A Bright Sunny Breakfast in the Woodsby Darth PlagueChaptersIs that the Sound of my Heart......or the ring of a church bell? (Ending 1)...or the ring of a Death Knell? (Ending 2)Is that the Sound of my Heart...Thump...Thump...Thump... Ludwig's heart beat manically as his right claw gripped a knife's handle tightly. Beside him was a silent stove with a pan on top that glistened with oil and sizzled slightly with residual heat. Cool air graced him through an open window in the room that made his sweat-drenched feathers shiver, breezing through a plate that was topped with food items such as bread rolls, cheese, jam and a smoked salmon that Ludwig had caught from a nearby lake and collecting their smells to create a delectable aroma in the room of a typical Herzlandisch breakfast. But for today, he wanted to do more. For a moment he hesitated, feeling as if he he couldn't do it. His claws wavered as he began to put the knife down. But then he heard her hum in the living room and sighed. Atleast he should cut it if he wasn't gonna serve it. What's the worst that could happen. With that, his grip tightened again and he sliced open the piece of steak he had cooked that day; the first time he had ever cooked one himself. He was nervous how it would be on the inside but those fears would soon be dashed as inside the meat glistened sweetly. He sighed once more but this time with a more cheerful disposition and a smile graced his beak. With that out of the way, he quickly began plating the dishes and headed out towards the living room, where his partner had been waiting for so long. He only hoped she hadn't become too upset with the extra amount of time he took to make today's breakfast. But as they both made eye contact with each other, their hearts mellowed simultaneously and a simple smile appeared on both their beaks. "Ah finally! I thought you wouldn't be done for another hour. Mmmmm, that smells amazing!" "Thank you, dear. I know you will very much like your surprise..." Keeping her plate down in front of her, he gauged her reaction. Her smile and eyes both widened in delightful surprise at today's morning menu and drool has started to leak out of her beak. Ludwig smiled contentedly and sat down on the chair opposite to her with his own plate in front of him. As the birds of the forest chirped out their daily songs and the morning dew from the rain last night cast a shimmering glow to the forest outside as they reflected the rays of the rising sun, the smell of rain and earth was carried by the blowing wind through their window; grazing their feathers which made them both shudder slightly. The griffons slowly tore through their food, beaks munching and talons crunching, as the grey cloudy sky gave way to the morning crimson. Their house sat in the middle of an evergreen forest, a few minutes away from the edge of a small hill that overwatched a vast expanse of flat prairies, where thousands of bisons roamed in herds. "Will you be going hunting today, dear?" "If you want me to," he replied with no hesitation, "today we do whatever you want." "Why so?" she asked with a puzzled expression. "Have you forgotten? Today is our anniversary!" he beamed. The griffoness had a look that was a mix of shock and realization. "Really?! Today?!I can't believe I forgot! I am so sorry!" "It is quite alright. You have been terribly busy and stressed lately. That's why I decided to cook something special for you today! As a great start to a beautiful day!" "Oh, my love!" she exclaimed as she got up to give a loving kiss to her paramour. They both relished the moment for a while before they sat back down in their respective chairs. "Well, I would love to go for a walk. I feel so trapped most days. Just like--" she paused, her eyes glazing over with a hint of dilation of the pupils, but it only lasted for a moment. "A-Anyways, we should get ready soon. I wouldn't want to go for a stroll in the afternoon heat." Ludwig nodded, his smile shrunk a tiny bit but he didn't press her. This was their special day after all. The forest was as magnificently lush as always and the verdant leaves of the trees besides them formed a perfect frame that captured the narrow path he would always tread for his daily tasks. So used to it was he that he paid no attention to it, walking through it naturally as if it was a mere pavement on the side of a road. Instead, his focus was on his companion beside him. Her eyes acknowledged everything around her with a childlike curiosity, as if she was seeing it all for the first time. The chirp of small birds, their nests laden with eggs or hatchlings, the small animals that marauded alongside the path and sometimes even coming up all the way alongside them to nuzzle up to the griffon (who, as usual, gave them a nut or two as a reward), and the sounds of bigger animals far deeper into the jungle that seemingly respected the trail and never tried to cross them. The incessant noise of the morning critters and insects that lived in the hundreds of trees and shrubs and foliage created the perfect backdrop to it all. He helped her along several times whenever her claws or talons became stuck within the shrubbery, or soothing her when a noise from afar scared her witless. Her heart pounded with excitement and fear but she knew as long as he was with her, she had nothing to fear. "I am so glad you decided to come with me today. Usually, you are pretty adamant on staying home or near the cottage. What changed your mind today?" She looked at him with a contemplative expression, as if not entirely sure of the reason herself. "Well...I had a dream last night," her words came slowly. "Oh? And what sort of dream was it, my dear?" "It's a little hazy. But I suppose dreams are after you are awake. Well...in it, I was a Queen. The ruler of a small kingdom. But as small as it was, it's wealth was big. It's people lived contently and while the army was tiny, it was professional and well trained. The buildings glittered like gold. My lands were like a small oasis of prosperity within a vast expanse of decay." "I was waving a claw to my people from the balconies of a grand palace. My attire was not a simple tunic but a bejeweled silken dress and a robe. A crown lay seated on my head. I can remember myself smiling." "Besides me, there were...figures. I cannot remember. But I felt their kinship and knew they were family. So there I was, standing besides these silhouettes and greeting my subjects." Throughout the story, he could see her serene smile become more and more morose. "Well, that sounds like a lovely dream indeed. I still don't see how that made you venture out today." "Well...its because what happened next that haunts me. For me, it was the clearest part of that dream," she continued as a shudder passed through her. His own feathers shivered slightly as a gust of wind passed by. "As the ceremony was ending and I bade farewell to the griffons down below, in the corner of my eyes I saw something horrifying. The decay that surrounded my kingdom was seeping in from the edges. I could see it slithering through the roads and bridges, entering houses and doing Boreas knows what to the inhabitants. It's speed was erratic, as it sped and slowed every few seconds. It felt like it was taunting me. in the back of my mind, I thought I could see eyes peering back at me from the fog. Scarlet eyes of anger and rage." "Then, as it reached the very gathering in front of the palace, I saw it engulf the griffons. I heard them screaming. Shouts of help filled the air. I stood there helpless, as if trapped within my body unable to move or help them. Help my own people." "And then...it was all over. The cries quietened, the pleas silenced. From within the ethereal fog, I only heard one thing--" Before she could continue, she suddenly lost her footing and almost slipped into a nearby stream when Ludwig caught her in the nick of time. Holding her in a bridal carry, he peered over her with a worried look. She peered back with enlarged eyes and big blush across her brown feathers. "Are-are you ok?" "Y-yes I am fine, d-dear. You can l-let me down n-now," she managed after a few seconds to catch her breath. "Oh I don't know. You still look a little startled. Perhaps I should carry you like this until we reach our destination," he smirked. "Oh har har! Very funny. No, seriously, I am fine." "Alright. Whatever you say," he finally obliged but not before giving her a long and sensual kiss and resting his head on hers. He loved the startled look she had that quickly turned into a loving one. "I love you," he intoned. "I love you too," she concurred. With another quick kiss, they were once more on her way; this time minding every step they took. Soon, the path opened up to the prairie with a panoramic view where dozens and dozens of bisons roamed and grazed at their leisure. Many could be seen crowding around a common watering hole. The herds of females were seen separate from the males, as it was during the non-breeding seasons. Ludwig began to make up a camp while the griffoness stood at the cliff edge, gazing down at the herds. As it was midday by then, they decided to have some lunch before the hunt. While eating, the griffon remembered her dream. Sitting on the cliff, watching the herds graze below, he decided to ask her once more. "So...about your dream." He saw her face visibly wilt in the shadow of his question. But, before he could change the topic, she carried on. "After the fog consumed the crowd, all I could now hear were...growls. Angry growls. The eyes within still glared at me but now they were given voices and a body. I could see them start to come for me." "I turned to the griffons around me in reflex but I saw there silhouetted muzzles not facing me. Instead, they stood gazing at something behind us. I turned around as well and saw...saw that the guards had already fallen to this decay. Their eyes too turned a crimson orange as they glared towards us. Towards me. Then they began to walk. And then they began to growl. And then--and then--" Her body visibly began to tremble as her eyes closed. He moved in to wrap his wings around her smaller body as he tried to comfort her. They both sat there in serene silence, soaking in the sounds of the forest on one side and the grazing of the herds on the other. Soon, he felt her breathing stabilize and gave her a soothing kiss on her forehead as he preened her soft onyx black wings. The griffoness leaned against his chest, nuzzling him underneath his beak. A few squirrels scampered up to the duo. Ludwig was about to throw some nuts to them when got an idea. He wordlessly hovered them in his claws in front of her. Getting the hint, the griffoness took them from him and threw it to the naughty little intruders. A smile was on her beak. "I am so sorry. I did not know the dream would be so...vividly horrifying. I shouldn't have asked." "No no, it's alright. I don't blame you. It's just that...it felt more than a dream." "What do you mean?" he asked with a raised brow. "It felt more real. Like I was reliving some memory buried long ago. I don't know why but whatever it is, it made me feel like I shouldn't be alone today." "Well, do not worry! No slimy fog will ever harm my darling ever again! They would have to go through me, the deadliest hunter in this forest!" Ludwig flashed a confident smile and winked at her, as he unclasped his rifle from his sling belt and posed as a great hunter on a nearby log of wood. It had the intended effect as the griffoness laughed aloud at her mate's theatrics. "Oh, my savior! My darling hero! How honored I am to receive your protection!" she replied in jest. Continuing his act, he leapt from the log and tenderly grasped one of her claws, giving it a little respectful kiss. "Of course! Such a lovely dame as yourself; why, the honor is all mine!" The tension was broken and the couple spent the rest of the afternoon hunting all varieties of game, even partaking in a bit of fishing. By the time they returned, the sun had begun to set. Ludwig spent some time stashing his gear. As he was keeping his coat on the chair near his desk, it knocked over a piece of paper from the desk. Picking it up, he gave it a cursory glance once more as his talons clenched and wings flinched slightly. Before he could do anything else, however, he heard her beloved's call and kept the letter where it was. Taking one of the fish he had caught from his bag, he began to fillet it. The griffoness, on the other claw, had just come out of the bath and began to cook the fish once Ludwig had finish filleting. Meanwhile, he decided to take a bath himself. Venturing out to the river where they would usually bathe, he dipped himself slowly as he got used to the cooler temperature. Washing himself carefully, he heard something. Far far away, his trained ears could faintly hear booming sounds. Unperturbed, he continued his act of cleansing before deciding it was enough and began to head for home; before turning to look behind him one last time. His eyes did not miss the pinpricks of bright fiery light in the distance that flashed for a second before disappearing into smoke, a booming sound accompanying them that faintly rang in his ears. The dinner was as tasty as it usually was, Ludwig being the great cook that he was, but the taste was doubled by the fact that they were both tired from the today's activities. Outside their home, the day's auditory panorama was slowly being switched out with the night's soundscape as owls, the croak of some frogs from the nearby river and the ever present critters that seemed to sing all day and night long. But in the comfort of their warm and cozy cottage, the two lovebirds simply enjoyed their moment eating and drinking, then moved onto singing old songs and Ludwig playing a bit of guitar by the fire. They ended it with a slow dance as they both moved to the tune of an old romantic song that played from an old gramophone, touching their heads together and singing along as their eyes spoke to each other wordlessly. Just as the song was about to end, there was a soft knock on the door that startled them both. The griffoness looked at Ludwig with a confused stare. He, in return, only looked at her melancholically. With a claw, he played with her short, orange feathers that contrasted beautifully with the rest of her black plumage. He kissed her sweetly, which surprised her but as the moments passed, she melted once more in his claws and returned the kiss. He wished this moment would last forever, or atleast for a while longer. But the knock came again and this time it was fiercer. Pulling back from her beak, he simply said, "I love you..." With that, he tore away from her and went towards the door to answer it. Opening it and realizing what the source of the knock was, he was neither shocked or surprised but simply wore an unambiguous expression. Behind him, he could hear her call out to him: "Who is it, Glitterhoof?" ...or the ring of a church bell? (Ending 1)The sun shone across the lush garden in front of him, bathing them in a golden morning light. Behind him, he could hear the church bells of the Katerinburg Trinity Church ring as prayer ended for the day. Instinctively, he made a sign of the Trinity; a past such as his compelled him to do so, especially as his beliefs were reinforced by the actions of the past few days. He wore a crisp white shirt with a brown sweater over it and some long navy-blue trousers. As a griffon, he was naturally insulated from the cold but, having lived in the Scheißwald for so long, he was much less attuned to it. Especially as Katerin was prone to suffering from bouts of cold during the winter every now and then, and today was turning out to be such a day. Yet none of it bothered him as much as the pain inside him did. The carefully packaged gift wrapped in green paper with white polka dots tied with a nice red ribbon that sat beside him was like a tangible representation of the hope that flowed in him. And so he sat there, in the cool morning wind. Waiting. "Looking for her?" a sudden voice beside him inquired. Ludwig recognized it without looking at the source and sighed. "Not really," he replied. "Oh, and why so?" the voice asked back, taking a seat beside him. "This isn't the right weather for them to allow the patients to roam in the garden today," Ludwig simply said. "Has that ever stopped you?" the voice laughed. "Can't argue with that," Ludwig laughed back. It was nice, to laugh with an old friend once more. As if nothing else mattered in the whole wide world than to share a good moment with someone you knew and trusted. The two bantered back and forth for a while before silence befell them once more. "Thank you, Heinrich. I needed that." "I know you did, Ludwig. That's why I am here." Gazing back towards the hospital, Ludwig finally asked his old grandmaster. "How is she?" There was a tinge of hesitance and despair hidden within the question. The chaos that Katerin had gone through during its recent revolution was nothing short of a traumatic memory, just like the first republican revolution. Even after it stabilized, and she was soon admitted into a psychiatric ward under the orders of the Silberkralle who had gained power in the end, Ludwig was only able to get faint reports of her and nothing that suggested anything positive. But atleast she was healing, he thought. Like the nation itself, she was under the right care. In the distance, he could see construction workers building a new road. The sun beat down on their feathers but he could see that it didn't matter to them. Among them, he could even see many Silberkralle helping with the logistics, even carrying some materials for tired workers; who they also allowed to take some breaks. The building in front of him, the Katerinburg General Hospital, used to be a dilapidated and rusting piece of architecture that was on the verge of collapse. Now, months after their takeover, the Silberkralle's efforts had allowed many talented and rich businesses and creatures to flock to the region to invest and help rebuild the place. The efforts could now be seen firstclaw as the hospital now boosted state of the art medical equipment as well as doctors from all over the continent, even a few from the lands of Equestria. Such as the one that was currently helping Diellza, he recalled. He wished he was in there, helping her right now. But he understood that he would probably do more harm than good, given that he was just another one in a long line of griffons she felt had betrayed her. He couldn't blame her. Her life was a long series of traumatic events and betrayal. Sometimes by her own people and sometimes by her own nobility. Kept on the throne by the nobles, after witnessing her own royal family being slaughtered by republicans when she was a mere chick, and being used by them for their own goals. It was no wonder that she went mad in her reign, the grief and anger festering for so long. But, he hoped, that with the help she was receiving now she would be able to start her life over once more. And he would be there for her at every step of the way. Atleast he hoped. The reports he had received prior were not encouraging ones to say the least. "I know that when we first brought her here, it seemed like she would never recover. I mean, by tartarus, she went mad once more and threatened to hang us all as if she was still the "mad princess" of Katerin. But I am pleased to say that our patience and trust in the doctors and in her has begun to show results. She doesn't attack anyone anymore, and the panic attacks she received from her guilt and sorrow have begun to recede. You should visit her more often, you know." "I wish. I just don't want her seeing me to cause her to lose herself again. If it means I must wait until she is alright, then wait I will." "Then why are you here? And what is that beside you, if not a gift for her?" Heinrich shot back, pointing towards the wrapped present. "I am here to ask about her, like always. And I hoped that you would give this to her from me. It is an Equestrian book I came across recently and enjoyed it a lot. I was hoping that it would help her, even if a bit." "In that case, you should give it to her yourself. Don't hide behind me every time, Ludwig" the old grandmaster chastised. "I am not hidi--nevermind..." the former order knight sighed. Once more, they became silent as the weather cleared up somewhat and the sun beat down stronger as noon approached them. The construction workers could be seen packing up as they headed inside for lunch. Feeling a little hot himself, Ludwig removed the sweater he was wearing, gasping in relief. "I always hated this sweater, I won't lie." He could see some of the patients begin to come out into the garden, finally being allowed by the doctors. His eyes scanned for the griffoness he was looking for but she was nowhere to be seen. To be honest, he expected that given her mental state. "I never thanked you, you know?" Heinrich began suddenly. "Thanked me? For what?" "You kept her safe while we took control of the nation. It's only because of you she has the chance to get the help she always needed." A smile appeared on the knight's beak. If only his friends in the order saw him now... "It is not needed. Orders or not, I would have done it for her regardless." "Is that love I hear, my former pupil?" the grandmaster teased. "By Eyr, isn't a griffon allowed to love once in a while?!" the knight replied. They both laughed once more. But Heinrich was curious about one more thing. "How did you even manage to get her to trust you for so long?" Ludwig his beak to answer, when his eyes suddenly caught her. She was bent down near a lone patch of the garden, away from the rest of the patients, looking at a variety of flowers with the same childlike curiosity he knew. She did not seem mad or deranged but looked like the same helpless and timid griffoness he had seen a year and a half ago, when he found her lying under the tree with a bent hindclaw and half-torn wing; her mind fully gone and delirious. Her wings fluttered every so often, as it did when she first woke up and told her a false story about their past as a couple in the woods. Standing up, he began to head towards her before he remembered the question. Looking back, he gave the old bird a giant grin as he answered. "I told her I was her husband, Glitterhoof." And with that, he continued onwards to the garden as Heinrich sat there dumbfounded. "What the--that old unicorn skull?? Seriously? AHAHAHAHAA!! Oh that is the best! Never change, old friend! Never change!" he hollered back, laughing. As he neared the patch of the garden where Diellza resided, he was nervous as to how she would act. He was scared that if he caused her too much psychological harm, it would cause him to be banned from any visits by the doctors. But Heinrich was right. He couldn't run forever. So, with determination, he strolled towards her. The old princess of Katerin was standing now, a little pink flower in her claws, when she saw the griffon approaching her. At first, it looked like she was scared and would run back inside but something in her made her pause. Ludwig gently stood in front of her with a smile on his face. The two former lovebirds simply stood like that for a few minutes, before he opened his beak. "Hello there! How are you doing today?" The griffoness squeaked in shock and her body began to tremble, making Ludwig stand unmoving. A few moments passed before she was able to compose herself and tried to reply back. "H-Hello...I-I am A-Adalia...Wh-who are y-you?" That caught Ludwig by surprise but the realization dawned on him. A smile came on to his face once more. "Hello, Adalia. My name is Ludwig. Ludwig Hesselbeak." "Hel-hello, Ludwig..." she replied sheepishly, not knowing what else to say. Behind her, a supervisor that knew Ludwig saw him talking to Diell--Adalia and was about to tell him to go away when he saw that he wasn't causing any distress. So he simply kept watch, just in case he would need to jump in if something happened. Meanwhile, Adalia noticed the gift in his claws. "Wh-what is tha-t, Mr. Ludw-wig?" she asked, pointing. "Ah this? Well...it is a gift for you, Adalia!" "A gift? F-for me?!" "Why, yes! A gift for a beautiful bird like you." The griffoness blushed at the comment, growing more and more comfortable with the strange griffon. Accepting the gift, she opened it to find the book. "Oh! I love reading Daring Doo! It is my favourite book series! Tell me, Mr.Ludwig, is it your favourite too?!" she rambled at the sight of the book, forgetting her nervous tick. Ludwig was taken aback but smiled as he realized she was happy. "Yes, it is my favourite series as well, Adalia. Would you like to tell me why it is yours?" "Yes yes, I would love to! Oh it is so great to see another Daring Doo fan! The others...they just don't like it! But you--you do! You--" she blushed once more as she realized she was rambling. "Teehee--sorry..." "No no, it is alright... Say, do you want to talk for a while?" As Adalia blushed once more at the question, Ludwig finally felt at peace. It would be a long road but he could see the glimmer of hope he once had slowly become bigger and bigger. And then, one day, he could finally reunite with the one he loved. "I guess we...could...for some time..." Author's Note Hey guys! Thank you for reading this story. I didn't really give it time to go through it again so if you find any mistakes or discrepancies, please shout at me in the comments. Or just live a nice comment, I won't mind that as well XD. This author's note will be the same no matter what ending, in case you only read one of them, so don't worry. I also want to say that this story was just an effort for me to get back in the groove and try to get something out as a promise to myself so if my writing is rusty and inconsistent, that's probably why. In any case, I hope you enjoyed the story and have a nice day! ...or the ring of a Death Knell? (Ending 2)The bell tolled as the morning prayer ended and the griffons began to head towards the doors, forming a small crowd as they exited the premises one by one. The day was still young and the sun arose slowly, its rays shining through the tall windows and making the coloured stained glass glitter. The priests began to disperse as well, aiming to finish their other morning duties. As the church grew less crowded and more silent, a lone figure still sat on one of the benches with his head bent down. His claws rested on the backrest of the seat in front of him, clasped together in prayer. His eyes were closed and his beak moved fast, yet not sound came from within. Indeed the building was now silent as the night, besides some noise here and there from further within the church. Indeed, for Ludwig, it felt like time had stopped. That the last few hours had not yet passed. He could still hear the torches and the roars. The anger within their voices and their raised claws, moving through the city like an ephemeral mist. Moving towards her to exact justice, no, to exact revenge. And he could see her, her face morphing from anger to fear as reality and dreams clashed together in her mind in a deafening crescendo of sadness and unfairness. He could remember her faint whimpering, her petty cry for help. A plea, a silent whisper. For somegriff, anygriff. For Glitterhoof. For Ludwig. With a startle, his eyes opened once more as he heard footsteps behind him. "They told me I would find you here. Why aren't you back at the palace?" Knowing who it was, he was surprised that the voice wasn't angry but rather curious. Despite this, experience caused him to promptly answer with a slight tremor in his voice. "Apologies, Grandmaster Grimclaw. I was just finishing prayer." The griffon in front of him, Erik Grimclaw, stood stalwart in his resplendent knight armor as befitted the Grandmaster of the Argentumdämmerung. His golden hair glistened with martial youth and virile beauty, but his eyes were hard and had the look of an old veteran. "Grandmaster, you say... well, that won't be for much longer. Soon, I shall be crowned King. King Erik Grimclaw of Katerin. I will need all my knights and soldiers of the order who helped paved the way for the true rulers of this nation to once more herald its course and saved the nation from the mad grasps of Diellza von Katerinburg. This is why we need you back, do you understand?" "Yes, Grandmas--I mean, my King." Ludwig corrected. Grimclaw beamed but didn't start to leave. Instead his eyes went towards the stained glass in the center of the cathedral. The trinity of Boreas, Proteus and Eyr shone brightly from the sun that was finally beginning to cast its light on the rest of the town. Bending on one knee, the former Grandmaster bent his head respectfully and formed the sign of the trinity before standing back up. "As a knight order and a griffon king, it is our duty to hold fast the teachings and lessons of the gods, and devote ourselves to them. We are not just reforming Katerin. We are going to bring back the empire from its sacrilegious path and set it once more on the right track. And we will watch over its progress. So that it doesn't ever go down this road ever again." He put a claw on Ludwig's shoulder as he faced him. An understanding look uncharacteristic of him was present on his face, which slightly confused the knight. "Her death, in a vacuum, might have not been her fault entirely but it meant so much more in the grand scheme of things. Griffons needed to know that the era of madness and desolation was over. It was time for a change. We shall be the change. So cast aside doubt, brother. Atone by bringing the change we swore ourselves to, that we swore to the gods. And let them handle the rest. If the judgement is punishment, then I shall take them all for all of you. Until then, we have work to do." With that, Erik Grimclaw left to be crowned king. In the distance, celebrations could still be heard. He very much intended to join them before the coronation. Ludwig was left alone once again, ruminating in his thoughts and his master's words. Guilt and duty swirled within him, as the images of last night finally broke him; causing him to tear up and break down. In the house of the gods, the hero of the people cried in grief and shame. As he left the church after a few minutes, his tears and emotions all dried up, a thought occurred to him. He flew up with his wings but did not head towards the palace. Instead, he took a left and headed towards the end of the town. He would be late for the coronation. Something told him that so would the Grandmaster. Landing smoothly, he cast a look around. The West Courtyard, as it was called, was empty. Devoid of any griffons or creatures. But in the hauntingly quiet location, he could still hear the shouts and growls of the people. He shook out of it. In the center was a raised platform with two high poles attached to it. A bar extended across them, connecting the two poles and a rope hung from it with a knot at the end. The body that hung from it was silent and unmoving. Diellza's bulging eyes stared back at him accusingly. Ludwig spent a few moments just looking at her. He noticed the wounds on her claws and body, one of it broken. Her wings were frazzled and one of it was half-torn. It reminded him of the time they had first met, in the forest as he had hunted for her. When he had decided to hide her for a year under a false story he told her broken mind of them being husband and wife. He remembered the way he had to teach her how to do daily tasks, her former background denying her the opportunity to learn earlier. The day she could cook the fish he caught for her, he remembered how she jumped into his arms and he praised her incessantly on a job well done. Or when she bagged her first bison. Or when she caught her first fish. When they made love for the first time. From his bag, he removed a broken unicorn skull. Walking over to the platform he climbed on top of it and walked towards where she lay hanging from the noose. Keeping the princess's old relic under her, he flew back to where he stood before; not being able to bear the smell. Casting a final look back at the pair, he closed his eyes and prayed. Here lay Diellza and Glitterhoof, forever joined in holy matrimony. With the sign of a cross, he waved a sullen goodbye and flew back towards the palace; tears beginning to well up in his eyes. Author's Note Hey guys! Thank you for reading this story. I didn't really give it time to go through it again so if you find any mistakes or discrepancies, please shout at me in the comments. Or just live a nice comment, I won't mind that as well XD. This author's note will be the same no matter what ending, in case you only read one of them, so don't worry. I also want to say that this story was just an effort for me to get back in the groove and try to get something out as a promise to myself so if my writing is rusty and inconsistent, that's probably why. In any case, I hope you enjoyed the story and have a nice day!
Is that the Sound of my Heart...Thump...Thump...Thump... Ludwig's heart beat manically as his right claw gripped a knife's handle tightly. Beside him was a silent stove with a pan on top that glistened with oil and sizzled slightly with residual heat. Cool air graced him through an open window in the room that made his sweat-drenched feathers shiver, breezing through a plate that was topped with food items such as bread rolls, cheese, jam and a smoked salmon that Ludwig had caught from a nearby lake and collecting their smells to create a delectable aroma in the room of a typical Herzlandisch breakfast. But for today, he wanted to do more. For a moment he hesitated, feeling as if he he couldn't do it. His claws wavered as he began to put the knife down. But then he heard her hum in the living room and sighed. Atleast he should cut it if he wasn't gonna serve it. What's the worst that could happen. With that, his grip tightened again and he sliced open the piece of steak he had cooked that day; the first time he had ever cooked one himself. He was nervous how it would be on the inside but those fears would soon be dashed as inside the meat glistened sweetly. He sighed once more but this time with a more cheerful disposition and a smile graced his beak. With that out of the way, he quickly began plating the dishes and headed out towards the living room, where his partner had been waiting for so long. He only hoped she hadn't become too upset with the extra amount of time he took to make today's breakfast. But as they both made eye contact with each other, their hearts mellowed simultaneously and a simple smile appeared on both their beaks. "Ah finally! I thought you wouldn't be done for another hour. Mmmmm, that smells amazing!" "Thank you, dear. I know you will very much like your surprise..." Keeping her plate down in front of her, he gauged her reaction. Her smile and eyes both widened in delightful surprise at today's morning menu and drool has started to leak out of her beak. Ludwig smiled contentedly and sat down on the chair opposite to her with his own plate in front of him. As the birds of the forest chirped out their daily songs and the morning dew from the rain last night cast a shimmering glow to the forest outside as they reflected the rays of the rising sun, the smell of rain and earth was carried by the blowing wind through their window; grazing their feathers which made them both shudder slightly. The griffons slowly tore through their food, beaks munching and talons crunching, as the grey cloudy sky gave way to the morning crimson. Their house sat in the middle of an evergreen forest, a few minutes away from the edge of a small hill that overwatched a vast expanse of flat prairies, where thousands of bisons roamed in herds. "Will you be going hunting today, dear?" "If you want me to," he replied with no hesitation, "today we do whatever you want." "Why so?" she asked with a puzzled expression. "Have you forgotten? Today is our anniversary!" he beamed. The griffoness had a look that was a mix of shock and realization. "Really?! Today?!I can't believe I forgot! I am so sorry!" "It is quite alright. You have been terribly busy and stressed lately. That's why I decided to cook something special for you today! As a great start to a beautiful day!" "Oh, my love!" she exclaimed as she got up to give a loving kiss to her paramour. They both relished the moment for a while before they sat back down in their respective chairs. "Well, I would love to go for a walk. I feel so trapped most days. Just like--" she paused, her eyes glazing over with a hint of dilation of the pupils, but it only lasted for a moment. "A-Anyways, we should get ready soon. I wouldn't want to go for a stroll in the afternoon heat." Ludwig nodded, his smile shrunk a tiny bit but he didn't press her. This was their special day after all. The forest was as magnificently lush as always and the verdant leaves of the trees besides them formed a perfect frame that captured the narrow path he would always tread for his daily tasks. So used to it was he that he paid no attention to it, walking through it naturally as if it was a mere pavement on the side of a road. Instead, his focus was on his companion beside him. Her eyes acknowledged everything around her with a childlike curiosity, as if she was seeing it all for the first time. The chirp of small birds, their nests laden with eggs or hatchlings, the small animals that marauded alongside the path and sometimes even coming up all the way alongside them to nuzzle up to the griffon (who, as usual, gave them a nut or two as a reward), and the sounds of bigger animals far deeper into the jungle that seemingly respected the trail and never tried to cross them. The incessant noise of the morning critters and insects that lived in the hundreds of trees and shrubs and foliage created the perfect backdrop to it all. He helped her along several times whenever her claws or talons became stuck within the shrubbery, or soothing her when a noise from afar scared her witless. Her heart pounded with excitement and fear but she knew as long as he was with her, she had nothing to fear. "I am so glad you decided to come with me today. Usually, you are pretty adamant on staying home or near the cottage. What changed your mind today?" She looked at him with a contemplative expression, as if not entirely sure of the reason herself. "Well...I had a dream last night," her words came slowly. "Oh? And what sort of dream was it, my dear?" "It's a little hazy. But I suppose dreams are after you are awake. Well...in it, I was a Queen. The ruler of a small kingdom. But as small as it was, it's wealth was big. It's people lived contently and while the army was tiny, it was professional and well trained. The buildings glittered like gold. My lands were like a small oasis of prosperity within a vast expanse of decay." "I was waving a claw to my people from the balconies of a grand palace. My attire was not a simple tunic but a bejeweled silken dress and a robe. A crown lay seated on my head. I can remember myself smiling." "Besides me, there were...figures. I cannot remember. But I felt their kinship and knew they were family. So there I was, standing besides these silhouettes and greeting my subjects." Throughout the story, he could see her serene smile become more and more morose. "Well, that sounds like a lovely dream indeed. I still don't see how that made you venture out today." "Well...its because what happened next that haunts me. For me, it was the clearest part of that dream," she continued as a shudder passed through her. His own feathers shivered slightly as a gust of wind passed by. "As the ceremony was ending and I bade farewell to the griffons down below, in the corner of my eyes I saw something horrifying. The decay that surrounded my kingdom was seeping in from the edges. I could see it slithering through the roads and bridges, entering houses and doing Boreas knows what to the inhabitants. It's speed was erratic, as it sped and slowed every few seconds. It felt like it was taunting me. in the back of my mind, I thought I could see eyes peering back at me from the fog. Scarlet eyes of anger and rage." "Then, as it reached the very gathering in front of the palace, I saw it engulf the griffons. I heard them screaming. Shouts of help filled the air. I stood there helpless, as if trapped within my body unable to move or help them. Help my own people." "And then...it was all over. The cries quietened, the pleas silenced. From within the ethereal fog, I only heard one thing--" Before she could continue, she suddenly lost her footing and almost slipped into a nearby stream when Ludwig caught her in the nick of time. Holding her in a bridal carry, he peered over her with a worried look. She peered back with enlarged eyes and big blush across her brown feathers. "Are-are you ok?" "Y-yes I am fine, d-dear. You can l-let me down n-now," she managed after a few seconds to catch her breath. "Oh I don't know. You still look a little startled. Perhaps I should carry you like this until we reach our destination," he smirked. "Oh har har! Very funny. No, seriously, I am fine." "Alright. Whatever you say," he finally obliged but not before giving her a long and sensual kiss and resting his head on hers. He loved the startled look she had that quickly turned into a loving one. "I love you," he intoned. "I love you too," she concurred. With another quick kiss, they were once more on her way; this time minding every step they took. Soon, the path opened up to the prairie with a panoramic view where dozens and dozens of bisons roamed and grazed at their leisure. Many could be seen crowding around a common watering hole. The herds of females were seen separate from the males, as it was during the non-breeding seasons. Ludwig began to make up a camp while the griffoness stood at the cliff edge, gazing down at the herds. As it was midday by then, they decided to have some lunch before the hunt. While eating, the griffon remembered her dream. Sitting on the cliff, watching the herds graze below, he decided to ask her once more. "So...about your dream." He saw her face visibly wilt in the shadow of his question. But, before he could change the topic, she carried on. "After the fog consumed the crowd, all I could now hear were...growls. Angry growls. The eyes within still glared at me but now they were given voices and a body. I could see them start to come for me." "I turned to the griffons around me in reflex but I saw there silhouetted muzzles not facing me. Instead, they stood gazing at something behind us. I turned around as well and saw...saw that the guards had already fallen to this decay. Their eyes too turned a crimson orange as they glared towards us. Towards me. Then they began to walk. And then they began to growl. And then--and then--" Her body visibly began to tremble as her eyes closed. He moved in to wrap his wings around her smaller body as he tried to comfort her. They both sat there in serene silence, soaking in the sounds of the forest on one side and the grazing of the herds on the other. Soon, he felt her breathing stabilize and gave her a soothing kiss on her forehead as he preened her soft onyx black wings. The griffoness leaned against his chest, nuzzling him underneath his beak. A few squirrels scampered up to the duo. Ludwig was about to throw some nuts to them when got an idea. He wordlessly hovered them in his claws in front of her. Getting the hint, the griffoness took them from him and threw it to the naughty little intruders. A smile was on her beak. "I am so sorry. I did not know the dream would be so...vividly horrifying. I shouldn't have asked." "No no, it's alright. I don't blame you. It's just that...it felt more than a dream." "What do you mean?" he asked with a raised brow. "It felt more real. Like I was reliving some memory buried long ago. I don't know why but whatever it is, it made me feel like I shouldn't be alone today." "Well, do not worry! No slimy fog will ever harm my darling ever again! They would have to go through me, the deadliest hunter in this forest!" Ludwig flashed a confident smile and winked at her, as he unclasped his rifle from his sling belt and posed as a great hunter on a nearby log of wood. It had the intended effect as the griffoness laughed aloud at her mate's theatrics. "Oh, my savior! My darling hero! How honored I am to receive your protection!" she replied in jest. Continuing his act, he leapt from the log and tenderly grasped one of her claws, giving it a little respectful kiss. "Of course! Such a lovely dame as yourself; why, the honor is all mine!" The tension was broken and the couple spent the rest of the afternoon hunting all varieties of game, even partaking in a bit of fishing. By the time they returned, the sun had begun to set. Ludwig spent some time stashing his gear. As he was keeping his coat on the chair near his desk, it knocked over a piece of paper from the desk. Picking it up, he gave it a cursory glance once more as his talons clenched and wings flinched slightly. Before he could do anything else, however, he heard her beloved's call and kept the letter where it was. Taking one of the fish he had caught from his bag, he began to fillet it. The griffoness, on the other claw, had just come out of the bath and began to cook the fish once Ludwig had finish filleting. Meanwhile, he decided to take a bath himself. Venturing out to the river where they would usually bathe, he dipped himself slowly as he got used to the cooler temperature. Washing himself carefully, he heard something. Far far away, his trained ears could faintly hear booming sounds. Unperturbed, he continued his act of cleansing before deciding it was enough and began to head for home; before turning to look behind him one last time. His eyes did not miss the pinpricks of bright fiery light in the distance that flashed for a second before disappearing into smoke, a booming sound accompanying them that faintly rang in his ears. The dinner was as tasty as it usually was, Ludwig being the great cook that he was, but the taste was doubled by the fact that they were both tired from the today's activities. Outside their home, the day's auditory panorama was slowly being switched out with the night's soundscape as owls, the croak of some frogs from the nearby river and the ever present critters that seemed to sing all day and night long. But in the comfort of their warm and cozy cottage, the two lovebirds simply enjoyed their moment eating and drinking, then moved onto singing old songs and Ludwig playing a bit of guitar by the fire. They ended it with a slow dance as they both moved to the tune of an old romantic song that played from an old gramophone, touching their heads together and singing along as their eyes spoke to each other wordlessly. Just as the song was about to end, there was a soft knock on the door that startled them both. The griffoness looked at Ludwig with a confused stare. He, in return, only looked at her melancholically. With a claw, he played with her short, orange feathers that contrasted beautifully with the rest of her black plumage. He kissed her sweetly, which surprised her but as the moments passed, she melted once more in his claws and returned the kiss. He wished this moment would last forever, or atleast for a while longer. But the knock came again and this time it was fiercer. Pulling back from her beak, he simply said, "I love you..." With that, he tore away from her and went towards the door to answer it. Opening it and realizing what the source of the knock was, he was neither shocked or surprised but simply wore an unambiguous expression. Behind him, he could hear her call out to him: "Who is it, Glitterhoof?"
...or the ring of a church bell? (Ending 1)The sun shone across the lush garden in front of him, bathing them in a golden morning light. Behind him, he could hear the church bells of the Katerinburg Trinity Church ring as prayer ended for the day. Instinctively, he made a sign of the Trinity; a past such as his compelled him to do so, especially as his beliefs were reinforced by the actions of the past few days. He wore a crisp white shirt with a brown sweater over it and some long navy-blue trousers. As a griffon, he was naturally insulated from the cold but, having lived in the Scheißwald for so long, he was much less attuned to it. Especially as Katerin was prone to suffering from bouts of cold during the winter every now and then, and today was turning out to be such a day. Yet none of it bothered him as much as the pain inside him did. The carefully packaged gift wrapped in green paper with white polka dots tied with a nice red ribbon that sat beside him was like a tangible representation of the hope that flowed in him. And so he sat there, in the cool morning wind. Waiting. "Looking for her?" a sudden voice beside him inquired. Ludwig recognized it without looking at the source and sighed. "Not really," he replied. "Oh, and why so?" the voice asked back, taking a seat beside him. "This isn't the right weather for them to allow the patients to roam in the garden today," Ludwig simply said. "Has that ever stopped you?" the voice laughed. "Can't argue with that," Ludwig laughed back. It was nice, to laugh with an old friend once more. As if nothing else mattered in the whole wide world than to share a good moment with someone you knew and trusted. The two bantered back and forth for a while before silence befell them once more. "Thank you, Heinrich. I needed that." "I know you did, Ludwig. That's why I am here." Gazing back towards the hospital, Ludwig finally asked his old grandmaster. "How is she?" There was a tinge of hesitance and despair hidden within the question. The chaos that Katerin had gone through during its recent revolution was nothing short of a traumatic memory, just like the first republican revolution. Even after it stabilized, and she was soon admitted into a psychiatric ward under the orders of the Silberkralle who had gained power in the end, Ludwig was only able to get faint reports of her and nothing that suggested anything positive. But atleast she was healing, he thought. Like the nation itself, she was under the right care. In the distance, he could see construction workers building a new road. The sun beat down on their feathers but he could see that it didn't matter to them. Among them, he could even see many Silberkralle helping with the logistics, even carrying some materials for tired workers; who they also allowed to take some breaks. The building in front of him, the Katerinburg General Hospital, used to be a dilapidated and rusting piece of architecture that was on the verge of collapse. Now, months after their takeover, the Silberkralle's efforts had allowed many talented and rich businesses and creatures to flock to the region to invest and help rebuild the place. The efforts could now be seen firstclaw as the hospital now boosted state of the art medical equipment as well as doctors from all over the continent, even a few from the lands of Equestria. Such as the one that was currently helping Diellza, he recalled. He wished he was in there, helping her right now. But he understood that he would probably do more harm than good, given that he was just another one in a long line of griffons she felt had betrayed her. He couldn't blame her. Her life was a long series of traumatic events and betrayal. Sometimes by her own people and sometimes by her own nobility. Kept on the throne by the nobles, after witnessing her own royal family being slaughtered by republicans when she was a mere chick, and being used by them for their own goals. It was no wonder that she went mad in her reign, the grief and anger festering for so long. But, he hoped, that with the help she was receiving now she would be able to start her life over once more. And he would be there for her at every step of the way. Atleast he hoped. The reports he had received prior were not encouraging ones to say the least. "I know that when we first brought her here, it seemed like she would never recover. I mean, by tartarus, she went mad once more and threatened to hang us all as if she was still the "mad princess" of Katerin. But I am pleased to say that our patience and trust in the doctors and in her has begun to show results. She doesn't attack anyone anymore, and the panic attacks she received from her guilt and sorrow have begun to recede. You should visit her more often, you know." "I wish. I just don't want her seeing me to cause her to lose herself again. If it means I must wait until she is alright, then wait I will." "Then why are you here? And what is that beside you, if not a gift for her?" Heinrich shot back, pointing towards the wrapped present. "I am here to ask about her, like always. And I hoped that you would give this to her from me. It is an Equestrian book I came across recently and enjoyed it a lot. I was hoping that it would help her, even if a bit." "In that case, you should give it to her yourself. Don't hide behind me every time, Ludwig" the old grandmaster chastised. "I am not hidi--nevermind..." the former order knight sighed. Once more, they became silent as the weather cleared up somewhat and the sun beat down stronger as noon approached them. The construction workers could be seen packing up as they headed inside for lunch. Feeling a little hot himself, Ludwig removed the sweater he was wearing, gasping in relief. "I always hated this sweater, I won't lie." He could see some of the patients begin to come out into the garden, finally being allowed by the doctors. His eyes scanned for the griffoness he was looking for but she was nowhere to be seen. To be honest, he expected that given her mental state. "I never thanked you, you know?" Heinrich began suddenly. "Thanked me? For what?" "You kept her safe while we took control of the nation. It's only because of you she has the chance to get the help she always needed." A smile appeared on the knight's beak. If only his friends in the order saw him now... "It is not needed. Orders or not, I would have done it for her regardless." "Is that love I hear, my former pupil?" the grandmaster teased. "By Eyr, isn't a griffon allowed to love once in a while?!" the knight replied. They both laughed once more. But Heinrich was curious about one more thing. "How did you even manage to get her to trust you for so long?" Ludwig his beak to answer, when his eyes suddenly caught her. She was bent down near a lone patch of the garden, away from the rest of the patients, looking at a variety of flowers with the same childlike curiosity he knew. She did not seem mad or deranged but looked like the same helpless and timid griffoness he had seen a year and a half ago, when he found her lying under the tree with a bent hindclaw and half-torn wing; her mind fully gone and delirious. Her wings fluttered every so often, as it did when she first woke up and told her a false story about their past as a couple in the woods. Standing up, he began to head towards her before he remembered the question. Looking back, he gave the old bird a giant grin as he answered. "I told her I was her husband, Glitterhoof." And with that, he continued onwards to the garden as Heinrich sat there dumbfounded. "What the--that old unicorn skull?? Seriously? AHAHAHAHAA!! Oh that is the best! Never change, old friend! Never change!" he hollered back, laughing. As he neared the patch of the garden where Diellza resided, he was nervous as to how she would act. He was scared that if he caused her too much psychological harm, it would cause him to be banned from any visits by the doctors. But Heinrich was right. He couldn't run forever. So, with determination, he strolled towards her. The old princess of Katerin was standing now, a little pink flower in her claws, when she saw the griffon approaching her. At first, it looked like she was scared and would run back inside but something in her made her pause. Ludwig gently stood in front of her with a smile on his face. The two former lovebirds simply stood like that for a few minutes, before he opened his beak. "Hello there! How are you doing today?" The griffoness squeaked in shock and her body began to tremble, making Ludwig stand unmoving. A few moments passed before she was able to compose herself and tried to reply back. "H-Hello...I-I am A-Adalia...Wh-who are y-you?" That caught Ludwig by surprise but the realization dawned on him. A smile came on to his face once more. "Hello, Adalia. My name is Ludwig. Ludwig Hesselbeak." "Hel-hello, Ludwig..." she replied sheepishly, not knowing what else to say. Behind her, a supervisor that knew Ludwig saw him talking to Diell--Adalia and was about to tell him to go away when he saw that he wasn't causing any distress. So he simply kept watch, just in case he would need to jump in if something happened. Meanwhile, Adalia noticed the gift in his claws. "Wh-what is tha-t, Mr. Ludw-wig?" she asked, pointing. "Ah this? Well...it is a gift for you, Adalia!" "A gift? F-for me?!" "Why, yes! A gift for a beautiful bird like you." The griffoness blushed at the comment, growing more and more comfortable with the strange griffon. Accepting the gift, she opened it to find the book. "Oh! I love reading Daring Doo! It is my favourite book series! Tell me, Mr.Ludwig, is it your favourite too?!" she rambled at the sight of the book, forgetting her nervous tick. Ludwig was taken aback but smiled as he realized she was happy. "Yes, it is my favourite series as well, Adalia. Would you like to tell me why it is yours?" "Yes yes, I would love to! Oh it is so great to see another Daring Doo fan! The others...they just don't like it! But you--you do! You--" she blushed once more as she realized she was rambling. "Teehee--sorry..." "No no, it is alright... Say, do you want to talk for a while?" As Adalia blushed once more at the question, Ludwig finally felt at peace. It would be a long road but he could see the glimmer of hope he once had slowly become bigger and bigger. And then, one day, he could finally reunite with the one he loved. "I guess we...could...for some time..." Author's Note Hey guys! Thank you for reading this story. I didn't really give it time to go through it again so if you find any mistakes or discrepancies, please shout at me in the comments. Or just live a nice comment, I won't mind that as well XD. This author's note will be the same no matter what ending, in case you only read one of them, so don't worry. I also want to say that this story was just an effort for me to get back in the groove and try to get something out as a promise to myself so if my writing is rusty and inconsistent, that's probably why. In any case, I hope you enjoyed the story and have a nice day!
...or the ring of a Death Knell? (Ending 2)The bell tolled as the morning prayer ended and the griffons began to head towards the doors, forming a small crowd as they exited the premises one by one. The day was still young and the sun arose slowly, its rays shining through the tall windows and making the coloured stained glass glitter. The priests began to disperse as well, aiming to finish their other morning duties. As the church grew less crowded and more silent, a lone figure still sat on one of the benches with his head bent down. His claws rested on the backrest of the seat in front of him, clasped together in prayer. His eyes were closed and his beak moved fast, yet not sound came from within. Indeed the building was now silent as the night, besides some noise here and there from further within the church. Indeed, for Ludwig, it felt like time had stopped. That the last few hours had not yet passed. He could still hear the torches and the roars. The anger within their voices and their raised claws, moving through the city like an ephemeral mist. Moving towards her to exact justice, no, to exact revenge. And he could see her, her face morphing from anger to fear as reality and dreams clashed together in her mind in a deafening crescendo of sadness and unfairness. He could remember her faint whimpering, her petty cry for help. A plea, a silent whisper. For somegriff, anygriff. For Glitterhoof. For Ludwig. With a startle, his eyes opened once more as he heard footsteps behind him. "They told me I would find you here. Why aren't you back at the palace?" Knowing who it was, he was surprised that the voice wasn't angry but rather curious. Despite this, experience caused him to promptly answer with a slight tremor in his voice. "Apologies, Grandmaster Grimclaw. I was just finishing prayer." The griffon in front of him, Erik Grimclaw, stood stalwart in his resplendent knight armor as befitted the Grandmaster of the Argentumdämmerung. His golden hair glistened with martial youth and virile beauty, but his eyes were hard and had the look of an old veteran. "Grandmaster, you say... well, that won't be for much longer. Soon, I shall be crowned King. King Erik Grimclaw of Katerin. I will need all my knights and soldiers of the order who helped paved the way for the true rulers of this nation to once more herald its course and saved the nation from the mad grasps of Diellza von Katerinburg. This is why we need you back, do you understand?" "Yes, Grandmas--I mean, my King." Ludwig corrected. Grimclaw beamed but didn't start to leave. Instead his eyes went towards the stained glass in the center of the cathedral. The trinity of Boreas, Proteus and Eyr shone brightly from the sun that was finally beginning to cast its light on the rest of the town. Bending on one knee, the former Grandmaster bent his head respectfully and formed the sign of the trinity before standing back up. "As a knight order and a griffon king, it is our duty to hold fast the teachings and lessons of the gods, and devote ourselves to them. We are not just reforming Katerin. We are going to bring back the empire from its sacrilegious path and set it once more on the right track. And we will watch over its progress. So that it doesn't ever go down this road ever again." He put a claw on Ludwig's shoulder as he faced him. An understanding look uncharacteristic of him was present on his face, which slightly confused the knight. "Her death, in a vacuum, might have not been her fault entirely but it meant so much more in the grand scheme of things. Griffons needed to know that the era of madness and desolation was over. It was time for a change. We shall be the change. So cast aside doubt, brother. Atone by bringing the change we swore ourselves to, that we swore to the gods. And let them handle the rest. If the judgement is punishment, then I shall take them all for all of you. Until then, we have work to do." With that, Erik Grimclaw left to be crowned king. In the distance, celebrations could still be heard. He very much intended to join them before the coronation. Ludwig was left alone once again, ruminating in his thoughts and his master's words. Guilt and duty swirled within him, as the images of last night finally broke him; causing him to tear up and break down. In the house of the gods, the hero of the people cried in grief and shame. As he left the church after a few minutes, his tears and emotions all dried up, a thought occurred to him. He flew up with his wings but did not head towards the palace. Instead, he took a left and headed towards the end of the town. He would be late for the coronation. Something told him that so would the Grandmaster. Landing smoothly, he cast a look around. The West Courtyard, as it was called, was empty. Devoid of any griffons or creatures. But in the hauntingly quiet location, he could still hear the shouts and growls of the people. He shook out of it. In the center was a raised platform with two high poles attached to it. A bar extended across them, connecting the two poles and a rope hung from it with a knot at the end. The body that hung from it was silent and unmoving. Diellza's bulging eyes stared back at him accusingly. Ludwig spent a few moments just looking at her. He noticed the wounds on her claws and body, one of it broken. Her wings were frazzled and one of it was half-torn. It reminded him of the time they had first met, in the forest as he had hunted for her. When he had decided to hide her for a year under a false story he told her broken mind of them being husband and wife. He remembered the way he had to teach her how to do daily tasks, her former background denying her the opportunity to learn earlier. The day she could cook the fish he caught for her, he remembered how she jumped into his arms and he praised her incessantly on a job well done. Or when she bagged her first bison. Or when she caught her first fish. When they made love for the first time. From his bag, he removed a broken unicorn skull. Walking over to the platform he climbed on top of it and walked towards where she lay hanging from the noose. Keeping the princess's old relic under her, he flew back to where he stood before; not being able to bear the smell. Casting a final look back at the pair, he closed his eyes and prayed. Here lay Diellza and Glitterhoof, forever joined in holy matrimony. With the sign of a cross, he waved a sullen goodbye and flew back towards the palace; tears beginning to well up in his eyes. Author's Note Hey guys! Thank you for reading this story. I didn't really give it time to go through it again so if you find any mistakes or discrepancies, please shout at me in the comments. Or just live a nice comment, I won't mind that as well XD. This author's note will be the same no matter what ending, in case you only read one of them, so don't worry. I also want to say that this story was just an effort for me to get back in the groove and try to get something out as a promise to myself so if my writing is rusty and inconsistent, that's probably why. In any case, I hope you enjoyed the story and have a nice day!
