A/N: Here we are... the finale.

I think of all the stories I have written this was the hardest because I have never done fantasy. I'm still not completely sold with how it came out; all the grandiose ideas I began with eventually lost steam in my opinion. But it doesn't matter what I think because others seemed to enjoy it so I can only hope this concluding chapter was everything you wanted.

I sincerely thank everyone that supported it from the very start. It's been a slice, but I think I'll stay in contemporary times with my stories.

Sorry if its a little abrupt but I felt anything extra would have been filler and I didn't want to undercut the emotion.

please review ;-)

Victoria rode with ferocity through the woods, her steeds' hooves landing on the ground each time like thunder. She was going so swiftly, her eyes could not take in any scenery; it was all a blur - a spectacle of light and shade. Victoria anticipated the toll her plight would take. She made certain that the horse she was given had come from a long sleep and a good breakfast so it would have the energy. And Victoria even strapped herself into the saddle for extra measure so as to not be thrown off. At this speed, anything could jump out and spook the animal.

Her heart pounded in anticipation; just to be near her once more. She was apparently closer than ever before but she was not conscious at the time. But she had heard Jadelyn; through the darkness and haze, she heard her.

She then saw Beckett, who wasn't in motion. He stood by his horse and Jadelyn was nowhere in sight. Victoria was concerned and headed for the clearing.

Beckett noticed the rider and tried to focus on the equestrian. Closer and closer, the rider was made clearer but the man couldn't bring himself to accept his deceased comrade galloping toward him. She soon halted and quickly dismounted.

"Beckett-"

"I do not believe what I am seeing!" he exclaimed as he ran over to Victoria. He actually surprised her with a tight hug. "How did this happen? You were dead!"

"All things considered, I mustn't look so bad," Victoria quipped. "Where is she?"

"We stopped moments ago," he replied. "The princess wanted to pick some wild flowers to bring back to Reinhart. She was going to have a grave stone erected in your memory and it was to have fresh flowers every day. She told me that her father once mentioned about finding you as an infant among the flowers, so she felt it was fitting that you be surrounded by flowers. And it was not to be simply a monument - she was prepared to send for your body. It was going to be a hero's burial with the King and everyone in attendance."

The tan woman was so moved she could barely speak. Then she saw her emerging from the brush. The pale young woman's eyes were wide with disbelief.

Victoria could feel her heart beating incessantly at the very sight of Jadelyn. She had not seen her in what felt like an eternity.

"A ghost," Jadelyn breathed.

"No," Victoria said. "I walk this world once more...thanks partially to you."

Jadelyn dropped her flowers and ran toward Victoria and embraced her.

"This is real," she sobbed. "This is really real. I can feel you."

"It is glorious to me as well," Victoria said in a broken voice, trying to not also cry.

Jadelyn looked at Victoria, still holding on, and asked "What did you mean by thanks to me?"

"Oh, my princess" tan hands held the pale girl's face as thumbs wiped away tears. "When I was in the presence of Death...I heard your voice. Everything you said to me. My head kept telling me I was dead but my heart would not allow me to take that final threshold. I just...held on. And my sister did the rest."

Jadelyn shook her head. "I still cannot believe I am holding you right at this very moment."

"Wait," Victoria quipped. "There is more. Much has changed in the last couple of days."

"What has happened?"

Victoria pulled out her necklace given by King Andre and unsheathed a shining new sword with a golden hilt.

"I am a knight."

Jadelyn gasped. She had never heard of such a thing; a woman being knighted. But she supposed that a woman can and will fight for anything her heart tells her to. And why shouldn't such bravery and guile be awarded with the highest honor a civilian could achieve.

"If you still wish to marry," bowed Victoria. "My now elevated status is without contest."

She handed the scroll to Beckett who unfurled it and immediately recognized the official markings of royal court, regardless of kingdom.

He smiled, "Once a lady in waiting and now a lady in the knight's court."

"But there is a far greater prize that I desire" Victoria began looking deep into Jadelyn's eyes. "And that is to be your lady until the end of both our days."

Jadelyn felt her heart would surely burst. Her knees could not be trusted to support the nervous young woman.

"I...say...yes." her face broke into a bright smile. She put her arms around Victoria and kissed her profusely, periodically saying "Yes. Yes. Yes."

Beckett mounted his horse.

Victoria walked toward him, "Where are you going to?"

"To alert the king and queen of their daughter's rescue," he stated. "And her impending return. Would you like me to also inform everyone the wonderful news?"

Jadelyn and Victoria looked at one another.

"I would much rather tell mother and father in person" Jadelyn said. "Holding hands with my love; my life."

"As you wish, Your Highness" bowed Beckett. "And so fair thee well. But please do not separate us by more than a day or they will send me looking for you...again."

The long haired man galloped away as the pair waved.

"We must be off," Victoria finally said as she walked toward her horse and mounted it. She reached out her hand for Jadelyn to hoist her up onto the horse only to find the princess already behind her. "My love is full of surprises."

The paler lady smirked. "How much further do you suppose?" Jadelyn asked.

Victoria shrugged, "Quite a long way by my memory. Though they say that the journey home is quicker than the trip away."

The princess's long finger danced across the knight's neck.

"I sincerely hope they are wrong."

And they rode on, back to Reinhart, to an enthusiastic welcome. A welcome fit for royalty. And heroes.

For a princess and her brave knight.

And if you were wondering...

...

...

... They lived happily ever after.

THE END