The Tales of Oathbound, The Mountain Hermit

The campsite was all prepared. The scene was perfect. All preparations were made. The princess gave Oathbound and Fluttershy permission to camp in the royal garden for the night.

Fluttershy couldn't still believe it. After her birthday party in Ponyville, Oath came by and told her of what he had arranged. She couldn't refuse such an offer. It still rang in her head.

"Fluttershy. I got a birthday gift for you."

"Oh Oath, you shouldn't have! I got so many presents already, I don't think I can fit any more stuff inside the house - the animals would get nervous!" She remembered her slightly shocked expression. Oath just waved his hoof at her and chuckled.

"It isn't something that you can simply buy in a shop. You need to see it for yourself."

"Umm... Why?"

"Because a wonderful mare like you deserves it."

The idea of being here, with Oathbound, to witness the raising of the sun in the great city of Canterlot almost brought tears to her eyes. She liked it and Oath knew how much she loved animals so he asked the princess if they could camp out in the garden where the animals lived. A humming bird flied past her and on towards the horizon. Truly she wouldn't have missed this for the world.

Oath appeared behind the mare, his warmness revealing him more than the noise he made on the grass. The dark blue tent he had erected looked magnificent.

"What do you think?"

"It looks great."

"Only the best for the birthday heroine.' Oath kissed Fluttershy's brow, which made the mare blush a bit.

"Remember when we first met?"

Confused, Fluttershy raised an eyebrow and looked into Oath's eyes.

"Yes. Why?"

"I was thinking about that evening. If it were not for you, I likely would have gone back to the mountain. Even if it meant breaking my promise."

Silence echoed across the garden before Oath continued his speech, walking next to Fluttershy.

"You showed me that the world of Equestia is a world full of friendship. Understanding." Looking at the mare who wasn't sure where he was going with this, Oath finished his statement.

"Love."

The word made her flinch.

Kneeling down before Fluttershy, Oath presented a hoof-ring emblazoned with turquoises. They were small but there were many of them, not to mention how they drew attention to her eyes. The sight of it made Fluttershy's cheeks go red and she placed a hoof on her mouth. She was totally shocked.

"Fluttershy, I know that it is your birthday and this is not really the time, but this was a chance I could not throw away. This is my only chance to convey my true feelings for you."

Seriousness clear in his face, Oath looked at her eyes.

"Fluttershy, will you marry me!?" He almost shouted. The words echoed across the garden as all animals drew their attention towards the pair. The campfire crackled near them as Fluttershy just stared at Oath.

After a long moment of silence, Oath gave a sigh before rising up and looking at the sky.

"Well, now you know how I feel. About your beautiful smile, the adorable squees you make from time to time, your personality..." The humming bird from earlier flew next to Oath, who extended a hoof for the bird to land on. "Perhaps I was too ha-" He didn't have time to finish his sentence before he was almost tackled to the ground by Fluttershy, her eyes closed and tears falling down her cheeks.

"YES! YES!" Her eyes opened and more tears fell, her wide open smile contagiously affecting Oath as well.

They embraced eachother, both of them crying tears of joy, as the sun was starting to be raised. They both looked at it, not letting go of the other. The sun's golden rays engulfed the horizon before enveloping the land in it's warm glow.

"Happy birthday, Fluttershy."

The news traveled fast. By the time the pair had come back to Ponyville, there was a huge welcoming committee.

"CONGRATULATIONS!" Pinkie Pie yelled, before starting to play her instruments in an imitation to wedding music.

Oath and Fluttershy looked at eachother before giving the crowd a sheepish smile. Oath eventually spoke up, however.

"We are not married quite yet. The ceremony is still not held, has it? It is all up to Fluttershy if she wants to have one."

Oath looked at his bride, who was blushing very hard.

"I... I have not thought of when to hold it..."

Applejack appeared from the back of the crowd.

"Well Ah got a solution fer that! The barn at mah farm can fit many ponies! Ah'll have it ready by tomorrow!"

The crowd gave a cheer as the arrivals from Canterlot blushed before disappearing into the chaos of the crowd.

Fluttershy was feeling anxious. Stressed. Like something was wrong. She had Twilight make a list of what she would need to do in preparation for the wedding but then she realized it. One, she did not have a wedding dress. Second, she didn't have any bridesmares. She was woken from her thinking as Rarity came over to congratulate her.

"You couldn't have picked a better pony, darling! I'm so happy for you!"

Blushing once more, Fluttershy thanked Rarity before she told the purple-maned pony of her problem.

"Whaaaaaaaaat!? But the wedding is tomorrow! Where are you gonna find a wedding dress at such sho- Aaha!"

Grabbing Fluttershy, Rarity stormed out of the house and dragged her in the direction of the Carousel Boutique.

Quickly taking measurements, Rarity grabbed a pair of scissors with her magic and started cutting, Fluttershy just watching, completely confused. Pieces of fabric flew in the air and made the room look more like a rag-tag carpet rather than the fabled room where the fashion Rarity was known for is born.

"Umm... Rarity, what are you-"

"I'm helping you out, dear! I will make you look absolutely fabulous by tomorrow, trust me! Now, I must ask you to step aside, I will pour ALL my creativity into this dress, I assure you."

Knowing there was no way to make Rarity change her mind, Fluttershy made her way out of the Carousel Boutique, only to be confronted by a crowd of ponies all willing to congratulate her getting married. She did not like the attention too much, it reminded her of that one time when Rarity was denied her chance of greatness when Photo Finish chose Fluttershy instead of Rarity. She wanted to get out of there quickly, preferably without having any attention drawn to herself. Her barely audible requests for letting her pass through them were not heard. Infact, the ponies just came on even more forcefully than before.

Fortunately, her husband-to-be saw the distress she was in. Stepping in between the crowd and Fluttershy, Oath spoke to the ponies that had, even if unwillingly, upset his love.

"I understand that you all wish to congratulate us for our wedding but Fluttershy has much to go through in preparation for tomorrow. If you could, please let her leave, she won't get anything done if there is a huge crowd following her. If you wish to congratulate us, then please be kind and direct them to me."

Motioning for Fluttershy to make her move, Oath kept on keeping the townsfolk distracted while she fled the scene. Thankful for what he did to save her from that situation, Fluttershy went towards Twilight's library with haste.

"But of course I'll be your bridesmare! I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world!"

A big smile appeared on Twilight's face as she hugged Fluttershy. But Twilight put on a quizzical face as she asked:

"But who will be there to declare you mare and colt? There are no ponies with those privileges in Ponyville, at least none that I know of."

Knowing that Twilight was right, an idea soon sprang up in Fluttershy's mind.

"Umm... What about Princess Celestia?"

Twilight started jumping about excitedly.

"YES, YES THAT'S PERFECT! She's surely gonna come! Spike! Get me some paper and ink!"

Soon enough the library was filled with the sound of writing as Twilight made a message to the princess. Even if it was as soon as tomorrow, surely the princess wasn't going to miss the wedding of her old friend. With the letter finished, Spike took a deep breath before sending the letter to the princess.

A bit surprisingly a few minutes later as Fluttershy was leaving to speak to Rainbow Dash about her being at the wedding as Fluttershy's bridesmare, a return letter from the princess came.

"Greetings, my dear student.

I would be honored to be there to witness the union of Fluttershy and Oathbound!

True love cannot be denied. I am honored to serve as the priestess for the ceremony.

I shall see you all tomorrow. Please give my regards to Fluttershy."

It almost seemed like Fluttershy would have shut down as she just stood there listening to Spike as he told the two what was in the return letter. Eventually she was waken from her trance by Twilight.

"Fluttershy?"

"Oh. Sorry."

"It's okay. You better get going now, you still have a lot to do before the day is over!"

"Mhm. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"

"You bet!"

As Fluttershy took to flight Twilight looked at Spike with a smug grin on her face.

"Looks like I was correct."

"About what?"

A facehoof was the only way Twilight could respond to that question.

"About Oath getting married with Fluttershy?"

"Ooooooh..."

Oath was looking around for Rarity around her store, the Carousel Boutique, but the shop itself was closed and he didn't want to break in. He still lacked a suit to wear. He was not really that particular when it came to looking the part at the wedding, but he wanted to look his best, for Fluttershy's sake.

Rainbow Dash soared over to him, a grin on her face.

"Hey there hotshot! Fluttershy's gonna be one happy mare when tomorrow is over."

"Oh, Rainbow Dash. Truth be told, I did not expect everypony to find out so soon."

"Are you kidding? You two have been the most famous couple of Ponyville for so long now, I was wondering when you'd propose to her! Took you long enough." Rainbow joked with a laugh.

"I thought the time was right. And it seemed to suit her too. I am just happy that she said yes." Oath said, kinda ruining the rainbow-maned pegasus' jest.

"Hehe, yeah! I was a bit surprised too. But I got some stuff to do, catch ya at the wedding!" And with that, she disappeared into the distance, a streak of rainbow colors following her.

"She sure manages to put the blunt approach on everything, doesn't she?" Oath said, unaware of the pony behind her.

"Indeed she does. Sometimes I wonder if she does it intentionally."

Looking behind, Oath saw Rarity, a box lifted on her side by her magic.

"Oh! Rarity, I was looking for you!"

"Sorry darling, but I can't stay and chat right now, Fluttershy needs this dress."

"Well... Alright. Could you find me once you are done bringing her the dress?"

"But of course! I'll be back faster than you know it!"

An hour and a half later, Oath was wondering what was taking her so long. Could something have happened?

He didn't have much time to think of the possibilities as Rarity came back, smiling to herself.

"And I am back! Told you I wouldn't be long."

Rolling his eyes, Oath asked Rarity if she could make him a suit for the wedding.

"Oh my, there certainly seems to be much need for fashion nowadays! Ah well, I certainly wouldn't want our charming stallion to go his own wedding while not looking his best! Come on in, we'll get you looking bedazzling in no time!"

The rest of the day went on in a strangely ominous silence, considering the circumstances. Fluttershy managed to convince Rainbow Dash to be her bridesmare at the wedding, on the condition that Rainbow gets to do a sonic rainboom. Rarity gave Oath a treatment unlike anything he had anticipated. Trying out the suit was hard enough as it is, but the last-minute adjustments were almost choking him.

"Uhh, Rarity? I think this is good enough..."

"Oh come now Oath, which one of us here is the fashionista, you or me?"

Unable to come up with anything, Oath just decided to try and endure until it was over. As a side-note, he also realized that he wouldn't have become a good model if he wouldn't have become the Protector of Ponyville. The adjusting continued on and on 'till the night arrived, after which Rarity gave her approval to the suit. Finally able to breathe, Oath took in as much of the sweet night air as he could. He was almost completely blue from the lack of air. The suit, for all the trouble it was when it came to putting on, was taken off with contemptous ease.

Back in his mind, Oath regretted asking Rarity to make the suit.

The next day was filled with happiness on all fronts. Applejack's farm was close to bursting with ponies all coming to attend the wedding. Princess Celestia was in front of the barn, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Pinkie Pie was over by the edge of the orchard, guarding the wedding cake with a steely gaze. Anypony that came too close was quickly repelled by her as she explained how the cake must be cut by the newly-weds first. Eventually Applejack told everypony to get inside the barn and take their seats, the ceremony was about to begin.

While everypony waited inside, Oathbound and Fluttershy arrived, causing a great wow to be heard throughout the barn as the wedding music started.

Fluttershy looked absolutely beautiful. Her white dress flowed across the barn's floor, random straws of hay dragging along as she made the building visibly light up. Her tiara, a piece of absolutely spectacular craftsmanship, had a huge turquoise, surrounded by 5 other colored gems. Spike was salivating at the sight of them. The dress was completely seamless, as if the mare wearing it would have been born wearing it. Oath was walking alongside her, his suit a complete contradiction to Fluttershy's white dress. Unlike her mildly see-through dress, Oath's suit was not transparent in any sense. A black color scheme was clearly the prime theme of the suit, with some white around his neck, from which Oath's sapphire amulet hanged, the blackness seeming to part away from around it. A red rose was stuck through the right flank of the suit.

As the pair reached the altar, the princess looked at each of them before speaking.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union of these two ponies who's love has been clear for all to see. If there are any who would be against the marriage of these two, speak now or remain silent forevermore."

Silence ensued as the crowd was looking around, as if expecting somepony to raise their voice.

"If there are no nay-sayers, let us move on."

Motioning for Spike to step forward, the princess gave room for the baby dragon as he presented the two hoof-rings, one of them sporting sapphires while the other had turquoises. The biggest jewels of each were shaped in the form of a heart. The pair put the rings on their hooves, their hold gentle, but tight.

"Will you, Oathbound, Protector of Ponyville, take Fluttershy as your wife and promise to be with her forever, to stand by her side in times of good and ill?"

Still staring into Fluttershy's eyes, Oath said sincerely:

"I do."

"Will you, Fluttershy, take Oathbound as your husband and promise to be with him forever, to stand by his side in times of good and ill?"

Tears started to emerge from Fluttershy's eyes as she wanted to say it, but afraid to do it. Her hesitation was clear on her face. Oath knew that there was only one way to ease her mind. Using his magic, he telepathically spoke to her:

"It's alright. You can do it."

Taking courage from the words, Fluttershy finally spoke up.

"Yes, I do."

Turning her gaze away from the pegasus and towards the crowd, Celestia smiled.

"Then it is my honor to declare these two mare and colt."

As the pair hugged eachother, the crowd cheered. Rainbow Dash stood at the edge of the altar, trying to fight back the tears.

"I promised myself I wouldn't cry... I won't cry..." Tears fell as the rainbow-maned pony burst into tears, Applejack almost following suite. Twilight and Pinkie Pie just smiled - the fact that Pinkie wasn't all over the place was a miracle in and of itself. Rarity was absolutely stunned by her perfomance, the dress and the suit went completely hoof in hoof. Her eyes shone and sparkled, but nopony was sure if it was because of the dress or just Rarity being Rarity.

As the newly-weds started down the altar, rice was being thrown, ponies whistling at the two as they ignored the crowd. When they got outside and a fair distance away from the barn, they turned and faced everypony who had followed them out, Oath speaking to them.

"Alright everypony. I reckon enough tears of joy have been wept now. Time for laughter, fun and happiness! Time for A PARTY!"

Taking that as her que, Vinyl Scratch began her music-playing. Loud music filled the farm as everypony danced. Pinkie Pie had Fluttershy and Oath cut the first piece of the cake together, but they got caught completely off-guard as a cake-a-pult threw tons of frosting on their faces. The laughter was almost deafening. In the midst of all the laughter, Pinkie Pie managed to say a few words before bursting into laughter once again:

"It was a lie! Ahahhahahhaa! The cake was a lie!"

The party continued for so long it was amazing that anypony had the strength to make their way back home, for Pinkie Pie cut no slack for any of the guests, nor Fluttershy and Oath, for that matter.

The love of these two ponies, from different origins, of different personalities, of different relations was the unifying element that showed everypony how love conquers all.