'Dear Applejack,
I have settled back into work with the Night Guard once again. It's tough; I miss you and the farm a lot. Sergeant is working us all hard and Luna seems a bit upset right now. Some Silly stallion made some rude comments at her anniversary party in Canterlot and she hasn't been right since. I hope that Applebloom, Big Mac and Granny are doing alright? I should be able to get some time off in a few days. How is the oak tree doing? I hope it's doing better. I hope that you.......'
Gah he just didn't seem to be able to get it right. Shadow Guard held his head in his hooves, this was his third attempt and seemed just as juvenile as the first two. Everything he wrote down sounded like foalish ramblings, but Shadow didn't dare ask the other guards for suggestions. The image of Swift Star's face with a huge smirk was reason enough to avoid that idea. Oh why did mares have to be so complicated?
Shadow Guard rubbed his tired eyes and gave a huge sigh before trying again. He felt he had to make this something really special and didn’t want to ruin his chance Applejack had given him. But no matter how hard he tried he felt his words just made him sound like an idiot.
"You know I think you're trying too hard there colt. It doesn't have to be pretty just honest, tell the girl how you really feel and then leave it up to her," Shadow almost fell off his chair. Night Blade was right behind him, reading Shadow’s last attempt. How did he unscrew the crumpled paper so quietly?
"Woha sir, I know you were one of Luna’s best scouts, but if you sneak up on me like that again I’ll have a heart attack," Shadow Guard looked at Night Blade's smiling face while he tried to slow the pounding in his chest.
"What do you mean were?” Blade added indignantly, “I'll have you know I am just as good if not better than a few years ago. The point still stands however, if you want the mare to like you then just be yourself. Trying anything else is just asking for trouble." Night Blade didn’t look truly hurt by shadows passing comment.
"You really think that will work Sarge? I mean she is amazing, beautiful, strong and kind. How can I compete with that?" Shadow felt the well of despair begin to claim him before Night Blade chuckled and smiled in a knowing way.
"Now listen here, first of all you're not competing with her. You're trying to make a friend, the closest friend you could ever have and more. Don't go trying to show her you're better than her or anything like that." Night Blade took on a wistful expression and for the first time ever Shadow thought Blade actually looked old.
The moment past and Blade was his old self again, “I met ‘Dark Grace’ when I was only a little older than you are now.”
Shadow started in astonishment, “I never knew you’re married sir?”
Blade smiled warmly, “Oh yes, the better half of me in so many ways.” Blade’s eyes took on a playful light that Shadow had never seen before either, “She’s my dearest, my love and the only thing that ever rivaled my heart’s affections.”
Night Blade smiled all the wider, “There are those days she still calls me ‘cave slime’ for my latest slip up, but love isn’t about never having a sore word, it was about caring for each other despite our imperfections.”
He winked at Shadow, “None of us are perfect, don’t pretend to be so when you write. Just make sure it’s honest and from the heart.”
"But how else am I meant to impress her?" Shadow Guard asked doubtfully.
Blade paused for a moment and his face became serious, "I am gonna let you in on an important lesson my colt.”
Shadow awaited, poised to write down accumulated wisdom of Night Blade,”Stallions and mares are different. Not just in the looks department which may be shocking I know."
Shadow just blinked before replying, “Seriously that’s it? Come on sir even I know that.” He glared at Night Blade and saw he was smiling all the wider..
"They think different in the head too and though I don't pretend to know how it all works in there, there are a few things I have learnt: Always treat em like royalty, mares are the most wonderful creation in Equestria and deserve to be treated as such. You need to make sure they know that you know that."
"You mean I have to bow and scrape whenever I see her?" Shadow Guard’s eyes were full of concern and Night Blade chuckled at his unease.
"No no, nothing like that, just make sure she knows how important she is to you. How she means the entire world to you." Night Blade shook his head before going on to his second point. "Two; if you go around trying to be some pony you're not just to impress her she will never fall in love with the real you. That's really important as the truth always comes out anyway, so may as well start by showing your best you before hoof, not some pretend facade."
Shadow Guard was writing again, finally feeling like he was getting somewhere. Having got that all down he looked eagerly back to Night Blade who smiled as he came on to the final point, "Last but not least, know when to keep your mouth shut. Hard for a pony of your disposition I know, but one day she will say something that really hurts you. You’re gonna need to be a big Stallion and take it with good grace. Remember you love her and don't bite back. Then when you have had time to cool off you can ask her what she meant and resolve it the correct way."
Shadow Guard was just eating this all up, it made sense to him and for the first time since he had left Sweet Apple Acres he felt like he had a plan.
"So is that everything?" The younger stallion asked.
Night Blade laughed out loud this time. "Mercy no, but it's a good start. Each mare is different so they will have their own little ways. But do your best to be the best you can be and you can't go far wrong. Oh one final thing; be on the lookout for being told off for things you didn't even know you did wrong. The mare’s are good at that too.”
"Wow sergeant, I didn't know you knew so much about us." Swift Star and Night Dew finished lurking in the doorway and emerged into the barracks proper. Swift had another of her evil grins and Night Dew wore a wistful expression.
"I was wondering when you’d give up trying to sneak in,” Night Blade smiled showing off his pointed teeth. “Also Swift I don't know if you really count as a mare, being a soldier and all. You know we're all the same in the guard."
As Shadow looked from one mare to the other he saw Night Dew still had a wistful look in her eyes, "Caw if a stallion did that for me I would be over the moon." She quickly came back to the here and now before blushing, "Well it’s all very sweet," Night Dew went on, ignoring the way Swift Star looked at her.
"You would?" Shadow eyes shone with eagerness.
"Caw you're all so soppy, just get her some candy and tell her she looks fit," Swift Star quickly voiced, then paused when everypony stared at her. She simply shrugged in response, "It's what I would want to hear from a good looking stallion."
Blade, nodded, “As I said colt: All mares are different and nopony can teach you everything about winning their heart. At some point you’re going to have to just dive in and hope for the best.”
Applejack was distracted and Big Mac could tell. His sister always threw herself at her chores with more vigour when something was on her mind. The family’s whole set of farm tools sparkled like they hadn't done for years, the dishes practically glowed from within and the barn hadn't looked so good in ages. She was just finishing off the last of the weather-proofing on their roof when Big Mac finally found her.
He knew better than to try and ask what it was about. A.J would tell him ‘if and when’ she was good and ready. It didn’t take a genius to figure the probable cause was that Shadow character. Big Mac had misjudged the stallion, the bat pony had been more than he had first seemed right enough. Shadow had done the Apple family a good turn and seemed a decent enough stallion once you got around his odd ways and loud mouth.
Big Mac was just....well he just didn't want his sister getting hurt. As far as he could guess Applejack had some interest in Shadow, but she wasn’t sure. Saving the memorial tree was a huge step in earning his support anyhow. What bothered him was the idea of his ‘little’ sister linking up with anypony.
Of course he didn't believe nine tenths of the rumours about the bat ponies. He didn't hold his breed against Shadow, just the idea of his younger sister growing up so much as to have a 'very special somepony' of her own was a lot to think about.
He continued to watch Applejack as she finished nailing and refitting the loose tiles on the roof with the same determination as diamond dog after some jewels. Every crack, every gap or slightly warped bit of cladding was seen too and still she didn’t seem satisfied. It had been the same when their parents had died and when she’d broken up with her first school crush. Applejack would throw herself at any other problem apart from the main one, falling back on what she knew and trusted.
He wanted her to be happy and Big Mac admitted he could think of far worse choices than this Shadow Guard if it did come to that, but Celestia help any stallion if he didn't treat Applejack right.
A crunching sound drew Big Mac out of his reverie, his powerful hoof had crushed a nearby rock to powder. Applejack heard the sound of splintering stone and looked down from the roof above before Big Mac lifted a cautious hoof and gave Applejack a timid smile.
She quickly climbed down and put a hoof on Big Mac’s broad chest, "Aww big guy I know that look, what's up sugar cube?"
He tried to think of just how to explain all the thoughts running through his head, the idea of his baby sister all grown up, of how he’d miss her if she left with the lucky guy whoever that may be. In the end he settled for a simple, "Nothin,"
"Now comon, yer know yer can trust your sister Applejack. Yer can tell me what's eating yer n we'll get it put right in no time don't you worry," A.J said encouragingly.
The fact that both ponies could tell the other was out of sorts told of how strong their bond was. After a few moments Big Mac finally found the right words to say, "Shadow Guard," he replied in a tone that was both glum and resigned.
Applejack smiled and trotted up to Big Mac before giving him a warm hug, “I should of guessed I couldn’t hide ma mind from yer. Yep I’m stewin about Shadow, still don’t know if I’m up fer trying again yer know.
Big Mac nodded in agreement before Applejack went on, “I mean it’s very touching to be admired so n more than a little embarrassing but most of all, right now I don’t want you a worryin about it.”
Big Mac managed a timid smile and was relieved when Applejack understood instantly, “Yer know I wouldn't do nothin until I was sure don't yer? He's a bit of a loud mouth varmint some times, but yer have seen what he did for us with the oak tree, so he has some good points too."
He shouldn’t have worried, Applejack as ever was on the ball, he’d been silly to think she’d just jump right in without thinking things through. Now he felt more that a little foalish about the whole thing and Applejack seeing his eyes begin to tear up squeezed him all the tighter, "Now see here yer big colt don't yer be goin all teary on me or I'll start too."
"Ya got all grown up n I just want yer safe that's all," Big Mac burst out before hugging A.J tightly back.
Applejack gasped even as she patted him gently on the bac.. "Woah big guy. Don't yer be squashin me like that rock now."
A small cough behind them caused both ponies to turn about, they were confronted by a stallion dressed in the uniform of the Ponyville mail service. Big Mac tried his best to hide the tears, feeling even sillier now they had company.
Applejack came to the rescue again, greeting the postal pony with a ,"Well howdy, somepony been writin us again?" Applejack said with a smile as she took the note.
Big Mac watched her intently as she undid the note and began to read. Her face went from surprise to indecision and finally a weak smile, “Well?”
Applejack, motioned for him to come and read it himself:
Dear Applejack,
Thank you so much for the lovely stay at your farm. I learned so much about you and all your family. I can say you're the kindest and most amazing family I have ever met. Thank you so much for the chance to set things right and I’m so sorry about the bad things said during that first chariot ride. I was totally wrong about you and now know you are indeed worthy of being an Element Bearer.
You mean the world to me and I don't want to think of time without you. I know I’ve got a long way to make myself worthy of you, but if you're willing I want to see you again soon. I have a few days leave coming up and I can think of no other pony I would rather spend it with. I know you're busy and I wouldn't want to take you away for too long from Applebloom, Big Mac and Granny but if you were to say yes, then I can offer you a treat which I think you will like.
P.S, hope the oak tree is getting better now we’ve solved that diamond dog problem. Hope you’re all in good health. I fondly look forward to hearing your reply and eventually hear it from you in person. All my love and best wishes, Miss Applejack to you and your family,
Shadow Guard.
“So he’s actually asked yer then?” Big Mac asked after he read the letter.
"Eyup, I reckon I’ve just been asked me out on an official date," Applejack confirmed.
"So what you gonna do?" Big Mac pressed, not knowing if he wanted Applejack to say yes or no. By his younger sister's expression she still wasn’t sure either.
"Well y’all should say yes of course!" Both ponies turned to see Applebloom poking her head out of a bush nearby.
"How long you been there Applebloom?” Applejack asked in an incredulous voice.
"Well I was just headin to our next crusader's meeting and thought I heard Big Mac and you talkin so I came over to let you know I was off," Applebloom explained, all the while poking her hoof at the ground..
"So why was yer hidin in the bush like that?" Big Mac asked with one eyebrow cocked.
Applebloom looked down, clearly uncomfortable, "Well, when I saw y’all havin a private moment I didn't want to get in the way so I kinda hid."
"If it was such a private moment why didn't yer think ter givin us some privacy?" Applejack asked, a smile forming on her muzzle.
"Aww but then I may have missed the good bits," Applebloom told them both, "So are yer gonna say yes? It could be so much fun!"
Applejack laid back her ears, looked down at the letter once more and Big Mac could practically hear her thinking, “It is a tempting offer, what’s the worst that could happen?”
"Y’all should go, I reckon your heart's telling yer what ter do and you're head is just gettin in the way," Big Mac said with a decisive tone. He certainly didn’t feel all that decided, but Applejack needed a shove one way or the other or this could go on for weeks.
Applejack sighed,"Well if you both reckon it will be good fer me, who am I ter argue. But I blame the pair of yer if I end up gettin stuck in some right big mess."