Dusk to Dawn

A nightmare startled Applejack awake, making her shoot straight up in her bed.  She looked all around and saw that the room was bathed in darkness and her room was lit by the pale glow of the moon seeping through the window.  She rubbed her face over with her hoof and cursed at the fact that she had slacked off on anything else that needed doing, and that she was now wide awake in the middle of the night.  She sighed and decided that it would be pointless to try and go back to sleep, so she got up and placed her hat on her head, heading out to the barnyard to see if she could do anything to help kickoff tomorrow’s tasks on the farm.

Tonight was cool, it wasn’t too hot, nor was it too cold, just the way Applejack liked it.  It was a full moon tonight, and Applejack could only look up at the beautiful round moon in the sky as she walked towards the barn.  She pushed the door open and looked around, and as expected, saw nothing she could do.  The cider had been pressed, the hay had been distributed, and all the equipment had been cleaned and placed back where it needed to be.  She sighed, and finding little else more to even consider, walked back out to the barnyard.  Based on what she could gather, there should be some apples left to buck deeper into the east orchard.  Knowing that she should at least try to correct her slacking off, Applejack grabbed a bin and threw a lantern into it; it would be dark in the deep recesses of the orchard, even with a moon as bright as this, she knew.

She pushed the bin to a cart, for it would be easier to roll the bin, lantern, and what apples she gathered with her entire strength and vision than trying to push without either.  Before hitching herself up, Applejack proceeded to light the lantern and adjusted it to a decent level of brightness, so that it would both keep her warm on the cool night and pierce the darkness deep in the orchard.  All ready to go, Applejack made sure that she had everything and then set off into the deep, dark orchard.

As she walked through it, the soft glow of the lantern’s flame lighting her path, Applejack couldn’t help but think she didn’t need it in the first place.  Well, she did, but it was just that she had known these orchards all her life.  She bet herself that she could walk through all four orchards of the farm, west, east, south, and north, while blindfolded.  She knew she could do it, actually.  Applejack took her last look at the moon up above and proceeded into the part of the orchard which was shielded by its light.

Confirming her thoughts, Applejack in fact didn’t need the lantern to navigate the multitude of trees in front of, behind, and all around her; she did however need it to scan the limbs up above for apples.  Jumping as the wheel of the cart landed with a rather loud thud on the ground after bumping over a rock, Applejack went on deeper into the orchard.  “Alrighty here…” she mumbled to herself as she looked up at the limbs above her, seeing only empty trees at first, she continued on down the path and found eventually found a tree which was nearly full of apples.

She first unhitched the cart from her midsection and gathered the lantern in her mouth, and placed it in the back of the cart.  She pulled the bin out, and by the light of the lantern, placed it underneath the tree.  Making sure that everything was set so that she could work, Applejack backed up a little bit and ran forward, kicking as hard as the confined space would allow her, and dropping some apples into the bin.  She kept up this process until she eventually just got bored of the not-too-demanding work, and frustrated with the limited light.  Breathing a sigh, Applejack grabbed the lantern only and headed back towards the farm (the cart and bin would be collected during the next round of bucking in this orchard).

Walking back through the dark orchard though, Applejack heard a snap and then a rustle which made her stop dead in her tracks.  She looked left and then right, and then deciding that it was just her mind playing tricks, Applejack continued on.  She heard it once again and stopped, whipping around to see what was making the noise.  Upon seeing nothing again, Applejack turned and proceeded at a quick canter, uneasy for the first time in a long time of the orchard.  She heard the sound and the rustle once more, and then she took off in a trot, zipping in and out of the trees, the lantern swinging left and right in her mouth.

Then, in all her speed, Applejack plowed right into something heavy and soft, dropping the lantern.  She fell head over hooves at the base of a tree, the other creature not far from her.  Scrambling for it, Applejack grabbed the lantern in her mouth and backed up against a tree, actually shaking, something which was just unheard of for the brave applejack.  To her surprise though, Applejack saw what, or who, she had hit and saw that instead of being fearful or angry, she should be apologetic.  In front of her, Applejack saw none other than Princess Luna sit up and rub her head in a disoriented way, but upon seeing that she had been jumped on by something, jumped up and hovered on her wings, ready for combat.  But then she saw the surprised Applejack backed against the base of the tree, and landed, running towards her.

Already frantic, Princess Luna asked, “Are you after the fire too?” The princess looked left and right, and then sniffed, for smoke apparently.

“I…I’m sorry about…” Applejack tried to apologize, but she was cut short as Princess Luna pulled her up quickly.

A serious look still on her face, Princess Luna looked left and right again, and answered, “It is fine Applejack.  Where is the fire?”

Applejack scratched her head and asked, “Err…Fire?  Where?”  Applejack was confused.

“When we… or I… or ahh…” Princess Luna grunted in frustration of being frustrated and continued, “was flying over, we saw a fire in your orchard!”

“What?”  Applejack seemed concerned now, as she looked around, but after seeing nothing only cocked her head.

“Please, wait here!” Princess Luna said, already jumping up into the air in search of the ‘fire’ she had seen in the orchard.  Applejack watched through the trees as she saw Princess Luna fly higher and shift her sight towards the part of the orchard which Applejack had just come from.

It was then that Applejack realized it!  Princess Luna hadn’t seen a fire, she had simply seen the light of the lantern from above, the way it shown through the canopy of the trees making it seem like they were on fire.  “Princess Luna!  Princess!” Applejack called up, making the princess look down at her.  “Come on down here!” Applejack shouted up to the now high hovering princess.

Looking back towards where she had seen the glow of the lantern, Princess Luna eventually flew down and landed softly beside Applejack.  Before Luna could ask why Applejack had called her down, Applejack set to explaining, “Sugar…Princess, ya’ll didn’t see a fire, you saw the glow from this here lantern.”  Princess Luna blushed and looked away as she too noticed her blunder.  In Princess Luna’s secret defense, Applejack had seen the light of lanterns within the orchards from the surrounding hills, and they did in fact, alarmingly look like fires.

“We…I…I’m sorry for bothering you,” Princess Luna was still blushing as opened up her wings and prepared to take off rather speedily.

Before she got to the point that was wide enough for her to take off, Applejack stopped her.  “Err…Err, wait princess!”  she shouted.

Princess Luna turned her head, the embarrassment still showing on her face, and asked, “What is it, my friend?”  She sighed.

Applejack began walking towards her and asked, “Did you need somethin’?  Flyin’ all the way out here?”

Princess Luna looked down and answered, “Actually…there was one thing…” the hesitation to reveal her secret could be heard in Princess Luna’s voice.

“Well, what is it sugarcube?” Applejack asked, wanting to know what was on Princess Luna’s mind.

“It’s just that… it’s just that…” Luna hesitated, but then suddenly looked down and in a sad tone finished, “we are so lonely now.  There is nopony who will be there for us…me, or who will just talk to me of the night.  I am alone…” Princess Luna actually looked like she was on the brink of crying.

Normally knowing better, Applejack wrapped her foreleg around Princess Luna’s neck and replied, “Aw, nonsense.  I’m a here for ya’, Twilight’s here for ya’, so is Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and heck, even Rainbow Dash.  Now dry yer pretty little eyes, and come on with me back to the house.

Princess Luna wiped her eyes with her hoof and with a weak smile on her face, replied, “As you wish.”

As they walked through the orchard though, Applejack couldn’t help but notice that something was different about the princess.  She had not spoken a word since their encounter in the orchard, and hung her head as she walked, only taking the occasional glance up with her eyes to ensure that she did not find herself walking towards a tree and was still right behind Applejack.  There was no way that Applejack could deny it however, despite all the good things that had happened to her since her return, coming back to all of this was no walk in the pasture for Luna.  Ponies, some young, some old, outside of Ponyville or not, still viewed her as different, something before their time, a creature that should not exist.  Applejack gritted her teeth as she thought about how angry it made her.

“That’s right.  At least we are in good company,” Princess Luna tried (with much difficulty) to think positively.  She looked up momentarily to see Applejack still walking with her smooth and easy pace back towards the farm.  While she was looking up however, she noticed something more than just Applejack’s pace, she noticed her flank too.  A working mare that was always active was bound to have a nice, firm flank, and that, Applejack had.  Luna felt so dirty and selfish for noticing her friend’s body this way, but it was just something she couldn’t help.  Not jerking her eyes away as she normally would have, Princess Luna merely looked down at the ground and hung her head in shame once more.

They walked silently on for a few minutes, and then eventually found themselves back at the moonlit barnyard.  Frowning as she glanced back at Princess Luna, Applejack saw now how truly saddened and, to a very great degree, depressed she was.  Smiling weakly as she lead them up onto the front porch, Applejack held the door open for Luna who, head still hanging only mumbled a simple “thank you.”

Princess Luna was royalty, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have manners.  Her head still hung, Princess Luna did not take a seat at the table until Applejack invited her to do so.  Desperately wanting to cheer her friend up, Applejack fixed Luna a nice, refreshing cup of cider and pushed it across to Princess Luna who only eyed it rather sadly.  “So, what’s botherin’ ya sugarcube?” Applejack asked as she sat down across from Luna and crossed her hooves on top of the table.

“This…This is very kind of you, dear Applejack, but we, or I…or whatever…” Princess Luna said slowly, “cannot waste your time with our problems.  We are royalty,” Princess Luna flicked a crumb across the tabletop as she finished, “tis’ something we must deal with, I suppose.”  The fact that she had gotten at least one use of grammar right made Princess Luna cheer up, but only for a second or two.

“Aw, nonsense, tell me what’s eatin’ ya,” Applejack ushered the princess on gently.

Once Applejack said that, Princess Luna went from being depressed to being confused and depressed.  “ ‘Eating me’?  I... I’m sorry, but I don't quite understan...”

Princess Luna had to say no more, Applejack already understood.  “I mean, what’s on yer’ mind Princess?  I mean no disrespect, but ya’ll don’t seem to be in the happiest mood tonight.”  Princess Luna looked back down and frowned, acknowledging that Applejack was right.  “Now come on, ya’ can tell yer’ old friend Applejack anythin’!” she encouraged the princess a little more.

“You are very kind Applejack,” Princess Luna eventually spoke, “I can tell you that not many ponies would make this effort for us… or… me,” she corrected herself and finished her thanks.

“We…we have been thinking,” Princess Luna’s voice faltered as she struggled to hold her tears back, “we have no use in this world.  We can’t do anything right, we know nothing about the advancements here, we can’t even get my grammar right!” She slammed her hoof down on the table, but remorsefully placed her head in her crossed forelegs afterwards, silent.  She continued to speak with her muffled voice, this time with correct grammar, “I’m royalty, I shouldn’t be acting like this.  I do not think I am fit to rule this land,” she finished, silent now, only for her soft breathing.

Applejack knew just what to say though.  “Now, don’t you think that fer’ one second Princess.  Them are all lies,” she said.

Princess Luna rose her head up and asked, “What is your proof?”

“Equestria ain’t nothin’ without you.  And just cause yer’ royalty don’t mean you can’t be sad or mad, or have emotions.  Everypony has em’ Princess, and I think yours is beautiful, not no different than mine, or anypony else’s.”  It looked like a weak smile was beginning to form at Luna’s lips.

“And when it comes to ‘grammer’,” Applejack said with a country tint thrown into it, “you n’ I are two ponies in the same barrel.  You should see how many times Twilight and Rarity get flustered with me for not usin’ the right words.”  Princess Luna let out a little giggle, as the thought was a little funny.

Still though, if there was one thing that Applejack knew, it was when a pony was sad, or angry, she just had a way of being able to notice.  Not having to think about it for long, Applejack reached across the table, touched Princess Luna’s foreleg in a comforting way and said, “Follow me.”  Princess Luna smiled, willing to follow her friend.  That was just it, it had been a very long time since somepony had talked to her as a friend and not as a ruler, did not live in fear of her.

Going out the way they came, Princess Luna followed Applejack all the way down and into the barn.  “Just a little more now,” Applejack said as she ascended a ladder by the door.  Princess Luna wondered if they were going to do some more hay diving, but pushing her wondering aside, Princess Luna opened up her wings and hovered up to the very top loft where Applejack was sitting, looking out over the whole barnyard.

“Applejack?” Princess Luna asked, “what are we doing up here?”

Applejack said nothing, but patted a spot on the soft hay beside her and asked, “Will ya’ sit down here and look?”

A little confused, Princess Luna walked forward a couple of steps and took a seat right beside Applejack.  “What are we looking at?” she asked.  Princess Luna saw nothing.  She only saw the never-ending orchards, the sleeping animals, and her boring old night sky over all of it.

“Yer’ tellin’ me ya’ don’t see it?” Applejack asked as she was seemingly unable to peel her eyes away from whatever lay before her.

“No, I’m afraid I don’t,” Princess Luna sighed, thinking that her night had probably just impaired her vision now as well.

“Ya’ don’t see that bright, big, beautiful moon over there?” Applejack asked as she glanced over to make sure that Princess Luna really did look up.  A confused look on her face, Luna only nodded her head.  “It completes this here farm,” Applejack explained, “to me, the little ol’ country home wouldn’t be near as calm without that,” she pointed to the moon.

Princess Luna was smiling now, “Do you really mean that, Applejack?” she asked as she too observed how the moon really did seem to amplify the beauty of the calm, country surrounding.

“Course I do,” Applejack said.  After a few moments of silence broken only by the chirp of the crickets, Applejack felt like she needed to make a confession of sorts.  “Princess Luna, can I trust ya’ll with a secret?”

Princess Luna looked over at her, and with a nod of her head, replied, “Anything, my friend.”

Smiling at her, Applejack let her thoughts pour out.  “I…I have to say that this here spot is my favorite in all of Ponyville.”

“Why is that?” Princess Luna asked as she looked up at the sky.

“Cause’ I can see the moon and the stars so good from up here.  It don’t get any better than this,” Applejack said, “I’ve known this spot ever since I was a little filly…it’s all I’ve ever known as far as beauty,” Applejack looked down to see the top of the open barn door beneath her.

Princess Luna was smiling at her and now had a new sense of admiration for this pony.  Princess Luna couldn’t help but think deep within her mind that she did not merely like Applejack as a friend, she loved her as a friend, and as something more than just a friend, a family member it seemed.

A little laugh escaped Applejack’s mouth as she couldn’t believe what she was telling the Princess, but she let out a deep secret, “I…I wanna have my very first kiss up here.”  Princess Luna was familiar enough with her to know that talking about kissing and romance wasn’t exactly Applejack’s type of thing, but knowing that she confided this secret in her fueled the Princesses’ level of admiration for her even more.

Applejack had a partial blush on her face as she looked down and laughed quietly again.  It was then that Princess Luna’s temperament shifted once more.  Applejack had cheered her up, Princess Luna wanted nothing more than to lurch over to her and give her a tight hug, but she just couldn’t.  The thought that Applejack could actually think of romance and having a family, a luxury which Princess Luna did not have, was what saddened her.  Luna did not cry or show her sadness, but quietly poked Applejack and asked, “D…Do you think I am beautiful?”