The Wanderer of the North

by Alaxsxaq

2. The Alicorn Errant: Part 4. The Wintermail

2. The Alicorn Errant: Part 4. The Wintermail

Quick, bold, and deliberate, Twilight’s pen strokes unleashed a veritable deluge of ink upon the unsuspecting pages of her book. As closely as she could, the winged unicorn sought to transcribe the words of the Princess until the end of this quite frankly long story. When finished, Twilight Sparkle could then edit the piece extensively; no doubt some sort of error occurring along the way.

The lavender pony stood over the tome, pen-poised and hanging onto Celestia’s every utterance. The account had already by this point taken up an appreciable portion of the codex, with much more still to come. Understandably at some point the contents of her bottle would run thin.

Celestia was still speaking, overcome by the power of the Muses, when Twilight audaciously interrupted her. “Excuse me, Princess. You wouldn’t happen to have another bottle of ink nearby, would you?” the unicorn asked, a hint of fear in her voice.

Immediately the white alicorn produced a fresh and unopened bottle from a shelf and levitated it in front of Twilight. “I should think My Most Faithful Student would have come more prepared,” the Princess replied, smirking. Upon seeing Twilight’s face turn a rosy red, Celestia started laughing, “Oh I’m just giving you a hard time.”

Again, Twilight was not amused.

Trying her best to shrug off this prank, she uncorked the bottle and dipped the quill, inking it anew. A less-than-enthused look on her face, the purple mare flipped to the next clean page. “I’m ‘prepared’ to continue writing,” she said, the hint of sardonicism not lost on Celestia.

“I was waiting on you,” The Princess retorted. Twilight’s response was a cold glower. “Alright, alright. Now where was I…?”

“I believe you had just finished your first day in Poneva.”

“Ooooh yes, now I remember,” Celestia thoughts once again turned to ancient and forgotten days, “Poneva was a different place then;very different. The nights were…longer―sweeter. How often did I travel there? Not much after that day…,” The alicorn soon came back to the present, “But I’m getting far ahead of myself.

“What did I do that morning…? Not much of note, I’m afraid. I perused the city, exploring what else Poneva had in store for me. Evergreen, such a talented stallion, replaced the timbers in his cart for other goods. It was a fair trip to Poneva and a one-day stay was not enough. As I recall, he bought supplies to build for me my very own forge! Can you imagine that, Twilight? In over a thousand years I still have not been able to figure out why he would so accommodate a stranger like me.

“I think I could talk about all the things we bought, but in truth it’d be quite boring. Evergreen did however teach me to use money, a skill I think everypony would agree is important. With this newfound ability, I believe I did things like replacing my shoes and purchasing useless trinkets that caught my fancy―Evergreen had yet to teach me fiscal responsibility…

“I journeyed to that temple several times before we left Poneva. I talked to the curator there and he told me more stories about the carved marble figures that dominated the building. These stories are common and if you wish to know more, Twilight, simply open a mythology book. However, I did ask him what this necklace meant…,” now rid of her golden collar, Celestia could let that pendant hang elegantly from her neck. The chain of alicorn steel was just as lustrous and strong as the day it was forged ages hence. The silver accents still shone brilliantly, a testament to the rare and perhaps extinct quality the jeweler employed.

Twilight had admired this curious accessory; what special significance did it hold? The Princess was never explicit, yet something told the purple mare it was a relic of a long-dead faith. “I never got a clear answer from that stallion,” she continued, “So I was forced to remain content with listening to his stories, which were honestly quite fascinating. But our stay in Poneva eventually came to an end.

“Evergreen met me again at that central pond, pulling his old wooden wagon behind him. Being as strong as I am,” Celestia boasted, smirking, “he gave the harness to me and I followed him out the city gates, past the guards who still did not trust me, and down the road. The path covered in a thin layer of cold snow, the two of us bravely trudged onward back to his homestead. Before Poneva disappeared underneath the horizon, I took a long view at the city, knowing that I would someday return.

“Again it was early when we left, and by the afternoon our trip was complete. Evergreen’s sisters and mother gave us a warm welcome, endlessly asking questions about our journey―they didn’t travel often. That diligent stallion though was not happy with merely standing around; almost as if he suffered some kind of…irritation from idleness.

“So with my help he built a small annex to his home. And he placed in that shack a brick furnace just for me. He gave me a hammer and anvil, and some iron bars and said this to me: ‘You’re always welcome on my land, Nikóleva, but from time to time I may need one of your crafts.’ And that was the only condition he ever gave me. From that day I pursued a career, off and on, of being a smith. When I lived with my sister and Henarion and even in decades thereafter, calling me a generic smith was adequate; I did many kinds of metalworking in my youth, but the one I became most found of was bladesmithing.

“This proved quite useful for the lumberjack. I’d repair his axes and he’d set aside wood for charcoal. It was similar to the relationship I had with Taber―Luna, and that’s probably why I grew so fond of working on Evergreen’s land. I did other things as well; there is always something in need of fixing or replacing around a homestead. I’m sure you know this from Applejack.”

“Perhaps a little too much…,” Twilight muttered. That honest mare certainly didn’t like to keep secrets. Celestia however could not hear the student’s quip.

“Evergreen was always so kind and thoughtful, making sure to thank me every time I gave him a finished tool or ornament. I guess that was common courtesy and I didn’t know it yet. But his greatest show of virtue was one winter day, about a month after my initial arrival,” Celestia paused and took a sip of water. Readjusting herself on her large pillow, the alicorn resumed her tale.

“That morning just so happened to be my birthday,” she placed a hoof under her chin, “Now which birthday was it…?”

Twilight giggled and spoke up, “I think that would be your twentieth.”

“Oh of course! How could I forget?! You know, Twilight, turning twenty is a big deal for us alicorns. When our race was still strong and plentiful, upon reaching that age an alicorn is considered an adult, albeit young and naïve. Until they turned fifty, respect was not commonly afforded to them; instead they were treated like grown children. Anyway, I was saying a simple birthday prayer that my father had taught me. Evergreen heard me speaking my strange tongue and asked me what I had said.

“As his ‘tenant’, I was obliged to answer: Bor catiléd elna im-Oséo dharet, taë gaduln daiäm semla im-mor. But when the stallion learned that it was my birthday, he became ecstatic. Twice I tried to convince him not to throw a celebration. My protests were promptly ignored. Evergreen was so excited, he postponed all his other chores and got out his finest foods and drinks on my behalf!

“He and his family set a grand table of dishes prepared for this occasion. Twilight, in those days most ponies had little more than rags and a sickle, so I hope you can appreciate the charity this poor home showed. Lórian knows I was very hesitant at first to even take a sip from my cup. But after a while I loosened up and began to enjoy the party thrown in my honor.

“There were humble foods like cheese and bread, steamed vegetables and potatoes―essentially what we always ate, if not all at once. But Evergreen’s sisters also took it upon themselves to prepared strawberries and cream; they even baked a cake,” Celestia started to water at the mouth, remembering that dessert remarkably well, “Not too crumbly yet still soft; fluffy but still containing substance… I’d have eaten the entire thing had I been a filly,” The Princess joked.

“And then there were the drinks. Evergreen tapped a keg of malt beer. And I, against my better judgment, confess that I drank many glasses’ worth. He brought out wine and his oh so sweet mead. Come morning there wouldn’t be any left! In retrospect, that probably wasn’t the smartest of ideas…,” Twilight gave this somewhat disappointed look. Celestia smiled, “Oh don’t give me that, Twilight. I know; it’s not becoming of a princess. But that mead was delicious.

“As the night wore on, us five ponies sang and danced, told stories and laughed; it was such a happy time. Of course it had to end, and the next day we returned to work. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy my labors; quite the contrary. I was given a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. And every month or so Evergreen and I would travel back to Poneva or the outlying manors.

“There, during the several days we lodged in the city, I met that old blacksmith once again and accepted his offer for apprenticeship. I became better and better at making a blade in that year of study. Mine became perfectly balanced and shaped… why I even managed to catch the fancy of a very wealthy merchant. He offered me a bag of gold for Eónadin, which naturally I refused. He settled on another, far lesser valuable sword.

“Towards the end of my apprenticeship, for my final test, my Master told me to remake the sword I had shown him during our first meeting. So I pried the hilt from the blade and reworked the steel. I labored for many days back at Evergreen’s home until finally I produced a weapon infused with all my passion and strength,” Celestia began to look longingly at nothing in particular.

“Bladesmiths often say weapons can have minds and lives of their own. That’s probably what happens when you sit by a fire with nothing but the pounding of metal in your ears all day! Though…perhaps it’s not entirely unfounded… I digress, Twilight.

“Truth be told, sometimes I wonder how I managed to focus on forging that blade, or any blade for that matter. I was often…distracted. Then I could not explain it, though I know now, but as I worked Evergreen would often walk past my forge hauling his timbers. Every time he came into my view, I couldn’t help stealing a glance or flashing a smile.

“And…at first I thought I was seeing things but he’d do the same. And when he noticed me he’d blush and try to hide his face. When the snow melted and spring came, our work hours increased―and these passes happened more and more. When I had finished my chores, instead of resting inside I’d go and watch him. And if he was done before me, he’d do the same.

“As the days became longer, we’d often go frolic in the forest and talk…often until sunset. We’d picnic in the cool spring breezes on the shore of this small lake. We learned much about each other then. He told me his hopes and dreams, and everything he felt comfortable speaking of. And I even revealed where I came from and why I left…I trusted him so.

“My trust was well-placed. His lips were forever sealed as I asked him. But it eventually became necessary to tell the rest of his family that I was an alicorn: his mother was hardly surprised, though his sisters were a tad shocked.”

“’Necessary’?” Twilight asked, “Wasn’t it highly important to conceal your nature, Princess?”

“That works best when one doesn’t stay in a place for too long. You see I started molting and those large white feathers became increasing hard for Evergreen to explain! It’s rather funny, Twilight, I eventually used them to stuff a pillow for the new large bed Evergreen allowed me to build for myself.

“My wing had healed by then and with my new feathers I thought I’d practice flying, something I rarely do, then and now. Evergreen sat on a hill and watched me attempt to flap my wings. I stumbled quite badly the first few times―thought I’d break my wing again! But on the…sixth try? I managed to stay in the air for longer than ten seconds. I practiced as often as I could get the chance, and one day the stallion shyly approached me with a humble request.

“He said to me ‘I’ve seen pegasi sore the skies many time before. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, Nikól, might I…’ Oh bless his heart he was so nervous. Understandably it was an unusual request, but one I was happy to oblige. I had little trouble bearing him, what with me having such a large frame.

“I told him to wrap his forelegs around me tightly: I wasn’t sure how well this would’ve gone. I did manage to ascend about two-hundred feet without much issue,” The Princess’ eyes suddenly became misty and she started to laugh, “I remember…that stallion got so exited he let go of me and flailed his limbs. He looked just like a colt, screaming and cheering. Well that ended as you’d probably expect; he slipped off and plummeted down to earth!

“I was terrified, so I bolted down as fast as my wings could take me. Don’t worry, I caught him. He was so grateful, without a second thought he squeezed my neck and kissed my cheek. There was an awkward pause, and we both looked away. I blushed, and I think he did the same. ‘What did I tell you?’ I said. He just kicked his hoof.

“We tried again with more successful results. Oh that was…very fun, almost as if I had been a filly again…back when things were…kinder. But what I can say was the most important moment between us occurred in the summer, under the shade of a tree. The air was warm and humid… He looked at me and recalled why my mane hung over my eye. Several times before he remarked how beautiful my eye was, and he insisted I’d look better with both. I refused him each time.

“But this day he made no such comment. Instead, he took a very pretty flower and set it in my mane. It’s cliché, I know…but still sweet. He said it gave me the appearance of two eyes, and immediately he recoiled in embarrassment! He muttered something about being a fool and he apologized. Luckily for him, I found it somewhat endearing, if of course rather silly.

“Then, in what I consider one of my boldest moves, I placed my hoof on his and simply stared out at the sparkling waters of the lake. He was content with allowing that, and we just sat there until dark. As the bright moon rose from the tree line, he turned to me and stumbled with his words. He admitted to holding feelings he never quite could articulate, but I still understood what he meant.

“I confessed the same to him, and relieved he hadn’t made himself an even bigger fool he laid his head upon my shoulder. And I unfurled my wing to drape over him. And then, bathed in quiet moonlight, I turned my gaze to his eyes, and his to mine…and we calmly smiled at one another. I summoned all my courage, and completely unsure what would happen next…I leaned in and kissed that sweetest and kindest of stallion on the lips. No words were spoken the rest of the night, but by his expression, I could tell I had done what he wished he had the daring for.

“Not much changed after that. We still toiled just the same since I had arrived, and still spent as much time together as work would allow. We’d talk and tell stories to one another, and very few times we’d shared another kiss. Summer turned to autumn, and then back to winter. I celebrated my twenty-first birthday. I never expressed much desire to leave until then.

“One night in bed, I thought about the wide world my Father had told me about. There were countless peoples and cities to meet and visit. I recalled how much I wished to travel and explore in my youth. I’d grown complacent with Evergreen, but then I realized...I’d never see all the world had to offer simply tied to his homestead.

“In April, back by the lake, I conferred to him my wish to depart. I told him…I was drawn elsewhere…like my place was as a lone wanderer. I promised him my heart would remain there, but I possessed a yearning for travel and adventure! I did not yet realized how many years I still had to do so: I could’ve stayed…something I regret quite a bit.

“But this was not my desire then. He yielded after a few attempts to talk me out of leaving. Evergreen understood the heart of an adventurer; something he had not. I asked him…nay begged him to come with me. He said his place was there, taking care of his family. I didn’t like it, but I respected his decision…as he had with mine.

“I told the other members of the house, and they wished me luck that I find whatever it was I would be searching for―I’m not entirely sure I ever found it. I assured them I’d return every now and then. They nodded and smiled, and threw me one final party; for in the morning I would depart for places unknown.

“When all others had gone to sleep, I sat before the fireplace with a very strange subject on my mind. Evergreen countless times told me I owed him nothing for allowing me into his home for over a year. Indeed the work I had done around his land was payment enough. But…I still felt a need…a yearning to return that selflessness and virtue. And I remember thinking he had begrudged me for leaving, even if he did not show it.

“I wished to convey to him how hesitant I was to ‘abandon’ him and his family. I sat for a while trying to produce the right words, but nothing came to me. Soon Evergreen emerged and sat beside me, as he had that first night. We didn’t speak much there; I still could not find the words. Yet…I could tell he was just content sitting next to me.

“He simply smiled and stared into the flames. My heart ached…as I knew leaving that place―leaving him would only make me long for his company. I…I admitted those feelings to myself that night. I shall be the first to confess, Twilight: I loved Evergreen. And I knew he loved me,” Celestia started to tear up, her face half-happy…and half-sad.

“I took him by the hoof one last time, and drew his gaze to mine. Of all the meaningless and frivolous details you may want me to recite, this is one I shall never forget: I paused for a few moments, and then spoke to him very clearly. Ironically, it took true courage to reveal something I was aware he already knew: ‘Evergreen…,’ I said, my voice very calm and quiet, ‘I depart by necessity; my spirit drives me away, yet my heart pines for you; I love you.’

“His response did not take but a second, and immediately he kissed me and repeated the phrase. I wrapped my wings around us both, and I whispered to him, asking if he’d…well keep me company in sleep. This was to be the last time I would see him for a long time…and I wanted to remain in his presence―or he in mine.

“I led him to my bed, and we both climbed in and laid our heads down for rest. But neither of us could sleep…he turned his face back to mine…and we kissed a second time. And then…,” Celestia closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. Before she could continue the story, the Princess again recalled where and when she was; this was becoming a very annoying habit.

Twilight stooped over her book, the quill awaiting the next word from Celestia’s mouth. The Princess had stopped however. “Excuse me,” the lavender pony interrupted, “Then what happened?”

The white alicorn thought a moment before replying, “I’m sorry, Twilight…but there are some things I wish to keep private.” The student got a very disappointed look right then. Celestia couldn’t help but giggle, “But we did sleep very soundly that night.”

“At first light, I gathered my things, girt my weapons, and trotted up to that gate where Evergreen had first let me in. He and his sisters and mother stood, tears in their eyes, waving goodbye. I nearly broke down in tears myself as I waved back. I promised that I would return, regardless of whatever obstacles delayed me. And when I had, the reunion would be sweet indeed…

“And…in another life, I would’ve stayed and wed Evergreen I think. I would have mothered his foals and I’d remain by him and my children to the dying days of their long lives. Often I think about that path…what might have been…but the world would be a different place. I would not be Princess, nor would there be an Equestria―or perhaps there’d be a perverted shadow of it.

“Or maybe I’m not as important as I once thought…,” Celestia cleared her throat. “Sorry, I digress again. Of course I had no knowledge then of what I eventually would become. When I left that quaint and familiar homestead…I was very unsure as to where to go.

“So for the first few weeks I stayed in Poneva and worked alongside my master smith. In between lessons and working hours, I vied for an audience with the King. He was often busy and on the…third attempt I managed to get a few minutes with him. Since that day I first met His Majesty, what he said to me was most perplexing.

“Not only had he seen through my guise, but he also spoke to me in my people’s ancient language. I needed to know more about who this stallion was. Our talk was brief, but all through it he smiled and kept a kind and regal air around him. I asked how he knew the things he revealed. Unfortunately his knowledge was small. He said that alicorn blood flowed through his veins, but it had long become diluted.

“Even so, the Ponevan Royal Family still hung on to the decrepit faith of our extinct race; the language being very important for…certain observances. The King told me all he knew about the alicorns, which amounted to little more than they had come to Equestria long ago from somewhere else. Ashamed he could not reveal more, the King wished me best of luck in discovering…who I was―am.” Celestia took a moment to pause.

“And did you ever discover this?” Twilight asked, questions about her own self and lineage starting to emerge.

The Princess gave a coy smile, “Of course. But we are not yet there in the story.” Twilight aggressively sighed and dipped her quill. “With this scant information, I finally bid farewell to all my friends in Poneva and left to go southwards. On the morning of the fourth day of my journey, I crossed the border between that northern realm and the borders of what in those days was Equestria.

“I know today Poneva is well within our borders, and even my old home rests comfortably in land since surveyed and settled. But when I was just a mare of twenty-one, Equestria consisted of seven independent and often hostile Princedoms. I shall discuss later exactly how this came to be, but I felt this added information was necessary to establish a bit of context.

“The old highways had since become infested with bandits and wild beasts. I had to do my part in ‘clearing the way’ more times than I care to count. Town after town I’d lay low all threats that impeded my progress. And soon tales of my endeavors reached the ears of many ponies. It started as just me defending myself. But one day I wandered into a very small village; I forget the name it. My reputation had preceded me, and they had heard of a ‘tall white mare who banishes all evil’. There words not mine!

“They offered me a sizable bag of gold to fight off slavers who kept raiding there settlement and carrying off their friends and family. I was not urged on by greed, but instead a desire to perform good deeds. I took a small band of the villagers with me and found the slaver’s hideout. Twilight, please remember throughout my stories that justice is not always kind. We slew every single low-life creature and saved the few ponies who had not yet been sold into slavery.

“The townponies were so grateful, and my heart was full of…purpose. I accepted the bag of gold―I still needed to eat and sleep. But before I could leave, the Mayor of town asked me my name. I thought for a second, recalling those words my father told me so long ago. The Mayor’s eyes begged for an answer, so I gave him the alias the Ponevan King gave me: Wintermail.

“Eternally grateful, that old mare wished me luck on my journey. I nodded and without a word walked off as the sun rose. I hadn’t expected anything more to come from this...I had been completely wrong. Every town I now came across pleaded for my help. I could not simply tell them ‘no’, and bound by my own virtue I agreed.

“Soon one town turned to ten, and a single bag of gold to dozens. I even became a mercenary of sorts for causes I felt were worth fighting for. At one point, ponies had been dispatched merely to find me! Every lord and mayor and count wanted me to help them and their people. Inevitably I had to turn some of them down; I was more complex than a ‘hired-hoof’.

“But most offers I readily took up. They tried to pay me for my services. I’d take a small amount of coins and give the rest as alms; I would’ve had literal mountains of gold otherwise.”

“I see you hadn’t yet discovered what a ‘bank’ was,” Twilight giggled.

“Um…no. But I didn’t need that much money anyway. Well the stories of the ‘Wintermail’ who would selflessly save any village or hamlet and then generously divvy out her own rewards mutated into legend and myth. I once heard a tradition where young fillies and colts were told to behave, and Wintermail would shower them with gifts. How silly is that?

“They had inflated my reputation into something far greater than I could ever be. But as I reflect on that, I realize now ponies needed something to hope for…something to ease the hardships of their lives. Everypony needed hope that a ‘Wintermail’ would arise and rescue them from tyranny, oppression, poverty. I inspired several guilds of so-called adventurers who traveled and helped those in need. One based in…Manehattan even had their crest a stylized white pony,” Celestia smiled slyly, pride still an emotion she could muster.

“I didn’t fully appreciate or even realize the impact I had. Even now it seems wholly fantastic to think a mere pony like myself could give hope to an entire country. Had I known the importance of my work, I might’ve continued doing it. However, Twilight, you know that’s not what happened. To me, it was simple exploring.

“I met many enlightened and friendly ponies during this phase of my life. I wandered the streets of dozens of great cities, which all wrapped me in awe. Manehattan was built on an island originally, and the pristine golden bridges that connected it to the mainland held stalls and battlements. What a place! And the beautiful libraries and academies of Trottingham! I didn’t know how to read when I first journeyed there, but I could admire the gilded illuminated texts and statues of ancient philosophers and historians.

“But what encapsulated me most was the nigh-impenetrable fortress of Canterlot. This city was built thousands of years ago into the very face of a mountain. When I first laid eyes upon its towering white spires, I thought I had gone to the very seat of the Gods! The waterfalls fell majestically down the mountain as they do today. I spent a lot of time in this city…though I did not know exactly how familiar I would eventually become with it.

“Ironically, as well known as the Wintermail became, I did my best to keep a low profile. This wasn’t the easiest of tasks for somepony who sticks out quite as much as I, but I managed. Some might recognize me here and there, but if there were no problems or issues, I was usually left alone. I suppose many also didn’t wish to bother me. But the respect was still there. I even acquired my own epithet! ‘The Wanderer of the North’ they started to call me; notwithstanding the fact I rarely traveled further north than Equestria proper.

“By the time I was ready to…slow my travels, I had ventured the full breadth of the known world: from the sandy shores of the East to the jagged foothills of the Great Mountains dividing this continent. I once was audacious enough to try and fly over them! This was a futile effort: to find out what lied behind them I had to wait quite a long while.

“I journeyed far to the south all the way to the land of the Minotaurs and even beyond. Languages in Equestria varied from city to city and realm to realm. But the strange and numerous tongues I picked up in these alien lands sounded completely different from what I was used to. One particular tribe of Zebras even communicated with clicks and whistles! How fun!

“But what struck me most in the distant south was a single set of ruins which the zebras had shown to me. It was revered by them as a place of the ‘winged unicorns’. Zebras have an oral tradition that speaks of tall horned pegasi who arrived in large mountains of wood and taught the zebras many things about medicine and art. Yet again, they had little else to the story.

“It intrigued me, and as a symbol of our friendship they showed me where the alicorns used to dwell: a large iron fortress. They called it ‘The Red City’ on account of how most everything had already rusted in the tropical climate of the Zebra homeland. I know now why the alicorns built the fort, though it pains me to admit it. There isn’t much to say about it: most if not all artifacts had either become buried or plundered away. But I was still pleased to find another vestige of my heritage, even if I wasn’t sure what it meant.

“I only traveled that far south once, as on foot it was several thousand miles. And ships of the day weren’t easily capable of sailing the open ocean. I did return to Equestria and seldom wandered far from it again. Which was good; I remained a bit closer to some old friends.

“It must’ve been two or three years since my first departure when I returned to see Evergreen and his family again. Not much had changed; Evergreen looked a bit older and stronger. His sisters had found prime stallions to wed. Their home soon grew to contain several houses, and Evergreen became the head of a large family.

“As the years wore on, his sisters raised several foals and one year I recall meeting their grandchildren. I became known as that kindly stranger who came bearing gifts. They were great fun to be around, those foals. But Evergreen made no effort to find a wife. He remained…’faithful’ to me and I to him. In the scant days I stayed, we caught up and talked quietly under the shade of a tall tree.

“We even rekindled our youthful flares once or twice,” Celestia eyes turned glossy and sad, “It was always fun to see how their family had grown and changed. But unfortunately it was at his homestead that I learned a very painful lesson.

“Bristlepine, his dear mother, was already old when I had first met her. My naïveté made me think she was well over two-hundred years old. Not so. She was merely in her fifties I believe. I returned one day to learn…she had passed. I paid my respects at her grave and offered my deepest condolences to Evergreen and his family.

“Death of course is a part of life. I was no stranger to such a reality…but that didn’t make it any easier. Time passed and my First Love and his sisters and their husbands and even children all became older. Tales of me were told less and less until the youngest generation hardly knew who I was. It seemed only Evergreen cared to recall that white stranger from so many years before.

“Do you remember the first time you saw the leaves change color, Twilight? I remember it well. I was in Manehattan, and ponies from other parts came to see the beauty of the Autumn season. It truly was marvelous; the bright oranges and reds and yellows―almost like…fire! The trees in one final show of defiance to the relentless cruelty of time flashed colors of life and passion before falling down to Earth. When snow fell, the naked trees stood calm and dormant, memory of their glory still fresh in my mind.

“Evergreen struck me the same. He was twenty-seven years old when I had first met him. By that age, his prime would soon start to diminish. At first, he did become stronger and livelier; as did I. But I continued to grow and prosper when all other trees died back. One day after my journey far to the South, I came to greet an Evergreen whose bones had betrayed him. The vitality in his step and demeanor had cooled to a slow and steady pace.

“I watched him…and his sisters become frail and grey. Their once lustrous coats inevitably faded to dull shades of green. I could not help but feel…guilty. There was no pallor in my coat, no wrinkles upon my face; not even my mane migrated from its bright pink color. Many times, no doubt laced with jealousy, it was remarked how young I stayed.

“’What is your secret?’ they asked. But I could give no answer. My Father and Henarion our Caretaker had lived far longer than any of these ponies, yet only the slightest bit of age touched them. I thought and thought, and...however scarce my knowledge of alicorns was, I realized it was our fate to dwell upon this Earth far longer than most creatures; for good or ill.

“This continued on for thirty-three years. I’m sure you can do the simple arithmetic to calculate my age then. A rather young number for an alicorn―an unimaginably small one for my…current age. I had traveled the entirety of Equestria; though I‘d find out someday there was so much more that I hadn’t seen.

“It wasn’t my intention that day to return to Evergreen…but I’m glad I did. However large the myth of the ‘Wintermail’ had become, she was still just a pony. And even she needed…a guiding hoof. I doubt sometimes that what transpired that day even actually occurred. But I shall dictate precisely as I remember.

“And here, Twilight, is where I ask you to place some trust in me.”

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[Interloper]

This is probably the best chapter so far. You had me giggling, cheering, and crying all within the same chapter

I'm so sad she outlived Evergreen... they would've been great together. Celestia's reminiscing reminds me of times in my own life where things could have been different.

[Thundoryey]

Twilight stooped over her book, the quill awaiting the next word from Celestia’s mouth. The Princess had stopped however. “Excuse me,” the lavender pony interrupted, “ Then what happened?”

And then they banged