Twilight had changed, was the thought running through Rainbow Dash's mind. No longer was she the small purple librarian princess she remembered. No she was much different. Her mane and tail flowed with the same ethereal grace that princesses Luna and Celestia did, and she had grown now more than twice her original height. She moved with the same patience grace her former mentor and co rule did, that same soft benevolent smile. Rainbow smiled non the less, happy to see her old friend even if it had been an age.

As Twilight scanned the crowd, she paused with a barely noticeable start as she locked eyes with a mare she hadn't seen in sixty long years. She wondered what she was doing her in ponyville now. Even more shock was, as she watched rainbow wrapped a wing around Applejack, Fluttershy who hadn't been seen in almost as long stepped up on Rainbow's other side. A most beautiful smile bloomed on Twilight's face mirrored by her co-ruler.

The two princesses stepped gracefully from their golden chariot and stood before their subjects the setting sun bathing the two in a divine golden light.

"My little ponies," began Twilight "My dear friends, I can't begin to tell you ho wonderful it is to see you all again." she looked out over the crowd with a soft slightly sad smile "It is good to be back in Ponyville, home to me in many ways." Twilight smiled "Winter wrap up is just around the corner and I know you will make me proud. You all have completed winter wrap up on time for over sixty long years.Well done all of you."

Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash stepped forward and bowed to the princesses. "Rise my friends, you need not bow to me." said Celestria softly.

"Nor me." Intoned Twilight. "We have been friends for far too long. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash . . . My dear friends It has been an age. It is so good to see you again please let us find some where to talk and catch up as it were."

Celestria nodded and looked around before saying "This place never seems to change, I wonder If the Parting Glass is still around. It seems like for ever ago that Old Mister McFarland came to me to ask for the deeds to build inside the edge of the forest.

"Yes yer Majesty . "replied Applejack "Though Ah believe that his Grandson runs it now and he's quite old himself. He's been training his Granddaughter to take over when he passes."

"Ah he has passed then, I had wondered." Celestria seemed to drift off in her thoughts for a moment before saying "I think it would be a fine place to take lunch." Nodding to herself she turned to the guards and informed them of her change in plans.

. . .

A short time later the five ponies found themselves at a large secluded booth reserved especially for the princesses. A young teenage mare which Applejack confirmed as Mr McFarland's great great granddaughter.

"What will ye be having" Said Miss McFarland with a smile.

"A bottle of Uisce Beatha and five glasses, a platter of fruit, bread and cheese." stated Fluttershy firmly, a smile on her face.

"A tankard of the House Special as well." Celestria stated with a smile.

Writing the orders down Miss McFarland smiled and said happily "I'l be right back with yer orders" Nodding to her self she trotted off returning a few moments later, a tray on her back with their drinks on it. "here you are. One Tankard of the House Ale" she slide the large glass stein to Princess Celestria, filled to the brim with a amber liquid capped with a perfect foam head "A bottle of Uisce Beatha and glasses, the food platter will be out shortly. Oh and I almost forgot The High Landers will be playing today for yer pleasure." Nodding to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything else she smiled and trotted off.

The five Ponies engaged in small talk while they waited for their food arrive no one wanting to really get to the meat of the matter. Simply content to talk about anything but. After a few minutes Miss McFarland cam back with a large Platter on her back containing a wide assortment of fruit and cheese and three loaves of rye bread along with house butter and five small plates. All this she sat on the table before leaving with a short bow and nary a word. Fluttershy said a short blessing over the food before saying with her soft smile "Please, dig in."

The food was simple but not less delicious and was consumed with gusto until nary a crumb was left on the platter. Rainbow Dash once again skillfully poured for her group, sliding the tumblers to each pony with a smile. leaning back in the booth she smiled as she gazed around at her friends and slowly sipped her drink.

"I have to say Rainbow Dash, I didn't think I would see you again." Said Twilight with a rather straight face "May I inquire as to how you have been? No one not even I have been able to find you, I mean sure I've seen your name at time or two on expedition forms I have signed. But other than that." Twilight finished as she took another drink.

"Indeed." stated Princess Celestria softly "I was disheartened to know that the element bearers drifted apart, thought it would seem they have comeback together once more." she said as her gaze drifted over Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Futtershy.

Applejack put a hoof on Dash's shoulder and almost by instinct Dash put her wing around Applejack earning a blush and a small smile from the farming mare. "Yes, she came back and ta me that's all that matters." stated Applejack

"I don't regret the life I lived." Rasped Rainbow Dash. "I simply regret I didn't keep contact with you all. I'm sure the princesses have read the reports of the expeditions I have lead, but I know that's not the same." She looked down into her glass "I'll never get back the time I've lost but I can make the most out of the time I have left.

Twilight and Celestria smiled.

Author's Note

I'm sorry for the short chapter next chapter will cover the princesses visit and the chapter after that will be applejack's family reunion. As always "let the water of life flow freely."