Don't Say Her Name

ENTRANCE WITHOUT EXPRESSED PERMISSION OF THE QUEEN IS SUBJECT TO REMOVAL OF THE PERPETRATOR'S HEAD.

Trixie and Sunset laughed nervously. All three stared at the slightly overgrown sign as they stood before the entrance to the Everfree. Starlight however, just laughed and said in an almost singsong voice. “Don’t worry girls; I got the permits, as promised.”

Sunset laughed and nudged Starlight. “I wasn’t too worried, but Trixie was shivering in fear.”

“How dare you! I wasn’t afraid, I was shivering in excitement!”

“You were scared! Just admit it!”

“I was not! You may have been, but I was thinking how much more exciting this will be than the time we camped in that Dragon’s cave.”

“Ha you got that right, Trixie. Though the corpse did provide a rather neat ambience.”

“Well this will be better, especially since a certain applebucker brought some actually scary stories this time!”

Starlight rolled her eyes and hugged them both. “Oh c’mon you two, quit measuring, you’re both brave. Now stop flexing and lets get to camping!”

***

“So, what kind of food did you pack?”

Sunset, Starlight, and Trixie had been walking through the forest for a while. Upon feeling her stomach growl, Sunset inquired about the food situation. Trixie laughed. ”We brought some carrots to steam and marshmallows to roast on the campfire. And of course we brought some apples for you to snack on, because we know you prefer those to carrots.”

"Sounds awesome! Hey what about your snake?"

"Yeah, I'll need to find something for Snuggles to eat. Probably find some squirrel or mouse later."

"Make sure you do Trix; you wanted it. You take care of it."

"Yeah, yeah, no worries."

“I mean it Trix, I want a Star Promise on this.”

“Oh come on.”

“Do it. Now!”

“Okay, okay, calm down darling. May the stars fall from the sky, striking me down if I lie. I hereby promise to feed Snuggles by tomorrow morning!”

“Good girl. You know I trust you. It’s just you tend to forget things sometimes.”

“Oh that’s just adorable.”

“Shush Sunset.”

“Ha! Make me, Trixie!”

“I’m sure I can find something to put in your mouth to keep you quiet.”

“Oh? Is that a promise?”

“Starlight are we there yet?”

“Almost! Don’t let me stop your fun time you two.”

Trixie’s horn glowed a bright blue as Starlight sat down to watch the show. Turning to Sunset she spoke teasingly. “Perfect! C’mere darling!”

“Mmmmrgh!”

“Ha! That shut you up. I win! Now to claim my prize.”

***

Hours later, as the moon rose above the treetops above them, the three girls found themselves sitting around a campfire. Sunset lay, content, on Trixie’s lap; a collar and leash around her neck. Trixie gently stroked her mane as Snuggles lay, basking in the glow of the firelight nearby. Starlight sat next to on the other side of Sunset, gently running a hoof up and down the mare’s torso while using her free hoof to roast an apple for her. “This is the life, girls.”

“You said it, Star. Hey how about we let our ‘pet’ off her leash and we hear this story she was so jazzed about earlier?”

As Starlight undid the leash from Sunset’s collar, she spoke quietly. “It’s nice to be away from Ponyville and Canterlot for a while, so we can spend this time together and do as we please, even if only for a weekend. Alright Sunset, scare us.”

Using the magic of her horn, Sunset called forth a book from a satchel by the tent. Still laying on Trixie’s lap with the book hovering before her eyes, Sunset began. Her voice quiet as the flames danced across her smiling face. “With pleasure. This is the story of The Shattered Heart. It all began centuries ago…"

***

“And they say, if you go to the circle of dead, standing trees around the midnight hour in the Everfree and say her name the ring of fire will still appear. For her cursed blood still flows through the ground, where that shattered heart still lies buried. So heed my advice and never bring your lover to the Everfree. Don’t enter the circle. Don’t say her name. And if you do, don’t mention your lover’s name. Or you, like them, shall meet with a most grievous fate as the mare will most definitely kill her own mate. The End.”

The fire had slowly diminished over many hours and now it was nothing more than glowering embers. Sunset had begun using her magic to illuminate the campground as she had been reading. As she finished, she glanced up at Starlight and Trixie to find them both shivering and looked to be hugging each other for comfort. “Well?”

Trixie laughed hollowly. “That was pretty fur-raising, that’s for sure. E-Even the forest quieted down to listen.”

Starlight looked around and listened. Trixie was right, not a sound was being uttered throughout the Everfree.

Chuckling nervously, Starlight added. “Y-yeah, that was...that was something. You definitely picked a winner. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go take a powder.”

Trixie nodded furiously. “Yeah I...I think I’ll join you darling.”

As the two went off. Sunset grinned. “Finally vindication for how not scary my last one was. I knew they’d love it. While they’re gone, I'll set up the sleeping bags.”

It was the work of a few minutes to unroll the one double-wide sleeping bag and the single and place them side by side. The mare dutifully packed up the loose snacks and tidied up the campsite, a task she was quite used to doing for Trixie and Starlight often. “Sunset.”

Trixe and Starlight had returned and seemed to want to talk to her about something. Sunset quickly stopped what she was doing and sat down, as was expected of her. “Aw, good girl. Trixie and I think you’ve earned a nice reward for the wonderful story earlier. So Trixie has agreed to let you spend tonight cuddling with me.”

“Really, Trixie?"

“Yeah, Yeah, generous of me, I know. Now shush and accept your reward before I change my mind.”

After saying these words, Trixie gave Sunset a hug, and whispered gently in her ear. “You did a good job. I’m proud of you sweetie.”

Sunset smiled happily as Trixie gave her flank a smack. It had been this way between the three for the past 13 years. Sunset was proud to be the submissive of both Trixie and Starlight, and they were proud to own her heart. Starlight laughed. “Time for bed, everypony.”

***

Later, as Sunset lay snuggling close to Starlight, Trixie felt a tickling sensation in her ear. Groggily she whined. “Starlight, you said not until we get home...Hrgggh let me sleep you tease!”

The sensation continued and opening her eyes, she nearly leapt from the sleeping bag. It wasn’t Starlight but Snuggles the snake, and he was just as frightened recoiling in fear at the sudden movement. Taking a moment to collect herself, Trixie gently pet the snake in an effort to calm it down. “Hey boy, don’t scare me like that! What’s wrong?”

Hissing, the snake explained the situation to Trixie. “Oh I am so sorry! I forgot to feed you didn’t I, sweetie? I’ll get you something in the morning I promise.”

She was about to roll over when she remembered the Star promise she made earlier. Very few things frightened the mare of Generosity and Kindness, however, even she dreaded breaking a Star promise with Starlight. Looking at the snake with a smile, she spoke gently. “Don’t worry baby; mama will get you some food. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Taking care not to wake Sunset and Starlight, Trixie rose stealthily out of her sleeping bag. Taking great care not to upset her snake friend, Trixie lay him on her sleeping bag. And after assuring him she would be right back, stumbled off into the pitch black of the Everfree, to find something for Snuggles to eat.