> Wedding Bells
>  by slade8283
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Bells
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Wedding Bells


The bells atop Ponyville city hall rang out in joy as Fluttershy walked past them. She took a small pause to look at them, letting a crushing sadness come to her as she did. I know I should be happy on Rainbow Dash's wedding day, she thought as the bells came to a stop, but I can't help feeling like the saddest pony in all of Ponyville: today I'm losing Rainbow Dash forever.

Fluttershy continued walking, even though her heart tried valiantly to stop her. She had always loved Rainbow Dash, but for some reason had always kept silent on the topic. Fluttershy had always been a quiet pony, and Rainbow Dash always knew that, which is why Fluttershy thought that Rainbow would have picked up on her subtle touches and looks. After years of no reaction, Fluttershy eventually got the message.

Fluttershy was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't even notice when she walked into the bride's tent. It was a small white tent, though larger than all the others that had been set up for the outdoor wedding. A large dressing area stood at the back, and there was various improvised furniture laying about the tent.

All of Rainbow Dash's closest friends, excluding the Wonderbolts and Scootaloo (which left the Elements of Harmony), were waiting inside the tent, smiling and talking, mostly about the wedding. 

Twilight was the first to notice Fluttershy enter the tent. "Hello, Fluttershy," she said from across the room with a smile, "why don't you come over and join us? We were just talking about how Princess Celestia might actually be able to make it to the wedding."

Fluttershy did her best to put on a fake smile. "Okay," she said quietly.

Twilight's grin changed to a look of concern. "Are you okay, Fluttershy? You're normally very excited about Celestia coming to visit. I know you really love her pet phoenix."

Fluttershy's heart raced. She knew she wasn't a very good liar, but she had to come up with something fast., but something that sounded like a real reason for being quiet. "Oh...well...I didn't sleep well last night," she replied quietly, trying to hide the uncertainty in her voice. "I didn't sleep well at all. Angel kept me up all night."

Twilight stared at Fluttershy for a few moments, as if she was trying to decide whether the pegasus was telling the truth. She eventually nodded and walked away in silence, clearly flustered by Fluttershy's halfhearted response. 

The next fifteen minutes were the worst that Fluttershy had ever endured up to that point in her life. She tried to hide herself from her friends, afraid that she would let her feelings for Rainbow Dash slip, causing chaos, and ruining the wedding. Knowing that she couldn't talk to her friends only made Fluttershy's mood worse, bringing her to the verge of tears a number of times. The idea of being alone in a room of friends filled her head with thoughts of the crushing loneliness that would follow the wedding.

Fluttershy was doing her best to hide behind what appeared to be a sofa when Rainbow Dash took her first step from the dressing area. She slowly revealed herself at the sight of the bride, who looked immaculate in her long, white, dress. "Well girls," she said with slight anxiety in her voice, "what do you think?"

"Well, you look simply marvelous," Rarity said as she beheld her own handy work. Her gaze shifted to Rainbow Dash's eyes. "And you look fabulous too, Rainbow Dash."

The group of friends laughed at Rarity's joke, and Fluttershy put on her best amused smile. All my friends are happy, she thought solemnly, staring at the laughing mares, so why am I not?

Rainbow Dash laughed nervously. "Thanks, Rare..." she said, a clear tone of anxiousness in her voice. "You did a great job with this dress." She took a short look around at the small group and smiled, a small tear rolling down her cheek. "Thanks, to all of you. You girls are my best friends in all of Equestria."

Everypony, excluding Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, took a moment to appreciate just how beautiful the dress was, and then were forced into a length group hug by an overly excited Pinkie Pie.

Fluttershy felt worse than ever. The dress did look amazing, more amazing than anything Fluttershy had seen Rainbow Dash wear. The happiness of her friends just made Fluttershy even more upset, knowing that she was the only sad pony in all of Ponyville.

The group hug broke apart and Rainbow Dash wiped a tear away from one of her eyes. "Thanks girls," she said, with a slight quiver in her voice, clearly trying to hide her emotions. "You're all just so awesome; you've all helped so much."

Rarity smiled. "Anything for you Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash gave a small laugh. "Yeah, I guess," she replied with a small smile. Rainbow turned and faced Fluttershy, her face showing a very soft expression. "Fluttershy? Can I talk to you really quick? Back in the dressing area, in private."

Fluttershy was shocked. She looked around at her friends, but they were no help. All four of them were just smiling and nodding at her, encouraging her to follow her best friend into the dressing area. Fluttershy took a deep breath and nodded, forcing a smile onto her face.

The mares walked slowly into the dressing area, Rainbow Dash following Fluttershy into the small room. It was a beautiful room, lined with dozens of types of flowers, showering the room in a beautiful array of colors. Fluttershy couldn't help but smile; the room was truly beautiful.

"So, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash said softly. A tear ran down her cheek slowly, but she was still smiling none the less. "Fluttershy, you're the best friend I could ever ask for. I'm sure you don't know it, but you've helped me through a lot of difficult stuff in these recent years." The smile vanished from her face. "I didn't tell anypony, including you, but I've had a lot of difficult stuff come up in my life recently. I know we never really talked about any of it, but you still helped me more than anypony." Rainbow Dash had tears streaming from her eyes freely now. "You're really my best friend."

A large grin graced Fluttershy's face. She really couldn't help feeling happy about this. The fact that she had helped Rainbow Dash made her happier than anything. "Well Rainbow," she started, "I'm glad that I made you feel better, but I-"

"No," Rainbow Dash said abruptly, "you didn't just make me 'feel better,' you helped me through the hardest time of my life." She wiped her eyes again. "It really means the world to me."

The two ponies stood in silence, just looking at each other and smiling. Fluttershy could swear she felt a moment where Rainbow Dash was implying some sort of romantic feelings, and for the first time considered telling Rainbow Dash about her feelings, but quickly pushed the idea out of her head. No, she thought defiantly, she's getting married today. There isn't any way she would want me now. Fluttershy looked away from Rainbow Dash, and back again, this time forcing her smile.

Rainbow Dash clearly picked up on the change in Fluttershy's emotions, and the smile faded from her face. She wiped her eyes again, this time clearing away all tears from her face. "Everything alright Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy didn't want to respond. Instead, she took one last look around the beautiful room, letting happiness come to her again. "Come on," she said with a real smile on her face, "everypony is probably wondering where you are."

The bride smiled. "Yeah, probably." Rainbow Dash smiled. "Let's go Fluttershy."

They left the dressing room. Rainbow Dash was still slightly teary, but smiling more than ever. Fluttershy smiled too. There was nothing she loved more than seeing Rainbow Dash happy. But the happiest that had entered Fluttershy's heart didn't stay long, as she heard the town bells ringing once more. The crushing sadness that had washed over her earlier that day had returned, worse than before as she now looked Rainbow Dash in her wedding dress.

Rainbow Dash again greeted her friends, but with less anxiety in her voice. None of the mares spoke very much as they waited for the wedding to start. It wasn't a tense silence, so much as it was a peaceful, reflective silence. Everypony was content, excluding Fluttershy, who was being eaten up inside by the looming ceremony. 

It wasn't long before a pink mare with a red mane poked her head through the tent flap, calling for Rainbow Dash. "Miss Dash," she said quickly, "you're needed for the ceremony. We start in five minutes." Her head disappeared again.

The group of mares instantly began chatting again:

"Good luck, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said with a light smile.

"You're gonna be great Rainbow," called Applejack.

"Oh your dress will be the talk of the town for ages, Rainbow Dash. You look beautiful," Rarity said, eyes flashing at the dress.

"Yay! Wedding wedding wedding wedding wedding!" Shouted Pinkie Pie.

All Fluttershy could muster was a small smile. Be happy for her. Be happy for her, she thought fruitlessly. It's her big day...I just need to focus on being happy for her.

Rainbow Dash beamed at her friends again. "I know I keep saying it, but you guys really are the best friends I can ask for." She walked over the flap of the tent and pulled it open with her mouth. "After you, girls," she said in a muffled voice.

Now's my chance to tell her! Fluttershy's heart raced. She had never actually considered telling Rainbow Dash her feelings until now. There isn't a really a better time than now, she thought, There will be nopony here but us. Nopony to over hear us, or to interrupt us. Yes, now's the time.

Fluttershy held back, and let all her friends go before. The gave Rainbow Dash a small curtsy as the departed, out of respect, and Rainbow would reply a friendly nod to each one as the departed. 

Finally, it was just Fluttershy left alone with Rainbow Dash. It was the moment Fluttershy had been waiting for her whole life: to tell Rainbow Dash about her feelings for her.

"Coming Fluttershy?" asked Rainbow Dash, with a muffled voice as she held the tent flap.

"Um..." Fluttershy faltered. Come on, she thought, urging her body forward. It's now or never... She took a step towards the opening in the tent, and let out a long sigh as she approached Rainbow Dash. "Listen Rainbow Dash, there's something I've been wanting to tell you for years now...many, many years..."

Rainbow Dash dropped the tent flap, a look of concern appearing on her face as she took a step towards Fluttershy. "What is it?" she asked quietly.

Fluttershy drew a hard breath. "I..." she began, but the words were caught in her throat. Say it! her mind screamed, trying to force her body to speak her mind. "I..."

A dark look appeared on Rainbow Dash's face. "Fluttershy, we have to go. What is it?"

Fluttershy let out a sigh, and put her fake smile for felt like the millionth time that day. "I just wanted to let you know that you're the best friend a pegasus could ever ask for." Her words had failed her, again. Sadness flooded her; the knowledge that she was losing her love because of her weakness was killing her on the inside.

A huge grin broke across Rainbow's face. "Thanks Fluttershy. You're really my best friend, you know?" She threw the tent flap open again as she ran through it. "I'll see you at the ceremony," she called through the flap.

Fluttershy's heart sank more than it had ever before in her life. The love of her life had just walked out of the door, away from her for the rest of her life. 

The once vibrant and welcoming tent now felt cold and lonely. There was only silence inside, other than the slow rise and fall of the defeated pegasus's breathing.

Fluttershy let out a small whimper, and a small tear fell from her eye. She finally willed herself to speak: "Rainbow Dash, I love you." 

Only silence responded to her. The silence of the tent felt like the whole world had ceased to make any sound at all. 

And then, piercing the silence, rang the town hall bells once more. Three long, piercing, deafening tones sounded from the bell. It rang through the whole city, and it rang through Fluttershy's bones, and, what felt like, her very soul. Her life had been ruined. In a matter of ten seconds, because of her own ridiculous fears, she had lost her love.

"I will never be happy again," Fluttershy said, her voice full of sorrow. She sighed again. But I should still go to the wedding, I guess, she thought miserably. It's the least I can do for her, since I'm her best friend.

Fluttershy pushed open the tent flap and exited the tent. The once bustling street full of ponies scrambling to prepare a wedding had since died down, and now there was only the sound of Fluttershy's hooves on the cobblestone road. It's already started, she thought, I've missed the beginning of her wedding. The thought angered her even more. I need to stop acting like this. I need to stop letting my fears get the best of me. 

Fluttershy approached the town hall, only ten minutes late. She could hear the mayor's voice carrying across the field where the wedding was being held. She was going on and on about the traditions of Ponyville marriages, and how each pony was bound together, for life. In just a few short minutes she would be saying...

That's it! Fluttershy thought, her eyes opening wide at her realization. I'll wait for the mayor to say "speak now or forever hold your peace," and then I'll come in and stop the wedding! Fluttershy gave a small smile at the thought of finally having her love. I can do it. I. Can. Do it.

She entered the ceremony grounds quietly and sat herself down in the back-most row, so as not to disturb the wedding. Everypony watched happily as Rainbow Dash stood at the front of the crowd, standing next to her fiance. Even Fluttershy could appreciate the beauty of the wedding. It was large: almost all of Ponyville had shown up for the ceremony. The stage where the couple stood was just a few feet off the ground, but stood high enough so everypony could clearly see what was happening.

Fluttershy watched with glee as the mayor approached the words that Fluttershy was dying to hear. The minutes dragged on slowly, as if they were forcing Fluttershy to reconsider her desire to stop the wedding. But nothing could stop Fluttershy now; she was on a mission.

And then, the Mayor said the words:

"If anypony wishes these two to not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace," she said happily, clearly under the assumption that nothing would be said.

Fluttershy felt her knees shaking as she slowly stood. She drew a long and hard breath, and opened her mouth-