"Are you sure?" Celestia asked the guard that stood before her throne.

The golden armored stallion gave a nod, and an apologetic look. "Quite sure, Princess. There are no more petitioners."

Celestia's frown deepened, it wasn't like Solar Comet to be late. She looked at the guard again. "Please inform the guards at the gate, should a gentlecolt by the name of Solar Comet come by, he is to be brought to me." The guard saluted Celestia, and trotted away.

This wasn't like Solar Comet at all. In ten years, he had never failed to show himself on the first Monday of every month. Of course, in all that time, Canterlot had never been attacked as it had a few days ago. Ponies were still being gently brought out of their slumber, after having been replaced by changelings.

A knot in Celestia's stomach started to tighten. Ever since the attack, she had been so focused on recovery efforts, and taking care of her little ponies it never entered her mind Solar Comet might be hurt. The knot tightened, as she started to feel nervous and a little guilty.

Comet was a strong pony, he wasn't a pushover. Surely he was alright, right?

"Wysteria..." Celestia called over her shoulder.

A small earth pony mare stepped forward from a small desk near the throne. She was the royal secretary, and Celestia's personal assistant. "Yes, Princess?"

As the mare stepped in front of the throne, Celestia started to explain. "I would like you to look into a personal matter."

Wysteria gave a nod. "Of course, Princess. Whatever you need."

Celestia let out a small sigh, hoping she was worrying about nothing, but she couldn't let it rest. "A friend of mine, I haven't heard from him, and I want to know if he is on the list of wounded." She hesitated. "Or missing..." Only a few ponies were actually missing now, most had been found, or were in the process of being found. Almost every pony had been accounted for at this point.

Wysteria gave her Princess a look, then asked the question that almost seemed obvious to anyone who had been working for Celestia as closely as Wysteria. "Is it Solar Comet, Princess?"

Celestia couldn't help but smile a little sheepishly. She should have known Wysteria would figure out her intent instantly. Although she hadn't talked to Comet, she had seen him plenty of times, and heard his proposals. Letting out a sigh, she nodded, her smile fading.

"It is. Please find out if he is alright..."

Wysteria gave a nod, smiling warmly up at her Princess. "I will look into the matter personally, Princess."

Celestia let out a deep breath, looking at the mare with a smile of gratitude. "Thank you, Wysteria..."

That was it, there was nothing more she could do now but wait. With day court coming to an end, not that many ponies had shown up today, Celestia had expected as much, she decided to go and eat lunch with her Cadance and Shining Armor. The two of them were meant to go on honeymoon, but they felt they should not go until matters in Canterlot had returned to normal.

Twilight insisted on staying too, but after two days, Celestia managed to convince her to return to Ponyville with her friends. It wasn't that Celestia didn't want her in Canterlot, but things were hectic, and sadly there wasn't much she could do here. It was better for her to go back home, rest, then come back once everything had settled down.

A few more days, and Celestia would send for her.

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadance, as those closest to her called her, let out sigh as she sat down by the lunch table. The events of the past few weeks had been trying. From getting kidnapped, to freeing her beloved Shining Armor from a changeling spell.

The Canterlot attack, and the aftermath of it all hadn't allowed her to truly rest yet. Although, there wasn't much she could do, other than trying to be a good example for others. If she could remain strong, even after her ordeal, then perhaps others could find it in themselves to be strong.

Out of all of them, Shining Armor was perhaps the most affected, having been almost a mindless puppet on the changeling queen's strings. But as the captain of the royal guard, he hadn't allowed himself to rest, working tirelessly to coordinate restoration efforts. Conduct searches for missing ponies, and potential hiding changelings.

It was hard work to be sure, and while Cadance would like Shining to rest, she knew he wouldn't be able to relax before he felt everything was in hoof. Not even Celestia could persuade him to rest, although she did note that perhaps it was best for Shining Armor to work through it.

Didn't mean it wasn't hard to watch, but things had started to settle down, and Shining had started to sleep more, and rest up. A few more days, or perhaps a week, then they would be able to go on their long awaited honeymoon.

The doors to the dining room opened, and in trotted Celestia. Cadance smiled at her aunt. "Hello, auntie." She greeted, then noted the troubled expression on Celestia's face. "What's wrong?"

At first it didn't seem Celestia had heard her, but as she sat down, she looked at her. "Oh, uhm... A friend of mine usually comes by at this time, but he hasn't shown up. I'm worried he might have been hurt during the attack."

Cadance frowned. "Are you sure he isn't just traveling?"

"I hope so," Celestia admitted. "But for ten years he has shown up without fail..."

Cadance's eyes widened slightly. "T-ten years? Wait, is it that mysterious stallion that keeps asking you to marry him?"

Celestia couldn't help but smile a little. "Hardly mysterious. His name is Solar Comet, and yes, he is the one who keeps asking me to marry him."

Unlike Twilight, Cadance didn't look worried. She trusted her aunt's judgment. She doubted Celestia would allow him to continue these proposals, if she thought he was a crazy obsessed stallion.

"Ten years..." Cadance said, sounding thoughtful. "That is some dedication." Celestia chuckled, nodding. "I don't think I've ever seen him though..." Cadance said, thinking. Then a sly smirk played on her lips, as she leaned forward and looked at Celestia. "Is he handsome?"

Celestia had to think for a moment.

When she first met Solar Comet, he was too young for her to really consider handsome. At least in the way Cadance was implying. But he certainly wasn't a bad looking stallion. Age suited him, although he was very much still in his prime. His muscles had grown, and he had a more mature air about him.

She hadn't really thought about it, perhaps because she saw him so often, she simply didn't notice his changes before she thought about it. As Celestia finished considering, she gave a nod.

"Yes, I think he is handsome."

Thinking it, and saying it out loud, were two different things. As soon as the admission left her lips, she couldn't help but blush a little, although she quickly regained her composure.

The blush didn't go unnoticed by the princess of love however. She grinned at her aunt. "He is, is he?" She giggled. "Auntie, there is nothing wrong with finding a stallion handsome." She assured, finding her aunt's reactions adorable. "What is he like?"

"Well," Celestia considered for a short moment. "He is charming. VERY confident." She said with a smirk, and Cadance giggled.

"I guess he would be since he keeps proposing to you."

Celestia chuckled warmly. "Indeed," she nodded. "He is also very intelligent, and insightful. During the years, we have talked about Twilight now and again, and he gave me some good advice from time to time."

"Really?" Cadance asked.

Celestia nodded. "He once suggested Twilight should get some more real hood experience in order to come out of her shell." Celestia remembered that day. Celestia had been worried Twilight was becoming too sheltered, and she had let it slip to Comet. Instantly, he suggested pushing her a bit to go out into the bigger world, in order to get some experience. "It didn't go very well at first, but then I managed to push her to Ponyville, and you know the rest."

Cadance smiled. "You sound really close to him, auntie."

Was she? Perhaps in a way she was, but still...

Celestia sighed, her smile fading a little. "I don't know about that, Cadance. After ten years, it seems he has learned more about me, than me about him."

There was a moment of silence as the staff brought in their lunch, placing the dishes in front of them before leaving once again.

"I know some stuff, of course. He went to university here in Canterlot, he owns a shop, and he travels a lot." She frowned, poking the food in front of her with her fork. "I don't know where he is from, about his family, his hobbies, nothing really personal."

Cadance regarded Celestia for a moment. It was the first time she had seen her like this. "It isn't too late to ask him."

Celestia smiled a little, giving a nod. "Yes, you're right... I just hope he is okay..."

The two princesses decided to let the topic rest, and continued to enjoy their lunch. Shining Armor didn't join them, he'd fallen asleep, and Cadance didn't want to wake him. They talked about this and that, with Celestia also happy to inform Cadance that Luna would be back any day now from her trip.

Despite the pleasant and relaxing lunch, Celestia couldn't help but still worry for Solar Comet in the back of her mind. Of course she cared for all her little ponies, but only now that Comet hadn't shown up as he usually did, did she realize how attached she had become.

It wasn't love, but she could deny she had grown closer to him over the years. Now she only hoped they might explore that attachment some more in the future. Perhaps it would amount to nothing more than friendship, but that would be a treasured relationship nonetheless.

First things first though, she needed to find him...

It wasn't until early afternoon Celestia saw Wysteria again. She knocked on the door to her study, and trotted inside with a slight frown. Celestia felt that knot form once more in her stomach.

"Did you find him?" She heard herself ask before anything else.

Wysteria nodded. "Yes, Princess. He is alright, but..."

"But what, Wysteria?" Celestia pressed.

It was late evening, and Canterlot Hospital had gone quiet.

The days had been hectic, with ponies coming in after the Canterlot attack, some of them hurt, others needed help after having been trapped by changelings. But it had gotten more calm, and a sense of normality seemed to have slowly returned to the hospital.

It was here Solar Comet was. Celestia frowned as she stepped closer to the entrance. No pony was around at this time, other than the night staff. When entered, and the nurses behind the reception desk spotted her, they looked very surprised, and were quick to get up to bow.

Celestia however held up a hoof. "Please don't, my little ponies. The night is long, and you have more important matters to tend to, than to fuzz about me." She said respectfully. "Thank you for all your hard work these past few days."

The nurses bowed their heads. "Thank you, Princess." One of them said, "Who are you here to see?" Celestia didn't have to say it. The nurses had seen plenty of worried ponies to know she was here to visit some pony she knew.

Celestia was impressed by the nurses, and thankful that she didn't need to explain. "I'm here to see a pegasus stallion called Solar Comet."

The nurses checked their patient lists, and nodded. "Please, I'll take you to his room." Said one of the nurses, and Celestia followed.

The nurse led her up some floors, keeping quiet so as not to disturb any patients. Celestia followed her example, and kept quiet as much as needed. She did want to ask about Solar Comet, but she did not dare. Wysteria hadn't told her much, only that Comet was in the hospital, and while he wasn't in any mortal danger, his injuries were serious.

Of course Celestia wanted to go to him right away, but she didn't want to disturb the hospital staff or patients with her arrival. So instead, she waited until now, when the hospital was quiet. Of course they did pass doctors, nurses, and some patients. All of them bowed their heads, but it was nothing compared to the disturbance if she'd showed up during day time.

The nurse stopped in front of one of the doors, and turned to face Celestia. "I must warn you, Princess. His injuries were quite severe..."

Celestia steeled herself, giving a nod. "I understand, thank you, nurse."

The nurse nodded, and stepped away from the door as Celestia opened it with her magic carefully. What she saw made her heart almost break...

There in the single bed laid Solar Comet. Several bandages had been applied around his body. His wings looked broken, with feathers missing. One of his legs was trapped in a cast, meaning that it was broken too. A bandage moved around his head, and down to cover his left eye, and she could tell he had been in a rough fight.

Still, he didn't move, in fact as Celestia stepped closer she realized he was sleeping. She trotted all the way up to him, looking him over. He had several wounds and self defense marks. She didn't need to ask the staff to know he had been fighting in the Canterlot attack.

A small groan from behind finally made Celestia take her eyes off him. She looked behind her, and found a mare laying on the couch. She sat up, rubbing her eyes as she looked up at her.

"Princess Celestia..?" She mumbled.

"Please, don't get up." Celestia said gently, turning to her fully. "I'm sorry, I didn't know he had visitors."

The mare shook her head. "No need to apologize, Princess." The mare said, then yawned. "I didn't mean to stay this long, I just fell asleep." She said and stretched. "I'm glad you're here though..."

"Oh?" Celestia raised an eyebrow, and the mare nodded.

"Comet would have wanted me to contact you. Let you know he would not be able to make it today..." She sighed and shook his head. "With everything, it just slipped my mind."

"It's alright, I understand." Celestia assured the mare. "What is your name?"

"River Song, Princess. But ponies just call me River." She gestured at Comet. "I run a store with him."

Celestia nodded. "I see, you must be close then."

River chuckled. "Guess we are. We have been together ever since we were foals. We're not related, but he is the closest thing to a family I have." The mare stood up, and stretched again, before looking at Celestia with a small tired smile. "Must say, I never expected to actually meet you." She chuckled. "Then again, I never imagined he would actually try to propose to you, but I guess life is just full of little surprises."

"So you know about that?" Celestia asked.

River let out a small laugh. "Know about it? I was there when he first declared his love for you." She shook his head. "I thought he was crazy, but he never let up."

Celestia found herself blushing, just a little. "Has he really been harboring such feelings for so long?"

River smirked and gave a firm nod. "You have no idea, Princess." Then she looked towards her friend, her smile fading a little. "But perhaps it is better he tells you about all that himself when he wakes up."

Celestia looked back towards Comet. "What happened to him?"

"Fighting changelings, what else?" River sighed. "He never hesitated for even a second. When the shield broke around Canterlot, he rushed ahead and tried to defend ponies. Did a smashing job too, but he was overwhelmed... I couldn't get to him in time." River frowned, a pained expression spread across her face as she looked away. "The doctors put him under a spell so he can sleep through the pain. They say he should recover fully, but they are unsure about his eye..."

"Oh no..."

Celestia frowned, looking at Comet. He looked so peaceful, but his body betrayed the look. She could only imagine the pain he must have been in when he was injured. Despite that, she was proud he had tried so hard to defend his fellow ponies, she just hoped it didn't come at too high a cost for him.

River looked at Celestia, smiling just a little. "Don't worry, Princess. Comet is tough, he'll pull through, I know he will."

Celestia looked at her, smiling sadly. "You sound very confident of that."

"Have faith in him." River told him. "You must know this by now, Princess. But there is no stallion more stubborn than this dolt. If any pony can recover from this, it is him." River quickly removed a tiny tear from her eye. Then she let out a cough, trying to cover up her own emotions. "I better go home and get some sleep. I have to open the shop tomorrow, or Comet will be throwing a fit."

Celestia chuckled. "Get home safely, River Song. It was nice meeting you."

River bowed. "It was nice to meet you too, Princess Celestia. Please watch over him." With a wink, River turned and left the room.

Celestia sighed, turning her attention back to Comet. This stallion, he was something else. As she watched him sleep, she promised once he woke up, she would do her best to get to know him. After ten years, she owed him that.

She lifted one of her wings, stroking his cheek very gently. "Recover fast, Comet... Please..."

Author's Note

Here you are guys!

A little longer chapter today, I'm happy with how it turned out. And I hope you enjoyed it.