Update! My email address didn't show up because apparently this site doesn't like us sticking our email addresses on it... grr... so... email is spoodles927 (at) aim (dot) com did that make sense!? Thanks Carolyn for your review, your email address didn't show up though so I have no way of getting a hold of you... :-( Hope you read this! Oh and I'm guessing seventeen... did I get it right? hehe

A/N - Hi! I know it's been forever and I am so so sorry! Well. I don't really know what to say. I can't believe this story is over. Nearly one year, fifteen chapters, and sixty-three thousand three hundred eight words later it is finished. This is the first story I have finished since Brian lost his lunch money. hehe.

Thank you Princess QF for suggesting the flashbacks and for your "speed demon" and Kaleb's background ideas! And thanks SuperSniperKitty for the Snakeskin Mando'ade idea. You guys are awesome!

Carolyn - I am extremely sorry for making you wait so long! Please please forgive me!! Thank you so much for your continued support, seriously at times you were the only reason I made myself write, thank you! I've been doing pretty well. Working six days a week so I'm tired and sore all the time but it's all good. Thanks for asking. I plan on writing a Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic fan fiction but I'm not sure how soon I'll be starting on that. I also have the first chapter of an original story written and a basic outline for another. My email address is if you'd like to stay in touch.

SuperSniperKitty - Thanks again for the fabulous review! I know I had more I wanted to say to you but my brain is seriously shutting down...

Princess QF - Thanks again for the awesome ideas and for reading my bit of nonsense. I really do appreciate all the support everyone has given me on this project.

Peace ya'll and have a very Merry Christmas and a fantabulous holiday season!

Gwen

Chapter 15

Epilogue

The room was still, the gentle rise and fall of her chest the only movement as he sat and watched her quiet breathing. His eyes lovingly traced the lines etched in her peaceful face. Deep joy and profound sorrow both had entrenched themselves in her once beautiful features, declaring a life fully lived. He watched her eyes flickering back and forth beneath their worn lids, watched her mouth tug gently up in a smile and wondered what she was dreaming of in her last moments.

XXX

Marak entered Jadyn's private kitchen to the sight of his wife attempting to snort milk up her nose. "What are you doing?" He asked, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"My noth burnth." Jadyn mumbled, her face reddening with embarrassment.

"And why does your nose burn?" He prodded, the amusement spreading to his voice.

"I was chopping cayenne peppers to make hot sauce--"

"You should have been wearing gloves." He scolded, interrupting her.

"I was wearing gloves," She retorted, annoyed. "But Kira called so I took them off to answer my phone and forgot to put them back on. I washed my hands, but I guess some of the capsaicin from the peppers got under my fingernails." She shrugged. "So are you going to fix it or not?"

Marak smirked. "I'll fix it, but you have to explain how the oil got in your nose." He opened the cabinet and scanned the contents before locating the small tub of cream he had stashed there back when he'd first had the kitchen built for her.

"I scratched my nose." Jadyn glared at him, daring him to contradict her.

Marak chuckled, coating the inside of her nostril with a tiny dab of cream. "Picked your nose, you mean." He grinned as she swiped at him. "Scrub your hands." He ordered. "I don't want you getting that stuff anywhere else."

Jadyn grabbed a nail brush and set to work on her fingers. "I scratched it." She muttered.

"Sure, we'll call it that." Marak teased, putting the cream back.

"You wanna see picking?" Her eyes flashed mischievously. Marak didn't have time to divine her intentions before she'd fished a bit of congealed mucus out of her nose and wiped it on his arm, turning back to sink without a backward glance.

He stared at it in shock. "Did you just wipe a booger on me?" He looked at her, bewildered.

Jadyn's shoulders were shaking as she tried unsuccessfully to restrain her laughter. She nodded, unable to speak.

Marak considered this for a moment, then shrugged and returned the favor.

Jadyn looked at the offending substance then up into Marak's bright eyes, her own eyes sparkling with mirth. "You are so going to regret that."

XXX

Landon's boots pounded on the stone as he ran, echoing down the hallway. His page's tunic flapped around his thick legs. Terran ran easily beside him. "Where are we going?" The pretty elf boy asked, confused.

"To tell the King's Wife." Landon's voice betrayed his excitement.

"Why?"

"Because she'd want to know." Landon fought the urge to roll his eyes. His friend could be very dense at times.

They skidded to a halt at the foot of the final set of stairs leading to the royal floor. Taking a moment to compose themselves, they started up. Landon and Terran adopted appropriately serious faces as they regarded the door guards. "Sirs. We bring news of the King to the King's Wife."

The guards traded amused glances. "Thank you for your troubles, pages, but the King's Wife has already been informed of the King's return and is on her way down to greet him." The tall guard chuckled at Landon's shocked face. He clapped Landon on the shoulder. "The King's magic travels even faster than your swift feet, boy."

Terran and Landon shrugged and, abandoning their pretenses of solemnity, turned and bounded back down the stairs.

Jadyn ran into the stables just as Marak was dismounting. He laughed delightedly, catching the human projectile and lifting her easily. Jadyn laughed with him, exuberant as he swung her in his arms. Marak was peripherally aware of the amused thoughts of his guardsmen as they discreetly made themselves scarce. Without loosening his grip, he set her back down and lowered his head, pressing his face into her hair, breathing deeply of her scent. "Ahhh. I've missed you, beautiful." He murmured, relishing the feeling of her in his arms.

"I missed you more." Jadyn countered, beginning the familiar argument.

Marak grinned into her hair, silently disagreeing. "I know better than to argue with you."

"Smart man." She teased, leaning back to study his face, drinking in the sight of him greedily. "Did the tou--" She suddenly lost the ability to form a coherent thought as he bent and pressed his lips against her collarbone. She sighed, her eyes closing as his lips traced a burning path up her neck, hovering over her mouth, teasing. Impatient, she closed the distance, leaning into him, her body conforming to his. All the pent up feelings of two weeks separation went into that kiss, leaving them both breathless when at last they drew apart.

"Why don't we discuss the tourin our bedroom." Marak suggested, his eyes smoldering.

His husky voice sent a thrill of anticipation through her. "Yes, let's."

XXX

"Are you sure that stupid snake won't bite me again?" Jadyn frowned, warily eyeing the skates he held out.

"Ice skating is hardly life threatening." Marak chuckled.

"Neither is rock climbing." Jadyn grumbled, sitting on the old wooden bench and pulling on the skates. "I could fall and break something."

Marak peered at her, concerned, and sat beside her, taking her gloved hand in his.

"We don't have to do this, Jade." He kissed her cheek. "C'mon, we'll just take a walk. The forest is beautiful this time of year."

Jadyn shook her head stubbornly, pulling her hand back. "No, it's okay. I like ice skating. I was just worried about Goldie." She stood carefully, testing her balance and stepping onto the lake.

Marak stepped onto the ice beside her, his arm hovering protectively behind her. "I won't let you fall through the ice." He promised, his voice soft.

"Stay out of my head." Jadyn snapped, but her glare had no real animosity behind it. She closed her eyes. "I'm sorry." She whispered. "I'm so stu--"

"Shh." Marak placed a gloved fingertip over her mouth. He shook his head, pulling her into his arms. "Being afraid is not stupid. Strength is not the absence of weakness and courage is not the absence of fear. Yes, sometimes you need to work through your fears and do something anyway, but now is not one of those times. This was just for fun and we don't have to do this, okay?" Marak drew back to study her, the expression on her face was determined. He stifled a chuckle and kissed her.

Jadyn feigned an annoyed expression and grabbed his hand. "Well I'm freezing so let's get this 'fun' over with so we can go back inside." She teased, grinning.

XXX

Jadyn and Natalie watched, bemused as their husbands used spells to call the fallen autumn leaves into one huge pile. The night air was crisp, the smells of fall swirling around them as the leaves fell. Little Liam, eyes wide with excitement, clapped his hands, laughing. "They're like little kids." Natalie giggled as Liam tried out a spell, raining leaves down on his father.

Jadyn laughed with her. "It's a good thing Liam is around to use as an excuse." She agreed, turning away from the frolicking to face her friend. "I'm not sure playing with leaves is quite dignified enough for Kings."

"Not dignified?" Marak's amused voice startled her. Jadyn whirled around to find her husband grinning down at her. "Is it dignified enough for King's Wives?" He smiled wickedly and scooped her up, ignoring her squeals of protest and tossed her into the giant pile of leaves.

Jadyn laughed, scrambling to stand, leaves sticking to her hair and clothes. She nearly had the leaves picked out of her hair when Marak tackled her, knocking her back into the pile and proceeded to tickle her mercilessly. "Stop!" She coughed, trying to breathe. "I'm sorry! You are very dignified." She teased, accepting his hand up.

XXX

Jadyn ducked, barely missing the swift blow. Adrenalin surged through her veins, lending strength. She brought her staff up to block the next strike, simultaneously sweeping her leg in an attempt to knock her opponent off his feet. He staggered back but regained his balance quickly before she had a chance to press her advantage. Jadyn swung her staff in a broad arc, gaining momentum. Impossibly fast, he pulled his staff up to block hers and twisted. She gasped as her wrist broke with a wet snap.

The guardsman dropped his staff, his eyes wide. "Milady, I'm so sorry." He stammered, his face paling as he reached down to help her up. "Shall I summon the King?" He asked, his voice shaking slightly with trepidation.

Jadyn shook her head, waving him off. "No, I'm fine. It's not your fault. I should have known better." She half-smiled, before turning away to grimace. It hurt.

"Then allow me to escort you to the King, he'll want to treat you."

"Very well." Jadyn nodded her assent. Things would probably be better for the poor fellow if she allowed him to help her. It took them nearly an hour to find Marak. By the time they entered the library, Jadyn was pale, her arm puffy, nearly doubled in size.

Marak's warm eyes turned stormy at the sight of his wife leaning heavily on the burly guard. "What happened?" He demanded, carefully examining Jadyn's wrist.

"We were just sparring, Marak, it was my idea." She stated firmly, hiding a wince as he healed her.

Marak turned his probing gaze on the guard, who to his credit, managed not to squirm. "Is that true?"

The guard nodded nervously.

"Thank you for bringing her to me. You may go." Marak dismissed him then turned back to Jadyn. He sighed, amusement winning out over irritation at her antics. "Why can't you pick on somebody your own size?"

XXX

"Marak!" Jadyn gasped, tightening her white-knuckled grip on the armrests. Her stomach tightened again as the car careened around another dark bend in the road. She didn't dare look at the speedometer.

"So little faith in me, have you?" Marak chuckled, shooting an amused glance at his terrified wife.

"Just keep your eyes on the road, Yoda." She closed her eyes, willing the nausea to cease.

Marak shook his head. "I don't understand, you're usually so brave…" He chuckled again as she opened her eyes just long enough to glare at him. "These cars were built for this kind of thing." He tried, unsuccessfully to coax her eyes open. "Alright, if I slow down a bit will you forgive me?"

"Maybe you should try it and see what happens." She muttered, eyes still clenched shut.

Grinning broadly, he slowed the speeding vehicle. Marak wondered briefly if it was wrong to enjoy teasing your spouse in this manner.

XXX

Jadyn lay curled in Marak's arms, her consciousness drifting as she stared at the starry ceiling of their bedroom. "Tell me about your dad."

Marak's request tugged her back to reality. "My dad." They rarely talked of Kaleb. The mention of him brought the familiar pain back but Jadyn was surprised at how it had changed. It was aching, bittersweet, so unlike the stabbing pain she'd grown accustomed to. She cuddled closer to Marak, pulling the thick blankets tighter. "My dad." She repeated, sighing. "He was born into a poor Italian family. Kaleb Daniel Summer. My grandfather called him the miracle baby, Grandma had been told she'd never bear children. They had a little farm in southern Illinois back in the States. Several fields, a couple goats, some chickens, a few pigs."

She craned her head to look at Marak, her eyes soft. He studied her a minute, sifting through her emotions to see how she was handling this. Jadyn tended to internalize her pain, not wanting to burden others with it, she hung onto it. It worried Marak. He kissed her forehead, encouraging her to continue.

"Dad was a poet." She grinned. "The little bookworm farm boy. He worked harder than everyone, determined to pay his own way through college. Grandpa wanted to pay for his schooling, but Dad would have none of it." She shook her head. "He was about as stubborn as me if you can imagine that."

Marak grinned back. "Oh my."

"Yeah. So he went to college at a university in southern Indiana, met my mom there. She was a theater major, a model. They fell in love, got married and moved to New York to pursue her dreams. Dad hated the city but he loved my mom. He tried to make it work there. They were happy, she was pursuing her modeling career while trying to get her foot in the door of the theater he was doing odd bits of writing and working as a handyman in their apartment building. Then I came along. I was an accident. My mother was definitely not ready for children, but my dad was overjoyed. Mom lost her modeling gigs, they had no need for a maternity model. Dad worked two jobs to try to support them but when Kira came along they had to move back to the farm." Her face tightened. "I was little, but I remember the arguments. Mom wanted to leave us with Grandma and Grandpa and go back to New York. In the end Mom left. Dad stayed." Jadyn shrugged, ancient pain clouding her eyes. "I know she loved my dad, but she loved herself more. We never heard from her again.

"We all stayed there at my grandparents for the most part. Dad worked the farm and wrote for a travel magazine. Since we were home schooled we got to go with him when he had to write reviews on a vacation spot. That's how we first came here, actually. The Hallow Hill Resort was floundering and paid the magazine to send a writer to review the 'woodland retreat'." Jadyn elbowed Marak. "That was your dad's idea, right?"

"Yeah, and it worked for thirty years or so but by the time I came of age, it was pretty much done for. Business picked up for about two years following your Dad's review but we shut down due to unsubstantiated rumors of kidnappings." He smirked at Jadyn, tweaking her nose. "And then your pretty little face shows up here about fifteen years later." His smile turned contemplative. "I guess my father's idea worked after all."

"Funny how things turned out." Jadyn snuggled into him.

"You're not finished with your story." Marak reminded her gently, knowing the hardest part was yet to come.

"Hmmm." Jadyn sighed. "Haven't you heard enough?" Marak just stared at her expectantly, waiting. Jadyn laughed. "You're annoying, you know that?" Marak just continued to stare, but she could see him struggling to keep the grin off his face. "Okay, so we vacationed here, it was the summer after my mom left. I guess I was about seven or so, Kira was five. Dad tried to keep us from seeing how much he missed her, but I could tell. Whenever he heard someone speak her name he would whip around, looking to see who it was. It was never her though. She didn't come back and eventually he stopped waiting. Grandma died when I was almost thirteen, the funeral was on my birthday. Grandpa wasn't the same after that, he'd talk to her as he was taking care of the chores, when he thought no one could hear. He died four years later, a month before they discovered Dad's cancer." Jadyn paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.

Marak could read between the lines, heard what Jadyn could never say out loud. That she had assumed the role of mom at age seven, been the woman of the house at thirteen. She never experienced adolescence, she was too busy taking care of Kira to date. Marak vacillated between feeling sorrow and relief. What if she had dated, found someone to settle down with. She'd never have come back to England. He shook the what ifs from his mind, and squeezed her hand, lending comfort, encouraging her to continue.

"We thought the first round of treatments had taken care of it, that the cancer had gone into remission but it came back. We moved to Chicago to pursue a new therapy. That's where Kira met Matt. I don't know what she would have done without him, he was always there to support her, to support us. Their engagement was short, we weren't sure how long Dad had. He died three years after their wedding. He got to walk Kira down the aisle but he didn't get to meet Katy. Kira found out she was pregnant a few weeks before his death." Her voice was raw, her throat sore from keeping the tears back. "So I came here. And met you." The tears finally escaped, trailing down her cheeks.

Marak kissed the tears away. "I'm so thankful you did."

XXX

A slight breeze drifted across the valley, gently ruffling her hair. Marak breathed in the scent of her shampoo and pulled his wife closer. The sun was rising, bathing the kingdom in the glow of a new day, another step in the journey.

XXX

The elderly woman's features grew slack, the rise and fall of her thin chest stilled. The King bowed his head, his black curls obscuring his patterned face as he allowed a solitary tear to fall. "Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la." He whispered, the Mando'a phrase for the departed familiar on his lips. He remembered hearing his mother reassuring herself with those words when the pain of losing his father overwhelmed her. "Not gone, merely marching far away."

Thus concludes the chronicles of Jadyn Summer, the Wife of Marak Bearfoot the Goblin King.

I hope you guys all liked it! Thanks so much for sticking with me and my slow updates!

Gwen