Chapter 3: Forgiveness

Forgiveness is hard to give and even harder to received

Without forgiveness guilt resides in the heart and can kill the love that once ruled

Forgiving friends is like a trail leading up to the high mountains... difficult but rewarding

Forgiving lovers is like sailing home through a storm on a dark night... straining but hopeful

Forgiving family is like a the final battle in a civil war... deadly but worth fighting for in the end

"Come let us celebrate in the grove as we did so long ago … for we must know your story brother," Kissa said as she and the other warrior got off Merrick.
"If we must," Merrick said with smirk as lead the way to the grove.

As Merrick entered the grove it was just as has always been with the apricot trees mingled with the oak as light shined through the branches onto the spring spurting up from the ground, the only thing that was different was that it look to be set up for a picnic, which was something that rarely ever had time before in the real world. "Is how always is?" Merrick asked the others who started settling down around a white blanket.

"Yes, it an eternal picnic that never ends, in a eternal summer where time passes by where for us only few days have passed since we put you …," Orpheus answered not wanting to finish his thought.

"Since you put me in a stone box knowing I hate…," Merrick started but was cut off by Kissa throwing herself on him.

"Knowing that my twin had feared enclosed spaces since we were children and because of our bond I felt your pain crying out for us to kill you, hating what you have done to yourself out of broken heart… please forgive me brother for what I had to do please," Kissa cried tears of pain as begged for her brothers forgiveness.

"Forgive us all, we all hate ourselves for what we did, we were your family you have saved us all at one time or another we should have done as you asked but we could not bring ourselves to raise a hand agents our brother," Eurydice asked vocalizing the heart of the team.

"Would I be here if I had not forgiven all of you, you did the honorable action it was what necessary it was your duty and could really be angered at you for that," Merrick answered as comforted his sister.

"So come no more tears this should be a time of rejoicing not of sorrow, let us hear your tale," Thor, a man of few words said, as his wife let go of her brother and came sit next to him.

"It has been three thousand years since the great battle…," Merrick told of his time as Zen- Aku and how sought to destroy power rangers and the forgiveness they showed him, and how they saved him with help of the Princess Shayla and the battles they fought together and how they destroy master org.

"You told us about all the wild force rangers, but hardly a thing about the Princess," Eurydice commented coyly, when Merrick was finished.

"If I remember correctly you and she were very 'close' before the great battle," Devana added in.

"Nothing, I was her sworn protector and nothing more," Merrick answered.

"Pox, Merrick you have been head over heels for her since we were two and is that the only reason you joined us in the first place," Kissa asked.

"Well come on," Eurydice haggled.

"You three are worst then the court gossip mongers, cannot my personal life remain personal," Merrick asked.

"No, as your adopted little sister it is my job to drive you crazy by interrogating you about your love life," Devana answered.

"Yes, I did come her e to be with her," Merrick answered.

"Then my brother why have you not called to her yet," Orpheus asked him.

"I sense your fear brother, but no love was ever won without stepping on a ledge," Kissa encouraged.

"Call to her by what your hearts name for her and her spirit will join us," Thor told him.

Looking to the sky with its golden hues shining down Merrick called to his beloved Shayla, as memories of why he loved filled his soul. "Shayla," Merrick whispered as closed his eyes as the spring began to glow.

"You said my name," A voice as sweet as a summer rain said as Merrick eyes fell on it speaker.

"I did," Merrick answered as closed the gap between them.

"I told you to stay," The Princess said as she looked into his eyes.

"I couldn't are angry with me if so please forgive me," Merrick asked as he took her hands in his.

"No, even if I was I can't stay angry with you for long," The Princess answered softly.

"Shayla, I love you," Merrick said as he pulled her into his strong arms.

"I thought I never would hear you say that again, I love you too Merrick…," Shayla started as Merrick stopped her with a kiss that held the passion of three thousand years of love behind it.

Authors Note: I hope my readers are enjoying this story please review what think of it so far.