Author's Notes: I'm sure you've been wondering all week what was going to happen next following the final battle, and here it is! I cannot believe we are at this point in time! I am so excited!

Chapter XXXVI

For a moment, an intense brightness blinded Iliana, the light assaulting her eyes to the point she could barely keep them open. Just as she brought her hand up to shield her blurred vision, the brightness dimmed down at a slow pace. She could hear waves crashing down, and when she could finally lower her hand, she covered her mouth in shock at the sight before her. She was standing on the sandy, white beach of the shoreline that used to be her kingdom on the island of Corfu. Tears filled her eyes at the sight of the vast, blue ocean before her, its salty scent and rolling waves calling out to her like it used to when she was a child.

Is this my version of heaven?

At that thought, her heart grew heavy in the confines of her chest. Either she was in heaven, or possibly on the border between heaven and earth.

She remembered fighting valiantly against Cerdic, the injuries she sustained, and how she struggled to breathe when he grabbed her by the throat. Following assisting Arthur in slaying the Saxon leader, the last thing she remembered was collapsing into Tristan's arms, and her tearful apology to him before everything went black around her. Even now, she could still hear him pleading with her to keep her eyes open as the image of his handsome face slowly turned into a blur. It was possibly the last time she would ever see him express such vulnerability to her after he opened up to her about his past, and it only stung her broken heart even more.

Despite accepting the possibility of her death in the last battle, Iliana felt a strong sense of regret that it inevitably happened. She wanted to marry Tristan, bear his children, and grow old with him, fulfilling the promise her six-year-old self made to Leoric. Now, with her death, it would never happen as she stared out at the ocean absentmindedly.

So much for not having regrets, despite having empathized it to the men and my Sirens, she thought. Forgive me for not surviving, Tristan. Just know that I died protecting you, and even though I broke my promise to my father, I accept and will live with the consequences of my actions.

"Iliana."

Her heart stopped at the sound of a familiar voice calling her name from behind her. Taking a deep breath, Iliana turned around, and whatever she had left of her resolve broke at the sight of Leoric standing before her in the flesh.

"Father!" she exclaimed with joy as she ran to him and hugged him tightly. He let out his usual hearty chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her and returned the hug, burying his face into her hair.

"It's good to see you again, my dearest daughter."

"I missed you so much, Father! I longed to see you again every day since you passed!"

"I know, sweetheart. I missed you too," he cooed, patting her on the shoulder as he held her. "But I have to say that I am so proud of you. You fought so courageously in that battle at Badon Hill. You truly are my daughter in more ways than one."

"I told you so, you stubborn bastard."

At the sound of Andres's voice, Iliana pulled away, her eyes widening at the sight of him as he approached them. Unable to speak, she practically pounced on him with a hug that made Leoric chuckle at the sight.

"I am so sorry," Iliana said, choking back her tears as they poured from her eyes. "I wasn't strong enough to live through the battle that took place at Badon Hill. Everyone must feel devastated, especially Tristan."

Her heart broke at the memory of his pained expression as he pleaded with her to keep her eyes open.

"Ili, sweetheart, you have nothing to apologize for, especially since you haven't died yet," Leoric said reassuringly.

This revelation surprised her; how was she not dead yet? She took a knife to the side from Cerdic that proved fatal, if not critical. Surely, that blow would have killed her by now as she lay dying in Tristan's arms.

"It is far from your time, my child," Leoric announced. "You still have so much more to give in the future that is waiting for you to live it."

"Your father is right, Ili," Andres said. "The light within you still shines brightly."

Leoric then held his hand out to present her something, and when Iliana looked, she saw images that only made the tears flow harder from her eyes. Vanora, Jols, the children, her Sirens, Arthur, the men, and Tristan. She let out a small gasp as she saw him cradling her body in his arms, her blood seeping from her back onto his hands and coat.

"Your man lives, but he is lost in the darkness," he explained.

"I've hurt him for the second time in this lifetime," she confessed. "And to add to it, I promised him I wouldn't keep secrets from him anymore. Despite my reasons, I betrayed his trust, and I'm such a terrible person for lying to him."

Leoric gave her a sympathetic look as he approached her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Nobody is perfect, Ili. We make mistakes, we screw up, but that is the way the world works. We don't learn the lessons if we don't make mistakes. The importance of it all is to forgive and move forward with the lessons you've learned from your mistakes.

"Sweetheart, you possess the courage to feel. You feel everything so deeply, just like I used to when I was still alive. It really goes to show that you are my daughter, and you are the greatest gift God could ever give me."

In response, Iliana nuzzled her cheek atop his hand as she took his words of advice to heart.

"Return to everyone and make more memories, Ili," Andres said. "When your time comes, your father and I will want to hear all about it. We won't be too far from you, for wherever the light shines, we're there with you."

Iliana nodded.

"Thank you for everything. Both of you."

"Before you go, there's someone I want you to meet," Leoric said, nodding towards the silhouette of someone hidden within the mist. Iliana tilted her head as the silhouette made their way towards them through the mist, and she was face-to-face with a woman looking almost identical to her in appearance. She was smiling sweetly and looking at her adoringly, and after taking a moment to look at her, Iliana was so full of emotion when she ran to her and gave her the biggest hug she could muster. Although she was just born when she died, the memory of her smiling face was still vivid in her mind.

"Mother…"

Calliope smiled against her hair, kissing the top of her head many times.

"I may not have had the chance to see you grow up, but I can see that you have blossomed into a beautiful woman, Iliana. I couldn't be more proud to have birthed the most wonderful daughter a mother could ever have. When you finally return to earth and the people you love, you'll make a wonderful mother yourself. Return to earth and live the life you deserve to live."

At that moment, a light then shined to reveal a path, and Iliana pulled away from Calliope to see the path waiting for her.

"It is time, my child. Return and reunite with your friends and your knight," Leoric announced.

"Yes, Father," Iliana said. "I love you. All of you, and you're always in my heart and thoughts."

Leoric nodded.

"And just as Andres said, wherever the light shines, we're there."

Smiling, Iliana approaches the path, stopping to give her parents and Andres one last parting look before going on her way. Perhaps this wasn't her time now, but when it finally was, she would see them again, and they would wait for her with open arms.

Tristan leaned back against the chair, cutting and chewing away at bits and pieces of the apple in his hand. He had spent the past four days in the infirmary, watching over Iliana as she lay unconscious in bed, recovering from her wounds. She was barely holding on and struggling to breathe thanks to the blood loss and exhaustion as he carried her to the infirmary. Dagonet and Merlin were quick to treat her, their quick work and thinking helping to stabilize her condition. The rest was up to her, and given enough time, she would wake up on her own. He had only left the infirmary if he needed to eat or if Arthur or the men needed something, and as quick as he was to finish, he was quick to return to her side.

He had followed this routine since then, wanting to be present when she finally opened her eyes. Cerdic nearly robbed him of the gaze that melted the ice surrounding his heart, and he felt himself tremble when he remembered how warm her blood was as it seeped into his hands.

Finishing up his apple, Tristan tossed the core into the nearby bin before holstering his knife and approaching the edge of the bed where Iliana rested. Her breathing was slow and steady as her chest rose and fell. He knelt down before her and reached out to stroke her hair.

"You know, you are as valiant and stubborn as Andres when he sacrificed himself to save us at the frozen lake," he whispered, breathing heavily against her lips. "Then again, it shouldn't surprise me, considering he was your teacher."

He breathed out a small sigh before he continued.

"You were a fool to join us in that fight, despite your reasons. In helping the Sirens avenge their suffering and to avenge Andres's death, you almost lost your life. Have you forgotten what I told you? If your heart stops beating, so does mine.

"Our hearts became one the night we made love for the first time, and I won't live the life I want if you're not a part of it. So, please. Open your eyes and return to me, Iliana. Let me see that beautiful, blue gaze that never ceases to mesmerize me."

He had never been this poetic before, but Iliana brought out a part of him he was sure had died a long time ago. While he knew she was still alive, she would only be truly alive when she finally opened her eyes. Stroking her hair one last time, Tristan leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers in a gentle, loving kiss. He then gave her a kiss on the forehead before leaving, deciding to head to the tavern for some much-needed air.

Little did he realize the movement that took place just as he left the infirmary.

A couple of tears came down Iliana's cheeks as she took a breath for what felt like the first time in an eternity. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking several times until her vision cleared. As she gazed at the ceiling and then took a moment to gaze at her surroundings, she realized she was in the infirmary. If she had to guess, Tristan brought her here after she lost consciousness in his arms.

This also confirmed that she left her parents and Andres at the border between heaven and earth, and she was officially back on earth. They had granted her a second chance at life, and with this last gift given to her, she would not waste it.

She reached up to touch her lips, finding they were warm and tingling. Was Tristan just here? Had he kissed her awake? The thought of it seemed like a fairy tale too good to be true, and when she looked around the room, there was no sign of him, to her disappointment.

She allowed herself to sit up, quickly pulling the sheet up to cover herself upon realizing she wasn't wearing any clothes. Wrapping the surrounding cloth, Iliana stood up from the bed and approached the mirror. She twisted her body to get a better look at her back, and she saw the scar of the slash Cerdic gave her. It was a diagonal slash across her back, starting at her right shoulder and slanting downwards, barely missing her tattoo and stopping at her waistline. She then loosened the fabric of the sheet at her left side, and she saw the scar of the stab wound from Cerdic's knife. Despite the marring of her skin, she was not flawed. The scars showed her survival, and they would represent the battle that decided not just her future, but the futures of her Sirens and the knights.

Speaking of which, she had to find out if everyone was okay, but considering she just regained consciousness, she was probably going to need to be looked at before they released her.

"My lady, you're finally awake."

At the sound of the voice, Iliana turned to see Merlin standing in the doorway.

"Merlin," she greeted with a bow, keeping the sheet close to her body.

"It's a shame Tristan didn't stick around a little longer. He would have gotten to see you wake up."

"Where is he?" she asked.

"He just left for the tavern to eat dinner," Merlin replied.

As if on cue, Iliana heard her stomach growl, causing the Woad leader to chuckle.

"You have been unconscious for four days, so I expect you to be hungry. Let me do a thorough examination before we get you a dress to wear."

With a nod, Iliana took a deep breath and let go of the sheet, letting it drop to the floor. As she raised her arms up horizontally, she hoped she would be in the clearing to leave the infirmary once Merlin's examination was complete.

To her relief, Iliana was clear of leaving the infirmary after dressing in a white, floor length, Celtic style dress with long sleeves that hung off her shoulders. A pin in the style of a daffodil was placed into her hair, a gift Gilly left for her when she finally woke up. With a simple pair of Greek sandals, she was more than ready to grace the tavern with her presence.

To add to her growing relief, the past few days of her lying unconscious allowed her body the rest it needed to get her back on her feet. She could still belly dance, the movement of her sides a little discomforting, but manageable for her to handle.

"Everyone will be happy to see you've finally awakened," Merlin said. "They were so worried about you, as was I."

"The men? My Sirens?" she asked.

"All safe and sound, young one," he replied with a smile. "They sustained injuries, but none were life threatening."

Iliana nodded, breathing out a tremendous sigh of relief at this news.

"And the Saxons?"

"Dead. All of them. After you and Arthur killed Cerdic, we took care of the remaining soldiers after chaos ensued among them and then tended to the wounded. You were the top priority, though."

Iliana chuckled, allowing a small smile to form on her lips.

"Tristan never left me, did he?"

"Only to eat or when Arthur or the men needed something," Merlin replied. "However, he slept with you at night, keeping you close."

The worry she knew her actions had triggered in him caused a pang of guilt to hit her heart.

"I've caused him so much grief," she said. "The second he sees me, he will not let me out of his sight again."

"I'm sure he won't, especially when he knows he has a future ahead of him with you."

His words made the young girl blush, causing him to chuckle.

"Are you finally ready to see him?"

She looked him in the eyes and nodded.

"As ready as I can be. Lead the way," she replied.

Tristan leaned back against a nearby wooden post, keeping to himself as he watched his comrades mingle with their ladies. Following dinner, he distanced himself from them, considering his own lady was still unconscious and recovering in the infirmary. He knew her recovery would take time, but if she didn't wake up soon, he was going to lose whatever was left of his remaining sanity.

To be honest, the past four days had been a struggle for him. Without her light to guide him, he was wandering in a never-ending darkness with no way to escape it. He hoped she would come walking into the tavern. Once she did, he would hold her close and never let her go again.

"She'll wake up in due time."

He looked up to see Bors as he rocked Eleven in his arms. He didn't say a word as he gazed back at their comrades.

"Leoric and Andres won't let her cross to the other side that easily. I bet she'll come walking in at any moment now."

As if the heavens heard him, the moon glowed in the infirmary's direction, catching everyone's attention as they looked to see who was there. Merlin came walking in, and with a smile, stepped aside to present the person walking behind him. For the first time in four days, Tristan felt his heart beat once again at the sight of an awakened Iliana. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, giving him a small smile before turning her attention to the group.

At the sight of Tristan staring directly at her, Bors couldn't help but chuckle as he rocked Eleven to soothe him from his crying.

"Told you so," he said as the two of them watched the scene unfold between the Sirens and the men. Tristan waited until everyone greeted her, remembering her previous words of saving the best for last, which he knew she was going to do.

The Sirens practically leaped from their seats and ran to Iliana at the sight of her, and she happily welcomed them with open arms as they embraced in a tight, emotional group hug. Iliana could not describe the relief coursing through her veins at the sight of her friends, safe and in good health. Seeing it with her own two eyes, besides surviving against the odds, made her realize how blessed she truly was. She relished in the presence of the girls she nurtured and commanded before making her way to the men.

Gawain and Galahad had to be extra careful in handling her thanks to the wound on her side, but they each took an extra moment to hold her and relish her presence. The same went for Lancelot and Dagonet when it came for them to greet her. Arthur was on the verge of tears as he hugged her out of relief that his offer to her and the girls didn't send her to her death in the end. If she were to die, he wouldn't have forgiven himself or God for robbing her of the life she deserved to live.

He watched as she shook Guinevere's hand, and after hugging Vanora and Bors, Iliana turned to look at Tristan, who was watching her as she greeted everyone. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to him, and he stood up from the chair he occupied.

Neither of them spoke a word as they stared at each other, but the looks in their eyes spoke it all for them. He was livid with her for staying behind to fight and keeping quiet about it, while she was equally angry for almost getting himself killed. Despite the anger, however, they were also relieved to see each other, and when Tristan's gaze softened, Iliana looked down at the ground. A part of her felt ashamed for keeping secrets again, and there was so much she wanted to say to him, but her voice refused to work with her. Tristan then reached for her, placing his hand under her chin and tilting her head up so that he could see her face. She looked like she was about to say something, but he cut her off when he stepped forward and kissed her, causing her to gasp in surprise.

Cheers and whistles broke out amongst the men and the girls as Tristan picked her up and spun her in a circle. Iliana wrapped her arms around his shoulders, relishing the feel of his lips and his proximity. He pulled away just as he set her back down, and she smiled at him.

"I have a lot to atone for this time," she whispered against his lips.

"Later," he whispered back. "You finally regained consciousness. We'll spend some time together after we mingle with everyone."

He spun her around so that her back was to him, and with a kiss to her neck, Tristan directed her back towards the group. As they braced themselves for the chaos about to take place, Iliana knew she would be in for a long evening.

Iliana was lying on her stomach following another lovemaking session with Tristan. The sheet only covered her up to her waist, and he propped his elbow up on his pillow so that he could gaze at her. He reached out to stroke her back with his free hand, his fingertips tracing up and down her scar.

Besides making love, Tristan also trailed kisses on the marred skin of her back, trying to replace the pain Cerdic inflicted upon her with pleasure. Iliana came to realize how pleasurable the feel of his lips and the scratch of his beard were against her scar as she moaned and writhed beneath the weight of his body. Her cheeks flushed a slight shade of pink at the loving look in his eyes as he continued to stroke her scar.

"Am I absolved now?" she asked, a small smile forming on the corner of her lips, showing she was going to be a tease.

He let out a chuckle as he lay down on the pillow next to her so that he was at eye level with her. As she rolled on her side with her front facing him, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

"For now, aye, but there's more where that came from," he replied, peppering her lips with small kisses and pressing his arousal between her legs, making her giggle as he pressed his forehead against hers.

"I hope you'll never tire of me, even years down the line," she whispered against his lips.

He responded with a deep, passionate kiss that stole her breath away.

"Never," he said in a low, husky voice.

Smiling at him, Iliana pressed her lips to his, wrapping her arm around his shoulders as she pulled him close. They engaged in a make out session before he pushed her away, causing her to look at him with a puzzled expression.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Nay. I wanted to ask you something first before we resumed where we left off," he said reassuringly.

"Okay. What is it?"

He said nothing for a moment as he took a deep breath, and for a moment, Iliana thought she saw a hint of anxiety in his eyes. The silence between them dragged on for what felt like an eternity before he finally spoke up.

"Iliana, daughter of the legendary Leoric, will you marry me?"

Her mouth was slightly agape at his question, and she had her own moment of silence as he stared into her eyes, waiting for her answer. When she finally found her voice once again, Iliana gave him another kiss.

"Is that a yes?" he asked with a smile.

"Aye. My answer is yes," she replied with a nod, kissing him again with renewed vigor as she rolled over, straddling him, intending to make love to him yet again.

Since her father's death, Iliana didn't know where her place was in life. When she arrived at Hadrian's Wall, she was merely fulfilling what he asked of her. What she didn't count on was discovering her destiny, that ultimately led to her happiness. She made wonderful friends in the men and her Sirens, and she found a wonderful man to love in Tristan. The childhood dream she believed was nothing more than a fairy tale would become a reality now that she accepted Tristan's proposal.

As she lowered herself onto his hardened arousal, Iliana vowed not to waste the second chance given to her. She would no longer take her life for granted, and she would appreciate every breath of life as she prepared to spend the rest of her days as Tristan's wife.

End Notes: Next chapter is the epilogue and conclusion of Into Your Light! Check back!