“Remind me again why we have to do this, Twilight?” Rainbow Dash huffed as she hovered along beside her friend.
“Because it’ll be fun! Besides, my book says carolling is a fun festive activity. It’s only my first Hearth’s Warming here in Ponyville, and I want to try all these new friendship activities!"
Rainbow gave Twilight an odd look. “You don’t need a book to tell you how to have fun, you know,” she said.
“Don’t be silly, Rainbow,” chuckled Twilight. “I need a book to tell me how to do everything.”
Rainbow gave an exasperated sigh and came down to land next to her. “Fine,” she said, “I’ll do it. But I don’t know a lot of the namby-pamby old Hearth’s Warming carols. Can we try and sing something a bit more energetic?”
Twilight gave her a worried look. “But the book says that carollers ‘primarily sing traditional Hearth’s Warming carols’. I not sure that we-” She paused for a second, not wanting to risk Rainbow changing her mind now that she’d agreed to it. “I mean, perhaps we can see how the evening turns out. Maybe we’ll get sick of the traditional songs,” she suggested, trying to ignore how dirty it made her feel to even consider disobeying a book.
“Alright, awesome,” Rainbow said. She started to sound a little more enthusiastic. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”
Twilight trotted quickly after her. “How come you don’t know all the old Hearth’s Warming carols?” she asked. “Surely you must get carollers coming by every winter.”
“Nah,” she said. “If there’s one good thing about living in a cloud house, it’s that I’m generally safe from the dorks who enjoy doing stuff like that. Erm, no offence,” she added.
“None taken,” said Twilight. “So you don’t really know if there are any other ponies who go out carolling every year?”
“No, not really,” Rainbow said. “Maybe the ponies at the old folks’ home; it seems lame enough for them to enjoy it. No offence again.”
“None taken... again. Well, hopefully we’ll run into some other carollers and we can join up with them. The more the merrier, and there’s nothing like having fun this time of year.”
“Yeah, and this is nothing like having fun,” Rainbow said to herself.
The pair walked a little further along the road into town, until they came to the first house by the way. It did nothing to inspire any more confidence in Rainbow Dash. There were no lights or any decorations of any kind across its walls, windows and doorways. In fact, it seemed like even the light of Luna’s moon didn’t dare fall across the dreary house, for fear of spoiling the perfectly drab and dour atmosphere of the place.
“Are you sure anypony even lives here?” Rainbow asked. “It looks dead.”
“Yes, I’m sure. I see somepony coming and going from here all the time, but I haven’t had a chance to meet them yet. See,” she added,” this is a great way to meet new ponies, too!”
“If you say so,” Rainbow said. “So what are we singing?”
“Let’s start with Faust Rest Ye Merry Gentlemares,” Twilight said. “You must know the words to that one.”
“I am pretty sure I don’t,” said Rainbow.
“Just mime along with me, then, and I’m sure you’ll pick it up in no time. And just watch how we brighten this pony’s day.” She squealed happily as she gave three firm knocks to the gnarled oak door, before stepping back into place next to Rainbow Dash. She beamed, ready to spread the magic of Hearth’s Warming. Rainbow just looked bored. The muffled sound of hoofsteps told them that somepony was coming, and almost before the door had opened fully, Twilight launched into the song.
Faust rest ye merry, gentlemares
Let nothing you dismay
For sisterhood and harmony
Have triumphed here today,
To save us all from chaos’ power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joooooy.
Twilight grinned expectantly at the pony, which quickly faltered when she didn’t get one back. He was a grumpy old stallion, with a grey coat and a greyer mane. His face appeared to have long ago creased and folded under the weight of his constant scowling, with the top of his muzzle meeting his prominent frown lines like a lone and rocky islet jutting out from a tempestuous sea.
She gulped. “Happy Hearth’s Warming!” she offered, with poorly affected festivity.
He stood silent for a couple more moments, apparently taking in the scene before him. “Bah humbug,” he finally barked, before retreating back inside his house and slamming the door.
Twilight’s ears fell as she frowned. “Well, that went well,” declared Rainbow.
“I-I don’t understand,” Twilight said. “The book said he should have lit up with Hearth’s Warming joy. Did we do something wrong? Did I do something wrong?”
“Don’t worry about it, Twilight,” said Rainbow, trying to cheer her up. “It’s just a bit of fun, like you said. It doesn’t matter if one pony doesn’t get it.”
“No, no. There must have been something wrong with the way I did it. Maybe my singing wasn’t jolly enough?”
“Your singing was fine, Twilight. They’re just some dumb carols, they don’t need to be...” Rainbow trailed off as a strange sound reached her ears. The slow and gentle melody of ponies singing carried across the frozen evening air, lowering a blanket of peace and serenity over everything it touched. “What is that?”
A little way in the distance, three figures began to emerge from the gloom as they walked towards Rainbow and Twilight. “Is that... Pinkie? ” It was indeed Pinkie Pie, flanked by Sweetie Belle and Big Mac. As the three of them came slowly closer, it became clear that they were singing a Hearth’s Warming carol.
Silent night, friendly night,
All is peaceful, all is bright
Round the Princess of the Moon
Blissful resting ponies are strewn,
And sleep in heavenly peace!
They finished just as they reached Twilight and Rainbow, and came to a stop. Pinkie and her two companions all looked very festive in their matching green and red scarves and woolly hats. “Hi girls!” she grinned at them. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, we’re just out singing some songs,” Twilight said, “but-”
“Oh my gosh, are you two carolling too?” Pinkie gasped.
“Wait, you guys are carolling?” asked Rainbow. “Since when do you do that?”
“Err, since forever,” said Pinkie.
“Yeah,” added Sweetie Belle. “We’ve been going out carolling every Hearth’s Warming for years now. Isn’t that right, Big Mac?”
“Eeyup.”
“With the three of us, we have a very wide vocal range,” Pinkie helpfully explained. “But I’m more shocked that you’re out here doing this, Rainbow Dash! I would never have expected it from you.”
Rainbow blushed a little. “Yeah, well, Twilight really wanted to do it, so...”
“Not going very well so far, huh?” she asked.
Rainbow blushed even more. “Yeah, it’s going just great. We’re, like, the best carollers ever. Why don’t you think it’s going well?”
“Because you’re outside old Mr Crotchet’s house. He never responds well to carollers.”
“He threw a clock at me once!” Sweetie exclaimed happily.
“Luckily he always cheers up a bit once I give him his Hearth’s Warming gift – four bottles of Sweet Apple Acres special reserve cider.”
“Riiiight,” said Rainbow. “So are you guys nearly finished for the night, or what?”
“Oh no, we’ve actually only just begun. We were actually kind of worried we wouldn’t be able to visit every house tonight, but now you’re doing it too we should have more than enough to bring some Hearth’s Warming cheer to everypony! Isn’t that great?”
“Yeah,” said Rainbow, “that’s great.”
“I suppose what would make the most sense,” Twilight said, “would be for you guys to start at one end of Ponyville, us to start at the other, and then we’ll meet in the middle. That should cover the whole town.”
“That’s a great idea, Twilight!” Pinkie said. “But are you sure you don’t want us to do a few more houses than you, seeing as we’re a tinsy bit more experienced?”
“No no, I think we’ll be fine,” Rainbow said, a little indignantly. “Like I said, we’re the best carollers ever.”
“Okie dokie lokie then, I guess we’ll see you in the centre of town when we’re done. We’ll wait for you if we finish our half first!” she called as they trotted away. The three of them turned a corner and were out of sight.
Almost before they were gone, Rainbow grabbed Twilight’s hoof and started off running, pulling her towards the south end of town. “Come on Twi, we’ve got to get started!”
“How come you’re so eager?” asked Twilight. “You didn’t seem to be the least bit interested earlier.”
“That was before it was a competition,” Rainbow said.
“A competition?” squeaked Twilight. “I’m not sure carolling can be a competition.”
“Sure it is, Twilight. Didn’t you hear Pinkie? We have to get our half of town done first, to show what good carollers we are.”
“I-I don’t remember her saying that, and I don’t think that’s the right attitude to have, you know,” Twilight said. “It’s definitely not what the book says.”
“Never mind what the book says, Twilight,” Rainbow said as the frigid air whipped through her mane. “I’m not letting Pinkie Pie beat me.”
*****
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la la la la!
‘Tis the something something jolly,
Fa la la la la la la la-
“-oh, you get the idea,” said Rainbow. “Happy Hearth’s Warming. Now - next!” she shouted, pulling Twilight along the road to the neighbouring house and leaving a very bewildered family standing at the door.
“Rainbow,” Twilight said, “I’m not sure this is the way carolling is meant to be done. I’m not sure this is in the spirit of Hearth’s Warming.”
“Sure it is, Twi,” she said nonchalantly. “Do you think the three tribes didn’t have a little friendly competition to help them settle their differences and live in harmony?”
“No, competition is the very opposite of living in harmony.”
“Look, don’t worry. What, you think windigoes are going to come down from the sky just because I’m trying to out-carol Pinkie Pie?”
“No, but I do think you’re spoiling this a little bit. That last family barely had time to take in what was happening.”
“We’ve got a lot of houses to get through. We can’t afford to hang around all day.”
“And you don’t know half the words to these songs.”
“Yeah, I know. I cover it up pretty well, though, so I don’t think people can tell. By the way, for this next one I was thinking of doing Good King Winkle Sash again, since that went so well last time,” she said, as she knocked on the door of the next house.
“Wenceslas,” Twilight corrected, as it began to open.
“Gesundheit,” said Rainbow, before turning to the mare at the door. “Happy Hearth’s Warming! We’re here to sing Good King Wrinkle Slap!”
“Just don’t lose the meaning of the holiday in all this,” Twilight warned.
“Don’t worry,” said Rainbow, “I definitely won’t.”
Good King Wendel Slip looked out, something something friendship...
*****
“Wow, that’s fifty-seven houses done in just over two hours. That’s got to be some kind of record.”
“You certainly get top marks for speed,” said Twilight. “I just wish we could have slowed down and enjoyed it a bit more.”
“I know what you mean, Twi,” said Rainbow, “but we’ve got to beat Pinkie. Anyway, we’ve been having fun, haven’t we?”
“Yeah, I guess...” said Twilight, more than a little unsure.
“That’s awesome! And we’ve only got a few more, and then we’re done.” Rainbow turned and started away up the road, talking while she walked. “And Pinkie will have to admit that I’m amazing caroller, and then, Twilight-” She stopped as she realised there was nopony following her. “Twilight?”
Twilight stood a little further down the road, a frown on her face. “Rainbow, I... I have to tell you something.”
“Err, sure, what is it?” she asked.
Twilight paused to think for a moment. “Rainbow, I... feel like you’re spoiling this for me by being so competitive.”
Rainbow walked back over to her. “Spoiling? What do you mean?”
“Well, I just wanted to go out and spend the evening having fun and doing something for Hearth’s Warming with a friend. But by being so competitive, you’re taking all the joy out of this.”
“It’s just a friendly little bit of competition,” said Rainbow. “You know I like to be the best at things.”
“I know that, Rainbow, and there’s nothing wrong with competing at times. But this isn’t one of those times. I don’t care which of you can do this faster, I just want to spend Hearth’s Warming having fun with my friends. That’s what the season’s all about, after all.”
Rainbow frowned as she thought for a moment. Was she being too competitive? The last thing she wanted to do was ruin the season for anypony.
“Sorry, Twi,” she said. “I didn’t mean to get carried away with it all.”
“It’s alright, Rainbow,” said Twilight. “Celestia knows I'm aware how easy it to get swept up by things. I suppose it’s kind of what the whole holiday is about, isn’t it? Unicorns, earth ponies and pegasi constantly bickering when they should have been joining together.”
“You know, it’s funny,” said Rainbow. “When I was a filly in Cloudsdale, every year my parents would take me to go and see the big pageant. And I’d watch the three tribes fighting, and I’d be like, ‘why can’t you see that you just have to work together’? But I guess it’s pretty easy to go overboard and lose sight of that kind of thing.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” said Twilight. She chuckled. “So I suppose, in a way, we have ended up learning something new about Hearth’s Warming after all. Just not in the way I would have imagined.”
“Hah, that’s right, Twi,” she agreed. “I just wonder how Pinkie and that lot are doing. They’re not here yet, so I guess that means they didn’t try and compete and just took things a bit slower-”
She was cut off by a sudden crashing noise, as a pink blur slid across the icy road and banged into a fencepost. “Don’t worry guys, I don’t see Rainbow; I think we beat them,” she shouted breathlessly. She got up and then noticed Rainbow and Twilight standing there. “Or not.”
Sweetie Belle and Big Mac, looking pretty weary, walked slowly up behind her. “Are you okay, Pinkie?” Sweetie asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said, “except that Rainbow managed to beat us.” She turned to the two of them. “How did you do it? We were going at almost thirty houses an hour!”
Rainbow looked a little uncomfortable as she admitted, “I guess I got quite competitive.”
“Well wowie, if I was wearing a hat I would tip it to you,” she said, miming it anyway. “I guess you two really are the best carollers.”
Twilight and Rainbow gave each other a knowing look and smiled. “Well actually, Pinkie,” Rainbow said, “we were talking about that, and, I don’t think we are.”
“Huh?” Pinkie asked, confused.
“Well, as Twilight helped me see, Hearth’s Warming isn’t really about competition, and carolling isn’t really about speed. It’s about friendship and harmony, and we can’t have those things if we’re constantly working to outdo each other.”
“I hadn’t really thought about it like that,” said Pinkie.
“Truth be told, I’m actually kind of embarrassed by how I got carried away with it all. It wasn’t cool, and, err, I’m sorry about that,” Rainbow said, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. “By rushing around, I kind of missed the one thing that really matters.”
“Yeah, you could be right,” Pinkie said. “But we still had fun having a little competition, didn’t we guys?”
Sweetie and Big Mac looked at each other uncomfortably. “Honestly, Pinkie, I didn’t want to say anything because it looked like you were having so much fun, but all the rushing around was kind of exhausting,” said Sweetie. “I really preferred it when we used to take things slower, and I got to spend more time with my friends.”
“Eeyup,” he added.
“Oh...” said Pinkie. “I guess this hasn’t been a very successful evening after all.”
Twilight frowned for a moment, but her face soon lit up as she had an idea. “Well, perhaps we don’t need to give up just yet,” she said. “We can still enjoy Hearth’s Warming as friends, not rivals."
*****
Twilight stood at the door, smiling. “Because you didn’t get a proper performance earlier, we’d like to sing you another song, and hopefully this time spread a lot more Hearth’s Warming cheer,” she said to the mare, who nodded eagerly. She stepped back to join the group, as she, Rainbow, Pinkie, Sweetie and Big Mac all started singing.
Hark! The peaceful ponies sing
Winter turns to friendship’s spring!
Peace in pony lands shall be,
As we live in harmony.
Joyful all ye ponies rise,
Joined are magic, earth and skies;
Friendship shall forever stand
In Equestria, our land.
“You were right, this is a lot more fun,” Rainbow giggled as they walked along to the next house on the road.
“Absolutely!” echoed Pinkie and Sweetie Belle.
“And you know what? I’m glad I get to do it with all of you. Thanks for being my friends, girls. And, err, guy.”
“Eeyup.”
Twilight smiled as she replied. “I’m so glad we’re doing this too. It’s better than I ever could have imagined. You all are the best carollers I could ask for... even if you do only seem to know half the words.”
“Well if there weren’t so many, I wouldn’t get confused!”
“I just make them up to fit the tune!”
“Eeyup.”
THE END
