Dreams on the beach

Finally, some fresh air. As the sun was setting behind her in the dune landscape, Twinkle Star walked off the path towards the ocean. Ever since she started on researching the old books, which was now more than a week ago, she had made the habit of sneaking off to the beach before dinner ever night. To look through the old books only by candlelight in the dusty old basement made her head ache after so many hours, and she liked a little time on her own. After all, when she got back, her sister and Lenna would invite her for dinner and after that they would just sit down in the living room, have a drink, talk a bit, and then off to bed because they had to get up early the next day to continue reading the old books.

Even though they had been searching for quite a while now, they hadn’t found anything that could really help them. Twinkle Star knew a lot about the history o the war with the sea monster now. She was surprised to find out it was defeated in the end by an ordinary pony from the old Friendship Lands, who later married the weak prince of Madash, to become queen in his stead after he died mysteriously after the birth of their first daughter. This pony was the ancestor of Daryia and Lenna, and it was during her reign that it was decided males could never claim the throne, only govern it until a female heir was born. Kien was her name, the pony who supposedly had defeated the sea monster with the mysterious pearl of light. Only a few books spoke of it, but none of them were too clear about the subject. All she could find was that Kien suddenly appeared with the pearl, and defeated the sea monster with a ray of light.

It was easy to see why not many ponies believed this story to be true. Never, in any account, had anyone ever spoken of the pearl, nor had Kien herself ever written about it, while she had written quite some accounts on the war. The most general assumption on how the monster was defeated was that Kien unlocked the royal powers she had, even though she wasn’t a member of the Royal Family. This wasn’t something new to Twinkle Star. There had been more ponies in the past who were born with royal powers, while they weren’t of royal blood. Those ponies sometimes got special jobs by the queen, or married into the royal family. Twinkle Star was pretty sure this was true of Kien also. Still, as she stared across the endless sea, she couldn’t help but wonder where the stories of that pearl came from. Was it a legend created to make Kien look more special? Was it just someone’s imagination that had run wild, and others had picked up that story?

Yet, as interesting as everything was, she hadn’t found anything at all regarding how to get rid of a mind seal. It was becoming clear to her now that Daryia was right when she had told them a mind seal can only be removed by destroying the one who gave the seal in the first place. This is how it had been in the war, anyway. All with a mind seal had only been freed after the monster had been defeated. But that didn’t help her at all. She didn’t even know who had sealed Togli’s mind! And as long as Togli couldn’t remember, she would have no clue in how to find him. It was just and endless circle with no way out that would help Togli… Had this journey been useless after all?

From the horizon Twinkle Star could see clouds approaching. It was getting dark soon, but the day had been quite clear. It was probably going to rain again tonight. It didn’t really matter to her, but she hoped she would be able to come down to the beach again tomorrow. Somehow… staring off into nowhere made her feel calm. She didn’t know what was exactly on the horizon, nor did she know what was going to happen in her own future. Did she have to go back home, facing defeat? She really didn’t want to, but she was beginning to feel more and more she had no other option. Besides, they had been gone for over two months now. They would be expected home within a month, before winter would come for sure. Home… it was weird for her to realise she was somehow longing for it. Longing for a safe place, where she didn’t have to worry about anything, or anyone. Where she could simply be herself, have fun with Aline, help her mother and Stelline out with the country… How would everyone be at home? Aline, her mother… were they missing her still? Was life going on as usual? She sincerely hoped Aline was doing fine. Would she be able to get along with her other sisters?

She couldn’t help but admit to herself that she was indeed longing for her family. Maybe, after all, she wanted a normal life now, without travelling or adventures.

Yet somewhere deep in her mind a voice kept telling her such a future was not meant to be for her. Would she spend her entire life travelling, trying to help others, fighting for a dream she hadn’t even dreamt yet? Look for your destiny, don’t run and hide from it…Fiume… This is what it had told her, wasn’t it? You know what you are not, and what is not your destiny. It all felt so long ago now, that the river had told her these words. Fiume, the river born from a guardian… Yes, she knew what she was not, and she knew that, even though she longed for it, maybe after all, a quiet life would never be for her. Yet. Who was she, and why was she here on this world? What was her purpose in life?

The red light of the sun had disappeared now, and the stars in the sky had already appeared for the night, even though they would soon be clouded by the approaching clouds. It was time for her to get back to the fortress. She looked at the ocean one last time before she turned back across the sandy path that led her to the fortress. When she got on top of the hill, she saw the lights greeting her from the building in the distance, which gave her a nice warm feeling inside. It was nice to know, even only for a little, that someone was waiting for her. When she passed the guarding towers, she was greeted by the guards, who she almost knew by name now. The sound of water greeted her as she walked onto the open space. She turned left, to go to the dining room at once, because she had to admit to herself she was starving. When she entered the room, the smell of lovely sea food filled her nose.

“Hi, Twinkle Star!” Lenna said, and Twinkle Star saw the princess and her sister sitting at one of the tables, while some other ponies were scattered across the few other tables. Twinkle Star walked towards them and sat down.
“Hi you two. Food looks delicious, once again!”
“It does, doesn’t it? The cook sure overdid herself again!” Crystal said happily. Twinkle Star noticed the sea fruits and sea weed on her plate, and she decided to get the same for herself.
“So did you two find anything today?” Lenna asked, after Twinkle Star’s plate was full.
“No, not really…” Twinkle star said, once again disappointed in her own findings.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I wish I could help you two more, but I just don’t know…”
Her voice trailed off when one of the guards Twinkle Star had greeted a little bit earlier entered the room and walked straight to Lenna.
“What is it, Groyo?” Lenna asked the guard, who was bowing for her.
“My lady Lenna… I am here to inform you your uncle prince Taishi has arrived.”

Aline put her basket down and swept the sweat from her forehead. Cleaning the entire hallway was a lot of hard work, and she was glad she was finally done. She looked around her and she was glad to notice she couldn’t find a single spot left on the walls, the ceiling and the floor. It was like new. She picked up her bucket again, and walked to the kitchen. Once inside, she had to blink twice before she realised what was going on outside. Was it actually snowing?

“Pretty, right?” A voice said behind her, and not much later Ivy joined her in the kitchen.
“Yeah, it’s… beautiful. I’ve hardly ever seen snow in my life. It almost never snowed where I used to live.”
“Well, this is the first snow of the season, I suppose. It won’t last. But expect a lot of snow this winter, it’s been like that as long as I can remember.” Ivy said, while she poured some milk in a pan, which she put on the fire. “You want some hot chocolate?”
“Yes, please!” Aline said exited. Hot chocolate… it really was the best weather for it, right?
 “So how are things with you and Junai?” Ivy asked, while she prepared two cups with cacao.
“Oh, just fine! I can’t wait to see him again, but we both are so busy. He has to set up his trade, and I have to work here… but it’ll work out. I’ll see him again in five days.”
“I’m glad for you, Aline, I really am. When you returned without Crystal and Twinkle Star… I don’t know, I thought you felt a bit alone sometimes, but I didn’t really know how to help you. But now I guess you’ve worked it out yourself.” Ivy smiled.
“Thanks, Ivy, I… you’re right, I suppose. I was lonely, in the beginning. But it was my choice. And I’m fine now, really. You are all so nice for me, here. I do miss Twinkle of course. She’s my best friend, and I would have loved to share my stories with her. But I suppose I can always do that when she comes home.” Aline replied.
While Ivy was checking the hot milk, she replied: “of course you can. And she’ll have loads of stories to tell you too, right?”

Ivy had concluded the milk was ready, as she got the milk from the fire and poured it in the cups with cacao. She gave one to Aline with a spoon, and Aline began to stir her chocolate drink.
“So how is Fleur? Will she be coming back home, soon?” Aline asked, after she had her first sip of her chocolate. Ivy shook her head.
“Nah, I don’t think so. She’s still helping those ponies out with their house. They can use all the help they can get now, with weather like this coming up. That house has to be finished before winter truly comes, and I’m afraid that’s not that far away anymore. So Fleur will stay, to supervise and help with the construction. I think my mother will go again in a few days, too.” Ivy explained.
“I see…” Aline sighed, while she enjoyed the nice hot feeling of the hot chocolate. It was quite troublesome, that a family moved in so late in the year, with two small children. Their house had to be done for the winter, or they wouldn’t have a place of their own in the cold months.

“So how is Stelline doing? I haven’t seen her in a couple of days.” Ivy asked, and woke Aline out of her thoughts.
“Oh, she’s doing fine. She feels a bit ill now and then, and she’s really tired, but according to the old pony who guides her pregnancy, that’s perfectly normal. She’s showing quite a bit now, too. I can’t believe we’ll have a little child running around here in a few months.”
“Me neither. Can you believe that a year ago I didn’t even know I had more family than Fleur and my mother? My life used to be so simple back then, and so much has changed…” Her voice trailed off as Ivy took another sip of her chocolate milk. Aline observed the princess. She was maybe two years younger than she was. She didn’t talk much with Ivy, but when they were together like this, it was always pleasant enough. Aline observed Ivy didn’t look like Twinkle Star at all. Not only her colours, but the way she moved, the way she expressed herself… Ivy looked so much more like Fleur and Stelline than Twinkle Star.

As Aline stared out of the window and observed the soft snowflakes falling down slowly, she couldn’t help but think of Twinkle Star. Had her life changed as much as her own by now? Had she already found the answers she was looking for? Surely, they had to be in Madash by now. Still, she hoped Twinkle Star would be home soon. She had so much to tell, and so much to share. Her relationship with Junai was getting stronger every time she was with him. She liked him so much… She was sure Twinkle Star would be fond of him, too. With a shock she realised Twinkle Star didn’t even know of Stelline’s pregnancy, yet! That reminded her…

She finished her last bit of hot chocolate, and got up. “Thanks, Ivy. However… I have to go check on Stelline now. It was fun talking with you again!” She straightened her skirt, and walked towards the door.
“Bye, Aline! We should do this more often!” Ivy said to her, and with a smile Aline replied that they should.