The Lord of the Ponies: The Friendship of Equestria

Ch.21 Many Greetings

Twilight's memories of her escape from Isengard flashed through her mind in seconds, but the emotional toll distorted her features. Apple Bloom, still lying in the bed, observed Twilight's austere countenance.

"Twilight? Are you alright?" asked Apple Bloom, curious as to Twilight's current disposition.

Twilight's train of thought was interrupted by Apple Bloom's question. She looked up at the fair filly, noticing her earnest expression. Seeking not to worry the already troubled pony, Twilight regained her composure, a smile settling on her face.

"Nothing, Apple Bloom." responded the lavender unicorn.

"Apple Bloom?!" Spike's footsteps were heard before he entered the building, and Apple Bloom turned to acknowledge her supporter.

"Spike!" endorsed Apple Bloom.

Spike jumped onto Apple Bloom's bed, embracing his friend with a heartfelt hug.

"You're awake!" declared Spike, verbally attesting what was obvious to the other occupants of the hut.

"Spike has hardly left your side." affirmed Twilight, a joyous smile illuminating her features.

Apple Bloom returned Spike's hug, and patted him on the back.

"He's a mighty fine assistant, isn't he?" claimed Apple Bloom.

"He sure is." added Twilight.

Apple Bloom felt wet tears slide down her back, the joy of their reunion too much for Spike to handle. Spike retreated from the hug, but still gripped Apple Bloom's hooves with his claws.

"We were that worried about you,"  Spike turned towards his 'sister': "Weren't we, Twilight?" said Spike, seeking an agreement from the nearby unicorn.

Apple Bloom turned back to Twilight, touched by the compassion committed to her by her dear friends.

"By the skills of Zecora, you're beginning to mend." Twilight turned to her right, drawing attention to the zebra who trotted into the room.

Zecora was a zebra like any other. She had white and black stripes, and her mane stood up like a mohawk. She did spice up her appearance though: she wore six neck rings, traditional in her native land. She also had a massive gold earring in one ear, and five more rings wrapped around her front left leg. She possessed a Cutie Mark like all other Equestrian ponies. Her's was a swirled circle, with triangles protruding around the edges.

"My potions helped save your life, but rest now, you are not in strife." rhymed the alchemist zebra.

And so Apple Bloom did. Other meetings would have to wait for her awakening.

***

Zecora's Hut was well hidden in the dense forest of the Everfree, the woodland area which bordered Ponyville. Most ponies were scared to venture into the treacherous forest, for many species of strange and dangerous creatures roamed within the woods. Zecora, much like her green nature, built her house in the base of a rather thick tree.

Apple Bloom roamed the grounds around her home with Spike, the area surprisingly devoid of any wildlife.  Passing through a clearing, Apple Bloom's peaceful stroll was interrupted by the cheers from two mischievous fillies,

"Apple Bloom!"  Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle tackled the shocked Earth pony, but were quick to restore their friend to her feet.

Apple Bloom joined the other Crusaders in a group hug, tears of joy falling from her eyes.

"Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle! It's so great to see you  girls again." heartened the lamenting Earth pony.

Apple Bloom's resting head tilted up, and saw another pony to greet...Granny Smith.

Granny sat on a log, not far off of where Apple Bloom's recent reunion took place. Granny sat there, smiling towards the group of acquainting friends, while holding a book.

Apple Bloom rushed over, ready to mother Granny with enough love to compensate for the time they've missed together.

"Granny!"  hailed the animated filly, wrapping her hooves around Granny Smith in an encompassing embrace.

"Hello, Apple Bloom, my granddaughter." acknowledged the old Earth pony.

Apple Bloom withdrew from the hug, and gazed into the palpable smile which completed her Granny's complexion. The joy of the moment smoothed all wrinkles on Granny Smith's weathered face, and Apple Bloom saw, once again, the renewed countenance of the adventurous spirit which resided in the seasoned pony.

Granny gripped Apple Bloom's hoof, directing her back to the log which her book rested on.

"Come here. I want to show you something."  beckoned Granny, before placing the modestly heavy tome in Apple Bloom's grasp.

Apple Bloom opened to the front page, reading the title for all to hear, "There and back again. A pony's tale by Granny Smith."  Apple Bloom looked back up to her Granny, impressed by the feat which the old pony had accomplished.

Apple Bloom scrolled through the pages, catching glimpses of beautiful illustrations and texts as she coursed through the tome.

"I meant to go back.  Wonder at the power of the Hollow Shades; visit Los Pegasus; see the Foal Mountain again," Granny sat herself back down on the log beside the transfixed Apple Bloom: "But age, it seems, has finally caught up with me." added Granny Smith, peering down into the book, same as Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom turned the page, and found a map of Equestria. She didn't know why, but the exotic localities were of no interest to her. All she saw was Ponyville, the small town amongst commodious cities, exuberant castles, and tremendous mountains.

"I miss Ponyville. I spent all my crusading days pretending I was off somewhere else. I thought, maybe, if I could be as adventurous as my Granny, I'd find my Cutie Mark. But my own adventure turned out to be quite different." Apple Bloom turned back to her Granny, a dour expression occupying her features.

"I'm not like you, Granny." stated Apple Bloom, staring straight into Granny's gaze, her conviction sound.

Granny reached out a hoof, and stroked Apple Bloom's cheek, reassuring the doubting filly.

***

Apple Bloom departed her Granny, and headed back into Zecora's Hut. Welcome masks greeted her arrival, and hanging vials forced her to duck under the drifting elixirs. She heard the dragon scampering around the cabin, collecting supplies into Apple Bloom's travel pack.

"Packed already?"  asked Apple Bloom. Spike turned, and acknowledged the arrival of his companion,

"No harm in being prepared," defended the dragon, "I just thought that since we got The Ring to Zecora's like Twilight wanted, and you being on the mend, we'd be off soon. Off home." finished Spike.

Apple Bloom considered Spike's logic. She did want to go home. Her journey was over, and she could do with sleeping in her own bed for the foreseeable future.

"You're right, Spike. We did what we set out to do. The Ring will be safe at Zecora's. I am ready to go home." agreed Apple Bloom.