Chapter 26: A Royal Hearth's Warming Part 1

Ponyville was full of snow, Hearth's Warming decorations of wreaths, red ribbons, and ornaments on trees, both inside the homes of ponies and on a big tree in the town square. Warm Heart Tower had also been decorated as well, of course they had taken down the decorations that had been there for Rarity's birthday. But now it was another time for celebration.
Mistletoe hung above the entry way. Fire sat on his throne once again as his friends from Ponyville arrived. All of them were dressed in their winter attire of scarfs, boots and hats. Fire had his own jacket that Rarity had made for him a while back on. The fireplace was burning, though it would soon be left cold inside once this day was over.

Hearth's Warming Eve would be tomorrow, and Fire would be returning to Canterlot where his mother, aunt, and family were. His guards and servants had all been dismissed to return to their own families, so he would be leaving Warm Heart Tower empty after this. He'd made a plan to have anti intruder spells put on to be safe. He'd already had one break in after all and didn't need another.
The mares entered and began to sing.

"Hearth's Warming is almost upon us! A time for friends and family!" Applejack sang.

"And for laughter, fun and tasty treats!" Pinkie added.

"For lovely snows to fall!" Rarity sung as well.

"The time to read tales of the holiday!" Twilight levitated a book as she sang.

"A time to say goodbye, as many friends leave!" Fluttershy's voice was a sad one. "For many animals must hibernate in these cold times."

Fire flew over to and tried to join. He put a hoof on Fluttershy to comfort her. "But they'll be back when the snow clears! Safe and sound!"

He doubted his voice was as sweet as theirs, but Fluttershy smiled nonetheless and hugged him.

"Yes you are right! We must not be sad for this is a time for cheer!"

"For Hearth's Warming celebrates the day our races came together!" Rainbow Dash said. "In days of old and cold!"

"But with friends like y'all its warm enough! Like a bright warm flame!" Applejack put her forelegs around the two Pegasi and winked at Fire who smiled at the similar noun to his name.

"Let us all enjoy this last lovely get together!" Rarity said. "And pray for the next year that all our dreams come true!"

"May the stars light our way!" Twilight gestured to the star mark on her flank.
"But first let's enjoy this party!" Pinkie said the finishing lines getting out her party canon. "Our first Hearth's Warming party together!"

The confetti blew and they were soon doing a variety of party activities. Twilight read A Hearth's Warming Tale aloud for them. They enjoyed hearing the narration in the background. Fire and Rarity sat at a table in the servants dining room. With Fire's servants having returned home for the most part they had to make the refreshments themselves, or had Spike do it. He whipped up some hot chocolate and served them all cups which he kept warm with his dragon breath.

"Room service! Or dragon service! Whatever you want to call it!" Spike said as he brought out six mugs on a tray over.

Twilight and Rarity levitated theirs over while the others used their hooves. Rarity looked at the white mug bearing a crown on it.

"I must say you have the most exquisite taste in Equestria, Fire!" Rarity said as she looked from the mugs to him.

"Thank you, Rarity," Fire replied. "But I think you probably have pretty good taste yourself."

Rarity smiled, then her lovely sapphire eyes widened. "But you don't have a drink for yourself! Spike, you didn't forget to make one for Fire, did you?"

"Uh… maybe?" Spike shrugged with a nervous grin.

"Well, this won't do!" Rarity said levitating her mug over to Fire. "Take mine Prince Fire!"

"Oh, that's alright Rare," Fire said. "After all ladies first."

"I insist!" Rarity pressed. "But thank you for the thought."

Fire hesitantly accepted the mug, not noticing Spike frown at him for a moment.

"Don't worry Rarity!" the little drake announced. "I'll have another batch up lickety split and your mug will be next."

Rainbow Dash suddenly got an idea. "Or you two could drink from the same mug!"

"I beg your pardon?" Rarity exclaimed. "I do not wish to receive germs, or spread my own to others. Particularly not my… best royal friend!"

Fire chuckled nervously. "Yeah, I don't really want to risk germs either."

"You don't have to drink from the same cup… directly," Rainbow Dash said as she held up a pair of straws.

Rarity rolled her eyes. "I suppose that's acceptable."

She levitated the two straws over to them and put them in the mug between them.

"After you," Fire said levitating the mug between them.

Rarity smiled. "Thank you."

She leaned forward and put her mouth on the straw on her side. She sipped a bit, filling her throat stomach with the warm sweetness. Rainbow Dash watched with a frown, knowing unless they both drank at the same time their lips would never touch. Twilight meanwhile continued to read the Hearth's Warming Tale.

"Snowfall Frost felt that ponies would be better off working to make Equestria a better place through study and magic. But others felt that it was important to spend time with friends and family. Sounds like me when I was anti-social," Twilight noted.

Fluttershy and Pinkie were both playing pin the tail on the pony with Fluttershy being blindfolded while Pinkie directed her to where the poster was hung. Applejack meanwhile was chowing down on the food on the large table in the middle; cookies, apples, and more.

Spike soon returned with a mug. "Here Rarity, I got you-"

He dropped the mug as he saw Rarity and Fire both drinking from the same cup with straws. Their mouths were only an inch from touching. The suddenly sound caused both of them as well as the others to jump. They saw the baby dragon standing there with the shattered remains of the mug and spilled hot chocolate.

"Uh… oops," Spike said sheepishly before growing a frown. "I dropped that."

"Better clean it up then," Twilight said going back to her book.

Spike sighed and picked up the broken pieces then mopped up the liquid before bringing back a fresh cup for Rarity.

"And please bring Prince Fire a full cup!" the unicorn said.

"As you wish," Spike said frowning again as he took Fire's cup.

Fire caught a glimpse of it. He guessed it was because Spike liked Rarity. He should really give up. Neither of them were the mare's mane squeeze.

Rainbow Dash whispered to Pinkie who was at this moment chowing down on cookies. "Hey, you up for operation kiss?"

"Kiss?" Pinkie asked confused for a moment before Rainbow pointed to Fire and Rarity. "Oh sure."

"Great! Here's the plan," Rainbow said. "You get Rarity over to where the mistletoe is hung!"

"And where's that?" Pinkie asked.

"Right at the front door," Rainbow told her a bit annoyed that she hadn't noticed.

"Righto," Pinkie nodded.

She took a moment to come up with a plan to get Rarity there then called. "Hey Rarity!"

"Yes Pinkie?" Rarity asked as the pink pony walked over to her.

"I have something I want to show you! Come on!" Pinkie grabbed her and began dragging her off.

"Oh! Pinkie, unhoof me at once! This is no way to handle a fellow lady!" Rarity exclaimed.

"Need me to come to your rescue?" Fire asked half-jokingly.

"I don't think that will be necessary," Rarity said as Pinkie stopped and allowed her to get to her hooves.

Pinkie led her to the entry way which had a bathroom next to it. She led Rarity right underneath the mistletoe hung up above.

"Alright, what is it you wanted to show me?" Rarity asked.

"You'll find out in a minute," Pinkie promised. "Just wait right there! And close your eyes"

Rarity frowned. Why did Pinkie bring her here? She didn't notice what was right above her.

At that moment though, Rarity felt the need to go to the bathroom as Pinkie bounced off singing "La la la."

Rarity clenched her teeth as her bowels were not happy. "Suppose I drank too much before coming here!"
She went inside the bathroom to relieve herself, closing the door behind her with her magic and locking it.

But Rarity wasn't the only one in need of using the bathroom.

"Oh, excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom," Fluttershy said.

She passed Pinkie Pie who looked at Rainbow Dash, waving her hoof strangely. Rainbow grinned then looked at him.

"Oh, is somepony in there?" Fluttershy's voice asked from outside.

"I am Darling!" Rarity called.

"Oh, I can wait then," Fluttershy said stepping back aways, right under the mistletoe.

"Hey Fire!" Rainbow Dash called back in the room most of them were in. "Up for a game of pin the tail on the pony?"

"Uh, sure?" Fire said hesitantly.

He was instantly blindfolded and handed the ponytail.

"Alright, allow me to guide you right to it," Rainbow whispered in his ear as she grabbed him from behind and flew him.

"Uh… the poster is over there!" Twilight noted as Rainbow flew him out of the dining room.

"What's going on Rainbow Dash?" Fire asked suspiciously at that.

He was set down right in front of Fluttershy.

"Feast your eyes on this!" Rainbow said not noticing it was the wrong pony as she removed the blindfold to allow Fire.

Fire looked and saw… "Fluttershy?"

"That's me," she said confused. "What's going on?"

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie's mouths fell open as the two ponies under the mistletoe were not Fire and Rarity, but Fire and Fluttershy.

"Hey where's Rarity?" Rainbow whispered to Pinkie in confusion.

"I don't know! I left her here and told her not to move but she did!" Pinkie said. "I should have made her Pinkie promise!"

Rainbow Dash sighed then spoke loud enough for Fire and Fluttershy to hear. "Well, you two are under mistletoe."

She pointed up at the entry where the plant had been hung. Fire and Fluttershy saw it and gasped.

"And you know the rules of that!" Pinkie pressed.

The yellow mare blushed as she looked at Fire. Fire blushed as well, not because he had romantic feelings for her, though she was a wonderfully kind mare. But the entire situation was more than a bit embarrassing.

He also knew what she was like. Shy.

"We don't have to if you don't want to Fluttershy," Fire said.

"Oh um..."

"Yeah you do!" Rainbow Dash objected. "Rule of standing under mistletoe, you have to kiss!"

Fire frowned at her. "Maybe I should drag you and Pinkie under here then!"

"Eww! I'm not that kind of mare!" Rainbow Dash objected. "I don't like mares! At least... I don't think I do! Of course, I'm not really into romance either way!"
"I might be!" Pinkie said. "But come on Fire, Fluttershy! You have a rule to follow, or you're a..."

She paused dramatically then pulled out a beak and hat that made her look like a... "Chicken! Bok! Bok! Bok!"

Fluttershy blushed. "Um... I guess we have to then Fire."

"Alright, if you don't have a problem with it Flutters," Fire said.

"This is just for tradition and rules after all."

"Yes," Fluttershy agreed, rubbing her foreleg.

There was the sound of a toilet flushing nearby. They looked toward the door for a moment then turned their attention back to the situation at hand. Fire leaned forward and kissed her under the mistletoe. She hesitated a moment then kissed back. It felt nice. Then Rarity suddenly stepped out of the bathroom and saw them. She gasped at the sight.

"What? When did you two...?" Rarity stammered with a heavy blush that soon mixed with a twitching eye.

"Uh, we just ended up under the mistletoe!" Fire told her honestly.

"It's true! Rainbow Dash and Pinkie lured him under the mistletoe and I happened to be under as well when I was waiting to use the bathroom!" Fluttershy said before realizing, "Oh! And I still have to!"

She went into the bathroom as Rarity looked after her for a moment. The white unicorn's gaze softened.

"Well, I see," Rarity cleared her throat. "Those two pranksters said they had a surprise for me but I had to-"

Fire frowned. "They must have been planning to get us to kiss."

Both of them blushed.

"Those two comedic ruffians!" Rarity lamented. "We must get them back! Up for another rainbow napping? I enjoyed giving her a makeover last time!"

"We'll bide our time," Fire said with a devious smile. "Come up with a good plan."

"Ooh! I like the sound of that!" Rarity said with a smirk of her own. "Let's make it their worst nightmare!"

Fire nodded. They'd come up with a plan to get back at Rainbow and Pinkie for this, and probably take their sweet time unless they thought of something really quick.

They walked back into the living room where Twilight was now the one doing pin the tail on the pony. Applejack was leading her.

"Little to the left," the cowgirl pony said. "Down and pin!"

Twilight pinned the tail on the drawing of the pony and took off her blindfold.

"I got it! Right in the bullseye!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Good one Twilight," Spike said.

Fluttershy soon rejoined them and took a seat next to Fire on the sofa.

"Um, I hope you don't mind if I sit next to you Fire," the shy Pegasus said.

"Not at all," Fire said. "Got something you need to say after that I guess?"

She nodded, her blush showing on her yellow cheeks.

"Yes. Um, well… you're a good kisser, Fire."

"Thanks," Fire said. "I've had a little experience."

He blushed as he thought of the pony that it had been with. Cadance. Being the princess of love she'd decided to give him a few kissing lessons… among other things.
Fluttershy giggled. "I'm sure you have many young mares that wanted to kiss you in Canterlot."

"A few," Fire admitted.

He recalled the rumors that he and Cadance were gonna be married when he came of age. For a while he'd actually been into the idea. There were also a couple noble fillies that had wanted his hoof when he became a teenager. But he'd dumped one or two of them after the first or second date when he saw how shallow they were.

"So, what about you?" Fire asked the Pegasus.

She chuckled shyly. "You were actually my first one just now."

Fire gasped. "What? That's not right! I just stole your first kiss! Rainbow Dash and Pinkie!"

"It's okay Fire," Fluttershy said putting a hoof up softly. "It was very nice. If anything, I'm honored to have had my first kiss with you. You're a very wonderful stallion, and not just because you're a prince and the son of Celestia herself."

Fire's anger faded at these words. "That's sweet of you Fluttershy. But your first kiss should be from somepony that loves you."

She smiled. "You love me as a friend... right?"
He smiled back softly. "Of course."

"That's good enough for me. Let's just hope that it never changes," Fluttershy looked away from his eyes but still kept her cute smile.

"Let's hope," Fire agreed before realizing his punch cup was empty. "Oops, got to refill!"

Fluttershy watched him walk away. She knew he liked Rarity, and had made her peace with that. But at the same she felt sorry for him since Rarity was hoping to woo Prince Blueblood. At least he had Moondancer as another love interest. She had for a time thought that maybe she too had romantic feelings for him. The way he made her feel safe, especially when he'd carried her up the mountain when they'd gone to face the dragon. Also, they both loved animals. Maybe it could have worked between them. But Fire had so much on his hooves right now, she didn't want to interfere with him and Moondancer, or Rarity. She only hoped it worked out well for them all… somehow.

But the highest point of her feelings had faded when she saw him burn away some of the parasprites. She knew it had been for a good reason, but caused her to think a military pony wasn't really her first choice. Still, she was grateful to have him around in tough situations. She admired him, she knew for sure. Hopefully she would one day find a stallion... or somepony... to fall in love with as well.

What? She questioned her line of thought. Who else could I marry but a stallion?

Well, only time would tell. Still, this Hearth's Warming had certainly turned into one to remember for Fluttershy. She'd had her first kiss from a very special friend that loved her. Not the romantic kind of love but good enough for a first kiss she felt. Secretly, she was grateful for what had happened.

Spike looked up at the mistletoe in the entry way next to the bathroom.

"How am I going to get her under here?" Spike asked himself with a claw scratching his chin. "I need to do something quick, Fire nearly managed to get his lips on her!"

"Come on, Spike! Think! Think!" the little dragon urged himself. "Let's see maybe I can- uh… wait for her to come by again? Nah, they'd call me after a certain time."

"Spike!" Twilight called.

"Speak of Tartarus," Spike muttered as he walked back. "Well, I'll think of something to get her under that mistletoe and kiss me! If it's the last thing I do tonight!"

They began unwrapping presents. Twilight was first up. She unwrapped her presents which were in many cases.

"Yay! Yay! So many books!" Twilight exclaimed.

"I thought you'd have enough of those as you live in a library," Rainbow Dash said sarcastically.

"And thanks for that staff, Fire!" Twilight said, ignoring the comment.

Fire had gotten her a magician's staff like some famous ponies were said to use.

"Thought it would suit you as magic is your special talent," Fire said.

"Its yours too though!" Twilight reminded him.

"Mine is just specialized in one area, yours is universal," he reminded her as well.

The others opened their presents as well. Fire had gotten Applejack a large number of bits to help out on the Applefarm.

"I know you said you wanted to earn them by selling at the Grand Galloping Gala but its Hearth's Warming!"

Applejack sighed to swallow her pride. "Well guess this is probably the best gift I can hope for. We do need to replace those things around the farm. Guess now I can count the stuff from the gala as extra. Thank ye kindly Fire."

He nodded. Applejack opened her other presents, and was soon followed by the others. Fire had gotten Pinkie some pink baking tools to match her coat.

"Just in case you ever get your own place," he told her.

"Thanks, but I don't ever intend to leave Sugarcube Corner! I still love em though!" Pinkie said. "They can be my personal pink baking things where I can make things for me alone!"

The others opened their presents as well. Rarity received another share of gifts from her friends as well. She smiled at each of them.

"Oh, a cookbook! A fan! A diary! A book! A cat themed brush? Oh, perfect for my cat!" Rarity said as she unwrapped Applejack's, Rainbow's, Pinkie's, Twilight's and Fluttershy's gifts in that order.

Now she was on Fire's gift. She opened it with her magic and levitated it to see. She gasped.

"Gold and silver goblets!" Rarity said. "Just like yours! Thank you, Fire! Thank you everypony.

"Hey uh don't forget about mine!" Spike said seemingly worried.

Rarity looked and saw there was one left. "Oh, missed that one!"

She found a music box in that one that held a unicorn ballerina inside.

"Oh, its lovely Spike!" Rarity said.

"Not nearly as lovely as you!" Spike said as he looked at her.

"And I quite agree!" Fire said. "You are perhaps the most beautiful unicorn I've ever seen."

He almost bit his lip at that, Rarity and Spike both blushed as much as he did.

"Careful now Prince Fire, you should save compliments like that for your date to be at the Grand Galloping Gala!" Rarity said.

The Grand Galloping Gala, Fire thought.

It was hard to believe that that was still a few months away. They'd gotten their tickets way ahead of time before the majority of ponies could even hope to purchase them. But for all these months that they'd been here in Ponyville, Fire had spent wishing Rarity liked him instead of Blueblood. Everyday he was reminded of that, and he was taking another mare instead. One that he only saw once a week or so when she visited. His love life was not an easy one.

Finally it was Fire's turn. He got a book on a knight of old Equestria from Twilight, a sports cap from Rainbow Dash, some of the sweetest apples from Applejack, the largest chocolate bar he'd ever gotten from Pinkie Pie, an empty picture frame that was gold and encrusted with rubies from Rarity, a toy dagger from Spike. Then it was finally time for Fluttershy's gift.

Fire gasped as he unwrapped the box to reveal a-

"Cat!"

It was a good sized dark gray tom cat with yellow orange eyes.

"You did mention a while back you wanted to have more pets around here," Fluttershy said. "His name is Smoky. I felt it was probably a fitting name for you."

"Yeah," Fire said.

He ran a hoof over the cat's head gently. Smoky purred and nuzzled the hoof.

"Thank you, everypony."

"You're welcome, Fire!"

"Welcome!"

They all spoke various welcomes.

Fire then looked at the frame he'd gotten from Rarity. "How about we take a picture right now?"

They got a camera and Twilight used her magic to levitate it and take the picture with all eight of them inside. Fire stood in the center between the two groups of mares, Twilight, Rainbow, and Applejack on one side while Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie were on the other. They took eight pictures for all of them to keep. They looked and saw each of them standing before the tree in their winter attire.

"Well, I guess that's it then," Fire said sadly since their party was concluded. "Thanks for coming everypony. I'll see you all in a few days. It's been a fun time with you mares here in Ponyville these past few months. I look forward to the next year."

"Right back at you!" Rainbow said.

They all made their way to the door. Spike gasped as he looked up and saw the mistletoe above. He'd completely forgotten about that in the party fun. The little dragon looked at Rarity and knew it was now or never. He ran to the entry and pointed upwards.

"Isn't that mistletoe up there?" he asked.

"It sure is Spike!" Twilight said. "A very lovely decorative plant."

"And… ponies kiss under mistletoe?" Spike asked turning around hoping to see Rarity come forward.

"Yes, they do Spike," Twilight said. "Now we need to hurry or we're going to miss our train home to Canterlot to see our family."

She levitated the baby dragon onto her back and was the first to exit. Spike sighed.

The others turned to Fire.

"Have a good time with your family Fire!" Applejack said. "I know I will! And thanks again for the bits. Soon we'll have everything fixed up, and more on the way after the gala. Probably even boost business with new equipment! Yeehaw!"

She galloped off to her nearby farm.

"Later Fire!" Rainbow Dash waved as she flew off.

"Goodbye," Fluttershy said looking at him with a soft smile. "Take care of Smoky."

"I will," Fire said with the cat on his back.

"Reow!" Smoky meowed at Fluttershy.

"Yes, I'm going to miss you too!" the yellow Pegasus ran a hoof through the cat's ears. "But Fire will take good care of you."

She nuzzled the cat and smiled at Fire and the others then made her exit as well.

"Bye Fire!" Pinkie said as she looked at him sadly.

"Bye Pinkie," Fire said.

"I'm gonna miss you and Twilight while you're gone!" the party pony said.

"Its only for a few days," he reminded her.

She nodded. "You're right. But next year lets do it all together okay?"

Fire nodded. If we can manage it sure thing!"

She bounced off. That left Fire alone momentarily with Rarity.

"I imagine Canterlot is lovely during the holidays," the beautiful unicorn said.

"Yeah," Fire said. "Maybe I'll show you sometime."

"That would be wonderful. I imagine next year I'll be at the side of the prince's side."

"I guess so," Fire said, frowning slightly in disappointment. "Well, I better lock this place up and then-

He looked up and noticed they were under-

"Uh, wow! What are the odds of us ending up under here as well?"

Rarity looked up and gasped as she saw the mistletoe directly above them. They both blushed.

"Well, you are certainly a lucky prince! Or Fluttershy and I are lucky mares!" Rarity said. "Just for the sake of tradition."

She wouldn't admit it, but she was secretly happy about this. He was happy too.

They leaned forward slowly, the chains of their shyness holding them back. But their lips touched. They remained locked for several seconds and even embraced each other as they kissed, then they broke away. Suddenly realizing they'd wrapped their hooves around each other they both backed up in shock. Laughing softly and blushing fiercely they turned away for a moment.

"Goodbye Prince Fire," Rarity said.

"Goodbye, Lady Rarity," Fire said.

She giggled. "You make me sound like a member of the Canterlot Elite!"

"You are just as sophisticated," he told her. "And have a heart that's purer then probably all of them combined."

"Thank you," she said. "Well, goodbye."

With that she finally left. Fire then grabbed the suitcase that he'd left by the door. He then looked at Smoky as the cat followed him.

"Well, we're going to Canterlot, Smoky," Fire said. "My bird Aurora is already there. I hope you'll like it."

The cat meowed in response and they walked out. Fire locked his home with the key and cast the protection spell on the tower as well. With that, he flew to catch up with Twilight and Spike. On to Canterlot for the holidays it was.

Author's Notes: Okay, so I once debated on whether having Fluttershy have a crush on Fire as well. They had a nice little moment under the mistletoe by mistake which I thought was cute and caused Rainbow and Pinkie's plan to backfire. Of course, the main love triangle will be Moondancer, Fire and Rarity here.

As always, any suggestions for future events will be taken under consideration. I will have to now make a little change to Lesson Zero as Applejack can now rebuild her barn earlier thanks to Fire's gift.