What You Do For Love
Aug 14, 2009 20:23:09 GMT -8
Post by Peace on Aug 14, 2009 20:23:09 GMT -8
Author's Notes: This is an oldie and a shortie. Based on one of the constant themes of my playing with ponies as a child, soap operaesque weddings happened a lot in my Ponyland. It was a good reason to have everyone lined up and have Satin constantly dressed to the hilt. Oh yes, I had mail order ponies as a child. Never managed to get Tux though. I had to make due with his look-a-like. Anyway...
The gates of Paradise Estate were trimmed with thick vines of ivy, trimmed with white poseys. Around the side of the patio nearest the kitchen Cupcake was standing on her rear legs, carefully positioned in her front hooves was a piping bag. Little droplets of frosting were being placed one by one as she placed the finishing touches on a massive three tier white cake.
Somewhere in the enourmas square footage of the estate Satin 'n Lace slipped into her finest gown. She gingerly peered into a floor length mirror and twirled around. Her maid of honor Confetti was dressed in a frilled shirt of pink. Both giggled with delight.
In just a few short hours Satin would be wed to the stallion of her dreams.
That stallion was glaring into the silvered glass of a different mirror on the opposite side of Paradise Estate. He fumbled with a ribbon bow tie that was to go around his blue neck. He stopped and glared at the mirror as Spike came in.
"Need any help, 4-Speed?" the small purple dragon asked.
The pony's eyes slowly turned toward the creature. "Honestly Spike, I don't know how other ponies manipulate objects with their hooves," he groaned.
Spike waddled over to 4-Speed and began to manipulate the silk with his digited paws. "It's a talent," he said, almost intelligently. "Some ponies got it, some don't."
"Right."
Outside the groom's room several baby ponies screeched with childish delight as they bolted toward the exit. The work their mothers took into carefully primping was wasted in a matter of seconds.
Everyone was in a celebrating mood.
Accept for Speedy. The orange unicorn moped near the edge of the swimming pool at Paradise Estate. She gazed at her reflection in the crystal clear water, wondering what 4-Speed saw in that flirty filly. She collapsed at the water's edge and closed her twinkled eyes.
Speedy was the fastest pony in all Dream Valley. No one could out race her, not even tie for first place. She held the trophies and ribbons to prove it. The only pony that could even catch her was 4-Speed.
But she didn't catch him. Satin 'n Lace did.
The pony rested her heavy head on her forelegs as she laid poolside. A rear hoof dangled over the edge and into the water. She was lonely, jealous and wanted to cry.
Satin 'n Lace was prettier than Speedy and her hooves always so smooth and dainty. The unicorn looked at hers. They were large and rough, not like a young mare's should be. If only she had taken better care, they wouldn't appear so chapped. Satin was also a pretty light purple pony, with long soft hair. Speedy's mane and tail was a hideous mishmash of blue, pink, yellow and purple. Ugly! But at least she wasn't as flighty as a bird and dumb as a doorstop.
Smiling, Speedy continued to muse. Satin wasn't much of a conversationalist either. All she would go on about was clothing, hair care and the latest gossip. If you wanted to talk about anything else you might as well turn to a wall. Satin loved to talk about herself and how beautiful she was, and her latest hat.
She was dull.
Defiantly not the right pony for 4-Speed.
4-Speed like to go hiking, play sports, adventure; Satin didn't like those things.
Speedy did.
She sighed again, her grin faded.
It was almost torcher. The day seemed to last forever. Soon the stallion she loved was going to marry someone else.
The bride's wedding party suddenly left through a pair of open poolside doors and began to cloister by the front of the patio. Satin 'n Lace covered in her snow white gown, veil and shoes with Confetti, Lickety-Split and Posey. Baby Lickety-Split looked adorable as a flower foal, a ring of lilies circled her head.
Everyone appeared to radiate with joy for the bride. Laughter and smiles were exchanged by all. A flower festooned lavender carriage pulled by the team of Steamer and Slugger came to a rest near the front gates of the Estate. She gingerly stepped inside, followed by her mares and flower foal. Long white curtains draped over the door, concealing the ponies within. The brothers began to trot toward Dream Castle with Cupcake in tow, pulling a cart laden with the covered wedding cake. Spike tottered behind her, just incase something looked like it was going to fall.
Speedy lifted her head, watched them disappear over the hill and returned to her melancholy. She was more depressed than ever.
After several minutes of singing birds as muted background music 4-Speed emerged from a door with Clef, Moonstone and Sports Time. All four stallions were laughing and didn't even seem to notice the brightly colored unicorn as they walked toward the exit. Each was a shining example of his breed. All were handsome and ready for the events to come. They rounded the pale pink stucco walls and vanished.
It would take only a few minutes to reach Dream Castle with the carriage, then the ceremony would begin as soon as the boys arrived. Speedy could envision 4-Speed, mane and tail washed and combed until his hair was smooth and perfect. The white bow tie hung perfectly around his neck, his violet eyes shining with adoration for the young mare walking down the isle.
Forcing her eyes shut, she could see Satin slowly and elegantly walking toward her fiance. Majesty would be standing before all present, about to officially wed them.
Was it selfish of Speedy to wish that she stood in that gown, not Satin? Should she have the honor of being beside that handsome blue stallion until the end of time, not Satin? Did this all seem like a corny plot in some soap opera? Shouldn't she just be happy for the couple?
"NO!" Speedy shouted into the canopy.
She loved 4-Speed. From the tip of her sunset orange horn to the very end of her multi-colored tail, she was deeply in love with him. If only she had told him sooner...
A great bell inside one of Dream Castle's massive towers chimed.
The ceremony was about to begin.
Speedy quickly raised her head at the final clang. Perhaps there was still time, she might be able to stop this.
Becoming an orange blur, she stood, leaped onto the patio deck and raced out of Paradise Estate, galloping as fast as she could. Within a few short minutes her swift legs had brought her Dream Castle. It's rose stone walls a stark contrast to the orchards and mountain spires surrounding it.
White swags of sheer cloth were draped along the length of the castle. Window boxes filled with flowers adorned each sill and the air rang with the pleasant sound of the bridal march being sung by bluebirds.
"Satin 'n Lace must be walking down the isle," she said to herself as slowed to a trot, crossing the blue stained drawbridge.
4-Speed stood with his best stallion by his side, Clef, with Moonstone and Quarterback beside him with his son Lucky posed infront of his father with a silk pillow between the baby pony's teeth, where a gold ring sparkled with a large brilliant diamond.
Surrounding the wedding party, a hundred ponies focused on the lovely lavender pony, gracefully stepping toward her intended.
Majesty smiled to all as Satin stopped beside 4-Speed. They turned to the Queen who wore her golden crown and purple velvet cape. "We are gathered here today, before sun and rainbow, to witness the union between stallion and mare."
Princess Starburst appeared next to Majesty. Her hair sparkled with shiny tinsel and a damsel cap topped her head. "Just as the rainbow is made up of many colors, so to are the Little Ponies," she continued. "And when two ponies are united a special ribbon of color is created; their own distinct rainbow in the sky of life..."
Speedy was halted as she quickly made her way though the arched entrance. Ponies stood shoulder to shoulder around the entire courtyard, she couldn't even view the wedding party through the mass. Several ponies found perches along the top of the castles's walls and towers, while a few nimble pegasi hovered in the air.
She reared, stretching her neck. Princess Starburst and Majesty took turns reading the traditional speal, but from this distance Speedy could barely make out a word. Even the isle where the bride and party had walked was filled with ponies, only a small half-circle of empty space remained for the participants in the ceremony.
Growing angry Speedy attempted to push her way though the crowd, but to no avail. Everyone remained firmly planted in their places.
Then she had a spark of an idea. Why couldn't she wink behind 4-Speed? Speedy was never the best teleporter, usually appearing off her intended target, but it seemed to be the only way she would be able to get though this crowd. She quickly decided, closed her eyes and concentrated.
The air beside Moonstone began to waver. He could feel something push him to his right. "Cut it out Quarterback," he hissed at the large blue pony beside him. "This isn't the time or the place for your foolishness."
"What?" Quarterback said surprised. "I didn't do anything."
"You pushed me."
The Clydesdale snorted as Majesty continued speaking, either not paying attention to the two of them or simply ignoring the antics. "I did not," he hissed."You're imagining things."
"I-" Moonstone found his protests cut-off suddenly as an invisible force shoved even harder, knocking him into Clef, who shouted and the ceremony came to an immediate stop.
In the now empty space formed between the two stallions Speedy materialized in a wink. She didn't even bother with the ponies angrily expressing their opinions and focused on the dark blue stallion just two pony lengths away, standing beside Satin n' Lace.
"Stop!" she screamed and barreled her way toward the dias where both stood.
4-Speed was just about to place the ring around Satin's hoof when the unicorn lunged at them, easily knocking the ring from his grasp. The jeweled band flipped into the air, turned and twirled around Queen Majesty's horn before landing on her forehead, right behind the crest of her gold crown. All the other ponies wore the looks of complete and utter surprise for a split-second, accept for Sky Dancer. He was gleefully grinning like a mad pony on one of the castle walls. Majesty was instantly angry when the jewelry settled on her head.
"Speedy!" Her Highness bellowed. "What is the meaning of this?"
Princess Starburst was only befuddled by the events, attempting to piece it all together in her thoughts. Limited as they were.
Satin unleashed a terrified scream, her special day was being ruined and began to weep uncontrollably.
"Speedy?" The groom confusedly asked, unsure of how to deal with it all.
The twinkle eyed pony was still only looking at 4-Speed. "I had to stop you from making a terrible mistake," she muttered.
He gaped at her. "What?"
"Marrying Satin 'n Lace," she clarified.
"Mistake?" He continued to stare, then realized what she was ranting about. "This is the happiest day of my life," he scowled, "until you decided to crash it."
Speedy paused. "Satin 'n Lace isn't the right pony for you." She told him. "You are so different from each other."
He took a deep breath, containing his anger. "Differences don't mean a thing when you're in love."
That statement struck her. Water welled in her jeweled eyes. "That's true," she had to agree. "But.... I love you 4-Speed."
4-Speed fell silent, he didn't know what to say. His wailing bride to be was being consoled by her sister Lickety-Split and here a young unicorn poured her soul before him and all of Ponyland.
Chatter began between ponies and Princess Starburst still tried to understand what was happening. All anger drained from his body, he felt like collapsing to the courtyard floor.
Majesty quickly considered her options. "I think, perhaps, we should delay the rest of the ceremony for now." She announced, looking before all who gathered. "This will give the bride time to calm down and for Speedy and I to have a little chat." She glared at the pony who swallowed hard.
Her spur-of-the-moment plan had worked. Then as Majesty moved to clear out the ponies from the courtyard Speedy wondered if the Queen was going to toss her in the dungeon.
Starburst questioned her bushwoolie consort, who tucked small cue cards under his arm, but he only shook his head. He didn't get it either.
4-Speed fainted.
Satin belted out another scream.
* * * * *
"What do you think you were doing?"
"I was trying to stop a wedding."
"You did a fine job of that!" Majesty snapped. "Why?"
"I love 4-Speed. I care about him. I know he was making a terrible mistake."
"So you said," Majesty dryly reminded her.
"I know he was going to be miserable for the rest of his life if he married Satin 'n Lace."
"Did you suddenly acquire mystic unicorn powers which allow you to see that future?"
"No." Speedy couldn't bare to look the Queen directly in her eyes. Her head was fixed in a low slump, her eyes never leaving the polished lavender stone floor and she was on the verge of tears. "But I just knew. It was a feeling in the pit of my stomach."
"Letting a 'gut feeling' aid in your decisions is not a viable excuse, young lady."
"I know."
"You embarrassed yourself, 4-Speed, Satin 'n Lace and myself."
"I am terribly sorry."
"And if Starburst wasn't such a dim rainbow, she would be embarrassed too. Shades, I wish some other princess could have been present instead." She shook her head. "But enough of that. What do you think I should do about this?"
"I don't know. I assumed you would banish me, lock me in a tower room or something like that."
"I was tempted," Majesty admitted, leaning on the back of her throne for comfort and support as her head throbbed. "But 4-Speed has asked me to be lenient. Light only knows why," she added.
Speedy looked up, unbelieving. "He did?"
"Yes."
She was stunned beyond words. "I uh..."
"So, let this be a warning and a lesson. Mo more public displays of humiliation." Queen Majesty ruled.
"Yes, your Highness," Speedy agreed, a bit too eagerly.
"And I am sending you to a room in the castle, until the wedding ponies decide what they are going to do."
"Yes, Majesty."
The white queen unicorn clapped her front hooves together and Spike loped up to her blue throne. "Spike, take Speedy to a west wing room. Make sure she stays there until I send someone."
The lavender colored dragon nodded and ushered Speedy from the throne room. When they were several lengths away Spike turned to her. "Why did you do it?"
Speedy sighed. "I did it for love, Spike."
Much like the bushwoolie the baby dragon didn't understand.
"Love is a crazy emotion. It makes to do strange things," she told him. "It can wrap you up in a nice warm blanket, where you feel safe and secure. But, it can also leave you out in the cold and shatter your heart into a million pieces."
He shook his head. "I still don't get it. I hope I never fall in love."
The unicorn chuckled. "One day you will know what love is like. And there is really nothing you can do to stop it."
He left the conversation at that and the two meandered through Dream Castle's large corridors until Spike opened the door to an empty room. "I'll be right outside," he said as Speedy walked inside. Then he closed off the room and stood as guard.
Speedy didn't know what to do with herself. She was ashamed and hurtful about what she had done, she never meant for any other pony to get caught up in this. She dove onto the bed and buried her face into a pillow.
A short time later a knock came on the room door. Speedy had fallen asleep and she pushed herself away from the pillow, sitting up on the bed. "Come in," she barely said above a whisper.
A blue male clydesdale pony turned the latch and entered. He no longer wore his tie and shuffled toward Speedy. A few seconds of silence passed between them.
"So," Speedy said, breaking the barrier. "Did you finalize your vows between yourself and Satin?"
4-Speed sighed. "Actually..." he pulled out a gold ring and held it delicately in his hoof. "No."
Speedy almost fell backwards on the bed. "NO?"
"Nope. After Clef managed to wake me from my unexpected nap with a pail of water, I found that Satin and Lickety had retreated inside the castle. You were in the throne room, being lectured by Majesty, so I took to leaning against the trunk of an apple tree and thought. I thought about everything. And, I realized that the best thing for everyone would be to call off the whole thing. Satin didn't want to, but I was surprised that Lickety-Split agreed with me and convinced her sister that it would be the best thing. It'll give everyone time to sort out feelings and emotions."
"Oh." Speedy said, half-heartily.
"I would think that you would be happy," 4-Speed said.
"If you told me that an hour ago I would be dancing with glee. But, now..."
"Like I said, it'll give everyone time to sort things out."
"Yes. I suppose so." She wearily smiled.
"Anyway, if I don't get downstairs Cupcake and Sweet Stuff will have that cake gone by themselves if I don't snatch a piece." He turned to go. "Coming with me?"
"No, thank you," she said.
He left and Speedy ran the unfolded events in her mind. Perhaps she could patch things up with 4-Speed. She might have a chance at his heart after all.
Later that day, Majesty found Satin 'n Lace conversing by a stream with Tux 'n Tails. They were skipping stones and giggling. The Queen thought that Speedy's actions might have crushed the happy spirits of the bride for a time, but, she thought, things may be working out to everyone's benefit in the end. It helped that the bride had the attention span of a lima bean.
Tux slipped on the river bank and very ungracefully plunged into the water. Satin broke into a hysterical laughter.
Majesty's blue eyes narrowed slightly. Yes, they might just be perfect for one another.
The End
What You Do For Love
The gates of Paradise Estate were trimmed with thick vines of ivy, trimmed with white poseys. Around the side of the patio nearest the kitchen Cupcake was standing on her rear legs, carefully positioned in her front hooves was a piping bag. Little droplets of frosting were being placed one by one as she placed the finishing touches on a massive three tier white cake.
Somewhere in the enourmas square footage of the estate Satin 'n Lace slipped into her finest gown. She gingerly peered into a floor length mirror and twirled around. Her maid of honor Confetti was dressed in a frilled shirt of pink. Both giggled with delight.
In just a few short hours Satin would be wed to the stallion of her dreams.
That stallion was glaring into the silvered glass of a different mirror on the opposite side of Paradise Estate. He fumbled with a ribbon bow tie that was to go around his blue neck. He stopped and glared at the mirror as Spike came in.
"Need any help, 4-Speed?" the small purple dragon asked.
The pony's eyes slowly turned toward the creature. "Honestly Spike, I don't know how other ponies manipulate objects with their hooves," he groaned.
Spike waddled over to 4-Speed and began to manipulate the silk with his digited paws. "It's a talent," he said, almost intelligently. "Some ponies got it, some don't."
"Right."
Outside the groom's room several baby ponies screeched with childish delight as they bolted toward the exit. The work their mothers took into carefully primping was wasted in a matter of seconds.
Everyone was in a celebrating mood.
Accept for Speedy. The orange unicorn moped near the edge of the swimming pool at Paradise Estate. She gazed at her reflection in the crystal clear water, wondering what 4-Speed saw in that flirty filly. She collapsed at the water's edge and closed her twinkled eyes.
Speedy was the fastest pony in all Dream Valley. No one could out race her, not even tie for first place. She held the trophies and ribbons to prove it. The only pony that could even catch her was 4-Speed.
But she didn't catch him. Satin 'n Lace did.
The pony rested her heavy head on her forelegs as she laid poolside. A rear hoof dangled over the edge and into the water. She was lonely, jealous and wanted to cry.
Satin 'n Lace was prettier than Speedy and her hooves always so smooth and dainty. The unicorn looked at hers. They were large and rough, not like a young mare's should be. If only she had taken better care, they wouldn't appear so chapped. Satin was also a pretty light purple pony, with long soft hair. Speedy's mane and tail was a hideous mishmash of blue, pink, yellow and purple. Ugly! But at least she wasn't as flighty as a bird and dumb as a doorstop.
Smiling, Speedy continued to muse. Satin wasn't much of a conversationalist either. All she would go on about was clothing, hair care and the latest gossip. If you wanted to talk about anything else you might as well turn to a wall. Satin loved to talk about herself and how beautiful she was, and her latest hat.
She was dull.
Defiantly not the right pony for 4-Speed.
4-Speed like to go hiking, play sports, adventure; Satin didn't like those things.
Speedy did.
She sighed again, her grin faded.
It was almost torcher. The day seemed to last forever. Soon the stallion she loved was going to marry someone else.
The bride's wedding party suddenly left through a pair of open poolside doors and began to cloister by the front of the patio. Satin 'n Lace covered in her snow white gown, veil and shoes with Confetti, Lickety-Split and Posey. Baby Lickety-Split looked adorable as a flower foal, a ring of lilies circled her head.
Everyone appeared to radiate with joy for the bride. Laughter and smiles were exchanged by all. A flower festooned lavender carriage pulled by the team of Steamer and Slugger came to a rest near the front gates of the Estate. She gingerly stepped inside, followed by her mares and flower foal. Long white curtains draped over the door, concealing the ponies within. The brothers began to trot toward Dream Castle with Cupcake in tow, pulling a cart laden with the covered wedding cake. Spike tottered behind her, just incase something looked like it was going to fall.
Speedy lifted her head, watched them disappear over the hill and returned to her melancholy. She was more depressed than ever.
After several minutes of singing birds as muted background music 4-Speed emerged from a door with Clef, Moonstone and Sports Time. All four stallions were laughing and didn't even seem to notice the brightly colored unicorn as they walked toward the exit. Each was a shining example of his breed. All were handsome and ready for the events to come. They rounded the pale pink stucco walls and vanished.
It would take only a few minutes to reach Dream Castle with the carriage, then the ceremony would begin as soon as the boys arrived. Speedy could envision 4-Speed, mane and tail washed and combed until his hair was smooth and perfect. The white bow tie hung perfectly around his neck, his violet eyes shining with adoration for the young mare walking down the isle.
Forcing her eyes shut, she could see Satin slowly and elegantly walking toward her fiance. Majesty would be standing before all present, about to officially wed them.
Was it selfish of Speedy to wish that she stood in that gown, not Satin? Should she have the honor of being beside that handsome blue stallion until the end of time, not Satin? Did this all seem like a corny plot in some soap opera? Shouldn't she just be happy for the couple?
"NO!" Speedy shouted into the canopy.
She loved 4-Speed. From the tip of her sunset orange horn to the very end of her multi-colored tail, she was deeply in love with him. If only she had told him sooner...
A great bell inside one of Dream Castle's massive towers chimed.
The ceremony was about to begin.
Speedy quickly raised her head at the final clang. Perhaps there was still time, she might be able to stop this.
Becoming an orange blur, she stood, leaped onto the patio deck and raced out of Paradise Estate, galloping as fast as she could. Within a few short minutes her swift legs had brought her Dream Castle. It's rose stone walls a stark contrast to the orchards and mountain spires surrounding it.
White swags of sheer cloth were draped along the length of the castle. Window boxes filled with flowers adorned each sill and the air rang with the pleasant sound of the bridal march being sung by bluebirds.
"Satin 'n Lace must be walking down the isle," she said to herself as slowed to a trot, crossing the blue stained drawbridge.
4-Speed stood with his best stallion by his side, Clef, with Moonstone and Quarterback beside him with his son Lucky posed infront of his father with a silk pillow between the baby pony's teeth, where a gold ring sparkled with a large brilliant diamond.
Surrounding the wedding party, a hundred ponies focused on the lovely lavender pony, gracefully stepping toward her intended.
Majesty smiled to all as Satin stopped beside 4-Speed. They turned to the Queen who wore her golden crown and purple velvet cape. "We are gathered here today, before sun and rainbow, to witness the union between stallion and mare."
Princess Starburst appeared next to Majesty. Her hair sparkled with shiny tinsel and a damsel cap topped her head. "Just as the rainbow is made up of many colors, so to are the Little Ponies," she continued. "And when two ponies are united a special ribbon of color is created; their own distinct rainbow in the sky of life..."
Speedy was halted as she quickly made her way though the arched entrance. Ponies stood shoulder to shoulder around the entire courtyard, she couldn't even view the wedding party through the mass. Several ponies found perches along the top of the castles's walls and towers, while a few nimble pegasi hovered in the air.
She reared, stretching her neck. Princess Starburst and Majesty took turns reading the traditional speal, but from this distance Speedy could barely make out a word. Even the isle where the bride and party had walked was filled with ponies, only a small half-circle of empty space remained for the participants in the ceremony.
Growing angry Speedy attempted to push her way though the crowd, but to no avail. Everyone remained firmly planted in their places.
Then she had a spark of an idea. Why couldn't she wink behind 4-Speed? Speedy was never the best teleporter, usually appearing off her intended target, but it seemed to be the only way she would be able to get though this crowd. She quickly decided, closed her eyes and concentrated.
The air beside Moonstone began to waver. He could feel something push him to his right. "Cut it out Quarterback," he hissed at the large blue pony beside him. "This isn't the time or the place for your foolishness."
"What?" Quarterback said surprised. "I didn't do anything."
"You pushed me."
The Clydesdale snorted as Majesty continued speaking, either not paying attention to the two of them or simply ignoring the antics. "I did not," he hissed."You're imagining things."
"I-" Moonstone found his protests cut-off suddenly as an invisible force shoved even harder, knocking him into Clef, who shouted and the ceremony came to an immediate stop.
In the now empty space formed between the two stallions Speedy materialized in a wink. She didn't even bother with the ponies angrily expressing their opinions and focused on the dark blue stallion just two pony lengths away, standing beside Satin n' Lace.
"Stop!" she screamed and barreled her way toward the dias where both stood.
4-Speed was just about to place the ring around Satin's hoof when the unicorn lunged at them, easily knocking the ring from his grasp. The jeweled band flipped into the air, turned and twirled around Queen Majesty's horn before landing on her forehead, right behind the crest of her gold crown. All the other ponies wore the looks of complete and utter surprise for a split-second, accept for Sky Dancer. He was gleefully grinning like a mad pony on one of the castle walls. Majesty was instantly angry when the jewelry settled on her head.
"Speedy!" Her Highness bellowed. "What is the meaning of this?"
Princess Starburst was only befuddled by the events, attempting to piece it all together in her thoughts. Limited as they were.
Satin unleashed a terrified scream, her special day was being ruined and began to weep uncontrollably.
"Speedy?" The groom confusedly asked, unsure of how to deal with it all.
The twinkle eyed pony was still only looking at 4-Speed. "I had to stop you from making a terrible mistake," she muttered.
He gaped at her. "What?"
"Marrying Satin 'n Lace," she clarified.
"Mistake?" He continued to stare, then realized what she was ranting about. "This is the happiest day of my life," he scowled, "until you decided to crash it."
Speedy paused. "Satin 'n Lace isn't the right pony for you." She told him. "You are so different from each other."
He took a deep breath, containing his anger. "Differences don't mean a thing when you're in love."
That statement struck her. Water welled in her jeweled eyes. "That's true," she had to agree. "But.... I love you 4-Speed."
4-Speed fell silent, he didn't know what to say. His wailing bride to be was being consoled by her sister Lickety-Split and here a young unicorn poured her soul before him and all of Ponyland.
Chatter began between ponies and Princess Starburst still tried to understand what was happening. All anger drained from his body, he felt like collapsing to the courtyard floor.
Majesty quickly considered her options. "I think, perhaps, we should delay the rest of the ceremony for now." She announced, looking before all who gathered. "This will give the bride time to calm down and for Speedy and I to have a little chat." She glared at the pony who swallowed hard.
Her spur-of-the-moment plan had worked. Then as Majesty moved to clear out the ponies from the courtyard Speedy wondered if the Queen was going to toss her in the dungeon.
Starburst questioned her bushwoolie consort, who tucked small cue cards under his arm, but he only shook his head. He didn't get it either.
4-Speed fainted.
Satin belted out another scream.
* * * * *
"What do you think you were doing?"
"I was trying to stop a wedding."
"You did a fine job of that!" Majesty snapped. "Why?"
"I love 4-Speed. I care about him. I know he was making a terrible mistake."
"So you said," Majesty dryly reminded her.
"I know he was going to be miserable for the rest of his life if he married Satin 'n Lace."
"Did you suddenly acquire mystic unicorn powers which allow you to see that future?"
"No." Speedy couldn't bare to look the Queen directly in her eyes. Her head was fixed in a low slump, her eyes never leaving the polished lavender stone floor and she was on the verge of tears. "But I just knew. It was a feeling in the pit of my stomach."
"Letting a 'gut feeling' aid in your decisions is not a viable excuse, young lady."
"I know."
"You embarrassed yourself, 4-Speed, Satin 'n Lace and myself."
"I am terribly sorry."
"And if Starburst wasn't such a dim rainbow, she would be embarrassed too. Shades, I wish some other princess could have been present instead." She shook her head. "But enough of that. What do you think I should do about this?"
"I don't know. I assumed you would banish me, lock me in a tower room or something like that."
"I was tempted," Majesty admitted, leaning on the back of her throne for comfort and support as her head throbbed. "But 4-Speed has asked me to be lenient. Light only knows why," she added.
Speedy looked up, unbelieving. "He did?"
"Yes."
She was stunned beyond words. "I uh..."
"So, let this be a warning and a lesson. Mo more public displays of humiliation." Queen Majesty ruled.
"Yes, your Highness," Speedy agreed, a bit too eagerly.
"And I am sending you to a room in the castle, until the wedding ponies decide what they are going to do."
"Yes, Majesty."
The white queen unicorn clapped her front hooves together and Spike loped up to her blue throne. "Spike, take Speedy to a west wing room. Make sure she stays there until I send someone."
The lavender colored dragon nodded and ushered Speedy from the throne room. When they were several lengths away Spike turned to her. "Why did you do it?"
Speedy sighed. "I did it for love, Spike."
Much like the bushwoolie the baby dragon didn't understand.
"Love is a crazy emotion. It makes to do strange things," she told him. "It can wrap you up in a nice warm blanket, where you feel safe and secure. But, it can also leave you out in the cold and shatter your heart into a million pieces."
He shook his head. "I still don't get it. I hope I never fall in love."
The unicorn chuckled. "One day you will know what love is like. And there is really nothing you can do to stop it."
He left the conversation at that and the two meandered through Dream Castle's large corridors until Spike opened the door to an empty room. "I'll be right outside," he said as Speedy walked inside. Then he closed off the room and stood as guard.
Speedy didn't know what to do with herself. She was ashamed and hurtful about what she had done, she never meant for any other pony to get caught up in this. She dove onto the bed and buried her face into a pillow.
A short time later a knock came on the room door. Speedy had fallen asleep and she pushed herself away from the pillow, sitting up on the bed. "Come in," she barely said above a whisper.
A blue male clydesdale pony turned the latch and entered. He no longer wore his tie and shuffled toward Speedy. A few seconds of silence passed between them.
"So," Speedy said, breaking the barrier. "Did you finalize your vows between yourself and Satin?"
4-Speed sighed. "Actually..." he pulled out a gold ring and held it delicately in his hoof. "No."
Speedy almost fell backwards on the bed. "NO?"
"Nope. After Clef managed to wake me from my unexpected nap with a pail of water, I found that Satin and Lickety had retreated inside the castle. You were in the throne room, being lectured by Majesty, so I took to leaning against the trunk of an apple tree and thought. I thought about everything. And, I realized that the best thing for everyone would be to call off the whole thing. Satin didn't want to, but I was surprised that Lickety-Split agreed with me and convinced her sister that it would be the best thing. It'll give everyone time to sort out feelings and emotions."
"Oh." Speedy said, half-heartily.
"I would think that you would be happy," 4-Speed said.
"If you told me that an hour ago I would be dancing with glee. But, now..."
"Like I said, it'll give everyone time to sort things out."
"Yes. I suppose so." She wearily smiled.
"Anyway, if I don't get downstairs Cupcake and Sweet Stuff will have that cake gone by themselves if I don't snatch a piece." He turned to go. "Coming with me?"
"No, thank you," she said.
He left and Speedy ran the unfolded events in her mind. Perhaps she could patch things up with 4-Speed. She might have a chance at his heart after all.
Later that day, Majesty found Satin 'n Lace conversing by a stream with Tux 'n Tails. They were skipping stones and giggling. The Queen thought that Speedy's actions might have crushed the happy spirits of the bride for a time, but, she thought, things may be working out to everyone's benefit in the end. It helped that the bride had the attention span of a lima bean.
Tux slipped on the river bank and very ungracefully plunged into the water. Satin broke into a hysterical laughter.
Majesty's blue eyes narrowed slightly. Yes, they might just be perfect for one another.
The End