Ah, the last chapter. I hope everyone enjoyed the other chapters, and that this chapter is up to everyone's expectations. It was hard to write, but I finally got there after swearing at the screen for a few hours... so here it is, and reviews wold be awesome – let me know how I did!

A few days later, a meeting was called.

In one of the main chambers, several people sat on the side of a long table facing the throne, where Pharaoh Yami Atemu sat regally, with Yugi beside him on another chair. Both young men were richly dressed in the royal colours of white and crimson, and Yami also had on the customary Pharaoh's jewellery to mark the occasion.

When all who had been summoned to the chamber was gathered, Yami began to speak.

"As you all know, one way or another, of the occurrences that have taken place here in the last two moons, I will make this story brief."

The various people seated nodded and listened while Yami told briskly of Yugi's story, and of how Anzu had caused trouble and therefore been exiled from the province.

"Therefore", concluded Yami in his rich voice, "you all know that I can no longer marry my third cousin as was expected by most. However, this does still leave the problem of who will carry on the royal line and be heir to the throne when I have passed on."

Yami paused, looking round.

"You have been gathered together now so that you may witness my decision in this matter, and that none may doubt my words this day. Let it be known that my heart lies with Yugi, and that I shall never marry – never myself produce and heir to take my place on the throne as Pharaoh."

There were some mutterings at this, of astonishment from some, and acceptance from others.

"Isis. Malik. Rishid. Set. Jou. Ryou. Shadi. You seven are all friends – trusted people, relatives, or holders of Sennnen Items. From all parts of Egypt you are called to witness my decision on whom the next Pharaoh should be."

As Yami said each name, his eyes landed on that person, gazing at them each in turn.

"This is my decision. You seven must guard the throne for me. Until another candidate worthy to be called Pharaoh is found, each of you are charged with the duty of guarding Egypt and the throne."

"And how are we to do this, Pharaoh?"

"There is no possible way to do this!"

"Ridiculous!"

"It could work..."

Yami was silent until each person had given their opinion. When the room was quiet again he spoke.

"Set. You are my cousin, my trusted advisor, and my High Priest. You must see that the throne is kept safe and that Egypt's affairs are kept in order if no Pharaoh can be found after my death."

Set nodded, deciding to have faith in Yami. He had, after all, made sound decions before.

"Isis. You are a trusted friend, Healer, and High Priestess. In your wisdom I trust you to make a correct decision on the next Pharaoh to be, should I not be here when that day comes."

"My Pharaoh. As you say, so it shall be."

"Malik and Rishid, friends and relatives of both myself and of Isis. You are charged with keeping the throne safe, while awaiting the next Pharaoh. Should anyone try to take the throne without Set and Isis' approval, you are charged with defending it."

Malik and Rishid nodded – they had expected no less.

"Jou and Ryou. Both of you are trusted friends and nobles of this province. I trust you also therefore to be peacekeepers of the province – to keep the peace with all outside provinces when I am gone and if no Pharaoh is appointed.

"Of course, Yami."

"You can count on us to do as you have asked."

Yami smiled, and then his piercing crimson eyes gazed into a pair of disorientating blue ones.

"Shadi."

The Egyptian sat completely still, his necklace gleaming. Other than a slight nod to indicate he had heard Yami address him, he made no other movement.

"Shadi. Should the worst happen... should no Pharaoh be found, or should Egypt fall from some disaster and all seven here be scattered... you know what you must do. I am entrusting you with the job of utmost importance, should such a thing happen. You posses the Key, and the Scales. With these you possess also great magic... magic which shall be invoked in order to travel where you must, even to the future, to find the one who's heart is pure, and who can restore peace to the world if threatened."

"Pharaoh. Let it be as you have spoken."

Yami let all this sink in, and for a few moments there was silence. Then Yami spoke in a loud and clear voice.

"Let it be, then. Today you have heard my decision, and agreed to my words. Do you all witness?"

"We witness, Pharaoh!" All seven spoke as one, and then, after looking another moment, each made their way out, until finally only Yami, Yugi and Shadi were left.

Shadi stood up, and bowed low to the ground.

"Pharaoh... I will not see you again in this lifetime."

"Shadi. I must thank you deeply for your service to Egypt. You will be forever remembered, even if in another lifetime."

Shadi smiled.

"Oh, I somehow doubt that, Pharaoh. One day, perhaps, you shall remember me. But not for a long, long time."

With these puzzling words, Shadi bowed again and departed, leaving Yami with a bewildered look on his face.

"Uh... Yami? What did he mean?"

"I... do not know, Yugi. But then, Shadi was never easy to understand."

Soon after this it was publicly spoken that Yami was never going to marry, and that he had taken Yugi forever as his lover. While a few privately thought this to be a bad decision, most accepted it, knowing in their hearts that both the Pharaoh and his lover had the blessings of Ra upon them, and so rejoiced for the decision. For that, and also for the fact that Princess Anzu had never made herself popular with many in the province, anyway.

Life continued on, and Egypt passed the summer in a state of contentment.

But none more so than the young couple.

It was after Yugi had woken one night to find Yami gazing with steady eyes at the distant moon, that he asked a question of the Pharaoh.

"Yami... do you think, when we do eventually die... that we can still be together, somewhere?"

Yami smiled.

"I believe that we love each other, now. And for the moment, that is enough.

"Yes, of course, but after we do die... I do not want to be apart from you."

"Oh? Well, you should know also then, that since I love you so much..."

Yami stooped to kiss Yugi softly.

"... I believe we will be together forever."

"Really?"

"Yes, really... does that sound good to you?"

Yugi grinned, amethyst eyes sparkling with delight, and pulled Yami close.

"Yes, Yami. It sounds very good."

End