Letters from the Homefront

His pressed uniform of dark blue fit perfectly around his form. Every inch of it had been ironed and rolled, and the single silver bars on each of his shoulders shone in the sunlight streaming in through the window. Shining Armor sat at his desk, pondering the letter in front of him. His eyes panned over the room one last time. His bed was neatly made, the sheets so perfectly tight that one could bounce a bit off of them; he knew, he had tried. His action figures were all standing in a perfect row on his shelf, like soldiers at attention. The books and comics that he hadn't packed were waiting in stacks beneath the shelf, awaiting pickup.

Shining's eyes drifted to the two framed photographs on his desk. One showed him in his bright blue gown and cap, surrounded by his family: his mother, his father, and little Twilight held in his forelegs, all of them grinning from ear to ear at the camera. The other showed him in a pale blue suit and red bow tie, with a crown upon his head, his foreleg wrapped around that of the most beautiful unicorn in Equestria, who had laid her wonderful head on his shoulder. Her perfect pink and yellow mane spilled almost down to the floor, she wore a sky blue-white dress, and a tiara was perched on her head. He smiled at the picture, stroking the mare's smiling face.

"Shining!" his mother's voice called from downstairs. "The taxi's going to be here any minute!"

"I'll be right down!" Shining called. "Just gotta finish up this letter!"

He looked down at the letter in front of him and read over it one last time.

Dear Cadance,

Well, today’s the day! By the time you read this letter, I’ll be on an airship on my way to Fort Mustang outside of Canterlot to begin my commission!

Mom’s been fussing over me all morning, trying to iron my uniform one last time, combing my mane again and again. It’s like she hasn’t figured out I’m not five anymore! And she still calls me “Shiny-Winy!” I’m not gonna miss hearing her call me that anymore. (I will miss having her do my laundry, though, but don’t tell her that)

Twilight was a little upset earlier, so I sat down with her at our spot beneath the tree out back and had a talk with her. She’s really gonna miss me while I’m gone. Heck, I’m really gonna miss her while I’m gone. But at least she has you for a while. I know you’re gonna take good care of her while you’re still here in Canterlot.

I’m still a bit jittery about my first day, though: what if the ponies under my command don’t respect me? I’ve heard that Lieutenants who come from ROTC aren’t well-liked since we have no experience. I mean...I worked hard all four years I was at the Academy for this, same as they did! I deserve this position!

Sorry. That was me rambling again. You were right; I really do spend too much time with Twilight.

I’ll just try to remember what you told me; every day is a new chance, a new beginning. Tomorrow, I’ll wake up, get dressed, and head out to do my duties the best I can. And I’ll think of you while I’m doing it. I wish you could be here with me; I always seemed to do better when you were with me. You always knew how to calm me down, somehow.

And if things get rough, I’ll just think of the last night we spent together. That was unforgettable.

I love you, Cadance. I’ll be counting the days until I get to see you again.

Love,

Shining Armor.

Folding up the letter, he tucked it into an envelope, already pre-addressed to the hotel that Cadance was currently staying at. Slipping the envelope into his shirt, he then picked up the two photographs in his magic and dropped them into his waiting saddlebag. He looped the saddlebag over his head and tightened the straps.

"Well," he said to himself, taking in a deep breath. "Here we go." And with that, he exited his bedroom for the last time, closing the door behind him.