Cadance had never hated stacks of paper as much as she did right now.

It had been a month since Celestia had fallen asleep, waking in a near-trance of exhaustion to raise the sun every morning. A long, long month of holding court, attending meetings with dozens of bureaucratic bodies, half a dozen public appearances, and enough paper to bury the Canterhorn. The nobles were plotting behind her back, she knew - I.S. had identified two separate plots forming to seize the Regency from her hooves. Cadance did not like to think of the ones that they were not able to find, of the ones that the truly cunning, the truly cruel, nobles were part of. In the end, though, they would fail. Nobles may collect a small tax from their holdings, and many had pushed the legislation limiting their business holdings to the limit, but none of them held any real power anymore. Certainly not as much as they liked to think. Cadance, of all things in this month, was at least sure of one political fact; the Crown was the only true Noble House left after nearly two-thousand years of slow, steady reforms.

Even so, the worst of all was the War Councils. Nothing was worse than the War Councils.

Cadance had never felt so out of place, had never truly appreciated the sickness that settled in one's stomach whilst the greatest military planners of the Royal Armouries discussed how many ponies would die for their Princess. Before then, Cadance had not known that three legionnaires, on average, died per day for Equestria's interests in the Provinces and Colonies - largely from active skirmishes with Griffon Kingdoms. She had been blessed with ignorance of the fact that on top of those deaths, there were nine permanently disabling injuries, mostly lost or mangled limbs. 'In all, a peaceful year,' she had been told.

It had made her sick, to sit in that room and hear them discuss the war she had authorised. It was due to begin tomorrow, truly begin. King Jag'tar had accepted their aid, and the chosen legions were being drawn out of the reserves. Active legions in Catalan had been selected and were gathering at Fort Terria in the Tabby Archipelago - the largest Equestrian naval base in the region, and conveniently near Panthera. Cadance had ordered the mustering of ninety-three thousand legionnaires in total. Her military planners told her only seven-thousand were likely to die or be maimed in the planned four-week campaign.

Seven thousand ponies. Seven thousand. Seven thousand of her loyal legionnaires would be sent to die in some jungle for coal and iron because she had been too prideful to say no, and there was no Celestia to fix her mistake. For King Jag'tar, a panther that I.S. had informed her last night had put a village to death. The report had put it so plainly, so simply, that she had been struck by a bout of light-headedness, 'Under orders, the royal family's Black Cowls moved into the town to seek out tigers born with pink eyes and execute them. The court Diviner, Til'en'cath, had prophesized that one with pink-eyes would end his life. Seven tigers were killed before the locals took arms and fought back. Jag'tar ordered the Black Cowls to raze the town, casualties are estimated to be totalled to 1,700.'

Cadance had to bite her tongue to stop herself from vomiting over her paper-covered desk. Ponies knew the world outside of Equestria was a violent place. Everyone heard stories of the strife-ridden Zebrica, the constantly warring kingdoms of Griffonia, the rampant race-hatred that plagued Catalan. She had never known.

She, like most ponies, had assumed the colonies were nice enough - outposts of the friendship and harmony that ruled throughout the peaceful Equestria. That the colonies taxes and resources were provided in friendship by grateful and equal allies.

That was, at least, partially true. In her month of being forced into prime rulership, she had learned the true complexity of Equestria's relationship with the Colonies. Some truly were beacons of friendship to Equestria, loyal allies that accepted pony protection in exchange for taxation and tribute. Others were puppet states, ruled by pony-friendly local powers, and the Legion policed in their name whilst roads were built, cities expanded, and stability brought to the region. Some, however, were nothing more than military dictatorships with a pony at the top of the pile, supported by legions of loyal Equestrians. A Governor whose authority in the region was only second to the Crowns.

The director of I.S. had told her that much of their efforts went to monitoring these governors. It did not change some of the reports she had read, some of the things that could happen before Celestia's hoof intervened.

Cadance had never understood why other countries could hate Equestria before now.

She forced herself to tear her eyes away from the stacks and stacks of paper on her desk, a regular night's workload for her - an hour for Celestia. Her office was not very welcoming either, largely due to its lack of use until recently. A few bookshelves, now filled with tax reports and law codes. The walls were bare of any decoration except for a map of Equestria she had put up the other day, so she had something to stare at other than the wall or when everything became too much. She could not bring herself to look at the wondrous view of Canterlot outside her window. A recruiting station was in view. If she looked, Cadance knew she would see thestrals had replaced those going in and out of the building - rising with the night to join the Legion, accepting the incentive increases she had ordered.

How many of them would never come back?

Cadance rose from her desk with a sudden movement, leaving her cushion behind she made for the door. She needed to escape. She needed something, anything except a reminder that tomorrow the first wave of troops would land in Panthera, that the ponies who died would die by her order.

She let a glamour flood over her, knowing what to do now. She could forget for a night. Find a guard and drag them into a closet before they marched. Pay at least one back. A long, hard night would distract her. She could forget her troubles. Forget it all in a passionate and loveless coupling for at least a few hours.

When Cadance emerged from the office she was no longer a Princess, and instead, she was in the familiar guise of a maid.

She made toward the barracks.

Shining Armor heaved, the weights gathered on the training cart behind him pushing him to his limit. One hoof at a time, he forced himself forward across the moonlit track outside the Royal Guard Barracks. The field dedicated to drills and training was deserted. Everyone in the First Cohort was getting sleep before they boarded the train to Las Pegasus tomorrow, where they would board the battleship TMS Moonlit Heart for its journey to Fort Terria. Then, they would rendezvous with the Fourth and Sixth Centuries and board the freighter TMS Stone's Worth to Pan'tho Minx, the new capital of Panthera.

There was no way he could sleep. Not when the moon filled him with energy, not when he only needed four hours on bad nights. Not when his heart refused to settle.

When Captain Steel Wind had selected those recruits from the Academy who were prepared to join the Royal Guard before graduation in two months, Shining had believed he was ready. Now, he felt nothing but nerves and energy within him. The moon above him glowed, seeming to watch him with pride. It settled his mind, he was ready for war. He knew he would survive, he knew he would excel. It did not displace the nerves that rattled him or the weight in his belly.

He wouldn't see Twilight until it was done. He had already said goodbye to her, and his parents. His mother's final, clutching hug. His father's watering eyes and shaking hoofshake. Twilight had cried and ran up into her tower, hiding in her room. The thought of that still hurt, but he knew that she was scared for him - even if she didn't really understand what he was going to go do, not really.

Shining crossed the finish line at the end of the field, stopping and unstrapping the harness fitted around his barrel. With a shake, he stepped away from the cart. Another weight for the next trek across the field, he decided.

When he turned, though, he found he was not alone.

'Damn,' he thought, eyes widening at the maid a few meters away from him. Her legs were slender, long, and delicate, her barrel slim and her waist thin. Her pretty pink fur ran up her smooth neck, puffing slightly around her chest, and up to her face. What a face, too. She looked almost aristocratic with her cheekbones and thin muzzle, a bit like Celestia, really. A purple mane and tail were both long and gleaming in the moonlight. Her little maid uniform, in his opinion a wonderful decision by whoever made the rules, hugged her body in all the right places.

While his eyes made their way to her face, she smiled and spoke, "Hey, you're... It's Recruit Shining Armor, right? Could you help me with something? It's a bit too heavy to lift for me."

Shining nodded without thinking, also replying in the same vein, "Yeah, of course - and I'm a Guard now."

The maid smiled brightly, but Shining's attention was briefly grabbed by the tightness of her eyes, the strain in that bright smile. When she replied, though, the purr in her voice made him forget about that, "Of course, Guard Shining Armor. I saw you pulling that cart, I think you'll do just fine for this."

When she turned and started making for the castle, he caught a whiff of her perfume - it was oddly familiar, reminding him of richly coloured flowers and honey. Then, he started to follow and saw her flank. Did she cut her skirt short? He could see practically everything, outlined by the fabric. Her legs may have been slender, but he could bounce a bit off that wonderfully shaped backside. She was swaying, too - did she realize? He felt his cheeks begin to burn as her tail swished, revealing a few other things.

Shining swallowed thickly, content to follow after her as they entered the castle and ascended a floor, remaining behind her. She came to a stop in front of the door to one of the guest bedrooms, and Shining had to force his eyes to her face - hoping to avoid getting caught, but it was much too late. Her pink eyes were already on his, her smile wicked as the door opened - there was something in those eyes. A desire, a want - but that tension remained in her.

Shining glanced into the room, noting the perfectly average guest room of the Palace with a touch of confusion - the haze of the maid's effect on him making him once more speak without thought, "What did you want me to lift? The bed?"

The maid's head tilted in confusion, and Shining scrambled - realizing he had made some sort of mistake. He desperately reached for something else to say, a sudden memory striking him. "Oh! You're Twily's friend! I've seen you with her in the halls, right! Did you want to talk about something?"

She frowned now, but looked more bemused than anything else. After a moment she started to smile, amusement entering her eyes and turning her smile genuine - it made Shining's heart jump. Then, she opened her mouth and asked a question.

"You're a virgin, aren't you?"

Cadance had to hold back the amusement and surprise that welled up in her at the idea. Then, Shining's cheeks turned scarlet through his white fur and he tried to stammer a reply, "W-what? I.. No - Of course not, I just, uh..."

She felt a bit of guilt well up in her, and sudden affection for the colt - barely grown, really. She motioned with her head for him to go inside, "Come in, I won't bite, I promise. How did a colt like you not find a pretty filly yet? I saw you pulling those weights, you're almost an earth pony."

He was plenty big, too. Well-built, especially for a unicorn - strong, thick legs and barrel. Tall, handsome, bashful, and utterly cute. Who wouldn't take him out?

Shining hesitated a moment, his cheeks still scarlet, then moved into the bedroom. Cadance followed after, noting his flank with pleasure. Oh yes, he would do very well. Still, she had some investigative work to do - it was the least she could do for him, especially since he was Twilight's brother.

"Come on," she urged again, moving past him and moving over to stand near the bed, looking over her shoulder at the alabaster unicorn - his eyes were glued to her. "Take a seat, and tell me - I really am curious. I won't laugh, I promise."

Cadance had never imagined Shining Armor as bashful. When she saw him pulling those weights and remembered Twilight's endless praise of his bravery, strength, courage, kindness, compassion, and determination she had imagined that he would have taken her the moment they got inside - maybe before. Thrown her to the floor with utter confidence and taken her without thought, after her open invitation. She had been practically begging for it, after all. It's what she had been looking for, but for some reason, she wasn't disappointed at all. She felt almost happy he hadn't, actually.

Shining slowly moved over and clambered onto the bed, tucking his legs under himself. Despite his attempts, she did get a brief glimpse of his length. Definitely big, too - no downsides to taking this colt out as far as she could tell.

She hopped up onto the bed and took a moment to circle before sitting in front of him, meeting his eyes. Cadance gave him an encouraging smile in the face of his nerves, "Hey now, come on - I promise you won't regret sharing. I'll give you a special reward after, but I really am curious - why hasn't a filly taken a cute colt like you out before now? Not even when you've snuck out and had a drink at a bar? I know all the recruits do."

Shining hesitated only a second further, he sounded nervous, and his voice was quiet - but his tone was steady, and his deep voice was smooth. "Well... I don't really like going out drinking with the guys. I went once and blacked out, woke up in my own vomit. It's... Well, I always made excuses after that. I know, it's dumb - and, uh, I was always keeping myself busy. Studying, reading, working out."

The blush from his cheeks had faded a bit in the face of her questioning and their sudden discussion. She scooted closer to him, making sure to bare her slender neck as she continued her questioning, "Don't you have any hobbies?"

"Well," Shining chuckled nervously, eyes tracing her form again, "Me and the others play... Ogres and Oubliettes, I guess. That's pretty fun. I also like... It's dumb, I -"

Cadance cut in with a bright smile, a new joy working its way into her chest. Ogres and Oubliettes? What a wonderfully nerdy pastime. She let the emotion work its way into her voice and carry into a half-laugh, "No, no - please. You really are delightful, Shining. I want to hear what it is."

"I, uh," Shining shifted again, cheeks brightening, "I like drawing," she could feel he had more to say and nodded encouragingly. "And, uh, sewing. I like sewing."

Cadance gave a happy laugh, feeling her smile widen with mirth. Shining blushed further, looking away, "I said it was dumb."

She got her laughter under control, "Oh, I'm sorry, Shining. I didn't mean to laugh at you, it's just I never expected it from you. Maybe I should have." He was Twilight's brother, she reminded herself - he would be creatively inclined at the least.

Cadance shuffled a bit closer to him, "Don't worry, I have dumb hobbies too. Really embarrassing ones - and I'm no good at half of them. The last time I tried to sew I turned myself into a pincushion. I swear."

Her heart lept into her chest when he looked back at her and she saw the happy smile working its way onto his face as he replied, "Really? Don't maids need to be able to sew?"

Cadance gave him a grin, and winked, "I have my ways. Besides, this is the palace - anything that actually needs sewing gets sent to the royal seamstress or to a craftspony. I know, I'm cunning - it's why I'm a royal maid, not a regular one."

Shining's chuckle rang out around the room and made her heart flutter. When his amusement subsided, she noticed that his smile was a bit subdued, "And why's a royal maid dragging a nerdy guard like me off at night? Surely she had other things to do?"

Cadance hesitated, a brief flash of exactly what she wanted to avoid by being rammed full by Shining slowing her reply.

Shining continued at her look, his tone turning gentler, "You know someone whose going, right? I understand. I'm nervous as well. I can't imagine what goes through the heads of people who have to stay behind, it's hard enough going. I thought something was bothering you, you seemed tense."

Cadance looked away from Shining, suddenly feeling shame well up in her chest. He was nice, too nice. Way, way too nice. Why hadn't he just fucked her and not been so kind? She managed a reply a moment later, giving him a sad smile, "Yeah. I have... family going. A lot of them. I worry about them. I've heard some of the planners speaking, ponies are going to die - and for what? Some coal? I can't sleep, and wanted to forget."

Shining moved closer to her this time, moving a hoof forward to rub one of her forelegs a moment, "I'm sure your family is fine. I don't know about anypony else, but I'm not going over to Panthera for some coal or for whatever their King was named." Cadance moved to protest, but Shining cut her off - the tip of his hoof pressing gently against her lips, "Ah! I chose to be a Guard. Legionnaires chose to join up. I'm going to war because I know that being out there," he removed his hoof and motioned vaguely to a wall. "Being out there, serving the Princesses, it makes Equestria a safer, happier place. Alot of ponies don't like to admit it, but we live so well because of our presence in other continents. Because the Princesses guide us. I don't know how the war is going to go, but I know why I'm going. I'm willing to pay that price, and I'm sure your family feels the same way. I'd happily spend the rest of my life sweating in some jungle across the world if it meant ponies like you could be happy here."

Cadance felt tears welling up in her eyes, and gave a sniffle. She raised a hoof to wipe at her eyes, only to feel Shining pull her into a hug, wrapping his forelegs around her and letting her bury her face in his chest fur.

Cadance cried for the ponies she had sent to war. She cried for the seven thousand. She cried for her thoughtless pride. Most of all, she cried for the stupid, noble pony right in front of her.

She cried herself to sleep next to Shining.

When she woke up to the rising sun, he was gone.

Author's Note

Work work. More work?

Hope you guys enjoyed this shorter look at Cadance and Shining. Next chapter is going to involve more Twilight, I promise - really. To warn you, I don't plan to narrate every day of the war, but I will be looking in for important and dramatic moments.

And, uh, I'll have to decide if I want this to eventually get the Sex tag, I guess. I plan to explore the relationships between characters but don't want this to become a pornfic. Decisions, decisions.

Also, I'm wondering if any of you can guess at some of the pairings I'm thinking about? One might be a bit obvious.