Epilogue A Perfect Day for Departure

The day Ross and George had chosen for their trip home was sun-bright and beautiful. Cool from the salt-laden sea breeze, but not cold. Verity accompanied the pair down to the Poldark private beach with clear excitement. Aunt Agatha was overseeing and directing the servants who were preparing things for their move to Nempara, but she had wanted Verity to see them off. Ross and George each embraced her for a moment in farewell, smiles on all three of their faces.

"We will send a seagull to let you know when we intend to return for a visit," George stated while stepping back from her after Ross. He then reached out for his mate's hand, linking their fingers together with clear affection.

"Aunt Agitha and I shall be here," Verity replied with her beautiful smile. "I can not speak for Andrew, of course. He could be at sea. Though, I suppose you could send him a bird in advance. Then if he could come in, he would. He is captain of his own boat now."

"Of course, we can," Ross promised her.

"Will you be here when he next returns for our wedding, Ross? Both of you?"

"I- We would not miss it for the world," he replied firmly. "I do not know about Demelza, as she could be getting married herself soon."

"That is true. I wish I could be there," Verity stated with a wistful look in her eyes. "I am sure it shall be beautiful."

"I am sorry for that," Ross replied genuinely. "I am sure she will tell you all about it when next you meet, however."

"As am I. I wish you and George a safe journey, Ross."

"Thank you, Verity."

"Yes, thank you," George stated, smiling still. "I am sure you will be well settled into your new home with Aunt Agatha when next we meet."

"Yes. I look forward to the process. And having my own home to tend to. Doing it for myself and Andrew. And Agitha. For my own family instead of others. I do hope for my absence to cause Elizabeth to grow up and tend to the house which shall be hers someday."

"I agree," Ross said briefly. "If only for Francis's sake. And that of the child she shall bear soon."

"Yes."

The two men smiled at her once more, still holding hands as George led a barefoot Ross into the sea. His dark blue, skin-tight scale pants vanished once his waist was below the water. They were replaced by his long tail of the same color scales which ended in an elaborate, open-fan shape with gorgeous fern-like, turquoise frills halfway down the tail on both sides.

"Oh, George.." Ross breathed. His dark eyes were wide as he gazed down through the water at his lover's lower half. "You are beautiful.."

"Thank you, my mate," George replied with yet another smile. "As are you. And shall be even more so when you transform into your own mer-form."

Ross flushed pink in response to George's compliment. He snuggled himself close against his merman's side where he stood waist-deep in the cold ocean water. "Thank you, my George. This water is freezing."

"Yes, Ross, my love," George replied with some amusement. "But you will grow accustomed to it in time. Your tail will help with the ocean's temperature as well, because of the innate protective magic you will gain."

Ross laughed softly, smiling up at George with shining dark eyes. "You know, you keep mentioning me forming my tail. But you have yet to explain to me how exactly I go about it."

George rapidly blinked his beautiful blue-grey eyes, his expression one of surprise as he gazed into Ross's eyes. My sea stars, you are right. I apologize, my darling. I have been doing it all my life. I was not thinking."

"I was teasing you, George," Ross reassured him with a brief kiss to his lips. "Still, if you could explain the process before I become a block of salty ice, I would appreciate it very much."

"That shall not happen, my dear." George was aware of Verity watching them with obvious curiosity from the shore, but he kept his attention on Ross where it belonged at the moment. "Close your eyes, then place your hands at my waist."

"Alright." Ross did as his mate instructed, closing his eyes and placing the palms of his hands at the areas where George's skin met his large, deep blue scales.

"Good, my love. Now run your hands over my scales. Feel the shape of my tail."

"Yes." Ross touched George's tail, moving around him in the water carefully in a circle to trail his hands over the smooth scales and soft, frilled fins. George lifted the lower half of his fin upward to accommodate Ross's questing fingertips.

"Good, Ross. Now keep your eyes closed and remove your shirt and pants. I will toss them up to Verity. Then focus in your mind. Visualize your legs shifting. Forming scales then fins."

"Alright."

After you do those things.. There is no guarantee, of course. But if there is a specific color you have a strong affinity for, you can focus on that color in your mind, and it could become part of your tail."

"Alright."

Ross removed his hands from George's tail with obvious reluctance, then stripped off his clothes. George tossed the pants and shirt onto the shore in front of Verity as he had said he would.

George watched his mate as Ross once more closed his eyes, focusing as George had instructed him. Ross's body began his first change from the hips down, his bare legs transforming into a strong tail. The large scales which formed were a deep purple, beautifully accented by two indigo frills located in the same areas as George's. The open-fan-shaped fin at the narrower bottom of the tail was the same gorgeous shade of indigo.

Ross opened his eyes when George lightly tapped his lover's left shoulder with his fingertips, looking down at himself. His dark eyes widened at the sight, and he laughed with clear pleasure as he shifted and flipped his tail through the water.

George smiled in response to the other man's excitement and playfulness, using his own tail to propel himself close to Ross's body once more, affectionately kissing him on the cheek. "You are truly enchanting, my darling Ross."

Ross smiled back at him, surprising George when he fully submerged his body and swam out into deeper water before rapidly propelling himself upward and out in a graceful, arched leap. His body barely made a sound upon reentry, and only a heartbeat later he was back at George's side and wrapping his arms around him.

"You are a natural, Ross," George praised him while returning the embrace.

"Truly beautiful, Ross," Verity agreed from her place on the sandy shore. She stood not far from the inlet of the cove where Ross had rescued Demelza from a fishing net and unknowingly began this tale of love for himself and George. "I wish for all the happiness in the world for you both, Ross. You deserve it."

Ross just smiled. He and George waved to her in farewell for now, both still smiling as they reached for each other's hands, linking their fingers affectionately while heading further out to sea.

Verity watched her cousin and his mate disappear beneath the waves, standing there smiling for several moments before she retrieved Ross's discarded, wet and sandy clothes.

As she began to make her way back up the slightly winding cliffside path to her new home, Verity laughed to herself softly. "What a tail I have to tell Aunt Agitha about. And Andrew when next we meet.."

THE END