Born To Lead 2 Epilogue

Willow has kept and held true to her sacred vow.

Many seasons have passed, her time on this earth, as has happened with many others before her, is coming to a swift end. Willow knew it was her time. She is content that it is to be so.

But the time spent was not without fruit.

The apes had indeed made a marvelous home in this grand place. The entire tribe has grown and thrived significantly without fear, misgivings, or unrest to plague them. This is where the apes had made their home and their home it would stay thanks to Willow. Through her a dynasty would be left behind that would move on for generations to come through actions, story's, and history.

Part of this legacy would be through her little brother Cornelius. Not so little anymore.

Throughout all these years Willow never once took up a mate.

Willow resolved to rule alone leaving Cornelius and his own offspring as her heirs.

Not long after Cornelius reached maturity he had been bonded in a ceremony to Rosie, Tinker and Rocket's daughter.

That had been a proud day for the entire tribe.

Not only for a union between two young apes, but to a lifelong dream that reached fulfillment between Rocket and Caesar to unite their shared bloodlines.

That dream had been crushed when Ash was taken from her. Then it was put to right at long last.

Since then Cornelius and Rosie had many children who have now even had sons and daughters all their own.

Willow was sincerely touched that one of them had been named for her and knew without a doubt that their father had been beaming with pride when Cornelius dubbed one of his sons after him.

A day that no one would forget.

All of the older generation were long gone now leaving a few others of that time behind.

Willow is the last one.

Cornelius would be left with his own Ape Council, the same as her and their father before them. Despite all Cornelius has undergone in his early yeas he has constantly remained a kind and gentle soul. In these times of peace Cornelius would be a great leader for their kind. Willow should know. She has taught him well both as a mother and sister.

Also, the fact that humans haven't bothered them in years shouldn't hurt matters either.

Blue Eyes had been correct in his assumptions. After the tribe had settled here they'd seen no sign of any humans since. With the exception of Nova, of course. In fact it's highly unlikely that the apes of this troop would ever cross the paths of humans again. After this long it would be a miracle if any still retained their superior intelligence from the mutated plague.

Nova was still alive, but quite old now. Most would give her a few more years before she, too, would move on to the next life in whatever form.

But like all of the other humans who have helped them in face of the cold cruelty of their own species Nova would not be forgotten.

Now Willow sat in the very place Caesar had died decades before, overlooking the entire valley and the people she loved below. As she sat there Willow felt a bit nostalgic believing the range of sensations going traveling in her heart and mind might've been the exact same ones Caesar had felt.

It's almost time. Willow could feel what strength and awareness that remained fading fast.

Willow lifted up her hand to stare at the treasured music box she kept with her all this blessed time.

Tattered and worn with time the music box Ash had gifted her was on its very last legs, as is she. Willow did her very best to keep it in working order for as long as possible, but there was only so much she could do.

Fortunately, after this, there'd be no need for it to play on this plain of existence anymore. She just had to hear it once more.

"I've kept my promise…I'm ready to join you now," murmured Willow, tracing the patterns of the music box.

Willow slowly flipped it open. Instantly, as it's done each and every time she's opened it, a lovely melody began to play.

Only difference here is that it would be for the very last time.

.

Across the gently rolling hills

Beyond high mountain peaks

Along the shores of distant seas

There's something my heart seeks

But there's no peace in wandering

The road's not made for rest

And footsore fools will never know

What home might suit them best

But, oh, the things that I have seen

The secret paths I've trod

The hidden corners of the world

Known to none but me and the Spirits

Yes, the world was meant for knowing

And feet were meant to roam

But one who's always going

Will never find a home

Oh, where's the thread that binds me

The voice that calls me back

Where's the love that finds me

And what's the root I lack

My heart seeks the hearth

My feet seek the road

A soul so divided

Is a terrible load

My heart longs to rest

My feet yearn to roam

Shall I wander the world

Or stay safe at home…

.

Willow was dead before the final note played out in the music box for the last time.

"Willow? Willow?"

Someone was calling out her name.

Willow sighed, gradually opened her eye to find she was lying down on a nest inside a hut with a burning fire inside. She instantly recognized it as the hut Ash had worked painstakingly on with so much devotion before everything went wrong.

Willow answered the voice that had been reaching out for her.

The owner of the voice was lying beside her in the nest. This person she has not seen for decades.

Ash.

Ash was lying on his side, grinning warmly at her with twinkling eyes. In his hands he was holding the music box, as good as when he'd first presented it to her.

"Ash," breathed Willow, smiling tenderly at her beloved.

Gently taking her hand in his, Ash said "I've been waiting for you."

"Is this real," asked Willow.

Nodding in comforting reassurance, Ash whispered "Nothing is more real. I love you. I always have."

"I love you, too. Were we truly this young," she said, bemused.

Willow's body was reverted back to the way it had been when the two of them were so happy together, young and in love. Willow hasn't felt this refreshed and strong in such a span of time. She could feel it all returning by the second. Seemed like such a distant time ago.

Chuckling in amusement, Ash said "Yes."

"It seems like so long ago," said Willow, solemn, voice cracking in remembrance. "It's been so difficult, Ash. So difficult."

Shushing her, Ash said "That's over now."

Ash then leaned forward to kiss Willow and press his forehead to hers. The two lovebirds stayed like this for a couple of seconds. Then Ash pulled back.

Rising on his feet, extending a hand to her, Ash said "Come. There are others who are waiting to see you."

Willow took his hand and the two ducked outside the hut.

It was like stepping back in time to the first village the apes had carved and built with their own two hands in the Redwoods they all loved so much.

Everyone and I mean everyone from the very beginning was here even those she had never met before.

Like Buck, who had died during the battle on the San Francisco Bridge.

And those who were enemies now returned as friends.

Koba was among them.

Here in the afterlife Koba had returned to the fold. His face free of the dissatisfaction, hatred and greed she had seen in it. So that he was what she had always believed him to be. A friend and an uncle.

But the best were saved for last, standing around the throne at the base of their tree.

On either side were Cornelia and Blue Eyes, in the middle is Caesar.

Willow embraced both of them with much elation and joy. She'd missed them so much. Her feelings were reciprocated.

Then it's Caesar's turn.

Caesar rose from his throne regal, dignified and prideful as she remembered he had.

Cupping the back of her neck, pressing his forehead to hers, Caesar said "Welcome home, My Daughter."

Yes, it's good to finally well and truly be home.

Authors Note:

Thank you, all of you who have stuck with me and your dedication to this story franchise for so long. I can't begin to express in words how grateful I am to all of you.

This epilogue is inspired by the last episode in the show Reign with Mary the Queen of Scots called All It Cost Her.

The song you see here is from a book series known as The Unicorn Chronicles.

This has been brought up in the past, but now that we've reached the end of the line I wanted to bring it up again.

What do you guys think about me doing another story on Willow about what happens in between Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes?