At last, we draw to a close. My story's is over. I want to thank you all soooooooo much for reading my story, even at the early stages, with all the trouble, and when it got serious and boring. You guys are great! Oh, by the way, Freke next door, the point of the story was not for her to find someone else. But, read on, you get your wish!
Alanna awoke, but kept her eyes shut. The bed she was in felt so nice and warm, and she felt as if she could sleep forever. Suddenly, she sat bolt upright.
"Gary!" she gasped. What had happened to Gary? What would happen to her and the future of Tortall? She puzzled these thoughts over as she looked at her surroundings. There was nothing special about them. It looked like a normal bedroom, with a chair by a window. She tried to shake her mind free of Gary. "Let's take a peek outside," she thought to herself. She got out of her bed with minor difficulties and walked toward the window. She looked outside. It was the most alive place she had been in. The grass was green, and the trees were tall. Suddenly, she heard something at the door. She turned around, and immediately had to shield her eyes.
"So, my daughter, you have awoken at last."
"Yes, Mother."
"Why did you call for me?"
"I did?" Alanna thought of something else. "Where am I?"
"You are in the realms of the Gods. Yes, you did call for me. When I came for you, you were already unconscious."
Alanna suddenly remembered. "Goddess, Gary died. Why?"
The Goddess had a sad smile on her face. "Think back, my daughter. What is different about this time than the last?"
Alanna opened her mouth to answer. She felt something rub against her feet. She looked down. It was Faithful. As she bent to pick him up, she realized what had happened.
"I killed him! I killed Gary! I should have gone back and fetched my cloak. I should have met up with Jon. Then Gary would be alive and well." Tears started to appear at the corners of her eyes.
"Alanna, this is not true. Think back to what I told you. We cannot be held accountable for our decisions and their complicated results. After all, Gary rushed out at you by his own will, and not yours. He was in love with you."
Alanna didn't say anything. Faithful looked up at her, worry in his eyes.
"My daughter, you have two choices."
"Choices?"
"Yes. When I first came to you, so long ago, and took you back, I said I would still watch your old life. You can still return there. Or, you can continue living out this new life, full of adventures, changing whatever you want to. All I wanted to do was to show you life is never as boring as it seems. Your decisions always have results you have to deal with, no matter how old you are." The Goddess looked as Alanna, unblinking. Alanna stared back at her. "So now you may choose, which life shall it be?"
Alanna's head spun. She loved being young again, reliving all of her adventures, and falling in love one more time. But George. She thought ahead to the future.
"I fall in love everyday," she realized, "with George." George was there for her, he made her laugh, and always stood by her, no matter who she finally chose. And as for adventures, she still had many more. Children were an adventure, that was for sure. So was being someone's mysterious benefactor, fighting immortals, trying to avoid Jon, and loving George.
"I've made my decision," she firmly told the Goddess.
"Then where will you be going, my daughter?"
"It's now or never, I have to do it before I back down," she thought to herself. "I'd like to go back to my old life," she said out loud.
"Very well. It'll be as if you never left for anyone else. I wish you well. Come Small One."
Faithful looked up at Alanna. "I will miss you. We'll see each other again. Stay humble and don't get into trouble."
Alanna nodded. "I'll miss you too, you silly cat." Faithful licked her, and trotted off toward the Goddess.
"This might make you a little dizzy," the Goddess said. And, once again, the world was black.
* * *
Alanna sat up. She was back in the bed she shared with George, back at home. She took a deep breath, still feeling woozy. "Dizzy," she thought to herself. "Ha!"
George rolled over. "Anything the matter, sweetling?" Alanna looked over at him. She could see love and laughter in his eyes.
"Not anymore," she answered, bending over and giving George a nice, long kiss. As she pulled away, George pulled her back.
"The night is still young, my love," he said, brushing his lips across hers, and fumbling with the lace on her nightgown. Alanna laughed, returning the kiss.
* * *
Alanna grumbled, fiddling around with her horse's reins. "George? Neal? We have to leave now, if we want to be to this damn party on time!" She thought over what she had just said. "On second thoughts, take your time!"
George laughed, riding up to her. "Anything wrong, m'dear?"
"This damn progress is what's wrong. Two years! Two years of parties!"
"I'm sure Raoul feels the same way," George answered.
Neal rode up to both of them. "I am ready," he announced.
"Well, I guess we have to leave then," Alanna muttered.
Neal smiled. "I'm sure it'll be grand fun, my dear knightmistress."
They pulled up to the castle soon, and dismounted.
"I'm off," Neal announced.
"I have to go find Raoul," Alanna told George. "He's my tablemate."
"What kind of world is it when a man can't sit with his own lass?" George asked.
"Don't worry, we'll make up for it later." Alanna kissed him and walked off to find Raoul.
"Alanna!! Wait!" she heard a voice call. Alanna turned around and froze.
Lady Cythera and Sir Gareth walked up to her.
"Hello, Alanna," Cythera said.
"Hello, Cythera, hello, Gary." It was the first time Alanna had seen him since her time travels.
"It's nice to see you at last, Fire-Top. Where have you been hiding?" Gary asked.
"Away from this progress," she managed to answer.
Gary laughed. "We'll see you at dinner, then." He walked off, Cythera at his elbow.
Alanna stared at them. Gary must've told Cythera something funny, for she was laughing merrily. It was evident how much in love they were. Alanna suddenly realized that she was happy.
She was happy because she had made the right decision.
Yea, yea, sappy and full of corn. I like corn! Anyhow, the story is done *tear*, so you can tell me what you think in that pretty little box down below, okay? Thanks again!
Luv,
Su