Author's Note

Ok, take 2. Thanks again to DisplacedWriter for helping me with this chapter. Enjoy!

Training and a Budding Romance

It had been a little over a week since I had rescued Applejack. After she'd passed out I kept walking until I found her home where her family was waiting. They rushed over when they had spotted me carrying her and helped me get her inside, where she slept the rest of the day. I was thanked by everyone over and over again, every time I told them I was only doing my job. Even though I was more than happy to do it. Given that it was so late in the day her brother, a big red Stallion named Big Macintosh, offered for me to sleep in the guest room so I could see how Applejack felt in the morning. She was fine all things considered, perhaps really dehydrated and having a few cuts and bruises. She also thanked me a lot for saving her, telling me she'd taken out half a dozen at least before she started to get worn out. That was apparently when she climbed up the cliff and prayed. I told her family what happened after that and was again thanked by everyone. As I was preparing to leave I was stopped by Applejack.

“Look… I'm not real great at saying what I feel. And I know honesty is always important.” She said nervously, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “Look, I like you. Not because you saved me, but well… I think you're really handsome…” She blushed, now finding the dirt very interesting. I smiled kindly as I patted her shoulder.

“If it makes it less awkward, I like you too.” I chuckled happily, breaking the tension between us as she looked up and smiled.

“Really?” She asked curiously. I nodded confidently as I turned to walk away.

“I will return as soon as I can. Can you wait for me till then?” I asked as I looked back at her. A tear raced down her cheek as she nodded.

“I will. I'll wait right here.” She tried not to cry as I turned away before she could see me start tearing up. In the days that followed, Celestia and Luna had agreed that I needed proper training and had allocated a Royal Guard to teach me proper swordsmanship. At my request, we were posted to Fort Hylia at the northern edge of the great field. This allowed me to visit Applejack in my spare time as our relationship started to evolve and grow. But today started just like the day before. With a swift kick in the pants.

“Sloppy!” My teacher, Swift Blade, yelled angrily at me as I picked myself up from the dirt for the third time today. “I am not some piddly bokoblin! You expect to be a hero? Fight like one!” He raged at me. He was older than most of the other guards, with more battle experience with the scars to prove it. Celestia picked him for this reason, but I also had a sneaking suspicion it was also punishment for running off. I readied my stance as he quickly charged at me, locking blades momentarily as he pushed me back yet again.
“Stand your ground! You think a Manticore will just push you back? Again!” He barked as I got back in position. This went on for hours until it was time to stop for the day. I flopped on my bunk with a tired sigh and thought about Applejack. She always made me feel better, even once saying she'd ‘give that old Mule a good wallop’ before I talked her out of it. The memory made me chuckle for a moment as I stood and changed out of my training uniform. She was one loose canon, but I'd come to like that about her. I sighed contentedly again as I threw my scarf on and left the barracks. On my way out I was stopped by my teacher.

“Despite failing repeatedly, you are making progress.” Swift Blade said flatly as he frowned at me. He never smiled or seemed impressed. Hell, my ‘Hero's Edge’ was barely keeping up with him.

“Yes sir.” I replied calmly, not ready for another argument. He just nodded and walked off, probably to harass another trainee. I just shook my head and left, walking down the road to the Apple Family Acres. Rows upon rows of apple trees stretched out as far as I could see, from the Everfree to the base of the Eldin Mountains was a sea of apple blossoms. They drifted lazily in the breeze as I walked, the flowers' sweet scent hanging in the air. I took in a deep breath, enjoying every second.

“Ahhhh…” I sighed happily as I finally reached the gate for the house. I could see Applejack and her grandmother, Granny Smith, talking cheerily on the porch. She waved kindly as she saw me, making Applejack look over and smile as I walked up and sat in the empty chair beside her.

“Took you long enough, me and Granny were making bets if you'd show today.” She teased jokingly as she patted my shoulder, causing me to wince. She frowned disapprovingly. “He's going hard on you again, isn't he?” She asked, concerned. I just shrugged and smiled softly at her.

“I can't say I blame him. I'm supposed to be a hero, but I can't even hold my ground against him. He said me beating those bokoblins had to have been a fluke, that I couldn't stop a simple green chu if my life depended on it.” I complained in frustration, both mares nodding understandingly. Granny Smith had taken a shine to me since Applejack told her what I'd said the day I left for Canterlot, treating me like one of the family. Meaning she thought of me as her own son, or son-in-law depending on who you asked. She looked over to me with a warm and compassionate smile.

“Reminds me of this Stallion I knew growing up… oh, what was his name…” She paused to remember. “Oh right. Blitz Striker. A great swordspony, but brutal and authoritative. But under all that he was still a gentlecolt.” She chuckled fondly. I smiled at her warmly, always happy to hear her stories from her childhood.

“He probably is. I know he's real tough on me and all, but I feel it's probably for the best.” I said flatly as we watched the sun set.

“Are you staying the night?” Applejack asked as she stood to help Granny inside.

“Yea, I got permission from the captain to help y'all in the morning.” I smiled warmly as I saw her smile back. She led Granny upstairs to her room while I stayed out on the porch, watching as little lightning bugs began to wander across the yard. I sat there quietly, thinking about everything that led up to where I was now. It almost felt unreal how much had happened in so little time. I didn't have long to dwell on it as Applejack came back out holding two glasses of iced tea.

“Here, something refreshing after a hard day's work.” She smiled kindly at me as we clinked glasses. I took a sip and was not too surprised it tasted like apples. I smiled and sat back as she looked at me. “Hey… Link?” She asked nervously. I looked over with raised eyebrow. She was blushing softly as she tried to formulate her words. “I… I know we haven't known each other for very long but… would you like to go with me to the Summer Festival in Ponyville?” She asked nervously. I didn't need to think hard on my answer, but I mocked thinking just to play with her.

“Hmm… I dunno… yes, of course I'll go.” I chuckled happily as her face lit up. “When is it, I'll have to clear the time off with the captain.” I asked as I pulled out my notepad and pencil.

“It's in a couple weeks, but it'll take us a day at least to get there if we take the train.” She told me as I wrote down the details. I put it back in my pocket as I stood.

“Well, I'll ask when I go back tomorrow. I'll probably have to pull double KP duty, but I'll manage it.” I grinned as I offered her a hand. “We should probably get some rest. We have a busy day tomorrow.” She took it and I helped her up as she nodded.

“Yea, gotta plant a few new trees before Spring ends.” She agreed knowingly as we made our way inside and upstairs. On the landing I paused in front of the guest room and smiled at her.

“Night Applejack.” I said quietly so I didn't wake anyone else up. She grinned and waved back, closing her door as I entered my room. I hot changed for bed and layed down. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out like a light.

==========○○○●●●○○○==========

I woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee wafting up from the kitchen. I grumbled tiredly as I stretched and sat up, looking out the window to see the sun barely begin to rise. I smiled and gave a mock salute towards it.

“Morning Princess.” I sighed tiredly as I got up and got dressed. After making sure I looked good in the mirror I headed downstairs to find Applejack and Big Mac sitting with two ponies I wasn't familiar with. One had a lavender coat with two-toned purple hair and wore glasses while the other had a sky blue coat and rainbow colored hair. They both looked up as I came down the stairs, the lavender one looking like she was about to burst from excitement as her eyes scanned me hungrily.
“Uhhh… morning. These your friends Applejack?” I asked curiously as I poured myself a cup of coffee. She nodded and introduced them.

“This here is Rainbow Dash, one of the fastest flyers in Equestria.” She stated proudly as the rainbow haired pony nodded at me.

“Sup.” Rainbow Dash said tiredly, perking up a bit as I stood there. Applejack pointed to the lavender one who jumped up and introduced herself excitedly.

“HI! I'm Twilight Sparkle, what are you, what do you eat, do you do anything interesting?” She questioned me repeatedly as I leaned back so she wasn't in my face.

“Uhhh…” I started to say as Applejack and Rainbow Dash dragged her back, making her whine about wanting to find out everything she could. Applejack smiled at me apologetically.

“Sorry ‘bout her, she gets a bit over excited when she finds something or someone new.” She explained with a soft smile. I just nodded and smiled at Twilight.

“If you want to ask questions about me or my species, I know Celestia has a few books in her collection about us.” I offered her sympathetically, making her smile. Taking a sip from my mug, I sat at the table and looked out the window at the orchards with a smile.
"We sure have our work cut out for us." I mused. Rainbow Dash leaned forward with a challenging smirk on her face.

"So, you strong?" She asked as she raised an eyebrow. I thought for a moment before I answered.

"I suppose. Although I'm not sure exactly how much I can lift." I answered with a smile. Twilight had begun jotting down notes while we talked, where she got the paper I'll never know. Dash's smile widened at the idea I might be stronger.

"Let's make a bet then. Forty rupees says you can't beat me in a game of horseshoes." She challenged gleefully. I sighed and looked at her with my own wicked grin.

"Game on." I said as I accepted her challenge. She stood and led everyone out to a horseshoe pit behind the house, turning around and flared her wings.

“First to five wins. Not too late to back down, Hylian.” She taunted cheekily as I picked up a horseshoe. I rolled my eyes and took aim, tossing it across and missing the shot. “Oooo, tough break. My turn now.” She teased as she too missed her shot. I chuckled slightly and looked at her.

“You were saying?” I asked sarcastically as I took my next shot and got a point. Applejack clapped supportively as Dash made her shot. She clipped the post and cursed under her breath as I moved to make my next shot.

“So what's your deal?” She asked as I missed my shot. I looked over at her with a raised eyebrow.

“My deal?” I asked in confusion as she made her first point. She turned to me and crossed her arms.

“Yea, like where the hay did you come from? Nopony just… appears.” She said, eyeing me suspiciously. I looked at her uncomfortably and cleared my throat.

“Well… it's a bit of a long story.” I said as I missed my next shot. I sighed and looked at Applejack. , who gave me a look that said she also wanted to know. “Guess I can't avoid it anymore, can I.” I frowned as I began recounting the events leading to my arrival, starting with my purchase from the merchant. They couldn't seem to wrap their heads around him. The idea that he could send people across different dimensions and alter their appearance at will seemed so wrong to them. As I kept talking, I watched their expressions shift from understanding to frustration to amazement and back again as I recounted my adventures since my arrival. Once I finished, Dash looked over to Applejack who gave her a slow nod, a look of disbelief on her face. Twilight was lost in a sea of papers as she was still writing notes.

“No kidding… I understand why you didn't wanna talk about it. What that merchant guy did was seriously messed up man.” Dash said sympathetically as she surprised me with a hug. I returned it awkwardly, trying not to mess with her wings. She let go after a moment and I was immediately hugged again, this time by Applejack. She squeezed me so tight I felt my back crack.

“I had no idea…” She said as her voice trembled. I rubbed her back soothingly as I tried to comfort her.

“It's ok AJ, really. I'm honestly happier here. I met you, made actual friends. I matter to someone for more than just money. I'd make the same choice if I had to do it all again.” I smiled brightly at her as she returned it. The moment was then ruined by Dash as she mimed gagging in the background, causing me to burst out in laughter. “Well Dash, I'd say you win our little game.” I pulled out forty rupees and handed them to her. “A bets a bet. Now, let's plant some apple trees.” I said happily as I walked towards the orchard with Applejack.

==========○○○●●●○○○==========

The next couple weeks went by faster than I expected. As I'd thought, the captain made me work double kitchen patrol so I could justify my time off, and Swift Blade made me put in double training sessions. Despite all the extra work, I still managed to see Applejack a few times and helped work around the farm. Her other friends even came by, where I was introduced to Rarity and Pinkie Pie, who immediately declared we had to have a party for me. Rainbow Dash and Twilight popped by a few times as well, the lavender mare being a lot calmer than the first time we met. Not to mention that Applejack and I were both getting excited for the festival tomorrow, having bought tickets for it ahead of time. She had offered to pay for them, but I insisted since I was getting paid for being stationed up here. Now I was washing dishes with a couple other newbies, a pegasus named Nimbus Ray and an earth pony named Clay Rise, chatting about our plans for the weekend.

“I think I'm gonna go visit my family down in Appleoosa.” Clay said happily as he scrubbed a pot. Nimbus snorted a laugh before replying.

“Man, I'll probably just find a nice cloud and kick it the whole time.” He smirked before looking over at me. “What about you, lover boy? You got any plans?” He leered teasingly.

“I'm actually headed to Ponyville for the Summer Festival.” I said casually, trying not to have a big discussion about it. But the two of them both jokingly whistled and leered at me.

“Oooooo, sounds like your taking your girl on a date.” Nimbus teased with a chuckle. Clay chuckled as well, but didn't say anything.

“So what if I am? It's not my fault I found someone, unlike you.” I snapped back with a smirk, making him punch my shoulder playfully. They acted like jerks sometimes, but they were actually good guys to hang around. We kept joking around as we kept washing dishes, smiling and laughing like good friends. That night I slept soundly since I still wasn't having dreams. It bothered me at first, but I grew to appreciate it as I figured no dreams were better than bad dreams.