A/N: This is it! The last chapter!!! I can't believe it. Thank you all so much!

Dedicated to @Tripiley for being such an avid reader lately <3

My consciousness faded in and out for what felt like a lifetime, sneaking me glimpses of light before plunging me back into darkness once more. I found myself in a dark room with my parents, Elizabeth and uncle Henry their skin deathly pale and their mouths open in silent screams as my mind filled with guilt.

"I never meant for you to die!" I called out to them, but I couldn't make a sound, my lungs burning as if I was trying to breathe underwater. I felt myself being dragged away from them, like something had grabbed my waist and pulled me backward. The last thing I saw was their eyes filled with sadness as they began to fade, hot tears spilling onto my cheeks as they disappeared. My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the bright morning light filtering into the room. My lips were cracked and my throat parched as I sucked in a lungful of air, wincing as my chest rose painfully. My heart thudding in my chest brought me back to reality and I could hear someone snoring softly. I sat up slightly, catching a glimpse of Charlie at the end of my bed, his burns hidden beneath clean bandages.

"Charlie..." I croaked, sliding my leg out from underneath his head in an attempt to rouse him. He jerked awake, his blue eyes immediately filling with delight.

"Amelia, you're finally awake!" he exclaimed, moving his chair to sit closer to my face.

"How long?" I struggled to rise but Charlie placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and pushed me back down, offering me glass of water from the stand beside my bed. I accepted it gratefully and downed it in one large gulp as he replied,

"A few weeks. You woke up a few times but I guess you don't remember anything."

"I remember killing Lord Marsh, you and your mother trying to save me... but then its foggy and all I can recall is hours of drifting in and out of light and dark." I responded, furrowing my brow as I tried to push the images of my loved ones to the back f my mind.

"At least you're alive," he sighed, taking my hand in his, "that's all that matters."

"How bad is it?" I asked after a moment, reluctant to remove the thick blanket covering me and discover the extent of my injuries.

"I used what little dragon tears you had left to stop most of the bleeding but it wasn't enough and I won't lie; it's left a pretty nasty scar." I closed my eyes as he spoke and bit my lip to stop it trembling. "Hey," he continued, caressing my cheek, "now we match." He peeled back his bandage to reveal a long stretch of pink, scarring skin and I met his gaze with a kind smile. He covered his burns once more, while I pushed my blanket away from my chest and got to my feet. My legs shook, the muscles weakened by their disuse, and I sought my reflection in a nearby mirror.

My armour had been removed, replaced with a loose, white nightgown that did little to hide the damage Lord Marsh had done to my body. A great, ugly line of stitches now ran from my shoulder to my hip, skimming the edge my left breast. I trailed my finger along the wound, hovering just above the skin, afraid the lightest touch would tear it open, and let out a heavy sigh. I turned away from the mirror and faced Charlie who was now leaning against the window looking out at the forest as he basked in the warm sunlight. Ever the gentleman. I found my feet moving of their own accord, limping toward him until my arms were around his waist. He turned around in surprise and embraced me in return. Comforted by the warmth of his arms encircling me, I buried my face in his chest as I had done so many times before, his lips resting on my head.

"We did it," I murmured, feeling the burden and stress of the past few months lift from my shoulders.

"We did," he replied, "but there's one more difficult thing left for you to do." I looked up at him in surprise, uncertain my body or soul could withstand any more hardship.

"What do I need to do?" I swallowed the lump rising in my throat and clutched his arm for support.

"Your uncle's remains have been located and reunited. We put off burying him as long as possible, but when it became uncertain when you would wake he was laid to rest beside Elizabeth," he responded, causing a hitch in my breathing as I relived the moment I had drawn my uncle's head from the bloody sack. "I assumed you would want to say goodbye properly nonetheless," continued Charlie, guiding me back to the bed. I sat down and stared at the ground, my mind going numb.

"I'll be with you the whole time, Merek too," Charlie reassured me, noticing my fearful gaze, "but I know you've only just recovered so if it's too soon - "

"I'm ready." I cut him off and looked up at him with a small smile.

"Are you sure?" He seemed doubtful of my conviction but did not press the matter when I gave him a small nod and said,

"Positive."

"I'll go tell the others you're awake. Enara says there are clean clothes for you in that chest." Charlie beamed at me as he spoke, kissing me on the forehead before leaving the room. My heart sank a little when he left and I tried to ignore how it would feel to revisit Elizabeth's grave only to lay my uncle to rest too.

I changed quickly, pulling on simple black dress and arranging my curls so that they hung over my left shoulder, covering my scar. It felt odd to have my long hair hanging down to my waist after having it high on my head for so long, but there was something cathartic about running my fingers through my wavy tresses. My hair had evidently been washed for me while I recovered, as had the rest of my body, and I was thankful for it, certain the hot springs would be a painful ordeal with my current wounds.

"Knock, knock. You okay in there?" came a gentle voice on the other side of the door.

"Come in," I replied, readjusting my locket around my neck, amazed I had managed to keep it safe all this time. The door creaked open and Yana peeked around the corner at me, her amber eyes filled with glee. She rushed toward me and embraced me gently, refraining from pressing her chest against my own.

"I'm so glad you're alright," she gushed, "you were so brave -" Her words poured over me like a waterfall and I felt my mind drifting as she fussed over me and thanked me for saving them all.

"Shall we go?" I asked once she had finished speaking. Her gaze softened and she offered me her hand as she led me out of the room and helped me down the stairs. Charlie, Merek and the rest of his family had assembled in the dining room and as I entered I felt their eyes all focus on me. I blushed nervously and was surprised to see Enara sobbing, while Telrith patted her head affectionately.

"Amelia," murmured Lowin, dipping his head to me respectfully as I stood beside him.

"Thank you for everything," I whispered in reply, eternally grateful to the elven General for his aid, wisdom and hospitality. "Thank you all," I continued, smiling at each of them in turn, receiving a grin from each in reply, even Yuli.

"We should be the ones thanking you," said Merek, his serious tone catching me off guard. I had become so accustomed to his playful jabs and teasing taunts it felt as if I was hearing a stranger.

"Not at all," I protested, "we would never have stood a chance without the strength of the elves. I am but one person and one person could never have strength to defeat an adversary like that alone." Merek flashed me his signature grin and said,

"It's time to go."

I steeled myself as we began the long walk down to the forest floor. There were numerous times when I stumbled and slipped, fearing I had overestimated my strength, but there was always someone to catch me. The trek was slow-paced due to my injuries but I found joy in it, somehow it no longer terrified me that the ground was so far away; instead I found comfort in its distance. I was trembling when we reached the forest floor but I was determined to finish the final stretch of my journey on my own two legs.

I caught the peppery aroma of witch-hazel on the morning breeze and quickened my pace. I ignored the pinching of the stiches in my thigh wound and hobbled through the undergrowth into the clearing. The stream bubbled gently in the background, the breeze stirring the blades of grass lazily, two mounds of dirt nestled in their fronds. Two beautifully intricate headstones had been carved and placed over their graves, a wreath of daisies adorning my uncle's one.

"How did you know?" I remarked, looking at the elves in astonishment.

"I remembered you telling me about how your uncle loved daisies and that he would always bring you a bunch of them whenever he went away on a long trip and you would pretend you liked them too so he wouldn't feel bad," replied Charlie with a small grin, running his hand through his hair nervously.

"They're perfect," I breathed, sitting down beneath both graves, my heart beating with both pain and joy. I placed my hands on both headstones and bowed my head, sending a wordless prayer of thanks and love to wherever their spirits now resided. I could not find the words to express my feelings so instead I sat in a silent vigil beside them, letting all my memories both good and bad wash over me. Merek and Charlie came to sit with me, neither of them saying anything as they too closed their eyes. I felt Charlie get up roughly ten minutes later and I opened my eyes, turning to see him speaking with the Queen on the edge of the clearing. She passed him something small and he pocketed it, pulling her into a tight embrace which she happily returned, shock evident in her captivating eyes. She flashed me a warm smile over his shoulder but did not approach, choosing instead to stand and wait with Merek's family.

I sat by the graves until every possible thought and feeling I possessed had spilled out of me. Charlie joined us once again and we began to speak in hushed voices, reminiscing on our journey, chuckling at the funny times and shedding tears over the sad and painful. Merek stroked Elizabeth's grave fondly and traced where her name had been expertly etched into the stone.

"I asked them not to include her last name," muttered Merek, "I don't want her tied to him in anyway." Merek's usual rage toward Elizabeth's father had dissipated into a calm energy but the pain he felt was palpable and touched his arm lightly to convey my sympathy. He smiled at me and sighed, getting to his feet and helping me to mine, nudging Charlie gently with his boot, who had been staring off into the distance for a few minutes.

"Come on Charlie, one more thing to do." I quirked my brow at Merek's words but he said nothing, his eyes twinkling knowingly.

"What's going on?" I asked slowly, following them to the centre of the clearing where the others had congregated.

"I was afraid the timing of this might be wrong, or perhaps even insensitive, but it feels appropriate to have them present," began Charlie, reaching into his pocket. Sensing what was about to happen, my stomach dropped and my cheeks flushed deeper than ever before. I took a hesitant step back and Charlie dropped to one knee, opening a small wooden box to present a simple yet masterfully crafted gold wedding ring, inlaid with alternating diamonds and sapphires. "Amelia, since the day we met I have been head over heels in love with you, and I know you're not one for open affection, but after everything we've been through together I want nothing more than to spend every day of the rest of my life together. I am just a blacksmith, as was my father and his father before him. I don't know the inner secrets of court or high society, but I know you." Tears of joy sprang to my eyes and I could almost sense my uncle warm presence, as if he was right beside me, enthusing over how happy we would be together. It felt like everything had been leading up to this moment, but I knew what I had to do.

"Charles," I responded, wiping away my tears as I looked down at him, "I want nothing more than to say yes but I cannot. Before you protest, please understand I do love you. I always have, but Uncle Henry's title and estate now falls to me and Havar shall need restoring. Business could take me all over Galaan and beyond, but you will be needed here. As a citizen of both Galaan and Eularia you will be essential to the relations between the Kingdoms. In six months, perhaps a year, ask me again and I will say yes, for I want nothing more than to say it right now."

Afraid my response had left him angered or heartbroken I searched Charlie's face for a response but he simply got to his feet and smiled. The others seemed astonished but the Queen bore an expression of pride. I embraced Charlie and placed a tender kiss on his lips, reminding him my affection had not faded and he responded with equal enthusiasm.

"There will be much to do," said Queen Suraya, "but I have faith that with your help the Kingdoms shall both be restored to their former glory and beyond."