Twilight led her group of friends deeper in to the Everfree often passing thru thick bushes and undergrowth. The foliage did not pose much of a resistance as it parted with a gentle push from Twilight and did not close till the last pony finished passing. At first the oddity was not noticed but the further in to the forest they went the more it felt off, almost welcoming. The three ponies walked behind Twilight, even Rainbow who looked antsy her wings twitching occasionally. They walked in silence after an earlier dramatization of what ‘cruel fate had befallen her dearest sister’ from Rarity cause Twilight to loose her concentration.
The glow from Twilight’s horn faded as she let out a deep breath. “Sorry girls just need to catch my breath. So far the trails been straight lets just keep moving forward and I’ll check the direction every few minutes. Keeping that spell going is more draining then I thought it be.”
“it’s quiet alright, the forest seems to be agreeable today at least.” Said Rarity
“I know and it’s freaking me out.” Said Rainbow as she swung her head from side to side like she was expecting some thing to jump out at any second. “No timber wolves howling, no manticores growling not even an ill temped squirrel. What’s going on with this place?”
“Feels more like the Whitetail Woods in here right now, least ways it would if some more light came through them trees.” Added Applejack. As if on cue a the canopy seemed to shift allowing light to shine in a straight line ahead of them brightening their path. The ponies froze looking up at the treetops. “Um Twi…”
Looking worried Twilight brought her head back down looking forward at the lit way before them. “Lets keep going, seems the forest wants us to find the crusaders” she said. “But I think I know which way to go.” With a quick flash of her horn to check the direction, it did indeed followed the light. “Let’s go, but keep an eye open this can’t be natural even for the Everfree.”
***
Back in the home of Bombadil the three fillies still stood in confusion as there host moved around the room. He had removed his hat and placed it on a peg by the door and then began to hop and spin as he grabbed plates and baskets full of food and placed them on the table. This Tom Bombadil did not scare them at all, the three felt at ease in his company. But the strangeness of his movements along with his grace and precision seem to hold them in a hypnotic state.
Placing one last dish on the table Tom stepped back to look at his work, “Well then the tables all set, nuts and berries, white bread, honey comb and butter. Yes, fresh water, vegetables and herbs.” He said more to himself but loud enough any one could hear. Tom paused for a moment and seem to be thinking. Giving the ponies a side glance while scratching his chin “hmm maybe some sugar cubes and saltlicks?” he mumbled. Shaking his head he spun to face his guests his smile never once leaving his face. “Well now, are you going to introduce yourselves or should I give you names to be called by. I don’t break my bread with strangers after all.”
As if released from a spell Apple Bloom said “A’m Apple Bloom”
“Sweetie Belle” said the unicorn.
“Scootaloo” said the pegasus.
“Long names are such a tire to use. So Bloom, Bell and Loo will do then.” He gave a deep laugh at the look on Scootaloo’s face. “As you may recall my name is Tom Bombadil but, you can call me Tom or Bombadil even crazy old man. I was always fond of that last one.” Gesturing one arm to the table “Well then shall we take food and afterward you can tell me why I found you sleeping on my door step.”
“Um mister Bombadil..” said Sweetie.
“Just Bombadil or Tom will do. Mister makes me sound old” Said Tom. Then with a booming laugh he continued “Make no mistake Tom is very old but no reason to be reminded of it.”
“OK, um, Tom I think we’re to small to sit at your table.”
Tom paused a moment to studying his table and chairs and the small ponies, they we’re indeed to short to sit at his table. The only way for them to see over the edge of the table was for them to stand on there hind hooves witch would not be very easy or comfortable. “Oh Tom what be you a thinking? Your little guests can not sit at a table made for men.” Looking around the room as if the answer was to be found on one of the walls. “Ha that’s it!”
With a spin he dash through a door that went deeper into the house. A few thumps could be heard as the three fillies stared at each other. “um what yalls take on this fella?” said Bloom at last
“He’s weird.” Said Scootaloo “ Think we should make a break for it while he's gone?”
“He seems nice. Lets stay for a bit after all we don’t know where we are… and that bread smells good.” Added Sweetie
Before Apple Bloom could say anything Tom came back in to the room caring a large bundle of cloth. “Well then the day is young, the weather is fair. I think a picnic is the answer here! Come now my little friends.” With that Tom grabbed a basket of fruit in his free hand and dashed out of the still open door.
Following their host out of the door the fillies took in a large circler lawn it was neatly mown and surrounded by a thick wall of trees with only a single opening that had a neat path of packed dirt running in to the shadows. Tom strode to a spot that met with his approval a few feet off the path. The fillies watched open mouthed as he set the basket down and grabbed one corner of the cloth bundle. With a spin he cast the cloth out, with out any resistance it unfurled laying in a perfect squire. The blanket looked to be made of many small patches of cloth of different colors. Tom then picked up the basket and with a fling sent it sailing to the center of the blanket landing up right nothing in it disturbed.
“How’d you do that?” said Scootaloo
Not seeming to hear Tom said “Well then how about you three settle in.“ With that he dashed back in to the cabin.
“Well…” said Bloom “I guess we just sit.” Glancing at the blanket. The three fillies cautiously stepped on to the blanket Bloom and Scootaloo sat on the edge closest to the path. Sweetie laid down beside them crossing her forelegs.
No sooner had the fillies settled in then plates and bowls full of food came sailing out of the door way. Each dish landed much as the basket, not a single bowl spilled or plate tipped. Then Tom exited the cabin in one hand was a stack of plates witch held a stack of cups in the top cup was a few butter knives. In the other were two large pitchers. Hopping down the path straight up to the edge of the blanket and with another spin he sent the plates, cups and knives sailing each landing in front of one of the fillies a forth set and the pitchers simply fell to rest right at his feet landing on the blanket. As his spin ended he tucked one leg behind the other and dropped to a sitting position with his legs crossed landing on the grass.
Once again staring in wonder at the strange creature before them it took a loud clap from Bombadil to bring them back to themselves. “Well then this be more like it. Dig in my little friends there is plenty and to spare.” Said Tom as he grabbed a loaf from a near by plate.
Not taking her eyes off of Tom, Apple Bloom asked “Mist-, I mean Tom how did you do that?”
“hum?” Tom looked up from buttering his bread. “Well not much to do, the table was set, everything knew how it was to go. All I had to do was give it a toss out the door, it knew where to land and to not drop it’s bounty.” With that Tom grabbed his mug and one of the pitchers.
Before he could fill his mug Scootaloo asked “Just what are you any way?”
Lowering his mug he looked at Scootaloo “What? Weren’t you listening? I told you, I’m Tom Bombadil.”
Shaking her head she said “No that’s who you are, not what you are.”
Filling his mug he look at the pegusas “I’m Tom Bombadil, that’s the only answer.”
As he set the pitcher down Sweetie asked “So where are we and do you know how far Ponyville is?”
Eyeing the three fillies Tom let out a little chuckle, “Normally questions go after food, but I guess young minds are hungrier then there stomachs.” Setting down his mug he placed his hands on his knees. “Well as to where you are, you are in what is left of the Old Forest but now it’s called Everfree I believe. But as for Ponyville, there was no such place when I last had news from the outside.”
“What do you mean? When was the last time you had any visitors?” said Scootaloo.
“Many many years maybe an age, I’ve stopped keeping track. But some time ago a unicorn wandered in to my clearing, Star Swirl I believe he said his name was. I took him for a jester with all the bells on his cap, he left it behind with some of his books. We talked for a time and he told me much of what happened in the world sense the fall of men, or maybe more accurate to say the rise of ponies. No one remembers the first races any more.” With the last statement the smile he constantly wore faded a bit as if he were remembering something sad.
Silence fell as none of the fillies knew what to say. In the silence the sound of sticks braking and leaves shifting could be herd. Fore heads turned to face the noise, what ever it was it was getting closer. The little ponies looked a nervously at the edge of trees but Tom stood with the smile returning in full force.
Peering in to the tress as if he could see thru them Tom let out a chuckle “Well it seems we’ll soon have more guests and my guess is that you Ponyville is to the north and west of here.” With that he dashed back up the path in to the cabin. A moment later he was dashing out with more plates mugs and knives. How ever this time instead of flinging the dishes he placed them on the blanket, two sets on each side. Tom still standing turned to face the noise he was joined by the fillies who still looked apprehensive. The sounds had gotten very close.
***
Twilight and company continued to move down the lit lane still having to push thru bushes and duck under branches. Every few minutes Twilight’s horn lit up to double check the direction. Not a word was spoken, none of them trusted the forests actions. Even though nothing had happened the apparent cooperation of the forest had everypony on edge. Twilight had to muffle a laugh as a thought passed thru her mind.
Noticing Applejack asked “Somethin wrong Twi?” looking from side to side even up in to the tree tops.
“No sorry AJ, just a thought” said Twilight in a low voice. “Maybe the forest heard of the crusaders reputation and it wants them out.”
At that Applejack had to smile “Might be scared they’’ll be tryin for there lumber jack cutie mark.”
Looking back Twilight saw that Rainbow and Rarity also had grins on there faces from what they over heard. Looking back ahead Twilight checked her spell again they were getting close very close maybe three hundred yards and closing. “Look sharp girls we’re almost there.”
Soon Twilight held up a hoof to stop the others. She could tell their was a clearing of some kind on the other side of a leafy bush that stood before them. “I’m sure Bloom is on the other side of this bush.” She whispered.
“What’s wrong dear you look worried” asked Rarity softly.
“I’m not sure.” She said “I can feel something else over there to, something strange. Maybe we should go out their maybe what ever it is is friendly.”
“Forget that” said Dash “this is the Everfree forest we’re in, I say we go out their bucking.”
“Im with Dash on this Twi, we don’t know what’s out there.” Added Applejack.
“I guess you have a point” said Twilight though she looked hesitant. “Dash you and AJ deal with anything that might be out there. I’ll back you up with magic.” Turning to face Rarity. “If there is anything out there we’ll keep it busy you get any of the girls that are out there.” Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she readied herself. “Ready lets go!”
Rainbow Dash took off followed close be hind by Applejack and Twilight. When Twilight broke out of the bush the first thing she saw was the three fillies, her eyes widened when she saw the thing behind them. It was like nothing she had seen before. “Welc—whoa” it said in a load voice what ever it had been about to say cut off as it ducked a tackle from Rainbow Dash. Almost before it could recover Applejack rushed it from the side pivoting on her front hooves to give it a good buck. But just before contact it jumped far to the side. Both Rarity and Twilight saw this as their opportunity. Rarity running to the fillies grabbing them in her magic tossing Sweetie on her back and carrying the other two. While Twilight grabbed the creature in her magic trying to immobilize it.
To her shock the creature seem to roll it’s shoulders and the magic washed off like it was never there. As it came to it’s feet it turned to face them. Rainbow was circling around for another dive bomb, then the creature thrust both of it’s arms in to the air palms open and yelled “STOP!” in a booming voice that shook the forest. And for a moment everything did, Rarity froze dropping Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, Applejack's back legs seemed to give out as she suddenly dropped in to a very undignified sit. Rainbow’s wings seemed to lock up and she was barely able to get her legs under her landing hard on her hooves before collapsing to her stomach. Twilight found her self unable to move or even think of moving, even the sun shining down in to the clearing stopped it’s journey a crossed the sky. Though unnoticed it was felt and much confused a certain princess.
***
Tom stared at his would be attackers “Well then lets try this again shall we?” the smile not quite returning to his face “Welcome to the home of Tom Bombadil. Come along me and my young friends were about to eat. Tom has set a place for you as well, if you can keep your horns and hooves to yourselves at least.” With that he walk back over to the picnic and sat in his place.
The moment he sat down Twilight and the others found they could move again. The fillies being the closest along with Rarity went back to there spots, Rarity followed much more hesitantly.
Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight met up not venturing any closer. “What the bucking tartarus was that?” ask Rainbow barely keeping her voice in check.
“Ya got me, one sec I'm to rush that feller next it’s like I forgot how my legs worked.” Said Applejack
I don’t know, I didn’t feel any magic but he definitely has some kind of power.” Said Twilight looking at the creature. “At any rate I guess we should head over, at least he doesn’t seem to be to angry.” With that Twilight followed by Applejack and Rainbow made there way over to the group.
The crusader’s returned to the plates a crossed from Tom with Rarity taking one of the side plates closest to the fillies set. Rainbow took the spot next to Rarity. While Applejack and Twilight took the spots a crossed from them, the latter sitting at the spot closer to Tom.
When the last pony had settled in Tom’s full smile had returned, “Well now that everyone is settled and civil I believe introductions are in order. I’m Tom Bombadil, now who might you be?”
Twilight looked at her friends before saying “I’m princess Twilight Sparkle, and I wanted to apologize for our rash actions just now. The Everfree's not a safe place and it seems to be behaving stranger then normal today. We were a bit jumpy I guess.”
“Think nothing of it Twi, no harm done” Said Tom.
“Wait, how do you know my nickname?”
“Ha, lucky guess. In my old age I find long names tiring to use over and over, so I started shortening them.”
“I'm Applejack, you can call me AJ if that helps.” Scratching the back of her neck she continued “And like Twi said I'm mighty sorry I tried to buck ya. I was just worried bout mi sister here.” She gestured to Apple Bloom. Tom just continued to smile and gave her a nod.
“I’m Rarity, I to would like to apologize and thank you for looking after my sister Sweetie”
Puffing up her chest Rainbow started to hover “Rainbow Dash is the name, the toughest, fastest and all around most awesome pony in all of Equestria.”
With a mischievous glint in his eyes Tom said “Hmm hmm, well then such a special pony needs a special calling.”
“That’s what I’m talking about”
“Yes, yes. Now please sit Daisy.”
“What!? Do I look like a Daisy to you?”
All the ponies even Scootaloo started laughing at the indignant Rainbow. Where as Tom made a show of looking her over. "No you look like a pegasus who crashed in to a rainbow and took some of it with you."
"You are so not awesome" Rainbow muttered dropping back to the ground.
With introductions done lunch was started. Twilight eyed the food suspiciously, the small loafs of bread were one thing but the selections of fruits and vegetables along with the butter this all sent her mind racing as she looked around the clearing. The meal started off quiet, the four adult ponies still not sure of there host. As they ate the fillies started talking about some of there past attempts at getting their cutie marks, this quickly drew Applejack and Rarity in to the conversation when they found out about some of the lest known yet no less dangerous crusades. Tom laughed at the stories and in turn told a few of his own. By the end Rainbow was talking about her stunts, the only one who did not join in much of the conversation was Twilight. She ate little drank less and kept an eye on Bombadil through most of the meal.
After his guests had finished Tom stood and gathered up all the dishes in to one tall stack leaving only the mugs and pitchers. After a promise to return he walked up to the cabin. Applejack let out a content sigh “That feller sure puts out a mighty fine spread. Them apples he had weren’t half bad, no match to one of mine mind ya but still decent.” All the ponies seem to agree but Twilight just grunted looking in to her mug.
“What’s wrong dear you didn’t say or eat much. Are you feeling alright?” asked Rarity.
“It might be nothing, maybe… but look around us” Twilight said gesturing with a hoof. “All the vegetables he had, the bread the fruit the butter. Do you see any fields or even a garden, do you see any fruit bearing trees, do you hear any cows?” Twilight looked at the pitchers. “Two pitchers full of water even after filling all our cups, the two together should not have been able to fill all eight cups. I’m not even going to go in to some of the things in his stories.”
“Look Twi, if theirs one thing I learned from knowing Pinkie is that sometimes you just need to roll with it.” Said Dash as the others nodded in agreement.
“He’s real nice just a little strange” said Sweetie “I think it’s because he doesn’t get many visitors out here.”
“Yeah, what did he say again?” said Apple Bloom “His last visitor was a fella named Star Swirl and that was ‘an age ago’ as he put it.”
Twilight stared at the filly before slowly asking “Are you telling me he said he met Star Swirl, thee Star Swirl the Bearded?”
“Well he didn’t add ‘the bearded’ part but yeah. He said he thought he was a jester cause of the bells on his hat.” said Scootaloo.
“That can’t be right.” Said Twilight to herself “That would make him over a thousand years old. Records only have alicorns and dragons with life spans like that.”
Applejack look at Twilight nervously as the purple pony who began mumbling. “Um, Twi you all right sugarcube?”
“Yes, fine, I’m fine. It must be a coincidence”
“Oh, he has one of Star Swirl’s hats that he left behind and a few books.” Added Sweetie.
As soon as the word ‘book’ left sweeties mouth Twilight shot to her hooves and started running to the open door.
“Great, egghead unleashed, you know if he really did know this Swirly guy she’s probably going to start interrogateing him.” Said Rainbow torn between laughing and sighing.
“I hope his good humor holds out” added Rarity.
Just before Twilight reached the threshold she was stopped then lightly flung back, if she was not moving so fast she could have easily caught herself. But as it was she lost her balance and toppled backwards landing flat on her back, wings again spread out beneath her. Well at least theres no book this time she thought ruefully. “I’m fine” she called out starting to pull herself back up.
“Well then, What be this then?” came a voice from above her. “Sorry little friend but my home will not let you in till you have been invited.”
As Twilight looked up she saw Tom carrying a barrel under one arm and a folding stand in the other. She looked Tom right in the eyes and with the biggest sweetest grin she could manage and said “May I please come in and look at your books?”
“Later little Twi” said Tom smiling down at the alicorn “But now’s the time Tom wants his questions answered. Afterword’s you can see my little knowledge horde.”
Twilight’s ears pricked up at the thought of a knowledge horde, and if Sweetie was right there was some tasty brain treats in there. She followed Tom back to her friends, who had obviously been having fun watching her. Blushing a little she returned to her seat while Tom set up the barrel.
“Well I believe AJ let it slip that this little Daisy grows happier when watered with apple cider. It just so happens I have some cider made from a strange rainbow apple I some times find in the forest”
“Zap apple cider!” squealed Rainbow
“Now hold on a minute mister.” Said Applejack “My Granny Smith knows bout all there is to know bout zap apples, an she an’t never got a good batch of cider to come from it. Not to menshen it an’t any where near cider season or zap apple season. That stuff can’t be safe to drink.”
“Zap apples is that what you call them? Well I’ll admit it took a long time of playing with them to learn about them, but I have the time and new things come along so rarely that I throw myself in to anything I find appealing.” Picking up Applejacks mug he dumped out what was left of the water and filled it from the barrels tap. A liquid rainbow came from the tap and filled the mug. Returning it to Applejack he added “and why would I let good drink go bad?”
Cautiously Applejack lifted the mug first looking at it, it looked fine. Then she gave it a sniff, it smelled like zap apple but with the same bite normal cider had. All eyes were on her, especially Rainbows, as she finally lifted the mug to her mouth taking a small sip letting it sit on her toung before swallowing. There where no words the farm pony could think of to describe it, she doubted Rarity or Twilight had the right words either. With out a word she took a single pull and finished the rest of the mug off and held it back out to Tom who was laughing heartily.
After refilling Applejacks mug then Rainbow’s, Rarity’s, Twilight’s, Rainbow’s again, the three fillies, Rainbow’s yet again and finally his own mug. “Well now I, and I assume the others, would like to know why I found little ponies sleeping on my door step.”
All eyes turned to regard the fillies. Under the gazes of there sisters the three began to divulge there plan, the map, the pool and the fire works. Then there stop at the tree of harmony and the nap under the tree ending with waking up in Tom’s cabin.
“Well I am very disappointed in you Sweetie.” Huffed Rarity “Taking Pinkies fireworks and wandering in to the Everfree Forest.”
“Wait my Everfree map is in my private study” said Twilight eyeing Apple Bloom “that I keep locked.”
“Um well I was trying my hoof at covert infiltration and information gathering.” Said Apple Bloom head down pawing the blanket.
“Now I know you three are anxious to be gettin your cutie marks but ya can’t rush it like that.” Said Applejack.
“Yeah and the town goes through enough without setting an army of crusaders on it.” Said Rainbow as she finished off another mug.
Rainbow staired at the barrel behind Tom as if to summon it to her. Seeing this Tom made a show of rolling his eyes before standing and picking up the barrel and stand. He walked over and placed it at the corner next to Rainbow. Chuckling he said “Help yourself thirsty flower.” Returning to his seat he regarded Twilight “Now it’s your turn. Tom would like to know how you found your way here. The protections on his home make it so no one who is not led here can find it. By Tom or other means.”
Twilight looked at Tom curiously at that statement but decided to shelve it for now. “I have a spell that lets me track ponies when I need to.” A little lie but she did not want Apple Bloom to know about her “homing ribbon’.
Looking at Apple Bloom then back to Twilight he said “I see, you see?”
Twilight nodded slowly then continued, “Also I think the forest wanted us to find our way here.” She then went in to how the forest was acting, letting them pass almost effortlessly and lighting the way.
By the time she was finished Tom was nodding and said, “Well it seems I need to have a chat with old man willow.” Shaking his head to clear it he looked back at the ponies. “Well you answered my questions now to return some. The little ones have already asked and been answered. Do you have any questions for Tom?”
“Who’s this ‘old man willow’ fella?” Asked Applejack.
“A simple question with a hard answer, but in short he’s a tree maybe the oldest tree left in this world. His power was always green and growing. But his heart was dark and he hated anything that moved freely. At our last meeting we did each other a service and parted as, well maybe not friends but we had an under standing.” Tom gazed to the west his smile changing to a thoughtful line. “Most all the trees in the forest are under his sway and he’s always been good at singing folks to sleep, but it sounds like he has changed, turn a new leaf as it were.”
“You say this willow man is the oldest tree in the world, how do you know? Just how old are you?” Asked Rarity nursing her mug staring at Tom like she was trying to guess his age.
“Tom knows because he was there when the willow man first pushed up from the ground. And Tom is oldest.”
“Oldest?” said Rarity tilting her head trying to make sense of the answer. A nod was all she got in response.
“This clearings a good size how come I’ve never seen it when I’ve flown over the forest?” said Rainbow refilling her mug again.
“Simple ward to keep my privacy like the one around the grounds, but sense you’ve been here and are welcome you should be able to see it now as well as find your way on foot. Well hoof I guess.” Tom turned to Twilight. “Well young Twi do you have a question for old Tom?”
“Yes, to many, how can I pick just one?” said Twilight looking up at the sky before snapping her head back down. “Ack wait that doesn’t count does it? No wait or that.”
“Relax, just pick one. We can always trade for more later” laughed Tom.
Thinking for a moment she asks “If your as old as you say and you have not gotten any visitors in over a thousand years if Star Swirl was your last, how can you speak modern equesstren so well, if a little strange?”
“Simple, I don’t” said Tom beaming at Twilight.
“What?” sputtered Twilight as the rest of the ponies gave Tom strange looks.
“It is part of my nature. I speak and I’m understood. I listen and I understand. I read and I comprehend. It does not translate to my writing. To me all languages on this world are the same.”
Twilight and the others could only stair at their host. Who rose to his feet and looked up at the sky. “Well” he said “time waits for no man or pony. The day has gotten old, I doubt you will make it out of the forest by nightfall. I have spare beds if you care to stay the night and tomorrow I can take you safely to the border of my land.”
Looking up the sky the ponies saw that indeed the sun was no longer over head and the edges of the tree tops starting to darken.
“Well I’d sure be grateful not to have to walk through that forest at night” said Applejack.
“Indeed, you wouldn’t happen to have a place where a lady can freshen up, would you?” asked Rarity.
“Come along my little friends Tom will refresh you and then we can have a little party.”