Comfort was something kelpies seldom experienced, and when they do, they relished in it. Those memories kept their spirits up, last until their next turn with good luck. Unfortunately, not many get theirs often, and in such a hostile environment, it’s crucial for survival.

Mud was lucky, probably luckiest kelpie of all. Since making home with the ponies, her fur smelled of flowers, mane neatly brushed, going hungry was no option, and soft beds. She felt the plush seats give as she lay across them, breathing out with relief despite not exerting herself in the slightest prior to boarding the train.

This was the best way to start her week at Twilight’s castle, giving her a taste of what it would be like living like a princess. Thankfully, just as the new bathroom Starlight remodeled, the train cars were made for alicorns. This made them big enough for Mud as well, which surprised the kelpie. She was alone, except for the guards, cook, and the train operators, but no one she knew. But she didn’t mind, sleeping was on her schedule at the moment.

After waking up, bugging the maid for food, as she had already finished all the snacks in the train car, it was almost evening. The trip took most of the day, and Starlight let her know before hoof that she’d reach Canterlot by dinner time. That was time measurement she understood, and she relished in the thought of what princesses ate for dinner.

She would find out soon, as the royal train slowed to a halt in the private station platform. Tickets for this area were more expensive than the ones for the rest of the station, so not many ponies were there. But the few that were there, turned to stared in excitement at the arrival of the royal train. But it was not any of the princesses that stepped out, instead the tall grey kelpie strode out, looking in interest at the elegant structures.

She walked past the dropped jaws and wide eyes, flanked by four guards in armor. Adding to the site, the aristocrats watched this creature led to the royal carriage. Mud fit easily inside, however the suspension sagged and the frame creaked, making the guards around it give uneasy looks. But nothing bad happened, leaving this the last trip across the city to the palace.

Twilight shuffled her hooves, excitement welling inside her. Celestia had never met Mud, and now stood beside her student waiting to greet the guest. It had been a year, now it was time to get to business. It had gone from simple observations and kelpsitting to now, and now she’ll have a whole week with proper equipment and professional doctors.

As all the ideas and excitement whirled in her head, Twilight barley heard Celestia’s words.

“-taking quite a bit, I hope nothing hap-“

After a few more minutes, the royal carriage pulled by six full grown stallions struggled along the uphill road to the front entrance. Twilight snapped out of her science trance to see it slow to a stop in front of her. The chauffer stepped down and stood by the door.

“Her Mistress, Mud, has arri-“

The door swung open, slamming against the other side of the coach wall. Mud flew over the short distance, tackling the purple alicorn to the ground. One long lick, from chest to ears, left Twi drenched in kelpie slobber.

“Ack! You smell like ketchup!” She put up her hooves, holding up the massive drooling face.

Several crumpled hayburger wrappers spilled from the cart, including milkshake cups and fry boxes.
The chauffer eyed the mess annoyedly, “Her ‘majesty’ insisted on a detour.”

Celestia managed a polite smile, “Well, pleasure to meet you… Mud? Is it?”

The kelpie stood up, meeting the Sun Princess’ height. “Mud!”
Muzzle covered in drool, she sniffed around Celestia’s shoulder, detecting any scent she can follow later.

Twilight jumped up and wrapped her arms around her test subject’s neck, hanging off the ground to try and pull the kelpie down, but she didn’t budge.

“Mud, this is Celestia, Princess Celestia.” Twi dangled off the kelpie, looking up at her teacher from the brown mane covering her face.

Celestia held a hoof, offering a hoof shake. “You’ll be staying with us for quite a while.”

Mud instead placed her mouth around the hoof, and pulled up, slurping off the regal horseshoe. The taller alicorn looking on in shock. Twilight reached up a hoof, trying to pry open the fanged shoe prison.
“All right you, give that back!”

Mud lifted her head out of reach, trying to chew the metal to swallow it.

“Mud! Drop it!”

The ordeal unveiled in the middle of the empty lot, every pony near a window, and who were already there, watched as their princess in training wrestle a shoe out of some beast’s mouth.
Once Mud decided it was not edible, she spat it out.

Celestia looked at the shoe, wincing at the mucus that pooled around it. “Well, ah, best of luck my student, I hope it’s worth it…”

Twilight’s eyes sparkled, “C’mon girl! You wanna see your own room?”
Mud grunted in agreement, stomping after her pony.

The inside of this castle was so much bigger than Starlight’s castle, astounding the kelpie at every site.

Twilight led through large corridors and decorated halls, but the most fantastical one was the path to the throne room. It was lined all the way with stained windows depicting the very ponies Mud lived with. They were shown fighting all manner of monsters and strange looking ponies, the depictions looking almost like wild dreams.

Down another hall, they arrived in a residential hall, only instead this castle’s rooms were spaced further apart. Twilight opened the door with magic, stepping back to let the kelpie enter.
“This is your room.”

Mud skirted along the edge, taking in the scents. It was bigger than her old room, and the bed was bigger as well, almost like it wasn’t pony sized at all. The window looked out over a portion of the city, and over the edge to view the vast landscape. There was a large closet and dresser, a wardrobe against the wall with a vanity mirror. The whole place looked like Rarity’s shop but compressed, except for the large box of toys Twilight must have placed in it.

Mud came back around to her sitter, panting happily.

Twilight set a hoof on the big grey ear and scratched vigorously. “I knew you’d love it.”

The alicorn turned to walk back down the hall, “You can wait here a bit for me? I gotta go prep some things for the dinner tonight.”

Mud nodded, leaning in to nuzzle Twilight’s cheek. “Come back?”

Twilight ran her chin over her kelpie’s forehead, a sign she learned from the kelpie herself. “I’ll send someone up to watch you while I’m gone.”

Mud’s ears pricked up, and gave a curious look as the princess started back down the hall.

She called back, “You be good! Okay?”

“Okay!” Mud barked, stepping back and closing the door.

The kelpie shoved her muzzle into the toy box, pulling out a tugging rope one of her favorite kinds of toys. She climbed onto the bed, and rolled over in the blankets to cover herself up. The blankets and mattress were soft and smooth, much more comfortable than her own back in Ponyville. Her warmth filled the confined roll of sheets, making her fall asleep almost instantly.

Author's Note

give a kelpie full authority of her carriage ride, expect a rather long drive thru receipt.