Disclaimer: "Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog" and its' characters are owned by Saban and whoever else was involved with the creation and production of this show. Any new characters and story lines that come into play are of my own creation. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fanfiction intended for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made off of it.

guardianM3: This chapter is a little short and probably a little boring, but it is the last chapter. I hope you all will enjoy it.

Chapter 22: An Ending and a Beginning

It was midnight when the Mystic Knights and Macha had reached the castle of Kells. It had taken some time for the Mystic Knights to convince the guards that Macha did not intend to kill Rohan. Their arrival was announced to King Conchobar, King Fin Varra, Cathbad and Aideen before they entered the throne room.

The Mystic Knights and Macha quickly told Conchobar, Cathbad, Fin Varra and Aideen what had occurred.

The room was silent for several moments as they all thought about what would had happened if Anian had been able to gain the full power of the Sacred Stone. Mostly, they really didn't want to think about it.

Conchobar looked at Macha, understanding why she believed that she had to kill Rohan, but he did not yet fully trust her. Aideen on the other hand didn't understand, definitely did not trust Macha and was keeping a close eye on her.

"What are you going to do now, Macha?" Cathbad asked breaking the silence.

"I must return home and tell Fedelma what has happened," Macha replied casting an apologetic look at Angus whose jaw almost dropped to the floor.

"But, but Macha…" Angus sputtered as he looked at her, pain in his eyes.

Macha gave him a comforting half-smile and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I must return home, Angus. Besides, I shall return to Kells when I am able to."

Angus stammered as he tried to accept what Macha had said. Macha looked at him with her calm green eyes reassuring him that they would be together again.

"When do you leave?" Ivar asked.

"I leave in the morning," Macha replied.

Garrett was about to ask how Macha could have contacted a ship so quickly but decided it would be better not to ask. He turned his attention to Deirdre who seemed to be struggling with her thoughts. Garrett frowned when he recalled that Deirdre had held onto Rohan and the jolt of jealousy ripped through him but this time he could not brush it aside.

"That is only a few hours away. It is not enough time," Angus said as he focused on Macha, as though everyone else had physically left the room.

"Angus, there is plenty of time, thanks to you. If it hadn't been for you, darkness would have taken over the world and I would be dead." Macha placed her hand gently on Angus' cheek

Macha and Angus realized that they were not alone and Macha removed her hand.

"I suggest that we all get a few hours rest, then," Cathbad suggested and they all silently agreed with the Druid.

About an hour after Cathbad had suggested that they all rest, Garrett found Deirdre alone in the small library.

"Could you not sleep, Deirdre?" Garrett asked as he casually glanced at the scrolls and books in the room, but his focus was on her. He wanted to stare into her eyes and watch her mouth turn into one of her beautiful smiles, but he knew it would make it harder for what he was about to ask her.

"No, Garrett, I could not. Too much has happened tonight. I'm guessing that you haven't been able to sleep either?" Deirdre noticed that Garrett was avoiding her gaze and she wasn't certain if she wanted to know why.

"No, especially since I can hear Angus pacing in the next room," Garrett said halfheartedly as he continued to look around the room, avoiding Deirdre's gaze.

"It is to be expected. He has come to truly care for Macha and he had almost lost her," Deirdre said as she studied Garrett. "I know that is not the reason you are here."

Garrett sighed, still avoiding Deirdre's gaze as he gathered his thoughts together. "A lot has happened tonight that has had me thinking about many things. I have learned that life and love can be found and then lost, but I believe that it is unusual to be found again."

Garrett sighed and looked firmly at Deirdre. "Whom do you choose, Deirdre? Rohan or me?"

Deirdre remained silent and it was her turn to avoid Garrett's gaze. She had learned a lesson as well but she was not ready to share it with anyone else.

Garrett sighed and nodded his head. "I am tired of trying to fight for you Deirdre and I was hoping you were going to make a choice. I'll give you a little more time, but you must decide soon."

Deirdre watched silently as Garrett walked away from her, uncertainty reflecting in her face and eyes. She didn't know whether to accept a love that was bound by duty or to accept a love that was a deep and meaningful love.

Once the sun had risen, and Macha was ready, the Mystic Knights escorted Macha to her ship. Angus had walked beside Macha, silent the entire time. He would occasionally glance at her but she would be staring solemnly ahead, lost in her own thoughts and world.

"It is a pleasure to have met all of you. I apologize, once more for the aggressiveness that I had toward all of you, especially you Rohan," Macha said as she bowed her head.

"It is all right, Anian was quite the trickster and we all were fooled," Rohan said as he stepped up to Macha and clasped her hand.

Rohan stepped back and Ivar stepped forward, giving Macha a polite nod of his head.

"It was an honor Macha, especially the skills that you have passed on to us, even though I believe you have much more that you can teach us. There is also much we may be able to teach you. Take care, Macha and have a safe journey."

"Thank you, Ivar. I agree that there is quite a bit of knowledge that can be shared among us."

Garrett's eyes locked with Macha as he nodded his head tartly. "You fight well and are quite the warrior, but as you said, there are many lessons that will be learned and taught when you return. Especially, the lesson I will teach about me being a far skilled warrior than you."

The other Mystic Knights rolled their eyes but quickly looked at Macha, curious at her response to Garrett's arrogance.

Macha smiled at Garrett. "We shall see, Prince Garrett, when the time is right."

Macha turned her attention to Deirdre knowing that the princess was next. Deirdre ignored Macha's gaze and then she sighed. "I shall miss you as well, Macha. I do enjoy have another woman around that I can speak with. Travel safely."

"Thank you, Deirdre," Macha said as she turned to Angus who was staring at the ground.

Rohan cleared his throat and indicated to Deirdre, Ivar and Garrett that they should leave. They silently agreed and told Macha and Angus that they were going to head back to the castle, having various errands that they each needed to do.

Once the others were far enough away were they wouldn't hear Macha and Angus, Angus leaned forward and kissed Macha. They separated with pain and sadness mirrored in the other's eyes.

"I shall miss you, Angus."

"I could go with ye," Angus said his eyes lighting up boyishly.

Macha brushed his cheek gently with her hand. "No, Angus, you must remain here. You will be needed if Nemain tries to take over Kells." Macha raised her hand, silencing Angus before he protested. "It is true that she may not try for a little while, but I assure you she will."

Angus nodded his head, knowing that she was right. "I will miss ye as well, Macha."

Macha turned, to face the two who had brought a rowboat to the beach to take her to her ship. "Goodbye, Angus," Macha whispered so only he could hear.

"I shall see ye again, Macha, so I offer no goodbye," Angus said as he watched Macha walk down to the beach and get into the rowboat.

Angus sighed as he watched the ship with Macha on it sail away. He looked down at his hands, revealing the Crystal of Sight that he had slyly pulled out of his pocket when Macha had said goodbye. Macha had given Angus the Crystal of Sight just after they had been sent to get some sleep.

He spoke a few words to the crystal and an image of Macha appeared her hair whipping behind her. Angus smiled as he watched Macha enjoying the wind and the sea. He could not wait until she returned, but until then, he would check up on her every now and again.

The image faded and Angus returned the Crystal of Sight to his pocket. He turned and ran to catch up to his friends, whistling as he went.

Nemain cautiously entered Anian's chambers. She shivered uncontrollably, still sensing the remaining presence of Anian. She forced herself to stop shivering, knowing that Anian wasn't hiding in one of the dark corners or anywhere in fact. She knew that Anian was gone for good.

She wasn't completely certain why she had decided to explore Anian's former chambers, but it seemed plausible that he may have left behind something important.

Nemain searched the first room, warily because she was not certain if Anian had left a trap so, no one could discover his secrets. She was rather disappointed that she hadn't found anything in the large room that was useful so she went into the small room.

The small room was dark and dank. Nemain knew that Anian had been pleased with the conditions of the room since she had sensed it when had taken control over her. She shivered and rubbed her arms, as though she felt the familiar crawling of spiders on her skin that would occur before he would take control of her.

She shook her head, reminding herself that Anian was gone and he didn't pose a threat. She looked around and spotted a few objects on the table, in which on of them was a stone that was in the shape of a hawk.

Nemain stared curiously at the stone and picked up, looking at it closely. The stone began to glow and a warning filled Nemain. She tried to drop the glowing stone that was now a blood red, but she was unable to move.

A deep voice spoke from the hawk stone, "you belong to me, sorceress, do not think you can escape from me."

Nemain's eyes glowed red and then turned pitch black as the hawk stone returned to normal. "I shall return," she said in a voice that was deep, filled with evil, and certainly not her own.

guardianM3: Ah, the "Sacred Stone" is now complete, but wait the tale doesn't seem to be over yet! I have already begun planning the next story and I hope to have it posted up in a little while, especially since I need to work on another fanfiction at the same time. I don't have a title yet, so just keep an eye out. Please review so it will help give me the extra motivation I need to continue. Thanks to all of those who have reviewed for this story, I appreciate it.