//------------------------------//
// All As It Should Be 
// Story: Appledashery 
// by Just Essay 
//------------------------------//

	The door opened, and immediately Queen Shindig gasped.

"Apple Jewell!"  The alicorn lunged forward, wings spread.  She hugged the dainty mare close to her, nearly lifting the Cider Princess off her hooves inside the suites of Shindig's Tower.  "Oh, blessed orchards, I thought I lost you!"

"Mmmmm..."  Apple Jewell huffed slightly, stepping back out of the hug and straightening her mane.  "A thousand pardons, Momma.  I woulda gotten yer attention sooner if I wasn't sure how much trouble it would have caused."

"And those ruffians certainly caused trouble, alright," Shindig said with a frown.  She nodded towards the guards who had escorted Apple Jewell safely.  As the stallions trotted off, she closed the door with her magic and paced back to a plush couch, guiding Apple Jewell along with her.  "Flim and Flam told me all about it.  That blasted Blue Jay!  If she and her band of rogues haven't learned better from all of this trauma and turmoil... I swear by all that is holy..."

"You musn't fret, Momma," Apple Jewell said, stumbling to keep up with the mare.  She winced in her heels, clearing her throat in time to say:  "They hurt no single hair on my head.  They did—however—talk an awful lot of mumbo jumbo and argue to the burstin' point."

"Well, what else can one expect from such barbarians?!"  Shindig sat on the couch and folded her wings at her side.  "I'm just glad they didn't dirty the prize of Philanthropy..."  She raised a hoof up to caress Apple Jewell's freckles.  "Oh, you sweet... sweet thing."  The Queen smiled.  "I honestly don't know what I'd do if they took you from me permanently."

"Reckon yer right."  Apple Jewell nodded.  She fidgeted, then grasped Shindig's hoof in her own.  "Uhm... Momma... 'bout some of the things they were gabbin' about—"

"Goodness!  Is it the afternoon already?!" Shindig stammered.  "You must begin the beautification process!"

"Hmmm?"  Apple Jewell blinked, then blushed.  "Oh!  The Coronation!"

"Absolutely!"

"It's still happenin' tomorrow?"

Shindig did a double-take at that.  "Why, yes!  Why wouldn't it be?"

"Well, I just figured—what—with the way things have gotten heated as of late..."  Apple Jewell squirmed, avoiding the Queen's gaze.  "I mean... you reckon it's entirely safe anymore?"

"My little pony..."  Shindig chuckled, her horn aglow.  "I know you've been through an awful lot, and it must be terribly taxing—especially on a Princess with such a dainty complexion, but we mustn't let the enemies of peace and order disrupt the plans we've worked so hard to achieve!"

"Well, I know, but—"

"But nothing.  Apple Jewell..."  Shindig held her chin.  "...look at me."

Eventually, Apple Jewell did so, biting her lip.

Shindig smiled lovingly.  "You are a treasure.  You're going to bring this family to new heights.  Our royal glory lives on because of you and through you.  There simply is no other way.  Do you understand?"

"So..."  Apple Jewell blinked.  "...does that mean y'all are dependin' on me?"

"Well, in a way, yes!  Yes, you can definitely say that!"

"... ... ..."

"As much as I would love to talk further, we really must get you ready."  Shindig smiled.  "Tomorrow is the greatest day of your life."

"Erm... r-right.  I reckon so."

"And—as your first order, being the Glorious Cider Princess of Philanthropy—you can oversee the execution of the Red Rook and his nefarious followers."

Apple Jewell's ears folded back.  "Ex... execution...?!"

"Yes, yes... the Blue Jay got away... again."  Shindig huffed. " Otherwise, she'd be swinging from the gallows, too.  But, there will come a reckoning for her in due time.  Perhaps the example we make of her companions will goad her into turning herself in."

"Erm... maybe... but..."  Apple Jewell grimaced.  "An execution?"

"If they can't learn their lessons, then I don't see what purpose they serve in our kingdom," Shindig remarked.  "Your brothers, Flim and Flam, are already seeing to the matter.  You needn't worry about the matter."

"It's..."  Apple Jewell gulped.  "I'm not worried, Momma.  I'm just—"  She gasped as she felt a strong pair of wings enfolding around her.

"Ohhhhhh..."  Shindig shuddered, her eyes moist as she held the Cider Princess close.  "I know you must be terribly afraid.  Don't worry.  You're safe now.  Everypony is safe... and everything is as it should be..."

Apple Jewell nodded.  With a sigh, she surrendered into the Queen's warm embrace.  "Yer right, Momma," she murmured.  "...all as it should be."