Stronger

Princess Luna sits by the windows of the late afternoon sun, gently sipping her tea. The tranquility is broken with two knocks on the door.

"Enter."

The doors creak open, revealing Shining Armor, still in uniform, gleaming armour and all. He steps inside the parlour.

"You requested my presence, Princess Luna?", Shining Armor asks.
"Yes, I did, Shining Armor. Please have a seat."

Shining Armor glances down at the nearby table, sprawling with sweet treats and a warm pot of fresh-brewed tea. He approaches the spread and takes a seat across the princess.

"I'm sorry to have to pull you away from your duties, Shining Armor, but a pressing matter is at hand.", says Princess Luna, pouring her guest a cup of tea.

"May I... ask you some personal questions regarding you and Princess Cadance?"

"By all means, Princess Luna.", said Shining Armor, accepting the cup of tea. He had nothing to be guilty about, but he's curious about Luna's abrupt request regardless.

"Do you... Love Princess Cadance?", goes the first question.
"I love her as much as the day I first met her."

"Would you still love her under extreme circumstances? Say, if something were to come between you?", goes the second question.
"It's what I vowed to do on our wedding day. Princess Cadance is mine to protect, and hold close, no matter the circumstances."

"That is very noble of you, Captain."
"Princess Luna, what is this all about? Is there something I should know?" asks Shining Armor, who has become deeply concerned over Princess Luna's line of questioning.

"Do you hope to ever have foals one day?", goes the third question, as if no comments by Shining Armor were made.
"I suppose when the time comes, perhaps..."

"Shining Armor," grunted Princess Luna, "do you know what my abilities as Princess of the Night are?"
"I do."
"And I suppose you're aware that I see the dreams of the ponies of Equestria in their slumber?"
"Yes, I am aware of that."
"Then it would be no surprise to you that I know the desire to have foals is one of the greatest dreams you share among the two of you?"

Shining Armor doesn't say a word. He knows for those facts to be true. Indeed, he wanted to live a life with Cadance surrounded by a merry bunch of little ponies, dreaming about it in his sleep.

"I apologise to have to drag you on like this with all these questions, but it was something I felt needed to be done and I–"

"Princess Luna, what is this all about?", Shining Armor snapped. "Surely, you didn't call me here to discuss the facts of life? Is there something wrong with Cadance?"

The parlour falls silent. The curtains wave against the evening wind.

"Princess Cadance... can never bear foals."

"What did you say?"

"Cadance can't have foals," Princess Luna reiterates.

"W-Why?" asks Shining Armor.
"We don't know," replies Princess Luna. "Subsequently, I informed Princess Celestia and we've been working to figure it out. As I'm sure you know, Cadance wasn't in her best shape over the past two years, but she has shown better signs of health than any of us."

Shining Armor excuses himself from the table, naturally taken back by the news that was just given to him.

"I'm so sorry, Shining Armor."

The stallion bows under the pressure, eyes gleaming with tears, and hoofs the wall in frustration. Princess Luna goes by his side.

"W-why didn't she tell me?"
"I'm afraid the news was too devastating to hear. Even for herself."
"But, we have no secrets with each other. How could she... How did you know about this?"

"I paid her a visit one night. That's the thing about dreams. They keep no secrets. It wasn't long that she knew she couldn't hide it anymore. She had gone to the doctor about a month ago for a regular assessment. It was only then during the course of her checkup that the unfortunate matter was discovered."

Shining Armor sits himself on the floor, filled with anguish and remorse.

Princess Luna goes to the sullen stallion, offering advice.

"I know this is a very hard pill to swallow, Shining Armor, but now isn't the time to be sad. Princess Cadance needs you now more than ever. The support and understanding only her true love can provide."


Shining Armor looks up at the princess.

"Be strong. The both of you."

Shining Armor looks away and gets back on his hooves to leave the parlour.

"Is Princess Ca–"
"Princess Cadance is in the other room across the hall. I think she could use some company."

Shining Armor nods in acknowledgement. He leaves and walks down the hall to the room with two Royal Guards standing guard. They salute their superior as Shining Armor lets himself inside.

Princess Cadance lies on the bed in what used to be her room as a young princess in the Canterlot castle. Her husband steps in, sheds his armour, and sits by her side in bed. There is no response from either of them, as if being together fills the need to convey their feelings of heartbreak to each other.

"I'm sorry," cries Princess Cadance, breaking the silence. "I'm sorry I kept this from you."
"Cadance... Don't be," says Shining Armor, lying down gently next to her. "I know this has been very hard for you, but I'm proud of you for holding such a brave front in the face of this."

"Are you disappointed with me?"
"I'm sad, yes, but I'm not disappointed with you. I still love you, Cadance. That hasn't changed."

"But I know you wanted to have foals so much."
"At least I still have you, Cadance," says Shining Armor, "There's still hope that Princesses Celestia and Luna will have an answer, but even if we don't, I won't love you any less. You bring the joy and love I need to get through the day. The mare I come home to every night just so I can see again. This will be hard at first, but we will face this together as husband and wife. I'll always be by your side."


"You will?", questions Princess Cadance, sitting up.
"Of course, sweetheart," assures Shining Armor, holding his hooves around Princess Cadance. "We'll show the world our strength. Our relationship will grow only stronger."

Shining Armor holds Cadance close. He kisses her.

"I love you, Cadance."