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Organised by
RogerDodger
Word limit
400–750
When the Seas are Wide
Though snow piled high about the farmhouse and wind raged loud enough to set wood whistling in the night, the heat of the Hearth kept chill at bay as Apples and Oranges sat down to dinner. Nopony spoke while platters heaped high with food were passed around, till each sat with their meal untouched.
“Thank ya for comin’ this year.” Granny broke the silence, speaking to Aunt Orange. “We know you like it in the big city, but we mighty ‘preciate you journeyin' to visit us. Now tuck in!”
That got the five ponies eating, while Apple Bloom dozed in her basinet nearby. The pops and crackles of the fire provided commentary as they ate, till one by one only empty plates remained and Granny looked round once more.
“What say we get a little song going, mm? Valencia, ‘m sure you remember the ditty we sang when you were a filly. Mac, AJ, this’ll be new for you, so just listen in. This song’s a special ‘un, one we Apples came up with on our wandering afore we founded Ponyville.”
Granny rose, ambled to a cupboard, returned with a violin. She set bow to string. A slow, haunting melody began, and soon, mother and lone daughter’s voices joined together.
“When family cannot be here, havin’ journeyed far and wide...we sing a song to honor them, to remember days gone by.”
By night’s end, the bonds of family and joyful remembrance had brought light back to a darkened home.
Applejack cleared her throat as she swept her head around the table, at her gathered friends and family seated before her. “Thank ya’ for coming, y’all,” she began. “This ain’t been an easy year, I know. But it’s times like this that it’s important to remember what matters most. Bonds of friendship. Of family. And I can say with certainty that each and every one of ya are family in my heart.”
As she spoke, latches clacked to reveal the worn violin aged with decades of use and timeless mendings. “Bloom and ah want to teach y’all a song that Granny sang to us when we were fillies. It’s an old Apple song, but one ah think it’s time to share, and I can’t think of anypony more deserving.”
Big Macintosh lifted the violin out of its case, set the bow. Well-tuned strings vibrated and music filled the air, soon joined by voices twined in harmony.
“So take your cup and raise it high, just as surely I'll do mine! And laugh we will at stories told, as we smile at days gone by!”
Five mugs rose together as Big Mac played and Granny slept in her rocking chair beside the fire.
Wind chilled aged bones as Applejack set herself upon a hill and overlooked the sprawling festival beneath her. Somewhere below, her children and grandchildren mingled, she knew, but for now she sat alone. “Another year, and these youngins don’t even truly know what they’re celebrating.”
“They’ll hardly know if you insist on sitting up here by yourself, will they?” Twilight Sparkle sat beside her friend, then offered a wing for Applejack to shelter beneath. A snort of faux protest, but Applejack drew close.
“All those years ago, ah had no idea it’d turn into this. Ya know, they don’t even get the names right? Somepony twisted the lyrics ‘cause they think it sounds better.”
“Nopony will forget, Applejack. I promise you that. Somepony shall always remember. And while they -” She fanned her wing to indicate the ponies beneath. They had gathered round a large statue, forming a series of rings round it, even as their voices raised, mingled with the melody of the band on stage. “May not always know why, what matters is that they have the chance.”
“Ah know,” Applejack muttered, and lay herself down on the ground, fighting back a yawn. “These old bones ain’t got long left, Twilight. Betcha the first thing that happens is she challenges me to a race.”
Twilight fought back a laugh. She tilted her head, and queried gently, “Why would I ever take a bet I’m certain to lose?” The voices of the crowd below sang beneath the speckled stars of clear winter’s night.
“For family not here, my dears, having journeyed far and wide...For loyalty and kindness both, we smile at days gone by.”
There, in the center, sat the first of many statues remembering two friends who gave everything so that Equestria might see another dawn.
“Thank ya for comin’ this year.” Granny broke the silence, speaking to Aunt Orange. “We know you like it in the big city, but we mighty ‘preciate you journeyin' to visit us. Now tuck in!”
That got the five ponies eating, while Apple Bloom dozed in her basinet nearby. The pops and crackles of the fire provided commentary as they ate, till one by one only empty plates remained and Granny looked round once more.
“What say we get a little song going, mm? Valencia, ‘m sure you remember the ditty we sang when you were a filly. Mac, AJ, this’ll be new for you, so just listen in. This song’s a special ‘un, one we Apples came up with on our wandering afore we founded Ponyville.”
Granny rose, ambled to a cupboard, returned with a violin. She set bow to string. A slow, haunting melody began, and soon, mother and lone daughter’s voices joined together.
“When family cannot be here, havin’ journeyed far and wide...we sing a song to honor them, to remember days gone by.”
By night’s end, the bonds of family and joyful remembrance had brought light back to a darkened home.
Applejack cleared her throat as she swept her head around the table, at her gathered friends and family seated before her. “Thank ya’ for coming, y’all,” she began. “This ain’t been an easy year, I know. But it’s times like this that it’s important to remember what matters most. Bonds of friendship. Of family. And I can say with certainty that each and every one of ya are family in my heart.”
As she spoke, latches clacked to reveal the worn violin aged with decades of use and timeless mendings. “Bloom and ah want to teach y’all a song that Granny sang to us when we were fillies. It’s an old Apple song, but one ah think it’s time to share, and I can’t think of anypony more deserving.”
Big Macintosh lifted the violin out of its case, set the bow. Well-tuned strings vibrated and music filled the air, soon joined by voices twined in harmony.
“So take your cup and raise it high, just as surely I'll do mine! And laugh we will at stories told, as we smile at days gone by!”
Five mugs rose together as Big Mac played and Granny slept in her rocking chair beside the fire.
Wind chilled aged bones as Applejack set herself upon a hill and overlooked the sprawling festival beneath her. Somewhere below, her children and grandchildren mingled, she knew, but for now she sat alone. “Another year, and these youngins don’t even truly know what they’re celebrating.”
“They’ll hardly know if you insist on sitting up here by yourself, will they?” Twilight Sparkle sat beside her friend, then offered a wing for Applejack to shelter beneath. A snort of faux protest, but Applejack drew close.
“All those years ago, ah had no idea it’d turn into this. Ya know, they don’t even get the names right? Somepony twisted the lyrics ‘cause they think it sounds better.”
“Nopony will forget, Applejack. I promise you that. Somepony shall always remember. And while they -” She fanned her wing to indicate the ponies beneath. They had gathered round a large statue, forming a series of rings round it, even as their voices raised, mingled with the melody of the band on stage. “May not always know why, what matters is that they have the chance.”
“Ah know,” Applejack muttered, and lay herself down on the ground, fighting back a yawn. “These old bones ain’t got long left, Twilight. Betcha the first thing that happens is she challenges me to a race.”
Twilight fought back a laugh. She tilted her head, and queried gently, “Why would I ever take a bet I’m certain to lose?” The voices of the crowd below sang beneath the speckled stars of clear winter’s night.
“For family not here, my dears, having journeyed far and wide...For loyalty and kindness both, we smile at days gone by.”
There, in the center, sat the first of many statues remembering two friends who gave everything so that Equestria might see another dawn.