Epilogue – Part II
By the time I made it to the house everyone was seated around the table and Skyler was resting on the floor at Idelle’s feet. I recounted what Grandfather had told me, answering their questions as best I could. When I was through they sat there looking from one to another, no one daring to speak. It was Idelle who broke the silence first.
‘So if some of us choose to go and some choose to stay then we will never see each other again?’ she asked, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
‘I’m afraid so,’ I replied.
‘I don’t want to lose anyone,’ she cried, tears flowing freely now. ‘Whichever way we choose, we should all choose the same thing so at least we will be together!’
Murmurs of assent spread through the otherwise silent house.
‘Why should we go to a ‘family’ we’ve never known when all that we love and hold dear is here in Appaloosa Plains?’ she continued. ‘I think we should remain here, ambrosia or not!’
More murmurs of assent and nods of agreement.
‘It’s not that easy for me,’ I explained. ‘This dynasty is all you’ve ever known. It was your destiny from birth. I, on the other hand, chose to accept this challenge in the hope of regaining our family’s standing among the fae. Maybe what we’ve lost in being banished is more real to me, but I don’t know if I can turn my back on my mother who gave her life that this day would come.’
Danny, ever the voice of reason, suggested that we all sleep on it and meet again in the morning to make our final decisions. We headed to our beds with heavy hearts, each wondering what the others would choose, each desperately wishing for a reprieve from the inevitable.
The next morning dawned crisp and clear with the smell of Meg’s cooking filling the air. I came downstairs to find everyone already up and enjoying a feast of waffles, pancakes, and eggs Machiavellian. I poured a cup of coffee and joined the rest of them at the table.
Seeing no need to delay, I quietly said, ‘The time has come for each of us to make our choice. I can’t offer any solace other than to tell you what Grandfather told me…I will love you all no matter what you decide. We will start with Idelle and work our way back to me. You may change your decision at any time until I give you my decision. At that point our choices will be final and Grandfather will be notified by one of our gnomes. Idelle…your decision, please.’
‘This life is the only one I’ve known. I’m not willing to give up everything I know and love for a life that is foreign to me. Besides, Tiffanie and I still have time together. Now that this challenge has been completed I would like us to move in together and share whatever time is left to us. And someone needs to look after Skyler, I can’t just abandon her…’ Idelle trailed off, crying again.
‘Brianna, what about you?’ I asked.
‘I’m with my daughter on this. We’ve all sacrificed so much already. I’m not willing to sacrifice the few years I may have left with Woody, for what? Elvish politics? I think not!’
This brought a smile to my face and I reminded Bree that we are faerie not elves.
‘Faeries or elves, it doesn’t matter to me,’ she said, muttering something under her breath about pointy ears.
‘Pearl, have you decided?’ I continued.
‘I have,’ she said solemnly. ‘I, too, cannot imagine leaving Appaloosa Plains. I’m sorry if my decision disappoints any of you who have not spoken yet, but my life is here, not in some mystical realm full of political intrigue. I want to spend my days fishing, not warding off the attacks of some enemy I don’t even know.’
‘Daniel?’ I asked.
‘You all know that my life has been dedicated to logic and reason. I can’t imagine that I would fit in very well among a people known for their magic,’ he said. ‘I choose to remain here, too. Who knows, perhaps I’ll come out of retirement and pick up my medical practice again. I’ve been going a little stir crazy lately…’
‘Callie, what say you?’ I asked.
‘Who would tend the garden I’ve cultivated over so many years if I leave…’ she said more to herself than to the rest of us. ‘No, I think I should stay here.’ As if on cue she raised her hand to her face as if she were holding a puppet and started arguing the merits of her decision with herself. Nervous laughter filled the dining room. Leave it to Callie to break the tension.
‘Raven, have you made up your mind?’
‘I’m sorry if this upsets anyone, but frankly I’m intrigued by the prospect of having magical powers. I just never felt the same after I retired and lost my red glow. Besides, who does that Unseelie witch think she is anyhow?! I know exactly how to deal with people like her,’ she said, striking a karate pose. ‘As much as I love most of you, I choose to return to Faerie.’
I’m not sure if I was imagining it or not, but Danny and Pearl seemed visibly relieved at this. I know they haven’t been on the best of terms, but I was a bit surprised at their reaction. Callie, Bree and Idelle, on the other hand, appeared as though the wind had been knocked out of them.
‘There’s still time to change your minds,’ I reminded them. ‘Meghan, what do you choose?’
‘I will stay here,’ she said quietly. ‘I want to retire from the Bistro and start doing animal rescue work.’
‘Very well, then. Before I tell you what I have decided, does anyone wish to change their mind?’
The room grew silent as we all looked about at each other, waiting for someone to speak.
‘It is decided…Idelle, Bree, Pearl, Danny, Callie, Meg…you shall remain here and carry on our good name among the people of Appaloosa Plains. Raven…you and I will return to Faerie and take our places beside Grandfather.’
Meg gasped and started to weep. ‘Mom, noooo!’ I held her and let her cry herself out. Kissing her forehead I said, ‘I don’t expect you to understand why I have to do this, but know that I will always love you and I’m only as far away as the nearest gnome.’ Turning to Raven, I told her to prepare her belongings because we would be leaving at sunset.
‘Wait!’ Idelle cried. ‘Before you go we should take a picture of all of us together!’
Fortunately our maid, Patrick, was something of a photographer and agreed to take a family portrait for us. We all changed into our best clothes and met outside for our photo shoot.
When we were finally pleased with how it turned out, we each took a copy and hung the original in our family room. As the afternoon drew to a close, we huddled around one another, saying our farewells. Of all the heartache and loss I have experienced in my life, none compared to this. It was as though my heart was being ripped from my chest.
As the sun slipped behind the hills, I took Raven’s hand and nodded to the gnome who had quietly slipped up behind me. A flash of light and Raven and I were tumbling through space and time and into the land of Faerie, but my parting words echoed to those we had left behind… ‘I love you my dearest ones…be well…be safe…be happy…’
The EndAuthor's Note: Many thanks to all of you who have shared the Fae's adventures these past few months. It has been a privilege to bring your their story, and your support has kept me going. I'll be updating you with the family portrait and the value of the immortal museum as soon as possible.
Would there be any interest if I were to upload the Faes and their home to the Swap Shop? It will take me a bit of work, as I never saved any of them to the bin other than Glenys and I will need to take as much store content out of the house as possible, but if people are interested I'll work on it.
