Chapter 22: Fallen Embers

Things quickly resolved themselves as soon as Traven was taken into captivity. It was hard to believe it was really over, after so many months spent suffering because of him, seeing him taken away was almost surreal. She felt like she might wake up from a dream. Now it felt like a weight had been lifted from everyone's shoulders, except this weight was like the size of a mammoth.

Melina and J'zargo were able to reunite with Duncan and Maria once again. Melina's father had greeted J'zargo with not just a handshake, but a full bear hug, as soon as he saw him. It made Melina's heart melt. He kept telling J'zargo repeatedly how thankful he was for saving his daughter's life. Though they had only known each other for only a short time, Melina liked to think J'zargo was becoming a real part of her family.

"All of this happened because of me." Melina's father said sincerely to them, "If I hadn't set you up with that…revolting man…"

"Papa, it really is okay. I don't regret it at all." answered Melina.

Duncan shook his head from side to side, "How can you say that? Without a hint of sarcasm? I-I was almost responsible for my little girl's death!"

Melina's mother interjected, "Honestly Duncan, we were the ones tied up in a chair for three days. Melina at least had the chance to run."

"I don't hold any grudges, father." Melina grinned. J'zargo was tenderly holding his fiancé in triumph. "Think of it this way, we wouldn't have had such a great adventure if it wasn't for Traven chasing us up and down Tamriel. So…thank you!"

Melina's caring father smiled and shook his head further, "This man has certainly turned you into an optimist. Thank you, young man. You'll never know how grateful I am."

J'zargo leaned his head on Melina's, his hood was off so Melina could feel the warmness the warm Cyrodiil grazed upon his fluffy fur. He held Melina closer and smiled, "You are very welcome."

"You know, Melina," Duncan jested with a wink, "He sure would make a fine son-in-law."

"What—oh! You didn't see the rings! Mom, Da-"

The words out of Melina's mouth made her mother's pupils engorge like a cat with a dangling piece of yearn. Her hands clapped onto her mouth and Melina heard her squeal underneath her palms, "By Mara—Dibella—MY BABY!"

J'zargo hold on Melina was instantly torn apart when her mother bolted at them and clapped her arms tight around Melina, and then J'zargo following. "MY BABY! MY BABY IS GETTING MARRIED!"

Melina held out her hand and showed off her simple, but meaningful silver band. "I'll have to tell you the story behind this sometime over a cup of tea."

Things were calm once again at Cheydinhal farm, but Melina and J'zargo knew that they couldn't stay there long. There was a lot of unfinished business that needed to be taken care of before they could finally settle down. There were people they needed to see again, since abandoning them when they ran away in such haste.

Kiara said her farewell to Melina and J'zargo that same day. Kiara informed them she was going to return to the South Swamp Inn and talk to Zar-Sheen about everything that had happened. Melina knew that for Kiara, her "mother" was the best thing for her. She did, however, assure them that she would be in touch with them somehow. If anything, they would be able to contact her anytime, as she didn't plan on leaving the South Swamp again for a very long time.

"I'll make sure and tell Zar-Sheen that you're both well and are going to start your lives together. Any idea where I'll be able to find you?"

Melina and J'zargo both looked at each other and shrugged, "We'll find you."

With a smile, Kiara nodded her head and turned the opposite direction.

Melina knew that eventually Kiara would be able to heal from everything that had happened. It was her hope that Kiara would soon be able to move on from the real loss of Traven—after so many years, at least she was able to get closure. Melina didn't quite know what was going on in Kiara's head as she walked into the forest, but she was positive it wouldn't be the last they would see of her.

After saying goodbye to Kiara and then her parents, the couple left to take care of a few loose ends. It would be a nice cherry on top to their thick adventurous sundae.

The first place Melina and J'zargo went was Dragonsreach palace in Whiterun. It was of great importance to them that Jarl Balgruuf was told about everything that happened. Being the understanding man he was, Melina was confident he was going to do everything in his power to get Traven into his own personal dungeons.

And that is exactly what he did. After telling the Jarl everything that happened after they ran away from his palace so many nights ago, he immediately ordered a group of guards to see to it personally that Traven was taken from Cheydinhal and sentenced to life in prison in the cold, unfriendly dungeons beneath Dragonsreach.

While in Whiterun, Melina paid a visit to her best friend Danica Pure-Spring who she imagined was more worried about her than Melina had been about herself. She was overjoyed to see Melina's bright happy face when she opened the chapel doors, and even more ecstatic to see the handmade wedding band around her finger. After spending a few nights in Whiterun catching up with her, Danica ended up loving J'zargo, and even agreed to be the priest present during the couple's wedding.

But before they could even think about their wedding, they still had one more person they had to see far to the north: Savos Aren, their good friend and leader. If it wasn't for him, Melina and J'zargo might not have even gotten together in the first place.

They were greeted by Savos as soon as they returned to Winterhold. The college even held a special feast in their honor, for using their skills in magic to assist them in defeating the Dark Brotherhood. It hadn't even crossed Melina's mind what an accomplishment she had made, but after dozens of students at the college passed congratulation and congratulations, Melina's confidence got a very fair boost at least for that night. She was even able to rub in the stuck-up High Elves' face that she had casted a Master Destruction Spell.

When they finally had an opportunity to meet with the Arch Mage in private to tell them their story, Savos Aren made an offer that had Melina and J'zargo wanting to dance the night away. On top of offering Melina a position as a Journeyman, Savos Aren asked both of them to be transferred to the Arcane University in the Imperial City so they could live their lives in peace, acceptance, and continue their advance with knowledge. J'zargo would be given an esteemed position as a Wizard, after proving inexplicable skill in magic, with Savos' personal recommendation.

Everything was looking up for Melina and J'zargo. They had a job, they had plans for marriage, and they were going to be able to live their dream life in a city of promise and open-minded viewpoints about love and magic.

That night, at the College of Winterhold, Melina and J'zargo met alone in the snow outside of the hall of the elements by the large fountain. It was place where they had first met so long ago. It was late at night, and every person in the college was now fast asleep. They had the whole campus to themselves.

"It is a beautiful night." J'zargo said to Melina, gazing up at the stars. Melina agreed, and rested her head on his shoulder.

"What do you think is in store for us now?" She asked, with her hand cuddling on his thigh.

"What do you mean?" her lover replied.

"Well, our relationship started with adventure, it can't just stop now. It would be boring. I'm not the stay-at-home and read type of girl anymore."

J'zargo laughed. Both their eyes were peered at the sky. Miraculously, three symbolic birth-sign constellations were floating side by side—the apprentice, the mage, and the lover. "Melina, with you, I'm sure we'll be going on many, many more journeys."

"You think so?"

"Of course, because I'm not the stay-at-home and read type in the slightest. And everywhere I go, you're coming with me."

Melina giggled and put her face close to her fiancé's, their lips barely touching. Jokingly she teased, "And I won't be…holding you back?"

"Hehehe…" J'zargo placed his hand behind Melina's head and guided their lips together for a tender touch. "…No, I don't think so."

To Be Continued…

The prequel adventure, Khajiit Guards Your Back: Unsaid, is available now!

Hello, Khajiit Guards Your Back readers. It's been almost two years, and here we are. I told you I would finish. So many emotions flow through my head as I write this chapter. I feel accomplishment, satisfaction, but I also can't shake the sadness of seeing these characters on their way. So much of me went into these OC's and the plot of KGYB, I really don't know how to express it all in one opening statement. But what I can do is thank you—the reader—from the bottom of my heart. Being here on this chapter means you've followed Melina and J'zargo from the very beginning (unless you skipped to the last chapter! Cheater!). The end of the story can bring sadness for the writer and the reader, but that is where I have some good news.

This is not the end of KGYB! The prequel story, Khajiit Guards Your Back: Unsaid, is now available! As of July 1st, 2014, I am still writing the story but I predict it won't take too long to finish. Kiara's tale has so much more that can be told, and J'zargo will be making a return in the prequel story Khajiit Guards Your Back: Origins—coming soon!

But as for Melina, and her beloved leading man J'zargo's story as a couple, their story will be continued at a later date in a full-fledged sequel. To see all of these stories when they happen, you can follow me for all the adventure when it's first released.

Alright, I'll stop rambling now. Thanks again for such a wonderful experience with this story. Please, feel free to review the story as a whole if you've made it to this point. I'd love to hear what you thought of it.

The title of this Chapter is taken from the title of an Enya song, which I think fits the tone of the final moments perfectly. This story has been my subconscious fantasy, my self-reassurance that life eventually does find its way, no matter what. When the couple gazes into the stars at the constellations above, the lyrics in my head ring,

"Once, when night seemed forever, I was with you…"