Alright, here it is, the end of this ruddy novel. If you reviewed my story even once, this chapter is dedicated to you! Thanks for turning my short little one shot into a full fledged story.

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"Farid, Wait up will you?

Hearing that voice nearly gave Farid a heart attack. He whirled around to see Meggie running at him, her hair flying wildly in the wind and gasping for breath. When Meggie caught up with Farid, she put a hand on his shoulder for support. Then, panting between words, she exclaimed, "Where - the heck - do you think – you're going!" Farid opened his mouth, hoping that a good answer would come to him, but none did. Thankfully Meggie didn't wait for a reply, "How could you just leave?" she demanded. Farid looked down at his bear toes," I had to". Meggie looked at him as if he was crazy.

Sighing, Farid tried to explain, "Meggie, look. Dustfinger loves Roxanne, a lot, and she hates me. She still thinks that I'm Dustfinger's secret son. She wouldn't want me to stay. And you?" Farid looked down again, "You don't really need me around any more either. I just didn't belong with you all anymore." Meggie could hear the sadness in Farid's voice, and it pierced her heart. The idiot actually thought that she didn't care for him. She took his face in her hands and lifted it until he was facing her. Then she pressed her mouth on his and kissed him, tasting cinnamon. Farid wrapped his arms around her and Meggie slid her arms around his neck. "Farid, I'll always need you", Meggie whispered without removing her lips from his. In reply, Farid let go of her and said one word, "Doria." Meggie gave Farid an exasperated smile, "Didn't I tell you that he was just a friend to me? Farid, my heart's yours, and it always will be." Farid stroked her hair and whispered to her softly, "I love you Meggie." She smiled, "I love you too." Farid grinned and his beautiful eyes shone, "I must be luckiest person in the world. Those accursed spirits must have blessed me!" Then, looking as happy as a child who had received a new bike for his birthday he put his hands on Meggie's waist, lifted her into the air and spun her around, laughing. Meggie was stunned for a second, and then she laughed too, and she felt complete bliss when Farid put her down and kissed her passionately.

"Farid, will you stop snogging her for one second? I need to talk to you." Farid paled and turned to face Dustfinger, who had arrived through the woods as silently as his marten. Coming up behind him were Roxanne, and Brianna, who was eying Farid hostilely. "Wh- what is it, Dustfinger?" Farid inquired in a slightly guilty tone. Dustfinger's eyes burned into Farid's. "Farid, you returned the death ring! That's what! Why did you do it!" Farid looked guilty for about half a second, but then his visage took on another emotion altogether. Anger. He looked Dustfinger in the eyes and stared him down. "If I hadn't returned that thrice accursed thing you would've died. Was I supposed to let you? Was I!" Dustfinger just smiled at the furious boy and he put his hands up in surrender. "No, no of course not. In fact I actually came here to thank you for returning it. I didn't realize how much I'd miss you all when I decided to keep the death ring. Now I know that I couldn't leave you all willingly, before I have to." Dustfinger tousled Farid's hair, "Thank you Farid. I honestly don't remember how I used to manage without you." Farid reddened, and he smiled the sort of smile that all boys do, when they have hit the winning home run in a championship baseball game, and their parents got it all on tape. Smirking proudly, Farid said, "I really don't know how you could have managed. That's twice I've saved your life now, you know. Perhaps we should change positions; I would be more than happy to have you as an apprentice…" Dustfinger tried to look angry at this comment, but he failed miserably and laughed, "Don't push it, Farid."

Roxanne, who had been standing a few steps back from the two, walked up to join Dustfinger and Farid. Facing Dustfinger she said, "Did you tell him? No? Never mind then I'll tell him." Roxanne turned to Farid and smiled, "I know that I was sort of hard on you before, but it was simply because I was jealous of you. Dustfinger seemed to love you more than he did me." Roxanne looked ashamed of herself, but somehow she still managed to look gorgeous. "But now I can see why. You may not be a real son to him, but you care for him as you would a father. Farid, you risked your life for him, and for that I am eternally in your debt. So, if you wish it, I'd like for you to came and live with us at our cottage." Farid froze, paralyzed with pure joy. Then he ran into Roxanne's arms with tears in his dark eyes. Meggie noticed that when Roxanne held him, she had real motherly affection in her eyes. Meggie smiled softly to herself; she didn't think that anyone deserved to have a good family more than Farid did.

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Brianna was feeling very upset. Clearly, both of her parents liked Farid better than they liked her, and although she would die before admitting it, that hurt her. And to make things worse, now that Farid was practically "family", and now that he was smitten with that Meggie girl, Brianna didn't have a chance with the handsome Arabian boy. She turned away from her parents and began to walk back to the cave herself. That was when she noticed Doria coming up the forest path. He looked almost as miserable as she felt, so she decided to comfort him. "Hello Doria. Would you like to a back to the camp with me? I'm sure that I'd get hopelessly lost if I went myself." Brianna smiled a flirtatious smile. This caused Doria's handsome face to redden, but he smiled back at her and said, "I'd be happy to go with you, whatever you say."

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When they all finally got back to the cave, Farid noticed Brianna and Doria sitting close beside each other in front of the fire. Doria asked Brianna if he could put his arm around her and she nodded, yes. She looked thrilled that he was asking her permission. Farid chuckled; in his opinion, the two deserved each other. As did Roxanne and Dustfinger, who talked about their past, and how much they had missed each other the whole way back to the camp. "Do Meggie and I deserve each other?" Farid wondered. He took her hand as they walked into the cave, and she squeezed it tightly. Farid smiled; yes, they did. Suddenly Dustfinger's voice came from ahead, "Oy, lover boy! Just because you're my son now doesn't mean that you don't have to do your regular chores! Go, find Gwin, and Jink, and grab some fire honey while you're at it." Normally, if Dustfinger had called him "lover boy", Farid would have gotten upset, and blushed. But he was far too busy being happy to get upset. Son! Dustfinger had called him his son! Farid pecked Meggie on the cheek (then she kissed him back full on the mouth, reluctant to let go) and he left the camp to find the martens, grinning. He finally, truly belonged somewhere, and he was never going to change stories again.

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Dear readers, this was not the end. Of course, the white book had to be destroyed, the Adderhead killed, and Mo had to defeat the Piper and the fire raisers. Meggie and Farid too, had several more adventures (involving the Piper's men and a giant, particularly). But you don't need me to tell you all that (you need to read Inkdeath if you'd like to hear it). All you need to know is that Meggie, Farid and all their companions eventually triumphed, Meggie was reunited with her family, and that Meggie and Farid remained in love with each other until the very end.

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If you read the story properly, down to the very last word without skipping anything, than you have just made a huge difference in the life of a certain Arabian boy. Had you not read this story then Farid would be off on his own somewhere, miserable and lonely. You've changed the course of his life, given him love, and a home, and you did all of this unknowingly, for such is the power of words.