> A Knight In Shining Armor
>  by RarestRarity1779
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The playground was nearly abandoned as Princess Cadence and the young Twilight Sparkle pranced happily onto its ground, Twilight of course heading directly for the inviting swing set.  Princess Cadence giggled quietly as Twilight jumped up onto the right swing (which was her favorite) and said in her little filly voice “Push me Cadence!”  Princess Cadence once again giggled and trotted up to the rear of the swing.  She gave Twilight a gentle push and laughed as Twilight let out an excited “Weee!!!!” and smiled, that cute little smile warming her heart every time she saw it.

Eventually the two friends struck up a conversation (as they always did when Princess Cadence foal sat for Twilight).  Twilight said “I am so lucky to have you as my foal sitter!”


Princess Cadence smiled at having been told this regularly by Twilight and replied, “I’m the one who’s lucky Twilight,” smiling more with each push that passed.


Twilight replied with, “But you’re a princess,” Cadence rolled her eyes playfully, not really caring that she was royalty in the first place and listened to Twilight finish “and I’m just a regular old unicorn.”


Princess Cadence stopped her pushing and pulled Twilight playfully off the swing as she cuddled her and said “You’re anything but a regular old unicorn,” Cadence then sat Twilight down on the ground and the two did their special hoofshake, reciting each word and doing each playful move in unison.


As all good things unfortunately must, their day ended rather swiftly, for Twilight Sparkle’s parents returned home from their appointments early, and the two were forced to part ways.  Princess Cadence and Twilight giving their tight, and to some degree emotional, parting hugs before they did so of course.  Twilight Sparkle stood in the open doorway and waved bye to Cadence as she walked off, excited even now for the next session she would have with her foalsitter.  Princess Cadence turned around and smiled, waving back to Twilight as she cut a corner and headed for greater Canterlot.


While she was walking through the grand, bustling streets though, she heard her stomach growl.  She frowned down at it as the smell of baked goods, freshly chopped salads, and delicate fruits wafted up into her nostrils; she hadn’t eaten all day, having sacrificed her planned lunch time to play in the park with Twilight.  Putting a smile on her face, she walked over to a nearby salad kiosk and ordered herself something to eat and drink, taking a solo seat at a nearby table after doing so.  While Princess Cadence was royalty, it was true that she wasn’t very social, meaning of course that she didn’t have that many friends or admirers as opposed to Princess Celesita or others of the royal family and its court.  Princess Cadence sat quietly in her chair, casting the occasional magical spell on her mane to fluff it up or correct a crease, entertaining herself and quelling her boredom.  The time when Twilight and Cadence had to leave each other was the time that Cadence often dreaded most.  Twilight was much more than a foal to foal sit, she was a friend.


A short time later Princess Cadence finished her meal and again used her magic to gently pat her lips clean.  She got up and tossed her garbage in the can, thanked the vendor once more and walked back out into the bustling streets.  Not really wanting to return to the palace just yet, Cadence decided to walk around Canterlot and window shop, an activity which she rarely had the time to do.  Staying on the same street she had been on, Cadence walked straight ahead and looked inside window after window, and compared the gorgeous gems, elegant dresses, and fine materials.  Whilst she was looking at some dresses, she eyed a wedding dress.  Its beauty stunned her!  The way it was perfectly woven, the way the elegant design practically forced ones’ eyes to stare, and even the way it was positioned on the model all struck her with a longing.  Then she smiled to herself and knew that someday she’d be wearing a dress just like it.


Then, her stallionfriend showed up.  Champion was a large black brute, the head of the Royal Guard, and what seemed to be one of the largest stallions in Equestria.  “There you are,” Champion spoke to her hatefully, “I’ve been looking for you all day!  Where in the name of Equestria have you been?” he demanded.


Cadence went back to looking at her dresses and said “Foal sitting,” quietly as she looked away from him.


Then Champion started to raise his voice “Well what’s your problem?  I was only asking.  You don’t have to be so uptight about it.”


Cadence turned and said “I am not uptight!”  As soon as those words left her mouth, Champion raised his great hoof and struck Princess Cadence clear across the face with it, seeming to not care that they were in public.


Princess Cadence’s eyes were watering, her head turned in shame as she held a hoof to her injury.  “What did you say to me?!” A flash of anger could be seen in Champion’s stern brown eyes.  


Head still turned, Princess Cadence replied, “Nothing.  I didn’t say anything,” quietly, her voice choked with tears.


Champion turned swiftly and said, “I thought so.  Now come along Cadence.  Me and you are expected at the dinner party tonight, which I’m sure you would have known if you wouldn’t have been so busy with you stupid foal sitting.”  Princess Cadence wanted to say otherwise, but she knew that doing so would only get her into more trouble; she was afraid.  


“Y…Yes, I suppose you’re right,” was all she could manage.  Princess Cadence then hung her head in shame and walked at a slow pace behind Champion.


As she walked, Cadence thought silently to herself, though keeping her senses alert in case Champion were to ask her a question or say something.  She knew how he could get when she ignored him.  Throughout all of her thinking, she thought about how Champion was right, maybe she should have skipped foal sitting today and spent most of her time preparing for the Royal Dinner Party.  “He was doing it all in my best interests…right?” she thought as she continued to walk “Maybe he is the stallion I’m destined to marry?”

> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The dinner party had just ended when a soft, almost inaudible knock sounded at Princess Cadence’s door.  “Come in,” she gave her permission softly.


Champion poked his head inside, looking quite dashing with his uniform on and mane combed back.  He walked into her room and shut the door with a soft click.  Cadence didn’t really seem to be in the mood for talking tonight; she hadn’t talked through the whole dinner party and had been one of the first to leave.  Champion spoke up and said, “Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I’m really sorry about… what I did today,” Cadence only continued to look down at the colorful carpeting.  Champion cleared his deep throat and walked forward a few paces.  Cadence still continued to stare down at the carpet when Champion used his magical abilities to undo her ponytail bow and in the process said, “I don’t know what came over me, it was foolish though,” he placed her bow softly on the tabletop in front of her and continued “I just wanted to get you these though.  Just to say I’m sorry and tell you how much I love you.”  Cadence smiled weakly as a bouquet of freshly picked roses, daffodils, and lilies floated up beside her and nudged her gently on the cheek.  


Continuing to float the flowers in midair, Champion walked forward and said “I really am sorry, you know?” with that, he approached the chair that Cadence was sitting in and planted a soft kiss on her neck.  Cadence felt empty though, sad.  She looked up in the mirror at herself, Champion kissing softly on her neck, and looked into her own eyes, searching for a hidden emotion.  Champion finished his kissing, and in a gentle tone said “I love you Cadence.  Now get some sleep, you’ve had a long day,” Cadence smiled up at him and kissed him back on the lips when he came in for it. 


“I love you too,” she said quietly, using her magic to take the roses from Champion, give them a quick sniff and place them down softly on the tabletop.  Champion stood up on his great hind legs and gave Cadence a few easy rubs on her shoulder, placing a soft kiss in her mane as he did so.  He patted her shoulders once, then twice, and without a word dropped to all fours and walked silently out of Cadence’s room, closing the door back behind him.


After she heard the door’s soft click, she looked up at herself in the mirror, and as soon as her eyes met in the mirror, she broke down into a fit of quiet crying.  It wasn’t the first time that Champion had insulted or physically harmed Cadence.  No, in fact it was often a regular thing.  If Cadence dropped something, said something, refused to do something, or made Champion angry in anyway, he would slap her, kick her, throw her, and had even on one occasion choked her.  In the end though, he always came back to her and apologized quite sincerely for his actions.  Princess Cadence always forgave Champion too.  She told herself that Champion simply wanted to be in control of things, he had a condition, or of course, he did it for her own good.  Princess Cadence knew that Champion loved her, yes, but she thought he just had a strange way of expressing it; she even felt sorry for him at times.


But now she wasn’t thinking about any of that, she was thinking only of the pain and embarrassment that he had caused her.  Cadence crossed her forelegs on the tabletop, cradled her head in them, and continued to weep.  Eventually though, Cadence calmed herself with the thoughts of what she liked.  Thoughts of love, foal sitting, star gazing, they all calmed her mind.  Cadence’s eyes starting to dry, she looked up at the bouquet of flowers on her desk and smiled at them, their beauty doing some to comfort her.  She stood up and used one of her forelegs to wipe some of the tears from her eyes, and then using her magic, she pulled the lovely white rose from the bouquet and brought it up to her face as she went over to the window.  She sniffed it politely as she stared up at the night sky, and twirled it around gently.  As she stood there, she looked down and watched Champion exit the palace’s doors and head for the Royal Guard’s Barracks.  As she had once read in one of her favorite books, she wanted to toss the rose down to her lover, but for some reason she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.  


To tell herself the truth, Cadence didn’t really know what that feeling was.  Was it fear, or was it something else?  She thought that if she threw it down and it landed at Champion’s hooves, he might think she was discarding the rose rather than making a romantic move.  On another hoof, she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to make any type of romantic move on Champion.  It was a strange feeling to her, the pony expert on love, baffled by this personal feeling.  Looking back down, she saw two of the guards salute champion and open the doors for him.  Cadence stood at the window just a little while longer and continued to ponder her thoughts as she took turns observing the night sky and the very much alive streets below, but after a small yawn escaped her mouth, she quietly closed the window and pulled the drapes closed, bathing the room in an easy darkness.  Cadence walked over to her bed and crawled into it, grasping the pillow and secretly imagining that it was the stallion of her dreams.  Which, as far as she knew, was Champion.



The next morning, Cadence was awoken by the smell of breakfast coming from the Royal Kitchen, the tiny amount of sunlight in the room, and by Champion’s voice as it boomed “AttenTUN!”  Princess Cadence crawled out of her bed and used her magic to drape her nightgown around her curvy body.  Using a magical spell that she had learned over the years, she combed her mane and put it into her usual ponytail, literally in the blink of an eye.  Then she walked over to the window that she had been standing at the previous night and pulled the curtains open.  Sure enough, she could see Champion walking sternly along a line of low ranking guards for early morning training.  She watched as Champion towered over the guards, got a breath’s distance away from their faces, and shouted in his commanding voice.  


Princess Cadence knew that Champion was often harsh with his tactics in training, but she knew that was what gained him his position in the first place.  His goldencrusted shield cutie mark with spears over it practically screamed his talents as a commander.  Princess Cadence had a sort of realization when Champion reared up, threw a young, grey stallion to the ground and shouted at what must have been the top of his lungs at the poor guard.  “Is… Is that what he’s like to… me?” Cadence literally shook her head as she internally objected “No, Royal Commanders have to be stern,” she, and every other pony throughout all of Equestria knew that commanders of the Royal Guard and were the toughest and most stern stallions out there.


Then Champion looked up and saw Cadence standing in the window.  Princess Cadence put a beautiful smile on her face and waved down to Champion, who obviously noticed it, though it looked like he only rolled his eyes and went back down to “disciplining” his victim.  Cadence frowned and merely told herself that Champion didn’t see her smile.  She placed her robe neatly over the bed and walked out of her room to get breakfast.  As she walked down the stairs, her mood lightened at knowing she would get to foal sit Twilight again today, the thought itself lifted her frown.  


After she finished her filling breakfast, Princess Cadence walked down the palace’s grand hallway and stopped to glance at herself in the mirror.  She always wanted to look professional for her clients, Twilight and the Sparkles especially.  Satisfied with her appearance, Princess Cadence walked out the front door and nodded her head politely as two of the Royal Guard bowed as she entered the courtyard and headed for the main gates.  From there on, she walked straight to Twilight’s home, and greeted her parents with a wide smile as she did each time she had to foal sit for them.  As soon as Twilight walked down the stairs, a sleepy look in her eyes and her little Smarty Pants doll in her mouth, she spotted Cadence, which alerted her senses instantly, and ran towards Cadence for a hug.  The two embraced and Cadence proceeded to help Twilight get ready for their usual day in the park.  



As they headed for the door, of course they had to door their secret dance.  Giggling as they fell on their backs to the floor, Cadence stood first and then helped little Twilight Sparkle to her feet.  Heading back towards the door again, Twilight let out a small gasp and exclaimed “Wait!  I almost forgot something.”  Princess Cadence giggled quietly as Twilight ran over and grasped her little Smarty Pants ragdoll in her mouth and to the best of her mouth’s muffled abilities said, “Ready!”  Princess Cadence opened the door for Twilight and they set out on their way.  Twilight had placed Smarty Pants onto her back and had now struck up a conversation with Cadence who stopped to observe a couple who were sitting at a table and arguing.  Twilight frowned, never liking to see ponies argue, but then smiled when Princess Cadence lifted her head and sent a small pink heart flying towards the two.  It broke up into two separate pieces, and just like that, the couple stopped their arguing and began flattering each other.  Princess Cadence smiled and continued on, Twilight looking up at her in amazement.  It almost seemed impossible to the little filly that Princess Cadence could simply spread love like that.  



Once they arrived at the park, it was bound to be a pleasant day.  Princess Cadence took a seat on a bench with Smarty Pants (she made a promise to Twilight that she would watch her) and watched joyfully, yet alert as Twilight crawled through the park’s play and slide structure.  After that though, Twilight crawled out of the structure and came back to Cadence, this time wanting to have a tea party with her and Smarty Pants.  Princess Cadence sat down on the red checkered blanket she always brought with her and Twilight, and patiently waited as Twilight filled her cup with imaginary tea.  Twilight then inquired more about life at the palace and asked a giggling Princess Cadence if she got to go to a lot of tea parties.  



It was a pleasant time for the two, but then Champion showed up.  He was wearing a smug look on his face and lacked his golden helmet as she came forward and walked straight up to Cadence.  Little Twilight looked up once at him and shot directly underneath Cadence, wrapping one foreleg around Cadence’s taller foreleg as she pulled Smarty Pants close to her, obviously frightened by Champion’s imposing will and height.  Princess Cadence stared directly at Champion now and closed all of her legs tightly around and in front of Twilight.  “I see you’re foal sitting,” Champion said smugly, eyeing the purple ball that was hunched underneath Cadence.



Princess Cadence nodded her head cynically and replied with a shake in her voice, “Y… yes dear.  Is… Is there something I can do for you while I’m out?”



Champion continued to look down at the quivering purple ball as he asked mockingly, “What, a stallion can’t come say hello to his marefriend?”  Princess Cadence looked down, not wanting to start anything with Champion.  She couldn’t live with herself and didn’t quite know how she would react if Twilight was ever harmed around her.



“Come here little one,” Champion then commanded, using a slightly lighter tone, though it was obvious he was only trying and not meaning it.  The little purple ball then brought its head around Princess Cadence’s left foreleg and stared up shyly at the hulking black mass in front of her; every muscle in Cadence’s body was tense, every bone stiff.  “Shy, are you?”  It seemed like Champion was mocking Twilight more than asking her a simple question.  Twilight only looked down at the ground and hoofed the trimmed grass in silence.  Then Champion looked up and in a commanding voice said, “Cadence, move.”  Princess Cadence looked up in utter shock; she didn’t know what she should do.  Princess Cadence shut her legs around Twilight so tensely that they were in pain now.  Champion looked up and there was a tint of anger in his eyes now as he said, “You heard me Cadence.  I said move.  Now.”  Princess Cadence couldn’t take it anymore!  She refused to let Champion hurt Twilight in anyway, physically or verbally so she came out with her answer, a firm yet simple “No.”



Champion’s eyes shot to Cadence’s as he asked “What did you just say to me?”  Princess Cadence looked away as fear choked her throat as she repeated “No, I said no.”



Then Champion reached down passed a quivering Cadence and cupped Twilight’s small head in his great hoof.  “So I presume you’re the Twilight Sparkle that Cadence tells me so much about…” Cadence shifted over to the right and moved Twilight with her, Twilight’s little chin coming out of Champion’s hoof as Cadence ordered “Don’t.  Touch. Her.”  Champion rose back to his full height and got dangerously close to Cadence as he towered over her.  He merely stared into her eyes and squinted.  Without a word, he backed away from her and whispered “I’ll deal with you later,” in the most menacing voice Cadence had ever heard him speak.  He looked back down at the purple ball that was still staring up at him and said “Farewell little one.  I trust you’ll always abide by Celestia’s law and will be a good little filly for me?”  Twilight only nodded her head and watched as Champion turned, his tail coming dangerously close to whipping Cadence across the muzzle and walked casually off as though nothing had been said.



Twilight continued to stare out from Cadence’s legs even after Champion had disappeared over the hills of the playground back towards the palace.  “Miss Cadence,” Twilight asked quietly, “who was that stallion?” 



Cadence turned Twilight around with her foreleg and looked back towards her flank for assurance that Champion was gone and replied, “Nopony Twilight, he was nopony.  Just an old friend.”  Twilight only nodded her head, not clearly understanding what she had just been told.  Princess Cadence took herself and Twilight a considerable distance away from the park and into a very public Canterlot.  Though, if Cadence were doing it for protection or activity, she wasn’t quite sure herself. 



Princess Cadence took Twilight to lunch and the two of them talked, Twilight wanting to know more about the large, mysterious stallion that had paid them a visit in the park.  It was clear that Princess Cadence was uncomfortable discussing it, especially with somepony as young as Twilight, but only satisfy Twilight’s thirst for knowledge, Princess Cadence either passed along the simplest of answers (most all of them were lies of course) or dropped completely from the question and gently told Twilight to eat her food.  Once Twilight was focused more on eating than making conversation, Cadence asked Twilight if she wanted to visit the Royal Library, one of Twilight’s all-time favorite locations.  Twilight eagerly nodded her head and raced to finish her small bowl of assorted fruits and vegetables.  



Just before they set off for the library, Twilight wanted Cadence to do another of her love spells, but Cadence only giggled and told Twilight there was no need to use such a spell, nopony was arguing.  Then Cadence thought, “Yes, nopony’s arguing.”  It made her rather sad to think that most of these ponies were happy in their relationships, two ponies, mare and stallion, ready to take on the world together.  Princess Cadence loved Champion dearly, she just wasn’t sure if it was a real love she had for him.  She hadn’t often had the time to think about it, what with foalsitting Twilight and attending the many balls and feasts that came with being one of the Royal Family, but when she did have the chance to think about it, she wondered if her heart and mind agreed.  Cadence pondered this a little longer and checked Twilight’s small bowl to ensure that it was empty, and then led them to the library as promised.



Twilight ran to her favorite spot in the “History and Sciences” section once they arrived, and Cadence took a seat at one of the many solid oak tables so that she could relax in the cool library while keeping a watchful eye on Twilight.  Twilight was an astoundingly good reader for her young age, so Cadence knew she wouldn’t need to help Twilight with any of the words like she often had to with the select other colts and fillies she sat for, so she merely propped her forelegs up onto the table and used them as a pillow as she thought to herself.  



She giggled here and there when she saw Twilight trot around with a stack of books twice her size, take a look at the cover and toss it back on the shelf in the correct place, but hidden under her gentle smile and beautiful stare, it was all but obvious that something was bothering her.  She literally shuddered when the words “I’ll deal with you later” echoed through her mind and seemed to come back to her ears.  She couldn’t lie to herself, she was afraid.  Princess Cadence knew that Champion would never do anything to hurt her bad. “Would he?” she thought.  Then Princess Cadence told herself that Champion was nothing more than a stressed stallion who, for the best interests of his mare, kept her in line.  Champion did take care of Cadence.  She remembered how once she had been threatened in the streets and just as she was about to be harmed, Champion rushed in and threw her attackers to the pavement.  Then she remembered the time when she had spent a day with Champion and her stomach grumbled the whole time because she hadn’t eaten in nearly 24 hours with all of her work, and Champion surprised her by bringing her back a very expensive pastry.  



Princess Cadence glanced down as she saw Twilight pull a cushion up to the leg of Cadence’s chair and then place herself comfortably on it, her nose in a book as she did it all.  Princess Cadence watched an unknowing Twilight read, but was more focused on her thoughts than she was on the words in Twilight’s “History of Magic” book.  In the small time frames that Cadence allowed herself to think, it was almost like she accepted defeat.  She knew what she did was right, she knew she should have protected Twilight like she did.  But, she was certain now that it would cost her dearly, and she didn’t care.  She just wanted to see Champion and get her “punishment” over with.



Champion was swift and brutal in his attacks, but was careful to not leave a flaw or mark on Cadence that anypony was able to see without removing her coat, and all ponies knew that even touching a Princess’ coat could land them into some serious trouble.  His slaps were so swift and so precisely aimed that it was impossible for one of Cadence’s teeth to come loose, when she was down his kicks were so precisely aimed that they always landed on Cadence’s stomach and only knocked the breath out of her, and his magical powers were used so quickly yet harshly so that Cadence felt the pain and was not left with a crease in the fur around her neck.  Besides, there was little chance that anypony would challenge Champion because of his brute strength, stature, and position within the Royal Guard.  




Not but an hour or so later, Cadence glanced back down to see that Twilight was fast asleep, laid comically out with a book over her muzzle.  Princess Cadence giggled softly, and using her magic gathered the books quietly and placed them in a neat stack atop the table.  She then got up just as quietly as she had sat down and pushed the chair back in and again using her magic, picked Twilight up and gently placed her snugly atop her back.  Coincidentally, it was almost time for the Sparkles to be home, which they were when Cadence arrived with Twilight now snoring quietly on her back, and they were gracious as always for the time Cadence spent with their little filly.  After a short conversation with the two, Princess Cadence wished them a pleasant night’s rest and walked out of their home.  As she walked slowly on, the moon her greatest source of light, Cadence wasn’t even capable of imagining the night that would lie ahead of her.

> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The moon was at its brightest now as Cadence walked towards one of the westernmost entrances to the palace.  There was a deadly silence in the air as she walked through the abandoned courtyard along the neat dirt path surrounded by the even more neatly tended bushes and trees; Cadence actually thought it was rather frightening the way the trees loomed over the path in the still darkness.  Princess Cadence felt rather relieved when she reached the garden lamp lit part of the path, indicating that she was all the more close to the safety of her quarters.  

Admiring the beauty of tonight’s moon as she walked, Cadence left the path and began heading for the entrance.  But as soon as she got dead center in front of the great stone wall that was only a part of the palaces many defense structures, it was like Champion appeared out of nowhere.  He casually walked out from behind the bushes and blocked Cadence’s way to the door.  Without saying a word, he closed in on Cadence and positioned her between himself and the stone wall, leaving Cadence nowhere to run.  He began pacing from Cadence’s left to right sides as she lectured her “You were a very bad mare today Cadence, you know that right?” Champion again used his taunting tone.

Princess Cadence said nothing, but shot her eyes from Champion to the ground in nervousness.  Champion continued, “You shouldn’t have acted the way you did Cadence.  That was very selfish of you, hoarding the youth of Canterlot like a,” Champion cleared his throat “like a worthless whore.”  Princess Cadence gasped, his menacing tone and harsh words pierced her like knives.  Champion closed in on Cadence now and hushed his tone slightly.  He almost whispered “That’s all you are Cadence, a whore.  A filthy whore,” Champion slapped Cadence softly across the cheek, a frightened and shocked gasp escaping her throat.

Champion backed away and Cadence started to let her tears fall freely as she struggled “I…I’m not a…”

Champion cut herself off and asked tauntingly, “Not a what Cadence?  Not a whore?  Well, you certainly cry like one.”

Princess Cadence continued to cry, now shivering “I…I’m not a whore.” 

Champion closed in on her again and rose his voice as he said “You see Cadence,” he shot his steel shoed hoof into her side, making Cadence gasp and her tears fall faster.  It almost sounded like Champion let out a quiet chuckle as he continued, “You shouldn’t talk to me like that.”

Princess Cadence was leaned against the wall and used one hoof to clutch her side “Wh…why?” was all Cadence could manage.

Champion continued in his calm voice, “Why?  I’ll tell you why Cadence, because I’m better than you, I have better etiquette than you.  We good stallions and mares don’t talk with such selfishness and distrust.  As a matter of fact, Cadence, you shouldn’t talk to anypony like that.”  

Then Cadence felt the pressure tighten around her neck and the air begin to come into her more slowly.  She wanted nothing more than to use her magic against him and make a run for the door, but a simple turn of his head would end Princess Cadence right there.  All Champion had to do was claim self defense, and it was a known rule that Royal Guards never lied, especially one with such a good reputation as Champion’s.  He closed into her like a hungry wolf but continued his pacing as he asked “Why are you so selfish Cadence?  How come you only think of yourself and not others?”  Princess Cadence was now so tearful and frightened she couldn’t talk, her attempts to talk only muffled by or obliterated by frightened and tearful gasps for air.  Champion then walked up to Cadence and placed a firm grasp around her neatly tied ponytail.  He jerked her head violently back and looked deep into Cadence’s frightened eyes as he taunted her “Rude too.  Dear me Cadence, I don’t think you deserve to be a princess.”  He pulled her ponytail back and pulled her leg violently from her side.  Then he hit her twice as hard as he had before in the same place, making a helpless Cadence wince in pain and gasp for air.

Cadence wanted to scream out, but aside from the lack of air in her lugs, she knew that Champion would hurt Twilight and her family if she did anything to challenge him.  That, she did not doubt.  “Oh Cadence, I see you’re crying.  Why are you crying Cadence?  Did somepony teach you a lesson and put you in your place?  You probably think you’re better than all of us lowly commoner ponies because you’re a princess, but that isn’t that case.  As a commoner though, it’s my job to make sure you’re happy and carefree, so let me dry those tears for you,” Champion plucked a hearty clump of grass from its place, dirt, roots and all, and tossed it at Cadence, hitting her directly in the face.  

Then Champion nearly released his grip from Cadence as he closed in to her again, this time he got as close to her as he had the young guard that afternoon.  Then he whispered into her ear “You had better never talk to me like that again Cadence,” he released her completely now and then spit directly onto her face, the sheer force from his saliva’s speed making her jump.  It sounded and looked like Champion was nearly finished with his torment as he again placed a weak hold around Cadence’s neck.  

It was the first time Cadence had ever been this scared or had feared for her life, she had never been treated this bad by Champion.  Then Cadence spoke up, her tears still pouring like a waterfall, she said “Please stop Champion, you aren’t the stallion I know.  You…you aren’t the stallion I love.”

Cadence knew she had said the wrong thing when Champion jerked his head in her direction and she felt the grip drop harshly from her neck.  In a flash, Champion charged her and sandwiched her violently between himself and the wall.  A quiet, poor excuse for a whimper escaped Cadence’s throat and her tears began to fall harder than she had ever thought possible.  “Is that so?” Champion said louder to her, “I bet you’ve been with just about every stallion here in Canterlot,” Champion backed off of her and said in what was almost a whisper “I was right about you Cadence,” she looked into his eyes, “you are a whore.” 

Then Champion reared up on his hind legs and brought his mighty left foreleg up, his target being Cadence’s right cheek.  But, before his powerful foreleg could begin its descent, like a flash of lightening something smashed into Champion’s side violently, Princess Cadence hearing the breath get knocked out of him.  When she turned her head, she saw this huge white stallion that rivaled even Champion in size, sitting atop his great black body hitting him repeatedly, his deep voice commanded “Leave her alone!”  It was then that Champion retaliated, using his magic he tossed the great white stallion from him like a ragdoll; Cadence actually feeling the ground she was standing on shake from the force of his landing.  Champion soared through the air and landed atop the white stallion before he had the chance to get up, using all of his might to land hit after hit on the helpless white mass.  


“STOP!” Princess Cadence even was surprised by the shrillness and volume of her own voice, it literally echoing throughout the courtyard.  Champion stopped his hitting and turned.  He looked down at the white stallion that was breathing heavily and satisfied with his job, stood and began to walk towards Cadence. 

“Stay out of this!” he ordered her, about to give her a disciplinary slap.  But this time, it was the white stallion that used his magic.  He tossed Champion through the air and slammed him violently into one of the opposing walls, and then he threw himself in front of Cadence.  

Before Champion could get up, a bell sounded and almost in unison a hoard of guards, javelins at the ready, came pouring out of the defense doors and lined the courtyard and the upper walkways.  Half of them had javelins aimed towards the large white stallion, the others towards Champion who now struggled to stand.  Despite the hundreds of spears pointed at him, the white stallion refused to move from his protecting spot and leave Cadence vulnerable.  Then a loud voice commanded “What is going on here?” the three bodies down in the courtyard looked up to see Princess Celestia, an impatient look in her eyes.

The white stallion stepped up to explain.  Still not moving from Cadence he said “Princess Celestia, your highness, I saw Commander Champion about to strike Princess Cadence,” the stallion then bowed to both the omnipotent white princess above and the quivering pink one to his right, “I wished only to defend her majesty.”  

Princess Celestia looked down at Champion in disbelief, hatred beginning to burn like a wildfire in her eyes as she stared at the white stallion in front of Cadence.  “Princess Mi Amorae Cadenza,” Princess Celestia commanded “Tell. Me. Now. Is this true?”  It was apparent that everypony present was astonished at the anger, almost hatred in the princess’ voice.  Princess Cadence’s eyes shot from Champion, to Princess Celestia, and to the gently smiling white stallion.  Then Cadence broke down in tears and nodded her head quickly, the trauma from it all forcing her to hug into the white stallion’s body.  At the first nod, every guard and every javelin shot from the white stallion to the large black stallion that they had all known and respected as a decorated commander.  Anger in her voice, Princess Celestia’s voice echoed “Commander Champion, you are hereby stripped of your position of commander of the Royal Guard.  You have twelve hours to gather your belongings and leave Canterlot.  If you ever return here or if you ever threaten harm to anypony in this palace’s court, you will serve the maximum penalty in Manehattan Prison, or you will be banished.”  With a nod of her head, more than twenty guards surrounded a blank-faced Champion and escorted away.


“All of you, return to your quarters for a pleasant night’s rest.  Thank you all for coming to our assistance.”  Each and every guard bowed to Celestia as they walked by.  Princess Celestia then flew down to the two figures that were standing in the courtyard and approached them.  The large white stallion was standing in front of Cadence now and was helping to dry her tears, though he bowed and backed off as he saw Princess Celestia come upon them.  Using her right hoof, she lifted her niece’s head and smiled weakly at her.  She used a magical spell to look beneath Cadence’s coat, the image she saw made her shudder.  “I am truly sorry my niece.  If… If I had known…”  Princess Cadence frowned and looked down at the ground in shame, her eyes beginning to water again.  Understanding her pain and conflict, Princess Celestia gently let Ca-dence’s head drop and turned to the stallion that very well could have just saved her niece’s life.

“What is your name my brave subject?” Princess Celestia asked the stallion.

He bowed and said “My name is Shining Armor your majesty.  You may know me from being Twilight Sparkle’s brother, but I am currently a Sergeant in your guard… your majesty,” Shining Armor bowed again. 

“Ah yes,” Princess Celestia said “I know you now.”  She smiled at him and continued “You were very brave for doing what you did, and for that bravery I would like to award you.  Shining Armor, you are now to be head of my Royal Guard.  Have you any objections?”  Shining Armor literally looked dumbstruck, but stood at attention and said “No, your majesty.  Thank you for your graciousness.”  Princess Celestia giggled and said “I am indebted to you for what you have done, as is Cadence,” Princess Cadence looked away from her savior when he glanced back at her “I can tell you not many stallions would have jumped into action like yourself.”

Shining Armored bowed, and said, “Thank you, your majesty.” 

Princess Celestia finished “Please, both of you return to your quarters and rest.  You have each had a very long night.”


Shining Armor bowed once more, and said “Of course your majesty.  May I ask that I escort this lady to her room?” he indicated Princess Cadence.

Princess Celestia smiled and replied, “You may.”  Afterwards, she wished the both of them good night and took off to her quarters.

Princess Cadence still had a sad look on her face as Shining Armor approached her and gently tapped her on the shoulder.  He held out his hoof and said “My lady…”  Surprised, Princess Cadence looked at his hoof and then took it, aiding as best she could, as he pulled her with little effort from the wall.

As they began to walk towards the stairs though, Shining Armor noticed Princess Cadence was limping.  “Allow me my lady,” he said gently, and using his magic he gently draped Cadence’s front foreleg over his body and placed his own foreleg around her back, thus making it exceptionally easy for Princess Cadence to walk.  They smiled at each other for a moment, and then Shining Armor led them on.  It was a slow walk up the stairs, but it was all but obvious Shining Armor didn’t care, just so long as Princess Cadence got to her room safely.  As they neared the top of the stairs, Shining Armor pulled the door open for her and once all four of Cadence’s hooves were on solid flooring, Shining Armor released her gently, though he stayed ready to rush to her assistance.  

Princess Cadence walked into her room and turned to face her rescuer.  “I… I suppose this means good…”

Before Shining Armor could finish, Cadence let her tears flow freely as she lurched herself into Shining Armor and said “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” over and over again.  She hugged him tightly. 

“I…uh…you’re welcome my lady,” Shining Armor said, surprised that royalty was touching, let alone hugging him.  Princess Cadence broke away from him embarrassingly and apologized.  

Shining Armor merely bowed again and said “Good night my lady.  I… I’m glad to have served you.”

Shining armor barely got five steps down the hallway before he heard Princess Cadence say “Wait, please don’t leave,” rather hastily. 

Shining Armor turned and asked “How can I be of service my lady?” 

Princess Cadence looked away from him and quietly asked “Would you like to come in and sit down?”  Shining Armor was taken aback with surprise, it wasn’t often that a Princess invited you to sit down and talk to her. 

Shining Armor walked back towards Cadence’s door and said “If it makes you happy my lady.”  He walked inside and sat down as Cadence closed the door softly behind him.

Shining Armor felt horrible now that he got a good look at Cadence limping to her bed, he was angry at himself for not have coming along sooner.  Despite what she had recently experienced, Princess Cadence was in a pleasant mood.  She giggled softly and said “You can sit down, you know?”

Shining Armor blushed as Princes Cadence patted a spot on the bed next to her.  Shining Armor took his seat and quietly waited for a word to be spoken from Cadence, not wanting to upset her in any way.  Then, he noticed some still wet tears on her cheeks and some small clumps of dirt in her mane and on her face.  He gently reached his hoof forward to a blushing Cadence and softly asked, “May I?” Princess Cadence merely nodded her head and blushed even more intensely as Shining Armor cleared the tears and debris from her using a combination of magic and hoofwork.  Once he had finished, he caught Princess Cadence’s eye, a gracious, almost loving look in them.  The power of her simple glance all but forced him to look away.


“Shining Armor, that’s right, isn’t it?” Princess Cadence asked him.

He looked up and replied, “Yes my lady,” in a respectful tone, “I suppose you overheard Princess Celestia talking to me?”

Princess Cadence nodded her head and explained, “It’s not only that, but Twilight Sparkle talks about you all the time, and I recall having seen you one time with her in the park, is that correct of me?”

Shining Armor nodded his head and said “Yes my lady.”  Then Princess Cadence giggled again, and said “I wish you would stop calling me that.  I would like it better if you called me Cadence.”

Shining Armor nodded his head and began “Of course Prin…”

Cadence cut him off, and in a soft tone said, “Cadence, just Cadence.” She smiled softly up at him.

He smiled back at her and replied “Of course.”  

Princess Cadence scooted her hoof softly across the floor and asked “Shining Armor, how did you find me in the courtyard?” 

Shining Armor blushed and explained “O…oh, you see I snuck out of the barracks to go look at the moon and the stars.  We aren’t supposed to leave the barracks after nine o’ clock, but I knew it was going to be a full moon and I just couldn’t stop myself… the moon is beautiful at this time of night,” Shining Armor stopped his explanation quietly, and looked up at the glowing nighttime moon from Cadence’s window for only a moment, “and when I was walking into the courtyard to get a better view of the moon, I heard what sounded like… like a struggle.” 

Princess Cadence nodded her head, understanding that Shining Armor didn’t really want to go on.  After a few moments of silence, Princess Cadence said, “Head of the guard is a fitting position for you…  You’re very strong and strapping.” 

Shining Armor looked down in embarrassment at his compliment and thanked Princess Cadence graciously.  Then he cleared his throat and asked quietly, “Can I ask you a question?” 

Princess Cadence looked into his eyes and softly replied, “Anything.”

Shining Armor cleared his throat once more and asked, “Well, I was just curious, how come you didn’t tell anypony sooner?” 

Princess Cadence looked down sadly and said, “I…I was afraid,” the tears began to well in her eyes again “I was afraid he was going to kill me.  Or worse, hurt one of the families that I foalsit for.”  Princess Cadence finished and sniffled, now feeling foolish for having let Champion treat her the way he did for so long. 

Then Shining Armor used his magic again and easily dried the tears as they fell, he said softly, “Oh, please don’t cry.  I didn’t mean to upset you.”  Then, Princess Cadence hugged into him, and snuggled her head against him.  Not knowing what else to do, Shining Armor blankly wrapped his great forelegs around Cadence in an embrace and whispered comfortingly to her “It’s all over now,” he shushed her “he’ll never hurt you again.”  Shining Armor let Cadence out of his forelegs when she pulled away and smiled up at him.  Shining Armor dried the tears he had missed gently with his hoof, and said softly, “Please don’t cry.  Eyes as beautiful as yours don’t deserve to have tears in them.”  Princess Cadence smiled at him and said “You’re a very sweet stallion.”  Once Princess Cadence had said that, it was like there was an instant connection between the two, as hard as they could have tried, it just seemed that their eyes didn’t want to break away from the other’s.

“Princess Celestia is correct, I am indebted to you,” Princess Cadence said “I… I don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for you.”  Shining Armor blushed and smiled gently at her while she continued “What can I do to repay you?”

Shining Armor objected right then and there with “Oh no Princess Cadence, I can’t ask anything of you.  It’s my job as a Royal Guard to keep you safe,” he finished. 

Princess Cadence inched a little closer to Shining Armor and said softly, “Surely there is something I can do?”  Before Shining Armor could bring around his second round of objection, Princess Cadence placed her lips softly on his.  When Cadence broke their kiss, Shining Armor sat motionless with a look of awe on his face, and a bodily position that indicated he was about to topple off the bed.  Concerned, Princess Cadence asked, “Did I do something wrong?  Oh, I hope I haven’t offended you.” 

A disbelieving look still on his face, Shining Armor merely replied “N…No my la… I mean Prin…I mean your highness…” that’s as far as Shining Armor got before Cadence giggled softly and placed another soft kiss on his lips.  

She spoke to him then, “You were very brave Shining Armor.  I think this is the least I can do to say thank you.” Princess Cadence then leaned over and snuggled herself up to Shining Armor once more.  

“You’re a very beautiful mare,” Shining Armor complimented her, “and you’re just as kind.”

Princess Cadence smiled up at him and said ‘I…I’ve never been told I’m beautiful before.”  

A frown crossed Shining Armor’s face as he inquired, “Really?  I just…. I just can’t believe that.”  Princess Cadence blushed and thanked him.  Going back to the previous incidents, Shining Armor put Cadence first and asked, “Does it hurt really bad?”

Cadence didn’t want to shake her head, but Champion had in fact injured her to a decent extent.  Cadence shook her head a few times and said, “Mainly just my stomach and this part of my mane,” Cadence indicated where Champion had pulled her ponytail.  Then she noticed that Shining Armor was looking at them with an angry look in his eyes.  “What’s wrong?” she asked.  

Shining Armor shook his head and said, “Nothing, I’m just… I’m just so angry that somepony would do that to another pony.  Especially one as beautiful as you.”  Princess Cadence blushed and said, “I… I’m truly flattered that you… that you care so much about me.”  Shining Armor smiled gently at her, and said, “Allow me.”

With little effort, he used his magical abilities to summon some bandages and a brush from the barracks.  Cadence literally sat in stunned adoration of him as Shining Armor stood and tended to her.  First of all, he wrapped the bandages snugly around her rib area, taking great care so as not to hurt her.  After he used a pair of nearby scissors to neatly cut the bandage to length, he asked “Is that good enough?” 

Princess Cadence smiled at him, her pain already easing as she replied, “Y… Yes, thank you.  But, what is the brush for?”

Shining Armor replied “To get the tangles out of your mane of course.”

Princess Cadence had a shocked look on her face as she said “You… You mean you want to help me brush my...” Shining Armor nodded his head and smiled at her, the brush already suspended in the air with magic.  

Princess Cadence positioned herself so that Shining Armor could easily reach all areas of her mane and sat quietly as he did his job.  About halfway through it though, she casually said, “You’re so good at this to be head of the Royal Guard.”


Shining Armor blushed and explained, “Yeah, Twily always begs me to brush her mane, and I guess I’ve just gotten so experienced at it over the years.”

Princess Cadence giggled and said “Twilight is lucky to have you as a brother.”

Shining Armor replied, “I’m just as lucky to have her as a sister, and well… I think I’m just as lucky to have been kissed by you.”  Princess Cadence said nothing, but hoofed at the sheets gently while she hid her eyes behind her mane, secretly looking back at Shining Armor.  “Your mane is so silky,” Shining Armor complimented as he finished. 

Princess Cadence smiled up at him and said “And your touch is so gentle.”  Shining Armor smiled and said “That is the only way anypony should handle you.”  Princess Cadence kissed Shining Armor softly on the cheek as thanks.  

Shining Armor looked over at the nearby clock mounted on the wall and thought it best if he left and let the princess rest.  Shining Armor grasped Princess Cadence’s hoof gently in his own and kissed it softly, a luxury that Princess Cadence had never been given.  Then Shining Armor bade his farewells and said “I’m very happy I got the chance to talk to you, and… whatnot,” it was clear to them both what Shining Armor was referring to, “but I think I’ve disturbed your rest long enough.  I’m glad that I served you as a Royal Guard should, and above all I’m truly sorry about… about all you’ve been through.”  Princess Cadence looked down, all but overwhelmed with Shining Armor’s charm.  He kissed her hoof one last time and then let it fall back to the floor.  He turned around and began to head for the doorway, though he had only begun to place his hand on the doorknob when Cadence interrupted his exit once more.

“Wait, Shining Armor,” Princess Cadence stopped him again.  Shining Armor patiently turned around and asked “How can I be of service…Cadence?” 

Princess Cadence smiled, but then nervously frowned, “I… I was wondering…oh, never mind,” Cadence was unable to finish, overcome by embarrassment. 

Shining Armor approached Cadence and placed his hoof softly on her cheek as he encouraged “You can tell me anything.”  

She smiled at him and tried to continue, “Well I was wondering if you would do just a small amount of private guard duty?”

Shining Armor smiled and said, “Is that all?  Of course Princess Cadence!  When do you plan on needing it?”

Princess Cadence cleared her throat nervously, and answered, “Well, I was hoping maybe…now?”  Once Cadence had said that, it was obvious to Shining Armor what she meant.

“Oh no Princess Cadence, I could never disrespect you like that,” he said, both of them eyed the ready bed.

Princess Cadence looked up and said “Nonsense, I… I want you to.”  Shining Armor looked from Cadence’s pleading, yet beautiful eyes to the bed and back again.

“I…I’m not sure if I should…” Shining Armor tried to object again. 

But Cadence cut him off and said, “Please stay, I… I’m scared that Champion might come back,” they each knew that was a lie with all of the heightened security now.  Princess Cadence pulled her entire body against Shining Armor’s and finished, “Please, just stay, and please don’t leave me.  I’m just frightened and sad, and I just… I just need somepony.” 

There was literally no possible way that Shining Armor could say no to Princess Cadence’s gentle eyes and her either professionally faked or legitimately frightened tone.  “If… If it’s what you want…” Shining Armor said, wanting nothing more than to make sure Cadence had a pleasant night’s rest and had no more pain thrown upon her back. 

Princess Cadence smiled up at him and whispered, “I want it more than anything.”

Once Princess Cadence backed off of him, Shining Armor walked hesitantly to the left side of the bed and rolled himself onto his back, magically throwing the covers up over him quickly so as to avoid accidentally showing the Princess his genitals; it wasn’t his fault that Shining Armor slept most comfortably on his back.  Princess Cadence wasn’t quite as hesitant in her actions.  She approached the right side of the bed and crawled into it on her stomach, taking great care to make sure that her injury was facing up and towards Shining Armor so that she wouldn’t accidentally roll over onto it.  As soon as she was in the bed though, she brought her head up to Shining Armor’s chest area and laid her head down on his soft coat.  At the time, each of them wondered privately to themselves if they had broken some sort of joke blushing record.

“Shining Armor?” Princess Cadence whispered quietly.

“Yes, Princess Cadence?” he inquired, turning his full attention to her and away from the comfortable feather bed that was far more comfortable than the straw beds in the barracks.

“Good night,” Princess Cadence said as she gently nodded her head against Shining Armor’s chest and pulled herself in closer.  Whether it was intentional or not, Shining Armor didn’t know, but about thirty minutes into the darkness and serene silence of the room, he felt Cadence’s hind leg cross over his hind leg, locking them together.  That’s where Princess Cadence’s leg would stay for the rest of the night.  

It had now been a full two hours since the two had crawled into the bed, and Shining Armor had fallen asleep, the comfortable bed easing the physical strains of the day and the past few hours away.  Princess Cadence though was awake and thinking intensely.  Shining Armor was such a gentlecolt, and was everything a stallion should be.  He was strong, brave, kind, considerate, and caring, all things that Champion were not.  He also shared many of the same interests as Cadence.  He liked to observe the moon and the stars, and he loved children (Twilight more than anything, it was apparent).  Princess Cadence just couldn’t seem to get this stallion, this gentlecolt, this brave savior, off of her mind!  In that time though that Cadence discovered she couldn’t get him off of her mind, she realized something:  She had fallen in love with Shining Armor.

> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The next morning when Princess Cadence roused from her slumber, she looked over to see that Shining Armor had gotten up and left (for recruit training most likely), but in his place he had left her a surprise.  Princess Cadence reached her foreleg forward and wrapped her hoof around the most beautiful red rose she had ever seen, so beautiful in fact that the single flower matched the beauty of every flower, every bouquet of flowers that Champion had ever given her.  As Princess Cadence prepared for the day, she used her magic to gather the scissors that Shining Armor had used, and proceeded to cut the rose flower from the stem.  Entranced with the beauty of the flower, Princess Cadence sat the stem down on her desk’s top and placed the flower carefully, yet snugly into her mane.  She looked at herself in the mirror, and for the first time in a very long time, thought that she was just as beautiful as any other mare out there.  

Satisfied that the rose was firmly placed enough in her mane, Princess Cadence walked over to the window and pulled the shades open.  She looked down to sure enough see Shining Armor walking through a row of recruits that were doing pushups.  Wiping some of the sweat from his brow from demonstration pushups, Shining Armor looked up and saw Princess Cadence looking at him from the upper window.  Princess Cadence smiled and waved down at him, Shining Armor acting in kind.  Princess Cadence continued to watch as Shining Armor got down on all fours and encouraged his troops, patting their steel helmets once or twice as he stood up and went on to the next trainee.  Champion had never been one to compliment his troops, in training or otherwise.

Princess Cadence placed her favorite blue bow in her mane and tail, and headed downstairs.  She didn’t want breakfast, she wanted to see Shining Armor.  Princess Cadence walked into the front courtyard of the palace and walked through the grove, smiling as she thought about the things that Shining Armor had done for her, had said to her.  Shining Armor was dismissing his troops as she walked around the hedge grove, saying “good job” as he clapped the back of their helmets encouragingly.  Princess Cadence stood silently to the side as he did so, but smiled and waved nervously as Shining Armor turned around and noticed her.  Shining Armor smiled easily at her, and as soon as all the guards-in-training had left them alone, he walked up to her.  

“Good morning Pr…” was all Shining Armor got out before he saw Cadence pull the rose out of her mane and twirl it around close enough so that he could see it with a playful look of “what’s this for?” on her face.

Shining Armor blushed, looked away and said, “O…oh,” he laughed nervously “I left your room early for training and I saw it hidden in a hedge in the grove, and it reminded me of you, being so beautiful of course, so I picked it and…”

Princess Cadence placed the flower back into her mane and cut a nervously rambling Shining Armor off by kissing him softly ,,on the lips.  “Thank you,” she said, “it’s beautiful.”  Shining Armor blushed again and mumbled “D…don’t mention it,” quietly.

He then cleared his throat and said “It… It makes you look twice as beautiful.  Not a bad idea, putting it in your mane, if you don’t mind my saying.”

Princess Cadence giggled and said, “It makes you seem twice as sweet.  I really can’t thank you enough, Shining Armor… for everything.”  They only smiled at each other now, but then Princess Cadence nervously asked “Are you… are you um… doing anything later?” 

Shining Armor took a moment to make sure his ears were correct, and then replied, “Err… No, Miss Cadence.” 

Princess Cadence placed her hoof behind her head and looked away as she asked. “Oh, well… then would you maybe like to…escort me through town?” Shining Armor was all too aware of what Princess Cadence meant by “escort”.

Blushing, he replied “If... if it’s what you want me to do, then… I’ll do it.”  Shining Armor then ran his hoof gently down ,Cadence’s cheek as they smiled and locked eyes on each other.

Princess Cadence kissed Shining Armor on the cheek and said, “Thank you.”

Either not caring or taking consequences to mind, Shining Armor kissed Princess Cadence back on the lips and said, “You’re welcome.”  With that, he stood directly beside Princess Cadence and allowed her to lead the way, his intentions simple: To give Cadence the best day he possibly could.  Princess Cadence quickly snuggled her head to him, and then led the way into town.  As they walked through the usual bustling streets, in a direction that was fairly familiar to Shining Armor, he heard Princess Cadence’s stomach growl.  Princess Cadence blushed as she tried to muffle the sound, not wanting to embarrass herself in front of her new date.  Shining Armor frowned, looked up and around quickly, and then commanded softly, “Come with me.”  Princess Cadence looked at him quizzically, but followed him without objection.  Shining Armor silently led them down and street, and over into one of Canterlot’s most expensive restaurants.

As soon as they walked in the door, Shining Armor escorted Princess Cadence to a table and let her take her seat first.  After that, he magically gathered two menus from a waiter that passed by and placed one in front of himself, and the other in front of Cadence.  Princess Cadence instantly objected, “Oh no, Shining Armor.  I can’t ask you to do this, it’s way too much.” 

Shining Armor laughed quietly and said, “No, it’s not.  Order anything you want Cadence, I’m buying…” he hesitated a moment, and then looked her in the eyes as he said, “You deserve to be treated this way.”  Princess Cadence blushed at having been told this and, at a loss for words, simply looked over her menu.  Unbeknownst to her, Shining Armor took the occasional glance at her, merely observing and admiring her great and majestic beauty, and unbeknownst to him, Princess Cadence was having to hold herself back from wanting to lurch across the table and hug him tightly.

The waiter came around, and the two ordered their simple, yet filling meal, Cadence of course ordering the cheapest thing she could find.  As they ate, Shining Armor all but flattered Princess Cadence with his silver tongue.  “I really can’t get over how beautiful your eyes are,” he complimented.

Princess Cadence smiled at him and replied, “I really can’t get over how sweet you are.”  They took turns, it seemed like, as they complimented each other, and then they went to talking just about general things.  Shining Armor asked Princess Cadence if she enjoyed folasitting nearly every day, sparking a conversation between them.  Even after Princess Cadence had finished her extremely small salad (listed under the foal’s menu, no less), her stomach still grumbled.  Ever considerate, Shining Armor pushed his untouched salad across to Cadence who smiled up at him with a questioning look in her eye, asking if she really could take it.  It had almost seemed like Shining Armor had planned to give his food to Cadence from the start, like he knew she was going to order the smallest and cheapest thing.

Once Cadence had finished, Shining Armor paid the expensive bill and escorted Princess Cadence back out into the streets where she (much to his surprise) hugged and kissed him as a way of saying thanks.  “Now, it’s your turn to follow me,” Princess Cadence playfully said, and before Shining Armor could say a word, she set off in the same direction they had been travelling before Shining Armor had treated Cadence to brunch.  The path really was familiar to Shining Armor, but since joining the Royal Guard, he had never really had the time to take personal excursions into town; that time would be cut even more so, now that he was the head of the royal guard.  He made a mental note to himself to explore more of Canterlot as soon as the Royal Guard Commander’s Quarters, a house and semi-base of operations, was renovated and cleared of any indication of its previous owner.

Then, Shining Armor literally saw why the path was so familiar to him, for when Princess Cadence led him around the corner he looked up to see none other than his home, the home he had left what seemed like so many years ago, and he saw his mother, his father, and his little sister frolicking with each other in the small area which Shining Armor had helped build behind the house.  As Princess Cadence continued to lead them closer to the house, Shining Armor looked up at its two stories and smiled up at it, fond of all the happy memories that had taken place in it, but brought his attention back to Princess Cadence and his thoughts to the family that he was going to get to see again.  Princess Cadence smiled back at Shining Armor and held her right foreleg out, indicating for him to stop just behind the wall so that he would not be seen.

It wasn’t a surprise to the Sparkles’ when Princess Cadence knocked on the picket fence enclosure and smiled at the happy family.  Princess Cadence had become a friend of the Sparkle family and often stopped by to say hello to them, or to have dinner with them (they frequently invited her after a sitting session with Twilight), or even just to have an at home play-date with Twilight.  “Cadence, Cadence!” Twilight ran from her giggling parents arms excitedly to greet her foalsitter. 

“I have somepony very special I want you to meet,” Princess Cadence said, as she rose from her embrace with Twilight.  The Sparkle’s walked over to join the two, and at about the time they reached Twilight, Princess Cadence turned her head to somepony hidden just out of their view and smiled, stepping aside as Shining Armor walked out from behind the wall.  Princess Cadence couldn’t help but smile at the surprised looked on all of their faces, Twilight’s in particular.  

Instead of words being said, the family rushed to each other and embraced tightly.  Shining Armor sat down in the grass and laughed as Twilight jumped onto him, “Twily!” he exclaimed as he pulled her off of him and ruffled her mane and tickled her as she giggled and playfully scrambled.

“We’ve missed you so much dear,” Shining Armor’s mother said, as she hugged him and kissed him on the head, making him blush as he saw that Cadence was watching and giggling quietly.  

“I’ve missed you too mom,” he stopped his tickling and playing with Twilight to stand and hug his parents one more time.

“How’d you get the time to come out here and see your old stallion?” Shining Armor’s father asked. 

Shining Armor smiled, and answered, “Well, Cadence here…” he smiled back at her, “thought we might make a little excursion.”  Princess Cadence smiled at the group. 

“We, huh?” His father taunted him playfully, “she’s quite a mare.” He said loud enough to let Cadence hear and make Shining Armor blush. 

“Please, come and sit for a while,” Shining Armor’s mother invited them to sit under the shaded balcony.  

Princess Cadence and Shining Armor joined them and talked for a little while.  Shining Armor mostly just talked and caught up with his parents, but like Cadence did the entire time, left his seat to go play with his little sister.  Shining Armor told his parents about his recent promotion, and as expected they were ecstatic for him, seeing as how it would provide him with a nice home in town for a change of scenery, and would pull a considerable amount of bits in for him.  When asked how he had acquired the promotion, he simply said he had been awarded for his bravery and valor.  He didn’t want to tell even his parents about Cadence or the previous night for obvious reasons


Twilight ran past him and he ruffled her mane and said that as soon as they had finished with the headquarters and he had gotten himself moved in he would try visit them more often.  They talked just a little more of the Royal Guard in general, but then as soon as Princess Cadence and Twilight were out of earshot, far out into the enclosure, Shining Armor’s father asked, “So, Shining, are you and Cadence…you know?”  He winked at his son, but rubbed the back of his head as Mrs. Sparkle knocked him across the back of it. 

“Oh leave him alone,” his mother smiled secretly at a gracious Shining Armor, “that’s his business.”

His father replied, “Hey, hey, all I’m saying is that Princess Cadence is a really nice and beautiful mare, she’d be or she is perfect for you.  I think she wants to be wrapped around those forelegs…” he cut himself short and said, “I’d say more, but the look on your mother’s face is telling me otherwise.”  Mrs. Sparkle nodded her head when Mr. Sparkle leaned back in his chair, finished with his chattering.  

The two of them had stayed at Shining Armor’s old home for at least a good two hours before they bade each other goodbye.  Twilight hugged her BBBFF (Big Brother Best Friend Forever) tightly as he left.  Shining Armor knelt down and ruffled her mane again and embraced her back as he said, “Don’t worry Twily, I’ll come back every chance I get OK?”  Twilight smiled up at her brother and then waved him off with her parents as Princess Cadence and Shining Armor disappeared back into the still living streets of Canterlot.

“Thank you,” Shining Armor said.  Princess Cadence giggled and asked, “For what?”  Shining Armor smiled down at her and replied, “For…for letting me see my family again.  Oh, I haven’t seen them in so long,” Shining Armor smiled as he tried to tally up the number of years he had been in service for the palace, and, as such, separated from his family.

Princess Cadence smiled and looked down at the ground as she said, “You’re welcome, it was the least I could do.”  The two walked without direction through the streets quietly, not really knowing what else to say to the other.

Then, it was Shining Armor who broke the silence, “Can…Can I show you something?”  Princess Cadence caught Shining Armor’s gentle eye and replied, “Anything.”  Shining Armor saw the trust in Princess Cadence’s eyes.

“Follow me,” Shining Armor said softly, “it’s a bit of a walk, but it isn’t that far.  And if you get tired, you could always…” he hesitated.

“What?” Princess Cadence inquired curiously.

“Nothing, never mind,” he said, too embarrassed to finish what he had to say or offer.  Shining Armor silently led them away from the bustling streets where he led them to a dirt path that followed a long stone wall that was surrounded by miles of farmland and empty plains (trimmed to keep the beauty of Canterlot of course).  Shining Armor broke from the path to lead them along a smaller, makeshift path that lead them to the base of a hill.  Shining Armor began to climb the hill, helping Princess Cadence up as he did so, and when they reached the top he stopped walking.  Princes Cadence was literally stunned by the beauty of it all.  To the left of her, a perfect view of the castle, to her right, miles upon miles of farmland and scattered trees, the graceful mountains past that, behind her and to the right, was the most perfect view of Canterlot, and ahead of her, the most beautiful and serene looking sight ever.  Ahead of her lay a towering peach tree surrounded by the short, sunbaked grass and the blue sky up above.

“What is this place?” Princess Cadence asked in astonishment, still entranced by the beauty of it all.

“This is just a little place I discovered a couple years ago.  I like to sit under that tree over there and think or be to myself, and sometimes I’d come out here and look at the moon and stars at night,” Shining Armor blushed, “it’s a very important place to me.” 

Shining Armor walked forward and followed Princess Cadence as she walked around the base of the tree and looked up at its many beautiful blooms and leaves as she said “I can see why.  It’s beautiful.”

Princess Cadence stopped her walking and listened as Shining Armor explained “This tree,” he placed his hoof on the trunk “every hour of the day, it’ll never leave you without shade.  “W…would you like to sit down Princess?” he offered as he took a seat at the base of the tree. 

Princess Cadence smiled down at him and said “I’d love to,” with that, she sat down and leaned her head against Shining Armor’s shoulder, just under his head.

“Thank you,” Princess Cadence whispered, not wanting to break the calming silence.  “For what?” Shining Armor asked as he glanced down and met her eyes.

“For showing me this,” she replied, “it’s just so beautiful, and…and it just makes me want to forget.”  Princess Cadence now moved her entire body closer to Shining Armor.  Princess Cadence kissed Shining Armor on the neck and asked “Where have you been Shining Armor?  Where have you been all of my life?” 

Shining Armor kissed her back on the lips and said “I don’t know, Cadence, I don’t know where I’ve been, but… I’m here now,” he kissed her on the lips again, “I’m here now,” he said once more as he kissed her again.  Princess Cadence wrapped her hooves around Shining Armor and began to kiss him back, their kissing getting more and more rapid each and every time.  

All but caught up in the moment, Shining Armor eased himself forward and Cadence fell down onto her back, the soft grass felt more like a mattress to her as Shining Armor crawled atop her.  Princess Cadence closed her eyes and then kissed Shining Armor again on the lips; he paid her back in kind.  Then, she went in for a kiss on his neck as she wrapped her hind legs up around his back.  “I’ve never felt this way about somepony before,” Princess Cadence said in between a kiss.

“I haven’t either,” he kissed her softly on the lips.  Shining Armor kissed a giggling Cadence on the lips, but then he worked down to her neck and planted a kiss softly on each side of it, just as he was about to go a little lower, he jerked his head up in resistance.  He wanted to go further, but by Celestia, he was not going to hurt her!  Shining Armor backed off of her with little effort, and sat back down at the base of the tree.  “I am so sorry Cadence,” he apologized.

Princess Cadence smiled encouragingly at him and said “Don’t be.  I…I’ve never felt this way before.  That…That was magical.”  

Shining Armor smiled down at her and as they both locked eyes, they couldn’t help but laugh.  “This is crazy isn’t it?” Shining Armor asked. 

Princess Cadence smiled at him and said “Yes, but it doesn’t matter.  You’re the only thing that matters to me,” she stood up and then took a seat back beside Shining Armor, laying her head back down on his shoulder. 

Unlike past government types, today it wasn’t strange at all for a Prince or Princess to have a relationship with a “commoner”, and not be forced to have one with a government head (Princess Celestia had even had a romantic relationship one time, though in the end it amounted to little).  It was true, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had only just met not even twentyfour hours ago, but it was all too obvious to them both that they wanted each other.  Princess Cadence truly had never felt this way before about somepony.  She wasn’t exactly sure what it was, but something deep inside of Cadence’s heart told her that this was a true love, it also told her that this was the stallion she wanted to marry, it told her that this stallion was going to protect her, treat her right, and love her.  It was all the opposite of what her heart (and mind) had ever told her about Champion.

The two of them had been sitting under that tree and talking to each other even when the moon rose over their heads.  Shining Armor was right.  To Cadence, it seemed that if there ever was a perfect spot throughout all of Equestria, this was it. Shining Armor had laid down flat on his stomach, and Princess Cadence had done the same, though she laid her head down on Shining Armor’s back, the moon just at a perfect position for them each to see.  As the crickets chirped and the lightning bugs came out only to complete the beauty of the field, Shining Armor said “Cadence,” she looked down as he turned his head back, and then she looked deep into his eyes as he finished, “I love you.”

> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It had been six years since Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had had their magical night under the old peach tree, she remembered, six years since they had confessed their love to one another.  It had almost seemed impossible to them that so much had changed.  Princess Luna had returned, Princess Cadence had come of age and was now “officially” royalty, and Princess Cadence had learned recently from Princess Celestia that Twilight had grown into a beautiful and established mare.  Princess Cadence thought about how she missed Twilight Sparkle all those years she had been admitted to the very private lessons within Canterlot Castle.  But, regardless of the time and all of those changes, her relationship was everything, and more, that Princess Cadence imagined it would be.  

Shining Armor’s relationship with Cadence too was everything he had imagined a perfect relationship would be.  Princess Cadence was beautiful, she loved children still, and she shared the same interests and philosophies with him.   It was apparent, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence truly did have a “true” love with one another, even though they were often separated with Shining Armor’s tough working hours within the Royal Guard.  

Shining Armor was in his quarters in Greater Canterlot preparing for his date with Princess Cadence, who in turn, was rigorously brushing, wetting, and freshening herself for her stallion.  “I can barely wait to see him again,” was the thought that ran through Princess Cadence’s mind each and every time she knew she was going to see Shining Armor.  As Princess Cadence sat in front of her mirror brushing her mane, her mind suddenly showed her a picture of Shining Armor in his strapping uniform.  In a flash, that image of her stallion left her mind and she began to brush even faster.

“I can barely wait to see her again,” was the thought that rang through Shining Armor’s head each and every time he even thought about Princess Cadence.  As Shining Armor stood in front of his mirror adjusting his commander’s uniform, an image of Princess Cadence found its way into his mind.  As soon as Princess Cadence turned her head towards him, and her gorgeous eyes met his, Shining Armor sped up his tugging, adjusting, and pulling.  

Once the two of them had finished preparing, they quickly left their rooms and headed towards their meeting place, a small restaurant on the outskirts of Canterlot, far away from the noise.  A place that was sure to be peaceful, quiet, just the way they liked it.  

As Shining Armor walked through Canterlot, he saw many mares, many beautiful mares.  Though when he looked at one, he only saw a mare that didn’t even come close to matching Princess Cadence’s radiating beauty.  As Princess Cadence walked, she saw many stallions.  But all she saw when she looked at one, a governor sharply dressed, and then another, a military head in freshly pressed uniform, all she saw was a simple stallion.  She didn’t see her strapping and sweet Shining Armor anywhere in this crowd of stallions, and she knew that no matter how far she travelled, she never would.  

It seemed like they had only just begun walking when they found themselves at the exact restaurant.  Princess Cadence looked across the way, through the crowd, and surely enough she caught Shining Armor’s eyes.  Tossing all hesitation aside, they ran to each other and embraced.  “I missed you,” Shining Armor said.

Princess Cadence looked up into his eyes, and with a smile on her face replied, “But it’s only been two days.”  She hugged her head back into Shining Armor and awaited his answer.

Shining Armor kissed her softly on the head and answered, “That’s too long for me.”  Princess Cadence looked up into his eyes and smiled partially to herself, and partially to Shining Armor.  She smiled to herself because Champion (who was now a ghost to everypony) had never talked to her like that, and to Shining Armor because of his always sweet and considerate answer.  “Ready to go?” Shining Armor asked his mare.  She looked up into his eyes and nodded her head.  “Great,” Shining Armor said, “I’ve got everything ready to go.”  Princess Cadence then watched as Shining Armor gently pulled away from her and walked into a nearby restaurant.  In just a few short minutes, he returned with a basket levitating in the air next to him.  

“Are you ready?” Princess Cadence asked Shining Armor with a playful tone and a giggle.  After a nod and a “You bet” from Shining Armor, the two set off on their way to a picnic under the old peach tree.  As they walked down the familiar dirt path, Princess Cadence turned to her stallion and said “I love you so much.”  Princess Cadence and Shining Armor often told each other that they loved each other without reason, just as they had imagined it.

“I love you too Cadence,” Shining Armor said as he locked eyes so intensely that he nearly dropped the basket full of food.  

Princess Cadence giggled and with a playfully quizzical look on her face looked up at Shining Armor and asked “Why do you keep looking at me like that?” Each and every time that the two had gone on some kind of date, Shining Armor had looked and stared at Princess Cadence’s eyes with fascination in his own.

“You’re eyes are just so beautiful,” he complimented and spoke the truth softly to her.  “They’re the perfect shade of purple,” he finished softly with a smile.  Princess Cadence loved how Shining Armor complimented and flattered her.  It was like he knew exactly what to say at exactly the right time, every plentiful comment that he had given her had always added to her love for him.  Though she didn’t love Shining Armor solely because he complimented her, no, she loved him because he did things with her, he always had time for her (if he didn’t he made it), he respected her, and he protected her.  If Cadence felt uncomfortable with something, they didn’t do it, and if she was followed or harassed, it was like Shining Armor was not only her stallionfriend it seemed, but her guardian angel also, he was always there for her.

Princess Cadence looked away and said, “Thank you,” quietly.  With every compliment that Shining Armor gave her, Princess Cadence couldn’t help but blush or look away like an embarrassed schoolpony; the gentle and truthful way in which he spoke his words just seemed to have always had that effect on her.

After a short walk to their destination, Shining Armor led them up the incline and to their usual spot under the tree.  After they sat down, and as Shining Armor was unpacking their food, Princess Cadence looked up at the top of the tree and watched in amazement as the still beautiful limbs swayed in the gently blowing wind.  Shining Armor had not lied when he said that the tree would never leave them without shade, for each and every time they had ventured there, the round and sizeable area of shade had not moved an inch.  Even when they snuck out in the late night hours to meet each other there, the same spot remained shaded still even as the moon was at its highest over the barren hilltop.  Princess Cadence just thought it rather mystical that the tree seemed to always be there for them, like it belonged to them.  

The two of them sat down for a quiet picnic and admired the beauty around them.  The clouds, the grass, the tree, it all made them feel at peace with the world, and it made them all the more happy that they had met each other; all the more happy that Shining Armor had been, and was, Princess Cadence’s knight in shining armor.  

As she ate, Princess Cadence heard a crunching sound under her rump. At first, she thought it was the grass and paid it no mind, but after a few more minutes she looked underneath her rump to see the edge of something white.  How she hadn’t noticed it when she sat down, she didn’t know (she thought perhaps she was too busy admiring the never boring beauty of the scene around her), but she rose her hind end up and pulled it out from underneath her using her magic.  She saw that it was an envelope with her name in front of it.  “What’s this?” she asked Shining Armor with curiosity.

Shining Armor took a bite of his sandwich, shrugged, and said “I don’t know.  Maybe if you’d open it, you’d find out?  I didn’t even know it was here.”  Princess Cadence looked back at the envelope and observed the writing as she tried best to see who’s hoofwriting it was, though her efforts were in vain.  She opened the seal carefully with her magic and pulled the neatly tucked piece of paper housed within it out.  A red rose as well as a blue ribbon fell from the envelope too and landed at the base of her hoof.  She picked up the rose and the ribbon, and instantly recognized it as the same type of rose that Shining Armor had left on her pillow the night they had first met, and the blue ribbon which she had lost several years ago.  She continued to levitate the beautiful rose and familiar bow with her magic as she unfolded the paper and read the touching words written out on it:


“My dear Princess Mi Amoré Cadenza, Princess Cadence, you are my life.  You are beautiful.  You are kind.  You are amazing, my dear Princess Cadence.  I believe that Canterlot is a beautiful place full of love because of you, and only you.  I also believe that no amount of “thanks” in all of Equestria will ever be enough for all of the wonderful things you have done and the many ponies you have made happy.  You’ve been hurt Princess Cadence, you’ve been hurt when you didn’t deserve to be hurt… you never will deserve to be hurt… and I’ll make sure of that.  You’ve told me that you would take all that pain again just to see me happy.  But, I want you to be happy.  If you’ll have me, Princess Cadence, I would be honored if you would meet me under this very tree, on this very day, in only one month when the moon is highest over this field, at midnight.  With love, I leave you this rose which I first gave you the night, that magical night, which we first met.  Its pedals are enchanted with magic, so that no matter how many years pass by, it will never die.  It will never die Princess Cadence, like my love for you, it will never die.

Midnight in one month

With love, 

Shining Armor




Before doing anything, Princess Cadence smiled at the red rose and the ribbon.  She pinned the rose snugly in her mane and used her magic to tie her mane in a ponytail, an accessory of her appearance that she had nearly forgotten.  “You didn’t even know it was here?” Princess Cadence cocked her eyebrow as she smiled over at Shining Armor.

He smiled back and said, “Well… I might have known a little something.”  Controlled by love, Princess Cadence jumped into Shining Armor’s hooves and kissed him.  “So, will you come?” Shining Armor asked Princess Cadence softly.

She looked up into his eyes and nodded her head.  “Yes, yes I’ll come.  I would come even if it was at the end of Equestria,” she promised him.  She pulled away from him, and with a smile on her face asked “Where did you find this old thing?” she used her magic to tug softly at her ponytail.  

Shining Armor replied, “Funny story actually.  After training a couple months ago I was walking through the courtyard to make sure that everypony had cleared out, and just because I wanted to see it, I walked over to the hedge where I had picked that rose for you.  When I looked inside the hedge, I saw that wrapped around the stem of a blooming rose,” he finished his explanation.

Princess Cadence and Shining Armor sat under the tree for a couple more hours and talked about the bow, the rose, and the letter.  Princess Cadence tried to get a little hint out of Shining Armor, but he had an excellent poker face, and an even more excellent sense of secrecy.  She didn’t tell him this, but as Princess Cadence stored the very sweet note underneath her wing, she promised herself that she would always keep this close to her.  After some more talking though, the two of them got up and set off for Shining Armor’s headquarter home (Princess Cadence often stayed with him there).   As they walked down the road though, and as Princess Cadence looked over at Shining Armor, she couldn’t help but wonder what he had in store for her.  As they walked on, Princess Cadence stopped for only a moment as a thought popped into her head.  “Could…Could it be?” was the thought that would torment Princess Cadence for one more very long month.  

> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was time.  One month had finally passed, and over the last few days, Shining Amor had been keeping himself very secretive and reclusive from Cadence, though he still made it abundantly clear that he loved her dearly.  Princess Cadence had seen Shining Armor walk into a store two days ago, and upon seeing her after exiting the store, Shining Armor took off in a run and escaped from her.  Every time she saw him she wanted to question him about his secrecy, but something inside of her just told her to leave it alone, and that the answers would come soon enough.

Eventually, the clock struck 11:00 at night, and Princess Cadence began to prepare herself.  She showered, combed her mane, and snuck quietly out of the castle.  As she walked down the dirt path, she thought about how lonely it felt without Shining Armor at her side.  Sure, she had walked down it plenty of times alone to come meet him, but each time it just felt alien without him there.  Princess Cadence looked up as an owl flew over her head, and continued to observe the full moon as she walked on; as Shining Armor had promised, the moon was nearing the midnight point at which it would be highest in the sky.

Only a few minutes later, Princess Cadence found herself at the base of the hill.  Taking a nervous breath, she ascended the hill not knowing exactly what she would find.  To her surprise though, once she had arrived at the very top of the hill, she found that their spot was empty.  She looked all around the peach tree and the surrounding grass, but she found nothing and nopony.  Trusting Shining Armor completely, Princess Cadence walked forward and laid down on her stomach underneath the tree.  She waited for a minute or two and began to hoof slowly, if not sadly, with a frown on her face.  But then, she felt something touch her shoulder gently.  She yanked her head up, and saw none other than Shining Armor standing above her.

“I was hiding behind the tree, just thinking,” Shining Armor said as Princess Cadence stood and the two held each other tightly.  

“Thinking about what?” Princess Cadence looked up into his eyes, wanting an answer as to why he had wanted her to come that night.

“About what to say,” Shining Armor replied as he backed away from Princess Cadence.  

“What to say about wha…” Princess Cadence tried to ask, but she was cut off as Shining Armor dropped to all four of his knees and proposed marriage to her.

“Princess Cadence, Cadence, will you make me the happiest stallion in Equestria and do me the honor of marrying me?”  Just as he said this, he used his magic and pulled a small black box from the branches above.  He opened the box to reveal the most beautiful golden horn ring that Princess Cadence had ever seen; she could tell right then and there that it must have cost Shining Armor a fortune.  


The joyful tears fell freely from Cadence’s eyes as she met Shining Armor’s eyes.  Without a second of hesitation, Princess Cadence nodded her head and said through a choked voice “Yes…yes, I will!”  Shining Armor smiled as he stood completely up and using his magic placed the ring easily over Princess Cadence’s horn, so that she could test its size.  Before he could even close the box, Princess Cadence lurched herself into him and cried softly as she embraced him.  “I love you so much,” she said, again through a choked voice.

“I love you too,” Shining Armor replied as he rubbed Princess Cadence’s back softly and tried to comfort her.  

Eventually though, Princess Cadence backed away from Shining Armor and allowed him to gently grab the ring and place it back into the box which he had dropped.  Princess Cadence could only stare at Shining Armor with love in her eyes now.  “Why did you run from me?” she asked him.

Shining Armor looked down in embarrassment and then levitated the ring back to her as he said “I’d been stopping at jewelry stores all over Canterlot to see if I could find anything better, but I couldn’t.  I ran so you’d be more focused on me and not notice the store even if you passed by it.”  Shining Armor smiled down at Princess Cadence who only looked at the little black box in disbelief that all of this was really happening.  “I wanted to ask you sooner,” Shining Armor continued to explain his delicately executed plan, “but, no matter how bad I wanted it, I never had the time.  I also wanted to get the best I could for you, and it took me awhile to save up because I knew I wanted this one,” Shining Armor said without a bit of concern for the money he had spent, “but it’s worth it all to me just because you said yes,” Shining Armor finished his explanation by kissing Princess Cadence softly on the lips.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” Princess Cadence was truly at a loss for words.  She kissed him back and said, “I don’t want anything else in all of Equestria, just to be your wife.  I love you, Shining Armor, I love you so much.”  Shining Armor smiled at Princess Cadence, and as thanks for what he had just been told, dried her eyes softly with his hoof.

“Don’t cry,” Shining Armor chided softly to the sniffling Princess Cadence, “you know, eyes like those don’t deserve to have tears in them?” he asked her playfully yet considerately as he remembered the words he had spoken to her the last time she had cried.  

Princess Cadence smiled, laughed a little, and dried her own eyes with the top of her foreleg.  “You…you tell me that all the time,” Princess Cadence said as she looked at Shining Armor, still in disbelief at what had just happened.  

Shining Armor smiled softly to her and said, “I know.”  Out of things to discuss, and without a question to be asked, Shining Armor held out his hoof to Princess Cadence and asked “Stay with me?”

An easy smile on her face, Princess Cadence took his hoof and quietly said, “‘Till death do I part.”  And with that, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor laid down underneath the tree, just so they could see the graceful moon in the sky.  As usual, Princess Cadence laid her head softly down on Shining Armor’s back.  Though not but a few minutes later, she changed her position and laid down beside him, they crossed hooves this time, and it was Shining Armor who laid his head down on her head, an easy smile to himself.  He knew he had just gotten the mare of his dreams, and she knew she had just gotten the stallion of her dreams.

Not but thirty minutes later, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor fell asleep in that very field on that very night, wrapped tightly around each other.  The little black box, which was the very key to the couple’s future sat in between their two bodies, touching them, like a unbreakable bond.  

> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It had been two days since Shining Armor had proposed to Princess Cadence, and already things were setting in motion.  Tens of thousands of flyers, invitations, and banners were being stitched and printed for the wedding, bakeries all through Canterlot fought tooth and hoof to prepare for small snacks, musical professionals had been called in from all across Equestria and were playing for an entertainer’s seat at the reception, and designers too from all over Equestria were sending their designs by the dozen to Princess Cadence and Shining Armor for evaluation.  

Princess Cadence too had purchased Shining Armor a ring, but unlike the traditional marriage, she kept the ring’s design a secret from Shining Armor (playful payback at him for having kept hers’ a secret for so long).  Much to their joy, yet dismay from separation, many of the friends and ponies that had already gotten their invitations, frequently pulled them from their current task and asked them what they wanted as a gift.  

One day, as Princess Cadence was talking to Princess Celestia, she made a comment that she couldn’t find a dress that she had liked.  It was then that Princess Celestia told her about Rarity, one of Twilight Sparkle’s friends.  She told her about how Rarity was an excellent fashion designer, and had so much faith in Rarity’s skills in fact, that Princess Celestia estimated she would be one of the most widely known designers in a very short time.  That was good enough for Princess Cadence!  A competent designer, and most importantly, a friend of Twilight Sparkle!  Princess Cadence requested to Princess Celestia that she have an invitation sent out to Twilight Sparkle and the rest of her friends whilst she ran to check on Shining Armor who had called her over to his headquarters.  With an easy smile on her face, Princess Celestia sent a note to the local printing press in charge of invitations with her orders.  Both Princess Celestia, and of course Cadence, were more than eager to see Twilight again.

Princess Cadence walked quickly through the streets toward Shining Armor’s home and walked into the cool air conditioned foyer.  “Shining Armor?” Princess Cadence called out to the empty house, “Sweetie?” she called again.  Shining Armor hadn’t sounded well when he asked her in person to come over not but an hour or so ago after being separated from her over a taste testing session with a local baker.  Princess Cadence was worried because it wouldn’t be the first time that somepony had tried to end the life of a Royal guard head, and none of the food was tested before given to either Shining Armor or Cadence.  In a panic, Princess Cadence trotted quickly into the kitchen, and then up the stairs, still finding the house empty.

Just as she turned to leave the bathroom not far from Shining Armor’s bed, he magically appeared with a smile on his face and a hearty laugh escaping from his mouth.  “Gets you every time doesn’t it?” Shining Armor laughed as Princess Cadence stood in front of him with a relieved look on her face.  

She walked up to him and pecked him on the lips, “You scared me,” she said as she easily and playfully slapped him on the left cheek; her hoof remained on his cheek as she kissed him.

After the kiss was broken, Shining Armor looked down at her and with a playful tone in his voice said, “Oh?  Then do I need to be punished?”

Princess Cadence giggled softly, and catching onto the game said, “Yes, you do you very bad stallion.”  Before she could do anything though, Shining Armor grabbed her by the hoof and pulled her onto the bed with him.  

“Looks like you’re going to have to do it here,” he said as kissed her softly on the lips.  

Princess Cadence kissed him on the lips and said playfully, “I don’t have a problem with that.”  They smiled at each other and kissed passionately.  They kissed each other playfully on the neck, gently on the lips, and in a ticklish way on the stomach.  They went no further than that kissing though.  Going against not only their social customs, but also their personal beliefs, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor refused to fornicate; though there were many indicators exchanged between them that indicated they wanted each other in a more “passionate” way, though each was either too afraid or too embarrassed to make it crystal clear to the other.  

After their make out session had ended, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor continued to lay on the bed and talk to each other as they stared up at the ceiling.  “I’m glad I’m marrying you,” Princess Cadence sighed, “but does it have to be so public and such a hassle?”  Shining Armor smiled over at Princess Cadence’s never changing personality as she asked, “I mean, why can’t we have just a small, private wedding?”  

Shining Armor kissed her softly on the lips and tried to satisfy her question, “I don’t know, it’s just all part of royalty and marriage I guess,” he finished.  

Princess Cadence returned to looking up at the ceiling as she sighed again and said, “You know, I’d do anything to just have one day in a regular pony’s shoes.”   Princess Cadence, unlike some others of the palace’s court refused to use the word “commoner” because she had always seen herself equal to them, if not only more privileged.  

Shining Armor asked, “You’d miss it all though, wouldn’t you?  The palace, the fancy clothing, the galas and dances, the guards too?”  Shining Armor smiled over at Princess Cadence as he awaited her answer.

She shrugged and replied, “Still though, I’ve always been curious as to what it would be like.  Though…”Princess Cadence and Shining Armor met each other’s eyes, “If I wasn’t royalty, I don’t think I would have ever met you, the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”  Shining Armor and Princess Cadence kissed and continued their calm staring at the ceiling above.  “Do you remember that night?” she asked as she looked over at Shining Armor.  

He looked back at her and said, “I remember that I hated seeing you that way.”  Princess Cadence smiled at him and kissed him.

“Thank you Shining Armor, thank you so much,” she said quietly, putting an end to their short conversation about the incident.  As the years passed on, it became less and less difficult for Shining Armor and Princess Cadence to talk about what had happened to her.  Princess Cadence’s injuries had healed too.  As they had conversations over the years since, Princess Celestia would secretly peer beneath Cadence’s coat to see the progress that the injuries were making; she never checked for new ones because something just told her that Shining Armor would be the perfect husband for her niece.  Princess Celestia (on some occasions) had also secretly wished that Shining Armor was her stallion, simply because he knew how to treat a mare right.

“So, what do you want to do for dinner?” Shining Armor asked about the dinner they had been planning since yesterday.  

Princess Cadence thought a moment about where she wanted to eat (for it was her turn to choose), and replied, “How about The Cantering Buffet?” 

Shining Armor pulled one of his many suits out, observed it, and then threw it back into the closet.  He smiled back at her and said, “Sounds like a plan to me.”  As shining Armor picked on, he eventually found a suit that fit his tastes, and dressed himself.  He then asked Cadence if she needed to anything else before they set out.  Unable to think of anything, she shook her head, and they went on their way.

It was a very fulfilling dinner as they talked and laughed with each other.  Like some of the books they had read about in the more retro days of Equestria, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had also ordered a lover’s shake.  The two sat there and drank as they stared into each other’s eyes, excitement and love in them for the wedding and for each other.  After they had finished their shake and dinner, they left the restaurant and went for a short walk in the evening sun.  Things around Canterlot had begun to slow down, and many of the shops had closed so Princess Cadence and Shining Armor didn’t have to worry as much about being pulled away from each other.  

“So, are you ready for the wedding?” Shining Armor asked his soon-to-be bride.  

She looked up at him and said, “I’ve been ready all of my life,” she said with an easy smile on her face.  Princess Cadence truly was still in disbelief that her wedding, as well as her dreams, were only a few days away.  They stopped where they were and kissed.  A couple of Shining Armor’s friends (mostly recruits whom he had trained stupendously and who had risen like wildfire through the ranks) spotted them and whistled loudly and cheered, making the both of them pull their lips from the other, and look down at the ground in embarrassment.  

“Go on, get out of here!” Shining Armor winked at a giggling Princess Cadence and chased after the laughing guards for a short distance where they magically transported away from him.  He returned to Princess Cadence who was still giggling and asked playfully, “What are you laughing at?”  

Princess Cadence smiled up at him and said, “You run like a filly.”  

Shining Armor smiled and cocked his eyebrow as they continued walking and said, “Oh, then maybe they should just make you the head of the royal guard?”  

Princess Cadence giggled again, and said, “I think I’d do a better job of it than you.”  

Shining Armor rolled his eyes playfully and said, “Oh, you’re a big, bad mare now aren’t you?”  He stopped her to kiss her.  

After they kissed, Princess Cadence smiled easily and said, “You bet I am.”  She pecked him on the cheek and walked in front of him, lifting her tail and running its sweet smelling and silky hair just under his nose.  

“I love it when you do that,” Shining Armor complimented a bit sheepishly to Princess Cadence.  

She giggled and said, “You know I’d do anything for my big, bad stallion, don’t you?”

> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Princess Cadence and Shining Armor didn’t think they could have been any happier.  As they kissed each other in the back of their carriage, a wed couple now, it was like they had forgotten about the events that had passed over the last couple of hours.  Princess Cadence and Shining Armor were on the way to what they wanted for a honeymoon; a peaceful night underneath the old peach tree which they remembered had been through so much with them.  

“I love you so much!” Princess Cadence exclaimed as she kissed her husband.

“I love you more!” Shining Armor would exclaim back as he kissed her back.  

After their kissing session had ended, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor sat quietly in their seat as they held on to each other and looked out of the window as the countryside passed slowly by them.  They didn’t even have to see the old stone wall ahead of them to know that they were getting close.  Once they had arrived there, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor literally jumped from the carriage and landed softly on the grass.  They thanked the ponies pulling it and raced off after one another up the hillside, laughing heartily as they did so.  

Once they had gotten to the top of the hill, they raced each other to the base of the giant peach tree where Princess Cadence tackled Shining Armor and sat atop him.  A smile that could never be wider nor happier on her face.  The silence of the night enveloped them as Shining Armor kissed his bride, and with an easy smile on his face, gently ran his hoof down her cheek.  “I love you,” he said, tears of joy started to well in both of their eyes as Princess Cadence replied in kind.  

After a short while, Princess Cadence dismounted Shining Armor and the two of them cuddled underneath the tree.  They counted the fireflies as it seemed like they magically floated in ever increasing numbers throughout the field.  Shining Armor spoke up, “Can I ask you a question Cadence?”  

She looked up at him and said, “Anything.”  

An embarrassed look on his face, Shining Armor asked, “What… I mean…” he cleared his throat, “What do you think about having a little colt?  Or a little filly?”

Princess Cadence blushed and looked away.  She ran her hoof softly through the grass as she replied, “I… It’s all I’ve ever wanted.  I’ve always wanted a little foal to care for.”  She looked up into his eyes.

Shining Armor inched a little closer to his bride and asked gently, “Well then, what would you say about… about…”

Princess Cadence cut him off, and with an easy look in her eyes finished, “Starting now?”  Shining Armor nodded his head.  Princess Cadence kissed him and said, “I want a little foal as soon as I can have one,”  Princess Cadence kissed Shining Armor again and pushed forward slightly, enough to force Shining Armor onto his back.  She kissed him again and demanded softly, “Give me a foal Shining Armor.  Please, please just give me a little foal.”

Shining Armor kissed her back and said, “I’d do anything for you, my love.”  

They started to kiss faster and faster.  As the ecstasy of the moment overcame them, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence used their magic to begin to undress each other.  Shining Armor lifted the veil gently from Cadence’s head and threw it to the side.  Princess Cadence slunk down, and too began to help Shining Armor out of his uniform.  She took his sash off and gently placed it atop her veil.  She kissed him on the neck and then helped him unbutton and slide out of his uniform completely, revealing his solid white body.  

It was Shining Armor’s turn now.  He stood up fully and began to help Princess Cadence out of her dress.  He kissed and sucked sensually on her neck as he reached down with his hoof and started to tug slowly at her bow so that it would reveal the zipper hidden beneath.  He kissed her once more before he used his magic to tug her zipper down slowly.  Princess Cadence blushed as she stepped out of her gown, and watched as Shining Armor placed it softly down with the rest of their things; he knew that Princess Cadence would cherish her custom wedding dress for as long as she lived.  

The two of them were used to being “nude”, but not in this sensual and passionate way.  It was a new feeling for them.  It was like they knew what was coming, but just could not quell their inner excitement for it.  Shining Armor kissed Princess Cadence now and gently forced her onto her back.  The ecstasy of the moment was all too apparent as Shining Armor kissed her faster and faster, and was beginning to become erect.  Princess Cadence too was becoming moist between her hind legs.  Each had waited for this moment their entire life, and each had wanted a foal dearly.  Their honeymoon had seemed like the best time to take that great step into something bigger.

Shining Armor kissed Princess Cadence on the lips one last time, and started to work his way down her body.  He kissed and sucked softly on her neck, and then he worked down to her stomach where he kissed and sucked on her body slowly again.  With each inch that Shining Armor moved down her body, Princess Cadence became more and more aroused, so aroused in fact, that when Shining Armor had reached the point just above her breasts, she reached her hoof down and past his head and began to rub steadily on her dripping pussy.

Seeing the slowly moving hoof to his right, Shining Armor knew he had to have been doing something right.  He went a couple inches lower and rubbed her breasts gently with his own hoof, kissing on them as he did so.  An easy smile on his face, Shining Armor shooed Princess Cadence’s hoof away from her pussy and started to kiss slowly on it.  As he moved himself around directly in front of Cadence, he brought his moistened muzzle up and asked, “Am I doing good?” playfully; he knew he was doing better than good.

Her eyes closed tightly, Princess Cadence nodded her head and replied quietly, “Please Shining Armor, please, just hurry.  I… I want you inside of me.”  Blushing at his compliment, but knowing how to take orders, he kissed on her wet pussy faster.  Once he had finished with that, he began to lick up and down on her tight, pink pussy.  After three or four licks, he ran his tongue around her clit and then forced his tongue into her making Princess Cadence whimper in arousal and become twice as wet; Shining Armor’s muzzle was literally soaked with her sweet juices!  He moved his tongue all around inside of her and kissed on her pussy while he moved his hoof gently over her breasts and a small distance up her stomach to comfort her (Shining Armor was not going to hurt Princess Cadence in any way tonight, physical or mental).

Shining Armor took a few final licks of Princess Cadence’s insides and swallowed the little bit of sweet tasting juice that had found its way into his mouth.  After that, he stood up and walked over Princess Cadence.  She eyed his large and fully erect cock, but then she looked up into his eyes and saw the amount of control that he had given her.  In kind, Shining Armor saw the trust in Princess Cadence’s begging eyes.  With every bit of gentleness that he could muster, Shining Armor hunched slightly and steered himself into Princess Cadence who gasped either in delight or pain at the huge cock inside of her tight pussy.         

Shining Armor thrust slowly at first, but then got faster and faster, though he stayed at a steady pace so as not to cause the virgin Princess Cadence too much pain.  “Ah… Ah… Faster!” Princess Cadence groaned as she grasped a hoof-full of grass tightly.  Shining Armor did as he was told and sped up slightly.  He ran his hoof down Princess Cadence’s cheek and kissed her softly.

Princess Cadence loved what she was feeling!  Shining Armor was gentle with her, but he knew how to pleasure her; she loved the sound of his bursting-at-the-brim full balls slapping against her moist cunt.  In a burst of passion though, Shining Armor started to pound Princess Cadence as fast as his hips would allow him.  “Ah…Ah…Ah…” Princess Cadence moaned and whimpered in pleasure as she orgasmed.  

Shining Armor was getting close now.  He had quickened his pace faster than ever, and was now too moaning quietly.  Princess Cadence craned her head up and kissed an accepting Shining Armor.  Feeling that Shining Armor was on the brink, Princess Cadence wrapped her forelegs around Shining Armor’s neck and whispered into his ear, “I want you to kiss me when you…” he cut her off with a passionate kiss on the lips, and then she felt Shining Armor empty himself into her.  In all her years of imagining, Princess Cadence couldn’t believe that one stallion could cum this much!  The sensation from his balls emptying into her both aroused her mentally and warmed her physically; it must have been a good thirty seconds before she felt his cum finally stop pouring into her (or so she thought).  

Breathing heavily, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor locked eyes and smiled gently at each other.  Still inside of her, Shining Armor kissed Princess Cadence on the lips and laughed quietly with her.  He kissed her one last time and then took a few steps backward.  As soon as his cock left her still moist pussy, his semen came streaming out of her like a waterfall.  The sight of it pouring out of her actually aroused him, and before they could say or do anything else, he had an erection again.  

Princess Cadence was still laying on her back as she asked sensually, “My turn?”  

Shining Armor blushed and replied, “I don’t know what you’re…”  Before he could finish though, Princess Cadence had gently used her magic to push him down and onto his back.  Princess Cadence came forward and laid down flat on her stomach in front of Shining Armor’s towering stallionhood.  Wanting to tease and excite him first, Princess Cadence ran her tongue over his huge testicles and up his shaft where she stopped at his head and then went all the way back down.  After doing this for a few more minutes, Princess Cadence was satisfied with her job.  Using her left foreleg, she reached up and began to stroke Shining Armor at a quick and steady pace as she continued to lick his balls.  

She went from licking his testicles to kissing them.  A blush on her face, Princess Cadence continued her rubbing and then kissed the base of his penis.  All Shining Armor could do was look down in arousal at the sight before him!  

After she had finished that though, Princess Cadence went in for the main show.  Kissing his testicles one more time, she brought her head up and placed the very top of Shining Armor’s cock in her mouth; he moaned and laid his head back flat on the ground as she did so.  Starting off slow at first, Princess Cadence bobbed her head up and down on Shining Armor’s cock and only went to the midpoint of it.  She felt rather dirty at liking the taste of her own juices paired with Shining Armor’s unejaculated semen.  Princess Cadence entertained to herself that if she felt herself start to choke at only halfway, she could barely wait to see what happened when she had it all the way in.  Her stallion had pleasured her though, (and very well could have just given her the thing she had wanted all her life too) and by Celestia, she was going to pay him back!

Speeding up her pace now, Princess Cadence started to take his cock just a little deeper.  She would move her head up and down a few times, then stop and swirl her tongue around him, and go back to his head where she would suck on it and rub his shaft at a quick pace.  “Oh, Cadence!” Shining Armor complimented her skill as she sucked on him.  Knowing better, but the moment all too strong, Shining Armor placed his hoof atop Princess Cadence’s head and pinned her down on his cock.  Keeping her head in place, he quickly thrust his hips up and down and forced his cock all the way down into her throat; he could feel his head push against the very back of her throat.  She had tears in her eyes and after the second or third speedy thrust was forced to close them tightly.  

Almost in realization of what he was doing, Shining Armor took his hoof off Princess Cadecne’s head and allowed her to come up for air; she was breathing like she had just run several marathons.  She let out a little cough and then met Shining Armor’s apologetic eyes; they pleaded her to forgive him.  Before he could say a word though, Princess Cadence smiled and popped it back into her mouth.  This time though, she did it all on her own.  She had even made a mental game of it.  Princess Cadence would force his rock hard cock all the way down into her throat three or four times, and then would continue to suck quickly on it where she would count the number of seconds that she kept going without having to come up for air.  “This is actually pretty fun…” along with her newlywed husband’s penis in her mouth, this thought alone made her blush as well.  

With a giggle, Princess Cadence took her head off from Shining Armor’s cock and said, “You know you can have a little more fun with me right?” Using her magic, she placed his hoof on top of her head and went back to her little game.  Now that he had been given permission, Shining Armor did as he did last time.  He held her head in place and bobbed his hips wildly up and down, slowing down and letting her come up for air whenever he heard a gasping sound.  

He looked down and saw that what must have been half of Princess Cadence’s bodily saliva storage was poured out on his balls and cock.  He had to admit that the look of her pleasuring him was rather arousing.  With Shining Armor still in control, Princess Cadence went back to fellating him.

Again, it was all too apparent that Shining Armor was on the brink of orgasm based on his moaning and pelvic thrusting.  It was like they read each other’s minds, for they wanted to finish with a bang this time.  Shining Armor again held Princess Cadence’s head down and thrust his hips as fast as he possibly could.  Princess Cadence gasped each and every time Shining Armor’s sizeable head pounded against the back of her throat.  Still thrusting as fast as he possibly could, Shining Armor was seconds from cumming.  With no effort, he pushed Cadence’s head down until he was all the way inside of her mouth, and her lips were touching the uppermost part of his testicles, and then he let loose with a load that matched even his previous one.  

Laying his head back from the exhausting of two orgasms, he kept his hoof resting atop Princess Cadence’s head until he felt himself stop cumming.  Princess Cadence loved the feel of his warm sperm splashing against the back of her throat, and once she had gotten her head up and had breathed some air in, she made sure that she got every last drop of it down her throat.  “I love you Cadence,” Shining Armor craned his head up and smiled.

Wiping her mouth, Princess Cadence looked back at him and said, “I love you too Shining Armor.  Thank you.”

Shining Armor sat up now and joined her at the base of the tree.  He asked, “For what?”  

Princess Cadence kissed him on the cheek and said, “For giving me the most amazing night of my life,” she hesitated a moment, and taking a quick glance between his legs said, “you’re pretty big down there, you know?”  

Shining Armor blushed, cleared his throat, and said, “Sorry about that.”  He smiled weakly at her.

Princess Cadence giggled as she laid her head down underneath his and said, “Don’t be.”  For a few minutes, the two of them only sat there and looked out at the sight before them, but Princess Cadence rubbed her lower stomach and said with a hopeful tone, “I really hope we have a foal.”  The two met eyes and smiled each other after a quick kiss.

“Me too Cadence, me too,” Shining Armor said too with a hopeful tone.  Out of things to say, but full of things to think about, the two let the calm silence envelope them again.  So it was, the two of them sat underneath the old peach tree and counted the fireflies that gave them peace in the calm night.  It truly had been the most amazing day of their lives.

> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Shining Armor leaned his head over and kissed the awakening Princess Cadence on the lips.  “Good morning beautiful,” he whispered to her as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.  After their “honeymoon” last night, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence had returned to their home for some much needed rest.  

Princess Cadence kissed him back and replied, “Good morning to you too,” with a little giggle.  

“Did you enjoy your honeymoon?” Shining Armor asked as he stood up and walked over to a window to observe the streets down below.  

Princess Cadence rubbed her lower stomach hopefully and said, “Yes, I loved it.”  Shining Armor smiled back at her and then pulled the blinds down, blocking out some of the bright sun’s rays so that they could get their eyes adjusted.  

He then turned towards her and said, “We’ll have to do it again sometime,” with a little wink.  

Princess Cadence giggled and said, “You’re right, it never hurts to get some ‘double reassurance does it?”  She had made it abundantly clear that she wanted a foal more than anything; Shining Armor shared her desire, and very much wanted to be a father.

He turned around, walked over to the bed, and kissed Princess Cadence.  With a look in his eyes that melted Princess Cadence’s heart, he said softly, “You’re right.  It never does hurt to go for double does it?”  He smiled and kissed her one more time on the lips, then he ran his hoof softly down her cheek.  

Princess Cadence kissed him back, and sensually asked, “It wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and start with that reassurance, now would it?”  She kissed him once more.  

Shining Armor shook his head and said, “I guess it wouldn’t…”  A blush on her face as he did so, Shining Armor started to kiss up and down Princess Cadence’s body once she had turned towards him and let her hind legs dangle over the bedside.  He went down to her stomach and shot his tongue playfully in and out of his mouth to tickle, and in the process, arouse her.  He then kissed her on the lips one more time and ran his hoof along her curves as he did so.  

A ready look on her face, and the always trusting look in her eyes, Princess Cadence opened her hind legs just a little wider to reveal her already wet pussy.  Before penetrating into her, Shining Armor went down between her legs and began to stimulate her orally.  He licked up and down on her pussy and then kissed it once or twice.  Once he had finished his kissing, Shining Armor took a couple of steps back, and using his hoof, rubbed her clit a few times.  Then, in an instant, Shining Armor reared up on his hind legs and placed his forelegs on the bed, one on each side of Cadence. 

He looked into her gentle eyes, almost as if asking for her permission.  Once their eyes met, Shining Armor pushed himself gently into her tight pussy. He began to thrust his hips slowly and push his cock into her.  Princess Cadence moaned quietly as Shining Armor continued his thrusting and kissed her softly on the lips.  As Shining Armor got faster and faster, Princess Cadence started to rub her clit slowly as she watched him push in and out of her, the sight arousing her all the more.  

Shining Armor was now thrusting as fast as he could, and Princess Cadence too had begun to speed up her rubbing.  Not but a few seconds later, Princess Cadence had a violent orgasm.  She looked down at her rubbing hoof as she saw her warm pussy juices come flying out of her and coated Shining Armor’s genitals.  She whimpered as Shining Armor continued at his pace and had used a magical spell to stimulate her sensitive wings.  

Sensing that he was on the brink of orgasm, Princess Cadence wrapped her hind legs up around his back for support and screamed as she again had a smaller orgasm.  Just seconds after her orgasm though, Shining Armor started to cum.  With one final thrust, he finished up inside of her and let his large load go flying into her.  For fun though, he pulled out and let the last of his semen come flying out onto Princess Cadence’s stomach who squealed in surprise as it landed in a sizeable glob on her stomach and in some smaller dots around her neck.  

“Shining Armor, you dirty stallion,” she scolded him playfully.  

“I’m the dirty one?” Shining Armor replied playfully through his quick breathing as he dismounted the bed and his forelegs landed with two soft thuds on the carpet.  “Why Cadence, it’s only my opinion, but I think you had best clean up if you plan on going out.” He winked at her.      

She smiled back at him, and agreed, “I think you’re right.”  With that, she used her hoof and started to shovel most of the semen into her mouth; Shining Armor watched, satisfied that he had pleasured her once again.  Being ever courteous though, he walked into the nearby bathroom and wet a soft cloth.  When he returned back into their bedroom, he used his magic to gently wipe the surviving stains from her stomach, neck, and lips.  “How sweet of you,” she complimented him; they laughed as Shining Armor tossed the rag aside and helped her up off of the bed.

Shining Armor and Princess Cadence walked downstairs and ate a small breakfast.  After they had finished, they walked back upstairs and made sure that they were all ready to go to their date with Twilight Sparkle and her friends, what with it being their last day in Canterlot.  Princess Cadence wanted to thank Twilight (of course) for coming, and she wanted to thank the rest of the ponies for working so hard to make sure that she had the wedding of her dreams, even if it had meant risking their lives.  

Once they were satisfied that they looked fit enough to go into public and meet with their friends, they set off.  As they walked through the streets, they talked about the events of the past few days, and at how shocked they were to have seen how much Twilight had grown.  She was no fullgrown mare yet, but they each could tell that their little Twilight Sparkle would grow up to be a fine mare with lots of friends and a wonderful life.  

They turned a corner and saw Twilight talking to her friends underneath a small café’s umbrella table.  A smile on their faces, they walked up to the group and greeted them.  Twilight Sparkle hugged her brother and new sister-in-law tightly; still happy that she was getting to see the two ponies that had been most influential in her life.  “Good morning everypony!” Princess Cadence wished all of her new friends a good morning.  They all replied in kind and ordered the two a fresh, warm latte.  

It was a warm and pleasant day as they sat underneath in the cool shade of the umbrella and talked to each other, mostly about their future plans and about events of the past couple of days. 

Eventually though, they had to cut things short and part ways.  The ponies had to return ti their rooms at Canterlot Castle and pack their things, and Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had plans to go see a film and do a little window shopping (they secretly planned on pricing materials and décor for a foal room).  Once they had waved their goodbyes, and Twilight and Shining Armor had embraced one more time, they parted ways.

As they walked through the streets, they looked into different windows and noted the prices of cribs, paint, and other room décor.  After their very first intimate moment, Shining Armor had shown an extra room in his headquarters that would be ideal for a little foal’s room.  With Shining Armor’s astounding record, it was beginning to look like he would be in this com-mander’s position, and as such, have the more-than-adequate family home for a very long time.    

> Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Six months later, Princess Cadence awoke with a start.  Shining Armor shot his body up, and asked, “What is it?  What’s wrong?”  

Princess Cadence used her magic to ignite a couple of nearby candles as she replied with a quick breath, “N…Nothing… it was nothing.  I… I think I just felt a kick.”  She sat up slightly and rubbed her lower stomach hopefully.  Shining Armor laughed softly and kissed her stomach.  He then turned his head and laid it down on her stomach as he whispered quietly to the little foal inside of her.

Princess Cadence was fully awake now, as was Shining Armor (though he either neglected or refused to move his head from her stomach).  Princess Cadence ran her hoof gently across the top of his head as she asked, “When do you think the foal will come?”  

Shining Armor replied, “I’m not sure Cadence.  But if there is one thing I’m sure about, he’ll have a wonderful, loving mother.”  Princess Cadence smiled down at him secretly and continued to rub his head softly. 

“And he’ll have a wonderful father,” she replied.  Shining Armor kissed her lower stomach once more in thanks and then laid his head back down on it.  


The minutes ticked on as Shining Armor and Princess Cadence talked about their plans for the foal.  They were so excited for this upcoming moment in fact, that they had already picked out the paint and decorative supplies for a room that would appeal to both a male and female foal.  They had even begun to decorate, and their doctor had told them that it could be months before Cadence delivered!  Ironically too, and much to her delight, Twilight Sparkle had offered to foalsit for Cadence sometime in the future.

It was finally looking up for Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.  They were more-than-happily married with a foal on the way, and they each expected nothing but what could be defined as the most perfect love life.  As far as they saw it, life could never be better.

> Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Shining Armor rubbed the sniffling Princess Cadence’s back softly as they sat underneath the old peach tree under the light of a full moon and in the midst of a million fireflies.  “There, there,” Shining Armor tried to comfort the devastated Princess Cadence.  

“It… It’s not fair!” Princess Cadence said rather loudly as she cried more tears and hoofed at the ground.

“I know, I know,” Shining Armor shushed her as she leaned into him.

“It’s all my fault,” Princess Cadence wept quietly to herself.  “It’s all my fault,” she repeated again, just as quiet.

“No, no, don’t you think that for one second,” Shining Armor tried to make her feel better.  He too was sad, but he couldn’t bear to see her like this.

It had been a horrible night for them.  Princess Cadence had gone into labor earlier that day, but to her great dismay, she had a miscarriage.  Princess Cadence was haunted by the memory of the tears streaming down her eyes as she refused to let go of her lifeless foal’s corpse.  Shining Armor had nearly become sick to his stomach at seeing his son die… as grim as it seemed, deep down he had hoped it would have been the other way around.  

Once she had left the hospital, Princess Cadence ran to the spot where she had always come to think things through, and always seemed to get an answer, the old peach tree.  Knowing exactly where she had run to, Shining Armor took off after her and sure enough found her sitting under it in absolute devastation.  

The minutes turned to hours as the two of them continued to sit underneath the old tree and merely think about what had just happened to them.  Princess Cadence had stopped her crying, and laid her head on Shining Armor’s shoulder as she asked, “What did I do wrong?”  Shining Armor looked down as he felt Princess Cadence shaking her head in disbelief.

Shining Armor brushed some of her mane aside, and said, “What did WE do wrong?”  Princess Cadence said nothing as Shining Armor continued, “None of this was your fault Cadence.  These things happen.”

Princess Cadence took a deep breath as she dried her eyes and said, “Y…You’re right.  I… I’m sorry for being so selfish.”  

Shining Armor shook his head, and said, “You’re not selfish Cadence.  You want a foal as much as I do.”

Princess Cadence cocked her head and then looked up at Shining Armor.  She asked, “‘Want’?  Don’t you mean ‘wanted’?”  She had to make sure her ears and her yearning for a foal had not deceived her.

Shining Armor laughed under his breath softly and looked into her eyes, as he replied, “No Cadence, I did mean want.  Just before you came out here,” Princess Cadence blushed at having realized it was probably a foolish thing to do, “the doctor told me it was a one in a million accident.  He…” he smiled softly at her, “He didn’t say anything about not being able to try again.”

Getting the hint instantly, and feeling loads relieved (though still saddened at losing what she considered to be a part of her, something she would always love), she hugged into Shining Armor as she exclaimed, “Oh Shining Armor, I love you!”  

Hugging her back, Shining Armor replied, “I love you too Cadence.”  Still wrapped in their embrace after a few minutes, Shining Armor asked, “So… we'll try again?"  

Princess Cadence looked into his eyes, and with a weak smile on her face said, "We'll try again.  Thank you, Shining Armor."  After that, Princess Cadence laid her head down on his chest and closed her eyes as he stroked her mane and head softly.  And so it was that Princess Cadence and Shining Armor sat beneath the peach tree, counting the fireflies, and hoping, dreaming of the day that would come soon enough when they had a foal and a family of their very own.