Fallen From The Vine

by omnom19


Unbroken

Wine is constant proof that Gaia loves us and loves to see us happy.
Princess Luna, decreed at the Winter Solstice
846 years before The Nightmare

And a beat, swish, glide

And a one, two, three

Oh wherever this wind takes me,
I know that you’ll be waiting
for my return.
Oh I promise to share the sunrise,
with your dear smile.
Will I ever learn?
That you’re all I’m searching for.
that no matter where I go.
Your love,
oh, your sweet, sweet love,
will bring me back,
will bring me back home.

The carefree chorus swirls upwards as ponies sing and celebrate around a massive, crackling bonfire. Flames dance in time to the song, leaping with unfettered, wild grace. Sparks reach higher into the night sky, for a brief moment, becoming stars themselves.

A crisp, October wind sweeps these stars higher and the ponies below call for another song. The success of the harvest warms and invigorates them. They laugh and stomp their hooves. Foals ramble around the flames, eyes wide with the magic of the moment. Wives flirt with their husbands, relieved that their families will survive the upcoming winter. The elders sit on blankets and look on the scene with knowing smiles. They reminisce about their own bountiful harvests and harsh winters. Those too young to join in the festivities nestle around the older ponies.

Sharing warmth. Life. Hope.

These ponies live in harmony with the land. They understand their place in the world. The crops they grow parallel their own lives. They will grow, bear fruit, and die. They accept death just as they understand that the land will flourish and sustain future generations.

One pony is acutely aware of this.

May Wishes rests comfortably on a plaid, wool blanket, worn soft by years of use. She smiles and waves to her husband. He is nervous about leaving her alone and starts to walk toward his wife. May shakes her head and pantomimes to the festivities. Her message is clear.

Go enjoy. You’ve earned it. Celebrate for all of us.

May has gracefully bowed out of the party with a serenity not known to stallions. For she is alight with a joy of her own. May is with foal and in the late stages of her pregnancy. Her unborn foal kicks and leaps within her; both mother and child taking part in their own cosmic celebration.

She is content.

Aside from the occasional morning sickness, sore hooves, and so many ponies asking to touch her barrel, May Wishes enjoys her pregnancy. For one, her senses are drastically heightened. She can smell her husband’s familiar musk from across the camp; hear her grandmother’s snoring amidst the pile of blankets, and see-

See a white pegasus circling above the harvest celebration.

May slowly starts to rise to her hooves.

Her husband instantly appears at her side and helps her up.

“Go fetch the wagon, would you, Blue?”

“Is it time, dear?” Blue Bell, bless him, was preparing to sprint to the nearest doctor.

“No, no. We’re fine.” May smiles at her husband. “But I believe Pappy will be happy to hear that the wine’s arrived.”

The stallion looks up at the night shy and grins. “He will indeed. Especially tonight.”

“I’ll be up at the big house. That’s where she usually drops off, is it not?”

“Be careful, love.” Blue Bell says, nuzzling his wife. “That last hill is steep.”

May swats his nose with a playful swish of her tail. “I’ll manage.”

- - - - -

May huffs up the last hill (May refused to call it steep) when the delivery pony touches down at the big house.

The white pegasus efficiently sheds the harness, letting the cloud construct float to the ground. The pony hurries to May’s side.

“Any day now, right May? How are you feeling?” She asks, helping her over the worst of the hill.

May nudges her younger friend. “I’m fine! We’re all fine. Blue’s a little…edgy. But I guess that’s to be expected with your first foal. How are you, Sugar?”

Sugar slowly walks over to her cart. “I’ve been better.”

May carefully looks the pegasus over. “So it didn’t turn out?”

“That’d be the nicest way to put it.” Sugar pauses and faces her friend. Her violet eyes shine with unshed tears.

“Sweetheart….” May ambles over and nuzzles the fragile mare. “I’ve known you for how long?”

Sugar hiccups and flashes a weak smile. “Pretty much forever. You were the best foal sitter. ”

“So you should believe me when I say that you’ll figure it out. You were always a smart filly, not to mention stubborn. It’s okay to be disappointed, but don’t let this get you down, Sugar.”

“I’ve searched for years for my mark. Years. I don’t want to be the old mare, lost without a purpose. I-“ Sugar goes silent.

“I just wish I knew where I belong, May.” Sugar sighs, scuffing the ground with a hoof.

“Oh sweetheart…I’m sure you’ll-” May sways unsteadily to one side and collapses to the ground.

“MAY!” Sugar cries, kneeling beside her friend.

May winces and places one hoof on her belly. “We’re…okay. Just something knocked the wind out of me.”

“Want me to go get Blue?” Sugar asks, wings betraying her nervous state, flitting in time with her frantic heartbeat.

The pregnant mare awkwardly tries to stand, but succumbs to her weakened state. “Just,” May pulls in a steadying breath, “stay with me for a bit.”

Sugar lays one wing over May to protect her from the autumn chill. Minutes pass as the two mares peruse the glimmering night sky. They’re silent, letting the voices and music rise on the wind from the bonfire below.

“You’ll have a beautiful foal,” Sugar says, resting her head on her friend’s shoulder.

May bites her lip. “I just want him, or her, to be happy. They could have seven legs or three heads. But, Celestia forbid, never one of those horrible pegasi!”

Sugar freezes and stares dumbfounded at her friend. “Are you-“

May sticks her tongue out. “Teasing, love. But really though. Any foal of mine will be loved. They’ll be perfect.”

Blue Bell jauntily trots over the hill, saddlebags jingling with Sugar’s pay.

May coughs and shakes her head slightly at Sugar. Don’t tell him. I’m fine.

“Thanks May. I guess I should get going.” Sugar fluffs her wings and goes to take the bits from the stallion.

Blue Bell throws a leg around Sugar’s neck. “Nonsense! Why would you wanna fly all the back to Mareheart now? The
night is young and there’s a fine party here!”

Sugar looks at her friend and starts to refuse. “My parents are-“

May winks at the pegasus. “Your parents are fine. You’re in good hooves here with all of us. And don’t you give me that look, missy! I know how your parents always wanted you to be out of that town. Live a little. Take the night off!”

“They won’t mind?” Sugar asks doubtfully, referring to the rest of May’s family.

May shares a look with her husband. “A few might. But everypony knows that the harvest celebration goes beyond us earth ponies. It’s about…being a part of the earth’s cycle. To understand how short our time is here. To celebrate that life continues. To…be together as Gaia’s creations.”

Blue Bell chuckles. “Don’t forget the booze.”

May shakes her head at her husband. “Okay and a little alcohol never hurt anypony. And what did you bring over tonight?”

Blue gestures to the crates of wine stacked neatly in the Blue’s wagon. “The Grapes’ Genuine Finest Wine.”

“So you’re all set. Besides, I know somepony who made his famous peach ice cream.” May slides a sly glance to her husband.

Sugar Grape whirls to face Blue Bell, wings humming with excitement. “You didn’t!?”

Blue scratches his head in embarrassment. “May thought you might drop by tonight. So she had me whip some up for you.”

Sugar squees with joy and hugs her friend.

“That’s still your favorite, right?” the former foalsitter asks.

Sugar realizes she’s been trapped. “You’re good.” Trapped between a devious, pregnant pony and delicious ice cream.

“The best, dearie,” May flashes a triumphant grin at the mare. “Now let’s go down and say hello.”

The three ponies walk back to the bonfire, oblivious to the events set in motion. The pattern of life has been shifted, ever so slightly. Stars dance a little faster, shine a little brighter, in anticipation of what is to come.