The guard led them to another large pair of doors. The doors opened, revealing a smaller room with a large round table and chairs. There, they saw the two princesses, Knighton, Yorkshire, and Fluttershy waiting for them. Each pulled up a chair and took a seat close.

"Welcome to my council room, where all of my private meetings take place." Celestia said.

"Thank you, your majesty." Llanfair replied. "May I ask for what business you have bringing us here?"

"What do you wish to discuss with us?" Yorkshire asked.

"I have wonderful news to tell you." she started. "Knighton has told me about your victory against this dark army. Your story has moved me dearly. Your courage and dedication to protect those in need are just what we need here in Canterlot."

The knights all looked at each other, having the same possible thought. They all grinned excitedly.

"I would like you and your comrades to become my royal knights."

The knights couldn't help but cheer and laugh happily.

"Oh Yorkshire, I'm so happy for you!" Fluttershy exclaimed, hugging him tight. "You'll do wonderful as a royal knight!"

He smiled big, wiping his eye. "Thanks, Fluttershy. I always have you to support me."

"This is gonna be so awesome!" Tregaron said in glee.

"Yeah!" Llanfair agreed. "I've always thought of becoming a knight for a royal figure!"

"We thank you for your wish for us to become your knights, your highness." Knighton said. He turned to his friends. "Boys, shall we accept it?" he asked them.

"Heck yeah!" the knights all shouted with big grins.

He laughed. "Very well then! Princess Celestia, we would be honored of becoming your royal knights!"

The mares cheered and whooped louder. Pinkie Pie was hopping up and down like crazy from all of the excitement.

"Wonderful!" Celestia said. "It is with great pleasure as the eldest princess to announce that all of you as of today are royal knights of Canterlot!"

The knights bowed to Celestia. The girls walked over to them and congratulated them loudly and cheerfully.

"We're very happy for you fellas!" Applejack said, patting Rhayader's shoulder. "Ya'll are gonna do a great job as royal knights!"

Rhayader laughed. "I hope so."

Knighton turned to Celestia. "We thank you for the title, your majesty. We will always pledge our allegiance to you."

"You are most welcome Sir Knighton." she said. "As royal knights, you will be staying here in Canterlot from now on."

"Thank you, your highness." He bowed.

The other four bowed to her but Yorkshire, looking down with a small frown.

Celestia looked to Yorkshire who was still standing. "Sir Yorkshire, you seem disappointed. Is something wrong?"

He let out a soft sigh. "Forgive me your majesty, I appreciate the offer for letting me stay here along with my companions but I'm afraid I have to decline."

Everypony gasped, hearing somepony declining Princess Celestia's wishes for the first time.

Tregaron smacked Yorkshire in the back of the head, making him wince in pain.

"Yorkshire, you're not making any sense!"

"Yes I am!" Yorkshire exclaimed. He lowered his head to Celestia. "I am sorry ma'am, but I do not wish to stay in a place that will keep me from seeing somepony that I truly care about."

The princess looked at Yorkshire for a moment then glanced over to Fluttershy. She knew that he was talking about her. The thought of being far from somepony he loved would be upsetting. She looked back down at him and smiled.

"I understand."

He looked up. "You do?"

"Yes. You do not have to stay here, but the gates of Canterlot are always welcome to you."

He showed a relieving smile. "Thank you so much your majesty." He gave her a deep bow in gratitude.

"Wait." Knighton said. "If he's not going to stay, then I won't either."

"What in Sam hill are ya talkin' about?" Applejack asked.

"I'm not going to let my little brother stay in a town all alone." he replied chuckling. "With all due respect your highness, we stick together. We watch each other's flanks if we're in any trouble. We're a team."

The other knights looked at each other with confusion.

"Should we join him…?" Tregaron whispered to Rhayader.

He shrugged. "He is the leader after all." he whispered back. "We might as well go along with it. Besides, I do like the barn. It's very warm in there."

"Aw… I kind of wanted to stay here." Tregaron complained.

"Oh, don't be such a filly."

"So all of you do not wish to stay?" Celestia asked.

They all nodded slowly reluctantly.

"Sticking together and watching each other's flanks." she said. "That is something I would want to see in knights like you. I will respect your wishes and let you stay in Ponyville."

"Applejack?" Yorkshire asked.

"Yes?" she replied.

He chuckled, rubbing his leg. "Is it alright if we stay at the old barn a little longer just until we find a house?"

She smiled. "Ya'll can stay there as long as ya want. We don't have any plans to use that old place for anythin' yet."

Pinkie Pie looked up and saw a large clock above the door that said eleven o'clock. "Hey look! The big hand is on the twelve and the small hand is on the eleven!"

"Oh!" Knighton exclaimed. "It's around that time we should be getting back." He bowed to Princess Celestia once more. "Please forgive us your highness. It is time that we must leave and rest."

Celestia nodded. "I was just about to end the meeting anyways. Thank you so much for coming to the Grand Galloping Gala. We hope that all of you had a wonderful time."

"We sure did, Princess." Twilight said. "Thank you so much for inviting us."

"And we also thank you for giving us the honor of being your royal knights." Yorkshire said. "We will be honored to serve you, your grace."

"I will send a letter to Spike and have him deliver it to you if I am in need of your presence." Celestia said. "Have a safe trip back to Ponyville and goodnight!"

"Goodnight your majesties!" the mares and knights said and bowed in unison.

Yorkshire turned to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, may I have the honor to walk you home?" he asked.

Fluttershy blushed and smiled back. "I would love that… Sir Yorkshire." she replied.

They all walked towards the exit of the council room. Knighton felt a tap on his flank, making him halt. He turned to find Princess Luna before him.

"Thank you so much for your time." Luna said with a blush. "I've never had company with anypony else but my sister."

He smiled and gently nuzzled her cheek. "The pleasure was all mine, Princess." he replied.

"Will I… ever see you again?"

"Of course you will."

"That wonderful dance, being together and having little chit-chats, I've never been so happy before in my entire life…" She gently gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you…"

He blushed and had no intention to hide it. "I promise to visit you very soon."

"Or maybe I can visit you at night." she whispered. "We would have it all to ourselves."

He chuckled. "That is a nice idea. I could watch you raise the moon."

"Oh, I would just love that!" She said, smiling bigger.

"I bid thee farewell, Princess Luna." he said, kissing her hoof.

"Good-bye Knighton." she said.

Knighton rejoined everypony else, waiting for him. Together they left; never to forget the great time they all had together at the Grand Galloping Gala.

. . .

While everypony else was heading back home, Yorkshire and Fluttershy walked together back to her cottage like he promised. They approached the front door, and looked at each other with loving eyes.

"Thank you for walking me home." Fluttershy said. "I get a little nervous when I walk alone at night."

"No problem." he replied. "I had a great time with you at the Gala. Thank you so much for asking me to go with you." He kissed her cheek to show his gratitude.

She blushed and giggled. "I had a wonderful time with you too. Thank you for accepting my invitation. And thank you for this fun night." She kissed his cheek back, making him blush as well. She opened her cottage door and walked inside. "Goodnight Yorkshire." she whispered, speaking her final words to him for the night.

"Goodnight Fluttershy." he replied. "Have pleasant dreams."

She giggled once more and closed the door.

He sighed happily as he trotted away from the cottage. "This has got to be the best night in my entire life." he said to himself, and went on to return to the barn.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy walked upstairs into her bedroom to get ready for bed. She slipped off her Gala dress and climbed into bed. She blew out the candle on her nightstand that lit her room. She rested her head on her soft pillow and closed her eyes. In her head were deep thoughts of the magical time with Yorkshire at the Gala. She fell into a deep sleep and wandered into dreams about her knight in shining armor for the rest of the peaceful and quiet night.