Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Victors
Approaching the broken balcony Adam leaned on Logan for support both the brothers and Tali walked towards the rail looking down at the massive crowd below, Samarkand and Albion citizens alike all cheering and hugging when they saw the heroes above.
Looking around Logan spotted the crown the Temptress dropped and used the whip spell to pull it to him before handing it to Adam.
Understanding Adam took the crown and approached the rail holding up the crown, "People of Samarkand your days of suffering are over! The tyrant Empress has been defeated! I King Adam of Albion am happy to give this crown to the right ruler of Samarkand."
Placing the crown on Tali's head Logan approached the rail, "ALL HAIL EMPRESS TALI!"
Adam was the first to bow followed by Logan while down below the Samarkand people got to hands and knees for arch bow while the Albion soldiers and people did their own formal bow.
Closing her eyes Tali approached the rail and held her hands up, "As your Empress, I wanna extended a formal hand of friendship to the Kingdom of Albion and the South Islands for their brave aid to us in our time of need, had it not been for their aid, none of this would be possible. Let us rebuild our kingdom together!"
Cheering then erupted down below, Adam then turned when the doors to the throne room pushed open and Anna walked in gasping when she saw Adam dropping her hammer on the ground and running into his arms for a tight hug.
"Adam!" Anna sniffled before stepping back and punching Adam hard in the shoulder making Ben and the other wince, "DON'T EVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN YOU BASTARD!"
"OW! Yup you are the real deal!" Adam grinned kissing his queen, "god I missed you."
"Your Highness," Page smiled bowing to Tali followed by the rest of their allies.
"Logan! Tali!" Echo spoke rushing into the room with Saker behind her both smiling to see both were ok, "thank Avo!"
Rushing over Echo hugged Tali who hugged her back while Saker approached Logan slapping his back hard, "You did bloody good!"
"You did too," Logan smiled bringing Saker's head down to his head to press his forehead to Saker, "you're the best mate anyone could ask for, thank you, Saker."
"So, what now?" Ben asked as all eyes went to Tali and Adam who both turned to one another.
"As King of Albion it only fair I stay to see to the rebuilding of the kingdom of Samarkand, many are without homes, food, or protection, Albion will not leave till Samarkand can proudly stand on their own again, that is if her majesty will allow our stay," Adam spoke turning to Tali.
"We would be honored to accept your aid," Tali smile looking around the destroyed throne room, "hopefully that Empress didn't spend the entire national budget."
-Three Month Later-
At a large table, Tali sat with Adam and the President of the South Island who went over blueprints, where the Madam President spoke, "Thanks to the Auroran people we were able to repair much of the homes and palace, they were very helpful with their knowledge of the stone building."
"Aurora was more than happy to lend a hand, Kalin was just happy to see the Samarkand people get to return to their homes," Adam smiled turning to Tali who wore a formal Empress gown.
"Samarkand is indebted to Aurora and Albion for their aid, my people had suffered greatly, I am just happy they can have a roof over their heads again," Tali spoke turning to Adam, "shouldn't you be getting back to your own kingdom soon?"
"I will, Anna got things under control, no doubt she organizing a royal parade for my return," Adam chuckled looking forward to going home soon.
"I think we have left enough supplies and rations for Samarkand to take things from here, I should return to my own home as well, if Samarkand is ever in need of our aid the South Islands will sail to fight with you Empress," the President smiled bowing before leaving with her bodyguards.
"Empress!" a man spoke entering the room.
"Ah your newly appointed Royal Aide Ari here," Adam chuckled seeing Tali's annoyed look.
"My Empress I must insist that we discuss the palace's new décor! I have two famous painters from Albion who came all this way to share their expertise," Ari spoke as Tali turned to Adam.
"Wanna trade aides?" Tali asked seeing Hobson behind Adam checking over papers.
"Sorry Empress, this one sticking with my kingdom," Adam chuckled.
"Oh, and we must discuss your upcoming wedding as well!" the Aide spoke this comment making Tali's eyes widen.
"For the last time, Ari I will marry WHEN I chose to do so, not by the pressure of the royal court! The same goes with children, I am Empress and I choose who I shall call a husband," Tali spoke, very annoyed with the old men of the royal court on her back on such things.
"Of course, my apologies my Empress," Ari spoke bowing before walking away.
"So, we shall be leaving soon, I have my own kingdom to run, have you and my brother discussed plans?" Adam asked curious about if Logan would return home with him or stay here in Samarkand.
"I don't know, I haven't spoken to him since we won our battle with the Temptress," Tali spoke recalling that once rebuilding and royal duties started Logan kept a distance, only seeing each other in passing.
"Is that so?" Adam spoke thinking he must have read their relationship wrong, "Most of my friends have already returned to stay at the Queen's side well except good ole Xander here!"
Looking down Tali smiled watching the king pet his dog who had never left his side since they were reunited, in fact even Percy was overjoyed to see him.
"I'm going to miss you, my king," Percy spoke in ferret form as Adam pet the white animal on his shoulder.
"And I you, but I really and truly believe your place should be here, with the Samarkand royal family, Tali family will need you to look after them for many generations to come, I'll be counting on you," Adam smiled to Percy who nodded and hopped on the table then onto Tali's shoulder.
"Let be honest, I would miss you if you left for Albion Percival," Tali smiled scratching under his chin.
"Hey, ole chum!" Ben smiled entering the room, "the ships are getting ready to set sail soon."
"Thank you, Ben," Adam smiled standing up, "we got time before we set sail, come on Xander, sniff him out."
Following Xander outside the throne room Adam followed the dog through the palace which had many rooms under construction from the damage it took during the war. Entering the gardens Adam spotted his brother leaning over a bridge to the great river that ran through the city.
"Hello brother," Adam spoke leaning on the rail next to Logan.
"Hello," Logan spoke staring at his reflection in the water below.
"So, will you be coming home with us to Albion?" Adam asked seeing Logan about to speak but close his lips, trying to think of the answer he would say, "You hesitate, why?"
"I can't leave you again, after so long we're together again, I can't let Father down again," Logan spoke hearing Adam snorted, making Logan look up in anger, "did you just laugh at me!?"
"Yes, I bloody laughed at you! You are really going to let the love of your life slip through your fingers again?! You're blinder than I was with Anna!" Adam chuckled facing his brother, "Father would be so happy that we're together again but he would also be more than happy if you followed your heart, remember what he used to say?"
Thinking about it Logan let out a chuckled and repeated their father's words, "Only a bloody fool would let something precious slip through their fingers."
"So? Are you a bloody fool?" Adam asked getting punched in his shoulder by his brother.
Laughing Logan looked up to the balcony of the throne room above then back to Adam and place a hand on his shoulder his brother doing the same as they both gave it a squeeze before pulling one another into a hug.
"No matter how large this ocean is, nothing will ever keep up apart again," Logan said letting his brother go before running back into the palace.
"Tali!" Logan shouted his shout reaching the royal study where Percy's ears perked up as he and Tali could hear Logan's yells getting louder.
"Logan?" Tali spoke getting up and running out into the throne room where she pushed open the doors to the hallway, they met so many years ago, where Logan stood panting on the other end.
"Tali," Logan spoke taking a nervous gulp then began to slowly walk forward, "I can't go back to Albion, I can't go anywhere in this world without you in my life. My father was right, only a bloody fool would let something precious slip through their fingers."
Blushing Tali began to walk towards Logan who approached and got down to his knees before her bowing his head while taking her hand, "If you would deem me worthy of your hand, I swear that no one in this world would love and cherish you more than me. Tali of Samarkand, would you allow me to be yours?"
"You have always been worthy of my Logan," Tali blushed her words making Logan look up wide eye before a grin grew across his lips.
Standing up Logan reached a hand out touching her cheek softly before leaning down to capture her lips in a gentle kiss where she wrapped her arms around his neck deepening the kiss.
A loud whistle then got their attention making the two look down the hall to see Saker and Echo grinning at them, "WHOOOO! Get a room you two!" Saker teased getting a punch from Echo.
"You ruined their moment you idiot!" Echo scolded dragging him away leaving Logan and Tali to laugh with their foreheads pressed against each other.
"I love you, Tali of Samarkand," Logan smiled looking into Tali's blue eyes.
"I love you too, Logan of Albion," Tali smiled back looking up into his blue eyes touching his cheek, and kissed him again.
Later that day Adam helped the last of Albion soldiers load up the last of a horse-drawn carriage feeling Ben elbow his shoulder he turned to his friend who motioned behind them.
Turning around to face the Inner City Adam smiled when he saw what Ben was trying to show him, watching as Logan and Tali hand in hand approached. Letting go of Tali's hand Logan approached Adam.
"I'm not coming home with you to Albion, my place is here, only a fool let something precious slip through his fingers, right?" Logan smiled at Adam who chuckled and pulled his brother into a hug.
"No matter how far the ocean keeps us right? You will always be my big brother, I will come and visit as often as I can and I expect you to do the same, promise?" Adam whispered as Logan squeezed his brother tighter into their hug.
"I promise," Logan spoke both letting each other go and felt time stop around them and both turned to the large guild seal form, expecting to see Gabriel but from the light their father Sparrow exited.
"My boys," Sparrow smiled walking over and placing his hands behind both his son's heads and holding them close to his shoulders, "I am so proud of both of you, Albion and Samarkand are in safe hands with you two protecting them."
"I don't wanna say goodbye again Father," Logan spoke trying to fight back tears.
"Will we ever see you again Father?" Adam asked as both the sons looked up to their father's face who grinned down at them.
"My boys, there was never a goodbye, I will always be watching over you, I will be the tickle to your cheeks when the morning sun touches your skin, I will be the warm breeze you feel when you think of your mother and me, and I will also be that very loud voice in the back of your heads guiding you down this road of life, and I will be the glint in your children eyes when they look at you with love," Sparrow spoke with the light behind him glowed brightly, "Logan, Adam, I love you, my sons."
"Love you too Father," Adam smiled feeling his father touch his cheek to remove a tear.
"We will always love you Father," Logan spoke, he and his brother took a step back watching Sparrow nod before turning into the light and vanishing into it allowing time to resume around them.
"Load up! We got a kingdom to get home to!" Ben spoke, Adam then smiled and turned to Logan.
"You take care of yourself, Logan," Adam smiled as Logan nodded and looked to Tali who approached and took his hand.
"You take care too; you better not get yourself captured again or I'll kick your arse!" Logan grinned getting a laugh from his brother.
Turning Logan and Tali looked to Echo who had a bag packed on her back, "I'm leaving with the President back home, the South Island is in need of heroes and I plan to get that guild back up and running."
"You'll write us, won't you?" Tali asked getting a nod from Echo, the two women then hugged saying goodbye.
"Every week if I can! You better take care of her Logan!" Echo spoke waving before running off to join the President's caravan.
Saker then approached next with his own bag hung over his shoulder, "As fancy as this place is, I got a home to rebuild, I wager your brother can give a handsome reward for my aid in this journey."
"Good luck with that Saker," Logan chuckled seeing Saker's bottom lip quiver and wasn't ready when Saker pulled him into a surprised hug cracking something with the tight squeeze.
"I am gonna miss you, Logan! You better write to me too or I'll come back here to kick your arse!" Saker warned while Logan chuckled and hugged the giant back.
"Saker you are without a doubt my best mate in the world and I will never forget you," Logan chuckled watching Saker take a step back with a smile and waved to the two before joining the Albion people as they left the city.
Parting ways the Samarkand people waved and said their goodbyes to the South Island and Albion kingdoms who exited the city waving as they traveled down the Great Trade Road slowly fading into the distance.
Once Logan could no longer see the armies Logan turned to Tali, taking her hand then motioned to the castle, "Shall we, my Empress?"
"We shall, the kingdom won't rebuild itself," Tali smiled walking hand and hand with Logan as the gates to the city closed.
"What do you suppose our next journey will take us?" Percy asked looking between Logan and Tali.
"Who knows, life is full of surprises, and I am ready to face them head-on with you both at my side," Tali smiled.
"I look forward to serving you then my Empress," Percy chuckled looking towards the castle.