On a normal day, Canterlot Castle was beautiful.
On Hearth’s Warming Eve, it’s enchanting.
Sunset Shimmer trotted down the corridors, her little hooves clicking loudly against the marble floors. This was her first holiday season in the castle since she moved in earlier in the year.
Her first holiday season with her new teacher, Princess Celestia.
Sunset’s smile grew wider and she slowed her trot, admiring everything around her. The hallway was lined with shining golden lights, the sconces filled with sweet-smelling holly plants and the tapestries changed to reflect the festive spirit. Outside, the moon shone brightly, its light piercing through the large windows. Even the Mare in the Moon seemed to send her well wishes.
Sunset loved it here. She had never seen so many ponies celebrating the holiday at once, and here in the castle, everypony was running about and animatedly chatting with one another. The Princess had told her that the staff would be sent home in the morning, so they were probably to finish their duties on time to be home with their families.
Speaking of families…
Sunset accelerated her pace. She didn’t want to be late for her first holiday dinner, after all.
She passed by the kitchen, where the sweet aroma of cocoa and pudding hang in the air. She passed by the ballroom, where more lovely decorations adorned the walls. She passed the throne room, closed and empty at the time of year.
And finally, she arrived at the imposing double doors of the dining room.
One of the guards on duty looked down at Sunset, gave a curt nod and opened the doors to let the filly in.
Sunset stepped in and was immediately greeted by Princess Celestia.
The filly did not hesitate. She ran forward, embracing her teacher tightly. A little hard, given Sunset's small size, but she managed. Celestia bent down and wrapped the filly in her own hooves, draping her wings over her and filling Sunset's body with a comfortable warmth.
Eventually, they parted, and Sunset took her seat next to the Princess.
Everything about Celestia was majestic - her wavy, gravity-defying mane, her elegant posture and demeanor and her golden regalia. She was kind, wise and caring. Gentle, loving and all-knowing. She was the ruler - no, the mother - of all Equestria.
And tonight, she was Sunset Shimmer’s mother.
Sunset had always admired the alicorn. To be here, in the castle, spending Hearth's Warming was her, was something she had never dared dream of.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming, Princess!”
Celestia smiled. It lit up the whole room. “Happy Hearth’s Warming, my faithful student.”
Sunset beamed in turn. She’d never get tired of hearing the Princess address her as such.
“Oh!” she exclaimed. “Princess, I have a present for you.”
Sunset lit her horn, focusing her magic on the gift located in her room. Object teleportation was an advanced spell, but she was a talented filly, and thanks to the Princess’ guidance, she was also skilled.
A few seconds of concentrating later, a gift-wrapped box appeared from thin air in a burst of cyan magic.
Sunset gestured dramatically. “Ta-da!”
Celestia's eyes widened. “Wow. That was a very advanced spell for your age.”
“I have a really good teacher.” Sunset levitated the gift closer. “Here.”
Celestia nodded, taking the box in her own magic and gently unwrapping it. She pulled the present out and a single tear rolled down her cheek.
“Oh, Sunset. It’s beautiful.”
The gift was a small canvas painting, crafted by hoof and horn. Warm and cool colors blended harmoniously with expert strokes and lines. Captured in the painting were the portraits of Celestia and Sunset, their smiles frozen in time.
Sunset had been working on the painting for most of winter break.
Celestia draped a wing over her student, pulling her closer. “Thank you,” she said, her voice cracking a little. “I love it.”
Sunset nestled deeper in her beloved teacher’s embrace, her eyes watering. “You’re welcome, Princess.”
They pulled away, but remained close.
“I’ll cherish it forever,” Celestia said, placing the painting on a nearby table. “Now. How do you feel about Hearth’s Warming Eve dinner?”
For the first time since she had entered the dining room, Sunset’s eyes drifted towards the table.
And the feast that lay on it.
Green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, mushroom pot pie and roasted cauliflower. Soups and pastas of all flavors and sizes. Date pudding, pistachio tart, cranberry cheesecake and chocolate bundt cake. It looked and smelled heavenly.
Sunset was practically salivating.
“Is… is this all for us?” she asked. I’ve never seen so much food in one place.
Celestia chuckled. “Not just us.” She pointed to the double doors and the entrance and the guard a firm nod.
The doors opened and in came the castle staff.
The maids, butlers, cooks, scribes and even the Princess' secretary, Ms. Inkwell, all came in, taking their seats around the table. Lively conversation filled the room, replacing the conformable quiet that was there before.
Sunset liked it. She didn't like being alone; and dinner with so many ponies sounded nice. She looked at Celestia and was met with an encouraging smile.
The Princess raised her glass and gave it a clink. “My little ponies,” she started, “it is with great pleasure that we open this year’s Hearth’s Warming Eve dinner. Tonight, we welcome Sunset Shimmer, my most faithful student, as she joins for the first time.”
All eyes turned to Sunset, who blushed under the unexpected spotlight. “I’m… I’m happy to be here. Thank you for having me.”
Celestia continued. “Now, let’s feast!”
And they all dug in.
Sunset wanted to try everything at once, but knew she couldn’t, and had to restrict herself to a couple items at a time. The food was divine, the very best Sunset had ever tasted.
As she ate, the ponies wanted to chat with her. Sunset was eager to share details of her life, her studies and residence in the castle.
A couple of hours later, dinner was over. Sunset got up, stacking her silverware in her magic and deposited them in the tray.
Right as she was leaving the room, however, Celestia called out to her. “Sunset!”
The filly stopped and turned around. “Yes, Princess?”
Celestia smiled kindly at her, levitating a small gift-wrapped box. “Just realized I forgot to give you this.”
Sunset took the box in her own magic. “Princess, you didn’t have to. You’ve already given me so much.” She looked up at her teacher. “But thank you.”
She opened the box slowly and inside was… a doll. A doll in her likeness. It was a Hearth’s Warming doll, the kind you put above the hearth for the holidays.
Her very first one.
Sunset ran forward for a hug and the alicorn bent down immediately, draping both wings around the small filly.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Sunset repeated, tears streaming down her face.
“You’re welcome, dear,” Celestia said, her voice music to Sunset’s eyes.
The two of them stayed that way for a while, basking in each other’s comfort and warmth.
Hearth’s Warming was already great. But Hearth’s Warming with Princess Celestia? Even better.
Sunset smiled, eagerly looking forward to next year.