Rowan:

The soldiers were back at camp rejoicing in their hard earned victory. They had all gambled the biggest thing they could, their lives, and they won.

Some weren't so lucky. Rowan was holding one person who lost the gamble in his arms. His mate. Their queen. Aelin.

Mannon, Dorian, Chaol, and all of the other leaders were waiting for them by the raised platform. They each had looks of pure happiness and triumph on their faces. Apparently they forgot about the person they lost. How could they be so stupid and not remember that Aelin died.

Mannon—not missing anything—was the first to notice the one person we were missing. She leaned over to whisper the news to Dorian who immediately turned to look at Rowan, or rather who he was holding, in shock.

As Dorian went on to tell the rest of the group, Mannon slowly approached him and leaned over to whisper something, "How did she go?"

He managed to form words and whisper back. "She fought until the end."

She nodded. "Then she died with honor. Just like any good soldier."

They both shared a look of understanding.

Rowan walked up the stairs that led to the platform with Aedion, Lysandra, and the rest of the group following. He layed Aelin's body on a table in view of everyone in the field. The reaction was slow at first, some people turned and noticed their dead queen. Then, whispers started going around, and soon enough everyone was facing them.

He stepped forward and addressed the crowd. "Soldiers of Erilea, we may have beat the demons, but we still suffer a major defeat. Queen Aelin Ashyrver Galathynius lays here before us after sacrificing herself to save all of your lives. She gave up a thousand years with those that she loved so that all of you could live in peace. No matter what some of you may think, she never once gave up on any of you. You say that she lived amongst riches in Adarlan, but no. She had gone to hell and back during those years. Her people criticized her and everyone doubted her yet... she never gave up hope. She still loved you all. Her people. She fought and died for all of you even though no one believed in her.

Mala:

I watched as the prince of ice made his speech about their savior. My heir.

She was too young. She didn't deserve to die. This was all decided long before any of them had a say. None of them deserved it.

In that moment, the Goddesses of fire decided to make things right."

Rowan: (continues speech from where he left off.)

I have lived hundreds of years and never met anyone so determined, compassionate, loyal, and strong as Aelin. So in my mate, our friend, and your Queen's memory, we must push forward and build a better future that Aelin had always believed in. Through our grief and loss, we must—" He was cut off by a voice he never thought he would hear again.

"Why does everyone looks so damn gloomy. Did someone die?"

He spun around and was met with his mate's blue and gold eyes.

Aelin:

After she had died, there was nothing. She though she'd get to see her parents, her uncle, Nehemia, and Sam, but She was met with complete darkness instead. The black void around her was like a sludge. She tried to move. Tried to go back to the surface where she knew her family was, but she was stuck in place. Then, she heard someone whisper to her. "They need you. You're time is not up."

There was a bright light and she was able to swim back to the surface.

When she opened her eyes again, she looked at everyone's tear covered faces. Oh this was too good to pass up. "Why is everyone so damn gloomy. Did someone die?"

As soon as the words left her lips, she was crushed in a back-breaking hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed in the pine and snow scent of her mate. "All of that worrying about my life over nothing. You should listen to me more often. I'm always right."

He pulled back and looked at me. You still died.

I looked right back at him with amusement in my eyes. Do I look dead to you?"

Fine you were right.

Come again. I didn't get that.

Aelin, you were right.

One more time, death really messes with your hearing.

He just rolled his eyes and kissed her. The best thing was, it felt like her fist kiss since she had technically been dead.

They heard a cough nearby and broke apart. Aedion walked towards them. "You know we're all standing right here. Get a room." She grinned and walked over to give him and Lysandra hugs too.

He pulled back and grinned back at her. "Nice to have you back."

She started walking to the stage. On the way over, she stopped and looked over her shoulder to say one last thing to him. "I guess the world just needed another grand enterance." She smirked and continued walking until she was standing in front of all the soldiers.

With Rowan at her side and the rest of her court and family at her back, she addressed the crowd. "As you all now know, I am no longer dead. For whatever reason, I was brought back, and I believe it was because I was meant to lead you all to a better future. Now, everyon, let's go celebrate for our victory and a better future.

(Time skip)

Aelin was sitting beside Rowan with his arm wrapped around her shoulder. Across from them was Dorian and Mannon sitting close together and Aedion who was holding Lysandra's hand.

It looked like everyone got a happy ending.

They were sitting in a tent together while everyone else was out celebrating.

Aelin grabbed the alcohol and poured everyone another drink and raised her glass. "What can I say. Fire always prevails."

They each raised their glasses and Aedion said, "Let's drink to that. Fire always prevails."

Their glasses clinked together, and they spent the rest of their night that way. Drinking and laughing together as a family. It was true. She would spend the rest of her immortal life making memories with her family. Fire always prevails.

*I can't believe it. This is the last chapter. It's honestly hard to believe. Thank you to all of those who have believed in me. Especially to those who have been here with me since day 1 of the story. I think I've developed so much as a writer and none of this would have happened without y'all amazing people, so thank you.

This story has truly come a long ways. I started out just publishing 300 word chapters and now I've got 1000-2000 word chapters with a bunch of supporting followers. That's truly amazing. Ahhh. I'm almost to tears now.

Well here we go. I'll respond to some comments.

Sansriti: Now that this story is finished, I will try to post chapters more often for "a repeat".

Guest: that sounds like and amazing idea. I will definitely try to do that. Maybe after I finish my other story. Thanks!

Booknblaur: It broke me too. T-T

L.C.Hobbs-Dubois: As you just read she does come back. I'm so glad you love this story.

Guest: I'm sorry to here that. Thanks for the criticism. If you continue reading, I think you will find that I've developed as a writer through this experience, and my writing grows when you keep on reading. Please don't give up on it just yet.

MFOe2: I'm sorry, but I didn't understand your review.

Guest: I'm honestly really anxious for Kingdom of Ash to come out. I'm so glad you like my writing. And thank you. One of the hardest parts about writing is trying to bring the characters to life and to get their personalities right, so I'm honored you feel that I do that.

Thank you to all of the people who have supported me and continued to read this story. Please go read my other story "A Repeat." It is just getting started, and I already have high hopes for it. I think y'all will like it too.

—Anna