Lunch with the king (Patreon)

 Luna and Applebloom slowly followed the giant tortoise Galapagos as he made his way to a shaded area off the road in my Equestria dreamscape. From within the castle the ponies could hear King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III clattering, shouting, rummaging around. Occasionally there was a small explosion and smoke would waft out of a tiny window.

   
  "Um, is the king alright in there?" Wondered the little filly. "He sounds like my granny in the morning when she can't find her mane pin?" 

  Galapagos slowly turned his head and smiled. "Don't, worry, little, one. He, is, like, this, all, the, time." 

  With slow, deliberate steps the tortoise moved his great bulk along with the king's castle into the shade of the trees. Then with equal slowness the great creature lowered itself down onto its shell. From within the castle one could still hear the sounds of orchestrated mayhem. Luna and Applebloom laid down on the grass and looked out over the lush vibrant landscape. After a moment the little filly spoke. 

  
  "So if this isn't the king's dream fabric and it's not necessarily the dream realm, what exactly is this place were in?"

 
  "It's what the king wants." Said Luna. "King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III is one of a small number of individuals I have met that is truly in charge of his destiny. His past, present, and future are what he's decided they'll be. For him much of his reality is shaped by what he thinks it should be."

 
  "He, is, also, one, of, the, wealthiest, beings, in, existence," Said the tortoise. 

  
  "Really?" Said the Applebloom as she looked at the miniature castle. "I mean he's got a nice place and all but is he really that rich?"

  Luna continued to gaze off at the clouds. "He is Applebloom, because possesses one of the greatest treasures in the world." She looked back at her student. "True happiness. This reality is what makes him truly happy, and that makes him very rich indeed."

 
  "Right! Well I hadn't been expecting company but fortunately the pantry was well provisioned with vittles, so shall we eat?!" 

  Neither of the two ponies had heard the king exist his castle, but when they looked down they found that they were no longer laying on the grass. Instead they were now resting upon a great table cloth poppy orange with various heraldic devices embroidered on it. The largest being an albatross or some large sea bird with a purple fez on its head. On top of the cloth were numerous dishes to enjoy.

   
  Standing upon the cloth and still wearing a chef hat was the king himself. "Now I hope the fare is up to your standards!"

   
  He drew his tiny saber and began pointing at items as if they were military objectives in a campaign. 

  "We've got stuffed hard-boiled eggs with cheddar cheese and cayenne here. Quite tasty but spicy. Over here is pickled vegetables. Carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, the usual suspects. Across from them are fresh loaves from the oven and tubs of butter and honey. The big covered tureen has cream of mushroom soup. The fruit and cheese platter should be self-explanatory. I wasn't certain if you'd want some but I grilled up some kippers just in case. There's pitcher of iced tea. You can add sugar and lemon if you so desire. For dessert we've got sticky pudding!"

 
  "No, cake?" Asked the tortoise. 

  "Of course not!" Exclaimed the king. "Cake is special because it's served on Saturday, and today is Thursday! If we had it everyday then it wouldn't special anymore now would it. Just like strawberries on Wednesday my loyal subject!"

 
  The tortoise made slow, happy sounds. "Mmmm, strawberries, and, cream."

   
  Luna smiled and nodded her head. "This is excellent your Majesty. Once again your court has exceeded our expectation."

 
  "Where in the hay did all of this come from!" Exclaimed the little filly. "Did ya just conjure up all this grub when we weren't looking?"

  
  "Of course not." Said the king nonchalantly. " It came from the pantries in my castle. Care for a stuffed egg?"

     Applebloom looked at the castle on the tortoise's back and then back at the picnic spread. After a moment she shrugged her shoulders. 

  
  "Yes please." 

 To be continued.