To the onlooker's surprise, Janaff did not drop to one knee and propose to the beautiful blushing woman at that very moment. Instead, he lead her to the dance floor and pulled her into a hug.

"Lucia..." he whispered, her heart pounded at the name. He held her as if they were waltzing. There was no music, but the lovers swayed to their secret tune, Lucia resting her head against the Laguz's shoulder. He whispered softly into her ears, so quiet that no one (but Ulki, and he'd never tell) could hear them. Janaff began to beat his wings, drawing Lucia closer, as if he wanted them to fuse together and become one being. She nuzzled into him as they left the ground. As their feet ceased to make contact with the earth, Leanne started to hum quietly, and soon her soft soprano was joined by the voices of her brothers. The herons sang wordlessly, a beautiful melody that warmed the hearts of all present.

~*~*~Geoffrey and Elincia~*~*~

"Beautiful isn't it?" Elincia whispered breathlessly to Geoffrey.
"Yes..." the azure-haired man whispered weakly. He wasn't talking about the music, he was looking at her. His sapphire eyes taking in her face, the gentle smile that played on her mouth, the brightness of her eyes as she smiled up at him. Her green hair framed her face, just looking at it, Geoffrey knew how soft it was. He knew that, no matter how improper it would have been to do so, if he were to run his fingers through the long green hairs they would be soft and silky and Elincia would smile at him, and possibly blush. It wouldn't be a heavy blush, not the deep red of embarrassment that Lucia sometimes teased him for. Elincia's blush would be rosy, a gentle tinge of happiness on her pale white cheeks.
"They really are in love." The queen laughed, she squeezed Geoffrey's hand lightly, a reassurance. He returned it and then entwined his fingers with hers.
"Yes." he responded softly, So am I he thought, her hand was tiny in comparison to his. He was almost ashamed of the roughness of his palms, caused by to many times he had been on the field. Almost, but never truly ashamed of it because he had done it for her. Since the first day he donned the armor of a recruit, he had fought for her. Even when they were children. He had tried to impress her with feats of what passed for courage when you're five. He would have braved any danger for Elincia Ridell Crimea. Even as a child.

"Your Majesty..." he managed, his mouth felt stuffed with cotton balls. "M-May I..." deep breath, "May I speak with you in private for a moment?" She looked at him, her cheeks flushed slightly and she nodded. He lead her away from the party, holding her hand all the way. Finally when they were out of earshot, he stopped and turned to face her. He knew that she would be able to tell how nervous he was. His hands got clammy and his heart pounded faster. He reached into the pouch on his hip and dropped shyly to one knee as he pulled out the ring. Elincia blushed like mad.
"Elincia..." Geoffrey said softly, he took her hand in his and kissed it. He could tell from way she breathed that shivers had skyrocketed up her spine, "Will you marry me." The words came out clearer and more precise than he could have hoped. It was his heart speaking, and it had the utmost confidence in what he was doing.
"Yes..." The woman responded. She was practically glowing with delight as he slid the band onto her finger. He stood up and put a hand to the side of her neck. She bit her lower lip at the contact. It made her shiver and a delicious warm feeling rose up from her toes to the tips of her forest green hair.
"Geoffrey...you're shaking." She said softly as she stepped in to embrace him.
"I have never been more nervous in my life." He said with a shaky laugh. "I love you Elincia." He said softly kissing her forehead. She nodded happily, "I love you too Geoffrey."

~*~*~Bastian~*~*~

It wasn't surprising. At least, not too the Count Fayre. He had known Lucia's heart lay with another, and from what Volke had reported to him, it wasn't a huge shock that the Laguz had been the person to win her. Still...it saddened the Sage. How could it not? He had been in love with Lucia for years. As he watched them fly away, the count fought back tears he knew he couldn't let fall.
"Fitting." He said softly to himself, "Fitting that my sun should take to the sky." He knew she hadn't done it to hurt him. He knew that for all she complained about his flowery speech, she cared for him. She had regarded Bastian as a friend, nothing more. He turned his gaze away from the flying figures and sought Geoffrey. But both General and Queen had vanished. Bastian was alone, he took a deep breath.
"Are you alright?" A shadowy voice whispered in his ear. Bastian smiled, it nearly sounded concerned, but that was highly unlikely.
"Yes. True this hurt runs deep and I shall carry it as long as I draw breath, but it is enough that she should smile. For her smile warms the earth."

~*~*~Lucia and Janaff~*~*~

He set her down lightly on floor of the tower they had sat in earlier. Both were wordless, a malady that very rarely struck the hawk. He smiled at her and laughed.
"You've got no idea how nervous I was asking your brother." He said merrily. Lucia giggled slightly, delirious with joy.
"King Kilvas said something about lessons." she teased softly. Janaff nodded,
"Yep. I've been taking lessons on Beorc courtly behavior from him." Janaff scowled slightly, "There are so many different rules and regulations about marriage and how to ask and everything. I'd go nuts trying to deal with it all."
"I think that explains the dear Count Fayre." Lucia chuckled softly. He nodded,
"He's a strange one." Janaff suddenly pulled her to him. "I almost feel sorry for him."
"Almost?" She said softly, she was standing in Janaff's arms, warm and safe, her hands on his toned chest, she could feel the warmth radiating from under his red-brown tunic.
"Almost." The laguz said again, leaning closer to her, "I'm too happy to be really sorry for anything." His lips about half an inch from hers. Lucia smiled and sang just under her breath, "Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to-" she was cut off by a kiss.

Authors Note: Okay, so this is without taking the whole "Lehran" thing into account because this is a happy story. I had a great deal of fun writing it. On that note, I'll be posting an alternate ending that is more depressing because it wandered into my head. Look for that. Reviews off all kinds are appreciated, I can't wait for your feedback.