A/N - The final chap...another A/N at the end =)

The pounding continued and Bella reached to grasp Edward's stained tunic. It was when her hands found dirt instead of cloth that she realized that it wasn't a cheek gone cold her face was now pressed against. It was dirt.

She opened her eyes and raised her head slightly.

Two horses were being slowed to a halt, coming at her from either side.

From behind her, two voices screamed, "Bella! Bella, what are you doing?"

Bella remained kneeling on the cold dirt, the ache in her chest expanding, the tears starting again. "No." She sobbed quietly to herself. "No, Edward, no!"

She laid her head against the ground again. "Take me back," she sobbed, digging her fingers into the dirt. "Take me back to him!"

One of the horses stopped right by her head. The rider's feet found solid ground at the same time two sets of hands pulled on the back of Bella's gown.

"What were you thinking Bella?!" Rose screeched, while Alice laughed without humor.

"She wasn't, Rose. We gave her far too much of that mulled wine."

"Go away," Bella mumbled miserably, still clinging to the soft soil, keeping her eyes closed and pretending she was back with Edward.

"Bella." Rose shook her shoulders so Bella's cheek was jarred against the dirt. "Come on. You're in the middle of the jousting field. Let's get you home."

"No. I want to stay here."

"Allow me," a warm, husky voice said. Bella's eyelids snapped open, and her face shot up from the ground.

She gazed blankly into a pair of bright green eyes. "Edward?" She breathed, barely daring to hope. Had he come back with her? Her love, here, in her time, and perfectly fine?"

The green eyes crinkled slightly. She realized he was frowning. "Yes. Do I know you?"

Bella's face fell and the tears that had paused when she heard his voice began again with a vengeance. "No," she sobbed. "No. Clearly you don't."

His hands reached down slowly, slipped under her arms to pull her up. The tears flowed faster as she closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the man next to her. In some ways she could feel her Edward--the scent of horse and leather. But the metal smell was different, and there was a ting of cologne. No sweat.

She opened her eyes, forced herself to look upon the man that so closely resembled the one she had just lost. Or lost 900 years ago.

His eyes were the same perfect emerald green, even still frowning at her as they were. His hair the same wonderful shade of bronze, his lips still full and inviting, his face more stunning than any model.

His shoulders were slimmer--this Edward had never wielded a true knight's sword, had never worn pounds of armor as her Edward had.

Her heart broke a little more and she slipped to her knees.

The other Edward knelt down with her, while her friends hovered behind her. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly.

"Too much to drink." Bella answered lamely. What else can I say? I just lost my love 900 years in the past, and now I'm back here, alone, looking at you--the spitting image of my beloved Edward? Yeah right, loony bin, here I come.

"Yeah," he said. He fingered the material of her veil. "Shouldn't be sad when you're single."

She stared at him blankly, raising her fingers to the veil herself. Oh, Rose and Alice hadn't worn one, that's right, and they didn't admit to why. "Ah…no," she said.

Edward pulled her up again, let her steady her wobbly knees while she held his arms. He was muscled, just not as thickly as her Edward. The tears still wouldn't stop, although they'd slowed to a resigned trickle.

"What's your name?" His eyes burned into hers, reminded her painfully of the smoldering gaze she had loved so much.

"Isabella…I mean, Bella. Bella Swan." Bella. She hadn't referred to herself as that in what seemed like forever…

"Bella." He nodded. "I return you to the delicate hands of your ladies." He released her slowly and Alice and Rose gripped her solidly about the waist.

"Until we meet again, my lady." He gave her a small bow.

She wanted to tell him they didn't bow, don't bow, but her soul hurt too much to speak. She let Rose and Alice lead her back through the crowds as she watched the brightly colored pennants pass her by. She didn't even notice Mike, despite his best efforts to juggle his way right into her line of vision.

Alice and Rose sat Bella on a stool, got her a cup of coffee and stood over her whilst she drank it.

"I did miss this," she said to them absently.

"Huh?" Rose said. "You really are a light weight, aren't you Bella?"

"Mmm," Bella said into the coffee.

"Bells," Alice said sternly. "What's up? I'm not silly enough to think this is just the wine. Are you still upset about Mike?"

"No."

"Then what? I know there's something else. I know you too well."

Bella wondered for a moment whether she should say a word, then opted for: "I found my knight."

Alice's yes lit up. "Really?"

"Mmm."

"Who?"

"Edward Cullen." Bella blew out a deep breath. Sir Edward Cullen; arrogant knight, skilled lover, chivalrous protector…

"Edward Cullen?" Rosalind snickered. "You spoke to him for all of five seconds, and you're in love?"

Bella shrugged, before finishing her coffee and slumping her shoulders.

"Bella?" Alice said again.

Bella remained silent, her heart aching for her love.

"Rose," Alice said quietly. "Could you get her something to eat? She looks pale."

Rose nodded and scurried off to find a food stall.

Alice knelt beside her friend. "There's more to the story, right?" She said softly, and Bella nodded, tilting her face up to look into her friends grey eyes.

"Tell me, Bella. Whatever it is, you know you can trust me."

Bella took a deep breath, studying her friend's open face carefully. Then told her the whole story, from the moment she had gone back.

When she finished, her throat was dry and her hands were balled in her lap; her tears had ceased and shock had set in.

Alice said nothing.

"You don't believe me, do you?" Bella whispered, dropping her face. "I can hardly believe it myself--except this hole in my chest…" She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to fill in the gap with her own warmth.

"No," Alice said defiantly. "You are wrong. I do believe you. You feel--different. I don't think Rose would, though."

Bella nodded, tightening her grip on herself. "I wish I were still there," she murmured.

"But he wouldn't be, even if you were," Alice said gently. "Oh, Bella. I'm so sorry."

Alice covered Bella's arms with her own.

"I need to know what happened, Alison. To everyone. I need to go home. I need my computer."

"Bella?" A soft voice called from behind them. Bella stiffened. "No way…" she said quietly.

She turned her head. A pair of dark frightened eyes were locked onto her.

"Help me," the Welshwoman choked out.

A/N - I have so loved writing this story, and all of you who have followed it - I am so appreciative. Before I go ahead and spend the next 3 hours typing in everyone who ever reviewed (although I owe you all so much more than just a shout out, and not just the reviewers, all of you) - I will post the title of the sequel here as a final chapter - once I have figured one out that is - for those of you who are intersted in continuing on. For those who aren't - your time spent here is greatly appreciated. Just a few little things; each character has it's place from the twilight series - Tangwystl of course was based loosely on Tanya, Luned on Leah, Samuel on Sam, Emile on Emily. Not all of them made there way here, of course, but there are those who did. Yes, we will here more of Bella in the sequel, but she is not the only one to lose love, and I think someone else needs a chance to redeem herself...anyway, without any more rambling on my part, shout outs to every reviewer I have had (up to now, of course) on this story. From the very first one (thanks Deboraa!) to the ones who reviewed like mad (Twilight Pixie and Twilighterforlife - both reviewing 26 times each!!) I thank you all, truly and sincerely. You've made my day, everyday.

jaydeesgirl, twilightfreaklover, life4theking, Immortalfantasylover, ravenj84, ECullenLover1, NonAdorable Writer, emmettcullen's Real girlfriend, xoxPureFireworksxox, Crossete C., Soccer11, Lilac and Freesia, pianokeys668, Marian Hood, Flora73, Cutiepay, Twilightteen14, mfinga19, hollandlilies, Jazzy's Mistress, Anna Diamond, hotchadobsessed, Scribe4eva, BlipBlopBlip, chitown4183, Applepie121, zukoxlover, Grey Eyed Vampire, 2White Flame16, WickedSoulx, twifan1987, Manelli Swan, gabzcoatz, tarellethiel, sportylocks, LiveForEternityTogether, Bathsheaba, desintx, jennyleelovee, XX-ThEwOrLdNeEdSaChAnGe-XX, Wolfy Pup, vampiregirl1654, moshie, Isabella's Mom, pac1025, booklover1493, YankeeDiva, Kalianah (^_^), T3am Switzerland, Holstar, vhawk730, Edward's-a-beefcake, jade1983, Dancer10101, Beach-Pixie, bakagirl123, RissaCullen - TeamEdward, lenabeana, twilightteacher25, klaytie1577, msmess21907, Brittles, xxbellamiixx, chelsiecullenoxx, Dodger McClure, sweetnsassy5, lcogle, daffy410, Talia Taylor, Hawktalon. of. Windclan., calleighlove, alexandralee13, katierose127, jfcx3, marie0912, Siara Dawn, carrottop14, tommyloves, OnlyTheBest123, Lucigurl, volleyballxchic7, JulyRose, beans and cornbread, jennaloohoo, Sarkule, wolfpgirl, litchibi, jaderichmond, Little Silver Rose, casi-sand, youngatheart01, ll EriKa ll (^_^), Darkness-Kreaps-In, edwabella.

And the anonymous reviewers--Sarah, Cullenism44, Liz, dolphingirl79, ana, billieboo96, A_Childs_Imagination, marie, lisa, edwardluver, medward, IzzehS2, ME!!, josefina, tey, Edwardcullenisawesome, wow, Sammie.

If I have missplelt any usernames - please forgive me! I have endeavoured to spell them all just right, but as you can see, there are so many of you! Again, a zillion thankyou's to everyone who even took the time to read any of this...

Ad now...onto the sequel...