"Now in future you need to be more careful when applebucking. You'll want to be staying off that leg for a couple of days at the least" The doctor noted matter-of-factly, re-adjusting his glasses as he finished signing Applejack out of the hospital.
"But...but...ah got work to do on the farm! ah can't just sit around doing nothin' all day! It's applebuckin' season!" Applejack's stomach churned at the thought. No applebuckin'?. Applejack had spent almost all of her years labouring in the orchards, never once missing such a busy time of year. "Surely ah can do something. Anything!"
The doctor continued to study his notepad as Applejack waited impatiently for a response. He finally lifted his head up "Well there is something you can do..."
Applejack's face lit up and she took a step towards the doctor. "Well, what? What is it, doc?"
"Follow my instructions and rest." The doctor put a re-assuring hoof on Applejack's shoulder "I'm sure that the rest of the Apples will be happy to look after you until you're better."
Applejack slowly sat down on the nearest bed, seeds of doubt clouding her thoughts as she tried to come to terms with the situation. She shut her eyes and let out a small sigh before turning to look at Big Macintosh and Applebloom standing in the doorway behind her. "But...all that work down at the orchards..."
"Don't worry big sis! Me and Big Mac can handle the apples together! You could do with the rest as it is. From what ah recall, you haven't had a single day off in like...forever!" Applebloom beamed at Applejack with her regular optimism and began to trot out of the room. Big Mac strode over to Applejack,offering a sympathetic smile before hugging her with his massive forehooves.
"It'll be alright, Applejack" Big Macintosh said softly "Ah know you like to take charge with these sorts of things but we can handle it"
"Ah know, ah know but...ah feel like ah'm letting y'all down. Applebuckin' season is my favourite time of year, you know that" Applejack looked up at her brother, tears beginning to form in her tired eyes, while Big Mac continued to hug her.
"It's only a minor injury, Applejack." Big Macintosh stepped out of the embrace, offering a hoof out to Applejack. "You're getting worked up over nothing."
Yeh...maybe, Applejack began to head to the exit. She drooped her ears as she headed out into the chilly morning air. A faint mist had descended over Ponyville in the night, and the grass was damp underfoot as the Apples returned to Sweet Apple Acres, barely visible in the distance. Applejack walked along the dirt path much slower than she was used to, her bandaged hind leg trailing behind her, dragging along the floor causing dust to fly up into the air behind them. As she looked around, she was surprised to see how many ponies were already out and about. Some had saddlebags and were standing around the market stalls, eyeing every offer, clearly intent on grabbing the freshest produce while others were clustered together in small groups, chatting and laughing together. In one of the groups, Lyra popped her head up to see Applejack and gave her a friendly wave. Applejack smiled and gave a weak nod in reply before continuing along the path with Big Macintosh and Applebloom.
They finally arrived back at the farm as the mist began to clear, letting rays of sunshine pierce through the grey haze and herald the beginning of yet another sunny day in Equestria. Not that this made Applejack feel much better. She couldn't help but fidget as she continued along the path, clumsily trying to get at an itch which was, ironically, directly under the bandage on her leg. Trying to ignore it made things worse and Applejack grunted angrily, desperately attempting to forget about it. Granny Smith sat in her rocking chair in front of the gate to the farm, gradually rising from her seat before going to welcome back the others.
"And how's our little Apple doing, hm?" Granny Smith asked as the trio headed up the path. "You had quite the nasty accident there, honey. Ah ain't seen something like that since I was just a filly"
It's not THAT bad, Applejack thought, trying to offer the most sincere smile she could muster. "Don't you worry, Ah'll be ready to start working again soon."
"Oh Applejack! You don't need to worry about that, ah can keep everything organised while you rest up!" Granny Smith smiled at Applejack as the apple farmer's left eye began to twitch, her mouth agape. Granny? Running the farm?, Applejack's eyes were wide with shock. "Granny, ar-aren't you a bit old for that sort of thing now?"
"Pfft! Pony-feathers. I was running the farm for years alongside my pappy and beyond! I'm sure I can handle it, young 'un!" She gave a confident jerk of the head, resting her forelegs on the nearby fence. She flinched as it collapsed and fell to the ground in pieces at her hooves. Applejack steadily moved away as Granny Smith began shouting insults at the bits of wood that covered the dirt, her eyes shifting from left to right uncomfortably. She turned to see the others stifling a laugh as Granny continued to make a mess of the front of the farm. "So...y'all are comfortable with Granny running the show?" Applejack continued to stare in disbelief at Granny, hoping that they'd change their minds.
"Eeyup!" Big Macintosh gave a smile as he made his way into the farmhouse. Applebloom who was excitedly skipping around, quickly followed him inside, practically radiating happiness with every step she took. Applejack let out a small chuckle.Nothing fazes that darn' filly she thought to herself. Y'know...maybe they're right. It'll be nice to unwind a bit while ah heal up. Ah'm sure that everythi-
"You good fer' nothing piece o' timber, you!" Applejack winced as her train of thought was sharply interrupted by Granny's ranting echoing throughout the orchard. She watched Granny pacing around with a disinterested expression. She continued to watch Granny make more of a mess with every smash of her hooves against the broken fence. Granny eventually tripped over her own legs while attempting to continue her assault, getting a face full of dirt as a reward. By this time, Applejack's mind was too full of complaints about her situation to focus on what was happening in front of her. That was, however, until an idea crept into Applejack's brain that made her grin and rub her hooves together. If ah can't convince them to let me work the orchards...ah'll just have to get out there mahself, she thought.