Soon after the storm was over, the Avatars had succeeded in defending their city. Many had died that day, but Avalon still stood in the wake of the battle. Those of the Dark Ones that had not perished fighting fled the city. The Avatars immediately secured the palace and word quickly spread through the city that the leader of the Dark Ones was dead.
The healer had been sent for and all three women were taken to their quarters. As it seemed that Veronica and Marguerite were simply in a deep sleep, the healer focused his energies on Abigail. She had grown very pale and weak but she had not lost consciousness. The healer knew that she had lost too much blood and her body was already too fragile. There was nothing that could be done for her but to make her comfortable.
Summerlee had sat vigil at her bedside and could see that Abigail was clinging to life, not yet ready to leave. She had left word with the healer that the moment Veronica and Marguerite awoke that they should be brought in to see her immediately.
�Arthur,� Abigail reached out her hand to Summerlee who grasped it tenderly. �My dear friend, it seems as if our journey together has come to an end.�
Summerlee nodded tearfully. �Yes, Abigail. It was an honor to have known you and to call you my friend. Thank you for everything.�
Abigail smiled. �Do not thank me, Arthur. My motives were entirely selfish. You helped my daughter and I to be reunited and for that I thank you. And now I have one final favor to ask you.�
Arthur nodded. �Anything.�
�Promise me, Arthur, to look after Veronica. She looks up to you and I know you will guide her since I will not be here to fulfill my duties as a mother ought.�
Summerlee nodded his head and squeezed Abigail�s hand. �I promise.�
�Thank you, Arthur.�
They sat in silence for a while but neither knew quite how long. There was a knock at the door and after Abigail bid them to enter, Marguerite and Veronica both appeared.
Abigail raised her arm and bid them both to come join her. Summerlee excused himself and left the three women alone. �Marguerite, Veronica, you have both succeeded where I hoped you would and I am so proud of you both.� She took hold of each of their hands and made them come closer.
�Marguerite, I know you continue to search for answers and I am only sorry that I cannot provide them all for you. But I will tell you all that I know in hope to make up for the debt I owe you.�
Marguerite shared a look with Veronica and looked back at Abigail. �But what could you possibly owe me?�
�Marguerite, I spoke to you earlier that the life you led was not the life that was meant for you. In the end, you found yourself on the path you were meant to be on, but your journey was meant to an easier one than the one you have had. You are the Chosen One, and as I told you earlier, Mordren�s line would stop at nothing to rule this world. When you were born, they saw it as their chance to insure their victory in the upcoming battle. They abducted you as a small child from your parents in Avebury.�
Marguerite and Veronica were both shocked. �Avebury?� Marguerite shook her head. �But Roxton is from Avebury.�
Abigail nodded her head. �My dear, Marguerite. Roxton is your knight, your protector, your soul mate, your equal. He has always been destined to walk this life at your side. And though you were separated, you have found each other again.�
Marguerite couldn�t get over her shock. Her and Roxton were always meant to be together? She remembered telling Roxton how she used to play in Avebury and he commented that maybe they might have met as children and not even known it. It turns out that they had, but not as children. She had recently discovered that it was Roxton that sacrificed himself so she could keep her identity as Parsifal secret and help the British win the war. It turns out that even though they did not know each other, he was still always protecting her. It boggled Marguerite�s mind to think of the life she could have had with her real parents and Roxton had she not had been abducted.
�Abigail, what about my parents, do you know who they are? Are they still alive?�
Abigail solemnly shook her head. �I am sorry, Marguerite, this is one of your questions I cannot answer. When you were abducted, word was sent to my mother who was Protector at the time. She could not leave the plateau so I went to Europe in search of you. Your name was not revealed to me because there was no reason for me to know it. Once you were abducted I knew that the only way I could distinguish you apart from any others was your birth mark, the mark of the line of the Chosen One. I looked all over the world for months, but I had no success. Wherever they had hidden you, they had taken great care that I could never find you. There was only one thing left for me to do. Your fate was an important one so I did all that I could to insure that you would be brought to the plateau at the proper time and could only hope you would not be corrupted by Mordren or his people.�
�What did you do, mother?�
Abigail sighed and continued. �I had to do something to insure not only Marguerite, but everyone needed made their way to the plateau. So I did the only thing that that could be done. I knew that Xan possessed half of the Ouroboros so I made him aware of the fact that the second half of the medallion was somewhere on the plateau.�
�And Xan told Maple White about the plateau who we know found it and died telling Challenger his secret�� Marguerite thought out loud.
Veronica�s eyes were wide in amazement. �Is that why Xan�s symbol was in yours and father�s journal?�
�Yes,� Abigail nodded. �I had met your father during my search for Marguerite and we had fallen in love and married. He had helped me search for Marguerite, but soon we were out of options. Shortly after telling Xan about the Ouroboros, I found out we were both going to be parents. We were both so happy, Veronica. Thomas vowed that he would return to the plateau with me and never leave. We arranged an expedition and returned.� Abigail looked from her daughter back to Marguerite. �I am sorry, Marguerite that I did not find you. It is my fault that you lived the troubled life you had. I should have found you.�
Marguerite squeezed Abigail�s hand and shook her head. �It wasn�t your fault, Abigail. You tried your best and you let me know that I wasn�t abandoned, that I had parents who would have loved me, and for that I�m grateful to you. But Abigail, there�s only one more question I have. How did Xan get a hold of my birth certificate? He promised me if I found the other half of the Ouroboros he would give it to me.�
Abigail pondered the question quietly for a moment. �There�s only one possible explanation I can think of. Mordren and his people were the only ones who knew who you were and where you came from. If I learned that Xan had half of the Ouroboros, chances are he learned it as well. He probably used your birth certificate as a bargaining chip knowing that if you had the other half he would be able to return to the plateau.�
�But why?� Veronica asked. �Why would Xan take Marguerite�s birth certificate? Why wouldn�t Mordren just come to the plateau and look for the other half himself?�
�Because, my dear, I had banished Mordren under penalty of death. He could not return. Besides, he knew Marguerite belonged on the plateau as he knew her destiny. By providing Xan with her birth certificate, he had the same aims as I did. He wanted Marguerite here, but while he was at it, he also hoped she would restore the Ouroboros and he could use it to return to the plateau.�
Marguerite slowly tried to absorb all that she had learned about her past in a few minutes. So many people had shaped her life without her even knowing their influences. And now, after learning so much, she was still no closer to finding out her name. Xan had most assuredly burned her birth certificate and Mordren was dead.
Abigail watched Marguerite�s expressions and only wished she could have helped her more. She squeezed Marguerite�s hand and her eyes turned upwards to meet hers. �I am sorry that I could not help you more, my dear. But I have faith one day you will find the answers you are looking for. For now, live your life and know you are now on the right path.�
Marguerite nodded and smiled. �You gave me more than I could have hoped to know on my own and for that I�ll forever be grateful.� She leaned down and gave Abigail a gentle hug and a small kiss on her forehead. �Thank you for everything, Abigail and it was a pleasure to have known you.�
Abigail smiled and released her hand. �Take care of yourself, Marguerite. And I have one final word of advice for you, my dear.�
�What�s that?�
�Roxton. He is a part of your destiny as well. Embrace it, don�t run from what you know is true in your heart.�
Marguerite didn�t respond but nodded. She placed a hand on Veronica�s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. �I�ll be right outside if you need me, Veronica.�
Veronica reached up with her hand and squeezed Marguerite�s hand. �Thank you.� Marguerite nodded and silently slipped out of the room.
Abigail held up her arms. �Come here, my dear.�
Veronica threw herself into her mother�s arms and felt no different than she had when she was a child. She could always find comfort in the embrace of her mother. Abigail let her daughter cry on her shoulder and ran her hands through her hair.
�Veronica, my dear, I know it is not fair to ask you for anything for you have had to live without a great deal. You are the Protector now. In my absence, turn to Arthur for he has learned much of our ways in the years he has resided in Avalon. You and Marguerite successfully guided the plateau into the new cycle of creation. Both of your duties are complete. Your friends are now free to leave the plateau if they wish it. But be strong Veronica, for if they do decide to leave, know that they are not abandoning you. You do not have to be alone if you do not wish it. I see you have denied yourself a great many things, but do not deny yourself happiness. A mother only wishes for her child to be happy. The only thing I ask of you dear heart, is to be happy and be strong. Your father loved you, just as I do, and we always will. This you know in your heart. If Thomas were here, I know he would be proud of the beautiful, strong woman you have become.�
Veronica pulled out of her mother�s embrace and looked into her eyes. �I wish I had more time with you, mother. I love you so much. I don�t know what I�ll do without you.�
Abigail reached up her hand and brushed the tears from her daughter�s face. �Have courage, dear one. For you are not alone, you are surrounded by friends who love you dearly. I may be leaving you now, but your father and I will always be watching over you and one day we will be reunited again. Live life, Veronica, be happy and look towards the future now and not the past. I love you my precious daughter.� Abigail placed her hands on Veronica�s face and brought it closer to her own. She placed a kiss on her forehead and embraced her one last time. �Remember,� Abigail whispered in her ear, �to trust in your heart always for it will not lead you astray.�
Veronica helped her mother lie back down but saw her eyes had closed and she knew they wouldn�t open again. After leaning down and placing one final kiss on her mother�s forehead, Veronica cried to herself with a pain she could only hope time would help heal.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Marguerite had sat outside with Arthur quietly thinking of all she had learned recently. She knew she had parents out there that had loved her once, and she had hope that one day she would find them or at least find out who they were. For now, it was not a priority. This new knowledge about Roxton frightened her at first but now she realized she was happy. She had known for a long time she had loved Roxton, but when they had first met she knew she had felt something between them. It seemed fate had always had a plan in mind for them and Marguerite could only wonder what laid ahead in their future. The only thing she knew for sure was that she would look forward to that future.
Challenger and Malone still had not returned and Marguerite could only hope that they hadn�t died trying to rescue Roxton. They had already lost Finn and now they were losing Abigail. Marguerite�s strength had been tested several times in the past few weeks and she didn�t know how much more she could take. She kept sending up silent prayers hoping for the safe return of all her friends and it seemed that someone had indeed been looking over this group of friends.
The minute she heard his voice shouting her name through the palace like a madman, Marguerite thanked whoever had heard her prayers. Marguerite and Summerlee both jumped out of their chairs and saw not only Roxton, but Challenger and Malone running down the hallway towards them.
At Roxton seeing Marguerite alive, safe and sound, he could not contain his joy. He ran towards her and held her close to him. Usually Marguerite might have said something about this open show of affection, but she was just as worried about him so she held him just as close. The other three simply smiled at them and greeted each other.
Marguerite and Roxton finally pulled apart and examined each other. Marguerite was still extremely tired from her recent battle and it showed in her face, but she faired better than Roxton. Marguerite immediately scolded him for going and getting himself nearly killed and made him sit still while she cleaned and bandaged his cuts.
Summerlee and Marguerite tried to explain what had passed in the time that Challenger, Roxton, and Malone had been absent. They all had been grieved to hear of the death of Finn who had already grown to be a part of the family. They also learned of Abigail�s health and all were prepared to be there for Veronica and help in anyway they could. She had not yet learned of Finn�s death and they knew she had to be told sooner or later. Malone had volunteered himself for the duty and promised he would do anything he could to make sure Veronica got through this trying time.
After several hours, Veronica had still not left her mother�s room. Malone volunteered to go check on her. He took in some food in case he could get her to eat something. Malone took the tray in with him and knocked lightly on the door. He entered and found Veronica sitting beside Abigail�s bed and holding her mother�s hand. She hadn�t looked up at Malone�s presence and seemed to be lost within her own thoughts. Malone set down the tray on a nearby table and took a seat beside Veronica. He placed his hand over her free one. �I�m here, Veronica.�
At that Veronica looked up but wasn�t startled by Malone�s presence. She simply turned to him and he held her. Malone held her while she cried and he talked to her. He told her how Finn died and how much she loved Veronica. He was there for her as yet more grief entered her heart. �Everyone that I love dies, Ned. My mother was all I had left and she�s gone. Now I have no one left.�
Malone ran his hand over her back and through her hair. �That�s not true, Veronica and you know it. Your friends are just on the other side of that door and they all love you.�
�Maybe, but one day they�ll leave and I�ll be all alone again. My mother told me before she died that you are all free to leave the plateau now.� Veronica continued to cry and Malone was at a loss to hear such words come from Veronica�s mouth.
�You don�t know that they will leave or that they won�t come back. But you are not alone, you will never be alone. Because��
Veronica pulled out of Malone�s embrace and looked at him through her tear filled eyes. �Because what, Ned?�
�Because, Veronica�I love you and I won�t ever leave you. I promise.�
Veronica wiped her face with the back of her hand. �But what about London? The story that you have to tell?�
Malone smiled and took Veronica�s hand. �I don�t care about any of that. You are the only thing that matters in my life now. I know you told me several months ago that you only thought of me as a friend and if that�s still true that won�t change how I feel. I�ll stay wherever you are and I�ll always love you, Veronica.�
Veronica felt the tears gathering in her eyes again and remembered what her mother told her only hours ago. Trust in your heart, Veronica. She hugged Malone and didn�t try to stop the tears that flowed down her face again. �I love you too, Ned,� she whispered.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next day, everyone had gathered together for a morning meal. Everyone had been happy to be reunited and that they had beaten Dren and saved the plateau. The causalities of the war had been felt by all and the grief was still very strong.
Veronica had managed to speak to her friends of what Abigail told her about them leaving the plateau. While her friends were happy that they would one day for sure be able to leave, they didn�t express an immediate desire to leave. Malone had told the others how he had planned to stay with Veronica at Avalon and would not be returning to London with them if they should ever decide to leave.
Marguerite and Roxton shared a smile from across the table at the happy news that was long in coming from those two. The night prior, had a long talk where Marguerite shared what she had learned from Abigail. Roxton had been just as shocked after learning their intended destinies. Roxton renewed his promise that he would help her find her parents whatever it took. Immediately after, he was wearing grin at which Marguerite laughed at. When she asked why he was looking at her with such a ridiculous look on his face he replied smugly, �It seems, that you will never be rid of me now, Marguerite.�
Marguerite only smile coyly and decided to leave him with a question that left him loving her more than he thought possible. �Who said I wanted to be rid of you?� She rose to leave but stopped and seemed to be looking for something before she turned back to him. �I believe you�re missing one thing, Lord Roxton.�
�And what would that be, my dear?�
She reached from behind her and placed Roxton�s hat on his head and gave him a kiss on the cheek. �Wouldn�t want you getting heat stroke in the jungle would we?�
Now, Marguerite and Roxton were happy that their young friends had finally found happiness with each other. They watched as Challenger rose from his seat and raised his glass.
A memorial service for Finn and Abigail had been arranged as well as a feast in their honor. For now, the small group of friends held their own private feast and toasted the bravery, friendship, and lives of two dearly loved ones. They all raised their glasses in a toast.
�To Finn and Abigail, may they both rest in peace. You will both be dearly missed!�
�Cheers!�
�Challenger,� Marguerite said as she put down her glass, �you would know this better than anybody I would imagine. What do you think happened to Finn? Do you think she was returned to her own time?�
Challenger was silent for a moment. �Curious you should ask, my dear for I have been pondering the very question myself. The Finn we knew does not exist because the future timeline has been forever altered. When Finn killed Zoth, she insured that the future would not be destroyed which is all she ever wanted. However, whether or not Zoth died or lived, Finn should still be born and I can only hope she is living the life she was denied. She certainly deserved it.�
�Amen.� They all chorused.
�Hopefully she will be happy in the future which is all we can wish for ourselves.� Roxton raised his own glass and made another toast. �To love, to friendship, to happiness, and to family.�
�Hear, hear!�
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
�Finn! If I have to call you one more time young lady I�m feeding your breakfast to the dogs!�
Finn groaned and pushed the pillows that were on top of her head onto the floor and kicked off her sheets. �All right, mom, I�m coming! Let me take a shower first!�
�And don�t use all the hot water this time, Finn! I don�t earn money for it to literally go down the drain!�
Finn rolled her eyes. �All right, dad!� She shouted back. She grabbed some clothes out of her dresser and in her hurry knocked something over. She picked up her favorite stuffed animal and placed him back beside the window. �Sorry about that Edward.�
Finn headed off to take her shower as Edward the Lion faced the city of New Amazonia, full of people and bursting with life.
THE END