Six days had passed, only one day until the Grand Galloping Gala.
Rarity spent her daily hours for the past six days to create luscious outfits for two very special ponies. After hours of using magic and hard work, the outfits were finally done. She had them displayed on mannequins to see how they look. She examined Fluttershy's first. Her outfit included a small crown of brown, and yellow fake leaves and vines. The long silk dress that reached over to the hind legs had various colors of the autumn season: red, orange, and yellow. Slippers were on the front hooves with silk straps wrapped around the ankles up to the knees.
"Everything is now perfect for Fluttershy's." Rarity thought to herself. "Now to look at Yorkshire's outfit."
His was no exception. The surcoat of the outfit was green and white that reached to the flank, covering it. On the front, a black eagle with white detailed outlines was sewed on with its wings spread open almost touching the sleeveless openings. Under the surcoat, she added a long sleeved undershirt and pants to go with it.
"They're going to be so happy about this!" She heard the door's bell ringing. She quickly hid the new clothes on the mannequins away in two separate rooms. She peeked into the lobby.
"Fluttershy! Welcome!" Rarity greeted her friend with a big smile.
"Good afternoon Rarity." Fluttershy said. "I got your note this morning. You wanted to show me something?"
"Oh yes! I just finished your dress for the Gala! Please follow me." Rarity brought Fluttershy into a small room. She showed her in, revealing the dress. "There it is."
Fluttershy's eyes widened and gasped quietly, gazing upon the beautiful dress. "Oh Rarity, it's so wonderful! I love it!" she exclaimed, hugging her tight. "Thank you so much. I just know that Yorkshire's going to love it."
Rarity smiled and hugged her back. "I hope so too. Now then, you better take it home and keep it hidden before the Gala." She removed the dress off of the mannequin and wrapped it carefully in paper and slipped it into a box. She handed it over to Fluttershy. "You're going to look beautiful in that dress."
"I thank you again, Rarity. Bye!" Fluttershy exited the store with the bag held in her arms.
About an hour later, Rarity heard the doorbell ring again. She looked in the lobby and saw Yorkshire enter the shop. "Yorkshire, darling! You're just in time!"
"Is my outfit finished?" he asked.
"Of course! You're going to adore it! Come this way!"
He followed her to the second small room across from the first. Before she opened the door, she closed his eyes. He chuckled. "You want this to be a surprise, don't you?"
She giggled. "Very much." She opened the door, letting him in. "Keep those eyes closed." When they were in front of the outfit, she uncovered his eyes. "You can look now."
Yorkshire slowly opened his eyes. He looked at his new outfit for the Gala with widened eyes. His jaw dropped and began to stammer, unable to speak words. He circled the display. He looked to Rarity, staring at her.
"You like it?" she asked, grinning.
"I love it!" he exclaimed. He dashed to Rarity and hugged her, making her yelp. "Thank you so much Rarity! It's amazing! Fluttershy's going to love this!"
"It's no problem at all!" she replied, catching her breath.
"You have no idea how much this means to me!" He jumped, excited like a little colt.
"I'm sure I do, dear." Rarity replied, giggling. "Just let me wrap your outfit and you can be on your way." She took the outfit off from the mannequin and wrapped it nicely. She slipped the wrapped outfit into his large belt bag. "Enjoy the Gala with Fluttershy tomorrow! Make her happiness last through the night."
He nodded, turning to the exit. "Again, I thank you for using your gracious skills for this piece of art you have made."
"You are most welcome. See you tomorrow night."
"You too!" He quickly left the boutique.
Rarity watched him walk away through the window. She galloped back into her office and began to design and make her dress for the Gala. "Grand Galloping Gala, here comes Rarity!"
. . .
It was on the early evening of the Grand Galloping Gala that the knights and the girls would meet at the town square before heading to Canterlot. They all met, looking at each other with amazement. The girls saw how handsome the knights were in their robes, surcoats and chainmail. Their swords hung by their sides. The knights saw how lovely the girls looked in their dresses.
"You girls look ravishing tonight." said Knighton.
"Thank you for that compliment." Twilight said, giggling. "And may we say how you boys look very masculine with those clothes on."
He chuckled. "Twilight, shall we introduce our little couple for the Gala?" he asked with a wink.
She nodded. "That would be a wonderful idea." She turned to Fluttershy that was behind the others who was in her beautiful new dress. "You ready to see your date?"
Fluttershy blushed and rubbed her front leg nervously. "Y-yes…" she replied.
Knighton turned to Yorkshire who was in his new outfit. "Ready to meet the mare of your dreams?"
Yorkshire gulped and chuckled nervously. "Yes I am."
The knights and girls moved aside, shaping an open path.
Fluttershy and Yorkshire looked to each other. They remained silent. They were suddenly filled with such mixed emotions and lust: their hearts beating fast, their faces in red, and their eyes in complete awe. They approached each slowly and still silent.
Yorkshire could not believe what he saw. It was as if he had seen a goddess of nature.
Fluttershy felt the same. She had now seen the most handsome young knight she had feelings for. They were standing face-to-face with each other.
"Fluttershy…" Yorkshire said, breaking the silence. "You're so beautiful…."
She blushed brightly. "You're looking… very handsome tonight…" she replied. "I really like how you look in that suit... the tunic matches your eyes…"
"And… I love how the dress depicts you so well. It matches your true nature." He slowly raised and kissed her hoof. "Shall we go?" he asked.
She looked up at him and smiled. "Yes." She and Yorkshire led the way for everypony else to the train station to take a ride to Canterlot.
"I think they like each other even more now." Llanfair whispered to Pinkie Pie.
"That's what happens when ponies fall in love." she whispered back, giggling wildly, hopping along.
. . .
While the sun was setting behind the mountains, their train arrived in Canterlot. They got off, taking a stroll down the main road of the city where it would directly lead them to the Gala. The group arrived to the majestic castle of Canterlot. The royal guards outside proudly opened the gates, letting them and other guests in. As they walked through the main hall, they looked around seeing two rows of guards in armor standing side by side. They continued to walk until they reached a set of large doors. They could hear muffled orchestra music coming from the other side. The doors were slowly opened by butlers from the other side. The group entered through, seeing a large ballroom with shimmering lights hovering from above, dozens of large painted glass windows all around, and the reflecting marble floor. Hundreds of well-dressed stallions and mares were inside the ballroom chatting, feasting on appetizers, and dancing in the middle of the floor along with the music from the orchestra.
"Holy moly!" Rhayader exclaimed with an opened smile. "This place is huge!"
"Why of course." said Rarity. "I've always enjoyed the culture, fashion, and glamour on occasions like this."
They all walked further into the party with Yorkshire and Fluttershy still in the lead. They stood by the side, watching those who were dancing in the center.
"Hey Fluttershy, after we get settled, would you like to dance a little?" he asked.
She nodded slowly and blushed. "I would love to." she replied.
The music slowly ended, and everypony were lightly clapping their hoofs on the floor as applause.
"My welcomed guests!" said a loud voice.
Everypony turned to where the voice was heard and saw Princess Celestia standing from the doors with two royal guards beside her.
"I am pleased to welcome all of you to another year of the Grand Galloping Gala! You may have noticed some changes this year. I wish to make the Gala more exciting for everypony. I do hope that all of you enjoy yourselves with us here at the capital of Canterlot!" She looked from the opened doors, seeing a group of knights and ladies standing towards the side of the ballroom. She walked along the side, heading for them. Everypony else but the group stood aside to let her through. She approached the knights and mares, greeting them with a smile.
They all bowed to her.
"Please rise fellow knights and lady companions." the princess said. "Brave and noble knights, welcome to Canterlot."
"Thank you your Grace." Knighton replied. "We thank you for inviting us to your Gala tonight."
She nodded and turned to Twilight. "My faithful student. I thank you and your friends for bringing these knights to my castle."
"You are indeed welcome your highness." Twilight said, bowing to her once more. "These knights have told us of their tale in battle. A very tragic one."
"I must listen to this tragic tale once we find the time." She looked to all of them. "I welcome all of you personally and hope that you enjoy your night. I only wish that my younger sister was here to greet you too. She's very fond of knights."
"How is Princess Luna doing?" Rarity asked.
"She's doing just fine." she replied. "I know that she'll be here soon. She always loves to dance when it comes to the Gala."
Suddenly, one of the large windows opened up by themselves, letting the wind lightly blow into the ballroom. A stream of glistening stars riding with the wind, flowing into the room. Everypony wondered why it was there and were in awe at the same time. Only Celestia knew about the stream of stars and smiled. The stars hovered down to the floor and created a bright flash. From the flash appeared Princess Luna. Her coat was colored in dark blue; her long flowing mane and tail were too in blue covered in the night sky's glistening stars and bore the mark of the crescent moon on her flank. Everypony applauded the younger princess's arrival.
The knights all watched the princess walk to her sister. Knighton had a strange feeling swelling up inside him as if all his pains went away. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her. His stomach felt twisted, and his heart grew into a quick pace. He blushed, but tried to hide it.
"Luna." Celestia said to her. "I'm glad you could make it."
"I'm sorry I didn't come early." Luna said in a young, beautiful voice. "I'm back on the job for bringing up the moon, remember?"
She laughed. "Why of course. Come little sister, there are some guests I would like you to meet." She showed her the girls and the knights. "You remember Twilight Sparkle and her friends don't you?"
Luna looked to them as they were bowing to her and smiled.
"I do. The girls who saved me from my evil form." She bowed to them deeply. She raised up and turned to the knights. She saw that one of them, the one in red was looking at her with a strange look in his eyes. When she locked her eyes with his, she felt a strange attraction to him. It was like a rope made from their auras tied together, binding them. She blushed brightly and did nothing to hide it. She approached him with a nervous smile.
Knighton grew nauseous, witnessing the young princess come to him. He tried his hardest to hide his blushing but failed.
"Hello… good Sir Knight." she said, almost whispering.
"G-good evening your majesty…" he said, bowing to her personally.
"Please rise." she said. "Welcome to Canterlot. Please tell me, where do you six come from?"
Knighton's legs shook as she continued to speak with him. He breathed deeply to calm himself down.
"We're from south of the Macintosh Hills." he replied. "That's all we can tell. We travelled to Ponyville after fighting in a deathly battle against a dark army, being the only survivors who made it here."
She frowned and nodded. "War is a dreadful thing… I'm terribly sorry for all you have been through… I do hope that your injuries have healed well since your arrival."
"We've been well taken care of." he replied. "The conflict is finally over, but the pain still remains here." He placed a hoof over his chest, looking down at the concerned princess.
Twilight noticed that Princess Luna was paying unusual attention in hearing about the battle only from Knighton. She stood close to Princess Celestia's side. "I think your sister may a little interest in Knighton." she whispered with a hint of giggling.
Celestia smiled down to her. "I agree. Luna could use some companionship." She walked up to the two. "Shall we get the Gala started, Luna?"
"Oh yes! I would like that very much!" Luna replied with a smile.
The princesses, knights, and girls moved away from the middle of the room as everypony circled around it.
The orchestra began to play slow, graceful music. Dressed up couples from the crowd galloped to the middle and began to waltz with each other on their hind legs, holding each other with their front legs. Everypony else watched and listened.
Watching them dance, Yorkshire had an urge to dance. But he wouldn't want to dance alone. "Fluttershy?" he asked.
She turned her head. "Yes?"
He gave her a courteous bow. "Would you like to dance?"
She blushed, slowly nodding. "Yes. I would love to dance with you…" she replied. "But… there's just one teeny-tiny problem…"
"What's wrong?" he asked titling his head.
"I… I don't know how to waltz…" she said with a small frown. "And I get really nervous when a lot of ponies are watching me…"
He smiled. "I'll teach you."
"You will…?"
"Of course." He nuzzled her cheek. "Let's give it a try."
She nodded. "Okay… I'll try."
The first dance had ended, with everyone tapping their hooves on the floor in applause. New couples moved into the center. Yorkshire and Fluttershy joined in. They stood on their hind feet and looked into each other's eyes.
"Waltzing is the kind of dancing everypony is doing now. All what we're doing is just slow leg movement, spins and pivots." he explained. "Just follow my leg movements and you'll be fine."
Fluttershy gulped and nodded. Yorkshire raised one hoof with hers and wrapped the other around her waist.
Fluttershy blushed from his gentle grasp. Remembering what waltzing ponies looked like, she placed her other hoof on his shoulder. She her cheeks turned a darker red as they moved closer together until their bodies were barely touching each other.
"You'll do just fine Fluttershy…" Yorkshire whispered in her ear. "I believe in you…"
Meanwhile, the girls from the crowd watched Fluttershy and Yorkshire began to dance with each other through the flow of the waltz. They felt their hearts melt seeing Fluttershy conquering one of her small fears.
Yorkshire, Fluttershy, and everypony else who was in the middle of the ballroom danced in unison. They stepped back, stepped forward, from the right, to the left. Together they twirled and leaped. The stallions lifted their mares and spun in a circle, letting them down back on their hind hooves. They all had smiles on their faces. There was not a care in the world that could interrupt these special moments.
"Awww! They look so cute together!" said Pinkie Pie, hopping up and down.
"Yorkshire always seems so confident in that gal." Applejack added.
"It's so sweet that Fluttershy has someone to help her." Twilight implied.
"That's my little brother alright." Knighton said with a chuckle. "Always has hope for those who he believes in."
"Yes." Twilight stepped closer to him until her muzzle was close to his ear. "Hey Knighton, what do you think of Princess Luna?" she whispered.
He blushed bright. "Uh… excuse me?"
"Come on. Don't play naive with me." she continued with a sly grin. "I saw how you looked at her. I think she's fond of you too."
"Well uh…" He cleared his throat. "Yes, I do think she's very beautiful."
"And…?" she asked raising her eyebrows.
He sighed with a smile. "And yes, I think I am starting to… have feelings for her."
She smiled. "I think she really needs somepony to talk to. She wasn't always like what you see her now."
"Yes. The story of the Mare in the Moon." He implied. "I remember my mother telling that story when I was a little colt."
"She did?"
"Yes. And every time I heard that story, I would get very depressed. Not because she was evil, but because she was misunderstood."
"I felt the same way. It's safe to assume that nopony wants to feel lonely and unwanted."
"The poor thing…" He looked to Princess Luna who was ten feet away from him. "She looks so happy now." he said, turning back to Twilight.
"Yes, on the outside. But deep down, I think all she ever wanted was a companion. And since you're beginning to have certain feelings for her, maybe you should try spending some time with her."
Meanwhile, Luna was looking to Knighton, taking deep breaths. "He's so handsome Celestia…" she said. "I feel so strange whenever I see him…"
Celestia giggled. "I was starting to notice that as well. It would be nice if you had a stallion in your life."
"But, do you think it's him that I will be with for the rest of my life?"
"There's only one way to find out." Celestia replied. "Ask him to dance with you."
Luna immediately blushed. "I-I don't know."
"Come on, little sister. Just try."
She looked to her older sister, then to Knighton, then back to her. She thought about her sister's idea for a few seconds and nodded. "Alright. I'll do it."
Soon the waltz music ended, and the dances slowly ceased to a halt. Everypony applauded to the orchestra and the dancers.
Fluttershy looked around seeing all of the ponies applauding them. She saw Twilight and her friends cheering and whistling to her and Yorkshire. She hugged him tightly.
"Oh Yorkshire! That was the best dance I've ever done!" She pecked his cheek with a kiss. "Thank you so much!"
"Aww, it was my pleasure." Yorkshire said, kissing her cheek back. He and Fluttershy moved back to the others in the crowd.
"That dancing was beautiful!" Twilight said.
"Indeed." Knighton agreed, rubbing Yorkshire's head. "I'm proud of you little brother."
Yorkshire laughed. "Come on Knighton, not in front of everyone."
Knighton chuckled. He felt a light tap on his shoulder from behind. He turned around to see Princess Luna with hints of red on her cheeks. His cheeks too lit with a dark red.
"Hello Sir Knight…" she said rubbing her leg. "Will you… have the honor of dancing with me…?"
"I uh… uh…" Knighton stammered and felt his body shake. Sweat almost running down his eyebrow.
"Come on Knighton, say yes…" Yorkshire whispered, nudging his side.
From the nudge, he took a deep breath. He looked to Luna and smiled.
"Of course I will." he replied, lifting her hoof.
Luna giggled. "Shall we?"
He nodded. "Let's."
Together, they walked to the middle of the dance floor. The ballroom went silent. Everypony saw that a stallion wanted to dance with the princess of the moon. The conductor looked to Celestia with a surprised look on his face. She nodded to him. The conductor turned the pages in his booklet until he got to a perfect song. He tapped his stand to get the musicians' attention.
"Page one hundred and thirty-four." he said.
The musicians turned to the page number in their own booklets. Once there, they raised their instruments. He gracefully moved his small baton. The song began with a short solo by a harp, then followed by an oboe. The orchestra altogether played slow majestic music. With the music, Luna and Knighton danced gracefully. They made no mistakes with their leg movements. Everypony were amazed to see how gentle their dancing was.
As they danced, Knighton and Luna looked deep into each other's eyes. Knighton could see her eyes glistening like the stars on a clear night sky. Luna saw that his eyes were like the deepest blue of the ocean. They continued to dance smoothly. They grew closer.
What is this feeling…? Luna thought. Am I really growing fond of this handsome stallion…? Is this a dream… or is this real…? Mixed emotions flooded her head. If this is a dream, I never want to wake. If this is real… please let it never end… She closed her eyes, leaning her head into his chest.
Can this really be love again…? he thought. Is the princess really head over hooves with me? He closed his eyes and looked up. Angel Wings, if you are seeing this, please give me the strength to love her as much as I loved you… He kept his eyes closed, and slowly and gently rested his chin in Luna's mane.
Celestia watched them with a smile, sniffling with a hint of tears.
Yorkshire heard the sniffling. He turned and saw the tears. "Your majesty?" he asked. "Why are you crying…?"
She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "I'm sorry. It's just that I've never seen Luna so happy." she replied.
"It looks like my brother's having a wonderful time dancing with your sister."
She nodded. "And it looks like my sister's having a wonderful time dancing with your brother."
Brother… he thought. I think you have found happiness again.
Knighton and Luna ended the dance as soon as the music did. When it stopped, everypony was applauding loudly for the knight and princess. They both bowed to the crowd and then to each other.
"This is the first time in one thousand years that I've been so happy…" she said. She gave him a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Thank you so much Sir Knight…"
He slowly wrapped his front legs around her, hugging her with warmth from his heart. "Please, call me Knighton."
Her whole face turned red. "I love that name." Luna commented.
They both returned to the others. Knighton went to the knights and the girls while Luna went back to her older sister.
"That was beautiful dancing, Luna! I'm so proud of you!" Celestia said rubbing her head against Luna's.
"Sister…?" Luna asked.
"What is it?"
"I think it's official now…" she said. She took a deep breath to calmly speak. "I think I love him."
Celestia smiled big. She looked to Knighton who was being showered with compliments by the girls and the knights.
"So tell us!" Penarth said. "What's she like?"
Knighton laughed. "She's very kind, sweet, and gentle. I think she's beyond any other princess I have heard about or seen before." He sighed with a grin.
"Oh my! This is going to be so exciting!" Rarity said in glee. "I hope I get to be the maid of honor!"
"Whoa whoa! Easy there Rarity!" Applejack said, calming her down. "Don't get carried away just yet. Besides, wouldn't it be better if you were to make the bride's dress IF they get married?"
She gasped loudly with a huge smile. "Yes! I would love to make a beautiful dress for Princess Luna! The dress color will definitely match her mane!" She squealed in great delight.
"Hey, that dream might come true." Yorkshire said.
Knighton immediately blushed and nudged his little brother's head. "Not you too!"
"Come on, wouldn't you like that?"
"I… I guess..." Knighton replied shyly.
Twilight giggled. "It's always nice to have a little dream in your mind."
. . .
Once things settled down in the ballroom, Yorkshire and Fluttershy went off on their own together. They walked outside onto a large stone balcony where nopony else was. They looked up to the beautiful night sky with millions of stars glistening and the moon closely shining its bright light on Canterlot.
"It's such a beautiful night." Yorkshire said, gazing at the stars.
"Yes." she replied. "It looks like Princess Luna made the moon a bit closer tonight." Looking upon the beautiful moon, she leaned her head against Yorkshire's shoulder blushing and smiling. She sighed happily as she felt her chest beating. "It's lovely, don't you think?"
Yorkshire looked down her and smiled. "I can think of something else that's more lovely."
"And what would that be?"
He gently kissed her head. "You."
She blushed, giggling quietly. "You REALLY like me, don't you?" she asked, giving him a little smile.
"I do." he replied, gently resting his chin on her head. "Very much."
"I really like you too." she said with her face turning red again.
They both looked at each other with their faces close to one another. In their minds, they thought to themselves how beautiful or handsome the other was. They both stared into each other's eyes, and glanced down to each other's cheeks. They closed their eyes at the same time. Not seeing where they were kissing, they felt their lips lightly touching each other. They cracked open their eyes, and realized they were kissing on the wrong parts of their faces. They broke the kiss, both blushing brightly.
Yorkshire chuckled, breaking a sweat. "Sorry about that… I-I was trying to go for your cheek…"
"No, I'm sorry…" she said giggling. "I-I was trying to kiss your cheek too… but…"
"But what…?"
"That… was a very nice… kiss we just did…"
"Y-yeah… That was nice…"
She again leaned her head into his shoulder once more and coiled her tail around his.
He looked down to her, smiling. He rested his chin on her head again.
For a while, they sat looking up at the glistening night sky together as their hearts slowly filled up with their growing love for each other.