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// Chapter 2: A Royal Visit 
// Story: The Legend Of Nicholas 
// by DanishDash 
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Chapter 2: A Royal Visit.


The little Nicholas was taken to the young couple’s house, he was fed some warm milk and the little child seemed content and nestled close to Rose Bright as he slept. Of course the next few days took some getting used to, caring for a creature such as Nicholas was an experience no pony could have prepared for.

Funny enough, he was much like what they would expect a young foal would need, he had no fur, so they needed to keep him warm, but otherwise he was much like the young foals. He cried when he was hungry, whined when he needed to burp and of course needed a diaper changing now and again.

However, life was good, Nicholas was a delightful little bundle of joy, laughing and giggling as he watched his pony parents tend to him. Rose already loved him as if he was her own flesh and blood, Cutter too shared this affection, but he on the other hoof was still worried about the princess finding out. It was bound to happen, and just as he predicted, she did find out.

And so, it happened about two weeks after Hearth's Warming Eve...

It was one sunny morning, Rose sat in the living room, enjoying the warm blanket she had wrapped herself in. She was not alone, in her hooves she held little Nicholas, holding him and hummed a small melody for them both to enjoy.

Cutter worked in the workshop outback that came with the house, where he could use his special talent as a carpenter and make several beautiful things for their customers. He was a very skilled pony, so focused on his task he never noticed some pony had come to visit.

"Mr Cutter?"

The voice caught him off guard, quick to notice the voice was female and not the one of his wife. He immediately stopped working on the beautiful chair he was creating and slowly turned around to face the visitor. Cutter felt his heart stop and his eyes grow wide. 

Right there in the doorway, standing tall and looking as beautiful and powerful as always, was the one and only princess Celestia. He quickly got to the wooden floor and bowed deeply, not daring to look her in the eyes.

"Rise my little pony."

He did so, but he barely dared to meet her gaze with his own, instead he stood still, his ears low and his lips in a frown. 

"I must say, these are beautiful." Celestia said calmly, looking over some of the wooden doors and furniture he had created. "You have great skill Mr Cutter."

"T-thank you, your majesty, but if I may be so bold?"

Celestia nodded. "You may." She said, still looking at some of the things he had made.

He cleared his throat, standing nervously as he did not wish to anger her. "I do not think her Royal highness has come to my humble shop by chance.. As much as I would wish it so, I fear you may have come for another reason.."

"Hmm.." She hummed, then slowly turned to face him, she was not smiling, but she was not frowning either. "You're quite right my little pony. I've come to see the little one who has arrived in our world, I know about him."

If it was possible then all the color from Cutter's fur would have gotten white. "You.. You know everything..?"

Now Celestia was smiling, and Cutter was not sure how to take that. Shaking her head a little, she looked into his eyes. "Not everything is a good Cutter, this is why I would like you and your wife to tell me everything. Do not fear, the little one will not be harmed in any way."

He nodded a little, but was still nervous about how Rose would take this. "B-before we do, your royal highness, please, let me explain in my own words first.. I'm afraid Rose might be too scared to speak if her mind is not set at ease at first.."

"Very well good Cutter, I shall listen to you first, please, go on." She said, standing patiently as he started to explain what had happened on that fateful night.


~~N~~


Rose stood in the kitchen of their little cottage, the kitchen was small, but cozy. She hummed happily as she made a tomato sandwich for Cutter, it was his hard work that got them this place and he deserved a nice lunch every day. She loved the simple things in life, painting, taking care of THEIR home and now taking care of their little Nicholas.

She heard the door to the workshop open up. "Hey Cutter, you're early, you still have five minutes of work left." She let out a giggle as she levitated the food onto the plate and then on a tray. "Oh well, guess you just can't stay away from my cooking." She said in almost a singing voice. 

Coming out of the kitchen, she carried the tray in her magic and into the living room, but then she froze. Right there on their couch sat the princess of the sun herself. "P-princess Celestia..?" She was so shocked her magic let go of the tray, but just before it crashed, Celestia used her own magic to gently float it over to a nearby table.

"Oh my, please be careful, you could have gotten glass everywhere.." Celestia frowned, but then smiled as she released her magic from the tray. "Good morning, I'm sorry to come uninvited, but you see-"

"Please don't take him!" Rose said and fell to the floor, bowing her head low, sobbing uncontrollably as she feared her baby boy would be taken away from her.

Cutter came out from Celestia's shadow and hurried to his wife's side. As soon as he came to her she threw her hooves around him, sobbing into his chest. He hushed her calmly as he stroked her mane. "Shhh, it's okay, calm down.." He whispered.

Celestia looked at the pair, she did not give away her thoughts in her expression, but her eyes did hold compassion. "Please, do not fret, I am here to see the little one, so please Rose Bright, bring him to me.."

Rose looked at Cutter who nodded a little to her, and she stood up wiping her eyes. "I'll be right back.. Princess.." Quietly, she walked into another room.

"She.." Cutter began as he looked at the direction Rose had left. "She has grown very attached to him, princess.."

"I can see that.." Celestia said, her voice filled with sympathy, but she had her duty.

"Truth is, so have I.. Please." He looked at her. "Let us-," Celestia held up a hoof and he became silent.

"As I told you out in your workshop, as I told your wife, I am here to see the child.. Please, do not make this more difficult than it has to be.." She said, again with the same compassionate voice as before, but she still remained stern on this matter, and Cutter could do very little other than accept the wishes of his princess.

Finally Rose returned, walking on three legs as the last one held the baby close to her. Rose tried to remain firm, trying not to cry, but a few sobs did make their way through her, as well as a few tears. 

She said nothing, but walked directly to the princess, gently rocking Nicholas to keep him calm and asleep. "His name is Nicholas.. Nicholas Claus, princess.. We found him, he has no one, so we took him in.."

Celestia nodded, looking closer at the child. Her expression gave nothing away but that of interest and curiosity. The little child held onto Rose, his tiny hands grabbing the soft fur as his little head enjoyed her fluff.

Then suddenly, as if he could feel the radiant princess, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. His big blue eyes looked into hers. No one spoke, not even the baby made any sounds, the two simply gazed upon each other, like it was some sort of wordless conversation.

Suddenly Nicholas let out a little squeal and reached out for Celestia, this took the princess off guard, as before she could react the child moved forward and actually managed to get a hold of her flowing mane. Cutter held his breath, so too did Rose.

But Celestia did not seem to mind, sure she looked surprised, but then she simply smiled and let out a small giggle. "A playful little one, isn't he?" She giggled and lifted him up in her magic. She moved him closer to her face to look him over.

Nicholas seemed not to mind as he simply giggled and moved in the warm glowing magic that surrounded him. Then suddenly he stopped, his eyes wide with wonder as his tiny hand moved out and then suddenly, he grasped the horn of the royal princess!

Cutter could have sworn he would faint right then and there, Rose wanted to pull the child away, fearing if he made a bad impression the princess might send him away. Celestia however, once again, seemed not to mind. She simply looked on as the child examined her with the same curiosity she had for him.

His hands were so soft, not that one could feel that through a horn, but she could sense a lot, and she felt the gentle nature of this child. He did not pull, but contented himself with simply feeling it, examined it with his eyes and hands. She slowly moved her wings out, touching the child with her long feathers. To the boys delight, he once again reached out, but this time, as if knowing their sensitivity, did not grab them, he simply stroked them.

Then after maybe five minutes of the two simply examining one another, she gently levitated Nicholas into her hooves. Gently rocking him and looking at him like she did any young foal. She smiled as she saw Nicholas cling to her, and with that final act, sealed his fate.

She looked up at the nervous pair of ponies with a happy smile. "I always feared the day if a human should ever come to our world.. Their lives are much more chaotic, violent and harsh.. But this child, you.. You will make great parents for him, he belongs with you."

Rose's eyes filled with tears and delight as she quickly hugged her husband. "Thank you princess!" Both of them hugged, happy their worst fear has not come to pass, and instead their wish had come true.

Celestia giggled and looked down at the little child. "Nicholas Claus, I bid you welcome to your new home and family. You shall forever be welcome among us. May you have many friends and live out your life in happiness and wonder."


~~N~~



And so Nicholas became a part of the family, was blessed by Celestia herself, and was granted a new life here in Equestria.

Hm?

Yes of course there is more! Hold on now, the story is not done.  Yes yes, we'll get to that part if you just be patient.