O-O-O-O
"No! No no no!" Marinette yelled, shaking the lifeless elf, as if to bring her back.
The human turned her eyes towards the man who was towering over her, smirking at her friend's demise.
"She should have learned her place, she got what she deserved." he said.
Marinette stood, grasping the sword from Alya's hand with new fury as she swung blindly at the monarch.
Faster, harder, more skillful than her previous attack, her blade flew until it was hard to see.
A final twist sent the king falling to the floor.
Marinette loomed above him, sword in hand.
"Kill me. It's what you want to do, just do it already." he hissed.
"Gladly." Adrien said, raising his bow.
"Peace, Adrien." Marinette said, sheathing her blade.
"Has not enough blood been spilled this night?"
Adrien looked at her questionably, wondering why she wouldn't just finish the deed.
"Though as a king you were unfit." she began. "You are still my brother, and l will honor that bond. You are not to set foot in this kingdom again, my guards will have orders to kill on sight if you try. Go, now. Leave the sword, flee as quickly as you can. And don't look back as you go."
The former monarch looked at her, nodded, and fled for the hills, the doors slamming behind him.
Marinette slowly walked over to Alya's body, taking off her own cloak and placing it around her friend.
"Why were you so brave? Why was it for me?" She murmured, brushing some hair from the elf's face.
The body began to glow and slowly fade, and soon, Hanala was sitting there, looking at nothing but a bloodstained floor.
l trust you.
That's what she had said.
The human felt tears welling up, but remembered her friend's words.
"Don't cry for me."
Marinette felt a warm hand on her shoulder, and spun around to see Adrien behind her.
"She's not your Alya."
Marinette nodded.
"But she sure seems like mine."
A moment passed before Adrien spoke.
"You did the noble thing, mercy was a virtue that was never taught to me."
"You cannot teach mercy, though you can learn it."
The elf smiled at her.
"It is good. l believe it is time for you to return, if that is what you wish?"
Marinette hesitated.
"Yes, l want to go home."
The human sighed.
"l… l'm not sure what to do now…"
Adrien lifted her to her feet.
"Go get some sleep." he recommended.
Marinette suddenly had a thought.
Yes, Alya would approve of this.
One final act...
"I think I have one thing l need to do before l do that. Come here."
Marinette whispered something in Adrien's ear.
"Oh. Yes. l like that very much."
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"Kristlen," Marinette whispered. "Wake up!"
The human shook the elf a few more times.
It took a few moments for the elf to respond, when she did open her eyes, she was lightning quick to get away from Marinette.
"What do you want, my Lady?" she asked, a strange mixture of drowsiness, alertness and fear.
"Shh! Come with me." The human grabbed the elf's wrist and pulled her out of the shack, coming face to face with an equally confused Willaan.
"What are we doing?" Kristlen demanded.
Marinette giggled. "You'll see."
Dragging both of them along, Marinette made her way down garden paths and over small streams.
Willaan and Kristlen asked over and over again where they were going, but all they got was a vague 'you'll see.'
The human finally stopped in front of a statue.
"Twee twee twew." she whistled.
A moment passed.
"Twew twee twee." the reply came.
Within seconds Adrien appeared from behind the trees, two bundles in hand.
"Here you go!" Marinette said, handing one to Kristlen and one to Willaan.
"Marinette… What are you doing?" Willaan asked, looking at the bundle as if it was about to blow up.
"No time! Quick, behind the brush!" she said, pulling Kristlen one way and Adrien pulled Willaan another.
"My Lady, what-" Kristlen started, but was cut off as Marinette opened the bundle, revealing the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.
Marinette smiled. "Put it on! Hurry! Willaan will be ready soon and we still need to do your hair!"
Kristlen looked at her like she was insane.
"My Lady, l couldn't possibly-"
"Oh come off it! Tonight is your night! No formalities!"
"My night?"
Marinette massaged her temples.
"Do l need to spell it out for you? Tonight, you and Willaan are escaping to the Haven, after taking care of your marriage of course, and-"
"MARRIAGE!?" Kristlen whisper yelled.
"You do want to marry him, don't you?" Marinette asked, confused.
The elf shook her head.
"Yes, more than anything but-"
"Then stop procrastinating and put on the dress! We Don't have much time! Oh, and can you promise me something?"
The elf barely nodded.
"Please, if you love me, which l know you don't, no incredibly gross mushy stuff."
Kritslen looked at Marinette unbelievingly before quickly changing out of her rags and into the dress.
Marinette tenderly combed through the brunette locks of Kristlen's hair, careful not to pull.
A few braids and a bit of dirt scrubbing later, Kristlen could have outshone the most noble of human brides.
"Marinette?" the elf asked.
"Yes?"
"l, l want Alya to be here."
Marinette stopped what she was doing and turned to face the elf.
"Alya… Is, i'm sorry… She's gone…"
Kristlen's face turned from joy to horror a moment.
"No… No… Please, say she is not…" she cried.
"I'm sorry. She, she said not to cry…" Marinette said, it's all she could say.
After a few tears, Kristlen dried her eyes.
"She's free now."
Marinette felt her own tears pricking her eyes, threatening to fall down her cheeks.
"Hey, hey," Kristlen said. "We can't have you tearing up too, she would have wanted us both to be happy tonight, wouldn't she've? And as you said, she told us not to cry."
Marinette nodded, wiping her eyes before smiling.
"Well then, let us make it a joyous night!" she said, grabbing the elf and getting up.
Kristlen was stunned as she saw what Adrien had done to the remote corner of the garden.
Candles lit a pathway acting as an isle, flower petals were scattered down it.
The Leafearian bushes and flowers were in full bloom, the blossoms reflecting the light in small droplets of moisture that had gathered from the rain earlier.
The effect was breathtaking.
Samanule smiled and nodded as Willaan turned to see his bride.
The human gasped as he saw her.
Kristlen's dress was cream colored with small, golden stitches along the hem, creating the images of delicate blossoms.
She was wearing a crown of flowers around her forehead, adding to the glow the candles gave her.
But her best accessory, was the pure, beautiful smile she wore.
Willaan was wearing brown pants, a forest green tunic tied with a belt, and a pair of doe skin boots.
But neither of them cared about looks, they were lost in each other's eyes.
Marinette winked at Adrien.
He winked back.
Marinette cleared her throat and a signal to 'stop gawking at each other and say i do already.'
Kristlen walked timidly up the isle, taking her groom's hand once she arrived.
"l am not legally authorized to marry you… But then again this isn't exactly a legal wedding." Adrien said.
"So get on with it!" Marinette added.
The adults gave a breathy laugh.
"Willaan?" Adrien asked.
The human cleared his throat.
"Kristlen, from the moment l met you l knew you were the one for me. You've been through struggles that l can't fathom, trials that l couldn't survive, and experiences that no one should have to undergo.
But as l came to know you, l saw the strong, independent, beautiful elf that Isiros Himself crafted with love. From the top of your hair to the ends of your toes, he made you perfect. No matter what scars or markings life has left on your flesh. If l had to face the world and everyone would betray me but you, then l would call it gain. l can't imagine going through life without you by my side. l love you.
You are my star in the darkened night, you are my voice calling me home, you are a picture of love. I believe that Isiros made you especially for me. And l could never thank Him enough for that."
Kristlen had began to cry, Willaan wiped her tears away.
"Kristlen?" Adrien said.
"Willaan, l love you. There really is nothing more for me to say. You have been my salvation, my protector, my friend, my family. And now here, as we are about to start a new chapter, l couldn't think of anyone l would rather start it with than you.
If l was created to be a wife, then l am glad it was yours. If l was created to be a mother, l am glad it is to your children. I believe l was created a half, because you make me whole. To the world, l am a slave. But you tell me l am a person.
To the world l am beneath them, but you tell me l am worth more than gold. Every step l take l want to be beside you. We are not rich, we are poor, but we are rich in spirit and we have Isiros and each other. And that's all we need.
l love you more than life itself, if l were to live as a slave the rest of my life and you were there, l would be just as happy as if l were free. Thank you, for everything you have done and ever will do. Willaan, you are my perfection."
It was Willaan's turn to cry now, but nobody minded.
"Rings?" Adrien asked, startling the couple.
"Adrien, we haven't money for-" Willaan started, but was interrupted by Marinette handing Adrien a pair of beautiful, finely crafted wedding bands.
Kristlen stared intently at the ring that was for her.
"Marinette… This is your-" she started, but was cut off.
"Oh don't worry about it. l've got a thousand more."
"l know, but this is your purity ring." The elf insisted.
Marinette shrugged.
"l made a promise. l don't need a ring prove that."
Kristlen opened her mouth to argue, but Marinette held up her hand.
"Enough. l'll hear no more of it. You deserve something special for your wedding."
The elf was quiet as Adrien continued.
"Willaan?"
"l do, with all of my heart."
"Kristlen?"
"More than anything."
"By no more than the will of Isiros, l suppose you are married now."
Adrien was about to say 'you may kiss' but apparently he didn't need to.
Willaan dipped Kristlen into a kiss as Marinette covered her eyes, suppressing disgusted sounds.
After it lasted more than ten seconds, the human couldn't take it anymore.
"If you two are finished, l have a horse ready to take you far away." She finally interrupted.
The couple finished up the kiss and nodded.
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No longer in wedding finery, but in discrete travel clothes, Kristlen and Willaan were taking care of the last preparations before the escape to the Haven
Willaan was tying the packs to the saddle which included a change of clothes, their wedding outfits, a small bag of gold, (courtesy of the royal treasury- and Marinette.) And a pack of food.
Swinging on, the human reached his hand out for his bride, who hesitated and turned around.
"Marinette," Kristlen said before she got on. "I, I'm sorry. For everything l said, everything l accused you of."
The human smiled.
"No apology necessary. l understand."
Kristlen nodded, and gave the human a hug.
"If Alya is alive in your world, hug her for me." she whispered before joining her husband on the horse and galloping away.
Marinette did not question how the elf knew about 'her world'.
"That was brave of you." Adrien remarked, watching the horse become a speck in the distance.
"In what way?"
"Every way. Humans can't marry elves, same vice versa. To give your blessing on such a union…"
Marinette shrugged.
"True love. It would have happened even if l was dead set against it."
Adrien nodded, then yawned.
"Do you have your eye on anyone back home?"
Marinette looked at him shocked.
"And what business is that of yours?"
"Then there is someone."
The human shook her head.
"No, no there isn't."
"Not yet anyway." the elf winked.
"And what about you?" Marinette asked.
"Well…"
Marinette grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Adrien, Lord of the castle on the Mountains, tell me this instant!"
The elf smiled a bit.
"She's an elf maid, pretty, but hardworking and kind. You'd like her."
Marinette nodded.
"And her name?"
Adrien hesitated.
"Aniliva. Daughter of-"
"Silasion!" Hannah finished, jumping a little.
"Back in my world, me and Livi would get together and talk for hours!"
And then it clicked.
The slave who had delivered her letter to Alya.
Livi.
It had been Livi and she hadn't even noticed.
Adrien smiled a bit.
"Well, l'm not ready yet. It'll definitely take a while, but i'm willing to wait."
The two walked in silence for a little bit.
"Why didn't you go with them?"
"What?"
"I said," Marinette clarified. "Why didn't you go with them to the Haven? You could have taken Livi."
The elf paused, trying to word it.
"l wasn't needed there."
"And you're needed here?"
Adrien nodded.
"With the fall of the king someone has to keep everything in order."
Marinette smiled.
"Yes, l suppose someone does."
"This is your door." the elf said abruptly.
Marinette looked up, she hadn't noticed coming into the palace.
"Alright, see you in the morning?" she asked.
"In the morning." Adrien agreed.
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Sunlight poured into Marinette's vision as she opened her eyes.
She quickly shut them, it was already giving her a headache.
Voices wove in and out of her hearing, thundering loud one moment and whispering quietly the next.
Warped and jumbled, a strange language she couldn't make sense of.
Crying.
She heard crying.
Sobbing.
The sounds were heartbreaking.
Hanala wanted to reach out, comfort whomever was mourning.
But her body refused to respond.
Her mind barely worked.
Every attempt she made to move was not only unsuccessful, but sent white hot pain down her body.
So she stopped trying after a while.
A few minutes passed, were they minutes?
They could have been hours.
Days.
She caught her name being said.
Had someone discovered their King gone?
A stranger laying dead in the throne room?
Marinette had to wake up.
The human focused on the words.
They weren't jumbled sounds anymore.
She could understand them.
"Marinette? Marinette, wake up. Wake up please." she heard someone pleading.
She knew that voice.
"Alya? You're alive?" Marinette's voice scratched out, the shock of hearing her friend's voice once again brought her back into the real world.
"Marinette!" the elf exclaimed, hugging her.
The human saw her room, her normal nightgown, her dearest friend.
She was safe.
She was home.
"What do you mean 'you're alive?' You're the one who hit their head." the elf said, tapping her on the nose.
"What?" Marinette asked, her head hurt like anything.
"You slipped and hit your head, you've been asleep for three days." she explained.
Marinette sighed, it was all over.
The human slid back into her bed from her sitting position.
It was over.
The nightmare had ended.
Marinette sighed.
"What do you think of Willaan and Lady Kristlen as a couple?" she blurted suddenly.
"Your brother Willaan, and Lady Kristlen of Solorin, a couple? You must have hit your head harder than we thought." she answered.
"Well, l feel perfectly fine." she said, flapping her arms, she winced in pain but her friend laughed, so she didn't mind.
"Alya, could you get me some paper and a pen? I just had the most incredible story idea." Marinette said thoughtfully.
"I thought you said you were perfectly fine. What am l, your slave?" Alya laughed.
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AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER! Oh, wait a sec… I take that back.