//------------------------------// // Happily Ever After (I of II) // Story: The Return of Princess Nightmare Moon // by Aegis Shield //------------------------------// The Return of Princess Nightmare Moon Part 22: Happily Ever After (I of II) And just like that, the gala was over. Blueblood and Twilight were manning the entrance and never got the chance to have their dance the poor Prince had been waiting for. Watching ponies trail out with a dejected sigh, he watched the barponies and the band begin to pack up their things. The ballroom slowly emptied out while the two of them stood in the grand archway, watching everypony leave. Twilight smiled tiredly, sighing aloud. “What a night.” She said, adjusting her golden circlet a little. “I can’t wait to get home and just crawl into bed.” The purple mare turned and smiled at Blueblood, who quickly smiled and nodded. “Y-yes.” He said. “Come, I’ll escort you home.” The white stallion gestured and she nodded slowly. Dismounting the dais and heading for the high-ceiling’d halls of the inner palace, the pair of them walked side-by-side. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Prince Blueblood.” Twilight smiled affectionately at him. “Princess Celestia just sort of vanished on me, and I was all alone up there!” “W-well,” Blueblood said, “It’s only right for a gentlecolt to be there to support his… his uhm…” Oh gods, he shouldn’t say marefriend. Or companion. Or… what… what should he call her? “Friend?” it came out like a question. Twilight thankfully nodded in agreement. Friend. Whew. That was a close one. “We never did dance together.” Twilight said sadly, turning and frowning at him. The Prince startled a little. He’d thought she’d forgotten all about it. “We could still go back and—” “O-oh no no.” Prince Blueblood said quickly. “Nevermind it, Twilight. I… I uhm…” he wrestled for words for a moment. He did want to go back. He did want to go back and dance with her and know the scent of her mane and whisper affectionate words in her ear while lovely music played. He’d dreamed of it so often he… he just couldn’t… he sagged a little, then smiled in a tired way. “You’re exhausted. Things didn’t go as planned, we should get you home.” Twilight looked at him oddly, but swerved her head about when they passed a window. The royal gardens lay outside, tantalizing any couple who wanted to for a midnight stroll with a… friend. “I’m a little sweaty from all that pressure.” Twilight told him with a smile. “What do you say to a walk around the gardens, so I can cool off?” Blueblood’s face lit up. “Oh? Alright, sure!” She giggled at the sudden radiance of his smile. They turned left instead of right at the next hallway intersection, and found their way outside after a few minutes. The late-autumn breeze bit at them a little, but with the heat the gala had created with so many ponies it was very refreshing. Both of them stopped in the doorway, heaving big breaths and exhaling aloud. The blonde-headed stallion turned and looked at his date, smiling bashfully. “My lady?” he said, offering a hoof. She took it and he helped her down the stairs in her complex gala dress. He pretended not to see the slight color in her face. So, they walked about the park together making small talk. They commented on the late-blooming flowers, the lovely stars, how big and exciting the gala had been. But, there was a certain tension in the air between them. They stopped at a stone bench, seating themselves on their haunches. “Can I— tell you a secret?” Twilight asked after a time. He looked at her, nodding solemnly. “I don’t know how to dance!” she blurted. He stared at her. Wat. She hunched a little, looking ashamed. “I never learned how.” She mumbled. Blueblood looked positively crestfallen. She’d promised him a dance at the biggest ball in Equestria, and she didn’t know how? He felt used. “I thought you would do something piggish between when you invited me and tonight, so I could send you away and pretend like I still had a date.” Twilight confessed quietly. “I’m… I’m sorry, Blueblood.” She mumbled, hanging her head. “I shouldn’t have, I mean, I… I let you down.” Blueblood frowned for a time, and then realization swept over his face and he perked up. “But I didn’t do anything piggish over the weeks.” He offered with a smile. She looked up at him with a sorry expression, but his lopsided smile stayed. “I tried very hard, honest.” He broke into a grin. Twilight smiled a little, huffing the steam of her breath. “You did. You did.” She nodded, pinkening in the cheeks. She sidled over to be closer to him. With all their daring and social awkwardness combined, they leaned into each other and stared up at the stars. Sharing body heat, neither dared to speak for a long time. The silence of the deep autumn held no crickets, no chirping locusts or insects, just the sweet quiet and the gentle, chilling breeze. Blueblood turned his head only slightly, and she could feel is breath on her bangs and forehead. There's a calm surrender To the rush of day, When the heat of a rolling wind Can't be turned away Twilight turned and looked up at him. He’d changed so, so much. He was upright… charming… and rather handsome, really, now that she was actually looking. Was this the true face of the royal bloodline? The descendant of a goddess? They looked shyly into each other’s eyes. Reaching up, he pushed his mane out of his face and she caught a glimpse of his high, noble forehead. “It was fun just to stand next to you, Twilight Sparkle.” He said softly, blushing. The purple mare smiled awkwardly, but nodded none the less. They’d stood united against an endless thrall of party-goers, yabbering nobles and strange invitees they’d probably never see again. Standing atop that dais had been trying, exhausting, and without end for several hours. An enchanted moment, And it sees me through It's enough for this restless warrior Just to be with you He didn’t dare try to kiss her, he couldn’t bring himself to. Was he cowardly? He couldn’t stop staring into her beautiful face and feeling the rise of heat in his own. They leaned a little more firmly together, sharing the plush warmth of each other’s presence. A stroll after dark in late autumn was a terrible idea, but you know what? It was worth it to be near Twilight Sparkle. The Prince shivered a little, and when the silence seemed too heavy, she suddenly leaned and tucked her head under his chin. His eyes widened when she cocked herself to one side because of her horn, but he rested his chin between her ears. The cold metal of her royal circlet pressed against the curve of his throat. His heart quivered happily. So this was it. This was what love was really like. And can you feel the love tonight? It is where we are It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer That we got this far Twilight could hear his fierce heartbeat when her ear pressed to his broad chest. She made a slow nodding motion. The softness of his coat was comforting, and his steady breathing eased her. She’d been so tensed up with responsibility all night, finally she could relax. Throwing caution to the wind, she leaned all her weight into him at last. He didn’t move, nor make comment, but bore her excellently. She heaved a quiet, tired sigh of contentment. And can you feel the love tonight, How it's laid to rest? It's enough to make kings and vagabonds Believe the very best Twilight will you be my marefriend? Twilight Sparkle, will you honor me and be my marefriend? Twilight, I love you and I want to be with you always. Say it. Say it. He tried to coax himself to make it perfect, to just try— just TRY— for her hoof. He couldn’t do it. He’d somehow stepped beyond such blunt things, and it didn’t feel right anymore to just up and ask it. He couldn’t ruin the serenity of the perfect little moment with her. It didn’t need words. He tucked her tighter under his chin while she pressed to his chest. He looked up at the full moon, wishing he had a bit more courage. Had he come so far only to be silent? Yes… yes he had. And that was alright with him. There's a time for everyone, If they only learn That the twisting kaleidoscope Moves us all in turn Twilight’s hoof rose, slinking quietly around his shoulder. She pulled away to speak, “I’m sorry I doubted you, Blueblood. You’re a good stallion.” She said, her face mere inches from his. He smiled, looking at his hooves. She hugged him quietly, and he her. His heart soared into the icy sky, exploding like fireworks and making him shudder. “You’re a good Prince.” He felt like he was being told he was king of the world, that he the greatest noble ever, that he was a stallion’s stallion that everypony should want to be. And anypony that got such praise from Twilight Sparkle deserved such happiness, his heart said. He dared stroke her mane just once. A quiet, approving little feminine sound touched the air like a falling feather. Their hearts thundered. They didn’t want to leave this embrace, it was too wonderful. There's a rhyme and reason To the wild outdoors When the heart of this star-crossed voyager Beats in time with yours Blueblood mumbled some nonsense, furrowing his brow. It had been worth it. He was a better stallion. He knew better now. He WAS better now. Twilight Sparkle was not just a prize to be sought, but a mare to be loved. A pony that deserved a good stallion in her life, and he wanted to be that stallion. Sure, the books had helped, the dance lessons had… well, been for nothing, and now his golden horseshoes meant exactly squat. But, it was the journey, not the destination, that meant the most to him. He felt like an older soul, deep down in his heart, as though he’d gone from a childish colt chasing after what he wanted, to a stallion that knew to revere what should be treated well and desired. He pondered great mysteries of all things male and female for a few long minutes, until he felt Twilight’s weight shift. She was looking up at him with a soft, expectant expression. She leaned up at him, blushing quietly. His heart revved up. Their horns slowly began to cross, until their foreheads clacked together softly at their bases. Their lips… touched. Brushed together. Tenderly pressed. And can you feel the love tonight? It is where we are It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer That we got this far The kiss was innocent, tentative, and filled with quiet questions. Blueblood felt his eyes slip closed, as magic flowed back and forth between them. A unicorn’s kiss was far more intimate in some ways, for their magic aura’s mixed. They touched, tingled, mingled with each other. Twilight's magical scent was like morning dew on leaves. A quiet, green smell of feminine innocence from years of study and walking the straight and narrow path of royalty. Blueblood's was a fuller, more forward musk of yellow dough, of a thousand days in the kitchen baking with love in his heart for his craft.Twilight exhaled softly through her nose, and Blueblood felt her drape her arms about his shoulders. If he were suddenly struck with lightning, he would die happy. And can you feel the love tonight, How it's laid to rest? It's enough to make kings and vagabonds Believe the very best It’s enough to make kings and vagabonds Believe the very best They broke apart, not daring to look at each other, barely daring to believe what they’d done. Twilight hid under his chin, smiling shyly. Blueblood swallowed a little, resting his chin atop her head again. A long silence followed. “I should teach you to box step.” He mumbled into her mane. “T’hahaha!” Twilight burst into girlish giggles, hiding her scandalous laughter behind a hoof. The tension broke and they both felt normal again. She sat up, looking about. “I should probably head for home, or Spike will kill me. See you for brunch? How about tomorrow?” her tone said she was leaving him there, not to be escorted home. “S-sure, that sounds wonderful.” said the stallion a little airily. Prince Blueblood had not quite come down from his euphoria yet, and there were little hearts dancing about his head. Twilight turned, lifting her skirts a little so that she could get off the stone bench safely, and stood a safe distance away. After a few moments of her concentration face, she teleported away with a crack of parted air and a shower of purple sparks. Blueblood sat there, more than stunned. He wasn’t allowed to escort her home? He hung his head a little. He’d wanted to spend more time with her that evening. He sat on the bench, watching his own cool breath. “Nephew.” “HWAH?!” Blueblood tumbled off the bench with a girly shriek, then quickly righted himself. Princess Celestia stood, regal and kind-faced, in the shadow of a nearby tree. He bowed as she approached, “Princess Celestia!” he said reverently, shaking a little. “I did not mean to spy, but I couldn’t help but stare.” Celestia said, smiling in her mysterious way. Blueblood felt the blood drain from his face. She’d seen?! Seen them kiss?! He was going to be smited. Smoted? Smotten? Smitten? He didn’t even know! Being eaten was bad enough, now he was going to be smote with lightning, he just knew it. He wasn’t supposed to kiss her, just be her dance partner, just take her to the gala and take her home! It had just happened, he couldn’t help himself. H’oh Gods, H’ohhh Gods! She’d trusted him, given him permission to—! “I was expecting you to ask her out.” The Princess planted her royal bottom conversationally on the stone bench, opening a wing invitingly for him to sit next to her. He calmed a little when there were no bolts of lightning aimed at him, and he slunk over to sit with the goddess. Her wing closed halfway over him. It was thick and warm, like a blanket. He had foalhood memories of her hugs, she was always so warm compared to other ponies. Like a big glowing blanket. “Why didn’t you, if I may ask?” she prodded gently. Her face was genuinely curious. “Tonight seemed like the perfect moment, after all of your self-improvement. Isn’t that what you wanted?” Blueblood hung his head. It was what he wanted. It really, really was. But he hadn’t been able to do it. He wasn’t ready. He’d prepared for a dance, for an evening to perhaps to earn her smile and converse and if he was lucky make her giggle a few times. He hadn’t expected to be seen with her so publically, be pressed up to her, stand with her like a proper stallion should on a platform of royal authority— “No.” he said softly, his golden bangs spilling over his face. “No, it isn’t.” “It isn’t?” Celestia’s brow rose. She hadn’t expected that response at all. He looked up at her with soft eyes and smiled in a half-defiant, half-crying sort of way. “I want… I want her to be happy.” Blueblood sighed, looking down at the sidewalk path before them. Celestia’s expression softened. The Prince bore his soul to his goddess. “I want Twilight Sparkle to be happy. I love her. Th-that’s what love is. Being with somepony to be happy.” It was like poetry, but he meant every word. “If it worked out between us, that would be all I could ever ask for…” he trailed off a bit, looking to one side. “But?” Celestia added softly for him. “But if it doesn’t,” Blueblood nodded a little. “W-we could still be friends.” He looked up at Princess Celestia, a quivering smile on his face. “I mean… I can just start with brunch, can’t I? I don’t have to rush along too quickly.” The pearly stallion looked up into her unreadable expression. I want her to be happy. The profound words rang in Celestia’s head. She smiled at him kindly, turning and embracing him. “Nobler words have never been spoken, Blueblood. Bless your heart.” She whispered proudly. She touched him with alicorn magic, blessing him. “You’ve grown up into what a Prince really should be. I’m so proud of you.” He smiled, and then he couldn’t stop the tears. Why was he crying? He felt so happy! He shouldn’t be crying! She pulled him to her breast, wrapping her arms and wings about him until he was in a warm little encasing of feathers and love. “Go.” She bade. “Go and rest, you’ve had a long night I’d say.” He nodded, drying his tears quickly and huffing to make himself look presentable. Then, bowing once more, he was away into the palace again. Celestia smiled a bit, tilting her head and pretending not to notice the aura of the invisibility spell that was not twenty feet away from her. Twilight had never left to begin with, she’d stayed to see what might happen or if Prince Blueblood would talk to himself after she’d gone. Instead she’d gotten so much more. She felt touched, and quickly moved away to go back to her royal apartment. The sun goddess was soon alone on the little bench. Celestia stood and shook her head, her proverbial chess board scattered in all directions. Blueblood was moving of his own accord, and in a lovely direction. Chrysalis had been sent home in a body-cast and was leaving the game rapidly. All that remained was her sister Nightmare, the other queen on the board. Nurse Bandaid was hospitalized but stable, and his little pawn was back on the board. Where things went from there was anypony’s move. Celestia pondered her little chess game, thinking of this move and that move. Then she quite suddenly smiled and did a little royal face hoof. Things seemed to have worked themselves out, really. Maybe she should butt out for a bit. End of Part 22