” I call your name but you're not there
Was I to blame for being unfair
Oh I can't sleep at night
Since you've been gone
I never weep at night
I can't go on“
I Call Your Name
-Lennon & McCarntney
The Beatles

Just be there for her and don’t lose it. You love her no matter what.

Twilight took her in her arms. “It’s Twilight, Twilight Sparkle. Remember?” She could feel Applejack shaking and pressing her head against her shoulder. It felt so good, so wonderful to be holding her and comforting her that the terror and fear she’d felt rising were locked out. As long as they were together and she could hold her and comfort her, they could get through it. She heard the confidence and certainty in her own voice and was a little surprised at it.

“It’s ok, probably just some short term memory loss, it’ll come back as you heal. Don’t worry. You live in Ponyville, that’s where we are now. It’s a beautiful place and you’re surrounded by wonderful ponies that care a lot about you. Most of them know you and love you. In fact you are part of a special group of ponies called The Mane Six. Does any of that sound familiar?”

“No, I don’t remember any of that.” She said, tears streaming down her face.

“You were hit on the head, just give it some time, you’ll begin to remember it all. How about Apple Bloom? Granny Smith? Big Macintosh? Sweet Apple Acres?”

“Are they friends of mine?”

“Uh huh-, they’re your family. It’s your little sister, your grandmother and your brother. Sweet Apple Acres is your home.”

“My home isn’t here?” Applejack started looking scared.

“You’re just here because of all the snow outside, we had a big storm.” The euphoria began to fade a little. “It’s ok,”

Twilight began to feel a little dizzy at the irony. She had finally admitted to herself the depth of her feelings for Applejack, and let herself get swept away, not that she would have stopped it. Then when she awoke, allowing herself the indulgence of that morning’s fantasy of a future together. It was nice while it lasted. Were she to give herself the opportunity, she would apply a cold logic to perform an assessment of her situation and how there was the very real possibility that this could be temporary. The nature of memory and the brain was so poorly understood that hope was certainly within reason. She would have to search the library for information. The thought of all the books in the Crystal Empire library bought her relief.

“Do I have to leave?” Applejack asked. The tone of her voice was pitiful. The look in her eyes was one that Twilight had never
seen.

Twilight blinked and looked at her friend

Not a chance

“Not unless you want to.”

“Ya’ll have been so kind to me, gettin me water and makin me the applesauce and all.”

That was the Applejack she loved. Genuinely appreciative of anything you did for her, no matter what it was.

“So where am I again? I mean this here place. Is it your house?”

“It’s the Golden Oak library, but I do live here and I think of it as my home. Check out that view, huh?” Twilight motioned to the window “Well, I mean when it stops snowing, otherwise it’s kind of repetitive.”

“It’s awful nice of you to do this for me..” Applejack looked out the window. The snowfall had slackened a bit and the sky was still gray.

“Yeah, it’s got to be 3 – 4 feet out there. Are you feeling any better?”

“Yeah, thank you m’am.”

Twilight felt a pain in her chest. “Sure… call me Twilight.”

“Oh, right, Twilight.” Applejack looked at her. “Twilight?”

“Yes?”

“That’s a beautiful name.”

“Thank you!”

“What is my name? Applejack?”

“ea-yup!” Twilight said with a smile.

“Huh.” she said quietly.

“Hey, it’s a wonderful name! Full of life and spark, smarts and spirit but most of all heart. It really fits you.”

“What do I look like?”

Twilight let the façade drop away and looked into Applejack’s eyes.

“Absolutely beautiful,” she said softly.

Applejack’s face lit up. “REALLY?! Wow, do you have a mirror I could look at? If you think that I’m pretty then I must be gorgeous!”

Twilight handed her a mirror, thrilled to see a smile on her face only to see the first signs of joy and excitement slowly fall away. “I thought you said I was beautiful,” she said softly. “I have this straw colored hair, these stupid freckles and these, well ah guess my eyes are kinda pretty.”

You’re beautiful, adorable, and lovable. I would give everything I own to see your face every morning, to see that golden mane, to count everyone of your freckles, to drown in your eyes. You are drop dead gorgeous.

“Let me see that mirror. Oh I see the problem – it’s defective - this is that stupid pony with the black hair with those idiotic purple streaks, not to mention that dumb horn sticking out of her head. Now that would depress me too. Glad I don’t look like her, yuck!”

As they laughed, Twilight could see the quiet sadness in Applejack’s eyes begin to diminish. That simple sight was a profound lift and did wonderful things to Twilight’s heart. She felt a warmth rise from her chest and the weight of a thousand books lift from her. The hope that transpired within her emboldened her to speak her heart. “Applejack, you are one of the most beautiful ponies I have ever seen.” Applejack slowly stopped laughing. She looked at Twilight and spoke quietly.

“You really mean that don’t you?”

Twilight was unsure of what to say. She felt a powerful rush of emotion flood through her and her mind was filled with a thousand things to say. Her throat hurt and she fought to keep herself in check. All she could do was nod. Applejack gave her a curious look.

“But then again I don’t get out much,” said Twilight. Their laughter filled the room.

“Twilight?”

“Yes?”

“You seem very upset. Are we close friends? I mean if I get my memory back will we be friends?”

“When you get your memory back, we are friends, but why wait until then?. Who you are inside is still the same and when you start to remember things you’ll see that. We are best friends.”

“Then who are the Mane Six?”

“Hang on – now don’t go anywhere”

Applejack rolled her eyes and smiled. Twilight trotted down the stairs, took down the picture of the Mane Six from her fireplace mantle, then trotted back up to the bed loft with it.

“We are all very good friends, and there are six of us.”

“Yeah, I kinda figured that out already…” she said sheepishly with a little smite

“See, that is just what you would say, and the fact that you said it says you’re in there somewhere – here, open wide, say ahhh” Twilight looked into her mouth and then her ears. Applejack kept laughing. She looked into her left ear. “Hmmm…”

“What?!” Applejack started

“No biggie - I was just looking into your ear and I noticed that that wall over there on the other side of the room needs paint,”
Twilight said, “Gotta put that on my list.”

Applejack started laughing.again

“So where should I start?" Twilight thought for a minute "Where else- Rainbow Dash."

“Rainbow wha?”

“Rainbow Dash – the fastest Pegasus pony in Ponyville, maybe all of Equestria, at least she thinks so, and she’s probably right. Oh and the most awesome – but don’t worry, she’ll tell you all about that so herself. Her coat is cyan and has a rainbow mane and tail. And, she is one of your best friends. The two of you are very close, aaaand, very competitive.”

“What do you mean, competitive?”

“Anything – running, jumping, horseshoes, spitting, snoring, sneezing, drinking, barfing, whatever. No matter what happens though, you’re always friends"

“I’m competitive huh? So what else about Rainbow Dash?”

“Well she is loyal, extremely. You know what? I should tell you the whole story.”

Twilight drew vistas and scenes, images and characters. She went on to explain the history of the Mane Six, starting with her arrival in town. Applejack listened, trying to associate the moments and ponies with thoughts, but it might have happened to another pony, or have been taken from a book. She couldn’t believe what they had all been through.

“Wow, we’ve had quite the time, all of us. I’m feeling kinda tired Twilight. Do you mind if I take a little nap?”

“That sounds like a really good idea, I have to clean up downstairs anyway. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?

“Actually I wanted to ask if you play that guitar down there.”

“What? Oh yeah, that.” Twilight said, looking down at the guitar case that had only been opened half a dozen times. It sat leaning against the fireplace down in the living area. One of her aunts had given it to her as a birthday gift. She tried to play it but never got the hang of it. “Would you like to see it?”

“Do you mind?”

“Hay no! It’s out of tune, but I have a book on how to tune it.” Twilight went down the stairs to her living room and took a couple of guitar instruction books down from a shelf, then grabbing the instrument she climbed up to the loft. Applejack took the guitar and gave it a light strum and it sounded awful – sour and out of tune.

“Well I need to pick up downstairs in the library. You just take it easy. Have fun but try to get some rest too.”

“Sure, and thanks Twilight,” she paused and smiled “I can see why we’re friends.”

Twilight smiled all the way downstairs.

She spent an hour cleaning the main room. Most of the heavy work was done, no doubt by Big Mac while she’d slept. Applejack had been sleeping each time she’d gone to check. She’d sat down the first time just to watch her sleep.

Dear Applejack

You have amnesia. The pony I’d fallen in love with is gone and somepony who is both a stranger to me and to (you? Herself?) has taken her place.

When we talk I see a lot of your character traits there which I guess wouldn’t be affected by your condition.. More than anything I want you to be happy. I am so grateful just to have you here and to spend time with you. I have not been this happy in so long. Maybe never.

You have freed me. Sorry for all the blotches on the paper but I’m just so emotional now. It’s like I’ve always tried to make sure that I accomplish everything I need to. Somepony asks me to help them and I sit down with Spike and put together a list of what I need to get done.

If Princess Celestia requires me to do something then I drop everything and organize my schedule so that I complete her request. I feel as though my life has begun again but this time it’s MY life.

I am so excited to discover myself beyond being a student. I have always studied so hard and I love learning but I feel like maybe I’ve missed a lot. Becoming an Alicorn and a Princess was a great “crowning” achievement and honor, but part of me still felt empty.

So am I in the throes of young love? First love? I don’t know – I just don’t feel that emptiness inside anymore. I feel like I have a purpose that I want for myself. I know this- if I took a look into the doorway inside of King Sombra’s castle now, what I’d see would be completely different that what I’d seen before.

Every time I look in on you when you’re sleeping I find myself just sitting there, longer than I’d intended. I’ve always thought you were beautiful, but now I just… I see just how beautiful you really are. I promise to give you all the love I have and if its enough,maybe I can win yours.

Down in the kitchen, Twilight looked in the fridge. There were lots of leftovers from the party. They’d have quite the feat for the next few days – all kinds of breads and cakes, fresh juices and tons of fresh vegetables and fruits. In addition there was lots of cider, meads and some wine.

She made a salad of greens, olives, carrots and chives. On the side a few of slices of the rich dark bread that the Cake’s had brought from the bakery. She poured some cider into a pot and heated it on the stove before pouring it into two souvenir mugs from the Galloping Gala. A cinnamon stick was inserted into each one.

She looked at the empty tray and tried to levitate it. No problem – she flipped it, spun it, made it do a little dance and gently rested it on the counter before loading everything on it. She went in to use the bathroom and as she was shutting off the tap water from washing her hooves, she heard it.

The guitar.

She just stood on the steps and listened. It was amazing, It was delicate and simple and beautiful. She walked to the center of the living area. Applejack noticed her standing there.

“Hey Twilight. That cider sure smells good.”

“That..was...beautiful. How did you do that?”

“Thanks.” Applejack blushed. “I dunno, just kept turning these here pegs until it sounded right.”

“Wow that it does. You occasionally played fiddle, but to be honest, not very well. What was that song?”

“Nothin’. I was just fooling around with it.”

“Wow, and I mean wow!”

“OK- I’ll play for food. Does that work?” She said with a smile.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Let’s get this set up...” Twilight came up the stairs to the bed loft, carefully levitating the tray. They sat together on the big queen sized bed and ate.

“Wow this bread is amazing. Did you bake it?”

“No, it’s from the bakery in town. Mr and Mrs Cake baked it. You’re pretty much looking at the extent of what I can be trusted to make culinary-wise. Spike does most of the cooking. Actually you were giving me cooking lessons before the accident. With Spike away we’d planned on getting together for some more kitchen instruction. I was getting pretty good. I’d graduated from boiling water to making toast.”

Applejack put her hoof to her mouth to keep from spitting out her salad while laughing.

“You laugh - I’m not kidding! But I was getting better.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow.

"You’re starting to remember, aren’t you?”

They both started laughing. The wind howled and Applejack hugged herself and shivered. “Woah, will you listen to that wind?”

“Are you cold? I can fix that.” Twilight instantly thought of how warm the two of them would be sharing the covers but force herself to re-focus.

“Watch this.” Twilight looked down at the fireplace down in the living area, which was situated opposite the bed loft. Suddenly the stack of logs that Spike and piled there burst into flames and within a few minutes was a roaring fire. The two ponies just sat there staring at it. Twilight extinguished several of the candles around the room.

“Wow that's plum amazing!
Applejack looked at her curiously and asked playfully

By the way just what kind of friends were we…?”

Twilight was ready. She looked over with a smile.

“The best kind.”

She hoped it came out right.

“Okay,” Applejack replied, still smiling but seeming slightly relieved, “you had me worried for a minute there.”

Twilight just looked back into the fire.

“I mean there’s nothing wrong with two mares together I reckon, if that’s your bowl of oats," she smirked, "but give me a strapping stallion any time.”

“I hear you AJ,” Twilight replied.

“So what’s this brother of mine like?”

“He’s a Clydesdale. Your family emigrated from Scoltland several generations ago.”

“A CLYDESDALE! Really? Pretty cool. So I’m Scoltish? I can’t wait to meet him. What about my little sister – Apple Bloom?”

“Well she is very smart and very stubborn, not unlike a certain sister of her’s. She has her own little group called the Cutie Mark Crusaders. There are three of them and they’re pretty typical for their ages. They’re really great filly’s though.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters Twilight?”

“I have a brother – Shining Armor. He’s 5 years older than me, and is the captain of the Royal Guard. He married Princess Cadence; she was my foal sitter when I was little. We’re very close, I love her like a sister, in fact I always felt like I had one of the coolest older sisters ever, though not the coolest.”

“Let me guess, that award goes to Apple Bloom. We must have been very close you and me. I wish I could remember. This all sounds so nice.” Applejack looked around the room as she took a sip of her cider. “It’s kind of magical here Twilight. I mean I wake up in this beautiful home with this wonderful mare who is not only beautiful and funny but real caring and considerate. I feel warm and protected even though I don’t know anything about myself or you. It’s really weird, between the apple farm and here it’s kinda like I have two different things going on at the same time, if that makes any sense.” She paused and looked at Twilight. I don’t think I ever want to leave,” she said with a laugh.

“Well you’re welcome to stay here as long as you’d like.”

“I don’t mind telling you Twilight, the idea of going back to a farm and having to run it scares the hay out of me. I don’t know anything about it or the folks who live there. I’d sure like to hide here forever. Just let the snow keep falling, let the fire keep burning, keep drinking this hot cider with the cinnamon sticks and just keep talking and laughing with you.”

Those last few words pushed out the melancholy that had begun to creep into Twilight’s heart. “I know exactly what you mean. It feels like I’m living in a dream.”

Applejack had always been very perceptive in picking up on ponies facial queues so Twilight made a concerted effort at not looking at her when the topic of the two of them came up, though that was probably just as indicting.

“So Twilight, what do you do?”

For a moment Twilight couldn’t answer. She couldn’t remember what it was she did, how she spent her days. Images of her friends came to mind, of spending time with them on their crazy adventures and times. Just what did she do?

Study.

“I study and do research into things. I guess I’m a scientist; at least I try to exercise a scientific methodology and discipline to my work. Though I’ve learned a few things from my friends here, like Pinky Pie-“

“I’m gonna take a wild guess that she’s the pink one in this picture.”

“That would be her all right. She and you and the others taught me about taking a leap of faith. I tried so hard to prove that all her twitching and shaking and crazy bodily tremors were merely coincidences with events. After quite a few very painful lessons, I had to admit I was wrong. I don't mind telling you it was very painful, and not just to my ego,” Twilight said rubbing a spot next to her tail that was still sore from all those months ago.

Applejack lightly strummed some more chords on the guitar.

“That is just amazing,” said Twilight shaking her head

"Thanks Twilight, I was just plucking some notes. I don’t really know what I’m doing”

“It’s just so... you never showed anything more than a passing interest in playing. Pinky Pie – she’s the musician. Boy is she ever – you’ll be sitting there innocently and suddenly this random pink musical bomb goes off in your ear. She’s great, even if a bit random. You love music and you sing well, but you don’t spend much time with it and I’ve never heard you play like that.

“Maybe that bump on the head did something, jarred some music loose,” she said with a smile. “So what do I like to eat? I mean besides applesauce.”

“Apple pie,” said Twilight straight-faced “And Apple Fritters, then there’s Apple Brown Betty – the food, not your Aunt”.

“Ok, I’m beginning to sense a pattern here,”

“Well you are from the Apple family. When I first met you, after practically dislocating my arm with a very hearty handshake, your family proceeded to try to drown me in all kinds of apple products. My tummy was practically dragging on the ground all the way back to the library. I have to say I had no idea that apples were so versatile,”

“Well I guess they are. I sure liked that applesauce you made me.”

“Would you like some more? I can get you all you want,” Twilight looked around the room suspiciously, “I have a connection,” she whispered.

They both laughed. Applejack scanned through the music books that Twilight had bought upstairs and tried playing some basic chords on the guitar. They sounded clean and beautiful. No fret buzz, nice touch to the strum, and nice progressions.

“That’s really beautiful Applejack. We had a minstrel group in town over the summer and they were wonderful. With a little practice you could play with them, really.”

“Aw shucks, that’s mighty kind of you to say Twilight. It just comes kind of natural and it makes me feel good.”

“How about something else to eat? I have some great things for dessert. I had hidden them from Pinky and forgotten them in the back of the refrigerator.

“Thanks, but I’m feeling a might full right about now. I feel like takin’ a nap. How about you?”

“I’m wiped out. I’ll bring this downstairs and sleep on the sofa.”

“Why don’t you come back up here and lie here? I don’t bite.”

“But I do,” said Twilight laughing, “thanks, that sounds really nice.”

Twilight quickly carried the tray downstairs, dumped the contents into the sink then just as quickly trotted back up and climbed into bed. Applejack was just drifting off to sleep. Twilight used her magic to extinguish the rest of the candles and then lay back. As her head hit the big down pillow it sounded like it said “puff” and it made her smile. Looking up at the light from the fireplace dancing on the ceiling and listening to Applejack softly snoring she found something inside herself that she’d never felt before in her life. It was perfect peace and contentment.