A Hearth's Warming Carol

Chapters

Scrooged
Past
Present
Future
Redemption
Prologue

Scrooged

"Do I look like I care if you miss the city carriage?" The white unicorn asked the maid who was currently polishing an oak desk in the prince's office.

"But your highness, If I miss the carriage I wont be able to pick up my son from daycare before they close." Spicken Span pleaded. "Besides, It's Hearth's Warming Eve."

Prince Blueblood glared at her upon her mention of the upcoming holiday. "What did I say about mentioning that day?" He asked Spicken with coldness in his eyes.

"Never to?"

"Right." Blueblood said as he glared at her. "Besides, the carriage won't arrive for a couple of hours. You have plenty of time!"

Spicken Span had been working for Blueblood for the past three years and she knew he was always the nastiest around Hearth's Warming. "Once you finish the desk, Dust and pollish the bookcase then get out!" He said turning back to the paperwork in front of him. Despite being a prince, Celestia informed him that if he wished to remain in the castle he would have to do some form of royal duty that required paperwork. Lately he was working on the tax forms of public companies.

After about an hour Blueblood heard a soft a soft knocking on the office door and he gave a short grumble.

"Enter!" He commanded. as the door opened he saw a soft pink familiar smiling face poke in.

"Knockaty knock knock knock, Blue!" Princess Cadence said in a sweet sing-song voice. "Happy Hearth's Warming!"

Blueblood cringed a little at the mention of the holiday greeting. "Hello Cadence. How are you doing?" He asked with little actual interest as his only cousin entered his office and walked up to his desk.

"I'm doing very well. How about you?"

"I'm fine." Blueblood said flatly.

"You don't look it. Whats wrong Blue?"

"I'm just under a lot of stress dealing with work and royal duties and certain ponies who just can't do their jobs like they're supposed to" he said stealing a quick glance at Spicken. "Is there a reason you came here?"

"Actually yes!!" She said perking up. "I came here to see if you wanted to come and dine with me tomorrow!"

"Just you?" He said raising an eyebrow.

"Not just me but my husband Shining Armor and his family at their house."

Blueblood gave a short chuckle. "Why ever did you get married?"

"Because I fell in love!" Cadence said while chuckling.

"Love!? That's the only thing in Equestria more ridiculous than Hearth's Warming!"

Cadence was in slight shock. "Surly you don't mean that!"

"I do dear cousin."

"But Blue..." She said gently reaching a hoof towards him.

"But nothing Cadence." He said swating her hoof away. "You keep Hearth's Warming your way and let me keep it my way."

"But you don't keep it at all!" she said looking a little hurt.

"Let me leave it alone, then. What good has it done for any of us?"

"What good has it done for any of us!?" Cadence could barely believe her ears. "Why its the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when stallions and mares seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely and to think of ponies below them as if they really were not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, dear cousin, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, bless it!"

Blueblood realized he had no reasonable answer to her long winded statement so he just grunted and said "Bah".

Princess Cadence knew it was no use trying to argue with her cousin so she sighed before asking "Does this mean your not coming to dinner tomorrow?"

Blueblood looked back at the paperwork on his desk. "I'm sorry to disappoint you Cadence but I'll have to decline. Now if you would be so kind, I have work to do. Good day."

"But Blue, we've never done anything together since we were foals."

"And stop with the nicknames. I'm Blueblood, Not Blue!"

Cadence's face fell. "But, I've always called you blue and you've always called me Caddie"

Bluelood looked up from his desk and glared at Cadence. "And since then we grew up. Good day."

"I don't want anything from you Blueblood. I just want to be friends again."

"I said good day." Blueblood simply said.

Cadence sighed in defeat and headed towards the door, but before she left the room she looked back at her cousin and said " I don't even know if you care but you'll always be my favorite cousin." Blueblood went to look at her but she had already shut the door once again leaving him to his work.

After about half an hour Spicken Span had finished her work. "I'm all finished your highness." she said.

"And you'll want all day tomorrow, I suppose?" said Blueblood as he once again glared at her.

"Well it is a national holiday, after all."

"And I'm guessing you also want to be paid for tomorrow too right?"

Spicken Span didn't know how to answer the prince's question without repercussions so she just looked at her hooves.

Blueblood just sighed and looked back at the paper in front of him. "It's a poor excuse for picking a stallion's pocket every twenty-fifth of December! But I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next morning, you hear me."

Spicken was overjoyed. "Oh thank you Prince Blueblood! Thank you!" Spicken Span then fled the office in a heartbeat leaving Blueblood alone with his work.

The sun had started to sink beneath the horizon as the moon rose rather wobbly(which meant that Luna had gotten into the spiked eggnog) and Blueblood had finished his work. After filing his papers and re-shelving his books, he left his office and headed towards his sleeping chambers only to come face to face with a pair of well dressed stallions. Both of then smiled at Bluelood before the taller one spoke.

"Good evening your highness. As you can tell, we are from the Ponies of Good Will charity association. At this festive season of the year, it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many are in want of common necessaries; and even more are in want of common comforts. Would you be willing to make a donation?"

"No" Blueblood simply said.

"But your highness, these donations will go towards helping those who aren't as fortunate as you and I. A few of us are endeavoring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some food and drink and means of warmth."

"Are there no poor houses or union workhouses?" Blueblood simply asked.

"Yes your highness, there are."

"Well then, why doesn't the poor just go there." Blueblood said not really asking.

"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."

"If they would rather die," said Blueblood, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. I said no sirs. You asked if I wanted to make a donation and that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Hearth's Warming and I don't intend to make idle ponies merry. That is all I have to say on the matter, so good evening sirs."

Blueblood walked past the gentleponies and continued to his sleeping chambers. Halfway through the castle he came upon Princess Celestia who was talking with one of the guards about the upcoming festivities. "Don't worry. I have it all taken care of. Happy Hearth's Warming Ironside." After Ironside left, Celestia turned towards Blueblood.

"Prince Blueblood, how are you this evening?"

"I'm doing well Auntie, and you?"

"Very well. Thank you." She then sighed. "I have been hearing some disturbing news regarding your treatment of other ponies."

Blueblood acted surprised. "I don't know what your talking about."

Celestia sighed again before continuing. "Blueblood, I implore you to please treat other ponies with respect and kindness."

"I do." Blueblood lied.

"Good." Celestia said. "You wouldn't want the spirits after you would you?"

"Spirits?" Blueblood asked.

Celestia cleared her throat and started reciting a poem from long ago.

If one who's heart Hearth's Warming isn't in.

On the eve the spirits visits shall begin.

Past Present Future is where they shall go.

And onto the sinner his sins they will show.

Blueblood just rolled his eyes and waved his hoof. "Oh auntie, that's just an old mares tale. It's just told to young foals to make them behave."

Celestia shook her head and said "I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss it Blueblood. It happened to my sister Luna once many years ago." Celestia then started walking down the hall. "Heed my warning, be nice or else!"

Blueblood shook his head and continued towards his room. "It's just a stupid old poem." He thought to himself. Once he entered his room he closed the window, changed into his nightshirt, prepared his bed, and soon fell asleep unaware that in a few moments somepony would enter his room in a flash of white light and take him on a magical journey.

Past

It took a few moments for Blueblood to realize somepony was gently prodding him in his side. Once he realized this, he sat right up in bed and came nose to nose with a pegasus who was floating over his bed, causing him to yell out. "WHAT THE HAY? How Dare you enter my room! I should call the guards!"

The Pegasus gave a quick "eep", retreated a bit and tried to hide her face in her mane. "Oh, I'm sorry to startle you....but um...I'm here to help you. You see I'm the ghost of Hearth's Warming past!"

Blueblood looked harder at the pegasus and found to his surprise that she was slightly transparent! She had a pale yellow coat and a light pink mane that fluttered around her like there was a gentle breeze around her. She wore a beautiful dress that seemed to be made of pure lace that also fluttered as if caught in the same breeze her hair was in. Around her neck was a necklace from which hung a small branch of holly and on her back was strapped what appeared to be a giant candle snuffer. Blueblood had to slightly shield his eyes for on top of her head radiated a brilliant light like that of a drop of Celestia's sun. Blueblood cowered a little under his blanket. "Why are you here? What do you want from me?"

The spirit gently patted his shoulder with his hoof surprising Blueblood that he could actually feel it. "Shh. It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. Like I said I'm here for your welfare."

Blueblood was still skeptical to the figure in front of him. "How do I know that this Isn't just some form of unicorn magic? This could just be somepony playing a prank on me! Well you can tell them that when I find then I will personally make sure they are banished from Equestria! Now leave my chambers immediately!" Blueblood lay back down and tried to go back to sleep, but he heard the spirit whisper something to herself that sounded like "Don't be shy. Look them in the eye" and then found himself lifted out of bed and again face to face with the spirit who was staring into his eyes with such force that he started the shake!.

"Now listen here mister!" The spirit scolded. "Just because you're a prince doesn't mean you get to yell and be mean to everypony whenever you want! Now I am here to show you some things from your past and you are going to watch them, you got that?" Blueblood cringed and nodded slightly before being gently let down. The spirit's gentle demeanor then returned as she put her hoof into her dress pocket and extracted a small hoofull of glittering dust. After she then proceeded to sprinkle on the chamber's main door, the door started to glow much to Blueblood's surprise.

"There now." She said turning to blueblood and smiling. "Ready?"

Blueblood simply raised an eyebrow. "Why is it glowing?"

"Thats the Lights of Long Ago. The spirit said as she opened the door.

"It’s your lucky night!

Brought you something bright!

Something with

A twinkle and a glow.

To remember

The lights of long ago.

Remember

The lights of long ago.

Glimmers in the dark!

Here and there a spark!

Suddenly a picture starts to grow.

Come remember

The lights of long ago.

Remember

The lights of long ago

A foal!

Is this who you used to be?

A scene! Shining from your past.

The vast vistas of your memory,

The shadows

You cast…

Remember…

And see the light at last.

Remember, Prince Blueblood,

Hold fast…

Onward through the night,

Onward toward the light,

Onward to a place your heart will know.

Come remember

The lights of long ago.

Remember…

The lights of long ago-o-o…

Remember…remember…remember

The lights of long ago."

Once the spirit's song ended, Blueblood walked through the door to find he was not in the hallway that had always been there but instead he was in a room he hadn't been in for many years. As he looked around he noticed a figure. A unicorn mare was sitting in an old overstuffed armchair working on some knitting while she hummed to herself. A mare whose face made him start to tear up.

"M-m-mama? Mama, It's me!" he cried out to her but stopped when he felt the spirit's hoof on his shoulder.

"These are only visions of what has been. They can't see or hear us. I'm sorry." Blueblood then quietly stood there and watched the scene in front of him unfolded.

Lady Tudor had just started working on her knitting when the doorbell rang. She got up from her armchair and opened the door to find the mailmare standing there holding a very official scroll held shut with a royal seal. After taking it and opening it her eyes widened to the size of saucers and she called out to her son.

"Blueblood! Blueblood, come in here sweetie!" She cried.

A young colt came running into the room. "Yes mama? Is something wrong?"

Blueblood's mother was staring at the scroll and beaming. "No! Nothing's wrong. In fact, I have good news for you. You have been accepted into Celestia's Royal Academy!"

Blueblood looked hopefully up at his mother. "Does this mean I'm going to be a prince mama?"

"Maybe. If you do good and do what your supposed to you will. Now we better go get you packed, your leaving for the castle in a few days." Lady Tudor said heading for Blueblood's bedroom.

"Aren't you coming to?" He said looking up at his mother.

His mother stopped and looked at her son sorrowfully. "Sadly...no. Only you can go."

Blueblood stopped and clung to his mother's leg. "But, I don't want to go anywhere without you mama. Why can't you come with me?"

Lady Tudor used her magic to pick up her son and put him on her back. "Now listen to me. It's going to be alright. You're going to go the castle and you're going to do so well that Celestia would be crazy NOT to make you a prince! And don't worry. I'm going to visit so often you won't have time to miss me, okay?

Blueblood wrapped his hooves around his mothers neck and said "okay mama".

Blueblood stared at his former self hugging his mother and he could barely keep from crying. "Please tell me spirit, how is reliving this supposed to help me?"

"To save your future, we have to look at your past, the best place to start is your foalhood. Did she visit you at the castle much?" The spirit asked.

Blueblood wiped a tear from his cheek before telling her "She visited daily for the first couple of weeks but then her visits got more and more infrequent until two years later when she stopped completely."

"I know your sad but we still have more to see." The spirit said before reaching for another hoofull of magic dust and sprinkling it on the door they had come through. "Let us continue to our next destination." She said as she opened the door and let Blueblood pass into the next scene.

Blueblood found himself standing in the snow covered courtyard of Canterlot Castle watching as two familiar foals were playing with each other in the snow. One he recognized as himself who was slightly older than the previous scene and the other foal was...

Cadence threw another snowball at Blueblood who dodged it and threw one right back at her hitting her in the hind leg. "I'm gonna get you for that Blue!" She cried picking up another snowball

"I'd like to see you try Caddie!" Blueblood laughed as he dove behind a snowdrift to avoid the oncoming projectile. Cadence waited for him to come out from behind it but after a few moments she decided to go over there to see if he was okay. Sure enough as she rounded the drift she found that Blueblood had rolled onto a small rock and had skinned his knee.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry! Are you okay? Do you need help?" She asked reaching in to help him up.

"I'm fine. It's just a small scratch. It doesn't even hurt." he said standing up and smiling.

Cadence still looked concerned. "Are you sure?"

Blueblood simply chuckled before saying "How's this for fine?" and tackling Cadence to the ground. They rolled down the hill with both of them in laughing fits, and when they landed at the bottom they laughed some more before they started making a snow mare.

"Blue." Cadence said once they had finished. "Your my very best friend."

"And your mine too Caddie."

"And we'll always be friends forever...right?" She asked hopefully.

"Yah, forever."

The spirit then turned to Blueblood and asked "Are you still friends with Cadence?".

Blueblood thought back the the fight they had earlier that evening before simply saying "I tried".

"What happened?" The spirit asked.

Blueblood turned away from the two happy foals, wiped a bunch of tears away and said "Things....things got in the way."

The spirit then led him to another door on the side of the castle which she then sprinkled with more of the magic dust. When the door was opened it revealed Blueblood and Cadence's coronation party. The entire hall was decorated with streamers and confetti. Ponies of all sizes and ages were gathered throughout the hall talking and laughing. After walking among them for a bit Blueblood finally found his past self talking with princess Cadence. He had just left foalhood behind and was beginning to look like a fine looking stallion. Blueblood simply smiled as he and the spirit watched the scene in front of him unfold.

"I still can't get over the fact that we're officially royalty! Can you believe it Blue?" Cadence said examining her new tiara before placing it back on her head.

"It's still quite a shock." He said grinning at her. "I tell you the first thing I'm going to do is help rebuild that school that got destroyed last year. You?"

"Well, I have been talking to Auntie Celestia about building a home for single parents who need a roof over their heads. What do you think?"

"I think you would have done that even if you weren't made a princess." He chuckled "You care for everypony so much."

As the party continued Blueblood and Cadence had talked with practically everypony and soon predictably the topics eventually led to romance. "So Caddie, you still got that thing for the Sparkle colt? What's his name, Shiny Armor?" Blueblood teased.

Cadence blushed and gently shoved him. "Blue!!" She exclaimed, slightly embarrassed. "He's only a friend. And his name is Shining Armor." She then rounded on him. "What about you, huh? Is there anypony that you fancy?"

Now it was Blueblood's turn to blush. "Well...there is somepony."

Cadence asked who it was and in response, Blueblood's eyes glanced over until they landed on a thin, beautiful mare, about Blueblood's age, with a white coat and a pink mane. Cadence could barely stop herself from giggling. "Fleur De Lis?! Really?!"

"What's wrong with her?" Blueblood angrily asked. "She's sweet, kind, beautiful and she cares for others."

Cadence held up her hooves defensively. "I never said she wasn't. It's just that she always seems a bit distracted. She's always daydreaming and she's been known to drop everything one moment to work on another thing the next."

Blueblood sighed. "I know. That's what I love about her. Plus, whatever project she's working on is always for the benefit of somepony else."

Cadence gave him a slight shove. "Well why don't you go and say something to her?"

Blueblood backed up a bit. "Oh I'm not her type."

Cadence rolled her eyes and gave Blueblood another shove. "Are you kidding? You just said the first thing you wanted to do as prince was build a school! That's just the kind of project she would love to do. You two are made for each other."

"Are you sure?" He asked to which Cadence nodded. Blueblood then gulped and made up his mind. "Okay.....here I go." He walked over to Fleur and after getting her attention he introduced himself. "H-Hi F-Fleur. You look nice t-tonight."

"Thank you your highness......Are you okay Prince Blueblood? Your shaking and sweating." She answered.

"She was the most beautiful mare I had ever seen." Blueblood said upon seeing his first love again. "Like a flower sprinkled with fresh spring dew. We fell in love that night and the next year I proposed to her." Blueblood had forgot the spirit was there until she spoke to him.

"There was. Of course, another Hearth's Warming Eve, with this young mare some years later." She said reaching for another hooful of dust and heading for the closest door.

Blueblood turned to the spirit with worry on his face. "Oh please Spirit, don't show me that night. I beg you." However, once he entered the next scene he found that to his horror it was indeed the night he dreaded seeing.

Blueblood and Fleur were both sitting on an elegant loveseat. Fleur's eyes were puffy as if she were crying and Blueblood was holding her hoof.

"I just can't keep this up anymore Blueblood. I'm tired of pretending that everything is okay."

"But everything IS okay Fleur." Blueblood assured her.

"No it isn't. You've changed since we first met. You were so full of love, but now your heart has hardened.

"But not for you. It beats for you." He said placing her hoof over his heart. "I would do anything for you."

Fleur took her hoof back and stood up. "What about that school you promised to build back when you were made a prince? You always said you would build it, but you never did."

Blueblood stood up as well. "Is that what this is all about? We can still build it."

Fleur shook her head and turned away from him. "It's not just that. You treat everypony like your more important than them."

"But I'm a prince."

Fleur then turned around and pointed at him. "See! Right there! The stallion I fell in love with would never say something like that! You've changed Prince Blueblood, and you've changed for the worse!" A single tear fell down her cheek which Blueblood wiped away before saying that he loved her. Fleur shook her head and turned from him. "You did once.

There was a time when I was sure

that you and I were truely one,

that our future was forever

and would never come undone,

and we came so close to being close...

and though you cared for me

there's distance in your eyes tonight

so we're not meant to be.

The love is gone,

the love is gone,

the sweetest dream

that you had ever known.

The love is gone,

the love is gone,

I wish you well

but I must leave you now alone.

There comes a moment in your life

like a window, and you see

your future there before you

and how perfect life can be,

but adventure calls with unknown voices

pulling you away...

Be careful or you may regret

the choice you make someday...

When love is gone,

when love is gone,

the sweetest dream

that we had ever known.

When love is gone,

when love is gone,

I wish you well

but I must leave you now alone.

(Blueblood left the spirit's side, walked over to Fleur and sang along with her)

It was almost love,

it was almost always,

it was like a fairytale we'd live out

you and I.

And yes some dreams come true,

and yes some dreams go through...

and yes the time has come

for us to say goodbye.

Yes some dreams come true,

and yes some dreams go through...

and yes the time has come

for us to say goodbye."

Blueblood sobbed as he watched Fleur leave his room and his life. "GO AFTER HER YOU FOOL!!" He yelled at his past self as she closed the door leaving him all alone. Blueblood then turned to the spirit and through his tears he yelled. "YOU! SHOW ME NO MORE! WHY DO YOU DELIGHT IN TORTURING ME WITH THESE PAINFUL MEMORIES?"

The spirit retreated into a corner and through frightened tears of her own she said "I-I-I'm s-s-sorry, but I t-told you that these were sh-shadows form that p-past. They are w-what they are, I have no c-control over them."

But Blueblood was still furious. "LEAVE ME SPIRIT! GO AWAY! HAUNT ME NO LONGER!" In his rage he grabbed the spirit's candle snuffer and shoved it over the frightened mare, completely covering her in order to extinguish it's light. But no matter how hard he pressed he could still see the light from within and still hear the spirits sobs until a wave of exhaustion caused him to collapse into a heap.

Blueblood woke some time later and found he was lying on his bed back in his bedroom. After getting his bearings, his thoughts turned to the poem that Princess Celestia had told him earlier that evening and realized that a second spirit was probably on it's way. Blueblood got up from his bed and opened his front door to see if it still was under the influence of the first spirit's magic. After seeing that it had gone back to being a normal door he turned back towards his bed only to find it already occupied by a glowing figure!

Present

Blueblood stared at the strange figure on his bed. She clearly was a pegasus with a coat of bright cyan blue and a remarkable rainbow mane and tail. She wore a light green robe that was tied around her middle with a sash of red ribbon and a buckle in the shape of a horn of plenty. on her head she wore a crown made of ivy and holly berries. Blueblood approached the pegasus and asked "Are you the next spirit who is supposed to visit me?"

"Yup. That's me!" The spirit answered. "I am the ghost of Hearth's Warming Present."

"Hearth's Warming Presents?" Blueblood asked.

The spirit sighed and rolled her eyes. "No. Hearth's Warming PRESENT! You know, first there was past and now there is present. Duh. Now come on, we have a lot of things to see and we're burning daylight."

Blueblood was confused. "Daylight? But it's still..." The spirit cut him off by drawing the curtains and flooding the room in sunlight. "...nightime." He finished.

The spirit opened the window and looked down. "And here's our first visit." She then turned to Blueblood and pointed out the window. "Come over here and check this out."

Blueblood looked out the window at a secret section of the castle's courtyard to see both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna engaged in a snowball fight just like the one that Blueblood and Cadence had all those years ago. "Is that Auntie Celestia and Auntie Luna!? What are they doing?" He asked with surprise.

"They are engaged in a Hearth's Warming tradition that the both of them created since before they were princesses, before they lived in the castle and even before they had their cutie marks. Every year, they have a snowball fight to remind them of their foalhood. That's why it always snows at Hearth's Warming! Pretty Neat huh? Just imagine the pain this day must have caused Princess Celestia during the thousand years that she ruled alone. And yet there she is, acting just like a filly again." The spirit explained.

Blueblood stared at the two rulers until the spirit tapped his shoulder. "We have a lot and I mean a lot of things to see. Grab my robe and hold on tight!" Blueblood grabbed the spirit's robe in his teeth and found himself rising off the floor. "Ready?" The spirit asked and before she could get an answer she rocketed out the window and flew through the sky like a comet. The two of them sped from house to house, town to town and city to city, checking out how families around Equestria celebrated Hearth's Warming.

Vinyl Scratch and Octavia sat on their couch and swapped two identical looking gifts. Vinyl smiled and opened the gift from her marefriend revealing a record. "Iron Blimp! The farewell tour edition! Octy, this is amazing! Thank you!"

Octavia then opened her gift. "The Best of Flank Sinatra! Oh Vinyl, I love it!"

The both of them sat back on the couch before Octavia said "What do you want to now?". They both looked at each other for a few seconds before both making a mad dash to be the first one to the record player.

Lyra handed Bon Bon a medium size gift bag and said "This is only half of my gift to you. I'll tell you the other half once you unwrap this".

Bon Bon unwrapped her gift to reveal a new hairbrush to replace the her previous one that had broke. "Oh Lyra, thank you! Just what I needed. Now what's the other half?"

Lyra looked her right in the eyes to show she meant business. "The next week will be just about us. You and me. None of me obsessing over humans or anything like that, I promise. You're more important."

Bon Bon found herself chuckling as she handed Lyra her gift. "Are you rally sure?" she asked.

"I mean it." Lyra simply said as she tore the wrapping to reveal a thick book with an aged cover.

HUMANS

Fact or Fiction?

Lyra's jaw dropped as she read and reread the title. "Bon Bon.....I don't know what to say." Lyra then gently placed the book on the coffee table and wrapped her hooves around Bon Bon. "Thank you so much!"

Derpy and Dinky were at the kitchen counter decorating Gingerbread Ponies and talking among themselves while Sparkler placed another pan into the oven to bake.

"But what if he doesn't make it in time for the party?" dinky asked her mother while placing N&Ns on one cookie.

"Don't worry Muffin, he said he'd only be gone a few moments." Derpy answered piping icing on another cookie.

"But that's what he told that one girl, and twelve years later for her was a few seconds for him."

Derpy patted her daughter reassuringly on the head. "That was when he was using his TARDIS. But he's only gone down to the store for some milk. Don't worry. We'll all be together for Hearth's Warming." She said placing a tiny dollop of icing on her daughter's nose and laughed to herself as Dinky tried to lick it off.

Blueblood and the spirit spent most of the day flying from town to town watching others celebrate the holiday, but as the day wore on they found themselves headed back to Canterlot. They soon landed in front of a large building with a plaque next to the front door.

Canterlot Home

For Single Parents

"Come on! Let's check this place out! I doubt you even knew this building was built. Your cousin Princess Cadence built this house, just like she promised. Plus it holds something special." The spirit said walking up the front porch to the front door.

"What is so special about this run down place?" Blueblood asked following the spirit.

"You'll see." The spirit said floating through the closed front door. Blueblood was guided by the spirit to the building's small kitchen which was occupied by two mares and one stallion while a few colts and fillies played in the neighboring room.

Round Robin was fussing over a pot of simmering cranberry sauce while Stargazer and Spring Fresh set the table.

"I hope she makes it in time." Stargazer said using magic to take some silverware out of a drawer.

"Of course she will. She was given the whole day off after all." Spring Fresh said putting the plates on the table.

"He gave her the whole day!?"

"Yah! Can you believe it?"

"Where is she now?" Stargazer asked getting the napkins out of the cupboard.

Round Robin put her spoon down and took the saucepan off the heat. "She went to the store a while ago. I hope she gets back soon, I need those carrots."

No sooner had Round Robin finished talking then the sound of the front door opening and closing was heard. "I'm back!" Spicken Span said entering the kitchen with two bags of groceries in her saddlebag. "Sorry I took so long." She put the two bags on the counter and started unpacking them. "Here are the carrots." She said giving Robin the ingredient. "I also bought some corn, and a loaf of bread.

Round Robin shook her head. "You shouldn't have done that. You need every bit you earn for the doctors.

Spicken Span sighed. "I know, but it was only 2 bits. The grocer was so kind that he gave me a personal discount. How's Tiny Tim?"

"He's sleeping on the sofa." Stargazer said as he took the vegetables and put them in the fridge. Spring Fresh placed the loaf of bread on the table and then asked "How much longer until we're ready Robin?".

Round Robin, who was cutting up the carrots, replied "About half an hour."

Blueblood watched the ponies as they made some last minute preparations before he turned to the spirit. "Such a small amount of boarders for such a big house."

The spirit gestured to them. "These are all that remain after the rest of the boarders left to go visit their own families. This house currently holds fourteen different families! Can you believe that? Fourteen families live in this building!" Blueblood watched as his loyal employee left the kitchen and entered the living room which held four foals. She then made her way over to the smallest one who was sleeping on a sofa.

"Spicken Span kissed the forehead of her son which woke him up. "How are you feeling sweetie?" She asked him.

"Better." He answered. "Much better." Spicken Span then went over to a near corner, rolled a small wheelchair over to Tiny Tim who after minimal difficulty got off of the sofa and into it.

Blueblood was shocked to discover that the colt had need for such a device to get around. "Spirit." He asked. "Why is he in that wheelchair?"

"He has bone weakness his legs. He's had it since birth but lately it's started to spread and get worse" The spirit answered.

A short time later, Round Robin called from the kitchen that dinner was ready. Within moments everypony had been seated with the foals sitting next to their parents. The kitchen table was set with a brilliant spread of fresh vegetables cooked to perfection, apple and cranberry sauce, a few casseroles, two pitchers of tea and juice and the loaf of bread that Spicken had bought.

Before everypony tucked into the feast before them they all had a moment of silence and then grace was said.

Life is full of sweet surprises, everyday's a gift

The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my sprit

Fills me up with laughter, fills me up with song

I look into the eyes of love and know that I belong

Bless us all, who gather here

The loving family I hold dear

No place on Earth, compares with home

And every path will bring me back from where I roam

Bless us all, that as we live

We always comfort and forgive

We have so much that we can share

With those in need we see around us everywhere

Let us always love each other

Lead us to the light

Let us hear the voice of reason

Singing in the night

Let us run from anger

And catch when we fall

Teach us in our dreams and please, yes, please

Bless us one and all

Bless us all with playful years

With noisy games and joyous tears

We reach for you, and we stand tall

And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all

We reach for you, and we stand tall

And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all

Blueblood watched as they ate their dinner and talked about this and that. "I never knew." he whispered to himself not knowing that the spirit heard him.

"Fifty eight." The spirit said.

Blueblood turned towards the spirit. "Fifty eight, what?" He asked.

The spirit turned to him with anger on her face. "FIFTY EIGHT TIMES SHE MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD A SON WHO NEEDED HELP! SEVENTY TWO TIMES SHE MENTIONED SHE LIVED HERE! SEVEN TIMES SHE ASKED FOR HELP FROM YOU! FORTY NINE NIGHTS SHE SPENT CRYING HERSELF TO SLEEP PRAYING THAT SOMETHING WOULD HAPPEN TO HELP HER AND HER SON! HOW DARE YOU STAND THERE AND SAY YOU NEVER KNEW."

Blueblood felt extreme shame flood over him as he turned back to the scene in front of him, tears in his eyes.

Once the meal was over the ponies took turns making toasts to those they wished well. Each of then mentioning a friend or family member, but when came for Spicken's turn....

"I'd like to make a toast to Prince Blueblood." Spicken said startling everypony.

Why in all of Equestria would you want to make a toast to that...monster?!" Round Robin asked.

Spring Fresh agreed. "She's right Spicken. He treats you like the dirt you sweep up!"

Spicken calmed down her friends. "Its true. He may not treat me like a friend or companion..."

"Or living being." Stargazer muttered to Spring Fresh.

"...But he still keeps me as an employee. He still provides me a job and salary and for that I am truly grateful."

The spirit spoke to Blueblood. "Well look at that! Here's the employee you yell at, overwork, sneer at, berate, ignore, mistreat and underpay, and she is toasting your name, wishing you well!"

Blueblood simply stared at Spicken as she helped her son into the living room. "Tell me spirit." He asked. "Will Tiny Tim be okay?"

The spirit shook her head. "I can only see the present, not the future. but I will say this. I see his chair gathering dust and an empty space in Spicken Span's heart." Blueblood then witnessed as the spirit's form started to change into a mirror image of the prince himself and it spoke in Blueblood's own voice saying "But if he's going to die he'd better do it, and decrease the surplus population." The spirit then changed back into its original form as a rainbow maned pegasus. Blueblood hung his head in shame and the scene in front of them started to fade as the spirit led Blueblood away. "Now come along. The day is almost over and we have one more thing to see."

Blueblood found himself in a hospital room looking in as a mare lay on one of the beds with wires leading to a monitor that steadily beat, the only indication she was alive. By her side was a young filly who was reading from a book with slight difficulty due to a stutter.

"But I heard him ex-ex-exclaim as he rode out of sight. 'Happy H-H-Hearth's War-Warming to all and to all a good night." The filly finished and closed the book. "See mama, and my teacher says I'm getting b-b-better and better. Daddy says that if all goes well he could get that p-promotion he was after and we can finally get that new furnace." .....Dad took me to see Santa Hooves yesterday. W-W-When he asked if I had been a good filly I told him that I was.....And when he asked w-w-what I wanted for Hearth's Warming....I told him...(sniff)I t-t-told him that the only thing I wanted was for my m-m-mama to w-w-wake up." The filly then grabbed her mother's hoof and started to cry. "P-P-Please mama....W-W-Wake up! Please...please...Please w-wake up!"

Blueblood turned to the spirit and said "Spirit, Please tell me she will live." The spirit looked back at Blueblood. "Don't worry. She will wake up by midnight." Blueblood sighed in relief. "But the filly still had the spirit of Hearth's Warming in her heart, even as her mother lay there." The scene then faded and they found themselves back in Blueblood's Bedroom. "My time with you is pretty much up." The spirit said as she slowly started fading. "Remember, beware of ignorance and greed. You think you can do that? Good luck Prince Blueblood." And the spirit was gone.

Blueblood was once again alone in his room and he wondered when the third spirit was to come. As if to answer his question Blueblood found black smoke was curling around him. "Fire!" He cried and ran to the bedroom door, threw it open and found himself face to face with the third spirit.

Future

There standing in the doorway was a hooded figure. The spirit barely came up to Blueblood's shoulder and he appeared to be bi-pedal. no matter how hard blueblood looked he couldn't see the spirit's face. the cloak he wore seemed to be made of woven smoke for it curled at the edges. Blueblood took a step back and said "Spirit, I admit you frighten me but I know your here for my benefit. Lead on and show me what you will. The spirit raised one hand, which ended in purple claws, and pointed at Blueblood. As soon as he did, the smoke that was around the room grew around Blueblood until it blocked his view, and then it dissipated revealing to blueblood a random hall in Canterlot Castle and two ponies engaged in conversation.

"Dead!?" Feather Duster said to Gauntlet. "Are you sure?"

"Oh yes!" Gauntlet replied. "They carried him away this morning!"

"How did it happen?"

"According to the coroner it was a massive heart attack due to stress."

Feather Duster sighed and continued. "Well I hate to admit it but I'm not going to mourn him.....does that make me a bad mare?"

Gauntlet reassured her. "I doubt anypony will. I don't even think Celestia herself would go to his funeral."

"Who are they going to get to replace him?" Feather duster asked.

Gauntlet just shrugged his shoulders and said "Don't know but they can't be any worse than him, right?"

Blueblood was confused. "How could anypony not mourn somepony who died?" He turned to the spirit who didn't answer him. "Who was the pony they were talking about?" Again the spirit didn't answer him. Instead he just pointed in a random direction. Blueblood then felt the smoke rise again to obscure his view and when it dissipated Blueblood found himself and the spirit in a dirty room in a seedy, run-down part of Canterlot. The spirit pointed to a thin, old, gnarled stallion who was poking a fire with a stair rung.

Hocket continued to poke the fire until he heard somepony enter the room. "Ah, Miss Crabgrass. To what do I owe the pleasure." He said to an equally old mare who just entered while dragging a large bundle behind her.

"Oh Hocket, you old flatterer." Crabgrass said waving a hoof and blushing. "I have a few things of his you might be interested in." She proceeded to open the sack and started naming the things she pulled out. "I have his ink well, seal and collar buttons. How much for these?"

Hocket looked over each item before giving her an amount. "Fifteen bits."

"That's it?!"

"Hey, that's me being generous. What else you got?" He said looking at the sack.

Miss Crabgrass then proceeded to pull out a large folded piece of cloth. "How much for his blanket?"

Hocket stared in wonder at the cloth. "His blanket? Why. Miss Crabgrass. It's still warm! I don't pay extra for the warmth. You know."

Miss Crabgrass chuckled a little. "You should. It's the only warmth he ever had." She said causing the both of them to have a good laugh at the expense of the poor soul Miss Crabgrass stole from.

Finally Hocket gave a price. Thirty bits, and that's including the warmth. Got anything else?"

Miss Crabgrass extracted the final item from the sack and handed it to Hocket. "Ah. you may look through that shirt till your eyes ache; but you won't find a hole in it, nor a threadbare place. It's the best he had, and a fine one too. She said."

Hocket stared at her in amazement. "It is a wonder how you managed to get into the castle and make off with these items my dear. How do you do it?"

Miss Crabgrass just winked at him. "That's my own little secret." she said prodding her hoof against the side of her nose. "So whats the final tally?" Hocket did some quick calculating to himself before handing her a cloth bag full of bits. "It's funny." She said. "He was such a jerk in life and wouldn't lift a hoof to help somepony, and here we are, getting rich off him now that he's dead." Once again the both of them burst into laughter.

Blueblood turned to the spirit with worry on his face. "Spirit, what is this? What kind of future is this where somepony dies and others feel no sorrow? Please show me some sadness connected to death or this scene will haunt me forever."
The spirit raised its arms causing the smoke to once again engulf Blueblood. When the smoke cleared, Blueblood found himself in a hospital room looking at a familiar face as she kept a vigil watch on her only son. "Oh please spirit." Blueblood begged. "Not this."

Spicken Span wiped more tears from her eyes as she looked at Tiny Tim who was lying on the Hospital bed. The steady rhythm of the heat monitor was the only thing that gave her any hope. Tiny Tim, with a little difficulty, placed his tiny hoof on his mother's. "Mama, you're crying." He said weakly.

Spicken sniffed a little and said "I'm okay, I'm just worried about you."

"It's okay mom. It doesn't hurt anymore." He said barely whispering.

Spicken looked at Tiny Tim and gently kissed him on the forehead. "I love you so much Sweetie."

"I love you to mama." He said slowly closing his eyes.

Spicken let another sob escape her before she gently wiped a stray hair from his face. "Everything's going to be okay.

Baby mine, don't you cry

Baby mine, dry your eyes

Rest your head close to my heart

Never to part, baby of mine

Little one when you play

Don't you mind what they say

Let those eyes sparkle and shine

Never a tear, baby of mine

From your head to your coat

You're so sweet, goodness knows

You're so precious to me

Cute as can be, baby of mine.

Baby mine, baby mine."

The moment Spicken Span finished a shrill sound pierced through the room like a knife that stabbed her in the heart. The heart monitor had flatlined. "No..NO!!!" Spicken screamed. "NO!! PLEASE NOT MY SON!!"

Two nurses and a doctor ran into the room to try and help but Spicken refused to leave Tiny Tim's side. "Nurse!" The doctor said pointing at Spicken. "Get her out of here!"

One of the nurses tried to restrain Spicken but she fought against her with all her might. "GET OFF ME!!!...I'M NOT LEAVING MY SON!!! NO!!!...PLEASE!!!....NOT TINY TIM!!!....NOT MY BABY!!!!

After a few moments the doctor took off his glasses and hung his head. "I'm so sorry." He simply said.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" Spicken screamed as she broke free from the nurse and ran, sobbing, to her son's lifeless body. " NOT MY BABY!!!! PLEASE! " She then fell to the floor in an consolable heap, sobbing and pleading "Please...... Not my son!"

Blueblood watched in utter horror as the scene in front of him unfolded. "Please spirit, show me no more. I know what I need to do. I assure you, I'm changed." The spirit simply looked at him as the smoke rose again to engulf him.

When the smoke cleared Blueblood found himself standing in the middle of the Canterlot Cemetery. The spirit then pointed to a lone snow covered gravestone. Blueblood looked at the stone then back at the spirit. "Is that the grave of the stallion nopony mourned?" The spirit answered him by pointing back at the same marker. Blueblood took a few steps towards it but looked back at the spirit. "Answer me something. Are these the shadows of things that can or cannot be changed?" The spirit just pointed at the same marker. Blueblood approached the marker but before wiping the snow off it he said "A life can be changed spirit". Blueblood shakily lifted his hoof and wiped the snow off the marker revealing the name.

PRINCE BLUEBLOOD

May You

Rest In Peace

Blueblood fell backwards in horror and looked at the spirit. "OH, SPIRIT! PLEASE...I'M NOT THE STALLION I WAS! I'VE CHANGED!!"

Suddenly, the ground beneath Blueblood started to cave in like a sinkhole. Blueblood had just enough time to grab on the the edge of the hole before the ground completely fell. Blueblood looked over his shoulder and to his horror saw that the pit seemed to go on forever, but he could still make out the fiery pit of Tartarus looming on the bottom and he heard the moans and growls of the demon ponies who resided there. Blueblood tried to pull himself up but found he couldn't. Worse yet, he was slipping

"SPIRIT, HELP ME!" He cried.

The spirit simply walked in front of him and stared at him

"I'VE CHANGED SPIRIT!! Blueblood cried. "I'LL BE GOOD, I PROMISE. I WON'T FORGET WHAT I WAS TAUGHT TONIGHT!!"

Suddenly the spirit drew in a breath and blew a jet of magically green fire right at Blueblood. The fire caused Blueblood to loose his grip on the ground, and he fell down into the pit towards the demons who were waiting for him.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....

Redemption

....OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"

(THUD!)

Blueblood kicked and thrashed under his blanket until he managed to sit up. After a few gasping breaths he looked around and found that he wasn't in Tartarus! Instead he was in...

"My room." he whispered. "I'm in my room.....I'M IN MY ROOM!!!!" he shouted and laughed. Blueblood looked up to find he had fallen out of bed, and concluded that was probably what woke him. He fell onto his back and started laughing again like a foal. "I'm in my room and I'm alive!!" He cried. before standing back up. "I have a second chance! I'm not going to waste it!"

Blueblood then fell on his knees and clasped his front hooves. "Oh thank you spirits, I won't forget the lessons you taught me! And I say it on my knees, ON MY KNEES!!! He cried happily. Blueblood then looked at the closed window before running over to it. "We need LIGHT!!" He cried as he threw open the window and looked outside. A Canterlot guard was walking below when he heard somepony call for him.

"YOU DOWN THERE!" Blueblood called.

The guard looked up and recognizing the prince he stood at attention. "YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!" He called back.

"WHAT DAY IS IT?" Blueblood asked.

The question caught the guard by surprise but he soon regained his composure. "IT'S HEARTH'S WARMING DAY, YOUR HIGHNESS!"

Bluelood laughed and said to himself "It's Hearth's Warming! I haven't missed it!", and to the guard he cried "THANK YOU SO MUCH! OH ONE MORE THING! I NEED YOU TO RUN A ROYAL ERRAND. DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO THAT?

Again the guard was caught off guard but he responded "YES YOUR HIGHNESS!"

"GOOD!" Blueblood said throwing down a decent sized cloth bag full of bits. "TAKE THIS AND GO TO KNICK-KNACK'S TOY SHOP, BUY AS MANY TOYS AS YOU CAN, PUT THEM IN A SACK WITH A NOTE READING 'FROM SANTA' AND DELIVER THEM TO THE CANTERLOT HOME FOR SINGLE PARENTS! AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T LET THEM SEE YOU DELIVER THEM!! CAN YOU HANDLE THAT?

The guard was shocked by the amount of generosity coming from the prince, but nonetheless he shouted back "y-y-YES YOUR HIGHNESS!"

Before the guard could dash off Blueblood called down "ONE LAST THING! WHAT'S YOUR NAME GOOD SIR?"

"G-GAUNTLET YOUR HIGHNESS!"

"GAUNTLET!" The prince called down. "HAPPY HEARTH'S WARMING DAY GAUNTLET!"

Blueblood started prancing around his room. "I'm as happy as an angel, I'm as merry as a schoolfoal." He then climbed onto his bed and jumped right back off it. "I'M AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER!"

(THUD)

"Ouch...Okay, I'm not light as a feather. But I'm here, I'm alive and so happy!" Blueblood said rolling on the floor. "There is so much I need to do! I need...I need..." Blueblood stood back up. "I need to get to my office!" Blueblood ran out the front door into the hall before running right back in and looking down at his nightshirt. "I can't just run around the castle wearing this!!" He quickly changed before looking into the mirror. "Much better."

Blueblood ran down the hallway for a few seconds before coming across Princess Luna, who was sipping from her fifth mug of eggnog of the day. "AUNTIE LUNA!" He cried wrapping his hooves around her neck. "I love you so much. Happy Hearth's Warming! See you soon!" He said continuing down the hallway.

Luna stood in stunned silence for a few seconds before looking at the mug in her magical grip and pouring its contents into a nearby potted plant while muttering "Tia's right. I need to lay off this stuff."

Blueblood burst into his office, ran to his desk and pulled out two check forms. Once he filled them both out, he smiled to himself and headed towards the castle gate.

Before he reached the gate he came upon the two stallions who were collecting for the poor. "Pardon me my fine gentleponies." He said approaching them. The two stallions stared at Blueblood with slight distaste. Blueblood clearly understood their emotions. "I know that I'm probably the last stallion you want to see right now, but I'm here to change that. How did you two do with collecting for the poor?"

"We did fine." The tall one said rather stiffly.

"I'm so glad to hear that. Would it be too late to make a donation of my own?" Blueblood asked.

The two stallions looked at each other with mild confusion. "No, not at all your highness." The short one answered.

Blueblood handed them one of the check forms. "I hope this will make up for what I said yesterday evening."

Both stallions went slack jawed when they saw the amount on the form. "I...Wha?...Wha?...Your Highness...Are you sure this is the right amount?" The tall one asked.

Blueblood looked at the form before asking "Why? Not enough?".

"It's not that! We just never got a donation quite so generous!" The short one answered.

Blueblood just smiled and said "Well I hope you put it to good use. Good day and happy Hearth's Warming my fine gentleponies" before heading on his way out the gates.

Blueblood walked through Canterlot with his head held high, a skip in his step and a "Happy Hearth's Warming" on his lips, as he headed to a particular house. After arriving at his destination, he paced nervously in front of it for a few minutes before screwing up the courage to knock on the front door. Blueblood was mildly surprised to find the door answered by a small green and purple dragon!

"Good morning your highness." He said with mild distaste.

Blueblood chuckled to herself before surprising the dragon with his response. "Happy Hearth's Warming little one. May I ask if Cadence is around?"

As if on cue, Cadence herself rounded the corner to see who was calling for her and was shocked to find it was her cousin. "Blueblood? Is that you?" She asked in disbelief.

"I was wondering if the invitation was still available? Blueblood asked nervously.

Cadence walked up to him and asked "Does this mean.....?".

Blueblood answered her by simply saying "It does, Caddie".

Cadence wrapped her hooves around him and buried her face in his neck. "Oh Blue! I missed you so much!"

Blueblood returned the hug and said "I'm so sorry for everything I said yesterday. Can you ever forgive me?".

"I already have." Cadence said as she let him go. "Now come on in, I want to introduce you to my husband."

Blueblood had an wonderful time at the party. He had a wonderful meal, played wonderful games and heard wonderful stories, but most of all, he was filled with wonderful happiness. When the party was nearing the end, Blueblood pulled Cadence to the side.

" Caddie, I have a gift for you." He said as he pulled out the second check form he had filled out. "I want to donate this to your home for single parents."

Cadence saw the amount and staggered back a bit. "Oh Blue! I don't know what to say! Thank you so much!"

"One other thing. I want to donate it in your name." he said placing a hoof on her shoulder.

This shocked Cadence more than anything. "Why would you want to do that?! Why wouldn't you want them to know that you donated this?"

"I don't want the recognition. Besides, It's your charity. I just want to help a little."

"A little?!" She said looking back at the amount. "This will help out a lot! What happened to you?"

Blueblood just shrugged his shoulders. "I just had a really rough night." He simply said.

The next day, Blueblood arrived at his office earlier than usual. If he could only be there first, and catch Spicken Span coming in late! That was the thing he had set his heart upon. Sure enough... "She's five minutes late." He giggled. "Ten minutes late!....Twenty minutes late!" When she was twenty two minutes late, Spicken Span burst into the office, still trying to tie her apron on. Blueblood managed, with extreme difficulty, to keep a straight face. "Your late!" He snapped. "What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?"

Spicken looked at him with a hopeless look on her face. "I'm so sorry your highness. It won't happen again, I promise."

Blueblood got off his chair. "You're darn right it won't happen again!" he sneered. "I am not going to stand for this sort of thing any longer. And therefore," He said as his poker face started to break. "And therefore(snicker)....And therefore I'm going to raise your salary!"

Spicken stood staring at her employer in complete shock. "W-W-W-What did you say?"

"I'm going to raise your salary!" He repeated. "Happy Hearth's Warming Spicken Span. I'm going to double...no...triple...no...QUADRUPLE your salary!"

At this point, Spicken started shedding tears of joy and disbelief. "I don't know what to say! Thank you so much your highness!"

Blueblood held up a hoof. "One more thing. I'm going to personally see to it that your son gets the medical attention he needs and deserves, even if that means hoofing all the medical bills myself!"

Upon hearing this, Spicken Span leaped forward and pulled Blueblood in a giant hug. "Thank you so much Prince Blueblood. I'll never forget this!"

Blueblood was true to his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was like a father. He became as good a friend, as good a boss, and as good a Prince, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in all of Equestria. Some ponies laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him. It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Hearth's Warming well, if any pony alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, "Bless us all."

Author's Note

Happy Hearth's Warming

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays

Prologue

Twas the evening before Hearth's Warming and all through Equestria, everypony was enjoying the holiday season. From Fillydelphia to Manehatten, Neightucket to Ponyville, every city, town and village was decorated to the nines with lights, garland, and tinsel. Every town square had a lighted tree topped with a magnificent star, and nearly every door had an evergreen wreath with a big red velvet bow. Every radio could be heard playing a non-stop stream of Equestrian Holiday carols. Even the griffins and minotaurs were celebrating the holiday in their own ways.

But as beautifully decorated any of the cities were, none of them came close the the absolute wonder of Canterlot! It was as if the city was made to be decorated for the holiday. Lights and garland outlined nearly every wall, house and storefront. Images of Flurry the Snowmare and Santa Hooves were everywhere. The air was full of the sounds of carolers, ringing bells and laughing foals as they played in the freshly fallen snow. Ponies rushed from store to store gathering supplies for the parties and feasts they were planing. The smell of cakes and pies were absolutely everywhere!

And if you think the city of Canterlot was beautiful, you should see the castle!

Nowhere was such a sight as Canterlot castle during the Hearth Warming season, with nearly every inch decorated in some form. Decorated trees occupied nearly every room and hallway, boughs of holly and ivy hung on nearly every surface giving some rooms the feel of a whole forest. Magnificent candles were lit all over the place making shadows dance across the walls as if they were doing a never ending waltz.

To say the residents of the castle were excited for the upcoming holiday would be an understatement. The employees rushed from room to room making final preparations for the next day as the royal guards donned their colorful holiday armor. No one seemed too have a reason to not be merry as the the holiday loomed closer by the hour.

Even the royals were enjoying the joyous feeling the holiday season brought. But while Celestia preferred to celebrate in a more traditional way (Caroling, Decorating the castle and preparing for the upcoming gratitude feast for her employees), Luna tended to celebrate her own special way (Spiking the eggnog and hanging around the stallion's locker room wearing a headband that dangled a sprig of mistletoe in front of her).

However, there was one place in Equestria that was devoid of decorations and holiday cheer. It belonged to the only pony to dislike the beloved time of the year, and it is about this certain royal pony that the following story is about.