A/N: Well folks I'm about to officially end my first story. On second review of my epic love story I decided to create continuations, mayhaps a wedding, mayhaps a child, mayhaps I just like saying mayhaps. Ok so have fun finding about Varice's Shudder fate.

Varice looked from Numair to Daine. As her eyes came to a rest on Numair she began to speak, her voice a vile hiss.

"My dear Numair, may we please speak."

"Of course." Replied Numair, the image of forced courtesy. "If you'll just step into Daine's room." Varice cringed and began to walk foreword.

"I was hoping we could talk alone. Without this unplanned pregnancy to foul our air." Numair started to walk foreword, hands clenched, but Daine stopped him with a soft hand on his arm.

"No dear, I need to go to the stables anyways." Daine left the room and turned onto the hall that led to the stables. Once out of sight she started to run. She didn't cry, just ran. Soon she was joined by Kit who did nothing but join her in her morning sprint. Daine had planned on choosing one of Onua's new horses for a mount because Cloud was getting too old. Soon she reached the barn and slammed the door closed behind her, only to trudge over to the note Onua had left her. It made her smile. Dear Dai, she read, The new horses are in the last twelve stalls. I really hope you like one of them. This is the third set of horses I've brought in, hoping for one to suit you. oh and I saw Numair this morning. If I may say so, you have a lot of explaining to do. And yes, I'm telling Lanna what I saw. Daine could imagine the shock oh her knight friend's face when she head the news. When Onua said a lot of explaining, she had no idea how much there was to tell.

Daine started to walk down the rows of stalls, looking at the new horses. They were all pretty and nice, but all were pretty much dumb. I should just give up. She thought as she came to the last stall.

What and miss out on seeing me? A strange voice in her head asked. Daine looked into the last stall to find the biggest horse she had ever seen. At his shoulders he was only a bit shorter than Numair. He was such a deep color of black he almost seemed blue.

"Did you just talk to me?" She asked the majestic gelding.

Yes, do you have a problem with animals starting conversations with you?

"Well no its just, they're usually kind of dumb."

True, true, but most animals haven't been through 15 homes in seven years with dozens of whips at each home. Daine gasped at the thought of so much abuse. I know. Over the years I just put my thoughts into order, and here you come along giving me the first civilized conversation in years.

Daine smiled and looked at the horses name tag. It read Chaos. That name will never do. She thought quietly to herself.

I know, and to think I never did anything to earn it. Why don't you call me shadow. Daine stared at the horse. It had just read her thoughts. Never before had an animal been able to know what she was thinking.

Yes, sweet lady I can read your mind. Actually its not that hard. If you don't mind my saying you're a bit of an open book. And yes, I agree to be your trusty steed through thick and thin.

Daine couldn't believe it, the horse was being sarcastic. But she had to hand it to him, he was perfect for her. "Ok shadow I guess we're a team now."

Then I feel inclined to tell you that man you love is coming this way. Daine couldn't believe it, the horse knew everything about her in a matter of minutes. He also recognized Numair's pattern of walking. Right as it dawned on her that he was coming, the barn door flew open. Daine ran to her lover and was swept up in his kiss.

"Did you straighten it out?" Daine asked breathlessly.

"Yes my love. She's leaving tomorrow. Now lets…" his reply was cut short be Varice barging into the stable. She glowed pink, the color of her gift. Out of breath she addressed Daine.

"You stole him from me. You stole my home in Carthak. Now, if I cant have Numair, neither can you." She raised her hand and pointed to Daine. Pink lightening flew out of her finger. For that moment time seemed to stop as many events happened at once. Kitten who had been sitting quietly, latched onto Varice's finger, hitting a large vain and cause a lot of blood to spill out. The newly renamed shadow pushed through his stall like it was paper and leapt in front of Daine, causing Varice's magic to strike his side. Numair yelled what could only be a word of power as a massive black and silver jolt of power leapt from his hand and onto Varice.

When Daine blinked she found Kit with a blood soaked muzzle, shadow with a burn on his side, Varice, solid rock from the waist down, and Numair, his arms tight around Daine's waist.

Epilogue

Daine healed Shadow. His wound wasn't bad because his layers of fat protected him. At lunch Daine explained everything to Onua and Alanna, who in turn didn't ask questions when Daine and Numair left dinner together. Varice would slowly turn into rock over the next ten years. Numair had chosen rock because as he put it 'her heart was already made of it.' She was to be kept in the forest until her mouth was stone too so that no one would have to listen to her. Of course, somewhere out there a stone was turning into a human, but it wasn't really talked about. That next day Daine moved her things into Numair's room. She was inclined to wait, but Kit had gathered all of her things and put them in Numair's room, so Daine followed suit. And yes, Varice died a slow and painful death while Daine and Numair drew up wedding plans.

A/N: Usually I'm not one to kill off an author's characters, but Varice is an exception. Expect this story to have ones finishing d/n's story. For now, review and tell me how I did on my first official completed story.