"I will partake in no such scheme!" Exclaimed Luna haughtily. Folding her forelegs across her chest. "It is preposterous, Celestia and I have a perfectly healthy relationship!"
"Now Luna," sighed Celestia from across the table, "I think the captains idea has merit. What could it hurt to take a few days to relax and just spend time together?"
Luna, Thunder Clop, Shining Armor and Celestia had all gathered in Celestias receiving room to discus Thunder Clops idea, though he and Shining Armor told Celestia they had both come up with, so that Celestia might be more open to the suggestion.
"We are rulers dear sister!" exclaimed Luna, "we cannot just vacate our responsibilities, for a... a vacation."
"It's not a vacation," chimed in Thunder Clop, "It would be a kind of....group therapy for you and Princess Celestia, to talk through some issues..."
"We have no issues!" replied Luna.
"Now Luna that's just not true!" replied Celestia in her usual overly cheery tone, "Since you've returned things just haven't been the same between us."
"Oh, I wonder why?" Said Luna, sarcastically rolling her eyes.
"Don't start this up again Luna!" said Celestia starting to get annoyed by her sisters stubbornness.
Shining Armor used this as an opportunity to join the conversation. "This is exactly the kind of thing we're talking about Princesses. You two can hardly carry out a conversation without talking about the past. You are obviously both troubled about it, you need time to talk it out. And I think Thunder Clops suggestion is a perfect solution."
Luna frowned, and looked over to her colt friend sitting next to her. "Tell me again how this little retreat is supposed to help us."
"Well," started Thunder Clop, "I thought it would be nice if you two went up to the mountains. The royal Ski Lodge in Snowmane is an excellent location, especially this time of year. The leaves will just be beginning to change color, it won't be too cold and best of all it will be secluded since the ski season hasn't started yet. You can just be yourselves, no need to put on your royal faces. You can talk about what happened or not, that doesn't really matter. What matters is that you spend time together as sisters and reconnect." He added the last part with a smile I hope I'm not overselling this idea he thought, Celestia seems to like it, but I'm not sure why Luna is so hesitant...
"Please Luna," asked Celestia, "It sounds like a wonderful idea. It's been so long since we've been able to just be ourselves with one another."
Luna could feel all the eyes in the room on her, she let out a defeated sigh, "All right, but I'm still not completely comfortable with letting Twilight Sparkle and her friends custodian Equestria for us, if only Mi Amore were available..."
"Don't worry Princess," Chimed in Shining Armor, "It's only for a week, plus I'll be here to keep and eye on Twiley."
"Oh Luna!" breathed Celestia, "this is going to be fun!"
"If you say so...."
A few days passed since the conference and things seemed to settle down in the palace. Thunder Clop no longer had to avoid Celestia, and though Luna was annoyed with him for the suggestion she was no less caring. Thunder Clop and Luna spent the next few nights strolling Canterlot or the Palace and the night before she left on the retreat they went back to Oasis for some music and drinks. Everyday a new tabloid would come out, but the majority of the articles were rather sweet, only a few pointed to conspiracy theories, but in general the Kingdom at large seemed to enjoy having another royal romance to follow. Flash Sentry even recovered from his sickness, a bad case of the feather flu, and joined T.C and Shining Armor for their afternoon workout.
Twilight and her friends arrived on Monday the next week, just in time to see the princesses off. "Don't worry Princess," Said Twilight to her mentor, "You can count on us to keep everything in order while you're away... and I'll have a full status report for you when you get back!"
Celestia smiled, "Oh that won't be necessary Twilight, just look after things for us, and you know where to find us if you need either of us. Thank you." She leaned down and hugged her student.
Next it was Thunder Clops turn to see off Luna. "Well have a good time with your sister." He offered.
"We are sure that we will." Replied Luna haughty using the royal Canterlot voice.
"Lunaaa.." Began Thunder Clop accusingly.
"Ohh alright," she relented, "I'll miss you"
"I'll miss you too Luna," he replied, "but it's only a week."
"I know," she said giving him a quick kiss. "I'll see you soon."
Thunder Clop thought he heard Twilight's friend Rarity sigh out "So romantic..." and he knew he caught the one called Rainbow Dash making a gagging motion with her hoof to her throat and her tongue sticking out, but paid them no head. Shining Armor took his sister and her friends to the throne room. He spared them the usual tour, they'd all been here multiple times after all.T.C took it upon himself to catch up on some paper work, he'd been so preoccupied with Luna that he'd fallen quite behind. Well he thought, it'll be nice to have a little time to my self again.
The week passed relatively uneventfully. Twilight was a natural when it came to the bureaucracy of politics, though not necessarily the social aspects. She was able to put out a small stock market hiccup, but struggled with a little border dispute with the Griffon Empire, luckily Shining Armor was able to put out that fire. Rarity busied herself making gossip and flirting with all the nobleponies about the palace. Without any parties scheduled Pinkie Pie helped the head chef prepare deserts, some of the best cookies T.C. had ever had. Rainbow Dash spent most of her time "hanging", as she put it, with the Wonderbolts at their stadium on the other side of the city, and so wasn't around much. Fluttershy spent most of her time in gardens with the exotic animals, she had much better luck with them this time, without a large crowd of unfamiliar party guests about they were much more friendly. The only one of Twilight's friends who didn't seem to be enjoying their stay was Apple Jack.
"I'm jus' a country pony is all," She would say, "I like the big city well enough, but I learned long ago there's no place I'd rather be than the farm, but Twilight asked for mah help, so I'm here, jus' in case she needs me. I'll manage through my boredom don't you worry about me none."
It was the day before Celestia and Luna were about to get back when Thunder Clop was awoken by a knock on his door. It was only just afternoon, far earlier than Thunder Clop normally woke. He answered the door to one of the hand maidens who accompanied the Princesses on their retreat.
"Sorry to disturb you Captain Thunder Clop," she started, "But there's been an.... indecent at the lodge."
"Oh no," gasped Thunder Clop, "what happened!?"
"Well you see," said the the hand maiden, "The princesses got into an argument, and then....into a fight and well.... Luna was inured. Not badly" She added hastily when she caught the look of horror in Thunder Clops face. "Princess Celestia has locked herself in her room and refuses to come out, she feels just awful about what happened."
She hesitated a little bit before continuing, "I'm sorry but princess Luna ordered me tell you exactly 'Since this was your idea you should go up there and fix it'..... sorry."
That is just like her! Thought T.C. annoyed. Just then the small filly burst into tears.
"I'm so sorry Thunder Clop!" she wailed collapsing into his arms. "Everything was going so well too! And now it's ruined! I'm sorry we failed you and Luna!"
"There, there, it's alright." Said Thunder Clop reassuringly. "It's not your fault, both of the princesses are.... stubborn. I'll head up there as soon as I've packed. Why don't you go down to the kitchen and get yourself some tea and a dessert, they're especially good today."
The hand maiden slowly shuffled off still sobbing into a hoofkerchief.