If Jekuthial had been their ally years ago, maybe the land would not have been soaked in blood. Ashen was amazed how much he knew about changlings. The basic fact was they fed on love, but there was so much to their kind. All you could rely on from changlings was cruelty. Ashen had lived that first hand. No one knew that she and Darren were not always enemies. She had tried to become his friend, she had tried to care for him, tried to give him freedom from the cage he was in and all he gave her was death. He had killed the one person who had meant everything to her. Darren was not the only one to blame. She was not forced to fight back, but maybe she was? How could she just let Ryler's corpse lie there without striking back? She shook her head, needing to focus on her group. Alferion smiled at her, she returned his smile. Did her heart flutter? She shook her head a second time. She was just thinking about Ryler two seconds ago and still Alferion made her feel….feel what exactly?
She thought her feelings were hidden, but that night revealed Ashen was very false. Alferion had been keeping watch at one period of the night. In the middle of shifting in her sleep he asked, "My lady, are you awake?"
"Yes, at least for now." She turned to look at his face.
"May I ask something, Ashen?"
"Of course, Alf."
"Why do you look at me like you've seen a ghost?"
She inhaled and exhaled a breath. "Honestly, because when I look at you, it is like seeing a ghost. You ignite a fire in me I thought died. Even with just a passing glance, ashes spark back to life." She giggled.
"What?"
"I just find it odd that I'm using fire metaphors. I mean, it is probably rude because of your story, Alf. Still, that is the only way I can see it, the feelings because of you."
He inched closer to her, "So.. this attraction is not just me. You feel these feelings too?"
She nodded, then stared more closely in his eyes. Those golden flecks burning more brightly. Did they burn just for her? Or was she imagining the volume and magnitude of his stare? Then, slowly he craned his neck towards her face, as if to kiss her. Realizing his intent, she closed the distance and their lips met in a gentle peck. The kiss only lasted for a brief moment, interrupted by the snap of branches. Breaking the embrace, they both drew their swords, ready for attack. Soon the small sounds became explosions as the enemy came closer. A pair of glowing eyes were in view, then a pair of fangs.
"Changling!" Ashen's scream echoed in the camp. All of her knights sprung to action, leaving sleep for later. Laughter rang in her ears, scowling she demanded, "What is so funny?"
"The fact you ponies believe you can defeat me, a soldier of darkness."
"Darren sent you didn't he?"
"Yes!" The enemy charged at her, fangs ready for blood.
The changling was barreling forward for Ashen, but Alferion pulled her behind his back. Fangs met flesh and a yowl left Alf's lips. Ashen could see the teeth buried deep in Alferion's ear. Fravir ran up to the enemy's side and swung his sword into the right front leg. This time, the changling howled in pain. Ashen pulled Alf out of grasp, blood running down his face.
"Alferion!"
"Do not worry, my lady of night. It is merely a flesh wound." Jekuthial ran to his side, wrapping the ear up with a cloth. "Let go, my lady. I must help Fravir."
Ashen glanced to see Fravir battling the dark figure. The changling was using his long curled horn as a blade. Ashen stared in horror as the enemy took to the sky. Alf spread his wings, coming to Fravir's side. Fravir stepped backwards, giving Alferion the front position. Jekuthial's training had helped them greatly. Then, flying back a bit, the changling switched to magic. Running into the front, Stephen took his turn in the fight. Was she letting them take all the damage? Did all her experience leave her hooves? Lost in thought, Ashen did not see the newest move in battle.
"Ha, you're not even paying attention!"
Ashen shook her head, coming eye to eye with her enemy. She saw that everypony was captured in magical barriers. "No, that is impossible. How did you accomplish that?"
The changling chuckled at her. "You underestimate Lord Darren. Every day he is searching for more spells. He studies more hours then we work in the hive. What do you do, Lady Ashen? Oh yes, you pine that your family is gone."
"You stupid cockroach!" She swiped her sword against his horn, ready to fight for everything she believed in. But if it meant her friend's lives would she? If she could save Alf, would she give herself up to Darren? Without a second thought she asked, "If I go to your master, will you leave my knights in peace?"
"Ashen! No!" Alferion screamed. "We are not worth it! I am not worth it! No matter how we feel about each other!"
"That is where you are wrong, Alferion. I will not lose another person I care about. Do we have a deal, bug pony?"
The changling bared his fangs and hissed, "yes." His horn glowed, snatching her up in his magic. Slowly they lifted into the air, the others free to move again.
"You're not taking her!"
The changling yelled in Alf's direction, "Come close and I will drop your precious Lady Ashen!" The pair were at least fifty feet in the air. Ashen stared back at Alferion, hoping he saw the plead in her eyes. She saw him stomp his hoof on the ground, but he stood still.
This had been not the hardest decision in her life. If Alferion was in her life, then he came first. She would not repeat losing a loved one, now realizing how much she was falling for him.