probably memorized his features several times by the time I asked “ What are we doing in the city?”

“What?” was his confused response “We aren't going to the city” he said.

“But I tho-never mind” I muttered realizing that I hadn’t actual heard him say anything about the city.

We sat in silence for a few more minutes before I thought back to something he had said earlier.

“What do the flowers look like?” I asked

“What flowers?” the prince asked.

I was confused at this, wasn’t this why we left so early?

“The flowers you mentioned in the kitchen just before we left, remember?” I reminded him.

His eyes lit up “Ah yes now I remember . . . um . . . well, you see” he paused for a moment and thought. “They’re pretty!” he exclaimed finally “Very pretty yes, but only for a little while during the early morning” he stated confidently.

“What color are they?” I asked innocently.

“Well-er um, why don’t you wait until we get there and you can see for yourself!” he said ending the conversation.

We sat in silence yet again, the rickety bumps of the cart the only interruption of our otherwise uneventful journey.

The Carriage stopped suddenly with a jerk and Chromium sat up straight.
My cousin opened the door and slid past me speaking with the guard for a moment before coming back and sitting across from me again.

After more awkward silence I decided to ask, unbeknownst to me, the most dreaded question that all adults fear while out on the road with a child.

“Are we there yet?” I asked meekly

Chromium gave me a blank stare for a few moments before calmly answering. “No”

After a few more moments of silence he added “We will stop once we get there.”

It took quite a while longer before the carriage stopped once more and Chromium opened the door. Stepping out with a deep breath he exhaled loudly “Ahhhh, this is it” his voice laced with calmness, he then motioned for me to hop out.

I did so and my hooves were met with wet grass and an unfamiliar smell. I glanced around at all the trees. They were much bigger in person than they looked from the castle. I was in awe at the scenery around me, various shades of green and brown were everywhere!

Chromium motioned to the ground beside the cart and that's when I saw them. Flowers popping out of the ground of countless color and shade. They were all in full bloom and looked absolutely breathtaking.

“Maybe we can find some little animals around here for you to see” Chromium commented seeming to notice my amazement.

“Really? You really think so!” I asked in excitement.

He nodded and motioned me deeper into the field, I turned around and noticed him following behind me with the guard trying to fiddle with the carriage.

“Go on” my cousin said motioning me deeper into the woods “any little critters will probably be deeper in the woods, don’t worry I’ll be right behind you” he said following at a short distance.

I started wandering around the woods cautiously checking behind me now and again to confirm that Chromium was still behind me.

After feeling satisfied that he was still following me I began to look more intensely for the animals. I started to get excited when I thought I saw a bushy tail only for it to disappear from my sight a moment later.

I giggled and began hopping around the woods looking high and low for whatever that little critter was.

“Oh look a bunny.” I heard Chromium point out from behind me.

“A bunny?” I said excitedly and looked over to where Chromium was pointing.

Sure enough I saw a light brown wide eyed bunny looking at me intensely.

I gasped and made a high pitched “dahw” sound which must have scared the bunny because it began to hop away as fast as its little feet would take it. In my excitement I began chasing after it eager to see it closer up and maybe pet it a little…

I galloped around for a long time, the bunny just in my sight most times as it made its way through brush and tall grass.

It hopped around a tree, right on its tail I hopped around the same tree and saw a small dark hole.

“This must be where the bunny lives” I thought.

Glancing behind me I started “Chromium how d-”

I noticed that he wasn’t there.

I looked to the left.

Then the right.

I began to panic and called out “C-Chromium!”

I started galloping around hoping to run into my cousin or the guard.

After a few minutes with no luck, I started calling out again for anypony! Surely they were looking for me. Right!

I checked around.

Now I was completely lost I didn’t see the rabbit hole, the road, or anything else that looked familiar.

I felt tears in my eyes and my voice was starting to get hoarse from all my desperate yelling.

He was right behind me!

How did I lose him!

I felt like such a dummy, a stupid, careless dummy!

What If they never find me!

I can’t sleep on the ground there were bugs and stuff.

What was I going to eat!

Can I actually eat grass?

I had no idea, I had gotten all my meals from somepony else!

I sobbed loudly as I continued to worry.

After what felt like forever I got up and rubbed the snot off my nose.

I didn’t think anypony was coming for me so I decided to keep trotting around and look for something to help me.

I stumbled through the forest for hours, eventually I saw something strange in the woods.

A part of the forest looked a little darker than the rest of the woods.

Against my own instincts I trotted over to the strange dark part of the forest.

I didn’t really have any other ideas anyway so this felt like as good a choice as any.

As I got closer I noticed the trees started to look even funnier up close, but I kept going on hoping there was a pony related reason for this.

Suddenly I felt a strange pressure and I struggled to move forward.

At this point I didn’t care how scary it was, the thought of being stuck here forever drove me on.

I pushed past the strange feeling and landed hard on the ground due to a lack of resistance holding me back.

When I opened my eyes I noticed something very strange.

The forest looked normal again, and right in front of me was a small camp with open tents.

I noticed a pony sleeping in one of the tents.

He looked dirty, rough, and seemed to be very busy snoring loudly.

I was a little nervous at his looks but decided that he might be able to help me.

Shyly trotting up to the tent I almost whispered “excuse me m-mister”

He didn’t seem to hear me so I tried again louder “excuse me sir”

Still not even so much as stirring.

I thought maybe he is hard at hearing and decided to try gently shaking him while continuing to call to him.

“Mister!” I finally said at nearly a shout, while shaking him firmly.

“Wh-what?” he muttered, seemingly somewhat confused he blinked a few times probably adjusting his eyes to the light. He looked at me hard for a moment, before sighing and turning over, going back to sleep.

“h-Hey!” I exclaimed having just spent entirely too long trying to get him awake, I was just too frustrated to give up now.

I shook him again, this time he turned his head to me questioningly.

I paused a bit, nervous now that I had his full attention “I-I ne-need some help” I managed to spit out.

“Wait, your real?” he said in surprise, before quickly standing up.

“What are you doing out here kid?” he asked suspiciously.

“I’m lost” I said “I could use a hoof in getting home. . . i-if you don’t mind” I muttered.

He looked at me for a moment, glancing up and down at me before deciding to speak.

“Okay, I believe you” he said “so where are you trying to get to kid?”

“T-the castle” I said nervously

“The castle ay?” he said questioningly “You one of the nobles foals?” he asked, looking at me a little harder.

“I’m the princess!” I said happily, thinking he knew how to get me home.

“My cousin, prince Chromium brought me out here to look at the forest!” I continued.

“Oh? You not get out much?” he asked trotting over to the center of the camp and sitting on a log.

I moved to follow him before answering “No, they say it's too dangerous for me to leave the castle.” I said sadly

“How long you been out here for?” he asked.

“I don’t know we left early morning I-I have no idea” I answered.

He looked up for a minute at the sunlight poking between the thick forest leaves before saying “It’s well after noon now” he said.

At about this time my tummy decided to rumble loudly.

“You hungry kid?” he asked looking at me in disbelief. “I thought royalty was suppose to feast like, well, kings!” he finished.

“C-chromium didn’t let me get anything to eat this morning a-and all I had yesterday night was some vegetable soup.” I told him.

“Really?” he said in surprise “I figured royalty like you would have a small army of ponies to wait on you hoof and tail” he said.

I glanced down. I did have two ponies . . . I missed them.

If the stallion noticed my silence he didn’t mention it and simply trotted over to a dirty looking pot that sat hanging on a bent wooden stick. Reaching in with his wings he stirred whatever was in the pot for a minute before going and picking up two bowls and poring what looked like thick soup into both of them.

“We don’t have any silverware so I hope you don’t mind using your muzzle” he said, walking up to me before putting the bowl down in front of me.

“Thank you sir, I don’t mind” I said trying to be polite.

The soup looked pretty gross, probably being made yesterday I hesitated briefly before deciding I was hungry enough to eat it anyway. To my surprise it didn’t taste that bad it was, pleasant even.

“It tastes pretty good!” I said

“Thank you” he replied “We all had a hoof in making it”

“We?” I said looking around to see if anypony else was around, there wasn’t.

“Yea me and the others, there’s about five of us” he said “The others are probably looking for some more ingredients right now” he explained “I’m a little surprised they didn’t leave anypony behind to make sure I didn’t get jumped, but I guess with the enchantment up they probably thought I’d be okay” he mused.

“Speaking of how did you get past that anyway?” he asked me.

“Get past what?” I asked innocently.

“The enchantment around the camp, I know its still up, the rock is still glowing” he said pointing at a small glowing rock placed next to a tent.

“Is that what made the woods around this place look scary?” I asked

He nodded and I continued “I was just so scared I-I kept going until I was through it” I finished.

He seemed to understand and didn’t say anything else. We finished our meal in silence and I gave him my bowl. He put them away then sat back down and looked at me in thought for a moment before sighing loudly.

“Okay, I figure it’s time I show you your way back home” he said and motioned for me to follow.

We went through the woods for a while in what felt like to me a random way, but eventually we arrived at an empty road.

“The way back to the city is that way” he pointed to the left side of the road “I’d show you the way back, but I’m not allowed in town” he said.

“Why?” I asked.

He looked at me for a couple minutes “I did some bad things, and some ponies don’t feel safe around me. So I’m not allowed to go back” he finally answered.

“Well that’s silly you seem nice to me” I said not understanding the situation entirely at the time.

He seemed to get a small laugh out of what I said though.

“If only everypony thought so kid” he muttered under his breath.

He waved at me and wished me goodbye as he trotted back into the woods and I started my way down the road in the direction that he pointed me.

I trotted along the road for a long time before I finally saw the castle. I had no idea it was on such a high hill!

I decided that I didn’t want to try climbing the hill so I kept following the road into town.

When I got to the gates of the city one of the gate guards was sleeping, while the other was too busy reading a book to notice me so I just went straight in. I trotted around the maze of streets trying to get closer to the castle.

But the roads were too confusing!

Just heading closer to the castle kept ending in dead ends.

I was about to go back to get one of the guards before I heard a very familiar voice.

“Princess?” I turned around towards the pony who called my name.

It was Petunia! I galloped over and hugged her tightly.

“What are you doing out here princess?” she asked worryingly.

I tried my best to explain about how I had gotten lost in the woods and a friendly stallion had helped me find my way home but she just got more confused.

“We should get you back to the castle!” Petunia exclaimed. “I’d bet they’re worried sick about you!” she said and picked me up onto her back like she used to.

As she carried me back to the castle I asked what happened and why she wasn’t at the castle anymore. I could tell that these questions made her uncomfortable, then when I asked her if she could come back she finally answered.

“Oh I’m sorry princess!” she said “But, I can’t come back I got fired” Petunia continued “If I came back I’d be trespassing, that’s a crime! I could get into trouble.” she finished explaining.

I didn’t understand but she seemed sad about it so I didn’t continue to bother her.

When we got to the castle Petunia hugged me tightly.

“I’ll miss you Petunia” I said

“I’ll miss you too dearie” she replied choking back a tear.

“Petunia, I love you, please come back” I said my young mind still not fully understanding why she couldn’t.

“I wish I could princess, I wish I could” she said stroking my mane.

She released the embrace then led me up to the drawbridge and hailed one of the guards on patrol.

She tried to convince him to lower the bridge explaining that I was the princess and needed to get back inside. For some reason he thought I was already inside, but at Petunia’s insistence he went and got the martial.

When Steel Tip showed up he looked shocked then yelled at the guard to lower the bridge immediately.

The martial rushed down to meet us himself.

“What in blazes is she doing out here!” he questioned loudly.

“I don’t know, she said she was lost in the woods and some stranger helped her to town” Petunia answered “The imagination on fillies these days!” she said “She probably just snuck out to go find me. Poor dearie was so excited to see me!” Petunia theorized.

The martial looked skeptical though “Well at any rate thank you for finding her ma’am, I’ll take it from here” Steel Tip thanked her.

We said our last goodbye and I was led back into the castle by the martial.

We didn’t go straight back to my room like I had hoped though.

Instead the martial led me to the throne room, he opened the door and trotted in front of me, blocking my view for a minute when he got out of the way I saw Chromium sitting on the throne looking very pleased with himself one second, and then very disappointed the next.

“You lose a certain, very important pony?” the Martial started his voice laced with hostility.

“Oh was she missing? Silly me, I hardly noticed.” Chromium said as he scrambled to get off the throne.

“Prince Chromium, if your going to be taking the princess out and about, you ought to keep a closer eye on her.” Steel Tip scolded “If you haven't the time, nor the patience to watch her might I suggest you assign her to somepony who does. She is a growing filly, and she needs at least one pony’s full attention” the martial chewed out.

“There’s no need for hiring somepony else to watch her, it was a simple overlook” the prince defended.

“Mm hm” Steel Tip hummed doubtfully “I’m sure everypony forgets the exact reason for a trip” he said sarcastically.

“he-Hey! That guard you sent was there as well and he forgot her too!” Chromium stuttered out.

The conversation they were having was making me confused and uncomfortable.

“I think you forgot that YOU hoof picked that guard regardless of the fact I recommended a more experienced guard” the martial growled.

“I-I!”

I interrupted Chromium before he could respond. “I’m tired c-can I go to bed?” I asked.

They both turned to me the martial’s features softened at being reminded of my presents.

“Of course princess, didn’t mean to hold you up. Here I’ll escort you to your room.” He said opening the throne room door.

Just before he let it close he looked over his shoulder at my cousin. “This conversation isn’t over” he grumbled.

The door closed with a heavy thud and Steel Tip led me to my room.

I had never been so happy to see my bed before!

Well maybe except for yesterday . . .

I grabbed Dollie, who was still laying on the bed from yesterday, and dozed off almost immediately.

Chromium left me alone for a few days after that.

I had to go get my own meals from the kitchen, brush my own mane and tail, and wake up on my own, all things I wasn’t used to.

I didn’t see the chancellor at all during that time either, supposedly he had been sent out to act as ambassador to one of the dukes of the realm, whatever that meant.

The Martial checked up on me every now and again too, but he was usually super busy most of the time yelling at ponies and filling out paperwork.

Aside for the lack of Rosie or Petunia things started to feel pretty normal for a while.

Then one night after I had just eaten my dinner and was going to my room, with Dollie in hoof, to lay down for bed. Chromium rushed up to me and urged me to follow him.

“Come on princess, you must hurry!” he said in a loud panic filled whisper. “You’ll be late if we don’t hurry!” he expressed.

“Late? For what?” I asked

“The party of course!” he answered like it was the most obvious thing “Our little cousin, Shard Wiggle, is having a family party and he invited you!” he said hurrying me.

I was a little excited to hear I was invited to a party, but…

“But why do I have to leave now? It’s so late right now” I questioned

Chromium kept pushing me quickly through the halls “Didn’t you hear me? You’ll be late if we wait until morning! Shard Wiggle’s castle is near the edge of the Kingdom, you’ll be lucky if you get there before they eat dessert!” he explained to me.

“But why couldn’t we have left earlier?” I asked

“The stupid messenger was late!” Chromium said sounding very annoyed.

He had led me all the way over to the courtyard where to my surprise a carriage was already set up and the drawbridge was down.

“Now, enough questions” he whispered and opened the carriage door for me “Hop in” he motioned.

“Are you not going?” I asked, he did say Shard Wiggle was OUR cousin. I figured he had been invited too.

He shook his head “No, I’ve got WAY too many things to do around here” he waved his hoof around to emphasize his point.

“But don’t let my absence bother you, you’ll be perfectly fine my trusted friend Gra-er I mean Trail Chaser will get you there quickly, and safely” He said shoving me into the cart.

Only a few seconds after he had closed the door the carriage started to move really fast.

This carriage was smaller than the last one I was in, but there was more room with Chromium not in the way. This one also had windows, unlike the last one, so I was able to peak out and see where we were headed every now and again.

Too bad it was dark out.

I yawned.

I sure was sleepy, at least I had Dollie with me.

I tried to lay down in the carriage and get some rest, but the seat was hard and cold and I’d wake right back up every time we hit a bump.

There were a lot of bumps . . .

Unable to get any reasonable amount of sleep, I tried to think about what the party would be like.

I had never been to a party before, but Rosie had told me they were suppose to be fun for fillies like me.

I sure hoped they were, I could really use some fun right about now.

My mind drifted to the pony having the party.

I didn’t know I had a cousin named Shard Wiggle, then again I didn’t know about Chromium either.

I wonder if he was just like Chromium, maybe he was nicer.

He did invite me to a party after all.

I wonder if other ponies would be there.

My thoughts continued until I started seeing the sun peek out from the horizon.

“This place must be really far away” I thought.

Looking out the carriage window I saw a shabby little house with fields of broken straw everywhere.

“That must be a farm Rosie had told me about those” I remembered.

As I kept looking out of the window sleepily I noticed the carriage was hitting an awful lot of bumps. Then I noticed the road we were just on through the window I was looking out of.

That was weird why did we leave the road?

I moved to the front of the carriage and slid the little window open.

The first thing I noticed was that no pony was hooked up to the cart anymore, the second thing I noticed was the cliff the carriage was headed for quickly.

I panicked and quickly started to bang on the doors with my hooves, luckily the left door popped open when I hit it with all my strength.

Not thinking, just acting I leaped out of the carriage as quick as I could, tumbling around for a few seconds scraping and bumping against the ground.

I finally stopped my painful tumble and slumped to the ground for a minute.

My whole body hurt so bad!

I tried to pick myself up and managed to get into a sitting position.

I saw the carriage driver some ways away looking very disappointed.

He started to make his way towards me very apprehensively.

He was only a few hooves away when I heard a shout.

“What’s going on over there!” I heard an old pony yell out.

We both turned and noticed a scrawny pony with a straw hat holding a pitchfork up with his shoulders, approaching us.

Whatever the carriage driver was going to do he must have decided that it was no longer worth the trouble and galloped away.

I was too sore to get up and run so I stayed put.

When the pony in the straw hat finally got close enough I could see his wrinkled, weathered face under the brim of his hat.

“You okay there little filly?” he asked a distinct accent in the way he spoke.

“I-I don’t know it hurts” I grunted out

He looked me over, probably seeing all the cuts and bruises.

“I see” I mumbles “I can take you to my house, I think we can get you looked at if you want” he said.

I nodded my head and he picked me up as gently as he could and placed me on his back.

He trotted back to the rugged shack I saw earlier and opened the door with a gentle shove.

I saw a humble little living room with an old small table at the center.

In the back of the room there was a young mare fixing a large breakfast.

“Hey dad what brings yo- oh my goodness!” The mare exclaimed at seeing me.

She drops what she was doing and rushes over to me, the old stallion sets me down on what looks like the most comfortable chair in the room.

“My goodness, what happened to you! You look like you got into a fight with a Where-Beaver-Bear!” the mare says in a panic.

The old stallion answers for me “She jumped out of a carriage, pony who was pulling unlatch himself and tried to send it off the cliff” he explained “Saw the whole thing myself” he confirmed, to the mare’s disbelief.

“What would possess a pony to do something like that to a foal!” The mare asked, the stallion just shrugged unknowingly.

The mare treated my cuts and bruises for a while, while the old stallion decided to take her place at the kitchen and finish preparing food.

When the mare got finished with my bandages and decided to start asking me questions. I tried my best to answer, hoping the answers I gave would help make me better.

When she asked who I was, I told the mare that I was the princess of the kingdom.

The mare didn’t believe me and thought I was trying to play games, but the old stallion believed me.

“Most ponies can't afford to be pulled by carriages” he said “And with the old king gone it makes sense that somepony might want to get rid of the heir before she takes the throne” the stallion said.

The mare was still skeptical but after seeing the look in my eyes decided that I was telling the truth.

“Well what should we do? If she really is the princess then we will need to get her back to the capital” the mare said.

“I suppose I could write a letter to the castle, let um know what happened” the old stallion suggested “She can ride with us in the cart when we head out to sell the harvest tomorrow” continued the stallion.

The mare sighed then nodded in agreement.

I sat in silence as the two ponies continued working, preparing something. I began to hear some thumps from overhead.

“Kids are up” the old stallion said.

The mare seemed not to respond, as if she didn’t hear him or it didn’t matter.

The thumping sound continued moving to the corner of the room opposite of me, there a hatch I hadn’t noticed before. It opened and a ladder came down followed by four ponies. A young stallion, two younger colts, and a little filly all came down one at a time.

The young stallion ignored me, but the two colts and filly were very curious and bombarded me with questions.

I answered what I could, but I was still tired from the lack of sleep so it’s all a bit of a blur to me.

I know they sat down and had breakfast together, they offered me a plate too. I was a little hungry at the time so I graciously took it and sat at the little table. I’ve never eaten that close to anypony before, we were all shoulder to shoulder with just enough room to use our hooves. None of us were unicorns so there was no glow of silverware moving around at all. It felt odd in a cozy way, and the food was, although a bit greasy, alright.

The old stallion was done with his meal first, he sat up from the table and washed his bowl over a bucket of water then climbed the ladder to the attic slowly.

The others were in various forms of being done by the time he came back down with a parchment in his mouth, he left the house and shortly after the younger stallion washed his plate and headed outside too. The colts and filly wanted me to come out and play with them once we were done eating, but the mare must have seen how tired I was and sent them off to do their chores.

She then led me up the attic carefully, it was a bit more cramped up there than I thought it would be. We snaked between several cots before she showed me to a bigger one.

“This is my bed” she said “You can rest up here until we head out for the capital tomorrow.”

“What about you?” I asked

“Don’t worry, we have a spare, my husband is out on a trip right now so I’ll sleep in his bed” she assured me.

It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep after she left.

I awoke to a stir, everypony in the room seemed to be getting up at once.

Had I slept the whole day away?

Almost as if he sensed my confusion, the old stallion commented. “Have a good sleep?” in his grumbly accent.

I nodded my head and hopped out of bed to join the others for breakfast. We ate quickly as the farmers had a busy day ahead.

I watched as the stallions and mare loaded up the hay from their farm, it was interesting watching them all work together to get it loaded.

When they were done they motioned for me to hop on the cart.

The young stallion was pulling the cart while the older stallion walked beside him, and talked. The two colts were playing tag galloping around the cart and trying to tag each other. The filly was up on the cart with me, she was holding on to some weird woven pieces of straw. It took me a few minutes to realize she was holding onto a straw doll. Seeing her play with it and brush its mane reminded me of. . .

“DOLLIE!” I gasped

The older stallion and filly heard me and turned their heads, even the colts stopped chasing each other.

I couldn’t believe I had forgotten her in the carriage just before I jumped out!

I wanted to hop out and gallop over to the cliff as fast as I could in the hopes that I might find her, but I knew.

I knew deep down, although I didn’t want to admit it.

Dollie was probably gone forever.

I felt my eyes get watery as I started to realize what I had just lost.

My favorite toy, my expensive doll, my most prized possession all of these though it may be true meant nothing compared to what I really lost.

My companion, my friend, my coping mechanism. She was more than just an object to me, she was one of the few things left to keep me company in my lonely neglected world.

“Everything alright?” the old stallion asked flatly.

“N-n-no!” I cried “M-m-my Dollie!” I exhaled a breathless whimper.

The old farmer waited for me to calm down a little to explain myself.

“I-in the c-carriage I-I left her!” I finally managed to gibber out.

“It wern’t no thing m’lady. You can always get a new one” the farmer said clearly not understanding the importance of my Dollie to me.

“N-no!” I shouted out “Y-you don’t get it” I cried out “Sh-she was always there for me! W-when I sprained my hoof sh-she was there, when when I-I lost R-Rosie a-and Petunia she w-was there, wh-when I c-came back from the r-roof she was there. She was always there!” I cried into my hooves completely devastated by my loss.

The old stallion didn’t say anything, he probably didn’t know what to say.

It was one of the younger colts who broke the silents “I-If you want me and Cork can go looking for your doll at the bottom of the creek” he said.

“T-the bottom of the c-creek?” I asked pausing from my sobbing.

“Yeah!” the colt perked up excited “Grandpa showed us a secret way down to the bottom of the cliff, if you want we can check around the wreckage and see if we can find it for you” he offered

I sniffed and then smiled a little.

Something in the way he said that made my heart flutter a little bit.

“I-If you’r sure it’s no trouble it would m-make me very happy if you could get her b-back” I stuttered out.

“Yea its no problem at all!” the colt exclaimed “If you don’t mind me asking, what does she look like? We’ll need to know what to look for.” he asked.

“S-she has a bright pale orange curly mane, like mine, a-and a soft pink coat” I said.

“She’s super soft and has light sapphire blue eyes, l-like me!” I said.

The colt listened carefully to my description and agreed to go out and try to find her the next time he and his brother went out to explore.

As we neared the city I could see the sun get lower in the sky.

Once the gates we’re in plain view I noticed a familiar martial waiting for us at said gates.

We stopped directly at the gates just a few hooves shy of where Steel Tip was leaning.

“I got your letter” Steel Tip said waving the parchment in hoof. He trotted up to me and picked me up, carefully placing me on his back.

“Thank you for your help citizen, we at the castle thank you greatly” he said sounding somewhat rehearsed.

“W-wait she was an actual princess?” I heard the little filly say.

Steel Tip ignored her and reached a hoof over to his belt and unstrapped a large bag of bits “Please, take this as a reward” he said trying to give the bag to the old stallion.

The younger stallion’s eyes lit up at seeing so much money, but the older pony simply pushed the bits back “Doin the right thing is its own reward” he said.

The younger stallion’s eyes sagged back down as the old pony turned the reward down.

The Martial was taken back by this, but then noticed the load of hay they were shipping.

“How much you charging for that hay?” the martial asked.

“Ten bits a bail” the old stallion said.

“I want to buy all your hay and I won’t accept paying you any less than this” the martial said giving the old stallion the bag of bits.

The old pony took the bag and opened it revealing a massive amount of golden bits, the most valuable bits of all each one easily worth ten silver bits.

“Y-your overpaying” the old stallion said “B-by way more than this is worth!” the old farmer told him, in complete shock of the generosity.

“I know” came Steel Tip’s neutral reply.

“I-I don’t know how to thank you” the old stallion said as Steel Tip turned around.

“Just take the bits” was Steel’s tired response.

The farmer and his family was left wondering what to do with their newly acquired small fortune at the gate.

When the guards asked Steel Tip what to do with the wheat he told them to “Feed the poor” he probably didn’t actually care what was done with the farmer’s load, but figured it might as well go to ponies who needed it.

I looked up to Steel Tip so much more after that day.

The martial sat fuming at the letter in front of him.

He had just started his morning rounds when he went to check on Sterling. He remembered worryingly checking high and low in and around the castle.

He was just about to get Chromium’s lazy flank up when a letter labeled as “URGENT” arrived in his hooves from a very frantic pegasus messenger.

After reading its contents he understood immediately what had happened, and he knew who exactly was to blame.

He took the letter with him as he marched straight to Chromium’s chambers.

He flung the door open, not wasting any time with formalities. The loud bang the door made as it collided with the unmoving brick shook the room’s occupant to his core.

“Martial Steel Tip” Chromium said “to what do I owe this, rather rude appearance” he said feigning ignorance.

The martial slapped the letter down right in front of Chromium “You mind explaining your way out of this?” Steel Tip sneered aggressively.

Chromium warily scooted up to get a better look at the paper, his eyes twitched ever so slightly when they reached the “... she’s okay and will be on her way back by the time you read this...” part.

“I have nothing to do with this” Chromium deadpanned as innocently as he could.

“Bull” came Steel’s blunt reply “You’re telling me that if I go down to the courtyard right now and ask the gate pony who ordered him to let that carriage leave he wouldn’t say you?”

“Um” was the masterful reply Chromium came up with.

“From now on neither you, nor the princess is to leave this castle with any less than five guards hoof picked by me. Understand!” The martial commanded.

“W-wait you can’t order me around I out rank you!” Chromium whimpered pathetically.

“As martial of the realm’s armed forces and pony responsible for the protection of the royal family I’m putting my hoof down!” was Steel Tip’s answer.

“These suspicious circumstances and events warrant an emergency council meeting” announced Steel Tip professionally “I’ll be sending a letter recalling Bright Scroll from his mission and when he arrives we’re having that emergency meeting” he told Chromium. “And so help me if you try something like this again I won’t wait for the council I’ll have you bound in irons and rotting in a cell before you even know what to do!” with that he slammed Chromium’s door shut behind him, leaving a desperate and on edge prince to choose his next actions . . .

The mood in the castle was tense, you could practically walk on it.

Chromium had been acting strange so I tried staying away from him, the martial told me to keep near him as often as I could.

I was doing just that, in the courtyard just under one of the big walls, I sat playing with some of my other toys.

It had only been a day since I got back with the farmers and Dollie was still gone.

I was quite a bit sad still, as I’m sure anypony who looked at me could tell.

The other toy’s were great, but they were no Dollie.

Rinser the butler, and Lilly the hoofmaid were simply not as fun to play with, without their fabulous Queen Dollie.

I tried pretending like they were playing hide n’ seek and Dollie was the best hider ever.

It still didn’t feel as fun though.

My attention was drawn away from my toys as I heard something.

It sounded like somepony struggling greatly.

I looked up quickly after I realised the sound was coming from directly above me.

There I saw an obese guard tumbling quickly toward me.

My heart nearly stopped as a ton of fat and metal fell quickly towards me.

I leaped at the last possible second and felt the guard land on the very end of my tail.

Everypony started to hurry over to where I was nearly crushed.

The guard looked hurt, but he was alive.

If I was still sitting under him…

I shuddered at my most recent scrape with death.

The martial was in the crowd of guards asking what happened.

I didn’t feel safe here anymore!

I galloped into the castle my heart pounding a million miles per hour and my hearing muffled and eyes clouded. I wasn’t sure what was happening but I didn't stop until I was safely in my room.

I shut the door behind me and stumbled towards the window, trying my best to calm myself down.

Just as my panic attack disappeared and my breathing began to steady my door slammed open.

In the doorway, dagger in muzzle, stood Chromium, he looked absolutely livid.

Suddenly he galloped toward me and swung the dagger.

I panicked and galloped, trying to get passed him and out of the now very unsafe room.

*Swoosh*

I heard the dagger pass right by my ear. I managed to get to the doorway passed the frothing prince.

Just as I was about to leave Steel Tip arrived in the doorway followed by several guards.

He quickly pushed me out of the way and tackled Chromium to the ground, disarming the mad prince.

As he was being restrained my cousin kept shouting “WHY WON’T YOU DIE!”

I was left confused in my room as my deranged cousin was dragged to the dungeon by a small army of guards.

It was a few days later.

The council had assembled to determine the kingdom’s next actions and the fate of Prince Chromium.

Those in attendance were Chancellor Bright Scroll, Martial Steel Tip, Steward Coin Hide, Spy Mistress Lady Cloak, and Court Chaplin Jolly Flare.

Everypony there was of equal rank and status in the eyes of the elite, they were the most trusted advisors of the old King.

Sitting down the written reports from the guard and Steel Tip each of the council members waited. Bright Scroll addressed them.

“Members of the council I think it is quite clear here, without a shadow of a doubt what happened and what needs to be done” he announced.

“The first order of business should be of that of the state” he continued

“Firstly who should be the replacement for the former Prince-regent Chromium” he said.

All of the members of the council glanced at each other for a time before Coin Hide addressed the council.

“With all due respect, is it necessary that we have a regent? The council is more than capable of dealing with the independent matters of state” he said.

“What we really need is a guardian for Sterling” he concluded.

The members glanced at each other and whispered opinions back and forth for a while before Bright Scroll announced out.

“All in favor of abstaining in vote of a new regent until the princess is crowned thereby annulling the position indefinitely say, aye!” he instructed

“Aye!” came the unanimous agreement from all present.

“It's unanimous then” declared the chancellor.

“Our next order of business should be that of assigning a guardian to the Princess and current heir to the throne Sterling Silverhoof” declared Chancellor Bright Hoof.

“Are there any suggestions?” asked Bright Hoof.

The council was silent for a time before the martial decided to make a suggestion.

“Why not let the princess decide?” said Steel Tip.

The other council members whispered their opinion to each other over this risky suggestion.

After they quieted down the chancellor lifted a hoof to start a vote.

“All in favor of giving the princess her own choice in her pony of guardianship say, Aye!” he instructed once again.

“Aye!” came Three voices

“All opposed?”

“Nay” came the lone voice of Steward Coin Hide.

“With the Vote at three to one, with Spy Mistress Lady Cloak choosing to abstain, the Ayes have it” Chancellor declared.

After the decision a servant was sent out to bring Princess Sterling before the council to hear her decision.

She timidly trotted before the five ponies unsure of what was to happen.

The Chancellor dropped his strict, professional demeanor after seeing the princess. She had been through so much in the last two weeks. He couldn’t possibly feel anything but comfort in her being safe.

“Princess” he started gently.

She looked at him with her big light blue eyes unsure of what was going on.

“We have decided that since your last guardian, prince Chromium, has been seen as unfit for his position. We are going to leave the choice of who his replacement is to you” The chancellor told her “You may choose anypony you want”

The Princess looked down, in thought, for a moment at her hooves before asking.

“A-Anypony I want?” she asked.

The chancellor nodded in confirmation.

“C-Can it be more than one pony?” she asked.

The chancellor raised his brow before saying “No more than two”

The princess smiled at hearing this “In that case I want my former hoofmaids, Rosie and Petunia” she said.

The Spy Mistress looked through some of her papers before settling on the files of each former hoof maid. She passed it around each council member looking at them thoroughly before they finally got to Bright Scroll.

After a moment of silence he looked up and all the council members nodded their consent.

“Very well, the council see’s no reason why the two former hoofmaids can not act as guardian to Princess Sterling.” he stated. “If they’re willing, they will be given the opportunity to act as co-guardians to the princess” the chancellor smiled softly.

The Princess looked the happiest she had been in a long time. A well deserved break from her chaotic past two weeks.

In the end the council decided to leave Prince Chromium in the dungeons until the princess could decide his fate. Just as he nearly decided her’s . . .

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

The idea for this story came from a game of Crusader Kings 2 I was playing with a friend. I was so amused by the events that I decided to flesh them out into a couple thousand words and ponify it.

If you found any mistakes or have any criticisms/questions about the story feel free to let me know with a comment or private mail. I'm always open to getting some advice from anyone who's willing to share.

Epilogue: Judgment

I sat up straight in my bed, the sun beaming through my window.

Today was the day.

I slid myself off the bed, careful not to ruffle the sheets, and trotted over to the single large mirror in my room to get myself ready.

I arrived quickly, but to me it felt like it took forever.

My body felt heavy, far heavier than it should.

I looked into the mirror, straight into my own eyes, my bright sapphire eyes.

I saw a young mare, one who I had seen grow into the mare before me. She was taller, more mature, and brave. Gone were the days when she spoke with a stutter, now everything she said was confidently spoken, every word a calculated demand.

The door to my room opened and I turned to see who it was.

“Up already prin- I mean, my queen?” an older mare asked.

“Petunia, so good to see you, how did you sleep?” I asked actively ignoring any mention of my title. I technically wasn’t queen yet, that will come later today.

“Like a log m’lady” she trotted up to me, hooves clicking lightly on the stone floor “You need any help getting ready dearie?” she asked as she slid up beside me.

“If it’s not a bother” I smiled “I could use a hoof brushing my coat” I turned my head and looked at her through the mirror.

“Not at all m’lady” she smiled and picked up a brush with her mouth and started carefully brushing my coat just below my withers.

I watch her brush back my deep grey coat as I thought idly of the day to come.

The council had gone over what the day’s events would be.

First I would attend a banquet with all the most important landowning nobles of the kingdom. Next my formal Inauguration would take place with all the nobles from the banquet being expected to attend. And finally, as my first act as queen, I was expected to decide and announce the fate of Prince Chromium Silverhoof.

I secretly dreaded every part of that last bit.

I got a pit in my stomach every time I thought of those events twelve and a quarter years ago.

Everything had been explained to me by the council a few years ago and it put a bitter tinge of reality on everything that had happened.

I still can’t get in carriages.

“All finished m’lady” Petunia broke me out of thought “You want me to do your mane?” she asked.

“No, I like my mane” I said looking at its natural curl.

“As you wish my queen” Petunia curtsied “If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen Rosie probably needs a hoof getting the feast ready” she said leaving the room.

She then popped back in quickly “Oh, and don’t forget to see the tailor for your dress before you go walking the halls” she reminded.

“Thank you Petunia, I won’t” I thanked.

With that she shut the door and I was back to being alone in my thoughts.

I thought about what I was going to do to punish Chromium, it feels like it all happened forever ago, it's almost like a dream.

But it wasn’t.

I sighed and started trotting to the door to leave, passing a certain shelf as I exited the door.

Most of the day was exactly as I had been told it would be.

I went to the Tailor, got dressed, went to check on the feast preparations, then had a quick meeting with the council.

The feast started right after I sat down at the large chair, most of the other ponies at the huge table were dressed up in exquisite clothes and excessive jewelry. I gave a few words before we started to eat about “How happy I am that you could all attend” and that “I hope you all enjoy the food” I gave a small fake smile the whole time and was as polite and courteous as I could be.

Once I was done eating, I was rushed back to the tailor to change dresses into the biggest, fanciest dress I have ever seen.

It was huge and stuffy, like most dresses I was told to wear.

I was then given a well written speech by the chancellor to say and taken to the throne room.

I sat on the throne as ponies finished arriving, the Chaplin closest to my left with a marble stand next to her.

On the stand was a big fancy crown with pink hued rubies adorning it surrounding the centerpiece which was an even bigger pink ruby. The crown was made from silver, with golden trim around the edges and gem emplacements.

Close to my right were Chancellor Bright Scroll, now looking much older than twelve years ago, and Martial Rawhide, Steel Tip’s oldest son.

Jolly Faire gave a ceremonial speech before carefully placing the crown on my head.

I gave a soft smile to the ponies in the room and gave a speech like was expected, but it wasn’t the one Bright Scroll gave to me.

“Mares and Stallions, ponies of the fine nobility and all trotts of life! I want to thank all of you for coming to celebrate not only my birthday, not only my crowning, but a day of gentle change. For a long time some ponies have felt the sting of a neglectful crown, the void left by an empty chair and the results of an overworked council. Some may still have their doubts as the west reaches are still racked with famine, ruining not only the peasants lively hood, but that of the nobility which sits atop them. Your ancestors all agreed to bow their heads to a crown with the thought of safety from such calamities and the busyness that has taken hold of the council has resulted in some loss of this reassurance. But now, starting today I will take hold of this responsibility and I hope that through actions, not words! I can prove myself a leader capable of changing the status quo for the betterment of the Kingdom now Queendom! But I seek not to serve just the nobility but that of the common pony. For it is upon all their backs that this country was built, and for their safety from those that would abuse them, that it stands! No longer will the greed of the odd noble threaten the stability of the realm. Any noble who has lost property because of a peasant revolt stirred up by a greedy lord or lady who overworked the poor will worry no longer! I plan to rule the Queendom fairly and with the best judgment there may be for that of a peaceful, happy, and prosperous future!” I finished my speech with confidence.

Surveying the room I saw more than a few stunned faces.

I was about to lose my nerve when a noble pony I didn’t recognize shouted.

“Hear, Hear! All Hail Queen Sterling! Long may she live”

“LONG MAY SHE LIVE” repeated the crowd, apparently satisfied with my speech.

Ponies started conversing with each other softly, likely discussing what I had just said.

“A Bold speech my Queen, hopefully you can go through with your promises” Bright Scroll complimented in a hushed tone.

“I know I can” was my calm reply.

Bright Scroll then cleared his throat loudly, getting the attention of all the ponies present.

“Now for her first act as queen! The Crimes of the former Prince Regent Chromium Silverhoof shall be brought forth to her for judgement” my heart sank as I heard the chancellor finish.

In the day’s excitement I had almost forgotten about this part. . .almost.

The martial motioned for a few guards to bring the prisoner forth.

The doors at the end of the throne room were being held open for the guests so I saw him the moment he turned the corner.

The chains around his hooves rattled as he slowly trotted between the now separate crowd towards me. The Guards flanking him glanced around to make sure nopony tried anything before my Judgment was given.

I almost didn’t recognize him.

His mane was long and ungroomed, his coat was dirty and ragged, and he had grown a short rugged beard. Most shocking of all was his dramatic loss of weight.

The prison meals he received likely weren't as nutritious as he was used to.

He stopped in front of the stairs leading up to the throne, keeping me a good safe distance away from me.

He looked up to me his eyes glazed over, resigned to his fate.

“Former Prince-Regent Chromium, you stand before us accused of crimes against the crown, five charges of attempted regicide, and treason. How do you plead?” the old chancellor asked.

Chromium was silent for a minute, never taking his eyes off me.

“It’s true” he confessed “I am guilty on all accounts” he continued.

“I conspired to kill or put into a position to be killed the young Princess Sterling Silverhoof twelve years ago” he admitted defeat in his voice.

“I deserve whatever punishment she gives me” he said finally breaking eye contact with me and lowering his head.

Out of everything I expected this to be, this was NOT it.

I expected Chromium to shout and scream, to plead and deny every proven account of his ill deeds. To go down a blazing inferno of lies and deceit.

But this?

He was quiet and calm, submissive and accepting of the facts. There was no blazing inferno only a whimpering candle.

“Why?” I asked, breaking the crowd out of their hushed whispers. “Why did you do it?” I asked again.

Chromium’s head barely raised, and his eyes glanced up to mine.

“I thought it was all obvious” he said.

“I wanted the throne” he calmly explained.

“I understand that” I said “But you had everything! Wealth, Land, Status and you threw it all away!” I exclaimed.

“Why?” I asked quieter

He didn’t answer me right away, he looked thoughtfully for a moment. Like he was thinking of the right words.

With a sigh he answered “I wanted more” he said “I had it all but it wasn’t enough” he explained “I needed that throne, simply had to have it. I knew the regency would be only temporary and I wanted the crown for good.” he continued “Even though we were family, I didn’t know you and I didn’t care to know you.” he paused briefly and raised his head to look me more directly in the eyes “I thought that if I just didn’t see it done I wouldn’t feel so bad and wouldn’t care about having a little filly murdered” his eyes were still dull, but I could see his regret buried deep in them “But after the first three times failed I got desperate. Steel Tip was on my hooves and I managed to convince myself that I could make everything work out once I was King” He looked away in shame.

“what a fool I was” I barely heard him whisper.

I thought for a few minutes of crushing silence what to do to the stallion before me.

Clearly he was a different pony than the one I knew twelve years ago, but I couldn’t just let him go that would set a horrible president for ponies considering treason of the highest kind.

After thinking for a few more minutes on exactly what to do, I straightened my back and put on the most serious face I could manage.

“Chromium Silverhoof, for the crimes confest to before those present. I newly crowned Queen Sterling Silverhoof order that your property, wealth, and status be seized by the crown. Additionally you may not inherit any property, wealth, or any title from here onward. Your current title and status as a highborn of the realm are hereby forfeit and you are to be disqualified from succession of any type. Your descendants, should you have any, may inherit your former possession the Hoftwood estate. However any profits made from the estate until and before that time, while you were imprisoned for your crimes shall go to the state.” I declared.

“Finally, I see the twelve years you have already spent imprisoned as being a sufficient punishment” I announced.

Chromium was stunned, he likely expected death for his treasonous crimes.

“My Queen are you sure?” Bright Scroll asked “The charge of treason alone is enough to warrant the death penalty.”

I waved to him acknowledgingly “I am well aware” I acknowledged.

“I do not want this day to be remembered as one of blood and vengeance” I answered.

“My decision is final!” I announced.

The hall was filled with murmuring from the present nobles.

Many thought I was too soft with my decree, others praised my merciful act, some didn’t know how to feel.

I motioned for the guards flanking Chromium to release his shackles.

They did so, I hardly heard them fall to the stone floor as the murmurs turned into a full fledged debate.

I quieted them with a commanding whistle.

“No pony is to bring harm to Chromium while on castle grounds under punishment of the law, he will be treated like any other commoner, and any crime you commit related to him will be dealt with just as if you had done so to anypony else” I ordered.

The room stayed in a silent acknowledgement of my orders as Chromium quickly galloped away, eager to get as far away from the crowd of angry nobles as he could.

With that I dismissed the court.

The nobles left one by one, being sure to congratulate me before leaving.

I was tired after the ordeal and decided to head directly to the royal tailor to get this big stuffy dress off as fast as possible.

I went straight to my room after it was off.

As I trotted in softly I noticed the shelf next to the door leading out of the room.

Trotting up to the shelf I examined it closely.

On the shelf were a few of my most prized possessions.

An old used survival knife from the squatters I met in the woods, a little poorly made stuffed bear Rosie had made after she learned that I lost Dollie.

And a small worn doll with old stains and patches, carefully sewn on. The small doll had a pink coat, a light pale orange mane, and light blue eyes just like me.

I smiled at the latter, although I hadn’t played with her in years I still love her.

“Goodnight Dollie”

I kissed the old toy and laid down, exhausted from the days events.