Chapter 4: The Blue Knight

One Week later...

Defender stood on his own hooves for the first time in almost two months, outside his hospital bed which he'd developed a rather keen hatred for over that time. His wing was still splinted and sat awkwardly out by his side, his other wing out to keep balance. Brave Wing was with him, making sure he didn't hurt himself.

"Feel better?"

Defender nodded.

"Yes, it's good to be back on my own four hooves."

Brave wing nodded. He had deep shadows under his eyes from lack of sleep.

"That's good. I-"

His next words were cut off as the young stallion yawned, then looked down sheepishly.

"Sorry... I guess I couldn't hold that back any longer."

Defender smiled at him.

"Go and get some rest. It's never good for a guard to be tired on watch. Since you're not on duty, you'd best get some sleep."

"But I'm on duty again in a couple of hours..."

"Then that's a couple hours more sleep to keep you awake when it's important isn't it?"

Brave Wing went to speak, then nodded.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

At that moment the pretty young nurse trotted into the room and smiled at the pair, blushing slightly.

"Hello sir. Defender, are you feeling better?"

Defender glanced at the now furiously blushing Brave Wing and smiled.

"I'm feeling much better, thank you Heartsworn."

The young nurse giggled.

"Good! I'm glad I could be of service."

She pecked the still injured stallions' cheek and looked over at Brave Wing, who looked rather crestfallen, his face still flushed.

"And you? Are you alright? You look like you might have a fever..."

Brave wing started and shook his head, straightening up.

"N-No ma'am! I'm fine, thankyou."

"You sure? You look like you might be getting sick."

Brave Wing nodded frantically.

"I'm sure ma'am! Th...Thank you for your concern."

The nurse giggled slightly and nodded to him before trotting out of the room. Brave Wing let out an explosive sigh and Defender tried to contain laughter.

"You're still red Wing, need a physical?"

Brave wing shot a venomous glare at him, sending him into hysterics.

"Shutup Defender. Just... Shutup."

Luna looked at her room, dismayed. It was an utter mess. There was clothing strewn all over the room, shoes littered everywhere, her bedsheets were untidy and the bed unmade... In short, it looked like a bomb just hit it.

Oh Luna... Why do you insist on cleaning your own room?

Then she remembered the stack of playpony magazines stacked under her bed.

Oh... That's why.

She sighed in exasperation and concentrated. Things started flying everywhere. Shoes and clothing back to hanging up, her tiara back to her dresser, various make up products into the drawers of said dresser, the bed straightened itself and the sheets were draped neatly over it, Her favourite doll, one of her sister, flew over from the balcony and buried itself under the covers. A hairbrush flew out from under her bed, along with an airtight container which Luna stopped before it flew out of the room.

What's this?

She levitated the container over and popped it open. The smell of stuffed green olives filled the room. They were still fresh.

Score!

She giggled and popped one in her mouth, savouring the taste before returning to the cleaning of her room. She was considering what to wear for Defenders' coronation as her personal guard. She wasn't planning on refusing him, regardless what anypony else thought.

And I said I was offering an opportunity. More like a lifetime employment option!

She giggles slightly and ate another olive.

It'll be nice to have somepony to talk to now though... somepony to keep me company.

She felt slightly guilty at these selfish thoughts, but shoved them away quickly.

Hey, you've been through enough, you deserve this. You deserve it and you know it.

She sighed and trotted over to her dresser, looking in the mirror pensively, eating another olive.

Besides... where else does he have to go?

She decided upon regal clothing, but a bit more formal than normal. She wore her chest piece, which flew over from under her bed, her shoes of matching colour, from her closet, and her tiara, which floated down from the dresser. Simply to make sure everypony knew it was a special occasion, she wore a dress she'd planned on saving for that years' Grand Galloping Gala. A beautiful, flowing gown of deep blues and purples with sparkling star like sequins

Oh my, I do so love this gown!

She giggled and twirled a little, admiring herself in the mirror.

It's perfect!

"Sir?"

Stalwart Defender looked up from where he'd dozed off. He blinked a few times, then saw Stonewall poking his head in.

"Oh... Sergeant. What time is it?"

Stonewall smiled.

"Time to get inducted into the first of the Luna guard."

Defender smiled, his mending wing flicking up a little in nervous anticipation.

"Oh, well I guess I'd best be ready huh?"

The grizzled guard nodded, grinning.

"Aye son, you'd best be ready. C'mon, you've got a ceremony to attend."

Defender staggered to his hooves and shook off his grogginess. Instantly he had shrugged on the emotionless facade of those that take upon themselves the burden of being a guardspony.

"Yes sir, lead the way sir."

Stonewall snorted in amusement.

"Relax kid, I'm not going to get all 'superior officer on you'. You can be yourself."

Defender forced himself to relax and threw a not so confident grin at the guard.

"Heh... sorry Stone, guess I'm just nervous."

"Don't be. Her Majesty Luna really likes you, you'll make it either way."

Defender raised a brow at Stonewall, who shrugged.

"What? She wouldn't talk to you about affairs of state if she trusts you. On top of that son, she can't let you go anymore, simply because you could tell others about the way you helped her and her whole reputation will be ruined."

Defender paused just as he went to reply. What Stonewall had said made a lot of sense. She had spoken to him concerning events of state, and those aren't meant to be taken up with guards, let alone civilians as he was at the time. To let him go might potentially give him the chance to ruin her. Letting him go would have been a hell of a display of trust. On the other hoof...

"Be that as it may Stone, but having me as a personal bodyguard is also a great display of trust."

The old guard smiled and nodded.

"That it is. Good way to look at it."

"Only way to look at it."

Stonewall laughed softly.

"Either way, we've dawdled enough. If we're late, the princess'll have our heads. She wants this to be perfect."

Defender nodded and briskly trotted over to the door. The instant he stepped out he was surrounded by other guards. Stonewall laughed again.

"It's alright boys, he's not a criminal. You can give him some space."

Obediently, the surrounding guards took a half step away from the shocked Pegasus. One of them flashed a smile at him.

"Don't worry sir. We just got a little overexcited. Some of us will welcome the freedom from guarding two princesses."

Defender chuckled softly.

"I take it you're one of them?"

The guard nodded.

"Yessir, I am indeed. It's hard to find time to visit the family with such a demand on my time. I barely got an hour last Hearts and Hooves. But I love what I do and I like to think I do it well."

"Ahem."

The guard snapped back to attention and Stonewall gave him an odd look.

"We can introduce ourselves later. Just remember he'll be a higher rank than you and even me."

The guard nodded stiffly.

"Yessir!"

The grizzled old guard nodded.

"Good. Let's get going then."

There weren't many ponies in the throne room. Celestia and Luna and a detachment of royal guards were all. Celestia, calm, collected and utterly graceful as always, stood behind her sister, who sat at the foot of the steps to the thrones. Neither of them planned to use said thrones, and Celestia was hoping this wouldn't go on too long. As a result of her not so obvious tiredness, Celestia had very, very barely noticeable shadows under her eyes.

Still she looked just as beautiful. Go figure.

Luna didn't know how she did it, but she sat where she was needed, in her gown and royal accessories. Celestia had told her it wasn't necessary to dress up, but Luna had insisted.

Tia, it's my first guard. If I don't dress nicely he won't think I thought he was special enough to be my guard and that'll demoralize him.

She still didn't know where that reasoning had come from, but it had persuaded her sister and that was good enough for her. There was a series of staccato knocks on the door before it swung open and Defender was marched into the room, flanked by guards. In pairs, the guardsponies around Defender split off as the approached Luna, effectively forming a corridor of golden steel and muscle as they walked. At the end there was only Defender, who sank into a respectful bow, his wings held out on either side. Normally this wouldn't be permitted, but a special exemption had been made for him due to the condition of his wing. Luna suppressed a smile.

"Stalwart Defender, Town guard of Coltsvale."

Lunas' voice rang out across the room. Defender almost winced. It was Loud!

As it turns out, the Royal Canterlot voice was best reserved for large crowds.

Instantly her voice dropped towards the end. Celestia put a hoof over her mouth to muffle her slight giggle at her sister. Defender never missed a beat however.

"Yes, you majesty."

It wasn't a question. Confirmation of identity was always required in any induction into becoming a guard, and this was no different.

Well, except he would be guarding one of the most important ponies in Equestria should he succeed.

"I ask you now, Stalwart Defender and answer well, for this is your one and only chance. What makes you believe yourself worthy to serve me?"

Luna almost winced. She never did like the wording for that line. It made her feel like an arrogant ruler, of which she didn't think she was. This time, Defender took a deep breath to calm himself.

Alright Defender, don't screw this up.

"Your majesty. I served the town guard for almost twenty years since I was 15, It has been my sole occupation in life, I cannot do anything better than this. Her Majesty also saved my life, taking me in after an unfortunate accident involving breaking my wing and two legs when she could have left me to die. For this I owe a debt beyond mortal bounds. For these reasons will I exist only to serve you and protect you from those that would do you harm."

As an afterthought, after slight hesitation, he added.

"And I... have nowhere else to go."

Behind her sister, Celestia was smiling softly. It was clear she approved of him. Luna looked much more serious however.

"Stalwart Defender of Coltsvale."

Defender swallowed hard.

This is it...

"Yes your majesty?"

Luna motioned to a group of ponies behind Defender. A motion he failed to notice.

"Please stand."

Defender stood up, anxiety wracking his entire body and mind. Luna looked at him gravely.

"Do you swear to serve and protect me until such a time as you are incapable of doing so or until you are released from duty?"

Defender nodded crisply.

"Until death take me, or you have no further use of me, I so swear."

Luna almost cracked a smile.

"Then you will need a set of armour in which to defend yourself."

Defender stood at his new post outside Lunas' bedroom. Having no pressing business this night, she had resolved to spend it in her room doing whatever it is Princesses do in their spare time. As he did, he admired his new armour appreciatively. Whatever metal it was, it was remarkably strong and was a deep blue with almost purple tinges through it. Much like the night sky. It was fashioned similarly to those of the 'normal' royal guards, only the chestpiece had a shield emblazoned with a crescent moon rather than a star on the front. The moon piece was made of some sort of white stone which also seemed quite resilient.

Whoever made this is a fine smith indeed. I must remember to ask after him and thank him.

"Defendeeeeer!"

Defender looked back at the door behind him.

"Yes your majesty?"

There was a pause before Luna spoke again.

"Well, don't just stand there, get in here!"

Defender started in shock and nudged the door open and stood in the doorway. Luna was sitting at the balcony of her room, staring out at the night sky.

"Yes your Majesty?"

Luna turned to look at him and smiled, then gestured for him to come closer. Hesitantly, he took another step before sitting at attention again. Luna giggled.

"Defender, how do you expect me to talk to you from there?"

He struggled to find a way to put it without insulting her.

"I.. uh, the same way you would talk to anypony else your majesty?"

A flash of irritation flickered across Lunas' face.

"How do you expect to protect me if you're over there and a ruffian swings in through the window?"

Defender paused. She had a point. He sighed resigned to the fact that the Princess had won.

"Yes your majesty."

He walked over and sat a respectful distance to the left side of her. Luna giggled slightly at him.

"You know, you don't have to be so stiff, I'm not trying to talk to a brick wall."

Defender twitched.

"I'm sorry Your majesty, It's just... This is highly unorthodox and really isn't fitting of a guard t-"

He stopped as he felt a warmth against his body and he looked down, his eyes shooting open in alarm. Luna was snuggled up against him and her head was against his chest.

"W..Wha?"

She smiled at him.

"I was cold."