Chapter 21 xxxxxxxxxx

The next morning came early, as Lina was awakened to get ready by Gourry. They wanted to go with the sun, they had a long ride, and the days were slowly shortening as a herald of the coming fall. They dressed and went out, they were fed, tearful farewells were made, and a promise to come to Westhold to let Gourry and Lina return the favour of playing host. Promises of meeting again at the wedding in Zefielia were made too. The six soldiers, looking very well rested indeed, were in their usual place as Lina and Gourry went out. Final hugs, and they were in the coach. With a rumble it started, final waves, and the scene slipped away finally to that of the road south. It was a bit over cast and there was a tinge of cool in the air. It was far to soon for a nip, and a bit too early for the fall rains, but there were signs the seasons marched on apace. "I hope they can get to the harvesting before the rains come." said Gourry as he looked at the sky. Lina also looked and said "I don't think anything big will fall for a week or two yet, even then it would be early." Gourry hugged her with one arm and joked "Have you been practicing weather magic then?" Lina snuggled up and replied "Not yet, that's a whole other field of study, and it can take as long as black magic to learn to do well, still, the future looks promising for such studies." she chuckled to herself. "I wonder if I can learn to make one of those little clouds that only hang over one person as they rain? Naga better watch put if I do..." "Hmmm," replied Gourry. "I thought someone said her speciality was water magic, you sure that wouldn't be just giving her amunition?" Lina smiled, and agreed he had a point that would have to be kept in mind.

The road south rolled on, proving uneventful. Lina almost wished she and Gourry had left a few of the bandits alone, it would have made for a break. But there was plenty to talk about, Lina related some of her adventures in the area with Naga which Gourry hadn't heard of before. And being Gourry it usually took more than one telling before he got it straight. Sometimes Trina rode with them and had a hard time trying to decide when to laugh and when to look shocked at such revelations about her Queen.

By the end of the week the air was warmer and there was the return of the salt tang that meant the ocean, then one day they were at the docks and ready to board the ferry to Mispross island. Lina described how the first time she had been there the trip had taken several days in an ocean going ship, but now, thanks to Lina, the island was back where it should have been all along, and a short boat ride of about an hour or so, depending on the winds, and you were there. And so they were. It was a pleasant afternoon when they landed. They had managed to leave three of the guards behind with the coachman and the horses, and so a smaller party disembarked. Still, two obviously rich people, with three uniformed and armoured body guards, plus a maidservant, and paying the porters generously obviously attracted attention. To a certain extent it was good, they only had to show their money at the hotel to have the best rooms instantly laid open to them. Some of it was bad as various people politely, and impolitely, stared at them. Of course, if there was any criminal element on the island, it recognised them quickly and made sure to stay away, which ensured a peaceful trip.

Just as well, they didn't have long and Lina really wanted to see Melirune. Not so easy, as first one had to find the elves, who were more secretive of late. So the first day was restricted to checking in and sight seeing. Feeling safe, they were even able to set Trina and the three knights loose so they could go hunt for souveniers while Gourry and Lina wandered alone at last through the port city. Of course, they found the statue easily enough, and Gourry spent a very long time just staring at it. "Wow, you and Rowdy after the defeat of Joyrock. And look! The Sword of Light! Well, well." he finally said, a note of awe in his voice. "And I'm your reward for this? Suddenly I feel inadequate, Lina. I always knew you were very special, but this..., just how special are you Lina?"

Lina looked at Gourry with a dumbfounded look, then began to laugh. "What on earth do you mean, Gourry? Isn't it obvious I'm the most special, wonderful, beautiful, and talented sorceress that ever lived?" Gourry smiled and replied "Well, okay, I don't know if I said that right, but seriously, you change time, destroy Sabradnigdo and Hellmaster, are feared by other Mazoku, get possessed by, and set free by, the Lord of Nightmares herself, posses great magical powers, know Kings and Queens on a first name basis, even have them grateful to call you friend, defeat every known bandit, destroy dragons, most lately had a great part in the victory over the east, and I'm supposed to be some sort of reward? Because you helped a village of elves, a family of humans, and a magically enchanted island?"

Lina gave Gourry a big hug and said "You Jellyfish! You've left out the fact that all those things I did were done because I had help. If I had to do any of that alone, I'd be dead now. Travel in time and change the past? I was sent back by your ancestor Rowdy to help him, not the other way around. Destroy Shabradnigdo? The first time it was only because you let me cast a spell on the Sword of Light. If I didn't have it, I'd never have defeated him, and even then it only worked because the spirit of Rezo the Red Priest fought back from within the monster. The second time? Well, I did that with Naga and Lark, but only because you, and Zel, and Amilia, and Sylphiel were battling that horde of monsters that attacked us so that I could have the freedom and safety to work. Hellmaster? I only reason I took the Lord of Nighmares inside myself was because I wanted to save you. I was willing to be lost forever to myself in return. But you pulled me back. When we defeated Darkstar you were as important as I was to all that. Those bandits? Before you, I just robbed from them, it was only with you I defeated them. We were together when we set back Dynast. And you saw what happened when we were apart in this war, I made a great blow but it wasn't enough, someone else, Sylphiel infact, struck the winning blow. You won a victory and ended up with your life on a razor's edge. You said it was my song that brought you back from the pit. And I sang it in desperation at the thought of losing you. As far as that goes, when I thought I had, I almost got myself executed, and you saved me. Don't you get it Gourry? I'm not great, not without you! I seem to be the one who gets the publicity and the praise, but it's really "us", not "me" that is special"
"Sure, I did a lot of stuff with Naga that seems exciting, and some of it was important and involved saving people, but I couldn't do it without her, that's why we are friends now. But I didn't hit my stride until you came into my life. So, why are you insecure?" She then smirked at Gourry and asked "Is your brain running out of yoghurt or something?" It was Gourry's turn to laugh as he hugged her back. "No." he replied. "It's just that every now and again I get reminded of what a shining girl you really are, and, well, it's a bit overwhelming realising that someone like you finds someone like me important. I might be a Knight of the realm and all that, but I wasn't raised that way, at heart I'm just a farm boy really." Lina replied "Well, so what? You think a merchant's daughter feels any more secure in life than a farm boy? In truth, I think it has been my tremendous insecurity that has driven me on more than anything else. Anyway, if I'm a shining girl, you are my Knight in shining armour, never mind this realm business, so there." "Ah, I get it." said Gourry. "You are the sun that my shiny armour reflects!" he laughed and Lina chuckled "Well, of course!" They then linked arms and with one last look at the statue they turned and made there way back to the hotel where they were staying.

The next morning they were awakened by Trina who had a perplexed look on her face. Apparently there was a special visitor to see them downstairs. No she didn't know what sort, a young woman, but the locals seemed to find her an object of interest, and they were even a bit in awe of her, or so it seemed to Trina. Oh well, nothing for it but to get up. They dressed in a hurry and in short time they made their way downstairs, Trina and the guards making up the rear. As they entered the main room the people in it seemed to melt away leaving a clear path to a stunningly beautiful young woman, tall, graceful, with long flowing hair the colour of cherry blossoms. She turned to face Lina and gave her a curtsey. Lina stopped. If the young woman's pretty, but pointed ears hadn't given it away, the crystal clear light in her eyes would have, she was an elf. And she looked familiar! Lina couldn't help but stare. "You- you're not, how... who..."

The elf maid smiled and said "You didn't think the elves of Mispross would have forgotten Lina Inverse, did you my Lady? And now Lina Gabriev! Well, expected, but news for sure! I am Astra, granddaughter to..." "Melirune!" finished Lina. "Oh, I wondered how I would find her people again. Thank you for coming Astra. And please, drop the "Lady" stuff, for you and yours I am forever just "Lina" okay?" "As you wish, Lina." replied Astra with a smile. "Shall we go? It isn't that far." Lina looked at Trina and the guards. "Errr, what about...?" she started to ask. "Oh, they are welcome to come to the village too." replied Astra. "Westhold isn't it? No elves there, though surprisingly there are some farther east. Let them come and learn who we are, so they can make an accurate report." "Oh thank you." said Lina.

Out of the corner of her eye she could see a look of delight on Trina's face, elves were, well, elves, and a rare chance to visit them was not to be missed if possible. Lina chuckled, seeing Trina's reaction to the wide world over the trip reminded Lina of herself when she first left home, and had gotten over the shock of that trauma. They walked out into the city, through the gates, and finally into the countryside. It was a beautiful day for a walk, a blue sky overhead, white puffy clouds drifting along, blocking out the direct sun, but not the full colour of the day. It was a bit hot, especialy for the Westholders, who were used to a more northerly climate. In fact they were far enough south that that, plus the sea's moderationg influence, had put the summer back by atleast two weeks. There were green pastures, fields ripening to the harvest, wooded walks, and flowers everywhere. Mispross might not be the mystery island it once was, but it was as beautiful as Lina remembered.

In what seemed no time at all, though they must have walked at least an hour, they came to a small village. And it was full of elves. Elves in abundance, all of whom had turned out to see Lina. They gave three cheers for lina, and three cheers for the Gabrievs and a short but sweet welcome to the village. After all, in the original scenario their grandfathers and mothers would have all died a thousand years ago to the attack of the dread demon Joyrock. Lina and Rowdy had changed all that. Only the most ancient of elves now alive were able to say they had been there that day, all of the elves younger than that were all born only because Lina and Rowdy had saved their parents. And they had remembered this, and were overjoyed to greet their saviour. It was a rare and special relationship. Lina couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Finally she was brought to a small house and was ushered in by Astra. There were more elves inside and they stood up when Lina entered. They greeted her warmly. Astra's parents were there as were some aunts and uncles and cousins. More thanks were given. Astra dissappeared into a back room, then came out a minute later and asked Lina "Are you ready?" Lina gulped, then, taking Gourry's hand, nodded.

Astra led them into a back room. An old, old woman lay in the bed, propped up on pillows, with concerned women sitting on each side of her, daughters most likely. They rose and smiled at Lina as she entered and was lead over to the bed. Lina looked at the woman. She was old, like the hills were old. A thousand and more years of life had lft their mark. Yet, it was not a bad mark. Of course, the hair was grey, and not thick like it was in her youth. Her face was wrinkled, yet it had an inner beauty still. And her eyes were as clear as they had been in her youth when Lina last saw her. For there was no mistaking her identity, regardless of her age. "Melirune!" said Lina in quiet awe.
Melirune held out her arms and Lina kissed the old woman, a rare enough honour among the elves, almost unheard of between elves and humans. "Melirune, for me, only a few years, for you, so much time!" said Lina as she took an offered chair. The old elf lady smiled at Lina with a genuine warmth. "Well, it isn't as if you could have come and visited is it, Lina? How have you fared? I see that time has brought you an increase of beauty and joy, as well as sorrow. Well, well. Come, tell me your story"
So Lina told Melirune about herself, as much as the old elf wanted to know. There were even a few reminissences about the last time they met. Upon hearing how Lina had tried to get the sword of light even then there was a chuckle from behind Lina, which promptly lead to Gourry also being introduced. Joy lit up the elder elf's face. "How like Rowdy you are, when he had grown to be a man!" she said. "Tall, and handsome, loyal, true, and a good friend he was. I am honoured to have met you at last, the Gabriev ment for Lina the saviour." Gourry too was quizzed about his life. Melirune was very interested in the part where the Sword of Light was used to defeat and drive back Darkstar. She nodded when they explained how the sword was given back. "Yes, it did always have an "other-worldly" quality about it, I wonder how it ever got here? No matter, what is important is the future, and with you two together now, it seems to bode well, for you and for all of us."

They talked some more but eventually it was plain the old woman was tiring. With reluctance, on both sides, Lina said farewell to Melirune and received the elder's blessings. With a tear in her eye she finally turned to go. The family thanked her and Astra hugged her. Lina assured them that she knew the way back to the hotel and so the group returned alone as the sun approached noon. It was warmer now, and so they sat beside a cool stream. Lina asked Trina what she thought of the elves. Trina was silent for a long moment and then finally she said that it was overwhelming to meet creatures thought to be of ledgend in the flesh. And they were so gracefull and fair, a delight to behold. She hoped she might meet them again someday, but if not, it was a memory she would treasure for her life. "You never know." said Lina. "Some might come east to seek old links severed for a thousand years by the Mazoku." Trina nodded at that. Soon enought they were back at the hotel. The guards asked and were allowed to go out sight seeing. Trina prefered to stay with her Mistress, so the three friends decided to go for a soak in a hot spring. As they were relaxing in the water Lina amused them with tales of adventures she had with Naga and on her own in hot springs, everything from how Naga fought and defeated the shady owner of the spa on their first visit to Mispross to the time Prince Phil and one of his brothers had accidentally stumbled upon Lina as she was soaking in a tub, and received a justly delivered fireball in return.

"I don't remember Phil ever telling me about that..." said Gourry, scratching his head in puzzlement. Lina rolled her eyes. "Would you have told him if it had been you, my Jellyfish?" she asked in a slightly annoyed, slightly amused tone of voice. "Don't know..." said Gourry, still thoughtful. "I guess it would depend..." Lina was shocked and, even thought she had a swimsuit on, suddenly moved to cover herself as though she were naked. "And just what would it depend on!" she said, horror in her voice. "Huh?" asked Gourry. "Oh, errr, nothing!" he went on. Lina asked, a note of danger in her voice, "Gourry! Is that what men do? What have you told Phil, even Zel, now that you've seen me like no other man ever has?" Gourry stared at Lina as the penny very slowly dropped. "Huh? No, that's not what I meant!" he said atlast. "I meant it would depend on if the story was funny or not. The way you tell it, it's a laugh, I just never heard him say it. Gee, you'd think I was telling people how sexy you look naked or something..." Lina buried her face in her hands, then, with unerring precision, punched Gourry in the head. Gourry sprawled and Lina said with exasperation "Men! Can't live with them, can't fireball them! Oh wait! Yes you can!" she concluded looking at Gourry with a hard stare. Meanwhile Trina was in danger of drowning as she laughed so hard that she was having trouble remembering to keep her head above water.

Tea was ordered from a somewhat frettful waiter who had seen the incident and who hastened to keep on Lina's good side. However, he needen't have worried, hurry though he did by the time he got back with the order the lovebirds were kissing and making up like they had just invented it. Trina was doing her best to make it seem that nothing was going on. So the afternoon was passed. When the guards returned in the evening plans were made to do some hiking and camping out the next few days to see what was seeable. Lina enjoyed that thoroughly, it was like the good old days again, and she realised she had been getting a bit soft living in the castle. The end result was that a thoroughly pleasant vacation was had by all, there was little if any trouble, and Gourry and Lina had plenty of time to themselves to be in love and newly married.
Finally the day of departure came and Lina woke to find confirmation that she wasn't pregnant. "Some things never change..." she muttered as she went to clean up. Trina tactfully packed the white garments away and went with darker clothing. Lina remembered the good old days of her sorceress' costume and all the times she had to clean it by herself on a nightly basis. Now she had trunks of clothes to choose from. Well, no matter, whenever Naga invited her over to work on the Tablets of Thoth she'd still wear it, but hey, she was getting to like having a change now and again. So they got washed and ready, they had a last big breakfast, and paid up, to the relief of the hotel owner who was just about out of food anyway. The crew made its way over to the dock for the ferry.

It was a short time to wait before boarding so they sat down and looked out over the sea, watching that restless body of water slosh around. Suddenly a delicate voice hailed them and they turned to find Astra greeting them. She smiled pleasantly, but there was a certain sadness about her, and she was dressed in white. Lina greeted her, then remembered something that many mortal men didn't even know. Elves wore white in mourning the way humans wore black. The smile didn't leave her face butit softened as the realisation set in. "Oh Astra, it's Melirune isn't it? I'm so sorry." A tear escaped Astra's eye but she said "I thank you Lina, but don't be sorry, she had a wonderful and full life, and it was her time, indeed, I think for the past little while she somehow knew she was just waiting for you. Thank you for coming, your visit meant the world to her, I just wanted you to know that."

Lina gave the elf girl a little hug. "I am so glad I had the chance to meet her again. I will never forget her." she said. Astra smiled again and said "I appreciate that Lina, it means a lot to us. I have something for you. She asked that this be given to you as a token of rememberance." Astra unfolded a small cloth and presented Lina with a small locket. When Lina opened it she saw a cameo of a young Melirune on one side and one of Rowdy as a young man on the other. "Grandmother had this done by an elf craftsman as a token of friendship and thanks for Rowdy. It was given back when he died, the Gabriev's felt she would want it to remember Rowdy by, I guess they didn't realise how good our memories are. Anyway, she tucked it away and kept it all these years, feeling that one day she'd see you again. Now she wanted you to have it so you could remember, and so that the Gabriev's would have a keepsake to remember by as well."

Lina looked at Astra, tears in her eyes too. She hugged Astra again and promised that she would never ever forget. The two women smiled at each other for a few seconds, then the call was given to begin boarding. A final little bow from each side and they turned their seperate ways, when Lina glanced back Astra was gone. They boarded, and Lina sat snuggled up to Gourry contemplating the meaning of life and death. Soon they were underway and after a little more than an hour they were docking back on the mainland. They found their gear, and the coach was ready, and the whole crew set out and turned north again, north to Seirune and Zephielia, and the wedding. Still, thinking of Melirune kept Lina quiet for the rest of the day.

Fortunately, she was a lot brighter the next morning. She would never forget the Melirune but she realised that the best way to honour her was to live her life to the fullest, just as the elf woman had. Now they were in familiar territory as they were entering in to the southern end of Seirune. Lina and Gourry were busy remembering some of their adventures and laughing over their memeories. They were alone in the coach, as was usual, and so they took every opportunity to laugh and remember. Of course, at some points Lina remembered something Gourry did that rather ticked her off, and that she hadn't been able to deal with him for it, which resulted in several near bops to the head for Gourry, but some rapid abject begging and promising never to do it again, if only he could remember what it was he had done, and Lina relented. Well, they did cost him a kiss for each incident, a real one, full of passion and promise, and that he was reasonably able to deliver. Actually Gourry had a sneaking suspicion that Lina might have made some of them up just to get him to make up more, but it wasn't like he was objecting or anything.

They rolled in to all their old favourite restaurants along the way and had as much of a party as they could. Partly it was because they were young, rich, and on their honeymoon, and partly it was because Lina dreaded the upcoming wedding. If only she had held back that fireball... Finally, they rolled in to Seirune city, the capital, and made their way to see Amilia and Zel and Phil again. It was a joyous reunion. The capital was aggitated with the upcoming royal wedding of Amilia to Zelgadiss. Apparently Phil had been able to persuade the nobles, the council, and the populace that Zel was a chimera only on the outside, and, what ever misgivings there might have been, all levels of society had apparently approved. Well, time would tell, there was no going back now, civil war or not. But for now the buzz around town was all wedding talk, and the city was being turned into a showcase.

Amilia confided to Lina she wouldn't mind trying tossing a fireball at someone if she would get the same results that Lina did. Lina gave a nervous laugh and with a sweat drop or two tried to disuade the Justice Princess from being so rash. Amilia immediately said she was only teasing, but Lina couldn't tell for sure, the look on Amilia's face might have been a little too serious. Finally Lina said "Amilia, just wait and see how my wedding goes, who knows, you might change your mind about the whole thing..." Amilia gave Lina a strange, startled sort of look and then said, "Okay..."

The meal was the usual superb Seirune fare, of course, and they all went to bed feeling happy for one more night of peace among friends. The next morning was an early start so they could push into Zefielia by nightfall. Lina, however, found it hard to sleep. She was dealing with the realization that she would never again be free to wander the world once she settled down, and that dropping in to see Phil and Amilia and Zel would be a thing of the past. Not that she resented it, nor did she regret it, but it was another life change for her to deal with. In the end she settled by snuggling in to Gourry who held her tight. A vision of that little peek she had of Naga's private life, the time she woke her friend up to tell her about Phil's coming, returned. Lina smiled. If Naga the White Serpent could find peace in this world, so could Lina Gabriev, and it would be in the same place for both of them, secure in the arms of the men who loved them more than life itself. Finally she settled into a peaceful sleep.

Needless to say it was interupted far too early as they were roused for the trip. But oh well, the whole adventure would soon be over, and then..., they would see. Up, dressed, a good breakfast. Lina had an urge to walk, they had been in the carriage so long, but they wouldn't get to Zefielia by nightfall if they did, so, with a sigh she made ready to board again. "Well, at least we can stop at our "favourite" inn on the way!" she joked to Zel. "I wonder if what's his name, um Floater, owns it yet?" Zelgadiss looked down and a sadness came to his face. "What's wrong?" asked Lina in a small voice. "Frederick, that was his name, went with us to the war." said Zel. "Went with us, and didn't come back." He sighed deeply and then said "Bloody hell!" with a lump in his voice. Lina sniffed too and a tear ran down her cheek. The day was definitely more somber than it had been a minute ago. And to think, she was mourning for a guy who was seconds away from a fireball for being impertinent when she first met him.

The friends shook hands or kissed as was appropriate and silently mounted the carriage. Amilia, Zel's arm secure around her shoulder smiled and promised they'd meet again in a week for the wedding. Lina gave a smile as the coach started and they were off. The weather was appropriately grey and cool. Trina had accepted the invitation to ride with them this day, it would be a bit better in the coach. After a few minutes of reflection Lina started to brighten again, and soon the three of them were in conversation. They even tried their hand at some silly word games and then they learned a few songs native to Westhold, and Lina taught a few from the mysterious west to Trina. Thus the day was passed, and meals eaten, and an hour after sunset, as darkness began to get too deep to be twilight anymore they finally made it.

Despite the gloom a large crowd was on hand, lining the streets or milling outside Luna's finest hotel which had been put entirely over to Lina's visit and the upcoming wedding with its important visitors. The carriage rumbled to a stop and Trina opened the door to let Lina and Gourry out. Lina went first, and was not even on the ground before she was mobbed. Her sister grabbed her in a big hug and swung her around while screaming with joy. Lina shouted too and suddenly found herself gently but firmly put into her mother's arms.

It had been nine years since she had been there last. She shieked "Mom!" once then burst into tears of overwhelming love, and relief, and joy. A great cheer rose from the crowd to welcome Zefielia's most famous daughter back home. Lina clung to her mother and wept and wept, her mother giving as good as she got. For a long time all they could say was "I love you!" to each other. In the meantime Gourry had more quietly made his way out of the coach and was immediately taken into a welcoming handshake by Theoderic and a rather dignified looking older gentleman. Even Gourry had no trouble realising who he was, Lina had his face! In a woman's form of course, but this was his father in law! He could also see that the older man had the muscles of a swordsman. Gourry suddenly found himself hoping he measured up, if there was one man besides his own father he didn't want to disappoint it was Lina's dad. After a nervous exchange of greetings, at least on Gourry's part, he was immediately taken charge of by his brother in law and was gently swept into the hotel along with everyone else who was family.
As she came through the door there was a sudden blur of red hair and Lina's knees were tackled... by a younger version of herself! "I'm sorry for scaring you last time Auntie Lina! I promise I won't do it again!" Lina was startled again by how much the little girl resembled herself when young, but this time she wasn't shocked into a ridiculous response. In a clean sweep she lifted the child up and hugged her hard and long. "You didn't scare me precious, I scared myself." Lina said to her. "It just happened when you were there. I am sorry I upset you. But hey! We can visit now, right?" she added with enthusiasm. "Right!" said the girl with equal enthusiasm, Lina was sure one day she'd turn it into a cheerful "Victory"
"What's your name?" Lina asked, realising she hadn't been introduced yet. "I'm Lana!" the girl responded brightly. Lina looked over to Luna and said "Lana huh? Figures..." Luna just laughed. Gourry muttered "Well, at least it isn't La-La..." Lina gave him a startled little look, then a slow, slightly dangerous smile, and said "No, Gourry dear, there's only ever going to be one La-La..." Gourry immediately sweatdropped and put his hand behind his head, saying "Oh, er, right, I suppose that's true, he, he..." Naturally Lana wanted to know "What's a La-la Aunt Lina?" Lina gave Gourry a look and said "You want to field this one?" "Er, um, uh, well..., no." was the answer. Lina looked at Lana and said "Once upon a time your Uncle Gourry and I had to escape from some bad people. To do this we had to disguise ourselves. All we could get was some women's clothing, so we had to dress up as girls. Including your Uncle there, who pretended to be a girl named La-la. It worked, and we got away."

Lana was dumbfounded. "You dressed up as a girl Auntie? Weren't you already a girl?" "Er, well, yes, but I dressed up as a different girl. My name was Li-li. And we had the help of a third girl traveling with us and her name was Lu-lu, but her real name is Amilia." Lina smiled at her niece but sweat was trickling down her forehead. She really, really didn't want to tell that story to a four year old, and worse, she was getting the giggles all over again remembering about the self styled hero Volun and his affection for La-La. Fortunately, Lana saved the day. "Ame-Amilia? OH! She's got the same name as that Princess lady!"

"Eh?" asked Lina. "Oh, Lana is at the stage where she's just mad about princesses." replid Luna with a smile. "For some reason she's really taken to the Princess Amilia from Seirune, probably because she has also been made famous by her adventures." "Ah, a sort of guilt by assocciation thing, you mean..." replied Lina with a sly smile. Then she put her hands on Lana's shoulders and looked the child in the eyes, which she noticed were reddish as well, though not as deep as Lina's, some influence from her mother's purple eyes no doubt. She said "Well, if you like the Princess Amilia so much I have a real surprise for you, little love." "Oh I do, I do like her so much Auntie Lina! A surprise? What is it?" enthused the little girl. "Well, two things actually." said Lina, "First, the Amilia lady in my story has the same name as the Princess, because she IS the Princess Amilia of Seirune!"

That news seemed to send Lana into a fit of exctasy. She couldn't stop bouncing around and said "She's your friend?" to Lina several times. Lina felt the sweat dropping again and asked Luna "Do I dare tell her the rest?" "Yeah, might as well." her sister replied with a motherly laugh. "Yeah, don't worry about it, Lina, we'll try to hold the most destructive force of nature since, well, er, you, in check once you give her the good news." added Theo, getting into the conversation finally. Lina caught her breath and then exhaled slowly while trying to glare at her brother in law. Finally she chuckled and said "On your heads then.
Listen Lana," she went on, talking to the little girl again, "do you know what's happening in a week?" Lana stopped dancing in circles and thought. "Um, mommy said you were getting married again, Auntie Lina. What's a married?" Lina smiled. "It's a special, um, ceremony for grown ups, where two people tell each other that they want to be special friends for the rest of their lives, but you can certainly come and watch! Maybe even help." she replied. "Well put." said Luna, who had not quite known how to explain it herself. Lina smiled, then went on "The important thing though is this. When people come to get married, their friends come from all around to wish them well and to give them a party to celebrate. Well, guess who's coming to the party?" Lana stared at her wide eyed, waiting for some revelation. Lina didn't dissapoint. " Auntie Lina's friend, the Princess Amilia!"

Lana took about half a second to process then ran off into the house, screaming at the top of her lungs. Lina blew out a puff of breath, well, at least that went okay. "We have got to learn how to harness that energy!" muttered Theo. Luna laughed and said "Well, that made her week, I'm sure!" Lina got up again and snuggled into Gourry for a hug. "I wonder how she's going to take it when she finds out about Na..er, Queen Gracia and King Alfred also coming?" "Dunno," said Luna, "I don't think she gets the relationship yet, she's just into Princesses. Ah well, Lady Amilia will have a fan, that's for sure. "Do her good." said Lina with a laugh.

Lina then went over to the one person she hadn't greeted yet, her father. "Daddy." she said quietly, and sank into his embrace with the biggest smile a little girl ever had for her father. She didn't cry, she had spent all her tears with her mother, but she had lots of smiles left and now she spent them freely. Her father smiled down on her, then said to Gourry "Pardon me." and scooped Lina up, carried her over to his chair at the table, and sat down with her on his lap. "I wish I could make up to you for all the years you should have had my lap to sit in as a little girl, my precious." he said, holding her close in a warm, fatherly embrace. "You're off to a good start Daddy." muttered Lina dreamily. She finally felt like she had come home. They didn't talk much that first night, but she stayed in his lap for a very long time, not even leaving it to eat. Convention be damned, she was finally where she had wanted to be for so long, and no one was taking her away from her father or her mother until she was ready to go.

Well, eventually she did let go, it was bed time and Gourry had come to collect her. For him, anything, even leaving her parents. But only for him. After they had tucked into bed Gourry gave her a long hug and whispered "Lina, that was beautiful." "What's that?" she asked dreamily, snuggling in to him closer. "The smile you had on your face when your daddy hugged you. I don't know how to explain it, but it makes me want to have a daughter who would smile at me like that. I dunno, maybe I'm selfish or something." Lina opened her eyes and looked at Gourry for a long time. Then she said "That's not selfishness Gourry, that's the fatherly part of your heart waiting for a child of your own to love."

She smiled sweetly at him then asked, in a teasing tone "You do know where babies come from don't you?" Gourry smiled back and said "No actually, teacher, I don't." calling her by a nick name he sometimes used on her. Lina saw the teasing twinkle in his eyes and it made her smile, which rather spoiled her attempt to look serious, then, lightly poking the tip of his nose with her finger, said "Pay attention! Class is in. Lesson one, the kiss!"

In the end, Gourry was given an A plus on his final exam...

The week went by too quickly for Lina. Family and friends, messengers from important people, even from the palace of the Eternal Queen herself quickly overwhelmed Lina. Fortunately Lina's mom was as quick as Gourry's mother to see that Lina and Gourry needed time to themselves no matter what, and many times Lina would find herself shoo'd out doors in the morning with Gourry to take a walk. Lina didn't mind in the least, it felt good to be out with Gourry in public or in private, holding hands, stealing a kiss, and not carring who knew, because they were married. Several of her old playmates showed up to offer congratulations, and more than a few to secretly, or not so secretly, drool over Gourry and find themselves wishing they had Lina's luck.

But Lina wasn't the sort to keep that sort of score and the walks were pleasant. They toured Lina's old haunts the way they had toured Gourry's haunts earlier, and if Gourry didn't get everything he did get that this all was part of shaping Lina into the kind of woman he simply couldn't live without and he was delighted to see whatever she had to show him. They even dared to skinny dip in Lina's old swiming hole but shyness didn't leave them in the stream very long. Still, it was enough to give them a wonderful memory. And it was good for them to be alone in the mornings because the afternoons were full with other people. Then, two days before the end of the week things started stirring in the town, and especially at Luna's hotel. Some large boxes started arriving, from Westhold, as well as reports of the nearness of the King and Queen. At almost the same time similar things started arriving from Seirune. The town square was cleared of the ususal daily traffic, and people started preparing a great pavilion, decked out for a wedding. Lina gulped, several times. The date was announced; to Lina it seemed almost as if it were for an execution. On the eighth day since her arrival home, all would be ready, and Lina would be married to Gourry, publicly, in a wedding of, gulp, Naga's design.

"Some of these are sealed and locked." remarked Luna at one point as they off-loaded boxes. "Probably your wedding dress." she added ominously. Lina looked a bit green, but Luna gave her a hug and said "No sense worrying till you must, cheer up sis! And don't forget, I must do what I must, but in the end I am on your side no matter what." Lina hugged her for a long minute then gave a laugh and said "And if we two sisters stand together, who can really do anything against us?" Luna laughed too, though a tear of happiness glinted in her eye, she really was grateful to have her relationship with Lina healing. As was Lina.

The next day, with Naga still some hours away, a delegation of honour guards arrived at the inn, and soon a great coach bearing the heraldry of the House of Seyruun and the Kingdom of Seirune. Amila and Phil, not to mention Zelgadiss, had arrived, and in style, as befitting the occasion. It was most impressive and was obviously burning itself deeply into little Lana's tender memory. She hid behind her mother, shivering, and repeatedly asking, to poor Luna's distraction, "Is it really a Princess mommy, is it? Huh? Is it?" Luna was about at her wits end as the footmen ran over to open the doors when Lina scooped her niece into her arms and said "Lana, you better let me take you over, that way they'll know you are my special niece, okay?" Lana was wide eyed at everything, but said "Okay." and shivered patiently in Lina's arms.

It didn't take long, there was an impressive fanfare, a cheer fom the crowd, and Phil stepped out, followed by Zelgadiss, then, with the two men to flank her, and the honour guard from Zefielia to walk between, out came Amilia in a pretty pink and white dress that looked the princess part perfectly. Of course, she was going for effect, and it had more than the desired effect on Lana. The little girl, overcome by the emotions started to cry and hiccough to her aunt "It's a real princess Auntie Lina!" Amilia who was making her way over to Lina anyway, gave the little girl a curious smile. "Lina!" she said giving her friend a hug. Then, looking at Lana with a big warm smile she said "And who might you be, you who are clever enough to spot a Princess?"

"Oh, he, he, this is my niece Lana." said Lina, making the introductions. Lana squirmed to be let down, where she promptly gave Amilia a cute, clumbsy bow. Amilia said "Oh why thank you Lana!" and curtsied back. Lana quivered for a minute, then ran off to tell her mother it was a for real princess. Amilia gave a chuckle and asked Lina "Now who does she remind me of..." "Oh rub it in..." replied Lina, but with a laugh. They made their way over and greeted Zel and Phil as well, and everyone got swept into the inn and settled. Reports were given that the Royal couple from Westhold were due in a few hours so the party from Seirune seemed happy to have timed their trip about right. An impromptu party started, food, drink, the works, and a lot of conversation. Amilia wanted to know all about how Lina was making out with her family and was genuinely delighted to hear her friend seemed to be back in the fold. At one point Lina broke down and cried happily and said "I'm so lucky Amilia, I'm so lucky!" Amilia qave her a little hug and smiled.

They talked and planned and speculated about the sealed boxes from Westhold. "Your wedding gown is sure to be in one of them." said Amilia excitedly. "Yeah." replied a nervous Lina. "What's wrong?" asked Amilia. "Oh, her revenge thing, you heard her, she'll probably make me look like a s-, like a-a-s-s-slug..." Lina got out. "Gracia wouldn't be that unjust." said Amilia reassuringly, but in her eyes were her own private doubts. Gracia could go off the deep end after all. "Well, if it is, I'll fireball her myself." said Amilia. "Let's see her take revenge for that"
Lina laughed, but begged Amilia to do no such thing. "No, I brought this on my self, and I have to learn to take the consequenses, and take them to heart. That was the problem with Luna and me, I felt the lumps, but never learned the lesson not to be a major irritant. Life would have been so simple between us if I had, oh well"
Eventually, towards evening, runners came in and the honour guard stirred again. The royal coach was entering the town. A crowd, every bit as hugh as the one that formed for the arrival of Phil and Amilia, surrounded the inn, but made way for the impressive carriage as it drew up. Again with the ranked guards on either side of the red carpet, again with the fan-fare and the impressive greeting. Then King Alfred emerged and with his own hand helped a resplended Queen Gracia down from the step. A great cheer, acknowleged with a humble bow from the King, and they walked down to the door where Luna bowed them into the inn. This time Lana didn't get introduced, but she seemed happy to stay in Lina's arms again, and was a bit quieter. Actually, she had shyly made friends with Amilia during the day, and now felt calmer about things.

At any rate, all formality ended with the entry into the room as Alfred immediately gave Phil a bear hug and shouted a gleefull "DAD!" and Phil hugged him back with a joyful "SON!" and then some laughter and the usual talk about the trip. Gracia immediately laughed her special laugh in greeting of Lina and Amilia, causing them to cringe and even making little Lana sob till her mother took her. It was bedtime anyway. And tommorrow was the wedding! "Oh gosh." thought Lina, "This is it." But for now there was talking and asking about news and how the honeymoon went, and a few ribald jokes and more eating and talking, and drinks flowed, none alcoholic, but that wasn't missed.

During the festivities there was actually a moment when Luna was free, something that had hardly happened during the week, but now her staff were up to full force and she actually was able to relax and take stock. At that time Gourry asked her to come with her father and meet him out back. Luna felt that was a strange request, but humoured it, and in a short time the three were seated around a picnic table in the back court yard. "I wanted to do this earlier." said Gourry, "But it never seemed the right time. Here, please look and even touch to your heart's content, both of you, but just remember it is dangerous." With that he set the Blast Blade on the table. Luna and her dad looked at the plain scabbard and handle. Somehow it was appropriate that the most magical blade after the Sword of Light should have no fancy, pretentious decorations. It didn't need them. Tenderly, perhaps a bit gingerly even, Lina's dad finally reached out and pulled the sword from it's scabbard.

It seemed a perfect blade! A few practice swings and he laughed. "It cut's the very air, litterally! You can feel it!" he said with a smile. "Try this!" said Gourry, picking up a rock. "You know the stick challenge?" "The one to see how many times you can cut a stick before it lands? You bet I do!" Lina's dad replied. "Try it with this." said Gourry, and he tossed the rock into the air. The older man swung. "Three!" said Luna with a triumphant laugh as he cut the stone like it was nothing at all. "Bah!" said her dad. "That's what I get for not warming up." "Well, we must fix that!" she replied and tossed another stone at her father. And so a happy hour passed for the three swordspeople, taking turns with the Blast Blade and talking swords, and life in general. Gourry felt a real bond with his father-, and sister-,in-law. The blade was finally returned to him, gratitude on the faces of his relations. As he reattached the scabbard to his belt he said to Luna "Lady Luna" "No, no!" she interupted. "Just Luna." "Oh, okay," he said, and went on, "Luna, if you ever need to borrow this blade, I will freely lend it to you." Luna looked at him with a tear of gratitude in her eye, and with a small lump in her throat she said "Really? I-I, I am honoured you'd trust me with such a treasure." she smiled. "I accept the offer, but pray it will never be needful for me to take it up." "Well, of course." said Gourry gently, "but if you do find you need it, it is yours to use. And I am honoured too, to be able to even make such an offer to a Knight of Cephied."

A voice from the sidelines interupted. "Are you done with my daddy, Gourry? I'd like him to meet the King and Queen." Lina was standing there, as were the aforebmentioned royal couple, as well as Zel and Amilia and Phil, with Theo. "Oh. Of course! Of course honey!" said Lina's dad with a smile as he came to her side. Formal introductions had, in fact, been made earlier, but in the mix of things the family had sort of ended up with Lina's mother first, and reveled in some good old tales about a young Lina, well, everyone but Lina had reveled maybe... Now they wanted to sit and talk with Lina's dad. As the backyard was pleasant at that time they sat and talked. King Alfred was interested in matters of trade, and let Lina's dad know that after the weddings were over and he was back in Westhold he would send a letter to the older man inviting him to approach his Eternal Queen about setting up a trade delegation to come and negotiate formal trade agreements. And now that the prospect of real peace with the east was looming, trade threatened to get very good indeed.

There was general laughter at that, and Phil rumbled in that he didn't expect the trade road to end in Zephielia either, though it would no doubt pass through her. Then there were more discussions about Lina, and the wedding that was to be held tommorrow. Lina's dad smiled, Luna had brought everyone in on the happening when she got back, and he declared himself ready to do his part. By the end of it everyone seemed genuinely to like each other, and Lina's dad was glad that Lina would serve so nice a monarch. He felt more at ease about his daughter than he had for a very long time, and several worry lines faded from his face that night never to return.
Finally, as the sun was setting and evening was begining to chill, just as they were making their way back inside, came the announcement that the final set of guests were arriving shortly. Gourry's family was was here at last. No honour guard this time, they had gone back to the palace, to be replaced by a real guard around the inn. Still Luna had left the red carpet out for them, they were to feel honoured too. And they did. They were quickly taken in and were indroduced around, and the talking began all over again, only now it was Gourry's turn to squirm as stories were told about him when young. Also, family history was discussed, and King Alfred suggested that he could provide artisans, so that a copy of the tapestry be made and hung in Gourry's hall, then the story of the sword could continue with the fortunes of the Blast Blade taking over for the sword of light. Gourry's mother made a deal about this as if it would be an imposition upon Westhold, but somehow she never said "No." to the idea, and after a minute of this King Alfred started to laugh. Gourry's mom caught the knowing look in his eye, and started to laugh too. And she was delighted as well, for now she knew Gourry was in the hands of a capable king, as well as a capable wife. Oh yes, barring a major tragedy, such as a devastating war, her little boy was going to be very well cared for indeed. So, with everyone generally getting along well, they all finally retired, tommorrow was going to be a big day.

Lina found it hard to fall asleep, partly it was the excitement of a real wedding, and the fear of how Naga was going to get her revenge. She dreaded the thought of being bleary eyed in the morning, but she dreaded the morning too. Gourry helped. He could sense her worry and held her tight. "Listen," he said, "what ever happens, I am going to be there with you, and for you. We will do it all together, and after it's over, it will be done for the rest of our life. But we will still be there, Lina, together, in love. Never doubt that I love you, Lina." Lina allowed herself to be persuaded, and snuggled in. "Thanks Gourry, just hold me close tonight, I need to feel you protecting me. Gourry smiled, and did just that. Finally Lina drifted off.