Finally she was here for me, her armor glinting in the sunlight, her weapon raised high above her head as she called out to me, my love. Words could never express the flood of emotions that rose within me at that moment, as if all of time had frozen as I finally laid eyes on her once again. She was angelic, atop the nearest hill on her steed, the sun at her back granting her a halo and her beautiful hair, tied back, billowing in the wind. I would never forget the sight of her for as long as I would live. The sight of her gave me the strength and the courage to rise, my own weapon in hand. The battlefield between us, we began fighting our way to each other. We reunited in the center, the battle raging on around us, but only truly seeing one another. 

“You came.” My voice rang out, I did my best not to allow it to waiver. 

“I had to.” She replied. 

Her voice, always so beautiful to me, how long I had waited to hear her beautiful, lark-like voice once more. We stood there for what seemed like both a moment and an eternity. I drank in everything about her now that she was near. Her hair was still like silk, but the mahogany shine was streaked with grey at the roots and sides. The soft skin of her face told more stories now, marks of both worry and laughter, joy and sorrow written in the creases. My heart filled with sorrow that I was not there to share these years with her. Her armor covered her well, but I could see that the form beneath it had changed, where once the muscle was lean it now had more bulk. Her strength had grown, and she wore it well, without timidness. Finally I met her gaze. The sadness was clear in her eyes, as though at any moment it may overflow. I could not wait a moment more, her sorrow pulled at the strings of my heart calling me to action. It was time at last to grant her closure. 

“Then let us finish this” I broke the silence, raising my weapon to her and widening my stance to prepare for battle. I saw a look of pain flash across her features, and then she gave a nod, taking her fighting stance and readying her weapon against me. 

Our weapons met harshly with a beautiful ringing sound.

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Oh my love, if only things had gone a different way, the ringing of our weapons could have instead been wedding bells.

Her strength overwhelms mine and I falter back, regaining my footing swiftly to maneuver to a defensive position out of her reach. She lunges forward. 

How I wish I could open my arms as you throw yourself towards me, catching you in my arms as we laugh and smile for one another's company. 

I deflect her strike and shift so her weight carries her past me, whipping around to keep my eye on her as she recovers and redirects. 

How I have longed for a life with you these many years apart, how I have longed to turn and see you there behind me.

She lunges once again, knowing her speed has always surpassed mine and if she can keep up this pace she will have me. 

How my heart has missed you.

My deflection comes a breath later this time, she is still carried past me but her strike connects with my shoulder as I shift. She has become so strong.

My regrets outnumber the stars my love, and if I could change the very stars to rewrite our story I would. 

The blow threw my balance off, as I whip around this time she is already lunging once again, there is no more time to deflect.

I would burn the world for you if it meant I could go back and try again. 

Her strike is true, I am knocked off my feet and the breath is forced from my lungs as I hit the dirt. She stands over me, once again given a halo of light by the sun. 

My angel, you have always had a knack for leaving me breathless.

Her weapon raised, I feel her tears rain down on my cheek. 

If only I could wipe those tears away for you, but this is what is best. Your closure, my love, my final gift to you.

I see her steel herself for what she must do, she takes her final swing and it strikes true.

It was always going to be you, my love, the last thing I will ever see. 

I hope that after this you can live the rest of your days in peace. You will be a hero for this, renowned throughout the world, I hope that is enough to heal your heart from all that I have done. 

Goodbye my love.