This is it! The final chapter. I just want to thank everyone who's been reading this story and a particular thanks to those who commented. Many thanks in particularly to Shenzi who read, commented, pointed out discrepancies and kept me on track!

I hope you've enjoyed it - I really enjoyed writing it. I'm going to miss Jen and Haery actually even though I feel good about finally giving them their due and finishing the story (which I started about 9 years ago!)

Also - I've re-posted Chapter 54. Originally it had been longer, but for some reason I started second-guessing myself about what was ok, not ok, what people would want to read or whatever. So what's now in place is the original version. The major change is a longer love scene. ;)


Long Way Home

Chapter 55 –Home is Where the Heart Is – Conclusion

Late October - Earth

Jen shivered at the chilly touch of fall air generated by the ferry's sluggish movement towards its island mooring.

"Seems a bit cool," Haer'Dalis said. He held out an arm and she huddled against him gratefully, wishing that she'd worn her jacket instead of stowing it in her pack. "Do you want to go inside and get out of the wind?"

She shook her head, "No. It's too stuffy. We'll be there soon and as long as I have you here, I'll be fine." She put her arms around him sliding them under his jacket so that she could feel the heat of his skin more directly as they leaned companionably against the railing watching the ripple of waves created by the boat's forward progress.

"This is very different from the last time I was here," she remarked. "Last time I was on Wizard Island I was more or less in custody. I still can't believe you managed to avoid it."

He grinned broadly. "My time on Sigil was often spent outrunning the Harmonium's patrols. I had no desire to tempt fate by seeking help from authority here."

"I know," she replied "and instead you somehow managed to fall in a group of perfect strangers whom you somehow convinced to help you."

"I'm a bard," he retorted, smirking at her. "Influencing others is but one of my many talents."

She laughed, rolling her eyes at him. "Apparently so. But I'm still rather amazed at the way you managed to convince perfect strangers to help you get off the island and find me." While her fears for his safety had not been unfounded – her own experience on returning home had certainly demonstrated the challenges of trying to explain the unexplainable – he'd somehow managed to avoid the questions altogether; once again demonstrating his rather amazing ability to adapt and improvise, to avoid consequences and situations that for most would have been unavoidable. Her lips twisted into a smile as she recalled her grandmother's words after meeting him. He's seems very good at letting others have his way. The type who can tell someone to go to hell in a way that they actually look forward to the trip.

Haer'Dalis had told her about coming through the conduit and falling in with a group of hikers making their way to one of the island's overnight camps. The group had been young – college students on a long weekend - and seemingly rather carefree, for they'd welcomed him – a stranger – readily enough into their midst and before long had invited him to join them; an invitation he'd accepted readily enough. He'd managed to slip onto the ferry in their midst, accompanying them back to the mainland and from there to Medford where they'd parted ways but not before one of the women, inspired by his story and perhaps the rather romantic notion of aiding the reunion of lost lovers, had used the college's ride-share board to connect him with a student driving to California. And the rest, as they say, is history, she thought.

The intervening months since his arrival had been busy for she'd helped her mother purchase and move to a new home and then embarked with Haer'Dalis on a somewhat extended road trip culminating in a week at the Burning Man festival. If there was any place on Earth she thought he'd enjoy and might fit in without comment, it was at Burning Man with its mantra of survival – a bit of a feat in the burning desert heat and artistic self-expression and she'd been right. It had been an indescribable experience; an almost magical connection with the temporary community where everything- the creation of the city, the art and other performances – in short, every aspect of the week's events - were created and carried out by the festival's participants and Haer'Dalis had taken to it immediately, reveling in the opportunity for extemporaneous self-expression as well as it's entropic conclusion - the burning of the giant "Man" followed by the dismantling of the town in keeping with the festival's philosophy of leaving no trace of its existence. And it had meant something to her as well for sometime during that rather carefree week Jen had realized that she truly didn't want to go back to Althea and settle down.

Her decision had precipitated another flurry of activity as she'd gone home to settle her affairs and say good-bye to Beth and her friends before heading back to Seattle for a last visit – at least for now - with her family. Not that any of them had known that that's what it was for all she'd said was that she'd decided to travel and see the world with Haer'Dalis, keeping in touch as best she could. What she hadn't said was how difficult that might be. Certainly neither her mother nor Beth had approved of her decision, both pointing out the imprudence of her actions – particularly her decision to give up her house - on several occasions.

Although Beth had been accepting of Haer'Dalis due in large part to her greater knowledge of Jen's adventures, her mother had been suspicious of his sudden appearance and skeptical of his suitability as a partner given his mysterious lack of anything constituting the normal reality of family, friends, home or job. Jen understood what it looked like; in her mother's place she too would have been questioning her sanity. Still, as much as she could understand and even empathize with her mother's feelings, she'd continued to hold her ground and after a while, her mother had changed her tactics from trying to convince Jen of the wrongness of the relationship to simply expressing concern that she was "wasting her inheritance" and trying to convince her to maintain some semblance of stability although she'd clearly blamed Haer'Dalis for Jen's stubborn refusal to consider her arguments. Haer'Dalis had wisely stayed out of such discussions although Jen knew he'd taken a rather perverse enjoyment from being labeled a bad influence and from the on-going discord; the discussions and arguments as these, from his perspective, were just another form of chaos.

The ferry drew near the island and as they reached the dock, a bustle of activity broke out bringing Jen back to the present. She reached down and picked up her pack, shouldering it as she and Haer'Dalis joined the rest of the passengers in making their way down the wide gangplank and onto dry land. As they walked past a sign reading 'Wizard Island,' Jen reached out, touching it briefly. I can't believe it's been five months since I've been here. The summer went by so fast although all the time before – losing Dad, not knowing where Haery was - felt like forever.

Neither of them had any desire to stop at the ranger station and it took little time to find the path behind it. They walked in silence, Jen following a few footsteps behind Haer'Dalis as they made their way up the trail, pausing from time to time to look around, taking in what might be her last view of Earth for several months if not longer and as they neared their destination she stopped and looked back. From where she stood, the lake was a beautiful deep blue, its surface broken by the white froth of small waves blown up by the wind. In the distance, she could see the park's mainland lodge, smoke rising from its kitchen chimneys and a few ant-like figures in the parking lot outside.

Haer'Dalis came to stand beside her. "Changing your mind?"

Her lips twitched. "It's woman's prerogative isn't it? But of course not. Just saying good-bye, that's all." For it was good-bye, at least for some time to come. She still tried not to think about it too closely for although she was happy and even excited to be with Haer'Dalis, it was still a little unnerving to be leaving her old life behind for good. The first time it had happened, she'd had no time to think; she'd just fallen into it. But now, she was going – perhaps forever – quite intentionally.

At least Mom stopped arguing at the end. And I will come back at times. She turned away from the view, shifting her pack to a more comfortable position and reaching out to take Haer'Dalis's hand as they started up the trail once again. She'd be in Faerun before nightfall; would be seeing her friends there again soon. "Do you think it will be hard to find Nalia and Tristan?" she asked.

Haer'Dalis shrugged. "'Tis hard to say. I left them in Tethyr after we found Tristan's sister but they weren't going back to Athkatla right away. I think they were going to Suldanesslar. Where the elves live," he added, as Jen gave him a puzzled look. "We'll go to Athkatla and see if there's news. Tristan is one who attracts attention and beyond that there's Keldorn or Anomen who most likely would need to report their whereabouts to their Order."

She nodded. "I still can't believe what you told me about Yoshimo; that he would actually betray Tristan. He seemed like such a kind person; a good friend."

"Well, there's always the small matter of being under a geas," he replied dryly, "which provides its own unique form of persuasion."

They reached the small group of trees containing the portal, stepping behind them to open their packs and take out clothing and armor. Jen buckled on her vest, smiling as she noticed Haer'Dalis settling his swords about his waist, his fingers caressing the hilts lovingly. "Missed them did you?" He grinned, lifting a brow in acknowledgement. "I wonder," she went on, "whether there's anything here you'll miss?"

"Not really, for the best of your world is coming with me. But," he added hastily as she frowned at him, "if I had to make a choice it would be your – what do you call it – media." A satisfied smile crossed his face, "The internet. 'Twas fascinating to talk with people all across your world. And to see how easily innuendo, gossip and rumor could be spread! It seems clear that whoever invented it must have been a Doomguard at heart for who else would let loose a system with the ability to create turmoil with nothing more than the touch of a button?"

She grinned, "Hmmmm…perhaps all those rumors of extraterrestrials are true but they're not from space but from the multiverse! Infiltrated by the Doomguard! And you say you've never been here before!" He returned the smile, shrugging good-humoredly.

Picking up her pack, she took a last look around. When she looked back at Haer'Dalis she saw he had already taken the portal gem out of his pocket and was holding it carefully in his hands. His pack remained at his feet. "Ready, my love?" he asked.

She nodded. "I'm not going to change my mind if that's what you're asking. I want to be with you Haery. I once told you that I'd not let you go easily or willingly and I meant it." His eyes softened at her words and he reached out to touch her cheek before refocusing on the portal gem cupped in his hands, his brow furrowed in silent concentration as he began to hum. Jen hurriedly clapped her hands over her ears as she suddenly remembered the horrifically atonal sound that served as the portal's key between Earth and Faerun. It wasn't a perfect solution but it helped and allowed her to watch stoically as the gem's soft glow turned into a blaze of light and the air in front of her shimmered and solidified.

"No Isaea to disrupt things this time," she said.

"No indeed, he'll not disturb us ever again." He bowed gracefully, gesturing towards the opening of the conduit. "After you, my love."

She shook her head, "No way. Not after what happened last time. I'm never going through one of those things alone again. It's either beside you or not at all."

"Then we'll go together," he replied, He put the portal gem in his pocket and picked up his pack, slinging it over his shoulders, then held out his hand. She took it and they stepped forward, passing through the almost membrane-like haze. Once again, Jen noticed an absence of sound followed almost immediately by a strong current picking her up and tumbling her about and clung to Haer'Dalis for dear life as they slid through the channel of turbulent air, emerging suddenly at its other end in a somewhat bumpy landing. Her feet met the ground and she stumbled, her head spinning and she sat down hastily, appreciating the solid feeling of the ground beneath her. She sat still for several moments until her head finally cleared and looked over to see Haer'Dalis kneeling beside her.

"Welcome back," he said simply.