"Big Maci'tosh! Ya need ta delivir dese thangs to the royal gatehrin! H'rry now! Princess Celestia awaitin ya!" Applejack swiped her hand across my back and gave me a hearty thump. My, how glad I'm to be a well-built man! Any less and I would've broken a rib or two. "Have a nice trip brother! H-here 's a little somethin I wipped up… I kind woke up urly todaiy…" Applebloom, the youngest of my sisters, slipped in a tightly wrapped package into my shoulder sack, which currently rested above of a layer of crimson apples. I didn't budge a smile but I nodded in approval and headed out to the metropolitan city of Canterlot with my horse drawn cart.

---

The trotting of my horses was halted by a Guard in his mid-fifties. "Now… uh," the guard looked at my cross hatched button up shirt and rolled up trousers, "sir… we can't allow your horses any further…"

I wanted to answer… but couldn't think of anything to say. Sweat was starting to gather on my forehead and the rate of my pulse accelerated.

"Sir… are you alright? I'm simply going to put your horses in our shed… just sign out here," he handed me a form, "Then get them on your way out."

I relaxed as some of the pressure lifted off.

"Don't forget to sign sir"

I took the well-crafted pen from him and scribbled over the blanks, then pushed it towards him. He glanced at my work and grimaced when he could not comprehend the words.

"You may pass sir."

Since the horses were no longer on the job, I took it upon myself to pull the cart to the Castle.

I grew nervous as people around my gossiped and mumbled about by attire and deed. The attention I drew stung. A lady wearing a traditional Celestian dress whispered to her husband, "My! Look at him! Looks like a battered dog! Disgusting!

A younger female beside her responded, "Forget about that! Look at what he's doing! Pulling a cart full of apples like a horse!"

---

By the time I neared the castle, the sun was setting and hues of purple and pink were streaked within the clouds. I made it on time. A prestigious butler dressed in a black and white attire addressed me at the door, "Who are you? Sir I'm afraid you have reached the wrong destination!"

Once again my pulse accelerated. What was I to say!

"Sebastian! It's fine. He's here to deliver apples."

A man behind me responded for my intention.

"Here, let me lead you to the kitchens."

---

The man who had just saved me from embarrassment was now leading me to the kitchens. My muscles were sore and I could no longer keep up with him, though his pace was steady and gallant.

"You must be Applejack's brother! I've heard a lot about you from twilight."

How does this man know twilight?

"Oh! Almost forgot introduce myself! Forgive my rudeness!"

He turned around to face me. For the first time I could see his engraved features. Sharp blue eyes and that paired well with the dark navy of his hair.

"I am Shining Armor, brother of twilight."

The wheat strand I was chewing on almost slipped out my mouth in surprise.

He is the revered Shining Armor! Instead of continuing on with our journey, he simply kept staring at me… as if he wanted something. An introduction! I paced my palms around the bar.

"W-well it's alright if you would prefer to not say anything! I don't mind at all!," he formed an assuring smile to prove it, "Let's continue, shall we?"

There was a sharp pain in my chest. I must have disappointed him.

---

"Thank you MacIntosh! I hope to meet again someday!"

I rolled all the apples into the kitchen parlor and nodded at his exclamation. Then I was seized; seized that is by the unstoppable force of hunger. My stomach growled pitifully. I swear my face had gone buck red. It mortified me that Shining Armor only chuckled at my embarrassment.

"Aww! You must be hungry from carrying all those apples with your own strength! What was I thinking! Once again, forgive my rudeness. You simply must eat something!"

There was no way such a nice offer could be refused so I followed him obediently to the kitchens.

Inside the kitchens lay a grand table. It stretched so far that the end vanished. I placed my hand on a chair. Its head was carved to exillence, every curve and detail identical to the hundred others that accompany it.

"Sit" The knight pulled out a chair next to him.

Sitting next to someone I do not know that well!? I cannot bring myself to do such! The Knight, seeing my agony, asked me, "Is there something wrong?"

I shook my head furiously and sat down next to him. "Here is Canterlot's specialty, Berry cake with Vanilla milk as a side drink. Enjoy and please do not hesitate to ask for more!"

I was greeted by uneasiness. What exactly was the proper way to eat with a fork?! Ok! Relax! If I get this wrong, just run out the door! Like that would work! But I gave it a try. My hands were shaky as I wrapped the utensils in a fist and sawed through the cake's icing and bread, and then stabbed the isolated piece with the fork. I tried my best to shove the delicacy in mouth with grace… and tried to chew it as slow as possible.

The knight erupted in laughter.

"Y-you went at it like you were fighting for your life! What has the poor cake ever done to you?" his eyes were teary from laughter but I on the other hand was shaking with humiliation.

"O-oh. I-Im sorry! I- didn't mean to!" from the corner of my eyes I could see him smiling. Go ahead; humiliate me until you are satisfied!

"Why don't I help you?"

I was overtaken by shock, even flinched, when he placed his palm on my elbow.

"Now this must not be on the table" he then pulled it to my waist. Then he got up and stood behind me, chest pressed to my back. Blood rushed to my head and my surroundings grew hazy "look, the piece you cut is no were near bite sized. To start off," I stiffened as he wrapped his fingers around my left hand and accompanied we with placing the fork in the cake, "Now cut behind the fork with you right hand." We [more like he] finished it off by neatly dividing the cake.

"You alright? You seem quite feverish…" to make the situation worse, he neared his hand to my forehead, which by instinct, I slapped away.

"I'm sorr-" The pupils of my eyes surly dilated. This time I slapped my mouth shut.

Instead of being faced with anger, I was met by the Knight's grin.

"So you finally decide to speak!"

"Uh…"

"All I usually hear from you Is a extended 'yes'"

"Um!"

My heart grew warm at his words, "Uh! Um! S-sorry! Th-the cake wa-was goo-dd!"

"No worries! It was my fault anyways! I got a little too close I guess."

A little close?!