Chryssi's Hyperspace Hyperepilogue IV: Of Beginnings

>"Chryssi?"

>She turned around under the duvet, her chitinous body brushing against mine

>"Yes?"

>I was tired, dead tired

>It had been a long day, following my, our, defeat

>The victor had taken it upon himself not only to make the result known, but to spread the word to everypony, from cleaners to nobles

>I was past doubting

>His "noble intentions" had been a lie

>But that's the loser's lot, isn't it?

>Ridicule?

>"You never really answered me. About leaving."

>"I won't leave you. And I don't think you're ready to leave this place."

>"But I am. I really think I am. Let's just leave. Go wander far and wide, and settle down in some faraway place."

>She halted for a bit, as her words were stuck to her tongue

>"Dear. I am a Changeling. It is my blood to live amongst ponies, to adapt and understand. You're not. Leaving with me and my hive means leaving behind so much more than your family and friends."

>"But I understand. I really do. And right now there's nothing I'd rather want to do."

>"It can't be done. There's no way Celestia would let us leave like that, and we still hold out obligation to Luna."

>"It can be done, and you know it. The night is young, the world large, and we are resourceful. Just let us leave. Let's have a new beginning."

>She spoke of no answer, for her bottomless jade eyes said it for her

>A mixture of resignation, and of cautious optimism

 

>The cold wind blew like waves, forming ripples in the emerald grass sea

>It was just before dawn

>Event though the wait of my saddlebags and my travelling cloak weighed heavily on my shoulders, I couldn't remember the last time I had felt so free

>I had half expected her to scold me when I used precious time on packing so many books, miniatures, and other unnecessary things

>She had just smiled, and said something about the hive sharing all weight

>The last spires of Canterlot disappeared as we left the highland behind

>No early guards, no late nights

>No work, no pay, no bills, no nothing

>But I was not without my duties

>Dark as night and more elegant than any noblemere might ever be, she strode with long, slender legs through the rippling grass

>Around us was her hive

>My hive

>We would fine no peace, no love in Canterlot

>I had been accepted straight away

>Changelings were apparently not unfamiliar with the idea of Queens taking "consorts"

 

>Night's would turn into days

>Days into seasons

>Seasons into years

>But I am still here

>Still wandering

>Still a consort

>Little has changed in Canterlot

>Little has changed in The Crystal Empire

>Some, like my sister, would rise to even higher fame

>Others, like Lance, would fade into obscurity

>And though I have changed a bit myself

>My love is still strong

>And so is hers

>And I'll never forget how we found each other again

>How we fought and lost

>And the last line she whispered into my ear as we went to sleep after I left Canterlot for good

>"Sleep, my well of love. For this day has been just perfect."