“Why did this day have to come so soon?” Spike muttered to himself as he looked at the suit he was wearing, it was a black tux that Rarity made him for this day. Even if at first she was begrudging to craft it because of the reason he would be wearing such a work of art, she finally was worn down by the Princess's pleading. The constant ringing of wedding bells filled his head with dread more and more with every cling that filled the air, also it didn't help that this event was said to be one of the biggest in resent equestrian history.
For today was not just a wedding but also the coronation of the simple purple Dragon named Spike to royalty. Said Dragon was now at the wedding alter nervously gazing at all who was attending while waiting for his bride to be. Sweat and a look of utter fear played on Spike’s face as he counted the seconds until the life he once lived was changed forever. Many thoughts made their way into his head 'Maybe I can make a break for it, my friends and the Princess know how wrong this is and wouldn't hate me if I decided to chicken out. Also I’m sure that the rest would forgive me in time, yeah that sounds good. Now all I need is a plan.' Just as he was going to plot his escape Spike felt a comforting hoof on his back.
Spike turned to see that it was the goddess of the sun and the one who organized this event Princess Celestia. No one knew what kind of relationship the two shared until a week ago when everything that led up to this point happened. She gave Spike a look of sadness that she gave very few, It asked him to please be brave and endure this ordeal; he gulped before nodding at her.
He had to remember that this whole thing was bigger than him and he just would have to tough it out. The sound of wedding bells stopped and at the end of the aisle was a tall sender figure that he knew was his bride; just like him himself she was wearing a dress that was crafted by the Ponyville fashionista. As she started walking down the aisle the band started to play, to most the music sounded beautiful but to the groom it was just a taunting symphony.
The flower filly made her way down the aisle as he watched his bride make her way towards him. Each step closer she got increased his anxiety, was this truly the mare he was going to spend the rest of his . . . well a really long time with. After what seemed like an eternity she was in front of him and the service began.
Celestia cleared her throat loudly so that all who were in attention would give her their attention as she started.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, in the sight of the sun and this company, to witness and celebrate one of life's greatest moments” Spike let out a soft inward sigh hearing this, If this was one of life’s greatest moments then he would hate to see life’s worst
“To give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the union of not only the Bride and the groom but also what they represent,” Again a line that struck a chord with Spike; so he would have to be the sacrificial lamb so that things would get better? It was unfair but it’s for the greater good . . ..he guessed
“Marriage is an institution ordained of the sun, and it is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly, but reverently, deliberately, and only after much consideration” Oh, he was raging on the inside upon hearing this “For in coming together in marriage you are committing yourselves exclusively, the one to the other, for as long as you both shall live. Spike you may unveil your bride”
There was a silence in the garden where everything was being held, most-likely because like the dragon on the altar everyone else in the room caught on to the irony of the speech but said nothing in fear of what might happen. After a few moments passed the bride's face was finally uncovered “Hello, my soon-to-be husband, don’t I look great in this dress?” She said with a wicked smile. Spike flinched a little at the smile but soon recovered and kept up the act.
“Well it’s the first time I've seen you in a dress without impersonating someone else, so it’s a nice for a first try,” He said trying his best not to smirk at his own response. The bride scoffed but soon her smile stayed strong “Is that so, well you will be seeing a lot more of the real me during our honeymoon.” The remark struck fear into Spike as he let his mind wonder to the week that came before this day; the day he not only became a married drake but the king of the changelings.
-Seven days earlier -
“Twi, you've been a princess for a few years now yet I’m still stuck doing chores, why can’t we just hire some of the help at the castle to organize the library?” Spike asked as he sorted the books along the shelves, Twilight chuckled at the statement as she used her magic to do the same as her young assistant.
“Now Spike, you know that they already have a job taking care of Canterlot castle. Like you have a job at the library, hence why you are doing this right now.” The young dragon sighed in defeat “Fine, but I think that pushing your weight around
sometimes wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”
Twilight rolled her eyes and the two continued on with their chores. Normally Twilight would use this time to catch up on some of her studies (Being a princess didn't stop her from being an egg-head) while Spike tended to the library for the day. However it was one of the times that he would stay the weekend in Canterlot on an assignment from Princess Celestia, She never knew what the princess had Spike do when he was there and he refused to tell her.
After a hour or so of cleaning Spike packed his things and waited for the royal guards to pick him up, “Spike, why can’t you tell me the reason the princess requested you? I don’t know why you two can’t tell me, I’m not only a princess but think of you two as family.” Twilight said as she started to give him her sad eyes.
Spike saw what Twilight was trying to do and turned away from her, one thing a gentledrake like Spike couldn't stand was the look of a sad mare “That’s playing dirty Twi. Look I promise to tell you one of these days just not right now. Now can you put those eyes away?” Twilight dropped the act and gave him a playful smile “You have to pinkie promise me, I’m making sure that you aren't getting out of this one”
“Oh come on Twi. Fine, I cross my heart hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye” Spike said as he did the actions of the promise earning a wide smile for Twilight, There was a knock on the door making the two turn their attention to it.
“Well that’s my ride Twi, I’ll see you on Sunday. Don’t have too much fun without me,” Spike said as he gave her a hug which she returned. When a second knock came the two released the hug and Spike grabbed his bags as he walked to the door. As he opened it Twilight walked beside him and gave him a peck on the cheek like she normally did before ether of them when on a trip.
“Aw shucks Twi did you have to go and do that?” Spike blushed as he watched the royals guards aww at the scene; he gave her one more quick hug before going into the carriage. The guards saluted Princess Twilight before taking off with the young dragon towards Canterlot.
"So the Changeling leaders wish to have a meeting with you on the morrow, They would like to discuss with you something on the lines of a treaty." Celestia let out a sigh upon hearing this, she had other plans this weekend but knew that a chance at peace was too good to pass up. The changelings where a ferocious foe and could decide to strike again at any time, a treaty would not only minimize that threat but also help take Equestria one step closer to being a place for everyone not just everypony. "Alright, have my things ready for the trip tomorrow. Also I do ask that you all don't bother me for the rest of the day. I have something of the utmost importance to attend to and would prefer not to be disturbed." with that she headed out the room with two of her guards by her side as she made her way to the front gate.
Spike awoke from his nap to find that they had just arrived in Canterlot and were now flying over it to the castle; he looked over the side of the carriage and marveled at how the citizens at this height looked like ants. This thought brought back memories of his life before he was in the care of Twilight; he remembered when Princess Celestia would take him up to the balcony and the two would watch all of the ponies go about their day, sometimes they would see ponies waving at them and he would wave back earning a chuckle from the Princess. She would always tell him that just watching them and knowing that they were safe was the best part of being a leader, he thought it was cool when she talked like that. His peaceful flash back was interrupted by the carriage suddenly descending to the ground. As a force of habit he developed from riding on
Rainbow dash sometimes Spike closed his eyes and braced himself.
The two guards landed right in front of the castle gate in front of an awaiting Celestia, she was about to greet Spike in her normal regal manner but saw his eyes shut and him holding on the carriage for dear life. She gently nudged Spike causing him to open his eyes; he was met with the concern face of the Alicorn “Spike, are you alright?" She asked as he gave her a nod in return before bowing as a show of respect to his ruler "Yes princess I'm fine, thank you for checking on me." this earned him a chuckle from her before she levitated him onto her back.
"Guards, Spike and I have important business to talk about. You are all off for the rest of the day," they nodded before opening the door. Princess Celestia gave the guards her thanks before walking inside and closing the door behind herself. Spike silently rode on the princess’s back as they made their way through the castle; all of the servants greeted the princess and her guest as they walked by. Spike greeted some of them by name, most of the staff had changed since he was last here but he was glad that he at least remembered a few of them. Once the two made it to Celestia quarters Spike hoped off her back, there was a long silence between the two before Spike finally decided to speak "So is the coast clear?" He asked. Celestia waited a moment more before answering
"I believe it is, Spike" as she said that Spike slowly walked over her and wrapped his arms around one of her legs "I've missed you mom," Celestia smiled warmly before wrapping one of her hoofs around him.
"I know my son and I'm sorry, I promise to make sure that I have more time for you in the future." Even if she always said that to him whenever they had time together it didn't make the words any less reassuring. Spike and Celesta would spend the next few hours curled up on her bed talking about how life was going and joking around; this was always how they spent Friday evening when Spike visited. Because of her schedule they were only able to have this kind of time together a few weekends a year and some holidays. it did sadden both of them, but they knew that it was for the best
"So Spike…how are your endeavors in wooing Rarity going?" Celestia asked him earning a faint blush from the Dragon, She already knew the answer since he would send letters to her as a way of venting his feelings for Rarity when Twilight was tired of hearing about them
"Pretty well I guess, she hasn't acknowledged most of my advances, but she hasn't told me to stop ether." Celestia smiled at the timid look her son had on his face, she knew a lot about Rarity. Not only from what twilight and spike had told her about the mare but from meeting her as well. She was very nice and pretty, even if she seemed a bit vain at time her heart is in the right place. There was no surprise to her why this mare had a place in her son’s heart. Celestia noticed that even when he was younger Spike had a preference to mares with white fur whenever it came to anything but could never find out why that was.
"So what's on the agenda for tomorrow, mom? Can we go to pony Joe’s place for some donuts?" Spike asked as he cuddled into her, the princess was about to tell him yes but remembered the meeting she had tomorrow with the changelings.
"I'm sorry Spike, but I have a very important meeting and I can't put it off." She saw Spike’s face droop a little before he put on a painfully fake smile "I understand mom, I guess I'll just hang with the staff that day then." When Spike use to live here he would always just hang around the staff as they worked, this was why he was so good at cooking and cleaning.
Celestia's heart broke as she saw the disappointment on his face; this was just a child that wanted to spend time with his mother he rarely gets to see anymore. She was about to try and comfort him but had an idea "Spike, how about you come with me?" She knew that changeling territory could be dangerous but from what she was told by Twilight Spike seemed to be capable of keeping himself safe. Also few guards would be there if things went wrong, also she would be as well.
Spike smiled and nodded his head, he almost never got to go on adventures so this would not only be a chance to hang out with his mom but have a bit of fun as well "That sounds awesome! When do we leave?" He asked as he jumped up only to stumble back beside his mother who giggled at the blunder, he must have been sleepier then he thought
"We are heading out bright and early tomorrow morning after breakfast, so make sure to get a good night’s sleep." Spike moved under one of Celestia’s hooves and nuzzled her chest.
“Alright mom, Goodnight and I love you,” He said as sleep took him, Celestia smiled and kissed his forehead “I love you too my little dragon.”