7. Beauty, In All Its Forms

The stories told of Equestria said that the weather was controlled by pegasi. However, without pegasi to control the rain and snow, things would be a bit more complex… or so Eriwen thought. It was to her great surprise another of Celestia’s gifts made themselves apparent one cloudy morning. A raindrop fell upon the hard gossamer-like window of Eriwen’s chambers, causing her to awaken abruptly. Horn primed, she crept towards the foggy insect-wing covering, and jumped when yet another drop pattered. 

With a sentimental smile, she opened the gossamer and flew outside to enjoy the weather.

“Queen Eriwen, what are you doing?” one of her firstborn drones who had been tending to the castle’s rebuilt walls called up to her, and she laughed. Unsettled, the drone smiled and chuckled nervously with her.

“The pony I spoke of, who gave us all of these wonderful gifts. Surely you remember, Syphi?”

“Of course, My Queen,” Syphi nodded, “I just suppose tales of our own homeland overshadow the significance of natural phenomena…”

“I was so scared there would be no rain and we’d have to improvise,” Eriwen sighed and landed on her balcony to better see her daughter. Syphi hummed,

“To speak freely, Mother… She certainly takes good care of a Changeling she barely knew.”

“We were her last hope, Syphi,” Eriwen explained, “there was nothing else left for her. I guess me showing up when I did was a bit of a miracle in her eyes. She didn’t just see a Changeling when I arrived…”

“She saw a future. In you…” Syphi finished, suddenly understanding. The drone’s gently glowing yellow eyes widened in realization, “that’s rather inspiring.”

“Indeed.”

By time the warm months had passed and the first frost coated the grasses of Equestria, the castle had been fully converted into that of a palace worthy of Eriwen’s hive. The deconstruction of the old nobility’s quarter had been partially completed, and there was more than enough love to go around thanks to Celestia’s gift. The hive’s numbers only grew, and exponentially so. Without other hives threatening their growth and the surplus of love her drones could share with each other and herself, Eriwen had only high hopes for the future.

However, they couldn’t let their guard down just yet. Eriwen passed down her training to her finest, and they would pass it down to their subordinates in hopes that if there were to be conflict at any point, they were ready. However, Eriwen’s combat expertise was limited, so she encouraged her drones to experiment as much as they could and fill in the blanks. It wasn’t satisfactory, but it was all she could do to prepare them.

Without need for the wildlife’s energy any longer, populations of all sorts of animals boomed. They needed to cull more aggressive species occasionally, but the true threat came from the anomalous beasts such as constellations and manticores. Though the Celestial tree’s magic kept the beasts away from New Canterlot, expeditions needed additional muscle to keep them safe.

All in all, Eriwen’s lessons from her mother paid off. When discipline was needed, she followed through. When her drones proposed a currency and economy system, she listened and offered her own suggestions. Life was never dull… But there was one topic she would avoid discussing. Conflict with other hives was inevitable. The fonts attracted attention, and word of Equestria’s destruction had already been spread far and wide no doubt. The Changeling presence in the very heart of old Equestria was probably rumored as well. 

It was only a matter of time before other Queens began to make moves, and her budding hive needed to be ready.