And after several years, I logged in to Fanfiction.net on a whim and saw that apparently this story is still being read! Wow. I can't thank all of you enough for your support and encouragement. And after reading so many of your requests to have the story finished... maybe, just maybe I might be convinced to work on it after all. ~ There are only five chapters left...

I wanted to let you all know just how much you've done for me: thanks to your encouragement and inspiration I've continued writing, and in April 2006 I had my first book published. It's a lesbian romance novel called Sword of the Guardian and it's available through BellaBooks.com. It contains a lot of the same angst, adventure, and intrigue that so many of you commented on in SMO! I would never have had enough faith in my own stories to attempt a project like this if it weren't for all of you, so thank you thank you THANK YOU all so very much. hugs

I have a second book, a pirate story, that should be finished in the next few weeks and published some time next year. If you're at all interested you can visit my current writing website at MerryShannon.com for more information and updates.