//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Where They Are Joined // by Cloudy Skies //------------------------------// “But I had—I had lists!” A whine crept into Twilight's voice as she galloped alongside them, Spike holding on for dear life around her neck. “Beautiful, detailed lists now made obsolete!” “I wrote them, you just dictated!” Spike said, giving off a yelp as they turned a corner and he was nearly thrown off. “I know, I know, and we’re ever so sorry!” Fluttershy said. A moment later, she squeaked when she nearly collided with a palace staff unicorn, ducking under the linens he levitated. The wedding dress’ tail stood out behind her like a flag in a hurricane; she’d had no time to change out of it. Once the idea had seized them, Applejack and Fluttershy started running, and still they ran though there was four of them now. Twilight struggled to keep pace through the palace halls with Spike’s added weight. “Well, a bit sorry, anyway,” Applejack said, grinning. “You can stay if you want to. We’ll just fly if none of y’all are coming. Left or right?” “Of course I’m not staying! And, uh, left, I guess,” Twilight said. “I swear, this is the first time I’ve ever thought this place needs less stairs!” “You try these stairs with shorter legs,” Spike said. Applejack and Fluttershy shared a giddy laugh as they galloped on, their hoofsteps echoing off the narrow corridor. Fluttershy’s smile never left her. Running felt good. Running and freedom. Running with Applejack. Every so often they'd do exactly this; take off together and simply run through the fields with neither purpose nor end. That they were in halls of stone instead of under the open sky didn’t matter. They were together. For the first time since they’d boarded the train to Canterlot, she felt close to Applejack, and that more than anything told her she’d made the right choice. In the few seconds of silence, Twilight’s ears drooped. “And I’m sorry too. I guess we all just got so caught up in this. We should’ve known better. I should—” “Hey guys! We found her. What took you so long?” Rainbow Dash swooped in from a side corridor to take place at the head of the pack. “Yay for running!” Pinkie chimed, coming up on them from behind. “Hi Spike! Oh, this is the best. Come on, Rarity! Move those legs!” “I did not come to Canterlot for sports!” Rarity said, though the unicorn made good speed catching up to them. “I came for, well...” she drew breath, seeking Fluttershy and Applejack’s eyes both. “I think I may have lost sight of what we came here for. Can you ever forgive—”          Applejack grinned, and Fluttershy smiled brightly back at her. At Rarity, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie all. “No more talk of that,” Applejack said. “We ain’t blameless none of us, but we got us a train to catch!” Dash whooped and sailed ahead while the press of ponies in the hallway thickened. Still they ran, Applejack scattering all but the most obstinate with her yells of “give way!” and “coming through!” Fluttershy muttered apologies as they forced their way through the palace halls, but she couldn’t keep from laughing with the rest of them as well. Just like that, they were out and galloping past bewildered palace guards. Still they did not slow. Canterlot was shrouded in a thick layer of snow, and the sun reflected brilliantly off it, bathing the city in light. Despite it being mid-day, the streets were bare enough that the six ponies had free reign. Applejack and Fluttershy didn't have to look at each other to take it as an invitation to run full tilt. “Do we,” Rarity squeezed out amidst breaths, “—have a plan? I mean, outside of ruining one of my finest creations.” She gave Fluttershy’s dress a critical look. “Rainbow Dash wasn’t very specific when she told me of what was going on.” “We got a train that leaves in twelve minutes, we ain’t got time for a plan!” Applejack said. “All those delicious cakes and all the food.” Pinkie cast a forlorn glance over her shoulder. Already the palace was disappearing behind other buildings. Her pout was short-lived, instantly drowned out by a smile the likes of which only Pinkie could pull off. “But that’s okay, because it’s not nearly as important as you two! Well. Maybe nearly, but it’s not! I didn’t mean to—” “Seriously. No apologies,” Applejack said, her gaze forward. “Pinkie, when we all get this sorted, I’m gonna bake you an apple and cherry pie so big, you won’t be able to move for a week, but only if you guys all stop tryin’ to apologize. It’s fine.” “You heard her! No apologies!” Pinkie cried. “I thought you were talking about going on a diet,” Dash said, grinning as she pulled into a simple corkscrew above Pinkie Pie. “And I thought you said you thought that was a terrible idea, and that Pinkie flank was fine,” Pinkie said, swishing her tail. Rainbow Dash made no reply, her cheeks a deep red and her eyes tracing the tail with every swish. “I still feel a little bad about the Princesses though. Um, will you be okay, Twilight?” Fluttershy said. Twilight’s brows knit together in thought, but the unicorn eventually nodded. “I bet she’ll understand. We’ll just tell her the truth. I’m starting to think that’s usually the best idea.” “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for years,” Spike said, and Twilight at least had the grace to blush. Rarity sniffed, wearing a decidedly wan smile. “Well, I'm happy for you two. As much as I appreciate the glamour that went into this all, I know where my priorities lie. That said, it’s a shame we can’t get the Princesses to officiate all the same.” She paused, bit her lip and shook her head. “Well, no. Apologies. I wouldn’t presume—” “That doesn’t count as an apology!” Pinkie said, her eyes wide. “You have to say sorry for it to count, right?” “Actually, I think it’s a little sad, too. It would be ever so nice for the Princesses to be there,” Fluttershy said, and Applejack gave a single sharp nod. “I hear you, sugar. Don’t suppose we’d get them running with us today though. I’m sure Mayor Mare can sign it and everything.” Twilight exchanged glances with Spike, slowly dropping to the back of the group. Fluttershy couldn’t quite hear what they were talking about, but Twilight looked very shrewd as Spike fished a scroll out from wherever he kept them. Fluttershy had no time to ask; the second she turned around, Dash let out a whoop, pointing ahead. “The train station, and the train's still here! We made it!” To her right, the snow-covered mountain crags sailed by. To the other side, beyond the glass and far below, Equestria seemed to lie almost entirely still. Movement and a lack thereof. A growing sense of contentment and a feeling that all was well just now; Fluttershy sat in the middle, and she smiled. The train car was largely quiet except for Applejack’s soft snores. She’d fallen asleep leaning against Fluttershy, drooling on the snowmelt-dripping dress, and Fluttershy had no intention of waking her. They had the train car to themselves, and Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash had happily seized an entire row of benches, but whatever they had planned to do with the space had given way to quiet talks, and then a nap. Rainbow Dash lay sprawled out atop Pinkie Pie as if she were trying to cover as much of the pink mare as possible. On the next bench over, Rarity dozed, and Fluttershy couldn’t help but giggle at how she snored just as loud as Applejack. Twilight had apparently noticed the same thing, smiling at the snoozing unicorn. Spike lay asleep at her hooves cradling the saddlebags Fluttershy had entrusted him with, but when Fluttershy caught her eye, Twilight quietly cleared her throat and schooled her features. “I suppose we’re all tired,” Twilight whispered. “Uh, now that Pinkie is asleep, can I say that I’m sorry? For my own sake?” “If you like,” Fluttershy said, resting her muzzle atop Applejack’s head. “But you don’t have to. We could all have done things differently, but it’ll be fine now. I’m sorry for all the guests, though.” Twilight giggled. “I’m sure they’ll appreciate the romantic qualities of you two eloping like this. I know Rarity is pretty excited. Besides, Celestia and Luna are inviting everypony to stay at the palace until Hearth’s Warming Eve if they want, so I don’t think there’ll be any hard feelings.” “Oh. That’s wonderful!” Fluttershy said, immediately clapping a mouth to her hoof in case she’d been too loud. Nopony seemed to have stirred, though. She lowered her voice just in case. “I know mom and dad won’t mind much. Their wedding was a little, um, different, too. Wait, but—if you don’t mind me asking, how do you know that? I didn’t see you talking to the Princesses when we left.” “Ah, uh, um.” Twilight scratched the back of her neck. “You know. I heard. I, well. Rumors?” “I guess you and Spike sent her a letter,” Fluttershy said. “I mean, I saw you two talking. Is, oh, oh goodness, was that a secret? I’m so sorry!” “No!” Twilight giggled, shaking her head. “No, no you’re right, it’s no secret, and that’s exactly what we did.” “Oh. Okay. That’s nice.” Twilight grinned. “Yeah, that’s us, nice. I really should try to get some rest, too. We woke up crazy early, and since the train’s not direct, we won’t be back before late afternoon anyway.” “I just hope Mayor Mare is still at the town hall when we get there.” “Oh, I’m sure that will work out.” Twilight yawning and stretched while wearing the oddest little grin. Fluttershy smiled back and closed her eyes, her breath falling into rhythm with Applejack’s as she joined her in sleep. Only to wake up again at a small noise. She was sure she’d fallen asleep, but she couldn’t tell for sure. Everything was as it had been when she decided to nap, or close to; Applejack had nuzzled into her mane and Twilight muttered in her sleep, but two ponies were missing. The door to the car behind them closed with a click, and Fluttershy could have swore, were she a pony given to such things, that she saw a tuft of pink disappear before it did. When she peered out the windows, she could see Ponyville in the distance and closing fast. She must’ve slept for quite a while, then. Curious despite herself, Fluttershy gently eased Applejack down to lie against the padded bench. Quiet as she could, she followed, but she didn’t have to go far; before she even reached the door, she could hear muffled voices from outside. Through the door’s single dirty window, she could see Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash’s heads in the space between their train car and the next. “I can’t believe we fell asleep,” Dash said. “It’s your fault. Your mane’s too soft!” “Aw, I’m sorry.” Pinkie giggled, sounding very unapologetic. “We still have plenty of time though!” Dash raised a brow and peered over at Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy ducked, fearing for a second she’d been spotted. Rainbow Dash snorted through her nose. “The train’s gonna be in Ponyville in ten minutes. That’s a lot of time?” “Sure! For Equestria’s fastest most awesome flier, that’s forever—no, wait, two forevers!” Pinkie said. Rainbow Dash spread her wings and refurled them, a small grin spreading across her face. “Yeah, well, fine. But even if I can do this in one minute each way, that’s eight minutes to get everything ready." Pinkie Pie bounced. “That’s eight minutes more than I need, and I got you to help me, too! We only get one chance to fix things,” she said, narrowing her eyes at Rainbow Dash. “Fix things without saying sorry, because I think they’re both getting really sick of those words by now, and I am, too! It’s like when you say banana four times, and suddenly, it doesn’t sound like banana any more!” Dash shrugged. “Well, sure, fix things, but I never voted for Canterlot in the first place,” she said, lowering herself down a bit. “Hop on.” Fluttershy wasn’t quite sure she could handle more surprises or well-wishes from her friends, and part of her wanted to burst out and ask them what they were planning—but at the same time, more than anything, she trusted her friends. She put back down the hoof that had been questing for the door handle. Said friends were being particularly quiet, though. Pinkie Pie stood very still, pouting, and after a few seconds, Dash came into view as she stood back up. Pinkie Pie's ears lay flat against her head. “I didn’t mean to be an inconsiderate stupid-pony. I just got a little excited. Again.” Fluttershy’s forelegs itched, but Rainbow Dash hugged Pinkie Pie tight before she could break her cover and do the same to hug the hurt out of her voice. “I know. My fault too. Jeez, sweets, I didn’t mean it like that, and you know it,” Dash said. “Can we just go?” Pinkie Pie held the hug for all it was worth, and when they parted, she was beaming like Pinkie Pie was wont to do. She gave Dash a brisk nod. “Okie-dokie, but I still want a new pet name.” Rainbow Dash groaned and rubbed her face. “Huggypie?” Pinkie said. “That’s a good one!” “I’ll call you whatever you want if you just get on.” Dash braced against the deck, and Pinkie Pie giggled as she clambered atop the slightly more irate pegasus. “Fluffykins?” Pinkie said, wrapping her forelegs around Dash’s neck. “Oh, no wait—” Dash took off with a blast that rocked the train car ever so slightly, a solid rainbow contrail leading off the ground and pointing a straight line towards Ponyville, and in the air lingered an echoing cry of “snugglebutt!” Fluttershy giggled to herself and trotted back to wake the others, resolving to act surprised no matter what the pair had planned. The sun merged with the horizon, casting a soft orange glow across the town that made it look as if the dense blanket of snow was on fire. Ponies walked to and fro on whatever business they usually did at such times, and generally, it had all the makings of a normal Saturday in Ponyville. It wasn’t, of course, and the differences didn’t end with the soaked and messy wedding dress Fluttershy wore. The town hall waited ahead. Normally, the Ponyville Town Hall tended to loom over her, Fluttershy found, but for the moment it merely waited. Patient and full of promise. “Well, here we are. Ponyville Town Hall,” Twilight said. Rarity paused to deposit her emergency travel brush back in her newly coiffed tail. “And you’re absolutely certain this is what you want? We could always find the time for this tomorrow, you do realize.” Fluttershy looked to Applejack, and Applejack looked back at her, smiling and giving her a little nod as if to say it was up to her. Or perhaps, more to the point, that they now both had the same answer. “Now is fine,” Fluttershy said. “Tomorrow’s Sunday anyway, so Town Hall's closed.” Applejack said. “I’m sure Mayor Mare’d have no problems with signing papers and all that stuff if we told her what it was about, but there’s no sense in making a lot of noise when we don’t have to. I’ll pay the bits to have the dress delivered from Canterlot so I can wear it tomorrow if you want to have a picture taken or something, but we’ll fix all the small stuff later. This one’s for us, and I’m hankering for taking my mare here home today.” Fluttershy’s cheeks tingled in the most delightful way. She leaned over to nuzzle Applejack, earning smiles from the two unicorns and a gagging noise from Spike, as was the norm. “It’s just perfect,” Applejack said, though her brows were knit. “Except for one thing. Or, well, one thing and two ponies. Explainin’ this all to Granny Smith tomorrow’ll be a doozy, but where the hay did R.D. and Pinkie go off to?” “Oh, ah, they went on ahead,” Rarity said, affably clearing her throat. “Yes. To ask Mayor Mare if she had time, because, um, they’re closing very soon, so we just wanted to make sure.” Twilight's smile was far too wide. Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Oh come on guys, just go inside,” Spike said, hopping off of Twilight’s back and making for the door. Fluttershy bumped Applejack’s rump with her snout before following. “I’m sure it’s fine,” she said. A terrible and wonderful excitement was starting to build in her, and she wasn’t quite sure how much longer she could keep from laughing for no reason at all—or bursting into song. “Just’ve had it with secrets for a while, don’t mind me,” Applejack said. She huffed and flashed a tired smile, but still she followed. Fluttershy barely had the time to consider the fact that the town hall doors were closed before Applejack pushed them open. They were almost always open during the day. On the bright side, Fluttershy didn’t have to work very hard to feign surprise. Applejack was halfway to turning left in search of the mayor’s office off in one of the side chambers when she halted. The center of the town hall’s main room was barely recognizable under all the decorations. Pearly white banners arced from pillar to pillar, framing a bright red carpet that ran all the way from the entrance to the middle of the room, where a small wooden altar had been placed. Flowers every color of the rainbow occupied mismatched rows of vases lining the walkway, giving the appearance of a very small, very intimate, and very colorful chapel. Rainbow Dash was tying a knot on the last of the banners when they entered, and Pinkie Pie stood by the altar chatting amicably away with two other ponies, those being Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. “Uh. Did we ruin everything again?” Rainbow Dash called from up ahead. “They’re being quiet and creepy.” Fluttershy’s heart leapt at the sight, but still she said nothing. She sought Applejack, and fear didn’t even have the time to take hold this time. The earth mare wrapped her forelegs around the three ponies she could reach, and a second later, Pinkie Pie surfaced in their midst, pulling Rainbow Dash in when she hovered a little too close to the hug in progress. “Far as I’m concerned,” Applejack said, leaning across all their friends to nuzzle Fluttershy. “You all are the best.” “It’s wonderful,” Fluttershy said by way of assent, sighing contentedly. “Uh, I’m gonna find a pillow or something for these, then,” Spike said from safely outside of hugging range, the saddlebags over one arm. “I told you I sent a letter,” Twilight said, splaying her ears. “I’m glad.” Rarity nodded. “Though it should be said, if you wanted to do this tomorrow, that would have been fine, too. We simply needed to know you were sure.” Pinkie Pie nodded vigorously. “Oh, and we need to know if we need to be not-sorry about not-saying that if you want, there’s a party over at the ‘Corner, too! This only took Dashie and me three minutes. We spent almost twice as long making decorations for the afterparty!” “I’m sure we can handle that. Some sarsaparilla and something to nibble on to go at least,” Applejack said. “Long as there ain’t gonna be no more apologizing.” Fluttershy splayed her ears and lowered her head a smidgen as she looked up at the princesses, very much inclined to disagree with that last bit. “Maybe we should be the ones to apologize? We didn’t mean to leave like that, except we did, kind of.” The words earned a soft chuckle from the princesses stood not far off. Celestia shook her head. “Not in the least, dear. Even though I am sure we have a lot to talk about some other time, my sister and I are needed back in Canterlot soon. Still, in your own time, and however you’d like to do this.” Celestia dipped her head. Twilight was the first to break off and trot for a single bench set close to the altar, and Rarity, Spike, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie followed after. Fluttershy swallowed and rolled her shoulders, rubbing one of her shoes against the carpet; it was the world’s most important little catwalk to walk. A moment later, she felt a weight against her side. Applejack leaned against her and nuzzled into one of her ears as she whispered. “I hear the unicorns, they all walk up the aisle one by one and make a big fuss, and us earth ponies, last I heard somepony did it all traditional like, it was all about relatives handing you off and making long-winded boring speeches. What about you pegasuses, sugar?” Fluttershy took a deep breath and let it out, rubbing her cheek back against Applejack. Celestia and Luna both smiled patiently, and their friends all waved and grinned. Pinkie Pie’s huge foam mitt didn’t strictly match the decór, but it did make Fluttershy smile. “Well, they’re usually held in the clouds,” she whispered back. “Traditionally, each pegasus holds a performance doing their best tricks and everything before they land and say their vows. I think that’s how they decided who was strong, way back when, but now it’s just a formality.” “I’d love to see the place that could survive Rainbow Dash’s wedding, then.” Applejack chuckled, closing her eyes for a moment as she lowered her voice further still, her voice a rumble that set Fluttershy's heart on fire. “Reason I’m sayin’ this is that none of these sound right to me. Our day, remember? So I say we walk down there together. I don’t care much for anything but the fact that I love you.” Fluttershy didn’t quite trust her voice to say much beyond echoing those three words. “I love you too.” She knew she was a mess. Her dress was unsalvageable, and it was a wonder Rarity hadn’t fainted from the state of her mane after all the running and panicking of the day, but never before had Fluttershy felt quite so beautiful as when Applejack pecked her on the cheek and started them down the aisle. Applejack herself seemed to glow, too; her hairband had nearly fallen out, her tail was dripping wet, and Fluttershy couldn’t bring herself to point out that the coat on right side of her muzzle was matted with drool from her nap. She looked radiant. Together, side by side, they marched. Immediately, a twitter began, a single bird’s call soon joined by others. Still moving, Fluttershy craned her neck to look up at the rafters of the hall, though she already knew what she’d find just from the song. Dozens of her little bird friends—all those who stayed for the winter—were singing the most beautiful little wedding march she had ever heard. “They don’t speak Pinkie Pie as well as they speak Fluttershy,” Pinkie Pie said in an exaggerated whisper from the front while grinning wide. “But they understand cake just fine!” Fluttershy hid her smile as they finally approached the altar. Applejack angled herself to walk a little closer to Fluttershy, touching against her through the dress while making sure not to step on it. For a moment, Fluttershy imagined she saw Applejack shoot Princess Luna a wry grin, and the moon princess return a faint frown, but when she blinked and Applejack and Fluttershy both stopped in front of the two Princesses, both parties were smiling. The song quieted down, and a few of the little birds hopped down, jostling for better position on the banners. “Dearly beloved, best of friends.” Celestia voice was clear and loud, ringing across the spacious hall. “We are gathered here to bear witness to the union of these two loving mares, and let none doubt their commitment to each other.” Celestia gave a short nod and looked to her sister. Luna straightened up and continued where she had left off. “Let all those who object say their piece now, or forever hold their tongue. Let all those who join these two on their journey through life together bear witness to this crowning moment.” Over by the bench, their friends said nothing. Rarity bit her lower lip and visibly trembled, Pinkie Pie bounced in her seat, Twilight smiled, and Rainbow Dash curled a wing around Pinkie Pie while nodding at Fluttershy. The only one who moved was Spike, the baby dragon hopping off the bench to reach for a pillow on the floor, but Celestia stayed him with a raised leg. “Would either of you like to say a few words?” Luna said. Fluttershy nodded, having waited for this exact moment. “I would,” she said, fidgeting with the crystal brooch of her dress. “If it’s no trouble?” “I think that if there was ever a time it was trouble, this is not it,” Luna said. The Princess of the Night looked down at her and graced her with a small smile. “This is the time for words.” Fluttershy scratched her sides with her own wings and cleared her throat. She hadn’t planned this. She had, in fact, deliberately not planned this, because she feared it would be twice as hard to try to recite something as it was to just talk. For a moment, she feared she’d made a mistake, feeling a dreadful tightness close her throat. All she needed to do to find her voice again was to look to her side. “I’m here, sugar,” Applejack said, and that was enough. “I—I love you,” she said, for once intimidated by words she’d long since grown comfortable with. An infinite weight surrounded it all, yet at the same time, it did not weigh her down. It supported her. It would not let her fall. Applejack patiently waited. “I love you, and I always have. You’ve always been there for me and supported me. I think you’re one of the best friends anypony can have. You protect me, but you never look down on me. You don’t let me hide under the bed when something needs doing.” She paused and suppressed a giggle and a blush both, remembering how that had been an all too literal thing at times. Applejack grinned, no doubt remembering. “I don’t know what my life would be today without you, but, um, well, I think that’s why I’m here,” she said, breathing out through her nose. “I don’t want to know. Never. I love you. You’re beautiful in every way, and—” she let out a shuddering breath. “I love you.” There was a rather distinct and loud sniff from the bench. “I ain’t one for speeches,” Applejack said, biting the inside of her cheek. She glanced up at the princesses, and grabbed her hat in a hoof. “But there’re a lot of things that I thought I wasn’t for, and I was wrong. Good gravy, I’ve been wrong a lot, lately,” she said with a low chuckle. Her eyes left Fluttershy’s as they roamed up and down her body until the pegasus quite frankly almost felt a little self-conscious, but when those sharp green eyes once again met hers, one of the corners of Applejack's mouth tugged upwards in a grin. “I feel like the simplest pony ever sometimes, ‘specially standing next to you, but you keep telling me I ain’t. You keep showing me I ain’t. You give me a reason to wake up in the morning that ain’t my family, and though I love them with all my heart, it’s different. It tore at me to see you once thought you were some weak and frail little mare, just like it makes me happy to know you know better." Applejack leaned over to nuzzle Fluttershy. “I'm happy to spend the rest of my days reminding you in case you forget, because I love you too.” “You’re not supposed to kiss yet!” Pinkie called from the bench. Fluttershy giggled and barely had time to see Dash wrestling her to the ground behind the bench. However she silenced her, Pinkie’s one visible leg twitched, and Rarity, Twilight and Spike all rolled their eyes or pointedly looked away. “Moving on,” Luna said, clearing her throat. “Then I ask you,” Celestia said, spreading her wings to form a halo behind her back. It was as glorious as it was scary when the Sun Princess stared down at them from by the altar, her pose rigid. “Fluttershy. Do you take Applejack to be your mare, to love, protect, cherish and care for her until the day the sun stops rising?” Fluttershy half-spread her wings and turned on the spot to face Applejack in earnest. She feared she would stammer and wondered if she’d choke, but they were the easiest words she’d spoken. “I do. I really, really do. I promise,” she said, biting her lip. “And you,” Luna said, her dark wings spreading to mimic those of her sister. “Applejack, do you take Fluttershy to be yours to guard and love, to make her cause yours from now and until the stars are ended?” Applejack turned as well, reaching up to cup Fluttershy’s muzzle with a hoof. “I do,” she said, her voice low but strong, as if challenging the world to protest. The world could have ended then, and Fluttershy would have been content. Instead, Spike cleared his throat, a red silken pillow held over his head upon which rested the two pieces of jewelry. The earth mare bared her teeth and leaned down to gingerly seize the ornate crystal apple earring, stalks and all, grinning around it. “Sugarcube,” she said, and Fluttershy was all too happy to lower her head. A second later, she felt Applejack’s warm breath on her ear. A tingle raced up and down her spine as the cold metal touched her, followed by a click. Slowly she raised her head back up to touch her nose to Applejack’s. “Mine,” Applejack whispered, a word spoken with relish. Fluttershy nodded, a useless affirmation that still made her mare smile. The pegasus leaned down for the other earring, seizing the beautiful gold-lined trio of rose butterflies, and Applejack dipped her head to bend an ear for her. She could’ve dropped it. She could’ve fumbled and missed the hole, giving Applejack an unpleasant surprise. A number of equally ridiculous scenarios played themselves out in Fluttershy’s head, but none of them came to pass. By hoof and mouth, the earring clicked into place, a shining golden trinket that matched Applejack’s coat and mane well. Fluttershy’s heart skipped a beat when Applejack drew back, grinning at her. “Then we pronounce you wed, in the eyes of those present and all of Equestria, by Sun and Moon,” Celestia said. “You may kiss.” And so they did. The room held its breath as Applejack ran a hoof through her mane. Their muzzles met, finally sealing the union. The room then promptly let it out again as Pinkie Pie cheered, drowning out the others’ sniffles and sobs. “Go Fluttershy! Go Applejack! That was fantastic; do us next!” Pinkie hooked a foreleg around Rainbow Dash’s neck. “Uh,” Dash said. “That’s—uh. Hey, flowers! We forgot the flowers! Applejack! Fluttershy! Flowers!” Fluttershy reluctantly let go of Applejack, giving her snout a parting lick. Applejack grinned and returned the lick before she glanced over her shoulder. Every single person in the room was looking at Rainbow Dash where she was trying to hold Pinkie at bay with her forelegs. “What the hay are you on about, R.D.?” “The flower toss! The one who catches it, yak yak, next to get married, right?” That made Pinkie Pie pause. Dash darted over to one of the flower pots and yanked out a bouquet, zipping over to the newlyweds right after. “I suppose that’s one unicorn tradition that won’t do us any harm,” Applejack said, nodding at Fluttershy whilst the others all got up. Rarity daubed at the corners of her eyes with a napkin, and the two princesses stepped back, obviously deciding to sit this one out. “You wanna do the honors?” Applejack said. Fluttershy nodded and leaned forward to take the bouquet in her mouth. She cast a final backwards glance to make sure all ponies were ready; Pinkie Pie seemed intent on jostling for position even when nopony else really minded giving her space. Dash didn’t even look at the flowers, instead grinning at Pinkie Pie. With a final shrug, eager to get over to Sugarcube Corner for some food and then back home, Fluttershy flicked the bundled flowers over her shoulder, giving way to a very crisp silence before she had the time to turn around. The silence was helped by Rainbow Dash having seized Pinkie Pie in a kiss, the brash flier’s wings spread over the startled and unprotesting pink pony. The flowers themselves hovered mid-air over the little group’s head, surrounded by a magical aura. Or rather, by two magical auras. Twilight’s red and Rarity’s blue intermingled, the two unicorns’ magic vying for control of the flowers. Both of them initially focused on the bouquet, but after a second, Twilight’s gaze wandered, her brow set in a frown not unlike when she was busy with a particularly delicate experiment. With a slightly brighter glow of magic, she pulled the bouquet closer to the two unicorns, and then simply let go. Rarity stumbled and looked up, shaking her head to clear it as she held aloft her prize. “Ah, you didn’t have to—” “Incidentally,” Twilight said, clearing her throat and licking her lips, sounding very much like she’d practiced one line very carefully. “Did you know that among the Llama tribes of the Arothian Peaks, bouquets are given from one party to another in hopes of romantic prospects, rather than randomly thrown?”          “Yes, well, catching one did not seem to do much,” Rarity said after a brief pause, a faint blush and a smile on her face as she turned the bouquet around in her grip. “Mmrfph,” Pinkie Pie chimed, finally surfacing for air. Applejack grunted and shifted the weight of the load on her back. It was far too cold to be out without so much as a scarf, and while she’d happily carry three barrels of apples on her back on a good day, it was something different entirely when the load shifted and wasn’t properly secured. Adding to this, the path to Sweet Apple Acres’ farm house hadn’t been trod for days, so she had to plough the snow more than she simply walked it. That it was late at night and she could barely see for all the snowfall, that was an afterthought. Yet still she grinned, and complaining was the furthest thing from her mind. “Ain’t no such thing as a ‘little’ party for Pinkie Pie, I guess,” she said, half to herself. “Worth it to get to see Princess Celestia dance, even if it was for only a second. You okay?” “Oh, it was wonderful, but um, you know, I can probably walk,” her cargo said. “Or—well, I can carry you a little bit, too. It’s no trouble.” “No way, no how.” Applejack laughed. “I dreamed of carrying you over the threshold myself, and that’s what I’m gonna do. ‘Sides, that dress must be mighty cold, what with it being wet and all. You’re shivering.” Finally she stepped into the farmyard proper and made for the farmhouse’s door. “I didn’t want to complain, but my legs are a teensy bit cold. Or, well, a lot. I can’t really feel them,” Fluttershy said. Applejack could hear her ears drooping, and Fluttershy’s head came to rest atop of hers. “Thought we’d agreed we couldn’t read each others’ minds.” Applejack nudged the door open and eased the pair through, doing her best to make sure Fluttershy didn’t hit the sides. “Sorry,” Fluttershy said, though Applejack heard the giggle hiding beneath the surface. “Also, I thought we were done with apologies for today,” Applejack pressed, kicking the door shut. “Sugarcube, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were just fishing for hot chocolate and a hug.” “Oh goodness, I was thinking I’d at least help out making the hot chocolate,” came the reply. Applejack snorted and nodded, noting that the farmhouse was not only quiet, but cold and dark as well. She had to suppress a small surge of guilt for not minding; it was all on account of their silliness that Big Mac, Apple Bloom and even Granny Smith were in Canterlot, but it wouldn’t do to let an opportunity go to waste. When the fire in the common room’s hearth was crackling and they both had large, steaming mugs of hot chocolate, Applejack finally sat down. Sure, she’d planted her flank on cobblestones, benches and stones all over Equestria as of late, and she’d travelled more in the past few days than she had the month before that, but in a sense, she hadn’t truly rested in a long, long while. Applejack cracked an eye open without really remembering closing them. Fluttershy sat still, swaddled in blankets and staring into the fire, the earring’s crystals glittering with reflected light. She was tired, yes, but stronger than any weariness was a deep-seated feeling of peace. She knew now that she had the only thing she would ever need, and she doubted the contentment she got from that would ever fade. On a whim, she nudged the blankets aside, sneaking a hoof in under Fluttershy’s left wing. The pegasus mare raised a brow, but complied wordlessly, spreading her wing out in full. Finally given free access, Applejack reached up to support the wing with one leg while she nuzzled in between the delicate feathers. Immediately she was rewarded with a soft sigh. Fluttershy sank down onto the floor while Applejack ever so gently bit down on the feathers, running her teeth along their full length. One by one, she cleaned and rearranged the feathers to what she hoped was perfection. It had been far too long since she’d helped Fluttershy with her preening, but it was pleasant enough work. Dating a pegasus—now being married to one, she corrected herself with a private smile—led to certain skills she’d hardly planned to learn. Judging by the noises from her side, she hadn’t quite lost her touch. Amidst the soft breathing and muttered directions to lay the feathers so or so, a couple of noises escaped that were best described as throaty little warbles, others mewls. By the time Applejack wiped her muzzle and moved on to the other wing, she had to use both forelegs to prop it up, and she half suspected Fluttershy dozed off every now and then. When she was done and let go, the fireflies of the little mantlepiece lamp were tired, the fire burned low, and their drink had long since gone cold. Quiet as she could, Applejack snuck out from the covers and added a log from the bin by the hearth to the fire. When she glanced out the window, she saw nothing in the absolute darkness except the reflection of a beautiful and tired pegasus smiling back at her. “We probably need to write everypony letters,” Fluttershy said. “Telling them we’re ever so sorry.” “Mm,” Applejack intoned, trotting back to lie at her side. She rested her head against Fluttershy’s neck. “Tomorrow. Tomorrow we can start using that damnable word again.” “And tonight?” Fluttershy nuzzled in between Applejack's ears. “Tonight,” Applejack muttered. “Good grief that feels good, don’t stop. Tonight, I’m gonna fall asleep next to you here, and hope to wake up exactly like this.”