This is the final installment in "The Gypsy's Prophecy". I've been writing this story since I was eleven, I believe. That's a long time. Creating this fic was the most fun I've ever had. I can't believe it's over.

I hope that you've enjoyed my story, and I thank you for reading it. And if any of you have been reading it since I first posted it on … I send you much virtual love.

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It was a jolting experience all around. Transfigura had traveled through solid rock before, but not for years; she had been full of terror that Esperanza had survived the explosion, which only made it worse.

Artemis focused on the feel of Esperanza's arm under his fingertips, the vibrations threatening to dislodge his grip. He had been trying to take his mind off various other thoughts, but he couldn't ignore the fear that only logic would destroy.

Sure, I survived the explosion, Artemis thought. But Esperanza had been inside the source of the power; the air she had breathed was tainted with the energy. I hadn't been exposed to nearly that much magic, and hadn't been inside the sphere at the time of the explosion.

Reasoning barely helped. Artemis felt himself break apart into innumerable pieces, passing through solid stone and praying that all would go as planned. Artemis mentally exhaled as he realized that his thoughts were unaffected by his changing surroundings. It would have been an unfortunate thing, to literally lose his mind when he could be killed at any moment.

Holly, on the other hand, felt the need to groan as she realized she retained the ability to think- to agonize. The only thought swirling about her mind as she felt herself split and pass through solid things that should not be passed through was Artemis could be dead at this moment.

But, no—the three of them were traveling towards the surface completely intact and free of unpleasant shocks. Transfigura immediately felt freer than she had in quite a few years, and wished she could inform her companions that they were safe. Holly was tensed, waiting for the waves of electricity that would never come; Artemis was absorbed in thoughts, memories, observations, drowning himself in his mind, determined to use his brain to its fullest extent in what could be his last few moments. You'll live, a rational voice said at the back of his mind. You're very rarely wrong.

The ride took an eternity. Eventually, Holly became lost from herself as the splits that shook her body became more severe. She could still think, but those thoughts were gibberish.

After a while, the journey became highly unpleasant for Artemis. Unlike Holly, his thoughts were completely lucid, and he fought for that luxury with every second. The intense pressure bearing down on his being as they rocketed towards the surface was hardly enjoyable, and, while he knew that letting his mind go would ease this, he held out as long as he could.

He relinquished bits of thought to relieve some of the discomfort, but never fully let go.

Time kept passing, though to the three of them it slogged along at a leisurely pace that suited none of them. When Transfigura broke the surface and their essences began to collect themselves again, time sped up, no longer inching through the day.

Artemis was suddenly on lush ground, gripping the grass and coughing. The air stung his lungs. It was a miraculous change from the air of the cave; this was cold, crisp, and alive. It took him a few minutes to fully collect himself.

"You're not dead, I see," Transfigura said, glancing at him once before returning her eyes to the expanse of land stretched out before them.

Artemis tested his legs, walking over to her. "It's not a surprise."

"I guess not."

They stood, looking at the clouds roll through the sky. Artemis marveled at the feeling of safety that came naturally when he was not in danger; it would not be taken for granted, after being on edge for days.

"I had forgotten," she said, "how beautiful the world is. It's easy to forget, when you're used to it."

"It's a wondrous place," Artemis agreed. "We're lucky."

"Impeccably. You still owe me, you know."

Artemis' lips quirked up. "I didn't forget. You'll get your rubies. What will you do, now that you're free?"

"I don't know," Transfigura murmured. She morphed, hair lightening, skin becoming tan, clothes changing texture. Each little change seemed gradual, so when Artemis looked up to find a redhead at his side, it was quite surprising. "I can do anything," she continued in an English accent. "Become anyone. The possibilities are endless, really, but I don't want to think about that."

He shrugged. "You don't have to. Just enjoy freedom- oh, Holly."

Artemis had noticed his elfin friend, curled in the grass with her eyes closed. He walked over to her, kneeling in the grass.

"Are you awake?" he asked gently, laying his hand on her shoulder. Holly's eyes flickered open, her lashes sparkling with dew.

"Am now," she said, lips barely moving. "This feels nice. I don't want to move."

So Artemis joined her in the grass.

"I'm not marrying you," Holly said after a minute's pause. Her eyes had fallen closed again.

Artemis's stomach twisted, though this was natural. "I know," he said sheepishly. "It was a foolish request- I don't know what I was thinking. Forgive me."

She brought her head up slowly, resting on her elbows and turning to face Artemis. "I want to," she said firmly. "You have no idea. But I'm not an idiot, and I'm certainly not naïve enough to believe that everything will turn out perfectly just because we're in love."

"Again, I know," Artemis said. "I'll be dead before you've reached middle age- far before that."

She flinched. "Stop. We both know how it is."

"It doesn't mean we can't have something," he said. Artemis examined his disabled hand, waiting for her response.

"Let's go," Holly said, getting to her feet with mild difficulty. "Juliet's probably dying of worry."

Transfigura promised that this transportation would be far less unpleasant, as it was merely from one point in Ireland to another. They arrived at Fowl Manor in no time, though it still took a few minutes to calm their addled minds.

Juliet tackled Artemis as soon as he entered the threshold.

"Oh my god! You're all right- I was so scared, you don't even know- days and days and you were just gone, and I was sitting in the Manor completely alone—"

"All right," Artemis groaned, his nerves flaring up in pain as Juliet hugged him viciously. "Juliet… come and sit on the couch, we can talk. Ow."

"Your hand!" she whimpered, grasping Artemis's left hand and quickly dropping it. The four of them made their way over to a couch, without Juliet even noticing Transfigura. Transfigura smirked.

They explained as much as they could, leaving out some of the more personal parts. Transfigura introduced herself, briefly turning into a spitting image of Juliet just to amaze her before switching back into the English redhead. Juliet had countless questions for them all, and, when they had all been answered in a satisfactory manner, Juliet was bouncing up and down in excitement and Artemis was emotionally drained.

"So you're together now?" Juliet giggled, gesturing to Artemis and Holly. Holly laughed dryly.

"We're gone for days, captured and tortured, and you're wondering about our dating lives?" she said. Juliet nodded patiently.

"Yes," Artemis said shortly. "And, with that, I think this conversation is over. I think I'll rest for a while, if no one objects."

Who could object to something like that? With a curt nod, Artemis left the room, retreating up the familiar staircase to his bedroom. It was cold; the air hung still, lacking the flowing feeling a room assumes when lived in.

No matter. Artemis sank into his bed, barely thinking to change and certainly ignoring the nagging impulse to actually get up again. As soon as he was in a comfortable position, Artemis's limbs caught on fire, growling with aches and pains. He gritted his teeth, determined to sleep.

Time whispered by. The pain subsided (or maybe Artemis was too tired to notice it anymore). Just as Artemis was slipping into sleep, he felt a hand at his shoulder, so light he barely felt it. He thought nothing of it. It seemed part of his dreams.

"You awake?" a voice murmured. Artemis was pulled back into reality, cracking an eye open. Holly sat at his side, a hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe," he said, blinking until his vision sharpened. "This doesn't feel realistic."

"What doesn't?"

"The comfort. The peace. And you," Artemis said, meeting Holly's eye, "sitting here."

She lowered her gaze, mouth twisting into a wry half-grin. "Well, I'm here, Arty, if only briefly."

"Don't go," he said with little hope.

"I'll always return."

"Just to leave again."

"Yes," Holly said sternly, withdrawing her hand. "Oh, don't pout. You have me, don't you?"

"No, I know that," Artemis sighed. He sat up, once again ignoring the flaring pain. "I just wish we could… could be. Without complications. I understand that we can't," he said quickly, as Holly had opened her mouth, "it's just wishful thinking."

She leaned up to kiss him. "I love you."

"I know. And I you."

"We've been through hell, Artemis. Don't fret over the future. At least we've got a future."

"I'd like to sleep," he said softly. Holly's eyes searched his, frowning slightly. After a moment's visual contact, Artemis lay back on the bed.

Holly was suddenly nestled in his arms. She didn't address him; she merely snuggled deeper into the embrace, her eyes closed. Artemis couldn't help but smile.

A sleepy eternity passed. Holly fell into a deep and dreamless sleep, though Artemis never fully dropped off. His eyes were closed, his mind at ease; but something kept him alert in the present. It was relaxing nonetheless.

Then Juliet's voice was far too loud in his ear.

"Wake up! I hope they're not dead…"

"You're being funny, I assume," Artemis slurred. Juliet's beaming face awaited him as Artemis pried his eyelids open.

"Your transforming friend is freaking me out," Juliet said brightly. "She's been traveling the house for a while- I couldn't tell her to stop, I'm kind of scared of her- and every time she finds something with a ruby in it, a fancy vase or something, she flips out."

Artemis struggled upwards. Holly was unceremoniously deposited on the pillows; she was startled awake and sat up, shaking her head.

Holly touched Artemis's arm. "I should call Foaly. He doesn't have a clue where I've been the past few… how long has it been?"

Artemis bowed his head, not really sure himself. Holly sighed.

"Well, I've been away for a while, and, being an officer, I'll be in a lot of trouble. Better go get it over with," she said, kissing Artemis lightly before exiting the room. Juliet hopped up upon the bed.

"She's going to leave soon," the girl said anxiously. Her eyes searched those of her tired friend. "You have to do something."

Artemis shot her a look. "Did you have something in mind?"

"I wish."

"I'm sure you'll think of something," he said. "If you'll excuse me…" Artemis smoothed his clothes- as if that helped with the material in such a state- and walked out of the bedroom, down the halls, searching for Transfigura.

It wasn't that difficult to find her. There was a guest room on the second floor, the most magnificent place a guest could ask for. This room was full to bursting with sparkling jewels of every shape and size and color. The wallpaper was interspersed with emeralds. The bed's headboard glinted even in the dullest light, gems cut in unique ways greeting the visitor every morning. The nightstand was worth a fortune; its surface was dotted with millions of diamonds that were regularly polished to keep their shine.

In this room, in that very nightstand lay a hairbrush, mirror, and makeup kit. All three made a set. Each was encrusted with rubies, blood-red and dazzling; when looking at your reflection, you'd be distracted by the allure of the rim and handle. When Artemis entered the room, he wasn't surprised in the least to find Transfigura lying flat on her back on the bed, gripping the brush in one hand and the mirror in the other, the makeup kit perched upon her stomach.

"Hey," Transfigura murmured. Her eyes never moved from the mirror, darting from her reflection to the drops of winking rock.

Artemis stood by the bed. "Enjoying yourself?"

"They're beautiful," she breathed. "I'm taking them. This is a start."

"You're a child in a candy store."

"And what a store!" Transfigura laughed. She laid the objects tenderly at her side, facing Artemis with a gleam in her eyes.

"Is your girlfriend leaving soon?" she asked. Artemis's wince was barely noticeable.

"Yes. I'm not sure when," Artemis quipped. "And you know her name."

Transfigura shrugged. "That doesn't mean I have to use it."

"Would you like to say goodbye?" he asked. Transfigura frowned.

"Why?" she said, running the tip of a finger idly along the brush's handle. "We aren't friends. I barely know her."

It was Artemis's turn to shrug. "You'll never see her again, I believe. I was just asking."

"Yes. Well." Transfigura took the makeup kit into her lap. The light reflected from its surface glared into Artemis's eyes.

"She'll be back," Artemis voiced aloud, though he wasn't really talking to the woman next to him. Transfigura gave him a searching look.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Then leave again," Artemis echoed his past words. "Each time, I won't know if she'll ever return."

Transfigura grabbed his hand reassuringly, though her expression was smirking. Caring, too, but mostly smirking. "So make her yours. Have a big wedding with doves and crying relatives."

"Impossible."

"You won't live together," Transfigura said, cocking her head to one side. "You'll be dead in the blink of an eye, breaking her heart."

This hurt. Deep. It must have showed on Artemis's face.

"You know it's true! Why'd you bring it up if you didn't want to talk?"

"I know, God, do I know… I shouldn't complain. I should be content just knowing we're somehow connected, but I'm not." Artemis pressed a palm to his forehead.

"Whining won't help," Transfigura said. "Think of a way to--"

"I've tried!" Artemis said in aggravation. Transfigura raised a slender eyebrow. "Nothing comes to mind, and it terrifies me. She means the world to me, now more than ever, and I can't- I can't…"

Transfigura scooped her treasures into her arms. Leaving a disgruntled Artemis in the bejeweled room, she pranced out into the hall without a word of explanation. Artemis watched her go and reluctantly followed, not wanting to stay in the dazzling bedroom much longer.

The hallways were completely deserted; Artemis strode down each alone, eyes seeking movement yet finding only stillness. A voice echoed through the house after a few minutes.

"Artemis?"

Holly rounded a corner, entering his line of vision.

"Is anything wrong?" he inquired. A smile graced Holly's otherwise on-edge expression.

"Oh- no, nothing wrong. I just spoke with Foaly. He yelled for a while, cried for a while, then did a bit of each in turn again."

Artemis raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You let him?"

"He was worried," Holly shrugged. "Had a lot of tension in his system that had to get out."

"Then?"

"Foaly arranged for a shuttle," Holly said. "It's the fastest they've got; I should go, actually, it'll arrive in… fifteen minutes, maybe?"

Artemis stepped closer to the elf; their shoes' tips kissed.

"Return soon," he murmured, his fingers encircling Holly's small wrist.

"As soon as I can. I feel we'll have a lot to talk about."

"That we will," Artemis grinned. He pulled her into a full embrace; Holly's hands gripped his shoulders. She felt as though something was missing when they pulled apart.

There was that odd second when the two of them met eyes, each holding a certain amount of expectancy in their matching irises. But no one broke the silence- though Artemis strained to think of something to say- so Holly kissed Artemis gently on the cheek and began walking back down the hall.

Watching her walk away gave Artemis the feeling one might have when watching something very precious being carried out to sea by the tide. Artemis was standing in the sand while waves lapped at his feet, and Holly disappeared beyond the shimmering horizon.

And then Transfigura was by his side, appearing out of thin air. Her breath spiraled into his ear as she spoke.

"You're an idiot, you know that?" she whispered amusedly. Artemis's eyes stayed planted on the place where Holly had stood.

"I don't believe I am, but why, pray tell, do you?" he replied with little interest. Transfigura moved fluidly to face him with her eyes sparkling in a way that was difficult to place. Artemis wasn't sure if he liked the look.

"That room was full to bursting with the finest jewelry I've ever seen," Transfigura continued. "Rings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, anklets, rings, are you catching my drift?"

Artemis glared in annoyance. He had heard this speech just minutes before, had he not? "We can't marry. You know that."

"Doesn't mean the girl wouldn't like a small reminder of the guy she loves," Transfigura said in a sing-song voice. "And wouldn't she look grand among her officer friends sporting a ring worth more than this mansion."

Artemis still looked skeptical. Transfigura gave a dramatic sigh.

"You wanted to have some sort of connection with Holly- something to keep the two of you together even when you're incredibly far apart. It might be corny, but take my advice," Transfigura said, her slender fingers tapping the bridge of Artemis's nose, "give her a ring. And hurry; she's off in minutes."

The idea held far more appeal when it seemed the only option. Sure, presenting the elf with a simple band (simple, yet expensive) after they had gone through so much wasn't what Artemis had wanted, but he didn't know what else to do, and, hey, he was already running towards the bejeweled room at top speed, slipping multiple times on the polished floor though it didn't slow him a bit—

He entered the room in a frenzy, glancing about for rings of any shape or size. The image of Holly with a ring on her finger was strong in his mind.

"They're in the drawer to your right," Transfigura's voice said from the hallway. Artemis dashed to the drawer, opening it and rifling through hundreds upon hundreds of small metal circles. Most were encrusted with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds; he didn't want that. Artemis didn't know what he wanted, but there wasn't much time, barely any time at all…

Rings caught on his fingers, piling to his knuckles as he hunted through the drawer. Artemis examined a few selections that might have worked; each was far too big for Holly's fingers, of course. There were some very small rings that could fit an elf for sure, though Artemis wasn't positive why they were there in the first place. His mother, he supposed, had wanted the largest array of jewelry she could. There were some rings that could easily pass over his wrist.

It was found in an instant, the perfect set that lay nestled between their flashier brethren. The two rings were identical, though one was far smaller; it could have been made for Artemis and his elfin love.

Both rings were deep sepia brown that looked almost as if they were made of wood, yet were far too cold to the touch to not be made of some harder substance. They caught the light modestly, barely glinting but still breathtakingly lovely. Four crisp blue gems the size of an ant's head winked together in a closely set row from both bands.

No time to admire them now. Artemis turned to find Transfigura sitting calmly on the bed, waiting patiently.

"I've got them," Artemis said breathlessly. "Can you--"

"Of course," Transfigura smiled. She took Artemis's arm, taking a moment to take in his choice before transporting them both to a grassy hill peppered with large oak trees.

Holly sat on the ground with her knees tucked under her chin. Though the light was dim, her scars, bruises and other souvenirs from her time in the cave were more prominent.

"Holly."

Holly jumped, a hand pressed to her heart. She sprang to her feet with catlike agility, looking like quite the menacing creature before realizing who had spoken. "Artemis!" she exclaimed. "By the Gods, you scared me half to death. Don't do that."

"I apologize," Artemis said, drawing closer.

Holly straightened, eying him inquiringly. "Why are you here? My shuttle will be here in… well, it should have arrived a few minutes ago. Foaly's creations are never quite as good as he thinks they are."

Artemis didn't smile. He didn't speak. His expression remained the same even as his fingers slipped inside his pocket, finding the rings. Holly's eyes were trained on his hand as he slowly removed the jewelry from his clothing. Artemis laid his palm flat.

"Rings?" Holly said uncertainly. "Artemis, I said before, I'm not going to marry you."

"I'm not proposing." Though it sure looked like he was as Artemis got down on one knee, hair mussed in the wind and a hand turned upwards with two rings sitting in the middle. "Just take it." With an almost suspicious look, Holly took the smaller of the two and held it up to the sky.

Artemis observed with softened eyes as Holly turned his gift from left to right, traced the gems with a fingertip. Her lips parted in surprise at the ring's humble beauty. Holly pushed her present to the base of her ring finger; it fit as if she had been born with it.

When she looked up, tears budding quietly in the corners of her eyes, Artemis's finger also bore something extra. He smiled from ear to ear.

"I love you."

"I know. And I you."

Holly held out her hand with pride. Artemis's fingers played over hers, their rings matching in a satisfactory manner. They were each other's, from now until the end of their pitifully short time together.

"I have to go," she said, words falling from her lips like diamonds even if they were depressing. The happiness in the air enhanced everything.

Artemis caught Holly's arm as she turned to go. It was too perfect, the boy and the girl kissing passionately before an awaited separation; but, of course, it was only perfect if you entered the tale at the end. What was put into the kiss- what lay beneath the two sets of lips- was their fright, their pain, their heartbreak from the journey it took to arrive at this bittersweet destination. If you asked either participant, though, they'd tell you it was worth it.

The Esperanza ordeal was one no one should have to go through, especially not two such extraordinary individuals as Artemis Fowl and Holly Short. But it happened, and both survived to live a complicated and wonderful life together. Though the experience no doubt helped the two further their relationship, I'll bet they were glad when it was over.

And now it is.