Chapter Thirty-Six: Returning
A/N: Okay, well everybody appreciated the prophecy right? I'd been trying to avoid writing it, because I wanted to write it like a sonnet (two quatrains, ending in a couplet, ten syllables each line, rhyming every other), like Shakespeare did, and I wrote one really easily about insanity and losing your inner child, but this one didn't come so great. But you guys better have enjoyed it, because I spent a long time on that stupid sonnet. And the couplet doesn't even rhyme that well: Elves … perils … no, those definitely don't rhyme. ^_^ But everything else was great. Oh, she's just being ignorant right now … like "Oh, I don't know any elven princes …" and she's kind of forgotten that Legolas is an elf-prince, but she'll remember … oh how she'll remember. MWAHAHA. HA. HA. Ha … ha. Okay, and I'm done.
…
Tomorrow would be their last ride into the elven city, and he was surprised to find that Aila was still fast asleep. Careful not to wake her up, he halted the horses and tied them to a tree, and then pulled Aila into the tree with him as he sought a wide branch upon which to spend the night. A few yards above the horses was a wide, low branch and he sat with his back against trunk of the tree, Aila still pressed tightly against him and sleeping peacefully. He felt her shiver against him, and momentarily he wondered why. Legolas was snuggled between Aila and the tree, therefore he would have access to much more body heat that she would, which would be escaping into the night. Protectively, he wrapped his arms tighter around her and held her closer. After a few moments, she stopped shivering and shifted into his chest. He bowed his head and rested his lips against the top of her head.
Closing his blue eyes, his heart jumped in him, knowing how right this felt to him, but knowing it wouldn't be like this if she was awake. If she had any idea what was going on. If only he could tell her how he felt, but he would never jeopardize their friendship, or give her any more pressure than she already had. She had said she was incapable of love, but he knew how wrong she was. He only wished he could show her how easy it is to love, how easy it is to love in return … Gently, he kissed the top of her head and rested with his eyes open.
…
When Aila woke up, the sun was peaking over the eastern horizon and she sat in the shade of a tree, which she was leaning against. She stretched for a second, yawning and rubbing her eyes when she realized she was quite alone. The horses were gone and so was Legolas. Immediately, she stood up and reassured herself by feeling her blade at her side, her arrows and bow placed along where she had sat. She scanned the horizon all around her, taking in the few trees and tall grass that surrounded her lone figure. In the distance, not too far away, but enough so that the figures were blurry, were three black silhouettes, two were obviously horses, the third Legolas. Aila watched as he kneeled and led the horses to what was obviously a stream
Bending down to retrieve her quiver and bow, she grabbed them and started to jog towards Legolas and the horses, eager to drink the cold water, too eager to wait for the elf's return. He smiled at her when she got there, red-faced and breathing hard. She smiled breathlessly in return and knelt before the stream to splash water on her face, cupping her hands to drink the cold water. Legolas saw that the horses ate some of the grass and drank from the cold stream, burbling happily along in the shade of several trees. Aila yawned again, placing a dripping hand to her mouth, closing her eyes slightly against the light that filtered through the trees.
"Today we should reach Rivendell," said Legolas, and she looked anxiously up at him. She was excited, yet sad at the same time. Once she passed the threshold of the mirror, her long adventure in Middle Earth would be over. Sure, she would come back and visit, many times, in fact, but it would never be the same once she left. The prophecy burned a hole in her back through the material of the pack, and she also knew that she would have to come back to middle earth and stay for a long period of time, so that she could find someone to love …
She was suddenly surprised as she felt Legolas' arms wrap around her waist once again as he thrust her onto Arod's back. Once Legolas jumped up as well, she wrapped her arms lightly around his middle, resting her cheek lightly against his back, and watched the scenery around them flash by. Beneath her, she felt Arod start to breath heavily after the first few hours, and the sun beat high overhead, but it was more pleasantly warm that it had been in the earlier days of their journey. They still did not wear cloaks, and the wind passed lightly against her cheek as she clutched to Legolas.
The sun was beginning to set in the sky, and far on the horizon, Aila could see the towers peaking from the dell of the great elven city. Stretching her neck, she put her chin on Legolas' shoulder, so that she could watch straight ahead of them. Unbeknownst to her, thin wisps of her thick hair were floating past her ear, and ticked the tip of Legolas' ear, and he shivered with pleasure as her hair stroked his ear-tip, caressing lightly and softly. Aila, who had no idea about the sensitive tip of his ear, felt him shiver as she leaned against him.
"Cold?" she asked, and again his shivered with joy, her voice so close to his hear, her whisper breathy and caring. He nodded slightly, unable to lie out loud, knowing that he could not speak and tell her the truth, that he reveled in simply being near her. Her head vanished from his shoulder, her body from his back, and for a moment he was truly cold, before he heard her searching through the one pack they carried on Arod's back, and moments later pulled a cloak, which she wrapped around his shoulders. He looked sideways at her, and she smiled at him.
Wrapping her arms around his middle once more, Aila heaved a tremendous sigh into his back, through the material of the cloak, but Legolas said nothing. He did not look down from the horizon where the towers of Rivendell were. Vaguely, he thought of stopping the horse and turning him around, keeping Aila away from Rivendell, so that she would never leave him, but that would be admitting his love for her, and he couldn't have that. She didn't need that either. It just seemed to him added stress for her to carry on her shoulders. She seemed to already blow things way out of proportion, why should he add to them?
When the dell loomed closer, Aila became impatient upon the now galloping horse, and her fingers played across Legolas' stomach, playing absentmindedly with the buttons of his tunic, twisting the threads and turning the buttons.
Finally, the tall green trees of Rivendell were enveloping them, seducing Aila with their scent, standing proud in their beauty, she felt drawn to Rivendell, and clutched tightly to Legolas as he pressed Arod to full speed. They galloped down into Rivendell and Aila's grip around Legolas' waist grew tighter, but he didn't mind, as long as she was close to him. He remembered her voice as she told Eomer that she loved him as a brother, and he imagined hearing that same voice in his own ear. "I love you," she would say, "I love you." But as the city of Rivendell came closer by the second, Aila's voice faded, until she was whispering "I love you," in the back of his head, until they ceased altogether.
The next thing he knew, he was galloping past the first city building, Elrond and Arwen were waiting for them upon the lawn of the last Homely House. As he halted his horse, it would have made the perfect moment. Aila jumping gleefully from the horse into the arms of her long-lost best friend, striding carelessly across the grass, crossing at a run, but as she leapt from the stationary horse and began to run towards Arwen, she forgot her own clumsiness and fell headlong to the ground. Legolas, who had jumped off the horse later and was quite a way behind her, watched in horror as she fell to the ground, but she did a strange sort of roll, like a judo roll, and found herself seated with her feet straight in front of her. She threw her head back and laughed, as a smile came across the faces of all the elves witness. Standing up once more, Aila hurled herself into Arwen's arms, almost knocking them over, as she whispered how much she missed her in her pointed ears, hugging her tightly, bubbling over with excitement and tales of the journey.
Elrond greeted Legolas civilly, in the customs of elves, nodding slightly, both blond and brown hair waving with the nod of each head. Their arms reached towards each other and clasped the opposite forearm of their greeter. Releasing Arwen from her tight hug, Aila smiled at Elrond and greeted him as well, Legolas trading to give his salutation to Arwen. When the greetings were done with, Elrond hastened them to a private chamber within his House to tell him their tale.
…
After some mild refreshment, Legolas began their story from when they first stepped foot out of Rivendell, not leaving out the demise of Gandalf and Boromir, the leave of Frodo and Sam, Aila taken from them to Rohan, the return of Gandalf, their return to Aila, then their travel through the paths of the dead. Conveniently, he left out Aila's disobedience to his wishes and told Elrond and Arwen that she just showed up at the battle. Elrond however, too intelligent to be fooled, paused him and asked Aila how she ended up there, when she was left behind at Dunharrow.
"I rode with the men of the Mark," she replied, taking a small sip of the water they had given her, it was sweet and she knew it was only the kind of water you could get in Rivendell. She continued the story from there, afraid of what Legolas might tell them. She left out about Eomer's love for her, and about her attempted suicide in Rohan, but told them about the end of the battle and their departure before Frodo had returned.
"So," she finished, "Sauron is defeated and Middle Earth is relatively peaceful once again." The two royal elves before them smiled, joy twinkled in their deep eyes. Aila looked at Arwen, remembering suddenly the task that Aragorn had entrusted upon her. Another thing clicked within her mind, Arwen was a princess … and she had two brothers, hadn't she? Two elven prince brothers? Perhaps she shouldn't return to her time and stay in Rivendell awhile, but again she doubted herself. Elrond was a lord, not a king, so therefore Arwen was a Lady, and Elrond's sons were Lords, not princes. Another denial, it seemed. "King Elessar, who has newly been crowned upon the throne of Gondor, requests that Arwen travel speedily to his side in the fortress of Minas Tirith."
"I will go within the week," Arwen replied, standing up from her seat and smoothing the front of her gown. She gestured for Aila to follow her. "There is much I need to catch up on here," and she smiled. "Well?" she asked, turning to Aila when they were out of the House, and far from hearing range. From the corner of her eye, she saw that Legolas had retired to a personal chamber already and was watching them from a balcony, but Aila had not noticed and Arwen did not give him away. "How goes being the Light Bearer?" she asked, her tone was joking, the tone she always assumed when she spoke lightly with Aila, even though she knew this was going to be a serious conversation.
Surprisingly, Aila laughed outright, a smile lighting her face once more, but her soft brown eyes, so full of green, were almost sorrowful. "Badly," she laughed.
"You have not found love?" Arwen asked, assuming a more serious tone, and too late realized she had touched a nerve. The smile on Aila's face faded rapidly into a darkening glower, and she was immediately thrown into a bad mood.
"My life does not revolve around love," she retorted, and was quickly sorry. "I'm sorry, Arwen, but I'm tired of it. It seems that lately everything that anybody has ever been talking about is me and love. It's tiring and stressing. I just want to go home," she said, and realized that she didn't actually want to go home, or in fact be free of love, but she simply wanted to find love, though she would never admit it.
"You are tired," said Arwen after a moment of silence. Indeed, it was late in the night when Aila and Legolas had finished the tale of the War of the Ring, and when Aila had first stepped into the night with Arwen just a few moments ago, she appreciated the cool breeze that enveloped her face. "We all must rest. You have come from a long journey, and there is a long journey ahead of myself."
"I'll be going too," said Aila, "before you do, back to my own time." She almost laughed at the shock on Arwen's face. "I can't leave the future frozen forever, Arwen. Did you really expect me to stay in Middle Earth forever? I have to go back!"
"I thought you might be staying at least long enough to fulfill your prophesy," began Arwen, but her voice trailed and she led Aila to her bedchamber. Fully concerned now, Arwen hastened to Legolas' chambers, knocking softly upon the door. She heard mute rustling within, and the doorknob creaked as Legolas opened the door. Immediately, Arwen saw that his face was tousled, and sadness enveloped his bright eyes.
"What ails you, mellon?" Legolas heaved a sigh as she walked through the doorway to sit upon one of the chairs that lined the walls. He responded that it was nothing, but she knew better. "I take it that you have discovered you love for Aila, but she does not return your love?" she said, and Legolas was surprised. Slightly, his eyes wide, he nodded. Arwen, in turn, gave a small sigh.
"She is leaving soon," said Legolas meekly. "The whole intent of our journey to Rivendell so that she could return to her time."
"Why don't you tell her? Before she leaves."
"I would never sacrifice our friendship for my whims and emotions."
"She may return your love Legolas, those of mankind conceal their feelings more often than not."
"She does not love me."
"How do you know?"
"I heard it straight from her own mouth!" he said, anger getting the best of him. He found himself clutching the armrests of the chair he was seated in, his knuckles were white.
"I think you should tell her," began Arwen again, but slackened her attack when she saw her friend's face. "Don't worry," she said. "Aila is sure to visit. Perhaps then she will realize …"
"No," said Legolas, knowing what she was going to say. "She will never realize her love for me. She has no love for me. I will forever remain her friend, and it will end at that. I was a fool to love someone who could never love me in return." He walked to the door and opened it, gesturing that he wanted Arwen to leave. She was in turmoil, watching her two good friends go through this, when they should be together. Somehow, she had to convince Aila that she loved Legolas, no matter what it took.
Tomorrow.
…
A/N: Ha ha, little does Arwen know … wait … little do all of YOU know! Boy it rules being the author! Anyway, the next chapter will be short, but I'll soon continue with the first ending. I might as well explain it here -- two endings. Therefore, there's going to have to be some definition. There will be THE END #1. MIND--the story doesn't stop there. The story stops at THE END #2, since there are 2 endings. Yeah, makes sense right? Don't worry, you'll know quite well when it's over.
A/N: Okay, well everybody appreciated the prophecy right? I'd been trying to avoid writing it, because I wanted to write it like a sonnet (two quatrains, ending in a couplet, ten syllables each line, rhyming every other), like Shakespeare did, and I wrote one really easily about insanity and losing your inner child, but this one didn't come so great. But you guys better have enjoyed it, because I spent a long time on that stupid sonnet. And the couplet doesn't even rhyme that well: Elves … perils … no, those definitely don't rhyme. ^_^ But everything else was great. Oh, she's just being ignorant right now … like "Oh, I don't know any elven princes …" and she's kind of forgotten that Legolas is an elf-prince, but she'll remember … oh how she'll remember. MWAHAHA. HA. HA. Ha … ha. Okay, and I'm done.
…
Tomorrow would be their last ride into the elven city, and he was surprised to find that Aila was still fast asleep. Careful not to wake her up, he halted the horses and tied them to a tree, and then pulled Aila into the tree with him as he sought a wide branch upon which to spend the night. A few yards above the horses was a wide, low branch and he sat with his back against trunk of the tree, Aila still pressed tightly against him and sleeping peacefully. He felt her shiver against him, and momentarily he wondered why. Legolas was snuggled between Aila and the tree, therefore he would have access to much more body heat that she would, which would be escaping into the night. Protectively, he wrapped his arms tighter around her and held her closer. After a few moments, she stopped shivering and shifted into his chest. He bowed his head and rested his lips against the top of her head.
Closing his blue eyes, his heart jumped in him, knowing how right this felt to him, but knowing it wouldn't be like this if she was awake. If she had any idea what was going on. If only he could tell her how he felt, but he would never jeopardize their friendship, or give her any more pressure than she already had. She had said she was incapable of love, but he knew how wrong she was. He only wished he could show her how easy it is to love, how easy it is to love in return … Gently, he kissed the top of her head and rested with his eyes open.
…
When Aila woke up, the sun was peaking over the eastern horizon and she sat in the shade of a tree, which she was leaning against. She stretched for a second, yawning and rubbing her eyes when she realized she was quite alone. The horses were gone and so was Legolas. Immediately, she stood up and reassured herself by feeling her blade at her side, her arrows and bow placed along where she had sat. She scanned the horizon all around her, taking in the few trees and tall grass that surrounded her lone figure. In the distance, not too far away, but enough so that the figures were blurry, were three black silhouettes, two were obviously horses, the third Legolas. Aila watched as he kneeled and led the horses to what was obviously a stream
Bending down to retrieve her quiver and bow, she grabbed them and started to jog towards Legolas and the horses, eager to drink the cold water, too eager to wait for the elf's return. He smiled at her when she got there, red-faced and breathing hard. She smiled breathlessly in return and knelt before the stream to splash water on her face, cupping her hands to drink the cold water. Legolas saw that the horses ate some of the grass and drank from the cold stream, burbling happily along in the shade of several trees. Aila yawned again, placing a dripping hand to her mouth, closing her eyes slightly against the light that filtered through the trees.
"Today we should reach Rivendell," said Legolas, and she looked anxiously up at him. She was excited, yet sad at the same time. Once she passed the threshold of the mirror, her long adventure in Middle Earth would be over. Sure, she would come back and visit, many times, in fact, but it would never be the same once she left. The prophecy burned a hole in her back through the material of the pack, and she also knew that she would have to come back to middle earth and stay for a long period of time, so that she could find someone to love …
She was suddenly surprised as she felt Legolas' arms wrap around her waist once again as he thrust her onto Arod's back. Once Legolas jumped up as well, she wrapped her arms lightly around his middle, resting her cheek lightly against his back, and watched the scenery around them flash by. Beneath her, she felt Arod start to breath heavily after the first few hours, and the sun beat high overhead, but it was more pleasantly warm that it had been in the earlier days of their journey. They still did not wear cloaks, and the wind passed lightly against her cheek as she clutched to Legolas.
The sun was beginning to set in the sky, and far on the horizon, Aila could see the towers peaking from the dell of the great elven city. Stretching her neck, she put her chin on Legolas' shoulder, so that she could watch straight ahead of them. Unbeknownst to her, thin wisps of her thick hair were floating past her ear, and ticked the tip of Legolas' ear, and he shivered with pleasure as her hair stroked his ear-tip, caressing lightly and softly. Aila, who had no idea about the sensitive tip of his ear, felt him shiver as she leaned against him.
"Cold?" she asked, and again his shivered with joy, her voice so close to his hear, her whisper breathy and caring. He nodded slightly, unable to lie out loud, knowing that he could not speak and tell her the truth, that he reveled in simply being near her. Her head vanished from his shoulder, her body from his back, and for a moment he was truly cold, before he heard her searching through the one pack they carried on Arod's back, and moments later pulled a cloak, which she wrapped around his shoulders. He looked sideways at her, and she smiled at him.
Wrapping her arms around his middle once more, Aila heaved a tremendous sigh into his back, through the material of the cloak, but Legolas said nothing. He did not look down from the horizon where the towers of Rivendell were. Vaguely, he thought of stopping the horse and turning him around, keeping Aila away from Rivendell, so that she would never leave him, but that would be admitting his love for her, and he couldn't have that. She didn't need that either. It just seemed to him added stress for her to carry on her shoulders. She seemed to already blow things way out of proportion, why should he add to them?
When the dell loomed closer, Aila became impatient upon the now galloping horse, and her fingers played across Legolas' stomach, playing absentmindedly with the buttons of his tunic, twisting the threads and turning the buttons.
Finally, the tall green trees of Rivendell were enveloping them, seducing Aila with their scent, standing proud in their beauty, she felt drawn to Rivendell, and clutched tightly to Legolas as he pressed Arod to full speed. They galloped down into Rivendell and Aila's grip around Legolas' waist grew tighter, but he didn't mind, as long as she was close to him. He remembered her voice as she told Eomer that she loved him as a brother, and he imagined hearing that same voice in his own ear. "I love you," she would say, "I love you." But as the city of Rivendell came closer by the second, Aila's voice faded, until she was whispering "I love you," in the back of his head, until they ceased altogether.
The next thing he knew, he was galloping past the first city building, Elrond and Arwen were waiting for them upon the lawn of the last Homely House. As he halted his horse, it would have made the perfect moment. Aila jumping gleefully from the horse into the arms of her long-lost best friend, striding carelessly across the grass, crossing at a run, but as she leapt from the stationary horse and began to run towards Arwen, she forgot her own clumsiness and fell headlong to the ground. Legolas, who had jumped off the horse later and was quite a way behind her, watched in horror as she fell to the ground, but she did a strange sort of roll, like a judo roll, and found herself seated with her feet straight in front of her. She threw her head back and laughed, as a smile came across the faces of all the elves witness. Standing up once more, Aila hurled herself into Arwen's arms, almost knocking them over, as she whispered how much she missed her in her pointed ears, hugging her tightly, bubbling over with excitement and tales of the journey.
Elrond greeted Legolas civilly, in the customs of elves, nodding slightly, both blond and brown hair waving with the nod of each head. Their arms reached towards each other and clasped the opposite forearm of their greeter. Releasing Arwen from her tight hug, Aila smiled at Elrond and greeted him as well, Legolas trading to give his salutation to Arwen. When the greetings were done with, Elrond hastened them to a private chamber within his House to tell him their tale.
…
After some mild refreshment, Legolas began their story from when they first stepped foot out of Rivendell, not leaving out the demise of Gandalf and Boromir, the leave of Frodo and Sam, Aila taken from them to Rohan, the return of Gandalf, their return to Aila, then their travel through the paths of the dead. Conveniently, he left out Aila's disobedience to his wishes and told Elrond and Arwen that she just showed up at the battle. Elrond however, too intelligent to be fooled, paused him and asked Aila how she ended up there, when she was left behind at Dunharrow.
"I rode with the men of the Mark," she replied, taking a small sip of the water they had given her, it was sweet and she knew it was only the kind of water you could get in Rivendell. She continued the story from there, afraid of what Legolas might tell them. She left out about Eomer's love for her, and about her attempted suicide in Rohan, but told them about the end of the battle and their departure before Frodo had returned.
"So," she finished, "Sauron is defeated and Middle Earth is relatively peaceful once again." The two royal elves before them smiled, joy twinkled in their deep eyes. Aila looked at Arwen, remembering suddenly the task that Aragorn had entrusted upon her. Another thing clicked within her mind, Arwen was a princess … and she had two brothers, hadn't she? Two elven prince brothers? Perhaps she shouldn't return to her time and stay in Rivendell awhile, but again she doubted herself. Elrond was a lord, not a king, so therefore Arwen was a Lady, and Elrond's sons were Lords, not princes. Another denial, it seemed. "King Elessar, who has newly been crowned upon the throne of Gondor, requests that Arwen travel speedily to his side in the fortress of Minas Tirith."
"I will go within the week," Arwen replied, standing up from her seat and smoothing the front of her gown. She gestured for Aila to follow her. "There is much I need to catch up on here," and she smiled. "Well?" she asked, turning to Aila when they were out of the House, and far from hearing range. From the corner of her eye, she saw that Legolas had retired to a personal chamber already and was watching them from a balcony, but Aila had not noticed and Arwen did not give him away. "How goes being the Light Bearer?" she asked, her tone was joking, the tone she always assumed when she spoke lightly with Aila, even though she knew this was going to be a serious conversation.
Surprisingly, Aila laughed outright, a smile lighting her face once more, but her soft brown eyes, so full of green, were almost sorrowful. "Badly," she laughed.
"You have not found love?" Arwen asked, assuming a more serious tone, and too late realized she had touched a nerve. The smile on Aila's face faded rapidly into a darkening glower, and she was immediately thrown into a bad mood.
"My life does not revolve around love," she retorted, and was quickly sorry. "I'm sorry, Arwen, but I'm tired of it. It seems that lately everything that anybody has ever been talking about is me and love. It's tiring and stressing. I just want to go home," she said, and realized that she didn't actually want to go home, or in fact be free of love, but she simply wanted to find love, though she would never admit it.
"You are tired," said Arwen after a moment of silence. Indeed, it was late in the night when Aila and Legolas had finished the tale of the War of the Ring, and when Aila had first stepped into the night with Arwen just a few moments ago, she appreciated the cool breeze that enveloped her face. "We all must rest. You have come from a long journey, and there is a long journey ahead of myself."
"I'll be going too," said Aila, "before you do, back to my own time." She almost laughed at the shock on Arwen's face. "I can't leave the future frozen forever, Arwen. Did you really expect me to stay in Middle Earth forever? I have to go back!"
"I thought you might be staying at least long enough to fulfill your prophesy," began Arwen, but her voice trailed and she led Aila to her bedchamber. Fully concerned now, Arwen hastened to Legolas' chambers, knocking softly upon the door. She heard mute rustling within, and the doorknob creaked as Legolas opened the door. Immediately, Arwen saw that his face was tousled, and sadness enveloped his bright eyes.
"What ails you, mellon?" Legolas heaved a sigh as she walked through the doorway to sit upon one of the chairs that lined the walls. He responded that it was nothing, but she knew better. "I take it that you have discovered you love for Aila, but she does not return your love?" she said, and Legolas was surprised. Slightly, his eyes wide, he nodded. Arwen, in turn, gave a small sigh.
"She is leaving soon," said Legolas meekly. "The whole intent of our journey to Rivendell so that she could return to her time."
"Why don't you tell her? Before she leaves."
"I would never sacrifice our friendship for my whims and emotions."
"She may return your love Legolas, those of mankind conceal their feelings more often than not."
"She does not love me."
"How do you know?"
"I heard it straight from her own mouth!" he said, anger getting the best of him. He found himself clutching the armrests of the chair he was seated in, his knuckles were white.
"I think you should tell her," began Arwen again, but slackened her attack when she saw her friend's face. "Don't worry," she said. "Aila is sure to visit. Perhaps then she will realize …"
"No," said Legolas, knowing what she was going to say. "She will never realize her love for me. She has no love for me. I will forever remain her friend, and it will end at that. I was a fool to love someone who could never love me in return." He walked to the door and opened it, gesturing that he wanted Arwen to leave. She was in turmoil, watching her two good friends go through this, when they should be together. Somehow, she had to convince Aila that she loved Legolas, no matter what it took.
Tomorrow.
…
A/N: Ha ha, little does Arwen know … wait … little do all of YOU know! Boy it rules being the author! Anyway, the next chapter will be short, but I'll soon continue with the first ending. I might as well explain it here -- two endings. Therefore, there's going to have to be some definition. There will be THE END #1. MIND--the story doesn't stop there. The story stops at THE END #2, since there are 2 endings. Yeah, makes sense right? Don't worry, you'll know quite well when it's over.