"No."
Rarity looked up from the suitcase she was packing. "I'm sorry?" she asked her fiancée, who was currently doing her best Imposing Regal Pose.
"It's too dangerous," Celestia said, looming over her. "The lands beyond the Forbidden Jungle are rarely visited by Equestrians for a reason, and we know little of what lies beyond. My last visit was over a millennium ago, when Luna and I did battle against Sleipnir the Godsteed, and since then the creatures living there have been hostile to ponies."
"That must be the reason why the Map is sending all six of us for this mission." The dress refused to fit, so Rarity dragged out another trunk from the closet. "It's been quite a while since it's done that."
"Did you not hear what I just said?" Celestia demanded. "You would all be risking your lives if you blindly went where the Map dictated."
"I'm well aware, my love." It was hard to concentrate on packing, so Rarity focused her full attention on her lover. "But we wouldn't have been sent there without good reason. And Twilight's been doing quite a lot of research ever since we received the summons; I trust that she will have us prepared for whatever trials may face us."
Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be enough to placate Celestia. "I trust Twilight more than she can imagine, but it's impossible to prepare for every possibility. Who knows what could happen to you out there?"
Rarity could do nothing else but shrug. "That's a risk that we shall have to take," she said simply.
"No," Celestia repeated as she shook her head. "You cannot travel to the southern lands."
At those words, the temperature in the room plunged as icy tension filled the air. "Oh?" Rarity raised an eyebrow and spoke in a casual tone that was laced with chilled steel. "I wasn't aware that there was anything stopping me from doing so."
"I had assumed that your own sense of self-preservation would hold you back, but it appears I was mistaken," Celestia retorted. "Clearly you cannot be trusted to look after your own interests."
Rather than argue the point, Rarity kept her tone cool. "And what do you intend to do about that, Your Majesty?" Challenge laced her words, daring Celestia to push back.
For a moment, Rarity saw the idea flash in Celestia's eyes, saw that she was seriously considering doing what both of them knew would shatter their relationship irreparably, would violate the trust that Rarity had given Celestia along with her heart.
And then horror flashed in those same beautiful eyes as realization dawned on her, and Rarity felt her own heart ache at the pain she had caused.
"I'm sorry," they both said at the same time, and then shared a quiet giggle at the timing. The tension melted away, though a sombre weight still lingered between them.
"I shouldn't have tried to goad you," Rarity said softly, bowing her head in contrition.
"And I didn't treat you with the respect you deserve," Celestia said back, nuzzling her on the cheek. "Will you forgive a foolish old mare who's grown far too comfortable wearing the weight of a crown?"
Rarity leaned into Celestia as they rubbed their cheeks together affectionately. "Only if you forgive a silly, petty mare who failed to consider her partner's feelings."
Warmth filled Rarity's heart as they allowed themselves to share a quiet, intimate moment together, with nothing but the sounds of their beating hearts to fill the silence.
When the fleeting sense of peace passed, they separated, their expressions turning serious once again. Rarity was the first to speak. "As lovely as this is, our previous impasse still remains."
Celestia sighed. "I can't— won't— force you not to leave," she said. "No matter how much I want to tie you to the bed until this crisis has passed."
"A tempting offer," Rarity teased, "but I'm afraid I must decline. Perhaps after my return?" When Celestia didn't smile back, she dropped the attempt at levity. "I know you would never abuse your position in that way. But if you truly believe me to be an equal, you must allow me the same freedom to fight for Equestria that you grant yourself. And it's not as if this is the first time we've had to risk our lives."
"The other times, you weren't carrying my heart off to battle as well," Celestia replied. "And you know I worried so much about all of you whenever a crisis struck our nation, especially Twilight. But now, I don't know if I have the strength to let you do what is right."
"Oh, Celestia." Love welled up deep inside Rarity as she reached out to stroke her lover's cheek. "I fear that may be our lot in life. You know better than most that to deserve the crown means to be willing to sacrifice for it."
"It occurs to me," Celestia said dryly, "that I wouldn't have this problem if I had picked somepony to love that was less deserving of the title of consort. But I had to go ahead and fall for a warrior who exemplifies selflessness itself."
Rarity raised a hoof against her head in a dramatic swooning gesture. "Truly, it is a tragedy to love such an outstanding beauty as myself!"
"I've had enough tragedy to last several lifetimes, thank you very much." Celestia retorted. Her expression softened until Rarity could see her emotions laid bare in her eyes. "I'm scared, Rarity. I'm not accustomed to being scared, and the recent years have not accustomed to it yet, unfortunately."
"I daresay we'll both have plenty more practice in the years to come." Rarity wrapped her forelegs around Celestia. "We both have our duties, and I would be ashamed to call myself a princess-consort if I wasn't ready to do everything required of me to defend Harmony. As for you, my love, don't think I'm not aware that you've been caught up in most of the conflicts the Elements have been involved in. I worry about you too at times, but I understand that the mare I'm about to marry must always think of others first."
"You've clearly thought about this far more than I have." With a solemn shake of her head, Celestia asked, "Will you at least promise to come back safely to your fiancée?"
It was Rarity's turn to shake her head. "I can't promise that I won't do anything foolhardy, or that I won't do whatever I have to in order to save lives, but I swear to you that I have no intention of throwing my life away without a very good reason. After all, I have someone waiting for me at home now, hmm?"
She leaned in for a kiss, and Celestia reciprocated. Their worries didn't melt away as their lips joined together, but for this moment, they felt a little farther away, and that was enough for now.
"Very well, I shall pine appropriately for your return, as befits a princess when her champion rides off to battle." A thoughtful look crossed Celestia's muzzle. "Would you mind if I borrowed your fainting couch so I could swoon appropriately at the thought of how dashing you are?"
"What's mine is yours, my love," Rarity replied.
"And the same goes for you," Celestia said, "and that includes my staff. Will you not take a few of the Royal Guards with you? I know Twilight will refuse my offers, and I would hate to see her undefended."
"You play dirty, Your Majesty." The glare Rarity shot her fiancée lacked any heat— they both knew how the game went. "Using our mutual love of Twilight against me. I have no choice but to yield to your demands."
"The sole princess of Equestria cannot afford to do anything less than to play to win," Celestia replied. She pressed a kiss against Rarity's forehead, right beneath her horn. "Be safe. Please."
The raw fear in her tone undid Rarity. "I swear," Rarity whispered, feeling the vow settled into her soul, "I shall do all I can to return to you."
"Then I will wish you best of luck in your adventures to the South, and if you do run into Sleipnir again, I will trust that you shall find a way to defeat him, just as you and your friends have overcome all of your previous trials."
"Thank you, dear." Rarity stood up and returned to her packing, opening up the next trunk and filling it with clothes. "Your faith truly does mean a lot to me."
"You have earned it many times over," Celestia replied. "Now then, do you need any help with packing?"