Heart of the Orchard

The Second Day: At the Farm

I return to my awareness as the first touch of the sun's warmth touches my roots. I stare down at Applejack, curled up in my branches. I idly stroke her crown with the tips of my leaves. As awareness fully returns, I experience a strange sense of vertigo as I remember the events of the previous day. It is strange, to experience time so segmented, instead of the endless flow I have always known before. Perhaps I will learn to enjoy this, as well.

I watch as Applejack begins to stir. I am torn. She is so warm against me, part of me desires that she remain asleep, that we may remain like this longer. Another part of me wishes for her to wake, so I may know her more. I know not which impulse to act upon, so I wait, and see what will happen.

Her eyes slowly open, close, then open again. She tilts her head up, and I am staring into her eyes. "Hey," she says quietly, baring her teeth in the expression I now know to be a pleasant smile.

I don't know what I should say, so I smile in return.

After a moment, her smile fades as her eyes shadow. Having just experienced it for myself, I interpret that she has just remembered yesterday's events as well. "Oh my goodness!" she says, sitting up, putting one hand to her face. "Did we...am I...but I was..." She turns to me, seeming afraid. "Please tell me I ain't pregnant!"

I tilt my head. I can tell she needs reassurance of some sort, but I don't fully understand. "What is 'pregnant'?" I ask her.

She looks at me for a time, then she begins to chuckle. "Yeah, I guess that is a silly thing to worry about, all things considered..." Her face goes pale. "Oh my goodness, how am I gonna explain this to Apple Bloom? To Granny? To Big Mac?" She puts her face in her hands. "How am I gonna explain you? What am I supposed to say?"

Explain. I do not understand what she means by this, but perhaps I can reassure her somewhat, as I know what I would say. "I am Giant George. I am a tree."

She looks at me, the lids of her eyes lowered half way. "George, you can't say you're a tree. Ponies will think yer crazy."

I nod, recording this warning in my heartwood. "And being thought crazy is a bad thing?" I ask.

She opens her mouth to say something, but stops. She opens and closes her mouth a few times. "Pinkie Pie..." she mutters under her breath. "I'll get back to you on that," she says louder. "Just...don't go telling ponies you're a tree in the meantime, okay?"

"Alright," I reply calmly. "What are ponies?"

Applejack stares at me for some time before putting her face in her hands again. "This is gonna be tough," she mumbles. She then turns back to me. "I'm a pony. Granny Smith is a pony. Apple Bloom is a pony. Big Macintosh is a pony. We're all ponies. You..." She pauses. "Well, you certainly look like a pony."

She has named several Walkers. Ponies must be what they call themselves. "What of the ones who can fly, or project energy?" I ask. "What are they called?"

"Also ponies," she replies. It seems answering my questions is helping her to calm down. I resolve to ask more until she is more at ease. "Although the ones with wings are called pegasi - pegasus if it's just one - and the ones who use magic are called unicorns. Ones like me who have neither wings nor horn are earth ponies."

I nod. "I see." A sudden loud roar echoes from somewhere nearby. "And what is that?"

Her face pales. "Trouble!" She hops to her hooves. "Come on, we've got to-" A scream echoes from the same direction as the roar. "Apple Bloom!" Applejack turns to run towards the sound.

I slowly get to my roots - I should probably think of them as my hooves, now - as I attempt to process what has happened. Applejack said the roar represented trouble. Then she ran towards it, exhibiting fear.

Applejack is running towards danger.

I immediately run after her, returning my bark to its formerly rough state. If there is danger, my rough bark will give me better strength should I need to fight. My pace rapidly covers the distance and I catch up to her.

She stands, gripping a construction of wood and metal in both hands, waving it threateningly. Behind her are three small Walkers - ponies - who I do not recognize. One is an earth pony, yellow with a crimson crown, wearing cloth leaves similar to those Applejack wore yesterday, blue overalls. The second has wings - a pegasus - and is orange with a purple crown. Her cloth leaves are blue and form fitting, with a face on the front. The third has a horn - presumably, a unicorn - and is white with a pink crown. She is wearing a yellow cloth leaf that flows downward over her.

In front of Applejack is a chimera. I recognize its three headed form, though I have never seen one. I also know its capabilities. The cold head with scales has a deadly toxin inside its mouth. The furry head in the middle has crushing jaws. The third head spits a caustic substance that eats through anything.

It is trying to hurt Applejack.

I rush forward, putting a good chunk of strength into a blow to the third head. The toxin will not affect me, and the power of this creatures body I can handle. The hungry spit, however, could do me real harm as it would before I was reborn. The chimera falls back, shocked and confused. It's third head has lost consciousness, reducing its ability to think and plan. As it rears up, I rush forward, slamming my shoulder into its trunk.

It flies backward, crashing to the ground some distance away. It is down, but not out. It will get back up. It will continue to threaten Applejack. I pursue.

It is back on its paws. It roars angry defiance at me. The scaled head snaps forward, burying fangs in my arm. I ignore them. The creature's claws lash at me, attempting to cut me to pieces. Bits of my bark break off, but they are of no moment. As the creature lunges forward to bite me with its furry head, I catch the two halves of its jaw - one in each hand - and apply pressure. The creature is shocked that it cannot bite down. I apply more pressure, forcing the jaws apart.

My grip is sure, my power more than enough. I will tear the chimera in half, and it will no longer be a threat to Applejack. As the creature recognizes my intent, it begins to writhe madly. The scaled head bites me repeatedly, and the main body continues to claw with more ferocity.

I smell Applejack's fear. I do not understand. I am dealing with the threat. I turn towards her.

She is cowering, covering the eyes of the small ponies, staring at me. Her face is full of fear.

She fears me. The power I am wielding...it must be frightening to her. I don't want her to fear me.

I turn back to the chimera. "You will leave here," I say into its face, where only it will hear me. "You will not return. If you do, I will not hesitate to finish what I have started. You will not harm my Friend."

The chimera understands me. It goes limp. I release it, and it flees for the forest beyond the grove, where it came from. I turn back to Applejack, walking towards her. Her fear is gone. I am relieved. I kneel down before her. "Are you alright?"

Applejack nods. "I am now." She gasps. "You're hurt!"

I glance down. There are several holes from where the scaled head bit me, as well as a few gashes in my bark where sap is beginning to leak. These are distressing Applejack, so I close them.

She gasps. "How did you..." Her voice trails off.

The small earth pony sticks her head around Applejack. "You fought the chimera! That was so cool!"

"So amazing!" the small unicorn adds.

"Totally awesome!" the pegasus adds, fluttering her small wings. She looks around. "Where is it?"

"It has fled to where it came from. It will not return."

The three young ones smile. Then the small yellow one frowns. "Say...who are ya? And what are ya doing on our farm?"

She said 'our'. She refers to the grove. She must be family to Applejack. I conclude this is Apple Bloom. I smile. "I am Giant George." I think about what Applejack told me. "I am not a tree."

Applejack covers her face with her hand, groaning quietly.

Apple Bloom tilts her head, frowning. "I can tell you aren't a tree. I'm a filly, not an idiot."

I tilt my head, confused by her statement. "What should I have said?"

The unicorn speaks up. "Well, instead of telling us what you aren't, you could tell us what you are."

"Yeah!" the pegasus speaks up. "Taking on a chimera bare-handed, you've gotta be something awesome! So what are you?"

I think for a time. I know that Applejack and Apple Bloom are earth ponies. I know what each of these small ones is. I know I am an elemental...but that connects to me being a tree, which I am not supposed to say. However, their question seems to call for a one word answer, which I am unsure of.

Searching my heartwood, a face arises, and I know exactly how to answer. Smiling, I reply, "Applejack's."

Applejack's face turns bright red.

Apple Bloom and the unicorn smile and say simultaneously, "Aww!"

The pegasus makes a gagging sound. She then blinks. "Where are your clothes?" she asks.

Apple Bloom blinks. "Hey sis, where are YOUR clothes?"

Applejack pales. "Uh..."

I smile. "Your clothes are under the tree where we left them last night," I reply helpfully.

Applejack's face goes paler, as an expression somewhat reminiscent of fear but not exactly crosses her face. The three young ones gasp in unison. I hear the sound of heavy hooves against the ground, and turn towards them.

An earth pony, approximately the same size as me and red, is charging towards me. His face shows rage. The feel of his hooffalls tells me it is the largest of those who live here, the one called Big Macintosh. He pulls one hand back, his fingers curled tight.

"Big Mac! Stop! Don't hurt him!" Applejack steps forward, grabbing hold of his arm.

"But...the fillies were screamin," Big Mac points out.

Applejack glowers at him. "They were screaming because of the chimera, the one he chased back into the Everfree Forest."

"Oh." Big Macintosh lowers his arm. "Sorry about tryin to hit ya," he says, extending his arm out towards me. "I'm Big Macintosh. Thanks for looking out for my sisters."

I look at his hand unsure of what I am supposed to do.

Apple Bloom giggles. "You're supposed to shake his hand and introduce yourself."

"I see." I grab his wrist and shake his hand around. "I am Giant George. I am not a tree." Applejack once more puts the palm of her hand against her face. "Applejack, why do you keep doing that?"

"Nothin, George," she says with a sigh.

Big Macintosh looks at me carefully, leaning towards Applejack. "Is he alright in the head?" he asks in a whisper. The young ones do not hear, but I do.

"He didn't grow up around other ponies," Applejack replies.

Big Macintosh nods. "Ah." He puts his arm over my shoulders. "Come on, Giant George, let's get you inside, get some food in ya and clothes on ya." He blinks. "AJ, where are yer clothes?"

"Uh..."

Applejack looks nervous. Perhaps I should respond differently than I did to the young ones. I point towards my old shell. "That way."

"Thanks fer reminding me, George," she says, running towards my old body.

Big Mac looks at me strangely for a moment, then shakes his head. "We'll talk about that later. Let's get you inside." As he moves his arm, he winces. "Ya could also use some conditioner, your coat's as rough as tree bark."

I had forgotten to smooth my bark again. I do so.

"Whoa!" Big Macintosh jumps, his face now showing the emotion I recognize as 'shock'. "How'd ya do that?"

I think on how to explain this best. "You said my bark was to rough. I smoothed it."

"...ya mean yer coat, right?"

"I suppose." He shakes his head, smiling, then continues to lead me inside.

Inside the large deadwood, he leads me up to a higher altitude. I am unsure if I like being so far from the ground. He opens a panel of the wood and leads me into an enclosed space. "This is my room," he says calmly. He goes into a smaller space and pulls out a set of overalls that matches what he is wearing. "I don't suppose you know how to put these on?"

I take them from him, staring at them as I try to figure out what he means.

He smiles. "Hold it by the waistband," he touches the part he is referring to, "and hold it below your waist." He taps the part of my trunk just above where my roots - my legs - connect at a joint.

I do as he instructs. "Now what?"

"Lift up your right leg." He pats the leg he indicates. "Then slip it into here," he signifies the tube on the same side in the overalls, "until your hoof hits the floor, making sure not to step on any fabric."

I do as he instructs. Having done so, I pause, looking at what I have done. Following logic, I repeat the process with my other root.

Big Mac smiles, nodding. "Nothin wrong with yer noggin as far as logic goes. Now slid the shoulder straps," he signifies the designated part of the overalls, "over your shoulders." He taps the joint where my branches connect to my trunk.

I do so, pulling the overalls up so the straps reach.

"There," he says happily. "Now yer dressed for polite company. So let's go eat."

He leads me back downstairs, into a room made of a hard surface with tame fire. I am not sure I like fire, even if it is tame. From a large metal box, he pulls out two items I don't recognize. "Apple turnovers," he says calmly. "Premade, but you missed breakfast time, so it'll have to do." He hands me one. "Go ahead." He takes a bite of the one he still holds.

Watching, I mimic his actions. It appears that ponies make items out of the fruit my brothers and sisters bare that they then eat. There are several unfamiliar tastes. I shall learn of them eventually. It is, however, enjoyable.

As I consume it, I can feel my body working on it, as the magic contained in my body breaks down the food into its most basic mystical components and absorbs them into my mystic reserves.

I hear a noise from outside. Turning, I go to investigate. I see a smaller earth pony, colored green and leaning on an wooden staff, talking to Applejack. The green one appears to be quite ancient.

"Applejack!" the old one says angrily. "What in tarnation do ya think yer doin leavin yer clothes out in the middle of the orchard and running around starkers? What kinda example do ya think that sets for Apple Bloom?"

"Sorry Granny," Applejack replies, hanging her head. "Won't happen again."

"You bet yer britches it won't happen again!" the older pony - I believe her to be Granny Smith, based on Applejack's address of her - proclaims. She then turns and sees me. "And who are you? I don't recognize you."

I smile. "I am Giant George."

She looks at me strangely. "I thought Giant George was a tree. You don't look like a tree."

"I am not a tree."

"That's alright then." She smiles at me. "Applejack's supposed to walk the fillies to school, but she and I still need to have a talk." She turns to Applejack and jerks her head towards me. "You trust him?"

Applejack smiles, nodding. "Absolutely."

"Good enough for me." Granny turns to me. "You'll walk them to school, won'tcha? Fer Applejack?"

I nod, smiling. "I would be happy to."

As I turn to leave, Applejack catches my arm. "You'll keep an eye on them, right?"

I rest my hand on hers. "I will see them safely to school."

Applejack nods. "Just...you be careful, too, okay? Pretty sure nothin in Ponyville could really hurt ya after what I saw this morning, but...try to avoid trouble, okay?"

I smile. "I will." Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, I turn to where the three young ones have come out of the orchard carrying bags full of various items. I smile down at them. "I am supposed to walk you to school."

"But I thought Applejack was gonna do that," Apple Bloom says sadly.

"She has to talk with Granny Smith, so I am doing it for her." For some reason, this causes all three to giggle uncontrollably. I turn to the unicorn and pegasus. "I did not catch your names."

The small unicorn smiles. "I'm Sweetie Belle!" she says happily.

"I'm Scootaloo!" The pegasus' voice is full of bravado.

"WE'RE THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!" they shout together.

I will ask them what that means exactly somewhat later...although for some reason, I remember several instances of large objects crashing into my trunk in recent years while I was still a tree, usually followed by Applejack apologizing to me for her sisters antics. Smiling at them, I walk with them out of the orchard, in the direction Applejack and Granny Smith indicated, where my brothers and sisters inform me most of the Walkers - the ponies - live.

As we leave the gates, I glance down at the three young ones. "So where is this school I am to take you to?" I ask calmly.

Their slowly spreading grins confuse me.