Chapter 3
A large orange mare with a golden mane opened the door, and peered out at the two ponies on her porch. “Good evening, what can I do for y’all?”
The Royal guard bowed. “Princess Luna would ask you to give shelter to this colt, we will return as soon as possible!”
The mare stood tall. ”We would be pleased as punch to assist the Princess.”
The Royal Guard bowed. “Thank you.” He then turned and quickly ran back to the others, in the front yard area.
Applejack and Cadfael could see that a flight of Royal Guards had just flown into the area, the empty coach was flown back by a single pony, but the others flew away towards the west.
Cadfael now felt a tapping on his shoulder. The mare Smiled at him, she seemed very friendly. “Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres yong’n, she now lead him into a big room, where several other ponies were gathered. They appeared to be listening to the youngest one reading a story.
Applejack turned to him. “I'm sorry young’n, but I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Applejack, that big guy over there is BigMac, my sister Apple Bloom, and GrannySmith, and your name is?”
The little colt rubbed his head. “I'm Cadfael.”
All at once all eyes were upon him. The orange mare then spoke up. “Why young’n, your the one that saved my Cousin Mountain Rose. Now we can’t have you think’in yourself as a strange because your now family.” She took him by the hoof and lead him to the coach where everypony was. “Why my cousin Dayton was talking about asking the Princess to allow you to stay with them.”
“Thank you Ms Applejack.” Replied Cadfael.
An older mare that had appeared to be asleep was now waking up. “Applejack is this the colt?” Applejack gave her GrannySmith a nod. The old pony looked his way. Then in a kindly voice spoke. “Come here colt, let me see you better.”
The colt stepped to The older mare.
GrannySmith gave him the once over. she even asked if she could see his teeth. Cadfael felt no harm in going along with her request, and so he opened his mouth as wide as he could. After a moment she spoke up again. “Best fix up the guest room for this colt till he has a place to go.”
BigMac got up, but GrannySmith put up her hoof. “Sit yourself down BigMac your needed here right now!” she then turned to the little filly. “Apple Bloom would you do that.”
“Yes, GrannySmith.” And she ran to the stairs and with broom and dustpan and disappeared.
GrannySmith again turned to BigMac and just nodded. BigMac picked up the colt.
Cadfael was thinking this is the biggest Stallion he had ever seen, bigger than even Dayton. His bright green eyes looked him over, and without a word. The stallion now nodded to the old mare, and the colt was passed to Applejack. she like BigMac held him in front of her and looked him over, then put him down. “I reckon he's a mite skinny, but nothing sitting at our table wouldn't cure.”
The old mare now spoke again. “Then it's settled, I'll begin a letter as soon as I make sure this colt get some more food in him.” The older mare got up and left the room.
Cadfael was a little overwhelmed, the big stallion put his hove on Cadfael's head, and roughed what little hair he had. Applejack was looking at his scar, she winced in pain a little from the size and location,
“Colt was that the wound you got from the night before?”
“Yes ma’am, I don't know why but it's healed now.”
Apple Bloom came back. “The room is all clean, and I opened the window to air it out.”
Cadfael offered his hove to Apple Bloom. “Thank you very much.”
“No problem.” she took her seat by Applejack again and waited for GrannySmith to come back.
A few minutes later GrannySmith appeared at the doorway. She was carrying something in her hooves, a large slice of Apple Pie and a glass of milk for their guest. With a smile, she placed it in front of him.
It took him only a few moments to eat the pie. they all looked at him, and then BigMac started chuckling. “He eats like an Apple.”
They all laughed, Cadfael wouldn't get the joke for a day or two, but he didn't mind, this was a great family.
A tub of warm water was made and Cadfael got to take a bath. He washed, and afterward, GrannySmith dried him off. He had become quite tired after the busy day.
Apple Bloom walked him to his room. “Remember this is your room as long as you with us.”
“I really like you ponies, your such a wonderful family. I'm not sure if.” he paused a moment and thought about what he was going to say, but Apple Bloom spoke up.
“My GrannySmith has decided you're a member of this Family when you were passed between my brother and sister they looked for any reason not to have you as a member, and also you would know the members of the family, and they didn't have any. So as far as I'm concerned you're my new cousin.”
She turned to walk away but turned back towards Cadfael again. “I'm sure my friend Sweetie Belle has plans for you.” pausing a moment, she rolled her eyes. “She can be a little nutty, plus her sister Rarity may have given her ideas about the whole hero thing.”
Cadfael just rolled his eyes once again. “But I'm not a hero, I'm me.”
Apple bloom just shrugged her shoulders. “Well just expect her to be hanging around a lot for the next few days.”
Somepony else to play with. “OK.” He paused a moment and then he said it. “Good night cousin.”
Her smile just beamed at him. “Night cousin.” Replied Apple Bloom, and she turned and walked down the hall, she spoke out loud. “That colt should work out just fine.”
Cadfael went into his room and looked about. He had a bed, a dresser and a desk with the lamp on it. There were a few boxes in the corner, but that didn't matter. He climbed the top of his bed and then into it. He laid back and looked out the little window. He spoke out even though there was no pony there to hear. “This is the best place in the whole world!”
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Cadfael laid awake well after the lamp in the room, and the house lights were put out. The farm was very quiet. And as tired as he was could not sleep. He got up and looked out the window. The moon was high, and the bright full moonlight washed over the farm and trees.
But something was bothering him, and it was something he could not put his hoof on. He needed to think, and so he went outside and stood in the moonlight. Then he heard the old pony talking to him again, and he remembered the word to call the thunder and it will answer, and obey you.
He moved a distance away from the farmhouse. The colt was glad no pony was around. “I hope what I saw was true” He lowered his head took a deep breath, and then throwing it back he shouted the ancient word for lightning that had been given to him. “SHAZAM!”
A flash of lightning in the dark, and now in Cadfael's place stood a full-grown stallion. He looked himself over, and he noticed that he still bore the same scar as in his colt form.
He looked about and saw a white piece of cloth drying on the line. He told himself he would return it later, and took it and then tied it around his neck and draped it slightly over one shoulder as to cover his scar “That is the best I can do for now.”
He saw himself in the reflection of the farmhouse window, and his eyes grew big. “Wow, I'm almost as huge as BigMac.” He saw his mane was back as well, and he gave his head a shake.”
He looked to the west. “I wonder.” He thought, and he began to run maybe Luna and Guards were not too far ahead. He could still be some help to the Princess.
As he broke into a gallop, he saw the view around him as a blur, and he could no longer see the farm behind him. “Wow, I'm fast.” he began to run even faster. All at once he saw he was about to run into a fallen tree ahead, and he leaped to avoid it. It only took him a moment to realize that he could now see the canopy of the Everfree forest below him! “Wow I'm Strong.” then his focus changed, now noticing he was hovering. Now shouting. “I'm flying.” And with that, he began to go in the direction of the princess had taken.
Cadfael was exuberant. “This is fantastic, I'm strong, fast, and I can fly without wings, and all I had to say was SHAZAM!”
Cadfael now found himself tumbling towards the ground and it was coming up fast, he closed his eyes, and at the very last moment just above the forest canopy, he yelled again.
The lightning again lit the night sky...
Cadfael just hovered for a moment. “Wow, that was close, better be more careful with my choice of words.” He now looking around, he figures out his bearings and speeds towards the direction the Princess took earlier and he was off once again.
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Luna raised her head high and yelling at her opponent. “More royal guards are on their way here at this moment, you best give up now.”
Suddenly a huge bolt of energy is stopped by Luna's shield spell.
Luna turns to one of the wounded Royal Guards beside her. “Corporal are you alright?”
The Pegasus answered her. “I'm hurt, but not out of the fight yet your Highness.”
Several more of energy struck Luna's shield, and for the first time, her enemy came into view.
Luna had seen the Queen of the Diamond dogs before. Although Grizelda was no less repulsive than before. She was many times larger in size than even the largest diamond dog, and better than several times her height she towered over the rest of the field.
Griselda entered the area being drawn on a flat cart pulled by more than a dozen ponies under the whips of her attendants.
She now looked over the battlefield and glared at Luna and her troops. Luna sent a blast at Griselda, but it failed to get past her shield spell.
The Diamond dog queen now barked for her generals to approach her.
“Generals, I shall keep this pony busy.” She glared at her own troops and spoke coarsely towards them. “The rest of you Kure's flank and take out her guards, now go.”
They quickly advanced upon Luna's position. But as they prepared to charge something fell from the sky and landed hard between the two groups, the earth shook, and a large cloud of dust was raised, and a dark pony stepped out of the crater.
The dogs were impressed by the Earth Pony's size, but he was still only one Earth pony. Cadfael had hoped he could stop this by showing his strength and presents. “OK, it’s time for you to leave before there’s trouble.”
The Diamond dogs looked for a second, and then let out a round of laughter at Cadfael. This got Cadfael more than a little upset, but they didn't care they were going to deal with him first.
Cadfael shook his hoof at them. “I'm giving you one last warning, you better.” He didn't get a chance to finish before they took action.
The Diamond dogs held their ground, and let lose a volley of spears at the dark Earth pony.
Cadfael held his ground, and even though he knew he was safe, he winced just a little. The spears just bounced off of him off his body.
The Diamond dogs were dumbfounded and just stared at this, an earth pony, with some sort of magic to protect him.
But any quick victory for the Captain was cut short. All at once a beam of energy lanced out at Captain Stallion sending him flying backward beyond even Luna's position.
The blast had come from Griselda, and the smile on her face was from dealing with another pony problem. Her dogs barked and cheered on her apparent victory.
But a voice out of nowhere filled the air above the combat area. “You were warned.”
Both Dogs and ponies turned their eyes skyward. The dark Earth pony was still alive, and now hovering above the Diamond dogs.
Cadfael now dropped into the middle of the mass of Diamond dogs and used his speed to herd them to the center and pile the dirt around them, packing till it was rock hard trapping them at least for the moment.
Now in a harsh voice, the Captain told the dogs. “Stay, and don't move.” A hush fell over them.
Luna and her guards were dealing with the dogs now herded up, and the Cadfael now walked up to Griselda and just glared at her. She now appeared to be shaking and hiding her face.
Griselda threw down her staff and used both paws to hide her face. “Please don't hurt us!”
Cadfael walked up to Griselda only inches from her face. “Wait here, and do not move.” He then picked up the staff and turned to walk back to Luna.
Luna's guard was ready to defend their Princess if need be. But Cadfael just walked pass them and placed the staff at Luna's hooves. He then bowed. “I’m called Captain Stallion.” He then rose and walked back to Griselda.
Now in a harsh tone, he addressed her. “You'll look at me when I talk to you.”
Griselda uncovered her face and looked at the dark Earth pony.
“Before you are allowed to leave, my Princess Luna will dictate her terms.”
Luna bore an angry face, not just from the Diamond dogs, but was upset at this upstart. She had not asked the stallion to herald for her, but he had set the stage. She walked passed him, and again he bowed, she would have been lying if she said she was not a little afraid of this Captain Stallion.
Luna now cleared her throat. “Griselda you shall make good on all damages and injuries that require reparation, a sum will be tallied and demand of monies expected.” She paused for a moment. “Is this understood?”
Griselda only nodded her head.
A group of guards released the ponies that had been harnessed to Griselda’s cart.
The Captain then saw something else close by. Several ponies had been tossed in a wagon with iron bars. The Captain took the lock in his mouth and twisting it off. he was soon met with a flood of hugs and thanks.
Luna now examined Griselda’s staff the ancient dragon bone was encrusted with Alexandrite. It was a very powerful artifact, far to powerful to be left with the Diamond dogs.
Cadfael wanted to make a good impression on the Princess. He now approached again and bowed low to her, and spoke. “It has been an honor to serve you, Princess of the night.”
Luna then stomped her hove, causing the ground to shake. “We did not need your assistance, we were in control of this matter, and you will now answer my questions” and she stared right in his eyes. “What is your name!”
Cadfael quickly stepped back. “I am Captain Stallion, my Princess.” He had angrier her, he wanted to speak, to ask why, but fear overtook him, and he launched off into the night. His speed was such that even Luna could not think of catching him.
Luna's guards were aware that she felt she had lost face in front of her soldiers. Although they were just happy that injuries were few and could be dealt with easily.
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High over the Everfree forest, Cadfael hovered. He was now more worried than ever, he had angered the Princess. She could send out troops to find him, and what would happen to the Apple Family. Now thinking out loud. “I can't take any more risks, I have to think this out.”
He turned towards the farm and landed half a mile from the farm, and he then became Cadfael again. It was then he noticed the sheet he had taken was ruined. He took it and laid it on the table outside of the house and went back in the house.
He closed the door, and that's when he heard a deep voice.
“Couldn't sleep either I take it.”
Cadfael turned around and looked at the stallion, and answered. “No sir, I went for a walk.”
BigMac stood up and continued to talk to Cadfael. “There are a lot of beasts out there that would like a young colt as a midnight snack. and so if you want to go out again, stay in the yard close to the house.”
Cadfael nodded his head. “Yes sir, sorry.”
The big stallion now smiled at him. “That’s OK, hey let's have a slice of pie and some milk that always makes me tired.” The big red pony walked into the kitchen and lit the lamp and opened the pie safe.
“Thank you, sir,” Cadfael replied.
The big stallion continued to walk into the kitchen, but he turned his head to look at Cadfael. “And that sir business has to stop, I'm BigMac.” Now cutting a wide slice of pie and now do the same for Himself. “You can call me cousin BigMac, or just cousin if you like.”
After pie, it was easier to settle down and fall asleep.
Applejack and GrannySmith had seen he was not in his bed earlier, but BigMac had found him and told them. “He was OK, just a little bit nervous about the new place.”
Applejack and GrannySmith went to check on him and watched him sleep.
GrannySmith turned to granddaughter. “That little colt is going to make a fine Apple if he’s given a chance.”
Applejack smiled. “We passed him from one family member to the other, and now it's up to him if he wants to stay.” They both began to go back to bed, but Applejack turned around one last time and commented out loud. “And if he’ll be allowed to stay is now the question.”
They closed the door, and Cadfael began to snore.
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The sun-filled the room, Cadfael had kicked most of the covers off of him and was still snoring.
Apple Bloom knocked on the door And then cracked the door open so he could hear her. “Cousin, are you gonna sleep the day away?” She now had to laugh a little, the colt was no doubt tire, and would be recovering for a while.
Cadfael sat up with one eye open. “I'm up, I'm up.”
Apple blooms voice was much nicer than having a Diamond dog bark in your ear.
she smiled, the idea of a new cousin was very appealing. “Are you gonna want breakfast?”
Cadfael was trying to climb out of bed and found his hove caught in the blanket. She had to laugh as she heard a heavy thud. Not knowing the heavy thud was caused as he hit the floor face first.
Apple Bloom knocked again. “Are you OK!”
Now washing his face in the basin. “Yes, I'll be right there.”
The whole family sat at the table in the kitchen waiting for their food. Apple Bloom and Cadfael started a conversation, and shortly they were laughing back and forth.
Applejack came to the table with a plate of something that smelled great. “We got wheat cakes this morning, so how many you want Little fella?”
Cadfael didn't know what would be polite, and he didn't want to waste any that would look bad as well.
BigMac spoke up for him. “Better give him four to start with.” BigMac now spoke to Cadfael. “If you want more there will more in the oven.”
Applejack was a little stunned. With yesterday and this morning, this was weeks worth of conversation from BigMac. But she just smiled and put four wheat cakes on Cadfael’s plate.
He looked up after breathing in the smell. “Thank you, they smell wonderful.”
Applejack smiled back at him. “We’ll thank you kindly young' un.” “She began to walk away from the table. But turned back around towards him. “Best eat up, we won't be back for a while, lots of work to do on a farm you know.”
Then Cadfael's mouth was full of Wheat cakes and Blackberry jam. But he spoke up. “May I please help Ms. Applejack, since I'm family now.”
Applejack looked back at the little pony, he was mostly skin and bones, but she knew he wanted to do something. “Well your family, you best call me Applejack. and you feel up to it, sure we would be glad to have your help!”
Cadfael smiled. “I promise to do my best.”
And the family headed into the field for the days' chores.
Cadfael turned to Applejack. “I messed up the sheet that was outside, I'll pay for it somehow.”
Applejack just chuckled. “Young’ un that's the dog's blanket, but thank you for being honest about that.” She now roughed up his short mane.
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Luna was in a foul mood. She lowered the moon earlier. She had made sure her guards under her command from last night's mission, had been gone to the hospital. She now wanted to sleep and put last night behind her. She simply drew her blinds and turned down her bed, climbed in and started her daily rest...
All of a sudden her eyes went wide. She hit the ground in a run, and she re-donned her crown and armor She galloped up the hallway she knocking several senior officers against a wall in her rush, and several other barely escaping being tramped. finally, she found herself outside the royal barracks.
She pushed the large doors open, and in her Cantrelot voice, she called for the two Pegasus that had helped her the day before. “Cloud Pounced and Mountain Star, get your kits, we're out of here in five.” The two Royal guards she had called, had only just gotten to bed.
A figure walked up behind Luna. “Sister, let them rest, we need to talk!”
Both sisters now were seated in a private chamber having breakfast.
Celestia looked at her sister. “Do not worry, I have sent a message to Twilight that you were busy, and she has informed the Apples their guest would be there longer than expected.”
Luna seemed still worried. And she spoke in a tone Celestia has not heard in over a thousand years. “I do not want to abandon Young Cadfael.”
Celestia raised her hoof. “Nor I, but our concerns should be directed to the matters of last night.” She sipped her tea, the spoke again. “The Diamond dogs were caught, but the stallion that assisted you.”
Luna just shook her head. “I can not explain to him, he arrived and without permission assisted myself and my guard.” She took a bite of her cinnamon roll followed by a drink of tea. “Then after dealing with the Diamond Dogs, he then surrendered Griselda’s staff, bowed and retreated.” She now placed a bag on the table, which Celestia poured out upon the table.
It was a twisted steel lock. “If you look close sister you will see teeth marks.”
Celestia dabbed her lips. “Did you note a Cutey mark?”
“Yes, a lightning bolt.”
Celestia now commented again. “Not uncommon among Pegasus,” Celestia added while taking another drink her tea.
Luna again commented. “That was another point, it was not a Pegasus, they were an earth pony, I'm sure of it.”
Celestia put down her tea. “A Unicorn, could do a flight spell, but an Earth pony?”
Celestia paused and asked another question. “What was his appearance sister?”
Luna looked at her sister. “He looked like my...” she paused a moment and reworded her statement. “He looked like a Western Pony, dark of body and socks, and white of face and neck, much like Einion!”
Celestia put her tea down, and her eyes went wide. “That was a name I never expected to hear again.”
She looked at her sister Luna
“In my eyes, he appears to be safe, and means nether Equestria, or ourselves any harm, but we should request his presence and for safety, both of us should be there.”
“I am in agreement sister, but now that we know the Diamond dogs took prisoners, we need to see that we have found them all.”
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Cadfael had been at Sweet Apple Acres for almost two weeks, and he was still thin, but With Applejack and GrannySmith he was showing improvement.
Applejack joked with the others at the breakfast table, she commented. “The way Cadfael eats Biscuits and Zap Apple jam he has to be an Apple.”
Cadfael only responded giving a wide smile that was all rainbows and causing everypony at the table to laugh.
Applejack appeared in a good mood, and she talked to BigMac about the farm. “Well, the chores are ahead of schedule.” She showed a list of chores to BigMac and the others. “Were ahead of schedule with almost everything save the pumpkin patch.”
BigMac responded to his sister with his usual. “Yup!”
Now Cadfael and BigMac were getting close. The two Would often without talking, could hold a conversation.
After three weeks of hard work, the farm was in full swing.
Cadfael took a big spoon of porridge in his mouth and enjoyed the honey that had been poured over it, but looking at BigMac started the things. “BigMac, can I help with the plowing.”
BigMac chewed his food and nodded. “Sure, it's not a really big job.”
Cadfael spread some zap apple jam on a biscuit and took a big bite. “Then I could do it?”
BigMac took a drink of his coffee. “Plowing is hard work, you sure your up to it?”
Cadfael placed the other half of the biscuit in his mouth. “Yes, cousin.”
BigMac taking another drink of his coffee paused a moment before taking a fried Apple in his mouth. “OK, you can use my old harness.”
Cadfael chewing his food, and his eyes went wide. “Thank you BigMac.”
BigMac placed his coffee cup down and sat there for a moment. “Then let's get busy.”
Both ponies got up from the table and headed out the door...
GrannySmith now came over to the table clearing away dirty dishes. She gave her head a little shake. “I thought those two would never stop yakking!”
Poor Applejack and Apple Bloom just looked at each other with a puzzled expression...
BigMac and Cadfael had to work with the old harness. BigMac got it to fit Cadfael, and Cadfael was all set, he started. BigMac watched from the side before he got busy with other chores.
Cadfael found out it was not so easy as it looked it was a lot harder. He kept pulling and working at it, his first row or two were a little off, but Cadfael figured out what he was doing, and he kept chugging along, till lunch. BigMac had just finished some other chores, but he had to come back now to see how Cadfael was doing.
GrannySmith joined her grand colt at the fence to see how Cadfael was doing. “He’s almost done, maybe an hour, or two.”
BigMac measured his progress. “Yep!”
Now GrannySmith started looking a little cross towards BigMac. She spoke up, and her tone carried a note of displeasure. “He looks like he could use some water.”
BigMac just responded. “Yep!” A moment later he realized what she was talking about. Then looking over at GrannySmith he saw she was a bit upset for him not paying more attention to the little colt. BigMac picked up the bucket and walked out to Cadfael.
BigMac walked towards the colt, he saw him coughing, but it lasted only a few seconds. BigMac put the bucket down for Cadfael to drink his fill, and afterward, he poured a good amount over his head to cool him down. “You want me to finish up out here?”
Cadfael seemed to catch his second wind. Cadfael replied. “Nope. I'll finish what I started.”
In just about an hour later Cadfael finished the plowing. BigMac helped him out of the harness. He complimented the job Cadfael did. “A good job, with still sunshine to spare!”
GrannySmith came out and rang the large triangle. “Stallions wash up, it's dinner time.”
BigMac nodded at the colt and gave Cadfael a wink. “That's us!”
BigMac and Cadfael washed up in a bucket with a block of bar soap, and cold water, then dried off, and they began to head inside.
GrannySmith spied Cadfael's neck. She made the. Lot stop while she checked it out. “Oh you poor dear, your all chaffed!” She now gave BigMac a glare.
Cadfael was quick to BigMac’s defense. “I asked to do it, and I wanted to finish the job, so it's really my fault.”
GrannySmith patted the colts back. “If you say so, now everypony gets up to the table, we're having something special tonight.”
Granny left for the kitchen and a few minutes later comes back with a warm pie.
“A Zap Apple pie for Cad!”
But as she arrived at the table everypony was smiling and looking towards Cadfael. He had fallen asleep with his fork in his hove.
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The burden of work eases up as the crops were in and bucking Apples was not a chore, as much it was a game. Both him and Apple Bloom played most of the time, but they did do chores, and finally, a letter from the Princess came for The Apples, Cadfael would be picked up on the 7th of May.
Over the last weeks, Cadfael had gotten to know both Dayton and Thimble. Both ponies wanted the colt to come to stay with them as their son. Although the Princess said she would be coming for Cadfael. In truth he had hoped she would forget him, he had begun to spend more time with Dayton and Thimble than with BigMac, and BigMac started visiting Cadfael almost every day.
In less than two months Cadfael had filled out a bit, he was much stronger than when he first got to the farm. Most of the local farm ponies knew Cadfael, and he had lots of friends. When he had spare time he hung out with cutey mark crusaders, mostly for laughs as they were always trying something crazy.
Sweetie Belle had renamed him Caddi because Cadfael was just to strange a name to be real.
The CMC had a new goal as well. they were trying to find out the Identity of Captain Stallion. One quiet afternoon when they were just sitting around clueless. When out of the blue Cadfael told them the truth. “Guys if you want the truth, I'm Captain Stallion!”
All eyes fell on him and for a moment everything was still. He was met with silence, but a moment later laughter broke out among all three fillies.
“That’s what I love about Cadfael, he has a great sense of humor.” laughed Apple Bloom then wiping away a tear with her hove.
But finally came the last day at Sweet Apple Acres for Cadfael.
Apple Bloom came to his room, and she knocked on the door. The door swung open freely, and she just peeked inside and found Caddi sitting on his bed. Cadfael appeared very dejected he had his bag packed right beside him. His mane had grown back some it was neatly brushed for the moment, but she knew it wouldn't last.
Caddi looked like he had lost his best friend.
Apple Bloom didn't know if he had heard her before. So she knocked again. “Hey Caddi, I hope you come back real soon for a visit.” She gave him a hug and moved back to the door. “I have to meet the fillies, just take care.”
She walked down the stairs and wiped a few tears away, and thinking to herself. “Why can't they just leave Caddi here, we’re nice ponies.”
Cadfael got up and picked up his suitcase. He now stepped out of the doorway to his room and closed the door behind himself, and then slowly walked down the hallway to the kitchen.
There Applejack, GrannySmith, and BigMac were sitting and talking. As he entered the room, they all became quiet. Big Mac saw Cadfael first, and he stood up and blocked Cadfael's way, and in one scoop he grabbed Cadfael up in a big hug.
Cadfael returned the hug. “I'm going to miss you too BigMac.”
BigMac now placed him back on the ground he then turned and walked out the doorway that faced the yard. The kitchen which was normally abuzz with activity was now again quiet.
Applejack followed BigMac and hugged Cadfael. She reached behind him and tied a bright orange neckerchief on to him. “Sorry I don't have any monies to send with you, but Apple Bloom and I made this for you.” She caught herself beginning to cry. “You be good, I have to get to work, bye Cadfael.”
She walked out the door, as he has seen her do for several weeks, but it felt like it was the last time he would ever see her. she was more like a big sister to him than a cousin.
“Yes, ma’am.” But she was already out the door.
With everypony off working, or go to school. Cadfael just sat at the big table alone, GrannySmith was still canning Zap Apples. She told him the history of the Apple family. How she and her parents had been some of the first settler ponies in this area.
A stack of wheat cakes all hot and ready had been cooling on a plate in front of Cadfael, and normally he would have just picked up his fork and started eating, but he saw this as his last meal at the farm, and he began to cry...
GrannySmith stopped doing what she was doing, and came over to Cadfael and put her forelegs around him in an effort to comfort him.
“Cad, don't cry child, just come back when you can, your always welcome.”
Cadfael felt a lot better and managed to eat most of his breakfast. Afterward went to stand by GrannySmith, and he leaned on her a little just enough to know she was there.
Granny looked out the window. “Cad, their here to pick you up.”
Cadfael turned to leave when GrannySmith placed something in his back, he looked to see a new set of saddlebags.
“Everypony helped make them, even BigMac, and we wouldn't let you leave without making sure they were full.” GrannySmith opened the flap and showed him the were full of jams and pies.
“Thank you GrannySmith!”
Cadfael walked outside and climbed aboard the coach. The lead Pegasus adjusted the colts harness making sure he was securely buckled up. Once done with that they turned the coach into the wind and soon were leaving the ground, he turned and waved goodbye to the farm as they climbed high into the clouds.