A light wind blew over the hill as three old friends cleared a spot in the snow and quickly laid out the blanket and food. "Hey AJ, why don't you start a fire, get some heat going?" Fluttershy asked softly as she pulled three thermostats filled with spiked hot cider and handed one each Applejack and Rainbow Dash, "From my private reserves." she said with a smile.

"Thanks Flutter, this is awesome!" Rainbow Dash rasped with a grin.

"Yeah sugarcube, yer the best. Ah'll get started on that fire, it's a mite cold out here," Applejack said with a smile.

Soon enough, a roaring fire was crackling merrily beside their picnic and the food was consumed with gusto. As the meal wore on, Futtershy withdrew more and more from her friends until she was quietly sipping her cider and hiding behind her mane. A sigh grabbed the others attention as she sank to the ground, resting her head on her forelegs she gazed out at the other two.

"What's wrong, sugarcube?" Applejack asked with concern.

"Yeah Flutters, you've gone all quiet-like." Rainbow inquired in a soft rasp, worry laced in her eyes.

"Oh girls I'm just tired, so very tired" Fluttershy said soft smile "My friends, I'm old. I know I don't look it but I am, and so very lonely. I miss my beloved Rarity so very much and I'm going to see her soon."

"F-fluttershy what are you saying ... Are you dying?" Rainbow asked as she choked back tears. Applejack looked on with tears in her eyes.

"Oh Dashie, I have a few more years, I'm just ready for the next great adventure. I'm Just feeling my age more than usual today. Come on, let's finish up here then head over to the Parting Glass. I could use something strong and I need to pick of a new shipment of Uisce Beatha." Fluttershy stated with a smile and began packing up the leftovers.

"Ah reckon Ah could use a drink as well, lemme just stamp out this here fire and we can be on our way." Stated Applejack in her southern drawl.

"Count me in, I need something for my nerves." Said Rainbow Dash. Finding out your friend was ready to die was nerve rattling.

. . . .

An hour later found the three friends trotting down the worn path to the pub. Gay chat between themselves had rendered the previous sadness all but forgotten. It wasn't a long walk, but it was a good ways outside of town. The food was decent and the beer and liquor selection was large, so it was frequented by most of the older ponies in town and those who just wanted a quite place to drink.

As the old friends approached the great oaken doors of the pub, they paused before pushing them open and passing through in unison. The sound of a quartet singing in one corner reached their ears as the head for an open boot and waved over the barkeep, the girls watching as Fluttershy spoke to the elder in quiet Gaelic before switching back to common equestrian and requesting a bottle of Usice Beatha and three glasses.

"Forgive me girls I was inquiring about my order and that is best done in quiet." came the soft voice of the cream colored friend a serious look in her sapphire eyes "Now then, let's sit back and enjoy ourselves, shall we?" she asked with a peaceful smile on her face.

Applejack smiled and nodded "Ah reckon that's a mighty fine idea."

"Yeah," came Rainbow's quiet rasp as she wrapped a wing around both her friends and watched as a younger mare came to their table, carrying a tray with their order on her back

"Here you go, madams," came the chipper voice of the young mare as she placed the tray on their table and with a short bow went about her work.

Fluttershy smiled as Rainbow's wing wrapped around her; Applejack blushed softly for reasons unknown to even herself. A knowing smile graced Rainbow Dash's face. She leaned forward and with some skill and poured them each a healthy portion of the hearty drink before sliding them to their respective owners.

Raising her glass Rainbow intoned "to Old Friends, May our bonds last beyond space and time!"

"Here here!" cried the old friends. At that moment the quartet in the corner began the ballad Loch Lomond. There voices rising over the soft dine of the pub, the three mares listened, each with a different reactions. Fluttershy sat in silent tears remembering upon her late lover as Rainbow Dash bowed her head ears twitching and wings quivering ever so slightly as all the things she missed rolled through her mind. Even Applejack was sitting quietly letting the melody flow over her.

In unison the three friends picked up their glasses and knocked them back as the song ended and Rainbow dash poured them all another round. The silence after the quartets masterful rendition was palpable, Rainbow's wings tightened around her friends as Fluttershy's tears dried.

"That was something, wasn't it?" Rainbow Dash croaked, breaking the silence that surrounded the pub, several patrons laughed and a few clapped for the quartet who bowed and began singing a happier ditty to lighten the mood. In that moment the bar maid came back carrying a tray of fruits and cheese and a loaf of bread with butter for the friends. taking the food with a graceful smile Fluttershy divided it up among them and said a silent blessing before motioning for them to dig in.

"Ah think after our meal it'll be time to head home. Rainbow, yer more than welcome to stay again." Applejack said softly with kindness in her voice.

"Yes, I must agree. This has been a wonderful day, I'm so glad I got to spend it with you two. Maybe in a few days we can meet up again . . . Maybe we could take the train to Canterlot and do some sightseeing." Stated Fluttershy happily.

"It's a deal then. Who knows, maybe we'll even see Twilight." Rainbow Dash said as she looked down at the now empty platter. Picking up her glass, she drained it and withdrew her wings from around her friends, noting the slight frown that danced ever so briefly upon Applejack's face before turning back into a smile.

Paying their bill, they waited as Fluttershy placed a heavy saddlebag on her back which clinked as she walked. Slowly with grace they exited the pub as they entered in unison and set off into the evening.

Author's Note

There you have it. It took much longer to write than I had thought, but it's done. So please comment, like or dislike and let me know how I'm doing. Thank you to those who are reading this story. I sincerely hope you enjoy it feel free to pm me if you have questions or concerns, and I will do my best to answer. As always "Let the water of life flow freely."