Epilogue

Heavy boots climbed the hill to the marble tomb on the hill, ahe pure white surface of it carved with a portrait of a woman sleeping gently. In a thousand years, someone would wonder at the sweet face, but now, the caramel brown hair that turned to snowy white as the girl aged was kept secret. He missed her, and he wanted to join her but could not. His aged hands opening the gate and he walking in to the stone sarcophagus in the center of the room, and his eyes falling on the final resting place of Queen Floria.

She never joined him in his Chambers after that fateful day, and he knew why. But it was always her presence that kept him an honest King, even on the day she passed into Valhalla, she was a close reminder of all he could use.

Alarea grew and married the Alfar boy, she taking a post teaching until her son was born and Floria was there for her. She, who urged her children to marry fo love above all else, and made sure they were always happy.

Falfar now sat on the throne, his reign one of peace and wisdom. He had no designs to marry, and he chose to devote himself to the people for the time being. The twins however, ran circles around the Guards and were often seen playing freely among the Common People. Their laughter and free spirits becoming legend.

And through every conflict, their mother gave them all that she could. For she lived on through their great workings, and her spirit was free in them.

"I fear my time here is closing, and I will soon occupy the space next to you my Nightengale." Loki said to the stone slab under his hand, his gray hair neat and he blinked at the box. "I only hope you forgive me, and all my sins from when I was alive. Shall I read to you again?"

He sat on the stone bench, opening the book in his lap and let out a long breath.

"When I was a young man, I fell in live with the most beautiful girl in all the Nine Realms..."