A/N: Well, this is the last offical chapter; all that remains is the epilogue. I hope you all enjoy this ending!

Kaisa had returned with two envelopes instead of one. She had caught up with the class and everyone before they had set sail.

"May I ask how he reacted?" Mari asked quietly.

Kaisa nodded. "He read what you said and tripped over his daemon."

"Poor Mandara!" Klitus said.

Kaisa chuckled at the young daemon's reaction.

"Thank you again Kaisa,"

"It was no problem."

"And thank Serafina again for me."

"I will,"

Mari smiled and waved goodbye to the goose who flew slowly back towards where the class had come from. She looked at her class one last time just to laugh; they all looked terrified. She guessed that they hadn't learned as much about the culture in the north as she had. She shook her head and then looked at the two envelopes; one had an address crossed out and had 'Read First' written below it. She of course listened, and opened that one first.

'Dearest Mari,

Glad to hear you had a safe trip, I hope you are well and that you will be safe. Tell Klitus that Mandara and I say hello, and that we miss him, along with you. I can't wait for you to come home. I really want to write more, but I must go. I have interviews to go to, and if I could this letter would be pages long. I hope to hear from you soon,

All my love,

Andrew'

She smiled to herself as she held the letter close to her heart. Mari looked down at Klitus, "Andrew and Mandara say hello. And they miss us,"

"If I could tell them the same I would,"

Mari nodded. "Yes, I feel the same."

"What does the other say?"

"'Dearest Mari,

I'm so sorry about your parents. I did go to their funeral, I hope you don't mind. I remember hearing about their discoveries in medicine and reading their papers for classes and for fun. It was beautiful Mari, sad, but beautiful. I am so happy you are coming home! Mandara and I have been rather lonely. I mean, we never talked much while at school, but I'd like to change that. If you'd let me, I'd like to take you out for dinner and maybe a walk when you feel up to when you get home. And if you'd ever like to talk to anyone I'm here for you. If you need help with anything just call me and I'll be there as soon as possible. Come and see me whenever you feel up to it. I don't think I'll be doing anything important the way interviews are going. No matter the time just come and see me. Mandara and I've missed you two so much! Hope to see you soon!

All my love,

Andrew'"

Mari wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

"He really cares about you,"

She jumped and turned around to see Lyra standing behind her. "Lyra!"

"Sorry for eavesdropping,"

"No, it's all right. If anyone overheard that letter- those letters- I want it to be you or Will. No one else, because no one else would understand."

Lyra smiled. "Well, thank you Ms. Flamearrow,"

Mari laughed. "It doesn't quite... flow like Silvertongue, does it? I think I'll stick with Drake."

"Yes, but in these lands you will always be know by the panserbjorne as Marianne Flamearrow."

"Well, I'm fine with that."

"It isn't very often that a King of the panserbjorne give someone a new name, you should be honored."

Mari nodded. "Yes, very very honored!"

Lyra laughed. "Glad to hear it. Well I was just coming to let you know we're leaving in a few moments."

"All right, can I ask you something later on the boat? When no one is around?"

"Of course! I'll come and find you, all right?"

Mari nodded. "Thank you Lyra,"

"She's right you know," Klitus commented as Lyra walked away and they made their way onto the boat.

Mari chuckled. "Yes, I know very well. Lyra is right about most things,"

Klitus nodded. "I've noticed that. She sounds very different now then how she was when she was younger."

She nodded. "Being away from the one you love, or the ones you love changes you. And everything Lyra went through... that would change you, no doubt about that."

"Have we changed?"

"Yes, we have Kli,"

"Will Andrew and Mandara still... love us?"

Mari laughed. "If they truly love us, than yes." She nodded to Will and Lyra. "They've been apart for fifteen years, and I have no doubt that they've both changed a lot, but they still love each other."

Klitus nodded slowly as if thinking something over. 'I think they will love us still,"

"Yes, I think they will too,"

"You wanted to ask me something?" Lyra asked as she walked up to Mari who was standing on the deck watching the Aurora.

"Yes," She sighed.

"About...?"

"About you and Will if you don't mind,"

"Well, what do you want to know?"

Mari thought a moment, then looked at her teacher. "How do you know you are true loves? Or whatever you want to call it,"

Lyra laughed for a few moments, trying to stop so she could answer. "I can't exactly explain it. I just feel... it's just this feeling I get whenever he's around me. I feel like I'm the only woman in the world."

Mari nodded, returning her gaze to the ocean.

"And,"

Her attention fell on her teacher once more.

"I know that he will always be there for me."

"How?"

"Just the way he looks at me... it's hard to explain."

"I remember you writing something about that in one of your journals."

Lyra nodded. "Exactly. Why did you want to know? Because of Andrew?"

Mari nodded. "I like him a lot, but I've never had love. I mean I've had love from my family, but I've never had a guy who's loved me. Andrew is the first and I..."

"Just wanted to know if he truly does love you."

Again she nodded.

"Don't worry, I think he does."

"Thank you Lyra,"

"For what?"

"For everything! For allowing me to come and teaching me so much. And for helping me,"

"Well I haven't helped you as much as you've helped me." Lyra said as she glanced towards the other side of the deck where Will was waiting. "And I thank you for that,"

"You should go," Mari said. "Before you do though, I just wanted to tell you that now you should be able to open windows as often as you like. I wouldn't suggest opening windows more than once a week. It may interfere with Dust and other such things. And I don't need to remind you that Will needs to return to his world before ten years, I suggest something like every other year or more often. I don't know, it's up to you,"

Lyra laughed. "It's all right Mari, we know. Stop worrying!"

"Sorry, I just don't want you to loose him. Again. I can't imagine what that feels like,"

Her smile faded. "Yes, it does hurt, quite a bit."

Mari nodded. "Go, you two have catching up to do. I'll see you later."

"Andrew!" Mari dropped her bags and ran into his arms.

He wasn't quite expecting it, but he held her close nonetheless. "We've missed you,"

"And we've missed you!" She said as tears began to flow down her cheeks.

"How are you feeling?"

She tried wiping the tears away. "I'm fine. Sorry, life's just been crazy I'm fine,"

Lyra walked up to them with Will close behind. "She wouldn't talk to any of us about her parents. Maybe she'll talk to you,"

Andrew looked at Mari who looked away. "Is this true?"

"Yes," She muttered.

"We talked a bit," Klitus said, "but she does need to talk to a human."

"Come on," Andrew said picking up her bags. "I know where we can go and we can talk. That is if it's all right if we leave." He looked to Lyra.

She nodded. "Go, be happy."

Andrew smiled and lead Mari away. He sat her down at a bench and he sat next to her. Klitus and Mandara talked and cuddled as thier human counterparts talked. "Now, start talking. Tell me about your trip and cry as much as you want on my shoulder."

Mari nodded as a tear slowly slid down her cheek. She began to reach up to wipe it away, but she realized a hand beat her to it.

"I'll always be here to wipe away your tears,"

Mari tried her best to smile, but then broke down into tears. Andrew pulled her close and let her cry on his shoulder. After a few minutes she sat up.

"Feeling better?"

"Yes, much better," She smiled. "Thank you Andrew, so much."

He smiled and held her close for a moment. "Your quite welcome. I'm not sure what I did, but I'm glad I could be of help."

A smile grew on Mari's face and tear slid down her face as she saw a look in his eyes.

"Are you all right? " He asked as he saw her cover her smile.

Mari smiled at him. "I've never been better." And with that she leaned over, much to his surprise, and kissed him.