To say the entire castle was glowing with spirit would be an understatement. The air practically buzzed with joy and mirth with the remaining castle staff who actually lived in the castle, the rest of the servants were off on the holidays to spend it with their friends and family. Servants didn't scutter about as much, guards were much more mellow and at ease, and a smile was plastered upon every face. Today was the day many waited all year for, and the time had come to celebrate it.
Celestia merrily skipped down the hallway with a spring in each hop while Luna trudged behind with a loud yawn. She had spent the entire day and night before awake, and the toll was beginning to show on her, but she would endure, for today she was to celebrate and be happy. Besides, all she'd have to do was force her way through the opening of the presents and speed right back to bed for sleep. The festivities and traditional gorging of sweets would be something she would partake in next year.
"C'mon Lulu, hurry up!" The sun alicorn chirped happily as she bounded ahead of her younger sister, who only moved slower at such optimistic words. "We shall be there . . . momentarily, sister." Luna mumbled out, picking up her pace ever so slightly. She was happy, she really was, but all she really wanted under the tree right now was sleep.
Eventually the two came upon the main lobby of the castle to be greeted by a dozen ponies and their "Happy Hearth's Warming Day, Princesses!"
"And a happy Hearth's Warming to you as well, my little ponies!" Celestia giggled just as Luna grumbled her way beside her much brighter sister. "So," She began with a grin. "Who wants to open the first present?!"
A small moment of silence as a servant maid rifled through the pile of brightly-wrapped gifts underneath the giant fir tree that dominated the room, pulling out a small box wrapped with the paper a dark midnight blue that matched Princess Luna's own coat. Celestia took it with her levitational magic, hovering it over to her sister with a nod and a grin. "Open it up, Luna."
Slowly the night alicorn tore off the wrapping with her own magic and peered inside the box, her eyes widening at what lay within, all shreds of sleep leaving her. Inside, a small gem in the shape of a crescent moon glowed softly, giving off a serenely warm light. She lifted it out and inspected it in the air.
"This is . . ."She breathed softly.
"A shooting star, fell to Equestria not too long ago. I had it crafted to fit your crown!" Celestia smiled.
Luna lifted up the small moon and fitted it into the centerpiece of her crown, the gem fitting smoothly, as if it were made for it. " 'Tis . . . lovely, Tia. Truly lovely."
"I'm glad you like it!"
Luna paused before her pupils shrank ever so slightly. She looked up almost shamefully. "Sister . . . we forgot to bequeath thou a present. After getting wrapped up in learning of Hearth's Warming-"
She was interrupted as Celestia leaned in a nuzzled her softly, embracing her in a hug with her wing. "Haven't you learned anything yet, silly? It's not giving or receiving, it's about the spirit, it's about spending time with those you love and sharing that spirit."
Luna smirked and rolled her eyes, returning the embrace with her own wings. "We . . . can relate to this, we learned of this lesson not too long ago."
"Besides," Celestia released the hug to give Luna her own smirk. "I . . . do believe some of the staff went a little overboard with getting me gifts this years as well." She turned to look at the pile under the tree, a vast majority of them signed 'To" Celestia'. A guard nervously picked up his own gift and scratched out Celestia's name, instead opting to give it to another guardspony. He hoped his fellow brother in arms liked bubble bath.
"Happy Hearth's Warming, Luna." Celestia winked.
"Happy Hearth's Warming, dearest sister." Luna replied with a large grin, her holiday wishes fulfilled. But for a moment, her thoughts went briefly back to what Santa Hooves had said, and of another pony from earlier that month. "Excuse us, Tia." She nodded at the sun alicorn before trotting off towards the exit.
"Where are you going?" Princess Celestia asked as she began to delve into the action of ripping open her own gifts.
"We . . . "She stopped right at the doors. "Are going to spread a little holiday spirit of our own."
She zoomed through the streets on the flight of her wings, completely unhindered by the frosty air and gentle snow falling down. Luna had one destination in mind, and one pony as well.
Luna landed in the market square, every stall and shop closed, everypony home for the holidays. Save one...
It took her only a small time to find him. Down an alley, behind a dumpster, and in front of a pitiful fire. Right before he took his first bite out of a can of beans, the hobo pony jumped at the sight of the alicorn, his face in the snow before she could even blink. "Y-your Majesty! What are you doin' in my alley?" He stuttered out, slowly rising to attention. He appeared the same just as he did when she visited the market only five days before. Just as scraggly and dirty, but a happy glow about him, something all ponies shared on this most blessed of days.
"We are here to give thou something." She stated in a quite authoritative tone.
His ears dropped and his eyes shrank to pinpricks. "I-is it about me bumping into ya earlier? Oh . . . please don't throw me into the dungeon!"
"It is not a punishment, but an offer."
"Say what now?"
"Thou sayest thou were a cider-procuring pony, correct?"
He nodded dumbly.
"We wish to ask thou to become part of our kitchen staff in the castle. We have not had cider at the royal table in quite some time, and maybe some would be required at the feast tonight . . . "She winked knowingly.
"Oh . . . oh! Oh yes! Sure, I'll do it your majesty!" He hopped to his hooves with a spry leap and an exuberant grin upon his face.
"Good." Luna nodded curtly. "Be sure to tell the guards at the gate that their Princess Luna equested your presence. You are to enter through the kitchen door, clean thyself, and prepare us a most delicious batch of cider for consumption later."
"Y-yes your highness!"
"And . . . have a happy Hearth's Warming." She smiled warmly and turned around.
"Y . . . you too, Princess!" The hobo pony cackled gleefully as he gathered his meager possessions and ran for the direction of the castle, a new job awaiting him with his talent to work with and royal income secured.
Just over a rooftop, two figures watched the scene of generosity with a certain sense of coy and happiness. "I do believe she has the spirit at heart now." Celestia giggled
"Agreed." Santa Hooves nodded his bushy head, his bell-covered antlers ringing through the air. He stood up slowly, cracking his achy bones with a sigh. "Sorry for such a short visit, princess, but I really must be back at the North soon. I have to start preparing for Hearth's Warming next year!"
She nodded at him. as he took off with no wings, only his hoofsteps carrying him through the air with a tinge of magical aura trailing behind him, courtesy of Celestia from so long ago.
"Happy Hearth's Warming to all, and to all, a good night!" He bellowed through Equestria, his voice echoing until the only sound left was the jingling of his bells and the laughter from everypony below celebrating.
THE END