It's freaking done. I can't believe it. 10,000 years later. It's not good, or great, or edited. But it's done.

Peace.

Azkadelia pulled back – with a look of complete surprise.

"Are you…are you serious?" she whispered, turning over to sit on her knees, still in the cradle of his legs. He could hear the hope and the fear in her voice.

"I am," he replied, firmly.

Azkadelia brought a tentative hand to Tannen's cheek, her fingers barely brushing his skin. "Even knowing that your life won't ever be quite your own again," she continued. "And that we won't ever have…a family."

He chased her fingertips with a kiss and wrapped his hand around her wrist. Tannen was surprised by his own calm. She wasn't turning away, wasn't running. They could work through her reservations. He said nothing, just held her – feeling her pulse run wild beneath his fingers.

"You can't seriously want that." Uncertainty, sorrow, wanting. "After I just told you –"

Tannen straightened and gently took Azkadelia's face in his hands.

"What did you think was happening here – with us?" he asked her, intensely following the emotions clouding her eyes. "What did you think we were moving towards? I told you I was yours for as long as you want me and I've thought of little else since then. That's what this is – it's what I want, more than anything under the suns. To be with you."

The princess stared hard at the man in front of her. Though her eyes were focused on his, Tannen thought her mind seemed focused inward. The air charged around them and light began to spark out from her fingertips. Uneasy, Tannen started to reach out, but before he said anything, Azkadelia shook herself, bringing her light back within her. Her eyes had changed, her face filled with a strange tension.

"I will," she said firmly, seriously. "I will marry you."

Tannen huffed out a breath, a little stunned to have the answer he wanted and a little unsettled at whatever magic Azkadelia had just performed.

"I want to marry you and be a family with you. I want you by my side and with me, always," Azkadelia continued.

"Yes," Tannen replied. He was a little wary of how intense the princess seemed. "I love you," he told her softly.

"Now," Azkadelia said, climbing off the bed. "I want it now, tonight."

Tannen chuckled and reached for the princess. His laughter disappeared when he saw the determined look on her face. "Wait, you're serious. You want to get married tonight."

Sliding into her slippers, Azkadelia slipped out of Tannen's grasp and strode toward her dressing area. She opened her wardrobe and flipped through her dresses. When she found what she was looking for, she ripped it off the hanger and rushed behind the dressing screen.

"Yes, tonight," she called. "I know just where we can go, who will marry us – no questions asked."

Tannen flopped back against the headboard, a little confused and a little worried. He thought having come to an agreement to marry Azkadelia would be a moment full of love and tenderness and excitement. Instead, the air in the princess' bedroom felt charged with a frantic kind of energy.

He was still puzzling over everything when Az came out from behind the dressing screen and stalked over to another wardrobe that held shoes and other accessories. Once she was fully dressed, she went back over to the bed, her cheeks a little flushed.

"What?" she asked, when Tannen met her too bright eyes.

Tannen sat up, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and pulled the princess into the space between his them.

"What's going on, Azkadelia?"

Az placed her hands against his face and pulled him in for a kiss. It started out hungry and Tannen let the princess take the lead. Suddenly, he felt her embrace change – taking on a hint of desperation. Gently, he pulled away.

"What's wrong, Azkadelia?" he asked, firmly. "You seem, upset. We don't have to do this."

A line appeared between her brows. "I want to!" she cried, trying to pull him into her again. "I want you."

Tannen thought he understood what she was saying. "Are you thinking I asked you to marry me just so we could…be together?" Azkadelia opened her mouth to reply, but Tannen didn't give her the chance. "Because I'm not about asking you to tie yourself to me permanently just for sex – "

A delicate hand came up to cover his mouth. "Stop talking," Azkadelia said, sounding remarkably like her sister for a moment. Tannen could feel how jittery her fingers were over his mouth, and he could see that his words had embarrassed her.

The princess took a couple of deep breaths before shaking out her hands. When she opened her eyes and looked at him, Tannen saw she seemed…calmer again.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, a note of shame in the apology. Tannen didn't reply, just waited. "I shouldn't have done that."

"What was it?" Tannen asked, knowing she meant the magic she used.

Azkadelia cringed. "I'm not supposed to do that particular trick. It's…not dangerous, exactly, but definitely unbalancing. As is evidenced by my behavior just now."

"What was it?" Tannen asked again.

"I looked at the future."

His eyebrows popping to his hairline, Tannen gaped. "What? You can do that?"

"Well, not the 'future' future," she explained. "More like, the future of our…bond. Our relationship. Push my light down the path of that bond and I can sort of see its strength."

It sounded nice, but her reaction still gave Tannen pause. "So why were you so unsettled?"

"Like I said, I'm not supposed to do that," she continued, her hands going around his neck. "It leaves the light-wielder…uneven…because usually people look into the future for their own gain. Not what light is for. And I didn't exactly ask for your permission, either. I'm sorry."

His small smile told her she was forgiven and Azkadelia pressed herself against the man she loved. They held each other quietly for a few minutes before Tannen pulled back.

"So, what did you see?"

The princess smiled ruefully. "Nothing I didn't already know. I love you and you love me and I know it – down to my bones. We already know how to get through hard things, and I think we have the strength to get through any more that come. It was a silly trick to pull. It's just – it has been a difficult day and I think uncertainty overwhelmed me for a moment."

Tannen sighed. "That's understandable," he told her. "And my solution to all your stress was to propose to you. So, that one's on me," he finished with a chuckle, which she returned. "But why the urgency? If you saw we would be all right, why the sudden rush to arms?"

Azkadelia sighed and pushed away from Tannen. She dragged her hands over her face. "I saw that we were everything I wanted," she said, pacing the room. "But my mind flashed to what would happen when we tell everyone else what we want."

"Oh, yeah." This a long sigh from the lieutenant. His eyes grew big as he recalled the endless meetings, the appointments, the interviews with the governing heads. But his mind was made up. "It's just part of being the princess – who you are. It's all right."

"Maybe it is all a part of the royal package," Az conceded. "But I've watched what has happened with DG and Cain. And that is a walk by the lake compared to what will happen with me. They will poke and prod and ask endless questions about your suitability, and my fertility and – "

"They're just looking out for the best interests of the O.Z." Tannen pointed out, trying not to let his anger over the thought that any member of the Council of Lords would think they deserved any information about the princess's ability to bear a child color his voice. A sudden violence flared up in him. He tried to tamp it down with a deep breath. He would kill anyone who made Azkadelia feel like she wasn't everything the kingdom needed and wanted.

"I know," Azkadelia replied, exasperated. She took a calming breath, which Tannen mimicked and felt better. "I know," she continued. "But I already know you're suitable. I already know what I want and I'm not complaining, necessarily, that the protocols have to be followed. I'm honestly, just a little worried that I don't have the strength to deal with everything happening right now – the anniversary, DG's wedding. All of it. It's going to require a lot of me – emotionally, mentally, and even physically. I do not want to deal with the Council for myself, too. Especially in light of what I learned today at Madame Trexell's."

"So, let's wait," Tannen offered.

"No." Azkadelia stopped pacing and returned to Tannen, sitting at the bedside. "I know I was a little…unbalanced earlier. But I meant what I said. I want what we have, I want you by my side. I know I am my own person again." She took one of his hands in both of hers. "But, Tannen, I feel stronger when you are with me. Like, if I were to falter – if you are next to me, you won't let me fall."

He brought her hands to his heart and pressed them there. "Never," he promised with a smile.

Her answering smile had tears with it. "I want the people to see it too. That I love you and you make me…happy. And I don't feel much like answering to everyone else about what is best for me or for the kingdom in this particular case."

This, with a hint of steel, which brought an unexpected lump to Tannen's throat. She was strength and softness, the hardiest wool and the most delicate lace. She was more than he ever thought he could hope for. And in that moment – Azkadelia standing before him declaring that the proper protocols for picking a Consort could go jump off a bridge – he knew he would give her whatever she wanted.

"So," he said, pulling her hand to his lips. "You know someone?"

She stared intently for a moment before his question registered, then Azkadelia broke into a happy smile.

"I do," she said with joy in her voice.

Tannen stood up quickly from the bed and shoved his feet in his boots. "Hey now. Save that line for when we get there!"

)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)

Knock! Knock!

A very disheveled Sophrina Trexels peered through a crack in the door she'd pulled open.

"Can I help – Oh!" she exclaimed, after blinking the sleep from her eyes and seeing Azkadelia on her doorstep for the second time that day. "Your Highness! Is everything all right?"

Azkadelia chuckled. "Yes, everything is wonderful. I'm so sorry to disturb you so late at night, but we need your services."

Immediately, the healer shut the door, pulled the chain, and opened the door wider. "Oh course, please come in, come in."

She pulled the robe tighter around her and hustled into the sitting room, immediately gathering what Tannen and Azkadelia assumed were healer's tools. "Who am I treating today? Your Highness, did you have a negative reaction to the tinctures I gave you earlier?" She indicated that Azkadelia should sit on the settee.

"I honestly haven't even tried the tincture yet, I'm sorry," Azkadelia confessed, leading Tannen the small couch and tucking herself up next to him. "And, we're both healthy, and fine. We actually….um… we don't need your healing services."

Sophrina's frenzied gathering ceased and she turned to the couple, surprise furrowing her forehead.

"You are a verifier, are you not?" Tannen asked, when the woman didn't seem to know what to say.

"I am," Sophrina replied. Tannen and Azkadelia watched a myriad of emotions flit across her face as she looked back and forth between them. "What can I verify for you, Your Highness?" she asked, suspicion apparent as she came to sit across from them.

With a smile, Tannen pulled a folded form from his jacket pocket and laid it on the low table before the settee.

"We would ask that you verify our marriage contract," he stated, firmly, but kindly.

"Please," Azkadelia added.

Madame Trexels stared, open-mouthed. "Marriage contract?!" She rose from her chair with a gasp and, for a moment, Tannen and Azkadelia thought she would run from the room. After just a few seconds, however, they saw Sophrina regain her composure.

"Congratulations," she said with a steadying breath, taking her seat again. "And, please, excuse my questions here, Your Highness, and – "

"Oh!" Az bounced a little. "This is Lieutenant Commander Tannen Evergreen, Royal Guard." Tannen nodded at the belated introduction.

"Yes, I'm pleased to meet you Lieutenant Commander," Sophrina acknowledged. "Indeed. As I was saying, please excuse my…shock…here, but Your Highness, there are laws and protocols in place, I'm sure, surrounding your decision to be married. Surely it is not acceptable for you to just…"

"Marry whomever I choose?" Azkadelia offered, not unkindly, as the healer seemed to flounder.

Sophrina winced. "No, no, of course you have that right," she affirmed. "But your mother, the Council of Lords….oh." Understanding dawned in the healer's eyes as she met Azkadelia's gaze and held it for a long moment. "The Council."

"Yes," Azkadelia confirmed their unspoken communication.

"It's an archaic practice anyway," the healer muttered, seemingly to herself. To the princess, she asked, "Am I to assume your young man knows of our business together?"

"I do," Tannen replied, covering Azkadelia's hand in his and rubbing his thumb over her fingers.

Sophrina turned her attention to Tannen, scrutinizing him. "And do you love our princess?" she asked.

"Yes," Tannen answered simply.

"And you are willing to stand by her – in all her duties to the O.Z.?" the healer continued.

Before Tannen could answer, Azkadelia held up her hand. "I beg your pardon, Madame Trexels, but…but we know our own minds, and our own hearts. We came to you to sign our marriage contract specifically because I don't want to answer to anyone's questioning in this matter."

If the healer was surprised by the princess's polite rebuff, she didn't show it. "Of course, Your Highness. You will forgive me, but it will be my name on the contract, and while Her Majesty and the Council might not be upset with you, they certainly could be upset with me."

Azkadelia sighed. "I do understand the risk you are taking," she offered. "And though I will do my best to ensure you suffer no consequences for your part in this today, I come to you because…well…"

"Because I owe this to you," Sophrina finished for the princess.

Tannen, who had been watching the healer, now looked at Azkadelia, surprised to see her slightly guilty grimace.

"No, no, it is true," Sophrina rushed on when it seemed like Tannen would object. "I took something from her – despite that she claims it was the right thing."

"I'm sorry," Azkadelia whispered, breaking the silence that had settled over the midnight gathering. "I know, earlier, I said everything was all right. But it seems I'm still working things through."

"As is normal, Your Highness," Sophrina deferred.

"I still believe you did the right thing," the princess confirmed. When both her fiancé and the healer tried to protest she cut them off. "This is my body, so it is my judgment to make. And in my heart I know that the chance needed to be taken."

"And my heart tells me there is a debt to pay," the healer brought them back to the subject – the contract – at hand. "If this is what you want, both of you, then I will verify the contract and send you out into your life together. And may Ozma bless you both."

)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9

It was simply done, really. Just three signatures and a stamp and a seal and princess belonged to the lieutenant and the lieutenant to the princess.

It was also simple, when you have light, to make your way back to the palace, unseen. It helps also if the hour is very late, or very early, so that most of Central City is quiet and dim.

It is was simple – astonishingly so – for Azkadelia to take Tannen by the hand and lead him into her bedroom. They'd been there alone many a time. And still simple to let him watch her remove her dress and her underthings. They were in this same position just a few hours ago. Same thing as she helped Tannen remove his jacket and tie.

She had a moment where she worried that everything would not be simple anymore. Could she move beyond this point? Could she love her husband like she desperately wanted to? Could the beauty and the intimacy that her body desired rise from the mire of memories of pain and fear?

As it turns out, when Tannen laid Azkadelia gently down onto her bed and came down to lie next to her – all warmth and comfort and familiarity – it was simple after all.

"Just be here, with me," Tannen whispered, propped up on one elbow as he gazed down at Azkadelia and drew his fingers over her cheek. "And that's all we need."

"To be here, together," she affirmed with a nervous smile. Her hands gently glided along his bare chest and Azkadelia begged all the powers to let her have what she so desired – to let go and just be.

As she concentrated on the feeling of Tannen's skin beneath her fingertips and soft pressure of his thumb rubbing along her jawline, Azkadelia noticed her light welling up inside her. It calmed her fears and soothed her nerves and left her – though not in a form that Tannen could see – to move out from her through her bedroom, to cleanse the air of any sorrow or sadness or uncertainty lingering there.

In the end, it was simple after all. She could be with Tannen, love him and be loved by him and there was no memory or fear greater than what they made together.

)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)

A few days later.

The door to the waiting room pushed open and Az smiled when Tannen came through it.

"Hi," she whispered, before turning back to her speech notes.

"Are you nervous?" the new husband asked his wife, sitting down next to her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Yes, very much," Az answered. She relaxed a little, feeling safe in her husband's embrace. "But it will be fine, I'm sure."

"I know it will be," Tannen assured her.

"Are you nervous?" Azkadelia asked, when had Tannen jumped up from the seat next to her and started fidgeting a little.

"Me?"

The princess laughed. "Yes," she confirmed. "Why are you all jittery? I'm not going to embarrass myself out there you know."

Tannen grimaced. "No – it's not that," he stammered. "I know you're going to be great. The speech is great and you are great. I...um, I have something to give you," he declared, stopping his fidgeting to stand in front of his wife. He held out his hand to help her to her feet.

"A present?"

"Sort of," Tannen hedged. He took her face in his hands. "I'm sorry I didn't have this for you the other night," he said. "But we moved a little...um, quicker than I was anticipating."

Azkadelia's laugther died out when he carefully withdrew a small wooden box from his pocket and tipped its contents into his hand. Az gasped in delight, her fingers flying up to cover her mouth. A silver ring sat in Tannen palm – glinting, shining. It was a thick, wire band with a large rectangle emerald set in the middle. Two hearts molded from the silver wire flanked either side of the emerald. The ring was simple, but stunning.

"It's beautiful," the princess sighed, reaching for the ring. Her husband took her hand and slipped it on her finger.

"It's us," he said, still holding Azkadelia's hand between them, the ring fairly glowing on her finger. "Your heart," he explained, pointing to one of the wire shapes. "My heart, and all that we have – our past, our present, our future – this wonderful love and life and light between us," he continued, gently running his finger over the deep green emerald.

Az laughed joyfully. "I love it!" she cried, pulling her hand from his and placing it on his cheek. "It's so romantic I think my heart is going to burst!"

Tannen laughed too, from relief. "You do like it?" he asked, seeking reassurance.

"Yes!"

He covered her hand with his own and moved them to press his lips against her palm. "Oh good, I never talked to you about it and I wasn't sure..." he trailed off.

"Stop worrying," Az scolded with a smile. "It's gorgeous," she said, "and I love what it stands for – what it represents – even more."

Tannen smiled and pulled Azkadelia against his chest – kissing her tenderly. For a moment, everything disappeared from her world – as it did every time they'd been together over the past few days – and Azkadelia let everything in her melt into her husband. She kissed him with all the love and passion and joy that pulsed through her in this perfect moment, wrapping her arms about his neck and pressing herself as close as she could.

"It's time Azkadelia, dear – oh!"

The sudden intrusion surprised the couple, who turned in each other's arms with gasps to find the queen and consort standing in the doorway with matching expressions of shock and delight and chagrin.

"Mother! Father!" Azkadelia stammered, pulling away from Tannen and hastily straightened her dress and hair. Next to her, Tannen discreetly pulled at his uniform jacket and wiped at his mouth.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness." This he said in a rush as he sketched a polite bow.

Obviously flustered, Lavendar Eyes just stared for a long moment before shaking herself and extending a hand toward her daughter.

"It's time for your speech Azkadelia, dear," the queen said, gathering her composure quickly. She sent a smile to the young man standing uncertainly by her older daughter. Azkadelia didn't move but looked between her parents and her husband with something like panic in her eyes.

"Your Majesty – " Tannen started, deciding to try and explain however he could – whatever he could.

"There's no time now, Lieutenant Commander Evergreen," the queen interrupted him, moving to her daughter and smoothing down her hair.

"But Mother you must understand – " this from Azkadelia, rousing herself from her state of stunned silence.

"That you and this young man are in love?" Ahamo broke in with a grin. "Yes, my dear, we know." He strode across the room and lifted Tannen's hand and gave it a hearty shake. "You – neither of you – hide it very well."

"And we couldn't be happier dear," L.E. added, patting Azkadelia lightly on the cheek before swiping at a smudge of lipstick on her lips. "You are my beloved daughter and there isn't a more honorable, wonderful man than you, young man. You are just what I would have wanted for my girl. We'll be so pleased to announce your engagement when the time is right – whenever you're ready."

"Oh, Mother – "

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but – "

"But unless you feel like you're ready to make that announcement today and set that three-ring circus into motion I suggest you just give your prepared speech and give it now. Let's open this anniversary celebration and let the festivities begin!" Ahamo suggested, ushering Azkadelia toward the door that led to the terrace where she would address the crowd.

Before the door shut on the small waiting room, Azkadelia turned and caught Tannen's stunned smile. She quirked up her brows in a silent question. He just smiled and shrugged.

It was loud out on the terrace – the sounds of the enormous crowd filling the air. With a huge breath she walked to the loud-speaker and pasted a smile on her face.

Looking out over the sea of Outer Zonians gathered in the square, her smile melted into a genuine grin. She spotted Lady Tia and her daughters-in-law sitting in the first of the rows of chairs that started at the bottom of the terrace steps. Jeb and his fiancé were a few rows behind her. The faces of the individuals faded into a blur as she tried to see to the back of the crowd – but it didn't matter. They were all here – all together for the same reason: to celebrate.

The sound of the crowd swelled for a moment before it quieted down; the message that the princess started to speak traveling through the crowd like wind.

"My fellow OZ-ians," Azkadelia began, her tone clear and crisp. "Her Majesty has honored me by allowing me this chance to address you at the start of our celebration weekend.

"The last few years have been so very difficult. For a while, all of us lost so much. Some lost their homes. Some their possessions. Some lost their loved ones, their families, and some their lives. Some of us lost our autonomy – some of us lost our liberty. For a while, here in the O.Z., all seemed lost.

"But it wasn't. It wasn't. For beating in my heart there lay the promise of what this great land – what the great inhabitants of it – could do with a little hope. Hope that the prophecy would be fulfilled, hope that the light of this land would win over whatever evil might try to snuff it out. And it did.

"There aren't very many who can understand what this past year has been like for me. And yet, in way, each of you understand perfectly. Today, I thank you for your faith in me – that you believed even when it was beyond your understanding. Thank you for your charity toward me. You've given me room to return to myself, and so many open arms were waiting to welcome me as I did."

Overcome with emotion, Azkadelia paused for a moment and allowed herself to observe the crowd. She felt the crush of every gaze upon her, and she noticed that many of the people in front of her had tears on their cheeks. A rush of feeling overwhelmed the princess, and she let her words come from her heart.

"With everything in me I pledge my love to you – to all of you. I give you my solemn promise to never take for granted the mercy and tender kindness you have bestowed upon me, and I promise also that I will never forget what it means to be free. I will strive to ensure that the evil that held us captive will never darken our fair land again.

"I cannot see our future, but I feel – by Ozma, how I feel – we will prosper and flourish. All of us, together, lifting each other and helping each other along. And the light of the people of the Outer Zone will shine bright and bring vivid, vibrant color to our place in space and time."

The unwavering focus of the crowd felt like an actual weight on Azkadelia. Just as she started to feel a little embarrassed by the echoing silence, Jeb lurched to his feet – tears streaming down his face, but his smile genuine and wide.

"Long live the House of Gale!" he shouted, standing straight and tall.

Beside him, Lydia stood and repeated his sentiment. "Long live the House of Gale!"

Lady Tia stood up, followed by her daughters-in-law. They pledged the same, their proclamations a rag-tag recitation. Slowly, but with increasing frequency, others stood, most with great emotion in their eyes, and the great chant began to ring through the square.

"Long live the House of Gale! Long live the House of Gale! Long live the House of Gale!"

As the chant became deafening, the crowd dissolved into clapping and thunderous cheering. Azkadelia smiled and waved, feeling a little sheepish for reasons she couldn't quite understand.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mother and father and Tannen coming to her side. She turned her beaming smile on them and welcomed the hug from both her parents, which made the crowd roar joyously.

As the queen, princess and consort turned back to the microphone, Azkadelia noticed Tannen take a military stance a few feet back, obviously playing the role of Royal Guard. It was his job – but it wasn't enough anymore.

Az stepped up to the loud-speaker again and held up her hands – a gesture she'd seen her mother used to bring focus back to her. It worked. The crowd quieted down, the clapping and cheering tapering off like a wave back from the terrace.

"As you all know, we also celebrate this weekend the union of my beloved sister DG to the Commander of the Royal Guard, Wyatt Cain. We all owe them both a great debt for their efforts on behalf of the Outer Zone, and I love them both dearly for their sacrifices for me, in particular. I don't mean to take away from their special celebration, but I wanted to let you all know that I...um...well, that…I got married. To Lieutenant Commander Evergreen of the Royal Guard."

If she thought the crowd was silent before – she was wrong. At her announcement, Azkadelia felt all the air being sucked into everyone's lungs. She heard only Tia's gasp of surprise and the faint, muffled cry from DG of "WHAT?!" back in the waiting.

"It's true," Az continued, unsure of how to interpret the stunned silence. "This is him," she said, picking up her skirt, running over and grabbing Tannen – dragging him back to the loud-speaker next to her. "Many of you know his parents – the late Lord Brynd Evergreen and Lady Tia Evergreen. We hope you don't mind that we didn't make a big to-do out of it. We just wanted to have a quiet – really quiet ceremony for reasons you can probably understand after this past year. I hope you'll be happy for us, and we promise to let the whole kingdom celebrate with us maybe at our next anniversary celebration."

She paused and looked at Tannen standing next to her. She loved him, so much. It overwhelmed her sometimes.

"I'm glad I said something," she whispered to him, not heeding that her message carried through the loud-speaker to the entire crowd.

Tannen scooped up her hand and kissed the back of it. "I love you," he told her.

That broke the spell of shock the crowd seemed to be under. At the romantic declaration, the people erupted in cheers and whistles and shouting again. Tannen's family stormed up the steps, along with several other good friends of lieutenant commander that were near the front of the crowd. The young couple found themselves veritably assaulted by hugs and well-wishes, not the least of those from the princess' mother and father.

"You silly little girl!" the consort shouted to his daughter, trying to be heard over the din. "You must have another ceremony in a year so that I can walk you down the aisle! I won't be cheated!" His stern reprimand camaflouging his riotous emotions.

"Yes, Ahamo, yes, in a year!" Az promised him, laughing and hugging him fiercely.

They looked over to see Lavendar Eyes sobbing against Tannen's shoulder – who just patted her back with concern. The queen seemed to be telling him something, but the look on his face as he caught Azkadelia's eye told that he didn't know what to do.

Ahamo laughed and reached for his wife, pulling her close to him as Tannen did the same to Azkadelia. For a moment, everyone was very merry, except for the group of Royal Guards trying to keep order on the terrace around the Royal family.

Suddenly, like a whirlwind, DG came flying through the crowd and bowled into her sister and new brother-in-law.

"HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL ME!?" she cried, squeezing Azkadelia and Tannen around the necks simultaneously.

"Congrats you two," Cain added in, much more subdued, thought with a happy grin. He reached over and extricated his wife from her choke hold on the newlyweds. Then he helped usher the Royal Family and Tannen's family back into the waiting room where the Royal Guard could regain some security control.

"Everything is perfect! I don't know that I can be any happier than this perfect moment!" DG was crying now and hugging everyone in the room, including Tannen's startled sisters-in-law.

Everyone laughed at her and endured her squeezes.

"What now?!" she cried once she'd hugged it all out with everyone in the room.

"Now you get married, DG!" Azkadelia cried. "You are supposed to be getting dressed right now, aren't you?"

DG looked down at the white dressing gown she had on, like she'd forgotten what the day was. "Oh, yeah!" she squealed, rushing over to press a kiss to Cain's smiling mouth. "See you in a few minutes!" she cried before running out of the room.

"I suppose that's my cue," Lavendar Eyes said, using her husband's handkerchief to wipe at the happy tears on her cheeks. "I probably need to freshen up myself. Azkadelia, dear, are you coming to help your sister?"

"Yes, mother," the princess affirmed. "I'm coming. Just…."

Azkadelia looked around the room of happy faces. Lady Tia was hugging her son, speaking to him quietly. Az could see the fierce love her mother-in-law had for Tannen and that Tannen had for his mother. She was glad to have such a woman as another mother and a friend. And she was grateful that Tia and her husband had raised such a remarkable son.

Ahamo was chatting with Cain, about what, the princess couldn't tell. Cain seemed remarkably calm for a man about to marry into the Royal Family, though Azkadelia wasn't really surprised. Cain belonged here – as DG's love, as Azkadelia's brother and friend, as the protector of the Royal Family.

DG was right. This moment was so perfectly full of love and life and hope and happiness that it brought a lump to Azkadelia's throat.

"Az, dear?" the queen called from the doorway.

The princess turned to her mother with a smile. "I'm coming, mother," she whispered. "I just needed to catch my breath."

)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)9)

Epilogue – Around two and a half years later

"Ugh, this is taking forever!" DG groaned, tossing a ball to one of her twin boys in the hallway outside the infirmary.

"It will take as long as it's going to take, darlin'," Cain replied from his spot on the bench against the wall.

Ahamo sat next to him, his other twin grandson bouncing in his lap. "Can't rush nature DG," he pointed out.

"I know, but it's stupid they won't update us more often," the princess cried.

"Don't say stupid," toddler number one babbled.

"Don't say stupid Mama," his brother affirmed.

"That's right, good boys!" L.E. cheered with a grin at her daughter. She sat in one of a pair of armchairs in an alcove a few feet from bench. Tia Evergreen sat next to her and they sipped tea together, calmly.

DG blanched and rushed to scoop up her giggling son. "You're right! Mommy said a bad word. I'm sorry and I'll try not to say it again." Her husband and father both snorted.

"Who do you think they learned it from, sweetheart?" Cain asked.

His wife glared. "At least I didn't teach them to say – "

The light-hearted argument was cut off by the infirmary door opening. Everyone whirled around to see the midwife slip through the doorway.

When she looked up at the assembled group, there were tears in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered. "The baby didn't...she was stillborn. There's nothing we could do."

Everyone gasped.

"Azkadelia?" the queen asked, the word piercing through the air that shimmered with emotion.

"Physically, she came through just fine," the midwife reported. "I'm so sorry," she repeated before turning back into the room.

No one moved. No one spoke.

"No."

This from DG.

"No, I don't accept this," she growled low – boring holes thru the infirmary door with her stare. "Not for her." She fairly vibrated at the unfairness of the world.

Suddenly, an idea came to her – changing her, fundamentally, in it's arrival.

"How did you do it?" she asked with deadly calm, turning to her mother.

It took L.E. only a moment to comprehend. "DG, no. This is dangerous to do with your skill level – "

The princess rushed over, deposited her son into her husband's waiting arms, then kissed him fiercely. "I'll be right back," she whispered. "I love you, with everything in me."

"You, too," he affirmed, voice graveled with emotion. He looked, for a brief moment like he would try to stop her, but he just pulled his son tighter to him and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.

DG stalked to her mother. "Tell me how you did it," she commanded harshly, interrupting any protest the queen might have tried to make.

L.E. sighed and nodded before leaning into her daughter and whispering something into her ear.

With the message relayed, DG flew into the infirmary. She rushed through a cordoned off hallway, following the sound of her sister weeping softly. Ripping aside a curtain, she saw Azkadelia sitting up in a bed, Tannen next to her with his arms around his wife and their heads bowed together. They held a pink bundle between them.

Her tears choked her – pressing so hard against her throat she squeaked, alerting the grieving couple to her presence.

"DG," Azkadelia sobbed. "Did the midwife tell you...?"

The younger princess nodded, and felt the moment taking on a strange, dream-like quality. "I need to hold her," she whispered.

Tannen sucked in a beleaguered breath. "Please, DG, the midwife said we only have a little time before they take her away."

"No, you don't understand, please," DG begged, taking quick steps toward the bed. "Please, let me see her."

Azkadelia finally nodded and passed the bundle to Tannen, who handed her to her aunt. DG peered down at the still, little face – so new and so perfect. All her anguish, all her fear, all her nerves wound up into a ball of calm – powerful, vibrant calm as she beheld the next in line to the throne.

"Your grandmother is queen, your mother will be queen, and someday, you sweet little girl, you will be too," she promised the still being in her arms.

She then whispered the ancient words that uprooted the light from deep within her. DG felt it draw out – down to the essence – and she lifted it through herself and guided it toward the silenced body of her niece.

The room glowed brilliantly, causing Tannen and Az to shield their faces for a moment. DG's light circled around the pair standing next to the bed, growing ever more concentrated over the baby. When the last shard had sunk beneath the pink blanket, DG held her breath, never taking her eyes off the little future queen.

Just as she began to despair, the tiny baby took a gasping breath. And then another. And then another.

"Oh!" DG gasped, looking up at her sister and brother-in-law. "I did it!"

They were both confused and a little bit in shock. "Did what?" Tannen asked, finally.

His answer came when his daughter let out a wail – the kind that doctors and healers and midwives want from a healthy, vital newborn.

Azkadelia's hands covered her mouth and stifled her cry of shock. "DG, what – ?"

The ritual had drained DG. She began to shake and Tannen leaped from the bed to bring her to sit down on the bed. With trembling arms she leaned forward to pass the baby to her father, who then handed her to her mother's outstretched hands.

"How did you do that?" the new father asked, looking back and forth between his baby and his sister-in-law. "What did you do?"

DG ran her hands over her face, trying to stem the tide of shivers and shakes. Her teeth were starting to chatter a little uncontrollably.

"I did what Mother did for me all those years ago," she simply said, saved from having to explain further by the appearance of the midwife and a few attendants – drawn by the lusty baby wails.

"Your Highness!" the midwife gasped, gaping in astonishment at the group on the bed.

Chaos reigned for a moment while baby and mother were checked over again and explanations given – and Tannen ran from the room to bring Cain to DG, who was extremely pale and weak.

Before the infirmary door closed, the sisters could hear the cheers and joyful rejoicing from their family echo down to them.

A sob escaped Azkadelia's throat that drew DG's attention to her. DG found her sister staring at her, a look on her face she couldn't decipher.

"Thank you," Az finally whispered, her voice choked with the tears that ran unchecked down her face. "What you've done for me - you didn't have to do this."

With a tired groan, DG crawled to sit next to her sister. She dragged a blanket around her, hoping to stem the bone deep cold she felt. "Yes I did," she contradicted, firmly looking her sister in the eyes. "Standing out there in the hallway and hearing that your sweet miracle baby hadn't made it – I felt, no, I knew that my light was meant for her."

Az leaned her forehead against her sister's, tearing running silent but unchecked down her cheeks.

"I've not carried this light well," DG continued. "No, it's true," she avowed when Azkadelia seemed ready to contradict her. "I've never achieved the mastery over it that you have with yours. That tells me it was not really meant to be mine."

The new mother and aunt looked down at the little bundle, grunting and wiggling and they smiled.

"She'll be a wizard with it by the time she's queen," DG declared, running a gentle finger over the cap of dark hair on the baby's head.

Tannen came back into the room then, followed by Cain, who made a beeline for his wife's side. He sat down next to her, silently assessing her well-being.

"Thank you DG," Tannen said quietly, tears making his voice rough. He sat down again, pulling his wife into the circle of his arms. He rested his chin on the top of her head and looked at DG with intense gratitude and joy. "With everything in me – thank you."

"You're welcome Tannen."

"I'm proud of you, darlin'," Cain whispered.

"Naw," DG lightly shook off the praise, letting Cain help her stand and wrap the blanket around her again. "I did the easy part. Now you two gotta do the hard part: raise her."

Az and Tannen laughed, hardly able to tear their eyes away from their sweetly sleeping daughter.

"You think I'm funny but you don't do bedtime with my monsters," DG argued.

Cain laughed now. "It's not that bad," he denied. "We have Raw to help us!"

"Yeah, and he'll say it's hard too!"

Everyone chuckled at that, which roused the baby. She yawned and opened her eyes, staring up at her parents.

"Oh, would you look at that!" Tannen said in amazement.

"Hello sweetheart!" Az sighed.

"Look at her eyes!" DG exclaimed. "Cain, come look," she commanded, drawing her husband nearer to the bed to peer down at the newest family addition.

"We were told she could have eyes like that, so the name we chose is perfect!" Tannen exclaimed happily.

"How are you my wonderful little girl?" Az asked softly, stroking her finger down her baby's fuzzy cheek. "Lilac Evergreen."

"Of the House of Gale," Tannen finished.

Four adults crowded together over the tiny baby, who gazed up in wonder for few short moments before falling back asleep.

The midwife poked her head around the curtain. "The rest of the family would like to come in and see you," she said. "Are you ready for more visitors? Have you all had a chance to catch your breath?"

Az looked up at the midwife and smiled. "Yes, yes, please. Send our families in now. I'm ready."

Peace – wondrous peace – spread through her. Her beloved husband pressed against her left side, her beloved sister pressed against her right, and her beloved brother-in-law and friend with his hand on her shoulder. Her miracle baby – twice miracle baby – pressed into her arms.

With a smile on her face, Azkadelia found her chest was tight. It isn't always sorrow or despair that steals the wind from your lungs, she realized. Sometimes joy can take your breath away, too.

A/N: Thank you for sharing my journey...8 (?) years in the making. I finished. I finished. Thank the Good Lord above I finished. Happy Reading! Happy Writing!