The Forgotten Race

Twilight sighs uncomfortably, saying, "Uhm...thank you for offering but I will have to pass on that adventure, I will just take your word on that."

Galad then lowers his hands and picks up his pickaxe again saying, "Shall we get back to celebrating Princess Luna's return?"

She nods her head, wanting to cheer up after learning a little about how they came to be free and forces a gentle smile saying, "Yes let's, because we also have you to thank for playing a part in her return."

He then returns the pickaxe to his pack and puts it back onto his shoulders with a huff saying, "Though it was brief, that adventure was fun. Maybe we should have another one someday soon."

Twilight then smiles genuinely and turns around as Galad catches up saying, "We definitely should because that actually was fun, if a bit scary."

A couple of hours later, nearing the end of the Summer Sun Celebration

As Galad enjoys a few things that the ponies have made, he looks over to see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sitting under a shaded spot. Finishing the apple pastry that was made by Applejack and her family, he walks over to them and bows saying, "Good evening, Your Majesties. Everyone is happy that your sister, Princess Luna has returned. Might it be possible for me to have a word with the both of you?"

Princess Celestia turns her gaze from the celebration to the newest arrival and smiles saying," You may, Galad. What is it you wish to discuss?"

He then looks around at all the ponies and chuckles saying, "You can tell that they are overjoyed at you both returning, look at all those smiles..."

She suspects that something is off with how he is speaking and asks in a gentle, but low voice, "Please rise, we both heard those strange sounds of battle, what happened?"

Galad then turns back towards the two princesses and sighs saying, "I was just walking around to clear my head of troublesome thoughts when I stumbled across two timberwolves and went to investigate. I found out that they had two goblins riding them, since dwarves naturally despise goblins...I slew them and the timber wolves. After I freed the timber wolves from their captors, I thought I heard a slight buzzing noise of an insect's wings. I looked all around for the source, but I lost it when Twilight came to talk. I knew that she saw the fight because of the look on her face, so I then buried the bodies further in the woods to keep anypony from seeing the graves. I tried to tell Twilight that they were most likely scouting this town to attack it, I also told her how cruel and evil they are to the prisoners they take."

Celestia's eyes widen in momentary shock when she sighs and then asks, "How certain are you that this town is their target? Please tell us what these creatures look like so we know what to look for."

He then thinks a moment and answers, "Well they are disgusting. They are green in color, walk on two legs like us, and live deep underground in dark, dank caves. They all are mostly bald and naked except the loincloths they wear, also wielding crude weapons like clubs, and spiked maces. One good thing is that they have no magic at all, I would advise you to show no mercy and kill any you find because they will kidnap, rape, and torture your subjects then kill them when they become useless."

She is about to respond when her sister speaks up first, saying, "We appreciate thy concern for our subjects Galad, we treasure each and every citizen we look after. As for these goblins, if they are truly how thee claim them to be, they shall receive none of our kindness or mercy. If that is the way they treat others, then we shall only grant them a swift end." She then turns to her sister and says, "In light of this threat, sister, I think that we should tighten up security to improve the safety of our citizens." Luna then smiles and returns her gaze to Galad saying, "We are grateful for the part thee has played in rescuing us from our...'other' self. We shall watch over thee from the dream realm while thee sleep. Would thee be willing to tell us more about thy home called Hammerdeep?"

As Galad then tells them a little about his home, he then takes a breath and asks, "That is about all I can tell you about it, could I ask that you not tell anyone about us still being around, our hidden city, and where it might be located? Also, if possible...could you please not send anyone to find me until I speak with our leader about re-emerging?"

Celestia cocks her head as her sister does the same and sighs saying, "I would like to know why you wish to keep your existence such a secret?"

He then sighs and looks down saying, "The reason is that we have done a few things to anger or upset other nations, and must find a way to atone for it. What we did long ago caused many to cut ties with us, flee in terror, or banish us from their lands. So we went into seclusion, eventually cutting ourselves off from the outside world."

Unable to fight her curiosity, Luna asks, "Could thee tell us about your kind?"

Galad then sits on the ground and says, "Well...We have been around for a very, very long time. If I had to guess, I'd say probably between eight or nine thousand years. Though we only have been on Equestria for about four and a half, one of us got lucky and found a portal that led us here though it is just a useless pond now."

The older sister raises an eyebrow and asks, "What happened?"

He then looks up at her, forcing back the ache in his heart and says, "A massive eruption caused it to cease functioning when we came through."

Luna then asks, "Would thee all wish to return there one day if it could be repaired?"

Galad smiles for a moment, but a frown quickly takes its place and says, "That would be really nice, but it is impossible... Our home there...is gone. The mountain we called home became a volcano, forever leaving us no choice but to call this home."

Celestia's mind slowly reboots as she asks, "Wait...so you were here before Equestria even existed?!"

He chuckles at her as her jaw finally closes and says, "I may have a few details off, but yes, an earth pony was the first one from here to see our ancient home of Erebor... We also found ponies wandering around, unable to speak or do anything but eat, mosey, sleep, and relieve themselves wherever. So after you decided on your own to follow us for safety, we found a way for you to help us build a new home. I'm not quite sure when it was that one of you learned to make sounds, but soon after she attempted to speak...we started to teach you things. We found the pegasi and unicorns later, teaching the pegasi they could fly longer, taught the unicorns about rune magic and crafting magic. Although, one thing we learned from the unicorns, was true magic by using our bodies to feel the magic all around us. However, some have more talent with it." He then grins and looks at both of their shocked faces, seeing both their jaws hanging open and says, "And the award for best fly-catcher goes to Celestia."

They both close their jaws with a blush rising to their cheeks as Celestia says, "Well can you blame us for being floored by some information as mind-boggling and world-shattering as that?" and then huffs, puffing out her cheeks slightly in a pout while looking away at the desert table asking, "So we all were laborers then?"

Galad then smiles at her and shakes his head saying, "You were treated more like friends or companions than slave labor, when the ponies under our care left our service...there was another group heading south through the Crystal Empire." he then turns away and sighs saying, "That was when we began withdrawing from our interactions with the world outside..."

Luna hears the sadness in his voice and asks, "Was this before or after King Sombra's rule?"

He then thinks back to what he knows about it, running a hand over his auburn beard saying, "Hmm...I would have to say probably before because Empress Alara was leading the Crystal Ponies then."

They both cock their head and say simultaneously, "Empress Alara?"

Galad then strokes his beard again saying, "You don't recognize the name? Hmm...well, she was around about 500 years before the changelings started attacking our mountain 2,000 years ago."

Celestia sighs at how little she remembers about their history and then says, "I may have to brush up on my knowledge of the Crystal Empire... As for this warning about Ponyville, can you investigate for any proof or further information?"

He then smiles and nod his head saying, "Aye, that I will do regardless of you asking me to do it, goblins are a far worse threat than those changelings. I shall remain around town until the morning and head out, then start my search to find them and learn what I can."

She then smiles and nods her head saying, "That is good to hear, we wish you luck with your search." She then looks at the sun as it sits in the western part of the sky saying, "Thank you again for your part in saving my sister from Nightmare Moon."

Galad then chuckles lightly while rubbing the side of his face saying, "You are welcome, I enjoyed that little spat. I should return to the celebration, I told the others that I would make a few figurines for them."

Luna cocks her head slightly and asks, "Figurines?"

He then smiles and nods his head saying, "Aye, it's just a simple thing carved out of a stone, imbued with a little crafting magic. Would you like me to craft you something as well, Your Majesties?"

Celestia fights against her inner foal and shakes her head with a soft smile saying, "I appreciate the offer, but perhaps another time as there is much I must help catch my sister up on what has happened during her absence."

Surprising herself, she quickly says, "Yes." then blushes a little and looks down bashfully adding, "I mean...I would like one, only if it won't be a burden for thee." She blushes harder when she looks at her sister, catches a smirk on her sister's face, then swiftly looks away.

Galad nods his head saying, "It won't be a bother at all, Your Majesty. I will go and search for a suitable rock, then return here and start carving it for you." He then bows his head to them saying, "I shall be back after a few minutes Your Majesties." and turns around, then heads towards the outskirts of Ponyville.

It takes the dwarf about five minutes to find a stone suitable for what he has in mind for the princess and holds it in his hand, examining it closely. The stone in his hand is black in color, with a few specks of silver glinting back at him. Galad chuckles when he identifies it as a piece of obsidian saying, "How in Equestria did you get way out here? You will be a little bit of a challenge due to how brittle you are, but a challenge such as you is always interesting."

Celestia sits there under the tree, telling her sister a few things that have happened after she left when she notices movement out of the corner of her eye and looks up, going silent saying, "Our friend has returned, so I shall resume after he finishes your carving, dear sister."

Luna watches him return and bow to them before setting down his pack and pulling a thick pouch of tools from it, then takes a seat before them saying, "I see thou have found a suitable stone, what is it thou intends to craft from it?"

Galad turns the stone over in his hand, looking for a good point to start from and smiles saying, "I intend to carve a smaller version of you from this, Your Highness." and then picks up one of his tools and starts working on the high spot of the brittle stone saying, "I was surprised to find a piece of obsidian way out here, normally it can only be found where there is volcanic activity."

The older sister watches him work away on the stone and says, "That is unusual to find one so far from a volcano, perhaps a much earlier eruption caused it to be sent so far away."

He spends an hour carving the little details into the mini Luna carving before finishing it and holding it in his palm saying, "Here you go, Your Majesty. I've added a couple of surprises as I was working on it, let's see if you can figure out what they are. Be careful when you hold it, it is brittle and a few of the edges are rather sharp."

Luna carefully picks up the figurine of her, her eyes wide with wonder and curiosity as she examines it closely. She sees several intricate details that astonish her such as the spirals in the horn, the wavy mane and tail, the iris and pupils of the eyes, the gentle smile on its face and the carved-out ears facing forward. One of the details she notices on it makes her gasp saying, "Wow thou can even see each feather on the wings, the cutie mark is also amazing because it looks exactly like mine." A big smile crosses her face as her eyes grow a bit watery, and looks up at his face as she chokes up a bit from so much happiness overwhelming her, saying, "Th-Thank you so much for this, I-I don't know why I am being so emotional right now." she then acts like a little filly with a beloved doll and nuzzles it gently.

Celestia looks at her younger sister with an affectionate smile, then looks at Galad with a knowing smirk and says, "You have done something to enhance her feelings, what did you do precisely?"

Galad grins and puts the tool pouch away, then looks at Celestia saying, "Aye, all I've done was imbue the carving to make her happy and influence her to think of happier things."

She gawks at him with an open mouth, stunned at what he said, and responds, "That is very difficult to do, even for me."

He then smiles at her and chuckles saying, "Well, this is something we teach a twenty-year-old dwarf kid. If you think this is amazing, your mind is going to explode when you see the living golems that an adult can make. Unfortunately, I haven't learned how to do that yet, the best I can do now is a spider that can be used to scout with. However, I am not the best with it so it has a bit of a range issue." He then looks at Luna as she gently cuddles her figurine and chuckles at how adorable she looks and says, "Well, I will be heading off now so you two can spend some quality time together." He then stands up and bows to Celestia and Luna saying, "Farewell Your Majesties, and enjoy the rest of your evening."

Celestia watches him as he straightens back up and takes his leave saying, "We will, and hope you enjoy the remainder of the celebration."

As Galad meets a few of the ponies from Ponyville, he does what he can to answer their questions while avoiding telling them where he is from. After the ponies start to head to their homes, he collects a few decent stones to make a few carvings for the ponies he met today when a young purple dragon with green spikes running down his head to his arrow-shaped tail comes up to him and taps him on the shoulder. He turns his head to look at the dragon standing in front of him and asks, "Hello there little dragon, what might your name be?"

Spike looks up slightly at the two-legged creature curiously and asks, "My name is Spike, what is your name? What are you, and how do you know what I am?"

He lets out a pained half-chuckle as the knowledge of the Dragon War comes to his mind and says, "Well, my name is Galad, and I am a dwarf. We learned of your kind long ago before Equestria was even a thought."

The baby dragon's eyes bug out of his head in shock as he says, "WOAH, that means you are even older than Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!"

Galad doubles over laughing so hard, tears stream from his eyes as he slowly gets himself under control saying, "Our race is far older than them, yes, but we are by no means immortal like the princesses. A dwarf only lives to around 300 or so."

Spike stares at the Dwarf with wonder sparkling in his eyes as he asks, "Okay, but still...that is much longer than the average pony's. Did you meet any of them where you are from?"

He winces as he feels guilty for what happened long ago and shakes his head saying, "I haven't yet, so you have the pleasure of being the first one." He sees the curiosity in the young dragon's eyes shine brighter and tries to find a way to escape the young one's questions about dragons and says, "Would you care for a carving Spike?" while hoping he takes the bait and leaves him alone.

The baby dragon smiles widely and nods his head eagerly saying, "Definitely, thanks! Can it be of a fierce dragon breathing fire?!"

Galad forces himself to smile through the guilt crushing his good mood and sets the stones in his arms down in a pile, then removes his backpack and pulls out his carving pouch. He then sits down and begins to carve it saying, "Sure thing, kiddo." while forcing himself to feel happy so he doesn't

Spike watches Galad carve the stone, feeling excited for what it will look like when it is finished and says, "I'm curious to see what it will look like after you finish carving."

As the minutes tick by, he finishes the figurine and sets it in his palm, then holds it out saying, "Here you go, be careful with the wings, they are thin and brittle."

The baby dragon reaches out and takes the stone carving with a big smile on his face and an untamed curiosity in his eyes happily saying, "Oh thank you so much, this is so awesome!"

Galad watches the baby dragon return to the town, then looks up into the sky and lets out a sad sigh as he can't help but think back to the terrible crimes they have done during their war with the dragon race. Returning his tool pouch to his bag, he picks the stones back up and puts them into his pack. He then closes the pack up and lifts it onto his shoulders, then starts walking around the edge of town deep in thought.

Twilight wanders around Ponyville when she sees Princess Celestia make their way to their chariot saying, "Thank you everypony for this wonderful celebration, but my sister and I must be heading back to Canterlot to help her settle in. Farewell, for now, my little ponies." then raises her hoof in the air and waves goodbye to them.

Celestia spots her faithful student waving to her and Luna, then smiles at her and gives a small wave back before looking at the guards saying, "Please take us back to Canterlot."

She watches the chariot roll away with a smile on her face, then waits a few moments before making her way home to get some sleep

As she heads home, a sad-looking dwarf wanders aimlessly around the outskirts of Ponyville. With a heavy sigh, he sits down and shrugs his pack off his back before staring at the dirt in front of him as knowledge of the past goes through his mind.