Apples and Cinnamon

A crisp autumn chill rushes through the golden red, and brown leaves of Sweet Apple acres. The last of the apples has already been harvested, Big Mac takes the harvest into town to be sold. AppleBloom and her friends, SweetieBelle and Scootaloo are off playing with their classmates. All the while AppleJack is in her room a letter is on her night stand covered with the strong smell of a cedar cologne on the envelope.

Dear AppleJack,

It is with great jubilance that I inform you that I am coming to Ponyville in a few days. I can't wait to see you for the first time! I hope I don't disappoint such an upstanding pony such as yourself. Until the rays of the morning sun brings us together I say count the days.

Yours Truly,

Cinno.

Applejack was unsure how to feel about her letter friend coming to Ponyville. They were old penpals from her school days that kept in touch but never actually met. She had never even thought to ask him for a picture of him. Although she wanted to reply to the letter by the time it would be delivered to the address he would be in Ponyville. So she puts the letter in her chest that she keeps all her letters in and sets out to Ponyville to ask for some help.

Applejack first stops at princess Twilight Sparkles palace. The warm smell of freshly baked pancakes ,and berries fills her nostrils as she enters the dining hall. Making her stomach growl with hunger to which she satisfies with a great big helping.

"Hoo boy Twi these pancakes sure do taste good!(belches) Pardon."

"It is quite alright Applejack I'm just happy you enjoyed them. What brings you over though? You are usually busy with farm work this early in the morning." Smiles Twilight

" Well you see you know about my penpal friend right?" Twilight nods "He's coming to Ponyville in a couple of days and I'm not exactly sure what to make of it."

"This is so not like you Applejack you always know what to do. Why are you so unsure about meeting him for the first time?" Twilight asks concerned

" I wish I knew Twi. I think it will just be wierd to put a face to the letters is all."

"That is understandable after all you've never seen him, but think about it like this. Its like reuniting with an old friend."

"I...never thought about it like that! Wow I already feel better thanks sugarcube." Applejack face gleams with revelation about the situation.

"Glad I could help. Now what are you going to do about his arrival?" Beams Twilight

"I know how about a party!" Pinkie Pie pops out of nowhere making the two mares jump out of their seats. The mares look at each other then laugh as they agree that that would be a good idea.

So on the day of the known arrival is spent with Pinkie Pie coordinating a welcome to Ponyville party. There is a: bounty of beautiful bright colorful balloons on every corner, several stringy streamers striping the scaffoldings and a big welcome to Ponyville banner in the center of town. A usual spectacle of super duper party planning by Ponyville's own party planner Pinkie Pie. Eyes of both young and old alike beam with joy as they see the sight that laid before them they always looked forward to one of Pinkie's parties. As Pinkie Pie planned the party Applejack and Twilight Sparkle awaited the arrival of the train that Cinno is on. A loud horn sounds as the train pulls into the station several ponies get off of the train none of them greet the two mares waiting.

"Do you think he missed the train?" asks Applejack

"I don't no. Maybe there are still some on board?" Replies Twilight.

Just as Twilight says this a lone stallion with a sand colored coat and scarlet mane gets off the train and slowly walks towards the mares. Several small scars adorn his muscular body as well as a somewhat tired expression on his very handsome face. His brilliant amber eyes told the tale of some pony who has seen too much strife. The mares noticed that the stallion walked with a slight limp. Just as he got closer they saw why; a large jagged scar ran down the length of his right hindleg starting from his cutie mark of two cinnamon sticks in an x all the way down to his hoof.

"Are you Cinno?" asks Twilight Sparkle

"I am indeed your highness princess Twilight Sparkle." Cinno bows awkwardly

"How do you know how I am? We've never met before have we?"

"I was one of princess Celestia's royal guards at your coordination as well as your brother's wedding. So I know who you are your highness, but no we have never met in person." answers Cinno

"You never mentioned you're a royal guard Cinno." Exclaims Applejack.

"You never asked what I do for a living Applejack. Besides I am not a royal guard anymore since my injury." Cinno gingerly looks back at his scar.

A dull thud makes the three look back at the train where a small earth pony filly with a soft white pink coat and a bright pink mane drops her luggage. "Sorry uncle Cinno I lost my grip." States the small filly

"Oh where are my manners princess Twilight Sparkle, Applejack my niece Sugarcane. Sugarcane this is my old penpal Applejack and her royal highness princess Twilight sparkle."

" Oooooh are you really a princess? You are so pretty. Do you think I could become as pretty as you one day?" Sugarcane asks with big shiny green eyes.

"Awe thank you. I'm sure you will grow into a beautiful mare but if you ask me you are already pretty." Sugarcane grins really wide as she giggles and starts to jump up and down around the grown ups. Cinno mouths a small 'thank you' to Twilight.

"Do you need any help with your bags?" asks Applejack

"No thanks I got it. Besides it won't do to have a mare carry a stallion's napsack while he is able." Cinno answers as he puts all of the luggage on his back. His hindleg buckles a little but he quickly recovers he gives a faint smile. Applejack wanted to object but could see that conversation would take all day. Sugarcane stops bouncing and grabs her own luggage and sticks close to Cinno's injured leg acting as a brace.

The small group enters the town square as Pinkie Pie jumps out of a cake with confetti shouting "Welcome to Ponyville!" both Cinno and Sugarcane give a great big smile as they walk towards the party. Sugarcane runs to the group of fillies leaving Cinno to converse with the adults.

"So darling tell us a little about yourself?" Inquires Rarity already half buzzed from Berry Punch's special spiced punch.

"Ok well my name is Cinnamon Snap but every pony calls me Cinno for short. I was a corporal in Celestia's royal guard not long after I graduated from high school. That was until I was injured in battle during the Canterlot royal wedding invasion, a changeling gored me with it's horn while I was protecting civilians. The healers were able to save my leg but I was unfit for duty so I was given an honorable discharge. Since then I've been helping my sister with her spice farm near Fillydelphia. Mostly just patrolling the fields with Sugarcane, teaching her how to be a soldier. I was presented with an opportunity to come to Ponyville so here I am. I had to bring Sugarcane with me since she's been dying to meet a princess and she knew that I knew there was a princess in Ponyville, and here we are. We that suffice ma'am?"

The mane six look at Cinno with awe as he told his story. "Wow so like you're a war hero? That is so cool!" exclaims Rainbow Dash

"Thank ye kindly ma'am but I'm no war hero just a soldier doing his duty to protect and serve." Cinno's southern accent breaks from it's earlier demeanor.

"Oh wow I thought you were a Canterlotian?" States Twilight Sparkle

"Well no. I am originally from a small village down south. I had to hide my accent in the guard you see we're supos'd look and sound alike that way the enemy can't tell if they took us down or another. Sorry if my ruse fooled ya I am so used to it I sometimes forget all about it and break character and resort to my natural voice."

`"Oh that's why all the guards look the same! I thought it was weird." Rainbow Dash

"That's right ya see there's a glamour charm inbedded into the armor so that the stallions that put it on look identical. That's why ya only see two coat colors and they'r all the same size. In reality they're just like the rest of us." replies Cinno

The group continues the conversation until sunset. A tired little Sugarcane lets out a yawn as she approaches the group of adults. Seeing this Applejack tells Pinkie Pie its time to end the welcome party. As the party dies down Applejack leads Cinno and Sugarcane to Sweet Apple Acres and to their rooms. Since Applejack didn't know about Sugarcane coming she makes a bed for her in Applebloom's room. Cinno gently places the sleeping filly into it and kisses her forehead, Applebloom was already asleep but Applejack brushes back her mane and does the same to her. The two quietly leave the room closing the door. Once the fillies were taken care of Applejack gets to the task of making up the guest bedroom. It was just big enough for a fully grown stallion to be comfortable, but not for a stallion and an energetic filly.

"Sorry about the accommodations. It has been awhile since we've had a guest here at Sweet Apple Acres." Applejack blushes as she places fresh sheets on the bed.

"It is lovely Applejack. I am awfully sorry about brining my niece with me without notice it was a last minute thing and I had no time to tell you."

"Oh shucks its quite alright she's a cute little filly. Besides it looks like Applebloom had fun playing with her. Well I think that is it. Let me know if there's anything I can do for ya."

"Will do and thank you for the room. Good night Applejack may you have pleasant dreams."

The blush returns deeply into Applejack's cheeks at this. "You too fella." she leaves.