He walked into that room, and his heart felt like it was beating next to his ears…every breath seemed to come faster as he thought of her.

And there she stood. Her black eyes as deep and wise as ever, the ebony hair tucked under her hood, but Dastan knew it was decorated by the shining crystals that were somehow attached. And it was true, what she had first said when they met. He did think she was beautiful. But it wasn't those sparkling eyes, or the softness of her skin, it was something that ran much deeper…

It was the way she smiled, her determination to follow her beliefs, her great heart, her courage and her stubbornness. All the things that he had come to love, but now had lost. Because Tamina would not remember a single thing of what had occurred, all she knew was that he was the same man that had fought so powerfully to destroy an innocent city. But he was not that same man. He had changed because of her, because her purity and love had caused him to want to be better…not good, but a great man. And now she did not remember a thing. This made tears threaten and a part of him seem to wither away in grief. How could every tease, smile and laugh they had shared be just erased? It seemed impossible.

The princess looked up. But, however, she would not meet his eyes…and the Prince of Persia wept inside. His father, however, was already talking. He was apologizing to the princess, and speaking of things that should've concerned Dastan. But now nothing did.

"And, we would like to offer a union, if you wish, between you and one of my sons." The old king continued, to Dastan's dismay. And now…he thought, he would be forced to watch her marry one of his brothers. Today could not be more nightmarish, he thought again.

"To my youngest son, Dastan. For he does not share the blood of royalty, but he has the heart of the greatest king." The king finished. And then, he turned to his son, and smiled.

"I'm proud of you, Dastan. A good man would've fought for his kingdom as you no doubt did. But a greater man would stop it, when he knew it was truly wrong. You realized this, and I am proud to call you my son."

A small smile filled Dastan's features. He dared himself to look at Tamina.

"I know it's tradition to bring a gift for proposals, Princess, but I did not know that this would happen, so I am unprepared. However, there is one thing that I possess that already belongs to you. Here." Dastan's words were soft, as he looked into her eyes, and he gently retracted the dagger, and passed it to her. Her eyes turned wide. He was in front of her, blocking her from the sight of the audience. And, unknown to everyone but him, she reached out, and took one of his hands. She held it momentarily and then a genuine smile lifted the corners of her lips.

Did she? Dastan stepped backwards amazed. What she had just done was something that only the old Tamina, the one that knew Dastan inside and out, would've done.

"Thank you, Prince Dastan. For your kind present and for stopping any further damage to my holy city. Walk with me?" Her words were loud and rang with serenity and grandness.

They stepped out of the building, and Dastan followed her towards a small garden. All was silent but for the sound of water running gently from the pretty water fountain.

Dastan stood before her in silence. He pulled down her hood, revealing her beautiful features.

"You were right. That time, it was not the last time we were together." Tamina told him, and her voice was a small whisper. Her stubbornness and anger had faded completely, leaving a fragile person. And Dastan knew he loved her all the same.

A tear leaked out of her eyes, and he caught it gently.

"How…how do you remember?"

She stopped at his question.

"I'm not sure. I think…because I died it's different. For those moments that I was dead, I think that everything must've returned then. We have been blessed."

He nodded.

"I'm alive…and I'm with you. These are the best gifts of all." Tamina spoke gently, as Dastan's hands intertwined with hers.

Slowly, they leaned forwards, and when they kissed the world around them seemed to shatter. The moisture of her tears caressed Dastan's cheeks, as they kissed passionately. And it was as if nothing else mattered, but that one moment that they were sharing. Him…and his soon-to-be wife, he realized. She edged closer to him, and he tightened his arms around her, protecting her and vowing to never again lose her. As they pulled away, Dastan opened his eyes. And he saw Tamina staring at him with a look he had never seen her wear before. It was the same fierce determination and courage that he'd already known she had. But this time, it was directed at him- he was what she was determined not to lose, and what she would give everything to protect.

"I knew I couldn't get rid of you that easily." He joked, and the sound of her laughter tickled his ears.

A quizzical look filled her eyes, and a dread cursed through him. What was she thinking?

"What?" He asked her in worry.

A grin like no other was plastered on her face.

"Well, my Prince, you never did truly ask me to marry you. Only your father did. Would you care to ask me yourself? It'd be strange to accept it from your father but not you." Tamina explained. And now Dastan understood the mischief that was held in her astounding features.

Slowly, without leaving her eyes for a second, he got to his knees. He wanted to show her the respect he held for her, and how much she did mean to him. He then took one of her hands in his. It felt so small and soft in his one, and he laid a gentle kiss on it.

"Princess Tamina. I ask if you would do me the great honour of tying a bond between our two nations, and allow me to be your companion, to be by your side every day for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?"

And he was touched to see the tears that had again formed in her eyes. But they were tears of joy, for the future that they would share and everything that they could not wait for…

Tamina tugged on his hand, urging him to stand up again. And he obliged, awaiting her answer eagerly.

"Yes, Dastan, I would be honoured to be your wife." Her words were again a bare whisper, and as he stood before her, not knowing what to say, Tamina surprised him. She closed the space between them, and cupped his face in her hands.

"You know that I love you, do you not?" She whispered again, and her words made his heart beat more quickly than ever before. She did not allow him to return the kind words, but rather kissed him with more urgency than ever before, in a harsh kiss that still seemed to hold all the tender affection that they had for each other. It was seconds before they pulled apart, and when they did, Dastan knew that the time had come to return to his family. After all, they all thought that Tamina still disliked him. And he had a feeling she would enjoy teasing him by carrying on that pretence.

As they walked out of the sunlit garden, it seemed as if this was the end of a chapter, and the beginning of a much brighter one in their lives. Together.