Author's Note: This is the second chapter uploaded today. Make sure you read Chapter 16.
Chapter 17
A LETTER ARRIVES
A delayed letter from Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Netherfield on the very day Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy reached an understanding and secured the blessing of her father. Mr. Darcy, with a small amount of embarrassment, allowed Elizabeth to read the correspondence, which she did with great amusement.
Darcy,
Your letter dated over a month ago only recently arrived. It required rerouting after my regiment was moved, and I curse the delay it has caused in my response. I will ignore everything you have requested of me (In case you cannot remember your letter, I have enclosed it herein).
I am writing now to tell you: do not be a simpleton. I have heard of this so-called potion (as many soldiers have tried similar remedies to cure them of the memories of the battlefield to varying success) and you are more stubborn than I thought if you think this is a promising course of action. I assure you: it would be the very worst end if you manage to forget Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I have never seen you so charmed by any other woman (did you realize you rarely looked away from her at Rosings?) and I imagine those feelings will not easily be forgotten. I can also conclude that you must be madly in love with her if you are taking such reckless actions. Love makes fools of us all.
I beg you to speak to Georgiana or Bingley about Miss Elizabeth immediately. Even Aunt Catherine may be of use here (for her Ladyship will have plenty of reproaches that actually recommend Miss Elizabeth highly). During our time in Kent, I came to know Miss Elizabeth as one of the wittiest and brightest women of our acquaintance. If you are lucky, you may yet be able to atone for whatever stupid things you said or did and win her over (your pride and temper are not kept in good regulation as you think, Darcy). That is, if someone else has not already won her hand, which would not come as a surprise to me. Do you check the wedding announcements in the paper? I would have offered for her myself (and I told her as much in Kent!) if I did not have the misfortune of being a second son. You do not have the same limitations as I do, Darcy, and you have still blundered this whole thing.
I am on leave in a fortnight and will meet with you as soon as I return to town to knock some sense into you if you still have none. We can travel to Hertfordshire together if necessary. Sending this express to London with instructions to forward to wherever you are if you are no longer in town. All my love to Georgiana.
Yours &c
RF
"I always knew I had a friend and ally in the Colonel," Elizabeth commented with a laugh.
"Indeed. I will write to him immediately to tell him he will need to stop expressing how he would marry my future wife if he were able," Mr. Darcy replied, smiling.
EPILOGUE
The Darcy's often spent rainy days indoors in the blue parlor of Pemberley. Darcy was laying on the ground, propped up on his elbow, while their five-year-old daughter Anne jumped excitedly beside him, listening intently to him tell her favorite story. Elizabeth glanced up from her embroidery work and smiled at the sight that greeted her
"And when the prince woke up—" Darcy said.
"He could not remember the princess!" Anne interrupted with a shout and a dramatic look of surprise. She knew the story by heart.
"No, my darling, the prince could not," Darcy said, feigning a serious tone.
"Then what happened?"
"When the prince saw the princess again, he felt a great love in his heart for her, even if he did not know who she was. He was very scared and acted very poorly towards her. Fortunately, the beautiful princess, in addition to being kind and patient, was very brave. She helped the prince find his away again, and he learned to always act in such a way to be worthy of her love" Darcy glanced at Elizabeth as he spoke, and Elizabeth smiled and gently shook her head at him. He told many versions of the story, some more fantastical than others, but in all of them he painted Elizabeth as the understanding heroine that she had truly been.
"Then what, papa?" little Anne asked.
"The prince and the princess overcame many obstacles of their own making. One day, atop of the highest mountain in all the land, they confessed their love for each other and lived happily ever after." As he finished his tale, he grabbed Anne and lifted her above him while she screamed and dissolved into giggles.
The Darcys spent most of their days in harmony. Before they married, Elizabeth, Georgiana, Mr. Bingley and the Colonel each helped reconstruct what they could of the memories so that Darcy had a fuller understanding. He remembered all their acquaintance now, and he and Elizabeth made plenty of new memories to add to the old. Darcy reflected often on the force of his love for her. Despite their misunderstandings and poor first impressions and his misguided decisions, he had found her again. Darcy, formerly not a very sentimental man, was certain of one thing. He was always meant to find her and love her, and it was a gift that she loved him in return. Darcy lived every moment grateful for the day, every single one of them, when he met his dearest Elizabeth at Oakham Mount.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading this story. I am profoundly grateful for every one of you. This was my return to fanfic writing after thirteen years, and you have been so receptive and welcoming. Stay safe and healthy and be kind to each other.