It was nearly dark when Thunder Clop entered Princess Luna's receiving room. Long shadows stretched across the dark floor and curled away from the fire burning in the hearth. T.C. sat down on one of the sofas near the fire and patiently waited for Luna. He still had not received official orders from the princess, which he found odd, he knew that it was his job to protect her, and now organize the night watch, but he did not know exactly how princess Luna wished him to go about his duty. He was unsure how to ask the princess as well, but after their long conversation last night he felt more relaxed in her presence, so it would not be difficult to ask when the time came.
T.C. did not have to wait for Luna long. After only a few minutes she entered the room, shivering a bit from the cold night air.
"I apologize for my tardiness, T.C.," she smirked, "I was raising the moon and was suddenly caught up in the beauty of this night, so I stood on the balcony admiring it until it became too cold."
"Quite all right, my lady," replied T.C. "it is my duty to wait on you, not the other way around."
Luna sat down on the couch across from him, nearer the fire "I have told you that you may call me Luna..." she said casting him a sideways glance.
"I apologize Luna" said T.C. slightly embarrassed not this again he thought. "Old habits are hard to break."
"Indeed," retorted the princess, "I am afraid I know quite well what you mean.... Last night I was not at all polite with sister dearest. And you unknowingly were caught in the cross fire, this was not fair to you. I must apologize for a second time, tonight may be off to a less glorious start than I had imagined."
"There is no need to apologize Luna." Said T.C. "I know how siblings can be, even my own brother and I don't always see eye to eye."
"It is comforting knowing we are not so different you and I" said Luna staring into the flame.
"Princess," started T.C. "you are royal, above reproach.... It is I who should be humbled merely being allowed in your presence. I did not mean to imply you were like a commonpony."
"We see that you have returned to using the proper formalities" said Luna in a mocking royal voice.
"Sorry... Luna" Said T.C. with a sigh.
Luna stared at the fire again for a long time before speaking "I do not wish to be beyond reproach, I wish to have a real friend, somepony to confide in. I do not like being treated differently any longer... I have been for far to long, I no longer wish to rule with an iron hoof, but accept my role as princess with humility, it is my duty to protect the night, not rule it."
"And it is my duty to protect you," said T.C. "I wish to be your friend, but I must be your proctor first, that is my duty prin... Luna" He tried to send a comforting smile but Luna only turned her head down.
Without looking at him she began to speak again "So your duty must come before my wishes?" she asked.
Now he was trapped, T.C. had no idea how to respond. On one hoof if the told the princess he was only there as her protector it would ruin the tiny friendship they had kindled, on the other by admitting that he genuinely felt friendship for Luna he would be breaching several social protocols. After stammering for a few minutes he replied, "My duty is to your wishes Luna..."
She looked up and smiled at him "Good! then my first wish is that you start treating my as your equal... no more formalities, except for special occasions.... Second! You shall have dinner with my sister and I this evening. Come."
And Luna made for the door. Dinner with both princess! he thought panicked Last time was so awkward and I must have made a terrible impression with Princess Celestia. They reached the dining hall shortly, far sooner than T.C. would have liked.
"Good evening Sister," said Luna as the entered the chamber. T.C. followed Luna and stood rigidly at attention behind her chair as she took her seat at the table.
"Good evening" Replied Celestia politely, "did you sleep well?"
"Of course," Replied Luna, "I feel quite well rested.... I believe you all ready know T.C." Luna motioned and Thunder Clop felt a cold sweat run down his spine. "I have invited him to sup with us... and so I have no idea why he insists on standing at attention. Please, sit."
Luna used her magic to pull out a chair next to her's at the table. Princess Celestia raised an eyebrow as Thunder Clop nervously took his seat, but continued eating without saying much. The meal was one of the best Thunder Clop had ever had. There was fresh dandelion salad with potato soup for the opening course. The main course was a foreign dish from the griffin lands similar to lasagna, but a bit spicy and Thunder Clop enjoyed it very much. For desert they ate apple crisp al a'mode and Princess Celestia mentioned something about a lovely apple orchard just out side of Ponyville were the apples were apparently grown. Throughout dinner the two princesses made small talk and it seemed as though they had made up from their fight the night before, in fact they were quite pleasant with one another .
Near the end of the meal Princess Celestia turned to Thunder Clop. "I heard that you and Shining Armor had quite the sparing match earlier."
"Ohh yes," Replied Thunder Clop, "It was invigorating, he was a very worthy opponent, I may have to double my efforts if I wish to best him tomorrow."
"I'm glad you're getting to know some ponies around the palace, we are very happy to have you here." She said and smiled.
"Thank you your majesty." Said Thunder Clop and he bowed slightly in his chair.
Princess Celestia stood up and walked from the hall "If you will excuse me, I best be off to bed for the night. Have a good night you two." As she walked through the doors Thunder Clop thought he saw her glance back, if only for a moment, a concerned look in her eyes. Luna and Thunder Clop were now the only ones left in the dining hall and he asked her about it, but Luna had not noticed.
The rest of the night was rather uneventful. T.C escorted to the princess to the throne room and they conversed for several hours. He asked her about what his standing orders should be from now on to which Luna only playfully replied "to keep me company." A few of the night guards raised their eyebrows at the casual repertoire that Luna had taken up with their new captain, but none seemed disturbed by it, in fact the majority of the night watch was delighted to see Luna happy for once.
From that night T.C. began to fall into a certain rhythm. He woke early every after noon for exercise with Shining Armor (he even was able to win every now and then) and then went to meet Luna before dinner, to which he was still having difficulty accepting as his first mean of the day, well night. Dinner became one of his favorite times since he was able to spend time with both Princesses, though he was always formal with Celestia it was nice to get to know her too. He also began to understand why Luna could become frustrated with her sister, she had a way of being motherly rather than sisterly with her, a situation that he was sure drove Luna mad (his suspicions were confirmed when Luna herself commented on it once or twice in private as well.) T.C. also felt honored that he was allowed to attend the dinners even when dignitaries or other guests had also been invited, and always at Luna's side.
As the nights became weeks he and Luna grew very close. He almost never slipped by calling her by her formal title and she started only calling him "T.C." in private, noticing how it embarrassed him terribly. They would often spend the entire night in her receiving room or his office just talking or playing board games. Some ponies began to notice how much time Luna and Thunder Clop spent together and there were certain rumors that began to circulate about the palace. Luna and T.C. paid them no head, they were merely good friends, though they could be caught flirting innocently sometimes. This continued on for quite some time. The winter snows melted away and spring brought a few warm winds to the night. He and Luna would sometimes stroll through the gardens on the warm nights.
With the arrival of spring also came Shining Armor's and Princess Cadence's wedding day. The entire palace was abuzz with decorators and wedding planners. Royal guests began to arrive from all over Equestria, and even with the increased security (do to some unnerving threats) the entire palace was in a blissful mood, all except for Twilight Sparkle, but T.C. only heard of that through rumors. Shining Armors sister can't be that bad he thought. Soon the big day was nearly there, and as the sun rose on the day of the wedding he wished Luna "Good day" and retired to his room. Completely unaware of the chaos about to unfold...