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Age of the Alicorns: Chaos Rising chapter 5

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CHAPTER 5:  We Must Negotiate




The next few weeks started out rather well for Celestia and Luna in the educational center.  They were kept busy and given all sorts of assignments and studies based on history and diplomacy.  Their instructors were strict but fair and had much background knowledge on each subject.  Most of them were alicorns who had been around for a while and thus had personally experienced some of these famous historical events, making them the best teachers the princesses could possibly ask for.

Every morning would start out with diplomacy lessons followed by history, all in addition to any other lessons they had had before like mathematics, science, and literature.  Starswirl taught them magic lessons in the late afternoon as always, but felt he also needed to quiz them on diplomacy every now and then, to help out with their lessons to become monarchs one day.

“Now then, are both of you feeling up to the best of your ability in diplomacy?” he asked them one day after magic lessons.

“Well I won’t lie when I say it is tough, Master Starswirl.” Celestia told him.  “In fact I think right now it’s the most demanding class I have but it is interesting.  Right Luna?”

She looked over to Luna who was trying to practice a spell to summon fire to light a nearby torch.

“Tia, you make this look so easy!” Luna grumbled.

“That’s because I move the sun day-in and day-out you silly filly!  I’m used to engulfing my magic around it.”

“I know but I should at least be able to create flame!  Mother can do it and she doesn’t even move the sun!”

“Relax Luna, relax.” Starswirl laughed.  “You will have plenty of time to figure out the flame-summoning spell.  What is more important right now is your diplomacy studies.  How are you with them?”

“Diplomacy studies?” Luna stopped trying to cast her spell and then turned to speak.

“Well I think of them much the same as my sister, Master, but what I love most is that Father and Mother trust us enough to take these classes, even though I am far younger than Celestia.”

“You’re not that much younger Luna.” Celestia said nudging her little sister with her hoof while walking by.  “Mother and Father trust us after all we’ve been through and we do both have our cutie marks so it’s a sign that we’re ready, even you when you’re so young.”

“The King and Queen are vast in their wisdom, you two.” Starswirl continued.  “I believe they have chosen wisely to start training you this early.  I started learning my magic when I was a child and anypony is capable of learning at such an age, especially if they have a love for knowledge.  I could always tell you both have a love for knowledge.  That is why I know you can pass these tests very easily.”

“How long do you think it will take though, Master?” Luna asked.

“Well…… it is not such a good thing to try and guess how long things may take, young one, but this wizard does like to estimate every now and then.”  Starswirl sarcastically said sitting down next to Luna while Celestia stood nearby looking at some stained glass windows.  “Frankly, Luna, I cannot say exactly how long and I’m not sure I want to.  I could say it would be long or say that it would be short and knowing me I would probably be right either way considering I am somewhat of a part-time prophet……but I’m getting off-topic.  One thing I do know is that if it does take a while, you must never grow impatient.  Both of you are immortal and therefore have plenty of time to think things through.”

Luna looked down as if thinking hard about what he just said.  “That’s true.  Well I think it will pay off…… but what do you think Master?”

Starswirl smiled and chuckled with his bearded lips closed.  The little filly had so many questions.

“Of course, little princess of the night, of course.  They will all pay off in the end regardless of how long it takes, you will see.”

Celestia had been listening to them while staring at the stained glass window but decided it was time to start talking.

“Well Luna…” she said turning around and making her way to a nearby door.  “I think you and I have bothered Starswirl long enough.  Let’s go get something to eat with mother and father.”

“Bothered?!  Starswirl, have we really been bothering you?” Luna asked her master.

Starswirl chuckled again, this time with more emotion.

“Luna, my little royal friend, if you spend your days taking what your older sister says too seriously you will certainly never grow out of your studies.  Now off to dinner with you!”

“Oh, alright fine.  Wait for me, Tia!”  Luna got up and galloped after Celestia who had made her way into a corridor on the side that lead to the Royal Diner.

“That little filly is so determined and full of spirit.” Starswirl said under his breath while taking out a smoking pipe with his magic.  “I just hope she doesn’t lose sight of her true duties one day……or either of them for that matter.  Oh, Starswirl, you old fool, what are you saying?” he chuckled again. “These are the princesses we are talking about.  With just enough training, they are sure to get it right…”

A few minutes later, Celestia and Luna joined their parents and the dragons for supper.  Although it was custom for the royal family to eat at their own dinner table, the dragons were considered a part of their family so the king always allowed them to eat with them and had no problem with letting them have some gems, for it was a dragon’s ‘delicacy’.  The dinner table was long and could fit more ponies, but the empty seats were for special guests, usually delegates of the senate or honored members in the palace like Accord or Starswirl.  They had prepared Celestia’s favorite dinner: eggs with wheat toast and freshly picked rose petals.  The dessert was diced fruit in a sweet creamy pudding which was Luna’s favorite meal.  Of course her favorite meals were always the desserts.  While eating, the royals would usually discuss their day and how well things were going for each in the castle.

“Celestia, Luna, how were your lessons today?” Chernalia asked her children.

“Oh grand as usual, Mother!” said Luna with a little bit of some egg yoke on her lip that she did not notice.

The queen laughed a bit.

“Luna, let me get that for you…” she said using her magic to wipe Luna’s lips with her napkin.  “So you say the lessons are ‘grand’?  Well I’m glad to know.  Celestia usually tends to put emphasis on how difficult they are.”

“Mother…” Celestia said just finishing swallowing her food.  “…of course they are difficult, but that doesn’t mean I hate them!”  She then calmed herself down, closed her eyes and sat upright to start speaking more well-mannered at the table.  “What I’m saying is that I think they are difficult, but I like them for that.  It gives me a challenge and it prepares me for the day when I’ll rule Equestria by my sister’s side.” She looked across the table at her sister proudly and Luna smiled.

“I like your thinking, Celestia.” Solmidas said to his daughter.  “You have the same confidence I had when I was your age.”

“I dunno, your highness…” Percy said from his seat.  “I think Celestia’s kinda worried about the big exam!” he said jokingly.

“OH!” Celestia said putting her hoof to her chest.  “I beg your pardon Perseus, but I am NOT worried about the exam.  How could I be worried about it anyway?  We haven’t even decided on what the exam is yet.”

“That’s right, Percy!” Luna shouted to the teenage dragon munching on a large sapphire stone.  “Father is the one who gets to decide what our exam will be!”

“Luna…” said her mother motioning for her to not be so loud.

Luna put her hooves over her mouth and then started talking again but softer.

“His royal highness shall decide on the exam.” she said with etiquette.

Meanwhile, Penny was stuffing herself with handfuls of smaller gems and talking at the same time.

“So what kind of exam will it be exactly?” she said with her voice muffled by the gems in her mouth.

“Father says it won’t be a written test.” Celestia answered.  “The exams in diplomacy lessons are usually more like assignments where we actually have to go on some kind of diplomatic mission.  Right, father?”

“That is correct my daughter.” the King answered her.  “Although those sorts of exams are usually difficult for us to find, due to the fact that the kingdom is in peace.  However…”

Everyone in the room except for the Queen perked their ears up in surprise at what the King was about to say.  Chernalia already knew what he meant.  The king continued speaking.

“…there is one little problem we’ve encountered recently with that…”

“A problem?  Is everything alright, Father?” Celestia asked concerned.

The king would always try his hardest to not bring up political matters at the dinner table but now that Celestia and Luna were in preparation for such a thing, he decided to answer any questions they had about it and this particular matter was very important.  He took a quick glance at his wife who was drinking out of her goblet.  She put it down, took a napkin to her lips, and nodded to him.  He then turned back to his daughters and the dragons who were eagerly awaiting his response.

“Well girls, you see, here in Equestria, we are not the only race that lives under my rule.  You are well-aware of the Griffon Province, correct?”

“Of course.” Celestia nodded.

“The Griffons?  You mean the creatures that you say are half eagle, half lion?” Luna asked.

“Those are the griffons, my daughter.  The griffons have lived under my rule for centuries and have always been happy with how things are.  They are not their own kingdom.  They are simply a province situated in the northern mountains.  They make their trades with us, pay their taxes, and receive all the benefits of citizenship that our pony subjects do.  They too are my worthy subjects, but sadly the leader of the griffons, General Leogle, has not been following my orders as of lately.”

“Not been following your orders?” Celestia asked worriedly.

“Why not?” Luna asked.

“I am not entirely sure what is wrong with him, but lately he has ceased forwarding to me the tax revenue from the Griffon Province.  He sent a letter saying that he feels the griffons need to start looking out for themselves.  I sent a reply reminding him how both regions have prospered thanks to our union and if he ever has any political or economic grievances, he can express them in a rational diplomatic fashion, but despite my efforts, Leogle seems to be determined that they can take care of themselves and don’t need me.  I haven’t been able to get back to him ever since and we haven’t actually seen each other in person on this yet.”  

Solmidas used his magic to move his plate out of the way and a servant pony quickly came in and took it away to be washed.  He continued staring at the table while thinking heavily.  He spoke with a somber and worried tone as if something terrible was happening and Celestia and Luna continued to listen with concern.

“I’ve been friends with the general ever since he was young and have always admired his courage and leading qualities, but he has never defied me like this before.  He seems to want to be his own leader now but I fear that if he forms his own kingdom for just the griffons, both races will fail to see the importance of our coexistence and equality.  Equestria has always been a land of equal opportunity for all sentient beings.  I would do anything to keep it from being divided by racial tension.”

“And you want us to go and negotiate with the general, Father?” Celestia asked him.

“I have put some serious consideration into making that one of your exams.  It has become an issue that needs to be resolved and if you two are able to persuade Leogle into paying the Griffon Province’s taxes again and respecting my rule, then that will be enough to count for several projects and you will be even closer to being appointed to the parliament one day.”

“Tia, did you hear that?!” Luna said excitedly.  “Father needs us to go on a very important mission to make peace with the griffons!  You can bet we are ready for the assignment, Father!”

“Hold on a minute, Luna...” Celestia said stopping her sister.  “Father, do you think Leogle will listen to us?  I mean, is he approachable?  We have never met him after all.”

“In all the years I’ve met Leogle, he’s been a tough commander and a little rough around the edges, but when dealing with me or any of the members of parliament, he’s well-mannered and respectful.” her father explained.  “I couldn’t see him being rude to either of you two.  He’s not harsh around children, especially not females.  I think he must have a problem with me or the government, but I’m sure he will be respectful to both of you.  That is why I think sending you two in to negotiate with him is a good idea.”

“I am ready to do it!” Luna said, determined.  “How about you, sister?”

“Well I don’t see any trouble in going to the Griffon Province to meet with him.” Celestia said pushing her empty plate aside.  “When do you need us to go there, Father?”

“The time will come soon.”  the king answered.  “As I said, I haven’t heard back from him since, and he hasn’t replied to any more of my letters.  I think it would be best if you and Luna finished your current unit of studies first, and practice harder for negotiating.”

“Negotiating is something we’re quite good at, isn’t it Luna?” Celestia said with confidence.

“Oh yes, the instructors are good at doing it...” Luna said nodding.  “…and they are good at teaching us how to do it.”

“Do you think they are ready, My King?” Chernalia said to her husband while the princesses continued talking with each other.

“I think they are ready, Chernalia.”  he answered her.  “Leogle hasn’t been himself but I have a feeling that he will listen to the children.  He has always had a very soft heart when it comes to children and if we approach this with persuasion, I am sure it can work.”  the king then turned to Celestia and Luna. “Do you hear that, girls?  Persuasion.”

“Persuasion.  Got it!” Luna said nodding energetically.

“We’ll be persuasive as we were always taught, Father.” Celestia responded, taking one last sip of juice out of her personal goblet.  “I think this mission will be a wonderful way to start off with practicing our diplomatic capabilities!”

Suddenly a messenger pony rushed in to speak to the king.  He walked over and whispered something in his ear and then left.  King Solmidas’ face turned rather somber once again for it was not such good news.

“What is it, Your Highness?” Percy asked putting her gems down.

“My messenger just told me that Leogle has officially called off all trading with Everfree.  As a result, all diplomatic relations are completely severed.  This does not bode well.”

“What?!” Celestia said, nearly dropping her goblet.

“How can he do such a thing?!” Luna said angrily.

“Luna, remember: persuasion.” Chernalia reminded the little filly.

“I’m sorry mother, but this just doesn’t seem right of a respected general under Father’s rule to do.”

“Well Luna, you and I should practice as hard as we possibly can for when we negotiate with General Leogle.” Celestia said with determination in her voice.

“Are you two sure you are willing to go negotiate with the general though?” the king asked them.  “I am beginning to wonder if perhaps it is too dangerous to go there.”

“No Father, we can do it.” Luna said assuredly.

“I have to agree with Luna on this, Father.  I think we can get the general to listen to us with just enough persuasion.” Celestia added.

“Well, if the two of you feel you are up to it, then I trust both of you and I’m sure that no harm will come out of it.”  the king said with relief in his voice.

“We will not let you down, Father!” Luna said proudly.




TO BE CONTINUED…
Gosh, it's almost been a month since the last chapter went up! At this rate I'll never finish this fic within the next year! Well, here's chapter 5 anyway and I hope you guys enjoy it.

This is where the challenges are just starting for Celestia and Luna but right now everything seems to be all fine and dandy......well, we'll soon see otherwise. This chapter deals with a bit of politics and it may be kinda confusing what is going on with General Leogle, but that will be answered in the next chapter. Actually the true reason why he's acting the way he is will be answered later on so commence suspense build-up. :3

Enjoy the read and stay tuned!

And again, thank you to :iconstarbat: for proofreading and helping me out with the whole 'politics' part, I had such a hard time with that. ^^;

If you would like to start from the beginning, see this folder:  aleximusprime.deviantart.com/g…

And here is the FIMfic version:  www.fimfiction.net/story/52310…

MLP © Hasbro
FiM © Lauren Faust
Age of the Alicorns: Chaos Rising © Me
© 2013 - 2024 AleximusPrime
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Obsessor0fThings's avatar
I've been letting this sitting in my inbox way too long. Finally got around to reading it, and if you don't mind my pointing it out, I did find one error.