He turned to Zelda with a crooked grin that slowly melted off his face and was replaced with a look of awe. His eyes locked on Falcon's, Hawk went to his knees.

"Zelda, my one true love...will you marry me?"

"What about the Princess? How can I be your wife when you are married to her?"

Hawk tilted his head back and laughed from the bottom of his soul. "I lost!" Up he jumped and strode over to Zelda. "But I'll consider myself a winner if you say yes."

Tears crested in Zelda's eyes and coursed down her cheeks. She looked down at the tiny babe nestled to her, then at Hawk. With a happy nod she fell into Hawk's loving embrace.

"As touching as this scene is, I hate to interrupt," drawled the dastardly Sir Shaun. "There's a small matter of a slavewench being returned to her master..there's a hefty reward that I plan on getting."

Hawk scratched his head and shrugged, "Well, if it's the wench you want, you're welcome to her ..but..I suggest you look behind yourself."

"Yeah, right! Like that's the oldest trick in the book. Now hand her ooohh!"

StarLight grinned as Sir Shaun slowly fell over. A length of wood was in his right hand.

"Let's get out of here before the crowds return. The fire is almost out," said Palousa.

Both centaurs were in good enough shape to carry the two lovers off into the woods.

StarLight led the exhausted band to a secluded cave deep in the wilds. It held water in the form of an underground lake and food was abundant this time of year in the forest. The two centaurs went in search of firewood and left the newly united family to themselves.

Hawk marvelled that the tiny scrap of humanity was his son. Never in his wildest imagination had a baby been involved in any of his reunion scenarios. Zelda's announcement of pending fatherhood had registered but the logistics of pregnancy were beyond Hawk's comprehension. Warriors dealt more with death than life. This added responsibility was staggering and sobering to him. Now all he needed was to get his family back to safety.

Zelda marvelled at the way Hawk was cooing at Falcon. Though he had never been one for roughness he was a fighter. As a lover he had shown much tenderness and it seemed that this charachteristic ran deep in him.

A thrill ran through her as she realized Hawk was once again all hers.. well, she had no problems with sharing him with her son.. and maybe with future children as well. A small smile curved her lips as she contemplated a housefl of little Hawks and zeldas running about. But a small frown soon replaced it. How would they return to their homeland? Surely all ships would be watched closely.

Zelda turned and spoke to Hawk. "How are we getting out of this mess? We're both in a lot of trouble and we're stuck on an island." A tear trickled down her cheek as a bit of frustration seeped through her voice.

Hawk set Falcon down and placed his arms around Zelda. His heat warmed her through She leaned into his arms and rested her head on his shoulder. "We'll think of something. Hell, I'll row us home if need be!'

The clatter of hooves announced the return of Starbright and Palousa. They dropped a large load of wood into one corner of the cave. Palousa immediately picked up Falcon and gave him little kisses. She really wanted a foal of her own but now was not a good time to think about that.

Starbright stomped a hindleg and cleared his throat. "We've sent a message to a friend who'll be able to help you on you way. I expect she'll be here on the morrow. Let's eat and then perhaps you'll both wish to bathe before bedtime. You'll need your rest for the next part of your journey."

All heeded his suggestions and soon the cave rang with the sound of snoring and sighs. A deep sleep was just the remedy to lift their spirits and prepare them for a new day.

Zelda awoke feeling a little stiff and gritty from lying on the cave floor with just branches to cushion her. She could hear the murmur of Starbright's voice from outside. She also heard a deeper voice replying. Standing and streching she ambled to the cave opening and peered out. A gasp ripped out from her throat. For outside was the biggest dragon she had ever seen. Of course she had only seen one other dragon in her lifetime but this red dragon was huge!

Her gasp alerted the two mystical creatures and the glanced her way. Starbright motioned for Zelda to come out and meet his friend. "Zelda may I introduce you to Flare. She's a flame dragon from Zidrigia who I met years ago. Flare came here to get away from a particularly bad pack of knights who were intent on killing her."

The large red dragon lowered her head and eyed Zelda. She spoke again in her low voice. "I bid you welcome, any friend of Starbright's is a friend of mine. Starbright has asked that I carry you ad your family across the sea to your home. I owe him a great debt and am quite willing to help him out."

Hawk and Palousa came out of the cave as she was saying this. Palousa and Flare started chatting while Zelda and Hawk gathered their things. Zelda again rigged a carrier for Hawk... it wouldn't do for him to fall.

Hawk shook Starbright's hand and thanked him for taking such good care of Zelda and their baby. He gave Palousa a kiss and whispered something in her ear that caused her to turn red and giggle.

The small family mounted Flare and with a mighty heave she lifted off the ground and they were on their way home. Zelda waved and waved at the two centaurs until they were small specks in the distance. She hugged Falcon close and leaned back into Hawk's arms. Her adventure had turned out for the best. She really looked forward to peace and quiet.

Hawk too was ready to settle down and enjoy his little family. Fate had swung a full circle and reunited him with his true love. Things were looking up.

Of course we all know that when things are at their brightest, Hawk should be looking nervously over his shoulder to see what bad things were sneaking up to bite him on the butt.

Thus ends our Tale.. for now.

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