The Staged Affair

Celestia lead Spike with his hand in hers to the dining hall, where her parents were waiting for them. With each step that brought them closer to their destination, the dragon felt a little more nervous. One slip up, one foul, could cost him a lot more than his friendship with the princess. A lot was riding on him giving the best performance he could manage. From the corner of his gaze, he saw the princess’ face. She could have been just as nervous as him, but it was hard to tell.

Finally, they came to a stop outside the doors leading into the dining hall. They were flanked by a guard standing watch on either side. Celestia took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then, she turned to face the dragon, and she squeezed his hand a little tighter. “This is it, Spike. My parents are behind these doors...”

Spike swallowed his fear, but his palms were still sweating. “I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be.”

The princess beamed at him. “Very well.” Then, she faced the guards at the door and gave them a nod, signaling for them to open the way. The guards bowed before pulling the unlatching the doors, and the great dining hall opened up before them.

Twilight was already inside, dawning an elegant, purple dress and a tiara on her head, reminiscent any of her old Element of Harmony. Beside her stood two alicorns. Spike felt their power as soon as he stepped into the room. They were ancient and omnipotent.

Spike looked up at Celestia. She looked back at him, offering an encouraging smile and urging him forward. She mouthed the words: “Go on.”. His ears felt hot, but he found a little bravery in her eyes. The dragon stepped forward, leaving the princess’ hand behind, and he bowed before the ancient alicorns. “Lord Anor... Lady Ithil... It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

He looked up from his kneeling position, hoping to see any approval in their faces, but it was harder to read them than Celestia. Typical.

Celestia stepped past him and opened her arms. “Mother! Father!” She embraced them both, pulling them in close and holding them firmly. “I’ve missed you dearly...” For the moment, her parents looked equally pleased to see their eldest daughter, showing some emotion after all. They hugged her in return, but as the embrace came to an end, she stepped to the side and gesture to the dragon as he got back to his feet. “I’d like you both to meet the dragon Spike, my... boyfriend...”

Spike’s cheeks turned red again. Hearing those words from Celestia’s mouth sounded wrong. He could see the look on Twilight’s face too, like she was resisting the urge to roll her eyes or worse, to tell the truth. He licked his lips nervously and let out a deep sigh before stepping forward with his hand outstretched to meet Anor. “Sir, it’s great to... fi-finally meet you.”

The lord recoiled at his gesture with a shocked look on his face, and Celestia was quick to put herself between them, laughing nervously. “Ha! Forgive him, father. Spike is outgoing and polite. It’s in his nature to greet ponies this way.”

Celestia turned him to face her mother, where he received a much warmer greeting, which wasn’t saying much. Ithil had a smile on her face, at least, if only a little one. The lady of the moon took Spike’s hand and shook it. “Well met indeed, young dragon.” Spike shuddered at the sound of her words. They were gentle, but felt as old as the world itself, and yet Ithil looked as young and beautiful as Celestia. “I must admit, when Celestia first spoke of you and the passion you shared, I did not believe her. I figured you to be a figment of her wild imagination, as did my husband, but I am happy to be proven wrong. I hope you’ll forgive us.”

Spike suddenly felt a little easier, like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. Their plan was working, it seemed. “It’s alright, Lady Ithil. No harm, no foul, right?”

Ithil chuckled. “Of course.” Then, she turned to Celestia. “Shall we begin, dear? Your father won’t say it outright, but he’s famished from our journey here.”

Celestia nodded her head. “Yes, mother.” Then, she motioned for the servants standing in the wings to tend to the table that occupied the center of the room. The table was colossal, stretching nearly from one end of the hall to the other. It was likely able to seat dozens of guests, but only the center most portion was occupied this time. On one side sat Anor and Ithil, and across from them sat Spike, Celestia, and Twilight.

Spike watched with intrigue as the servants began placing their meal before them. Even though he lived in a palace with Twilight, this was a new experience. Across the table, past the decorative plants, Ithil smiled warmly at him, but he received a cold stare from Anor. He tried to ignore the alicorn, but even without looking, the dragon could feel his harsh gaze.

The sounds of silverware striking the porcelain plates echoed throughout the hall, adding a sense of discomfort to the already awkward silence. Spike didn’t have an appetite, so he simply poked at his food nervously. He must have been shaking, because under the table, Celestia placed a gentle hand on his leg, and he became still. Her touch brought him some comfort, and he even began to breath a little easier.

Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, Lady Ithil broke the silence. She set down her utensil and cleared her throat. “Ehem... So, Tia, I must say that your boyfriend is very impressive. Tell me, how did you first meet? Is he from the fire lands?”

Spike and Celestia shared urgent looks as they both scrambled to think of an explication. The one thing they had not rehearsed was a backstory for their relationship. His eyes met Twilight’s but she just shook her head. He realized that he was on his own, but then, he remembered that the truth was more believable than any fiction he could come up with, so that’s what he needed to tell.

“Actually...” Spike gestured to Twilight. “I was hatched from an egg eighteen years ago by Twilight. We grew up together here in Canterlot, so I’ve known Celestia for as long as I can remember.” The words came out so easily, because they were absolutely true. “Falling in love with Celestia was only natural, I guess...”

He looked to his left, at the white princess, and he saw a sparkling look in her eyes. Across the table, Ithil beamed at them and clasped her hands together. “That’s marvelous, Spike. You clearly mean a lot to our daughter.”

Celestia nodded her head slowly. “Yes, mother... He does...”

Her words surprised Spike. She sounded as though she truly meant them. The air in the room felt warmer, and even Anor’s glare had softened. He leaned forward in his seat, setting his eyes directly on Spike. “I sense you mean what you say, dragon, but since our daughter holds such a special place in your heart, does this mean you intend to marry her?”

Twilight, who had been drinking from her glass, spit water across the table, and a coughing fit followed. “S-S-Sorry...”

Spike’s face burned. Celestia too had turned bright red, and she bared her teeth. “Father!”

Ithil jabbed her husband in the side. “Dear, please... That’s not a topic for the table.” She then turned to the embarrassed couple. “Forgive us. You’re in no rush to take such a dramatic step. We know you’ll get married as soon as you’re ready.”

A dramatic step indeed. Spike couldn’t imagine marrying Princess Celestia, even if it was what her parents expected of him. How long could he keep up the act? Then again, would it even be an act at that point? He didn’t have answers. He wasn’t sure if he wanted them either.

***Up Next: The Intermission***