Shining Armor stared at the gilded armor hanging on the rack; the gleaming purple with gold trim, a testament to the hoof maiden who polished it every night. He sighed and shook his head before turning away. Can’t put that one on yet. He frowned, trotting away briskly, lest he be tempted to forgo doctor’s orders.
Wearing such heavy armor would only serve to aggravate his aching ribs, not to mention the added strain it would put on his leg. For the first time in years, he’d attend a training session without his armor.
The mere thought made him flick his tail. Excused or not, I’m setting a bad example not showing up in uniform. Well, to be fair, he could wear his more formal officer’s uniform. But that was meant to be worn at big events like the Grand Galloping Gala or, in his case, his wedding night.
What was that old joke on how to tell if an officer had served or come through the schools? ‘If he wears our colors, he’s one of us. If he wears a suit, he’s never touched steel.’ Snorting, Shining shook his head. It was either his uniform or going civilian.
Even injured, even as their Captain and Prince, there were only so many regulations he could break—both with respect to disciplinary action and his own conscience.
Of course, the former might not be as much of an issue, not since he’d married Cadence. But, it was the principle of the matter.
As his thoughts turned to Cadence, Shining’s frown deepened. What went on in that meeting? He mused, making his way over to his wardrobe.
By the time he made it back to their room that night, his lovely wife looked as though she’d been given news that somepony died. Laying flat on the bed, her ears pinned against her scalp and wings hanging limp, it certainly wasn’t the visage of the happy, affectionate Cadence he’d expected to find eagerly awaiting his return.
No soothing words, no amount of preening or kisses or songs from their foalhood served to brighten her mood. With every effort, she would simply sigh, avoid his gaze, mutter thanks and apologize for being so upset before giving him a small peck on the cheek and going right back to her brooding.
Shining Armor stomped once against the crystal floor, a harsh snort escaping him. She was hiding something from him, and whatever it was had her all tied up in knots!
“I’m fine, honey. Just a long day.”
“You don’t look fine, sweetie. Maybe we should talk about it?” He’d suggested, nuzzling her cheek ever so softly. “I’m always here for you, Cady.”
She just sighed and gave a small nuzzle back. “I know, Shiny, I know. It’s just…” And she would sigh, lowering her head to the mattress and burying her muzzle in the covers. “I need time to think. I’ll be all right…”
“Are you sure? You seem really upset, sweetie. Please, let me help! I want to be here for you. Just like you’ve been here for me!”
A soft smile graced her lips. “I appreciate that, Shiny. I really do. But… It’s something I have to figure out for myself, just like there’s some things about the recruits you’ve got to work with.” Before he could say anything more, she’d placed a hoof on his lips. “I’ll be fine, I promise. I’m a big mare, sweetie.”
“A big mare, huh?” he murmured as he began floating the bold red dress uniform off the hanger. “How come when I say I’m a big stallion when I come home with a little scratch, Cady goes full pegasus and wraps me up in her wings?”
“Because she loves you, My Prince.”
Shining spun on his hooves, the unbuttoned edges of his jacket flapping wildly as he came muzzle-to-muzzle with Tourmaline. The crystal pony bowed low before stepping forward. “Can I be of any assistance?”
Fixing a smile in place, he shook his head. “No, I think I’ll be all right, Tourmaline. Thank you.”
She laughed, stopping within hoof’s reach of him. “I don’t know, My Prince. Princess Cadence gave my sister and I strict orders to make sure that you don’t overexert yourself. Doctors still have you on rest as much as possible until you heal up, and My Princess is adamant that you follow that plan.” Stopping abruptly, Tourmaline fixed him with a playful pout. “You wouldn’t want to make me disappoint her, would you, Prince Armor?”
Shining just shook his head and laughed. Mhm, you’re a big mare who can handle her burdens, but I’m a little colt who needs his hoof held getting dressed in the morning. “You’re not going to let me just dress myself and do my mane with a bit of magic, are you?”
“I’m afraid not! I have my orders, My Prince!” Her eyes danced, alight with mischief.
He leveled his gaze at her. “Oh, I’m certain you do, Tourmaline.”
She beamed and gave him a nudge toward his seat, just before his own little vanity table—yet another thing Cadence had told him to grin and bear.
“It’s tradition that our hoof maidens will want to help you, and seeing what they’re doing as they dress and groom is part of it.”
“But I can do my mane just fine!” He’d protested. “And putting on my armor is like walking, at this point! Next you’ll tell me that I’m not supposed to polish it!”
“… Funny you should mention that.”
“My Prince?”
Tourmaline’s voice cut through his reverie. Shining blinked twice and glanced up at her reflection in the mirror. “Hmm? Is something wrong?”
“No, My Prince. I just asked if you’d like me to trim up your mane.” She reached over and brushed a hoof through his bangs. “It’s getting a bit long, and you’ve got a few ends out of place in the back.”
“You trying to tell me that my mane is frizzy?” He asked, smirking playfully.
“Well, I didn’t want to say it, but yes. You are, My Prince.”
“… I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to say it so bluntly.”
Tourmaline giggled and reached for the top left drawer, pulling out a pair of scissors. “I’m not supposed to, but when it’s just the two of us, or the three of us when My Princess is here, I can get away with a bit more than usual.”
“Figures.” He snorted, closing his eyes as she brought the scissors to snip away at his bangs. “I should’ve known you’d take advantage of me telling you to treat Cady and I like normal ponies.” Bringing a hoof to his chin, he hummed. “Maybe we need to go back to the way it was before: you two bowing and going through about twelve minutes of traditional greetings every time you tried to speak with us.”
“You could, buuuuuuut,” she paused to wrap her hooves around his neck, laying her head atop his as if they were old friends, “you hate that stuff, so I know you’re bluffing! You and Princess Cadence both love my jokes!”
Shining couldn’t necessarily refute that, even if Tourmaline’s antics could grate on his nerves at the worst of times. “True enough, I guess.” Settling back, he listened as she began to snip off stray ends. “Could you try to keep my look how it is? I kinda like how I’ve got it.”
“If you insist, My Prince. Though, I think you’d look a little better if I trimmed it back. Plus, it’d be less likely to get in your eyes when you put on your helmet, not to mention your,” she broke off and gave a theatrical shudder, “helmet mane.”
Again, he glowered at her. “Hardy-har-har. I’ll manage. And, please don’t. The last time my mom tried that, I ended up looking like my little sister.”
She stifled a giggle with her hoof. “Fair enough, I’ll just trim up the stray bits. Keep your eyes closed and tilt your head back, My Prince. This shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes.”
Obediently, Shining Armor closed his eyes and tilted his head, listening to the soft snips of scissors cutting through the strands of his mane. As odd as it might seem, it was soothing. The sound of metal scratching and snipping, the tugging against his mane as stray bits were severed again and again.
It gave him time to mull things over. Namely, the very question that had plagued him since he first saw the state Cadence was in: What has her so bothered that she mopes around and doesn’t want me to help?
Gritting his teeth, Shining let out a breath through his nose. Far be it from him to smother Cadence—she was certainly a strong, independent mare, who could take care of herself—but, damn it all, she was still his wife!
Coming home and seeing that bright, beautiful smile on her muzzle made the time spent away from her side worth it. Training them to protect what remained of the Crystal Empire’s old territory was worth its weight in gold if it meant he’d come home to see his wife, safe, sound, and, most of all, happy.
Letting out another sigh, he slumped in his seat. I can’t help if you won’t let me in, Cady. Shining let his mind wander back to the visage of her tear-stained cheeks, the tracks left in her pink coat as they trailed down her face.
“My Prince? Am I cutting to much off?” Tourmaline jolted him back to reality again.
He shook his head. “No, you’re fine. I’m just thinking.”
She was silent a moment, humming to herself as she snipped away the ends of his mane. Shining closed his eyes and relaxed, taking slow, deep breaths to calm himself. It’s fine. She’ll come around on her own and tell me when she’s ready.
“My Prince?” Shining cracked an eyelid, regarding the crystal pony reflected in the mirror. Tourmaline’s eyes hadn’t left his mane, but she spoke casually to him. “Could we speak frankly, please?”
“I thought we were doing that before.”
“That was us playing, Prince Armor. But, if you’ll permit me…”
Careful not to shift too much, he waved her on. “Go ahead. What’s wrong?”
“With me? Nothing.” She paused in her cutting to shake her head. Tourmaline set the scissors down on the table and stepped forward, turning to look Shining in the eye. Taking a deep breath, she began. “You seem, troubled, My Prince. You barely protested when I offered to dress you, the only thing you asked when I started cutting your mane was that I keep it close to what it is, and you keep sighing. If I might be so bold, you’re a pony of habit, Prince Armor; we have a routine, you and I. You complain that I’m trying to dress you like a colt going to his first day of classes and I tease you for having the most adorable little pout.” She sat back on her haunches, letting her shoulders slump. “Today? I’ve gotten nothing but sighs and you ‘thinking’. In fact, that’s what I’ve been getting for the past few days. What’s bothering you?”
Shining flicked his tail. Damn. Leave it to me to hang it up like a great big sign. “It’s Cadence.” He admitted, his shoulders slumping.
She tilted her head at him. “Are you two still fighting over your injuries, My Prince? I thought that had been settled.”
“Well, it has been and it hasn’t been,” he noted, “she’s still a bit unhappy that I plan to go back to leading training runs once I’m cleared, but she at least understood why I have to do it.” He brought his hooves up to either side of his head and massaged his temples. “We even went out to dinner the next night and had a great time! I thought everything was good!”
Tourmaline nodded, a smile playing upon her lips. “I did hear a little something about royalty getting awful hoofsy on their way to the Royal Suite a few nights ago!”
Shining deadpanned. “I’m certain I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. But, that’s beside the point!” He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly through his snout. “Everything was fine after our date, and the next morning was all right, even though we both had to go to separate meetings. I even made plans to, er, help her preen once she got back.”
“Ooooh! Aren’t you a sly pony, offering to preen those nice, soft feathers!” She broke off and brought a hoof to her mouth. “Wait. While it may seem a bit forward of me to say—”
He shrugged. “If it’s relevant, go ahead.”
“—Thank you. As I was saying, Princess Cadence has spoken about how much she… er… enjoys when you help her preen,” she trailed off, her cheeks taking on a light pinkish hue. “Apparently, you’re quite skilled. She doesn’t trot. She floats. The staff can always tell; she gets this great, big smile on her muzzle and walks like she’s got her head in the clouds!”
Shining chuckled, letting his tail wag a bit. “Yeah, I try my best to make her feel good. Which...” he paused to heave yet another sigh, “is why I’m so worried about her. She’s never acted like this—not even when I told her about…” his voice caught in his throat. Shining swallowed a lump and grimaced. “Not even when we sat through counseling and I told her about the time I spent with the changeling queen…”
A heavy silence hung over the pair. While the Empire hadn’t returned at the time of the invasion, its citizens had heard of the attack and the attempt on their beloved rulers’ marriage.
Tourmaline drew in a sharp breath, her hooves grinding against the floor as if she were trying to stamp out one of the changelings herself. “Because she couldn’t blame you for it,” she mumbled in reply. “She knows what they did to you, so she didn’t blame you.”
“Yeah, she told me as much. But that’s not the point: she didn’t get quiet, she didn’t withdraw into a shell, she sat next to me, held my hoof and told me how much she loved me and appreciated that I was willing to tell her what I could remember!” Drawing his hooves through his two-toned mane, he groaned. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m so glad Cadence didn’t hold it against me! I know mares who would’ve walked away at that point, but she stayed. It’s just when I was worried about losing her, she was at my side. But, whenever she has a problem, she tries to hide it from me like I’m a foal.”
Shining hung his head, staring at the sapphire tinted floor beneath his hooves. Dropping them to his sides, he shook his head slowly. “I don’t mean to sound like I don’t appreciate her help, but marriage is supposed to be a two-way street—I want to be there for her!”
“I don’t think she does it deliberately, My Prince.” A hoof lightly touched his shoulder, drawing his gaze back up. “It’s just part of her way, if that makes any sense at all.” Tourmaline withdrew her hoof and set it down, before opening the drawer to take out a brush. “To be perfectly honest, I was hoping that you would know what was bothering Princess Cadence.” She slipped her hoof through the loop and stepped forward, drawing it through Shining’s mane. “I’d hoped you could help.”
His eyebrow inched up. “Oh? Why is that?”
“If I may circle back to her mood, even without knowing that you, er, preened her.” Her cheeks flushed read again. Tourmaline shook her head and fixed Shining Armor with a look of utmost severity. “My sister and I have tried talking with her, but she just gives one word answers and brushes us off whenever we ask what’s wrong. The Princess even asked to get an early start on Crystal Court today without sitting down for breakfast, and—”
“She never starts Court without breakfast.” Shining finished. “Darn. She’s really bothered, and neither of us know what set her off.”
A soft sigh escaped her. “I tried asking Prism, but she didn’t say too much. You know how she can be when it comes to the Princess and her business.”
Business, huh? Shining flicked his tail and grunted. The puzzle pieces fell right into place. “Yeah, I do. If I were a betting stallion, I’d put my bits on the Council.”
Tourmaline tilted her head. “The Council? They adore her, what would they do other than argue over whether or not the pair of you should be dressed in full regalia from the time the sun rises until it sets?”
He snorted and tilted his head so she could get the other side. “No, she’d just come back shaking her head and asking me to pour her a glass of wine to have while she gave me the play-by-play. There’s been a couple things they’ve asked of her that’ve proven… bothersome.” Drumming a hoof against his thigh, Shining grimaced. “I know for a fact they bug her about the economy on a regular basis—they’re worried that the Empire lost the market on crystals.”
“To be fair, isn’t that a legitimate concern? That’s been our main export since the dawn of the Empire itself!”
As she finished up, Shining gave her a nod. “Yes, it’s completely understandable. But they’ve been micro-managing a bit and it’s made things difficult. They expect us to bring the Empire into the modern world, but grumble about tradition whenever we try bringing something new in.” Standing to his hooves, he stomped roughly. “It’s like we’re running in circles! By Harmony, they want me to train the Imperial Guard in the new ways, but use an armory that went out of date at least six centuries ago—and, believe me, that’s being extremely generous!”
His horn sparked with magic, the brush shot out of Tourmaline’s grip and embedded itself into the mirror, the little mare squeaked in surprise.
Closing his eyes, he began counting backward from ten. Settle down, take deep breaths. Take it easy for a couple days, like doc said. Slowly, Shining inhaled, letting more pleasant memories flash through his mind. Visions of himself and Cadence down by the pond in Upper Canterlot, sitting together and watching the sun set. Good. Now, exhale and let go. Pushing his breath out through his snout, Shining let his magic dissipate.
He opened his eyes and found that Tourmaline had scampered back a few steps, eyes wide and ears pinned back against her scalp. She was reared back and pressed against the wall, as if trying to blend into the crystal itself.
Oh, balefire and brimstone. “I’m sorry,” he said. Taking a step forward, he held out a hoof. “I didn’t mean to lose my temper in front of you.”
“I-It’s all right,” she stammered, releasing a deep sigh and slowly dropping down to the floor with a light clacking sound. “It’s just strong magic and—”
Before she could finish, Shining closed the distance and pulled her into a firm hug. “I know,” he whispered, mentally giving himself a good slap to the back of his head. “I saw him in the snow before the Crystal Heart was restored. His magic was powerful, and terrifying.”
Tourmaline didn’t speak. She just nodded into his chest and took quick, shallow breaths. Her smaller frame wracked with shudders as she tried fervently to reign in her terror.
Shining waited patiently for her. He grit his teeth and sucked in his lips. And, once again, the shadow of Sombra looms in the background of everything we do—and another misstep on my part. Pulling back, he ducked his head to meet her gaze and offered a smile. “Don’t worry, okay? Sombra’s not coming back, the Heart destroyed him.”
“We thought he was gone before,” she muttered sadly. “And he nearly came back then.”
“Cadence and I won’t let him.” A pang of guilt as his mind wandered back to his wife. Shining pushed it aside for a moment and pressed on. “This is your home, not his. We’re going to help as best we can.”
Tourmaline gave a weak nod and set her hooves on the ground, her ears unpinning just slightly. “I know, My Prince. You and Princess Cadence have run yourselves ragged trying to rule and organize.” She shook her head. “I just wish I knew what was bothering her so I could help the two of you.”
“Hey,” Shining turned her head with a hoof and gave her a smile. “You’re Cady’s friend. And, to be honest, you’ve grown on me too. As long as you’re there to offer her a helping hoof when I can’t, that’s all anypony can ask.” Seeing the corners of her mouth tug upward in a small small, he let her go. “Now, then,” he said, gesturing to his jacket, “would you mind giving me a hoof? I’m on doctor’s orders to take things slow and I’m quite sure we don’t want Cady to hear that I’ve disobeyed!”
Rolling her eyes and snorting, Tourmaline reared up and took hold of the edges of his jacket. “Indeed, My Prince. Now, hold still, please. These buttons weren’t exactly made with crystal pony hooves in mind.”
Obediently, he puffed out his chest and stayed as still as possible while she clumsily fiddled with the buttons, a mischievous smirk playing upon his lips as a little quip came to mind—not that he was quite foolish enough to actually say anything about it.
A tug on his jacket drew his attention back to the crystal mare before him. “With respect, My Prince,” she began, her eyes twinkling playfully, “wipe that smirk off your face or I’ll tell Princess Cadence about how longingly you were staring at that armor of yours.”
Shining narrowed his eyes. “Hey! I earned that armor, so I have a right to wear it when I’m on duty.”
She rolled hers back at him. “Yes, heavy armor sitting on fractured ribs and rubbing against that gash on your flank. Just what the doctor ordered, I’m sure.”
His ears flickered at her. “I think I preferred it when you were all work and no play…”
Her eyes danced with mirth, her muzzle split into a full-blown grin. “You and Princess Cadence would be so utterly bored!” After fastening the last button, Tourmaline stepped back to survey her work. “Hmm, I think that should just about do it—even if I think you’d look better with that mane trimmed back just a bit more.”
“You’ve got as much chance as I do of growing a second horn!” Shining snickered as he turned and trotted out of the room, with Tourmaline trailing after him. He took hold of the door handle in his magic and pushed it open, pausing to roll his eyes at the way Tourmaline cleared her throat. “Oh, hush, I can do little things every now and again, you don’t need to hold my hoof!” He shot as he stepped out into the hallway, Tourmaline following behind.
The pair of guards stationed on either side of the doorway—a burly earth pony by the name of Surefire and his crystal pony counterpart—snapped to attention and raised their spears. “My Prince!” They greeted, their chests puffing out proudly.
“Ah, Staff Sergeant Rock Steady and Private Sapphire.” He nodded to each, with a bit of an extra smile to the young crystal pony. “Shadowing this stallion, huh?”
“Y-Yes, My Prince!” he replied and saluted, nearly dropping his spear in haste. “The Staff Sergeant has been most helpful!”
“Good to hear! Pay attention, he’s young, but he’s got a good head on his shoulders.” Shining had to withhold a chuckle at how eagerly he nodded, his helmet, a size too big, shaking awkwardly on his head. “Heh, Sergeant, when your shift ends, take our newbie here to get his helmet refitted. I like my guards properly equipped.”
“Yes, Sir!” Surefire nodded once. “We’ll visit Smithy this afternoon.”
“Very good. As you were.” Turning away from the pair, he strode down the hallway, his hooves clacking against the floor. “Tourmaline, what’s on Cadence’s docket today?” he asked out of the corner of his mouth. “Nothing too stressful, I hope?”
“As far as I know, she just has Court today, no meetings with the Council until next week.” She paused and hummed. “I’d really have to ask Prism, she keeps the Princess’s schedule in order. Want me to see if I can catch her and get it for you?”
Shaking his head, Shining turned down a corridor, nodding to the guards posted at the corner. “If you could, just keep being her friend, okay? And, you know, let me know if there’s any cause for concern. Not that you have to give me a full rundown, but...” He grimaced, his tail flicked behind him. “If there’s anything that I can help her with, give me a heads up. For now, I’ve got to get back to watching over the recruits, but I’d like to, er, see if I can’t find a way to do something nice for her when I get back.”
They came to the end of the corridor and stopped. Shining stood just before the path on the right, which would take him out to the courtyard and training grounds, while Tourmaline stopped by the one on the left.
Turning to face one another, their eyes met. “I’ll see what the Princess has planned for the day,” Tourmaline replied with a bright smile. “And I’ll see if I can’t try to help figure out what’s got her all tied up in knots.”
“Thank you, Tourmaline.” In a move that, no doubt, caught her off guard, Shining bowed his head before turning and making his way to the courtyard. “I don’t know what I’d do without you!” he called over his shoulder, leaving behind a stunned mare in favor of one of his favorite pastimes:
Terrorizing his recruits.