In a grove of trees bathed by dappled autumn sunlight, a hushed atmosphere greeted the mourners gathered for the private funeral of Granny Smith. Untended pear trees lined one side of the small clearing, their branches still bearing fruit that would not be harvested. On the other side, tired apple trees stood sentinel at the very edges of Sweet Apple Acres.
The spot chosen for Granny Smith's final resting place was not easily accessible, with no maintained path from any of the more used byways nearby. Solemn Serenity and Velvet Veil, the undertakers, had spent the last couple of hours discreetly moving the coffin through the trees by telekinesis, as there was no means of getting a cart through the undergrowth. Now the coffin stood on a trestle beside the newly dug grave.
The clearing was shared by another plot, which was marked with a stone bearing the name of Grand Pear. In between two distinct fruit trees, an apple and a pear, were intertwined and stood as natural memorials. These trees had been planted at the wedding of Bright Mac and Pear Butter, a poignant reminder of the enduring love and connection that had shaped the Apple family.
The intertwined apple and pear trees cast gentle shadows over the scene, creating a living reminder of those who had left their mark on Sweet Apple Acres. The solemnity of the moment was accentuated by the rustle of leaves and the occasional creaking of branches, as if nature itself was paying its respects to the matriarch of the Apple family.
Apart from the undertakers, the only ponies present were the mourning Apple family, their spouses and Princess Twilight Sparkle. Their other friends understood the desire for the moment to be a private one, with Twilight being the only pony present who wasn't a member of the family. Even the royal guard held a respectful distance, so as not to be observed by those at the graveside.
In the quiet moments before the funeral, Applejack sought a private conversation with Princess Twilight Sparkle. The two ponies retired a small distance from the funeral party so that they could speak without intruding on anypony’s thoughts.
"Twilight," Applejack began, her voice ragged and filled with emotion, "Ah can't thank you enough for being here today, for honouring Granny's memory an’ officiating over her burial. It means the world to us, because having a stranger presiding over it jus’ dint sit right."
Twilight nodded, a gentle understanding in her eyes. "It's the least I could do, Applejack. This loss is a terrible blow to your family, and I want to do anything I can to help ease that burden.”
Applejack managed a small smile. "Ya know, Granny would've been amazed at the thought that the ruler of all Equestria would be overseeing her burial. It's quite the honour."
Twilight's expression softened, and she met Applejack's gaze with sincerity. "Titles and crowns aside, Applejack, I've never forgotten the welcome the Apples gave me when I first arrived in Ponyville. Granny, Big Mac, Apple Bloom and you all treated me like family from the start, whether I appreciated it or not. So I'm not here as a princess but as a friend who cares deeply about all of you."
Applejack's eyes glistened with gratitude. "Well we're mighty thankful all the same, Twilight. Granny always spoke fondly of you, you know. She'd be touched to know you're here to see her off."
Twilight nodded, a shared understanding passing between them. “I think it's time to start the ceremony.”
Princess Twilight Sparkle stepped forward as Applejack rejoined the others, the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves casting a warm glow on the gathered ponies. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, understanding the weight of the words she was about to share.
"Today, we stand in the presence of both sorrow and the enduring legacy of Granny Smith," Twilight began, her voice carrying a solemn resonance. "As we prepare to say our final farewells, I believe this moment is more about those that remain. We shared our collective grief at the passing of Granny Smith this morning, and will revel in our sweet memories of the time we spent with her this evening. Now is when we accept that she is gone, that we commit her remains to the soil of which she was so proud, and know that the pony we love has truly departed.”
As Twilight looked around her, she could see that her words had underlined the finality of this moment. That a hard truth had been spoken, that needed to be said.
“This is an ending, but not the end. It is the passing of a tradition and responsibility that has flowed through generations of the Apple family."
She looked up into the branches of the intertwining apple and pear trees, symbols of the love and union that had brought forth the current custodians of Sweet Apple Acres.
"The cycles of life bring both joy and sorrow, and the Apples have long been the stewards of this orchard, passing down their wisdom from one generation to the next. Granny Smith exemplified the resilience and strength that defines this family, and her legacy will forever be in the roots of this grove."
Twilight's gaze shifted to the assembled ponies, each carrying their own memories and pain.
"Grief is a companion to us all. Long ago, the Apples shared their wisdom with a dear friend who faced the pain of loss. Today, as we bid farewell to Granny Smith, let us recall that same wisdom to help ease the pain that touches our hearts."
She took a moment, allowing the gravity of her words to settle among the ponies present.
"Grief fades with time, but the memories of Granny Smith's laughter, wisdom, and love will endure. Today, we say our farewells to her mortal remains, side by side with her reconciled counterpart, Grand Pear, and in the sight of the living memorial to her beloved Bright Mac and Pear Butter."
Twilight invited those present to approach the coffin, to offer their final farewells to Granny Smith. As the ponies approached the coffin, the air in the secluded grove became impossibly heavy with the weight of grief. In the privacy of that sacred spot, the stoic demeanour of the Apple family finally crumbled, giving way to the raw, unfiltered expression of their sorrow. The tears flowed freely, and they clung to each other for support.
Princess Twilight Sparkle, standing nearby, observed this outpouring of emotion with a compassionate gaze. She understood that profound pain accompanies the farewell to a loved one and recognized the importance of letting the grieving process unfold naturally. In that intimate moment, there were no rushed words of consolation, no need for hasty gestures. Twilight simply stood, a silent and supportive presence, giving the Apple family the time and space they needed to release the pain that weighed on their hearts.
The grove, usually filled with the soft sounds of rustling leaves and quiet whispers, now resonated with the poignant chorus of shared sorrow. The intertwining apple and pear trees stood sentinel, bearing witness to the bittersweet diminuendo and release.
As the flood of grief from the family gathered around the coffin ebbed away, Twilight approached with a look of sincere condolences on her face. She offered quiet reassurance through her presence, and gently began to lead the family away from the gravesite. With a barely perceptible nod, she signalled for the interment to begin. Solemn Serenity and Velvet Veil prepared to lower the coffin into place next to Grand Pear.