Author's Note
Hey y'all! First attempt so don't criticize too harshly, I will add more chapters as I can find time to write them!
The Reassignment
Clang... clang....clang... clang. sizzle.. The steel cooled as Kaen quenched it and started to work on another horseshoe. This was his day to day life, living as a forge pony and a member of the Equestria Guard. He kept working and looked around him. The city of canterlot was the same, all high society ponies who looked down on everypony else.
Shaking his head, he heard someone walk into his shop and he went out to the storefront, seeing that it was his old friend Shining Armor.
"Hey Shine, what can i do you for today?," Kaen asked, pouring a cup of tea for himself and Shining Armor. Prissy as Canterlot was, some of the finer points had rubbed off on him. Shining Armor took the tea and thanked him generously before adding sugar.
"Well Kaen, I need you to do something special for Cadence, its our anniversary next week and I wanted to do something special for her," Armor sipped his tea slowly as Kaen contemplated for a minute or so and the slid over a pad of paper and a pencil. As Kaen started to sketch, the idea slowly blossomed into a heart with two names and picture placings in it.
"How about this? its a rough sketch, but i should be able to iron it all out quickly," he said sliding the pad over and giving Shining Armor a smirk that read as 'I'll have this done in a day for you.' Armor looked at it and nodded, and as they enjoyed the rest of their tea, they discussed price and when it would be ready. Kaen almost always gave Shining Armor a hefty discount, they had grown up together, and been childhood friends.
After the negotiations were complete, Shining Armor thanked him and paid him the usual half up front, and walked out leaving Kaen to his business.
--------------------------------Meanwhile in Ponyville---------------------------------------------
Applejack wiped her brow, looking out at the farm. It was applebucking season and they had cleared the south and eastern fields today. Going into the house, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac were all relaxing after the days events.
"I think I'm gonna head into town y'all, I gotta talk with Twilight. Don't go too crazy while I'm gone," she said with a smile. Granny nodded, Apple bloom was too busy engrossed in her book, and Big Mac, as usual gave his trademark "eeyuup."
And with that, she started into Ponyville, enjoying her walk and the nice day it was. Rainbow Dash and the weather team had given them a sunny day, and it warmed Applejacks fur and warded off the chill of the wind. She was very nearly to the library when she was almost tackled by Pinkie Pie.
"Hey AJ whatcha doin?!" The pink mare bounced up and down in her usual fashion and she looked expectantly at Applejack for an answer.
"I'm just headed to the library, need to check somethin out with Twilight," Applejack replied. Pinkie pie laughed and said, "lets go together, we can have a library party!!," as confetti and streamers erupted out of nowhere. Sometimes Applejack thought that mare had a unicorns horn hidden under her hair.
"I-I'd really like to Pinkie, but this is a kinda private matter," Applejack said with a slight blush. Pinkie nodded exictedly, saying, "Ok! See ya later!" and hopped off. As close as she and Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash were, this was still a touchy subject for her. She continued walking and arrived at the library, knocking before entering. Walking in she looked around for Twilight, seeing the purple mare reading yet another book.
"Hey Twilight, how ya doin?" she said, loud enough to startle her and look down at her friend. "Hi Applejack, I've been hoping you'd arrive!" Twilight Sparkle hopped down and stretched, smiling.
"So, what can I help you with?" she asked. Applejack blushed a bit, and explained what she was looking for. A romance novel, with sultry and steamy undertones, but still lighthearted. Twilight levitated a book over, "i think this is just what your looking for, it's my favorite novel, and the author Red Ribbon is already writing another."
Applejack smiled and thanked her, tucking the book into her saddlebag. "Well, I'd best be off, got a couple things i need to grab for the farm."
"Ok, take care and have a good day!" Twilight smiled and shut the door after her. Walking out once again into the day, she looked toward Canterlot, the home of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and wished so very badly to have a special somepony. Little did she know, The princesses had already started planning her future.
Arriving back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack walked straight to her room, looking around and sighing. Her room had always been rather spartan in appearance, and kept neat and tidy, lest she invoke Granny Smith's cranky side. Walking over to her desk, she took out the book, titled A Small Romance. Opening it and starting to read, she became completely lost in the pages, feeling as if she was the main mare in the story. She looked up for a moment and saw that it was nearly dark. Putting the book down reluctantly, she went outside and took care of her evening chores, finishing quickly to get back to her reading.
Kaen hammered and hammered, working out the design in the steel, creating the loops and twists easily. Making sure that he paid careful attention to detail, he finished the heart, cutting out two picture recesses and quenching it before putting a light oil coat on it to keep the steel pristine and setting it down in his completed work area.
Locking up the shop was easy, he simply had to lock the door when he left, since the building had no back door. After sweeping up what little dirt there was, he locked the shop down and headed for his small apartment in downtown Canterlot. Though small, the rent was almost too high for him. He was glad he got that contract for shoes last week, otherwise he might have had some trouble, but his landmare was a nice pony who understood him and his actions. Grandma was what everyone called her.
Unlocking the door and walking into his apartment, he immediately went into the kitchen and got a tall glass of water, downing it and refilling the glass before walking to the table, where his mail lay. Grandma was nice enough to put it in his apartment, knowing about his work and how it tended to carry on into the night. Looking through the small stack or envelopes, he pulled out the junk mail and his eyes fell upon an official looking one. Opening it, he began to read.
Lieutentant Kaen Hammerfall
Team Leader, Home Guard Unit
Lt. Hammerfall,
As of late, you have once again gone above and beyond the call of duty in assisting the Princesses in keeping Equestria safe. You are given your choice of assignment. Please see Major Redmane to inform him of your decision.
Regards,
Brigadier General Lighthoof
Kaen was stunned, he had often received letters telling him congratulations and thank you's, but this was a total surprise. After making a sandwich for himself and reading the rest of the mail, he pulled out his map of Equestria, looking over it carefully. There were few places he had not been in his career. One town, near the edge of the Everfree Forest, seemed to catch his eye for some reason. It was called Ponyville, below the Pegasi city of Cloudsdale. Something inside him pushed the name of the town into the forefront of his mind, and he made his decision then and there, munching on his sandwich.
Finishing, he went to the bathroom to take a shower and came out to his bedroom, laying down on the bed and looking up at the ceiling before turning on his side and falling asleep almost instantly.
His dreams that night were strange, of a certain pony, but he could never hear her name, or figure out who she was. He woke up with the sun and got a cup of coffee while he read the morning paper. Skipping breakfast this morning, he finished and headed for the shop. He had to talk to Shining Armor, and after that he was headed to Headquarters to give them his decision. Arriving at the shop door he looked around, not seeing anyone, and he could tell it was going to be a slow day. That didn't bother him at all, he still had around two hundred shoes to finish, and that usually took a short time with good speed.
Walking in and starting his forge, he opened the store and got to work. After about an hour at the anvil, he heard the doorbell jingle. Walking out he saw his old friend Shining Armor come in. Quickly going back to the finished work bench, he grabbed the gift and walked back out to the counter, keeping it well hidden from view.
"hey Kaen, how's it going?" Shining Armor asked. He had that peculiar look on his face, like he knew something.
"Not much, just working on the last of that contract. and I got something to tell you about," Kaen replied.
"Whats up buddy?"
"I got new orders, with my choice of assignment."
"What?! That's incredible! Have you decided where you want to go?"
Kaen looked a bit flustered and nodded. "I'm going to Ponyville."
Shining armor grinned from ear to ear. "My sister Twilight Sparkle lives there! I'll send her a letter to expect you."
Kaen was grateful for such a good friend. He nodded and gave him the gift, collected the rest of his fee, and closed early, heading to The Equestria Guard Headquarters. He knew he would have to build a new forge once situated in Ponyville, and building one took time. He would have to push back his waiting jobs at least two months. The title of Number One Forge Pony wasn't without its issues, everyone came to him first.
Arriving at the headquarters building, he immediately went into the barracks and changed into his uniform. He was a stickler for proper dress, the major. Making sure his ribbons were in their correct place, and giving himself a once over in the mirror, he walked down the hallway to the majors door and knocked twice.
"Enter," came the gruff reply. Kaen walked in and snapped to attention, whipping a salute to the major.
"Lieutentant Kaen Hammerfall reporting as ordered Sir!"
Major Redmane looked up and smirked, he never gave a full smile. Standing up he picked up a copy of Kaen's letter.
"Lieutentant Hammerfall, at ease." Kaen relaxed a bit but still stood tall. "I understand that you've received special orders with your choice of assignment. Where have you decided to go?"
"Sir, I'll be honest as always and not beat around the bush. I have chosen to go to Ponyville."
The major looked at him, almost sad to be losing Kaen, he had been the top soldier in the regiment. Always ready to shoulder more than his fair share, and willing to help anypony else. Nodding, he pulled the sheaf of transfer papers from his desk and made the necessary notations.
"Take the twelve o'clock train, your lodging has already been set up for you." Major Redmane handed him the papers and dismissed him. Giving a salute once again Kaen left the Headquarters, packed his duffle bag, and went to his apartment to collect what clothing he had there, and left Grandma instructions to send his furniture with the next caravan. Going to his shop, he locked everything down tight, shutting down his Canterlot forge operation, maybe for good. Locking the door, he went to the train station, picked up his ticket, and commenced waiting for his train.
