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Epilogue: To face unafraid the plans that we made

With a clipped command and a gentle tug on the reins, Ermau pulled the pair of equine creatures to a jingling halt in front of the lakeside cabin and then hopped down from the sled, landing lightly on the pads of his feet on the frosty ground below. Although it was still cold enough for his breath to mist in the morning air, the day was mild by Zalari standards. The warming rays of the sun beamed down from a clear blue sky, reflecting off the light layer of snow that had fallen overnight to turn the landscape to shimmering silver, and making his first trip of the day a very beautiful one indeed.

He tugged down the hem of his short jacket and gave each of the creatures an affectionate pat on its angular nose as he rounded the front of the sled, glancing up to see his human passengers waiting on the steps of the cabin's wide wooden porch. Upon seeing them, the Zalarian stopped, swept his hat from his head, and bowed low in a formal greeting.

"We meet again, my friends," he called, securing his hat between his ears as he continued to cover the short distance between the sled and the cabin. The tall male stood with his arm draped around the female's shoulders, and with her small frame tucked into his side, the couple radiated such an easy, relaxed air that Ermau couldn't help but smile. "You look well, and rested. I trust you have enjoyed your stay?"

The female returned his friendly smile as he approached. "We've had a wonderful time," she said, and then cut her gaze upwards, sharing a meaningful look with her companion.

"It's been great," the male concurred. "Just what we needed." He shifted his stance and faced the Zalarian with a smile of his own. "But I guess it's time to go."

Ermau twitched his whiskered nose and nodded, pausing at the foot of the stairs and gesturing for the couple to advance. "Then come, and make yourselves comfortable for the journey," he invited, stepping to the side to allow them to pass. "I will attend to your bags, and we shall be on our way."

By the time he had retrieved the bags from the cabin and secured the last one in the rack beneath the sleigh, the pair had settled themselves on the passenger seat, and sat nestled together under a heavy woollen blanket. As he passed by the side of the sleigh and hitched himself up into the driver's seat, Ermau could hear snippets of their quiet conversation; reflection on the last few days, talk of plans and of the future. He smiled as he took up the reins and clicked a soft command to the equines, urging them at a slow walk out into the lane. He wasn't at all surprised by the discussion taking place in the back of his sled. This was part of the magic of Lunasa; perhaps it was the incredible beauty of the converging moons that imparted a sense of perspective, or the sheer grandeur of it all that offered visitors a glimpse of insight into their place in the galaxy. Whatever the reason, the result was the same—those who witnessed it invariably left Zalari changed; filled with renewed energy, hope and optimism.

The passengers' low voices were muffled by the merry sound of the harness bells as the equines angled their noses toward the lane, and the sleigh picked up speed. In truth, the clever creatures knew their way by rote; all Ermau had to do was control their speed, and see to the comfort of his guests. He turned to look over his shoulder, keen to draw the couple's attention to the points of interest that they wouldn't have seen during their first journey, shrouded as they had been in the deepening shadows of twilight upon their arrival. But he quickly bridled his tongue. Just as they had been during the outbound journey, the female was burrowed into her companion's sheltering embrace and their faces were tilted toward each other, so close that their breaths mingled and rose as one in the frosty morning air. They were laughing softly and exchanging playful kisses, and it was clear that they had eyes only for each other.

Ermau didn't profess to have an inkling of Force sense, but neither did he need it—it was plain to see that his two passengers were deeply bonded in their love for one another. And with a return to their everyday lives just around the corner, they deserved to spend their last moments here just as they were. He smiled contentedly, and settled back to watch the stunning scenery go by.

They had only been travelling for a few minutes more when he noticed a flicker of cobalt blue and silver darting across the laneway up ahead, then another, and another. It caught the attention of the humans, too; he heard the rustle of movement behind him, and then the female leaned forward, gripping the low divider that separated them.

"What are those tiny birds, Ermau?" she asked. "They're beautiful. We've been catching glimpses of them since the day we arrived."

Surprised, Ermau craned his head around to look at his passengers with a spark of interest. "Since the day you arrived?" he echoed.

"Yes," she replied, sounding somewhat hesitant in the face of his incredulous response. "And every day since, more and more until the day of the convergence, when they seemed to be everywhere."

Ermau pulled back gently on the reins, slowing the equines from a trot to a walk while he pondered the significance of this revelation. "Before the day of convergence?" he asked over his shoulder. "You're certain of that?"

"Absolutely," the male replied. "Just a few hours after we got here, in fact."

Ermau reflected thoughtfully on that information; it was most unexpected. What the humans were describing was the stuff of Zalari folklore. In all of his many years, he had only come across a handful of his own species who claimed to have witnessed the extraordinary sight first-hand. He had never heard of such an event happening to an off-worlder—let alone two. He pulled the team to a complete halt, and then turned around fully to face his passengers and laughed in slightly awestruck delight. "Oh, my friends," he said, unable to contain his glee. "That is a rare and most auspicious sign."

He watched the pair exchange curious glances, and then the female turned her gaze back to him with a look of mild confusion. "I don't understand," she said. "Seeing them is...unusual?"

"They are a creature indigenous to this continent, yet sightings of them are exceedingly uncommon, even for us," he explained. "Their true name cannot be translated to Basic. We call them Moonbirds, for the benefit of off-worlders. They reveal themselves to one and all on convergence day and for a few days afterwards, but seeing them before...that is considered most propitious, indeed."

"Oh yeah?" the male queried. "How so?"

"According to legend, seeing them before the convergence foretells good fortune for the coming year. And for them to appear to you both, at the same time…" He trailed off with an incredulous shake of his head. "Well, that is the rarest thing of all. Quite remarkable."

"What does it mean?" the female asked.

He cast a solemn glance from one to the other. "There are variations in the lore, of course. Some believe it bodes of happiness and longevity; others say it portends the advent of wealth and success. But most simply believe that Moonbirds appear before Lunasa only to those whose hearts are bound together in perfect harmony, to bestow an abundance of blessings upon them for the year to come."

The couple turned to one another and locked gazes, smiling, though neither made a sound. Ermau twitched his whiskered nose and bared his teeth in a wide grin as he swivelled around in his seat once more, leaving the pair to continue their wordless conversation.

"The fortunes have smiled upon you both. Good things lie ahead for you, my friends," he said brightly. "Very good things."

As his passengers settled back in the seat and nestled into each other's arms, Ermau turned his attention back to the road ahead. He gave the equines a light flick of the reins to start them moving toward their destination, the jingle of their harnesses filling the cold winter air with the festive sound of bells once more.

The End

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