This is the last chapter for this story. :)
*.*.*
Eliza looked up, staring at the portal as a group of white dragonoids, shooting off frosty flames, walked through the portal, taking Amanda's lifeless body away. The human girl held Parker's hand until Amanda's body was safely through the portal, until the portal vanished.
Eliza rested her head against Parker's shoulder, not knowing what else to do. Everything that happened here was for a reason. How would Amanda be remembered? Or Draco and Penelope? Or Jine and Tracker, who were off to who knew what.
She looked up at Parker now, kissing him on the lips. She didn't want to let him go. So, why were another two portals opening up? One of those portals was a window, growing in size and shape. She stood up at the same time as her red dragonoid upon seeing a golden-brown lion leave the wider portal, showing off a land with green grass, mountains, and a family of red dragonoids, all staring at Parker as if they knew him.
"That's your family?" Eliza asked Parker, stunned to see him so confused.
"I think it is. But no. I don't think they could be here." Parker turned to the lion as if he recognized them. "How could this happen, Aslan? Is that my family?"
The Lion nodded. "It is. I am Aslan." The Lion said, telling both the red dragonoid and the human girl. "You have come far and now must take a new road, one that will involve another adventure, but it is not now. This quest is done."
"Will I go with him?" Eliza asked the Lion, curious.
"Not today," Aslan said, looking at her keenly. "But someday, you will be traveling with Parker again and his family. The Dooley family." He added, curtly, "This must be done, and unfortunately, you both will be split up." That shocked Eliza and Parker. They were going to be separated? How could this happen? Aslan spoke again, uninterrupted, "As Eliza walked through a window, you, Parker, walked through a portal. You both will be traveling back in the same way you came."
"No." Parker rushed towards Eliza, embracing her. "I can't let you go."
"We have to," Eliza released him. "We'll meet again. I promise."
"I don't know how we met in your world," Parker admitted, curtly. "But if I find a way to do it again, I will look for you." He added, smiling, "Or better yet, I'll surprise you. Don't worry. I will find you again! We'll be reunited soon!" He ran through the portal, rushing up to his family and embracing them. The portal closed, leaving Eliza alone with the Great Lion.
A tear shed down Eliza's face. She couldn't conceal it anymore! She loved that dragonoid. She wanted to see him again. The mission may have been for naught, due to the losses, but she wouldn't forget them. The unsung heroes who helped her and Parker make it to this tower. What would become of them?
"Aslan," Eliza asked, curious, "I came here to help Parker find his family. All those lives that were lost! How will they be remembered?"
"Fëanor knows and is weeping for his beloved dragonoid, Penelope, now," Aslan said, answering her question. "Draco will be remembered for helping you and Parker out. Amanda already has a family who will give her a proper funeral. Jine and Tracker will live out their lives in the realm of talking animals, just like they said. Fate has woven lives here, and now that journey to find Parker's family has reached its end with favor smiling on the both of you." He said last, "You will be remembered. All of you on this journey. You won't fail him, Eliza. You are his mate." He referred to Parker.
"I want to be with him," Eliza said, curtly.
"I know you do, but now, we must leave this tower. You'll find your way home through there," Aslan said, breathing on the window to make it open up.
Eliza walked towards the window, surprised to find a wooden ledge standing underneath it. She looked back at Aslan and the place where Parker's portal had been. She sighed, knowing there was no turning back.
She walked through the opening, finding her clothes change back to American clothes. Her hair was neatly combed. Her skin washed and cleaned. She felt different, but also the same. She jumped down from the ledge, looking back at the window to see the portal close and the English sky, in the waking morning hours, flood back.
She looked about the room. There was the four-poster bed and the sitting room next door. She turned and looked at the closed bedroom door. It opened, revealing Uncle Benjamin, who stared at her in shock and awe. The man hadn't aged a day! Or so she suspected.
"Oh! How long have you been in here?" Benjamin asked, out of curiosity. "Were you hiding by the window?"
"Uncle," Eliza spoke up, smiling, "you have no idea where I've been!"
Benjamin smirked. "It's time we talked."
.
Eliza had closed her window, long before she had spoken with Benjamin in his drawing room. They talked over many things. About the First World, about Benjamin's journey with Helen the Shapeshifter, and the knowledge Eliza received as she traveled with Parker through Paravane Trepess and Beleriand. She couldn't believe how much she told him.
"The question I have now, uncle, is this: is there any way for me to get back to Beleriand? Or to meet with Parker Dooley in the Land of Dragons?" Eliza asked her uncle, curious. "It's just… I fell in love with Parker. I know it's hard to explain, but I can't seem to let him go! I need him. Will I ever see him again?"
"Of course, you will," Benjamin said, pleased. "I encounter my dragonoid once every few years. She always takes the form of your nanny, Miss Harbinger. Sad to say, Miss Harbinger appears to be missing."
"She wasn't happy when me and Parker found her. I fear she's going to do something terrible!" She concluded, "I have to find Parker! I have to let him know!" Eliza stood up, just as her uncle stopped her.
"Now, now! We'll have none of that!" Benjamin sat her back down. "It doesn't work that way. You can't simply will these things to come back to you. Aslan wouldn't want that!"
"Then what do I do?" Eliza asked, curious. "I don't know what I'd do without Parker. We're bonded. We have this connection I cannot explain!"
"I cannot either, but you'll simply have to let these things come to you," Benjamin said, keenly. "Remember to keep your eyes open. Aslan will bring Parker back to you. You wait and see." Somehow, Eliza believed that.
*.*.*
References:
Aslan is from C.S. Lewis' book series, The Chronicles of Narnia.
~o~
That's it for the first part in my mini-series, Origin Tales: Parker Dooley. :)
Thanks goes to the following people who reviewed this story: Saphirabrightscale. Thanks goes to the people who favorited and followed this fanfic: Gracie Miserables, Saphirabrightscale, and jurib14. Thanks, everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to read this fanfic until the end. It is much appreciated. :)
Even after a little over a decade, since I started this mini-series, this first story stands out in the draft version and this refined edition. And yes, it turned out there were the same deaths that were the same in my draft version but ended up going down a different path in this polished edition. Other than that, writing this fanfic felt like I was writing a new journey; so, that was interesting! :)
The next story will focus on Parker's family, Eliza and Parker's relationship, Helen the Shapeshifter, and a rather curious piece of jewelry. :)
Thanks for reading. :) I'll see everyone in the next story. Bye! :)
Aria Breuer
