Princess Cadence's study was a large well furnished room, half of which was her office, and the other half was a comfortable sitting room, she used for meetings. Just behind the sitting room a pair of glass doors sat open, letting in a cool breeze from her private patio deck that overlooked the city.

"That is quite the story you two have." Princess Cadence said, looking across at them from her seat on her couch. For the last hour, Princess Cadence had been listening to a detailed account of what happened to them since the bonding spell that had been placed on them during the Midnight Dance "Twilight, where did you say he found this spell?"

"Twirlshine found it in a research journal from a unicorn named Cracked Marbles."Twilight answered. "Cracked Marbles was apparently researching the power of the Crystal Heart, and designed the spell to be a research device so he could try to figure out how to make himself into a living crystal heart." Princess Twilight said.

Princess Cadence sat up straighter in her seat as her ears became alert. "Why have I never heard of this!?" She asked incredulously, shooting an alarmed look at Princess Twilight. "Is such a thing even possible!?"

"In theory, I believe that it may be possible." Princess Twilight answered with a thoughtful nod. "He was a bit of a mad genius, and quite inventive with some of his spells. Luckily, he got himself locked up for practicing dark magic before he got into too much trouble."

"What about the spell in the research journal? Could that one be dangerous?" Princess Cadence asked sounding worried.

Twilight shook her head. "It wasn't designed to be, but Twirlshine tinkered with it, as well as using it recklessly without the proper research. That's why I brought them to you. You know more about the magic of the heart than I do." Princess Twilight asked.

"Hmm, don't sell yourself so short. You learned about the magic of friendship and that not too different from the magic of love. Both of them are the power of bonding with those you care for." Princess Cadence said as she stood. "Caramel, Golden, would you both please stand in front of me, I would like to cast a sensory spell on you two and see if I can get a better sense of what's going on."

Standing, Caramel stepped up to Princess Cadence with Goldie moving in next to him. Feeling Goldie's apprehension, Caramel took a slight step to the side, and pressed his shoulder into hers, offering her a bit of comfort. She seemed to appreciate his gesture as she silently leaned back into him.

"Now this won't hurt a bit." Princess Cadence said as she unfurled her wings and touched both Goldie and Caramel on their forehead. Her horn lit up as she cast her spell.

At first Caramel didn't really feel anything, only a slight buzzing that made his teeth itch. Then he felt something lightly brushed up against the bond. Closing his eyes Caramel focused on what was happening, the light touches continued as it moved around, probing at different spots around the bond. Caramel found her probing to be a little uncomfortable, for they reminded him of the sensation of being groped.

As the probing continued, Caramel increasingly struggled to fight down his since of unease, he knew that Princess Cadence wasn't going to violate their trust, but still, he found her probes into his and Goldie's private area to be a bit unsettling. He could feel that Goldie was feeling much the same but she was handling it much better then he was.

Princess Cadence suddenly intensified her probing as she pressed into their bond harder, pushing her way into it. Caramel gritted his teeth as a sense of panic began to come over him, he was definitely feeling violated, and Caramel was struggling to hold onto his calm. Goldie felt Caramel struggling to control himself and quickly wrapped her leg around his, trying to let him know he wasn't alone.

With a final push, Princess Cadence slipped her spell into their bond. Now that she was in, she began to work her way towards the core of it. Caramel's sense of being violated suddenly increased ten fold. His breath was coming in quick shallow gasps, as his tensed muscles began to quiver with the strain.

Next to him, Goldie tightened her grip around his leg. "It's okay, I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you." She said, trying to reassure him.

Caramel could feel Goldie's love for him through their bond, and he desperately clung to it as he used it to keep his center. Deeper in Princess Cadence's spell probed, touching them in their most private of area's. He didn't know how much more of this he could take, it was only because of Goldie's support that he had lasted this long.

Suddenly Princess Cadence's spell slipped in close enough to the core to finally touch it, and the moment it did, everything exploded. Agonizing pain shot through both Caramel and Goldie as everything suddenly disappeared in a blinding flash.

Caramel didn't know how long he was unconscious, but when he came to, he found himself laying in a bed of grass. Blinking his eyes open, Caramel let out a groan. He had never been struck by lightning, but if he was to imagine what it would have felt like, then what he had just felt when Princess Cadence touched the core of the spell would come very close. Every cell in his body tingled as he rolled himself over onto his back, it felt like ants were biting him everywhere at once, including the inside of his body.

His worry for Goldie drew him up onto his shaky hooves, he could still feel her through the bond, but for some reason it felt numb. Looking around Caramel was surprised to find that he was back in the lake valley. At first he wondered how he ended up back here, but as he thought about it, he realized that it was likely his fault. When Princess Cadence's magic touched the core of the bond, there was some kind of feedback surge, and Carmel panicked. He remembered desperately wanting to escape from the blinding pain, and wrenching himself away in some way he couldn't recall.

Taking a few experimental steps, Caramel turned his head about to get his bearings. If he was here then it was likely that Goldie was too, and everything in him was telling him to find her. Once his legs stopped shaking, Caramel decided to set off for their old home, figuring that Goldie would likely go there to look for him.

Not trusting his legs enough to chance a fast gait, Caramel settled for a brisk walk with the occasional risk at a short trot. The lake was a short distance away, but by the time he arrived at its shores, he felt winded and a bit wobbly. Slowing his pace, Caramel made his way along the shore of the lake, taking care to place his hooves firmly in the soft sand so he wouldn't stumble and fall.

Caramel was about half way to the old camp site when he felt a strange kind of tugging. Pausing, Caramel looked up into a nearby grove of young aspens. It was a very strange feeling, it felt like something was pulling at him to go up into those trees.

Shaking his head, Caramel dismissed the strange urge and took a couple of steps away before he paused again. The strange compulsion kept nagging him, driving him into going up into the trees. Letting out a irritated grunt, Caramel gave in and walked up the slope into the trees.

It was a young grove of aspens and was rather thick. Caramel had to struggle to make his way through. Ducking and weaving, Caramel moved in deeper until he broke into a small clearing were he found Goldie laying prone in the grass. With his heart leaping up in his chest, Caramel rushed up to her and quickly checked on her.

Letting out a relieved breath, Caramel was heartened when he found that there was no apparent sign of injury, and her breathing was steady and even. "Goldie?" Caramel called to her as he gave her a shake, but she remained unconscious. He gave her a harder shake and lightly slapped her across her cheek but still she did not respond. He needed to get her back to their camp.

Struggling to lift her up, Caramel managed to set Goldie across his back. Once she was in place, Caramel began to work his way out of the clearing. It took a while to weave his way out, but he managed to find a small path that lead out through the trees.. Once he was back at the lake shore, he made sure that Goldie was secure on his back before he turned and started out for their makeshift home.

His legs still felt weak and wobbly as he strained to carry Goldie. It was just over a mile to their makeshift home, and Caramel was determined to make it there without faltering. When he was about half way there, Goldie began to stir.

"What?... What happened?" Goldie murmured, weakly lifting her head up.

"I'm not sure. "Caramel answered, turning his head to look back at Goldie. "How do you feel?"

Goldie let out another groan. "I hurt all over, and for some reason my mouth tastes like old cheese."

"I don't know about the cheese thing, but you should start to feel better after a little bit." Caramel said.

"I hope so." Goldie answered, weakly adjusting herself on his back.

The sound of flapping wings suddenly drew their attention as something pink landed near them. Looking over they were surprised to see Princess Cadence standing nearby.

Settling her wings into place, Princess Cadence looked at them in relief. "I'm so glad I finally found you two."

"Princess!? How did you get here?" Goldie asked in disbelief.

Giving her head a shake, Princess Cadence looked around. "I'm not sure. When my detection spell reached the core of your bond, it suddenly felt like I was sitting on a angry thunderstorm. The amount of raw magic that surged out of you two was truly amazing, and might I add, just a bit scary."

Both Caramel and Goldie's ears shot up in surprise. "Magic!? But we're not unicorns, we don't have any magic!" Goldie exclaimed.

Princess Cadence smiled and shook her head. "That's a bit of a misconception, but we can go into that latter. Both of you need to rest and recover from that surge of magic you both just had. Lets go to the house so you two can lay down."

"House!?" What house?" Caramel asked, shooting a look around. If there was a house here last time, he was sure he would have seen it.

"Just around the next bend, there is a house sitting a little ways up the slope." Princess Cadence answered, gesturing with her hoof.

Caramel and Goldie were confused about how a house could possibly be here, but he didn't have the energy to argue the point and decided to trust that Princess Cadence was right about there being a house there. Setting off, Caramel followed Princess Cadence. His legs felt like jelly, but he continued to carry Goldie anyways, refusing to let her down.

Once they rounded the bend and the house came into view, Caramel came to an abrupt stop as he looked up at it. "But that's impossible!"

"What?" Goldie asked, while Princess Cadence looked back.

"Its the house my parents rented by Lake Pinto for our family vacation." Caramel said looking up at the house with wide eyes what were moist with unshed tears. "I remember my dad took me and Fudge out onto the lake in a little row boat, and rowed us around while mom waved at us from right there on that front deck."

Princess Cadence looked thoughtful as she looked from Caramel to the house. "Hmm, this gives me an idea on where we may be right now." She said thoughtfully, before she started up towards the house. "Lets get into the house first though."

The house had a large porch that overlooked the lake, stepping up the steps to the front door, Princess Cadence opened them and ushered Caramel and Goldie inside. The main room was a large two story room with large exposed beams and a huge stone fireplace set against the back wall.

Walking over to one of the couches, Caramel helped Goldie off his back onto the soft couch, where she laid back with a relived sigh. Caramel was quick to join her as he settled himself in next to her. Glad to finally be off his hooves, he didn't want to admit it, but he almost didn't make it.

"I'll go see if there is any tea I can make." Princess Cadence said, disappearing into the next room.

After a short while Princess Cadence returned carrying a tray with her magic. Setting it down on the coffee table, She poured out two cups of tea from a steaming pot, and levitated them over to Caramel and Goldie. "I hope I made it okay, I don't make tea very often."

Taking the cup in her hooves, Goldie held it up and sniffed it. "Hmm, green tea, nice." She said before she took a sip.

Caramel sweetened his from a pot of honey Princess Cadence had on the tray, and took a sip. Green tea wasn't his favorite, but he found the tea she brought to be rather pleasant.

"So, you say that you know this house?" Princess Cadence asked, taking a seat in the padded chair across from them.

Caramel nodded, and looked around the room. It was just as he remembered it. "Yes, during my family vacation. We stayed here for two weeks when I was young colt."

Princess Cadence pursed her lips, as she looked thoughtful. "So, would you say that this place hold a special place in your heart?"

"It's one of my treasured memories. It was during my time at Lake Pinto that Fudge taught me how to swim, and mom helped me make my first batch of cookies." Caramel turned and gestured towards the fireplace. "At night, we used to sit by the fireplace making smore's, while dad read us a story from Mane Grey."

Princess Cadence smiled wistfully, her eyes taking on a distant look. "I remember a time that was much like that. I will always hold that precious moment in my heart." She said, blinking her moist eyes. "I believe I know where we are."

You do? Where?" Goldie asked.

Standing, Princess Cadence walked around to stand just before Caramel and Goldie. They looked up at her, wondering what she was doing.

"It explains where we are, and why this house is here." Princess Cadence said with a smile. "Twilight was wrong, this isn't the Astral Plane, this is the Empathic Plane." Unfurling her wings, she reached both of them out and touched both Caramel and Goldie on their chests, right over their hearts. "You see, we are here."

They both blinked in utter confusion as they gazed down at where she was pointing at their chests.

Princess Cadence giggled at the stupefied looks they were both giving her, as she refolded her wings back in. "This whole world we are in, is inside both of your hearts." Looking out the window, Princess Cadence gestured with her hoof at the scenery. "And from what I can see of it, both of you have a kind and beautiful heart."

"We are inside our hearts?" Caramel asked, trying hard to understand what she was getting at.

"A realm that is as wondrous as it is mysterious." Princess Cadence said looking back. "Very few ponies have ever gotten to experience this realm, and even less of them experienced it with another. I've only heard of one pony who got any meaningful study of it, and that was three hundred years ago."

"Princess Twilight thought the Astral plane might be dangerous, could this Empathic plane be dangerous too?" Goldie asked, sounding concerned.

"If this was the Astral Plane then she would be right, there are Thingwraiths that prowl around that plane and pray on the unwary or the unprepared." Princess Cadence answered. "But this realm is of your own making, built inside your own hearts. Fashioned and shaped by what you truly are inside." She turned and looked out the window again. "Imagine the heart of a pony who is a selfish conniving liar, who is unloving and cruel. I would image that that pony's heart would look very different."

Goldie gave a shudder, and moved closer to Caramel. "Oh, how horrible, I just thought about Bitternut Dandy."

"Bitternut Dandy?" Princess Cadence asked, looking back questioningly.

"Blueberry's brother." Caramel answered. "A pony who is everything you just described."

"He clipped Blueberry's wings!" Goldie exclaimed. "It'll take her another month to grow in new ones."

"Hmm, this sounds like something I should hear about." Princess Cadence said seriously. "But it will just haft to wait for now."

"Wait? Wait for what?" Caramel asked her curiously.

To answer him, Princess Cadence smiled and lit her horn up with magic, bending her head down she then touched Caramel with it. Immediately he began to yawn, and before he finished, his eyes dropped shut, fast asleep.

"If only that sleep spell worked on Flurry." Princess Cadence said wistfully, before she turned to Goldie. "I'm sorry, but you two massively over strained your hearts when you pulled me in here, and I cannot risk you two straining yourselves anymore then you already have." She then touched Goldie too. "Sweet dreams." She said to Goldie who slumped over onto Caramel, as she joined him in sleep.

Using her magic, Princess Cadence carried the two up to the bedroom at the top of the stairs. Setting them both out onto the bed there, Cadence covered them with a blanket.

Looking down at the pair, Princess Cadence took a breath and let it out as she prepared herself. After hearing their story, and seeing the realm of their hearts, Princess Cadence had a hunch about something, and she was about to see if what she suspected was true. Her horn became brighter as she cast a new spell. It was one of the most complex spells she had ever learned, and it always gave her a terrible headache afterwards.

With a bight flash, Princess Cadence released her spell. At first nothing happened, but then slowly both Goldie and Caramel started to glow. It started out dim and undefined but soon grew in both size and brightness. Standing back, Princess Cadence watched as the glow that surrounded the couple start to take on vibrant colors, looking like the two was surrounded by their own personal aurora's.

Blues swirled into green which then turned into yellow and orange. Every pony's aura had his or hers own color pattern, distinct to that individual, no two ponies ever had identical aura's, not even twins. But as she observed the couples auras shift through their patterns, one thing stood out that was very unusual. They mirrored each other.

Their colors and patterns moved in perfect unison, merging together and growing stronger, quickly taking up most of the room. The pair was so bright now that Princess Cadence was now having trouble looking at them.

"Interesting, this explains a lot." Princess Cadence said to herself, sounding a bit awed at the sight. "It seems you two were made for each other."

Wincing as she clutched at her head with a hoof, Princess Cadence let her spell drop. "Oh ow-ow-ow, my head is killing me. Time to lay down for a bit." She said to herself as she stepped out of the room, closing the door behind herself.

When Caramel awoke, he felt he should be angry for being spelled to sleep. But he found he felt so good, he decided that Princess Cadence deserved a bit of forgiveness for her actions.

Stretching out his legs, Caramel let out a long yawn before blinking the sleep from his eyes, when he looked around, he found himself all alone in bed. Dropping his head back down onto the pillow, Caramel closed his eyes and focused onto his bond with Goldie, and instantly felt her. Her mood was light, and she was happy. Distant sounds of laughter drifting up the stairs to his room, confirming what he sensed. It appeared that she and Princess Cadence were having a rather lively conversation together.

Rolling over, Caramel pulled a pillow over his head. It was probably best if he didn't get involved with mare business he thought to himself, as he tried to get back to sleep. Apparently, Goldie had other idea's as a few minutes latter she flung the bedroom door open and hurled herself onto him.

"Get up sleepyhead!" Goldie shouted as she swiped his pillow away.

Caramel let our a groan and pulled another pillow over his head, only to have Goldie pull that one away from him too.

"Come on, get up! You've slept for almost an entire day, come down and eat something." Goldie said happily.

Goldie had left herself wide open and Caramel was going to teach her what happens when you wake a stallion. Caramel suddenly attacked and grabbed Goldie, rolling himself over onto her and pinning her down.

"What are you...!?" Goldie started to say, but was interrupted when a grinning Caramel blew a raspberry right into her belly.

Letting out a very cute squealing laugh, Goldie squirmed under him as she writhed under his assault. Caramel was relentless, as he went for her most sensitive parts. Once he had her breathless, Caramel changed his attack and moved up and went for her throat, finding her special place, Caramel began to nip and nibble at where her jaw met her throat.

Goldie suddenly stopped laughing as she let out a little moan of pleasure. Caramel felt her relax under him as he started to kiss her along her jaw to her lips where she eagerly took his lips with her own. Caramel could feel her melting under his embrace, her breath deepened as she let out another pleased moan.

Suddenly she broke the kiss and pulled back as she quickly regained her senses. "No, we can't do this! The princess is just out there and the door is open."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind, she's the Alicorn of love after all." Caramel murmured, bending back down to nibble the base of her ear.

Goldie gave a little shudder as she gasped, trying to fight off her growing arousal. Her nose was heavy with his scent from where she had it pressed into his neck, and she could feel his stallionhood jabbing into her belly now. She was on the verge of giving in and letting him have his way with her.

"Is everything alright? I heard a commotion." Princess Cadence's voice came to them as she ascended the stairs.

Goldie's eyes flashed open and she suddenly shoved Caramel off of herself, unfortunately she pushed to hard and Caramel went tumbling off the side of the bed where he crumpled to the floor with a loud thump.

"Goldie? Are you two okay?" Princess Cadence asked as she quickened her ascent up the stairs.

"Everything's fine! I was just have a little trouble getting Caramel out of bed." Goldie called out. Looking over at Caramel, Goldie gave him a apologetic smile for pushing him so hard, but then something suddenly caught her eye, and she sucked in a breath. Caramel's stallionhood was still fully out, and very visible!

Hurriedly Goldie grabbed a pillow in her teeth and hurled it into Caramel's face.

"What?" Caramel said, pulling the pillow down.

"Cover yourself up you pervert!" Goldie hissed urgently, gesturing down at his flagging stallionhood.

Seeing what she meant, Caramel managed to place the pillow over himself just as Princess Cadence looked in.

"Am I interrupting something?" Princess Cadence asked, an amused smile coming to her lips as she looked at the scene before her.

Goldie shook her head and climbed out of the bed. "No, I just needed to kick Caramel out of bed."

Princess Cadence nodded, and gave Caramel a amused look as he sheepishly waved at her. "Well, I hope your well rested."

"Oh, I'm feeling much better. Thank you." Caramel assured her.

"Well that's good." Princess Cadence said, giving the pillow he was clutching to himself a cursory look. "I was a little concerned that you may have been over strained, so I'm quite relieved to see that your so full of... energy." Her horn lit up as she started to close the door with her magic. "I'll just give you two some privacy.

Goldie was now blushing all the way to the tips of her ears. "Princess, its not what you think!" Goldie called out as she moved to the door.

"But it is what she thinks." Caramel said to Goldie, giving her a silly grin.

Pausing, Goldie turned back to Caramel with a frustrated look, before rushing out and leaving him alone with his pillow.

It seemed everything was smoothed over by the time Caramel walked into the kitchen. Goldie and Princess Cadence were chatting animatedly with each other as he walked over to the counter to see what they had prepared. Diced cantaloupe with a salad. Sitting down at the small breakfast table Caramel started to eat his meal.

Glancing over, he listened to Princess Cadence as she talked with Goldie in the nearby solar room.

"Magic is a funny thing, it can come in many forms, and do some amazing things. As I said before, all ponies have some sort of magic. Pegasi can manipulate clouds, allowing them to walk on them and move them about. Unicorn's can harness the magic within themselves and focus it for certain tasks, using their horn as a channel for the release of their magic." Princess Cadence explained.

"And what about Earth Ponies?" Goldie asked.

"Earth Ponies have a more raw natural magic that runs deep to their core. Earth Pony magic focuses on the body, making Earth Ponies more hardy and healthy, as well as giving them greater strength and stamina."

Goldie nodded as she listened. "And what about the magic that brought us here?" She gestured out the window.

"That one is a little tricky, it seems that you two have been taping into a different source of magic." Princess Cadence said, setting her tea cup down. "There are many sources of magic, like nature, the elements, even life itself is a type of magic. Twilight discovered that there is magic in friendship, and I have found the magic in love." Turning herself, Princess Cadence placed her hoof against Goldie's chest. "The magic you two are drawing on is different then mine or Twilight's, though I do sense that it is very similar in nature."

Goldie glanced down at where Princess Cadence was touching her chest. "Similar in nature?" Her voice sounded astonished.

"Yes." Princess Cadence said nodding. "You see when there is a connection between two ponies hearts a spark of magic is created and shared. This is the same whether it is in love or friendship, for both are a type of connection." Taking her hoof from Goldie's chest, Princess Cadence dropped it down to her lap. "The magic you two are drawing from is similar to this but also different."

Reaching up, Goldie touched her chest right where Princess Cadence had been just moments before. "What is it we are drawing our magic from?" Goldie asked. Caramel had stopped eating as he leaned forward to listened, very much wanting to hear her answer.

Princess Cadence took a sip of her tea as she thought about it, setting it down she then turned to Goldie. "That is a answer the two of you must discover for yourselves."

"But why not tell us?" Goldie asked, her voice sounding both hurt and irritated. "If you know the answer then why won't you share it?"

"I'm sorry." Princess Cadence explained. "But the reason I can't tell you is the same reason I can't tell a pony what their talent is. It is something that must be discovered on their own or it has no meaning."

Caramel was a little peeved that she didn't give them the answer, but as he thought about her explanation he found that is made sense. If somepony had told him when he was a colt, that his talent was to be helpful to others, then he would never have fully unlocked his talent, and got his three blue horseshoe cutie mark in helping hooves. Plus he would probably always have doubted that it was his true talent, if he hadn't earned it like he did.

Goldie still seemed to be a little irritated, but she seemed to accept Princess Cadence's explanation. "I think I understand. Thank you for sharing what you could." She said politely.

"I'm sorry, I truly am." Princess Cadence said apologetically, trying to sooth Goldie.

"No, its okay." Goldie replied earnestly, giving Princess Cadence a reassuring smile.

After that the two went back to chatting about little things like foals and stallions. Caramel finished his meal and got to work washing the dishes. It was about then that Goldie came into the kitchen and kissed him as she left to show Princess Cadence around the valley. Setting out the clean dishes to dry, Caramel wandered around the house to see what he could find.

The pantry was surprisingly well stocked, but as Caramel thought about it, he realized that it was probably due to his time he spent here with his mother as she walked him though making cookies. Looking out back, Caramel found a nice little garden full of ripe vegetables and melons.

Picking out a watermelon, Caramel gave it a few taps and smiled, before picking it and bring it into the house. Setting it down onto the counter, Caramel pulled out a knife from the drawer and got to work. When he finished, he had a full pitcher of cool watermelon punch ready for Goldie and Princess Cadence when they got back from their walk.

Looking around, Caramel wondered what else to do. Seeing the stove, Caramel smiled when he had an idea. It was a old style stove that burned wood, finding the matches and kindling, Caramel soon had the oven warming nicely. Searching through the pantry, Caramel pulled out all the ingredients he would need for making oatmeal cookies. Setting out a mixing bowl, Caramel began adding in the ingredients, as he cracked open and added the two eggs, Caramel wondered for a brief moment about where the eggs had even come from, shaking his head Caramel let the thought go. It was probably best to not to think about things like that it too much, it would just confuse him.

Once he had the cookie dough ready, Caramel began to arrange them on a baking sheet. Memories of the time his mother walked him through all this for his first time ran through his mind, causing him to smile when he realized that in just a few years it'll be his turn to share this with Cinnamon. Caramel found he was really looking forward to that day.

Closing the oven, Caramel set timer. Now all he had to do was wait, walking out into the living room, Caramel looked around. Something sitting on the mantle caught his attention. Walking over Caramel picked up a familiar looking book. He couldn't believe it, even this was here? Looking at the title he wasn't surprised to find that is was the same book his father had read to them by the fire. Valley of the Wild Ponies by Mane Gray.

Sitting down, Caramel slid his hoof over the cover of the book. It was one of his favorite books. It was here by this fireplace, that his father had read it to him for the very first time. Looking down at the cover, Caramel promised himself that he would read it to Cinnamon someday, just like how his father had done for him.

By the time the door opened and Goldie and Princess Cadence walked in, Caramel was on the third chapter. Sitting on the kitchen counter a full plate of cookies waited to be munched on. "Did you both enjoy your time out?" Caramel asked looking up.

"Oh Caramel!" Goldie exclaimed as she dove over the couch into his lap and smothered him with a kiss. Caramel was thoroughly out of breath and quite pleased by the time she released his lips and looked at him excitedly. "Cadence says she knows how we can get back!"

Caramel blinked in surprise and shot a look over at Princess Cadence. "You know how we can get back!?"

Princess Cadence smiled and nodded. "I believe I do." She said before she lifted a hoof in caution. "But I don't want to attempt it until I am sure you both are fully recovered. Pulling me in here, put a huge strain on you two and it will take the same effort to get me back out."

"So, how long do you think we should wait?" Caramel asked, feeling a bit disappointed that they had to wait.

"I think by tomorrow it should be okay." Princess Cadence answered before she turned her head and sniffed the air. "What is that delicious smell?"

Goldie's ears perked up at Princess Cadence's question, before she too sniffed the air. "Cookies!" She suddenly exclaimed, clambering up over the back of the couch, and falling to the floor. Gathering herself up, she dashed off to the kitchen. "You made cookies! Oh, Caramel I love you!"

"I also made some watermelon punch." Caramel called out, grinning at Goldie's foal like exuberance. Turning, Caramel gestured with his head to Princess Cadence. "Please Princess, have as much as you want."

"Please, call me Cadence." Princess Cadence asked with a polite smile. "After all, you have brought me into a very personal and special place, we might as well be friends."

Setting his book down, Caramel met her gaze "I would be happy to call you a friend, Cadence." Caramel replied, returning her smile.

Just then Goldie dove over the couch and tackled Caramel. "Thank you for the wonderful cookies!" Goldie said before mashing her lips to his.

"Goldie! Swallow before you kiss me!" Caramel exclaimed in disgust, once he managed to break away from the kiss.

"What's the matter!? I just wanted to share." Goldie said happily locking her lips to his again.

Cadence let out a giggle as she turned to go to the kitchen, glad that Shinning Armor was never that silly with her.

Latter, after Goldie got bored of teasing Caramel, she suggested that they play some Matriarch at the kitchen table. Caramel wasn't very good at card games and was about to pass but Goldie didn't give him a choice, and dragged him to the table.

Caramel stared down at his cards and internally groaned. They had been playing for several hours now and Caramel had yet to win one game. Placing his hoof down on the table. "Okay, I'm in." Caramel said as he slid the last of his crackers forward into the pot.

Cadence smiled, looking like he had just fallen into her trap. "All I got is a pair of Knight Champions and three Maidens in Waiting." She said setting her cards down.

Caramel dropped his cards down and shook his head with a sigh. "I'm out, only a pair of duke's."

Goldie sat quietly as she studied her cards for a extended time, before she slowly set them all down. " A full Court!" She exclaimed happily, hopping in her seat with excitement. She won again.

Cadence looked over at Caramel, and leaned over at him. "Your wife is a little scary when it comes to games." She whispered to him.

Caramel rolled his eyes a little. "Yeah, she's a little scary with other things too." He replied, watching as Goldie leaned forward to rake in her winnings.

Letting out a sigh, Caramel stood and stretched. "It's about time I started dinner."

"I know a few things when it comes to the kitchen, would you like some help?" Cadence asked, also standing.

Giving Cadence an appreciative smile, Caramel lifted up a basket he had sitting on the counter top in his mouth. "Sure, how about you give me a hoof in the garden."

Goldie suddenly blinked as she watched the two start to leave. "Hay! I want to help too." She said rushing over.

Caramel gave her an appraising look before holding out the basket to her. "Here, you can hold the basket for us."

"Hold the basket!?" Goldie said in outrage. "But isn't there something else I can do?"

Caramel thought that a little revenge was in store for all the gloating she had been doing during the games. "You don't want to be helpful and hold the basket for us? Then how about you just stay here and count your crackers, we'll be done in little bit."

"Wait!" Goldie said hurriedly, snatching the basket from his mouth with hers, and heading for the door. "I'll be happy to carry the basket." The moment she stepped out the back door and saw the garden, she suddenly dropped the basket and gaped all around.

"What's the matter?" Cadence asked, seeing the look on Goldie's face.

"Its!... Its my very first garden!" Goldie exclaimed. Moving over to a patch of carrots, she reached out and spun the wings on a bluejay wind spinner that was sitting on a rod poking up from the patch of carrots. "My mom and dad gave me a small area on the side of the house to work on, and without any help, I grew this entire garden." Reaching down, she clamped her teeth onto the greens of a carrot and pulled one free from the rich soil. Dropping it free from her mouth onto the flat of her hoof Goldie looked down at it. "I won the junior growers award at the county fair because of the carrots I grew here. That's how I got my cutie mark."

"You've obviously kept this place dear to your heart." Princess Cadence said softly, looking out over the small garden. "That is why its here."

"You made a wonderful garden." Caramel said, moving up next to Goldie. "Lets see what fest we can make from it."

With Caramel directing what he wanted picked, and with Cadence's magic, Goldie's basket was soon full. Once they were back in the kitchen, Caramel began setting out assignments.

"Goldie, finely chop half of this union with the celery, carrot and zucchini." Caramel said as he took them out of the basket and set them on the cutting board. Turing around Caramel waved Cadence over "And Cadence, please cut the bell peppers in half and clean out the centers."

Cadence lifted the bell peppers out of the basket with her magic. "The red ones or the green ones?" She asked, holding up both color groups.

"Both please." Caramel replied as he added wood to the bottom of the stove.

As they worked, Caramel set out a pot on the stove and added the vegetable stock he found in the pantry with some rice. Setting out another pot on the stove, Caramel added water to boil. "Goldie, when your done, saute the veggies you've been chopping until they are soft."

Wiping the tears out of her eyes from cutting the union, Goldie nodded. "Right, I'll get on that."

"Cadence, please take a garlic from that herb bin over there and chop it up." Taking a knife, Caramel cut a shallow x in the bottom of all the tomatoes before adding them to the boiling water, a minute latter he took the pot and poured it out into a strainer. Next he worked on taking the skins off the tomatoes.

"You really seem to know your way around the kitchen." Cadence said, watching Caramel work.

"I only picked up a little bit from my sister, she was the real cook." Caramel replied as he took out a masher and mashed the skinned tomatoes into a paste

"Don't count yourself so short." Cadence said pointing her hoof at him. "A lot of stallions I know can't even boil water, let alone find a pot. And here you are crafting an entire dinner from a few items from the pantry, and some pickings from a small garden."

Caramel didn't know what to say, the meal he was making wasn't that hard. Being one of his sisters favorites, he learned how to make it so he could treat her on special occasions. He could still recall the look on Fudge's face when she came home to find him standing by the table with a full pan of freshly made stuffed bell peppers sitting ready for her.

"Its just something I learned to make for my sister." Caramel said, feeling himself starting to tear up from the memories that this was bringing up. Fighting to regain his composure, Caramel turned away and added the tomato paste he had just made to the vegetables, as well as some basil,oregano,bay leaf,pesto,salt,and pepper.

As he stirred the pan, Caramel felt something press up against his side. Looking over, he met Goldie's gaze as she looked up at him with her beautiful wide eyes, of course she would sense his feelings and come to him. She reached over and sympathetically nuzzled the side of his neck. Appreciating the comfort she was giving him, Caramel smiled at her and gently kissed the top of her head.

Returning to the dinner, Caramel added the cooked rice to the pan with some grated cheese and mixed it all together before he spooned the rice mixture into each of the pepper halves, making them nice and full. Pouring the remaining sauce over all the peppers and sprinkle the remaining cheese allover the top, Caramel put it all into the oven and set the timer.

Sitting down to wait, Caramel watched as Goldie and Cadence worked to make a salad to go with dinner. Cooking it only took a half hour, and both mares were sitting eagerly at the table as he served their dishes.

"My head cook has been to the best culinary schools, where he graduated top of his class. He was head chef in five of the highest rated restaurants in Canterlot before he started to work for me. Every dish he makes is a work of art, with every flavor delicately balanced to bring out its greatest potential." Cadence said. "And never, in all the time he has been working for me did he make a dish that I found this good."

"Its just stuffed bell peppers, there's nothing really all that special about it." Caramel argued back, not sure why she was blowing this so out of proportion. Ever since they started eating dinner, Princess Cadence kept heaping praises on Caramel for the meal he made.

Below the table, Caramel felt something strike his leg hard. Looking over sharply at Goldie, Caramel saw her glaring at him. "Just say thank you." She hissed at him.

Realizing that he was being rude for dismissing her praise, Caramel quickly looked back to Cadence. "Thank you, I'm glad you like it. Its a bit of a special dish for me."

"I can see why its your sisters favorite." Cadence said with a nod before she leaned in slightly. "I would very much appreciate it if you gave my chef the recipe, if it wouldn't be too much to ask."

"No, no, its okay, I'll be happy to." Caramel quickly said, nodding his head. If she really liked his simple stuffed bell peppers that much, he'd be happy to give her cook the recipe. It would be nice to have a meal his sister loved being enjoyed by others.

When they finished dinner, Caramel gathered the dishes and started to wash them. Cadence offered to help, but Caramel waved her off and said for her not to worry about it, that he'd handle it. Shooing the mares out of the kitchen, Caramel got to work.

Stepping out onto the front porch, Cadence sat down in one of the chairs that looked out over the lake. The sun was sitting very low now, and was about to dip behind a small mountain at the end of the valley. Below, the lake was glittering like jewels, as it reflected the last of the suns rays up towards the house.

"Princess?" Goldie said as she stepped out of the front door.

"Please, just Cadence." Cadence said, looking back at Goldie. "What can I do for you?"

Stepping closer, Goldie glanced back towards the front door for a moment before she came to a stop near Cadence. "Cadence... I... I would like to ask you about something..."

By the way she anxiously shifted herself about on her hooves, Cadence could tell that Goldie was nervous about something. "Goldie? Is something bothering you?" Cadence asked in concern.

Goldie didn't answer at first, licking her lips she seemed to be gathering her courage for something. Swallowing, Goldie looked up at Cadence, her eyes almost seemed frightened. "Is... is my feelings for Caramel... real?" She finally managed to ask.

Cadence was certainly surprised by the unexpected question. She sat up in shock. Where was this coming from? She wondered. "Goldie, of course its real, why would you ask such a thing?"

Goldie glanced back to the door again to make sure they were still alone. "You got a good look at the bonding spell, right?"

Princess Cadence gave a nod. "I got a good look at most of it, the core was quite a complex knot of overlapping spell patterns, but the bulk of the bonding spell was quite clear."

Goldie moved closer and sat next to her. "Was there any part of the spell that might be forcing me into feeling love for Caramel?"

Princess Cadence shook her head emphatically. "No, definitely not. That would break the laws of the universe." Cadence said, trying hard to stress the impotence of her statement. "No magic, no matter how powerful, can force a pony to fall in love with another. The universe will not allow it."

The tears that Goldie had been holding back started to slip loose. "So... whatever feeling I have for him are real?" Her voice sounded hopeful.

Giving her a smile, Princess Cadence reached up to brush her hoof across Goldie's cheek as she wiped at the tears that were now flowing freely from her eyes. "Absolutely." She replied reassuringly. "There is no doubt that your feelings are yours and yours alone. Even I can't force ponies to fall in love." Cadence explained. "I have a handy little affection charm that I have used on occasion to strike a spark between two ponies to get them to notice each other, but that is as far as I can take it. Even love potions can't provide real love."

Goldie suddenly broke down, flinging herself forward she buried her face into Cadence's shoulder as he clutched at her tightly. Cadence blinked in surprise at suddenly being hugged, but quickly wrapped her hooves around Goldie, as she attempted to comfort her.

"Thank you, thank you." Goldie murmured into Cadence's shoulder. "I've been so worried since this all started that my feelings were just the product of a spell. You have no idea how relived this makes me." Goldie pulled back as she rubbed at her nose, giving Cadence an embarrassed smile. Relief was very evident on her face.

"Goldie, there is something I've been meaning to tell you two, but I've been waiting for the right time." Cadence said. "I guess now would be an ideal time to share it."

Wiping at her eyes, Goldie blinked at Cadence. "What would that be?"

"When you and Caramel were resting yesterday, I cast a spell on you two that allowed me to see both of your life forces." Cadence explained. "From it, I was able to discover that the two of you fall into a rare and very special group of ponies that occur only few times during a generation."

"What group is that?" Goldie asked, sounding a little breathless as she waited for Cadence to answer.

Princess Cadence smiled broadened, she had been looking forward to this since the moment she discovered what they were. "Have you ever noticed that whenever your near Caramel you feel like everything is right? Like your now whole?"

Goldie nodded, still looking at Cadence with a puzzled look. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Tell me, do you remember when you first felt this way?" Cadence asked.

Goldie paused as she blinked thoughtfully. "I think... no, I know it was when I first met him. My dad brought me into town and found he was having trouble watching me, so Lilly took me to her office where Caramel was playing. The moment my eyes fell on him I felt something click deep inside myself, It was like I met my other half."

"That's because you did!" Cadence said with a smile. "You see, you and Caramel are Soulmates."

"Isn't that just an old wives tail?" Goldie asked, her tone sounding like she was having a hard time believing it.

Shaking her head, Cadence continued to smile. "Its very, very real. And its because of this, I believe, that the bonding spell had such a strong effect on you two. The pair of you already had a powerful bond."

Goldie nodded slowly. "How rare is this? Have you met any others?" Goldie asked, suddenly sounding interested.

"So far, I have only found one other pair. Myself and Shinning Armor, and now you and Caramel." Cadence answered. Movement to the side caught her attention and she looked over to see Caramel quietly standing by the door.

Goldie noticed the movement as well. "How!?... how long have you been there?" She asked, sounding a little alarmed.

"For most of it." Caramel replied softly. Stepping closer, Caramel looked at Goldie, his eyes meeting hers. "Why didn't you tell me you were worried about that? I would have understood."

Goldie's eyes widened, suddenly mortified that he had heard. "I... I just..." Her lip began to quiver as tears welled up in her eyes. Dropping her head down she stared down at the floor, finding she was unable to met his eyes anymore. "I should have come to you... I was such a coward, I should have trusted you." She paused to take a shaking breath. "I was just so scared that my feelings might not have been real and I... I don't know what I was thinking." Goldie confessed. "I was being stupid."

"Your right, you were being stupid." Caramel said, his words making Goldie flinch despite the softness in his tone. "But not as stupid as I was when I kept my secret from you." Lifting a hoof, Caramel wrapped it around Goldie's neck and drew her in. "We're new to this, so mistakes are bound to happen. We just need to learn from them and move on."

Princess Cadence, feeling like her presence was trespassing on their private moment together, silently slipped off to give the couple some time alone. Those cookies were calling her name.

****

The house was dark and silent, all the occupants having gone to bed some hours previously. Outside, the moon hung high in the night sky, its soft silvery light illuminating a figure that walked along the shore of the lake. As the waters lapped at the sandy shore the figure stepped by with a fluid grace that was as beautiful as her long flowing mane that draped halfway down her sleek form.

Rounding the curve, the figure left the shore and approached the slumbering house. Ascending the steps, the figure silently opened the front door and entered the house. The mysterious intruders hoofsteps were silent as she climbed the stairs to the second floor where she turned and made her way down the hall to one of the bedroom doors.

Stepping inside, the figure crossed the room. Stoping close to the bed, she looked down at the two ponies sleeping there. Unfurling her wing, the figure reached it out and with a loving tenderness that was almost motherly, she lightly brushed back Caramel's mane from his forehead with the end of her wing. Bending her head down, she gently touched her horn to Caramel and held it there for a short time as the air cracked with magic.

Lifting her head back up, the figure moved around to the other side of the bed where Goldie lay. Reaching out her wing, the figure then brushed it down the side of Goldie's cheek, suddenly something seemed to catch the figure's attention. Taking her wing from Goldie's cheek, the figure pulled the blanket down and tenderly set her wing down onto Goldie's stomach. After a short time, the figure smiled in surprise and lowered her head down and laid it next to where her wing was touching.

The figure remained like that for a short time before she raised her head back up with a tender smile on her lips. Moving back up, the figure touched her horn to Goldie, and just like with Caramel, the air cracked with the use of powerful magic. Finished, the figure gently kissed Goldie and pulled her blanket back up and tucked it around her. Just as quietly as she came, she stepped out the door, leaving the sleeping couple oblivious to her visit.

Closing the door, the figure turned and moved to another bedroom door and opened it. Stepping in, the figure moved over to the bed where Princess Cadence lay sleeping.

"Please wake up, Princess Cadence. There are things we need to discuss." The figure said, and with her hoof, she gave Cadence a nudge

"What!?" Cadence muttered as she blinked her eyes open. Lighting up her horn so she could see, Cadence looked up at who had waken her. When her eyes fell on the figure, she abruptly jerked up in her bed with a rather coarse exclamation. "Who!? Who are you!?"

The figure sighed and shook her head. "Princess Cadence, you of all ponies should know who I am."

Cadence stared at the Alicorn that was standing only a few steps from her. She was sure she would know if there was another Alicorn out there besides her two Aunts and her sister in law. A sudden alarming thought came to her, The Changing Queen would certainly be able to make herself into a Alicorn, after all she successfully impersonated Cadence for several days before she was discovered by Twilight. But how could she be here?

The Alicorn mare pursed her lips in irritation as Cadence failed to recognize her. "Perhaps you require a hint." She said. Her horn began to glow.

As the air became thick with her magic, Cadence sensed the familiar presences, and her jaw dropped open as she suddenly knew who was standing in her room. "You!? But how is this possible!?"

"Look at where we are." The Alicorn said, gesturing with her wings. "Here of all palaces, you should expect this to be possible." Holding up her hoof, the Alicorn mare forestalled any further questions that Princess Cadence looked like she was about to ask. "Time is short, please join me downstairs, I have a task for you." Turning, she quietly left, her hoofsteps making no sound.

Slipping out of bed, Cadence quickly joined the Alicorn mare downstairs in the living room. "What is it you want me to do?" She asked.

The Alicorn mare unfurled one of her wings and pointed it up the stairs. "The two that slumber. You will keep them in the Crystal Empire until the next new moon."

Of all things for her to want, Princess Cadence never expected that She, would want that. "That's four weeks from now! Why do you need them to stay in the Crystal Empire for so long?"

The Alicorn mare tucked her wing back to here side, as she considered Princess Cadence and her question. "My spell has been abused and corrupted. This is something I cannot abide." She said, her voice sounding angry. "I will correct that which is mine, and the time to the new moon is what I require."

Princess Cadence blinked in confusion. "Your spell? Are you saying that the bonding spell that tie Caramel and Goldie together is yours?"

"That is correct." The Alicorn said stiffly, giving her head a slight nod. "I created the spell to fill a need long ago, but somepony has corrupted its true propose and now the two that are slumbering above us, are in peril. Balance must be restored to the Hearts Harmony spell or they will not see the foal that quickens within her womb draw breath."

Goldie was pregnant!? Cadence took a sudden breath as her heart attempted to leap from her chest. Despite the dire warning that was just given, sudden joy bound up and tried to explode from her. Fighting down her elation, Cadence forced herself to focus. "Please, is there a way you can help them?"

The Alicorn mare smiled, her anger and irritation vanishing. "There is." She said with a nod. "And I've already started."

Relief washed over Cadence. "Thank you." She said in appreciation.

Her face became serious, almost solemn looking. "Be aware that there is no guarantee that my efforts will be successful, so it is imperative that you keep them in the Crystal Empire until the new moon."

Cadence bowed her head and set her hoof over her chest. "I will do my utmost to do as you've asked." She said using the old oath stance.

"Good." The Alicorn mare said, pleased. Turning she started for the door. "My time here ends. Do not tell them of me, nor of the danger they are under, it will only hinder my work, and endanger them needlessly." She said over her shoulder.

Cadence was a little disappointed that she would haft to keep Her a secret. It would have made it easier to keep them here for the required time if she was able to tell them about all of this. As she watched the Alicorn leave a sudden thought came to her. "Please! I have one more thing to ask, before you go."

The Alicorn mare paused a moment and looked over her shoulder at her.

"You said that you created the spell to fill a need." Cadence said quickly. "What was that need?"

The mare smiled. "To create the Crystal Ponies of course." Turning her head back, she moved to the door. Before passing through it, she suddenly broke up into glittering lights that faded out within a few moments, leaving Cadence alone.

Looking up the stairs, Cadence let out a sigh. There was no way she was going to be able to get back to sleep after this. Seeing a book sitting on the end table next to the couch. Cadence sat down and lifted the book up in her magic. "Valley of the Wild Ponies, by Mane Gray." She read the title out loud to herself. Opening the cover, Cadence began to read.

Author's Notes:

*This chapter took much longer then I thought it would. It wasn't because I took a brake or anything, in fact, I worked on it every day, its just I had trouble at several parts and I had to make extensive revisions before I was happy with it.

*Valley of the Wild Ponies by Mane Gray is a reference to the book Valley of the Wild Horses by Zane Grey.

*Stuffed Bell Peppers is good. Try some.