Author's Notes: Thank you so much for reading, everyone! I've really enjoyed hearing your thoughts, and it's been wonderful to hear how many people have enjoyed the story. While this is the final chapter, this isn't my last Sanjay-related story. I have some others in the works, which I'll also post once they're ready. I also would like to revise this story again in the future, so don't surprised to come back one day and find there's suddenly a lot more!
Again, thank you, everyone! It's been a lot of fun.
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Epilogue, Part I
Amir sighed as he gazed out over the town from the clearing on the mountaintop.
Below in the square, New Year's Eve was in full swing. The large pot, boiling with noodles, sat in the center, and scattered around it the villagers mingled as they waited for the countdown. He recognized Dunhill's duster next to Kosaburo's short frame, the distinctive apple print of Emma's apron beside Rebecca and Camellia's bright clothes, and Rio…
No, he didn't need to look to see who Rio was with.
They are happy together, he reminded himself and pulled his coat tight around his chest.
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Epilogue, Part II
But it didn't help.
His eyes grew wet, and he shivered from the cold and something more.
Months of wanting didn't vanish like water spilled in a desert. As much as he tried, only time and distance would heal the hole his hopes had left.
His fingers drifted across his coat until they pressed over his heart. For a short second another pang struck him, and then he pressed harder. Underneath the layers, he felt a slight bulge, and he reached inside and took out the small box from his breast pocket.
He opened it to a delicate, golden ring.
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Epilogue, Part III
He gazed at the jewelry with a sad smile.
It was the work of a master artisan several towns away, crafted what felt like a small age ago. The band twined about like a stem, and at the crown sat a flower encrusted with tiny jewels. In the moonlight they glinted like stars.
He'd planned to present it to Rio on Starry Night, thinking it a romantic evening, but then fate had seen differently. And now…
He still wished to give it to her, if nothing else than to see her smile. But with her and Sanjay…
He sighed again.
-x-x-
Epilogue, Part IV
Silly, he told himself. A grown man – and a prince – hung up on a ring of all things.
But he couldn't bear keeping it. Every time he saw it, or even thought of it, it hung like a stone on his heart.
But then who to give it to? He knew so few women well enough in the village to offer it to without seeming strange, and most held no great love for such adornments to begin with. But Olivia, perhaps?
No, he thought. She would see through me in a heartbeat.
Which left him no one once again.
Except…
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Epilogue, Part V
Amir looked to the quiet pond at the center of the glade. The surface of it shimmered faintly, as if inviting him to share his thoughts. With a nod, he rose and strode over to it.
He knelt down before it and bowed his head. "Harvest Goddess," he said, "I bid you good evening, if you would hear me."
The wind whispered back.
He continued, "I… I don't actually have much to say, only a gift I'd like to offer. A flower, of a sort." He held out his hand with the ring in his palm. "Perhaps it's similar enough?"
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Epilogue, Part VI
He waited, anticipating some reply, but then shook his head at his foolishness.
"Anyway," he said, "I… hope you find more joy in it than I have."
Then he dropped the ring into the water and watched it fall into the darkness.
The sound of Dunhill's voice in the distance caught him by surprise, and he looked back to see the townsfolk gathering tightly in the festival square for the countdown.
He smiled and got to his feet. Already he felt lighter, as though a weight had fallen. A new year, a new beginning, perhaps?
He chuckled at the suitability.
-x-x-
Epilogue, Conclusion
And then shouted as a newspaper page flew down and hit him in the face.
"By all that's…!" He yanked it away with a scowl. "What's this doing here?"
He frowned further as he recognized the title from the next town. Litter, then. The thought of such waste roused a fierceness in him.
Then, as his eyes roamed the page, his attention caught on an article.
"Zephyr Town's bazaar?" he murmured.
After a moment, he tucked the paper into his coat. He'd consider it more later, but now he had a festival to attend.
And a new beginning to start.