(Waves banner) This is my first completed fiction!

To be frank, I can't say if I like the feeling. All I feel right now is the sad, unwillingness to leave this story. I have had great fun writing it, and not to forget the hours of hair pulling too.

I hope you will enjoy the epilogue. It is purely lighthearted, intended for a satisfying and cheerful ending. I have attempted to make it as fluffy my mind will let me, but as you know, I am not an expert at fluff making, nor am I a huge fan of it, so just don't expect anything too romantic just for the record of an epilogue.

Before I end VO, I just want to thank again (here we go with the speech) everyone who has reviewed, and put up with my infuriating, snail-paced updates. I am truly grateful to you all, and thankyouthankyouthankyou!

I am planning some more D/N related stories in the near future, so please look out for those, and in the mean while, please read, and review!

Epilogue

The boat rocked gently to and fro, dancing lightly to the bubbling rhythm of the river. It was a medium sized boat made of polished wooden planks that sometimes gleamed when it faced the sun, although there was not much of it right now. Clouds hung heavily overhead and the air was damp with the coming rain.

There were three cabins on board, all of which were far too small, and far too stuffy.

One cabin door flung open and a Banjiku servant girl came in carrying a bowl of water in her hand. She smiled brightly at the two occupants in the room.

'I've brought the water,' she said placing the bowl on the small table.

'Thank you Leeta.' Daine smiled at the girl and dipped a piece of cloth into the bowl. Rinsing it, she handed the damp cloth to Numair who sat beside her.

He took it and dabbed at his hands. Daine winced at the fresh, painful cuts that extruded angrily all over his hands and wrists.

Leeta watched the mage for a second before saying shyly, 'how many days till we reach Tortall?'

'Three at the most,' Numair replied and then grimaced. 'That'll be three days of fasting for me. I'll be skin and bones by the time we get there, and they would not even recognize their own greatest mage.'

Leeta looked puzzled at this and Daine smiled. 'He doesn't travel well,' she explained to her, 'boats and him don't get on. He'll just be sick if he eats anything.' Her face brightened suddenly. 'Speaking of Tortall, what do you think you will do when you get there?'

Leeta blushed at this, as though she was not used to the freedom of choice. 'I…I don't really know. I'm not very good for much, except serving…' – her eyes suddenly widened – 'Daine – can't I be your servant? I promise I will work very hard, and you don't even have to pay me that m – '

'You don't have to do that,' Daine interrupted, shocked at Leeta's desperate tone on so small a request. 'I don't need a servant…and I wouldn't feel right about it…but I'm sure King Jonathan will hire you on. And with proper payments. He's that wonderful. You will get a decent room to stay and good clothing.'

Leeta's eyes shone at the prospect of earning money for herself. 'Your King,' she said, blushing, 'he sounds like a very noble person.'

'Oh he is.' Daine was only too glad to agree. 'He is fair generous with his people. You wouldn't find a better King than Jon.'

Leeta looked quite excited. Her face was brighter and happier than Daine had ever seen her back at the Palace, and her features looked more alive. Aware that both Daine and Numair were looking at her, she blushed again and said, 'I…I will go and see if the others need help.'

Once she was gone, Numair gave Daine a small nudge.

'I didn't know you had such high opinions of Jon,' he said with the tiniest note of accusation. 'You certainly are generous with your praises.'

'And why now?' Daine grinned slyly, 'after all, he is a good King, not to mention he's considerate, courteous, really handsome and –'

'Are you deliberately trying to wind me up?' Numair demanded with a frown. He looked so amusing that Daine had to laugh.

'You're jealous, that's good,' she teased, 'the feeling is good for you. You need some jealousy to keep you humble – what with being the greatest mage in Tortall and all.'

Numair shot her a deliberate, sulky look. He turned his attention to his wounded hand, and finished wrapping it with bandage.

Daine studied his hand regrettably. 'I'm really sorry, about your hand I mean.' She glanced worriedly at him. 'Do they hurt much?'

'I've been through worse,' Numair relied silkily, 'such as watching my own student worship someone el – '

'Oh, Numair – you know I didn't mean it!'

'Yes, all right.' Numair flashed her a quick smile and pulled her towards him, his hands snaking around her slim waist. 'Besides,' he said in a whisper that made Daine shiver, 'I'll just get you to make it up to me some other way.'  

Daine caught the pure wickedness in her teacher's eyes and she blushed furiously. Still unfamiliar to their newfound relationship, she was not used to Numair's open feelings towards her. After all, he had been so good at hiding it from her; it was now a shock each time to read the plain desire in his eyes. Nevertheless, Daine couldn't deny the fact that she enjoyed his close attentions. She just didn't know how to react to them.

Catching his gaze, she blushed again and looked away. Numair sensed her hesitation and said, 'don't look so worried, sweet. I was just teasing – you know I would never do anything you don't want.'

Daine shook her head and turned to kiss him, to tell him she wasn't worried about it. It was typical of him to start on that again.

'I meant what I said, Magelet,' he said, his face studying hers seriously. 'I want you to know that I would never, ever do anything to hurt you, or to make you feel pressurized. I…I know I've got quite a bit of history with previous court ladies but I…. well I…'

His eyebrows drew together. Looking agitated, he tried to find the right words that fitted his feelings. His eyes narrowed as he struggled to speak.

Daine saved his torment by placing both hands on his face. She ran her thumb across his cheek and said, 'you're fair wonderful, Numair,' – and seeing the expression on his face, she laughed and said, 'yes – more than Jonathan!'

A slow smile crept on to the man's face and he pulled Daine close to him. Strong arms wrapped themselves around her shoulders, and he ran his hand gently along her back. Catching the side of her neck, he tilted her face upwards and touched her lips with his own.

They kissed gently, and then passionately, each trying to get as close as they possible could to the other. Lifting her up, Numair walked over to the makeshift bed and gently lowered her down.

Daine raised an eyebrow and smiled at him crookedly. Numair returned her smile with an equally crooked one. 'So its more comfortable,' he said and stifled Daine's giggle by closing his mouth on hers once more.

Thunder rolled gently overhead, and outside it began to rain.