Notes: At long last I've figured out how to conclude this story. It felt done with the end of the previous chapter, so it took some time to determine how to put together enough of a wrap-up for another installment. I'm pleased I did this one; the story looks much better with this epilogue added. Thank you so much for your interest! It was fun writing for these characters and giving Sturdevant a happy ending, as well as bringing in "Sam" from The Fortress episode. I don't have any immediate plans to write for this series again, although I would like to revisit the characters some more and if an idea strikes me, I shall likely attempt it. Thank you again!
Epilogue
Court was out of session and the plaintiffs were all quite pleased with the results. All the outlaws had been found guilty of assault, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder, but their sentences had been eased slightly due to the information they had given about how and why they had come together. There was a warrant out for the crooked Sheriff's arrest. And the blizzard had eased up, which would allow for safe passage back to Shiloh.
"I'm relieved things in court are settled, but I'm sorry to see all of you go," Suzanne said, coming to an upstairs bedroom doorway as she watched The Virginian, Trampas, and Sam packing.
"You've still got Sturdevant with you," The Virginian said.
Trampas nodded. "I'm sure you'll make do."
Suzanne smiled. "And I'm grateful to have him. It's nice to think of not spending time alone closing this old place up."
"Are you still going to close it?" Trampas asked.
"I guess I still haven't decided yet," she admitted. "Naturally I'll keep it open until Mr. Sturdevant has recovered enough that he can leave. Maybe by that time a lot will have changed."
The Virginian smiled too. "By that time, a lot could have." He closed his pack. "Keep in touch."
"Yeah, we'd like to know how things are going," Trampas said. He hesitated. I'd like to know.
"I'll write," Suzanne promised. "Oh, do you want to say Goodbye to Mr. Sturdevant?"
"We'll pop in and say our Goodbyes," The Virginian said, glancing at Trampas. "But somehow I don't think either Sam or Mr. Sturdevant would care to see each other again."
Sam grunted in agreement.
"That probably would be best," Suzanne conceded. "Alright then." She stepped out of the doorway to allow them to pass through.
They did so, moving carefully so as not to drop anything or fall down the stairs. Then, while Sam lingered behind, The Virginian and Trampas made their way to the ground floor guestroom.
"Well," The Virginian greeted Sturdevant, "how's it coming?"
"Not bad," Sturdevant answered. He was still lying in the bed on his side, but he seemed very alert and more at peace than he had before Dr. Travers had come. "And you?"
"Oh, this shoulder will be right as rain soon," The Virginian said. "We're heading off now, while there's a break in the storms. It looks like we're leaving you in good hands."
"You are," Sturdevant said. "Have a safe trip back."
"Thanks," Trampas said. "You have a safe continuing recovery."
"Thank you. I'm sure I will," Sturdevant replied.
"Let us know if you need any help explaining things to those fur trappers," Trampas said.
The Virginian nodded. "We'll be happy to help set things straight, if you need us."
"Thank you again," Sturdevant said. "I'm afraid I might. But that time won't be for a while yet."
In agreement The Virginian said, "You just get better and then we'll worry about it."
With that they left the room and headed outside, where Sam was already readying his horse. He glanced over as they began to follow suit, each thinking on what a strange and varied trip this had been from start to finish.
"And to think, we thought this little journey would be routine," The Virginian commented.
"Just get the money and go," Trampas agreed. "You still have the money, right?"
The Virginian nodded. "I double-checked a few minutes ago," he assured Trampas. "It's high time we were getting back home. I wanted to make sure nothing delayed us." Finishing with his horse, he turned to study Trampas more closely. "Do you feel alright now about running into Suzanne again after all these years?"
Trampas considered the question. "Yeah," he said at last. "It was good to wrap that up. I wasn't glad at all to see her again when we first got here, but it worked out in the end. I can finally, really move on. And I think maybe she's found a little more happiness than when we were leaving the last time."
"I think you're right," The Virginian surmised. "Taking care of Sturdevant has been good for her."
It was then that Suzanne appeared in the doorway. "Please write when you get back to Shiloh safely," she implored. "Or if there's any trouble. Not that I would be able to do much to help, but I'd certainly do my best to get someone down there who could."
"Thank you," The Virginian said, climbing on his horse. "We'll do that."
"And remember, that goes for you too," Trampas interjected. "We want to hear how things are coming up here."
Suzanne smiled. "I'll make sure to let you know."
Sam mounted and gave her a look that basically said Good luck dealing with that stuffed shirt.
The Virginian chuckled. "Sam here apparently thinks you might have some trouble with Mr. Sturdevant."
Trampas just shook his head, amazed whenever The Virginian interpreted one of Sam's looks.
Suzanne gave Sam a mock scolding look in reply. "Oh, you. Mr. Sturdevant doesn't give me any trouble. You just have to know how to handle him."
Sam's silent response was now You're a brave woman.
Trampas shook his head. "Things at Shiloh are really going to be interesting with this guy hanging around." He looked to Sam. "But you'd just better learn how to get more comfortable with talking. Me and the rest of the crew won't know what you're saying."
"I'm comfortable with talking, when it needs to be done," Sam said calmly. "I always made reports to Winthrop. I'll make reports to the head of the ranch or whoever needs to hear it."
"You'd better," Trampas said. "But I still wonder what we're in for."
The Virginian and Sam both just regarded him in amusement.
Suzanne looked a bit amused too. "Well, goodbye, all of you." She came forward on the porch and locked eyes with Trampas, who nodded in reply.
"See you around," The Virginian said.
As Trampas got on his horse as well, the three friends rode off into the cold autumn day. Suzanne watched them until they were out of sight. Then she turned, walking back into the house and into the guest bedroom on the main floor.
"Have they gone now?" Sturdevant asked.
She nodded. "It's just going to be the two of us for a while, unless any guests come."
"I won't mind the quiet," Sturdevant said.
"You mean you won't mind Sam not being here," Suzanne said wryly.
Sturdevant scowled. "I can't abide that character."
"Well, at least someone can," Suzanne said. "It's good that he has a friend. Everyone should have someone."
"Yes," Sturdevant agreed, looking up at her. "Everyone should have someone."
Suzanne watched him. "Do you have anyone?" she wondered. "In all the confusion, I didn't think to ask if there was someone you would have wanted us to try to reach."
"My family is back in St. Louis," Sturdevant said. "It's just as well they didn't know; they would have been worried sick.
"And what about you? Is there anyone left for you now?"
Suzanne averted her gaze. "I know someone in Fargo," she said carefully. "But going to them isn't really an option. At least, not going to them the way I long to."
"I see." Sturdevant hesitated. "I'm sorry if I in any way influenced your fiancé's departure. I wasn't thinking of those left behind, only how valuable he would be to the revolution."
Suzanne tried to smile. "It was still in his heart, even though part of him wanted to create a new life for himself without revolutions. But I think it was Jacques more than you who influenced him. And if you hadn't been here, Jacques might have killed The Virginian, and then who knows where Louis would be?"
". . . Who knows what will happen to him now," Sturdevant said quietly.
"I know he could very well be killed in the revolution," Suzanne said. "But I'm grateful he's alive right now. He will do great things for the Metis. And maybe someday, he really will come back." Her voice had lowered now. She wasn't fully sure she believed that, but she would cling to hope as long as there was the possibility of any.
"I pray he will," Sturdevant told her.
"Then we'll just have to wait and see if those prayers are answered in his and our favor," Suzanne said. "Meanwhile, I have a fresh pot of stew. Would you like some?"
"Yes, thank you," Sturdevant said. "Food is starting to sound much more appealing to me than it did before."
"That's a good sign," Suzanne said. "I'll get you some."
She left the room, feeling happy in spite of her continuing sadness over Louis. It was good to still be useful and needed. But it was also good to have a listening ear. Several days ago, when The Virginian and Trampas had left, she had felt so empty and the inn had seemed so large and cold. Now it was warm again and a part of that emptiness had abated.
Outside in the snow, as the horses ambled along, Trampas suddenly glanced to The Virginian. "You know, I just realized something," he said. "All that time we were there and none of us even know Sturdevant's first name."
"Oh, I'm sure Suzanne will find that out sooner or later," The Virginian said easily.
"Anyway, you have one real name for him, and that's more than you have for either of us," Sam pointed out.
"That's a good point," The Virginian said.
Trampas sighed. "Okay, you two win."
Sam gave a mischievous grin and rode out ahead, sending snow flying. Amused, The Virginian gave chase.
Left behind, Trampas spat snow out of his mouth and glowered after the two. "Just wait until I catch up with you again!" he yelled in a mock threatening tone. Soon he was flying over the snow after them, enjoying the small game in spite of himself.
It was nice, after all, to have a moment for harmless fun after the seriousness of the last few days.