A Dance of Flames

Smolder and Ember continued through the castle, admiring the decor with Ember wondering if she could incorporate the design with her den. They soon reached the entrance to the throne room, however there was still a line of nobles waiting for they're turn in The Court. It used to be called Day Court, but a year after Luna returned to ruling, she noticed that nopony was awake enough to attend Night Court. The solution, to Luna, was simple: join her sister in presiding over Day Court.

It took a bit of convincing, altering, and getting used to, but now they had a smooth system in place. The name however, was still a work in progress, but everypony seemed fine with calling it, 'The Court', so it stuck. Ember walked up to one of the Royal Guards, notifying them they had to see Celestia for an urgent matter. The guard nodded, and walked into the Throne Room, relaying the message to Princess Celestia.

"Hmm, I see. Notify the rest of the petitioners that The Court is adjourned, and will be closed until further notice. Then send in Dragon Lord Ember and Smolder." The guard nodded, while the current petitioner was led out of the Throne Room, reacting as one would expect of a snobby noble. Which was whining and shooting glares at the two dragons as they passed by them.

"Thanks for seeing us on such short notice Princess Celestia." Ember said, bowing as Celestia stood from her Throne, walking down the Dais her Throne sat on so she was standing in front of Ember before bowing herself.

"Of course Dragon Lord Ember, I know you aren't one to exaggerate like most dragons, so when you say it is an urgent matter, I believe you." Celestia said in a serious voice, a bit concerned. "Speaking of which, what is the problem you need my help with?" The two dragons blink, knowing that Richard stuck out like a sore thumb. They pointed where they thought Richard was, but upon seeing the raised eyebrow of Celestia, and no response from Richard, they turn to see the human was no longer there.

"What the hay? I swear he was just here." Smolder said, looking around the room for the human, but not finding hide nor hair of him. Beside the Dais, with a night themed mural above an arch way, Luna walked in, catching the end of Smolder's question.

"You mean Richard?" The three other occupants of the room whirled around to face the Lunar Princess, each showing a bit of surprise.

"You know where he is?" Both Smolder and Ember blurt out at the same time.

"Yes, I left him in the Infirmary, he is resting at the moment. I also now know he had cut his back on gold and gems." Luna said, slightly glaring at the two dragons.

"It was an accident, I swear." Ember said, putting up an arm in defense.

"Does anypony mind explaining what is going on?" Celestia more demanded than asked in a very stern voice. Ember sighed, and told the three how Richard had saved her life, how they met for the first time, how his back got cut up, and lastly why they were now here. "I see. This 'human' must mean a lot to you, for you to be going through all this trouble to help him." Celestia noted, looking at Ember inquisitively. Ember just nodded, firm in her judgement.

"He does. In just the short while I have known him, my life has gotten so much more interesting. That, and I still owe him for saving my life." Celestia nodded with a smile.

"Yes, he certainly does deserve a reward for that, doesn't he? Still, I would like to at least meet this 'Richard', hue-man, creature." Celestia stated, causing Luna to nod.

"And you shall, but later. As I said, he is now resting in the Infirmary." Celestia nodded, trotting past her sister and towards the Infirmary. Luna saw this and trotted after her, soon followed by the human's two dragon friends. "Sister, did thou not hear me? He is sleeping!"

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't take a peak." Luna teleported in front of her sister, flaring her wings to their fullest.

"Sister, leave him be. Would it not be better to see him when is awake and well?"

"C'mon Luna, it'll be fine. I'll take a peak and be out before he even begins to regain consciousness." Celestia simply teleported right in front of the Infirmary doors, with another teleport burst from her sister coming soon afterwards, with Luna pushing Celestia away.

"Sister, stop. We wouldn't want dear Twilight to hear about that little secret of yours, hmm?~" Celestia froze, now realizing her sister was being serious.

"You swore you would never tell a soul!" Celestia shouted, not paying any mind to the sleeping human not too far away.

"Well unless you promise not to disturb Richard's sleep until he is awake of his own accord, then I will break that swear."

Inside the room, Richard woke with some back pain, and a grogginess that would make someone think twice about trying to interact with him before he was fully awake. Stomping towards the thin double that led into the Infirmary Ward, he prepared a devastating kick.

The two sisters began to shoot death glares at each other, until they heard heavy footsteps coming from the other side of the Infirmary doors. Luna was the only one smart enough and quick enough to back away before the doors flew open, smacking Celestia in the face, making her reel back in pain as the force from the door opening caused her a decent amount of pain, and possibly a broken nose if her now bleeding nostril was anything to go by.

"Will ye two shut it! Tryin'a sleep here!" Richard yelled in a Scottish accent, before closing the doors and going back to bed. All was silent as the two sisters tried to figure out just what happened. Luna was the first to respond in a quiet whisper.

"I told you so." Celestia just grumbled as she used her magic to heal her injuries.

"Bite my flank." Luna's response to this however made Celestia grow furious.

"I would, but I fear breaking my jaw trying to open my mouth that wide." What soon followed was a giggling Luna as a furious Celestia chased after her younger sister, threatening to send her back to the Moon for treason.

Ember and Smolder just stood there, looking at where the two Alicorns had just been. "I, uh, think we should ask a guard for directions to the Infirmary." Smolder suggested, making her superior nod. The two soon found a guard, as most were posted at intersections. After getting directions, they soon made their way to the Infirmary just in time to see Celestia chase after Luna.

"Huh, wonder what that was about." Ember thought out loud as she walked to the Infirmary doors, hearing a voice coming from inside. Opening the doors, they see a grumbling and agitated Richard trying to get comfortable once more. "Smolder, stay out here, I'm going to go help Richard." Smolder nodded dutifully, and stood guard at the Infirmary entrance as Ember made her way to the human. "Need some help there?" Ember asked, causing the human to pause.

"Uh, yeah actually. Can't quite get comfortable." Ember blushed as she came up with a plan, flapping her wings she glided over to the bed, getting onto it as she nestled close to the human, stopping his fidgeting. "That… actually helps. Thanks Ember." Richard said, wrapping his large arms around the petite yet curvy dragoness. Soon Richard fell asleep, with Ember not too far behind.