Oookay!! This is the final chapter of this fic. This is the end of War of the Elements.

I've really enjoyed writing this fic. I put a lot of effort planning everything, and it had been fun. I really hope I'll enjoy writing other fics, but so far, this is the best.

I hope you've enjoyed this fic as much as I have, and love it as much as I've grown to...

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Black Demon567: Um... I can't type in a few seconds... ; I didn't mean just then, I meant to leave messages there until we agree on the plot or something.

Jake Delfeir: Thanks!! (smiles happily) Nicest thing anyone said about my writing so far...

Princess Viv: Mudshipping... Just read on and see! Yes, Alex doesn't seem to talk much, but when he does he sort of acts... I'm not sure how you describe that ; I know it's OOC, but hey, when you get something you wanted for over 20 years and it's a big want, you can go insane...

Saiyagal: Yup, the best weapon, Sol Blade, goes to Isaac! Handing the kingdom over... I thought of that, and/but... Read on!

LuceScuro: Coming to an end? Well... Read on, and note the author's note at the end! -

Dekra Dentao: I'm not a battle guy? What does that mean? (tries to check dictionary)

Michirure: Ahahah... 50 reviews for 6 chapters? You're good...

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Chapter 13: The End

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Sunlight streamed in at the window. The room was fairly large and well furnished. Isaac stirred on the bed and slowly opened his eyes.

"Where... am I?"

"In Prox," Jenna announced brightly as she entered the room. "How are you feeling, Robin?"

"Jenna, call me Isaac," Isaac said, sitting up. "What happened?"

Jenna sat down.

"You fainted. That Lemurian prince, Piers, healed you, but you continued sleeping, so Felix carried you back here," she explained. Staring at the blond, Jenna bit her lip. "Robin... no; Isaac. Why didn't you tell us about Prox?"

Isaac closed his eyes. "I'm sorry I lied... But I... didn't want to remember. I wanted to run away..."

Jenna took a deep breath. "My mother once told me this: 'You can never run away from your troubles. They follow you wherever you go. So you must face it bravely, without complains.' I've always remembered that. I hope you'll learn it too."

Isaac smiled. "Thanks, Jenna. I..."

Just then, Mia entered, holding nine contented looking Venus djinn. A smile lit up her face as she saw Isaac. She dropped the djinn and embraced him.

"You're awake! How are you feeling, Isaac?" she asked happily, releasing him.

"Better, Princess," Isaac replied, grinning. "Sorry to make you worry."

Jenna picked up the djinn, looking away. They know each other...

"I'll go tell your parents you're up. They've been really worried," Mia turned to go. Isaac's eyes widened in surprise. He leaped out of bed.

"My parents? What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Oh, right, you don't know," Jenna smiled. "Ro... Isaac, you are the son of King Kyle and Queen Dora."

"In other words, you are the lost prince of Vale," Mia said, eyeing Isaac carefully.

Isaac was stunned. He stared at Mia, then Jenna.

"I'm... WHAT?"

"It's true," said a soft voice. Feizhi entered. "My brother Hsu kidnapped you when you were young, to make Vale attack Contigo."

Isaac remained speechless. Feizhi opened the door wide.

"Isaac's awake!" she called. Kyle and Dora immediately rushed in. Isaac continued staring dumbly.

For fifteen years, he lived in Prox, believing his parents dead. All of a sudden he had both parents, as well as a kingdom.

"Come on," Mia whispered to the other two girls. "Let's leave them alone."

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"I see," Hsu drained his cup. He was sitting on a bed similar to Isaac's. Felix, Ivan, Sheba and Hamma were watching him. "And Alex just disappeared after that?"

"Obviously. If anyone found him alive they'd kill him," Felix took another bite out of his apple. Feizhi burst in, her eyes shining.

"Hsu! You're awake!"

The Jupiter adept sighed, lowering his head. "I'm sorry, Feizhi. I never wanted it to turn out like that."

"Never mind, it's all over now," Ivan said. "What made you work with Alex in the first place?"

"... I suppose I'd better confess all," Hsu put aside his cup. "My mother died when I was nine. Father married again two years later, to a woman called Yeran. The following year, she gave birth to Feizhi. Father was very fond of Yeran and Feizhi, and I was always treated as if I wasn't there. So when I was fourteen, I ran away. Alex found me, and he was good to me. He helped me train in psynergy and other things... So I decided to work with him, help him accomplish his wish, as well as get revenge on this cruel world."

Tears ran down Feizhi's cheeks. She hugged her half-brother. "Hsu... We never knew you felt like that. Father and Mama were really worried when you disappeared. When you came back later saying you had a job in Lalivero, we didn't suspect anything... We all loved you very much, and I still do..."

"I know. And I'm sorry."

Ivan breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, everything's cleared up now."

"...Not quite," Hamma said softly. "Queen Remedi hasn't recovered. In fact, she seems to be even worse."

"Can't we do anything to help her?" Sheba asked. "They said 'poisoned'. What if we find the antidote?"

"Apparently, there isn't an antidote... We'll see if the Lemurians can help us. I always thought Alex could do something about it, but maybe he wanted to use the Proxians. Let's go see."

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"Then add the flower from the Goldleaf plant," Mia said urgently. "Hurry!"

The physician nodded and ran off.

Queen Remedi coughed. She was deathly pale, and her lips were green. Her long blond hair was thin and dull. She looked small and extremely weak. Menardi wiped away a tear, clutching on to her mother's arm. Karst gripped her sister's shoulder, trying not to cry. The king of Prox nodded gratefully.

"Thank you very much for your help. I am Cid Randell, the King of Prox," he said quietly as he turned to his wife. "But it's too late... Remedi knows that."

"No, Father! Mother will live! She WILL live!" Menardi sobbed. Saturos put and arm around her reassuringly.

The physician flew up, holding a smoking goblet. "Princess Mia, it's still hot..."

"It doesn't matter; there's no harm in that," Mia said, grabbing the bronze goblet. She poured the contents into Remedi's mouth. The concoction trickled down the sides of her mouth. She coughed weakly again, unable to swallow the liquid. Mia raised her hand to cast Cure Poison.

"D...Don't bother..." Remedi whispered. "I've... already seen the gates of death..."

"Mother, no!" Karst yelled, crying hard. "No!!"

Remedi coughed again, and smiled at her family.

"Be good, daughters..." she whispered before her eyes closed. Mia released her hand. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Karst spun round, her eyes filled with rage.

"You caused it!" she shrieked. "If the Wise One was here he'd be able to heal her! You killed him!"

"Karst, enough," Cid commanded. His face was pale. "If Remedi knew what you did, she would be upset."

"They just wanted to help," Menardi agreed. A small smile came to her face. "Mother would be happier in heaven, without pain."

"And people you love never really die," Felix said, smiling at Sheba. "They'll live forever, inside you."

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"That's the monk's secret!" Jenna announced. Isaac, Felix and Sheba laughed. All five of them were sitting under the tallest tree in Lalivero. Garet frowned and leaned back against it.

"I don't get it," he said. Jenna pulled a face.

"Are you stupid or am I bad at telling jokes?"

Garet pouted. "How am I supposed to answer that? If I say you're bad you'll fry me!!"

Felix, Sheba and Isaac laughed again. Mia smiled at them as she sat on the tree.

"I've never seen him so happy..." she whispered. Isaac blinked, then smiled.

"Princess, why don't you come down?" he said casually. Surprised, Mia fell down and landed on the grass with a thump.

"Mia! What were you doing up there?" Sheba asked.

"Watching your faces," Mia replied, keeping a straight face. "I find it interesting to study expressions that change from excitement to curiousity and understanding..."

Everyone laughed.

"Seems like everyone except me is in a cheery mood," Piers grumbled as he walked up.

"Obviously. Alex and the Wise One are gone, Prox won't cause any trouble, and Isaac has found his parents. I'm amazed there isn't some big ball in honour of that." Felix said. Piers pulled a face.

"There is. King Kyle and Queen Dora have arranged one to celebrate peace as well as 'officially' announce the return of Isaac..."

Isaac winced. "I kinda wish I never found my parents."

"You can't mean that!" Jenna said, pretending to be shocked. She punched Isaac playfully. He laughed. Mia hugged her knees to her, suddenly very interested in a dandelion. Piers eyed his sister.

"Um... Mia? The reason for my depression... It's... Father's seriously considering Conservato's request to marry you," he said slowly. Everyone bolted up.

"Conservato? That freaky looking guy?" Sheba frowned.

"If I refuse, Father can't make me!" Mia exclaimed, pouting. "I don't even like him!"

"Is it because there's someone else in mind?" Felix asked, glancing at Sheba, who grinned. Mia felt her blood rush out from her face and flow back almost instantly, reddening her face.

"I'm going to... find Master Hamma!" she said, dashing off. Isaac watched her worriedly.

"Felix, it isn't very nice to tease her like that," he said. Felix raised an eyebrow.

"Are you telling me you've become as dense as Garet you can't understand what I meant?"

The blank expression on Isaac's face said yes. Garet protested fiercely. Felix groaned.

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"I'm kind of scared, actually," Isaac confessed, "I've never exactly been to Vale..."

The ebony black horse he was riding whinnied and tossed its head (Duh, the hero gets Black Beauty). Jenna's palomino pretended not to see it showing off.

"It'll be fine," Jenna said. "I felt the same once when Felix took me to my first ball. I was so nervous I spit cake onto an old guy's pants. He made a very nice sound, halfway between a yell, a cough and an unnatural laugh."

She and Isaac chuckled again.

Mia watched the two of them as she sat astride her silvery white mare. They really enjoy the moments they have together. Isaac would feel happier with her. I know that. As long as he is happy, I would be too. So why do I feel so bad? I must forget him. He's very compatible with Jenna. I shouldn't come between them at all...

Sheba looked at her best friend worriedly. Her forehead creased.

"Sometimes I just don't know what to do with that girl," she said to Felix, who was sitting behind her on a dapple horse with a white blaze on its head (Sorry, I'm horse mad). "She seriously does not know how to fight for her happiness. And I'll bet she's going to sit back and watch Jenna get what she wants."

Felix sighed. "Sheba, Jenna is my sister. Who am I supposed to side?"

Sheba pouted. "But Mia is going to be really upset if Isaac really chooses Jenna!"

"Jenna won't exactly be jumping up and down in joy if Isaac chooses Mia. Either way, someone will be hurt. Sheba, you can't interfere in this," Felix said firmly. "This is a decision only Isaac can make."

"...I'm the queen and you're the consort. You can't tell me what to do," Sheba said, smirking. Felix sighed again.

"What's true. Maybe I should leave. You can find a replacement easily, right?"

"Don't you dare!" Sheba poke him and turned around, grinning. I wish Mia could be this happy too...

"Well, we're at Kolima!" Garet yelled as he reached the gates.

"Continue straight on," Django instructed, smiling. "We're heading to Vale, remember? King Kyle and Queen Dora have already gone on ahead on Cybele."

The group of horses strutted through Kolima, looking at other horses with an expression that said 'We're carrying royalty and being proud of it'. Several excited murmurs, envious whinnies and a cry rose from the crowd. Felix recognised the owner of the cry.

"Feizhi, you might need to make space for someone behind you," he said. "I doubt if Emera would leave Isaac and the Sol Blade now..."

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"But there's no flour left..."

"Then go and get some more! I want everything to be perfect!" Dora ordered. The head cook fled. Dora sighed and flopped into a chair. Kyle entered and sighed.

"You know, Dora, I can understand that you want to make this ball a success. What I don't understand is why you arranged for all the entertainment and stuff... You even made me get the gardeners to clear the front of the castle!" he said.

"Of course," Dora said. "I've invited every one from all the kingdoms to this War-End Ball. Our hall is pretty big, so we can fit them in. I want everyone to enjoy themselves," Dora said, going over a list with extreme carefulness. "Estelle, this will never do! I want mango and grape, not jackfruit! Jackfruit will NOT do! And I want plenty of apples! Dozens of apples, understand?"

Kyle grimaced as the cook scuttled off, a worried look on her face. "Dora, you are pushing them too hard. I get the impression that impressing the guests is not your true intention. Out with it."

Dora smiled wistfully. "Our son is already 18. Don't you think..."

"Um, no," Kyle knew what Dora wanted. "Isaac will probably want someone of his own choice."

"Yes, and he gets to pick from all the ladies in the world..."

"You expect him to choose a bride from people he just met? Dora, that's insane."

Dora sighed and tossed the list aside like a rotten potato. "I guess you're right. I'll still make sure he gets acquainted with everyone, though, just in case..."

Kyle groaned.

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"Whoa, whoa, and whoa again. Vale is big and beautiful," Garet commented.

"... It is..." Isaac looked around him in wonder.

Stalls filled with goods and customers filled every empty corner. Large, comfortable looking houses rose here and there. Everyone looked contented and happy. In the middle of the kingdom rose a gigantic stone castle, decorated with green moss and other plants. The walls had roses climbing on them, and the moat, empty of all kinds of physical threats, gleamed in the evening light.

"It is pretty," Jenna and Feizhi looked enchanted.

"Lemuria is way prettier," Piers argued.

"The Sol Blade is more wonderful than anything else," Emera said, her eyes fixed on the sword behind Isaac.

"Let's just keep our opinions to ourselves," Ivan suggested. "Or else a quarrel will start soon."

"Agreed," Kite said, riding up to the main gates, which were shining brightly. One of the guards at the gates stepped forward.

"Please inform King Kyle that King Xyrho of Vault has arrived with the others," Xyrho said.

The guard raised an eyebrow. "The others?"

"He will understand," Shara assured. Doubtfully, the guard ran off. Dora and Kyle soon ran out, their eyes shining.

"Hello again!"

"Welcome!"

"Dispense with the formalities, please."

"Isaac! Isaac! I slew a Vermin, I slew a Vermin!" A familiar djinni jumped towards the surprised Venus adept.

"Granite! Did you behave yourself?" he asked happily.

"Of course not. He ran off and got lost in the garden," Flint said, grinning, as he popped up.

"Well, you plucked a persimmon from the garden," Granite retorted. Isaac thought he might be scowling, but as he could not see the djinni's mouth he was not sure.

"Neither of them obeyed. They even bullied the head gardener. I, however, stayed with Kyle and Dora," Petra said smugly.

"You djinn, stop arguing," Kyle said, grinning. "Hello, Isaac."

"Um..." Isaac felt awkward. What am I supposed to say?

Mia nudged him. "Just pretend you've known them for a long time. Relax, and be yourself."

Isaac decided to obey. "Hello... Mom, Dad."

Dora felt tears well up in her eyes. Kyle bit his lip, then smiled.

"You must all be tired after a whole day of travelling. Please, come in!"

Isaac breathed a sigh of relief. He dismounted. Smiling, he helped Mia down from her noble steed (Couldn't resist, just watched Shrek). She thanked him, smiling just as cheerfully.

Jenna watched, an unmistakable sadness in her eyes.

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"Oh, I never thought I'd see you again, Your Highness," the blue-haired lady said happily. She was unmistakably Lemurian.

"Felicity was your nurse for three years, before Saturos and Hsu kidnapped you," Dora said. "I don't suppose you remember her."

"No... Sorry..."

Felicity smiled. "Don't worry about it. I won't bother... If you allow me to choose your clothes tonight!"

Isaac winced. Dora laughed as Felicity pulled Isaac into another room. It was filled with countless suits and dresses.

"My sister Fiona is worse, believe me. She would pick up just about everything for her ward to use."

"I pity the person she's looking after," Isaac sighed. Felicity laughed; she had a huge sense of humour.

"Actually, I think you know the person. Fiona waits on Princess Mia of Lemuria."

Isaac dropped the tunic he was holding. Felicity grinned.

"Fiona used to tell me so much about the princess... But I don't think you want to hear, do you?" she asked slyly. Isaac looked confused at her tone.

"Huh?"

"Or maybe you prefer..." Felicity thought for a while. "Your Highness, do you prefer the quieter type of girl or the more bubbly one?"

"Wha... Me?!!" Isaac turned crimson and suddenly became very interested in a button. "I... don't know..."

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"The Excalibur's unleash depends on the user, just like the Masamune," Emera continued. Piers lifted the sword.

"Looks really good. Where did you find it again?"

Before she could answer, Kyle stepped onto a small marble platform.

"Ladies and gentlement, thank you for coming to this War-End Ball."

All the chattering ceased.

"The purpose of this ball is to celebrate the end of a long war. Many of you should have heard of Vale waging war against Contigo for the past 15 years. The reason was that my son, Prince Isaac, was kidnapped. Fake evidence pointed to Contigo."

There was a stunned silence throughout the hall. Kyle continued.

"Now, all that has been solved. The kidnapper has owned up and turned over a new leaf. My son has returned safely. I want to use this opportunity to introduce to you Isaac, the prince of Vale."

Applause rose as Isaac stepped up nervously. Several squeals were heard around the room.

"Ack! Um... Good evening..." Isaac felt extremely nervous. Mia smiled at him and mouthed 'relax'. Isaac decided to just speak his mind.

"I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to say, so... Have fun!"

Applause rang out again. Kyle stared at Isaac with a half bemused, half encouraging look. Breathing a sigh of relief, Isaac stepped down. Dora smiled at him. She adjusted the shiny golden crown on his head.

"Go and enjoy yourself, dear," she whispered. Isaac nodded.

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"Honestly, Felix, go and dance with Sheba!" Jenna hissed. Felix shook his head.

"No can do. Unless you can find a partner I approve of," Felix said. He looked pointedly at Mia, who was being surrounded by a group of lustful men. Piers took one irritated look at them and grabbed his sister. "See, great minds think alike."

Jenna groaned. "I never get any freedom."

"Why?" Isaac asked, handing both her and Felix a glass of wine as he reached them. Many ladies were looking longingly at him, but Isaac did not seem to notice.

"She does. She's just acting immature," Felix said, accepting the glass. Jenna pouted.

"Isaac, say you'll dance with me," Jenna begged. "He's driving me crazy!"

Felix choked on the wine. "JENNA! Females don't ask males for dances."

"This one does," Jenna said. "Well, Isaac?"

Isaac grinned. "Okay."

Felix groaned. Why do you have to encourage my sister to rebel? he wondered silently as the two started to move across the dance floor.

Mia closed her eyes and stopped. Piers glanced at where she was looking and sighed sympathetically.

"Mia, sometimes things don't always go our way," he said. Mia nodded.

"I know. It's better if he..."

"Excuse me, Your Highness. May I have the next dance with Princess Mia?" Conservato interrupted. Piers glared daggers at him as Mia accepted.

I should just forget Isaac and be with the person Father chose...

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"Aw, please, Isaac, Jenna? It'll look weird if I just keep to myself..." Garet pleaded.

"Garet, if no one wants to dance with you it's probably because your dancing isn't good," Jenna said as patiently as she could.

"Hey, no one's ever seen me dance!"

"Maybe because you're not too good at other stuff, so everyone assumes you'd be just as bad at dancing," Isaac suggested. Garet threw an apple at him. Isaac dodged. Ivan caught it and bit into it.

"Thanks for the apple, Garet."

Jenna laughed at the horrified look on Garet's face.

"It's just an apple," she said, releasing Isaac. "All right, I'll dance with you. Just once."

"Thanks a million, girl!"

"...Girl?

Isaac laughed and walked off. He saw Mia dancing with an elderly man Sheba had said was 'Conservato'. A strange, angry feeling rose from his heart. Isaac marched swiftly up and tapped Conservato on the shoulder.

"May I?"

The blue haired man eyes him, annoyed. If I say no, it'll seem like I'm not gracious. This will ruin the name of Lemuria!

He moved off. Isaac took Mia's hand, and they started to dance. (... Is this description horrible, or what?)

"Thanks for just now, Princess. I would've probably fainted."

Mia smiled. "Nah. You'll just stand there without a word until your father hands you a note with a speech on it. Which, I might add, is extremely useful. Before the actual speech-making, that is."

Isaac laughed. He had never felt more relaxed after Alex showed up in Kolima days ago. "Honestly, I don't want to be a prince; I'd probably be happier back in Prox... Well, no I won't. Still, I hate all this public stuff."

"You'll get used to it," Mia assured. Keeping her tone casual, she continued. "I'll miss it all. Conservato doesn't like anyone but himself to speak, so I'll probably be made to stay away from all that when we get married..."

Isaac missed a step. His jaw dropped. Mia stopped and stared at him.

"You're... WHAT?!" Isaac could not believe his ears. "You hate him!"

"He's Father's favourite choice," Mia said quietly. "It will make a whole lot of people happier..."

"You really don't mind marrying someone you don't love?"

"As long as the people I care for are happy, I'm contented," Mia said, smiling sadly. She lowered her head. "The person I love... will be happier without me."

"... You're going to give up your happiness for the sake of the one you love?" Isaac shook his head in disbelief. Mia smiled.

"As I said before, if he's happy, I would be, too. I don't have to be with him to be happy." She patted his cheek. "So don't go and get yourself all worried about me."

She turned and wandered off. Isaac watched her, confused. What did she just say? Doesn't that mean... It can't be... I must be thinking too much...

"Isaac? What are you doing?" Jenna asked as she walked up. Isaac continued to stare into space, trying to figure out what Mia had meant. Jenna pouted. She shook his arm.

"Wha-what?"

"You're ignoring me!" she complained. Isaac grinned a little and rubbed her head. Jenna moved away, her expression stony.

"I'm sorry, I was thinking about some stuff... Why are you so sensitive over this?"

Jenna shifted uneasily at the sudden question. It's now or never, she thought.

"Because... I love you." Jenna confessed, deciding to get it over with as quickly as possible. Ignoring the stunned expression on Isaac's face, she continued on. "I always feel happy when I'm with you, and I don't want you to ignore me ever again."

Isaac was speechless. A deep red colour covered his face. He turned away.

"I'm... Mom's calling me," he managed to say before he ran off. Jenna sank into a chair.

"I just knew this would happen..."

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"And that's Lady Lana... She's famous for being good at embroidery. And that's..."

Isaac listened only to half of what Dora was saying. Ivan watched, faintly amused.

"Hey, Prince Isaac? Hello?" Ivan waved his hand. Isaac continued to look blank.

Jenna loves me? I must have misheard. And... what's up with Princess Mia? Arrrrrghhhh... Girls are so difficult to figure out...

"Are they?" Ivan asked. Isaac jumped.

"!! Ivan! Did you just read my mind?!" he yelped. Dora stared at him disapprovingly.

"Sorry, Your Majesty, I need to talk to Prince Isaac." Ivan said. Dora snorted.

"It can't be more important than this. I'm sorry, Ivan, but you'll have to wait until the ball ends," she said. Ivan groaned inwardly, then, much to Isaac's annoyance, began to read his mind.

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"Well? Do you feel the same?" Ivan asked impatiently. The ball had ended, and the two blonds were talking in the garden. Isaac shook his head, his face crimson.

"I don't know, Ivan," he answered helplessly. "I mean, Jenna is nice and all, and I really enjoyed the days I spent with her in Kolima, but..."

"But?" Ivan looked at him quizzically. "I can read your mind to find out what happened, but you're the one who can figure out what your heart is saying."

"... I don't even understand my own heart," Isaac said, leaning back against a tree. (Why are there trees to lean against in every area when I'm writing a fic?)

"Let's put it this way. You treat Prince Garet as a really good friend, don't you?" Ivan asked. As Isaac nodded, he went on. "Your feelings for Jenna... Are they the same as the ones you have for Garet?"

Isaac thought hard. "They're... the same..."

"And Princess Mia?" Ivan prodded. This guy needs to make his decisions. See if I can't help him learn how. "What do you think about her? How do you feel about her marrying Lord Conservato?"

Isaac closed his eyes. He remembered the first time he met Mia. He remembered the three happy days they spent on the ship when he was escorting her back to Lemuria. He remembered Mia dancing with Conservato. The rock-hard pain hit him again. And then he remembered Mia saying that she was going to marry Conservato...

Isaac clenched his fists and lowered his head.

"I... can't take it..." he whispered.

Ivan smiled. "Well, there's your answer. Go on, go and find Mia, and don't cry."

Isaac grinned and nodded. "Thanks, Ivan, you're a real friend!" he called as he ran off.

"Anytime."

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"And... what did he say?" Mia asked softly. She and Jenna were talking outside in the stables.

"He mumbled something about Queen Dora and left," Jenna said sadly. "I don't think I'll get a positive answer."

"Jenna, don't worry, it'll be fine. I've seen how happy he is when he's with you," Mia said. She turned around and patted her horse. "I'm leaving for Lemuria with Piers tomorrow morning."

"You're... willing to give up trying?" Jenna felt tears collecting in her eyes. Mia laughed shakily.

"I'm contented as long as the people I care for are happy. Isaac would be happier with you than with me. You'd be happy with him, and Conservato will be glad to have me. Father will get the responsible son-in-law he always wanted. Isn't that the best?"

She bowed her head. "But... I suppose... I am... just a little... jealous... disappointed..."

Jenna hugged her. "I don't think I stand a chance, Princess. You should stay."

Mia moved away. "This is for the best."

"Hey, Isaac, what are you doing here?" Garet's surprised voice came from outside. Jenna raised her hand.

"Burst!"

The wall collapsed. Garet and Isaac both jumped back in surprise.

"Whoa! What's going on here?" Garet asked, puzzled. Isaac looked down.

"Isaac, did... You heard everything?" Jenna asked softly. Isaac nodded.

"I'm sorry, Jenna."

That statement explained everything. Jenna smiled.

"Good luck," she said simply before she ran off. Tears trickled down her face. An extremly bewildered Garet ran after her.

There was silence.

"Did... did you mean what you said to Jenna?" Mia asked softly. Isaac nodded.

"Jenna will always be my best friend, like Garet," he said. He took a deep breath.

"I guess I never really thought much about this. I never exactly bothered... But when I heard that you were going to marry Conservato, I couldn't take it. I... I don't want you to leave."

"... Why?"

"Because I... I... I love you..." There, it's out.

Mia stood rooted to the ground, staring. Her blue eyes were wider and rounder than usual.

"Um... I'm not good with word, but... You're the one who makes me feel happy. You've been there when I needed you, and... I want you to stay with me. Forever."

It seemed like eternity before either of them moved. For the second time that day, Mia threw her arms around Isaac and hugged him tightly. Smiling, Isaac stroked her hair gently.

"Can I take that as a yes, Princess?"

Mia looked up and smiled, her eyes shining. "You're still calling me 'Princess'?"

Isaac grinned and kissed her on the forehead. "Mia."

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Epilogue

"Oh, don't worry. I'll just tell Father that 'My baby sister has grown up and is asking for freedom. She's gone to sit on cloud 9 with her Prince charming'," Piers said, grinning.

"I'm not a baby," Mia said crossly. "If you say that to Father, I shall make sure he thinks that you are dating Emera."

"Wha?! Hey, she's coming with me only because she wants to explore the ruins in Lemuria!" Piers protested. Mia laughed again as the ship rose up.

"You've got to come back often, okay?" Felix said, waving. The wings started to flap hard. Piers waved back.

"Say goodbye to Jenna for me!"

"Jenna's probably too busy with Garet to hear anything I say," Felix said, shaking his head regretfully.

"You don't approve? Beneath all that clumsyness and slowness beats a pure and kind heart, you know. And Garet really likes Jenna," Sheba said. Mia grinned.

"It's kind of hard to imagine the two of them together. I mean, they quarrel about twenty times a day. Queen Shara told me that they burned up the entire garden of Vault in one afternoon," she said.

"Well, what about you?" Sheba asked. "Queen Dora just told me that Isaac has refused to live in Vale for now. Poor mother almost cried, but she said 'He's not used to being cooped up ruling, I have to let him go. Hope he visits me often.'. What is Isaac planning on, eloping?"

Mia smiled, blushing. "That's for me to know and you to wonder!"

Sheba pouted.

"Speak for the devil!" Felix commented as Isaac walked up.

"Crap, is Piers gone already?"

"Yes, and you'd better tell me what you're going to do with Mia or I'll cream you," Sheba said fiercely. Isaac grinned.

"That's for me to know and you to wonder," he said. Laughing at the expression on Sheba's face, they left.

...............................................................................................................................................................................

The End

...............................................................................................................................................................................

Well, it's finished! I declare War of the Elements officially completed. Now maybe I should work the comic...

Oh, wait. I have another fic to work on:

THE SEQUEL TO WAR OF THE ELEMENTS

Yup, there's going to be a sequel! Watch out for 'Legend of the Stars'!

- 00

Daidairo