The Tale of the Winter Mare
“Spike. Spike!” Twilight called for her assistant as she strode across the main room of the library. It was decorated in the most splendid of Hearth’s Warming decor. Rarity had been very adamant that Equestria’s newest alicorn princess must have the very best presentation, as it would be a good representation of her status. Twilight hardly agreed but as Rarity pushed, she faltered and eventually gave into the fashionista’s demands.
“What’s up, Twilight?” Spike asked, poking his head out of the kitchen area. He carried a large batch of freshly made snickerdoodle cookies in his hands and propped the door open with his tail. The loud sounds of laughter echoed from inside the door as three fillies dashed around, picking up plates of cookies, bowls of punch and carrying them into the room. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo zipped past the poor dragon, causing him to lose his balance and fall over, only to be saved by Twilight and her quick reflexes.
Spike hovered in the air inches off the ground upside down with the cookies still in hand. A disgruntled look crept across his face as Sweetie Belle sped past him, knocking him down out of the magic onto the floor.
“Would you three watch where you are going? I almost dropped the cookies because of you.” The dragon scolded the young fillies as he picked himself off the ground.
“Sorry Spike,” Scootaloo said, placing the bowl she had balanced on her head onto the table. “We were just so excited when Twilight asked us to help set up her party.”
“Yeah,” Apple Bloom spoke up, “and who knows. We could get our cutie marks because of this.”
“Ooh ooh ooh. We could be Cutie Mark Crusader Caterers!” Sweetie Belle jumped up and down as she bounded next to her friends. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom gasped and smiled widely.
“Cutie Mark Crusader Caterers! Yay!” they yelled at the top of their lungs, shaking the library all over.
“Like that will ever happen,” Spike grumbled as he walked over to a snickering Twilight, “so what do you need?”
“Have you seen my checklist?” Twilight asked.
“Seriously?”
“Well you see, I just wanted to go over it one more time before everypony gets here.” She laughed sheepishly. “I’m just trying to be thorough.”
“Twilight,” Spike started, walking over to the desk and picking up a large scroll. He grabbed hold of the end and released the roll, allowing it to fall to the floor and across the room into the kitchen. “As much as I would like to go over the list… again… it clearly states at the bottom of the checklist ‘Triple check checklist to make sure we didn’t miss anything when we double checked the checklist’. And it’s checked.”
“I just want to be sure..” Twilight giggled as she crept closer to the end of the list.
“Twilight!” Spike shouted, jumping in front of the advancing pony, “there is nothing else on the list we need to worry about.”
“I know Spike, but it’s my first Hearth’s Warming as the newest princess so I feel like everything needs to be right.”
“It’ll be fine Twilight.” Spike said as he walked over and patted his friend on her shoulder. Twilight took a deep breathe and allowed herself to exhale slowly.
“You’re right Spike. And besides, it’s still an hour until the party, so I should be able to think of something else to check before then.” Twilight beamed at her little assistant, who stared at her disapprovingly.
“Whatever. Just… I’m going to make sure those three haven’t destroyed the kitchen.” Spike said dejectedly as he walked back into the direction of the kitchen.
Twilight laughed to herself, knowing she had pushed Spike just a little too far. Guess he couldn’t take a joke she thought as she walked back over to the table to arrange everything.
“Aha,” she said excitedly, moving the plates and bowls around the table. “There, all done.”
“Wow, Twilight. Ya did a great job,” Apple Bloom said approvingly.
“Well, I do try,” She smiled, accepting the compliment. She levitated a small scroll in front of her and wrote “Arrange food and drinks for party, Check!” She rolled up the scroll along with the long one that Spike had neglected to put back. How will that dragon ever be able to impress Rarity if he doesn’t take these little details into account?
“Twilight?”
“Yes, what is it, Sweetie Belle?” Twilight asked while she turned around. She stopped dead in her tracks as she laid her eyes on the three little fillies covered in pie filling and cookie dough. It took all of her nerve not to laugh, but she did let a little giggle through.
“Is there anything else we can do? Spike kicked us out of the kitchen.” Sweetie said as she and the other crusaders hung their heads dejectedly.
“I guess we aren’t going to be Cutie Mark Crusader Caterers.” Scootaloo stated as she whipped filling off her wings.
“Or cooks.” Apple Bloom added. Twilight smiled nervously, not knowing what to say to help bring the young fillies out of their little depression.
“It’s ok girls” she said, attempting to console them.
This was the holidays, she thought to herself. Ponies are meant to be happy. I mean there are all these stories abou… That’s it! I could tell them a few stories. It did always help me when I was feeling sad.
“I have an idea,” she said, beaming at Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, “let’s get you cleaned up and I will tell you a story while we are. Does that sound like fun?”
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle all looked at each other. She was right, they did need to get cleaned up before the party, but a story from Twilight? That was sure to be boring. She usually analyzed things way too much for it to be fun. But she was the new princess and best friend of their sisters, was it like they could say no?
“Uh… sure?” Apple Bloom finally said slightly worried.
“Oh excellent. I’ll get the water started and then find a good story to tell you.” She squealed as she raced off towards the bathroom. The three fillies slowly ambled following her.
“Did she learn how to be fun from Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asked aloud, to which Scootaloo and Apple Bloom snickered.
Upstairs in the bathtub, the crusaders splashed and flung water and bubbles alike at each other.
“I guess Twilight was kinda right,” Apple Bloom said, “this is kinda fun.”
“Yeah,” Scootaloo said, sending up a flurry of bubbles at the other two with her wings. Covered in head to hoof in bubbles, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom stared down Scootaloo with fiendish grins.
“Get her!” They screamed, tackling Scootaloo. Bubbles flew everywhere in the bathroom, coating the walls and Twilight’s face.
“Oh! Sorry Twilight, I guess we got a little carried away,” Apple Bloom said, sliding down into the tub so only her head was above the surface.
“It’s alright girls,” she said, wiping the bubbles from her face with a towel, “it seems that you are in a little better mood.”
“Mhmm” the three replied.
“Good,” the princess beamed. She held up a book next to her face, “Now what story do you want to hear?”
“Ooh ooh ooh,” Sweetie Belle piped up, “Frosty the Snow Mare?”
“No,” Scootaloo scoffed, “that story is for babies. What about Gift of a Stallion?”
“I’ve heard that story a hundred times, Scoots. What about something like Hearth’s Warming Carol?”
Twilight stared at the three fillies arguing about what story they wanted to hear. She had to admit she was impressed that they heard, even knew, what Gift of a Stallion and Hearth’s Warming Carol were. Those stories were pretty old and somewhat advanced.
“Well since you three can’t decide,” Twilight spoke over the din that the three were making, “how about you let me decide. Does that seem fair?” The three fillies looked at each other once again, but nodded just the same.
“Wonderful,” Twilight said as she opened the old tome and held it in front of her. “Now tell me girls have you heard the tale of the Winter Mare?”
“Is this anything like the Frost Empress?” Sweetie Belle asked, once again surprising Twilight with their knowledge of slightly obscure stories.
“No,” she chuckled, “this story is from long ago. It’s about a mysterious mare and her contribution to the holiday.”
“I knew it,” Scootaloo sighed, “it’s a history lesson.”
“Only kind of,” Twilight blushed. She cleared her throat and opened the page to a picture of a mare dressing in long flowing robes of deep red. “This is the Winter Mare, but I guess she is more refered as Santa Hooves.”
“Oh,” Scootaloo stated, “that makes more sense.”
Twilight smiled as she held the book in front of her with her magic. “Our tale begins after the founding of Equestria.” She cleared her throat again and began to read the tale.
“It was the night of the first Hearth’s Warming eve, and a small pegasus mare paced a small room. The threadbare rug barely kept the cold from her hooves and the tattered curtains did little to keep the snow out. She knew that spring was months off and her mother and father would not return until then. It was up to her to take care of her younger sisters and brother, but she had no money and little food to give them.
‘I’m hungry, sister.’ Her younger sister landed on her back, kneading her hooves into her wings and withers.
‘Yes, I know. It is still sometime off from supper. What of your brother and twin?’
‘Brother is asleep at the moment, and sister is playing in our bed.’
‘Why do you not join her? I am sure that you would forget your hunger while playing.’
The little filly looked into her sister’s eyes. The mare knew that she would not budge, she was indeed a stubborn little filly.
‘Alright, you can help me prepare supper.’ The older sister sighed as she caved into her sister’s stare. The small filly beamed as she jumped off her back and fluttered over to the fireplace, where a small pot hung above the small fire.
‘What are we having tonight?’ the younger sister eagerly asked.
‘I am not sure,’ the elder sister answered, ‘we do not have much to use. We must ration our food until mother and father return. But I do believe there are some carrots. They might be a little old but it should taste just the same in a soup.’
The little sister scrunched up her face in disgust. ‘Carrots,’ she scoffed, ‘all we ever have is carrots. Why can we not have apples?’ The little filly sat down dejectedly in front of the fire. She put her hooves out to warm them against the cold, but little did it help. The small house was poorly made and it was all the family could afford. It did at least shelter from the elements, but just barely.
‘I wish we could have apples, or even some alfalfa flakes, but that is just too rich for us. I tell you what though, there is still sometime before I have to begin preparing supper. Let me see if with a bit or two, I can get us an apple for dessert.’ The little filly beamed at her sister’s promise. She jumped from her spot in front of the fire and threw her arms around her neck, embracing her warmly.
‘Thank you so much. I’m going to get ready for supper right now!’ the little filly flew out of the room as quick as a flash, leaving her sister smiling. A hollow one sadly. She knew that they had little savings, and to use it all up on one thing, it was just downright silly. But to see her sister smile like that, it was worth it. The elder sister walked over and grabbed a small coin purse out of a cabinet. She jingled the bag and counted two bits. She threw her ragged coat over her shoulders and walked out into the night.
She flew over to the nearest town, not too far from her little cottage. The village looked marvelous for the celebration of the first celebration of their wonderful country. Candles adorned corners and eaves of houses while pine trees were placed around town and inside buildings. She landed in front of a large window and looked inside.
There inside was a lavish party. Ponies of all kinds were dancing, drinking and eating to their heart’s content. The table inside was filled to the edges with amazing treats and pastries. A large careen of soup steamed next to a large apple cake. It all looked wonderful...and expensive. The sister looked down at her little coin purse and sighed. She knew she could never provide the kind of treats inside that shop and proceeded to the next store.
Store after store, she went past. She saw all sorts of marvelous treats and goodies, but all was too rich for her and her measly two bits. Eventually she made her way to the most run down store, but even there she could not afford anything. The festivities raised all the prices and even a moldy carrot was selling for more than double what she had.
The sister flew low to the ground and found herself landing in front of a large statue in the town square. She looked up at the figures of Commander Hurricane, Princess Platinum and Chancellor Puddinghead, each with their companions: Private Pansy, Smart Cookie and Clover the Clever. Those six led to the creation of Equestria, a new country with many gifts and splendors for all… but why did it not feel that way? She laid her head down low, thinking of the disappointment on her sister’s face when she came back empty hooved. Tears began to well up in her eyes and drip silently into the snow as she tried to hold back her sadness.
‘Is everything alright?’ a voice from beside her asked her. The sister stood shocked, eyes closed to hide the tears that formed. She did not want to be seen as a weak pegasus to a stranger and just silently nodded, never looking at the stranger.
‘Whatever is the matter, child? Maybe there is something we may be able to do to help.’ The voice inquired of the mare. The mare shook, holding back her sobs. She quickly spread her wings and flew quickly back home, never looking back at the stranger. All she wanted to do was help but the sister’s pride held her back from accepting it.
She landed in front of the door of her cottage, tears still spilling from her eyes. She pushed open the door to find her younger sister dressed in her finest clothes, ready for a small feast of delicious apples. She couldn’t look her sister in the eye, and pushed past her into the house.
‘Well? What did you get?’ the younger sister inquired, looking around for a bag or parcel or anything.
The elder sister walked over to the cabinet and replaced the bit bag, but as she placed it inside, the bag flopped silently over. No clanking of coins. It couldn’t be, she thought. but it was. On the bottom of the bag, a small hole had ripped open and allowed the coins to be lost to her. She slumped down to the ground, barely able to contain her pain.
‘Sister? Are you alright?’ the little filly asked as she flew next to her sister and nuzzled into her mane. The elder sister could contain her pain no longer and allowed the tears and trembles to consume her. The little filly was startled, she had never seen her sister in such a state.
‘Uh...’ the little filly stumbled as she searched for the words, ‘it will be alright. I think carrots will be tasty tonight.’ she said, attempting to comfort her sister.
She continued to cry, not able to create words. The elder sister scooped up her younger and held her close to her chest. The younger sister stroked her mane, trying to comfort her. Eventually both sisters fell asleep on the threadbare rug.
The elder sister slipped into a dream. In the dream she was able to hang up new curtains on the windows and put a new rug on the floor. On the table were apples stacked high next to a loaf of alfalfa bread. Fresh carrot stew cooked over the fire and filled the whole shack with its wondrous odor. She smiled at the feast she was able to prepare. But the greatest gift that warmed her heart was the smiling faces of her siblings, all content and merry this day. All she wanted was to see her siblings smile. It was her one wish this celebration.
The sun shone through the threadbare curtains and landed upon the two sisters. The younger sister awoke from her slumber first and sleepily rubbed her eyes and looked out into the morning. And again when she saw what lay in front of the fireplace. She squealed loudly and rushed over to her sister.
‘Sister, wake up. Something wonderful has happened!’ She exclaimed. The elder sister opened her eyes and looked at her younger sister. She pointed her hoof in the direction of the fireplace, and when the elder sister glanced over, she could barely believe her eyes.
Piles of fabrics laid neatly folded on the ground, five or six hooves high. A lumpy bag was placed up against the wall in which the little sister was pulling out a mound of apples. There were more surprises. Fresh carrots, alfalfa dough, a new rug and blankets, even a small bag filled with bits. It was a miracle. She walked around the pile and embraced her sister tightly.
‘Look sister, a note.’
The elder sister grabbed the note, but she had trouble reading. It took sometime to work out what the note read and when she could read it, she had to read it aloud.
‘We wish for thou to have the merriest of Hearth’s Warmings. Here is something one could dream of to see their sister smile. Please continue to keep the spirit of Hearth’s Warming alive in your hearts and spread it to all you meet. Signed, the Winter Mare.’
The elder sister stared at the note for a few minutes, and this time allowed her tears to fall freely. In a low voice, she said ‘Thank you, Winter Mare.’
“The End.” Twilight said, closing the large book. “So, how did you like the story, girls?”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had tears in their eyes and Scootaloo was trying to hold hers in.
“I will take it as you liked it then,” Twilight smiled, “are you three ready for the party?”
“Almost,” Scootaloo said, wiping a forming tear from her eye. “What happened to the pegasus sisters?”
“And the winter mare?” Sweetie Belle quickly added.
Twilight sighed, she didn't actually finish the story for the girls. She knew that the next year the sister waited for the Winter Mare’s gifts, but none arrived. But she was told to keep the spirit alive, so she quickly made her siblings new clothes using some of the money she had saved up. The Winter Mare became a story that she passed down, a story that inspired others to give gifts to others and spread good tidings. She did not know why she didn't finish the tale.
“Sadly, the Winter Mare is a legend, but the story still has significance today. We spread cheer and good tidings to each other to commemorate the birth of Equestria and it is through the Winter Mare’s gift giving that we do just that. It is why we give gifts and place them near the fireplace.” Twilight said as she toweled off the three little fillies. “Now I think it’s time for us to finish getting ready for the party. And try to stay out of the kitchen.”
“Ok Twilight.” Apple Bloom said as they walked past her.
“You know what crusaders? Maybe we could be the Winter Mare. We could give the greatest gifts and spread the spirit of Hearth’s Warming” Scootaloo said excitedly.
“Yea, Cutie Mark Crusader Winter Mares! Yay!” Sweetie Belle squealed as she ran out with her fellow crusaders. Twilight silently giggled to herself as she followed the ecstatic fillies down into the party.
In Canterlot, the castle glowed beautifully, just as it had done in the olden days. Princess Luna slowly walked the corridors, admiring the wonders of the holiday.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” a window asked her.
“Indeed it is, Discord. But what is thou doing here? Doesn't thou have some mischief to create?” the princess inquired the draconequus in the stained glass.
“No, tonight I thought a good deal about the holiday. Maybe it would be best for me to start giving back. I just thought that maybe the Winter Mare would be the best person to help.” Discord said, snapping himself next to Princess Luna, “What do you say? Time to take up the old mantle?”
The princess looked at Discord and said nothing. She walked past him onto a balcony overlooking the country. Discord followed her out and placed his paw on her shoulder. She looked down on the country that had driven her incredibly jealous, the one that drove her to become a monster. But the story of what she did one night reverberated across Equestria, allowing ponies all over to spread the spirit of the holiday. She let one tear build up in her eye, thankful that one pony remembered her gift and kept her request.
She closed her eyes and smiled.