A guard's new life

A couple of years passed since princess Twilight Sparkle became sole ruler of Equestria and with the help of her friends, she made sure that neither any pony nor creature would have to go through any catastrophes. While she enjoys helping every creature and pony, despises the long, boring and nerve wrecking meetings with snobby nobles and loves to make Equestria a better place for everyone, she can’t help but feel guilty for all the royal guards stationed in the palace of Canterlot which had to go through so much.

Pacing back and forth in the giant throne room, she pondered how she could make up for all the things they had to endure. Her mane flowing like her predecessors and the sound of her hove steps echo while her muttering makes the guards stationed in the throne room question what she’s talking about. More than once they thought about interfering but better kept quiet in fear of disturbing her thought process. Even though they already served her for quite some time and have known her for even longer, they know better than to disturb a princess during such times.

It had taken hours upon hours until the princess of friendship to come up with a solution to her problem. The sweat drops on her forehead and the slowly fading flow effect of her mane were indicators that she didn’t make it easy for herself.

In the end, she ordered all royal guards to gather in the big courtyard close to the barracks. It had been constructed for announcements of the caliber she had planned anyway.

Every single one of the royal guards, be it pony, or other creature was busy getting ready for gathering in the “announcement yard” as it has been dubbed. Hooves, claws and paws were running towards their destination while their owners had rushed expressions on their faces. It was not every day that the ruler of Equestria would call all the guards at once. Most of the guards felt excitement, panic and many other emotions bubble to the surface. It has been over a hundred years since the last time a princess order all the royal guards to gather and no matter what would be said, it would be utmost importance.

The sun is shining, standing high in the sky, as all guards are standing in the “announcement yard”. Everyone standing at attention, neatly in rows. The seasoned soldiers don’t move a muscle, while the newer recruits tried their best not to faint, sweat or in some cases breath under the pressure of being part of such an occasion. With long and precise steps, the princess of Equestira makes her way onto the elevated platform in front of all everyone.

The princess’s voice spreads across the courtyard with a tone of strength and assurance that lets most of the feel the power behind the being standing in front of them. “Royal soldiers. I am relieved to see all of you here. There have been many times where the royal guards of Canterlot castle had to endure the harshest of times. As I cannot simply let all the sacrifices you had to make be for nothing, I concluded that things have to change.” A parchment makes its way to the princess’s face. A soft purple glow envelops it as it floats in front of her. “As of this moment, every royal guard with certain physical health, which have gone through a briefing with me personally, will be allowed to go into an early retirement.” Princess Twilight Sparkles voice carries her word to every guard standing in the yard thanks to magic. Many faces light up, with joy, breaking the always expressionless looks of the guards. After all, many had to endure too much in a short a mount of time. One specific pony felt dread though. If it weren’t for the many years of training and dedication, Golden Lance wouldn’t have been able to keep his posture and his blank expression.

For him the word retirement means he would lose everything that made him…… him. He doesn’t have much besides his job as a royal guard. Why should he? For him everything revolved around his position as a guard in Canterlot. His thoughts race. Faster and faster with every second, covering every scenario he could think about in the short amount of time it takes for the princess to continue with her speech.

“As I know that many of you live for the royal Canterlot guard, there is a second option to the retirement.” With these words of the princess, Golden Lance’s focus is again fixated on her. Hope starts tor rise inside him. “The second option is a special program. The “rent a guard” program. The name might sound misleading, but with this, the ones who want to stay guards can continue.”

Golden Lance is sure to absorb every word the princess says. He can’t explain why but with every moment that ticks by it gets more difficult to keep his composure. His life consists of being a royal guard and this program the princess created guaranteed him to stay a royal guard. His ears turn towards the princess to hear every single detail.

“The concept is rather simple, while the program is named “rent a guard”, it focuses on stationing the hove picked guards with ponies or creatures of high importance. Said guards will be under direct employment of their assigned individuals. They will not only be payed directly by their new employers, but they will also receive food and a place to stay. I hope that I do not have to say that it is of utmost importance that orders of each individual are to be taken with respect and treated as if they come from me directly. The ones who are assigned to such individuals, will not be at the front lines but still serve as royal guards. This still means that in case of an emergency where it is of need, even the ones stationed outside the Canterlot castle will be called.”

While the thought of becoming a special guard does sound nice to Golden Lance, it confuses him all the same. As a royal guard like him, he always takes his orders seriously and doesn’t question his assignments, but it still doesn’t make much sense to him what can be of such importance about these “individuals” that would need a royal guard to practically treat them like the princess themselves.

Before Golden Lance can continue his thought process, momentarily forgetting the heat that accumulated under his golden armor, the princess’s words bring him back to focus again. He even forgot that he lost focus a second ago. “You all might wonder what is so important about the ponies or creatures you will be assigned to. To put it simple, each of the them is already making Equestria a better place. I can not tell you specifically what each of them is working on or doing, as this is highly confidential but be assured that what they do equals in importance to guarding me directly.”

He couldn’t believe it. This must be too good to be true. He would get assigned to a being equal in importance as the princess herself. Even if it meant not being in Canterlot castle, the responsibility fills him with glee. Golden Lance couldn’t wait to be assigned his charge. He would show the princess his worth as a royal Canterlot guard.

The princess’s words brought him yet again back into reality. Golden Lance silently scolds himself for not paying attention like usual. “Now then, during the coming week, the ones assigned for an outside post will be called to me where the evaluation will be conducted. I already sent out information regarding this program to the ones some of you will be guarding. What I received where specific qualifications a guard should have to be suited best for the job. With this, everyone can go back to their post. I thank you for your hard work.”

Not a single guard moved until the princess was out of sight. Even if they were guards, the started to act more like little children which got the chance to get a sickly-sweet piece of candy. The mixture of voices grows louder, as small groups of guards start to build, talking about who would be sent off and who would stay. All the while, Golden Lance stayed completely still, the sweat that started to run down his fur didn’t bother him at all, neither did the unbearable heat. He was so focused on the thought of being assigned a special post that he nearly forgot that he was still on duty.

Now Golden Lance only had to wait for him to be called to princess Twilight Sparkle and receive his guarding post. At that moment nothing mattered to Golden Lance more than to get such an important post and be a royal guard. At least with this, he could still be one.

If only he had known what would await him at his new post. He might not have been so excited otherwise.