Snowdrop, at the ripe old age of ninety seven, spends her final days in the company of her family as she visits Princess Celestia and Canterlot one last time. Spreading her wisdom and lamenting over her dearest friend.
Snowdrop has led a happy life as a mother, teacher and snow maker for Equestria. But now at the ripe old age of ninety seven, a retired Snowdrop takes a trip to Canterlot at the invitation of a school teacher who wishes for the old blind mare to talk about her life being blind and creating the beautiful stars of winter.
Nearing the end of her days, Snowdrop takes the time to be with her family and friends, visiting Princess Celestia, returning to her old school and lamenting the loss of her best friend. Accompanied by her granddaughter, Snowdrop makes the best of what she can with the little time she has left.
"Many years ago, the winter was a harsh, cold and miserable time of year shunned by the ponies of Equestria and unappreciated by a great many. But one day, during the one hundredth Spring Sunrise, a small filly changed all of that and brought forth a new era for the season. She gave a gift so unlikely that it opened our eyes to what winter could truly give us.
Small stars made of snow would fall every year from then on, bringing laughter and joy to all who played under and wished upon them. The idea might sound of silly nonsense to some, that a gift of snow could bring joy like none other, but they are yet to experience the joys that the season brings us. Years after that fateful Spring Sunrise, the filly, now a mare, continued to make snow, and taught the pegasi of Cloudsdale how to create these stars so that every winter would be as calm and happy as they have been, ever since that day eighty seven years ago."
The snow fell down on Cloudsdale, Pegasi were flying up above the city, carrying buckets full of white powdery fragments which were tipped into the white puffy clouds all over Equestria. The flakes fell gently to the land below, covering it in soft white mounds of frozen water and ice. It was already quite late into winter, the last month of winter, the last week of the year, the last week the weather pegasi had to empty that years reserves of stars before making more for the next year. The ponies at the weather factory were under a great amount of stress thanks to the pressure put on them by Firn, a pegasus mare in charge of the snow making at the factory.
She had a blue white mane and tail which she kept neck length in a very uninspired style, she didn't have much of a mane style. She kept a white bow tie wrapped around her tail toward the end of it. Her coat was a light arctic blue color and her cutie mark was of crystallized snow. She watched the weather pegasi stress fully with her light yellow eyes, watching them carefully so that each snowflake they made was perfect.
"They need to be different, each and every one of them, not one must look the same. These should have been finished earlier! We'll never get all of the snowflakes out before the end of the week!" Firn leaned on a table, taking deep breaths and sweating from the stress.
"Ms. Firn if we can finish this last batch by tomorrow the stars will be ready for distribution by Friday." A weather pony smiled at the older mare after checking a clip bored.
Firn glared at the weather pony and stomped her hooves. "That's not good enough! The Spring Sunrise is on Friday! The snow will be cleared by then and we cannot delay spring!!"
"O-Oh dear me.. oh..." A snow maker was having trouble with her snowflake and looked a little afraid.
Firn, having taken notice approached the snow maker and hovered over her shoulder to see what she had done before bonking the poor pegasus on the head.
"NO!! It's supposed to look like this! Not that!!!" Firn held up a regular snowflake while pointing to the snow maker's jagged, tooth shaped snowflake. "Get rid of it and start over!"
The snow maker shook in her seat and nodded to Firn. The older pegasus lowered herself to the floor and watched the snow maker reach for the deformed flake and was inches away from melting it with her hoof when a frail voice caused her to stop and everypony in the room to look to the entrance of the factory.
"Wait please, let me inspect that star..." An elderly pegasus stepped into the room and stood in one spot facing everypony within.
Firn looked at the elderly pegasus and turned away from the snow maker. She approached the mare who approached her in turn.
"Hello, mother... S-Shouldn't you be in bed resting?"
The blind mare smiled. "I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd go for a stroll and I found myself here. By the yelling you were doing it sounded like there are some problems."
"No, there's nothing wrong here mother, everything is fine." Firn tried her best to assure her mother only to be met with laughter.
"Of course everything is dear. But I'd like to see what the matter is, if I could." She let out a soft giggle and walked past Firn who watched the old mare pass by.
Some of the younger recruits within the factory tasked with making the snow started whispering.
"It's her..." Said a stallion.
"No way, there's no way that could be her." Replied another.
"She couldn't still be alive it's not possible." Whispered a third.
The old blind mare, wrapped in a warm grey cloak with snow patterns stitched onto it, approached the snow maker Firn was yelling at and smiled gently at her.
"L-Lady Snowdrop." Her voice quivered as she felt intimidated by the older mare for being the mother of the quite overbearing Firn.
"May I see the star young lady?" Snowdrop asked with a kind and gentle tone which eased the snow maker's shaking.
The snow maker nodded and used the tools to move the snowflake closer to Snowdrop. Once it was within reach, the pegasus gently placed her hoof on the fragile fragment and could clearly paint a picture in her mind of how it looked. She could see in her mind the toothy, jagged appearance it had and smiled.
"Well, I have never heard of a Snowflake like this before."
"I-I'm sorry... I ruined it." The mare looked down feeling as if she had insulted Snowdrop by creating such a thing.
"Oh goodness no my dear. You haven't ruined it at all. Let me show you something."
Snowdrop slid the snowflake onto the flat surface and used some tools to re-shape the white spec into a totally new look, using it's edges and points to craft a unique shape. Snowdrop put the tools back when she was finished and stepped back.
"How does it look? I'm a bit rusty but I still remember how to make a star. With stars like these you can always fix them, using the way they look, their shape to convert it into something entirely new."
The young mare looked at what was once her imperfect toothy snowflake which now resembled a star thanks to Snowdrops handiwork. The snow maker looked up to the blind old mare, surprised at how she was able to change the snowflake she had made.
"T-Thank you..."
"What's your name sweetie?" Snowdrop leaned forward a little and smiled.
"Cloud Climber."
"Well, you're welcome Cloud Climber." Snowdrop smiled warmly. She turned around and started tapping her hooves on the floor, feeling her way back toward some stairs that went up, back to where Firn was. Using her old wings, Snowdrop lifted herself off the ground, hovering above the three steps before slowly lowering herself on the floor at the top.
Snowdrop walked past Firn toward the staff common area, Firn watched as her mother entered the room and sat on the couch and calmly waited for her to come in. The arctic blue pegasus sighed and looked to a nearby weather pony.
"You're in charge, Skydancer." Firn headed to the staff common area while Skydancer took charge and continued the production of the final batch of snowflakes.
Firn closed the staff room door and sighed. She walked over to the couch and sat beside Snowdrop who seemed to be staring off into space.
"So how'd you get past Skylight?"
Snowdrop smiled. "That would be telling dear."
"What did you do?" Firn smiled.
Snowdrop closed her eyes. "Nothing this time, she just happened to be fast asleep as I was making my exit."
"She's been having late nights again I suppose..." Firn sighed.
"She has a lot of spirit for one so young, though she could try to treat me like her elder. Half the time she's either telling me not to go so fast or to be careful. I didn't go blind yesterday, I know where everything is."
Snowdrop got up off the sofa slowly and stretched a little. She walked over to the kitchen area counter where she sat down again.
"You should be more patient with the learners, Firn. You were a learner too remember?"
"I remember mother. You were a remarkable teacher... I only hope I could teach them as well as you taught Snowdrift and I."
"You're too overbearing." Snowdrop said with a look of disapproval.
Firn was silent for a moment. "I beg your pardon?"
Snowdrop turned her head in Firn's direction. "You look over their shoulder, you make them feel uneasy and you yell at them when they get it all wrong."
"Mother I hold these stars dear to my heart, they are going to make our family historical. I feel offended when anypony else makes these beautiful fragments incorrectly or mock them."
"You made similar mistakes too if I recall. Being blind doesn't mean I can't see. You used to make big mistakes with your star making like every new star maker used to, but I had the patience to sit with you and show you how it was done."
Firn started getting frustrated. "Snowdrift never made mistakes! She was always better at it then me!"
"She was gentle... And you learned to be just as gentle like she is. You learned in the end my..."
Snowdrop suddenly leaned against the counter with her eyes closed, taking long deep breaths. Firn hurried over to Snowdrop with worry and placed her left wing on the elder's back.
"Mom, are you okay?"
Snowdrop nodded. "Y-Yes dear, I'm alright." She took a few more breaths before getting back up.
She shook her head slowly and held a hoof to her head so she didn't feel dizzy. She lowered her hoof and looked at Firn.
"Please Firn... Try to be patient with them. They have potential to continue making these stars, passing the teachings on to the next generation, so Equestria has something to look forward to every winter."
Firn hugged Snowdrop who returned her hug. "I'll try mother, I'll try..." Firn let go of the older mare.
Firn looked at Snowdrop for a moment when the sounds of hooves running up to the door caught their attention. The staff room door flew open and a light cream pegasus with green eyes and bright blue mane and tail entered the room. She had a cutie mark which had clouds with streams of sunlight coming through them.
"I'm so sorry mother!" Skylight skidded to a stop and panted.
Snowdrop chuckled. "Good morning my grandchild."
Firn looked at Skylight sternly with a hint of humor mixed in. "You slept in and let your poor, old and blind grandmother out of the house when she was supposed to be resting."
"I'm not going to keep myself cooped up at home like some bird. I know I'm old, but I'm still active. I do enjoy a stroll every once in a while, not a nap."
"You know what the doctor said Grandma, you can't go out in the cold very often anymore, not at your age."
"Pony feathers." Snowdrop frowned and sighed.
Firn sighed. "Take her home Skylight, please. I need to get back to work if we're going to make the a last of the snow fall anytime soon."
Skylight nodded. "I will Mom, you can trust me."
Snowdrop laughed. "Not when you're falling asleep you silly filly." She patted Skylight on the back with her wing and headed for the door, knowing exactly where she was going.
"Grandma be careful!"
Snowdrops ears twitched at the sound of Skylight's loud voice. "I know where I'm going!" The mare sighed and continued walking with her head down.
Firn looked at Skylight with a stern and serious look. "Stop treating her like a filly, Skylight. She's been blind her whole life and doesn't need any of us telling her to be careful."
"But what if she can't hear? Or she doesn't picture what's ahead of her?"
"I was just like you at twenty six years old, I worried about mother all the time.. come to think of it that's what my entire life was like during my twenty's, worrying about her. She's fine, trust me sweetie."
Skylight was unsure. "Okay... I'll-I'll try..."
"Good." Firn smiled.
Skylight turned around and flew out the door, following Snowdrop closely so she didn't wander off. Snowdrop walked out of the weather factory and down the snow covered street with her granddaughter following close behind. Snowflakes continued to fall down around the city of clouds, twinkling ever so softly which Snowdrop enjoyed happily. The wind had started to pick up as it usually did toward the end of winter, it was cold but not enough to faze the old mare.
"Grandma shouldn't we go inside?"
"We aren't home yet. It's not that far from the school dear. I know where I'm going."
Skylight sighed and caught up to the elder and started walking beside her. Snowdrop was slow and took her time with her steps but Skylight wasn't very patient. She put a wing on Snowdrops back, helping her walk a little quicker. The old mare smiled but continued to face down.
"You want me to hurry don't you?"
"I don't want you getting sick."
Snowdrop tried her best to move a little faster but her old age made that a little hard. She felt that Skylight didn't appreciate what patience could bring, Skylight always seemed to dote on her and made her feel like a filly again. Snowdrop didn't mind feeling young again but she disliked being treated like she was senile. In truth, Skylight just didn't understand her, which frequently caused friction between the two, but Snowdrop always tried to make sure that friction didn't turn into verbal arguments. Snowdrop still cared for Skylight regardless. Both mares rounded a corner and were now on the same street Snowdrop's childhood home was on, this is exactly where they were headed. Skylight and Snowdrop walked past a row of houses until they reached the path up to the front of the old cloud home. Both mares took flight, Snowdrops wings weren't as strong anymore and couldn't keep in sync with Skylights faster and stronger wings, regardless both of them tried to get up the hill to the cloud house, but the strain on Snowdrop's wings forced them to land and walk the rest of the way.
"How are your wings feeling?"
"They're fine dear. They're not as strong as they used to be."
"Age catches up to you fast doesn't it? At least you're doing well for a ninety seven year old."
Snowdrop smiled. "You think so dear?"
Skylight nodded. "I know so grandma."
Skylight unlocked the front doors and stepped inside with Snowdrop following slowly behind.
"Now Grandma I want you to go to bed and rest please. You shouldn't be out very often in the first place."
"Please dear don't tell me what I shouldn't do." Snowdrop frowned. "I'm not a filly Skylight, and I'm certainly not going let myself be treated like one. I'm going to read... You know where I'll be." Snowdrop walked to the living room slowly while Skylight watched on.
The cream colored pegasus sighed and pressed her head on the wall and whispered; "I'm sorry Grandma... I don't mean to..."
"I know!" Snowdrop called from the living room.
Using her left wing to feel the titles of the books, Snowdrop searched for a particular title she had wished to continue reading. As she neared the third last book, she felt the title of a book which was written in braille. Snowdrop smiled and gently pulled the book out from the shelf and walked over to the sofa with it between her teeth. She sat down on the soft cushions and held the book in her hooves. She smiled and felt the title which read; "Moonlight Snow. By Cumulo Nimbus." Snowdrop had enjoyed the series of books by her now deceased friend. She felt for the book mark to continue reading where she left off, when she did she opened the book to page 55 where she continued to read. Snowdrop slowly moved her wing across the raised dots on the page and followed along from there. Braille wasn't common in Equestria, almost all books in braille were made specifically for Snowdrop by order of Princess Celestia.
Skylight sat in a chair near the ninety seven year old mare and listened to her read out loud as if reading to a younger Firn and Snowdrift. Snowdrop's voice still had a beautiful sound to it that would entertain anypony who was looking to hear something good. The blind mare knew that Skylight was sitting not too far away and listening to her. After two hours of reading, Snowdrop placed the book mark in between pages 97 and 98 before closing the book. Snowdrop listened to the twinkles of snowflakes falling outside and it brought a smile to her face. The ticking of a nearby clock generated enough noise for the mare to see what the time was on the clock. The hands pointed to 5:20 PM and Skylight was fast asleep in the chair nearby. Snowdrop stood up slowly, she placed the book on the table beside the sofa and made her way to the kitchen to start dinner.
Snowdrop started clicking loudly with her tongue; the sounds bounced off of the walls and objects and back into the mares ears. This painted a black and white image in her mind of white outlines of the shapes of everything in the room. Just from that, she could see there was nothing in front of her that she could trip over and immediately started getting all of the items necessary to make some soup as if she could see where it all was. She got out two bowls and the ingredients for apple carrot soup and started to make the meal on her own. Skylight awoke in the living room, snorting and yawning, stretching her wings and shaking herself awake. She looked over to where Snowdrop had been sitting before, then at the time and smelled soup in the kitchen.
"Skylight dear, dinner's ready!" Called Snowdrop. Using her wings, the blind mare moved the bowls of soup over to the table where she set them down gently.
Skylight entered the room, almost worried about a mess or spill Snowdrop could have made, she was surprised to see there was no such mess. She looked over at Snowdrop who had removed her cloak and was sitting in her seat, waiting for Skylight to sit down so they could dig in.
"The soup's going to go cold dear, please sit down and enjoy, It's my mother's recipe." Snowdrop had a big happy smile.
Skylight walked over to the table and sat down in the chair opposite her grandmother. She looked at the soup then up to Snowdrop who was happily enjoying her meal.
"What was she like?" Asked Skylight curiously.
"Who dear?" Snowdrop took another sip of her soup, eating some carrot that was in the water.
"Great-Grandmother Primrose."
Snowdrop paused and slowly put her spoon down, taking her hoof off of the handle. The mare looked rather upset at first but she soon started smiling.
"You haven't asked about my mother since you were a filly."
"Well... I'd like to know more about her... All we do is argue and I never ask anymore. Won't you tell me Grandma?"
Snowdrop took a minute to clear her throat and keep herself calm. "T-This is a difficult subject to talk about dear, but your great grandmother was much like you."
"She was?"
Snowdrop nodded. "Yes, she cared about everypony she was close to, she cared about me so much I felt smothered, but I loved her. She was my only family after my father passed away. She used to make me feel better about being blind and told me about the stars in the night sky, and if I listened carefully I could hear the twinkles."
Skylight smiled somberly. "I wish I could have met her..."
"So do I dear, she would have loved to have met you."
"D-Did she influence the creation of the snow stars?"
"If she hadn't told me that I didn't need my sight, than maybe I would never had heard the twinkles of the night sky, or the snow that fell from the clouds. I would never have created the wishing snow that falls now."
Skylight was happy to hear that, as Snowdrop was happy to talk about it.
"So what else can you tell me?" Skylight continued eating while Snowdrop thought back.
"Well lets see." She closed her pale eyes and giggled.
"She loved cooking all kinds of yummy meals, and she especially loved flowers. She named me after one of her most favorite flower. The name needs little saying."
"When you mention cooking and flowers, Great-grandma sounds just like Aunt Snowdrift."
Snowdrop laughed. "Yes, yes she does."
Snowdrop finished her soup and got out of her chair, picked up her bowl with her wings and took it over to the sink to clean it.
"Don't worry Grandma Snowdrop I'll do the dishes."
Snowdrop frowned. "A-Are you sure dear? I don't want to have to rely on you."
"I'm sure Grandma, you just head to bed okay?"
The old arctic blue pegasus faced down and looked unsure about whether or not she should. "Are-Are you really, quite certain dear?"
"Yes Grandma, please sleep. You need it more then I do."
Snowdrop sighed. "I guess so... Goodnight Skylight." Snowdrop put the bowl in the sink and turned to the door.
"Goodnight." Skylight watched the blind pegasus exit the room before returning to her meal. "Thank you for the food Grandma." Skylight smiled.
~~~
That night while Skylight was sleeping. Snowdrop quietly in two pairs of slippers, walked through the dark house to the front door. She stood in front of the crystal cloud door, kicked off her slippers and opened it slowly. She felt the cool night breeze on her hooves and soon her whole body was hit with a wave of cool night winter air. Snowdrop welcomed this feeling as if it were an old friend. She stepped outside, closing the door behind her and approached a cloud tied to a piece of rope, connecting a smaller cloud to the main one she was standing on. She stepped onto the smaller cloud and used her back legs to push herself with the cloud a bit ways out so she would be far from the house, or at least as far as the old rope would let her. The old mare could hear twinkles ringing throughout the night sky and sat down in the center of the puffy white cloud like she used to as a filly.
"Are you out there tonight Luna? I think you are. You were always out when somepony needed you, so I assume you would be."
Snowdrop chuckled to herself, the cold wind was blowing quite hard that night but the old pegasus didn't seem to mind.
"I still hear them you know? The stars as they twinkle during your beautiful night." Snowdrop started to take deep breaths again, she found it hard to breath but shortly her breath returned to her and she was feeling good again.
"I'm okay Luna." She faced upward toward the sky. "You worry to much."
The stars twinkled louder as if replying to the older mare. Snowdrop could hear voices on the wind nopony else could. She felt happy to be able to talk to Luna, or at least happy that she thought she could. The lights in the house turned on and Skylight burst through the front door which swung open.
"Grandma Snowdrop! Come back inside you're going to catch your death out here!!"
Snowdrop frowned and stood up. She bit onto the rope connecting her cloud to the main cloud and pulled on it she could get back to the house. Skylight helped pull Snowdrop back by tugging on the rope which pulled the cloud along until it met with the main cloud. Snowdrop stepped off the smaller cloud, stopping in front of Skylight with her head down.
"I only wanted to talk to her..." Snowdrop shed a tear and headed on inside with Skylight watching.
The light cream colored pegasus frowned sadly at Snowdrop then looked up at the moon which was just visible through the clouds. On the moons surface was an imprint of an alicorn's face, left behind when a great evil was imprisoned inside the moon. Skylight closed her eyes and re-entered the house, closing the door behind her while she did. The following morning, a mail mare flew from house to house delivering letters to each one of them. The mare stopped at Snowdrops house, landing and happily taking the short walk up the steps to the front door where she knocked and waited.
"I'm coming!" Called out Skylight.
The mail mare waited patiently for Skylight to collect her mail. The mare heard hooves coming toward the crystal cloud door which was opened by the light cream pegasus who smiled at the pink colored mail mare. The pegasus gave Skylight a letter addressed to Snowdrop which surprised the cream colored pegasus. She looked at the mail mare and smiled.
"Thank you Whizzer"
Whizzer smiled and took flight. She flew down the stairs and continued delivering letters down the street. Skylight shut the door and walked down the hall, holding the letter in her right hoof.
"Grandma, a letter came for you."
Snowdrop's ears twitched at the mention of a letter. She lifted her head from her book and turned it in the direction of Skylight.
"A letter, for me? I don't get letters very often."
Skylight opened the letter for Snowdrop and took a look at it. She blinked in surprise and looked at snowdrop. "It's from a school in Canterlot."
"Canterlot? That's a very old city, isn't it?"
"That's right."
"Well what does the letter say dear?"
"'Greetings Lady Snowdrop, my name is Ms. Meadly, I am a teacher at Canter Colts and Fillies school in Canterlot. I've sent this letter to ask if you could maybe come to the school and talk to the children about you. This year is special for the children as our school has been chosen to host the Spring Sunrise, and having you talk about yourself would be most fitting. You are an inspiration to everypony Lady Snowdrop and we would be honored to have you. From Ms. Meadly.'"
Skylight looked up from the letter to see Snowdrop had walked over to the window as if looking outside. Skylight frowned and approached the older mare.
"Grandma?"
Snowdrop smiled. "Then lets not disappoint them." She turned around and walked over to Skylight, stopping in front of her.
"Are you sure Grandma? You know Aunt Snowdrift and mom will disagree."
"Oh let them dear, they worry too much and I'm tired of being in the same place. Besides, I don't get to talk about blindness to schools anymore. Won't you do an old mare a kindness and allow me to go to Canterlot and talk to these children?"
Skylight sighed. "Okay... But we'll need mother's and my Aunts approval."
Snowdrop nodded with a smile. Skylight went out to get Snowdrift and Firn so they could come back to the house so that they may talk. Firn wondered why she needed to come to Snowdrops home, while at the same time being increasingly frustrated over the weather team. Snowdrift was flying quite happily over to the house. She had a large wide smile that was contagious to many except Firn. Snowdrifts coat was pale green which looked almost like Primrose's coat, her mane and tail were simply white and her eyes were colored light blue. Her cutie mark appeared as a pile of snow that looked like it had fallen, it was soft snow and in the cutie mark coming out of the snow was some flowers. Snowdrift danced on the air on her way until she was flying beside Firn.
"Salutations Firn."
"Hello Snowdrift.." Firn sounded annoyed.
Snowdrift's ears flicked. "Hey, are you mad or something?"
"I'm not mad I'm worried. Mother needed to see us specifically, Skylight told me I needed to see her, she told you two didn't she?'
Snowdrift nodded. "Pretty much. Mother hardly ever calls on us anyway, this is a rare thing to happen on any day other then Hearths Warming."
Firn looked at her sister again. "You don't get out often do you? Mother came by the factory yesterday to tell me how to teach."
"Well, you could learn something off of her dear sister." Snowdrift lifted upward and did a loop before picking up a burst of speed and flying fast.
Firn stopped and groaned. "Don't speed without your goggles!" She sighed and sped up until she was matching speed with Snowdrift.
Skylight paced around the front of Snowdrops house, waiting for her aunt and mother to arrive. She could suddenly hear the sounds of sonic booms in the distance and sighed shaking her head.
"Why do they do this..." She looked in the direction of Firn and Snowdrift as they came closer and closer.
"I'm going to win big sister!"
"Will you please stop! This isn't a race!" Firn gritted her teeth.
Both pegasi came close to hitting the ground but they landed with absolute ease as if they were pros at speed flying.
"I win, I win!" Snowdrift said bouncing up and down.
"You're a fifty eight year old mare, have some dignity!" Firn snorted.
Snowdrift laughed. "I can't help it if I'm so easy going and happy."
"You're like a child." Firn scoffed.
"At the very least, I'm not a stressed and angry sixty five year old."
Firn growled angrily. Skylight slammed her hoof down.
"Are you two done?!" She sighed. "Grandma is inside waiting for us, she wants to ask you two something."
The sisters looked at one another and sighed. They turned their looks back to Skylight and looked worried.
"Is mom okay?" Asked Firn.
"Mom's fine, it's just she needs approval."
"Approval?" Both sisters said together.
Skylight sighed. "Come with me." She led her aunt and mother into the house and to the living room where Snowdrop was sitting her in her rocking chair, sleeping.
Skylight, Firn and Snowdrift, looked at the old mare while she slept. Skylight approached Snowdrop quietly but the mare's hearing was better then they all thought. She lifted her head and opened her glassy eyes.
"Hello dear, I can see you standing there, Snowdrift, Firn."
The mares smiled. Snowdrift walked over to Snowdrop and hugged her gently. "Good morning mom."
Snowdrop returned the hug. "Good morning Snowdrift dear."
Firn watched them as they let go of the hug. The light arctic blue pegasus sighed.
"Hello mother. You wanted to..um.. see us?"
Snowdrop chuckled. "'See' is a poor choice of words dear. But yes, I wanted you both here for something important."
"What is it mother?" Asked Firn.
"Is something wrong?" Asked Snowdrift.
Snowdrop shook her head. "I'm fine Snowdrift, I just need your approval to go to Canterlot."
"Canterlot?!" They said in surprised unison.
"Mother, why would you want to go there? It's freezing down there and the last blizzard of the year is almost upon us. You can't be serious..." Firn frowned and was very much against the old mare from going anywhere.
"I have been invited to Canter Colts and Fillies school, to talk about the Spring Sunrise and about myself to the children. I hardly ever get the chance to share my knowledge with anybody anymore. Won't you please allow me the opportunity to leave Cloudsdale again?"
Snowdrift thought about it with Firn but neither of them talked about it. Skylight spoke up.
"I've already said yes."
Snowdrift smiled at Skylight. "Well... I suppose if Skylight has said yes then okay mom. You can go to Canterlot, and make those kids smile!" Snowdrift smiled widely.
Snowdrop smiled at that but it would soon go away when Firn spoke.
"Do you two have smooze for brains? Are your heads in the clouds? Mother is ninety seven years old, older then any pony in Equestria that has a normal life span. She can't fly very well and for all we know she's sick. I can't let her go to Canterlot I refuse!" Firn put her hoof down.
Snowdrop lowered her head, extremely upset that Firn would not allow her to go. Firn noticed Snowdrops sadness, she sighed and scratched her ear.
"At least not alone..."
Snowdrop lifted her head back up quickly in surprise. "B-Beg your pardon?"
Firn sighed and stood straight. "If you're going to go anywhere then at least take Skylight with you. Snowdrift and I are busy and Skylight's duty is looking after you. You need her."
Skylight looked at Firn then to Snowdrop. The older, blind mare was on the verge of crying.
"Thank you my daughter..."
Skylight smiled at Snowdrop then at Firn who smiled slightly and hugged Snowdrop.
"You just be careful old girl."
"Old girl?" Snowdrop chuckled. "Let's refrain from calling me old shall we?"
"Very well then mother." Firn smiled warmly.
"I better go pack some stuff for the trip." Skylight said with a smile.
"Don't forget my coat dear." Snowdrop, used her wings to help herself off the chair and stretched a little.
"Hold on mother, don't you think you should wait until tonight to head off to Canterlot? That way you can get up in the morning and be ready to see the children." Said Firn.
Snowdrop thought about it and nodded. "I suppose so.."
"Don't try to rush things mom." Said Snowdrift.
Twinkling sounds started ringing all over the place. Snowdrop smiled and faced upward. "It's snowing." She closed her eyes and relaxed to the sounds.
Firn and Snowdrift tried to listen but couldn't hear anything. They looked at each other then at Snowdrop enviously. The old arctic blue pegasus sighed and started turning around and walking slowly in the direction of the kitchen where she remembered putting her grey coat. She left the living room and entered the eating area, she rounded the corner and felt for her coat. She was careful, gentle and made sure she didn't knock anything over until she found it on the chair.
"Ah, there it is. Don't worry about my coat Skylight!" Snowdrop smiled and draped it over her back. She turned toward the sink and walked over to it so she could have a glass of water.
Snowdrift and Firn watched her, their thoughts turning to what life would be like without her. It was a thought that family dreaded, all but Snowdrop who didn't think about herself very often since she had Firn and Snowdrift. The two sisters already had one void in their family, and they didn't want another just yet. Skylight in the meantime was looking for stuff they could bring, she sifted through the clothes in the drawer, hoping to find something to bring along. She initially settled on just letting her grandmother wear her coat which she decided to do in the end. As Skylight was going to close the drawer, she found an old book kept at the bottom. It was old and tattered but the pages were still intact. She opened it and discovered old, black and white photos of Primrose and her parents. Flicking through the pages, Skylight notices that the black and white photo's were going grey and white and shortly after that, color though this color photo was taken with Snowdrop who was in her mid thirties, and in the picture was an elderly Primrose. Photo's of a younger Snowdrop could be seen in the album in the living room, but this photo album was strange for its age and because it was kept in the drawer, away from anypony else. Snowdrop stood in the door way smiling as she heard the pages turn. Firn and Snowdrift were talking in the living room.
"You found it." The mare smiled.
Skylight jumped a little and closed the book. "I'm sorry Grandma... I didn't mean to look...."
Snowdrop shook her head. "Don't be, please. There's no reason to be sorry." The mare put a wing around Skylight and helped her up. "Why don't we put that where it belongs?"
Skylight smiled and nodded. She stood up and walked with her grandmother down the hall and into the living room where under the watchful eye of Snowdrift and Firn, they put the book in the shelf, before Snowdrops own album.
"You know, Great Grandma was very pretty."
Snowdrop nodded. "I think so."
Firn and Snowdrift smiled at them. Skylight and Snowdrop went back to what they were doing.
"Mother, let Snowdrift and I do the work for you."
Snowdrop sighed. "You know I will need my purse and my candy box for the children."
"The candy box!" Snowdrift squeed.
Snowdrop chuckled and started feeling light headed again. She blinked and walked over to a chair where she sat down and rested her head. Firn and Snowdrift frowned
"I'm fine dears, don't worry I'm fine really."
The two sisters looked at Snowdrop unsurely and went to go get her purse and candy tin. In the meantime Snowdrop breathed a little heavier and held a hoof close to her chest until she could breath normally again. She took a deep breath and got up, she looked around for her book before remembering she had left it on the coffee table.
"Oh there it is, my book."
She walked over to it and opened it up to where she left off in the hopes that she could finish it.
~~~
Firn and Snowdrift were waiting by a carriage to Canterlot for Snowdrop and Skylight. The sisters had been waiting an hour because they had flown there instead of walking with Snowdrop. Firn sighed and looked up to see weather ponies filling the clouds with more snow and a hard wind picked up. Snowdrift shivered.
"Brrr that's cold."
"It's going to get colder in Canterlot, I just hope mother keeps warm and doesn't get too cold."
"I won't, you doubt me too much dear." Said the blind filly.
Snowdrop walked over to her daughters with Skylight following not too far behind with a bag on wheels attached to her leg.
"This isn't a vacation you know?" Said Firn.
Snowdrop nodded. "I know sweetie but I don't have a lot packed."
"It's just a book, some photo's, winter clothes for Grandma and I, food and drink. It's not much but we'll be good." Skylight smiled.
Snowdrift hugged Snowdrop. "You be careful okay mom? We both love you very much."
Snowdrop returned the hug. "I know, I love you and your sister too."
Firn approached Skylight. "I'm relying on you to bring her back safely you know?"
Skylight nodded. "I know mother."
Firn kissed Skylights forehead and smiled. "Take care of mother sweetie, she's old, she's difficult, but she's kind and is always willing to listen, even if she doesn't like hearing what we want to say.
"I heard that Firn." Said Snowdrop.
Snowdrop and Skylight boarded the carriage with the luggage and waved to the sisters as the carriage departed until they were both out of sight, only Snowdrop didn't wave. The mare was preoccupied with feeling her wedding band which was around her front right leg. She remembered her husband during that time fondly and closed her eyes gently, falling asleep as the first blizzard came and the lights of Canterlot came into view through the thick wind and snow.
Snowdrop and Skylight arrived in Canterlot that morning. They were well rested but also hungry. Skylights stomach rumbled as she hopped off the carriage. She stretched her legs and wings, the snow was falling all over the place, accompanied by the wind. Skylight looked up at the Canterlot Clock tower to see it was only seven twelve AM, the school would be starting in an hour. Skylight pulled the pull along bag out of the carriage and placed it on the ground, stretching her wings and cracking her back after. She took a deep breath of morning winter air and kicked at the snow, turning her head to look at her sleeping grandmother who stayed curled in the back seat of the carriage. She walked around the bags to the door and nudged Snowdrop with her right hoof.
"Grandma?"
Snowdrop covered her mouth with her right wing and yawned into it. "Good morning, Skylight."
Skylight, smiled while she walked around to Snowdrops side of the carriage, opened the door and helped her out. "Did you have a nice ride?"
"It wasn't relaxing, but I still got a few winks of sleep." Snowdrop replied with a smile.
Once she had stepped out of the carriage her stomach rumbled which made her laugh. "Sounds to me like I'm hungry. Shall we go to a store and get some food, Skylight?"
"I don't know if any are open, Grandma."
"What time is it? I can't see anything."
"The clock tower says 7:12 AM. Maybe there's a tea shop open?"
"I wouldn't mind some tea actually." Said Snowdrop, her coat blowing in the wind.
"Wait here, Grandma." Skylight walked over to the carriage pulling pegasus and cleared her throat. "Excuse me, do you know if there are any shops or stores open at this hour?"
The pegasus nodded and pointed her in the direction of a cafe in the market district. Skylight thanked the pegasus and returned to Snowdrop who continued to sit where Skylight had told her to. The cream colored pegasus told the old mare where there was a cafe. Skylight attached the suitcase around her back leg and walked, pulling it behind her. Snowdrop, placed her wing on top of Skylights so they wouldn't lose each other. Skylight smiled at the elder Snowdrop and continued to walk with her to the market distract through the harsh cold weather. Half an hour of walking later, both mare's found themselves in a circular area where multiple shops were. The cafe the carriage pulling pegasus mentioned was the last shop at the end of the left row of buildings, arching outward then back inward to form an oval like shape. Skylight led Snowdrop over to the cafe's doors, and pushed it open. They stepped inside and were met with a feeling of warmth as the bell chimed with the doors opening.
There were unicorns, earth ponies and some pegasi in there, drinking tea and eating cookies, reading newspapers and trying to get warm. Skylight asked Snowdrop to sit down while she went to the counter and ordered some warm tea for herself and the old mare. While Skylight did that, Snowdrop felt for a chair which she found right beside her. She smiled and sat in it, she waited for Skylight to come back with her tea. The twinkles of the snow outside kept the old mare in a state of calm and quiet, she didn't utter a word during the whole wait. She closed her eyes and started imagining a large field of grass, white clouds in the sky, her family waiting for her through the gates. Snowdrop felt herself growing weary until she was pulled out of her imagination by the voice of Skylight who came back to sit with her.
"Our tea is coming Grandma."
"W-What..? Oh.. Oh yes the tea, thank you dear." Snowdrop smiled and started thinking of the school they were visiting.
Skylight tilted her head a little, watching the old pegasus when the tea arrived. The cups were carried out via unicorn magic by a mare who smiled as she placed down their cups.
"Enjoy Madams." The unicorn spoke with peculiar accent, very similar to Aloe and Lotus's in modern day Equestria. She bowed and turned around to return to the counter.
Snowdrop was surprised to hear such an accent. She clicked loudly and the sound enabled her to see where her cup was. She picked up her cup and sipped her tea which made her warm all over. Skylight drank her tea like it was cider, or coffee. While it made her feel warmer, it wasn't very fulfilling.
"I thought this would be as good as coffee..."
Snowdrop snickered. "You and your beans dear. Tea is a leaf, I don't like that coffee stuff you drink."
"Oh you don't do you? Why would that be?"
"I tried some, I didn't like it. You tend to try things as you grow up, after which you either dislike it or like it."
Skylight took another huge sip of her tea, finishing it. She put the cup down and stuck out her tongue as if in disgust.
"I don't think I'll ever drink tea again." She shook her head.
"That's the way you want it, I won't complain." Snowdrop sipped her tea slowly until it was finished.
Skylight looked at the tea cup and chuckled. "Maybe I'll have another when we get home. I think you brew tea better."
"And you say you don't trust me making your tea."
"You do it anyway, Grandma."
"I know." Snowdrop grinned.
Skylight looked at a clock and saw it was eight o'clock already. She stretched her wings and stood up. "We better head to that school. Wouldn't want to disappoint the teacher and students now would we?"
Snowdrop slowly got out of the chair and blinked. "Lead the way dear." She smiled.
Skylight smiled and left twelve bits behind on the table, along with a tip, and together both grandmother and grandchild left the cafe together. They walked out through the front door, Snowdrop was slower then Skylight who held the door open for her. When Snowdrop was outside, Skylight closed the door and walked with the ninety seven year old down the the street, both mare's disappearing around the corner. The wind outside had died down and the snow was falling gently. Snowdrop listened out for children though she could hear none. she heard everything else around her though. Skylight asked for directions every now and again and would be pointed in the right direction, but half the time it only got them more and more lost. they ended up getting pointed in the direction of the market place all over again, much to the irritation of Skylight who hit her head on a nearby wall while Snowdrop had her head turned in the direction of her granddaughter.
"I'm sure we'll find it dear, there's no need to beat yourself up over it."
Skylight looked at Snowdrop and sighed. "I know, but it just seems that everyone is deliberately giving us a run around the city, just to find this school. I don't understand how you can be so optimistic." Skylight sat down on a bench chair and held her head between her hooves.
Snowdrop blinked her white pale eyes and sat down beside her bag. Her cloak blew in the wind. The market began to fill up with ponies of all sorts, looking to buy cloths, food and other wares.
"I learned to be optimistic you know? It's better then being negative all the time and putting yourself down, or blaming others. I have a feeling our luck will change very soon."
"I disagree, Grandma. The chances of us finding the school before it starts is like you trying to find the Crystal Empire."
"Don't bring my blindness into this, Skylight. I've been around much longer than you have, I know where I'm going, I can see without sight."
"I don't see how!"
"Because I can listen when you won't!" Snowdrop panted and took a moment to rest.
Skylight took Snowdrops words really hard and sat still thinking about them. Some passerby's who heard the argument looked at the blind mare and the younger light cream pegasus before moving on. Skylight looked at her grandmother and opened her mouth to say something only to be cut off by the arrival of a turquise pegasus mare with blue eyes, green hair, and a cutie mark which consisted of three green music notes. The pegasus rounded the corner carrying a basket when she saw the two. She instantly noticed Snowdrop and had landed, approaching just before Skylight could speak. The mare put down her basket and smiled.
"Hello, Ms. Snowdrop." The pegasus said with a wide smile.
"Hello there stranger, I don't think we've met so I assume my name gets around like my stars." The blind mare smiled.
The pegasus chuckled. "You were my teacher back when I used to attend Ms. Windith's school for foals. Allow me to re-introduce myself, my name is, Medly."
"You sent the invitation to bring Grandma Snowdrop to the school for that talk, didn't you?" Asked Skylight
Medly nodded. "I did. It's for the Spring Sunrise celebration this Friday, the children have finished making their seasonal gifts. I figured it would be great for my teacher to come down and tell the students about her Spring Sunrise."
"I would be more then happy to, Medly." Snowdrop smiled.
"I can show you both where to go. I'm heading to the school right now."
Skylight brightened up and started laughing. "Thank Celestia, somepony who can actual help us, instead of pointing us around in circles."
Medly looked at Skylight, then back to Snowdrop. "Were you two being led around the city?"
"Anypony we asked always pointed us in the direction of the market, here." Replied Snowdrop.
Medly sighed. "That happens quite a lot around here. But I'm here now, and we should get going, please follow me."
Medly started walking down the street, Snowdrop and Skylight following behind. Along the way Medly spoke with her old teacher about what's been going on and about her students. Snowdrop couldn't help but comment on how grown up Medly had become since her days of mischief.
"I remember having to sit you down with your mother and having a talk with her. I know I didn't stay as a teacher long enough to see you finish, but to know you became a teacher yourself fills me with joy. You've made an old mare proud, Medly."
Skylight listened to the conversation and felt she wasn't doing her grandmother proud enough. She stopped for a moment and looked down to her hooves in wonder. Snowdrop stopped and waited to feel vibrations from Skylights hooves and frowned.
"Skylight dear, are you flying?"
"Huh?" Skylight looked up. "N-No Grandma, I'm just stopping for a moment."
"We mustn't dawdle, dear. School starts in a few minutes according to Medly."
"I'm not rushing, I'm walking at an equal pace with Medly."
Skylight quickly caught up to Snowdrop and started walking beside her. "Right, of course you were."
Snowdrop sighed. "You dote on me too much, Skylight. When are you going to trust that I can be perfectly independent."
Skylight started to frown. "I wasn't... I-I didn't..." She sighed quietly and started falling behind, but continued to follow both mares without falling too far behind.
"Maybe I do worry too much..."
~~~
The school bell rung, signalling the start of class. The fillies and colts of varying races watched the bell and expected to see Ms. Medly come out of the school house to usher them in, only she didn't. The colts started talking among themselves about whether there was school on or not, while the fillies, overhearing the colts conversations, stated that school was on this day, and that Ms. Medly was running late. The colts laughed and disagreed with the girls until Medly appeared down the street, walking up to them from over the hill accompanied by two strangers.
"Ms. Medly!" A filly called out.
The fillies and colts looked in Medly's direction, the turquise mare was met with smiles and hellos from her students, who gathered around her and talked over one another to her. Medly giggled happily while Skylight watched and Snowdrop listened. The blind mare sat down and waited for things to settle down.
"Okay my little ponies, time for class. Go to your seats and wait there. I'll come in shortly."
"Okay Ms. Medly..." The students said in unenthusiastic unison.
They all headed into the school through the front door, Medly watched closely with a wide smile before turning back to Snowdrop and Skylight.
"They sound like nice kids." Snowdrop smiled.
"They are amazing, they pay attention, they're willing to learn, and they're some of the brightest children in Canterlot. One or two have very low self esteem, which I've taken upon myself to nurture and help them strive to be some of society's shining examples."
"You're like the sweetest teacher I've ever met." Skylight smiled widely.
Medly blushed. "N-No I'm not, my sense of duty's just large that's all." She gave a nervous smile and chuckle.
"You're quite modest aren't you dear?" Said Snowdrop.
Medly sighed. "I suppose so. Well, I'll go in and let the students know you're here. When I call your name come on in."
Snowdrop nodded. "Alright, Medly. We'll be waiting."
Medly turned toward the door and stepped into the class room while Snowdrop And Skylight waited. It started snowing during the short wait, the old blind mare turned her head to the sky and let the flakes fall upon her face. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of cool frozen water on her. Skylight watched on from beside the elderly pegasus, taking a deep breath and letting it out.
"I'm so nervous, it's been so long since I've done this. What do I say to the youngsters?"
Skylight smiled. "I think you're supposed to introduce yourself first. You'll do fine Grandma, you've done it five times before, I think."
Snowdrop chuckled. "You think? Haven't you been paying attention to my stories dear?"
"I'm usually more busy worrying about you."
"Of course..." Snowdrop made an unsure face.
While Snowdrop and Skylight spoke outside, Medly walked in front of the rows of desks, stopping in front of the class while the students all settled down in their seats and attentively sat up and focused their eyes on the pegasus while she did the roll call. She called each filly and colts name, and each one would raise a hoof and announce themselves present. Each time they did brightened the smile Medly wore on her face, she was as happy she could be with her job. She looked at the last name on the roll and looked at all the rows as she stretched herself up to look at an empty desk on the back second last right seat.
"Ember." Medly called out.
The fillies and colts all looked to the seat Medly had been looking at, but they couldn't see Ember anywhere. Medly frowned.
"Ember, if you're here please speak up."
"I found her Ms. Medly, she's under her desk!" Called out Fireball.
Medly frowned and walked over to Embers desk, passing the other colts and fillies on the way.
"What's the matter, Ember, is something bothering you?"
"N-No Ms. Medly... I-I'm fine..."
"You know if there's a problem you could always talk to me..."
"I-I'm fine... Really.."
"Ember, please. You need to be in your desk, we have visitors coming and I want all of you to be ready to meet them. Please, Ember."
Ember moved her chair out from under her desk and crawled out along with it. She stood up with her head down, facing the teachers direction with a sad expression. Ember had a purple coat, blue eyes and pink mane and tail, she also lacked a cutie mark.
"Present... Ms. Medly..."
Medly frowned and marked Embers name off the role. "Take your seat please, Ember."
Ember nodded and sat in her chair. The fillies sitting beside her looked at her sadly as if they felt bad for her. The purple filly sat in her seat and looked down at her desk while Medly returned to the front of the class. She looked at each of her students and smiled brightly.
"Now everypony, as you know the Spring Sunrise is in three days, and in three days the princess arrives to see what you have made."
The fillies and colts started talking among themselves about the seasonal gifts they made, all while Medly watched and listened.
"Now now class, settle down."
The class went silent.
"Good, now in light of the upcoming spring sunrise, I invited a very special pony. Now all of you should know her, we did a study on her earlier this month while researching this topic. She gave a gift that has lasted the last eighty seven years. I've invited her down to talk about her winter stars and the one hundredth spring sunrise, which she attended."
The students started talking again, all of them were confused by the teachers words. A visit from a mare who gifted Equestria eighty seven years ago? It sounded silly to the young ponies who gave Medly odd looks as if wondering if she was okay. Medly cleared her throat.
"Please everypony, I ask that you remain quiet while she's here. She's very old and I don't know what loud noise would do to her. I also ask that you remain seated while she talks to us. She was my teacher too for a time, so I also ask that you show the same respect you show me. Now, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Lady Snowdrop."
The school doors opened and everypony turned to see Skylight escorting her elderly grandmother up to the front of the classroom. The silence of the room only made it exceedingly difficult for Snowdrop to find her way around. She held onto Skylight who kept the old mare straight. Soon both mare's were in front of the class. Skylight let go of Snowdrop and stood beside Medly at the teachers desk. The fillies and colts waited for Snowdrop to say something but the mare only stood there, her pale eyes open for all to see. The colts started whispering to themselves, commenting on her eyes and her age.
"How old do you think she is?" Whispered one to another.
"Beats me, look at her eyes, do you suppose she can see? They don't look healthy." Replied the other colt.
Snowdrop's ears twitched and in her mind she caught a brief glimpse of the colts while they whispered. The mare moved her head a little and cleared her throat, the two colts returning to their positions of facing the front of the room. Snowdrop pressed her tongue onto the roof of her mouth, opened her jaw slightly and let out a loud click that startled many of the fillies. The sound of the click was so loud it allowed Snowdrop to see the room, and students. The elderly mare smiled widely.
"Well, it's been such a long time since I've had this opportunity. Greetings everypony, my name is, Snowdrop."
The class clapped which brought and even bigger smile to Snowdrop.
"Thank you, thank you, and thank you to Ms. Medly, who invited me here today to talk to you young ones. Now, I hear you've made gifts for the spring sunrise, right?"
"Yes Ms. Snowdrop." The students said together, all except Ember.
Snowdrop giggled. "Well, it pleases an old mare to know that the younger generation has such fine manners, I must say, Ms. Medly has much to be proud of. Now, where shall I start with my tale." Snowdrop lowered her head and closed her pale eyes.
"Hmhm.. Well how about I start at the beginning." The old mare smiled.
"I remember that winter very clearly. It was windy, grey and depressing. Back then winter was a harsh and indominable time. The snow would never yield to the weather teams commands, and harsh blizzards would blow all the time, allowing only very few moments of calm. My mother would describe the weather all the time, what color the sky was, how hard the wind blew. It was dreadful, I remember having to walk too and from school in that weather. I wasn't forced, mother would offer to walk me during the worst blizzards. I wasn't shy of her help, I welcomed it when I needed it. But just like today, I wanted to be able to do things myself."
Snowdrop chuckled. "Oh my, listen to me prattling on, allow me to tell you my story now."
~~~
I woke up early in the morning that cold winter day to the sound of wind blowing against the window. I lifted my head up and opened my eyes, slowly lifting myself from my warm bed, when a cool breeze washed over me. It made me shiver and brought back down under my blankets so I could stay all warm and snug.
"Snowdrop, are you awake yet?" My mother called from the kitchen.
"Y-Yes mother.. I-I'm awake."
"Come and have your breakfast sweetie, you don't want to be late for school."
I couldn't help but frown sadly at having to go to school that day. "O-Okay mother.. I'll be right there." I said while trying to sound happy about it.
After that I let out a sigh. "What's the use.. I'd only get in everypony's way... Again..."
I stood up and felt my way to the edge of my bed. I was a filly back then, no older then ten. I was born blind, and I relied on my other senses greatly. I had found the side of my bed, then I heard my mother enter.
"Would you like some help there, Snowdrop?" She asked.
"N-No, I-I can do it." I said as I got up on my four legs and hopped off the bed with ease.
"You know, there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm always here to help you when you need it."
"How am I to learn to do things on my own if I rely on others." I smiled. "Thank you anyway mother."
I assume my mother smiled at that moment. "Come along now, Snowdrop. Breakfast is ready and waiting."
I followed the sound of my mothers hoof steps out of my room, down the hall, and into the kitchen. brrr, I remember the floor was like ice, it was cold and sent shiver all through my body, by that point I had remembered I had slippers. They were in my room although, but I had already left, and was already sitting in my chair. I heard my mother set down my breakfast in front of me. If I recall correctly, I had a yummy warm soup. In about an hour following, mother helped me with my winter coat, it was much like the one I wear today.
"Now are you sure you won't need me this time? I know you say you know your way to school and back, but..." She sighed. "I'm just worried you know."
"I know mother, but I'll be fine... I've done this twice now, a third time won't hurt."
"I suppose not. Well, have a nice day sweetie."
"I will mother." I hugged my mother and set out through the door, and down the path. Taking a right at the gate. In no time at all, I was on my way.
I knew how to get to school very easily. I knew my way around from walking with mother down those same paths everyday for the past ten years. It was as if I could see. I would occasionally trip but I quickly got back up and pushed on, even when I didn't want to. I could hear the school bell ringing in the distance, I hurried myself, I ran to the school so I wouldn't be late. I remember the snow was pelting down harshly that day, as it did every other day during those three months. I remember I hit something hard a little bit after I had started running, I'd hit the door of the school house and fell back.
"Ow.." I rubbed my head and shook it.
I heard the door open not long after, then the voice of my teacher graced my young ears.
"Snowdrop?" Ms. Windith called my name.
"P-Present..." I said in my shaky and shy voice.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see you in class, I assumed you wouldn't be coming. I'm so sorry..."
"N-No, d-don't be. It's alright." I smiled at her to make it seem it was okay, but in truth I felt upset that none of them waited for me.
I passed Ms. Windith, put up my coat and approached my desk. I could tell I was being watched, I could never get used to that feeling of eyes that could see watching me. I felt for my chair, climbing up and sitting in it when I found it. I could hear the other kids behind me talking to one another, Cirrus at the front of the class talking to Starshine, and Cumulo Nimbus mumbling to herself about something pretty, at least I thought so. Ms. Windith stepped in front of the class and cleared her throat, we all started paying attention, all except I.
"Good morning class. I have great news for you all. Our school has been chosen by Princess Celestia herself to present a gift at the spring sunrise. One that could be used as a centennial symbol for the one hundredth winter under the princess's rule. Now for this, you'll all need a partner to work with in making your gift. Your group may consist of two or three, but the gift must be a team effort."
The class started talking among themselves, but I sat in my chair, silently, playing with a piece of cloud I had picked up. I lifted my head slightly and moved it around, left, then right. I put the cloud down and rested my head on my desk with a sigh.
"Hey Snowdrop, I hope you won't hold back your team. Not like the last group you worked with didn't get dragged down or anything." Cumulo Nimbus laughed.
Cumulo Nimbus was much like an unintentional bully, she came from a rich family and had the attitude to boot. She and I became close friends during our teen-aged years, she would become an author in her twilight years. I lifted my head and faced down, I felt disheartened by her words. Soon everypony else in the room started talking about me and my problem as they put it. They singled out my sight more often then not. All except one particular colt who didn't shun me for my eyes. But, the class talking about my eyes like that hurt, and would put me off working on a gift for several weeks before the end. I already felt so useless before hand.
"Now class, you mustn't be so hard on Snowdrop. She's just as able as the rest of you to contribute. Right Snowdrop?"
"Oh.. um... Yes, I-I can contribute." I said without believing in myself. Even though I didn't believe I could, I did.
That month was long and cold. It was busy for the children in my class, they would talk about the gifts they made, they bragged and gloated, all while I sat by and listened with ever growing doubt and self pity. Two days before my Spring Sunrise, we were learning about where the rain came from, I still hadn't found a partner, nor had I started my project.
"Snowdrop, how's your project coming along?" My teacher asked.
"My... my project?"
"Yes, are you and your partner ready to present your gift for the Spring Sunrise?"
Of course I didn't have it, as you already know. I remember the entire conversation so well. The ponies behind me complained about having to work with me again. But there was no need. I didn't have a partner, but I had something even greater. That night after walking home during the last blizzard of the month, I sat on my thinking cloud, tied to the mother cloud my house rested on, and I lamented to myself. I remembered my mother and I sat on that cloud together and talked about the stars I'm so fond of. That night I felt even more worthless then I'd ever been. Then I heard it, the twinkles I had scoffed at that night.
"Twinkles... hmph... What good are Twinkles? You can't wish on sounds like Twinkles..." I stood up and faced the sky.
"I don't know if any of you are out there tonight, in all this snow... I don't think you are... But... please, if you are out there tonight... I... I..."
I wish... I hope... I dream... I pray. By the princesses' rule, light my way. Those are the very words I spoke, my own wish to the stars. My wish, to show I could do something for once. Everyone else said I couldn't do anything... then It happened. As I was giving up, I shed a tear which froze as quickly as it came. It fell from the corner of my eye and touched my leg, It twinkled, then fell onto the cloud in front of me. I heard its sound clearly.
"Wait... that wasn't snow." I got down and scooped the little piece of frozen ice in my hoof as gently as I could.
Then I started to hear it, the stars. They were twinkling all around me.
"Snow... snow is..." I was silenced by the wind, the shooting starts rushed past my ears making the most beautiful sound.
I started to recall what my mother said after that, about my hearing. I listen better then anypony else, anypony she knew. She told me that there are all sorts of stars, different shapes and sizes, and that they had pointed edges. I pulled a weather from my right wing and got down, laying the star in front of me. I took my feather and started to make edges in its odd shape. I used the end of my feather to do this, make the little grooves and such, I put holes in it for spaces to sparkle, and I remembered the shooting stars she mentioned, and how they carry your strongest wishes. It was here I realized that winter... winter shouldn't be shunned, or hated. Winter was sad, miserable, it needed ponies to care about it. When I felt I was finished, I blew my feather away and scooped it up. I spent.. I think an hour out there before my mother came out looking for me. She called my name in a worried tone and asked me to come inside.
"Snowdrop! What are you doing?! It's freezing out there! Please come inside."
"Mother..? Mother, look!" I flew over to her and landed just inches away. "Look, mother!" I had the largest smile I ever had. I held out my hoof and showed her the star.
"Snow? You wanted to show me... snow?"
I shook my head. "Look closer mother, it's not snow, it's a star." I continued to hold my smile for a very long time. All through the night and through the next day.
The following day, before the spring sunrise, Ms. Windith excused me from school, that made me sad a little, but I didn't care very much, I had my gift, and I determined to present it. I spent a majority of that day trying to perfect it, trying to perfect my star. Then the spring sunrise came. Mother and I were running late, Princess Celestia was preparing to choose a gift to be the centennial symbol, then I arrived.
"Wait!" I called out as my mother and I pushed past everypony to the front.
I stood at the front of the group, beside the other kids from school. They started talking about my arrival and how I hadn't showed up to school the day before.
"Snowdrop?" Ms. Windith asked.
"Forgive us the interruption, your Highness, it's just that--" Before my mother could finish, I spoke up.
"I've been working so hard! Please, I have a gift for the seasons too and-"
"I doubt that." Said Cumulo.
I simply faced down at her comment. Once again I began to doubt myself, it was only a moment until the princess asked to see it. Mother urged me forward, and I stepped toward the princesses with my star in my hoof. I stopped in front of... I-I think it was Celestia, and held up my star for all to see. Cirrus was confused at my gift, Cumulo thought it was silly of me to do so, and my other classmates thought I grabbed the wrong gift on the way there, and another just didn't get it.
"It's not snow, I made a star."
"A star? It doesn't even look like one. You can't make stars!"
I started getting annoyed. "Maybe it doesn't look like one but it's still a star! It's a star for winter!"
I couldn't see what the stars looked like up there. I can't see what spring looks like either. But I could hear it all, the wonderful sounds. I heard the snow twinkling just like the stars do every night. I believed they should be able to grant wishes too. All that time winter had been giving us a gift, but we'd just been ignoring it. Celebrating spring was good, winter couldn't have been all bad if it gave us things such as those stars, winter was dark back then, and cold, and that didn't mean there wasn't any good in it. Winter was sad we had all been hating it, and making wishes on its snow, just like the stars at night, might give us a happy winter. The other seasons were happy, all but winter which truly needed something, it needed us to care for it.
My my that brings back so many memories, I haven't recalled anything that well in so long. My words seemed to have had a profound effect on a very special pony, I can only call my closest, and dearest friend... Princess Luna stepped forward, and she spoke to me.
"May we see your wishing snow?"
I held up my hoof again, and felt the star leave my hoof. A few seconds passed, then I heard Princess Celestia.
"Is it possible you could make us some more?"
I gasped with delight and nodded happily. The whole class was shocked, the other pegasi were happy, my mother and teacher were very proud, which I came to find out after the ceremony. I spent the next year making more stars. I felt important for once in my starting life. By my eleventh birthday the stars were ready. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna arrived back in Cloudsdale, the weather team loaded up buckets of stars and placed them in the clouds, at least that's what I believed. I threw the first snowflake which became a tradition for me, every year I'd throw the first snowflake, but now that duty is passed to my eldest daughter, Firn. That following year was one of the most celebrated in Equestria's history. Winters were calm from then on, and I got my cutie mark. However I only made so many stars until it became too much for me. I taught the weather ponies today how to care and create my wishing snow, and I hope my teachings will continue for generations to come.
~~~
"And that children, is the end of my tale." Snowdrop smiled widely at the class.
Medly started stamping her hooves in applause with the fillies and colts, who tamped their front hooves on their desks. Skylight smiled warmly toward her grandmother and applauded her alongside the class.
"Thank you everpony, you're too kind."
Medly approached the old mare with a smile. "Thank you Lady Snowdrop. Now class you may ask Lady Snowdrop one question, that's one for each of you."
Snowdrop smiled. "I don't mind if they want ask more then one question dear."
"Are your sure? I don't overload you."
"I'm sure Ms. Medly. Have a little faith in me." Snowdrop sounded very sure, more so then Medly did about letting the student ask more then one question.
Medly looked at Skylight and sighed with a smile. "Alright Lad Snowdrop." She turned her head away from Snowdrop to look in the direction of the class. "You heard our guest children, feel free to ask as many questions you like."
"But how can she tell when we raise our hooves? Isn't she... blind?"
Snowdrop chuckled. "that doesn't mean I can't see little one. The sound you make paints a picture in my mind of what everything looks like, only when that sound bounces off an object. As long as you make a sound, I can hear you."
A unicorn filly on the last row on the right at the back raised her hoof, she tapped on the table to allow Snowdrop to tell where she was. The elder pegasus moved her head in the filly's direction and smiled.
"Yes, child?"
"How did you and Cumulo Nimbus become friends?" The filly asked with curiosity.
"She didn't pick on me as often as I may have lead you all to believe, I helped her when she needed it. Her family was going through a hard time, so I sat by her and listened to her thoughts, I told her to unleash her anger onto me, and she started yelling at me, venting her frustration until she ran out of anger. I won't go into detail of what happened, just that she changed. She grew to be patient, kinder, and came to think about others. Time can change a pony, like me. I wasn't always this way, I used to be quite shy and doubtful as I explained, but I grew more confident during my teens, I even married a bit too early, earlier then my mother would have liked."
Snowdrop started laughing to herself, much to the classes confusion. Skylight scrunched her face, containing her laughter. She leaned closer to Medly and whispered.
"Listen to this."
Snowdrop stopped laughing and regained her composure. Another filly raised her hoof, making the same tapping her classmate made to get the mare's attention. Snowdrop instantly turned her head in that direction of the young pegasus, her ears reacting to the sound first.
"H-How old were you when you got married?"
"Wave Runner!" Medly was appalled by Wave Runner's question.
"No It's okay Medly. I don't mind." Snowdrop contained her laughter. "Well since you wish to know how old I was, I must first ask that none of you make my mistake, my marriage wasn't a mistake, just my decision to go through with it at that age. I was almost seventeen on my wedding night to be honest, even I was a bad mare once."
The students all giggled while Medly looked at Snowdrop then to her students, then back to Snowdrop.
"This isn't something you'd..." She looked back at the class. "Please don't follow her example children!" Medly said with extreme worry.
The class, Snowdrop and Skylight laughed.
"But with all seriousness children, don't make my mistake, it was silly of me to do so. My husband and I didn't even start living together until we were both nineteen. It was a silly decision, but I have no regrets, I loved him so much."
"Was he that colt you mentioned?" Asked an earth pony filly.
Snowdrop lowered her head in what was a mixture of happiness but complete sadness. "He was, he was a silly, reckless showoff, a sweetheart, a dutiful husband, faithful and caring, and he was the most amazing father to our children." Snowdrop lifted her head, wiping a tear away.
Medly frowned at Snowdrop and looked to the class. "Class, that's enough of those questions, they are off topic and irrelevant to the subject. I know it's fascinating, but please I implore that you ask questions that are a little less personal..."
Skylight looked at Snowdrop and started frowning. "There's more to him then that, isn't there Grandma?" Skylight thought to herself.
The questions kept coming each filly asked different tings related all her eighty seven Spring sunrises she's celebrated since that day all those years ago, snowdrop would answer each and everyone of them. An hour went by and Snowdrop was still being questioned. She didn't tire of the questions, and answered each one happily.
"Now class we have time for one more question, we've been on topic so far so lets keep it that way shall we? I know a lot of yous till have questions but Lady Snowdrop has to go shortly. Does anypony have one more question?"
A colt raised his hoof and tapped on the desktop.
"What is your question dear?" Snowdrop asked.
"Would you relive that day, if you could?"
Snowdrop smiled warmly. "Despite how much doubt, and pity I had for myself, I would. Because that day helped me find my closest friend, erased all doubt in my mind, and marked the beginning of winters wishing stars. It was a wonderful day, one of many I'd certainly love re-live."
"But the stars didn't come until the winter after that." Said Fireball.
"Yes, the following winter. You've been listening." Snowdrop was happy that they were listening.
The school bell rang, signalling the end of class, and Snowdrops visit. The fillies and colts in the class started getting ready to go out into the yard while Medly watched on.
"Class, what do we say to Lady Snowdrop?"
The students all looked at Snowdrop and thanked her for her visit. "Thank you for visiting Lady Snowdrop!" They all said together.
Snowdrop smiled. "You're very welcome children. Thank you to Ms. Medly, who invited me to visit."
Medly smiled. "You're welcome Lady Snowdrop."
The fillies all gathered around Snowdrop while the colts went outside to play in the snow. Snowdrop was surprised and laughed quite merrily at the sudden crowding. The fillies had seen Snowdrops gold and silver wedding band and were curious about it, the fillies were asking all at once what is was. Skylight headed toward the door, looking back and Snowdrop for a moment before stepping out and waiting by the door.
"Lady Snowdrop, what kind of bracelet is that?" Said Kimono.
"This old thing?" Snowdrop put her right off over the bracelet.
The fillies nodded with smiles all around. Snowdrop smiled a little differently now, it began to take on a tinge of sadness as she thought of her dearly beloved. Her eyes grew misty, and her throat started to hurt.
"This my little pony's... this is my wedding band. I've worn it ever since my wedding, roughly eighty years ago. Even after his passing I rarely take it off, only when I need to take it off do I ever remove it. Fifteen years and I still... I still..."
The fillies all started to hug Snowdrop together, surprising the old mare who shed tears. She returned the hugs of each of them all at once and smiled.
"Thank you girls, I'll be alright, you all run along now, I want to think for a bit."
Snowdrop let go of the fillies, all of which let go of her and went outside, each one saying goodbye as they passed. Snowdrop smiled as they did, but when all was silent she lowered her head and delved into her thoughts for a while. When the fillies had all left and Snowdrop was silent, Ember emerged from her hiding place under the desk and looked around for everypony else. She looked at Snowdrop who lifted her head and smiled.
"Don't be afraid little one, I won't hurt you."
Ember was startled and hid shyly. "Y-You know I'm here?"
"I knew you were here the whole time, child. What's your name?"
"Em-Ember..." The filly said with a tremble in her voice.
Snowdrop frowned. "What's the matter, Ember? From the cadence of your voice I can tell you are upset. You can talk to me, it's okay."
Ember looked at Snowdrops cutie mark, then at her own flank. "I'm a blank flank..."
Snowdrop blinked in surprise. "A blank flank? I've never heard of that before."
Ember hung her head, her ears folded. "It means I have no cutie mark... I'm not special..."
"When I was a filly, a long time ago, some kids at my school would call one another bare backs if they didn't have a cutie mark. It was an awful name, and "blank flank" sounds even worse. Ember, is that really what you believe? That you're not special."
Ember shook her head. "I don't know. I'm just unsure on what my talent could be. I want to fly like Wonderbolt captain Firefly and Ms. Medly, or disappear like a unicorn... I'm an earth pony, I can't do those thing. I'm worried what my talent might be, it's eating me away..." Ember started whimpering.
"If you were listening to my story then I'm sure you know that you and I are the same. I too was swallowed up in self pity, worry and doubt at your age, much like you are now. But when I made the stars, I realized my talent was to bring snow every winter, making the stars and sending them to the ground below for a calm winter, fully of wishes and happiness. Oh dear, I'm going to start rambling again."
Ember looked up to Snowdrop. "How would you know? We aren't alike at all..."
"You'd be surprised, dear. If I may impart some of my wisdom to you, I'd like to say that; being a "blank flank" as you put it, isn't as bad as you may think. You have a chance at being something great, something spectacular. When I got my cutie mark, I had no Idea I had it until my mother spoke up, it made me who I am. A flower in winter, who stood against the cold winds, and blossomed into the pony I am today. Your talent make's you who you are, it just take's a while to find yourself. Tell me Ember, what did you like to do before you got down in the dumps about your cutie mark?"
Ember started smiling. "Well... my mommy said that I had a burning passion to be happy and make other ponies happy... Like my smile sparks embers of happiness like a bright star in the sky." Ember started to smile, her trembling voice gone and replaced with a happy, cheery and sweet voice.
"Your mother sounds like a very sweet mare." Snowdrop chuckled.
Skylight re-entered the school house to retrieve her grandmother. She saw Snowdrop was talking with Ember and stopped to watch them.
"Lady Snowdrop..."
"Hm?"
"W-Were you and Princess Luna, friends."
Skylight looked at the filly, then slowly looked at Snowdrop to see how she would react.
Snowdrop smiled and took a deep breath. "She was my best friend, and the closest I've ever had to a sister."
Ember smiled and hugged Snowdrop. "I hope I can be your friend too."
Snowdrop paused for a moment, slowly, she brought her old wings around and returned Embers hug, closing her pale eyes and smiling. Skylight watched on and tried to remember the last time she was hugged the way Ember was.
"I was just a filly when you hugged me like that, wasn't I grandma." She looked down and sighed.
Snowdrop and Ember let go of the hug.
"How do you feel now Ember?"
Ember's smile stayed, her frown and sad personality gone, bringing ember back to her old self. "Happier, I feel much happier now."
"That's better. Nopony should be as glum as you were, nopony your age that is. When ponies get to my age, they can be as sad as they have to be."
Ember hugged Snowdrop once again before letting go. "You don't have to be sad Lady Snowdrop..."
"Please dear, call me Snowdrop."
Skylight tapped her hoof on the floor, looking down at her hooves while she did. Snowdrops ears twitched and reacted to the sound. She turned her head in Skylights direction and sighed.
"You'd better go outside now Ember, please keep on smiling. There will be times for sadness, but always be happy, everyday, and share your joy with everypony around you. Someday, those embers of happiness will become a star."
The young filly nodded and thanked Snowdrop, she stepped away from the mare and headed toward the door. She ran past Skylight who lifted her left front leg and her left wing while she watched. The cream colored pegasus giggled and looked over to Snowdrop. The old mare was walking over to Skylight, stopping just in front of her and letting out a sigh of content. Skylight looked at Snowdrop, while Snowdrop faced her. The old mare held out her left wing to Skylight who stood beside Snowdrop, and laid her right wing over her grandmothers left. The cream colored pegasus lead Snowdrop out of the school house, where the entire class and Ms. Medly were waiting to say goodbye. Skylight stopped, and so did Snowdrop.
"Lady Snowdrop, the students and I would like to once again thank you for visiting our wonderful school. Lady Snowdrop..."
"Thank you for coming to our school!" The students all said together with their teacher.
Snowdrop shed tears at this, she felt smothered in gratitude, in a good way. She bowed her head and spoke in a voice that betrayed her attempt to keep calm.
"Y-You're a-all v-very welcome, m-my little ponies." Her tears streaked down her cheek, turning to ice once they began their fall to the ground.
A small amount of time passed after that. Skylight and Snowdrop were heading back to the tea shop they had visited earlier for some brunch.
"After brunch we're heading straight back to Cloudesdale, okay Grandma?"
"Very well dear... If you think that is best." Snowdrop sighed.
After rounding a corner, both mare's found themselves back in the circular area where the cafe was. Knowing where they were, Skylight lead Snowdrop over to the cafe again, where they stepped inside, the door bell ringing at the doors opening. Skylight and Snowdrop found the same seats they sat in that morning to be empty.
"Here Grandma, please sit, I'll go get your tea, and I'll get myself some coffee." Skylight snorted and walked over to the counter.
Snowdrop sighed and got up onto the chair. She sat down, and waited for Skylight to come back. During this time however, the old mare's breathing grew heavier, she took two quick breaths as if trying to get more air into her lungs before she could properly breath again, even then it took a few moments to recover. The old mare placed her right hoof over her chest, and shortly realized what was wrong. Instead of reacting with fear, she simply closed her eyes, and smiled contently.
"No my granddaughter... There are things I need to do..."
Firn took a sip from her cup of tea, while Snowdrift looked out of the window of the Weather Factory at the clouds which rained even fewer stars than usual. Firn put her cup down and looked at her sister, letting out a sigh.
"I'm sure Skylight has everything under control, sister. She's been caring for mother since she finished school. She'll be fine."
"That's not why I'm asking... She has aged quite a bit, and with that blizzard coming later this afternoon, I worry how she'll be on the way back. It can get awfully cold out there..."
"You sound just like me right now." Firn sighed. "I can't deny that I share your concern. She worries me just as much, if not more."
A weather pony entered the staff area and addressed Firn. "Ms. Firn, the stars are ready to be distributed."
"Excellent! Could we prepare them for launch tomorrow?"
The weather pony shook his head. "I'm afraid not, the blizzard is on its way and has already hit Manehattan; the stars will have to wait, I'm afraid."
Firn started to shake. "R-Really? T-Thank you for informing me."
The weather pony nodded and left the room, right as Firn brought her hoof down on the table in livid fury. She gritted her teeth and glared at anything in her field of view; she was furious.
"We're behind scheduled now more than ever! Nopony should be learning how to make stars during winter when they are most needed, this is infuriating!!"
Snowdrift watched Firn, who blew a puff of air out of her nostrils. The pale green mare shook her head.
"Firn... You know as well as I do that teaching the new snow makers during this time can give them experience. So what if you are behind schedule? That doesn't mean the snow won't fall. "
"You know I prefer a strict schedule, the Spring Sunrise is in two days, Snowdrift! The stars must be ready before then."
"Remember what mom said, about those learners. Be patient with them... If it has to snow on Friday then let it."
Firn sighed. "I swear if you weren't you, you'd be mother. Alright, I'll keep trying, and I'll try to stay calm."
"Good." Snowdrift started smiling. "Sometimes I wonder how you raised Skylight with your personality. You're not exactly patient, you don't tolerate failure. You're a serious, bossy hooves."
Firn put on a bemused look. "She takes after her father. The only trait she got off me was her unwavering concern for mother... You still have little ones don't you?"
"My eldest is turning on sixteen in three weeks, while the twins turn fourteen in three months."
Firn smiled. "You should head home, school will be finished in two hours, your kids will be expecting you."
"Of course. Mustn't forget my little ones..." Snowdrift's voice became shaky as she made her way to the exit of the staff room. She opened the door and stood in place for a moment before turning her head around to look at Firn.
"I'm deeply concerned about mother, Firn. You know this already, you too feel the same. There's already a void father left behind fifteen years ago, I fear that void may get bigger soon... I have this ominous feeling.... can you not sense it?"
Firn looked at Snowdrift and sighed shakily. "I try not to think about it, I try not to remember either, m-mother will be fine, I trust Skylight to look after her, but.. I cannot shake the warning in my heart..."
Snowdrift looked down for a moment before brightening up and jumping around to face her sister. The sudden jump caught Firn by surprise, the pegasus blinked and watched what Snowdrift would do.
"Firn... do you think you'd ever have another foal?"
"Changing the subject I see to liven up the mood... I have thought of it. Right now you need to get going, I've got work to finish."
Snowdrift nodded. "I'll flyby later, okay?" The pale green pegasus smiled and exited the room, closing the door behind her.
Firn, stared at her cup of tea for a moment before getting up and walking over to the window to stare out at the grey winter clouds. She had a sense of foreboding that caused her tough exterior to vanish for a few moments.
"Mother, if you're as smart as I know you are, you'll come home soon..."
~~~
"Where do you think you're going?" Skylight stood in Snowdrops way just outside the cafe.
"I have things I need to do before we go, Skylight."
Skylight shook her head. "No, we came here for a lecture, not to go around sightseeing!"
"You don't have to be so loud dear... I understand your concern but really, there's no need for it, I'm okay."
Skylight stared at Snowdrop with a stern look on her face. Snowdrop stared back with her pale, blind eyes, almost as if she could see into Skylights own eyes. Skylight's stern demeanor slowly melted away, leaving behind a softy who closed her eyes and sighed heavily.
"Mother is going to kill me, you know?"
Snowdrop chuckled. "If you let me have my way... yes. I will ask again dear, let me go, I have things I need to do. Things I must do."
Skylight stomped her left hoof on the ground and looked to her left toward the stores on the opposite side of the circle and sighed in defeat, lowering her head.
"Grandma, you are stubborn! You're impossible!!" Skylight lifted her head and sighed once more. "But fine... What do you want to do first?"
Snowdrop smiled and took a deep breath. "Well, now let me think."
Skylight sat down and waited. Ponies passed them by, on hoof and by flight.
"Where shall we go, Wind Waker, my darling." Snowdrop mumbled to herself.
A cold wind blew and almost blew Skylight over. She used her wings to keep her balance and her footing until the wind stopped. She looked up at the sky then back at Snowdrop who had started walking away. The light cream pegasus bolted after her.
"Grandma, slow down!"
Snowdrop continued to walk in the direction of the city square, the large statue of Celestia and Luna dominating the center, with Castle Canterlot in the distance, rising over the buildings like a mountain. Snowdrop walked toward the statue and stopped only meters away. Skylight caught up not long after. She hovered close to the ground before letting herself drop, folding up her wings after.
"Grandma!!" Skylight shook her head as she stopped beside the old mare.
"You should know better than to run off like that! You could've hurt... yourself..."
Skylight looked up at the statue which Snowdrop faced. She looked at Celestia's statue first, then at Luna's.
"The one on the left is Luna. But I think you know that already."
"She must've been a beautiful princess..."
"Some books described her as beautiful as the midnight sky... I wouldn't know it although, but she was the most dearest friend to me."
"You say that all the time."
Snowdrop snickered. "Because my dear..." The mare turned her head in Skylight’s direction. "It's the truth."
Skylight looked at Snowdrop then to the ground. "Hm... Alright I guess..."
"Pardon me?"
Skylight looked back at Snowdrop. "We'll do it your way."
Snowdrop smiled. "I knew coming here would win you over."
Suddenly the old mare started coughing and holding onto her chest, none of it sounded healthy. Skylight started to panic and tried to help Snowdrop, but the elder simply brushed her away gently as the coughing stopped.
"I'm okay... I'm alright...." She stood up and held her throat.
"Grandma, we should take you to a hospital... That didn't sounded healthy."
"No!! I have things to do. I don't need you telling me where I should go!!!" snapped Snowdrop.
Skylight took a few steps back and stared at Snowdrop in shock. Bystanders looked at the two mares and whispered among themselves. Snowdrop blinked and shook her head.
"O-Oh my.. I... I don't know what happened there... I'm... I'm so sorry, Skylight."
"No, no don't be. I deserved that, I shouldn't try dragging you home or telling you what to do... You're my elder, and I should be better than this."
Snowdrop frowned and shook her head. "N-No y-you didn't..."
Skylight smiled. "How about we do the next thing you want to do? There must be more than that."
Snowdrop sighed and nodded. "There is. But... are you sure you want to go where we're heading... I'm not sure they'll let you in."
"I'm sure, Grandma."
"Alright... But we need to buy some flowers before we go."
"Flowers? Who for?"
Snowdrop chuckled. "A friend, dear."
Skylight sighed happily. "Then let’s not wait any longer, come on, let’s go back to the market place. And.. well... here."
The young mare put a scarf around Snowdrop to keep her extra warm.
"A scarf?"
"Yeah... That old coat isn't going to keep you warm forever."
"I suppose... Thank you, Skylight."
Skylight rolled her eyes. "Let’s just go get those flowers you were talking about."
Skylight put her left wing around Snowdrop and headed off in the direction of the market district.
~~~
Princess Celestia was painting the city from her balcony in her study. The alicorn made very small yet subtle strokes with her brush as if she were naturally gifted at painting. She glanced over her painting and gave a satisfied smile, she put down her paint brush and palette and took a long proud look at her work.
"I think I've done well on this one." She nodded once and stood up, she levitated the painting into the room, along with everything else before heading inside herself and closing the balcony window doors.
Celestia placed her painting against the wall and let out a low sigh. She walked over to the fire where a scroll and some warm tea laid. The tea had been brought in only five minutes ago. Her crown rested on a table close by, her golden shoes laid beneath that, just out of the fire’s warm glow. The wind outside had started to pick up and die down as the last blizzard of the year was advancing from the north, the only blizzard never to be tamed by Snowdrop’s wonderful stars. A knock came at the door. Celestia, having just sat down by the fire, was sipping her tea when it came. She lowered her cup down on the plate and cleared her throat.
"Yes? Who is it?"
A guard’s voice came from behind the door. "Your Highness, your dinner is ready and waiting for you."
The princess smiled. "Thank you for informing me. I'll be right down shortly." She quickly drank down her tea and levitated her crown onto her head, slipped on her shoes, and left the study.
Maids bowed and guards stood tall as the princess passed. She held her head high and proud. She entered into the throne room on her way to the dining hall when a guard called out to her. Celestia stopped and looked at the guard, who stood by the door.
"Something to tell me, guardsman?"
The guard pony nodded. "Yes, two pegasi were trying to get into the castle, one of them claims to be a very old friend."
Celestia raised an eyebrow and smiled. "And was there anything peculiar about this "friend?""
"Not much about the young one, but the elder, she's blind, and wore a grey cloak."
Celestia's eyes widened. "Let them in."
"Princess?" The guardsman replied in confusion.
"Let them in, I know them."
The guards opened the large doorways that led into the throne room. Skylight and Snowdrop were waiting on the other side, blocked by two pegasus guards who had crossed their wings denying entry, they had not heard the princesses command.
"Guards, let them pass. They are friends of mine."
The pegasi folded up their wings, allowing Skylight to lead Snowdrop past and up the steps. The old mare had flowers held close to her by her wing. She was smiling happily at meeting her friend again. Guards watched the two pegasi in amazement and wonder, many of them had heard of Snowdrop in school, from books and occasionally from the princess herself, but none of them had never thought to actually see her alive. Skylight and Snowdrop stopped in front of the princess and bowed.
"You need not bow, my friends. Especially you, Snowdrop."
Both pegasi lifted their heads. Skylight looked straight up at the alicorn and marveled at her majesty, Snowdrop kept her head faced in one direction, forward.
"Princess Celestia. You sound much older then I remember."
The princess smiled. "And you look as beautiful as ever, even in your old age."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Snowdrop turned her head in Skylight’s direction slightly. "This is my eldest granddaughter, Skylight."
Skylight bowed once more. "It's an honor to meet you, Princess Celestia, I've heard many things about you."
"The honor is mine. Has Snowdrop been telling stories about me?" The princess seemed playfully intrigued.
Snowdrop’s cheeks lit up brightly. "Maybe one or two." She chuckled.
Skylight and Celestia laughed. Outside, the blizzard began to envelope Canterlot, as it had done to the rest of Equestria. The snow pattered on the windows and started to pile up in the streets around houses. The princess looked upward at the sound of the strong winds blowing and looked at the time.
"It's almost six o'clock." She looked back at her guests and gave a warm smile. "I will be back in just a minute, I must tend to one more duty for the day. Captain Six Streak will take you to the dining hall. I will join the both of you soon enough."
Celestia closed her eyes and bowed her head to them before excusing herself, and walking off in the direction of the Tower of Day and Night. Skylight sighed and scratched her wing with her teeth before a guard clad in blue armor approached. The armor was different from its modern day counterpart, it had a red feather plume atop a helmet that covered the guard’s entire face, minus the mouth, eyes and horn. The entire neck area was well protected all around, shin guards were tied around the left of the guard to the knee, and the body armor seemed to cover all of the body; underneath he wore thick clothing, the chest plate bore the Equestrian coat of arms. It was a cumbersome, heavy armor. This blue variation was worn by Celestia's captain of the guard. The other guards in the room wore a type of gray and silver, steel variation which looked much of the same but with blue plumes. Other guards wore lighter versions of the armor which lacked most the protection, in favor of free movement and quick reactions. The pony in this blue armor was Six Streak.
Six Streak smiled at them both and cleared his throat. "Good evening, madams. I'm Six Streak, if you'll follow me, I'd be more than happy to take you to the dining hall."
Snowdrop perked up at the sound of the stallion’s voice, it had a certain familiarity to it, as if she knew this unicorn. She smiled and remembered far back to her youth of a stallion who sounded almost like Six Streak. The stallion lead Snowdrop and Skylight out of the room and down a long corridor toward a set of large wooden doors. The blizzard outside rattled the glass windows a little and had blocked all light from coming through, but by now the sun had already set, and the moon was beginning its reign over the sky, the image of the mare in the moon, unseen. The old mare chuckled as the three drew closer to the door. Six Streak stopped just before opening the door and looked at Snowdrop, Skylight also turned her attention to the elder.
"What's so funny, grandma?" asked Skylight.
"I knew your father, Six Streak." Snowdrop said, talking directly to Six Streak.
Skylight was confused and looked at Six Streak, who was smiling.
"Yes, 4-Speed. He told me about you, he made you sound like a nice lady. I'm happy to know he wasn't wrong."
"I remember your father was not much older than I was when we met. He was courting a unicorn if I recall, earth ponies and unicorns, such a romantic union." Snowdrop smiled.
Six Streak chuckled. "I suppose. I ended up a unicorn so I guess something came of it. But that matters not. I'm sure you're both hungry."
"I am quite famished to be honest." Skylight smiled.
"Let's not wait any longer then." Snowdrop said with a smile.
Six Streak stood tall and opened the large doors into the grand dining hall of Castle Canterlot. Skylight's eyes widened as she took in the sight of this majestic room of marble. The table had been set for the princess and two guests, it was almost as if the alicorn had been expecting Snowdrop and Skylight. The mares entered the room, the smell of warm food, baked to perfection graced their noses and took Skylight by surprise.
"They prepared meals... for us?"
"I thought that would be okay. You are guests after all." Celestia entered the room with a smile.
"T-Thank you Princess Celestia, really, thank you." Skylight said in amazement.
"No need to thank me, Skylight. It always pleases me to make a guest feel comfortable."
Skylight and Princess Celestia stepped into the room and walked over to their seats. Snowdrop however, stood still and lowered her head somberly. She lifted her ears to listen out for somepony, but she heard nothing she wanted to hear. Snowdrop shook her head and approached the table in the center of the large room. Celestia had already taken her seat at the front of the table, while Skylight sat beside her, opposite Snowdrop’s chair. The old mare got into her chair and sat there, blankly facing her food.
"Are you going to eat, Snowdrop?" asked Celestia.
Snowdrop smiled. "Oh I will, Princess. I'm just thinking at the moment."
The princess simply smiled and continued to eat. Skylight watched Snowdrop who was just digging into her food. It was a soft warm porridge which Snowdrop found distasteful. The old mare frowned and sighed.
"Do you not like your supper, Snowdrop?" Celestia frowned.
Snowdrop turned her head in the princess’ direction and frowned. "I like porridge as much as the next pegasus, but I find it a little de-grading that this was the best your maids and cooks could prepare."
"Their hearts were in the right place. They had your age to consider and..."
"And what's wrong with my age? You are older then I, why must I be the one to be stereotyped? I still have teeth!"
Celestia was taken aback by Snowdrop’s sudden out of character words. The alicorn looked at Skylight who looked down with absolute worry for her grandmother.
"I-I can have it taken back and changed if you like...."
Snowdrop blinked and shook her head. "N-No thank you, Celestia... P-Please forgive me for speaking so harshly, I didn't mean to."
"Are you feeling okay, Snowdrop?"
Snowdrop nodded. "I'm... I'm okay, don't worry." The old mare put on a false smile to hide the truth, and it seemed to work.
Celestia, however, looked unconvinced and lifted an eyebrow with suspicion. Skylight finished her dinner and stretched her wings.
"We have to get going soon, grandma. It's a long trip back to Cloudsdale after all."
Celestia looked at Skylight. "It would be foolish to leave in this weather. This blizzard is the last of the year and the most dangerous of them all. I've already made the necessary arrangements for the both of you to be given a room to spend the night in." The alicorn smiled.
Snowdrop held in a cough as best she could and swallowed. "Thank you, princess. You are much too kind."
Skylight smiled and looked at Snowdrop. "Shall we go, grandma?"
Snowdrop shook her head. "No dear, you go ahead. I'd like to take a moment to catch up with the princess."
Skylight opened her mouth to protest but quickly closed it, remembering the sudden outburst from Snowdrop earlier that day.
"Okay grandma." Skylight turned around and walked toward Six Streak, who lead Skylight away and to the room she would be staying.
The large doors closed and Celestia, having watched Skylight quickly leave, turned her head to Snowdrop and sighed. Snowdrop was smiling, she looked proud and content. She started to eat her porridge while the princess watched.
"She's quite concerned about you, isn't she?"
Snowdrop swallowed and nodded. "She is, but I fear she lets her concerns get the better of her."
"Isn't that supposed to happen with caretakers? They worry because they're afraid."
"I know, princess... She treats me like a filly sometimes because of it. Not that I mind too much, it's bothersome but it makes me feel younger again."
Celestia snickered. "Don't we all wish to be young again?"
Snowdrop slightly turned her head in the princess's direction. "Well, sometimes I wish it. Other times I'm just happy to have gotten as far as I have."
"Luna would've enjoyed this visit if she were here. She used to watch you in Cloudsdale after we defeated Sombra."
Snowdrop’s happy attitude suddenly melted away at the mention of Luna. "Well.. I'm happy to know she was watching over me for a time. But she would still be here if you had not banished her..."
Snowdrop’s tone had changed. She sounded angry and hurt at Celestia's decision to banish her sister all those years ago. Celestia looked down at the table, upset.
"I know how you feel, Snowdrop. She was my sister, but she was too far gone."
"No pony is ever too far gone. You could have saved her, Celestia. The Elements of Harmony were powerful enough, weren't they? If they were strong enough to imprison Luna within the moon then perhaps you could have separated the darkness from her."
"I could do nothing!" Snapped Celestia. "Luna was over taken by her anger, her jealousy! It's true I could have brought her out of the dark but my anger and heartbreak was too great... And in my rage, I sent her to the moon... Not a day goes when I am not reminded of my failure, it is my deepest regret, my sin. I only hope that someday somepony will succeed where I have failed."
Celestia lifted her head to look at Snowdrop who had started coughing much like earlier, only it sounded worse. The princess wore an expression of concern as she watched helplessly. A moment after the coughing subsided, and Snowdrop was panting, catching her breath.
"You are sick, aren't you, Snowdrop?"
Snowdrop covered her mouth with her left hoof then slowly moved it to her chest. "I am... But I'm not afraid."
"You should see a doctor. I'd be more than happy to organize one to see you..."
"I've had a long life, Celestia. My daughters are old enough to be without me..." Snowdrop smiled. "I'm not afraid, I welcome it. Regardless of what Firn and Skylight want."
Celestia was paused for a while but in time looked down to her right in thought. "Are you quite sure, Snowdrop?" She looked back at the old mare.
"Life is short, and I have so little time... But... I'll make the most of it." She said with a smile.
Celestia simply smiled at the old mare and thought to herself, "She has certainly matured hasn't she... Luna?"
~~~
Skylight was going through Snowdrops bags in the room. She pulled out a leather covered journal which contained twenty five years’ worth of notes. She looked through them curiously and could see they were a collection of Snowdrop’s life, an Autobiography of sorts. Skylight had noticed that the notes go up until the day before they departed. She would continue to look if Celestia had not startled her by her sudden entrance with Snowdrop. Skylight put the book down and approached Snowdrop.
"You both startled me," she said in a cheerful tone.
"You don't sound like somepony who was just startled, did I miss something whilst I was in the dining hall?"
"Not really." Skylight sighed, her smile still bright on her face.
Celestia stepped forward. "I do hope you find your room to your liking, you two. This is but one of the many guest rooms throughout the castle."
Snowdrop walked over to her bag which was on the table, brushing past Skylight unintentionally. Skylight watched Snowdrop before returning her attention to the princess.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Princess Celestia."
Celestia smiled. "Please, there's no need to thank me. I'm doing this for a friend, it's the least I can do."
Skylight smiled brightly. Snowdrop turned her head to face the wall. "You deserve the gratitude, princess."
"She's over here, grandma..." Skylight walked over to Snowdrop and used her wing to gently turn Snowdrop in the right direction.
Celestia yawned, covering her mouth with her wing. "I will retire now. Goodnight you two."
"Goodnight, Celestia," said Snowdrop.
Celestia turned around and left the room, closing the door behind her gently. Skylight sighed and started looking up at the ceiling, examining the paintings from where she was. As she was looking she slowly turned around so she faced Snowdrop, lowering her head while she did. When her eyes fixed on Snowdrop, Skylight saw the old mare had opened the notebook and had started to writing in the note book on a blank page. Skylight's eye twitched with pure confusion, her jaw dropped and her pupils shrank.
"G-Grandma... you're not supposed to... But you can't... How are you writing?!"
Snowdrop chuckled and finished a paragraph. "I learned. Wind Waker taught me when we started dating. It was hard, though... Took a few year to get the hang of. I could never hope to write in my youth."
"That doesn't really explain how..."
Snowdrop sighed. "I used to have a reference sheet with the letters engraved. I went on from memory after that. As for spacing, I just measure the distance between letters with the quill, it's all simple really..."
"It's certainly outlandish to me..." Skylight sighed.
Snowdrop stretched her wings which seemed to irritate her, she also stretched her legs and sat down.
"Are you okay, grandma?"
"My joints are hurting again... Guess my old body's starting to wear a bit thin." Snowdrop chuckled, her lips forming a smile on her wrinkled race.
"Don't say that!" She sighed. "It's just your arthritis, that's all."
"I know what arthritis is dear... this isn't that same pain." Snowdrop coughed, covering her mouth with her left wing.
Skylight frowned. "Look, how about we get some rest, tomorrow we can go to that park you mentioned earlier. Maybe then your pain will go away."
Snowdrops coughing ceased and she folded her wing back up. "Let's hope so, dear. But first, I need to continue my writing. I have not yet documented events of the past..t-two... uahh haaagh...."
Snowdrop could feel her breath escaping from her lungs, she fell over holding her throat. Skylight bolted to Snowdrop's side and helped her up, she tried to help her breathe properly again and after forty five seconds of struggle, Snowdrop's breathing became normal once more. She panted, trying to regain her breath while Skylight ran over to Snowdrop’s bag and pulled out an inhaler. She came back to the elder’s side and assisted Snowdrop in using it. Snowdrop could now truly breath again but her throat ached and her memory became shoddy.
"W-what happened? W-Where are we, Firn?"
Skylight shook her head. "Grandma… w-we're in Canterlot, we're visiting the princess."
Snowdrop blinked for a moment and her memory came back. "Oh my... I-I... That's never happened before... I just felt sickly before, but now..."
"Grandma!" Skylight shouted infuriated. "This has happened to you before and you never thought to see a doctor about it?!"
"Please... just leave it alone, Skylight. It's better for both of us that I don't see one."
"I will not stand by and watch you suffocate!"
"Do as I say!!" snapped Snowdrop, her mood suddenly changing to anger. "If you were blind like I was you wouldn't have to!!"
Skylight took a step back and stared at the blind mare on the floor. Snowdrop's eyes widened at the realization of her words, her ears flattened on her head and she lowered her blind gaze downward.
"I-I'm so sorry I... I... didn't mean that..." Snowdrop started to shed tears. "I never meant to say that, I don't know what's coming over me..."
"Grandma..." Skylight approached Snowdrop, stopping when the elder spoke again.
"I know what you will say... Answer me, do you know why I want to go to the Canterlot park..?"
Skylight struggled to find an answer and sighed. "...Why..?"
Snowdrop moved her head upward so her pale eyes met Skylights green eyes and smiled.
"I went to spend some time with my granddaughter."
Skylight flinched in surprise and felt like she could cry.
"After that dear, we may go and see a doctor. It's a rare chance for us to connect, and for us to be in Canterlot provides a wonderful opportunity, don't you agree?"
"Every fiber of my being, every moral and all of my mother's teachings, my upbringing is telling me to take you to a doctor... Mother will kill me if I do this... But for you.. for you grandma..." Skylight sighed. "...Alright..."
Snowdrop smiled warmly. "Thank you dear."
Skylight came over to Snowdrop and helped her up, the old mare's legs cracked and crinkled as she did, her aching joints felt as if bone was grinding on bone. She ringed and winced from it, but she could bare it.
"We should rest..." Skylight suggested.
"No... I must continue my writing, I must. Historians would get it wrong no doubt, I want to be remembered the right way. I've been writing this autobiography for twenty five years. I've spent my afternoons everyday all these years documenting my life. I leave out a few details here and there for private reasons, not everypony needs to know how I came to conceive Firn and Snowdrift."
Skylight sighed. "Okay then... but not too late please..."
Snowdrop nodded. "I won't be too long." She approached the table and picked up the quill and began writing where she left off as if she could see what was on the paper.
Skylight stayed up the majority of the time Snowdrop was writing. The elder must have written a few thousand words in an hour. Snowdrop finished shortly and closed the book, she put the quill down and sighed with a yawn. Skylight was quite drowsy from the long day. She watched Snowdrop put the notes in the saddlebag and listen out for sounds. When none came she clicked quite loudly and saw what was ahead. She turned around when all had gone dark and clicked again, this time she could make out Skylight’s shape.
"Shall we retire now, granddaughter?"
"That would be best... Do you need any help getting into bed?"
Snowdrop approached the bed she would sleep in and flapped her wings as she climbed in. "I'll manage."
Skylight blew out the candle on the desk Snowdrop wrote on and approached the bed beside her grandmother’s. Snowdrop had put out the candles beside her bed with her wings. Skylight saw Snowdrop’s eyes were closed, she was already fast asleep and peaceful. Skylight smiled pleasantly and slept just as peacefully, the snowstorm outside subsiding as dawn came hours later.
~~~
The next day came quickly during the mare's restful sleep. Pegasi and Unicorns were clearing the mess left behind by the snow storm, to keep the streets safe and to prepare for the spring sunrise that was to come the next day. Skylight awoke early enough to do her morning stretches. She looked around for Snowdrop who was usually awake by now, only to find she wasn't. Skylight looked around the room for the elder to see she was still in bed. The cream colored pegasus sighed with a smile and approached the bed.
"Grandma, it's time to get up. We're going to Canterlot Park, remember?"
Snowdrop stirred. She lifted her head from the pillow slowly. Suddenly Skylight was taken aback by the elder’s complexion. Snowdrop had paled overnight, she was like a ghost, gaunt and white. Skylight immediately went to the room’s door and opened it. She looked to Six Stream who was passing by and asked him urgently to fetch Princess Celestia, the fear in her voice was enough to hurry the stallion, who nodded and quickly ran to the throne room where the Princess Sat.
Once told, Celestia wasted no time, she came to the room and stopped in the door way when she saw Snowdrop was standing with assistance from Skylight, worry written all over her face. The princess noted Snowdrop’s heavy breathing and panting. Whatever was wrong with Snowdrop, it had reached its end. She knew it was only a matter of time now, Snowdrop knew it too and was eager to go, so she may spend time with Skylight if only for a short time.
"Oh Snowdrop..." Celestia muttered with sorrow. She carefully approached the two and got down to the old mare's height.
Snowdrop blinked her pale eyes, she knew the princess was there and smiled. "I'm not... afraid... It's what awaits me I'm afraid of..."
By this point Skylight could do nothing to assure herself that her grandmother was okay, Snowdrop could say nothing of the sort, either. Skylight fought back tears and looked to the princess.
"She insists we get going to the park. Say's it'll be a bonding experience for us to walk together and talk..."
Snowdrop nodded in silence. Celestia looked at the both of them and stood up, her head lowered.
"As princess I cannot allow Snowdrop to leave without medical attention. But I doubt you would allow me to stop you. Right, Snowdrop?"
"I'm... s-stubborn... you know that..." She smiled, resting her head against Skylight’s neck.
Celestia looked toward the couch and levitated Snowdrop’s coat to her, putting it on her old friend so Skylight did not have to. Celestia fought back her own emotions and tried to keep a calm composure, though her voice gave her way; it trembled with emotion.
"Y-You where this, and stay warm. I-I had the cooks p-prepare some food f-f-for you."
"Thank you princess," Skylight said with gratitude.
Six Streak opened up Skylight’s saddlebags and placed the meals within. He and the princess lead the two mares through the halls and into the throne room, maids and soldiers pausing to see Snowdrop in her dismal state, each of them feeling sorry for the old girl. The guard opened the doors for them, Six Stream stood back and watched while Celestia lead the two out. She bid the two farewell and good health to them while they left. As they did, a single snow flake came down and landed in the corner of Celestia's eye, streaming down her cheek like a tear. She touched her cheek with her wing and looked at the water that had fallen to her face. She looked up and saw that Luna's statue had water coming from the eyes.
"Luna... Are you crying, dear sister?" The princess turned her gaze back to Snowdrop and Skylight, both of whom were walking away in the direction of their destination.
Snowdrop and Skylight entered the park upon their arrival, they stepped through the snow, soft and cool beneath their hooves. Snowdrop could feel her strength returning to her and stopped, Skylight stopping in turn.
"Something wrong, grandma?"
Snowdrop shook her head. "I'm okay, I think I can walk now."
"Are you sure?" Skylight sounded concerned.
"I'm sure." Snowdrop lifted herself off of Skylight and started taking a few steps forward.
Skylight watched Snowdrop carefully. For a while Snowdrop seemed normal, she felt her way around, safe in the knowledge that Skylight was nearby. The wind started to pick up, Snowdrop could hear the sounds of children, their voices carried upon the wind, the sounds of stars streaking past much like in her youth. Snowdrop felt weak again, she started to stumble and wobble. Seeing this, Skylight rushed over to Snowdrop flapping her wings to gain more momentum; she called out to her grandmother. Snowdrop took in two more breaths before closing her eyes and falling into the snow. Snowdrop then laid still on the ground as Skylight fell to her grandmother’s side and called for help.
Cold winds blew through the trees of Canterlot, with warmer winds signaling the coming season. The winds blew through Cloudsdale, bringing great warmth to the pegasi. Firn did not feel this warmth, she felt only cold, there was a sense of dread looming over her. She was standing in the middle of the main room of the Weather Factory, watching the learners make stars when a letter appeared in a flash of light. Firn covered her eyes when the light shone, every pegasus in the room turning to see what the source of the illumination was. Firn removed her right wing from her face and saw the roll of parchment floating there with a gold aura around it. Cautiously, she took the letter and opened it to see what it said; the contents of the letter shocked Firn to her very core. She dropped it in fear and worry.
"Ms. Firn, are you okay?" asked Cloud Climber.
Firn stood in shock, shaking as if cold. She shook her head and took a deep breath. "I-I need to go to Canterlot... Skydancer, you're in charge while I'm gone, keep to the schedule..."
Firn turned and hurried out of the room, running as fast as she could in distress. She entered the foyer, passing the counter where a pegasus welcomed visitors and pushed open the door of the factory with her hooves. Once outside, Firn could sense even clearer than before that something was very wrong. Unwilling to waste time with carriages, the pegasus took to the air and flew to Canterlot with immense speed.
Firn wasn't the only one to get a letter, Snowdrift also received the same letter from Skylight. Snowdrift's very being was filled with worry. She quickly went to her husband and asked him to look after the children.
"Mother's unwell, I must go... Please look after them. I will be back soon." She kissed her husband’s cheek, and said goodbye to her children before running for the door and taking flight, heading in the same direction as Firn: to Canterlot.
It took only a few minutes for Firn to arrive in the old city. She was minutes ahead of Snowdrift, though this mattered not. Firn flew to Canterlot hospital at the top of a cliff as fast as her wings could carry her. Skylight sat in the waiting room of the hospital, her head lowered to face the floor. She was tense, she flexed her wings as a way to cope with it. The beeping of a heart beat monitor rung in her ears and reminded her of what was happening with her beloved grandmother.
Firn entered the hospital and looked around the room to see Skylight sitting in despair, facing the floor. The sixty-five year old mare sighed at the sight of her daughter, seeing her as upset as she was, was hard. Firn approached Skylight, stopping when the younger cream colored pegasus looked up to her.
"I'm sorry mother... I'm so sorry... I-I failed..." Skylight's eyes were filled with self-loathing and shame, her cheeks wet from her tears.
Firn frowned at Skylight, her face was not of contempt, disappointment nor anger. Skylight bolted from her chair and threw herself into a hug with her mother. Firn wrapped her wings around Skylight, resting her head over the younger mare's neck, her eyes closed tightly.
"It'll be alright, Skylight. Mother is a strong old girl, it is very hard to put her down," Firn said to comfort Skylight as best she could.
Skylight sobbed, burying her face in her mother’s chest to hide her tears, her sadness. A doctor emerged from the room Snowdrop was staying in and came down the hall from where the room was. He stopped in the doorway and looked over at Firn and Skylight. Firn knew that the doctor was inviting them in to see the elderly pegasus who laid on a bed inside. She removed her wings and patted Skylight’s back.
"Come on; mother's waiting."
Skylight hesitated to move. Eventually she forced herself to do so. She slowly pulled away from Firn and approached corridor, her mother following close behind. Skylight walked down the long hall, the doctor beside her. When they arrived, Skylight entered the room slowly. She stopped in the doorway upon seeing Snowdrop on the bed. A mask covered her mouth and nose, a long tube connected the mask to some canisters of air at the bedside, and a device of a magical nature hooked up to Snowdrop’s arm by a thin cable showed her heart beat as wavy lines. Skylight had never seen such a large device before, neither had anypony before them.
Skylight approached the bed and moved around so she was on Snowdrop’s left side. Firn entered the room next. She saw her mother and paused; her reaction had been cushioned by her attempts to remain as calm as possible, but deep down she wasn't.
"Oh mother... what has happened to you..?" She approached the bed slowly, glancing at the magic construct for a moment before turning back to her mother.
Snowdrop’s blind eyes opened slightly. She blinked and opened them fully, and then groaned and tried getting up, only for Skylight and Firn to urge her to lay down.
"Grandma... please don't move..."
"Don't move? Why? Where am I?" The elder asked in confusion.
"You're in the hospital, mother. In Canterlot," Firn said in a quiet voice.
Snowdrop breathed steadily with the mask on. "C-Canterlot? Oh... I remember now... the children..."
The three mares could suddenly hear hooves rushing up the corridor. Firn and Skylight turned their heads in the direction of the door to see Snowdrift rush in, her eyes fixating on Snowdrop in an instant.
"Mom… Are you okay?!" Snowdrift ran into the room, pushing past Firn, who groaned unpleasantly.
Snowdrop nodded slowly. "I'm alright for now, dear... I'm not out just yet."
Firn and Skylight smiled quite happily at Snowdrop’s words, Snowdrift also smiled just as happily. But their smiles lasted for a short time, the doctor came into the room with bad news.
"Excuse me, who here is the caretaker?"
Skylight came around so she was in front of the doctor. "I am."
"Might we speak in the hall? It's about your grandmother..." The doctor spoke with an apologetic tone.
"If you're going to talk about my mother, I want to hear it," Firn said sternly.
"So do I!" exclaimed Snowdrift.
"No, mother shouldn't be left alone," said Firn with an almost demanding voice.
"Will you stop treating me like a child, Firn! She's my mother too, I have a right to hear what the doctor has to say!" Snowdrift argued.
"I'll stay... You two go out and speak with the doctor, I'll stay with grandma," Skylight said calmly.
Firn sighed in irritation. "Let’s get this over with..."
Snowdrift frowned whilst glancing at Firn, Skylight, then Snowdrop. She lowered her head and followed Firn while she left the room to speak with the doctor, closing the door behind her. Skylight sighed and shook her head, she turned around and went back over to Snowdrops side. The old mare looked upset, she was facing downward, her ears twitching to the sound of the voices from behind the door, voices Skylight could barely hear.
Snowdrop’s lips formed a smile, she closed her eyes contently and breathed a happy sigh. "Well, I suppose it won't be long."
Snowdrop's voice had gotten slightly croaky, her pale complexion turning white slowly. Skylight frowned at the elderly mare and looked down, kicking at the carpet with her front left hoof. Snowdrop got comfortable in her bed and sighed, her joints aching all over and her body feeling cold.
"It's so cold... even with my coat on, it's cold..."
"Your body temperature is dropping.. that's why..." Skylight looked down.
"I know, sweetie..."
The hospital room doors opened and in stepped Firn and Snowdrift, both of them were dark under the eyes, their faces grim. Skylight saw their faces and knew that this was news she would barely be able to stomach.
"W-Well? What's wrong?" Skylight asked in an unsure tone.
The doctor stepped in after; Firn and Snowdrift couldn't utter a word. The doctor sighed as he stood in front of Skylight, the cream-colored mare, watching the stallion before her, his head lowered before lifting it to speak.
"Your grandmother is very ill. Her lungs suffer from a web like disease that's spread all over. We've never seen this before."
"She probably caught it by going outside at night in the cold weather..." Skylight said with a tremble in her voice.
Firn looked at Skylight, then at Snowdrop almost in fury. Skylight noticed Firn's angry look and bit her lip in guilt.
Snowdrop felt her face for the oxygen mask and removed it. When she did, she started chuckling, and that chuckle became a laugh. Firn, Snowdrift and Skylight looked at Snowdrop, who seemed to be quite happy and cheerful.
"So, that's it? I'm pleased to know that; that's how I will pass..." She coughed. "I'm still without fear."
The doctor simply looked at Snowdrop and closed his eyes. "You sound as if you're at peace."
"I am." Snowdrop turned her head slightly in his direction. "For the first time in fifteen years, I am at peace with myself, knowing that I'm... that I'll be joining my dear one soon, and passing my legacy onto my descendants."
Firn opened her mouth to speak out against this, fear in her eyes at the concept of losing another parent, only to be silenced by Snowdrift who put her wing up to her elder sister’s mouth and shook her head.
"There's still some time left, Lady Snowdrop. You have a day left at least," the doctor said with a heavy heart.
"A d-day t-to be with my family..." She started wheezing with each breath now. "That's enough." She continued to smile brightly.
Skylight came around to Snowdrop’s right and used her wing to get the mask back on despite the elder’s protests. Skylight could not bear the sound of her breathing like that, it was almost a nightmare, intensified by Firn's cold looks and the building guilt that bubbled from within. Skylight glanced up at Firn who looked ready to shout, and she quickly lowered her gaze to the floor, unable to look at the mare who put her in charge of caring for Snowdrop.
The doctor spoke briefly with Firn, who struggled to keep her calm. It was evident to Snowdrift and Skylight that the sixty five year old was struggling with blaming Skylight for being lax, or to dismiss this as nature. Regardless of which, Firn knew that Skylight was never truly at fault, nobody was. Snowdrift came over to Skylight while Firn spoke with the doctor, their voices so quiet a fox could barely hear it. Snowdrop's ears twitched in reaction to the voices which were as audible as slight whispers. Skylight looked at her aunt who sat down beside her and placed a hoof over Snowdrop’s. The old mare hardly reacted, though her blind eyes turned in the direction of the two. She had stopped smiling, but quietly it returned.
"Tomorrow will mark the eighty-seventh year since I gifted my stars. One hundred and eighty seven years under the princesses rule..."
Firn's and the doctor's voices got louder. loud enough be properly heard. They still spoke softly however. The doctor took his leave while Firn sighed deeply and glanced over at Skylight. The light cream pegasus knew that Firn wanted to talk. She looked at Snowdrift and lowered her head, she stood up and made her way outside the room, Firn following close by. Snowdrift sat in the room and sighed, keeping her mother company.
~~~
Skylight sat in the corridor, her head lowered, fighting back tears so as not to show weakness. Firn was not much different, she too had her head low and hanging. Firn fought back tears of her own so she didn't look weak in front of Skylight. Both mares had their ears folded down, both sitting across one another.
"...It's not your fault..." Firn finally broke the silence. "It was bound to happen sooner or later... please don't blame your..."
"I failed..." Skylight said softly. "... She wouldn't... She wouldn't be sick if I had been more careful... more watchful..."
Firn shook her head. "You didn't fail... You did your job well... for the past seven years you took care of her... You didn't fail."
"Spare me the pretenses, mother... You and I both know that deep down you want to blame me... accuse me of causing this... "you had one job Skylight, now she's sick..."" Skylight said, imitating Firn toward the end.
Firn stood silent, staring at Skylight as if she had seen her thoughts. Shock, surprise and regret filled Firn's every being. She blinked and turned her head to her left in regretful shame. Tears streaked down Skylight's cheeks, she grit her teeth and looked at Firn furiously.
"That's what you want, isn't it?! To accuse me of this! For failing to look after her! I failed!!" Skylight shook, her voice trembled with sorrow.
"You're not wrong... It's true, I want to blame you for this... blame you for her illness, blame you for being unable to do anything for her while she lays there... But I can't..."
Skylight's anger reached a breaking point before the end of Firn's words. Slowly her face relaxed as her mother continued. Firn shed tears which were warm and plenty. They streaked down her cheeks and dripped from the edges of her jaw onto the floor below.
"I'm an awful mother to want to blame you for this... for something out of everypony's control... In truth, I want to blame you so I don't... S-So I don't..." Firn closed her eyes and sunk lower. "...So I don't have to be reminded that this.. this is life! I want to blame you so I won't have to blame the reality that is what it is..! There is a void there left behind by my father when he passed away fifteen years ago... mother has been a part of my life since I was born; I am not ready to lose her!! Not yet!!"
Firn sobbed where she was while reality sunk in, it pierced her heart like an arrow shot with the speed of the sun’s light. Skylight approached her mother who had gone her entire life with everypony around her believing she had a heart of stone. Skylight got down to her mother’s current height and hugged her tightly, both mares sharing their grief in what was a rare moment of bonding between the mother and daughter.
Snowdrop's ears flattened on her head slowly as Firn and Skylights argument had ended. She closed her eyes, breathing in the oxygen slowly, the mask that covered her muzzle fogging up as she took each soft breath. Snowdrift could hear the yelling and was silent, she too felt emotional and reached out to Snowdrop for some comfort. She stretched her right wing out to touch Snowdrop’s left wing. The elder mare noticed the touch of feathers on her old wings and chuckled slightly.
"Fifty-eight years old, and still you reach out like a filly. I'm not fussed, I'm happy knowing that you haven't lost your childish ways, while Firn became hardened and dutiful. How is your flower shop, dear?" Snowdrop asked to start a conversation.
Snowdrift looked up to her frail mother and forced a smile. "It's doing well... The Rosemary's are our top selling flowers... The customers love them for their ability to withstand the cold."
"That's nice, darling..." Snowdrop’s voice had started to grow slightly quiet.
"I-I had hoped to move here, to Canterlot, so I may open a flower shop here." Snowdrift sounded as if she was struggling to sound cheery, for Snowdrop and herself.
Snowdrop turned her head in Snowdrift’s direction and removed the oxygen mask. "You are upset, aren't you?"
Snowdrift shuddered. "I wish you could see me right now, mom... I don't exactly look very happy, or cheerful... Right now I'm not anything like your little girl, you're little bumble bee..." Snowdrift had started to tear up, and unlike Skylight and Firn in the hall, she started sobbing.
Snowdrift covered her face with her wings and tried to quieten her sobbing. Snowdrop's ears perked up and she smiled. She moved her left wing down and laid it to rest across her daughter’s back.
"You, Firn and Skylight... the three of you are so precious to me. We have our little fallouts, our arguments, and our differences... When I'm away, I'm not gone."
Snowdrop moved her wing and pressed it against Snowdrifts chest. "I am here... Always..."
Snowdrift looked at where Snowdrop had pressed her wing, the heart. "You'll always be in my heart..."
Snowdrop nodded. "Always, my child..." She started taking deep breaths and laid back.
"Mom.. your oxygen..." Snowdrift frowned.
Snowdrop shook her head. "I do not wish... to prolong the inevitable... That oxygen should go... to somepony who needs it. I don't need it..."
Snowdrift looked at the tanks and mask and tried to protest but found herself unable to. "This... You are halving your life as it is... You could survive until tomorrow with this.. without it you're..."
"A vegetable? Maybe... I do not wish to suffer a long drawn out passing..." Snowdrop suddenly smiled as wide as she could. "Snowdrift... is it snowing?"
Snowdrift looked out the window to see a little snowfall. "Y-Yes... why?" She turned back to the old mare, who moved to get comfortable.
"Please, open the window..."
"But..." Snowdrift started, only to be cut off.
"Please.. trust me..!" Snowdrop felt her eye lids getting heavy, the magic heart beat monitor beeped very softly as the wavy lines grew fewer and fewer.
Snowdrift nodded and got up slowly. She approached the window, glancing back at Snowdrop then to the window of glass and wood. The middle-aged pegasus flipped a hatch and lifted the window with her wings. A cool gust of wind blew a lone snow flake into the room, which floated over to Snowdrop. As quickly as she opened it, Snowdrift closed the window and turned back quickly to see her mother laying still. Snowdrift began to fear the worst and slowly approached the bed, shaking while she did so.
The snow flake floated down to Snowdrop, the pale, old mare licked her dry lips and took a large breath, and softly spoke the words, "I wish, I hope, I dream, I pray, I could have just a little time to be with my family..."
And as Snowdrop finished her sentence, the snowflake came to rest on her forehead and melt. The waves on the heart beat monitor started to rise larger, but it was still slow and steady, it was as it was when Snowdrop had arrived in the hospital. No longer did she need the oxygen, for now she had time enough to enjoy her daughters’ company. Snowdrift looked at the monitor in surprise, she glanced back at the window to see the snow had stopped, before turning to look back at Snowdrop.
"Turn the oxygen off... please..." she asked softly.
Snowdrift looked unsure at first but in the end conceded. She approached the tanks and twisted a valve at the top, halting its flow just as Skylight and Firn walked in.
"Snowdrift?!" Cried out Firn in horror.
"What are you doing, Aunt Snowdrift?!" Skylight questioned.
Snowdrift looked at the two and gave a smile. "Mom asked me to turn it off..." Her voice continued to shake.
"She needs that, you fool! I don't care if she asked you, you should have..!"
"She used a star to give her more time, please do not raise your voice at me...." Snowdrift cowered whilst cutting Firn off.
Skylight looked at the monitor to see it was as it was when Snowdrop arrived. She knew then for sure that what Snowdrift said was true and smiled and looked over at Snowdrop with happiness. Snowdrop laid in the bed still and asleep. She breathed just fine and when Firn noticed this she did not know whether to stay skeptical or believe her younger sister. Regardless of whatever she believed, Snowdrop had bought herself more time, to tell a few more stories. Snowdrop’s sleep was peaceful. Skylight, Firn and Snowdrift had stepped out for a moment to get some food and a drink.
"My friend... your journey has been long… and I have long dreaded this day, I wish to be beside you... I wish it so much it hurts... but alas I cannot, and it burns... Snowdrop..."
Snowdrop opened her eyes and awoke from a dream. She could barely see anything, the beeping of the magic monitor made barely a sound that could bounce off of objects. The voice from her dream echoed in her mind, its familiarity was unmistakable, she knew this voice and closed her eyes as she whispered one name... "Luna..."
Beside her there was a presence, one of royalty and benevolence. Snowdrop reopened her eyes and let out a soft sigh.
"You came, Celestia..."
The princess smiled. "I did. I felt that I had to... At the same time I felt it was imperative that I be by your side."
"I'm happy that you are. What time is it, princess? Is the moon out this night?"
Celestia shook her head. "Night has not fallen yet, though the hour draws near. I will need to return to the castle so I may lower the sun and raise the moon. The time is five PM. I will leave shortly."
Snowdrop nodded slightly. "I understand..."
Six Streak sat nearby. "I just thought I'd stop by as well, Lady Snowdrop."
"Six Streak..." she said with a warming smile.
"If my father were still alive, I am certain he would be here for you," Six Streak said in a different tone than that of his guard one.
Snowdrop closed her tired eyes. "I thank you, Six Streak."
Six Streak nodded to Snowdrop. Suddenly, the doors of the room opened and Firn, Skylight and Snowdrift entered. The three of them bowed to the princess out of habit upon their notice of her presence. However she simply smiled and waved off their show of respect, insisting that they did not need to bow.
"You came to see grandma Snowdrop?" asked Skylight.
Celestia nodded. "I did. A dream asked that I do, well, It's better described as a memory. I'm doing somepony a favor, but at the same time, I'm here of my own free will. While Snowdrop and I have not seen each other for a great many years until yesterday, I still regard her as one of my closest friends."
Snowdrop listened to them contently, she felt happy that Celestia thought of her that way. Firn and Snowdrift listened to the princess's words eagerly. Snowdrop took a deep breath and let it out, blinked, and turned her head toward the window as if listening out for somepony. While Firn and Snowdrift conversed with the patient Princess Celestia, Skylight approached Six Streak and smiled. The stallion smiled in turn and greeted Skylight just as she greeted him, both of them speaking at the same time much to their amusement. They spoke together for a while, Skylight giggled quite a lot during their conversation. This giggling alerted Snowdrop, who took interest in what was happening.
The voices of Firn, Snowdrift and Celestia allowed there to be enough noise for Snowdrop to mentally see what was happening with Skylight and Six Streak. The unicorn stallion and pegasus mare laughed together at one another's jokes, much to Snowdrop’s joy. Though as much as she wanted to say something, she did not, instead she recalled memories from a time long since past, many years back to when she was just entering her teens.
"You know, I don't care what anypony else says, blind or not, I think you are the most beautiful pegasus in all of Cloudsdale," a colt said with a smile in Snowdrop’s memory.
Snowdrop recalled her first conversations with the colt, the jokes he told and his silly acts. He was goofy, lovable and kind, not like the rest of her class.
"I'm in your class you know, Snowdrop. I sit in the back row three seats behind Cumulo Nimbus."
"What's your name?" a younger Snowdrop asked this funny, goofy little pony.
The colt smiled and adjusted his red colored headband. "My name is Wind Waker."
Suddenly, Snowdrop started to move. Everypony in the room turned their attention tothe elder, who faced Princess Celestia. The Princess blinked at Snowdrop.
"Are you feeling well, Snowdrop?"
Snowdrop closed her eyes and sighed shakily. "I have a request, princess... I'd like to go back to Cloudsdale..."
Firn jumped at this. "Absolutely not! You cannot leave the hospital, mother. You'll never be able to make the trip, not in your condition."
Celestia saw sadness creep onto Snowdrop's face. The princess glanced down at the floor for but a moment, before turning to look back at the elderly mare with an idea.
"I can teleport us to the location of your desire, Snowdrop. But only for a short time."
Snowdrop perked up at this. "I-I'd like to go back to Ms. Windith's school for foals. I'd very much like to walk among the desks, one last time."
Celestia smiled. "Everypony stand back."
Everypony in the room did as they were told, all except Skylight. As Celestia's horn started to glow; Skylight dashed to the princess and was close enough to disappear with her and Snowdrop in a flash of light. In a moments notice, Snowdrop, Skylight and Celestia were standing in the classroom of Snowdrop’s childhood school. Memories rushed back to Snowdrop as she took a step forward, and wandered around the class room.
"I can hear them… as if it were just yesterday."
Celestia glanced at Skylight and smiled, urging her to walk with her grandmother. She was not angry, nor was she surprised that she had followed. Skylight looked up at the princess, then to Snowdrop, to whom she approached. Snowdrop felt the desks and chairs with her wings, her eyes closed tightly as she remembered.
"I can remember it, Skylight. I remember who sat at these desks right beside me. I remember I sat at the desk just before this one." She moved her wing forward to touch her old desk, her wing aching as she did.
"I can also remember Ms. Windith, her voice so clear and formal, addressing us every day while she wrote words I could not read on the chalk board. Cirrus and Cumulo used to sit over there..."
Snowdrop reopened her blind eyes and pointed a hoof in the direction of Cirrus and Cumulo's desks. Skylight glanced around the room, a small smile forming on her face.
"This was my school too. It makes you wish you were a filly again, doesn't it?" Skylight sighed contently.
Snowdrop's ears flattened down on her head. "I'm ready to go back now..."
Celestia nodded. "Okay, Snowdrop."
The princess approached the two mares and cast the spell. In only a few small moments, the three of them disappeared in a bright flash of light.
~~~
Snowdrift, Firn and Skylight laid on mattresses in the corners of the hospital room. Celestia and Six Streak had left earlier, the time was eight PM, and the room was lit by a lone candle on Snowdrop's left bedside table. The little flame flickered and danced about on the wick which kept it lit, the wax slowly melting as time ticked by. Snowdrift was staring up at a pot of flowers that rested on the bedside table on Snowdrop’s right. Firn read a book while Snowdrop did her best to finish the last five pages of the final book written by Cumulo Nimbus.
Skylight watched Snowdrop, staring almost. This had not gone unnoticed by the blind mare, who could easily tell when somebody was staring. Snowdrop turned the page slowly and started on the fourth last page, the magic of her wish slowly coming to its end.
"Is there something you wish to ask, Skylight?"
Skylight opened her mouth to say something but rethought her words before speaking. "How did... How did you get the name 'Lady' Snowdrop?"
Firn and Snowdrift looked at Skylight before glancing at one another and sharing a smile, then going back to what they were doing. Snowdrop chuckled to herself, coughing just a little and turning her head slightly in Skylight’s direction.
"Well, I didn't earn the title of "Lady" until I attended the Grand Galloping Gala when I was... I was.. um... F-Firn c-could you remind me how old I was when I went to the Gala..?"
Firn smiled. "Twenty six, mother."
"O-Oh yes, twenty six. I was twenty six at the time, and so was my partner, Wind Waker."
Skylight brightened up. "Grandpa."
Snowdrop nodded. "That's right. Your grandfather. He got me this dress which he described as ‘Fit for a princess.’ Of course, I felt so embarrassed to be called a princess, I brushed it off and told him that was not so, but he continued to insist that it was true. After a minute of arguing I conceded and from then on, I was his princess, and he was my prince. We went to the Gala via carriage, he wore an outfit which I swear he had been paying off for weeks since we got the invitation."
Firn and Snowdrift giggled to themselves, covering their mouth with their wings, they wore large smiles on their faces.
"How did you figure that out?" Skylight asked.
Snowdrop chuckled. "The silly stallion let it slip when he spilled his punch. ‘I spent weeks paying off this suit.’" Snowdrop laughed.
"I bet that was really funny," said Skylight.
"It was, I couldn't help but burst out in laughter when I heard those words. I heard the entire ball room join in the laughter. I wouldn't be surprised if his cheeks went red. But regardless, he and I showed a level of courtesy and etiquette like no other. Mares commented on my dress and admired the fabric. My mane was brushed straight and curled at the bottom. And in no time at all, everypony started addressing him and I as Sir Wind Waker, and Lady Snowdrop."
Skylight's eyes sparkled brightly at this. "You were just my age when you went."
Snowdrop nodded and started coughing. She covered her mouth with her wing, which hurt when it was moved. When the coughing ceased, she folded it back up and sighed.
"I think we should rest now," said Firn.
Skylight looked at Firn and pouted. "But it's not even that late, and I want to know more about grandpa..."
Snowdrop casually read her book while Skylight and Firn spoke together, finishing three pages and starting the last. She felt along the page with her wing, feeling the braille with her wing to the end. When she reached the final words of the page, she seemed to shed tears. She closed the book slowly and held it close.
"Oh, Cumulo..." She sighed.
Firn and Skylight were still talking. Skylight looked back at Snowdrop as she was putting the book beside the flowers on her right bedside table.
"Grandma..." Skylight spoke softly.
Snowdrop turned back slowly to Skylight’s direction. "Yes dear?"
"Could you tell me some more about grandpa?" Skylight had a pleading look in her eyes which Snowdrop could not see. But the old mare could feel how much she wanted to know and gladly smiled.
"Well, I wrote extensively about him, over the time I've been writing my notes. But very well, I will tell you about him."
Snowdrift and Firn fell very silent for this. Skylight was silent also, eager to listen.
"Originally, when I started school, I had no idea he even existed. I went through school without even realizing who he was. I had heard his name, heard his voice, but none of that mattered to me, and I never seemed to matter to him, especially when I needed his help. When I turned thirteen, I went for a walk in the Cloudsdale memorial park, it was early spring. Cumulo and I had barely gotten along and that day she thought it would be funny to call me names. "Ugly," "White Eyes," "Snow-blind," and "Ice breath.""
"That's awful..." Skylight commented.
Snowdrop nodded with a frown. "It was... But my sadness was short lived... Next thing I heard was this irritating voice cutting through Cumulo and Cirrus's laughter. He stepped in front of me and defended me in his odd sort of way. There wasn't a thing he'd do that wasn't goofy or crazy. If I recall correctly, he told them, "Leave this maiden alone thou vagabonds, or thou shalt be smote where thee stands.""
Skylight giggled hopelessly and grinned like an idiot. Snowdrop couldn't help but join her in her short bout of laughter.
"It was quite an interesting thing to say, and to say it in such an old fashion much like Luna made it all the more confusing. Cumulo scoffed and wandered off with Cirrus. I myself tried to walk away only to be followed by this colt who seemed to run as fast as the wind blew. Eventually I settled for talking to him, I had no idea who he was at the time since we had never spoken before. He told me jokes and made me laugh and smile. He made me feel good about my eyes, he said that regardless of their color, they were beautiful, they are beautiful."
"He was quite the gentlecolt, wasn't he mom?" asked Snowdrift.
Snowdrop nodded. "Indeed he was. After a while I asked his name, ‘Wind Waker’ he said, and I never forgot his name. We dated for a very long time, he was there for me when Celestia had announced Luna's banishment, I was just fourteen when I heard the news. You know how he and I married, so I'll skip the details there." Snowdrop snickered.
"He was an amazing father too, Skylight. He would cheer me up when I was down, he'd let me ride on his back when I was still a beady eyed baby. He was the only one who could break my shell and make me... feel.." Firn smiled fondly at the memory of her father,
"I loved playing jokes with him. His personality rubbed off on me so much I'm like the spitting image of him, especially when it comes to being happy and goofy," Snowdrift said with just as much fondness.
Snowdrop started frowning, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Then he passed away, suddenly and quietly fifteen years ago."
Firn turned her head away and laid it down on the pillow, unwilling to listen to what was about to be said.
"...H-How..?" Skylight asked with much reluctance.
Snowdrop's voice started to tremble. "He... He and I were together in the kitchen at our house back in Cloudsdale. I was washing the dishes when in the middle of reciting our wedding vows, for old times sake... he just stopped all of a sudden and ... and...." Snowdrop’s eyes grew hazy and tears fell.
"It's okay, Grandma... You need not say anymore..." The light cream pegasus frowned.
Snowdrop started coughing again until Snowdrift gave the elder her puffer which helped her to regain some breath, and a glass of water which she helped Snowdrop drink.
"I was there..." said Firn all of a sudden.
Skylight glanced over to her mother curiously.
"I was there that day... I watched him collapse... he passed away instantly..."
"M-Mother I..." Skylight's words were cut short.
"Don't... don't bother..." The sixty five year old curled up on her bed, and let sleep take her.
Snowdrift sighed and looked toward Skylight. "I think it's best if we turned in now..." she said softly.
Skylight closed her eyes and nodded slowly. She turned away from Snowdrop’s hospital bed and climbed under the blankets provided by the doctors when the mattresses were brought, and fell asleep. Snowdrift and Snowdrop joined her not long after.
~~~
Moonlight streamed through the windows of the hospital and into Snowdrop’s room. The light was warm on the old mare's skin, it was welcoming, longing. A lone voice called Snowdrop's name on the wind, a voice that was soft and lonely. Snowdrop awoke to the sound of this voice and carefully lifted herself from the bed and turned her head to face the window. She paused for a moment to figure out what this warm light was. The voice called again, and this time she knew what it was.
The old mare moved her bed sheets aside and quietly moved off the bed, being careful not to awake Skylight or the others. She donned her grey cloak adorned with patterns that resembled her cutie mark and swirls of the wind. Silently and gently she stepped toward the window, stopping just in front of it to feel for the hatch with her aching wings. She felt a wedge like switch at the top of the opening frame and with great ease, she quietly flicked it to the right, unlocking the window which she opened with her wings, lifting it just enough for her to climb through.
She was as silent as could be when she climbed through. She carefully climbed down from the window sill and onto the snowy ground which was cool beneath her hooves. The clouds above had moved away to allow the moon to shine this night, the image of the mare in the moon, visible for all to see. Snow fell from the almost cloudless sky to the ground below. A cool breeze blew past Snowdrop, who ignored it as she approached the cliff, stopping at the ledge and moving her head upward where she basked in Luna's calming light.
"I wish you were here. To say goodbye..."
The branches of trees swayed in the wind, leaves and snow flying around as the wind blew. Snowdrop felt the breeze and chuckled to herself, coughing before she finished.
"Well, I've had a good run... Haven't I Luna? I don't know if you can hear me... way up there among the stars. But I'm happy, I've had many bumps in the road but... I'm happy. And even as I sleep, I will still be so happy, for everypony good of heart, loyal, honest, generous and kind, who spread laughter and friendship, for all the ages to come. Do not weep for me Luna, for I suffer no more, I am at peace. I will go to where Wind Waker, my mother and friends have gone. And when you come back... there will be one more wish to grant. And I want you to grant that wish for me..."
Snowdrop’s voice grew soft, and hoarse, and soft again. She could barely stand as it was and her heart beat monitor of magical essence had started to beat a little faster, and a little slower. Snowdrop closed her eyes and made a wish, a wish on the moon...
"I wish for you, Princess Luna, whom I hold in my heart as thy dearest friend, to release the first star, for the first winter of your return."
Snowdrop reopened her eyes and smiled gently up at the bright sphere of light that dominated the sky. When she could feel her strength waning, she sighed and snickered.
"I guess I better head back... Don't want to miss my farewell, do we?"
Quietly and silently she turned around and proceeded back to her hospital room. Nopony would have suspected she was out that night. A wind blew, loud and with grief as the image of the mare in the moon stared down at the world, keeping its occupant sealed inside the sphere. Snowdrop closed the window and climbed back into her bed, her heart beat monitor still quite attached, its pulse slowing and becoming smaller, the power of her wish finally reaching its end.
~~~
The following day was one of grief, sorrow and loss. Snowdrop’s condition worsened overnight, she continually refused the oxygen the doctors had provided her with, and was edging closer to her long rest. Skylight, Firn and Snowdrift, all three of whom had their hearts in their throats, stood around the bed, waiting for the inevitable. It was agonizing, Snowdrift was struggling to contain her tears. Firn was taking deep breaths, as though she were angry and unable to cope with the situation. Skylight was silent, her eyes heavy with grief. She stood beside Snowdrop, on her left.
"You're tense... All three of you... I-I can tell you are fighting, struggling to hold back for my sake. You don't need to hold back, though you may wish to. It only..." She took a short breath. "...It only makes it worse.... I know, I've been there..."
Snowdrift had her wings to her mouth, a few tears escaping. Snowdrop's ears reacted suddenly to the arrival of Princess Celestia, who stood in the door way, her eyes fixated on the elderly mare.
"How do you feel, Snowdrop?" The princess asked in a gentle voice.
Snowdrop closed her eyes, snuggling into the pillow. "Cold... I feel cold... But... But I'm not afraid. Once when I was young, dying frightened me... Now that I'm older, It's peaceful... like drifting off to sleep..." Her voice carried, it was soft and gentle, though it would grow quiet like she was drowsy.
Skylight sniffled and breathed uneasily. "W-What about your notes? Your autobiography... It's unfinished?"
Snowdrop's wing came to caress Skylight's cheek. Snowdrop used it to wipe Skylight's tears. Skylight started to sob.
"Do not cry, Skylight.... we all have our end... there's nothing to be afraid of... I really did enjoy having you around the past eight years, though... Despite our arguments... O-Our disagreements... I never stopped caring about you... I looked out for you, as you looked out for me...."
Skylight sniffled and forced a smile. "L-Like when you left the bowl of soup for me when I came home that one night... after we got mad at each other and I said... I-I hated you.... Remember?"
"...I remember..." She took a long deep breath and let it out. "I remember..." It was getting hard to speak.
Snowdrop's already pale eyes started to dim, they grew foggy and hazy, blurred to the point they had grayed. Skylight felt Snowdrop’s wing fall from her cheek and fall to the floor slowly. The pulse on the magical monitor beginning to slowly and beep less. There was hardly any pulse left.
"....I remember... all of our special moments together.... with each of you..."
Images of her life flashed by in Snowdrop’s mind, all of them, every moment passing by at an indeterminable speed. She felt slight panic, as though she had second thoughts about passing on and leaving those she cared about, it frightened her. Suddenly Snowdrop felt the presence of others, Cumulo Nimbus and Cirrus sat side by side in the corner of the room by the door, both were younger, as young as they were during Snowdrop’s school years, Ms. Windith stood close by, she wore a warm, kind smile, while Primrose sat beside her elderly daughter, she too retaining her youthful appearance. The spirit stroked Snowdrop’s cheek with her wing, calming the elderly Pegasus who smiled and blinked, a sense of warmth sweeping over her. Suddenly she cleared her throat and started to sing, though she was quiet, everypony could still hear her.
“Small little filly, Lost in the snow, Your cries go unanswered in this rain of frozen white.
Lost little filly, your home waits for you. Find your way home, through this field of frozen white.
A light guides your way, through snow and through ice. A voice calls your name, on the wind it calls aloud.
Lost little filly your home waits for you. You climb to your door And now, you’re back home.”
The heart beat monitor pulsed once more then started to flat line. Skylight, Firn and Snowdrift looked at it, tears forming slowly as they looked back to Snowdrop. The elderly mare’s lips formed a calm, peaceful smile, her eyes closing slowly on their own while she passed. Skylight burst into tears, burying her face beside her grandmother and screamed in despair, her grief rivaled only by her aunt and mother. Both sisters fell to the floor in utter grief. Firn bared her teeth and gritted them; tears streaked down her cheeks and dripped to the floor, she was full of emotions, a mix of anger which bordered on rage, and intense grief, topped only by her sense and feeling of loss, the void even larger than it ever had been.
Snowdrift was in hysterics; she held her head between her hooves and screamed almost as loudly as Skylight. Snowdrift’s tears were like rain, and they fell as such. Princess Celestia stared toward Snowdrop for a while before turning slowly away and leaving the family to grieve. The princess was shaken up, disturbed by the passing, as peaceful as it may have been. As she walked she stumbled, more than once, her breathing was shaky and uneven. Celestia stopped halfway through the corridor and rested against the wall and sobbed quietly, for herself, and for Luna. Then at last, the final Snowfall of winter came, but this snow was not the doing of the weather team, it was the tears of another.
Skylight sat alone in the living room of what was now her home in Cloudsdale. Snowdrop’s notes sat on the stable in a closed book. She had inherited them, as well as the house and everything in it upon the old mare's passing. The clock ticked loudly as she stared down at the notebooks, unable to decide whether or not she should finish them, writing down Snowdrop’s final moments would be too painful for her, too much. A knock came at the door, Skylight failed to hear the first one, but then came another, louder knock and Skylight blinked, shaking her head and glancing at the foyer.
"O-Oh… um… I'll be right there!" she called out.
Skylight lifted herself off of the couch and slowly walked over to the door. She passed the coat rack where Snowdrop would leave her coat. Taking a deep breath, Skylight opened the door to see Princess Celestia standing on the other side. This was a big surprise to Skylight, who had initially thought the princess didn't have time to see anypony specifically. It was snowing outside, despite the season it is supposed to be.
"P-Princess Celestia..."
Celestia bowed her head to Skylight in greeting. "I thought I would come and discuss the funeral arrangements... if that is okay with you..."
Skylight nodded and let the princess inside, two royal guards of pegasus origin stood by the door outside. Princess Celestia entered the house, passing Skylight as she did and walking into the living room. Skylight closed the door slowly and walked into the living room where the princess seemed to be looking around curiously.
"I haven't seen this place in years. Luna used to frequent this place when she was younger, when Snowdrop was younger."
"You may sit down, princess. I'll prepare some tea for you." Skylight turned from the living room and stepped into the kitchen just across the room by the hallway that went toward the front door.
"Do you like milk in your tea?" asked Skylight, who started grabbing milk from the fridge and tea bags and sugar.
"You put milk in tea?" the princess asked with much confusion.
Skylight popped her head out from round the corner to look at the princess. "Well I do, why? Don't you have milk with your tea?"
"I've never thought of trying it with milk... No milk will be fine." The princess smiled.
Skylight smiled in return. "Okay then." She popped her head back into the kitchen. She started to boil water over a warm fire while she prepared the tea bags.
While she waited, the princess looked around at the pictures of Snowdrop from various ages which hung against the walls of the living room and hallway. Snowdrop’s wedding photo sat on the table near the late elder’s autobiography, the princess couldn't help but levitate the framed photograph over to her so she could see it better.
"They were both wonderful ponies... Wind Waker and Snowdrop..." Celestia put the frame back and let out a sigh.
"They were..." replied Skylight.
The light cream colored pegasus came out of the kitchen with a kettle full of tea. She left it on the table and left once again to the tea cups and plates. She returned with those and rested one on the table in front of the princess. The cups were decorated with blue flowers, the plates too, they bared no tea stains. Skylight carefully poured the princess's tea into her cup, then some tea into her own, adding milk to it while the princess had none.
"Your visit might be in vain, princess... Mother has already made preparations for grandma to be cremated."
"I'm aware of this. Firn and I spoke extensively about the coming funeral, and the memorial service that is to take place here."
Skylight sipped her tea. "The funeral is to be held in Canterlot..?" Skylight said in a somber tone of voice.
"Yes, there her ashes will be buried. Her head stone is being finished as we speak. You'll like it, I'm sure of it," the princess spoke softly.
"It's not right..." Skylight shook her head.
"What do you mean?" The princess asked with a puzzled look.
"Her remains should be buried with grandpa Wind Waker's ashes... It would be the right thing to do... She would have wanted that."
Celestia smiled. "I know. That's why Snowdrop is to be buried in Canterlot, where Wind Waker's grave is. His head stone is set to be replaced with Snowdrop’s."
Skylight sighed in relief at this. "I wouldn't get to sleep at night knowing that they weren't together again."
"So, I take it everything is set, then?" the princess inquired.
Skylight nodded. "Yes. Everything is well with the funeral. It is to be held in two days, right?"
"That is correct, yes." Celestia finished her tea and put the cup down.
"Okay... I'm still just... I'm still moving on... I haven't been myself since she passed away... Aunt Snowdrift's probably doing worse than I..."
"She's recovering, or so Firn says."
"I doubt it... Aunt Snowdrift is more likely depressed than anything else... It's harder for ponies like her to heal after losing a loved one. The void in their hearts is sure to be larger than ever."
Celestia frowned at this, looking to her right. "I understand their pain. Voids like that can never be filled, the loved ones can never be replaced. I too share this void, though I wish I did not have to... I do..."
Skylight finished her tea and fell silent. The clock ticked by, it was loud and audible, cutting through the silence as if it were butter.
"Well. I should get going. I will be attending both the memorial service here in Cloudsdale, in addition to the funeral in Canterlot." Celestia stood up and looked down at Skylight.
Skylight put down her cup and stood as well. "And I better check on Aunt Snowdrift. I want to see for myself whether she's okay or not."
Celestia smiled warmly. "Cherish your family, Skylight. Cherish them as Snowdrop did. My family is somewhere I cannot go, but in time we will reunite."
Skylight smiled and nodded. She bowed to Princess Celestia, who bowed back in turn.
"I will see you later then, Your Highness," Skylight said courteously.
"And I will see you also, Skylight Cloudbreaker."
~~~
The memorial service in Cloudsdale was attended by the families of the ponies grandma knew during her long life. Each of them took the time to say their goodbyes and give us their condolences and sympathies. My mother, Firn, was different during this period of time. Her normal cold exterior had changed the day after grandma died, she was showing a kindness that was unnatural to her, she was awkward to be around, but it was great seeing her happy after losing grandma. Aunt Snowdrift exceeded all of our expectations, when I went to see her after the princess's visit, she was singing and dancing in her flower shop, even during the memorial service she was happy.
To be honest I think we were all happy, happy that grandma had gone to a better place, a place to be happy among her friends and family. Toward the end of the service, Princess Celestia, alongside myself, Aunt Snowdrift and mother unveiled a statue dedicated to my late grandma in Cloudsdale Park, the statue depicted her at a young age with her cloak, standing and watching over our city. We applauded the unveiling but fell silent shortly after. A moment of silence held for the mare who gave us the stars. There was a plaque on the statue which read:
"Dedicated to the mare who gave Equestria a cherished gift, one we wish on every winter. It was her unique ability to show everypony the joys of winter that has made it the beloved season as we know it today. In the snow, and in our hearts she lives forever. Thank you, Snowdrop.
I wish... I hope... I dream... I pray. By the princesses' rule, light my way."
Even after everypony had gone home, mom, Aunt Snowdrift and I stayed and stared up at the statue, even when the cool wind had picked up and chilled against our legs. But the wind changed and it was suddenly warm, as if urging us to move on. I looked to my family, who smiled at me.
"We have one more thing to do..." my mother said.
She was the first to move away. She went back to her home while Aunt Snowdrift and I stayed and stared a little longer, then she too had flew home to prepare for the trip to Canterlot. I alone now stood in the park to admire my grandmother's statue, to reminisce and remember all the times we spent together, I had a sense of melancholy the likes of which I hadn't had for a very long time. The warm wind came again, but this time it was strong, it nudged me as if somepony had pushed me, I stumbled for a moment and looked around for what could have pushed me, then I realized it was grandma, telling me; "Get a move on." "Stop lazing about." All that stuff.
I smiled up at her statue and nodded before taking my leave. I didn't fly, I wasn’t in much of a rush, I walked home and grabbed my speech, what I would say at the funeral. As I was walking down the hall to the front door, I stopped and looked back at the table in the living room, right at grandma's notes. I stood there, in thought for a moment, then I decided to take them with me, so I may finish them, for her.
The following day was a hard one, harder than it was the day before. This day was grandma's funeral, her final farewell. Her grave stone was a smaller version of her statue back in Cloudsdale, a filly with her coat. Aunt Snowdrift wept as the ceremony took place, mother stood firm, though she could not hide her sadness, her eyes had softened and could be read easier than her body. I however was happy to see grandma be put to rest alongside grandpa, but I was also upset to see her go. When her urn had been lowered into the ground and covered by the soil, I stepped up to the podium beside the gigantic head stone, laid my speech in front of me, and cleared my throat; gathering the attention of friends, family and the class of Medly's school, the very same children that lead us on our small journey to Canterlot to begin with, their parents stood with them. I looked at each child, and saw Ember standing close by Medly, her smile had faded. I felt upset that she decided to attend her role model’s funeral. I looked down at my words and took a deep breath.
"Today is not a day of mourning, but a day to be thankful, thankful for all the things she gave us, all the wishes she allowed us to wish. She was as magical as a unicorn and had the ability to make others smile when they were down. She was a wise old girl, aged to perfection, she was almost immortal, that's what it seemed. I have so many fond memories of her, when I was a kid she would wrestle with me and Grandpa, she would draw little pictures with me, tuck me in when mother was away. Even in my teen years she'd give me advice on guys and... and she was just an amazing mare. When I became her career our relationship soured. She was... difficult, and stubborn. I once told her I hated her and ran away, and you know what she did? She made me soup and waited for me to come home. When I did I found her asleep on at the table, that soup was good though."
I smiled a little and sniffled, remembering grandma... for all she was great and wonderful.
"I miss her... I'm sure everypony here does too. Her gift is her legacy. Ponies have almost forgotten the magic within these stars which were created in the likeness of those of Princess Luna, and they are as magical as those. Snowdrop wanted ponies to make wishes on her stars, so that everypony could look forward to winter, and love it for what it is. We take these snowflakes for granted now, but they are wonderful, and filled with the only magic no unicorn could ever create... Love."
As I finished my speech, the snow began to fall, the last snowfall of the longest winter under the princess's rule since the one hundredth spring sunrise. From that day forward wishes were being made every winter, and each wish was granted in many different ways. My wish was to live a happy life with a family I gained not long after. Mother, Aunt Snowdrift and I each moved on from grandma's passing in different ways. Mother went on to become a teacher of star makers and students alike. Aunt Snowdrift opened up that flower shop in Canterlot, it was there she grew Snowdrops in remembrance of her. As for me, I married a certain royal guard. Six Streak and I had three children together. However we had to compromise when it came to living together. Unicorns can't exactly walk on clouds like my daughter and I can.
As for her notes... I finished them. As heartbreaking as it was to relive her passing, I wrote of grandma's time in hospital, and her death. But nevertheless, I finished it. After some encouraging from Six Streak, I published it. The Autobiography was a huge success. Princess Celestia bought a copy, I even heard she built a special room to remember grandma, I've only seen it once though. Big glass windows with her image, her cutie mark, the first true snowfall in Equestria. And a vase, kept cool by a spell of ice, I never saw inside though.
I suppose that was for the best, everypony was happy in the era of peace that followed her passing. It was peace that lasted years after my own passing. Our family grew, it grew to the point where almost every pegasus could trace their heritage back to Grandma Snowdrop. With each snowfall, the ponies of Equestria would slowly forget how the snow flake came to be, except to those who chose to remember.
~~~
Luna stood before the snow-covered head stone of Snowdrop in the middle of the Royal Canterlot Cemetery. Her gaze was locked onto the statue’s eyes as if searching for a hint of life, they wanted to look into Snowdrop’s eyes again, they longed to do so, but they could not, and it hurt. The wind blew Luna's mane about, the aura that usually surrounded it and made it flow did not spark, did not move. Her mane was natural, and not overflowing with magic. Luna's eyes were sad, heavy with grief. Princess Celestia stood by the Cemetery gates, a chariot for two waiting close by. The Princess of the Sun wore a scarf that flowed in the wind, while Luna wore nothing but her usual attire.
Celestia was frowning, she watched as her sister mourned for Snowdrop silently. Luna bowed her head to the statue, eyes closed, sitting straight with royalty as a lone tear ran down her cheek.
"Luna..!" Celestia called from the entrance.
Luna reopened her eyes and blinked, she looked back at Celestia with a questioning look. Luna's face had grief written all over it. Clearly she wanted to be left alone if only for a few more moments. Though she would not show it, she was highly volatile. Celestia could see this however.
"It is getting cold out. Please, let us return to the castle, you need your rest."
Luna turned her head back to face the statue. "Let us be, sister, we would like a moment to be with thy friend. I have something to say... one last thing..."
"Okay... but please, do not be long." Celestia slowly turned away from the entrance and returned to the chariot where she waited for her sister.
Luna took a deep breath and exhaled out; her breath was as visible as morning mist. She looked up at the statue, searching for the right words to say.
"I hope you can hear me, my friend... It's been so long hasn't it? I missed your birthday... your Hearth’s Warmings... All of it, I missed all of it and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."
Luna sniffled and took a deep breath, finding calm. She removed her hoof from her royal shoe and placed her bare hoof on the cheek of the head stone.
"Thank you, my friend. For everything you gave and every wish you never knew came true..." Luna closed her eyes tightly and shed a tear. "...Goodbye..."
Luna's hoof fell from the statue and was placed back into the shoe. She stood up and turned slowly away from the grave, and began her slow walk back to the chariot. A gust of wind blew into Luna's face, forcing her eyes to close and her head to turn. When the wind stopped, she felt a presence, she opened her eyes and looked back at the grave. She frowned and closed her eyes once again and started her walk again only to gasp in surprise.
Her eyes wide with astonishment, she turned her head and body around quickly to see Snowdrop, as young as she was when she first met Luna standing in front of her grave. The filly gave a sweet smile toward Luna and blinked.
"Goodbye, Luna..." The filly gave Luna her biggest, happiest and brightest smile yet before vanishing with the wind, becoming snow that was taken to the sky above.
Luna stared, warm tears trickling down her face and falling from her cheeks. "Goodbye... Snowdrop..." she said in reply.
Luna turned back and continued her walk towards the chariot where Celestia waited, oblivious to a familiar snowflake slowly falling down and landing on the tip of a snowdrop which grew in front of the grave with a twinkle. The flower bent over with the snowflake resting firmly on it, as more stars twinkled quietly.
