Back on Duty

Getting back to the inn meant more hard work. Gregory was ready to simply collapse into a bed and not rise until the next morning, but there was a complication. The impromptu gathering to welcome Princess Celestia to their quaint village was still in full swing. It seemed those ponies really didn't have any important jobs to do, or something.

"We really should go, at least for a short while," Celestia said. "Besides, they made a cake."

Despite exhaustion, despite every single muscle aching, Greg couldn't keep from chuckling. "Oh, alright. I did promise I'd chaperone you, right?"

The Princess nodded happily. "Yes. Yes you did."

It was too late in any case. The ponies had spotted them and were already gathered up to greet them. Greg looked at the sea of smiling faces. Was it just him, or had the crowd gotten even bigger? Once they were near enough, a cheer went up, accompanied by hooves stomping on the ground - the Equestrian version of applause. At least, he noted, they kept a respectful distance despite their enthusiastic smiles. Celestia hesitated for just a moment, then walked up on the inn's porch, which was a bit higher than the ground around it. Added to an alicorn's natural size that made sure everyone was able to see her.

"Fillies and gentlecolts..."

Gregory mostly tuned out during Celestia's little improvised speech, dreaming about another hot bath and a soft bed. He kept standing, because he was worried if he sat down he wouldn't be able to get up again. A grumble in his stomach reminded him, however, that they'd only had a couple of sandwiches and some pie each the entire day.

Perhaps the bath and the bed could wait for a few minutes to make time for some dinner. There were a few hastily constructed wooden benches and some ponies were eating. Hopefully it wasn't all hay and flowers.

"There," Celestia said, suddenly beside him again. "Let us enjoy a bit of cake and then retire to our room."

"This isn't going to be here the whole weekend, is it?" Greg asked, looking at the gathered ponies.

"No, I do not think so. Things should be back to normal, tomorrow."

Now that she'd given her speech her subjects were no longer staring exclusively at the Princess. Well, some still were, especially the younger ponies, but the others just looked determined to enjoy a day out. Perhaps they had all wanted a festival anyway and Celestia's arrival was just a happy coincidence, or an excuse. It was quite impressive how quickly they had put it all together.

Greg followed her to a place which had apparently been cleared especially for them. Despite his earlier misgivings about his muscles, he sat on a pillow somepony had been nice enough to provide, and groaned in delight. Not standing up was bliss. Someone offered him a bowl and Greg turned around to look at the innkeeper. He had to think for a moment to recall the name, then he had to keep his face impassive. It was an amusing one.

"Thanks, Mr. Cookie."

"Much obliged."

To his relief they hadn't crammed the stew full of grass, or flowers, or hay. It looked like mixed vegetables and some mushrooms. It smelled delicious and Greg was shoveling it into his mouth a few seconds later. Next to him the Princess paused with a fork levitated right by her muzzle. It looked like some kind of chocolate cake, so Greg knew having to wait must be agony for the mare.

He caught the tail end of her reply to a pale, lime-colored mare. "... is not something a Princess would normally do, but perhaps-"

"Perhaps you can come to Canterlot to petition the Princess when she is taking audience, right?" he quickly interjected.

The way Celestia's ears lowered slightly told Greg he had just saved her from promising to do something 'ruler-y'. She nodded and gratefully continued: "Exactly. Like Gregory says, all ponies are very welcome to bring any matter at all before Luna and me."

The mare seemed a bit disappointed, so Greg gave her a polite smile and beckoned her over behind Celestia's back. As soon as she was out of her sight, the Princess put the piece of cake in her mouth and was lost to the world for a minute or two.

"Hey, sorry I have to be a hard ass, but the Princess has been working really hard lately and- well," he said, inventing rapidly. He gave the mare a conspiratorial wink and she began to smile uncertainly. "Took me ages to convice her to put it all away for a day or two and I'd be very grateful if you didn't give her an excuse to jump straight back into work, okay? Don't tell her, it'll just be our little secret!"

His would-be co-conspirator nodded happily and answered in a whisper, presumably so Celestia wouldn't catch on: "Oh! I had no idea! Yeah, of course. Not a word, promise!"

Greg put his arm around her withers to 'take her into his confidence'. "You know, you look like a responsible young mare. I wonder if you could spread the word - discreetly - that the Princess shouldn't be bothered, yes? Oh, by the way, what's your name?"

"R-Rose Berry..."

"Pretty name."

Now she was blushing. Even after all this time it was still a bit tricky to estimate how old a pony was, but if Greg was forced to guess, he'd say in her early twenties.

"So, you think you can help me out? I'd be much obliged."

Rose Berry nodded, confidence returning and chest swelling with pride. "Don't worry, I got this!" she assured the man and slipped away. Gregory looked after her and soon saw her whispering with a few others and pointing at Celestia. With luck, word would spread and the ponies' innate niceness would keep them from constantly pestering Celestia with their problems. The Sisters held court for a reason, after all.

The little crisis averted, Greg went back to his stew, which was perhaps a tad too salty but nonetheless delicious, when he noticed Celestia faintly smiling.

When she caught his look she leaned closer and murmured without moving her lips: "Nicely done. Sneaky, but good."

"You're welcome. Enjoy your cake. Oh, and you might need to carry me up to the room. Dunno if my legs still work."

She chuckled and after a moment he joined her.