Silence.

All there is, is silence.

The quietness is petrifying for Apple Bloom. She can feel and see the lingering shadows over the Fellowship. Their eyes are darker, their figures burdened. Even their motions are as wooden as the enchanted oars pushing them through the river. Up ahead, the roaring and gurgling of water becomes more prominent, drowning out the rustling leaves and creaking wood, and when the Fellowship rounds the river curve the shadow briefly breaks from the light of wonder.

All of the heavy solemn expressions lighten up to smiles and wide eyes at the sight of a towering wall of falling crystal blue water that is at least one hundred feet high. The crescent arc of the rushing makes a bowl of churning water and froth and mist with a rainbow floating inside. The mist cools the group, and Apple Bloom leans against the boat edge, smiling wide and almost crying at the beauty of the water and the thick, lush trees that surround it on all sides.

“I never thought I would see Neighagra Falls,” says Braeburn. He smiles at Applejack. “I guess this is one thing we can cross off our death list.”

Applejack nods and Spike blinks tears out of his eyes.

“Twilight always wanted to see this,” says Spike.

Apple Bloom's smile fades and she looks at Spike. The drake's misted eyes are still on the waterfall, but he has stopped rowing, putting the boat in a bobble that Braeburn is struggling to keep from putting them in a spin.

“Spike, you can row any time now,” says Braeburn.

“Sorry,” mutters Spike.

He starts rowing again and the boat trails Blueblood's and Flash's boats to the shore, which is lined with clumpy sand, wet wood and lots of rocks. Their boat grinds to shore and Braeburn hops out to drag it the rest of the way, and Spike jumps into the water and begins carrying the supplies to the shore, where the others have stacked their gear.

Apple Bloom climbs out and shivers when her little frame splashes in the water. Her clothing soaks up the water fast and drags her down, but she manages to waddle to shore and takes a seat on a log, clutching the Amulet and gazing at the group. Her heart becomes heavier, her breathing more labored, as she watches them work without speaking. The only ones who are not working on unloading are Blueblood and Pinkie Pie, but that is because the former is looking at the map and the latter is gathering sticks and twigs from the surrounding area.

“We'll rest here for the night and move out on first light,” says Blueblood, his eyes still on the map. “Once we cross the bay we will head straight to the Crystal Mountains and go through the Silver Pass. It will be tricky, but it will also have the least amount of resistance. That will put us to Mount Dread in roughly six weeks if we keep moving with minimal breaks.”

“Six weeks? That's not bad,” says Pipsqueak.

“You do realize that it will be six weeks in the coldest part of the world, right?” says Scootaloo.

“At least the deer gave us plenty of gear,” says Sweetie Belle. She opens up a box and finds a pair of gloves and boots, as well as thick gray clothing. “See?”

Scootaloo rolls her eyes. “Clothes won't do anything against monsters up there.”

“Not only that, but we have more to worry about than monster. Like the Valley of Mirrors where you can't find your way out of it. Doomed to be lost for eternity,” say Rainbow Dash. “And the Cold Marshes, which are filled with thousands of bodies and trapped souls that will suck you into purgatory if you fall in.”

Fluttershy gulps and shrinks away.

“You also forgot the freezing wind that rips the flesh off your bones,” says Blueblood.

The Foalings cringe and slide next to Fluttershy, who is now hiding behind Flash, and Shining Armor walks past them, carrying a couple of boxes. He carefully sets them down next to Spike and Rarity, who are organizing the contents into the appropriate piles. Near them, Pinkie Pie is hunched over a pile of gathered twigs and sticks, her fingers working with great precision to get a pyramid to form.

“Stop it, everypony. You're making it sound worse than it really is,” says Spike.

“Have you been there?” asks Flash.

“No.”

“Then how can you know? What if it is worse than it sounds? What if there are demons there that will rip out your heart, wear your skin or violate your corpse? What if the Frozen North is so evil that you will go mad as soon as you enter and rip out your own teeth to wear as a necklace!?”

Apple Bloom is completely pale and trembling at this point, and the rest of the Fellowship is staring at him with a mix of disgust and shock. Except for Fluttershy. Her pale face is frozen and her eyes are dead. Seeing all these reactions, Flash awkwardly coughs and leans against a tree, shrugging.

“Or, maybe we're over thinking how bad it is,” says Flash. “Maybe it's just a little nippy and has nice scenery.”

“That's really dumb,” says Shining Armor. “Its called the Frozen North not the Nippy North for a reason.”

“I'm just trying to keep everypony calm.”

“Even though you brought up necrophilia and tooth necklaces?” says Braeburn flatly.

Flash points at Braeburn. “I don't see you contributing anything.”

“What am I supposed to contribute? I ain't ever been this far. For all I know there might be cannibals or giant spiders.”

Fluttershy's comatose breaks. “Did somepony say spiders?”

“...Yeah.”

“Oh. I like spiders. They're cute.”

The group stares at her, and Braeburn opens his mouth, closes it, then looks at Applejack and Rainbow Dash; but all he gets is the former shrugging and the latter ignoring him.

“Okay, so we don't exactly know what all is up there,” says Rainbow Dash, “besides an undying entity with an army of demons that wants to kill all life and is looking for Apple Bloom so that way he can get the Amulet to kill all life. No pressure.”

Apple Bloom scowls.

“So, we're just have to be prepared and expect the worst. We can't afford to make any more mistakes,” says Rainbow Dash.

A suffocating silence comes over the group, and when Rainbow Dash realizes what she has just said, she opens her mouth, but quickly shuts it, sits down and begins sharpening one of her blades. The scratching of whetstone on steel is all that accompanies the rushing water and chirping birds; and Shining Armor's eyes narrow on the Colored Witch while Pinkie Pie's jaw sets as her fingers tremble in her placements.

“Pinkie's been to the Frozen North before. She can guide us to the Mountain,” says Shining Armor.

“Who says I've been there?” says Pinkie Pie sourly.

Shining Armor frowns at her. “Didn't you say you've been to the Frozen North before?”

“Maybe. I don't remember.”

“Pinkie, now is not the time to be childish,” says Rarity.

“Oh, really? I'm sorry. I guess forget!” She swipes the pyramid into oblivion, scattering the pieces at Spike and Rarity. “Oops. Looks like I got to get more twigs. I'll be back.”

And with that, she storms off into the forest, where the trees hide her presence in a matter of seconds. Once she is out of sight, Sweetie Belle looks around.

“...What just happened?” asks Sweetie Belle.

Several hours have passed. A small fire is now burning up a new pile of sticks inside a circle of stone, bringing light to the dimming forest, and the Fellowship is huddled around its warm with a cold silence. Forks clank against plates, and awkward chewing accompanies the crackling fire. Nobody can look at anybody in the eye, and several long minutes pass before Rainbow Dash slams her plate down on her knee.

“That's it! I can't take it anymore!” says Rainbow Dash.

“Take what?” asks Sweetie Belle.

“I'm going to find Pinkie. She's been gone way too long.”

“She's fine,” says Blueblood. “She's a Ranger, not a peasant.”

“She's been gone for hours. What if something happened to her?”

Spike stands up with the help of his sword.

“I've been having the same thought, so I'll help you find her,” says Spike.

“Thank you,” says Rainbow Dash. “Anypony else?”

Shining Armor sighs and puts down his plate. “I guess I will go, too.”

“Me, too,” says Flash Sentry.

Rainbow Dash holds out her hand. “No, you're staying here with Fluttershy.”

“I'll be fine,” says Fluttershy. “I can watch the Foalings with Rarity.”

Rainbow Dash sighs heavily, and reluctantly nods. “Fine.”

Flash stands up and adjusts his wrists pads, and Spike looks at the group critically while the guard makes his way to the Colored Witch.

“Who else is going?” ask Spike.

Applejack raises her hand, but Braeburn grabs her wrist and forces her hand down.

“Nope, you're staying at the camp with me where its safe,” says Braeburn.

Applejack frowns, but says nothing, and Spike and Rainbow Dash give Braeburn harsh stares that he easily ignores, all while Rarity, Fluttershy and the Foalings exchange uneasy looks.

“I suppose I can contribute since we'll have a stallion keeping guard,” says Blueblood as he delicately wipes his mouth of crumbs.

“Well, I guess that's it, then,” says Rainbow Dash. “Let's head out.”

Apple Bloom stares at the fire. She has been for an indefinite amount of time. Thick lines of glowing orange and black lines the wood, and her hand flexes across her knee while her other holds her cloak shut. All she can hear is the crackling of the splitting wood. Every time she glances away from the flames, she sees the Fellowship at peace. They are smiling, they are talking, but she cannot hear their words.

Pipsqueak is talking to Sweetie Belle. Or maybe Rarity. Sweetie Belle is behind Rarity, messing with her mane and Pipsqueak appears to be talking to them, and they do not look annoyed.

Scootaloo is laying against a log, her arms folded across her chest, her legs stretched out and her head bowed. She is also cradling her sword and has her gear packed, ready to go.

Fluttershy is listening to Braeburn talking about something, but if Apple Bloom did not know any better she would think that the timid pegasus is only listening to be polite. The look of pretending to enjoy a terrible conversation is one she recognizes from all the times Granny Smith would talk years away from any Foaling that had the misfortune of wishing her a good morning.

In Applejack's case, she is possibly the most restless of the bunch. Apple Bloom is not sure why Applejack keeps fidgeting with her axe, or looking around the forest, or giving signs of wanting to puke, but it is not helping Apple Bloom's nerves, any. It is not like she is being hunted by demons or marked for death by an all powerful being. Though, in all fairness, Apple Bloom knows she would be a little bit agitated if someone grabbed her every time she shifted from her spot. Case in point, Braeburn.

“So, that is why ya aim where the target's gonna be,” says Braeburn proudly with his plate of food on his lap.

“That's nice,” says Fluttershy.

“Eeyup. I think so, too. Now, about the bolts and arrows. There's at least a dozen types of each, all with different perks and hindrances.”

“I'm sorry, I don't want to be rude, but I'm not into archery.”

“Ya more into spears?”

“I'm more into not fighting. I renounced it.”

“Renounced it? Then why are you here?”

“I have to, unless I want to be banished from my family lineage and Valhöll.”

Scootaloo snorts a laugh, which is surprising for Apple Bloom since her fellow Foaling looked like she was sleeping. However, nobody pays mind to her, and Braeburn stares at Fluttershy critically.

“Well, no offense, but I don't think you'll be getting into Valhöll, anyway,” he says. “Ya ain't exactly a warrior, so ya not only didn't have to renounce anything, but ya don't have the 'glory' or the 'honor' for it. Plus, that place don't even exist. Its Faust's Paradise or nothin', if ya know what I mean.”

Fluttershy nods slowly, and when Braeburn looks away to ask Applejack where she's going after she stands up, the pegasus uses her spear to tip his plate, causing it and his dinner to land in the dirt. Braeburn's eyes snap to the tragedy, then he brings his eyes up to glare at Fluttershy while she coolly sips her drink.

“Oops,” says Fluttershy innocently.

A growl rumbles in Braeburn's throat and his hands curl into fists, but Applejack's hand on his shoulder keeps him anchored. It is during this distraction that Apple Bloom quietly slips away with her pack, leaving Applejack and Braeburn to debate whether or not Fluttershy's act was accidental or violation of campground etiquette. As the debate carries on, dragging the rest of the group into it, Apple Bloom takes one last look, and then disappears into the forest.