Rarity and I was sat on the first train to Canterlot. It was still early in the morning, but a number of business ponies were also on the train, no doubt having a busy day ahead. I was bearly awake, having never been a morning dragon. This was of course ironic given that Celestia herself had raised me for the first year of my life until Twilight took over.

Rarity was sat reading a fashion magazine, looking as impeccable as always. I doubt most ponies would have bothered doing their full makeup and styling routine for such an early train, but Rarity was special like that The best way to bring beauty to the world is to start with yourself, but make sure not to finish there…

I must have been watching her for a while as her voice suddenly jolted me “See something you like?” she teased, looking over the top of her magazine.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t stare!” I flustered in response.

“It’s no problem Spike, I’m your special somepony, you're allowed to now!” Rarity smiled, before going back to her magazine.

I practically jumped for joy internally. Rarity had called me her special somepony in public for the first time. My marefriend, because that’s what she was now, wasn’t afraid to make her feelings known publicly. I just hoped that lasted after today.

The walk between the train station and the castle was a familiar one for both of us, but I could tell Rarity was nervous. I was nervous so Rarity had to be. We travelled in silence but made sure we stuck right next to each other, close enough that every so often we would bump into each other. It was a nice way of expressing our feelings in public without drawing too much attention. That, and there is no way we can walk claw in hoof given ponies quadruped nature.

Reaching the palace, the guards let us through the gate on sight, an advantage of being a former resident and national hero I guess. There wasn’t a queue today as court was closed, and we both knew the reason for that. Reaching the castle proper, we were directed to the throne room and when we walked in both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia were sat waiting for us.

Walking up to them, Rarity took in a deep bow “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna.”

“Hi Celestia, Hiya Luna!” I added, completely informal around them. Afterall, they both have told me that they were no Princesses to me as a Dragon, and this was especially true now Twilight is also a princess.

Celestia stood up and spoke very formally “Spike, your letter has made it clear why you are here. Please go with Luna whilst I speak to Rarity.”

Rarity and I looked at each other, both filled with nerves at how cold the Princess was being. Celestia had always told me that should I ever wish to have a relationship with a pony, that I had to come and speak with her with the mare as soon as it started. I had no idea what she wanted to say, but was nervous that we were splitting up.

Despite the urge to tell Princess no, that we would stay together, I knew my place was to accept the instructions and glancing once at my nervous marefield, I followed the order.

Luna and I found ourselves in her private chambers. It was a place I hadn't been to before, and as I entered I had a look around. As you would expect, the colour scheme was very different from Celestia’s being filled with darker tones and thick curtains that were partially drawn to hide most of the light outside.

We sat together at a table where Luna served up some drinks and a few small cakes as a late breakfast for me, and supper for her.

“Nice room, very…you” I complimented the Princess of the night.

“Thank you Spike. Did you know that Celestia had much of it already prepared for my return? Of course I made my own changes, but it was very considerate of her.”

We both sipped our drinks, and then looked at me. “So you finally won Rarity over?” she asked warmly.

“Yeah, on Hearts and Hooves day no less.”

“How cliche!” Luna giggled “But then I made my return to Ponyville on Nightmare Night, so what do I know.”

We both smiled at this. I could tell she was putting my mind at ease and trying to get me to relax.

“Spike, I’m sure you expected Celestia simply to bless the two of you or something, but we both agreed it’s not that simple. As you are an important part of Equestria, being related to royalty and the twice hero to the Crystal Empire. We therefore decided that we may have to get a bit more involved than usual.”

“Okay?” I replied nervously.

“You see Spike, young love can be complicated as it is, but as a dragon you will suffer a number of extra challenges in your relationship with anypony. We want to make sure both of you are prepared for some of the issues you will face. This may seem like we are interfering, but in our combined lifetime we’ve learnt a lot.”

“Like what?”

“Well, to put it bluntly, you will outlive her. Many times over.”

I just sat there surprised at this was the first thing Luna brought up “It...it doesn’t matter. In fact, knowing this in advance mean we can plan for it…”

“And as Rarity grows older, you will only be reaching the prime of your life” Luna interrupted “We know how that feels!”

“I will love her anyway!” I almost shouted before catching myself “I don’t care if she does get old, and wrinkly, she will always be the most beautiful pony in the world to me.”

Luna took a sip of drink and smiled. I realised what I had just said and knew that I meant it. It would be a challenge for us, but one we could overcome.

“But your lives together will also be filled with obstacles. What about foals?” Luna then asked, causing me to slightly blush “You must be aware that a pony and a dragon cannot have a child of their own.”

The mental image of us even trying was making me blush, but the seriousness of the point was not lost on me “If we can’t have a foal, then so be it!”

Luna looked at me seriously “Indeed, but does Rarity want them?”

“I...I don’t know” I admitted, the princesses face softening slightly as her point hit me hard.

“The desire to foal can grow very strong for a mare, and yourself my find the want to procreate to grow in time. A common pitfall in relationships can be the issues regarding foaling.”

I sat their stumped, but in my heart I had an answer “We can adopt. Rarity is so generous that being able to brighten up some unfortunate foals life with bring her so much joy. And the chances of me finding a dragon I could ever care for are zero anyway!”

I could tell Luna’s calm exterior threatened to break slightly as I uttered those words, as my own voice cracked a little with emotion. But Luna was a practised statesmare and so composed herself with another bite of cake.

“You do also realise that this may harm Rarity’s fashion career? Not everypony is going to take kindly to a dragon and a pony being together”

I always choked on my bite of cake hearing this as it’s something I haven't considered. Luna continued with “If some of her rivals sense this, they will take every opportunity possible to undermine Rarity.”

This was something that shook me to the bone. Rarity loved her fashion career, and despite paying the bills and being her job, it meant so much more to her. “I wouldn't do anything to hurt Rarity. But I believe her fashions will speak for themselves. Besides, I doubt anypony in Ponyville or the Crystal Empire will have a problem with me, and I think Canterlot would be quite accepting of us. If the other cities have a problem, we won’t care as we’ll have each other!”

Luna seemed a little impressive with my passionate response, but remained cold “Do you speak for Rarity in this matter?”

Again, I had the same answer “I...I don’t know”

“Which leads onto the final issue...any Breakup between you two will be very tough.”

“We won’t breakup” I protested

“Regardless of your feelings to each other, sometimes things don’t work out. But Rarity is a member of the Council of Friendship, and you live with the Princess of Friendship. How would it feel seeing her so regularly, fighting evil together, if she was to break your heart?”

I had no response to this, as it was something I hadn't ever considered. I just sat there, most likely looking a little depress as I had a lot to think about. Clearly Luna, and presumably Celestia, had carefully considered the issues should I ever date. I know they were only looking out for me, and a comforting warm dark blue wing I found wrapped around myself confirmed this.

“Neither Celestia or I will ever try to interfere directly with your relationship Spike, but we felt we had to make sure both you and your partner was going into this with eyes wide open”.

Rarity and I met up in the guest suite, where Rarity had stayed the time she had come up to Canterlot to visit by herself. My marefriend seemed to be calm, if a little perturbed by her conversation with Celestia which she told back to me.

Rarity followed Princess Celestia into the formal chambers where a breakfast tea service was already set out. The Princess took a seat and Rarity did the same, placing a napkin between her and the table as a proper lady should. As Celestia poured them both a cup, Rarity looked around nervously. Despite being in the castle before, and even spending a few moments alone with the goddess of the sun, Rarity had never been called to see Celestia before.

“Well, I hadn’t expected this meeting with you.” Princess Celestia started “I always wanted to see the mare, or whomever, Spike had decided to get into a relationship very early on. The first reason was to check that they were of good character and not just using him to get up in the social standings. Of course, I know you are of outstanding character.”

“Thank you, your highness.” Rarity smiled back, a smile of nerves more than a response to the compliment.

Celestia looked warm, yet distant at the same time.“So that just leaves the second part of why I wanted to see Spikes special somepony. Tell me Rarity, what do you know about Dragons?”

“I know the basics from Spike and Twilight, as well as seeing them naturally that time we went with Spike on the dragon migration.”

“I see, so you should be well aware of some of the difficulties you two will suffer?”

“Yes Princess.”

“So, what would you do if Spike tried to hoard?” Celestia asked.

“I would do whatever I could to try to stop him. We are both aware of his underlying nature and will do our best to ensure we don’t do anything to set it off. Of course being the embodiment of pony generosity will make that task both easier, and more difficult.”

Celestia nodded in response, but Rarity wasn’t finished. “And if need be I would of course call on Twilight, or yourself, to intervene. I wouldn't care if Spike hated me for it, I know it would be in his best interest. Besides, when he had calmed down, I’m sure I could do something to make him happy that didn’t involved material things!”

Celestia smiled at Rarity, and the unicorn felt that the Princesses respect for her had edged up a notch.

“Well, a dragons hoarding is not just material things. As you may be aware, a male dragon does not just take one mate, but has a lounge of around four females. What about if Spike feels the same urge?”

Rarity took a sip of tea, to give herself time to think “It is not unknown for modern ponies, of the persuasion at least, to still work on a herd basis. I can’t see why I couldn't share a home with other mares.”

“You would do that?” Celestia replied a little in shock.

“It’s not my ideal relationship, your highness, but if it is what Spike needs to be happy, and we could find a suitable mare...or three...then I think we could make it work.”

Celestia took a sip of tea “I hadn't expected THAT answer from you Rarity, but that does raise a concern. Are you going to be too generous towards Spike?”

“No, I don't think I will. May I be blunt with you?”

“Of course”

“Thank you. Someponies may feel that I’ve strung Spike along for a long time, that I’ve used and abused him. Whilst it may appear that way, I have not done so to be cruel.”

“Oh?”

“I have made Spike work to earn his chance with me, in the same way anypony else would have had done to court me. Maybe, a little more so given his position as Twilight’s...whatever. But in doing so, I’ve hopefully helped him mature into a very reasonable young dragon. One that has to work to get his rewards. And over the years he’s learnt that lessons in other ways, like the ill fated critter-sitting adventure.”

Celestia smiled a little “I remember reading about that!”

“I finally think he is mature enough, by pony standards, to handle a relationship. And I will always remind him that he has to earn his way in life which means to give in order to receive.”

“I see Rarity, that is very wise of you.”

“Thank you, your highness”

“But what about other difficulties? Have you thought them all through?”

“I don’t know, you can never expect the unexpected. I’m sure there will be a lot, but the same is true for any relationship. All I know is that Spike and I will have to face them like anypony else.”

After Rarity had told me her side of the story, and I had replayed my chat with Luna, we sat there in silence thinking, cuddled up next to each other.

Author's Note

Sorry in the delay in this chapter. I've been working on a video but will now get this story finished.