Quest for the Crown of Saddle Arabia

The violet mare frantically picked up her things and pulled on her saddlebag. She hadn't heard Nairad's soft exclamation, but she couldn't help but notice his distressed stare. She smiled at him nervously. "Hi, my name's Twilight Sparkle", she spoke softly as not to frighten him, "What's your name?"

Nairad took a few deep breaths to calm himself before he answered. "I'm Nairad Strider of Flyadh. It's... A pleasure to meet you..."

Twilight's grinned warmed. As she spotted something familiar on the glossy marbled tile a few feet away. "Umm, is that 'Conjurations and Illusions VII' by Starswirl The Bearded?! I've been looking for this volume for years! May I see it?"

He couldn't deny the adorable little mare's request and nodded his consent. Twilight Sparkle pulled the book to her with magic and excitedly started to read. Nairad, seeing this as an opportunity to escape his waking nightmare, backed away slowly and rose from the ground silently. "Well, I'll see you around Ms. Sparkle..."

She took her eyes off the book long enough to see him fly up the corridor. "Wait!" With a sparkle she teleported in front of him and once again they collided. Nairad crashed into one of the stone pillars that adorned the hall and his saddlebag exploded. His books, scrolls, and notes went every which way and before he could recover from his impact Twilight was already apologizing.

"I'm so sorry!" She spoke in a hushed soothing tone. "I just wanted to... I'm-" He put his hoof on her muzzle. "What are you even doing on this side of the palace? No one goes to the west wing!" Twilight looked struck and answered in a whisper, "I was told to come here. Princess Celestia told me t-" He cut her off again, this time with curiosity not anger. "Princess Celestia? As in the Celestia, Celestia..? The sister of Princess Luna?"

Twilight's sadness abated to her own curiosity. "Yes? Why?" Nairad shook his head, picked up his things, and turned his back to her. "It doesn't matter." He started his gallop away from her but she quickly trotted to his side.

Twilight walked beside him for a minute before speaking again. "I really am sorry about bumping into you... Twice." He didn't respond. The walked in silence for a bit longer and she tried again. "So... You don't have a cutie m-" She stopped herself before she finished, figuring it must have been a sensitive topic. To Nairad though, it wasn't. He stopped caring about getting his cutie mark years ago. He always figured that if he got it, it wasn't going to change who he was so why care so much.

"Don't you have to meet Celestia or whatever..." Nairad was getting nervous having her around him. He knew she was the mare from his dream, though he never actually saw her in them. Her voice was unmistakable. He remembered the urgency in her pleas and shut his eyes against the flood of emotions he felt in them. Fear. Pain. Confusion. And something more...

Twilight stopped at the hallway crossing, where she heard the sound of hoofsteps. A smile spread across her face. As her mentor and her little sister came into view. "Princess Luna! Princess Celestia!" The two princesses approached with such grace and regality that it was impossible to mistake their role in life of Equine. Celestia spoke first. "It's wonderful to see you again Twilight. How is my favorite student?" She then looked to Nairad who stared slack jaw at the exchange. He thought to himself,'No. No. No. No.... She can't be THAT Twilight Sparkle! The Element of Magic!'

Celestia greeted him with a smile. "And who is this young stallion?" Nairad snapped back to reality and bowed his head low. "I am Nairad Strider of Mlahdi... Well, the far out skirts of it. On the western edge across the Great Expanse your highness." He remained bowed.

Celestia looked from him to her student and back to him. "And what bring you to the west wing? Its not a place traveled often young one." Nairad was about to answer but Princess Luna cut in. "Actually, i requested him that he meet us here." Twilight and Celestia raised their eyebrows in surprise. Neither had known of Nairad's existence, let alone his friendship with Luna. She stepped in front of Nairad and put her wing over his shoulders. "'Tis our student. Thou heart is strong and thou potential great. We believe this one is more than capable to accompany Twilight Sparkle on her assignment."

Nairad bow his head low and whispered quietly. "My princess... You speak so kind of me. I won't let you down..." Celestia smiled at the two young ponies. "Well, my littles ponies, I'm sure you are wondering why you're here. So, let us begin."