Twilight blinked in surprise at the knocking. It echoed for a moment in the hollow bole of the library-tree before dying away into silence.
"Now, who do you suppose it could be this late at-" Twilight stopped as she saw her number-one assistant, curled up and snoring in a pile of heavy, cloth-bound books. The lavender unicorn chuckled softly.
"Poor little guy. I guess it's past his bedtime."
She was startled as the knocking sounded again. For a moment, she had forgotten what had disturbed her studies. She rose from her writing desk with a sigh and stretched. Her muscles were cramped from sitting hunched over a desk for hours on end. Rarity would scold me for my bad posture, Twilight thought idly as she trotted towards the door.
"Oh, it's you, Zecora. What brings you to the library so late? Looking for a book on herbal medicine? Because I've actually just been reading this very informative book. It's called 'Most Potent Potions', and I really think you would-"
The older mare shook her head, cutting Twilight off. The young pony was startled by her friend's bruque manner, and fell silent mid-sentence. "I'm sorry I cannot enjoy your book, but I have something to send. Here, take a look."
She showed Twilight a tightly rolled scroll of paper, coated in wax and tied with a thin silver ribbon. The unicorn was intrigued.
"You mean you want Spike to send this letter for you? Why not just take it to the Ponyville Post Office?"
"This is a very important letter. It goes to Zebrica, and I know Spike is better."
Twilight was interested in this claim. Zebrica, the homeland of the zebra ponies, was hudreds of miles away. For the first time, Twilight wondered about Zecora's origins. Why was she, a zebra, living alone in the Everfree Forest? It seemed very unlikely. Twilight opened her mouth, ready to bombard her friend with questions about her mysterious past and even more mysterious letter, but something in Zecora's eyes told her not to pry.
Twilight stopped. She considered Zecora's request, and realized the hitch in her plan. She ran a hoof through her mane, uncomfortable with what she had to tell the desperate-seeming zebra.
"I'm really sorry Zecora, but Spike can't do that. He can only send letters up to a certain distance away, and Zebrica is way out of his range. I wish I could help somehow, but my teleportation spell doesn't work on inanimate objects, and I don't know if I could even send something that far either. Spike's magical fire works on the same energy basis as a teleportation spell, you see, and...um... oh. Sorry."
The older mare sighed, and her shoulders slumped as if she were carrying a terrible burden that had finally become too much to bear. Zecora looked weary, and sad, Twilight noticed suddenly. She looked old.
Twilight burned with curiosity, and also with sympathy for her friend. But before she could offer to make tea, or talk to her, the zebra was already turning away. "Thank you, my little pony friend. I will find some other way to send."
Looking downcast and weary, Zecora left the library, leaving a shocked Twilight standing frozen to the spot.
"What in Equestria was in that letter?" she wondered out loud. "Whatever it is, it can't be good. Poor Zecora..."
Zecora sat on top of a grassy hill. It rose out of the Everfree Forest, providing a perfect and unobstructed view of Princess Luna's star-sprinkled night sky. The zebra mare gazed at the blackness behind the stars, thinking about the past. Finally, she untied the ribbon on the scroll she still held. Holding it tight to her heart, she closed her eyes and whispered something in a language that she hadn't used for years. Then, she released the letter to the guiding fingers of wind that twirled and danced around her. Zecora watched it float away over the trees, tears streaking down her cheeks.
"Happy birthday, Zinnia."
The weary mare turned and walked back down the hill, without another backwards glance.
Disclaimer: CC Cover art and all written material within is intellectual property of user Persianjuliet, and may not be used without consent of the author.
My Little Pony and all related characters are property of Hasbro and Lauren Faust.
My darling Zinnia,
I know you won't remember
Your mother, who loves you so.
But I cannot forget your smile
My perfect little foal.
Years have passed since I have seen
My treasured daughter last.
Oh Zinnia, can you forgive
Your mother's tarnished past?
I ran away when faced with truth
And I know I did you wrong.
I left you in my selfish plight
And now it's been so long.
I wake in a strange land every day
Yet I could not closer be.
To you, my only flesh and blood
You fill my memories.
My pennance is a constant ache
I share with nopony else.
For who could forgive this mother's folly
This poor zebra's mistake.
Here I reside, in Ponyville
And though my friends are kind.
I simply am not strong enough
To share with them my mind.
I do not have the words to say
To admit my past misdeeds.
The shame I thought I could outrun
It always follows me.
I wish I had made a better choice,
I wish I had lived well.
But the fears that come to me at night
Make this life feel more like hell.
For what purpose do I now possess
Away from the ones I love?
What is there more important than
Family, laughter, love.
I'll never see you growing up,
Or be there to hear you cry.
And bandage up your every wound
Be there to help you try.
I'll never know your first words,
Or share your fears and laughs.
I'd love to teach you all I know
But that part of your life is past.
Who are you now, I wonder here
Looking at the stars.
Do you ever think of me
Or wonder who you are?
I live as an outcast, self-imposed
I try to do good deeds.
Hoping always that one day
You will be proud of me.
I know you won't remember me
If ever we meet again.
But I'l never cease my love for you
My daughter, now and then.
Love Forever,
Mama