Enchantè

                                                            Tears and Preparations

“…and this is the Golden Oaks Library. Princess Twilight lives here, with her dragon assistant Spike.”

Lorewise stared at the building, trying to process what his son had just told him. “Let me understand this: a princess lives here with a dragon?”

Pawise smiled. “He’s not full grown, nor even close to his full height yet.”

Lorewise frowned. “That’s not the part that’s bothering me, for obviously he’s not full size if he lives here. Why would a princess choose to live in someplace as mundane as a library?”

“As I wrote you before, she’s one of the most humble ponies I have ever met. But don’t let that calm exterior fool you: I think she can be quite formidable when challenged, if half the stories I’ve heard are true.”

“I think it’s wonderful she chooses to live here among her subjects. I love the idea of being able to meet a princess on a daily basis. One can never get in to see Princess Celestia or Luna,” said Willow.

Nor should one be able to, thought Lorewise.

He tried to imagine the chaos that would ensue if anypony that worked for him could just saunter up and start a conversation, as if they were equals. His company would fold in half a season! How much more damage is being done to the proper hierarchy by this renegade princess?

“Does she at least walk around with guards? Or does she eschew that tradition as well?”

Pawise caught the tone of his Dad’s voice, but chose to ignore it. “You can ask her when you see her, Dad. If we don’t run into her today, she’ll most likely be at the party.”

“Will I be able to tell who she is?”

Pawise gritted his teeth. “It would be kind of hard to miss an Alicorn.”

“Don’t take that tone with-“ Lorewise began, but his wife cut him off.

        “I’m sure she’s lovely and will stand out on her own. Let’s see some more of the sights. Where is this Everfree Forest?”

She placed herself between them as they scowled at each other.

After a moment Pawise reluctantly said, “It’s southeast of town, just past the big Rock Pile on Sweet Apple Acres. But there’s not much to see of it from the end of town, and I don’t think going in there is a good idea.”

“Because of all the monsters?”

“YES, Dad. Because of all the monsters.”

Lorewise gave his son a disappointed look. “What did I say just last night about ‘fear’?”

“It’s less about ‘fear’ and more about ‘common sense’, Dad. Nopony just blithely strolls through the Forest, at least none with brains.” His father chose not to take the bait.

“What about that zebra? Doesn’t she live in there?” he asked instead.

“Zecora has lived in there for years, yes, but she’s an expert on the Forest.” Pawise added, “She’s not only my guide, she’s my friend. She introduced Fluttershy and me. And she saved me from some Timberwolves. I wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for her.”

“Then we owe her a debt we can never repay!” his mother said. She reached up and gave her son a tight hug, and started to cry.

Pawise sat down so she wouldn’t have to reach so high, and hugged her back.

“It’s okay, Mom…it’s okay.” He shot an accusing look at his Dad over her shoulder, who in turn had the grace to look embarrassed. Willow dried her eyes and looked up at her son.

“I remember you saying that in your letter, but it didn’t seem real to me then. Now it does.”

Lorewise’s temper evaporated as the mercifully brief image of his son lying dead passed through his thoughts. With an effort, he held back his own tears and said, “I’m sorry son, I didn’t mean to speak ill of her. Can we meet her as well?” Between his mother’s reaction and one of his father’s rare apologies, Pawise’s temper left also.

“Sure, Dad. I’m supposed to meet her in an hour, but I’m sure she’ll be at the party tonight.”

“If you’d rather we wait, that’s quite alright. I know you have work to do.”

Pawise shook his head. “No, this party is turning out to be bigger than usual, as I’ve been told, so we won’t be going out into the Forest today. I’m sure she will love to meet you both.”

At twelve noon on the dot Zecora arrived at the café. After Pawise made the introductions, Willow broke down again and hugged Zecora profusely, thanking her over and over again for her son’s life. Even Lorewise was moved and offered to repay Zecora in any way he could.

        Like his wife, he’d suspended belief in his son’s near miss, but unlike her he had done so because he had been angry and disappointed. Now seeing her standing there, and listening to her odd way of speaking, the fact that his son had almost died hit him like a blow to the stomach.

Zecora said, “There is no debt, for your son saved me; of five wolves I only stopped three.”

“See Mom? We saved each other. I told you not to worry.”

“You wait until you have foals of your own, then tell me ‘not to worry.’"

Turning to Zecora, she asked, “Do you have children?” If the question bothered her, she didn’t let it show.

Just as she was about to answer, another unicorn walked up and said, “Darling! Where EVER did you get that dress?” They all turned to cast puzzled looks on the unicorn, who was addressing Willow.

She looked down at her own outfit. “This? I got it in Canterlot. Do you like it?”

“Like it? I love it!” she exclaimed. She then said, “WHERE are my manners? I’m Rarity, fashion designer and owner of the Carousel Boutique. How do you do?”

Pawise said, “So you’re Rarity! Fluttershy has told me about you, but I haven’t had the chance to meet you before now.” He indicated his group. “I know you know Zecora, but please meet my mother Willow, and this is my Dad Lorewise. I’m Pawise.” Rarity’s eyes grew big as saucers.

“Pawise! Then you’re Fluttershy’s paramour! Enchantè!” Pawise turned bright red.

Lorewise smiled. “We’re enchanted to meet you as well, Miss Rarity. Excuse me, or is it ‘Mrs?”

Rarity pouted, “It's “Miss” for now. But I shan’t be a '‘Miss'’ forever!” Changing the subject, she said, “Oh, but this is perfectly splendid! Here we are on a perfectly gorgeous day, and we’re about to have the most wonderful party! I simply cannot wait to show off my fashions tonight!”

Pawise asked, “‘Fashions’? But I thought this was going to be just a welcome party?”

Rarity laughed and tossed her mane. “Oh darling, DARLING! There’s always time for fashion! And this will be a formal soirèe so you can be sure I’ll have my Spring Line featured!” Then her eyes grew even rounder as she exclaimed, “I- DEE- aa! You simply must allow me to pick out your outfits for tonight! This will be simply delightful!”

Willow said, “That’s quite generous of you dear, but I-“

“Oh no, no no! I must insist! It is no trouble at all!” With that she took Willow by her upper foreleg and whisked her off, leaving Pawise and his Dad no choice but to trot quickly to keep up. Zecora smiled calmly, and followed at her own pace.