[A.N.] Hello everyone! Here is the epilogue i promsed you. sorry it took so long. i wanted to get it just right! Thank you so much for all of your reviews! Please keep them coming and keep following my stories because i write them for you as much as i do for me! Enjoy!

~Serene

Milliardo Peacecraft looked at his reflection in the mirror. The coronation had gone off without a hitch and much to his surprise; all of his subjects were more than pleased to have him back. Still, the man staring back at him felt so foreign. He hardly recognized himself under his royal robes and the crown on top of his head felt heavier and more awkward than he ever felt it should. The reflection of his new wife greeted him, wrapping her arms around him, her head resting against his shoulder.

"You're doing it again." She said, softly.

"Doing what?"

"Oh Zechs, you know I know you better than that. Stop doubting yourself. You are the King this land needs."

"I'm not so sure."

"Look at me." He turned and locked his eyes onto hers. "What Une made you do was not your fault. We need to look to the future and make the most of what we have."

"You are right." His thoughts turned to all that had happened. Thanks to Relena and her band of traveling friends he had been set free of control and able to rally his people to regain their kingdom. The exact happenings in the castle that night we unknown to him, but he knew that somehow his sister had been saved and Une had been defeated. Relena told him that the sorceress and her true love had walked into the mirror together to live eternally. He wished them the best. Somehow knowing Une had been just as much a puppet as he had brought him some sort of consolation.

Shortly after the victory, Relena had had to bid her friends farewell. The brave troupe of performers that had helped save the kingdom had been appropriately rewarded with titles but had refused much more of a monetary reward than what would be require to compensate their ruined wagons and supplies. Still, his sister had not bene the same since they left. Her smile, while still beautiful, lacked the brilliance it once had and her laughter had all but vanished.

"Noin, have you noticed how down my sister has seemed lately?"

"I have."

"Do you think she misses her friends?"

"Of course she does; one in particular though, if I'm not mistaken."

"You're referring to Yuy."

"She loves him Zechs, and he feels the same."

"I know." He sighed in defeat and ran his hand through his platinum bangs. "The last thing I want is to lose her after just being reunited… but…" He remembered how she looked after Yuy had left. "I have to let her go, don't I?"

"You'll never lose her; Relena will always be your sister. However, she deserves to be as happy as I am now that I'm with you." He sighed again. She had an annoying, yet endearing way of always being right about such things. He squeezed her hand in agreement.

"If you'll excuse me, Noin, I'm going to go see my sister.

Relena held still as the seamstress measured her for a new gown. The fabric accented her honey-colored hair that finally returned to its normal color without the constant reapplication of the dyes. Life at the castle had returned to as it once was: full of happiness. The heaviness finally lifted, the people were able to go about their daily lives with only the mundane concerns of everyday life to bother them. The laughter of children playing in the courtyard rang through the halls and reached her even in her chamber. Despite the new gaiety of the Kingdom, however, Relena's heart was heavy.

The day after the coronation and wedding of her brother and Noin her friends had departed. Catherine and Sally had made sure to hug her and gifted her with a few costumes from their journey to remember old times. Wufei had even admitted he would miss her if only because she kept Duo from complaining as often. Duo, on the other hand, all but cried at the thought of her absence, though she mostly expected it was because he'd miss her cooking. Hilde had hugged her and promised they'd return sometime in the near future and guaranteed her a spot in their return performance before dragging her fiancé back to the wagons. Quatre and Trowa both embraced her one after the other and made her promise to stay out of trouble. Even the horses made sure to show her they too would miss her with affectionate nudges.

Dorothy had approached her after the big shows of affection had passed. The older girl wouldn't meet her eyes, still ashamed of what she'd done. Relena shook her head and met her half-way.

"I am so sorry, Miss Relena, for the trouble I caused. I never truly meant you any harm."

"No need to apologize, Dorothy. You were only doing what you thought was necessary to protect your family; something I can relate to all too well."

"Well said, Miss Relena. I hope someday soon we can try and become the dear friends I suspect we could be."

"I'd like that." With smiles and mutual nods, Dorothy walked back to the wagon, leaving only one goodbye left to be said.

Heero made his way over to her, his dark eyes locking with hers. She felt her heart flutter and her face flush as she remembered their kiss. They hadn't discussed what happened in Une's room and the recent events had left them little time to do so. As he closed the gap between them, time seemed to stand still.

"Princess." The word came out a respectful whisper but it seemed so wrong coming from him.

"Heero…" His formality stung her. "I… I hope you and our friends have safe travels wherever the road leads you." His response was a slow nod, his eyes never leaving hers. "Well, I guess this is goodbye…" It was half a question and half a statement.

"Hn." Was his only response. She offered her hand and he took it, raising it to his lips. He placed a short, gentle kiss on her knuckles.

"Goodbye, Heero."

"Goodbye, Princess." He let her hand go slowly and she felt a piece of her leave in that instant. When he finally turned to the wagon, she made her way back into the castle. She couldn't watch them leave.

That had been a month ago but the pain of their departure lingered. She'd smile and greet those around her and do her daily routines as a proper princess should, but her heart was far from in it.

"Princess, are you listening?" The voice of the seamstress broke through her thoughts.

"Yes Angelique. I'm sorry. I was just thinking."

"Are you sure you're feeling well, Miss?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Please don't worry about me. I'm sure the gown will be lovely. You've never gone wrong before."

"Thank you, Miss." The rest of the time went in a blur. The day wore on and felt more and more stifling by the minute. Relena found herself needing some distance. In a desperate attempt to escape her sudden claustrophobia, she made her way through the halls, out to the garden and into the stables. Starfire whinnied happily when he saw her and she smiled, letting herself into his paddock. She had felt so relieved when she'd seen that her beloved horse had survived her absence.

"What can I do, Starfire? I'm trying my best to be happy, but… I just can't." Her equine companion nudged her and gently nipped at her fingers.

"I thought I'd find you here."

"Milliardo."

"He's always been such a good horse, hasn't he?" She nodded. "I remember when father gave him to you. You were determined to show everyone what a great horse he could be. You've always had a passion for wild things and the spirit to match."

"You didn't come out here to talk about my horse, brother." She said, reaching for the grooming brush.

"No, you're right." He paused and she knew he was thinking of what to say. Milliardo had always been a man of few words. "Noin and I are concerned about you."

"I am fine, Milliardo, really. The year away from the palace has caused me to need to readjust to the routines. A little more time and I'll be back to normal." Relena almost smacked herself. There was no way her brother would believe her. She didn't even believe her.

"Relena…" He walked forward and hugged her. "You are my little sister, and I love you dearly, however, I know how unhappy you are and it kills me to see you this way."

"Milliardo-" She began.

"Wild things deserve to run free. Even if you love them, they deserve to have a life of their own."

"What are you talking about?" Relena felt her heart lift. Was he saying what she hoped he'd say?

"Go to him, Relena."

"What?" Shock and pure joy surged through her.

"Yuy and company are three towns over to the East in Bremmingston. If you leave tonight, you can catch them before they depart."

"But you-"

"I'll be fine. Noin and I agree it's time for you to find your own place and follow your heart. I didn't act on mine soon enough and ended up married to an evil sorceress. We don't want you to have any regrets."

"Milliado!" She flung herself into him and hugged him tight.

"Take what you need and then you and Starfire can leave as soon as you are ready." She smiled up at him, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Thank you, Milli."

When her brother left her in the stall, she grabbed a saddle bag and put a few provisions for her and Starfire inside as well as donning a heavy cloak and small sword. After one last good bye to her brother and new sister-in-law, she opened the paddock and rode out to the front gate.

"Ready boy?" She asked Satrfire. He whinnied a response and spurred into a gallop leaving the confines of stable and castle behind them.

Heero packed up the gear form their final performance at the Bremminsston Arts Festival. A rather inebriated Duo made his way to the wagon with Hilde on his arm-or under it, rather- as she helped him into the wagon. Their small band had done quite well and the added fame from helping save the kingdom made their performances in demand. All was going quite well. Trowa had even found a girlfriend, a young blonde woman with piercing blue eyes from the town that he'd doted on in previous journeys. Quatre and Cathy had finally admitted their feelings for one another as well and Wufei and Sally unexpectedly eloped. Dorothy had worked extra hard to regain the trust of their friends after her betrayal of Relena. He held no grudge against her, however. If Relena could forgive her then there was nothing else that needed said or done.

The thought of the princess made his wince in pain. He hadn't felt quite right since they'd parted ways and now that everyone seemed to be finding someone he found himself wanting to see her again, if only once more. He tried to convince himself that leaving her was for the best. A vagabond traveler and former warrior was hardly a good match for a Princess. He tried to convince himself he could forget her and even that she would forget him easily enough once suitors began calling. The thought of her in the arms of another man made him want to punch something but he had made the choice to walk away. He had made the decision to leave without telling her how he really felt. It was a choice that had haunted him ever since.

As he climbed up on the wagon bench and grabbed the reigns, he remembered the hurt in her eyes as he called her 'Princess.' He did it for her, to try and make it easier. He hadn't expected her pain to hurt him so. Duo had made sure to chastise him and try to convince him to go back. His kiss had broken whatever spell Une had had on him and her kiss had apparently revived him after Une's defeat. He tried to forget the tingle he'd felt as he kissed her hand goodbye. With any luck, the bumpy roads and twisting paths of their journey would eventually erase her from his heart and his mind.

The sound of rapid hoof beats, however, caught his attention. It wasn't uncommon for traveling caravans and wagons to be targeted by bandits, but he'd hoped they wouldn't have such troubles. Grabbing his sword, he yelled to the others to alert them to the possible on coming danger. As the wagon came to a stop, Heero leapt from the front, sword drawn, ready to defend against the possible onslaught. Instead, he nearly dropped his sword. Instead of a bandit, he was greeted with the sight of honey-colored hair flowing behind the figure on the horse. His heart lifted and he stared in disbelief.

"Relena…"

Relena felt her heart soar as she saw the wagon come into view. She watched in amusement as Heero jumped behind the wagon with his sword ready. The shock in his eyes told her she was the last thing he expected to see, but the joy that followed it echoed her own. As she brought Starfire to a halt, she smiled.

"What are you doing here?" Heero's voice held the slightest hint of relief.

"I heard you were going on a kingdom-wide tour and there's still so many lands I want to see."

"But you're—"

"I know."

"Why did you-?"

"I missed you…" She felt like kicking herself for her bluntness. "Um…all of you. And I know Wufei's cooking couldn't have gotten that much better." A small silence settled between them. "I was hoping, if there's still an opening that is, that I could rejoin the troupe…" She waited for his response for what seemed like forever.

He smiled at her: a small, rare smile meant only for her. He reached out his hand and she took it, allowing him to lead her back to her family. Finally, she had the sense of family she'd been missing, and as long as it was with him, she truly was where she belonged. As she made to walk beside him, he pulled her close, looked into her eyes, aqua meeting a fiery deep blue. He reached forward in a rare tender gesture and touched his hand to her cheek. He leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers and she felt a strange but familiar tingle run down her spine as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Welcome home." He whispered. In that instant, with those two words she knew it was true. She was home, and as long as they were together, she always would be.