>"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 noblemare 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."
 
End.