A week has passed in the deer city of Thicket, and now the Fellowship stands at the shore of the river with Aspen, Blackthorn, Cadence and a few dozen guards, all waiting patiently for some boats to arrive. Or, most are. So far Rainbow Dash is the only one who has not been able to sit still, and her constant pacing and peering down the river has drawn more than enough eyes to her. Not that she cares too much about it. Pinkie Pie is also still in cuffs and is being carefully guarded, but rather than showing any signs of aggravation, she is displaying an impressive amount of boredom. She even throws in a yawn and joins Rainbow Dash in looking down the river.

“Are they here, yet?” asks Pinkie Pie.

“No,” replies Rainbow Dash. “What's taking them so long?”

“Do try to relax. This journey is stressful enough as it is. We don't need impatience,” says Rarity.

“Plus, we just got here only a couple of minutes ago,” says Spike.

“Actually, we've been here for eighteen minutes,” says Sweetie Belle.

The group looks at her, and she shrugs, confused with the stares.

“What? I counted,” says Sweetie Belle.

“There's got to be a special word for you,” says Scootaloo.

“How about 'Nerd'?” says Pinkie Pie, bringing a frown to Sweetie Belle.

“Why Nerd?” asks Apple Bloom.

“The Nerds are a tribe of very smart ponies that live isolated in the mountains, completely secluded from everypony making them unable to socially interact with the outside world. Sweetie Belle will fit in great with them,” replies Pinkie Pie.

“I actually know what you're talking about,” says Pipsqueak. “And you're right, she will fit in with them.”

Sweetie Belle's frown deepens, and Rainbow Dash snickers.

“I like that,” says the Colored Witch, directing a mean grin to Sweetie Belle. “Heh heh. Nerd.”

Sweetie Belle narrows her eyes at Rainbow Dash. “Don't close your eyes tonight.”

Rainbow Dash's smile warps into a sneer and she tightens her grip on one of her sword handles, but does nothing beyond having an intense stare down with the unicorn Foaling. The stare down is broken when Fluttershy gets in between them.

“Let's not be mean to each other, okay?” says Fluttershy.

“She started it,” grumbles Rainbow Dash.

“And I'm going to finish it. Nicely. Sweetie Belle, why don't you go to Rarity, and Rainbow Dash...”

Rainbow Dash glares at Fluttershy.

“... Um, look at the water.”

Rainbow Dash snorts. “Sure.”

“Yeah, look at your reflection. Get a boost of your ego, Sugar Tail,” teases Braeburn.

“Flash. Punch him,” orders Rainbow Dash.

Braeburn's smile disappears and Flash cracks his knuckles, but nobody in the Fellowship makes any moves to stop the impeding fist to the muzzle. However, Applejack does tighten her fists, which, with her being back in her armor, is a sight that brings a pause to Flash's advancement. But no brawling occurs since the arrival of Ficus and his six guards and one doe servant is the final deterrent.

“Oh, good, I made it,” says Ficus.

“You're late,” says King Aspen.

“I'm sorry, but I had a little trouble finding the right sizes and your special request.” Ficus holds out a folded cloak to Aspen and smiles. “But I found it under your bed!”

“You mean to tell me you found it exactly where I told you it was. Fascinating.” Aspen takes the folded cloth and steps aside. “Hurry this up. The boats will be here any moment.”

Ficus nods and motions his doe servant forward. She is carrying more folded cloth, and when Ficus grabs the top one, he opens it up to show the Fellowship a bland, green cloak with a bronze, leaf shaped clip.

“I present to you, on behalf of the Forest Kingdom, the Cloaks of Summer. These cloaks are enchanted to keep you warm in the coldest of places and sooth you when you sleep,” says Ficus.

He gives the cloak to Flash and steps away to let the doe hand out the rest to the Fellowship.

“Take good care of them. They are expensive and a pain in the ass to fix,” says Ficus.

The Fellowship is quick to put on the cloaks and marvel at their comfort, and as this happens, Ficus smiles awkwardly at Fluttershy, but when she returns the smile he quickly snaps his eyes on Flash and pats his shoulder.

“Good luck,” says Ficus.

“Thanks,” grumbles Flash.

Next, King Aspen steps forward with Blackthorn by his side, holding the cloth Ficus gave him. He unfolds it in front of Apple Bloom to display it as a light green cloak with leafs woven into its bottom with a silver and bronze clip shaped like a tree inside a circle. He kneels in front of the Bearer and holds it out to her, and after some hesitation she takes and steps back, feeling the thick fabric and noting how it is light and surprisingly her size.

“That is the Blinders Cloak. It was given to me when I was but a child, and now I am giving it to you. You need it more than I need its memories,” says King Aspen, bringing Apple Bloom's eyes to look up at him. “Like the Cloaks of Summer, it will keep you warm and sooth you, but it has a special gift to it. Upon your command it will shield you from unwanted eyes, so it will surely be of much value to you on your journey.”

Apple Bloom nods and quietly thanks him, and the King looks at the Fellowship while Pine approaches on a large boat, with three smaller boats in tow. The little ones are white and shaped like curved leafs, and each one has a few boxes of rations, medicine, and repair kits. When the boats are close enough, Pine orders the soldiers on his boat to drag the smaller boats to shore, not that he had to say anything since they were starting before the first word left his lips.

“Fellowship,” begins Aspen, “this is where you part. This river will take you to Nieghagra Falls. It is upriver, but these boats are enchanted. They will carry you up stream as though you were following the water's path. Each one has been stocked with enough food and medicine to last each of you three months. Do not waste them. Be safe. Be smart. May the Tree protect you.”

The Fellowship nods and carefully climbs into the boats, all while Pinkie Pie waits patiently to be uncuffed. When a pair of guards approach her, she coolly holds out her hands and glances at the four extra guards aiming arrows at her.

“What are you all uptight for? I'm leaving for good this time,” says Pinkie Pie.

The guard quietly uncuffs her and leaps back when the cuffs fall to the ground. With her hands now free, Pinkie Pie massages her wrists and looks around some more.

“Where's my stuff?” asks Pinkie Pie.

“I got it,” says Spike.

She looks at him, and he waves to her from his boat with her belongings on the seat, and in front of him are Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak, but while the latter is calm, Apple Bloom looks like she is about to vomit and her fingers tremble. Apple Bloom's ill condition aside, Pinkie Pie smiles, skips towards Spike's boat and clamps the railing hard.

“Thanks, Spike,” says Pinkie Pie brightly. She then yanks out her gear in one swipe -weapons and all- and plops it in the next boat, which contains Flash, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. The impact jerks the boat and she slings herself on the seat next to Rainbow Dash and leans against her shoulder, smiling innocently. “Hi.”

“Uh.... Hi?” says Rainbow Dash.

Flash raises an eyebrow and Fluttershy looks at her sister strangely, and Rainbow Dash glares at them as she firmly moves the Ranger off of her shoulder. “Don't look at me like that.”

Flash looks away, but Fluttershy keeps staring, all while Pinkie Pie once again snuggles into to Rainbow Dash's shoulder, somehow finding comfort in her metal plated armor.

“Wow, Dashie, you sure are comfortable!” says Pinkie Pie loudly. “I'm sooo glad you keep me company!”

The Fellowship looks at the pegasus boat, and Fluttershy shrinks in her seat while Rainbow Dash's face heats up and puts yet another effort to push her off. Only this time the Ranger has braced her feet against the side of the boat and her back against Rainbow Dash's body, assuring a stubborn resistance.

“What's wrong with her?” asks Apple Bloom.

“She's just being Pinkie Pie,” says Spike.

The boat shakes again, and Applejack and Braeburn climb aboard, wearing their armor with their weapons stored. They sit in between Spike and the Foalings, and Braeburn grabs the oars and gives one to Spike while keeping the other for himself.

“You want me to do that?” asks Applejack, pointing at the oar.

“No,” says Braeburn. “Davenport ain't around anymore, so you can relax for once.”

“But what about your shoulder?”

“My shoulder is fine.”

“But-”

“Quiet! I ain't hearing any of it. Relax and let me do this.”

Applejack reluctantly nods and looks down at the boat floor. On the far end, Blueblood is using his magic to pull the rowboat closer to the shore, with Rarity, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo standing behind him.

“So, which one of us will be doing the rowing?” asks Sweetie Belle.

“Probably the two of us,” says Scootaloo with a roll of her eyes.

After the boat grinds to shore, Blueblood turns to the group.

“Don't be ridiculous,” says Blueblood. “Shining Armor and I will do the rowing.”

Scootaloo snorts. “Nice joke.”

“Contrary to your skewed perception of me, I did learn many things beyond court etiquette in my youthful days. Now, come on. On you go.”

Without giving the two Foalings any time to process his words, Blueblood grabs them and carefully places them in the boat one at a time, then assists Rarity in climbing in. As soon as the three are settled, he looks over to Shining Armor. The Banished Prince is standing with Cadence, and she is cupping his scruffy cheeks with her hands, peering softly into his eyes.

“Live for her,” says Cadence.

Shining Armor grips her wrist, nodding while looking down. He looks up after she gently kisses his forehead and tightens his grip on her wrist, looking at her with longing and drooped ears.

“Goodbye, Cadenza,” croaks Shining Armor.

“Goodbye, Shining,” says Cadence.

Shining Armor swallows and unwillingly steps away, refusing to look away from Cadence until he is by Blueblood. When he is next to the Viceroy, the older unicorn puts his hand on his shoulder.

“It is time to go,” says Blueblood.

Shining Armor sighs and looks at Apple Bloom's boat. She is still anxious and twitching, and Shining Armor glances at Blueblood and quietly nods. The two then climb on the boat and use the oars to push their way into the river. The oars and boats shimmer, and despite the river going against them, the small boat glides with ease.

In Apple Bloom's boat, when Blueblood passes them, Spike and Breaburn begin trailing them. The motion is smooth, like skating across a frozen lake. The movement leaves her feeling a little bit ill, and she cannot keep her eyes from peeking past her taller companions to the other boat. Flash and Pinkie Pie are rowing, and the Ranger throws a two fingered salute to the deer on the shore, but none return it. Cadence, however, has enough courtesy to wave in return, despite the glare she is getting from Aspen.

Apple Bloom gulps down a sickly and rubs her hands, trying to keep the twitches down, and she looks at each one of the members of the Fellowship. Each one brings a greater weight to her heart that suffocates her, eventually forcing her to close her eyes and hunch over. Soon after, a gentle hand presses on her shoulder and she cracks her eyes open to see Pipsqueak looking at her with concern.

“Are you okay?” asks Pipsqueak.

“I'm scared,” whimpers Apple Bloom.

“I know. But we're here for you.” He hesitates and wraps his arm around her. “We're all here for you and won't be going anywhere.”

Apple Bloom nods, even though she knows it is not true, and she leans against him and closes her eyes again. The sounds of the wind through the branches and the oars through the water try to bring her comfort, but her soul is rejecting it. She wants the comfort, but cannot enjoy its lie, knowing what's ahead and what she must do.

On the shore, the deer and Cadence watch the Fellowship until they round the river's bend, and only then do they scatter, leaving just Blackthorn, Aspen and Cadence alone. There, they stand in silence until Cadence speaks with a heavy heart.

“What happens, now?” asks Cadence.

“Whatever fate decides,” says Aspen.

And he, too leaves with Blackthorn, leaving Cadence alone to watch the river. When their steps are out of earshot, she sinks to her knees and silently cries into her hands.

Author's Notes:

So, this happened. I'm actually surprised how fast this came out. I guess I'm just eager to finish it. It is so close that I can taste it. And it tastes like bacon!