Chapter 15

Noble Heart

Over the next couple days, the inhabitants of Canterlot, Ponyville and Cloudsdale had only one thing on their minds. From the young to the old, everyone was either buying new suits and dresses or going through their clothes to find their best outfits for the Celebration of Unity. Inside the castle, it was no different. The staff was busying themselves by doubling the maintenance. The mares made sure to save their best gowns while the stallions made sure they had their suits ready for the upcoming night’s event. For the two sisters, their studying was on nothing else but how to greet guests. They went over how to except the hooves of the attendants and how to show respect to those with power. It was rumored that Princess Platinum’s father was going to arrive for the celebration along with several other rulers across the land. Even the whispered talk of a possible general from the Griffons was said to make their appearance as well. The two found out from Platinum that her father was indeed going to attend. Their eldest sister had also informed them that her husband was coming as well.

“Oh, that’s good!” said Celestia when Aurora told her and Luna the news.

“Are you two alright?” Aurora asked. “You look a little pale.”

“It’s nothing,” said Luna quickly. “Just a little anxious. That’s all.”

Aurora smiled at the two.

“Don’t worry, you will do just fine!”

“You think so?” asked Celestia feeling slightly sick.

“I know so,” said Aurora. “Just remember everything we’ve gone over and you’ll be alright.”

“Fifteenth time lucky you reckon?” said Celestia.

Aurora gave her sister’s a reassuring smile.

“You’ll be fine. Trust me.”

It was strange. At first Celestia and Luna weren’t sure what to think of having their big sister back after all this time. They weren’t sure if they would grow to accept her either, but now it felt normal talking to her. She had a gift of growing on you that’s for sure. Almost as if with just by looking into her eyes, any doubt you had faded away and you could trust her with anything you had to say. When Celestia nodded back confidently in response, the three went over the greeting ceremony again. By the end of their lesson, Celestia and Luna were certain that when tomorrow night came, they would be more than ready to preform their duties along side their older sister, brother in law and parents.

“Big sister Aurora?” asked Luna before the three made to leave. “Have you heard that a member of Griffons might attend too?”

For a moment Aurora remained silent. Her smile had gone away. It looked like she was trying to come up with an appropriate response. Finally she said very seriously, “Yes, I have heard about that Luna.”

“Do you think it’s true?” Persisted Luna.

“Maybe,” said Aurora.

There was something in her tone that sounded wary.

“I don’t know why they would be attending, but if they are, we will treat them like the rest of the guests.”

“Aurora?” said Celestia, noticing the sudden foreboding reaction to her little sister’s question. “Are you alright? Is there something we should know about them?”

“What? Oh, no, nothing that you don’t already know.” said Aurora trying to correct her mistake.

“Big sister,” said Celstia just as serious. “If there is something you know, you can tell us. We are Princesses too.”

“It’s nothing to be worried about honestly,” said Aurora. “As you might already know the Griffons haven’t been honest with us lately and… The King did send them a letter questioning them about their rise in territory in the east.”

“Yes, he did say he was going to that,” said Celestia wanting to hear more. “What did they have to say back?”

“Oh, just the usual. ‘No need for his majesty to fret over nothing.’” said Aurora rolling her eyes. “And to prove that they have nothing to hide from us, they would be sending one of their generals here to talk with him personally.”

“I bet father didn’t like that,”

“No, he didn’t.” said Aurora with a frown. “I just hope they can put aside their differences for one night. We’ve had enough problems already without them adding to it.”

“Well, if father wants to make sure we can trust them, he has to get their attention somehow,” said Luna.

“That is true, but he needs to be careful.” Aurora cautioned. “Griffins are not likely to do anything he asks of them if they feel that they are being threatened.”

“Why would they be?” asked Celestia confused. “If they are gaining territory without letting us know about it then we have a right to question them.”

“You are too young to understand, but I can tell you two this much.” She gestured them to come closer incase someone was listening in behind the closed door.

“We are talking about a different kind of being. Griffons are a very proud and stubborn race.”

“Like the Earth Ponies?” asked Luna.

“No, they make them look tame. But with our kind venturing out into new lands, it seemed only natural for them to do the same. The problem is… We might have angered other creatures that already live in those lands. We like to make sure we can coexist together and if not, we move along. With Griffons, it is different. First they try to make a deal and if that doesn’t work, they become more territorial and will actually take the land by force if they have to. If the Griffons have more territory than us, we need to make sure that their land doesn’t get too close to ours. But we need to be careful how we approach that topic. If we push too hard, they are likely to rebel and if that happens, things could go horribly wrong.”

“It sounds like we need to act accordingly and choose our words carefully,” said Luna.

“I agree,” said Aurora. “I’ve tried to tell the King the same thing, but we’ll see come tomorrow night.”

There was another moment of silence while Aurora looked out the window. She saw a group of Royal Guards make yet another visit to the newly reformed forest. The rest of Canterlot along with Ponyville and Cloudsdale must have noticed the sudden change by now and would want to investigate. It was the strangest thing. Over night, the forest had grown back as if nothing was ever wrong with it.

“Say, have you two noticed the forest today?” she asked right when Celestia and Luna were about to leave.

“Yes,” said Celestia trying her best to hide her excitement.

“Do you have any idea what could have caused it to happened?”

Keeping their faces as blank as possible, they shrugged.

“No, I can’t say I have,” said Celestia, grateful that her older sister back was facing her and Luna so she couldn’t see the smile slowly forming on their faces.

“Your guess is as good as ours!” Luna spoke up. “But as long as the forest is back, that should handle the problems we’ve been having down there right? The animals will be returning and the Everfree will be back to the way it once was!”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” said Aurora giving one last look out the window before turning away and left the classroom with her younger sisters.

“By the way big sister, do you think mom and dad will be happy to meet your husband?” asked Luna

“Oh, umm, they should be. Yes, everything will be fine when he shows up!”

There was something in her voice that sounded worrisome.

“Aurora, what’s wrong?” asked Luna.

“I- I don’t think they were happy that I married a Unicorn. I mean… Our kind are-and he’s... I know they’re only thinking of sparing me from greater heart ache in the future but, I don’t care!”

“Hang on,” said Celestia in disbelief. “They can’t be thinking of denying your marriage!”

“Celestia!” said Luna looking around nervously incase they were passing by any royal guards.

“They can’t do that!” said Celestia indignantly. “They seemed happy at first right? How could they change their minds now?”

“Celestia, we’re not sure if they are against it yet!” said Luna just as loud.

“I know Luna, but you can’t say that they can make a decision when they haven’t even met the guy yet!”

“Shhhh! Hold that thought!”

They were just going down the main hall when they were passing by two royal guards standing at attention in front of the open throne room. Inside, they saw their parents talking to Snap Shot and several other guards before the doors closed on them. With Celestia still fuming and Luna wanting to get as far away from earshot as possible, they had only went a couple more steps before Aurora stopped in her tracks. They were now feet away from the castle doors. They could hear the distant sounds of talking drawing closer with each passing second. Aurora stood glued to the spot. Her ears twitched as she caught hints of a familiar voice amongst the royal guards. When the voices had reached the front doors, her heart skipped a beat.

“It can’t be,” she said aloud and galloped off.

Celestia and Luna followed after her but right when Aurora was about to head outside, the front doors opened revealing two royal guards who stood at attention the second they spotted the princesses. Aurora and her two sisters watched as a tall red unicorn in a navy blue doublet stepped into sight. Golden patterns ran across the shoulder pads, sleeves and waist with gold buttons that glimmered in the sunlight. His slightly long brown mane and tail had been combed leaving wavy curls. His dark eyes found Aurora and he gave her loving smile.

“Greetings my Princess,” he said bowing his head to her.

His voice was soft, almost like a whisper. Aurora stared at the stallion open mouthed.

“Noble?” Auroa said in disbelief.

“Yes I know, go ahead. Make any joke you like. I told them not to go overboard back at the Empire but…”

Aurora couldn’t help herself. In a flash she embraced her husband. The guards stomped their hooves in response, keeping their gaze on the horizon. Noble’s surprised look vanished and he immediately returned his affection by holding his wife close.

“What are you doing here so soon?” Aurora asked looking up at him. “I thought the Guild was holding you back until tomorrow night?”

“Got off early for good behavior,” Noble said with a smirk. “And how have you been? What does his majesty and the Queen think of the arrangement?”

“They’re fine with it!” Aurora lied. “They want to meet you and… Oh, I’m sorry you two. Noble, I want you to meet my little sisters! Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, this is my husband! Noble Heart!”

“It is a pleasure meeting you Noble Heart,” said Celestia and Luna together with a bow.

“The pleasure is all mine your highnesses,” said Noble Heart, bowing back.

“As it is ours!” said kind voice from behind the two sisters.

Queen Star Bright and King Night Shade had just emerged from the throne room. Amongst seeing Aurora’s husband, Snap Shot puffed out his chest and with the rest of his small unit, stood at immediate attention. Grinning, Night Shade stared back at his captain.

“Snap Shot, you may leave us. There is nothing else to discuss.”

“As you wish my liege!” said Snap Shot with one last bow and made to leave with his group of three.

Celestia and Luna giggled at the embarrassed look on Snap Shot’s face before he and the rest marched out of sight. Aurora and Noble Heart were now looking at the King and Queen as if hesitant to say what they were thinking. When Celestia and Luna looked up at their parents their mouths dropped. The two Alicorns looked older than they were weeks ago. Their coats appeared normal but there was no denying their tired appearance. Wrinkles had formed under and across their eyes and mouth. Their eye lips drooped slightly and their legs wobbled slightly with each step. Even their flowing manes and tail looked tired and warn out. It wasn’t a pretty site, but when Night Shade spoke it was with his usual pleasant demeanor.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I-it’s nothing!” said Noble Heart snapping out of his puzzled gaze. “I was hoping that I wasn’t intruding on any important business your majesty!”

“Not at all,” said Night Shade shaking his head. “So, you are the one who will be looking after our Aurora from now on?”

“Yes sir!” Noble Heart said with confidence.

“Noble, understand that we have known her ever since she was a little filly.” Began Star Bright. “We want to know that she will be in safe hooves.”

“Your majesty,” said Noble Heart seriously. “To be honest, I never thought I could be with somepony like her. But believe me, I would never do anything to put her into harms way! In fact she’s saved my flank on more than one occasion.”

He looked expectantly at the King and Queen for a trace of a smile, but when nothing of the sort came he continued.

“We wanted all of you to come to the wedding. Honest. But with her being an Alicorn and me a simple Unicorn, we thought you would disapprove”

“Did you know?” asked Knight Shade. “You thought we would not want to attend our daughter’s wedding?”

“No of course not, but…”

“But you still had your doubts about how we would react once we found out?”

“Yes, it was stupid of us to hide the truth from you. I know that now!”

“I must confess, it was a shock to find out that Aurora was getting along better than to be expected,” said Night Shade raising an eyebrow. “But when we found out about her marrying you…I’ll admit, it was unexpected. Our kind usually doesn’t mate with other pony races.”

“I know sir,” said Noble.

His body was stiff, a lump had formed in his throat that when he swallowed, it made his heart ach with worry. Aurora could tell her husband was worried and made to take his hoof for support. He denied the jester and continued to stare down the King and Queen. Celestia and Luna looked at their parents who had eyes for no one but the Unicorn in front of them. Then they saw Aurora frowning at her husband and showed what he was feeling. Finally their gaze fell upon Noble Heart who stood his ground and prepared to say his final words.

“I understand if you disapprove of us your majesties,” said Noble Heart seriously. “But I told Aurora this before and I think it’s by time you hear it as well. I love her! I don’t care if one day I croak while she remains pure until the whole world crumbles! I will follow her until the end!”

He couldn’t say anymore. He waited in silence while the King and Queen considered him. A tense quiet took over. Celestia and Luna held their breaths. They knew he had their approval after hearing all of that, but their parents could be the hammer that came crashing down on their elder sister’s happiness. Shattering it in one devastating blow. Aurora bowed her head waiting to hear what the answer was going to be.

“You know something Noble?” said Star Bright at last. “Aurora told us something awfully similar when she came back. It was one thing hearing it from her, but to hear it directly from the source, is a completely different experience.”

And to their surprise, a small smile formed on her face.

“That is exactly what we were counting on!”

“Do you mean…” began Aurora looking up with watery eyes.

“If there’s anypony we can trust to look after you, it’s this young stallion before us now! Welcome to the family Noble Heart!”

“Thank you your majesty!” said Aurora, her voice cracking.

“That’s mother to you,” said Star Bright warmly.

Night Shade gave a small chuckle as their oldest daughter’s face was covered in tears of joy. Noble Heart lifted his wife’s head up and smiled at her before bringing her in with a loving kiss that she gleefully returned.