The Princesses and Thunder Clop returned to Canterlot the next day. Finally things were getting back to normal. Celestia and Luna were getting along better than anypony could remember. Celestia stay true to her word and quit trying to drive Luna and Thunder Clop apart. She even released a statement to help curb some of the rumors that had been circulating in the tabloids. Luna and Thunder Clop didn't care though, they were together and that's all that mattered to them. They did everything together from that moment onward.
As the days passed into weeks and the weeks passed into months their love for each other grew. Thunder Clop returned home to celebrate Hearth-Warming Eve with his family and Luna accompanied him, much to his parents and their tiny towns shock. He had not notified them and decided it should be a surprise. Of course Thunder Clops parents had read the tabloids, and even the announcement from the Palace, but it was still a surprise to see the Princess of the night standing on their doorstep holding hooves with their son.They had a wonderful visit, Thunder Clop took Luna to his old school and all his favorite spots, even the valley where he camped, though it was covered snow.
After the new year they returned to the Canterlot and the palace. Slowly Luna and Celestia began to give Thunder Clop extra responsibilities. He would find himself included in overseeing parades, rallies and other public appearances with Luna. He was privileged to be present during diplomatic meetings, though he usually only gave Luna his opinion or suggestions in private, so as not to offend the foreign dignitaries. Thunder Clop was extremely pleased when Princess Cadence included him by name in an invitation asking Luna to come to a state visit in the Chrystal Empire.
His relationship with Luna was going as steady as ever, they had their occasional spats, but nothing to ever drive them apart. During the first few months of their "official" relationship became public knowledge they were hounded by paparazzi wherever they went, but lately they seemed to have lost interest, especially with all the other celebrates around Canterlot they could spy on. They frequented the Oasis often and found a few other good night clubs as well. All seemed to be going swimmingly.
Things continued on like this over the next two years. They watched as the dragon called Spike saved the Chrystal Empire from King Sombra, and how Twilight and her friends defeated, and eventually reformed, Discord. Thunder Clop was even there for the coordination of Twilight Sparkle. When he asked Celestia about the ascension spell she explained that she was able to successfully complete it with the combined love of her five friends and herself, which Thunder Clop supposed made sense, he'd never fully grasped the finer points of magic, much to Luna's frustration.
It had been nearly three years since Thunder Clop had joined the Royal Guard. It seemed like any other night when he woke and joined the Princesses for dinner. Thunder Clop had something on his mind, but he wasn't sure about how to go about it. He was in uncharted waters, but there was no protocol for what he was about to do. How exactly does one ask a Princess this? He thought as he sat through diner. By now though he'd learn how to handle strange social situations in stride, he wasn't royalty, but when he was with Luna he was treated close enough and Thunder Clop had learned how to navigate the social stigmas of the upper class ponies well enough.
After dinner Celestia excused herself for the evening and Luna and T.C. took a stroll through the gardens as they normally did. T.C. was restless, he wanted to get Luna someplace more private, and more romantic. He'd been planning this moment for months and everything had to go just right, but there were too many ponies in the Palace. At first he'd thought of taking Luna to the Oasis, and recreating their first date. That might have worked if Luna were a common pony, but wherever they went they attracted too much attention. I can't believe I didn't think of a better place to do this, i guess I'll just ask her later, He thought. Suddenly an idea hit him.
"Luna, want to go to take a trip up to that valley in the mountains? Where Celestia caught us kissing a few years ago?" He asked.
"Why would you want to go there?" Asked Luna.
"Oh, I just feel like stretching my wings," he lied slyly, though Luna believed him. "Besides, it's a beautiful night."
"Well, alright." Relented Luna, "An outing sounds fun!"
They flew thought the cool night air, feeling the wind rush through their manes. It didn't take long to get to the valley and they settled down on the soft grass. They talked and laughed for a short time. After a while they lay down and kissed softly for a bit, but Luna was able to sense something off about Thunder Clop. He seemed tense to her, even nervous, as though he was just meeting her for the first time.
"Is something the matter T.C.?" She asked.
"Well, no, I've just been thinking." Replied Thunder Clop.
"Thinking about what Love?" she asked.
"About us." Said Thunder Clop.
"And what have you been thinking about us?" She replied in a flirty tone.
Thunder Clop sighed and then looked into Luna's beautiful blue eyes.
"Luna," He started, "I love you. More than I've ever loved another pony. I want the rest of my life to be like this, to be happy with you. I want to ask you something, but I'm not sure if I should. You're immortal and I'm well not.... I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I want to marry you Luna, but I'm afraid that it wouldn't work for us."
"I've been thinking about that too." Said Luna, "I want to marry you too Thunder Clop. I don't care if you're just a regular pegasus, we could find a way to make it work. After all Cadence and Shining Armor seem to be able to make it work."
"Would you then?" asked Thunder Clop.
"Of course," replied Luna, "nothing would make me happier."
"Then I have something for you." Reaching into a pocket on his armor. He pulled out a little black box and opened it for Luna. Inside was ring. It was a platinum band weaved in a braid with a purple diamond from the Chrystal Empire.
"Oh T.C!" Exclaimed Luna. "I love it, and I love you!"
She threw herself around Thunder Clop and they kissed passionately as the sun rose behind them.