He had heard what she said, he had heard it all. From the moment she had saved him or vice versa depending on the way he looked at it. But it didn't matter, all that mattered right now was her safety. The dark blue alicorn was his charge and no matter what he would guard her with his life. No matter what faced him be it any creature in the land of Equstria, changeling, earth pony, Pegasus, unicorn, or even on nights like tonight the very forces of nature themselves.

But guarding her in this weather and enjoying guarding her in this drastically dismal downpour were too completely different things.

"You can come inside the tent whenever you like" she had said with her bluish-green eyes barely visible on a moonless night like this. Oh yes he had heard her as she retreated into the safe haven the tent offered from the relentless rain. But they both knew he wouldn't budge from his spot atop the muddy grass not even 10 feet from the tent. No he dutifully sat there soaking in the rain listening like always.

He knew his keen sense of hearing for which he had earned his cutie mark would be dampened by the rain. "Heh dampened" he repeated out loud to no one in particular with a slight chuckle. Regardless of the rain he could still hear all that was to be heard for a good mile, from the small scurrying feet of all the woodland animals running to evade the downpour visiting Everfree forest to the rain falling on any number of trees leaves and blades of grass.

His light brown khaki colored fur was soaked through with it and his annoyance showed quite clearly on his face despite the small laugh he let out at his earlier pun. "7 hours left" was all he said in a gruff voice and after that he was a statue save for his twitching ears picking out every sound while his mind analyzed it.

- Two days later -

They had finally arrived within earshot of Canterlot, the home of his charge and her elder sister Celestia, the princess of the sun. The trip to meet with the zebra tribes of the east was finally over and not a moment too soon. His horn glowed that faint green as he levitated his earmuffs out of his saddle pack. They were protection not from the cold but from the noise. His ears felt the familiar weight of the plastic device made to bring the volume of everyday hustle and bustle down to a manageable lever for his hearing as they slipped over his light brown ears.

The trip had been a good 5 days where he didn't have to wear his earmuffs once aside from when they were in the zebra villages. They didn't run into a single pony on their trip there and not a one on the return either.

"It feels good to be home again doesn't it?" she asked in the happiest imaginable voice while casting her eyes on all the ponies entering and exiting the magnificent cities front gate.

"mhhhm I missed the grating noise of the city ever so much your majesty." He said in a voice full of sarcasm as he passed under the archway of the front gate with his charge.

"Oh please contain you happiness" she said with a feminine giggle while casting her cyan eyes at the stallion walking alongside her. He matched her gaze with his own jade green eyes and an arched eyebrow.

They slowly made their way through the city with conversation sparking between the two of them the whole way until they reached the huge double doors of Canterlot castle, the home of the two princesses. At this point they gave each other a swift glance both knowing what the other was going to do. The dark blue alicorn walked into the castle as the stallion with earmuffs headed to his private quarters to unpack and get cleaned from his five-day trek to the east. Meanwhile the princess met with her sister and discussed all of which had happened.

"Luna you have done a marvelous job with this peace treaty with the zebra tribes." She said with her most regal voice and a proud look at her younger sibling.

"Thank you sister, it was quite an easy thing to do, the only hard part was the walk out there" she said nearly overflowing with pride and happiness at the kind words her white furred sister bestowed upon her.

"Yes I told you to take a carriage but you refused remember? Anyway as easy as it was you need a break", she said as her sister looked up with a face denying a need for a break the white alicorn spoke before her younger sister had a chance to, "but knowing you won't take one I have an assignment for you. I want you to parallel my student twilight sparkles work in Ponyville". She said

Luna tried to blink away the confusion in her mind and simple stuttered "P... Parallel?"

"Yes parallel, my dear sweet sister, I would be pleased if you would further twilight sparkles research on friendship by moving to Ponyville for an indefinite period of time and doing as she does, make friends" Celestia said in a kind but none the less regal voice

"but how will I be able to fit in and make friends when everyone knows I'm one of the two princesses?" she said in an exasperated tone, she was far less confused but the idea was starting to appeal to her.

"Luna we are no strangers to magic there are hundreds of spells that can change your appearance are there not?" she asked in a kind tone while walking with her sister in her wake to the balcony over Canterlot.

"Yes... yes there is?" her voice steadily increased in volume as the excitement grew in her.

"Of course I still want you guarded against any who would seek to do you harm Luna" Celestia said as she was looking out towards Canterlot.

With a sly smile Luna said in a mischievous voice "I know the exact pony I want to accompany me on my extended research stay in Ponyville."

As this last sentence was uttered a certain khaki pony had just finished getting washed up and unpacking the meager amount of items in his saddle bags.

Mere minutes had passed as he was enjoying a glass of water when he heard a very familiar set of hoof beats walking to his door. He reached it first and opened it just before the blue alicorn was about to knock on it with her fore hoof. He saw that smile, the smile that said I hope you haven't unpacked yet because were leaving.

"Hello, did you miss me?" she asked in a voice that was just barely holding in her excitement. It didn't matter if her voice was under control he could hear her heart racing from it.

"Where are we going now your majesty?" he asked raising the same eyebrow he had upon entering the marvelous city.

"Were moving to Ponyville for a while so pack your stuff" she said with a grin as wide as it could possibly be.

With a resolute sigh showing he accepted his fate and closed eyes he spoke, "give me twenty minutes and I'll be ready to leave, you can explain the rest inside."

As he packed all there was to be packed she told him of their assignment and once finished all he had to say was "At least it will be quieter there".

With a flash of her smile the princess of the night simply stated "That's looking on the bright side" and with another giggle they were off to the train station.

well there's the end of chapter one. id like to continue but i need you readers to give me some feedback, whether its good or bad I'll take it al :D