> The Life and Times of Benjamin Inventor (Part 2)
>  by Bsherrin
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Token
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Token

It is customary for the stallion to give a token to the mare during the wedding ceremony.  Other than this, the stallion's only job for the entire event is to show up, preferably on time, and present a pleasant demeanor to all and sundry.

“On Courtship and Marriage in Farming Families”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

“So, Apprentice, what do you think?” I said as I stepped back to admire our work.  We’d just put the finishing touches on Fall’s steam racer.
“I don’t want it,” said a surly Fall, ears flat to her skull.
I turned in surprise.  “What?  Why not?  We’ve worked on this for weeks.”
Fall burst into tears, turned and galloped out the door.  “Don’t want it, don’t want it, don’t want it!!” she sobbed as she ran.
“Fall!  What’s the matter with you?  Fall!!” I yelled as I chased after her.  I stopped in the side yard and gritted my teeth in annoyance.  Fall had been moody for days but I’d put it down to Spring Planting coming up.  Earth ponies became squirrely each year over Spring Planting, no doubt about it.
A still crying Fall galloped past Mrs. Grass who was bringing us our midmorning snack.  Nothing ever disturbed Mrs. Grass’ calm assurance, thank the Magic for that.  Having a 14-year-old filly around had been harder than I’d expected and I couldn’t have managed at all without the Widow Grass.
I waved an exasperated hoof at Fall.  “Did you see, Mrs. Grass?  We finished Fall’s racer and she just ran off crying.”
Mrs. Grass, still holding the tray, nodded.  “I did indeed see, Mr. Inventor.  I’ll go talk to her, shall I?”
“Well, do whatever you must to get her back here.  We don’t have time for this!” I said, still annoyed.  “We have to deliver the kneading machine to Sugar Cube Corner.”
“Mr. Inventor,” said Mrs. Grass with an expression of mild disapproval I’d come to know well over the last few months, “there’s always time for a young filly’s feelings.”
I’d had enough of “feelings” the previous week (including AJ’s over the wedding) to last me a lifetime.  Mrs. Grass could tell I was still irritated, so she put the tray down on the picnic table and walked over to me.  She put a gentle left hoof on my right shoulder.
“Fall adores you, Mr. Inventor, but you’re getting married tomorrow.  She’s known you’re going to marry Miss Apple, of course, but hasn’t wanted to think about it.  Now she can’t avoid it.  Until now, she’s considered you hers.  She thinks you’re abandoning her for another filly.”
“Oh, stuff and nonsense, Mrs. Grass.  She’s my apprentice!”
Mrs. Grass patted my muzzle.  “I know, dear, I know,” she said, turning and picking up the tray again after arranging my apple and mushrooms on the picnic table.  “She’s also a teenage filly in love and everything that goes along with it.  I’ll sort it out.”
I huffed out a breath and unclenched my jaw.  “Thank you, Mrs. Grass.”
“Eat your snack, Youngster.  I’ll be back as soon as I can, hopefully with Fall,” said Widow Grass, then headed in the direction we’d last seen Fall running, tray in hand.
I did eat and felt slightly better for it.  I tossed the apple core into the compost bin, and then went back into the workshop.  I made two more spiral attachments for the bread dough mixer I’d designed, and then tested them.  The planetary beater shaft was offset, so I’d had to add another gear to make sure it didn’t fling the dough everywhere.  When Fall and I were first experimenting with it, we ended up covered in dough and couldn’t stop laughing for almost five minutes.
I sighed as I finished a wire whip to go with the spiral dough hook and thought back three, almost four months now.  Fall had arrived a scruffy, scrawny, hyper filly and had become a beautiful young mare almost overnight.  Hoof care, hide care, mane and tail styling, manners, deportment, penmareship; Fall had blossomed under Mrs. Grass’ constant attention.  “There’s no reason you can’t be a gentlemare just because you work with machines,” I’d heard Mrs. Grass say more than once as she braided Fall’s tail or brushed out her mane.
I climbed onto the cycle, put it in first gear and started pedaling.  The planetary gear turned at just the right speed, so I swapped out the spiral dough hook for the whisk in the center slot, flipped the setting and switched to the third gear.  That should do it, I thought, as the whisk spun.  No more beating egg whites by hoof for you, Mrs. Cake.
I took most of the kneader apart and started packing it into straw-filled crates with Apple Manufacturing stamped on the cover.  That and the logo of Applejack’s cutie mark was Fall’s idea and had earned her a 10-bit bonus.  I was just wishing for Fall to help me shift the cycle part when Mrs. Grass and Fall walked into the workshop.  I turned around and Fall pelted over and grabbed me around the waist.
“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry!!” she yelled, rubbing her forehead against my chest.  “I love my steam car, I do!”
I wrapped both front hooves around her and rested my chin on her head.  She had almost all of her full growth now and would reach my height or taller this year.  “Okay, Punkin’, alright.  It’s fine.”  I knew it wasn’t appropriate for a Master to hug an Apprentice or to give her silly nicknames, but I gave myself some latitude since my apprentice was a filly.
I pushed Fall gently but firmly away from me.  “Very well, Apprentice, go fire up the steam truck and bring her around so we can load the kneader.”
Fall nodded, and then galloped off to get the stream truck.
I walked to the door and stood next to Mrs. Grass who had watched both of us with a small smile.
“Do teenagers gallop everywhere, Mrs. Grass?”
“That they do, Mr. Inventor.”
I turned to her.  “Emerald, I can’t thank you enough for the last few months.  I couldn’t have managed without you, I tell you what.”
“You’re welcome, dear,” she said, patting my muzzle.  “Well, now the excitement is over, I’ll go start lunch.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Grass, you are indeed a treasure among mares,” I said, nodding at her.  As she walked away from me, I extended my healer senses around her.  Liver almost healed and kidneys back to normal.  Her heart was slightly weak, but that was age and there was nothing I could do about it.  She had a few more good years, though.
I heard the distinctive flapping of a pegasus and who should show up but my favorite mailpony.  I walked down the loading dock steps to greet her.
“Special Delivery for Mr. Inventor,” Derpy said, handing over a brown paper package.  “Please sign here.”
I surreptitiously looked her over as I signed.  “Somepony’s had a preening,” I said, sotto voce.
Derpy blushed that fetching pink of hers.  “He wasn’t half as good as you, Ben,” she answered, equally quietly.
“Thank you, sir,” Derpy said in her regular voice as I handed back the clipboard with a 2 bit coin.  “And here’s your regular mail.”  Derpy gave me a wink with a dazzling smile, and then shot off into the sky.  Not favoring her left wing any longer, I noticed.  Very good.
Fall pulled the steam truck around, and then backed her up to the dock.  We loaded the two crates and the cycle in the bed, fastened down the cycle, covered the lot with a tarp and fastened that as well.  That done, we banked the magic fire and went into the house for lunch.
As always, we had copious amounts of food.  Teenage Earth pony fillies didn’t eat as much as teenage Earth pony stallions, but it was close.  Mrs. Grass did her share as well and with perfect manners.  She glanced at Fall a time or two over smacking sounds, so Fall slowed her eating a bit.  I went over the mail while we ate, something which just skirted Mrs. Grass’ sense of decorum.
“Oh, excellent,” I said, holding up an official-looking letter.  “The Department of Commerce has granted my petition for a bank charter.  Now I have to put together a board and raise the capital.  And here’s a letter for you, Fall.”
Fall put down the carrot she’d almost finished and opened her letter.  She yipped with excitement, then flapped the letter up and down.  “Mr. Inventor, Mrs. Grass!  The Patent Office granted me a patent for those fasteners I made!”
“Well done, Fall!  Now you can license them to other businesses,” I said.  “I’ll help you with that when I get back from my honeymoon.”
“Where are you going, Mr. Inventor?” asked Mrs. Grass as she dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
“Hot Springs in the Macintosh Mountains, Mrs. Grass.  It’s about 8 hours from here.”
“Why, Mr. Grass and I went there for our 10th anniversary!  You’ll enjoy it thoroughly, I’m sure.  Are you staying long?” she asked.
“Two days and back on 13th.  That’ll put us back two days before Spring Planting starts on 15th.  Actually, I’d rather skip it, move AJ in and stay here with you and Fall instead of racing off somewhere.”
Fall grinned and Mrs. Grass made a clucking sound.  “Now, Mr. Inventor, you know perfectly well you need some time alone with your new bride.”  I thought I saw a glint in the eye of the Widow Grass, but I must have imagined it.
“Eh, bah.  I can’t abide useless trips where you just lie around.”
“Now, Youngster, don’t sulk about it.  All part of the fun for the bride.”
I hate weddings, I thought, and then I remembered my package.  I unwrapped it to find my dress uniform, new epaulettes in place with my captain’s rank gleaming silver on both.  You could always count on the Kirschenbaums; they did beautiful work.
“Oooooo,” said Fall, bouncing up and down in her chair.  “Try it on, try it on!”
“Very well, Apprentice, but then we deliver that kneader.” 
I went upstairs so I’d have a mirror and put on the uniform.  It was a perfect fit and, I had to admit, it wasn’t bad.  Could use a cape, though.
I came back downstairs and Fall and Mrs. Grass were in the kitchen washing dishes.  I struck a pose and cleared my throat.  Both turned around.
“Ohhhh, so handsome,” said Fall, eyes wide and with both soapy hooves at her mouth.  “You look soooo good, Mr. Inventor.”
“My oh my, such memories it brings back,” said Mrs. Grass, smiling and holding a dishtowel.  “You do look very fine, sir, very fine.”
“Thank you, mares.  Now, enough silliness.  I’ll leave this upstairs and then we’re off to town.”
I came back downstairs to find Fall had fired up the steam truck.  I waved good-bye to Mrs. Grass, and then climbed in the cab.  Fall drove us to Sugar Cube Corner and parked behind the shop at the loading dock.  I walked in and found Carrot Cake taking inventory.  I greeted him as he turned around.
“Mr. Cake!  We’ve brought your new kneader, sir.”
“Benjamin!  That’s grand!  Let me get Mrs. Cake since she’ll want to see it right away.”
While he was gone Fall and I undid the tarp and the straps holding the cycle.  Carrot came back with Mrs. Cake just as Fall and I shifted the cycle onto the loading dock.  Mrs. Cake clasped her hooves in front of her chest.
“How wonderful!  No more kneading by hoof!” she said, delighted.
“No, ma’am, this will do it for you.  And the whisk attachment will whip egg whites or cream.”
“Please, set it up in the kitchen.  I can’t wait, I can’t wait!” she said and raced ahead to show us the way.
Fall and I assembled the kneader and, after greasing the stainless steel pan, I had Mrs. Cake toss in some dough while Fall pedaled.  The spiral arms worked to perfection and Mrs. Cake was even more ecstatic when I showed her the whisk.
“We can get three times as much done in half the time!” she exclaimed.  “Thank you, Fall, Benjamin.”
“Glad to help, Mrs. Cake.”
Mr. Cake brought out his checkbook to pay us.  I’d already told him he could wait but he said he’d rather pay us now.
“750 bits I think is the price, Mr. Inventor?” he said, pen poised.
“Well, sir, you get the Apprentice Discount since Fall did the bulk of the work on this.  500 bits, if you please.  And by the way, the bicycle chain is the best Hoofington titanium, so I don’t think even Pinkie can break it.”
That got a laugh from both Cakes as Mr. Cake handed over the check.  I gave them the instruction manual which Fall had also written and we were on our way.  We stopped by the bank and I deposited the check, 400 bits into the workshop account at 100 into Fall’s personal account.
When we got back in the steam truck, Fall leaned over and kissed my muzzle.
“Thank you, Mr. Inventor.  You’re such a good boss.”
“Flattery only gets you more work, Apprentice.  Drop me off at Rarity’s and then get yourself back to the workshop.  Park the truck, oil her down and start on those spikes for the railroad.”
“Ugh,” said Fall, wrinkling her nose.  “I hate doing spikes.”
“Yes, yes, yes, whine, moan.  I’ll take over when I get back around 2 and then…”
Fall’s ears perked and she looked at me.
“…then some speed trials for the racer, I think,” I said gleefully, rubbing my hooves together.  “We’ll just see if those new solid rubber tires from Stableside will work as well as I think.”
“Yes, sir!” agreed a grinning Fall.  And away we went.
Fall dropped me off at Rarity’s and I went in the open door.  There was Lauryn O’Malley pinning a hem on Twilight’s new dress as Twilight watched in the mirror.  Lauryn waved a hoof since she couldn’t talk with pins in her mouth, then went back to pinning.  Mares will use any excuse to get a new dress, I thought.
Twilight looked over at me but only moved her head.  “Ben!  How are you?”
“Good, honey, good!  Yourself?  I haven’t seen you since you put paid to Discord.”  What a nuisance that had been.
“Oh, fine, just fine.  Back and forth to Canterlot, you know?  Congratulations on your promotions, by the way.  They were in the latest edition of the Canterlot News and Record.”
“Thank you, Protector of the Realm,” I said and gave a half bow.
“And tomorrow is the wedding!  Aren’t you excited?”
“No,” I said flatly.
“Oh, of course you are.  And so is Shining Armor about Midsummer.  Cadence and I…”
I stopped listening then since it was more about weddings.  Fortunately, Rarity came out from the back room a few minutes later.
“Benjamin, darling, how are you?” she said, kissing me on the muzzle.
“Tired of weddings,” I answered truthfully, kissing her back.
“Oh, of course you’re not,” said Rarity, waving a hoof and blithely ignoring my sour expression.
“Listen, you two, I need your help with something.  Apparently…” and that was as far as I got.
Pinkie came charging through the door, dropped to her knees and flung out both front hooves as she slid to a stop.  “Taah-dah!!” she yelled.  I just had time to think about how she’d stolen my entrance when she noticed me and her eyes lit up like two Ancient Equestrian candles.
“Beeeennnn!!” she said, and launched herself at me.  Pinkie had a reputation for body slamming her “friends” for no apparent reason.  She tried it with me when I first came to Ponyville, racing out of nowhere and slamming into me from the side.  I grounded and centered and she stretched out her forelegs as the rest of her kept going, then she snapped back with both hooves over my back.  She looked startled for a moment, and then said, “Oooooo…muscley!”  After a quick kiss on the muzzle, she pronged away giggling.  Now almost every time she saw me, she thought I was a challenge.
The exact same thing happened this time, except when she snapped back, I crouched, did Spread The Horse’s Mane and tossed her spinning into the air.
“Wheeeeee!” she said, turning a quintuple somersault with a twist before landing on all four hooves facing me.  “Do it again, do it again!”
I held up a hoof and said, “Pinkamena, please wait a moment.”
“Sure!!...How was that?...How about that one?” she said, pausing for a second or so between each sentence.
“Stop that, you ditz!” I said, laughing.  That was rather funny, I thought.  “I need your help with something.  Actually,” I said, turning to Twilight and Rarity, “I could use your advice as well.”
“Go ahead, Ben,” “I’m all ears!!” said Twilight and Pinkie at the same time.
“According to The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge…”
“Oh, no, not this again!” said Rarity, sticking out the tip of her tongue.
“…according to the Encyclopedia,” I continued firmly, “the stallion gives the bride a ‘token’ during the wedding ceremony.  Unfortunately, for once the Encyclopedia failed me.  It doesn’t say what a ‘token’ is.  Do any of you know what to give an Earth mare?  Pinkie?”
“Hmmm,” said Pinkie, right forehoof to her mouth.  “I think Dad gave Mom some rose quartz.”
“That’s…not bad.  Rarity?”
“Gems, darling; every mare just loves cut stones.”
“Twilight?”
“A first edition of Chemistry for Fun and Profit,” she sighed.  “Oh, yes.”
“Uh…a book, of course.  Well, those are all…”
“Mr. Inventor?” came a tentative question from a now pin-free Lauryn.
“Miss O’Malley?  Do you have something to add?”
“Well,” she said, still adjusting Twilight’s dress, “Daddy gave Momma a steel horseshoe.  That’s usually what railroaders give.  That way they carry their marriage with them, like.”
“Why, that’s a stellar suggestion, Miss O’Malley.  Thank you.”  Lauryn smiled at the compliment.  “Yes, that will do nicely.  Thank you, all.”  I turned to go.
“Where are you going now?” asked Twilight.
I turned back.  “To Diamond Cutter’s shop to get a steel horseshoe, of course.  That is, if he carries such a mundane product.”  Diamond Cutter’s reputation for fine jewelry extended all the way up to Manehatten and down to Los Pegasus.
“I want to go!” said Twilight as Lauryn helped her out of her dress.  “Just a moment and I’ll be ready.”
“Me, too!” said Pinkie, jumping up and down.
“I’d best go as well,” said Rarity.  “The Magic only knows what you’ll choose without me.”
“I don’t recall asking for an entourage or for help choosing,” I said, frowning at the mares.  I hate weddings, I thought for at least the tenth time.
“Of course you’ll need help, darling,” said Rarity, patting me on the muzzle as she headed for the door with the other mares.  I raised my lip in a sneer in answer.
I ended up following the three mares instead of leading to Cutter’s shop.  It was so discreet there wasn’t even a sign, just a small brass plaque which said “Cutter and Son”.  Diamond was actually the “Son” since his father had died 15 years ago.  The mares walked in one after the other and I followed reluctantly.  The silver bell over the door gave off a perfect B-flat tone.  Nice casting, I thought, then had to return to the misery.
The mares spread out through the shop, each to a separate glass cabinet.  I walked over to Cutter, the most innocuous of unicorn stallions.  He had bland salespony smile on his face and nodded to each of the mares in turn.
“Cutter,” I said, and sounded surly even to myself.
The bland smile widened slightly.  “Mr. Inventor!  How pleasant to see you again.  You haven’t visited my shop since you fixed the radiator.”
“Why in the name of the Lord of Hel would I visit…?” I started.
“Benjamin, dear, come see!” said a perky Rarity, beckoning excitedly with a hoof and interrupting what I was saying.  Perhaps that was fortunate.
I walked over to find Rarity pointing to an admittedly stunning necklace.  It was a single perfect green emerald the size of a goose egg in an elaborate alicorn silver setting.  I looked at the price:
14,560 bits.
I swallowed once, then scowled at Rarity.  “This is for AJ, Rarity, not for you.  Keep that in mind, if you please.”
“Oh, all right,” said Rarity, pouting.
“Ben!” I heard and turned.  It was Twilight and Pinkie.  I walked over to find Pinkie pointing to a row of simple horseshoes.  I extended my magic just a bit.  The furthest to the left was alicorn silver, very pure.  I moved down the line: gold, platinum, silver, aluminum and…titanium!  The titanium was almost flawless, just beautiful, and had touch of vanadium.
I looked around for Cutter and, like any good salespony, he was right next to me.  I pointed to the titanium horseshoe.
“How in Equestria did the foundry get this level of purity out of titanium?  It’s right at 99%.”
“Well, Mr. Inventor, Smithson and Sons has a small smelter, very secret…”
“Benjamin Inventor!”
I turned to find three pairs of angry eyes glaring at me.
“You are not going to get Applejack a titanium horseshoe for her wedding token!” said Twilight, speaking for the other two.
“But, Twilight, it’s 99% pu…”
“You are not getting her that,” huffed Twilight.  “Applejack deserves silver at the very least.”
I looked to Cutter for help but of course found none.  With the same bland smile, he pulled the silver horseshoe out of the cabinet and handed it to Twilight.
“Oh, how pretty!”
“Very nice!” said Rarity.
“Ooooo, shiny!” said Pinkie, holding the horseshoe up to her own left hoof.  It was far too big for her.  Pinkie’s hooves were dainty and exceptionally well-shaped, reminding me of Lady Astrid’s; I’d never noticed before.
“What’s AJ’s hoof size, Ben?” asked Rarity, holding the horseshoe up to her own left hoof in turn.
“Her what?”
“Her hoof size.”
“How should I know, Rarity?  I didn’t know there was such a thing as a hoof size until just now,” I answered, annoyed all over again.
“Oh, Ben, really!  Don’t you know anything at all about your own fiancée?”
“Well, of course I do, but hoof size…?  Uh, Pinkie, what’s your hoof size?” I asked in desperation.
“4”.
“Rarity?”
“5, which I thought you knew because of our dancing,” said Rarity accusingly.
“Of course not!  Twilight?”
“5.  Actually, I think AJ is a 7.  Rarity, didn’t we compare hoof sizes during the sleepover?” asked Twilight.
“Oh, that’s right!  I’d forgotten.  Yes, she is a 7.”
“Okay, alright, fine, she’s a 7.  Let’s just get it and get out of here.  Cutter?”
“I can have it ready for you tomorrow morning, Mr. Inventor.  This horseshoe is an 8 and the adjustment is very simple.”
“Good, good, good, I’ll take it,” I said as we walked to the register.
Cutter rang up the sale.  “That’s 125 bits for the horseshoe and 5 bits for the fitting, Mr. Inventor.”
I reached into my pouch and wrote out a check.  I hoped it was from my personal account since AJ, Fall and even Mrs. Grass had fussed at me for using the wrong checks but at the moment I didn’t care.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Cutter?  Standing there with that oily grin of yours,” I glared at him as I handed over the check.
He rung it up.  “Not at all, Mr. Inventor and this,” he said as he pointed his hoof at his muzzle and grinned like a shark, “is actually my oily grin.”
We both started laughing at that until the mares spoiled it.
“Ben, we need to get back to Rarity’s to finish our fittings,” said Twilight primly.  “Are you through paying?”
“You’re determined to suck the fun out of my day, aren’t you?” I said, teeth clenched.
Twilight just gave me a smile which was exactly like Carl’s when he was acting smug.
I followed the mares out, each talking about the wedding and various tokens.  They waved hooves at me as I turned to go back to the workshop.  Thank the Magic that was over, I thought, as I trotted along.
I was on the outskirts of town when I heard the distinctive grunts and thuds of a fight between stallions.  I looked down an alleyway to see the Rinehart brothers, twin Earth pony stallions, beating on each other.  Neither had any training and each was missing more than connecting.
“Hey!” I said, “knock it off, you two.”
Eyes wild, both turned and charged me.
Like I told my students, fight more than one opponent and you’ll lose sooner rather than later no matter how good you are.  Magic gave me a slight advantage although I didn’t want to use it against stallions who were still more foal than not.  Best end it quick, then.
I caught the first brother with a left to the stomach and heard his breath whoosh out of him.  He dropped like a sack of meal.  I just managed to extend my right rear leg in a side kick.  It landed on the other brother’s stomach and he went down as well.  Both lay retching in the dirt as I stepped to one side.  I waited a couple of minutes for them to sit up.
“Up,” I said, pulling Alexander to his hooves.  “You, too, Dietrich,” I said, as I reached for the other.  Both stood looking embarrassed, ears and heads drooping.
“Are you going to tell our parents, Mr. Inventor?” said Dietrich who had a bloody nose.  He usually did most of the talking for the pair.
“Do I look like an informer to you, young stallion?”
“Uh, no, sir,” he said, hanging his head again.
I took a deep breath and let it out.  This was the fourth fight I’d broken up in the last two weeks.  These young stallions needed an outlet from Spring Planting, I thought.  I’m going to open a martial arts school as soon as I got settled after the honeymoon.
“Very well, no more fighting today, then,” I said, putting a hoof on two sturdy young shoulders.  “On your way.”
“Yes, sir,” said Dietrich, and both galloped off.  Perfectly good young stallions, I thought.  They just need a focus.  I trotted on to the workshop wondering who I could get to teach.  Maybe some of the retired guardsman would do it if I could give them some incentive.
My head was full of plans when I passed the badger den.  I heard some scrabbling, then the head of the badger himself popped up.
“Best of Spring to you, Mr. Badger,” I said.  The badger just yawned and grunted.  Since he was nocturnal, most likely he was just up for a few minutes.
“Who is it, Reginald?” I heard from inside the den and who should pop up but another badger.  “Oh, is this the unicorn you told me about?  Look, he’s black and white just like us!  Isn’t that wonderful, Reginald?”
Reginald?  I stifled my laughter at the male badger’s obvious discomfort and gave a half bow.  “Benjamin Inventor, at your service, Lady Badger.”
“Oh, so polite!”  The female left the den and trundled down the bank to meet me.  She was a beauty with markings similar to the male badger’s, just a slightly smaller frame.  When she got to me, she held up her nose.  I slowly bent over and touched my nose to hers.  Fluttershy had told me to use caution even with friendly badgers; one false move and you’d find yourself without a face.
“A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.  Do you live with Reginald now?” I said, emphasizing the name and thoroughly enjoying watching the male badger cringe.
“Oh, yes, Mr. Inventor, at least until the kits can get around by themselves.”
Kits?  Oh, of course.  “My congratulations to both of you, ma’am.  I look forward to meeting your family.”
“Thank you,” she said in a sing-song voice as she went back to the burrow.  “Nice meeting you, Mr. Inventor.”
I could hear her going on and on as I trotted away.  “Now, wasn’t he just the nicest pony, Reginald?  Well of course he was.  I can’t wait for the kits to meet him.”  I grinned to myself, delighted to find someone else in the same boat as I.  Now to railroad spikes and speed trials.

> The Healings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Healings

Those who only know,
The clear sky, the stormy sky, the red sky of evening,
Those who only know,
The sigh of the Wind, alone,
Those who only know,
The stars, cold, beautiful, distant;
Those who only know these,
Know nothing;
For skies are empty without the beat of pegasi wings.

“Poems for Pegasi”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I woke up the day of the wedding and my first thought was at last, it would soon all be over.  I went through my usual ablutions, then came downstairs to find Mrs. Grass setting out breakfast.  No apprentice just yet; she was a little slow in the morning and I’d had to roust her with magic and a cold bucket of water several times.
“’Morning, Mrs. Grass,” I said yawning as I walked into the kitchen.
“Oh, Mr. Inventor, such a day, such a day!” said the usually serene Mrs. Grass, bustling about with more energy than usual.  “Aren’t you excited?”
“No.”
“Oh, of course you are!” she said.  “3 o’clock will be here before you know it!”
Not you, too, Mrs. Grass, I thought with despair.
Fall trotted in and kissed my muzzle.  “Good morning, Boss,” she sang in her clear soprano.  “Aren’t you ex…?
“Don’t you dare ask if I’m excited, Apprentice,” I growled at her.
“Okay, I won’t,” Fall said, completely unfazed.  She took her seat at the table and I joined her and Mrs. Grass.  Fall hadn’t scheduled much today, just for us to deliver the 6 barrels of spikes to the rail depot.  Those were part of Fall’s training to learn to shape iron as well as to put up with the scut work of a shop.  She’d done well, so I planned to give her 100 bits out of the 120 sale.
“Alright, Fall,” I said as we finished, “let’s get those barrels loaded.”
“Yessir!” she said, then jumped out of her seat and galloped off to the garage.  It was exhausting just watching her, I thought.
“We’ll be back around 10 or so, Mrs. Grass,” I said as I headed for the loading dock.
“Very good, Mr. Inventor.  Lunch at 12 as usual, then.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Grass.”
Fall had the flatbed backed up to the loading dock by the time I got outside and together we stallion handled the barrels onto the flatbed, chained them together and then chained them down to the flatbed itself.  No sense taking chances with such a heavy load.
We set off at a good clip.  About five minutes out, I asked, “Ready to take over the shop for a few days, Fall?”
“Yes, sir,” she answered, looking straight ahead.
“Good, good.  I know you’ll do fine.  I’ve certainly enjoyed having you as my apprentice these last four months.  I can’t imagine the workshop without you, now.”
“Thank you, Mr. Inventor,” she said, still staring straight ahead as she drove.  “I hope you have a good time on your honeymoo…hooo..hooon!”  Fall started crying again, so I reached over, pushed the throttle back to 0, set the brake and took her in my hooves.  Mrs. Grass told me this might happen so at least I was ready this time.
I held Fall as she cried.  It was much less violent than last time, thank the Magic for that.  When she finally stopped, I pulled a handkerchief out of my pouch and wiped her eyes and muzzle just like when she pulled the whistle on the water heater.
“I love you, Boss,” she said as she hugged me again.
“And I love you, too, Punkin’.  And just because I’m marrying Applejack doesn’t mean I’m leaving you behind or love you any less.”  I gently pushed her up and wiped her nose one last time.
“Thanks, Mr. Inventor,” she said as she slid back behind the wheel.  “I’ll be fine now.”
“Of course, Apprentice.”
Fall drove on to the depot.  We found Bull O’Keefe waiting on the platform next to the supply shed.
“Mr. O’Keefe!  No yard workers today?”
“No, sir,” he rumbled in that bass of his.  “They’re on an emergency job outside of Hoofington.”
“Well, I’m sure we can manage.  Fall?”
Fall greeted Mr. O’Keefe with a shy wave, and then helped me unchain the load.  Bull O’Keefe reached over and picked up a barrel as if it were empty, then carried it to the supply shed.  Fall and I looked at one another in wonder and then struggled to carry a barrel between us.
In no time at all, we had all six barrels in the shed.  Fall folded the tarp and put the chains back in their compartment while Mr. O’Keefe handed me a 120 bit chit for the spikes.
“Thank you, Mr. O’Keefe.  Please let us know if the railroad needs anything else.”
“Mr. Inventor…,” Bull started, then cleared his throat and started again.  “Mr. Inventor, I’ve thought about Spring for some time now.”
“Yes, Bull, it is annoying.  The young stallions are out of control with Spring Planting coming up.”
Bull smiled, a surprisingly gentle smile for such a large stallion.  “No, Mr. Inventor, not Spring the season, Spring the mare.”
I felt my ears perk as Fall came to stand beside me.  “You mean Spring Brickle, Fall’s sister?”
“Yes, sir, that’s the one.  The most beautiful mare in the county,” Bull said, with a faraway look in his eyes.
Fall and I looked at one another in astonishment.  Spring had many fine qualities and was quite sturdy, but beautiful?  We looked back to Bull.
“Ah…yes,” I said, “yes, she’s a delightful mare. A, uh, a hard worker, too.”
“Would you and Fall introduce me to her?” he said rather hesitantly.
Fall and I looked at one another again.
“Are you coming to the wedding?” I asked, looking back to Bull.
“Yes, sir.  Tomas O’Malley, Lauryn, Seamus and I will be there.”
“Well, there you are.  Fall or I can introduce you to Spring then.  Can’t we, Fall?”  At least somepony will have a good time, I thought.
Fall just nodded, eyes huge.
For the first time, Bull looked nervous.  “Do ya think she’ll talk to a railroader?”
This again.  “Fall has told her family about you and some of the other railponies, Mr. O’Keefe, so I don’t see a problem.”
Bull smiled again, that slow smile.  “Thank you, sir.  And thank you, Fall.”
Fall nodded, then we both waved and headed back to the steam car.
As Fall drove us away, she started to giggle, then really laugh.
“Boss, can you believe it?!?  Spring!!”
“Now, Fall, your sister is a perfectly...ah...healthy mare in her prime.  Of course she’s going to attract attention.  I do wonder if Bull realizes how devoted Spring is to the farm, though?”
I’d asked Fall to drop me off at Cutter’s so I could pick up the horseshoe.  I told her to head back to the workshop, put up the truck and flatbed and then take the rest of the day.  She smiled at me, a smile which was both happy and sad, then steamed off.
Cutter was just open at 9, so I walked in.  Cutter was behind the counter just like yesterday.
“Mr. Inventor!  I have your horseshoe ready, sir.  If you’ll please wait just a moment.”
“Certainly, Cutter, thank you.”
Cutter went into the back and came out with a little white box.  He set the box on the counter and pulled out the silver horseshoe.
“Here you are, sir, a 7.”
I had to admit, it was impressive.  Cutter had polished the silver until it gleamed.
“Thank you, Mr. Cutter,” I said, “Your usual superb standard.”
Cutter went to put the horseshoe back in the box, then suddenly dropped it on the counter.  It gave off a perfect *ting* as it hit.  I reached for it at the same time he did and our hooves met.  My healer sense jerked awake and I could sense severe arthritis in his right hoof.  His left hoof was almost as bad; left alone, he wouldn’t be able to work by this time next year.  He must have been in terrible pain, too.
Cutter looked up in astonishment as our magic fields met.  “Benjamin!  You’re a healer!”
I didn’t say anything, just used a small amount of magic to heal Cutter’s arthritis.  He held up his hooves in front of his muzzle and started crying.
“I can keep working now!  I can keep the shop open.  Oh, thank you, Benjamin!”
His magic field reached out and enveloped mine.  I let it and learned his ability to shape metals surpassed mine by a wide margin.  Beautiful, beautiful magic and phenomenal skill.  Even if I polled his cutie mark (which was a single diamond), he had a lifetime of practice I could never match.
I nodded to myself.  Time to put on the white smock again, I thought.  “I’m glad, Cutter,” I said, taking his right hoof in both of mine.  “Quietly let the other unicorns know.  I don’t want my healing getting outside of Ponyville just yet.  And for the love of Magic, don’t let the doctors find out.”
Cutter wiped his muzzle with an embroidered cotton handkerchief and nodded, too overcome to say more.
I’d talked to the family several times about my healing and finally started working on pegasi since I couldn’t stand to see them maimed.  10 to 12 pegasi died outright each year in accidents.  If they survived but couldn’t fly, they just withered and died in a couple of months; there were 6 of those last year before I started healing pegasi.  I’d wondered if that was why most pegasi never married since their jobs were so hazardous.  I’d told Storm Spotter and he’d been very good about keeping my healing quiet.  The family agreed it was time for me to let a few other ponies know, too.
“Cutter.”
He looked up.
“If we opened a bank here, would you sit on the board?”
Cutter looked surprised, then gave me that shark smile of his.
“If it means Lady Silver leaves town, I’d sit on 10 boards.”
“Good stallion!” I said as I shook his hoof.  His grip strength was close to mine, now, which pleased me.  “We’ll talk about it after Spring Planting.”
Cutter’s eyes gleamed.  “Oh, yes.  I do enjoy this time of year, yes, indeed.”
“Hah, Cutter, you sly fox!  I might have known.”
“You’ll be busy yourself, Benjamin,” he said and we both had a good laugh.  As I left the shop he was staring at both hooves again.

I deposited the chit at the bank, putting 100 bits in Fall’s account and 20 in the workshop account.  I waved to Adding Machine who was with a customer, then walked back to the workshop, horseshoe safely in my pouch.  I had four and a half hours until I had to show up for the wedding and nothing scheduled, so I tossed my pouch inside, then walked to my favorite spot overlooking the gorge.  I ran through some T’ai Chi katas, meditated and napped for a half hour or so.  When I woke up refreshed, I roughed out the next six months including Shining Armor’s wedding at Midsummer, then ate lunch at 12 with the mares.
Both were at wit’s end waiting for the wedding to start but I just waved them off and went back outside to my spot.  I was wondering which hogger would take us out on the 5:30 excursion (a gift from the Crown) when I head hoofsteps behind me.  I turned to find Storm Spotter with a very young pegasus mare who was in terrible distress.  Somepony had wrapped a crude bandage around her left wing which stuck out from her side at a strange angle.  She also had trouble walking.
“Mr. Inventor,” said Storm Spotter, nodding to me.  I thought once again a better looking pegasus stallion I’d never seen.  Mottled grey hide, jet back mane, blue eyes and larger than normal wings, he was the ideal.  He and Summer Breeze had split at Year’s End but there was no bitterness between them.
“Storm Spotter!  And who is this young mare, may I ask?”
The poor mare just looked at the ground and didn’t say anything.  She was clearly failing fast.
“This is Wind Rider, the fifth member of my team, Mr. Inventor.  She joined just before the Pegasus Migration last year.  She had a bird strike yesterday.”
“Hello, miss.  May I look at your injury?”
Wind Rider nodded, still looking at the ground.  Using magic, I unwound the bandage and removed the splint as gently as I could.  The break on the humerous was clean and there was a crack in the scapula.  The more delicate radius had splintered into four or five pieces and she had two broken ribs as well.  A bad one, sure enough.
“Go to sleep, Wind Rider,” I said.  The pegasus mare blinked, slowly knelt and then nodded off.
“I’m sorry to bother you on your wedding day, Mr. Inventor.”
I waved my left hoof as I prepared to fix the wing.  “Glad for the diversion, Storm.  I was getting tired of just waiting around.”
Storm Spotter gave a half grin.  “Better you than me,” he said.
I grinned back, then concentrated on the healing.  The humerous and scapula only took a few seconds.  I couldn’t quite make out the radius, so I split the hide so I could see it, holding back any bleeding.  I carefully arranged the splinters (seven, including two very small ones) and fused them, then had Storm check my work.  He had an excellent feel for healing and a strong stomach, so I relied on him to make sure I hadn’t missed anything during a pegasus healing.
He nodded, so I healed the thin muscles and hide over the radius, then set and fused the two ribs.  There was some very minor internal damage as well, so I fixed that.   By the time I finished I was sweating; the delicate surgeries were always the most demanding.
I sat back with a sigh of relief but left the little yellow mare asleep for a few more minutes.  “Next time, Storm, I’ll come to you.  It’s too hard on the injured to walk all the way here.  That or just bring them here directly the minute they’re hurt.  I’ll get here right away no matter where I am.”
“Yes, sir,” he said.  “Thank you, Mr. Inventor.”
“Call me ‘Benjamin’ or ‘Ben’ if ‘Benjamin’ is too long,” I said, wiping away sweat.
Storm stepped forward, kissed me on my left muzzle and wrapped both front hooves around me.
“I can’t thank you enough, Ben.  You’ve saved three of us now,” he said, his head resting on my left shoulder.
I knew pegasus stallions were affectionate with other pegasus stallions and was honored Storm would treat me like one of his own instead of like a groundpounder.  I wrapped my front hooves around his frame, so different from and yet so like a pegasus mare’s.
“’For skies are empty without the beat of pegasi wings’,” I quoted.  It was from the Encyclopedia’s section on “Poems for Pegasi”.
He quivered, then pulled back.  His eyes were wet and he smiled that half grin of his.  “No wonder the mares talk about you, Ben.  You’re a charmer, you are.”
I laughed.  “I can’t compete with you, Storm, or with those wings of yours.  But I do well enough, I think.  Now, then,” I continued, “let’s wake up Wind Rider and see how she’s doing.”
I touched the mare with a hoof.  “Wake up, honey.”
She blinked awake, then looked around wildly.  She tensed, slowly extended her wing, retracted it, then leapt up and buried her head in Storm’s chest.  He put a hoof over her neck as she stood and shivered.
“She’s awfully shy, Ben, but she thanks you for saving her life,” said Storm, stroking her white mane and looking at her fondly.
“Delighted, young mare.  Very light flying for a week or so until your body recovers.”  Healing took from the one healed and a serious injury could leave a client very weak.
She pulled her head away from Storm Spotter, looked back at me and nodded.  Then she and Storm Spotter faced into the Wind.  Just before they were going to take off, the pretty mare turned, raced back to me, quickly kissed me on both sides of my muzzle and then touched my nose to hers.  Then she and Storm Spotter were gone, flying slowly back toward Cloudsdale.
A sweet mare, I thought.  And Storm is a good squad leader.  I took a deep breath, then looked at the Sun.  Around 1:30.  Time to clean up, get dressed and have Fall drive me to Sweet Apple Acres for the Dreaded Event.

The Wedding

By this time the mare will have made up her mind in what particular method she will be married - a matter, however, which is generally settled for her by her position in life, or her means.  She has, indeed, her choice, to a certain extent, of marriage by banns, by license, by special license, or before the Registrar; but woe betide the unlucky wight who proposes the last method, either to a young stallion or his parents: let her be careful to do so on the ground-floor.

“On Courtship and Marriage in Farming Families”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I checked the new Smithson and Sons watch the railroaders gave me for Year’s End. Twenty ‘til 3, almost time for me to take my position on the platform.  I looked over the gathering.  Ponies were mingling well.  Twilight, wearing her new dress, was talking and even flirting a little with Adding Machine, Rarity had her usual coterie of stallions, and the railroaders weren’t clumped together any longer.  Granny had done her part and was talking to Tomas O’Malley.  I’d introduced Big Mac to Bull O’Keefe earlier.  They had faced one another without the slightest expression, then gripped hooves.  I could see their muscles working under their jackets and heard the seams creak alarmingly.  After 30 seconds or so, both had smiled.
“Mr. Apple, it’s a pleasure.”
“Mr. O’Keefe, the same.”
Many were Apples I’d met at the reunion and I’d spoken to several already.  I’d been on the alert for Spring Brickle and finally spotted her standing next to the punch bowl.  Rarity’s dress complimented her large frame and shoulder muscles by accentuating both just enough; a truly masterful design.  I looked around, caught Bull’s eye and tilted my head.  He hesitated just a moment and then walked toward Spring.  I took an intercept course and we all met at the punch bowl.
“Spring, my dear filly, how are you?  Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Oh, yes, Mr. Inventor, I’m having a delightful time,” and she actually meant it.  She had some color from the excitement, too.  Now or never, I thought.
I pretended to reach for the punch.  “Why, it’s Mr. O’Keefe.  Spring, I don’t believe you’ve met Mr. O’Keefe.  He’s a conductor on the Ponyville line.”
“Fiorello O’Keefe, miss,” said Bull, extending a hoof.  “I’m very pleased to meet you.”
Fiorello! I thought.  Little Flower.  No wonder he goes by Bull.
Spring’s eyes grew huge and she lifted a hoof (size 10, I thought to myself) and took Bull’s.  And just stood.  And stood.  And stood some more.
I cleared my throat.  “Spring works the Brickleback Farm, Mr. O’Keefe.”  Bull knew that already, of course.
“Is that so, Miss Brickle?” said Bull in a gentle voice, still holding Spring’s hoof.
Spring just nodded.
Fall must have noticed what was going on and trotted over to rescue me.  She was in the racing leathers I’d insisted Rarity make for her and looked quite fetching since they matched her eyes exactly.
“Spring!” said Fall in a perky voice.  “I see you’ve met Mr. O’Keefe.  Say, are you hot?  Your face is red.”
Spring let go of Bull’s hoof and put both of her hooves on either side of her muzzle, her eyes never leaving Bull’s.  “Is it?” she answered, softly.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get to the platform.  The music should start in a few minutes.”  Glad to escape, I made a face at Fall who just grinned like the Lord of Hel and gave me an “OK” sign.
I was working my way to the platform steps when one of the musicians raced up to me,  Octi…something, I couldn’t remember.  She had tears in her eyes and was carrying a cello.
“Mr. Inventor, Mr. Inventor,” she said in a clipped Trottingham accent.  “I’ve found a crack in my tailpiece.  She won’t hold a tune.”
“Let’s have a look, Miss…ah…”
“Octavia Melody, sir.  I’m a friend of Lyra’s.  She said you could fix anything!”
“Hmm, yes, well, we’ll just see about that.”  I had Octavia hold up the cello.  Sure enough, there was a crack in the rosewood, most likely from the Spring humidity.  I found the wood’s essence and grew the crack back together.  Thank you again, Lady Astrid.
“Try it now, Miss Melody.”
Octavia plucked out a two octave A scale, tuned the cello, then added another octave.  Very skilled indeed, I thought.
“Oh, that’s perfect, Mr. Inventor.  Thank you!”  She kissed me on the muzzle, then raced off to take her place with the other musicians.
They started to play at 2:50 exactly and I climbed the two steps to the raised platform.  Farm families didn’t believe in rehearsals, so I had no idea what to expect.  Tradition demanded only immediate family stand on the platform, so I was alone since I had none.  Big Mac, Granny and Apple Bloom, all in their best clothes, soon joined me.  I nodded to them and each smiled at me.  My family, I thought.
I had more than enough time to look over the audience as they took their seats.  There was Carl next to Cadence.  He saw me notice him.  He let his tongue hang out of the side of his mouth, rolled his eyes up and slowly slid down his seat, pretending to die of boredom.  Cadence whacked him and he sat up again; he and I exchanged grins.  The rest of the Mane Six, all beautifully dressed, and the Brickles, Spring sitting next to Bull and very conspicuously not looking at him.  Adding Machine, Bernie, others of the Stable of Commerce including Cutter.  Most of the town showed up, I decided, whether they were invited or not.
I’d started to drift and was wondering just how fast Fall could get the steam car to go on the way to the station when out of the corner of my eye I noticed a flash of white.  I looked toward the back and saw Tia along with Lady Astrid.  They must have teleported in and stayed concealed since nopony noticed they were there.  When Tia saw me looking at her, she stuck the tip of her tongue out of the left side of her mouth and pulled down her right lower eyelid.  I looked at Lady Astrid and she put both hooves behind her ears, and then waggled her hooves back and forth while she stuck her tongue out of the front of her muzzle.  Both mares doubled over laughing when I barely stuck out my tongue at them.  Fillies and colts, the Ruler of Equestria and her Deputy.  Well, well; Juliette must have taken my Year’s End advice about the Feast of Fools.
It took all the willpower I had not to look at my watch.  I heard the station clock chime a faint 3 and the music changed to a mild march of some sort.  I looked down the aisle as the guests rose.
And there was Applejack.
She was wearing a white blouse with a bolo and puffed sleeves, black pearl snap buttons and a matching white pleated skirt which fell to her rear fetlocks.  Over the blouse was a green vest which matched her eyes perfectly and on her rear hooves she was wearing white cowfilly boots.  In place of her usual Stetson she had a white cowfilly hat with a sprig of something or other, I couldn’t tell what.  Somepony had braided her mane and tail and she had a chiffon veil which ran from the hat’s crown and flowed over her haunches and down to the ground behind her.  She was radiant.
She passed between Tia and Juliette who both dipped their horns even though nopony could see them.  The guests turned to follow her as she moved up the aisle.  Several of the mares were crying already as was Big Mac.  Applejack mounted the platform and I joined her facing Mayor Mare who had stepped up to the rear of the platform and was holding a black folio.
“AJ,” I said out of the side of my mouth as the guests settled themselves.
“P…ppp…part…ner,” she said, shaking like a leaf.
I used a calming spell and AJ stopped shaking.
“You look pretty good for a filly,” I said so only AJ could hear as the mayor opened the folio.
AJ turned red trying to stifle her laughter but a faint “sphhhht” did escape.
“Gentlemares and gentlestallions, welcome,” started the mayor.  “We’re here today assembled to witness the joining of this stallion to the Apple family.  The family filed the Courtship Documents last year and have sworn before me the stallion has met the Courtship requirements.  Are there any here who object to this?”
Silence.
“Very good.  I now ask for the family’s approval one final time.  Apples, do you accept this stallion into your family from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health?”
“We do,” said AJ, Granny, Apple Bloom and Big Mac although Big Mac had some trouble getting it out.
“And do you, Benjamin Inventor,” said the mayor, turning to me, “willingly join this family from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health?”
“I do.”
“Do you have a token to give the bride as a sign of your troth to her, to your new family and to seal the covenant between you?”
“I do,” I said as I reached across with my right hoof to my left jacket pocket.  I pulled out the silver horseshoe which glistened in the afternoon Sun.  I heard a collective “ohhhhh” from the guests.  That’s what I’m talkin’ about, I thought.
I held out my left hoof and AJ raised hers, smiling as tears ran down her muzzle.  Holding her left hoof with my left, I put the horseshoe in place and it fit perfectly.  Well done, Cutter, I thought.
“Token given and received, I as Mayor of Ponyville with the authority invested in me by the Crown do declare you married.  You may kiss the stallion!”
I turned as AJ threw both front hooves around my neck and kissed me soundly.  I could taste the cinnamon apple flavor I’d come to love so much along with salt from her tears.  It took me back to our very first kiss and I felt fine, very fine.
I just had time to think it was finally over when the mayor called out as we faced the crowd, “Gentlemares and gentlestallions, it is my pleasure to present to you for the very first time…Mr. and Mrs. Apple!"

The rest of the afternoon was something of a blur.  We stood in the receiving line which fortunately moved pretty quickly, cut the cake which was a delicious one from Pinkie, then danced our first dance, a reel AJ and I had practiced all Winter.  Rarity and I did a number, then I danced with the stallions in a traditional Morris dance.  I was between Big Mac and Bull which made me feel like a small book with two large book-ends.  Both were surprisingly good dancers and for the finale tossed me up a good thirty feet.  I wasn’t as proficient as Pinkie but managed a double somersault and landed on Bull and Big Mac’s outstretched hooves.
I was wondering if it was time to leave for the station when Fall came up next to me.
“Boss, it’s time to leave,” she said, and pointed to my watch.  I checked: 5:10.
“So it is, Apprentice.  Steam racer warmed up?”
Fall just grinned, pulled on her helmet and put down her goggles.
I gave an answering grin, then moved close to AJ who was carrying on with the other Mane Six and Lauryn O’Malley.  I jumped behind her, grabbed her around the waist and raced for the steam car.  The guests knew all about the Stallion Chase, of course, and, once they’d seen what I was doing, started running after me.  I made the car, threw a laughing AJ into the rumble seat, made sure the veil wouldn’t get caught in the wheels, sat beside her and tapped Fall on the back of the helmet.
Off we went, slowly at first, then faster and faster, leaving the guests far behind.  Fall and I agreed 40 mph was a pretty good speed and far faster than the guests could run, so she kept the racer at that.  In our trials, we had her up to 87 mph but of course kept that to ourselves since Ma Brickle would have skinned me alive if she’d found out.
We got to the station at 5:25.  Fall slowed the racer and I swung AJ down.  All our luggage was long since aboard, so I turned to Fall who had removed her helmet and goggles.
“I’ll see you, Boss,” she said, looking down.
I stepped forward and wrapped her in my hooves.  “Thanks for the lift, Punkin’.”
A tearful Fall hugged me back, kissed me on the muzzle, then waved to us as we raced to the single passenger car.  I waved to a grinning Roundhouse and Timothy Martin just as I heard the wedding guests clamoring onto the depot.  I slammed the passenger car door and with a double toot, we were on our way.  We waved out the window to friends and family as the train left the station.  I saw a grinning Carl, Cadence laughing and throwing rose petals, Apple Bloom with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, the O’Malleys, Bull next to Spring and Big Mac, friends, relatives; I wished Lady Magic could see it.
After the final wave, AJ and I collapsed into a velvet love seat and just stared straight ahead.  A few minutes later, we looked at one another.
“Mr. Apple,” AJ said, smiling.
“Mrs. Apple,” I answered, grinning like a cat with cream.
We leaned toward each other and kissed, really meaning it this time.  It was a sweet, loving kiss and held everything we’d meant to one another.  My magic surged with it and enveloped both of us, recognizing the bond.
We broke off, smiled at each other again, and then looked around.  The rail car was most likely Lady Astrid’s private one and posh it was.  A full sitting area with a couch, love seat, two chairs and a writing desk, an ice box full of food in a little kitchen, a small bathroom and a single bed.  Rarity or somepony had thought ahead and left boxes marked “His” and “Hers” for my mess dress and AJ’s wedding finery; AJ even had a hat box.  It was a sprig of heather on her hat, I noticed, her namesake.  A very classy touch.
We stripped, folding our clothes carefully after I’d cleaned them magically; wouldn’t want them to stain, after all.  AJ found her usual hat and ribbons hanging on a peg.  I unbraided AJ’s mane and tail, brushed them out for her and put on her ribbons.
“I’m so hungry if I ate corn I’d eat th’ cob as well,” said AJ, pulling several plates out of the icebox.
I was a little peckish myself, so I had an apple along with some mushrooms.  AJ started with one plate of cabbage, finished that, then ate corn, potatoes, mushrooms, apples, more mushrooms, turnips, greens and a bread and honey for dessert, emptying the icebox down to the walls.
“That’s the stuff,” she said, stretching out on the velvet sofa.  “Whooo-eee,” AJ yawned, “I’m tuckered out.  I haven’t slept in a couple of days gettin’ ready for the weddin’.”
“Take a nap, Mrs. Apple, and I’ll wake you when we get there,” I said.  My answer was a light snore.
I covered AJ with an afghan, then watched the countryside go by, glad for the piece and quiet.  The landscape slowly turned to desert, and then night fell.  The private car had a skylight and the stars were perfectly clear overhead.  I noticed the Winter constellations were almost gone for the year.  I fell asleep admiring what the railroaders called the Sky Rail and astronomers called the River of Time.
> Hot Springs
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot Springs

I'd sent the 4th Light Infantry to support the 2nd Air Corp since once the pegasi got the griffons down, it was the Lord of Hel's own to take them out or at the very least cripple the griffons enough to keep them from fighting any longer.

General of the Army Louise-Renée de Kéroualle, The Griffon War, 1,091-1,093

14.  On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem.
On death ground, fight!
…

23.  Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight.
If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and enlisted alike will put forth their uttermost strength.

“The Art of War”, Appendix B, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I found myself on a vast, grey plain which stretched unbroken to the horizon in every direction.  I looked around and saw somepony approaching, getting closer by the moment.  Is this a dream? I wondered as the mare stopped a few feet from me.
She was a silver alicorn about Celestia’s size which put her a good head taller than I.  Everything about her was a shade of silver from her polished horn right down to her perfect size 4 hooves.  Even her eyes were a dark silver.
Well, better safe than sorry, I thought.  I made a full bow and said, “My Lady.  Benjamin Apple, at your service.”
“You’re polite as ever, Guardian,” said the alicorn.
My head snapped up from the bow.  “My Lady Magic?  Is that You?”
Lady Magic raised Her head and right hoof, showing Herself in profile.  “What do you think, Guardian?  Does this form please you?”
“Indeed it does, my Lady.  I knew You were spectacular, but this…!  Stunning, absolutely stunning!”
Lady Magic faced me and dipped her head.  “Thank you, Guardian.  I’ll come to you like this from time to time, particularly in the coming months.”  Lady Magic looked at the ground.  “You’ll have some difficult times and I can’t always help you, but I’ll never leave you, my Guardian.  And know that I love you.”
“Of course, my Lady, and I love You as well.”
She stepped forward, smiled, kissed me on both sides of my muzzle and touched her nose to mine.  “And now it’s time for you to wake up,” she said and started to fade.
“My Lady, wait!  What sort of ‘difficult times’?  My Lady…!!”

“Mr. Wizard?  Time t’ wake up, sir.  Mr. Wizard?”
I felt a hoof touch my left shoulder and I sat up.  Sunlight flooded the car and outlined Roundhouse who was standing over me.
“Roundhouse!  Are we there?” I said, yawning and stretching.
“Since early this morning, Mr. Wizard.  Timothy and I slept in the caboose since we didn’t want t’…uh…bother you and the missus.”
I got up off of the couch.  “Thank you, Roundhouse, that was very considerate.” I looked over to find AJ still sound asleep.
Roundhouse looked as well and smiled.  “Heh, my filly done the exact same thing the day after we was married.  Slept for two days, she did.  Happens when Earth ponies get too worn out.”
“Cecilia,” I said, remembering the portrait.
Roundhouse’s head snapped around.  “How did ya know…oh, that’s right, ya stayed at my house.  Yeah, that was my filly.  Died in the War,” said Roundhouse, looking sad for a moment.  There was the Griffon War again, I thought.
“By the way, Mr. Apple, if’n you ever want to stay at my place again, you just go right ahead.  When I got back I thought them dwarves had come down from Mount Ontake and left me a new house.”
I laughed at the reference to the mare’s tale.  “Of course, Roundhouse, thank you.  I may well take you up on that the next time I’m in Canterlot.  Now then,” I said, reaching for my pouch, “what’s next?”
Roundhouse told me he and Timothy were headed back to Ponyville and on to Canterlot in a few minutes.  He’d park the private car on a siding and AJ and I would hook up to a freight coming through early in the morning of 13th.  The freight would drop us off, then return the private car to Canterlot.
I shook his hoof, then greeted Timothy as he stepped into the car.  “My thanks to both of you,” I said as I put on my saddlebags, my pouch, AJ’s pouch and then put her hat on my head.  Both Earth ponies watched in fascination as I lifted AJ with magic and put her on my back, still sound asleep.  “Which way to the hotel?”

The hotel was about a half hour’s trot from the station, so I thought I could hoof it easily enough even with AJ on my back.  I waved good-bye to my railroader friends and headed down the dusty road.  I could see the Macintosh Mountains on the horizon about 10 miles away.  It was hot but not that unpleasant this early in the year.  There was grama and bluegrass but also cottonwood, ash, maple, juniper and walnut.  I also noticed elderberry and soapberry, two trees I’d only read about but never seen before.  Water here somewhere, I thought.
I’d worked up a good sweat by the time I got to the hotel.  It was a large white stone building with two wings and a facing portico, a clean and simple design.  Twilight had told me it was once a private residence but was now property of the Crown and open to the public.  It backed up to the hot springs and included the springs along with all the other amenities and spa services.  There were several small wooded hills about 200 yards away which gave some relief from the heat in the afternoon.
I walked into the expansive marble lobby and rang the bell at the desk.  A young unicorn mare came out from the back, then stopped, smiled and put one hoof up to her mouth.
“How adorable!  Is she asleep?” said the mare, looking around at AJ.
“That she is, miss,” I said, looking at AJ fondly.
The mare beckoned to the left and an older unicorn mare came out from a small office off to the side.
“Mrs. Calloway, look!” said the younger unicorn, pointing to AJ.
Mrs. Calloway smiled the smile of someone who had seen it all and enjoyed it, then looked at me.  “You must be the Apples.  Welcome to Hot Springs.  We’ve been expecting you.”
“Thank you, ma’am.  We’re glad to be here.”
The older mare turned to the mail slots and pulled out a key.  “We’ve put you on the first floor not too far from the baths.” She handed me the key and I signed us in, elated to use my married name for the first time.  “Enjoy your stay and if there’s anything I or the staff can do, please let us know.  We serve meals for two hours in the dining room starting at 6:30, 11 and 6.  You should have just enough time to make breakfast.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Calloway, for your hospitality.”
The older mare smiled, a pleasant and sincere expression.  “Yes, sir.  And Mr. Apple, know you’re not the first to bring in an Earth pony asleep.  Sometimes we have to send the wagon for Earth pony couples and put them to bed ourselves.”
We had a good laugh at that, and I used magic to tip AJ’s hat, then followed the signs to room 106.  I unlocked the door and found myself in a very pleasant room mainly in white with a double bed, a small sitting area with a writing desk and a palatial bathroom with a double shower.  I put AJ to bed, cracked the window to let in a pleasant breeze, put our pouches on the dresser and unpacked the saddlebags.  I pulled out my thank-you list and added “Tia/hotel room” to it.  42 thanks-yous to write, now.  When I’d barely hinted to Mrs. Grass I was going to use the new typewriter I’d bought for the business to write my wedding thank-yous, she was scandalized.  So, I’d brought the list with me to start the notes while we were here.
I used the bathroom and had a quick shower, closed the plantation shutters over the two windows, checked AJ one last time then closed the door and headed for the dining hall.  As I trotted down the hall to the lobby, I almost ran into a sky-blue pegasus mare who was carrying towels from a linen closet.
“Apologies, miss, I didn’t see you,” I said, stepping aside.
She gasped and looked at me with huge blue eyes.  Odd coloring, I thought, all blue without a trace of another color; even her mane was blue.
“I beg your pardon heartily, sirrah,” she said with an odd accent I couldn’t quite place.  She darted around me and disappeared into a room.  Sirrah, I thought as I walked on.  Most unusual.  I’d only heard that at Court and not all that often.
The dining hall was a large room surrounded by windows, several open to the morning breeze from the East.  There weren’t many diners since it was late for breakfast but I did notice an extremely attractive and very poised middle aged unicorn mare reading a paper and having a cup of coffee.  She was a pale green with a white mane and intelligent dark brown eyes.  I couldn’t see a cutie mark but she nodded to me as I sat down a few tables from her.  I smiled and nodded back, and then ordered a substantial breakfast when the Earth pony waiter came to take my order.
I finished and was enjoying my black tea while I stared out the window when I heard a low, dulcet voice say, “Pardon, Monsieur, are you ze one who just arrived with ze sleeping Earth pony?”  Without my noticing, the unicorn mare had walked over to my table and stood next to me.  She sighed and gave me a dreamy look.  “Vous êtes tellement romantique!”
I rose and gave a half-bow.  “I had that honor, madam,” I said in French.  “Benjamin Apple, at your service.  I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Ren,” she answered and extended a size 5 hoof.  I bowed over it as she continued in the same language.  “You speak French very well, sir.”
“I often practice with my friend Pierre who owns a café in Ponyville.  Please, do join me,” I said, pulling out a chair and holding it for her.
“I thank you, sir, but I’m headed to the baths,” she said, gesturing to the other side of the hotel.
“Ah, excellent.  Would you show me the way, madam?” I said, pushing the chair back in.  “I’ve just finished my tea and am ready to take the waters.”
“Certainly, sir.  This way, if you please.”
I signed my receipt and included a 20% tip, then walked with Ren to the lobby.  She had a slight hitch in her left rear leg and when I extended my healer senses, I found extensive scar tissue from an old wound.  I was wondering idly if I could cut it away when she spoke again.
“Oh, of course, of course!  Pierre du Lac, he is the café owner you mentioned?”
“The same, madam.”
“How marvelous!  He and I went to the Académie together.”
“He has told me of this school.  Apparently Lady Silver von Stroheim-Featherstone was in his class as well.  He told me he and his classmates glued her hooves to her desk once.”
Ren gave a mischievous grin.  “Did he also tell you we also turned Lady Silver’s dorm room upside down?  Or dyed her mane puce?”
I laughed.  “Indeed, no, but I daresay…”
We were crossing the lobby and just then an Earth pony in fatigues raced out of the manager’s office.
“I won’t go and you can’t make me,” he yelled, looking back over his shoulder.  He headed for the service passageway, opened the door and slammed it behind him.
“Running Bear, come back at once!”  The manager ran out of her office but was too late.  She huffed out a breath, then noticed us.
“General, Mr. Apple, I’m terribly sorry you had to see that.”
General?  “A problem, Mrs. Calloway?” I asked.
“A line break somewhere between here and the tank.”  The manager looked up and realized who she was talking to.  “Apologies, to both of you.  I shouldn’t bother guests with this.”
“A moment.  Do you mean the water tank about 200 yards behind the hotel next to that small hill?” I asked.  I’d noticed it earlier as I walked in.
“Why, yes, that’s the one.  Without it, we can’t run the cold pool and the guest rooms won’t have water.  I’ve tried to send several of our staff but they’re all afraid of the wild pegasi.”
Twilight had mentioned this as well.  “I thought the hotel and surrounding towns had a treaty with the wild pegasi?”
“Yes,” said the manager, clearly annoyed, “and we even have some on the staff.  We haven’t had any trouble in over 50 years and yet the rumors persist.  Mares around here raise their foals on stories of wild pegasi scalpings and the Magic knows what else.”
The baths could wait, I thought.  “Is the line clay or cast iron?”
“Clay, Mr. Apple, but I don’t see what…”
“Do you have any spare sections of pipe?”
“Yes, in the storage shed next to the tank.  Why do you ask?”
“I’m a mechanical engineer, ma’am,” I answered.  “I’ll take a look and see if I can fix your water line.”
“Oh, Mr. Apple, you’re a guest.  I can’t ask you to do that!” said Mrs. Calloway, looking distressed.
I had my answer ready.  “This is a Crown property, Manager, and I’m a Protector of the Crown.  This falls well within the purview of my duties.”
The manager smiled, then, a relieved smile.  “Well, if that’s the case, I’d certainly appreciate your help.”
“Very good.  Let me check on AJ, then I’ll head to the water tank.”
“May I come as well, Mr. Apple?” asked Ren who’d been listening the whole time.
“Why, of course, Ren.  Most likely it’s just a mundane repair, though.”
“I will meet you on the front steps, yes?” she said, and turned toward the other side of the hotel.
“Five minutes, then,” I said, nodding, and went check on AJ.  I found her still sound asleep.  She’d be hungry enough to chew wood when she woke up but I expected the hotel staff had handled that before.  I put on my pouch and headed for the front of the hotel.

Another Healing…Or Two

The 4th came in a wave just as I’d ordered only to meet fierce resistance.  I’d expected that but knew the army had to regroup and that this was our only chance. The 4th knew it as well and fought on; never have I seen such bravery in combat.

General of the Army Louise-Renée de Kéroualle, The Griffon War, 1,091-1,093

Regard your soldiers as your foals, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons and daughters, and they will stand by you even unto death.

“The Art of War”, Appendix B, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I found Ren waiting for me and noticed her cutie mark was a five-pointed silver star, one I didn’t know.  Ren led me to a path which circled around the back of the hotel and up into a wooded ravine.  We climbed for about 10 minutes before we reached the tank.  It was a big one and wasn’t in the best of shape.  I fixed some rotten planks and removed the rust from the shut-off valve.  I guessed nopony had used it for years; no excuse for such neglect, I thought.  I pulled out a small can of oil and oiled the wheel and gearing, then, with Ren’s help, finally got it to turn.  I could hear the shutoff valve creak into place and the water soon stopped flowing.
“That’s got it, Ren.  Let’s see if we can find that break.”
We used magic to trace the pipe from the tank.  The original contractors had buried the pipe about three feet deep and Ren and I followed it 20 yards before stepping into a small bog which had formed from the break.  With Ren helping we dug up the pipe and both noticed the crack right away.
I nodded to Ren, then went back to a little storage shed next to the tank.  I pulled out a section of pipe which, thank the Magic, was standardized.  I went back to Ren who had pulled out the clay pieces, then fitted the pipe in between the other sections.  It clicked into place and I appreciated the factory which had built such precision into their product.
Ren and I filled in the hole, then turned the water back on at the tank.  I suggested we follow the line back to the hotel to make sure there weren’t any other breaks.  Ren nodded and I realized what a pleasant companion she made, talking little but always knowing just what to do to help.  We set out, our horns glowing.  We were concentrating on the water line and didn’t notice we had company.
I stopped when I saw blue hooves in front of me, and then backed up quickly.  There in a semicircle were four blue pegasi stallions, all the same color or so close it didn’t make much difference.  If they flew right over your head on a clear day, you wouldn’t even see them since they’d blend with the sky.
Ren backed up as well, and then pulled out a dirk I didn’t know she was carrying.  She merged her magic field with mine, a wise precaution since joined unicorns were extremely effective fighters and could sense enemies in a complete circle.  It also meant, of course, we shared a good deal more than that.  I could feel Ren’s desire for me, a general sadness and an old guilt buried deep in her mind.  She could sense my desire for her as well.
I’ll deal with that if we survive, I thought, and readied myself.
The center pegasus stallion stepped forward.  “We mean thee no harm.  Art thou the healer?”
Ancient Equestrian!  They were speaking Ancient Equestrian!  I’d only read the language but never heard it spoken before.  That’s what it was though, I was certain.  And how in the name of the Lord of Hel did he know I was a healer?
I took a breath.  “Thou sayest,” I said and hoped my accent was close.
He nodded.  “Thou must...,” he said, then stopped and corrected himself.  “Wilt thou and thy companion come with me, prithee?”
Used to giving orders, this one, I thought.  Ren thought the same through the link.
Dirk, I thought to her and she put it away somewhere.  Even slicker than Carl, I added, and she sent me amusement.
Well, nothing for it.  “Thou hast need of a healer?”
The leader just nodded.
I looked at Ren and she also nodded, slowly withdrawing her field.
“Lead on, Centurion,” I said.
The other three stallions launched themselves into the air and disappeared so quickly I wouldn’t have thought it possible without magic unless I’d just seen it.  The stoic leader (I guessed sergeant) just started walking toward the second small hill.  Ren and I followed him about half an hour until we got to a makeshift camp.  Temporary it might be but so well done unless somepony had led us there we couldn’t have spotted it from three feet away.
The leader left us and Ren and I stood for just a moment.  An old pegasus stallion leaning on a staff hobbled up to us.  Rheumatoid arthritis, I thought.  This won’t take long.
“The Elect make welcome the Guardian of the World and his Companion,” said the old stallion in accented Equestrian, smiling at us.  He called over his shoulder: “Warriors!  Stand!”
Every pegasus in the camp snapped to attention.
“Salute!”
Every right hoof pounded on the ground twice in perfect unison.  I’d seen murals in the Canterlot Museum of Ancient Equestrian armies and here was one alive again standing before me.
“Dismissed!”
The pegasi went back to whatever they were doing.  Then it registered with me what the old stallion had said.
Guardian of the World.
He knew.
Lady Magic! I called, but she wasn’t there.
“You…seem to know me well, sir,” I said, not really knowing what else to say.
The old stallion nodded.  “I am the shaman of the Elect.  I have dreamed of you and your friend since I was a foal.”
More things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in my philosophy, I thought, even here.  How about that?
I looked at Ren who was taking it all in, then back to the shaman.  “Your soldier asked for a healer, sir.  How may I assist you?”
“This way,” he said, and turned toward a low shelter a few yards away.
“The healing isn’t for you?” I asked as I followed him.
“Oh, nay, nay, nay!  My time is short and I need none of your gift, Guardian.  This is the one who needs your help.”
He lifted a flap on the shelter and there lay a pegasus filly, I guessed 16 or 17 years old, very pregnant.  She was bathed in sweat and panting.
I extended my healer sense.  Breech, I thought.  No, something else.  Breech and…twins!  Both still alive but just barely.  Pegasus mares almost never survived twins; their wombs were simply too small.  And then I Knew why Ren was here.
“Ren,” I said.  “Deep Merge, please.”  A Deep Merge was the most intimate possible magical contact between unicorns, something which unicorn parents usually shared with their children or married unicorns did on their wedding night.  The French were far more relaxed about Deep Merging than most other unicorns, though.  I also knew from earlier Ren wouldn’t mind.
Ren extended her magic field and merged it with mine as if we’d been doing it all our lives.  Her eyes widened.
“Is this what it is like to be a guérisseur?” she asked, marveling at what she sensed.
“Mmm.  What’s the filly’s name?” I asked the shaman.
“Morning Star.”
“Morning Star, go to sleep, hon,” I said and the poor filly, totally exhausted, dropped off at once.
I slowed her heart rate, and then braced myself.
“Ren, do you sense the breeched foal?”
“Yes.”
“Concentrate on her.  I’m going to teleport her out of the womb.”
“What?!?  I have only heard of that in stories!”
“It’s impossible with one mage but not with two.  I can manage it, just.  The minute the foal appears, I need you to break the caul and clear her nose so she can breathe.  The other foal should slide out normally.”  I hope.  “Ready?”
“Go.”
I did and the foal appeared at Ren’s forehooves.  I gasped for breath and fell to my knees.  That was one tough spell!  Most likely I’d have fainted if Ren hadn’t stayed merged with me.
The shaman handed Ren a cloth and she cleaned out the foal’s nose.  I drew on her strength through our joined fields and moved around to Star’s tail.  I lifted it and saw a tiny nose and hooves peeking out.  There you are, I thought gleefully, and used just a touch of magic to help the other foal into the World.
The second little filly started to wail at once, very much alive.  Ren was holding the other in her forehooves and blew very gently into her nose.  Her reward was an almost identical wail.  She grinned at me and held out the foal in triumph.
“Alive!  She is alive, Maker!”
I grinned back.  “So she is, Ren.  Let’s get them to their mother, alright?”
I picked up the other foal just as two pegasus mares appeared out of nowhere.  One took one foal and one took the other.  They had a basin ready and washed both, then set them next to Star.
“Wake up, Morning Star!  You’re a new mother,” I said.
Star blinked awake, saw the foals and wept for joy.  She was too weak to do more than cradle both foals but did look at me with gratitude.
The shaman had watched all of this without saying a word.  He gestured and we moved outside the shelter.  The mares came back with clean water and Ren and I washed off the blood and mucus from the birth.
The old shaman smiled at us, sighed and said, “Now I can die in peace. The foals will help you save the World the second time, Guardian.”
I wasn’t as tired as I expected but I really wasn’t in the mood for any more prophecy.
“Well and good, sir.  I’m glad we could be of service.”
“We the Elect thank you, Guardian and Companion.”  The old stallion bowed and every other pegasus we could see bowed with him at exactly the same time.  “Fly well!”
A dismissal if ever I heard one.  Eh, well, I wasn’t expecting a medal.
I gave a half bow, turned and started walking, Ren right next to me.  What the shaman said finally penetrated my brain and I turned back.
“Just a moment, what did you mean when you said ‘the second time’?”
There was no camp.
Mouth agape, I stepped forward and moved aside some bushes.  Nothing.  No camp, no shaman, no newborns, no Elect.  Just woods and birdsong.
I just stood and stared for a moment.
“Ren?”
“Hmm?”
“Ever feel like you’re in a mare’s tale?”
Ren rubbed under my chin with the top of her muzzle.  “At the moment, mon ami, I do, oh, I do.”
I laughed since I was still merged with her and felt her joy in saving the foals.  “Come, Companion!  I’d dearly love to spend some time in the hot springs now.”
We walked back toward the hotel in a pleasant silence, keeping the small hills on our left.  Sooner than I expected, I could see the hotel’s roof.
When we came to a clearing, we were still merged.  I gave a light tug to my magic field so I could reclaim it.  Ren released me, withdrawing into herself.  I walked around so we were face-to-face.
“Ren, do you know the Defender of the Realm?”
Her ears perked.  “Alvarez?  Of course.”
“I met him at the last Gala.  Do you know what he said when I asked him what he did during the war?”
Ren just looked curious.
“He said, ‘I was with the Iron Mare’.  Just that, nothing else.  And he said it with enormous pride.”
Ren looked away from me and two tears tracked down her muzzle.  “I sent them to die, Maker.  I did.  Nopony else.”
I put my left hoof on her right shoulder.  “Ren, you made a command decision which saved your army.  And then you led from the front and won the war.”
Still looking away, she shook her head and said, “I ordered them to their deaths.  They hate me.”
“You’re wrong, Ren.  We had several of the veterans of that battle in the Guard.  When they talk about the war, every single one says, ‘I was with the Iron Mare’.  Not ‘I was 4th Infantry’ or ‘I was 2nd Air Corp’.  No, it’s always ‘I was with the Iron Mare’.  That’s you, Ren.  If you don’t believe me, go ask them yourself.  Your guilt and self-loathing is all in your own mind.  You’ve isolated yourself all these years for no reason.”
Ren looked back at me, eyes shining.  “It is true?”
“Would I lie to my favorite Companion?”
Ren leaned forward and gave me a gentle kiss which I returned, tasting leather and charcoal which wasn’t at all unpleasant.  “Non, mon ami, you would not.  Shall we finish checking the water line?”
I’d almost forgotten about it.  We retraced our steps and found where we’d fixed the line, then started walking back to the hotel checking the pipe as we went.  I heard the hotel clock chime 11.  We bantered about our personality quirks as we walked.  I’d done the same with Shining Armor, Rarity and Lady Astrid after we’d merged for the second or third time.  It was a sort of release from the shared memories and intense emotions.
“How is it such a smart stallion is so terrible with ze money?” Ren asked as we walked along.
“It’s dull.  Why do you think I have the mares do it?  At least I’m not addicted to chocolate éclairs.”
“One a week, that is all I have, just ze one!”
“Sure, sure.  Want to play hearts later?”  That was Ren’s favorite pastime.
“Oh, yes, mon ami!  I have another couple and we were looking for a fourth.”
We walked in silence a little longer.
“This pipe won’t last another year.  The hotel will have to replace the whole line,” I said, irritated at such negligence.
“You were most kind to Fall, Maker,” said Ren, walking next to me and occasionally bumping my right shoulder.
“You can thank Mrs. Grass for that,” I said as we reached the back of the hotel.
“I want to come visit you.  I want to meet the Apples and the Brickles and Mrs. Grass.  I want to drive the steam truck and to see Fall drive her racer.  I want to preen a pegasus.  And most of all I want to spend time with you and with AJ.”
“All this we shall do, my Companion,” I said in French.  Then, switching back to Equestrian.  “I’m famished.  How about lunch and then a soak?”
“I will meet you in the dining hall at 11:30 after I take a shower,” answered Ren.
We walked back around to the front portico.  “I’ll check with Mrs. Calloway.  A mundane repair which took longer than expected, wouldn’t you say?”
Ren just laughed an open, delighted laugh.  “Yes, it did!”  Ren looked thoughtful.  “Is this what you do, Ben, fix that which is broken?”
“Usually.”
“Until 11:30 then,” said Ren and ran up the steps.  I followed more sedately and checked in with Mrs. Calloway.
I knocked on her office door and she looked up from a pile of paperwork.
“Mr. Apple!  I can’t thank you enough!  This is the best water pressure we’ve had in years.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Calloway.  You’ll need a new line soon, though, most likely later this year if you want to get through the Winter.  And some tank repair as well.”
Mrs. Calloway scribbled something on a pad, and then looked up with a smile.  “Scalp intact, I see?”
I laughed.  “A more routine repair you could not imagine, ma’am.  And now, I’ll have lunch and then take the waters.”
“Thank you again, Mr. Apple.  Please let me know if I personally can do anything for you.”
I waved a hoof, and then headed back to the room.  I saw the blue pegasus maid I’d dodged earlier come out of a room and nodded to her.  As I passed, I felt a hoof lightly touch my left shoulder.  I turned to see the maid bow with both hooves crossed over her chest.
“Thou and thy Companion hast saved our Morning Star, O Healer.  We thank thee,” she said in Ancient Equestrian.
Two other maids almost identical to the first came out of other rooms.  “We thank thee,” they echoed and bowed as well.
I wasn’t about to ask how they knew about the foals.  I nodded to all three.  “I serve with joy Morning Star and the Elect,” I said or thought I did; my syntax wasn’t the best.
They smiled, and then raced back into their respective rooms.  Magic, they were fast.  I unlocked my own room and there was the Dormientes Pulchritudinem, I thought, still thinking in Ancient Equestrian.  I tossed my pouch on the dresser, and then took a shower.  The water pressure was indeed much better.
I joined Ren in the dining room and we had a fine meal.  I secretly ordered four chocolate éclairs for dessert and when they came Ren’s eyes grew huge.  She took one in each hoof and took small, eager bites from first her left, then her right, then her left again.  I started laughing and couldn’t stop, wiping away tears.
“Stop laughing!  Eet is not funn-ee!  Stop eet!!” said Ren in between mouthfuls.  The other diners, particularly the other unicorns, caught the spirit of it and smiled along with me.  Ren of course ate all four éclairs as fast as she could.  Once she’d stopped and gave a very ladylike burp, I suggested the hot springs and a massage.
We had both, and then I went back to the room for nap.  I got up at 5, wrote a few thank-you notes, ate supper with Ren again and then joined Ren and another unicorn couple for hearts in the posh lounge.  Ren and I shot the moon once and won once more while the other couple scored three wins.  We had a very pleasant evening and topped it off with some 30-year-old Apple Brandy.  I proudly showed the other unicorns the Sweet Apple Acres label and they applauded.  Ren also regaled us with travel stories; she’d been practically everywhere with the Army.
We called it an evening at 9 since Ren had to head back tomorrow morning.  I walked back to the room, yawning and thinking on the day, then laughed to myself while I brushed my teeth as I thought of Ren eating those éclairs.  What a marvelous World we live in was my final thought as I fell asleep next to my new bride.
> I Become A Farmer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I Become a Farmer

You may write about your daisies,
Your violets, and roses;
You may write of buttercups,
Daffodils and other posies;
You may sing of larks and robins,
Nightingales, with all your power;
But there’s nothing that can touch my heart,
Like a fine, large cauliflower.

“Poems for Farmers”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I woke with the Sun, well rested and ready for the day.  AJ still hadn’t moved, so I went through my morning ablutions and then went into the lounge.  I had some strong black tea and read the paper which was a local out of Appleloosa.  Soon other guests appeared including the unicorn couple.  I greeted them, then was very pleased to see Ren.  She looked as if she was loving life.  Eyes flashing and tail swishing, she greeted me with a very sincere French double kiss.  And nopony can swish their tails like French mares, I tell you what.
We ate breakfast, Ren, the unicorn couple and I, then Ren went to get her saddlebags.  She checked out and I trotted with her to the station so she could catch the 7:30.  On the platform, we looked at one another and Knew we’d stay close the rest of our lives.  Non-unicorns make much of the glowing horns, intimacy and so on, but the real purpose of it all is to know you’re no longer alone in the World.
“Je t'aime, mon ami,” Ren said, giving me that gentle kiss again as her train pulled into the station.
“Je t'aime, ma chérie,” I said, returning the kiss.
“I will see you and AJ after Midsummer, no?” she asked, staying with French.
“We will look forward to it.  Where do you go now?”
“To see some old soldiers,” she said, looking enthusiastic.  “I have stayed away from them for far too long.”
“Best to you, my dearest,” I said, grinning.
“My thanks to you, Maker.”  She turned to go.  “Oh, and Maker…?” she said, looking back over her shoulder.
“My dear?”
“Call me Companion when it is just us.”
“You honor me with your request, my good friend,” I said, bowing.
Ren blew me a kiss, and then trotted onto the first class car.  I waved as the train pulled out, then thanked the Magic such unicorns existed in my life.  The station clock showed 7:36 as I headed back to the hotel.  Enough of this soft living, I thought, and broke into a gallop.  I kept it up all the way back, racing up the portico steps just as the clock struck 8.  I went into the hot springs, showered, had another soak, showered again and then went back to the room.
I’d just finished thank-you note number 31 and was trying to figure out how to thank Lady Silver for the ugliest soup tureen in all of Equestria when I heard AJ stir.  I turned just in time to see her stretch, give a huge yawn and then notice her silver horseshoe.  Her expression changed to one of joy, then of smug satisfaction.
“’Morning, Sleeping Beauty,” I said, enjoying watching her wake up.
“Partner!  What day is it?  Where are we?”
“It is the Year of Celestia 1,102, the 12th of Third at 10:31 in the morning and you, Mrs. Apple, are on your honeymoon at Hot Springs.”
“Oh, law, I slept through our wedding night, didn’t I?” said AJ, making a face hoof.
I laughed at her.  “That you did, Mrs. Apple, that you did.  Shining Armor owes me 5 bits.”
“What’ve you been a’doin’?”
“Oh, taking the waters, reading the paper, writing thank-you notes.  This one is for Lady Silver,” I said, holding up the half-written note.
AJ’s expression changed again.  “Bathroom!” she said and looked around frantically.
“To your right, my lovely,” I said, gesturing with my pen and laughing even more.
AJ raced to the bathroom and I half-listened to her while I wrote.  I heard her come back in the room and said, “AJ, which do you like better: ‘We only plan to bring out your marvelous tureen on the most special of special occasions’ or ‘No doubt we’ll use your marvelous tureen at least once a week’?”
I felt two strong Earth pony hooves wrap themselves around my chest from behind.  AJ leaned forward and licked the base of my horn, the most intimate physical contact anypony could have with a unicorn.  “I’m awake now and th’ bed’s empty,” she said into my right ear.
It wasn’t empty for long.

We showered together, then dried off.  I brushed out AJ’s mane and tail, then put on her ribbons and hat.  As we left the room, I spotted one of the little blue maids.  I handed her a 5 bit coin.
“Sorry about the mess,” I said, pointing to the room.
The little filly actually giggled; I didn’t think the humorless and stodgy Elect had it in them.  She tried to hand back the coin and I waved it off.
“We will clean your room at once, sirrah,” she said, grinning as the other two maids appeared, both grinning as well.
“My thanks to the Elect,” I answered, returning the grins.  AJ and I headed on to the lobby.
“Made some friends, did ya?” said AJ, looking back as the maids raced into our room.
“The staff here is very professional and efficient, I’m glad to say,” I told AJ as I gave her my best courtier smile.
The same clerk who checked us in was working the desk.
“Look who’s up,” I said, pointing to AJ.
“Oh, welcome, Mrs. Apple!” said the clerk.  “We’re so glad you’re spending your honeymoon with us!”	
Mrs. Calloway overheard and came out of her office.  “Mrs. Apple!  A pleasure to meet you, ma’am!  Your new husband has been so helpful to us.”
AJ looked at me curiously as I waved off Mrs. Calloway.  “Not at all, Mrs. Calloway.  By the way, I read in the hotel’s flyer you have something called “The Earth Pony Wake-Up Special”.  Do you think that’s appropriate here?”
Mrs. Calloway gave that pleasant smile of hers.  “Indeed I do, Mr. Apple.  There’s a small private dining room on the right.  Would you and Mrs. Apple please wait there?”
I nodded and steered AJ to the dining room.  As we walked in, several of the staff appeared and set up a single long table, put down a table cloth, then brought in a candelabra and silverware.  One of the waiters pulled out a chair for a puzzled AJ.  They brought one for me, too, and set it up next to hers.  Another waitress brought AJ a carafe of bubbling spring water and poured her a glass.  She drank it and five more while I had a cup of black tea.
Soon Mrs. Calloway came through the “Out” kitchen door and stood to one side.  She set off a trumpet fanfare, then waiters bearing trays of fresh scrubbed vegetables came marching out of the kitchen.  Beets, cabbage, turnips, onions, squash (seasoned with a touch of garlic), celery, leeks, brussels sprouts, peppers, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and green tomatoes appeared one after the other.  The hotel had an extensive cold cellar not to mention suppliers from all over Equestria so ponies who stayed there ate very well indeed, even through the Winter.
AJ’s eyes grew large and she started to eat.  When she’d finish a platter, I’d set it aside and she’d start on another.  I had an occasional turnip, mushroom (grown onsite) or shriveled apple.  They weren’t from our orchard but most likely from Braeburn’s which wasn’t all that far from the hotel.
The stack of platters grew and the wait staff took them away and brought more food.  Soon one of the chefs peered out the kitchen door, and then just came into the dining room and stood.  Several of the staff wandered in and before long, most of the hotel staff had come to watch, wide-eyed and silent.  I just sat back, crossed my legs and enjoyed my tea.
AJ started to slow down after her 13th platter.  I rose and said, “Members of the hotel staff.  As you can see, my new bride thoroughly enjoyed your cuisine.  She also doesn’t like to eat alone.  Please, join us!”
I didn’t have to ask twice.  Before I knew it, there were two dozen chairs along the table full of staff from Mrs. Calloway right down to the three blue pegasi maids.  More food, more sparkling water and even a little brandy.  The waiters and waitresses traded places with some of the other staff and some rotated out so as not to neglect the other guests, but everypony had a wonderful time.  I’d have to add yet another thank-you note, I thought: “Tia/hotel wedding feast”.
At 12:00 Mrs. Calloway came back in and clapped her hooves.  “All right, my little ponies, back to work if you please.”  The remaining staff got up and soon dispersed.  The wait staff collected the platters and started to clean up.  I left 20 bits for a tip and escorted AJ out of the private dining room.  She thanked the staff, too, and they looked with satisfaction at her bulging stomach.
We walked out through the lobby and into the bright, Spring day.  I led AJ down the path which circled the extensive grounds.
“My, that was fine,” AJ said, burping a little.  She leaned over and nibbled on my neck in the pocket where the neck met the jawline, her favorite spot since that day we’d played on the road.  “Wanna go back to the room?” she asked.
“Not just yet, Miss Pig.  Let’s walk off some of the meal first, and then take the waters.”
“Sure,” said the amenable Applejack.  I was pleased all over again at my excellent choice of a wife.
We ran into a few other couples, exchanged pleasantries and enjoyed the native plant life.  We came across some plants just ready to bloom.
“Flax,” said AJ, stopping to hold a bud.
“Linum lewisii, common names Wild Blue Flax, Lewis Flax or Prairie Flax.  A perennial plant in the family Linaceae, native to western Equestria with an extensive range.  It grows on ridges and dry slopes, from sea level up to 6,000 feet.”  I spoke without even thinking about it.
AJ started at me with wide eyes, the laughed.  “Ya sure know your flax, Partner,” she said, still laughing.
“So it would seem,” I said with a strained smile.  How did I know that?
“What’s that one,” said AJ, pointing a hoof to a red flower with yellow tips.
“Gaillardia aristata, the Common Blanketflower, part of the sunflower family.  You can use it to treat wounds and settle fevers.”
“And that?”
“Dianthus barbatus or Sweet William, a species of Dianthus.  The flowers are quite good and may have medicinal properties.”  How in the name of Equestria did I know all of this?
“Well, Partner, I’m impressed.  Not many who aren’t Earth ponies know their flowers that well.”  AJ smiled at me and I smiled back, but my mind was in turmoil.  What was happening?
AJ didn’t seem to notice anything amiss, so we just kept walking.  She asked me about a few more plants and I knew them just as well as the others.  Time to change the subject, I thought.
“I wonder what Fall is doing?” I asked as AJ smelled some wild roses.
“Probably tryin’ to fit a condenser to the racer so she could drive it longer,” said AJ, casually.
“Yes, we talked about that,” I answered without thinking.  “We really weren’t sure where we could put the condenser unless…”  Then I realized what AJ had said.
“AJ?”
“Yeah, Hon?” she said, watching a salamander scamper away.
“How does a condenser work?”
“Well, a tubing system takes the exhaust steam and routes it through a heat exchanger, then back to the water tank.”
“And how would you build a heat exchanger?”
“Depends on the type, o' course.  A shell and tube heat exchanger is just a series of tubes. One set o' tubes contains the fluid to cool, the other the fluid which absorbs the heat.  On th' other hand, an adiabatic wheel heat exchanger uses an intermediate fluid or solid to hold heat and moves the heat to the other side of the exchanger..."
“AJ?” I interrupted.
“Partner?”
“How do you know that?”
“Oh, everypony knows that, Ben.”
“Do they now?”
AJ looked puzzled for a moment, then a hoof shot to her mouth.  “What’s goin’ on?” she said, suddenly nervous.
“C’mon,” I said.  I grabbed her hoof and we raced along until we came to a pleasant rose garden with a bench.  I sat down with her, still holding her hoof.
“AJ, ask me a farm question.”
“Uh…what’ll we plant this Spring...in alphabetical order?”
“Beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, green beans, kale, lettuce, peas, peppers, spinach and tomato.”
“Name three types of tomato,” said AJ, warming to her subject.
“Azorean Red, Sun Gold and Yellow Tasteful.”
“What pests eat cauliflower?”
“Cabbage loopers, cabbageworms, cabbage root maggots, aphids, and flea beetles.”
We just stared at each other.
“First law of thermodynamics?” I asked AJ.
“Heat is a form of energy, and thermodynamic processes must obey the principle o’ conservation of energy. You can neither create nor destroy heat energy.  You can, however, transfer it from one location t’ another and convert it to and from other forms o’ energy.”
I leaned my head back and laughed and laughed.  “I don’t believe it!  I’m a farmer.  And you’re a mechanical engineer!”  I laughed some more.
“Partner, what’s happened to us?  Tell me!”
I sat up again and took both of AJ’s hooves in mine.  “Don’t you get it?  We followed the Old Ways!  The Courtship, the vows, the token…and we stayed apart until after we were married.  Granny guessed this would happen: ‘magic A is magic A’ is the way she put it.”
I sat back on the bench, releasing AJ’s hooves.  “I suppose the original Old Ways were for Earth ponies only.  Add a unicorn to the mix, and, well…you see what happens.”
“We’re a team!” said AJ excitedly.
“A perfect team,” I agreed.
We kissed and rubbed noses.  An old unicorn couple walking by noticed us and I heard the mare say, “Good to see young couples in love, isn’t it, Harold?”
Yes, it is, I thought.

We walked back to the hotel, asking one another the hardest questions we could think up.  We went to the hot springs and the cold pool for a soak and when we got out, we found two mares from the spa waiting for Applejack.
“Mrs. Apple?  One of our guests has given you the Full Spa Package as a wedding gift.”
“Guest?  Which guest?” asked AJ.
“She wishes to tell you herself later.”
“Go on, AJ, enjoy yourself.  I’ll go finish the thank-you notes,” I said.
AJ waved good-bye to me and went off with the mares.  I went back to the room and finished the thank-you notes, then wrote Ren and Juliette about the Old Ways, wrote out a quick note to Storm Spotter about training at least one, preferably two, pegasi in emergency first aid and wrote Carl about martial art instructors.  I posted those and the thank-you notes using my Protector of the Crown seal for postage, one of my favorite perks.
I went to the lounge, read the paper and had a brandy.  A little after 6:30 the two spa mares showed up with a blanket spread between them.  They dropped it and there stood an absolutely lovely Applejack.  She’d had a hooficure, mane styling, tail styling, hide brush and even an ear cleaning, a rare treat.  I rose, gave a full bow and quoted from the Encyclopedia:

The Nymph that undoes me, is fair and unkind;
No less than a wonder by Nature designed.

“Aw, shucks,” said AJ as she looked down, turned a very fetching red and scraped her right hoof on the floor.  The spa ponies laughed and applauded.
“We go to dine, Fairest of Them All,” I said, offering AJ my left foreleg.  I tossed the spa ponies 10 bits each and both curtsied as AJ took my foreleg.
As we walked into the dining room, all heads turned.
“Look, it’s the Sleeping Pony!”  “She’s awake!”  “She’s beautiful!” I heard.  We got a round of applause as I led AJ to a table and pulled out the chair for her.  She was still blushing but was smiling and enjoying herself enormously.
We also each got a waiter which was more special treatment.  We had an excellent meal, AJ unabashed at eating another six platters in spite of what she had for lunch.  Several of the other diners including the unicorn couple came over and spoke to us.  It was a wonderful way to end a honeymoon.
“Compliments of the management, sir,” said my waiter when he served us champagne for dessert.
“And my thanks to the same, young stallion,” I said.  I held up my glass to AJ and quoted:

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meets in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

We clinked glasses and I saw two mares and one stallion use their napkins to wipe their eyes.  Nothing too good for my best filly, I tell you what.
We passed on the lounge and went straight back to the room.  AJ brushed her teeth, then kissed me after I’d brushed mine.
“I love you, Maker,” she said.
“I love you, Heather,” I answered.  “And I hope you’ve enjoyed your honeymoon.”
“It’s been a revelation, that’s for sure,” said AJ, getting into bed as I finished in the bathroom.
“That it has,” I said, as I joined her in bed.  “Now, then, Mrs. Apple, who wants to have a canoodle?”
My answer was a snore.  Hah, typical!  I smiled to myself, lay on my back and fell asleep.

The Rebuild

With wonderful deathless ditties
We build up the world’s great cities.
And out of a fabulous story
We fashion an empire’s glory:
One stallion with a dream, at pleasure,
Shall go forth and conquer a crown;
And three with a new song’s measure
Can trample an empire down.

“Poems for Mages and Mechanics”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

AJ and I woke up with the Sunrise at almost the same time.  My teasing her about falling asleep led to some extremely vigorous together time which left us both laughing and bathed in sweat.  While she was in the bathroom, I cleaned the room, swooshing dust and dirt out the window, polishing the furniture and so on.  We swapped places and after I finished in the bathroom, I cleaned that as well.  AJ just looked amused when I finished.
I tossed three 10-bit coins onto the bedside table and packed our saddlebags.  We had more than enough time to catch the 7 o’clock freight, so we ate a good breakfast.  We checked out and on our way to the front door most of the hotel staff lined up to send us on our way.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Apple,” said Mrs. Calloway, shaking my hoof.  “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed having you here.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.  If I or any other agent of the Crown can be of service to you again, please let me know.”
The three blue pegasi were waiting next to the door.  Two of them pushed one to the front and she kissed me on either side of my muzzle, and then touched my nose to hers.  She blushed a light purple, then stepped back and said, “We are honored to have met you, O Healer.”  The others smiled and nodded.
“Fly well, my Beauteous Pegasi Elect,” I said to all three in Ancient Equestrian.
They crossed their hooves over the chests and bowed as AJ and I walked out the door and down the steps.
“What do you get up to when I’m not around?” asked AJ, looking at me askance as we trotted to the station.
“Just some language practice, my dear,” I said innocuously.  I could tell AJ didn’t buy it but as usual she didn’t quiz.
We got to the depot at 6:45 and found the freight on the siding with Lady Astrid’s private car already hooked up in front of the caboose.  We trotted up to the engine.  It was one of those Fillydelphia 4-4-0s and almost ready for the scrap yard.  AJ had one look and shook her head.
“Cylinders are plum wore out, piston rod is about t’ go,” she said, peering at the piston rod.  “She leaks like a sieve.”
“Fire tubes need replacing,” I said, nodding.
“Crown sheets and regulator valve aren’t the best, either,” said AJ, peering at the top of the boiler.
“Eh, she should be enough to get us to Ponyville,” I said and looked around for the engineer.
A very young Earth pony wearing the traditional striped hat came out of the station, saw us and walked briskly over.
“Mr. and Mrs. Apple?”
“The same.  Are you the engineer?”
“I am, sir.  Coleman McGuiness, but everypony calls me ‘Coal’” he said, shaking my and AJ’s hooves.
“A pleasure, sir,” I said.  “Who’s the firepony for this run?”
“I believe you know Timothy, Mr. Apple,” said Coal.  Hearing his name, Timothy popped up from the other side of the hog and waved.
“Ho, Mr. Wizard!”
“Timothy Martin, my good stallion, delighted to see you again,” I said, waving back.  “I don’t believe you’ve met Mrs. Apple?”
“Ma’am!”
“Howdy, Timothy!  Ben’s done told me all about you.”
“Mr. Apple, Mrs. Apple, we leave in five,” said the young engineer looking at a beautiful Smithson and Sons watch.
“Very good, Engineer.  My dear?” I said, gesturing to the private car.
“Thank you, good sir,” answered AJ and hopped aboard.
The car was stuffy from sitting for a few days, so I opened the skylight.  Nothing collected dust and mites like velvet, so I cleaned the furniture and the drapes, then polished all the wood including the floor and ceiling.  I fixed a couple of warped window frames, cleaned the glass, and then cleaned the plates we’d left in the sink from before.  I checked the icebox and found a little mold, so I cleaned it inside and out.  Kitchen, bathroom and sleeping alcove (move velvet) were last, and then I blew fresh air through the car and opened the front louvers.  I finished just as I heard the double whistle and we started to move.
AJ had watched with pleasure.  “Need a housekeeper, do ya?” she asked.
“I know it’s impressive, AJ, but the cost in magic really isn’t worth the results.  It never is if you can do it by hoof.”
“Fun to watch, though.”
I gave a half bow and said in a simpering voice as I twisted my front hooves, “This ‘umble mage is most pleased to amuse his best filly, most pleased.”
AJ smacked me on the head, and then pulled some paper from her pouch.  “I’m going to start organizing the Planting.”
“Reading for me,” I said as I held up the copy of the Ponysutra Carl and Cadence had left for us.
“Don’t sprain anything,” said AJ, laughing.
We settled in and were both soon engrossed.  Another thing I liked about AJ, I thought, watching her write out list after list; no need to entertain her at all.
After about half an hour I was wondering if AJ wanted to join the On The Rails Club when we both perked our ears at the same time.  Something was off somewhere, sure enough.  A few seconds later we had a CLANG and the train lurched, then shuddered to a stop.
AJ and I looked at one another.  “Connecting rod,” we said at the same time and both leapt for the door.  We raced to the front of the train to find a very irritated engineer and firepony staring at a broken connecting rod on the left front wheel.
“I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Apple, I truly am,” said Coal.  “I thought she’d get us to Appleloosa.  Tim and I will hoof it to get help.”
I was, to say the least, annoyed.  Really annoyed; by the Lord of Hel’s black and hairy tail, I’d had just about enough of these shoddy Fillydelphia locomotives.  I could feel my magic respond and my mane start to crackle.
“Oh, boy,” said AJ, “this is gonna be a good’un.”  Timothy just grinned in anticipation.
“Mr. Coleman,” I said, and I could hear my voice reverberate slightly.  “Do you have any scrap metal on board?”
The engineer looked startled at first, and then grinned right along with Timothy.  “Yes, sir, that we do.  Fourth car is scrap metal for Baltimare.”
I nodded and said, “All stand about 30 feet away, please.”
The Earth ponies backed up.  I snuffed the fire in the firebox, then vented the steam and dumped the water.  I lifted that locomotive right off of the track and took it apart down the frame: 2,345 parts including the rivets and the fire tubes.  I pulled out the scrap metal, sorted through it and chose the best iron, copper and brass there.  I used blasts of magic to create some pretty good quality steel, and then replaced all the connecting rods and crank pins.  I made new cylinders lined with brass, new pistons encircled with a brass ring, cleaned the chimney, replaced the fire tubes and riveted the boiler back together after blasting away the rust.  Wheels were pretty good, so I left those alone.
I replaced the safety valve with a new one, replaced the crown sheet and the firebox stays and then cleaned all the controls.  The steam dome wasn’t too bad, so I just polished that and removed some verdigris from the inside.  The whistle was a Smithson and Sons and was the best thing about the entire locomotive.  I found some old paint in a shed next to the track, so while I had the boiler off I powder coated the boiler green and then put AJ’s red cutie mark on the cab’s side with “Applejack” in cursive beneath it.  I heard her gasp with pleasure and the admiring hoots and whistles of Coal and Timothy.  I dumped the old locomotive parts in with the scrap which was where they belonged, and then oiled the moving parts.
There was a good bit of water left in the tender although we’d have to stop in Appleloosa to fill up.  I filled the boiler, heated the water to boiling and then restarted the fire.  I was very tempted to use a magic fire only but I was wearing down fast and thought it time to stop.  Teach me to show off for my best filly, I thought, as sweat dripped off my nose and stomach.
When I finished, there sat a brand new locomotive up to the Smithson and Sons standard and perhaps a little better.  The Earth ponies went wild, both stallions pounding me on the back and AJ throwing her front hooves around my neck and kissing my muzzle over and over again.
I grinned along with everypony, then asked, “What was she taking before, Coal?”
“Maybe 110 psi, Mr. Apple, although that was pushing it.”
“She’ll do 200 now, 250 in an emergency.”
“Outstanding, sir, just outstanding,” said Coal as he admired his new engine.  “40 mph, do you think?”
“Absolutely,” I said.  “Even with this load, try 200 psi and take her up to 50 mph for a few miles as a shakedown, then drop back to 150 psi.  She’ll run at 40 mph on that.”
“Yes, sir!!  Timothy?”
AJ and I went back to the car and after a few minutes heard the double toot.  The train started up again and both of us stood with ears perked as we listened for any problem with the hog.
“Smooth as silk,” I said, satisfied.
AJ gave me a very saucy look, and then pounced.  It turned out she did want to join the On The Rails Club after all.

I fell asleep and slept until we topped off in Appleloosa.  AJ and I had a huge early lunch at the station, me keeping up with AJ for once.  We left Appleloosa at 10:30 and made good time to Ponyville, getting there at 2:30, 10 minutes ahead of schedule.  Not bad at all.
Coal, excited about his new engine, shook our hooves as we got off of the car.
“Mr. Apple, I can’t thank you enough,” he said with a grin.  “Wait’ll I show this engine to Head Office!”
“Glad to have been of service, Mr. Coleman,” I said.  AJ nodded and smiled as well.
“We’ll drop off the private car at Canterlot, then it’s on to Baltimare for us, sir.  Thank you once again.”
AJ and I waved as he got back into the cab, and then turned for home.  We walked in a companionable silence until I took the road to the workshop.
“Where ya goin’, Hon?” said AJ, stopping in the road.
“Why, home, AJ.  Come on, I want to see what Fall’s been doing.”
“We’re not livin’ at the workshop, Partner.  We’re livin’ at the farm.”
“What?  Don’t be ridiculous, AJ.  We’re moving into the workshop,” I said, surprised.
“Weellll…I thought we’d live at the farm, particularly with Spring Plantin’ coming up and all.”
I realized right away this was going to be one of those “discussions” married couples had.  I really didn’t want to move into the farmhouse with the other Apples, though.
“AJ, we can’t live with the family.  We need our own place.”
AJ walked up to me and put her right hoof on my chest.  “Sure, Partner, and we’ll have one.  We’ll stay in the cabin for now, then build a house after we finish th’ Plantin’.  After all,” AJ added, looking up at me with those ravishing green eyes, “we’ve got to make room for the young’uns.”
Cabin?  Wait, young’uns?!  Best give in on this one for the moment if AJ had thought that far ahead.
“I can deny you nothing, O Mare Who Walks in Beauty.  Clearly, I’m but a slave to your whims,” I said, crossing both hooves over my chest.
“Thanks, Partner,” she said, smiling and giving me a light kiss.  “I’ll make it up to you later.”
“So you shall,” I said, giving what I hoped was an impish look.  “Go ahead, then.  I’ll check in with Fall and Mrs. Grass, and then trot over later this afternoon.”
AJ blew me kiss as she trotted off and I headed for the workshop.  I passed the badger den but no activity there.  I made it to the front door, walked in and called out, “Behold, my lovely mares, the groom has returned!  Make me welcome!”
Nopony was there.  Blast, another entrance ruined.
“Mrs. Grass?  Fall?  Where is everypony?”
I heard thundering hooves and Fall came flying in from the workshop and slammed into me.
“Boss!  Boss!  Boss!  You’re back!  Oh, I missed you!” she yelled, head buried in my chest.
“Greetings, Apprentice!  Yes, I’m back.  Where’s Mrs. Grass?”
“She went to do the weekly shopping.  She’ll be back around 4.”
“So, Apprentice, what did I miss?” I said as I tossed my pouch and saddlebags by the door.
“Uh…Boss?” said Fall, looking down and with ears drooping.  “I…uh…I broke the racer.”
“You tried to add a condenser, didn’t you, Fall?” I asked.
Fall’s head and ears snapped up.  “How’d you know, Boss?”
“Just a guess.  Anything else?”
“Actually, there is,” said Fall and, taking my left forehoof, pulled me to the workshop office.  Neatly arranged on the desk were three order forms.
“Does the railroad want more spikes?” I asked, picking them up.
“No, sir, not exactly,” said Fall, looking very smug.
“Let’s see, Canterlot wants...two steam trucks?” I said, looking up in astonishment.  I flipped to the next order.  “And Hoofington wants three?”  I looked at Fall.  “What price did you ask?”
“20,000 bits each.”
“Whaaattt?!!  Surely they didn’t agree?”  100,000 bits!
Fall just nodded and smiled while she hugged my left foreleg.  “They did, they did!  The Park and Rec department in Canterlot heard about our excellent quality and guaranteed, patented no-wood boilers.  And the City of Hoofington representative said something about you having admirers at Smithson and Sons.”
Me?  My favorite machine shop in all Equestria admired me?  Well, now, wasn’t that gratifying!
“Uh, did you give a delivery date?” I asked, rather weakly.
“I told them each a year although I guessed we’d have the trucks finished by Year’s End.”
“Mmm, yes.  And somepony gets a 10% sales bonus.  You’re going to be one wealthy young mare, Fall.”
Still holding my foreleg, Fall just shrugged.  “Look at the last one,” she said, gleefully.
“I’m not sure I dare,” I said, but flipped to it.
One steam racer.  For Lord Cecil Duncan Albert IV, Earl of Outer Waterford.  Fancy Pants, I thought.  Right at the top of Burke’s Peerage.
“Price?” I asked as I held my breath.
“10,000 bits,” said Fall, laughing.  “Can you believe it?  His valet said somepony who was at the wedding mentioned the racer and Lord Cecil just had to have one.  He gave me a down payment without batting an eye.”
My legs gave out and I sat down on the office floor.
“Fall.  Fall!!  Fall, you marvelous, brilliant, most excellent Apprentice!  You’ve made us wealthy!  I’m so proud of you!”  I leapt up, grabbed Fall around the waist and twirled her around the office.  Fall laughed and laughed, her head thrown back and both front hooves on my shoulders.
I put her down and kissed her nose.  She looked sad for just a moment and she put her right front hoof against my chest.  Then the sadness disappeared and she was usual cheerful, manic self again.
“I know, Mr. Apple, I know!  Say, do you think we could add condensers to the steam trucks?”
“Hmmm, yes, indeed, Fall.  And a brass ring around the pistons and brass sleeves inside the cylinder shafts.  Now, then, let’s have a look at that racer.  And tomorrow go ahead and order the materials we’ll need.”  I looked at her with a raised eyebrow.  “I assume you’ve already worked out the specs?”
Fall reached into the desk’s top drawer and pulled out a list.  “Yes, sir!”
“Well done!  Now,” I said as we headed for the workshop, “just what were you trying to do?  Make an adiabatic wheel heat exchanger?”
We ended up installing a straight tube heat exchanger which was light enough not to slow down the car but effective enough to save around 40% of the water.  I became so engrossed I lost track of time and only realized it was 4:15 because Mrs. Grass came into the workshop to welcome me back.
“Mr. Apple!  Welcome back, sir,” she said, kissing me on the muzzle.
“Mrs. Grass, Paragon of Mares, I thank you!  You are well?” I said, returning the kiss.
“Yes, sir, that I am.  Did Fall show you the sales she made for the workshop?”
“Oh, yes, and I couldn’t be more proud of my intelligent and business-savvy apprentice.”  Fall beamed with the compliments.
“Where is Mrs. Apple?” asked Mrs. Grass.
“Well, about that…Mrs. Apple decided we’d live at the farm for now.  However, after Spring Planting I’ll come here most days to work.  And I’d appreciate it if you and Fall would stay here, too.”
“Thank you, Mr. Apple,” said Mrs. Grass and I thought she looked relieved.  Fall just nodded and I got the impression she wasn’t unhappy at all with AJ not moving in.  Mares.
“Where are each of you for the next couple of weeks?” I asked.
“I’ll be at the farm helping Ma and my sisters,” said Fall.  “Ma thought it best I…come home for Spring Planting,” said Fall, coloring slightly.
“Wise.  Mrs. Grass?”
“I’ll go to my sister’s farm outside of Hoofington, Mr. Apple.”
“Mrs. Grass, does your sister have a family?”
“Yes, sir, two grown stallions, both moved away now.  She’s a widow and lives alone.  Her husband died in the War just like mine.”
“Well, if she ever decides to retire, why don’t you invite her to live here with you?  That way you wouldn’t have to make so many visits.”
Mrs. Grass looked taken aback, then thoughtful.  “Why, that’s a fine idea, Mr. Apple.  I’ll ask her while I’m there.  Thank you so much for suggesting it.”
“If she’s half the mare you are, Mrs. Grass, then it is I who would benefit,” I said, waving a hoof.
Mrs. Grass blushed slightly and nodded.
“Good, that’s settled, then.  I’m off to Sweet Apple Acres.  Close up on the 15th and I’ll see everyone on the 1st of Fourth.”
I kissed both mares again, dumped my laundry, repacked my saddlebags, and then trotted to the farm.  I walked in and right away found myself in a pony pile of my new family who were all talking at once about the honeymoon.  AJ had told them about the locomotive, too, which impressed Big Mac more than anything else.
After the greetings, we had a family meeting in the parlor about Spring Planting.  AJ would use LuluBelle to plow and disk the back 40 for corn while Apple Bloom and I would use the manual plows and cultivators to prep the smaller planting beds for the cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, peas and green beans.  Planting and staking those with Apple Bloom’s help was my primary job with secondary work helping AJ plant the corn.  Big Mac got the rest of the plowing and cultivating which was less this year than last since some land would lie fallow.  The last week we’d all work on planting the rest of the crops.
That settled, we had a fine supper, then all took a ceremonial walk to the cabin AJ mentioned.  It was the original homestead from when the first Apples had arrived and it was a pleasant enough place with two rooms, a kitchen and a loft.  I had just enough magic left to scour the interior.  As the dust and dirt flew out the front door, my new family cheered.
“We’ll leave you, now,” said Granny, patting my muzzle.  “Welcome t’ the family, Maker!”
I grabbed her in my front hooves and kissed her soundly on both sides of her muzzle.  “You were right about waiting, Granny,” I said so only she could hear and she grinned.
AJ and I settled in and I checked the outhouse.  Serviceable, I thought.  No running water but there was a pump at the sink, so I made sure that was primed and that the sink drained.  The bed was straw ticking and Granny had replaced it last harvest, so it was fresh enough.  I asked AJ about lighting a fire but she said it was warm enough without it.  I did start one in the wood stove so we could have some hot water for washing.
I lit the single oil lantern and set it on a table, then took one of the chairs.  AJ kept pacing back and forth, planning our new house.
“…like to build not too far from here.  I’m not sure yet what design I’d like, but maybe that new architect in town could help me choose.  We’ll need at least five bedrooms and a biiiig kitchen….”
“AJ?” I asked.
“….and wire it for electricity, too, since I want one of those new-fangled waffle irons you can plug inta the wall…”
“AJ? I asked again.
“…you can have a study, I guess, although I don’t want bachelor quarters like at th’ workshop…”
“Heather!”
AJ stopped pacing with one hoof raised.  “What is it, Hon?”
“You have our lives well-planned, I see.  Did you ever intend asking me what I thought of all of this?”  I asked as lightly as possible.
Applejack looked stunned, then drooped all over; ears, mane, tail and even her hat drooped.  Tears started leaking down her muzzle.
“I done it again, didn’t I?  Granny warned me about bein’ bossy after we was married.  Even my friends have told me I’m too bossy.  I’m a terrible wife, aren’t I?”
I got out of my chair, took AJ’s muzzle in both hooves and raised it to look at me.  “Honestly, AJ, you take criticism so personally!  Of course you’re not a terrible wife.  You’re used to working alone, though, and have a, shall we say, well-defined personality.  I know you only want what’s best for us but I’d appreciate it if you remember you’re part of a team, now.  I’ll help you along with the occasional reminder until you get used to it.”
AJ stopped drooping and threw both hooves around my neck.  “You’re such a good husband, Ben.  What did I ever do to deserve you?” she said, her mouth next to my left ear.
I hugged her back.  “I’m the one who got the most out of this marriage, dearest.”
We kissed, then AJ went to pour some water in the wash basin and clean up.  I read in the Encyclopedia, then when AJ called, went to wash up myself.
“I’ll see you in bed, Partner,” said AJ with a wink.  “And bring that book Shining Armor gave you, would ya?”
I grinned and washed up, tossed the water and then hung my wash towel to dry on a rack in the kitchen.  I found the Ponysutra and carried it and the lamp into the small bedroom.
“Page 12 looks interesting,” I said as I flipped to it and held it up.  “What do you think?”
AJ was sound asleep already.  Unsurprised, I put the book on a dresser, blew out the lamp and went to bed myself.
> Spring Planting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spring Planting

IN the heart of a seed
Buried deep, so deep,
A dear little plant
Lay fast asleep.

"Wake!" said the sunshine
"And creep to the light,"
"Wake!" said the voice
Of the raindrops bright.

The little plant heard,
And it rose to see
What the wonderful
Outside world might be.

“Poems for Farmers”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

We woke with the Sun, had the usual Earth pony breakfast, and then split up.  Big Mac and I went to the tool barn and started sharpening tools including the plows and cultivator tines while the mares went to the greenhouse to sort out the seedlings.  My magic was at a low ebb still and would most likely take a couple of days to recover but it didn’t matter since I sharpened by hoof anyway.  Big Mac was almost as pleasant a companion as AJ and could go for some time without saying anything.  When he did talk, he wasted no words.  I did bring up the spa ponies once and he said he’d see more of them in the next few days.  I told him I bet he would and we had a good laugh.
We broke for lunch, and then went back to it.  Other ponies have no idea about the work on a farm; believe you me, there’s always something to do somewhere.  We finished sharpening mid-afternoon, repaired a leak in the hay barn and then shifted the few remaining bales of hay from the back to the front.  This year Sweet Apple Acres would bale their own hay, thank you very much, instead of buying it from the Brickles.
Baled hay stacked, Big Mac and I joined the mares for supper, and then all went to bed early.  The morning of the 15th, we gathered our tools and headed for our assignments.  Apple Bloom was 10 now and was almost as good a worker as AJ.  She and I both plowed and I could just keep up with her.  We met in the middle, exchanged a hoof bump, and then unhitched ourselves.  Granny brought us lunch and after lunch we ran the cultivators through the newly plowed soil.  I never imagined soil could feel so good beneath my hooves.
The next two days were a repeat of the first.  Apple Bloom and I agreed the tomato field could use some compost and after spreading it we cultivated the field a third time to work it in.  The compost smelled like the finest wine to me and I couldn’t imagine why I thought it reeked before.
On the 18th, Apple Bloom and I flipped a coin.  She won and picked green beans while I got tomatoes.  We split up and Granny brought the stakes and the seedling tomatoes to the composted field.  I spent the morning setting them out and was half way through by lunch.  I just made the final row as it started to get dark and looked on it with satisfaction: 1,050 plants.
“So, are you a farmer now?” I heard a pony ask.  I turned to find of all ponies Rainbow Dash.  I didn’t know her well.  AJ had told me a number of stories about their adventures but Rainbow Dash and I moved in different circles.  The other pegasi respected her but looked askance at her going off with the other Mane Six.  And unlike most pegasi, Rainbow Dash usually kept to herself.
“So it would seem, Rainbow Dash.  You’re welcome to some very fine Brandywine tomatoes in a 100 days or so,” I said, looking her over.  Rainbow Dash always looked a little ragged and I thought she could use a good preening.
“Thanks,” she said and stepped closer to look at the plants.  I’d forgotten how small she was and couldn’t help but compare her to the blue pegasi at the hotel.
“I just wanted to tell you we’re running a thunderstorm through the valley tomorrow,” said Rainbow Dash, looking up from the tomato plants.
I was puzzled since Granny already had the rain schedule the pegasi had set a couple of weeks ago.  “Yes, I know.  We certainly do appreciate all the Weather Patrol does for us.”
Rainbow Dash gave me a small smile, and then stared at the plants again.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’m very hungry after working all day.  I look forward to your rain,” I said, and turned to go.
“Ben.”
I turned back, somewhat miffed at Rainbow Dash using my familiar name without asking and also at her delaying my supper.
“Yes, Protector of the Realm?”
Rainbow Dash scuffed her right hoof in the dirt.  “That’s more of an honorary title, you know.”
I just nodded, impatient but hopefully not showing it.
Rainbow Dash looked at the tomatoes again although they were getting harder to see in the dusk.
“My Weather Flight has three pegasi in it I’d have bet would never fly again.  Storm Spotter just told me they got better but wouldn’t say anything else.  Tell me…”  Rainbow Dash stopped herself, and then took a deep breath.  “Will you please tell me what’s going on?  These are my ponies, Ben.  I’m responsible for their welfare.”
“Why come to me for this, Rainbow Dash?”
“I just happened to see Storm Spotter and Wind Rider leaving your workshop the day of the wedding.  I was there for that bird strike and tried to bandage Wind Rider’s wing.  I know what kind of damage she took.  She was never going to fly again, but…there she was.”
In answer, I stepped forward and laid a hoof on Rainbow Dash’s left shoulder.  I healed the soreness in her right wing which had bothered her for a few days, then fixed a sprained right rear leg.  I also aligned her spine.
Rainbow Dash took several quick steps back from my hoof and looked very alarmed.
“What are you?” she said.  I could tell she didn’t trust unicorns all that much.
“May we walk and talk, Element of Loyalty?  It’s getting late,” I said as I gestured to the farmhouse several fields away.
Rainbow Dash looked skeptical and I doubt she’d have walked with me I weren’t married to Applejack.
I explained as we walked.  “I’m a healer, Rainbow Dash, but I’ve kept it very quiet.  Storm Spotter did well not to tell you although I expect the other pegasi already know.  I couldn’t stand to see them getting injured so they couldn’t fly again, so I started healing the ones Storm brought to me.  Last time I told him to either bring them directly to me or to come and get me so I could go to them.”
Rainbow Dash looked angry for a moment, then sad.  “Nopony said anything to me,” she said, looking down.
“I was going to tell you myself eventually.  Now that you know, I’d also like to train at least two pegasi as triage specialists.  I wrote Storm about that while I was at Hot Springs.”
Rainbow Dash perked up a little.  “How was your honeymoon?”
“Most enjoyable.  There are three wild pegasus mares on the hotel staff, did you know?”
“You’re kiddin’!  That’s awesome!  I thought they were a myth.”
“No, ma’am, they most certainly are not.
“Did ya see any others?” asked Rainbow Dash, eagerly.
“A few.  Ah, here we are.  Would you care to join me for supper?”
Rainbow Dash tilted her head and looked at me.  “You really are as polite as Applejack says.”
I gave a half bow.  “Always, Graceful Cloud Gatherer,” I said.
“Don’t you dare make fun of me!  Not after I came all the way here to talk to you,” said a suddenly angry Rainbow Dash.
Startled, I came out of my bow quickly.  “Forgive me if I offended you, Rainbow Dash.  Such was not my intention.”
“Nah, forget it,” said Rainbow Dash, looking away from me.  “I gotta go.”  And she shot into the night sky.
Well, now, there’s a story there, I thought, as I took a quick outdoor shower and then dried off in the foyer.  I walked in to find my family in the parlor.
“Here you are,” said AJ, giving me a quick nose rub.  “Where were you?  We were done eating 20 minutes ago.”
“Rainbow Dash had to look at my Brandywine tomato plants.”
“Who?  Rainbow Dash!?  Since when does she care about anything except flyin’?” said an irate AJ.
“I’m famished.  Did you Earth ponies save me anything at all?”
AJ gave me a “we’re not finished with this conversation” look but didn’t say anything else. She and Apple Bloom kept me company while I had the last of the Fall apple crop, mushrooms, turnips, parsnips and some bread and honey.  I could tell which fruits and vegetables came from our farm and which from other farms now.
I cleaned up the kitchen, then woke up Granny and Big Mac who had both nodded off.  We wished one another good night, glad we’d have a half day tomorrow because of the thunderstorm.  Nopony understood why we needed thunderstorms instead of the usual rain but the pegasi insisted on bringing them, usually one a week until Midsummer.
We got to our cabin and I turned and looked out on the dark fields from the open door.
“I love it here, AJ, I love it.  Do you know?”
AJ came and stood next to me, leaning against my right side with her left hoof over my left shoulder.
“Yes, I do, Partner.”
And with that we went to bed.  Just as I nodded off I realized the five steam trucks would give the workshop capital to help open the new bank.  Add in Cutter and Bernie, I thought, and we’d have enough.

Storm

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout
Till you have drench’d our steeples, drown’d the cocks!
You sulphurous and thought-executing fires,
Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts,
Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder,
Smite flat the thick rotundity o’ the world!

Storm speech from “The Pegasi Tempest”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

Cease, pegasi, to mourn, to weep, to wail;
Enjoy thy shining hour of Sun;
We dance along Death's icy brink,
But is the dance less full of fun?

“Poems for Pegasi”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

We got up even earlier than usual to make the most of the day before the rain.  The pegasi were very good about starting on time and had scheduled a storm for noon.  We divided up the work and my assignment was to run one of the seed drills and help AJ finish planting the corn.  Sweet Apple Acres had two seed drills, each almost a century old.  I’d looked them over earlier and was delighted to find the Smithson (before the Sons, apparently) nameplate; no wonder they’d lasted so long.
After breakfast, AJ and I hitched ourselves to the drills and started on opposite sides of what she’d plowed and cultivated.  There’s a pleasure in using a seed drill in the quiet of the early morning.  I warned off a couple of crows who were quite rude in return.  AJ and I had to kill several last year to get the point across.  Unpleasant and of course we didn’t tell Fluttershy but the crows had left our corn alone the rest of the year.  When you’re a farmer, sometimes it’s us or them.
It wasn’t drudgery at all and once AJ and I were close enough, we sang and traded verses:

Me:
I’m dreaming now of my Halley,
Sweet Halley, sweet Halley,
I’m dreaming now of Halley,
For the thought of her is one that never dies

AJ:
She's sleeping in the valley,
The valley, the valley,
She's sleeping in the valley,
And the Mockingbird is singing where she lies

Together:
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Listen to the Mockingbird still singing oe'er her grave,
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Still singing where the weeping willows wave

Me:
How well I yet remember,
Remember, remember,
How well I yet remember,
When we gathered in the cotton side by side

AJ:
‘Twas in the mild September,
September, September,
‘Twas in the mild September,
And the Mockingbird was singing far and wide

Together:
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Listen to the Mockingbird still singing oe'er her grave,
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Still singing where the weeping willows wave

Me:
When the charms of Spring awaken,
Awaken, awaken,
When the charms of Spring awaken,
And the Mockingbird is singin’ on the bough

AJ:
I feel like one forsaken,
Forsaken, forsaken,
I feel like one forsaken,
For my Halley is no longer with me now

Together:
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Listen to the Mockingbird still singing oe'er her grave,
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Still singing where the weeping willows wave

Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Listen to the Mockingbird still singing oe'er her grave,
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Still singing where the weeping willows wave

If there’s some better way to spend time than planting corn with your best filly while trotting in time and singing in harmony on a Sunny Spring day, I don’t know what it is.
We finished up around 11.  We shared a nose rub, then walked the seed drills back to the equipment barn.  I hosed them down while AJ poured the small amount of seed corn left back into the seed bin.  I tilted my head toward the cabin and we ended up trying page 12 although we soon decided pages 15 and 22 were imaginary.
At 11:45 we walked to the farmhouse, showered off, watched the pegasi gathering clouds for a few minutes and then came inside.  Granny and Big Mac had already gone into town but Apple Bloom had stayed.  We had lunch and right at 12 heard a tremendous CRACK, BOOM as the thunderstorm started.  We left the front door open and enjoyed watching the rain for awhile, then went back into the parlor.  I helped Apple Bloom with her algebra while AJ read the paper, then snoozed on the couch.
After we finished her homework, Apple Bloom crawled up next to AJ and nodded off as well.  I watched both sleep, then listened to the rain.  I could Feel the Earth taking in the water and it was as satisfying as building a good piece of machinery.  I thanked the Magic for my life and was just wondering how to get Lady Silver and the Canterlot 1st National Bank out of Ponyville when I heard a loud knocking on the door.
I answered it as AJ and Apple Bloom sat up.  There stood Rainbow Dash and Wind Rider, soaking wet and with a limp pony between them.
Lightning flashed and I saw it was Storm Spotter.
“Kitchen,” I said, pointing the way.  The mares carried Storm Spotter into the kitchen and laid him out on the tile floor.
“Lightning strike,” said Rainbow Dash, wiping water off herself with a dishtowel.
“It’s my fault, it’s my fault, it’s my fault,” said Wind Rider over and over again, hooves at her mouth.
“Knock it off!” yelled Rainbow Dash.  Poor Wind Rider stopped talking and just whimpered every once and awhile.
Storm did look bad, I had to admit.  The lightning had hit him in the left flank next to his tail and it had tracked all the way to his left eye.  It had somehow missed his wing and just seared it, but the smell of burned feathers and hide was nauseating.  I extended my healer senses right away.
Nothing.  Storm was dead.  My friend was dead.
I sighed and started to pull back my healing sense.  “Rainbow Dash, Wind Rider, I’m sorry, but Storm is dea…”  Wait a moment, what was that?  I stopped pulling back my healing sense and went into T’ai Chi breathing.  There, just at the edge of my awareness, so faint it was almost too small to notice was…something.  I gently moved my magic toward it and touched the outside.

I was back on the grey plain.  This again, I thought.
“What is this place?” I asked out loud.  A small sign rose from the grey surface:

THE ASTRAL

“Thank you,” I said, and the sign dissolved again.
I turned around and there was Storm Spotter with all four hooves tucked under.  Next to him was a large alicorn stallion, all grey with terribly sad blue-grey eyes.  He was wearing a perfectly tailored white three-piece suit.  The Stallion in the White Suit, I thought.
Death.
I walked over and stopped a few feet away from Storm Spotter, then gave a full bow to Death.  He nodded but said nothing.
“Hey, Ben,” said Storm Spotter, looking up at me.
“Hey, Storm,” I answered as I came out of my bow.
“I’m dead, aren’t I?” asked Storm, looking back at Death.
“Well, not quite yet.  I believe that’s up to you.”
“I got hurt bad,” said Storm, looking distant for a moment.
“Yes, Wind Rider is frantic,” I said.
“Not her fault,” said Storm, shaking his head back and forth.  “Not her fault.”
I just stood and said nothing.
“Ben?”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you love me?”
“Yeah, but if anypony finds out, we’ll ignore the gossip.”
Storm laughed at that and kept on laughing.  I joined him and our laughter echoed throughout the Astral.
“You’re a sap,” said Storm, standing up when he finished laughing.
“You’re the sap.  I’m not the one who got struck by lightning.”
“Sap.”
“Sap.”
“What’s the damage?” said Storm, getting serious again.
“You’ll lose the left eye and have a scar the Lord of Hel will envy.  You’ll feel like death warmed over for a couple of d…” I stopped when I realized what I’d said.
“Apologies to you, Sir,” I said, bowing to Death again, “I meant no offense.”
Death actually gave me a small smile.  “NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO ME, GUARDIAN,” he answered.  His lips never moved and his deep baritone seemed to come from everywhere.  Magic, I wish I could do that, I thought.
“Thank you, Sir,” I said, then turned back to Storm.  “Storm, you’ll live but you won’t like it for a couple of days,” I continued.
“Can I still fly?”
“Oh, sure.  The strike missed your wing and just singed your feathers.”
“What about…being with mares?”
“You’re fine.  Why don’t you find out with Wind Rider?  She worships you.”
“Of course she does,” said Storm, rearing and spreading his wings out as far as they would go.
“Yeah, yeah, but check this out,” I said, also rearing and lighting up my horn.
That started us laughing all over again until we were wiping away tears.
“You’re a sap,” said Storm as he got control of himself.
“No, you’re the sap,” I answered.
Storm turned and bowed to Death who had listened to us with what I thought was amused tolerance.  “Not quite ready to go yet, Death,” said Storm.  I bowed as well.
Death just nodded to both of us.
“UNTIL NEXT TIME,” he said and raised a hoof.

I was back in the kitchen and no time had passed at all.  I lit my horn and touched it to Storm’s muzzle.  He gasped, and then started to cough.  He started breathing again but I put him to sleep since awake he’d feel terrible pain from the burns.  I cut out his left eye as carefully as I could, then burned it to ash with magic; can’t have pony body parts lying around, after all.  Wind Rider threw up on the kitchen floor from stress and from watching me but Rainbow Dash just tightened her jaw.  Apple Bloom cleaned up the spit-up while Applejack led Wind Rider into the parlor and gave her a brandy.
I healed the eye socket and checked the muscles behind it, then moved on to the burns.  They were third degree and made a pattern which looked like a branching tree.  I healed them and removed as much scar tissue as I could.  When I regrew the hair it came in white, so Storm now had a lightning pattern from the top of his left eye that branched out down his flank and ended at his tail.  It was quite…spectacular, really.  Leave it to Storm to almost die from a lightning strike and come out looking at least as good as before, I thought.
“That should do it,” I said to Rainbow Dash who hadn’t moved.  “He’ll need to stay here for a few days until he can fly again.”
Rainbow Dash nodded, then walked into the parlor.  “Wind Rider, stay here with Storm until he can leave, okay?”
A frazzled Wind Rider looked up and nodded.
Rainbow Dash turned to me and to AJ who had come to stand bedside me.  “Thanks, Ben,” said Rainbow Dash gruffly.
“You’re welcome, Rainbow Dash.  We’ll look after Storm until he’s better,” I said.  AJ just nodded.
Rainbow Dash opened the front door and started to fly into the rain, then turned back to us.  She kissed me on both sides of my muzzle, then quickly kissed my mouth instead of the usual nose touch.  She did the same to Applejack, then ran out the door and was gone.  AJ and I looked at one another with the same astonished expression.
“Well, now, what d’ya think about that?” said AJ.  “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen her get affectionate with anypony.”
“We are quite appealing, you know,” I answered.
AJ just smiled and bumped my shoulder with hers, then went upstairs to get the two spare bedrooms ready.  I walked back into the kitchen, dried Storm with magic, and then lifted him onto my back.  Even though he was a stallion, he was a pegasus and lighter than my Earth pony filly.
I walked into the parlor and found Apple Bloom holding Wind Rider’s right hoof.  “Apple Bloom, would you please show Wind Rider upstairs to the second guest bedroom?”  Apple Bloom nodded, and then tugged at Wind Rider’s hoof.  Wind Rider followed obediently and I followed them up the steps.  AJ had both rooms ready and I put Storm into bed in the first one, then covered him up.
Wind Rider stopped in the hall.  “Please, may I sit with him?” she said meekly while looking up at me with enormous sky blue eyes.
“Of course, Wind Rider,” I said and pulled up a chair next to Storm’s bed.  “Are you hungry or thirsty?”
Wind Rider just shook her head as she sat down.  “Well, I’ll come and get you for supper.  You mustn’t forget to eat, you know.  Bathroom is down the hall to the left.”
I shut the door behind me and AJ, Apple Bloom and I went back downstairs to the parlor.  True to form, AJ stretched out and fell asleep again and Apple Bloom joined her.  I read the paper, and then nodded off myself.  The storm ended at 5 and Granny got back at 5:30.  I woke up when she walked in and I noticed she looked very relaxed and satisfied.
“And how is Monsieur Lafitte?” I asked, hazarding a guess.
“Fine, just f…” Granny started, and then looked at me sharply.  “How did ya know, Youngster?”
“50-50 odds, Granny, since he was one of the stallions asking about you last year.  Remember?”
Granny looked at AJ and Apple Bloom snoozing on the couch, then back to me.  She looked mischievous, and then whispered, “Just between us?”
“Of course, Granny,” I said.  Then I raised both eyebrows and tilted my head so I was looking at her sideways.
Granny smacked me in the shoulder, and then chuckled.  “You were right, Maker.  I’m not dead yet.”
I grinned in answer, and then remembered Storm.  “Granny, we have two guests…”  I went on to explain what had happened.  Granny, generous as ever, said both could say as long as they liked.  She went into the kitchen to start supper.  Big Mac showed up a few minutes later and I filled him in as well.  He, accepting as usual, just nodded.
Supper was at 6, so I woke up AJ and Apple Bloom, and then went to check on Storm and Wind Rider.  Wind Rider was in bed with Storm and had dropped off to sleep holding him across the chest with her right foreleg.  I thought it best to leave both, so I shut the door and came back downstairs.  I filled in the family and we had our usual fine supper.  We called it an early night and all were in bed asleep as the Sun set.
We spent the 19th and 20th planting, and then finished up the plowing on the 21st.  We rotated checking on Storm.  He woke up late afternoon of the 19th and as I predicted was in some pain.  I treated him for it, and then left him to sleep again.  He woke up for good on the 20th and right away asked for a bathroom, some water and some food in that order.  Storm remembered nothing from just before the strike until he woke up.
Wind Rider wouldn’t leave his side; I had trouble getting her downstairs to eat anything at all and the minute she finished, she raced back upstairs.  Wind Rider and I helped Storm downstairs on the morning of the 21st and he started eating regular meals with the family.  Wind Rider and I gave him a preening that evening in the parlor while fascinated Apples watched.  Storm’s hum was very deep and AJ and Apple Bloom put their hooves on his flank so they could feel it.
The 22nd Storm was walking around outside and by the 23rd he and Wind Rider were gliding from some of the higher hills on the farm.  Rainbow Dash stopped by several times and brought along an eye patch she’d gotten somewhere.  I fitted it on Storm while Wind Rider watched.  I told him he looked like Captain Armstrong “Fightin’ Mad” McGarrick, the pegasus stallion pirate from the foal series of books.
“Arrr, I be Captain Mad,” said Storm, stomping around and giving a bad imitation.  Wind Rider and I whistled and applauded.
“How’s the depth perception?” I asked after Storm stopped.
Storm grimaced.  “Not so good,” he said.
“Mmm, it’ll take about a month for you to get used to monocular vision.  You’ll lose some peripheral vision as well.  Likely you’ll need a wing pony for awhile until you get used to turning your head to focus.”  I turned to Wind Rider.  “Do you know anypony who could help Storm, Wind Rider?”
She raised a hoof and frantically waved it back and forth, then laughed, the first relaxed laugh I’d heard from her in a good while.
I left them then to go help with the planting.  Both ate with us that evening, then went to bed in the one guest room; Wind Rider never did use the room we set aside for her.  I wasn’t sure if the Apples would approve but when I looked a question at Granny, she just waved a hoof. 					“Pegasi,” she said as if that explained everything.  Which it did, actually.
Early on the 24th we were all at breakfast when Storm spoke up.
“I’m ready to try flying now, Apples.  I can’t thank you enough for taking care of me.”
“You’re welcome,” “Sure thing, Youngster,” “Glad t’ help,” came the replies.
We escorted Storm and Wind Rider outside then, after hugs and the Pegasus Farewell all around, waved as they took off and slowly flew toward Cloudsdale.  We were heading for the fields when Rainbow Dash zoomed in and landed next to AJ and me.  Say what you will about her manners, Rainbow Dash had been a very supportive and effective Wing Leader during Storm’s recovery.
“They gone?” said Rainbow Dash, abrupt as usual.  She also looked terrible, even more ragged than the last time we saw her and with unkempt wings; Sunny would have been appalled.  I extended my healing senses and found she was completely exhausted.  She’d pulled her left wing muscle again, too, and had several bumps and bruises.
I looked at AJ and raised an eyebrow toward Rainbow Dash.  AJ and I were so close now we could almost read one another’s thoughts.  AJ nodded and smiled.  I turned back to Rainbow Dash.
“Yes, Rainbow Dash, they just left.  Wind Rider will act as wing pony until Storm gets used to his one eye.”
“Good, good,” said Rainbow Dash.  “Thanks again.”  Rainbow Dash started to turn into the Wind.
“Ah, Rainbow Dash?” I asked.
“What?” she said, turning back around.
“Applejack and Apple Bloom watched me and Wind Rider preen Storm Spotter the other night.  They would very much like to learn how to do it.  Would you be willing to act as a test subject so they could learn?”
“Uh…I guess,” said Rainbow Dash, looking suspicious again.  I decided that was her default look, that and annoyance.
“Oh, excellent!  I really don’t want them learning on some strange pegasus and I’m sure you don’t, either.  How does tonight sound?”
“Well…I suppose,” said Rainbow Dash, still looking askance at me and AJ.
“Please come at 5:30.  Supper is at 6 and we’ll have preening practice right after that,” I said, jovially.
With one last look, Rainbow Dash flew away.  As we walked to the fields, I filled in the family on what we were going to do for Rainbow Dash.  AJ and Apple Bloom were particularly enthused and Granny and Big Mac were more than ready to play along.
We finished the planting around 4:30 and were back at the house at 5.  We cleaned up and AJ and I waited outside for Rainbow Dash.  Right at 5:30, Rainbow Dash showed up.  I pretended to work on the outside shower.  AJ and I had worked out what to say and do earlier.  
“I’m not sure, AJ, I’m really not.”
“Go ahead and try it, Partner.”
I looked up when Rainbow Dash walked over and looked at us curiously.  “Well, here’s Rainbow Dash!  Perhaps she can help.”
“What are you doing?” asked Rainbow Dash minus her usual frown.
“Trying to heat water with a minimum amount of magic.  Would you please stand under the shower to see if it’s warm enough?”
“Huh, I guess I could use a shower, at that,” said Rainbow Dash.  She stood under the shower head and AJ turned it on.  I heated the water to slightly hotter than comfortable for me which I thought would work well for a pegasus’ slightly higher body temperature.
“That’s wonderful!” said Rainbow Dash, turning her face up to the water.
“Let’s soap you up, Rainbow Dash,” said AJ.  AJ did just that, and dirt sluiced off of Rainbow Dash and ran down the drain.  Rainbow Dash reveled in the attention although when she realized she was enjoying herself, she snatched the bar from AJ.
“I can soap myself, thanks,” she said, and while she tried, she didn’t do as well as AJ.  AJ just smiled and nodded.
Once Rainbow Dash was clean, I shut off the water and dried her with magic.  She looked doubtful at first but let me do it anyway.  I also polished her hooves, and then AJ and I combed out her mane and tail.
“Why are you doing all of this for me?” Rainbow Dash asked as I finished working the knots out of her tail.
“Preparation, of course, Rainbow Dash.  Can’t have you dirty for the preening, you know,” I said with my best courtier smile.
When we finished, Rainbow Dash looked far, far better than when she arrived.  She really was very attractive since even though she was small, her proportions were absolutely perfect.  I remembered Rarity saying something about that one day after she mentioned how Rainbow needed to take better care of herself.
At 6 Apple Bloom came to get us for supper and we all went in.  The family made Rainbow Dash welcome and had the usual abundance of food.  Rainbow’s appetite was prodigious, almost Earth pony levels, and AJ I exchanged a look; most likely Rainbow didn’t eat very well when she was on her own.  Rainbow also relaxed considerably and laughed along with some of Granny’s stories about past Spring Plantings.
AJ and Apple Bloom had spread several blankets out in the parlor, so after we finished eating I had Rainbow Dash lie down.  I had left some massage oil and a sweat scraper where Rainbow could see them.
“What’s this?” said Rainbow Dash, full, content and no longer quite so suspicious.
“Just a quick massage, Rainbow Dash.  I want to show Apple Bloom some of the basics.”  Apple Bloom waved a hoof when I pointed to her.
“Sounds good to me,” said Rainbow and stretched out.
I used magic to reduce Rainbow’s swelling and to fix her cuts and bruises, and then started in on her wing and leg muscles.  I showed Apple Bloom where and how to rub and she was exceptionally good at it.  AJ helped, too, and at times all three of us were rubbing a different part of Rainbow Dash at the same time.  I had both Apples work on Rainbow’s shoulders which was where she carried stress.  I used more magic and they finally unknotted.  Rainbow had some serious muscle fatigue and I wondered how long it had been since she’d relaxed at all.
Next came the sweat scraper and the hot towels.  I made sure I rubbed Rainbow’s ears thoroughly, too, and I felt them twitch with pleasure.
“How are doing, Rainbow Dash?” I asked when I finished.
“Mmmph,” she said, eyes closed and head propped on her front hooves.
“Very good.  I’m going to start the preening now,” I said.
I got a cup of water, and then started with Rainbow’s left wing.  How long it had been since somepony preened her I had no idea, but her primaries were in a shocking state.  She tasted like raspberry with salt which wasn’t at all unpleasant although I wouldn’t have wanted to preen her without her showering first.
I worked on several primaries, and then switched off with AJ who took to preening like a duck to water.  She switched off with Apple Bloom and AJ and I lay on either side of Rainbow Dash while Apple Bloom worked on the secondaries and then the coverts.  I spread my magic field over Rainbow Dash and linked to AJ, something I didn’t think was possible before Hot Springs.
“Been awhile, I guess.  Tingles, feels good, so good.  Not their fault, my fault.  Sent them in, I did, my fault, should have gone myself,” muttered Rainbow Dash, drifting.  AJ and I just looked at one another and then back at Apple Bloom.
I switched with Apple Bloom and started on the right wing’s primaries.  Rainbow Dash began to hum and to my amazement it was a mid range major chord with three separate tones.  The Encyclopedia mentioned such but said it was extremely unusual.  I wondered if it was because Rainbow Dash was an Element of Harmony or if she was naturally that way.  The Apples were delighted, though, and even Big Mac knelt beside Rainbow Dash so he could feel the hum.
“Ya sure do know how to treat a pegasus, Ben,” he said, removing his hoof from Rainbow’s flank.
“Practice, Big Mac,” I answered.  AJ put a hoof on my shoulder since she felt my wave of sadness, but I shook my head and smiled to show her I was fine.  “Let’s put this particular pegasus to bed, shall we?”
I lifted Rainbow Dash onto Big Mac’s broad back, and then followed him up the steps to the first guest room.  I tucked in Rainbow Dash who mumbled a little, then fell into a deep sleep.  Satisfied, I shut the door and Big Mac and I exchanged a hoof slap.
We said good night and all went to bed.  AJ and I walked back to the cabin.
“I didn’t know,” said AJ.  “I just thought she was a pain.  I didn’t know how much she cared.”
I nodded.  “A preening will always bring out both the best and the worst of any pegasus.  Then they can move on.  It’s the ultimate release.”
AJ looked at me as if she’d never seen me before.  “You really are a wizard, aren’t ya?”
“I am,” I said as I opened the cabin door.  “And don’t forget handsome, dynamic, a good dancer and a phenomenal lover.”
AJ just pushed me through the door, laughing.
> The Homestead
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Homestead

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home,
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there,
Which seek thro' the world, is ne'er met elsewhere,
Home! Home!
Sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home,
There's no place like home!

“Songs for Farmers”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

We got up the next day with the Sun and had breakfast.  A yawning, blinking Rainbow Dash came wandering downstairs and ate almost as much as she did yesterday.  AJ and I escorted her to the door and were both pleased at how much better she looked; she positively glowed in the early morning Sun.  Rainbow flexed her wings, stretched, then turned back to us.
“I don’t have many friends.” Rainbow Dash said, looking first at me, then at AJ.  “Most ponies find me too…abrasive, I guess.”
“You have two, Rainbow Dash,” said AJ.  “You want another preenin’, just stop by.”
Rainbow Dash tilted her head at AJ, and then stepped forward, wrapped her right hoof around AJ’s neck and gave her a deep, open mouthed kiss.  Rainbow did the same to me, then waved and flew off into the Wind.  I looked over at AJ.
“Told you we were appealing,” I said smugly.
“Well, I Suwannee!” said AJ, and then looked very thoughtful.
“To work!” I yelled, and pointed off to the fields.
The remaining days of Spring Planting were uneventful.  We had all in order by the 27th, three days ahead of schedule.  We had a family meeting to talk about who would care for what.  Granny said I’d done my part and could concentrate on the workshop until Harvest.  I thanked her and filled her in on the steam trucks and racer which caused the Apples to suck in their breaths with expressions of disbelief from everypony.  After the initial shock, Granny looked particularly pleased.
AJ was raring to go on the house, so I went to Twilight’s and got a copy of Equestrian Architecture, a book I remembered from the Canterlot Library.  While I was gone, Granny brought out a plat of the farm and the family chose a lot for the house.  It was on a slight rise not all that far from the cabin.  It had a creek nearby so we could build a dam to generate electricity without building a steam plant or relying on Ponyville Power which was erratic to say the least.  That also gave us water even in the Winter, hopefully gravity fed without a pump or windmill.
I walked into the kitchen just as AJ was explaining all of this with hoof gestures to a wondering family.  I stood in the background and listened until she finished.
“Well, I never seen the like,” said Granny.  “Applejack, how in the World do you…?”  I watched Granny’s face clear.  “So, then.  Works both ways, does it?  My, my, who’d a’ thought?  My family is the smartest that ever was, that’s the truth!  And t’ think you had trouble memorizin’ the multiplication tables.”
“GRANNY!” said an embarrassed AJ.
“No longer, Granny,” I said, stepping up to the kitchen table and laying down the open architecture book.  “She could teach a course in quantum mechanics.  Now, then.  I’m partial to Queen Hortense but could live with Hoofington Eclectic.”
A vigorous discussion followed.  Apple Bloom sided with me and the elegant Queen Hortense style; I decided it was so she the other Crusaders could stay in the tower room and pretend they were living in a mare’s tale.  Big Mac kept asking about Ancient Equestrian and Granny thought there was nothing wrong with the standard clapboard farmhouse, just “make it bigger.”  AJ just listened.
I finally held up a hoof and all eyes turned my way.  “Family,” I said, still getting that small frisson with using the word, “I do appreciate your natural modesty and self-effacing way of life.  This house, though, will become far more than just our house.  If the workshop and farm grow the way I expect, we’ll have visitors from all over the known World coming to stay here.  They will stay in this house and it will give them the first impression of Apple Manufacturing.  I recommend we do all of it right the first time.  And yes,” I concluded, smiling at AJ, “make sure there’s room for the young’uns.”
AJ looked joyful, blushed that deep red of hers, then threw both hooves around my neck and kissed my muzzle.  The other Apples cheered.  Queen Hortense it was.

I’d built the workshop on a simple square plan I’d found in a book of blueprints, and then added a second story on top laid out much the same.  AJ and I agreed we needed a real architect and fortunately for us one had hung out her shingle in Ponyville a month or so before Spring Planting.  We walked into town, AJ carrying the architecture book.  I wanted to expand the workshop as well so I’d have room to work on more than one steam truck at a time.  I also wanted a clock tower because…well, just because.  I decided building the clock would be Fall’s Journeymare project.  A steam powered clock.  With a whistle.  Maybe more than one whistle.  Oh, yes.
We found the architect’s office not to far from town hall.  A brand new brass plaque said “Lambert Architecture and Interiors”.  There was a small “Open” sign on the door, so we went in to the sound of a light chime.  The door opened onto a small sitting area with two chairs in front of a desk.  Behind the desk was a drawing board angled to catch the Sun from the skylight.  The furniture was simple and elegant, very understated.  I knew AJ wouldn’t like it much since her tastes ran to the flamboyant, but I was pleased to find an interior designer with taste close to my own.
We stood for just a moment.  A small, cream-colored unicorn with a tan mane and dark green eyes popped her head around an open door in the back, toothbrush stuck in the side of her mouth.  On a first look, I would have bet she was no older than Apple Bloom.  AJ and I waved our hooves and she looked surprised, and then disappeared.  We heard hasty spitting sounds, then she reappeared a few seconds later sans toothbrush, gave us a gleaming smile (all the brushing, no doubt) and greeted us with a half bow.
“Please forgive my inattention, Prospective Clients.  I wasn’t expecting anypony…ah, quite so early.  Finial Lambert, at your service.”
I returned the half bow and said, “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Lambert.  Benjamin Apple and Applejack Apple at your service.”
Miss Lambert stood quickly.  “Just a moment.  Aren’t you the mechanic with the steam truck and that pretty assistant?  Apologies, Mr. Apple, I meant to visit your workshop before Spring Planting.”
“And most welcome you would be, Miss Lambert,” I said.  “My apprentice Fall Brickle would very much enjoy a visit from a pony close to her own age.”
Miss Lambert gave a slight smile.  “I’m 23, Mr. Apple.  I graduated from the Manehatten School of Design and Architecture after five years of study.”
Yike!  Faux pas of the worst sort.  I gave a full bow.  “Please excuse my rudeness and my assumption, Miss Lambert.”
The little unicorn laughed.  “Forgiven and forgotten, Mr. Apple, so please don’t worry.  It happens all the time.  I had to show my birth certificate before I could get an ale at the pub.”
I cleared my throat, still somewhat embarrassed.  “Yes, well, we’ve come today to see if you’d design us a house.  I certainly hope you’re not too busy to take on another client.”
Miss Lambert just smiled.  “Oh, I think I can work you in.  What did you have in mind?”
Applejack and I sat in the two chairs while Miss Lambert went behind the desk and pulled out two ruled pads.
“We were thinking a brick home in the Queen Hortense style, perhaps 17 to 18 rooms and around 16,000 square feet,” I started as AJ put architecture book on the desk open to the Queen Hortense example.  Miss Lambert looked up at the square footage figure, and then went back to taking notes.  I explained the dam, water supply and the geothermal system first, and then went on to the house itself.
“Steel framing…I can help you there, Miss Lambert…wired for electricity, double pane windows, air channels from the basement throughout the house to cool it with convection in the Summer, the best quartered oak for the floors, maple or poplar for the wainscoting…Mrs. Apple insists on light woods…heated floors in all the rooms including the tower, gas fireplaces in each room anyway although I doubt we’ll use them, copper water pipes, gold fixtures, four inch drain lines, a septic tank, a bathroom with each bedroom.  Let’s see, a large kitchen, master bedroom, ballroom/dining room and a study on the first floor, 8 bedrooms on the second floor along with a sitting area, four more rooms on the third floor, a master staircase, a wrap around front porch, servant stairs and several secret passages.”
I took a breath and watched Miss Lambert write with both hoof and magic on two separate pads, a skill I’d heard about but never seen.  AJ just smiled and nodded.  “A biiig kitchen,” AJ added.
“Oh, yes, and a four vehicle garage.  And I’d like you to expand the workshop as well and add a clock tower.  40 feet or so should do it for the clock tower, wouldn’t you think, Mrs. Apple?”
AJ nodded happily.
Miss Lambert scribbled furiously for a couple of minutes, then looked up.  She swallowed and seemed rather dazed.
“Ah…Mr. Apple, you know what you’ve outlined here would be quite expensive.”
“Hmm.  Would 10,000 bits be enough?”
“Don’t forget my 3,500, Hon,” said AJ, putting a hoof on my foreleg.
“Oh, yes, that’s right.  Would 13,500 bits be enough, Miss Lambert?  Oh, and perhaps 2,000 bits for furniture?”
Finial Lambert sat with her mouth open, looking from me to AJ and back to me again.  Then her ears drooped and tears came to her eyes.
“Mr. and Mrs. Apple, I’m terribly sorry.  I’ve never designed an entire house before for a client, not to mention what would be one of the largest houses in the region.  I believe you’re going to want a more experienced architect.”
AJ and I looked at one another, then back to Miss Lambert.
“Now, Miss Lambert, that’s no sort of attitude.  Are you telling us you’re not capable of designing a house?” I asked although I already knew the answer.
“Well, yes, sir, of course, but…”
I leaned forward.  “Finial Lambert,” I said, looking her straight in the eye.
Her ears perked up.  “Yes, Mr. Apple?”
“Miss Lambert, design this house.  And the workshop addition.  Do it, Finial Lambert.  If you make a mistake, well, that’s part of it and we’ll deal with it.  But, Miss Lambert…design…this…house!!  Give us ideas.  Make suggestions.  Make changes.  But do it!!  Make those blueprints!  Will you try?”
The young unicorn mare became more and more animated the more I talked.  When I finished, she stood and put her little hooves (just under a size 4) on her desk, then yelled, “I will!  I will design your house, Mr. and Mrs. Apple.  And it will be the finest ever designed!”
“And all of Equestria will know this name: Finial Lambert, Architect!” I finished, standing and sweeping my hoof across the air like a theater marquee.  “So, Miss Lambert, are you our architect?”
“Yes, sir!”
“I can’t hear you, young mare!”
“YES, SIR!”
“Yes, sir, what?”
“Yes, sir, I AM your ARCHITECT!!” she yelled, throwing both hooves in the air and laughing, a wonderful, joyful laugh.
AJ laughed along with Finial and clapped her front hooves together.  “Yay!  We have an architect!”
“Good!” I said, sitting down again as AJ put the architecture book back in her pouch.  “So, Miss Architect, do you know a good general contractor?”
Miss Lambert, still flushed and excited, laughed again.  “I just might, Mr. Apple.  Would you please come next door with me?”
We trooped next door to an office which was almost identical to Miss Lambert’s.  There was a new plaque there as well: “Ashlar Lambert, General Contractor.”  Finial walked in and I heard a chime which was a half tone higher that Finial’s.
“Sis!  Are you here?” called Finial.
“Ba rrt thr!” came from the back along with the sounds of somepony brushing their teeth.  After the usual spitting and rinsing, the other pony called back.
“Hey, Sis!  Somepony need a doghouse?”
Another small unicorn identical to Finial raced out of the back room.  She saw us, slammed to a stop, made a small “eeep!” sound, then made a hasty half bow.
“Please forgive my rudeness, Prospective Clients.  I wasn’t expecting anypony other than my sister.  Ashlar Lambert, at your service.”
Identical twins, I thought.  That would explain their small size.  The only difference between them was their cutie marks: Ashlar’s showed the finished facade of an Ancient Equestrian temple and Finial’s was a blueprint of the same.  Remarkable.
I shook myself free of my reverie and returned the half bow.  “Not at all, miss.  A pleasure to meet you.  Benjamin Apple and Applejack Apple at your service.”
Ashlar stood quickly.  “Say, aren’t you the mechanic…?” she started.
“He is, Sis,” said Finial, waving her right hoof.  “The Apples want us to build them a house and an addition.”
Ashlar lit up the room with that same beautiful smile Finial showed us earlier.  “Really?!?”  Then she sobered, cleared her throat and put on a neutral expression.  “I mean…of course, Mr. and Mrs. Apple, we’re happy to help.”
Ashlar walked around to her desk and pulled out the same pads; the only difference was she was left hooved while Finial was right hooved.  Finial had brought her notes and started talking, using some terms I didn’t know.  Ashlar wrote and wrote, occasionally looking up in disbelief.  Eventually, just like Finial, she sat back and looked stunned.
“Mr. Apple, Mrs. Apple, I’m overwhelmed.  And I’m afraid I’ve no idea how to build…”, Ashlar stopped and picked up one set of notes, “…’convection louvers’ or ‘geothermal heated floors’.  I wouldn’t even know where to start!”
“How about the rest of the house, Miss Lambert?” I asked.  I really wanted those secret passageways, too.
“Well, yes, certainly, even the electrical,” she said, paging through her notes.
“Easily solved, then.  Let’s take a trip to the workshop and I can show you the geothermal system along with the floors and the convection louvers.  I believe your sister wanted to visit anyway, yes?  If you have the time, there’s nopony there now.  You could look around all you liked.”
The two sisters looked at one another, then both grinned and said at the same time, “We’d love to visit!”
And it was done.  We all walked to the workshop and enjoyed the wonderful Spring weather.  The two unicorns walked on either side of AJ and got to know her over her taste in fabrics, what AJ wanted in the kitchen, families and filly clothes.  I followed along behind, enjoying the view of my filly in the middle of two very attractive unicorns.  That’s my wife, I thought to myself, marveling at it anew.
We got to the workshop and I dumped the mail which had accumulated onto the kitchen table for Mrs. Grass to sort out later.  We started in the basement and I showed the sisters the cooling ducts and the pipes from the geothermal.  I popped a couple of floorboards and showed them the coils, then led them outside to the unit itself.  It was magic fired which caused both to exclaim in admiration.  I showed them the hot water heater after that and Ashlar scribbled some on a pad she carried.  Finial at times looked a little distressed and I had to urge her to tell me why.  She finally did.
“It’s just so…masculine, Mr. Apple,” she said, coloring slightly.
“You sound like Mrs. Grass, Finial,” I told her laughingly.
After the tour, the two unicorns had a quick confab in the kitchen, then turned to me.
“Mr. Apple,” said Ashlar rather shyly.  “Thank you so much for showing us your workshop.  You would do us a great honor if you’d merge with us so we could understand your designs and your wants more completely.”
Well, well.  I looked over at AJ who nodded serenely, then gave the sisters a half bow.  “The honor is mine, Miss Lambert primus and Miss Lambert secundus.”
I held out my right forehoof and two little cream colored hooves, one left and one right, joined mine.  I extended my magic field and met both mares at the same time.  This was a first merging, so I kept it very light but still picked up all sorts of memories and emotions.
Both sisters elated to have work.  We were their first real clients.
Finial and Ashlar as teenagers, Ashlar sobbing into a pillow and Finial holding her tightly.
Several stallions and mares on a construction crew laughing at Ashlar when she asked for a job.
A very kind old stallion plumber helping Ashlar learn to solder copper.
A pleasant older mare professor asking Finial her first day of architecture college, “Are you lost, little filly?”
The sisters sharing a hoofshake as they installed their brass plaques on their new offices.
Both admiring Applejack.
And we were out.
“Oh, gosh, you’re powerful, Mr. Apple!” said Ashlar.
“You know Louise-Renée de Kéroualle?  How wonderful!” said Finial.
“I know how to build a geothermal system, Finial!” said Ashlar.
“Me, too!” said a happy Finial.
“You’re so in love with your wife, Mr. Apple,” sighed Ashlar. “How romantic!  You’re so lucky, Mrs. Apple.”  Finial gave an identical sigh.
I raised my eyebrows at AJ when Ashlar said that and AJ winked at me.
“Any other questions, my builders?” I asked.
“No, sir!”  “None, Mr. Apple, thank you,” both answered at the same time.
“We’re on our way then.  How does lunch on me at Pierre’s sound to both of you?”
“Wonderful!” both mares answered at once, then laughed.
We had a fine lunch and both mares talked building techniques the entire meal.  AJ and I just listened, very pleased with such enthusiasm.  When we finished, Finial said she’d have blueprints for us in two weeks while Ashlar said she’d start gathering material and labor.  I wrote out a check to Finial for 1,000 bits and one to Ashlar for 4,000 bits.  Both just stared at them for a few seconds before thanking us profusely.
We waved good-bye and went our separate ways.  We returned the architecture book, then walked back to the farm, each lost in our own thoughts.
“So that’s what it’s like when you merge with another unicorn,” said AJ finally.
“A mild merge, yes.  Some can become quite intense.”
“Like you and Shining Armor or you and Rarity,” said AJ.
I just nodded.
AJ leaned over and nibbled on my neck.  “I got ya, though,” she said, voice somewhat muffled.
“So you do, Mrs. Apple.  And you’ll have me the rest of your natural life.”
That led to us racing back to the cabin to try page 31 which to my delight wasn’t at all imaginary.

An Unexpected Guest

Mrs. Duke: “How would you feel if none of your relations received their invitations to this wedding?”
Aunt Agatha: “They would show up anyway.  They’re relatives.”

From the play “The Happiest Unicorn”

The 1st of Fourth saw my routine return to normal.  Fall and Mrs. Grass came back to the workshop and we decided we’d reproduce the racer first.  Fall started to take it apart while I took inventory of the materials she’d ordered.  We didn’t have all that much room for storage, so the loading dock was stuffed to capacity.  We thought we’d have enough room to work, though.  I also told Fall about the clock tower and the expansion and she was eager to start designing the clock right away.
“One project at a time, my Apprentice,” I warned as she quivered in place.
“But, Boss…a clock!  A clock for the workshop.  Which I’ll design and build!” she said, even more manic than usual.
“Yes, yes, Apprentice, and I appreciate your enthusiasm; paying customers first, though, as you well know.”
“Yes, sir,” she said and went back to the racer cheerfully enough while I started on some of our smaller jobs.
On 4th I was finishing up a set of decorative cabinet hinges for Addisyn’s Fine Furniture when I heard the workshop doorbell ring.  Fall was on the loading dock drawing the racer’s parts to use in an exploded diagram, so I went to see to who it was myself.  Waiting was an older Earth pony mare, very fit and sturdy, with a tan coat, a dark green mane and alert light brown eyes.
“Welcome to Apple Manufacturing,” I said.  “I’m Benjamin Apple.  How may I help you today?”
“Whooo-eee!” said the mare, looking me up and down as she tossed her saddlebags into the corner.  “Emmie told me you was good lookin’!  She wasn’t exaggeratin’, that’s the truth.”  The mare’s accent was the same as AJ’s.
Emmie?  Emerald?  Then I noticed the family resemblance.  I gave her a half bow. “Do I have the honor to be in the presence of Margaret Grass?”
“So polite!”, said the mare, stepping up and shaking my hoof as I raised from the bow.  “I’ll bet you and Emmie get along like peas and carrots.”
I heard delicate hoofsteps behind me, then a gasp of surprise.
“Maggie?!?  What are you doing here?” said Mrs. Grass, right forehoof over her heart.
“Howdy, Emmie!” yelled Margaret, racing over and embracing Mrs. Grass.  “I’ve come t’ live with you just like we talked about!  Ain’t that grand?”
“What!!  We never…Maggie, we were just talking…you can’t just…!” said Emerald, pushing Margaret away from her.
“Yep, I done sold the farm.  My furniture gets here next week.  It’s not much, really, just that bedroom suite o’ Mom’s and that sideboard you always liked.”
“Furniture!?!  Maggie, this is Mr. Apple’s home, not mine!  You can’t just show up like this and move in!!  It’s…it’s rude!!” said Emerald, voice rising as she kept talking.  For the first time in my experience, the Widow Grass was irate.  Ah, families, I thought as I listened, who would be without them?
“That’s all you ever say to me anymore, Emmie, ‘You’re so rude!’  That’s all you’ve ever said since you went off to that hoity-toity school to become more genteel!  Ya came back a snob, you did!”  Margaret’s ears were flat to her head and her mane bristled.
Emerald’s posture matched Margaret’s, ears and all.
“Well, if you’d only listen!  You always did just what you pleased ever since we were fillies!!” yelled Emerald.
Time to intervene.  “Mares,” I said, holding up a hoof.
“Well, at least I wasn’t a goody-two-horseshoes like somepony I know!!” yelled Margaret even louder.
“Mares!” I said, using a touch of magic and yet again wishing I could get my voice to sound like Death’s.
Both mares turned to me, astonished.  Then both looked at the ground with identical expressions of chagrin.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Apple,” both said at the same time, reminding me of my builder twins.
I heard galloping hooves coming from the loading dock and in raced Fall carrying a crowbar in her right hoof.  She slid to a stop when she saw us.
“Uh…I heard yelling?” said Fall, looking from the mares to me.
“Not at all, Apprentice, merely a vigorous family discussion.  May I present Mrs. Grass’ sister, Margaret Grass?  Mrs. Grass secundus, Fall Brickle, my Apprentice.”
“Um…pleased to meet you,” said Fall, lowering the crowbar.
“Why, what a doll!  You’re every bit as pretty as Emmie said!” exclaimed Margaret, back to herself with no pause at all.  She put both forehooves on either side of Fall’s muzzle.
“Thank you, ma’am,” said Fall, dimpling at the compliment.
“Mrs. Grass secundus is going to live with us, Fall.  Please make her welcome.”
“Why, welcome, Mrs. Grass!  Well, back to drawing for me,” said Fall.  She turned and galloped away, crowbar over her right shoulder.
“So cute!” said Margaret as she turned back to Emerald.
“Don’t change the subject, Maggie!” said Emerald, still annoyed.
And then I Knew what to do.
“Margaret…may I call you ‘Margaret’?”  I went on at Margaret’s nod.  “Margaret, I assume you’re one of those ponies who likes to stay busy?”
“Yep, no sippin’ tea for me.  I worked ever day of my life and don’t aim to stop now,” Margaret said.  “I figured I’d find somethin’ to do after I got here.”
“Well, then, you’re arrival is most timely.  First, I assume you know how to box as well as Emerald?”  The Widow Grass considered self-defense a necessary part of deportment.  Fall had become quite accomplished under Emerald’s teaching and could give me a run for my money.  We sparred once a week or so.
“You bet.  I won the blue ribbon at the County Fair four years running 10 years ago.  The Fair committee made me retire from competing.”
I nodded.  “I plan to open a martial arts school here and I’d very much appreciate it if you could start some boxing classes.  We’ll use a rented space until the school is up and running, but the sooner, the better, particularly for the teenage stallions.”
Margaret nodded.  “I remember when my boys was that age.  Had t’ box them into shape a time or two before they’d listen.”
“That’s right, you have two stallions, don’t you, Margaret?” I asked.
“Yes, sir, both grown now.  Had ‘em well before the War.  Good colts, both of them.”
And cue the Griffon War again.  “Excellent,” I said.  “Also,” I added as I walked to a neat stack of paperwork and pulled out a letter, “the Chancellor has asked me to supply food for my friend Shining Armor’s Midsummer wedding on the 20th of Sixth.  I did the same for the Gala two years ago although this is a much smaller job, enough to feed around 100 ponies.  Would you be willing to do it?  The Crown pays a salary which of course you’d collect.  You don’t have to attend the wedding though.”  I certainly wished I didn’t.
Margaret took out a pair of jeweled reading glasses as I handed her the letter.  She read through it quickly and then looked up.  “Shoooot, this is way less than I did on my own farm during Harvest.  Sure, I can do it and get it loaded, too.”
This was better and better.  “Then Mrs. Grass secundus, welcome to Apple Manufacturing.  I’ll start you out with the same salary as Emerald, shall I?  We can review that after three months if you’d like.”
Margaret looked stunned.  “You mean…I get paid?”
I thought of Fall and her reaction.  “You’re rendering more than one service, ma’am, so yes, of course you get paid.”
“Yeeee-hah!” Margaret yelled, grabbed me around the neck and kissed me on the mouth.  “Thanks, Youngster!  I won’t let you down.”  I held the very fit older Earth pony and laughed.   Emerald tried to pull Margaret off of me but didn’t have much luck.
“Now then, Margaret, why don’t you put your things in my room for now?  I said as she stepped back from the hug.  “I’m living with Mrs. Apple at the farm.  We’re starting a house soon, so I doubt I’ll be staying here.”
For the first time, Margaret looked subdued.  “If’n it’s all the same to you, Mr. Apple, I’ll just sleep with Emerald until my bed arrives, then I’ll put that in her room.  I don’t…well, nights get kinda long when it’s just you, don’t they?”
“So they do, Margaret, so they do.”
“Eh, call me Maggie.  And since you’re my boss and all, I’ll call you either ‘Boss’ or ‘Mr. Apple’.  Or ‘Studly’!” said Maggie, elbowing me in the ribs and giving me a wink.  Emerald planted a hoof in her face and groaned, something Maggie ignored completely.  I just grinned back.
“Well, I’ll get unpacked and get settled in,” said Maggie.  She grabbed her saddlebags and raced up the steps, age not slowing her in the least.  I heard a sigh and looked back to find a resigned Emerald Grass.
“Mr. Apple, I know this is terribly sudden.  Thank you so much for taking her in.  She’s been so lonely on the farm since her youngest left.”
I took both of Emerald’s hooves between mine.  “For you, Emerald Grass, I’d take in 10 sisters as long as you agreed to stay.”
Emerald blushed a very pleasing light red and looked away.  “Oh, Mr. Apple, the things you do say!  No wonder Mrs. Apple always looks so happy when you’re around.”
“Well, your sister is family, after all,” I said, releasing Mrs. Grass’ hooves and looking up the steps after Maggie.  “If only I could get her to go to that blasted wedding in my place.”
“Now, dear, you know you enjoy weddings,” said Emerald, patting my muzzle before she returned to the kitchen.  Mares, I thought for the hundredth time.

Maggie fit into our household beautifully.  She and Emerald would take turns brushing Fall’s mane, combing and braiding her tail, working on her hooves, choosing bows and otherwise treating her like a living dress store manikin.  Fall loved it and occasionally both mares would work on her at the same time, chatting away with one another like Fall wasn’t even there.  I first heard Fall’s purring hum during one of those sessions.  It was a higher pitch than AJ’s but I thought age would deepen it.
By 8th Fall had finished drawing every single one of the racer’s 414 parts including the nuts and bolts (“Hex Nut, fine thread ½”-20 x 24”).  With Emerald’s help, Fall had written a very concise instruction manual as well.  I went through all of it after supper.
“Fall, these are marvelous, just marvelous,” I said, looking at a beautiful drawing of a cylinder.  “You have a real talent for this.”
Fall beamed and dimpled.  “Thanks, Boss.  I’m glad you think they’re good enough for the customers.”
“Mmm, more than just that, Fall,” I answered, reading about the throttle settings.  “I believe I’ll take this to Theimer’s and have him print it.  Oh, and I’d like for Finial Lambert to see these.  She may hire you part-time to help her draw blueprints when her business picks up.”
“But, Mr. Apple…I work for you,” said a distraught Fall.
I looked up.  “Yes, Fall, so you do.  Part of becoming a mechanic, though, is understanding the basics of building.  After all, how can you improve plumbing if you don’t understand it now?  That’s why I’d hoped you’d help with the house once we start building it.”
“Ready to help, Mr. Apple!” said Fall, jumping up and giving a very credible salute.
“And who taught you to do that, Miss Brickle tertius?” I asked, amused.
“Maggie.  One of her sons is in the Navy.”
“Is that so?  Well, well.  You’d look good in uniform, Apprentice, although I do wonder what the Guard would say if they saw you?  Most likely they’d whistle and make catcalls.”
Fall blushed a deep rose.  “No, they wouldn’t!  You’re just saying that, Boss!”
“Now, Apprentice, don’t underestimate yourself.  You’ll be 15 in a few weeks and have become quite the attractive young mare.  Stallions will start to notice you very soon if they haven’t already.”
Fall blushed even deeper and giggled.  “Oh, Mr. Apple!  I just want to build things.”
“I know, Punkin’, but it’s best you’re ready for the attention.  Ask Maggie or Mrs. Grass if you have any stallion questions.  And if any ever give you trouble and I’m there, they’ll walk funny for weeks.”
Fall laughed and laughed at that.
“So, enough about that!  Tomorrow it’s into town to meet Finial and to get this manual to the printers.  And then,” I said, rubbing my hooves together, “we reproduce the racer.”
“Hooray!  May I test drive it after I put together?”
“Test drive and deliver it with me, young mare.  Once you’re in with the aristocracy, you’re in for a lifetime and I most definitely want them to know the name ‘Fall Brickle’.”
The next morning Fall and I had breakfast, then took the steam truck into town.  We stopped by Finial’s office and I introduced her to Fall.  Fall showed Finial the manual and Finial was most impressed.  Finial brought out several pages of blueprints for the house and said she’d finish the rest by 15th.  Next, we turned the manual over to the printers and the young unicorn stallion there (who did indeed look at Fall avidly) said he could have four copies for us by 12th.
We went back to the workshop and I reproduced the racer twice and some of the parts three times for spares.  We had more than enough material and after I’d made a set of parts, Fall labeled them and either set them aside for the new racer or packed them into crates.
When we finished just before lunch, we had two crates marked “Steam Racer (I of II)” and “Steam Racer (II of II)” stacked in the corner, another marked “Steam Racer Spare Parts” and two complete disassembled racers, the original and the copy, both laid out on the workshop floor.  I was a little tired but still had more magic left than I expected.  The only addition to the Earl’s racer was a hood which covered the boiler and condenser.  Fall painted the Earl’s coat-of-arms on either side, and I sealed it with magic.  Snazzy.  I made a hood for her racer, too, and she painted “Fall’s Racer” on it.
For once I kept up with Fall during lunch.  Both Grass mares came to the shop and admired the organized parts, and then I left reassembling them to Fall.  She went back to it, singing as she worked.  I took a nap outside in the Sun, ran through a few T’ai Chi katas when I woke up, practiced the piano and then finished some smaller orders including repairing one of Rarity’s sewing machines.
Mid-afternoon, I checked on Fall.
“How long do you think, Apprentice?” I asked.  She had the frame and wheels together on the Earl’s racer.
“Two days, Boss.  That includes both and gives me time to double-check the fittings,” said Fall, looking more fetching than ever with a smear of grease across her muzzle.
“Hmm, 11th, then.  Shakedown on 12th, manual ready on 12th, too.  How about we take the early train on 13th and deliver the Earl’s car that afternoon?”
“Wow!  I get to meet a real Earl?” said Fall, eyes shining.
“Yes, indeed.  We may have to adjust our schedule a bit depending on what our customer wants, but we should be back on 14th or 15th just in time to go over the blueprints.  We’ll need to dress, too, Fall, so make sure you pack your leathers and a dress for evening wear.”  Fall could just fit into her racing leathers; she’d need larger ones by Midsummer.
Fall nodded.
“And you can put all those lessons in deportment to work as well,” I added.
“I’ll be ready, Boss.  I won’t embarrass you or the shop, I promise.”
“I’m more worried about Mrs. Grass since she’ll ask for a detailed report when we get back,” I said.
Fall laughed at that.
“Well, I’m off to make these deliveries, send a telegram to the Earl and arrange for a flatcar.  Back later this afternoon,” I said, waving.
Fall waved back, then returned to assembling the racer.
I made good time into town and waved to Summer Breeze as I drove by the Post Office.  I stopped by Rarity’s and drove around back.  Lauryn was running the shop since Rarity was off somewhere, so I greeted her and turned over the sewing machine.
“Thanks, Mr. Wizard,” said Lauryn, taking the sewing machine in one hoof.  “What do we owe ye?”
“Nothing,” I said, waving a hoof.  “I just replaced the arm shaft with better quality steel.  Didn’t take five minutes.”
“Thank you, sir.  Um…Mr. Wizard?” asked Lauryn, hesitating slightly.
“Speak.”
“I never did thank you for gettin’ me this job.  Miss Rarity, she takes me everywhere with her and, well, I just love it,” said Lauryn.  Lauryn’s dimples when she smiled reminded me of Fall.
“I just gave Rarity your name, Miss O’Malley; it’s you who got the job with your exceptional talent.”
“Thank you anyway, sir,” said Lauryn and gave me a quick kiss on the muzzle.
‘Of course, Miss O’Malley,” I said.  I waved good-bye and was off to my other deliveries.  I decided as I drove away I’d ask Lauryn to help Maggie with the boxing lessons as sort of a guest instructor.
I finished around 3, then made my way to the depot.  I walked into the station office and found Seamus Martin sorting through some paperwork.
“Mr. Wizard!” he said when he looked up.  “Good to see you, sir.  How’s married life?”
“An outstanding state, Mr. Martin, although more work than I expected.  Have to keep the mare happy, you know?”
Seamus laughed.  “That I do, Mr. Wizard!  I’ve been married six years now.”
“You have?  I didn’t know that.  Foals?” I asked.
“One who just turned four and one on the way.”
“Well done, Mr. Martin!  I’ll bet Whiskers is a doting grandfather.”
Seamus laughed again.  “You should see him rolling on the floor with Donnell, Mr. Wizard.  He’s like a colt himself.  So, then,” said Seamus, pulling out his scheduling book, “what can I do ye for?”
I arranged for the flatcar and two first-class tickets.  When I started to pay, Mr. Martin waved off the tickets.
“HO told me to give you free passage anytime you wanted it, Mr. Apple.  It’s their way of paying for that locomotive you made on the way back from Hot Springs.”
“Well, most generous, Mr. Martin.  Thank you and thank Head Office for me.”
“Other engineers have started putting mare’s names on their engines, too.  You really stared something, Mr. Wizard.  I am a bit sore at you, though,” said Seamus looking grim.
“And why is that, sir?” I asked.
“Bull O’Keefe.  One of the best conductors who ever set hoof on a train just stops in the middle of whatever he’s doing and stares off inta space.  He’s done it ever since the weddin’ after you introduced him to that Brickle filly.”
Bull O’Keefe acting like a lovestruck teenager?  It was too much and I started laughing.  Seamus joined me and when we finished, we looked at one another and started laughing all over again.
“Stop, stop, Seamus,” I said, waving a forehoof as I propped myself up with the other on his desk.  “Oh, by the Lord of Hel’s vambrace, that’s funny.”
Seamus grinned.  “We give Bull down the road for it, but he just smiles that lazy smile of his and takes it like a stallion.  I think he really does love the filly.”
“I do wonder if Bull knows how devoted Spring is to the farm?” I said, sobering slightly.
“Oh, yes, sir, he does.  Bull’s always wanted to be a farmer.”
“He has?”
“That’s right, ever since he was a foal.”
“Well, that should work out well, then.  Huh.  How about that?” I said.
After some more back-and-forth, I shook hooves with Seamus and headed back to the workshop.  I wondered if Bull would follow the Old Ways and decided I’d enjoy watching it if he did.
> The Earl and the Marchioness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Earl and the Marchioness

When to make your obeisance is also a vexing question; it depends on the situation.  At court, bow or curtsey as the royal personage passes on the way to or from his or her seat; at a garden party or other social gathering, wait until presented or when the royal personage is passing. If in doubt, consult the Household, who will be very helpful.

…

Correct Forms for Peers:

Duke:			Your Grace or Duke
Duchess:		Your Grace or Duchess
Marchioness:		My Lady or Your Ladyship
Earl:				My Lord  or Your Lordship

“Peerage Etiquette”,  The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

Early on the 13th Fall drove us in the Earl’s racer to the station.  I’d mounted a little brass plaque on the dash when she wasn’t looking.  It said:


Fall Brickle Drove this Racer
90mph
12th of Fourth, Year of Celestia 1,102


That earned me an excited hug and kiss when she saw it.
We got to the station at 6:30 and the yard workers lined up to watch Fall pull the racer onto a flatbed.  With their help we chained her down, and then covered her with a tarp.  We didn’t expect rain but we didn’t want to take any chances with the Earl’s car, either.  We waved to Tomas O’Malley and he let Fall into the cab (now with “Lauryn” on the side) so she could look over the engine’s controls.  She asked some very pertinent questions which Tomas was more than happy to answer.
We got on board and found our compartment.  We put our saddlebags in the overhead, then Fall asked if she could have something to eat.  We made our way to the dining car just as the train pulled out at 7.  Fall had another breakfast while I had some black tea and read in Equestrian Peerages about the Earl’s family.  His family went all the way back to the founding of Equestria almost 1,500 years ago and had quite the martial lineage.
We went back to our compartment and Fall fell asleep on her cushioned bench.  I read in Peerages, and then meditated for the rest of the trip.  I called to Lady Magic but didn’t get an answer.  Fall woke up about 10:30 and we talked about the aristocracy, Fall’s hopes and dreams (her own shop, mainly), stallions and what they were looking for in a filly, building the house and so on.  Watching Fall gesture over some point, I thought again that I loved her as if she were my own daughter and how I wanted the best for her.
We pulled into Canterlot right on time at 1:30.  The yard workers shunted our flatcar off to a siding and Fall and I handed the tarp and chains back to the workers.  Once again we attracted a crowd as Fall backed the racer off of the flatcar.
“Hey, little filly, where you goin’ with that contraption?” yelled one of the yard workers.  In answer, Fall blew the safety valve and covered him in a blast of steam.  He emerged laughing and the other yard workers hooted and cheered.  Fall, a good sport, just grinned and waved as we left the railyard.
Lord Cecil’s estate was about an hour’s trot from Canterlot.  The roads weren’t too bad and the weather was good, so Fall wound her up to 40mph and even 50mph in places.  We were soon in the countryside and after about half an hour found an arrow pointing the way to the Earl’s estate.  We found the entrance between two enormous holly trees which flanked stone pillars mounted with two griffon statues.  We followed the road which wound through a cultivated forest.  Suddenly, the road straightened and there was the Earl’s manor, a palatial home in the French Neo-Renaissance style.  Fall stopped the racer just a moment so we could have a good look, then drove on and pulled up to the front vestibule.
Fall put on the brake and we both hopped out.  Waiting for us was an older Earth pony in tails.
“Welcome!  Welcome to Albert Hall.  I’m Fabersham, the butler.”
“A pleasure, Fabersham.  Benjamin Apple and Fall Brickle, here to deliver his Lordship’s racer,” I said as I shook the butler’s hoof.  Fall did the same.
“Excellent!  His Lordship will be most pleased.  Kindly drive the racer around the back and park outside the rear entrance,” said Fabersham, pointing to the left.  “His Lordship will meet you there.”
I nodded and Fall and climbed back in the racer and pulled around the house.  It was as impressive in the back as it was in the front.  Around 80,000 square feet, I thought.  Bet it’s some work to heat in the Winter, I tell you what.  The parterre garden was a good five acres and my new Earth pony senses picked up a number of fruit trees along with dozens of varieties of flowers, all very well maintained.  Fall touched my shoulder and pointed.  There above the rear vestibule was clock with two doors for animatronic figures.  Fall squeed like a filly when she saw those, her hooves itching to see how they worked.
Fortunately she’d settled when Lord Cecil walked out a few minutes later.  He was unmistakable with his regal bearing, blue mane and tail, blue hooves, white horn and white coat.  He was tall, too, and topped me by half a head.  He was wearing a set of racing leathers and carrying a helmet with goggles.  Fall and I gave a full bow.
“Welcome!  Please rise.  Captain,” said Lord Cecil, shaking my hoof, “a pleasure to see you again.”  Lord Cecil and I had met a few times before while I was at the palace.
“Thank you, my Lord.  May I present Fall Brickle, my Apprentice?”
“Welcome, young mare,” said Lord Cecil, shaking Fall’s hoof as well.  “Lady Astrid speaks very highly of you.  And my valet didn’t exaggerate your beauty, I see.”
Fall gave Lord Cecil a radiant smile with her usual dimples.  “Thank you, my Lord.”
“Now, then, let’s have a look at this racer everypony is talking about,” said Lord Cecil.
“Fall, if you would?” I asked, and then stepped back.
Fall started with the solid rubber tires and titanium wheels and worked up from there.  Lord Cecil was fascinated and listened avidly, occasionally asking a question.  He was particularly interested in the magic fired boiler.  I showed him how to renew it and he caught on at once.
“Remarkable, simply remarkable.  Why has nopony ever thought of this before?” asked Lord Cecil.
“It’s the magic firing instead of wood that makes it possible, my Lord.  Mr. Apple built a steam truck for his deliveries and we based the racer off of that,” answered Fall.
“’Necessity is the mother of invention’, my Lord,” I added.  “I needed a way to haul my larger inventions, so I built the truck.  I built a steam tractor for my wife’s farm as well.  She’s named it ‘LuluBelle’.”
Lord Cecil looked astonished, and then laughed a slightly nasal laugh.  “Haw!  That’s grand, absolutely grand!  Named it, did she?  Hah!”
Fall handed over the instruction manual which made Lord Cecil exclaim with delight.  He handed it off to his valet who had appeared out of nowhere, then said, “Let’s take her for a test run.  I have a half mile track I built about two miles from here for the occasional party I have.”
Fall and I shared a glance.  A racing track!
“Certainly, my Lord,” I said.  “If you’d take the passenger seat, Fall will drive and show you the controls.  I’ll sit in the rumble seat.”
We took our places and Lord Cecil directed Fall down a dirt road not too far from the rear door.  A few minutes later we pulled into a clearing and, sure enough, there was a clay track.  Fall stopped and I hopped off.  She gave me a grin, and then positioned the racer between these two stone blocks.  I pulled out my watch, held up a hoof, then dropped it when the second hand reached 0.
Fall took off like one of the Lord of Hel’s minions and flew down the track.  I wondered if she’d make the turn but Fall knew her business and made the first turn, turning the wheels toward the outside of the track and sliding along, using the throttle to brake.  She sped up after the second turn and raced down the stretch, slid into the last two turns and then cut the throttle when she got to me.  I checked my watch, and then did a quick division.
“70 mph average Fall.  Not bad at all on a curved track,” I said, looking up from my watch.
“By Godfrey, what a run!” yelled an elated Lord Cecil.  “I’ve never moved faster in my life!”
“Are you ready to try it, my Lord?” asked Fall.
“I most certainly am, young mare!”
They switched places and Lord Cecil, moving far more slowly than Fall, took the racer around the track.  He did it twice more, moving a little faster each time.  On the fourth try, I timed him and he turned in a very respectable 40 mph.
“What a day, what a day!” said a grinning Lord Cecil as he raised his goggles.  “I can’t wait to show this to Fleur-de-Lis!”  The Marchioness Gabrielle de Rochechouart I remembered from my reading was Fancy Pants’ cousin on his father’s side although the connection was remote.  “Fleur-de-Lis” was her everyday name.  They were often seen together at parties and around town.
“Well, let’s call it day, shall we?  I’m famished,” said Lord Cecil.  Fall and I agreed and Lord Cecil drove us back to the manor, chatting with Fall like they were old friends.  Fall carried herself perfectly, her natural good humor along with Mrs. Grass’ lessons winning the day.  I was very proud and couldn’t wait to tell Mrs. Grass.
Lord Cecil backed the racer into an outbuilding not too far from the rear entrance.  “I’ll build a special building for her,” said Lord Cecil, removing his helmet and goggles as we walked toward the house.  “A common shed just won’t do, won’t do at all.  Oh, and please avail yourself of my hospitality and stay the night.  I’ll run you back into town in the morning.”
Fall and I exchanged a glance.  “Thank you, my Lord, for having us,” I answered.
Waiting for us at the rear door was Fabersham and the mare herself, Fleur-de-Lis.  She was exceptionally sleek and very beautiful, reminding me of a slightly smaller Lady Astrid.  Her mane and tail were a very light pink striped with white and her cutie mark was three fleurs-de-lis which showed vividly against her pure white coat.  Lord Cecil’s was three crowns and I wondered if the three combination ran in their family.
Fall and I stopped at the steps and gave a full bow in unison.
“Fleur!” Lord Cecil called out.  “Come and meet the Captain and his apprentice!”  Fall and I rose from our bow and Lady Gabrielle made her graceful way down the steps.  I extended my healing sense and found one exceptionally fit mare.  Her appearance was deceptive and I thought she’d be a match for me on the dojo floor unless I was very careful.  She also moved like a dancer or warrior with no lost motion.  Interesting.
Lady Gabrielle came to me and held out a flawless size 4 hoof.  “Bonjour, mon Capitaine.  It is a pleasure to meet you at last.  Lady Astrid, she speaks well of you.”
I bowed over the hoof and said in French, “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my Lady.  My I present my apprentice, Fall Brickle?”
Fall shook hooves without bowing as was appropriate for a mare, inclining her head at just the right angle.  “My Lady.”
“And is this the so-talented mécanique?  A pleasure, Mademoiselle Brickle.”  Lady Gabrielle turned to both of us.  “Please, do come inside and refresh yourselves before the tea, yes?”
“Thank you, my Lady,” I answered for both of us.  “If we may, Fall and I will get our saddlebags from the racer.”
“Bien sûr, mon Capitaine,” said Lady Gabrielle with Fancy Pants at her side.  “Fabersham will show you to your rooms and we will meet again in the small dining room.”
Fall and I bowed again as both peers went inside.  Fabersham waited while we trotted to the racer.
“Boss!” said Fall.  “Two aristocrats!”
I grinned at her.  “And both quite taken with you, Fall.  Wait’ll Mrs. Grass and Maggie hear about this!” I said as we pulled our saddlebags from the racer.
“Do you think Lord Cecil will let me look at that clock?” asked Fall, staring at it as we trotted back.
“I’m sure.  Best ask Fabersham first, though.  I don’t think the clock works, Fall,” I said, checking my watch against it.  “The time hasn’t moved since we’ve been here.”
“Ooooo, let’s fix it, Boss!” said Fall as we reached the back steps.
“Mmm, perhaps.  Teatime first.”  Something wasn’t quite right somewhere but I couldn’t put my hoof on it.  Lady Gabrielle was just a bit too coquettish; if I hadn’t met Ren, I never would have noticed.  Eh, well, I thought as we passed through the rear vestibule and up the huge oak central stair.  Most likely whatever it is will show itself soon enough.
Fabersham showed us to two guest rooms on the second floor and Fall snuck in a request to look at the clock.  As I unpacked and used the bathroom, I hoped Fabersham would wait for us since I wasn’t sure if I could find my way back to the small dining room.  I should have unrolled a string like in the mare’s tale, I thought, checking myself in the mirror one last time.
Fabersham didn’t wait but a pretty Earth pony maid did.  Fall was in the hall already and had put on one of Rarity’s bows which matched her eyes.  We trotted to the small dining room and found Fleur and Fancy Pants waiting for us next to an alicorn silver samovar and a wide selection of tea snacks such as cucumber sandwiches, mushrooms, apples (Golden Delicious) and carrots.
I wondered if Fall would eat it all but I needn’t have worried since she was the perfect gentlemare, napkin in her lap and most decorous.  His Lordship kept asking questions about the racer and about how I’d developed heating the boiler with magic.  Her Ladyship asked Fall about Ponyville fashions and other filly questions which Fall did manage to answer.  Still something off, though.
When we finished, Fabersham cleared his throat.
“Milord, the young mare would like to look at the rear vestibule clock.  May I show it to her?”
“Eh?  The clock?  Oh, of course, of course,” said the Earl, finishing a sandwich.  “Hasn’t worked in years.  Had a clockmaker here once who said it was too complicated for him.”
Fall was practically vibrating in place as Fabersham asked but made a perfect obeisance and excused herself after the Earl agreed.  She followed Fabersham out which left me with the two peers.
“Mon Capitaine, you are a dancer, no?  Would you be so good as to show me the…what ees the name…ze deux étapes?”
“The Appleloosa two-step, my Lady.  I’d be delighted.  The basic positions are ‘sweetheart’, ‘shadow’, and ‘wrap’.  Let’s start with the sweetheart.”
I stood and held out my forehooves.
“Oh, non, let us go to the ballroom.  We will have much more room there,” said Lady Gabrielle with a gentle smile.  Every sense I had went on alert when I saw that smile.  Just a dance lesson, I told myself.
“I’ll tag along too, if I may.”
“Delighted, my Lord,” I answered.
We walked one hall over and through a set of double doors.  The ballroom was half of one wing and had a row of windows on one side which gave wonderful natural light.  The Earl opened one door and motioned me through, so I went first.
I wasn’t sure what alerted me but most likely it was one of my new Earth pony senses.  I felt Lady Gabrielle shift behind me and I immediately went flat.  She sailed over my head in a flying side kick which would have knocked me senseless if it had connected.
She wasn’t finished, though.  She recovered, flipped in mid-air, landed and ran toward me faster than I thought possible.  I had just one shot, so I took it.  When Lady Gabrielle hit out with her right, I shifted to the left and used Grasp The Sparrow’s Tail.  I also used her considerable momentum and turned 180 degrees, twisting her forehoof at the same time.  I heard a pop as the twist dislocated her shoulder and she shrieked as I let her go.
Just by chance, I’d turned enough to launch her right at Lord Cecil who stood at the closed door as Lady Gabrielle attacked.  Lady Gabrielle slammed into him and I heard a crack as his side hit the door handle.  He went down with Lady Gabrielle on top.
Not wasting any time, I ran a few steps back and put myself in a defensive position.  There wasn’t a thing in the bare ballroom to use as a weapon and the only good news was the two aristocrats didn’t have any, either.  I hoped.
Lady Gabrielle was the first to recover and lit her horn as she stood on three legs.  Gone was the coquette and in her place was a steely-eyed fighter.  Lord Cecil pulled himself up by the door handle and lit his horn as well.  Both had good, solid utilitarian magic, close to Rarity’s level.  Most likely just like Rarity or Lyra, it was specialized.
So that’s the way they want to play it, I thought.  Very well.  And I lit my horn.
The manor had housed unicorns for centuries as was almost as steeped in magic as the Council building.  I held nothing back and the floor started to vibrate with a low hum.  The windows started to ring as well.  Lord Cecil’s eyes grew huge but Lady Gabrielle’s expression didn’t change.
I could hear my voice reverberate as I said the opening sentence to a formal magical duel: “I find your challenge to my Sacred Honor offensive and I demand satisfaction or an apology.”  Thank you once again, Encyclopedia.
Lord Cecil snuffed his horn at once.  Lady Gabrielle reluctantly followed a few seconds later.  Both lowered their defenses completely.
“Apologies, Captain,” both said at the same time.
I held my magic for a few seconds longer, and then pulled it back in.  I gave a half bow.
“Apology accepted, my Lord, my Lady.”
“What are you?  Nopony has that sort of power, nopony,” asked Lady Gabrielle, all trace of an accent gone.
“You first, Lady Gabrielle.”
Lady Gabrielle sighed.  “Very well.  I’m the Hand of the Council.”
An assassin!  And a spy.  So the stories said.
“I thought such a myth, my Lady.”
She shook her head, still standing on three legs.  She must have been in terrible pain but didn’t show it.
“Lord Cecil and I both work for the Magic Council.  So do Lyra Heartstrings and Pierre du Lac.”
“Lyra?  And Pierre?  Who else, my Lady?”
Lady Gabrielle clenched her jaw.  “The others you don’t know.  There are 12 of us in all.  Our families have served the Council for centuries.”
“The Council cleared me, my Lady.”
“But I didn’t,” said Lady Gabrielle, grimly.
“So the racer was just a pretense to get me here,” I said, somewhat annoyed.  They could have just asked.
Lady Gabrielle smiled slightly.  “No, Cecil here really did want it.  It was a perfect excuse to stop two gaps with one bush.”  Lord Cecil, right forehoof holding his right side, gave me a weak grin.
“She’s beautiful, my racer!” he said, then fainted and slid down the door.
Lady Gabrielle watched Lord Cecil collapse then turned to me with a fiery expression.  “If you try to kill me I’ll take you with me, I swear it!  I don’t care how powerful you are!”
I walked toward her and she braced herself, right foreleg hanging useless.  I lowered my defenses completely and held out a hoof.
“I’d never kill a work of art such as yourself, my Lady.  Instead, I humbly request you merge your magical field with mine.  If you find any deception in me, you may do with me as you wish.  But first…” I said, and popped her shoulder back into place, then healed the swelling.  I healed Lord Cecil’s broken ribs as well but left him asleep to recover.
Lady Gabrielle swung her right forehoof, and then looked at me. “So, the rumors were true.  A healer walks among us as of old.”
I just stood with my hoof out and said nothing.
Lady Gabrielle looked at me with that hard expression again, and then slowly extended her repaired right forehoof.  Our hooves met and her field reached out and merged with mine.
Duty.  Honor.  Country.  Discipline and training from the time she could walk.  A loving, generous family, but always Duty, Honor, Country.  Perhaps a bit of romance and foals later, but never forget: Duty, Honor, Country.
Lady Gabrielle as a giggling filly, her father teaching her to throw knives.
A birthday party with a young Fancy Pants and other unicorns.  Fun, games, play.
A first kiss with a teenage Cecil.  Much more later.
Duty.  Honor.  Country.
Working with Lady Astrid.  Noting her change in personality lately and growing suspicious.  Collecting information which led straight to me.
Duty.  Honor.  Country.
Lady Gabrielle slowly withdrew her field and stood looking at me.  Then she nodded.
“Do you understand, Maker?  Do you understand what She wants?”
“Not entirely, my Lady, not yet.  Yet, it is my Purpose.”
“It’s wonderful how much you love Fall,” said Lady Gabrielle with a slight smile (a genuine one this time), showing she was French as well as a pony after all, not some killing machine.  “That if nothing else leads me to trust you.”
“Thank you, my Lady.”
“Call me Fleur when it’s just us and Lord Cecil.”
I gave a half bow in response.
Fleur knelt and shook Lord Cecil.  When he didn’t wake, she looked back to me.
“Wake up, Milord,” I said.
Lord Cecil yawned, then stood.  He immediately felt his ribs.
“I say!  I’m not hurting any longer,” he said, poking at his side.
“He’s a healer, Cecil, and no danger to us,” said Fleur, nuzzling under Cecil’s chin for a few seconds.
“A healer!  Well, I’m dashed!  You’re just full of surprises, Captain.”
I just nodded.  “Glad to be of service to you and to the Crown, my Lord.”
Lord Cecil cleared his throat.  “Well, now that this unpleasant business is over, let’s return to the small dining room, shall we?”
We did and soon formed the same tableau as when we left; it was as if we’d never moved.  I had some of the excellent mushrooms as we made small talk.  The mantle clock chimed 5 and I heard five long, slow BONGS from the back of the house at the same time.  A few minutes later we heard galloping hooves and Fall appeared.  She was holding a bird’s nest and was covered in dirt, grease and cobwebs.  Her now-filthy bow was askew and she had left black hoofprints on the polished floors.
“Boss, Boss, Boss!  I fixed the clock!!  There was a bird’s nest which fell in the pinion and stopped the center wheel.  Come see!”
I did a facehoof, then looked up and sighed.  “Oh, Fall!  What have you gotten yourself into this time?”
I heard a giggle, then a laugh from Lady Gabrielle.  Lord Cecil joined her with that nasal laugh of his and soon both were laughing so hard they had to lean on one another.
Fall looked at them in surprise, then at the bird’s nest and herself.  Her ears drooped.  “Oh, no!  I’ve done it again, haven’t I?”
I just barely kept myself from laughing, too, but didn’t since Fall looked so distressed.  Fabersham walked in behind Fall with a wide smile.
“The young mare has fixed the clock, Milord, Milady.  Dinner at 7?”
That caused the pair to laugh even harder.
I walked to a tearful Fall.  “Fall, perhaps Fabersham could show you where you could clean up?”
Fabersham nodded cheerfully.  “Indeed, Miss Brickle.  If you’d come with me, please?  We have a shower outside we use for the race parties.”  As Fabersham was talking, two maids appeared with soap, brush and towel.
Fall gave me a pitiful look with those gorgeous eyes of hers.  “It’s fine, Fall.  Go ahead and we’ll see you at dinner.”  That got me a watery smile and the maids led Fall back outside, Fall still carrying that bird’s nest.  A third maid showed up with a mop and bucket to clean up the hoofprints.
Fabersham looked fondly after Fall.
“Foals, Fabersham?” I asked as Lord Cecil and Lady Gabrielle wound down.
“Three fillies, sir, the youngest Miss Brickle’s age,” he said, then nodded and followed the maids.
I turned to the aristocrats.  “Apologies, Fleur, Lord Cecil.  She meant well.”
Lord Cecil waved a hoof after wiping his eyes.  “Nonsense, Captain.  Not only did she succeed where a so-called expert failed but Fleur and I haven’t laughed so much in years.”  Fleur nodded, still smiling.  “She’s a credit to you and to your training, sir,” finished Lord Cecil.
I gave a half bow.  “I thank you for your understanding, Milord.  She really is brilliant if a bit…eccentric.”
“Now where do you suppose she gets that, Benjamin Apple?” asked Fleur, looking mischievous.
“Not a clue, my Lady,” I answered, shaking my head.  “Not a clue.”

Our supper at 7 was a merry one.  I changed into my mess dress and at 6:55 escorted Fall into the small dining room from the withdrawing room.  Fall was free of dirt and grease with a new bow and styled mane; apparently the maids enjoyed making her over as much as the Grass mares did.  She also had on her best dress, one of Rarity’s which matched her eyes and coat to perfection.  Once seated, our host and hostess praised her profusely about the clock and about her appearance.  Very soon she was back to her cheerful self.
At 8 we walked to what Lord Cecil called the “small parlor” which would have held the cabin at the farm twice over.  We played charades and Fall and Fleur were particularly good at it.  For my turn I chose “Ponies We All Know” and imitated Rarity, tail curled and nose in the air.  Everypony guessed it at the same time in just a few seconds with applause and laughter following.
We called it a night at 9 and Fall and I went to our rooms.  I made sure I was packed for tomorrow, then sat and stared out the window.  The moon was almost full and in the moonlight the manor’s garden looked straight out of a mare’s tale.  I was almost ready for bed when I heard a light tapping at my door.
“Come,” I called.
The door opened and Fall slipped in.  She came up next to me, wrapped both her forehooves around my left foreleg and leaned her head against my shoulder.  I kissed her on the top of her head.  Soon she’ll be able to do that to me, I thought.
I looked back out the window.  “I’ve never been more proud of you than on this trip, Punkin’.  You’ve secured your future these last two days.”
Fall gripped me harder.  “You mean it, Mr. Apple?  Even with the clock?”
I smiled even though Fall couldn’t see.  “Even with the clock, Apprentice.”  I paused a moment.  “I love you, Fall,” I added, rubbing the top of her head with the side of my muzzle.
Fall gave me one last squeeze.  “I love you too, Boss,” she said as she looked up at me.  I kissed her nose.
“’Night, Punkin’.”
“’Night, Boss.  See you in the morning.”
After she left, I sighed with contentment, then walked toward the bed.  Then came another light tapping at the door.  Grand Central, I thought.
“Come.”
Lady Gabrielle slid in my room more elegantly than Fall; it was if she barely opened the door at all.
I gave a half bow.  “Fleur.”
“Maker.  I’m glad you’re still awake.  I won’t keep you long,” said Fleur, walking over to the window and looking out.  “Beautiful,” she said, admiring the gardens.  “Benjamin, what’s your security rating?” Fleur asked, turning from the window.
“4.”
“Now you’re a 6.  All we went through today was because Herself Feels some threat to the kingdom.  She doesn’t know what, but she Felt the same just before the Griffon War started.”
I nodded.  “What can I do to help?”
“Stay alert.  Let Lyra or Pierre know if you Feel anything yourself.”  Fleur gave me a wry smile.  “You seem to have some skills.”
“Of course, my Lady.”
Fleur nodded, then held out a hoof.  “Thank you, Benjamin.  It’s been a pleasure.  Any final questions?”
“Only two, Fleur,” I said, shaking and releasing her hoof.  “Does Lord Cecil need that monocle he wears?”
Fleur give a small grin.  “Of course not.  He just does it as part of his ‘Lord Haw Haw’ act.  Next question?”
“Whose accent were you imitating when you were playing the coquette?”
Fleur gave a short, sharp laugh.  “My aunt’s.  She taught me that early.  It’s useful in certain circles.”
“Thank you, Fleur.”
“Goodnight, Maker Ben.”  And she was gone as silently as she came.  Whew.  I really did get lucky with her.  I doubted she’d make the same mistake twice, I thought, as I got into bed.  No, she wouldn’t.
Fall dragged me out of bed early on 14th so she could show me the repaired clock striking.  I watched it strike 6; a dwarf came out of the left door and struck a bell on an anvil which came out of the right.  The bell’s tone was excellent and Fall practically danced in place as she explained.
“The dwarf uses an offset cam to move his arm, Boss, and the track is a simple pulley.  I have a couple of ideas to improve the design for our clock, though.  The clock is also silent from 9 PM ‘til 6AM, a brilliant combination of gearing on the count wheel and settings on the pin wheel.”
I just nodded, then had to almost carry Fall back inside so we could meet our host for breakfast.  Lord Cecil was waiting in the small dining room.
“Good morning, Guests!” he said, rising to meet us.  We both gave a half bow, then seated ourselves.
“Please excuse Fleur.  She’s not an early riser unless the need is very great,” said Lord Cecil as he rang for breakfast.
Breakfast was as good a meal as we’d had and Fall ate accordingly.  Lord Cecil watched her with satisfaction and said, “I do enjoy a young mare with a good, healthy appetite.”  Fall managed to get out a “Thank you, Milord,” before going back to eating.
We left for the station at 6:30, the repaired clock striking the half seeing us on our way.  Lord Cecil drove and once again Fall kept up a very pleasant conversation.  Unlike before, she was completely relaxed and even flirted a little.
Lord Cecil dropped us off at 7:15, the racer attracting the usual amount of attention.
“I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed having you as guests,” said Lord Cecil.  “You’ll find a little something extra in your account, Mr. Apple, along with the balance for the racer.”
I gave a half bow.  “Thank you, Lord Cecil.  We’re enjoyed ourselves as well.  Please let us know if Apple Manufacturing can do anything else for you.”
“Oh, I will.  Most likely I’ll want two LuluBelles for my farms next year.  Farewell, both of you.”
With a wave, Lord Cecil turned the racer and headed back to his estate.  Fall and I made our way to the ticket office and once again we didn’t have to pay for first class.  We boarded and the train pulled out at 7:30.
For a moment, Fall and I just looked at one another, then we leapt up at the same time.  I grabbed her around the waist and twirled her around the small cabin, then put her down and kissed her nose.
“Well done, Apprentice, very well done!”
“Thanks, Boss.  Say, could we get some more breakfast?”
“Very well, Miss Pig.”
We went into the dining car and our Earth pony waitress thoroughly enjoyed serving Fall until Fall couldn’t eat another bite.  I had some excellent Oolong and we were both back in our cabin at 8:15.  I sat next to the window and opened Equestrian Peerages since I wanted to read some more about Fleur’s family.  I was deep into some very convoluted family trees when Fall slid in next to me, then laid her head in my lap.  Still reading, I idly stroked her right ear until she fell asleep, something Ma Brickle taught me when Fall first came to the workshop and was homesick.  Fall was really too old for it but I indulged her a bit.  Eventually I put down the book and nodded off myself.

I was back in the Astral.  I could see Lady Magic about 30 feet away.
“Lady Magic!  Where have You been?” I asked, waving.
Lady Magic started talking and even gestured with a hoof but I couldn’t hear anything.
“My Lady, I can’t hear You,” I said, holding a hoof up to my ear.
Lady Magic spoke faster and held out both front hooves, but I still couldn’t hear anything.  A grey fog rolled in and I lost sight of Her.  The fog covered me as well.
“My Lady!  Where are You?” I called, trying to peer through the fog.  “Lady Magic!!”

I woke up as the train pulled into the Ponyville station a little before 2.  Still half in the dream, I roused Fall and we put on our saddlebags and pouches.  The Sunny Spring weather cleared the last of the dream from my brain and we enjoyed the walk back to the workshop.  Fall did all the talking about how she was going to improve her bell-striking dwarf and I just listened.
When we got to the workshop, Fall burst through the kitchen door.
“We’re home!” she yelled and dove into the two Grass sisters who were sorting through laundry.  Both embraced her enthusiastically, laughing at her youthful exuberance.  I entered with what I hoped was more dignity although I moved pretty quickly, too.
“Welcome back, both of you,” said Mrs. Grass after she and Maggie took turns kissing Fall’s nose.  “How was it visiting the aristocracy?”
“Fall was a credit to your teaching, Mrs. Grass,” I said.  “She completely charmed Lord Cecil and Lady Gabrielle.  Thanks to her, the workshop earned a bonus and an order for two steam tractors next year.”
“Well, now, Fall, you just sit right here and tell me all about it!” said an excited Mrs. Grass.  Maggie nodded as well.
“I have a better idea: Mare Spa Afternoon on the workshop!  All mares within the sound of my voice take the rest of the day at the spa,” I said, waving a hoof.
That generated all sorts of enthusiasm and as the Grass sisters rose to get ready, Fall came over and hugged me.
“Thanks again, Boss.  That was the greatest experience of my life.”
“Much more to come for you, Apprentice.  I’m at the farm if you need me and will see you in the morning.  Oh, and no need to mention the Clock Incident, yes?”
Fall dimpled and waved goodbye as I walked back out the door.  I trotted to the bank first and found a very generous 10,000 bits from Lord Cecil in the workshop account.  I paid myself 2,000 bits and gave Fall 1,100 which with the original down payment of 1,000 bits still left almost a year’s earnings for the workshop.
I walked to the farm, speaking with several different birds who were working hard to feed their young.  I admired some goldfinch nestlings who all begged for food when my head blocked out the light.  I also kept thinking about my dream and wondering why I couldn’t talk to Lady Magic.
I got to the farm in good time, tossed my saddlebags in the cabin, then went searching for my best filly.  It was good to be back.
> Construction Begins
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Construction Begins

SMOOTHING a cypress beam
With a scarred hand,
I saw a carpenter
In a far land.

Down past the flat roofs
Poured the white sun;
But still he bent his back,
The patient one.

And I paused surprised
In that strange place
To find an old stallion
With a haunting face. 

"Who art thou, carpenter,
Of the bowed head;	
And what buildest thou?"
"Heaven," he said.

…

I'm going to build a little house
With windows wide and bright.
With chimney tall and curling smoke
Rising out of sight.
In Winter when the snowflakes fall
Or when I hear a storm,
I'll go inside my little house
Where I'll be snug and warm.

“Poems for Architects”,  The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

The morning of 15th greeted us with a red sky; AJ and I agreed most likely rain in the afternoon.  As usual we had breakfast with the family, then after a quick nose rub went to work, me to the workshop and AJ to the fields.  We agreed to meet at 11:30 at Finial’s to see the blueprints and then to have lunch at Pierre’s with the builders.  I also wanted to invite Summer Breeze to the house for a preening so AJ and Apple Bloom could practice.  I’d suggested Apple Bloom ask the spa ponies to add pegasus preening to their services and offer herself as the one to do it.
After I got to the workshop, Fall had a few new diagrams to show me including a pretty good design for compressor so we could install rudimentary air conditioning in the workshop addition.  I made some suggestions and wondered yet again if there was any way to harness magic without having to renew it once a month.  Without a unicorn around, no vehicles, no compressor and no geothermal.
I looked over the accounts (27,345 bits in the workshop account), then gave Maggie a lesson on the new typewriter.  Mrs. Grass primus wouldn’t go near it and called it “an infernal machine”, so Maggie volunteered to try.  She did pretty well, too, and I gave her some exercises after we finished.
It was harder to get back to work after our trip than I expected, but habit paid off and I finished several smaller jobs.  Mrs. Grass brought me a letter with strange cursive and archaic phrasing.  It asked if we could design a marine steam engine which surprised me since, as far as I knew, all ships were still sail.  Maggie confirmed it when I asked her.  I told Mrs. Grass to answer “if somepony could think of it, we could build it” and to please pay the shop a visit, etc.
I left at 11:15 to meet AJ and found her waiting outside of Finial’s, very excited about seeing the blueprints.  We went in and found Finial at her desk.
“Mr. and Mrs. Apple,” Finial said, moving around her desk to shake our hooves.  “You’re just in time!  I’ve finished double checking your blueprints,” said added, gesturing to a neat stack.
“We’re ready when you are, Architect!” said AJ, enjoying the moment.
We spent about an hour going over the design.  Finial’s only change from my original idea was to use granite instead of brick.  I told her that was fine since I knew how to fuse granite which would make the house very solid.  The kitchen was a marvel of innovation which included an island with a sink, double iceboxes, a gas stove with an attached hot water tank, hooks for pots and pans, dozens of cabinets and drawers, a walk-in pantry and flagstone flooring with a drain.
“This shows the steel framing you wanted, Mr. Apple, starting with a dozen beams over the basement to support the ground floor,” said Finial, flipping through the blueprints to one of the first ones.  “That will support the ground floor and other three floors.  And,” she said, grinning like a fox, “I have secret passages from the master bedroom to the second floor parlor, from the third bedroom to the kitchen and a slide which wraps around the tower from the top room to the ground floor.”
AJ and I both cheered and applauded at that last one.
“Well done, Finial, very well done.  Say, let’s go next door and get Ashlar, then head to lunch.  We can talk schedules then.”
I was up and out the door with AJ behind me and didn’t hear Finial say, “Uh, well, about that, Mr. Apple…”
I excitedly burst into Ashlar’s office, AJ right behind me.  “Ashlar!  Let’s talk materials over lunch!” I said.
Ashlar was behind her desk just like Finial with a stack of telegrams in front of her.  I saw her surreptitiously wipe away tears then smile that same dazzling smile she used when we first met her.  It looked a bit forced to me, though.
“Mr. and Mrs. Apple!  I was hoping I’d see you today.”
“What say you, General Contractor?” I said, taking one chair while AJ took the other.
“Well, sir…I…well, none of the trades will agree to work for me.”  Ashlar slammed both hooves down on her desk, scattering the telegrams.  “It’s just so unfair.  They tell me I don’t have enough experience but I can’t get experience if they won’t come and work for me.”
Finial walked in then carrying the blueprints in a cardboard tube.  “That’s what I was trying to tell you, Mr. Apple.  We have plans ready and materials ordered but the only trade we could get was Blessing’s Concrete.  And their motto is “We pour for anypony.”
“Hmm,” I said, holding my front hooves together.  “Bit of a hazing for you, Ashlar.  Most likely they want to see how you’ll handle it, then come work for you when you finally give up.”
Ashlar nodded unhappily.  “I’m sorry, Mr. Apple.  I wanted to start building this week.  I even arranged with the pegasi to hold off most of the rain over the building site for the next month.”
I gave Ashlar a bland smile, then looked at AJ.  She nodded.
“I’ll stop by the telegraph office after lunch.  Ashlar, do you have a building schedule?” asked AJ, holding out a hoof.
“Why, yes, Mrs. Apple,” said Ashlar, handing over a couple of close-written pages.  “I don’t see what good that will do you, though.”
“Young mare,” I said, “you’re about to see just how useful it is to belong to a very talented extended family.  Meanwhile,” I said, rising, “I place myself and Fall at your disposal.  She and I can help you dig the foundation, put in the water lines, drill the geothermal and set most of the framing.  As of now, General Contactor, we are your employees.  Well, most of the time, anyway.  One of us will have to man the workshop off and on.”
Ashlar’s ears shot up.  “You mean it, Mr. Apple?”
“I do.  When would you like to start?”
“The first load of granite arrives in two days, the first steel four days after that.  I’ve also rented some tents so we can store material at the building site.  Uh, Mr. Apple…?”
“Speak.”
“I could use some more bits, sir.”
“Ah, the eternal song of the General Contractor.  Mrs. Apple?”
AJ reached into her pouch and pulled out a check she’d written before we came.  “Is 5,000 bits enough, Ashlar?”
Ashlar started wide-eyed at the check, then gave that smile I’d hoped to see again, a genuine one this time.  “Yes, ma’am, it certainly is!  That should cover the rest of the material including the silver for the door fittings and for the electrical wiring.”
“Well and good.  Now, who’s hungry?”  Both unicorns raised their hooves.  “Then we’re off!”
We headed to Pierre’s, the unicorns flanking AJ and I enjoying the view from behind just like when we walked to the workshop.  The head waiter seated us outside under an awning and I listened while AJ and the twins talked interior decoration.  I’d planned to stop at lathe and plaster and then trot briskly away, leaving the rest to AJ.  We’d have paneling in the tower and my study but those were the only rooms with it unless you counted the wainscoting in the dining room.
We were almost finished eating when Pierre himself came out.
“Mr. and Mrs. Apple, greetings.  And the beautiful Lambert sisters, greetings to you as well!  You’re enjoying the food, yes?”  Pierre put his right forehoof on my left shoulder and quietly merged his magical field with mine while he was talking to the others.  At once I knew Fleur had told him about our…encounter…and Pierre let me know he was glad I’d survived.  I thought back the same and we both took a moment to admire Fleur.  Just before he withdrew, I sent him an image of a Ponyville Bank sign replacing the Canterlot 1st National Bank sign.  He sent back an image of Lady Silver tied to the railroad tracks which amused us both no end.
“So, then,” I said after Pierre left and I paid the waiter.  “I’ll see you the morning of 17th, Ashlar?”
“I’m really looking forward to it, Mr. Apple!” said Ashlar.
“Yes, indeed.  Expect crowds to gather as we make progress.  I daresay the trades who turned you down will sneak in as well.”
Ashlar gave me an evil grin.  “That I’m really looking forward to, sir!”

The 17th dawned clear and after breakfast I headed to the building site.  Ashlar met me there and had the basement, garage, drain lines and water lines marked out.  I dug out the entire basement first and moved the huge square of dirt to a little dingle AJ told me she wanted leveled.  That done, I dug out the basement drain line which ran 15 feet deep in places.  Ashlar, meanwhile, dug out the water lines and marked out the dam site.  Ashlar and I set up these two huge tents as well.  I stood in the middle of one and acted like a ringmaster pointing to imaginary building materials.  Ashlar just rolled her eyes at her nutty employee.
After lunch, the first of the granite arrived and Ashlar had the sturdy ponies pile it next to the basement.  Ashlar said she needed to put in plumb lines for the basement walls and excused me around 2.  I cleaned up, then went back to the workshop.
On 18th I diverted the creek, then Ashlar and I set the formers and rebar for the dam and powerhouse floor.  Ashlar had marked off the foundation and set the formers for the footers, so we placed the rebar, then did the same for the garage slab.  Fall showed up with Amber Blessing and her crew at 8.  I knew Amber from the Stable of Commerce.
“Amber!  Good to see you this morning!”
“Hiya, Mr. Apple!  Say, this is quite the pour you’ve got here.  I think we have enough but can make more if we need it.”
“May Fall watch?” I asked.
“Sure, sure, and do more than that, I hope,” said Amber, patting Fall on the shoulder.  Fall grinned at Amber and both headed off.  Ashlar like a good General Contractor mainly stayed out of the way.  Granny and AJ brought lunch for everypony and I enjoyed getting to know some Earth ponies I hadn’t met before.  Word had gotten out I’d answer unicorn questions without getting indignant, something which happened all too frequently when unicorns dealt with other types of ponies, sad to say.  Once Amber’s crew and Amber herself asked a few tentative questions, the rest came thick and fast.
“If unicorns get thirsty, can they use magic to call water?”
“Why do unicorns bow all the time?”
“Do unicorns sleep at night or just do that thar meditatin’?”
“When you’re with a unicorn filly…?”
Amber whacked the young stallion who asked that one and his ears drooped.
I held up a hoof.  “It’s fine, Amber; I did say any question, after all.”  I looked back the subdued stallion who was about Lauryn’s age.  “Go ahead, young stallion, just try not to get too…explicit, yes?”  Answering his questions about unicorns spending intimate time together led to some wide eyes and then several nods all around.  The more ponies know, I thought.
After lunch the crew finished pouring, Fall getting into the thick of it.  They smoothed the rest of the day and finished right around dusk.  More food and more questions, then a tired but satisfied crew headed home.  I made sure Ashlar gave Amber some extra bits so she could take the crew to the pub on us.
On 20th, concrete set, it was back to me and Ashlar again.  I diverted the stream back to the pond we’d dug out behind the dam, then opened the sluiceways to let it flow again as soon as the water level rose.  The Smithson and Sons generator arrived and I installed that in the powerhouse slab, then Fall hooked up the turbine.  Ashlar could set stone better than I and had the first four courses of granite in place.  We took turns so we didn’t get in each other’s way, resting in between.  By noon, we had finished the basement walls.  After lunch, I showed Ashlar how to fuse granite and when I finished, we had what was essentially a single block of granite for a foundation.  I kept the look of the stacked stone, though, since AJ liked it.  We filled in the dirt around the outside and then shook hooves.
On 21st Amber came back and finished the basement.  The steel arrived just as Amber and her crew climbed out from smoothing the concrete.  Amber couldn’t get over the granite foundation.  “No water in this basement, Mr. Apple.  It’ll stay as dry as a bone and that’s the truth.”
Ashlar and I took a half day while the basement dried and went to the spa where AJ and Finial joined us.  Finial had been at the site a good bit, too, but wasn’t as proficient as building as Ashlar.  Finial made sure we had all the notches for the steel in place along with marking the power lines and some other odds and ends.
On 22nd Ashlar and I framed in the garage.  Fall delivered the double size water heater I’d made and Ashlar and I lowered it into the basement onto some granite supports.  Ashlar soldered in the copper pipes which impressed me greatly since I always had trouble.  As I predicted, we had several ponies watching us work, then a good many more around lunch including several pegasi.  After lunch, Ashlar and I set the 12 steel girders in place on top of the granite foundation.  I had to shape stone in a couple of places but by 3 we had one very solid first floor.
I spent the 23rd at the shop and went back on the 24th.  Ashlar had some of the first floor framing up including a good start on the tower.  I joined her and by noon we were ready for the second floor.  We had an audience of around 50 ponies and many cheered when we fused and riveted the second floor girders.  I noticed several trades I knew from the Stable of Commerce trying to remain inconspicuous in the crowd.  Ashlar noticed as well but both of us pretended we didn’t.
By the 1st of Fifth, we had a fully framed house.  A laconic, straw-chewing Apple (“Call me ‘Chips’, everypony does”) arrived that morning from Appleoosa with six other Earth ponies and started laying the subflooring and the floors including a sprung floor in the ballroom.  He was a bit dubious about the geothermal heating but Ashlar and I both insisted, so eventually he just shrugged and let us lay out the tubing.  He put the floors over it with many a side glance at us, though.  Chips used pegs, too, so the floors became essentially one large piece of wood.
By the 6th of Fifth Chips and crew finished framing the attics so Ashlar and I put on the slate roof and copper gutters.  Another Apple arrived to install the plumbing and still another to run the electrical.  I insisted on at least two outlets on every single wall in the place and our electrician was most impressed with our insulated silver wire.  She also ran wiring for electric lights in the ceiling.  AJ and I had decided on gas but wanted the option if we ever decided to change.  Next came the exterior walls and by the 15th of Fifth, we had one first-rate house under roof and ready for finishing.
The twins, AJ and I had an official meeting that evening to see what came next.  Ashlar gleefully told us a couple of the carpenters from town came up to her and asked if they could install the lathe, no doubt hoping they get some of the more elaborate finishing work.  A good sport, Ashlar hired them and they’d already started.  A couple of plasterers wanted work as well, so AJ said she’d cancel the Apple she’d summoned for that.
Ashlar sighed in satisfaction.  “That should do it for you, Mr. Apple.  I certainly have enjoyed working with you these last few weeks.”
“Excellent, Ashlar!  How’s the money holding out?”
Ashlar opened a file folder.  “Not too bad, Mr. Apple.  We have a little left over which we can spend on some of the more exotic woods Mrs. Apple wanted.”
I raised my eyebrows at AJ and she just gave me a lopsided grin.
“Hmm, yes, well, I’m sure Mrs. Apple will give you more if necessary.  Well and good, then.  How about the workshop addition?”
“We’ll start right around Midsummer, Mr. Apple, hopefully before you go to the wedding,” said Ashlar.
I groaned and hid my face in both hooves.  “Egad, don’t remind me!”
The twins laughed and AJ just patted my bowed head.  “You know you love weddings, Hon!”
Sure I do, sure.

Another Wedding

We sleep in separate rooms, we have dinner apart, we take separate vacations – we’re doing everything we can to keep our marriage together.

Rodney Dangerfield

I checked the boxcar one last time, and then lowered the temperature on the 48 crates of beets, broccoli, cabbage, early corn and tomatoes, peppers, spinach and Summer squash.  Maggie had really come through for the wedding and the load was more than enough for the 100 guests and staff.
I checked the time and the station clock showed it was just before 7.  Moving along, that would get us to Canterlot around 1:30.  I hopped into the cab (which had “Cecilia” and master sergeant stripes on both sides) and Roundhouse gave me his usual grin.
“Ready, Mr. Wizard?” he asked.
“Ready, Roundhouse,” I answered.  The firepony was a very young Earthpony stallion I hadn’t met before.  “And who is this firepony, if I may ask?”
“This here’s my grandson Casey.  Case, say hello to Mr. Apple.”
The young stallion grabbed my proffered hoof in both of his and shook it vigorously.
“Gee, Mr. Wizard, I sure am glad t’ meet ya!  Granddad’s told me all about you.”
“The pleasure is mine, Casey,” I said as he released my hoof.
“On our way, sir,” said Roundhouse, giving two toots on the whistle.
We pulled out of the station and made good time through the hot morning.  It was 18th of Sixth and another scorcher.  I wondered if 20th would cool down for the wedding.  At least the wedding was later in the day at 6 so the reception outside was in the cool of the evening.  I sighed over the logistics since I’d most likely have to help set up and take down.  It was always a nuisance when we had parties outside instead of in the ballrooms.
I thought about that and then realized Roundhouse, usually full of banter, was surprisingly quiet.
“All well, Roundhouse?  You’re not saying much.  You’re not sick, are you?”
Roundhouse gave me a half grin as he adjusted the throttle, and then became serious again.
“No, sir, not sick.  The whole city is on edge, though, what with the magic dampening field and that strange dome the Guard has up.  There’s a curfew, too, and nopony knows why exactly.”
Dome?  A security dome was a Level 2 spell and was strictly defensive.  It wasn’t too hard to maintain but was mainly a warning device; it wouldn’t keep out a determined opponent for long, magical or otherwise.
I nodded.  “I’ll bet the unicorns are all out of sorts.”
“Yessir, that they are.  Waaalll, don’t mind me.  How’s married life?”
I went into some detail about the Homestead which was almost finished, living with a farming family and the latest workshop orders.  Ashlar started the workshop addition yesterday, so Fall and I could finally start on the steam trucks in a few weeks.  We had in three more orders for racers, too, along with all the other work for the locals.  I’d kept the aeroplane a secret even from Fall but decided after I got back it was time to try it out.
Even with me going on and on, it was a far quieter trip than our usual one.  The mood infected me and I soon grew quiet myself.  The minute the hog crossed the city limits, I felt my magic drop to about half.  I called a ball and even with my control, it was weak.  Casey watched with wide eyes but unlike Timothy didn’t ask any questions.
We pulled into the freight depot at 1:35 and just like at the Gala, there stood Chancellor with a squad of Guards.  I thanked Roundhouse and Casey, and then hopped out of the cab.
Chancellor walked over with an outstretched hoof.
“Ben!  Good to see you, sir.”
“Chancellor, the same.  You’re well?”  I thought he looked tired and strained, not his usual self at all.
“I’ll fill you in later,” he said and looked over at the boxcar.  “48 crates?”
“48 exactly.  Which should take…”
“An hour and twenty minutes to unload,” the Chancellor and I said together, and then laughed.  For just a moment he looked like his old self.
Chancellor introduced me to the Guard squad running the flatbed.  The young Earth pony corporal saluted and we shook hooves.  Without further ado, they hitched themselves to the flatbed and I started unloading crates, something of a strain with my limited magic.  One hour and twenty-six minutes later, I followed the last load to the kitchen loading dock.  Again, the kitchen staff set aside more than enough for us to eat.  I thanked the squad and Chancellor dismissed them.  Chancellor asked me to come with him to his office, so I paced him there.
Once we were in, he shut the door.
“You’re a 6 now, Ben?” he asked.
I nodded.
Chancellor signed.  “It’s not good, Ben.  I’ve never seen Herself so out of sorts.  Even Lady Astrid, who has been wonderful these last few months, can’t seem to shake Princess Celestia out of it.  We’re at a Level 4 alert and nopony knows why.  And the unicorns!  I get twenty complaints a day about the dampening field.”
“Wedding is still on, though?  AJ and the other Mane Six got here a couple of days ago to help.”
The Chancellor nodded.  “Your wife is in Pastry Kitchen #1, and the others are scattered around.  Oh, it’s on, alright,” he said with a small grin.  “The country may collapse, but Shining Armor and Cadence have planned this wedding for a year, so it’s happening.”
“How is Shining Armor?” I said, worried about my best friend.  “He wrote me a month ago and sounded fine.  He said we’d most likely not see one another until after the wedding.  He and Cadence want to see the Homestead after they get back from Hot Springs.”
Chancellor nodded.  “He’s on almost constant patrol and is one of the few Exempt so he can use his full magic to maintain the security dome.”  Chancellor shifted in his chair.  “I don’t like it, Ben, not at all.  Something is off somewhere but I don’t know what.  Stay alert, would you?”
“That I will, Clarence.  Oh, and Clarence…?”
Chancellor looked up inquisitively.
“The Apples gave me a Private Name.  You can call me ‘Maker’ when it’s just us,” I said, still proud to say it.
“Wha…?  ‘Maker’ as in ‘Maker Jack’?” asked the Chancellor.
“The same!” I answered, looking mischievous and rubbing my forehooves together.
Clarence laughed and laughed.  “That’s perfect for you!  ‘Maker Ben’!  Whew, gosh, I really needed that,” he said, catching his breath as he finished laughing.
Chancellor pulled out a work schedule with my name on it.  “We’re short staffed since it’s Midsummer, so I have you filling in a half dozen places.”
I took the sheet.  Kitchen duty, cleaning duty, some maintenance, readying the garden, setting up tables.  All routine.
I looked up and checked my watch.  It was 4 and I heard the castle clock chime the hour.
“I’m for the kitchen, then,” I said as I stood.  We shook hooves.
“I’m glad you’re here, Ben,” he said.  “You always make ponies feel better when you show up.”
“Confidence is high, Chancellor.  And it’ll all be over on 21st, thank the Magic.”
Chancellor smiled as he released my hoof.  “You know where I live if you need anything.  Otherwise, I’ll see you at 5:30 on 20th in the Auxiliary Throne Room.”
I grimaced.  “Window dressing.”
Chancellor smiled a courtier’s smile.
I waved, and then headed for the kitchens.

The next couple of days were a blur.  I kept moving from dawn until well after dusk since a number of the staff had gone on “vacation”, most likely out of fear.  I woke up the night of 19th to find AJ snoring into my back but her work schedule was even more demanding than mine, so we never had a chance to talk.  I kept my eyes open and tried to keep ponies from rushing and making mistakes.  I had to heal two, though, one with some nasty burns from trying to lift a pot too heavy for her and one with a broken leg from a fall.  That along with the dampening field left my magic as low as it had been in as long as I could remember.
I was talking with one of the underbutlers about what tables we should move to the garden when Cadence burst out of the Auxiliary Throne Room in tears.  The Mane Six minus Twilight came running after her and then Tia came last.
“You have a lot to think about,” Celestia said over her shoulder, then stomped off.
The underbutler and I just looked at one another and went back to what we were doing.  We weren’t about to get in the middle of a royal quarrel.
At last all was ready or at least as ready as we could make it.  I changed into my mess dress at 5 on the 20th and took the service passages to the anteroom right beside the Auxiliary Throne Room.  Jenson and his squad met me there, and I shook hooves with all of them, glad to see familiar faces.
“Window dressing again, eh, Sergeant?”
“That we are, sir.  At least it’s for the General this time.”
We took our places at 5:30.  Mine was to stage right of the dais.  The Deputy Commander, an exceptionally professional veteran of the Griffon War, was on stage left.  Jenson and his squad were positioned around the room.  I made sure the Chancellor gave permission for the squad and the DC to carry their service weapons instead of the ceremonial swords.  No sense in taking chances.  I was never in combat, so I didn’t carry a weapon.
At 5:55, Tia took her place and the procession started.  Right at 6, Celestia started the ceremony.  I thought Carl looked terrible but Cadence was almost gleaming, she looked so healthy.
“Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor,” started Tia.  She went through the usual vows and made it to the final sentence.
“Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, it is my great pleasure to pronounce you…”
“Stop!” said Twilight, covered in grime and standing at the entrance.  A murmur went up from the crowd.  I wondered myself what she was doing.
“Why does she have to be so possessive of her brother? Why does she have to ruin my special day?” wailed Cadence.  Her crying sounded a bit off to me.
“Because it's not your special day.  It's mine!”  And there stood another Cadence, an even more sorry sight than Twilight.  I did a double take as I’m sure did most of the other ponies present.
“What? But how did you escape my bridesmaids?  No matter.  You're still too late,” said the Other Cadence.  For some reason, I trusted the raggedy one more than the one on the dais.
“I don't understand.  How can there be two of 'em?” I heard AJ ask.
“She's a changeling,” answered Ragged Cadence, clenching her teeth as she said it.  “She takes the form of somepony you love and gains power by feeding off your love for them.”
Other Cadence’s expression changed to a rictus of fury, and then green flames surrounded her.  I Felt a wash of strange, twisted magic as a green column shot up around Other Cadence.  When it cleared, there stood a strange, black creature, a parody of an alicorn.  She had huge sickly green eyes, a shining carapace covered in scales, fangs and insectoid wings.
That was enough for me.  I looked over at the Deputy Commander and he nodded.  He gave the signal for “advance with caution”.  Jenson’s squad drew their weapons and started inching their way toward the dais.  I started working my way toward the front of the dais in case there was anything I could do.  Fortunately, the creature was too busy monologuing to notice.  Her voice was seductive with a slight reverb.  Dangerous, I thought.
“Right you are, Princess.  And as queen of the changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects.  Equestria has more love than any place I've ever encountered.  My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed!”
“They'll never get the chance!  Shining Armor's protection spell will keep them from ever even reaching us,” answered Cadence.
The creature chuckled, a surprisingly relaxed sound.  “Oh, I doubt that.  Isn't that right, dear?” she said, looking back at Carl.  Carl just nodded and made a sound of agreement.  Bad, very bad.
Cadence noticed as well and tried to run to him.
“Ah-ah-ah,” said the creature, lighting her twisted horn and blocking Cadence’s path.  “Don't want to go back to the caves, now do you?”  With remarkable grace, the creature hopped back onto the dais next to Carl.
“Ever since I took your place, I've been feeding off Shining Armor's love for you.  Every moment he grows weaker, and so does his spell.  Even now my minions are chipping away at it.”  The creature went on, giving an evil laugh.  “He may not be my husband, but he is under my total control now.  And I'm sorry to say, unable to perform his duties as Captain of the Royal Guard.”
“Not my Shining Armor!” said Cadence firmly.
“Soon, my changeling army will break through.  First, we take Canterlot.  And then, all of Equestria!”
“No.  You won't,” said Tia, stepping forward with a determined look I knew well.  She’ll put paid to this weird imposter, I thought.  I shared a look with Jenson who nodded.
“You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell, but now that you have so foolishly revealed your true self, I can protect my subjects…from you!”
Tia clashed horns with the creature, and then launched herself into the air.  Wings spread, Celestia lit her horn and directed the beam straight at the changeling queen.  The queen didn’t just stand there, though, and a green light shot out of her horn and met Tia’s Sun colored yellow light.  To my and the other’s stunned amazement, the green light forced its way up to Tia’s horn and overcame her.  I heard Celestia’s tiara hit the floor, then saw her slide about 20 feet away from me.  Time to move, magic or no.  I signaled, “going in”, shed my mess dress and jumped toward the Princess.
“Princess Celestia!” I heard Twilight scream.
“Shining Armor's love for Cadence is even stronger than I thought!  Consuming him has made me even more powerful than Celestia!” yelled the changeling queen.
The Mane Six surrounded Tia as Twilight held her.  I got there just in time to hear Tia say in a weak voice, “The Elements of Harmony, you must get to them and use their power to defeat the queen.”
I nodded to Twilight, who nodded back.  Twilight looked at the Mane Six including my AJ and nodded again.  They shed their dresses and raced out of the double doors looking very determined.  I stood over Tia who had lost consciousness while the DC, Jenson and his squad formed a circle around us.  I heard a CRACK and suddenly the throne room was full of a furious buzzing.  Hundreds of creatures, minions of the queen, flew in through the windows.
Ponies panicked, some running, some pressing up against the walls.
“Protect the Princess!” yelled the Deputy Commander and swung his sword at a changeling attacker.  He cut him in two, ichor spraying out.  The other Guards were just as busy, hacking away.  I kicked two changelings and punched another.  Bodies started to pile up, but still the creatures came.  Over it all, I heard the queen’s maniacal laughter.
I saw the DC go down under a pile of changelings, then each of the guards, one after the other.  I couldn’t tell if they were alive or not since I was busy fighting off a half dozen creatures myself.  I used the last of my magic to cast a dome of protection over Celestia and me but I knew it wouldn’t last long.
“Stop!” the queen said and raised a parody of a forehoof.
A dozen changelings stopped attacking and hovered over my dome.
“Well, well, what have we here?  You have some skills.  But you’re no match for me!”
I was too winded to answer.
The queen lit her horn and turned it full force against my barrier.  I held it for a few more seconds, then it dissolved.
“Take him alive,” said the queen, pointing to me.
There comes a point in every fight when you know you’ve won or lost.  Usually it’s around the 30 second mark.  I’d held out longer than that but I knew I’d lost anyway; there were simply too many changelings.  I remembered Ren and fighting on death ground, so that’s what I did.  I went back to fundamentals, kicks and punches, connecting more often than not.  The changelings kept coming, though, and got in some good hits.  Two tried to grab my forehooves and if the queen hadn’t told them to take me alive, most likely they wouldn’t have bothered.
The moment came when I swung and missed.  A changeling grabbed my right forehoof, then one grabbed my left.  I kicked out against two more, but it was just a gesture.
“Tia!” I yelled as the changelings lifted me into the air.
“Oh, don’t you worry about Celestia,” said the gloating queen.  “I’ve decided to let her live after all, thanks to your gallant defense.  What is she to you, anyway, hmmm?  More than just a monarch, I think.”
I didn’t answer.
“Let’s find out.  Hold him!” said the queen to her minions.  The changelings gripped me even tighter and one held my head so I couldn’t turn it left or right.  The queen stepped toward me, then bent over.  Out came a long, black forked tongue which wrapped around the base of my horn.  It was repulsive and arousing at the same time.
“Oohhhhhh,” groaned the queen as she shivered in ecstasy, her eyes rolling back in her head.  She held her tongue on me a few seconds longer, then slowly pulled it back and looked at me in triumph.
“Soooo.  Oh, yes, Benjamin, I’m definitely going to keep you for myself.  The love you feel for Celestia!  And for the other one, Applejack.  I’ll take their forms and feed on you for months, my new lover.”
“Choke on it, you evil creature,” I managed to get out.
“Let him go, ya monster!” I heard AJ yell.
The queen looked up at AJ, then back at me.  “Yes, I’ll keep both of them alive so you’ll have hope.  I’ll feed on that as well.  But for now…nighty-night!”
She lit her horn as she waved a forehoof like a little filly.
Lady Magic, help me!  Lady Magic!  LADY M-
Darkness.

Greyness.  A grey plain.  The Astral.
I sat up.
“Tia!” I yelled, knowing at once I wouldn’t get an answer. 
“AJ!” I called again anyway.  I only heard the echo of my own voice.
“THEY CAN’T HEAR YOU, GUARDIAN,” said a deep baritone.
I turned and there was Death, looking exactly the same as when I last saw him.
I was half frantic and forgot to bow.  “Death!  I have to save the Princess!”
Death pulled a scythe out of nowhere and used it to part the air in front of him.  I saw the Auxiliary Throne Room and watched as Cadence and Shining Armor declared their love for one another.  The queen sneered at that, but stopped open-mouthed as Carl and Cadence joined their magic and sent her and the rest of the changelings back to whence they came, wherever that was.
I watched my body lying in front of the dais.  AJ and the other Mane Six raced up to me and AJ picked me up in her front hooves.  I could see her tears as she yelled and shook me, but I couldn’t hear anything.
Death waved a hoof and closed the portal.
“So, then.  It’s over,” I said, “just like that.”
Death nodded.
“Any casualties?”
“NO, NOT EVEN THE GUARDS.  THE CHANGELINGS ARE PARASITES AND RARELY KILL THEIR PREY UNLESS THEY HAVE NO CHOICE.”
“Well, that’s a relief, then.  Er…please forgive the impertinence, Sir, but…am I dead?”
Death smiled, a sad, lonely smile.  “NO, GUARDIAN.  WHEN YOU DIE, I COME TO YOU, I DON’T BRING YOU HERE.  YOU’RE IN A MAGIC SLEEP.”
“What, like in a mare’s tale?”
Death actually laughed a little.  “YES, VERY LIKE.”
“Huh.  Well, then, lets…” I started.
“Guardian!”
I turned and there was Lady Magic.  Forgetting all propriety, I raced over and threw myself into her front hooves.
“My Lady!  Where have You been?  I called and called!”
Lady Magic wrapped her forehooves around me, then kissed the top of my head.  “I’m sorry, my Guardian, so sorry.  The changeling presence in this World kept you from Me before.”
I pulled back, wiping away tears.
“Your love saved Celestia, Guardian.  The queen would have killed her without your defending her,” said Lady Magic, a forehoof on my left shoulder.
“They took me pretty easily, Lady Magic,” I said which was only the truth.
“Queen Chrysalis could Feel your love for her, Guardian, so it only matters that you fought.”
Chrysalis?  The creature’s name.  Appropriate.
“Well, then,” said Lady Magic, briskly.  “It’s about time for you to wake up, don’t you think?”  She raised a hoof.
“MY LADY?” asked Death.
“Death?”
“MAY THE GUARDIAN COME AND TALK WITH ME AGAIN?”  Death looked at the ground.  “I ENJOY HIS COMPANY.”
Lady Magic looked astonished, and then looked to me.
“Death is lonely, my Lady.”  I turned to Death and gave a half bow.  “Death, it would be both an honor and a pleasure to talk with you whenever you like.”  I stood and grinned, rubbing my front hooves together.  “We’ll start with mares.”
Lady Magic and Death both laughed at that, Death’s booming laugh surrounding us.
“That’s my Guardian!” said Lady Magic.  She raised her right forehoof, and then dropped it.
> The Spectacle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Spectacle

"Gentlemares and gentlestallions, colts and fillies, foals of all ages..."

Ringmaster’s Introduction to the Circus

Sing you a song in the garden of life, if only you gather a thistle;
Sing you a song as you travel along,
An' if you can't sing - why, just whistle!

“Poems for Mages and Mechanics”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I opened my eyes.  I found myself in a dim room, staring at an institutional tin ceiling.  I looked left and saw a window, then to the right and saw a draw curtain.  I realized then I was in the castle infirmary.  I slowly checked myself over.  I was sore, sure enough, but there was nothing broken.  I sat up and rolled out of the lumpy cast-iron bed.  Somepony had been sleeping next to me, too, but wasn’t there now.
I stretched, used the bathroom and then looked out the window.  I could see the gardens and ponies moving around tables lighted with candles.  The reception!  So, then, Death was right; everypony did survive and the wedding went on as planned.
Guardian.
My Lady!  I can hear You again!
Yes, Guardian.
Well and good, my Lady.  I’ve missed You.
And I you, Guardian.
I checked my magic.  Not much of it, that was for sure, but I could feel it recharging if very slowly.  Likely take a week or so before I was back to full strength.
I heard the room door open and turned around.  A worried-looking Applejack walked in, saw the empty bed, and then looked around frantically before she spotted me.
“Hey, Lover,” I said and that was all I had time to get out before I found myself in a very strong Earth pony’s tearful embrace.
“Partner!  We thought when that monster zapped you that you was a goner and you’d never wake up!  Oh, Ben, I’m so glad you’re not dead!”  AJ was yelling, crying and kissing me all at the same time.  I embraced her as hard as I could.
“No, Hon, I’m fine, I’m fine,” I said, gently pushing AJ away from me so I could look at her.  Her muzzle was tear-stained but she was grinning from ear to ear now that I was awake.  “How is everypony else?”
AJ nodded.  “We’re fine, too, if a bit wore out.  You were the only one still unconscious after Shining Armor and Cadence sent them weird creatures packin’.”  AJ wiped her muzzle with her hooves until I reached around and got her a tissue.  On the small bureau next to the box of tissues were two hinged cases.
“What’re these, AJ?” I asked, pointing to the first one.
“Herself has awarded you the Order of Equestria, Partner,” said AJ proudly.  “She’s also promoted you to major and made you a Hero of the Realm.”
I opened the first box and found two gold oak leaves.  Field grade, then.  The second had a small, stylized Sun on a ribbon with the words “Above and Beyond” across the medal’s top.
I held it a moment.  “AJ, this is one of the highest awards you can get.  I don’t deserve this,” I said, turning to her.  “The changelings cleaned my clock.  I failed.” 
AJ shook her head.  “Those who didn’t run saw you a’standin’ over the Princess, Ben.  Even with almost no magic, you managed to hold off a dozen of them things for a good while.  You most likely saved her life.”
“I still don’t think I deserve this…” I started.
“I disagree, Major,” said a voice from the door which AJ had left open.  Standing in silhouette was Princess Celestia.  AJ and I both made a full bow.
“Your Highness,” we said at the same time.
“Rise, both of you.  And half bows will do from now on.”  Celestia turned to Applejack.  “Applejack, would you please be so good as to tell the others Benjamin is awake?”
“Why, o’course!  They’ll want to know, sure enough.  I’ll be back before you know it!”  AJ raced out the door and I was alone with my monarch.
“Hey, Maker,” said Tia.
“Hey, Tia,” I answered.  “You alright?”
“Yes, I’m…” Tia started, then stopped and looked away.  “No, Maker, I’m not.”
“Did they hurt you?”
“No, I’m just tired and have almost no magic.”
“What, then?” I asked although I already suspected.
Tia just looked down.
“It’s because you lost, isn’t it?” I asked.
She nodded and teared up.  “I tried, Maker, I tried and I tried.  I couldn’t do it.  She beat me and then she captured both of us.”
I walked forward and held her beautiful head against my chest with both hooves, then raised it a few seconds later and stared into her sad eyes.
“Tia, sometimes in spite of all you can do, even if you do everything right, you still fail.  Most of us learn that lesson early.  You, well…you’ve never met a challenge you couldn’t beat.  Remember when we sparred and I threw you those times?”
Tia nodded and smiled slightly.  “I wasn’t about to let you get away with that.”
“No, Tia, you weren’t.  And you’re a bad sport when you lose.”
“I am not!”
“Oh, yes you are, OTL.  And Tia,” I continued as she raised her head, “this is no different.  Now, then, O Ruler of Equestria, I’ll tell you what I told my students.  When you lose - not ‘if’ but ‘when’ - lose well, learn from it and move on.  I’d ask you to do the same.”
Tia had stopped crying and I handed her a tissue.  She wiped her eyes, and then looked at me.
“I’ll try.  It still chaps me, though.”
I shrugged.  “Not a bad thing, that.  Next time, you’ll be ready.”
“You bet I will!”
“That’s the spirit!  Still, though, this medal…” I said, pointing to it.
“You’ll accept it graciously, Major, and smile while doing it,” said Tia grimly.  “Besides, we need a hero to salvage this mess.”
“Ah-hah!  There’s the Realpolitik monarch I know and love!”
Tai grinned at that.
Just then AJ and the rest of the Mane Six burst through the door along with Shining Armor and Cadence, all still in their wedding splendor.  It was pandemonium and Tia stayed in the room’s shadow which was almost as good as a conceal spell.  Carl pounded me on the back and Cadence kissed me several times.  Pinkie tried to tackle me and Rarity was wiping away tears and saying how she wasn’t about to train another dance partner so it was a good thing I wasn’t dead.  Rainbow Dash Frenched me, Fluttershy put a hoof on my chest and Twilight led three cheers.
They led me back outside to the reception which up until then had been subdued.  The minute I showed up, the music, noise and dancing started full-force.  I accepted the congratulations of all and sundry, most I’d never seen before in my life.  AJ, now dressed herself, stood with me awhile, and then went to join her friends after she decided I wasn’t going to keel over; unlike me, she loved a good, loud party.
I had some punch, laughed at Pinkie’s antics, pretended to die of boredom when Carl looked over at me during a dance and finally slipped away.  I left the party behind and strolled into the adjacent gardens.  I found a quiet spot and was enjoying listening to the revelry in the background when I heard somepony call my name in a clear soprano voice.
“Benjamin Apple.”
I looked around and there was Princess Luna.  I’d only met her once before and that in a receiving line.
I made a full bow.  “Your Highness.”
“Rise.”
I came out of the bow.  “The moon is particularly wonderful tonight, your Highness, as are the stars.  I thank you.”
Luna gave me a small smile.  “Sister said you were a charmer.”
The direct approach, then.  “Thank you, your Highness,” I said, and stopped there, waiting for Luna to take the lead.
“Do you not care for parties?” she said, sticking to mundane topics for the moment.
“Not particularly, your Highness, although for Mrs. Apple, the livelier, the better.  I prefer a newspaper or The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge with an apple brandy in the silence of my study.”
Luna just nodded and said, “So would I,” then went still again.  I stood and waited.  I once overheard Tia tell Juliette Luna was socially awkward even before Tia banished her.
“Everypony will say I should have been there.  Everypony!” said Luna, abruptly.
There it was.  “Weren’t you patrolling the border, your Highness?”
Luna, still upset, gave a short, sharp nod.
“Then you were doing exactly what Herself assigned you to do, your Highness.  Some of the Guard was outside of the city, too.  And if the changelings had captured all three royals…well, so much for Equestria.”
Luna looked thoughtful for a moment, and then looked at me.  “Thank you, Mr. Apple.”
“Please, your Highness, call me ‘Benjamin’ or ‘Ben’…”
“…if ‘Benjamin’ is too long, yes, I know,” said Princess Luna, smiling a little more.  “You may go.”
Well, that could have gone worse.  I bowed, and then headed for the kitchen since I was famished and there was only finger food at the party.  Then a shower and bed for me in my old room, I thought.  That infirmary mattress left much to be desired.

I woke up the morning of the 24th, well-rested and with AJ sleeping next to me.  I woke her up and we had some fierce, passionate lovemaking, then headed downstairs to the officer’s mess for breakfast.  Most were still abed so we only saw a few of the Guard.  Each I met stopped and saluted me, even the Deputy Commander who smiled through his bandages.  Just like Defender of the Realm, everypony saluted the one who earned the Order of Equestria.
After we ate, AJ and I packed, then took the service passageways to the rear exit next to the kitchen.  I wanted to catch the 7 o’clock freight to Ponyville or the 7:30 passenger at the very latest if the freight wasn’t running.
As we came out the exit, there stood Jenson with his squad.  He saluted and I returned it.  He had a bandage on his right foreleg but otherwise looked pretty good.
“You’re up early, Jenson,” I said, shaking his hoof and being careful of the bandage.  “May I present Mrs. Apple?”
“Ma’am,” said Jenson, shaking AJ’s hoof.  Then he looked back at me.
“Going somewhere, sir?”
“Ah…the freight depot?”
“Now, Major, her Highness wanted to present the Order of Equestria to you properly.  She asked me to wait here and to…escort you to the anteroom for a ceremony at 8.”
Oh, by the Lord of Hel’s black bat wings, this sort of circus was precisely what I didn’t want.
“Um…I don’t suppose you and the squad could forget you saw us, Sergeant?”
Jenson and several of the squad grinned like possums.  “No, sir.  Sorry, sir.  Orders.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Jenson, you and these mokes of yours?” I said, vexed.
“Just following orders, Major,” Jenson said as two of the largest squad members moved to flank me.  All three were smiling these evil smiles.
I looked at AJ who just smiled that smug smile of hers.  She knew!
“Fine, fine, let’s get this over with.”  Blast, this was as bad as a wedding.
We trotted to the anteroom and two of Jenson’s squad guarded the door as he closed it behind me.  A few minutes later one of the maids I knew well brought me my clean mess dress, new epaulets with gold oak leaves in place.  She curtsied as she handed it over, cast a glance at AJ and then tapped on the door.  The guards let her out, then closed the door firmly behind her.
“Friend of yours?” asked AJ, eyebrows raised.
“From when I first got here,” I answered, hoping that was the end of it.  It was.
I put on my mess dress and AJ put on the same dress she wore to the wedding.  I had just enough magic to clean and press it but even that small chore left me a little tired.  A few minutes before 8, AJ passed the Order of Equestria out to the guards, then returned smiling to me.
“You’re having a bit too much fun for my liking, Heather,” I said, still bothered.
AJ smiled and gave me a quick kiss.  “Maker, you do so much for other ponies.  Just this once, let some ponies do for you.”
Bah.
I heard the castle clock strike 8 and my two escorts opened the door.  They flanked me again as we walked to the Main Throne Room entrance, then each took a door and opened it at the same time.
The throne room was packed to the rafters, full of ponies.  On the dais was Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, both in full regalia.  Guards lined the red carpet and on command snapped to attention the minute the doors opened.  Hidden musicians blared a trumpet fanfare, then started to play the March of the Royal Guard.
Oh, Magic.  I almost, almost turned and ran.  AJ was right behind me, though, blocking my escape.  Nothing for it, then, so I started walking.  I recognized many of the palace staff, Lord Cecil, Lady Gabrielle, Lady Astrid, Chancellor and down front the rest of the Mane Six.  It was a conspiracy!
I climbed the steps and saluted the monarchs just as the music ended.  Both inclined their heads, and then Tia spoke.
“Gentlestallions and gentlemares, for the first time in 10 generations, it pleases me to award the Order of Equestria to Major Benjamin Apple for courage beyond the call of duty in defense of a member of the royal family.  Without him, I most likely wouldn’t be speaking to you today.”
Luna handed Tia the medal and I bowed my head so she could fasten it around my neck.  Tia went on as I raised my head.
“For this and other services to the Crown, I declare Benjamin a Hero of the Realm with all the responsibilities and perquisites pertaining thereto.”  Tia draped a sash over my head and lifted my right foreleg so the sash would fall properly.  Hmm, not bad, I thought.
Tia stayed where she was and Luna walked forward.  Both gave me a half bow, then Luna placed a hoof on my right shoulder and Tia placed one on my left.  They turned me to face the crowd.
“Gentlestallions and gentlemares,” said Tia in a strong voice, “I say ye…Major Benjamin Apple, Hero of the Realm and holder of the Order of Equestria!”
An enormous cheer rose from the assembled ponies.  The Guards banged their halberds on the floor, ponies whistled and a laughing Tia and smiling Luna both clapped their front hooves together.
Congratulations, Guardian!
Thank you, Lady Magic.
That was the last straw.  Tears started to run down my muzzle, something I’d dreaded would happen  I couldn’t help it, though, I was so moved.  I ignored the tears as best as I could, smiled and waved a hoof.  Drat, I hated crying in public.
Pinkamena of all ponies saved me.  She couldn’t stand it any longer, jumped up the steps and tackled me right there on the dais.  AJ, the rest of the Mane Six, Jenson, Lady Astrid and other ponies all followed, then hoisted me on their shoulders and carried me out of the throne room to a balcony which overlooked the Main Square, also full of ponies.  Another cheer arose as they deposited me on the balcony.  Hundreds of ponies, some with wounds from fighting changelings, cheered me over and over again.  Soon a chant started: “Ben-ja-min!  Ben-ja-min!  Ben-ja-min!”  I held a rictus grin and waved.
“Say somethin’, Partner,” said AJ, waving and smiling as if she’d done it a hundred times.
I raised a hoof and the crowd quieted.  The balcony’s magic amplified my voice so everypony in the square could hear me.
“I thank you.  However, as would anypony here, I did my duty as I saw it.  The Magic has blessed us with the finest of royals and it has been and always will be my pleasure to serve them.  Long live the royal family of Equestria!!”
When I finished, the cheers that came before were nothing compared to the roar which followed.  Take that, Tia, I thought, as I stepped back and Celestia and Luna moved to the front.
“Well played, Ben,” said Tia through her smile.
“Can I go now?” I asked, standing behind her and Luna.
“Your carriage awaits, Hero,” said Tia, still waving and smiling.
Carriage?  Oh, no!
I backed away from the royals with thoughts of escaping but there stood my nemesis Jenson.
“This way, sir,” he said, and pointed with a hoof.  AJ following, the two guards flanked me again and took me down the Main Steps to the Front Entrance which I’d only used once or twice before.  There waiting for AJ and for me was the Official Royal Carriage, gleaming white.
With bows.  And flowers.  And silk bunting.  Gah.
I clenched my teeth as I climbed in, the two Guards who were harnessed to it grinning back at me.  Jenson shut the half door after helping AJ in and then saluted, also grinning.
“Enjoy your ride, sir,” he said gleefully.
“Get bent, Jenson,” I growled, returning the salute.  By the Lord of Hel’s black and hairy tail, the Guard would never let me live this down.
I pasted a smile on my face as the two stallions pulled us at a good clip through the Canterlot streets.  Ponies lined the sidewalks, yelling, cheering, throwing streamers and confetti.  My two escorts also trotted behind, most likely to make sure I didn’t escape my full humiliation.  The carriage stopped at the depot where a special was idling on the passenger side.  A brass band struck up Nelly Bly when AJ and I got out.
We turned and waved to the crowd, then I spotted Roundhouse.
“Roundhouse,” I said, smiling and waving.  “Get this hog moving and get us out of here!!”
“Sure thing, Mr. Wizard,” said Roundhouse, laughing.  He waved to Casey and as we boarded Lady Astrid’s car, I heard the double toot.  A few seconds later we were moving.  AJ and I waved out the windows until, thank the Magic, we were out of the depot and on our way back home.
I collapsed on the loveseat and just breathed.
“Thank the Magic that’s over!”
AJ slipped out of her dress, fluffed out her mane, tied it back with one of her ribbons and put on her Stetson.
“Yep, you done good, Partner.  Here, do my tail.”
I took off medal, new sash and my mess dress, brushed out AJ’s tail, then tied on the ribbon.
“Well, Mrs. Apple, home again for us.  Back to routine, I hope.”
“Now, Ben, you know perfectly well things won’t be the same.”
I sighed.  “Yes, I know.”
“Hey,” said AJ, “look what I got.”  AJ held up a copy of the Ponysutra.
“Is that our copy?  I thought it was back at the cabin.”
“Nah, I got this from Cadence.  And look…margin notes!”  AJ held up page 12 which was covered in what I recognized as Cadence’s elegant cursive.  “Care for some light reading, Partner?”
AJ didn’t have to ask me twice.

“Partner?  Time to wake up, Hon.”
I felt around without opening my eyes and touched a muscular flank I knew well.
“Mmmm, no thanks.  I’m happy here.”
AJ laughed.  “C’mon, Studly, you’ve got t’ get dressed.”
I opened my eyes then.  “Eh?  Why?”
“So Ponyville can welcome the new Hero, o’ course!”
I groaned and covered my eyes with a forehoof.  “Oh, by the Lord of Hel’s minions, AJ, haven’t I gone through enough of this rigmarole today!”
“Ah, you know ya love it, Partner.  Here, stand up.”
I stood and AJ helped me put on my mess dress, sash and medal.  She held up a mirror and I had to admit, it made quite the show.  Still needed a cape, though.
The train pulled into the Ponyville station a little after 3:30.  Waiting on the platform was what looked like most of the town, unicorns in front including Lyra, Adding Machine, Pierre, Cutter and several others from the Stable of Commerce.  Stretched across the back of the crowd was a banner: “Welcome Home, Hero!”  Here we go, I thought, and stepped out of the private car.
I’d just started to wave and smile, AJ next to me when the banner collapsed on one side and a frantic, sobbing Fall pushed through the crowd and threw herself into my hooves.
“Boss!  Boss!  Boss!  Oh, I’m so glad you’re not dead!!  They told us you were dead!  But then you weren’t.  And, well…” Fall said, pulling back and looking at me.  “I’m glad you’re not.”
“Me, too, Punkin’, me, too,” I answered, noticing for the first time Fall was my height now.  Seconds later AJ and I were engulfed in family and friends.  After the mayhem, Mayor Mare made a mercifully short speech, then the crowd dispersed.  I sent Fall on her way and told her I’d see her tomorrow.  Fall spoke to AJ some as well which pleased me.
I spent a few minutes with Roundhouse who told me it was back to Canterlot for him, then joined AJ and the family.  We walked back to the farm, me still in my finery while AJ regaled the family with our day.
We all stopped at a small rise and looked over the farm.
“AJ?”
“Partner?”
“Remind me to tell Rainbow Dash her tomatoes are almost ripe.”
“Will do, Hon, will do.


End Part 2