//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Tales of Valor: A New Pony in Ponyville // by NobleValor //------------------------------// "There," the doctor replied, "that wasn't so bad was it?" "For which one of us, doc?" Noble replied, stifling a groan. The doctor shot a glare over his glasses. He then turned to Twilight Sparkle. "Well, there seems to be no serious damage. As long as he does nothing to strain himself, he should be fine. Just change his bandages every twelve hours and see to it he receives plenty of nourishment and rest." "All of which I told you hours ago," Noble muttered sourly, crossing his forelegs in front of him. "It wasn't that we didn't believe you, Noble," Twilight replied, "it just sounds more official coming from him." "Normally, I don't make house calls," Dr. Stable replied, placing his equipment in his doctor's bag with his magic, "but, this was a special case." "Sorry you came for nothing, doc," replied Noble. "Oh, nonsense. Better safe than sorry. While I'm here, do you mind if I ask a question, Noble?" Noble raised an eyebrow expectantly. "Did you really fight off five timberwolves?" "No, I fought two timberwolves. The other three ran away before anything happened." "Fascinating," the doctor replied, gathering his bag in his magic aura, "Good morning all." "Wait a minute," Twilight replied, suddenly shocked, "Is today Monday?" "Yeah," Noble replied, "why?" "Oh, no! No-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no." "What's the matter, Twilight?" Spike asked, entering the room. "Well," Twilight began with a panicky voice, "with everything that has happened the past few days, I forgot I still had a ton of things I had to do." "Why don't you do them today?" Noble inquired. "I would, but somepony needs to tend the library and I'll need Spike to help me with most of them." Noble thought for a moment, before replying, "I'm somepony." "I'll never get those things done now," she replied, not hearing him. "Twilight?" "Oh, it's all ruined!" "TWILIGHT!" Noble shouted, finally silencing the mare. She turned to him, eyes wide with shock. "I could keep an eye on the library while you get your errands done." Her eyes shifted from shock to wonder. "You'd do that for me?" "Why not?" he shrugged, "I owe you at least that much for bedding me down in your library for the past two days." Noble saw Twilight's eyes light up as she skipped around the room like a school filly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" "You're welcome," Noble chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Noble," Twilight replied, as a thought had just occurred to her, "Can you handle running a library by yourself?" "Well," Noble began sheepishly, "I've never done anything like it before, but I can do my best. Besides, it'll only be for an afternoon." "What about your injury?" "You heard the doc. As long as I don't strain myself, I'll be fine." "Today being Monday means it shouldn't be too busy," Twilight thought aloud, "and you are close enough to the door to hear anypony enter. Alright, you can watch the library. Is there anything you need before we go?" "Just a pitcher of water and a book to stave off boredom. Anything having to do with wildlife would work." Twilight beamed at him, levitating a book from the shelf to his bedside. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate this, Noble." "Really, it's nothing," Noble replied, hiding his blush. Twilight's face changed to one of concern. "Are you certain you can handle this by yourself?" "Don't worry, I'll be fine. After timberwolves, books should be a breeze." She smiled again and looked at the clock. "I'll try to be back before one. Come on, Spike." "But, Twilight," Spike replied shakily, "what if Noble needs something while we're gone?" "I'll be fine, Spike," Noble replied, placing a hoof on the dragon's head, "I'm quite accustomed to handling situations when they arise. I'll be fine until you two get back." Spike still looked doubtful, but nodded his consent. "Come on, Spike!" Twilight called, "We have a lot to do if we hope to get back in time." He trotted after Twilight, glancing nervously back at Noble as he exited the room. Noble smiled at the little dragon's concern, admiring the little guy more and more. Noble settled himself into bed, making himself comfortable. There was no point in leaving until he had a chance to heal. Besides that, he told Twilight he would watch the library. Noble had done a few things in his life he wasn't proud of, but he always kept his word. He picked up the book Twilight got for him, cocked an ear to listen for the door, and began reading. ************************************************************************** Noble closed the book, rubbing his eyes with his hooves. He took a glance at the clock and read eleven-thirty off the face. Realizing he had been reading for two and a half hours, he decided it would be a good time for a break and try his legs again. He rose out of the bed slowly, his joints stiff from disuse. After spending quite a few seconds of rising, he stood erect for the first time in two days. He waited a moment for the wave of dizziness he was certain would follow, but nothing happened. He breathed a sigh of relief realizing that he didn't have to go through that again. Feeling confident that it wouldn't come, he decided stretch his legs. He carefully spread them before him, working the kinks out of his unused muscles. As he let himself up, felt better than he had a little while ago. Feeling bolder still, he decided to have a better look at his temporary dwelling. He walked slowly from room to room, mindful of his steps as though each one were his first. He was certain he looked awkward walking the way he was, but, at the moment, it was more beneficial than having to pick himself up again. Thankful that nopony else was around to see him, he marveled at the dwelling that Twilight Sparkle had chosen for herself. Noble was surprised at how roomy it was. Even though he was certain it was done with magic, he had to admire how the architecture adapted to the growth of the tree. He was a bit surprised that an alicorn princess would live in such a humble place, however, from what he discovered talking to Twilight, he thought it fit her perfectly. "Twi," a voice called while the front door opened. The voice had a very distinct country twang to it, a little like Apple Bloom's but more defined. 'Might as well see who it is,' Noble thought, making his way slowly to the lobby. "Twilight," the voice called, louder this time, "Spike! Either of y'all here?!" When Noble entered the lobby he spotted an orange mare with a blonde tail and mane wearing a brown Stetson on her head. She hadn't seen him yet and, not wanting to startle her, he cleared his throat upon entering the room. When she turned her grass green eyes toward him, a friendly smile emerged between her freckled cheeks. "Well, howdy there, Noble!" she replied enthusiastically, "A pleasure to meet you." "How do you do," Noble replied reservedly, bowing as he did, "Who are you, if I may ask?" "I'm Applejack and I was one of the ponies that helped carry you to Ponyville." The name caught in his memory. "You're Apple Bloom's sister." Her look changed to one of pride as she replied, "Yeah, and she told me all about you." "She told me about you, too," Noble replied with a smile. "I hope she didn't give you too much trouble." "No, she was a little angel. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, too." Applejack favored him with a relieved smile. "Was there something I could help you with?" Noble inquired. "Well, I was lookin' for Twilight. She around?" "Not right now," Noble replied, "She and Spike are in town running errands. I'm minding the library until then." Applejack's look changed to one of curiosity. "Are you sure you should be up and walkin' in that condition?" "The doctor already saw me and said I would be fine as long as I don't strain myself," Noble informed her. "Sugarcube," she replied concernedly, "you were attacked by timberwolves. You need to get some rest." "I was in bed all of yesterday and a good portion of Saturday," he replied, "I think that's enough rest for anypony. Besides..." "Noble," Applejack cut him off, desperation clear in her voice, "you don't need to prove you are a strong pony. We all know you are, but, even the strongest of ponies need to get rest. I had to learn that the hard way once. So please, sugarcube, for my sake, would you go back to bed and rest?" Noble was beaten. He fought everything from timberwolves to manticores to cockatrices, but one thing he couldn't fight against were a mare's pleas. He sighed defeated. "Fine, I'll go back to bed and rest." A smile bloomed on her face, brighter and sweeter than sunshine on a rainy day. "Thank you. I'll even go and keep ya company." "I'll go to bed," Noble replied, "I'm not going to try anything dishonest." "It's not that," Applejack replied, chuckling, "I've got to talk to Twilight anyway, so I might as well stay. Besides, I would like to get to know you some more." At that moment, Noble got nervous. He wasn't anxious for other ponies to learn about him, especially genuinely nice ponies like the ones he met so far. However, he did owe them something for the Everfree Forest rescue, if it could be called that. Reluctantly, he reached a conclusion: he wouldn't lie to them, he just wouldn't let them in on the whole truth. Hopefully, it wouldn't haunt him later. ************************************************************************** "Noble," Spike shouted, "we're back!" "In here, Spike!" Noble shouted back, "and we aren't alone." Spike burst through the room at a jog, a smile on his face made bigger when he saw Applejack. "Sorry we're late," Twilight replied entering the room, "I hope it wasn't too much trouble for you." "Not at all," Noble replied, giving a small bow, "Fortunately, I had Ms. Applejack here to help." "Just make it Applejack, sugarcube," Applejack replied chuckling. "What brings you into town Applejack?" Twilight asked the farm pony. "I need to talk to you about somethin' in private," she replied, placing gentle emphasis on the last two words. "Oh," Twilight replied, her eyes widening in realization, "excuse us a moment." With that, the two mares left the room, leaving Noble and Spike staring blankly at each other. "Girls, man," Noble replied bewilderedly. "Got that right," Spike agreed, folding his arms over his chest. Noble moved to pick up his book, but dropped it open on the floor. "I got it," Spike replied, moving to pick up the book. He opened the book, blowing the contents from the floor off. He glanced at the page and lifted an eyebrow quizzically. "Why are you so interested in woodland creatures, Noble?" he asked innocently, handing the book to Noble. "No particular reason," Noble answered. "Sounds boring," Spike replied with a shrug, "Want me to get you some more water?" "Please and thank you," Noble replied, as Spike left the room. He instantly turned to the book, locating the area he was reading. He found it and continued to read the section concerning timberwolves.