Somewhere outside of the farmhouse a rooster sounded the call to wake up, which Big Macintosh answered with a half grumbled murmur against his pillow. Something was off about the shrill crowing. Entering into more coherent thought, the next call made it more clear that the natural alarm clock was not following the prescribed routine it was meant to.
Cock-a-doodle....do?
The rooster sounded confused, which in turn left Big Mac confused. Confused was not something he particularly wanted to be early in the morning. The painful cobwebs floating in the back of his mind at waking were even less pleasant. He hadn't gotten much sleep last night, and the reason he hadn't was being put as far out of his sleepy mind as he could manage it.
Even with his eyes closed he could feel the sunlight creeping in through the window on his face. Usually it was soothing, an added warmth to the enveloping blanket draped over him. Now it seemed to be wavering in and out of strength which was the final straw as far as Big Macintosh was concerned. He immediately sat up, opened his eyes and ignored the head rush to glare out his window at whatever it was that was the matter.
Everything was completely normal, with the exception that the sun was slightly wobbling in the sky. Something very much not normal actually, and Big Mac stared at the ball of light as best he could without it hurting his eyes. It traveled here and there, looking like it wasn't quite sure where it was supposed to be. Finally it settled down in a spot a touch higher than usual and remained steady at last. Hardly a flawless start to the day.
"Did you see that, Twi?" Applejack's muffled voice sounded from downstairs, just on the edge of his hearing.
Another voice sounded, Big Mac made out the sound of chairs scraping along the wooden floors of the dining room. "I did, I think that was Princess Luna. She mentioned that she was taking on some additional responsibilities, but raising the sun?"
More chairs scraping along the floor, it wasn't hard to guess that they'd probably went to the window and then back to the table. "You sure ya don't know what the matter is with Princess Celestia? I mean, Princess Luna didn't tell you?"
"No, she wouldn't say..."
Big Macintosh snorted and threw his sheets off of his legs, landing on the floor next to his bed and slowly twisting his neck this way and that. The pop of cartilage was satisfying, but did nothing to remove the painful throbbing in his head. He'd wake up with a little cof-
"Actually I came over here to ask you if you knew anything," Twilight had interrupted his train of thought. "Did Big Mac say anything after you got home?"
Coffee didn't sound like a good idea actually, but work did. His familiar yoke was sitting next to the door, he hadn't worn it in over a week. It fit snug against his shoulders, right where it belonged. He should get out of the house before he ended up eavesdropping on something that would end up souring his already less than happy mood.
"Not a thing, though that ain't always a surprise coming from Mac. He just went straight up to his room and shut the door with one heck of a noise, I think it half scared granny to death. You reckon that has something to do with why we didn't see Princess Celestia?"
Big Mac opened the door, eyes set straight ahead and thinking about the near ceaseless apple harvest. The south field would get bucked today, he decided. Twilight was answering his sister, "I really wish I knew. She hasn't answered any of my letters, and on the third one Princess Luna was the one who wrote back asking me to just allow her some time to reply. Applebloom, are you sure you didn't see anything?"
"Uh, I don't think so. I mean, Big Mac and the Princess were together a lot this week and all but nothin out of the ordinary." Applebloom was a touch louder than either of the others, or maybe it was that Big Macintosh was now walking down the hallway. He wasn't walking softly, but his hoof steps hadn't made enough of a noise to quiet them apparently.
"They were together this whole week?" Applejack sounded shocked at the revelation, and now Big Macintosh was at the top of the stairs leading down.
He wavered a moment, his jaw tightening as he listened to Twilight speak up next. "You don't think that they were-"
Unlike the second floor, the stairs were particularly creaky when one applied just the right amount of pressure on them. Coming down the steps filled the entire building with the noisy groans of wood against wood. Twilight's voice had died immediately as soon as he'd started, and Big Macintosh could feel the weight of six eyes watching him from the adjacent room.
"Er, mornin' Big Mac," Applejack sounded like she'd got up from her chair. He hadn't looked, opening the door outside instead. "Did you want me to get you some breakf-"
Out the door he'd went, and out of earshot. It was more than a little rude of him, but so was talking about a pony without them present. He had not been intentionally eavesdropping, so it wasn't his fault at what he'd overheard. He'd already learned his lesson about listening in on conversations a few days ago. One thing was for sure, he didn't want to be in the house for the rest of the day if he could help it. Good thing there was a lot of work that needed to get done.
He passed by the animal pens, past the equipment shed and out towards the orchards. The morning was chilly, and the crisp air was doing wonders for banishing the remnants of sleep still lingering. The downside with being alert with only his destination in front of him was that his mind would wander. It was almost entirely unavoidable, the first few trees he passed stirred up a memory.
Princess Celestia had been staring at him for the last few minutes, almost as soon as they'd entered the forest. Being looked at wasn't so much an issue for him, but it was a bit unusual to be under the spotlight of the Princess. She was better at hiding it than most, but Big Macintosh could feel her eyes even when he was studiously looking at the various trees and creatures who darted out of sight when they got too close.
This wasn't even the first time he'd been stared at today. Comparing Princess Celestia to those other mares felt shameful, but Big Macintosh was brought back to the catcalling from earlier. She'd been a great deal more subtle about it, but there were not too many other ways to interpret being asked out here to take a walk in the gardens. The stumbling, tongue tied way she'd set the pretext about planting apple trees was a screen even easier to see through than why his family, his sister's friends and he had all been summoned to Canterlot.
About the only piece of the puzzle that Macintosh couldn't figure out was why Princess Celestia was interested in him in the first place. Not only could he not puzzle out the why, but he was entirely unsure of 'how much' she was interested. Big Mac was not being egotistical when he thought of himself as handsome, virtually every mare (and a few stallions, much to his confusion) had seen fit to mention as much to him if the topic came up. Very few of those ponies had been able to spark much interest on his part, as far as he could discern they wanted him for his looks and not much else. Surely Princess Celestia wasn't the same.
Every pony knew the crass rumors and jokes that were bandied about regarding the Royal Guard and the Princesses. A large castle composed almost wholly of handsome stallions? Big Macintosh had never been a fan of those sorts of whispers, and neither were the majority of ponies that made up Equestria. One knew exactly the quality of the pony in question when they started those sorts of conversations up.
So why was he taking an intimate stroll through the gardens with Princess Celestia? Princess Celestia practically qualified as an institution, an unshakeable and unapproachable figure who had the absolute faith of her subjects.
An unapproachable figure who had been 'checking him out' for the last few minutes. It was difficult to make sense of, or know how to react. No matter how pretty or perfect she was, Big Macintosh knew better than to even think of flirting back. It wasn't as if she intimidated him by being a princess, Big Mac just knew what his place was.
Princess Celestia came to a halt in their walk, with him doing likewise. Turning to face her, he expected her to speak up first.
"Do you see anywhere good?" There was a hint of tension that he could hear, that nervousness he'd seen before written all over her face.
Since they were in the middle of the woods the question left him more than a little confused. He decided to meet one question with another. "Anywhere good?" He echoed, wondering if they were going to drop the apple tree planting pretext entirely.
In the end he really had planted quite a few trees in the gardens, and made quite a tidy profit for the farm in the process. The revelation for why she'd asked him in the first place stuck in his craw though. Big Macintosh clenched his teeth at just thinking about the last conversation he'd had with the Princess. Having everything he thought he knew about her turn out to be utterly wrong was...no, he really needed to stop focusing on it.
Few enough ponies knew it, but Big Macintosh had the unusual gift of a near photographic memory. It wasn't like he'd had much need to mention it, it was just a useful skill that helped him remember where he'd put the keys to the barn. Now it had the downside of dredging up moments he'd have rather forgotten. The whole last week was laid out before him like a storybook, the events clashed with one another while he fought to make sense of them.
In the end, it'd been fun. He'd had a good time, and he did like Princess Celestia. She lived up to almost every bit of praise spoken of her. Caring, intelligent beyond all belief and she even had a warm, but slightly wry sense of humor that Big Macintosh enjoyed matching. This was even leaving behind her natural beauty, which was a sidestep to avoid how inappropriate he felt it was to think in those terms about her. Almost everything about the week had been great, only the last few minutes had spoiled everything.
By now he was firmly on the other side of the apple orchard, so far out of sight and mind that he could have shouted and not a single pony would hear him. Usually he worked in silence, but his foray into past memories had welled enough tension in him that he felt compelled to give it comment.
"You got played for a damn fool, Mac." Deftly he turned his back to a apple tree teeming with ripe apples and delivered a swift kick. Down they went, the fruit pattering onto the soft ground and then spreading out.
Stupid, he'd forgotten to haul buckets to catch them. A whole bunch of apples were now wasted, unless he wanted to take up his time picking likely bruised apples off the ground. That was a whole lot less satisfying than kicking trees at this point, so instead he went for a nearby shed that held the buckets. Just because he was angry didn't mean he was going to vent his frustration unproductively. He wasn't a foal anymore.
Opening the dark shed sparked another memory, and this one laid at the heart of why he was so upset.
He'd been trying to find his way around the palace, having finished up the paperwork for planting trees in the garden. It was an impossibly large building as far as he was concerned, how any pony found their way around was a complete mystery. The guards hadn't given him more than an aside glance when he'd passed them, so he had assumed he had free reign to explore. Sooner or later he'd find an office and maybe a helpful bureaucrat to direct him to the right place.
That was going to be difficult, it was getting to be late. Few self respecting ponies were going to be up at this point, and even fewer were likely to be the kind he needed to speak with. Maybe he could just go to Princess Celestia's office. She'd been the one who had suggested this whole project, and she'd made it abundantly clear that he was free to see her anytime.
Big Macintosh was smiling at that point, reminded of the poker game and night out he'd had the day before. His fears and apprehensions about the odd start of a friendship he'd began with the Princess were beginning to fade away. If she was truly interested in him then by now she'd showed it was a great deal more than...well, unwholesome intentions. Why would he even think that way about Princess Celestia in the first place, anyway?
"-would be a great deal more tolerable if she hid it better, I think. He's a simple peasant, it goes against all propriety to go dragging him around to social gatherings."
That was a particularly smug, aristocratic sounding stallion's voice echoing along a side hallway. Big Macintosh stopped dead in his tracks, frowning as he processed what he'd heard. They were talking about him and the Princess, and it had not been said with anything approaching approval.
"Yes, well," a more familiar, but equally haughty voice replied, "I think we can allow Auntie to have her...indiscretions. We do owe her quite a bit for her prestigious rule. I myself have fancied a few of the lower sort from time to time. They have a simple charm about them, far removed from the complexities and stresses of our higher stations."
The other voice snorted, sounding a bit closer, they were bound to walk right in front of him at some point. "It will provoke quite a scandal though, and it hardly seems like the Princess cares. What will the rabble think about this? It will lead to them presuming some measure of social equality, I'm sure of it. How long do you think it will even last? How can you be so relaxed about this, Prince Blueblood?"
Macintosh hadn't needed the other pony providing the name to match that voice up with the prissy stallion he'd formed a very low opinion of the day before. Just hearing his voice conjured up the arrogant and dismissive body language Blueblood practically oozed. If Big Macintosh hadn't liked the unicorn before, he might possibly come to hate him for what he was saying now.
"I suppose it comes with being very familiar with my dear aunt's methods. It is likely for some purpose or another. From the gathering yesterday it seems this isn't entirely an ordinary peasant. He has ties to one of the Elements of Harmony, I've mused on the subject of whether the source of her attention resides there." Blueblood gave a dry chuckle, "Or perhaps she's simply drawn to him in the most simplest ways, you do know what they say about the composition of our guard."
The other stallion laughed a bit louder, and more nastier. "Oh I do know what you mean. I suppose you're right, Blueblood. In any event, we should tread a bit more carefully around Princess Celestia for now. Did she really see through the purpose of your budget recommendations that quickly?"
"I'm afraid she did," Blueblood sounded less than pleased at giving the news, and the voices had grown all the closer. They were slowly walking towards the open hallway, but he hadn't moved an inch while listening to them speak. "As I said before, I am familiar with her methods. She is unparalleled in uncovering plots, and executing her own. Much as it may annoy, we have little other recourse. As far as defeats go, this is comparatively mild. I don't suppose I told you of the time that I was the chief suitor for the hoof of Princess Cadance did I?"
"Why I have not heard that, are you saying that the royal wedding was a matter of Princess Celestia's design as well?"
"It was, and one likely spanning years by how Cadance was set for the Sparkle family. Certainly better than peasants, but barely qualifying as nobleponies. A waste of a good potential bloodline." Blueblood snorted in open derision.
By now Big Macintosh had had quite enough with these two colts and what they'd been speaking about. Confrontation, especially physical confrontation, was best to avoid. Midway through the overheard conversation his blood had started to boil. He didn't care what they thought of him, but the sort of rumors they were likely to spread about Princess Celestia were intolerable.
He was stopped by what was said next, though. The other stallion spoke up almost immediately, "A very subtle ploy, but I can't help but wonder about the last few days with our Princess. Increasing subsidies for fruit producers? Do you suppose it's a matter of rewarding for...services rendered, or...?"
"More likely we are about to attain a new gardener, judging by the paces that our Princess has been putting the object of her affection through. I think the budget recommendations serve as a most unconventional dowry."
The two shared a laugh and rounded the corner, but away from and missing Big Macintosh entirely. He'd been shielded by a shadowed portion of the hallway, and far enough away to be out of sight. Watching their retreating forms, still amiably gossiping between one another, Big Mac finally decided against chasing them down and doing his level best to be thrown in prison. They weren't worth it, not by a long shot. Regardless of that, those last words though had come uncomfortably close to his own observations.
Wouldn't these two know the inner workings of life in Canterlot better than he? No, Big Macintosh didn't want to dignify the disgusting things they'd said by taking them to heart. Try as he might though, he couldn't stop the idea from gnawing at him.
Having spent so much time immersed in his memories, Big Macintosh had been mechanically going through the motions of laying buckets, kicking trees free of their apples and then moving the now full containers off to the side. He'd only managed to become steadily more frustrated as he went, culminating with the realization that he'd completely let the conversation he'd overheard influence what he'd said to Celestia.
Thoughts matched actions, and Big Mac was jerked out of his thoughts by the loud, thudding impact of his back hooves against a tree. The sharp crack of timber was what had alarmed him, and turning to look at nearly uprooted tree was all the confirmation for what he'd done. He'd left the tree sagging away from him, roots clinging to the earth in an attempt to stay upright. He'd ended up hitting the tree so hard it'd nearly fallen over.
He turned with an unhappy sigh to stare at the damage, he'd ended up inadvertently letting his temper get the best of him and now he'd made more work for himself. The tree could be righted and settled, though the sizable hoof print embedded in the bark was going to be permanent. He wasn't a foal anymore, and he hadn't lost control of himself like that in years.
Even just thinking back to that time caused that particular memory to spring to the surface and start to play itself out. But this was interrupted by a quick bit of movement that jerked him out of his reverie.
There was a shuffle of hoofsteps and an alarmed intake of breath off to his left, his eyes naturally drawing there. Standing halfway against a tree only a few dozen feet away was Princess Celestia. She looked to be on the verge of panic at being caught and Big Mac wouldn't have been surprised if she vanished into thin air. For a brief moment he even thought it might have simply been his mind playing a trick on him.
But it was no trick, as she'd stayed quite where she was. Also Big Mac had never seen Princess Celestia missing her tiara, ornate horse shoes and necklace before. He'd also never seen her with red ringed eyes and her mane quite so limp and defeated. It made her seem smaller somehow, and it only took a few moments of consideration before Big Macintosh realized what the full impact of his words had caused.
Visibly swallowing, Celestia took a step forward and glanced towards the nearly uprooted tree he'd kicked. The glance only persisted for a few seconds, then she focused entirely on him. "I...Big Macintosh," she began, sounding tentative and unsure. "I came here to apologize. Would it be alright if I spoke with you for a few moments?"
Big Mac didn't answer immediately, his usual style born out of patience. Anything that was important to say deserved fair consideration. Did he want to talk with her?
The pause deepened, though by what he saw from Princess Celestia she didn't look nervous about the wait. Finally he gave a single nod and steeled himself for a conversation that was liable to last a great deal longer than a 'few moments'.
"Eeyup."
Running Day Court for a second time was a great deal less pleasant than it had been before. A heavy gloom had fallen over the entire assembly of ponies, and Luna felt the gloomiest of them all. It had been a very long night, punctuated with intercepting half a dozen letters from Twilight Sparkle. Her sister's pupil meant well but it hadn't been a distraction that Luna particularly wanted.
Courtiers, noble ponies and visitors alike were milling about the large chamber in hurried, hushed conversation. Occasionally she caught whispers of her sister's name or a glance towards the throne. Being its current occupant, Luna was finding it irritating to meet gazes that would quickly turn away.
In a way it was very fortunate that she'd had previous practice in running Day Court. Without even that bit of precedent her presence here would have been terribly awkward. As it stood, it was only slightly so. With tensions running high it was outside of Luna's expertise to sooth them. There was no speech, no proclamation that she could think to give that would settle their nerves.
"Your highness?" A voice off to her right spoke up to catch her attention. Luna glanced over to behold Notetaker, Celestia's aide. The filly in question wilted like a flower under her gaze, which Luna had come to understand wasn't so out of the usual for the flighty earth pony.
Oh, Notetaker was likely waiting for her to speak first. "Yes, Notetaker?" Was she missing something important? The previous Daycourt had simply been petitions on the part of her subjects.
Swallowing, and then glancing behind her, Notetaker pushed at her glasses and finally replied. "W-well, today was planned to be the entering of the yearly budget into the royal record. Perhaps it would be best to announce it for another, uh, day?"
An opportunity to read off a very long, dry manuscript of numbers? Luna could not imagine anything that would be more welcome to her at the moment, the alternative was to sit in awkward silence in front of countless ponies. "No, we shall take up this piece of business. Bring it forth."
Her sister's aide nodded immediately and made a beeline for a side door. Now all Luna had to do was bring the room into order, which seemed easy enough. Standing, which did half the work in quieting those assembled, she cleared her throat. "Hear now, it is time to read that which will continue thy royal government!" Only after speaking did she recall the gentle reminder her sister had given a few days ago that 'The Royal Canterlot Voice' had not been used in daycourt for hundreds of years.
Still, yelling at the top of her lungs had succeeded in properly cowing the many ponies before her into silence. If they seemed a bit...frazzled at their princess shouting at them it was a sacrifice Luna would just have to make.
Though not every pony was brought into complete silence. A hint of movement and what was undoubtedly a snide comment made under his breath brought Luna's gaze upon a certain nephews of hers. It really would have been in 'Prince' Blueblood's best interest not to have come to court today, she thought.
Mounting on the many headaches facing her was a quiet tip that had arrived from an editor at a local Canterlot newspaper. The news concerning her sister and her crush on Big Macintosh had finally reached the press. The editor had sworn up and down, after a very stern interrogation on Luna's part, that his paper would not breath a word of the crude rumors and speculation. That would still not stop the many tabloids that likely had countless pictures of the pair to fuel their disgusting articles. This latest bit of the unfolding drama would make it all the worse.
Luna knew exactly who was responsible for the majority of these rumors, the unsourced quotes from a 'prestigious member of the Canterlot aristocracy'. Reading the snippets the editor had brought were enough to leave Luna seeing red. Blueblood must have been very unhappy about losing in his power play on the Crystal Empire. He'd covered his tracks well though, and she could see no way in calling him on it.
She'd spent so long focused in on Blueblood that Luna missed the quiet nudge of Notetaker trying to catch her attention. "U-uhm, Princess Luna? Here is the budget. Would you like to have a pony enter it into the record officially for you?"
Luna turned, looking down at Notetaker trying to be helpful. The skittish little pony looked as if Luna was about to banish her to a far off land for the slightest trespass. If only she could inspire such a feeling from her neph-
A terrible, wonderful idea came to her just then. "No, that shall not be necessary. We shall read it, but first I wish to make an announcement." Notetaker only looked confused, as did those within earshot at her words. Luna only turned to look at the assembled court to make her address.
"An ancient land has opened itself up to access once more," she began. "One of great magic and mighty beings. It is from this land that we, the Royal Sisters, hail and once called home. Fear not for danger, for those who dwell in those far off places are content to their own affairs. But," Luna drawled slowly now, knowing she couldn't keep a predatory sort of glee out of her voice. "Equestria shall need a voice in this place known as Asgard. One who shall weather the ceaseless battles made in sport and the threat of powerful and terrifying monsters at their doorstep. They shall do this so that we may be safe and sound knowing our interests are known, our far off ambassador. Prince Blueblood."
Jerking in utter surprise, Blueblood stared with wide eyes up at her. The assembled ponies had turned to look at him, and a gasp had gone through more than once at her description of the place. "M-me? A-auntie..I mean, why would you wish to select me for such a...a honor, Princess Luna?" He was thinking of some way out now, which was just icing on the cake as far as she was concerned.
"We would not wish to insult our new neighbors, Prince Blueblood. Only one so near an equal to ourselves would be worthy as serving as ambassador. There is hardly a moment to waste, either. I encourage you to make for the train that will take you north within the day. I suggest you bring warm clothes, it will be a long journey." It was hard to not turn her tone down into a low, threatening one when so many ponies were present to hear it. If she'd thought to wait for a private audience she'd have been a great deal less nice about his new position. Though this way was better, he could hardly refuse her when she'd heaped so much praise on him.
The look of absolute horror from the reality of it all was what made it worth it. She couldn't be sure what part he'd find the worst, but from what she knew of him it was liable to be the utterly crass feasting done on a near constant basis. Prince Blueblood would likely find out in a hurry what the Æsir had to think about particularly uptight, smug unicorns.
With that done, and no attempts at argument forthcoming from her nephew, Luna turned back to Notetaker. There was a respectable stack of papers next to her. "This is the budget, correct?" Notetaker could only nod, eyes wide likely from the description of Asgard. Truthfully Luna had exaggerated, but not by much.
"Ahem," Luna began after she levitated up the appropriate documents. It'd be a long read ahead of her, but at least she felt a little better about how her day was going. It was keeping her mind off of more pressing issues. Her sister had left the castle sometime a few hours ago, and there were only a few places she could be. Luna could only hope that things ended on a better note than they had before.
On Celestia's suggestion they'd both gone for a short, silent walk away from where he'd been working. Big Macintosh hadn't been looking her way, hadn't even been thinking much. She was here to apologize to him? It was best to give her the chance to say what she liked, that was the most he could decide on. There wasn't much anger inside of him, not now that she was right here. If anything it seemed like his angry tirade had happened years ago.
"I didn't know you were going to be at the dinner, before." Celestia had spoken up so quietly that Big Mac registered the words a few seconds after the fact. It was such a huge difference from her usual confident way of speaking that it hardly seemed like she was the same pony.
Pausing, he turned to look at her closely. Even after all of his misgivings it felt impossible to think that Princess Celestia would be lying to him. He still took a moment to examine her, allowing the comment to hang and see if even a hint of dishonesty would fall out. Celestia didn't shrink, though she still looked as sad as ever. Perhaps she was telling the truth, and he cleared his throat. "The invitation was for all of us."
She nodded, and this time her reply carried a bit more confidence in it. "You were right about why I'd wanted your sisters and their friends at the palace. I'd made plans for both, as you saw. I have become very skilled in making plans throughout my rule. Being a Princess is," Celestia faltered for a moment and glanced towards the distant mountain of Canterlot. For a brief moment Big Mac thought she was going to sigh. "It is a great deal of responsibility, and I have found that a light touch serves best rather than merely giving commands."
"So my showing up was just a mistake or something?" Applejack hadn't been the only member of their family to inherit a strong conviction towards honesty. The whole last week had been spent with Big Macintosh observing those little manipulations from Princess Celestia. Just subtle enough that until she'd offered him the job he hadn't seen a way of calling attention to them. It also hadn't been quite enough to make him upset, either. Being 'very skilled' was an understatement as far as he was concerned, and he'd found it impossible to be completely at ease while having a conversation with her. It'd been like a game of chess, but now Big Mac supposed that the stress was a given when he'd suspected she was trying to trick him into....well, into what he'd accused her of.
There was a ghost of a smile from Princess Celestia at his words, but it hadn't lasted long. "I would call it an oversight, if anything. It's simply that," she paused again, closing her mouth and looking contemplative for a second. "I suppose there is no way of saying such a thing nicely. Before the previous week I had not given you very much thought, Big Macintosh."
Much like how she'd half-smiled, Big Mac snorted at that. It hadn't been very funny, but recalling how flustered she'd gotten at their first 'meeting' now made a great deal more sense. His very first assumption had been wrong then, and there was a needling feeling of shame at his yelling at her. Still there were countless unanswered questions about the rest of last week.
"I reckon I'm pretty easy to overlook, been days I've gone without saying more'n a half dozen words." Celestia was the one here to apologize, and so far she hadn't yet. Still the wound up knot of anger he'd made within himself had begun to unravel a fraction.
She looked more relaxed, and he watched as Princess Celestia took in a particularly large breath and released it with her eyes closed. After another moment she sat, rather than remain standing as they'd had until now. Big Macintosh didn't follow the motion, waiting for her to continue.
"You were right about the other things you said." Despite the previous show of relaxing, Princess Celestia looked nervous all over again. "I did attempt to maneuver you into becoming the groundskeeper of the palace, and I did...I do like you a great deal." Now it was out in the open, and Celestia looked away rather than meet his eyes. "I am so very sorry that I did not tell you sooner about the way in which I came to feel. It was a terrible mistake to try and manipulate you. The conclusions you reached were not what I intended, but in your position I could not see what else you could have thought."
It was a curious thing but Big Macintosh had noticed that Princess Celestia had a habit of over complicating her words when she was nervous. Or perhaps it was simply when she was around him, since he'd never witnessed her anything but resolutely calm before last week. Big Mac was feeling a bit uneasy himself at the moment. Not only had she went ahead and confessed that she had had feelings for him, but that she still did. The concept itself that he'd caught the eye of Princess Celestia was heavy, difficult to fully internalize. Here she was though, and waiting for some sort of an answer.
He came to one, but discarded the most pressing question that had been hounding him for a safer bet. "Why'd you want me to work in the gardens, then?"
What he'd really wanted to ask was 'why do you like me?', but it was likely a better idea to ask the other question first. Were either of them prepared for her to try and answer that question anyway?
Celestia nodded after a moment, and he wondered if she'd been waiting for the other question too. Most likely, she was smart. Incredibly smart. It was just one of the many things he liked about her. That notion was clamped down on, and hard, otherwise it might have gotten away from him. Of course he liked Princess Celestia, possibly as much as she liked him. It would only ever remain 'liked' though, he was certain of it.
"That..." She stopped almost as soon as she stopped, Big Macintosh waiting for her to choose her words carefully. "It was to avoid having to admit how I felt." Princess Celestia had been looking at him now, rather than glancing away. It didn't make the conversation feel any less awkward in Big Mac's opinion.
The answer itself was not really surprising in light of this side of Celestia he was now seeing. He'd crafted so many negative intentions out of only guesswork, all without knowing the why. They would be coming to the all important why soon, he realized. "You were just hoping to have the same week we'd had on a more regular basis?"
Celestia nodded by way of reply. "That was my wish, Big Macintosh. I have had very little experience in this manner of relationship, but that is no excuse for my immaturity. The feelings that our," Princess Celestia paused once more to collect her thoughts, "time together brought were not something I was use to. I was afraid that you would not return them, that I would lose what little I'd had."
During that momentary pause where she'd been picking her words carefully, Big Macintosh could almost swear he'd caught the hint of a blush. It was cute, something he was finding attractive. Vulnerable, the word dawned on him. It went a long way to explain things in his mind. A need to know drove at him to blurt out the definitive question he'd been so hesitant to ask before. "So why is it you reckon you like me so much?"
There, now he'd asked it at long last. Princess Celestia surprisingly didn't react much to the question, she only let out a long exhale. "That is a question I have given a great deal of thought. Before I felt it was because of how very independent you are, the lack of being needed." Celestia stood up, then, and paced off a few steps to face towards Canterlot. "I believe it may be more than that, though. Something I cannot explain, a connection perhaps. I like spending time with you, Big Macintosh. Even now."
Big Mac remained silent for the moment, simply watching her; thinking on the weight of the words. It hadn't been said outright, but it wouldn't have been any stretch to substitute one 'L' word for another, more powerful one. What would he say to that?
Before he could think of a reply, or even how he felt, Celestia spoke up again. "Do you remember when I asked you how you earned your Cutiemark before?"
He hadn't been expecting a question like that at all, and he cleared his throat to stall for time. "I remember that, yeah."
"I learned so much about you over the week, and I'd come to feel the way I did because of that." Celestia turned to look, smiling. It was a mournful smile though. "I never gave you an opportunity to learn many things about me, did I?"
Big Macintosh still could not think of a reply, but Celestia wasn't done speaking anyway.
"When Princess Luna and I were fillies the powerful beings that I spoke about were far more common in Equestria." Celestia had went back to looking up at Canterlot, her tone now distant in recalling what had to have been a long time ago. "There were very few pony settlements, and our family had regular dealings with the Æsir. It was such a long time ago that I did not go by the name Celestia, either. I was Sól, my father named Luna and I after the sun and the moon."
With little else to do but listen, Big Macintosh finally took his seat. It just so happened that he had moved to be much closer to Celestia than he'd had before. All previous misgivings aside, it was a rare honor to be told something like this. Big Mac appreciated it a great deal, having never heard the origin of either of the Alicorn princesses.
"When the Æsir learned that we'd been named after each celestial body they saw fit to elevate us. 'To make us worthy of such lofty titles' was how they put it." Celestia brought her wings up to demonstrate, dipping her head a fraction to also bring attention to her long, thin horn. "We were set to govern over both bodies, to move them in place of their original caretakers. At the time we were both all too eager to enter into that world, to join in their pantheon."
Only hints had been given before during that dinner which started all of this. If he'd thought to ask, Applejack might have been able to provide quite a bit of information. He'd had his guesses as to what might have happened when he cared to dwell on it, mostly that it must have been unhappy.
Celestia had paused for a moment, her eyes going distant in thought from the ancient memories. "Though we entered willingly, it soon became apparent the place we were meant to take. The Æsir needed warriors, more fighters in their endless conflicts with the giants. When my sister and I learned of the prophecy regarding the end of the world, we learned that we were to be devoured by fearsome wolves. Rather than face that destiny, we fled just before the entire land was frozen utterly."
From just that little bit it sounded like 'unhappy' was an understatement. He'd been watching her closely, could see the subtle frowns and looks of pain. There was a long history in just that short summary, with more possible questions than could be answered in a day. "The history books don't paint it as much of a happy time," he commented, not knowing what else to say.
"No, they were certainly not. The conflicts did not end when we returned to establish Equestria. Discord, and many other evils which needed to be stopped roamed free. After we had all of our victories there was a brief moment in which I thought we might have peace, but then my sister fell into darkness." Where there had been a simple retelling, Celestia grew solemn and quiet on finishing those last words.
They were nearly upon the modern day in her story, if a thousand years could be counted as 'nearly modern'. Big Mac could see just the hint of the root of how Celestia had come to be the pony she was today. "It was peaceful after that, mostly anyway." was his answer after a few seconds.
Looking over to him, the corners of her mouth turned up into a smile that did not quite finish. "It has been, though at a great cost. After all this time I see that I have come to close myself from almost everything. In times of crisis I have needed to be the strength which others could rely on. I think that now I have come upon a time in which I might want more. I have you to thank for that, Big Macintosh."
There was a note of finality in that, and Big Mac perked up as Celestia stood from where they'd been sitting together. He rose to join her, not saying anything immediately. It looked as if she was about to leave, was there time together about to come to an end?
With a deep exhale, Celestia stretched her neck back and closed her eyes. "I will hold last week in a special place, even though nothing ended up coming of it. I will leave you to your work now, Big Macintosh. Though, do you accept my apology for trying to manipulate you?" She opened them to look down at him, and it was a bit troubling to see the 'mask' falling back into place. That vulnerability he'd seen before was fading away, retreating.
She was expecting him to accept, which would quite cleanly end things. Big Mac would have liked a day to think it over, maybe a month. Decisions like that shouldn't happen so quickly. Maybe that was part of his problem, the thought occurred. As muddled and confused as his feelings had become from so much new information there was one thing he was sure of. He didn't want her to go, just yet.
"I reckon if you told me the story of how you got your mark, I might as well tell you mine. If'n you're not so busy you have to go." He ventured at long last, and enjoyed the sight of genuine surprise from Princess Celestia. Her eyes had jumped, her mouth had fallen open. She was of her guard once more, shocked at his offer.
In a odd way it made him feel good, and sad at the same time. She must have thought he hadn't felt the same way at all, though even he wasn't sure if he did. "I...would love to hear your story, Big Macintosh." Celestia sounded hesitant, everything felt alive and on a knife's edge all over again. Assuming she was right about how they might share a connection Big Mac could guess that she felt the same.
Some of the things that she'd spoken of about being strong for the sake of others had sprung up memories in his own past. It was some of why he'd been willing to share, he'd understood what she was saying. They did seem more similiar than he'd first believed. Maybe she would understand him, he hoped so when he began to speak.
"I really was out in a field with my pa, just like I said," he began. The vivid details swirled just in front of his eyes, taking him away from the apple orchard of the now to one only a few dozen feet from here. Though it was many years earlier, he could remember it well. "One thing I left out though was I'd just gotten in a fight..."
His eye stung terribly, the swelling made it even a little difficult to see out of. Macintosh didn't care for a second about that, pulling the plow along the empty field at a fever pitch. He'd be sore, but he had to channel the frustration and anger somewhere. Every so often he'd have a flash back to the fight, and despite being in so much trouble now he could feel pride at having given much more than he'd gotten.
That was going to be the last time that his classmates teased him about his family being poor apple farmers. It wasn't as if he disliked the work, or his family, it was merely the stigma that left him frustrated to no end. The things expected of him, the hard work he had to do early in the morning when his friends could goof off around town.
His father was walking out into the field now, probably come to horse whip or give him an earful about hoof fights after school. He'd recognize the familiar hat his pa wore anywhere, as well as the bit of straw he occasionally liked to chew on. Macintosh ducked his head to avoid the imagined stern gaze, and made the turn around with his plow to finish another row. What did his father know about how he felt, anyway? He was happy to farm apples his whole life, happy to be poor.
Unfortunately, the strategy of ignoring his father wasn't working out. No matter how frustrated he was, Macintosh couldn't hope to pull the plow faster than his dad could move to intercept and stand straight in front of him.
"I know what yer gonna say already," Macintosh challenged straightaway, now looking right up into his father's eyes in defiance. The anger hadn't died at all, now he was channeling it into a different direction.
His father raised a single eyebrow so that it practically touched the hat on his head. "Oh you do? Probably make it an easier conversation if you do all the talkin, then."
That did nothing to dissipate his frustration, in fact it only served to make him more angry. "I ain't sorry, not one bit." He held his head up high just to prove how very much not sorry he was. "They got what was comin to them, and I'd do it again."
"Yeah, I reckon they probably did," his father shrugged and shifted the bit of straw in his mouth. He'd tipped his hat back and surveyed out over the field Macintosh had been plowing. "Doing some fine work out here, Mac."
Instead of being angry now, Macintosh could only gawk. Far from what he'd been expecting, now he was only confused. Where was the lecture? "Beg yer pardon?"
Turning to look back at him, his father nodded. "You're getting to be a mighty strong stallion, Mac. I figure nothin in all of Equestria could stop you if'n you wanted to put your mind and muscles to it."
Confusion reigned, and Macintosh eased back from the straps held tight to the plow. "Ain't you goin to yell at me about pickin fights?" He asked, the question now too much for him to avoid asking.
"I thought you knew what I was already gonna say about all that," was his father's reply. He'd actually started to smile, which caused a flare of frustration from Mac at the idea he was being made fun of. "I could though," his father continued, "could probably get out the old strap and tan your hide too. Wouldn't learn you none, just like you said. There'll be a day that I won't be able to yell and holler at you at all, matter of fact."
This was an entirely new manner of parenting, one that Mac couldn't wrap his mind around. He could make out the angle, where the conversation was going to go. Rather than reply, he stayed silent. It seemed better to wait and see what his father would say next.
They looked evenly at one another for a long moment before his dad motioned off to the side. "Get yourself out of that plow and come for a walk with me." No matter how frustrated or angry Macintosh felt an order from his father wasn't to be refused. Some things were still sacred, anyway.
Following off a few paces to the side of his father, Mac was looking downward. His eye still stung, and now his body felt sore from the paces he'd been putting himself through. He'd bounce back soon enough with the advantages of being young, but it was distracting him away from his built up indignation.
It didn't take long before his father slowed down, which caused Macintosh to also slow. This particular part of the field gave a scenic view of the distant mountain of Canterlot. Macintosh had never been there, but he imagined it as a place where all important ponies congregated. Certainly not a place for him.
"Reckon I felt about the same way you do about being a farmer when I was about your age," his father started to speak up again. It snapped Macintosh out of his contemplation and back into focus. "No two ways about it, ain't much money in it. Certainly ain't no room for fame, and you're more'n likely to meet a pony here and there that thinks they're better than you on account of their hooves never getting dirty."
Mac didn't need to be reminded of all of that, he'd had those thoughts and more. "So, why bother be'n a farmer than?" He felt brave enough to ask, since questions had never been something to avoid in his family.
Tipping the brim of his hat up, his father gave a shrug. "Somepony has to be, I reckon. No food to eat if nopony growing it, not that we don't have plenty. Us ponies are nice folk for the most part, so it ain't like we're bout to go hungry." Pausing in thought, he gave an annoyed grunt. "What I'm tryin'n to say is that you can be any pony you like, Mac. Plenty of ponies around who got special talents that honestly ain't worth much to anyone. We take care of them all the same, but you got to decide which one you'd rather be. We'd never stop lovin you even if'n you never buck another apple tree in your life. What kind a pony you want to be, Mac?"
It was a mountain to contemplate, a new spin that he'd not appreciated before. Of course he'd known that the work his and all the other farms throughout Equestria was important, vital even. The chance was still there to walk away, and it would always be there. It was tempting to be sure, and Macintosh took a long moment to think on it.
Was he willing to take a life of ceaseless hard work? One where he would rarely be thanked for? A life of early mornings and aching muscles. Of scraping by for a living, because the alternative of getting rich meant hungry ponies? The more he thought about it the more he had to wonder why anyone would ever choose something like that. Only after replaying what his father had said did that reason dawn on him. It needed to be done, and the difficulty in such a choice meant that few would accept it. If he wouldn't, who would? His family needed him, and so did all of the other ponies. Even the ones who sneered at him and called him a dumb hick.
The sound of a cleared throat broke Mac's final conclusion. Jerking his head up, he saw his father smiling down at him. "I knew you'd make the right choice, son. I'm proud of you."
Confused, Macintosh could only tilt his head. "What do ya mean, pa?"
Answering without words, his father merely gestured towards his side. Turning, Mac saw a new mark on his flank. A simple green apple, split down the middle showing its center. Somehow he'd earned his cutiemark, but it really didn't seem so strange truthfully. He'd had that spark of inner reflection and that was all it took. The anger was gone, and he could be content he'd found what he'd be good at. Being an Apple to the core.
"I reckon it ain't the grandest story of how a pony earned their Cutiemark, but it's mine." Big Macintosh finished talking and shrugged, returned out of his memories and back next to Celestia. She was smiling warmly now, as brightly as he'd ever seen. It had felt good to share, better than Big Mac had thought.
"It was a lovely story, Big Mac. You have become a very admirable stallion," Princess Celestia replied and remained smiling for a long moment. Then there was a flicker, some thought must have occurred to her. Surprisingly enough to him, Big Macintosh thought he knew what it must have been.
If he was right, it wasn't a question she'd ever ask on her own. The long unspoken question of the Sweet Apple Acres family. As much as it had felt nice recounting his Cutiemark story, Big Mac knew that this story would never feel good telling. Still, Celestia had shared her unhappy past, he should share his. They were being honest with each other now after all.
Clearing his throat, Big Macintosh spoke up against his inner reluctance to do so. "Not too long after that, Applebloom was born. We was all happy as can be at another Apple. Cept that Ma took to sleeping a whole lot during the day, more'n a mare should after a foal. By the time we called for a doctor it was too late, some sort of long fancy name for a disease you get from a little mosquito. She's buried over on the other edge of the farm." Those last lines had been delivered in complete monotone, as well as his gesture in the general direction.
By now a large white wing was wrapped around him, bringing him closer to its owner. Celestia was so much bigger this close, and warmer even than he would have thought. There was only concern written on her face, and she leaned down to press her head up against his in an instant hug. Big Macintosh did not mind the closeness at all. "I am so very sorry, Big Macintosh," she said gently.
Still, he wasn't finished. "Pa was never the same after that, he took to drink and wouldn't shake it off. Years went by and me'n Applejack started to take over the farm. Things seemed normal up until there was an accident out in the barn, Pa'd said he'd be getting back into work and broke his neck in one of the rafters. He's buried next to Ma now."
The hug only tightened, and it did some good in dispelling the coiled up feelings he'd long since repressed deep down inside. What was worse was that he'd told Princess Celestia a lie, or at least an incomplete truth. Not even a rare moment of opening up could get him to tell her, not anyone in the world, what he knew. He clamped down on the few bursts of vivid imagery that threatened to swirl, foremost a note telling him to come to the barn. A note that reminded him to take care of his family.
"Thank you for telling me, Big Mac," Celestia spoke quietly, still hugging him rather fiercely. Coming back from the dark emotions, Big Macintosh wondered when embarrassment might set in. This was quite a bit closer than either of them had ever been to one another. It didn't seem likely to stop anytime soon either, and on reflection he realized how rude it was not to return a hug given by a Princess. With great effort he willed his right hoof up and gingerly snaked it around Celestia's neck.
That felt good too, and he could feel the slight stiffen from her at the returned bit of intimacy. Slowly, though still too fast than he would have liked, the hug came to an end. They were still all but flank to flank even with it ended, and they remained there. A moment passed, and Celestia began to clear her throat. He could see that she was a bit red, blushing, and she was about to speak up. Though Macintosh had one last thing he wanted to say.
"What you'd said before got me thinkin about all that, about how we're more alike than you or I thought. We do what we can for everypony who needs it, whether they're thankful or not. Seems like it ends up not always working out though, that bad things are bound to happen. Reckon that's what we're there for too, to be tough and dependable when other ponies would rather cry their eyes out." He nodded at last, confirming his thoughts on the matter. It had been quite a bit more talking than he usually did, his mouth felt dry. Surely it was just the talking; he reflected, while looking at Princess Celestia sitting next to him.
She didn't answer for a number of seconds, and then nodded herself. "I think you're right, Big Macintosh."
Then there was silence again, the pair of them sitting together. It was a nice silence, a gentle breeze rustled through the grass and shook the apple trees. The warmth of the hug still lingered, and he could feel just the faintest contact of their flanks. They were alternating between looking quietly at one another, and occasionally away at other things. The silence was gradually turning awkward though, and try as he might Big Mac couldn't think of something to break it. They'd reached this...whatever it was, and he certainly didn't think it time to pull back.
Princess Celestia spoke up again, "Do you think..." Then she stopped herself, pausing and closing her mouth before the question could finish.
There were guesses on his part on what it would be, but Big Macintosh didn't want to risk being wrong. "Yeah?" He asked.
Taking a deep breath, Celestia appeared to center herself to finish her train of thought. "Do you think it is possible for ponies like us to have another, a pony we can depend on when we're the ones in need?"
Everything seemed to have led up to this point. Big Macintosh could feel his heart beating quickly, and his mouth felt like a desert. Curiously his mind was a blank, but that was probably a good thing. He looked closely up at the imposing, regal Alicorn princess who had made his last week one of the most complicated of his life. A choice was there, much like how he'd earned his special purpose.
She was waiting, and he could see just how nervous a question like that was leaving her. As exposed and vulnerable as she'd ever been, far more than the last time she'd asked something so important of him. He didn't have much the heart to leave her in tears this time, but truthfully he couldn't think of a single thing to say.
Then he realized just how close they were, and how to reply to her question became obvious. Long, flowery answers weren't much of his style anyway. Before Big Mac could think about how it might be a bad idea, he gave his answer. Leaning up, his eyes caught surprise but no pull away from her. Celestia's lips were warm, and though she didn't press back much for the kiss he could tell it wasn't unwelcome. He lingered for only a few moments, and then, giddy all over, he broke the quick peck and returned to looking up at her.
She looked flushed and he could tell that his style of answer had probably not been something she'd have expected. Celestia gave a nervous laugh. "I suppose that would be a yes, correct?" It was nice to see how flustered something so simple had gotten her, Big Macintosh wondered if that would become something he'd try to do often.
"Eeyup," a familiar answer seemed best. Otherwise he'd probably have just went to kiss her again, which seemed entirely appealing in his opinion anyway. Celestia only smiled, and he returned it with a grin of his own.
"Things will be very complicated because of this," Celestia said quietly.
He already figured as much when he'd kissed her. "Reckon they will be."
Celestia looked towards Canterlot, and then smiled. "I do not mind complicated, but what should we do now?"
That was actually a good question, they'd spent quite a bit of time out here in the fields. "There's breakfast back at the house, you have time to stay for awhile?"
Blinking, Princess Celestia had a genuine laugh at the suggestion. "I do have time, I confess that I did not have breakfast this morning. I hope that your family will approve of me, Big Macintosh."
It was a funny joke, but Big Macintosh knew that they were both about to be bombarded with questions. A lot of questions, though that was not going to be limited to just the ponies they knew. "Reckon you'll pass Granny Smith's standards, though Twilight came over for a visit. Think I'll pass hers?"
They'd both stood up and started to slowly make their way to the farmhouse. He was enjoying this, and things seemed as lively and vibrant as they'd been during the more pleasant moments last week. Celestia nudged him gently with her nearest wing. "It's not Twilight you should be concerned about, Big Mac. I imagine that my sister will have quite a few things to say."
He could already see how she might, but it seemed a minor concern in the large scheme of things. The farmhouse was drawing closer now. The first of many things they'd share together, those first introductions and surprised reactions from loved ones. All of those experiences, and many more, he was looking forward to it. Glancing over to Celestia, he could see only a warm smile. She met his eyes, and the look they shared was all the confirmation he needed to know she felt the same.
Excerpts from the front page of The Ponyville Daily
Princess Celestia and her new coltfriend take a walk through Ponyville, by Ink Stain
It has been a week since the story broke throughout all of Equestria about Princess Celestia's sudden decision to have a coltfriend. Where only rumors had swirled before, now there is definitive proof. Her royal highness paid an official visit to Ponyville yesterday, and was seen walking to Sugar Cube Corner with Ponyville local 'Big' Macintosh Apple. This appears to have been their first date, and all evidence points to it being a success. Curiously, there appears to have been a significant lack of members of the Canterlot press following the Princess on her return visit in stark contrast to the previous few days where they had virtually invaded Ponyville. (Editors Note, for a related news story see 'Princess Luna's War on Freedom of the Press: A Secret Dungeon Under the Palace?' on page 2.)
The reaction among regular ponies in Ponyville appears to be overwhelmingly positive for the new change. Pinkie Pie, close confidant in the Princess's inner circle and employee at Sugar Cube Corner had this to say. "Oh it's just so sweet! I'm so happy that I could throw a party. You know what? I will! Oh oh, and did you know something? The Princess and Big Mac could name their first foal Monarch! Wouldn't that be great?!" Speculation to that extent is still highly theoretical, though this reporter agrees that it would be a good choice.
Other locals had their own interesting perspectives to put forward, two other members of the Princess's inner circle, Rarity and Fluttershy, were reached for comment. "It's absolutely romantic, I think. Do you know what the truly dreadful thing is though?", Rarity was quoted as saying. "First Twilight's older brother gets married to a princess, and now Applejack's is dating Princess Celestia? Why don't I have an older brother!?" Fluttershy could not be reached for similiar comments instead to say that she approved.
Neither of the Elements of Harmony closest to the Princess and her new Coltfriend would agree to an interview. Applejack and Twilight Sparkle, sister and student to 'Big' Macintosh and Princess Celestia respectively, declined to speak on the record citing privacy. Though on returning from Sweet Apple Acres this reporter was met with the last member of the Elements of Harmony, Rainbow Dash, who insisted we include her in the article as well.
"I don't care about any of that mushy stuff with the Princess and Applejack's brother. Do you know all the cool, totally super awesome things we did up in Asgard?" It should be noted during this interview that Rainbow Dash was wearing a rather large helmet with horns on it. "I hoof wrestled just about everypony there and even got to swing this huge axe! I also got to fly with Valkyries! Do you know what a Valkyrie is? They're like Wonderbolts but they have these huge spears and kick so much flank. After I become a Wonderbolt I'm going to have us race to see who's faster, and it's going to be us."
The interview went on for a great deal longer, but returning to the subject at hoof this reporter can sum up all commentary on the Princess's new relationship with this opinion shared by every pony she spoke with in Ponville. We are very happy to know that Princess Celestia has found a pony to be happy with, and can only wish her and Big Macintosh the best.