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The Empty Plains really do live up to their name. Even though the air is fresh and clean with multiple sightings and sounds of wildlife around us, there is an inexplicable sense of emptiness to the place as Nightmare Moon and I make our way across it. Not at all like the times I have entered the Everfree Forest. It is as if...the Empty Plains know what they have lost and are in mourning. I cannot really explain it. I can only feel it.

I will admit that in spite of the forlorn sense of emptiness out here, there is a sort of relaxing thrill to be felt when exploring this vast open wilderness. So long as I kept my mind off of the impending peril Equestria would be facing before long, I was enjoying myself quite well. We were basically embarking on a long hike with no one around to bother us. I think even Nightmare Moon was attempting to enjoy herself as she walked alongside me, seldom speaking as her sister's sun shone down on her polished blue suit of armor. Although hearing it faintly clank with every step did cause me to wonder if she should really be wearing that before we even found the enemy. "Hey, uh... Isn't that uncomfortable to wear all the time?"

Nightmare Moon glanced at me as if she was not entirely sure at first of what I had said. I suppose she was really just that distracted by the natural beauty of our surroundings. "Hm? Oh... This? No, there is sufficient padding under it all to minimize chaffing. I am in no discomfort."

"Ah, good. That stuff doesn't look very comfortable at first glance." I retorted while just managing to avoid letting out a chuckle over worrying about nothing. Maybe I was just trying to find a reason to speak to break the silence. Although after some more time, I was only then reminded of what used to be out here in the Empty Plains. Surely there must have been some old stone ruins encrusted with vegetation. Why had we not seen any yet? "Hey... Shouldn't we have seen some remnants of a village? Or maybe some old fort?"

Nightmare Moon too scanned the vast horizon ahead of us. Nothing but rolling hills and lush valleys dotted with a few small patches of forests. She sighed as a frown set upon her lips. "I am hardly surprised... With how much time has passed, it would seem that nature itself simply reclaimed that which was constructed upon it. What the Elements of Harmony did not do, it seems that nature did the rest with the aid of the passage of time. We will not be finding any lingering remnants out here besides the Heaven's Pillar."

"Sad... But not exactly difficult to understand." I muttered while rather disappointed. It would have been interesting to explore such ruins. Even so, we pressed on. Nothing to do but keep moving.

Hours went by as the sun began to dip lower and lower in the sky behind us. The sky began to darken, the moon beginning to rise over the eastern horizon in the form of a pale crescent. And before long, the Empty Plains began to be engulfed in a kind of darkness I had not seen in some time. The kind you only get to see in locations far from civilization. Even with the modest light of the moon, the sheer blackness the land was shrouded in was...alarming. Sincerely disturbing. I came to a stop as I felt a primal fear begin to build within me. Was it safe to march on in the middle of the night? The wildlife in this corner of the world is not like those around Ponyville. Untamed and wild, the carnivores of the Empty Plains might make a meal out of us if we got complacent. Nightmare Moon was quick to notice that I had stopped and turned back to face me with her shimmering eyes being surprisingly visible in the dark. "Is something amiss?"

"Um... You think we could set up camp right about now? This is some crazy scary darkness out here..." I retorted while not entirely certain I should draw my sword. While the Celestial Sword's blade does shine in situations with low natural lighting, it would glow brighter than ever out there with almost no light at all. It could probably be seen for miles. What if the enemy was already not far from us?

Nightmare Moon glanced from side to side. Even if she was in her element, continuing on in such utter darkness could be potentially hazardous. Especially in uncharted territory like this. She soon said, "Yes, I suppose that would be wise. Conjure a flame for a moment so I may examine our supplies."

I did just that, holding up my right hand and generating an orb of billowing magic fire in my palm to cast a warm glow over the immediate area. Nightmare Moon used her magic to lift something from one of her saddlebags. A small box of sorts. I noticed her cast me a smirk as she set it down before us. "Now, just watch."

Not much time passed before I was greeted with a surprising spectacle. The box burst open as something rose out of it at a rapidly growing size. In a matter of seconds, I found a humble cottage standing before us. Smaller than Fluttershy's, but still of a respectable size for only the required necessities for travel. Even so, I could scarcely believe Nightmare Moon was carrying an actual house on her person. I could only stare at her and ask, "Is there anything magic can't do in this world?"

"Only time can give us that answer." She replied while leading me inside. The cottage's proportions were in line with the architecture in Ponyville, so I still had to duck through the doorway. I had forgotten how cramped it can feel while clad in that winged armor with the Lunar Shield on my arm. It was still pitch black inside for a moment. At least until Nightmare Moon flipped on a light switch. It was very cozy, being only one story in height. The doorway led right into the kitchen with a living room off to the side. I was very pleased to see a typewriter set upon a desk in the far corner. I have been using it to document recent events lately. A hallway placed between the two led back into a bedroom, laundry room, and the bathroom. Nightmare Moon then cast me a smile as we found ourselves tucked away in this little portable port in a storm. "Welcome to our home away from home."

"And what an impressive home it is. You ponies know how to prepare for anything." I said as I began to look around the living room. However, I was quick to notice that I did not have anything to melt my armor down into. If I were to try and return it to its original liquid form, it would just pool on the floor where anyone could step into it. Seeing I had no choice, I looked towards Nightmare Moon. "Hey, uh... Could you help me get this all off? I don't think we have anything to store it in."

"We don't? Oh, yes... We don't. Very well, let me see here..." Nightmare Moon retorted before she approached me. Bit by bit, we removed every component of my armor and set it all aside in a cluttered pile. It looked rather silly, to be honest. An enchanted suit of armor that could be melted down into a puddle for easy removal and retrieval now just piled in a heap like any old suit of plate armor. All I had on me by then were the clothes I had on my back when I departed Canterlot. Nightmare Moon cracked an amused smirk as she said, "Well... That assorted mess of metal certainly looks amusingly undignified as it is now."

"I almost get the feeling its all glaring at us. Like it's mad we're treating it like any old suit of armor." I said while failing to prevent myself from letting out a chuckle. I then looked at Nightmare Moon as I said, "I haven't gotten my armor off like that since I met Novo. Thanks."

"No trouble at all, my friend. Now, could you provide me some aid in removing mine as well? This...central piece is rather bulky." Nightmare Moon replied as she began to use the levitation spell to remove her armor. While her shoes, peytral, and helmet came off just fine, I provided some assistance in removing the suit of barding from her torso and the sleeve of lames from her neck. Once they were all off, her suit was stored in yet another pile besides mine. "Hoo, much better."

I looked at a little clock on a nearby end table. We might as well have been in a different time zone since the time displayed was earlier than it felt. And after such a light lunch, I was feeling rather famished. I turned to Nightmare Moon and was about to inquire about dinner that night, but I paused as I beheld her bare body. Now there was nothing upon her at all. Not even a crown. She must have noticed my wandering gaze since she then asked, "Is there...something troubling you?"

"I..." I muttered before allowing my eyes to roam. So limber and sleek, her coat as black as the night itself. I thought back to my beloved Celestia, seeing a nocturnal parallel in Nightmare Moon. Her form was utterly identical in every possible proportion. Had it really been that long since I last saw Nightmare Moon without a shred of her regalia upon her royal body? Realizing that I was more or less ogling the Princess of Dreams herself, I averted my gaze. "I forgot how beautiful you are..."

"Oh..." She muttered as she too looked away. "Thank you... I forgot how long...it has been since someone called me that."

"But...you are." I muttered as I felt a feeling flutter in my chest that I had not felt in some time. Not in her lonely presence. I reached out to her, wondering if there was something I was trying to ask permission for.

Nightmare Moon stepped closer, her gaze pained as my hand reached the side of her neck. "Hold me. Please."

And so I did. We stood there, the Princess of Dreams standing in my embrace as the side of my face nestled itself into the gently billowing form of her glorious mane. There was no one else around for miles upon miles. It was just us. And it made me all the more eager to hold her. We were alone with no one to turn to but each other. And I felt all the more grateful for her reassuring presence. "Thank you for being here for me..."

"There is nowhere else I would rather be." She whispered to me as I felt her lips kiss me upon my ear. The lovely mare of the night then spoke softly to me, "Allow me to prepare dinner. You make yourself comfortable in the meantime. You must be famished by now."

"I... Huh... Yeah, I guess I am. I could really use something with some real substance to it right about now." I said as I was reminded of just how hungry I actually was. But as Nightmare Moon made her way towards the kitchen, I was quick to ask, "Say, do you really know how to cook?"

She looked back at me with an amused smirk. "What? You assume that just because I carry a crown and that the palace has its own team of gourmet chefs I simply do not have the knowledge of how to prepare a meal the way I desire it? Nonsense! I know my way around a stove as much as the next mare. You sit yourself down and wait while I work my magic in a different way."

"Yes, your highness!" I retorted while pleasantly surprised by her bravado. With nothing else to do, I sat myself down at the typewriter in the corner and let my fingers go to work. I have been using it to document recent events over the last few days one bit at a time. Before long, the scent and sound of zesty cooking reached my nostrils as the hum of the stove's overhead vent filled the kitchen. And over the course of an hour, I soon heard the vent turn off as the cottage fell silent.

I was a little too engrossed with my typing at the time to pay any mind to anything other than the sound of Nightmare Moon's voice. And she had chosen to remain silent for a while. The only other thing that really drew my attention was the sound of soft classical music playing. Although...maybe classical was the wrong term. It almost sounded like Celtic folk music. Strangely fitting when considering the ancient untouched history of where we were.

That music almost felt like a signal. I looked over my shoulder to see a phonograph playing in the distant corner of the living room with the faint scratching of its needle joining the melody. And beyond the room and past the front door stood Nightmare Moon as she tossed a salad in a large bowl on the kitchen table. She was quick to notice my gaze and cast me a smile. "Dinner is served."

I liked what my nose was telling me. I could detect the aroma of Italian spices mixed in with tomato sauce. Upon drawing closer, I saw that I was not wrong. A pot filled with spaghetti mixed with a zesty sauce lined with vegetables like zucchini and squash served as the centerpiece. The salad was lightly coated with a layer of black fluid. A flavorful balsamic dressing. Despite the general simplicity of the choices for our meal, I was quite impressed with the end result. "Wow... You really do know your way around a kitchen. Looks great."

"And you had the gall to doubt me. Take a seat and be enlightened." Nightmare Moon spoke with some playful pride as I did just that. We sat at opposite ends of the table while Nightmare Moon served us both even servings of pasta and salad. I was about to help myself, but she was quick to spread freshly grated parmesan cheese atop my plate of pasta. "Not so fast. Not without the proverbial cherry on top."

It was only then that I took a bite. It really was as delicious as I had assumed. Possibly better than most servings of spaghetti I could cook up. The cozy familiar setting of domestic civilized life was a welcome relief after spending most of the day out in the wilderness. I looked across the table at the Princess of Dreams, so very grateful that she was there. "I'm so glad you took the time to stock up on supplies. I would've been in trouble if you hadn't."

"You're most fortunate that I did. While I understand your haste in departing so soon, it was not exactly wise of you to do so." She replied as she poured us both a glass of icy cold sparkling cider. "Still, it was probably for the best that you left without a word. Who knows who would have begged you to stay home?"

"Yeah, that's exactly what I was worried about too. Thanks for covering for my screw ups on your way out here... Mm, this is good..." I retorted in genuine gratitude as I feasted on her culinary creations. Had Nightmare Moon not stocked up on supplies before she departed Canterlot, we would have been much worse off roughing it out in the open wilderness.

I must have been famished by that point. I probably ate twice as much as Nightmare Moon did. Barely a scrap was left in that pot and bowl. Once we had cleaned our plates, she cast me an inquisitive smirk. "My goodness, you devoured it. I did not know you could have such an appetite."

"Heh... I guess having nothing but fruit for lunch didn't fill me up very well... I'm gonna sleep well tonight." I said while looking out the yonder window. There was almost nothing but blackness beyond the pane. "We probably shouldn't stay up terribly late... Would you like to wash up first?"

"Hm... Yes, I would appreciate a hot shower... You make yourself comfortable and I will let you know when I am done." She said softly before standing up from the table and heading down the hall to the bathroom. I took the time to do the dishes before sitting myself back down at the typewriter to continue documenting everything that has happened thus far as a means to help pass the time. I could hear the muffled sound of water running as I typed away, but it eventually became little more than calming white noise to my ears.

Maybe a half hour later, I heard the soft clopping of hooves coming from the hall and glanced over to see Nightmare Moon emerge. But when she stepped into view, I stared in confusion as I saw that her very voluminous mane was wrapped up in a towel on her head that seemed to only barely hold the whole thing. Her tail had been allowed to simply drag along the floor as it remained fairly moist. The Princess of Dreams noticed my unusual stare and asked, "Hm? What? Why that look?"

I cocked my head to one side as I spoke my thoughts. "How do you even fit that whole thing in there?"

Her eyes glanced up at the towel wrapped around the top of her head before a crooked grimace spread across her lips. "Hm... That is a riddle for the ages, is it not?"

"Yeah, maybe... Anyway, give me another ten minutes or so an I'll go wash up too." I replied while wanting to give the water heater some time to replenish its hot water supply. Nightmare Moon went to the kitchen to prepare some tea for the night. The distant whistle of a tea kettle reached my ears, but I barely noticed over the clicking of the keys of the typewriter and its inner workings. Nightmare Moon respectfully left me to my work and did not attempt to distract me with conversation. After maybe twenty minutes or so, I remembered the time and made my way to the bathroom to wash up.

The bathroom was definitely a little on the small side, but nothing I had never been used to. It was at least acceptable for someone of Nightmare Moon's proportions and would still allow her to move around. I closed the door behind me and took the time to brush my teeth and even took the time to give myself a quick shave. The room was still filled with lingering moisture, even before I turned the shower on. After so long, I was not used to using a standard bathtub. Almost felt a little too close to home back on Earth.

Once I was out of the shower with a towel around my waist, I took the opportunity to do my laundry. The only clothes I even had were those that were on my person when I departed Canterlot. Nightmare Moon was nowhere to be seen, probably just resting in the bedroom at the end of the hall. Once I got the washing machine ready, I returned to the kitchen to enjoy my cup of tea now that it had cooled. Warm chamomile. Perfect for bedtime.

Out of sheer curiosity, I opened the front door and peeked outside. It was still ominously dark out there. I could barely see anything beyond the door that was not the night sky. I all too eagerly closed and locked the door. I even went around the house to close any curtains or blinds to prevent anyone or anything from peeking in on us. Goodness knows what sort of wild beasts wander the Empty Plains. I would not want anything busting through the windows to get to us while we were vulnerable. And if they could not see us, they would have no incentive to try. Sipping from my cup of tea, I continued to type away on the typewriter in silence as the phonograph had been turned off by then. I was not going to sleep in the nude while a friend was with me in that house.

Before long, I went to the laundry room and fetched my boxers out of the dryer now that my attire had been put through the entire cycle. Pleasant and warm. I then went to the living room to survey the furniture. The couch was long enough for my entire body to fit on and there were a few pillows available, but I did not see a quilt or a blanket and the towel over my shoulders was not quite big enough to cover me like one. I made my way down the hall towards the bedroom right at the back of the house. Nightmare Moon was likely asleep by then, so perhaps I could quietly root around for something to cover me on the couch.

Much to my surprise, I found some modest light peeking under the door after I approached the bedroom once all the lights at the front of the house were off. Quietly, I turned the handle and nudged the door open. Much to my surprise, Nightmare Moon was still very much awake with only a lamp on the nightstand illuminating the room. She was relaxing upon the bed while looking through a magazine that had likely been packaged with the cottage. She was not even tucked under the covers. I looked at her while she lifted her gaze to look back at me. Her voice was soft as she asked, "You're taking your time out there. Is something keeping you?"

"Keeping me? I was just waiting for my laundry to finish. And I'm just looking for a blanket to use so I can sleep on the couch." I replied while not entirely comfortable with standing before her with my body all but bare for the first time.

"The couch? Why would..." Nightmare Moon mused before she cast me a much more stern gaze while keeping her voice stern, yet soft. "No. I will not hear it. You are sleeping in a proper bed tonight. Come here. Now."

I knew better than to defy her when she spoke like that. Even if I knew she would never do me harm. I stepped into the bedroom while the door closed behind me with its handle clocking as Nightmare Moon's magic secured the lock. She looked so regal relaxing upon the bed with her mane unfurled and dry as it and her tail billowed gently. The pitch black coat making her look all the more inviting in the silence of the night. Only the muffled sounds of the night in the wilderness reached me ears. But as I beheld her, her eyes were locked upon me as her mane reached out like a large hand. The billowing mass of ethereal hair grasped me on the left side of my body, a piece of it resting upon that old scar on the left side of my waist. To this day, I do not even really know what it came from. It stopped being a conversation piece a long time ago. Whatever happened to result in it being there, I was not going to pry for answers. Although its very presence seemed to make Nightmare Moon uneasy. "I pray we will not see any new scars added to your body by the end of this."

"I don't even know where that one came from..." I muttered as I was pulled to the bed. It was roughly a queen size and had more than enough space for both of us. It felt...strange to be sharing a bed with my royal friend. It would have been one thing if it had been Celestia. She and I have definitely become much more than mere friends. And yet...Nightmare Moon is someone who I get the impression from that she is unapproachable. Always so stolid with such poise. Where Luna and Celestia are never afraid to goof around when the situation warrants it, Nightmare Moon has always been the most consistent in her regal display. A true dark queen with a stern yet kind heart. I have never not felt safe in her presence. Whether she meant to or not, her presence along gave her a degree of command over me.

She used her magic to pull the sheets on the bed down to allow we to climb on in. She too rested herself upon the mattress, but hesitated to pull the covers over us. She whispered to me, "How are you feeling...? I know you are much more used to sharing a bed with your wife, but..."

"Yeah... Fluttershy... Heh, just this morning, it was like any other day. And now... Out here miles from home in this big empty no man's land..." I muttered in musing over our predicament while I just stared at the ceiling and its lightly spinning fan. "I... I guess I do miss her company in bed... And I'll probably end up missing her harder as the days go by. I never asked for this..."

"None of us did." Nightmare Moon whispered as she draped her sable wing over me. "Here... Look at me. Hold me, my dear."

I did not hesitate long. I rolled onto my side and pulled the beautiful mare of the night into my embrace. Her wing curled around me in an tight yet soft grasp as her head rested atop mine. I muttered lightly, "I'm...really glad you're here..."

"And I will remain here, my guiding light... I will not abandon you to whatever the enemy intends to throw at us." She whispered back to me before I felt a tender kiss upon my head. "I am here for you. And I always will be."

"Thank you..." I muttered as I felt old instincts resurface. I wanted to hold Fluttershy in my arms and kiss her before I could fall asleep. Or even beautiful Rarity, that wonderful mare of beauty... Or even glorious Celestia. She tried to stop me from leaving. I cannot fault her. She loves me so much.. As I love her. I felt such a powerful desire to kiss someone. Someone I love. And yet, the only woman in the room was a most dear friend. Just a friend... A friend who I felt could not and should not be something else. And yet...somewhere in my heart... A part of me that was almost always silent said otherwise. "I... I want to...kiss you..."

Nightmare Moon remained silent. As if she had ignored my words. I did not expect her to really say anything. All I had done was merely speak my heart. But just as I expected my words to have already been forgotten, Nightmare Moon lifted her head from mine and pulled back, allowing her head to lie upon the mattress before me while those beautiful exotic eyes gazed into mine. "Please... If you wish to do so, do not hesitate."

It was an invitation. And...I could not resist. My heart was demanding that I do so. As if it was furious that I was trying to ignore it here like...so many times before. I rested my hand on the back of her neck as I brought my lips to hers. Our eyes closed and...for the first time, our lips touched. And it refused to end.

Her wing and my arms clung to each other as we sighed deeply into that very first kiss. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I felt a twinge of frustration with myself. As if I was angry with myself for having waited so long to do this. I could have done it at any time. So why... Why did it feel like it was wrong to wait so long? Was there something my heart was trying to tell me? Something I have subconsciously tried to ignore for so long? Why? Nightmare Moon is my friend... A friend who has been so much with me. A friend I could never bear to lose. And yet...why does it feel like I have...almost always wished we were something more?

Finally, that kiss ended as we gazed back at each other. I was at a loss for words. I was not even really sure of what I was even feeling at the time. Maybe the feeling was mutual. She was equally silent as her eyes wandered. Nightmare Moon hesitated, a very faint hue of pink glowing through her black coat around her cheeks. At last, she whispered to me. "You...must have much on your mind... I will see to it you sleep soundly tonight. And I will aid your mind in weaving a most pleasant dream. Something familiar from the depths of your memory that you will surely enjoy."

"You'd do that...? Put together a little time of fun for me tonight?" I asked while forgetting just how much control she has over dreaming minds. I suppose she is not called the Princess of Dreams for nothing."

"But of course. I would do nothing less." She whispered as the covers came up and shrouded us while the pillows were tucked under our heads. The last bit of light in the room faded with a click as the lamp was shut off. All at the magical whims of Nightmare Moon's power. While I could not see her, I could still feel her as her smooth and sleek body pressed up against me while her wing remaned draped over me under the insulating layer of fabric over us. "Close your eyes, my dear. Tonight, your dreams are all about what you enjoy."

I could feel...something coming over me. I felt tired before, but now it felt like sleep itself was dragging me down. I believe she was casting a spell over me to help induce sleep. And so I closed my eyes as a whisper hissed from my lips. "Thank you... Sweet dreams, Nightmare Moon."

She cooed sweetly to me as a kiss was placed upon my ear. "Sweetest dreams for you, my dear. And I will be right there for you."

I do not know when my exhausted mind drifted from being awake to being fully asleep. All I know is that when I came to, I found myself in a room I did not recognize. At least not right away. I was seated at a low table, a dark bottle of wine and a silver platter of cheeses before me. Just to my left was a higher and narrower table that held a much wider platter lined with fresh pastry rolls coated in a layer of rich white icing. To my right was a large canopy bed, though without much of a canopy at the time. The green blanket upon it and the cylindrical pillows looked quite familiar at a glance. While I did not pay much mind to anything else, the room was mostly stone with intricate carvings in the thick pillars embedded into the walls here and there. The place felt expensive. Like a manor of sorts.

I took a look at myself, realizing that I was clad in an attire that was not like anything I own. Black leather boots and a deep blue coat. The fabric was very warm with extra padding and designed for cooler climates. It was starting to come to me. "Wait a minute... Is this Skyrim? And...am I in Solitude?"

Now in a location I have never seen for myself without looking through a screen, I stood up and made my way to the wooden door that was lined with a steel rim. I pulled it open and stepped outside, bright midday light shining down through the windows of a much higher room to illuminate the dining chamber before me. But as my gaze was cast upward at the arched stone ceiling, a somewhat feminine voice that spoke with something between a growl and a hiss reached my ears. But in spite of its bestial pitch, the tone was soft and oozing with a familiar tenderness. "Ah, it's my love come to visit."

With a turn to my left as I faced the dining table, I saw her. Someone I had all but forgotten about. Not at all human, but not at all someone I was not displeased to see. Clad in a humble green gown, a reptilian woman sat before me with a tankard in hand. Much more bestial in form than even the likes of Smolder or Spike, her head looking almost like something off of a carnivorous dinosaur, her scales of varying hues of a vibrant emerald green while her lips and the crown of her head being a yellowish tone. A set of horns were rooted to the top of her head, all stubby and symmetrical to each other while the three that were pointing backward had little silver rings with strips of cloth that were green as pine needles hanging from them for decorative purposes. But behind those yellow reptilian eyes lurked an optimistic mind with an equally tender heart. I knew this woman. Even though I was only meeting her in the flesh for the first time. "Shahvee..."

"Why so surprised, dearest? You look as if you have forgotten who I am." She spoke with her bestial voice, still oozing a lovely woman's voice being spoken through the filter of a harsh reptilian tongue. It was by no means her fault. It was simply how her vocal chords function as an Argonian. I could see a smile form on her scaled lips, her fangs just slightly exposed here and there. But I was not afraid. I was familiar with her kind enough to know a smile when I see one. Shahvee rose to her feet as she set her drink aside, an open bottle of spiced wine on the table near her. "Do you truly not even remember your wife? She who was wed to you in Riften under Lady Mara's gaze?"

She reached out to me, her palm facing upward. And on one finger was a thick ring of gold. There was no jewel embedded into it, for it did not need such a bonus. Its purpose was clear. And it served as a reminder. I lifted my own right hand to look upon it and I was reminded by what I saw. On one finger, there was a matching gold ring. Part of a set. And it was only then that I realized what was happening. "I... I really did forget... When was the last time I..."

I was interrupted by a touch. Her smooth scaled hand grasped my own from below, her scales as soft as my own skin. I looked down as Shahvee then placed her other atop the back of my hand and held mine between hers. It lacked the cool touch of a lowly reptile. There was warmth to her touch. I looked ahead at her as she gazed back at me. Once again, she spoke in barely more than a whisper with such tenderness that was rare to hear in that harsh and frigid land. "Shhhh... No words, my dear. I too feel as if it has been far too long since I last laid eyes upon you. Just...let me hold you for a moment."

A moment later, I stood there in her arms as my own also wrapped around her. I expected her touch to be rather cool, but...she felt warm. Warm as any other woman I have ever held. And she... I had never seen her do this before. Nor had I ever heard her say such words. My eyes went wide. This was how Shahvee truly is. Without the limitations of digital animation or the restriction of dialogue due to complacency or lack of foresight. I was truly seeing the real her for the first time. And I was touched by what I was seeing.

My hands slid over her back and down her dress in gentle caresses. I could feel the thicker and firmer scales that lined her back. My hand even reached as low as her tail and traced my fingers along the dual sets of spiny grooves that lined its top like that of a crocodile. There was no one else in the entire land of Skyrim that I could have chosen over her. I had always adored her and wanted to see her optimistic happiness grow in a setting away from the harsh and thankless life she led before I found her. And now, I was seeing and feeling shades of her kind heart that would have been impossible at any other time. "I feel like I am only meeting you for the first time..."

"Such a sad thing to say... Come, dearest. Over here." She whispered to me as I felt a kiss upon the crook of my exposed neck. Her scaled lips were firm, but her touch was unrelentingly tender. She guided me back into the bedroom and even used her flexible tail to push the door closed behind us. I was guided to the bed as she and I sat upon its edge. Shahvee leaned into me, her eyes closing as her hand rested upon mine. Her hand held mine in a way that it had not been held in quite some time. I tensed up, my breath catching in my throat as I could feel her sincere love through her touch. She again whispered to me, "What troubles you, my love? You are home, but you still feel like you could start weeping at any time."

"I... I've had a lot on my mind lately..." I muttered while I leaned into her embrace. My arm wrapped around her as I held that precious woman to my side. "And...I can't remember the last time...one held my hand like this."

"Oh, such a tragic thing to say... Then let me remind you of the moment you asked for my hand for eternity." Shahvee whispered oh so lovingly as her hand rose to my chest and gently dragged her fingers over my heart. "You have a kind heart... I would be honored to walk by your side until the trees themselves fade away, if you would have me."

I then heard that ragged yet tender voice whisper directly into my ear. "And to this day, I do not look back on that choice with regret. I will continue to walk by your side, even beyond the time when the mountains dissolve into dust."

I wept. After all of the turmoil that had come into my life in such a short timeframe, Shahvee's unrelenting kindness and devotion was a welcome relief and a return to normalcy. Even if a temporary one. I whimpered and sobbed quietly in her embrace and soon found myself lying on my back, my head resting upon her lap as my precious wife caressed my face with her hand. She constantly smiled in a way only an Argonian can, the slight display of her pearly white fangs peeking between her lips in a few spots. Her scaled fingers pushed my tears away before stroking themselves through my hair. How I missed the married life, even after a single day. She continued to speak softly to me as I could only look up at her while sniffling in tears. "I love you, my dear James. Never forget that."

My hand rose to her wrist and grasped it weakly. So this was why I was drawn to her in the first place. I thought I knew her then, but now was I truly seeing everything there was to see about that one rare island of an Argonian in the frigid ocean that is Skyrim. She felt so real... Not merely a mirage on the lids of my dreaming eyes. My heart opened to her at that moment as I whispered back to her. "I love you too, dear..."

Her reptilian eyes narrowed as if she too was restraining fresh tears even as her smile never faltered. "It feels like it has been so long since I last heard those words... And it only makes hearing them again oh so very sweet... Sweeter than the richest moon sugar."

I cracked a smile as she brought her lips to my brow, my tears finally beginning to cease. I felt so at peace, yet so very tired. My weeping had resulted in a dull headache beginning to form. How blessed I felt that of all places for my dreaming mind to take me, it would be a place where someone was waiting for me to come home. Someone who loves me. And someone I love right back. I slid my hands along the darker green scales lining the back of Shahvee's hand as I could feel my heart longing for her in ways it never had before. It was good to be in love. And with someone with so much love to give.

We remained there for some time. My eyes gazing up at hers while Shahvee's gazed back down at me. She would occasionally bring her lips back down to my brow while I would return the favor by bringing the back of her hand to my lips for a kiss. I knew I could not just stay there all that time. There was much to do and see. "Do you have any plans for today, dear?"

"Hmmm... I suppose I should stop by the market. I had just opened our last bottle of spiced wine. And I was thinking some fresh salmon would be good for dinner tonight." Shahvee replied sweetly without once taking her eyes off me.

The market... Sounded like a good opportunity to get some fresh air. Although I had to take note of where we were. "May I accompany you?"

"Please do, my love. It would be lovely to spend some time out of the house with you." She said happily before we finally began to rise from the bed. Enough tears had been shed for now. I wanted us to have a good day.

As we stepped out of the bedroom together, I began to wonder how safe things were outside the house. I glanced at Shahvee's hip, hoping she was at least armed with a dagger. Even so, I had to ask. "Shahvee... Do you always keep a blade on you when out and about?"

"Yes, though I do everything I can to avoid looking for trouble." She replied before turning to face me. Her hand then reached for her hip as I did notice a sheath with a handle. Her hand grasped the handle as she drew the blade from its holster. "In fact, I do believe you gave this to me one day some time ago. And it's as sharp now as it was then. Where did you even find this?"

I took the dagger in hand, its blade icy cold to the touch. Because the blade was not crafted from metal at all. The blade appeared to be made of a craggy strip of ice, though a fine and sharp edge ran along its blade. Among that icy blue were shifting and faintly glowing blue runes. A most potent frost spell imbued into the blade that was only enhanced by the material's frigid properties. I recognized it right away. "Ah, yes... Stalhrim. You only find these on Solstheim. Very rare. Has it been useful?"

Shahvee did not seem pleased at the thought of getting into a fight. Even though I know she had a history of being a lowly thief long ago, she always struck me as the kind who would rather avoid detection instead of pulling a knife on someone. "Well, aside from that time when a thief tried to mug me in Riften, no... I hope we never have to return there. Windhelm may be unkind to Argonians, but at least I felt safe there. But Riften... It has such an air of danger about it."

"We won't. Ever." I said softly yet firmly as I placed the dagger back in her hand and held her in a rather tight embrace. The very thought of dear Shahvee being approached by some thug with a blade in hand made my blood chill as much as it also boiled. "If you don't feel safe there, we won't go back. You... You deserve to live out your life in happiness and safety."

"James... I..." Shahvee cooed as she held me just as tightly while minding the dagger in her hand. "As long as I have you, happiness will reign eternal."

Again with those powerful yet meaningful words. It was as if I was falling in love with her more and more with every single thing she said to me. I placed a kiss upon her exposed neck as it was difficult to place one upon her lips at the time. "You won't lose me... I could never leave you..."

"I pray Lady Mara will see that those words always remain true..." Shahvee whispered to me as I felt her grasp on me beginning to loosen. I reluctantly did so as well before Shahvee returned her dagger to its sheath at her side. She looked at me with a more optimistic smile as she then said, "Now then... Let's not delay any longer. I'll just tidy up in the kitchen for a minute and then we'll be on our way."

"Right... I'll head downstairs for now. See you outside, love." I spoke with a bit of a smile upon my face. The two of us made our way down the stairwell. Shahvee stepped off at the first stop while I continued down into the basement. The air became mustier, the scent of a stone cellar dug out of the cold moist earth. And Skyrim is a land that is colder than most.

Right as I rounded the next corner, I jumped back as I glanced to my right. I thought a couple of intruders had wandered in through the lowest door of the manor, but I then laughed as I realized what I had forgotten. What I had assumed to be a couple of armored intruders was in fact just a pair of wooden display mannequins. Both of which were dressed up in suits of armor. The one nearest me was coated in a fully encased suit of steel armor that looked befitting of a knight. The one beyond it against the furthest wall was what drew my attention the most. "Ah... Ebony..."

The mannequin was clad in a suit of polished black armor. A rare material known as ebony. And no, I do not mean the wood. I slid my fingers along that elegant armor, finding the metallic alloy to be cool to the touch like most metals. Even though I am convinced ebony is not even really a metal at all. I then happened to notice a little alcove in the wall right before I had gotten to that section of the basement and backtracked. Tucked against the far end was wooden display rack. And right in the middle of it was a polish silvery sword.

I took a step closer, having always considered myself something of a sword aficionado. Designed for use in one hand with barely anything resembling a crossguard, the blade was fairly wide and straight before ending in a surprisingly long tapered tip. The unmistakable form of a gladius. It then occurred to me that it would likely be wise to bring a weapon with me out of the house. A quick glance around revealed the sword's scabbard propped up in a corner. Without a second thought, I removed the sword from the rack and reached for its matching scabbard.

Unfortunately, I was quick to discover a new sort of problem upon placing the sword in its scabbard. For the longest time, the only sword I have carried on my person has been the Celestial Sword. And that thing is always sheathed inside the scabbard that was molded out of the Lunar Shield itself. I have never actually worn a sword on my hip. The scabbard did come with a belt of sorts, but I was still unsure of how to go about this. But I barely had time to let out a grumble before I suddenly noticed the subtle shifting of metal armor behind me. Followed by a most lovely voice. "Is something wrong, my thane?"

I turned to face the source of the voice. I was greeted by another face I had all but forgotten about. A fellow human woman, fair of skin with blue eyes and long golden hair. Likely considered by many to be the epitome of Nordic feminine beauty. Despite her soft and sweet voice and beautiful appearance, she was dressed for battle. Armor of steel covered her body along with patches of leather with bits of fur likely serving the purpose of insulation in the frigid climate of Skyrim. Finding myself in a bit of an embarrassing moment, I continued to fumble with the sword. "Jordis? I... Um... I think..."

She quickly burst into amused giggling as she stepped forward. "Have you forgotten how to wear a sword, my thane? Allow me."

"Yeah... I... I think I've been out of action for too long." I retorted sheepishly as she took the sword in hand and went to work in properly securing it to my side. Before long, the sword's scabbard rested against my left. Not terribly affixed to me, but enough that it would not swing around too much with every step. I tried reaching for the hilt of the sword and partially drew it before sliding it back in, finding the act of reaching that far for the hilt to be not quite as expedient as being able to bring the hilt of a sword stashed in a shield on my left arm right over to my right hand. The experience only made me appreciate the craftsmanship of the Celestial Sword and the Lunar Shield all the more. Regardless, I was thankful for my housecarl's assistance. "There we go. Many thanks, Jordis."

"Always a pleasure, my thane." She replied while rising from her knee. Jordis then asked, "Shall I accompany you and Lady Shahvee to the market?"

Lady Shahvee? That almost made me laugh. I had never heard of any Argonian in Skyrim having those kinds of honorifics used in addressing them. Still, I managed to maintain composure as I replied, "Yes, that would be appreciated. Where is she, anyway?"

As if to answer my question, I could hear one of the doors on the floor above us echoing through the stone halls as it was closed. Jordis and I both looked up on reflex before looking at each other. She was quick to point out the obvious. "It sounds like she just stepped outside. We should catch up to her."

"Yeah, we should. Let's be on our way." I retorted before the two of made our way down the nearest hall and out through the manor's ground level door. Along the way, Jordis grabbed a large round wooden shield reinforced with steel plating. Once outside, I looked all around us. I was quick to recognize our location. Solitude. The capital of Skyrim. I could see the modest elegance of the Blue Palace to my left as the sun shone down on us during an otherwise chilly day. It must have been in the upper 40s or lower 50s, but my padded coat provided ample insulation against the cold. I almost forgot what we were even doing and turned to my right to see Shahvee walking away from us with a large flower basket under her arm. But before I could even start to approach her, I froze as a young girl in a red tunic came around the corner and began to run over to her. "Uh oh..."

"There's no need for alarm, my thane. It's just Svari." Jordis spoke up upon noticing the concern in my voice. I had no idea of what to expect of the Nords in Skyrim now that the world was working in a much more realistic manner than I was used to. I feared for Shahvee. Someone as kind as her did not deserve the rampant prejudices Skyrim has for Tamriel's beastfolk.

I watched in unease as the girl approached my wife. And it was only then did I see what was in her hands. A wreath of wildflowers. And I heard her clearly as she called out with a very happy tone. "Miss Shahvee! I got something for you."

Shahvee stopped and turned to face the child, her bestial face showing her own kind of a delighted smile. She reached down to Svari as the girl placed the wreath in her hand. "Oh, how kind of you, Svari. Did you weave this yourself?"

"Mmhm, all by myself! I thought it would look pretty on you." The child replied with no signs of hostility. My worries were quickly disprove. There was no hostility towards Shahvee. It was a simple act of kindness and endearment.

As the two of them engaged in conversation for a moment, I whispered to Jordis. "Have the people of Solitude been kind to her?"

"Most kind, my thane. I have kept a close watch on her from the day the two of you moved in. And I have seen no bad blood between her and the other residents." Jordis said softly as she too watched with a smile. She then looked at me and spoke quietly with even more of a whisper. "To be frank, I think it was very wise of you to settle in Solitude. The Empire's influence over the hold of Haafingar maintains a much more cosmopolitan attitude towards the people of Tamriel. Possibly even moreso than other holds that have maintained their loyalty to the Empire."

"Can I ask you to continue watching over her whenever I happen to not be in town?" I asked with genuine sincerity.

"Of course, my thane. I will guard her with my life." Jordis declared with unwavering conviction. It pleased me to know that even as a Nord, Jordis was not one to let prejudices cloud her perceptions. Assuming she had any in the first place. I could trust her with Shahvee's life. Her words were not merely a product of her duty. She did seem to show some concern for my wife.

While there was no need to really ask, I felt compelled to inquire further. "Has Shahvee been kind to you when I am not around?"

Jordis smiled a bit while also appearing amused. As if she found it laughable that one could ever assume Shahvee could even have the capacity for obnoxious habits. "She has been a pleasure to have in your home, my thane. I confess I was most surprised to see that you had chosen an Argonian to be your bride, but I quickly saw why. I have met few women in my time as housecarl who harbor the unwavering positivity and kindness that she does, whether they be Nord, Bosmer, Orsimer, Khajiit, or Argonian. She is truly wonderful... And I will see to it that she never finds a blade to her throat. Even if that blade belongs to the Dark Brotherhood. You have my word."

"Thank you, Jordis... Really, I'd hate to lose her." I said while my left hand came to my right to feel the ring upon my finger. There truly was no one in Skyrim I would rather spend the rest of my life with if given the choice. Not just for my sake, but hers too. It was only then that I saw Svari run off and past the two of us while offering a quick greeting before we turned our eyes back to Shahvee. Her maw was displaying a very bright smile after enjoying the company of our young neighbor. I smiled right back as Jordis and I approached her. "Looks like Svari had a gift for you."

"Oh yes, that little dear. I did not know she had such fine taste in floral arrangement." Shahvee said with a smile as she held out the flower wreath for me to inspect. It was lined with a colorful arrangement of wildflowers, including some thistle and tufts of tundra cotton woven in. Seeing that Shahvee did not have both hands free, I decided to help put that wreath where it belonged. "Let me help you with that."

Shahvee bowed her head as she allowed me to do as I pleased. I carefully pulled it over her rather longer face and past the horns atop her head. It took a little wiggling, but I managed to get the whole thing down to her neck. "Oh my, that does look good on you."

Despite the rather long shape of her skull structure, Shahvee managed to look down at herself and traced a few fingers over her new necklace. Her smile became more subdued as her eyes closed. "That little Svari... She's always been so kind to me."

Shahvee seemed to be distracted by a few thoughts, but Jordis and I did not interrupt. Not for a moment, at least. I eventually reached out and set my hand upon her shoulder. "Dear...?"

Shahvee was quick to look at me and smiled happily. "Oh, I must be worrying you. There's nothing wrong, dearest. I have always tried to be happy and make the best of things that I can, but it feels like I have been given so much ever since we came here. Not just from you, but from the entirety of Solitude. I so wish circumstances allowed me to find my way here years ago."

"Well, you'll never have to leave if you want to stay." I said while I took her hand in my own. I felt compelled to bring her into my embrace, which she all too readily accepted. Jordis stood by patiently while Shahvee and I shared a moment together. She just... I felt so at peace in Shahvee's arms. She just made me so happy to have her. Although I did eventually realize what we were supposed to be doing. "We really should stop stalling... The market is waiting, right?"

"Ah, yes. That we should. Would be a shame if the merchants were cleaned out before we even got there." Shahvee said with a faint chuckle in her throat. But just as we turned to continue down the road, I glanced up as I gazed west. I stopped as I saw something standing out against the bright clear sky, right atop the mighty stone walls at the top of a slope. Dark and imposing, Nightmare Moon watched in silence. Shahvee and Jordis too looked where I was staring, but did not seem to be seeing what I was. "James...? Are you well? Is there...something there?"

"Um... Well... No, nothing. Although... Uh..." I muttered as I debated what I should do. No wonder my dream was so lucid, as if I was actually aware and awake. Her always does that. I turned to my wife and housecarl before saying, "Actually... Why don't you two go on ahead? I just remembered there is something over in Castle Dour I should tend to."

Jordis was not so convinced. Her warrior senses had likely noticed that something was amiss. Even though she could not see or detect Nightmare Moon in any way, my long distracted stare must have convinced her that I had indeed seen something. "Are you sure you should go alone, my thane? Are you certain you did not see anything just now?"

A glance out of the corner of my eye revealed that Nightmare Moon had not budged. She remained atop the wall. I then turned to Jordis and spoke while placing my left hand upon my sword's pommel. "Don't worry, I can handle myself. And plenty of Solitude's guards are over there in the courtyard as we speak. If someone does take a swing at me, the guards will make sure they regret it."

Jordis cracked a smirk at my observations. Solitude most likely has the finest guards out of all of the nine holds. And their captain would likely join in the fight as well. Starting trouble in Solitude would be a death sentence. Shahvee rested her hand upon mine as she too looked at me in faith. "You take care over there, dearest. We will be over in the market."

"Will do. Watch over her, Jordis." I replied before making my way up the slope and under the arch. I knew there were some stairs around the perimeter that would let me walk atop the walls if needed. Truly, the courtyard had several guards training in swordsmanship and archery. Clad in scaled armor with faces concealed by their helmets, the guards bore the crimson color of Solitude on the sashes that hung over their armor. Those that were not practicing their archery were swinging swords identical to my own at cloth training dummies while carrying wooden shields lined with iron rims. The face of a wolf adorned their shields along with a layer of red. They paid e no mind as I explored the courtyard and made y way up a few flights of stone stairs. Nightmare Moon had already moved to meet me once I was as high as I could go. "How're you liking Solitude? Fine city, no?"

"Solitude? Interesting name..." Nightmare Moon retorted as her gaze wandered for a moment. She looked to the southeast towards the market before looking back at me. "That creature you were holding in your arms... The one that looked like a dragon, and yet...not quite like one. Are you two close?"

"Ah, Shahvee... She..." I began to say as I wondered how I would explain this to her. Nightmare Moon had only seen Skyrim once before. Specifically during a visit to Riverwood. It was quite an impressive sight to see her and Luna successfully drive off a dragon that one time. She probably knew that the world around us was the work of fiction, but... How to explain to her in a way she would understand?

"Yes... That was Shahvee. She is what is called an Argonian. And...she is my wife." I explained while knowing this would only bring more questions.

Nightmare Moon cocked her head to the side as she asked, "Your wife? But I distinctly remember you officially marrying Fluttershy. I saw and heard you both say your vows. Is this Shahvee...from another life?"

"I suppose you can put it that way... A hypothetical life in a world of fiction." I tried to explain while pondering what words I should say. "This land of Skyrim... It's a fictional land on the fictional continent of Tamriel. And... Well, imagine reading a book. A book that has a whole world and many different characters already living in the world in the pages. And you are the protagonist. And while all of this material already exists in the book, the pages are still blank. And you write the book as you explore and live in that world. That's basically my history in Skyrim. The protagonist of my own little story in a vast world to explore. And...one part of that story involved me marrying a lovely little lady. That lady is Shahvee."

My royal friend nodded in silent understanding, clearly getting what I was trying to say. "I see... Yes, I believe I do understand what you mean. But... Shahvee. I could see in the way you held her and how she held you. You love her, yes?"

A difficult question to answer. I looked away, trying to find the right words. "Well... I admit that I have always adored her. I have explored Skyrim on more than one occasion. Basically writing the same story more than once, but choosing different paths. And every time I chose to get married... I would always ask Shahvee. I could never choose anyone else."

"She does seem very kind. It was quite endearing to see how that human child interacted with her." Nightmare Moon retorted while cracking a smile. It was precious to see little Svari give the local Argonian lady a gift like that.

Of course, I still was not done explaining myself. "But still... All of my interactions with Shahvee have always been...limited. She could only say so much. And there was only so much we could do with each other. In hind sight, it was really sad. But now, I've finally truly met her for the first time. And... She is..."

"Far more than you could have ever hoped?" Nightmare Moon asked as soon as I found myself hesitating to speak.

I took a deep breath. Dried tears still stained my face. "Yes... She's... She is wonderful. I simply adored her before, but... I... I never thought I would fall in love with her this hard if I ever met her in person... She loves me. More than she have ever expressed until today. And... She just makes me so happy."

"Well, I did say I would do what I could to conjure a pleasant dream for you tonight. I just did not foresee how happy you would be." Nightmare Moon said softly as a warm smile spread across her face. "But if that is the case, I really should not be keeping you. I should let you get back to spending time with your beloved."

"You sure? I mean I'd love to get back to Shahvee, but what about you?" I asked upon realizing that it would be unusual for Nightmare Moon to visit me in my dream only for her to go her own way.

She nodded before surveying the horizon from high atop the walls. We could see beyond the edge of the city and the vast frigid ocean to the north, the misty marshes to the east, and the evergreen forests to the south. "This land of Skyrim...intrigues me. It brings back memories of what the Empty Plains were like back when they were still inhabited. I would like to take this time to explore a bit and see more of what this land has to offer. You would not mind that, would you?"

"Oh, not at all. Go ahead, have fun out there. It's a really a feast for the eyes. Just be sure to avoid any caves you stumble upon. They are never safe to explore." I replied while trying to make certain Nightmare Moon would not venture into any locations that would surely put her in danger. A few bears or cave trolls would be one thing, but heaven forbid she stumble into a Falmer hive.

"Sounds like I may come under attack while I am out there, hm? In that case..." The Princess of Dreams said before her horn was coated in her deep blue magic aura. In a flash of light, she was suddenly clad in the full suit of barding she had been wearing mere hours earlier. She then cast me a smirk as she spread her sable wings. "I'm off. Enjoy yourself here, my friend. And do not fear, I will stay topside."

"Will do. You take care out there." I replied before I watched Nightmare Moon take to the sky and soar to the southeast. No one responded to her presence. Only my eyes could see her. No doubt because it is what she wished. Having no reason to stay up there any longer, I made my way back down into the courtyard and took the southern exit before passing by the blacksmith and fletcher and descending two paved earthen slopes and heading over to the market on my left. I could already see Shahvee and Jordis browsing the produce stand on the other side of the local well.

"Was everything just fine up at the castle, dear?" Shahvee asked as I approached while she placed a half dozen red apples and a full head of cabbage in her basket. After looking at her basket's contents, Shahvee then added, "I was thinking I could make some apple cabbage stew tonight."

Before I could say anything, Jala spoke up from the opposite side of the her produce stall. Most likely as an opportunity to make a few more sales. "I'd recommend some baked potatoes with that. I never whip up any stew without some on the side."

"Sounds like a good idea, Jala. We'll take a few." I said while I placed a few potatoes in the basket and reached into my pocket to find a fair sum of coins in them. Once I had placed the required amount on the counter, we stepped over to the fish monger stall as we found Addvar. "Good afternoon, Addvar. I'd like to let you know that Svari did a good deed today."

"She did?" The merchant asked in his soft Nordic voice. He was then quick to notice the wretch of flowers hung around Shahvee's neck. "Ah, so that was for you, Shahvee? I was wondering why she was putting those together. Looks good on you."

"Thank you, Addvar. Svari has always been a most kind child. I will treasure this gift for as long as I can." Shahvee said kindly with unwavering sincerity. She then stepped forward and browsed his wares as freshly gutted salmon were on display. "Ah, freshly caught. I already taste them. I'll have three of these, please."

"Pleasure doing business with you as always, Shahvee. Come back for more anytime." Addvar said kindly while he wrapped up each salmon in very long leaves. I suppose paper is not readily available for anything that does not involve writing in much of Tamriel. Shahvee then began to make her way towards the wine stall on the other side of the lot with Jordis in tow, but I stayed a moment longer. Argonians are likely fond of fish due to them excelling in aquatic environments, so I was sure Shahvee was a frequent customer for a fish monger like Addvar. He was quick to notice my lingering presence and promptly hit me up for conversation. "You found yourself a fine wife, James. Svari's really taken a shine to her."

I could not remember the last time anyone had something like that to say about my spouse, whether she be Shahvee or Fluttershy. I was left momentarily flustered as I was uncertain of how to respond. "Oh, uh, yeah. Lucky me, eh? Although...you don't mind that she's an Argonian?"

"Solitude isn't a place known for prejudice. Although I will admit that I had low expectations of her when I first saw her in town." Addvar admitted as he leaned on his stall's counter. "Although that likely comes from that Jaree-Ra fellow. Heard he might have had some connections to those Blackblood Marauders. Seems like he just up and disappeared one day, so I assume that he finally got what was coming to him."

"Oh, him... Well, I can assure you that Shahvee is not like that." I replied while quickly recalling that scoundrel. A shame since aside from the odd thief or assassin out on the roads, the majority of Argonians I can name in Skyrim are very humble folk. Those that are not, I can count on one hand.

Addvar was quick to smile at me as if to dissuade my concerns. "I can tell. Many around here are quite fond of her. Especially the little ones. You take good care of her, all right? Fine lass like that deserves to be happy."

"I will. I didn't get her out of Windhelm so she could be miserable. You take care, Addvar." I replied as I started to make my way over to the wine stall just beyond the well. Shahvee and Evette had apparently gotten caught up in conversation since there still were no bottles of Evette's spiced wine in the basket yet. I stepped up next to Jordis and quietly asked, "Did I keep you waiting?"

"Not at all, my thane. In fact, I'd say you were wise to wait." Jordis retorted while I listened in to their gossip. Apparently Erikur had gotten himself kicked out of the local inn after groping the bard there. Things only got worse when he tried to evoke his title as thane to get back in, but it seemed like he had run out of uses for that excuse to get him out of trouble. I smirked as I heard that he still would not stop trying to strong-arm his way back in and ended up being forced to spend the night in the dungeon. That surely must have knocked that sexist pig down a peg.

"Oh my, I must be talking your ear off, Shahvee. Or...I would if you had any ears. I mean I know you do, but they're just not...well..." Evette said in a flustered manner as she realized that she was holding up her own sale.

Shahvee just laughed and waved her hand dismissively. "Oh it's no problem at all, Evette! I enjoyed our talk. And it was quite a story too."

"You're so patient, Shahvee. Tell you what. I'll throw in an extra bottle just for you, no charge." Evette said with a smile as she placed a total of three bottles of her famous spiced wine in Shahvee's basket while Jordis set a stack of gold coins on the counter. The basket was looking very full by that point, so it was probably time to head home with it. Even so, Shahvee made her way back over to Addvar's stall to probably check for anything she might have missed. Before I could follow along, Evette spoke up towards me. "Is it true that you almost roughed up old Torbjorn in Windhelm for underpaying the Argonian dock workers? Shahvee likes to bring that up sometimes."

"I did? I mean... Yeah, I did. I'm surprised he didn't try to put up a fight. I couldn't let something like that slide. Argonian's have it bad enough in Skyrim without their wages being cut down on." I replied while remembering that encounter with a smirk. There is something satisfying about putting a bigot in his place.

"That they do. Skyrim needs more Nords like you. The kind of men who follow common sense more than tradition. The Stormcloaks could learn a lot from men like you." Evette added while giving me a knowing smile. Even as a fellow Nord, she did my heart good to know she was not a follower of that absurd 'True Nord' dogma.

"Doesn't help that they're knowingly and willing fighting the wrong enemy." I retorted while not wanting to get sidetracked too much. "But enough about that. It looks like you and Shahvee get along quite a bit."

Evette showed me a much warmer smile while she leaned on her counter to get comfortable. "But of course. Shahvee's always been a good friend. She likes to talk about you and the adventures you've been on during your travels around Skyrim. She's one of my best customers too. I think my spiced wine agrees with her better than most kinds of mead, come to think of it."

"Well, there is that Argonian Bloodwine, so maybe they do have a natural preference for that stuff. I guess it would make sense for... Huh?" I began to say as I thought I heard a faint noise from beyond the stone building behind Evette. Yelling? From around the corner?

"Uh oh... Sounds like its coming from the gate..." Evette said cautiously as she pushed back from her stall. A quick look behind me revealed that Jala and Addvar were beginning to make a run from their stalls. "Sounds like it's coming from the gates... James, you better take Shahvee and get indoors. It sounds like trouble."

"Got it. You take care." I said before quickly making my way around the well to find Shahvee standing in the middle of the street while trying to catch a glimpse of whatever was happening near the city gates. A drunken brawl right outside the Winking Skeever? "What's happening? A fight?"

"I don't think it's as simple as that..." Shahvee muttered as she pointed ahead. I instinctively got between her and whatever was beyond us. A platoon of the city's guards had shields raised and swords swinging. A number of brigands were fighting back while clad in crude armor of leather and animal hides. A bandit raid was underway.

I could scarcely believe that simple bandits would dare try to storm one of the most heavily fortified cities in Skyrim, let alone the seat of the Empire's presence in the province. They must have been drunk on mead or hyped up on Skooma or any manner of alchemical ingredients to attempt a raid that was doomed to fail. During the commotion, one of the bandits managed to slip past the guards and immediately made a run right at us with a long battleaxe of tempered iron in his hands. Clad in armor composed of the pelts of wild beasts, his pointed ears, dull greenish skin, and pronounced tusks sticking up from his lower jaw gave away his Orsimer heritage. His brutish voice called out as he rushed towards us, though his eyes were not on me. "You'll make a fine pair of boots, wench!"

He had his eyes set on my wife. I heard Shahvee gasp in fear as she was in no position to fight off a brigand. Without much thought, I drew my sword and stood ready. I waited for him to draw near, hoping to use his momentum against him by stepping forward and running him through on my sword before he could take a swing. Thankfully, I did not have to as someone much better armed and armored jumped in my way.

"No!" Jordis shouted before she shoved her round shield into the startled bandit's face to briefly stun him before swinging her shield hard across his face. The hit twisted the bandit's neck much farther than his vertebrae would allow, resulting in a sickening crack before the bandit collapsed in a heap. Jordis then turned to face us with sword in hand as she said, "I will assist the guards. Please take shelter for now!"

"Talos guide you, Jordis." I said almost on reflex before my housecarl rushed ahead to help the guards mop up the bandits. I then turned to Shahvee and grasped her spare hand with my left while making certain to keep my sword ready in my right. "Come on!"

Neither of us had much to say. All we could do was run and take shelter. Even though the guards had the situation under control, I was not willing to risk another bandit slipping by them and coming after us. Shahvee dropped her basket as we began to run so as to not slow us down. I stayed close to the castle walls and set my sights on the manor just to the left of ours. We ran around the back and quickly hid inside an alcove in the wall, my left arm wrapped around Shahvee as I kept her back to the corner with my sword raised. "OK... OK, we should be good here..."

Much to my surprise, Shahvee pounded her fist onto my padded chest before lowering and resting her head against me. She let out a haggard sigh as she muttered, "By the Hist, James... I thought that bandit was going to split your skull open... Why did you have to put yourself in danger for me? You're not even armored..."

I fell silent. She was right to be mad at me. While I am confident enough in the use of a sword to not flee when confronted by an armed opponent, I was not dressed for proper battle. All it would take is one swing from that axe to deal a potentially lethal blow. Had Jordis not intervened, my dream would have surely been cut short. I held my wife close as she clung to me tightly. I let out a sigh of my own, disappointed in myself for giving her such a scare. "I just... He was coming for you... I couldn't just let... I..."

"James, please... Do not do such a reckless thing again. Not when you're not properly dressed for battle..." Shahvee whispered as she embraced me tightly. It was quiet, right there at the northern edge of Solitude. No sound of danger or approaching boots or shivering armor. "I thought I was about to lose you right there..."

I tightened my embrace on her as well. I had to wonder. Did she know why I chose her over every other potential romantic candidate out there? Perhaps it was time to tell her now. "And I couldn't lose you either, dear... I didn't get you away from the Butcher in Windhelm just to lose you to a bandit's axe."

Shahvee did not respond. She just held me while breathing deeply with her hands subtly roaming over my back. I continued to speak, knowing I might not get another chance. "I never met an Argonian like you... No, I never met a woman like you in all of Skyrim. You always had the strength to find happiness even in the most difficult of circumstances. You deserved so much more than what you had... So much more than what the fools in Windhelm were putting you through."

I then brought my lips to the side of her head. Where her ears likely were. I whispered to her. "That's why I asked you to marry me, Shahvee. I wanted to give you the life you deserved. A life of happiness without compromise. Someone as good as you...deserves the best life has to offer. And I wanted to give you that happiness."

Slowly, Shahvee lifted her head and gazed at me with her round yellow reptilian eyes. But I noticed something trickling down the sides of her maw. Tears. Her already ragged voice quivered as she whispered to me. "Even back then... Even before you approached me with Lady Mara's emblem displayed proudly upon your chest, you wanted me...to just be safe? To be happy without having to struggle for it?"

My empty hand rose to her jaw as I held her face, warmth of satisfaction in my heart as I spoke softly. "All it took was one conversation with you for me to realize how precious you were. And you will always be precious to me, my dear."

Her nerves and emotions already set alight from the brush with danger we had just experienced, Shahvee clung to me like a vice as she rested her head to my shoulder in quiet weeping. "Oh, my love...!"

My hand slid over Shahvee's back over and over as I held her in my arm, doing all I could to comfort her. She had a hard life. And I wanted what remained of her life to be as pleasant as possible. But just as her weeping began to cease, I heard the distant rattle or metal armor reach my ears. Shahvee did not seem to detect it, but I did. And my right hand tightened its grasp on the hilt of my sword in response.

Bit by bit, the sound drew closer. It looped around the corner of the manor above us. And just as the source likely stepped into view of the alcove we stood in, I turned and prepared to lash out. But I instead froze as I saw a familiar face looking back. "Are you two well, my thane?"

It was only Jordis. And even more amusingly, in her empty right hand hung the basket that Shahvee had been carrying minutes earlier. Shahvee was quick to look at her and promptly noticed the basket filled with the goods we had purchased. "Oh, thank you for fetching that, Jordis dear. I almost thought it had been lost."

Jordis was quick to provide a smile, although it contrasted with the splashes of fresh blood that lined her armor here and there. None of it was hers, thankfully. Although I still asked, "You OK there? They didn't get you, did they?"

"I'm almost insulted by the assumption." Jordis retorted with a bit of wit. She then added, "The guards and I made sure not one got away. They're currently disposing of the bodies. Captain Aldis has even ordered that the guard will remain on high alert until tomorrow sunrise. The southern end of town will be much safer for now."

"Phew, that's good to know... Anyway, you two ladies should get back inside and relax. And be sure to give that armor a shine." I said as I finally loosened my grasp on Shahvee. Although she did not release me from her grasp for a moment longer.

Shahvee all too reluctantly released her grasp on me, though her stance was just a little shaky by then. The poor thing did have quite a scare. However, she then suddenly gasped lightly before looking at me. "Oh dear, I just remembered that I was supposed to stop by Angeline's Aromatics. I shouldn't keep her waiting."

"Over there? I'll go get it. You head inside and take it easy. I won't have to worry about any bandits this time." I replied while not minding the thought of getting a little more fresh air.

"Thank you, dearest. But do please be mindful on your way back. I don't want you to come home with a dagger in your back so soon after another close call." Shahvee replied while still looking uneasy about me going alone. I almost expected Jordis to follow me on principle, but she remained with Shahvee as they walked east along the wall and u the steps to our house's backdoor. She must have been very confident that the increased presence of the guard would thwart any dangers.

I headed back towards the market and saw that the three vendors had returned to their stalls by then. Just beyond the slope I had taken down from Castle Dour in the first place was my destination. A stone house with tall wooden slanted roofs. Upon stepping inside, I was greeted by a kindly old woman behind the counter who spoke with such a delightfully tender voice that one would expect from the kindest of grandmothers. "Can I... Oh, good afternoon, dear. Did Shahvee send you?"

"Yeah, she said you had something for her to pick up? We had just finished shopping, but I wasn't about to let her come back over here after one of those bandits almost took a swing at her." I said to Angeline while I approached the counter. She had a very impressive and colorful supply of potion bottles and alchemy ingredients on display around the shop.

"Bandits?! Oh, I was wondering what that ruckus was just a little while ago... I'm glad to hear she got away just fine. The poor dear must be quite shaken up after that." Angeline said in concern as she reached under the counter. "But that will make this little concoction all the more suitable tonight. Nothing like a hot bath to soothe your nerves."

The bottle she held up had the appearance of a wine bottle, but was entirely clear. It seemed to be filled with a colorless fluid. A type of homemade bath oil? I managed to get the cork off and took a long sniff of the contents. "Mmmm, that smells like lavender...and...something else?"

"Lavender with just a touch of moon sugar. She's going to love it." Angeline retorted while never losing that smile. Shahvee must have paid in advance. I too was looking forward to trying it out for myself. As I took the bottle in hand, the kindly herbalist then asked, "How has the dear been lately? She's been stopping by often. And we always have the loveliest chats."

"She seems to be fine to me. Was really happy to have me home today. I didn't realize how much I missed her until we were holding each other." I explained while starting to back away towards the door. I did not want to keep Shahvee waiting.

Angeline then threw me a curveball I was not expecting to hear. "She always talks about you so much when you're not in the city. But she's always so hopeful of what the future holds for you two. I can only hope I will still be here to see your little ones when they finally come to be."

"Yes, she is quite... Um..." I started to say as I processed Angeline's words. I stared in befuddlement as I put those words together. "Um... Excuse me? Little ones? I... I don't recalling Shahvee telling me about..."

The kindly shopkeeper got a good chuckle out of my response. "Did you forget? Your wife has been quite adamant about starting a family with you. She gets along so well with the children of the city. And even though she knows the odds are against the two of you... I mean I cannot recall the last time I ever heard of a Nord or any human successfully having a child with an Argonian... But I am sure Lady Mara will smile upon you both when the time is right. Her benevolence is known for weaving miracles."

I felt myself becoming hot and flustered. Having a family? With Shahvee? It sounded like a truly wonderful scenario to be able to experience. Regardless, I tried to get my mind off of it and starting to reach for the door. I should not think too hard too soon about something like that. "I'm sure she will... Anyway, I better get this to Shahvee. Thanks again, Angeline! Have a good one!"

She barely even had time to get a farewell out before I closed the door behind me. With the bottle cradled in my arms, I walked at a brisk pace back towards Proudspire Manor. I tried to keep my thoughts off of that conversation, but... It was not easy. Such a lovely thought... Shahvee and I. Children of our own? Could we really make it happen? Goodness knows someone as tender as that lovely Argonian would make a wonderful mother. And yet... Was it even possible? I knew that the people of Tamriel are not as inherently compatible with each other as those of Equestria. There must be some magic in the air for a human and a pony to have a child together, but I doubt the same could be said for a human and Argonian...

I tried to get my thoughts off of that topic as I looped around the back of our neighbor's home again and walked to the end of the alley and up the steps to a cozy patio right outside Proudspire Manor's backdoor. There was even a bottle of Argonian Bloodwine chilling in the cool arctic air. The blue color of the glass gave it away. I stepped over to the arched window gaps and gazed out at the frigid northern ocean and a few icebergs bobbing around in it. "I wonder what it's like in Atmora these days... Probably nothing but Ice Wraiths up there."

Not wanting to keep Shahvee waiting, I stepped into the house and was greeted by the lovely Argonian standing with her back to me far ahead. The kitchen was within sight, serving as the corner section of the dining room just beyond a very sturdy support pillar. She was arranging some of the cookware and our goods from the market while entirely oblivious to my presence.

I stood there wordlessly for a minute or more. Just watching her. Did I truly love her? What sort of question was that? How could I not? I had only a glimpse of her true personality before and now I had seen the wonderful woman I could only dream of. Shahvee was everything I could hope for and more. And so I quietly approached her from behind and set the bottle of bath oil down on a wooden bench along with my sword. I wanted to catch her by surprise. And I did as I stepped up behind her and put my arms around her. "Isn't a little early for dinner, love?"

She shuddered and gasped in surprise, but quickly relaxed into my embrace as her yelp was followed by an amused chuckle. "Ohoho, I suppose it is. I was just tidying up in here and putting everything away in preparation."

"You shouldn't spend so much time in the kitchen, dear." I whispered as my hands roamed. One went high while the other went low, my left resting upon the exposed upper section of her chest just below the neck while my right rested upon her belly. All I wanted to do was hold her and savor the movement."

"Perhaps... But we all must eat at times. And I have enjoyed experimenting with all these fine foods that I never had the chance to try in Windhelm. Skyrim knows how to eat..." She whispered softly as I felt Shahvee lean back into my arms with unwavering faith. She ceased to speak and began to sigh in silent delight. Her tail rubbed up against my shin, idly swaying at times. She was at peace. And very happy.

Shahvee brought her hands to mine as her head leaned against the side of mine. I placed a soft kiss upon her neck as she let out a long sighing hiss of pleasure with her maw parted. But i froze as I felt the ring on her finger touch mine. Ever so slowly, she moved my hand further down her belly and held it right over a space I was all too familiar with. I knew what she was trying to tell me. What she was hoping for. Angeline had not be exaggerating. Shahvee had placed my hand over her womb.

My breath caught in my throat as I felt the tender meaning in this subtle gesture. I knew what Shahvee wanted for us. And it was a most sacred and precious desire. My mind raced as my emotions flooded my heart. I thought of the possibilities. Shahvee and I... A family of our own. It was such a beautiful thought. And yet, I stood there on the verge of tears as I sharply inhaled through my teeth. Shahvee detected this shift in my mood and asked with a tender whisper without once losing her quiet composure. "Is something troubling you, dearest?"

"No... No, nothing is troubling me... It's just..." I muttered while trying to keep my emotions in check. I was so in love with this wonderful woman. And how I wanted to make her dream a reality. I wanted us to be together. To have a family in due time. What would our children look like? A wonderful mystery that could only be solved in one way. And so I whispered to her, "It's just...I... I love you so much..."

"And I love you as Secunda longs for Masser, my dearest James." Shahvee whispered sweetly in such a flowery reference to that world's twin moons. I nestled my head towards the crook of her neck as she made no attempt to subvert or resist my affections. I continued to hold her before I began to steadily step backwards. I wanted to sit down and hold her in my arms.

I made my way around the corner while not once releasing Shahvee from my embrace. And she all too happily followed without once turning around. I slowly lowered myself to a wooden chair near a sapling growing from a tall ceramic pot, its branches dotted with fresh juniper berries. The afternoon sun shone gently through the windows upon us with the branches of the sapling disrupting its rays of light. And once I was seated, Shahvee leaned back into my embrace until my bride was seated across my with her arm draped across my shoulders. As her thicker emerald green scales shimmered in the scattered sunlight, I could only whisper to her. "Why are you so beautiful..."

"Beauty lies only in the eye of the beholder, my dear." Shahvee hissed lovingly as her left hand rose to my cheek. "Am I truly beautiful to you, my love?"

"More stunning than Dibella herself." I retorted quietly as Shahvee brought her scaled lips to meet mine. At that moment, nothing else mattered. Just her and I. I closed my eyes as our lips touched again and again before touching and not relenting for a good moment. She held me as I held her. It was just such a perfect union. A marriage without strife. Love and happiness without compromise. I did not know what I had until I held her in my arms for the first time.

After minutes went by of what felt like a brief eternity of tender kisses, Shahvee surprised me as her jaws began to part. Her yellow reptilian eyes were lidded as her many fangs were bared, but not in aggression. Her long tongue reached out past her fangs and caressed my cheek in invitation. I did not resist her call. I embraced her as my eyes closed once again, my wife letting out a deep and almost guttural moan as my lips parted to allow my tongue to dance with hers while our lips caressed each other. I was filled with such a powerful sense of longing. Even if our mouths were so hopelessly mismatched, there truly was no lack of translation in the language of love between us. God, I was so in love with her... And I could feel through her touch and hear through the bestial moans of her voice that Shahvee was utterly head over heels for me as well.

Our tongues danced in an almost silent tango, the only sound breaking the silence being the fireplace in the kitchen as the glowing wood popped and crackled. My hand found its way to Shahvee's as hers rose up to match mine. Even with our eyes closed, our fingers intertwined as they held each other in a manner I have not had the pleasure of partaking in for some time. A very meaningful grasp as our kiss finally ended before we gazed into each other's eyes. We panted lightly, Shahvee's maw hanging open as her rows of fangs were on display. Our hands still tightly clung to each other before Shahvee bowed her head and rested her brow against the crook of my neck as a sweet little hiss wheezed from her lips. "Mara be praised..."

"May she be indeed." I muttered softly as I held my wife in my arms while she rested comfortably upon my lap, her tail swaying lazily. I savored that moment of silence, and yet I felt I should not be without words. I felt a smile creep across my lips as I recalled the conversation I had just before returning home. "Angeline and I had quite a chat before I left the store... Seems you've had a lot to say to her."

I heard a faint chuckle rumble in Shahvee's throat as her grasp tightened on my hand, the soft scaly flesh on her palm pressing into my own. Even without raising her head to look at me, she sighed happily under her breath. "I have... She is a kindly old woman... One who has given me advice..."

"Advice on children, I assume?" I asked while inching closer into territory that Shahvee likely knew of.

I felt Shahvee slide her fingers over the back on my hand without loosening her grip on me. She cooed in a manner that almost sounded like a growl, but I knew she would never show any hostility towards me. "I have thought... No, I have dreamed time and again... It is a selfish desire, I know. Some might even say it is a primal want. But I know what my heart craves, my love. It may be selfish, but there is one kind of happiness that I desire more than even what I have gained....."

"I know, my dear. I know." I whispered as I placed a kiss upon her head. "But this is a desire that is precious and even noble, right? There's nothing wrong in wanting to start a family with the one you love."

Shahvee tilted her head up as her eyes gazed at me. A hopeful smile settled into her lips as I whispered to her. "Just think of the possibilities... What would our children look like?"

"An exciting mystery, isn't it?" Shahvee said quietly as she beamed at me while her spare arm snaked its way around me for an embrace. "A mystery I can barely wait to solve...with you. If you would have me."

"Shahvee..." I muttered as my heart pounded in my chest while warmth flooded my body. I wanted this. I sincerely did. I reached out and kissed my wife as she pulled me into such a vice of an embrace. "I would be honored...with you. I love you...and the little ones we will surely be blessed with."

"Oh, James... I can hardly wait..." Shahvee hissed as she just barely avoided bursting into tears. Her jaws parted as she began to kiss me with such passion even as she sang her heart out to me. "Nothing but the purest joy can be waiting for us, my love... I love you... Now and forever, my dearest James!"

"Oh god, Shahvee...!" I groaned into her kiss as I all too happily returned it. I just felt so joyful in her embrace. Husband and wife. And now seeking to become father and mother. And had it been a quieter time of the day, things might have gotten quite steamy right there. Had we not suddenly heard the faint rattling of metal armor coming up the stairs nearby. All too soon, we stopped and stared as Jordis came around the corner and looked at us with Shahvee embracing me while still comfortably seated upon my lap. "Uh... We're just...uh..."

"I will just...see myself out... So sorry, my thane." Jordis replied in unease as she hastily made her way to the front door with the heavy wooden panel closing with a fair bit of noise behind her.

Shahvee and I remained completely silent for a rather comical length of time while still looking at where Jordis had disappeared to. We then looked at each other in silence for a moment before bursting into rather raucous laughter. The mood might have been killed, but the execution of the situation was still worth a laugh. Although I then did whisper, "You think it was a good thing she came by when she did?"

"I suppose it depends on how you look at it, my dear. I've been longing for you for some time. And I have been reading a copy of 'The Lusty Argonian Maid' on the side for...inspiration." Shahvee said with a bit of a churr to her voice while she traced a finger along my jawline. She flashed me quite a smirk while tilting her head down just enough to still allow her eyes to gaze right at me in such an inviting manner.

I shuddered at her touch and the inflections in her voice. How bold of her! "Oooooh my, Shahvee. I can't recall the last time I saw this side of you!"

She let out a delighted and playful chuckle before placing a kiss right upon my lips. "Who says a wife can't have a little fun with her husband from time to time? You're always so fun to tease, my dear. Especially when you never see it coming."

"Peheheheh, I love you..." I said with a chuckle as Shahvee and I shared one more brief kiss. It was right about then that I helped Shahvee stand up from my lap. "Well, I think it's a bit early for dinner... Want to relax out back with some of that Argonian Bloodwine?"

"That was exactly what I was thinking, dearest. I will fetch a pair of glasses." Shahvee replied before she made her way to the kitchen. I made my way out the back and took a seat on the left side of the table. Shahvee emerged from the backdoor not even a minute later with a pair of silver goblets in hand and a pair of green apples in her pockets. I raised an eyebrow at the complete lack of glass in the goblets while Shahvee was quick to take note of that stare. "Well, I did say glasses...but these are much sturdier."

"Heh, that they are." I retorted with a bit of a smirk. Shahvee sat herself down across the table from me and slid one goblet across the table. While she took the time to uncork the blue bottle before us, I looked to the northeast before the arched window to my left. "Frigid as this land may be, the weather can be gorgeous on clear days like this."

"It's one of my favorite things about Skyrim. At least when there is not a blizzard blowing." Shahvee said while she poured us both a glass of the wine. "Although today is rather mild for Skyrim standards. Especially this far north. Though it does make me wonder why Windhelm is so much colder down south..."

"Must be the bitterness of the old Nord masters over how times have changed." I retorted with a bit of wit, knowing how backwards Nord culture could get with the hardcore traditionalist types. Shahvee did manage to get a chuckle from that observation before we took a sip of our drink. While not as cold as it could have been, the wine was still pleasantly chilled. As for taste... I really cannot find something to compare it to. Argonian Bloodwine has a flavor that is entirely its own. I was wondering how to try and bring up a conversation topic when I heard the sound of a lute and flute coming from just over the wall behind Shahvee. "Oh right, the Bards College is right next door. A drink and a show."

"They do put on a good performance now and then. I have been taking flute lessons there lately as well. I think they're rather impressed that an Argonian can play a flute at all." Shahvee replied while looking over her shoulder as that pleasant folk music rose over the walls.

I found the notion of her bestial jaw structure failing to impede her ability to play a flute rather amusing. "If that Lurbuk in Morthal can play a flute through those tusks, I don't see why you can't. Frankly, it's one of the few things he's good at. He can play the drums, flute, and lute like the best of them, but he can't sing to save his life. To be honest, I get the feeling his singing may end up causing an assisted suicide in him someday."

Shahvee let out a hearty laugh at the mention of that hapless bard. I suppose even she had heard of him. Although I then took the opportunity to inquire about a relevant topic. "Say... Now that I'm thinking of undesirables, has Erikur ever given you trouble?"

"Aside from once or twice, no. The lout has an unsettling interest in elven women, but I think he only gives me that look when he gets impressively drunk on mead. The guards have started to keep a closer eye on him as of late, thankfully." She replied before taking a long swig of her wine. But she then cast me a rather proud smile and said, "I do believe that is thanks to you, my love."

Me? What did I do? This was my first time even seeing Solitude with my own eyes in person. Until then I had only seen Whiterun, Solstheim, and Riverwood. So I asked, "Huh? Me? Um... Remind me what I did?"

"You forget? We had visited the Winking Skeever for a meal and to listen to the local bard perform. After having too much mead, Erikur failed to see the ring on my hand and tried to make a move on me. He even made a quite a scene in the process. When he reached out to me, you grabbed him by the wrist and drew your sword, warning him that you would mount that hand on our fireplace if it ever touched me. You then quite forcefully showed him out with a boot to his back. The applause that everyone gave when he was kicked out the door was joyous." Shahvee explained while appearing that the act of looking back on that night filled her with pride. "I felt so blessed after that, as you kept your arm around me at all times until we got home."

I obviously had no memory of that incident since I never saw it happen myself. Must have been a product of the history of this hypothetical dream world in the back of my mind. I most likely would have actually done that had that bastard tried to put the moves on my wife. I took a sip of my wine as I spoke, "That scoundrel gives thanes a bad name. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before he's stripped of that title. I'll drink a toast to it when that day comes."

"I'm sure the bards next door would sing songs of that day when it comes. Maybe it'll become the next Ragnar the Red." Shahvee said almost jokingly.

Maybe the wine was starting to get to me by then, but I found the very idea of Erikur's debauchery being immortalized in song as the subject of mockery for generations to come incredibly satisfying, if not utterly hilarious. I then stood up as I said, "Why wait?! Why not just come up with a parody of that one? Ooooh, there once was a boorish thane named only Erikur whose debauchery and lust made his superiors wearier..."

"Bwahahahaha, no more, my love! Save the songs for when he has fallen from grace!" Shahvee howled as she slapped her hand upon the table. I think the bards next door might have overheard me since the sound of their instruments was replaced with raucous laughter. Perhaps I had just given them an idea to build off of.

"Well, if that verse is ever used, I take full responsibility for it if Erikur ever wants to challenge me to a duel to preserve his honor. What little there is, anyway." I chuckled before returning to my seat. Shahvee then took the opportunity to pass me one of the two apples she brought out. "Ah, thank you."

I took a bite or two while I watched Shahvee polish her apple on her sleeve. But as I crunched away, I watched as Shahvee opened her maw before she hesitated. I quickly saw why. Argonians and most reptiles in general do not have incisors. Their jaws are only lined with fangs. How would she eat an apple if her dental structure was not designed for it?

Shahvee looked back at me before giving me a bit of a smirk. I then watched with wide eyes as she opened her maw very wide and set the apple right on her tongue. What followed was a messy and noisy display as Shahvee repeatedly crunched down on the whole thing with no means to chew with her mouth shut. Her face simply was not designed for it. I personally found the entire sight fascinating and even rather humorous to see how thoroughly she was devouring the entire apple in one go. After a good half minute of crunching away, Shahvee got her mouth shut and swallowed the mangled mess of fruit. I then provided a witty retort of my own. "That's one way to polish the whole thing off in one bite."

"Mhmhmhm, I appreciate that you do not mind that I cannot chew with my mouth closed. I know civilized dining values quiet methods of eating, but I do the best with what I have." Shahvee explained humbly while at least trying to find some levity in her own body's restrictions.

"It's just the way your body is designed, dear. Nothing to be ashamed and nothing that can be helped." I said softly before quickly finishing off the rest of my apple and chucking the core through the window and down the yonder cliffside for any little wild beasts to take care of. I then stood up and walked to the other side of the table and held my precious wife from behind. "I've always loved you just the way you are. You don't have to change for me. Because you're already just fine."

"And you were all I had hoped for when you took my hand in yours for the first time." Shahvee whispered to me as she placed a hand upon my arm. "I wish I could join you on your expeditions across Skyrim. I wish I could don a suit of armor and be out there with you, sword or bow in hand... I just...wish I had a warrior's spirit at times... Just so I could be out there with you without being a liability."

"No, Shahvee... No..." I whispered to her before placing a kiss upon her head. "I wondered what that would be like myself. But then I wondered what would happen if I lost you out there... One stray arrow. One swing of a bandit's axe from behind. One wrong step onto a pressure plate in a Nordic crypt... There are so many ways to die out there in Skyrim. And...I don't know what I would do with myself if I were to...watch you die in my arms..."

Shahvee became silent. She did not move. At least for a moment. I felt her start to adjust herself to stand up, so I loosened my embrace. But the instant she was on her feet, Shahvee turned to me and held me in an even tighter embrace with her head bowed into my chest. "Then...I won't. I won't put myself in danger. I am far from ready to leave this world... Not if it means having to leave you behind. I don't want to do that to you... I love you too much to...break your heart..."

"Shahvee... I know I've said this a lot, but...I love you... I really do..." I whispered as I once again held my wife in my arms once more. "I know it's getting old, but..."

"No, never say such a thing, my love." Shahvee whispered sweetly to me as her hands caressed my back. "You can never say such a thing too many times. It is a melody that never becomes grating. It never gets old. And it will never fall out of favor with anyone. Like the call of a twittering pine thrush, one never tires of its song. Sing your song as many times as you like. I will never grow to stop cherishing it."

"Shahvee, you are an angel in disguise... I never could have chosen someone else over you... Oh god, I never could..." I said with a harsh shudder as I felt my nerves alight. Her embrace was so euphoric. Even more so when her lips were again upon mine. When our embrace finally loosened, we stood with drinks in hand before tapping our goblets together. "To many more years, my love."

"And to an eternity beyond that. In the halls of Sovngarde, if they would have me." Shahvee said with a smile before the two of us chugged the remainder of our wine.

"And if they do not let you follow me in, then we will find our own little paradise elsewhere. Wherever that may be." I replied as I placed my hand upon her shoulder. "An eternity in Sovngarde without you would be an eternity not worth savoring."

"I truly wonder which of us is the actual angel here, my dear..." Shahvee said with a genuinely touched smile as she brought a hand to her maw to stifle a chuckle. That precious Argonian then took both of our empty goblets in hand before returning the wine bottle's cork to its neck. "Before it gets too late, I really should start on dinner. I'm looking forward to that stew tonight."

"Isn't it still a bit early for that?" I asked while noticing that it was still just the afternoon.

"You would be surprised how long it can take to prepare a hearty meal, deal. It will take me at least a couple of hours." Shahvee explained before reaching out and placing a kiss upon my cheek. "I'm sure you can find some way to entertain yourself in the meanwhile. Trust me, it will take some time."

"Very well then. I'll just...take a look around. Maybe curl up with a good book. Practice with my sword arm. Or get into all manner of mischief." I replied while still a bit loosened up from that wine. I was not really considering getting into trouble. Not when the guards were already on high alert.

Shahvee creaked a crooked smirk at the last line. "Well, please do not give the guards a reason to pay us a visit tonight, my dear. Now, I really must get started. See you in a while, James dearest."

"Will do, dear. Take care." I replied before watching Shahvee step into our home. While I do enjoy cooking, I would not know where to begin with the cuisine Skyrim provides. Shahvee probably knew her way around an archaic fire pit than me. I went down the steps and made my way to the front of the house and entered through the heavy door into the basement. Interesting things likely dwelled within.

I was first greeted by the alchemy lab on my left. Though I was drawn more to the colorful collection of ingredients on display than the prospect of making something from them. Of all the skills and fields one could practice in the land of Tamriel, from swordsmanship to archery to the five schools of magic to even lock picking, alchemy had always been the one expertise I could never get the hang of. I doubt I am the only one too.

After browsing the lab for a bit, I stepped away and continued on down the hall before finding myself gazing upon the two armored mannequins again. I really was quite taken with that suit of ebony armor. Such beautiful craftsmanship for a suit of armor that is legendary for its durability. But I then noticed a large wooden chest nearby. Without much thought I kneeled by it and lifted the lid open. It was all but empty. The only thing that dwelled within brought a smirk to my face. "Well well, what do we have here? The Wabbajack."

The only thing that sat in the chest was a rather unassuming staff seemingly made of pewter One would have to look closely near the top to see three elongated faces display gaping calls of sorrow, rage, and joy. A most peculiar artifact of Daedric origin. Something Discord himself would have likely had some fun with if he could. I looked left and right, as if I was afraid someone might spot me. The only sound I could pick up was Shahvee going about the kitchen upstairs to prepare dinner for the evening. I then reached in and took the staff in hand. "Oh come on. Like I wouldn't try to have some fun with this."

Now feeling more than just a bit cheeky, I headed right back outside with the Wabbajack in hand. But what could I do with it? I could try using it on anyone that passed by, but I knew the staff could have lethal consequences and that I could never predict the outcome. Did I really want to screw over some poor shmuck for a laugh? Even in a situation that would carry no consequence?

I sighed as I silently reprimanded myself for the thought. No, I would not do that to anyone. Still, I wanted to at least see what I could do with this staff. I walked to my right and up the steps, finding myself on a stone walkway that led to the front door of Proudspire Manor and our neighbor's home. I looked out over the northern expanses beyond the wall. I then looked down at the staff in my hand. "Hm... I wonder..."

A burst of inspiration struck me. I flexed my wrist, willing the staff to react. A glowing orb of scarlet light began to form at the tip of the staff. But instead of targeting anything in particular, I instead pointed it directly at the sky. I willed the staff to fire, the bright orb of magical energy shooting up into the sky and eventually fading from sight.

I waited... And waited. But nothing happened. I snorted while I looked down at the staff in annoyance. I assumed it really would only affect living creatures. But just as I was about to head back down the steps and put the Wabbajack back where it came from, a rumbling of thunder reached my ears. I reflexively looked up. The sky was just not cloudy enough for a thunderstorm. But then, instead of thunder, I heard a voice echo through the sky. "Do my ears deceive me? Did someone just place an order for takeout with the mighty Wabbajack?"

"Oooooh boy, this can't be good..." I muttered to myself as I recognized that wacky voice right away. If I had to describe it, he sounded a lot like Discord, but with a slightly higher pitch and with what I assume was a very thick Irish accent. And it could only mean one thing. Madness was coming.

"Hey! You there! With the Wabbajack! Yes, you! Speak up, can't hear you! Oh wait... I can't hear anything down there while I'm up on this plane of existence." The voice spoke with a tone of comical madness to it. Although it then said, "Wait a moment... Don't I know you from somewhere? Wait! Don't tell me! I want to guess."

I crossed my arms as I found myself entertained. And sure enough, the voice continued to prattle on. "You're the delivery boy who brought me that order of ash yams soaked in Ashfire Mead! Disgusting! I loved it! No wait! You're the circus performer who danced on the Throat of the World while juggling Secunda and Masser for a fortnight! Jolly good show! Noooo, that's not it either... Ah! I got it! You're the one who's been sending me dozens of death threats a day! Inscribed on the backs of an entire brothel of Argonian concubines! Oh, they were all such great company. My favorites! Boethiah knows where to find such good help."

By then, I had hunched over while letting out guffaws of utter amusement. That guy was so hard not to laugh at. And he still did not shut up. "I'm just pulling your liver, lad! Of course I know who you are! You're the one who popped in on Pelagius and I during a little chat before I started doing the fish stick. Jolly good show back there. The lad hasn't slept this well in ages! In fact, I don't think he's ever gonna wake up at this rate!"

I at least managed to stop laughing right there. I then looked to the heavens and said, "Well, glad to be of service. Wasn't expecting to actually contact you just now. Was just...messing around with this thing on a whim."

"A whim! Ha! Brilliant! The best fun comes from doing it all out of nowhere and on impulse! Because you never know what you might get! No plans, no anticipated outcomes! Just like the Wabbajack! I love the way you think!" He shouted in inspired delight. But he then asked, "But I'm getting ahead of meself. I'm assuming you called for a reason? Perhaps you have a wee problem. Or a big problem! No, it's probably not such a big problem... Hmmm... Ah, I got it! You were wondering what to have for dinner!"

"Um... Maybe?" I said with some bewilderment. I had no idea were this was going.

"Me too! I just couldn't decide. Always one of life's little dilemmas that we all go through every single day..." The voice spoke before going silent for just a brief moment. "Well, why not go with something everyone enjoys? And why just you? Here, a little something for all of Solitude! Eat up, everyone! Cheeeeese for everybody!"

At first, I thought he was just messing with me. But then I heard a thud to my right. Upon looking down, I saw a freshly sliced wedge of yellow cheese that would fit in my hand. And then another fell. And then another bounced off the slanted roof of our neighbor's house. Upon looking up, I saw something that would not be too far off from what Discord would have done. It was literally raining cheese!

"Oh lord, what have I done?!" I yelped as I took shelter in the doorway to my own house. Just enough roof to take cover. More and more wedges of cheese felt from the sky and started to pile up in the streets. I took a look at one such slice of cheese that I picked up in my left hand. Just a slice of hardened goat cheese. I took a bite to see if it was laced with any chaotic magic, but it really was just ordinary cheese. Straight from the sky. But around then was when I thought I heard someone calling. But that call turned into a protracted yell. "Is that...Nightmare Moon?"

Was she nearby? I poked my head out as far as I could without leaving myself open to a cheese wedge to my cranium and looked to the sky. Much to my shock, I saw Nightmare Moon tumbling out of the sky while letting out a yell as she was pelted with cheese. It must have knocked her right out of the air. I watched with bemusement as she crashed right through the roof of our neighbor's house! I stared in abject awe and confusion as that voice in the sky suddenly spoke again. "I thought I saw a flying pony who's mane and tail looked a tad phony. So I threw her some cheese, she let out a wheeze, and now she looks not so lonely."

That was too much. I could not help bursting into laughter at the abrupt use of slapstick at the expense of the Princess of Dreams herself, followed up by a catchy limerick. Even so, I still shook my head at the chaos unfolding before me. "Ooooh, Vittoria is not gonna be happy about this!"

After a minute or so of watching the cheese piling up in the streets, there was a sudden flash of light before me as I found Nightmare Moon back on her feet...and her armor being heavily dented and ravaged by the fall. She glared at me with a very dry stare while not even flinching as wedges of cheese bounced of her layer of barding. She then calmly asked, "James. I don't suppose you have anything to do with this, do you?"

"Um...nope!" I yelped while trying to hide the Wabbajack behind me. Her gaze only narrowed as she detected my fib. I then sheepishly said, "Uh...maybe...? OK, so it was! Kind of. I didn't expect it to start raining cheese! You OK there?"

Nightmare Moon let out a sigh as she said firmly, "James. You have always been my guiding light. You mean the world to me and I would be lost without you. However..." She then looked me dead in the eye and spoke quietly with her voice dripping venom. "I will be getting you back for this. Mark my words, I will have my revenge."

"And I suppose you would have the right to do that, huh?" I asked while finding myself chuckling very nervously. Both in unease and at the sheer hilarity of the situation. I then held out the Wabbajack to her. "Here, better take this before I can do any...ack!"

It misfired! I did not even do anything! A flash of red light hit her from the top of the staff and she was gone! Until I looked down. "Oh no..."

I could only stare. A little chicken with plumage as black as the night sky stood before me as she looked left and right. Seconds later, the hen started fluttering and screeching at me in fury as she fluttered all over me while pecking at my exposed skin. "Ow, sorry! Cut it out! I swear that wasn't on... Whoa! Ack! Get off! Ow!"

Next thing I knew, while she was on my shoulder, there was a flash of red light as Nightmare Moon suddenly returned to normal. And she was draped across my shoulders in full armor! The combined weight of her and that armor was too much and I ended up falling right to the stone floor. I at least managed to ease my fall, but I was still flat on my face by the end of it. Nightmare Moon wasted no time in grabbing the Wabbajack from my hand in her teeth. "Give me that!"

I pushed myself up to my knees and watched as Nightmare Moon tossed the Wabbajack into the air and expertly blasted it with a bolt of magic lightning. Of course, I knew Daedric artifacts are not so easily destroyed, so all she did was send it spiraling through the air and over the city walls to most likely end up landing in the bay. But before it could begin to fall, the spinning staff misfired again and sent a burst of magical chaotic energy right at me! With no way to even try to get out of the way, all I could do was shout. "Oh snap!"

Next thing I knew, I... Well... How do I describe this? Everything I saw, everything I felt, everything I thought... It was just...sugar and cinnamon. Just...sugar and cinnamon. However that works. But maybe ten seconds later, I suddenly found myself sitting on the floor where I had been with a confused Nightmare Moon looked down at me with a most cockeyed stare. I had no idea of what to say or to ask, but she did then say, "Hm... And here I was wondering if I should eat you."

"Let me guess... That thing turned me into a sweet roll?" I asked while trying to remember the full list of effects the Wabbajack could have on a target. As she stood there before me, the rain of cheese continued to pelt her armored form with comical metallic thumps coming with each impact. "Come to think of it... How did that cheese even knock you out of the sky?! Didn't you put up a barrier?"

"Believe me, I tried! But I was interrupted by a strike to my horn. And then my wings were continually pelted. It was all too much and I could not focus or fly! Honestly, where did this storm even come from?! I trust that this land of Skyrim does not normally experience cheese downpours?" Nightmare Moon explained while continuing to glare at me for answers.

"Eh... No, not really. This is all the work of Tamriel's equivalent of Discord. I mean Discord was never exactly crazy, but this guy is legitimately off his rocker." I tried to explain while the parallels between that mad god and Discord did not fly over my head. "Goes by the name of Sheogorath. Or as he puts it, Ann Marie. But only if you're partial to being flayed alive and having an angry immortal skip rope with your entrails."

"Yes, that's more or less something I would expect Discord to say when having an exceptionally bad day... Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to find a cave to ride out this storm in. Carry on. I will see you when you awaken in the morning." Nightmare Moon replied before she projected a spherical barrier around herself. Now properly shielded from the rain of cheese, she took to the sky and flew south.

"Awaken...? Oh right... Almost forgot I really am just dreaming. Her presence makes these dreams so amazingly lucid..." I muttered to myself while climbing to my feet. I was too distracted by the falling cheese wedges to give it much thought. But as I watched the cheese piling up, I suddenly had an idea. I started gathering up as many cheese wedges as I could in my arms while braving the storm and managed to get myself back inside Proudspire Manor. Maybe Shahvee could find a use for them.

Upon stepping through the front door and entering the living room, I proceeded ahead before glancing to my right. Shahvee was hard at work in the kitchen, preparing the salmon we had purchased. I then approached her and asked, "Shahvee? Got a moment?"

She looked up from the cutting board and quickly gave me a most perplexed stare. "Um... James... Where did you get all that?"

Both of my arms were lugging around a pile of cheese wedges by then. Maybe I should have grabbed a box. I cracked an awkward grin as I realized how ridiculous I must have looked. "Eh... Well... Would you believe me if I said this all fell out of the sky?"

"I'm not really sure... But is it at least safe to eat?" Shahvee asked while sounding understandably standoffish about the origins of the cheese in my arms.

"Yes, I swear it's safe. I took a bite out of one myself. Just ordinary goat cheese. With a not so ordinary origin." I explained before stepping over to the kitchen table beside her to set down my armful of cargo. "Anyway, was wondering if you could add this to the menu tonight. Be a shame to let it go to waste."

"Well... Hm..." Shahvee muttered as she examined the pile of cheese wedges before her, a finger stroking her lower jaw. "I'll see what I can do with this... Perhaps I could melt it down for some fondue."

"Ooh, that does sound scrumptious. Anyway, I'll leave you to that. See you in a while, dear." I replied before I made my way downstairs and back into basement. I did not want to hang around in the house for the next couple of hours if I would only get in the way. I approached the two suits of armor on display again and examined the suit of ebony armor. A matching shield, almost exclusively made of shimmering ebony, was wedged into the grip of its right hand. It was quite large. I would even say just shy of the Lunar Shield in size. With a bit of wiggling, I got the shield loose and grasped it in my left hand. I wanted to take another look around Solitude, but I needed something to serve as an umbrella so long as it continued to rain cheese on Solitude.

As soon as I stepped out through the basement door, I lifted my shield over my head. And not a moment too soon. A wedge of cheese bounced off my shield with a clunk. I looked all around me, genuinely impressed with how much cheese was piling up all around me. "At least Solitude won't be going hungry for a good while... And heaven forbid Discord and Sheogorath having a lunch date together. Cotton candy clouds raining chocolate with a hail of cheese... Crazy, man. Crazy."

"Cotton candy clouds raining chocolate?! Why didn't I think of that?!" I heard a familiar voice echo from on high. "Thanks for the inspiration, lad! I know just what to have for dessert."

"No no no no no no! Not today! This is more than enough!" I shouted back up at the sky while waving my empty right hand dismissively. "Besides, who has cheese with chocolate?! They don't mix!"

"Bah, you're no fun! Although I suppose you're right. Chocolate fondue is fantastic with fruit. And cheese fondue beats all with veggies, no? But no one in their right mind would try to mix the two. Or in their wrong mind! I should know. I tried it once. Indescribable, I say!" He called back while sounding like he was trying to not laugh. "But still, cotton candy clouds with chocolate rain in them. I've got to try this! And I reckon it's about time for dessert in the Shivering Isles right about now. Time to stop on by! See you again, mortal!"

"Yeah, you go do that." I muttered while the voice finally shut up for the final time. With shield raised over my head, I waded through the sea of cheese lapping around my ankles. Pinkie Pie would be having a field day if she were there. Right as I reached the fork in the road that led up to Castle Dour and went off to the left to the market, I saw Jordis coming up on my left with her shield also raised over her head. I cracked a cheeky grin as I asked, "Unusual weather we're having, eh?!"

"That's putting it lightly." Jordis retorted while sounding and looking like she was unsure if she should be annoyed or amused. "It just started coming down out of nowhere! Even the guards have taken shelter for now. We should probably get back indoors. A blow to the head from these can still bruise you."

"Yeah, I suppose we should. My arm's getting tired already." I replied while noting how my arm was beginning to grow sore the longer I held my shield over my head. Together, Jordis and I hurried back down the road and ducked back inside Proudspire Manor through the basement door. Jordis returned her shield to her quarters past the first door on the right while I returned mine to the mannequin that had been holding it. "So much for singing in the rain."

By then, the aroma of fine cooking had started to fill the house. Jordis inhaled deeply once she stepped back out into the hall. "Mm, Shahvee always knows how to cook up a storm. I shall go see if she requires assistance, my thane."

"All right then. I'll be down here...just...killing time." I replied while Jordis made her way up the stairs. I started exploring the basement a bit more and examined the wooden racks where I had first retrieved my sword from. I saw yet another weapon that caught my eye. A flanged mace composed of shimmering steel. "Huh... You don't see these very often in Equestria..."

I took the mace off its rack and found it to handle very differently from a sword. Much heavier towards the tip of the weapon, I could never hope to wield it effectively with my knowledge of swordplay. I had difficulty figuring out how to stop the thing with every swing without leaving myself open. "Way too brutal and cumbersome... I'll never get the hang of this."

As much as I can respect a weapon that brutally ignores all manners of plate armor, the mace is a weapon I have no aptitude in. I returned the brutish weapon to its display rack and took an interest in another sword that gleamed like gold. A blade of Dwemer design and construction, I took it in hand while noting its complete lack of anything remotely resembling a crossguard. Exclusively meant for offense. Perhaps that is why Dwemer shields are so big and encompassing.

I decided to take the sword into Jordis' quarters for a little practice. I was glad to see that she had swapped out that simple bedroll for a proper wooden bed, but her room was still rather modest when considering the opulent design of the rest of Proudspire Manor. Having quite a bit of room to swing a sword around in, I proceeded to start swinging at imaginary opponents while minding my surroundings.

Back and forth, I swapped between experimenting with weapons I found in storage and just pacing about while alone with my thoughts. I had been enjoying myself. Very much so. But I could not help but wonder about what I would be finding soon. I felt compelled to focus on the here and now and ignore my plight in the Empty Plains, but being surrounded by signs of armed conflict would always bring those thoughts to the forefront of my mind. If only I could enlist Jordis to fight by my side... Or reach out to the Imperial Legion or the Companions. They could surely aid Equestria in this war, if only I could get them there... Wishful thinking, nothing more.

After so long, I thought I heard a voice call down the stairs right as I rounded the corner. "My thane! Dinner is served!"

"It... Oh, right! I'll be right up!" I retorted before returning the sword in my hand to its display rack and making my way upstairs. As soon as I rounded the corner to enter the kitchen, I was most impressed by what I saw. Salmon fillets grilled to perfection. Baked potatoes with ribbons of molten cheese drizzled over them. A pot full of apple and cabbage stew. And another pot filled with liquid golden cheese and pile of assorted vegetables ready for dunking. I shook my head slowly while failing to properly whistle. "My word, Shahvee... This is a feast."

My very talented wife grinned very widely as Jordis too surveyed our meal with awe. "I told you it would take some time. But it was worth it, no?"

All too eagerly, the three of us took a seat at the table. The salmon was finely grilled and its natural flavor was allowed to be tasted with minimal seasoning. The cheese went well with the baked potatoes and made for a fantastic fondue. But I was most impressed with the stew. Apples and cabbages together. Such a flavorful and delightfully rustic taste.

I was so focused on enjoying this fine yet simple cooking that I did not really have much to say. Although I think Shahvee got a lot of enjoyment over seeing how much I approved of her cooking. She even said, "It would seem that bringing in that cheese was a wise decision, dear."

"Mmhm, this all hits the spot." I mumbled over my meal while Shahvee and Jordis got a giggle out of my enthusiasm. They even poured us glasses of chilled mead to go with our meal. I ate and ate until I could eat no more. There was still quite a bit of cheese and stew leftover and would probably make for a good quick breakfast after being reheated over the fire, but we made sure not a scrap of the potatoes and salmon was left.

We all leaned back in our seats once our appetites had been thoroughly sated. We did not even have room for dessert. I groaned lethargically, "I forgot how delicious and filling such simple means of cooking can be..."

"I suppose that is a stamp of approval?" Shahvee asked almost jokingly while also taking a moment to let her meal settle in her stomach. By then I had noticed how little light was coming in through the windows with most of the light available coming from candles or the fireplace. It was getting late and would soon be time for bed.

I noticed Jordis glance at the two of us from across the table and smile. As if she could sense something in the air. She quickly chugged the remainder of her mead before lazily rising from the table. "If I may be excused... I think I am needed at the Winking Skeever tonight."

I cast her a confused gaze. A housecarl? Requesting that she be permitted to be away from her thane? But Shahvee seemed to know why. "We will be here. Just please be sure to lock the doors on your way out."

"I will. Please do not leave the house until I return tonight. You will be safe as long as the doors remained lock." Jordis replied as she stood up and left the table. Even while she was out of sight, I could here her securing the front and back doors before going downstairs to retrieve her shield and leaving through the basement door. Only those with the keys to Proudspire Manor would be able to enter now. Even the most intrepid of thieves would not be able to pick the locks.

Only once Jordis was out of the house did I get an idea of what was happening. Shahvee gingerly set her hand upon mine and smiled in the dimmed light of our home now that only the odd flickering candle, the light of the dying fireplace, and the glow of a full moon shone through the windows. "We should bathe before bed, dear."

"Is that why Jordis decided to excuse herself?" I asked while starting to feel a twinge of excitement. Something I could never have witnessed before was about to occur with nothing to get between Shahvee and I. She rose from her seat as I followed her lead, walking hand in hand as she guided me to the stairs and up them to the top of the manor. But once we turned the corner, Shahvee reached for a door on our left. I was expecting it to be a spare bedroom. But once we stepped in... "Whoa..."

Instead of a spare bedroom, I was greeted by a rather opulent bathroom. A round tub carved out of smooth stone was in the corner with a metal tank nearby that was probably an archaic water tank. A small bed of wood and dry twigs were set underneath to serve as a pilot light of sorts. All we would have to do is light it. But that was when I realized what was happening. "We... We're taking a bath before bed?"

"Isn't that what I said?" Shahvee asked in turn as I saw her seated on a stool while removing her shoes. I suddenly felt hot as I was faced with an invitation I had not foreseen. Something I could never have hoped to see before this point would soon grace my vision.

I watched as Shahvee approached the water tank and held out a hand as a flickering flame formed under her curled fingers. A gout of fire then burst from her hand as she held it out towards the kindling under the tank as it soon lit up in crackling fire. I did not ever take Shahvee for a mage. "You have been practicing magic?"

Shahvee looked my way as she dismissed the flames in her palm. "Oh, any fool can learn how to use novice spells like that. It's convenient in lighting the fireplace."

She then reached behind herself and began to undo her dress. I respectfully looked away while I began to uneasily remove my coat shoes and socks before starting on my coat. I kept wondering if I should make excuses to get myself out of there. Even if I did adore Shahvee, this was so much so fast. But once I had stripped down to just my undergarments, I froze as I felt a pair of arms embrace me from behind while smooth scales pressed against my back. "What's wrong, dearest? You seem so hesitant."

I froze. It had been so long since I had last been held by a woman so similar to my own kind. Long folding arms. Soft tender hands. And against my back... A pair of soft mounds coated in smooth scales not unlike those upon the palms of her hands. But before I could say anything, I twitched as I felt something starting to tug at the waistband around my undergarments. A quick glance down revealed that Shahvee was using the tip of her tail to pull my last remnants of clothing down to my ankles. "Uh... I... I just..."

"Shhhh... No words, my love." She hissed into my ear most tenderly. As I stood there bare, still held in the arms of my wonderful Argonian wife, I felt both tense and eager. I placed my hand over hers, our rings touching. She began to slide my ring up and off my finger, carefully removing it. "Let me set this aside, dear. Would be a shame if it was lost in the bath."

"Yeah, that would be wise..." I muttered as she took her hands off me. I heard her approach a cabinet to my left that held towels, soap, and other bathroom staples. And once I found the courage to turn around, I was greeted by a most radiant sight. "My lord..."

Shahvee brought a hand to her lips as if amused by how awestruck I was. Her naked form was... Just... So very familiar in her almost perfectly human proportions, but still very alien in her reptilian physiology. Slender and light, her bare front was coated in a much paler hue of green in the form of softer scales while still speckled with thicker and darker scales. A pair of pert breasts sat prominently upon her chest as I brought my hands to her shoulders. Her head was angled down just slightly, gazing at me with a lovely stare of invitation. Words were not needed as I caressed my hands over my wife. Her paler scales were as soft as human flesh, a reptilian churr I would likely expect out of a dinosaur rattling in her throat. My hands rested upon her breasts, finding them as soft as they appeared. Shahvee brought her hands to mine and rested over the backs of the hands that held her bosom. "Your touch is never not tender, my love... I adore how you cherish me...as I cherish you..."

"Your beauty is truly unparalleled, dear..." I whispered before I found the two of us in an embrace. But this time, nothing was between us. My flesh against her scales. So very different, but so very much alike in all the ways that mattered. We just stood there, holding each other in a moment of respite I feel I do not get to experience as often as I should.

"Shhh... I can feel you, darling... Your heart is so heavy." She whispered to me before taking my hand in hers as our embrace loosened. "Come. Let's not wait any longer."

Shahvee guided me to the tub and began to tilt the water tank over to empty its contents. She was very careful due to its size and while the water was certainly hot by that point due to the steam being released, it was not quite at the point of boiling. A little was left in the tank once the tub was adequately filled, likely to help the tank wait out the little fire under it since there did not seem to be a means to extinguish it at the time.

I was about to step into the tub, but paused when I saw Shahvee lift a clear glass bottle into her arms. She smirked at me as I recognized it as the bath oil I had brought to her. She dumped half of its contents into the tub's steaming water before beginning to stir it in with just her tail. That wonderful scent of lavender rose with the steam as the cool air in the stone room became increasingly humid and warm.

I gingery stepped into the tub, almost wincing from the heat. Shahvee too carefully stepped in, sighing harshly as she adjusted to the high heat of the water. We kneeled in the tub, the soothing oil soaking into our skin and scales. Shahvee went deep enough to let the water wash over her shoulders before rising again. I stood behind her as I saw her emerald scales shimmering in the moonlight. The way she kneeled in the tub with her back to me almost seemed like an invitation. One that I too readily answered with an embrace from behind. My arms crossed over her chest, hands upon her breasts, as she let out a raspy coo in my arms. "Oooh... I love you..."

"And I love you." I whispered back to her as I placed soft kisses along her neck. Shahvee forgot all about the purpose of bathing as she relaxed into my embrace. She lifted her head high, tough I was mindful of the horns on the back of her head. My hands slid all over her slick front side, over her perky breasts and down over her slender belly. As one hand dipped below the surface of the water even as Shahvee continued to coo and gasp in my embrace. My finger slide between and under her hips, exploring her exotic body. I soon made a discovery as my fingers found a horizontal slit in her smooth scales and pressed inward to find warm and moist flesh.

"Oh...! Oooh, so eager, my love..." Shahvee moaned as she arched her back in my embrace. But she then looked back at me with a needy smile and whispered, "But not yet. I long for you too, but let us wait. Until we are alone... In the bedroom."

"Ah, all right. Whenever you say, dear." I whispered back as I pulled my fingers from within her body. As eager as I was to finally experience the act of making love to that wonderful Argonian woman, I did not want to be too hasty. We had something to do first. And so we took turns applying a soapy gel from a wooden bowl nearby to each other as we soaked in that steamy hot water imbued with that luxurious oil.

I all but forgot about my lust after a short while. There was just something so pleasantly wholesome about enjoying a hot bath in an elegant stone manor with the one woman in Skyrim that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Though that did not stop me from occasionally feeling up my wife and her beautiful slender form. Though she would always get me back by sliding her tail between my legs. She eventually smirked at me and whispered, "Be patient, my love. For tonight is special. And I would not miss it for the world."

"Special...?" I asked as I once again found the two of us in each other's embrace. Our lips touched again as we kissed. But I quickly came to a conclusion as my eyes went wide. "You mean...you are...?"

Shahvee tenderly brought my hand to her smooth and soft belly, a look of calm yet sacred desire in her eyes. "I have prayed at the altar of Mara many times recently... I trust she will not ignore this opportunity."

My heart pounded in my chest as a thrill shot through my nerves. This was it... Our chance to have a child. Nord and Argonian, having a child together through the way it has always meant to be... I kissed Shahvee firmly without words. It was all I could do to voice my approval of her desire while she groaned in need as her hands clung to my back. We were so very in love... It was time to make our family complete.

Finally, we stood up in the tub with each other in our arms. She felt so slick... Both from the cleansing soap and aromatic oil that still thinly veiled her scales. The fire under the water tank had since faded away to just a pile of glowing embers. With a flick of her tail, Shahvee removed the stopper at the center of the tub to allow it to drain. The room grew gradually cooler as the sources of heat became less prominent, but she felt so warm in my arms. Together, we stepped over to the cabinets that held the thick and long towels that soon shrouded our bodies fully.

Shahvee took me by the hand without a word said, but with her smile telling me all I needed to know. She led me out of the bathroom and just to our left into the bedroom. I made sure to secure the lock on the door, just in the off chance that Jordis would decide to return home at an inopportune time. But when I turned around...

I froze as I was greeted by a most titillating sight. With only the glow of the moonlight and a few candles on a nightstand illuminating the room, Shahvee was reclining upon the bed with nothing in the way. She had her head tilted downward in such a manner that made her gaze all the more inviting. My towel loosened and fell to my ankles as the usual chill of Skyrim's arctic climate seemed to fade in that stone room with the heat of passion starting to fill the confines of our bedchamber. Shahvee held out her hand and whispered in a tender tone, "Come to me, dearest... It's been too long."

"It has..." I muttered as I approached her with my nerves on fire. Never before had I ever seen her like this. Or held her like this. Shahvee was everything I could have hoped for in a wife. I had indeed chosen wisely. Shahvee pulled me forward as I crawled only the bed, rolling back until I was atop her. Our lips touched. Our fingers entwined. Our tongues danced. We needed each other. Wanted each other. My body was craving her as she likely craved me. I could feel my hardened shaft's tip sliding over the smooth scales lining her belly. Trailing downward as I searched for an entrance. And when I found it, I pushed inward.

Shahvee's jaws parted wide as a surprisingly shrill gasp escaped her throat, momentarily defying the limits of her reptilian vocal chords. Her head tilted back as I too groaned quietly with my shaft pushed in to the hilt. She was warm... Very warm. Not at all some beast of a murky swamp that relies on the tropical sun for warmth. Her heart beat hotly like mine. She was no beast. She was a woman like any other. She was mine. And I was hers.

I lifted and lowered my hips, testing the waters as I pushed into her body. Shahvee's arms clung to me as I savored the moist warmth around my length. Her voice churred and whimpered as she gave herself to me. I began to wonder if our bodies were not ideal for each other and whispered, "Am I doing something wrong? Does it hurt?"

"N... Nooooo... Never... You...have never hurt me, dearest... Oooooh, yes..." Shahvee cooed as her head remained tilted back while I began to place soft tender kisses along the smooth scales of her neck. "Oh, my love... Yes... Yes, please..."

"Oh god, Shahvee..." I groaned as her hand grasped mine, our fingers entwining in ways that I have not felt from the hand of a woman in far too long. I raised and lowered myself, being careful to not press the full weight of my body against her. This was a precious moment between us. One of sacred desire and purpose.

Minutes later, Shahvee coaxed me into rolling over so that she may be on top. Once she was, I placed my hands upon her thighs while she rose herself up with renewed composure. She was a radiant feast for the eyes as she rode me with such grace. The shimmering scales along her belly and chest. Her hands rising to her breasts to grope them as she gasped and cooed above me. "Look at me, dear... Am I beautiful?"

"More beautiful than... Than Dibella herself, my love...!" I groaned as I beheld the exotic beauty of my wonderful wife. She made certain to put on a show, making sure I could see all she had to offer. Perhaps there is an defined reason the tale of The Lusty Argonian Maid is such a popular book in Tamriel.

Shahvee cooed and moaned beautifully as she would caress and grope herself as she rode me, my hips occasionally pushing up into her as her tail arched in desire My hands eventually reached out and caressed the smooth pale scales along her belly. So slender and fit, yet not at all firm like one would expect from an aquatic carnivorous reptile. Responding to my touch, Shahvee placed a hand over mine. "Do you feel it too, my love? My need?"

Our wedding rings touched. Both carrying an enchantment bestowed by Lady Mara's blessings. I was reminded that what we were doing was not merely an act of love and lust. There was purpose in this precious lovemaking session of ours. The instant I was reminded, I looked up at her. "I... Oh god, I want this too, dear... You... Me...and our... Our..."

"Yes, James... My darling... May Lady Mara...bless us with a miracle!" Shahvee groaned as her gasps became increasingly shrill as her pleasure rose higher and higher with every passing second. I could not resist the call any longer. She needed me. And I needed her.

I pushed myself up until I was all but kneeling before my wide. We held onto each other, my hips thrusting up into her with renewed vigor. The time was ripe. And my heart knew what it wanted. I missed being a husband. I missed being a father. And I was ready to become one to a child like no other. I was ready, as was she. I wanted to have a child with my dear Shavee. "My love... Oh god, Shahvee... I love you... Take it all, dear...! Let us...have..."

"Yes, James! Inside me! Please! Lady Mara, bless us!" Shahvee growled and howled as I hilted myself to her right as my climax neared. I groaned her name, clung to her beautiful body, as my seed burst forth deep into my wonderful wife. A prayer formed in my mind, begging that this sacred act would bear fruit despite the odds. Our child would be beautiful... Shahvee would make a wonderful mother... And Solitude would likely be the safest possible place in Skyrim for the little one to grow up in. There was no better time.

"Shahvee... My... Oh god..." I groaned as I carefully rolled onto my side with Shahvee still in my embrace. She cooed and whimpered lightly, basking in the afterglow of our precious lovemaking. We were so in love... So very in love... I knew then for certain that I had not made a mistake in choosing her to be my bride. There is no other woman like Shahvee in Skyrim. A diamond in the rough that is Skyrim's frigid tundra.

And yet... I felt a tremor a minute or two later. It was faint. Like a rippling effect that passed through the world. Shahvee distracted me with a caress of my face as she whispered, "My love... My everything... You honor me with your blessing... May Lady Mara...truly allow this to bear fruit, my dear..."

My thoughts of the present were distracted again by that rippling sensation. It just seemed to come from nowhere. A spell? No, our home was immune to breaking and entering so long as the doors remained locked. But once I felt it again... No... No, I had all but forgotten...

This was all a dream. And it was almost time to wake up.

"No... No, not now... Please, not now..." I muttered softly. Such a wonderful experience that day had been. And now, I had fallen so very much in love with a wonderful woman who was very much in love with me. And now... Very possibly, we had just conceived a child together. And now I had to leave such a wonderful life behind?!

"James...?" A whispered reached my ears. I looked up to see Shahvee looking at me in concern. "Whatever is wrong, my love? You seem even more troubled than this afternoon."

"Shahvee, I..." I muttered as I found myself on the verge of tears. I did not fall in love with her just so I could say goodbye after only one day. She would not understand. She could not. "I... I just remembered... I may have to leave soon... And...I...I don't know when I may be back..."

A gaze of disappointment settled into her gaze. But she still smiled as Shahvee caressed my face. I then added, "I don't want to go...but I must... I want to stay here, with you... You and our..."

"Shhhh... James..." Shahvee cooed to me as she held my cheek. "You do what you must, my love. And I will be waiting here for you. As I always do. I love you... And I always will."

All I could do was cry. I clung to the wonderful woman before me and buried my face in her bosom. I did not want to say goodbye. Not after all that... All the while, Shahvee caressed my head and whispered sweet words to me. Doing all she could to soothe my aching and fearful heart without possibly knowing why I was so upset.

Finally, bright light began to shine through the windows of our bedroom. And then the walls began to fade as a vast white void began to devour our surroundings. The last thing I remember... Gazing up into her eyes as she smiled back at me as tears cascaded down her face. I remember...her voice beginning to break. As if she somehow understood what was transpiring. "I'll be here if you need me, love..."

I could not move as my dreaming mind became awake. I stared at the ceiling above me, trying to process where I was and why I was no longer with her. My hand reached up at the ceiling as if desperately trying to grasp for the tender hand that held me mere moments ago. But I felt nothing. She was gone.

Tears came to me so easily at that moment. I brought both hands to my face and pressed my palms against the lids of my eyes as a whimper escaped my quivering throat. And yet, I was not alone. A voice came to my left as it spoke with a whisper. "Did I...make a mistake? Was that...a terrible dream for you?"

I turned my head to look at Nightmare Moon as she looked back at me. She looked so concerned and not at all confident like she normally does. I tried to steady my nerves, even though my voice remained quivering in heartache. "No... No, it wasn't terrible at all... It was wonderful... Truly, that was a wonderful dream... It's just that...I didn't want to wake up..."

Nightmare Moon's gaze wandered as she let out a sigh. She then reached out and placed a kiss upon my forehead. "Forgive me... You did seem very happy with her... But just remember. You have a wonderful wife waiting for you back in Ponyville. Her, and your precious daughters. You have a happy life to return to when this is over. Do not forget that."

"I know... I know, but... Just felt so real..." I groaned as I forced myself to sit up in bed. I hardly felt rested at all. Now filled with a feeling of emptiness. "I'm...gonna wash up for a bit..."

"Take your time. I shall start on breakfast in the meantime." Nightmare Moon whispered as I stumbled to my feet. I shuffled out of the bedroom and into the bathroom, locking the door behind me to insure there would be no interruptions. I just wanted to be alone with my thoughts.

I sat in the shower with warm water washing over me. By then, I just wanted to hold someone I love. My dear wife, Fluttershy. Or my lady, Rarity. My queen, Celestia... Just...anyone. Any of those wonderful mares who have become so much more than friends over the recent years of my life in Equestria. I just wanted to hold someone... To know that everything was going to be OK.

Almost reluctantly, I eventually stepped out of the shower while feeling marginally better than I had a little while earlier. I dressed myself in my clothes and stepped outside the bathroom as the delicious scent of pancakes reached my nose. My appetite beat down my feelings for the moment as I stepped around the corner and into the kitchen. My eyes fell upon a plate with a pile of pancakes stacked upon it, the use of chocolate chips and whipped cream arranged in a manner depicting a smiling face. Nightmare Moon then spoke from across the table, "I may not be as versed in the kitchen as Celestia, but I hope these do not disappoint."

The simple show of care she put into those pancakes complete with a personal touch brought to mind a certain kind of familiarity I was already missing. We may have been miles from home, but Nightmare Moon had been mindful enough to bring home with us. I let out a sigh as I could not help cracking a smirk. "That's adorable... Thank you. Really."

"I'm here for you. Do not forget that, my dear." She said softly before taking a seat across the table from me. With the use of levitation, Nightmare Moon set out a number of staples. A fruit bowl, a bottle of syrup, a bottle of whipped cream, and a pitcher of cold milk. Everything that I could ever need.

While having mixed fruit on pancakes is always a good idea, there is no competing with the use of chocolate chips mixed in with the batter. No matter my mood, I could not bring myself to not enjoy that wonderful yet simple treat. Not a scrap was spared as we polished off everything on the table.

Breakfast was uneventful with little being said at the table. At least I was in a better mood by the end of it. You would be amazed to see what a tasty meal can do for one's spirits. "I really enjoyed that. Thank you."

"I'm rather impressed with the results myself." Nightmare Moon said before standing up and gathering up the plates. "I will do the dishes and then we can head out. Unless you would prefer to rest a while longer."

"Take your time. I'll just...get some writing done for the moment." I retorted before making my way to the typewriter at the far corner of the front of the house. Although I could barely bring myself to type anything. Aside from the sound of running water, the faint ambience of Nightmare Moon's magic being cast, and the clinking of dishes and skillets, it was almost eerily quiet. I stood up from my seat and looked out the window. I did not recognize my surroundings at all. We truly were miles from home in the middle of nowhere. It was almost enough to make me not want to leave the house at all. Not that we had an option. We would inevitably run out of food supplies if we stayed out there in the Empty Plains. We had a job to do. And only then could we return home.

With barely a paragraph typed down, I was approached by Nightmare Moon once again. "I believe that is everything done... Shall we head out?"

"Yeah, I guess we should... I'm too distracted to get any writing done for the moment anyway." I retorted with some resignation. Nightmare Moon levitated the discarded pieces of my armor over to me before promptly melting it all down into a puddle of liquid metal. Before we could even think about the puddle making a mess, I stepped into it ad allowed it to crawl over my body and harden back into its prior form. I had to manually assist Nightmare Moon in equipping her full suit of barding, but we soon stood outside the house. "So, we taking this with us?"

"I would not have brought a portable dwelling if it could only be used once." Nightmare Moon replied before she cast a spell from her horn. The entire cottage was coated into a bright glow before the shining mass rapidly shrunk down into a small wooden box. And just like that, Nightmare Moon placed it back into one of her saddlebags. She then turned to me and said, "Before I forget... Would you be comfortable continuing on alone for the time being? I was considering doing some foraging to supplement our food supplies."

"You know how to do that?" I asked, somewhat surprised that a princess would be familiar with living off the fat of the land.

She cast me a smirk as she explained, "I assume that you are familiar with my family's history? My sisters and I did not always wear a crown. For quite some time, we roamed the wilds of Equestria as watchers of our people. And we sustained ourselves on whatever the land had to offer. I know what to look for."

"Oh, right... Well, if you're confident in yourself, go ahead. I wouldn't mind being alone with my thoughts for a while." I replied while still not being in the best mood. And I certainly was not in the mood for conversation at the time. A stroll through the plains sounded really good at the time. "But what if I need to contact you? Like...if I run into trouble?"

"If you require my immediate presence... Strike the Lunar Shield with considerable force. I will detect it and make my way to you." She replied while pointing at the shield on my left arm.

"Just...hit it?" I asked while drawing the Celestial Sword from its scabbard. I then tried to hit the front of the shield with it the best I could. "Like this?"

There was a clank as the blade bounced somewhat weakly off of it. I could not gather enough momentum for a significant strike. Even so, Nightmare Moon just nodded at me. "Yes, I felt that one. Do that if you need me and I will be right there."

"All right, will do. You take care out there." I retorted before watching Nightmare Moon spread her sable wings and take to the sky. She soared to the north and out of sight over the meadows around us. Now alone, I too spread the wings of my armor after returning my sword to its scabbard and flew east. Though I mostly spent my time gliding instead of flying as fast as I could. Possibly a subconscious means to buy myself some time.

I still felt really down, even after such a fulfilling breakfast. Just one day out in the Empty Plains and I was already craving the life I had left behind back in Ponyville. Did anyone in town notice that I had not come home last night? Surely, they must have noticed something was not quite right. Not like Celestia and Luna would break the news about the incoming invasion. Best to let them enjoy whatever peace they could. Hopefully when the time comes, Nightmare Moon and I can handle whatever that emperor throws our way.

The lack of knowledge over what to expect was both a blessing and a curse. Was I worrying over nothing, or was I marching off to face overwhelming odds? Was I fearing a threat that was nothing compared to what I could do with my enchanted armaments, or was I ignorant to a grave threat? The uncertainty was eating away at me. All I could do as I drifted over the vast and beautifully verdant Empty Plains was hope that I was tempering my nerves for something I was overestimating and could laugh about it later. But my nerves would not be so easily soothed without proof. I am the type of person who never rules out anything.

With no one to talk to and with only my thoughts for company, I resorted to openly talking with myself as a means of stimulation and entertainment. And quite loudly at times too. Not like there was anyone around me who could be listening in. In time, perhaps a few hours, I noticed the fields below me starting to dip. A valley was starting to pass below me with a noticeable river flowing through it. Perhaps river is too strong a word though. It was nowhere near wide enough to really count as one and I assumed it was very shallow. But as I descended to soar over the vale, I noticed a cluster of trees implanted along the edge. And something was...off about them.

The trees were stout with widely reaching branches, but were long dead and devoid of leaves. And implanted firmly atop each trunk was a...house of sorts. Thatched conical roofs with mostly rounded walls. A village that had been left empty with the disappearance of humanity ages ago? No, I could not imagine even the most eccentric humans building a cluster of tree houses, let alone one that could still be largely intact after well over a thousand years. They would have settled for a walled cluster of huts at least instead of roosting in trees. Regardless, my curiosity was piqued. I banked to my left as I began to descend for a landing.

I soon stood before the cluster of tree huts. Barely two dozen in total. I assumed a drought had occurred in the past that resulted in the river shrinking with the roots not being able to reach a water source. Even so... I did not recognize the architecture at all. A bit on the primitive side. A nomadic tribe of sorts? "Weird place to settle down and build a town... I get it's not that far into the Empty Plains, but it's still miles from civilization out here."

Some of the huts were too dilapidated for me to consider that they were still in use. Whoever had called the place home had departed ages ago. I debated climbing up the side of one since there were wooden planks secured to the trunks as makeshift footholds, but I suppose I could just fly up to one instead. However, I came to a stop as I walked by one and saw something that looked much more recent. The remains of a campfire. And a few logs set around it for use as seats. And sticking out of the ground in a triangular pattern were sticks. With freshly caught fish skewered on them.

I became still. While the village was definitely abandoned, it seemed that someone had been there very recently. And if they were planning on cooking fish... Someone with a carnivorous diet. Not that I had much to fear so long as I was clad in my armor, but I was now potentially intruding on someone's home. And now that I was far outside the jurisdiction of Equestria, I could not expect any lawful behavior.

I could feel a tension in the air. As if I was being watched. What if someone was there? Maybe...coming up from behind? If I was indeed being approached from behind, I had best act cautiously. An idea came to my mind. While trying to act inconspicuous, I flexed my neck to feign stiffness and obliviousness. I then reached for the hilt of the Celestial Sword and almost lazily drew it into my right hand. I held the blade low while looking at it, acting like I was merely examining the blade for imperfections. In the bright midday sun, the blade's white glow was completely absent and allowed me to behold the beautiful polished sheen of the enchanted metal. I lifted it high and looked along the polished blade. While not exactly a mirror shine, it was reflective enough for me to make out what was behind me. And I did indeed see a color that was not exactly natural for my surroundings. Something blue.

Convinced that I was on the verge of being pounced upon, I suddenly turned and brought my sword down, pointing its tip at whoever was behind me. What followed was the sudden squawk of a rooster as whoever was behind me rapidly scooted backwards in fright. I was mildly startled myself due to that call and jumped back. From the brief instant I saw before he cowered, my foiled attacker was indeed prowling low to the ground. But I was most surprised by who I was looking at. "Huh... Didn't expect to find a griffon out here."

Indeed, a griffon cowered before me. And definitely of a mostly blue hue. A light cerulean hue covered much of his coat, though his wings and the tuft at the end of his tail were of a much darker hue. His underside and up to his 'jawline' was a sandy color while a tuft of prominent feathers on his head gradually turned from blue to an amber hue at the tips. His bold yellow beak was definitely in line with a griffon's raptorial anatomy. I was getting a kestrel vibe from that face. Despite his fairly fearsome appearance, the griffon cowered before me as he shakily said, "D...Don't hurt me... I wasn't gonna do anything..."

"Oh! Uh... I..." I stuttered before realizing that I was still armed. I promptly sheathed my sword while feeling embarrassed that I had just menaced the poor guy. "Sorry! We're a long way from Equestria and... Well...can't be too careful out here. You OK?"

"Um..." He muttered as he seemed to be starting to understand I meant no harm. His very wide wings, spread wide in ways a pegasus could only dream of, promptly folded shut as his azure eyes assumed a much more aloof gaze. "Yeah, I'm good. I wasn't scared or anything... Nice sword though."

I raised an eyebrow at his sudden change in demeanor. Almost like it was forced. I had only met one griffon before in my life whose name I could recall, but at least he was a refined gentleman. And from what I heard about that Gilda girl from Rainbow Dash's past... "Haven't met many griffon's before..."

"Well, I'm the only griffon you'll find around these parts. I know. I've been here for a while and haven't seen anyone else..." He muttered before his eyes once again went wide as he closely examined my armored form. "Wait... Are you with the royal guard? You have the armor... The sword and shield... Are you here to take me back?"

His tone had changed to a much more fearful tone. That aloofness was gone. Such an inconsistent mood. Even so, I decided to be honest. "I don't even know who you are. But no, I'm not enlisted in the royal guard. I'm just a freelancer."

"Phew... Not like they would send someone to look for me, but... Can't ever be too sure, you know?" He said while letting out a sigh of relief. The guy quickly regained his faux aloofness, almost like he felt compelled to look and act tough around me. I was not convinced at all. But as he started to walk past me, I noticed something off about him.

He was too...small. Not that he was that small to begin with. He was actually just barely taller than the average adult pony, but still... It quickly dawned on me. "You're just a boy..."

"And?" He asked while flashing me a passing glance. I could not find much of a retort at first. I observed as he went to the remnants of a campfire and the fish he had likely caught himself. I watched as he started to gather up clumps of dried grass and placed them all in the center of the fire pit along with bits of twig and other more substantial fuel for a fire. He cast a quick dull glance in my direction while we shared a stare. As if compelled to show some degree of common courtesy, he then said, "You tell me your name and I'll tell you mine."

"Oh, uh... It's James." I replied while really unsure of what to make of this kid. His voice had some depth to it, sounding more like a man than a boy. "How old are you anyway?"

"I'll be turning fifteen in January." He replied while arranging all the fuel in a neat pile. He grabbed another stick, though this one had a sharpened and smoothed point. "Oh, right... The name's Gallus."

"Gallus, huh... Fitting name for a bird." I replied while noticing the fitting nature of such a name.

"What? Because it makes me sound like a chicken?" He asked while examining the stick in his hand. He almost sounded bitter about his name. Why? Does the name also have an association with the common chicken?

"Huh? No, not at all. I mean maybe it does have a connection to that, but when I hear 'Gallus', I think of a wild pheasant." I explained while having some familiarity with the genre of junglefowl. Although I am not an expert in the field, I do believe that term carries some connection to them.

Gallus turned to look at me sharply as he asked, "Huh? It does? Those really colorful birds?"

"Yeah. The ones with colorful spotted plumage and long tail feathers. That's what your name brings to mind." I explained as I thought about those noble forest birds. "They kind of carry an air of wild nobility to them, right?"

Gallus looked up at nothing in particular. As if he was being introspective on the matter. "Huh... Yeah... Those are some cool birds..."

I saw him smile a bit. But he then looked back at me and gave me a cockeyed stare for a moment. "I really can't get over that wavy hair of yours... Why does it look so girly?"

"My hair...? Oh, you mean that?" I asked before pulling my helmet off my head as Gallus gave me a look of confusion. "That's not any hair. It's just a helmet plume."

"Uh... Oh, I get it..." He muttered in bewilderment before finally taking that stick and putting it into the pile of dried grass. He held it between both hands as he rapidly rotated it back and forth in a very primitive fire-starting trick. "Anyway... Ugh, I swear this sorta thing is always hit or miss... Only works half the time..."

I saw what he was doing. He was merely trying to get a fire going to roast some fresh fish. Unfortunately, after almost a solid minute of trying to get a fire going, Gallus finally could not keep his hands going and gave up. "Dang it... Guess it's raw fish again..."

I started to wonder if there was something I could do. Before I knew it, I noticed that I hand my right gauntlet pressed against my chin. My right hand... The one that held Celestia's magic. A smile came to my lips as I said, "Hang on. I think I've got something here."

"Huh? What're you... Whoa, what's that?!" Gallus yelped before jumping back as he saw my gauntlet's golden magic aura billowing around it. I held my hand out towards the pile of dry grass and focused, trying to project some fire magic right at the pile. A few seconds later, a small plume of flames engulfed the dried plant matter and got a decent fire going. Gallus stood with wings spread wide while looking and sounding genuinely impressed. "Hey, that actually worked! You can make fire with that magic?"

"Sure can. That good enough?" I asked while hoping I did not overdo it. I am sure catching those fish was not exactly an easy task.

"Yeah, this is fine. Thanks." Gallus said while adjusting the angles of the sticks the fish were propped up on. They appeared to be some sort of trout. He kept a close eye on the fire and his meal, so I felt it would be best to not disturb him for the moment. Convinced that Gallus was not someone I should be wary of, I set aside my helmet and the Lunar Shield upon one of the logs situated around the fire and decided to explore the little tree village.

Most of the huts tucked atop the trees were in varying stages of collapse or disrepair, but one did stand out. It was the only one that seemed to have weathered the elements without showing any signs of actual damage. With a flap of my wings, I propelled myself up to the hut and secured my footing before pushing the door open. It was definitely the best preserved of the lot, even if it was a bit on the crude side. I quickly assumed it was the one that Gallus uses as his personal housing.

After all that I had gotten used to in Equestria, it was a bit jarring to see how meager the dwelling was. A pile of leaves and long prairie grass with a sheet draped over the pile to serve as a bed. Old tattered books stacked in a pile. An old basket filled with wild fruit he must have foraged from somewhere on the plains. And a mishmash of other objects and tools he must have scavenged from somewhere. I could only shake my head. What kind of kid lives like this, so far from civilization?

I had some questions on my mind. I was convinced that there was no one else living in this village with Gallus. He was entirely on his own. And I was compelled to find out what he was even doing out there. I closed the door without ever having set foot inside and dropped back to the ground. I stepped around the trees until I returned to the campfire. Gallus was still checking and adjusting the roasting fish, which were now looking more charred than they did before. Probably would not be much longer before they were done.

I took a seat on the log that held my discarded gear. With a hand propped on my knee, I turned my attention to Gallus. "Say... What are you even doing out here? You got folks living out here with you?"

He cast a warier gaze towards me than before, as if he was expecting trouble. "Nope. Just me. I didn't put this place together. I just found the place and set up shop. I just like to call it the Vulture’s Roost.”

"Yeah, I got the feeling this place had been abandoned long before you got here." I retorted while glancing along at the cluster of dead trees around us. "What is this place anyway?"

"You want my guess?" Gallus asked while rotating one of the roasting fish on its stick. "I'm guessing a bunch of griffons just wanted to get away from it all and tried setting up shop here. Looks like it didn't last. We're pretty far off the grid out here. Not everyone can handle that. But I'm doing fine as is."

I did get the impression that the housing around us was designed by an avian race. Almost like the huts were analogous to bird nests. But that still did not tell me why he was out there. And I was starting to see some uncomfortable parallels between him and Smolder. "You're awfully young to be on your own like this so far from home... What's your story?"

"So what if I am?" He replied while sounding rather bitter. "I'd rather be on my own that being yelled at every day."

I went silent for a moment. I felt like I was starting to step on some sensitive topics. "You a runaway?"

"Kinda obvious, huh?" He asked before looking at me with a look of unease. "Hey... If you're really with the royal guard and came out here looking for me..."

"I swear I'm not directly affiliated with them, no matter how this armor might make you assume otherwise. If you don't want to go back to wherever you came from, I'm not going to make you." I promptly explained as I noticed how he suddenly looked fearful after sounding and appearing so aloof earlier. "It's your right to remove yourself from a difficult home life. Doesn't sound like I'd want to know what things are like where you come from anyway."

"Thanks..." He muttered while starting to look more relaxed, even if he did not appear to be very happy. Just as the fish looked about done cooking, Gallus glanced at me before averting his gaze. "Thanks for being nice to me so far. I didn't get that very often back home..."

"Anytime, bluebird." I retorted while taking note of his lovely blue plumage. His colorations were very pleasing to the eyes. Though they almost seemed to fit his general demeanor a bit too well.

I noticed a brief crooked smirk on his beak for just an instant before Gallus quickly brushed it off. I suppose he appreciated that little nickname. Finally, he plucked the sticks from the ground with the three fish looking excellently roasted from being over an open fire. However, he then came my way and held one out to me. "Here. You got the fire going in the first place anyway."

"Really...?" I mumbled before removing my gauntlets for more delicate handling of the snack he was offering me. It was around lunch time anyway and I could use some meat to offset my sweeter breakfast. "Thanks. I could use some real meat anyway."

Gallus then sat beside me before he started to rip strips of roasted flesh from one of the flesh with his raptorial beak. I too helped myself to mine, one hand holding the tailfin to keep it straight. I have to say there is really nothing quite like freshly roasted trout from an open fire without a shred of seasoning on it. Nothing but its natural flavors. "Man, no wonder you wanted to roast this stuff. There's nothing quite like it."

"Mmhm!" Gallus growled happily as he chewed with the teeth set back in his skull. At least I assume that is an anatomical trait griffons share with hippogriffs. I suppose it is hard for even the gloomiest guys to not feel better with a good meal. "This stuff is always better when cooked."

Even though Gallus was eating two as opposed to my one fish, I was still not quite done by the time he had started on the second. Overall, I could tell that Gallus is a nicer guy than he initially let on. And he really did seem to appreciate my company. It sounded like he had been through a lot too. Right when I finished nibbling as much meat from the bones as I could, I licked my fingers clean before bringing my hand to the back of his head. I had a little surprise for him.

"Hm...? Hm?! What's..." He yelped before suddenly falling silent with wings spread in surprise. His pupils shrunk as my fingers went to work in his plumage. Gallus gradually began to tilt his head back as his eyes began to become amusingly dilated with beak parting wide. "Oh, woooooow.... What is that? Never...felt anything like it..."

"Scritches, bluebird." I replied as my fingers worked their magic through his fluffy feathers. Hippogriffs, harpies, and now griffons. I suppose there really is no avian race scritches do not feel amazing to. "Feel nice?"

"I dunno what those even are, but keep it up... That feels niiiice..." Gallus churred as I brought my fingers down to the back of his neck. His aloof attitude was gone. All that he was showing was utter bliss. At least I thought he was churring. But soon, it sounded more like...purring?

Gallus soon set his lunch aside and draped himself across my armored lap like a big housecat. And yes, he was definitely purring quite loudly by then. Too ridiculously cute. I slid my wiggling fingers down his neck and soon felt the point where his feathers transitioned to fur. Such a smooth yet fluffy feline coat. His purring did not cease as I dragged my fingers through his blue fur while Gallus allowed me to do as I pleased. He was in his happy place. And I suspect he seldom gets to go there very often.

"Mmm, that's the spot... Lower... Lower..." He mumbled with eyes closed tight. I did as he requested, petting him down across his back until my fingers scratched along his hips and the base of his tail. As if on relax, he lifted his hips to stretch much like a cat. Where hippogriffs are more in touch with their avian side, griffons seem to go in the other direction more often than not. "Oh yeah, that's the spot..."

I decided to hold my tongue. I wanted to tell him that he was being amazingly cute, but that might kill the mood. He would probably not appreciate that term right away. Eventually, I did relent from petting him. But by then, Gallus had curled up comfortably on my lap while looking and sounding like he was in very high spirits. I finally smirked as I muttered, "Someone's a happy kitty."

"Mmhm... This kitty is really... Wait!" Gallus mumbled before he let out a yelp and pushed himself up and sat beside me with his arms crossed defiantly. "I'm not some cute little kitten! I'm not cute! And I'm not your little housecat either!"

"Sure you aren't, bluebird." I snickered before letting out a laugh. Gallus only last three seconds before that scowl on his beak became very crooked as he also burst into laughter. He was in a good mood and could not really hide it. So was I. I guess I did not realize how happy I was to have run into some pleasant company out there in the Empty Plains after resigning myself to a solitary journey.

"So, what do you call those? Scritches? It felt different in my feathers than on my fur." Gallus asked once he had regained some degree of his composure.

"Yeah, it's a little something that you can only do to something with feathers. Birds love it. You wouldn't believe how much hippogriffs and harpies love them." I explained while holding out my bare hand for him to see. Gallus brought his hand to mine and touched my palm with his finger, although his talons could stand to be trimmed a bit.

It was only then that Gallus looked at me and asked a question that I was surprised to see him take so long to get around to asking. "What...are you anyway?"

Definitely something I have been asked less and less frequently during my time in Equestria. But I made no attempt to hide it. "I'm what you call a human. The Empty Plains used to be full of them."

"Wait, seriously? Is that why this place is called that? Because there were lots of humans living here, but the place went empty? I thought they called this place that because no on lives out here." Gallus retorted while looking even more puzzled. "But if the Empty Plains is where all you humans live... Are you just going home? Or do you still live out here?"

"No, this isn't my home... I'm from Ponyville and I've been heading east for the past couple of days." I explained while Gallus went back to nibbling on his remaining meal. "I'm actually really glad I bumped into you. It's...lonely out here. And I'm glad I found a friendly face."

"Yeah... Same here. You're...a good guy." Gallus said with some hesitation. But he then cast aside the freshly picked bones of the trout he had roasted and asked, "But then...what're you doing out here? Just trying to get away from it all for a while? Running away from a rotten family?"

"No... No, I have all I could ever ask for back in Ponyville." I explained as I was reminded of what I was leaving behind...and may not ever see again. "I'm out here because...something is coming. Something bad. And I'm hoping I can stop it. I'm not packing all of this gear for nothing..."

Gallus went silent as his eyes scanned me. He then quietly asked, "You some kind of hero? Because...you look like one."

A long sigh escaped my lungs. An easy assumption to make, but I had no delusions of grandeur in my head. "No... I'm no hero... I'm just someone who loves this world and wants to save it."

Once again, Gallus became very quiet while he averted his gaze. He was not stupid. He could sense the gravity of my words. "Are you...gonna be OK out there?"

"I..." It was all I could say as I found myself unable to provide an answer. What could I say? I did not even know what I was going to be finding out there in the Empty Plains. And so I sighed, "I have no idea..."

"If you want...I could try fixing up one of these huts. You could stick around here instead. It'd be nice to have some company." Gallus said, almost like he was trying to convince me not to leave. Most likely a far weaker version of what I would have heard from my friends and loved ones back in Ponyville had they found out what I was planning to do.

I looked at the blue griffon boy beside me as all the joy in the air had faded as quickly as it had arrived. "I appreciate the offer, but...I can't stay. The knowledge of what might happen to Equestria if I don't do something terrifies me. I love this world... And I love its people. I know what came before. And I can't let it happen twice."

Gallus rose to his feet as he looked at me with a gaze of unease. "Then...take me with you. I'll... I'll figure something out. I can help..."

"No, Gallus." I said while placing my hand upon his head. "Believe me, I wish I could take you with me. Maybe take you home. Ponyville is a good place. You'd be happy there. But I have to deal with...whatever's out there first..."

A faint growl of frustration rumbled in his throat. I wonder what was going through his head at that moment. He then asked, "You mean that...? You'd take me somewhere better than this? Because...it really sucks being out here alone like this... Can't even remember the last time I got to talk to anyone. Especially someone as...nice as you."

I let out a sigh. The poor kid... He really did have it rough. Trading a most likely abusive home life for a life of isolation. Hardly a fair trade. And so I said, "Tell you what. When this is over, I'll come back here for you. And I'll take you to Ponyville. And...we'll figure something out there. It's a good place with good people. You'll like it."

"I'm taking your word for it." Gallus mumbled while tilting his head into my hand. His eyes closed, letting out a quiet purr as I began to apply some light scritches to his scalp.

"Just...promise me something." I said as I felt compelled to keep this lonely youth safe. "If you see something coming from the east that doesn't look right... Something that looks like trouble... Run. Fly west. As far as you can."

Gallus let out a sigh as his eyes opened with them being directed to the ground. "OK... I'll...keep an eye on the east for now..."

All too reluctantly, I removed my hand from the griffon boy's head and began to slide my gauntlets back on. He stayed by my side even as I returned the Lunar Shield to my left arm before taking my helmet in hand. Gallus and I shared a gaze for a moment. I was glad that I found him. And I did not feel right leaving him alone out there in the middle of nowhere. If I was not on my way deep into uncharted territory where literally anything could go wrong, I would never have insisted on him staying put. "You'll be OK out here until I get back?"

"Yeah, I've been doing OK here since I found the place back in spring... Not sure how I'll do when winter comes around, but..." Gallus mumbled as his gaze wandered. He then looked up at me and asked, "I'll be here when you get back. I'm not going anywhere."

I then stood and placed my helmet back upon my head. Gallus then spoke up again and said, "Thanks again for helping out with lunch. It was...really nice having someone stop by who doesn't yell at me."

I gently pet Gallus along his head again, though he did not really smile this time. "And thanks for treating me. See you again.....if I make it through out there..."

Gallus just nodded in silence. I knew I should not delay any longer and spread my wings for takeoff. I think the sheer size of my armor's wingspan really impressed Gallus since he did not take his eyes off me with beak hanging open as I took to the sky. Those birds and their wings... Regardless, I immediately headed east.

At least for another fifteen minutes. By that point, I was feeling quite emotionally drained both from that morning and from the rather melancholy encounter with poor Gallus. Knowing I had to leave him behind for the time being ate away at me. I eventually went into a glide and came in from a landing out in a vast meadow. I decided I was entitled to take a break. Wanting to get indoors and out of the summer sun for a little while, I drew the Celestial Sword and smacked its edge against the Lunar Shield.

I walked along towards the east for a while longer. Just to be on the safe side, I smacked my shield again with my sword every five minutes or so. Sure enough, after maybe fifteen minutes, a shadow passed over me. I glanced up to see a familiar winged form swoop back around to me before coming in for a landing. Nightmare Moon stood before me and appeared to be no worse for the wear from the last time I saw her. She then asked, "You called? Did something happen?"

"Not really... I just... I'd like to get indoors and relax for a bit. If that's all right." I replied while deciding I probably should not mention Gallus to her for a while. He did seem like he was trying to avoid being found by the wrong people.

Nightmare Moon cast me a frown as if she was uncertain if it would be wise to delay. Thankfully, I think she understood where I was coming from. "I suppose you do deserve as many accommodations as you can get. We will meet the enemy in due time. There's no harm in delaying for a bit. I could also use the time to put away these berries for later."

Minutes later, we were inside that portable cottage again. Nightmare Moon and I set our armor aside before she went about preparing us a light snack while I sat myself down at the typewriter to try and document everything else that has happened by this point. Just to try and relax myself with some creative output.

Nightmare Moon is giving me some space for now in order to allow me to type away uninterrupted. It looks like we have an ample supply of paper and ink, so I will not be running out of supplies anytime soon. Even so, I hope the rest of our journey to the east goes smoothly until we reach our destination. Wherever that may be. Things have been rather uneventful so far, but still quite somber as well. And it just makes me miss Ponyville all the more.

I think that is about it for now. And it seems to be the early to mid afternoon at the moment. Plenty of time to cover some more ground before nightfall. I guess I will relax on the couch for a spell and see have whatever Nightmare Moon whipped up while I was typing. Just to have a little more time for relaxation before we head out again. I do not know what I would do without that mare...

I wonder what else we will find out here in the Empty Plains. Hopefully there are some pleasant surprises to be discovered. I will just have to wait and see.