Disclaimer: For the last time (literally), no, I don't own anything.

Author's Note: Please read my author's note at the end. And then review this final chapter. I will love you forever.

Chapter 17: The Magic of the Meadows

Kit sat by the window in the attic bedroom, alone again. It was early morning and the Wood household, once so lively with three young people laughing and talking, was silent.

The view from the tiny window was breathtaking. A September breeze filtered through the treetops, making the leaves sway. The world from this viewpoint was an astonishing array of deep browns, vibrant red, bright oranges, and rich yellows.

Although Kit loved the allure of autumn in New England perhaps even more than the promise of spring, she wasn't truly noticing the spectacular sight before her. Her mind and heart were fixed in Saybrook.

Kit's farewell with Mercy had been particularly emotional.

She had already received a steady, friendly smile from John when she had said goodbye and a cheerful giggle from Maddie when she had given her a kiss.

Judith and William had gone ahead with their own trunk and Kit's own small one, just big enough to hold a few dresses and other essentials. Kit was to meet them at the docks in thirty minutes.

Kit asked Mercy to accompany her onto the porch, which she willingly did, sitting in the chairs placed there to enjoy pleasant weather.

Kit looked unseeingly at the sight before her, people walking to and fro. Then she asked, still gazing into the distance, "You will look after the dame school, won't you, Mercy?"

"Of course."

"And you'll tell Mistress Eaton, Anne, and Hannah that I say goodbye and I'll see them again soon?"

"They'd rather hear it from you."

Kit finally turned to Mercy, her eyes filled with tears, her thin frame visibly trembling. "I can't face him again, Mercy, I just can't. I'm not strong enough."

And with that declaration, all her resolution fell away and she was sobbing her heart out, her head in Mercy's lap. Mercy could only stroke her head, her great grey eyes troubled.

After a few moments Kit began to recollect herself and pulled herself back into a sitting position. She then confessed what Nat himself had told her earlier that day. "He's in love, Mercy," she whispered. "With somebody who, I'm sure, is pleasant and charming and always thinks before she acts. How can I hope to compete with somebody like here? Nat deserves her, I know, but I can't stand to see him right now. You must think ill of me for being so uncourageous, but I can't help it, Mercy."

Mercy touched Kit's shoulder, causing the younger girl to look at her. Mercy's gaze was full of sympathy and compassion. "Of course I think as well of you as ever," she consoled. "I only think you're crying because your heart is too full. Go now to Wethersfield and rest. Stay with Mother and Father; I think you need comfort and familiarity more than the luxury I'm sure Judith will offer."

Kit nodded her agreement and then stood up. She gave Mercy an affectionate hug and a tender, but unsteady, smile and set off towards the docks.

To Wethersfield and her old home she was to go.

From the moment the ship left Saybrook, everything seemed to go wrong. The wind, which had been an energizing breeze, turned against them, blowing in the opposite direction. Once out on the river, a storm attacked them, knocking the ship about. And for the first time in her life, Kit became seasick and relied on Judith's care.

Despite all the obstacles and setbacks, the small ship plowed along, refusing to surrender, and eventually it reached its destination one morning before dawn.

At Wethersfield, the three companions descended, William carrying a small trunk on each should. On High Street, Kit left the other two. William put her trunk down and gave her a small smile. Judith placed a gentle hand on her arm. Kit gave them both a smile of thanks and watched as they continued on to their own home.

Once they were out of sight, Kit turned to face the house that brought back so many memories. She knocked on the door and waited. After a few moments, a familiar, tired face was looking at her from inside the Wood household.

Rachel broke into a lovely smile as she rushed to embrace her niece. Kit clung to her aunt tightly, seeking comfort and reassurance.

When they separated, Rachel led Kit inside where Matthew stood waiting.

He put a heavy hand on her shoulder, looked into her eyes, and said seriously, "You are welcome, Katherine."

Kit smile in relief at the sincerity in his voice.

Kit continued to gaze towards the colorful trees long after her uncle had left her in the attic bedroom with her trunk.

With a sigh, she wrenched her eyes away from the window. She went to look for her uncle in hopes of finding a way to escape her thoughts that remained fixated, despite her best efforts, on a pair on tantalizing blue eyes.

As she climbed down the stairs, she ignored the voice in her head that reminded her "'Tis never an escape if love is not there."

Kit spent the next few days helping her aunt and uncle. She weeded gardens, sanded floors, and made puddings. Although she was never happy, she did find a kind of relief in the moments when there was no need to think.

Kit kept mostly to herself. Her aunt and uncle, sensing something amiss with their niece, never pressed her for answers or asked why she had returned. She had no desire to see her former neighbors. She knew many of them still believed her a witch; she heard the mutterings in the first Meeting she had attended. There was hardly a friendly face to be seen in the entire room.

Sometimes time is the only thing that can heal past grievances. After about two weeks, Kit began to feel more accepted in her former hometown. Once the townspeople saw how calm and unassuming she behaved, they began to forget their former prejudices and treat her as what she appeared to be, a regular Puritan woman. As William had once predicted, people were quite willing to let bygones be bygones.

However, three weeks after she first returned, Kit was reminded that she would never be considered "regular" by all the inhabitants of Wethersfield. As Kit was meandering through the settlement she felt a pair of eyes on her. Pausing and squinting through the sunlight, her eyes met those of Goodwife Cruff, who was clearly glaring at her. Rachel had told her niece on the day of her arrival that the Cruffs had gone to visit relatives in Hartford a week earlier and the date of their return was unknown. It appeared to Kit that they had arrived fairly recently since all three were still wearing their traveling clothes.

Kit could see Prudence sitting on the steps, concentrating on a pieced of embroidery. Goodman Cruff seemed to be laboring intensely over a book. Goodwife Cruff though merely sat rigidly in her chair and glared. Kit understood that the fierce woman had not forgotten the small kindness she had been shown in the courtroom all those years ago and still resented her for it. Hatred shined from her eyes.

But the eyes of Prudence, who had looked up when she realized there was someone else nearby, were bright with eagerness. She jumped up, dropping her needlework carelessly in the process, and ran to her father, bending down to whisper in his ear. He nodded and gave Kit a small smile from his seat as his daughter ran towards her. Kit bent to give Prudence a tight hug and felt renewed glares being sent in her direction.

After holding her for a moment, Kit let go and examined the girl, no, young woman before her. Adam Cruff had kept his promise to look after his daughter. Prudence, who now reached Kit's shoulder, was properly dressed and her hair was shiny and smooth. Possibly due to the fact that she now looked as if she ate decent meals, the fire in her eyes and soul was more evident than ever. Her face lit up when she grinned at Kit.

"You came back, Kit!" she cried, grabbing Kit's hand. "I've missed you!"

They began to walk aimlessly. "I've missed you, too, dear. When did you return?" Kit asked.

"Oh, just this morning, a few hours ago, I think," Prudence replied. "The wind hasn't been cooperating."

As they passed through Meeting Hall Square, the two friends continued to talk of anything that came into their minds. Prudence told her former teacher that she was attempting to teach her father to read ("'Tis more difficult than I could have ever imagined!" the girl proclaimed). Kit recounted news of Hannah.

Suddenly Kit found that their mindless wanderings had led them past the trees to the docks. She could see several ships had docked and were unloading. In the distance, she could vaguely see a set of sails in the distance, as white in the blue skies as the few present clouds.

Prudence gave a sigh of pleasure. "'Tis a wonderful day, isn't it?"

Kit, feeling especially elated for the first time in nearly a month, spun around in agreement, enjoying the cool breeze off the river. "'Tis one of those October days when any wonderful, unexpected thing may happen. Today may be simply a nice day or it may be extraordinary," she said cheerfully.

Prudence giggled at Kit's foolishness. "When are you leaving, Kit? I don't want to say goodbye yet."

Kit was still in a happy mood and tweaked Prudence's nose. "I suppose I must leave soon. 'Tis the end of October nearly and the last ships will be leaving soon. I can't leave Mercy alone with Maddie and the dame school all winter," she thought aloud, adding to Prudence, "We keep it up all year for those who want to keep coming. But we don't meet for as long once summer is over. And I promise I'll be back soon, all right?"

Kit gave the girl a quick hug and they continued to weave between the crews unloading their cargo and the people of Wethersfield who were picking up their purchases of just watching all the activity.

Suddenly Kit paused. She thought she had seen something or, more specifically, someone. Prudence, who hadn't noticed Kit's previous, unexpected stop, was surprised to see Kit fly past her towards a certain fair-haired sailor.

"Nat!" Kit called eagerly, running.

A moment later, though, she had stopped moving abruptly. The blond sailor, who glanced up when he heard a yell and had stood fully up when he had seen a young woman running excitedly towards him, was not Nat. Although his hair was the same shade as Nat's, this stranger had fewer freckles. His eyes, friendly and momentarily confused, were alien, a rich chocolate color, not the clear blue that her mind had been dwelling on so often.

"Can I help you, ma'am?" he asked politely, a drawl in his voice.

Flustered, Kit stammered, "I thought…not him…" Noting the man's bewildered and slightly worried expression, she managed to pull herself together enough to say, "I'm sorry. I made a mistake."

Kit turned her back on the man, walked away thinking to herself, Silly. He's probably on his way to meet his beloved. Why would he be here?

She was startled by Prudence's hand on her elbow. "Kit?" the girl asked tentatively.

Prudence gasped at the tears in Kit's eyes and did nothing to stop her when the latter said, "I need to go. I will come see you soon, Prudence."

And with that Kit ran, tears flowing down her cheeks, ignoring all the surprised looks the townspeople sent in her direction, heading to the first place she had felt safe in this strange land.

When she finally reached her destination, Kit flung herself onto the ground of the Meadow and sobbed until she had no more tears left to cry.

When Kit awoke, she realized she felt better. The Meadow had worked its magic for her once again, That little, familiar voice inside her whispered, There is always a cure here when the heart is troubled.

Laying on her back, Kit watched the clouds overhead float across the pink-orange sky. Having stretched herself to her emotional limit, she was content to simply lie there, listening to the rustle of the grass as the breeze filtered through them.

Watching the sun inch further west, Kit grasped just how long she must have been aslee. She had left Prudence in the early afternoon. She had then cried for over a quarter hour, though it had felt much longer. Now it seemed as if at least four hours had passed since her…mistake. Kit's stomach gave a funny little twitch. Apparently crying one's heart out left one hungry.

As Kit began to gather the energy to move, her mind on the food waiting at home for her, she heard something besides the wind shifting the blades of grass. All her energy returned to her and she sat bolt upright.

Her thoughts of food vanished instantly. Walking deliberately towards her, a bounce in his step and a familiar twinkle in his eye, was Nat Eaton. Kit wasn't sure if he was really there; she had thought she had seen him once already today. She remained silent and wary as he approached.

The possible-Nat grinned down when he reached her, noting her mystified expression. "Who were you expecting?" he asked. "Shakespeare?" And then he dropped rather ungracefully to the ground beside her.

This had to be the real Nat. No trick of her imagination could be so mocking. Kit's heart pounded in her chest.

Nat gazed at the grass and trees ahead of him as he said casually, "I thought I'd find you here."

Kit was still too shocked to think sensibly. She didn't know what to say to this so she just asked, "Why?"

He shrugged. "I just knew."

After a pause, he began to talk. "I wanted to talk to you, did you know that? I waited a few days after Judith and William left to give you all time to readjust.

"But when I came to call during the next class for dame school, Mercy was the only one there. I asked when you would return, but she said she didn't know. As I turned to go, she said, 'She's trying to follow her heart, but she's confused.' Then she smiled and showed me to the door."

Kit blushed but didn't say anything. Nat continued his story. "I guessed that you'd gone o Wethersfield and, after saying goodbye to my mother, grandmother, and Hannah, I set off. The Witch had a run of bad luck: contrary winds, storms, fits of stillness. Took forever to get here."

Kit spoke up for the first time since he had begun his tale. "When did you get here?"

Nat glanced at her out of the corner of his eye with a look of mild surprise. "Docked about an hour ago. 'Round noon we were out by Wright's Island. I was heading to your uncle's house to look for you, but as I was passing by here, something called to me."

With rising hopes, Kit asked tentatively, cautiously, "Why were you looking for me?"

Nat turned to look at her. His blue eyes matched the darkening sky. They held a question in the impenetrable depths. "Kit, I still love you. When I came to talk to you a month ago, I wanted to find out how you felt, if I should start making plans. I still want to know. Will you marry me, Kit?" he asked.

Kit stared at him in open astonishment as he held his breath. His face shone with anticipation. She saw both hope and fear etched there.

Suddenly Kit laughed and impulsively threw her arms around him, giving him a tight hug.

Nat delicately untangled himself from her arms after a moment, his cheeks strangely pink, but his eyes a clearer blue than every before. "So is that a yes?"

Kit laughed happily. "Yes! Of course, 'tis a yes!" she exclaimed. Her smile was so bright she did not look even slightly plain.

She lay back down in the grass and this time Nat joined her. "I've been working hard these past few years, Kit. I think I have almost enough to build a home of our own, as long as you don't want anything grand like you cousin Judith." He flashed a little smirk in her direction, before continuing, "Maybe we could live here in Wethersfield and I can help your uncle with the fields since we won't always be here, we'll be sailing to Barbados in winter. Or we can live in Saybrook if you'd prefer."

Kit smiled. "It sounds as if you've been thinking about this for a while," she teased.

"I don't know if you remember this but I did ask you to marry me a few years ago when I got The Witch," Nat reminded her, quirking his eyebrow.

Kit blushed, embarrassed. She did not want to talk about that. Changing the topic, she asked, "What about that girl you were telling me about last month? Who was she?"

Nat sighed exasperatedly. When he turned over to face her, his blue eyes were joking. "For a school mistress, you're not that bright." He chuckled as she swatted at him. He carried on, "I was talking about you, Kit. I've loved you for a long time. Mother knows it; Grandmother knows it; Mercy knows it; Hannah's known for ages, probably before I knew myself. She's good that way. Even William knows, I think, if I can judge by the way he kept glaring at me during dinner that night. Although that might just have been due to our previous relationship," he said thoughtfully.

Kit giggled at the memory of the jack-o-lanterns. "'Tis true," she agreed, "that he does not have a good impression of you."

Nat smirked before he asked seriously, "Will it be enough for your uncle, Kit? Do you think he will approve?" A note in his voice revealed a hint of anxiety.

"Nat, he knows you're steady and strong and dependable as a rock. You're loyal and would do anything to help those you care about. You are a true New Englander. He knows all this and I know you will impress these beliefs further in him with time. You have nothing to fear from him," Kit reassured him, her voice full of quiet sincerity.

Nat grinned, touched by her words. He stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and offered her a helping hand. "Well, aren't you going to invite me home with you then?"

Kit giggled shakily, her heart was so full. She took his hand and stood up. She blushed as she said, "Captain Eaton, we'd be proud to have you dine with us."

She kept her eyes downcast as Nat removed stray pieces of grass gently from her hair. When he finished and her shimmering brown eyes met his shining blue ones, a look of complete trust and happiness passed between them. With a trembling smile, Kit took Nat's arm and they began to walk back to the Wood household. The grass in the Meadow swayed, waving to the couple.

All at once, Kit stopped. Tugging on his arm, she exclaimed eagerly, "Oh, Nat! Can't we go see my namesake first? I want to see her closer!"

Nat shook his head and steered her back towards their original path. She tried to hang back, looking longingly in the direction of the river. Nat pulled her on. His eyes seemed to glitter with joy and anticipation. Kit was sure they had never been so blue; they seemed to be shining with pure light coming within him. He grinned happily but said firmly, "Tomorrow, Kit. I want to talk to your uncle first. The Witch has been waiting years for you to come aboard. 'Twould be unfair of me to make her wait too much longer. She'd be disappointed. Then the next time you come on, it's going to be for keeps."

Thanks to: ffgirlmoonie, Kurai Oujou, dragonfairy2360, Nicnak, CrimsonScarz, friend of CrimsonScarz, and LovieHiggins.

Author's Note: I did it. It's all over.

That was my last chapter for this story. It's really hard to say goodbye, I've been working on this story for five years (keeping in mind the removal of my story from this site and my total lack of inspiration). It began as a one-shot. I'm going to rewrite the first six to nine chapters, I think, and edit the rest at some other point. At least, I plant to and then I'll change the story to "Complete."

Did you guys pick up all the references I made to lines in the book? There are at least seven (the most powerful magical number, hehe).

I made this chapter as long as I could because I don't really want to end it (18 pages handwritten, although I make my letters big, and over 8 typewritten including this note). It's the second longest chapter, I believe, only behind the previous one. Oh well, all good things must come to an end. And this has been a really good experience for me.

You guys, please do me a favor and review. If you've reviewed before or this would be the first time, please do so. Let me know what you thought of this and what I can do to improve my writing. Really, anything you want to say will be appreciated. Seriously.

I will reply to all reviews (anonymous reviewers must leave an e-mail address otherwise there's nothing I can do and I'll thank you now: Thanks for your comments!), PMs, and emails no matter when you leave it, even months later so long as I have the same email address.

I noticed I've used a lot of parentheses in this note. Hmm…oh well.

To all my readers, thanks for reading and supporting this story of mine. I tried my best and I hope you all liked it. To the readers who have been with me since the beginning, thanks for everything, you guys are awesome.

I'd also like to thank Elizabeth George Speare for creating such lovable characters.

So, my friends, I guess this is goodbye. Thanks for everything. I love you guys and I'll miss you! Goodbye!

-Kris