I stepped out of bed, the previous day had been rather exciting and a good nights sleep left me somewhat energized. I counted back from three as I cleared my eyes. "Three--two--o-- Oh yes...." I rubbed my forehead and looked to my door. A bright yellow note was stuck to my doorknob. "Fleur."

I took a deep breath and took off my sleep clothes. A rather slow change into a new pair of underclothing later and I was headed off to my closet. The smell of cotton balls wafted out as I found my days attire. A pair of dark black pants, white shirt, black coat and black flat cap. I hated the color black, so confining and dour.

I got dressed and donned a pair of gloves before leaving. The world was slowly shifting from autumn to winter, and along the way the weatherponies were dumping as much rain as they could before it would freeze and crack the reservoirs. I hurried down from my bedroom, into my entry to find a bundle of bright white roses and a pair of shoes waited for me.

I took a deep breath and collected myself for the walk. "I hope I don't keep her waiting." I straightened out my shirt, grabbed the roses, bundled together at the base with twine, and stepped into my shoes. I took my keys and set off into the modest rain that was dripping down over Canterlot.

The cold air settled against my nose instantly, each drip hitting the concrete walk way to the street seemed to be rather heavy and batted my hat downward. I held the roses close to my chest, as a soldier would a gun, across my chest with the flowers facing upward, arms cross and gently clutching the delicate plants.

I walked briskly through my street, only the occasional chariot or carriage occupying the main road, and only the working class or early morning ponies out on the sidewalks.

Some looked at me, some simply kept their noses to the ground. Fewer and fewer looked at me as I made my way deeper into Canterlot. Down and down, southward bound I walked towards the graveyard. A pony lost years ago, to no pony's failings.

I kept walking, my shoes clicking loudly as I stepped onto the path outside the graveyard. A high ornate wall with paintings of pegasus and unicorns ran around the massive yard. At the entrance, with a pair of ponies waiting, stood Fleur and one of her servants.

I walked to them slowly. She spotted me and turned, the servant following her with his wing outstretched over her. "Gray, hello."

I nodded once and kept my chin down. "Fleur." I let my accent slip through, too preoccupied on the roses. "Sorry. I brought--"

Fleur shook her head and turned to the entrance of the graveyard. "Don't be sorry. Your genuineness is...it's comforting." She walked along the path into Canterlot Greater Memorial. The carefully laid out pathing stones lead across many graves. Some simple stones laid in the earth, some elaborate statues of ponies rising, some of crosses, door knockers, stars, and pillars. All the same in the end really, but all treated with the same respect.

Fleur and her servant kept ahead of my, leading me deeper and deeper until we passed a small half wall. The last perfectly paved area was laid with stones and candles, and ahead of it stood a giant wall with names carved all over. Fleur walked up to the pale grey wall and pressed her side against it. "Gray, thank you."

I walked up to her as she stopped and tapped a spot with her hoof. "Here?"

Fleur nodded slowly. "Here is fine. Garder, please."

The servant nodded and retracted his wing. "I shall wait near the entrance."

I watched him walk away. Fleur let out a short sigh as I ducked down and laid the roses against the ground before the wall. "I can't believe it's already been three years."

I looked over the names. "And they never came back?"

Fleur shook her head. "Cowards, they tried to come and take what was ours and left in exile and shame." She pressed her head against the wall. "Animals."

The Changeling Invasion had been two years before humanity had arrived, but the effects could still be seen. Every year instead of celebrating a wedding, they mourned the lost. Instead of enjoying the harvest, they gathered in solitude to reflect on those killed. Kicked or torn apart by the changelings in their desperate bid to wrest control during the turmoil had left over two-hundred dead, and many more missing. Fleur's husband was amongst those to die in the aftermath.

I put my hands together over my groin. "I'm sorry for your l--"

"Don't." Fleur closed her eyes. "Don't be. There was nothing you could have done."

I nodded, letting my hat peak down over nose. "Then I am sorry there was nothing I could do."

Fleur sighed and opened her eyes, focused on the wall. "You're here now, I think this is the best you can do."

I lifted my head and fixed my hat. "Perhaps--"

"You know, I always thought we'd have children." She nuzzled the wall. "I told him I wanted to wait."

I stared at the white and pink mare. I kept quiet and stood still. "You could remarry...."

Fleur closed her eyes slowly. "I don't think I will. Perhaps I'll carry from a donor, raise the foals in his memory, but I don't think I could really be very happy with somepony else." She sighed heavily. "Gray...."

"Yes?"

"I need coffee, and something sweet." She turned away from the wall, her eyes jammed shut. It was quite obvious she was holding back tears. "I just need something sweet right now."

I nodded and turned to walk with her as she passed me. "Tak, something good to match the memories."

"Gray."

"Hmm?"

"Don't let it slip by you." She leaned against my leg. "The ponies you love, the people you care about can be taken so easily." She took a deep, rattling breath. "And don't be reckless, there will be ponies waiting for you as well--"

I stooped at the gate out of the memorial. "If I was to die as he did, I think I would be content." I rubbed my chin. "How many did he save?"

Fleur shook her head. "Not himself. Not enough." Next Chapter: Coffee Estimated time remaining: 33 Minutes