My hooves crunched the snow below as I trotted. It was colder than it looked when I left. A mere five minutes of trotting and I was already regretting my venture out of my home. While my scarf and coat may be quite stylish and the pinnacle of fashion elegance, they really did little to keep my body warm. Despite being chilled to the core, I continued to move slow and steady though the snow.
Nevertheless, I convinced myself to continue through the cold winter morning. I kept thinking of how I might regret it later, but I had a singular task in mind and I wasn’t going to just let something like snow, overcast skies, or even a disheveled mane keep me from completing this. Words were exchanged, hurtful words, and I refused to let those continue to linger in their head.
The skies were painted a strange blend of white and grey, causing the horizon to be almost impossible to see at some points. Due to this, it was impossible for me to tell where, or even if, Celestia’s sun had risen. If I were to take a guess, I would say it had just began to rise over the mountains in the distance, the same mountains I couldn’t quite yet see through the haze. The weather was very uncharacteristic for the late winter. By now, the snow should have yielded, giving way to spring flowers and animals emerging from hibernation. Instead, snow and fog enveloped Ponyville, refusing to let go.
I trotted down a familiar path, one I had done many times before toward a friend’s farm. On this road, I was alone. I didn't see or hear any pegasi in the skies, nor did I hear anything but the sounds of my own hooves crushing the snow beneath them.
Crunch. Crunch, Crunch.
It seemed that it was the only audible sound for the early morning. On each side of me there were numerous rows of trees, seeming to stretch on into eternity. Each one coated with fresh snow from the previous night. I paused for a moment and to look at one of the trees. Save for the snow, the entire tree was bare, devoid of leaves, fruit, or any signs of life. It was a bit haunting to me, seeing something we take for granted everyday left to face the harsh elements.
I exhaled deeply and saw my own breath. It's only then that I remembered just exactly how cold I was. I guess I had just gone numb to how icy the air felt against me. I resumed my trotting down the path, passing by more of the lifeless trees.
This road finally led me to my destination. The small farmhouse at the end of the path was already lit up. It seemed that the family had started their day some time ago. Even from a distance, I could tell there was a lot of warmth inside. The glow from within acted as a sort of lighthouse amongst a sea of ice and snow. It made me feel safe for some reason. I couldn’t say for what reason, but it felt welcoming to me. It felt nice.
Carefully, I took a step up on to the porch. I tried to step lightly as to not cause any commotion, but I felt I failed at such a task. Since I believed to be my presence already known, I continued to the door and tapped lightly. Quite quickly, the door was opened, revealing a small, yellow filly with an oversized bow in her cherry red mane. Along with her, a wonderful aroma flooded my senses and warmed my body.
“Howdy, Miss Rarity!” the little filly greeted me with a big smile.
“Good morning, Apple Bloom,” I returned the greeting, forcing a smile. My voice was slightly affected by the cold air.
“What brings ya round these parts?” Apple Bloom asked.
Without trying to seem nosy, I peered inside the door to see if there was any sign of her older sister. “I was actually hoping to see if your sister is here,” I admitted after not finding her.
“Applejack? She left a while ago,” the filly said, “She didn’t even have breakfast with us.”
That surprised me a bit. Applejack wasn’t one to just leave her family alone like that. I opened my mouth ask a follow up question, but I was cut off.
“Who’s that at the door, Apple Bloom?” a voice called out. The source came through the door, revealing it to be Granny Smith. She slowly was making her way toward the front door.
Apple Bloom turned to face her grandmother, “It’s Miss Rarity. She says she’s lookin’ fer Applejack.”
Granny Smith reached the threshold of the front door and looked at me, “Lookin’ fer Applejack, huh? Ah haven’t seen her since she left before breakfast. Said somethin’ ‘bout goin’ ta the groves.”
“Into the grove of trees?” I asked.
She nodded, “Yup, ta north grove. Ah guess she wanted ta check how the trees are handlin’ this extra spell of snow we’re gettin’. Ya can probably find her up there.”
I smiled back as best as I could, “I’ll try looking up there, thank you.”
“Now, now,” Granny Smith started, “Ah certainly can’t let ya go jus’ yet. Ya look colder than a fish in a frozen pond. Why don’t cha come inside an’ warm up? Ah’m sure ol’ Applejack will turn up soon.”
While it did sound lovely, I had to decline, “Thank you, but no. I would like to find her sooner rather than later.” It was the truth.
Granny Smith simply nodded with a smile, “Well, if ya get tired of lookin’, feel free ta come back for a hot cup of cocoa.”
Both Apple Bloom and Granny Smith gave me a farewell and I stepped off the porch and back into the cold snow. I heard the door close behind me, leaving me back to my search for Applejack. It started to trot back toward the path I had used to arrive to the farm. It was cold with each step.
Through the snow and what not, I found a posted sign. Upon closer inspection, I found it had different directions. Listed on it were a few destinations, including the one which I needed.
“North grove,” I repeated to myself.
I pointed my hoof at the sign and then dragged it toward where the location was. It was just as hazy and snowy as every other location on the farm. If I didn’t know any better, I would have just passed it off as another location that she could have been. Exhaling, I saw my breath again. Following the sign’s directions and ignoring my distaste of the weather, I trotted through the snow.
Before long, I was lost in my own thoughts. I replayed the event in my mind. The words, the anger, the distaste, all of it. The whole thing seems trivial at best now, but the version of me that remains in the past and in my mind refuses to relent or back down from her stance. Why would I be such a fool? I’m sure I was hurt, but returning verbal insults is no way to treat a friend, or anypony for that matter. I had no right to call her a barbarian or anything of that sort just because we do not agree on something. And it was because of my desire of forgiveness that I found myself out in the frozen morning, seeking her.
I trotted for sometime, I couldn’t say exactly how long. Perhaps about ten minutes or so. Either way, it didn’t take me long to lose my direction within the grove of trees. The only thing that I knew for sure was that I was still on the farm and that I had gone uphill for a while, but other than that, I was lost. I should have known better than to just wander aimlessly in the snow. That hot cocoa that Granny Smith offered to me would just be heavenly at that moment.
I stopped moving to allow myself to just look around. Maybe, if I was lucky, I could figure out just where I was. Unfortunately for me, the haze was still thick and the clouds had refused to let any of Celestia’s sunlight to pierce through. I sat my flank down in the snow. It was freezing, but I needed to give my legs a rest from all of the trotting I had done. I shivered as I sat, waiting for something to help me out, anything.
“This was daft, just foolish of me to come out here,” I muttered quietly to myself. Amongst the stillness of the grove, only my own chastising words were audible. No woodland critters, no breeze, no movement, nothing else made a sound. And my words were correct; this was a foolish undertaking. Venturing out into the snow-covered orchard to find a pony who might not have even wanted to see me after the words we exchanged. I might not have cried, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be far off if I stayed where I was.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something: hoofprints in the snow. They certainly were not mine. This boosted both my confidence and my energy. I picked myself up off the ground and onto my own hooves. I quickly brushed the snow off of my coat. Once I was situated, I followed the prints, using them as trail markers, making a secret plea that it will lead me to my friend.
My wish was granted. After following the prints, I saw a figure standing in the fog. I could recognize that hat anywhere, even more so when it is sitting on top of her blonde mane. She was situated at the edge of the grove, on top of the hill I had been walking up this whole time.
Trying to catch my breath as I drew near, I called out, “Applejack!” My voice sounded tired and weak. The cold weather was starting to attack me, starting with my vocal chords. But I was not going to let it stop me.
The figure didn’t respond.
I called again, “Applejack!” I drew closer.
This time, the figure did turn around. I was right, it was her.
“Rarity?” she sounded surprised to see me all the way out here, and honestly, I was surprised that I had done so myself.
I finally got next to her. While I wanted to speak, I had to catch my breath. Breathing in cold air at a rapid pace was hurting my lungs.
Applejack took notice, “Rarity, calm down. Breathe in slowly or it’s gonna hurt more.”
Taking her advice, my intake slowed down and I was able to breathe normally.
“There ya go, now ain’t that better than gaspin’ fer air?” she had a small smile on her face.
I simply nodded. I took a look at what she had wrapped around her neck. It was a plain scarf, looking as if had been hoofmade. But despite being basic and bland from a fashion point of view, it looked very warm and comfortable. It really suited her.
“So what brings ya all the way out here? Ah have mah doubts ‘bout this bein’ part of yer mornin’ trot,” Applejack lightly jested.
“I’ve been looking for you all morning,” I spoke, able to seeing my breath again.
“Well, ya found me. What can ah help ya with?” Applejack’s voice sounded sincere, as if she was waiting for me to ask for her assistance.
“I need to apologize to you.”
“Apologize? Fer what?”
I was a bit taken back. surprised that she did not remember. I inhaled deeply, “For what I said to you yesterday. Do you not remember our heated argument and squabble? I went as far as to call you a number of names.”
“Oh, that?” Applejack asked. She chuckled slightly, “Heh, ah already had forgotten ‘bout that.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Applejack still had a smile on her face as she turned to look off of the hill, “Yeah, I kinda jus’ forgot ‘bout it after ah got home.”
I was dumbfounded. I had I lost sleep, ventured out into the cold morning snow and got lost in a grove of trees for nothing?
“You….You did?” I asked.
She continued to look elsewhere, “Ah did, ‘cause I got more worrisome things on my mind. Like this weather, fer starters.”
“I see….” I trailed off.
She paused before added more, “But it did hurt.”
My ears perked up at the follow up statement.
“Some of what ya said really did hurt, Rarity. Some of it kinda got under mah skin.”
My heart sunk low, lower than I think it ever had before.
Applejack continued, turning to look at me, “Ah’m sure ya didn’t mean what ya said ta me, just as ah really didn’t mean what ah said back at ya.”
“It’s true,” I meekly said, “you are not any of those things I called you, and certainly not a troglodyte.”
On her face, it looked as if Applejack was trying to hold back a laugh, “Ta be honest, ah still haven’t the foggiest clue of what that means.”
I returned the smile she gave, but only a small one, “You needn’t worry about it, darling, you are far from being one.” My expression became more somber as I hung my head to the point of my sight was directly at the snow below my hooves. I continued, “Applejack, I deeply apologize for the words I said to you. I know we don’t always see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, but….you are my friend. And I truly….value you. I just hope we can move past our differences and stay friends.”
I didn’t hear her say anything. I looked up to see her looking right back at me, with a warm smile on her face that could melt the snow around us.
“Ya certainly are the bigger pony seekin' me out ta apologize.”
“I don’t care about being the bigger pony,” I admitted, ”I just want to be your friend again.”
“Ya always were,” Applejack said, “An’ to be honest, there was no reason why ah wouldn’t not be yer friend. Sure, what we said ta each other was hurtful, but ah could never let some petty argument come between us.”
I smiled. The first real smile I’d done all day. “Thank you, Applejack.”
Applejack smiled at me and then looked back to the landscape below us. From the hill, we were treated to a magnificent view of the snow-blanketed world below, including Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville, and beyond. From here, Equestria seemed to be contained within a snowglobe after it had settled. And the skies above were starting to relent, allowing Celestia’s sunlight to break through and to reach the ground. It looked as if it was something out of a priceless painting.
“It’s gonna be a beautiful spring, ah can feel it,” Applejack mused as she watched over the world below us.
At first, I didn’t want to say anything, and I didn’t. But just being on that hill with my friend really made me think. It made me think how lucky I was to have her as a friend, how lucky I was to have all of the friends that I do have.
“Applejack, thank you for being my friend. I know it might seem like I don’t care at times, but I really don’t want to seem ungrateful. I’m lucky to have you as a friend, to help me get through the hard times and be there for the good as well.”
At first, she spoke without turning her head toward me. “Rarity,” she started before turning her head to face me, “the same goes ta ya. Thanks fer bein’ mah friend.”
Those words made my heart soar.
“Now, how ‘bout we get out of this snow an’ get some hot cocoa back at my house?”
“I would love to, Applejack.”
END