Love and War

Chapter 3

A month later

“Alright princess, that is all that is on the list for today,” Quill said, walking by Celestia’s side.

“Thank you Quill,” Celestia said, as they reached her chambers.  They both looked at each other and gave a smile.

“Well, if you do not need anything, I will just take my leave.” Quill turned around and was about to walk off before Celestia spoke.

“Quill, there is one more thing I need you to do,” Celestia said, as Quill turned around with a smile on her face.

“Anything you need, princess,” Quill said, as Celestia smiled.

“Can you please find General Tullius and tell him to send Thorn to me,” she asked.  Quill laughed a little before speaking.

“So why are so interested in Thorn.  Do you like him or something?” she paused for a second as she could see Celestia’s face turn slightly red with embarrassment.  Quill laughed again and after a few seconds she looked back up towards Celestia.

“I am only kidding princess.  What you do with your personal life is none of my business.  Though if you ever want to talk about it, I am always here,” She said, as she bowed to Celestia.  “Goodnight Princess, have fun with Thorn.” Quill then started to walk off towards the end of the long-narrow corridor in which they stood.  She was out of sight a minute later.  Celestia opened the door to her chambers and as she walked in, she gave a small laugh.

“Quill, you always seem to know how to make me laugh,” Celestia softly said.  She closed the door behind her and continued to walk inside her chambers.  She then walked up next to her vanity mirror and levitated a pearl-white brush as she sat down and started to comb her mane.  A few minutes passed as she set her brush down on the vanity.  A moment after this, there was a knock on the door.  Celestia stood up and slowly walked over to the door.  She then paused a minute before she let out a sigh and opened the door.  Standing in the doorway was just the pony she wanted to see.

“You sent for me Princess?” I asked, as Celestia nodded her head.  I stood in the doorway not knowing what to do.

“Please, come in Thorn,” She said with gentleness in her tone.  I walked into her chambers and stood up straight as she closed the door behind me.  She then walked over to where I was standing and stood right in front of me.

“Please, have a seat,” She said, as I looked around and slowly sat down on the ground.  Celestia smiled and sat down in front of me.

“So you are probably wondering why I have asked for you.”  I nodded my head as Celestia continued to speak.  “Well, as you may know.  It is important that I know all of my guards.  If they are willing to protect me, then I should at least get to know them all.” I nodded my head again, but was still a little confused.

“It is also important to pay extra attention to guards that seem to act...” she paused for a moment before continuing. “Different.” I looked up at her with confusion across my face.

“What do you mean by, different princess?” I asked.  Celestia stood up and began to walk around me.

“Different may not be the best word choice.  More like, unique,” she corrected herself.  I had a puzzled look on my face, as well as a little nervousness as she continued to circle around me.

“So what you are saying, is that I'm... Unique?” I asked, trying to liberate some of the nervousness I had.   She smiled as she stopped in front of me again.

“Exactly Thorn.  I have noticed that you have tendencies that most ponies would never have.  For example, when you fight, you seem to prefer to fight on two hooves as most ponies can only fight on all four hooves.  Why is that?”  Celestia asked.

“Well... you see... I kind of...” I kept stuttering as Celestia looked at me confused.

“Thorn, you don’t have to lie to me.  It is alright, you can tell me anything,” Celestia said, as I looked up at her with a nervous look on my face.

“Actually, I don’t think I can.  You might take it the wrong way,” I said, trailing off on the last part.

“What do you mean take it the wrong way?” she asked, a little more assertive in her voice.

“I mean, you wouldn’t understand.  You won’t know how to take it,” I said, as she stared at me.

“Thorn, I have seen many things ponies will never see.  I doubt you will surprise me,” Celestia said, sounding confident, but at the same time, trusting.

“Princess, please do not take this the wrong way.  You are better off not knowing anything about me,” I said as I continued to sit down on the ground.  Celestia grew even more curious now.

“Thorn, if you are going to be on my royal guard, I need to know everything about you.  I need to know if you can truly handle the job.”

“Don’t worry princess, I know I can handle the job.  I have done this sort of thing before...” I paused as I thought about what I just said.  Celestia looked at me, confused and a bit worried.

“What do you mean, you have done this before?” she asked circling me again.  I sat there, unable to answer her.

“Well?” she asked, as I still couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Thorn, I can tell you are hiding something from me.  I don’t know what it is, but for the safety of my other guards and myself, I need you to tell me.”

I looked up at Celestia and was at a loss for words.  “I can't tell you Princess, I'm sorry.  You are better off not knowing,” I said, as Celestia let out a sigh.

“I am sorry Thorn, but you leave me know choice then.”  Celestia’s horn began to glow as she lowered it to my head.

“Wait, what are you...” was all I had time to say before her horn touched the top of my head.  I could see every image that she could see.  All the tortured soldiers crying out for help begging them to make the pain stop.  I could see all of the dead soldiers that littered the beaches and fields during our missions.  I could hear the sound of mortars and bullets whizzing past me as thickets of smoke and gas surrounded me.  As she continued to prod my memory, I could see the scientists that performed experiments on my brothers and me.  Not brothers by blood, but brothers that forged a bond through all the hell we encountered.  It hurt just the same, watching them die and tortured.  A tear came to my eye as there was a flash of light and Celestia quickly lifted her horn away from my head.  She stumbled backwards as she fell to the ground in complete shock.  I continued to sit still, looking down at the ground as another tear fell from my eye.  Celestia looked at me, but didn’t speak.  She slowly got up to her hooves and carefully approached me.  I was still looking down at the ground, as she was now only a few inches away from me.

“You... you aren’t from Equestria, are you?” she asked.  I shook my head without looking up at her.  “And those, other creatures.  They were your friends, weren’t they?”  I nodded my head slowly, as I still continued to look down at the ground.  There was a moment of silence, before I felt Celestia’s wings encircle me.  The warmth of her body and wings could not sway the memories that I had fought so vigorously to suppress.  As I sat there in the comfort of another being, who claimed to have seen everything but was left speechless as the harsh reality of humans was revealed to her, I could still feel a chill run up my spine.  We were both speechless for about ten minutes, before I felt a slight tear drop onto my mane.  I slowly looked up to see Princess Celestia with tears in her eyes.

“I am so sorry Thorn.  I had no idea anypony was capable of such... evil.  Please, please can you ever forgive me?” she asked, seeing that she was affected just as much as I was.  I nodded my head and I could see a faint smile on Celestia’s face.  “Thank you Thorn.” She said, as she released me from her wings.  I then watched, as she walked over to her closet and pulled out two large pillows and levitate them on towards me.  She then walked back over to me and stared into my eyes.  I could see the sorrow she had, and the sympathy for what I have gone through.  She then sat down on one of the pillows and looked at me again.

“Thorn, I want to try this one more time.  Can you please tell me about your past and where you come from?  I promise to try to understand the best I can.  And if you see fit that you no longer want to talk.  Then I will also understand.  Just please try.” She asked, as I sat still, thinking about what she said.  A minute or so passed before I started to walk towards the door.  As I reached for the handle, something came over me.  A feeling that I shouldn’t leave but instead should stay.  I questioned myself for a few more seconds before I found my hoof slowly getting further away from the handle.  I then turned around and started to walk back towards Celestia.  I sat down on the pillow opposite of her and took in a deep breath.  I looked into her eyes and sighed, as I started to explain my whole story to her.