Parker lay on his bed, too tired to move. He couldn't believe the things Maranguan showed him, things of the past, and the very thought that Maranguan would be released. He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to release Maranguan. That dragonoid was trouble!

He nearly fell asleep when the golden bell chimed twice, signaling that two o' clock had come. He sat up, wondering what new spirit would invade his room and Terrence's house at this late hour.

He jumped, gasping in shock at Eliza Bowler-Dooley appearing in his room. Eliza had a thin frame, brunette hair, pale skin, and green eyes, the greenest eyes Parker had ever seen. Her dress was green, too, the deepest green but most impressive, matching her eyes. She had a floral tiara nestled on her head, with many different flowers attached.

Parker sighed, knowing he was in love with her all over again, even though she was now a spirit.

"Hello Parker," Eliza smiled widely at him, beaming with radiance and elegance. "I said I would come back and well, here I am!"

Parker stood up, approaching his wife with wonder and lustfulness. "So, you're the ghost of my present." He wrapped his arms around her, not wanting to let her go. She was so cold and yet so warm that it warmed him up. His heart was filled with joy at the sight of her being here with him. He smiled, fondly, playing with her hair. "You look beautiful. I've missed you so much."

"The night isn't over," Eliza said, gazing into his eyes. "But come. I must show you something."

"Why do we have to go? Can't we stay here for tonight, get to know each other? Love each other up?" Parker flirted with her, tenderly.

"You're sweet," Eliza said with a light-hearted chuckle. "But really, we must go. I have some things to show you, things that will, hopefully, make sense." She extended her hand to him. "Come with me, while we still have the night."

Parker raised an eyebrow. Surely, he could stand one night with his darling wife.

"I'd love to," Parker took her hand, surprised when the landscape changed to reveal morning in Kyrria. He looked around in awe, releasing Eliza, as he noticed they were inside the palace in Lamia. "How? How are we here?"

"Because it's morning. This would be the Autumn Celebration, right?" Eliza asked, pointing out the children playing in the corridors, as well as Ella and Char walking around the castle grounds, all smiles. Parker followed Ella and Char to the castle grounds, with Eliza following him.

"Ella and Char are here, celebrating," Parker said, stunned but impressed.

"I trust everything is to your liking," Char told Ella, enjoying this moment.

"Yes, splendidly," Ella said, kissing Char on the cheek. "But seriously, we can't forget Parker Dooley. He's famous."

"Ah! Famous, much like myself and you, my precious Ella," Char said with a smile.

"Yes. He's decided to stay in Kyrria. I don't know why that is when he is needed elsewhere," Ella said, curtly.

"Perhaps he wants to spend more time with his family," Char said, intrigued.

"No, that's not it. He's neglecting his role to the worlds: to be the hero everyone needs, to be the hero everyone cares about. Family means more to him than his mission, but in time he should have realized that his family will follow him anywhere. Just the way it is, I suppose," Ella said, as she and Char approached a floral stand.

Parker's smile vanished. Eliza wasn't just here to discuss them being together. She was trying to send him a message. He understood what that message was about.

"You're trying to make me continue my quest," Parker faced his spirit wife, asking her bluntly, "Aren't you? You know, it won't be the same. I just got to know Terrence and his wife, and now their daughter Autumn."

"Come with me. It's time to see your family. Our family," Eliza said, taking his hand again.

The landscape changed. Parker stood just outside Terrence's house with Eliza standing right beside him. Parker approached the window, stunned to see himself helping to prepare a meal with Terrence and his wife Marjorie. They looked so peaceful, and yet he saw himself inside the house, torn by what he did, by staying with his great-grandson and his family.

Was there no way to fix this?

"Eliza, what's going to happen to my family? I'm sorry, our family. What'll happen if I stay here for a while, for-forever?" Parker asked, cautiously.

"Forever?" Eliza asked, concerned. "Parker, I didn't want to tell you the future, but I'll give you a vision. It's the same vision for every Age, up to a point. If these visions stay as they are, I fear for your life. You will be in danger and you won't be able to assist Frodo Baggins, come the Third Age. That's why Aslan sent you on this quest, to the point where the spirits had to take part. Parker, it's your destiny to explore other worlds and travel through time. Your job isn't done.

"But," Eliza stared at the window again, "I fear the worst for our family, should you decide to stay. Parker, now is not the time to be immobile. Now, you must choose your life or everyone else's fate. You're alive for a reason. Don't squander it." She pointed to Terrence and Marjorie, as well as the pained Parker Dooley moving about the house. "Do you see their faces? Look closely. They don't look happy. That's why it's up to you to help us change time, change events. Your job isn't over yet, and neither is mine."

Parker looked at the scene before him. There was a conflict between himself and Terrence, but there was also a longing in his other self's eyes. A longing he couldn't ignore.

He sighed, realizing he was going to lose everything if nothing happened, if nothing changed.

"Eliza, what will I do? How do I change this?" Parker looked at his spirit wife again, noticing her hair had gone from brunette to grey to silver in a short time. "Eliza, are you alright?" He asked, rushing up to his spirit wife.

"I'm sorry. I've spent too much time here. The present can only stay for so long." Eliza said, growing older by the second. "Remember the lessons you were taught here. Don't forget me or your family! Don't forget yourself either! Remember me when I'm gone!"

"I will! I promise! Eliza!" Parker cried, as his darling wife vanished into the fog. He was alone outside Terrence's house, with no way of getting in and no way of getting out.

Oh, what was he to do now?

*.*.*

References:

Ella of Frell and King Charmont come from "Ella Enchanted".