AN: Hi all, I hope you're well and staying safe. Thank you so much for your reviews. Your continued support and enthusiasm for this story continue to blow me away. We're coming to the end of this fic, and it's bittersweet. There will be one last chapter after this. So, without further ado, happy reading!

Chapter 29: The Heir

The journey back down the mountain to the lodge felt blessedly quicker than the climb—even with the time it took to bury Talia and restrain Sarab. Thanks to the Pit water, Oliver's soreness and bruises from the battle had disappeared. He was even well enough to help Felicity cross the treacherous terrain during their descent.

As soon as Oliver walked through the door of the lodge, Sahar and her husband were there to greet him. The pair bowed as Amina ran to hug Felicity.

"Sidi," Sahar's husband said, his voice filled with reverence, "my sword is yours to command."

"Please stand," Oliver replied.

"You must all be famished from your journey. I will prepare a feast," Sahar proclaimed, excitement and relief evident in her voice.

"That's not necessary—"

"You have ascended to Ra's al Ghul. This is cause for celebration." Amina clapped and hugged Oliver's leg. He reached down to ruffle her hair.

"What will we do with him?" her husband questioned, nodding toward Sarab.

"He will face punishment for conspiring against the Heir to the Demon, now the Demon's Head," Nyssa replied.

"He should be taken into ARGUS custody, along with Malcolm," Dig answered to the contrary. "They still have to answer for their terror attack on Starling City. Besides, we've already seen how the League is willing to overlook the law in favor of its own agenda."

"That was when my father ruled. Al Sah-him is Ra's al Ghul now. He is well aware of their crimes."

Everyone looked to Oliver for confirmation. He nodded to Dig. "Sarab and Malcolm are excommunicated from the League. ARGUS will see that justice is served." He met and held Nyssa's stare; she then bowed her head in acquiescence.

"I know just the task force," Lyla spoke up. She'd been so quiet next to Dig that Felicity had forgotten she was there. "They'll do some good while serving their sentence."

"Well, now that the bad guys are taken care of, I think it's time for a hot shower. A few more minutes outside and I'd be Frosty the Snowman's brother," Tommy quipped.

He looked relieved, Felicity thought. She knew his father's fate weighed heavily on him. At least in ARGUS custody, Malcolm would be treated fairly—even if he didn't deserve it.

"Good idea. We'll get cleaned up for dinner." Felicity ushered Oliver toward the stairs before he could be saddled with more questions.

"Come, Amina, you will help Momma in the kitchen. Dinner will be served in an hour," Sahar called after them.

The moment Oliver and Felicity were alone, she threw her arms around him in a fierce hug. He clutched her just as tightly back.

"I thought I'd lost you," she whispered.

"Never," he murmured into her hair.

Felicity kissed his lips and released him. "You should shower."

Still covered in blood, Oliver did not disagree. When he disappeared into the bathroom, Felicity flopped onto the bed. These last few weeks felt more like lifetimes. Now that Ra's and Talia were gone, Felicity finally felt like she could breathe.

She let several minutes pass, giving Oliver some time to himself, before venturing into the bathroom. The air was hot and clouded with steam. Felicity, stepping over his dirty, torn gear on the floor, went to place a change of clothes on the counter. The sight of the Demon's Head ring stopped her in her tracks.

Are we really free? the thought flashed suddenly in her mind. She didn't get long to dwell. The shower curtain was yanked back suddenly. Felicity startled, as did Oliver.

"It's just me," she rushed out at the sight of her husband's hard expression and the raised loofah scrubber in his hand. It would've actually been comical if not for what they'd just endured mere hours ago. She sensed the unrest in him—and embarrassment at having been startled.

"Sorry," he murmured, releasing a shaky breath.

"It's okay," Felicity reassured him. "I just came in to bring you towels and a fresh set of clothes."

Oliver shut off the water and reached for the towel. He wiped at his wet body and wrapped it around his waist.

Felicity couldn't help blushing, which was odd because it wasn't anything she hadn't seen before. She waited in the bedroom for him, letting him have some privacy to regroup.

When Oliver emerged from the bathroom, the ring was cradled in his hand.

"Are you going to wear it?" Felicity blurted out.

"I don't know. Should I?" He held her gaze.

"Is it what you want?"

"It's not simply a question of wanting. It's about who I am."

Felicity approached him. "I know who you are. Whether you're in a hood or a suit, you're the man I love and believe in." She placed her hand on his heart, reassuring him. "I'm glue, baby."

That seemed to calm him, and she lifted her head to accept his kiss of thanks.

"Let it go for now," she murmured. "Let's go celebrate. Slaying demons is hungry work."

The mood at dinner was infinitely lighter. Everyone gathered at the table to eat Sahar's delicious meal, talking and laughing as if they didn't have a care in the world. In many ways, it was true. Ra's and Talia were gone. And Malcolm and Sarab were already in the custody of ARGUS agents and would soon be in a high-security federal prison.

It wasn't until after dessert when the wine flowed and they all sat in satiated bliss that Nyssa asked, "When shall we be underway?"

Felicity frowned. "Where are we going?"

"Back to Nanda Parbat," she replied, as if it was obvious. "The League cannot last long without Ra's. He needs to return as soon as possible to claim the throne and establish order."

"About that …" Oliver's gaze was fixated on the dark red liquid in his wine glass as he said, "I am undecided if I should return at all."

The table went silent.

"What is there to decide?" Nyssa replied in confusion. "You have been given a great honor. With my father gone, you can restore the League to its true purpose."

"Nyssa—"

"It has been waiting centuries for a leader like you. Why would you want to throw such an opportunity away?"

Sahar and her husband looked just as troubled. "If you do not return, then I fear the League is truly lost," she said. "We will never be able to return home."

"Why should they go back?" Dig challenged. "How many times have they been betrayed and almost died?"

"My father and Talia were responsible for that," Nyssa countered. "Al Sah-him has always been respected in his own right."

"What about Felicity?" he shot back.

"Her too. Al Sah-him's influence as the Demon's Head will ensure her safety. And when she produces his heir, she will be revered."

"Um, sitting right here," the blonde interjected. "Do I get a say in this?"

"Of course," Oliver said. "That is why I am weighing my—our options carefully."

Nyssa, furious, looked like she wanted to argue some more. Yet, a touch of Sara's hand quieted her. Seconds later, Nyssa slid her chair out from the table and left the room. Sara shot Oliver a sympathetic look and followed her girlfriend.

The celebration was clearly over as a thick tension hung in the air. The group started cleaning up.

Amina, not understanding the tension, asked if Oliver would color with her by the fire. Felicity joined them, eager to distract herself. Oliver played along and let Amina do her "portrait" of the new Ra's.

When she finished, Felicity smiled at the picture. Amina had drawn Oliver slaying the bad guys like some avenging angel; a stick figure avenging angel, but it was the thought that counted.

The pair moved to the couch when Sahar announced it was Amina's bedtime. She respectfully bowed to them, the scrunch of her brow giving away her worry. Lyla and Dig had a check-in with ARGUS and went into the study for some privacy. Just Oliver, Felicity, and Tommy remained in the living room. At one point, Felicity had drifted off in Oliver's arms with her head on his chest.

It was an odd feeling to be so tired, and in a dreamlike state, but also still aware of the conversation going on around her.

"Are you seriously considering not returning to the League?" Tommy questioned, keeping his voice low.

"Yes," Oliver replied.

"Because of Felicity."

"And me. I've never had a real choice before."

"You did when you kidnapped me." Tommy was quick to add, "I understand it now. You did it to appease Ra's while making sure I wasn't tortured even worse."

"You never should've been brought into this Tommy. I'm sorry."

"I know … still hurt like hell, though," he joked. "But thanks for keeping me alive."

"Thank you for saving my wife. You always were a good friend."

There was a long pause. "I searched for years to find out what happened to you. How come you never told me who you really are?"

Felicity felt Oliver's chest rise and fall with a sigh. "It was too complicated. Plus, I've never been able to call myself Oliver Queen while in the League."

"Maybe it's selfish for me to ask this of you, because I know the good you'd do in the League as Ra's, but come home," Tommy implored. "Return to Starling City and reclaim your life. It's too short to keep living a lie—unless you're going to keep using the Pit water. Then I guess it won't be short at all. Anyway, my point is I'm thrilled to have my best friend back. And I'm not just saying that so we can go to a Rocket's game together for old time's sake. If you choose to become Oliver Queen again, I'll do everything I can to help—including weather the PR firestorm that's sure to happen."

"The media will go crazy," Oliver agreed. He was worried, but she detected a hint of … hope.

"The prodigal son of Starling returns—with a wife," he chuckled. "They'll eat it up."

She felt Oliver's lips brush her forehead. "Felicity loves it there."

"What about you?"

He paused, silent. Then: "There's no place like home, right?"

"Right."

Felicity's eyes snapped open the moment her body hit the mattress. She was sure her husband had tried to gently place her on the bed, but losing his touch instantly left her feeling cold and alone.

She remained still with her eyes peeking over the covers. Oliver undressed, and she instinctively licked her lips. He was only in his boxers for a minute before he put on a pair of flannel bottoms and a T-shirt. Felicity smiled to herself at how normal he looked.

The bed dipped with his added weight, and he slid beneath the covers. Within seconds, Oliver scooted over toward her. Felicity happily rolled into his awaiting arms. His body was hot like a furnace.

"I didn't mean to wake you."

"I was already awake," she replied.

He ran his hand through her hair. "A lot was said at dinner. You okay?"

"If you have to ask, I think you already know the answer."

He pressed his hand to her heart. "I do."

Felicity burrowed her head under his chin and ran her hands along his strong back as he played with her hair once again.

"You know, I had this dream every night since you escaped Nanda Parbat. I dreamed we had escaped together and got a convertible. We started driving with the top down, the sun shining down on us, having no idea where we were going, but everything was okay. Because we were together. It was just … us."

"Mmm," she said with a sigh. "I like that dream."

"But then I'd wake up from a bucket of water Ra's threw over my head. He'd ask me my name and the reprogramming would begin all over again."

Felicity kissed his shoulder and clutched him tighter. "It's okay. It's over now," she murmured.

"It'll never be over if I accept the throne of Ra's al Ghul."

She pulled back to look up at him. Oliver's gaze never wavered. His hand drifted down from her hair.

Felicity's heart skipped a beat, filling with hope. "What are you saying?"

"Even if the League does accept me, there will always be other enemies who will target those I love to get to me." He took hold of her hand and interlaced their fingers. "I think my choice was made the moment I asked you to call me Oliver."

"Oliver," she repeated in a soft, loving whisper.

Their noses brushed, and his blue eyes captured hers. "You revived me long before the Pit. It's time I rediscover who I am as Oliver Queen, with you by my side."

"You're sure that's what you want?" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"The truth is that it doesn't matter where we go or what we do; you'll always be my home. I want to be with you, shamsi." Something appeared in his hand between them. Oliver opened the small black velvet box, and she gasped as the firelight gleamed off of the sparkling emerald and diamond ring inside. "Will you have me?"

Felicity swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat as hot tears slid down her cheeks. "Yes," she breathed, not trusting her voice.

Oliver slid the ring on her finger. "I bought it in Starling after you mentioned not having a ring. I've been waiting for the right time to give it to you."

Felicity cupped his face. "I love it, and I love you," she murmured, smiling against his lips. "You're my home, too, Oliver."

"It's cold out here."

Nyssa stood at the railing of the icy deck, staring out at the rising sun. "Perhaps you should have worn something warmer than your pajamas," she replied.

Oliver let out a low chuckle. "Touché." When he'd gotten up to load more logs into the fire in the bedroom, he'd seen Nyssa wandering out by herself. With the rest of the house asleep, he figured it would be a good time to talk privately. "You were right earlier."

"I usually am," she declared. "But about what in particular this time?"

"When you said the League has been waiting for a new leader to restore it to its true purpose." He moved to stand by her side. "However, you were wrong to think that I am the only option."

Her head turned at that.

Oliver pressed on. "You've been a part of the League since birth. What the League needs is one of its own who's been raised in its traditions to make real change. No one has cared more about the League and its people than you."

"That may be true, but you slew Ra's. They will never accept me as the true heir."

"Warith al Ghul is your birthright. But for argument's sake, if I am the true Ra's, it's in my power to pass the mantle to whomever I choose. As far as I'm concerned, Al Sah-him died on that mountainside along with Ra's."

Despite Nyssa's stony expression, her eyes widened ever so slightly.

"Oliver Queen lives, and he is not the Heir to the Demon. I want a chance to reclaim my life and live in peace with my wife. That is my choice, and it wouldn't have been so easy a decision if I didn't know there was someone even worthier than me to take the throne. This is your chance at freedom, too, Nyssa." Oliver held out the Demon's Head ring to her, his eyes beseeching. "Do you want to be Ra's al Ghul?"

The brunette remained silent for a minute, staring at the ring glistening in Oliver's outstretched hand. Finally, she said, "Besides my beloved, there is nothing I have wanted more."

"Then take it. It's yours." He passed the ring to her.

Nyssa slowly slid it onto her finger. After admiring it for a few seconds, her lips quirked into a satisfied smirk, "There's never been a female Ra's al Ghul."

Oliver, with a grin of his own, replied, "Already a legend."