Chapter 18- The Two Places

The next morning Swiftwind took them down to see the King and Queen. Outside the throne room doors he paused and asked them to wait. He entered the throne room closing the door behind him.

“Let me do the talking when we go in.” Flameblade instructed.
“Sounds like a plan” she replied back.

Swiftwind reappeared shortly and ushered them into the throne room. It wasn’t as big or elaborate as the Royal Sky Castle’s throne room but still very impressive. At the end of the room sat two ponies in chairs of gold.

“Flameblade how are you?” called the male pony.
“King Ironshade good to see you again, I am well thank you for asking. King Silverwind sends his greetings to you. We are sorry to have dropped in with no notice like this.”
“None sense any solider of King Silverwinds is welcome here. I got a message from Blackberry about your travels.”
“Who is you companion?” asked the Queen.
“Queen Waterfall I am so sorry, this is Wrangler a close friend of the Princesses.”
Wrangler bowed to the King and Queen.
“We’ve heard quite a bit about you dear.” the queen told Wrangler.
Wrangler blushed and stared at her hooves.
This made the Queen giggle. “Come don’t be so shy, I don’t bite.”
Everyone in the room erupted in laughter.
“Why don’t you and I go outside and let the boys talk?”
“Okay” Wrangler looked at Flameblade who nodded for her to go.
“My garden is nothing like the one at Royal Sky Castle but it’s one of my passions.”
“I bet it is beautiful your highness.”
“It’s right outside here” she waited for a guard to open a door.
Wrangler gasped it was half the size of Royal Sky Castle’s garden but it had a very beautiful layout. “It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you. My favorite part is the butterfly garden. Come with me I’ll give you a tour.” She lead Wrangler around the garden telling her about the different flowers and plants.
.........................
Meanwhile back in the throne room King Ironshade was filling Flameblade in on the message from King Silverwind.

“So basically he told you to be on your guard with her here.”
“Yes and any info I could share on dragons. I’ve had my library and Kingdom gone over for the information.”
“Can you tell me what you have found?”
Swiftwind cleared his throat “May I your highness?”
“You were in charge of it be my guest.”
“Very little was found here but it was sent to Royal Sky Castle. I read every item that came through, most was garbage. One small text we found said that long ago when ponies first came here dragons lived in the mountains. A treaty was signed between the two races and they lived happily side by side.”

“What ever happened to them?” Flameblade asked.
“That part of the book had been damaged. I sent a letter with it hoping Blackberry could figure it out and let us know.”
“I wish we could find someone who could help us out.”
“The closer you get to the mountains you may discover more.” Swiftwind told him
“That is true. I just hope I can be of some help when we discover this dragon.”
“I would not be worried Flameblade, if they were dangerous there would be books all over warning about them. Swiftwind told him.
“Tell that to King Silverwind, he is so worried over all of this.”
King Ironshade chuckled “Wouldn’t you be if you had to fight your own brother. Give him time he will come around.”
“I sure hope so” sighed Flameblade “Wrangler wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
“You seem pretty sure of that” King Ironshade raised an eyebrow.
“The Princess trust her and I trust the Princess besides talking with her the last twenty four hours she doesn’t seem like the type.:
The King nodded his head and smiled
“Are you boys all done?” came the Queen’s voice.
“Yes dear” King Ironshade called to her.
After the girls had returned Flameblade cleared his throat “Thank you for the room last nite but we should really be on our way.”

“Anytime, if you need a room on the way home we would be more than glad to have you.” King Ironshade replied.

“It was nice meeting you Wrangler” smiled Queen Waterfall.
Wrangler bowed to them “Thank you for you hospitality.”
“I’ll see you out” Swiftwind lead them out of the throne room.
“She is such a sweet girl” Queen Waterfall told her husband.
“Yes let’s just hope all goes well for her”
At the castle gates Swiftwind bid them farewell and watched them leave.
“Will we make it to the mountains tonight?” she asked Flamebalde.
“Yes but we will stay at Diarmuid Castle” he told her.
Wrangler didn’t reply and Flameblade decided he should explain why.

“The King and Queen there know everything about the mountains. A message was sent by a breezie so they will be expecting us.”
“Okay” Wrangler replied bluntly.
“Did I do something to upset you?”
“No I just want to get this over with.”
Flameblade glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. He could tell more was going on but didn’t want to push it. They stopped in the afternoon for a quick bite to eat and so Flameblade could look at his map. After resting they headed off again, by dusk they could see the mountains.

“We’ll arrive in a few hours. Now King Bryn can seem scary but he is actually very relaxed and caring.”
“What about the Queen?” she asked.
“I don’t know if we’ll see her, she is expecting.”
“Will we see the King tonight?”
“Yes he will be waiting for us.”
Wrangler nodded in response but didn’t say anything more. Flameblade started to get worried that something was really wrong.

“Wrangler I don’t mean to pry but you are awfully quite.”
“It’s nothing.”
“You can tell me, it’s not like anyone else will hear” he chuckled.
She raised an eyebrow at him and then rolled her eyes and said nothing.
“If you don’t tell me I wont be able to help you.”
“Will it get you off my back?” she asked in annoyance.
Flameblade was taken back by her attitude “Never mind”

Wrangler sighed and shook her head she didn’t mean to snap at him but there was a lot going through her mind. They flew in silence the rest of the way. When the mountains came into full view she could she the castle nestled at the base of them. Torches had been light on the castle walls and she could barely make the guards out. When they landed Flameblade told one of the guards who they were the guard quickly escorted them inside and into the throne room. The throne room was very plain compared to Royal Sky Castle. The thrones were made wood but carved with a lot of detail. The drapery and wall hangings were earth tones and it felt very homely.

“Flameblade my boy its been a long time.” called the King.
“Yes it has your highness.” he bowed.
“This must be Wrangler, I am so happy to get to meet you.”
“I am honored” she bowed to him.
“I take it you have good news for us?” asked Flameblade.
King Bryn rubbed his hooves together “Oh I do but we will talk about it in the morning. You both look like you could use a good nights sleep.”
Wrangler yawned and then blushed when the King chuckled at her. He pulled a cord beside him and a maid appeared.
“Please take these two to there rooms.” He ordered her.
The maid bowed and motioned for them to follow her.
“Goodnight” they both bowed to the King.
They walked in silence until they reached their rooms.
“There is a door that connects the two rooms” the maid informed them “I will wake you for breakfast.”
“Thank you” smiled Wrangler.

The maid turned and left them standing in the hallway. Flameblade took the room he was standing in front of and opened the door. Wrangler sighed and pushed her door open she was amazed at how cozy the room was. The bed was hand carved maple and the night stand beside it matched the wood and cravings on the bed. A small fireplace was going in the wall adjacent to the bed.

Flameblade opened the door connecting the rooms. “We’ll leave this door open but close the ones leading into the hallway.”
“Okay” Wrangler replied softly.
“If you need anything just call, Goodnight”
“Nite”

He turned and entered his room leaving her standing by the fireplace. She felt bad for snapping at him. Soft snoring came from his room and she giggled, she would apologize in the morning. Pulling the sheets back she climbed into bed and feel asleep she was exhausted it took all her strength to keep up with Flameblade’s pace.

............

Sometime in the night Flamebalde was awaken by a sound. He sat up in his bed and listened for it again. When he heard it coming from Wrangler’s room he softly walked into it. He found her tossing and turning in her sleeping. Approaching her bed he gently started shaking her “Wrangler wake up it’s only a dream.”

Wrangler bolted up in bed and screamed.
“Are you okay?” he asked her.
“Huh”“ she was slowly getting her bearings.
“I heard you in here rustling around and when I woke you, you screamed.”
Wrangler placed her head in her hooves and started to cry. “I don’t think I can do this.”

Flameblade state down on the edge of her bed “You don’t know that besides we have no idea what we will find.”
Wrangler slowly looked up from her hooves tears running down her face “I’m scared.”

“Wrangler, Morning Star believes in you and if she was here she would tell you to take it one step at a time.”
“Well she’s not!” Wrangler snapped.
“No she’s not! I am and I will be by your side the whole time. At least if you want me to be.” he started to get up to leave but Wrangler grabbed his hoof.
“I’m sorry please don’t be upset with me, I’m just afraid.”
Flameblade shook his head “Don’t be you have all the support you could hope for.”
Wrangler wiped the tears from her eyes “Thanks”
He smiled at her “No problem, try and get some sleep.”
She laid back and closed her eyes, as she drifted off she felt him get off of the bed.

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They joined the King the next morning for breakfast.

“I hope you slept well last nite. Have some breakfast and then I will take you to the library.”
Quickly servants appeared with plates full of food. They moved around the table making sure that everyone had what they needed.

“Will the Queen be joining us?” Wrangler asked.
“Sadly no she is on bed rest but she hopes to meet you.”
“It would be my honor.”
After the plates were cleared the King lead them to the library, it was small but packed with books. A small breezie went zooming past Wrangler and up into the bookcases.

“Who is that?” asked Wrangler.
“That is Fern, a forest breezie. They are a little different than regular breezies but still the same. Fern works here in the library and there are a few others in the castle.”
Wrangler watched as Fern buzzed around the library.
“Right now he is looking for books on dragons. We found a few already but there should be more.”
“King Silverwind will want to look at those.” Flameblade commented.
“Yes I have already gotten a letter from him. I will send them on once I have read them.”
“Excuse me your highness but have you ever heard of the legend before?” Wrangler asked.
“No not that I recall but many years back dragons disappeared out of stories. It may have just been forgotten.”
Wrangler sighed and walked over to a shelf to examine the books on it.
King Bryn walked to her side and placed a hoof on her shoulder “I promise to help in every way I can.”
“I just don’t want anyone else to fear me” tears welled in her eyes “Please excuse me”
Flameblade started to follow her but King Bryn stepped into his way. After she had left the room he told Flameblade “Let her be for a bit, this is a lot to take in. She will be fine in the castle grounds. Now let’s see what we have found so far.”

Flameblade shook his head but stood for a minute looking at the door. He hoped for her sake they could find something to ease Silverwind’s mind. He joined King Bryn at the table and started going through the books.

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Wrangler made her way out into the court yard of the castle, she didn’t mean to get so upset in front of the King. She just knew unless they found something Silverwind would never feel comfortable around her or Talis. A few moments passed and then a calming feeling passed over her.

“Do not fret little one.” “Talis?” “Yes you are close enough our connection is stronger.” “When will I find you?” “Soon little one soon.”

A dragonfly landed on Wranglers’ nose and she sneezed. The dragonfly flew around her head and then took off. Wrangler giggled and chased after it not watching where she was going. A few guards noticed her and watched her play with the insect. She rounded a corner and ran into something solid.

“Umph” she landed on her butt.
“What are you doing here?” demanded a voice.
“I’m sorry, I was chasing a dragonfly and wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” When her vison cleared she seen that she was talking to a guard.
“Hmpf! Well pay attention and do not come here again!”
“I-I-I’m sorry”
“Rugger! Really stop that” came a sweet voice.
Rugger turned and bowed “Your majesty, you shouldn’t be out of bed.”
“I know my limits Rugger, now who do we have here?” she asked
Wrangler bowed “I am Wrangler”
“Oh so you are the pony my husband has been so excited to see.” she smiled “I am Queen Fauna.”
“I didn’t mean to bug you. I just got into playing with a dragonfly and wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”
“No need to apologize, you are a guest in our home. Come join me for some tea, I could do for some company.”
Wrangler smiled and followed Queen Fauna to a small gazebo.
“I had this built so I didn’t have to walk to far outside. I love the outdoors but I have to watch myself so I don’t over do it.”
“May I ask when you are due?” Wrangler asked.
“Soon, sometime next week to be exact.”
“How exciting for yourself and King Bryn.”
“Yes this will be our first and heir to the throne.”
A maid appeared with a tray, she poured tea for both of them and then left.

After a couple cups of tea King Bryn joined them.
“I see you two have meet” he smiled.
“Yes and I am so glad we did, I was getting very lonely.” Queen Fauna told him.
“Where’s Flameblade?” Wrangler asked as she looked around.
“Still in the library, he is determined to read every book we have found.” King Bryn chuckled.
“I should go get him. Thank you for the tea and I hope to see you again.” Wrangler smiled at Queen Fauna.
“Your welcome dear and don’t be afraid to come see me.”
Wrangler got up and head off to the library to find Flameblade.
“Such a sweet girl” sighed Queen Fauna.
“Yes and I believe she will do great things” smiled King Bryn.
“When will you send her to find the dragon?”
“Tomorrow but let’s not talk about that right now” he nuzzled her neck.

.................

When Wrangler entered the library she found Flameblade flipping pages in a book. He had a lot of books sprawled out on the desk, each open to a different spot.

“Flamebalde you should take a break”
He turned to her and smiled at her “Not until I put both yours and Silverwind’s minds to ease.”
She walked over and stood beside him “Wow there are quite a few books here.”

“Yes since this castle is so close to the mountains they documented a lot.”
“Find anything interesting?” she asked.
“Well I’ve found what we already know but there is a couple of things that keep popping up.”
“What?”
“Let me find out for sure what they are before I tell you.”
“When do you have to send these to Royal Sky Castle?”
“By tomorrow afternoon so I need to dig in.”
“Would you like some help?”
“Sure but I must warn you, it can be pretty boring.”
“It’s fine, I need to know this stuff anyways” she sat across from him and opened a book.

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Three hours later King Bryn came back into the library. “Anything new?”
Both Flameblade and Wrangler jumped in surprise, the only sounds in the library had been the pages turning and Fern’s wings.
“Sorry about that” he chuckled.
“I think we’ve found everything were are going to, these can be sent to Royal Sky Castle.”
“I will have my messenger come in and get them in the morning. You two must be hungry, come with me and I will have the cooks make you something.”

They followed the King into the kitchen where he instructed the cooks to prepare a light meal for his guests. “Let’s go into the dining room and you can tell me what you found.” After they were all seated he motioned for them to start talking.

Flameblade cleared his throat “We found quite a bit on the history on how ponies and dragons made their alliances. There were three main ponies who communicated with the dragons, they were called The Triad. They would meet each season with the dragons, peace was kept until three hundred years ago.”

“What happened to break the peace” King Bryn asked.
“A child went missing and when they found it, it had been murdered. According to the books some ponies blamed the dragons. The Triad knew different so they were cast out into the mountains with the dragons. After a few attempts to rectify the event The Triad gave up, they stayed with the dragons in hopes that one day the truth would surface.” Flameblade finished.

“Okay but what does this have to do with Wrangler?” he asked.
“The Triad consisted of three ponies: one female earthling, one female pegasus and one male unicorn. They had two offsprings in the spring following them leaving the village, one earthling and one pegasus. They decided to place these two into the village so that The Triad would continue on, the details are fuzzy on how they placed them back into the village. The offspring knew of there birth parents but knew they must keep it a secret. When The Triad members became old the older offspring would take their places in the mountains. The first few years the town thought the dragons had taken them until one of the ponies returned long enough to tell them otherwise. About one hundred years ago one of The Triad went to a foreign land for hopes of finding a new town to start breeding in. He flew off with the message to the others his offspring would return one day. Sadly that is where the information ends except that The Triad hopes that one day the three decedents would return one day. Flameblade and I believe I am a decedent of the pegasus who left to find a new line to breed with.”

The King stared at her in awe “How did you learn all of this? I have been looking for days now.”
“Most of it just came to me, I believe Talis was letting my past reveal itself.”
“We need to leave as soon as possible to find Talis” Flameblade spoke up.
“Yes my pendant keeps pulsing and I know he needs me.”
“I will have a group of soldiers ready by tomorrow afternoon, they will help you find your way.”
“Thank you, your highness” Wrangler smiled at him.
“You should retire for the evening once you are done eating, we can discuss more in the morning. Get a goodnight’s sleep” he stood up and left them.
Once they had finished eating Flameblade looked at Wrangler “Ready for bed?”
Wrangler yawned in response.

...........

Once she was comfortable in bed Wrangler closed her eyes and fell asleep.

“Little one?” “Ta-Talis?” “Yes I came to tell you once you are close to me I will lead you straight to me, make sure you wear your necklace.” “Okay” “We are linked through it” “I wont take it off until I see you face to face”