"Haul out the Holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now!
For we need a little Hearthswarming
Right, this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Hearthswarming
Right, this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry."
Pinkie paused her song to giggle a little at the lyrics. Nopony really knew where she got the song, but they were willing to let it slide since Pinkie Will be Pinkie was the town mantra. Though that didn't sate curiosity when she sent a knowing smirk in a seemingly random direction. Anyways, as for why Pinkie was giggling, she found it quite funny that she was singing about how 'it hasn't snowed a single flurry' when in reality the entirety of Ponyville was covered in snow.
In addition, she didn't know who this 'Santa' was, but he seemed like a really nice guy to her. When she finished giggling, the pink earth pony mare continued singing and humming along with the song as she skipped down the street towards Twilight's castle.
"So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we've hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Hearthswarming now!"
✴✴✴✴✴✴
"... So the three leaders agreed to share the land, and live together in harmony forever more. And together they named their new land Equestria!" Rainbow Dash finished and Sombra stomped his hooves.
"Yay! So that's why we celebrate Hearthswarming?" He asked. The pegasus nodded.
"That's right kid." She said. "And guess what, I played Commander Hurricane in the Canterlot production of that story."
"She wasn't the only one who performed in that play." Applejack commented on where she was sipping hot apple cider. "We all played in that pageant." As she spoke, she gestured to the other three mares in the room. "Ah played Smart Cookie. Twilight here was Clover the Clever. Fluttershy was Private Pansey. Rarity was Princess Platinum. And Pinks was Chancellor Puddinghead."
"Speaking of Pinkie Pie, where is she?" Twilight wondered.
"Yeah, what could be so important that we have to gather together?" Dash asked a little impatiently.
"That is an excellent question Dashie." A certain pink pony said from where Sombra had been standing, namely, right next to the speedster. Naturally, Dash's reaction was to scream in surprise and launch herself into the air. Next thing anyone knew, she was clinging to the Golden Oak chandelier.
"Pinkie! When did you get here?!" Rainbow Dash demanded as she pried herself from the tree roots. The others were also trying to slow their heartbeats after almost having heart attacks and Fluttershy was currently on her back with her hooves up, out cold.
"Just now, silly billy." Pinkie Pie giggled. Twilight was the first to recover from her friend's sudden appearance.
"Ahem, so Pinkie Pie, is there a reason why you called us here?" She asked.
"Indeed there is!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Now, as we all know, winter is upon us and what's the holiday that's drawing ever closer? Hearthswarming! And since this year will be Sombra's first Hearthswarming, I have an idea to make it extra special! We're going to spend Hearthswarming together! We'll have the feast, put up our Hearthswarming dolls, hang the flag, exchange gifts and we can even wait for the Wind Giver!!"
"Pinkie, aren't you a little too old to wait for the Wind Giver?" Twilight asked. "And where did you get that idea about exchanging gifts?"
"I dunno." Pinkie said with a shrug. "Maybe from the author." She suggested with an innocent smile. Elsewhere in the multiverse, the author did a double take while everyone looked confused.
"The what?" Rainbow asked.
"Oh nobody." Pinkie said. Gee, thanks a lot, Pinks. "You're welcome."
You know we will be talking about this later when you aren't with everyone else.
"Okie Dokie Loki!" She said with a bright smile and the rest of the mares were severely lost.
"That sounds fun!" Sombra exclaimed with an excited jump, not seeming to care about Pinkie's odd behavior and the others instantly locked onto that, grateful for the change in subject.
"I know!" Pinkie Pie agreed as she crouches down to his level with a grin. She then straightened herself up with a sound like a pony in the box. "So what about you girls? Want to party?"
"Hmm, it sounds pretty cool." Rainbow Dash said with a shrug. "And I don't really have plans for Hearthswarming so why not? I'm in."
"It sounds like a very good idea Pinkie," Fluttershy said. "And if it'll make Sombra's first Hearthswarming happy then I'm in too."
"And I as well," Rarity added. "My parents decided to take Sweetie Belle with them for a holiday vacation, so it's just me and Opal at the shop."
"Why didn't they ask you to come along?" Twilight asked.
"Oh they did, but I declined." Rarity said. "The holiday season is the busiest season for me and I get a lot of income around this time of year. But I insisted that Sweetie go with them and spend some quality time with our parents. I can't keep her all to myself now can I?"
"Oh, well if it's so busy then you don't have to come," Fluttershy said but the unicorn waved her off.
"Nonsense. I am perfectly capable of making time for my friends and family. I only declined the trip because I thought it was a great opportunity for Sweetie to spend time with mother and father. Plus it would be a great opportunity to unwind and enjoy myself after the hectic hustle and bustle of the holiday season."
"Oh, well if you don't mind, I could help out at the shop when I can." Fluttershy offered. "There aren't a lot of animals that need my attention at this time of year since a lot are hibernating or have migrated to a warmer climate for the winter."
"Well, that would be most appreciated, thank you." Rarity thanked the pegasus who smiled in reply.
"Sooooo, you're both coming?" Pinkie asked as she rose up between them. Rarity and Fluttershy nodded and Pinkie Pie lept up with a cheer.
"Yay! Then that just leaves Twilight and Applejack!" She cheered.
"Well considering how this is for Sombra, who is my charge, I think it goes without saying that I'll be there," Twilight said. "We can also have it here since Sombra and I live here."
"Yay! So Twilight's in and thanks for the offer. I was going to suggest that too!" Pinkie cried out and Twilight nodded. The pink earth pony then turned to the only other earth pony in the room. "Now that just leaves Applejack. So what do you say? What to join us?"
Applejack hesitated. "To be honest, Ah'm not sure. Ah, mean, Ah usually spend Hearthswarming with mah family an Ah'm not very sure if Ah should leave them this year."
"But you're a part of Sombra's family too, remember?" Pinkie pointed out. "You're his Auntie Applejack, remember?"
"Ah know Ah know. That's why Ah'm so torn." Applejack said. "On one hoof, Ah see where your coming. Sombra is family and Ah do want to help make his first Hearthswarming special. But on the other hoof, Ah don't wanna abandon mah family either."
"What if you talked this over with your family?" Twilight suggested. "If that's the problem, then I think you should talk this over with them and figure this out."
Applejack relaxed and nodded. "Okay. Ah, 'll go an' do that and Ah'll try to come."
"That's all we can ask." Pinkie said. "Now, who wants to help decorate then castle?" She declared loudly and they all wondered where she got all those boxes of decorations and when she brought them out.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
After helping put up decorations and Pinkie explaining what a Gift Exchange was, they all went their separate ways. Rarity returned to her boutique with Fluttershy following. Pinkie went bouncing back to Sugarcube Corner while Rainbow Dash, Spike, Sombra, and his ferrets went out to play in the snow with Twilight following behind. After what had been dubbed as The Snowcloud Incident, the alicorn made a point of sticking around Dash and Sombra when they went out to play in the snow. This left Applejack slowly trotting back to Sweet Apple Acres.
Her thoughts and options rolled around her head and she walked the familiar path to her family's farmhouse and when she entered her family had pulled out the decorations and were waiting for her to start. When she entered the house, Applebloom bounced forward.
"Sis! Sis! Yer back!" She cried out joyfully as she hugged her sister's leg. "We waited for you ta come back so we could all put up the decorations as a family! Come on! Let's get started!"
Applejack only followed her sister as she dragged her forward and she started decorating a little half-heartedly. It was enough to clue Granny Smith and Big Mac in.
"Applejack," Granny said.
"Yes, Granny?" The orange earth pony answered.
"Is there somethin' on yer mind that you'd like ta tell us about?" Granny asked.
"Eeyup'." Big Mac added. Applejack nodded with a sigh then sat down.
"Yeah, there is somethin' that's been buggin' me and Ah've been tryin' ta figure out how ta tell Y'all." She admitted. "Anyways, Y'all know that Ah love ya, right? Granny, yer then best grandmother a filly could ask for and Big Mac, you are the best big brother Ah've known. An' Ah couldn't ask for a better little sister than you Applebloom."
Applebloom's brow furrowed in worry. "Applejack, why does it sound like yer gettin' ready ta tell us some bad news?" She asked. "Did somethin' bad happen and we can't ever see you again?"
"No no, of course not." Applejack comforted her sister. "Y'all know Ah wouldn't let anything like that happen to us. But, well ya see, it all happened like this...."
✴✴✴✴✴✴
"....an so you see my dilemma." Applejack finished her telling of what happened. "On one hoof, Ah really do want to make Sombra's first Hearthswarming special but on the other hoof, Ah don't want to abandon you. Twilight suggested that I talk over with y'all before Ah made a decision so, here we are."
"Hmmm, so that's what was buggin' ya?" Granny asked and Applejack nodded. "Well then, Ah think Y'all should spend the holiday with this Sombra."
"W-whaaa?? Jus' like that?" Applejack asked, a little thrown off guard. Granny nodded firmly.
"Mmhm. Like ya said, yer this Sombra's aunt which makes him an Apple jus' as much as any Apple in the family. Even yer aunt and uncle Orange." Granny Smith explained. "Therefore, there ain't any reason why one of his aunties should be missing for his first Hearthswarming. You should be there ta help make sure his first Hearthswarming is the most memorable and special thing ever."
"But what about you guys?" Applejack asked. "Yer family too. Ah, don't want ta leave Y'all on Hearthswarming."
Granny Smith chuckled. "Oh, don't you worry about us." She said as she pulled a letter out of her shawl. "Ah wasn't gonna tell y'all this until later but, jus' today Ah received this letter from Manehatten. We've been invited ta spend the holiday with our family in Manehatten on account of a certain Babs Seed wanting to spend Hearthswarming with her favorite cousin."
"Really!?" Applebloom exclaimed excitedly as she leaped forward to see the letter. "Babs wants ta spend the holidays with me?"
"She does indeed." Granny Smith said with a smile. "Now Ah thought it would fun spendin' the holidays with our cousins but since you have a colt dependin' you for his first Hearthswarming, we'll go and you can stay here with him an' yer friends. We can always have Hearthswarming together next year."
Applejack didn't know what to say to that. Some part of her wanted to protest about spending this holiday with her family like they did every year. But, surprisingly, a large part of her felt relief that her family was letting her do this and that was when she realized that she did want to spend Hearthswarming with her friends.
"Y'all really mean that?" She asked.
Big Mac placed a hoof on her back and nodded with a hearty, "Eeyup'." Granny Smith only nodded, having already spoken her piece. Applebloom shuffled her hooves a little.
"Honestly, Ah was a little upset that you wouldn't be spending Hearthswarming with us," Applebloom admitted. "But, Ah guess Ah can't keep ya to myself so go and make Sombra's first Hearthswarming the best Hearthswarming ever!"
"Heh, yer excited about seeing Babs, aren't you?" Applejack said with a smile as she lightly ruffled her sister's head.
"Well, yeah. That too." Applebloom admitted. "And Ah can't wait ta see her cutie mark! It's one thing to see a drawing of it. It's another thing entirely to see it in person!"
Applejack chuckled as she pulled her sister closer. "You jus' try an stay out of trouble an thank you." She thanked then turned to her family. "Thank you all."
"Think nothing of it Sugarcube." Granny Smith said. "Now don't we have some decorating to do? Now let's get to it whippersnappers! And ya know, we don't need ta go ta Manehatten till before Hearthswarming Eve so we can help ya pick out those gifts ya mentioned."
Applejack smiled as she stood up and started decorating. As she hung decorations alongside her brother and sister, she thought to herself about how lucky she was to have such an amazing family.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
Pinkie, why did you tell Dash I was nobody. That kinda stung.
"Sorry. But you know that none of them would believe me if I told them. Especially Twilight."
True, very true. Anyways, you didn't hurt my feelings that much so I forgive you. No harm no foul right.
"Thanks!" Pinkie then continued bouncing around and working in the kitchen.
So Pinkie, where did you get the idea of a Gift Exchange? I know I've never told you about that unless it's an almost unknown tradition that you found out about.
Pinkie giggled as she poured cupcake batter into the pan. "Nope, Equestria doesn't have anything like that. I just thought it would be fun and you wanted us to exchange gifts. Plus, for Hearthswarming, it's a wonderful idea! I mean think about it, we celebrate Hearthswarming because the three pony tribes came together and what better way to celebrate than to give each other gifts!"
Okay, that makes sense. But that doesn't answer my question and it just raises more questions. Like how did you know that I wanted you all to exchange gifts?!
"I just knew." Came Pinkie's simple reply and she began humming as she waited for the cupcakes to bake.
...........I know I'm going to regret this, but I've still gotta ask. Exactly how much do you know?
Pinkie Pie giggled again. "Well I can't say because wouldn't that be spoilers for your readers and I'd hate to spoil the story. That'd be like spoiling a surprise and I could never do that to anyone." If one listened very very very closely at that moment, they would've heard something crack yet not one dish or utensil was damaged in any way.
................................you know what, I give up. I quit trying to figure you out. I'm just going to let sleeping manticores lie.
Pinkie giggled. "Good one."
Thank you. Figured you'd appreciate that. Now, I believe your cupcakes are done.
"Hey, they are!" Pinkie exclaimed as she found her cupcakes done within a few minutes of putting them in. "And they smell delicious! Did you do that?"
I'm the author. I can do a lot of things. Within reason of course. I can only get away with small things like this.
"Cool! Well since you finished cooking them, do you want to decorate them?"
Sure. I can do that.
Within five minutes, Pinkie Pie was handing out white and red peppermint cupcakes with green mint candies and candy canes on them. As customers enjoyed them. Pinkie Pie grinned.
"Looks like someone really likes mint." She said in a sing-song voice.
It's a delicious and refreshing flavor and since its the holiday season, I thought it was appropriate.
"Okay then. Say, you know that song I sang earlier?"
We Need a Little Christmas, right? Only I recall you replaced Christmas with Hearthswarming. But I'm not complaining about that. What about it?
"Do you have any other songs like that? That one was pretty fun!"
....I know a few and I wouldn't mind sharing.
"Great! You can share your songs while I go gift shopping!" Pinkie said as she lept over the counter.
Sure, why not.
As Pinkie Pie skipped to the shops, ponies wondered what songs she was humming and where she got them. Eventually, she ended up breaking out in a very cheerful song that nopony recognized as the inexplicable music started playing out of nowhere.
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!
With the kid's jingle belling
And everyone telling you to be of good cheer!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
It's the hap-happiest season of all!
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call!
It's the hap-happiest season of allll!
There'll be parties for hosting!
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Hearthswarmings long, long ago!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near!
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
By this point, the song had reached a crescendo and the hustle and bustle of ponies running from one shop to another were now in sync with the music. And, as is normal in Ponyville, the rest of the towns ponies took part in the song.
(Mares) There'll be parties for hosting
(Stallions) Marshmallows for toasting
(Altogether) And caroling out in the snow
(Pinkie) There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Hearthswarmings long, long ago!
(All) It's the most wonderful time of the year!
(Pinkie) There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are neeeear!
It's the most wonderful time
(All) Yes the most wonderful time
Oh the most wonderful time
Of the yeeeeaaaarrr!!!
When the music came to an end and ponies started dispersing, Pinkie Pie smiled. "Thanks for the music and the song!"
You're welcome. I honestly think of you when I hear this song. It's really so you.
"Why thank you!" Pinkie Pie said. "Now, where were we?"
I believe you were looking for a gift for Rainbow Dash.
"Oh yeah." Pinkie said thoughtfully. "I wonder what she'd like for Hearthswarming?"
Such was life in Ponyville. A disaster at least once a week and home to the most random, confusing and unexplainable mare in existence. By this point, it was the norm and nobody questioned it.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
Rainbow didn't get to hang out very long before she had to leave for work. Leaving Sombra with Twilight. Since they were cold, they were now heading back to the castle. And as they trotted back to the castle, Sombra turned to ask Twilight a question.
"Twilight, what's the Wind Giver?" He asked. "You and Auntie Pinkie mentioned them, but I haven't heard of them before."
Twilight had an expression of realization. "Right, you wouldn't have heard of the Wind Giver." She said. "Right now, remember the story of Hearthswarming and how the three tribes came together?"
Sombra nodded. "Yeah, I remember. Auntie Rainbow Dash told me earlier when I asked about Hearthswarming."
"Right. Silly question." Twilight briefly kicked herself mentally. "Anyways, back in those days when they first united, it took some time for the tribes to truly unite because there was still some bad blood between them. This led to disputes and coupled with the fact that they were still settling into a new land this led to the ponies not as prepared for winter as they should be. When the food and supplies they did have ran out, the disputes got worse and threatened to destroy the peace the three leaders had forged. And then a miracle happened.
"It happened on a winter's day. The snow was coming down a tensions were high when suddenly the winds picked from a breeze to a windstorm that made everyone shield themselves from it. And then as quickly as it came, it left. And when they looked around to see what happened, they were amazed at what they saw. Right in the middle of the settlement was a huge mound of food and supplies. Enough to get them through the remaining winter. And not only that but also toys for the children. At first, nopony said anything. The children were the first to react. The surged forwards towards the pile and started playing with the toys. But what amazed the adults so much was that the children were playing with each other regardless of race. When they saw this, the adults realized how foolish they'd been and from that night forwards the unification of the three tribes has been cemented.
"That's why we celebrate Hearthswarming in winter instead of in spring which is technically when the actual events of Hearthswarming took place. And, to this day, every Hearthswarming, we wake up to find a gift brought by a blast of wind. Hence the name Wind Giver."
"Oooh. That's so cool!" Sombra said in excitement.
"Yeah, it is buddy!" Spike said as he slung his arm over Sombra's back. "Nobody knows who or what the Wind Giver is and ponies have been trying for centuries. Oh and guess what? You can write letters to the Wind Giver asking for what you'd like then you set it on the windowsill."
Sombra was now bouncing on his hooftips. "Can I write a letter?" He asked.
"Sure you can," Spike said. "When we get home, I'll show you how. Just don't make the list too long because you won't get everything on that list."
"Okay!" The colt then got a mischievous grin that would make Rainbow proud. "Race you home!" Sombra cried out then took off towards the castle. "Last one there's a slowpoke!"
"Oh yeah?" Spike called out with a grin of his own before taking a professional runner's position. "Get ready to eat my dust!" He then took off after the colt and they soon disappeared from Twilight's view.
Twilight's trot sped up a little, but she still paced herself and as she enjoyed the sights of Ponyville getting ready for Hearthswarming, she wondered to herself where boys like them got their energy.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
When she completed her weather duties, Rainbow Dash had immediately gone out present shopping. Twilight had been easy to figure out. The rest wasn't as instantaneous but she was able to figure that out relatively easily. The only difficult one that she had to figure out was Sombra. Despite her initial mistrust of him, Rainbow had reached the conclusion that Sombra was a good kid and therefore deserved a good present for Hearthswarming. But what to get him? There were numerous toys, books, and games at the shops but nothing stuck out to her.
Finding herself at a dead end, Rainbow Dash decided to sit and think about what she knew about the kid. He was very smart, very kind and very brave. He was curious too but she couldn't see him jumping for joy for receiving a chemistry set or anything of the sort so that was out. What else? Well, she knew he loved his ferrets so ferret toys and whatnot was a possibility but that didn't seem to fit either. Then she remembered one more thing. The kid had nightmares so Twilight would sing a particular song to help him sleep. She'd actually been around and listened when she sang it to him. With this in mind, she jumped up and flew to a particular shop to place an order.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
"You done?" Spike asked and Sombra held up his scroll.
"Yup!" He said. "Onyx and the others helped!"
"Alrighty then, let's get some ribbon," Spike said. Soon there were three scrolls wrapped in green ribbons laying on the window sill. As Twilight shut the window with her magic, Sombra turned to Spike.
"So when we put them on the windowsill the Wind Giver gets them?" He asked.
"Yep. They always disappear by the next morning." Spike explained. "I once stayed up all night watching our letters because I wanted to see the Wind Giver and they just vanished when a gust of wind blew past."
"Hmmm, has anyone actually tried to put a tracking spell on the letters?" Sombra asked.
"I'm pretty sure lots of unicorns have tried that. Heck, Twilight tried that one year. It didn't work." Spike answered. "That's why, to this day, nobody has figured out who, what or even where the Wind Giver is. The way I see it, the Wind Giver is always going to be a mystery that we're never going to solve and I've kinda given up on trying. After all, if the Wind Giver wanted to be known, we would've found them ages ago."
"So then why are we waiting for the Wind Giver?" Sombra asked.
"Well, some ponies like Pinkie might actually be trying to meet the Giver," Spike said. "In fact, if I know Pinkie, I'll bet that she just wants to throw a party for them. But I kinda find it fun to stay up late waiting for the Giver."
"Okay, then I'll try it too!" Sombra said. "Now let's get some presents ready for the Gift Exchange!"
"Alright. I've already got a few ideas for a few ponies."
✴✴✴One Week Later✴✴✴
"So where are we going, Auntie Pinkie?" Sombra asked as Pinkie bounced ahead.
"You'll see." Pinkie said with a smile and a giggle as was common for her. So with Pinkie Pie giving nothing away, Sombra turned to the next available source of information.
"Twilight, where is she taking us?" He asked and the purple alicorn paused to rub her chin.
"Well, based on the direction she's taking us, I can hazard a guess." She answered. "But since she isn't saying anything, she must want it to be a surprise and I wouldn't want to spoil her surprise."
"Awwwww," Sombra said in disappointment.
"Hey there, chin up," Spike said. "Because unless I miss my guess, you're going to love this surprise."
"We're almost there!" Pinkie suddenly piped up. "It's just over this hill!"
Sombra picked up his pace and when he reached the top he gasped in amazement. From where he was standing, he had a perfect view of a forest of beautiful snow covered pine trees.
"Wow." He whispered as the others came up behind him. "Is this what you wanted to surprise with?"
"Almost. Today, you get to pick a tree!" Pinkie declared as she swept her hoof.
"Pick a tree?" Sombra asked.
"Yeah! See this is a pine tree farm. They basically grow pine trees for ponies to come cut down for Hearthswarming." Pinkie explained. "Every year ponies in Ponyville come here to pick a pine tree to take home and decorate. Then one Hearthswarming morning when you wake up, you'll find presents from the Wind Giver underneath. It's a tradition as old as the Wind Giver."
"Yeah, its fun picking out your tree and decorating it," Spike added. "Especially when you do it together."
"But Pinkie Pie, won't we need a wagon for taking our tree home?" Twilight asked with a little concern. Earlier, Pinkie had burst into the castle and insisted that they come with her. They only had the chance to throw on their cold weather clothes before she hustled them out the door. Ultimately not enough time to get a wagon.
But Pinkie Pie smiled. "Oh Twilight, do you really think I'd bring you here for a tree if we didn't have a way to get it home?" She asked. "This is Pinkie Pie your talking to. And Pinkamina Diane Pie always thinks about her friends. Now since tree decorating is only ever fun for everyone, I've gathered everyone for this. Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are gathering tree decorations while AJ and Big Mac are here with a wagon. All we need is you three to pick it out."
✴✴✴✴✴✴
"Hmm, what about this one?" Spike pointed at a very tall fir tree.
"I don't know," Twilight said uncertainly. "Isn't it a little big for us?"
"Twilight, we live in a castle with vaulted ceilings." Spike deadpanned. "We can make our tree as big as we want to!"
"True, but I'm still not sure...."
"I don't think it's right either," Sombra said. "It just doesn't feel like its the right one."
Spike sighed in defeat. "Oh alright. But I certainly hope that the right one is tall. I want a big tree this year!"
"We'll have to see," Twilight said. They looked at every tree they could find but none of them were right. Some were too big or too small. Some too bushy and others were too scraggly. But most were just not it. Then they found it.
"Twilight! Spike! Look here!" Sombra called out and they rushed towards him. It was a beautiful tree. Not too bushy. Not too scraggly. Not too tall or too short. It was simply beautiful.
"Wow. It's taller than we could have if we still lived in Golden Oak." Spike said. "I like it."
"It's certainly very beautiful." Twilight agreed. "We'll take it."
✴✴✴✴✴✴
"They're coming!" Rainbow announced. Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash converged on the door and opened it, letting in Sombra, Twilight, Spike and Pinkie Pie. And bringing up the rear was Applejack and Big Mac with the tree.
"Twilight!" Rarity greeted. "Apologies for entering your house uninvited, but Pinkie Pie was insistent that we be ready by the time you returned with the- oh my." Rarity exclaimed upon laying eyes on the tree. "What a gorgeous tree!" The fashionista cooed.
"Yeah, its quite a looker ain't it?" Applejack answered. "Unfortunately its also pretty heavy so gangway!"
✴✴✴✴✴✴
Once the tree was safely set in its pedestal, the decorating could begin.
"Wow, it's pretty big," Twilight commented with a hint of worry. "And I'm not sure that I have enough ornaments since Spike and I usually have smaller trees."
"Oh don't worry about that darling." Rarity said as she opened a box. "Since we're all spending the holiday together, we figured we'd share a tree as well. So we all brought our own tree ornaments. And between all of us, we should be able to sufficiently cover the tree."
"Yeah," Rainbow said as she pulled out her own box. "Pegasi who live in cloud homes can't have very big trees either, so I don't have much either."
"Enough chit-chat, let's get decorating!" Pinkie exclaimed.
Decorating together was fun and very interesting. As they went along, Twilight noticed that she and her friend's decorations reflected who they were. Rainbow Dash's ornaments were mostly wings or Wonderbolts and Wonderbolt insignias. The ones that were simply colored orbs were mostly blues and reds and one was actually a rainbow.
Applejack could only bring some decorations since her family was going to be decorating a tree later. What she could bring however still had an Apple family feel. Most were homemade and a few looked like antiques. The general theme was apples and the Apple family, but that was kept to a minimum since it was friends together. The orb-shaped ornaments were green or orange and a few were even shaped like apples.
Rarity's ornaments, in contrast, were more flashy and a few were designer. Some were covered in glitter and sequins and a few were actual gemstones. Rarity had to remind Spike not to eat them. Aside from ornaments, Rarity also brought tinsel and garlands. She even took the time to make a popcorn and cranberry garland. Her own orb ornaments were a rich purple or snow white.
Fluttershy brought animal-shaped ornaments. There were rabbits, bears, fish, chickens, cats, dogs, birds of all types, turtles, tortoises, seals, otters, jackalopes, bats, butterflies and a number of animals they couldn't identify. Of course, she explained what they were. And amongst her animal ornaments were pink or spring green orbs.
Pinkie Pie brought ornaments made of crystal. The shapes were of course very like Pinkie Pie. There were balloons, candy, cupcakes, cake, a punch bowl, sunshine, piñatas and even little sculptures of each of them. She also had little balls of crystal that were either yellow or bright blue.
Twilight's ornaments were starbursts or books. There was a framed picture of herself and Spike not to mention ornaments that Spike picked out that were Power Ponies. And the colors of their orb-shaped ornaments were violet, magenta, and green like Spike's spikes. With the tree complete, they stepped back to admire their handiwork. While their ornament styles did clash, they found that it still blended together very smoothly and the end result had come out beautiful. Not unlike friendship. Now for the final touch. The star at the top.
"I think Li'l Sombry should do it." Pinkie Pie as she held out the star. Twilight nodded and wrapped the star in her magic.
"You're right. Sombra should be the one to do the honors." She said and she held it out to the colt who grabbed it in his hooves. Twilight then wrapped her arms around him and with a flap of her wings, they began flying up to the top. When they reached the peak of the tree, Sombra set the star in its place and everyone cheered. As Twilight flew them back down, Sombra leaned back towards her to look up and he smiled.
"Twilight. I'm always going to remember this. Forever and ever." He said and Twilight felt a warm feeling deep down inside of her and she couldn't help but think that Hearthswarming was the most magical time.
✴✴✴Day Before Hearthswarming Eve✴✴✴
"Now you behave yourself at your cousin's." Applejack reminded Applebloom. The filly rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry AJ," Applebloom said. "Babs an I won't cause any trouble."
"Good. 'Course Ah also want ya ta stay safe." Applejack continued as Big Mac loaded their bags onto the train. After doing their chores on the farm, the Apples had immediately gone to the train station to catch the first train to Manehatten.
"We'll be jus' fine Sugarcube." Granny Smith interrupted Applejack's fussing. "The real question is will you be alright all by yourself?"
"Aw shoot Granny, Ah'll be jus' fine." Applejack replied. "Y'all know that at this time of year, there are hardly any chores ta do."
It was true. Aside from the usual household chores, all Applejack had to do was feed the pigs and chickens and make sure the cows and sheep had a steady supply of food and water. The cows and sheep could take care of themselves so the only critters she had to really take care of were the chickens and pigs. Returning to the present, Granny nodded.
"Well, alright then. If you say so." She said. At that time, the train whistle rang out and the conductor started calling for passengers.
"Well, sounds like your train's leaving." Applejack said. "Best get going." Granny nodded then pulled Applejack into a hug.
"You take care now Sugarcube." She said. "And have a happy Hearthswarming with your friends." Granny Smith then released her granddaughter and boarded the train with a little help from Big Mac. With his grandmother seated on the train, Big Mac then turned to his sister and gave her a one-armed hug.
"Don't you bite off more than you can chew sis," Mac said. "An' let that little colt know that Ah wish him a happy Hearthswarming."
"Ah well. Take care of Granny and Bloom while Y'all are gone, okay?" Applejack replied.
"You know Ah will." Big Mac said with a slight, rumbling chuckle as he released her. Next was Applebloom. Applejack turned to her little sister and pulled her into a hug.
"You take care now, ya hear." Applejack said. "An' you tell Babs that Ah said hi now. And give my congratulations to her for her cutie mark."
"Okay. I'll tell her." Applebloom said. "And you tell this Sombra feller that Ah said happy Hearthswarming. And you let me know how he liked the present Ah helped pick out."
"Heh, sure thing kiddo." Applejack said with a mane ruffle. "Now you skedaddle Sugarcube. Y'all don't want to miss yer train now."
Applebloom and Big Macintosh boarded the train just before they started to pull out and the Apples waved goodbye out the windows until the train was out of sight. With her family gone, Applejack trotted down the steps of the platform and started back home. It felt a little lonely back home, but she still felt good about staying behind for Sombra. There were still a few unwrapped presents, so Applejack got to work.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
Since Twilight was going to be hosting a Hearthswarming dinner with her friends, the alicorn had started planning the dishes and making a list of ingredients. So here she was in the kitchen before Hearthswarming Eve preparing a few of the dishes that would take a while to cook. The rest could wait until tomorrow. And helping her in the kitchen were Spike and Sombra. Sombra was washing potatoes for mashed potatoes and Spike was making pie crust dough and when Sombra was done with his potatoes, he showed the colt how to make frozen yogurt pies. Since there wasn't a lot that needed to be done, they were finished with preparations quickly. But as they worked together in the kitchen, Twilight felt a warm happy feeling in her chest.
✴✴✴The Next Day✴✴✴
After chores, Applejack packed her overnight supplies and presents into her saddlebags and trotted to Twilight's castle. When she knocked at first, there wasn't any answer. On the second series of knocks, she heard Twilight's voice call out from in the castle.
"Come on in!" She called. "It's not locked!"
Applejack pushed the door opened and her nose was suddenly assaulted with the smell of food cooking. With this clue, she quickly food Twilight and the boys in the kitchen. Twilight was wearing an apron and had smears of food in her coat. She turned from the bowl of potatoes that she was mashing and gave Applejack an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, we couldn't come to the door." She apologized. "We've just been busy cooking since this morning."
"No reason ta apologize." Applejack said with a wave of her hoof. "Ah was just' a little early. So since Ah'm a little early, why don't Ah jus' put my gifts down and come in to help?"
"That would be a wonderful help," Twilight said. "You can set your gifts under the tree in the living room then come on in."
Applejack tipped her hat then left the room to do as she was told.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
Shortly after Applejack's arrival, Pinkie Pie joined in and with the combined force of three mares, one colt and one baby dragon, dinner was complete. There was salad, funeral potatoes (with cream of mushroom soup), cranberry salad, soup, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, two whole roasted cauliflower, braised greens, chips, various dips, bread bowls, an olive platter, rolls, a variety of pies and cookies, chocolate truffles, tarts and some spiced cider.
With a feast sufficiently prepared, the quartet of ponies and one dragon dusted themselves off and went to get cleaned up. The third pony to arrive was Rainbow Dash. Applejack had to fend the hungry pegasus off from the feast. Since they wanted to be all together before starting the feast, they put out the bread bowl, dip and chips too much on until the two mares missing from their group arrived. Soon enough the two mares in question, Fluttershy and Rarity arrived and the feast could begin.
"Oh my, that all looks simply divine!" Rarity exclaimed as Twilight reentered the room with the dinner dishes levitating behind her. As she laid them down on the table, Twilight smiled.
"Thank you. I had a lot of help from AJ, Pinkie, Spike, and Sombra." She said as she settled back into her seat.
"Yeah! I got to make the olive platter, the bread bowl and some of the frozen yogurt pies!" Sombra said proudly. "Everything else I could only help with because Twilight, Auntie Pinkie, and Auntie Applejack said I was too young. So maybe next year I can do more!"
Rarity chuckled indulgently. "Perhaps." She said. She then wrapped her magic around his plate and began filling it with food.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
The feast was delicious. As the group friends ate their food, they made small talk and eventually discussed what they would be doing. For tonight, after the feast, they'd be hanging the Hearthswarming dolls, singing carols and exchanging gifts. Tomorrow would be the flag raising ceremony and seeing what the Wind Giver brought. When they were all full, they moved on to the dolls. Everyone had brought their own dolls.
Rarity's was made of silk fabric and decorated with gemstones. Applejack's was more simple and had a somewhat worn feel. Fluttershy's doll was beautifully sewn and had a tiny Angel bunny in her arms. Rainbow Dash's doll was also beautifully sewn with a set of goggles and a medal with the Wonderbolt insignia on it. Everyone felt that it was safe to say that Fluttershy had sewn it for her. Twilight, Spike and Sombra's dolls were all somewhat simple and childish but there was still a charm to them. Pinkie Pie's doll, oddly enough, was a rock sculpted to look like her. They didn't know what to expect from their baffling friend, but since she'd grown up on a rock farm and this WAS Pinkie Pie, they just accepted the odd choice in a doll.
With the dolls set on the hearth, they pulled out the record player and began playing Hearthswarming carols as Pinkie dragged out a table laden with dessert items.
"I hope you all made room for dessert!" The pink pony announced. "We have gingerbread, sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, a gingerbread house, chocolate pudding, figgy pudding, apple pie, pumpkin pie, frozen yogurt pie, cherry pie, and cheesecake."
"Cheesecake?" Rarity asked as she looked up at the assortment of food. "Why cheesecake?"
"Because it's delicious!" Pinkie exclaimed. "And I made several different types!"
"But I'm pretty sure I didn't buy ingredients for cheesecake," Twilight added.
"I brought my own ingredients." Pinkie replied with a casual wave. "You'd be amazed what I carry with me."
"That's for certain." Applejack commented from the side.
"But that's enough talking about food." Pinkie continued. "Now let's party! Happy Hearthswarming Eve!"
"Happy Hearthswarming Eve!" Everyone agreed heartily. Pinkie bounced to the pot of spiced cider and used the ladle to fill it with steaming cider.
"I'd like to raise a toast in celebration of the three tribes, Hearthswarming, and friendship." She declared as she raised her glass. "To friendship and all that it brings!"
Everyone else quickly filled and raised their own glasses. "To friendship!" While Sombra did declare the same, he did not raise his glass as he'd found it hard to lift and so had left it on the table. He did, however, raise a hoof. At that moment, a particular carol played on the record player and everyone couldn't help but sing along.
As dawn shines on us every morn
The fire of Friendship is reborn
And all the friendships we have made
We cherish in every way
Loyalty binds us and makes us strong
Honesty shows that we belong
And kindness shared will unite us through each day
The fire of Friendship lives in our hearts
As long as it burns we cannot drift apart
Though quarrels arise their numbers are few
Laughter and singing will see us through (will see us through)
We are a circle of pony friends.
A circle of friends we'll be to the very end!
Though the winter brings all its cold and storm
The glow in our hearts keeps us warm
The friends we now call our family
Will always see us through
Loyalty binds us and makes us strong
Honesty shows that we belong
And kindness shared will unite us through each day
The Fires of Friendship lives in our hearts
As long as it burns we cannot drift apart
Though quarrels arise their numbers are few
Laughter and singing will see us through (will see us through)
We are a circle of pony friends
A circle of friends we'll be too the very end!