Eleanor rejoiced with the rest of the courtiers, but after a while she felt saddened and homesick. King Jonathan noticed her face fall and motioned for her to come near him.
"Tell me, my dear. What troubles you? You look as if someone had broken your heart in two."
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but something within me is telling me to go back home. I don't understand why, but-"
The King looked at her kindly. "I understand, Eleanor. You miss home and your father. I too missed my family while that wretched warlock placed the spell upon me. You have my permission and my blessing to return home as soon as you would like."
"Do you really mean that Your Majesty? Thank you ever so much!" Eleanor bent down on one knee. "Thank you very much, my king. You will not regret what you have done for me and all of us." Standing, Eleanor turned to the crowd. "Long live King Jonathan!"
The crowd cheered and echoed her.
As she left, Eleanor gave the King a smile. Mounting Spitfire, Pine, Gill, and South approached her.
"Where to, sister?" South asked.
Eleanor smiled warmly, holding her locket tightly in her hand. "We're going home."
Pine mounted his horse and moved slightly in front of Eleanor. "I will lead the way back to Eagle's Landing. South, you and Gill move behind us to cover her flank."
They agreed, mounting their horses before all heading off. On their way, they passed by Margaret's dressmaker shop before arriving in Dunwerr, spreading the news. The townspeople cheered and thanked the heroes before giving them gifts and sending them on their way. Passing through Neiromeh, the reception was not as warm, as the town was back to its regular hustle and bustle. The citizens waved to them, then returned to their work with gladness.
Finally, the party reached the forest before entering Eagle's Landing. Eleanor took a deep breath of air, then scrunched up her nose.
"What's that smell? It really stinks."
Pine turned to look at her, shaking his head. "You might not want to see this, Eleanor. It may not be easy to take in."
"What do you mean by that? I've defeated a dragon and saved a king, I rescued an innocent prisoner, I tamed a wild horse and defeated a she-bear! Do you really think I can't handle this?"
South and Gill looked at each other as Pine sighed reluctantly. "Alright, then. I have to tell you, it isn't pretty."
He moved aside to let Eleanor see what had happened. Grabbing her locket, she gasped and started to tear up.
"Oh, no. No wonder Margaret left for Nottingham."
The entire town of Eagle's Landing had been burned to the ground. Margaret's old shop was burned to cinders, with only half of her "Welcome" sign left hanging. The grocer, the shoemaker, the blacksmith, and even the peddler's haphazard shacks were smoldering with a stomach-turning stench. The landscape was charred as well, thought there were a few wildflowers scattered about that hadn't been charred. As Eleanor looked around with tears streaming down her face, Pine, Gill, and South joined her in silence. She then turned to where the orphanage stood, burned beyond recognition but miraculously standing. Even with the soot and smoldering trees around it, it still looked like home.
"I wonder if everyone is inside," South broke the silence.
"No better time to find out," Gill added.
Eleanor walked up to the door and pushed against it, having it swing open and fall off of its hinges with a thud.
Looking inside, all of the orphan girls were gone, the beds bare, except for a small piece of paper attached to one of the metal frames. Picking it up, Eleanor read the paper with a frown. Eleanor- I miss you and so do the rest of us. JoAnne was still working on escape plans and Purdy has really helped her attitude improve. Mrs. Withers died a month ago, and Clarabelle fell ill with a fever and passed a few days later. We got separated the week after, and I don't know where everyone else ended up. I want you to know that we still believe in you, even if you can't believe in yourself. Love, Mindy
Eleanor took the note, folded it into a square, then placed it inside her locket.
Wherever they are now, I'll keep them close to my heart."
The group stood silently for a while, letting Eleanor mourn before South spoke up.
"It seems Eleanor must live elsewhere."
"Why doesn't she live with us?" Gill asked. "We can care for her."
"No, Eleanor should live in Nottingham. Without the Sheriff around, it will be much safer," Pine suggested.
Eleanor sighed and put her elbows behind her head. "I'm going back to Sherwood Forest. My father and the Merry Men love me, and perhaps I'll be able to see the entire world someday." With a knowing smile, the group mounted their horses and began the ride back to Sherwood Forest.
Rob O' and the Merry Men rejoiced as Eleanor and the others approached, and Rob O' embraced Eleanor in a hug.
"Welcome back, darling!"
"Hello, Father."
Surrounded by those who loved her, Eleanor realized that she was finally where she belonged, and home had never been far away.