Pumpkin's Rein

Horned Horses

Pumpkins POV:
I feel a nose prodding me awake, I reluctantly open my eyes to Vanilla sitting infront of me, willing me to get up. I yawn and quickly stretch my legs out, I am the Queen, I'm in charge, everyone's depending on me and I cannot let death and that horrible creature get in my way. "Morning Pumpkin, it's okay if you want to stay here, just tell me the orders." I shake my head at her and manage to croak. "No Vanilla, we've got business to deal with." She begins grooming my fur and dabbing water along my eyes, I know I must look a state but I had to get up on my feet and face the storm. I didn't want to speak to that wretched father of mine. "I only kept that beast here because he knows about the unicorns, I'm sure of it, we must interrogate him."
"I couldn't agree more, should I train everyone whilst your gone?" I snort and tut at her.
"No, you will go, pick a guard to accompany you, do not leave until he's told you at least something small. Pick whoever you want, I'll keep the other four busy on their feet, remind me later I must tell Bambi and Ronnie their father is dead." Vanilla tries hiding her shock and fear about the fact I've trusted her with such a big task.
"He's half blind now Vanilla, he cannot harm you and if he tries he will have me to answer to."
"No no, I'm just worried that you're avoiding him but if that is what you chose I will take Wilbert." I ignore the first part, I'm too scared I'll start a huge screaming contest if I went and saw him now, I needed time to process. "Ah yes, the silent one will intimidate him, his silence is scary enough, great idea." She presses her glossy white muzzle into the crook of my neck and murmurs, loud enough for me to hear. "I understand, take as much time as you need." I feel my eyes clouding at her comfort but instantly block out any emotions. I motion to her as I open the door, we stand before the rest of the guards who are all shocked to see me standing and equally shocked to see Vanilla by my side. "Listen up! Vanilla was granted the position of second in command by Darlington. She has requested Wilbert to go with her to speak with the former King. The rest of you will be assessed by me again. The battle is closing in." The wolves had clearly told everyone about my fathers return but I was glad to see Ronnie looked chipper as always, meaning he hadn't been told yet about his fathers death. Wilbert clambers up to join Vanilla and they begin their journey towards the prison. The other four remaining guards look nervous and unsure. None of them have objections about Vanillas position. I leap down in one graceful leap and twitch my tail, showing them to follow my lead. "We will do another race to get going."

Vanillas POV:
I gulp nervously, I wish Pumpkin would've atleast came with me for support, we could've faced him together but I suppose she needed to prepare her fine fighters, I could smell disaster coming. I was also terrified that no one would accept my high position. "Aren't you scared Wilbert to speak with that old hag? He turned our kingdom upside down." He shrugs and blinks apologetically at me that he couldn't be of more help. His silence makes me feel better, I can say everything I feel and he will hold the secrets till the day he dies. "Do you think everyone will be mad that a newbie is second in command?" I feel my teeth going and my tail shaking everywhere again at the thought. It's so strange, every time I'm nervous I get the tail shakes. He shakes his head and points to me then again to his head where it looks like he's trying to draw out a crown in the air, then he carries on walking. Strange. We reach the entrance to the walls that hold our prisoner. I breathe in and Wilbert pats me once awkwardly, trying his best to tell me it's okay. He enters first, I follow behind. Instantly, his ears twitch up and he comes prowling to sit in front the bars. "SORCERER! WITCHERY!" He begins yelling at me and flexing his claws, his whole fur bristled angrily as he glares at me accusingly. "THERES A REASON YOU TIGERS OF THE SNOW ARE ALL BURIED." I blink at him, trying not to laugh at how stupid he looks angry, I'm also trying not to get mad that he could insult my family like that. We let him carry on shouting about nonsense before he gives up and spits at me before glaring at me once more. "Well aren't you a friendly one?" I let slip out my mouth which makes him even angrier. "Where is that useless, pathetic excuse of a Queen?" I stare at him icily, imagining I'm sending ice through his heart. He grins at my silence. "Ah I see she's too afraid!" He begins snickering and chanting coward over and over again. "If anyone is a coward it is you for running away or have you forgotten? Pumpkin has far more important matters then dealing with you." He scowls at me.
"Like that dead deer?" Wilbert looks at me, asking silently what he's on about, I pray he can understand I can't tell him right now. "You must tell us about the unicorns."
"Oh yeah or what? It's all Pumpkins fault, since she became Queen they've escaped, they know there's a weak ruler. They would've never crossed me." I roll my eyes and tap my paw impatiently, he begins rambling about how great he is and how disgusting Pumpkin is. I curl up, ready for a long day, his constant chatter is sending me into a spiral of insanity but I remember, patience. He eventually realised my lack of interest and begins muttering to himself. I perk my ears up but stay where I am. "Ah yes, the unicorns, the horned horses, who even let them roam free? Idiots! It took the great king and all the dragon lords months of planning to rid the world of that nasty curse, it wasn't an easy task, without Bubblegums help they were lost and helpless, how could creatures who are lacking in the magic department defeat a beast who is designed to overpower everyone in its path? They managed it though." I look up and realise he's in his own world before he passes out, what a crazy old man. I almost feel sorry for him but he killed Queen Ember so no sympathy from me. Wilbert nods at me. That's all we're getting today. We still are no closer to defeating this unicorn of fire but now we know the names are real. Pumpkin would be disappointed but atleast Chestnut and Rupert were on a journey to find more.