You wake up the next morning, back sore from sleeping armored in a chair all night. You stand and take a moment to stretch, eliciting some loud pops of your vertebrae as you do. You make your way into the kitchen, already smelling the scent of freshly toasted bread. Entering you find a small plate of preservative covered toast waiting for you, a note standing next to it. Picking up the note and a piece of toast you begin to read as you eat, enjoying the sweetness.

"Dear Rowan, I've gone off to Canterlot and won't be back for a few days. Sorry that I didn't tell you, but I left early and I didn't want to wake you. Try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone. ~~Love,~~ Sincerely, Twilight" you finish reading the note as you finish the last piece of bread, noticing that Spike was gone too.

You shrug that off as him either being in Ponyville running errands and such, or in Canterlot with Twilight. Stepping outside of the library you take a moment to flip the open sign around to closed and shut the door behind yourself, unable to lock it due to the lack of the device. With the library mostly secure you made your way into Ponyville proper in search of Lyra, wanting to speak with her and find out what she knew about humans. However, as you are strolling around town a commotion catches your attention. Approaching the sounds you notice a crowd of ponies, worriedly speaking to each other in hushed tones. Clearing your throat you make yourself know to the crowd, briefly startling a few of them. Deciding to try and take a less intimidating demeanor you take a knee, coming closer to eye level with the ponies in front of you.

"What is this about, what seems to be the qualm?" You ask, noticing the tension disperse a bit as a emerald mare steps up to you.

"M-me and my husband were having a picnic in the field over there when a pack of timberwolves came out of the Everfree and attacked us" She began, her eyes beginning to water.

"My husband tried to fight them off, but got injured. But, t-they, they took our foal! Please help us, nopony dares to go into the Everfree" She pleaded with you as tears began to stream down her face.

"Hush now, I Sir Rowan of the Knight's Templar order will accept thine request and will return to you thine child" You say, giving the worried mare a scratch behind her ears, making sure not to hurt her with your gauntleted hand.

"Now, couldist thou give me a description of thine child?" You ask as you stand back to your full height, now towering over the ponies around you.

"He's got a light grey coat with an emerald mane, his name is Sky Chaser, he's a pegasus like his father" she explained a sad look forming behind her eyes.

"Fret not good mare, I shalt return thine child in haste!" You exclaim as you made your way into the dense and ominous woods ahead, not looking back at the shocked ponies behind you.

You made your way deeper and deeper into the woods, using the tricks that your brothers and after had taught you in tracking wild game. Broken branches, footprints, a small trail of blood, a tuft of emerald hair. You were going the right way, although you were still unarmed. Unsure as to where Twilight had hidden away your arms, you were glad that you at least had your dagger, a prize that you took from a Saracen commander one raid. Making your way along the trail, you took note that it was becoming dark. Strange, you thought, you feel as if you had just entered the woods only a few moments ago. Perhaps it was just more of the magic Twilight had taught you about at work, deciding to not worry about it you continue onwards. Finally reaching what appeared to be the end of the trail, you noticed a cave hidden away amongst the trees. You could hear a quiet sobbing coming from inside, accompanied with a deep vibrating growl. You took cover behind a mossy rock as you watched a large creature exit the cave. It looked as if it was a wolf, but completely made out of bits and pieces of wood, its size slightly dwarfing yours. Taking your dagger in hand you snuck your way around the rock, trying to stick to the foliage as much as possible, hoping your armor's sounds didn't attract the attention of the beast. Now poised a few feet off to the left of the creature you took position to strike, your muscles in your legs tensing up in preparation of your lunge.

Springing forth from the underbrush you were able to catch the beast unaware and drove your dagger deep between the wood under it's maw, feeling warm sap begin to coat your gauntlet as you pierced through the wood, an arm around it's snout to silence its last moments. With its life drained it broke apart into the wood that once formed its body, the pieces falling harmlessly onto the ground. With a content and relieved exhale you turned to enter the cave, only to be met face-to-face with the open maw of another 'timber wolf', it's rows of sharpened wood teeth coated in a dark crimson. You were only able to get your left arm in front of you, an instinct you had learned from having a shield on you most of the time. This time however you did not, this fact making itself evident as you felt the wooden teeth pierce through the chain protecting your forearm, some teeth getting through the gauntlet, but most cracking and shattering against the tempered metal.

"Ahhh!" You let out, wrenching your arm from the timberwolf's mouth, taking a few teeth with you as you did.

Flipping your dagger around in hand so that the blade was facing downward you drove the blade into the back of the creature, missing your target of its head as it lunged and connected its jaws with your torso. Feeling the teeth once again pierce through the light cloth covering, continuing through the chain armor underneath and finding home sunk into your sides, you pulled the dagger towards yourself, dragging the blade through the skull of the wooden creature. This causes the beast to crumble into pieces, leaving teeth embedded in you where it had bit. Taking a moment to focus through the pain you honed your senses in search of any more timberwolves, assuming that like their form they lived and hunted in groups larger than two. With your dagger at the ready in one hand, the other uselessly hanging limp, blood trailing down and dripping onto the wood shards and dirt beneath you, you scanned your surroundings. Not noticing any more, perhaps they have gone after more prey, you thought as you relaxed your posture and limped inside the cave, following the quiet sobbing emanating from within.

Coming to the back of the cave you could only barely make out the form of a small pony, curled-up in the corner of the cave. Slowly approaching as to not startle him, you sheathed your dagger and made your way on all fours towards him.

"Psst, come here child. I beith here to rescue you, I swear no harm will come upon thou" you say in your kindest tone, noticing the foal rise and begin limping towards you.

"I just want to go home to my mommy and daddy" he said through pained tears, the salty liquid mixing with the wounds along his side where you would assume he was held in the mouth of a timberwolf.

"I shalt return thee to thine parent, however thou must not be frightened by mine appearance and must trust me" you explain, holding out your good hand to the injured foal.

"Ok, you promise you'll get me home?" He asks, taking your gauntleted hand under hoof and using it to brace himself.

"I swear upon the name of His Holiness himself and the Knight's Templar order, I shalt see thee returned safely" you say reassuringly as you pull him closer and into the light of the cave mouth.

You watch as his face goes from relief to terror, then back to a more rested look, taking to heart what you had said about 'not being scared by the way you looked'. You quickly catch him with your good arm as he collapses into you, now able to see that he had a line of wounds along his sides, some teeth remaining in him. You decide to use your training to help him, even if it would hurt him simultaneously. Removing your tunic you brace one hand against him as you grab hold of one of the teeth embedded in his side.

"This may hurt and I apologize, but it will assist thee in thine wellbeing" you warn him before swiftly pulling out the tooth, a piercing scream of agony ringing out from him as he tries to bite onto his hoof to muffle the cry.

You proceed to preform this procedure two more times, causing the foal to draw blood from his hoof from biting it too hard. With all of the teeth removed you then wrap him tightly in your tunic, staining the white fabric crimson, but also slowing the blood flowing from the foal's wounds. With the wounds treated as best you could right now, you scoop the injured foal under your good arm and started making your way towards what you remember the location of Ponyville was, hoping to be out of the wood before night fully fell. Following the trail in reverse with your senses perked, now begging to feel weak from the exertion of having to cary this foal and your wounds you pressed onward, fighting off the lingering tendrils of unconsciousness.

"Oh my, oh no" you hear a soft voice speak as you push through the last branches and come into a clearing, the lights of Ponyville off in the distance, but a small hut close by with a yellow pegasus standing out side, hooves covering her mouth as she stared at the foal and you in shock.

Collapsing onto the ground, making sure not to fall on top of the already injured foal, you notice the pegasus approach hesitantly, fear in her eyes. You push the foal towards her and follow her gaze as she notices the injured pony and quickly rushes inside, emerging moments later with a small bag with a red cross on it. Chuckling, or more-so gurgling on your own blood you found it funny that they had your order's symbol on something here. You watch as she begins to tend to the injured foal as you vision begins to tunnel, blackness creeping along the edges, until you are fully consumed by the dark and drift into unconsciousness.

"Sir Rowan, What hath happened?" You hear Luna say as you open your eyes to the familiar sight of the unending darkness of your dreamscape, this was a good sign. It meant that you weren't dead, yet.

"I hath injured mineself in quest to rescue a foal, I do pray he is faring well" you say, a bit of worry for the young pony seeping into your voice.

"I hath visited his dreams, he is well. Though without you I believe he would not be so" Luna said a hint of pain taking her face, but was quickly cast away as she looked back at you, a smile now gracing her lips.

"I had said that I wished to speak with you again, however this is nary what I hath meant by that" she said, a light chuckle escaping her.

"Well, I suppose that since we art already here to take advantage of this?" You venture, eliciting another laugh from Luna, this one less restricted than the last.

"Maybe another time good Sir Rowan, I believe that thou art to awaken soon. Plus, I would like to speak to thee in person, come visit in Canterlot, I may have a reward for thine valor" Luna says as you begin to feel yourself awakening, giving Luna a farewell bow.

"I shalt see thee again soon, in person of course" you finish as you begin to awaken, the black dreamscape flooding with white light.

"Fare thee well Sir Rowan, try not to injure yourself again" she says as you are surrounded by the white light and awaken.

You wake up to find yourself surrounded by animals of all sorts, all of them looking at you. Sitting up you cause many of the animals to retreat, leaving only a single white rabbit. It stood there, its small arms crossed and thumping it's foot impatiently. Moving to stand up you are stopped by a stinging pain and find that your wounds on your torso and arm have been treated and wrapped, also your armor was stripped from you, its shining shape lying a few feet away on a table. Forcing yourself to your feet you stumble your way over to your armor and brace yourself against the table. You slowly begin to dawn your armor, finding your tunic also on the pile, still stained and punctured. Donning your armor and tunic you are brought back to your senses by a gentle voice behind you.

"Um, excuse me? I don't think it's a good idea to be putting those back on so quickly, your wounds just closed" the voice says, you spin around to look at the same yellow pegasus from last night. She quickly hides behind her long pink mane, apparently scared of you.

"Uh, forgive me m'lady I didn't mean to startle thee. May I ask thee thine name?" You ask, dropping onto a knee letting out a pained gasp and your body shifted, making pain shoot through your fresh wounds.

The mare tucks further behind her mane and says something that you couldn't quite make out, the volume too low. Tilting your head you give her a kind smile, making sure not to bare your teeth.

"I'm afraid I couldn't quite make that out, couldist thou repeat what thoust said?" You ask, noticing the pegasus come out from behind her mane a bit.

"F-fluttershy, my name is Flutte..." She says, her voice becoming quieter and quieter, until it was inaudible.

"Well lady Fluttershy I must thank thee for thine services, without thine assistance I surely would have perished" you finish giving her a big smile and exteding your unarmored hand and giving her a scratch behind the ear.

At first your touch caused her to tense up, wings flaring as if she was going to fly away, but she soon calmed and began to enjoy your touch, pushing her head into your palm. You give her a few more scratches before retracting your hand, noticing a small frown at the loss of your touch. Standing back up to full height and placing your last gauntlet and helmet on you looked down at the slightly panicked mare.

"Where have thout placed the foal? I must return him to his family" you say, watching Fluttershy extend a hoof that pointed upstairs. Giving her a bow you proceed up the stairs.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs you noticed the sound of gentle snoring coming from the door to your left, upon opening you find the foal. His wounds were gone, his flesh and fur having grown back completely. You took notice of a collection of strangely shaped bottles along side the bed on a nearby table, most of which were empty. Assuming that those were the reason that he had healed so well, you lightly shake the foal awake. Watching his eyes begin to open slowly then a look of sadness come across his face.

"Y-youre not my parents, I'm not home yet" he cried out, tears beginning to form at the corners of his eyes.

"Not yet yes, but we must make haste back to Ponyville! They art waiting for thee there" You exclaim, watching as the look of sadness melts away, replaced by a fire of determination on the foals face.

"Well why're we still here, let's go!" Sky Chaser exclaimed while hopping out of bed, quickly running underneath you and down the stair.

You follow slowly after him, bracing yourself against the wall to keep yourself stable. Making your way down the stairs you wished Fluttershy a farewell, giving her a deep bow that shot a lightning bolt of pain through you. Grimacing you stand and proceed out the door, fooling the foal into town with a hand held around your torso to ease the pain emanating from there. After a short walk you found yourself back in Ponyville, ponies emerging from their houses as you followed the foal through town, until he stopped at a house and knocked on the door. You watched as a injured steel grey pegasus stallion opened the door, soon accompanied by the familiar emerald mare you and met yesterday. The two of them took the foal into their embrace, a touching scene as you watched from a few feet ahead of them. The mare went inside with the foal as the stallion turn to you, giving you a big smile and a swift nod before shortly disappearing inside and then reemerging with a small pouch in his teeth. He trotted up to you and placed the bag onto the ground in front of you, he looked up at you, now visible tears of joy in his eyes.

"I can't thank you enough for saving my son, please I know it's not much, but I want you to have these bits. There's no amount that I can ever give you that would repay you for what you did" the stallion said before holding out his hoof, you took it and shook, the smile growing on his face as you did.

"I thank thee for thine generosity, but I cannot accept this" you protest, attempting to give the bits back to the stallion.

"No no, you earned that and much, much more. You're a hero, whatever you are" he said giving you an awkward smile and went back into the house, closing the door behind him.

Picking up the bag you opened it to find a collection of gold coins inside, shuffling them around it looked to be around fifty of these so-called 'bits'. Tying the bag to your belt, you made your way to the library, hoping to find Spike and regale him with your tale of heroism.

Author's Note

Sorry this took so long to get published (in comparison to the other chapters). I was unsure how to write this chapter and I hope that I did a good enough job of it. I've also been working on other side fics.

More chapters will be released to progress Sir Rowan's story, expect them soon (but not too soon, LOL)

Again, hope you enjoyed this chapter!

~Muddy