Here, it is, the final ending. Thank-you all so much! Everyone! (let's see if I can name all the reviewers and if I don't, I am sooo sorry. And if I put your name twice, whoops,)(:

Ariel32, Ashley, aureusangel, blackpen, Blades on a Stick, Chiva-girl, cinnamon-sq, Dead Cheerleader, E, ella plain and simple, Ellea Dawn, EowynSaule, FairyDust353, Greevil, guess who, InChrist-Billios, kyra-myRia, Lady- Indis, lilyflowr33, magz88, Masked Dragonfly, Miaseaofbitterness, MissKaitou, moi, mouse, multiturtle, munkeezrule, Nelarun, Nileaks Books, Nixieocean, Pen name here, piratess writer, Rapture242, Rebekah C.G., Saphira4ever, Scoutcraft Piratess, Sera dy Relandrant, Shinyobjectslover, Sierra, Slythsrule, summersgirl2526, Sunbitten, Supernovagirl, svelte, Tami, Tamzi17, thequietwriter, and last but certainly not least, warrior-wolf.

I also thank all the silent fans and readers! You guys rock!!

Epilogue: Rounding it Up

Conrad's and Rose's wedding was not a huge grand wedding like mine had been. Instead the next day they disappeared and returned in the evening with rings glittering on their fingers and their faces shining. It was promptly decided that we would spend the honeymoon together and go to Gaul by passing through Robina's camp, the giant's home, Terif, and visit Florian along the way.

We did and didn't meet with any fighting adventures on the way, only congratulating old friends, and warm hearths to welcome us.

Robina and Thian had broken up the thieving party and I gave all the men respectable jobs. Stanley I made Conrad's right hand man in the stables, I don't think he appreciated that. But Stanley turned out to be a very faithful servant and lived long enough for Conrad to forget all jealousies and treat him very well.

The giants were the happiest to see us and gave us the gentlest welcome. At first they didn't know how to act around me, when they understood that I was the King. But when I started blabbering to them in their language, they happily called me 'Poor boy' instead of attempting to say 'Majesty.'

Terif was very happy to see us and we spent several days there with the T clan. Tabitha informed me blushingly that my plan had worked splendidly. We were actually just in time for the annual hunt of the crazy men. This time there was a prisoner and we had a great time tracking, and then talking cordially with the crazy men, who promised Minerva and I absolute allegiance once they realized we were the King and Queen of Adelfos.

Kadok was thriving and was quickly becoming the biggest city in the region. Florian and Enid were ruling happily and Madam Jellineck was still entertaining guests with her strong sturdy son at her side. Matthew was now an accomplished sword man and was eager to join Florian's garrison, but had to wait a few more years.

Florian informed me that Hans had sent a report saying that the two prisoners, Ana and Eric had escaped, separately, and he was tracking them down. Minerva told him that if they were ever caught, Hans could do whatever he wanted with Eric. I agreed and said the same about Ana. We were too happy to be giving out punishments and were feeling especially generous.

We finished our honeymoon in Gaul where Conrad was welcomed with open arms, surprised minds, and tearing eyes. They all recognized him as Lyall now, but we could not call him that and after an animated argument, Rose had the last say, and said that the Justice family would have to get use to calling her husband 'Conrad' and that was that.

Conrad laughed through the whole thing.

This trip of remembrance was also a light bulb to my head. I realized that I was very, very happy that I had been engaged to Anastasia, and had run away. It was the most brilliant thing I ever did in my life. Before I had been dreading becoming king with royal duties of, stopping rebellions, signing contracts, appointing officers, regulating taxes, punishing criminals and all that work, but after my adventures, I realized that they weren't duties to be frowned upon. They were responsibilities privileged to me. I was honored to be able to serve my people and was looking forward to caring and ruling my country and people.

As I told this to Minerva several months later she smiled knowingly then said, "You'll have another responsibility, by the way, one you haven't had yet."

I thought about all the things I did as a king, in my office, with the councilmen, among the common people, and with foreign ambassadors. It seemed like I had done it all. "What is it?" I asked innocently.

She smiled and, taking my hand, placed it gently on her abdomen. "You'll be training tomorrow's ruler."