Chapters A Hearth's Warming to Remember
1 Luna and Rarity Step Out
The midnight blue mare reclined luxuriantly on her ample bed, purring in exquisite delight as she felt the brush rub through the soft fur of her chest and underbelly.don’t want to have to start this all over again.”you just keep on doing what you're doing …
The white unicorn melted under Luna’s look and planted a tender kiss on her dark blue fur, dropping the brush and moving closer.
The couple had been together for over six months now and were looking forward to their first Hearth’s Warming together, both rejuvenated by the magic each drew from the relationship. However, before they could settle down to enjoying the festivities by themselves, there were numerous events to be attended, not that either minded. In fact, they both enjoyed seeing the excitement dancing in the eyes of the youngest fillies and colts as they heard the stories of the Windigos for the very first time and sang traditional songs to ensure that all of Equestria stayed happy and protected during the season.
Right now was one of those occasions. Celestia had noticed that the couple had begun to retreat earlier and earlier to make their preparations prior to going out on formal events and smiled happily at the love the two were sharing, although she herself was still currently on her own. They would all share the season’s festivities of course, but Celestia had already reconciled herself that it would not be the precious one-on-one sisterly bonding they had enjoyed since her sister’s return. Luna had been through a lot and Celestia begrudged her nothing, but in the back of her mind was still a slight feeling of sadness that they would not be as close as she would have liked, at least for the foreseeable future.
Rarity had certainly made an impact on the Royal castle like no other and was partway through overhauling the staid decor to give the building a new look, striking perfectly the balance between the formality of the grand rooms used to receive foreign dignitaries, whilst providing a more homely feel to the private apartments. She had even rescued tapestries from the Castle of the Two Sisters and painstakingly repaired them herself, hanging them in pride of place in Canterlot’s throne room where they provided a welcome memento to the two Princesses of their happy upbringing so many hundreds of years ago.
Ever since Rarity and Luna had become an item, they had wanted to spend time together, but given that Luna’s responsibilities were nocturnal and Rarity’s business interests necessitated her being available during the daytime, a compromise had to be struck. Their problems were further compounded by being geographically distant, so Rarity set up a dressmaking workshop within the castle and stayed over for days at a time.
Rarity had been concerned about Sweetie Belle feeling deserted, but in practice she had loved the idea, thanks partly to Luna issuing the Cutie Mark Crusaders an open invitation to the castle. Luna had also insisted that if the three fillies were to visit, then they shouldn’t fall behind on their studies and enrolled them at the same school that Twilight had attended when she had lived in Canterlot, back before the return of Nightmare Moon.
Tonight was a special occasion; the school was putting on a carol concert, and Sweetie Belle would be taking one of the solos.
It was also a special occasion for the two lovers, because it was the first time that they would be expected to be seen together at a formal event and Rarity was getting nervous. The fact that they were an item was an open secret, known amongst friends who had no interest in spreading gossip, but rumours were beginning to circulate more widely and the Princess could not be seen to be spurning her partner at such an event.
Luna caressed Rarity’s immaculately conditioned and sweet smelling mane gently with her forehoof as they snuggled together, the hour of their commitment growing nearer.gossip , darling …”just a little .”
At the allotted hour, Luna emerged in her opulent gold lined lilac and purple cape accompanied by Rarity in a fabulous dress copying the key motifs on the Princess’ cape but in slightly more pastel colours; designed to be eye-catchingly attractive but without overshadowing her marefriend’s outfit.
They stepped out of their apartment together, heads held high as the guards posted by the doors snapped sharply to attention.
The Princess and her consort arrived at the school where they dismounted their chariot following the short ride from the castle and were met by the headmaster of the school who bowed reverently to receive his guests of honour.
The eaves and the bell tower of his fine old school had all been decorated with strings of twinkling lights in white, jasmine and pale pink, accentuating a fairytale theme, whilst in pride of place at the front of the building stood a fully decorated Hearth’s Warming tree, far higher even than the roof of the school itself, its multicoloured lights shining like brightly coloured stars.
“My, Headmaster” greeted Luna warmly, “I swear you make this fine old school look better every year.”
As they turned towards the school building, the crowds parted as if by magic; the mares looking on in awe and exchanging hurried words behind raised forehooves while the young ones looked up spellbound at the real-life Royalty parading before them.
They entered under the gothic styled stone door in silence and suddenly their senses were struck by the bright interior and the sounds of the last ponies in the audience getting respectfully to their hooves. All at once a ripple of applause began and spread quickly through the hall welcoming the special guests. All eyes were on them; the fillies and colts, their parents, local dignitaries and special guests; hundreds of pairs of eyes watching as Rarity stepped out with Princess Luna . It was too late for either of them to change their minds now.
Once they had been shown to the specially reserved VIP area and been seated, the applause died down and the audience sat as one. Then a flurry of whispers began, forehooves pointing discretely and eyes shooting fleeting glances at the couple. All at once, the rumour mill cranked into overdrive, everypony taking in what they saw and with every passing minute, adding little embellishments before the story could get retold as soon as the performance was over.
Sweetie Belle waved cheerfully from her place in the choir, oblivious to the feverish gossipmongering taking place throughout the audience and innocently basking in the attention when so many eyes suddenly turned to her.
Luna remained impassive and serene as events developed all around her; in fact even if she had been blushing, very few ponies would have noticed due to her rich, deep midnight blue hue. Rarity, however, was a much more obvious focus of attention as even the slightest hint of embarrassment shone forth from her pure white cheeks like a bright red beacon. Right now, she was doing a passable impression of a stoplight and the more she thought about it, the worse her predicament became.
It wasn’t that she was embarrassed to be with Princess Luna, or that she was ashamed by her little sister, but moreover that any hopes she had of keeping her two most important relationships separated from public connection had now been totally destroyed.
Much to Rarity’s relief, the lights dimmed hiding her embarrassment and the concert started. Her mind whirled; had it been worth it to leap into the public arena so brashly, or should she have been better advised to have remained in the shadows instead? As if in answer, she felt a comforting wing fold around her reassuringly in the darkened room and she snuggled gratefully into her marefriend, a happy smile finally returning to her face.
Act followed act and Rarity clapped excitedly as Sweetie Belle appeared with the choir for no less than three different songs, but saved her most enthusiastic applause for the long awaited solo that came at the end; her little sister belting out a popular carol with power and enthusiasm to bring the evening’s entertainment to a close. As the lights came up once more, the other fillies and colts joined behind the star soloist on the stage and took their bows as Sweetie Belle beamed triumphantly out over the audience, her happy smile locking on her wildly applauding sister and more restrained but equally happy sister-in-law.
As the rapturous applause faded into happy memories, the headmaster rose and after bowing to his Royal patron gave a short speech of thanks, praising especially the colts and fillies smiling happily behind him for such marvellous performances, before introducing Princess Luna.
The midnight blue mare rose to her hooves. She wasn’t one for public speaking; that was what her sister did, and did very well; so she kept it short, thanking not just the young performers but also recognising the contribution made by their teachers, their headmaster and the parents for attending before rounding off by wishing everypony a Happy Hearth’s Warming.
While Luna spoke clearly and confidently, Rarity did not know whom she felt most proud of; her marefriend or her sister and stared starry-eyed at each in turn, savouring the unbreakable bonds of love that tied her to both.
Luna’s speech was not particularly demanding by Celestia’s standards and she didn’t smile like her sister did, but it hit the mood just right and left everypony present feeling happily disposed towards her. This was just as well considering each and every one of them would be shortly rushing out to tell all of their friends and acquaintances about Princess Luna and Rarity together, and that Luna’s sister-in-law was enrolled at the same school!
The Princess and her consort walked out, heads held high amid another tumult of applause, now both feeling a tangible warmth that glowed around them as they set hoof back out into the chill night.nervouscited! ”
Suddenly the sound of galloping hoofsteps behind them caught their ears at the same time; a white unicorn filly was running towards them.do you think you’re doing? This behaviour is most unladylike!””
Luna extended a forehoof graciously and helped Sweetie Belle up into the chariot, her short white legs scrabbling to gain a hoofhold. When she had finally climbed in, she turned around to face the gathering throng that had followed from the school and presented a beaming smile as a photographer emerged from the sea of faces and fired off flash after flash.
A shower of flashes erupted all around them as the two grown-ups flanked the excited young filly with the largest smile anypony could ever remember seeing. Then Luna coughed gently, and Rarity caught the hint, drawing her sister back into the seats so as they could make their exit past the cheering crowds.
“Thank you Princess Luna!” chirped the young white unicorn excitedly, earning a benign smile in response.you really shouldn’t have done that ” said her sister as sternly as she could manage, “I know we’re almost family now, but you really shouldn’t cut across Princess Luna’s formal appearances. She is the star, not you.”
The fact that Sweetie Belle had completely misunderstood her big sister’s motives on this most crucial of occasions left Rarity fumbling impotently for words of sufficient magnitude to address her little sister’s cruelly misjudged outburst.
A Hearth's Warming to Remember
2 Misreporting and Misunderstanding
Early the next morning during their regular handover meeting, Celestia pried as to how well the much awaited evening had gone, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“I have to say you made a stir” continued Celestia, sliding a copy of the Canterlot Chronicle over the table “Front page news, no less.”What had they reported?
The large picture staring back out at her showed Luna doing a good job of looking regal, while Rarity pouted as she flashed a disproportionate amount of leg and Sweetie Belle stood proudly, showing off her widest smile and appearing larger from the camera’s angle than the midnight blue Princess she appeared to be overshadowing. This was not what she had been hoping for.
Under the simply worded headline of “Princess Eclipsed”, the article used the photograph as the basis of a story, in not so many words questioning Luna’s judgement in choosing to become involved with two sisters who appeared to be in competition with each other to claim her limelight.
Unfortunately, the picture did lend itself to that particular interpretation, given Rarity appearing to coquettishly show off he perfectly formed foreleg from under her dress and Sweetie Belle’s triumphant beaming with her forehooves resting on the side of the Royal chariot as if she was the star of the show.
“I had embarrassing incidents with past partners too” reflected Celestia wistfully, “But over time, I made sure that any records of those events disappeared from the libraries all over Equestria, and now it is beyond the scope of even the most diligent researcher to find any trace of such events.”
The beginnings of a bawdy story she had heard before were cut short by the clip clop of hooves entering the room. Rarity knew about the importance of allowing the two Royal sisters their time together to discuss matters of a confidential nature before meeting with her true love.
“Good morning to you too, Rarity” replied Celestia, “If you will forgive me, I have fallen a little behind and have affairs to which I must attend, but I must say how much I admire your plans for sprucing up the main hall with new décor; we must discuss it in more detail when you have time.”
Luna levitated the Canterlot Chronicle and placed it on the table in front of her partner.
“Well” she stammered, fighting to pull herself together, “I rarely wear a dress, so seeing my legs is nothing shocking, it’s just a little unfortunate that picture captures the moment when I just happened to be climbing up into the chariot wearing a full length dress. And Sweetie Belle …”
Luna drew Rarity close for a hug, a gentle smile on her face, “I have weathered far worse. Let it not distract us from what really matters.”oh so intoxicating alicorn scent.
***
“Rarity! Rarity!” panted the white unicorn filly as she burst in to her sister’s workshop, hooves scrabbling for purchase on the stone floor.
“Sweetie Belle, dear” Rarity addressed with unusually starched formality, “Do take a seat, and I will read the article to you.”But it wasn’t like the paper says it was .”If she forgives us .”
She knew of course that Luna had already forgiven them, but didn’t want the point to be lost on her little sister.you know , talk to her ...” enquired they young unicorn.please! ”
Sweetie Belle started to cry bitter tears of regret at her thoughtlessness and looked up again to her sister, who although being torn apart on the inside by the pitiful sight in front of her, kept her stern face in place.
As soon as she had left, Rarity took her glasses off and placed them carefully on her work table before leaning forward and sobbing into her forehooves, her firm resolve finally breaking.
“Sweetie Belle” she choked out between sobs, why ever did you come back?”ever .”
A Hearth's Warming to Remember
Princess Luna awoke to the tender caress of a forehoof on her neck; not so soft as to tickle and not forceful enough to be intrusive. She opened one eye and found herself focusing on the face of her marefriend in the dim light permeating the bedroom. She smiled in recognition and leaned over for a kiss, finding Rarity eager and responsive.
Half an hour later, Rarity heard the barely audible click from the alarm clock that she had been listening out for; her cue that the preset time had been reached for her marefriend to rise. Since she had switched off the alarm on her way in to the bedroom, this was the only notification it was going to give the two lovers over whom it kept vigil, but from whom it faced tactfully away.you to get up” she whispered into the alicorn’s ear.
They stepped reluctantly out of the warmth of the bed they left behind and the intimacy of the bond so recently shared, exchanging one last delicate kiss before Rarity set to work fussing over Luna’s appearance until she put to shame even the most flattering of portraits of her ever painted.
She surveyed herself in a full length mirror, admiring the effort the fashionista had gone to on her behalf and strode out of their chambers with a spring in her step to be confronted by three fillies dressed in gold lined, maroon coloured capes, each adorned with a yellow silhouette of a prancing pony on a blue background.
She was quietly pleased she didn’t have to wait, as whatever this peace offering was needed to be opened sooner rather than later to maintain the momentum that the four of them had begun.
“I thought” said Sweetie Belle, “That since you and Rarity are close friends, and I’m her sister, that maybe that makes you my sister, kind of , and we all wanted you to be part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, you know , like we help others and you are always helping others, kinda makes us the same, sort of …”
“Now we are all members of the same elite club” announced Luna, “May I invite you all to witness the raising of the moon?”
“Good evening Sister” greeted Luna happily.Cutie Mark Crusaders .”
Celestia stepped over to keep Rarity company as the Princess of the Night entertained her young friends.so sorry we made such a dreadful faux pas yesterday” replied Rarity, “I’m so ashamed of the way we behaved.”
Luna turned away from the balustrade as the fillies followed her heading back to the balcony doors where two white mares were waiting for them.
By the time they entered the hall where a team of serving staff waited, they all noticed that the extra places had already been set at table. Either the staff were psychic, or this had been planned in advance; only Celestia and Rarity knew the answer to that one.
The usually serious and business-like two-way handover meeting that underpinned the purpose of this combined breakfast/dinner meal became a refreshingly animated and entertaining event. For one night only, the grown-ups all gave their young guests the opportunity to regale them with stories of the colts and fillies they had helped gain their cutie marks, with maybe just the slightest embellishments added along the way.
At the end of a delightful meal during which Celestia and Luna had both gained a deeper respect for the CMCs and their altruistic activities, Rarity announced that she had to take them back to Ponyville on the last train, so they could participate in activities with Miss Cheerilee the next morning. Celestia gave individual hugs to everypony and wished them all a safe journey before departing to her chambers for the night, while Luna thanked the fillies again for their kind gift and for having accepted her into their club; she reserved a much more passionate farewell to her marefriend, already beginning to count the minutes until she would return.
Rarity and her party of three caped fillies just made it to the station before the train arrived, although it was a much closer call than she would have chosen. They walked through the surprisingly crowded train right to the last carriage which was practically deserted apart from two parties of ponies, a friendly but noisy group at one end and a smaller, quieter group at the other. Rarity directed them towards the quieter group, knowing this was already past the fillies’ bedtime and gratefully, they filed in to a group of four seats together with a table between them. Here, they would be free to relax, tell their stories about the events in Canterlot and then fall asleep as was the usual order of events at this time of night. Indeed, Rarity had a sketch pad and a few pencils out ready, so she could jot down a few design ideas when the fillies fell asleep and she could keep herself usefully occupied once there was nopony left to talk to.
The train pulled out of Canterlot station with loud chuffing noises that were all but overwhelmed by the sound of their excited chatter. After a few minutes, Sweetie Belle put her head to one side and became strangely silent.Listen ” she whispered, “Just listen to what they’re saying .”that .”disobedient ?”quiet gesture.
Raised voices were indicating that the mood of good natured, if loud companionship they had heard from the other party of travellers when they had boarded was developing into an argument and Rarity was pleased she had chosen seats as far away as possible. Not only that, but they were also close enough to the mysterious group apparently plotting quietly behind them to still be able to just about make out what they were saying, even if was only about one word in four.
Suddenly, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom noticed that half of their number had stopped talking and quietened down too, at which point the sinister discussion that the two sisters were overhearing suddenly became quieter too; so quiet that they could no longer listen in. Sweetie Belle made UP motions with her forehoof, trying to get her friends to resume their noisy conversation. Suddenly put on the spot, they couldn’t think of anything to say and tried to hang random unconnected thoughts together loudly, but this lacked the coherence of a proper conversation and shortly the subterfuge fell apart, the opportunity lost. Sweetie Belle looked at Rarity and shrugged, her older sister responding by pulling a face that seemed to say “Eeek!”
Throughout the rest of the journey, they were on tenterhooks, listening for anything else discernible, but there was nothing further to be heard. Rarity was however, grateful to acknowledge that differences among the group at the other end of the carriage appeared to have been resolved and they had quietened down too.
When the train reached Ponyville, they all got out; the large friendly group heading into town while the smaller group of three went the other way, hoods raised against the settling evening chill.
To her great relief, Rarity successfully retraced her steps and headed back into town, straight to the welcoming sight of the Castle of Friendship.all the worst things that could happen …”Uh huh ” interrupted Twilight, knowing how much her friend sometimes succumbed to the over-dramatic.
“Spike! Spike!” she called, then adding as an aside to nopony in particular, “Oh, I do hope he hasn’t gone to bed yet.”
Dear Luna,
Rarity has just reported a chance encounter with what sounds like sirens. They started to sing on the train down to Ponyville, a tune that’s very familiar to me following the Battle of the Bands with my Canterlot High friends. I think there’s only four of us in Equestria who have heard their song; you, Celestia, Spike and me, and we all know what it means.
She pursued them into the Everfree before it got too dangerous to follow them any further and is now safely with me along with the fillies in the Castle of Friendship.
I was thinking of flying reconnaissance over the area to see what I could find before they can get too far, but wanted to check in with you first.
Twilight
Send as soon as you’re ready please Spike.”
“Sirens?” questioned Spike incredulous, “I thought you defeated them at the Battle of the Bands and they weren’t a threat any more?”really long incubation period or there are other sirens alive and well that we haven’t found yet. Perhaps they have managed to conceal their presence by mastering shape-shifting like the ones we met, you know , in the same way that the changelings do?”
Before they could continue the discussion any further, Spike burped a gout of green flame and a letter appeared amid a puff of grey smoke.
“Dear Twilight,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. So glad to hear Rarity and fillies are safe. We will be with you within one and one half hours including Thestrals practiced in tracking. We think it would be too dangerous for you to take on this task alone.
Luna”
“Well, it looks like we’re going to have visitors this evening” observed Twilight with masterful understatement, “Now, shall we all have tea before they get here?”
A Hearth's Warming to Remember
About an hour and a half later, the Royal Sisters wearing battle armour dismounted Luna’s chariot and strode towards the main entrance to the Castle of Friendship while a large contingent of Bat Ponies and Thestrals landed soundlessly within the castle grounds.
Luna led her sister up the stairs leading to the main door of the castle and was met by Rarity rushing to welcome her.darling ” replied Rarity, admiring her marefriend’s battle armour “The look is a little severe, but you carry it off so well! ”‘we’ , I thought she was speaking in olde Canterlot; I hadn’t realised she meant that you would both be coming.”
“Princesses!” called out Twilight, emerging from a door at the other side of the entrance hall, “Would you like to come through?”
Once the Princesses and their senior officers were seated, Twilight began the briefing, explaining what had happened with The Dazzlings during the Battle of the Bands. She then went on to describe the events on the train earlier in the evening drawing on support from Rarity and Sweetie Belle who sang the siren’s song that she had heard.
“Twilight?” Luna enquired, “Your knowledge of the sirens is more recent than ours. I propose to take you up on your offer of leading us where you can.”
Once the three guards had reported, Twilight took them to see Fluttershy and knocked on her door. Harry the bear answered and grunted a smile of recognition at the lilac alicorn, then looked sideways at the Bat Ponies, sniffed the air, growled a little, shrugged his shoulders and went to fetch his mistress. The demure primrose pegasus stuck her head tentatively round the door shortly afterwards.
“Oh hello Twilight, I was just in the middle of putting the critters to bed and reading bedtime stories. How can I help?”
“Sooooo ” said Twilight awkwardly, “How would you like to meet my animal loving friends?”
“Oh. Oh I see …” repeated Fluttershy moving closer to Twilight and suddenly becoming more assertive, “Because if they do, I’ll get to hear about it! ”Gooood ” said Twilight, giving her friend a distinctly uncomfortable smile and then adding optimistically, “We’re good to go then?”
Although dwarfed by the three strangers, Fluttershy was on a roll, motivated by her protective nature towards her critters, especially as it was their bedtime and they were at their most vulnerable. She ripped into each of the three in turn, asking tougher and tougher questions, her eyes bulging as she pointed and prodded with her forehoof, making the points she felt needed to be made. Forcefully.
By the time she had finished, each of the Bat Ponies was quivering, their initial impressions of this petite pegasus having been totally inverted.Okayyyy ” said Twilight still reeling internally, before turning to the guards and confirming “You’ll be alright here will you?”
Twilight next flew on to Rainbow Dash’s Cloudominium, apprehensive of what she may find. She knew Rainbow worked hard and liked to play just as hard too, and although she had heard the same rumours that everypony else had, she wasn't entirely sure what form her friend's relaxation took, and had never wanted to ask. Feeling more than a little awkward, she gripped tightly onto what courage she could muster and knocked tentatively on the door, praying that her friend wasn't in the middle of anything too personal. Before her heart had the opportunity to skip another beat, a familiar voice rang out from inside, "C’mon in. Door’s open.”
Twilight obliged and walked in to find Rainbow kicking back with two Persian blue mares she recognised from the Wonderbolts; Flitter and Cloud Chaser. They were all chilling out with a selection of wine and cider bottles lying casually around, bearing testimony to the fact that they had clearly been going some time already. The two Wonderbolts were seated close together on the sofa while Rainbow was stretched out languidly on the floor, a mixture of full and empty bottles of cider within easy reach.
“Oh, hey Twi” she greeted with a nonchalant wave of her forehoof, “Want to come join us? There’s plenty of cider to go round. Oh wait, let me guess, you’re more of a wine mare?”
Something told Twilight that she was definitely imposing far further than she had intended into Rainbow’s personal space. It wasn’t any shock that she felt, but just a severe sense of embarrassment that she was here to drag her away from whatever well-earned relaxation she may have had in mind with her friends.
“So what’s happenin’ Twi? Books out of order on the shelves again?” she chuckled, shooting her friend a crooked smile.
The two Persian blue mares now started looking at Twilight in a new light; as expert fliers, they automatically assessed every pony with wings by their own flying standards and although Twilight had wings, it was obvious to every pegasus that her flying ability was barely beyond that of a filly. However, she was a Princess with a reputation for sorting out wrong-doers and would be sure to have a lot of interesting stories to tell, especially if she travelled to other worlds too. They stared up at her in rapt attention, their eyes begging her to stay.
“Well, I’m truly sorry to have to ask you right at this moment ...” she agonised.Awesome Dash is at your service!”do look forward to seeing you again Princess Twilight” said Cloud Chaser as Flitter nodded in agreement.
As they flew back to the Castle of Friendship, Twilight kept apologising for taking Rainbow away from her friends, but all the cyan pegasus wanted to know was what was going on with the sirens and how she could give them a sound kicking. Had the flight been any longer, Twilight’s curiosity would have overcome her reserve to ask about Flitter and Cloud Chaser, but that question and indeed the answer would have to wait for another day as they lined up to land at the castle’s main entrance.
They walked in together to find everypony discussing strategy and tactics, and Twilight took the opportunity to get the four newly arrived Element Bearers up to speed with what was happening; Rainbow getting increasingly enthusiastic while Fluttershy became progressively more apprehensive.
Once she had finished, she made a beeline for the Royal Sisters who were at the centre of the planning process and confirmed the Element Bearers were mustered and briefed.
Immediately, the officers turned and left to relay the plan to their guards, followed closely by the Royal Sisters, while Twilight strode over to the other Element Bearers.
As they stepped out into the chilling air, they could see guards already taking off in formation and flying criss-cross patterns across the sky as they climbed to altitude. Celestia and Luna were talking to the charioteers and as Twilight drew closer she ordered, “Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity, into the chariot; Rainbow and Fluttershy with me up front.”
Twilight turned to look at Luna, waiting for her to confirm that the air cover was in position before she could start. After a few minutes, Luna looked in her direction and nodded.
It wasn’t a long journey, but walking it, especially with the necessary guard support would have cost valuable time they didn’t have. It wasn’t long before they saw the Castle of the Two Sisters rising up as Twilight’s reference point, indicating the start of her descent into the Everfree. She lined up next to a small winding canyon and signalled she was about to break formation before flying down to do a touch and go, indicating where she wanted the chariot to land, in a clear space next to the canyon rim. She rose up again and rejoined the chariot as it circled, watching the allocated Night Guard unit land and spread out, securing the area.
Next, the chariot made its descent and landed safely where she had indicated, and she followed it down with her pegasus friends, lining up next to the chariot and flaring so perfectly that her legs barely felt the landing, desperately wishing that Rainbow had seen her improved flying skills.
Twilight turned back to watch as the last of the Element Bearers stepped out of the chariot.
They took off once more and watched as the Thestral trackers set off in expanding circles trying to get the first whiff of creatures that had not knowingly been seen in Equestria in a thousand years. They had little to go on, but the stakes were high; their motives were unlikely to be benign, and the longer they were left unchecked, the more powerful they would become.
A Hearth's Warming to Remember
As they continued to circle in the night sky, the friends in the chariot started to grow cold. Worse, Rarity was doubting herself; after all, this entire operation was only happening because of what she had overheard and reported. It had been a noisy carriage, and in fact she hadn’t heard that much herself; she had mostly convinced herself that what little she had heard reinforced what Sweetie Belle had told her. In her mind, it was all starting to unravel, and she felt a horrible pit opening up in her stomach. Could Luna trust her anymore if she had made yet another faux pas in such a short time? Was she becoming too much of a liability?
“I’m a liability!” she suddenly cried, burying her tearful muzzle in a rather surprised Pinkie Pie next to her.
Rarity withdrew her mascara streaked face from Pinkie Pie and turned to face Applejack, leaving Pinkie to try and rub off the surplus makeup that had become an abstract tattoo on her chest. She dabbed at it, but it only smudged worse, so she lifted her head back and looked at it from different angles, like admiring a work of art before sitting back, happy with the result.
“It’s just” began Rarity between sobs, “What if I’m wrong about this whole sirens thing?”
“Oh Applejack!” cried the seamstress, throwing herself into Applejack this time and sobbing into her chest. The farmer cringed at the prospect of having a matching mascara tattoo to Pinkie’s, but patted her friend’s head with as gentle of a “there, there” as she could muster, feeling Rarity’s forelegs squeeze her tighter.you’re going to get?”
“There!” shouted Luna, her shrill cry piercing the night, before she peeled away from the formation and headed away at full speed. All eyes strained to see where the Princess of the Night was heading, but her eyesight was so attuned to the darkness that she had an immediate advantage over everypony else. The convoy surrounding the Royal chariot changed course and headed after the sharp-eyed Princess, Rarity perking up at the thought she may not be a liability after all.
In truth, Luna was being guided not so much by what she could see on the physical plane, but a disturbance on the ethereal plane, the place that accommodated the dream realm that she patrolled. A magical imbalance had opened up coincident with the search begun by the Thestrals, and she was not prepared to accept these two events as unconnected.
The wingbeats resounded with the effort now being put behind them, no longer a relaxed rhythm designed to optimise long endurance cruising, but reflecting an urgency that from one pony alone would have been impressive, but when it came from everypony around, became an experience that wasn’t so much heard, but actually felt .
“Get into the chariot!” ordered the lead charioteer as Fluttershy fought to keep up with the others.
Pinkie witnessed the conversation in front of her and then watched as Fluttershy all but stopped flying, suddenly making her a whole lot slower than the chariot. Pinkie watched intrigued as the primrose flank suddenly seemed to speed up towards her as the chariot moved to pick her up and she slid over to one side, measuring an exact distance with a steel tape she just happened to have materialised from nowhere. Rarity chose the exact moment to look forward, the merest instant before Fluttershy hit the back of the seat next to her and let out a shriek of surprise to see her vision filled with primrose, throwing herself into Applejack’s lap to avoid collision with Fluttershy’s flank.
Next instant there was a thump and the trio of friends suddenly found themselves to be a quartet as a rather dazed animal lover landed between them.
By now, even the most untrained eyes could see there was a faint red glow up ahead that seemed to be pulsing with an unearthly energy. Fluttershy chose her moment to be brave and instantly regretted her decision as she peered forward tentatively and realised that was to be their destination.
The light grew brighter as they approached and suddenly they began to make out the forms of ponies fighting each other on the ground, more and more of them, in fact enough to make up the numbers of the two units of Night Guard despatched to protect the Thestral trackers.
The Night Guard covered their ears and screamed, but the sound would not stop burrowing into their heads. The charioteers shook their heads frantically trying to stop the sirens’ song affecting them and dove down hard to make an emergency landing, impacting rather than landing on the clearest ground they could find, driven by the knowledge that the only chance for them and for the whole of Equestria was that their precious cargo was safe.
The Night Guard fell from the air, even Luna and Celestia were unable to defend themselves and began to succumb, but yet the Element Bearers remained unaffected. Rainbow Dash and Twilight looked at each other and quickly headed for the ground too, so as not to become obvious targets for who or whatever was at the centre of the malevolent magic. They joined up with their four friends by the chariot and stood shocked to see good natured rivalries spilling over into arguments and fights among the Night Guard all around them.
It was now clear that it had to be sirens behind these events, as based on Twilight’s previous experience, she could see that their modus operandi was just the same; sow disagreement and grow strong on the negative emotions. Given the number of ponies that the magic was working on, it was clear that the sirens would not be far off full strength by now and whatever their ultimate aim, was close to being realised.
“OK girls” instructed Twilight, “All hold hooves.”
One by one, they opened their eyes to see that nothing had changed.
“The fire of friendship lives in our hearts
As she sang, her Element began to glow and as the others joined in, their Elements glowed too.
“Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few
A multicoloured band of light formed like a fast moving ribbon around them as they sang, and the more they sang, the wider the circle grew. When the feuding ponies caught by the sirens’ spell were covered by the expanding circle, they found themselves freed from the curse, and as they recovered they joined in too, strengthening the power that was building to challenge the evil magic.
Eventually, the circle grew so strong and so wide that it completely surrounded all of the ponies and once the last of them had recovered and was singing, the spinning ribbon of magic that formed the circle split into two streams which rose high into the sky, circling around each other before reuniting at the top and diving straight down to a focused point in the forest.
Immediately, the Night Guard took to the air and followed where the bolt of magic had struck the ground. The Element Bearers also flew in to see what had happened, three grateful Bat Ponies carrying in those who did not have wings of their own.
On a small rocky outcrop projecting up from the forest, three unicorns lay where they had fallen, all gasping for breath.
Twilight landed next to them and the sand coloured one stirred, painfully lifting her head up and brushing away her brown mane to see more clearly who had beaten her.
Their eyes met.
Not for the first time.
“Twilight Sparkle” she groaned wearily, “Why do you always have to spoil my plans?”
Celestia and Luna arrived, landing on the rocky outcrop next to the Element Bearers and the defeated sirens.
“Twilight” remarked Celestia, continuing to stare imperiously down at the sand coloured pony who was clearly the sirens’ leader, “I think it’s time you reviewed security on the Crystal Mirror. I, meanwhile, have three new playmates to send down to Cerberus.”
Luna looked at Rarity proudly, even though her makeup had run and smudged all across her face, but right at that moment, she was the most beautiful sight in the whole of Equestria.
All around, the sound of Hearth’s Warming carols continued, very much as when the three tribes had first come together to defeat the Windigos and agreed to bury their differences at the founding of Equestria.
Rarity briefly considered her actions in having reported her suspicions about the sirens and how even up to a short while ago it had made her feel like a liability, not worthy of her marefriend’s love. Now, fully vindicated, she stared confidently up into her sparkling teal eyes, no longer with anything she felt she had to apologise for. For her part, Luna had never lost faith in her marefriend and knew she never would. Her thoughts drifted as she allowed herself to become consumed by the warm glow of the lovelight in Rarity’s deep blue eyes and leaned slowly forward, closing her eyes so she could feel the tender surprise of meeting her marefriend’s lips.
As soon as Rarity felt the delicate touch of Luna’s lips on hers, she felt any last reservations crumble and reached forward with her forelegs, drawing her lover close; two ponies in love, being serenaded by carols and silhouetted against the full moon.
A Hearth's Warming to Remember
Once Twilight had made good on her promise to the Tree of Harmony and returned her Element along with her friends, she invited everypony back to the Castle of Friendship as it was just a short distance away. With the threat passed, Luna dismissed the Night Guard as their numbers were too large to be accommodated with Twilight and so they made their way back to Canterlot with written orders from Celestia that they be treated as the heroes they were.
When they arrived back at the castle, they were met by Spike and Twilight shared the good news of their victory with her number one assistant.
Pinkie summoned a do-it-yourself emergency party-in-a-can from apparently out of nowhere and immediately put on some music while she and Rarity busied themselves setting up the remainder of the party essentials with Rainbow hanging up the decorations that couldn’t be reached from the ground.
It was fortunate that Twilight had ensured they were well stocked for Hearth’s Warming, because there was a plentiful supply at hoof of everything needed to provide a sumptuous feast with very little preparation. Before long, the young fillies, who, as Applejack had suspected, were still nowhere near being asleep, were helping out by bringing out a stream of plates piled high with tasty treats and laying them out on tables in the main hall.
Twilight was going to go and talk to Celestia, but stopped when she saw her and her sister in deep discussion and thought better of interrupting, choosing instead to catch up with Fluttershy who was now worried about how well the volunteered Bat Ponies were looking after her critters. Shortly, everything was as Pinkie wanted it and she helped herself to a mug of cider before going to load up her plate.
Just as she sprang forward to pick up the first of her canapes, she heard the sound of a spoon striking a glass in a way that commanded her attention. Stopping literally in mid-air, she turned to see Celestia standing in a commanding pose ready to make a speech. Immediately she rewound her herself and landed back on the ground exactly where she had started from, and scooted over to turn the music down before turning to face the Sun Princess with the respect she was due.
“Before we start on this marvellous spread, I should like to thank all of you for having dropped whatever plans you had to rally to the support of Equestria. These sirens presented a very real threat to our security and I am most grateful that they are finally where they belong, a result that would not have been possible without the commitment of all of you. However, there is one pony among us tonight who has earned something special, and I should like to hand over to my sister to make the announcement.”
Luna stepped forward as Celestia moved over to one side, the vaguest hint of a smile on her face.
With Rarity staring up expectantly into her eyes, Luna knelt in front of her and took her forehoof in her own.surely she couldn’t be …?
“And you could make me the happiest mare in Equestria …”She’s actually going to! Rarity screamed inwardly.
“… if you would consent to marry me.”
Silence descended throughout the castle.
Random thoughts flew round inside Rarity’s head, none of them seeming to connect with anything as they flew faster and faster and her mouth worked up and down, stammering incoherent sounds. For Luna, the silence was not awkward, because although words had failed her beloved, her wide eyes radiated her answer.
She gripped Luna’s forehoof tightly and suddenly the thoughts in her head coalesced and she whispered, “I do ...” before launching into a passionate kiss, accompanied by loud cheers and whistles from all those present.
How long they remained locked together sharing the joy of the moment was not recorded, but applauding hooves were starting to feel tired when they finally broke their kiss and pulled back just far enough to take in the beauty of the other and appreciate how lucky each felt. For them, time had stopped as they finally came out and announced their intentions to their friends and family.
Sweetie Belle suddenly looked up to Twilight and tugged gently on her to get her attention.
She was just about to press Twilight further on this point, when she noticed that Luna was looking in their direction and beckoning her over. She made a quick apology and in a flash had joined the happy couple as they moved apart just enough to allow a little filly between them.little sister ."
Author's Note
Happy Hearth's Warming everypony
