Aura of Burning Protection

“It is not the strong who survive but the survivor who is strong “, this saying followed the snow white colored Pegasus Burning Trails everywhere he went. As a guard pony for Princess Aurora, Burning knew that survival would be a challenge that he soon would have to face. Recent murmurs of changelings heading north, towards the castle that he was stationed at, had Burning’s feathers on edge.

“Brrrrrrrr” he shivered and shook his head, his black and white mane flopped around as he did, he was on night shift in the northern winter lands of Equestria, “I’ll check on the other guards by the fire, I suppose” He mumbled as he trotted towards them  “Never did like the cold, It Chills my wings, what good is a Pegasus that can’t fly because of frozen wings?” He asked himself.

“I heard that their Queen is out for vengeance after what happened at Canterlot”, Burning looked to the voice and saw several guard ponies huddled around a fire.

“Yeah but if they get here what can we do against that many creatures?” Asked a pony

“We will evacuate if they get to close to this castle”, Burning snapped to attention as the voice of the Captain of the Guard rang from behind him, Burning Pivoted around and saluted “Sir”.

“At ease Sergeant”, Burning relaxed there were few ponies that could sneak up on him, Captain Glacial Steel was one of those few.

“Thank you sir” Burn droned, like the multiple times he had done before “Do you think they will come here Sir?”

“I honestly don’t know Sergeant, Changelings are unpredictable, shadowy creatures I don’t think they would deny the chance if they knew the princess was here” Steel said with concern in his eyes “And speak freely Burning”

“Thank you Si-Glacial, Should we not leave now then? Would it not be the safest?” Burning questioned.

“Burn, walk with me?” The weary Captain asked as he proceeded to walk towards the main tower of the castle.

“Yes Sir” Burning replied as he followed Glacial.

“Burning do you know why Princess Aurora has come out here with her husband?” Captain Steel asked.

“Because she enjoys the auroras and this is her favorite place in Equestria?” Burning inquired, now curious from Glacial’s question.

“Well yes that but we have been here almost 4 years Burning does that not strike you odd?” The Captain inquired.

“Well yes, however I am in no place to question what the princess does and doesn’t do” Replied Burning “And, I don’t think I’m high enough in rank to know secrets about Aurora” He added

“She had a foal Burning, A colt he is now 3 years old and that is why we are here Burning.” Glacial said without blinking “And the Princess wants a personal guardian of sorts for the young prince”

“A foal? But that’s absurd, Alicorns rarely get pregnant “The now flustered guard pony blurted “And why mention the princess wanting a guardian for him to me?”

“Because Sergeant I’ve selected you as the young prince’s guardian and with it you get a promotion”  Glacial said almost without emotion “You will become 2nd Lieutenant while Shining Spirit will become a Lieutenant and you will get your own room next to the prince’s and will be purely under Princess Aurora’s command unless needed urgently by me, Is that understood?”

“Ahhh…… I don’t know what……… to say” He stuttered “Why am I being asked and not Spirit?”

“I know of your experiences with young fillies and colts. Burning you even took care of a young prince already, that is why you are more qualified” the Captain said while looking out over the road that lead to the castle “Burn I trust you with this, your one of the best soldiers I’ve ever met don’t turn this down”

Burning stumbled as memories of the young blue unicorn colt flashed in his mind. “If you believe in me Captain I’ll do it” He replied

“Good decision Sergeant, get some sleep I’m taking your night shift you need some sleep to meet the young prince in the morning” Captain Steel coarsely said the ruffled Pegasus in front of him.

“Yes Sir” He chirped before he saluted and trotted into the barracks relived to be out of the chilling cold. “But why me?” he asked himself

“Pardon Sergeant?” a young unicorn guard asked

“Nothing Private, just talking to myself” Burn replied

“Sergeant may I ask you something?” the unicorn asked

“Yes Private what is on your mind?” Burning asked knowing that he was an emotional backbone for many guards stationed at the castle

“Well it’s the rumors about the changelings Sergeant, They have me on edge and I don’t sleep well knowing that they are out there somewhere”

“Private you can speak a sentence without having to call me Sergeant I don’t mind, just don’t do it in front of officers, as for your problem, I believe that no changeling would mess with us here it’s to cold for changelings” He stated

“Changelings don’t like the cold Serge-Burning?” The young Unicorn inquired

“Not at all, they are like bugs and you never see bugs in the snow do you?” He asked the troubled stallion

“Ohhh” The unicorns face lit up immediately “I didn’t know that, now I do I feel plenty better, Thanks Sergeant”

“No problem Private now get some sleep, you need it and it’s an order” Burning demanded

“Yes Sergeant“ The unicorn hurried into his bed and readied himself to sleep

“Well, well Sergeant aren’t you a softie” Echoed a silky voice

“Hello Corporal Glitter Shine I’m surprised your up” Burning teased as he turned and headed into his room

“Just because I work as hard as you Burnie” She teased back

“Haha that I doubt Glitz”

“Is that why you’re not out on your night shift? So what’s the news from Captain Steel? I swear I heard you two chatting” She questioned

“Well he is covering my shift tonight because I’ve got a new duty tomorrow so you might get a promotion” He winked at her “Good luck”

“Good luck to you Burnie, I’m turning in now maybe you should finally send a letter home, anyway goodnight” She said while exiting the room

“Goodnight Shine” Looks at his desk and his pile of papers “surely it can wait another week or two while I get settled in with the Prince?” And with that he climbed into bed and extinguished the candle and fell into his dreams, which were memories of all that he left behind.