"So do you enjoy running the inn together? It doesn't look like you get many customers up here," Lyra said. She took a sip of warm cider and looked out the large window at the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and lake it provided. It truly was beautiful here.
"Oh, yes," the elderly mare said. "It's a simple life, but it's a happy one." She and her husband had been happy to sit and chat with Lyra for well near an hour by the time Lyra asked the question. In all that time, nopony else had entered the inn.
"Wouldn't trade it for the world," the old stallion said.
The mare looked at Lyra, and a genuine look of concern appeared on her face. "Oh my, Miss. Are you alright?"
Lyra smiled and wiped away the tears that had appeared on her cheeks. "Yes. Sorry, I'm fine. More than fine, actually." She stood up and looked at each of the ponies for a moment before saying, "Would you mind... do you think I could come stay. Regularly, I mean?" She patted her saddlebags and the clink of many bits could be heard. "I'm good for it, trust me."
The couple looked at each other.
"I don't see why not," the stallion said.
"You seem like a lovely young lady. It would be our pleasure if you came to stay again, Miss..." the mare blinked. "Sorry, what was your name?"
"Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings."
The mare smiled again. "What a beautiful name. You come and visit whenever you like, Lyra Heartstrings."
Lyra said her goodbyes and left the inn. Outside, Iron Will and Bon Bon were waiting.
"That took longer than usual," Bon Bon said. "So... what do you think?"
Lyra wiped another tear from her eyes and nodded slowly.
"No way! Seriously? You really think it's them?" Bon Bon put a hoof on her head and stared up at the sky. "After all this time. You're pretty certain? I mean... are you going to ask Discord?"
Lyra shook her head. "No. They're... they're happy. I can't quite explain it, but there's something still there. I know it's them."
"So what do you plan on doing?" Iron Will asked.
Lyra smiled. "We're adventurers, so it's onward to wherever our hooves take us. And when it comes time for a rest, I now know of a great little place nestled within the mountains that's run by a couple so friendly, you'd swear they were family." She adjusted her saddlebags and checked some supplies. "Maybe someday I'll tell them. I have a feeling they'll know it even before I bring it up. But I won't try to change them. That shouldn't be my decision to make, it should be theirs. But for now," she fished out a contract from her bags, "we have a Royal Guard-approved quest to take care of. You two ready?"
"Ready," Iron Will said.
Bon Bon smiled, and came in for a group hug. "Ready," she said.
"Adventure, ho!" Lyra cried. With that, the three friends traveled onward, toward another adventure.
The End