Hi everyone, I wasn't expecting this fic to turn out to be three chapters
long. It just went on for a bit longer than I thought it would and I didn't
want to make the chapters too long. It was a desperate task to finish this
in time for Christmas- I hope the ending is satisfactory for you all. MERRY
CHRISTMAS WHEREEVER YOU ARE!
As the sun set over Dream Valley the snow turned a brilliant red, and the baby ponies gasped at the scene.
"Oh look Truly," Baby Glory exclaimed, "It's so pretty it looks just like magic!" "It sure does babies," Truly started encouraging them all inside, "Now you older ones have to start getting ready for your big night and the tinys had better be good for Bow Tie tonight!"
Down by the bridge over the stream Ice Crystal was watching the first stars come out and their reflections twinkling in the ice below the bridge. He felt a mixture of nerves and excitement, his stomach was doing somersaults and he kept anxiously checking around for Love Letter and his date. "I hope I look ok for her, she did pick out this necktie for me," he murmured to himself as he checked his reflection in the frozen water.
"Yahoo! Ice Crystal!" Love Letter's voice carried over the snowy wonderland. Ice Crystal felt his body shake as a tingle of anticipation swept over him. He turned around with a broad grin to see the two approaching ponies. Love Letter looked splendid in a glittering tiara and long red cape with white fur trim. Anxiously Ice Crystal turned his attention to the other pony and he stepped forward with a smile, which became slightly fixed as he realised something was wrong. The other pony was a unicorn, a lavender unicorn. Ice Crystal felt his heart sink as he recognised Powder who wore a big smile along with her hair in a high extravagant twist.
"You look fabulous Ice." Love Letter gave him a dazzling smile and then looked pointedly towards Powder, "I'll leave you two alone and I'll see you at the castle."
As she started to walk away Ice Crystal stopped her and hissed lowly so that Powder couldn't hear " Is this some kind of a joke of yours?!" he looked like he would have been happy to freeze Love Letter with his breath on the spot.
"Joke?" Love Letter was genuinely confused, "But, I thought that it was Powder . . .? There's someone else? I'm sorry."
Ice Crystal took a deep breath; he could see that Love Letter was genuinely apologetic. "It doesn't matter Love Letter, the damage is done, I'm sure me and Powder will have a nice night." He gave her a wane smile and turned to face the purple unicorn.
"You look lovely Powder, shall we start walking down to the castle?"
As the three ponies meandered their way across the valley Love Letter walked slightly apart from the other two thinking to herself. From the snippets of conversation that she heard it sounded like Ice Crystal was being exceedingly polite to Powder and was trying to make the most of the situation that he had found himself in.
"But who was it then?" she asked herself. "Whom else was Ice Crystal talking to in the salon before? Oh dear, what a mess!"
As they approached the castle another pony was stepping across the drawbridge in the opposite direction. It was Bow Tie, heading towards the Lullaby Nursery to take over the babysitting duties from Truly. Love Letter saw the look of surprise and disappointment on Bow Tie's face as she saw Ice Crystal with Powder, but the blue pony gathered herself and wished all three of them a good evening. As Bow Tie walked alone over the snow, heading in the opposite direction to all the other ponies that were gathering for the ball Love Letter also saw the look of longing and sadness that crossed Ice Crystal's face as he briefly looked back to watch her go. The white matchmaking pony suddenly understood and vowed to herself to make the situation right by the end of the evening.
The castle ballroom was just as resplendent as the entrance hall and, filled with little ponies dressed in their best, looked like the perfect setting for the perfectly wonderful Midwinter Ball that Love Letter had planned. As the evening progressed Love Letter was showered with praise from everyone congratulating her on doing such a marvellous job. She took every compliment gracefully but her mind was still on the matchmaking mess that she had created. As the clock approached 10pm the Rocking Beat ponies who were providing the music started a slow song and many of the couples took to the floor. Love Letter smiled as she saw Moondancer and Sunbeam dancing closely together and gave a gentle chuckle as she saw Baby Brother Sweet Celebrations desperately trying to get away from Baby Northstar who was carrying some mistletoe. Turning from the dance floor she found Powder at her side.
"Love Letter, I'm really sorry to disturb you but it's just that Chief has asked me to dance," Powder gently shifted her weight from one foot to another as she explained her predicament, "And I would REALLY like to but I don't want to upset Ice Crystal, do you think he would mind too much? Because I am his date really aren't I?"
"Love Letter looked over to the table where Ice Crystal was idly playing with a white lily in a vase, his mind obviously elsewhere. "Powder, I don't think he will mind too much, I'm really sorry but I think I made a mistake." She told the unicorn. "Well, that's a relief to me," Powder lowered her voice, "Because Ice is a very nice guy but. . .well I do like Chief a bit more."
Love Letter nodded and left Powder to spin out on the dance floor with the handsome Big Brother pony. Walking over to the despondent Ice Crystal's table she wondered what she could say. She then realised that she had one more chance to make it right; she just hoped that Ice Crystal would trust her enough.
"Ice Crystal?" the green pony lifted his head and gave her a polite nod, so she just ploughed straight on, hoping that the right words would come out, "I know that I messed up with the whole date thing but I'm pretty sure that I can sort things out and I know that you have no reason at all to trust me but maybe if you'd come with me now then I can get you with the person that you really wanted as your date in the first place."
Ice Crystal gave her a blank look. "But what about Powder? I'm supposed to be here with her."
Love Letter nodded towards the dance floor, "Something tells me that she won't mind too much."
Ice Crystal looked over and saw Powder smiling and blushing at something that Chief had just whispered in her ear. He looked at Love Letter and gave a deep sigh, "I suppose I don't have anything to lose." And he meekly followed her out of the room.
The music from the castle was gently drifting over the snow-covered Dream Valley and, through an open window downstairs in the nursery, Bow Tie could hear the faint noises of a great party. One small tear leaked out of her eye and slowly made its way down her cheek until she angrily wiped it away. Suddenly the front door opened and Love Letter came quietly into the room, wiping her hooves to get rid of the snow.
"Love Letter? What are you doing here? You should be at the Ball- it's your night!" Bow Tie looked at the other earthling in confusion.
"No Bow Tie, it's your night." Love Letter said quietly, gesturing towards the door, "Go on, go outside. I can watch the babies."
Bow Tie was uncertain but went outside without further complaints. As she looked over the valley the moon came out from behind a cloud and bathed the snow in a soft silver light, sparkling off individual flakes. She saw the figure of a Clydesdale pony waiting a bit away and looked doubtfully back at Love Letter who just smiled and mouthed, "GO!" at her.
As Bow Tie made her way across the soft snow towards the male pony she slowly realised who it was and her heart felt that it would burst with the huge mix of hope, excitement and uncertainty that she was feeling. As she arrived in front of Ice Crystal she gazed up into his face and saw the same mix of emotions in his own face.
For as long as he could remember Ice Crystal had been wondering how to tell Bow Tie just how he felt and now that she was stood with him in the snowy wonderland, bathed in moonlight, stars reflecting in her eyes that were turned up to him he still couldn't find the words to describe the rush of sensations that were inside of him. All he could do was gently lower his head to touch his nose against hers and look deeply into her eyes.
The two ponies found that actions said all that needed to be said and as they cuddled up to each other in the snow, pink mane getting tangled with white, the moon shone down on them from the star studded sky, the soft music carrying from the ball filled their ears and everything and everyone else was forgotten.
Fin
As the sun set over Dream Valley the snow turned a brilliant red, and the baby ponies gasped at the scene.
"Oh look Truly," Baby Glory exclaimed, "It's so pretty it looks just like magic!" "It sure does babies," Truly started encouraging them all inside, "Now you older ones have to start getting ready for your big night and the tinys had better be good for Bow Tie tonight!"
Down by the bridge over the stream Ice Crystal was watching the first stars come out and their reflections twinkling in the ice below the bridge. He felt a mixture of nerves and excitement, his stomach was doing somersaults and he kept anxiously checking around for Love Letter and his date. "I hope I look ok for her, she did pick out this necktie for me," he murmured to himself as he checked his reflection in the frozen water.
"Yahoo! Ice Crystal!" Love Letter's voice carried over the snowy wonderland. Ice Crystal felt his body shake as a tingle of anticipation swept over him. He turned around with a broad grin to see the two approaching ponies. Love Letter looked splendid in a glittering tiara and long red cape with white fur trim. Anxiously Ice Crystal turned his attention to the other pony and he stepped forward with a smile, which became slightly fixed as he realised something was wrong. The other pony was a unicorn, a lavender unicorn. Ice Crystal felt his heart sink as he recognised Powder who wore a big smile along with her hair in a high extravagant twist.
"You look fabulous Ice." Love Letter gave him a dazzling smile and then looked pointedly towards Powder, "I'll leave you two alone and I'll see you at the castle."
As she started to walk away Ice Crystal stopped her and hissed lowly so that Powder couldn't hear " Is this some kind of a joke of yours?!" he looked like he would have been happy to freeze Love Letter with his breath on the spot.
"Joke?" Love Letter was genuinely confused, "But, I thought that it was Powder . . .? There's someone else? I'm sorry."
Ice Crystal took a deep breath; he could see that Love Letter was genuinely apologetic. "It doesn't matter Love Letter, the damage is done, I'm sure me and Powder will have a nice night." He gave her a wane smile and turned to face the purple unicorn.
"You look lovely Powder, shall we start walking down to the castle?"
As the three ponies meandered their way across the valley Love Letter walked slightly apart from the other two thinking to herself. From the snippets of conversation that she heard it sounded like Ice Crystal was being exceedingly polite to Powder and was trying to make the most of the situation that he had found himself in.
"But who was it then?" she asked herself. "Whom else was Ice Crystal talking to in the salon before? Oh dear, what a mess!"
As they approached the castle another pony was stepping across the drawbridge in the opposite direction. It was Bow Tie, heading towards the Lullaby Nursery to take over the babysitting duties from Truly. Love Letter saw the look of surprise and disappointment on Bow Tie's face as she saw Ice Crystal with Powder, but the blue pony gathered herself and wished all three of them a good evening. As Bow Tie walked alone over the snow, heading in the opposite direction to all the other ponies that were gathering for the ball Love Letter also saw the look of longing and sadness that crossed Ice Crystal's face as he briefly looked back to watch her go. The white matchmaking pony suddenly understood and vowed to herself to make the situation right by the end of the evening.
The castle ballroom was just as resplendent as the entrance hall and, filled with little ponies dressed in their best, looked like the perfect setting for the perfectly wonderful Midwinter Ball that Love Letter had planned. As the evening progressed Love Letter was showered with praise from everyone congratulating her on doing such a marvellous job. She took every compliment gracefully but her mind was still on the matchmaking mess that she had created. As the clock approached 10pm the Rocking Beat ponies who were providing the music started a slow song and many of the couples took to the floor. Love Letter smiled as she saw Moondancer and Sunbeam dancing closely together and gave a gentle chuckle as she saw Baby Brother Sweet Celebrations desperately trying to get away from Baby Northstar who was carrying some mistletoe. Turning from the dance floor she found Powder at her side.
"Love Letter, I'm really sorry to disturb you but it's just that Chief has asked me to dance," Powder gently shifted her weight from one foot to another as she explained her predicament, "And I would REALLY like to but I don't want to upset Ice Crystal, do you think he would mind too much? Because I am his date really aren't I?"
"Love Letter looked over to the table where Ice Crystal was idly playing with a white lily in a vase, his mind obviously elsewhere. "Powder, I don't think he will mind too much, I'm really sorry but I think I made a mistake." She told the unicorn. "Well, that's a relief to me," Powder lowered her voice, "Because Ice is a very nice guy but. . .well I do like Chief a bit more."
Love Letter nodded and left Powder to spin out on the dance floor with the handsome Big Brother pony. Walking over to the despondent Ice Crystal's table she wondered what she could say. She then realised that she had one more chance to make it right; she just hoped that Ice Crystal would trust her enough.
"Ice Crystal?" the green pony lifted his head and gave her a polite nod, so she just ploughed straight on, hoping that the right words would come out, "I know that I messed up with the whole date thing but I'm pretty sure that I can sort things out and I know that you have no reason at all to trust me but maybe if you'd come with me now then I can get you with the person that you really wanted as your date in the first place."
Ice Crystal gave her a blank look. "But what about Powder? I'm supposed to be here with her."
Love Letter nodded towards the dance floor, "Something tells me that she won't mind too much."
Ice Crystal looked over and saw Powder smiling and blushing at something that Chief had just whispered in her ear. He looked at Love Letter and gave a deep sigh, "I suppose I don't have anything to lose." And he meekly followed her out of the room.
The music from the castle was gently drifting over the snow-covered Dream Valley and, through an open window downstairs in the nursery, Bow Tie could hear the faint noises of a great party. One small tear leaked out of her eye and slowly made its way down her cheek until she angrily wiped it away. Suddenly the front door opened and Love Letter came quietly into the room, wiping her hooves to get rid of the snow.
"Love Letter? What are you doing here? You should be at the Ball- it's your night!" Bow Tie looked at the other earthling in confusion.
"No Bow Tie, it's your night." Love Letter said quietly, gesturing towards the door, "Go on, go outside. I can watch the babies."
Bow Tie was uncertain but went outside without further complaints. As she looked over the valley the moon came out from behind a cloud and bathed the snow in a soft silver light, sparkling off individual flakes. She saw the figure of a Clydesdale pony waiting a bit away and looked doubtfully back at Love Letter who just smiled and mouthed, "GO!" at her.
As Bow Tie made her way across the soft snow towards the male pony she slowly realised who it was and her heart felt that it would burst with the huge mix of hope, excitement and uncertainty that she was feeling. As she arrived in front of Ice Crystal she gazed up into his face and saw the same mix of emotions in his own face.
For as long as he could remember Ice Crystal had been wondering how to tell Bow Tie just how he felt and now that she was stood with him in the snowy wonderland, bathed in moonlight, stars reflecting in her eyes that were turned up to him he still couldn't find the words to describe the rush of sensations that were inside of him. All he could do was gently lower his head to touch his nose against hers and look deeply into her eyes.
The two ponies found that actions said all that needed to be said and as they cuddled up to each other in the snow, pink mane getting tangled with white, the moon shone down on them from the star studded sky, the soft music carrying from the ball filled their ears and everything and everyone else was forgotten.
Fin