Princess Celestia didn’t remember the day she knew that she needed Ponyville. There had been many days in her life, and for one to stand out required a world altering event of some kind. And, looking over the small, bustling town as her chariot arrived, she had to admit that she hadn’t known that she needed Ponyville, specifically. Though, in hindsight, no other town would have done.

Her chariot landed in the town square of Ponyville. She could have allowed her guards to fly her directly to the farm, but then she wouldn’t have had the pleasure of a walk through the town and countryside. For this trip, to discuss the wedding of her treasured protege to one of Ponyville’s most esteemed daughters, she felt that savoring the day was more important than efficient use of her time.

“This is fine.” She nodded to her guards as she stepped out of the cart. “I’m sure I can find my way on my own.”

“But, your majesty--”

“Why don’t you go get something to eat at Sugarcube Corner? Tell the Cakes I’ll settle the bill when I return.”

“Yes, your majesty.”

As the guards trotted off, casting worried glances over their shoulders, Celestia scanned the streets around her. She noticed that she’d become the center of attention -- ponies were politely keeping their distance, but keeping a watchful eye on her all the same. Celestia smiled at the townsponies to set them at ease, then selected a street that led in the correct direction, towards Sweet Apple Acres.

What Celestia had needed all those years ago, when she offered the deed to the land that was her destination today, was a small town in the shadow of the Everfree forest. She’d long hesitated to expose her ponies to the dangers and secrets of the forest, but the time had come when she couldn’t put it off any longer.

As she passed shops and stalls, Celestia shook her head at her short sightedness. She hadn’t known then that she needed the Carousel Boutique, Sugarcube Corner, or the Golden Oak Library. It hadn’t occurred to her that this town would be special, it would need a heart and a soul; the down to earth values of Sweet Apple Acres to build from, and the cheerful, dependable ponies there to care for the ponies who would follow.

It had never occurred to her, but it had been provided just the same.

---

Inside the barn on Sweet Apple Acres, a table had been set up and was covered in lists, swatches, diagrams, and notes. Twilight stood in front of the table, staring at one of the diagrams as though the seating chart for the reception contained the deepest secrets of Equestria. Of course, even if it had contained those secrets, Twilight would never have decoded them with the way that Applejack kept pacing. Actually, it was more stomping back and forth across the barn.

“Applejack, please calm down,” Twilight pleaded. “Princess Celestia will be here soon to talk about the wedding.”

“I’m tryin’, Twi,” Applejack said, seething. “I’m just-- ya’ know this is bad, right?”

Twilight nodded sympathetically. “I do, and it’s something we’ll have to deal with, but right now we need to focus on the wedding. There are a lot of ponies coming, we need to figure out where we’re going to seat them.”

“Well I got room. I got three whole fields of weeds, thanks to that good for nothin’ Caramel,” Applejack huffed, then her voice rose, “Know what? I ain’t takin’ him next year! He can be on the critter team. Or the daggone weather team! Probably the only place he ain’t gonna cause trouble!”

“Wedding?” Twilight said with a sigh.

“Right. Sorry.” Applejack took a deep breath and walked over to the table. She looked down at the diagram, but Twilight couldn’t help noticing that her tail was still thrashing.

“If it’s the money--” Twilight started softly, but Applejack cut in.

"No.” She said firmly. “We talked ‘bout this already, my family'll get by like we always done. We might haveta raise the price of cider, and boy howdy that’s gonna be a headache, but ponies’ll live.”

“It could just be a loan.”

“Twilight…” Applejack glared, but her face immediately softened. “I’m sorry. I love ya’. I know we got a lot to deal with, with the weddin’ and all, I’ll put this to the side. I ain’t takin’ a bit from you, but I can’t push off everythin’ on you while I worry about it, neither.” She walked over and gave her fiance a nuzzle, standing pressed against her as she looked back at the table. “So, how many ponies do we need room for?

Twilight smiled and draped a wing over Applejack. “Sixty-four.”

Applejack’s eyebrows went up. “We were off by sixty-four ponies? How’d that happen?”

Twilight looked up in thought. “We thought the Apples from Appleloosa would still be dealing with planting, but they think they’ll make it; Griffonstan appointed a new ambassador, so his office had to be invited; and I think a lot of ponies are going to make sure to be here for a royal wedding. So, now we have to find space for all of them.” She looked back at Applejack. “Could we really use the empty fields?”

Applejack snorted and flicked her tail, then relaxed again. “I suppose we could, but they’re kinda out of the way. I know if we put my folks all the way out there, they’d be a little sore.”

“Yeah, and I can’t seat any political contacts there for the same reason.” Twilight sighed and motioned to the seating chart. “So, if the barn was open, and we set the tables up like this, we’d only have to find a place for seven more ponies.”

“Well, some of the foals could eat in the house,” Applejack suggested.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Unsupervised?”

Applejack considered that for a moment. “Maybe not. Could we get somepony to watch ‘em? Pinkie, maybe, or Mac?”

“They wouldn’t be able to eat with us,” Twilight pointed out.

Applejack frowned and pulled the chart closer to her. “Lemme have a look. These tables are awful close together… it’ll be lucky if nopony ends up wearin’ a plate of food.”

Twilight gave a helpless shrug. “Sixty-four extra ponies.”

“Yeah…” Applejack said absently, staring at the paper on the table. Twilight waited a few minutes, but Applejack didn’t say anything. However, her tail started twitching again.

“Applejack?” Twilight asked suspiciously.

She just shook her head and said slowly, “How in Celestia’s name can he not know hay seeds from pebbles?”

“Applejack.” Twilight nuzzled her. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I’m sorry.” Applejack sighed. “This just ain’t how I wanna start our life together, Twi. Troubles are already pilin’ up…”

“And we’re going to get through them, together.” Twilight gave her an encouraging smile. “We’re smart ponies, we’ll think of a way to have a beautiful wedding and make sure your family will be comfortable this winter.”

Applejack gave a small smile. “You’re right, sugarcube. I know you’re right.”

---

Celestia continued through Ponyville, appreciating the bustle of the small town. Ponies walked together and greeted each other, though none were brave enough to do more than bow to her. It did make one feel left out. But it wasn’t long before she spotted an elderly pony headed in the same direction out of town, her saddlebags heavy with recent purchases.
.
“Granny Smith, I believe?” Celestia said as she caught up easily.

Granny’s eyes went wide. “Well I’ll be… yup, that’s my name.”

“I was just on my way to your farm, to speak with Twilight and Applejack. May I carry those for you?” Celestia offered.

The wrinkled old face twisted in consideration. “I dunno if that’s right…”

Celestia smiled. “I insist.”

“Well then, ain’t gonna turn down a princess who’s insistin’,” Granny said with a grin.

“A wise decision.” Celestia laughed as she lifted the saddlebags off Granny’s back and hung them across her own shoulders. The weight was nothing to her, but the lack of it seemed to cause Granny some relief. “Congratulations on the upcoming marriage of your granddaughter. I’m sure she’ll be very happy.”

“I’m sure she will, too. I never seen a filly as starry-eyed as she is ‘bout that princess of hers. Ya’d think she raised the sun and moon-- uh, beggin’ your pardon.” Granny gave an awkward glance to Celestia.

“I’m glad Applejack thinks so highly of her. I know that Twilight’s regard for Applejack is just as high.” Her eyes sparkled as she remembered the touching, subtle signs of Twilight’s growing affections. “Her letters for the past year have tended to slip quite a bit into what Applejack said or did, and I’ve been kept quite up to date about what your granddaughter thinks with regards to everything Twilight has been working on.”

“Young ponies in love.” Granny snorted with an affectionate smile. “The world’s always got a fresh batch.”

Celestia nodded. “That’s what keeps it beautiful.”

“It sure don’t hurt,” Granny agreed.

They walked in companionable silence as they passed the outskirts of town and came to the small bridge over the creek. Celestia glanced back at the sky line of cottage roofs, with Twilight’s castle towering over them. In a way, it reminded her of older towns and the castles they sprung up around. But this was different… this was a magic castle that grew in the middle of a thriving town that already had its own character. This made the scene appear less natural, but somehow more right; as if it was an illustration in a book of pony tales.

Celestia sighed. “Sometimes I think I’d move to Ponyville myself, were it possible.”

“Ponyville’s a fine town…” Granny hesitated. “But I dunno just how many castles we need round here.”

“Oh, of course,” Celestia agreed. “More than one would look foolish. I’d say that Twilight is just the princess for this town, and I’ll content myself with visits.”

“Sure seems funny for Ponyville to have princesses stoppin’ by for visits, let alone a great big castle in the middle,” Granny said with only a hint of a grumble.

“I suppose it does. Things have changed quite a bit.”

“Course, I ain’t the only old pony ‘round.” Granny glanced at Celestia out of the corner of her eye. “I reckon this musta been your old stompin’ ground. What, with the castle in the Everfree and all.”

“Yes… yes, it was, many years ago,” Celestia said remembering the wild, free fields on the outskirts of the forest where she and Luna would picnic in their youth; where Ponyville and the surrounding farms stood today.

“It was right nice of ya’ to give us Sweet Apple Acres and let the other folks take the rest of the land as the town went up.” Granny didn’t look at Celestia, but there was a comforting gratitude in her voice. “I been here the whole time, ya’ know. From that first day ya’ gave my pappy the land.”

“I believe you were.” Celestia smiled at the elderly pony. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am with the success it’s brought. Zap apples, wasn’t it?”

“Yes m’am. I make the jam myself to this day,” Granny said, puffing with pride. Celestia fondly recognized the expression on her face from dealings with her granddaughter.

“You’re an impressive pony, Granny Smith.”

“I dunno ‘bout all that,” Granny said modestly, though Celestia noticed that she didn’t deflate one bit.

“Zap Apples are odd things,” Celestia said, remembering. “They were in the forest when my sister and I arrived. We spent several decades working out their secrets… so many inconsequential events spark the magic and flavor the fruit. One could never reason by looking that purple streamers on the branches makes the fruit bitter.”

“That’s the fun in it, ain’t it?” Granny smiled and nudged her with a foreleg. “Tryin’ somethin’ and seein’ what happens.”

Celestia chuckled. She and Luna must have tried millions of things over the years, some silly and some logical, though there was no pattern to which seemed to work. But as she thought, she shook her head slowly. “And yet… if the things you tried hadn’t worked, Ponyville wouldn’t be here… and Ponyville had to be here, just as it is.”

“Did it now?” Granny raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. When my sister was freed, the Summer Sun Celebration had to be held near our old castle and there needed to be ponies there who would bear the Elements of Harmony…” Celestia smiled as she finished,”... so it follows that you had to learn to make zap apple jam.”

“Well, I’ll be,” Granny muttered.

Granny seemed to be thinking, so Celestia marveled at the intricate workings of destiny. Like clockwork, each tick moving a gear, which moved another, until the end of the reaction seemed to have nothing to do with the beginning. Even after thousands of years, she had to appreciate the beautiful details of--

“Course, it was my broken hip as much as the zap apples,” Granny said, breaking the princess’s train of thought.

“I beg your pardon?”

“When I was young, I was a top notch aqua pony. Darn near broke the world record, ‘til I broke my hip on a dive. If I would’ve been more careful, I would’ve spent my life travelin’ with shows, rather than makin’ zap apple jam, and ponies would’ve never come to Ponyville.” Granny looked to Celestia, and Celestia thought she detected a bit of a challenge in her eyes.

Celestia hesitated just a moment, then said, “Well, I suppose--”

“Beggin’ your pardon, Princess, there’s no suppose about it. Ya’ can’t pick the apple and leave the worm. If what ya’ say is true, breakin’ my hip was as important as the zap apples. Not just my hip…

“There was that wild blizzard outta the Everfree where we nearly froze, and we hollowed out the old oak in town to keep everypony warm. Without that we wouldn’t have had that library for Twilight to stay in. And I reckon if there hadn’t been that fire out in Whinneapolis, Pearl and Magnum woulda never moved here and had little Rarity. And of course, my boy and his wife were fixin’ to send their youngun’s to Appleloosa when they got old enough, before…” Granny trailed off, but Celestia recalled the sad fate of Applejack’s parents.

“I see,” Celestia said, her eyes wide. “I’m sorry.”

“Are ya’ now?” Granny raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, of course.’ Celestia said sincerely. “I never like to hear of misfortune befalling my ponies.”

Granny fixed her with a questioning look. “Would ya’ have wanted it to happen different?”

“I--” Celestia hesitated as she considered the scope of events that had to have happened for the elements to be used. Perhaps it could have happened another way, but at what price?

“Go on…” Granny prompted more gently.

“No.” Celestia admitted, looking down. “I’m sorry for the hardships you’ve faced, but my focus must be on Equestria. And… I couldn’t have wished for a better conclusion to the situation with my sister, not to mention Discord or Tirek, for all of the ponies in Equestria.”

Granny simply nodded. “Good.”

Celestia chanced looking up. “You’re satisfied with that?”

“I reckon I’m satisfied with Ponyville.” She smiled at Celestia. “And I’m satisfied with this here weddin’ we’re gonna have, and I might be a bit more satisfied with a great-grandfoal or two, but there ain’t much I can do ‘bout that but put in a word. But ya’ better believe I’ll be doin’ that,” she finished with a chuckle.

Celestia looked at the old pony curiously, and Granny gave her a friendly nudge.

“We’re just lookin’ in different places, Princess. I’m a bit lower to the ground. Nightmare Moon was never none of my concern, or your Elements or Equestria. I raised up a son, and grandchildren, and grew me some apples. And I buried a husband, and my boy, and lived through times when I wasn’t sure I’d make it. But, I reckon I made it.”

Celestia smiled and relaxed. “I suppose that did turn out right in the end.”

“That all depends on where ya’ stop the story,” Granny pointed out. “But just about now, I’d say I’m a happy old pony.”

“I’m glad for that,” Celestia said.

They arrived at Sweet Apple Acres and made their way up to the farmhouse. Granny pointed Celestia to the barn, and the princess made her way over. The door was open, and inside Celestia could see Twilight and Applejack sitting next to each other, looking surprisingly morose.

She cautiously stepped inside, clearing her throat. Both ponies looked up, then scrambled to their hooved.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight said, hurrying over to greet her. Applejack started to bow out of reflex, but stopped herself awkwardly.

“Thanks for comin’, Princess. Can I get ya’ somethin’ to drink?” Applejack offered, seeming unsure what else to do.

“No, thank you. I’m fine.” Celestia smiled. “But I couldn’t help noticing the mood in the room as I came in. Is something wrong?”

“We’re having some difficulties…” Twilight said with a sigh. The she turned to Applejack and smiled. “But we’ll get through them.”

“Perhaps I can help?” Celestia offered.

Twilight smiled. “I hope so. We can’t figure out where we’re going to seat all the guests.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure that’s all? You both seemed a bit more depressed than seating arrangements would warrant.”

“That’s the only problem with the wedding.” Twilight’s face fell. “Applejack is having a problem with something on the farm--”

“It ain’t a big deal.” Applejack looked down and pawed the floor of the barn with her hoof.

“It is a big deal.” Twilight said, trotting over to her and giving a nuzzle. “It’s big deal to you.”

Applejack smiled a little at Twilight, then looked up at Celestia. “It’s nothin’. I just lost three fields of hay ‘cause of a mix-up at Winter Wrap-Up, so money’s gonna be tight for a while. But we been through worse, and I ain’t takin’ money from nopony, not even Twilight.”

“I’m very sorry to hear that,” Celestia said. “But, I know this farm is as resilient as the ponies who run it.”

That brought a genuine smile to Applejack’s face. “It sure is.”

Celestia considered for a moment, looking out the barn door at the gentle hills of neat rows of trees, so unlike what she remembered of this area. “Actually, I may have a solution for you.”

“Yeah?” Applejack cocked her head.

Celestia nodded and explained, ”This part of Equestria has changed so much since my sister and I lived here-- the castle is in ruins, the forest has become wild, and of course Ponyville has grown up here on the edges… I had been thinking of the time my sister and I used to spend here, and I wonder if I might rent your fields for a season, to see if they might grow into something like the meadows where we once had our picnics.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “You wanna rent my fields to grow… nothin’?”

“That’s exactly what I propose.” Celestia said with a nod. “I’m sure we could work out a fair price. I won’t pay a bit over what it’s worth.”

“Well now…” Applejack considered and glanced at Twilight, who was nodding happily. “That don’t sound too bad!”

“Princess…” Twilight was practically grinning. “Would you mind if we used the fields for seating at the wedding reception? Maybe you and Princess Luna would like to eat out there, since you’ll be here anyway.”

Applejack laughed. “Twilight Sparkle, you’re a genius! Nopony would mind eatin’ out there if Princess Celestia is sittin’ there.”

Celestia smiled warmly. “I’m think that can be arranged.”

Twilight gave a happy bounce “Oh, thank you!”

“Yeah, thanks a ton, Princess,” Applejack said, grinning from ear to ear. “This is a load off us, lemme tell you.

“Think nothing of it, it’s a pleasant surprise for me as well. It seems that sometimes our misfortunes and triumphs work together for the best.”

“That’s a nice way to think about it when things go wrong.” Twilight smiled at Princess Celestia, then nuzzled Applejack. “Maybe this is leading to a happy ending.”

“Well, a wise pony recently told me that depends on where you end the story.” Celestia glanced toward the farmhouse with a smile. “But I hope I can help make this part of your lives very happy. You both deserve it.”