Same disclaimer. This is a reposting of the initial story posted on a Mulan fanfic site back in 1999-2000. After debating whether to change this part,I have decided to stick with my intent to do a repost only with minor edits. I have regrets that I did not make this longer.

Epilogue
Chapter 6


It was another hard ride to the home of Ling, but he was relieved to arrive before dusk and find many of his men already present. Ling himself was very useless, completely scared by the upcoming
landmark event and was watched carefully, should he suddenly decide to take flight.

"He heard a rumor from one of his friends about his new wife" Yao sidled up to Shang, "Ling's never seen the bride. He's heard that even Chien-po is prettier than his bride."

Shang laughed, "Ling certainly has charitable friends. Now he has cold feet, eh? But he should know it's tradition…"

Chien-Po joined the two and shook his head. "I would have to say it is true. Mulan told us so."

"Mulan?" Shang's attention was diverted. "She is here?"

Yao elbowed Chien-po, "She's at the Fa home."

"So I've been told," Shang replied absently. "I mean," he quickly realized the implication, "I had
stopped by Fa Zhou's home to return the sword of Shan-Yu and…"

The two nodded slowly (and Shang assumed) in a mocking fashion. Shang rolled his eyes and then noticed a figure skulking in the shadows. He gave Chien-po and Yao a quick glance, which the two recognized. Within seconds, they had pounced on the person – with Chien-po finally scooping up the figure and firmly setting it on the ground.

"Ow!" Ling grimaced.

"The bridegroom is testing even my patience," Chien-po sighed. "Just because of one little rumor, he
has been trying all night to sneak away."

"Hmph" Ling answered. "I'm about to be imprisoned, and even my friends are turning their backs on me!"

"We promised Mulan that we wouldn't let you run," Yao laughed as Chien-po picked up Ling again.
"She knows you too well."

"I was just going to get a breath of fresh air," Ling wheedled, "can't you put me down?"

Yao pounded Ling hard enough on the head so that Ling fell forward unconscious.
Chien-po immediately stepped in and picked up the aggressive Yao and forced him to lay off the now bruised Ling.

"I see it's going to be a long night," Shang sighed.

==

The ordeal ended with the news that the bride's procession had just been sighted. Shang slipped
out as the others prepared a weary and resigned Ling for the bride's arrival.

He admittedly was very curious about Ling's bride to be… but also hoped to find the Fa home this morning so that he could return the sword which was slung on his side.

As he looked about, he bumped into a young woman.

"Sorry, " he muttered... and turned to move on, then turned back.
"Mulan?" He stared at the pretty girl, almost unable to recognize her. He had gotten so used to her as Ping, even after she had been revealed as a girl, that he still couldn't completely believe what he say.

"Captain," Mulan smiled back at him, "Could not wait to see the bride either? Could you? How is
Ling?"

Shang laughed nervously, "After trying to escape four times, he finally gave up. He is certainly worse
for wear, for each time he tried to run, Yao would trip him up."

Mulan grinned, "All talk, and no action, that Ling… but I think he will be happy. But I must go, I am
to return home before they all awake. "

"I have something for you," Shang did not allow her to run so quickly, "When may I see you?"

Mulan blushed, aware that the folks around them were staring, disapproving of the familiar way in which they addressed each other. "I will find you," Mulan nodded as she continued to scan the crowd that had assembled for the processional. And with those words, she disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.

Shang paused, wondering if that encounter had really happened. He shook his head, and headed
back to the Ling family home.

The various families and friends waited patiently for the bride to arrive. Ling looked white as a sheet
and wore an expression of gloom..

"Cheer up, Ling." Shang had made his way over to the even paler, thin looking Ling. "Mulan tells
you not to worry."

"Who's worried?" Ling fingered his wedding clothes nervously and looked paler at the sight of the
approaching caravan. The two men turned to look at the travel coach carried by four men. Veiled
inside was a woman Ling had never seen , but who would become his wife.

Ling gulped audibly as she stepped foot first from the carriage.

A young woman emerged. As she was escorted out by her handmaidens, Ling stared momentarily, slightly dumbfounded, and relaxed slightly.

Yao muttered, "Well, at least she's as skinny as Ling. AND she's prettier than him too."

His friends who had purposely misled him with rumors of her ruined health and laziness, now stepped back, all smiles. As she approached with her attendants, all could see her clear moon-shaped face and her laughing eyes. Ling looked happier by the second. As the two proceeded inside for the first
ceremony, the others outside relaxed.

"Ling is lucky." Mulan appeared suddenly from behind a tree and spoke to Shang, who stood at the
back of the crowd.

Shang started at her sudden appearance. He noted her caution in approaching him, and the way in which she covered her face with a fan. "How so?"

"She is healthy, intelligent, and thoughtful." Mulan smiled slightly and bowed. "But he chose based on what little he knew. How many would not fare so well?"

Shang regarded her appearance closely. "Uh," he fumbled when she caught him studying her, "I've brought back the sword." He handed it to her, "I can not accept it."

Mulan held it for a moment in her hands. She paused, then finally spoke. "It's something I wished for your family to have. Your family and your future family should know of your father and his courage."

Shang strained his ears as her voice softened.

"I also wanted you to have something to remind you of our friendship." She pressed the cloth with the sword back into his hands "I will not have a need for it shortly, but I promise to remember you, all of. you. Good day" She smiled brightly and then turned rapidly and fled into the streets .

"Mulan –" Shang reached out, but too late. He wondered at the finality of her words, and her meaning.

"Captain," Ling , with his new found bride, stepped from the shadows.

Shang started, wondering with embarrassment how much they had overheard. "My congratulations, Ling."

"Thank you for not letting me run," Ling looked fondly at his wife, who looked back at him with laughing eyes. He turned his eyes back to Shang, My wife wants to speak to you as well.

Shang looked down at the lithe figure who was happily arm-in-arm with Ling. She looked at him seriously, "Captain Li, Don't run away from the happiness that stands in front of you just waiting to be claimed."

Ling looked at her smilingly and added, "And don't let it run away from you."

Shang nodded slowly and wished the new couple well. He puzzled over it as the evening waned.

He stood chatting with some of his former officers and soldiers when Mulan's cryptic message became clear. "Mulan has agreed to have her Grandmother handle the match. She is to be wed during the next harvest moon."

Shang choked on his drink as he realized why she had been also so quick to run.

"That's two months from now," someone else expressed their surprise.

"So soon?" the officer answered.

Chien-po drew alongside Shang and spoke to him quietly. "You did not know?"

Shang shook his head, stupefied. "I think she tried to tell me. But I –"

"Captain," Chien-po spoke gently as if to a younger brother, "Friend – you must not continue to be blind. Mulan did not take news of your impending marriage well – even after those rumors turned out to be false. All those months she was at home, she had turned away many of those who would have gladly wed her. The only reason that could be, is because she was waiting for someone else."

Shang looked soberly at Chien-po. "And—"

"And she realized that she would never be more than Ping to you, and she is moving on."

Shang stood up suddenly as he understood the significance of Ling and Ling's wife's words to him.. "I have two months–" He paced back and forth, a bit panicked and uncertain what to do, "Chien-po, I need to leave, to straighten this misunderstanding out. Please convey my apologies to Ling."

And without another word, Shang strode out.

Chien-po stood peacefully and silently wished his Captain a safe journey and understanding.