A/N: I'm not sure what's more frightening...the fact that this story is finally over, or my research paper that I am currently avoiding...yeah, I'm going to have to go with the paper. Anyway, it has been a fabulous journey with all of you! To those of you who have reviewed, thank you, it truly makes my day to see a review alert. To those who are just readers, thank you to you, too. It's rare to have devoted readers, and I appreciate all of you so much. This story wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. So thank you. (I feel like I'm giving some sort of thank you for an Academy Award...) Really, all I want to do is just thank you for reading this far. My story has flaws. I know that. (My fault, not my beta's!) It's really encouraging to know that there are people reading this story who enjoy it enough to read just one more chapter. I can't believe this story is already over. This was actually my first story I published. Of course, it was really saved by the fabulous Mockingbyrd's Tune. :) Also, this story was only edited once. Any errors or bits that don't make sense are entirely my fault. MT does the best she can with what she's given.
Again, thank you! In the meantime, enjoy the epilogue!
Iliana11
There was much celebration when we arrived home. As the people saw us, they cheered. Leo explained that in the eyes of the people, I had proved myself far worthy of the title of future queen. Silverspark took me back to the castle, where we met up with Leo and the Royal Company. It was strange being there again, after everything I had been through. No one was trying to kill me or kidnap me. It was good to finally relax, although I was quite swamped with wedding plans. It was during the course of these wedding plans when I realized something: I hadn't seen Bridget at all since we'd returned.
"Leo, do you know where Bridget has been?" I asked. He sighed.
"Mari, she has been hiding from her family inside the castle. We've been housing her," he answered.
"Where is she?" I asked quickly, eager to see my stepsister without the influence of her mother and sister. Leo gave me directions to a cozy little guest room. I rushed there and knocked on the door. She opened it slowly, half of her face showing. I could a chocolate brown eye opened wide in anxiousness. I suddenly felt sorry for her. Even though she had never had a good relationship with her family, it had to have been hard to lose her mother so suddenly, and in such a terrible way.
"Bridget?" I asked. The door opened all the way, and I could see the waif of a girl standing before me.
"Mari? You're back!" she exclaimed. "They didn't get to you. Evangeline didn't win," she stated with a small grin.
"No, she didn't. And everything ended peacefully with the fairies, thank goodness," I replied, nodding.
"I'm glad you're safe," she said.
"Bridget, I want to talk to you," I began.
"And I had something I wanted to talk to you about." We giggled slightly. "You go first, Mari."
"Well, I know we're not related by blood, but I do consider you my sister. I wanted to ask you if you'd like to be my Maid of Honor in the wedding," I said. Instead of the grin I was expecting, a strange look came across Bridget's face.
"I'd love to, Mari, I really would. I consider you a sister as well. But see, I've had a lot of time to think, recently. And in thinking, I realized how much I hate this curse. I've been doing my research; the library here is quite wonderful. I'm sure if I can find one of the wizards of the north to help me, my curse will be removed in no time. So as soon as I can, I'm leaving Corvaux. I can leave after the wedding," she explained. I nodded in understanding. I was honestly a little surprised that she'd put up with it for this long.
"I'm so proud of you, Bridget. Good luck on your journey. Please, take Silverspark with you. He'll be able to get you north faster than on foot or on horseback. It's the least I could do. Just let me know when you leave," I answered. Bridget smiled, and it gave me joy to see her happy. It was a truly beautiful sight.
"Thank you, Mari." We bade each other farewell and I left to finish the wedding plans.
It wasn't long until I wanted to go find Leo. I soon found him with the tailor, and the two of us decided to take a break from all of our wedding plans. We strolled to the library and sat down. I curled up close to him.
"I'm so glad we're finally getting married," I sighed.
"Me too," he replied, grinning. "I'm sorry." I wrinkled my brow, slightly confused at the apology.
"For what?" I asked.
"For everything that has happened. We've really not been together like this since we were kids. I can't help but feel bad that you had to go through all of that," he answered. My heart swelled at his compassion.
"But it was all worth it in the end. I wouldn't take back these hard years; they've made me into who I am. They've made me realize how much I truly love you, how much I need you. And while they sometimes made me want to break down and cry, I'm a better person for surviving," I replied. Leo kissed the top of my head.
"You have a brilliant outlook on life, you know," he stated. "I dream about this, you know. I dream about our life together, being King and Queen. I always wondered what it would be like, being married to you. I think we'll be fantastic."
"We'll be an unstoppable team, you and I. Not even the likes of Evangeline or Faolan could tear us apart; nothing can. There's nothing we can't face together," I said, grinning. We began to laugh. We sat there for several minutes, just laughing. It was so freeing, laughing, after everything we'd been through together. We survived this; we could survive anything.
We continued to prepare for the wedding, and finally, the day arrived.
"I think I'm going to throw up," I whined to Allodia. I turned around aimlessly and nervously. Allodia put her hands on my shoulders and stopped my random pacing.
"Don't worry. You've been waiting for this day for a very long time, now. There's nothing to worry about. No one will ruin your wedding day," she comforted. I looked up into her violet eyes, smiling.
"Thank you, Allodia. For everything. You're the only family I have left, and you're the closest thing I have to a mother," I replied, embracing her. Tears filled Allodia's eyes.
"You've grown into such a beautiful woman. I'm so proud of you, Mari. You…you remind me so much of your mother," she whispered, returning the embrace. After a few moments, we separated, and I turned around to look in the mirror. I was no longer a little girl, but a young woman about to become a princess. I truly looked beautiful in my simple white dress, embroidered with flowers at the bottom. My light waves were made into ringlets and placed up in a rather lovely bun. Flowers were gently placed in the back. Allodia handed me my bouquet. I took a deep breath. I could hear the music playing in the sanctuary of the cathedral, and my stomach did a flip. It was almost time for my entrance. This was it. It was finally happening!
The doors opened, and Allodia and I walked in, arm in arm. I didn't see the huge crowd of people there, all sorts of royalty that I knew nothing about. I didn't see the onlookers, or the King and Queen. I didn't even see the priest. All I saw was Leo. That was all I needed to see. Instantly, my nerves were settled. He was beaming. I wanted to cry, laugh, and kiss him all at the same time. This truly was the happiest day of my life.
I stood there, next to Leo, for what seemed like an eternity. But before I knew it, it was time for Leo to kiss the bride. I looked into his eyes, and we kissed. It was the most beautiful kiss. Everything else seemed to fade into oblivion; there was only us. And then…we were married.
The entire crowd cheered, and I realized how many people were really there. Leo and I walked out, hand in hand.
We boarded the carriage that would take us on our honeymoon, and I couldn't stop smiling. Leo and I kissed again as we rode off to a cozy little villa by the seaside, where the sunsets were breathtaking and time seemed to stand still.
I still remember that day, just like it was yesterday. It was shortly after we returned that Leo suggested that I write my tale down. I protested at first, arguing that it was entirely ridiculous that anyone would want to read the story of an average girl who married the Prince. But Leo persisted, arguing that my story was so much deeper than that. He was right. It has taken me a great many years to write this story; even now my hands are old and frail. However, it has brought me great pleasure to write this. I hardly want to write those fated words: happily ever after. For not every day after our wedding was complete bliss. There were times when we were even left in sorrow and tragedy. But happily ever after is not just a day. Happily ever after is a lifetime, and this is more than I could have ever asked for. So did we live happily ever after?
I must confess: we did.
Delia Anole: I don't think I could have stomached doing that. His corpse isn't completely gone into ashes...just...extremely charred and burned. The fairies disposed of his body. I'm a drama queen, too, but it was a rather gruesome death...so...yeah. His whole character was a bit of a twist I didn't really expect. But I like it. :) The whole Council/Leo bit seemed the most logical to me. The fairies had to figure out where they stood on the relation between humans and fairies. Yes, this chapter is the real fairy tale ending. But I hope it's not too terribly cliche. I love that part too, not only because it shows Leo's vulnerability, but also because you see more of who Silverspark is, and how he's so much like a human himself. :) Now we may say goodbye, although, I hope it's not a final goodbye. Hopefully I'll have another chapter story out soon, maybe Corvaux related, maybe not. And there's always PM's. So this is goodbye, dear friend, but not forever. I refuse to let this goodbye be final. :)
iheartme104: I'm so glad you have enjoyed this story! Thank you very much! It means a lot to hear someone say that! :)
liloapril: Thank you very much! I hope you have enjoyed the ending!
Miss Papillon: Yes, this is the epilogue. :) I don't have many other stories (no good chapter ones, at least) but I hope you enjoy my oneshots. Thank you very much! It has been a pleasure for me to write this, and I'm glad I can bring people excitement in reading this. :)
TigerLily21: Thank you so much! It truly has been a joy (and a bit of therapy) writing this story. I'm so glad that you've enjoyed it! (Also, the show went very well!)
Mockingbyrd's Tune: I think it's because it's so creepy, yet so...nice at the same time. The way I see it, it evokes the same emotions that you get when you see the creeper at school and he explains why he likes you. Flattering, but still creepy. "And all the people said!: "yay." (Haha, Monty Python.) Yes, and this is the wedding! Oh joyous wedding bells are ringing! :D I can't think of one either. Sarcasm makes band that much more fun. It makes sitting with a bunch of freshman that much more tolerable. :) (Especially when they don't understand it!) Thank you very much, for all of your hard work helping me write this piece and all of your encouraging reviews!
So, quick question for everyone before I say goodbye: 1) Would you like to see a sequel/prequel? 2) What would you like to see in it?
Again, thank you to everyone. Goodbye for now! :)