Wedding
Rarity’s horn illuminated as she magically adjusted the shoulder of Fluttershy’s gown into place, with a final, “Aha!”
The two mares stood in the bedroom she shared with Rainbow, as they had for the better part of the afternoon, during which the unicorn had been making the final touches on her gown. Both of them had lived together for the better part of a year now, yet the room had hardly changed at all, save for the framed hoof-drawn picture on the wall, and the extra pillow that lay on the bed. The curtains had been drawn over the windows, cutting off much of the bright afternoon light trying to spill in, but even so, Fluttershy couldn’t keep herself from trying to gaze beyond the confines of their cottage. Out there, only fifty feet away stood Rainbow Dash. The pony she would soon wed.
The yellow mare’s heart was racing, her mind was flying, and she couldn’t seem to keep her hooves from shaking, much to the frustration of the alabaster mare attempting to help her. But as she made the final adjustment on Fluttershy’s dress, she stood back with a smile to admire her work. Rarity had “completed” Fluttershy’s gown nearly a month ago, but she had been constantly making adjustments for nearly two weeks. Now, only minutes from the wedding, Rarity finally seemed satisfied.
Fluttershy was startled from her racing thoughts by the mirror that levitated before her. Her mouth hung open. She stared into the mirror at her own reflection, but for a moment she couldn’t believe it was her. The dress was amazing, no beyond amazing, her unicorn friend had really outdone herself this time. The dress was beautiful, traditional, yet one of a kind. A natural green colour, gently lightening into the traditional white of a wedding gown. The train was sleek, and long. Her mane and tail had been expertly styled, eloquent, yet somehow the natural waviness was still there. And all of it pinned up by the beautiful corsage, which she hardly ever removed. She was wearing the gown, she had the flowers in her hair. She was getting married. Fluttershy lifted a hoof up to her mouth, trying to hold back her tears.
“I-I’m...”
“You look magnificent.” Rarity said behind her, smiling half at her work, and half at the reaction of her friend.
The pegasus spun around and brought her friend into a tight hug.
“Oh Rarity, thank you so much!” she exclaimed.
“Oh darling, I’m just grateful you’ve allowed me to take such a large part in the occasion.” From the moment she heard of the proposal, more than two months ago, the unicorn had been working non-stop, designing dresses, planning out hairstyles to go with them. Her trash can had been over flowing with her crumpled plans; it took her a few weeks to even settle on the final design for both of them. It was an added hassle to have to visit both her and Rainbow Dash individually, refusing to let either of them see the other’s dress.
“I really wish you’d let us pay you Rarity.” She said pulling away, but still keeping her hooves on the unicorn. “You’ve done so much work for us. I know that we’re friends, but it just doesn’t feel right.”
“My dear, it was no imposition! In fact, I believe you to have inspired some of my best work. Besides, why should two of my best friends have to pay to look gorgeous on their wedding night?”
“Thank you Rarity.” She said, attempting to compose herself.
“You are quite welcome. Although, I doubt it matters much to your fiancé. You could walk out there in rags, and all she would see is the most beautiful pony in Equestria.”
Fluttershy smiled. She couldn’t argue with that assumption, it was likely true. But every filly dreams about her wedding day, and to look even better than her wildest imaginations, was a priceless gift.
“You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“No I suppose I don’t,” She muttered, using her magic to straighten out both of their dresses after the hug. “But I DO know that corsage suits you better than any mare I’ve ever seen.”
Fluttershy blushed.
“Now, I suppose we shouldn’t keep your bride waiting.” Rarity whispered with a smile. She appeared close to tears herself as Fluttershy let herself be lead out of the room.
Rainbow Dash stood at the altar, surrounded by all the ponies she loved, except for three.
“Oh, where are they?” Rainbow said, more nervous than impatient.
“Just hold your horses Dash, you know how fussy Rarity can get sometimes.” Applejack mumbled into her ear.
The orange pony stood off to her side, best mare to the blue pegasus. Rainbow had agreed full heartedly to taking the position of the groom in the ceremony, and so she stood out on the lawn, waiting impatiently for Rarity to finish up on her dress. The princesses were gathered as well, talking about the occasion. Her sister and the other Crusaders were huddled closely together, talking and laughing in excited tones. Pinkie bounced around just as excited as the fillies, and Twilight was inside the cottage with Rarity and Fluttershy, all of whom would be walking out together. Everypony was dressed in the finest they had to wear; most of it from Rarity’s boutique. Rainbow looked over to their cottage.
“Hey, ya’ll are startin’ to shake ‘gain.” The farm pony observed. Rainbow looked down to her hooves, visibly wobbling.
“Thanks.” She said, trying to stop.
“Are ya alright sugar cube?” she asked.
“Of course I am!” She said, half shouting, half whispering. “I’m about to get married to my foalhood sweetheart. I’ve been dreaming about this day for so long! But...”
“But what?”
“I’ve never been so nervous Applejack. My chest hurts, my heart is beating so fast I’m worried it’ll explode and I can’t stop shaking.”
Her best mare laughed, and she shot her an icy glare.
“Everypony feels so nervous on their wedding day, but ah’ve never understood why.”
“Because A.J., it’s a really big, deal! I’ve been thinking about this day for years, and now it’s finally about to happen! I’m going to officially start a life with the pony I love!”
“So what exactly are ya worried about?”
“I-I don’t know, but I am.” She said with a whine.
“Rainbow, do ya love her?” Applejack asked, in a very hushed tone. Rainbow looked at her in shock. How dare she ask a question like that?
“Yes, Applejack, I do love her, more than anything.”
“And does she love ya?”
Rainbow cast a glance to the cottage she shared with the pony she loved. Fluttershy had put herself through so much pain; she gave her blood and soul to save her.
“Yes. I have no doubt.”
“Then what could ya possibly be nervous about?” She laughed, tossing a foreleg over her back. “I know it’s a big day, but ya should be enjoying it, not freakin’ out about it. Y'all have something that everypony dreams of, and now, y'all are finally gettin' hitched, and y’all are shakin’ worse than Apple Bloom on caffeine.”
The pegasus looked down and blushed, knowing that her friend was right.
“Now, Ah’m not trying to undersell it, you two are taking a big step in your lives. But Ah think we can all agree, it’s a step in the right direction.”
Rainbow Dash noticed a sudden calm that had fallen over her and looked to her friend in gratitude.
“Thanks Applejack, I needed that.”
The farm pony simply tipped her hat and smiled, when suddenly Spike came running from the cottage.
“She’s ready,” he called out to the crowd. “Places everypony!”
Rainbow Dash looked over to the cottage in anticipation. Her legs began to shake again, but she paid no attention. Celestia stood in the center, taking her place as minister, with Luna at her side. Cadence moved further back, standing on the side Dash’s bride would be. The regal sisters had offered her to stand with them, but she politely refused, anticipating a less than welcome stare from Fluttershy. The yellow mare seemed hesitant to invite her, but the blue pony thought it might be a good way to close some old wounds. And despite her lateness, she did play a vital role in saving her life, it wouldn’t have felt right to Rainbow to leave her out.
Pinkie immediately stopped bouncing and rushed over to stand beside Rainbow. She kept tapping her hoof and opening her mouth, then immediately closing it. Twilight had made her promise to stand as silently as she could, foretelling the hyperactive mare’s excitement. The three fillies also stood with Rainbow, giggling as the song birds began their tune.
A white unicorn was the first to exit the cottage, taking long and graceful steps down the lawn, dressed in brilliant attire as always. Following her was Twilight, whom only a few months ago helped save her life. Now she came to help her usher a new chapter into it. The ceremony was taking place in the wide green space behind their humble abode, there were no chairs to mark the path to the altar, instead, a twenty foot-long row of blooming roses. When the two unicorns had made it to the beginning of the path, Twilights horn shimmered, and the space before them lit up with a flare. And suddenly standing there was her bride.
Rainbow couldn’t pull her eyes away, she simply stood, even her legs were motionless. Her mouth hung open slightly, and her eyes were wide as she gazed upon the yellow mare. She stood there for a moment, looking bashful and delicate as all the ponies looked to her. Rainbow’s heart melted. Everything about her bride was so beautiful, not that she was ever anything less, but her entire body seemed to glow as she stood there. Her eyes were sparkling like jewels; the slightest hint of rose complimented her cheeks. Her dress was long and elegant, an unsurpassable work of art from Rarity, capturing the innocent essence of the mare to a tee. Her flowing pink mane had hardly changed, lightly styled while keeping her natural wave. And on top of it all: the corsage, her gift to that beautiful pony. I’m going to marry her. She thought in disbelief. How could she possibly be so lucky? And even as she stared and basked in her presence, Fluttershy returned her awestruck gaze.
Fluttershy’s heart jumped as she looked to the pony she was about to wed. The moment she appeared before everypony, Rainbow was staring right at her. She loved the way Rainbow looked at her, especially now. It made her feel so special, so pretty. Rainbow herself looked nothing short of amazing. The dress Rarity had made for her was beautiful, unlike anything she’d ever produced before. As was a common theme with her designs for the cyan mare, the gown displayed a full spectrum of colour, but it was different now. Instead of each colour staying in its own defined line, they mingled, making breath-taking combinations of colour that almost seemed alive, moving and sparkling, not unlike the mane of Celestia. Rainbow’s own multicoloured mane was styled with precision, keeping each colour in its own place, with a slight wave off to the side. It was beautiful. She smiled, and Fluttershy did too. She was about to get married.
It took everything Rainbow had to keep herself from flying to her bride and throwing her forelegs around her, holding her warm body tightly against hers. Fluttershy looked so amazing, so unbelievably gorgeous; she just wanted to be near her, to hold her and kiss her.
Yet she waited, standing patiently and warmly, as her lover made her way to the altar. The time for kissing and holding would come. Both Rarity and Twilight lifted a corner of her train, letting it hover gently in the air, only mere inches from the light green grass. All three mares smiled, the alabaster unicorn may have even been crying.
She was getting married. It was a pleasure just to watch her walk, every step graceful and timid, the sweet songs of the birds and the soft rustling of leaves, complimenting her very presence. Fluttershy’s head was upright; despite all the attention placed on her, her eyes were foreword, locked with Rainbow’s own.
It felt like a lifetime, one of brilliance and beauty. She felt as though she could just stand there and watch that beautiful mare walk forever, but at the same time she couldn’t because it would be torture to watch her, and never be close to her, never feel her. Finally the three ponies took their place opposite Rainbow, and the yellow mare stood only three feet from her. Her heart was racing, and a smile brightened her face as she held the gaze of the pony she loved. Fluttershy’s face took on a rosy hue, and Rainbow could feel her own cheeks mimicking. All the ponies around them smiled, and with a slight nod from Twilight, Celestia began.
“Welcome dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of these two ponies, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. They have known each other since they were fillies, and since have never separated. They’ve been together through the best of times, and the worst, but when put through an unimaginable hardship were finally able to pronounce their love for one another. The strength of their devotion is unquestionable, as is the strength of the love they both share.” She smiled as she spoke. The princess gestured for the two pegasi to face each other. They did, both of them smiling and blushing as they looked to one another. Rainbow knew she couldn’t hug the mare just yet, but instead lifted her hoof and pressed it against that of her lover’s.
“I solemnly swear to stand by you, through thick and thin, through happiness and misfortune, through health and sickness, through wealth or impoverishment. I will keep you safe. I will share with you everything that is mine. Wherever life takes you, I will stand with you, because you are my world. Through the worst and the best, we will face it as one; even after death do us part.” Rainbow vowed. She changed it a little bit, but she liked it better that way. She stared into Fluttershy’s shimmering emerald eyes, now watery. Fluttershy began her own vows.
“I solemnly swear to stand by you, through thick and thin, through happiness and misfortune, through health and sickness, through wealth or impoverishment. I will keep you safe. I will share with you everything that is mine. You are my light in a world of darkness, you are my greatest source of strength, and happiness. Through the best and the worst, we will face it as one; even after death do us part.” She vowed, adopting Rainbow’s changes.
By the time Fluttershy had finished her vows, both of them were in tears. Rainbow heard some sniffling from her friends as well, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away to look.
“Could you lift your wings please?” The princess requested gently. Now they finally broke their gaze, each stretching a wing out to the regal mare. The scar that lay beneath Rainbow’s wing had all but faded, only ponies who really looked for it could detect the faint white line. Fluttershy still felt a small pang of emotion when she looked upon it, her mind filling with what if’s. But today, she shook it off. What might’ve happened didn’t matter, all that mattered is where she stood now; with the mare she loved before the altar.
The princess’s horn lit up, shinning with a bright yellow hue. An identical aura surrounded a single feather in the tertiary region of their wings. Fluttershy winced a little as the yellow feather was pulled from her wing but her smile didn’t fade. Rainbow and Fluttershy watched as the feathers were magically lifted up into the air for all the attendants to see. They spun around each other three times before stopping, then she crossed them. A third object was lifted into the air; a small piece of silver string. All the ponies smiled as Celestia tied the feathers together with a beautiful bow. She let the symbol of unity levitate for a few moments, before releasing it into the wind. Within a few seconds, the small object flew over the forest, then disappeared beyond the tree tops.
The ponies at the altar looked back to each other, their hooves still pressed against one another. Rarity was definitely crying now, her sobs easily distinguishable from the crowd. Fluttershy was crying too, streams of tears running down her blushing cheeks. Rainbow could feel her tears beginning to spill over, she began to tremble slightly with anticipation. She felt a slight tug on her mane as her own corsage was put in. She knew it was pink and white, Fluttershy had shown her, but she didn’t turn to look. Her eyes were set upon her bride. The flower was set in her mane.
Celestia’s voice sang.
“I now pronounce you mare, and mare. You-”
But Fluttershy didn’t wait to hear the rest, instead pouncing on the blue mare, wrapping her in a tight hug and planting a passionate kiss on her lips. Rainbow immediately returned the embrace, moving her own lips against those of her lover. She could hear her friends stomping, cheering, and whistling. Fluttershy’s song birds rang out their tune, Rarity was still crying, and the fillies laughed excitedly, but it was all so far away. She leaned into the kiss with as much passion as she could muster, and Fluttershy did the same. She feel herself melt, the day’s tension and waiting simply falling from her. She wasn’t just kissing the pony she loved anymore; she was kissing her wife. Both of them took shaky breaths, tears of joy trailing down their faces. Rainbow’s heart leapt, and when they pulled away, Fluttershy laid another quick kiss on her cheek before pulling her in tightly.
“I love you Rainbow.” She said, her delicate voice trembling.
“I love you too Fluttershy.”
They pulled away and looked into each other’s eyes once again. Rainbow ran a hoof through her wife’s pink mane, lingering slightly on the flower pinned in it.
They were married.
Her breath was fast, and her heart was racing. Rainbow Dash couldn’t remember a moment when she was happier, and Fluttershy could remember only one.
It took both of them a moment to notice, but when they did, their ears perked up and they looked to the crowd in surprise. All of their friends stood in a long line, their voices ringing out softly in a slow a capella tune. Most of them had lines of tears down their faces, even princess Luna, but their voices sang sweetly and gently. The blue pegasus caught on and offered Fluttershy a hoof, which she took in her own with a beaming smile. Rainbow pulled her wife in close. Fluttershy leaned her soft body into Rainbow. She was so soft and warm, so stunning and beautiful, like a dream brought to life. Both of them closed their eyes as they danced to the voices of the ponies closest to them.
The two pegasi had danced together before, even when they were fillies. Fluttershy was much better than Rainbow, she was born with a natural grace, but the yellow mare still let her lead. They had been practicing their slow dance for months now, an activity they had both enjoyed. But as they moved to the docile tones of the mares singing around them, it felt much, much different. Before they danced as two ponies, now they danced as one heart, unified by the love they both shared.
“Fluttershy, did I ever thank you? For what you did for me?” Rainbow asked quietly, as they slowly spun together.
“You don’t ever have to thank me Dashie.” She whispered back, sounding surprised. “You’ve saved my life more times than I can count.”
“No, you didn’t just save my life. You ARE my life.”
Fluttershy nuzzled her cheek lightly in response.
“What happens next?” Fluttershy whispered.
“I’m not sure,” she whispered into her ear. “But wherever life takes us, I will stand with you, because you are my world.”
“And you are my light in a world of darkness.” She returned, warmly. “My wife.”