//------------------------------//
// True Bonds 
// Story: Chevalier 
// by TheFlyingHippogriff 
//------------------------------//

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 

'Chevalier' 

Chapter 10: True Bonds 

(Music for the Chapter: 'Just Call My Name' by Blackmore's Night)

Love works in mysterious ways, and those ways have placed me where I am now in my life. That evening at the gala was a night I would never forget. It was after that night that Princess Luna became a prominent visitor to my house in Ponyville. Yet this all began on a special night. It was the night of the Great Gala, and I was readying myself.

I wore my blue jacket, and black pants with knee high leather boots. My medals and merits decorated my jacket. I had my formal dress sword at my side. I looked in the mirror, "You can do this," I said to myself, and headed out the door to see the other ponyfolk in town making their way to Cantorlot. Everypony was dressed in their finest.

I gently flapped my wings to land in Cantorlot. I looked around, and my police-mare instinct went into action even though there are guards on duty. I lightly shook my head. This was a night to enjoy the festivities. Rainbow Dash was talking with the Wonderbolts while Applejack was tending to her stand. I could see that apple pie from across the great hall. Twilight Sparkle took her place at the side of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I decided to make my presence known before the four princesses of Equestria.

"Princess Cadence, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, it is an honor to be at your summons," I said bowing to them formally,

"Good evening, Countess, it is a pleasure to see that you have made it to this evening," said Princess Celestia. I looked at Princess Luna, and gave her a light smile and a wink. The Princess, in return, blushed with a hoof to her lips and smiled back, "well, maybe a smidge more for her rather than me," Princess Celestia jested. Something told me that Princess Luna already told her about who she is, or better yet what she is, "please enjoy yourself this evening," she said, and I went over to the refreshments table.

"Countess Wilhelmina, it has been a while," said Princess Cadence with Shining Armor, "I'm thinking you've settled down, how are you getting along with Gilda?"

"She is doing very well, we are good friends," I said and noticed Gilda coming to the Gala with another griffon named Greta. I waved to her, and she waved back,

I sipped at a glass of punch and watched as everypony was talking and mingling with the others. It seemed I am the only Hippogriff here, and I wondered where King William was. He is a king after all, and such a title makes one such as him very busy. As I finished the glass, I noticed the music coming on, and everypony going to the dance.

One of the servants took my glass and lightly startled me, "Oh! merci," I said kindly, and he bowed and made his leave. I looked around the ball room and I saw Princess Luna make her way from her throne to the dance floor. She wore an evening gown in a shade of blue which sparkled like her mane, and eyes. I decided to approach her.

I went up to her slowly, and gently. I did not want to pressure her into this. I came up to her with a bow and a talon to present myself to her with my intentions, "Excuse-moi, but may I have this dance?" I asked Princess Luna. She turned away and blushed. She then turned an eye to me, and lightly smiled with a light nod to my question. I have not had anypony special in my life since my mother died, and I soon felt all of that was to change, and I must thank Princess Luna for that. A very special mare she is.

"Yes...yes you may," Princess Luna replied, and I led her gently out to the dance floor. I remember this song from when I was a hatchling. So many fond memories. As I danced with Her Majesty, her eyes sparkled and shimmered like her mane. Like her, I was having the evening of my life, "You are quite the skilled dancer, Countess," said Princess Luna. We got a few looks from some onlookers, but I paid them no mind. I lightly nodded a single nod to compliment, and I gently touched my forehead to hers.

I lightly chuckled as she closed her eyes, and nuzzled my beak, "Words cannot describe how stunning you are," I complimented in a whisper. With the evening coming to a close, I was led to the balcony of Princess Luna's room. With the back of my right front talon, I gently touched her cheek, "If you have any time in your day, may I visit you?"

"I was about to ask you the same question," said Princess Luna. Her cheek is softer than any cloud. Her duty is to turn day into night, and raise the moon, "Wilhelmina, I am glad...glad to have my sister's acceptance of who...or what I am, and glad that have you in my heart...and in my life," those words touched my heart, and warmed my soul.

I smiled, and placed a kiss on her on her lips, "And know that I will always be there for you, Your Majesty," I replied, as I was about to leave for the evening as the clock was nearing midnight. I blushed, and looked away. it was the first time I expressed myself to someone I deeply cared about. Princess Luna lightly giggled, and placed a kiss of her own on my cheek. I turned to her, and smiled back as I touched the cheek she just kissed. There was truly something special to be said about the bond we share between us.

"Wait...before you leave, please I...request that you call me 'Luna'," the princess said as her parting words. I nodded with a smile, and made my leave. I too was relieved that Princess Celestia is being understanding of her sister. I thought she would be firmly against it seeing that Luna is an Alicorn mare, and I am a hippogriff mare. Wait, I am half-griffon and half-pony, can I be called a mare? That is another question for another time. Until then, I have a chance to make some good memories with Princess Luna.

The next day, I made a spinach, roasted garlic and mushroom quiche for breakfast. I am well-known in Ponyville for my quiches. I have to keep my food pony-friendly. I remember that last time I ate smoked sausage and lentil soup around the ponies. That was not one of my finest moments, and not one of my brightest. I make mistakes too.

I have a very special morning for a very special guest, and I wanted to make everything just right. Suddenly as the quiche was cooling on the stove, there came a knock at my door and my guest had arrived. It was the beginning of a new life for me. I know, in my mind, my mother would be proud of me. Where one life ends, another begins.