Benjamen,

Please, whatever you do, don't panic. I understand things are probably very confusing right now and that you're probably scared. Try to remain strong though.

I have no idea what you've done or why you're being charged with assassination, but I know you're innocent. You have to be! You've been here with us the whole time! Not to mention, you would never have any reason to try and harm the Princess! It just doesn't make any sense.

I have already sent a letter to the Princess on your behalf, explaining the validity of your alibi: That you were with us during whatever crime they claim you have committed. You will get through this, I promise. You just have to stay strong, and believe me when I tell you that things will be okay.

Everypony who knows you here in Ponyville is worried about you, Ben. Nopony can understand what is going on, and everypony keeps asking me what's going to happen to you. I tell them the same thing I tell you: You're going to be alright. I'm so sorry about all of this.

Please write back as soon as you can.

Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle

Twilight,

Thank you for the comforting words you tried to send to me in my hour of darkness. Though they did not make it until far after I had already had my audience with the Princess, knowing that someone came to my defense when it felt as though the whole world had turned against me is a cherished thought.

I am sure your words to the Princess must have helped sway her opinion of me, as my audience went fairly well (as well as one accused of assassination can hope for, of course). Please inform all of those who worry about me that I am currently safe and will not be banished, exiled, or executed. I am not pardoned, however. I must remain in Canterlot under probation, and will remain so until I have paid off my debt to society for my mistakes (how this will be done is currently still undecided). I am sure as one of the Princess's close students, she will be willing to share more details of her plans with you, but I am afraid that I have none to spare at this time.

I also appreciate that you sent Sugarlump to handle the delivery. The familiar face was a delight to see since I am surrounded by so much that is unfamiliar to me right now. Even if it did make the letter a bit late to have her give it to me instead of one of the other postal workers, it was worth it to have a friend greet me with the delivery.

As for good news, I have been appointed as an ambassador here in Canterlot at this time. I have no idea what this means, or what my duties will consist of now that I have a title, but it does mean that I am now officially considered more than just a pink monster-thing. This is good to know, since I have also been fired from my position as delivery boy there in Ponyville. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes you get promoted for shooting someone.

I do have to apologize for deceiving you, Twilight. If you have by now learned of what the charges against me were about, then you know that the crossbow I had you assist me in making was not for recreational archery: I had intended to use it as a personal defense weapon.

If you do not know what truly happened, it is that I received a threatening letter from your assistant under the pseudonym of "Dog-Ears Pink" (that I have now deduced is an anagram of Dragon Spike, but I have yet to understand its relevance). In fear of what might become of me or anyone around me, I constructed the weapon in case I had to confront him. When I did confront him, he burned my loaded crossbow up in dragon fire and delivered it to Princess Celestia, at which point the weapon discharged the bolt into the side of her neck. The wound is mostly superficial it seems, and she is recovering fine. That is why I was charged with attempting to assassinate your Princess.

I apologize for not telling you sooner. Please inform your assistant that I was never planning to (or would) 'make moves on his lady' even if I were given the chance. Also, tell him that I plan to kick his nose into his face the next time we meet for all the trouble he's caused me. You might want to invest in a helmet of some sort for him.

I have made a promise that I will do what I can to return to Ponyville. With any luck, it will only be a couple of weeks from now before I will be able to fulfill that promise. Please let the others know that I am alright, and that I am thinking of them during my stay in Canterlot.

Thankfully yours,
Benjamen Prodder