A/N: This story is set a few years after the unicorn has returned to her forest and life has returned to normal. But, what will happen when the unicorn decides that she can no longer live with pain of regret? I've named this story HALF-LIFE after a Duncan Sheik song from the WHAT A GIRL WANTS soundtrack. I'd include the lyrics of that song in this story, but I'm no good at songfics. You can find the lyrics anywhere on the internet if you're really interested in reading them. Hope you enjoy this story. Please read & review! It would be greatly appreciated. Also, I own nothing to do with Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn, but characters that might show up later will be mine. IrethAnwarunya
Half-Life
Chapter 1: Regrets
The years had been kind to her; how many years, she could not say. What were years to a unicorn?
Her forest had recovered from her absence and the animals in her care had returned to her gentle protection. None of them ever mentioned what had happened or what she had done, but they knew unicorns were in the world again. They were certain she had changed and they saw that regret haunted her eyes. She was allowed her solitude, which she used to ponder what had become of Molly and Schmendrick. Then, as was expected, thoughts of Lir would flood her mind. She was certain that, were she able, she could cry enough silver tears to overflow the pond at the edge of her forest.
This day, however, was different. The unicorn decided that she could no longer live with the regret. It had finally grown strong enough to break her heart.
She was going to return to Lir.
She would become mortal again.
What did it matter if she grew old and died? Unicorns were in the world again. She was no longer the last.
So, for the second and last time, as the first traces of gold and orange weaved their way through the remaining stars in the dark blue sky, the unicorn left her forest. This time, to find the rest of her heart instead of the rest of her kind. She was forsaking immortality for love.
But first, she had to find Schmendrick.