A/N: Sorry this took so long for me to post, but here is the final chapter in the story. Keep an eye out for the next story in the series. "Fate Of A Pirate". There aren't any direct ties to this one but there are more stories to come.

The next day, I awoke and saw that Izana was just finishing getting dressed.

"Did I wake you?"

I sat up but kept myself covered with the blanket. "No, I don't think so."

"Good. You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to wake you."

"I slept amazingly, no nightmares to speak of."

Izana sat on the bed close to me. "That's good to hear." He gave me a romantic kiss and then stood up again. "I have an meeting this morning, but I'll have the maids bring your things from the other room. Now that we're married I would like you to sleep beside me every night."

"Thank you, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

He turned to stood up to leave.

"Izana…"

"Yes?"

"Do you have anything you need me to do today?"

"There's nothing for you to do till we get to Wilant castle a month from now."

"We're going to Wilant?"

"Yes, I was only here temporarily. Wilant is my home. We stayed here for the coronation and our wedding, but now that those are done, we only need to finish up the paperwork then we can return there."

"Alright, I'll make sure to be ready to go when the time comes."

"Good. Now I must go. I will see you later."

"Right."

Izana left and moments later all of my things from the other room were brought over. I then dressed and headed out to wander the grounds with Otuke close behind.

"Your Majesty!"

I turned around expecting to see someone calling after Izana, but I only saw Prince Zen as he approached me. My new title was going to take some getting used to.

"Prince Zen."

"You don't have to call me by my title anymore now that you're Queen." He explained.

"Alright, but only you call me Rin when we're only meeting casual like this. You're my brother now."

"Fair enough."

"Did you need something?"

"I was just wondering if you knew how long you'll be staying in Wistal."

"Why? You that anxious to get rid of us?" I teased.

"No! That's not it! I…"

"Oh calm down Zen, I was just teasing."

"Oh…"

"We leave in about a month. Izana wants to get back to Wilant."

"I figured he wouldn't want to stick around long." Zen seemed a little disappointed.

"I have an idea. Why don't you, Shirayuki and I all go on a picnic?" We would have to bring the attendants too, of course, but it would be a nice way to spend some time together.

"That sounds like fun. When do you want to go?"

"How about today for lunch?"

"Sounds good. I'll let Shirayuki know."

"Alright! I'll see you at lunch."

Lunch time came around and the three of us, with our attendants, went about a half an hour walk outside the castle walls. We found a beautiful clearing that looked like it was meant for a picnic. We set our baskets down and got everything set up. I had changed into my men's clothes for the outing because it was the most comfortable thing for me to wear.

We all ate our lunch and chatted about everything under the sun. Shirayuki gave us a lecture on a new herb she was working with. Zen talked about the training with the birds and I just listened.

There was a rustle that caught everyone's attention. My heart pounded as I intently stared at the bush waiting for a stalker to leap out. More rustling… and then… a bunny? I relaxed but the attendants were still on guard. Something was off. I was about to ask what it was.

Suddenly! "DIE!"

A man leapt from some nearby bushes and was coming straight for me with sword headed straight for my heart! There was no time to dodge! I braced myself for his sword then Otake quickly deflected the blade and knocked the man down. Kiki and Mitsuhide went to Zen's side and Obi to Shirayuki's.

Once my shock wore off, I looked at the man. He was scraggly looking and his clothes were tattered and torn. I smelled like he hadn't bathed in weeks.

I stood up and walked over to him, placing one hand on my dagger that was tied behind me, and I looked down at him.

"Why would you want to kill me?"

"Because! King Izana deserves to know my pain!"

His way of speaking sounded familiar. I looked into his eyes and I finally realized who this was.

"You're the former Lord of Sui, aren't you?"

"That's right, wench!"

"Watch your tongue! You are speaking to the Queen of Clarines!" Okate scolded.

"I don't care! I'm going to kill her!" He stabbed Otake with a hidden blade and lunged at me. Because he attacked Okate first, I was able to read his movements. I pulled my dagger out and sliced him across the throat before he could deliver a blow to me.

The Crazy Lord was dead.

I ran over to Otake and put pressure on the wound in his side.

"We need to get him to the castle!"

Zen quickly crafted a stretcher and everyone worked together to get him back to the castle. Once there, the medical team went to work quickly. I went and washed my hands and when I came back out, Izana was there with his arms crossed and gave me a stern look.

"I wasn't trying to get killed. Honest." I joked as I held up my hands in surrender.

"This is not a time to be joking!" His voice boomed. I had never heard such a tone from him.

"I'm sorry…"

"What were you thinking?! Now that you are Queen, you can't just run off whenever you feel like it!"

I felt horrible. I didn't mean to make him worry so much. Becoming Queen was a lot harder than I expected it to be. I didn't know how to respond because I knew he was right.

He let out a sigh. "What of the assailant?"

"Dead." I replied. "It was the former Lord of Sui."

"You mean he came after you again?!"

"Yes but it's done now. I killed him with my dagger." I decided to leave the part out about the Lord almost killing me first. At least for now.

"How did Otake get injured?"

Or I would have to tell him now…

"After he deflected the sword that could have killed me, he stood between me and the Lord. The Lord attacked him to get him out of the way and then he charged at me again. That's when I killed him."

Izana put his hand to his face and massaged his temples.

"I'm sorry… I should have thought things through more clearly. I-"

Izana pulled me into a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around him and a few tears ran down my face. I loved him and I hurt him by acting foolishly. I will never do something like this again.

The rest of the month passed quickly and we were soon on our way to Wilant. Once we arrived there was a thin blanket of snow on the ground. It was beautiful! I had never seen snow before! The chill nipped at my nose and the snow crunched under my feet as I walked. Our children are going to love playing in this.

We went inside and got settled in. It was still weird for me to not think of my room as my own anymore, but I loved having Izana there every night. Once everything was put away, Izana and I headed to the dining hall for dinner.

We opened the doors and I was happily surprised to see my family there. I went over and gave everyone a hug then we sat down and began to eat.

"Rin, will you tell me another one of your stories?!" Takeo enthused.

"Maybe after dinner."

"Okay… I wish I didn't have to wait to see you in order to hear them."

"I know but it can't be helped."

There was a silence.

"You Could Write A Book!" Takeo shouted.

I choked on my food a little because he startled me.

"Sorry." He immediately apologized.

"It's fine, Takeo. And actually, a book isn't a bad idea. I can title it 'Pirate Ron's Revenge'. What do you think?"

"That would be so awesome!"

"I won't give my name as the author though. I want people to read it and enjoy it as a story. I don't need more attention than I'm already getting now that I'm Queen."

"That's a wise decision." Izana input.

I was happy that he agreed. That meant I could actually do it.

Later that night I poured myself into writing and six months later, the book was published.

Three years after Izana and I had been married, and two years after Zen and Shirayuki finally tied the knot, we had a physician confirm that I was indeed pregnant. It was a complete shock because we had been told that I was unable to have kids after we tried for a year.

"This is a miracle so I suggest you take extra precautions. Otherwise, you may lose it." It was the physician that Izana had originally requested when our courtship started. Izana and Zen had managed to get him out safely before they met up with me for the 'exchange'."

"What do you suggest?" I asked worried.

"Stay in bed. Take it easy till the baby is ready to come."

"I guess I'll be reading a lot."

"Nice to see you taking my advice, Your Majesty. Many women still insist on working." The physician stood up. "I will be back every month to check on progress. If anything happens in the meantime, please send for me."

"We will. Thank you." Izana said.

The physician left and Izana and I were alone.

"Who would have thought I would actually get pregnant?! I am so happy right now!"

"I'm glad to hear it."

"I was surprised Zen and Shirayuki got pregnant so fast. Their little one will be about one now right?"

"That's right."

"I wish they would let us visit."

"You know that's not possible right now."

"I know. It will be nice to see our little bundle of joy."

"I agree."

Around nine months later, I was in active labour and was more than ready to deliver the baby.

"Just one more push, Your Majesty!" The physician encouraged.

I gave one more push as instructed and out came a beautiful baby.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. It's a boy."

They placed my son on my chest and gave him a quick wipe down. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Tears filled my eyes as my heart filled with love for this new life I had just brought into the world.

I covered myself up and told the physician that he could let Izana in now. Izana entered and his eyes rested on me holding our baby.

"It's a boy, Izana."

He drew closer and I handed him the baby. For the first time, I saw a tear escape his eye.

"Did the two of you have a name picked out?" The physician asked.

"We decided on Keno if it was a boy, right my love?" I only referred to Izana this way in tender moments like this. It wouldn't have been appropriate at any other time.

"Yes, Keno it is."

The End