I was halfway down the stairs when my legs started to shake and I began to feel sick to my stomach, what the hell was going on? Tingles felt I’d betrayed her trust, that I’d hurt her, but what the bloody hell could I have done differently? Should I have shouted to her to open fire and randomly strafe the damned things? She couldn’t even see them! Maybe I should have encouraged her to crash through the canopy and help me fight them off? Luna’s mercy, she would have ended up like those poor minotaurs, torn apart like paper in mere seconds.

Shit, shit, shit! Bloody awkward, stupid mare; Stupid bloody females! I banged my head against the wall in frustration, I was so confused. My heart felt like it would burst in my chesr. Part of me wanted nothing more than to rush back into the room and hold her, beg her to forgive me. The other part, the proud part, wanted to shout at her about how foolish she was and point out the suicidal nature of what she’d wanted to do. Damn it all, I wanted to curl up and hide away…

Down by the fire, Heather and Grimble sat watching the flames. They didn’t seem surprised to see me slink back down despite the late hour.

“Mind if I join you?”

“No, my friend, please…” Grimble held out a claw and I pulled up a pony sized chair, sinking into it gratefully.

The griffin looked over his shoulder at the minotaur, “Heather, bring the smoking box and some more brandy please, my flower.”

I didn’t think it was possible to smile with a beak, but he managed it. Heather, lumbered off into the back, leaving us alone.

“That pony loves you, my lord, I can see it in her eyes, even her body language. You’re a very lucky fellow indeed.”

“Grimble…I don’t know what to think.” I shook my head in frustration, “She’s furious with me because I told her to leave me in the forest, but I couldn’t have her charge in, you don’t know what it was like…they would have killed her. By the goddesses, nopony would have wanted that! Is that so wrong of me…to want her safe?”

He chuckled, “Well…I’m probably a bit older than you lord, but I’m no wiser around females than anygriffin else…or pony, or….well.”

I threw my forelegs up in exasperation, “I’m so bloody confused, angry, upset…furious even! Damn it Grimble, why don’t they come with an instruction manual?”

The griffin laughed, a cawing sort of noise which echoed about the empty room. With a slap of his hind leg, he looked me in the eye, “If they came with instructions, I’d still be married now!”

“Oh…I’m sorry Grimble, I shouldn’t be bringing my troubles to…”

“Bah! Nonsense, Fast Feather and I never got along anyway. She was a very aggressive female and we fought constantly, emotionally and physically. It was a doomed relationship, everygriffin told us it would all in end in tears. We didn’t listen…” he sighed, “…they were right.”

The brandy and smoking equipment arrived, Heather leaving it between us and stomping off back to the kitchen leaving the males to their doubtless boring conversation.

“Here my lord, try this…I think you’ll like it”

Grimble passed me a long stemmed pipe, not unlike my old one, with a humidor full of a dark stick brown tobacco the likes of which I had never seen before.

“Take a sniff… you’ll be suprised”

I was, it smelt like…the forest, the night air, the brandy…my goddesses, it smelt wonderful!

I raised an eyebrow questioningly, “May I?”

“Please do” Grimble smiled holding out his claw invitingly.

I packed the bowl and with a flicker of my horn, had the bowl lit and felt the smoke rolling around my mouth, filling me with a sense of wonder and relaxation. Grimble exhaled a plume of smoke from his beak, sinking back into his chair, “Quite the experience isn’t it? I’ve never found its like before, here or in the griffin kingdom.”

“What is it?” I asked in wonderment, “Does it grown in the forest?”

“No, theres an area not far from here, past a dry water well and some stone ruins. An odd place, with a strange feel to the air…nothing moves, theres no sound. The villagers won’t go there, think its cursed. I don’t think the tobacco is though, wouldn’t you agree?”

I nodded, “Its excellent Grimble, I take it the brandy taste is a little extra of your own?”

“It certainly is. I make the brandy myself using these peculiar silvery berries that grow in that place, they have a particularly delightful elegance of flavour if the distilling is done just so…”

Ah, that’s why the taste was so familiar and fulfilling, it wasn’t just the warmth of the alcohol running through me. I must say, I did feel a little better in myself, it was just my emotional state I needed to do something about. I took comfort in the fact I had helped to save a life tonight, even if the cost was a night downstairs away from my tangerine marefriend.

“Grimble? Where are these berries, can you tell me?” I asked swirling the brandy in my glass.

He nodded sagely, “Yes of course, just follow the old road to the west of the village. Its not used much nowadays but its still quite passable, you’ll see the well near the road and the track leading to it. The grove they’re in glows in the moonlight, it’s really quite beautiful, if a little unnerving!”

“I’d like to go. Would you have any objection if I went and had a look?” I held up a hoof, “promise I wont eat too many of the berries!”

The tavern keeper nodded, taking a mouthful of his brandy, “Of course you can my lord, I have plenty of brandy to keep me going for several seasons and the berries grow all year round believe it or not. Going to have a look in the morning?”

“No”, I said pulling on my overcoat, “no time like the present”.

He stared at me, his beak hanging open in amazement, “What! You can’t be serious, there’s timberwolves abroad!”

Shaking my head I checked my pistol and sword, “I am serious and as for the timber wolves, I wouldn’t concern yourself with them, we came to a, er…’understanding’ you could say.”

Grimble shook his head and started to laugh, “I was right about you, my lord! My gods, I was”

I didn’t bother to ask what he found so funny, and all this ‘my lord’ stuff was beginning to irritate. I suppose it was appealing to tourists and the like, but I wish he would just use my name…even if he did know me as ‘Rock’. From behind us, Heather appeared like a looming demon from the pit, complete with shining onyx eyes. I nearly backed into the fire before I noticed she was holding out a napkin with some biscuits and an apple wrapped inside. That was a nice gesture.

“Thanks Heather, and to both of you…” I bowed, “a good evening, I shall be back by morning.”

Both of them saw me out and barred the door with a dull ‘thunk’ when I was barely a few steps away. I suppose old habit will die hard here in Smiling Borders. It was strange, but I felt a liveliness in my step despite the exertions of the evening. Adventure awaited me; the moon was bright and the cool night air refreshing on my coat. Tonight, I could leave my worries behind if for only a few hours.

I began to trot along the road, finding the going a lot better than I’d expected for a nigh on deserted area; they certainly knew how to build roads to last round here. My hooves clopped on the stony surface adding a lively beat to my mood, lifting me from that dark place I’d been languishing in earlier. I wanted, needed, a change of scene, to get a break away from confusion, conflict and…well, everything I suppose. After a little while I spotted a few stones along the side of the road, cold lonely memories of former homes, and a little further on, a small circular structure.

Approaching it, the outline became clearer, this was the stone well Grimble had spoken of, and sure enough, there was the earthen track leading off into a small copse of trees. The cry of a fox caught my ear, but I had no concerns out here, it was as if I was one with the night, it was my ally and protector. Funny feeling really, considering everything, yet as much as it intrigued me I put it out of my mind for now. I’d been doing far too much thinking recently and it had been doing me a great deal of good either.

Earth and mould, trees and grass, the smells and sounds of the night were all around me and I drew them all in eagerly. My eyes gave me a real edge out here and with the moonlight so clear, I had no trouble at all in navigating my way through the trees to the clearing. Judging by the silvery white glow, it was just ahead.

There was a certain purity to the light here, its silvery white glow was supernatural in a way which reeked of magic. My horn began to itch and I couldn’t help but give it a quick scratch, not that it really made any difference; the magical field here was surprisingly intense. As a unicorn, you could try to concentrate on ‘filtering’ out magical interference. It was one of the subjects I’d kind of skipped out on at school and, as always, it had come back to bite me on the rump.

Moving forward into the clearing, bushes lush with the crystalline red berries were all around me; I walked along, brushing my hoof gently over them. It was a shame to eat them in a way, they were quite beautiful to look at, delicate and fleeting things, living only where the gap between the worlds was thin. Reaching out, I took a berry and crushed it in my mouth, savouring the sharply sweet taste. The first time I’d had one of these was when I was with Shadow in the prison cell of the thestral’s village. At the time, I really thought that my end would be coming soon after, but here I was, still hanging onto life. Somehow.

There was a large rock to one side of the clearing, smooth, white and polished by probably nothing more than nature. I couldn’t make out if it had been part of a structure once or not, but there was a ‘pony made’ feel to it that set my imagination racing. The thought of ancient ponies, walking the halls of their old castles, the chants of the monks singing the praises of the princesses; it must have been a wondrous time. ‘And probably bloody dangerous too’ I thought to myself, if Marocs memories had any bearing on the reality of life back then. No, Equestria had become a much safer place, for most.

Sitting there, my head began to nod, my worn out body was demanding rest and it was such a lovely night. The changes in me had made my body a lot more resilient to cold and the evening air was just nice, Heathers biscuits went down a treat too…she was a good minotaur really. A part of me was desperately nosey and wanted to know how a griffin could spawn such a creature, but I guessed she was adopted. Cross species mating was not unknown, just…yeah…I was going to stop thinking about this now. I yawned, I was so…tired.

I’d nearly nodded off when my ears detected something walking toward me through the woods. Fuck! Were the timber wolves coming back after all? I shook my mane and drew my sword, straining my senses to listen to anything that may be a threat. Goddesses, what I saw wasn’t what I expected at all…

“So…this is where you wandered off to is it?”

A tangerine Pegasus mare, the odd light of the grove lending a shadowy outline to her lithe body, stood before me brushing twigs and leaves from her coat. I sighed, all I wanted was a little breathing room, some space to myself to think…to escape, and she’d come here to berate me. Whoops! There goes my good mood, disappearing down the plughole of selfish wishful thinking.

“Can I join you?”

She asked so quietly, I nearly missed it. I nodded silently and nearly jumped in surprise when she snuggled into me. She was still a little distant but…

“Fairlight…I’ve been thinking…”

And here it comes…

“I’m…I’m sorry. I was unfair with you before, I was angry and upset so I lashed out at you…” she shook her mane and looked away, “…you scared me, really scared me. I thought you were going to die down there and there wasn’t anything I could do…I was so helpless…I, I don’t want to be alone again Fairlight, not again…”

I didn’t know what to say, what could I say? Sorry? Goddesses, why was my head full of such damned stubborn pride at a time like this. So, hopeless creature that I am, I sat in silence and let her speak.

“I wouldn’t blame you if…if you decided you…” a single tear slid down her cheek, “…you wanted a new partner. I’m difficult to get on with sometimes, I know, but I wanted you to know that…even if you hate me now. I do love you…no matter what happens, please remember that…”

My heart ached for her, she was pouring out her emotions to me, me the terrible pony who had hurt her. She’d done so much for me…risked so much, and here I was unable to find the words to say when I needed them the most.

She began to rise, “I’ll see you in the morning…”

I reached out and stopped her with a hoof. Tingles stood still as a rock but I could see her tears falling like rain, tears I had caused, each one like a tiny dagger through my soul.

“Stay. Please…” I whispered. She moved back toward me, allowing me to guide her gently with my forelegs until we were snuggled up together once more. The Pegasus mare leaned her head on my neck and licked my muzzle, just a little, conveying more meaning in that simple act than a thousand words.

“When I close my eyes,” I said quietly into the night, “sometimes…sometimes I see Wist, the flashes of light, and you…falling…dieing before my eyes and I’m unable to stop it. I so want you to be safe Tingles, I’ve lost so much in my life and I couldn’t bear to lose you too.” I stroked her mane tenderly, smelling the warm scent of her coat, “Its selfish of me, I know it is and I know I hurt you today. Luna knows, for that I’m more sorry than I could every express in any words I could say.”

I looked her in the eyes, “I do trust you, with my life and my heart. I would happily fight by your side love, if you would fight by mine.”

She nuzzled me and buried her face into my coat, “Oh Fairlight, we’re both hopeless…” suddenly looking up smiling she added, “anyway, I don’t like fighting, but if I must, I want to be with you. Don’t closet me away…okay?”

I nodded, “Okay love”

We lay there under the moonlight, watching a small bat flutter across the glade out on its evening patrol. Or morning even, as it no doubt was now. She was so warm, and soft…I felt happier than I had in a long time, only this time, it was more than wanting her…it was like I was letting her in somehow, becoming part of her. I hadnt felt like this since…

“You two look cosy”

Tingles’ head shot up and looked around until alighting upon the grass green mare that stood a few yards away, giving her an appraising look. Oh…bugger…

“No words for you dearly beloved?” Meadow asked smiling ominously.

“Hello love”

“’Hello love’”, she mimicked, “The herding instinct is strong in this one”

The last comment was aimed in Tingles’ direction. The tangerine mare was pushing into me so hard I thought she’d break a rib; she looked like she’s seen a ghost. Ah, right…

“Meadow, this is…”

“I know who she is ‘darling’, and I know what you two have been doing too”

I put a protective foreleg across Tingles, “Meadow…If you have somepony to be angry with it’s me, leave Tingles out of this.”

The green mare advanced on us, “Well aren’t you the ‘great protector’? Big stallion now, eh? How many mares you going to bed Fairlight? Two not enough for you? What is it now, three? Four?”

I stood up in front of Tingles, keeping between them, “You’re the one who told me I shouldn’t be alone! And I have been Meadow, have you any idea what I’ve been through? I’m sorry love, but you’re being unfair…”

Her eyes flashed, “Unfair? UNFAIR?!”

Overcoming her fears, Tingles rose to her hooves and pushed me roughly aside, “Leave him alone you BITCH!”

Meadow grinned menacingly, “Oh? Got some teeth after all have you, you trollop.”

“Trollop?! Why don’t you just fuck off back to the underworld before I send you back there myself!”

Goddess have mercy on us, this was out of hand and somepony was going to get hurt.

“Girls!” I waved my forehooves, “For Luna’s sake, please! If anyponies to blame here its me…”

They turned to face me simultaneously, “Oh shut up Fairlight!”

The two looked at each other and then I saw Meadows chest begin to shake, her eyes closing, and a hoof rise to her mouth. I wanted to rush forward and hold her, she was with the eternal herd now but damn it she was still my wife and the mother of my foal…

She started to laugh, Tingles and I looking on perplexed. The green mare threw back her head and took a deep breath, wiping her eyes, “Oh my Fairlight! You do make me laugh! You’re right, I did say that, and judging by your marefriend’s reaction, I suspect you’ve chosen well.”

Meadow turned to Tingles, “As for you, madam, I would speak with you now…alone”.

Giving me a worried glance, Tingles trotted off with Meadow to the centre of the glade and the two began to talk. Poor Tingles, she had no idea what Meadows ‘chats’ were like. She would be dissecting every detail until she was satisfied with…well, whatever she was satisfied with!

Eventually, after I’d finished the last of Heather’s goodies, the two mares returned. Meadow put a foreleg around Tingles’ shoulder, making her jump,

“You sure go from one extreme to another love, unicorn, thestral, Pegasus. What are you, a collector?”

“Meadow…I,”

“Shush, I’m teasing and you know it silly. Now, Tingles dear, would you wait here while I have a chat with you stallion friend?”

Tingles nodded coyly.

The two of us walked to the centre of the clearing, “I see you’ve become stronger of late, and your horns looking better too. The scar looks quite dashing…scary, but dashing. Have you heard anything about Shadow?”

I shook my head, “No, Luna said she’s found her in the Withers and is trying to get her back to out world.”

She nodded sadly, “I don’t know love…there’s something at play here, I don’t know what it is, but I can feel the world changing…bit by bit. Starswirl felt it too, he fears for the future of Equestria.”

I flicked a leaf off my foreleg, “We destroyed a huge manufacturing plant full of weapons and drugs, rescuing the ponies taken there as slaves too. Hopefully we’ve gone some way to restoring harmony for everypony.”

Meadow shrugged, “True, but if it were only that simple. Oh! I’m sorry love, I don’t mean to play down what you did, you were amazing! Nothing stays a secret from the herd I’m afraid and everypony in town was abuzz with your antics!”

She gave me a sad look, “No…this is something more, something that may or may not come to pass. Tch! I wish I could tell you more, but I just don’t know.”

It was all a bit over my head and in any case, other things were troubling me, “Meadow, do you know anything about this ‘lord of the four winds’ thing I keep hearing about? It’s somehow tied to the fortress in the mountains. Luna seems to think I’m the descendant of the castles lord or something and the people in the village keep calling me ‘my lord’ too, it’s just so…bizarre. I don’t know what to make of it all.”

“Neither do I love. It sound a little dramatic to be honest with you, but I’ll do what I can to find out. When I can, I’ll speak to you again.” She tapped her chin with a hoof, “Hmmm, you know, I approve of Tingles, but…”

“But…?”

“I can’t put my hoof on it, but I feel she’s hiding something. She loves you though, theres no doubting that, and I think she really was ready to clobber me earlier too! Look, just take care and don’t do anything silly” She prodded me in the chest, “I know you all too well.”

“You do love…can I?” I moved to kiss her.

Sidestepping me, Meadow pushed me gently but firmly out of the way and beckoned Tingles over who was looking on nervously. A moment later, the three of us stood together in the centre of the glade.

“Tingles, this stallion is my husband. I may be dead, well…am dead, but I entrust you to take good care of him and he of you. Will you do this?”

Tingles nodded and stood tall, showing her willingness.