The Moon and the Star

by Ashura

Hearth's Warming Eve

Chapter 6 : Hearths Warming Eve

Tomorrow was Hearths Warming Eve, Star was really excited because this time she actually had somepony she could send a gift too. And

she new exactly what she would give to Luna. It was ready, she just needed to wait for tomorrow and she would send it to Luna's chambers.

It was a crescent moon carved out of oak that she had painted over with a metallic colored paint. She was quite proud of herself, it closely

resembled the moon in the night sky. Star put the gift in a small box with a ribbon to hold it closed then carefully put the box in her small

wardrobe. Golden was waiting outside so that they could go and see how the preparations for the Hearths Warming Eve were progressing.

Together they headed for the castle, where the celebration was being held, and encountered many different ponies organizing the usual

attractions that happened every year. They saw apple bobbing, a crowd favorite, a few stands where you could have your picture taken as

Celestia or Luna and many more games to play. Star spotted her favorite game and felt impatient about the day that remained until it was

time to start celebrating. She couldn't wait to play pin the tail on the pony.

There was one stand that was already fully set up, before most of the other ponies had even taken out the materials they needed for the

constructing of their stands. The owner of that particular stand was a pony wearing a long scarf with an hourglass for a cutie mark, his

stand was devoted to explaining how time travel was possible without magic, using a miniature blue box and tube big enough to make the

box go through. Star pushed the strange stand out of her mind and concentrated on the rest of the games.

Luna and Celestia were watching the preparations for Hearths Warming Eve from the balcony, but Luna's thoughts were elsewhere. She

was trying to think of what she could offer Star for Hearths Warming Eve, maybe she could find something in the castle that would interest

the young pony. She couldn't really hand over anything she found, some of the objects in this castle were to dangerous to hand over to

anypony. Maybe she could find something in the library that would be of interest to Star. Luna turned away form the preparations and

headed for the royal library.

"Where you going?" asked Celestia

"I going to the library to look for a book." answered Luna

"Very well, I shall see you later, once I have set the sun." said Celestia

Luna trotted towards the library wondering which book of the thousands that were in the library she could pick to offer to her young friend.

She had arrived at the library and then she knew what book to offer Star. She headed for the section of the library dedicated to History,

knowing that Star would find this particular unicorn's history just a fascinating as she had when she was younger. Star had had a wonderful

day, after exploring the different stands for several hours her and Golden set off to go to the doughnut store, where all the young ponies

hung out. Golden bought doughnuts for the both of them, they enjoyed them in silence, wondering what gifts they would receive the next

day. Golden accompanied Star back to the orphanage as he had done ever since they had met and then headed home.

The next day, Star awoke and saw that the dorm was completely empty. Everypony must be downstairs opening up their presents.

thought Star. Star got out of bed and performed her morning routine. She brushed her teeth, washed her hooves and slipped on a jumper

so that she wouldn't be too cold.

When she got downstairs, she started by eating some toast with haymite and butter on top and a glass of orange juice. After bringing her

plate and glass to the kitchen, she entered the recreation room and saw that most of the presents had already been unwrapped There were

still a few that hadn't been touched, those belonging to the fillies who hadn't gotten up yet. Star moved towards the Hearths Warming tree

and took out presents that had her name on them.

The first one she saw looked like if it had been wrapped in hurry, it was from Golden. She unwrapped it and there was a box beneath the

wrapping, inside the box there was a note. It said:

Hey there,

Happy Hearths Warming! Hope you slept well. I hope you enjoy the gift.

See you later at the castle,

Golden

Star looked at the short letter and smiled. She took a second look in the box, inside it was a photograph of somepony holding what looked

like a pair of wooden glasses, a furious look in his eyes, and a note written behind the photograph that said:

Hi again,

Well, he can't really complain, he has a brand new pair of glasses now. It's not my fault if he doesn't like them. I also have a picture

of this priceless moment, so that I can have a good laugh when I need it.

See you later at the castle,

Golden

Star looked at the photograph and just started laughing so hard she couldn't breath, everypony around turned their heads to see what was

going on, some ponies came to see what she was laughing about and just started laughing along with Star, bringing even more attention to

the photograph. Soon the whole room was laughing. Thankfully, Fancy Blue didn't come to see what all the fuss was about. He might decide

to confiscate the photograph and give her and Golden another hour of detention. The next present was expertly wrapped, as if by magic.

This was Luna's gift. It looked like a book and it felt quite heavy in her hooves.

Star took off the paper and inside was a beautifully decorated book. The title read: The Amazing Life and Achievements of StarSwirl the

Bearded

“Wow...” whispered Star “Thanks Luna”

There was a note attached to the book. It said:

My dearest filly,

I remembered you asking about our origins. In this book, you shall find a chapter dedicated to how StarSwirl the Bearded taught us

magic. It is extremely accurate, seeing as StarSwirl the Bearded and I traveled into the future and wrote the book you know hold in

your hooves. We both agreed that the details were important, and didn't want certain things left out... or left in for that matter. I

would equally appreciate if you kept the true identity of the authors a secret, Celestia doesn't know yet.

I hope you enjoy reading this Book.

Sincerely,

Luna

Star laughed again, imaging Celestia's face if she knew who had actually written the book. The name on the book was Swirly Moon. Star

laughed again even harder. She put the book aside and unwrapped the remaining presents, they were the usual things they got every year

from the orphanage. Two pairs of warm socks and a few bits to spend on the attractions the different ponies had set up at the castle's

party. On her way to the castle, Star saw Golden a few steps ahead of her, she ran to catch up.

“Hi!” she screamed in his ears.

Golden jumped at Star's unexpected arrival. She laughed as he calmed down.

“Hi to you too, what did you think of the picture?” Golden asked

“It's totally going on my wall.” she answered

Golden chuckled and they both entered the castle planning to have as much fun as possible.

Luna entered her chambers and saw a little box on her bed. She didn't know anypony but Celestia who offered her gifts, and she had

already given her gift to Luna that morning, so she assumed it was from Star. She was right. Inside was a necklace with a beautifully crafted

moon that seemed to glow in the light. Luna smiled, hoping that Star would enjoy the book. She slipped on the necklace and went to bed so

that she could watch the play representing the discovery and founding of Equestria.

Later

Star and Golden entered the main hall and went to sit as close to the stage as possible. Star looked towards the royal box and saw Luna

sitting there, Star was happy to see that she was wearing the necklace that she had made for her. Star sat down next to Golden and the

room full of ponies fell silent as the show began.