Part the Last: Epilogue

The following year, Anne returned to Rosings with Roger and Evie, brandishing Boney's favorite sword. She brought with her as well a jolly, pink-cheeked babe named Atalanta. The cherub had been born on the battlefield at Waterloo whilst her mother led a fearsome charge against the enemy, Anne's blood-curdling war cry causing the Frenchies to turn tail and flee. Roger, following behind her leading Hercules, had scooped the enormous infant up from the turf and been immediately impressed by her powerful grip and strong lungs. Anne's troops on the gory battleground were none the wiser. The new heir to Rosings looked suspiciously like Roger, sharing his peaches-and-cream complexion, but she also had the Colonel's sparkling, amused and observant eyes. Her flaming red hair, however, left no doubt as to her maternity. Atalanta had taken an immediate fancy to Evie, eventually learning to stand by hauling herself up by the loving ewe's ears .

Upon the little family's return to Rosings, they were overjoyed to find the Colonel heavier by a full stone and with a hint of pink in his own cheeks. He had passed the year at his new home rebuilding his health and supervising the construction of a sporting compound. Much to the delight of his wife, it included a wrestling pavilion, boxing ring and steeplechase course. He had also overseen the renovation of the stables, which were now quite luxurious, to the immense pleasure of both Roger and Evie.

The newlywed Darcys and Georgiana soon joined the party at Rosings as well. However, much to the disappointment of his cousins and his eager young sister, the happy husband demurred from further wrestling exhibitions with his cousin in deference to his impending fatherhood, to his desire to confine his intimate familiarities to his good wife, and to Anne's newly increased upper body strength.

Anne at length abandoned her attempts to convince him otherwise, and consented instead to a chess tourney. The joyous party thus gathered under the wrestling pavilion, each garbed in the family's traditional chess-playing costume of togas and sandals. Lady Catherine complained that her great wig clashed with her robe, while Evie dined upon her own toga; but young Atalanta cooed and pulled at hers while happily teething on her sandal. She grunted and struck many a fierce wrestling pose in her cradle, already embracing the family's love of the Classics.

It was Elizabeth, her belly swelling with imminent motherhood, who proved to be the fiercest and most ruthless competitor at the chessboard, briskly vanquishing her hapless opponents with quick, slashing maneuvers. In the end, the Colonel, all aflutter, placed the laurel wreath on her head whilst her husband and other new cousin looked on adoringly.

And thus we leave our happy band, all snug in the immense, muscled bosom of family and friends; all secure in the knowledge that each is loved for his or her own unique qualities, strengths and weaknesses; and, further, all warm in the knowledge that, through the selfless work of a noble few, the empire is saved, and thus the sheep may safely graze.

The End of Part the Last

~Finis~

Please do share any parting thoughts, feelings or opinions about the story with us by leaving a review. Perhaps the title at last makes sense in light of the lyrics to this beautiful piece of music, which you might wish to listen to if you don't know it already:

Lyrics to J.S. Bach's Cantata No. 208, "Sheep May Safely Graze," BWV 208
(English):
Sheep may safely graze on pasture
When the shepherd guards them well.
Where rulers govern well
we may feel peace and rest
and what makes countries happy

(German):
Schafe können sicher weiden,
Wo ein guter Hirte wacht.
Wo Regenten wohl regieren,
Kann man Ruh und Friede spüren
Und was Länder glücklich macht.