Title: Hearts Aflame, Epilogue

Summary: In which Howl and Sophie have their happily ever after

Howl had trouble sometimes believing the changes in his life. The once filthy castle now sparkled, every floor and surface kept clean. Standing in his study, he could hear the childish laughter of Markl mixing with the happy barks of Heen as they raced around in the yard. Without looking, he knew that the woman who once had been his sworn enemy stood placidly nearby, keeping watch over them.

But the biggest change could not be seen. Turning slightly, he caught sight of Sophie, leaning against the balcony watching the clouds fly by, and the familiar fire burned in his chest again. She was his wife! Even months later, he still found that incredible. That she loved him, he had come to accept; that she was willing to spend her life with him was another matter entirely. He was honest enough to admit that he himself had not changed overmuch in essentials—he was still the same Howl, too concerned with looks and appearance, too determined to save his own hide. He didn't deserve Sophie, but for some reason, she stuck around anyway.

She'd tried to explain it to him once. "You have my heart," she'd told him simply. "I couldn't leave you anymore than you could have left Calcifer." The idea of an exchange of hearts was one he could easily understand, but he still thought he was getting the better end of the deal. Either way, she was here and she was his, just as he belonged to her.

My true-love hath my heart, and I have his,
By just exchange one for the other given.
I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss:
There never was a bargain better driven.
His heart in me keeps me and him in one;
My heart in him his thoughts and senses guides:
He loves my heart, for once it was his own;
I cherish his because in me it bides.
His heart his wound received from my sight;
My heart was wounded with his wounded heart;
For as from me on him his hurt did light,
So still, methought, in me his hurt did smart:
Both equal hurt, in this change sought our bliss,
My true love hath my heart and I have his.

Sir Philip Sidney

AN: This was monstrously hard to write. (Three paragraphs and a quote took me over an hour.) I really think I should have ended it with the previous chapter, but once I'd promised the epilogue… Well, I hope it wasn't too disappointing. I wanted a bit more dialogue, but neither Howl nor Sophie seemed at all inclined to talk.

Disclaimer: Howl's Moving Castle belongs to many people—Diana Wynne Jones, Studio Ghibli, Disney/Pixar—none of whom are me. Any dialogue you recognize comes directly out of the movie. Any dialogue you don't recognize is mine.