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// My Second Home 
// Story: The Adventures of Trenderhoof 
// by polishgirl 
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		After sensing this was a filly I was destined to meet regardless of how much she ran around without parents, I asked her where her home was. 
“Mama says I’m not to talk to strange ponies.”
“Very well then, I shall meet you another time, milady.”
She stuck her tongue out and ran away, the little brat. If she was who I thought she was, I was going to have to have a talk with her mother. Who, after a slight searching in the now rather large Neighagra Falls, I found. Still in the same house behind the inn. (In case you were wondering how we transitioned from caves to houses and inns, when I first started out, houses were slowly coming about, and now were a relatively common practice after the 20 some years I’ve spent away from home.) Sunburst was still a bit chubby, and Moonlight was as handsome as ever. His pale blue mane was now streaked with hints of silver, making his name even more relevant. When he seen me he absolutely beamed with joy, making me glad I came. 
“Trenderhoof, dear friend, how glad I am to see you!” he exclaimed while embracing me.
“Moonlight, I’m glad you’re well!
“Come in, come in, Sunburst will be thrilled to see you. And you can meet our newest little one. What have you been doing since we last saw you?”
Before I even had a chance to answer his question Sunburst waddled her way over, joy and irritation making itself very prominent on her features. 
“Dear friend, why haven’t we seen you? Why don’t you come over more often? You had me worried sick. I didn’t know if you died, lived next door, had a family, or maybe was a dragon hunter perhaps? Maybe you took an arrow to the knee and couldn’t walk any more, and was forced to be a guard? How was I supposed to know where you were, what you were doing, or how you were doing any of that, if you don’t visit, or write?
“How were the girls supposed to know who their Uncle Trenderhoof was without ever meeting them? Who would they know to go to for an interesting story if you never communicate with us? Well, answer me!” All of this was exclaimed with the air of an unhappy, but loving grandmother.
Had I not been in trouble, it would have been hilarious to see her acting like that. Instead of actually answering every single one of those questions I hugged her. She looked like she needed one, and if she got any bigger, I wouldn’t be able to hug her. 
“Dear Trenderhoof, how I have missed you. You really must visit more often.” She told me. 
“Yes mama. Moonlight, you wanted to know what I’ve been doing?” I never could help patronizing Sunburst. It was just to much fun.
“Oh, yes, let me gather the girls, then you can begin your tale.” Moonlight said while walking out.
With the pearl daughter, and of course, the little brat, gathered, I began my tale. Of how I swabbed the deck of a pirate ship, went whale hunting, and then seen Las Pegasus where I danced onstage with the other performers. The girls seemed to enjoy my tale immensely, and went to bed without argument. 
“Tell us what really happened, please? I know better than to believe you went whale hunting.” Sunburst teased.
“Oh, but you believe me to be a pirate? And a dancer?” 
“Well of course, that’s why you’ve been gone so long, isn’t it? You could very easily be a dancer, you have very long, graceful legs. “ Sunburst responded.
I told them what I’ve been doing, right down to the part about the assassinations. I may have skipped how much the dancers like me though. I don’t think they need, or want to know that. Both were thrilled to hear that I wasn’t living in the street, and even had a nice caretaker. We headed off to bed after the stories were exchanged. They named the little brat Luminescence and the older was Sunlight. Sunburst was pregnant with a third one, which explained her size. They gave me a nice little room on the far end of the house by the kitchen, it was a very toasty, and I slept well.
The next morning I woke to two pairs of bright eyes watching me, 
“Yes?” I asked with a hint of suspicion.
“Uncle Trend, will you tell us a story??? Pweeeeaasseeee?” The fillies asked in unison.
“Well, girls, I don’t know if I have any more stories to tell. Why don’t you ask me again later?”
The girls slunk away looking like they had their favorite toy destroyed in front of them. But oh well, a little disappointment goes a long way. I decided to make my way to the kitchen. I was met by the maid.
“Good morning sir, did you sleep well?”
“Yes, actually, I did. The room was wonderful. Thank you.”
“Good, good, would you like breakfast? On the menu today is grass pancakes, and hard apple cider”
“That sounds lovely.”
“I shall call you when it’s done sir.”
“Thank you.”
A guy could get use to this. A nice, and even kind of pretty maid in the kitchen, making me food. Automatically. She probably made the beds too. I wonder what Moonlight is paying her? I made my way outside to simply sit. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the morning. I find it refreshing, and not overly taxing. I found I wasn’t alone in this feeling. Moonlight was out there too.
“Ah, I see you have awoken. Did you enjoy your room?”
“Yes, it was quite comfortable.”
“Good. Good. I think Sunburst wants to talk to you. We received a letter some time ago for you. At first we couldn’t understand why it was sent here, and then we read it. If you’re upset, I’m sorry, we were just concerned. I promise the girls don’t know about the letter, and we haven’t told anyone else the contents. “
“What did it say?”
“I think you had better read it for yourself.”
With that, he got up, and was quickly replaced by the maid, who was telling me my breakfast was ready, and madam Sunburst was awaiting my company in the kitchen. So, off to the kitchen I went, with my fate in the hands of the gods.
  Apples
22 Cliff Rock Road
Manehattan, Equestria
Dearest Trenderhoof,
I sincerely hope you are well. It would prove most beneficial, to both of us, that you are well, and not less than so. I also sincerely hope you remember me. We met only briefly, and while I’m certain our meeting had very little effect on you, it changed my life forever. No, I’m not obsessed with you or anything, I’m perfectly sane. Although, what I would ask of you may sound insane in a letter, but so be it. I would like your hoof in marriage. We have a child Trenderhoof. He’s a beautiful boy named Prairie Tune. He has your eyes Trenderhoof. And my smile. But he’s no good on the farm. He’s not an apple pony. He really isn’t. He tries his best to buck apples, but he simply is bad at it. He is, however simply excellent at playing the banjo, and even earned his cutie mark for it. He’s a wonderful boy, almost man. And he needs a father. Not one picked off the street at random, his real father. That’s why I ask you to marry me. It would also help us greatly if you could provide a little extra income. Or prove your worth doing farm chores. But, judging by the way Prairie works the farm, I don’t think you’ll be very good at it either. I gave this letter to Moonlight because he’s my cousin. I knew he would understand, and I knew that the mare he married was close to you. And you were bound to see her again sometime. I’m not impatient, but I would love to hear from you soon. And even if we don’t get married, at least there will be somepony there to show Prairie how to be a man. So, please Trenderhoof, at least come visit for a while. It would really be appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Apples 
I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I had a son? With somepony named Apples? I think she’s pulling my leg. Besides, nopony in my family can play an instrument. We’re all writers and storytellers. None of this makes sense, and I don’t appreciate her sending me a false letter. I wonder what Moonlight and Sunburst think of this.
“Are you going to eat this morning, or continue sitting there looking perplexed?”
“Yes, yes, I’ll be there in a moment Sunburst.”
She walked away, giving me a backwards glance of concern. With that look, I knew what I needed to do.