A/N:

I have decided to do a series of epilogue chapters and one shots to give you all some closure.

The approaching winter solstice brought life to the ship. Qrow and Tai were running around gathering supplies from the journeys to hold them through a winter ashore. Winter covered as many odd jobs she could to pull in every penny that she could so that she could buy Solstice gifts for her loved ones. She also planned on looking around the local houses and schools on the island where they were staying. Ruby and Weiss eagerly awaited the Solstice and Weiss also worked hard to earn some spare change to buy Winter a nice birthday present. Blake was wary of the snow but Yang insisted that they would have an excellent time on Patch.

Everyone rushed to the top desk when Qrow declared that land was in sight and Tai guided the ship towards the shore. Even Qrow couldn't suppress the broad smile on his face as they approached their home on land. The cold winter winds were whipping but the excitement on the ship kept them all warm. Everyone was packing up to stay ashore for winter on the farm that Tai's family had left him. Ren and Nora were packed up rather quickly as they didn't have much between them but they enjoyed listening to the others.

Ruby was chattering about all of the things she wanted to show the others on Patch as she haphazardly threw her stuff into a trunk. Yang reminded Ruby that the snow would be moving in soon and preventing them from doing too much but Ruby didn't care. Weiss was excited to be ashore once more. She helped Winter as they packed all of their earthly belongings into the chest that Tai had given them. Weiss neatly folded her spare dresses and undergarments, saving her jacket aside to wear on the trip to the house.

Winter counted the full coin bags a smiled as she neatly lined them up on top of the remnants of her old wedding dress. She laid her spare clothes over top of them and made sure to add her washcloth and blanket as well. A silver flask with an gear shaped symbol engraved into it fell out as she folded up her blanket and she smiled before tucking it under her old wedding dress. Winter's heart leapt as they moored in the harbor of Patch and she hurried to gather the last of their things.

Qrow stood in the shared captains' quarters and stared pensively at the chest in front of him. His own trunk was packed neatly (by Tai) and unceremoniously dropped at the foot of his bed (by Qrow himself). He moved slowly to open the chest, as if expecting it to bite him if he touched it, but it made no move. Qrow jumped as the door opened and Tai walked in. He moved to block the chest from Tai's view, but it was unnecessary. Tai moved directly to his trunk which lay open on his bed and he began to throw the remaining items in.

"So, you finally moved the chest, huh?" Tai smirked, not looking at Qrow. Qrow dropped onto his bed and opened the chest, his earlier nerves calming slightly with Tai's acknowledgement.

"What's your plan now?" Tai turned at last to look at Qrow. Qrow looked up from his treasure chest with a sad smile as he held a dark feather up into view.

"Letting go."

Winter helped Qrow load up the cart with chests and children and trunks and teenagers alike before the pair squeezed into the front with Tai who had volunteered to drive. The drive was beautiful, even in the early winter. The path was lined with think, old forests and their few remaining leaves swayed in the the breeze, their colors enhanced by the evening sun. The house that they approached was a very large but simple farmhouse. There was the remains of an impressive garden in the front and a large garden in the rear that stretched all the way out to the treeline.

Tai brought the cart to a halt and the the front door flew open. A younger, dark haired boy dressed in green ran out, quickly followed by a tall woman with light blonde hair. Tai hopped out of the cart and rushed forward to embrace his friends and waved at everyone to leave the cart.

"Guys, I would like you to meet Oscar and Glynda." Tai smiled. He turned to the woman and boy. "Oscar and Glynda, these are Weiss, Winter, Blake, Ren and Nora. They are the new additions to the family that I mentioned." Tai said, gesturing to each child as he named them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Winter smiled and outstretched her hand to Glynda and was met with a strong grip.

"The pleasure is all mine. Why don't you all come in?" Glynda stepped aside to unblock the door.

The living room looked warm and inviting. The fireplace housed a roaring fire that fluttered as the wind snuck through the opened door. Large cushions were stacked in the corner and there was a large settee in the middle of the room facing the fireplace. There were bookshelves lined with books of varying size, color and difficulty. The kitchen was partially visible from the living room and Winter was ecstatic. The room was well lit and there was a large dining table surrounded by chairs. The large stove was burning hot and the aroma implied that there was something roasting inside. Yang quickly made for the cellar and cheered in delight at the sight before her.

There were potatoes in sacks, braided garlic, knotted onions, hanging fowl and even some butter and cream in the cooling stream. She ran back up to help Tai unload the supplies that they had brought as well. As the pair worked at filling the larder, Winter and Qrow began to unload the trunks into each room. Ruby shared with Yang and Blake and Weiss decided to join them. Ren and Nora stayed with Oscar and Qrow and Tai each had their own rooms. Winter picked up her trunk and headed towards the girls' room before Qrow pulled the trunk out of her hands with a smirk and walked towards his room.

"What are you doing, Qrow?" Winter frowned.

"Enjoying having my own room for once. Sharing with Tai gets a little old sometimes." He winked at her and kept walking. Her face burned bright red but she let him go and went back down to get the next trunk.

Qrow grinned evilly as he opened up Winter's chest and rummaged around until he found what he wanted. He neatly arranged everything in the hopes that she wouldn't notice what he had stolen until it was too late. He opened his small trunk and threw his goods inside and shut it tight before making a beeline to the girls' room. Weiss was alone, unpacking while Yang and Blake filled the cellar and Oscar showed Ruby around the farm. Weiss looked at Qrow with a blank face, obviously not expecting him.

"Can I help you?" She asked, nervously.

"Yes you can. Ice princess, I have a little project that I need you help with." And with that he shut the door and handed her the trunk.

Winter brought the last of the bags up and dropped them in the boys' room before stretching her back. She heard a loud squeal come from the girls' room at the other end of the hall and she ran to see what was the matter. Weiss was sitting on her bed with her hands over her mouth. Qrow looked both annoyed and panicked and was sitting on something. The pair looked at each other then at Winter. Qrow looked at Weiss expectantly, knowing that Winter wouldn't believe a word to come out of his mouth.

"Winter, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I saw a rat and Qrow caught it for me. It just spooked me is all." Weiss smiled at her sister nervously. Winter grimaced and began backing away.

"Oh, well, thank you Qrow for your valiance and for protecting my sister but since it looks like you have things under control then I will leave it in your capable hands." Winter spoke quickly and backed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her and Qrow laughed at the heavy running footsteps.

"Winter doesn't like rats." Weiss smiled.

"I would have never guessed." Qrow smiled and gave Weiss a pat on the head. "So are you in or what?"

"Absolutely!" Weiss beamed and opened the trunk with a smile.