Walking out of the forge and onto the streets of Ponyville, the local populace marvelled at the newly silver clad Lycan who walked by my side. This was a momentous occasion. This was the first step to a brighter future for Mandalorian's. And it was a time of celebrations.

"So what now?" Selene asked.

"Now?" I start, bringing my hand to her shoulder. "We rejoice."

With the declaration, there was only one place I knew that could provide the stiff drink for such an event. As such, I led us to none other, than the Bucking Bronco. Opening the double doors, most of the patrons inside stopped what they were doing and stared at me and Selene, something she had gotten used very quickly. Ignoring them, we walked up to the bar and I rest my weight on the dark, hard wooden finished surface, causing it to creak a bit, with Selene simply sitting on one of the stools. Lightly tapping the counter, I quickly got the attention of the bartender, a Pegasus stallion I was familiar with.

"Fendral! When was the last time you ordered a drink around here?" Cold Brew, a rather aged stallion asked.

"Couldn't say." I said plainly. "How's the husband?"

"Ah, you know how it is." He replied, idly cleaning a large pint glass in his grip. "He's constantly going at me to stop and retire."

"Will you?"

"Will you stop doing bounty hunting despite your age?"

I simply chuckled. That answered that. He got me there. It was in that moment that he seemed to take notice of Selene, who sat quietly during the whole interaction. He gained a brief look of surprise, which rapidly changed to a look joy.

"You mad dog you!" He proclaimed. "You actually went through with it!"

"Didn't you know?" I asked.

"I've been on holiday to Cloudsdale for a few months." He explained. "I mean, I heard rumours floating about, but nothing was concrete."

"Well let me introduce you to Selene." I said, patting her on the back.

"How do you do." He said, firmly shaking her hand in an iron like grip. "So what can I get you then?"

"I think you know what we need." I requested.

"Done." He said, his trade mark smile plastered on his face as he left to organise our drinks.

There was a period of quiet between us, the only noise being the hub bub of the patrons who had went back to whatever they were doing before we arrived.

"So what do we do after this." Selene asked suddenly.

"Tomorrow we get you registered in the Guild." I replied. "Then you get your first job."

As I finished, Cold brought the drinks I had ordered, placing a single straw in each and I wordlessly set my bits on the counter top and picked up my drink. Turning where I stood, I brought up my drink, Selene following suit not a second later.

"To your success." I toasted. "And a brighter future."

Clinking the metallic tankards together, I lightly tapped the base on the counter surface, Selene copying my actions. As we each took a sip through the straw, I could see her shoulder lift slightly as she quickly looked from me back to the tankard.

"Gods above, this is good." She said, practically cheering, though it went unheard over the noise of the bar.

"I know." I said, taking a sip of my own. "Because it's our recipe."

"Really?" She asked, peering down at the strong drink. "You gave away your recipe?"

"It was doing no good with me. I rarely ever drink. So giving it to someone I knew who could reliably make it was the best option." I said, taking a deep sip. "It's become very popular around here in the last few years."

"What's it called?" She asked.

"Ne'tra gal, or black ale." I replied.

Hours then past as we casually talked. There was no particular topic we settled on, simply moving on to what ever crossed our minds. In what felt like no time at all, most patrons had left, leaving only a few who still had drink left. Looking to a near by clock, I drank the last of my drink before turning to Selene, finding her already finished her own.

"Are we leaving?" She said, swivelling on the stool to face me.

"Yea, I think we should." I said. "You have a long day ahead of you."

Pushing myself off of the counter top, I waved goodbye to Cold Brew, Selene doing the same with a bit more cheer. As we left the pub and made our way home, I began noticing thing. The look the populace had. It wasn't an ominous look, only one that told me they knew something I didn't. It was a quick and simple side glance that didn't last anymore than a second. That, along with a tiny smirk, made me somewhat suspicious. It was then, I remembered. And I physically sagged.

"Selene." I said quietly, catching the attention of said Lycan. "New plan."

"What?"

Wordlessly, I turned on my heel and walked in the total opposite direction of my home and made my way slowly down the street towards our new destination. Jogging up to my side, I could tell She wanted to say or ask something, but seeing my sudden mood change, said nothing and walked silently beside me. Soon, in less than a few minutes, we came to our short journey's end. Sugar Cube Corner.

Taking the door handle in my hand, I slowly opened the door, internally preparing myself for the long hours ahead of me. As the door fully opened, I took a small tentative step forward, then another, then another. Suddenly, the lights blared, luminating the inside of the bakery and, as I expected, six ponies and a dragon were present.

"SURPRISE!" They shouted.

Party streamers were thrown with reckless abandon and party poppers were shot off, filling the air with the smell of blown out candles. Sighing, I stepped in fully, Pinkie bouncing up to me and in a soft hug, one I happily gave back, and let go seconds later.

"Happy birthday." She said in her usual, cheerful self, never failing to spread said cheer.

"Thank you." I said.

Looking up to the banner over head, my eyes skimmed the letters and numbers, painfully bringing my age to the forefront of my mind. This bit of information is one that I have told very few people, only those I deem worthy are privy to such a personal fact.

"Your fifty seven?!" Selene shouted, seemingly dumbfounded at the sudden reveal.

I only hummed in confirmation as the six ponies and single dragon make their way over to us, bright smiles all around.

"Yea, he may not seem it, but he's getting on a bit." dash said, giving me a hard pat on the back, only to get swatted by a certain Stetson wearing mare.

"Now Dash, you know that ain't the way to treat your elders." She chastised.

"It was a bit rude." Twilight said, Fluttershy and Rarity agreeing with the statement, the latter more quietly.

"Didn't have to hit me though." Dash muttered to herself.

"It's fine, I know she didn't mean any offense." I said, waving off the three mares before they could get another word in. "Besides, it takes more than that to offend me."

"Just consider yourself lucky Granny Smith weren't here to hear it." Applejack said.

Dash didn't say another word, a strong shiver running up her spine was more than enough to silence her. If there's one even the bravest of Ponyville's souls don't dare ever do, is disrespect others in front of Granny Smith. That is a guaranteed ass kicking.

"Yes, to answer your question. I am, indeed...fifty seven." I said slowly. "How old did you think I was?"

"To be honest, I thought you were in your thirties." Selene said.

I only shrug, quickly walking past the group and to a table near the back, intent on passing the time, however long that may be, by my self.

PoV shift: Selene

As the party went on, we played a lot of different games, ranging from: beer pong, cards against society and pictionary. However, during the time we played these games, I noticed Fen was absent for them, relegating himself to the back of the bakery, seemingly in a rather sullen mood. The girls and Spike didn't seem to take notice of this, which made me worry slightly. As I was about to approach him, a strong and firm hand stopped me in my tracks, preventing me from going any farther.

"I wouldn't suggest doing that sugarcube." Applejack said softly.

"Can I ask why?" I asked as the rest of the group observed the interaction.

Sighing deeply, she indicated for me to sit at a near by table, and so I did. Sitting, the atmosphere changed in an instant. Gone was the cheer and joy of before, now replaced by a solemn and trepidation that felt out of place amongst ponies capable of spreading such joy.

"It really isn't my place to tell you." Applejack said. "And I'm not sure how he would rea-"

"Tell her." I heard Fendral say.

Looking over, I saw he was still in the booth he had assigned himself to and slowly looked up. The way he held himself in that exact moment told me something. Behind the calm, serious and sometimes humorous attitude, was man that held a sadness only those who have lost everything could have.

Getting up from his seat, he moved with far more lethargy than usual and made his way past us and to the front door, before stopping and turning his head slightly.

"It would save me the pain."

And with that, he was gone, not a single trace to suggest there was another presence here a moment ago. Looking back to the six ponies and dragon, there was not a word I could have said that would reignite the previous rapture. Turning back to me after a moment, Applejack finally spoke.

"Well that answers that, I guess." She said. "As I'm sure you've guessed, the reason for his sadness is because, simply, he's in grief."

"But that would be oversimplifying it." Twilight chimed in. "It's...far more complex then that."

"What is it." I ask slowly, almost afraid to hear the answer.

"I'm not gonna beat around the bush sugarcube." Applejack conceded. "Today marks the day of the death...of his wife."

There was a period of total silence, not even the noise from outside could be heard as my mind attempted to process the information that was given. Eventually, I snapped out of my stupor as my brain finally caught up, the surprise never truly subsiding however.

"He's...a widower?" I ask dumbly.

"Yea." Pinkie said sadly, her hair seemingly deflated. "But it happened way before he moved to Ponyville and us meeting him."

"We don't know how, why or exactly when this happened, but it clearly weighs the guy down. Even now." Rainbow Dash said.

It was then I realized, there was so much of the man I pledged my life to that I was utterly clueless to. Even this fact, shook my view of him. Before, I saw him as an honourable warrior who was simply trying to get by as best he could. Now? Now I see a man who had lost everything, his whole world had been shattered in one, agonising moment. One event to throw him over the edge. And with how skilled I know he is, thinking about how he dealt with it, made me shudder.

"Is there anything we can do for him?" I ask.

"No." Applejack said quickly. "There nothing we can do for him. Only time can heal those wounds."

PoV shift: Fendral

As I jump the reinforced fence, I walk an over grown, but well beaten path. Roots and moss overtaking the vast majority of the dirt track, my thick boots crunching leaves and twigs alike. Walking for a few minutes, I soon come to a large clearing and at the centre, a lone tree, It's wide reaching branches creating a natural canopy.

As I come to the base of natures life giver, I pull out a small thistle and peer down at it. Memories swirling around in my head in an organised whirlwind of recollections. Kneeling down, I place the thistle in a equally small nook, confident it won't get swept away by the strong winds of the unpredictable forest around me and remove my helmet and placing it on the ground next to me.

Putting my hand on the thick trunk, I gently place my fore head against the hard bark, closing my eyes as I think of the love I lost all to quickly. Looking back up in front of me, my eyes land on the only indicator of this tree represents to me. It's faded, but it's there. Letters scratched into the wooden surface, spelling out one thing. One simple, but deeply fundamental thing that has made me the way I am. A name. My wife's name.

Karlia Marika.

Author's Note

Well that was a bombshell.

It's been a spell hasn't it? Sorry it took awhile, I've been dealing with family stuff I honestly don't want to share, but I feel like I should apology's for it anyway, even if I don't.

please point out any mistakes I may have made
constructive criticism is always appreciated
until next time, TTFN!