Description:
Stone Mane and Applebloom stayed up at the old oak tree for about an hour
They said nothing on the way back to farmhouse, and from the look on Applebloom's face it had been as exhausting of an ordeal as it had been for him. The colt had many questions but it didn't feel like the time or the place to ask him. So he kept his thoughts to himself.
The rest of the Apple family asked no questions about the foals visit to the old oak on the hill, but it was apparent to Stone Mane that everypony knew it had happened. For rest the of the day Applebloom remained fairly quiet and lost in her thoughts, but by the early evening she started to return to her normal self.
After dinner had been consumed Applejack asked if Applebloom could help her get some mosquito screening out of the attic. With the proper start summer just around the corner the mare was planning on reinstalling the fine mesh across the farmers porch of the farmhouse. That way ponies could sit out in the enjoy the cooler evening air, and even in some cases sleep out on the porch during the hottest times of the season.
Since Applebloom was going to be up in the attic the filly asked Stone Mane if he'd go out and check to make sure no lanterns or lamps had been left burning inside and to secure the barn doors. It was about 8 in the evening and Celestia's Orb had set behind the western mountains, but the sky was still filled with yellows, oranges, pinks, and deepening violets. The light bathed the farmhouse and surrounding hills in a rich palette of colors.
The Stone Mane slid the crossbar into place across the barn door. Then the colt turned around and admired the early evening sky. It was suppose to rain later that night and already the colt could see the cells of swelling cumulus clouds that were being shepherded into place by the weather ponies. The colt hoped there would be some lightning and thunder tonight. Stone Mane knew that many ponies really didn't like thunder and lightning, but if he was safe and indoors the colt loved to lie in his bed at night and watch the spectacle.
The colt gazed at the sky for just a moment longer; then he turned to head inside. Only to find Big Mac standing in front of him. Stone had no idea how a stallion that large could've snuck up on him but he had. The giant red stallion had a pensive look on his face as he looked down at the colt. He coughed a couple of times then he spoke.
"Stone. Ya got a moment? I need ta talk ta ya?"
"Uh, sure."
The Big Mac lead the colt away from the main house and over to the wagon shed. The stallion sat down on a simple bench that creaked under his weight. He gestured for the colt to join him. The 2 ponies sat there for awhile and looked up at the rapidly darkening sky. Finally the stallion spoke.
"Stone I wanna thank ya fer what ya did and said taday up there at the old oak." The stallion slowly raised a front hoof in a gesture for silence as the colt began to speak. "Yeah. AJ and I heard most of yer conversation and I was moved by what ya said."The stallion stared up at the first stars that were beginning to twinkle in the growing darkness.
"Yer right about it still hurting. I reckon it'll never truly go away. Ya just learn ta, cope with it. AJ, myself, Granny we all miss them so much, but life goes on and we've had ta learn ta deal with our loss."
Stone Mane stared at the ground and slowly swung his back legs back and forth. He took a deep breath. " So, so. What. What were they like?"
Big Mac closed his eyes and smiled. "Ya were right when ya said they must've been amazing." He opened his eyes slowly. "Sis and I have tried ta our lives by the lessons they taught befer they left us, and we've done or best ta fill in fer them in Little Bloom life. But it ain't the same. That's why what ya did taday up at the old oak tree was so impertant. Yerself and Princess Luna r helping her build a strong foundation she can count on."
The stallion shook his head. "And not just her losing her ma and pa. She got snatched away ta that creepy Realm of Shadows last year. Then, then that nasty Deception thing got in her and...."
A pained expression flashed across the stallion's face. "I only saw a little of what that vile thing did ta her and other ponies, but it was enough ta give me nightmares fer weeks afterwards. I. I, know if it had been me I'd have crumbled from it, but somewhere, somehow, that filly has found the strength in her not crumple inta heap. Then some how she's been able ta help ya and her highness Princess Luna. Her sister Princess Celestia told us that Little Bloom had untapped strength in her, but its one thing fer a pony ta say it. It's sumthin ta see it with one's own eyes."
Big Mac nodded his head. "So, ta make a long story short. What ya did taday was the right thing. Ya did good. I'll be honest when ya showed up the first time I wasn't sure about ya. I didn't know if yer feelings fer her were sincere, but my opinion of ya has changed fer the better." The stallion reached out and gently tussled the colt's mane with his right front hoof.
"But yer alright in my book now!" He grinned at Stone Mane. "Now. We should head back ta the house. Granny baked an apple pie earlier taday and she's gonna be serving it up. If we don't git back the mares will eat it all befer we git a chance!"
Then the 2 ponies got up and trotted back to the farmhouse.
To be continued.
