Chapter 27: A Royal Hearth's Warming Part 2

Fire sat on the train with Twilight and Spike as they sped toward Canterlot. Fire could have flown there, even without the aid of his royal guards who were probably enjoying themselves with their families or about to. He had hung up his sheriff attire and was now clad in his crown and a red and yellow scarf around his neck. Smoky was curled up on the seat next to Fire who stroked the cat. For the most part it was silent as of them were busy reading. Books for Fire and Twilight, with the former petting his new cat every so often. Spike meanwhile had a comic book out. Not that any of them minded, as Twilight enjoyed her reading time undisturbed.

After a while of silence, Fire felt it was probably okay to talk to her.

"So, Twilight what are you going to do with your family for the holidays?" Fire asked.

"Well, they said they want to stay for Hearth's Warming then we were planning to go in the hills between her and Ponyville," Twilight told him, looking up from her book.

"That should be lots of fun!" Spike said with a smile.

"Other than that, I'm gonna be reading," Twilight said.

"Why am I not surprised," Spike muttered.

"Oh, come on Spike you like reading to!" Twilight reminded him.

"Yeah, comic books," Spike resumed reading the comic in his clawed hands.

"How about you Fire?" Twilight asked.

"Getting together with my mom and Aunt Luna, as well as my cousins," he said.

He was looking forward to seeing Cadance, but not Blueblood.

…

Their train finally arrived in the Equestrian Capital that all three of them had called home for most of their lives. The doors opened and the three of them stepped outside into the cool weather of the station. Fire looked at the lavender unicorn.

"Well, we've certainly come a long way in the past several months huh, Twilight?" Fire asked.

"Yes, there's so much I've learned about the magic of friendship and there's probably so much more still to learn," Twilight said.

"Yeah," Fire agreed. "I've learned a bit as well."

Like maybe just six guards for his tower wasn't enough for security around his home, especially when only two of them were left behind. He also should have maybe tried harder to get Rarity and Applejack to get along during that sleep over rather then get angry at the mess they created and leave them to clean it up. Lastly even members of the Royal Guard could not always be trusted, and he shouldn't rush into fights when things might not be as they appear. Maybe he could learn a bit more?

Still he had enjoyed all of the adventures with the mares so far. More would come, and hopefully he'd be able to find love along the way. Rarity was out, but hopefully things would work out with him and Moondancer or somepony else. He'd take Moondancer to the gala in a few more months, but he felt as though maybe he should do more with her. He didn't know if they were right for each other, maybe his standards were just high? But he knew she was a great mare, all of the mares he knew were great in their own way.

"Well, hope you and your family have a good time together. Send Princess Celestia my regards," Twilight said as she stepped forward and hugged him.

"I will," Fire said returning the hug.

He then looked at Spike. "See you little guy."

He extended his hoof and Spike shook it after a brief hesitation. "Bye Fire. Hope you have a good Hearth's Warming."

They went their separate ways with Fire heading to the castle while Twilight and Spike headed into the housing district they lived. As Fire walked up the path to the palace he was slightly surprised to find a group of royal guards there waiting. Several of them held trumpets.

"Presenting his royal highness, the son of Princess Celestia herself! Prince Fire Sword!" an announcer called.

Trumpets sounded and Fire couldn't help but smile as he made his way to the castle. Then the doors to the inside of the structure opened and the three alicorn princesses stepped out. The first and largest in the center was white, then there was a different but recognizable dark blue one, and finally a pink alicorn. All wore crowns on their heads.

"Welcome home Fire Sword!" Princess Celestia said.

"Mom!" Fire walked over and hugged her.

Celestia returned the hug. "So good to have you home for a while."

"I'll say!" the pink alicorn said.

"Cadance!" Fire exclaimed.

"Hello little brother," Cadance greeted with a smile.

They walked forward and kissed each other on both cheeks. Fire remembered Cadance and Twilight when they were young, doing that cute but somewhat embarrassing (at least in Fire's mind) nursery rhyme about sunshine and ladybugs.
Smoke meowed. Cadance gasped as she saw the cat. "You got a pet?"

"Yeah," Fire said. "His names Smokey."

"Hi Smokey," Cadance said extending a hoof.

The cat sensed her loving heart, befitting since she was the Princess of Love. He walked over and nuzzled the hoof with a purr. Cadance smiled. "Smokey huh? Fitting name for the pet of someone named Fire."

"Also reminds me of that mouse movie we watched when you were a foal," Celestia said. "Stew Small."

Fire chuckled. "Oh yeah I forgot about that!"

Cadance then looked at him. "Did you grow more since last time?"

Fire chuckled. Another few inches and he would be eye to eye with her. "Maybe a bit. And you're still as lovely as ever."

She giggled "Always the flatterer I see! You seem to have gotten stronger as well." Cadance looked at his muscles.

"Been pretty hard at training," Fire told her flexing his forelegs.

"I like it," Cadance said. "You're growing into a fine alicorn."

"I quite agree," Celestia said as she took her place by his side.

Fire then looked at the final, dark blue alicorn. "Aunt Luna."

"Nephew," she greeted with a small smile. "We never got the chance to thank you for freeing us when we were Nightmare Moon."

"We?" Fire repeated looking around. "There's only one of you."

"Your aunt is having a little trouble adjusting to the modern day Equestria," Celestia explained. "She still speaks as a pony from a thousand years ago. Progress has been a little… slow. She is usually up at night, in the realm of dreams. I'm usually asleep so I can't exactly dedicate much time to teaching her to be a modern pony."

"Strange, I don't recall her speaking that way as Nightmare Moon," Fire said.

"Nightmare Moon was part of us," Luna said in response. "But she had a personality that was vastly different, speaking more as you modern ponies do. We cannot explain the reason for that. We only hope you do not hold it against us. After all we abducted your mother, attacked you and your mares."

"My mares?" Fire asked.

"Were they not your group of lovers?"

Fire blushed intensely. "What? No! They're just friends!"

"Oh, come now Fire!" Cadance said. "I know you fancy one of them in that nice little town! You mentioned the lovely white unicorn several times in our letters."

"Cadance!" Fire exclaimed.

"Oh, don't be shy about it Fire!" Celestia said. "Its only natural for us to have special feelings for somepony eventually. Rarity is quite a lovely mare. But I believe we should probably go inside. We all have a lot to catch up on. But you'll want to put your things in your room no doubt."

The head monarch led the way and Luna quickly followed with Fire going to stand beside her.

He looked at her. "You look different from when I last saw you. Darker blue from last time."

She nodded. "It took a while for our old form to be restored from before we turned into Nightmare Moon. But a few months of raising the moon has turned us back into the pony we once were. Though with an unpleasant lingering guilt. You never did answer whether you could forgive me or not."

She looked at him with sad eyes. Fire smiled.

"We all make mistakes Aunt Luna," he said putting a foreleg around her. "I made a similar one myself when I was young."

"Thou did?" Luna asked.

"Yes," Fire said looking around.

This wasn't to be public knowledge, fortunately the guards here were few in number. Most of them had been sent home, only a few remained to guard the castle and the royal family during the holidays. Most of the castle had been locked up to prevent intruders from getting in.

Once Fire was sure "When I was a foal, the day I got my cutie mark. I did something pretty bad."

He whispered it in her ear, and her eyes widened.

"By my moon!" Luna exclaimed.

"Thankfully my mom stopped me."

Luna gave him a look of sympathy. "Seems you didn't need to be banished to the moon like we were. Thank the stars. If you'd been banished with us, I probably would have attempted to get you to join me."

"Well, I was just a colt," Fire said. "But one mistake doesn't mean you're a bad pony."

"One bad act doesn't wash out the good," Celestia said. "Nor the good the bad. But you are my family and all I have."

Fire smiled at her. He made his way to his old room and dropped off his suitcase. Smokey jumped on the bed and circled around before laying down. Aurora was there too, having been transported ahead by some of the Royal Guards. She tweeted in her cage. Fire checked to make sure she had water and bird seed.

"All good in there, Aurora?" he asked.

The bird tweeted in response. Fire understood it however thanks to having not only the abilities of a unicorn or Pegasus but an Earth Ponies ability to communicate with animals. Strangely Fluttershy had this ability as well, despite being a Pegasus. Perhaps she had some Earth Pony blood? There were times when set of pony parents might have children that neither of their kind, and sometimes even a unicorn had weak magical abilities or other instances. Fluttershy seemed to have gotten an Earth Ponies ability to communicate with animals.

At times Fire wondered where he got his abilities. The fire magic part obviously came from his mother, but the combat aspect? His father perhaps? Celestia still refused to tell him the identity of his sire. Could he be a royal guard? That seemed to make the most sense as that was where ponies who received combat cutie marks were often enlisted.

Fire had no idea who though. There were hundreds of Royal Guards. It would have to be someone who'd been in there as an adult, he doubted his mother would ever lay with a teenage stallion. Still, even the oldest ponies could be considered children next to Celestia. But she had been with someone however briefly. Fire just wished he knew who his father was.
He put that out of his head for the moment. He had something else to do.

"Come Smoky," Fire said.

He levitated the cat onto his back, feeling the claws going into his fur. It didn't hurt at least. He walked out onto his balcony and flew to where he knew the royal cat room was. They kept several cats in the castle to keep rats out. And that was just a small number of the animals that Celestia kept. The gardens had a wide variety of critters, which were sadly shy to most ponies.

Fire opened the door, finding about a dozen cats resting inside. There were litter boxes as well. Fire looked at them, he had thought of leaving Smoky here until he got a litter box, but it would be just as easy to borrow one. He took one of the boxes in his magic and flew back to his tower. He set the box near the top of the stairs were it wouldn't stink up his room.

"There you go Smoky, you just go whenever you have to," Fire said stroking the cat's ears. "And feel free to explore the castle. But be careful, it can be a bit of a maze for somepony… or some cat new."

"Reow." Smoky meowed.

Fire gave the cat one final stroke and made his way to the royal dining hall. His family was there, all three of the female alicorns, along with several guests. Most of them were nobles, Fire spotted Fancy Pants, Fleur De Lis, and his old teacher General Bloodheart, a large brown stallion almost equal to Celestia in size. He had a black mane and cutie mark of crossed swords on top of a red heart. He sat on the edge of Celestia's table on her right, leaving one seat available between him and Celestia. Fire took it.

"Prince Fire," the general said.

"General Bloodheart," Fire greeted.

"It's good to see you," the old stallion said with a small smile.

Fire nodded. He then looked at Cadance, slightly wishing he was sitting next to her as she was currently seated next to some… unpleasant company. She sat between Luna and Prince Blueblood. The other prince was a unicorn, and like Cadance was an adopted member of the family, though his lineage went back several generations. Celestia had been close to one of Blueblood's ancestors and considered them a sibling like Fire did to Cadance. Celestia had mainly called Cadance her niece since she already had parents. Though Fire had never met them himself. They preferred to live a humble life as Earth Ponies.

Fire felt a desire to try and switch places with Blueblood. To save Cadance from having to endure him. But that wouldn't look good and could cause a scene. At least they were sitting in silence for the moment.
But that didn't last long. A moment after Fire sat down, Celestia levitated a spoon and used it to tap her goblet to get everypony's attention.

"Welcome all to this Hearth's Warming dinner!" Celestia addressed the nobles. "The year is ending, and soon a new one will dawn. Much change came this year, my son Prince Fire Sword helped defeat Nightmare Moon and return her to her true form my younger sister Princess Luna. There are also now a new group of heroes that will be ready to be called upon if the situation ever demands it. But for tonight, it is a time for family. Tomorrow we will be spending all our time with them!"
There was a cheer at Celestia's speech from most of the ponies. But General Bloodheart sighed next to Fire, drawing his attention.

"Something wrong General?" Fire asked.

"Um… yes well, I don't have a family," the general said with a heavy heart. "Not anymore."

Fire's eyes widened. "I didn't know that. What happened?"

The old stallion hesitated. "It's complicated."

He paused for another moment then decided to tell his story. "You might not know this but I come from one of the one of the oldest and proudest military families in Canterlot. We've been members of Celestia's guards for generations. I followed in those hoofsteps, and expected my son, Freedom Finder to do so as well. But he had other ideas. He wanted to become an artist. I was against the idea, saying it is was a job that paid less and he should proud to carry on our legacy. But he went anyway, against my wishes and left."

Bloodheart looked from Fire. "I regret trying to force him down a path I thought was best."

Fire nodded. "At least you see your mistake then. Do you know where your son is now?"

"In Vanhoover, he has a wife and son."

"Maybe you should reach out to him." Fire suggested.

Bloodheart shook his head. "He doesn't want to see me. I've tried."

That was sad. Fire put a hoof on the general.

"I'm sorry," he said kindly.

"Thank you, Prince Fire," Bloodheart said forming a smile, his eyes seeming to gleam with something. Pride maybe?

"I heard you defeated Nightmare Moon, as well as some thieves and a traitor in our ranks."

"Yes," Fire confirmed.

"That's good. I'm sure your mother is proud," General Bloodheart said glancing at Celestia with a small grin. "And your father, whoever he might be."

"If I only I knew," Fire shrugged.

Bloodheart looked away and saw the plate in front of him. They then noticed all the others had started eating. "Oh, dear seems we got distracted, son. I mean Prince Fire, sorry!"

Fire blushed. Seemed the general was getting familiar with him.

"It's alright general."

He began to eat, but was soon faced with another, ruder interruption.

"To my cousins who have finally returned to the splendor of Canterlot!" Blueblood raising his wine glass. "I shall never understand why you would want to leave! Well, a tour of the land is one thing but living in a dump town? That only shows you have no royal pride!"

"Blueblood! Are you drunk?" Celestia asked.

Even if he wasn't, he wouldn't be much better.

"The ponies of Ponyville are much friendlier then here!" Fire stated. "You might even find a diamond in the haystack if you really look."

Blueblood scoffed. "I doubt it. The only ponies worth spending time with are those of stature, means or at least looks."
Well Rarity had looks. That would at least get her Blueblood's attention. Cadance and Fire both frowned. Even Celestia was beginning to lose her patience, though she didn't show it as openly.

"Prince Blueblood please watch your tongue or I may have to send you somewhere until you are sober," she said.

That caused Blueblood to shut up. They ate their food as the musicians sung and played instruments. Some of the nobles began to dance as well. Fire finished his food and then got up and walked over to Cadance.

"Care to dance, my fair cousin by adoption and sister to my heart?" He offered a hoof.

"I think I'd like that, little brother to my heart." Cadance accepted.

Fire pulled her out of her seat and they walked out into the center of the hall. They'd always liked dancing, Cadance had the been the one to teach him.

"Sister, we are confused," Luna whispered looking at Fire and Cadance as they began to dance. "They are cousins, yes? Yet they refer to themselves brother and sister?"

Celestia chuckled. "It's a bit complicated. Cadance is my... our niece by adoption. When she earned her horn just a couple years after Fire was born, I took her under my wing so to speak. I taught her to rule as I knew she would one day in the land that will one day return. She very much enjoyed caring for young foals, including Fire. They would spend a lot of time together. She'd teach him to fly and use his magic. Some in Canterlot believed that I had made Cadance an alicorn to provide Fire with a future bride as she was an alicorn... and you know what many of them think we are." Celestia told Luna.

Luna nodded. "Immortal."

Celestia nodded back. "Well, Fire heard of this and began to even develop a crush on Cadance."

She thought back to those days when Fire would look at Cadance with that special gleam in his eyes, unable to take his eyes off her and blushing when she kissed him on the cheek every now and then. A picture of that released on the front page of the Canterlot newspaper only served to further credit the rumors.

"But when I brought him and Cadance together to tell them the truth."

Flashback:

"I heard you two are thinking about perhaps marrying when you come of age, Fire," Celestia said as she sat on her throne before the two younger alicorns.

"Well... yeah," Fire said blushing. "Everyone thinks we are going to someday! And Cadance is the most beautiful alicorn there is! She's also smart and kind, kind and loving!"

Cadance blushed intensely at that. "Careful now Fire. I don't think it would be appropriate for me to be compared to the head monarch. But thank you."

Celestia didn't get angry however. "I am happy you two love each other so much. But you're both very young. There is no need to worry about such things for a long time. Nor do you need to force yourselves to marry each other."

Cadance looked at her. "But we're immortal or at least capable of living for thousands of years. Everypony says so. And Fire is the only male alicorn in Equestria. If I marry anypony but an alicorn I'd outlive them by a long long time! Better to have just one husband for a lifetime right?"

Celestia looked down. "That would be ideal I suppose but not even Equestria is a perfect place my little ponies. But this is only because you think you're both immortal?"

"No! I love Cadance!" Fire declared. "And she loves me! Right Cadance?"

Cadance hesitated. She did love him, truly. But she wasn't quite sure if it was the right kind of love. Still, it made the most sense for her to marry a fellow immortal or long lived alicorn.

"Of course I love you, Fire. I have no doubt you'll grow into a fine alicorn someday and make a marry very happy."

She then looked at her adoptive aunt (and possible future mother-in-law), noticing her words from a moment ago. "But what do you mean because we think we're both immortal? Aren't we?"

Celestia turned to her guards. "Leave us."

They did as ordered, leaving the ruler of the land with the two who would one day becomes rulers as well.

"Many ponies think that because I've lived so long, it's part of being an alicorn."

"It's not?" Fire asked surprised.

"No," Celestia said. "My longevity comes from my immense magic power over the sun. Every time I raise the sun or moon my power is rejuvenated and I am able to remain young. Your Aunt Luna has the same power, but her body is in a sort of suspended animation while she is in the moon. Her consciousness still remains, but I doubt she is aware of what is happening her in Equestria as it so far away."

Fire and Cadance listened.

"So, we don't have to marry someday then?" Cadance asked.

"No not at all," Celestia said calmly. "Not unless you both want to."

Cadance looked at Fire. She had for a time thought it might be best if they did marry when they both came of age.

"I love you Fire. But I'm… just not sure its that kind of love," she said. "You're more like a… little brother to me."

End Flashback:

"So in the end, Cadance felt they were more like siblings. Fire was upset for a while but eventually understood." Celestia concluded.

"That's quite a story," Luna said.

"Yes, and its not over yet." Celestia declared. "We'll have to wait and see what happens."

They spent the next few days together as a family. General Bloodheart stayed with them, which was a comfort for Fire since he wasn't the only stallion present. They exchanged gifts the next morning in the royal quarters where a Hearth's Warming Tree had been put up with the presents underneath.

Fire had made each of his relatives a sketched picture of all of them together. A sun and moon were drew above them. Though the picture of Luna was of her in her lighter blue form that he'd seen after freeing her. He'd had to look at a newspaper that showed her returning to Canterlot and traced the image to make sure he got it right then put himself, Celestia and Cadance in.

"Not entirely accurate," he said with a blush.

"It is still us. Quiet lovely," Luna said. "You have some decent art skills, nephew."

Fire smiled. "Another talent I guess, even if my special one is playing with swords and fire."

"Just make sure you don't get cut or burned," Cadance said.

They chuckled at that joke.

"Well can't promise that," Fire said. "Combat ponies like me, we live dangerous lives every now and then."

Fire looked at General Bloodheart. "I'm sorry I couldn't get you anything General. I didn't know you were staying with us."

"It's alright Prince Fire," the old stallion said. "At my age I don't have much that I need in the way of material goods. It feels good just to be welcomed as an honorary member of the royal family."

"You served me well for many years General," Celestia said. "You are as good as family."

She stepped forward and nuzzled the stallion who was almost as tall as she was. He blushed, no doubt most ponies would be overwhelmed at the thought of being touched in such a way by Celestia.

Fire received a shield, medallion, and helmet with a built on crow. All of them were gold colored and adorned with rubies. The shield bore a red crescent moon on the center like Luna's cutie mark. The medallion's ruby was in the shape of a heart like Cadance's mark.

"I know you usually wear your crown with your armor," Celestia said. "Or at least you used to. But a helmet is more practical."

She pointed to his current winter wardrobe.

"And I thought you might want some extra protection in case you ever have to go up against a powerful villain again," Luna said. "I had it enchanted to be able to reflect magical attacks."

"Thank you, Aunt Luna," Fire said. "This could be useful."

"I kinda miss wearing armor all the time," Fire admitted. "But Heath's Warming probably isn't the occasion for it. At least I can summon it if I need it. Thanks."

"And my medallion is infused with healing magic," Cadance said. "I hope it will protect you in a time of danger. Take it with my love little brother."

"Thanks Cadance," he said. "I'm sure they'll all prove useful in battle."

"I have something as well," General Bloodheart said.

He reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a small paper wrapped object complete with a bow. Fire opened it and saw a gold hilted dagger in a scabbard lined with jewels.

"This dagger has been in my family for generations," General Bloodheart said. "My son would have inherited it but he said he wanted nothing to do 'relics of the past' when I tried to send him a letter about it."

Fire frowned. Even if they'd had a falling out about careers, that was no reason to turn away from a family treasure. Bloodheart's son seemed to have a lot of resentment.

"You sure you want me to take that?" Fire asked.

"I am," Bloodheart said. "After all, many royal guard weapons are kept here after they leave this world. But I'd like you in particular to have it. May it serve you well if you ever drop your sword."

"Thank you," Fire said.

…

The next few days passed and the new year was upon them. Snow covered Canterlot and Fire was at the front door to the castle with Cadance. His Flame Guard had assembled and were ready to escort him back to Warm Heart Tower. Aurora and Smoky both flew or walked by his side respectively.

"Send Twilight Sparkle my love," Cadance said. "Or better remind her with that nursery rhyme I used to do with her."

Sunshine sunshine!

Ladybugs awake!

Clap your hooves and do a little shake!

Fire clenched his teeth in embarrassment. "Uh… will do!" he lied.

He'd probably just send her Cadance's love.

"I hope to see you again soon," Cadance said nuzzling him. "And I hope you find a great mare the next time we see each other."

"I hope so too," Fire said.

His mind turned to Rarity, but he knew that wasn't happening unless Blueblood rejected her. But even he would probably see her beauty. Fire just hoped he treated her right, for the sake of her dream.

"Let's go guys," he said.

He led them through the door and back to Ponyville.

Authors Notes:

Hope you enjoyed this latest chapter that featured a little royal time and much of Fire's backstory. General Bloodheart is an original character I've used before in my G5 fanfic, My Little Pony: Make Your Mark In Love. He was one of the secondary antagonists there, serving as the leader of Opaline's forces. I guess this would be considered a heroic counterpart for him. I might bring in another of my original characters from that story as well but I won't say which one. Up next, back into canon with Winter Wrap Up.

I tried to replicate Luna's speech we saw from Luna Eclipsed. Though I might have to go back to that episode as I only managed to see a small amount of it before writing this. Any suggestions or error spots are appreciated for that and future chapters if you have any changes in mind you'd like to see.