Royal Beginnings

Apple blinked awake, her hoof softly throbbing and morning light streaming through a window. She was laying in a soft bed, the smell of antiseptic surrounding her, and a soft hum of machines beeping next to her.

“You are awake.” Raven was sitting next to her, paperwork neatly sorted by her hooves.

“What-” Apple’s voice was little more than a croak, and she felt so weak. Her head pounded, heavy on the pillow.

“I wouldn't try to talk just yet, you have had multiple healing spells cast over you, and you have several more to go.” Raven said primly, adjusting her glasses. She listed a glass of cool water to Apple’s lips, the straw sitting neatly against the rim. “Sip slowly.” The water was blessed and cool, soothing her raw throat. Apple looked helplessly at Raven, a question clear in her eyes.

“Luna is fine, she is with Princess Celestia in the solar chamber, likely discussing the Night Court.” Raven sat down, clearly enjoying Apple being helpless. Apple narrowed her eyes, the threat in them clear. “The Night Court is the new-”

Apple grunted, struggling to sit up. The room spun around her and her stomach threatened to throw the water right back at her, immediately Raven was back, pushing her down.

“Lay back down, you insolent fool! You have had your magic almost entirely drained from your body, you're lucky to be alive!”

Apple flopped pathetically back against the pillow, mewling at the pain in her head.

Raven tutted. “Instead of being with our Princesses, I was asked to stay with you.” she pulled the blanket up to Apple’s chin, tucking her in. “What happened to the tough Thestral I know, hmm?” Raven pushed a button, and blessed painkiller injected itself in through the tube on Apple’s leg. “There now, go to sleep, I promise to fill you in when you are less irritating.”
Apple put her hoof on top of Raven’s in silent gratitude and amusement before sleep reclaimed her once more.

Apple woke to the sensation of a soft breeze against her face, and the scent of magic surrounding her. This magic was sweet and velvety, healing magic. Opening her eyes, she found Luna gazing silently down at her, her mane flickering in an unseen breeze. Her horn was glowing a deep blue, and Apple’s body was enveloped with it. Celestia stood by the other side of her bed, looking serenely at her sister.

“Your Grace?” Apple coughed out, trying to reach Luna’s hoof with her own. Celestia was alive?

“Patience, Apple Harvest.” Celestia murmured. “Allow my sister to finish the session. You have many to go.”

Apple lay back, watching Luna’s magic swirl around her body. Closing her eyes, she tried to feel what it was mending, but it seemed to be everywhere. Her body didn't hurt anywhere, but Luna’s magic was clearly mending every cell in her body.

Luna sighed, withdrawing the spell. “Apple Harvest, my beloved aide. You have awoken at last.”

“Your Grace,” Apple pushed herself against the pillow, surprised at her own weakness. “I don't understand.”

Both alicorns sat down next to the bed, sharing a look over her head.

“What is the last thing you remember, Apple Harvest?” Luna’s mane billowed gently.

“I was in the cells with you, you had-” Apple’s gaze skittered to Celestia. “You had just done something to Celestia, and needed my magic to break something. I don't remember much after that.”

“I am surprised you remember so much.” Luna reached out a hoof, smoothing back Apple’s mane. “Do you remember what I told you of the dream realm?”

“That you balance good dreams and bad, stopping nightmares from attacking ponies as they sleep.” Apple still didn't understand.

“In my absence, Celestia was unable to access the dream realm. When I entered it with you, I realised the realm was entirely out of balance, with all the nightmares concentrated on one individual.” Luna looked at Celestia, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.

Celestia touched Luna on the shoulder. “I had an amulet. While I couldn't access the realm, I could ensure that nightmares would not attack my little ponies while Luna was away.”

“You had them only attacking you! Do you understand the damage you have done to your mind?” Luna was clearly still angry. “I destroyed the amulet, and trapped the nightmares back where they belong. Unfortunately, ponies thought I had killed Celestia when I tore it from her horn.”

“When I awoke, my mind was the clearest it has been in centuries.” Celestia continues the story. “I thought the amulet was only containing the nightmares to myself, I didn't realise it was allowing them to feed upon my magic and soul, strengthening them. A thousand years of being fed by alicorn magic, the nightmares had enough power to control my body while I was sleeping, fighting back against Luna.”

Both alicorns turned back to Apple. “Your gift of your magic allowed me to break the amulet and its hold over my sister, restoring my own magic to allow me to access my full power. It nearly cost you your life. I am in your debt.”

“We both are.” Celestia’s mane flowed around her face. “By giving your magic, every single cell in your body needs to be restored. We will continue to heal you in turns over the next few months. It will take some time, I'm afraid.”

“Months?” Apple said weakly. She had never been bedridden for more than a few days, months was impossible.

“Every cell in your body has been drained of magic and must be restored. I will restore your physical body, but Luna must be the one to restore your magic.” Celestia smiled warmly at her sister. “After all, nopony understands Thestral magic like the one who created them.”

“You must rest, young Apple Harvest. I will return soon.” Luna leaned down, her lips gently brushing her forehead. “I am told a festival of Nightmare Night is approaching. I am interested to see what ponies make of their Princess of the Night returning to them the same night.”

Apple nodded, gratefully sinking back onto the bed. She felt exhausted, a bone deep weariness overtaking her. “Yes, Your Grace.”

Luna paused in the doorway. “Please, Apple Harvest, call me Luna.”

Apple’s life changed in the medical wing. She was visited by Luna and Celestia on alternate days, bathed in their magic as they knitted her magic back together. Raven would visit on her evenings off, keeping her company with stories of happenings in the castle and filling her in on the ways that Luna was resettling into life and unsettling the nobility who were accustomed to Celestia’s gentle speech. She was visited a few times by Twilight Sparkle, who used the fact that Apple was bedridden to harass her for as much information as possible about Thestrals, as well as making her laugh with stories of Luna’s very first Nightmare Night. Word had gotten out that Apple had helped save Celestia, and ponies who had avoided her like the plague were now finding reasons to stop by, make conversation or leave a gift by her bed. The private royal doctors attended her daily for physical therapy, stretching her soft wings and helping her body to recover.

She had many letters from home, as Celestia at last made good on her promise to reintegrate thestrals. It had been helped by Luna flying out to them directly to make contact, a point that Vorpal had spent several scrolls gushing over her beauty. They had decided to make Hollow Shades their permanent home, the land gifted to them. Supplies were being flown in from all across Equestria, and ponies offering their labour to help build the shanty town into a permanent residence. She had been delighted to discover that Star had finally gotten his cutie mark, a blazing comet circling a staff. He had gotten it the day Luna had landed in the village, a foal panicked and had gotten stuck under some debris. Star had kept the foal calm, treating her wounds and getting help. Apple smiled, he would be a wonderful medic. She hoped to train him herself, but her duties as Luna’s aide appeared to be increasing with Luna’s own reintegration back into the world. Once she was well enough, Luna had promised to take her to visit her family, and she couldn't wait.

Less exciting were Twilight’s never ending letters. Filled with more questions than answer, Apple Harvest looked at the latest one.

“Dear Apple Harvest,

Thank you for your latest scroll, Thestrus is both fascinating and frustrating! I want to learn it so badly, but how can a pony learn a language they can only hear half of? Perhaps if I create a spell that allows me to hear higher frequencies? But would that allow me to make those sounds? If I can learn Thestrus, does that mean I could also learn thestral spellcasting? I must research this further!

I wish you would tell me more about your connection to the moon and Princess Luna, but I respect your desire to prevent that knowledge from falling into the wrong hooves. Not that I am the wrong hooves! I hope one day you can come to trust me enough to tell me.

About your question regarding Equestrian political histories, I know the most complete version is at Canterlot castle, but like you said, it seems to be incomplete itself. Records that old may be in the restricted section, but I’m not sure. I was horrified to learn of Thestral history being erased, even if Princess Celestia felt she had a good reason. I will investigate the library here in Ponyville, and maybe in the old castle, and see if I can find anything for you. I hope that I am able to read your full histories one day. I understand that Princess Celestia has nominated Concise Review with the full task of getting everything down. Their work is incredible! I have their full, signed collection of the complete history into the history of the fork, Equestrian culinary history truly is astonishing.

Spike says I need to wrap this letter up as his claw is getting sore. My next question is about your ability to taste magic. What does it taste like? Are you born with this ability or do you learn it? How does it relate to spellcasting?

Oh I wanted to ask you where your name comes from. I have a friend, Applejack, who is related to every Apple in Equestria. Do you think she is related to you too?

Yours truly,

Twilight Sparkle.”

Her questions required complex answers, and not all of them were answers that Apple Harvest felt she had the right to give. She may have to arrange a meeting between Vorpal and Twilight, and Luna willing, she wouldn't terrify the Thestrals back into hiding with her never ending questions.

Her question about her name had caught Apple Harvest off guard. She truly didn't know when the Apple name had come into Thestral culture, and being related to a pony was both startling and curious in its potential. Apple’s mothers had died a few years ago of a sickness, and the records of family lines had been lost in a fire. Apple was adrift in the lack of knowledge about her own history. It was tempting to ask if this ‘Applejack’ would be able to shed any light, but would a pony want to tie their family tree to a thestral?

Picking up the quill, Apple resolved to ask. She had enough unsolvable mysteries in her life, her family tree didn't have to be one of them.