A Hearth's Warming to Remember

by Locomotion


Chapter 1: The Tale of the Nine Gift Bringers

Hornette sat by her bedroom window, gazing dreamily upon the strange yet captivating scene outside. Nearly a month had gone by since she and her unicorn coltfriend Locomotion had come home, and the kingdom of Equestria had changed from a blaze of golden brown to a thick blanket of white. For every other creature in Ponyville, it was just another winter; but Hornette, having lived most of her life in a dry, sandy desert, had never seen snow before. Even now, a whole fortnight after it had first fallen, she still found it a fascinating and exotic sight.

“Hornette? Breakfast time!”

“Coming, Mr Steamer!” answered Hornette, and trotted cheerfully downstairs to the dining room, humming a little tune. As she entered, the sweet smell of freshly baked muffins sitting on the counter brushed her nostrils, making her sigh contentedly.

“Morning, Hornette.” Locomotion, who was seated at the table with his uncle, turned to greet her with a friendly smile. “You're looking pretty chipper today.”

“Yeah, and I feel it too. Must be the snow that's doing it for me,” remarked Hornette with a bashful giggle. Seeing that Steamer and Locomotion each had a muffin already, she picked a third one out for herself and sat down next to her coltfriend. “I don't know quite how to explain it,” she continued earnestly. “There's just something so pretty and...magical about it all.”

Locomotion suppressed a hearty chuckle of his own. “I know what you mean,” he agreed. “We've had snowy winters ever since we can remember, and it never loses its appeal. Must've been like gold dust for you changelings.”

Hornette nodded. “Considering we barely had enough water to sustain ourselves, let alone form weather patrols...it's what I like about this climate,” she observed. “It's so much cooler and more pleasant than the old Badlands, and the weather patterns more varied.”

“Well, just as long as you don't mind having to deal with storm damage or clear snow from the tracks,” put in Steamer casually.

“Ah, give over, Uncle Steamer!” retorted Locomotion. “It's only a small price to pay. Besides, at least we've got Hearth's Warming coming up in a few weeks,” he added, his eyes lighting up with boyish delight.

Hornette could only smile adoringly at his enthusiasm. “You like Hearth's Warming, do you?”

“Aw, I love it,” gushed Locomotion dreamily. “Everything just seems a lot more cheerful around this time of year – all those twinkling fairy lights and garlands in Market Square, the Hearth's Warming trees all decked with tinsel and baubles...and the thought of what the Gift Bringers will be giving you...”

“Who?” Hornette raised a puzzled eyebrow.

“The Nine Gift Bringers of Hearth's Warming. They're reindeer who go all around the world delivering presents on Hearth's Warming Eve.”

“Wow,” breathed Hornette, intrigued. “That sounds amazing. Do tell me more!”

Locomotion chuckled again. “Gladly. Well, let's see,” and he began telling the spellbound young changeling how the Nine Gift Bringers came into being;

“Over sixteen hundred years ago, in a remote mountain village somewhere in darkest Høyland, there lived a kindly old reindeer stag named Rudolph. He was very fond of children, and although his trade as a woodcutter kept him busy all year round, he always made time to carve beautiful toys. When Hearth's Warming Eve came, he would deliver them to all the calves of his village, and in lonely chalets and cottages for miles around.

“All the little calves grew to love him, and he was well respected by all his fellow villagers, young and old. His closest followers were his wife Donner, the village baker, who would make sweet treats to go with the toys; Blitzen, the stoic but warm-hearted leader, and a lifelong friend of Rudolph's; Comet and his younger brother Dasher, the two fastest reindeer in the village, who gathered food and protected their comrades; Vixen, the village seamstress and wife of Dasher, whose spare time was spent making dolls for Rudolph to deliver; Cupid, the priestess and self-appointed matchmaker who had brought Donner and Rudolph together; and last but not least, the twin mages Prancer and Dancer, whose talents in magic and music brought warmth and happiness to even the coldest and darkest of winters.

“For many, many years, Rudolph continued to bring joy and goodwill to the young of his village – but one year, everything changed. As night began to fall on Hearth's Warming Eve, Rudolph had finished his rounds in the village and was getting ready to set off up the mountain. He was just hitching up to his sleigh when Prancer and Dancer approached him.

“‘The sky spirits are preparing a tremendous blizzard to come over our village,’ warned Dancer, pointing to the darkening clouds. ‘You'd best stay inside until it passes.’

“Rudolph shook his head. ‘Nej, Dancer, I can't do that,’ he argued firmly. ‘The calves beyond our village will be very disappointed to wake up on Hearth's Warming Day and find no toys for them.’

“‘You'll never make it!’ insisted Prancer. ‘The winds are growing stronger! Once the snow comes, you'll easily get lost!’

“‘Not if I can help it,’ said Rudolph bravely. ‘I'll see to it that those calves have a happy Hearth's Warming, blizzard or no blizzard,” and with that, he set off. The twins anxiously watched him leave, but didn't endeavour to follow; for they knew that Rudolph was as stubborn and resolute as he was kind and generous. Once he had made up his mind, there was no changing it. All they could do was pray for his safe return – but Rudolph never came home.

“As dawn broke and the storm subsided, word soon spread of their missing comrade, and Blitzen organised a search and rescue party to find him. They searched high and low, calling out Rudolph's name, and stopping at the odd cottage to see if he had taken refuge after all. It was Dasher who eventually found him. As he entered a clearing, five miles away from the village, he suddenly spotted an antler poking out from a mound of snow. Shouting out for Comet, who happened to be searching nearby, he began digging frantically to see who it belonged to.

“When at last they heaved the body out, they were devastated to find they were too late. It was Rudolph alright – one of his sleigh runners had broken and caused the sleigh to spill its cargo, and Rudolph, unable to find his way, had succumbed to the icy winds. With heavy hearts full of despair, the two brothers hefted Rudolph's body onto their backs and trudged sadly home.”

Hornette stared in dismay, but didn't say anything.

“When the rest of the village learned of Rudolph's death,” continued Locomotion, “they all mourned for him, particularly Donner and all the calves. The one stag in all the world who had brought them so much happiness, now gone forever...it was by far and away the worst Hearth's Warming they'd ever had.

“But Prancer and Dancer refused to give up on him. When Blitzen called in on them with the tragic news, Dancer revealed that she knew an ancient ritual said to bring eternal life to its subject. Neither she nor her brother had cast it before, but now that Rudolph was dead, they were more than willing to give it a try. At first, Blitzen was sceptical; but after seeing the effect of his old friend's passing on their fellow villagers, he agreed that they had nothing to lose.

“Over the course of the day, the two mages gathered the necessary artefacts and brought them to Cupid's chapel, where Rudolph's body had been laid out on the altar. They placed a rose over his heart, crowned him with a wreath of ivy, and lay boughs of holly all around him. As evening drew in, all eight of Rudolph's followers – Donner and Blitzen, Comet and Cupid, Prancer and Dancer, Dasher and Vixen – formed a séance around Rudolph, and set their antlers aglow as Prancer and Dancer recited an old runic mantra. After several minutes of chanting, the whole chapel flooded with light – and to much rejoice from the casters, Rudolph stirred and gingerly opened his eyes.

“As he regained his strength, so his followers noticed their own magic reserves increase inexplicably. Only when Rudolph was finally able to stand up on his own did they learn what had happened – once they had brought him back to life, he had sensed what they were doing and, as a token of gratitude, he had reached out with what little magic he could summon and reflected the spell back to them. After all, he explained, there was no way he would want to outlive his best friends.

“Time passed, and Rudolph continued to make toys for the local calves – but no longer did he have to go it alone. One by one, his followers all retired from their trades to assist him with his work, and even Blitzen eventually stepped down as the village leader. As years turned to decades, the legend of Rudolph and his companions spread across Høyland and around the world; chicks from Griffonia, calves from Yakyakistan, fillies and colts from here in Equestria, all began writing to Rudolph with their Hearth's Warming wishes. The Nine Gift Bringers of Hearth's Warming continue to deliver presents to the young of the world to this day,” finished Locomotion, “and some say that if you truly believe in them, you can see them dashing through the sky on Hearth's Warming Eve with their sleigh full of toys.”

At last, Hornette found her voice. “Wow,” she breathed again, visibly awestruck. “That was an amazing story. Do you think they'll deliver to changelings as well?”

Steamer smiled wryly. He loved his nephew dearly, but his imagination could be pretty overactive at times. “Well, they're not actually re...”

“Shh! Hornette doesn't know that!” interrupted Locomotion quietly. “Let her have her fantasies, Uncle Steamer – don't forget, she never got to be a playful little filly like Surfie and Elli did.”

“Oh...sorry, Loco,” murmured Steamer. “I didn't appreciate that.”

“It's okay, you two.” The two stallions looked back to Hornette. “I understand they...probably aren't real,” she said, smiling faintly and trying not to sound disappointed, “but that doesn't mean I can't believe in them...right?”

“Exactly!” agreed Locomotion with a mildly self-satisfied smirk. “If Hornette wants to believe, then let her. And another thing...”

“Alright, Loco,” interrupted Steamer calmly, “you've made your point; let's just leave it at that. Anyway, Hornette,” he went on, tactfully changing the subject, “what are your plans for today?”

The young changeling pondered. “Hmm...I might go for a wander round town,” she decided.

“Oh, what, to get a few gift ideas?” Locomotion piped up.

“Umm...yeah, I guess so,” answered Hornette thoughtfully. For a brief moment, she considered inviting Locomotion to join her; but then she remembered he couldn't come anyway. Barely a week ago, he had passed his physical examination and been allowed back to work, and had spent the last few days shunting trucks in the yard. Besides, she told herself wisely, it wouldn't do for him to see his own present before he got it. “Could I have some money, please, Mr Steamer?”

“Oh, sure. How much do you want?”

“How much do you usually spend on presents?”

Steamer shrugged. “Depends, really. Loco and I normally spend up to twenty bits per person – rather more than that with family members,” he replied.

“Right...” Hornette fell silent again in contemplation. “...how about eighty? Just to be going on with?”

“Sounds reasonable,” conceded Steamer. “I'll give you the cash after we've eaten; but don't worry if you can't find anything,” he added wisely. “Loco and I can always take some time off to help you.”

“And be sure to wrap up warm,” advised Locomotion. “You wouldn't want a repeat of what happened last month.”

“No, you're right there.” Hornette gave him a wry half-smile as she recalled her unpleasant experience only a few days into winter, when she and Locomotion had gone to hang out with the Cutie Mark Crusaders at Sugarcube Corner. They thought nothing of the weather at first, for although it was frosty outside, there hadn't been any snow as yet.

But changelings, being part insect, are more susceptible to cold than most creatures. Within ten minutes of leaving the house, Hornette found herself shivering feverishly, even when Locomotion gave her his hat and scarf; and by the time they had almost reached the bakery, she felt so drowsy and her hooves so numb that she could hardly stand. She must have passed out then, because the next thing she could remember was waking up in Pinkie Pie's bed, with Mrs Cake and an anxious Locomotion hovering over her. It turned that she had caught a terrible cold and was suffering from mild frostbite; and although they managed to get the young changeling home without her catching pneumonia, she remained laid up in bed for a whole week after that.

“Oh well,” went on Hornette, “at least my new coat should keep me warm enough. Will you be alright, though, Loco? I mean, seeing as you're working outdoors...?”

“Shouldn't be a problem with me,” said Locomotion, shrugging. “I'll have a roaring fire and a well enclosed cab to keep me warm. If anything, this cold weather might do me some good.”

Hornette stifled a light giggle of disbelief. She wasn't sure she could agree after her frosty predicament, but Locomotion knew his trade much better than she did, so he was probably right. “Well...if you say so,” she murmured.


Having finished their breakfast, Steamer and Locomotion cleared away the dishes and helped Hornette prepare for her shopping trip. During her illness, Steamer had asked Rarity to make some better winter clothing for the young changeling. The fashionista was only too delighted to oblige, and created a complete bespoke outfit consisting of a purple anorak with slits for her wings, a pair of matching trousers and a set of pale blue snow boots, all lined with fake fur. Hornette was very grateful, and even more so when she was well enough to try it on – not only did it keep her warm, but the fur lining was so soothing and soft that she quickly fell in love with it.

“There we go,” said Locomotion, carefully pulling the hood over Hornette's head. “Snug as a bug in a rug – quite literally in your case.”

Hornette shook her head in amusement. “You're such a tease, Loco,” she giggled; but her laughter promptly turned to purring as she snuggled into the soft lining.

Now it was Locomotion's turn to laugh. “Come on, honeybee,” he prompted, trying to keep a straight face, “try to stay focussed, or you won't have time to buy presents.”

“Eh?” Hornette stopped purring and looked up at the clock. “Oh...right, yeah, I was gonna...yeah, I guess I'd better get going then,” she stuttered with an awkward grin. “See you later, guys.”

“Take care, Hornette,” smiled Steamer.

“And don't get too cold,” added Locomotion.

“I won't,” promised Hornette, and shared a brief kiss with her beau before setting off.

As the young changeling passed through the front gate, she couldn't help but beam in delight. Seeing the snowy landscape through her bedroom window was one thing, but being able to frolic in it without freezing solid filled her with childlike joy, and soon she was leaping and bouncing through the snow like a spring lamb. Already, the houses lining her route were starting to come alive with twinkling lights and glistening tinsel, which brightened her spirits still further.

She approached the town square to find it looking just as jolly. The shop windows and market stalls were festooned with decorations, and the sound of music floated through the air as cheerful shoppers went about their business, stopping every now and then to chat with friends. Hornette paused for a moment to admire the scene; but also to think about where she wanted to go. Just as she was beginning to wonder if she should have waited until Locomotion could take the day off, she spotted a familiar face peering into a nearby shop window. “Hey, Sweetie-Belle! Over here!” she chirped, waving eagerly.

Sweetie-Belle looked up, pleasantly surprised. “Hello, Hornette,” she smiled warmly as she trotted over. She wasn't wearing much compared to Hornette – just a woollen hat and scarf whose colours matched her mane. “Good to see you out and about again. How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thanks,” replied Hornette appreciatively. “This coat has sure made all the difference.”

“Glad to hear it. I tell you what, it does suit you,” remarked Sweetie-Belle earnestly.

“Does it really? And there was I beginning to think you might agree with what Mr Steamer said when I tried it on.”

Sweetie-Belle raised an eyebrow. “Why, what did he say?”

“He said it made me look like a big purple caterpillar,” explained Hornette, blushing a little.

“Well...it kinda does, in a way,” soothed Sweetie-Belle, choosing her words carefully, “but more sort of cute than ridiculous. I like it.”

Hornette smiled with relief. “Thanks. Loco says the same, come to think of it,” she agreed, fighting back a guilty giggle as she recalled how annoyed he was with his uncle's remark. “Actually, I'm glad you're here. See, I thought I'd do a bit of window shopping, try to find a few gift ideas, and I...”

“Well, what a coincidence!” interrupted Sweetie-Belle in delight. “That's exactly what I came here to do! We could make a real day of it, you and I.”

“I was kinda hoping you'd say that. I can't even begin to decide what to get for whom,” admitted Hornette.

“That's okay, Hornette,” said Sweetie-Belle, wrapping an arm around the young changeling's shoulders. “I'll help you decide – don't forget, Loco and I share a lot of friends. Come on, let's get going,” and she and Hornette set off to begin their shopping.