Chapters Princess Cadance looks over the edge of the crib. A gleam within her eye shines with love as she looks down at her precious little bundle of joy. Little Flurry Heart lets out an adorable yawn as she sleeps in peace. Cadance kisses her baby on the forehead before she leaves the room. Hanging her head low Cadance staggers through the halls. Using her magic she opens the grand doors to her royal bedchambers. With a loud thud she drops face first into pillows.
A sigh of sweet relaxation echoes off of the walls as Cadance snuggles her ever so comfy pillow. A sleeping princess sings sweet soft snores of simple serenity. When suddenly she bolts upright remembering what tomorrow was. Her anniversary! Rushing over to her closet she looks to she if she had anything special to wear for the evening. It was filled with elegant dresses. Most of them were designed by famous designers from all over Equestria. Though some of them were fashioned by designers within the Crystal Empire.
Any one of them would suffice, but this is the first anniversary as a family, and she wants it to be special. Grabbing a quill, and parchment she writes a letter. The instant that she signs, and seals the letter she uses her magic to teleport it to it's destination. She can't believe that she had forgotten her anniversary!
Going over to her dresser she opens up a secret compartment. There within the compartment was a tiny little box wrapped in light blue paper. A glistening gold ribbon accentuates the gift. With a discerning eye Cadance inspects the box. She smiles as the box was still in pristine condition. She places it back into the compartment.
Using her magic she summons for her best maid. After a few quiet moments pass by; the doors to the royal bedchamber begin to open. A light pink crystal pony in a maid's uniform walks in. The blonde curls of both her mane; and tail bounce with her stride. A cutie mark of a slice of strawberry cake adorns her flank. She curtsies once she gets close to Cadance.
"My lady! To what do I owe the pleasure of you summoning me? Is something amiss?" says the maid as she smiles at Cadance.
"I am sorry to burden you with this, but I need you to take care of this with upmost importance, and discrepancy! It must be completed by tomorrow evening," Cadance hands over a scroll. To which the maid graciously accepts.
Her eyes scan over the scroll. An eyebrow involuntarily rises as she reads its contents. The moment that she finishes reading it she wads it up, and eats it.
"I shall have what you need by midday my lady," the maid salutes to Cadance before she rushes out of the chamber with blinding speed.
Cadance smiles as she watches her best maid run out the room. Letting out a loud drawn out yawn Cadance saunters over to her welcoming bed. Tomorrow was going to be truly special.
" Aten hut!" a single unified sound of soldiers standing at attention fills the courtyard.
Shining Armor goes about inspecting the royal guards under his command. Strutting in front of them in full armament. Shining eyes them with intense precision. Making sure to scold each and every one of them. If even a slight smug, or button was out of alignment it didn't matter. They must be perfect! He even had made a couple of the newer recruits cry when he scolded them. Standing in front of them Shining puffs out his chest.
"About face!" with deadly accuracy they turn about.
" Dismissed!" like a machine the soldiers march out into the streets. Out to their designated patrols.
As the last of the guards leave the courtyard Shining lets out a deep breathe. A butler walks out of the palace, and up to Shining.
"Impressive as usual your highness, but shouldn't you be preparing for tomorrow?" says the butler.
"Huh? What's so important about tomorrow?" asks Shining as he raises an eyebrow at the butler.
" Don't tell me you forgot what tomorrow is!?" says the butler as he face hooves.
" Well I know that tomorrow is the seventeenth,"
"Yes and?" the butler rolls his hoof as if he is trying to get the gears turning.
" Our archers have long range target practice. Plus we should have our order of new helmets from the blacksmith coming in,"
"And!?" one of the butler's eyes begins to bulge as a tiny vein in his forehead throbs.
"And what?"
*Tick*Tick*Tick*
"OH MY CELESTIA!!! MY ANNIVERSARY!" Shining yells as it finally dawns on him. Shining is now prancing in place. All the while the butler next to him gives him a deadpan expression.
The butler tries to calm down the panicking prince. When all else fails.
*SLAP!*
Shining rubs his cheek. " What was that for?"
The butler puts a hoof between his eyes letting out an exasperated sigh. " Excuse me for the violence, but it seemed to be the only way to calm you down. Sire there is still plenty of time before your evening date with princess Cadance. You can still salvage this,"
"Y...you are right! So what should we do?" Shining stares at the pony completely wide eyed. His lower lips quivering as if he just got caught with his hoof in the cookie jar.
The butler tries to say something, but is completely dumbfounded by Shining's sear stupidity! Walking away the butler mumbles to himself. "For crying out loud! How could he be this thick!? What does she see in him anyways?...Why I..." the rest of the butler's rambling becomes completely inaudible as he turns the corner.
"....Was it something I said?"
It is now the morning of their anniversary. Princess Cadance paces nervously as she waits for the recipient of her letter to arrive. The doors to her bedchamber open. Cadance turns her head to see who it was. Three maids walk in carrying a change of sheets and other paraphernalia. She drops her head down returning to her pacing. Looking up at the clock it was now eight O' clock. If her guest doesn't show up soon she was going to be in trouble. As the three maids go about changing the sheets the doors begin to glow with an aura. They are thrown open as a white unicorn with blue mane and tail rushes into the room. A tiny dragon follows behind her with several suitcases.
"The fabulous fashionista Rarity to the rescue!" Rarity uses her magic to throw her luggage onto the just made bed. A maid glares at her as she had just finished the corners.
"Rarity thank you for coming on such sort notice," Cadance hugs Rarity as the maids exit the room.
"But of course I would do anything for you darling. Now hush! Let's begin,"
Rarity opens her suitcases pulling out extravagant swatches of magnificent fabric. Each one shimmered with its own personal beauty. Rarity pulls out a yellow tape measure; and her signature red horned glasses. With pin point precision Rarity takes measurements to which Spike records. Fabrics fly through the sky as Rarity compares each fabric against Cadance's coat tone.
"Hmm? No not that one. No not that one either. Lets try this one. No not grand enough. How about this one. No! Hmm? I know lets try this," Rarity pulls out a swatch of pure white silk that somehow glistened with golden light.
"Yes! I have found it now comes the hard part,"
Rarity takes out a set of colored pencils and a notepad.
"Umm Rarity how long is this going to take? I am sort of on a tight schedule here," Cadance says as she looks over to the clock. Which read eleven thirty.
"Hmmm? Not long. If you have other things that require your attention you can go. I have what I need to finish this dress. It will be something truly special. Count on it,"
Cadance hugs the fashionista then bolts out of the door. Spike quickly takes his place next to Rarity giving her the measurements that he had recorded.
Shining Armor runs about the marketplace looking for anything that might serve as a suitable anniversary gift for Cadance. From simple flowers to elegant diamond rings Shining rejects them all. Overwhelmed by despair Shining heads over to the food stands. Sitting at a table Shining stuffs his face with food. Tears running down his face as he tries to solve his dilemma.
"Oh, what am I going to do? Nothing I find is good enough for Cadance! She deserves better," Shining says as he chugs his drink.
"You're right she does," says a voice from behind Shining.
Turning his head Shining sees the butler from yesterday only he wasn't in uniform. Without his uniform Shining could easily see the stallion's crystalized brown coat. His black mane wasn't slicked back like it usually was; but rather spiked. A cutie mark of a sword, and shield could be seen proudly adorning his flank.
The stallion sits opposite of Shining. With a glancing nod at a waiter an order of hay burger; and fries with a crystal berry smoothie were quickly placed in front of him. He stares at the crying prince as he takes a big sip of his drink.
"You're that butler from yesterday. What are you doing here shouldn't you be at the castle?" Shining asks as he downs more of his gargantuan order of various delicacies.
The stallion face hooves at that remark. " Sire we have rotation just like the guards have rotation," replies the stallion.
"Oh, that makes sense, but what are you doing here?"
"Trying to help a hopeless stallion with his beautiful mare,"
"Oh, there is another stallion here with mare problems too?"
The stallion repeatedly slams his head into the table.
"Oh for the love of! Shining Armor! I am here to help you,"
"Oh? Oh! Great I could really use the help,"
"Believe me you need more help than you even realize, but time is of the essence. What have you got so far?"
"Nothing,"
The stallion goes back to pounding his head against the table.
"Ok, don't know why; but I figured as much. Lucky for you I've got some friends who can help,"
"Really!" Shining reaches across the table, and grabs the stallion's hooves with his own. Shining's eyes glisten with hope.
The stallion pulls his hooves away. "Yeah they should almost be done with the arrangements. All you have to do is go buy chocolates. Think you can manage that?"
"Chocolates! Yes I can manage that," Shining salutes the stallion.
"Good! Your gift for the princess will be done in a couple of hours. I will bring them to you before your date," the stallion finishes his food puts some bits on the table; and walks away.
"Hey butler thank you for your help," Shining says as he waves goodbye to the stallion.
The stallion stops "I have a name ya know,"
"Right which is?"
" Its Cedric. Cedric Lanceheart" once he answers the question Cedric walks down the street.
It is now four O' clock. Their date will be starting shortly. Cadance shakes nervously in a chair as three serving maids groom their princess. All she can do is worry over their date as she watches the clock slowly tick by. She has yet to hear any news from the maid that she had sent out last night, and it was getting awfully close to her date.
With a sudden jolt the doors to the room open up. Revealing Rarity holding a beautiful gold, and white silk dress. The maids stop what they are doing as they marvel over the sear elegance of the dress. Even Cadance was awestruck by the dress.
" Sorry for the wait Cadance. We had to make sure that everything was absolutely perfect for you. Here it is I hope it is to your liking?" Rarity bits her lip as she waits for a reaction.
"Rarity this dress is lovely. Thank you," Cadance gives Rarity a tight hug as she takes the dress.
As the maids help her into the dress, and put the final details into her hair, and make up. Cadance looks at herself in the mirror. She truly looked amazing. Everything she could have hoped for, and more. She gives each one of them a grateful hug before sending them off back to their other duties.
As soon as the last of them leave the room the maid that she was waiting for comes in. Her hair is frazzled, and her eyes have bags under them, but she still continues to step with a bounce in her step. Cadance rushes over to her.
"Did you get everything I asked for,"
"I did! I am sorry that it took longer than I told you, but I succeeded,"
Cadance gives a massive bear hug to the disheveled maid causing her to gasp for air. Realizing that she was crushing the poor maid Cadance lets go of her.
"Sorry about that," Cadance apologizes sheepishly.
"Oh, no worries my lady. If it pleases you. You could crush me like that anytime," the maid coughs as she tries to smile at Cadance.
" Right so where are they?"
"They are waiting for you at the predesignated location. All you have to do is give them the signal," the maid replies.
"Oh, thank you!" Cadance once again hugs the maid. Only this time it was much gentler. The maid reciprocates the hug before she takes her leave.
All that was left now was the date itself.
It is now mere minutes before their anniversary. Hyperventilating into a paper bag Shining tries his best to calm himself down. With one last powerful exhale he pops the paper bag. Nearly having a heart attack from the loud noise breaking the silence within the room. Turning around Shining sees that the butler from before was standing at the entrance of the room. A tall box wrapped in pink paper with a slight darker pink ribbon was in his hooves. He was also carrying a bouquet of really pretty flowers.
"Oh good you're here," screams Shining as his face goes all crazy looking.
"Yes I am. Here are the gifts for princess Cadance. Now where are the chocolates that you were supposed to buy?"
"Oh, ah right over there," Shining points to a large bag of chocolates. Some empty wrappers were strewn about the counter top.
Cedric face hooves as he looks at what Shining had bought. " Shining those are the...for crying ou...here I figured you might do something like this. Here take these and don't eat them!" Cedric pulls out a small heart shaped box filled with gourmet chocolates.
"Thanks um...,"
"You already forgot my name didn't you?" Cedric gives a deadpan expression.
"Ah...no," Shining's eyes dart to the left.
"...its Cedric,"
"Right Cedric! Thank you Cedric for the assistance. Your help is most appreciated...Cedric," Shining gives a nervous smile at Cedric who just continues to look at him with a deadpan expression.
"Whatever just don't disappoint princess Cadance," Cedric walks away returning to his other duties.
Taking one last deep breath Shining grabs his gifts; and heads to where Cadance would be waiting for him. After a few fleeting moments Shining gets to where they have their anniversary every year. A steep hill stands before Shining Armor where his beloved wife is waiting for him. As Shining gasps for air finally making it to the top of the hill he casts his eyes over the view before him. There sitting on a blanket under a tree was Cadance in a stunningly beautiful white; and gold dress. His jaw drops as he looks at his wife. She has always been beautiful; but this was something else entirely! With both hair; and dress accentuating her already beautiful form she was now truly a goddess!
"See something you like?" Cadance asks giggling at her husband's goofy face.
" You look amazing Cadance!" Shining trots up to his wife.
Cadance plants a loving kiss on Shining's lips. Glancing down Cadance sees the bouquet of flowers in Shining's hooves.
"Are those for me?"
"Wha..oh yeah! Here I got these for you," Shining presents the flowers; and box of chocolates to his wife blushing like a dork.
Pressing her muzzle into the bouquet Cadance takes a whiff. They smell lovely! Her eyes flutter as she enjoys the scent. Using her magic Cadance summons a vase. Laying back down under the tree she places the flowers into the vase. Shining takes his place next to her snuggling up against her. He wished that he had worn something special like her, but no. He was too distracted to think of something like that. All he had done was brush his coat, and mane really well so that they shined.
Unbeknownst to the royal couple another pair was not too far away from them. A dutiful pink maid; and annoyed butler watch them from a distance. Making sure that the date would be a success. Even if it meant that they would have to take matter into their own hooves.
As the last rays of the sun kiss the evening sky Shining, and Cadance give their gifts to one another. Taking hold of the tiny little box Shining smiles at Cadance. Knowing all too well that she would have put a lot of effort into whatever this present is. Shining's heart begins to race. Part of him questions whether or not if he should have checked what Cedric had got for him. With a nervous smile Shining begins to delicately pull on the ribbon.
One final pull; and the ribbon falls to the wayside. Opening the top of the box Shining uses his magic to gently pull out the gift. What he pulls out astonishes him. There in front of him was a slate of amethyst; and carved into it was his cutie mark with hers inside his shield. An inscription on the back reads:
"Even should the world itself tear us apart you will always have my heart. Now; and forever,"
Shining wipes away a tear as he caresses the beautiful gift.
Now it was Cadance's turn. With her magic she opens the long package. The sound of paper against paper fills the air. As a long roll of paper comes spilling out of the box. Unsure exactly what Cedric had gotten for Shining's gift he closes his eyes. At first there was just silence uncomfortable awkward silence. Then a soft surprised gasp. Curious as to what it was Shining opens his eyes.
There rolled out in front of them was a perfect painting of them; and Flurry Heart snuggling close to each other. Their eyes shone with unquestionable love; and affection. As the two of them look down at a smiling Flurry Heart in swaddling clothes.
Cadance's eyes glisten as she looks deep into Shining's. Creeping ever so close they lock lips in a passionate kiss. A bolt of energy is sent from Cadance's horn up into the sky. As the bolt reaches its peak a crackling noise erupts in the distance as a red spark is shot up into the air in response.
*Boom*
A red firework explodes in the sky. Followed by another then another. Fireworks paint the sky with vibrant hues. They dance in the sky as the fireworks take various shapes. From hearts to shields to smiling faces the fireworks tell the tale of how they first met. Below the hill a myriad of crystal ponies congregate to watch the spectacle. Snuggling even closer to one another they break their kiss. Cadance nuzzles Shining's neck as she is filled with so much love.
After a few moments of watching the fireworks nestled up against each other Shining speaks up.
"Hey Cadance! Do you feel like we are forgetting something? Something important,"
"Hmmm!? Now that you mention it I do, but I can't quite put my hoof on it,"
*Tick* *Tick* *Tick*
"We forgot the baby!" The scream in unison.
A certain maid; and butler face hoof at that remark. Soon followed by the rest of the empire face hoofing as well.
Fin
