So the end is finally here. This is the epilogue chapter, set five years after the events of this story. I'm tearing up as I write this, because I don't want it to end! This story has been a huge part of my life over the last five months and it has helped me through a lot of stuff. Thank you to all the people that have reviewed, especially SecretWishX, Lenka and Mudkippz - you guys make my day with your reviews. Secret, you're one of my best friends - thank you so much for inspiring me and making me smile. To OhGodWhy151, I could never have done this without you. Thank you for supporting me and being amazing. Writing this story has re-kindled my old dream to become a writer. I hope that everyone enjoyed this story and I hope I managed to make someone happy with my writing. This isn't the end for me though - I'm starting my next story very soon, which I have been planning for almost a year now. Look out for it - it's called The Scarlet Scarf!

Thank you so, so much, everyone!

Ostara

The sensation of cool morning air and dewy grass between her toes was one Ymir found refreshing; as she made her way home from the village shops, she sighed with content and walked a little faster. There was an empty field, dotted with cornflowers and poppies, nestled between her home and the town. She walked through it barefoot as a shortcut, eagerly awaiting her arrival. She carried a loaf of fresh bread and a few letters she had collected from the post office in a bag on her shoulder. Ymir grinned at the wind as it blew past her, making her hair fly back from her face.

The cottage she shared with Krista came into view once she had almost finished crossing the field. It was small and quaint, and felt more like home to her than anything ever had. A thought bloomed in her mind and she quickly set down her bags and began to pick the most colourful flowers to arrange into a bouquet.

"Krista would like this," she said to herself quietly.

For five years they had been living together in their tiny home. It had not been easy; they had arrived in America with no idea of what to do or where to go. Thankfully, Krista's money had bought them their home in a town similar to the one she had grown up in. It was familiar to her, and said that it helped to ease her homesickness. The one thing Krista did not miss was the echoing loneliness of endless halls; their home consisted of just four small rooms and Krista could not love it any more. Already her new home was filled with things that she adored: piles upon piles of books; pressed flowers neatly hung in small frames; sheet music scattered on their tea-stained table. To her, expensive artwork and fine china were nowhere near as lovely as Ymir's colourful paintings or the simple dining set they had bought soon after arriving in their town.

Krista earned a living by designing wedding dresses, which were sold all over the country, and Ymir occasionally worked on a ranch several miles from their home. The life they lived was simple, but filled with happiness, and neither could imagine being content any other way.

The sun shone on the back of Ymir's neck as she climbed over the fence at the end of the field and walked down the winding path to their cottage. The breeze carried with it Krista's newest melody; a sweet song that reminded Ymir of blossoming trees and daffodils. Since the town in which they lived selled no sheet music, Krista had begun writing her own, and she had a natural affinity for it. Ymir stopped outside of their bright yellow door and listened for a moment before opening it quietly.

The music continued to play and Ymir walked through to the kitchen silently. Placing the flowers in a vase, Ymir took a moment to brush her hair out of her face before approaching the living room. It was the largest room in the cottage, and housed a small piano in the corner, which Krista adored and played frequently. Ymir loved it when she did, and she would spend most evenings reading a book by candlelight or drawing Krista while she played. Ymir set the vase down on the piano, and Krista jumped in shock.

"Ymir! You frightened me!" She laughed, looking up at Ymir from the stool.

"I see you awoke whilst I was in town, then," Ymir said, smiling.

"Yes," Krista said, pouting, "and I was very disheartened to wake and not see you beside me!"

"My deepest apologies," Ymir mock-bowed, making Krista glare at her.

"I see you picked me flowers; maybe I shall forgive you now!" Krista grinned.

"I would hope so! Seeing as I went so out of my way, just for you…"

"Ymir! Do not make me feel so guilty!" Krista protested.

Ymir laughed at her. "Very well, if you insist. Oh! I collected these letters for you."

Krista took the two letters from her. "This one is from father!" She exclaimed excitedly, "And this one addressed to the both of us; it must be from Bertholdt!"

She tore open the letter from her father.

Dear Krista, it read, and Ymir too,

I am glad to hear that you both are well. Things are fine here, if a little dull; though the weather has been beautiful, life was uneventful until I received your letter. I have been fishing many times with Mr Ral and Mr Jin; they have become close friends of mine.

The formidable Mr Kirstein asked me a few days ago if you would be returning home soon; I had to suppress a laugh at his expression, which reminded me of a lost dog. He exclaimed that he missed your piano playing, but I began to ignore him after that. He is a very irritating man.

Speaking of music, I asked Mr Ral very kindly if his daughter would play to me the sheet music you have sent, and she did; it was beautiful! I was not sure if your musical ability would translate well into composition, for I have heard that it is extraordinarily difficult to do, but I chastise myself for thinking such things now; the piece you sent to me is truly delightful to listen to. I am glad that Miss Ral did it justice - she is a fine player, and a lovely woman.

To Ymir - thank you for the drawing that came with the last letter. I have hung it in my room, and it is lovely to have something from you. Would you like for me to send a parcel with more of your books? There are still some in your old room that Krista was unable to take; I had almost forgotten to check.

I expect that you will be hearing news from Mr Hoover with this letter; word reaches me faster than it does you. I will write soon, but Miss Peters is calling me for lunch, and I must go. Write me back soon - I cannot wait to hear from you!

Sending all of my love and best wishes, father.

Krista smiled as she read his words. "I will write him back this evening, and it can be sent the next day," she said, as she carefully placed the paper in a drawer filled with previous letters from her father. She wondered what the news from Bertholdt could be, and decided to read the letter while Ymir cooked.

"Have you eaten breakfast yet?" Ymir asked Krista. "I bought us bread from the town this morning."

"No, I was waiting for you," Krista smiled sweetly. "Would you like some tea?" She asked.

Ymir sat down on one of their cushioned seats. "Yes please; give me a moment, and I will make us some breakfast. I am starved!"

Krista smiled at her and began to read the letter from Bertholdt as she began to make the tea. Within a few seconds, she shouted loudly; Ymir ran from the living room to the kitchen.

"What is it? Is something the matter?" She asked worriedly, but upon seeing that everything was fine, she was confused.

"B-Bertholdt… married…" Was all Krista could say, and thrusted the letter into Ymir's hands.

Ymir, Krista,

I have the most wonderful news; my hands are still shaking with shock and excitement as I write this. Just a few hours ago, I made a proposal to Miss Leonhart and she accepted; we are to be married!

I could not be happier, but I wish you both well, and hope to hear back from you soon. I will write again when I have more details, and when my hand is still enough to tell the whole tale.

With love, Bertholdt.

"I cannot believe it! Did you read it?" Krista exclaimed, giddy with happiness.

Ymir held the letter in her hands, which she was surprised to see were shaking. Why?

"I can finally let go of my guilt," Krista whispered to herself. She was smiling from ear to ear.

"I cannot believe it took him five years to realise that she loved him," Ymir laughed. "My cousin… married!"

"I wonder how Reiner will feel about this," Krista said, "his cousin and his closest friend!"

"No doubt he will rejoice," Ymir said, "though when he returns, he shall be bitter in his search for a wife, for he is getting older."

Krista jumped as the kettle began to boil, letting out a shrill shriek. She was still smiling as she poured the tea, and as the two girls sat and ate their breakfast at their small wooden table, they talked of Bertholdt and Annie's wedding and what it might be like.

Krista and Ymir both wrote letters of congratulation back to him, and placed them by the doorway to be sent the next day. After, they sat together and read, both curled up in the same reading chair. The rhythm of Ymir's heartbeat helped Krista to focus on the book she was reading.

The hours passed quickly, and before Krista knew it she had finished her book. She lay on Ymir's lap and closed her eyes; before she knew it, she had fallen asleep. Ymir looked down at her.

"How did I manage to get this life?" She whispered to herself, half in disbelief and half in guilt, as she softly stroked a lock of Krista's hair. "I never deserved this kind of happiness."

For five years the two girls had shared a bed, a home, and a life. Under the guise of close female friends, they had managed to integrate into society without anyone suspecting a thing. For a girl who had slept on the side of the road for weeks this kind of safety and happiness was a sign that danger would be coming soon. Even though they had been together with no issue for so long, Ymir still could not trust herself to feel safe.

She remembered the night she had left the Lenz estate, never to return; the rain had lashed down upon her, each drop that fell adding to her guilt and fear. Despite telling her to stay, Ymir wanted Krista by her side. How badly she had wanted to turn back and take Krista with her! A life without her would be a dull one, without the tiniest hint of love. Never in her life had she felt desperation and terror like she did that night, and Ymir feared of losing Krista even more now that her attachment to her had grown stronger.

Ymir took in a deep breath. "Everything is fine." She muttered. "You have nothing at all to be worrying about."

Exhaling slowly, she looked around the room. Her eyes fell on the paining of the setting sun that had once hung in the room she had slept in at the Lenz estate. How different things were now to back then. All of her hopes and dreams had blossomed into fruition, and they had done so with Krista by her side. Ymir kissed her forehead. How had she ever thought this girl weak? She was stronger than Ymir would ever be.

"I love you," she whispered into Krista's ear. "Please… do not ever leave me on my own."

Those were the words she had not the courage to say to Krista while she was awake, but they came out easily to her while she slept.

"Stop being silly, Ymir…" Krista whispered, still half asleep. "I would never leave."

Ymir was horrified. "You were not sleeping!" She cried.

Krista laughed quietly. "Any kiss from you would wake me, Ymir."

Ymir felt her cheeks burn a hot red. "I will go and make us something to eat for lunch now," she said, untangling herself from Krista and standing up.

Krista laughed again and watched her leave. "I love you too," she said, quieter now.

Ymir paused and looked at her from the doorway. Krista was still sat in the chair, her legs curled up, revealing the pale skin of her ankle. Her hair was slightly tangled and fluffy from sleep, and her eyes were red from where she had been rubbing them. But they were still a magnificent blue, and shone with love. Her cheeks were pink with a rosy blush, for she had been looking at Ymir, and doing so always made her feel either flustered or filled with admiration; sometimes, both.

Krista quickly stood and skipped over to plant a kiss on Ymir's lips. She ran her thumb over Ymir's cheek when she pulled away, and traced a pattern between her freckles.

"Could I help?" She asked, playful now.

"Krista, the last time you tried to help me cook, you almost burned down our home."

"Please! I beg you!" Krista pleaded. "I will be more careful if you let me help now."

"You are too persuasive," Ymir laughed, and allowed Krista to chop the vegetables she had earlier picked from their small garden.

As they worked, Krista's mind drifted to thoughts of her grandmother, as they often did. She wondered what the old woman would think if she could see her like this - free, and happy. A sad smile crossed her lips as the answer came, but she could finally accept it - her grandmother would have been angry, but that was alright. The only thing she was responsible for was the happiness she felt now, and none of the things her grandmother had told her she was.

The sun's rays illuminated the kitchen, and Ymir and Krista shared smiles and laughs as they stood and cooked together, their eyes shining, and their hearts warm.