And it's done!

Thank you everyone for the follows and favorites. I really appreciated it and it helped so much with motivation.

I do have another RDR2 story trying to outline itself in my head, but I have to do a lot more planning before I start writing. And it will be another long one, but I think I've found a good, consistent writing speed this year and I hope I can keep it up next year.

Happy Holidays!


Chapter 30: The Next Adventure

A few years later…

"Seriously?" Arthur said, brushing clumps of mud off his pants.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"You pissed off a mother moose with her newborn babies! You are so lucky there was a convenient ditch to jump in."

"I'm sure the picture will make up for it. As long as the camera didn't get trampled," Albert added as an afterthought.

"One day they are going to find our bodies next to your tripod and people will say, 'Well at least their last photograph was nice.'"

"Death by moose," Albert groaned. "Of all the ways I thought I would go. I didn't think they would be so big!"

Arthur picked up the camera, checking for cracks along the case. "Now you know. And with luck, those magazine readers will, too."

"I think I sprained my ankle."

"Of course you did," Arthur laughed, reaching out a hand to pull Albert up.

After traveling all around the western half of the United States and showing photographs in small city galleries, Albert Mason was approached by a wildlife and nature conservation magazine based in San Francisco. So with Arthur as his hired guide, as they always put it, Albert was sent on assignments to locate and photograph various animals. Which was why he and Arthur were currently up near the Canadian border, covered in mud.

Albert limped towards Dakota, giving the horse a few pats before saying, "I might need a leg up."

"It really hurts that bad?"

"Yes!"

"Fine, I'll even pack the equipment for you," Arthur said, boosting Albert up onto Dakota before attaching the last of their equipment to Daisy, the newest addition to their herd. Arthur caught and broke the mustang only a year ago on their second trip to New Austin. It was out of necessity after Baylock was injured by a cougar. The brave stallion charged the big cat as it stalked an unsuspecting Arthur. Baylock even killed it, but not before suffering long scratches across his back. His days of carrying riders and bags were over, and he now enjoyed retirement at the Marstons' ranch as their main breeding stud. Lucy was also there, being a little too old to be trudging all over the country. Albert gave her to Jack as his first pony, and Jack showered her with love and attention.

At least Jack finally grew big enough to fit in the saddle.

"Let's get back to the hotel and wrap that ankle in something," he said, hopping on Merlin and turning towards the town.

"And then we're off to deliver these to San Francisco."

"I thought we were stopping by the ranch first?"

"Right, of course! At least it is on the way this time."

Months after they all parted ways, Arthur and Albert finally received their first bit of news from John and Hosea. After much arguing over land across many miles and states, they all agreed on a homestead in Oregon, planning to raise some cattle, sheep, and horses. Arthur and Albert rushed over to see them and were immediately roped into constructing the newly purchased pre-cut house and barn.

Once Albert got his job with the magazine, the Marston ranch quickly became a common stopping place, and their mailing address for the other ex-gang members. Mostly, they kept in contact with Mary-Beth and Tilly in Saint Denis. Lenny still worked on the ranch doing the majority of accounting and purchasing, and Charles eventually found his way there after helping the Wapiti relocate to Canada. They occasionally heard from Sadie, though the conversations were short and often one-sided because she was constantly on the move. They found out she took up bounty hunting, and was apparently quite good at it, chasing criminals all across New Austin and West Elizabeth. She did visit, though it was rare and unpredictable.

He didn't hear from Dutch.

Shortly after Arthur and Albert left Saint Denis, the newspapers were abuzz about Colm O'Driscoll's escape attempt being thwarted by a woman in a yellow dress shooting him in the chest seconds after a sniper fired clear through the rope attached to his neck. The woman and a man in a police uniform quickly dispatched the rest of the O'Driscoll gang involved in the escape before disappearing, no one having a clue who they were. But Arthur knew. Dutch and Sadie, both getting their revenge.

And then, nothing. No robberies, no arrests, no deaths. Dutch van der Linde simply vanished.

Arthur hoped that he would at least write to Hosea, and if he did, Hosea never said a word. The older man seemed fine, too, enjoying the retired outlaw life on a ranch.

He was looking forward to seeing his family again, and after stopping by the hotel to gather the rest of their belongings and wrapping Albert's ankle, the two headed towards the train station that would get them to Oregon, barely catching the last train of the day.

"I'm excited to get back to the ranch," Albert said. "Jack always loves seeing my pictures."

"Just as long as they aren't looking the expand the ranch again."

"That barn did take forever to build."

Arthur laughed. "Remember me and Marston arguing about which pile of wood was for the frame for an hour and then Hosea comes up with the instructions it was neither of them?"

"I remember John taking off on his horse and leaving us to put it together!" Albert said.

"But then the horse came back and we were about to send a search party when he comes wandering back in saying the horse threw him over a squirrel!" Arthur finished, and the two descended into giggles that sent stares in their direction.

"We shouldn't laugh too hard," Albert said. "John is doing a rather good job with the ranch."

"And I believe we can thank Hosea for that! But you are right, John's doing right by his family. Got a really good place set up. Saw him teaching Jack how to milk the cows last time we were there."

The sun set past the hills as the train rolled out of the station, and soon Albert was asleep on Arthur's shoulder. Arthur didn't sleep, though. He always kept his guard up on trains after years of robbing them himself.

But the ride was quiet, as always, and Arthur shook Albert awake at their stop in Oregon. They unloaded their three horses and headed towards town. "Should we spend the night at a hotel?" Albert asked.

"I'm sick of hotels," said Arthur.

"But it's the middle of the night."

"I know. They'll be annoyed, but then they'll be excited."

As predicted, when Arthur banged on the front door to be let in, much grumbling and cursing was heard from within the house. But as John Marston flung open the door, still dressed in his union suit with a shotgun in his hand, his face lit up. "Hey everyone! Arthur and Albert are here!" he shouted into the house.

Feet stomped down the hall. Hosea rubbed his eyes and said, "Arthur! Glad to see you, but did you have to wake us all up?"

Arthur rolled his eyes and hugged the man. "Glad to see you too, Hosea."

"You boys want some coffee? Tea?"

"I think we both need bed," Arthur replied. "We were almost killed by a moose today, well yesterday now."

"Where were you at?" Charles asked, appearing from another room.

"In Washington near the Canadian border."

"Well, you know which room is yours," Hosea said.

"Sorry for waking everyone up," Albert said with a yawn.

"Not everyone," Arthur laughed. "Did Abigail and Jack sleep through all our racket?"

"Uncle Arthur?" Jack called out.

"Back to bed, Jack. You can see them in the morning," Hosea said.

"Aw."

"See you in the morning," John said, patting him on the back and going back to his room with Abigail.


"So, what's the news," Arthur asked when they all gathered for a late breakfast the next morning.

"I was thinking about expanding the fencing along the eastern side of the ranch," John said, and Arthur groaned in response. "Could use an extra hand while you're here."

"I'm not a damn rancher," he said.

"We've got a letter for you from Tilly, probably the same as the one we got," Abigail said, passing the envelope to Albert. Since they arrived at the ranch, Hosea taught Abigail how to read as well as Jack. They practiced every morning after chores, with Abigail following along with Jack's books and then Hosea giving her more difficult material after the boy got bored and ran off to play.

Arthur slid opened the envelope and pulled out the letter, his eyes scanning the fancy calligraphy of the invitation rather than Tilly's flowing cursive. His smiled widened as he passed it to Albert, and he said, "So they're finally getting married?"

Tilly Jackson would soon be Tilly Pierre. Arthur met the lawyer when Tilly brought him to the ranch. Which happened to be for Kieran and Mary-Beth's wedding.

The wedding happened just after Mary-Beth published her first romance novel, and it was hosted at the Marston ranch. Arthur, Albert, Sadie, Charles, Tilly, and her then boyfriend all joined them for nearly two weeks, completely filling the house. Molly didn't attend, having gone back to Ireland soon after Dutch disappeared, but her letter of congratulations eventually reached the happy couple.

Three novels sat on the bookshelf in the main room of the house now, signed Mary-Beth instead of Leslie Dupont at the end of the personalized notes. Arthur stored his copies at the Marstons' place as well, just his were kept in his permanent bedroom at the house.

"So, we're all going down to Saint Denis this summer?" Albert asked.

"Is it safe for all of us to be there together?" said John.

"I think so," Hosea said. "It's been a few years. Though maybe we should stay in different hotels, just to be sure."

"So, about that fence," John said.

"Fine! Let's go, Al," Arthur said, getting up to grab his work boots.

"Oh, well, my ankle still hurts. I think I should rest it for today," said Albert.

"Really? Because it's barely bruised and you seemed to be walking alright after we got off the train."

"In fact," Albert continued with a smile, "it would probably be best if I stay in here and show Jack the new magazine issue with my photographs in it."

"You got a new one?" Jack said, jumping up and running to Albert.

"Looks like it's just us," John snickered. Arthur threw one of the boots at him.

Fortunately, John didn't have too much expansion work for them to do, especially since they were joined by Charles and Lenny. Still, it wasn't long before Arthur's arms began to ache from carrying the wood panels around.

On his break, Arthur wandered over to Baylock laying in the paddock. "Hey, buddy," he said, scratching him behind the ears. The scars healed nicely, but the horse moved a little gingerly at times.

"He's so gentle now. I can't even believe he was once Micah's horse," John said, coming up behind him.

"Amazing what a difference a good owner makes."

"You know, the first foal by him is due in a couple months. Bet it will be quite the looker."

"You might make some good money off of him."

"Best thing Micah gave either of us!" John laughed. "Want a beer?"

"Always." He waved Charles and Lenny over from the other end of the fencing. "New horse?" he asked, gesturing to the thoroughbred grazing nearby.

"Yeah, that's Rachel."

"Rachel? Really?"

"Oh sure, like you could come up with anything better."

"I bet Jack could, with all those books he reads nowadays."

"We taking a break?" Lenny asked, finally joining them. "Good, I'm tired."

"When are you going to leave these fools and get yourself a real job?" Arthur asked Lenny. Hosea often spoke to Lenny about becoming a lawyer. Or a banker.

"When I save up enough to move East. That's where all the good colleges are."

"East? Like New York?" Charles said.

"Takes forever to get there from here," Arthur said. "Days and days on a train. Worst trip ever."

"Wait, when did you go to New York?" John asked.

Arthur sighed, staring up into the sky while he thought. "Two years ago maybe? That magazine wanted Al to do a show out there. We got to visit his family, too."

"So what's the city like?" Lenny asked.

"Horrible. Packed with people, horses and wagons. Could barely walk two feet without bumping into somebody."

"Sounds terrible," Charles said.

"At least Al's family is nice," said Arthur. As they finished up their beers, Abigail called them in for lunch, a rather generous spread given the extra guests.

"How was building fences?" Albert asked innocently.

"Fine, how was sitting inside avoiding work?"

"Oh, we had a splendid time," Hosea answered for him. "Al was telling us all about your most recent adventures. I must say, I miss riding around in the mountains. I don't get out much anymore."

"Not sure you'd enjoy all the cold nights. We had a few nights camping in the snow because we couldn't get back to town in time. I remember what the winter does to your lungs, old man."

"Not as much now. It seems having a roof over my head and walls to keep in the heat have improved things for me." Arthur, for the first time, realized he hadn't heard Hosea cough the whole day. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had. "But you are probably right. I think I'll stick to my chair by the fireplace."

"How long are you boys staying?" Abigail asked. "Sadie went after a bounty not far from here, said she would be back in a few days."

Arthur and Albert turned to each other. "I think we can stay a week," Albert decided. "Then we should probably get to the city to turn in the film."

"And get our next assignment," Arthur said. "It's spring. They like to keep us busy. Just as long as they don't send us after bear cubs or something like that."

"Good," Abigail said. "Jack likes it when you visit. Where is that boy, anyway?"

"Probably out back reading, or something," John said. "He'll come in when he realizes he's hungry."

"But he should join us, it's a family meal," Abigail continued, and Arthur felt the grin form on his face. John and Abigail. Their family start was difficult, to put it mildly, but now? They were simply disagreeing over whether Jack had to come back inside the house they built together. Like two pieces from one of Jack's puzzles, shaped differently but they fit together with ease.

Within minutes, the door opened and Jack ran inside with a book in his hand, Cain at his heels, and John raised an eyebrow at Abigail as if to say, 'See? Told you.'

The glare he got back caused Arthur to choke on his food as he tried to cover a laugh.

They spent their week just like that, doing farm chores and relaxing with friends. Sadie showed up a few days later, with a couple more scars and a lot more guns than Arthur remembered. But she was also more relaxed, even happy.

"Sure you don't want to come with me some time? I wouldn't mind an employee, and we could go after the really high bounties," she said.

"I think I prefer tracking wildlife to bounties these days. They don't shoot back," Arthur said.

"Though a goat did knock him over once," said Albert.

"That was one time!" Arthur grumbled.

Finally, the end of the week was drawing near. Arthur and Hosea sat alone on the porch, smoking and drinking whiskey. Albert was inside, helping Abigail clean up.

"You sure you don't want to come with me and Al on a trip?" Arthur asked. "He can ask to go somewhere warm with good air, it'll be fun!"

"Oh, I think I'm fine right here," Hosea said. "I learned after we hunted that huge bear near O'Creagh's Run that I am a bit too old to be out in the wilds with the game."

"That was quite a time, wasn't it?" Arthur said. "Money still good?"

"It's been a little tight sometimes, but we're surviving."

"If you need any-"

"Arthur, we're fine," Hosea insisted. "We are able to keep up with our bank loan and even have some savings."

"Just making sure," Arthur said. He stared out into the cloudless sky, taking in all the stars. "I wonder where Dutch is, sometimes."

Hosea took a large gulp of his whiskey. "Would you like to know?"

"He wrote to you?"

"He wrote to you," Hosea said, pulling out the letter. "Got it a few days ago. I recognized the hand writing at the post office, so I didn't share it with the others. Figured I'd give it to you when we had a moment alone."

"Didn't he send you one?"

"He did, has for a while now. Mostly they're short, just letting me know he's still alive out there."

Arthur took the envelope, weighing it in his hands. It felt more like a brick than paper. "Why now? What does he want?"

"Only one way to find out," Hosea said. He reached over to squeeze Arthur's hand.

Arthur sighed, and slid it open.

Dear Arthur,

I've thought about writing to you a hundred times but for the first time in my life, I couldn't find the words. Hosea eventually talked some sense into me. I couldn't admit that you were right back then, and I suppose I was waiting until I could prove you wrong. I failed at even that.

But you managed to live a better life than I imagined. I try to find your magazines whenever I am in a town. I even saw Albert's display in a gallery in Denver, though I made certain to attend on a day neither of you would be there. Not that I didn't wish to see you, but rather to avoid any awkwardness from an unexpected meeting. I truly believe Albert's work is making a difference, and that more people in this country have respect for the land and nature within it. You picked a wonderful man to spend your life with.

I don't want anything other than to let you know I am still alive. And to say that I am proud of the man you've become.

I hope that you are happy.

Dutch

Arthur sat staring at page. "You okay?" Hosea asked.

"Yeah," he said. He looked at the page again, and noticed an address in the corner. "Manzanita Post?" he asked. "That's near Blackwater. Why the fuck would he go there?"

"I think he's after the money," Hosea said. "He hid the ferry money in town, remember?"

"There's no way it's still there."

"I agree. But try telling Dutch that," Hosea joked.

"Should I write back?"

"That's up to you. I'm sure he'd be happy to hear from you, just as I feel you were glad to hear from him."

Arthur sighed, and slipped the letter into his pocket. "I'll think about it," he said.

But really, he needed to talk to Albert first. For years they'd existed peacefully far away from any mention of Dutch van der Linde. Dutch didn't seem to want to bring the gang back together, after all he'd been writing to Hosea for a while. But it was still a risk, bringing Dutch back into their lives.

That night, when he and Albert crawled into bed, he pulled the letter out again. "This came for me. From Dutch," he said, letting Albert read it in silence.

"I'm… shocked," Albert finally said. "After all these years?"

"Yeah."

"Are you going to write back?"

"I don't know. I wanted to make sure you were okay with it, first. After everything."

Albert hesitated, staring at the page again. "It's been years. I know that your life as an outlaw is long over. If you want to write back, I think you should."

"I don't even know what I'll say."

"You'll think of something." Albert said. "Are you going to write it now?"

"I might try. I don't know how long Dutch is going to stay at this address."

"Just don't forget to blow out the candle when you are done," Albert said sleepily, settling back against the pillow.

Arthur took Dutch's letter over to the desk, reading it one more time. Perhaps Dutch was finally changing. Just a little, but enough for him to reach out. Though if he was after the Blackwater money… Arthur shook his head. But maybe Dutch finally accepted that Arthur would lead a different life than him. And he had, at times, missed Dutch over the years.

Arthur smiled, and picked up his pen.