The next morning, the four Adepts headed out from Ivarstead and walked to Riften. For Danielle, Onmund imagined that it must've brought back a lot of memories going back to the town she had spent a considerable amount of time in prior to joining the College. But for him, it was just a town that he had heard rumors about but had never really gone to. For one thing, he knew that the Thieves Guild had a prominent presence there as well as the rich Black-Briars.

They arrived in Riften by evening and went straight to the Temple of Mara. Danielle had an emotional reunion with everyone there and Onmund got to meet her former mentors in person. Maramal was the head priest along with his wife, Dinya. He found it interesting that Maramal was a Redguard and his wife was a Dunmer. For some reason, it made him feel like he had something in common with them because he was also in love with someone of a different race. He also met Briehl, another priest there, and who was a Nord. Onmund and Danielle soon told them of their intentions to get married there in the temple and they were all ecstatic. They arranged their ceremony to take place first thing the following morning and Maramal sold them a matching pair of special temple robes that they could wear for the ceremony and then he sent the mages off.

It was time to head to the inn and get some rest before their big day, and as they neared the inn, Danielle said softly to Onmund, "Onmund, I have to warn you. There's a chance we may run into Marcurio here."

"Oh? Okay," he replied. Remembering her other former mentor as well as suitor, Onmund was surprised that they hadn't run into him already. But he didn't want to ask out of respect.

"Don't worry," she assured. "If we see him, we will just say hello and go on about our business."

With a chuckle, he said in a dismissive manner, "Nonsense! You should at least talk to him a little bit. After all, he was your mentor."

"Well, okay," she replied uncertainly. "I will introduce you to him, then."

"I'd love to meet him," he said.

Once they went inside, the four mages removed their hoods and sat at a table to get warm and comfortable. An Argonian served them some food and drinks. At one point as they ate, Danielle put her hand on Onmund's lap and whispered to him, "That's him. The guy who just came in."

Onmund looked up and followed her gaze over to the southern entrance where he saw a young man dressed in Adept Robes just like they were who had stepped in from outside. He had tan skin and a dark brown ponytail, and he took a seat on the bench by the door. Onmund looked back at his fiancée and asked her, "Wanna go say hi to him?"

"Okay," she said reluctantly. "Let's go." She then said to Brelyna and J'zargo, "Please excuse us. We will be right back. We're going over to say hello to an old friend."

Onmund and Danielle got up from the table and then he followed her over to the Imperial mage. As they neared him, the man looked up at them, and then his face lit up in surprise when he recognized Danielle. "Well, well, well! Look what the horker dragged in!" He looked at her in amazement. "If it isn't Danielle! Still wandering all over Skyrim and causing trouble?"

Danielle chuckled uncertainly and answered, "Not exactly. I've been going to the College."

The man smiled and then gave her robes a once-over and remarked, "And I see you've moved up pretty quickly! Adept in Destruction now, huh?"

"Yes," she responded. She then quickly added in a different tone, "Marcurio, I want you to meet someone." She then stepped closer to Onmund and put her hands on his arm. "This is Onmund," and after a beat, added, "my husband-to-be."

Marcurio's eyes widened and he repeated, "Husband-to-be?" He then finally looked at Onmund for the first time and then back at Danielle. "Well! So you have been up to all sorts of trouble!" He stood up and met Onmund eye-to-eye. "Well met, fellow mage," he said cheerily. With a smirk, he then added, "You know, I had proposed to her once a while back. And she turned me down. I don't know what you did there, but congratulations on your conquest."

Onmund blushed furiously, unsure of what to say. He simply uttered, "Thanks…" This guy sure is intense, he thought. I think I can see now why Danielle didn't quite get along with him.

"Well, I'm sure you two lovers have a lot of preparation to do. Getting married at the temple, right? I'd better let you go. It was good to see you again, Danielle."

"Good to see you, too," she said a little uncomfortably.

Marcurio sat back down on the bench and the couple left him, going back to join their friends. As they went back to their usual chatter, Onmund became somewhat quiet. Marcurio wasn't quite what he had imagined and he couldn't even begin to imagine how the guy would've gone about proposing to Danielle. He stole a glance at the Imperial mage, who was now talking and laughing with the Argonian server, and for a moment, he actually couldn't believe that he was getting married tomorrow and that the beautiful Breton woman sitting next to him was going to be his wife. Marcurio seemed like a very charming and charismatic man, and with his lean and dark features, he resembled a prince. Onmund suddenly felt very self-conscious and unsure of himself.

When the College mages finished their dinner, they requested two separate rooms which were on the second floor. Onmund kissed Danielle goodnight before they parted ways and then joined J'zargo in their shared room. The Khajiit looked at him and cried, "What are you doing here? You should go back downstairs and party! Enjoy your last night of freedom, friend!"

"Yeah, I'm too tired for that," Onmund replied. "I'll probably fall asleep right away." He began to change into his nightshift.

"Striker is the skinniest Nord this one has ever seen," J'zargo remarked as he was shirtless. "You're built just like an elf!"

A little embarrassed by his comment, he responded hotly, "Well, it's because I'm a mage! I don't carry around those big, heavy weapons like my brutish brethren do!" He quickly put on his nightshirt and climbed into bed.

"J'zargo was only making fun," the Khajiit said. "But follow Khajiit advice: Blow out all the candles tomorrow night and leave them out."

"Why?" Onmund asked, not understanding.

"You don't want to spoil your woman's fantasies now, do you?" he jeered.

Understanding now what he meant, Onmund growled and cried, "J'zargo!" He grabbed his pillow and got ready to hurl it at him, but he just sneered at the Khajiit instead. "That's none of your business!"

J'zargo laughed heartily, and for him to laugh was a rare occurrence. "You know, why aren't you downstairs partying, yourself?" the Nord mage questioned.

"J'zargo will have plenty of opportunities to party," J'zargo answered. "As for you, this is the last opportunity you will get. And you are just letting it go to waste."

"Don't you remember what happened last time I got drunk?" he asked him. "I don't want to relive that again!"

J'zargo sighed and quipped, "Suit yourself."

Onmund grumbled to himself and turned over to his side. "Good night."

"Good night," J'zargo replied back and blew out the candle.

After a short while, Onmund fell asleep, wondering what tomorrow was going to be like.

The next morning, Onmund and J'zargo woke up and got dressed. Today was the big day. Onmund put on the robes that he had bought from Maramal. It was plain and blue- not like the fancy garb that a Nord would wear at a more expensive, traditional wedding, but it would do. They stood outside of their room until the door opened to Danielle and Brelyna's room, and the two women stepped out. Danielle stepped out in her blue robes and Onmund gazed at his beautiful wife-to-be.

"Well, what do you think?" Brelyna asked him.

Onmund struggled to form a response, but he finally said, "Beautiful. You look beautiful, love."

"Thank you," Danielle responded shyly. "You look amazing, yourself."

"Well, ready to get this over with?" Brelyna asked the couple.

They both nodded and took a hold of each other's hands.

"All right," she continued. "J'zargo and I will head to the temple ahead of you guys so just come in when you're ready." She and J'zargo then hurried downstairs leaving Onmund and Danielle who would follow them at a slower pace.

As soon as they stepped out of The Bee and Barb, Onmund felt Danielle squeeze his hand and say softly to him, "Well, this is it. After today we're going to be husband and wife."

He smiled and looked down to meet her gaze. Her eyes were sparkling. Once again, he couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. Was she really all his? "Danielle…" he uttered. "Are you sure you still want to go through with this?"

"Yes, of course I do!" she replied, gazing back up at him earnestly. "Why?"

He sighed. "I don't know…I guess sometimes I still wonder how you managed to fall in love with a fool like me."

"Ohh, Onmund!" she chided, frowning. "You are not a fool! You are very smart. And very brave. There's no one else whom I would want to spend the rest of my life with."

"I'm glad to hear you say that," he responded with relief.

She smiled at him, and he relished the loving look in her eyes. "Let us go, darling," she urged. "I can't wait to start the rest of my life with you."

He smiled back and together they went to the temple to attend their ceremony.

Overall, it was a quick and humble ceremony. Maramal presided over their exchanging of vows and they each got rings to wear. They shared a kiss at the end, and then the deal was sealed. Together with his new wife and best friends, Onmund made the long trek all the way back up to Winterhold.

On the way, they had to stop in Kynesgrove to spend the night, and now being so familiar with all of the townsfolk there, there was a large celebration for the young couple's wedding, and Iddra had one of the rooms specially prepared for the couple, complete with a table full of wine, and flowers of various colors laid out on the bed. For Onmund, it was the perfect day, and it ended with the perfect night.

The next morning, they woke up to even more good news. Kjeld the Younger, the innkeeper's son, had found a man dead in the forest. The man had a wrapped parcel lying next to him with "Winterhold" written on it. Kjeld brought it back to Kynesgrove and showed his parents who then showed it to the mages. Even though no one knew where the man had come from or what had befallen him, the College students were sure that he was the courier they had been looking for and that the parcel contained the dagger that they sought after.

Danielle brought it into her and Onmund's room and J'zargo got ready to rip the wrapping open, but she stopped him, shouting, "Wait!"

J'zargo gave her a puzzled look and then she explained, "Arniel said that the dagger could be dangerous and not to touch it."

"How did he expect us to bring it back then?!" the curious Khajiit questioned.

"That's why it's wrapped up like it is now, right?" Brelyna asked. "Think it's safe that way?"

"I think it's safe like this, yes," she answered. "Is everyone ready to head back?"

"I'm ready," Onmund said.

The others agreed, as well, so they all headed back to the College, taking the parcel with them.

Arniel was ecstatic to receive the parcel, but to the students' disdain, he was unable to open it right away in order to verify the contents inside. "I must admit, I didn't think you'd find it," he told them. "And now that it's sitting right here in front of me, I'm afraid to open it because of the legends associated with this thing. It could mean sudden death if I touched it directly. But thank you all for your help. Once I figure out a way to wield it without taking getting harmed I will move on to the next step and let you know what happens."

Onmund and Danielle also told Tolfdir and everyone about their wedding and marriage. Few people were actually surprised, as they had witnessed the affinity between the two Destruction students to some extent, but Tolfdir had no idea what to do initially. "This is definitely a first at the College, for two students to get married while they're enrolled in school. I do hope that both of you plan to continue with your studies."

"Absolutely," Onmund answered. "I wouldn't stop learning for the world!"

"Of course I am continuing," Danielle also chimed in. "I want to learn everything, too."

Then, in an unexpected gesture, Tolfdir offered to let them live in the Arch-Mage's Quarters! "At least until we get a permanent Arch-Mage. For now, you two are welcome to take up residence in those quarters."

Onmund and Danielle were ecstatic. By the end of the day, they had moved all of their stuff into their new home. With a snort, Onmund declared to her, "I feel like a real family man now. New wife, new home…now we just need some kids to fill this place up."

Danielle slapped him playfully on the chest and retorted, "Slow down, boy. I'm not popping out any kids until I finish this school at least."

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I know, I'm just kidding. I don't want kids for a while either. I'd rather just have you for now."

She looked up at him and smiled before bringing him into a kiss. It was enrapturing and passionate, and when he pulled back for a moment, he felt like he was spellbound. She declared softly, "I'd rather just have you, too." Putting both of her hands on his chest, the side of her lip curled up into a smirk as she added, "Right now even."

He gave her a surprised look as she began pushing him in the direction of the big bed. He nearly tripped as she was somewhat forceful but he couldn't help but get a huge kick out of it. She pushed him down onto the bed and climbed on top of him, finally covering his mouth with hers in a feverish flurry of kisses as they practically started ripping each other's clothes off. She then made love to him, and he enjoyed every minute of it.

They lay there exhausted for a long time afterwards, happily lounging in their peaceful bliss as Onmund reflected on married life thus far. He had achieved everything he wanted to at this point- becoming an Adept in Destruction magic, marrying his best friend, and belonging to an elite group of scholars and mages who had also become his family. The only thing he had left to do was to make things right with his biological family. And he would get the chance to soon.

The remainder of the two weeks flew by quickly, and the time to take a trip down to his home village had finally come. Onmund and Danielle had a carriage called, and after they packed up their things, they said their temporary farewells to their friends and professor before going down to the end of the street in Winterhold and loading up onto the carriage. As he and his new wife got settled in, he began rehearsing his speech over and over again in his head. Ma, Pa, I'm really sorry things ended badly when I first left you guys. But I came back to show you that I've been doing just fine. I came back to show you how successful I've been- how much I've accomplished. I understand if you don't approve, but more than ever I feel like I've done the right thing in joining the College. I want you to be proud of me. I want you to be proud of calling me your son.

"You nervous about going back?" Danielle asked him, breaking into his thoughts.

"A little," he admitted. He then took her hand in his own and said, "But I think they'll be delighted to meet you, though."

"I hope so," she replied.

Onmund smiled at his wife and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him as the carriage driver turned his head around to ask them, "You both settled in?"

"We're settled," he answered, and the driver nodded and turned back around. He clicked his tongue and the horses started off on their trot. Onmund kissed the top of Danielle's head and looked back at the College they were leaving behind them. They would only be gone for a little while, but for him, it felt like they were leaving for an entire lifetime. For some reason, he had a feeling that he was going to come back a completely different person and he couldn't quite put his finger on why. But the feeling wasn't unsettling at all. It was just something that he accepted. He had no idea what the future would hold, but now with his best friend at his side, he felt confident that he'd be able to handle whatever came.

THE END

Well, here we are...the bad news is this story has come to an end, and I hope you all enjoyed it. Again, I really want to thank everyone who has read and followed/favorited this story and to all those wonderful people who wrote reviews! I have to say those really brighten my day! But I have good news, too, and it's that there will be a sequel! It is set to take place several months after the events of this story and will be centered around the Civil War questline. There will also be some new characters, both from the game and from my imagination! So if you want to be notified when I start posting chapters for the sequel, please Follow me! Until then, though, I'll take a brief break and post some miscellaneous material pertaining to Fire and Lightning- namely interviews with the characters and anything else that might be of interest. So please, PM or comment with your suggestions and interview questions and I will post them, hopefully no less frequently than on a weekly basis.

I hadn't heard of the "Everybody Inside" mod until you just mentioned it now, and that DOES seem very useful! I've had to reload so many times whenever there was an attack on Riverwood because some good characters always got killed. I ended up playing both sides of the civil war and I can't say whether one was more fun than the other; I really liked both Hadvar and Ralof, I found both Galmar Stone-Fist and Legate Rikke annoying, and I kind of just "meh"-ed at General Tullius and Ulfric Stormcloak. Oh well...but I hope the sequel makes a compelling and interesting case for the side that Onmund and friends eventually choose...And thanks for the interview question! I will include that!