The Tales of Oathbound, The Mountain Hermit

It was inconspicuous at first. Small gifts and gestures. A walk together. A discussion about their favourite hobbies, places they have seen...

Eventually it was more than that. Fluttershy did not want to admit it, but she had taken a liking to Oathbound. And he was not making it any easier, for he felt the same way. They were seeing eachother a lot more than they wanted to admit. Their feelings grew slowly, like a flower next to a pond. Nourishment, care and affection made it grow. Soon it would be in bloom.

Fluttershy's friends were quite aware of what was going on, but did not want to hurt her feelings by joking about it around her. Oath, however, was quite fair game. Unfortunately for them he made no motion to correct them, no need to right something if nothing is wrong. It was annoying, yes, but the rest of the ponies wanted to have fun. Why deny them the little humor in the situation?

One evening, at Fluttershy's cottage, Oath was invited to come over and watch a meteor shower visible on the night sky.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Indeed. But... there is something more beautiful in this place."

Turning towards the gray stallion, genuinely confused, Fluttershy asked:

"What? I have not seen much that is more wondrous than-"

"You know who I am talking about, Fluttershy."

Silence ensued as Fluttershy blushed.

"Perhaps I should not have said that... I'm sorry, Fluttershy."

"Don't be... It's quite okay."

As they stared at the sky, a gentle hug from Fluttershy earned a quick laugh from Oathbound. They enjoyed eachother's company. Everypony knew that by now, but the gossip did not do much to dissuade the pair.

The next day Oath was doing his daily patrol, a little light-headed, but focused. He knew what was happening. He knew that he should stop, that there was no way they could be together. Yet something kept him feeling so warm towards Fluttershy. A feeling, long lost inside his heart, was crawling back up. A feeling that he had not felt for many years. In fact, he did not remember a time when he last felt it. It took him a few moments to realize what he was feeling.

He was in love.

Fluttershy was on the outskirts of town, on her way towards the edge of the Everfree Forest. Mr. & Mrs. Squirreliee had settled in on their new home and Fluttershy wanted to go and see how they were doing. She did not expect to see 3 more squirrels. Baby squirrels scuttled forth from the tree that their parents took when Fluttershy had helped them make this their home. They were so cute. She just wanted to hug them until she could not hug anything ever again.

Inside, however, she knew that this feeling was just a reflection of her own feelings towards Oathbound. She knew that it was love. He was so affectionate, so caring, and yet so serious when it came to doing something that mattered.

She had never thought about it, but she wondered if he felt the same way as she did towards him?

Or were her feelings going to go unanswered?

On her way back, Oath came across, walking alongside Zecora who had come over to shop for some ingredients.

"Ah Fluttershy, what a nice surprise!"

"Indeed it is, my friend. As is you having a hoof to lend."

"Don't mention it, Zecora. I'm always ready to help out."

"I'll take my leave then. Have a good day and may we meet again."

As the zebra disappeared into the forest, Oath asked:

"Does she live in the Everfree Forest? I thought nopony was living in there."

"She said that she enjoyed the solitude. I couldn't bring myself to living in that horrible forest."

"Why? You are such a good friend to animals, you would do just fine there if you ask me."

"It's not that. It's my friends..."

"Oh."

A moment of silence passed as they looked at the forest before turning back and heading towards the town.

"Fluttershy, can I ask you something?'

"Hmm?'

"I was wondering if it would be alright if I could come and stay at your place tonight."

Startled at the step the stallion had taken, Fluttershy took a minute to collect herself.

"A.. Are you sure? I don't even have the guest room prepared. Besides, don't you have your own house?"

"Look, if you can't have me over, then just say it. I won't mind. As to my house, well... It gets a little dull, even with all the decorations you and Rarity worked so hard to make. It's just that those decorations do not match the company you provide, Fluttershy."

A sigh echoed across the plains.

"Fluttershy, I-"

Realizing what he was about to say, Oath zipped his mouth before starting to run towards the village.

Fluttershy looked at the stallion as he receded into the distance, blushing harder than she thought possible.

Reaching Oathbounds house, Fluttershy knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked again. Still nothing. He must have gone someplace else.

As the mare was leaving, a voice called out from a window.

"Is that you, Fluttershy?"

Turning back, Fluttershy saw Oath looking down from the window.

"I just wanted to ask you if you were okay..."

"I'm fine." Oath knew how pathetic he must have been at that moment, his own voice betraying him. He was not fine. He felt miserable for almost blurting out his secret.

"If you want to talk, then come to my cottage tonight. We can talk then, okay?" Smiling, Fluttershy looked at Oath, who was taken aback by the mare's sudden courage.

"...Very well. I do not think you need to prepare your guest room though."

"It's okay."

As the mare left, Oathbound entered the meditation room he had specifically constructed for himself. Magical power rampaged across it, a reflection of the many emotions in his mind at the moment.

But the most powerful was a pink lightning that stayed near Oath. It was so powerful that Oath feared it's possible release. If the magic in that lightning would be released, then who knows what would happen to Ponyville. Emptying his mind, he calmed the roaring power in the room, but the pink lightning still remained. Trying to snuff it out was like trying to light a candle at the base of a waterfall. He knew that it reflected his feelings toward Fluttershy. The mere mention of her caused the lightning to spaz and pick up the pace. He tried his best to suppress it. No good.

Eventually he decided that there must be another way for him to vent all this, so he could concentrate on the coming evening. He used his magic to grab a guitar that he had acquired during one of his visits to Canterlot. These guitars were not like the guitars most ponies knew. An assortment of instruments was situated on the far side of the room, everything from brass horns to drum kits. He had known little about music until he visited that shop. He got to pick a single guitar for his help with one of the drums the old unicorn had tried to raise to the shelf. He took a liking to the instrument though, eventually getting the rest of the set. The original guitar was sitting in the middle. The shopkeep had told him the story of how he got hold of it. Apparently it had something to do with magic and powerful emotions. It was apparently called a "unitar". Oath did not believe the story at the time, but now... Right now, he wanted to believe.

Hoisting the guitar on to him and taking a comfortable position, he began to strum the guitar. Unlike what the shopkeeper claimed, the guitar made the very same sound that he had heard other guitars make. A bit disappointed but not stopping, Oath decided to keep on playing. Random notes sounded out across the building as he played, no purpose whatsoever behind any note. Eventually he started crafting melodies. But they were not good enough. A bit angry at himself for getting himself in the situation that he was in with Fluttershy without making it awkward, he mustered his magic. He wanted to give in to self-pity. He needed to vent that anger. An electric voice issued forth from the guitar. Wonder in his face, he used his magic again, all previous feelings cast aside. Another voice came forth, this time just a regular guitar string pluck. Realizing that the shopkeeper was not lying, he started using his magic to create more melodies. This is surely where musicians get their inspiration, Oath thought. His raging storm of emotions came out in the form of music, his guitar bringing weight to his words. And so he kept on playing the guitar, in whatever fashion he liked for the passing whims he had. He was better than he was before. When his house was being built, there was this one time when he tried to entertain his friends by giving them a song. Needless to say Applejack borrowed it soon after and gave some true music to listen to. Knowing how pathetic he was with the guitar, he laughed to himself, giving him some more incentive to play. Eventually he noticed that the sun was getting low. He would have to learn more about the guitar later. Now, he had a friend to visit.

Reaching Fluttershy's cottage, he knocked on the door. To his surprise, the door was open. Stepping inside, he was confronted by Angel, Fluttershy's pet rabbit. If looks could kill, Oath would have left the cottage in a coffin.

But Fluttershy grabbed the bunny in her hooves and placed him aside.

"I'm sorry about Angel, he is a bit protective of me..."

"I don't blame him. I probably would feel the same way too."

"I was just preparing us some tea before we talk, but would you like to talk about what's bothering you before we have some?"

"My issue has been around for this long, I reckon it can wait a little more."

With that, the tea pan started a high whistle. Fluttershy prepared the tea as Oath sat down on the table.

As Fluttershy brought cups of tea to the table, she smiled at Oath while saying:

"It's my special recipe. Hope you like it!"

Sipping a bit of the brew, Oath was surprised. It tasted absolutely wonderful! Granted, he had not drank tea for many years while living in exile, but that did not change the fact that this was the best tea he had ever had. A hint of lemon, some lime and something else that seemed to have absorbed the sharpness of the two sitrus fruit, leaving just a pleasant, refreshing taste.

"This tea is really good! I have not had such good tea in a long time!"

"Hehe, glad you like it."

Finishing off his tea greedily, with Fluttershy sipping her tea. When he finished, Oath looked at Fluttershy, face serious this time.

"Fluttershy, what I said earlier this day, it has been bothering me. I hope I do not look like a fool to you now."

"What you said was sweet. And you don't need to apologize. But there was this sentence you did not finish."

Blushing, Fluttershy looked into Oathbounds eyes.

"Were you saying that you... Loved me?"

Startled, Oath tried to clear his throat, but it just caused him a bit of pain.

"Did I say that, because if that is what you think then... Yes."

"I... I love you too, Oath."

Their eyes fixed on eachother, they just stared at their partner. Eventually Fluttershy started giggling, which soon evolved into laughter, which Oath joined, the low tone of Oath complimenting Fluttershy's voice perfectly.

When the laughter faded they were both in tears from all the strain on their facial muscles.

"We should have told eachother sooner about how we felt, heh." Oath said, panting slightly from the lack of air.

"I think so too."

"Looking back, it was actually a bit stupid of me to keep these feelings concealed."

"It was not your fault, I should have invited you earlier, this tea of mine is special because it makes it easier for ponies to talk about things that they'd not otherwise let other ponies be privy to. Zecora is a really good brewer."

Hugging eachother, the pair enjoyed eachothers warmth as the evening went on. Deciding against going back to his house, Oath voiced his earlier request, which Fluttershy accepted. But with no guest room prepared, Oath had to tuck in the same bed Fluttershy used. It was cramped, but they did not care. Sleep came quickly as the pair just looked eachother in the eyes.

"Morning, Oath!"

"Zzzzz-who-wha?"

"I said good morning! Come on sleepyhead, it's time to get up. If it's alright with you." She added, almost as an afterthought.

Realizing where he was, Oath quickly jumped off the bed. His mane was all messed up.

"Oh, uhh... Good morning Fluttershy!" He said, a bit too quickly.

Giggling, Fluttershy motioned for Oath to get downstairs.

"I made us some tea that will help get the sleepiness out. You'll need the energy for your day, don't you?"

Scratching his mane, a bad poker face showing on his muzzle, Oath let out a nervous laugh before following Fluttershy's direction.

The tea was quickly dealt with, this time tasting even better than the last.

When Oath went for the front door, Fluttershy wished him a good patrol. Both knew that they had officially gone beyond friendship.

"Her friends were more correct than they could ever be." Oathbound thought, letting out a laugh.

His guitar playing also started to get better. Now he was making songs of his own. Granted, most of them were made just so he could vent any excess feelings. But their message was clear as the notes that Oath played. He was sure that if he focused on it, he could learn far more than what he knew now. He would have to borrow a book regarding music from Twilight Sparkle one day. But right now, all he cared about was Fluttershy.

Seeing eachother even more than they had done previously, Fluttershy and Oath quickly became one of the most well-known couples in Ponyville.

In his apartment, Oath was writing a letter to the princess later that day.

"M'lady Celestia.

As you know, I have lived here in Ponyville for a while, gaining many friends and realizing that this was the best thing to happen in my life.

But there is a question I have for you: After you have lived for so long in self-imposed exile and tormenting yourself for many years, is it normal for a pony to feel love? At all?

You may have a different answer than I do, but I say that it is normal! I shan't tell just yet who I am talking about, but I love this pony very much. I can only hope that the future will brighten up for me and her...

Your Servant And Guardian Of Ponyville, Oathbound"

With the letter written, Oath went to Twilight's library, which was all nice and clean, very much unlike what it was when Oath had first seen it. The mess of books was horrendous, and the stairway to the chamber where he had originally hid the horn was visible then and the horn was gone. Now the library practically shined in the daylight, not a single speck of dust around.

"Twilight, have you seen Spike?" Oath said, looking at the purple unicorn who was browsing through the books.

"I think he is around here somewhere... SPIIIIKE!"

A purple baby dragon with green head scales soon appeared from behind one of the bookshelves.

"Yes Twilight?"

"Oath has something to tell you."

Raising an eyebrow at that, Oath presented him with his letter.

"I would like for you to send this to the princess."

"What is it?"

"My... report to the princess."

Without questioning the gray stallion any longer, Spike belched a green flame which engulfed the letter before it went out of the window.

"Also, Twilight, I was wondering if you would have a music-related book here."

"Oh, I think you can find it you look for it. Spike, can you help him out?"

"Sure."

Eventually finding the book and quickly looking at the pages he knew that this was the book he was looking for.

"Got it. I'll return it once I have what I need."

"Take your time Oath."

As Oath left the library and started towards his house again, Twilight looked at Spike. a sly smile on her face.

"You know what this means, Spike?"

Confused, the purple dragon looked at Twilight, who's face was excited.

"No? What?"

"First Oath is spending a long time with Fluttershy and now he is into music? He's gonna marry her soon!"

"What? Nah, he ain't gonna marry her. Sure, they are as thick as thieves nowadays but that don't make em a couple. 'Sides, how can you come to that conclusion just because he likes music?" Spike said, shrugging.

"Come on Spike, don't be so naivé. Fluttershy goes to his place almost every week to hear him play his guitar!"

"Oath has a guitar? How does one even play a guitar without claws?" The drake said, scratching the scales lining his head.

"Lyra does it with her harp."

As the two spent a long time arguing, Oath dug into the book while going to his home. It contained much information. All these different instruments. All these different kinds of sounds. He would have to try them all out.

As time went on Fluttershy learned of Oath's new hobby and started listening to him while he played. It was pleasant to hear that her loved one was so dedicated that he would make music just for her.

Oath told Fluttershy to not tell anypony about it, not just yet. The others knew of his guitar, just not that he is going to be actively using it. He wanted to make sure that when they heard him play again, he could show his feelings in a way that nopony could deny.

They were happy. That was all that mattered.

Slowly, above their heads, two lights appeared. One of them took the form of a glowing Element of Kindness. The second, on top of Oath, took the shape of a heart. The pair did not notice them. Just as slowly as they appeared, they disappeared.

Stepping outside, they looked out into a nearby meadow. Full of different kinds of flowers, each kind of color mingling with themselves. They were all in bloom.