So, when I finished reading Inkdeath over the weekend, I have to say I was not entirely pleased with it. Although Ms. Funke did an amazing job, I was looking for something in the ending that did not happen. So, needless to say, I'm rewriting it. Hope you enjoy!

-Ivy

Note: The beginning of this chapter was taken almost straight from Inkdeath, but I've changed a bit here and there. Credit goes to Ms. Funke for the words from Inkdeath. I think you will be able to tell where the story becomes my own.

x x x x x x x x x x

Leaving

"Meggie!"

She spun. Farid was pushing through the crowd, his marten, Jink, on his shoulder.

"Where's Silvertongue?"

Meggie felt her heart pounding as he came closer. Then it slowed as she remembered the last time she had seen Doria. Oh, how annoying her heart could be! Why could it not choose just one boy to love? Why did she have to be torn between two? Meggie replied to Farid, "With my mother."

Farid frowned. He absentmindedly stroked Jink's fur. "Yes, yes—" He sounded impatient. "—and Dustfinger's with his minstrel woman again. He kisses her so often you might think she lips tasted of honey."

Meggie smiled. Farid was still his old, jealous self. After everything that had changed in recent events, it was nice to hear something familiar and dear. Meggie shook her head. "Oh, don't be too hard on him. He's only just seeing her again."

Farid sighed. "I suppose so…" He trailed off, looking up into the darkening sky. Abruptly, he looked Meggie in the eyes.

Meggie's heart was beating so hard; she was afraid he'd hear it.

Farid said, "I think I'll go away for a while."

"Go away?" Meggie could hear the alarm in her voice. "Where to?"

"Where to?" Farid repeated distractedly. He was staring at his hand, where a fire flower had sprouted. He pressed it into Meggie's hand. It burned bright for a moment, then faded until there was only a smudge of ash darkening her palm.

"Oh," Farid continued. "I think I'll just stroll from village to village the way Dustfinger used to."

Meggie listened as he described all the places he would go. Her heart sank as she realized she might never see him again.

Meggie's drooping heart suddenly perked up again when a familiar face appeared in front of her. "Doria!"

Farid turned away when he head the happiness in Meggie's voice.

Meggie glanced at him guiltily, but turned away as Doria began speaking.

Farid absentmindedly watched the sparks flickering on his fingertips. Jink pawed at his neck, impatient to leave. Patiently, (or, at least, he thought it was patience) he waited for Doria and Meggie to be finished. After a few minutes, he cut in. "Excuse us," he told Doria, and pulled Meggie a few feet away.

"What is it, Farid?" Meggie asked innocently.

Silly girl had no idea what she was doing. "Why don't you come with me?" Farid offered. "We could go from village to village together."

Farid sounded so hopeful, Meggie could not speak. She glanced behind her at Doria, then back at Farid, his black eyes wide, pleading. Meggie bit her lip. "I—" Meggie swallowed. "I can't. I'm so sorry, Farid, but I don't want to leave."

Farid hung his head. "Okay," he mumbled. "Can I still visit you if I'm passing through Ombra?"

Meggie laughed. "Of course you can, silly!" But Farid did not laugh, and she soon became quiet. "Good luck," she whispered, then kissed him on the cheek (on the opposite side from where Jink was crouching).

Farid hugged her silently, holding her tight for a few moments. He looked into her eyes once more, touched her cheek, then turned and walked away. Meggie's cheek tingled where Farid's warm fingers had been only seconds ago. She felt part of her heart break off and leave with Farid, and she almost followed him.

Almost.

But then Meggie felt Doria's hand on her shoulder, and she turned around. When she glanced back, Farid was gone. Slightly less happy, Meggie turned back to Doria again. She tried to smile at him, to seem normal, but he saw right through her.

"Are you okay, Meggie?" he asked, concerned.

Turning away so he would not see the tears welling in her eyes, Meggie lied, "I'm fine." Rubbing her eyes, she hurried away before Doria could protest. Running through the confusing streets and alleys of Ombra City, Meggie made for her family's new house. She burst through the door and stumbled up the stairs. Collapsing on her bed, Meggie began crying. And then sobbing. She lay there, trembling, until she heard a knock on her door.

"Meggie?"

Mo. Meggie wiped the back of her hand across her cheek. She cleared her throat and said, "Come in."

The door opened slowly. Mo stuck his head in. "You okay?"

Meggie nodded, not trusting her voice.

Mo slipped into the room, closing the door silently behind him. He sat next to Meggie on the edge of the bed. Taking her hand, Mo said, "He left, didn't he."

Meggie nodded again.

Mo patted her hand and smiled gently. "Don't be so sad. You still have Farid, right?"

Meggie stared at Mo blankly for a moment, confused. Then she realized he thought Doria had left, not Farid. "No, Mo," she whispered sadly. "Farid's the one who's left."

Mo's eyebrows shot up. "What? But I thought you and he weren't close anymore?" The question was not direct, but Meggie knew what he was really asking.

Meggie opened her mouth to speak. Her lower lip trembled, and her teeth chattered together. Unable to speak, she simply shook her head. After taking a deep breath, she said, "Now we're not."

"But, then, you have Doria still, right?"

Meggie shrugged. "I suppose so," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Do you want me to leave?"

"Yes, please," Meggie whispered.

Mo nodded, patted her hand once more, then strode to the door, closing it behind him.

Then Meggie could not hold the tears back any longer. Pressing her pillow to her face, Meggie cried and cried. It was dark when she let the pillow drop onto her lap. Placing her hand over her heart, Meggie sat in silence. Although she felt her heartbeat strong in her chest, Meggie knew her heart was not whole. It was divided between two boys, one of whom had left. Meggie could almost feel that other part of her heart beating, far away, with Farid.

And Meggie did not know which piece was stronger, which beat was louder.

x x x x x x x x x x

So what did you think? I know you might not get where I'm going with this (or maybe you can, who knows?) but I promise it gets better. At least I think it does... I've outlined the whole story, so I should be updating every few days.

But for now, reviews are loved! I'd like to get at least one review before I post another chapter, so it's up to all of you to make this story go on! Post away!

-Ivy