//------------------------------//
// Epilogue: Fortress 
// Story: Fairy Tales 
// by Closer-To-The-Sun 
//------------------------------//

Epilogue: Fortress

It was a warm day in Ponyville with one white unicorn inside her home. She was styling her beautiful purple mane with a brush, preparing for an occasion that she was both excited and anxious about. Looking at herself in the mirror, she gave a deep sigh and a nervous smile to herself. Rarity was hoping the sigh would relax her, but to no avail. A ringing of the doorbell, however, interrupted her thoughts.

"Well, here it goes," she whispered to herself as she walked down the staircase to the door.

Rarity paused at the door and took a deep breath. After what seemed to be an eternity, she finally opened the door to see a young purple dragon with a wicker basket. It was Spike. He looked extremely uncomfortable and shy, which showed in his voice, "H-Hey Rarity, are y-you ready?"

Rarity smiled warmly to the young dragon, "Of course, dahling." Rarity stepped out of her home and stood next to Spike, "Shall we away, dear?"

"Y-Yes," Spike struggled to utter.

As they began to walk, Rarity turned to Spike, "So, what is the plan for our date, Spike?"

"Well," Spike started, his voice less shaken, "I was thinking a picnic on the outside area of Ponyville."

"Oh, that sounds just lovely!" Rarity mused.

As they moved toward the outskirts of Ponyville, the two had some small talk. Spike talked about how Twilight was worrying about finishing a number of assignments for Princess Celestia and how Pinkie Pie was pestering her and making it hard for her to finish. Rarity then spoke about some of her current orders. Before either of them knew it, they were in the fields that surrounded Ponyville.

Spike saw the spot he scouted out earlier that day, "There's the place!" Spike pointed out excitedly. It was a small hill with a couple small trees on the top that gave plenty of shade.

When the two arrived to the trees, Spike took a blanket out of the basket he was carrying and laid it out for them to sit on. Rarity seated herself on the blanket and thanked him. Spike sat down himself and began to dig through the basket. He pulled out a couple cupcakes for Rarity and himself. He offered one to her, and they began to eat.

After a while of more small talk and eating, Spike spoke, "Hey Rarity, thanks again for saying yes to this….well….date," his cheeks were flushed at the end of his statement.

"Oh, Spike, it's me who should be thanking you," Rarity insisted.

"Huh?" the dragon was puzzled.

"Well, to be honest, after taking advantage of you, I'm surprised you even asked me on this picnic with you," Rarity looked down at the pattern of the blanket she was on top of.

Spike paused before speaking, "But Rarity, I do mean it when I say that I helped you because I wanted to. I….really like you a lot." His cheeks were a slight pink.

"I know, dear. I guess I was just not ready, if you will. When you were said that you liked me, I think I was just afraid of hurting you and being hurt myself. It was like had a built a fortress around my heart and I didn't want to even think about any feelings," Rarity continued to stare downward, not noticing that Spike was looking at her, "but after the ordeal, I realized that I just needed the right pony to open my heart up, or well I guess the right dragon." Finally looking up at Spike, Rarity smiled to him with a few tears in her eyes.

Spike's cheeks turned a red at the unicorn's works and glace. It had left him speechless.

"Thank you, Spike," Rarity stood up and hugged Spike with her front hooves, "You truly are a wonderful dragon and an amazing friend."

Spike smiled and hugged her back, "Thank you, Rarity," after a short pause he asked her a question, "So, does this now make us a….you know….a couple?"

Rarity gave a sly smile. She gave a kiss to the dragon on his cheek, which caused Spike's face to be turn a bright shade of red,  "Does the that answer your question, dahling?"

END