Big Mac sat in the chair in the second floor living room of the Golden Oaks library. He glanced over toward the window and saw the last lights of the day fading in the purple light that heralded the winter night. It was just after sunset and he looked at his sister as she lay on the sofa asleep, her back to him.

“How ya feelin sis?”

She’d slept soundly for a little over an hour. To anypony else, she looked to still be asleep, but in the way of siblings, he knew that she’d awoken. Other than to draw a breath and sigh, she didn’t move.

“I don’t know Mac, confused, upset, angry…” She paused for a little while. “Where ya reckon she is?” she asked, her voice sounding weary and sad.

“Her note said somthin about an research team digging up in the Badlands and finding Starswirl The Bearded.” Big Mac offered hopefully.

Applejack continued to speak into the back of the sofa. “Don’t tell me you believe the hogwash in that note? What sense does it make for somepony to sneak off like that and then tell us where she went?” AJ said, the weariness giving way to her natural belligerence.. “It don’t make any sense, not after what happened.”

“Maybe not, but I reckon there might be a little truth to it. Part of her maybe want’s you to find her. Or at least give you a direction if you wanna go lookin’.”

“And then what?” Applejack asked quickly, not wanting to let a silence gather that would surely fill with unspoken implications. “Just start walkin’?” She rolled over and pushed herself up to a sitting position. She crossed her legs and sat there, eyes cast down. After a few moments she sighed and finally looked up, not saying a word.

It was her way of asking to be held and Mac had to fight the instinct to do just that. He knew she would take the comfort and then internalize the pain- “crying on the inside.” In those cases it was best not to comfort her but to let the pain stay so near the surface that it could find its way out. In the end though, his love for her proved too much and he went to her and sat on the sofa next to her. He reached over and put his arm around her shoulders. She rested her head on his shoulder and he leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

“Mac?”

“Mm-hmm?”

“You know she’s my best friend and thatI love her.” she said, then looked down again, sorting out her feelings. “Like I love Dash, and Rarity and Pinkie and Fluttershy. But that’s as far as it goes. It’s as far as it’s gonna go" she said deliberately. Then her voice softened, "She’s like my sister."

Big Macintosh paused before saying softly. “You gotta let go, AJ.”

“What? Didn’t I just get through saying there ain’t nothin' to let go of. I don’t-”

“I ain’t talkin' about you and Twilight,” he said, looking back into her eyes.

Applejack looked away from him. “Don’t bring that up again.”

“”Well why not?.”

“You think that my lettin’ go of Mama and Papa will help me find my inner filly-fooler?” Applejack said with a slight roll of her eyes.

“That’s not what I mean sis…”

Neither of them spoke for several moments. “Big Macintosh, this always comes up when you think I ought to be falling in love,” she sighed then looked up at him.”Forgettin’ the mare-mare thing - Y’all keep saying I’m afraid of falling in love. Shucks, after workin’ on a farm all day who’s got time for love, anyway?”

Big Mac blushed.

“Well, except for a certain Romeo who has two marefriends!” she said, giving him an elbow to the ribs. “Hey!, Here’s an idea- you having two can make up for me not having a coltfriend!” she smiled at him affectionately. “Besides, who’d be interested in me? I’m just a plain old farm pony. It ain’t like…”

Mac coughed hard, blurting out the word “Trenderhoof”

“Oh...yeah…” Applejack looked away and blushed. “Well Twilight said it wasn’t really love, he just liked the idea of a farm and, now let’s see if I can recollect how she said it - I was a physical mystification…”

“Manifestation” Big Mac corrected.

“Right - manifestation of the farm.” she explained proudly.

“Uh-huh.” Big Mac said dubiously.

“Uh-huh? What the hay’s that supposed to mean? It’s true - I was his manifestation!”

“No, he was crazy about you AJ. Twilight’s just wrong. If you spread those words she said out in garden, you’d grow the biggest load of carrots and cucumbers this side of the Everfree Forest!”

“Say, that’s pretty funny! So anyway just what makes you think Trenderhoof really wanted me?”

“Well when I was at the spa waitin’ for Cheerilee the other day, I picked up one a them gossip magazines they had. Right on the cover was a picture of him with a very cute young blonde mare with white freckles, green eyes and a cowboy hat!”

Applejack’s jaw fell open at the news. “Really?”

“eYup. Well... she was missin’ a few teeth. Somepony had taken a pen to the picture and blacked out a couple of the teeth and drawn a moustache on her.”

The two siblings looked at each other, “Rarity!” the both said with a laugh. Big Mac relaxed a little, seeing his sister laugh. She had been as upset as he’d ever seen her when he’d arrived at the library.

“I’ll tell you AJ, when I looked at the pictures inside, that filly looked a lot like you. Aloe even came over and said she thought so too.”

“Did Rarity do a makeover of them pictures too?”

“eYup. She drew a noose around her neck and a tongue sticking out of her mouth and put “x’s” over her eyes.”

Both siblings broke out in laughter again.

“There was a second copy of it on the other table, so I got to see her without Rarity’s makeover.” Mac told her.

“Oh, okay - I was wondering how you reckoned she looked like me. Anyway let’s face it - he really wasn’t my type.” AJ said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

“No, I reckon he wasn’t,” Mac agreed, “but AJ, I gotta tell you, there’s times when having a special somepony in your life can, well, just make everything seem better. Heck it does make everything better. You share things with them that you share with nopony else. You can tell them things you thought you’d never tell anypony. You can go to them when nopony else understands… It makes life worth living.” He watched in the silence that followed as the thoughts turned to emotion. He watched the tears forming in her eyes, watched them spill down her cheeks, He said softly.

“That’s Twilight, isn’t it?”

Applejack’s chin quivered and she gave a tiny nod. She blinked and more tears spilled down her cheeks. She looked at her brother, “But we were fine before. Why in Equestria do we gotta suddenly be marefriends?”I

“I don’t know AJ. I ain’t sure Twilight does either...”

“Whover she was with, it wasn’t me, it was some other pony. You said she was scared and Twilight stayed with her and showed her things were gonna be okay. Bein with one another all that time, without nopony else, I reckon things might, you know, get…” Applejack paused, looking for the right words. Suddenly she scowled, “No I-I just can’t see it. Twilight ain’t like that. I mean we’re real close friends but I just can’t imagine her, you know, doing, you know, whatever, no matter what that letter she wrote to me says. I know one day we’ll both find wonderful colts and fall in love and have families.” Applejack sniffed and wiped the tears away. The pain in them was gone and she smiled happily at her brother.

“We’ll be friends the rest of our lives, I know that. Whatever happened last couple-a week was with a different pony. She’s gone now and I’m back and Twilight and I will go back to how we were before the accident. We can forget that time ever happened, it’ll just be like a bad dream that you don’t think about. When she does get back we’ll fix this up and then maybe the two of us will go up to Canterlot or Appaloosa or even Manehattan and see if we can’t have ourselves a time with some handsome young colts. Even if we don’t find our future husbands, I reckon we’ll have a lot of laughs. I’ll bet we’ll even laugh at the idea of the two of us being in love with each other!” she said joyfully.

Big Mac smiled at her. “That sounds exactly like something the two of you might do - go to bars in Manehattan.” he said reflectively.

“Well why not?! We are getting older you know. Why can’t we sow some wild oats?”

“Well I reckon the two of you can take care of yourselves. As far as having your pick of colts, I reckon you might, just don’t be surprised if it takes a fair piece of time for you to find Mr Right.”

“What do you mean?” asked Applejack with a smile.

“Well, I mean how easy do you reckon it’ll be finding a colt or even a mare that you would love more than Twilight?”

Applejack, still smiling, opened her mouth to answer but stopped. Her smile faded and her gaze fell. She tried to imagine it. There were so many private things that after many walks and many talks she had finally found the courage to share with Twilight. Twilight had not found them strange, or odd or anything. She had understood them. Sometimes she had laughed at them and that had broken the dark hold that those things held over Applejack. Other times she had grabbed the young earth pony, pulled her close into a hug. Applejack had wondered what she was doing then suddenly an eruption of raw emotion would flood through her and she would burst into tears, not realizing how much pain she’d been holding back, but somehow Twilight always knew and would hold her as they both cried.

Applejack remembered that first time she had told Twilight something very personal. Now she couldn’t recall just what it was, but she remembered the two of them walking in the countryside along the path the ponies took during the running of the leaves. They were talking and it just came out. Applejack suddenly stopped, amazed at what she told the young unicorn. She looked at Twilight and was unprepared for what she’d seen. Twilight looked at her, her eyes wet with tears and solemnly bowed her head. She’d told Applejack in that one gesture how deeply honored she felt at the trust her new friend had placed in her. It had moved the young farm pony very deeply. Neither had said a word about it, but by the end of the walk, Twilight had opened up as well. During that walk and others, and cold nights by the fires at the Golden Oak and Sweet Apple Acres the bonds of their friendship had been forged. Big Mac was right. Applejack would never find another pony who she’d share those things with, one that would understand her as Twilight did, or one that would love her…or she would love as much.

Looking up into the sweet face of her older brother, her eyes blurry with tears, she could see there was no use denying any of it.

“I, I reckon we both know you’re right, but, well, I’ll just have to make sure that wherever she moves to, my family won’t be far behind. Our families will just have to become best friends, the way the two of us are.”

“I don’t reckon you’ll ever have to worry about Twilight moving away from you.”

Applejack nodded and remained silent, thinking about what Big Mac had said. When things went bad, I wouldn’t go to my husband, I’d run to Twilight. What kind of marriage would that be? Married couples are supposed to be partners, to turn to each other when things were bad, not run to some friend. It would be unfair to him, I wouldn't be any kind of real wife. I’d have no business marrying somepony like that.

Applejack finally began to think about that and what it really meant. She knew what it meant, and then what THAT would mean...suddenly she grimaced and shivered slightly.. A moment later she closed her eyes and shivered again, only this time it was much more pronounced.

She looked away from her brother, blushing brightly. “It can’t...I can’t! I ain’t! Just no way, no how!...“ Applejack worked hard to avoid looking at her brother. If anything she was blushing more than she had a moment ago. “A kiss on the cheek and a hug. That’s IT!” Applejack said, red-faced.

Big Mac made a point of showing how hard it was for him to suppress a grin. Applejack scowled at him and slowly craned her neck toward him, daring him to say or do anything.

She raised an eyebrow, never breaking her stare. “You best not be thinkin’ about what I think you might be thinkin’ about and if you are, you can just forget it you pervert, cause I ain’t never gonna do that thing you best not be thinkin about, so get them filthy perverted thoughts out of your head!” She stared hard at him. “I can see what you’re thinkin!” she yelled.

Big Mac’s eyes flew open in embarrassment and even through his red coat, his blush was clear.

“It’s me kissin’ Twilight Sparkle on the lips!”

Big Mac’s huge sigh of relief and little chuckle puzzled his sister.

“You caught me AJ, that’s what I was thinkin alright…”

She paused, still staring. Then she raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to find something else.. She waited to see if he would say anything, but he was too smart for that.

“In fact you just best forget that whole lovey dovey business! Me and Twi are best friends, nothin’ more. That’s how it is and that’s how it’s gonna stay!” Her face brightened and she smiled at her brother. “No matter what happened during them weeks, they can’t stop the two of us from being just plain old friends again, no matter what that other pony and Twilight did....”

She stopped for a moment, thinking about it and as she did her expression of joy had changed. When she spoke again it was through gritted teeth to nopony in particular and sounded threatening. “Even if that pony did kiss Twilight once or twice during that week” Now she was almost seething. “-and if she did…” SuddenlyApplejack stopped. Out of the corner of her eye she’d noticed Mac looking at her with a very curious expression.

“If I didn’t know any better AJ, I’d say you were…” But the look in her eye stopped him dead in his tracks.

“I was what?” The last word sounded like a pistol hammer being cocked..

Big Mac’s mind scrambled madly.

“...right?” he offered meekly.

Her severe expression remained unchanged as she decided his fate.

Much to his relief she brought herself to her full height and went into lecture mode, not unlike another pony he knew and loved. “What you gotta understand Mac, is that there are different kinds of love. Twilight and I have a real strong best friends kind of love, not that filly-foolin kind of bein in love.” she said, then paused. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

“Of course AJ” he agreed eagerly, “when it comes to you and her, you know best. You just gotta follow your heart.”

Applejack smiled at his words. “eYup- follow my heart. And my heart needs my best friend and it’s gonna lead me to my best frien-” She froze. The realization that she had no idea where to begin looking flooded through her like ice water. She needed to find her as soon as she could. She had to tell her that whatever happened with that other pony was in the past and it wasn’t her, but she sensed it had to happen very soon or Twilight....

“How am I ever gonna find her?” she mumbled, looking and sounding utterly lost. “Even if she did go to the Badlands, that’s a might big place!” she looking desperately at her brother. “Do you reckon maybe Twilight talked about it with her?” She spat out the last word.

Big Mac looked at his sister in confusion.

“You know...” Applejack explained as though to a confused colt. “that other pony? The one that Twilight took care of? Maybe they were going to go there together!” If it was a hopeful clue, it came out sounding accusatory.

Big Mac wasn’t sure how to respond so he let it lay there as one would an angry rattlesnake. He thought carefully before asking “Did you find anything, any notes or letters when you were looking around here before?”

If the realization that she had no idea where to look for Twilight had upset her, Big Mac’s question left her unable to think. Dizziness overcame her as a tidal wave of panic rushed through her body. Her face became pale and her eyes filled with fear. “That test...” she barely muttered. “...I forgot”.

“What?” Big Mac asked, his manner now one of genuine concern..

Applejack thought about telling him, but the idea of revisiting implications of what Twilight had done for her would have completely overwhelmed her.

“Uh - oh it was nothing. Just some test or other Twilight was going to take but missed on account of me and the snow storm I reckon...” Forcefully, she pushed the thought away.

Big Mac knew immediately that it was The Ordeals. Twilight had repeatedly expressed her anxiety about them to him. He knew how important they were to her. He was staggered by the news.

Twilight must have gotten the letter saying she’d be allowed to submit an application! Celestia had to have pulled every string she had… and Twilight had given up on it for Applejack?!! ...for Applejack.

He thought back to how happy the two of them had been and compared it to how important that test was to Twilight. The decision seemed kind of rash, but when he remembered how they looked at each other, he knew in his heart it had been the right one. Applejack had woken that morning with no idea who she was and was terrified. While Twilight might have gotten somepony else to stay with her while she went off to Canterlot, she never would have been able to focus and perform her magic at the the incredibly high level necessary to pass the Ordeals. Not when the pony she loved was scared and sick and back in Ponyville without her.

Applejack quickly began to soften the words in the letter from the Council, She began to think about the power of Princess Celestia, who with her sister Luna, ruled over all of Equestria.

I reckon the Princess could probably fix it with a just a look and Twi would take that test whenever she pleased. Princess Celestia is head of the whole shootin match after all, no matter what that letter said. First off, Twilight was stuck by the snowstorm and all those ponies were sick with that flu. I know she didn’t want to miss that test, but the reason that she missed it had nothing to do with fallin’ in love - she stuck by the snow and carin’ for a sick friend.

What a relief!

But... what about that letter Twi wrote? She talked all about finding out she loved me. Maybe she was overtired? Or maybe she’d been drinking hard cider - Maybe she was overtired AND drinking hard cider! Sure as sunset she was a might stressed out Okayyy - Now it’s all starting to make sense. Twilight was all upset that I was badly hurt. Then there was that big snow storm. Twilight, totally tuckered out, had gotten drunk on hard cider and written that silly letter. Then it snowed more and she couldn’t leave! Of course!! Dang if it don’t makes perfect sense!. She missed the test because of all the snow and because she wouldn’t leave a sick friend, and she wrote the letter after having too much hard cider from all that worry!

Applejack leaned back and smiled.

“Well you certainly look much better all of a sudden. Did you remember something?” asked Big Mac.

“Nope. I just realized what must have happened and it explains everything.”

Big Mac cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. “Is that a fact?” But if he expected an explanation, it was not forthcoming.

His sister continued, “eYup. Now I just gotta try to recollect if there was any talk about going out to the Badlands to find out about them ponies who’re looking for whatever thing they’re lookin for about Starswirl.”

“Uh-huh.” commented Big Mac ruefully. “Any thoughts on how to jog your memory?”

Applejack sat down. “No. I ain’t got a single idea. I wonder if Zecora might have some kind of potion I could drink that would make me remember. Like she did with Twilight that time.”

“Haven’t seen her since before the snowstorm.” Big Mac said, “Besides, that was more of a time travel history lesson- it wasn’t Twilights memories. I reckon memories are a might tricker. Anyhow I think Cheerilee said that Zecora was going on a vacation to get away from the winter here in Ponyville.” He looked at Applejack. “I reckon you should just sleep on it. I don’t think you want anypony els- uh, anypony messin with your brain...”

Applejack scowled at him, debating whether or not to go after what he almost said, but decided not to ask about things she might not want to know about.

Applejack twisted her mouth to one side in deep thought “I wonder if the Princesses could help me?”

“AH really don’t think so. They got all kinds of powers, but gettin memories back after you were hit on the head? I don’t reckon either of them could do that.”

“Yeah, I s’pose you’re right. I’ve seen them do some darn amazing things, but I don’t recollect… Hey that’s funny - my not remembering them helping somepony remember…:

Then suddenly the young mare’s face went gray and she swallowed. She didn’t say anything for awhile. Big Mac knew what was going through her mind and spoke quickly, “So anyway AJ, what do you say we head on home? Granny Smith is making a carrot and sweet potato casserole. I know how much you-”

“Mac.” she said, her voice flat, “I just remembered something that happened awhile ago. Something really bad. It was when Twilight had gotten crazy studying and, something happened with a knife. It’s all jumbled up in my mind, but Princess Celestia showed up and we all had to go to Canterlot afterwards. It was real scary. I had terrible nightmares. Princess Luna helped me with those and Celestia was with me during the day.” She turned to her brother and implored him “Don’t you remember? After it was all over and she brought me home, she and Luna started comin’ by the farm once in awhile. Well not right away, but a little while after I came home.”

Applejack spoke slowly as she tried to remember. “I’d forgotten all about it. But I think Princess Celestia made me forget what happened that day. That’s what she was doing with all of us. I think she took care of me and Twilight. Some of the other doctors helped Dash and Pinkie and Rarity and Fluttershy. I don’t recollect much. I know Celestia said some very special things to me when we were still at the library that I keep in my heart, but I ain’t sure what else.” She looked up at her brother with haunted eyes. “There was blood, and Twi was lying in it…I think some of it was mine...” Applejack squeezed her eyes shut tight and shook her head, clearing the image.

“You know what this means Mac? She might be able to look at my memories and see if whoever I was when I wasn’t me knows where Twilight might have hightailed it to!”

“I don’t know AJ. I sent word to Canterlot right after you were hurt telling the Princesses about how you’d been hit by the bookshelf and lost your memory but I never heard back. Seems kinda strange. They must be real busy.”

“I reckon. I can’t imagine what with all they gotta do that they’re gonna just up and leave it to come down here for a pony who got knocked on the head.”

Big Mac looked at her in utter disbelief. “You really have no idea how they feel about you , do you?”

Applejack smiled. “What? I ain’t any more special than Twi, or Flutters or Dash… any of us.” She looked at her brother, puzzled. “What? What? Why are you smiling at me like that?”

“Never mind sis.” Mac said with a smile. “Well I reckon it’s time to go home.”

“eYup, home…” Applejack smiled and stood up. She looked around the room and her smile began to fade. She looked at the couch...the mantle...the stairs up to the loft…

...the bed.

“Home…” she said softly.

The winter night air was crisp and clear, the stars shone brightly overhead as the two Apples walked back to Sweet Apple Acres, their hooves echoing in the cold winter air. After a while Applejack spoke.

“So you reckon you can handle everything at the farm while I’m gone?”

Big Mac stopped in his tracks. “Gone? Where you goin’?”

“To Canterlot!” Applejack’s voice was incredulous. She stopped and turned back toward him. “Were you not listening back there? It’s about 8:45 or so, I’m pretty sure the next train is at 9:09. I won’t make that one.. It’ll be another 15 or 20 minutes before the next train, not sure exactly when, I can be there in plenty of time to catch the one after 909.”

He remembered something and smiled then spoke as if her intentions would never be more than an idea. “Woah there sis - we gotta talk about this. You can’t just up and leave.”

She decided to indulge him, and replied as though the question of her journey to Canterlot that night were up for debate.

“Why not? I got the farm all set, which wasn’t hard, you did a real fine job while I was sick. I know you can handle it Apple Bloom is on winter break from school and even if she weren’t, I’m sure you wouldn’t have much of a time convincing Cheerilee to come on over to give her extra help” she said with an exaggerated wink. “But since it’s winter break she’ll be spending a lot of time with the Crusaders. Especially since Rarity is off on her fashion tour thing, in fact you should ask Sweetie Belle to stay over a few nights. She’s lookin’ a might sad.. Granny Smith and you should be just fine.”

“Yeah, but…”

“But what?”

“Well I think you should just sleep on it. We can talk about it tomorrow and figure out what the right thing to do is. I think we need to plan this out, talk it out as a family……..”

Applejack suddenly turned away from him and trotted off toward home. Mac came after her. She walked at a brisk pace, trotting hard.

“Take it easy sis. Your brother ain’t as fast as you.” he chuckled.

She didn’t answer. As he began to catch up, she broke into a canter, a speed that was difficult for him to match due to the difference in their leg lengths. Mac kept having to switch between a canter and a trot. Her face was set hard and she deliberately continued her canter, her breath steaming in a fast and hard rhythm from her nostrils in the cold night air.

“APPLEJACK!” Big Macintosh barked, and immediately she stopped,

Applejack stood firm staring straight ahead, her expression unchanged, Her breath, still streaming from her nostrils in strong puffs hung like small drifting clouds in the still winter night..

“Now just what the hay is going on?!” he asked, approaching her. “Why all the rush? One minute you’re crying, the next minute you’re smiling. You were just about out your mind when I got there, then you woke up and acted like everything was fine. Now you want to gallop off to Canterlot!” his voice barely hid his exasperation. He stared at her, but Applejack didn’t move, He lowered his head and spoke softly. “I love you Applejack, more than anypony in my life.” he looked up into her eyes. “And right now I’m real worried about you sis.” He stepped up next to her and raised his head over hers. Instinctively she tucked her head under his and he pulled her close, her head coming to rest tucked in between his shoulder and cheek. It was a very personal, very intimate gesture found only among ponies. It was a sign of love and protection on one part, and a sign of acceptance that help and protection were needed on the other part. Big Mac used the pet name for her that only the two of them knew about. He spoke softly, his voice on the verge of breaking.

“Please little honey girl, tell me what’s wrong”

At the sound of those words she felt her eyes stinging with tears, She stayed there, her eyes closed, smelling his body, hearing the strong steady heartbeat of her beloved brother. She remembered how safe it all made her feel during those horrible days long ago when all she had to do was look at him and he’d hold her like this. For a moment she forgot all about the world. It was just him and her and she was safe from everything. The smell of his coat, the sound of his powerful lungs breathing and the sound of his heart were a haven for her and right now she needed it more than ever. She never wanted to leave. After a bit she spoke, her voice trembling with emotion as her tears fell softly in the snow..

“I’m so scared Mac. Everything is turned around. It’s like I woke up and the world changed while I was gone.”

“I know honey girl. Sometimes you gotta bend, remember? You are so strong, but sometimes being strong means having to bend, to let life wash over you and carry you. I know it ain’t fair and it ain’t right, but fighting it just won’t work. You have to learn to change.”

“I can’t Mac. If Twilight needs me that way, I can’t give her that, I just can’t. It ain’t me and I know it never will be. I wish I could change, to love her like that. It don’t mean I don’t love her, I do love her, but as my closest and best friend. But what if we can’t go back to that,what if…” But she couldn’t go on. Big Mac could feel her quietly crying. After several moments she quieted. She stepped away from him and looked at him with red puffy eyes.

“I gotta go Mac. If I don’t go tonight, by the time I do go, it might be too late. I still have hope that we can somehow go back to bein’ best friends but if I wait, even one night, I don’t reckon I’ll go for quite a spell. Do you understand?”

“Yeah, I reckon I do. Do you think you can make Apple Bloom understand?”

“If I say I’m goin to get Twilight and bring her back, she’ll have me packed shove me out the door in a Manehattan minute” Applejack laughed and sniffed.

“Yeah, I reckon that’s the truth. We best be gettin’ home then. You ready?”

“Yeah, I reckon I am.”

The inside of the train was warm and cozy as it rolled along the tracks to Canterlot. Applejack looked out of the window and up into the deep blue winter sky, She could see the lights of Canterlot far off in the distance. The silhouettes of the spires were visible against the light of the moon. Behind her the town of Ponyville slept peacefully.

Applejack had been right about her little sister. Applebloom was thrilled and began to pack immediately to go with her. Then Granny Smith reminded her of how sorrowful poor Sweetie Belle was lookin and that she really needed her friends. A very serious look came into the little earth pony’s eyes and she nodded sagely. “How could I have forgotten Sweetie Belle?! You go ahead big sis and we’ll hold down the fort. You tell Twilight to skedaddle on home before she gets in real trouble!”

The train arrived at the Canterlot station long after midnight. Applejack was woken gently by the conductor.

“Miss Applejack? We’re here sweetie” he said gently patting her hoof.

She stirred groggily. “Already?”

“Yes. Would you like us to walk you to where you’re going?” The conductor was somewhat elderly and Applejack could see a mare was waiting for him on the platform with a hot drink in a thermos. She looked a bit younger and was smiling at the two of them through the window.

“No, that’s alright.” She said with a sleepy smile “I ain’t got far to go.”

“You sure about that?” he asked.

“Yup. You and your daughter just head on home, I’ll be fine.”

The conductor blushed. “Oh, no that’s my wife.”

Applejack smiled sleepily at him, stood up and stretched.

“Where ya stayin?”

“Well I reckon at that hotel near the castle. I gotta see Princess Celestia tomorrow.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. She’s been away for almost a month. Not sure where. It’s all very hush hush. Poor Princess Luna has been taking care of everything.”

“Oh,” Applejack’s shoulder’s sagged. “Well I reckon I’ll go ask at the castle and see if anypony there knows when she might be back. I know Princess Luna’s probably out since she’s on duty.”

“You’re welcome to stay with us”

“That’s a might kind of you, but I’ll be fine at the hotel.”

“Okay sweetie. Good luck”

“Thanks”

Applejack adjusted her saddlebags, smiled and nodded at the couple then headed up the toward the castle. The sound of her hoofs echoed through the empty streets.

I’ don’t even know if anypony will be at the front desk! Shucks! I was so crazy comin’ up here I never thought about it.

Applejack arrived at the door of the hotel. It was locked and her knocks proved useless.

Oh Applejack! You darn fool! What in tarnation are you gonna do now?! Don’t start cryin again- that won;t do any good. Hey - maybe somepony at the castle can help me. It’s worth a try.

It was a short walk to the gate of the castle. As she approached the two guard booths that stood on each side of the road, she noticed there was only one pony there- a unicorn, only he was dressed as a courtier. He was writing something on a clipboard. He muttered as he wrote. She stood politely, not wanting to interrupt him. He seemed very prissy and official.

“...I sent them up to the barracks to wash their hooves. They were filthy and with the likelihood of Princess Celestia’s return, it would not do to have them looking less than perfect.”

He stopped writing and slowly raised his eyes toward Applejack. He did not smile. His demeanor was undeniably dismissive.

“Yes?” he asked. He drew the word out and let the “s” hiss like a snake.,

“Howdy.” Applejack did her best to sound meek and friendly, deciding that was the best tactic. “My name’s Applejack. I come from Ponyville. Sweet Apple Acres if you want to be exact.” she smiled as sweetly as she could.

“What I want,” he said in a flat monotone. “is to know why you are here. I don’t believe we’re hiring right now, and if we were, I’m not sure what an earth pony would do in the palace. If you’re here for the tour, come back at 3 tomorrow. Good night.”

“Well actually I’m here to see Princess Celestia.”. Applejack looked down and with an air of embarrassment said, “I don’t know if you’ve heard of the Mane Six, but, well, I’m one of them.”

His face remained unchanged. Then he raised his lip in a sneer.. “I see. And how exactly would I have heard of them? Are they some sort of popular musical act? If that is the case, then I’m afraid I’m ‘out of the loop.’ For the past four years I’ve attended the Fairchild Academy of Culture and Magic. Then I served for three weeks as the chief courtier in the Crystal Empire for Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor. Unfortunately they have been away for a month or so, so I was not afforded the privilege of meeting them, not that I would have had much time. I spent night and day fixing the many problems with the staff. They were in a dreadful state! Now as for your seeing the Princess, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Really?!!” Applejack said hopefully.

“Of course not!” he spoke with feigned excitement. Then his face collapsed into it’s former unpleasant sneer. “Simply wait until morning by the door of the hotel and when they open ask to see their post cards. They have several that bear the image of the Princess. This way you can tell all your friends back in Ponyville that you saw the Princess. Now if that will be all…”

Applejack took a deep breath and let it out. “Ain’t you never heard of Princess Twilight Sparkle? Well I’m her best friend!”

“I see. Well Princess Luna and I are on the same bowling team. That makes us almost family!” His mouth turned into a half smirk half smile. “Now why don’t you run along and find some nice warm alley to sleep in, hmmm? I’ll be sure to tell the Princess all about you the moment she arrives! Good night.” He closed the guard house door in her face.

She thought about kicking it down, but felt so disheartened and tired that she turned and walked slowly back toward town. She gave a few knocks at the hotel again. Still no answer, so she pulled out her horse blanket, lay down in the doorway. She pulled the blanket up around her, lay her head down on her saddle back and pulled her hat down over her eyes.

__________________________________

High under the starlit sky the immense royal coach made it’s way through the night. As it passed over Ponyville, a pair of very tired, but smiling eyes looked out from one of the windows, down and the little hamlet.

How much of my heart lies down there? Those sweet brave little souls mean more to me than they’ll ever know. I think of each of them as a daughter and cherish them all.

As she saw the moonlight reflecting off the little barn roof far below, emotion overtook her and she closed her eyes and turned her head and leaned back against the velvet cushion.

The coach made it’s way up to the mountain city of Canterlot. It turned as it approached the courtyard and the 8 pegasi that pulled it, brought it in for a graceful landing.

Twelve guards, followed behind an officious looking Courtier approached the the coach.. Several male and female unicorns dressed in formal Canterlot uniforms and holding torches, stood on either side of a long red carpet runway. The lead courtier stepped up to the coach, unlatched it, pulled it open and bowed.

“Welcome home, your majesty” he spoke with deep sonorus voice full of respect. “I trust you had a successful trip?”

Princess Celestia stepped out of the coach and looked at him oddly.

“Successful? I’m not sure what you mean,” she said, flashing him a glare. He backed up slightly then suddenly realized the implications of his words. He’d been privy to information about the nature of her trip that was not public knowledge. He smiled knowingly and winked.

“Nothing your majesty.” he said, once again bowing.

She studied him very carefully.

“And who do I have the honor of addressing?” she asked tersely.

“I am Prim Proper, chief courier, late of The Crystal Empire. I transferred here when I heard that my predecessor here in Canterlot was having some issues with his health. I came to the aid of a fellow servant of the court and offered him the use of my sister’s summer home in Coltcun. Well it’s more of a timeshare really, but she owns most of the shares. You may have heard of her - Prim Hemline. She’s a fashion designer.”

Princess Celestia looked at him dryly, then turned and walked up to the red runner. She paused, looking at all the ponies standing at rapt attention. In answer to his question she mumbled. “No, I haven’t.” Then she spoke aloud.

“At ease. Why are you all up at this hour? Go back to your beds and I do not want to see any of you before five o’clock tomorrow afternoon. It is my wish that you know I am deeply grateful for this royal welcome but it was completely unnecessary. Unless I’m mistaken a number of you are from the day shift. Am I correct?”

Several nodded perfunctorily.

Her utter displeasure was clearly evident. She drew a long breath and spoke “And so you worked a double shift?”

Again they nodded.

“Then let me apologize to each of you and your families. It is my command that each of you retire to your homes, get a good long night’s sleep and then spend tomorrow afternoon with your families.”

Prim stepped up to dismiss them, but they’d already broken ranks and were extinguishing their torches. Each approached the princess, bowed and with true sincerity welcomed her home. She smiled and, asked each about their families, all of whom she’d made it her business to know, thanked them then told each of them to sleep well.

Prim barely hid his annoyance at her obvious breach in protocol. “Well, I suppose it is rather late, though it is their job.”

“Is there something you’d like to say” the princess asked, speaking carefully.

“Certainly not, you majesty”

“Highness. Majesty is for queens, not princesses and unless there is anything else, then I’m retiring for the evening. Do not disturb me until tomorrow evening.” She strode toward the doorway leading from the courtyard onto the castle. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she stopped and turned toward him.

“Did anypony come to the south gate asking for me? I’m expecting a rather large pegasi. He’ll be wearing a blue cloak.” Celestia turned back toward the doorway and walked away.

“No ma’m uh your highness Prim said with a touch of sarcasm. “Just some blonde hillbilly mare. I sent her on her way. She was rather annoying.”

Celesta froze.

“What did you just say?” her voice was flat.

“No need to worry your highness. I told her to go sleep in the doorway of the hotel. She’ll get in when they- what is the matter”

Princess Celestia approached him slowly. The light blue magic that normally surrounded her horn was an angry scarlet and her eyes were so frightening he had to look away.

“Did she give a name?” the princess growled

“Uh, uh, I think she said Appleja-” but he didn’t finish. Princess Celestia, her face a terrifying mask of fury bore down on him and pinned him to the cold slate of the courtyard.

“Now you listen to me.” she seethed, her voice a terrible, quiet growl,. “You are go up to the royal chamber and prepare the bed. Make sure the sheets are clean. Make sure the bed has been warmed. See to it that the kitchen warm up the apple cider that is in the gold jug in the royal dining hall. It is to be heated to 99 degrees exactly. Now I am going out with 10 marines to find her. You had better hope to your maker than she is there and unharmed. If one hair of her mane is hurt, I shall unleash more pain upon you than this world has ever seen. IS THAT CLEAR?!”

He was trembling too hard to answer. He just shielded his eyes with his forelegs. She whistled. The sound was sharp and rose quickly then cut to silence. Suddenly there were 30 Pegasi marines hovering above her. She gave him one last look of disgust, then opened her wings and with one great thrust shot into the night sky.

“Squad A - Fall in! B and C, return to your posts!” And with that she was gone, the marines following close behind.

Celestia’s enormous shadow fell on the blue moonlit cobblestone streets of Canterlot as she gently hovered and then landed next to the sleeping figure of Applejack. The look in the eyes of the princess as she glanced back in the direction of the castle caused the two Marines who saw it to look away in fear. Then she turned and looked at the young earth pony. Her face softened into the smile of a mother at the sight of her sleeping foal. Celestia’s horn glowed warmly and a huge spell cloud enveloped the sleeping mare. The steam coming from the nose of the little pony stopped as the temperatire within the cloud rose to a comfortable 83 degrees. Celestia, deep in concentration lifted the sleeping figure of Applejack.with great tenderness. Applejack smiled at the warmth and began to kick off her blanket, but Celestia made sure it still covered her. The lead Marine picked up Applejack’s hat from the street as well as her saddlebag and blanket, and followed his princess as she rose into the night air, the floating Applejack beside her, back toward the castle.

As they got closer to the castle, Celestia noticed that the light’s in the guest quarters were on. She cocked an eyebrow in wonder and then had to check her rage.

“Sergeant!” she whispered tersely.

“Yes my Princess?”

Go to the guest quarters. If that…” she caught herself, “If Prim Proper is there, you are to pick him up with a rope net and fly him to me.”

Unable to completely suppress a smile, the sergeant nodded.

“As you wish, my highness.” and was off in a flash. Celestia returned her attention to the sleeping pony. She smiled as Applejack Moments later he returned, a struggling Prim Proper trussed up in a rope, struggled madly in its net.

He had clearly had enough and turned his fury toward Celestia. The cold expression on her face made him freeze.

“What did I ask you to do?” the princess asked acerbically.

“To prepare the royal bed chamber.” he replied haughtily.

“Then what are you doing in the royal guest chamber?”

“Well I assumed…” he answered “Excuse me your highness, but surely you weren't suggesting…” he asked in astonishment.

“I am suggesting” she said slowly “that you treat this little pony as you would treat my daughter, or myself. Is that clear?”

He had stopped struggling and looked at Applejack in wonderment. “Yes, your highness, as you say...”

“Once you have warmed my bed and prepared it for her, prepare the guest bed for me and place it near my bed.”

“At once, Princess”

She nodded to the sergeant who proceeded to carry Prim to the balcony that was attached to the royal bed chamber and set him down. Just as the head courtier prepared to transport himself from the netting to the inside of the bed chamber he glanced at Celestia. She shook her head slightly and he realized that the accompanying noise that always resulted from the vacuum created after the object vanished, would awaken the little pony. Carefully and quickly he extracated himself from the netting and trotted into the master bed chamber. Celestia held Applejack in the magic field and smiled as she watched the young pony roll over on her back. stretch, smack her lips and return to snoring.

Finally the princess landed on the balcony and floated the cloud into her bedroom. Prim Proper was sweating and rushing about, whispering orders to the staff. She smiled at the two candles that burned on her night side tables. They were large cylinders of wax that had been hoof decorated by a little filly or a young colt. Gold and purple sprinkles formed the familiar shapes of Hearts Warming Eve - trees and stars, etc. It was a very sweet touch and caused the princess to re-think how she would deal with the new Head Courtier. He must have taken them from her mantle. Celestia’s eyes grew damp at the recollection of the day she received them. The large hopeful eyes that looked up at her, hoping that the princess liked them. A pain formed in her throat as she pictured the little lavender unicorn sitting in her party dress, so young, so long ago. And now she was a princess. Celestia suddenly wanted to see Twilight, ached to see her and hold her protectively, though she had no idea why. Twilight was a full grown princess now, no longer in need of the monarch’s protection, and yet...

I wonder if Applejack will recognize her friend’s handiwork when she wakes up?

Prim had finished and done a very nice job. The sheets had all been replaced, and the guest bed had been setup. Prim stood by the master bed, holding open the sheet, waiting for Celestia to lay her down. Celestia did this gently and with his magic he carefully undid and pulled the ribbons from her tail and mane and gave them to one of the staff “please have these cleaned and pressed” he whispered. Then he carefully pulled the blanket up over her. He looked to his princess who smiled and gave a small nod. He seemed relieved but did his best to remain stoic as he bowed and backed out of the room.

Using her magic, Celestia lowered the lights, went to Applejack and kissed her forehead. She walked to the bathroom, turned on the shower and as the steam rose, stepped into it. She closed her eyes and let the hot water stream over her face and smiled, anticipating the surprise awaiting Applejack when she awoke and found herself in the royal bed in Canterlot Castle with Celestia in the guest bed beside her. One of the shower walls had a window. She looked out of it and by the position of the moon knew it was between 2 and 3am, too late for her visitor. If he were coming, it wouldn't be until tomorrow night.

High in the uppermost battlements of the castle, a small, blue-gray batpony hovered under the full moon.He was young, with a jet black mane and tail, his cutie mark was a heart with bat wings. His expression carried the countenance of one much older and it suited him. Acuta, his sister, had come out to greet him then returned inside. Finally, a figure, flanked by his sister, stepped from the shadows. He bowed his head reverently.

“Good evening your highness.”

“Good evening Asclepius. What news do you have?”

“She is here, in the castle.”

The princess smiled. “Here?! When did she arrive?”

“A short time ago.”

“I see. I assume she is resting in the royal guest quarters.”

“No your highness, she is resting in the royal chamber.”

“In the royal chamber?! Whyever would my sister put her there? Where is my sister?”

“She sleeps beside her in the guest bed.”

“But that is not part of...wait, we are speaking of Rainbow Dash, the elite Pegasus, are we not?”

“No your highness, the pony that sleeps in the royal bed chamber is the earth pony Applejack.”

Luna’s eyes opened wide for a second “Are you sure?” she asked.

“I am.”

“Then something is wrong, something has changed.” She turned to the the little filly. “Acuta, does this make any sense?”

“Not from what I have read, your highness.”

Acuta was a year and a half her brother’s junior. Unlike him she was blonde in both her mane and tail. Her cutie mark consisted of a purple diamond surrounded by a swooping mist of stars. Her eyes were brown and her face held a sleepy beauty. It was evident that one day she would be utterly stunning, in spite of the patch she wore over her right eye.

“Thank you Asclepiusm, as always your faithfulness and skill have proven invaluable to me.”

“It is my honor, my princess, to be of any help to you that I can.”

“I know that. The help and friendship of you and your sister mean everything to me, and one day I will be able to show you my gratitude.”

The two siblings looked at each other and then up to the noble face of their princess. Their expressions were of gratitude and expectation.

She regarded them with an affectionate smile.

“Soon, my little ones, soon…”

Author's Note

I know I've been away for awhile. I'm very sorry. It's been a busy summer - driving from NY to FL, then BronyCon, then getting back and preparing and then camping for a week...

The next chapter (1/2 is already written) will be ready in a week or two.

This amazing picture was created on commission by Spittfire art: "The Report"
I've been waiting to use it. Now the whole thing kind of pivots on it...