//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Hearth's Warming Eve in Ponyville // by EloquenceInkwell //------------------------------// Fluttershy happily packed up her presents into two very large saddlebags in preparation for a pre-Hearth’s Warming party with all of her best friends at Twilight’s castle. She hummed to herself as she packed, thinking about how excited everypony would be to get their gifts, and how happy she was that everypony had decided to have this party. They couldn’t all be together for the real Hearth’s Warming Eve, so Pinkie Pie had thought up the idea to have a special Hearth’s Warming party a few days in advance for just the six of them, plus Spike of course. She finished packing and looked around the cottage at the decorations she’d put up for the holiday. As usual her eyes caught her favorites, a Cloudsdale snow globe and a framed glittery party invitation. She pulled on her saddlebags and threw her scarf around her neck before trotting off to the castle. ~ Fluttershy entered the castle’s study where the party was being held and her jaw dropped. She had seen this room before, but she still hadn’t gotten over how beautiful it was. It was huge, and full of rows and rows of crystal bookshelves filled with books on every subject imaginable. There were also a number of cozy chairs and other furnishings surrounding a roaring fireplace that operated on magic alone, yet still felt as cozy as a normal wood fireplace. There were of course beautiful decorations too, garlands and lights and a big Hearth’s Warming tree with gifts piled under it, and a long table that was both beautifully set and piled with food and drink, enough for twenty ponies, or in this case for five ponies, a baby dragon, and Pinkie Pie. Most importantly though, all of her friends had already arrived, and greeted her excitedly from their places scattered about the room. “Hey Flutters! Need a hoof with that?” Rainbow Dash asked as she flew above Fluttershy and lifted her heavy saddlebags off her back with little effort. “Oh, thank you Rainbow. Those bags have all of my presents for everypony in them.” “Gotcha.” Rainbow Dash replied as the two pegasi made their way towards the tree and unpacked Fluttershy’s gifts. Rainbow Dash paused when she found the one with her name on it and began to examine it, sizing it up and shaking it lightly. The gift was quickly swiped from her by a blue aura of magic. “Honestly Rainbow, you’re not a filly, you can wait to open it and you know you won’t guess what it is.” Rarity chastised. “But I wanna know what I gooooot!” Rainbow said with a pout, playing up the sad filly routine. Rarity responded with an eye roll and a sigh before turning her attention to Fluttershy. “I’m so glad you’re here darling, the group could stand to be balanced out with somepony a bit more demure.” Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out at Rarity before flying off to go chat with somepony else. Rarity tried to look offended, but couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She turned back to Fluttershy and quickly noticed her scarf, picking it up in her magic. “I can’t believe you still have this old thing.” She said as she examined it. “I really have come a long way in the years since I made this, the stitching is certainly not my best, and I really should have gone with a smaller tassel and a more muted red. I would be happy to make another one like this for you dear.” “Oh, thank you Rarity, but you don’t have to do that. This is the first thing you ever made me, and I’ll always be happy to receive anything from you, but I wouldn’t trade this for the prettiest scarf in Equestria.” Fluttershy said, holding the scarf against her cheek. “Bu-bu-bu…” Rarity stammered, her face twitching until it formed a huge smile. She hugged her soft-spoken friend, nearly knocking her over. “You’re so adorable!” She bellowed in a rather unladylike manner. “Fluttershy!” Pinkie tackled her friend, taking Rarity down with them. “I’m so glad you’re here, now everypony is here!” Twilight and Spike followed close behind, giggling. “Welcome Fluttershy.” The alicorn said as her dragon assistant helped Rarity and then Fluttershy to their hooves, which given his size wasn’t all that helpful, but was graciously appreciated by the two mares nonetheless. “I can’t wait to show you the new Fluttershy section of my library!” Twilight burst out. “I reorganized the whole library, and I-“ Twilight was cut off by a jab from a scaly elbow. “I mean, we reorganized the whole library, and I had the great idea to organize some of the books based on how they pertain to each of my friends’ interests. I don’t really have enough books to make your sections very big yet, but you all at least have a couple of shelves. I’ve been calling it the Friendship Wing, even though it isn’t really a wing. Maybe someday there will be enough books for a real Friendship Wing, oh that would be so cool!” Twilight pranced in place while Spike rolled his eyes. “She’s been like this for days.” He said shaking his head. “I’ve go to admit though, my section is pretty cool. Lots of stuff about dragons, lots of comic books, she even found a gem-tasting guide.” “That you’ve been drooling over ever since I found it.” Twilight chimed in. “Well can you blame me? They describe some of the rarest, most mouth-watering gems in there…” Spike lost focus and began to salivate. Twilight laughed and prodded Spike to bring him back to reality. “Howdy Flutters.” Applejack walked towards Fluttershy, giving her a soft bump with her torso when she arrived at her side. “Before I forget, Granny wanted me to check to make sure you’re comin’ to dinner on Hearth’s Warmin’.” “Oh of course! I wouldn’t miss it!” “And then you’re coming to my party afterwards, right?” Pinkie Pie said from Fluttershy’s other side, giving her a not-so-soft bump that nearly sent her careening into Applejack. “Yes, for a little while at least Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash and Rarity made their way over to where the group was gathering. “So, since we’re all here, does that mean it’s time to open presents?” Dash asked as she landed in the circle that was forming. “I don’t see why not.” Twilight answered. “What do you think Pinkie? You are the party coordinator after all.” “I think that sounds like a great idea!” “All right, but first, everypony sit in a circle.” Spike smiled and sat down where he was. The others looked confused, but eventually sat down as well. “I thought it might be fun to share my family tradition with all of you.” Twilight said as she settled down into the circle. “Every year, before my family opens presents, we sit in a circle and each say one thing that we’re grateful for, to remind ourselves that good things don’t just come wrapped up in boxes, that life gives us presents all year round, and we just have to take the time to appreciate them.” The other ponies nodded in understanding while Twilight spoke again. “So, who wants to go first?” “Oh! Me! I do! Pick me Twilight!!” Pinkie replied, enthusiastically waving her hoof in the air like a school-filly. “Ok Pinkie, you first.” “I’m grateful for all the parties I get to have this time of year. I get to have a party with my friends and one with my family and one with all of Ponyville!” She turned to the pony to her left. “Your turn Rarity!” “Let’s see… I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to work with so many amazing ponies this past year. I can hardly believe how successful my little Carousal Boutique has been.” Rarity smiled and turned her head. “I believe you are next, Rainbow Dash.” “That’s easy, I’m grateful for getting into the Wonderbolts Reserves!” Rainbow Dash tossed her mane and turned to Twilight. “You’re up Sparkle.” Twilight laughed before taking her turn. “Wow, I don’t even know what to say. So much has happened, I mean, look at me!” She flared her wings for both emphasis and example. “I think if I had to pick one thing, it would be that of all the things a pony can become princess of, I got to become the Princess of Friendship, because I think that’s the best kind of princess I could possibly be.” She bent down and nuzzled her dragon friend. “Your turn, Spike.” “I’m grateful that I get to be the number one assistant to the best alicorn in Equestria!” “You say that every year Spike.” Twilight replied. “Nu-uh. I say the best unicorn every year, but this year you’re not a unicorn anymore.” Twilight sighed and nuzzled her silly little dragon, who turned to the next pony. “Your turn Applejack!” “Huh, well ah guess ah could just say I’m grateful to be runnin’ Sweet Apple Acres better than I ever have before, but that’s true every year.” A thought occurred to her and she laughed. “I’m grateful that those Flim-Flam brothers haven’t shown their faces around my farm since summer!” Her friends all laughed too, and she turned towards the last pony in the group. “You’re up Fluttershy.” Fluttershy thought quietly for a moment, then a small smile spread across her face. “I’m grateful that, even if we’ll be apart on the actual day, right now I get to spend Hearth’s Warming Eve with my family.”