Epilogue
"Yes. I have made my decision."
The sun-god stood up, raising himself to his full height. Daine couldn't help but feel intimidated, but stood firm in her resolve. "And what choice have you decided on, Veralidaine?"
The girl sent a look of longing and apology, along with a plea for understanding to where her parents stood, now accompanied by the Badger and by Broad-Foot. Without looking away, she replied, "I want to go home. To the Mortal Realms, where I belong."
A small exclamation of surprise rose form some of those in the hall, not comprehending why someone would turn down the chance of becoming a deity, but others gazed at her with compassion and understanding. They knew the price of love was not always cheap, and among them was the Black God, who made a small gesture with his hand which could only be interpreted as a symbol of pride. A small group parted from the rest and hurried over to where the girl stood alone, still feeling a little lost. Sarra clasped her daughter in an embrace, never allowing a single tear to fall from her bright eyes. "I am fair sad that you can't be with us, cariad, but the choice you made is wise. You're wanted, needed and loved. Those are precious gifts and I'm glad that you are not throwing them away." She drew back slightly and looked at Daine straight in the eyes. "He is a good man, though he is somewhat strange, and he will treat you like you deserve to be treated. Don't ever let that love slip away." Sarra embraced her once more, holding her for a long moment. "I love you, sweetling. Although you can't visit us here any longer, we can come to you on the solstices and equinoxes. Remember that, with our love."
She stepped back reluctantly to allow Weiryn to approach his daughter. The solemn God placed his hand gently on her Daine's shoulders and kissed her cheeks. He ran a hand through the unruly curls affectionately. "I'm glad I finally had the honour of meeting you, my daughter. Be assured that this is not the last time you will see me. If that mage of yours does you wrong, I will endeavour to make him regret his actions."
"Thank you, Da." Daine whispered, chuckling softly, grateful for his love, for everything.
She bent then to say her goodbyes to the two animal-gods. "Will this be the last time I see you, Badger. I mean, I've learned about my magic now, and I've found my Da-"
"Nonsense, Kit," he interrupted. "I haven't looked after you this long to let you fall onto the mercy of mortals. I too will definitely be around, if ever you need me." She didn't reply, only buried her face into his thick fur, her arms embracing the neck of her mentor. Finally he shuffled away, embarrassed by this show of affection, only to be replaced by Broad-Foot. Daine picked him up carefully, taking care to avoid his spurs, and hugged him to her chest.
"Thank you, Broad-Foot, for everything you've done for me an' Numair, and Tortall."
"It was my pleasure, Weiryn's daughter."
Eventually Daine stood up and began walking closer to Mithros. She stopped suddenly, and turned to look at her parents one last time. "I love you Ma, Da." Sering their smiles, she continued onwards, and stopped at the foot of Mithros' throne. "I am ready, my lord," she murmured.
"Very well." To her surprise his voice no longer contained the harshness of earlier in the proceedings, but had softened slightly, showing the weariness of the recent war. "By the Power of Mother Flame and Father Universe, I now return you, Veralidaine Sarrasri, to the Mortal Realms, your home."
As the last word fell from his lips, she was gone.
*****
Numair jumped suddenly, letting the vial containing the poison, his salvation fall to the floor. He glanced at the shattered mess in unconcealed anger, but felt that familiar tug on both his magical senses and on his heart once again. It couldn't be true; he had seen her die in his arms, had known for a long time that it was going to happen, and yet he could sense her presence once again. Wild magic as abundant as hers could not fail to leave a magical impression upon him, not after all this time with her. But why was she here? Surely she ought to be in the Divine Realms with her parents by now? He concluded that she had most likely come to say her goodbyes, to him, to everyone, but nevertheless he could not restrain his desire to go outside and to see her just one more time. Anticipation and trepidation pounded through his body as he blasted the door to his chambers open, regardless of the now broken wards, which he had placed upon it. He strode down the corridors, containing himself enough that he did not run. Arriving at the doors which led outside, he pushed them open almost cautiously. The sight that awaited him on the other side was enough to fuel his desire to live again, even if it were only to catch a glimpse of this beautiful creature on a Beltane evening.
He stared in wonder at Daine, garbed in a pretty purple dress, surrounded by animals. Cats and dogs were twining themselves around her legs, Cloud had broken free of her stall and was rubbing herself happily against her mistress' side, Skysong had leapt up into Daine's welcoming arms and all the animals and birds who could not touch her were sat nearby, their happiness at her appearance vocalised through their harmony of cheeping, whinnying and purrs. Already her clothes were spotted with marks of animals and fur and feathers clung to her everywhere, and her hair was delightfully tousled, at least in his eyes by the attentions of the animals. Despite all this, he was enchanted by her warm, relieved smile and the dancing blue- grey eyes which lit up her face with her happiness. Nearby Alanna and Onua waited for their turn to greet the arrival, their faces wet with tears of delight and their smiles almost broader than Daine's own.
Suddenly Daine caught sight of him, and his heart jumped in his chest, startled and taken aback by the pure, undivided love than blazed from her eyes, that made her glow and which was directed at him. He could feel himself beginning to lose control as she pushed her way through the mass of animals that were swarming around her and fought to remember that she was most likely now a goddess and was here only to say goodbye. He felt his face shutter at that thought, and evidently Daine saw it too, judging by the confusion and hurt that spread across her fine features.
"Numair?" she ventured cautiously.
"Don't!" he snapped, turning his back on her. He realised suddenly that he didn't want to hear what she had to say. It would make everything so final. "If you're here to say goodbye, then go away, because I don't want to hear it." He started to move away again, but the annoyance and the honesty that he heard in her voice when she next spoke stopped him where he was.
"I've already said my good-byes, Numair. My parents understood that a life without you, even a life as a goddess, would be a cursed half life, for me. And I'm sorry if I sound foolish and stupidly romantic, but it's true! If you don't want me, then-"
"No!" He cut her off sharply, spinning back around to face her. "You misunderstand me, magelet," her face softened visibly upon hearing the endearment. "I do want you, so much I can't say, but I couldn't believe that you would choose this life over an immortal life."
She smiled happily at his admission. "You'd better believe it, because you're stuck with me for a long time." A rich laugh sounded form him and jubilantly he reached her in three steps and pulled her into his arms. Instantly she tilted her face upwards to find his lips. They kissed, retracing the familiar routes, learning each other all over again until they had to break apart for air. Neither of them noticed their two friends removing themselves from the scene as they kissed again, covering each other's faces in tiny caresses, gentle promises of love. Numair buried his face in her thick hair, inhaling the fresh smell and then pulled back slightly until his lips were ghosting over hers, in something that was not quite a kiss. Not moving from where he was, he spoke.
"Magelet, my little magelet, will you marry me?" Daine smiled impishly, pressing a small kiss to the corner of his mouth.
"Maybe some day, if you're very, very good." Numair swung her up into the air, her body pressed against his own as she laughed delightedly.
"And what if I'm very, very bad?" he murmured darkly into her ear. She leant down slightly and wrapped her arms about his neck, nuzzling his hairline.
"Still maybe some day," she replied against his brow. "Don't let that stop you from asking again some time soon though!"
FIN
"Yes. I have made my decision."
The sun-god stood up, raising himself to his full height. Daine couldn't help but feel intimidated, but stood firm in her resolve. "And what choice have you decided on, Veralidaine?"
The girl sent a look of longing and apology, along with a plea for understanding to where her parents stood, now accompanied by the Badger and by Broad-Foot. Without looking away, she replied, "I want to go home. To the Mortal Realms, where I belong."
A small exclamation of surprise rose form some of those in the hall, not comprehending why someone would turn down the chance of becoming a deity, but others gazed at her with compassion and understanding. They knew the price of love was not always cheap, and among them was the Black God, who made a small gesture with his hand which could only be interpreted as a symbol of pride. A small group parted from the rest and hurried over to where the girl stood alone, still feeling a little lost. Sarra clasped her daughter in an embrace, never allowing a single tear to fall from her bright eyes. "I am fair sad that you can't be with us, cariad, but the choice you made is wise. You're wanted, needed and loved. Those are precious gifts and I'm glad that you are not throwing them away." She drew back slightly and looked at Daine straight in the eyes. "He is a good man, though he is somewhat strange, and he will treat you like you deserve to be treated. Don't ever let that love slip away." Sarra embraced her once more, holding her for a long moment. "I love you, sweetling. Although you can't visit us here any longer, we can come to you on the solstices and equinoxes. Remember that, with our love."
She stepped back reluctantly to allow Weiryn to approach his daughter. The solemn God placed his hand gently on her Daine's shoulders and kissed her cheeks. He ran a hand through the unruly curls affectionately. "I'm glad I finally had the honour of meeting you, my daughter. Be assured that this is not the last time you will see me. If that mage of yours does you wrong, I will endeavour to make him regret his actions."
"Thank you, Da." Daine whispered, chuckling softly, grateful for his love, for everything.
She bent then to say her goodbyes to the two animal-gods. "Will this be the last time I see you, Badger. I mean, I've learned about my magic now, and I've found my Da-"
"Nonsense, Kit," he interrupted. "I haven't looked after you this long to let you fall onto the mercy of mortals. I too will definitely be around, if ever you need me." She didn't reply, only buried her face into his thick fur, her arms embracing the neck of her mentor. Finally he shuffled away, embarrassed by this show of affection, only to be replaced by Broad-Foot. Daine picked him up carefully, taking care to avoid his spurs, and hugged him to her chest.
"Thank you, Broad-Foot, for everything you've done for me an' Numair, and Tortall."
"It was my pleasure, Weiryn's daughter."
Eventually Daine stood up and began walking closer to Mithros. She stopped suddenly, and turned to look at her parents one last time. "I love you Ma, Da." Sering their smiles, she continued onwards, and stopped at the foot of Mithros' throne. "I am ready, my lord," she murmured.
"Very well." To her surprise his voice no longer contained the harshness of earlier in the proceedings, but had softened slightly, showing the weariness of the recent war. "By the Power of Mother Flame and Father Universe, I now return you, Veralidaine Sarrasri, to the Mortal Realms, your home."
As the last word fell from his lips, she was gone.
*****
Numair jumped suddenly, letting the vial containing the poison, his salvation fall to the floor. He glanced at the shattered mess in unconcealed anger, but felt that familiar tug on both his magical senses and on his heart once again. It couldn't be true; he had seen her die in his arms, had known for a long time that it was going to happen, and yet he could sense her presence once again. Wild magic as abundant as hers could not fail to leave a magical impression upon him, not after all this time with her. But why was she here? Surely she ought to be in the Divine Realms with her parents by now? He concluded that she had most likely come to say her goodbyes, to him, to everyone, but nevertheless he could not restrain his desire to go outside and to see her just one more time. Anticipation and trepidation pounded through his body as he blasted the door to his chambers open, regardless of the now broken wards, which he had placed upon it. He strode down the corridors, containing himself enough that he did not run. Arriving at the doors which led outside, he pushed them open almost cautiously. The sight that awaited him on the other side was enough to fuel his desire to live again, even if it were only to catch a glimpse of this beautiful creature on a Beltane evening.
He stared in wonder at Daine, garbed in a pretty purple dress, surrounded by animals. Cats and dogs were twining themselves around her legs, Cloud had broken free of her stall and was rubbing herself happily against her mistress' side, Skysong had leapt up into Daine's welcoming arms and all the animals and birds who could not touch her were sat nearby, their happiness at her appearance vocalised through their harmony of cheeping, whinnying and purrs. Already her clothes were spotted with marks of animals and fur and feathers clung to her everywhere, and her hair was delightfully tousled, at least in his eyes by the attentions of the animals. Despite all this, he was enchanted by her warm, relieved smile and the dancing blue- grey eyes which lit up her face with her happiness. Nearby Alanna and Onua waited for their turn to greet the arrival, their faces wet with tears of delight and their smiles almost broader than Daine's own.
Suddenly Daine caught sight of him, and his heart jumped in his chest, startled and taken aback by the pure, undivided love than blazed from her eyes, that made her glow and which was directed at him. He could feel himself beginning to lose control as she pushed her way through the mass of animals that were swarming around her and fought to remember that she was most likely now a goddess and was here only to say goodbye. He felt his face shutter at that thought, and evidently Daine saw it too, judging by the confusion and hurt that spread across her fine features.
"Numair?" she ventured cautiously.
"Don't!" he snapped, turning his back on her. He realised suddenly that he didn't want to hear what she had to say. It would make everything so final. "If you're here to say goodbye, then go away, because I don't want to hear it." He started to move away again, but the annoyance and the honesty that he heard in her voice when she next spoke stopped him where he was.
"I've already said my good-byes, Numair. My parents understood that a life without you, even a life as a goddess, would be a cursed half life, for me. And I'm sorry if I sound foolish and stupidly romantic, but it's true! If you don't want me, then-"
"No!" He cut her off sharply, spinning back around to face her. "You misunderstand me, magelet," her face softened visibly upon hearing the endearment. "I do want you, so much I can't say, but I couldn't believe that you would choose this life over an immortal life."
She smiled happily at his admission. "You'd better believe it, because you're stuck with me for a long time." A rich laugh sounded form him and jubilantly he reached her in three steps and pulled her into his arms. Instantly she tilted her face upwards to find his lips. They kissed, retracing the familiar routes, learning each other all over again until they had to break apart for air. Neither of them noticed their two friends removing themselves from the scene as they kissed again, covering each other's faces in tiny caresses, gentle promises of love. Numair buried his face in her thick hair, inhaling the fresh smell and then pulled back slightly until his lips were ghosting over hers, in something that was not quite a kiss. Not moving from where he was, he spoke.
"Magelet, my little magelet, will you marry me?" Daine smiled impishly, pressing a small kiss to the corner of his mouth.
"Maybe some day, if you're very, very good." Numair swung her up into the air, her body pressed against his own as she laughed delightedly.
"And what if I'm very, very bad?" he murmured darkly into her ear. She leant down slightly and wrapped her arms about his neck, nuzzling his hairline.
"Still maybe some day," she replied against his brow. "Don't let that stop you from asking again some time soon though!"
FIN