Epilogue

"I… am proud of you, Granddaughter."

Luxa looked up from the map, surprised. Solovet's expression wasn't especially warm, but there was no hint of duplicity. "What prompted this?"

Solovet shrugged. "I narrowly survived the attack on the palace. Soon, I shall lead the allied armies in what I hope will be the final battle of the war, and I will be a high priority target. There are certain things I would not leave unsaid."

Part of Luxa couldn't help but feel suspicion. The war room was packed with humans, fliers, and even some nibblers. She folded her arms. For Solovet to be openly sentimental in front of them…

Seeing her suspicion, Solovet continued. "Your efforts in the Firelands represented a very great risk… but you succeeded. With cunning, boldness, and the sheer weight of your reputation and authority… you preserved an entire allied nation. And you came home alive."

Luxa unfolded her arms, and examined her grandmother closely. Even now, she seemed sincere.

"And beyond that," Solovet continued, "during this most recent attack, you obeyed my orders, despite wanting to stay. You would rather have fought to defend the council chamber, but you saw reason. You, my husband, and two members of the Code Team are alive, when all might have died."

"I am far more proud of saving those children," Luxa said bluntly. "Obeying your order to flee brought me regret , not pride."

Solovet sighed. "Ah… you are so close to fully earning that crown. But even now, you shy away from your greatest duty. You must not risk–"

"I know my duty, Solovet." Her damaged lungs betrayed her forcing her into another coughing fit. Incredibly, Solovet patiently waited for her to recover and keep speaking. "Those whose compassion I trust more than yours have already impressed it upon me: I must survive. I accept that. But it does not mean I will hide in a corner when I might otherwise save lives."

Solovet's eyes narrowed, examining Luxa closely. But, surprisingly, she kept her silence.

Luxa turned back to the map. Everything depended on the next battle. Thousands of the Bane's soldiers were fleeing human territory. They would rest, regroup, and prepare to return. So many humans, fliers, and nibblers had died in the Firelands, the battles at the walls, and the slaughter in the streets. Then all of those losses combined were exceeded in the assaults on the palace and the arena. There was little chance of Regalia surviving a second attack. The only hope was to ambush the enemy with maximum strength before they were ready.

It made Luxa's heart ache. Everyone had fought so hard, sacrificed so much. There was hardly a family in Regalia that hadn't lost at least one member in the last week. And she would have wished the nibblers to never see combat again. Yet now, every able bodied soldier, flier, nibbler, and even crawler would have to face battle and death again.

Another fit of coughing hit her. She wasn't sure if she would ever be the same after her ordeal in the Firelands… but she would never regret her actions there.

"You shouldn't have fought."

Luxa looked up just as Gregor straightened out her bandage.

"This is my home," Luxa said simply. "How fares your back?"

"Good to go."

She felt another pang of guilt at that. A boy as young as she, injured so many times on behalf of her world, and each time he brushed it off and put it behind him, often before he fully mended. Ready… to suffer again. To bleed again. And worse.

To Solovet, though, it was only good news, and no cause for regret. "Excellent. We shall be leaving to pursue the gnawers shortly."

Luxa nodded. It was time. "I will send for Aurora."

"No Luxa, you are unfit." Solovet's expression showed none of the compassion or respect of mere moments ago. "And we need you here."

"You cannot ask me to stay behind," Luxa said, maintaining her calm exterior. "Not after what has been done to Regalia." Part of her wanted to say, "You cannot force me." But she hoped direct defiance would not be needed.

Solovet didn't hesitate in the slightest. "But stay you must."

There was finality in that… but Luxa would not bend. "Must I?" Her grandmother towered over her. Solovet was a veteran of many wars, had once wounded Ripred, and Luxa was still weakened from her days in the Firelands.

Even so, Luxa would not back down.

But then Ripred ganged up on her. "Listen, Your Highness, it's Regalia we're thinking of. We're going to finish this thing. But when it's over, your people will be desperate for guidance. Rats overran the council room and almost none survived save your grandparents, who are acknowledged to be powerful, but no longer trustworthy."

That revelation hit Luxa hard. Solovet had said she'd "barely survived," but Luxa hadn't known the details. Since her return from the jungle, she'd spent far more time working with the council, and the thought that most of them were dead… Did that include Neria? Her husband Lenwen had died in the attack, and all their children had already perished in–

Ripred interrupted her thoughts. "It will be you the Regalians expect to lead them."

Luxa had known to expect this eventually , but not with this level of urgency, and certainly not so soon. She had expected to have the council all around her, supporting her. They were to lead Regalia together.

Now… she'd be expected to rule… without them.

"He speaks the truth." Solovet was direct, blunt, trusting Luxa to handle the stark reality. "With the demise of the council, power will shift to you."

"I am not yet of age," Luxa said, though deep down she knew her objection was empty. "You know I cannot officially lead."

Ripred wouldn't let her pretend. "It doesn't matter. Not in times like these. Not after the courage and brains you've demonstrated recently."

Coming from Ripred, such direct, honest, level praise nearly staggered her.

And he wasn't done. "Trust me, it will be you. If they followed you into this war they will follow you out of it."

That cut deep. So many had died defending the nibblers, and then defending Regalia, because of the war she started. She had such a heavy, personal responsibility to help the survivors move forward.

Having made his case, Ripred summed it up. "Now, can you see how you are too dear to risk in battle?"

"Yes, I do see."

And she meant it. She would not fight in the final confrontation.

But she would be there. To bear witness, and to act as a symbol for those giving their lives. Even if she had to get there secretly by an alternate route, she would be there.

She looked into Ripred's eyes. "I will remain here."

That direct, boldfaced lie, right to Ripred's face, with Solovet on hand, took all of her willpower to conceal. She must not blush, hold her breath, or break eye contact. If she was to be present for the final bloodshed of her war, they must all believe she needn't be watched.

Ripred and Solovet… both believed her. They exchanged gratified looks, and got back to planning.

She couldn't help it. Luxa's elation led to the tiniest hint of a smile.

"She's lying."

All of that elation, and pride, vanished in a burst of disbelief and shock.

It was Gregor who blew her cover.

Looking in his eyes, knowing that this boy was one battle away from death, and realizing she couldn't be there for him, tore at her heart… and the pain swiftly turned to rage.

Solovet turned back, noting Luxa's furious expression. "Why do you say this?"

"Because I know her." Those earnest words, so full of history, which at any other time would have brought Luxa such deep, gentle joy… only twisted the knife of what lay ahead. "If you want her to stay…" He hesitated, fighting himself, then he swallowed hard. "Lock her in the dungeon."

Luxa's last hope of honoring Gregor's final moments burst apart. Solovet looked upon her, seeing the obvious truth in his words. "Do so. Confine her flier, as well."

Overwhelming agony seized her heart and mind. He was going to fly off, and die … without her. He would take all the darkness upon himself, all the fear, all the sorrow, all the pain, all the blood, and leave her safe and ignorant. He would face the worst day of his life… and she would be helpless, and useless, a hundred miles away.

The brutality of that realization nearly broke her. When two soldiers seized Luxa, gently but firmly, she beat uselessly at their armored bodies, shrieking and raging. She knew not what she actually said, hurling words of abuse at the boy who would force her to lose him from afar. Maybe, if her wild, furious insults cut him deep enough, he might change his mind, break her out of prison, and…

No.

He wouldn't.

Gregor watched her with nothing but love until the soldiers carried her around the corner and out of his sight. She let out a final, long scream of rage to hide her pain, then she went limp in their grip.

The Overlander… would not change his mind.

He didn't want her to see him die.

He would deny her the right to that pain. He wouldn't let her share in his darkest hour.

Time passed, with the men carrying her gently, as she quivered with silent sobs. She could not shed tears, but her body wished she could. She vaguely sensed the reluctance from the soldiers, their sympathy. But she knew she had no hope of escaping them.

At last, they arrived. This was not a dark, bare hole of a room like most of the prison cells. This was where Solovet had been confined before the outbreak of war. Candles lit the comfortable space, which had a rug, a bed, a chair, a table, a chamber pot, and even a sturdy bar near the ceiling for a flier to hang.

Luxa rejected the comforts. She had learned about Gregor's confinement from Nerissa. She would allow Aurora to use the bar when she arrived, and she supposed she would use the chamber pot, but in all other ways she would face what he faced. She blew out the candles, felt her way to a corner of the room the rug didn't reach, and sat on the stone in darkness and silence.

Gregor… had left her. She had long known she would lose him, but not like this. With her safe in a fortress.

After Gregor fulfilled the Prophecy of Gray and returned home, Luxa had made Nerissa show her every other prophecy that mentioned the warrior. From her own lessons, she had only remembered to expect the Prophecy of Bane. But despite Nerissa's efforts to avoid the issue, she had eventually shown Luxa the Prophecy of Time. Back then, Luxa had respected Gregor, for his courage, his willingness to "leap," and for saving her life. But she had not yet loved him more than life itself. In a strange, sad way, she had envied him. She had so long lived every day believing it would be her last. And here, an Overland warrior was destined to die as the ultimate hero. She had still felt some lingering resentment when he'd eventually stumbled upon her in the jungle. It had been enough for her to let him stew in his fear briefly, thinking she'd let him drown.

But the last, lingering wisps of that resentment were now gone. She had honored Aurora's wishes. Every day since waking in the palace hospital, she had told herself, not that it would be her final day of life, but that she would see many decades of life. So that she could remember the fallen, and bring prosperity to the future they died for.

She would live.

Gregor would not.

She would be trapped in this room during the final battle. Far, far from here, Gregor would face his destiny. She would never see him again. Their last interaction had been her screaming hateful words, to hide her pain, and in a vain attempt to sway him.

The door opened. Aurora entered.

Before the closing door plunged them into darkness, Luxa crashed into her bond, hugging her close.

For a considerable time, Aurora warmly met her embrace, silent and comforting and patient.

A hatch at the bottom of the door slid open, and two plates of fine food were left for them. One tray had a lit candle on it.

The two bonds remained there, quiet and unmoving.

At last, Aurora asked, "Of all the reasons you have for sorrow and fear… which weighs most heavily on your heart?"

Luxa squeezed her a little tighter. "We are locked in this room… because Gregor didn't want me to follow him."

"Ah…" Aurora sighed. "I assumed it was your grandmother's typical suspicious pragmatism."

"No. I fooled her. She believed I would remain in the palace of my own accord. Gregor told her to lock me up."

"Well… that settles it." Aurora turned her head to whisper directly into her ear. "He loves you."

Luxa pulled away from the embrace. In the light of the one little candle, she peered into her bonds eyes. "Of course he does. We kissed. "

"Oh Luxa… that was his way of saying goodbye to a dear friend. But having you locked in the dungeon… that is love."

"It is cruel," Luxa insisted. "For a year, I have known he would one day die. Even as I spoke the Vow to the Dead, declaring war… I knew what it would mean. I set the Prophecy of Time in motion. I started the countdown to his death. I promised myself that I would be there for him in the end. That I would bear witness to his final moments."

"He does not want you to see his end. He kept the picture of the two of you weighed down with heavy hearts. He gave you the picture of your most joyous day. He would have you remember the good times, when he was happy and knew little sorrow."

"He denies me the right… to remember his greatest act of love." Luxa felt tears trying to flow, pushing against the scars on her heart, and for a moment, she gave way to harsh coughing. "Gregor… will have to die. He will have to experience something dreadful. Claws and teeth will find him. His flesh will tear... His bones will break... His blood will flow... He will feel when his heart stops... He will know his life is over... And in the throes of such great pain… he will fall asleep for the last time…"

She clenched her fists so hard she cut her palms, and she squeezed her eyes shut. "If he has to go through that, to feel that… the least I can do… is bear witness." She regained control of her voice, and spoke with heavy solemnity. "I would honor him. I would remember the price he paid, burning into my mind and heart the depth of his–"

"Luxa!" Aurora said, not shouting, but stern and hard. What you want is not important!"

Luxa started, more stricken by the words than the tone.

Her bond's voice became soft and gentle again. "If you love him as much as he loves you… let go of what you want. If he is giving his life, the best way to honor him… is to put his desires above your own. He would have you remember him happy and healthy and whole. He would not have you remember him broken and bleeding and slipping away. He chooses to face that painful end... without it burning into your heart." Aurora leaned closer, resting her forehead against that of her bond. "Prove your love is real. Remember him... the way he wishes."

Emotional scars… ripped open. Pain washed over Luxa.

Tears… flowed.

For the first time in years, the orphaned Queen was able to give the gift of tears on behalf of those she loved.

All the faces of those lost, including those that died at her command, flooded through her again. But this time, she could actually weep for them.

Aurora's wings engulfed her in a warm embrace. Long they lingered, both of them savoring the fact that Luxa could again feel the depth of mourning that the many fallen deserved. They spoke long of those lost. Luxa's parents. The foolish, deluded Henry, that they still remembered with an afterimage of affection. And they spoke of Ares, who missed Henry at least as much, and was unlikely to survive the coming battle. He was too loyal, too brave, and too noble to let Gregor die alone. Ares had told Aurora of his intentions, and she had not tried to dissuade him. Luxa asked about the council members with which she had worked so closely for months. On learning that, besides her grandparents, only Varger had survived, she shed still more tears. With Neria dead, the last of Lenwen's family was gone. Marcus had no one left. And that was just one family of many that had been reduced to a sole survivor, or extinguished entirely.

So much light and time lost.

Those that remained must spread light to future generations.

When at last Luxa pulled away, she picked up the lone candle, relit the others, and moved the trays of food to the little table. Gregor would not want her to languish in darkness, choosing to suffer as he did in a far more miserable cell. He would want her to find whatever comfort and joy there was to be had in life. He would have her live many decades, healing and growing and serving her nation.

Regalia deserved a Queen that could bring them light and joy. Not a stone heart, after the fashion of the iron hard Solovet.

They needed a Queen… that could smile.

It might take her years, or even decades, to become that Queen. Best to start that healing journey right away.

For days, the two bonds reminisced and planned for the future. They dwelt on the happiest memories of those they had lost, and thought of how they could help the survivors to find healing. They could not fully guard their minds from the upcoming battle, and what it would cost. News came that Solovet, Horatio, Marcus, and their bonds had died in an ambush, and Luxa grieved still more. Slowly, painfully, she was learning how to bear the fullness of grief without the destruction of all joy. They knew that Solovet had died proud of her granddaughter. The two bonds spoke long of Solovet's courage, inner strength, and absolute devotion to Regalia's safety. The Heart of Iron had done many things that were harsh, and cruel, and ruthless, but she had done it to defend the people she loved.

Luxa must learn to show such unbreakable loyalty… but without the cruelty.

At last, the door to the comfortable cell opened, and Nerissa entered. Luxa's cousin had a guarded expression, and clearly had difficulty keeping it together. The two bonds had already prepared their hearts, knowing that any news would bring a mix of extreme emotions. They would learn who had survived… and who had not.

Luxa gently hugged her frail cousin, then stepped back, forcing herself to be patient.

At last, Nerissa gathered her courage and spoke.

Ares… Ripred… and the Monster… had been killed.

The warrior… had not.

Author's Note:

Part of what made the Underland Chronicles so immersive and compelling was the focus on only Gregor's perspective. We see everything through his eyes, as if we were right there with him, and he is an excellent companion for that journey. But this does mean that some very important events had to be related in summary after the fact. The mission to rescue the nibblers from the Firelands was just one of these momentous events. "Regalia Bleeds" tells the story of the horrific assault on the palace and the arena while Gregor was recovering in the Prophecy room. And my planned story "Die Not the Baby" will tell the tale of Twitchtip, Luxa, Aurora, Temp, and Boots after the party was split in book 2. There are also stories based on events Gregor witnessed, but highlighting a different perspective. Eventually, I will have a timeline of stories that can all be treated as companion pieces to the Underland Chronicles. Once completed, I will include a list of which stories might be read at specific times when reading the official books. For now, this is the planned timeline in chronological order:

"Die Not the Baby" (in planning)

"Not a Very Big Bat" (in planning)

"Made Her Grandmother Proud"

"Those That Remain" (in planning)

"Hold the Line"

"Remember Them"

"Regalia Bleeds"

"Gregor's Letter" (in planning)

"Hazard the Halflander" (my planned novel-length finale, set 8 years after Code of Claw)

As always, I greatly appreciate feedback, with special joy from in-depth interaction. If you notice minor errors or inconsistencies, those are best shared privately as I'm quick to correct any such mistakes that are brought to my attention. My gmail is willdreamer1954. I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoy writing it.