In Good Hands by GrayOverload, on Flickr
After exchanging excited pleasantries and cries of long hidden emotions, Elizabeth brought Harold, George, Ryan, and Holly back to her home. There, the party would be able to rest knowing that their quest had been successful while Harold and Elizabeth caught each other up on years of memories and experiences.
Once they arrived at her house, the party was surprised at the untarnished beauty of her home. The floors were patterned stone and sandstone, the bed was covered in a rich black sheet and the pillow was as white as the moon. A small hand carved table sat in the room, with stools enough for three. A candle flickered on an elaborate stand near the bedside. A chest sat in the corner, almost forgotten next to a table of potions and vials. A single cup sat on the main table next to a map of a forest that none of the men could recognize. Various wooden crates and boxes were strewn about the room, holding a number of different items.
Holly sniffed around the room with a vigor not seen since she left Angten. The room had a very airy, flowery scent to it, which the canine was no doubt picking up on. George made himself at home on one of the stools while Elizabeth and Harold chatted. Ryan stood, dumbfounded by the elegance of his surroundings.
“George, I cannot repay you for what you’ve done for Harold and myself. To reunite such love takes courage, and you don’t seem to lack it. Please, take this as a token of my gratitude.” Elizabeth’s voice was like a song, fair yet striking. She procured a dazzlingly blue stone from beneath her bed, offering it to George.
“What is this, dare I ask?” George pondered, his confidence not waived by the sudden appearance of Elizabeth’s humility.
“An artifact of ages past. My grandfather passed it down to me when I was a young child. It is no ordinary gem; rather it is all that remains of a star that had fallen to the Nortlen many years ago. There are few like it in this world, and they have been associated with good luck and used in sorcery since their discovery. I wish that you would take it.” Elizabeth looked up at George, flustered by the memory of her grandfather. She blushed, and smiled faintly.
“Are you sure you’d like to give it to me? I don’t think I’d really have a use for it. Luck has always been on my side thus far!” George said with a quizzical look. Shrugging, he took the precious stone into his hands and viewed it from all sorts of angles.
Ryan watched all that unfolded, although he was still unbelievably taken with his surroundings. The magnitude of the adventure was all starting to sink in, now that he had stopped for a break.
Ryan also wondered what would happen next, given that Harold’s quest was at an end. He made a motion to ask, but looking at the couple it dawned on him. Harold’s journey was over, whereas Ryan’s voyage had all but begun.
Harold has finally found the long lost soulmate he had been searching for. After his years spent with George, he finally reached the end of his quest, at a positive ending. Despite this, the journey has not yet ended for Ryan, who still has to free Scott upon his departure from the city! Entered into the CCCXI: Misc. category. C&C welcome.
