A/N- Well, this is it guys. The final chapter. MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT THAT SONG ON THE SIDE... it really sets the mood for this, I think. And before we begin, I really want to thank all of you for giving your time to my story. It means the world that so many of you were touched and enthralled by Iris's tale.

This was a two year journey for me to write... and I cannot believe it's over. I don't think I've ever felt as much emotion as I did writing the words "The End." I, too, am attached to the characters. They are my family. You guys are all incredible, and I hope to still see you after this... for this will not be the end of my writing.

Without further ado... here it is. The final chapter.

It had been awhile since Iris had seen Eda, but today... she would return home. Goodbyes had been hard. She would always miss the rest of the scouting group... she hoped she would see them again. She came in view with the outskirts of her town... and took a deep breath. With a side glance, she caught General Zayn looking at her.

"We're here," she said to everyone.

At her sides were Renna, Elliot, Kayde, and Zayn.

"Welcome home, Rogue Captain Gwenneth," the general said with a smile, "You deserve it."

At that, she met eyes with him and gave him a sort of smile. It hadn't been long that she'd held her new title, but the words sent a thrill in her. She'd earned the promotion she never thought possible. Placing a hand on Zayn's shoulder, she simply nodded at him in a sort of thank you.

"You do not have to call me that," she reminded him for what seemed to be the hundredth time in the past few days, "To you, I am always Iris."

"Of course you are. But it brings you joy," he pointed out, "Does it not?"

With a sigh, she ignored his question, because he was absolutely right. It did make her happy that she had finally become something. She was finally able to make her family proud, rather than bring them shame. She doubted now that anyone would remember what happened with Shad... not with the new development in herself.

Renna stared at the both of them with a broad grin.

"Everyone ready to enter Eda?" Kayde asked, stopping just outside.

In the past few days of his return, Iris could feel distance between them... one that she hadn't felt when they worked together. Kayde was withdrawn and mostly silent, mind for a few things. She saw the sadness that lingered under the surface of his green eyes. Even through all the cheer, she realized that there were some things she couldn't fix. Even still, she could tell he was doing his best to be around her... to support her. Her heart hurt.

"Let's go," she replied.

He smiled a little, even if it was forced, and motioned for the gate guard to open the gates. With a nod, the man did as told. Once they were open, the small group was met with a crowd. Everyone in Eda was standing at the gates, as if they were waiting on her arrival. She couldn't help but halt in place and look around.

Upon seeing her face, loud cheers erupted. The people that used to not even give her a second glance now rejoiced in her.

Slowly, they cleared a path for their horses to move through.

Iris, for a moment, wanted to leave them behind as they did to her for so many years. She wanted to go home and see the people who'd cared all along. But she didn't. After a moment of though, she leapt from her horse. Her boots hit the ground with a thud and she stood upright. She, instead of ducking away as she'd done so many times, held her chin high. With erect shoulders, she exhibited the badge she wore as the first woman captain of Eldia... and also the scar on her stomach.

Everyone watched as she strode through. General Zayn Rothstead walked beside her, spine erect. Together, they looked invincible. Whispers incited in the crowd as they made their way through. So many people thanked her as she passed them. As she walked through, she caught eye of Lillian and her friends.

Lillian, for the first time, ducked in a small bow to Iris. With a pleasant expression, Iris nodded to the woman and went on her way. More than one person stopped by to thank her for her service, or to ask her questions about the mission. In fact, Iris found herself speaking to more people than she'd ever really spoken to before she'd left.

It wasn't far into the crowd when Iris saw her: Emery. She was standing close to the front with a news sheet in her hands. Iris immediately saw her name in bold letters on the cover. It was as expected, considering what she had done.

Iris Gwenneth: First Heroine of Eldia

It had a nice ring to it, Iris thought.

Iris was about to look away from the woman who had taken her first fiancé. After all, she'd never really spoken to Emery. In fact, if it hadn't been for Shad's betrayal... she would have never even heard of the girl. However, before she could pass the small woman, Emery stepped out in front of her.

Iris stopped for a moment. Zayn was quick to halt beside her.

Emery just took a moment to look at the both of them. "I just wanted to say thank you," she said in a soft voice, as many others had already done. "You both have my gratitude, General Rothstead and Rogue-Captain Gwenneth."

Iris noticed that this woman had the same temperament as she herself used to. Before the rogue had time to say thank you, she heard a voice call out from the crowd. It was a voice she knew all too well.

"Emery!"

Shadford made his way through the crowd, looking for his fiancé. Iris caught a glance of him but then cast her eyes back to the woman. With a sort of smile, she ducked her head to Emery in a respectful gesture... like a man would usually do for a woman.

"I appreciate your thanks, but I don't need them. I am glad to have fought for the country," she said, voice strong, "I hope you have a wonderful day, miss."

And then, Shad found Emery.

"Emery," he addressed her, "I was wondering where you'd gone off to."

And, with a breath, Iris looked up. With squared shoulders, she faced him. Her eyes were straightforward this time, eyeing him down instead of looking towards the ground. His gaze did not show signs of recognition.

"You've surely started an uproar," Emery replied with a smile, "As a woman, I look up to you. We all do."

In that moment, Iris nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you," Iris said to her, and watched as Shad finally recognized her, "But I was one among hundreds --thousands, even. I am not the only one deserving of your thanks. Many others fought."

"And none of them were woman."

Iris chuckled. "Perhaps not."

Now she met Shad's face. She watched as he looked over her .

"You've changed," he finally spoke.

There was so many things she could have said... but she chose not to. She only ducked her head in agreement and walked away.

He could do nothing but stare at her as she walked past him and back through the crowd. Zayn caught up to her after a few seconds, and continued to pace beside her. He could tell by the traces of anger in her eyes that the man she'd just spoken to was most likely her former betrothed. After a moment, she looked him in the eyes.

"I'd wager that that's Shad, isn't it?" he asked her.

Now she chuckled. "How'd you know?"

He used a finger to smooth the dent in her brow. "Educated guess."

He looked around at the crowd, and wrapped an arm around her torso. He was by her side... always.

And she was by his.

----

Iris, Renna, Elliot, and Zayn arrived back home after a while, after bidding Kayde farewell. It had taken longer than expected to get through the crowd of congratulatory villagers. Iris was relieved to see the place... for it had been a long while since she'd been home. It was exactly how she remembered it. Renna walked beside her, leading her to the door.

"Welcome to our home, Zayn Rothstead. And Iris, welcome home."

As soon as they stepped inside, the general began looking around the room. It wasn't the largest, most elaborate house he'd ever seen... but it felt warm and comfortable. He missed having a place that truly felt like home.

"Iris," Renna called to her, "Do you want to help me make dinner?"

Iris laughed heartily.

"It's been awhile since you've asked me that, aunt," she pointed out, "I'm not even sure I know how to anymore."

"Don't be silly," Renna scolded, "Just because you're a big, bad soldier now doesn't mean you can't mix a few ingredients together. Come now, you're not incompetent and furthermore, I miss it. You owe it to me after giving me a heart attack when you left us. Don't worry, nobody's gonna see you acting like a girl."

The general couldn't help but to laugh himself.

"Ah, fine fine. But I'm not wearing an apron," she told Renna.

"You don't have to wear an apron," she agreed with Iris, "But you should get yourself cleaned up."

Iris nodded and walked toward her room. Zayn spoke with Iris's family as she bathed. They led him around, showing him where everything was and telling him to make himself at home. He, after a minute of wandering alone, came face to face with a painted portrait of Iris hanging above the fireplace.

At least, he thought it was Iris.

The portrait portrayed a very beautiful woman that looked like a softer version of the woman soldier. In the picture, she was standing outside, wearing a white dress. Her hair fell in long curls all the way down to her hips. She wore white and pink lilies in her hair. As for what made her Iris... it wasn't portrayed.

Her posture was reserved, as if she was trying to hide herself. And her face... gods. She was smiling... but he'd never seen such impenetrable sadness in anyone's eyes. It was as if she were begging for death without saying a word. He stared at it for a long while, trying to find the Iris he loved somewhere in her face.

Renna walked in, wiping her hands on her apron. "Ah, looking at the painting of Iris, are we? That one was one of the last I painted of her before she ran off."

He turned to her. "You painted that?"

"I painted all of them you'll see in this house." Now, Renna turned to the picture. "She's hardly recognizable, isn't she?" her aunt asked, "None here could have known what she would become. She was always so sad. Ah, it is nice to see her smile instead of worry."

He agreed.

"At any rate, I'm going to go start making food. Tell Iris to join me when you see her."

He nodded... and then watched her walk back out of the room. It wasn't long before he heard footsteps approach from behind him. He turned to see the rogue, clean and clad in armor. She looked from him and then to the portrait he'd been looking at. It didn't take long for her to raise a brow.

With a smirk, he pointed to the picture.

"Now that's some hair," he commented, not mentioning how sad she looked.

She shook her head and shoved his shoulder.

"Must have been one hell of a haircut the night you ran away," he said with rumbling laughter.

Iris snorted. "Just a little off the bottom."

"This picture of you is a beautiful one," Zayn complimented. "But you're not you in it. I much prefer the one standing here now."

She nodded.

"I believe I prefer this one too."

And with that, he pulled her into a hug. For a moment, she let herself drift away in the moment. Let herself feel what it was like to be happy. Sure, her dad was still injured... her mom was still not there. But it was ok. She was ok. She finally understood that there were going to be hard times, things that weren't going to be easily acceptable.

She understood now that to be happy... she had to let herself be.

To be happy... she had to move on from the past.

Because it was gone.

----

It was long after dinner that Iris sat at the edge of her father's property, in front of her mother's grave. This time, she was not tearful as she rubbed her palm against its marble surface. Instead, she smiled. She knew that her mother would be watching her... and wouldn't want her to be sad.

"It's been a while since we talked," Iris whispered to the sky, "But I want you to know, that I finally changed forever... like I promised you I'd do so many years ago as we watched the sunset. And I want you to know that I still like the moon the best, and that I miss you more than you'll ever know. I would also say that I wish you could have been here to see everything, but you did see it. I know that you watch over me... though I can't see you. Gods, I can feel you though. When I was announced as innocent, I felt you smile at me. It was as if you knew everything was going to be alright. You always knew things like that," Iris paused.

After taking a few breaths, she kept talking.

"I am happy now, mom. I finally found who I am. I see now why Shadford left me, why so many things went wrong a few years ago. It's because I deserved so much more. I have been blessed with a wonderful life. Between my new career, my new friends, Zayn, and the peace I feel inside... I realize now that I am so lucky to be me. Things have fallen into place. I hope I've made you proud."

Iris finished her talk and took a deep breath. And for a while, things were quiet. All that could be heard were the crickets. That is, until she heard footsteps coming from behind her. She turned to see her father walking toward her. He, once he was close enough, knelt at her side and smiled.

"They're loud tonight aren't they?" he asked.

"Hm?"

"The crickets," her father answered. "They're singing. Sounds like they're welcoming you home." Her father had a far off look. "I like to think so, at any rate."

Iris smiled at him. "I think they do that anyways. I doubt a cricket would care much about a returned soldier."

"Perhaps not." He took a breath. "I'm glad to find you out here. Last time you left at night... I didn't see you for months." There was something unreadable in his eyes. "I don't like my little girl disappearing into the night."

"I'm hardly little anymore," Iris said with a sheepish chuckle. "But still, I apologize, father. It was the only way to save you."

He nodded.

"You didn't have to do what you did, but I am glad that you did," he told her, "and mostly, for your sake. I'm glad I didn't have to die, of course... but I'm even gladder that you found your happiness. It was hard watching you struggle through life, Iris. I feel, even though you worried for me, that you had it worse."

She gave him a soft smile.

"Your mother, like myself, would be so proud of you."

"Thank you, dad," Iris's voice was quiet, "I know she would be proud."

"At any rate," he said, standing up once again, "I came out here to tell you that the general is still up, pacing around the yard. I remembered to offer him the spare room... so it is not as if he doesn't have a place to stay. Is he always up this late?"

This made Iris laugh. "It's nothing out of the ordinary."

"He's a good man, Iris. I approve."

She nodded in agreement. In his eyes, she could tell that he meant what he said. He had no reason not to, after all. "I believe so too."

Now she stood up, looking her father in the eyes. She noticed immediately that they were filled with cheer. She wondered how long it had been since he'd felt joy. She hoped that during her absence, he hadn't been too depressed. After another second, she raised a hand and placed it onto his shoulder, squeezing it lightly.

"I have finally brought a degree of pride to our name again after I shattered with my disastrous engagement. Thank you for still loving me when I was nothing."

He shook his head, and placed his own hand on her shoulder. "You've never been nothing." For a moment, right before they went back, they stood like that. The world was at peace. And then, with the most sincere and serious expression, he spoke to her, saying words that would fill her soul forever.

"Iris, I want you to know something, above all else..."

"...the greatest gift and honor, is having you... for a daughter."

End of Book One