Author's note: I do not own Dragon Quest VIII!

Nearing Our Destiny

Epilogue: Happily Ever After For All

Airlia smiled as she awoke, feeling her heart beating excitedly. Life had certainly changed for the better as she got dressed for Marcello, Angelo, Yangus and Alistair's knighting. Xia had decided unilaterally, that she couldn't just allow Marcello to be knighted. The others had all had a hand in protecting her daughter. She also decided that Red and Jessica would be given the title of Lady with their assistance to both of her children.

She dressed in an ornate, but elegant green gown. It was floor length, with an argon heart in the center of the bustier. The dress had thick straps that went over and around her shoulders. She felt the corset against her body but yet it was as soft as silk. The princess allowed her handmaiden to come in and do her hair up. Pulling it up into a bun, the hair was allowed to run loose in rivulets of curls with a lock of hair curled on either side of her face, curling gently with her small, golden crown on her head.

She walked down the stairs and went into the main throne room before anyone else had arrived, save that of her family. Charmles had been relieved to know that Airlia could stay as a princess in Argonia. He wasn't afraid of ruling the kingdom, but she was his cousin and she genuinely cared about the welfare of her people.

She stood next to her mother and father while her brother with his fiancée stayed on the other side with Charmles. They had agreed to knight their friends together.

As people of the kingdom filled into the room, Airlia smiled brightly. She caught sight of her friends at the edge of the room. However, once Xia saw everyone filed into the room, she began the ceremony. "My people. We have been saved from a terrible evil. As you all know, Princess Airlia and Prince Draco had held a hand in his defeat through one point or another in their journey. Now, it's time to give our thanks to those who fought alongside them. Step forward warriors… Marcello, Angelo, Yangus, Jessica, Alistair, Red."

The aforementioned men and women walked down the aisle, dressed regally for the ceremony. Red wore a silver gown, while Jessica had a golden gown, both had runes of protection etched through threading along the hem. The men all wore glistening silver armor, even the shorter, stout Yangus as they walked in pride to the throne, taking a knee before the royalty.

Airlia smiled as she stepped forward, "Marcello. You came to my defense when I needed help the most. You stepped up and saved my life when I could have died in Savella at the hand of a vengeful man. You again saved me when you defeated my future husband, proving that your love knows no bounds. For these reasons and more, I hereby grant you the title of Sir Marcello of Argonia."

He smiled as she touched one shoulder with the ceremonial sword, then the other shoulder with the same sword. Once it was done, he was able to stand and take his place beside her. Draco came forward with his own ceremonial sword. "Yangus, we had a rather… interesting start where you were guarding your bridge. Yet, I knew there was good in you. Still you proved me right by helping to protect my sister and myself during various stages of our journey. I am honored to call you my friend. I hereby knight you, Sir Yangus of Argonia." He touched the blade to one shoulder then the other before Yangus was allowed to rise.

The princess smiled as she knighted Alistair, "Alistair of Alexandria. We met through fate when the jester brought me to your tower with you at his side while he lied. You then tried to protect me, to hide me while the jester came after us. You helped to keep me safe when I had no other options. You came to our defense time and again. I hereby knight you, Sir Alistair of Argonia."

Draco chuckled, Airlia was forcing him to pick Angelo. "Angelo, I would be lying if I said that our initial meeting had been normal. However, you have a heart of gold and a desire to protect your family and friends. That heart and desire showed itself many times over the course of our travels, and I'm glad to be able to call you my friend. I hereby knight you Sir Angelo of Argonia." He again touched the sword to both shoulders before Angelo could stand.

Airlia smiled as she turned to Red. "I knew you were special from the moment that Yangus said he wanted to make an old situation right. You certainly didn't let us down as you gracefully accepted the item he had tried to get her a second time. Then when you joined us on our journey, it helped us ten fold. Your swiftness and silent movement helped us to get past many stronger monsters that were in the dark world. You helped to save Jess, and you almost were able to get the egg out of danger…" She took a deep breath, remembering the story her brother had told her. "Because of your bravery, I hereby knight you Lady Red of Argonia." She gently touched the sword to both shoulders. Red was able to stand after she was named Lady Red.

Draco came forward to face Jessica with a brilliant smile. "Jessica, your help has been incredibly invaluable. Your magic helped to protect us more than once on our journey. Your were fearful for your brother, but then incredibly loyal to my sister when you learned that she saved him. Your loyalty shined through even when she wasn't there, protecting us as though she were among us. I hereby knight you Lady Jessica of Argonia." He touched the shoulders of the redhaired mage with the sword and with it, they were all knighted.

The people of the kingdom erupted into cheers that their heroes had all been knighted as Airlia couldn't help but blush at the attention her people were giving everyone. The celebration lasted long into the day as Marcello spent much of it with Airlia, much to the happiness of her people. However, it wouldn't be long before the weddings happened between Airlia and Marcello followed by Draco and Medea's wedding. Chen Mui was finally able to be present for the celebrations, happy for his child and his grandchildren. At long last, things would come full circle for the pain that everyone had felt.

And while Airlia and Marcello remained in Argonia, they started an orphanage to be able to properly care for any homeless children themselves instead of looking to others to help when their hands were tied. Angelo and Jessica had done similarly in Alexandria after Jessica was released from her engagement.

With Draco on the throne of Trodain, he was able to lead the kingdom into an age of prosperity that would last for years to come while Charmles did the same for Argonia.

Red and Yangus started up a trade business that helped to make sure that everyone in the various villages, towns and even kingdoms remained in contact that actually turned into a booming business. They had even gone so far as to employ many of the men and women from Pickham who had wanted to turn straight but their lives wouldn't allow it.

And while life is seldom perfect, for a short time it was as perfect as it could possibly be.

The End