Canterlot's Hydra

After breakfast, Princess Celestia led me into a part of the castle I didn't remember ever seeing in the show. The decoration and architecture became less regal, and more utilitarian as we went. These were the servant's quarters, I assumed.

I did not have long to assume though, as Celestia opened a door into a large room, we were standing on a balcony overseeing the floor below, where roughly thirty guards were standing in perfect order. Upon seeing us, they each saluted in unison, filling the room with the clanking of their armor.

"I did tell you I'd let you choose your guards, Aurum. Here are my most loyal and talented guards. You may pick five of them to serve as your royal guards."

All eyes were on me, but I suppressed the horrible bubbling feeling from my chest, and asked, "Do I have to pick five? Could I, say, pick three or two?"

Her motherly smile had returned as she addressed me, "Of course, five is just the maximum. One, two, three, four, or five, as long as you don't go over."

Most of them were mares, with a few stallions here and there. I gravitated more to the stallions, but knew that I should pick at least one mare. Noticing a staircase down to the guards off to the side, I headed down and begin giving them a closer look.

Celestia followed behind me, giving a friendly nod to the guards as we passed them by. They smiled at her, and looked at me like I was an oddity; which I suppose I was.

Looking them over, I realized that I have no idea what exactly I'm supposed to be looking for beyond strength. Some of them were big— smaller than me, but still quite strong looking. while others, who look like they've just recently earned their armor, seemed scrawny in comparison. There were even a few who were clearly veterans of the guard, gray manes and all.

A young guard I could probably trick to be left alone, older guards I could probably outrun if I was so inclined. I tried to hide my expression as I thought of the possibilities.

Celestia stepped to my side and kept her voice at a polite volume as to not be overheard, "You are looking for guards of a sturdy nature, loyal to a fault, and skilled at being discrete."

She spoke as if it was the simplest thing in the world without a hint of condescension, or hesitation.

How did she know what I was thinking?

Ignoring her statement, though. I need to get this over with, then I can leave and hide again.

I approached a young pegasus guardstallion with honey colored hide, with a brown mane and tail, he was scrawny, but looked like a fast flyer at least. Staring into his green eyes, the stallion froze up immediately and stood straighter, as if he was afraid I'd reprimand him for poor form. I studied his face and saw no signs of confidence in his expression. He was probably my best chance at finding a guard who I could get away from easily.

Having made my decision, I turned to Celestia, "This one seems like a good fit."

She looked at me with the face of a mother who was proud of her child for picking out their favorite sweater, before she turned to the guardstallion, "Gilded Spear, come over here, please."

Gilded Spear seemed less afraid now, almost like the Princess had removed his fears in an instant. He approached the Princess and bowed his head.

"Will you be choosing more guards, Aurum?" She asked, a strange twinkling sound rippled through the room, but disappeared just as quickly as it came.

"No, one... one should be fine." I answered, much to her shock.

Her shock quickly disappeared, however, "Very well," She turned her attention to Gilded Spear, "Gilded Spear, from now on, you will be Aurum's guard. I expect you to serve him as loyally as you've served me." She gave a motherly smile to the guardstallion.

While the two had their moment, I looked around at the other guardmares and guardstallions. Looks of envy were on some, most had neutral expressions, though.

"Yes, Princess. I will protect him with my life." The guardstallion said in reverence.

I had a guard now, but I knew he wouldn't be able to do much in the case of an emergency. Hopefully he'll at least be useful to me.

"With that, however, I believe we're done here. Would you agree, Aurum?" Celestia asked as she turned her attention to me.

"I believe so..." I replied simply.

"Wonderful, Gilded Spear," She looked at my guard. "Guide Aurum back to his room, please." The guardstallion saluted professionally, before he turned to me.

"This way, your highness." He said, making me cringe internally at the honorific. I felt no need to argue and would be glad to be away from people again, so I followed after him, thanking Celestia as I went.

She didn't follow after us, or leave while we were leaving. She stayed behind and watched us as we left, eyes boring into the back of my head as a hawk eyes it's prey.

"Gilded Spear, right?" I ask my guard.

"Yes, your highness?" He responded, turning to me with a smile on his face, it seemed unnatural, almost... innocent? I can't place it.

"Do you know where my room is?" I asked him, curiously.

His expression changed into a more natural smile, almost practiced, "Of course, Princess Celestia briefed all of us on where your room is."

I didn't like the sound of that, and he seemed to pick up on that, almost as if he was expecting it, "This way." He said, leading me back towards my room.

"What else has Celestia 'briefed' you on?"

His ears fell down as he thought up an answer, "Your coronation is in just a few days, actually."

So soon? Though, I suppose Twilight's coronation wasn't very far ahead from when she got her wings, either. I should have assumed as much.

We made it back to my room in the castle without issue. My clock read 8:32am, and now, I had plenty of free time. Gilded Spear followed me inside and seemed impressed with my room for some reason.

"Wow, I like what you've done with the place. You really have an eye for interior design, your highness." He said, smiling brightly at me.

Shouldn't he know that I'm not the one who furnished this room— or at the very least, know that I've only been here for like... twelve hours? "Thank Celestia, it's her room... By the way, just call me Aurum."

I'm certainly not a 'Highness'

The guardstallion just smiled, "I understand, but are you sure you only want me to call you Aurum? I feel it would be disrespectful, given your status."

"Please, just Aurum."

"As you wish... Aurum. I'll be outside your door, keeping guard. If you need anything," He walked a bit closer, "Anything at all, please ask."

Was he blushing?

"Right, thanks." I replied coldly, before opening the door with my magic for him to leave.

With the most minuscule amount of sadness on his face, he left the room and closed the door behind him, leaving me to my peace.

"Finally." I muttered under my breath, before beginning to sing.

Hush now, sleep tight, mind takes flight. Darkness creeping in, shadow figures in sight. Soft whispers bounce, off walls they ignite. Calm the storm within, everything's alright.

I wasn't meant to go this long without singing. It felt natural, right even, to throw my voice in song. All this castle and Princely nonsense had me desperate for some air, so while I continued to sing, I opened the door and slipped past a now confused-looking Gilded Spear, on my way to the outside.

This life wasn't meant for me, not meant for people LIKE me, even. I suppose I should've expected this, especially since I was so brazen to simply reveal myself to Dusty Pages like I did. If I had simply chosen to steal the books I wanted to read, this could've been avoided.

Now I have a guard, yes, I asked for guards to protect me, but I don't need protecting. In Equestria, as well, the royal guards were always portrayed as useless. If nothing else, Gilded Spear could be of use. Maybe I could get him to bring me things, maybe I could have him run errands, while I focus on other matters?

I passed by many guards on my way out, none giving me the time of day, thankfully. Soon I was outside again, the sun rising further into the sky on another, beautiful, Equestria day. There was still time left before the sun threatens to melt my flesh under it's violent beams of fire.