Chapter One
The Beginning
Zecora looked over the land she had found on the side of the mountain, covered as she was in furs and skins to guard against the driving snow and wind. It was a shelf, several miles wide and very flat, but also covered in snow. In her usual cryptic tone she muttered to herself through frozen lips "I think that it may be alright to make my home on this plain of white."
The mountain was not completely barren. On the contrary, trees grew in abundance on the slopes. It was not as steep as the mountains near Canterlot and Ponyville, but it was every bit as high, if not higher. It had been quite an effort to climb all the way here, and it would afford her the privacy she had hoped to find... For a while, at least.
Having learned the ways of the igloo from the Dogs who inhabited the mountain regions, she began work on a temporary shelter. Using a large-toothed saw, she cut the hardpacked seasonal snow into blocks and began stacking them. It took perhaps an hour, but she was left with a nice little hut from which she could operate until she had constructed a more permanent dwelling. It was late, so she built a small fire, cut a hole in the ceiling of her igloo, and closed the entrance.
Shedding her many layers and her pack, she retrieved her book and read again the account of the project she would try to replicate while here on the ever frozen mountain plain.
Pipsqueak watched as his beautiful snow fort was wiped away by the weather team. "Sorry, sport! All the snow has gotta go!" spouted a young green pegasus with a wild lilac mane. Watching gloomily as his favorite season came to it's untimely demise yet again, Pip made a silent vow that he would someday live in a place where winter lasted forever. Though it was a childish thought, he had no idea that someday, he really would realize his dream.
Pip sighed, and went to see if Fluttershy needed any help with the animals. If there was anything good about the return of spring, it was the return of the animals from their underground dens and warrens. She was out in the meadow, with her head under the roots of a tree. When she emerged, a family of ferrets in tow, he said "Hi, Fluttershy! Need any help today?"
She started, but then, realizing it was only him, said "Oh, yes! That would be just wonderful. Thank you, Pipsqueak." She gave him a small silver bell and directed him to a series of caves. "If you can't wake them or they don't want to come out, just mark the entrance with an 'X' and I'll come by once I'm done with these others." She indicated the series of tunnels she was working on. "I'll see you in a bit, and thanks again."
He started working on getting the animals up and about, and in what seemed like no time at all, the sun was setting and most all of the animals had been woken from their hibernation. "Good job, Pipsqueak! Who knew you had such a gift for working with animals?" Fluttershy had nothing but praise for the little colt, as waking the animals for Spring was one of the more difficult tasks of the year, and he had done almost as good as she had. "I would love it if you could join me sometime for tea, or maybe even dinner... I mean, if it's alright with you and your parents, that is."
"No problem, Fluttershy! I always liked animals, so I have no problem making friends with them. I don't know what my parents would think about me going to dinner with you. Maybe if they could come along, though, or perhaps if you came to our place for dinner first...?" Pip was unsure what his parents would think of their only son going to dinner alone with a pony they really knew nothing about. He was absolutely certain they would welcome her, though.
"Hmm," thought Fluttershy. "I guess that's doable. Now that I think of it, it makes more sense, too, for me to go over there first. How does tomorrow night sound? The day's almost over now, so I wouldn't want to impose." Pip nodded his head in agreement. "Sounds good! I'll ask my parents and let you know what they say. See ya' later, Fluttershy!" He headed to where his parents were waiting for him, and Fluttershy gave them a shy wave. They waved back as Pip joined them and then began to trot back towards their home, and Fluttershy turned and started towards her cottage on the outskirts of town.
Pip was considerably more cheerful that night than he was in the morning. Not only had he learned more about Fluttershy and deepened their friendship, but his parents had indeed 'okay-ed' her coming by for dinner the next day. He lay in bed trying to sleep, but the loss of his snowfort still bothered him. The tiny Pinto earth pony tossed and turned, and when sleep finally took him, it was fitful. In his dreams he saw visions of a familiar Zebra mare hacking at evergreen trees, snow still swirling beneath her hooves. Suddenly, she turned to him, and smiled. "It is good to see a familiar face, after living at such a feverish pace."
Pip woke with a start, and immediately slammed his eyes shut again to shield them from the sunlight streaming through his window. His dreams were still fresh in his head. As far as he knew, Zecora had told noone except for Twilight Sparkle of her departure, but the last time he had seen her, she was giving what looked like every book in her cabin to the scholarly unicorn. He had been unsure what seeing that had meant, but after his dream, it made perfect sense. He'd just have to ask the librarian where Zecora had gone.
Chapter Two
Dogs
Since she arrived on the frozen mountain plain, Zecora had been working hard. Unfortunately, the elevated activity on the normally quiet mountainside had also drawn unwanted attention from some of the less than hospitable native wild-life, which slowed progress considerably, as she often had to keep herself hidden... Sometimes, for hours on end. She had to be honest with herself. This lonely life was beginning to grate on her.
One chill, but clear morning, as she was shuffling out of her igloo, she noticed that three others had sprung up around her own in the dead of night. Dogs she had met in the nearest village; two full days' travel away, had apparently come to check on her, and judging by the fact that they had set up shelter too, give her support as well. They were already moving about. A couple of them were in the middle of building a community fire, while the other kept watch at the edge of their modest settlement.
Zecora greeted the dogs in their native tongue and each responded in kind. "What are you doing here?" She asked, Unsure of what their sudden appearance could mean. They replied, "We have come to offer you aid. We know that you are learned in the ways of magic and of science, and are certain that whatever you must have travelled so far to do must be very important. We offer you support in numbers, as well as any help you may require of us. In particular, faster completion of your more permanent shelter." He motioned to the foundations of the modest cabin she had been building at the edge of the trees.
Bowing deeply, Zecora said "I thank you for these gifts and am very grateful for the company. It has been long since I have spoken to another sentient being." She and the one who had spoken looked on as the other lit tinder underneath the rest of the firewood and began to blow on it until the fire caught onto the smaller sticks and twigs and the pile began to burn in earnest. As he stood, he said "Think nothing of it. It is dangerous to travel alone in these mountains, especially in the Spring, when new mothers are on the defensive. I believe it is what the Pony folk would call 'the neighbourly thing to do.' Oh, and I do not believe we have ever been properly introduced. I am Gives-Freely and this," he indicated the dog next to him, "is Barks-Like-Thunder."
"What about that one?" Zecora motioned with her head in the direction of the dog who was still standing watch. Gives-Freely looked slightly uncomfortable, but Barks-Like-Thunder spoke softly: "That is Fire-Eyes. She is very gifted in the ways of magic, and is apprenticed to our village's Shaman. She is well respected in the village, and some even fear her, which is why I think she came with us. She is filled with sorrow that although she is apprenticed to the Shaman, there are still many who do not trust her." Zecora shook her head and sighed. "I too, have been in a situation where others were distrustful of me. It is not easy, but perhaps she can grow past it in time."
Zecora stepped away from the group and went to retrieve her axe from inside her igloo. When she came out again, Barks-Like-Thunder and Gives-Freely were walking towards the trees near her unfinished cabin, but she didn't see Fire-Eyes. A strong, female voice spoke suddenly behind her, nearly giving her a heart-attack. "Hello. I believe we have not yet been *properly* introduced." Zecora turned as the speaker said this and observed her. Fire-eyes' coat was blacker than night with a silky sheen, except for a pure white spot on her forehead. Her eyes were bright orange, and seemed to glow with an inner light. "You may call me Zecora. What is your name, again?" The female dog said "I am Fire-Eyes. It is good to meet you, Zecora. Perhaps I can help you with whatever it is you are working on here."
They talked as they went to join the others; comparing the magical theory and history of their tribes. Zecora explained to Fire-Eyes the nuances of Unicorn and Zebra magicks, and Fire-Eyes in turn gave a brief history of her lineage, explaining that her type were very rare among Dogs, and that eyes like hers had always been associated with great magical power and high expectations.
When Zecora and Fire-Eyes had rejoined the two at the edge of the trees, Zecora went into the woods to search for good trees for her cabin, while the Dogs, who were more knowledgeable about building structures in the snow, checked over what had already been built of Zecora's cabin. They found some errors, but luckily, the structure was not far enough along to need total rebuilding to fix them. They did what they could with what was still there in terms of lumber, and then trekked into the trees like Zecora to find more suitable trees. Before they had gone twenty feet in, however, they met Zecora coming out, dragging a cut tree behind her, and grinning.
"It would seem that one of the ponies of ponyville is spying on me in his dreams. What I would call an out-of-body experience; they are not that uncommon among even Earth ponies. Some Earth ponies even learn to control their excursions. For example there is another mare in Ponyville who is able to leave her body and send her spirit at will, to communicate and even be seen by others, through mirrors and such. This mare also has the gift of premonition! The local ponies call it 'Pinkie Sense' because she is the only mare in town who posesses such a gift, and she is bright pink." She gestured towards the log she was dragging behind her. "I think you will find that this is good wood. I'll be back."
Zecora turned away from the group again and went back into the trees in the same direction she had come. Barks-Like-Thunder and Gives-Freely shrugged at eachother, unsure of what exactly she had been talking about, but Fire-Eyes looked back curiously, wishing Zecora had gone into more detail. "Come on," her companions said gruffly as they hefted the log. "You can ask her about it later. For now, help us with this."
Author's Note: Throughout the chapter, Zecora is not speaking in rhymes. This is because she is speaking Canine, not Equestrian.
