She was terribly wrong.
She woke up with a splitting headache, unable to move. She looked around and found her hands bound. Her belongings were piled up in front of her. There were two men going through it, one of them with a bloody stick next to him. At that moment warm crimson dripped into her eye and she blinked frantically to clear it, shaking her head.
So she had been blindsided when she passed an alleyway. She calmed down and looked closely at the men. They hadn’t noticed her regain consciousness, and they looked little more than poor muggers. They had no weapons, and probably wouldn’t know how to use one if they had it. It explains why they clubbed her with a stick instead of stabbing her in the back.
“The hell are these?” One of them asked, holding up a silver Frank.
“Uh, foreign money I think… We can get something out of it hopefully.” The other answered, squinting at it. Luna glared at them and silently began working her wrists to try and loosen the bindings.
After a few seconds she thanked the heavens she wore leather bracers her father had given her, they granted just enough space to squeeze her hands through and undo her bindings. She was lucky these robbers were so grungy, they might have known how to actually tie someone up otherwise.
She slowly inched her way towards the pile. Her sword was on the other side, where they were examining a leather wrapped book of hers, but her bow was within reach. She slid an arrow out of the quiver and, in an instant, grabbed her bow and rolled over. Before the two could react one had an arrow in the back and the other was begging for his life. She kicked him with her hard leather boots as she stood, right in the temple, knocking him unconscious. She collected her loot and leaned against a wall. The blow to the head was stiff affecting her.
She staggered out of the alleyway and fell over, her adrenaline rush fading away. She heard a surprised gasp as she lost consciousness again. Who knew a twig of a thief could hit so hard.
---
When she awoke again she didn’t even have a chance to examine her surroundings before she vomited in a bucket that was next to her.
“Oh! You startled me, miss!” She heard. Luna quickly turned towards the voice and tensed up. There was a girl with soft pink hair, wearing a simple yellow gown. She coughed a few times and resisted the urge to vomit again. She felt sickly and her head hadn’t stopped pounding, her vision blurred in and out of focus.
“You have a concussion, so you should rest. Here, drink this.” The girl continued, holding out a nice smelling cup of steaming liquid. “It’s an herbal tea that should help.” She said when Luna gave it an untrusting look.
With some hesitation, Luna accepted it and took a sip. It was oddly sweet with a bitter aftertaste, but it went down well and settled her stomach. She sat up and leaned against the wall she was against and looked around. It seemed like she was in a cozy little hut.
“W-Where… ugh…” Luna started, but could barely speak clearly.
“Oh, this is my home. My name is Fluttershy, an herbalist and a bit of a doctor when it’s needed. The wound on your head missed your temple, so it shouldn’t bother you too much, you heal quickly.” The girl said, standing up from her place kneeling and picking up the bucket with Luna’s bile in it. She tossed the liquid out of a window and proceeded to walk out of the house. Luna looked out of another window to see her kneeling at a tiny creek a few feet from the house, scrubbing the thing with a brush.
Luna stood, though a wave of dizziness came. When it passed she slowly walked outside.
“Up already? You heal much faster than I thought you would, though I’d prefer it if you rested more.” Fluttershy said, turning. Luna put her hand up in front of her and smiled slightly.
“I’ve always been an incredibly fast healer, my father made sure of that. I thank you wholeheartedly for caring for me and your hospitality, but I was on my way to the apple farm.” She said. Fluttershy perked up a bit at that.
“Oh you’re dining with Applejack? That’s so strange, she invited me and a few of our other friends over today too. I was going to sip out to make sure you were ok, but if you’re invited as well then I can look after you there.” The girl said happily. Luna smiled and nodded. “Your things are on the table in the house, we have time though. You should rest some more.” The girl continued.
“I am rested enough, thank you. I must repay you, though. I have germanic Franks I could pay you with, or I could help out around here later and work it off.” Luna said. The girl seemed surprised.
“Pay? Oh no no no, I don’t charge people for helping them. Especially someone who just got here, what kind of a person would I be if I topped off getting mugged with cleaning them out because I helped them? That would just be wrong.” The girl explained firmly. Luna was silent for a moment before speaking.
“I was brought up to never take kindness for granted and to leave as little debts unpaid as possible. There must be something I can do.” Luna said. Fluttershy put her hands on her hips and gave her a look before smiling and clapping her hands together.
“Well I wouldn’t dream of putting you to work so soon after regaining consciousness and with a concussion, but you’re welcome here any time. The company is always nice and I suppose four hands are better than two.” She said.
“Then I look forward to it. For now, though, might I have a bit more of that tea? It was amazing.” Luna said, grinning sheepishly.
---
Luna looked up at the large house. It was the biggest house she had ever seen, the barn next to it even bigger.
“The Apple family founded this village, their house is so big because they have a huge family.” Fluttershy said from beside her. They were surrounded by acres of apple trees. Definitely an apple farm. She still felt ill but good company and better food would have her right as rain.
“By the way, I saw the tattoo on your shoulder and the scar on your face that’s not there anymore… I don’t really know why you hide it but I’m not one to pry.” Fluttershy said as they walked along the long dirt road. Luna stopped and put a hand over her left eye.
“Don’t worry, The enchantment you have is working again. I don’t know how they work, but when you were about to wake up the scar just suddenly disappeared so I think it’s an enchantment at least.” Fluttershy assured her.
“Aye, it is an enchantment. One my father taught me as soon as I was able to perform it…” Luna said. Fluttershy nodded and indeed pried no further. They continued walking.
The scar Fluttershy was referring to wasn’t just a normal scar around the eye. It was the one she received as a baby. When uncovered, it looked like somebody had poured acid onto her face. The eye was next to useless to see out of, from it she could only make out things like colors and outlines.
“Don’t worry about all the strange new people you’re meeting, we’re all not bad at all. You just got here and you’ve already gone through a lot of misfortune, but we always try to make new friends here, so don’t be afraid to be part of the group.” Fluttershy said softly before they reached the front door. Luna just nodded and Fluttershy knocked. The door opened almost instantly to reveal Applejack.
“There you two are! Everyone else is already here… Hey, Luna? What’s with the bandages?” She said. Fluttershy had bandaged Luna’s head under her deep blue hair, they showed on her forehead.
“She was mugged earlier and I found her collapsed in the street, I don’t know the specifics but she told me she managed to fight them and get away.” Fluttershy answered for her. Luna nodded.
“Are you serious? I ought to find the ones who did it and show them a blade…” Applejack growled.
“I gave one of them an arrow…” Luna said softly. The two looked at her before Applejack clapped her on the shoulder.
“Good you did, should have done the same to however many more of them there were. I know you’re tough, so if they were swinging hard enough to knock you out they were aiming to kill you.” The girl said. “Now come on in, the table is big and stuffed with food. Help yourself to anything and everything!” She continued, leading the two inside.
Luna had never seen so much good food in her life. Fluttershy had to gently lead her to a seat. Once there, though, she found that the bustling of a massive family wasn’t unpleasant at all. Almost instantly she was assaulted with questions and just random conversation. An older man on the other side of an empty chair next to her piled a hearty amount of food on a plate and plopped it in front of her, saying something about hospitality. She noticed Rarity next to Fluttershy and struck up a conversation with the two.
She was slowly dragged into a ring of them and their other friends. She met Rainbow Dash, a girl who had a secret dye formula to turn her hair into rainbow colors, who was a horse racer. She got to know the three she knew a bit more and was utterly surprised when a Draconian, half person half dragon, boy took a seat next to Rarity.
“Spike? Where’s Twilight?” Fluttershy asked.
“She’ll be here, apparently they found a couple of thieves in an alleyway and she wanted to ask around a bit. One was dead and the other knocked out.” The draconic boy answered. Nearly the entire table looked at Luna. At that moment, though, just as she felt all of the curious eyes on her the door opened again and a girl walked in. They all looked at her instead.
“Why do you all always look at me like that…” The girl mumbled with a smile. She wore an elegant gown of lavender, which matched her beautiful hair. It reminded her of the beautiful ladies her father told her resided in Canterlot.
“That’s Twilight Sparkle, one of our friends. She’s of noble birth, and was even a student of the Princess, but she lives here and is friends with us. It’s so nice of her to disregard her blood and choose us as friends.” Fluttershy said softly into Luna’s ears.
“She’s absolutely stunning…” Luna said.
“Thank you.” The girl in question said with a giggle. Luna didn’t realize the table had quieted down a bit to eat again and the newcomer had taken the empty seat next to her. Luna’s face went red and she glared at her food in embarrassment. The girl laughed and poked her shoulder.
“No need to be bashful. You’re stunning yourself, I rarely see people with hair and eyes so beautiful.” Twilight said.
“Thank you.” Luna replied with a stutter and a smile.
“Now, do any of you know about what happened? I assume Spike told you.” Twilight asked the others.
“Uhm, you might want to ask our new friend here. Luna?” Applejack said. Luna nodded. Twilight gave her a rather curious look and nodded to her.
“Well…” She started and explained what happened. Twilight looked frustrated and concerned at the same time.
“Your first day here and you were almost killed, that’s just lovely… I’m terribly sorry that it was your first experience, I hope you can give the village another chance.” She said, almost pleading.
“It was not my first, my first was Applejack’s kindness and Rarity’s fine company. Afterwards it was Fluttershy’s hospitality and now this. I think all of that outweighs my misfortune, and I thank all of you for that.” Luna said happily, looking around at all of the faces that had stopped to listen to her small tale. That caused a great many nods and laughter and the meal to start back up again.
“So, Luna, is there anything specific you want to do here or are you just passing through?” Twilight asked.
“I noticed your tournament grounds. I had actually spoken to Applejack about it and acquired Rarity’s services to help me along. I don’t yet know how to apply to it, though, and I have been told it starts tomorrow.” Luna answered.
“Oh? It doesn’t start tomorrow, it starts the day after. Tomorrow is the last day open for entrance. There is a fee, or an official crest of nobility may be used to waive the fee. I don’t believe you have an Equestrian crest of nobility, or the Florins to pay for it… If you plan to stay in Equestria for a while I could help you exchange your Franks for Florins.” Twilight explained. Luna thought for a moment.
“Um, I think I have a crest actually… My father told me, before he died, to show it if I needed to.” Luna said, pulling the sleeve of her tunic back to show her shoulder. Twilight quickly took Lunas arm and examined the ink.
“Interesting. I’ve seen this before, but I can’t remember where. The tradition of branding the crest on the person has fallen out of practice, if you’d like I can transcribe it onto the entrance patents you’ll be needing for you. You’ll have to come to my home when we are finished here, though.” Twilight offered.
“Thank you, I see nothing wrong with that.” Luna said, rolling the sleeve back down.
“Speaking of the Tournament Darling, stop by in the morning to fit and finalize your gear. The boutique will be closed but as long as you see the smoke it means I’m open in the back.” Rarity said. Luna nodded to her with a smile.
“What’s the matter?” Twilight asked a few minutes later. Luna had barely moved at all, and was just staring at the table.
“Huh? oh… um… I think I’m a little overwhelmed… I’ve lived my entire life alone with my father, sometimes going into town… I’m not used to such good people, and you treat me as if we’ve been friends for life.” Luna replied softly. She was surprised when Fluttershy and Twilight both squished into her in an embrace.
“You’ve become our friends, and it’s pointless to judge a friendship by its length.” Twilight said.
“Yeah! And besides, anybody who can take a log to the head and wake up kicking is ok in my books.” Dash exclaimed, only a little drunk as she held up a mug of apple mead.
“You shouldn’t be drinking so much, you race tomorrow.” Applejack said, snatching the cup away from the girl and downing it herself. Dash huffed and pouted, earning a laugh from the group.
“Enjoy this while it lasts, lass. If you’re entering the tournament, especially if you’re not from around here, then expect a lot of foul treatment. Most people of noble blood aren’t like the Lady next to you. They’ll treat you like stallion with a broken ankle.” An old lady, Luna remembered someone saying it was Applejack’s grandmother, said. Luna nodded and suddenly remembered something.
“Fluttershy, do you know what happened to my horse?” She asked. Fluttershy gasped and put her hands to her mouth.
“Oh my lord I am so sorry I forgot to tell you, she’s just fine. She’s back at my house, in the stables with the other knights’ and farmers’ horses I look after. She is such a fine horse, when I found you it was because she was making such a racket, she was trying to get help for you. She was sticking her head through the window when you were unconscious.” Fluttershy explained. Luna chuckled and sat back in her chair a bit.
“That horse is just barely in her prime years right now, I raised her from a foal. Brynhildur is her name, even though the name is an old nordic one. Father gave it to her.” Luna said.
“Why nordic? I thought you hail from the Celtic and Germanic lands?” Twilight asked.
“Father told me I have nordic roots that date back to the Celts.” Luna replied.
“Very interesting. If only there was a way to research your history, perhaps something he left behind?” Twilight asked. Luna shook her head, there was nothing like that he left behind.
“Well, Dash has the race tomorrow and I’ve got to get up early tomorrow in the morning as well so we’ll be heading off to bed now. Goodnight everybody, pleasure having you here Luna.” Applejack said, standing up and practically dragging Dash out of her chair. The girl was already half asleep.
“I should actually be going too. Luna, you can have Spike lead you to our home.” Twilight said, standing up as well as the two headed for a set of stairs. She proceeded to walk over to the Draconian, kiss him on the head and leave.
“He is her little brother.” Rarity said, noticing her curious look.
“She found me a long time ago as an egg and raised me.” Spike said, leaning into Rarity, yawning.
“Do you want to spend the night with me love? I could certainly use your help finishing Luna’s armor in the morning.” Rarity asked the boy. He seemed hesitant, looking at Luna.
“I need to return her horse to her anyways, I’ll show her. You go and sleep, Spike.” Fluttershy said, gently rubbing behind one of the spines on his head. He grinned and nodded. Rarity helped him up and out, waving to all of them goodbye.
“My, has it gotten so late?” Luna asked, looking out of the window to see the moon high in the sky. She looked around and found most of the young and old had left already.
“Time flies when you’re with pleasant company.” One of the remaining men said. He had a somber expression on his face. “I used to be a Knight, lass. Watch yourself... there are three things most people don’t take too kindly to in a tournament, that’s a foreigner competing, newcomers and a Knight woman. The only accepted Knight woman is the Princess…” He continued.
“Thank you for the warning, I’ll be sure to prepare myself accordingly.” Luna said, nodding her head in appreciation.
“This is one of the more important Tournaments our village has, the Princess herself will be here to watch… Expect the scum of the scum.” Applejack’s Grandmother, who was called Granny Smith, warned. Luna nodded.
“Let’s go get your horse, you’re looking a bit drowsy and if you’re going to be writing entrance patents then you’ll need to be up for a while.” Fluttershy suggested softly. Luna had noticed her eyes getting heavier, so she nodded and they left with many a farewell to the few who remained to drink their ale.
---
Luna tied Brynhildur to a hitching post in front of the place Fluttershy showed her. It was a massive tree in the center of town painstakingly carved out to create a library and a home, where Twilight lived and worked. She knocked and Twilight answered.
“Is Spike not with you?” She asked, looking around Luna.
“He went with Rarity, Fluttershy showed me the way.” Luna replied. Twilight nodded and let Luna in.
“I prepared a spare bed for you, assuming you’ve nowhere to stay tonight. It’s next to mine just there, you can put your things there.” She started, pointing to two beds next to each other when they ascended the stairs into the living area. The spare wasn’t nearly as lavish as the other, but Luna wouldn’t dream of complaining.
“I’ll have to ask you to strip your tunic so I can see the marked brand on your shoulder better, and to sit over here next to the lantern.” Twilight continued, sitting at a small table with a chair in front of it. Luna nodded and pulled the wool tunic off once more today and laid it with her things on the spare bed. She sat on the chair and Twilight took out utensils and started carefully recreating the crest.
“So I looked into all of my book on lost or dead family crests and I could only find one thing on yours. It’s legitimate and very ancient, if your Father marked you with it then he must have been from a very old family. There are no records of it in more than a few centuries, at least in the books that I have. I wanted to transcribe it to the patents before knowing this because I trusted you, though if I could find nothing then it would have been for naught.” Twilight explained as she worked.
“I am relieved, then. I am also just as curious as you are to the roots of this crest.” Luna said. Twilight smiled and continued her work for a while. She had just started on the intricate patterns inside of the crescent when Luna remembered something.
“I was told you were a student of the Princess?” Luna asked. Twilight nodded.
“We are very close, not so much since I moved here but we exchange letters by dragonfire whenever we are free. I’m the one who invited her to the tournament, since it’s the anniversary of the village the day it starts.” Twilight replied. Luna nodded. She had no idea what she would think seeing her sister.
“I’m nearly done, once I am you can bathe if you wish.” Twilight said, looking up and examining Luna’s shoulder closely once more. Luna nodded. In five minutes the girl said she was done.
“There we are. There’s a room at the end of a hall with a big hole in the floor made of stone. just pull the rope and let it flow to your heart’s content, it’s connected to an underground hotspring.” Twilight said, pointing down a hallway. Luna nodded and found her way there.
It took a little while for Luna to fall asleep, despite the incredibly comfortable bed. Perhaps it was the fact that she’d never slept in a bed besides her own, or one she’d set up or paid for, let alone in the same room as somebody. She couldn’t get the entire day out of her mind, though. Her head was still a little sore, but take the good with the bad she thought. It was one of the better days she’s ever had regardless.
She fell asleep with a smile.