The Warden: Part 3, Dream of the Warden

When the next sequence began, Luna found herself standing in the cottage bedroom, with the Warden standing close by.

Edelweiss was laying on the bed with the covers over her, looking exhausted, but also happy. Casemate was sitting on the side of the bed, looking at his wife with an expression that told volumes of how much he adored her. He had his hoof placed next to Edelweiss, who was holding it tightly with her own, smiling and looking back at him.

The two didn’t say anything, content to be there with each other.

Luna felt a sense of warmth arise within her heart, granting her some much needed relief from the heavy emotions evoked by the prior sequence. As the Warden had said, his decision to not forgive his father hadn’t driven the couple apart.

Still, the princess couldn’t quite figure out what exactly was happening here. Surely there was something more than just a husband and wife enjoying each other’s company, but the lack of dialogue was making it difficult to surmise what.

However, as the seconds passed, Luna started to become aware of the presence of another.

The sheet covering Edelweiss began to stir, and both ponies looked down at the source of the movement. She pushed the cover away slightly, and what Luna saw made her heart jump.

It was a newborn foal.

The infant was laying down on Edelweiss’ chest, sleeping and stirring slightly. She was blueish gray in color, with a silver mane resembling Casemate’s.

The filly made a soft, raspy sound once the blanket was removed, and stirred in her sleep, latching on a little tighter to her mother’s body.

Edelweiss’ eyes sparkled in pure and complete adoration in reaction to her foal’s movements, and it was clear that she was completely smitten by the filly that she had just brought into the world. She managed to pry her eyes away for a few seconds to look at Casemate, and she gave him an emotional smile, squeezing his hoof.

Luna felt her heart melt within her chest, partly because of the child, and partly due to Edelweiss’ reaction to it all.

Although she had never borne a child herself, Luna understood just how impactful becoming a mother was to many mares, and Edelweiss was definitely no exception. If anything, Edelweiss was probably feeling the impact a little more than the average mother.

After all, she was alone for years, fending for herself on the streets of Halterburg, with no mother, father, or place to call home…

Now she had a home, a husband, and a child.

If that wasn’t a complete reversal of circumstances, Luna didn’t know what was.

Meanwhile, Casemate looked down at the child with a slight smile and an immense warmth in his expression. Edelweiss loosened her grasp on him, allowing Casemate to gently bring his hoof to the sleeping filly’s face. He lightly brushed the infant’s cheek, and she made another soft noise in response.

Casemate held his hoof there for a few seconds, and Luna could see the wonder in his eyes as he seemed to fully realize the fact that he was now a father. He slowly drew his hoof back, his mouth still showing a gentle smile.

Then, a surge of emotion welled up from within the Warden, catching Luna's attention. His ear was lowered, his eyes shimmered, and he gave a deep, slow sigh as he looked at his infant daughter. His stoicism and anger had given way to wonder, adoration, and even a hint of excitement, mirroring the same emotions that his past self was likely feeling.

Luna felt the warmth within her grow, seeing him reacting in such a way. He was reliving such a precious moment in his life, so much so that he had even lost his anger and sadness, if only for a short while…

From the very beginning, up to now, he loved his daughter very deeply, as any good father would.

A deep sigh from both Casemate and Edelweiss pulled her attention back to the sequence playing out before them. Casemate finally spoke, speaking in a quieter tone than she had ever heard from him before.

“Barbette?” He asked, looking at his wife, who smiled and nodded.

“Yes, like we discussed. Her name will be Barbette.” Edelweiss affirmed, wrapping a foreleg around the newborn filly.

Casemate smiled, looking at the foal again while Luna pondered the name.

It fit in with the general theme of the Warden's bloodline, being a name relating to fortifications. Yet, it was still a good name for a filly, and for some reason or another, Luna felt as if it befit her immensely.

Then, gradually, Casemate's brow furrowed in thought, and his smile faded into a frown.

Curious and concerned, Edelweiss’ own smile faded away, and she spoke.

“What is it?”

Casemate sighed, hesitating. “It’s- It's the oath I took. It's been weighing on my mind heavily. More so in the past few months…”

“How so, Casey?”

“...It's that one part, the one in which I swore to bring up a successor to become the next Warden… It's been bothering me.”

Edelweiss settled a little further into the pillows, breathing deeply as her ears perked up, silently indicating that she was listening.

“You know that my father never really gave me the chance to choose whether or not I was going to become the next Warden.” Casemate continued. “And… And you know how much that affected me.”

“I do.” Edelweiss murmured.

“Well…” Casemate said, looking uncomfortable. “I know I took that oath, and being a good Warden is my calling, but…”

“But you don't want to force our daughter to become the next Warden.” Edelweiss interjected, her smile making a return.

Casemate’s ear stiffened for a moment, showing a little surprise that she had completed his thoughts.

“Yeah…” He sighed, relaxing. “I’ve been thinking an awful lot about it.”

“As you should.” Edelweiss assured. “This isn't a matter to be taken lightly, and you know it. You don't want to affect her the way your father affected you, and to be honest, I would have been very concerned if you didn't feel this way.”

Casemate nodded, glancing back at Barbette.

“I will give her the choice that my father never gave me. She will choose whether or not she wants to become a warden, even if it means that it will breach my oath. Her happiness and well-being mean more to me than the ways of my ancestors.”

He exhaled softly, stroking Barbette’s cheek tenderly again.

“I mean it from the bottom of my heart. She will not undergo what I have suffered.”

Edelweiss smiled again, inhaling shakily. She wiped her eyes, as if to clear away some moisture.

“Casey?”

“Hm?”

“I just… I love you, Casey. There is no other pony alive who I would rather have by my side, and raise a child with.” Edelweiss murmured, looking at Casemate with an expression of pure contentment and affection.

Casemate didn’t say anything for a few seconds, only looking between Edelweiss and Barbette. Then he gave an earnest look at his wife, smiled, and leaned in.

“There isn’t a thing that I wouldn’t do to keep you and her happy and safe.” He whispered, Luna’s ears barely making out his words. “I love you too.”

Having said that, Casemate closed the remaining distance between him and Edelweiss, and the two entered a tender, passionate kiss.

They remained as they were for more than a few seconds, maintaining the kiss until an inquisitive noise from the foal interrupted them.

Casemate pulled away, and Edelweiss allowed herself to sink into the pillows once more. Both looked down at Barbette, who had woken up and was looking right back at her mother with a pair of emerald green eyes.

Edelweiss’ smile grew, and she gently pulled Barbette closer to her upper chest. Then she shifted over in the bed, and Casemate slowly lay down beside her, draping a foreleg over the filly, who was now looking at him with curiosity and wonder.

As the sequence drew to a close, the new family of three all lay in the bed together, drawn together by mutual love and understanding…

Luna sighed. There were numerous emotions within her that had been evoked by this event.

Not least of these emotions was the rare sensation of intense happiness, causing her heart to flutter a little within her. The joy that came from seeing the true love between Casemate and Edelweiss was overpowering, and for a moment, Luna actually smiled.

To know how far both of them have come since their difficult and traumatic circumstances only added to the overall impact of this sequence.

There was no doubt in her mind: they were happy together. But now, with the arrival of their new daughter, their happiness had grown exponentially.

Luna also felt a great deal of wonder that had arisen at the sight of the filly. She had always found the concept of birth and the bringing of new life into the world to be a wonderful thing. It was often just so… Hopeful and joyous.

With each newborn child was a fresh chance, the beginning of a life that was completely limitless and filled with potential.

But in this instance, the birth of Barbette felt more significant in the context of the Warden’s past. Not only did he now have a child of his own, but he had the chance to give his new daughter a good childhood, one which he never had.

He loved her immensely. Even in Barbette’s first moments, it could not be denied that he was infatuated with her.

To make matters even better, he definitely didn’t seem as if he was going to squander such a chance.

Within her mind, Luna knew that Casemate was going to be a good father. He had the love, drive, and discipline to fulfill such a role. With the support, resilience, and love of Edelweiss, Barbette was poised to have what neither of her parents had: a proper foalhood.

“Are we moving on or what?”

Luna quickly came off of her momentary high, glancing at the Warden, who was awaiting an answer. She cleared her throat, realizing that she had spaced out again, albeit not as badly as previously.

“Y-yes. My sincerest apologies, Warden.” She replied, casting a spell. “We shall move along.”

The Warden nodded in approval, and within him, Luna could feel an increasing sadness.

In moments, her own spirit fell dramatically.

Just as he felt for his lost wife, he felt great longing and grief for his daughter, whom Nightmare Moon had taken.

Luna then shook her head, closing her eyes. It was becoming harder and harder to keep herself from becoming mired in her guilt and shame.

“Tsk tsk, Luna… How could you forget what we did to that innocent child?” A pervasive voice asked within the princess’ mind.

A tear emerged from Luna's eye as she struggled with the tragic reminder of how Nightmare Moon brought about the precious filly’s fate.

Even though Luna knew that she herself wasn't the one who did that unspeakable act, it still didn't make it any easier to face the truth.

Still, Nightmare Moon was to blame, and Luna knew that she couldn't just hand her another victory.

After taking a deep sigh, Luna's horn began to glow, and she ushered in the next sequence, trying her best to pray that she would have the strength to continue onwards.

It was all she could do, short of giving up.