Twilight awoke with the light of the sun flooding her room. She raised her forelegs and yawned, blinked a few times. Spike was at the foot of her bed, snuggled up as close as he could to her hooves. Memories returned to her. Spike had made a meal for them, cooking being something of a stress reliever for him. She patted her stomach. She hadn't wanted to waste all that spaghetti, but it had been a lot. Thankfully, Celestia had been there to share it with her. Twilight laid her head back on the pillow. All night, she had rested in Celestia's embrace.

Spike stirred, yawned, wiggled into a more comfortable position and went back to sleep. Twilight stared up at the ceiling and wondered where her marefriend had gotten off to. It wasn't like her to leave Twilight's side before their morning cuddle. It was one of her more endearing traits.

She wrapped the blankets around herself. Spike grumbled in protest and grabbed some of the sheets back in order to wrap them around himself. A family of bluebirds who nestled in the branches of her library oak sang a symphony of chirps. Twilight examined the sunbeams floating through her room.

From the angle of the sunlight, it was most likely late morning. It was odd that Spike was in here. Normally, he'd have breakfast started. She turned over onto her side. A book of love poems was on her night stand along with two empty wine glasses. She had needed that wine after the events of yesterday.

More memories cut through the haze that swam over her mind. She rubbed the center of her forehead. It had only been one glass of wine, she shouldn't have a hangover. This was clearly a stress headache and perhaps a little bit of a result of staying in bed long after she normally did.

Her alarm clock cheerfully informed her that it was 10:30. Twilight stretched her half-awake back legs, unintentionally knocking Spike away. The little dragon opened his bleary eyes. "Sleep well?"

She stretched her forelegs and then stretched her back. "Yeah, yeah I did." She took in a deep, cleansing breath of the morning air. Now fully stretched out, she swished her tail, tickling her forelegs to get some blood circulation flowing. Spike had slept on them all night, but she wasn't about to tell him that.

Spike nudged up closer to her. "Twi?"

"Yes, Spike?"

Spike chewed on his lip. "It's nothing."

Twilight rubbed his spines. "Come on, what is it?"

"I was really scared. When that guy hurt you and...I was just scared."

Twilight hugged him. "It's alright to be scared."

Spike nestled into the hug. Twilight laid back down. "Hmm, we're going to have to get up at some point, ya know."

"I know."

Neither made a move to get out of the bed. Twilight sniffed the air. "Spike, did you make pancakes?"

"No, Celestia did."

Twilight sat up in the bed, leaning back against the pillow. Spike settled in beside her. "She's been working on them for about two hours."

"Huh. I wonder if she needs any help?"

Spike put a hand on her leg. "It sounds like she just wanted to do this herself."

Twilight relaxed. "Alright."

A few moments later, a batter stained Celestia knocked open the door. She was wearing a red apron and pancake batter was smeared all over her fur and her mane. The apron was similarly spattered. Twilight and Spike gaped at her. Atop the messy princess's back was a silver tray stacked with pancakes. Little brown rivers of syrup ran down the stack and they were topped with butter.

Celestia took them in her magic, deftly stacked three on a plate for Twilight, three on a plate for Spike and three on a plate for herself. After laying the tray on a table, she settled down on the bed, softly so as to not even make a ripple on the sheets, and slid a wing behind Twilight. Twilight nuzzled her. "Thank you. I had no idea you could cook."

"It took me several tries, believe me."

Twilight dug in to the pancakes, making appreciative moans of pleasure. "These are delicious."

Spike scarfed his down and even licked the syrup on his plate. Twilight gobbled down her pancakes at a slower rate, slowly savoring every bite of the delectable treats. Her knife and fork dinged on the plate. The pancakes were warm and flaky, practically falling apart in her mouth.

Celestia took delicate, dainty bites of hers. She hadn't said anything since beginning the meal, only holding Twilight tightly in her wing. Twilight relished the warmth of her lover's touch and the sweet taste of the pancakes. Celestia held her fork over the last few pieces and paused.

Twilight glanced over at her and swallowed the piece of pancake she was eating. Celestia shook her mane and some of the strands tickled Twilight's cheek. She giggled and continued to munch on her breakfast.

"Twilight."

Twilight looked up. "Yeas, Tia?"

"There's something I'd like to talk to you about."

Twilight stroked Celestia's shoulder and then looked back at Spike who was studiously staring at his plate. "What is it? Spike also acted like he wanted to tell me something. What's going on?"

There were a few more moments of hesitation. "I realize how happy you are in Ponyville. It's a nice, safe little town. I've never once worried about your safety here. I mean, with the exception of the odd eldritch abomination or two. Much safer than Manehattan gangs or even the seedier parts of Canterlot."

"I am happy here."

"Were you happy in Canterlot?"

Twilight thought back to those days, which seemed to be so distant now. "I had you and my family. But I spent a lot of time shutting myself away from others. Celestia, what are you getting at?"

The princess sighed. "You always were clever. I've already discussed this with Spike."

"What have you discussed with Spike?"

"I think you should come back to Canterlot. If only for a while."

Spike scratched the bed sheets. "I, um, I kind of think so too."

Twilight grit her teeth. "No. I'm not going to let them run me out of my home."

Celestia stroked her mane. "Twilight, I can protect you. Canterlot Castle is a fortress. Nopony I don't trust gets in."

"Canterlot is also where the nobles are."

"I could have a contingent of royal guards be your escort."

"No." Twilight set aside her now empty plate, placing it on the night stand. "I'm sorry, but that's not happening. If I run now, I'll be running forever. I won't do it."

She rose from the bed. Celestia stood and strode next to her. Both stared out the window at the little town that was still in the process of waking up. Blue and purple morning glories unfurled their petals to the soft light amidst emerald tendrils. The gardens of the town were filled with fresh red strawberries or juicy blackberries. Golden Harvest plucked up carrots to take to market.

The waters of a stone fountain glimmered like crystals. A statue of a rearing mare, one of the great heroes of Ponyville history later deified after discovering a cure for an epidemic, stood at the end of the road. A herd of stallions strolled by it, laughing about something. Twilight recognized them. Davenport, Big Mac and Filthy Rich. She had spoken with them, knew their families, and they had grown to know her. "This is my home now."

Celestia placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I understand. Believe me when I say I do. It won't have to be forever. Just think about it, please?"

"I will."

Spike waddled up and leaned against her. "I still say we should do it. I'll miss Rarity and everypony else, but like Celestia said it won't be forever. Just for a little while. I don't like seeing you get hurt."

Twilight avoided looking at him, fearing she'd crumble from his pleading. "I know you don't. But I'm not going to run. If I do, it's like they've won. They'll think I'm scared."

Celestia patted her withers. "Twilight, there are times when fear is a gift. The duke tried to kill you. Had you been a little less skilled, I could be planning your funeral right now."

Twilight pawed at the ground. "Maybe...maybe getting away wouldn't be such a bad idea. I could stay with Zecora for a while, like I did when Trixie drove me out of town. It just doesn't feel right."

"Perhaps, your friend Rainbow Dash is rubbing off on you. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from a Pony who once charged a hydra and raided a dragon's hoard."

Twilight chuckled. After the hydra incident, Celestia had sent her a sternly worded letter about not charging directly into a predator's mouth. A feathery blanket was laid over her withers. "Twilight, believe it or not, there are unicorns far stronger than you. Not many and I could count them on my hooves, but they are out there. Some may resent our relationship."

Twilight stiffened, but relaxed at the trail of caresses Celestia's hooves left on her back. "I guess...running isn't in my nature. Running towards, yes, but not running away."

"It's called a tactical retreat, my love." She nuzzled Twilight's neck. "I know how brave you are. Everypony knows that. Nopony will think less of you if you retreat."

Twilight leaned into Celestia's side. "I need to think."

"I understand." Celestia tugged her with a wing. "I think you need a bath by the way."

Twilight grinned. "Do I now? I bet you need a bath too."

"Hmm, I have an idea. Let's save water."

Twilight's grin took on a devilish quality. Spike gagged and Twilight pranced away, sticking her tongue out at Celestia. Celestia took chase after her, her hooves pounding on the carpeted, hardwood floor. Twilight rushed towards the bathroom door and flung it open, Celestia only a few inches behind her.

Twilight used her magic to turn the knob and warm water flowed into the tub. Steam lifted up and the clear water invited the two Ponies inside as they stepped into it. Twilight sighed in satisfaction as the warm current moved around her fetlocks. Celestia sank into the waters and Twilight relaxed onto her chest.

...
Celestia's mood had markedly improved by the time she returned to Canterlot Castle. She sailed through an open window and happily trotted down the marble halls. The sun streamed through multicolored fragments of the stained glass windows casting a rainbow of pastel colors against the normally pale white walls.

The two Pegasus guards, Valiant Shield and Straight Edge, saluted to her as she entered her throne room. Raven greeted her. She smiled at her advisor and even hugged her with a wing. Raven gave her a quizzical glance, but didn't resist the sudden affection. "Life is beautiful, is it not, Raven?"

Raven shuffled her papers. "It is indeed, Princess."

Celestia ascended the red carpeted path that led up to her golden throne and settled herself against the red cushion. "And precious. And all too fleeting. It must be protected."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "Is something on your mind, Princess?"

"You could...you could certainly say that, dear Raven. What's on the agenda for today? Also, where is my sister?"

Raven looked down at her clipboard, flipped through a few pages. "Luna is out with the Arabian diplomat discussing...oh for Celestia's sake...'the socio-economic condition of Equestria's businesses, specifically their eateries.' She's not a teenager. If she wants to go on a date, she can go on a date."

Celestia listened to her, but couldn't help but gaze around her throne room. Stained glass depicted the heroes of old. A few even included Twilight and her friends. One smoky blue pane depicted the world. Another was a sheer wall of magenta. A purple pane swirled with the waves of the sea. A yellow one reflected the blazing majesty of the sun. Blue curtains decorated with wave patterns hung over pink curtains. There was a pink curtain behind her.

The curtains served no purpose other than to be beautiful. She had built her empire upon beauty, she realized. There were those who wanted ugliness-death and chaos as of old.

They would not prosper. Oh no, they would not.

Her beautiful world was precious. She would and must protect it.

"P-Princess?"

Celestia looked away from the stained glass depicting solar dominion. "Yes, my friend?"

Raven sputtered. "Um, are you alright?"

"Never better. Oh, right. Duke Green Feather is to be tried for attempted murder. Move the trial up to as quickly as possible."

Raven's expression soured. "I heard what happened. Some are saying that Green Feather should be dealt with harshly. A royal order of execution."

Celestia paused. "In my millennia of ruling, I've only done that twice. The first time to Grogar the Mad and the second time to the Bloody Baron for genocide. Both of them killed distant family members so I enacted my personal right of kinship revenge. I've never passed a legal execution."

"Yes, I know. But, some say he deserves the rope."

"It's been over one-thousand years since I last did that. I stripped myself of that power. To pass a death sentence would require a change to the constitution."

Raven pursed her lips into a hard line. "I knew Twilight when she was a filly. I would help her find books in the library. She would cry on my shoulder when she was bullied. If I had a rope, Green Feather would be hanging from it by now. I know your opinion on the sanctity of life. I agree. But..."

Celestia touched her lips. "I understand, Raven. Believe me, if I gave in to my baser instincts, Green Feather would be burned to ashes. But I can not give in to anger for reasons that I can not adequately explain. If it's harmful for a mortal to seek vengeance, it's even worse for one of my kind." For a single second, her mane burned like fire and living flames shot from her eyes.

Raven jumped back. Celestia closed her eyes. "I can not give in."

"It would be just."

"Yes. It would be. But so would removing his title and banishing him. And perpetual disgrace will provide a far deeper deterrent. Believe me, Raven, many who don't fear death fear a loss of honor."

Raven knelt her head. "I bow to your wisdom."

Celestia rustled her wings and preened an errant feather. "Please send in the petitioners."

The grey, Braytorian guards, opened up the doors. Celestia gaped as a veritable herd of nobles filled the chambers. Celestia counted and found that all of the thirteen major houses were represented and seven of the minor houses, including House Sparkle. She waved to Twilight Velvet. Velvet waved back.

An old, grey Unicorn mare with a cotton white mane strode forward. "We, the Great Council of Nobles, have need of redress with Your Highness, Imperial Mother Celestia, Princess of Equestria, Queen of Canterlot, Protectrix of Coudsdale, High Chieftain..."

Celestia tuned out for a while while her numerous titles were recounted. "What is the cause of this great convocation? I have not seen a gathering of this magnitude since the last border skirmish with Donkeya. And Lady Velvet, I have never seen you here in your capacity as a duchess. Where is your husband?"

"Politics bores him, he says, so he's gone to visit Twilight along with my son. And somepony needs to defend my daughter while schemers plot behind her back when she isn't here to protect herself."

"I see. Please, Lady Earl Grey, continue."

The baron cleared her throat. "It is about the wounded honor of Lord Orange Grass."

"Does he have a complaint against me? I have a complaint against him. The custodial staff had to repair all the holes in the wall of this very throne room."

"Lord Orange Grass is recovering from the shock of being thrown in a dungeon."

Celestia raised an eyebrow. "My dungeons have better accommodations than some hotels."

"Still, it was quite a shock for him."

All the nobles began to murmur and grunt in agreement although Celestia heard a few grumbles against Orange Grass. She examined the crowd more closely. There was a clear division. Several of the nobles had clustered around Velvet. Some were related to House Sparkle. Others were traditional allies.

Many of the nobles were standing apart or whispering to each other. Some clustered around Orange Tree, the head of House Orange, who had the orange coat of his son and a yellow mane.

Celestia lifted to her full height and spread her wings. Some of the nobles who had impertinently neared the throne stepped several paces back. "Have you all come in support of Lord Orange Grass? While touching, he has been released. Why are you here?"

Earl Grey held up a scroll. "This is a petition for you to end your improper relationship with Lady Twilight Sparkle."

Celestia snatched it from her grasp. "There's only six names on this." Six names which would be closely examined from here on out. "Improper relationship? Excuse me? I didn't realize I was required to not have a relationship."

Earl Grey scuffed the floor with a hoof. "It is not that. There have been rumors of you leaving your post and arriving at the castle late. You took a long vacation. You never took vacations before."

"And the nation did not go to ruins because of it!"

Fancy Pants stamped a hoof. "Quite right, Princess! Everypony needs a break. You have done an admirable job of ruling and if you wish to spend time with your consort you have every right! Earl Grey is the one being improper!"

The nobles clustered around him shouted in agreement. A few nobles on the side of Orange Tree shouted back. Several stomped their hooves and many lowered their horns or flared their wings.

Celestia brought down her hoof. "Peace! We will discuss this as civilized adults."

Her words brought peace to the confusion and the aggressors lifted up their heads and put their wings back against their sides. A smirk crossed the lips of Earl Grey. "Tell me, Princess, what you just did. Bringing peace to a potential fight. Bringing harmony to chaos. You are rather good at it, are you not?"

"I would like to think so, yes."

"Why couldn't you do that when the dispute broke out between Orange Grass and Yellowtail? You almost never sentence Ponies to the dungeon. I looked it up. It last occurred five years ago."

Celestia fell silent, thinking carefully about how she wanted to respond to that. Earl Grey had a point. Had she lost her temper? Had she simply been angry that he was holding her up from a date? In so many similar situations, she had sat down and discussed things with her subjects, spent hours working out a solution.

Earl Grey looked like a shark going in for the kill. "Well, Princess? Tell us. What was different? Was is the fact you were hurrying for a meeting with your beloved? Ah, I recall the heady days when I first met my husband-before he ran off-I would have knocked down anypony standing between us."

Celestia kept her voice as level as she possibly could. "Lady Grey, perhaps you are right. But, Orange Grass needs to take responsibility for his actions. He used lasers in the palace."

"The concern we all have is the hold Lady Twilight has over you."

Velvet glared at Earl Grey. "You're making my daughter sound like some kind of master seductress. What hold?"

"She has lured you off to Mustangia where she may have whispered who knows what into your head."

Celestia's jaw dropped.

Earl Grey continued. "She has lured you into her bed."

Celestia's cheeks colored.

"Always away from Canterlot. Away from your duties. Before, you never came late to the Day Court."

Velvet whirled around and stamped towards Earl Grey. "You stop it right there! I will not have my daughter's name publicly besmirched!"

Twilight's relatives formed a protective herd around Velvet.

Earl Grey remained serene. "What is this, Lady Velvet? There is no cause for such an outburst."

"The hell there isn't! Twilight loves Celestia! I didn't approve at first, but she is free to make her own choices and so is the Princess!"

"I am not saying they're not." Earl Grey spoke as calmly as if they were discussing the weather. "But I do not trust her. She has a record of emotional instability. She used dark magic on the denizens of Ponyville."

"Once." Celestia rose. "And that only because she was suffering the psychological effects of facing Discord."

"She is a seeker of power."

"Every being seeks power in some form or another. You have come to my court and offered idle speculations and delusional conspiracies. If you have nothing of importance to say, leave. Immediately."

"I will not."

Celestia's breath hitched. "You're on thin ice."

"Will you throw me in the dungeon too?"

"Perhaps and you would enjoy finding plots and sinister schemes in every nook, cranny and shadow!"

Lord Clover, a green unicorn with a white mane, snorted. "That she would. I'm sure this has nothing to do with her own daughter's failed courting of you."

"Indeed, it does not." The earl's voice was so cool that Celestia was certain that it brought down the temperature in the room. "My daughter has met a lovely young mare. Her infatuation with the princess was a mere crush, nothing more."

"She told me that you made her court me."

A momentary flicker of irritation crossed her face, indicated by a brief curling of her lips.

Lady Clover shook her purple mane. Unlike her husband, her fur was red and she belonged to House Amethyst, a traditional enemy of House Grey. "Pathetic. You talk of Lady Twilight seeking power? You have made a living out of it, former Duchess Grey."

The earl snarled. "I loved my husband."

"You loved his wealth and his title."

Earl Grey stalked towards her, horn aimed at the other Unicorn's throat. "How dare you!"

Velvet quickly put herself between the two and faced the earl. "How dare you slander my daughter before all the houses!"

The impact of Celestia's hoof meeting the stone turned everypony's attention back to her. "Perhaps we should stay on topic."

Lady Clover knocked aside Earl Grey's horn. "That's why he left, isn't it? He knew."

"I'll kill you!" The earl lunged, her horn darting forward in a quick arc. Lord Clover jumped between them and blocked her horn with his own. The guards were quick to rush forward and restrain the warring parties.

Early Grey steadied herself. "I won't kill her. I promise."

The guards exchanged a glance and set free the combatants. Lady Clover set back her mane. "My apologies. I realize my former lover and your former husband is a sore spot."

Earl Grey regained her composure with a visible act of will. "Yes, well...yes. My apologies as well. I shouldn't have attacked you in the castle."

Celestia brought a hoof to her face. "I feel we've moved off topic. Lady Clover, Lord Clover, are you still going to that marriage counselor?"

"Stop trying to change the subject!" Earl Grey lifted up her head and shook her mane. "You have yet to respond to the concerns of the Houses."

Celestia stood from her throne and spread her wings to their fullest extent. The light in the palace illuminated each feather and pinion and her ethereal mane shimmered. "Twilight is a kind and virtuous Pony. She is a hero of Equestria. More importantly, she is my beloved. One day, perhaps, she will sit beside me as my wife. Either get used to it or get out."

There were gasps from several of the nobles.

Earl Grey frowned. "I knew it. I knew it! Don't you see, Princess? She only desires a place by your throne! It was in Mustangia she proposed wasn't it?"

"Will you shut up?" Velvet snapped. "You've said what you wanted to say, now get out of here!"

Earl Grey snorted. "You're behind this aren't you?"

Velvet stood her ground as the earl advanced on her, pressing her muzzle to Velvet's. Velvet wouldn't budge. "Are you accusing me of something?"

"You put the idea into your daughter's head didn't you? This is some sort of plot by House Sparkle to regain its prestige, isn't it?"

"Considering that my son is Emperor of the Crystal Ponies and my daughter is an Element of Harmony, I don't think we need Twilight to marry the Princess to get that back."

The earl stood back. "Funny that. Your son with one princess and your daughter with one another."

A few of the nobles began to murmur. Baron Fire Heart, a red unicorn with a golden mane, looked up to the princess. "Your Highness, you must admit it is an oddity."

Celestia glared at him. "Shining and Cadence's love for each other is pure and strong. Enough of this. The court is closed. Guards, remove the petitioners."

They didn't need to. The nobles quickly exited, all except Velvet. Velvet approached the throne. "Did she, Celestia?"

"Did who what?"

"Did Twilight propose?"

"I didn't say yes. I haven't said yes yet."

"I see."

"Do you disapprove, Velvet?"

Velvet was silent for a moment. Then, she laid a hoof on Celestia's hoof. "You make her happy. Yes, I approve."

"Thank you, Velvet. That...means a lot to me." She patted Velvet's offered hoof. "And to be completely sure. You didn't set Shining and Cadence up, right? And me and Twilight?"

Velvet sighed. "Do I strike you as that kind of Pony?"

Celestia rubbed her forehead. "No. I'm very sorry. There are some who can not see love as pure, who must seek for power plays. I've been among them for too long. Velvet, to be frank, I'd almost consider making you an earl and raising Sparkle to a major house if only to scorn Earl Grey."

Velvet knelt her head. "Oh, Princess, I beseech thee, please do not. I enjoy my simple life."

"If only there were ten-thousand nobles like you!"

"There are. The bad ones are simply louder."

"You're right."

They nuzzled each other and Velvet left. Celestia rubbed her temples. "Raven? Get Razor Edge in here."

"At once, Your Highness."

She hurried from the room.

...
Twilight jumped up from the couch, causing the book she was holding to drop on the floor. Grumbling, she picked it up and settled it down on the cushion. The knocking continued. Spike jumped off the chair he'd been sitting on and quickly swallowed his amethyst.

They both headed towards the door. Spike reached it first. Twilight felt herself growing rigid as Spike reached for the doorknob and she reviewed every combat spell she knew of. Spike reached the doorknob and turned it, stepping back as the door opened. "Grandpa! Shining! Cadence!"

Both Shining Armor, Cadence and Night Light hugged the little dragon who returned the affection.

"Dad! BBBFF! Cadence!" Twilight ran into their waiting forelegs. "Where's Mom?"

"Mom's at court. There's been a convocation and all houses were invited. I decided not to go."

Twilight peaked over her brother's shoulder. Her jaw worked up and down. "I...um...see you've brought...friends?"

There was a circle of golden-clad soldiers forming around the library, holding out their spears.

Shining observed them. "Fifty-seventh regiment, I'd guess. I just assumed you know why they were here."

Night Light shrugged. "I've been out of the Guard too long and everypony looks so young at this age so they all look like colts playing dress-up to me."

Twilight marched out of the library, followed by Cadence, Night Light, and Shining Armor.

Night Light saluted. "Yep, Fifty-seventh. Hi Razor. Lieutenant? Good job, son."

Razor Edge saluted. "Thank you, Sir!"

Twilight nodded her head in greeting. "Lieutenant."

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Might I ask what you're doing here?"

"The Princess has ordered us to guard you and your home. Do not fear. No assassin will come in under our watch!"

Twilight ground the dirt beneath her hoof. "Nopony will come in! This is a library!"

"Patrons will be allowed in, Ma'am."

"How do you intend to distinguish between patrons and assassins? Weapons check?" Shining asked.

"Yes, Captain. I mean, Your Imperial Majesty."

"You're not a Crystal Pony, captain is fine."

"Yes, Sir."

Shining scratched his chin. "What about an anti-magic field?"

"We would need to ask Lady Sparkle's permission, which we were about to do."

Twilight's hoof dug a deep pit into the earth. "This is too far. I need to talk to Celestia about this."

She became aware of her brother's hoof on her shoulder. "I agree with the Princess. You need protection."

"Did you have a guard escort when dating Cadence?"

"Yes. They maintained their distance and I didn't even know about it until later, but yes we did."

Cadence stroked Twilight's mane. "I think it's sweet. It's just because she cares, Ladybug."

"Alright. Fine. I'm still going to talk to Celestia, but first I'd like to spend the day with my family."

Shining smiled. "Great, that's why we came. Why don't you show us around?"

With Shining, Cadence and Night Light flanking her and Spike atop her back they went into town.

Author's Notes:

What's everypony-I've been in this fandom far too long-everbody think of the Luna/Akbear subplot?

Did I ever mentioned I loved medieval style power plays and plots? Because I do.