//------------------------------//
// Chapter 15 
// Story: Rocinante and the Wedding at Canterlot 
// by Charliemane 
//------------------------------//

	A gentle breeze blew the warm steam cloud across the platform while the locomotive's brakes squeaked and brought the train to a halt. Sassaflash normally hated standing in the midst of the hot steam that billowed out from their trains, but this time she was grateful to have something to blame for her watering eyes.

Despite the attack being over, most ponies were still staying indoors for a while and those that were out and about were kept back by the Royal Guard, guaranteeing a little privacy for four ponies on the platform.

Had Sassaflash known this was going to happen, she would have been far more upset at coming to Canterlot so quickly. Goodbyes were hard, even if she knew she would see the other ponies again soon.

Princess Celestia, on the other hoof, was quite excited to have her sister back with her at the capital. They had so much to catch up on and she was eager to get started over a warm breakfast, but the train was to leave soon and she owed much to the ponies who were leaving on it.

“Sir Rocinante of La Manecha, Lady Sassaflash of Ponyville.”

“Here, Royal Highness.”

“H-Here, Princess.”

“You have both watched over my sister and guided her throughout the land. It would appear that I have again found myself indebted to you for your help.”

“It was both our pleasure and our honor, to escort Her Most Gracious Highness throughout her journey.”

Rocinante and Sassaflash both bowed so low that their heads rubbed the concrete beneath them.

“We indeed regret that our travels have reached their end. But, Noble Grace, fear not! We shall continue to press onward, forever serving as the arm of justice, virtue, and valor in your name!”

Princess Luna smiled graciously, but quickly lifted her friends up from their stooped positions.

“Thy sorrows are not thine alone, but my place is alongside my sister in the ruling of our kingdom. I thank thee, Sir Rocinante and Lady Sassaflash, for thy protection and thy guidance. Thou hath served thy Princess of the Night to great effect and though I may no longer be able to join thee in thy adventures across the land, prithee, go and continue thy journeys, for thy cause is just, thy heart is virtuous, and thy spirit is full of valor.”

Sassaflash smiled and wiped a tear from her eye.

“It won't be the same without you, Princess.”

“Fear not, Dear Sassa. For though our circumstances may change, our friendship will not. Thou art welcome, nay encouraged, to visit anytime thou dost find thyself in Canterlot.”

Rocinante gave another bow before the train blew its whistle.

“You honor us, Noble Highness. We shall no doubt return with glory befitting the reputation we have earned while at your side!”

Luna smiled as the train blew its whistle again. Her sister had told her where the mysterious light that saved the city had come from, but she had decided to leave the knight-errant with his version of the battle.

“We both eagerly anticipate thy success, Noble Knight of the Restored Moon. But the hour is passing by and we cannot but think it improper for us to hold the conductor from his duties any longer. Farewell Sir Rocinante, Lady Sassaflash.”

Both ponies waved goodbye to both princesses. Looking back over her shoulder as she boarded, Sassaflash couldn't help but wonder at her situation again. A simple, everyday weather pony turned squire was being seen off by the Royal Pony Sisters. As they sat down near the back of the car and the other ponies began filing quickly onto the train, she felt a chuckle, not too much unlike her cousin's typical triumphal laugh, well up inside her. Not too long ago she was supposed to have provided her cousin a safe place in Ponyville to recuperate from what her family had said was madness and now she couldn't wait to see where their next adventure would take them.