The Vanhoover's Filly

by Altia Sky

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death, Alternate Universe, Sad, Drama, Changelings
Length: 4737

A little filly is sit at the gate of the Vanhoover in the morning of a winter day, and she meet a Changeling soldier passing by.

A little filly is sit at the entrance of an house in the Vanhoover's faubourgs in this fresh morning of winter waiting for nothing and then a Changeling soldier passing by and see the filly alone, he wander what is she waiting.

This is a short story who take place in the world of Equestria at War mod (an Hearts of Iron 4 mod) and this story is largely inspired by this french song : La Strasbourgeoise.

Warning : this story include the subject of death (but not in an gore and explicit way)

Published 2023-10-10 08:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-11-17 14:06:08 UTC

Chapter 1 : The end of Harmony

The little filly was playing quietly in the garden of her house in early autumn. She delighted in jumping into the piles of leaves her mother had gathered the day before. She also enjoyed climbing trees, from where she had an unobstructed view of the fields near her home and the distant town of Vanhoover in the northwest of Equestria.

The area was peaceful, and many ponies lived in the town, making their livelihood from trade and the bustling port on the town’s edge. Vanhoover was frequently visited by pony tourists from central Equestria, notably from Canterlot, Ponyville, and Cloudsdale, as well as from the east, including Manehattan and Baltimare. However, they were not the only visitors—crystal ponies from the Crystal Empire or Rainbow Falls were common, and more notably, many deer from the neighboring country of Olenia came to trade and interact with the ponies.

Life was joyful, and exchanges between ponies and other creatures were commonplace. However, a dark shadow loomed over this idyllic picture: the Changelings, the other neighbors, who hailed from the Changeling Lands. Recently, tensions had risen at the border between the Changeling Lands and Equestria. Although Vanhoover was relatively far from the border, it was the ponies of Acornage who were most at risk. A community of changelings also resided there, seeking refuge from Queen Chrysalis’s rule. She had recently succeeded in uniting the various Changeling Hives under her reign. Despite their willingness to integrate and distance themselves from Chrysalis’s tyranny, these changelings were met with deep distrust from the local ponies.

Yet, all these political concerns were far removed from the innocent mind of the little filly, who continued playing in her garden. As the sun began to set, her mother called out to her—it was time to take a bath before supper, as tomorrow was a school day.

The next day, she took the train to Vanhoover for school, sitting with her friends in a carriage. They chatted excitedly about their weekends, upcoming school lessons, and the next vacation. The colts and fillies were the only ones filled with joy in the otherwise dull and gloomy carriage.

Next to them, two older ponies were having a hushed yet intense conversation. One of them was reading a newspaper.

"They're becoming a real threat. I don't understand why Princess Celestia doesn't see the danger," muttered the first pony.

The second pony scoffed. "The Canterlot government is too far away to care about what happens in this part of Equestria."

"Keep your voice down," the first pony cautioned. "Did you see those soldiers boarding the next carriage? I think something serious is happening."

"It’ll take more than a handful of soldiers to contain those enraged Changelings," the second pony replied. "Ever since Chrysalis took control of all their hives, their threat has only grown."

"In any case, after Queen Chrysalis’s defeat in the Canterlot attack, I doubt she’ll risk another invasion anytime soon," the first pony said.

"You’re far too confident," the second pony retorted.

A loud bell interrupted their conversation, and a ticket inspector entered the carriage, announcing:

"Vanhoover Station, 15-minute stop."

The little ponies grabbed their bags and climbed out of the train, stepping into the bustling station. They maneuvered through the crowd before arriving at the central street just outside the station. Their school was only two blocks away. Thus, their back-to-school week began.

After school, the colts and fillies were eager to head home. The little filly boarded the train back to her suburb. Upon arrival, she walked ten minutes from the station to her house, where she saw her mother hard at work preparing the evening meal.

A little later, a noise echoed through the house—a door creaked open. Her father had just returned from work. He was a civil servant at the Town Hall in their suburb. He greeted his wife and daughter warmly before settling in for dinner.

As they ate, the little filly excitedly recounted her day—the start of the new school year, her reunion with friends, and the absence of some classmates. Curious, she asked her mother why some of her friends had left. No one at school seemed to know, but she had noticed that the adults appeared preoccupied, as if hiding something.

Her mother’s face grew serious. "They must have gone to visit relatives," she replied.

Her father sighed. "Come on, we all know they've fled."

The mother shot him an angry glare. "Don’t start. It’s hard enough as it is."

The father turned to his daughter, who looked both confused and concerned. "Don’t worry, my filly," he said gently. "Sometimes, ponies just need a fresh start, or maybe they wanted to travel." He ruffled her mane reassuringly.

"Now, clear the table and go brush your teeth. It’s bedtime," the mother instructed.

As the filly carried her plate to the sink, she overheard her parents speaking in hushed voices.

"Do you know what's really going on?" her mother asked.

The father sighed again. "We're all in the dark. If our superiors don’t know, then we at Town Hall certainly don’t."

"I saw the neighbors down the street packing their things today," the mother said.

"Rumors aren’t facts," the father replied. "As far as I know, none of them are true."

"Maybe we should think about leaving too," the mother suggested.

"And go where? This is our home," the father replied. Then, after a pause, he added, "But if it makes you feel better, I have a friend in the army. I’ll reach out to him and see what he knows about the situation."

Upstairs, the little filly, who had been eavesdropping behind the kitchen door, retreated to her room. She didn’t fully understand what was happening, but she knew one thing—it was serious.

A few weeks later, she was playing in the garden when she heard a loud crash from inside the house. She rushed in to find a broken plate on the floor.

"Don’t worry, darling, it’s nothing," her mother reassured her, quickly grabbing a broom.

The filly turned to leave but froze upon hearing the radio in the background. A reporter’s voice cut through the static.

"...Reports from the border confirm the attack. Our correspondent in Hjortland, the Olenian capital, has more details."

A second voice, crackling over the airwaves, responded, "The situation is dire. Mobilization has been declared, and Olenian troops are rushing to the front, but King Johan has been caught off guard. He was already struggling with an internal rebellion led by Queen Velvet, who claims the throne."

A brief pause, then the voice resumed with urgency. "Wait—I've just received confirmation. Vaverfront has fallen. Changeling troops are advancing towards the plains north of the capital. Reconnaissance units have been spotted. We're leaving the country now."

The mother quickly turned off the radio.

"Go back to playing," she said, her voice strained.

The filly returned to the garden, but her mind raced. She wasn’t naive—she lived near Olenia. If the Changelings had truly invaded, it might only be the beginning of something far worse.

Days passed, but the fear remained. A month later, Olenia had officially fallen, reduced to a Changeling puppet state. The Equestrian media dismissed it as a territorial dispute, claiming peace would soon return.

But the news only grew darker.

Now, the Polar Bear communities had surrendered under military pressure. The Changelings controlled the entire north and west. Their next target was clear—Equestria.

The filly watched from her window as planes passed overhead. At first, the sight unsettled her. But as she noticed the symbols of the Sun and Moon on their wings—the Cutie Marks of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna—she found comfort in knowing they belonged to Equestria’s army.

Troop movements increased. Convoys arrived in Vanhoover, then moved north. War was no longer a distant possibility.

Princess Celestia’s voice rang through the radio.

"This threat will not be solved by a few ponies alone. The entire nation must stand together to defend our home and our Harmony."
Princess Celestia had always been able to reassure her subjects, but now, faced with an unprecedented threat, it may be time to unite the ponies against a common enemy in what will surely be an all-out war on a scale never seen before.

A Great War.

Chapter 2 : Great War

The Changelings had consolidated their positions in the north and were now turning their gaze toward Equestria with increasing determination. The geopolitical landscape of Equus was shifting, and for the first time in centuries, Equestria was not in a position of strength.

Border towns like Vanhoover were particularly vulnerable. Trenches were dug, fortifications erected, and Equestria’s army significantly increased its presence in the region. Rumors of imminent conscription spread like wildfire, and many ponies, young and old, volunteered to defend their homeland.

Amidst the growing chaos, the little filly's family faced a crucial decision: to stay and fight or flee to a safer place. The father, leveraging his contacts in the army, learned that skirmishes had already erupted along the border. The Changelings had the advantage in numbers, but Equestria possessed magic, history, and an unshakable will to resist.

One evening, during a tense dinner, the mother voiced her fears:

"We have to leave. Vanhoover is no longer safe. I’ve heard of a refugee camp near Canterlot. That’s where we should go."

The father, reluctant to abandon their home, countered, "What if we stay and fight? Equestria needs us."

Tears welled in the mother’s eyes. "I won’t put our daughter in danger. If we stay, we risk everything. But if we leave, at least we have a chance to survive and return one day."

Despite the fear gripping them, the family remained united. The little filly, though terrified, clung to the small joys of daily life and the comforting presence of her parents. But deep down, she knew—the decision had to be made before the inevitable happened.

In the days that followed, the filly returned from school to find the town of Vanhoover buzzing with commotion. Ponies shouted in the streets, clutching newspapers, and posters had appeared on every wall. Curious, she approached one and read:

General Mobilization Order
Equestria Army, Navy, and Air Force

By decree of Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and the government, the mobilization of the land, air, and sea forces is hereby ordered, along with the requisition of civilian equipment necessary to support these armies.

The first day of mobilization is: Sunday, August 2, 1011

—
All Equestrians subject to military obligations must, under penalty of law, adhere to the directives outlined in the MOBILIZATION BOOKLET.

This order applies to ALL PONIES not currently on active military service, belonging to:

I: The LAND ARMY, including NEW MARELAND COLONIAL TROOPS AND AUXILIARIES.
II: The AIR ARMY, including CIVIL AIR MAINTENANCE SERVICES.
III: The SEA ARMY, including CIVIL MARINES AND NAVAL ARMAMENT UNITS.

—
The civil and military authorities are responsible for enforcing this decree.

The Ministry of the Armed Forces --- The Ministry of the Interior

There was no longer any doubt—Equestria was preparing for war, and it was now inevitable.

Just last week, Changeling military units—including tanks and a large fleet of aircraft—had been spotted along the border. The Changeling authorities dismissed it as a "routine military exercise," but seasoned analysts and military experts were not fooled. Such an overwhelming concentration of forces could only mean one thing—a full-scale invasion was imminent.

On her way home, the little filly noticed something odd: her father was missing. He wasn’t scheduled to work today.

A sudden knock at the door echoed through the entrance hall. The filly walked in and gasped—her father stood there, dressed in a military uniform.

Her mother, standing behind her, let out a shaky breath, eyes brimming with tears. "So, that’s how it is?"

"Yes," the father replied solemnly. "They’ve mobilized all ponies fit for duty."

The filly’s mother had been spared from conscription for the time being. Though the Equestrian military did enlist mares, those with young children or essential civilian occupations were exempt—for now.

The filly stepped closer, her voice small. "Daddy, why are you dressed like a soldier?"

Her father knelt beside her and smiled gently. "I’m going to serve Equestria, my darling. All the dads are going. Give me a kiss—I’ll be home soon."

He took his bag, kissed his wife one last time, and walked out the door, heading toward the train station.

Though still young, the little filly understood what this meant. War was upon them.

A heavy silence settled over dinner that night. The filly quietly cleared her plate and went to brush her teeth before bed. She didn’t want to upset her mother, who sat motionless, lost in thought, her face still stained with the tears she had shed earlier.

The next morning.

Air raid sirens screamed across the city.

Changeling bombers roared over Vanhoover, unleashing their deadly cargo. Panic spread like wildfire—ponies ran for cover, barricading themselves wherever they could, while others fled the city center and industrial districts, prime targets for the attackers.

Anti-aircraft guns erupted in response, filling the sky with flak. Several bombers were struck down, but the Changelings had made their statement. A daylight bombing raid—bold, reckless, and devastating.

Though the material damage was less than expected, the psychological impact was severe. The ponies of Equestria had never known war on this scale, and now, fear took root in their hearts.

By afternoon, the radio crackled with an official announcement:

"The Changeling Lands have formally declared war on Equestria. In response, Equestria has severed all diplomatic ties and issued its own declaration of war. Effective immediately, all Changeling nationals residing in Equestria are to be detained or relocated away from strategic areas to prevent espionage or sabotage."

The broadcast continued with grim news—Acornage, the closest Equestrian town to the border, had already fallen to the Changelings. Their lightning-fast assault had put Equestria on the defensive.

Yet, there was hope. A series of announcements followed:

At 2:15 PM, Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire declared her nation’s entry into the war against the Changelings, vowing full military support to Equestria.
At 3:21 PM, the Republic of Puerto Caballo also joined the fight, soon followed by the autonomous buffalo regions.
At 5:48 PM, the Commonwealth of New Mareland issued its declaration of war, pledging 100,000 soldiers and substantial military aid.

The little filly sat beside her mother as the announcements played. She trembled, fear gripping her tiny heart. Her mother, though struggling to stay strong, pulled her close and held her tight. She whispered silent prayers, hoping—begging—that things wouldn’t get any worse.

But by nightfall, the situation had grown even graver.

Changeling blitzkrieg tactics had shattered Equestria’s border defenses, and infiltration units had succeeded in creating chaos behind enemy lines—including a pocket dangerously close to Vanhoover. Changeling marines had landed from occupied Olenia, seizing the strategic town of Arcadia.

Despite this, there was a silver lining: the opening of a second front in the Crystal Empire and the imminent arrival of New Mareland’s reinforcements forced the Changelings to slow their advance, lest they overextend and become trapped.

The Great War had begun.

Author's Note

So it begin

Hope u liked this chapter, we entering in the concrete events of this story.

Chapter 4 : Hope and repressions (Warning Mature)

Author's Note

! Warning mature content, not explicit content but mature :

Death, execution and war crimes !

Warning : this chapter has song too

Chapter 4 : Hope and repressions (Warning Mature)

A month had passed since the tragic events, and the situation had evolved dramatically over the past weeks.

A decisive Changeling breakthrough had forced Equestrian troops to retreat as far as Las Pegasus and Cloudsdale. The Crystal Empire fared no better—the Changelings had reached the outskirts of Crystal City and seized control of the entire western region, known as Crystal Farmland.

The Changeling occupation was brutal and systematic. Their aggressive policies led to the mass arrest of all ponies deemed fit to fight, their criteria ranging from 12 to 50 years old—practically the entire population. To eliminate any resistance, vast numbers of ponies were forcibly relocated to other occupied territories, primarily Olenia and the Polar North.

Yet, as the war dragged on, an unprecedented wave of patriotism surged across Equestria, compelling its people to take desperate measures.

During a Canterlot National Orchestra concert, conducted by Octavia Melody, a song specially composed for the war effort was performed:

"Equestria is calling us"

Singing victory opens the gate;
Freedom guides our steps;
And from north to south the war trumpet;
Has sounded the hour of battle;
Tremble, enemies of Equestria
Changeling drunk with blood and pride;
The sovereign ponies advance;

Equestria calls us;
Win or perish;
A pony must live for Equestria;
For Equestria, a pony must die;

The song quickly spread across the nation, rallying both ponies and Crystal ponies, who adapted the lyrics, replacing "Equestria" with "Crystal Empire."

In New Mareland, a patriotic anthem, directly inspired by "Equestria is calling us," emerged during the conflict. "The Song of the Marelanders" became a symbol of their devotion to the homeland.

We were in the heart of Griffonia;
Jealous guardians of our land;
When under a magnificent sun;
Sounded those victorious cries;
Shouting, singing, onward;

It's us Marelanders who've come from afar;
We've come from the colonies to save the land;
We've left everything, our parents, our friends;
And our hearts are full of invincible ardor;
For we want to carry high and proud;
This beautiful flag of our whole Equestria;
And if somepony should touch it;
We'll be there to die at his feet;
Beat the drums;
To our love;

For the country;
For the fatherland;
To die far away;
We are the Marelanders!

As the Changeling invasion neared, thousands of ponies formed volunteer militias to reinforce the shattered regular army.

Yet, the real turning point came when Stalliongrad declared war, sending its Equalist Red Army to reinforce the Equestrian front. Meanwhile, a second army, joined by soldiers from the Egalitarian Republic of Nova Griffonia, mobilized alongside Yakyakistan to launch a northern offensive against the Changelings.

Meanwhile, in Vanhoover, the Changeling occupation had transformed the once-vibrant city into a nightmare of repression.

Summary executions and arrests became daily occurrences. However, the worst atrocity inflicted upon the ponies was the "Love Tax", imposed by the Reichskommissariat of Changeling Occupation. This brutal levy involved the forced extraction of love energy, a painful and exhausting process, leaving ponies weak, disoriented, or worse—dead. Famine ravaged the city as the Changelings confiscated all available food and supplies.

The little filly's life had been turned upside down. Many of her friends had vanished, either taken with their families, imprisoned, or executed. Just last week, her neighbor and childhood friend had been publicly executed for treason and rebellion.

The Changelings took sadistic pleasure in their methods—some prisoners had their love drained until death, a long and agonizing execution. This barbaric practice was carried out by the most fanatical Changelings, particularly the VOPS, the dreaded Changeling intelligence and secret police.

As regular Changeling forces departed for the front lines, they were replaced by VOPS agents and brutal occupation troops, escalating the crackdown even further. Yet, resistance movements quickly formed, and soon, every region had its own underground network of freedom fighters.

In Vanhoover, a song of defiance and resilience emerged, becoming the anthem of the Equestrian Resistance:

"The Song of the Free Ponies"

Friend, can you hear the black flight of the Changelings on our plains?
Friend, can you hear the muffled cries of the country in chains?
Resistance fighters, workers and peasants, the alarm is sounding!
Tonight the enemy will know the price of blood and tears!

Come up from the mines, come down from the hills, comrades!
Rifles and grenades out of the straw!
Murderers with pistols and knives, kill quickly!
Saboteur, watch your pack, dynamite!

A vicious cycle of escalating violence had begun. As the resistance attacks grew bolder, Changeling repression grew bloodier.

Meanwhile, a black market thrived in the occupied territories. Ponies willing to exploit the suffering of others were known as BSC—"Butter, Straw, and Cheese"—named after the most sought-after black market commodities.

As 1011 drew to a close, the year ended in darkness and despair.

Yet, amid the bloodshed and suffering, a moment of unbelievable humanity occurred—an event so surreal that it would become a legend.

During the year-end festivities at the front, something unexpected happened.

One cold evening, Changeling soldiers began singing from their trenches. Across the battlefield, Equestrian soldiers listened in silence. Then, one by one, they joined in—singing their own song in response.

A spontaneous ceasefire spread across several sections of the front, from the northern territories to the southern battlefields.

Near Bales, something even more astonishing happened. A Changeling unit, an Equestrian regiment, and a battalion from the Crystal Empire agreed to halt hostilities for one night. Soldiers from both sides gathered to bury their dead, paying respect to their fallen comrades. That evening, they even played an Equestrian sport together, setting aside their hatred, if only for a few hours.

The event shocked the world. Equestrian newspapers reported on the "Miracle of the Front", while Changeling authorities denied it, calling it propaganda.

The reaction from military commanders on both sides was swift and unforgiving.

On the Changeling side, the entire unit was sent north, far from Equestria, to prevent future desertions or rebellion.

On the Equestrian side, the commanding officer was demoted and reassigned to a distant training camp. His soldiers were dispersed, sent to remote garrison posts in southeastern Equestria or deployed to Griffonia.

It was a harsh reminder—in war, there is no place for mercy.

But in the face of death, we are all equal.

Final Chapter : Tragic destinies

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3 : That cursed day

Two months into the conflict, the Changelings had advanced deep into central Equestria and the Crystal Empire.

The little filly no longer attended school during this time of war. She and her mother remained in their small town on the outskirts of Vanhoover, clinging to the hope that their home was too insignificant for the Changelings to take notice. If they came, they would surely pass through without stopping—at least, that’s what they told themselves.

Despite the ever-present anxiety, life remained bearable for wartime. Supplies were still holding out, and food and basic necessities were available, though rationed. But none of this prevented the occasional moments of terror.

One day, a Changeling bomber roared directly over their home. The filly held her breath, watching in horror, but its target lay farther away—an industrial plant in the distance.

The rumble of flak and artillery fire echoed across the sky. The front was drawing dangerously close to home. The Equestrian and Crystal armies were struggling to contain the relentless Changeling advance.

But not all the news was grim—many nations had stepped up to support Equestria, directly or indirectly.

On the continent of Equus, Yakyakistan, having rearmed and modernized after its brutal civil war against the Jak clan, declared war on the Changelings, formally joining Equestria’s alliance, the United Pony Alliance. This forced the Changelings to divert valuable troops northward to defend their annexed territories, weakening their offensive on other fronts.

Beyond Equus, other nations lent their aid without officially entering the war. Hippogriffia, under the leadership of Queen Novo, sent vast shipments of military and medical supplies to Equestria. Several Griffonian nations also contributed, with one of the most dedicated supporters being the newly reborn Republic of Aquileia, fresh from its own revolution against the monarchy.

Yet, good news was often fleeting.

Within a week, New Mareland’s marines launched a daring assault on Hjortland, the occupied Olenian capital. At first, the attack encountered little resistance, but it was ultimately repelled by an elite Changeling Kommando unit and Olenian militias. The chance to liberate Olenia had been lost—for now.

Meanwhile, the war in Equestria raged on. The nation was in retreat. Arcadia had fallen—the city lay in the region just west of Vanhoover. To the east, Arconage had also fallen.

For the Changelings, the next target was clear—Vanhoover and its crucial harbor. Securing it would allow them to establish supply lines by sea, reinforcing their invasion.

Anticipating this, Equestrian military authorities had long prepared the city’s defenses. Troops continued pouring into the city, knowing that if Vanhoover fell, the entire northwest would be lost. There were no other major defensive strongholds between Vanhoover and Canterlot to the east or Las Pegasus to the south. Worse still, the region between Vanhoover and the heart of Equestria was a vast, open plain—perfect terrain for a Changeling blitzkrieg.

Yet the greatest danger to Vanhoover at this moment was air superiority. The Changelings bombed the outskirts relentlessly, targeting industrial zones and key infrastructure. Despite the valiant defense put up by Equestrian anti-aircraft artillery and the few remaining air squadrons in the area, they were stretched too thin. The bulk of the Royal Equestrian Air Force was focused on the central and northern fronts, leaving Vanhoover exposed.

The civilian toll was impossible to calculate, but the casualties mounted daily. The Changelings’ aggressive tactics aimed to cripple the civilian war effort in regions close to the front lines.

The Equestrian government and even the princesses struggled to fully grasp the ruthlessness of their enemy. The Changelings had made their position clear: this was a war of total annihilation. No mercy. No surrender. Their philosophy was simple: Win or Die.

But war was not just fought on the battlefield—it was also waged in the minds of the people.

Propaganda flooded both sides.

On the Changeling side, nationalist fanaticism reached new heights. Posters plastered across Vesalipolis, the Changeling capital, bore chilling slogans:

"One People, One Hegemony, One Queen"

In Equestria, anti-Changeling propaganda covered every street. One particular poster depicted Queen Chrysalis, her twisted silhouette looming over Equestria, shadowed in darkness. In bold letters, it warned:

"She’s Watching You"

"Beware of Changeling Spies."

Other posters aimed to boost morale and unity among Equestria’s allies. A popular series featured portraits of different soldiers, all under the same slogan:

"This Creature Fights for Harmony."

Among them:

A pony in a light-brown New Mareland uniform, marked with the distinctive Equestrian sun and moon and the flag with horizontal purple stripes.

A griffon in a sky-blue uniform, decorated with a fleur-de-lys and the red-and-blue flag of the Republic of Aquileia.

A Yak warrior, clad in medieval-style armor and a horned helmet, representing Yakyakistan’s fierce soldiers.

A Crystal Pony, wearing a distinct light blue-purple uniform, its insignia a shimmering heart surrounded by stars—the proud symbol of the Crystal Empire.

One afternoon, a knock echoed at the little filly’s door. She had just celebrated her first birthday in wartime.

A pegasus postmare stood outside, a leather satchel slung over her side.

Her mother hesitated before opening the door, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. Her heart clenched as she noticed the logo of the Equestrian Armed Forces embossed on the messenger’s bag.

The pegasus handed her a letter—and a medal.

It was small yet heavy, encircled in gold, engraved with the symbols of the sun and moon, intertwined in perfect balance.

Without a word, the postmare gave a solemn nod before spreading her wings and disappearing into the sky.

The mother stepped back into the house, her hands trembling as she opened the letter. Her eyes scanned the lines of text.

Then, her hands shook violently.

Tears welled in her eyes. She collapsed into a chair, the medal clutched tightly in her fist, her sobs wracking her body.

From the stairs, the little filly watched, confused and afraid. She slowly stepped into the kitchen, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What’s wrong, Mommy?" she asked. Her eyes flickered to the table. "What’s that medal? What did the letter say?"

Her mother couldn't speak. She simply pulled her daughter close, holding her tightly.

The filly swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat. Her voice wavered.

"Did they… Did they kill Daddy?"

The mother’s sobs grew louder. She clutched her child even tighter.

"Yes, my love," she choked. "They killed your father."

Outside, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the small town.

Friday, October 13, 1011.

A fateful day.

A cruel war, that stole fathers from their little angels.

And left mothers to drown in their tears.