Never Meant to Be Ch7

Chapter 7
I Am in Love

                The sky was in complete overcast as both Zeil and Zecora balanced themselves on staffs high above a calm shallow stream. With them both trapped in a meditative trance, the area was quiet, as the only sounds that could be heard was the gentle flow of the stream below them. As they meditated, both Zeil and Zecora could see the flow of everything around them, however, as Zeil focused, he started to see something that Zecora couldn’t. A familiar vision began stepping out of the trees around them as he made his way to the water’s edge. Recognizing the figure as soon as he saw it, Zeil watched as Chief Rafi approached the edge of the water wielding his spear. With a mischievous smile on his face, Chief Rafi steped out onto the water and began walking across it as if the water was a solid surface. As Chief Rafi approached the meditating enchanters, he raised his spear up with one hoof and spun it around rearing back before holding parallel to the water’s surface. Then with one final glance at Zeil, Rafi’s smirk got slightly bigger, before he swung the spear with all his might, in an attempt to knock the staff out from under Zeil’s body.

                Out of reflex, Zeil opened his eyes and tried to react, however Chief Rafi’s spear didn’t actually touch the staff at all, it was Zeil’s reflex and break in concentration that caused the unbalanced zebra to fall from his staff and into the water below. After the loud splash, Zeil picked himself out of the water as he shook his head off and rubbed it in irritation, “Rafi… you jerk…”
All of a sudden as he was looking into the water, Zeil could hear giggling as he looked up at Zecora who was trying her hardest to hold back, both her smile, and her laughing expression.

                When he saw this, Zeil felt a little embarrassed, but then as he looked into the water, he smiled when he noticed that the staff he was balancing on was floating and pressed against Zecora’s. Acting casual, Zeil reached for his staff as if he were going to try to reclaim his meditating position, however as soon as he gripped it, Zeil pressed it against Zecora’s. Before she knew it, Zecora’s staff began leaning until it fell out from under her causing the enchantress to fall into the water with the same humorous splash as her pupil before her. After hitting the water, Zecora quickly surfaced as she coughed a few times from her unexpected fall. Then with her soaked mane draped over her face, Zecora gave Zeil an incredibly annoyed stare as he covered his mouth trying to hold in his laughter at the humorous sight. Sadly, he could only hold it for a mere moment, before Zeil exploded in a fit of laughter that easily broke the silence in the atmosphere around them. Though she managed to keep her agitation through the first few seconds of his laughter, Zecora couldn’t help but to start chuckling herself as her annoyed expression faded and she too began laughing at the situation they just went through.

                Before long through his laughter, Zeil looked down at the water as he saw something floating by, “oh… don’t want to lose this.”
With his laughter fading into a satisfied smile, Zeil reached into the water and picked up a golden joke as he held it towards Zecora and spoke, “Here, you almost lost this.”
When she saw what Zeil was holding she reached up and touched her ear realizing that it was gone as she replied, “Oh, the joke, I would not have seen. I'm glad you saw it before it drifted down stream.”
With a node, Zeil replied, “well I did give it to you; it would be a shame if you lost it the very next day right?”
Zecora nodded her head as she reached up to take the Golden joke from Zeil, but as she did, her hoof touched his as the two made eye contact and paused. It could have been the fact that they had feelings for one another and tried to hide them, or it could have been a side effect from both their contact with the golden joke. Nevertheless, for a brief moment, the two stared into each other’s eyes without a word, until the moment was broken as a random drop of rain fell from the sky and hit Zecora on her muzzle causing her to flinch.

                With the moment broken, both Zecora and Zeil looked to the sky as the overcast clouds above began dropping light rain onto the area. With the rain making little difference to their already soaked mane and coat, the two looked back at each other as Zeil spoke, “well… I guess we should head back.”
Zecora nodded her head as she took the Golden joke from Zeil, and tucked it back behind her ear where it was sitting prior to her fall. Then both Zeil and Zecora trotted out of the stream and began trotting back to Zecora’s hut.

                As the two continued on their path, the sprinkling rain started to let up almost completely as Zeil looked up and spoke, “ya know, if I didn’t know any better, I'd say the weather pegasi are playing tricks on us. Don’t they usually warn those in the area about incoming rain?”
Zecora shook her head, “No pegasi trick, none that you’d see. Since no pegasi work here in the Everfree.”
Zeil gave Zecora a confused look, “really? Then… how is it raining?”
Zecora smiled, “This forest holds wonders, far stranger than most. This land moves naturally, with no need for a host. I think it’s that reason why I enjoy this forest most.”
Zeil gave Zecora a curious look as he asked, “So… that’s why you live out here? All by yourself?”
Zecora nodded her head, “this forest holds peace, in its natural wood walls. From the simple woods, to the crushing falls. It moves on its own, with no need for you or me… that my dear Zine is why it’s called Ever-free.”

                Zeil nodded his head but he was still concerned, “It makes a lot of sense… but aren’t you lonely here?”
Zecora shook her head, “I travel to town, and sometimes they to me, so very few days go by with nopony to see. I'd think with your mark, that you would know the magic here, and see through the emptiness that most others fear.”
Zeil looked back at his placement mark as he replied, “you mean… being alone. I guess my mark is still a little fresh so I didn’t see what you’re talking about right away… but… still… I… I just think it isn’t right. You being out here alone like this.”
Zecora smiled, “I appreciate your concern, though, from what I believe, I'm not alone right now… unless… you intent to leave?”
Zeil chuckled a little as he continued, “well, I'm not going anywhere any time soon… but.. Still… I… um…”
Zecora looked down the trail with a pleased sigh as she replied, “thank you Zine, but I'm find to say the least, and I…”

                Suddenly Zecora was interrupted as the lit drizzle of sprinkling rain suddenly started falling with more vigor as the trail ahead started to become hazy with the mist falling from the rains impact with the treetops above. With the trail becoming harder and harder to see, Zeil looked around and yelled through the sound of the surrounding rain, “It’s no use! I can’t see the trail anymore! We need to find shelter! We can wait it out then try later!”
Zecora nodded her head as she looked right off the trail and pointed, “There Zine! That should be fine!”
Zeil looked of the trail at a cave entrance as he replied, “That should do! Let’s get inside fast!”
Without wasting a second, Zeil and Zecora rushed to the small cave as the thickening rain continued to fall around them. As the two entered the cave, Zecora shook herself off as Zeil looked at the cave’s appearance, like the one in the manticore territories; the cave seemed completely natural with stalagmites and stalactites on both the ground and ceiling.

                After looking at the cave, the sound of the intensifying white noise made by the rain outside drew his eyes to the caves entrance as everything outside seemed to vanish amongst the increasing rain and mist. When he saw this, Zeil sighed as he spoke, “well… looks like we are stuck here for a while. This rain isn’t going to let up anytime soon is it?”
Zecora smiled as she replied, “be patient Zine, it’s common to say, think of it as water washing problems away.”
Zeil trotted to Zecora and sat down beside her as he replied, “well… I guess when you put it that way… then again, the storm is still bad out there, and it will be dark soon… not to mention, how soaked we are.”

                Zecora placed her hoof on her dripping mane that was draped across the side of her face as she replied, “As soaked as we are, I do not see it a curse. As you know very well, things could be much worse.”
At that moment, Zeil looked at Zecora who was running her hoof through her wet mane as he started to see an appeal in her current appearance. Her glistening wet coat, along with her mane draped across one side of her face with the Golden joke exposed on the other side gave out an attraction that made Zeil feel somewhat awkward. Trying to prevent bad thoughts from crossing his mind, Zeil looked out the cave entrance into the rain as he cleared his throat and replied, “Yea… I… um… I guess you’re right…”
With his blushing face far too noticeable, Zecora could only give him a hopeless smirk as she also turned her attention to the falling rain without the need for a reply.

                As the two looked into the falling mist and rain of the outside storm, Zeil couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. Not only was Zecora more appealing to him at this very moment, but another thought was pressing on his mind; a thought that this moment was the perfect time to tell her the truth. As he sat beside her, Zeil felt at conflict with himself as he held an argument against his own mind. “I need to tell her…” “No, wait for the perfect time” “This is the perfect time” “But what if she hates me for it?” “What if she finds out another way and hates me even more?”
With these conflicting thoughts on his mind, Zeil could only place his hoof on his head as he tried to come to a decision. When he did this, Zecora could see his action out the corner of her eye, however she merely assumed his conflicting thoughts were on another topic so she just sat quietly and looked into the storm as she waited patiently for his decision.

                However, as the seconds flew by, so did a cold wind as it came from the inner depths of the cave, flew by the two, and exited into the storm. With her coat still damp, Zecora had a sudden chill from the passing wind as Zeil noticed this and stepped closer to her as he pressed his body against hers and spoke, “It’s… um… it’s a little cold in here… I um… I wouldn’t want you to get sick cuz… w-well… y-you know...”
Though she felt a little awkward about it, Zecora still smiled peacefully as she leaned against him and played along, “Thank you Zine for your charitable act. I know too well how a sickness could impact.”
as Zecora leaned against him, Zine could feel his hear begin to race with anxiety, not only did this seem a little unusual, but his mind was still in a conflict about whether or not he should tell her about his changeling heritage. Though she could feel his heart race, Zecora ignored it as she continued waiting for him to say what was truly on his mind.

                It took him a few more second of silence before Zeil finally came to a decision as he sighed to brace himself before speaking to Zecora, “Um… Z-Zecora?” Zecora looked at him while hiding her anxiousness, as he continued, “well… i… um… I uh… I want to tell you something… something… something important. But…”
Zecora stopped leaning against him as she look into his eyes and spoke, “But?... what?...”
As Zecora looked into his eyes, Zeil could see her deep blue eyes as she anxiously waited for him to continue, “But… b-but I'm afraid… I'm… I'm afraid of how you will respond. Of… of how you will look at me when I do… I… I think the way we are now... I mean our relationship with each other is good and all… b-but I'm afraid what I will tell you could jeopardize it… or… break it apart.”
With her eye contact making it harder for him to tell her the truth, Zeil looked down at the ground between them as he continued, “Zecora… I… I mean… I’m a….”
with his hesitation preventing him from finishing, Zecora reached over and placed her hoof under his chin as she raised his head up to look her in the eye, then she smiled peacefully as she spoke, “Zine… don’t talk… for I feel it too. For many days, my mind has been solely on you. I can think of no other, no friend, or no foe. It’s hard to explain, but I feel for you so. I know it’s quite odd, for me to say it first… but … I'm falling for you Zine… For better or for worst.”

                With that said, Tears started to build up in Zecora’s beautiful blue eyes, as Zeil stood speechless. He knew that this wasn’t what he was going to confess to her… but it was something that he wanted to say at some point. And with this already the subject that filled the air, Zeil could only smile as he wiped the tears from her eyes and replied, “Yea… that’s exactly what I was going to say… Zecora… I think I love you. for days now, I’ve been here learning magic from you, and even though I did learn magic… that wasn’t the reason I’ve stayed. I… I know we are from different places, but… if you will accept me… then I'll gladly do anything and everything I can to make you happy. Zecora… I love you.”
Zecora smiled as she started to lean closer to him, “and I you too.”
Slowly both Zecora and Zeil tilted their heads slightly as they learned in and closed their eyes to kiss. However as they did, A drop of water from the stalactite above fell strait down hitting Zeil on his muzzle as the miniature splash hit Zecora and caused them both to flinch. After that, they both opened their eyes as Zeil looked up and sighed, “Really?... sorry Zecora it seems we can’t get a moments pea…”
As Zeil began looking back down at Zecora, he was caught off guard as Zecora leaned completely in and unexpectedly kissed the disguised changeling. As he slowly realized what happened and closed his eyes to kiss her back.

                Back in Canterlot, Shining Armor stood surrounded by his soldiers as he nodded his head and drew his sword, “Begin!”
With that order, a guard charged him from behind as Shining Armor turned around, blocked the incoming blade, and parried it to the side before bringing his hind hooves around and kicking the unsuspecting guard in his jaw. As the first guard hit the ground, a second guard charged forward wielding a battle-axe as Shining Armor dodged the swing of the massive weapon before bringing his sword up and cutting through the wooden shaft of the axe, causing the heavy blade to fall to the ground. Stunned by the unexpected attack, the guard looked at his now destroyed weapon as Shining Armor spun around and bashed the side of his sword’s blade against the guards face knocking him to the ground with one blow. When the guard hit the ground, Shining Armor looked at one of the ready soldiers as he called, “NEXT! COME ON!!!”

Though the next guard seemed nervous, he charged at Shining Armor with his blade drawn as he swung it with a vertical attack at Shining Armor’s head. Seeing the attack coming, Shining Armor raised his sword up and parried the guard’s blade as he brought the hilt of his sword up and bashed the guard against his face knocking him into the air before letting him fall to the ground unconscious. With his weapon still ready, Shining Armor looked at a nearby pike pony as he called, “NEXT! LET’S GO!”
The nervous pike pony hesitated as he looked at the three defeated ponies before him and then liked back at Shining Armor with a hesitant rocking in his stance. Getting impatient, Shining Armor yelled, “NEXT! MOVE NOW!!! COME AT ME!!!”
Still too afraid to move the guard stood there with his pike pointed at Shining Armor as he shook his head with worry. Shining Armor started to get even more angry as he continued “I SAID MOVE!!!”

                 With fear and worry holding the guard in place, Shining Armor couldn’t take it anymore, “If you won’t come at me… THEN I'll GO TO YOU!!!”
Shining Armor held his sword out as he sprinted towards the frozen guard leaving his blade to scrape along the ground with every step. The angry prince approached the guard as he reared his blade out to swing horizontally as the guard flinched. With anger controlling the power of his swing, Shining Armor bashed his blade against the guards pike as the metal on metal clash caused the pike to fly free of the guards hooves and hit the ground a number of feet away. Before the guard could react to the attack, Shining Armor punched him in the face as hard as he could as the guard fell to the ground. Then with rage still searing through his body, Shining Armor raised his sword in the air with the blade exposed and tried to bring it down on the defeated pony as the guard raised his hooved up in a reflex driven attempt to protect his face.

                 With that attack, everything went silent at the blade stopped just inches from hitting and killing its target. With a curious fear, the guard looked up at his attacker as a pink aura of magic could be seen hovering around the sword’s blade. Still trying to bring the blade down, Shining Armor cringed in anger as a voice called out, “Shining Armor! Stop this right now!”
With an angry expression, Shining Armor turned his head and narrowed his eyes to his wife as he spoke, “Cadence… We are in the middle of a training session. You shouldn’t get involved when the guards are training!”
Princess Cadence shook her head, “training? Looks to me like they are being bullied.”
Shining Armor released his sword and left it hovering in the air by her magic as he replied, “If they want to be strong enough to defeat changelings then it’s necessary for me to be a little rough! It’s the only way they will be able to protect themselves!”
Princess Cadence replied “From who?... you? If I had allowed you to finish your swing then that soldier would be dead right now! Just look at him! With you like this he knew he didn’t stand a chance and still you continued to show no mercy!”

                 Shining Armor looked at his wife in anger as he yelled, “I'm DOING THIS FOR YOU! Without me those… THINGS… would still be swarming through the streets freely! Would you rather just hand the kingdom over on a silver platter!!!”
“PRINCE ARMOR! THAT IS ENOUGH!!!”
Shining Armor turned to the training hall entrance as Princess Celestia entered, “Princess Celestia, surely you know th…”
Princess Celestia raised her hoof to silence Shining Armor as she interrupted, “What I know is that this situation has escalated out of control. Prince Armor, I want you go home and get some rest. Clearly you’re not in the right state of mind to continue training safely.”
Shining Armor tried to argue, “But princess! I was try…”
“That’s an order!...”

                Seeing that this was an argument that he could not win Shining Armor reached and grabbed his hovering sword as Princess Cadence released the blade allowing him to sheath it. Then with an annoyed expression he began trotting towards the doors that Princess Celestia was standing beside. As he reached for the door handle, Princess Celestia spoke, “I apologize… I know you mean well… but surely, you noticed that you have been acting too aggressive to be thinking clearly. As princess I must make sure you and your soldiers are both physically and mentally rested for whatever challenges await.”
Shining Armor looked at Princess Celestia with a look of total disgust as he replied, “if I was too aggressive… then we might as well give the changelings the kingdom now and save them the trouble.”
With those words said with a disrespectful tone, Shining Armor opened the doors as he left the room and closed it behind him.

                With the prince now gone, Princess Cadence approached the guards and spoke, “You ponies take the rest of the day off… and speak to nopony of the prince’s behavior. It is best that this remained hidden from the general public.” Cadence then looked at the guard she saved as she continued, “as for you… take the week off.”
The guards stood at attention as they all replied, “Yes your majesty!”
With that said, the guards picked up their fallen friends as they trotted out of the room. After leaving Twilight entered the room as she spoke, “um… should I be worried that Shining Armor is tearing apart a suit of armor in the hall? … He seems a little… irritated.”
Princess Celestia sighed, “Well at least the armor is empty… nevertheless, the situation is getting worse. I don’t know how much more the guards or I for that matter can take. His anger is getting too far out of control. If this continues, I'm going to have to exile him to another location to keep the peace.”

                Princess Cadence nodded her head as she agreed, “and it’s not just his anger, I gave him a book to read yesterday to calm him down, and the first half of the book, he was laughing like crazy pony while the end, he was balling like a school filly. At first the crying was kinda sweet, but then it got creepy really fast.”
Twilight gave cadence a curious look, “What book was it?”
“The Colt who cried Timberwolf.”
Princess Celestia looked at Twilight as she asked, “Did you discover anything about his actions?”
Twilight shook her head, “no… I looked through every medical book and magical tome I could find… but there wasn’t anything on his condition in them.”

                 Princess Cadence sighed, “So… we are back at square one aren’t we?”
Twilight shook her head again, “Actually, there is one more thing I can try. I can always ask a good friend for help.”
Princess Celestia asked, “a friend?... you know a friend who is familiar with this sort of thing?”
Twilight replied, “I don’t know if she is familiar with it, but if anything she knows more about magic than anypony I know. She’s a zebra in the Everfree forest named Zecora. if anypony… or zebra knows anything about what’s going on, I would be her.”
Princess Celestia nodded her head as she replied, “very well, first thing tomorrow morning I want you to take the royal carriage and speak with her personally. Princess Cadence and I shall keep things peaceful on this end.”
Twilight nodded her head, “understood your majesty, If I know Zecora, she would be more than happy to help us with this problem.”

                 Later that night, Zeil entered the room of the old castle he was staying in as he smiled with pride, “well this has been a good day… despite Rafi’s little trick at the start.”
As Zeil laid his saddlebag on the table, he stood there looking at it as he mumbled to himself, “So… this is love. I’ve tasted it a thousand times before. But feeling it myself… no wonder ponies hate us for feeding off it. This feeling… it’s a thousand times better than the taste. And… I want to keep it. Not for food, just for Zecora.”
As Zeil turned from the table to trot to the bed, he all of a sudden froze, as his eyes narrowed on the rooms standing mirror. Though it was odd that his focus centered on the mirror when he intended on bypassing it, Zeil still disregarded the unusual notion as he slowly trotted towards the large piece of furniture. As he approached it, Zeil looked at his zebra form, the same form he had held continuously for the last few days as he sighed with only one though in mind, “… tomorrow… I have to tell Zecora the truth tomorrow, first thing in the morning. If I dig myself any deeper… then I have no doubt that when she discovers the truth… I can kiss this feeling goodbye. I can kiss her… goodbye.”