Artist's comment:

After a day of farm work, and then an evening of dance lessons Applejack was looking forward to crawling into bed and getting some shut eye in my Equestria dreamscape. So after brushing her teeth and combing out her mane and tail the mare snuggled into bed and let sleep take her.

Soon she was in her own dream fabric doing what she enjoyed most. Wandering the rows of apple trees in her family's orchards. Tending and caring for lands that Princess Celestia had granted her family all those decades ago. True she probably wouldn't remember much or any of this in the morning, but this island of tranquility and stability helped the mare face the numerous challenges the waking world threw at her.

Applejack paused and closed her eyes as she lifted her head to let the late spring breeze caress her face. The air was sweet the scent of apple blossoms, freshly tilled earth, green grass. Slowly opening her eyes she admired the dappled sunlight coming through the leaves of the trees….

And the large scarlet macaw sitting on a branch of a tree above her. The mare cocked her and stared at this exotic visitor. She was pretty sure she'd never dreamt of this macaw, or for that matter any parrots in her dreams.

Examining the bird closer piqued AJ's curiosity even more. It was magnificent specimen, at least in her eyes, with brilliant scarlet red feathers on it head and back. Equally vibrant topaz yellow and cobalt blue feathers sheathed it's wings and tail. Its face and bill were a very stark white. This helped to highlight the sunglasses clipped to it's bill.

What? Wait. What the hay? A parrot with sunglasses? AJ squinted and stared more intently at the bird. Along with the glasses the macaw had an ornate harness of multi-colored beads and snakeskin that crisscrossed their chest. Attached to this was a small, capped, leather tube.

After a second AJ smiled at the bird and then spoke. "Ya know sugar cube, I think ya have ended up in the wrong dream. I think ya were lookin fer my friend Fluttershy's dreams. I'd give ya direction, but I reckon they wouldn't be of much use ta ya." Then to her amazement the macaw replied in a surprisingly deep masculine voice.

"Nah my fair pony! I know not of this pony called Fluttershy that yu speak of! Nor do I seek her out. Nah! It is yu Applejack that I've been tasked with speaking tu! It is yu who I've told tu deliver a message tu! A message from none other than King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III the Ruler of Upper Lower Tortoisestan! But furgive me I have not introduce myself!

The macaw fluttered down to the ground. Then he bowed his head while sweeping it's right wing in a broad gesture. "I am Scarlet Barbados! Courier and confidant tu many who live or visit the Dream Realm! I hope yur evening has been pleasant and enjoyable!"

AJ pushed her Stetson back on her head a bit with a front hoof. "Uh yeah it's been nice. Although it's ah taken turn fer the odd. So um, what does his Majesty want ta say ta me?

"Ah yus! Yus the message!" The macaw rolled over on his back and then grasped the tube with his legs. Then he grasped stopper with his bill and pulled it out. The stopper made a surprisingly loud POP sound. Then Scarlet Barbados used his bill to gingerly to pull out a piece of rolled up paper. Carefully the bird grasped the paper with both of his legs; he raised one leg and lowered the other. Thereby unroll the document. The crisp cream colored paper made a crinkling sound as he unfurled it. He stared at it for a moment before speaking again.

"Greeting and salutations fair Applejack of the Apple Clan! May the golden light of Celestia's sun and silver glow Luna's moon always shimmer upon yur golden mane!" The macaw pointed his right wing at her. "That would be yu." He continued reading the letter.

"I King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III the Ruler of Upper Lower Tortoisestan am writing to inquire whether yur busy schedule might permit yu the time tu step out and partake of a coffee with me?
I know of an impeccable little cafe where the service and their fare is always the finest! I've known the owner for forever and would be equally honored if yu would grace his establishment with yur presence."

The macaw continued reading. "I was hoping that yu might available tomorrow night. If this not feasible then perhaps another night when yu're asleep. If by chance yu have nu interest in engaging in this enterprise I will understand and I will respect yur decision. Whatever yur decision is would yu please be su kind as to convey it tu my faithful courier Scarlet Barbados." The bird peered over the top of his sunglasses. "And of course that is me."

Scarlet finished the letter. "Whatever yur answer may yu have pleasant night's sleep. Be well, be safe, and be happy fair Applejack."

"His Highness."

"King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III"

"Ruler of Upper Lower Tortoisestan and Keeper of the Magnificent Secret"


The macaw carefully rolled the letter back up and with equal care returned it to its tube. Then he looked AJ. "And what is yur answer fair Applejack? What message should I send back tu his majesty?"

Applejack blinked several times before answering. "Um, uh, ah. Yeah, yeah I should be able ta join his Majesty fer coffee tomorrow night. I mean it's not like it'll be cutting ta my times fer chores and all. After all I'll be asleep then. So um, yeah let the king know I'll be there."

Scarlet Barbados rolled back onto his feet. "Excellent!" Once again he bowed to AJ. "Now ma'am I must take my leave! Have a wondrous night and the sweetest of dreams!"

Then the brilliant bird launched himself into the sapphire sky. Applejack watched him fly away until passed in front of the sun. Suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light.

Applejack opened her eyes. Its was nighttime and the night was quiet. Downstairs the old pendulum clock was ringing out 2 in the morning. For several seconds she silently laid there. Then she spoke out to the empty room.

"Uh. Am I gonna go on a date with a king tomorrow night?"

To be continued.