A Knight in Saddle Arabia

Chapters

Chapter 1: An Arranged Life
Chapter 2: A So-Called Date
Chapter 3: The Wildest Ride Ever
Chapter 4: The Tinker and His Assistant
Prologue: The Princess of Saddle Arabia

Chapter 1: An Arranged Life

By: Nocturn Dreamwrite

Chapter 1: An Arranged Life

Sandy Pipe the tinker and his assistant Butter Hooves were walking through the streets of Saddle Arabia pulling their cart behind them. Sandy was a brown earth pony with a yellow mane and tail and Butter was a yellow pegasus with a blue mane and tail. They were both Equestrian ponies. Sandy’s cutie mark was a pipe (a thin wooden flute-like instrument held forward like a clarinet) surrounded by twirling sand and musical notes. Butter’s cutie mark was a stick of butter on a serving plate. It was another sunny day, and the two ponies were that morning looking for any piece of junk or scrap thrown away or lying around that they could collect. They had just departed the market place and were entering the High Street, the neighborhood home to the richest and most prominent ponies of Saddle Arabia and the Royal Palace of the Maharaja himself. There usually wasn’t anything to be found here, but today was their lucky day.

“Hey look,” said Sandy, “That looks like something. See what it is will you Butter.”

“Yes, Master,” said Butter as he unharnessed himself and went to investigate. He picked up the object and in brought it to Sandy.
Although Sandy was the owner of the house-shop they worked and lived it, he had told Butter that it was all right for him to call him by his name. They were friends after all, but Butter insisted on calling him ‘Master.’
“Here it is master,” said Butter as she brought the object to Sandy in his hoof, “It’s a… opps!” he said as he accidentally dropped it. This was an unfortunate habit for him, but thankfully, the object wasn’t breakable.

“Sorry Master,” said Butter, “It’s just a spoon though.”

“That’s all right,” said Sandy, “Throw it in the cart.”

Butter did so and reharnessed himself. “All ready, let’s go Master.”

Sandy, however, didn’t move. He was staring up at the top of the palace walls lost in thought.

“Master?” asked Butter.

“Have you ever wondered,” asked Sandy, “What’s on the other side of that wall? I sure would like to take a look.”

“Yeah,” said Butter, “Who wouldn’t, but you might as well forget it Master. Ponies like you and I will never get to be beyond that wall, and all we’re ever lucky to see is whenever the Maharaja or the Maharani stand on the balcony and wave, and don’t even think about meeting the princess.”

“I know, Said Sandy, “but it sure is nice to think about it all.”

“We’d better go Master,” said Butter.

“Yes, you’re right,” answered Sandy as he turned his gaze back to the road ahead. “We’ll finish here, then we’ll go through the tourist sector, and then head for home.”

“Yes, Master”, said Butter, as the cart began to move.

Sandy rolled his eyes and smiled. He couldn’t have asked for a better friend than Butter.
. . .

Princess Felicity looked at herself in the mirror. As a princess she was expected to wear her royal regalia to distinguish herself from other ponies. She usually didn’t mind, since she liked most of what she wore. On her hooves, she wore four matching golden slippers. On her right fore leg, she wore a gold bracelet with tiny bells, as well as a gold anklet ring on her right hind leg. Around her torso, the blue, unicorn princess wore a sash which displayed the royal insignia of Saddle Arabia. Around her neck, was a pearl necklace, and a large, golden collar with diamonds imbedded in it. In Equestria, princesses wore crowns or tiaras on their heads. In Saddle Arabia the custom for princesses was to wear a collar. In both her yellow and white mane and tail (which were both neatly groomed and fluffed just a little like she liked them) there was a diamond hair pin with a red plume rising above it. All this Felicity liked, but what she didn’t like was the muzzle veil she had to wear. Ever since she reached the age of courtship, she was required to wear the veil over her nose and mouth. It often got in her way, and she really didn’t see any real reason to wear it. After all, in the last hundred years, most mares in Saddle Arabia and stopped wearing them, and could show their faces, but she was required to wear one because she was a princess. Felicity looked at her face and sighed.

“Oh well,” said Felicity, “Another day.” She then left her chambers and went to take a walk in the palace garden. Once she was out amidst the flowers though, her spirit rose, and she smiled. She usually had little to do in the morning, and this was where she was happiest. Her cutie mark, was in fact, a desert rose. She soon reached the fountain and found a comfortable place to sit on its edge. She stretched her body along the fountain’s edge with her head resting on one hoof while the other she let dip the surface of the flowing water. She watched the water for a while, and then turned her gaze up to the wall not far from her. “What was on the other side?” she wondered. It was certainly a mystery to her. Her instructors had told her what was out there in the world, and what the common ponies were like, but she wanted to see it for herself. Occasionally one of the palace servants would tell her some news, but she wanted to know more. It was while she was thinking about all of this when a servant mare approached her.

“Excuse me, Princess,” said the servant mare with a bow.

Felicity turned her attention to the mare. “Yes, Faith,” she asked. She called all the palace servants by their name. Faith in particular was practically her lady-in-waiting, and her best friend. Is some ways, Faith was even like a big sister to her as she cared so much for her.
“Princess,” continued the mare, “The Maharaja, your father, wishes for your presence at once in the throne room.”

“Very well, said Felicity as she rose from the fountain. “Thank you, Faith.”

Felicity wondered what her father would want to talk to her about as she walked briskly through the palace halls. There was a good chance that it was something important, since he wanted to see her in the throne room. She soon arrived at the closed rooms of the throne room and knocked lightly. Being a mare, she wasn’t allowed to just open the door and walk in. “Enter,” said a voice. Felicity knew it was her father’s. She pushed the door open stepped inside, closed the door behind her, then stood facing the throne at the other end of the room. On the throne sat her father, Maharaja Sphinx, and on his right hoof sat her mother, Oasis the Maharani on a pillow. When Sphinx saw his daughter he smiled approvingly. “Come forward.” he said. Felicity advanced as quickly and as gracefully as she could. When she was before the throne she bowed low to the ground. “Arise,” said Sphinx. Felicity did so, and noticed that her father was motioning for her to sit beside him at his left. Felicity did so, but kept her full attention on her father.

“Felicity,” Sphinx began. “Your mother and I have just received great news. I recently wrote a letter to Princesses Celestia and Luna of Equestria sending my best wishes and to inquire if their nephew Prince Blueblood was still available so that relations between our two countries could be improved. We last saw him when we were invited to attend the Equestrian Games in the Crystal Empire.”

Felicity’s eyes widened. “Oh no!” she said to herself.

“Princess Celestia’s reply,” continued Sphinx was that he is still available, and she and Princess Luna have both agreed to send him down to our land to begin courtship with you.”

Felicity’s mouth dropped open.

“I’ve already arranged it all,” said Sphinx. “In two days Prince Blueblood will be with us, and two weeks after, you will be married.”

Felicity’s face showed sheer horror. Oasis, unlike Sphinx, took note of this, and gave her husband a concerned nudge.

“Does this not please you,” asked Sphinx. Since Felicity had been asked a question, she now had permission to speak.

“Father?” Felicity asked. “You want me to marry Prince Blueblood?”

“Yes, of course,” said Sphinx, “He is a prince, and well suited for you.”

“But father,” said Felicity, “I have heard horrible things about him. I’ve heard that he’s the worst prince in all of Equestria, and that he courts mares with disrespect.”

“Oh, that’s just nonsense,” said Sphinx, “Pure gossip. Just some tall tails about spilled punch or something I’m sure.”

“But father,” said Felicity, she paused. She gathered her strength and said “I don’t want to marry him.”

Sphinx looked as though he’d been hit by a cannon. He couldn’t believe that his daughter had just said that. He stared hard at her, and then composed himself. “Nonsense,” he declared ignoring what his daughter had said, “You will marry Prince Blueblood.”

“Please, father,” said Felicity. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. “I do not wish to.”

“Daughter,” said Sphinx a bit harshly. “Mares and fillies do as they are told, not as they wish, and you will do the same. That is the custom of our land, and as been for over 1,000 years.”

“No, Father, please!” begged Felicity.

“You will do this!” said Sphinx, trying to ignore her.

“But…” began Felicity.

“Enough!” roared Sphinx. “We will speak no more of this, now be gone from my sight!”

Felicity didn’t have to be told twice. She ran toward the door and away from her father sobbing. She couldn’t hold it in anymore. She opened the door and fled down the hall.

Back in the throne room, Sphinx let out a deep breath. He felt terrible for raising his voice at his beloved daughter. He couldn’t believe he had just sent her away in tears. He settled back in his throne and sighed. Oasis put her hoof sympathetically on his. He looked at his wife. His face showed his concern. Had he done the right thing? He felt discouraged, but 1,000 years of tradition told him to forge ahead anyway, and he would do so.

Chapter 2: A So-Called Date

A Knight in Saddle Arabia

By: Nocturn Dreamwrite

Chapter 2: A So-Called Date

Princess Felicity ran all the way back to her chambers, and threw herself on her bed where she wept for a long time. Finally, there was a small knock on the door.

Felicity struggled between her sobs to just say, “Yes?”

The door opened and in stepped the servant mare, Faith.

“Princess?” Faith asked. “Are you all right?”

“Yes I’m…,” Felicity began, but then she lost her strength, “No, No I’m not all right!,” she cried as she began sobbing again.

“Oh you poor dear,” said Faith. She quickly entered the room, and joined Felicity on the bed. She nestled close to her mistress and cradled Felicity’s head in her hooves.

“Tell me dear, what’s the matter?” Faith asked.

“Father has already arranged for me to marry Prince Blueblood!” cried Felicity.

“What!?” asked Faith, shocked.

“But I don’t want to! You know what a horrible pony he is! My life will be a nightmare and there’s nothing I can do about it!” Felicity said between sobs.

“You poor filly,” said Faith. “You’ve been hurt. Go right ahead and cry. I’m so, so sorry to hear that Princess.”

Felicity cried until she had no tears left. Then she just laid her head on Faith’s lap while Faith gently brushed her mane with her hoof.

“Feeling better dear?” asked Faith.

“No, not really,” said Felicity. “I have no more tears, but my fate still awaits me.”

Felicity then lifted her head and turned to Faith. “Thank you Faith,” she said as she wiped her eyes. “You’ve always been a good friend to me. I can’t tell you how much your kindness means to me, especially now. Thank you.”

“My pleasure, Princess,” said Faith, “I am always here for you, and don’t worry. I’m sure everything will be all right.”
Felicity smiled, and hugged her friend. That helped, she began to feel better.
…

Two days later, Prince Blueblood arrived in Saddle Arabia. He came riding in a luxuriously decorated carriage pulled by servants and surrounded by guards. He made quite a spectacle as he paraded past all the ponies of Saddle Arabia. Among the crowd were Sandy Pipe and Butter Hooves.

“Well isn’t he just the peacock,” said Sandy as he caught a glimpse of Blueblood lounging in his carriage as it passed by.

“Yeah, you’re right. You’re absolutely right Master,” agreed Butter.

The parade continued on until it reached the palace. The gates were opened and they closed once Blueblood’s train was inside. Apparently Blueblood hadn’t noticed that not a single pony he passed had applauded or cheered for him.
. . .

When Prince Blueblood arrived at the Royal Palace, everything and every pony was ready and waiting for him. It didn’t take long for both the servants and the royal family to develop a negative opinion of him. When he arrived, the entire court of Saddle Arabia was in the throne room to greet him. The Maharaja Sphinx was on his throne, his wife to his right, and Princess Felicity to his left, but with a space of distance between her and her father. Everything that Felicity had heard and believed about Blueblood turned out to be absolutely true. When Blueblood entered the throne room, he carried himself with hefty bold and egotistical attitude. When he was before the Maharaja, he didn’t bow, he barely glanced at Sphinx before turning his attention elsewhere while saying “Oh, hello, desert king,” after Sphinx had formally welcomed him to his court. Ordinarily, Sphinx wouldn’t have tolerated this kind of attitude. But 1,000 years of tradition, and the knowledge that this was the only available prince left in Equestria forced him to keep silent and still. Blueblood then went right on asking if his accommodations were ready, and if his demands had been taken care of. All had been, and he was just about to leave, when Sphinx spoke again.

“Prince Blueblood,” called Sphinx.

“Yes?” asked Blueblood turning back around.

“I would like you to meet my daughter, Princess Felicity.” Sphinx said as he motioned toward Felicity and then motioned for her to advance.

Reluctantly, Felicity walked toward Blueblood, and when she was in front of him she bowed and held out her hoof. Instead of returning her bow and kissing her hoof though, Blueblood simply shook it and said “Oh yeah, right, nice to meet you. I’ll see you tomorrow I’m sure for some kind of courting or something.” He then turned and departed for his chambers (to which the servants were at that moment hauling his very heavy quantity, of luggage) leaving a very perplexed court, an insulted Maharaja, and a forlorn princess.
. . .

The next morning Felicity, waited in an open carriage for Blueblood. He was taking his dear sweet time getting ready as usual, and thus making a lady wait. The tradition of courting was to begin today, another old custom that a princess was required to do. Basically it was just two weeks of mandatory dating. Dating might have been more exciting if she could do it at her free will, like every other mare in the kingdom, but when it was mandatory, the enjoyment was practically taken away. She would simply have to make the best of it, even though there wasn’t much to work with.

Finally, Blueblood arrived and the carriage set off with two guards at the front pulling forward and a servant. The palace gates were opened, and they passed through into High Street, and then down Main Street until they reached the merchant sector, and then turned toward the city gate. They passed through, and were soon heading toward their destination: a hill not far outside of the city with an oasis at the top. All the while Blueblood complained about the heat, and how it was bad for his complexion.
It wasn’t long before they reached the hill and the guards pulled them to the top. Once there, the servant found a clean, comfortable spot of land with several trees for shade, and laid out the picnic lunch that had been prepared, and set up Blueblood’s folding chair that he insisted on taking. Blueblood was soon resting comfortably, munching on whatever he pleased, while Felicity simply laid down of the ground close by quietly. After a while, Felicity tried to start a conversation.

“So, Blueblood, how is life in Canterlot?” asked Felicity.

“It’s fine,” said Blueblood simply. “Why?”

“Oh I was just curious?” said Felicity.

“Curiosity kills cats,” said Blueblood.

Felicity rolled her eyes. She had heard that one many times before.

Felicity tried again. “So,” she asked, “Do you have many friends in Equestria?”

“I do not have friends,” said Blueblood, “I only have servants, and they all call me ‘your royal highness.’”

“What an overblown ego,” said Felicity to herself, “Just like I heard.”

Felicity tried again anyway although she was running out of conversation starters. “So, how are you enjoying the weather?” she asked.

“That’s a rather personal question don’t you think?” said Blueblood, as he closed his eyes.

“Now that’s just plain rude,” said Felicity to herself, but she decided to ignore his comment. She sat quietly for a while tiring to think of what else she could say before she began again.

“Blueblood?” Felicity asked.

She was answered by a snore. She took a closer look at Blueblood and notice that he was fast asleep in his chair.

“Oh well,” said Felicity. She stood up and walked back to the carriage. She climbed in, and leaned back trying to piece together her situation. The servant walked over and asked her if there was anything he could do for her. “No thank you Swift,” she answered. Swift walked back to the tree where he’d been standing. The guards were there too. They had unharnessed themselves from the carriage so that they could rest and check over their armor. Felicity sighed and began to doze off herself. Her first date and it was already terrible.

“I do wish something would happen,” Felicity whispered quietly to herself. “Anything.”

Coincidentally, it was at that moment that the wind began to pick up, and a particularly strong gust of wind began to push the carriage until it was rolling on its own with Felicity in it! The guards noticed this, and tried to catch the carriage but it was too late, the carriage was already rolling down the hill.

The moving of the carriage roused Felicity. “That’s funny,” She though to herself. “It feels like we’re moving.” Then it occurred to her, “The carriage is moving!” She opened her eyes and looked around. The carriage was barreling backwards down the hill, and there was no pony driving! She turned around. The carriage was heading back towards the city, but at such a terrific speed that it could crash with disastrous results!

“Help!” Felicity called looking back at the top of the hill, but Swift, the guards and Blueblood were left far behind.

It was just after this happened that Blueblood also roused from his sleep. He liked the cool wind he was feeling.

“You know what would make this moment even better?” He mumbled to himself. He opened his eyes and looked where he had last seen Felicity. She was gone.

“Well, what do you know,” Blueblood said smugly to himself. “My wish came true.”

Chapter 3: The Wildest Ride Ever

A Knight in Saddle Arabia

By: Nocturn Dreamwrite

Chapter 3: The Wildest Ride Ever

The carriage rolled faster and faster. Princess Felicity was frightened. She knew there was a good chance that her life was in danger. The carriage was soon on flat ground, but it didn’t slow, and it was heading directly toward the city gates. Although the carriage was following the road, it was very possible it could turn just a little to the left or the right and hit the edge of the gate if not the wall.

“Great Heavens Above!” cried Felicity, “Help!” Unfortunately, no one was there, and it was unlikely that anyone could have gotten there in time.

Felicity was quite certain that the carriage was going to crash one way or another, so she repositioned herself in the front of the carriage (since it was rolling backwards) to try to get as far away from the crash as possible. It was too dangerous to jump, so she held on to the edge of the carriage as tightly as she could. She held her breath, closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable.

Amazingly the carriage rolled right through the city gate without hitting either edge. Felicity opened her eyes just in time to see ponies jumping out of the runaway carriage’s path. “Look out!” she called. Then she saw it, the water trough the carriage was headed for. The carriage was going to crash! Felicity closed her eyes and held on tighter than ever before, but when the back of the carriage rammed the trough, because she was in the front, she was flung out as if she had been sitting on a catapult. She felt this happen and when she opened her eyes she was airborne.

Felicity shrieked with fight. She hit the ground with a bump. Thankfully, since the ground was sandy, it wasn’t as bad at it could have been, but Felicity kept tumbling forward. A good part of the city was on a steady incline (High Street being at the top, and the Low Side being on the bottom), and so she was heading in the direction of the Low Side. Felicity tried to stop, but she couldn’t. She was rolling too fast. “Help!,” she whinnied, but every pony was trying to dodge the pony tumbling over herself as if she was a ball, so everyone was too afraid to help. Many were not even sure what they were seeing. All the while, Felicity kept tumbling down the incline. The actual crash had knocked her royal sash off, but while she was rolling she hit a bump in the road and two of her golden slippers came off of her hooves. A rather sharp stone caught hold of her pearl necklace. The string stretched then snapped. Pearls went bouncing everywhere, but a post got hold of her muzzle veil and ripped it right off her face, and her diamond plume hairpin also came out of her mane. Further down she ran into a barrel. Here she lost another one of her slippers, and her gold bracelet came off. Somewhere in all of this her gold anklet flew off, and with all the bouncing her gold collar unattached itself in the back and came off, and so did the other plume hairpin on her tail. Finally, with another bump, her last slipper came off, but she didn’t stop rolling until she herself crashed into a row of baskets in front of a brick wall at the end of a road, and there she finally came to rest.

Felicity opened her eyes and finally allowed herself a chance to breathe. She was thankful that she had finally stopped. After her terrifying and traumatic experience, she stared up at the sky, and said the only word she could say “Ow.” She laid there for a while, before she finally rolled back over and took a look where she was. She was in the low side. She had never been here before. She began to feel herself all over. Every part of her body hurt. She was covered in cuts, scratches and bruises, and she noticed that she had lost all her royal regalia. She immediately felt her neck for her collar, but it was gone. Her heart skipped a beat. She was more fearful now than ever before. When her father found out that she’d lost her collar, he’d really roar at her with anger. Felicity soon returned to her senses though, because she realized that she had bigger problems she needed medical attention. She tried to stand but her left hind leg gave a shooting pain which caused her to cry out in pain and fall again. She tried again, and this time balanced on three legs. Her left hind leg hurt too much to walk on.

“I’ve got to make it back to the palace,” Felicity said to herself. “They’ll help me.” She began to hobble slowly back up the incline. It wasn’t very hard for her to find her way; all she had to do was remember to keep walking on the road that went up.

It took a long time, but at last she finally made it to High Street. The palace gates were closed as usual so she went to talk to the royal guards.

“Please open the gate. I need to get through,” Felicity asked one of the guards.

The guard took one look at Felicity and asked, “And who are you?”

Felicity stood as straight and tall as she could, and answered, “I am Princess Felicity of Saddle Arabia. Let me in please.”

The two guards looked at Felicity, then at each other, and then they burst out in peals of laughter.

Felicity was confused. “What is so humorous?” she asked. “Have I missed something?”

One of the guards finally stopped laughing. “Oh, just that you claimed to be the Princess. That’s all.”

“But I am,” said Felicity.

“Seriously?” said the other guard, “A beggar filly who can barely walk comes up to us claiming to be the princess, and expects her to just let her in? Pl-ease! You’ve got to be kidding me. What do you take us for? Fools?”

“But I am the princess,” answered Felicity. “I’m not joking. My father is the Maharaja Sphinx.”

“Yeah right,” said the first guard, “And I’m the Maharani. Be off beggar.”

“Now see hear,” said Felicity, “I am not a beggar. I live here, and if the Maharaja hears that you didn’t let me in you’ll both be in a great deal of trouble.”

“The Maharaja isn’t going to hear anything about this,” said the first guard becoming serious. Then, a little harshly, he said “Now be off beggar, and I’ll forget that this ever happened.”

Felicity couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The guards weren’t playing around with her, they really didn’t believe that she was the princess. She was becoming desperate, and her voice began to show it. “But I am Princess Felicity,” she said.

“All right,” said the guard, “Come close.” Felicity did so, and leaned her ear close to hear what he said. “If you’re a princess, then why don’t you look like one?”

Felicity gaped. She looked back up at the guard. He mouth opened to speak but no words came out. Tears began to form in her eyes.

“Now, as I said before,” said the guard. “Be off, and don’t come back.”

Felicity quietly turned away and hobbled down the street. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She just couldn’t believe it. She had been turned away from her own home. As she walked through the merchant sector she looked at her reflection in a window. The guards were right. She didn’t look like a princess at all. She wasn’t wearing any of her royal regalia, and with all the cuts and bruises she did look like she lived on the streets. Her coat was covered in dirt, and her main and tail were both in an unruly mess. It was quite clear now to Felicity. If a pony didn’t look like royalty, then they weren’t, and she didn’t look like a princess.

“I guess I’m not a princess anymore,” said Felicity sadly. She sighed and continued to hobble down the street. Felicity walked aimlessly through the city. Her mind was a jumble of questions. Where could she go? What should she do? What would happen to her now? She didn’t have anywhere else to go. She was afraid.

After she had had walked for a long time, she found herself back down in the low side. She still hobbled on three legs, and she was beginning to feel hungry, but she didn’t have any bits to buy food. The shops here were smaller, and not well kept. The ponies who lived here didn’t have many bits and some of them seemed a bit shadowy. She rounded a corner and found herself in an alley way. The passage was littered with garbage. Halfway through the alley was dog licking a bone. He stood up when he saw her. Felicity stopped and they stared at each other for a moment. The dog was taking note of all her cuts and scratches. Suddenly the dog threw back his head and howled. Moments later a pack of dogs appeared behind him. The first dog, who was obviously the leader, licked his chops. Felicity’s eyes widened. The dogs were all looking at her, because they thought she was dinner. “Oh... my... goodness!” said Felicity. At that moment the dogs charged at her. Felicity turned around and ran as fast as she could on three legs out of the alley and on to the road. The dogs weren’t far behind. Felicity had never before had to really run, and now she was running for her life, but she only had three legs to run on and as badly bruised as they were they began to hurt and she was tiring quickly. She could barely run at all. This was even worse than being in a runaway carriage. There was a chance that she would be eaten alive. “Help!” she cried as she ran past ponies in their shops, but no pony came out to help her. They just watched as she ran by with a pack of dogs in close pursuit. Felicity was running out of energy. She was out of adrenalin, and her strength was giving out. She rounded a corner and found herself in another alley, and then it happened. She collapsed. She could hear the dogs closing in, but she was helpless. She had nothing left. This was the end. All sorts of memories flooded into her mind, and she began to weep.

The dogs were almost upon Felicity when suddenly, a pony jumped over her from the opposite direction. The pony was a young, brown, earth pony, stallion. He stood tall over her and bravely stood between her and the charging dogs, blocking their way. The dogs decided to attack the stallion who stood in their path, but he wheeled around and with one kick of his hind legs sent the first two flying over the others. He turned around again and fought the rest of the dogs head on with his hooves. He punched, sliced, and kicked at every attacker until they fled and he didn’t stop until the last dog ran out of the alley way in fear. The stallion had won. He had saved Felicity.

The stallion walked back quickly to Felicity and crouched down beside her.

“Are you all right miss?” he asked.

But Felicity was exhausted, and she only had just enough breath to say, “Help me… please,” before she passed out.

Chapter 4: The Tinker and His Assistant

A Knight in Saddle Arabia

By: Nocturn Dreamwrite

Chapter 4: The Tinker and his Assistant

Sandy Pipe sat at his desk in his shop in the Low Side. He was attempting to glue back together a ceramic bowl that Butter Hooves had accidentally dropped.

“I’m really sorry Master,” said Butter. “It’s my fault. I know it is.”

“No, No,” said Sandy, “It’s all right, and it’s my fault. I gave you the bowl. I shouldn’t have been trying to handle too many pieces at the same time. It’s piecing together nicely though. You won’t hardly be able to even see that there’s a few little cracks when I’m finished.”

“Yes, master,” agreed Butter. “Well I suppose I’d better start with dinner then.”

Butter began to walk toward the small kitchen in the back when suddenly both he and Sandy heard what sounded like a racket outside.

“You hear that?” asked Sandy looking up from his desk toward the shop’s window.

“Yeah, I do,” said Butter, “I wonder what’s going on.”

“It sounds like a lot of dogs are upset about something,” said Sandy.

It was at that moment, that a blue, unicorn mare with a gold and white mane and tail ran shakily by. She looked as though she had just been through quite an ordeal, and she was running on three legs! Her fourth leg limped. Only a moment later, a pack of dogs ran by the shop. They were chasing her.

“Help!” Sandy and Butter both heard her cry as she ran down the street!
“Great Heavens” shouted Sandy, “She’s in trouble! She needs help!” With that Sandy rushed out of the shop and after the dogs. “Watch the shop Butter!” he called over his shoulder.

“Yes Master!” Butter yelled back, “Be careful!”

Sandy ran after the dogs as fast as his legs could carry him. His hooves beat hard on the sandy ground. The blue mare was in trouble, and nothing was going to stop him from helping her. He was quickly catching up with the dogs, and be could see the mare up ahead, but he could tell she was tiring. She was slowing down and the dogs were catching her. Sandy wasn’t sure if he could get in front of the dogs in time before she gave out. Just then he noticed that the mare had turned into an ally way. An idea came popped in his head.

“If I turn right now, I can enter the alley from the other end, and stop those dogs!” Sandy said to himself. It was a gamble, but he needed to get between the mare and the dogs as quickly as possible. They looked like they were all going to take a bite out of her as soon as she stopped. Sandy turned right. His determination seemed to make him run even faster. He reached the end of the ally he was aiming for and turned a hard left into it. The mare had already collapsed. She had made it about halfway through the alley before she gave out, the dogs were close, but they hadn’t reached her yet.

“I can do it!” Sandy said to himself. He charged toward the dogs, leapt over the fallen mare, and landed between her and the dogs. The dogs, seeing their pathway blocked, attacked him, but Sandy was ready. He spun around and nailed the first two dogs with a single kick of his hind legs. He then turned around and punched the next dog hard on left side of his head so that he fell against the wall. He did the same with all the other dogs that came close. Most of the dogs tried again several times, but some ran away after one blow. One managed to get on his back, but he shook him off. Another tried to sneak past him and get to the mare, but Sandy slammed him in the guts with both of his fore legs, picked him up and threw him back at the dogs, knocking several over. Sandy wasn’t finished though, he kept punching, slicing, and kicking, until every last dog turned tail and ran back out of the alley. Sandy had won. He had saved the mare.

Sandy turned back to the mare to assist her.

“Are you all right miss?,” he asked as he crouched down next to her.

The mare looked up at him, and in a weak, desperate voice said “Help me…Please.” Then she passed out.

“Who is she,” wondered Sandy as he looked at her. “I don’t remember ever seeing her before. She’s beautiful.”

“Miss?” asked Sandy again as he put his hoof on her shoulder and tried to wake her by gently shaking her, “Miss?! Please wake up!” Sandy looked at her body. “Oh no.” he said, “What happened to you?” Her blue coat was covered with cuts and bruises. “Don’t you worry,” said Sandy as he lifted her up. He crawled under so that she was resting on his back, then he stood up. She didn’t weigh very much. “I’ll take you to my place, and take good care of you. You’ll get better. It’ll all be all right.” Sandy then began to walk back home carrying the mare on his back.

It wasn’t long before Sandy arrived back at his shop. Butter ran out to see him. Then he saw the blue, unicorn mare on his back. “Oh my goodness! What happened Master?” asked Butter.

“She’s out cold,” said Sandy. “The dogs tried to attack her. I stopped them, but she’s hurt real bad. Help me get her upstairs.”

“Yes, Master,” said Butter as he held the shop door open, “Poor dear.”

Sandy and Butter soon carried the mare through the shop and up the stairs to the room above the shop where they lived.

“Lay her down on my bed,” said Sandy. They put her down gently on her right side, so that her hurt leg was accessible. Sandy looked again at all the cuts she had.

“Butter,” said Sandy, “Run downstairs and get me two towels and a bucket of fresh water as quick as you can.”

“Yes Master,” said Butter “At once.”

“Then run and find Doc Shot,” said Sandy before Butter left. “She needs a doctor quickly.”

“Yes Master,” said Butter again. Butter soon brought Sandy the water and the towels (even though he accidentally dropped the bucket once), and then rushed out to find Doc Shot. He was the only Doctor in the Low Side, but Sandy was right, she needed a doctor as quickly as possible.”

Sandy began to clean the mare’s wounds. He dipped one towel completely into the water, rank it out, and placed it on the mares forehead, and used the other towel to clean her cuts, dipping it occasionally. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, “You’re going to be all right.”
…

Felicity woke up with a start. She had dreamt that the dogs in the ally had caught her and they were biting her all over. She took a few deep breaths before she calmed down. It was just a dream, but where was she. Felicity looked around. She was lying on a small bed in a small room. Her head was resting on a pillow and she was covered with a sheet. By the light coming through the windows, she guessed that it was morning. There was a small table in the corner with a few books on it, and a small vase with a fake desert rose in it. In the other corner sat a young, brown, earth pony, stallion. He was asleep with his head leaning against the wall. Then she remembered, “That’s the pony who saved me!” she said to herself. “This must be his house, but how did I get here?” she wondered. Somehow the stallion must have brought her here, but when? If it was afternoon with the dogs chased her, and morning now, what had she missed? She must have been out for hours, and the whole night for that matter. Strange though, she was awake, but it still felt like something was biting her. She carefully lifted up the sheet covering her to check. Her eyes widened. She was covered in bandages, and she couldn’t even see her left hind leg, it was bandaged all the way from her hoof to her flank. Felicity moved the sheet to one side, and tried to sit up. “Oomph,” she groaned.

The brown stallion woke up instantly. “Thank goodness you’re awake,” he said. He was soon at her side. “Tell me how do you feel?”

“Well,” said Felicity, “I feel a little better, but what happened? Where am I? And... and who are you?” she asked as she tried to rise. A shooting pain ran through her body from her left hind leg making her wince.

“Please don’t do that,” said the stallion helping her lay back down. “Doc Shot said you bruised your leg really badly. Thankfully it’s not broken, but you’re going to have to stay in bed for at least a week before you can move around. See? I said everything would be all right.”

The stallion then paused. “Oh I’m sorry, let me introduce myself. My name is Sandy Pipe. This is my place, mine and Butter’s. Butter!” called Sandy. “Come up here” She’s awake!” A rumble was heard as some pony ran up some stairs, then a yellow pegasus burst into the room. “She is?” he asked, then he looked at Felicity, “She is!” “Wonderful! Well done Master!”

“This is my assistant Butter Hooves,” Sandy told Felicity, “He live here too and helps me run the store.”

“That’s right,” said Butter to the mare, “I must say though, that you are very lucky. If Master here hadn’t fought off those dogs and carried you here when he did, well… I don’t like to even considerer what could have happened.

“You carried me here?” Felicity asked Sandy.

“He sure did,” said Butter, “Carried you all the way here on his back, and told me to get the Doc, and then he sat right there waiting for you to wake up for half the night.”

“Thank you good gentleponies,” said Felicity, “Thank you for saving me, and for your kindness I don’t know how I can repay you, or if I even can.”

“Oh no,” said Sandy. “Don’t worry yourself about it. Our pleasure. We’re just happy that you’re going to be all right, but please, we’re at a disadvantage. Please tell us, what is your name?”

“I’m…” Felicity began, but then she remembered something. She burst into tears, and burring her face in the pillow. “I’m no pony!” she said between sobs. “Not anymore!”

“Oh come, come now,” said Sandy “Please don’t cry.” He turned to Butter. “Butter, quick, bring her some water and something to eat.”

“Yes, Master,” said Butter and he hurried away back down to the kitchen.

“I’m sorry,” said Sandy, “Please forgive me.”

“No, no,” said Felicity, “You didn’t do anything, It’s me. I don’t know who I am anymore!” she said as she continued sobbing.

“Shhh… It’ll all be just fine,” said Sandy.

Just then Butter arrived carrying a bowl of porridge with a spoon in one hoof and a cup of water in the other.

“Well done,” said Sandy.

“Thank you, Master,” said Butter.

“Please stop crying,” said Sandy, “You need to eat. You must get your strength back.”

After a moment, Felicity stopped crying. She looked back up at Sandy, her eyes full of sorrow, but when she looked into Sandy’s eyes she saw pure kindness. She smiled and began to feel better.

“Come now,” said Sandy, “You must eat. Trust me.” He dipped the spoon into the porridge and held it toward Felicity. She cautiously opened her mouth, took it, and swallowed. She had never had porridge before, but it tasted good, and she hadn’t realized until now how hungry she was. She kept eating every spoonful Sandy gave her, until the bowl was empty.

“Well, done,” said Sandy as she held the cup of water for her to drink. “Keep eating like that and you’ll be well in no time.”

“Thank you,” said Felicity once she’d finished.

“You must have a name though,” Said Sandy “We must call you something. Every pony’s a some pony. Do you mind if I give you a name?”

Felicity shook her head.

“All right then,” said Sandy, “How about if we call you… um…” he thought for a moment then smiled and said “Blue!, how about Blue, after the most beautiful of colors, in my opinion anyway. Would you like that?”

“Yes… yes I do like that,” said Felicity.

“I like that too, Master,” said Butter.

“Good,” said Sandy. “Blue it shall be, and don’t worry. Leave everything to us, and you’re welcome to stay here with us even after you recover.”

“Oh, thank you,” said Felicity, “Thank you both very, very much.”

“Oh and please, call me, Sandy,” said Sandy.

“And me, Butter,” added Butter.

“Thank Sandy,” said Felicity. “Thank you Butter, my friends.”

“Now you must rest,” said Sandy. “If you need anything just call. We’ll be right down stairs.” He gave her a smile then left the room with Butter leaving the door open.
Felicity closed her eyes, and smiled happily before she fell asleep.

Prologue: The Princess of Saddle Arabia

A Knight in Saddle Arabia

By: Nocturn Dreamwrite

Prologue: The Princess of Saddle Arabia

South of Equestria, there is a small, but proud kingdom surrounded by a great desert called Saddle Arabia. The kingdom was populated mostly by Arabian ponies, but there were a number of Equestrian ponies that lived there as well. The realm was ruled by the Maharaja Sphinx. Although a just ruler, kind and good to his ponies, he lacked one thing: an heir. His loyal and loving wife, the Maharani Oasis, was unfortunately barren and could not bear a foal for her husband. They longed for a foal terribly. Then, one day, a miracle. A small, Equestrian, unicorn, filly was found by one of the servants in a basket among the palace’s weekly vegetable delivery, and brought to Sphinx and Oasis. In the basked was a note: “To whoever finds my filly, please take care of her, love her, and keep her safe. To my little filly, I’ll always love you. I’m sorry.” A search was conducted, but the identity of the filly’s mother was never discovered. Sphinx and Oasis however accepted the mother’s wish and were overjoyed to adopt the filly, whom they named Felicity, Princess Felicity of Saddle Arabia, into their home as their daughter. At last the kingdom had an heiress, and when it was proclaimed, the ponies of Saddle Arabia rejoiced. No pony every questioned the fact that the new princess was Equestian while her adoptive parents were Arabian. The Maharaja had spoken, she was their daughter, and no pony would challenge the Maharaja. It was without a doubt that Felicity was Sphinx and Oasis’ pride and joy, and they couldn’t have loved her more even if she had been born to them. As the years passed, Felicity grew into a beautiful, graceful, young mare, loved by every pony around her for she was very kind, polite, and loving to all she met. She was educated, (a unicorn tutor was called on to teach her basic magic for her horn), and was accepted into the upper crust of Saddle Arabia. Felicity, however was curious, and liked to learn new things, but she was hardly ever let out of the palace gates, and when she was, she wasn’t allowed to explore on her own. Still, although happy, and grateful to have the position she had, she longed to see what was truly out there in the world beyond of which she was innocent of. She was a princess, but a princess of what exactly?