The blindfold around her eyes cut off her sight, but not her other senses. Her sensitive ears twitched at the sharp chirping of the robins and bluejays which nested in the branches all around her. Wind whistled through what she guessed were pines. Something rough scratched against her hooves, a sudden transition from the soft grass that had been gently cradling her pasterns.

A road, she guessed. The rocks lifted and fell unevenly, the hallmark of cobblestone. Their was the distinctive scent of roasting carrots and other vegetables. Spices tickled her nostrils. The scents were a mixture of savory and sweet that made her stomach growl. The sun shone its warmth upon her back, suddenly stronger now that the wing across her back had been removed. They'd suddenly stopped as if her guide was trying to decide which path they should go on.

Something, tugged at her horn. There was a nexus of spiritual power a few miles from here. Twilight wondered if that was their destination. The scent of roasted carrots and peppers had also come closer. The wing once more gently fell upon her withers and her beloved urged her to continue walking. Twilight's hooves crushed the leaves in her way. For the hundredth time, she felt the urge to lift the blindfold. She didn't, unwilling to break her promise to her lover. As she trotted, she heard the unmistakable clop of other Ponies as they trotted around her and heard the nearly universal call of merchants hawking their wares. A blush spread across her face. "Tia, can I take the blindfold off? This is getting embarrassing."

Celestia stroked her shoulders. "Can you keep it on a bit longer? I want this to be a surprise."

"Is anypony staring?"

"Not at all. They probably think you're blind and I'm your guide. Staring would be rude."

Twilight snuggled into Celestia. "Alright, then."

A cool blast of mountain air from the north washed over them. Twilight shivered and could feel Celestia shivering as the wind lifted their manes. The calls of the merchants vanished behind her. The road stretched out and rough stone scratched against the surface of her hooves. She felt the leaves crunch as she stepped over them. Leaves were strewn over the path. Her ears detected the rustling of summer leaves and she nearly stumbled over an old, gnarled root. Celestia also nearly lost her balance and only one, large white wing steadying them prevented them from falling to the ground.

The root must have grown from a tree near the road and broken up the cobblestones. The air felt cooler now than when they had begun their trek. It was evening. "Can you tell me more about this surprise?"

She felt a boop on her nose. "It wouldn't be a surprise then, now would it?"

Twilight giggled. "No, I guess not."

Water rushed over rocks. A river was near by. Twilight felt rough cobblestone replaced by smooth, cool wood. They crossed the bridge. "Does the surprise have anything to do with the nexus of power I feel?"

"Perhaps."

Forest. A river. A bridge. The grounds of a shrine, perhaps? "Are you taking me to meet some relatives?"

"No, but Grandma Loki says he'd be thrilled to meet you."

"Don't you mean she?"

"No."

"...Huh. You have an interesting family. Can't wait to meet them."

"Father and Great Uncle Odin keep asking."

The ground was soggy and she struggled to lift her hooves. "You've already met my family. Maybe we can discuss it when we get back."

"We're going to have a lot to discuss when we get back."

The ground was soggy and she struggled to lift her hooves. Celestia guided her over the thick roots that crisscrossed the land.Twilight guessed that they were in a grove. A sweet scene wafted through the air and something light landed atop her nose. Celestia giggled and licked it off. "Yummy, cherry."

So, we're in a grove of cherry trees.

Light burst against her blindfold as they left the cool and darkness of the grove. The land was less soggy and the grass was low as if it'd been mown, grazed or harvested.

Something hard brushed up against her leg. Celestia lit up her horn and lifted the blindfold. Twilight gasped as she took in what she saw. They were engulfed by twin seas of wild, golden wheat, the wind cresting and tossing waves through them. Directly in front of them was the most ornate building that she'd ever seen in Mustangia though it would have been humble for a palace by Equestrian standards.

It was two stories of solid alabaster, trimmed by silver, two rectangles stacked atop each other with the top rectangle shorter than the bottom one which gave the building the look of a two-tiered cake. Atop the castle was two towers. The right tower bore the proud standard of the Confederation of Mustangia, a golden fire upon a blue background. The left tower bore the standard of Diadara, the region that they were in, three hills and a rising sun also upon a blue background.

After a few moments, Twilight again found her voice. "It's beautiful."

Celestia pushed her forward. "I have a standing invitation from the Grand Matriarch of Diadara to attend any banquet with a guest."

"The Grand Matriarch? Is there anything I should do?"

Celestia thought for a moment. "Bow your head, once. But not too low. Don't grovel. Mustangs consider pride and dignity important even in the presence of one of a higher social station."

Twilight looked like she wanted to take notes. "Wait. I don't grovel. Do I grovel?"

Celestia shrugged. "Only to me."

"I do not. Anymore."

Celestia squeezed her with a wing and Twilight nuzzled her. "Don't fret my love. The Grand Matriarch is very hospitable and friendly. Her name is Wildgrass. I know you wanted to hear a storyteller and the finest in all the realm is in her employ."

Twilight pranced and wrapped her forelegs around Celestia's neck. "Oh, thank you!"

Their lips met in a kiss and together they strode towards the entrance.

What struck Twilight was that there were no guards. The stone hall led straight to a simple, wooden chair covered in arcane carvings. A young mare with silver fur and a green mane sat on the chair. She was deep in conversation with a white stallion, but looked up upon their approach. Her face broke into a broad grin and she lept from the chair and galloped to Celestia, giving her a hug. Celestia wrapped a wing around her.

Wildgrass stood back. "Welcome, Celestia! I didn't know you were in Diadara!"

"I'm on vacation with my marefriend and decided to drop by."

Wildgrass smiled at Twilight. "Welcome, Royal Consort. Might I have your name?"

Twilight blushed and bowed her head, though not too low as she had been instructed. "Twilight Sparkle. A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

Wildgrass chuckled. "I have enough titles, Miss Sparkle. Please do not add to them. In any case, the pleasure is mine. Any friend of Celestia's is a friend of mine. Come, let's speak."

They fell into step alongside each other, as they went from the throne room into another vast hall covered in tapestries depicting what Twilight assumed were Wildgrass's predecessors.

Celestia nudged Wildgrass. "We didn't interrupt anything, did we?"

"No, I was just finishing up some last minute trade deal discussions and telling the minister to open negotiations with Oxsara. The lunch banquet is about to begin. You have impeccable timing."

Celestia smiled softly. "I have a sixth sense about these things."

"So, how have you been?"

"Busy. So busy Twilight decided that I needed a vacation. I decided she was right. Luna's running things."

"Ah, that'll be good for her. She needs to get out of her shell."

"She's much less shy than when you met her at the meet and greet at the Equine Union."

Twilight chose to remain nearly glued to Celestia's side and cuddled beneath her wing as the two leaders spoke. Wildgrass glanced at her. "Is this one shy too?"

"Yep. Her and Luna are almost best friends."

Wildgrass poked her side. "There's no need to be shy. I think I might be younger than you."

Twilight perked up. "How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

Twilight blinked. "What'd you do to become grand matriarch?"

"When I was sixteen I helped put an end to a long-standing feud between two clans. I've been running Diadara ever since. Will of the herds and all that. My term's going to end in two more years. You wouldn't believe how proud my parents are, especially since I gave them a room at the palace. Hey, are you the same Twilight Sparkle that defeated Nightmare Moon and the Unmentionable One and Queen Chrysalis?"

Twilight's cheeks colored. "Well, I didn't do it all by myself. My friends helped. Without their friendship, I never could have done it."

"Such is the power of friendship. Let me tell you, when you get rich or powerful you find out who your real friends are real fast. The ones who don't want to just use you, who will stand by you. I have some friends whom I can honestly credit with helping me keep my sanity-and keeping my ego down to acceptable levels."

They turned a corner into a hall filled with yet more tapestries. "If you don't mind me asking, why won't you say Discord's name?"

Wildgrass shuddered. "He is the enemy of my people."

"Why don't you have Strummer recite for us the first part of the Earth Shaker cycle? That should explain it for her."

Wildgrass jumped ahead. "That's a wonderful idea!"

Celestia and Twilight struggled to keep up with the bouncing head of state and followed her into a dining room. A golden chandelier hung from the ceiling and a river of crystals spilled from it. The sunlight streamed in from tall, high windows. Each window was covered in a rainbow of stained glass and colored light played all across the room. Ten benches sat, filled with the nobles of Diadara.

Wildgrass led them over to a table and they sat next to her. Across from them was a silver mare with a purple mane and a silver stallion with a green mane.

Wildgrass gestured to them. "These are my parents, my mom Amethyst and my dad, Zoysia. Mom, Dad, you know Princess Celestia and this is her consort Twilight Sparkle."

Her parents cordially greeted Twilight. Now that the Grand Matriarch had arrived, the chefs began to bring out the food. Twilight's stomach rumbled at the smell of roasted grains piled high in silver bowls. For refreshments, the cooks set out mugs of ale. Twilight noticed five kegs at the edge of the room and couldn't help but think that she should invite Rainbow Dash next time they came. On the other hoof, maybe she shouldn't enable the party-loving Pegasus.

Wildgrass called out to a sky blue mare with a pink mane who had a hap slung over her shoulder. "Strummer, come and sing for us a song of times gone by!"

The bard came over and knelt her head. "And what song shall I sing, Keeper of Peace?"

"Sing for us the deeds of Earth Shaker, his wanderings and how he encountered the deceiver."

Strummer swayed over to a raised platform and stood before the assembled Ponies. She took her harp in her hooves and swept the strings. A somber tune in the minor key lilted from the instrument. "Lo, do I begin a tale of things that happened long ago, after the Moochick sang the universe into being and quarreled with his brother Grogar and Megan wandered the world slaying the evils that once stalked the land, a most unusual thing happened in the village by the river Poseidona.

At that time, we Mustangs lived by that river and each day a certain mare would come and wash herself there. There was a rock by that river and each day this mare would weep for she had neither stallion nor child. One day, when she went to wash, she saw a little foal by that rock."

The minor scale shifted to a happier tune. "She rejoiced, for she knew that the Moochick had answered her prayers. She took the foal home and he grew strong. His mane and coat were as grey as the rock from whence he had come and, when in rage or play, he trampled the ground the whole earth would shake. For this reason, he was called-"

"Earth Shaker! Earth Shaker! Earth Shaker!"

The whole hall reverberated with the chant as the Mustangs pounded the tables with their hooves. Even Celestia pounded the table and took a liberal swig from her mug. Twilight wasn't sure what she should do so she lightly tapped the table's surface and sipped the ale, which was so strong it made her head spin.

The bard's hooves danced upon the strings in a racing melody. "A calamity struck Earth Shaker's village. The Tyrant ruled in those days-"

Jeers and hisses lifted up from the audience. Twilight only hesitated a few moments before joining in.

"The Tyrant proclaimed that all should give him tribute, but Mustangs are free folk and we would not give to the Tyrant half the yield of our crops so he caused all in the village to turn into stone."

The ale was working its way through Twilight's system. A general sense of ease and happiness filled her as the bard continued and she leaned into her lover. "So, the Elements did tit-for-tat?"

"Oh, yes. The Elements have a sense of justice all their own."

The harp tingled like rain. "Great was Earthshaker's sorrow! Great was his anger! So he strode out into the wide world to find a way to break the wicked enchantment!"

"Earth Shaker! Earth Shaker! Earth Shaker!"

This time Twilight joined in with gusto, giving the table a fierce pounding, her hoof coming down with Celestia's and the others.

The melody went quicker and quicker, to the rhythm of the drumming hooves. "First he met a bard by the river by the name of Happy Harp. This was the tune he played that lifted the heart of Earth Shaker."

The tune was light and airy and all the Ponies swayed to it. "Joy filled Earth Shaker's heart at the tune Happy Heart played and he asked him to come with him on his way."

Twilight's mind worked its way through the haze of alcohol. Wait...Laughter.

"So, Earth Shaker and Happy Heart wandered through the forest and they encountered a pack of wolves sent by the Tyrant. Earth Shaker drove them all away, but he was wounded even unto death. Happy Heart held him up upon his own shoulders as Earth Shaker bled."

Twilight felt the tension in the room, even though this story must have been told thousands of times, even though the ending must have been known. The melody was now one long, tight note held out to seemingly eternity. "A healer that lived in the woods by the name of Caring Hooves came out and saw Earth Shaker. He bandaged him up and patched up his wounds, comforting him with herbs and salves. Earth Shaker asked him to come along his way."

Kindness.

"So, Earth Shaker, Happy Harp and Caring Hooves wandered through the young plains of the untamed world. How long did they wander? For a year, for a decade? This was before the cycling of night and day so no one can say. In their travels they encountered a stallion, Apple Root, who could see through all lies and Earth Shaker asked him to come along his way. Together, they wandered through a false wood the Tyrant caused to come into being. Apple Root's sight saw through it and he guided them out."

Honesty.

The melody flowed onward. "In one town they came to, they had no money for lodging. Each innkeeper rejected them in turn except for one who took mercy upon their plight. Earth Shaker asked him to come along his way."

Generosity.

"By this time, Earth Shaker had nearly given into despair. How was he to find a way to break the enchantment? The Tyrant's magic was far stronger than any Pony mage. His four friends comforted him and encouraged him. They traveled at last to the gates of a kingdom ruined by the tyrant. One solemn knight, Gallant Soul, yet stood there. Earth Shaker asked him why he had not moved like the rest of his people. The knight answered that it was his duty to guard the gates and he would do so until he died. Earth Shaker told him that they were going to break an enchantment of the Tyrant and asked him to come along his way."

Loyalty...and Earth Shaker was apparently born from magic.

"Gallant Soul said they should go back to the village, for he knew a deep magic, magic older than the universe, the magic of friendship. So, they returned to the village of Earth Shaker's birth. And they sang together, a deep heart song, a song of longing fulfilled, a song full of laughter and kindness, honesty and generosity, loyalty and the deep magic that courses through the universe. And lo, the enchantment was broken.

Great was the joy that filled Earth Shaker's heart! Great was the joy that coursed through the village! The villagers prepared a feast. Earth Shaker, his companions and the villagers ate together. Great was the Tyrants wrath! He summoned all the magic of vile hatred and from it formed a beast of wood and vine, in the shape of a great wolf. The beast rampaged towards the village, but Earth Shaker stood and wound not quake in fear, nor would he turn. He grasped the beast by its head and ripped it apart! Yet, it formed again! Earth Shaker smashed it with his hooves, trampled it to splinters!"

"Earth Shaker! Earth Shaker! Earth Shaker!"

The pounding and the fast rhythm of the harp reached a crescendo. "Yet the Beast came again! At last, Apple Root saw the truth and revealed to Earth Shaker where the beast's black heart was! Earth Shaker ripped it out and the beast fell dead! Great were the feasts and great was the celebration that followed! And the Tyrant trembled in fear for nothing can withstand friends united."

The last notes of the harp floated away. The last light of the sun was fading away as well and Twilight watched as Celestia set it. The orb seemed to bob a bit unsteadily as Celestia floated it to its rest and the moon rose.

Twilight's had long since devoured her bowl of grains and her mug of ale had been similarly depleted. She frowned at the empty vessel and lifted it up in her magic before standing up.

Celestia's eyes were half-lidded as she watched the purple posterior. Suddenly, she reached out and grabbed it causing Twilight to turn around and gasp.

Celestia laughed. "You have a cute bootie, I couldn't help it."

Twilight's face turned the same red as wine and her breath came out in quick, jerking spurts. "Do not grab my ass in public!" She finally roared.

Celestia's ears folded back. "T-Twi..." She looked around. "Not so loud, don't make a scene."

Twilight grit her teeth. "I'm sorry, are you more concerned about how everypony else views you than your marefriend's feelings?!"

The ale was swimming through her head, muddying her thoughts. It was strong alcohol, stronger than any she'd ever tasted, like a fire running through her veins.

Celestia stood. "Twilight, please, I'm sorry, alright?"

Wildgrass nervously spoke up. "Um, if you two are going to fight, I'll have to ask you to take it out of the dining hall."

Twilight glared at Celestia and Celestia nearly withered at her gaze. "Fine, fine." She stumbled away, grumbling to herself. She kept looking around, not sure if anypony was staring at her. They weren't doing it directly, yet she could feel the weight of the eyes in the room.

She steadied her mug beneath the keg's spigot and turned it on. The golden brown liquid poured out and spilled into the cup. Up on the platform, Strummer had begun a wordless, joyful tune. Twilight took a gulp of the ale. She was getting used to the feeling of it. Carefully, trying to walk straight, she went back to the table. "I can't believe you nearly got us kicked out."

Celestia hissed through clenched teeth. "I nearly got us kicked out? You were the one that was yelling!"

"Seriously guys..." Wildgrass's plea bordered on desperation.

Twilight glared at her and then returned to her ire to Celestia. "I was yelling because you grabbed my ass like I'm some kind of cheap whore! You of all Ponies..."

Celestia spoke in a low, measured tone as she digested those words. "Me of all Ponies? I'm a Princess so I can never just relax and have fun?" She swung the mug like it was a weapon.

Twilight sipped from her mug and tried to keep her voice down. "Sure you can have fun, as long as that fun doesn't involve grabbing my ass in public."

Celestia also tried to maintain her low, composed tone. "Alright, I'm sorry. Just let it go."

"Do you even understand why I'm mad?"

"Because I did...I'm sorry, that was stupid and I'm sorry. I should have realized...I'm an affectionate mare, alright?"

"I don't mind affection! I like affection!"

A glance from Wildgrass made her give a quick apology. Twilight sighed. "Although, you were more concerned about what everypony else thought than how I felt."

"That's ridiculous! I did not!"

Twilight sulked as she nursed the mug of ale. "The first...okay, second, thing you said was don't make a scene. Not, I'm sorry, but don't make a scene."

Celestia's shoulders slumped and then a swig of ale gave her some courage. "I didn't...didn't want everypony to stare. Well, maybe you're right. Maybe it's hard to relax and have fun for me. And maybe that's because I get yelled at when I do!"

Celestia rose and smiled at Wildgrass. "Thank you for...for the hospitality Wildgrass...I'm going out...I need fresh air."

She then stormed out of the hall. Twilight watched her go then stared into her mug as if the liquid inside had the answer to her predicament. I'm a bitch...I'm a crazy bitch and she's going to dump me because I'm a crazy bitch.

She lifted the ale to her lips only for Wildgrass to snatch it out of her aura. "I think you and the Princess have had quite enough of that."

Twilight sniffled and laid her head on the table. "Sh-she's goings to dump me. I totally over reacted and n-now she hates me!" Her vision was clouded by a mist of tears.

Wildgrass patted her back. "Oh, come now, she does not."

Twilight looked up and wiped her eyes. "H-how do you know?"

Wildgrass shrugged. "I don't know really. She could be halfway back to Equestria by now."

Twilight's jaw dropped. "Is that shupposhed to make me feel betters?"

"Not really." Wildgrass nearly shoved her off the bench. "You need to go talk to her. She couldn't have gone far, not after having drank a mug of this stuff." The Grand Matriarch frowned. "Come to think of it, we should probably warn foreigners about how strong these drinks are for non-Mustangs."

Twilight got up on legs that threatened to buckle beneath her. Slowly, but steadily, she shuffled forward, carefully placing one hoof in front of the other. The twanging of the harp mixed with the chattering of the Ponies in the room. The world swam before her eyes, spun around her. At last, her arduous journey to the tall, wooden door was complete. She rested against it. Her legs had turned to rock.

She couldn't take another step knowing her angry lover was on the other side of the door-or hopefully was.

...
Celestia leaned against the wall, her wings wrapped around herself like a blanket, her feathers drooping on the ground. She cursed herself beneath her breath. She had been so stupid, so very, incredibly stupid. She knew Twilight got shy in public-and even if she didn't, what had possessed her to do do something so inappropriate?

She'd gotten caught up in the moment, the music, the alcohol inflaming passions she normally took great pains to control. Twin tear tracks traveled down her face. Twilight would probably dump her. She deserved it.

She clenched her jaw. On the other hoof, hadn't she forgiven Twilight for violating her mind? All she'd done was be a little over-affectionate.

Yes, Celestia. Try to justify it. Also, bring up past offenses. That'll be a great way to sabotage the best relationship you've had in millennia.

The doors opened and Twilight stumbled out. The lovers stared at each other. Twilight finally looked away. "I'll apolo...apolo..magishe...I'll say sorry if you will."

Celestia blinked. "I have a sobering up spell. Do you wish for me to cast it on you?"

"...Please."

A golden wave of energy washed over Twilight. The Unicorn shook her head a few times. "Wow. What do they put in that stuff?"

"Fifteen percent alcohol."

"Wow."

Celestia shuffled a hoof. "I just want to say I'm sorry. I was drunk and you make me feel things I haven't felt in ages. You make me feel like a teenager again. Young and a little vulnerable and, to be honest, I'm a little scared right now." Her voice cracked. "I don't want to lose you. I'm so sorry I was stupid."

The flood of self-recriminations was cut off by the taste of Twilight's lips against her own. Celestia kissed back and drank her in.

"I forgive you, Tia. On one condition."

Celestia drew Twilight close with a wing and Twilight held her. "Forgive me too. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

"I kind of deserved it."

"You didn't yell at me even after I broke into your head."

"True. Twilight, you know what I said before? You really do make me feel things I haven't felt in a long time. I don't know what to do with these feelings and sometimes, I'll probably do stupid stuff. I'm not the perfect princess everypony seems to think I am."

Twilight just leaned against her, held her tighter. "That's alright. I'll probably do stupid stuff too."

They held each other, neither willing to let go. After what felt like an eternity, Celestia finally pulled away. "Did you want to go listen to the bard some more?"

Twilight touched her horn to Celestia's. "Sure."

Still leaning against each other, they went back inside.