The Tales of Oathbound, The Mountain Hermit

Oathbound was doing his regular daily patrol along the town's perimeter, enjoying the local chatter and the occasional conversation with passing ponies. However, many had questioned his decision to stay outside during the night instead of seeking shelter.

In fact, he had wondered the same himself, but he could not bring himself to ask anypony to help him get a permanent residence. He was not sure why. Perhaps it had something to do with his pride. Perhaps he was not sure if any of them could help, which he found ridiculous as there were plenty of ponies who could be of much, much help. Perhaps he was just scared of change. Up until now he had always taken to sleeping beneath trees during the night, and sometimes not even sleeping.

This day, however, he felt that something had to be done. How could he protect the town and its inhabitants if he was sleepy, bedridden and sick with a cold?

Applejack was the most dependable pony in town and Oath had learned from her friends about her skills when it came to doing hard work. She would be his first port of call.

At the Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was hauling a bunch of crates with her to prepare for the Applebucking Season. She had a daunting task ahead of her, many many acres to be bucked and not much time to do it in. Gladly she had her family helping out, with the exception of Granny Smith. Still, she could use a few extra hooves.

"What'choo think, should we ask somepony fer 'elp, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup."

"Well shucks, nopony Ah know could come today. Twilight is in Canterlot fer a meetin' with the princess, Pinkie Pie is in Manehattan on her musical tour, Rarity is at the spa with Fluttershy and Ah can't find Rainbow Dash anywhere..."

Oathbound heard the conversation and came over to the pair as they looked at the task ahead of them.

"Perhaps I could help?"

"Oh, howdy there Oath. We sure could use the 'elp."

"Well, give me some trees to buck and I will go buck then. I may not be an expert when it comes to kicking trees but if you need help then help you shall have."

Using his magic Oath grabbed a few containers for him to buck the apples into and nodded at the pair while grinning slightly at his bad joke. Applejack gave a smile. Looks like they could do it after all.

After a couple of hours the trio decided to take a break. Apple Bloom had to leave after the first hour because she remembered her meeting with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. That did not stop the rest from working that much harder though.

"You make some very good apple cider here, Applejack." Oathbound said, taking a swig from the jug she had given him. "I have never had cider this good! All this hard work has to be worth it."

"Eeyup."

"Ah ain't doing it on mah own. Ah got you to help me out here, don't Ah? And my big brother's here too."

Finishing their break, the ponies decided to up the pace. Whoever collected the most apples in 1 hour wins a jug of cider.

Applejack won by a couple of apples, Oathbound and Big Macintosh coming close to eachother, but Oath losing by just an apple. Greedily gulping down the cider, AJ gave a smirk to the two who watched as the golden liquid left the jug and fell through the air into her mouth.

"Looks like Ah win!" She started laughing, to which the stallions both joined in eventually.

"Anyway, looks like we're done for today. Thanks for the 'elp, Oath. Couldn't have done it without ya!"

"Actually, there was a reason I came here apart from helping out."

Explaining his dilemma, Applejack listened interestingly.

"A house? Well Ah'll be, finally laying down, eh? 'Course Ah'll 'elp!"

Smiling to himself, Oath was thinking that perhaps settling down won't be so bad after all.

"But where 'r you gonna have it built?"

"I have a location in mind. It's on the west side of Ponyville, a short walk from Fluttershy's cottage."

"Well just say the word and we'll be there! Right, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup."

"I still need to get the building materials..." Oath rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Dont'cha worry 'bout that! We got plenty of stuff here!"

"Heh, guess that settles it then."

A big smile was visible on Oathbounds face as he left the farm, knowing that he was coming along at a good pace. Perhaps he could ask for Fluttershy and her animal friends to help out as well. Applejack said that she was at the spa with Rarity, didn't she?

Meanwhile, at the spa, Aloe and Lotus Blossom were catering to their regular customers, Fluttershy and Rarity. As usual, Rarity had taken every possible treatment the spa had to offer, her face masked and eyes covered by two cucumber slices.

Fluttershy, conversely, had minimal services, a few green specks on her cheeks to at least make their hosts feel somewhat useful. They enjoyed the chatter while they underwent the service, talking about whatever popped up on their minds, with Rarity usually starting the conversations.

When they emerged from the spa and entered the reception area, they found Oathbound reading a magazine.

"My oh my! What a surprise to see you in here, Oath!" Rarity said.

"Oh, hello Rarity. Fluttershy." Oath said, nodding to each of the two before rising.

"I was actually waiting for you two. Wouldn't do to interrupt you in the middle of your appointed "meeting", now would it?"

"Oh. Well in that case, how can we help?"

"I have decided to finally settle in properly and have a house built. I was wondering if your animal friends could help me and Applejack, Fluttershy."

"It's not up to me, you would have to ask them."

"Now hold on a minute! A house? And who will you ask for decorations? Who will you get the window curtains from? I do not want to see a fashion nightmare in the town! You simply MUST let me help you!" Rarity said, to which Oath rolled his eyes.

"Well, if you insist. I guess it would not hurt to have the house look good."

"Good!? I will make it so fabulous you do not want to leave that house EVER AGAIN!" Fluttershy was a bit startled by the manner in which Rarity had replied to Oathbound. Then again, she was not that surprised. Rarity did take fashion very VERY seriously.

"I do not think you need to go that far. But I will not stop you from trying. But now I have other things to take care of."

"Are you going to go see the animals? If you are, then you shouldn't right now. Even I can't get anything more out of them right now other than that they want to be left in peace. They said they would let me know by tomorrow... I hope it is not something dangerous..." Surprised by this, Oath raised an eyebrow as Fluttershy finished her sentence before looking at the door.

"In that case I have some time to spend. Only, I have not had any thought as to what I could do for the rest of the day.'

'I believe I have a solution to that. In half an hour I am boarding the train to Canterlot to see Sapphire Shores' new collection on her tour. I have an extra ticket."

"You sure you want to give away your extra ticket? I thought you were bringing Opal along." Fluttershy said.

"Oh Opal will be fine. Spike can take care of her, he'll do anything for me. Such a gentledrake, he is."

"Well, if you are alright with it..."

Reaching Canterlot, Rarity and Oathbound parted ways as they each went to do what they wanted. It had truly been a long time since Oath had last come to Canterlot. In fact, last time he was here was when...

A stab of guilt passed through his body as the memory of the past came forward. Quickly pushing it aside, Oath decided to take his mind off things by taking a tour. Many things had changed since his last time here. Grabbing his bags, some of them were loaned from Rarity, Oath started towards the city. He had not really wanted to have extra baggage, but Rarity was horrified by the mere single bag that contained his packed lunch. Oath did try to convince the purple-maned mare that he needed no more than what he had, but she was as uncaring about his opinion as a stone wall. Well, at least he will be able to let her mind be at ease.

Arriving at the main square, he looked at the buildings. Most of the stonework was still the same, some new buildings here and there but otherwise it was the same old Canterlot he had protected back then. Strangely there were not that many ponies around. Usually the main square was so full of ponies even the Princess would have had a hard time getting around.

However, he heard some of the locals chatter to themselves, something about an important pony being up to the western side of the city. Deciding to take a look, Oath immediately regretted his decision as he saw a big parade of ponies all surrounding the Princess who was walking alongside Twilight Sparkle. It seems like the unicorn's scheduled meeting with the princess was not so private anymore. But Twilight was the last thing on Oathbound's mind. There was no way of knowing how the princess would react to the arrival of the Protector of Ponyville in her city. Fearing that the princess would think him neglecting his duty, Oath quickly entered a small unassuming shop with a sign of a trombone and a drum, both crossed by drumsticks. A music store.

Quickly closing the door behind him, Oath took a deep breath before taking looking around the shop. It was old, that much was certain. A green unicorn was lifting instruments onto the shelves. After lifting a guitar to it's stand, the shopkeep turned around and showed how old he actually was. He was one of the oldest ponies Oath had ever seen.

"Can Ah help ye?" The old one said, a clear resemblance to Applejack's accent.

"Just browsing. I'll let you know if I find anything interesting."

Nodding, the unicorn returned to his instruments. A great drum stood out from the rest of the big pile of musical devices, which he tried to lift with his magic. It was clear, even though he was facing away from Oath, that he was struggling. Deciding to not let the pony overextend himself, Oath lifted the drum with his own magic, his amulet glowing in a light blue color as his magic enveloped the drum, raising the instrument to the highest shelf.

"Well Ah'll be... Mighty kind of ya to 'elp out an old unicorn like me. Ah'm in your debt, young 'un."

"It's alright. I like helping out those that have troubles."

"Tell ya what. Pick anythin' here in mah store, ya can have it fer free!"

"I couldn't really. You need the bits, don't you?"

"Ah insist! Come on now, pick somethin'. Anythin'!"

"Well, if you wish..."

Deciding not to hurt the old one's feelings by not picking anything, Oath started looking through the instruments in the shop. There were plenty of guitars that appealed to him. He was not that good when it came to music but he reckoned that with time and practice he could improve. One of the guitars stood out. Unlike the rest of the guitars, this one was painted all over, the maple covered by silver and yellow. Something about the guitar made Oath feel at ease. It was like he could have calmed a raging storm with a single pluck of this guitar's strings.

Picking it up and bringing it for the unicorn to look at, the shopkeep smiled.

"A fine 'tar ya picked there. 'nfact, Ah got it from this one peddler who paid a visit to mah shop once. A fine young 'un, not too much unlike yourself, actually. Anyway, he gave me that old thin' and told me 'bout it's history. That filly called it a "unitar". Don't ask me, he gave it to me. Said somethin' 'bout magic and powerful emotions. Ah never really believed that hogwash, it sounds the same like all the others. Go on now, Ah told ya can pick anythin' ya want."

"I am still prepared to pay a good sum of bits for this. I wouldn't want to drive you out of business."

"Ah won't take yer money for this thin' and that's final." The unicorn said, a bit upset. He was not used to ponies disagreeing with him, Oath supposed.

"Alright then. I apologize if I offended you. Farewell."

Leaving the store with the mysterious "unitar" in one of the bags that Rarity borrowed, Oath looked around to see that the princess and her admirers were long gone.

"Far too much excitement for one day." A chuckle came out from Oath's mouth. Compared to what he had experienced in the past, this should have been a breeze. Guess it comes with the territory.

Looking at the clock tower, he was horrified.

"Oh no, I'm gonna miss the train!"

Rarity was in the train, waiting for the engines to start so she could get back to Ponyville and start working on some new clothes inspired by Sapphire Shores' newest attire. The music was not that good, but Rarity never really understood music enough to understand by some ponies went so far as to look absolutely hideous in an effort to get more ponies to listen to their music. But the Pony of Pop looked absolutely bedazzling, an exception that proves the rule. Looking outside the window, Rarity saw a bunch of ponies all waiting in line to get their tickets verified before they could get on board. She was surprised to see Oath in the distance, running towards the conductor who was busy with the last few ponies. Chuckling at the thought of what could happen, Rarity suddenly sobered up as she remembered her insisted request that Oathbound should loan some of her bags. If he would miss the train, those bags could stay in Canterlot for a long time. Thankfully Oath reached the train on time, entering the same cabin Rarity had taken.

"Goodness, you really should have managed your time more carefully, Oath."

Panting as he tried to catch his breath, Oath just nodded before sitting down opposite of Rarity.

"My... heart... feels like... it's gonna... explode..."

"Deep breaths, darling. Deep breaths."

Following the unicorn's advice, he forced himself to breathe normally. Eventually his heart beat at a more normal rate. He had run across half the city to get to the train on time. Laying his head back, Oath just wanted to get out of Canterlot.

"I assume you had an exciting trip, Oath? I would see no reason for you to be so out of breath otherwise."

"Far more exciting than I anticipated."

They both started laughing, but they suddenly stopped as they were jerked by the sudden motion of the train. Their laughter had made sure they did not hear the whistle of the train's departure.

"Ahem... Anywho, I hope you took full advantage of the bags I loaned?"

"Not really. I found a guitar in one of the stores I visited, but other than that, I did not really get much."

Rolling her eyes, Rarity used her magic to see which bags were empty and then hovered them over to her side, placing them below her seat.

"Sorry for that."

"It's quite alright, I shouldn't have given you so many anyways. I need to come back here soon so I'll need these bags."

The rest of the trip was done in awkward silence. For all her gossiping in the spa with Fluttershy, Rarity was not prepared for any lengthy conversation with Oath, even though she was helping him out with the decorations for his house.

By the time they reached Ponyville, it was late in the evening. Wishing Rarity a good night before parting ways with her, Oath went towards a familiar place he had taken a liking to. The place where was planning to build his house. A small plain with a plain dirt road leading towards the town, close to the edge of the forest that had gained such a fell reputation. A great oak was dotting a spot on the area, which Oath had slept under many times. Laying down and looking at the stars, he eventually eyed his unitar. It did not seem that special now. But now he did not really care if it was a special instrument or not. Right now, he needed some shut-eye.

Morning came and it took Oath a bit to adjust to the light when he got out from under the oak. Stretching a bit, he let out a huge yawn. The clear morning air was refreshing. One of the good sides of sleeping outside.

That was about to change today, however. Today he would ask for Fluttershy's animal friends to help out with the house construction. He did not have any grandiose plans, a simple cottage would do. First off, however, he had a duty to perform. Taking a deep breath, he started towards the town to start his patrol.

In the town a bunch of ponies had cluttered up, talking to eachother in whispers. When they saw Oath, they started whistling and looked up at the sky.

"Strange..." Oath thought. Usually ponies either ignored him altogether or came over to speak with him. Perhaps Twilight could shed some light on this. Apparently she had come back to Ponyville via the same train as Oath and Rarity did.

Knocking on the door, he waited for the door to open. Nothing. Perhaps Twilight was still asleep? Knocking again, Oath waited. Still nothing. Must still be asleep.

Deciding not to disturb her any longer, he left the library's premises. While going through the town, his stomach started rumbling. Laughing to himself, he went towards Sugarcube Corner. A cupcake could help him stave off the hunger until he got some proper grub. He was scared half-dead by the surprise Pinkie Pie threw.

"Pinkie Pie! You might want to give me a headsup before you scare me to death!"

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you! I just thought I would throw a party for you since you are gonna finally settle down! WOHOO!"

"Wait what? You know about it?"

"Of course I do, silly! All the town knows!"

With that, he looked back into the town through the door, only to find the whole population of Ponyville there.

A facehoof was in order.

"Well, I suppose it would not hurt for everypony to know where I live now."

"Everypony wanted to help out so they wanted me to tell you that if you need help, just say the word!"

Looking back at the townsfolk, Oath was surprised. He never expected the town to care this much about him.

"Really? You would do that for me?"

The crowd cheered. A single tear found its way on to Oath's face.

"Thank you everypony. I am forever in your debt."

Applejack appeared from the right side of the crowd and spoke:

"We're just glad to 'elp out a friend! So what say, y'all? Shall we give Oathbound here the best house ever!?"

The crowd cheered once more, far more enthusiatically than before.

"Then let's get to it, everypony! Oath, if you would show where the house is gonna be built..."

And so the building started. Despite the inexperience of most of the ponies, the first wall was raised in under 3 hours. Second and third were up faster than anypony thought possible. A house done in a single day would be a great achievement indeed.

Sadly it was not to be. The roof proved to be a lot harder than the walls themselves. By the time it was dark, most of the ponies decided to retire for the night. Oath was glad for the help, the next day he might even have a proper house. Certain ponies, however had decided to camp out in front of the house for the night. Oath liked the idea. Infact, it gave him a chance to try his unitar. A couple of random notes were struck out.

Knowing how inexperienced he was, he still tried to put on as good music as he could. Quickly the patience of Applejack, Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and the Cutie Mark Crusaders melted away. It wasn't for the lack of trying, just that they could not listen to his bad music for a second longer.

"Not to insult yer skills with that 'tar o' yours, Oath, but Ah think Ah could do better."

"Of course you can. You have much more experience than I have, I have none! I am a bit surprised how I'm actually able to play a guitar, I hear these things were supposed to be for griffons and the like." Oath said, which the collection of ponies guffawed at.

A beautiful melody soon issued forth from the unitar as Applejack struck the notes of a song she had learned long ago.

It made everypony sing along. The song continued long into the night before finally fading. The campfire was burning low as everypony decided to hit the hay. Only Oath remained, eyeing the sky with content in his heart.

"Truly this is the life." He thought.

The next day Applejack looked at the unfinished house and grinned. She had made plans and was gonna make sure that her friend would not sleep under the moon again. A whistle issued forth from her as the noise carried itself across the valley. Soon enough there was a distant rumbling that grew louder. Eventually the source of the noise became clear. The Apple Family had come over to help out with Oathbound's house! The sheer amount of ponies was staggering. All part of the same family. All so different, yet so similar.

Soon enough the working started, but this time it was not the sound of wood being nailed to wood or saws cutting strips of lumber to proper size. Instead violins and guitars made everypony work in rhythm, country-style music filling the construction site.

Eventually the house was complete, decorations and furniture all carried in. Oath was happy with what Applejack had done, but there was a room he wanted to be left empty. He had plans for it.

Bidding farewell to the rest of the Apple Family, Oathbound thanked everypony for the help. Applejack went towards her farm with Big Macintosh right behind her. Oath asked Twilight to stay, however. Asking her to join him, the pair entered the empty room. The room was completely barren with the exception of a few round stone slabs piled on top of eachother.

He revealed his plan for the room. He wanted to infuse it with magic so he could train his mind here. Knowing just the spell for that purpose, Twilight nodded and they both started casting powerful magic. Streams of energy poured out of Twilight's horn and Oath's amulet, each pouring enormous effort into the spell. It was as if the magic would destroy the newly-created house before he would have a chance to use it. Pouring even more power in to the spell, Oath and Twilight got the spell back under control. Eventually the spell was complete. The room, though not changing in appearance, changed drastically in the eyes of those that could perceive magic. Thanking Twilight for the help, Oath made some final adjustments to the spell before leaving. Looking at the cottage, he was pleased with the results. It was not bad considering it was done in two days. The house was shaped in an almost half moon-ish shape. Smoke came out from the chimney at the top. Some of the curtains Rarity had made with the help of others fluttered in the wind. Once more entering the house, he knew he had come home. Grabbing his unitar, he started playing. He knew he was a novice, but practice makes perfect. He had all the time in the world.

And he would not have traded this experience for anything.