Epilogue – Seven Years Later

A dark-tanned woman emerged from the Houses of Healing onto the city street. She wore a long dress and an overcoat to guard against the unusually cold winter. Tiny snowflakes fluttered through the air. A bustling woman followed her out. "(Please, Lasca, I am serious! You are too far along! You simply cannot make any more lengthy journeys!)"

The younger woman laughed. "(Very well, ma'am, I swear on my swelling stomach itself that I won't leave the City until this is over.)" She placed a hand over her rounded belly. The woman smiled.

"(Very well. Isn't that husband of yours supposed to be here now?)"

"(Did somebody mention me?)" A lanky young man with shocking white hair suddenly appeared behind Lasca. In one swift motion he scooped her up off the ground.

"(Hey, put me down, Khalil!)" She protested, turning red. The Healer laughed, shaking her head and walking back inside.

"(Not on your life, my dear,)" he replied giving her a fond peck on the forehead. He swung around and headed down the street with his burden. "(My, but you are getting heavy, aren't you?)"

"(It's not me, it's this one inside here,)" she said, touching her stomach.

"(Twins, you think?)"

"(Oh, dear Valar I hope not. Between you and one definitely coming, I have enough children to take care of.)" Khalil snorted derisively. "(I still don't see why you got appointed Ambassador to Harad,)" she continued doggedly. "(How is the King supposed to get a hold of you if you're always itching to be off somewhere else?)"

"(True, but he won't have to worry about that for now. I am not leaving the side of my wife and child for a while yet.)" He stopped at a door, and somehow managed to open it without dropping his wife. The inside was thankfully warm. He set her down carefully on the floor. She stood on tiptoe and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"(So, how did it go down at the Harnen?)"

"(The bridge is built!)" He said happily, eyes twinkling. "(Personally overseen by dwarves. Solid stone. Completely inflammable. That thing is not coming down even if the world were to end tomorrow.)"

The End


The Others, Seven Years Later:

Fatima: Lives with the rest of her tribe in a permanent settlement on the river Harnen. She helps monitor trade to and from Harad. Her son Halim is preparing to go to a boarding school in Minas Tirith in three years.

Al'alim: In charge of a breeding program between the horses of Rohan, the Maeras, and the desert horses. He and others from both countries hope to create a stock with the endurance of the desert horses and the hardiness of the Maeras. He works often with Fatima, and is quite smitten with her. He plans to propose to her as soon as he gets his nerve up.

Gadiel and Mariam: They both are living out their days in Fatima's village.

Farran: while traveling around Harad and preaching, a former Haradrim soldier murdered him. He was entombed in a cairn with honors near the mouth of the Anduin.

Buthaynah: She is currently betrothed to a Gondorian and lives in Ithilien; however, she still travels with her sister from time to time.

Dalia: She is continuing preaching to the Haradrim with her husband in her father's name. In a few years, she plans to travel to the East to spread her message as well.


To their surprise (and delight), Lasca and Khalil do become the parents of twins: two boys, Faraj and Farran.


…And there you have it. I hope you have enjoyed this story as much as I have. Thank you, and a special thanks to reviewers.

Rede: I did that just for you! ; ) Actually, it was a really good idea, thanks!

Celtic Rune: I'm glad you think Lasca did well! I think I can safely say I wrote her without her becoming a Mary Sue.