Her Shining Paladin Chapter Sixteen

The Wedding of the Century

The months flew by in a haze, and the big day finally arrived. Canterlot practically shut down in celebration, and ponies from all corners of Equestria gathered for a chance to catch a glimpse of the wedding proceedings.

The castle was abuzz with preparations. Maids and servants were rushing back and forth to get everything prepared for the big wedding and the reception that would follow, making last minute arrangements.

Since the Princess was getting married, about every single pony celebrity and royal family members were going to be there, even ones from out of Equestria. That said, security was heightened to the point that not even a parasprite would get in.

Out in the courtyard in front of the castle, a familiar giant Pegasi stallion, clad in Royal Captain armor, was pacing in front of about three dozen guards.

"Alright, ponies. Today is the big day." He announced. "The princess is getting married, and as you may remember twenty years ago, we had a breach by a creature that will not be named, that went and assumed the identity of one of the royal family. It may have been a long time ago, but that does not mean the threat is not there. It is your sworn duty as a Royal Guardspony to serve and protect everypony that will be coming here, especially the royal family. Which is why you are to keep an eye out for any creatures that may come here. Timberwolves, Diamond Dogs, Changelings, assassins, warmongers, if they pose a threat to anypony, you boot their flanks out of here! If you suspect a pony of being a Changeling, check them! It is imperative that this wedding goes without a hitch, and if it doesn't, you will face my wrath! Do I make myself clear?!"

"Sir! Yes, sir!" The guardsponies declared, all rattled by the captain's words.

"Good! You are all dismissed! Report to your station!" The captain ordered, and the ponies did as such.

"Wow, Iron, never took you for a strict taskmaster."

Iron Hooves glanced backwards and his stern expression softened as he saw Shine approaching him.

"Shine! Long time, no see!" Iron smirked.

"I know. Look at you! Captain of the Royal Guard... I knew you had it in you." Shine chuckled.

"Well, Prince Armor was really pleased with my performance back at the Crystal Empire, and when he heard the Princess was getting married, he had me promoted and transferred back here." Iron smiled. "But enough about me, what about you? Last I saw you, you were just a guest here at the castle, and now, you're the lucky guy who marrying the Princess! How did that happen?"

"It's a really long story, one that could only be told in ten long chapters." Shine admits, "I'll be sure to tell you later on."

"Shine!" The voice of Blueblood called out. "We need to get you ready!"

"Gotta go. See ya, captain Iron!" Shine nodded, as Iron returned with a happy salute.

As the hour of the wedding approached, ponies started to file into the wedding hall of the castle. Having a bit of reprieve from all the preparations and practicing for the wedding, Mist and Constell were observing all the guests that were coming in from the balcony.

"Wow, look at all them ponies." Mist gaped.

"I know. Mother told me that almost everypony in Equestria is to be in attendance, some of them particularly famous." Constell explained.

She was right, as the two spotted two pegasi walking in, one of them a light blue one with a dark mane, and a yellow one with a fire-colored mane, both wearing what seem like uniforms.

"Oh my gosh, that's Soarin and Spitfire, the captain and co-captain of the Wonderbolts!" Mist nearly yelled in a fangirl-like way.

"Not to mention a wonderful couple." Constell smirked.

Following behind the duo was two unicorns, one of them a familiar moustached white unicorn, and at his side, a beautiful pink-maned white unicorn mare, donning a purple gown.

"There's Fancypants and famous supermodel Fleur De Lis!" Mist pointed out. "Fleur looks so pretty in that dress."

After them, standing proud above the ponies, was a giant minotaur, with a younger minotaur at his side.

"Oh, and there's Prime Minister Head Strong of Minostan, and his son, Junior." Constell explained.

Close behind them, standing out even more, was a elderly griffin, and by him, a young female griffin.

"And Baron Broadbeak of Aerovis and his daughter Tawny - wow, they even have griffins and minotaurs coming here." Constell mused.

Something suddenly caught Mist's eyes.

"Hey, Constell, who's that?" Mist pointed.

Constell glanced at whom she was pointing at, as a red carpet was suddenly rolled over the castle path, and strutting upon it, wearing a top hat and wielding a cane, a very familiar draconequus. He was waving to the crowd with a cheeky grin.

"Well, well..." Mist and Constell turned around to see Luna had joined them in watching the guests. "Looks like Discord has decided to grace us with his presence."

"Discord?" Mist asked, "Wait, isn't he that crazy dragon feller that tried spreading chaos?"

"Yes." Luna nodded, "But he has mellowed quite a bit over the years. He's pretty much a big teddy bear nowadays."

Down by the gates, Big Red, having shaved his scruffy beard and combed his mane, was waiting patiently, watching as guests after guests made their way into the castle.

"Come on, where is she?" Big Red asked himself, raising his hoof to shield his eyes from the sun as he search through the crowds.

Soon, a carriage came in, being pulled by ponies dressed in cowboy apparel, obviously from Dodge Junction.

"Bingo!" Big Red smirked as he came rushing to the carriage.

A guard was about to open the carriage door, only to be shoved aside by a rather agile Big Red, as the burly stallion took his place in opening the door. Coming out of the carriage was a pretty Earth Pony mare, wearing a pink bandanna around her neck and her rose red mane in a bun. It was Cherry Jubilee.

"Why, Red, how nice to see you again." Cherry smirked.

"Howdy, ma'am." Big Red tipped his hat, as he took her hoof, "Welcome tah Can-tur-lot Castle."

"Never thought I'd get to see it up close." Cherry smiled. "What a wonderful sight! And speakin' of wonderful sights, you're looking pretty handsome today, Red."

"Aw, shucks." Big Red blushed. "You look mighty purty yerself, miss Cherry."

"Well, I couldn't wear just anything to a royal wedding, could I?" Cherry blushed back. "Care to escort me inside?"

"It'd be mah honor." Big Red nodded.

Inside the castle, Celestia was getting herself ready. She had donned a magnificent white and gold wedding dress (designed by Rarity, naturally), and Cadance was styling her mane.

"You're going to look beautiful, auntie." Cadance beamed.

"Of course I will." Celestia smiled. "Thanks to you."

"Oh sister, I have been waiting for this day to come." Luna chuckled. "Now you will finally know the full, unfettered joy of married life."

"I can't wait." Celestia smiled.

Meanwhile, Shine, attended by Shining Armor, Blueblood and Gothic, was fully dressed, but nervously pacing around the room.

"Feeling a little nervous, pal?" Gothic asked.

"A little." Shine wheezed. "I just... can't believe this day has finally come. I didn't think it'd be so... galling."

"You're not getting cold hooves, are you?" Shining asked.

"Of course not!" Shine shot back. "I love Celestia! I'm the one who proposed, remember?"

"Easy there." Blueblood said. "He was just asking."

"I know, and I'm sorry." Shine sighed.

"No problem." Shining smiled. "We'd better get moving. It's almost time."

As it was for Shining and Cadance's wedding, the throne room had been filled with pews. The guests were sat in their seats. Luna had been given the task of officiating the ceremony, and stood ready at the altar. Her husband, children and friends were sat in the front pews, waiting excitedly for the wedding to get underway.

Shine entered the room, joined by his best stallions: Big Red, Gothic and Blueblood. They walked down the aisle toward the altar, to the silent joy of the assembled ponies.

"Look at you." Big Red whispered to Shine. "Seems like just yesterday you were a little colt Ah took in, and now yer marryin' a princess. Yer folks'd be proud if they could see you now."

Shine stroked his locket, which he was wearing under his tuxedo.

"Thanks, Red." He beamed.

As they took their places, waiting for the bride to enter. After what seemed like an eternity, the doors opened, and Fluttershy had her bird friends play the wedding march. Celestia, her mane styled into elegant curls, marched up the aisle, joined by her mare of honor, Twilight Sparkle, Cadance, and Mist, who, as she had been promised months ago, had been made the flower filly.

Shine stared in amazement; Celestia was even more beautiful then usual. As she joined him at the altar, he gulped audibly.

"Dear ponies, we are gathered here today to join this stallion and this mare in holy matrimony." Luna announced. "If anypony here knows of a reason why these two should not be wed... kindly keep it to yourselves."

The crowd chuckled lightly.

"I believe the bride and groom have written their vows." Luna continued. "If you would start us off, Shine?"

Shine cleared his throat and took a piece of paper out of his pocket.

"Celestia... I had never really thought that I would get this far." He read. "I mean, you are the only mare that wasn't family that ever actually took an interest in me. Sometimes, I feel if I had never crash landed that night in your gardens, I would had never found another mare like you, not even if I tried. You gave me things that only a rare few could ever give me... hope, love, kindness... but the one thing you gave me that no one else could ever give... was your heart, and I promise you, to the day I die... and even after that, I will love and cherish it forever." Shine finished proudly.

Those words had struck a chord among the crowds. Even his best ponies were in tears.

"Oh mah gosh, that's the most beau-tee-ful thing I ever heard." Big Red sniffed.

"No argument there, sir." Gothic nodded, wiping a tear.

"Great, now you guys are making me cry." Blueblood groaned, tears sprouting from his eyes.

Sniffing back her joy, Celestia began to recite her own vows.

"I have lived for a very long time." She declared. "Throughout those years, I have known the love of my subjects, the love of my family, and the love of my students. And yet, for all that time, one particular form of love had eluded me. For so long, I thought I would never get a chance to experience such a love for myself... and then you came crashing into my life. You have taught me so much about love, filled my heart with a joy I've never experienced before. It is for those reasons and more that I am ready to pledge myself to you, Shine Paladin. Thank you so much."

Another round of weeping struck the ponies.

"Wonderfully put, sister." Luna sniffed. "Now, to the business at hoof. Do you, Shine Paladin, take princess Celestia as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do." Shine nodded.

"And do you, Celestia, take prince Shine Paladin as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" Luna continued.

"I do." Celestia smiled.

"Excellent." Luna beamed. "The rings, please."

Constell, who had been designated the ringbearer, stepped forward, carrying a velvet pillow with two rings on it. One ring, the ring Shine had inherited from his father, was placed on Celestia's horn, while the other, which was connected to a golden string, was put around Shine's neck.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Luna smiled. "You may now kiss the bride."

Shine and Celestia embraced each other in a powerful kiss, as the crowd cheered.

After the kiss came the cutting of the wedding cake. It was a magnificent confection, possibly Sugarcube Corner's finest work; A full dozen tiers of pure white chocolate and frosting, topped with models of Shine and Celestia. It seemed almost criminal to eat this masterpiece of a cake, but Shine and Celestia did so anyway, each cutting off a slice. As they made to feed each other, Celestia's jaw opened impossibly wide, and she swallowed her slice cleanly.

"Wow." Shine said through a mouthful of cake. "How'd you do that?"

"Years of practice." Celestia smiled as she dabbed her mouth with a napkin.

The assembled made their way to the reception, which was being held in the royal gardens. Among the refreshments were copious amounts of apple cider, fresh from Sweet Apple Acres, and Big Red's own cherry wine. As was to be expected, Pinkie Pie led the partying ponies in their merriment, while Shine and Celestia enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife.

Meanwhile, Big Red was in an impromptu hoof wrestling contest, and he had just beaten Iron Hooves.

"Gah, how..." Iron Hooves groaned.

"Don't ya beat yourself up, son." Big Red chuckled. "Ah've been winning hoof-wrestling contests since I was a little colt. Now, who's next?"

Shining Armor, Flash, and Gothic approached.

"Shine told us that you're a strong stallion." Flash revealed.

"Yup." Big Red nodded. "Winner of twelve rodeos, ten Iron Pony competitions, and bench-pressed four hundred smackers."

"I see." Shining nodded. "But I wonder if you can take the three of us..."

"No offense, prince, but if I could beat that really big pegasi feller, I can easily beat-" Big Red started.

"He means all of us... at once." Gothic smirked.

"Isn't that what you meant at first?" Big Red smirked back.

The three were caught off guard.

"Oh, you are so going down!" Shining growled.

"Yeah, you're dealing with the husbands of three princesses here!" Flash added.

"Well, then, bring it on, princey boys!" Big Red smirked arrogantly.

The three grabbed Red's hoof all at once. Once they began, the three were struggling to beat Red... but Red only let out a yawn, as he defeated all three with a simple push of his hoof.

"What the..." Shining gasped.

"How..." Flash groaned.

"So im-pony..." Gothic gulped.

Big Red smirked widely. Then, Head Strong the minotaur stood in front of him.

"Let's see how you handle a minotaur!" Head Strong roared. "We pride ourselves on our great strength!"

"Well, I pride myself on mah cherry wine." Big Red said nonchalantly. "Don't see how that will help me."

The two went to action. Though Head Strong lasted longer then any other opponant, he too went down in defeat.

"What kind of pony are you?!" Head Strong yelped, nursing his arm.

"One that eats half his weight in cherry and cherry-related products, and an eighth in spinach." Big Red declared. "You do the math."

"How about you let me try?" Asked a feminine voice.

Cherry Jubilee had just stepped up, much to the others' shock.

"Uh, miss, I don't think you can-" Head Strong started.

"Hush now, Mr. Strong." Cherry interrupted. "I think I can handle this."

Big Red gulped in shock, as Cherry took his hoof. Instantly, Cherry went up and pecked Red on the nose, causing Red's hoof to fall under Cherry's. Head Strong, the princes, and Iron Hooves's jaws hit the floor.

"Looks like I won." Cherry strutted away, then turned and winked at the boys. "And that boys, is how you 'git 'er done'."

Big Red gave a love-struck sigh, while the others were just surprised.

"Dad gum..." All the assembled males chorused.

Shine and Celestia took a break from dancing to receive words of congratulations.

"Welcome to the family, Prince Shine Paladin." Blueblood declared.

"Thanks... nephew-in-law." Shine chuckled. "Please feel free to call me 'uncle'."

"No thanks." Blueblood shuddered. "I have my limits, you know."

"So, does it feel as good as you thought it would?" Luna asked Celestia.

"No... it feels even better." Celestia declared.

"Doesn't it just?" Luna smiled.

"Looks like I finally got that big sister I've been hankering for." Mist beamed.

"Yes, it does." Celestia lifted Mist up and hugged her. "Welcome to the family, little sister."

"Yay!" Mist squealed.

After Celestia put Mist down, she was greeted by Twilight and her friends.

"Welcome to the club, Celestia." Twilight chuckled.

"Ah, Twlight." Celestia smiled. "It truly is wonderful to be bonded to a stallion like this. I never knew what I was missing."

"Best feelin' in the world, ain't it?" Applejack chuckled. "Now ya have somepony who'll always be with ya..."

"Somepony to laugh with!" Pinkie Pie added.

"Somepony to share life's pleasures with." Rarity smiled.

"Somepony to cuddle with..." Fluttershy murmered.

"Somepony who'll always have your back!" Rainbow cheered.

"Somepony who will love and cherish you forever." Twilight smiled. "It's wonderful, isn't it?"

"It sure is." Celestia nodded. "Thank you all for your kind words. It means the world to me."

"Anytime, princess." Applejack doffed her hat.

"We wish you only the best of luck." Rarity declared.

All too soon, the celebrations ended, and Shine and Celestia made their way to the carriage that would take them to their honeymoon.

"Ooh, I almost forgot." Celestia turned and threw her bouquet into the crowd.

Many mares made a grab for the bouquet, but Cherry Jubilee tackled her rivals out of the way, snatching it for herself. She then smirked coquettishly at Big Red, who tugged at his collar nervously.

Chuckling at the scene before, Shine and Celestia climbed into the carriage, waving as it rolled away.

"What a day." Shine sighed.

"That's putting it mildly." Celestia snuggled up to him. "I love you, Shine."

"I love you too, Celestia." Shine said lovingly.

The newly-married couple held each other tightly as the carriage took them to their honeymoon destination, a lodge in the snowy northern mountains, which would provide ample opportunity for more cuddles.