Twilight sashayed into the restauraunt. Her blue, star-spangled, dress flowed around her as she set her hooves on the plush, red carpet. Candles lined the walls and round, wooden seats were set all around the room. The waiter at the front acknowledged her with a nod. He was a grey stallion with a black suit. He nodded at Twilight's approach. "Good evening, Lady Twilight. The Princess has already checked in."

"Thank you, Sir."

He led her around the seats till they came to a red booth. Celestia smiled at her as she sat across the table and then just stared, a slow blush spreading across her face. The princess was dressed in a simple, linen robe. "Twilight, that dress is gorgeous."

Twilight giggled. "Oh, you like it? I'm glad."

It was the first date since their decision to have a weekly date, come Tartarus or parasprites. Twilight leaned across the booth and caught Celestia's lips with her own. Celestia kissed back. "So, how has your week been?" She laid back in the booth.

A waiter laid down a basket of steaming bread rolls. Twilight popped one in her mouth. "I'm very close to making a breakthrough. I found a book of ancient incantations. Getting towards the practical side of things."

Celestia rubbed butter on one of her breadsticks. "Hmm, careful with those ancient spells. There were some very dangerous spells from all those centuries ago."

"Oh, I know! By the way, last week, you were going to tell me a secret about magic. But then we got, um, distracted."

A waiter interrupted them. Celestia ordered an arugula and dandelion salad. Twilight ordered a hay casserole.

Celestia beckoned to Twilight. "Come closer, my faithful lover."

Twilight moved over the table. Celestia's breath tickled her ear. "This is the great secret, Twilight."

Twilight drew closer. Their breath mingled together. "The great secret is love."

Twilight blinked. "Love."

Celestia gently nipped her ear causing her to shiver. "Yes, love. Love is the source of all magic. In fact, love is the source of everything that is."

"Alright, but what does that mean? How did the ancients manage to have such power?"

"Because they understood love and friendship. You know, friendship is a form of love."

Twilight leaned back in her own seat, but not before giving a soft love bite to Celestia's own ear. "I know. That kind of love is philia. What we have is a healthy mixture of agape, philia and eros."

"That's what the best kind of relationships are based on."

"Agape is selfless love..." Twilight mused, trying to piece together what her lover had told her.

Celestia scratched her chin. "Hmm, I think there's a bit of ludos among us-playful love."

"Well, yeah."

Celestia booped Twilight's nose making her face scrunch up. They giggled.

"Alright, so there are many kinds of love, including friendship. And I know how powerful friendship is, but why?"

Celestia chewed her lip as she puzzled on how to explain it to Twilight. "Twilight, imagine a field surrounding the cosmos. This field is love. Everything that loves feeds into this field and the field itself loves all. Everything is united by it. The ancients, emblazoned by love of their kin and nation, could do remarkable things. Some were even able to join the ranks of the Gods."

"Like Starswirl?"

"Yes, like Starswirl. I was at his ascension."

Twilight's ears perked up. "You have got to tell me more about that!"

Celestia smiled. "I will one day."

Twilight frowned. "So, do Ponies not love each other as much as they used to? Is that why magic has grown weaker?"

Celestia idly munched on a breadstick. A waiter slid their orders on the table and went on her way. Twilight dug into the casserole and waited.

Finally, Celestia spoke. "The sovereign and the land are one. When me and Luna...parted, it broke the harmony in Equestria, weakened our connection to that field. The unfortunate events that occurred afterwards weakened it even further. But, with the reactivation of the Elements and my sister's return those wounds have finished healing. Most of it thanks to you."

"And my friends. And you keeping the empire together."

Celestia stroked Twilight's cheek. "Let's just say everypony played their part."

Twilight held Celestia's hoof and then released it. "So, if our connection to this power has healed, does that mean we'll be able to access the old magic again?"

"Almost certainly. A suspicious number of prodigies have been born over the past few decades. Look at you, Rainbow Dash who is the fastest Pegasus to be born since Ponies started keeping track and Applejack who is to Earth Pony magic what you are to Unicorn magic."

"So, what are you saying?" Her fork clinked against her plate. "That one day I might be able to ascend?"

"Perhaps. Who know, really? If anypony could do it, it'd be you Twilight."

Twilight mulled that over in her mind. "We could be forever together."

"Forever is a long time. It would also mean saying goodbye to your friends and family."

Twilight gulped and stared down at her casserole.

Celestia lifted her chin. "Twilight...if I offered it to you...immortality...my eternal companionship...what would you say?"

Twilight stared into her eyes. "I'm not sure yet. The thought of being with you forever makes me happy." She kissed her. Celestia savored the taste of her lips which the savory, spiced hay clung to. "And mortals already live with death. Even if I go on living a mortal life, it's possible at least some of my friends will d-die before I will. Mortals have to accept that."

Celestia stroked Twilight's mane. "You can think about it. This is all theoretical of course."

"Of course."

They lapsed into silence for the rest of the meal. When it came time to go, Twilight and Celestia leaned into each other as they strode out into the Canterlot streets. The moonshine and stars illuminated the elegant buildings as they wandered with no real destination in mind.

Twilight trotted beside her as they went up the path to the castle."I had a lovely time."

"I did as well, Twilight. Won't you come in for some tea and cake?"

Twilight followed her. Celestia wrapped her tail around hers.

...
Celestia skipped down the halls and then looked around, forcing herself to slow down to a more dignified trot. It had been one of those days, but it was over now. She was off to see Twilight. Frenzied clopping behind her made her turn around. Raven was behind her, nearly panting she was so out of breath. Celestia placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Raven? What's wrong?"

Raven spent a few moments catching her breath. "Lord Yellowtail and Lord Orange Grass are still quarreling."

Celestia went through her handy mental list of nobles. "Wait, weren't they the ones arguing over the lemon tree?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"And did not my sister come up with an amicable solution for them?"

"Orange Grass shot Yellowtail. In court, just now. Your sister is struggling to maintain order."

"I...I..." Celestia's jaw worked up and down. There were no words. "Have Orange Grass sent to the dungeon and fine him the appropriate amount for assault."

A loud boom rocked the castle. Celestia brought a hoof to the bridge of her nose. A contingent of guards marched by as the crash of magic fire grew louder. The ancient walls of the palace shook. Celestia grit her teeth and a loud shout from Luna brought a temporary halt to the hostilities.

Celestia cursed beneath her breath, flared her wings and soared down the hallway. She knocked open the doors and landed amid a scene of chaos. The two nobles were shouting and firing lasers at each other, harmlessly bouncing off the magifire-proof walls and ceilings. Guards held them back and Luna was crying invectives against both of them in a language unheard in court since her first reign.

At the sight of Celestia, both of them stopped. Luna shot her a glare. Celestia sighed. She didn't know why the nobles paid more respect to her. It just was.

"Guards. Remove Yellowtail from court. Orange Grass can spend tonight in a dungeon. Release him in the morning, if I feel like it."

The orange stallion struggled against the guard holding him. "He stole my prize lemons he did!"

Celestia whirled around. "Your behavior is unacceptable!"

Orange Grass snickered. "You're only angry because you're missing a date with your consort right now, is that it?"

The yellow stallion being held by a brawny Pegasus guard tried to break free. "Hey! Don't speak to the Princess that way!"

"The Princess." Luna rolled her eyes. "As if there were only one."

Celestia stomped her hoof and inched closer to Orange Grass. He gulped as Celestia touched her muzzle to his. "What you just said. How did you know about that?"

Orange Grass snorted. "Oh, for Goddess' sake. Everypony knows. Nobles see you and they talk and they recognize patterns."

Celestia breathed heavily. "I am not angry because you're holding me back from my date. I'm angry because of the destruction you wreaked in my court. And Yellow Tail, if it mean so much to him, stop taking his lemons. Yes, Luna. I know what you ruled. That was a suggestion, not an order."

Luna adopted a neutral expression. "Of course. Guards, remove both of these stallions."

The guards hastened to obey. Luna slumped. "I can't even maintain order in the court. Ponies used to fear me."

Celestia nuzzled her. "You didn't like being feared. You wanted to be loved, remember?"

"I remember, Sister. I can't forget." Luna patted her cheek. "Go on to your date. I will hold down the fort-and perhaps bring back the stocks."

"It wouldn't hurt."

They shared a quick laugh and Celestia tried to maintain a dignified trot as she rocketed down the halls. She burst into the night air and took to the sky. Her white wings cut the air as she ascended high into the sky. The high towers which strove to scrape the heavens looked so small down from here.

The moon's silvery light danced and played upon the gilded streets. She scanned the roads. It was quiet this time of night. A few Ponies were strolling around, beginning their night. The young stallions and guards headed towards the bars. A few brave young fillies joined them, giggling on the sides of strong stallions.

Lively music filtered up to Celestia, although it sounded like a whisper. She drifted among the fields of stars and rolling clouds which glowed white like mountains in the sky. She raced so fast that wind slashed against her face and cut through her mane.

She dived low, continuing along a northerly path. The Rook and the Raven should be nearby. She dodged and twirled around billows of smoke coming up from the chimneys. A cloud dissipated into water vapor and mist which clang to her fur and mane as she barreled through it.

At last, she landed on the street and hurried towards the restauraunt. A line was coming out the door, but they made way for her. For once, she took advantage of the deference her little Ponies showed to her and rushed inside, her hooves clopping on the wooden floor.

Desperate, she looked around for where Twilight might be. She literally jumped as she felt a hoof on her withers.

Wooden Spoon gave a brief bow. "Right this way, Your Highness."

Celestia followed her until they stopped at a booth situated far in the back. Twilight had her head on the table, looking away from her. She perked up. "Celestia!"

Celestia opened her wings wide as Twilight bounced against her, throwing her forelegs around her. Celestia buried her muzzle into Twilight's mane, savoring the smell of lavender shampoo. Twilight nestled against her and nuzzled her chin. Celestia nuzzled the top of her head and their lips met in a kiss.

Twilight pulled back. "You're thirty minutes late. What happened?"

Celestia slid into a booth and rubbed her temples.

Twilight reached over and placed a hoof on hers. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Celestia squeezed Twilight's hoof. "It's been a long day, Twilight."

"Tell me what's wrong?"

"Alright. Two nobles had a fight in court today. I don't mean they were just yelling at each other. I mean they were actually having an honest to goodness hornfight."

"Wow."

"I had to break it up and send one of the nobles straight to the dungeons."

"Sounds fair."

"He accused me of only being angry because he was holding me back from going on a date with you."

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "How did he know?"

Celestia slammed the table. "That's not the only reason I was angry!"

"Only?"

Celestia bit her lip. "Alright. It was a reason. I was angry. They interrupted me just as I was getting ready. But they were firing lasers in the palace. Children. That's what they are. Spoiled, rotten children. Not all of them, of course. I'm rather fond of the Sparkle Clan."

Twilight grinned. "I noticed."

Celestia leaned back. "But I'm here now. And so are you. And I feel better now."

"I'm glad."

They held hooves on the table. Celestia smiled and felt her cares slide away as her lips met Twilight's again and again.

At last, with a great deal of hesitation, Celestia broke away from the enchantment Twilight's soft lips held over her. "What worries me, Twilight, is the machinations the nobles might try to play."

Twilight snorted. "I am a noble, minor house or not. If they want to make war against my clan, let them. They will lose just as they always have and will."

"You do not wish to invite it."

Twilight sat up straighter. "Alright. What are you scared might happen?"

"They might use my relationship to undermine my authority to rule. I'm almost certain that's what Lord Orange Grass was implying. Also, they might go after you too."

Twilight sipped a glass of water and called a waiter over. They ordered two plates of spaghetti and oatballs.

"I know what you mean. That I'm only using you. That my love for you isn't real. That I only want to get close to you because I want power."

"If we get married, those rumors will only get worse." Celestia stroked Twilight's mane. "I know the truth, but they do not. And there are those so unscrupulous they have no regard for truth."

Twilight nodded. "Yes, I know. So what can we do?"

Celestia hesitated for a moment. "Who says we have to do anything?"

"Hmm? Just continue things exactly as they are?"

"Exactly. I haven't given you any special privileges. No titles even if you deserve one-thousand of them. It seems, from the nobles' perspective, you've gained nothing."

"Save your heart."

"Other than that. We'll take each threat as they come. Orange Grass will be difficult to deal with. He'll claim I tossed him in a dungeon because he was in my way to getting to you. It's not true, but truth never stood in the way of a good story."

Twilight took in this information, mulled it around in her mind. "Orange Grass is not a popular noble. He's known for being cantankerous and he's alienated too many to be believed. So, let's just cross him off as a threat."

"Careful, there. Never underestimate a Pony with a grudge."

"Let's just cross him off for now."

"Alright." Celestia smirked. "I'm sorely tempted to march with you into the throne room and declare you Earl of Ponyville."

Twilight laughed. "That'd give them a collective aneurysm."

"Exactly. Get rid of the problem." Celestia stretched. "This will require some thought. So, how was your day?"

"I went to Pinkie's party. Don't know what it was for. I think she just wanted to throw a party."

"Such a dear, that one. I must get an invitation next time."

...
Only the light of the candles illuminated the depths of the library basement. An earthy, musky smell dominated the small space. The smell of earth and dirt and a slightly wet smell that Twilight was never able to identify. The walls were solid oak, but there was something slightly moist about this space and there always had been.

Wooden floorboards separated her hooves from the dirt beneath, but occasionally little plants would pop up from the cracks. Twilight's hooves would occasionally crush these nascent plants. Others would curl up into vines so that she and Spike would have to spend an entire afternoon reclaiming it from nature and claiming it for scholarly pursuits.

Twilight's desk was not covered in books today. All the books had been stacked into perfect, orderly rows onto the shelves. There were only three books on the shelf and two scrolls. Twilight kept casting glances at the books and scrolls. The scratching of her pen was amplified and echoed throughout the room.

Twilight paused in her writing and spent a few seconds contemplating just how she wanted to phrase what she had to say next. The idea of a well from which all magic users drew was an archaic idea. Even her sworn word that Celestia herself had told her so might not carry enough weight. Scholars claimed divine revelation all the time. Celestia refused to comment, preferring that her subjects learned for themselves.

The mage world depended on the principle of "publish or perish" They didn't give her a stipend to sit around looking cute. (Celestia had once commented that if they did, Twilight would be the richest mare in Equestria.) Twilight giggled at the stray thought. In two days, they would have their third weekly date night and no cataclysm had yet arisen that had prevented them from getting together.

She shook her mane and returned to her task. Every word was important. She read through what she had already written. Everything made sense, or at least it made sense to her. She'd let Celestia look over it before submitting.

Spike waddled down the stairs. "Hey, Twilight?"

Twilight turned around. "Yes?"

"We've got a visitor. He wants to see you."

Twilight looked from her work then back to Spike. "Ask him how important it is."

Spike hurried back up the stairs. Twilight scribbled some more, paused, and re-read it. She held her quill above the paper, chewing her lip as she debated her next word. Spike waddled back down the stairs. "He says it's important. Of the utmost importance. It's Duke Green Feather."

Twilight stood. "It's a duke? Ask him what he wants. Tell him to be as specific as possible."

Spike sighed and ran up the stairs again. Twilight sat down, hesitated, and then stood back up. She raced up the stairs and bounded into the living room. Spike was speaking to the tall, green, Pegasus stallion whose mane and tail were a fiery red. Duke Feather wasn't even making eye contact with him. "Tell her, I must see her immediately. It is of the utmost importance."

Twilight strode forward. "Duke. How are you this fine evening?"

The duke pushed Spike aside. Spike grumbled and Twilight frowned. She placed a protective foreleg around Spike.

Duke Feather cleared his throat. "Thank you for meeting with me. I know it's sudden and I believe your young drake-servant was about to send me home."

For some reason, the way he said servant made her stiffen. Spike was her servant, but he was closer to a brother or a son and his service was out of love not bondage.

"Is there anything you need, Your Grace?"

"My daughter is in need of a mage. She has come under a curse."

"A curse? What kind of curse?"

Duke Feather took the liberty of sitting on her couch. "It is most serious. Her body is becoming like stone. I know of your great skill and came to see you. You're one of my daughter's heroes."

"I didn't know my fame had spread to Las Pegasus."

"Indeed it has. It would mean so much to her if you would come and see her."

"Why didn't you bring her here?"

Duke Feather blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Why didn't you bring her here?" Twilight stared at him. "I know for a fact that there is a hospital in Las Pegasus that specializes in magical maladies."

Duke Feather sputtered. "Well, I, umm...well, she is in the hospital, of course, but I thought she might like to see you."

"Alright. I'll come first thing in the morning. I'll have to cast the cloudwalking spell on myself."

"For a mage of your talent that surely won't take long."

The hairs on the back of Twilight's neck stood up. "Why are you really here?"

Duke Feather stood. "What do you mean?"

"You don't have a daughter. You're not even married. Last year, you attempted to court Princess Celestia. I've been studying up on all the nobility. I studied anypony who courted Celestia first. Also, no malady I know of turns the body to stone except cockatrices and the cure for that is well-known and readily accessible."

Duke Feather stood. Spike pushed closer to Twilight's side. Duke Feather flared his wings, snapping out his hidden blades. "You aren't going to make this easy are y-oof!"

Twilight slammed a small table into his head. It splintered against his skull and he stumbled back. Twilight followed through with the attack with a blast of solid air that sent him sprawling against the wall. She stalked towards him and pinned both his wings with telekinetic strikes.

He was like a bug stuck to a piece of paper. He glared at her. "Dike filth. Trying to rob noble stallions of what truly belongs to them!"

Twilight narrowed her eyes. "The Princess does not belong to anyone."

"She will be mine-as soon as I get you out of the way!"

Twilight grunted in pain as he tore away from his telekinetic hold and dived right towards her. Twilight teleported. He seemed to anticipate the move and turned in midair, aiming a strike right towards her throat. Twilight teleported again and knocked aside several strikes with her horn.

Spike charged, letting out a wild battle cry. The dragon bit down hard on the Pegasus' tail and yanked. He cursed and bucked Spike. Twilight shouted and then her world turned red. She didn't hear his screech, was barely conscious of his howls as a localized tornado swept him up and slammed him against the ceiling.

Books and furniture spun around in the maelstrom. Twilight's element was the air, the element of thought. He cried out as the wild winds whipping around him grinded him against the ceiling. He collapsed in a bloody heap.

She raced to Spike and held him tight. Spike returned the embrace. "Spike, send a letter to Celestia. Please. Ask her to come here."

Spike scurried off to his task.

Duke Feather groaned. Twilight jerked up his head with her magic. "So, what was the plan? Come to my library, to my home, and murder me? Murder Spike?"

Duke Feather panted. "Lead you away and throw you out of the hot air balloon I rented. It'd have looked like an accident." He struggled to stand. A flash of her magic and chains wrapped around him.

It took around an hour for Celestia and the guards to arrive. Upon Celestia crossing the threshold, Twilight rushed to her and wrapped her up in her forelegs. Celestia wrapped both her wings and forelegs around her, drawing her as close as she could.

The solar guards quickly detained Duke Feather and dragged him away.

Celestia carried Twilight over to the couch. Twilight curled into her, rested her head on her shoulder, and wept. Spike nestled into Celestia's other side and Celestia placed a wing around him. "Tell me what happened." Her voice was shaking. Twilight realized that Celestia was trembling.

"He claimed his daughter was sick and he wanted me to come see her. Claimed she was under a curse. I confronted him because I know he doesn't have a daughter and he attacked me."

Celestia squeezed her so tight Twilight could barely breathe. Twilight snuggled into her side. Her fur was warm and soft, drying away her tears. "Hel, Jormugandr, Duke Green Feather...why is everypony trying to kill me? It's like no one wants me to be with you."

Celestia wiped away the last of her tears with a stray wing. "Is that why he attacked you? He didn't want us to be together?"

Twilight sniffled. "Yeah. He said he was going to get me out of the way so that he could court you."

Celestia held her in the shelter of one great, white wing. "Listen, Twilight. There's going to be trouble. Duke Green Feather will be banished for this, but he's got allies and I don't know what they're planning."

Twilight snuggled closer to her warmth. "He attacked Spike too."

Celestia kissed Spike's head. Spike was laying against her side, also nestled in her wing. "I will protect the both of you. I promise you that."

They stayed snuggled together for a very long time.