A/N:
Hi! We have finally reached the end. I never though I woukd come this far and write a novel as lengthy as this one. Thank you for all the support and for patiently being with me for 8 months. It has been indded a ride filled with rollercoaster of emotions.
Enjoy the last chapter!
------------------------------------
As soon as the news of the Baroness' capture broke out, it stirred a lot of controversy between their people. Nonetheless, it made me very excited because I am finally able to return home after almost 4 days of staying here.
The Queen and I talked for a last time regarding where our kingdoms would go from here before finally deciding that it was time for me to go home. She insisted on seeing me leave and personally asked me to send her regards to my father.
I only told my father that I would last a week at most, definitely he did not expect me to return after four days. It was midday when I left the palace and decided to take a rest under some tree. I was not supposed to stay overnight in a place that I am completely unfamiliar with. But I also do not want to disturb my father's or Fergus' sleep if I arrive at this time of the night. The moon is already in the middle of the sky, a manifestation of midnight.
I rested my back in a tree and looked up at the sky. How wonderful it feels to be able to breathe normally. With our biggest problem resolved, I wonder where Fergus and I would go from here. I stared at the starry sky, wishing we were both looking at the stars at the same time. We both married for the sake of our country, but with this new love found in between us, I hope we could have a bright future together. I slept happily with the thought of me and Fergus sharing a future together.
I don't exactly know what time I woke up, but as soon as I opened my eyes and saw that the sun was just halfway through its rising, I immediately mounted Storm and ordered her to run at her fastest pace. I wanted nothing more than go home and be comforted in the warm embrace of my father and Fergus.
A few hours later, we finally reached Duncan. The gates are now visible in my eyes and my excitement grows as I am approaching. My eyes are surely sparkling and my smile is slowly stretched wider as I anticipated my return. The guards were flabbergasted when they spotted me and Storm. I can see their panic and wide eyes while hurriedly paced back and forth to open the gates and welcome me as well.
When at last, I passed the gates, I saw several guards lining up in two lines, forming something like an aisle, with my father on the end of it. I excitedly went down on Storm and ran towards my father before throwing myself at him for a tight hug.
"Elizabeth!" He exclaimed. "I have been extremely worried for your welfare. It has reached my ears that you went to England! You don't know how worried sick we were. Even Fergus wants to follow you, if I have not stopped him because of his injuries."
I broke off the hug with my smile still plastered on my face. "Father, I am fine. I have no scratches and they have treated me well. They gave me hospitality and even treated me nicely as if I do not come from their archenemy's clan. And oh, I have a good news for you."
I related everything that has happened to me during my stay in the English palace, as well as the agreement that the Queen and I have agreed upon. Other than that, I also told father about the capture of the Baroness and the unfortunate and untimely death of her son which led her to her crazy state.
Father looked solemn for a moment before he expressed his condolences and sad emotions before he agreed that it was just a repercussion of what they did. Indeed, they are now reaping what they sow.
After a long talk with father, he decided to retire to his room before directing me to Fergus' room. "You should go check on him, he has not been well when you left without informing him. I am afraid it might affect his recuperation." I nodded to him and bid him goodbye.
I knocked over Fergus' door and opened it when I heard no one answering me. I slowly roamed my eyes in the room only to see him sitting on the bed, with his eyes directed towards me. I can still see his injuries all over his body, with some, slowly healing and disappearing. My eyes immediately watered when I realised how much I missed him. It did not take long for me to walk towards his bed and hug him a little lighter, afraid that I might strain his injuries if I tightened my hug.
"I missed you," I exclaimed while letting go of the embrace. He is extremely silent so I decided to tell him everything that I have said to my father. I spared him no details, even the details of my journey on the road while travelling back and forth. He nodded and offered another hug which I gladly took.
"You do not know how worried I am when your father told me that he will be in charge of taking care of me for the meantime because you left and will not return for a week or so. I wanted to follow you, only if the professional and your father have not been keeping me caged in this room," he soulfully said.
I chuckled at him, "You need not to worry now. I will never leave again. I have to solve our problems in order for us to be finally free from the grasp of darkness. We also formed a truce with our longest enemy. It's a good thing that I have personally visited and shared my sentiments there."
He held my hands and looked me in the eye. "Well then, since everything is over, I have to ask one favour from you." My heart started to beat fast from what he said. He looked so stern and serious as he was saying it. Does that mean he does not want me and will decide to finally leave for the best?
Sensing my fear and thoughts, he tightened his grip on my hands. "I would like to ask you a favour of marrying me. Marrying me again for the second time. I know this is a bad time for a proposal and I deeply beg your pardon for that. I just cannot wait to ask you and finally be your man, this time. Not just for the sake of the country, for the sake of peace, but also for the sake of the matters of the heart. Are you still willing to take me as yours?"
I cried and repeatedly nodded my head. "Yes! Yes, of course! Who wouldn't want to marry you?" He smiled widely at what I said as I hugged him again. Finally, I can be able to say that I am now fully at peace.
"Would you love it if we could get married on the day of your coronation as the Queen?" He suddenly asked out of nowhere. I looked at him in shock. "The Queen consort has told me that you would be a Queen regnant. I would just like to ask if you'd love that idea."
With my heart swelling in so much love and happiness, I continuously said 'of course' and 'yes'. I never thought that he would take all of it into consideration. That he would like to give our big day solely to honour me in the name of marriage and coronation. I love this man so much that I never knew how it started and how foolish it is for me to not realise it sooner.
I spent the whole day lying in Fergus' arms, on the same bed as him. With his injuries as the only obstacle between us. I was once lost in the wilderness, trying to escape my damned reality and for saving myself from a marriage with a sassenach. Now, I am no longer in the wilderness, but I am now home. I found shelter in his arms, and I found warmth in his love. I am no longer running away because he had locked me up for an eternity with him. I am no longer trying to save myself from sadness and despair for he had saved me with his assurance and smiles. Now, I cannot wait for a future with him. Together with the uncertainties that lie ahead on our tomorrow.