Epilogue

Elena stepped up to the edge of the kitchen door's threshold. Erik stood by her side, their arms linked at the elbow. She looked over at him to find him already looking back, his blue eyes steady. She blushed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear shyly.

"You look beautiful, Lane." He told her, his voice soft and filled with emotion, "Are you ready?"

She nodded, "I've never been more ready, or more nervous in my life."

Erik smiled and stepped forward, "I just hope I don't trip."

Elena snorted, "Erik, you better not." They came to the beginning of the aisle. On either side sat their close family and friends. At the end of it stood Cullen underneath a large tree, he stood like a soldier, ramrod straight back, chest up, shoulders squared, and on his face was a brilliant smile. Elena looked at Erik again as Maryden began a lilting tune.

"We could still run, you know." Erik whispered.

"Erik!" She whispered back, "No!"

He rolled his eyes, "Well, then, shall we?"

She nodded, "We shall." They stepped forward, walking with a measured pace up to Cullen. Elena was glad for Erik's arm because the closer they got to Cullen, the more she looked at him, and the more she looked at him, the happier she felt, and the happier she felt, the weaker her knees got. She was really, actually, truly going to marry Cullen. He stood in front of her, hands clasped, the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the tree casting dappled shadows across his shoulders and catching in the golden strands of his hair. His liquid honey eyes were filled with warmth and love and joy. He had trimmed his beard back to its usual stubble just that morning and his new dark blue dress coat was perfectly pressed. The golden sash across his chest accenting the strength of his body. His sword hung from his hip in a well-polished leather sheath. He looked like he could be the prince in any fairytale. Elena's cheeks hurt from smiling and her throat was tightening, her eyes itching with tears she was holding back.

Cullen stepped forwards, his hand extended, and Erik nudged Elena. She took his hand and Cullen guided her to stand in front of Mother Giselle who had been waiting patiently. Maryden finished her tune. Erik sat down. Elena turned to look at Cullen, the tears falling gently down her cheeks. He took both of her hands in his and looked deeply into her eyes.

"Just know…" He said, his voice soft and husky with love, "Everything feels like it was worth fighting for."

Elena nodded, "It was." She said back, her voice tearful, but just as soft.

"This is–"

"This is the part where you make a promise." Mother Giselle interrupted gently, drawing their attention to her. Her Orelsian accent somehow made the whole affair seem even more magical to Elena.

"Oh. Right." Cullen said, and turned to Elena again, clearing his throat. "I swear unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste to love this woman the rest of my days." His voice rang in Elena's ears as he stepped forward to embrace her. Their lips met in a sweet, chaste kiss to the applause of those gathered around them.

For the rest of our days…

XXXXXXXXXX

Cullen slipped into the room on silent feet. He closed the door carefully behind him. Elena waited. She watched as he slid over to the bed from between her eyelashes and over the crook of her elbow. When he glanced up at her, she felt herself smile and blush. Here he was, sneaking into her bed. Though, he needn't have snuck at all. She remained still knowing any movement would break the spell of him tip toeing around the floor boards as he steadily undressed along the way. His boots and greaves were by the door. His gloves on the mantle. His chest plate and pauldrons on the rug. His cloak and cowl trailing after him to settle like a river across the remainder of the floor. His hands reached up, over the covers as he climbed up from the foot of the bed towards the head. She shifted over for him and suddenly he was on top of her, lavishing her exposed face with a million kisses. She playfully squeaked and tried to duck them, while also rolling to face him fully.

At last!

She tilted her head and their lips met. He slowed his frantic kissing and they sank together into the night.

Author's Note: There you have it! The END! OFFICIALLY!

I am sad to see this journey end, but I have done this long enough. I have never written an epilogue before, so I hope it was sufficient for you. I hope you've enjoyed this story as a whole as much as I have enjoyed writing it for all these years. Really, this took far too long to pen, but I did it!

Thank you to all my reviewers, my followers, my favorite-ers, my guest readers, those who have just come and gone casually here and there. THANK YOU! This wouldn't have been worth it if not for you.

Peace and Blessings! -Danbamina