The End of Time

9. Back to Normal

I turned around, and felt like I was made whole once again. He may not be here in the flesh, but I know he's always here, watching over everything I do, and have yet to do. I walked towards Jauffre, Baurus, and Ocato and stood there for a moment. When I looked at them, I harbored the same look that I'd had before the Oblivion crisis. Like everything was back to normal, and I realized that that was Martin's last gift to me: peace. Jauffre broke into a huge smile, and he picked me up in a hug.

As tears streamed down his face, he said "Thank Talos you're okay. You have no idea how proud it makes me to be your father. I love you so much." I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed him as tightly as I could, feeling the love he had for me. I turned around as he held me, and I was met with Ocato's misty eyes.

I grinned as my own tears collected in my eyes. "Now this is hardly fitting for a High Chancellor, Ocato." He laughed and said "Oh, hush." As he took me from Jauffre. "I'm so glad you're back to normal. I'd go insane if I didn't have you to push me off my high horse with your sarcasm." I laughed and said "Somebody has to make you laugh sometimes."

I was set back down and I was met with Baurus staring back at me with tears in his eyes. I smiled and shakily chided him. "Oh, don't. I need you to be the one to not cry, to tell me that I'm being stupid." He sobbed and said "Sorry to disappoint, Mikey. Gonna have to keep trying, I guess." I hugged him as tightly as I could, feeling the familiar warmth of his embrace. We pulled away, and headed back to the Courtroom.

Ocato stood before all, and said "In one hour, her coronation party will begin. You have until then to be ready." They all nodded and took off.

About an hour and fifteen minutes later, we were all reunited in the ballroom of the Palace. I was in the Royal Purple robes, and Baurus was fast at my side. I looked around for my old friend from the Brotherhood, Lucien. He was twenty, and was like an older brother/mentor. I saw him walk in (out of his black armor, thank Akatosh), and come over to me. He knew Baurus as well as he knew me, but Baurus knew not of our line of work. So, when he came over, we all stated talking again like old friends. Ocato, Jauffre, and Jena came over to continue the conversation, and before long we were all telling old stories and making wisecracks about fundamental skills.

Just like old times, I thought. I turned to Baurus, and his brown eyes were shining back at me in a way I'd never seen. We held eye contact for a moment, then I heard the all-too-familiar unsheathing of Lucien's dagger. He grinned slyly and poked Baurus in the rear with it, pushing him forward with a yelp, our lips colliding perfectly. Everyone let out an "Oooooh..." As we pulled away, blushing fiercely. I turned to look him in the eyes, and we both saw the look of amusement in each other's eyes. We started laughing loudly, something we hadn't done in a while. None of us had.

As I laughed, I embraced him and held him close to me, realizing how much I'd taken it for granted. He wrapped his arms around me as he pulled me closer to him. Then I realized: This is what Martin meant. Find a man, find Baurus. He's always been there for me, and I know he'd be there for our children. I looked him in the eyes, and we pulled away as we turned back to our group. Martin had made me whole, and showed me a new love on his own account.