The sun had once more fallen, far beyond the distant hills in the horizon. But, this time, the arrival of the night did not bring fear or a sense of worry for Twilight. Instead, all around her, there was nothing more than feelings of jubilation. The Apples had very kindly invited her and her companions to dine with them tonight, and so, every single one of them were in the main hall of their timber keep. There was a roaring fire to one side, lighting up the place, and everywhere one went., there was the buzz of chatter as dozens of Apples all happily talked amongst themselves. In the centre of the hall lay a long table, laden with many delicious-looking foods and drinks, the former of which were, naturally, made from the nearby apples they harvested. All-in-all, it was about as welcoming a moment as one would expect.

Twilight's friends all went about their own business, eating at their own leisure, with Pinkie especially stuffing her face in a manner nobody would have thought humanly possible. Rainbow was in a corner, going on about all the "dangers" they had come across in their trek over here. Fluttershy was, naturally, meekly refusing many of the offers to speak with her hosts, for obvious reasons, simply sticking to her own meals, desperately hoping to not be noticed. And as for Spike, well, as a member of the royal family, he was the clear centre of attention, as all there attempted to pay him homage, or simply bow in his presence. Though somewhat embarrassed by this behaviour at first, by now, it had truly outworn it's welcome with him, and he looked to Twilight with an annoyed look.

"If I knew I'd be getting this much attention, I'd have chosen some less-fancy clothes to bring."

Twilight stifled a giggle at that, before starting to get down to her own food, a steaming and aromatic slice of apple pie. However, mere seconds after she had taken the first bite, she found somebody tapping her shoulder. Turning to her left, she saw that it was Applejack, who leaned in closer to the young mage before speaking up to her.

"So, from what yer ranger friend tell us, y'all have been through some pretty tough times."

A nod was Twilight's response, and as she swallowed her first bite of pie, she began to speak in earnest.

"It hasn't been easy, but...I like to think we've been getting on well so far."

The farm girl nodded, turning to look upon each of Twilight's companions in turn. Her expression was hard to read, but, in time, she let out a sigh, looking to Twilight once more.

"Ah don't know what y'all are doin way out here, Twilight. But y'all better be careful. Things ain't as safe in the Green Lands as they used ta be."

The young mage raised an eyebrow at that, showing clear confusion. But, she did not have the opportunity to say anything on the matter for the time being, as her attention was then directed elsewhere. She heard movement, just behind her, and turned, just in time to see a young girl pass her by. She looked like Applejack, though her hair was bright red, bearing a large bow upon her head. She wore a simple green sun-dress and was, at the very least, five years younger than the girl at her side. This new arrival did not go to Twilight, however, but to Spike, who was currently enjoying his food. After a while though, he soon realised that he was being watched, and turned to look upon the girl.

"Um...hello?"

The girl looked to him inquisitively, tilting her head slightly.

"Granny says yer the Prince, right?"

Though still rather embarrassed about getting this kind of attention, Spike let out a sigh before giving a nod, confirming the girl's question. After a few more moments of silence, the latter spoke up again.

"Yer eyes look pretty funny."

Spike, for his part, didn't seem bothered by that remark, and even cracked a smile at it. As for Applejack though, she immediately cast a frown in the girl's direction.

"Apple Bloom! Ya don't say things like that!"

The girl, Apple Bloom, looked down at the ground after being spoken to that way, but Spike, his expression softening, raised a hand to the older woman.

"No, it's fine, really. She gave no offense."

Applejack was hesitant for a while, but, after seeing the honest look in Spike's eyes, relented, giving the other girl a brief gesture.

"Well...run along then. The big kids are talkin."

Apple Bloom pouted at this, but nevertheless did as she was told, walking off. Twilight, as before, couldn't help but giggle at this nice family moment. But, again as before, she didn't say anything, as she once more felt a tap on her shoulder. This time, however, when she turned, she saw that it was not Applejack who had done so, but Granny Smith, who stood beside where she was sitting with a smile upon her face.

"How are y'all doin, young'un?"

A smile crept onto Twilight's face.

"Oh, yes, my Lady. Everything you've done, well...I appreciate it."

To this, Granny Smith let out a hearty chuckle.

"Ah told ya, girl. Just call me Granny."

A little embarrassed, Twilight blushed slightly, and here, Granny turned to Applejack.

"Jacqueline? Would ya mind me stealin her guest fer a bit?"

Applejack looked to Twilight, then to her Grandmother, before breaking out into a small smile of her own.

"Sure thing, Granny."

Nodding back, Granny started walking away, heading straight for the fireplace at the end of the hall. Twilight, for a moment, hesitated to follow, but, after a few seconds further, got up from her chair and began to join her host. Given how slow the older woman was walking, it didn't take her long to catch up, and before long, the two of them made their way to that roaring fire. For whatever reason, being here, looking at those flames, it was as if the noise of the rest of the hall was suddenly nowhere to be found, and all Twilight could do was focus on the small and frail-looking woman beside her. Granny, for her part, stayed silent, staring at the fire intently before finally speaking up.

"Young'un...ah've lived a long time...so ah know what ah see when ah see it."

Slowly, she turned, looking Twilight right in the eye.

"A young mage...a Prince...a ranger...and a healer from the Everfree. All together, coming from who knows where and goin to who knows where."

A smile formed on the woman's lips.

"Ah know a quest when it's right in front of mah eyes, girl."

Hesitancy was plastered all over Twilight's face after hearing that, and she turned away, trying instead to focus on the fire. Chuckling slightly, Granny did the same.

"Ain't nothin ta worry bout, child. No doubt the Queen herself asked y'all ta do this, whatever it may be. And that's good enough fer me."

However, mere moments later, the smile faded from Granny's face, and as she looked to Twilight again, her expression was one of seriousness.

"But y'all need ta know somethin important."

Twilight looked to her, staying silent as the woman began to explain herself.

"Every now and again, we get people visitin us and our orchards. Travellers, traders and the like. Some stay fer a bit, and when they stay...they tell stories."

Granny looked to the flames again.

"Usually, it's the same old thing. Big adventures, monsters from far-away. The kinds of stories people like ta hear when sittin by a fire...or ta make themselves seem braver than they are."

Slowly, the woman looked to the young mace once more, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"But...these days? These days...the stories have...changed."

Here, at last, Twilight spoke.

"What do you mean?"

A sigh escaped Granny before she continued.

"The stories talk of...other things goin on in the world. Nothin specific, but...enough to know that somethin's happening out there."

She looked down to the ground.

"Before, there'd have been no end to the kinds of rumours people spread. But now? Now...it's as if...things have become...quiet."

Naturally, Twilight seemed confused by this.

"Well...that's good, isn't it? We're in a time of peace?"

But Granny shook her head.

"Listen ta the voice of experience, Twilight. When things go quiet...it's only because it's a calm before a storm."

Needless to say, words like that sent the inevitable chill down Twilight's spine, and the girl kept her mouth shut afterwards. Granny looked again to the fire, and for almost a full minute said nothing. Then, when she finally did speak, her words were slow and serious.

"Twilight...ah don't know what y'all plan on doin, or where ya plan on goin after ya leave mah home...but whatever it is...ya need to watch out. Our world..."

She turned, looking the girl right in the eye.

"...is changin."

Whatever feeling of comfort and welcome this place had given to Twilight in the preceding hours was well and truly gone at this point, and once more, the weight of her task was now fully felt, pushing down on her like a burden. She said nothing, as did Granny Smith, and for a time, all they did was look to the fireplace. The other guests and members of the Apple family, all busy with their revelry and celebration, were all too busy to notice this dour mood going on. And yet, through it all, there was one thing that Twilight felt she needed to say, and so put on as much of a smile as she could, before finally saying it.

"Th...thank you...for telling me this. I know you have no reason to help me, but..."

To this, Granny raised a hand, stopping her, before speaking up herself.

"Fer generations, the Apples have served the crown faithfully. If y'all are servin the Queen, doing some important task fer her out there...then telling ya this is the least ah can do."

Twilight nodded, understanding the gesture, but, again, was halted from saying anything further, as the older woman peered over her shoulder briefly.

"In fact..."

Slowly, she looked to Twilight again, and here, bore a very wide smile.

"...ah think ah might be able ta send y'all on yer way with more than just a few words of advice."

Author's Notes:

For those who are interested, I have some new art of this story's version of Spike, if you want a better idea of what he looks like: http://fav.me/d9yp7bo