Twilight sat with Wind Runner for most of the journey back to Reingard. Two sleighs carried the warriors who wanted to return home quickly, while the third waited for those who braved the cold night in search of the dragon's hoard. North Wind had returned to her farm, preferring the company of her family to that of the warriors, and Fire-Hammer had accompanied her dutifully, after stealing a few more kisses from Hearth Song.

Wind Runner had mostly calmed down, and was lying with his head in Twilight's lap as she cleaned the blood and gore from his antlers. "I don't see why you're so upset," he mused, closing his eyes. "You barely knew him."

"I know, but I've... I've never..." Twilight swallowed hard and tried to hold back a second barrage of tears.

"Never watched anyone die? After all the epic battles you've been in?"

Twilight managed a rueful smile. "Most of the villains we've fought wanted to enslave or corrupt ponies, not kill them, really. And when it comes to the less devious monsters, we usually either negotiate or run away. I guess we've been lucky like that."

"Maybe. I'd say we get more dragons and things than you, but not so many of the more subtle threats. We get some cloud gremlins, the occasional changeling. Windigo. Not much."

"Windigo? You have them here? Is that why it's so cold?"

Wind Runner grinned, some of his old energy returning. "Hah! No, they can hardly get a bite from us. Look around. Do you see a land full of hatred and bitterness?"

Twilight opened her mouth to point out all of the violence she had witnessed from the reindeer, but then she was reminded of the way they had all fought together against the dragon without a second thought, and of all of the hospitality she had been shown during her stay. Of the camaraderie between Wind Runner and Hearth Song, and the loyalty between him and Shield Biter, in spite of their fights. Of the great hospitality and warmth she had been shown by all of her reindeer hosts, even the ones who had pony blood on their antlers.

"No, I don't," she said in a quiet voice. "I see violence and short tempers, but also friendship. You fight each other, but you fight for each other, too. There's so much more to this place than I could see when I first came here."

They both fell silent, as Twilight ruminated on her journey and her mission. Her thoughts soon drifted back to Shield Biter's death. "What did you mean, about him being late to his next battle?"

Wind Runner chuckled and sat up, drawing himself into a sitting position against the side of the sleigh. He bowed his head as Storm Crow walked up quietly beside Twilight, waiting to hear him speak.

"I was wishing him well on his journey to the Fields of Halla. When a warrior dies in glorious battle or a doe perishes in fawning, they are carried away in sleighs drawn by beautiful white deer, to a land of bright sun and fertile fields, where there is grazing enough for everydeer."

Twilight smiled softly. "My friend Rarity believes something similar. She says that the Elysian Fields are a place of beauty and peace, where a pony who has worked hard all her life can rest and graze to her heart's content."

Wind Runner laughed. "Are her Elysian Fields filled with warriors who fight and kill each other all day, then rise again at dusk to feast, drink and fuck all night, then fight again in the morning?"

"Er... no, not quite." She grinned wickedly. "Although I dare say she wouldn't mind visiting your Fields of Halla, if it's where all the brave, handsome warrior bucks end up. Is this what everydeer believes?"

"Not all of us," said Storm Crow quietly. "My sister and I believe that the fallen linger on this earth as ancestor spirits, to impart their wisdom to those who take the time to listen. They speak to us in visions, in dreams and in the knowledge that sleighdr imparts to us. As long as we honour our ancestors, they will not fade."

"That's... very nice too. I'm sure Shield Biter's fawns will be comforted to think of that. I... I guess nodeer really knows for certain?"

Wind Runner shrugged. "Nah. I'll raise a runestone in Shield Biter's memory when I get the chance. Maybe he'll stick around and appreciate it, maybe he'll be too busy slaughtering his way through the Fields to care, but I'll do it anyway."

"Perhaps the truth lies between," said Storm Crow thoughtfully. "There are those who remain to guide their children and their children's children, but the Halla take them away when they feel they have done their part and desire their eternal reward." She bowed her head solemnly. "For certain, though, Shield Biter died with honour and glory, as was witnessed, and his spirit will move on without shame."

Twilight nodded in agreement. "He died a hero, that's for certain. It's sad... it's very sad... are you going to be able to take care of his fawns?"

"It won't be easy," said Wind Runner. "I have money, but my hoard is looking a lot smaller now that it has to serve three reindeer. Four, if they're going to have a mother. And what doe is going to marry a buck like me, with two fawns to raise?"

"You could move to Equestria," Twilight suggested. "You could marry a buck or a stallion there, and buy some land. Our laws don't prohibit either of those things."

"That's tempting... but do you really think I'd fit in in Equestria? My raiding days may be behind me, but I'm still a bloodthirsty savage in pony eyes, isn't that right?"

"I... wouldn't call you a savage..."

"Just bloodthirsty, right. Besides, I'll need somedeer to teach sleighdr to Shield Biter's daughter. He'd want them to be raised in Deerheim, not Equestria." He sighed heavily, then shrugged. "I might just have to hire a servant, or buy a thrall. Money's going to be tight, but I won't fail in my duty. I've always been an uncle to those two fawns... I guess it's time to be a father now."

Twilight leaned over and embraced Wind Runner, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "I think a doe would be lucky to have you for a husband, Wind Runner. I know you'd treat your wife like a princess."

"Aye, that I would, Twilight. That I would."

It was almost dawn when the sleighs arrived back at Reingard, and Twilight lost no time in teleporting to her suite and burrowing into her bed. Furrypants had said something about a feast to celebrate their victory, but Twilight would worry about that after she caught up on lost sleep. Her wings ached from all of the flying she had done before and during the fight, and her legs and crotch were still sore after being mounted so fiercely by Furrypants.

She was dimly aware of House-Proud helping her undress and building up the fire in her hearth, but otherwise her nap was blissfully undisturbed, even by the tiniest nightmare. Her room was in the gloom of dusk when she was woken by Furrypants's cheek nuzzling against hers. "Wake up, princess," he murmured. "You don't want to miss the feast."

"Mmm, of course I'll marry you," said Twilight sleepily. "Just as soon as the candle eats the pancakes."

Furrypants laughed and whipped the blankets off Twilight's bed. "There's a hot bath ready for you, but you'll have to tend to your own mane - House-Proud and the other servants are all busy preparing the feast, and so is my wife. And everydeer's wives. It's worth it to celebrate such a victory. Now get up if you don't want me carrying you into the hall like a sack full of treasure."

Twilight roused herself quickly enough, and took a much-needed bath once Furrypants had returned to his duties about the castle. Dressed in her finest clothes, and with her crown sitting proudly atop her acceptably coiffed mane, she strode into the crowded dining hall.

The informal gathering of the previous night could not compare to this feast at all. There were new tables running the whole length of the hall, and every space was filled with reindeer or goats. Servants were weaving through the crowds with platters piled high with food and trays full of tankards. The high table was occupied by the king and queen and many of the warriors who had fought the dragon with them. She spotted Lightning Hoof and his caprine companion and gave them a friendly wave as she headed towards the table. She tried to catch Wind Runner's attention, but he was too busy making out with another buck to notice her.

Furrypants gestured to the empty seat at his left hoof, and Twilight sat down, after giving Storm Crow a warm hug. There was already a plate piled high with the finest lucerne hay, baked potatoes drowning in butter, warm bread and sliced peaches. A tall mug sat next to her plate, filled with warm, spiced apple cider.

"This all looks amazing!" said Twilight, pressing her head against Furrypants's shoulder. "Thank you so much. Some of this has to be imported - no amount of magic would make peaches grow in a place like this."

"Ah, but princess, you forget that we have been traders longer than we have been raiders," said Furrypants. “I think you'll find it was our sailors who first brought peaches from the camel emirates to Equestria. Now eat! Drink! Be merry, for tonight we still live!"

Surrounded by revelling reindeer as she was, Twilight found it easy to slip into the atmosphere of a party that would have made Pinkie Pie proud. She remembered that she hadn't eaten since the night before, and her adventures since then, both martial and sexual, had given her a ferocious appetite. Her plate was bare before she knew it, and her mug drained of what she was quite certain was very hard cider. House-Proud appeared as if by magic as she set down her mug, refilling it from a small barrel balanced on her back.

Seeing House-Proud reminded Twilight of a thought she had had on the way back from the battle, and she scurried over to whisper in Storm Crow's ear. The queen smiled in approval and beckoned to her sister. "House-Proud, dear. You've done such a good job setting up this feast, you shouldn't need to work so hard all night. How about you just go and look after Wind-Runner? Make sure he has plenty to eat and drink, and whatever else he needs."

House-Proud seemed confused, but trotted off to do as Storm Crow bid. Furrypants patted Twilight on the shoulder. "If you're planning what I think you're planning, princess, then it's a fine plan. Worthy of your title."

Twilight blushed at the praise. "Thank you, your majesty. I just knew I had to help."

She was halfway through her third plate of food and her fourth cup of cider when Furrypants stomped his hooves loudly on the floor, drawing the attention of the entire hall. The conversation died down, leaving only the clatter of plates and mugs against the wooden tables.

"Reindeer! Goats! Honoured guests! I'm sure you all know why we are feasting tonight. Not that we ever need an excuse, but this is a victory celebration! Last night we slew a mighty foe - a dragon that would have despoiled our farms and devoured our countryfolk! Thanks to the courage of our warriors and the wisdom of our magicians, we were victorious, and lost but a single reindeer to its jaws.

"Now, I know many of you heard 'dragon' and are wondering about its hoard. It has been found, and delivered to the castle, and appraised at no less than eight thousand bells!"

Twilight gasped. That was more than fifty thousand bits! She had seen dragon hoards before, but never actually thought about them in monetary terms.

"And in accordance with our traditions, ten shares shall go to the reindeer who found and secured the hoard, braving the dangers of the Ghostly Glacier to find it. Enjoy your reward, Lightning Hoof!"

Some reindeer grumbled at the already wealthy and famous Lightning Hoof winning yet another fortune, but most seemed pleased at his success. Silk-Beard draped herself across him seductively as he raised his hoof in victory, and Twilight could practically see the coins shining in her eyes.

"Ten shares to the kingdom's treasury, to build our prosperity and strengthen our defences, and repair the damage dealt by the dragon to our farmsteads.

"Ten shares to the family of Shield Biter, who gave his life in the battle. May his spirit meet with a hero's reward in the Fields of Halla, and may he forever be remembered by his kin and comrades."

There was a solemn stomping of hooves around the hall as reindeer paid homage to Shield Biter's sacrifice. Twilight glanced at Wind Runner, who looked immensely relieved at the prospect of extra money for his new dependents.

"And one share to each of the fifty warriors who fought the dragon! You each have a hundred bells coming your way. Don't spend it all in one place, or if you do, make sure she's worth it! Don't go anywhere, there are toasts to be had."

A round of laughter spread through the hall, and the conversation picked up again as Furrypants sat down. "Any plans for your share of the hoard, Twilight?" he asked. "I'm sure a hundred jinglers would buy an awful lot of books."

Twilight moved her hoof around on the table, not meeting Furrypants's gaze. "It doesn't feel right, spending money that I got for helping to kill someone, even a dragon who was going to kill lots of reindeer. I don't know."

She was still lost in thought when an antler nudged her shoulder gently, and she found Hearth Song at her side, grinning in joy. "A hundred jinglers each, Twilight! For me and Fire-Hammer! That's a third of her reingild paid off in a single night!"

Twilight smiled and nudged him back. "I think you mean half of it. I know what I'm doing with my share now."

Hearth Song blinked in surprise, then threw his front legs around Twilight's shoulders and hugged her tightly. "I don't believe it. How did we ever deserve to have a friend like you? We won't forget this."

Twilight kissed his cheek gently, and patted his back. "Everyone deserves good friends, and you've been very good to me too. Just keep Fire-Hammer out of trouble. Now go on, before the king gets jealous."

Hearth Song bowed to Furrypants, who gave him a hearty grin, then scooped up Twilight for a long, passionate kiss. Twilight briefly pondered objecting, but the kiss was very pleasant and she was feeling rather light-headed already. Nearby reindeer stamped their hooves in appreciation for the display, and Storm Crow beamed happily.

"And now for toasts!" he cried, releasing Twilight, who stumbled before returning to her seat. "To our brave warriors! To reindeer strength!"

"To strength!" cried the crowd, stomping their hooves in between sipping from their mugs.

"To Shield Biter, may his memory never fade!"

"To Shield Biter!" Twilight joined in the toast with great enthusiasm and joy, though tears still prickled at the corners of her eyes.

"To my wife, the wisest, most beautiful doe in all the islands!"

"To Queen Storm Crow!"

"To our friends from across the sea, who fought beside us without hesitation! To Princess Twilight Sparkle, and to Equestria!"

Twilight almost spat out her cider in surprise as the crowd raised their mugs in Twilight's direction. "To Princess Twilight and Equestria!" they all shouted.

Twilight began to feel that maybe her mission would be a success after all, if the reindeer were warming up to her like this. She levitated her mug of cider in front of her and shouted, "To King Furrypants and Deerheim!"

The crowd's roar was deafening, and Furrypants roared his approval before draining his mug dry and smashing it on the floor. "To Deerheim!"

The toasts were finished, and the guests set to feasting and socializing in earnest. Several started to take their leave in pairs, looking for greater privacy elsewhere. Others were being carried away from the hall by their friends once they were too intoxicated to stand. Twilight turned to Furrypants with a broad, sincere smile. "That was well said, your majesty. Your people are..." She pressed her hoof against the table to steady herself as the cider began to take its toll on her. "They're good people! I really think we can come to some sort of lasting peace."

"Of course we can!" said Furrypants, throwing a leg around Twilight's shoulders. "You ponies are the greatest." He waved his hoof at the table in front of him. "Where's my mead? I had mead here a moment ago."

"You, uh... you smashed your cup on the ground. Did you mean to do that?"

"Sure I did! Shows I'm serious about a toast. Somedeer will bring me more, anyway."

A soft clopping of hooves against the floor behind Twilight alerted her to House-Proud's approach. The young doe looked as though she had been working hard, but she was beaming from ear to ear. "Your majesties, you'll never believe what just happened! Wind Runner asked me to marry him!"

Storm Crow gave a satisfied grin. "I thought he would, dear sister. I think he'll make you a fine husband. What did you tell him?"

"I told him I needed to talk to you first. And, well, he was pretty drunk, so I should probably talk to him about it when he's sober. He's gone off with one of the warriors from the northern farms, so we won't see him until the thing tomorrow, I expect. But I... I really want to marry him. He's got a lovely house now, and a good fortune, and those poor fawns will need a mother..."

"If you're asking for my permission, of course you have it," said Storm Crow. "You deserve to be mistress of your own house." She embraced her sister tightly. "Don't worry about me - I'll find somedeer to fill your shawl, even if she won't be as skilled as you."

"But you still work for us now!" exclaimed Furrypants. "I have a need for mead. In my best cup!"

"Your best cup, sire?" asked House-Proud. "But I thought you said -"

The king stomped his hoof hard against the wooden floor, and House-Proud trotted off obediently. Twilight shared a glance with Storm Crow, not pleased with Furrypants's temper, but the queen just shrugged and gave her an apologetic smile.

Furrypants butted his antlers against Twilight's shoulder playfully, his mood swinging around again. "How are you liking the feast, princess? Not much like your pony parties, is it?"

Twilight grinned, feeling quite light-headed by now. "It's nothing like the Grand Galloping Gala, no. It's much... louder. And with a lot more alcohol. But it's fun! I'm really having a great time."

"Good! If anydeer leaves this hall hungry or bored, I've done something wrong. And the same for goats, and the same for ponies!" House-Proud returned with a tray of drinks on her back, and Furrypants snatched up an ornately glazed mug for Twilight, and a strange conical blue cup for himself, both brimming with mead. He raised his cup in Twilight's direction. "To us, and to peace between our kingdoms!"

"To peace!" said Twilight cheerfully, and raised the mug to Furrypants, and then to her lips. The mead was of exceptional quality - just sweet enough to be pleasant, and strong enough to make her mouth tingle. She watched Furrypants drinking from his own cup, and thought about how lucky she was that her visit was going so well.

She spluttered and sprayed her mouthful of mead into Furrypants's face when her gaze came to rest on his strange cup, and she recognized what it had once been.

"That's a unicorn horn!" she shrieked. "You're... you're drinking out of somepony's horn!"

"Hmm?" mumbled Furrypants, wiping his face on his fetlock. "Yeah? So what?"

"So... so... that's somepony's horn! You killed a unicorn and cut off her horn and now you're drinking out of it!" The conversation and laughter had died down around the hall, as everydeer strained to listen to Twilight's conversation with the king, without being seen to be eavesdropping.

The colour of the horn matched that of her friend Minuette too closely for comfort, and Twilight had a sudden image of her Canterlot friends screaming and running from a bloodthirsty reindeer raiding party. "That could have been one of my friends! Do you even know whose horn that is?"

Furrypants shrugged. "I dunno. I kill a lot of ponies."

"That's the problem! That's why we're in this mess! You don't care about our lives! You don't care about anyone's lives!"

Furrypants thrust his antlers in Twilight's direction, snarling angrily. "And who cares about our lives, princess? You? Great! You saved a dozen lives last night helping us fight that dragon. How many more of you are there? Because there are a lot more dragons where that one came from. Dragons and frost drakes and sea serpents and kelpies and mermares who would like nothing better than to raze our lands, sink our boats and tear us apart!"

Twilight knew that she should back down and let the king say his piece without challenge, but self-control was the last thing on her mind, and she met Furrypants's antlers with her horn, planting her hooves firmly and straining against him. "That doesn't make it right to go raiding everyone else! Why can't you just leave us alone?"

"And do what? Stay on our shitty little islands and starve? Wait for the monsters to eat us all? It wouldn't even come to that. Listen to our histories, princess. If we're not fighting you or the camels or the griffons, we're fighting each other. Island will turn against island, brother against brother, and the windigo will feast on our frozen hearts. Is that what you want?"

"Maybe that would be better than -"

"That's enough." Storm Crow's voice cut across the shouting match, comparatively quiet but firm. She stepped between Twilight and Furrypants and placed her hooves on her horn and his antlers, forcing them apart.

"Twilight, you're drunk and you're saying things unworthy of you and your position. You have to stop."

Twilight took a deep breath and bowed her head. "I'm so sorry. I'm being a terrible guest."

"It's alright, dear heart. Just take some time to clear your head." She turned to glare at her husband. "Furrypants, get out of my castle."

Furrypants lowed angrily and stamped his hooves, then spun and stalked out of the great hall, followed by a dozen other bucks. The rest of the revellers waited to see what would happen next, then went back to their food, the entertainment over.

Twilight swayed unsteadily as the adrenaline drained out of her, leaving the alcohol to take its toll. "You can do that?" she asked Storm Crow. "Just make him leave?"

"Even the king of Deerheim doesn't own so much as a hovel or a scrap of dirt in these islands, Twilight. That's the law, and it keeps the peace."

"Well... where is he going to go now?"

"Probably to a tavern to drink with his jarls and his warriors. He'll get into a fight - which he'll win, unless he picks a fight with Lightning Hoof - and wake up in an alley or on somedeer's floor. He'll be fine. As for you, we should get you to bed. I can see you're not used to drinking so heavily." She stomped on the floor and addressed the crowd. "We are retiring for the night, but there will be food and mead until dawn! Stay any longer than that, and you have to help clean up!"

Storm Crow and House-Proud helped Twilight to the royal suite, and by the time they arrived at Storm Crow's door, Twilight was feeling a little steadier. House-Proud hugged them both, then returned to her duties in the feast hall.

Twilight smiled bashfully at Storm Crow and shuffled her hooves. “I’m really sorry about what happened back there. I can get to my room from here, you don’t need to keep looking after me.”

Storm Crow put out a leg as Twilight turned to go, halting her movement. Twilight turned back and found herself gazing into the queen’s beautiful purple eyes. “There’s no need for you to go,” she said, stepping closer to Twilight. “You know there’s always room for you here.”

Twilight pressed her muzzle against Storm Crow’s cheek and inhaled deeply, picking up the scent of rare woods and incense in her coat. She felt Storm Crow’s mouth lipping at her ear, and a shiver ran down her spine.

“I… I guess it might be nice to stay with you tonight,” she said, hesitantly, still feeling nervous even after everything that had happened. “If that’s alright?”

Storm Crow kicked open her door and pressed her head against Twilight’s shoulder, urging her inside. She shut the door behind her as Twilight sat on the bed, stroking the sheets. “It’s funny,” said Twilight. “I was here last night with Furrypants, but then everything happened with the dragon, and it feels like that was a week ago. All that flying, and the fighting, and… and Shield Biter…”

Twilight felt four warm legs wrap around her body as Storm Crow settled down behind her and rested her head on her shoulder. “You are a friend to danger but a stranger to death, Harmony-Bringer,” she murmured, as her front hooves caressed Twilight’s barrel soothingly. “But we need not speak of death tonight, nor of my husband. You asked me to show you sleighdr, and so I shall.”

With that, Storm Crow slipped a rune-charm around Twilight’s horn. She felt its magic suffusing her body, and her horn tingled with a familiar sensation. “This is eihwaz, isn’t it?” she said. “I remember that it sharpened my sight when we were fighting the dragon.”

“That’s right, dear heart,” said Storm Crow. “Now relax and allow its magic to open all of your senses.”

With that, Storm Crow drew her hooves and fetlocks along the fur of Twilight’s barrel, and it felt like every hair on her body was electrified. She shivered and tilted her head back against Storm Crow’s body, closing her eyes and enjoying the sensation of the queen’s soft touch upon her sensitized body.

She lost herself in bliss for what seemed like minutes, feeling adrift in a sea of pleasure, and then was brought back to the world by the sensation of Storm Crow’s lips against hers. She could taste the sweetness of fruit and honey on the queen’s tongue, and feel the cool softness of her nose. The mystical scents that clung to Storm Crow’s coat almost overwhelmed her as she opened her mouth in the kiss. The sensation of a slippery reindeer tongue sliding between her lips briefly made her want to gag, but it soon turned pleasurable, and she met it with her own tongue, feeling its width and roughness.

By the time Twilight felt the need to catch her breath, the queen’s kiss had thoroughly transfixed her. She was lying on her back on the bed, panting heavily, but rather than give her a moment of peace, Storm Crow ran her lips down her neck, tickling her skin and coat with her tongue. Twilight shivered and splayed out her legs, her head tiling back as she surrendered herself to Storm Crow’s ministrations. She felt the soft pads of Storm Crow’s hooves running down the underside of her barrel, sliding against her coat and pressing into the soft skin beneath. Twilight breathed slowly and tried to keep her reactions under control, but when she felt hooves brushing gently over her nipples, made even more sensitive by the rune hanging from her horn, she let out a sudden grunt of arousal, and her hind legs twitched involuntarily.

Twilight bit down hard on her lower lip and scrunched her eyes shut, anticipating what was coming next. She waited, but the next touch never came. When she opened her eyes, Storm Crow was watching her with concern. “Are… are you alright, dear heart?” she asked. “Do you want me to stop?”

Twilight shook her head. “No, don’t stop,” she said hurriedly. “It’s a lot of feelings all at once, and I feel like I’m going to burst, but I don’t want you to stop. I never realised magic could feel like this. I can handle it. Please… please don’t stop.” She tried to lift a front leg to touch Storm Crow’s face, but it dropped weakly onto the bed.

Storm Crow smiled mischievously and leaned down to kiss Twilight again, once more filling her mouth with the sweet taste of mead. As they kissed, Twilight felt a faint brush of fur against her clitoris, igniting every single nerve ending in the hard nub. Her wings unfurled and beat hard against the bed as she struggled to keep herself from kicking out with her hind legs. The sensations grew too strong to bear as she felt Storm Crow’s fetlock rubbing against her labia, and her body spasmed, putting her through an orgasm despite her best efforts to hold back. She groaned loudly and thrashed her wings, and only refrained from jumping off the bed because Storm Crow had climbed on top of her and was bearing her down with her full weight.

After half a minute of writhing in bliss, her body finally calmed and was still. She still felt Storm Crow’s comforting, sensual weight atop her, and the eihwaz rune allowed her to sense every hair on her body, but the urgent need had drained from her. She wrapped her legs around the queen’s barrel and clung to her tightly, burying her muzzle in her coat and inhaling her scent deeply. “That was incredible,” she murmured. “I never realized magic could be so… could feel like that.”

Storm Crow chuckled as she licked Twilight’s neck. “Sleighdr is not all about curing plagues, growing crops and foretelling doom, dear princess,” she whispered sensually in her ear. “It is the magic that binds does and bucks together. Is it any wonder that it has a place in the bedroom? But surely unicorn magic is no different.”

“I’ve studied the magic of friendship, not the magic of sex,” said Twilight, looking away bashfully. “But… now that you mention it…”

She gave Storm Crow a grin just as mischievous as hers had been, and ignited her horn, wrapping the queen in her magic’s purple aura. She levitated her about a body-length off the bed, and watched with delight as the queen flailed her legs briefly, then relaxed, waiting to see what Twilight would do next.

“Comfy?” she asked her, as she lounged on the bed, easily maintaining control over the queen’s weight.

“Very,” replied Storm Crow, licking her lips as she looked Twilight over.

“Glad to hear it,” said Twilight, with a playful smirk. “Now you just relax, and I’ll take care of everything.” She stuck her tongue out as she concentrated on her levitation, and Storm Crow’s legs began to move under her control.

Storm Crow shivered as she felt her hooves and fetlocks sliding over her barrel. She struggled briefly, then closed her eyes and allowed Twilight to work her magic on her. The touches began as playful, stroking the upper reaches of her barrel gently, but soon grew more earnest and lower down. She tossed her head in agitation when she felt her hoof being dragged roughly between her hind legs, and her thighs twitched, trying to move but held fast by Twilight’s power.

This continued for several minutes, as Twilight gazed up at Storm Crow and watched her reactions to having her limbs manipulated. She gave a wicked grin when she saw the queen’s body reacting to the touches, her nipples peeking out from beneath her coat and her clitoris stiffening. “Princess, you know it’s unseemly for a… for a queen to beg,” Storm Crow managed to gasp. “I can’t take much more of this teasing…”

Twilight grinned, but nodded sympathetically. The royal reindeer couple were some of the most dignified people she had ever met, and she had no desire to see that dignity lessened. Rather than drag out the torment, she compelled Storm Crow’s legs to move more quickly, rubbing her fetlocks against her labia and nipples. The queen’s breathing became sharp and ragged, and she closed her eyes tightly, surrendering herself completely to Twilight’s control as her own body brought her to orgasm. Twilight kept her suspended, but allowed her body to writhe and thrash about as it would, watching the display with delight. Finally, she carefully lowered Storm Crow back to the bed, and dragged her tongue slowly over her labia. Her heightened senses let her taste the queen’s arousal and climax with acute sensitivity, and the taste almost made her ready for a second bout of lovemaking.

When Twilight released Storm Crow from the spell, they twined their legs together and snuggled close, kissing and lipping at each other’s ears. “You are full of surprises, Harmony-Bringer,” the queen murmured. “You have no experience in the bedroom, as you say, but you have the most intriguing tricks at your disposal.”

Twilight blushed and turned her head aside, letting Storm Crow groom her mane gently. “I have a good imagination, that’s all. I’ve thought about what I want to do with my first lover… I’ve thought about it a lot. I just… never really put much thought into making it happen. But you and the king have been so good to me…” She sighed and relaxed against the bed. “I hope he’s not still mad at me tomorrow.”

Storm Crow tossed her head carelessly. “He will think with a cooler head tomorrow, and realise that you were right. The days when reindeer should prey upon ponies are coming to an end.”

“He doesn’t understand how we feel about it, that’s the problem. He thinks that might makes right, and that we shouldn’t be angry at his people for attacking us. It’s like… he thinks that we would do the same to Deerheim if we had the chance. But we wouldn’t. We’re not like that. Our people are the way they are, and they’re never going to change.”

A light sparkled in Twilight’s eyes. “And neither are his!” she said with a gasp, and sprang off the bed, sending Storm Crow sprawling.

“I know what to do! I know how to stop our peoples from fighting each other!” She summoned paper and quill with a burst of magic, and began writing frantically. “I kept hoping the reindeer would change their nature, so they would stop attacking us, but that’s impossible. You can’t change who you are. I don’t want you to change who you are. But together, we can change what happens between us!”

Storm Crow picked herself up off the floor and trotted to Twilight’s side, peering at her writing. “I… I see what you are planning, princess. It may work. It will be a hard sell, but it may work. If you present this at the thing tomorrow, we may have the peace we so desire.” She bowed her head solemnly. “Sleighdr and Harmony willing, we may have peace.”

Golden Flight yawned as he kept watch over the converted sheep pen where Blood Eagle was being held prisoner. It was almost midnight, and there had been nothing to report all day. He expected that a detachment of Royal Guard would arrive the next day, to escort Blood Eagle to face trial in Canterlot. Until then, it was up to him to make sure that he didn’t escape or hurt anypony else.

Blood Eagle was bound by ropes that tied each of his legs to a different corner of the sheep pen, leaving him able to move in only a small area, and making it impossible for him to use his antlers against the ropes. He had paced around, yelled curses and threats at his captors, and generally acted like a wild animal in a cage, but had come no closer to freedom.

A mist was rising from the ocean, and Golden Flight peered up at the sky in an attempt to judge the time. He was starting to feel exceptionally sleepy, and it was obvious that the captive wasn’t going anywhere. In truth, his job was more to keep Blood Eagle safe from the Shetland ponies than the other way around, and nothing was going to happen at this hour. There was no reason why he shouldn’t just put his head down and take a nap where he stood…

When Blood Eagle heard his captor snoring, he sniffed the air and looked through the mist towards the docks. His antlers were glowing a faint orange, alerting him to magic pervading the air, magic against which he was protected. Around the village, the few other ponies who had been walking around were now asleep as well.

A few minutes later, a familiar reindeer was at his side, severing his bonds with a few deft strokes of a knife. “Velvet Curse,” he rumbled, pressing his head against her shoulder. “You came for me.”

“Of course I did, husband,” whispered the doe as she kissed his cheek. “As any wife should. Now let us be away before these ponies awaken.”

Blood Eagle swung his antlers towards Golden Flight. “Let me kill this one before we leave. He’s the one who kept me tied up like an animal, and I owe him a reckoning.”

Velvet Curse rested her hoof against her husband’s shoulder. “No, my love, we must leave now. My sleighdr will not hold the entire village in slumber for much longer, and we must reach Reingard in time for the thing. Celestia’s little purple whore has bewitched the king and made him into a pawn of Equestria. It is time to put Deerheim back into strong hooves, hooves which will guide it to glory and honour once again.”

“Indeed,” said Blood Eagle grimly as they made their way to a boat where several loyal warriors waited. “My hooves.”