For the first time since his brush with death, Tercio felt truly alive again. Gone were the worries and resentment stemming from the revelations of his past, and the innumerable but necessary lies that had come tumbling down around him. In their place, he held a new-found sense of commitment; to his family, his post, and, most of all, his princess. They relied on him, looked to him for strength as much as he did to them, and he knew that nothing would come from feeling sorry for himself.

Maturity and acceptance -- those were the marks of a man, regardless of who he was or where he came from.

And so he vowed to keep those he cared for safe, the same pledge he'd taken upon joining the Guard over a decade ago. A reaffirmation felt good. It felt right.

At the top of his priorities was, of course, Princess Celestia. The mare he'd fallen for, who had once seemed an untouchable demigoddess living on high, had turned out to be more approachable and lovely than he'd ever imagined. Every moment he was with her felt like a waking dream, and he lamented that he could not be with her more.

He still felt a pang of regret when he thought about his actions following the reveal of his true origin. He had lashed out at her and, though she had assured him repeatedly that she had expected such a reaction and did not hold it against him, he could not help but wish he could take it back. Sometimes it felt like they were starting over again, at least to his eyes. He knew he was being hard on himself -- as did Celestia. Her knack for empathy and understanding was what had driven her to request him as her personal body guard for the day.

"It'll be just us," she'd said early that morning, her smile as radiant and warm as the sun itself.

As it turned out, it was exactly what they'd needed. The long hours gave them the chance to talk about many things.

"Tercio, would you mind if I asked you something?" Celestia had asked as they rested on the balcony overlooking the eastern quarter of Canterlot.

"Of course not. Ask anything you'd like," Tercio answered, his helm tucked under his arm.

Celestia hesitated before nervously speaking. "Do you still love me? After what I've put you through?"

Tercio wanted to tell her that she meant everything to him, that she was his strength in the darkest of times. Instead, he had simply walked over, caressed her cheek, and kissed her as lovingly as he could.

"Always," he'd told her, and for a time nothing else existed but the warmth of her embrace and the touch of her lips. It was over far too soon, her duties as Equestria's leader stopping for no one -- even him.

For hours he stuck to her side, overseeing meetings with generals, dignitaries and concerned subjects. Not once did she allow her weariness to show through; she was always calm and collected, patient and kind, with the most pressing of matters. Tercio admired her for many things, but her commitment to her duties was above and beyond anything he could have hoped for himself.

Dusk soon fell as Celestia set the sun to set and the moon to rise. Long shadows cast the valley below into darkness, while Canterlot basked in the fading glow of twilight before it, too, was enveloped in a blanket of comforting night.

"And so ends another day," Celestia said with a sigh of relief. A cup of tea floated to her at the same time her crown and jeweled breast collar were carefully set on a dresser, and she sipped at the steaming drink while Tercio made sure her chambers were secure. "Thank you for staying with me. I know standing guard can be a tiresome and often boring ordeal, but I wouldn't have wanted anyone else."

"It was my pleasure, Princess. Any time spent with you is time I value, duty-related or not. It's been some time since we've had a chance to be with one another for more than an hour or two." A final check revealed nothing to be out of the ordinary. Tercio allowed himself to relax, standing against the wall with his shield and spear at his side.

"I know, and I wish we could be together more often." Celestia put a foreleg around his waist and kissed him, pulling back with a genuine smile. "It's been so wonderful having you around, my love. I nearly lost you to death's embrace, and then again to the memories I'd held onto for so long."

"So long as I draw breath, I am yours," Tercio said, pulling her close once again. "If you so will it, Princess."

"Fortunately for you, Centurion, I do," Celestia replied with a gentle laugh. "So, I have some time left before I should turn in for the night. What would you like to do? We could walk through the gardens and enjoy the sights of the evergreens, or call upon my cook to bring us a meal. Or we could simply sit on the balcony, if you'd prefer."

"Actually, I had an idea I thought you might find interesting."

Celestia perked up an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Though it is late in the day, and I am sure you are probably exhausted, I thought we might try a bit of sparring. I've not had the chance to train with you since before I was injured by the deer, and I'm curious to see how far you've come. If you'd like to, of course."

Celestia considered it as she chewed her lip. "Leave it to a soldier to suggest combat as a way of relaxing," she said with a smirk. "You know what? That actually sounds like it could be fun."

"Really?" Tercio asked in disbelief. "To be honest, I was not expecting you to accept. Consider me surprised."

"I've been standing around and talking all day, I could use a little exercise. Besides, how often is it that we get the chance to do something like this without Stonewall yelling at us?"

"A fair point. Shall we go, then?"

A pair of scabbards floated from under Celestia's bed, their straps looping around her neck and hanging off to one side.

"Lead the way, oh faithful Praetorian."

Though he had been there several times before, Tercio still believed Canterlot Castle's private training room to be a marvel of Equestrian design. Magical torch sconces lined the glinting walls and sparked to life as Celestia entered, casting a soft glow of white light that revealed the combat targets against the far wall. A small armory of weapons waited just off to their right, with every kind of personal weapon Equestria had to offer, and a vaulted ceiling kept the room at a comfortable temperature despite the freezing weather. In size it was hardly larger than Celestia's chambers, but without support columns or unnecessary furniture it felt far more open.

"It's been some time since I was last here," Celestia said as she approached one of the tall, narrow windows. A steady snowfall was just beginning to set in, drifting past in delicate flakes. "Polaris keeps insisting I join him more often for continued lessons, but the holiday kept me busy. Hopefully I've not forgotten everything."

"I'm sure it'll come back to you once we get in the swing of things." Tercio set his spear in the corner and stepped to the wooden racks of hanging weapons that lined the wall, just off from the central dirt ring. Gladiuses, longswords, broad-headed and steepled maces, and all manner of daggers were arrayed in rows and columns. Beside them, small collections of spears, throwing pila and training bows rested against a rainbow of shields in all shapes and sizes.

"How has Polaris been, anyway?" he asked as he hefted a short blade, then decided against it. Not enough reach. "I've not seen him for quite a while."

Celestia trotted to his side and made sure her weapons were secured. "He fares well. He was one of the last to get holiday leave, so he likely won't return for a few days yet. I must say, his patience has been exceptional." A frown shadowed her face. "Learning to defend myself once more has been difficult. Before the assassination attempt by that despicable Lacertus, the last time I had raised a weapon was against, well..."

"Secundus," Tercio finished for her, the name he'd decided to give to the unfortunate human who had come before him. Even now he regretted that such a life had been thrown away for the sake of conquest. Were it not for Celestia,he would have likely suffered the same fate. "I can still see it as clear as day. It is a shame he could not be rescued." He grabbed a longsword of his own from the racks and slid it into the scabbard that used to belong to Nocturne. "But let us not dwell on the past right now. You and I have precious little time, and I for one intend to make the best of it."

"As do I," Celestia said, willing herself to forget about those dark days once more. "Shall we get started?"

Tercio assumed a ready stance with his blade, foregoing a shield for the time being. In response, Celestia floated both of her weapons from their sheathes. They bobbed gently just in front of her, one held high and the other low, points out.

"We'll start off easy," he said. "Show me what you remember of the first offensive form."

Celestia nodded, then began her moves. The first few swings were awkward and slow, but she quickly settled into the proper mindset and let her training take over for her. High slash, low block. Mid thrust, high block. Double thrust with a step to the side. Diagonal slashes. She allowed herself a smile as the movements flowed naturally, each swing punctuated by the clang of steel on steel. With a final twirl of her swords she stepped back.

"Very good! Your stances and movements were much more comfortable than when I saw you last. It would seem Polaris has done his job admirably."

"Thank you. I was hoping I wouldn't stumble through everything." As Celestia spoke, Tercio made several practice swings on his own. When he gave a grunt of frustration she asked, "is there something wrong?"

"It's this sword," Tercio answered. "I've not used a new weapon since Nocturne sacrificed itself to save me. I feel...less complete without it. That blade was like an extension of my own body -- perfectly balanced, comfortable to hold. And now? Well, I may as well be wielding a wooden toy for all the good it's going to do me."

"You'll get used to it again," Celestia said, her tone comforting. "Nocturne may have been an exceptional weapon, but you are an exceptional soldier. Even the best sword is only as good as the one who wields it."

"Still, I regret what happened. It deserved better." Taking a calming breath, Tercio returned to his stance. "Let's try some defense this time. Whenever you're ready." As soon as Celestia gave the signal, Tercio began a moderately paced series of strikes, none of which were truly meant to get through her flurry of parries and counter-blows. "Good. Remember to anticipate your opponent's next move. Watch his posture, his eyes. The movements of his body will give away his intentions before his weapons do." A second round of swings, faster this time. As Tercio studied her form he couldn't help but be impressed; the twin-sword style was almost entirely offensive in nature, and required much more effort to stop a killing blow from getting through than a simple sword and board combination, yet she handled it nearly flawlessly.

"This is not as easy as it looks," Celestia laughed as they broke away from each other. "How did I do?"

"Quite well, Princess. I dare say you've got the hang of it." Tercio took a quick drink of water and pulled a shield from the racks, the same curved tower design of his service shield. This particular one, he noticed, had words carved into its wooden backing near the grip: Favius of Stern Bridge, the mightiest of cocks! Scrawled next to it was a very crude image that he could only imagine had been seen by countless others over the years.

"It seems this Favius thought rather highly of himself," he said quietly. He couldn't help but chuckle at it.

"What was that?" Celestia asked.

"Nothing, just an amusing thought," he answered. If no one had brought it to an officer's attention yet, he wasn't going to ruin the fun by revealing it. "It seems you have a firm grasp of the basics, so how about we move on to something more advanced? We'll try some true simulated combat. Since neither of us are in armor we'll have to be a bit more careful, but it should be a reasonable facsimile of the real thing. If you think you're ready, that is."

"Only one way to find out." Celestia's swords sang as she brought them against one another.

"Now there's the proper spirit." Tercio readied himself, bringing his shield up to cover his neck all the way down to his knees. "What would you say to making things a bit more interesting? Perhaps a little wager?"

"A wager, hmm? What did you have in mind?" Celestia asked, intrigued.

"First to three victories. If I win, you have to drink a cup of joiliq, a Zevran, uh, 'specialty', we'll call it."

"Oh dear, I've heard stories about that particular kind of alcohol..." The princess made a sour face at the very thought of it. "Very well! And if you lose, then you have to wear a wreath of perennial flowers around your neck for the entire day, personally created by me. I assure you, it will be most festive."

Tercio imagined himself standing in morning formation with red, pink and white flowers circling his otherwise impressive armor. He would never hear the end of it.

"I suppose I'd better win, then. Right, I'd say we have a deal!"

"I'm glad you agree. Now, prepare yourself, my love, for I intend to show no mercy."

"And here I thought mercy was exactly what you were known for," Tercio retorted.

Celestia took a pair of practice swings. "Not today."

Taking a combat stance, Tercio motioned for her to take the first strike. He did not have to wait long.

The first series of blows rained down on him with a ferocity he'd never seen from her, her movements quick and precise as her many hours of practice took hold. Almost immediately he was on the defensive, throwing his shield up to block one sword while deflecting the other, then bringing it back down to cover himself from a low swing. When a brief opening presented itself, he struck out with a stab from his sword. Celestia sidestepped it and brought both of her own weapons in from opposing sides. One was blocked, but the other stopped just a hair's breadth from Tercio's ribs.

"That's one," she said with a plain look of satisfaction. She'd hardly exerted herself.

"By the gods! Were you holding out on me before?" Tercio was not so lucky, already having broken out into a sweat.

"Perhaps just a bit..."

"Consider me impressed! Looks like I'll have to give you my full attention after all."

Celestia smiled knowingly and said, "I don't know, I think I had your full attention long before we even started. Night has fallen, yet you remain focused on the sun..." She gave a subtle shake of her hindquarters for emphasis, her easy first victory putting her in a playful mood.

"You say that as if it is a bad thing."

"Oh, not at all. It keeps you from winning, doesn't it?"

"We'll see."

This time Tercio took the initiative, sprinting forward with his shield in front of him and his sword resting on top, point out. Celestia quickly stepped to the side, but Tercio had expected exactly such a move and swung wide and to his left, forcing his longsword past the defensive parry and bringing his shield up into her chest. Celestia exhaled sharply and dropped her focus, her weapons clattering to the dirt as she landed in a cloud of dust.

"One all. Are you alright?"

Celestia picked herself up and brushed herself off as best she could.

"I'm okay," she reassured him with a disbelieving laugh. "That was rather unexpected, to say the least. That's going to be sore in the morning..."

"My apologies, I didn't mean to put so much force into it. I'm used to training with other soldiers, and things can get rather physical."

Celestia picked her blades up in sparkling clouds of magic once more. "Luckily for you I am not a delicate flower."

"Though you are as beautiful as one," Tercio said. A moment passed, and he laughed to himself. "That was rather saccharine,
wasn't it?"

"It was sweet all the same. A shame it won't stop me from defeating you handily."

One of her swords rushed out at him, passing by his head as he jumped back in surprise. It circled behind him, coming in from a slight angle and swiping past his tunic. As he turned to block it, the second sword battered his shield with a powerful swing that momentarily drew his attention away. Faced with attacks from two directions at once, he lunged forward and went on the offensive, covering up and making himself a smaller target as he closed the distance. A quick peek over the top of his shield was met by Celestia's hind legs kicking out at him, slamming into his shield and knocking him down in a heap.

"Hmm...do I want to use pink winterbloom, or speckled dragon's hood..." she teased.

Tercio stuck his sword into the dirt and lifted himself up, noticing that the force of her buck had put twin indentations in the wood and iron shield. Either Celestia had remembered everything she was taught so many years ago, or she had been practicing far more than he'd realized. Either way, he was glad to see she had been taking her training seriously -- even if it meant she was winning.

"It's not over just yet," he said, readying himself once more.

"Well, if you insist. You can lay down your arms and give in now, if you like. It would save us both some time."

Her answer was a longsword swishing past her shoulder. She attempted a variant of the same move, this time attacking from either flank at the same time, but Tercio was ready. A vicious swing of Tercio's shield batted away one of the floating blades hard enough to rip it from Celestia's concentration, sending it skittering across the floor. Down to one, she was forced to fight defensively, using low-powered magic spells to keep Tercio at a distance. Shimmering magical barriers sprang up before him, transparent walls large enough to delay him from gaining an advantage. He pushed through them as they appeared, slowed only momentarily. With few other options he hurled his shield across the gap, aimed low enough to not cause any serious damage should it connect, and drew his dagger immediately after.

Celestia quickly flapped into the air to avoid his throw, trying to keep her remaining sword in play. It clashed twice, and as she brought it down for a third strike Tercio brought his sword and dagger together in a V-shape, catching her blade between the cross guards of his own and pulling it down so that it was nearly level with his chest, off to one side.

She tried to pull the weapon away, but Tercio's hold was firm. He managed to get a solid grasp of its contoured grip with his left hand, dropping his dagger at the same time, and with a strong tug he broke it free of her control in a mist of sparkling yellow. Celestia recoiled forward from the magical connection, bringing her just close enough that Tercio could stick out his sword and stop it a short distance from her exposed chest.

"Two all, my dear princess." He picked up the other weapon, then handed them back to her with a smirk as she landed. "If I'm honest, I'm surprised that worked. I did not think removing a weapon from your hold would cause such a reaction."

"Neither did I," Celestia said.

"You can move the sun and moon, but losing a sword causes you to falter? You'll forgive me if I am somewhat confused."

"The sun and moon don't fight back. I know you don't have true magical capabilities, unless you count your inherent resistance to it, but trust me when I say that trying to maintain your focus in the midst of combat is difficult." She levitated her longswords and held them in front of her. "Think of it this way: you have to pay attention to the enemy's movements, right? That's in addition to overall battlefield awareness, as well as your own actions. Now imagine trying to double that level of finesse, and you'll have some idea what it's like. Most unicorns, like our friend Polaris, spend years trying to do that with a single weapon, nevermind two. Keep in mind, as well, that I have not used the full extent of my power in a very long time."

"You mean against Secundus," Tercio guessed.

"Yes. Unleashing that blast of raw magical energy took a permanent toll on me, effectively cutting off a portion of my magic forever. I doubt I could do such a thing again without grave consequences. It was a move of desperation."

"I see. If such a thing were to come to pass again, could you defend yourself adequately?"

Celestia frowned. "I don't know. Let us hope it does not come to that. That's what I have you and the others here for, and why I'm practicing with you."

"Very true." Tercio hefted his shield one last time, already feeling his muscles burning in protest. Sweat had caused his tunic to stick to his body and become uncomfortably rough against his skin, so he lifted it over his head and tossed the damp garment to the side.

For a simple bout of practice combat, it had proven to be quite a challenge.

"From what I've seen so far," he said, "I'd say you've more than sufficiently proven your capabilities in single combat. One more, then?"

"One more," Celestia answered, taking several steps back to her starting position.

"I would ask that you do not hold back this time. I want to see what you're capable of in a full-fledged fight. Do whatever you feel is necessary to win."

"If that is your wish. I do not want to hurt you, though."

Tercio ran the pommel of his sword across his scarred chest. "After what I've been through, I am not worried. Try to avoid running me through, if you can, but other than that..." He clapped his sword against his tower shield twice. "Whenever you're ready."

In truth, Tercio did not expect to win. Though he cringed at the thought of being the palace's most colorful of decorations for a day, it was ultimately a small price to pay to make sure Celestia was willing and able to defeat any opponent. The sight of her bleeding on the floor of the crystal cave was not one he wanted to see repeated, and after seeing her memories he knew she was capable of so much more, if only she could reach down to the depths of power she'd not known since she fought alongside Luna.

Celestia's longswords levitated into the air as she stomped a hoof in the dirt. Hoping to catch her off guard, Tercio lashed out with his arm at full extension, thrusting his weapon past her defenses. She dodged out of the way without much effort, using her momentum to carry her swords to his left side. They clattered against his shield in a barrage of strikes, chipping away splinters of wood as he tucked into his defensive stance. Celestia turned her body as if to unleash a powerful buck, only to leap over him with a single, powerful flap of her wings.

Tercio ducked below her unexpected move and whirled around as she landed, barely able to scramble out of the way as her swords were brought down from above. A bash from his shield knocked them away momentarily, giving him a chance to go on the attack. He started with a combination of stabs and slashes, altering his blows to come from different angles, then sprinted forward with a shout.

The room suddenly grew brighter as the glow from Celestia's horn intensified, a second, more unstable layer of magic overlapping the first and causing sparks of raw arcane power to fall to the ground. A yellow flash rippled out, and Tercio found himself momentarily unable to move as the unmistakable prickling sensation of magical energy came over his body. He strained his muscles and willed himself to push against it, the memory of the whitetail doe's paralyzing spell at the forefront of his mind. He had escaped it then; there had to be a way out of Celestia's variant. He wished he had Nocturne with him.

As he struggled, Celestia's focus drifted in and out. Maintaining such a spell was taking its toll on her concentration, and she found it difficult to keep her weapons in the air.

"Do you surrender?" she asked, hoping she wouldn't have to keep at it for much longer. Tercio gritted his teeth and managed to bring one of his arms back enough to cover himself behind his shield. A wave of force slammed into his shield, skidding him back several inches. "I am only doing as you asked."

But Tercio did not hear her words, all of his attention turned to the shimmering film that clung to every inch of his body and kept him in place. It flickered briefly as he took a half-step forward, and again as he brought his sword up.

He had learned a few things since his encounter with his would-be captor over a month ago; above all else, he'd learned that his strength of will had a tangible effect on the magic that permeated the world. His battle against the dark thing within him had shown him that even the most powerful of forces could be defeated, and as another blast of magic battered his body he committed himself entirely to countering it. Instead of being shoved back, he held firm. His grip on his sword strengthened until it dug into his skin, and he pushed into his shield until his shoulder was sore. Every muscle burned, but still he carried onward. Just a bit more...

Celestia gave a surprised yelp as the spell suddenly broke in a fog of yellow magic that trailed from Tercio's body as he rushed forward with a ferocity she'd not yet seen. In a panic she pulled her swords up, bringing them before her just in time to stop an overhead swing that likely would have forced her to accept defeat. She wasn't sure how he had managed to break free from the paralysis spell, but she was not out of options just yet. There was one more thing she could do, tired though it would leave her.

For nearly half a minute she countered his attacks, dodging and parrying in a frenzy of practiced movements that demanded more from her body than she'd felt in years. With heavy breath she launched into a counter-attack, meeting her swords against Tercio's hard enough to feel the reverberations through her magical connection to them.

With a shout she brought both blades down as hard as she could so that they stuck fast into the top of Tercio's shield, their points roughly facing him. Thinking he had gained an advantage, Tercio stepped into her and brought his longsword in from the side.

Celestia disappeared in a flash of light, just long enough for Tercio to momentarily drop his guard. After a heartbeat she reappeared above him, kicked a leg out hard enough to send his weapon flying out of his hand and across the room, and was gone once again.

Tercio barely had time to register what had happened before he was slammed roughly to the ground by hooves that were suddenly on his shoulders. Celestia had come back directly behind him, and with wide eyes he saw that his shield -- complete with lodged swords -- was close enough to his chest that he could feel their points scraping against his skin. Only a thin veneer of magic kept them from going any further.

Prone on the ground, defenseless, and with nowhere to go, Tercio raised his right hand in surrender. "I yield," he said in a strained, coughing voice. "I yield!"

He looked up, wearily, and saw Celestia standing over him. She was breathing heavily, a look of determination still on her face despite her victory. Her flowing mane hung down to one side, draping over his arm and part of his chest. A soft glow radiated from her, like the light of a fading day, and sparkling magic slowly faded from her long, spiraling horn.

Then, without a word, she dipped her head and kissed him. It was gentle and warm, and as he returned her affection she lifted him from the ground so that he was nearly sitting, embracing him with her forelegs and pulling him against her with a gasp. Her kiss grew more passionate and forceful, and when she finally pulled away she smiled with a sincerity he found more beautiful than any sunset.

"Looks like I win," she said at last, her face flushed with embarrassment and pride in equal measure.

"If this is what I can expect, perhaps I should take you sparring more often." Tercio pushed himself up and dusted off his clothing. "That was rather unexpected..."

"The kiss, or the fact that I beat you?"

"Both, I suppose."

Celestia placed her swords back into their scabbards and lifted Tercio's equipment back to their spots on the wall, smiling all the while. She had faced arguably the most capable soldier in Equestria in single combat, and come out on top. If only Luna were around to see her...

"Thank you for inviting me, this has been far more interesting than a walk through the garden -- if much more exhausting. I have not worked up such a sweat since...well, I honestly can't remember the last time."

"It was my pleasure, Princess. I'm genuinely impressed by your skill in combat, it seems Polaris and the others have taught you well. I was not expecting you to be able to teleport so rapidly, and with such precision. Have you always been able to do that?"

Celestia laughed. "I wish I could say yes, but such taxing movements were usually Luna's style. I've been practicing lately, however, and I believe the results speak for themselves."

"I can't argue that." He could already picture the wreath of flowers around his neck. "Looks like I'll be adding a bit of color to the Praetorian Guard tomorrow. Do try and show a bit of mercy. Maybe don't go with all pink?"

"I wasn't going to before, but now that you mention it..." Celestia let possibility hang in the air with a satisfied giggle.

"Wonderful." Tercio picked up his tunic and bunched it under his arm. "We should do this again. Same time next week, perhaps?"

"Next week sounds perfect. Who knows? You might even stand a chance next time."

"Ha! One win and you're already speaking as if you're the greatest champion in Equestria. I must say, I like this more aggressive Celestia."

"You have not even begun to see 'aggressive', my love. All in good time..."

Tercio pulled her close and ran his fingers through her gently billowing mane. "Well now, there's something to look forward to." They shared a lingering kiss and held each other for a time, not caring about anything else. All of the worry and strife of the outside world was free to simply vanish, if only briefly. "I should probably head to the bath house to get this sweat and dirt off me before bed. Care to join me?"

Celestia regretfully shook her head. "While your offer is tempting, I'm afraid I do need to take care of a few things before I can retire for the night."

"I see," Tercio said, plainly disappointed. "I suppose I do forget that I am in love with the busiest mare in the known world, from time to time. No matter, there's always next week." He smiled lovingly and gave her a final, parting kiss. "Have a good night, Princess. I shall see you on the morrow."

"That you shall. Good night, Tercio. I had a wonderful time."

It was not until he left the training room that his muscles began to protest in earnest. A hot bath would be just the thing after having been thoroughly beaten by Celestia's sharp mind and sharper reflexes, and it would give him time to relax by himself for a bit; it was unlikely there would be anyone else around at such a late hour.

It was bitterly cold as he passed through the barracks hallway to the open-air overhang that marked the entrance of the bath house. He pushed through the howling wind and blowing snow flakes, briefly looking up to see the crescent moon peeking through a gap in the clouds. Sturdy torches flickered and whipped with every gust, barely staying lit in the freezing gale. Tercio followed their meager light, sighing with relief when he reached the protection of the arched entrance. He passed through a set of doors, and was met by the warm embrace of lingering steam clouds and the earthy smell of medicinal herbs that hung from the ceiling in twine-wrapped bunches.

He called out for anyone else that might be around, receiving no reply. That suited him just fine. A pair of stone benches lined one of the walls, sitting atop dark red-brown tiles slick with condensation. His clothing was quickly removed and set down on the furthest one, the white linens stained with perspiration and caked-on dust. A fresh set went down beside them.

Slipping into the hot water was like having every muscle in his body massaged at once. He let out a long, satisfied exhale as he submerged himself up to his neck and stretched, then leaned back against the hewn stone lip and closed his eyes. It was not often he had the chance to do so, free of the shouting and carousing of the other Praetorians. He wished he had some wine, perhaps a nice amasec to ease his mind as well as his body.

His thought drifted to his home, his station, his battles. Brief memories of sharing a meal, or flashes of steel and sprays of blood. No longer could he picture one without the other, so intertwined had they become. Here and there were glimpses of a time before his own -- a shouted deertongue order, a towering behemoth of a man. Crystalline walls. His infantile self, seen through the eyes of another.

The last half-year had brought about more strife and challenge than he'd experienced in all his years prior. He had proven himself in true, merciless combat, and had come away with the scars to show it. A dark magic had revealed itself, lying in wait within his very body, and he had taken the ultimate measure to free himself of it. In the process, the truth of his origin had come to light, bringing with it a doubt and loathing as fearsome and sickening as the thing that had sought to turn him against the very ones he cared for.

Yes, it had been a time of great changes, and great loss, for himself and the others. But he was still here, still fighting. So long as his lungs carried breath, he would not give in. He owed it to himself, and, more importantly, to those who trusted him with their lives. If the gods were just, the war with Whitetail would come to an end soon, and what little remained of the Nightmare Moon cults would vanish back to the dark holes they came from. Then he would no longer have to worry about his brother, or his colleagues, and life could resume as it had before everything changed.

Eventually he drifted off into a restful nap, lulled by the water that comforted him like a warm blanket. A serene, dreamless sleep. How long he slept, he did not know, nor care.

The creaking of wooden doors and the clop of hooves on stone roused him in a fit of semi-lucid reaction. He immediately reached for the dagger he kept above him, clutching it against his thigh as he waited to see who was approaching. With the deer presumably still seeking to take him away, he couldn't be too cautious.

He was surprised, and relieved, to see the shapely figure of Celestia trot around the corner. A robe of red and gold was wrapped around her body, insulation against the freezing night. Tercio relaxed and set his short blade back where it had been, his head and upper chest visible over the top of the bath.

"Oh, my, I've not felt it this cold for at least a week or two," Celestia said as she set a small set of thick towels on a bench. "I fear we're not going to have a mild winter after all." She turned and regarded Tercio as if just noticing him. "You know, the more I thought about it, the better a nice, hot bath sounded. Signing off on royal ledgers can wait until the morning." A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Mind if I join you?"

"I suppose there's room for one more," Tercio said. It was a bit surreal that she was there -- she tended to avoid public places when she was with him, out of necessity as much as anything else. "I was not expecting you to show, but you'll not hear me complain."

"I figured as much. I would have been here sooner, but I debated doing so for some time."

Celestia's horn flared a soft yellow, untying the cloth band around her midsection. The ends of her robe fell loosely to either side.

"I understand, secrecy and all," Tercio assured her while watching in interest. "I'm glad you decided to come all the same. I doubt we'll have to worry about anyone else showing up this late."

"I hope not. I want this time with you all to myself."

The silken robe seemed to glide off her, like water streaming around a smooth rock in a babbling creek. She set it aside, neatly folded atop the nearest bench.

Celestia walked around the side of the bath, seeming to take an achingly long time. She glanced over her shoulder at him with a wry smile, putting an extra sway into her step, and tested the water. Satisfied, she waved Tercio over.

"Care to help your princess?" She slipped into the bath as Tercio took a hoof in his hand, her flowing mane and tail floating on the surface yet still retaining their shine. A long exhale escaped her lips once she settled into place, enjoying the hot water that caressed her body. "Goodness, but that does feel nice. I should have done this sooner."

Her wings stirred the bath as she drifted them back and forth, stretching them to their full size. She considered the artwork in the domed ceiling, frescoes made of thousands of small tiles, and smiled. "I remember when Abresius first came to Luna and myself with the proposal for those images. He said he would 'create the sun and the moon sailing across the sky, on a river of ambrosia'. Always a way with words, that one. You can still see his signature after all these years, in the top right corner. Ancient Equestrian lettering for his wife's name -- Dresia."

"I'd never noticed," Tercio said, his attention split between the ceiling and the mare before him, more the latter than the former. Her beauty threatened to take the breath from his lungs, even as he spoke. "He must have been immensely talented to create something that's lasted for generations."

"One of the greatest. You know, I can still remember his voice; rough like a kettle full of gravel, yet sincere and reassuring. He and his wife used to visit the palace every week, and they would always bring this wonderful bread spotted with honeyed dates. It was Luna's favorite food for decades." Celestia sighed. "It's been so long. I watched his children grow, then his grandchildren, and their grandchildren, until eventually they just sort of...faded into memory, like so many others. I've probably forgotten more ponies than most will ever meet in their lifetimes."

An uneasy pause filled the air. Tercio could not begin to relate to having seen so many good souls come and go, for even the awful toll of combat paled in comparison to four centuries of loss. He wondered if it was something she thought of often, and marveled that she could remain strong through so much.

"It took me a long time to come to terms with the inevitable fact that I will outlive everyone I care for," Celestia said at last, breaking the silence. She tucked her wings back against her sides. "After my dear old Starswirl passed away, I was convinced that I could not, and would not, find someone I cared for so deeply ever again. I locked myself away from that feeling as sure as if I'd surrounded myself with iron bars, despite Luna's insistence that time would heal my wounded heart. I thought her foolish, inexperienced in such things -- but she was right.

Since then, I've learned that what is important, above all else, is making the most of the time you do have together. I can't let the fear of loss control me. Not again."

Her soft, pink eyes shimmered with the diffuse orange glow of torch fire. The water rippled around around her and dripped from her mane as she stood before him, then placed a hoof over his chest, tracing the outlines of his scars; a lifetime of hardships and determination, marred by the lingering reminders of senseless conflict and internal struggles.

"I love you, Tercio. I don't care how different we are, or what others think of us being together. I don't want to hide it anymore."

Tercio met her gaze with a regretful frown. "If only it were so simple. You know what the others would think, how they'd shun me if it were brought into the open so sudd--"

Celestia interrupted him with a gentle kiss. When she pulled away, she said, "I know. I know it's more complicated than that. One day soon, I hope."

"One day soon," Tercio agreed. They embraced each other and said nothing for a time, content to simply be close.

There was a heaviness to his chest in that moment, like a stone buried beneath his skin, yet at the same time he felt an elation the likes of which he'd never known. Every sensation, from the touch of her skin and coat, to the soft exhale of her breath, brought a wonderful euphoria.

This, he decided, was what love was supposed to feel like. Not the misplaced lust and desperate longing he'd clung to in the past, where he'd hoped to find temporary joy in the curiosity of whatever mare would humor him with a passing tryst -- no, this was different. Genuine. He loved Celestia with all of his heart and soul, and he knew she felt the same about him.

No words would suffice, or could possibly say everything he wanted. Instead, he caressed her cheek in his hand, pulled her close, and kissed her lovingly. Her forelegs wrapped around his torso and pressed him against her, and she gave a soft moan of approval as he chanced slipping his tongue into her mouth. Gently she pressed him against the bath wall, able to think of nothing but his touch as she felt a stirring in her heart she'd not known for many, many years.

"You make me so happy," she said, nuzzling his cheek. That beautiful smile that he so loved spread across her features, tinted with blush like a winter flower. "I...I want to be with you, Tercio. I've been afraid to admit such a thing for too long, but being here, in your arms, I can't imagine being anywhere else." She whispered into his ear. "Please come back with me."

Her tender embrace warmed him more than any bath, so comforting and genuine.

He would not have turned her down for all of the gold in Equestria.

The walk to Celestia's chambers was almost entirely silent. Neither of them managed more than a nervous smile or a passing comment on the cold. Tercio could feel his heart pounding already, threatening to beat its way out of his chest as they approached the ornate doors at the end of the marble hall. It had been well over a year since he'd been intimate with anyone -- a pretty if somewhat boring mare from Marestopholous -- and even then it had been nothing more than a half-drunken satisfying of their baser urges. There had been no real love that night, only sex, leaving him feeling temporarily sated but ultimately no better about his prospects as Equestria's only human. In a very real way, he had resigned himself to being a curiosity, a strange thing to be explored and forgotten by the more curious mares.

Celestia had changed all that. The love he felt for her, and received in turn, had been the catalyst for resisting the dark magic that had resided within him. She was on his mind constantly, and the mere sight of her lifted his spirits and improved even the worst of days. Now that he knew the truth, he appreciated her kind heart more than ever.

Yes, he would have died for her, as his duty demanded, but now he was determined to live for her, to be there in her times of need for as long as their relationship lasted. He had finally found his purpose in this world.

As they stepped into the warm, elegantly decorated room, he could only imagine what was going through Celestia's mind. If what she had told him was true, then it had been hundreds of years since she'd last made love. If he was nervous, then she was likely terrified, hiding it beneath that refined exterior that had been built up over the centuries.

The doors closed with a quiet clack. Celestia stood before him, nervously biting her lip and only occasionally looking in his direction. In the corner, the fireplace popped and crackled, the only sound that filled the unsure quiet between them.

"Carissima," he prompted, one of the few words of ancient Equestrian he was familiar with -- a term of endearment reserved only for the most beloved and cherished of relationships. Celestia's ears perked up at the phrase. "Is this what you truly want? If you are unsure, or uncomfortable, then I would not hold it against you for even the briefest of moments." He placed his hand on her neck to comfort her, waiting for her to respond. "I love you, Princess. I would wait a lifetime if that is what you wished."

Tears glistened in her eyes and ran down her cheeks, and she wiped them away with a nervous laugh. "I'm sorry, my love. It's just...it's been so very long since I've felt this way about anyone. After the shared memories I wasn't sure if you'd ever really be the same -- if you'd still care for me so deeply." She smiled sincerely. "I promise, these are not tears of sorrow, but of joy. You have been my rock during the most trying of times, ever since the start of this miserable war. I felt it even before you admitted your feelings for me. It was always there, just waiting for me to see it." She kissed him and said, "I want us to share this, Tercio. Just you and I."

Soft yellow light illuminated them as Celestia began to lift Tercio's long winter tunic above his head, then set it down on a small table near the fireplace. A brief moment later his undergarments were set beside his outerwear, folded with care. At the same time, she slipped out of her gold and crimson robe, letting it fall to the ground around her hooves, and gently pulled him against her with a foreleg around his waist.

Celestia ran her eyes over his body, admiring the shape and tone of his physique. What she wouldn't have given to be able to will away his scars, the reminders of all he had sacrificed in service to her. They likely would not be the last, a harsh reality of falling for one of her own soldiers.

She pushed such thoughts away as Tercio ran his hand through her flowing mane, his fingers gently tilting her head up. There was so much she wanted to say as she met his loving gaze, but the words eluded her. Instead, she kissed him gingerly and allowed herself to become lost in the touch of his skin, the strong embrace of his arms. A blissful warmth spread through her, born of the first true love she'd felt in so very long. It was intoxicating and wonderful, and her body pleaded for more as she passionately kissed down his neck and shoulder.

Her cheeks flushed as she realized she could feel him becoming increasingly aroused by her touch. He must have noticed her reaction, for he pulled back and smiled at her as they remained embraced.

"Are you embarrassed?" he chuckled. Celestia tried to answer, only to look away as she felt her face redden, which made him laugh again. "Beautiful and sweet. Other men could only hope to be so fortunate." He took her hoof and led her to the bed, sinking into the thick blankets as she laid on top of him. His fingers teased down her chest and between her legs, and she bit her lip and moaned softly at the sensation.

"Tercio?" she asked as she placed her head against his. "Would you stay with me tonight?"

He held her tight and answered without hesitation.

"Of course I will."