A Lament For Winter's Heart
Prologue:
Death's Moot
The old caves were dark. The smell of mold and rot was everywhere. The small lanterns that were hung from the ceiling were not enough to banish the oppressive shadows. In fact, they only granted a pale, flickering, red illumination and their smoke hung in the air further confounding the senses. The steady, madding drip of water upon stone was the only indicator that time still held sway here. One could not help but feel that they were near the gate to Hell itself.
Now in this maze of caverns there is a door. A simple door. An imposing door. This portal of silver leads to the central chamber of this cave and is only missing the classic warning, "All hope abandon, ye who enter here" to complete it. It might as well have had it. The figures silently moving into the half-light of this half-remembered place would have ensured any intruders passage into the Inferno.
The figures were of all different species, from ponies to dogs and griffons, all wearing a cloak of gray trimmed in silver. Most were clothed in boiled leathers with various tools and small blades peeking out of pockets and sheaths. One, an aged Earth Pony with a heavily scarred foreleg, went unarmed and unarmored, yet was warily avoided. As they all entered the large circular chamber they moved quietly to it's edges slowly filling the room with creatures. All but the one. While the others stayed just outside the light at the rooms center, he moved to ascend the small hill at it's heart. He waited.
When finally he spoke, his voice was ragged and worn and tired. "Nightmare Moon has returned."
The exclamations of shock were uncharacteristic of this quiet place, and all the more jarring for it, but the stallion never flinched. He simply resumed speaking and the silence was immediate. "Princess Celestia has accepted her back by her side." This time the shock manifested in silence.
"First Father, bring out the Spear." The Earth Pony's order was obeyed by a Pegasus who carried the silver object reverently in his mouth. He halted before the mound, and the Earth Pony at its' summit moved toward its' base. When he stopped at the bottom he waited while regarding the weapon. Faster than he should have moved he ran his foreleg against the edge of the spear. His blood stained the blade as well as the ground. The dust greedily drank it in. Then he took the spear in his mouth and drove it into the ground.
"Mix my blood with Nightmare Moon's, and Princess Celestia's own blood, First Father. End their tyranny."
"It will be done, Grand-Father." The Pegasus solemnly responded. He then took the spear, pulled it from the earth, and slipped it in the crook of his wing. As he left the light his whispered words quickly sent others to complete their tasks, so that when he left the room several others were now beside him.
The Grand-Father watched them leave before addressing the others. "You are dismissed." The audience left as they came, silent as the grave. All save a Unicorn mare. She waited till the chamber was empty before speaking.
"You called the Moot for this one task?"
"It is not everyday we target so renowned a leader," a smirk briefly touching his lips.
She sighed, "This will not be easy, Grand-Father."
He didn't even look at her as he spoke, "I would be disappointed in their guards if it were."
"She is a beloved ruler, even among us."
"Which makes the need for her death all the more tragic."
"It will take a long time just to plan this," annoyance lacing the mare's tone.
The Grand-Father stood there a moment, considering her words. Then he laughed. "The First Father is far more patient than you, Second Mother." The emphasis clearly disgruntled her. "He is more than adequate to the task."
"But..."
The Grand-Father looked at her, weariness in his eyes. "But Nothing." He looked away again and walked toward the door. "I need you to locate and position Celestia's replacement. And you had better not fail. There is no point to any of this if a worse leader ascends the throne."
Seething, the Second Mother followed him out and extinguished the lights, leaving the cave in darkness once more.
