There was no sign of Applejack anywhere around the waterfall. I looked around the edge for any hoof-prints that would’ve indicated if she had been there, but I saw nothing. There’s no way I beat her here, she’s much faster then me and I took the long way here. Fear and despair started to take hold of me. Something or someone had prevented her from meeting me, and perhaps she needed me. I wasn’t about to stick around while the love of my life could’ve been in danger, so I took off running into the Everfree Forest again. Terrible scenarios started forming in my mind as I dashed through the trees. What if she was followed and then kidnapped? What if she was banished? It would be all my fault!

I could see her face in my mind begging for my help as I ran through the forest, which caused me to run so fast the trees were blurry and the wind was loud on my ear. It did not take long for me to get to the edge of the forest, where I leapt into the open field and looked around, but there was still no sign of her. I made my way right into the outskirts of town, and sitting on a bench under a tall oak tree was Lyra Heartstrings, a green unicorn. I ran up to her in desperation.

“Have you seen Applejack?” I panted.  She looked at me uncomfortably.

“Last I saw she was headed for Twilight’s,” she said.

Before I got the chance to say thank you, I took off towards Twilight’s. I was relieved to hear she was there, but that also meant that she was likely being confronted about her and me, so I desperately wanted to be there with her. If it weren’t the fierce love I had for that apple-bucking farm mare, I would’ve collapsed from exhaustion long ago. Still, I pressed on, adrenaline pumping through my body. Don’t worry Applejack, I’m coming.

I burst through the front door, and what I saw caused my heart to sink all the way into my stomach. Applejack was on her knees pleading before a regal white alicorn with the sun on her flank and a flowing multicolored mane. I didn’t need to see her golden crown to realize that this was none other than Princess Celestia. Hiding behind the princess were Applejack’s five best friends, otherwise known as the elements of harmony. The looks on her friends' faces were sad, while Princess Celestia looked quite serious.

When the door swung open, Applejack swung around. She got up and ran towards me as I thundered towards her. We met in the middle of the room with a joyous hug. I closed my eyes and rested my head on shoulders, and I felt my heart go back to the gentle, relaxed way it always was when I was with her. That was until Princess Celestia cleared her throat rather loudly.  

“Applejack, you were saying?” she said, looking rather untouched. It hit me at that moment just exactly who we were standing before. This was the absolute ruler of all Equestria, the law itself in pony form. Behind her, Applejack’s friends were shocked to see us like this, but at the same time, I saw pity and compassion in their eyes that gave me hope that they might understand. Applejack turned her head but kept her hooves on me while she spoke.

“Ah’ve never met no one like him before, Princess! The way he looks into mah’ eyes, the way he cares, ah’… ah’ jus’…” pleaded Applejack, with tears welling up in her eyes. To hear Applejack speak this way was making me cry, too. I would’ve spoken up, but I didn’t know what all had been said at this point, and I had no idea what to say. Princess Celestia lowered her eyebrows and raised her snout.

“You know the law, Applejack. I am the bringer of harmony in these lands, and I expect my subjects to follow the laws I lay out for them. I would’ve expected somepony of your stature to understand that,” said the princess.

My heart was pierced with a lance at these words. I was trying to pick up as much as I could, but those words did not sound good, and they hit me like a truck. Rainbow Dash couldn’t hold her tongue anymore, and she sprung forward.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” she said, looking sadly confused at the situation.

“Cause we didn’t know how ya’ll would react! Ah didn’t wanna disappoint you guys if ah’ married a non-pony! Ah jus’… ah can’t help it!” said Applejack, crying into my chest. I placed my hand on the back of her head. It hurt me so much to see her like this, and I fought hard to keep my tears at bay and remain civil in front of the princess. Twilight stepped forward started to defend her friend.

“Applejack, we’re your friends! We would never be disappointed! We think he’s a great friend, and if you feel the wa-“ before Twilight could finish, Princess Celestia cut her off.

“I don’t have time for this. You’ve known for a week, Twilight, about what is happening in the east. I came here to summon you all to use the elements of harmony to defeat a great evil that threatens this land, and instead I find this foolishness.” What? You want to take my Applejack away from me to battle something I know nothing about? It suddenly hit me like a brick and some of it actually did make sense. Twilight’s reading material when I went over to her house the day before the wedding. Her nervous tone when I asked her about it, and the way she anxiously awaited the princess’ letters. I was too focused on the wedding and on the country pony that consumed all of my thoughts and dreams to put it together.

Either way, this was out of my control. What was in my control was how I dealt with Applejack and I.

“I am… so sorry, Princess. Just… please… take this out on me. This is all my fault, just, whatever you do, don’t punish Applejack,” I said, beseeching the alicorn.

“Oh no you don’t! This here is every bit mah’ fault as yers! Whatever she does to you, she’s doin’ it to me too, sugarcube,” said Applejack, holding me tightly.

“Well, AJ is like a pony on the inside, so in a way, it’s like she’s marrying a pony, right?” said Pinkie Pie. I couldn’t have been happier with the support we were getting from her friends. Princess Celestia raised her eyebrows and spoke in a slightly softer tone.

“I will make a decision on whether I will allow this marriage or not when we return. Meanwhile, we have an old foe of mine to vanquish, and his power grows, so we must not waste any more time. Let’s go now, girls. Look to our coming at dawn,” she said sternly, walking to the door.

None of the girls followed the princess to the door. They all were all looking on with tears at Applejack and me, who were on our knees tightly hugging each other. I rested my head against hers and closed my eyes. Here was my wife, if she was to remain my wife, being pulled away from me when I needed her most to go on a perilous mission to once again save Equestria. From the bottom of my soul, not only did I fear that I might not be able to be with the one to whom my heart truly belonged, but I now worried about her safety and well-being.

“Come now,” said Princess Celestia with a no-nonsense look. Applejack hugged me even tighter, while her friends made their way over to Princess Celestia. Pinkie Pie was now crying a fountain of tears as she watched us.

“Ah’ll be back tomorrow now, ya hear? She’ll come ‘round, ah’ promise. She’ll allow it. Don’t you worry,” she said strongly, putting her hoof on my chest. I wiped the tears from my eyes and nodded my head, and she embraced me one more time before getting up to join the princess and her friends. My hand on my mouth, I watched her from my knees as she made her way to the door, desperately looking at me all the way out. When the door closed, I couldn't hold it in anymore; I covered my face and fell to the floor sobbing.