An Unexpected Winter Journey
Epilogue
Admiral Biscuit
For Comma Typer, Jinglemas 2022
As the two approached Ponyville, the snowy haze finally dispersed, revealing a sky spread with stars above, and a town twinkling with lights in front of them.
“Sweet Apple Acres is off to the north of the road,” Hayseed told her, pointing a hoof. “If’n we’d arrived during the day, you’d see it.” He pointed out other businesses and houses in Ponyville as they walked through.
Rain Shine tried to pay attention, but her eyes and ears and nose kept getting distracted. Pegasi flew overhead, more than she’d ever seen. Fillies and colts trotted through the streets, chatting and laughing. Houses had candles in the windows and garland on the eves; and smells of baking came from everywhere.
It was so beautiful, so vibrant and alive, almost like a scene from a storybook. Every moment of the journey to Ponyville faded in importance: her sore legs, the scrape on her side from the timberwolf, her frustration of misunderstanding how the train worked. She’d gotten where she needed to be.
After a few polite knocks, Apple Bloom opened the door, nuzzling Hayseed before looking at Rain Shine in confusion, then her eyes widened. “Ain’t ya one of those Kirin like Summer Chills?”
Rain Shine nodded. Introductions were made and the pair invited inside where the house was already filled with ponies. Filling a few extra bellies was no problem; the Apples made plenty of food and Applejack even passed around zap apple jam.
It was well past midnight when the house finally emptied. Apple Bloom had surrendered her room to Apple Rose, but didn’t mind since she wanted to stay on the couch and see Santa Hooves.
Rain Shine joined her—the couch was plenty big enough for two—while Hayseed curled up on a throw rug in a spot well-warmed by the hearth.
Rain Shine was the last to fall asleep. Hayseed had drifted off as soon as his head had touched the ground. Apple Bloom had stayed awake for another hour, her head nodding and then jerking back up, but she eventually succumbed to Luna’s embrace.
Rain Shine was tired, too tired to sleep. She listened to the soft breathing of her companions and the gentle hisses of the embers in the fireplace; she listened to the creaks and pops of the house as it slumbered; she listened to the occasional gusts of wind and the brief jingle of bells outside.
Finally, she slept.