A/N: This chapter would not have happened without my beta, Galfridus. I can't thank you enough.

Chapter Twenty: Binds of War

Peace, my heart, let the time for
the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain
into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end
in the folding of the wings over the
nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be
gentle like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a
moment, and say your last words in
silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp
to light you on your way.

—Rabindrinath Tagore

Elizabeth watches as wave after wave of the soldiers take to the air, goddesses and fairies heading out of the forest towards the demons' stronghold to fight. She remembers her last day in the Celestial Realm, how she had watched the goddesses, her own friends, taking off to battle. Her heart had been just as heavy from grief over Mael's death and her mother's lies. Now she is anxious for her new life away from the goddesses and with Meliodas, but can feel it slipping away with each group of soldiers that take to the air.

Afterwards she waits at the Sacred Tree with Gerheade, exchanging uncomfortable pleasantries as they both try to not bring up the battle that is raging hundreds of miles away. They had seen the armies off that morning before being left alone, Gerheade finally inviting her for a tour and Elizabeth eagerly agreeing. The fairy explained that as the Holy Maiden she must stay while the king is away, but the goddess barely listens. Eventually they lapse into silence, Gerheade leading her to an area inside the base of the Tree that is set aside as a parlor of sorts.

There are some remarks about the weather, but other than that the girls sit without speaking. The space between them seems to grow by the moment until finally Elizabeth can take it no longer.

"Your Highness—" she begins, just as Gerheade says, "Princess—" and both dissolve into laughter, the tension now gone.

"Please go ahead," Elizabeth tells her kindly.

"I just wanted to know…" Gerheade looks down at her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Are you sure you can trust him, my lady? From what Gloxinia says, you've only made his acquaintance a few weeks ago."

There is no doubt who the him the fairy refers to is, and Elizabeth sighs. "I do trust him. My heart trusts him. I can't explain it, and maybe I never will." She looks around at the flora and foliage that surrounds them. "My life has been nothing but marble walls and locked windows. Even out here, where there is the threat of losing everything, I am happier than I was in my mother's castle. And it's because of Meliodas."

She notes Gerheade's shiver at his name. "But that one, Elizabeth," the fairy whispers. "The rumors about him are terrible. I've seen the destruction myself."

Elizabeth clears her throat. "Surely in a war such things would be—after all there are no truly innocent sides in this and—"

"So you don't know then, do you?"

The goddess frowns and shakes her head. Gerheade's expression turns painful before it smoothes into a royal mask Elizabeth knows well. "He's the reason why we are here. Him and his Ten Commandments."

The fairy shifts in her seat. "Our clan was allowed to roam freely before. The forest was our home and the source of our power but we could travel through Britannia and interact with the other clans. But then one day…" She clears her throat before looking Elizabeth squarely in the eye. "They attacked a settlement of humans, and some of us fairies were there. The demons killed many of both clans. For some imagined slight, most likely. They burned everything we had. I was lucky to escape, and I remember their eyes… so dark, so cold."

"I'm sorry—"

"He gave you your freedom and stole mine."

Elizabeth sucks in a sharp breath, ready to defend him, but how? "Was Meliodas there?" she asks.

"I don't know," she admits. "There are more of them as well, who bring their own rumors. One brother is as lethal as your demon, and named the king's executioner. He kills without hesitation or feeling. He only obeys orders."

Elizabeth blushes and looks away. That would be Zeldris, the one that was at Belialuin—and the one who is now in love. "Perhaps he has no choice," she murmurs.

"We all have choices, princess," snaps the fairy, the pretence of decorum retreating with each word. "The other is a walking nightmare. He takes pleasure in his sins, and pleasure in his victims too, if the rumors are true." Gerheade shudders again. "They eat souls and think nothing of torture. They cannot love."

"That's not true!" The girls stare at one another, Gerheade's expression widening in surprise as Elizabeth grows heated. "They do love. The executioner—his name is Zeldris—he loves another. He is trying to save her, even now. And Gowther, he is part of their clan and is not that way. He cares a great deal for Merlin."

Gerheade is glaring at her now but has the sense to hold her tongue. But the princess is too incensed to restrain herself, rushing on, "And I know Meliodas is… I know what he has done. I know this. But he rescued me from a life of lies. The goddesses, the ones held on the pedestal among the clan, have killed and tortured and taken their own pleasure. I've seen that myself.

"And I've also seen… I've seen Meliodas be kind. I've seen him be gentle." Her cheeks flush as she thinks of his hand on her cheek. "He saved my life, defended me against those who should have protected me. He is more than a killer, just like the goddesses are more than guardians of light, just like the fairy clan are more than children in the forest. None of us are innocent; we all must atone and grow together."

Elizabeth swallows, expecting the maiden to argue back; instead Gerheade bows her head and uses a hand to wipe her cheeks. "You're right," she says quietly. "We all have a part in this. I shouldn't be so quick to judge. Will you forgive me?"

She looks so earnest that Elizabeth stands and rushes forward, embracing her tightly. "There is nothing to forgive. Doubts are a part of life. And trust is not easy, and must be earned." The goddess eases back and takes Gerheade's hands. "I'm sorry that happened to you. I understand why you are wary of Meliodas. But I can see in his eyes he is sincere. And I hope we can change the rest of the clan as well, and the goddesses, and put an end to this war."

Gerheade peers at her closely before nodding. "I believe you, Elizabeth. If anyone can do it, I think it would be you."

The goddess smiles, thankful for the moment; but then pauses. Is Gerheade sincere? Does the fairy truly believe in her, or is this her magic, once more influencing the hearts of others?

She jerks her hands away, suddenly afraid, but before she can ask further there is a commotion nearby. Both jump to their feet and hurry from the base of the tree. The army is beginning to return, fairies and goddesses carrying the injured as they are quickly tended to by Gloxinia.

Pulling up short, Elizabeth takes in the scene, barely believing her eyes. Dozens are sitting on the ground, some being tended to if their physical wounds cannot heal fast enough by their own magic. The king uses his Sacred Spear to heal some, but there are so many, more wounded than she had ever imagined, even in the worst moments. Her ears are at once filled with moans and curses even as her eyes take in the gore. So many times she had watched one battle or another through the looking-glass in the palace, but it had never done justice to the deep color of red on the ground or the copper tang in the air, the pain on their faces, the confusion and disarray among the group.

Gerheade takes off at once to assist, and Elizabeth knows she should go as well, but does not move. She is ashamed of her cowardice, but it overtakes her nonetheless. Is this what Jelamet has seen? Ludoshel and Mael? Has her mother ever stood before her injured goddesses, her own people, and been horrified at what they had done?

She remembers what Gerheade had told her about the attack on the fairies and humans, and Elizabeth's stomach turns. This is one more thing she is experiencing for the first time, one more way her ignorance is on display. Meliodas had told her none of this was a game, and now she understands what he means. How many times has he seen this? How could he watch this over and over and over again?

Her eyes scan the crowd for Meliodas, but in vain. Each second that ticks by as she looks for him makes her heart sink.

Then a hand is on her arm, yanking her sharply, and Elizabeth finds herself face-to-face with Ludoshel. "There you are," he says, his voice both velvet and poison. "There are goddesses who have been hurt to help your traitorous friends. Now do your duty and help them."

Elizabeth pulls her arm away, holding herself with as much dignity she can muster. "Of course I will help."

Brushing by him, the princess heads towards the group, kneeling by the first and summoning her magic. Elizabeth swallows around the lump that rises as she takes in the injuries, sweat breaking out on her brow from her fear and the way it besets her senses. She bows her head in a prayer for healing, trying to mimic what she had done for Merlin, and then Meliodas, and trying not to worry for either as she works.

Meliodas enters the makeshift camp carrying Merlin, and their eyes connect immediately. Feathers and silver hair fly in a whirlwind and then he has the goddess also in his arms, both girls clinging to each other and him and the demon is nearly knocked over by their joyful reunion. Elizabeth pulls Merlin from him and cuddles her closely, the girl talking a mile a minute through her tears as the goddess kisses her cheeks. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she repeats over and over, checking the girl.

She draws back in horror to see the blood, and Meliodas quickly says, "It's not hers."

Elizabeth's eyes go wide as she looks at him, and Merlin abruptly stops talking. The three share a tense moment before she nods. "All right then. Come along, you both need food and rest."

Deciding not to argue, he follows as she leads them through the injured, holding Merlin against her shoulder to shield her from the gore. But the girl looks around curiously, and Meliodas grumbles under his breath. Elizabeth presses him to sit on the ground by the Sacred Tree, returning shortly with some fruit and bread before leading Merlin away.

Silently he picks at his food, taking a bite of the fruit before pushing it away. He swallows thickly around the sweet liquid now on his tongue and flexes his hands, looking down at the healed cuts that shine with fresh skin. For a moment he hesitates, then Meliodas calls on his demon power, huffing in relief when a small flash of violet flame erupts from his hand. He runs his fingers through his hair, tugging on the strands, staring at the ground as he thinks.

"Here."

He looks up to see Gloxinia offering him a cup. Gratefully he takes it, the cold water tasting fresh and soothing the fire in his chest. "I see the girl is back," Gloxinia says. "Where is the other?"

"Still there." Meliodas wipes his mouth with the back of his hand before offering the cup back.

He peeks up through matted bangs to see Gloxinia frowning. "You failed your mission."

Meliodas shrugs. "And you?"

"We secured all the goddesses and fairies being held there. A handful of humans as well." The king sighs and shakes his head. "Not very many losses on either side, but enough I suppose."

A creeping feeling wedges inside the demon. His years of training, his upbringing and position have taught him not to care about such things. Generals have no time for caring over loss of life.

"Thank you," Meliodas answers.

The king looks as surprised as he feels, and then nods before leaving him alone again.

No one else approaches him, which Meliodas feels is just as well. He takes the time to silently process all that has happened, brooding over the loss of his Commandment and what it will mean for both him and Elizabeth. He supposes that he can safely assume he will no longer be the next king, and even chuckles to himself as the realization sinks into his consciousness. The one thing he never wanted is the one thing he must have, now that it is gone.

Zeldris will be glad to rule, he thinks, knowing Estarossa will not even be a choice: his magic is too unstable to lead their clan. Suddenly he remembers their last meeting, and the vampire girl who had been sentenced to die. Meliodas curses under his breath as he recalls his promise. Where is Zeldris now? Has the girl been destroyed? He lowers his head and balls his fingers into fists, his arms trembling with the vileness of it all.

His name draws his attention. The demon looks up to see the light is beginning to fade into dusk, and Merlin and Elizabeth have returned. The girl is cleaned up now, hair damp and munching on fruit, plopping down next to him on the moss. "Did you eat?"

He nods and turns to watch Elizabeth take a seat as well. Her wings flutter briefly before folding neatly behind her as she tucks her legs to the side. But the goddess does not meet his eye, instead leaning in a bit to murmur, "Merlin, you promised me you would rest."

"I am resting," she protests. "See?"

The girl grabs his arm and presses her head against his shoulder. Meliodas stiffens, sitting rigidly. Elizabeth sighs as she tucks a bit of hair behind the girl's ear. "You must be so tired."

Merlin shrugs, and the goddess smiles. "You're safe."

"They got into the forest before," she argues. "Why won't they just do it again?"

"Because I wasn't here." Meliodas looks down to see the girl's large, dark eyes peer up at him. "The demons wouldn't dare come while I am in the forest."

"But you are a demon." Merlin is very matter-of-fact, her tone sharp but not accusing. "You're one of them."

"Not anymore," Elizabeth assures her.

Finally she glances up, and their eyes meet. She looks almost startled, blinking several times before shaking her head. Meliodas frowns, wondering about her sudden change in demeanor. "What is it?" he demands.

Elizabeth shakes her head. "It's nothing, I… I never saw all that before today." She shudders a bit as her lashes flutter. "I was glad to be here, to help, but all that—that…" Her voice fades away with a sigh. "This war has to end."

He notes her hand as it clenches into a fist, ripping up blades of grass before pounding into the dirt. "No war lasts forever," he advises. "One or the other must lose."

"That isn't a comfort," she hisses.

"It's okay, Sissy," Merlin interjects. "Meliodas will protect us. And I can too."

The goddess smiles placatingly, but the girl lifts her head and insists, "I can! I saved Meliodas and Gowther. I used my magic and I—"

She stops, freezing against him, and Meliodas clears his throat as Elizabeth looks at him. "What happened?" she demands. "Why was she covered in blood but had no injuries?"

Merlin shrinks a bit, but Meliodas explains simply, "Two of the Ten Commandments were there. They sent an attack that could have killed us. But Merlin stopped time, and while we were frozen, she killed them herself."

Elizabeth gasps as her hands fly to her face. "How awful!" Quickly she reaches out and hauls Merlin against her, kissing her head. "The poor girl," she whispers, brushing her brow with her fingertips. "You've been through so much, and now this…"

"She's not as fragile as you would assume," Meliodas replies.

Something tugs in his chest when her lower lip trembles. "It's not right," she says. "Merlin is just a child. She should not suffer so."

"I didn't suffer," Merlin insists. She pulls out of Elizabeth's tight embrace. "I liked it. I liked saving them. I liked killing the demons."

Elizabeth's eyes seem to dull as her mouth opens to respond, only to close it again. Meliodas watches with interest before being struck with a thought: a younger version of himself, the same age as Merlin, running through the halls of the demon king's palace and killing servants in his path. The scream of the little girl whose arm he took, receiving his first punishment for it. It had felt powerful, the way the girl had cried making him laugh, the stream of blood that followed her as she bolted down the hallway. He remembers crouching to pick up the forgotten arm, groaning with a grotesque delight at the spongy, gray flesh and the pieces of bone that stuck to the bloody stump.

As Merlin tells her tale of being in prison and their escape, more images come to mind. Crafting swords and weapons out of anything he could find, knocking over the cradle that contained one of his brothers—he can't remember which. Watching with fascination as the enemy was tortured in the king's hall, Chandler teaching him how to slice a dragon open to keep its heart beating while harvesting meat. His hands and body covered in blood, sneaking around the castle like the wild thing he had been born to be, his roar of triumph echoing in the stone halls as he leapt from the turrets and his wings expanded behind him for the first time.

Then a final memory surfaces: standing on the marble steps of the Celestial Realm, dressed in heavy, regal clothing, clutching a small silver box under his arm.

Meliodas turns to ask about the box, but hesitates when he finds her humming softly, smiling at Merlin who has now fallen asleep and is curled in the grass. The sun has practically set, the world a mix of violets and blues, and Meliodas simply stares at the goddess as she strokes the girl's hair. Not wanting to ruin the moment, he decides to hold his question, enjoying the simple peace after the early morning and the terror of the battle that came afterwards.

The quiet doesn't last as long as he would like. "Did she really kill them?" Elizabeth whispers.

The demon nods. "You should be proud of her."

"Proud? Of killing?" Elizabeth glares at him with wild eyes, making him feel ashamed. "How could you say such a thing? She's just a child!"

"She's more than a child," he argues back, but then reins in his temper. "Merlin has seen more than most. She saved my life. I would have died there if she had not acted."

Elizabeth's hand hesitates in its pattern on Merlin's hair. "I'm glad you are all safe. But I do not like this. I don't want Merlin to—to be that."

"To be what? A killer?" Meliodas scoffs and turns away.

There is a pause, and then he feels her pressing against him, her head nuzzling into his neck. "I'm sorry," she whispers.

Meliodas thinks he will refuse her; as comforting as her presence is, especially now that it is pressing on his side, he will not give either of them the satisfaction of drawing her closer. But Elizabeth's hand cups his cheek, pulling his face back towards her, and she seals their mouths together in a kiss.

This one is different than the others, and Elizabeth takes the lead. Meliodas melts into her touch, her lips soft and full against his, her tongue brushing insistently against them. With a growl he opens and a spark ignites in his chest that blooms as heat rushes through his veins. The goddess slides her tongue against his, hesitant and sweet, and Meliodas allows it, sinking against her as his heart pounds. Elizabeth slides her arms around his shoulders in response, pulling him close, and as her breasts flatten against his chest and her mouth tilts sweetly over his he succumbs to instinct and reaches to grab her hips.

But the goddess pulls him in, her mouth sucking on his over and over until his brow loses its tension and his head spins. Elizabeth begins drawing patterns in his hair where her fingers brush the gold strands, scratching against his scalp with swirls that match the movement of their tongues. Meliodas at once regrets the first two kisses they had shared: the first arrogant, the second lascivious, both so unlike her, thrilling and tender and filled with longing.

Eventually she pulls away and presses her forehead to his. "I'm sorry," she says.

Meliodas clings to the back of her shirt, looking in her eyes that are bright. "You have nothing to be sorry for," he sighs.

"I've had enough. Enough killing and enough death. Enough blood." She searches his face as he frowns slightly. "I want to end the war."

"It's not that simple," he begins to protest.

But she cuts him off with a smile. "It could be, if you wanted."

Marriage is not a very common practice among the demons or the goddesses. The idea seems nonsensical, pledging a life to another when their lives are nearly endless. Such commitment is only usual among royalty, who use such alliances as a way to secure and further power. Demons and goddesses may take a mate, fall in love, bear children, move on to others without ever uttering such a powerful oath. It is considered a part of life, and not managed or governed outside of a handful of norms that are not binding.

Because of this, weddings are even more of an anomaly. The ceremonies are only held as a public declaration of the union, and often lavish affairs to show off the power and influence of the families involved. Basically, it is all for show.

Elizabeth had never imagined her own to be such a simple affair, particularly when she had found out she was to marry the prince of demons. She had imagined a long gown weighed heavily with jewels, yards and yards of silk and gossamer, dripping with pearls and diamonds and sapphires. She had pictured hundreds of guests, all eyes on her, waiting for her to stumble over her feet or her words, waiting to see if the princess would dare take the hand of the future king, waiting until their bond was made and set the future of Britannia in stone.

Instead Elizabeth wears a simple dress of white lace. Instead of jewels she has flowers in her hair; instead of hundreds of shrewd eyes, there is only Gloxinia and Gerheade standing in the alcove under the tree. The ceremony will be a secret they share, here in the middle of the night under the Sacred Tree, now that everyone else is gone or asleep. The promise is only temporary until their alliances are finalized, agreed by all for their safety. Her heart is beating wildly as she enters under the draping pink blossoms, the world around her ceasing when she sees Meliodas waiting for her.

His own pulse drowns out all else as she walks towards him. Her feet are bare as she walks through the dark grass and and her silver hair seems to glow in a halo under the moonlight, making the goddess all the more charming. Meliodas himself wears a simple white shirt and dark pants, not unlike what the king had made him before. He has no sword at his side, no weapon or regalia, the only thing even identifying him as a demon the fading dark marks on his skin and his dark eyes. None of it matters, however, because now Elizabeth is taking his hands and stands before him in a shimmering glory that he knows he will never get enough of.

"Are you sure about this?" The spell breaks with Gloxinia's voice, who stands in front of the couple. Next to him is the Holy Maiden to give witness to the union, her expression as wary as the king's.

"Yes," Meliodas says. "Elizabeth was promised to me long ago. We are fulfilling a promise now."

Gloxinia presses his lips together before glancing at the goddess. "And you, Elizabeth?"

Meliodas feels relief when she nods. "The goddess and demon clans will be united," she replies firmly. "This is the first step to lasting peace."

"Very well."

Gloxinia nods to Gerheade before turning back to the couple. "Take each other's right hand."

Reluctantly Meliodas lets her go, but then offers his hand, palm side up. Elizabeth's smile only brightens as she lays her own palm onto his, her fingers almost ticklish as the graze the heel of his hand, the flesh of her wrist soft under his fingertips. As they gaze at one another, Gerheade approaches with a long cord, braided with black and white strips of what Meliodas decides must be silk when it touches his skin. Carefully the fairy wraps it around their hands, slowly and deliberately covering every inch from her fingertips to his as Gloxinia speaks.

"Meliodas, son of the king of demons. Elizabeth, daughter of the queen of goddesses. You offer your lives freely to this union?"

"I do," Elizabeth says quietly, and Meliodas nods. "I do as well."

"From today forward you walk as one, joined in commitment and intention. Your souls will be bound by your oath through this life and beyond."

Elizabeth cannot stop grinning, despite knowing how solemn this ceremony is. What she said had been true, they were doing this to fulfill their promise, and to save Britannia by ending the war. But there is more, inside her heart, and as Gloxinia speaks, as she gazes at Meliodas under the moonlit tree, their future becomes clear. What was all frightening and unknown no longer matters. All that she wants is here, holding her hand, and the proof is in the green eyes that stay connected with hers with unwavering resolve.

"Your hands are tied just as your lives now are tied in joy and responsibility. From today forward you are bound to one another in a marriage that is lifelong."

Lifelong, lifelong, yes, the word echoes through Meliodas' mind. His entire life has been this, hasn't it? Seeking, searching for something, but he could never place it. But now that he knows a soft touch and a kind smile, knows how it feels to fear and to want and to enjoy, knows the deep burning to protect something else—to love, although the word still feels foreign—the demon understands. He understands why others fight, because he would fight every day to keep her safe. He understands sacrifice now. He understands life.

"Will you honor one another in this binding?"

"Yes."

"Will you share one another's pain and seek to ease it?"

"Yes."

"Will you trust in your vows and open yourselves to one another?"

"Yes."

"Will you remain bound your entire lives, only parting upon death?"

Elizabeth smiles, and Meliodas is overwhelmed by her beauty. "Yes, I will."

Then Meliodas nods, his own expression still stern, but the corners of his lips curling a bit. "I will."

There is a pause, world stopping for a moment to bear witness to the union now made. "Go forth from this moment as husband and wife," Gloxinia says quietly. "With a kiss you make the covenant sealed."

Her heart beats so wildly she is sure they can all hear it. Their hands are still bound by the silk cord, but Elizabeth feels his palm twitch slightly as he steps forward. Then he is leaning in, and so is she, a breath shared between them for just a second before lips brush against lips. Hearts flutter, skin heats, a sigh and a smile, as the goddess and demon kiss under the moon and seal their fate together for all time.