Chapter 29

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“Nervous, darling?” Rarity asks from my left as we look out at the hall room, lined with yellow banners draped around the room, with flowers of white, blue and lavender.

Today is the big day, Twilight and I are getting married, on the cusp of Autumn.

When we’d returned to Canterlot with the Hippogriffs, Captain Celano and her crew and Capper, it had been, as expected, to find Canterlot not under the Storm King’s rule.

He had easily been defeated, not simply because my Luna had prepared for his arrival, while he’d not expected any resistance (seriously, talk about an overblown ego, thinking those who know you’re coming to invade would just sit back and let you do it), but, less than a few minutes into the fight to defend Canterlot, Discord had arrived, him having misjudged when the Friendship Festival was going to happen.

Upon hearing what the Storm King had been planning, everypony had apparently keeled over laughing as his forces were made completely helpless, Discord turning his airships into cotton candy and immobilizing the Storm King’s forces in various ways, from trapping their feet in jelly, tripping into a bouncy castle and even reversing their legs, meaning if they tried going forward, they went backwards.

Soon as we’d arranged for the Storm King to be taken to Tartarus and Tempest, Grubber and the rest Storm King’s forces were given magically enforced and monitored community service, Discord freed Cadance and Celestia from their stone prisons and we’d resumed the Friendship Festival where, after Songbird Serenade had finished her set, Twilight and I had announced our engagement, to loud applause.

As for Blueballs?

Because of his little stunt, while I’d have preferred he be completely stripped of all his titles, property and possessions, Tia begged me to give him a chance.

Sadly, I could see where she was coming from.

She likely still sees whatever innocent little colt used to be there, hoping he can come back.

Still, punishment was going to be applied, I made sure she understood that.

So, while Blueballs wasn’t stripped of everything he owns… he is no longer part of the royal or noble families.

He is now a common pony and will have to learn to live with that.

Instead of banishing him, he has been relegated to a dwelling in a lower area of Canterlot, a place where he’d have looked down on the inhabitants as trash, when they’re just the common ponies, the ones who don’t have flashy or high paying jobs, but can still make a reasonable living.

He will have no immediate funding beyond the basic necessities most ponies have in adulthood.

The castle will cover the costs of his home, but no more than that. He will receive no stipends from the castle and will have to find a job himself for groceries and other expenses.

On top of that, I had Luna place a spell on him that, until he understands humility, Blueblood will no longer exist.

To anypony who sees him until he learns humility, they will see Blueballs, a common stallion with a decently built body for a non-farmer.

Beyond that, he is out of sight and out of mind… which, given today, is a blessing.

I’m wearing something akin to a toga, like the Greeks would wear.

Twilight and I had spent many hours discussing how best to go with our wedding attire and, though I have been a mare for so many moons, the idea of wearing a wedding dress just felt off for me, as did wearing a suit.

Twilight had agreed that she found it hard picturing me in a dress or suit.

It was by chance, as we’d been trying to figure out how to get around this unique obsticle, Spike had come in with Scootaloo, who was looking for a book on pre-Equestrian pegasi history.

Quickly skimming through the book for her, Twilight’s eyes had lit up and she’d pointed to the attire of the ancient pegasi.

While armour was the norm for most pegasi back then, there were those of other status who’d worn clothing more akin to that of the Greeks and the style had grown more the norm than armour for several hundred years after the founding of Equestria.

While not common now, it is still a style some ponies, be they pegasi or otherwise, wear in certain areas throughout Equestria.

Once Rarity understood what we were going for, she’d insisted on doing our clothes herself.

As per usual, her designs are magnificent.

Coughing, I adjust a bit of my toga and nod, before biting my lip. “And nervous.”

“Understandable, darling,” Rarity assures me. “Marriage is a big step. But, I know you’re both making the right choice. You and Twilight were made for each other.”

Music plays as the doors open, the CMC bouncing along the aisle, flower baskets held in their teeth, the flowers flying out gently as the baskets sway from side to side with each bounce.

Twilight is led down the aisle by Night Light. She’s wearing a lovely white gown with gold and lavender sequins. They reach the alter and I help Twilight up.

We briefly wave at our family sitting in the front row, seeing Celestia and Luna sitting next to our parents an amusing sight.

Sunny and Stellar Flare are also with them, Stellar seated next to Shining.

Starlight is seated at the far end of the front row, keeping her distance from the other two ponies from Sire’s Hollow, her trying to hide it, but it obvious to Twilight and myself that she’s trying to pretend she doesn’t notice the two of them.

Cadance is standing in front of a large arch of greens and flowers before the two of us. “Dearly beloved. We are all gathered here today to witness the marriage of two ponies so alike, yet so different in so many ways. Mares who have faced many trials and come out stronger and closer for it. The two have prepared vows. Princess Ken?”

We meet gazes and I nod, before looking to Twilight.

“Twilight, when we first met, I didn’t know where I was or what I was going to do,” I take her hoof with mine. “I felt lost and unsure how I was going to move on with my life. Meeting you, I found fun in research I never would have on my own. As we lived together and I failed to understand my feelings, I kept quiet. Then, when we were forced to work together to save Equestria on so many occasions and our love formed, I was worried you wouldn’t feel the same way.”

I lightly chuckle.

“The joy I felt when you told me you had had the same feelings for so long, I can’t tell you the amount that gave me. If I were given the choice, I would live eternity with you without a second thought.”

Twilight has tears in her eyes as she smiles back at me and she takes a moment before she speaks.

“Ken, when I first met you, I thought we were exactly the same in every way. When I found out you didn’t enjoy studying as much as I did, I feared we wouldn’t have much in common beyond our appearances.”

She gives a warm smile.

“But, the more I got to know you, the more I realized I didn’t want you to be just like me. You’re you and you’re perfect as you. Your determination, your willingness to defend others without a second thought for yourself. As the Princess of Friendship, I’d never have expected love would find me the way it did, but I wouldn’t change a second of it.”

Bawling makes us glance to our family. Shining is crying his eyes out, Mom and Stellar Flare rubbing his back.

I notice Cadance giving him a “if I didn’t love you, ya silly goof” look and there’s a small wave of light laughter, before Twilight clears her throat and continues.

“The two of us have stuck together through so many things. We cried together, we smiled together and we loved together. I can’t think of anypony else I’d rather spend eternity with. You are my dearest friend and I will always cherish you.”

I cup a hoof to her cheek. “And I you.”

The light laughter makes me realize I’d forgotten Twilight was supposed to be talking and I blush lightly, to which Twilight giggles, giving me a warm smile.

“If there is any creature here who has any reason why these two ponies should not be wed,” Cadance looks around at the crowd, which includes Queen Novo and her daughter, Celano and her crew and Capper, “speak now, or forever hold your piece.”

There’s a loud bang and a voice shouts, “I object!”

We all turn to the doorway, where a white stallion with a scruffy mane is suddenly tackled by a trio of guards.

My eyes widen, before I scowl. It’s Blueballs.

“Our apologies, Your Highnesses, honoured guests,” a brown Pegasus guard says as the others, white Earth Ponies, pin down the unicorn. “He came to the castle demanding the wedding be stopped because he wants to marry Princess Ken. He managed to slip past us.”

“Dearest Ken, please, see reason!” Blueballs yells in what would sound like desperation if not for the smugness behind it that is unmistakably of one who sees himself as above others. “I would be the perfect match for you! You would never have to worry about doing any duties as a royal ever again as my wife.”

I almost snort in disgust, but manage to stop myself.

Aside from our family and closest friends, nopony else is aware this is the former prince. I must not let my personal feelings for this dickhead show.

“My apologies, sir, but we have never met. I cannot marry you, for I don’t love you. I never have and never will.”

“You don’t know me? And love? Who cares about love?!” he yells, rage slipping in his tone. “Love is worthless. A marriage that puts you in high standing is far more important than something as unimportant as love.”

“As the Princess of Love, I think I beg to differ on that,” Cadance says coolly.

Celestia stands up, giving Blueballs a look of shameful disappointment. “Guards, please escort this confused stallion away and make sure he does not return to the castle.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the Pegasus guard salutes, turning around to his fellow guards. “You heard her, stallions. Let’s be off.”

“No! This is utter insanity! I refuse to let this happen! Princess Ken, please, see reason on this! You must marry me or your life will not be worth —!”

The doors close, cutting him off.

Cadance clears her throat. “Well, pretending that didn’t happen, Princess Ken,” she looks to me, “Do you take Princess Twilight Sparkle to have and to hold. To love and cherish. To honour and sustain her. In sickness and in health. For rich or for poor. For better or for worse, til death do you part?”

I look to Twilight and smile warmly. “I do.”

Cadance nods, turning to Twilight. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, do you take Princess Ken to have and to hold. To love and cherish. To honour and sustain her. In sickness and in health. For rich or for poor. For better or for worse, til death do you part?”

Twilight has a deep gaze I can’t look away from. “I do.”

“Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you wife and wife,” Cadance says as everybody starts to cheer. “You may kiss your bride.”

Twilight and I lean into each other, enjoying each other’s warmth as all around us cheer congratulations.

This is a new step in our lives and our family just got a lot bigger and way more amusingly complicated, but we’ll be facing it together.

As long as Twilight and I have each other, there’s nothing we can’t do.

We will make sure Equestria thrives for many centuries to come, loving each other more and more as each day passes.

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I can’t keep the smile off my face as I walk through the front hall of the castle, watching ponies singing joyfully as they put up wreaths, banners, mutlti-coloured lights, tinsel and so on.

Hearth’s Warming is upon us once more and Twilight and I decided, in light of recent events, we should have a huge town celebration here in the castle.

Today, Hearth’s Warming Eve has come and I feel this will be a good day for many ponies.

I have a feeling Starlight is still not ready to come out of her shell too much (she made sure to stick with our friend group specifically during the after party during the wedding and not be anywhere near Stellar Flare or Sunny), but, I have this hunch something about tonight will help her with that.

Whether it helps her to feel comfortable enough to at least speak with Stellar Flare or Sunny, is a different matter altogether.

As everypony finishes singing the song announcing Hearth’s Warming Eve is here once again, I glance around and notice a pair of unicorns I’d personally invited.

I watch as the younger of the two indicates in a direction and the two head off.

I follow casually, stopping a little away from them as they stand on one of the balconies, looking out over Ponyville, decorated for the holiday.

“I hope you’re both having a good time,” I say after a few moments, walking up to them and standing on the balcony next to the younger of the two.

Sunny nods hesitantly, before looking back out over Ponyville.

“It’s been wonderful Prin— Ken,” she says, catching herself, blushing, to which her mother and I lightly chuckle. “It’s just… kind of strange, ya know? This Hearth’s Warming. It’s so much like… like…”

“Like Christmas?” I ask, to which she stares at me in surprise. “I did tell you I was once human myself many years ago, remember? We had Christmas in my world too.”

“Does that mean Christmas is a multiversal concept?” Sunny puts of hoof to her chin in thought, frowning. “Your human world and mine aren’t the same, yet they both have the same holiday and Equestria has one like it too, if going by a different name and history. Is Christmas literally a concept throughout the multiverse?”

Her mother and I laughing causes her to blush again and her glasses do that thing in anime where they shade over, hiding the eyes behind them… a concept that goes completely wasted due to how big pony eyes are and us still being able to see them… which just makes me laugh more.

“Ken!” Sunny whines as I laugh.

I wave a hoof, doing what I can to quickly quell my laughter. “Things have been pretty crazy, huh?”

Sunny nods, before giving a small smile. “True. Crazy is definitely the word I’d use. Still, looking out at Ponyville, all the ponies enjoying themselves?” She sighs wistfully. “A day like today, I should remind myself, now’s the time to stop and count my blessings. Put the craziness aside. Christmas only comes around once a year...”

“And every year fills my heart with pride,” I sigh, looking to the young unicorn and we giggle, before returning our gaze to Ponyville.

After a few moments, I take a deep breath and look to Sunny. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. So, what do you think of Hearth’s Warming Carols?”

Sunny hesitates, then looks down, uncertain.

I give a reassuring smile. “It’s fine, Sunny. I’m asking for your honest opinion because I want it. I will take no offense, no matter what you say.”

“It’s alright, Sunny,” Stellar Flare gently nuzzles the top of her daughter’s head. “You can tell her. Princess Ken values your opinion. And you know I already support your idea.”

I cock an eyebrow. Idea? Intriguing. Now I definitely want to know.

Sunny takes a few deep breaths, before looking to me with a nervous, but determined expression. “Ken, would it be alright if I asked we add some Christmas Carols to the list of songs sung during the holidays?”

I watch her for a moment, before smiling. “I have no issues with that, Sunny. And I’m sure Twilight and the rest of our family would be happy to as well. Honestly, I have missed hearing Christmas Carols myself. I’d debated introducing them long ago, during Equestria’s founding, but… it just didn’t feel right at the time. I think I know why. I needed another human’s perspective.”

Sunny’s eyes widen. “Really? But…” she hesitates, looking away. “I mean, I’m not religious or anything, but… some aspects of my favourite carols are… kinda not what Equestria would want to hear?”

I laugh at that. “Yes. Now you see why I felt it a bad idea to introduce them so early on. If we reworked the lyrics a bit, I think they’ll work fine for here in Equestria. The holiday has nothing against us making our own traditions, after all.”

Sunny’s eyes widen with delight. “Really? Do you think you could help me figure out which carols will work best?”

I nod, smiling warmly. “Of course, Sunny. It would be my pleasure. Plus, I’m sure Twilight, Spike and our friends will be happy to help you too.”

We head back inside and I notice Twilight and Spike coming down from the upper floor.

“Yo, Sunny. What’s up?” Spike calls, waving.

Sunny smiles and trots over to the little dragon and the two start chatting.

Mentally, the two are around the same age, so it makes sense they’d get along. Plus, they’re both able to relate, having mothers that trust their opinions and let them make their own choices.

“So, how’s she settling?” Twilight asks Stellar Flare as I levitate us some mugs of holiday cider.

Stellar pauses for moment, before giving a small smile. “She’s settling in well, Your Highness. It took some encouraging, but she’s been opening up to the ponies in town.” A frown briefly passes over her features. “Firelight still needs to understand we need to move forward and not live in the past, though. He’s making Sunny nervous about whether she’ll be treated as a filly forever.”

I glance at Twilight, who gives me a similar look.

Once we’d learned Firelight was Starlight’s father, we’d tried to bring up the subject of her talking with him, but she outright refused to discuss the matter, with a firmness that made me worry what she’d do if we pursued the subject any further.

I have a feeling it would benefit both her and her father if they talked things out, but, at the same time, we don’t want to force her into something that could unintentionally make their clearly strained relationship any more complicated.

Starlight isn’t Sunny. She’s a full grown mare and has a right to choose her own path.

Twilight may have offered to take her on as her pupil, but we can’t just make huge decisions about her life like that for her without her consent.

So, sadly, Firelight’s reunion with his daughter will have to wait.

Hmm. I wonder if that might be what’s making him pursue preserving the past of Sire’s Hollow so much, wanting to hold on to the memories he does have of Starlight since she’s not ready to make new ones?

“So, what was that request you asked of Sunny, Ken?”

Twilight’s question pulls me from my musings and I shake my head, looking to her. “Uh, sorry, wha?”

She giggles, shaking her head. “The thing you asked Sunny about? You said she had been wanting to ask you something for a while and you’d find out tonight, right?”

I blink, before smiling and nodding. “Oh, right. Sunny wanted to know if we’d make some Christmas Carols a tradition here in Equestria.”

Twilight blinks, before cocking her head. “Like the ones from your old world?”

I nod, before looking up in thought. “We’ll need to change several key lyrics, but, I think I know a few songs that could work with the right Equestrian touch.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” we turn as Spike walks over, Sunny beside him. He gives a mischievous grin. “So long as I get to be a part of the plan.”

The three of us laugh, Twilight nodding. “Of course, Spike. We’ll be glad for you to be a key part of the new Carols tradition.”

We spend the next hour or so discussing which Carols to include and which not to as well as what lyrics we should replace and what with, getting feedback from our friends, Sunny and I singing the Carols as they are to give everypony an idea what they’ll need to sound like.

Rarity takes quite a liking to Deck the Halls, while Fluttershy enjoys Silent Night. Spike takes a little to Jolly Ol' St. Nick (despite him having no idea who that is, amusingly enough), Pinkie practically fell in love with The Twelve Days of Christmas (to which we pointed out it would not mean we’d be having twelve days of Hearth’s Warming in honour of the song) and Rainbow Dash liked Jingle Bells… to my surprise.

However, one out stander took me very much off guard.

The final song that takes me off guard though, is Applejack. She immediately feels a connection to Days Gone By, saying it reminds her strongly of how Hearth’s Warming felt without her parents around for so many years… and I can’t help agreeing with her on the matter.

It fits well, in a bittersweet kind of way.

She even pulls Apple Bloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith (their parents had been busy chatting with the Cakes, so we didn’t want to interrupt them) over and asks us to sing it for them, they themselves then singing it together.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the group.

After some chatter, we come up with how best to get the Carols out into the Equestrian zeitgeist, though Applejack does asks if they can hold onto Days Gone By for a while, it clearly having taken a place in her heart and I honestly can’t think of a reason to deny her.

Later on in the evening, after Celestia and Luna make a brief visit to wish us Happy Hearth’s Warming and listening to our idea for the Carols, Starlight comes down and joins us in the festivities.

By the time the party is over, late into the night, we’re all worn out, but high in spirit.

Sunny and her mother will be staying in the castle tonight.

Tomorrow, they’ll be heading out to spend the day with Sunny’s grandparents.

She’s a little nervous, as she hasn’t met them yet and this is her first time meeting them, but I assured her it will go well. I just have a good feeling about it.

As I settle into bed with Twilight, us leaning against each other, my thoughts move to how soon before we should be hearing about Cadance’s foal being born.

We’re excited to become aunts, but a little nervous too.

Being mothers is one thing, but aunts?

Still, as I feel Luna’s sleep take me, my heart is warm at the idea of our family getting even bigger.

“Happy Hearth’s Warming, Ken,” Twilight whispers as if half asleep.

I smile and nuzzle into her fur. “Happy Hearth’s Warming, Twilight.”

Author's Note

Hoping this lived up to everyone's standards.

Funny thing... I'd totally forgotten I meant for Ken and Twilight to get married before A Heart's Warming Tail, so finished that part of this chapter, before suddenly remembering that detail so, despite having been at this since the morning, I went back in and wrote the wedding scene (which I realized only as I started I had forgotten part of what I'd originally had planned for that ) and, while it took til late afternoon, I got it done, also editing parts of the events of A Hearth's Warming Tail to reflect that the marriage has already happened (originally wrote the end of the chapter with Ken and Twilight going to sleep looking forward to the wedding that was already supposed to have happened )

I don't know if combining the wedding and A Hearth's Warming Tail into the same chapter makes it bad or not (hope it didn't *fingers crossed*), but I honestly felt like it was the best way to handle it.

I also added some extra dialogue for Ken regarding when Blueballs interrupts the wedding, because I realized her scowling at him and only saying "I don't love you and never will" would come off as cruel to the crowd, since, from their perspective, a random civilian, who clearly thinks too highly of himself, just requested Ken's hoof in marriage and she shut him down uncharacteristically coldly, so added a little extra to NOT cause her to seem unnecessarily cold to what most would see as a random stallion.

Now, despite this being uploaded on early Christmas Day here in Australia and Christmas Eve outside Australia, I finished this mid-November.

The reason I wrote it so far back then but I'm posting it now is because I'm not going to be in Australia after the next couple days.

My dad and I are flying to Sydney to go on a Disney Cruise, because a mix-up happened with a specific branch of the Australian government that I won't be giving details on, for obvious reasons, and, to make up for it, since they couldn't legally reimburse me without causing problems for others in the program, they've compromised and instead paid for us to have a vacation and we chose the Disney Cruise, because, how often does one get to just go on a Cruise at all, let alone a Disney Cruise and all expenses paid?

That's why you definitely won't get any updates to any of my fics after Christmas until at LEAST 2 weeks into next year at best, as the Cruise goes into next year, so I won't be home until 2025.

Anyone else going on the Cruise? If so, I'd love to meet and chat. I'll be pretty easy to spot one day in particular, as I'll be wearing a shirt with Berry Punch on the front.

I'll also be wearing shirts I bought during comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias ' final performance of his Australian show, Don't Worry, Be Fluffy from late last year, so I should be easy to spot.

I had originally planned on also be wearing a shirt with Queen Cheese Legs and a bunch of Changelings... but, it seems I put on a little bit more weight than I thought this year, as it's now just that little bit too small.

Regarding the Christmas Carols being brought up, yes, as I stated in a previous Author's Note, that part was inspired by the It's A Pony Kind of Christmas album, because it honestly just feels right to me considering what my mind pictures when I'm listening to those songs, especially as I'm lying in bed, waiting to go to sleep.

Also, it was only as I was writing the part about the Christmas Carols being adapted into Equestrian holiday songs that I chose to look up the album, because I'd forgotten exactly how the title for Last Year I Got Coal For Christmas goes and, as I was looking it up... I learned something I hadn't known before.

It's NOT being sung by Rumble, as I'd always pictured due to Vincent Tong singing it. It's some rando colt named Pop Fly.

I mean, I guess I'm glad it's not Rumble, because it honestly makes him seem more like a jerk than in the episode with the CMC's Camp Cutie Mark, but it feels weird. I honestly don't think I can really separate the song from Rumble, ya know?

I was also unaware it was an original song by Daniel Ingram. I'd honestly thought it was a regular Christmas Carol that they'd just decided to have Rumble singing.

Didn't expect it was an MLP original Christmas Song. Definitely did not see that one coming.

Anyway, so, from here on out, Ken and Twilight are an item. Twilight is going to be so amusing as she tries to adjust to now legally being Celestia and Luna's mother

Next chapter, we finally get into season 6... and Ken realizes just how easy she had it as Celestia and Luna's mother, since she never had to deal with them as infants.

Several matters that cropped up in the original season premiere's events won't be happening, though, since Ken will be there to lend aid where it was desperately needed, so look forward to a logical head prevailing there.

Anyway, I'm gonna wrap up for now as I'll be heading out for Christmas with the family today, so I'm gonna need that sleep.

Can you guess which Christmas songs I'm going to sleep to?

Granted, there is another Christmas songs album by Disney I'd rather be listening to... but, I'm not gonna have a chance to get that til next year, so can't go to sleep to it now🤷

Regardless, time for me to hit the hay, so, I'll wrap up the year's final post by saying I hope you enjoyed this chapter, hope your holidays are fun and fancy free and, til next time, stay safe, stay strong and Happy Hearth's Warming and a Happy New Year everybody