#(snicker)doodle

'Though with this he may not be able to deal, warmth of the heart he will never feel. Embraces will be his undoing, if any gave an embrace; by their doing, only onto his deathbed he will be placed.'

Cursed by a prophecy to which he was bound from his birth, Nigel was never willing to take a chance to see whether it had any merit. It was rough, definitely, but he found a ways to thwart the curse.

While he may not be embraced, the prophecy never said he could not embrace others. Fortunately, the friends he made through his life made sure he still felt included, even if he could not be hugged.

But Nigel noticed their efforts, and thought them to be in vain. A sad fate, given his family name; Hugsworthy. That which his name says he is worthy of, will be lethal, if the herbalist was correct.

Eventually, though, after many years of great and valiant efforts from himself and those closest to him, he grew tired. It never got that bad, but his friends and family saw his demeanor had changed.

Unwilling to give up, Nigel stepped to Snicker Doodle, a dear friend he had known for a great many years, and one whom he trusted with his life. Now, it was in their hooves, as he asked for a hug.

Gathering his strength, and asking his family and friends to gather, he was willing to risk it all. His heart beat faster, and he breathed quicker, as he slowly and gently stepped into Doodle's arms.

At that moment, Doodle felt the beat of his heart skyrocket, before slowing down, and feeling Nigel sink through his legs, and she cried, thinking it was over. At least, she thought, he was at peace.

But at that moment, she felt his embrace strengthen, greatly, as Nigel pulled her closer, and began laughing. Doodle's tears changed from sad to joyful as she nearly fell over, as she gave him a hug.

Tears flowed from everypony around, as Nigel laughed happily through his tears. Now at long last he could feel the warmth that had eluded him for so long. Then, as his laughter turned dark, he swore:

The herbalist who had cursed him, all those years ago, would pay.