All Good Things...

In their walled haven the prince and his guard continued their scandalous romance. Although very discreet in public and when they had company,in private, the depths of their passions were laid bare. Truly,it was as if their coming together was the plot of a Romance. They were "Love's own pair"*, entirely bound to its whims,all logic and reason thrown to the wind as the call of their hearts drowned out the voice in their heads which had one been so loud.

The months went by like a passing breeze.

To be drunk on love is a sweet thing and an intoxicating one: carelessness is bound to follow as all over things pale when compared to Love's sweet fruit.

The pair walked together in the gardens,they were silent, but there was no need for words, all that needed to be said had already passed between them. They walked along the stretch closest to the wall as Blueblood was determined that his lover should sample the blackberries that grew at the base of it. As they walked,Blueblood's eyes fell upon a collection of flowers he had never seen before: the stem was completely devoid of thorns and the flower itself looked as if it contained a shimmering flame that flickered as the wind played upon the petals.

He stooped and plucked one, sniffed, and immediately he was met with a sweet perfume that seemed to dance along the length of his nostrils,giving him a light kiss in farewell as it faded.

He turned to Lavender,presenting the flower, "To you, the one who has ignited this flame within me, I give my heart"

Lavender took the flower,turning a similar shade of crimson to the leaves,quite unsure what to say.

Eventually,he spoke: "I didn't realize you were such a romantic." He said,quite confused at the sudden,poetic, turn of phrase.

Blueblood smiled,leaned forward,and with infinite tenderness,kissed his love.

As they shared the kiss,there was a faint click as if a butterfly- Oh, wait,that was a camera.

They looked up and a figure dropped into the alley below.
Lavender needed no prompting,dashing out into the street,his brain saying, "What did I tell ya?" He silenced his brain and managed to catch up with the fleeing figure. Now,you might ask,how did he catch up? Well, the intruder was quite out of shape and had stopped a few yards away to catch his breath,waving a hoof.
"The picture." Lavender said,icily.
The lad took it and ran off,I just propped him up.

Lavender looked through the sweating stallion's camera to make sure before interrogating him. The stallion was more than happy to oblige,but his answers were interrupted every few words with a noisy inhalation:

" We were... walking by...when...we heard...your chatter and...decided..to..take..a look." he finished before adding "He's long gone by now. Besides,what's the harm in ponies know-" He looked at Lavenders armor "oh..."

Lavender wanted to say something about private property,but the words died in his throat and he headed back into the manor,his face pale. Blueblood saw this immediately and hugged the stallion. Lavender buried his face into Blueblood's shoulder.

"What happens now?" He asked,in a small voice

"I don't know," said Blueblood,his hoof trailing along Lavender's back, "I really don't."

The news struck Canterlot like a wildfire. Headlines like: "Blueblood's Guard Lover: The Inside Story" were abound,and the news was on everypony's lips. Reporters camped outside the gates in the hopes of catching a glance at them.

Blueblood and Lavender stayed inside, they could hear the clamor at the gates and it was more than a little frightening.

They sat at the manor steps one morning,heads in hooves. Lavender's ears perked up as he heard a familiar, booming voice: "OUT OF THE WAY, GUARDSMAN COMING THROUGH!" It was the Drill Sergeant. the guardsman was glad,but terrified at the same time. The gates opened slightly to allow Stonehoof through and the reporters attempted to rush in ,too,but Stonehoof kept them back,slamming the gate before walking up the drive.
"Parasites." he said,dusting off his armor.

He caught site of Lavender and the prince and his face softened. "Lad." he said to Lavender, "Y'grace." to Blueblood.
The pair gave him sickly smiles.

Stonehoof nodded and produced a paper. The others scanned over it with dread. All sorts of outrageous claims were made: that Blueblood showered his lover in jewelry and gifts. While the rest was false,the one fact they had was the price of Lavender's armor and sword-it was hinted that funds were taken from the treasury. The pair called out the lies and denied it at some length before Stonehoof held up one of the famed limbs for silence.
"It's not for me to judge the truth. I mean,I believe you,but it's out of my hooves. I'm afraid you'll both have to come with me."

The pair went very pale and barely managed to nod.
Stonehoof took the lead,making a path for them as innumerable camera flashes half blinded the poor lovebirds.
They made it through to the palace,and the guards at the gate crossed their spears to prevent the press entering.

The pair were brought to a sparse waiting room before an oak door and were bade to wait.

Lavender felt as if he were about to throw up,and the prince didn't look much better.

A grim looking official walked out "Lavender Sentinel? " he said, In here,if you please.

Blueblood hugged the terrified stallion and kissed his forehead. "It'll be ok,I swear."

Lavender's terror was abated a little and he said "I love you" before following the official.

The room was very bare, save for a seat in the center and three ponies in Guard regalia stood on a platform,looking very serious.

There were no criminal charges,but the tribunal concerned whether he should be dismissed from the Guard for "Inappropriate" relations with his charge that could have put them both at risk.

Lavender was very truthful throughout the questioning,never hesitating. He told the truth about the armor and denied the other allegations. Once or twice he caught his judges nodding as if his story coincided with their knowledge.

At the end,the wizened mare in the middle of the trio said "It is the opinion of this council that you might retain your position in the Guard at a new posting....however," she said, flint eyes staring into Lavender's "for the benefit of the Guard and the Royal Family...your relations with the prince must end."

Lavender was pained: his entire life he'd dreamed of joining The Royal Guard. He'd worked countless hours in school,distinguished himself in the Royal Army and now he was issued with this ultimatum: See that work crumble to dust,or choose love.

Lavender's voice cracked with emotion as he replied: "Then I am no longer a guardsman." The three heads nodded. "So let it be."

The guardsman exited,tears streaming down his face. Now he was free. If he had not done as he did the stories would follow them both for the rest of their lives,there would be no chance for advancement,and he would be miserable.
He sat at the bench outside,hooves in hands. Blueblood cast him a look of pity before going in.

Lavender was held in seclusion till all the facts were gathered and a statement issued.

Blueblood exited shortly,having proven his innocence in the alleged embezzlement of Crown fund. On his way to the steps he was confronted by an overweight pony, dripping with brocade. "Sir? Charming Starburst." He introduced himself, "Manager of Royal Public Relations." He said "It might be,er...prudent to issue your own statement via the palace radio."

Blueblood followed Starbust to the studio,sitting alone as the other worked at the controls behind a large glass panel. "I've taken the liberty of preparing your statement for you." he said. Before the Prince could respond, the countdown began and the Prince read from the cards:

"To all the citizens of Equestria, I reach out to you now in the hopes that I might put to rest the rumors and half- truths spread about me and Guardsman Sentinel"
Blueblood scanned the auto-queue and it read that he should deny that any relations existed! Blueblood frowned and Starburst moved his hoof in a circle,telling him to continue.

Blueblood faltered... "The relationship between Lavender and I..." he said, using his lover's first name. "the relationship between Lavender and I..." he repeated before making up his mind: "is entirely real." he paused while Starburst looked a little troubled "Neither of us are false. I have not used Crown money for my own pleasure and never will do. Lavender has never asked a thing of me beyond the love that I freely give. My people, what i feel is as true to me as any fact. I will not deny that our relationship may have been inappropriate,but I do not believe that warrants such character assassination in the news . I appreciate your support in the coming days." Starburst stopped the broadcast and Blueblood exited,determined to find Lavender.

The now ex-guardsman was released from isolation into the courtyard. He hadn't heard the broadcast and his head was hanging low. The gaggle of reporters outside yelled as they caught sight of him.

"Hey there,sweetheart." came a melodious voice from his side, "miss me?" Lavender's face burst into a grin of joy as the Prince's hoof seized his own,gently.

A puffing Herald rushed out,and boomed "Let it be known that Lavender Sentinel has willingly resigned his position in the Guard. No charges shall be brought against himself or the prince. I repeat, Lavender Sentinel and the prince are innocent on all counts!"

The assembled reporters seemed to roar as the pair came out into the open,hoof in hoof,questions bursting from their lips. The pair ignored them,seeing only each other.
They walked through the city and entered the manor,their home.

Author's Note

* Reference to Thomas Hardy's poem, 'At an Inn'