Chains

A Proposal

“Ugh, why can’t I get this?!” Twilight Sparkle growled in frustration. She was at her desk reading over the same spell for what must have been two weeks now. She just couldn’t get it down, and it was beginning to irritate her. She rubbed her head with her hooves, trying to will the book to simplify itself. Alas, the book was unmoved and held onto its secrets yet.

Chains stood nearby, “Um, Mistress, you’ve been reading it for weeks now,” he said. “Maybe you should take a break,” he quietly suggested. He worried about her, and he wanted her to succeed, but he didn’t want her to strain herself.

Twilight looked to him, about to tell him to be quiet, but stopped, and just let out a sigh, “You’re right,” she said, finally closing the book. “I’ll get back to it later, maybe after a short break it’ll be easier to tackle,” she said. She got up from the desk, and stretched, her muscles and joints popping from disuse. She sighed again. “This is one stubborn spell.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask, Mistress,” Chains started. “What kind of spell are you studying?”

“It’s a teleportation spell,” Twilight answered as she fell onto her bed a short distance from her desk. “It lets a unicorn teleport from one location to another, and with enough practice, other ponies as well,” she explained. “I don’t want to try it until I understand it, but that’s proving… difficult.”

Chains was about to try and say some words of encouragement, but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Chains turned his attention to it and opened the door to see the smiling face of a white coated, blue maned stallion. He immediately smiled back, recognizing the young unicorn, “Shining Armor, sir, please come in,” he said, holding the door open for his Mistress’s older brother.

“Of course,” the stallion said as he entered, “How have you been doing, Chains?” he asked the boy, before looking at his sister on the bed. She perked up at seeing him, and immediately sprang from her bed to meet him, quickly embracing him with both forelegs.

“Shining Armor!” she exclaimed happily, “It’s been two years,” she said joyfully, before breaking the embrace and smacking his chest with her hoof, “It’s been two years, you jerk,” she chastised. Though anypony who paid attention could tell she was still happy to see him.

The stallion winced as she smacked him, but his smile was still evident, “Ow, Twily,” he said, before laughing and pulling her into another hug. “I’m sorry, but they had us going through Tartarus and back at the Canterlot Guard Academy,” he told her. He then let her go and took a more proud stance, “Speaking of which, you are now looking at the stallion who just graduated, top of his class,” he said, puffing out his chest. “They trust me enough that they made me lieutenant, fresh from the Academy, and I’m stationed here in the castle,” he said. “I’ll get to see you much more now.”

Twilight looked to her older brother with pride for him in her own eyes. “I’m so proud of you Shining,” she said. “You’ll be captain in no time at this rate!”

Shining Armor blushed, trying to find his humility, “Well, I’m sure it’s a long way off from that,” he said. “The captain commands all of the Royal Guard in Canterlot. I’m just Lieutenant of the Royal Palace. But look at you,” he said, looking her over, “All grown up just about,” he said. “And still protégé of Princess Celestia, that puts you a few points ahead of me still,” he teased.

It was Twilight’s turn to blush, and then she noticed that her brother, while not wearing his uniform, he was wearing an emblem on his chest. She recognized it. “That’s uncle Star Shield’s crest,” she said, putting her hoof gently on it. “Dad finally gave it to you?”

Shining nodded, “Yeah, when I graduated,” he said, his smile a little more somber. He missed his uncle. While he loved his father, uncle Star Shield had inspired him to become a Royal Guard. He remembered tales of when the last war broke out. How his uncle resigned from the station of Captain of the Royal Guard so he could fight alongside his friends on the front lines in the Equestrian Army.

Their uncle had died fighting to buy his friends time to retreat. He fought for so long that reinforcements were coming to his aid by the time he finally fell.

His body was recovered, and ponies had started calling him ‘The Iron Shield of Equestria’. Battle cries rang out in his honor as the war was soon won. Twilight wasn’t even born then, and Shining was just a few years old, but old enough to remember what his uncle said to him before he went off to war.

A young Shining Armor, who barely came up to his father’s knee at the time, stood in between his parents. A tall and strong looking stallion stood before them, his helmet removed to show his face to them. He had grey fur and darker grey mane with piercing blue eyes. He was Star Shield Sparkle, brother of Moonlight Sparkle. He had just told them he was going to the front. The war with the Changelings had started only a few weeks ago.

“But why are you going?” Moonlight pleaded. “You’re the Captain of the Royal Guard; your duty is to protect Princess Celestia. Why go where it’s dangerous?”

Star Shield smiled, “Because I can better protect all of you if I go,” he said. “You never had the heart for war, Moonlight. You care for life so much, Celestia bless you.” His tone was calm. “I must go, because I can withstand it. I can fight as much as needed and nopony else will have to suffer in my place.”

His younger brother was nearly in tears, “If I didn’t wash out of the Academy, if I wasn’t so weak I could-”

“Don’t talk like that,” he said gently. “You and you’re family are worth fighting for,” he said. “Live happily, and love them. I’d give everything to have you fighting at my side up there, but I’d give even more to keep you safe. Got that?”

Moonlight could only nod.

“Good,” he said. He turned his attention to the young colt who gazed up at him, trying his best to be strong, and hold back his tears. Shining knew what war meant. He knew there was a good chance this would be the last time he’d ever see his uncle. “What’s on your mind Shining Armor?” he asked the colt.

Shining Armor just sniffed, trying to hold back the flood of tears. “I’m going to be strong. I’m scared, but I’m not going to cry,” he said. “Strong colts don’t cry,”

Star Shield just looked at him, and gave a gentle smile, “You can go ahead and cry, you know,” he told him. “Strong or not, there is nothing wrong with crying.”

Despite that, the colt still tried to hold his tears back.

“Let me tell you something before I go, Shining Armor,” he said, putting a hoof gently on the colt’s head.

Shining looked up at him, listening intently.

“I’m going to war, and it’s going to be ugly. It will be a long time until I see you again.”

He paused.

“I may not be able to come back at all, and if I don’t, I’m sorry. I’ll give it my all to come back. I want to live to see you grow up, find somepony nice to marry, and have little foals of your own. But I might not get that chance, because sometimes things just don’t work out the way we want them to no matter how hard you try.”

The colt was struggling to hold it all back.

“I want you to remember one thing, whether I can come back and tell you again or not,” he started. “It’s okay to be afraid, it’s okay to cry, to wish things were different, to become angry, to become frustrated, to be sad, to cry yourself to sleep at night because it’s hard to take things anymore.”

The colt’s eyes started to leak his tears, the face of his uncle becoming blurry.

“The one thing in this world, that it’s never okay to do, is quit. Whenever you do any of these things, think about what I told you, and no matter what, keep going forward. When you are afraid, stand strong, and let your love for others help you. When you cry, dry your tears, and let your eyes guide you towards your goal.” He put his snout to the side of the colt’s head and nuzzled him gently. “If you ever quit though, then it’s all for nothing.”

The colt’s tears finally spilled over, and there was nothing that could stop them. His uncle had reached him, and he embraced his leg.

After finally calming Shining Armor, Star Shield stepped back, and put his helmet on. He gave his brother and his family a proud salute, and earning one back from them, turned and strode out the door.

Shaking the memory from his mind, Shining Armor smiled to his sister again, “Mother and father are proud of both of us.”

Chains had gone to sorting books, not wanting to interrupt Twilight’s time with her brother; it’s been so long since they’ve seen each other.

Twilight smiled back, “There is plenty to be proud about,” she said back.

Shining Armor nodded, “Anyways, I have to get back on duty. I’ll catch up with you again later, Twily,” he told her, turning to leave. “You take care of her, Chains,” he called back.

“Yes sir,” came the human’s response. Chains went to his Mistress’s side as Shining Armor left, Twilight waving goodbye to him.

“It was good to see him,” she said as he left. “Lieutenant straight out of the Academy. He sure is something. Probably have the palace maids all over him,” she said with a small hint of jealousy. The thought of another pony occupying her brother’s attention had her fuming. But after a moment she just sighed, and smiled to Chains, “Well, I got you and Spike still, I don’t see him chasing after mares anytime soon.”

Chains smiled and nodded, “He’s been making friends all over Canterlot though. Are you sure you wouldn’t like to make some more friends?” he asked her gently.

Twilight shook her head, “I got you, Spike, my brother, and Princess Celestia. Why would I need anypony else?”

She went back to her book, “I think I took a long enough break. Could you get me something to eat please?” she asked him.

Chains nodded, giving his Mistress a worried look, before going out to fetch her something to eat.

……..

Blue Star, Sergeant of the Royal Guard, and for the last eight years of his life, personal bodyguard to Princess Celestia’s student, Twilight Sparkle, stood outside the small manor owned by Moonlight and Starbright Sparkle. He lifted his hoof and knocked on the door.

The sergeant had been stuck in his rank for some time now. While he was fresh from the Academy himself when he had been assigned to act as protector for the young Twilight Sparkle, there was little room for promotion now, as he had very few deeds to give cause for advancement in the ranks. He was frustrated, truly so. But he had recently come up with a plan to give him advancement at least in Canterlot society. After all, this deal would profit both families involved, and he was sure Moonlight Sparkle would see the advantage of this proposal.

The door was answered by a white mare with purple stripes in her mane. He took her to be Twilight’s mother. “Is Mr. Sparkle home?” he asked her.

Starbright smiled and nodded, inviting him in, “Honey, somepony is here to see you,” she called to her husband. She led him into the home, taking him to the living room, where Moonlight met up with them.

He gave Blue Star a smile, “Hello there, what do I owe the pleasure of being visited by a Royal Guard?” he asked. Moonlight and his wife had actually never been introduced to Blue Star, so it wasn’t surprising that they didn’t know him.

“If I may introduce myself, I am Blue Star. I have been your daughter’s bodyguard for the last eight years while she has been studying under Princess Celestia,” he told them. “I have come to see if you would listen to my proposal.”

“Your proposal?” Moonlight questioned, his interest peaked. “What would you like to propose?”

“Sir, Twilight has grown into a fine filly, and is indeed brilliant, and over the years your family has gained a great deal of prestige. My own family is quite prestigious and I would like to cement a joining of our two houses, a marriage between Twilight and I would bring more prestige to both of our families.” To Blue Star, it made perfect sense. Two great families often joined for political reasons. But the look on the other stallion’s face seemed to question that logic.

Moonlight looked him in the eye. “You’re asking for my daughter’s hoof in marriage?” he asked him. Receiving a nod in response, he sighed and looked to the floor. “Mr. Star, I was never a stallion to chase down fame and fortune. I found my calling, and my wife, luckily enough in the same place,” he said, earning a smile from Starbright. “I’m very proud of my family, and my children. I was proud when they were just born,” he continued. “And as they’ve grown I’ve only become more proud of them, and something I’ve learned, is that I stopped having control of their lives long ago. So now, even if I did have control of my daughter, it still isn’t up to me if you two were to get married.”

If it was, you’d be on your ass out the door he the thought to himself.

“If you ask her, whether she says yes or no, is beyond my control,” he finished. “So my answer is that it’s up to her.”

This was a bit confusing to Blue Star. He was a traditionalist; a daughter would rarely have any real choice in his mind. But he nodded, “If that is your wish, sir,” he told him. He gave a bow, “Then I shall see to convincing her, I bid you farewell.”

He turned and showed himself out.

Starbright smiled to her husband, and kissed his cheek, “I’m proud of you too, love,” she said. He smiled back at her and nuzzled her.

……..

Twilight was smiling as she was reading through the book; she was beginning to understand it. She didn’t want to test it out just yet. Teleportation would still be extremely difficult and dangerous.

“Chains, could you bring me that apple there?” she asked the human who loyally waited her beck and call.

The human had done so, and placed it in front of her. She looked at it for a while, and then back to the book. “If I figured this out right, it should be a little easier, if not a little less dangerous if I started by teleporting this apple rather than trying to do it on myself.”

She began to focus her magic, surrounding the apple, and then surrounding another spot on her desk with a field of magic, and then pushing more magic into it, caused the apple to shift locations. It took a mere half of a minute, but she did it, and the apple seemed no worse for wear.

The image of pure delight that spread on the face of the young filly was wonderful, and she looked to Chains and leaped from her desk and into his arms, “It worked!” she said, the momentum from her leap causing the human to spin in place a bit.

Chains also smiled, the happiness of his Mistress catching to him. He held her like that while she nearly danced in his arms, “That’s wonderful, Mistress,” he said smiling to her.

She looked up to him, their eyes catching each others. And she found she couldn’t help herself. She leaned up and kissed his lips. The young man was taken by surprise, but just like the last time, he closed his eyes, and kissed back deeply.

……..

Blue Star was coming closer to the room of Twilight Sparkle, his mind set on convincing her that marriage to him was ideal for her. The foal notion of love was something only for story books. Politics ruled the upper class when it came to marriage. It was his drive, to further his own position. He had this in mind when he came to the door, noting it was open slightly ajar.

He peaked through the opening, and saw Twilight, in the arms of her Human. What he saw next made his blood nearly boil.

They were kissing.

The mere image of it made Blue Star sick.

Such relations weren’t illegal, but it was a social taboo. Most considered a pony having such contact with a human perverted and disgusting. Blue Star was one such pony who thought that way. And though he would deny it, even to himself, to the day of his death, he was jealous. Jealous of a human, to hold such a perfect unicorn noblemare in his arms. Blue Star’s own ideal mare to bring him to glory in the aristocracy of Canterlot.

He shook with rage at the site of it. He stalked off, different intentions in mind. Leaving them as they finally broke their loving kiss.

……..

Twilight smiled to her human. She was happy that she had somepony like him to support her through all her individual studies. “Chains, I think I love you,” she whispered quietly. She rested her head on his chest, careful with her horn. He held her to him as she stood on her hind legs.

“I love you too, Mistress,” he said happily. If he was honest with himself, he’s wanted to shout it for a long time now.

Deep inside of them however, they were both scared. Very scared.

Chains was still a slave, no matter how much differently Twilight treated him when they were together. If she treated him with such favor publicly, or if their feelings were found out, it could mean trouble.

Legally, nopony could interfere. Chains was her property, to do with as she pleased. But the ponies would start to talk. They would accuse her of nasty things, or worse, accuse Chains of perverting her. And if such a thing were to happen, then others could get involved. If they went to court, and accused Chains of corrupting the mind of a pony, his Mistress no less, a prejudice judge could have him executed.

She wouldn’t risk that. She couldn’t. She could deal with name calling, losing all respect for her. But to lose Chains would destroy her.

She slowly pushed herself away from Chains and looked to the floor of her room, “Chains, could you go to the library and find me a few books I haven’t read yet? I have a list in the desk drawer. Show it to the librarian, she’ll give them to you,” she said somberly.

She started to tell herself that she needed to stop her feelings for Chains. As much as it hurt, she wouldn’t risk him coming to harm.

It took a moment for Chains to figure out why she pushed him away. When he realized it was because their love was forbidden, he looked to the floor as well.

He understood, and the last thing he would ever want to be, was a burden. He nodded, “Yes Mistress,” and went to the desk and got the list. He left the room, trying to make himself forget his love for her as well.

……..

He was halfway to the library, trying to clear his mind, when suddenly a strong blast of magic hit his side. He let out a scream as he was thrown into a wall in the hub of a hallway, the small room that diverged into three separate paths.

The blast came from one of them. He looked up to see his attacker, and met the angry eyes of Blue Star. The unicorn grabbed him with his magic, and threw him into a small bust of a unicorn head which decorated the hub, causing it to break on the floor. He continued to toss the human around for some time.

“Filthy, wretched creature,” the unicorn cursed as he threw the helpless human into the walls. “You think you have a chance?” he growled. He threw the human to the ground, the boy breathing in gasps.

Blue Star was tired of using magic. He went to Chains’ side, slammed his hoof across his face, and then stomped his chest. “You’re just a dirty mongrel, barely fit to do her biding or anypony else’s bidding,” He then stomped both hooves on the boy’s arm, and broke it, electing a scream from him.

While Blue Star was thrashing him, he heard two conflicting voices in his mind. One was quiet, and almost impossible to hear. He couldn’t make out what it was saying. The other much stronger voice was that of the Slavers who warned him while he was being trained.

“Never fight back, or you’ll be killed.”

But soon that was overshadowed by Blue Star again, “To think you had that guts to think you could get away with taking a kiss from a pony, let alone a noblemare,” the unicorn growled, but at least stopped kicking the poor boy. “Maybe you wish you were a pony, too. Well, that’s never happening,” his ranting was starting to become more manic as the human tried to catch his breath.

“Tell you what, I’m going to be nice,” the unicorn said, a sick smile tracing his lips. “I’m going to help you get a step closer to being a pony!”

Chains’ eyes widened as magic channeled into Blue Star’s horn, and an ethereal blade appeared. “I’m going to cut those damn hands of yours off!”

The human closed his eyes tight, fear ruling him as he anticipated the blow.

……..

Celestia was walking down the hall, speaking with the new Lieutenant of the Royal Guard. She was pleased to discover that he was in fact Twilight’s older brother. They had made pleasant conversation, talking about Twilight’s progress, when they became aware of a ruckus.

They turned the corner to see Blue Star holding an ethereal blade, about to strike at a crumpled human form on the floor.

It took Shining armor a mere moment to recognize the form as Chains, and with his magic he formed a shield to block the strike that was coming to the human.

Celestia just stared wide eyed. Seeing not the young human curled up on the floor, but instead seeing another human form on the cold ground, over two hundred years ago. Memories of that broken body made her shake in her spot. Thankfully, nopony seemed to notice.

At the sight of his strike being blocked, Blue Star growled and turned his attention to see who would dare stop him from putting a human in its place. His heart stopped when he saw his Lieutenant and Princess Celestia standing there. “P-p-princess! I-I was just-”

“What is the meaning of this?!” Shining Armor demanded. “You don’t truly expect either of us to believe that this human was a threat to you, do you?” he asked, getting closer to Blue Star, who was backing up slowly.

“He-,” Blue Star knew he was trapped. Even if he made the accusations, there was no proof, and while it would ruin Twilight’s life and maybe get the human executed, it would also ruin his own reputation. Calming down, he decided to cut his losses and stayed silent.

Shining Armor was still angry, but realized how limited his authority was in this case, especially since Chains was just a human. He wouldn’t let Blue Star get away with it though, “Blue Star, for conduct unbecoming of a Royal Guard, and undue damages to private property,” it pained him to say that with Chains right there. “I strip you of your rank; you are no longer a Royal Guard.”

Blue Star glared at him, “What?! How dare y-”

“Silence!”

Blue Star turned to see the Princess giving him a death glare.

“Get out of my sight, and my palace,” she growled.

He was nearly frozen in fear at the sight of her anger, but quickly left, his hooves sounding as he made his retreat.

Shining Armor then knelt down next to the broken human, “You alright, Chains?” he asked.

Chains slowly sat up, cradling his broken arm, he nodded, staying silent, and honestly a little scared.

Celestia looked at the young human, her heart beating faster.

Why? Why do you have those eyes that curse me so?

“Go and retrieve Twilight Sparkle, I will take care of him,” she told Shining Armor.

The loyal guard nodded, and ran to get his sister.

Chains looked up at Celestia, and then quickly at the floor. The Princess then leaned down, her horn glowing gently as she touched his arm, using the magic to try and mend the broken bone. The human stayed silent for a great deal of the time, but finally spoke up, “I’m sorry, your Majesty,” he said quietly.

She gave a look of surprise.

“I’m sorry if you hate me. I’ve only seen you a few times, and you always look away from me,” he said, covering his face with his good hand. “I must be so ugly in your eyes,” he said.

Celestia’s heart tightened in her chest. After his arm finally mended, she shook her head, “No, I don’t find you ugly Chains, and I don’t hate you,” she assured him.

Just myself whenever I look at you.

……..

Twilight soon arrived with Shining Armor, and after worrying over the injured human for a moment, she finally calmed down. But the knowledge that somepony had hurt him because of their relationship, only strengthened her resolve that they shouldn’t be together.

From that day on, she kept more to her books, and spoke less lovingly to Chains; for fear that something like this would happen again.

Chains stayed quiet, not wishing to upset his Mistress, but whenever she made a request of him, he would do so without hesitation.

So it went for the next two years, to the suffering of both their hearts.

.......

Authored by Bookybrony
Edited by SpyroManiac_1