The Last Dance (Epilogue)

So here it is, the last little bit of the last dance. Can you believe it's over? It's been a great ride that's for sure. So as for all those questions, I definitely hope to write another story but it might be a while, I need to catch up with school and if I start I want to be able to update more regularly. As for a sequel, it might happen BUT John and Celia would be more of background characters.

PS: So there were some issues with the video and I couldn't get it to work with audio, sooo the song that goes with it is Hey Juliet by LMNT so for the full effect you must play the song exactly four seconds into the video becasue the timing is everything and I'm really sad it's having all these issues. Still, hope you enjoy it anyway =)

Anyway it's the last one, so please comment and vote alright?

Cheers,

xo.

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Epilogue

8 months later

Celia's POV

High block!

CRACK

Swing!

Left block!

THWACK

I walked down the ranks, correcting stances, fixing foot positions, just like I had a million times before, but this was different.

This was my very own class.

After months of building and planning and sending out messengers, it was finally happening. A girl's school for knight training.

And all in time for the start of the New Year.

I held my cloak tighter around me, wishing I had a sword in my own hand to beat back the cold.

We'd only been working together for a few weeks, but already I could see the difference. Noble girls who'd never held so much as a stick weapon before could swing practice swords with confidence. Village girls who may have had no other prospects now had a chance to make something with their lives.

Knowing I was a part of that was unlike any feeling I'd ever known before.

Being in charge of all these girls, knowing I was part of their lives, made me realize a little bit what John went through every day as Prince. Granted, it was on a smaller scale, but at least now I had an idea of the joy, the feeling, even the pressure, of shaping so many lives.

I turned myself around in the middle of the circle, marvelling at the two rows that faced each other, smacking sticks in almost perfect unison.

The sound, I knew, resounding throughout the grounds.

It seemed to shake the very foundation of the castle letting everyone know we were a force all our own.

I smiled out, closing my eyes as the last clang echoed into the crisp January breeze, and dozens of flushed faces turned my way.

"Excellent, now who will volunteer to help me demonstrate a combat routine?"

I looked around to see many eyes quickly look away, afraid to be put on the spot.

"I'll do it"

I whipped around at the sound of the voice, whispers immediately breaking out around me as the circle parted open to reveal a smirking face.

Straight away my heart rate picked up, like it seemed to be doing more and more often when I saw him, and I couldn't help thinking the same word in my head; mine, mine, mine.

With each step closer, his smirk seemed to widen, as if he could hear my thoughts out loud.

Lousy arrogant Prince.

He'd only gotten worse knowing I actually cared about him.

"This is a closed practice John" I said, trying for seriousness.

He raised an eyebrow "Is that so? Since when?"

With a casual glance around the crowd he held out a hand, and was immediately offered a dozen practice swords.

"Since now."

He ignored my words, taking his time to pick a sword before turning towards me and crouching slightly into a defence position.

I had no choice but to mirror his actions.

"Now now Cece, play nice" He said in a low teasing voice.

With a step forward our weapons rose to meet each other with a satisfying crack.

"And why should I?"

His smug look was instantaneous as we weaved in and out of a routine so practiced it flowed like water from one move to the next.

He darted in for the next attack, bringing his lips close to my ear quick as a breath. "Because you love me."

I could feel the scowl on my face even as my cheeks filled with colour.

He never missed an opportunity to use that against me.

Stupid Prince.

It's not like I could deny it, or even make up a good comeback, as he well knew.

I couldn't even be angry with him for it, not really.

With a step forward I dropped my sword in a low arc, not quite managing to catch him off guard as I broke out of our routine.

His face broke into a grin as he sliced up and back around, easily taking my lead, and from the class I heard a cheer go up at our now unplanned fight.

Though our moves were uncoordinated, they still moved with an easy grace; we knew each others' fighting styles too well for this to be any sort of competition.

Our pace increased, until all that could be seen was a blur of swords between us while we whirled in and out of each move.

Faster and faster, there was no time to calculate each swing, we parried and blocked on instinct, dipped and twirled, stepped backwards and forwards in perfect time, a dance all its own.

I knew the smile on my face matched his own, one of amusement at how far we'd come, accomplishment at what we'd achieved... this class was our first great victory together, and every day was a constant reminder of that.

With the blink of an eye, or rather a wink, it was over.

His sword dropped to the ground, and he faced the cheering crowd with an easy shrug.

I noticed we'd gathered quite an audience from the surrounding practice fields and half smiled at how easily John could throw the match.

"Some things never change" I teased, energized in a way only practicing could make me.

He turned back with a lopsided grin.

"But I didn't lose."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "The sword on the ground says otherwise" I smirked, knowing the drop had been on purpose.

He grinned and took a step forward to pick up the sword, tossing it carelessly back to the student who'd given it to him.

"There's more than one way to win."

I gave him a baffled look. "What do you mean...?"

He flashed a smile and I saw a wicked glint in his eyes before I realized what was going on and took a hasty step back, but it was too slow.

He'd taken the step before me and had his arm wrapped around my waist before I could blink.

"Don't you dare John" I said with a glance around at our audience.

I struggled pointlessly while he made a big show of looking innocently around, clearly enjoying this and waiting for my face to be completely red before bringing his lips down to brush lightly against mine, trying, I knew, to tease a reaction out of me.

A few months ago, I might have gotten annoyed, but the damage was already done and lately, it had gotten harder and harder to pull away.

He was magnetic.

I gently pulled him closer, surprising him, and kissed him fully in front of everyone.

Our audience erupted in giggles, whistles and cheers, but I could only be mortified for a second as he smiled and brought his other arm around me.

The warmth spread through me like a bolt of thunder, so spontaneous and powerful it was overwhelming.

And just like that I forgot about the people around us, melting into him.

Now that I'd stopped being afraid of how I felt for him it was so easy to be blissfully in love, and it never ceased to amaze me that every kiss felt this way; like it was the first, the best, the most perfect.

And more and more each day I'd come to realize I couldn't do without him.

***

I ducked behind a wall column and crouched down, waiting for the steps down the hall to fade before peaking around the corner.

All clear.

Getting up, I quickly made my way down the hall and headed towards the ballroom, looking both ways before slipping inside.

So many months after the High Ball it was just the way I liked it, dimly lit and dusty.

Still flushed from the cold, dozens of guests bustled around the room trying to warm up, hanging decorations and throwing out pillows as they moved.

A small section of the ballroom had been enclosed with thick gauzy drapes hanging across the walls with smaller drapes criss-crossing along the top to make a sort of giant indoor tent. Two tables were set opposite from the entrance and were nearly sagging with delicious smelling foods and drinks.

I surveyed the tent, checking that all the guests were here, and that everything was in place before noticing the centerpiece of our tent was still missing.

"Don't worry Cee, we've got it"

I whirled around and let out a sigh of relief as Luke, David and Mason struggled to drag a giant pot, filled to the brim with fire wood, into the hall, and let out a laugh at the sight of them.

"If you think it's so funny why don't you try?" David said with scowl.

"Yeah, we've had to drag this thing in from all the way across the castle!" Luke added.

"Not to mention keeping it out of sight. Have you any idea how difficult it was to conceal this monstrosity?" Mason said indignantly.

I held back another laugh and smiled. "Well, I knew you strong boys could handle it" I said loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Several of the girls around the room turned in their direction, and suddenly their scowls were replaced with easy smiles and puffed out chests as they dragged it to the middle of the tent as if it weighed nothing at all.

Boys.

Pulling out three sets of flint the boys set to work, and after a few moments a hundred sparks shot up from the pot and a steady blaze began to crackle.

Immediately everyone in the room swarmed towards the fire, reaching out to warm their hands and faces while the boys stood proudly by the side, waiting to accept their praises.

I shook my head and took one more look around.

Perfect.

Now all that was missing was the guest of honour.

My eyes met with Mason, and with a nod he slipped back out of the ballroom.

As if an unspoken signal had been called, everyone quieted down and the candles around the ballroom were put out so that the only light came from our large pot of fire. The light reflected off our gauzy drapes, making the whole tent seem to glow like a burning coal, and if you shut your eyes, it almost felt like the forest.

In the sudden quiet, the laughter from down the hall seemed twice as loud.

The door creaked open and...

"SURPRISE!"

John was standing in the doorway, completely dumbfounded while Mason slapped his shoulder and some of the other guests started laughing and cheering. I couldn't help a small smile of satisfaction that everything had remained a secret.

And it had definitely not been an easy one to keep. With all the preparation this week and all the supplies moving into the room all day it was a wonder he hadn't found out.

After the shock had worn off his eyes sought mine out immediately, and he moved to the back of the tent, accepting 'happy birthday's' along the way.

"Did you do all this?" He asked in wonder.

I smirked at him "Like it?"

"Well, it definitely tops crashing your party" He mumbled.

I only had time to grin before his friends walked up and started pulling him towards the center of the tent.

As if on reflex, his hand shot out to grab mine and pull me along behind him. I rolled my eyes but let myself be led to the center where everyone had gathered and started settling down in a circle around the fire.

We took our places and I looped my arm through his, leaning against his side without being conscious of the people around us, all close friends anyway.

Alone or in small groups, people got up, telling stories, putting on short plays or recounting old memories.

It felt like a family as we all laughed together over embarrassing moments and adventures in and out of the castle, making up tales and reminiscing old memories.

With the steady glow of the fire it was impossible to tell how much time had gone by, and honestly I would have been happy to stay there forever.

Finally the smells of food overwhelmed us and we rushed towards the tables, making toasts and cheers for anything from the New Year and the training school to the warm fire and the last few days until snowfall before breaking into smaller groups to talk.

I left John to properly greet all his friends and moved to a corner of the tent before sinking into one of the mounds of fluffy pillows.

If only all days could be as perfect as this.

But then again, with John, most of them were.

If felt silly to think the thought in my head, even sillier to feel the giddy smile on my face that never seemed to stay away for long, but I couldn't deny that it was true.

I tipped back my glass of warm apple cider and finally found the strength to get up. Starting to feel too warm I slipped out of our makeshift tent and went around the ballroom towards the courtyard.

The icy breeze felt soothing against my hot skin, and I stood for a moment in the doorway before making my way down the pathway.

I flopped down on the bench and closed my eyes, letting the sounds from inside fill my ears while I tried to commit everything to memory.

The door clicked shut, taking with it the sounds that had carried out from our indoor tent.

I heard him approaching from the crunching of frost that accompanied each step.

Moments later he'd taken the seat beside me, an easy smile on his face, full of self assurance and ease.

It was remarkable what saying I love you to someone could do. Without all the doubts and confusion he was a whole new person, and the same was true for me.

Finally, after months, there was a comfort between us that had never existed before.

"Thanks for all this Cece" He said, nodding back towards the party.

I turned to him with a smile and reached out to take his hand in mine, loving that the action could feel so natural.

"Happy Birthday John."

He leaned in... and blew strands of hair out of my face.

I laughed and rolled my eyes while he looped an arm around my waist and pulled me tightly to his side.

"So, what did you get me?"

"What? A party isn't enough?"

"It's a start" He said smirking.

I smiled faintly. "Well, I had something in mind... but it's more of what you can give me."

His expression turned baffled and slightly amused while he twirled a curl of my hair around his fingers.

"I think you've missed the concept of 'birthday' Cece" He said with a light chuckle.

"Stop being difficult John, before I change my mind."

He shook his head, now more amused than ever.

"Alright, let's hear it, what can I do for you on my birthday?"

"You can tell me..." I could feel myself blushing now and averted my eyes slightly "...if that offer you made at the High Ball is still valid" I blurted out quickly.

I risked a glance back to see that he looked confused and couldn't help but feel slightly exasperated, only John wouldn't get it.

"What off--"

I saw the exact moment realization hit his eyes, and his jaw dropped a second later.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment, like the castle could have come toppling down around us and he wouldn't even notice.

Then he was fumbling around inside a pocket and it was my turn to be speechless as his hand came out holding a velvet black box.

"Yes" He said breathlessly "The offer still stands."

Time seemed to slow down as his hands gently pried open the box, and even knowing what was in there, I couldn't help but gasp at the sight.

The ring was a glittering silver tinted just slightly red, making it look like it came fresh from a forge, glowing with the heat of coals.

The band itself looked to be made of two vines woven and braided together, laced with tiny leaves carved in such detail they could be real; all leading to a delicate silvery red blossom studded in the center with a tiny sparkling diamond.

I was almost too overwhelmed to speak, and it took a few tries before I was able to get any words past my lips.

"Now THAT you didn't find in a merchant's cart" I murmured quietly.

He laughed again, almost silently.

"You just happen to have that with you?" I asked dubiously.

He grinned and ran a hand through his hair. "Everyday... I hoped you'd come around."

"Oh John..." I trailed off, completely touched.

"So, marry me?"

I couldn't help but laugh and threw my arms around him.

"And be stuck with you forever? Absolutely."

He immediately returned the embrace, and the words echoed through my brain once again, now more true than ever; mine, mine, mine.

THE END

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Soundtrack:

Taylor Swift - Mary's Song

Counting Crows - Accidentally in Love

NeverShoutNever - Hummingbird

OMG it's actually over! I'm sad and also sooo happy that this story has come so far, and want to thank all of you for following it for so long, and putting up with my awful updating delays. Hope it was worth it. And for the last time (for now I hope) Cheers!