"And this is our home," Blue Belle said as they stepped into a palace much grander than any they had seen in Canterlot. She swept her foreleg around to indicate the entrance. "We are now safe in Saddle Arabia, far from Canterlot and whatever mess the Changelings may have created."

Twilight examined the palace with wide eyes. "It's quite impressive. Different from Equestrian architecture in a myriad of ways, but it all looks so beautiful."

Sand puffed up his chest and took a deep breath, letting out a contented sigh. "I am glad you find it pleasing. My little Blue flower mentioned you have the ear of Celestia directly?" He watched Twilight nod quickly. "That means my words would reach her as well." He cleared his throat. "Please, send Celestia my warmest regards and my thanks for her part in this."

Twilight perked up, relief clear on her. "I'll gladly pass that along. Spike?" Her assistant and little brother got out some parchment. "Take a letter. Dear Princess Celestia, I met Prince Sand and he wants you to know he's still thinking warmly of you and sends his thanks for helping him. I plan to explore and enjoy Saddle Arabia now. Though the ponies here are larger than us, they seem to have the same hospitable hearts." She paused there and glanced over to Sand. "She's still your fiance, right?"

Blue nodded with a smile. "Indeed." She touched his leg. "We can finally set our own wedding date. It felt rude and awkward to do so while in the midst of another's, but now, nothing stands in the way." She looked up at him. "Do you have a date in mind, my prince?"

Sand nodded gently. "I've had time to consider it. What about the first day of spring?"

Twilight watched them with a smile as she dictated the letter to Spike.

Blue guided Twilight into the palace to show around. "I will confess, when I first arrived, it was like they towered like giants over my head. That feeling subsided bit by bit as I got used to being around them. Now I just feel short, instead of a tiny doll at their hooves."

"I can imagine that." Twilight rubbed the back of her head gently. "They are all so large. It's amazing how you fit in here without any trouble. They've been nothing but nice, despite me not being a noble or princess or anything."

Blue smiled and nodded. "There is some prejudice here, I admit. Some do not like that we have Equestrians visiting, but they're the ones that don't want to trade with us and be involved in the world at large." Blue shrugged. "So we can just not pay them much mind. Now! Are you eager to fill your belly, or your mind?"

Twilight gave a nervous grin. "Both? If you don't mind, that is. I'm just so excited to be here, I don't know what to explore first. This place has books on things we don't even have back home, like this one that was recommended for me." She dug through her bags and came up with a book on desalination processes.

"Quite an interesting choice." Blue Belle blinked, looking over it. She shook her head, convinced it would not be her reading choice. "Spike, you could break Twilight's indecision. Which would you prefer?"

Spike rubbed his chin. "Hm. I vote food. After that flight, I'm hungry enough to gobble up a mountain of gems!"

Twilight giggled and tapped Spike on the head. "Don't go too wild, Spike. Eating too quickly after you're hungry could make for an upset belly."

Blue laughed softly. "Follow me." She walked them into the dining hall, where a meal was already spread on a relatively short table. "They keep something ready, in case one of us wander in, needing a snack." She used her unique spell, creating steps to allow more poise on rising up to sit on the chair. "Oh! Twilight, you are quite the wizard, are you not? There I am, showing a new spell without sharing it with you."

"You can share it with me later." She settled into her chair and examined the food, pulling out a fork and knife as needed. "This all looks good, I hope you don't mind if we try a bite of everything?"

Blue waved lightly at the offerings. "They are there to be eaten, Twilight." She stepped down, horn glowing as she made steps to keep that dignified. "Enjoy your meal. You don't need me hovering over that. Ask any servant to find me if and when you wish." She slipped from the room.

Twilight dug in with eager abandon, talking about each dish in between bites. Spike did the same, though he ate more quickly than she did. Soon, they were full of foreign dishes, but none would complain they lacked variety or flavor. "That was really good. I didn't think you'd be so kind to just let us eat our fill like this."

She looked around, only then realizing that Blue had left. "Oh. I guess she wanted to give us some space." She turned on her chair. "Excuse me?" One of the many servants came over, their uniform clean and pressed. "We'd love to look at the library now."

Gathering Spike up onto her back, she followed the large pony through the hallways of the massive palace until coming to the library. The doors loomed high, reminding Twilight of the entrance to Canterlot's great library.

The servant pushed the doors open. "I am pleased to be of service to our guests," he said in his deep voice.

Twilight bowed gently. "Thank you for your help. We'll be careful with the books, promise." With a smile of genuine bliss, she trotted into the library, palace of books, her truest of homes.

Twilight spent her time eagerly exploring the shelves and shelves of books, reading at a rapid pace. Spike helped her locate subjects of interest and brought books from areas of the shelves that were out of her reach.

"You have her ear."

Twilight blinked at the question from some new person. She started to turn, but a hoof pressed her head forward. "No need to look," assured the voice, barely a whisper. "Tell your princess that the Sand Fleas remember what she did, and we will act. That is all."

She twirled around, to find nothing. "How does a pony so large move that quickly?! I didn't hear anything."

Spike dropped down from a ladder and trotted over. "What's wrong?"

Twilight shook her head slowly. "I'm not sure. I just can't put a name to that pony's voice. He sounded not at all happy, and he had a message for Princess Celestia."

Spike dug out a quill. "Am I writing another letter?"

She nodded, looking off to where she was sure the voice and hoof had come from. "To Celestia. Dear Princess, I have encountered a pony that wanted you to know something, even if he refused to give a name to his message." She cleared her throat softly. "The Sand Fleas, capitalize that name, remember what you did, and will act. That's it. Ominous sounding. Please let me know if I should do anything. Yours faithfully, Twilight Sparkle."

***

Sand approached Blue Belle with a smile as she examined some paperwork on the edge of the bed. "Hey you," he whispered as he drew close enough to stroke her mane. "You look busy." He leaned in around her to peek at the documents. "We are not even wed and already you are learning how to assist with this?"

"I'm trying to find ways to be useful." She rubbed the back of her head gently. "I want to help, not just be your plaything." She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

He laughed at that, loud and booming. "Little flower, I would have been joyful had you been the pretty ring I wore on my hoof, that could dispense miracles when I wished it. But that alone is clearly not enough for you." He nuzzled into her mane gently. "You please me more with every passing day. That you're beautiful as well as driven and intelligent, it makes my heart yearn to be one with yours."

"Oh you sweet-talker." She giggled and rubbed his cheek, stroking the flesh and fur there slowly. "Now, since you're here, perhaps you could assist?" She pushed the paper towards him, asking a few questions on the proper way to approach that particular form.

He took his time in guiding her, showing her the best methods. He was gentle, understanding, as he took the burden off of her shoulders.

Blue nuzzled him softly as she set the paperwork aside. "All done! One less paper that needs looking at, and I'll know how to handle them in the future. Now, how is our little guest doing? I really hadn't expected Twilight to stop by, but it's nice seeing another Equestrian darting about."

"She seems quite eager in the library," Sand admitted with a soft laugh, "I think she may try to read every book before she departs."

Blue nodded, rubbing her chin. "That sounds about right. I doubt she'll actually finish them all, but not for lack of trying. She does love herself a good book. Perhaps we should go see what she's up to? Just to check on her."

He nodded in agreement. "She could be hungry after spending hours among the books. Let us fetch her for lunch." Sand slid to his hooves and caught Blue before she could dismount the bed, placing her on his back instead. "Let us away."

***

The day of the wedding drew close. Blue Belle had already been through all the rituals she needed to, so it was just a matter of waiting now. Celestia sent a reply that she knew exactly what the Sand Flea had been talking about, but would not elaborate beyond that. As curious as Blue Belle was, she didn't pry.

Focusing on getting her part in the Saddle Arabian wedding felt far more pressing. They were far more strict in their rituals, and she had to remember each and every one of them.

She stood in the gardens, reciting one of them as she paced back and forth. The palace's gardener watched her with a gentle smile. "That is quite well done, your highness."

"Thank you." Blue turned towards them. "Oh, and what lovely flowers you're tending." She walked over and leaned in, inhaling deeply. "Quite a sweet smell to them." She paused, then gasped as a realization struck her. "We haven't discussed flowers for the wedding!" She looked at the gardener. "Would it be possible to have these at the wedding?"

The gardener bowed gently. "If that is your will, my princess. I would be honored to serve some small part in it." They stood and pointed. "This way, to see which ones we have in stock."

Blue Belle followed behind, nodding. "Good, good, I want everything to go exactly as planned."

The gardener led her into a massive hothouse where plants grew in every direction. "These were all bred for their beauty and smell, the best of the best. I hope they are pleasing to your eyes, my princess."

Blue gasped at the sight. "How have I never seen this before? Every moon, I am shown something right under my hoof that amazes me." Pleased despite the surprise, she wandered up and down the aisles of flowers. "Oh, the hardest part will be deciding. I know! I'll pick one of each."

They chuckled gently. "If that is your wish."

Blue clapped her hooves, then paused. "No, that was a selfish thought, and not well thought. A riot of pleasant scents will confuse things. Ah! Yes, something with a nice firm smell, and a subtler, sweet aroma, to go with the newlyweds." She started down the rows of flowers until she found one that seemed to fit her idea, pointing at it with glee.

The gardener bowed again. "As you wish. I will ensure they are blooming and ready for your wedding." They bowed with the formality of his tribe.

Blue nodded. "Then I will put it free of my mind, knowing you have it well in hoof. Thank you. Forgive my interruption of your gardening work."

"I serve," the pony said simply.

She left the gardener and wandered into the palace, content that all would go well. Twilight waved to her from the entrance to the library. Blue hastened mildly towards her with a chuckle. "What manner of literary wonder have you located?"

Author's Note

That felt nice compared to the ADVENTURE they had just made it through. One hopes her wedding will not be quite as exciting?

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