Twilight finished the last page of her book and gently closed the back cover then levitated it to the table in the center on the library. She had been reading all her favorite HearthsWarming classics, such as "The Changeling that stole HearthsWarming", "Frosty the Snowpony", and of course "The Night Before HearthsWarming" witch was Tonight for a fact.
"Twilight you been reading all night, take a break and eat some more cookies! LETS OPEN PRESENTS!" said Spike who was laying in his basket and had his own mouth stuffed full of treats.
"I guess a break could do me some good, but no presents till tomorrow for you." replied Twilight as she levitated another warm cookie towards her mouth and lay down on her magenta floor pillow. As she ate she began to recall the year she had just past lived, all the adventures she had been on, all the challenges shes faced, how her friendships have all grown as a result. The one event that really stood out to her was when the Everfree forest had overgrown and invaded Ponyville and she had to find the tree of harmony. And how she had to drink that awful potion Zecora had given her and....... Twilight choked a little on her cookie then deeply gulped is down.
"Zecora! how could i forget Zecora?" Thought Twilight to herself as she jumped to her hooves and began to pace.
"I remembered to give everypony else a gift and wish them happy HearthsWarming, how could i forget her?" Ranted Twilight beneath her breath and she paced even faster around the library.
"Whats the matter Twilight?" asked Spike who noticed her sudden stress.
"I FORGOT!" Was the reply she gave.
"Forgot what?" asked the confused dragon. But Twilight didn't respond, instead she ran to the window and pushed her face against the icy glass.
"There's still time! there's still time! there's still time!" chanted Twilight as she stared at the blowing snow out side, a large blizzard was scheduled for tonight, said to be the largest in two decades and it was picking up fast. Spike watched as Twilight leapt away from the window and ran up stairs, he simply shrugged and lay his head down for a nap.
"What to get a zebra alchemist...." Twilight wondered. she looked around the room.
"A quill... no!, A candle!....nooo, some yarn?" she fussed aloud, Then she looked to the window above her desk. There sat a flower pot containing a fully grown Wolfbane root, one of Equestrias hardest to come by herbs. Worth a great deal of bits to buy. Twilight had been studying its growth, but now that its matured there is nothing left to study except maybe its properties.
"I bet Zecora would love to have it for her potions and know its properties!" she beamed. Levitating it to the ground before her she carefully lifted the fragile root out of the soil with her teeth, when pulled from the dirt its roots glowed greenish blue. She dipped it in a small dish of water that had been laying out to get it clean and keep it healthy. Next set it in a jar and tightly fastened the lid and latsly tied a bow to it using the yarn on her desk.
"There we go, the perfect gift!" shouted Twilight running back down the stairs to her clothing rack near the door, Spike of course was asleep by now. Twilight jumped into her four boots and warped her scarf around her neck a few times, lastly she put on her saddle bags and placed the jar in the left one and left the right one empty.
"Ok, lets do this" she said fully aware she was heading out into a legendary blizzard. As she opened the library door a strong wind blew in carrying large snowflakes. The sudden chill of the wind woke Spike with a shiver.
"Where are you going, it freezing out there?!" cried spike over the howl of the wind.
"To see Zecora, i wont be long" She replied, then added "stay out of the presents while i'm gone!"
*SLAM* went the door behind Twilight, her magic hadn't been strong enough to beat the wind witch Twilight was finding very cold.
She lept off the stone slab in front of her door and sank to her belly in snow, she then began to trudge forward through town. Decorations were hung on every house and windows glowed warmly as silhouettes of ponys dancing and parting in there homes could be seen... barely seen, Twilight had to keep her head down as the powerful wind whipped her and stung her exposed purple coat.
"Almost there!" whimpered Twilight through clenched teeth as she trudged out of Ponyville and past Sweet Apple Acres. Her ears and fore-hooves badly frost bitten, she had underestimated this storm but had no intentions of giving up. The wind had fully prevented her from flying at all and she needed her wings pressed against her sides fore the saddlebag's gave very little warmth. She glanced up to see the Everfree Forest just ahead, the snow only got thicker but Twilight kept pressing on until she reached the edge of the treeline.
Stepping in she was swallowed by the darkness beneath the large trees, The forest was still, lit only by the moon shining on the snow layer on the trees, no leaves ever fell in the forest, the snow just collected on top, casting a dark blue glow on the forest floor. Only ten steps in and Twilight no longer felt any wind, or saw any light. Ghostly white mist rolled over the frozen ground, vines were coated in frost and most plant life was dead. Large thorns and twisted little trees were all that remained growing. Twilight came across a silent trickle of stream that ran to quickly to freeze. She stepped over it then stood still, feeling as if in a underground ice cave.
"Wow, its truly beautiful here" said Twilight in a whisper seeing her own breath disperse into the cool air. No sounds came from the forest. All things living were in hibernation, even timber wolves. Twilight's ears still hurt bad from the frost bite and she became anxious to find Zecoras hut.
I know it was around here somewhere. Twilight thought. And just then through a group of trees she could see a faint warm glow, she began to run towards it careful not to trip on any roots or slip on a ice patch. As she neared she identified the light source as a small round window in a large tree trunk accompanied by a wood door. Twilight reached a small clearing in front of the hut, all around the hut blew dull green forest spores floating in the air as if they were magic. Zecora had her usual bottles hanging from the tree as well as her spooky Aztec masks. Twilight walked quietly to the door and knocked gently three times... then waited. Only a few seconds later the door opened a crack and a sleek blue eye peered through it briefly, then the door opened all the way to reveal the zebra.
"Do my eyes deceive me, or is it Princess Twilight i see?" She asked, a puzzled expression on her face.
"Hello Zecora" said Twilight relived to have arrived.
"Come in come in my dear, i fear frost has bitten your ear's." Chimed Zecora eyeing Twilight's bluish black skin around her ear's. Zecora rushed Twilight in and closed the door.
"Please do go take a seat, i will fetch some tea for you to drink." Said Zecora gesturing to the table against the right wall of her hut. Twilight went and quietly sat next to it.
"What are you doing out i the forest on Hearths Warming eve, when warm at home you should be." She asked concerned as she got to work on the tea in her large black cauldron in the center of the hut where beneath a fire burned.
"I'm actually here to see you" replied Twilight as she took off her scarf and boots, levitating them near the door.
Zecora turned to look at Twilight curiously "Me you say?" She began to walk over balancing two steaming cups of tea on her nose and setting them on the sable, she sat down and joined Twilight.
"I wanted to wish you a Merry Hearths Warming eve" said Twilight with a smile.
Zecora's eyes widened a little and she set her little clay cup down. She sat speechless...
"Whats wrong?" asked Twilight worried, taking notice of Zecora's reaction.
"I have't herd anyone say those words for as long as i can remember Princess Twilight" Said Zecora in a shaky voice.
Twilight frowned. "How come" she asked, sadness growing in her heart.
"It is a long and sad story, not fit for a night of such joy Princess." said Zecora forcing a small smile.
"Please tell me, id really like to know" Protested Twilight now more curious to know than ever. Zecora sigh.
"I see i can not deter you from wanting to hear, so come close and lend me an ear. She again chimed as Twilight leaned forward on the table. Zecora sat cross legged, took a deep breath, then began.
"The reason i live in this forest alone is not only for my love of herbs and potions, Many years ago when i lived in a small village consisting mostly of other zebra i loved HearthsWarming eve, We would celebrate together and exchanged gifts.... ill never forget the wonder on the filly's faces when they would unwrap a toy." Zecora paused and smiled, Then continued.
"But over years other ponies took interest in our village for its gold mine we has established. And racism and hate formed by greed and gold of other ponies rained down on zebra kind, were were discriminated just for being different, For speaking up against greed and promoting honor and unity among our people. All zebra were run out of the village on HearthWarming eve, as you can imagine there was no celebrating. My father was beaten and killed and my mother starved to death days later fore we had no food when forced to leave. That was the last HearthsWarming i ever took part in, the last time i spent with family and Friends. The last time i ever herd the name of the holiday spoken.
Zecora was looking down into her cup to the liquid residing in the bottom when she finished.
Twilight had a few tears rolling down her cheeks as she processed the story, She never would have guessed such a dark background for such a kind pony.. or zebra if theirs even a non visual difference.
"Do not shed tears Princess Twilight, fore HearthsWarming eve is a night of delight." Said Zecora with a smile.
Twilight couldn't help but smile back at the charming zebra. "Your not mad or sad about what happened" she asked.
Zecora shook her head. "No one is born hating and i do not wish to die hating, peace love and unity is all i wish, even to those who drove us from our village. And what better time to forgive all than HearthsWarming. I am grateful you have gone out of your way to visit me tonight, getting here i imagine was a fight" Zecora stood up with a ear to ear smile and collected there now empty cups and set them on her workbench.
"No pony should be forgotten on HearthsWarming" said Twilight with a smile.
"You are of good heart Princess Twilight" said Zecora.
"Please, were friends call me Twilight." she insisted.
Zecora nodded and began to organize her work bench. Twilight remembered the gift she had for Zecora, she opened her saddle bag that sat near the door and levitated out the jar containing Wolfbane root.
Zecora turned around with surprise in her eyes.
"For you" said Twilight happily.
Zecora looked at Twilight, then to the jar, then back to Twilight. "My word can it be, looks of Wolfbane root to me." Chimed Zecora with wide eyes. "I could never accept such a precious item." She said seriously to Twilight.
"No please take it, i was studying its growth and i don't need it anymore, besides i cant imagine anypony else who could put it to better use than you. But maybe you could tell me a bit about it properties?" Asked Twilight.
That is very generous of you my Twilight, sharing my knowledge with you would be my delight. Zecora said appreciatively. "But first..." Zecora disappeared into her back room and returned with a weaved basket full of items warped in leaves and small vines. The zebra sorted through them until she came across one of smaller size. She held it in her mouth and set it in front of Twilight.
"What's this" asked Twilight curiously.
"My gift to you" Zecora said with a smile. Twilight levitated it in front of her and untied the vines holding the leaf wrapping together. In side was a beaded necklace With a white hoof carved ivory dove that hung in the center of the necklace. carved into it was the word -PEACE-
Twilight levitated it around her neck and tied the leather strap up behind her head. "Its beautiful Zecora" beamed Twilight who was lost in the detail of the carvings.
"I thought it would suit you, you are a mare of peace, kindness, and equality. The true quality's of a princess." replied Zecora.
"What are all the other gifts in the basket for?" asked Twilight a little curious.
"Every year on WearthsWarming day i take gifts to the Ponyville orphanage for the little ones to enjoy, i usually make toys or jewelry for the fillies" She said with a sweet smile.
Twilight could only smile Even a pony who had every thing taken still has the heart to give.
"Now about the Wolfbane root......" Zecora began...... "First you must prepare the root
An hour of teaching past and Twilight had taken notes on a piece of tree bark Zecora had given her. The root can heal all skin damage such as burns and frostbite, a full grown root can last for up to 15 potions on average. her notes read.
Zecora mixed in several other herbs and with a great *POOF* the brew turned from green to blue. She filled a vial of the liquid and gave it to Twilight.
"That will heal your ear my dear." she assured.
"Thank you" Twilight returned
"Well I best be going, its getting late and i fear Spike will be getting into the presents again" Twilight said with a giggle and Zecora joined in knowing of spikes dragon greed.
"Eat this" Zecora said as she held a single small berry, almost like a blue berry. "it will help you resist the cold."
Twilight nodded and ate the berry.
She walked to the door and Zecora followed, She slipped on her boots and scarf again then picked up her empty saddle bags and put them on.
"Everyponys meeting at Sugar Cube Corner tomorrow for HearthsWarming breakfast at 8:30, your welcome to join us." Offered Twilight
"I would love to join you all." Smiled Zecora
"See you tomorrow than" Twilight smiled back.
"And thank you Twilight" Said Zecora softly.
"Thanks for what?" she asked.
"For caring"
Twilight looked Zecora in the eye and gave her a hug, and she returned the gesture.
Twilight stepped out side and began her walk home, she looked back one more time to see Zecora waving.
"Merry HearthsWarming eve!" Called the kind zebra. For the first time in years since she had fled her village she had said those words.
Twilight waved back and continued home. Thinking of how giving somepony the time of day can lift there spirits....
"DAY!!! OHHHH NOOOO HOW COULD I FORGET TO GET THE PRINCESSES A HEARTHSWARMING CARD!!!" Yelled Twilight as she began to run for home and make a last minute letter to the Princess, sure to contain what she learned about caring and forgiveness on HearthsWarming eve.
THE END
Author's Note
Merry HearthsWarming eve, Merry christmas and Happy Holidays !!! From me to you and your family.
Hope you enjoyed the story!
