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// Ending and Apology From the Author 
// Story: A Dragon's Duty 
// by CalebH 
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“What would they say,” Spike asked, “if they were here right now, what would they say?”
Celestia smiled kindly at Spike and adjusted his bow tie. “Pinkie Pie would say a whole lot of everything. She would tell you how happy she was for you and her, she would brag about everything in the reception and she would never once spoil the surprise.
“Applejack wouldn’t say much, she would tell you that she was proud and she would wish you the best before Rainbow cut her off and told you how awesome this was going to be. Fluttershy wouldn’t say a word. She would hug you tighter than you thought she could and give you a little smile that said as more than enough.
“Rarity would be all tears. She would delicately wipe them away and tell you that she was so happy for you; that you’d gotten over your little crush on her and found somepony to love you as much as you love her. But when she hugged you she would whisper a threat for if your bride-to-be was ever less than perfectly caring to you. And Twilight would do this.”
Celestia reared up on her hind legs and supported herself with hooves on Spike’s shoulders so that she was looking him dead in the eye. The light makeup she wore was running down her face and fresh tears were ready to fall from the corners of her eyes. 
“I watched you grow up from nothing but an egg,” she began in a trembling voice. “I watched you struggle with who, and what, you are and I watched you come out stronger on the other side. I watched you and I’ve seen your kindness, compassion, your almost indomitable good cheer. I’ve seen your integrity, honesty, faithfulness and your generous spirit. There were a few bumps along the way but always in the end these things shined through in you and I have never been more proud.”
Celestia wrapped Spike in an embrace that was equal parts warm and rib-crushing. “I love you Spike. Now get out there and get married before you make any more princesses cry.”
Spike returned the embrace for a few moments before the two gradually began to release each other. Once the two were parted Celestia excused herself to go freshen up her makeup. Spike found the humble room the ceremony was to take place in and took his post at the front of the room. A more traditional ceremony would have him proceed in with the rest of the groomsponies but he was simply too large for that.
He greeted the few guests as they entered but he was too nervous to make conversation and the ponies wisely concluded that a nervous dragon wasn’t exactly the safest thing to stand beside. Minutes wore on and not even the soothing string music could ease Spike’s nerves. Guests filled the room except for the area around his tail, fearing an overexcited twitch.
The music transitioned into a march every romantic knew by heart and in came the bridal procession. Celestia for the first time in her life stood unnoticed beside the mare who held everypony’s attention. Beside her with eyes that glimmered with joyful tears and a smile that pierced through the veil and outshone the sun, moon, and all the stars combined was Princess Luna.
The ceremony that followed was brief. Onlookers watched with tearful smiles as an exchange of vows and a kiss united the couple forever. The reception was equally brief, at least for the happy couple. A light supper that they couldn’t keep their eyes off of each other through. When the time came to cut the cake Spike, ever mindful of his size, delicately fed his new wife a bite whereas Luna made use of a separate cake she had had made by mashing it against her husband’s face. Spike responded by giving her a sloppy kiss and licking his face clean.
Almost as soon as the cake was distributed and the last of the greetings were said Spike and Luna removed themselves to her tower. Spike did not see anything of the lavished bedchamber, he had eyes only for his wife.
“I have a surprise for you,” He said after pulling away from a kiss.
“It’s far from a surprise. I daresay I’ve wanted it for a very long time,” Luna replied with a lidded gaze.
Spike turned his head away as his cheeks turned scarlet. He had been spending time with this mare for more than a century, he was married to her and she still made him feel like a nervous little colt sometimes. 
“I-it’s not that,” he said nervously. “It’s dragon magic. There was an old book hidden away. It had a size changing spell in it.” At this Luna’s gaze became downright lecherous. “A-anyways I’ve been practicing and I think it may make things a bit more…manageable,” Spike finished his voice rising octaves as he spoke.
Spike dared not look at Luna. He knew she would be doing everything she could to show him exactly how much she approved of this and although Spike loved her dearly she could be intimidating when she was like that. 
Spike breathed a small puff of fire into his front claws. Instead of going out the fire clung to his claws making a fiery aura around them. Spike began rubbing the green fire across his body. It slowly spread until he was completely engulfed. The fire burned brightly for a few moments then abruptly went out.
Left behind was a smaller version of Spike. He stood no taller than Luna but had a much broader and more powerfully built frame.
“So, what do you think?”
Spike never did get an answer but he took the way she threw him onto the bed was a good sign.