Okay guys, here's the final vignette! I have been speculating whether or not to add an epilogue but I think vignette fits well as an ending to 'A Knights Journey.' It has been wonderful and an absolute pleasure to write and receive positive feedback. So, without further delay, here is the final vignette. :)

Family.

He was thirty and she nineteen. Jack was only nineteen as well.

And yet only four months after their wonderful wedding the couple had announced that they were expecting.

King Brahmwell was overjoyed, as was the rest of the kingdom. He could rest easy that his heir had a family line to continue, yet he was even more overjoyed with just bearing the knowledge that he would be a grandfather.

Elmont himself was in good spirits. It had been splendid to hear that the two were expecting their first child.

He was standing alone on the castle wall, exactly the same spot Araman had taken him to after his duel with Josiah many years ago. The sun cast a light shadow over his face as he watched it rise into the blue sky when the wedded couple approached, their faces beaming with barely contained excitement, and practically skipping with each step, hand in hand as if they were Hansel and Gretel.

He felt like his heart had stopped beating as they reported their important news to him, and he felt a huge smile crack across his face as he congratulated them fiercely, shaking Jack's hand firmly and embracing Isabelle delicately.

He found himself tripping on his own words for the first time. He was level-headed, but to expect such wonderful news, and so soon after their union, was certainly an unexpected and pleasant surprise, though he was rather embarrassed that he was caught off guard. There were very few times that he had ever been surprised, but he guessed, wryly, that that had all changed after their confrontation with the giants.

"The healer said that I'll likely be due February next year!" Isabelle squealed delightfully, her smile growing impossible wider as her eyes sparkled more brightly than he had ever seen them before. A short pang struck him at the thought that he had never made her so happy before, yet he was glad that there was one man who could be everything for her.

Even though he knew that he was an essential part to her life also.

He laughed merrily, throwing his head back shortly at Jack's wry comment. "That is unless the little man decides that he either wants to see mother and father sooner or stay a little more comfortable inside of you, dearest."

Isabelle looked flabbergasted between the both of them, but her smile soon returned as well as the familiar twinkle of mischief in her sapphire orbs before she too let out a short laugh. "A boy? Well, we shall see, darling."

"Do you have any names?" He couldn't resist the temptation to venture a little deeper.

"For a boy we'd like Zachariah," Jack responded pleasantly. "And a girl, Elaine."

Elmont nodded in agreement. "Beautiful names."

A thick stream of silence ran between them as they stood opposite each other, their smiles slowly diminishing at the awkward stretch it was creating. Elmont was about to politely excuse himself, beginning to offer a low bow to the both of them, when Isabelle's hand suddenly shot out and clutched his forearm in a vice grip. "Wait Elmont!"

Rising up from his bow with an expression of intrigue on his face, he asked. "Yes, Isabelle?"

Her face was now washed with concern, the fire in her eyes flickering with uncertainty. He couldn't help but evaluate her demeanour and ponder what exactly it was that she was so uncertain about. He thought that she could ask him anything, personal or not.

Jack turned his head down to her, eyes sharp with concern, before he leant down to her level, lips brushing the shell of her ear.

Elmont frowned in concern. What could possibly have her behaving in such a way? She is happy about the child, is she not?

Just as he parted his lips to ask her if she needed anything she interrupted him with a slightly hesitant and trembling voice. "Elmont… Jack and I have been discussing about the child lately and…"

They aren't considering anything irrational are they? He tilted his head slightly to the side and found himself unconsciously leaning closer towards the two as Isabelle hesitated. He felt his stomach begin to knot in worry and bubble towards his chest for whom he saw as his sister.

Isabelle stuttered further yet with some gentle coaxing from Jack, to whom he placed a gentle, soothing hand on her lower back, she finally inhaled a deep, slow breath, allowing it to fill her entirely, before slowly asking him the most shocking request he knew he had, and ever would, receive.

"We'd like you to be the Godfather of our child, Elmont."

And for the third time in his entire existence he found himself surprised once again. They actually wanted him to be the guardian of their child. A Godfather.

Pride and joy obliterated his earlier feelings of worry and dread away like a hurricane as he stared flabbergasted at them. He once again found his mouth opening and closely uselessly like a trap door as he leaned back to stand upright.

His legs began to steadily feel uneasy to the point where he perched himself onto the low wall behind him, exhaling a long, deep breath and staring down at the stone floor beneath him. He knew without looking that the two were gazing at him in confusion as he let out a low chuckle and shook his head.

I feel like I'm dreaming. This isn't happening is it? I've... I've never had such responsibility before other than my duty to Cloister, the King and Isabelle. Could I do this?

Looking back up towards them, he stared in wonder at them for a few short moments. "You think I could do this? I'm not exactly maternal and tender loving material." And I have blood on my hands…

He didn't like the uncertainty beginning to course through him. He wasn't one to be uncertain, usually being a man who stuck by his decision once it was made. What was with him? He was bold and brave, ready to leap into the fray whenever necessary! Why would this mount such trepidation on his shoulders? Was it the fact that being from a noble bloodline and protecting Isabelle that he wasn't used to communicating with the outside world? He was a Knight after all, and their duty wasn't to personally get to know every single soul in the Kingdom like Isabelle's was.

Isabelle and Jack returned his trepidation with warm and encouraging smiles. "Elmont," Isabelle spoke softly, her eyes sparkling with love. "You, besides Jack and father, are the most loving person I know. You took care of me for all of these years without fail and you know that I think of you as my elder brother! Jack considers you family as well!" At this Jack nodded, his boyish smile telling the uncertain Knight that he truly thought of him as family. "If we didn't think that you were the man for this we wouldn't have asked you."

Elmont swallowed, scrunching his nose in discomfort at the sudden dryness overtaking his throat as he felt the worry within him slowly start to dissipate and leave him as if it was never there.

"We consider you family, Elmont," Jack began softly, all tease within him now being replaced with nothing but seriousness that was as solid as steel. "We want you to join our family."

As he rose from his seat, he felt his eyes sting with moisture. Like the other times, where he kept them bottled inside him until he was alone, he didn't hold back this time as a single silver tear slipped from one storm eye and rolled slowly down his cheek.

Gaining control of his breathing that threatened to choke out more tears he smiled broadly and nodded. "Then, I will gladly, and with honour, be your child's Godfather."

Instantly, Isabelle and Jack held their arms out towards him as he returned the gesture and they each embraced one another in a tight circle. He let the tears loose as their arms closed around him tighter and he ducked his head down further into them.

Whilst he knew that he always belonged with the Knights of Cloister and serving as Isabelle's guardian and friend, never did he think that he would one day find himself joining a family. Comfort, joy, loyalty and love came rushing at him once again as they continued to hold onto each other. Although makeshift, they were a devoted, happy and as loving as a family should be.

Only a few months ago he had believed that being a best man was the greatest honour he could receive, barring duty. He felt the absurdity of how wrong he was. This, becoming a Godfather to their child, both of them returning his trust in equal measure, was the greatest honour he could receive.

And as they stood there for a few more minutes, still locked tightly together, Elmont unearthed a longing that had lain dormant within him for so long.

He finally had a family. He was no longer just a solitary figure of duty or a watchful guardian. He was a friend, brother and Godfather. He felt solace reach him at last, as if the blood on his hands that had worried him for so long was beginning to fade away as a result of the purity of this family that he was now so honorary a part of.

He felt at home.

Well, there it is, guys! I hope you enjoyed this update and the fic overall! Was it a good ending? It has been wonderful having you amazing people with me throughout this journey, and I cannot thank you each enough! I love you all for it and now I will proceed to hand you your own little Elmonts! *Offers an Elmont* Once more, let me know your thoughts about this chapter or the collection in general, and should I perhaps venture into Jack the Giant Slayer fanfiction once again? All right, everyone, thanks! :D