The HMS Transport's Pinnaces landed on the shores which is covered by Green forest with seagulls squawking in the Distance as the Stallions and a few mares among them, in their red uniform and white trousers alongside their distinctive Round hats that have the plume of White and red attached on them, departed from the Pinnaces carrying their flintlock muskets as they stood on their hind legs with boots, Muskets on their right forelegs as they Formed a line with calmness, though some of the Royal marines behind the first line were glancing at the forest beside them, wary of it and the small crew of two Pinnaces did the same, having their weapons out just in case. Meanwhile the rest of the Royal Marines are facing towards the damaged light frigate that bore the tri colour flag of blue white and red, dropped it's anchor at the shores. Unlike the HMS Troopship which was also damaged but it is floating in the distant cautious of any danger. The soldiers from the light frigate, The Voltigeurs, came out and they hastily formed a line with their blue and white coats, White trousers and the green epaulettes on their shoulders and the yellow with green pom pom on top of their shako hat and then others stallions came out and they were the engineers, They have full blue uniform with black shoes as they began building fortifications with haste while some had their muskets on their hooves as they stood guard. As the French formed their Lines, they see 2 more Pinnaces coming to the shores and as those 2 boats landed and they saw this time the line infantry of the British on one Pinnace and on the other carried the legendary green rifles but their eyes were not on the rifles, rather it was towards the infantry. They were immediately concerned as they presumed that Line infantry was The Devil's Own regiment given the yellowish accents spotted on their uniforms in the distance.
"Par Célestia........Sont-ils...Sont-ils du 88ème régiment?" (By Celestia....Are they...Are they from the 88th regiment?) One Voltigeur Earth pony asked, gripping his carbine with caution. Meanwhile the majority of the French engineers are hastily building fortifications that will provide some cover and protection with the exception of few engineers that had their muskets fully cocked, ready to fight, should the British attack, desperation and fear craved on their faces.
Then their Voltigeur captain, a unicorn named Étienne with his light-grey fur and his jet black pencil parted mustache, upon seeing the coming british captain and the lieutenant more closer, narrowed his dark blue eyes and he quickly recognized who they are as he sees that yellowish accent on the red uniforms is not Yellow but Buff even the shoulder belts are buff and the Number on their Belgic Shako Plate being 3 rather then the 88th and he groaned, with his moustache twitching in annoyance.
"Ah, génial... c'est le 3ᵉ régiment, Les Vieux Buffs, et leur insupportable capitaine aristocratique." (Ah, great... it's the 3rd regiment, The Old Buffs, and their insufferable aristocratic captain.) And the rest of the voltigeurs and engineers calmed down after hearing that it was not the 88th but the 3rd regiment but they began to either groan or muttered Curses, remembering The antics of The Old Buffs, especially their captain's as they stood in their lines and the British captain coming closer and closer and the captain was an earth pony in his 40s, His Coat is chestnut brown underneath his uniform with white gloves on his forelegs and his well groomed mane that slightly peeked out of his Belgic shako hat was Ash-grey and his grey-blue eyes expressing calmness towards the current predicament of everyone and the lieutenant beside him walking with caution on his emerald green eyes, was also an earth pony but around their age and he has an olive green coat and Mahogany Mane and then both of the British officers stopped as they saluted Étienne and he returned the salute and the captain offered a hoofshake which Étienne gave while the lieutenant stayed silent, observing the French with caution.
"Quelle façon agréable de se retrouver, n'est-ce pas, capitaine? (Quite a pleasant way to see each other, isn't it, Captain?) The Captain sarcastically asked in perfect French after the firm shake, not giving the unicorn captain enough time to speak as he then continued while the lieutenant observed the French voltigeurs and engineers "Quoi qu'il en soit, je pense que vous savez tous que nous et nos navires devront coopérer, et je voudrais savoir dans quel état se trouve le capitaine de votre navire. Est-il toujours en vie?" (In any case I think all of you know that we and our ships will have to cooperate and I want to know about the condition of the captain of your ship, Is he still breathing?) While the marines signaled the troopship that it was safe to approach.
Oui, capitaine Ashenhoof, Il a été écorché par une balle de mousquet à la tête, le chirurgien panse actuellement ses blessures. (Yes, Captain Ashenhoof. He was grazed by a musket ball to the head, and the surgeon is currently dressing his wounds) Captain Étienne conformed as he notice the rifles, and they are in position, ready to shoot if needed.
"Sacré chanceux. Quoi qu’il en soit, peut-il sortir ? On a besoin de lui immédiatement, avec vous. S’il peut marcher, il peut parler." (Lucky stallion, regardless can he come out as he's needed immediately with you, if he can walk, he can talk.) Captain Ashenhoof bluntly said, and before the unicorn could answer, the captain of the light frigate, another earth pony this time with an ocean blue coat came out, his head was freshly bandaged showing his dishevelled sandy blond mane with traces of blood on his bandages, his uniform was slightly ruffled from the night attack but he wore his uniform with pride and dignity despite everything and the light frigate captain calmly walked towards the the officers and he sees that the British troopship is now close to the shores and he also sees the Lions and among them some large stallions walking down the ramp led by a large lion officer with an intimidating scar, their white plume on their Belgic shako hats being their only distinguishing feature. Marking them as Grenadiers of the British line infantry regiments.
Captain Ashenhoof cut any further delays from the conversation as he told them that there will be a truce as they all want to get out of here as soon as possible, so they will all work with each other for now and the French officers nodded at the idea and he encouraged them all, saying that All of them will forget about this in coming weeks as they will be where they are needed to be by then and the both French captains agreed, having the confidence that nothing will go wrong for they will depart as soon as possible and Ashenhoof ended the conversation saying that another meeting will come and it will be here in a few hours. The he alongside his lieutenant walked back to the now anchored troopship as the British sappers come out and they began building temporary constructions and fortifications and the French officers went to their lines and ship and informed everyone about the truce and the situation slowly calmed down as the soldiers from both nations slowly loosen their formations. Many went back to Quadrupeds form with the exceptions of few who stood guard, cautious of the other.
As Ashenhoof and his lieutenant trotted back to the now building camp with the sounds of the earth ponies sappers hammers hitting, ropes being stretched, and orders mingling with each other alongside the sound of sapper unicorns' magic and the sailors were helping the sappers in building the camp. Captain Ashenhoof noticed the troubled look on his lieutenant. "You don't think the French will hold the truce, Lieutenant Oakleaf?" He asked as he took out his finely made and high quality wooden smoking pipe from his uniform and added the tobacco, and lit it up. A habit he always did with calmness no matter the situation.
"Aye, Captain, I don't." Lieutenant Oakleaf responded in his thick Irish accent. "You know those lads and Lasses are a buncha foxes, They might be smaller then us, both in size and numbers but their guts and brains aren't." Oakleaf said as he turned to see the French Voltigeurs relaxing their pose with the exceptions of the few standing still watching. Captain Ashenhoof nodded in agreement as he exhaled the smoke.
"That is true lieutenant. However they are aware of their worse position that they are in compare to us. They don't want to die fighting here on this unknown shores where there is no help for miles away. They want their death to be worth it but here? It is not worth it. There is also the temptation to be back to their homes and family, safe and not be harmed anymore and that, Love for family and to see them again is a very strong motivator for their compliance." Ashenhoof reasoned as he took a deep breath from his smoking pipe and breathing out the smoke, briefly contemplating everything from the starting of the chaos of French Revolution, the multiple coalition wars, the French republic's transition to the French empire and how the Grande Armée with their emperor dominated almost all of Europe for years and now it's fall.
"The war is coming to an end and that Corsican stallion will be in the mercy of the Austrians, Prussians and the Russians in the coming months. With so many factors heavily against them, they won't try to fight us, especially here. but there is also a slight possibility that they will just not care about the odds against them and will make their last stand but if they dare to do that, they will seal their own fates, whether they survive it not. So no, they won't try to do anything rash" He ended his reasoning as the long trail of smoke from his pipe evaporated in the air with the tents being raised by the sappers.
Lieutenant Oakleaf smirked as he shook his head, Captain's Logic made sense, and it reassured him. "You are quite an aristocrat, sir" He said as Captain Ashenhoof nodded, puffing out the smoke from his mouth.
"That's all well and good lieutenant Oakleaf. Now please go and watch over the company for a while will you? I must go back to our troopship and inform the ship captain of the truce" Oakleaf nodded as Ashenhoof went to the troopship to inform the ship captain, entering the troopship in a few minutes while he turned and watched over the rest of The Old Buff soldiers, giving orders and making sure the soldiers don't get too rowdy.
Author's Note
I hope that this will be a fun and interesting story for everyone!
After a few hours, the officers all began the meeting on the deck of the HMS Troopship as the sun reached afternoon and Étienne with the light frigate captain told them that their ship is heavily damaged though it is repairable, it will take alot of resources something they don't have and the British troopship also have been damaged and may not be able to complete their journey without the necessary supplies and it would be the safest chance is to find if there is any civilization nearby that can help them as soon as possible.
"Je propose que nous envoyions nos Rifles et que vous envoyiez certains de vos Voltigeurs et ingénieurs pour explorer la forêt et chercher une quelconque civilisation. Cette mission serait dirigée par le lieutenant Oakleaf." (I propose that we send our Rifles and that you send some of your Voltigeurs and Engineers to explore the forest and look for any civilization. This mission would be led by Lieutenant Oakleaf.) Ashenhoof boldy announced, puffing out the smoke from his pipe while the French and the troopship captain with the royal marine captain and lieutenant Oakleaf stare at him.
"Pourquoi devrait-Il diriger?" (Why should he lead?) Étienne asked, his pencil-parted mustache twitching with distrust and suspicion as the rest of the earth ponies are silently staring at Ashenhoof, even Oakleaf as he didn't expect it to be handed to him.
"C'est parce que lieutenant Oakleaf a prouvé sa compétence en Espagne, où il servait auparavant comme sergent de la compagnie légère avant de devenir officier commissionné." (This is because Lieutenant Oakleaf proved his competence in Spain, where he served as a light company sergeant before earning his commission as an officer) Ashenhoof replied proudly, his voice brimming with confidence and he continued. "Il est entré dans les des grades d'officier après avoir secouru et conduit ses soldats et autres, perdus dans la forêt pendant la nuit, pour les ramener sains et saufs à la compagnie." (He entered the ranks of officers after rescuing and leading his soldiers and others, lost in the forest during the night, back to the company safely.)
""Hmm... Très bien, si vous insistez." (Hmm... Very well then, if you insist.) Étienne reluctantly said after thinking deeply of the current situation, then his voice grew serious. "Il prendra la charge, mais à une condition." (He will take charge, but under one condition.) He looked at Ashenhoof who was still smoking, nodded, his ears listening to the condition. "il doit s'assurer qu'aucun des voltigeurs ou ingénieurs ne soit blessé ou laissé derrière, sans quoi il sera fusillé par mes soldats au moindre signe de lâcheté, sans aucune répercussion, Compris?" (He must ensure that no voltigeur or engineer is injured or left behind. otherwise, he will be shot by my soldiers at the slightest sign of cowardice, without any repercussions, Understood?)
There was a short silence after he boldy gave his condition to Ashenhoof. "Compris." (Understood) Ashenhoof said after taking out his pipe from his mouth. "Soyez rassuré que personne ne mourra ni ne sera laissé derrière par mon lieutenant." (Rest assured that no one will die or be left behind by my lieutenant) He looked at Étienne with a serious expression. "Si cela arrivait..." (If that happened) He hypothesized. "vos soldats seraient libres de le fusiller sans répercussions, Cependant, cela sera inutile car mon lieutenant est brave et compétent." (your soldiers would be free to shoot him without repercussions however, that will be unnecessary because my lieutenant is brave and competent)
Étienne then turned to look at Oakleaf and he sees that this Old Buff Lieutenant was seemingly up for it as he didn't show any sign of nervousness or fear and he turned to Ashenhoof and he nodded "J'espère que ce sera bon pour nous tous" (I hope it will be good for all of us) and he left the ship with the light frigate captain to gather the Volunteers. Understandably, Some Voltigeurs and even fewer engineers volunteered after hearing they will be led by British officer and he told them of the condition where if the British officer showed any sign of cowardice or got them left behind they can shoot him without any consequences and that got enough Voltigeurs and engineers to volunteer.
Meanwhile in the troopship after Étienne and the light frigate captain had left, Oakleaf was about ready to go and gather the rifles but he had to deal with something more personal for now. "Oakleaf! ye are not going to go out in the woods without a proper meal, ye hear me?" A strong feminine voice called out to him with the sound of quick hoofsteps coming at him and he turned to see his mother. Before he could say anything his mother gave him a loaf of bread and as well as some apples she took from the supply crate for him.
"I know ma but It will be only be for a while, I will be back soon." He said, groaning a little but his mother wasn't having any of it and she forced him took the food and he reluctantly put it on his knapsack with the morning bread that his mother and other officers' mother made for the rest of the soldiers with the ship cook, which he had only eaten half of as he wanted to save his food for later time. She then checked his uniform to make sure it is proper and clean while other soldiers and sailors nearby looked on at the distance amused by the mother's love. Oakleaf glared at them but that didn't stop them and he had to tolerate it until her mother decided that he is ready to leave.
"Now ye can go my boy." She said after she made sure the uniform was proper and clean. Oakleaf then hurried outside as he is getting late and he asked for rifle volunteers and he got enough within a few minutes and told them of their objective. The rifles nodded and they began to be ready grabbing their baker rifles and other equipment for the journey.
Lieutenant Étienne came at the middle, between the French camp and the British camp on the shores with the voltigeurs and engineers waited patiently for him and soon Lieutenant Oakleaf and the rifles arrived. The French observed that the rifles are of the 60th rifle as they have red facings on their collar, and cuffs. They also have half length Gaiters with dark blue trousers with red stripe along the outside seams.
One of the Voltigeurs, an Italian origin unicorn mare with a light green coat and raven black mane named Lucia Amato spotted one of the 60th rifles, a corporal bugler mare who has a pale-cream coat and muted blue mane talking to the unicorn sergeant in German, unaware of her. The unicorn mare narrowed her eyes as she soon recognized that earth pony mare. How could she forget that rifle mare? After all, she was the one who almost shot her head off were it not for her younger sister Sofia, who shoved her away just in time 2 years ago at the Battle of Salamanca. Though to be fair, she almost killed her first but she got a misfire while the rifle mare didn't.
The rifle mare stopped talking to her superior as she felt she was being observed and she turned to see the voltigeur who was looking at her. She recognized the unicorn mare and she was surprised and a bit tense to see the mare who she almost killed and in turn would have killed her, was here of all places and there was an awkward silence between the two mares. Then Lucia's younger sister Sofia Amato, an earth pony arrived to talk to her and she also spotted the rifle mare and her smile slowly faded as she remembered the rifle mare. She doesn't know what to say or if she should say anything at all.
Fortunately for the mares it was only for a brief period of tense silence before their comrades nudged them, reminding them of their task and they followed lieutenant Oakleaf, They want to talk to each other to but they don't have the courage to converse with each other and they kept glancing at each other for a brief periods of time with the sounds of hammers, and shouts of orders being fainter and fainter until it was fully gone, replaced by sounds of insects and birds chirping.
Oakleaf ordered the rifles and the voltigeurs to make marks on the tress as they move cautiously so it will be easier to be on track if they get lost and it will also be a maker for other soldiers as well and they do this for hours as they march with no sight of civilization and they were beginning to belief that they are in an isolated island.
"Sir. Do you think we should turn back?" One of the English rifle stallion asked concerned "We have been marching for quite a while and we haven't seen a single bloody village nor town in sight and it is going to get dark. I'm thinking we are in an abandoned island at this hour!"
"Be patient, will ye?" Lieutenant Oakleaf ordered him and they continue the march but the doubts and concerns are getting more and more real by each walk with no signs of any living settlements. Then they hear sounds of rustling leaves and whimpers nearby. Oakleaf immediately gestured the rifles to be quiet and to explore first where the sound came from and the pale-cream coat rifle mare moved with her sergeant moved first and they see that it was 3 fillies, 2 of whom, an earth pony and a unicorn were slightly injured on their hind legs with small wounds and exhausted while the Pegasus filly was trying to reassure them and herself.
The fillies soon spotted them and they became cautious and afraid. "Who...who are you all?" Scootaloo asked with shaky voice trying to be brave for her friends as she hesitantly stepped towards them. Oakleaf, the rifles, the voltigeurs and the engineers notice that the pegasus filly's wings were smaller then it should be.
"Do not worry, we are not here to hurt you." The pale-cream mare in green uniform with a strange accent reassured them as they see a unicorn in the same uniform nearby take what they presume to be a thick club or stick from her hooves and she moved to them slowly. "Can you tell me your names little ones?" she asked as they see other ponies in fancy clothing like green, others had white-blue with green epaulettes some were in complete blue dress and there was a lone earth pony in a red uniform and they realize that he must be their leader. They slowly introduced themselves to them and they asked the mare for her name.
"My name is Freya." She replied with her accent that fascinated the fillies. "I must say, you three have such great names" She complimented them with a gentle smile that made Apple bloom and Sweetie bell relaxed while Scootaloo kept her guard up. "How are you here in this dense forest?" Freya asked them before realizing she has to mend their wounds immediately or it will be dangerous for the fillies. Before they can respond to her question, she told them to forget her question for now and to stand still as she turned to her comrades and asked if they have any bandages for them in a language they have never heard anyone speak and then to back to familiar language as her comrades take down their knapsacks to find the bandages for the fillies. Even the voltigeurs and engineers took out their knapsack and to get some bandages for the fillies as well after they heard the word Bandage.
"Uh....Freya?" Apple Bloom hesitantly called her, she turned to her and Apple Bloom continued. "What was that talking ya were doing with your friends?"
"Oh, That is German Apple Bloom." She answered as she got the roll from one of her comrades and wrapped it around her injured hind leg. Apple Bloom winched at the firmness of the bandage but she kept a brave face the whole time. Scootaloo, wanting to help, asked Freya how she can help as she doesn't want to stay idle while her friends are in distress and Freya told her she can help by grabbing Sweetie Bell's leg gently and calm her down by speaking to her and Scootaloo did as instructed and she calmed Sweetie Bell down as Freya quickly bandaged her wounds with the help of Scootaloo.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell thanked Freya for treating their wound to which Freya nodded and advised them to be careful, especially in the forest. Sweetie Bell also thanked Scootaloo for helping her calm down and she grinned as she said she doesn't need to thank her.
After they were well bandaged, Freya told them they were all quite brave and the fillies smiled at the compliment. Oakleaf then offered them some bread that was made by his mother for him and some apples and they ate it. She then asked them the previous question and they replied that they were exploring the forest out of thrill of adventure, got chased by timber wolves, and ended here lost and scared.
"Ah, That is quite unfortunate." Freya said, sympathizing them. "You really don't know where you are?" She asked them and the fillies slowly nodded in hesitation as they know they won't return home in time before dark and they are in a forest with no way of direction to their home.
Lieutenant Oakleaf got an idea and he decided to put it forward. "Ye lasses need to be in shelter fast as ye can. Children aren't supposed to be in the woods alone especially in the dark. Ye need to come with us." He said stepping forward with his thick Irish accent catching their attention. "I know ye don't fully trust us and that's good thing. But right now ye need to be in a safe place and woods are not a safe place to be. Ye need to trust us for now" He said to them as the sun was now almost gone.
The fillies looked at each other and they thought of their situation and in their different scenarios in their mind on what will happen if they take or didn't take his offer. They decided to take their chances.
Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell after thinking and seeing the better chance as these strangers have helped them, especially Freya. "Fine, we will follow you." Scootaloo said, speaking for herself and her friends to the adults. "But, we will be watching." She said though the tone was less tense then before and that was enough for Oakleaf as he nodded in understanding and he gestured the Group to be quick as when night comes it will be hard to navigate, before they moved, she asked him for his name and he gave them his name.
The fillies stick close to Freya as she is the most trusting adult to them and they began to quickly walk back to the camp. As they march to the camp. They ask her many questions about them and who they are.
"Freya, Who are those ponies in white and blue uniform with green and yellow on their shoulder and hat and those in full blue?" Apple Bloom asked as she and her friends sees the voltigeurs and was fascinated by them.
"They are called Voltigeurs Apple Bloom. They are small in body size but they are braver and smarter then most soldiers" She explained though she didn't dare to look at the Italian sisters at the eyes nearby but for French Voltigeurs, she was fine looking at them. "And those in full blue are engineers" She said gesturing to an earth pony stallion with a soft warm beige fur and dark chestnut brown mane and tail nearby in complete blue uniform and he nodded after seeing Freya gesturing to him.
"Volte-no, wait...Voltigeurs?" Sweetie bell asked correcting herself as she stares at the voltigeurs who were marching besides ponies in greens uniform like Freya and Freya calls those who wore same uniform as her as the 60th rifles or rifles. "And those in blue are engineers?" she asked and Freya nodded
"What 'bout Oakleaf?" Apple Bloom asked, looking at Oakleaf as he lead the path which is now getting dark.
"He's a lieutenant and he was chosen to lead us for now" She said as she walked the path. "He has experience in leading soldiers in the woods" She continued, remembering the reason he was selected and the fillies asked more questions and she answered it all patiently.
"Alright, one last question Freya," Scootaloo said as they hear sounds of waves in the distance with night covering the whole forest. Freya nodded and waited for her to ask one last question.
"What is that wooden mix steel club thingy that you, your friends and the voltigeurs have?" She asked pointing at her rifle and voltigeur's carbines.
Freya was a bit astonished by the question as she didn't expect that question and neither did the rest of the rifles and Oakleaf as they stopped to remember what she asked while the voltigeurs were confused by the sudden stop and look of astonishment as they don't know why the rifles and Oakleaf look surprised and their expression was one of confusion given they only speak French and for some Italian as well, not English.
"These are Flintlock muskets" Freya said to them after recovering from her surprise. "None of you know what a musket is or even heard about it?" She asked incredulous, and the girls shook their heads.
"We don't know Freya." Sweetie Bell said and she continued "What does it do? Wait....does it throw something like a bow?" She gestured at the muzzle of her rifle where she notice an small open gap.
"Yes, it does" Freya conformed. "But it shoots small round balls made from iron or lead." She went on explaining the what she knows of how the flintlock musket works from the putting the musket at half cock, paper cartridge being torn, putting the powder called black powder on the pan, then close it, put the remaining powder in the muzzle and ram it and full cock the musket and it's ready to shoot.
Understandably they were at first confused and overwhelmed by how it works. "Wow....that is so complicated!" Sweetie Bell said trying to remember everything.
"Seriously, How do you all remember this?" Scootaloo asked throwing her hooves in exasperation.
"It is hard but you will remember it quickly" Freya said chuckling at their confused faces. Meanwhile Oakleaf and the rest notice they are back to shores now as they see fire and lit lanterns in the distance. "Well, we are here lasses." He said getting the fillies and Freya's attention.
The fillies see two lit camps with one being the closest and guarded by ponies in the same red uniform like Oakleaf and on the other was smaller camp guarded by the voltigeurs. Oakleaf went to the nearby camp and the soldiers nodded and let them through even the voltigeurs with one of the guards saying in French that their officer is in the camp as well. They were shocked and scared when they saw Lions amongst ponies for the first time. The Lions noticed them and greeted them warmly by waving at them with their paw and a friendly smile that calmed them down.
"They are kinda nice?" Apple Bloom said and her friends slowly nodded as they were lead deeper into the camp and they smell tobacco in the air and it was getting stronger as they were led to big tent.
Inside the camp, they saw 2 Ponies, One being an senior stallion in red uniform, having the smoking pipe on his hoof and other was a voltigeur with a pencil-parted mustache like the rest of the soldiers and there was a lion with them in the same red uniform and he has an intimidating scar on his left cheek. "Captain Ashenhoof." Oakleaf said saluting to the senior stallion and he nodded in response. Captain Ashenhoof already made a strong impression on the fillies with the pipe on his hoof and his calm demeanour And the another stallion was a voltigeur unicorn with a pencil parted mustache.
"At ease Lieutenant." Captain Ashenhoof said and his gaze turned towards the fillies, noticing that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell are injured on their hind legs and bandaged. "Lieutenant, Could you possibly explain why are there 3 fillies here and not in their homes?" He calmly asked Oakleaf as he and other officers look at him waiting for his response.
Lieutenant Oakleaf explained the situation to them and after getting the whole detail, Ashenhoof then turned to the fillies. "Are you all still hungry little ones?" He asked them and they remember that they didn't eat anything the whole day except breakfast before exploring the forest and Oakleaf giving them a loaf of bread and some apples, Nodded slowly but their stomach began rumbling, telling the officers how hungry they are. Embarrassed, they began to give excuses for their stomach making sounds.
"Well, their stomach said it all" The Lion officer said in a deep voice, amused by their explaniation. "You don't have to worry, it's alright. There is some bread with cheese alongside some more apples here. Eat to your hearts content little ones." He continued gesturing to the nearby basket on the table and the smell of fresh bread with cheese and more apples was tempting.
The filles controlled themselves for a while as they wanted to know the lion first and they asked him for his name. "My name is Leon and I am also a captain like Ashenhoof." He replied and they were confused by two captains in the same uniform. "I understand your confusion little fillies. I am a captain of a small group of red coats called Grenadiers and we grenadiers are required to tall, strong and brave creatures. Ashenhoof is the captain of the regular soldiers." He clarified with Ashenhoof nodding in agreement.
"So, the lions we saw are in your command captain Leon?" Sweetie Bell asked connecting the dots.
"Indeed, Miss Sweetie Bell but not just the lions, even ponies though they are larger and stronger then most ponies" Leon responded. "If you wish to know who are the Grenadiers amongst us red coats in the distance, see for full white plume on our hats, That is our mark" He ended and he showed them his Belgic shako and showed the complete white plume and they nodded.
"They are quite curious girls, and their cutie marks is quite interesting" A voice said and they turned to see it belonged to the Voltigeur officer. Oakleaf was surprised that Lieutenant Étienne can speak English as he didn't hear him speak English before he left.
"Wait a minute..." He said narrowing his eyes. "Ye know English? Why didn't ye speak in English before?" He interrogated him, his suspicion growing at the potential reasons for the French Stallion hiding his English speaking skills.
"Lieutenant calm down, it's indirectly because of me." Captain Ashenhoof said getting Oakleaf and everyone's attention. "Remember in the morning and afternoon I took control of the situation and communicated in French and he spoke what is natural for him, French. I didn't give him time to speak in English" He said and Oakleaf calmed down as he remembered Ashenhoof did immediately speak in French after meeting Étienne and didn't given Étienne the time to speak French.
"Wait what do ya mean French is natural?" Apple Bloom asked, tilting her head in confusion. "Isn't that just a fancy language for fancy ponies?" She continued looking at Sweetie Bell and she nodded in agreement. It was the officers turn to be surprised and amused minus Étienne.
"Madam, what do you mean by that?" Étienne asked, his eyes narrowing at them while the British were grinning at his unamused reaction.
"Wait! Wait! We didn't mean to insult ya all!" Apple Bloom said as she and her friends see Étienne's eyes narrowing at them. "We didn't know there are ponies who speak French as their natural language that's all!" She clarified, hoping that will calm him down and it did.
"Fine....But don't make that assumption again understood?" He said and they nodded in understanding.
"That was quite amusing." Captain Ashenhoof said clearly enjoying the scene and Étienne glared at him. "Anyways....You all go and have some food and Oakleaf will take you to a nearby tent where you will rest for now and in the first dawn He will take you to your home." He said to the kids, changing the subject while Étienne muttered in French and rolled his eyes.
As they went to eat the food. Captain Ashenhoof called out to Étienne before he left the tent, saying If he wants to, he can take some food as well but Étienne responded with Non and they have enough food for themselves, he lead the French back to their camp.
After they had their meal, Lieutenant Oakleaf took them to a tent and he put the blankets for them. And they were excited to sleep in a tent. Oakleaf chuckled at their excitement and he told them to not cause too much voice and he left them alone. They began talking amongst themselves in excitement and intrigue at everything that happened and what will happen. Strangers in cool clothing, their shako hats which they soon realize was basically marching bands hats which made them giggle, Freya and her language called German, the muskets, the lions and Étienne's unamused reaction to them asking French is a natural language, laughing nervously at that moment and they also wondered how will Ponyville react to these strangers and how their sisters will as well and after hours of quietly talking, playing games with each other, they fell asleep looking forward the next day and it's surprise for everyone.
Author's Note
If you have any questions, you can ask me and I will do my best to answer it!
