'Twas Hearth's Warming Eve
‘Twas Hearth’s Warming Eve, and the cottage was still.
Placid animals slumbered, bellies warm and filled
With treats their caretaker had made earlier that day;
“Not so nutritious,” she had giggled, “but what can I say?”
Indeed, the very same pony then slept,
Her heart swelled with pride of her home so well-kept.
To think a shy, timid pony like her could maintain
A calm, happy home with such minimal strain!
However, to say “happy” is not entirely fair,
For one creature slept restless, in a room down the stairs,
Stretched long on his bed (though his face was stretched longer):
Their happy was strong, but his somber was stronger.
The creature, not touched by the day’s spirit’s kiss,
Was Ponyville’s resident draconequus.
The holiday is queer for one trapped so long in stone,
As he was no longer spending Hearth’s Warming alone.
But no such thoughts swirled in the poor creature’s head;
His holiday spirit had long since been dead.
Melancholy ruminations in his head did creep,
Subjecting the creature to a turbulent sleep.
His dreams drifted to memories; his face jolted in strife.
While better than stone, his was no perfect life.
It’s hard to respect things they’d said he’d hold dear
When all ponies but six still regard him with fear.
His sleeping head tossed as he remembered his days,
His memories merging like some ethereal maze;
He’s failed countless times Fluttershy’s firm “Make a friend.”
Ponies thought he sees them as but means to an end.
He frowned in his slumber and recalled the morn
Wherein, with rejoicing, a young foal was born.
The ponies in town had barred him from the feast,
As if he’d gobble the foal up like some fairy tale beast.
The miserable thoughts of his most recent year
Brought forth from his eye one sad, shimmering tear.
But the images vanished, and within his mind’s eye,
He saw naught but a moon and a starry night sky.
A voice bellowed out, “Discord, those were all just a dream,
Despite how vivid and poignant they seem.
You wrestle with misery; to help fight the good fight
I have come in your sleep; your princess of the night.”
Discord smirked as he laughed in his mind.
“You want to help me? You’re too kind; too kind!
As amusing as you are, I admit I struggle to see
How a privileged princess can help a spirit like me.”
“We all can use help,” Luna said, her voice stern.
“Do not imagine you have no lessons to learn.
Friendships take time; you’ve only begun.”
Discord sighed. “This will be such great fun.
“So what makes you believe I’m unhappy at all?
To sadden chaos itself is an order quite tall.”
“I will not presume, but explain to me, then,
Why your painful thoughts involve not making friends.”
“Perhaps more would be nice, but with friendship I’m done.
There’s still Fluttershy; I require but one.
It’s hardly my fault if the rest of her race
Sees nothing in me but a monster to chase.”
“A true friend is a blessing; may you make no mistake.
And for some, one true friend is all that it takes.
But desiring more does not make you selfish nor proud.
Is that not why you act so boisterous and loud?”
“To my utmost surprise, I’m not feeling better.”
“The understanding of your blessings must be unfettered
If you are to experience Hearth’s Warming cheer!”
“A nice sentiment, surely. Wake me next year.”
“The things you possess you must not underplay,
For what else provides joy at the end of the day?
Nopony’s content to dwell on their lack;
Appreciation is the key, and that is a fact.”
“Well, then, pardon me, for I have been oh, so shameful!
Please inform me of that for which I have to be thankful.
The ponies who won’t spare an ‘Oh, Discord, hi!’,
And wish me away like I’m a blood-sucking fly?
“Must I be thankful for my penchant for strife,
Which severs harmony like a cosmological knife?
Shall I shed tears of joy for the ponies I see,
Whom I’ve grown to love, but who’ll never love me?”
The princess was silent. Discord gathered his thoughts.
He let out a faint chuckle. “Now, look what you’ve wrought.
The master of strife resenting chaos itself.
I sincerely thank you; you’ve been such a help.”
“Discord,” the princes replied with a smooth and soft voice,
“While your predilection for chaos may not be your choice,
There is hope for you yet. Do you want to know why?”
At his silent affirmation, she said, “Fluttershy.”
The sound of her name gave Discord a start;
Its fair syllables tugged at his black, twisted heart.
The princess continued. “You can garner love.
You don’t give enough credit to what you’re capable of.”
Discord thought, and then spoke. “I do certainly try,
But no matter what happens, they run, scream, and cry.”
“It will take time for my little ponies to cope.
But for now, allow Fluttershy to fill you with hope.”
At her words Discord chuckled; for him, hope was rare.
But Fluttershy had hope in spades. “What a mare…
I’ll play your game, Luna. I’ll give hope a chance,
With she as my shield and her hare as my lance…~”
Luna giggled in turn. “Then it’s time I depart.
You can’t triumph alone, and I’ve played my part.”
Her voice began to grow faint. “Fight the good fight!”
“As you wish,” Discord said, “my princess of the night.”
He abruptly awoke with a snaggletoothed grin.
Perhaps this was a fight that he really could win…
He yawned, and he stretched, and he jumped out of bed.
For now, though, he had a celebration ahead.
‘Twas Hearth’s Warming Day, and the cottage was still.
Placid animals still slumbered, bellies warm and filled.
And as Discord baked cookies that were shaped like his head,
He remembered with hope the things his princess had said.
