Author's Note: Well, I was very happy with the reviews you gave me ; ) Very, very happy! Thank you! It seemed that quite a few people said they wouldn't miss Ceira. I definitely get what you mean. I don't think I will either for reasons that I'm not going to re-write out on here because I'm pretty sure you all just want to get on with reading the story. Well this is the second to last chapter in this story so I really hope you enjoy! Please review for me! Thanks x

Disclaimer: I still do not own any characters of Shine and the BBC's TV programme Merlin (wish I did!) but any added characters and plotlines were completely my genius! All mistakes and splelnig errrors are also my own, which are not so genius…

Chapter Fifty Six

Parting

It was beautiful. Truly beautiful. In front of him was a huge, shimmering lake. Its surface reflected the dark night sky so it looked like the water had been replaced by black ink. The surface of it was so completely still, it could have been tinted glass. The forest surrounding the area was as dark as the water, its towering pine trees casting their reflection in the edges of the lake. In the background to all this were immense, towering mountains watching over the secluded spot. Their snow topped peaks dominated the whole scene and looked as if they would topple down on anyone who tried to offend it. He wanted to stand there and admire its beauty all night. But he knew he couldn't. Emrys lay Ceira tenderly on the still dewy grass, each sprig looking like it had been crystallised. Emrys stepped back, stretched out his hands in front of him and closed his eyes.

"Fæger béolæs áþ áberan sceaða," he whispered out to the water. He heard a couple of faint ripples but that was all. He opened his eyes and inspected his work. Bobbing in front of him was a tiny boat. The bottom was coated with reeds and various waterside grasses while either end of the vessel was piled high with flowers of all different types and colours. There were crimson roses, coral lilies, ivory orchids, violet foxgloves and many more rainbows of colour. It was perfect.

Emrys returned to Ceira's side and lifted her up from the ground again and approached the waiting boat. He walked into the shallows, the end of his cloak dipping in the water, alongside the boat and lay her on the reeds. He looked down at her one more time and closed his eyes, letting one single tear drop into the flowers above her head. Then something suddenly struck him. He didn't want her to disappear all together. He wanted some of her to remain on this earth, something that would represent her memory. Something Emrys could keep close to him and treasure forever to let him know she was still with him. He carefully took hold of the bottom of her dress with both hands and took a sharp breath as he tore a strip from the bottom of the fabric. He withdrew shakily and held the crimson fabric tight in his fingers. He wrapped it around his neck and took a last, loving look at Ceira. She looked so peaceful, like she wasn't dead at all. She could have been sleeping. He withdrew his gaze unwillingly and turned. He then climbed back out of the water and raised his hand up to the boat. His eyes glinted gold and the boat started to move through the inky water. The disturbed surface made only the smallest of ripples as the boat made its way slowly through the water. When the boat had reached roughly the middle of the lake, Emrys cast another spell wordlessly and his eyes glowed brightly again. He watched as the boat burst into flame, the golden, ethereal light filling the area. It illuminated the watching pine trees and even the stony walls of the mountains. The black water glowed a fiery orange around the boat as if it were made of lava. He watched as the flames entirely consumed the boat. A second and final tear rolled down his cheek and fell into the grass.

"I will do what you have asked you Ceira. I will repay Arthur and I will make you proud. But now you are at peace in the most beautiful of places. I will always remember you, I will always have you by my side and I will always love you Ceira. Now you can sleep forever."

Author's Note: *Sob* Hope I did Ceira's death justice. Did you think so? Let me know!

And guys? The next chapter you will read of this story will be the last D': It will be a sad time indeed. But please, don't let it all be bad. Click on that blue button down there and make a girl sat at home on her laptop savagely typing away on the keyboard happy :D Thanks x