An Unexpected Prayer

After what seemed to be a long time of grieving between Rick and Mariana and everyone silently watching, Rick got up and walked to the corner of the room to grieve by himself, and Alex went with him.

" She….she can't be…she was…there with me….how…" Mariana said still with tears falling down her face.

She was looking at Rick, who was looking back. He looked as though he was going to answer, but he put his head down and again began to cry.

It was hard for him to talk about it anymore…especially when he couldn't do anything about it.

" She did the same as you…she jumped in front of Rick just as you did me." Ardeth said breaking the silence.

" But how can I be alive…and she's…not…if we both did the same thing?" Mariana argued.

" Mariana, you are not exactly the same as Evelyn…you had a bit more durability because of your powers…Evelyn doesn't have anything like that…the only thing she has that protects her or helps her is her heart." Ardeth answered.

Rick's cries got a little louder at the finish of Ardeth's sentence.

" You had a bit more strength than she had because you have powers." Ardeth continued.

" There has to be something we can do.." Mariana replied.

" There's nothing." Rick said coming out of the corner.

His eyes were red…and they had deep pain in them.

" There's nothing! No books! No spell! Nothing!" Rick yelled and he collapsed to the floor in tears.

Everyone looked at him. They couldn't believe it.

* He cant think like that…he cant think it's the end* Mariana thought. * But, maybe he knows…nothing can be done…he's right…the books are lost…but there has to be something.*

" Well, we have had a long difficult journey…so we should get some rest and figure out what we are going to do." Ardeth said.

" Yes, we must be on our way." Yakah said

" Then I will see you off." Ardeth replied standing up.

" Very well." Shakiri said.

" Little O'Connell…" Shakiri said walking over to Alex.

" Yes?" Alex said softly.

" It was a pleasure to watch over you…we…had fun…especially with that little contraption of yours…" Shakiri said laughing.

" We would like you to have this." he continued, handing Alex a small dagger.

" It is the dagger of the Medji…you are still too small for a sword, but perhaps you may come back one day…and we can tell you about it." Shakiri said smiling.

" Neat…thanks." Alex said smiling.

" You are very welcome." he replied.

" As for you Mr. Jonathan, you need to learn the skill of bravery…perhaps we can help…" Yakah said grinning

" Right…maybe…I'll take you up on that." Jonathan replied.

The two Medji, saluted and walked out.

" I will be back." Ardeth said and walked out.

Mariana nodded to Ardeth then turned towards Rick and looked at him.

" Well, Alex, why don't we go see them off as well shall we?" Jonathan asked.

Alex looked at his dad, who had his head down, then looked at Mariana, who nodded. He realized they needed time alone.

" Ok." Alex answered and they walked out.

Mariana continued to look at Rick.

" I…I'm so sorry Rick…you didn't deserve this…none of us did." Mariana said softly.

" You had no control over it." Rick said to the floor.

Then he looked up at his sister. His eyes were blood shot from crying and his voice was still choking.

Mariana stood thee watching her brother….not knowing what exactly to do…

* He needs to know…about us.* she thought.

" Um…Rick…since you're my brother…I just thought…well…um…that is…well, Ardeth and I decided…actually…planned it…for tomorrow…" she stuttered and blushed.

She couldn't believe she was telling him this…especially when his wife just died.

Rick just stared at her.

Mariana's face turned to anger…mostly at herself and she stomped out muttering something along the lines of " Stupid idiot" on they way out.

And she never caught a smile that creeped across Rick's worn out face as he stood up and slowly followed behind her.

" What a fine mess this has turned out to be! Wait…the bracelet…!" Malik remembered taking her memento from her pack.

She strode over to Evy's body.

" What are you doing?" Jonathan asked.

" This bracelet…when I put it on…it increased my heart rate…so if it raises Evelyn's heart rate enough, she may come back to life." Malik explained, taking Evy's wrist and clamping the bracelet around it.

Silently, Malik began saying a prayer, hoping it would work, Jonathan joining in as he held Evy's hand.

" On earth as it is…" Jonathan and Malik prayed.

Then, Jonathan felt something…Evy's hand clinched his.

" In heaven." Came Evy's voice.

Jonathan looked up and saw his sister beaming down at him.

" Evy!! Malik you did it!" Jonathan exclaimed giddily as he hugged Malik.

" Argh….Air….your squishing me…." Malik choked.

Jonathan promptly apologized and let go, then hugged Evy.

" Good ole mum." he whispered in her ears.

They could here a voice yelling coming towards the door.

" What the hell is going on, why are you in here!" Rick yelled coming into the room.

He was clearly upset that someone was in here w/ Evy.

" What are you two doing….Evy!" Rick said stopping dead in his tracks.

Evy gave a weak smile at her husband, who's face was already in tears.

He ran over to her, pushing Jonathan out of the way.

" Oh god! I thought…you were gone!" he told her, his voice choking from his crying.

Evy looked into Rick's tear stained eyes and smiled.

" Come now Mr. O'Connell, you know, you cant get rid of me that easily, besides…you didn't think I was going to miss the chance at keeping you twisted around my finger did you?" Evy asked with a smile.

Rick gave a laugh and hugged her tighter.

" Thank god." he whispered.

Just then, Mariana and Alex came into the room.

" Mum!" Alex yelled the minute he saw her and ran over.

Evy grabbed him and pulled him into a hug, with her husband.

Tears began to roll down Mariana's face. She was glad Evy was back.

She looked at Malik and nodded, then she and the rest of the group went over to the living Evy in excitement.

Ardeth carried Mariana down the their room and sat her gently on the bed.

" I'm so glad you are both safe." said Ardeth sitting down next to her.

Mariana smiled and nodded.

" I'm glad too…if anything happened to you…I think…I'd just die…no pun intended." she said referring to the once dead Evelyn.

Ardeth chuckled.

" Yes, young one, I…." he started but was cut off as agony washed over his face.

Mariana started in horror as she watched Ardeth crumple to the floor, an arrow jutting from his side.

" Ardeth! Nooo!" she screamed so loud it could wake the dead.

" I tell you something, you really scare me when…this happens." Rick was saying to Evy in the other room.

" Yes…well…that's good…Maybe…" Evy started to reply but was interrupted by Mariana's scream.

Rick looked at Evy then they both ran to the room from which Mariana's cries were coming.

Rick bust in through the door and stopped dead in his tracks. Evy came in behind him, about to run past, but Rick through out his arm and stopped her.

Evy, not knowing why he had stopped, looked to see why. Her eyes widened.

Mariana was cradling Ardeth with one hand and the other pointed to the window…at least where the window used to be.

Evy ran over to Mariana and shook her.

" Mariana! Stop! It wont help!" she commanded.

Mariana's eyes darted from Evy to the dead body in her arms, then back to Evy. Finally she dropped her hand slowly from its previous position and hugged Ardeth close to her.

Rick and Evy watched helplessly as Mariana buried her face in Ardeth's robes.