Tooth felt cold inside…..empty…lost. The cheerful chirping from her fairies upon her return quickly stopped as they picked up on her energy. They watched with solemn eyes as she fluttered past, only baby tooth approached her, chirping softly in question.
Toothiana lowered her eyes and shook her head, passing the tiny fairy without a word. She feared that if she opened her mouth only sobs would escape. She was supposed to be strong, brave, their queen…she didn't want to burden them….

The fairy thought about returning to her own quarters but the thought was too lonely …Instead she found herself landing on the ledge of the guest tower that had belonged to Kozmotis. Her soft eyes swept over the room as she stepped in. It wasn't until she placed a hand on the empty bed did she break down.

It felt like her heart had shattered….like someone had it in their hand and was squeezing. Crawling onto the bed she cried, hands clutching the sheets. She could almost feel his presence….feel the warmth…..this only made her sob even harder. She couldn't breathe, and it was when she was gasping for breath did she feel the soft hand on her shoulder.

Jumping about a foot in fear she turned, tears running down her cheeks, to see Mother Nature. The woman's expression only held confusion. "Tooth….what…." The fairy surged forward, wrapping her feathered arms around the woman's body, Katarina resembled him so much…

At Tooth's reaction realization slunk into the woman's mind. She wanted to deny it….she so desperately wanted the feeling that she had gotten earlier to have been a lie….a misread; That the Nightmare King was back.It was why she came here. "No…" Mother Nature wrapped her arms around the fairies body looking for comfort and shut her eyes as the tears ran down her face. "I just got him back.."

The two mourning spirits slipped to the floor, embracing as they cried and shared in the loss. Finally Tooth pulled away, wiping her eyes and trying to calm her breathing. Her head ached and this wasn't helping. "I'm sorry…" She whispered as she backed away and perched on the bed.

Katarina shook her head, rubbing her now red eyes trying to suppress any more tears that wanted to escape. "No…it's not your fault….I should have seen this coming." Not bothering to get up she adjusted to a cross legged position, not caring at the moment if she was lady like.

"It is my fault…" Tooth hung her head. "He was protecting me…He went to the cave to save me….because I wasn't strong enough to fight off the fearlings. He invited them back in to save us…."

"No one person can fight off Fearlings…" A lump had formed in her throat, threatening to make her throw up but she swallowed it. "My father commanded armies to fight the fear…you can't blame yourself Toothiana….You can't blame yourself for the feelings he had for you…He's always been one to sacrifice himself in the name of love." Glancing out the window the earth spirit noticed the sky had blackened with dark clouds that threatened a thunderstorm. She took a deep breath and calmed herself; another glance showed the sky lightening.

The fairy swallowed and bit her lip. She knew the other woman was right…but it didn't make it any easier. It didn't fill the absence she could feel in the room…or the hole in her heart.

The two spirits sat in silence for a while, both trying to deal with the pain. "If he's turned back into the Nightmare King than he's not lost forever you know…" The fairy looked up hope flaring within her when Mother Nature spoke. It quickly died when she gave it some thought.

"But….the situation would only repeat, wouldn't it…the fearlings would be released and threaten us again…." She shook her head.

Katarina nodded solemnly, her brow furrowed. "Yes….but I'm hoping that there will be a time when we can deal with that problem…..There's nothing else I can do but hope…" She wouldn't give up on her father….for all of these years she had been looking for a way….some way to restore him to his former self. Now that she had the solution she only had to solve the fearling problem….how hard could that be?

Taking a deep breath Mother Nature stood and pulled the fairy into another hug. "We'll think of something, Tooth…I won't give up on him."

Toothiana closed her eyes and took a breath, returning the hug. "I won't give up on him….never…"

As she pulled away, the earth spirit gave the fairy a sad smile before turning to leave. "Thank you for making his short time here worth living, Tooth. I'll see you around." With that she leapt from the window, pale arms outstretched. Tooth rushed to peer over the ledge but the woman was gone, disappeared into thin air.

Alone once more the fairy stood in the room, the empty feeling returning. Her eyes suddenly fell on a folded paper trapped beside the bed and the side table. It must have blown there… Out of curiosity she picked it up. When she unfolded it her heart jumped in her chest, the tears returning to her eyes.

My dear Toothiana,

If you are reading this right now that means that you are safe, thank the heavens, but I am probably gone. I know that time is of the essence and that I must reach the caverns as fast as possible to save the guardians…but there is a great chance that this will be my only time to tell you how I feel.
You are the first person that I have felt this strongly for since my wife passed away. You've cared for me and have been my advocate through all of these hardships. Even the knowledge of my past, of my power didn't deter you. I know I've told you this before but I need you to know that this means more to me than anything. Thank you Tooth, for everything you've done for me.
If I fall in that cave do not mourn for me. Please do not blame yourself for whatever happens to me. Fearlings have been my past, present, and I fear my future. At least if I go down I will know that it will be trying to save…trying to protect someone that I love.

Goodbye Toothiana and thank you,

-Kozmotis Pitchiner

As the fairy read the final words on the page her vision was almost completely blurred with tears. She collapsed to sit on the bed, sniffing as the tears fell. How could she follow those directions….
Letting out a wavering breath she laid down again, shutting her eyes.

Toothiana fell asleep clutching the letter to her chest.

…..

Weeks passed slowly for Tooth as she tried to regain a sense of normalcy. It took her days to finally get back to work and when she did it was only half hearted. The guardians visited now and then to check on her but she was quiet; reserved. No one ever mentioned the Nightmare King.

She was resting for the night when he found her. She had moved her room into the guest tower and was perched on the window sill when the familiar voice rang through the shadows behind her.
"Toothiana, how are you doing this fine evening?"

Startled into a hover the fairy jumped from the ledge and hovered outside the window, frowning into the room. Her eyes widened when they finally fell on the dark figure leaning casually against the table.

"Kozmotis?" Tooth whispered the word before she could stop herself. The man still wore the military uniform. The golden highlights glinting in the dim light.

"Who?" he frowned, quickly dismissing the fairy's question. "I'm here for a very specific reason. Infuriatingly no one else would help me so I find myself here."

Tooth's face fell and she looked away. Seeing that face that used to belong so someone she cared for only brought her pain. "What do you want Pitch…" She didn't have the heart to hate him, not when she knew who the man underneath was.

"WHAT happened?" He flung his arms out to the sides frustrated. "No one will tell me! I wake up in uniform and armor with NO NightMares and you lot staring me down. And no one will tell me…ANYTHING." He slunk closer, teeth bared.
She glanced at him and caught view of the tooth she had knocked out.

"I'm sorry for knocking that tooth out..." She wrung her hands and looked down, feeling her chest constrict. Just go away, Pitch….

The Nightmare King was taken aback. He frowned slightly, perplexed. Silver eyes darted around the room as he tried to understand what was happening. "That's…What?" He stared at her. This was similar to the reactions the others had as well. Jack wouldn't look at him, North wouldn't say and word, and Bunny completely ignored him except to say 'bugger off'. Sandy had managed to evade him quite skillfully. But…she was trying to be civil, maybe….that same approach was in order?

"Tooth, look, all I want is an explanation." He relaxed his posture hoping that he could coax her into telling him anything.

Toothiana looked up at him and hovered closer nervously. "Ok, I'll tell you but on one condition." She stopped only a foot away and looked into his silver eyes. What was she doing….she shouldn't be doing this…

"Condition…." The proximity was making him uncomfortable but he stayed still not wanting to scare her off.

Tooth rested her hands on sides of his face and leaned in, placing chaste kiss upon his lips. Her eyes never left his and a spark of delight flashed through her when she saw the silver melt away into gold. The man closed his eyes and returned the kiss passionately; his brow furrowed all the while in determination to keep control.

He pulled away only slightly, so close that their lips still brushed when he spoke. "That was very dangerous, Tooth." He lifted a hand to wipe away a tear from her cheek. "Did you get my letter?"

A smile brightened the fairies face, even as tears ran down her cheeks. "…I couldn't help it…" The sound that escaped her was a perfect mix of a laugh and a sob. "Yes, I did…"

The general rested his forehead on hers, shutting his eyes. "I thank the heavens that you're safe…" He whispered the words to her. "I don't regret what I did….not when it allowed you all to escape…"

"I didn't want you to leave me….please….don't leave me again" The fairies voice was quiet and fragile. "Don't leave me again…."

Kozmotis stroked the feathers on the back of her neck trying to ignore the fearlings in his body. They were trying to claw their way out of take control again. He let out a short breath in effort before speaking again. "This is my fate….I wish it could change it….But, I could never be more happy knowing that this came about again because I was protecting someone I love. "

The fairy leaned in again, wishing that they could stay like this forever. She had never felt anyone's love for her more than she did in how he kissed her now. When their lips parted the general spoke. "Live for me, Toothiana. Don't lose that joy that I love. Experience the things that I cannot." His molten gold eyes stared into hers. "And know that I'm not gone forever. Do not lose hope. Goodbye." With that he roughly pulled away, stumbling back, eyes closed. When they opened again they were silver and angry.

"What did you just do!?" The Nightmare King covered his face with both hands and grimaced as a splitting headache took hold. When he was finally able to focus on Toothiana genuine surprise flickered inside him. She was crying? Why…?

His anger left and he stepped towards her. "What….did you just do...?" Interesting how he couldn't feel any fear from her. Most, when alone in a room with him, were at least nervous.

The fairy queen shook her head, wiping her eyes. She took a shaky breath before speaking. "Pitch, there is someone good inside of you still; someone who's not dead." The last words cracked as she turned and rushed away, hopping out of the window and disappeared. She didn't even give him enough time to question her.

Frowning he melded into the darkness. That was more than what he had gotten from anyone else….but still not an explanation. Perhaps trying to wrangle the information from the guardians was just a lost cause. Or maybe….he thought as he traversed the shadows back to his lair; he could take that information in some way.
His laugh echoed though the darkness.

…..

Toothiana sat perched on one of the golden roofs and watched the sun rise. Her heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. She shut her eyes as the warmly colored rays glinted off of her feathers.

Perhaps it was closure that she had needed. She remembered the general's words to her and smiled sadly. She still missed him dearly….but he wasn't dead. Like Mother Nature had said, she would NOT give up on him. If there is a will there is a way.

And surely….she stood and surveyed the palace in the golden sunlight…She would see him again.

AUTHORS NOTE:
Well. That update was long awaited and sorely needed. It took me a while to figure out HOW to end it, but I think I'm satisfied. This IS the last chapter in case you were wondering. I hope you're all satisfied with the finale.
I'd like to thank Gaarafan311 from devintart who gave me the idea for the note.

HUGE MASSIVE THANK YOU to all of my readers and supports who reviewed and commented while I was writing. I really appreciate hearing from you, it was you guys that motivated me to continue writing AND to guilt trip me into writing the final chapter even when my motivation was running low. I love you all more than you think.
And now that it's over I urge anyone with a deviantart account to drop by mine. I post both fanart from this fic as well as art of Kozmotis regularly, my username is Darkshadowolf.

Well, this is it, guys...I'll miss writing for you. Byes!