Part VI

When next she awakens, the sky is just barely touched by the rays of dawn; only a touch of purple over the horizon to the east. Quinlan is still fast asleep, and she moves about the tent as quietly as she could. She stretches as soon as she closes the tent behind her.

Hn...mornings should be illegal...the quiet is kind of nice, though...

She starts a fire and breakfast. While she waits for Quinlan to get up and breakfast to finish cooking, she continues to work on her carving. A little alter, she runs her fingers gently over the carved words and image.

Not bad...oh, Hack...

She sighs a little and shakes her head, tucking the knife and carved bone away. She looks up with a smirk when Quinlan steps out of the tent.

"Morning, dad. I was wondering when you were gonna get up." She gives him his breakfast and chuckles at the liquid words he grumbles under his breath. "I don't know what you just said, but I bet it's something not suitable for my innocent, virgin ears."

He snickers, watching as she starts packing up the camp. "My dear, you and I both know you are neither a virgin nor innocent."

"Hmph...I still don't understand why no one ever sees my innocence."

"That's because you're not, warrior child."

She laughs, shaking her head as they finish taking camp down and start on the final trek to the top of the peak.

"You're in a good mood. You slept that well?"

She grins and shrugs. "Guess you could say that."

He arches a brow. "There's more."

She nods with a smirk. "Mebbe."

"'Mebbe'? I'd say that would be a yes. Care to share?"

"Oh fine. I talked to Klork last night."

"Oh?"

She nods.

He pauses for a few moments. "And...?"

"And he's doing well."

He arches a brow and chuckles. "I see... It is good to see you smile, daughter."

She grins. "It's good to smile again."

The sun is low in the sky when they finally reach the zenith of the mountain.

"Great gods," HLM whispers as she gazes over the spectacular view.

Quinlan nods quietly as he rests an arm around her shoulders.

"I wish," she starts, the majesty of the ancient, snow-covered mountains reducing voice to a whisper, "that I could have shared this with my husband while he was still alive."

The elf rubs her shoulders gently. "His spirit will rest here, though; that's very important."

She nods quietly, shrugging her pack off. She takes out her carving and a spade. She kneels down and digs through the snow until she gets to earth. She then tears into that, working hard to break through the frozen surface and dig a small hole. When she finishes, she sits back on her heals and pushes her hood back, shaking her hair free.

She slips her gloves off and slowly slides her wedding ring off her finger. She holds it cradled in her palm, biting her lip and gazing at it, chest aching again.

Now that the moment's here...I don't know if I can do this...

She closes her fingers around the band of gold. With a shaky sigh, she presses her closed hands to her chest, bowing her head and watching he darkness behind her eyelids.

...but I guess I have to...

"Oh, Hacker...I'm gonna miss you, baby... Just like I have been missing you...an' I'll always love you. I just gotta let go...so I can move on with my life. It's hard as hell...but I ain't alone...ya don't gotta worry, wherever ya are. I hope ya understand, sweetheart. You were my first true love, an' I'll never be able to love anyone in quite the same way. Please believe me, baby. Ya know I'd never lie to you." She swallows her tears and opens her eyes to gaze at the ring. "I'll always love you."  She kisses the ring and tenderly places it in the earth, tears falling from her eyes frozen and shattered before they hit the ground when the wind plays with her hair. "No matter who else comes into my life, or what place they take in it." She refills the hole and smoothes the dirt over it. "No one can replace you. Please...be happy wherever you are now..."

She presses the carved shoulder blade over the hole, fastening it in place as best she can. She stares down at her work. Etched into the bone is a picture of her before the regression, wings stretched out behind her, body clad in a long gown, her head tilted back, gazing longingly up towards where her hand reaches. Gazing back at her is a white-winged Hacker, clad in soft jeans and shirt, reaching a hand down to her, soft smile on his face. Inscribed over the image is "Chance 'Hacker' Spalding: Gone, but never forgotten. Now you're my angel. Love always, HLM."

Well...it ain't the greatest of art, 'bout as far from a professional job as ya can get...but it's the best I could do...hope you like it, baby, wherever you are...

She stands, lifting tear-filled eyes from the grave to gaze at the painted sky and sparkling mountains around her. The wind springs up again, wrapping her in its crisp embrace. She closes  her eyes and smiles softly as a whisper of wind brushes over her lips. If she didn't know any better, she might say it was a kiss from heaven.

A few hours and many tears later, she's sitting by Quinlan, eating her dinner with him.

"Daughter," he breaks the silence.

"Hmm?" She looks up at him.

"How are you feeling??"

She shrugs a little after a pause. "Alright, I guess. Drained..."

He nods quietly, cleaning out their plates with snow. "So I will tell you more of your family later."

She blinks and looks up. "I...my family...? Your side?"

He nods and watches her quietly. "Yes...and...others..."

She furrows her brows, tying off the bandage on her arm before she tugs on the borrowed sweater. "Others...?"

He nods again, laughing softly. "That thing drowns you, you know."

She grins sheepishly and shrugs. "Klork's a good sized guy...especially when compared to me...this thing's even a little big on him." Her grin turns into a tired smirk. "But you, Mr. Donovan, have just changed the subject."

He grins. "That I did. Now, little girl, it is bed time."

"Hmph," she murmurs as she cuddles down into the sleeping bag. "Not even a bed-time story either, huh?"

He chuckles. "My apologies, sweet one."

She yawns lightly. "Hn...jus'...make up for it...tomorrow." Sleep takes over.

Part V
Part VII
Otherworldly Comforts Index