Shining Armor and Princess Cadence's marriage has become legend. However, the two were not always a couple. Learn how the famous lovers first met and the stunning lengths that the Princess of Love herself had to go to in order to get her destined beau's attention after years spent drifting apart while Shining served in the military.
Featured by The Royal Guard on 03/20/14! Twilight's Library Approved 03/24/14! EqD Featured 06/10/2014!
This story is written such that one does not need to have read Rites of Ascension beforehand to understand and enjoy it. However, one should know a few quick, easy things going in. First, Season Three and later do not exist in the Rites timeline, and second, Cadence is a winged unicorn rather than alicorn. Also, I'm aware the comics tackled this topic, but this is in my own AU, and I first wrote this more than a year ago. Consider this an alternate take on the idea. Other than that, you should be able to dive in with no problems.
That having being said, as this is a canon story in the Rites of Ascension Expanded Universe, reading the main story will make this one even more enjoyable.
The amazing artwork was done by my wife, the fantastically talented Violet Squiggles, whom I dedicate this work to. I love you, my darling, with all my heart. You are my everything.
This was so fun to read, next chapter here I come.
This took long enough
Now back to main! :cracks whip at CV:
Even with the comics no worries. Not everyone takes the comics as canon. Even the publishers admit that canon priority is with the show not the comics.
You don't make Cadence cry!
You can't stop true love. Thanks Cv this was wonderful.
And once again, Cv, you have proven that you are quite the talented writer. Loved the story. It was sweet and heartfelt, and really made me feel like the romance was real. Also, that dedication was simply adorable!
Those.
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How did that... argh. Oh well. There's always gotta be one typo that sneaks through. Fixed. Thank you!
"I'll follow you to the ends of the Earth, and I'll violate the conservation of momentum to do so."
If that's not love, I don't know what is.
Thank you for this, Cv. I'm going to go start reading Rites right from where I left off.
...the beginning of Chapter 11.
I absolutely love your Shining Armor and Cadence
D'awwwwwww.
Oh, hey, this.
I approve. Only got to read it a year ago.
Bravo, we got glimpse of true love.
Well written, sir.
That was very well written good job.
...That is Blackmail, but whatever given the story it works. Though, that was a nice demonstration of the effectiveness of leverage without action upon said lever.
Pah, you write romance yet you can't write romantic Twilight?
Anyway, will give a read later...
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Like I said, the stars have to really align. To do a proper romance, so many things have to come together. In this one instance, it did.
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Well, then let's hope the stars will aid in your inspiration's escape from the moon...
Now, that was good. That's all I can say.
3952751 I'm glad you liked it!
That was great!
Can't wait for more!
Another feature for you? I'm honestly not surprised. You deserve it, lol. Grats CV.
~Ware
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Actually this is the FIRST time a new story of mine has hit the full (mature-enabled) Feature Box. All the other ones were only there on updates.
3952923 You keep some odd hours my friend.
At any rate, feature box is feature box. Though I can see why you'd make the distinction. Either way though, my congratulations still stand. =3
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Thank you!
This story is actually complete, although who knows, in the future I may toss up a silly epilogue. Still, there's more to read in the Rites verse if you haven't checked it out yet! Just follow the links in the description.
Another great story! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Oh, now that was just lovely, Cv. Very nice. Very sweet. I really enjoyed the characterizations for both of them in this.
Have you joined the Cadence Appreciation Club that I assume Skywriter rules with a pink and fluffy hoof yet?
3953056 Haven't heard about it until you said something.
Although my Cadence is quite different from his, I'd imagine. I think I'm the only one still saying she's a winged unicorn rather than alicorn.
That being said, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Gallons of...of liquid pride my friend
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Well, I am merely inferring its existence. I haven't written enough about Cadence to be let in on the secret, you see.
But if some guys in pink wingy robes show up at your door, please let me know before they spirit you away. It would be an important data point.
*slow clap*
That was worthwhile. Thanks for writing.
3953149 Thank you for reading
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I'm glad you liked it!
Thank you for such a lovely story, I really enjoyed this so much
3953179 Thank you for reading!
Feel free to check out my other stories, too! 
Aww dang it!
I was planning a similar story but you beat me to it
This is something special. I like a lot of stories on this site, but it takes something else entirely to make it onto my favourites list. I don't know exactly what it is about this story, but it definitely qualifies.
It's so sweet, so in-character for both of them, that it'll probably end up working its way into my head canon. I wish I had a category above favourites that I could add such tales to. This really was a delight.
The first chapter was cute, the second funny and the third bittersweet.
This is a little story that will send you on an emotional roller coaster; Isn't that what love does?
well done
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Demanding that someone do their job correctly or you'll make it known that they are doing it poorly is not blackmail. It's only blackmail when you demand something to which you have no right in exchange for not revealing damaging information.
Was that the end?
Feels like it'd be a good end
Well, Now I'm even more upset about how the nobility treated him in the main story! Still, I'm quite glad I read this romantic tale, and you made them both great characters to spend time with and get to know. I'd be happy to revisit them whenever you might be inspired to write more!
Oh sweet Celestia...this is the most stressful date ever...AND IT'S NOT EVEN MINE!
I had to take a moment to remind myself that, "It's okay they end up married, it all works out. They figure this out." ...that helped keep me calm.
Talk about overreaction. Cadence please, let's not jump into conclusions.
I can't believe I missed when this first went live!
Oh well. Love this story so very much, and I am so happy to finally see it up.
Well I have to say I was expecting this story to go different way, but instead it took a complete 180 degree turn and went the path I wasn't expecting but the one I most definitely appreciate. God damn, this was brilliant.
Especially the third chapter and what Shining had to share. Lots of good points of views to different things. Overall very sweet story, liked it very much.
3956928 I'm glad you liked it!
Oh heck yeah, go Shining!
I gotta say, I really like Celestia's demonstration and eventual advice. And good job implementing that advice, Cadance.
No kidding. The moment you are afraid of the press investigating is the moment you need to realize that you have a problem that needs to be addressed if at all possible.
Ahh, clearly the beginnings of a beautiful 'ship.