It seemed that I would never get a proper chance to just put my hooves down and rest my weary bones. Not at the rate we were moving across the country and constantly shifting from locale to another.

And this return trip was rather different to what I'd been hoping for. Our tanks were moving in formation with several unicorn vehicles, and this made for a somewhat strange sight as they clearly had different attitudes to tanks. These vehicles were also kept in pretty good running order if I do say so myself. Not being that much of a mechanic. I must ask Zipp for that sort of thing in future, as it seems she was an amateur motorbike mechanic when still a human back in the other world.

Yes, I am aware a motorbike engine is a good deal less complex than a diesel engine on a tank, but surely the mechanical principle is the same, right?

As we continued to make our way across the lands, my eyes were drawn to some of the other soldiers marching by our side. As previously mentioned, Alphabittle had unlocked some troops to join us on the advance towards Zephyr Heights, and it seemed he'd brought three entire companies of soldiers with him. They were all formed up in neat lines, banners flying and instruments playing. It certainly made for an interesting contrast to the formation we had, which mostly consisted of lost veterans and soldiers in badly scuffed armour and uniforms.

But onwards we went. Alphabittle was avoiding looking anywhere behind him. No doubt that little tongue lashing had brought him into line quite effectively. I continued to look about, calmly trying to figure out the best possible plan.

Of course, things were a little bit easier. The tanks had large spaces on the back near the exhaust vents that we could sit on, and most of us were sitting on the backs of the tanks and resting our weary limbs. It was, admittedly, a rather bumpy means of travel, but then again I didn't really have much of a choice. Besides, I felt we had earned the rest, as we'd been running around the country for days on end looking for each other or for different things found all over the place. It was quite a taxing few days, and I was determined to see it all brought to a positive conclusion on my own side.

The tanks continued to rumble along, the treads clanking as they rattled over harsh terrain and continued to cover lost ground. My eyes were moved up and down by the vehicles rattling along the battlefield, and our troops were certainly keen to keep moving. After all, we were advancing through the open and had been on the move for several days straight. I hadn't even slept in a proper bed in what felt like weeks. Sleeping bags are all well and good, but there's nothing that beats a proper mattress underneath your back to give it proper support and weight.

I sat there on the tank, looking around still, and but luckily I wasn't alone. The rest of our little cohort was riding on other vehicles, but I had spotted my daughters were busy talking with their new friends. From what I could see and observe they were all pretty good friends, and from what I had seen during my time in the Palace and still had a crown upon my head they were all good sorts really. Even if they had made a bit of a mess of things at the Palace, but for now I was prepared to overlook that.

We continued to march along the battlefield of our minds, continuing to scan for any threats. My focus must have been quite intense, as it was only later I noticed a voice speaking.

"Merry? Is everything OK?"

I looked over to the source of the voice, and realised Golden had been speaking. He was sitting near me, looking oddly at home in this environment. Then again, he'd been living in a cave for years, so I guess that sitting on the back of a tank probably wouldn't have been that different in tone.

I looked to him. "Yes. Sorry, I was lost in thought. Was I out for long?"

"I spoke up to you three times before you acknowledged." Golden smiled. "But it's alright. I'm here for you, as I promised in our vows. No matter what, I will be by your side through thick and thin, and we'll make it through these trials."

I was only assuming he was alluding to our wedding. That still felt like an odd sentence. I'd been single before the whole incident with the crystal in Buckingham Palace happened, but by dint of an odd fate I was now married in this world. Or was I?

Technically it wasn't me who had said the words in those vows. I hadn't been the one in front of the altar, facing the one I wanted to spend my entire life with, saying the words that bound our lives together. So was I actually married, or did I simply appear to be married as I resembled a person, or pony should I say, who was?

All of this confusion was starting to give me a headache, and I had to keep my head down to avoid going crazy from the strain.

I looked about again and tried to keep my mind calm as we went along, the terrain slowly shifting from rolling fields and landscapes to slowly become mountainous lands and rocky outcrops. I got the subtle clues that, once more, I was back in the lands of the pegasi. The lands of which I was the de jure ruler, but de facto were run by a nutter in a soldier's uniform.

Clothes make not the mare, or stallion, after all. As we continued on, I sincerely hoped I wouldn't be taking a bullet to the head at any point. That's what ballistic helmets are for, right?

That night, we pitched camp in the shadow of the city we would liberate. Soldiers put up camps and assembled tents- I helped too, putting up the tent for our own needs. The place was laid out like a miniature city, and no doubt would be dismantled at the end of the next morning and packed away again.

I was glad to stop for the day. I'd had quite enough of riding about on tanks, and fancied a rest and a proper meal. Good thing the soldiers we'd picked up along the way had a proper group of cooks and a full mobile kitchen unit, or else we'd probably be eating ration packs. I'd never used anything of the sort back in the old world, but I had it on good information from friends that the ration packs were often very awful.

Friends I would never see again, incidentally. But let's try and stay focused on the here and now, rather than what used to be.

Eventually, we gathered in the biggest of the tents, which had been assembled at the front of the formation. It was very large, and the entrance more like that of a building. We stepped inside, and it was like a cozy tavern. A fire gently glowed in the centre, and the interior was lit quite pleasently. Tables lined the interior, and a group of musicians were positioned on the side of the main stage, ready to start playing.

I went to sit down, but Opwinden quickly ushered me to the top table, where it seemed the high ranking soldiers and the Royal Family were sitting. Presumably this was standard protocol for armies on the move. I still have to figure some of this out.

Sure enough, as the evening flowed on and food went round, the atmosphere became a lot less tense. Ponies seemed to open up and chat more cheerfully. It is always said an army marches on its stomach, and treating your soldiers well will always get a good performance out of them. I mean, it worked for Cumberland, didn't it?

Finally, the Colonel spoke up. "We all have a long, hard day tomorrow," he said. "So make sure you get plenty of rest. We meet for the briefing at 05:00, so prepare for sleep as soon as possible and ensure you're up for the bugle."

"That applies to you lot too," Alphabittle said, addressing the unicorns. He still sounded resentful, as if he'd rather be anywhere else. Well, serves him right I say for being rude to me and my family.

That night, myself, my husband, and my daughters all decamped to the Royal Tent, which was positioned away from the front to avoid exposing our position. And it had proper beds!

I was more than happy to get a proper night's sleep, without interruptions. Though I was too tired for... well, you know. On a completely unrelated note, Golden and I shall be renewing our vows next week.

Author's Note

Welcome back to another phase, with Queen Haven now as the perspective character. Once more, we find the entire cast rumbling across the terrain, looking for the new future.

The reference to Cumberland is an allusion to the Duke of Cumberland, an 18th Century military leader who, amongst other things, led the campaign to supress the Jacobite rebellion. The night before the battle of Culloden, Cumberland ensured his men were properly fed and watered, and as such prepared for the fight. They would go on to win the battle.

What awaits Haven in the city she once called home? Find out soon!