[Epilogue]

Tina wrapped the scarf around her face closer as she walked through the snow covered streets. Although her watch told it was still early in the day, the cloudy skies made it seem much later as the street lights were slowly lit with glowing luminaries.

In her pocket was the address she was seeking, but she had forgotten gloves and didn't want to remove her hands from the confines of her warm pockets despite the fact she had three letters she could have referenced resting in there.

She had forgotten how cold it was in the Capital opposed to back home. But in some ways it was warmer than the last time she was here in the spring. Rachel had made a stunning debut in the kingdom her presence able to knock back both the bill and bring a surge of new students interested in magic once again. From what she heard it was more about her rise from unknown than any talent, but it was all for the best. It meant she could walk down the streets with less worries from the Cherrios since Sylvester's hold on the King had passed and the rumor across the kingdom was the captain's screams were loud enough to wake the dead."

Like Mercedes had predicted without the promised position she fell into the backdrop, but judging by her letters she didn't seemed too unhappy. Mercedes had taken up "painting" as she called it putting her talents to good use mingling with the members of court working closely with Matt. She had become good friends with Quinn despite everything, and even managed to bring Puck back to the Capital somewhat restored as a knight though his gambling habits still in full force.

Kurt and his stepbrother had returned home, with actually a fallen star in his possession. Tina didn't get the full details, but she knew at least Finn was taking on his duties and was one of the acting forces in keeping the bill back. Apparently Finn was also talking to Rachel again, and Kurt casually mentioned in his letter of the prospects of her attending the wedding. As for himself, Kurt was thinking of infiltrating the Cherrios again, because he caught sight of the witches that had kidnapped Tina earlier that spring and he had a score to settle with them.

And as for Artie…

The doorbell rang as Tina opened the door, and she brushed off the snow on the collar of her coat. Standing in the music shop, looking at the stringed instruments and sheet music on the shelves she was startled when an older man dressed all in black suddenly appeared out of nowhere

He didn't say a word but gestured from her to follow him, behind the counter. He pointed at the door.

Tina peered into the room, first struck by the pile of papers on the desk, and the guitar tuning itself on the table. As her eyes darted from it, she heard a familiar humming, and found its source sitting in a wheelchair reaching for a book just out of reach.

Without thinking she strode up, and nudged the book down with a flick of her wrist.

"I see," Artie said with a surprised smile as he turned around taking the book, "Brad let you in."

"Brad?" She looked back to see the man in black expecting to see him, and only saw more sheet music.

"He's always around." Artie placed the book on his lap and rolled over to where a piano sat half covered with papers. "He's handy in masquerading this place off as a music shop."

"But the bill didn't pass," Tina said taking a seat by the piano, her fingers absently tapping on the keys. "You could sell magic point blank."

"And be a target for vandals? It's better to hide in plain sight, plus its fun." Artie's eyes gleamed with amusement. "How was the trip, ran into trouble leaving?"

"Not at all," Tina admitted, "Sunshine was welcomed back so readily, it made it easier to slip away once all the rites were done. Why do you ask?"

"Your hair's purple now," Artie touching the streaks, "I like it." His hand fingers slipped tucking the strand of hair behind her ear. "Is there a reason for the change?"

Her face flushed a bit, not sure if she herself had answer for the hereditary streaks that changed colors on their own accord. The answer the villager elder gave her made her ears turn red.

"About your letter," Tina paused for bit a before she continued, "You said once before you used several levels of spells to weave around, I like to learn them."

"You do?"

His surprised amused her, as if he had reasons to doubt. Perhaps he was right too. But things were resolved back home and there were no more excuses, no more reason to hold back.

"You know the spells are just for traveling," Artie said tapping the chair's armrest, "otherwise it's the chair for me."

"I know," Tina took his hand, curling her fingers around his, "I just want to let you know I want to be here for you, if you need it."

"It goes both ways," Artie replied, glancing briefly at their clasped hands, "since I think you just permanently exiled yourself from your home."

"Then I'll just find a new one."

"Knock, knock," Kurt called.

They looked up as Kurt and Mercedes flew through the door. Artie made a face at them, while Mercedes smiled giving Tina a knowing wink as they took spots around the piano.

"I told you she didn't get lost," Mercedes said Kurt who rolled his eyes as he pulled a letter out of his jacket. "She just wanted to settle a few things before we got here."

"Sure." Kurt glanced between them, glancing at their clasped hands. The mere lift of his eyebrow seemed like approval in some ways, and nodded briefly at them. "Do what you want. I think all our letters crossed," Kurt said to Artie, "but you said yes?"

Artie nodded.

"Yes to what?" Tina asked.

"Kurt has a quest for us." Mercedes said. "We might get to storm a castle, this time,"

"Or battle some armies," Artie added.

"Or break enchantments over an entire town."

"Or even figure out how he gets all his clothes."

"Ha, ha." Kurt replied as he unfolded the letter, rolling his eyes at Artie and Mercedes.

"What's going on?" Tina asked.

"Remember Blaine?" Kurt said.

"The one who escape Quinn's party?" Tina asked, "is he your new lover?"

Papers across the table signed with flames, "No!" Kurt protested blushingly furiously, yelling over the others laughter as blew the flames out, "He's not. He just gave me token, asked me to return this to a temple for him. He'd do it himself, be I owed him the favor."

Out the bag that seemed to hold entire rooms of things, Kurt pulled out a large gilded birdcage which, to Tina's amazement, held a bird held captive inside and placed it on top of the piano.

"It's alive," Tina whispered as the bird turned its head.

Artie leaned forward studying the bird closely, "There's an enchantment on it, I can't tell if it's on the bird or some kind of living spell."

"Do even know what it is?" Mercedes asked. "or what fool plan you got into this time?"

Kurt's lips twitched. "Do you care?"

"No," Mercedes said staring at the cage, "but it better not get me killed I say that much."

"It'll be a dangerous though, "Kurt replied, "Because I think there's more to this bird than Blaine let on."

"No kidding," Mercedes snorted.

"But we'll be together though," Tina added beamed at her friends. "Doesn't Schue always say the journey is worth it, not the destination?"

Artie squeezed her hand, "Journey's always the best part."

"So," Mercedes leaned forward tapping the cage, "where's this temple located?"

~Fin~