Epilogue
Two years later, Melissa discovered she was
expecting. She welcomed a lovely daughter named Marina into the world. Arowyn
beamed with pride as a father. Marina, like her mother Melissa, is a quarter-elf.
Long ago, Melissa’s grandmother had a secret affair with Auril during one of her visits to Agartha. When she found herself pregnant,
she persuaded Melissa’s grandfather that the child was his and accepted it as a
fact. Believing Trista was his daughter; he remained unaware of the hidden
portal to another realm.
******
Melissa made an annual trip to visit Arowyn with her daughter, Marina. Meanwhile, back home, people often speculated about why she had never tied the knot with the man who fathered her child. She chose to remain single. Her father was deeply troubled by what he perceived as an injustice, envisioning a deadbeat who had left Melissa to fend for herself and their daughter. He wished for a different life for her, one where she wouldn’t have to raise a child alone. However, many women successfully navigate single parenthood, and so her father and stepmother offered their support whenever they could. Marina very rarely got sick, and the pediatrician found it extraordinary but assumed that Marina is a product of healthy parents. Family and friends often asked about Marina’s father, but Melissa would simply respond, “He moved away,” effectively ending the conversation with those three words. She believed, “No one needs to know, and honestly, they wouldn’t comprehend,” as she kept her thoughts to herself. In the years that followed, Carly tied the knot with a lawyer named Peter, and they welcomed children into their lives. Carly maintained her friendship with Diego until his tragic passing in his late 70s. Meanwhile, Melissa kept in touch with Carly. Melissa received the heartbreaking news from her eldest son that she had Dementia. It was incredibly painful for her to witness her closest friend slowly fade away, yet she remained committed to visiting her every month until the very end. During those visits, Melissa shared tales of Agartha with Carly, confident that her friend would keep these secrets safe, as she would likely not remember. Melissa recounted her thrilling adventures in Agartha, and while Carly found joy in the stories, they quickly slipped from her memory. There were moments when she looked at the unfamiliar woman sharing these enchanting tales and wondered who she was. Melissa is now 80, her father has long passed on and died of a heart attack. Her stepmother remarried several years later and moved away but they corresponded frequently until her death. Melissa inherited the house where she brought up her daughter. her husband moved in with Melissa, creating a multi-generational home.
“I suppose that’s why you look so youthful, Mom, thanks to your elven
lineage,” Marina teased. Indeed, Melissa appeared significantly younger than
her years. “I trust you realize that this time, I won’t be coming back, dear,”
Melissa said, her voice heavy with emotion. “I understand that father is
waiting for you, and I’ll be there to see you off, but I must return, as you’re
already know why,” Marina paused. “Also, Johnny is eager to join us when I take
you to Agartha. He wants to see grandpa again.” Melissa nodded in agreement.
Johnny had gone to Agartha numerous times with his mother since childhood, yet
he had never mentioned Agartha to his father. Marina’s son is asleep, and David,
her husband, is in their bedroom, watching television. Melissa understands the
weight of carrying such a secret because for years she did the same.
“Remember, David must never know about Agartha. It must remain a secret
forever. When outsiders know about the gate, the door will close forever,” she
paused. “There is no coming back.” Marina nodded and said, “I understand.”
“In a safety deposit box at the bank, is my secret journal and the key.
It has all the details about my adventures in Agartha. Maybe one day, you can
write a book and tell the story. The key must remain in your possession and passed
down to your son.” Marina nodded. Melissa placed the cup on the nightstand next
to her bed and said, “I feel sleepy now.” She stretched her arms up and laid
herself down and rested her head on the pillow. Soon she started to snore. Marina
left the night light on, in her room. Melissa was reluctant to close her eyes
in the dark. The shadows brought back memories of the creature she had
encountered in the castle. On her 81st birthday, a celebration was held in her
honor, surrounded by family and friends. It was a truly unforgettable
gathering, filled with joy, love, and the warmth of her loved ones.
Little did they know it would be her final celebration; she felt a sense
of readiness to move on. A few days later, Marina, Johnny and Melissa went
through the gate. Melissa's grandson, in his twenties, is eagerly anticipating
a visit with his grandfather. Although Johnny isn't married, he does have a
girlfriend and maybe one day he will marry her. Arowyn patiently awaited their
arrival. He embraced both his daughter and grandson warmly before planting a
heartfelt kiss on Melissa. Despite her grey hair and gentle wrinkles, her face
radiated vitality and joy.
“He has not changed and remains handsome and distinguished as ever,” Melissa mused. Faye
is still as youthful as ever. She fluttered around them chatting about almost everything
she could think of as they headed to the village.
“Father, will you take care of
her?” Marina whispered as she glanced at Melissa.
“Of course. She is my life as you and Johnny are,” said Arowyn. A change
started happening to Melissa after Arowyn kissed her. Her wrinkles faded; a
more youthful appearance shadowed her face. Forty years have been shaved off
her, she looks like she’s forty-one now.
“Thank you, father,” said Marina
with a smile. Arowyn knew that Marina wasn’t going to be able to see her mother
every day, only once a year. Johnny and Marina stayed for a while but had to
return home. She remembers what her mother told her, “The longer you stay in Agartha, the more you’ll forget where you come
from.” Faye escorted them to the gate. “I will come visit every year,”
Marina told Faye.
“Of course,” Faye responded. “Please, if ever there is any kind of emergency don’t hesitate to call on us,” said Arowyn. “Of course, father,” Marina nodded. “Melissa will be in good hands. I promise,” Faye reassured her as they went through the gate and back home.
Side note: Marina does tell her husband about Agartha and that Melissa left to live in Agartha. She takes him to Agartha and he is bewildered over what he saw there. After some time, he comes to accept that his wife is half Elf and vows to keep the secret safe.
