Chandra's Quest Excerpt: Chapter 54: All Things Must End

 

Chandra took her place next to Soran, as she had done when she was an Enforcer, the difference is that she is his wife now. Her Empress outfit brings to mind, the ancient clothing of Egypt. The silk white dress is crafted from Dryadian silkworms, and her sandals are made from the Critan creature native to Barunda. Her tiara glimmers with pure gold, intricately set with iridescent blue Dryadian diamonds, while the front of her dress is embellished with woven beads. A coordinating golden belt cinches her waist, a delicate veil cascades from her tiara and a slave bracelet adorns her left hand. 

A week or two after Soran’s announcement, she tried to venture below to the prohibited catacombs where Soran hides his grotesque creations but were stopped by the guards. “You cannot go in,” one of them said. “And why not? I am the Empress after all,” responded Chandra with a derisive tone. Both guards fell silent and stared at her sternly.

 “Look, I was once an Enforcer I can take care of myself,” she insisted. They did not respond but instead escorted her toward the promenade and away from the restricted area. She bristled but understood. Another opportunity to explore the catacombs arose when Treau appeared as a NyKarin guard. "I wasn't able to visit the catacombs before," she explained to him. While another guard lingered outside the room, Treau and Chandra conversed within. Suddenly, she had a spark of inspiration and snapped her fingers. "I have a plan. I'll send the other guard away by claiming I'm not going out today, and you can stay outside until he departs."

“It will work. Soran will not return until tomorrow from his visit to Comigae,” said Treau.

“Why is he in Comigae?” asked Chandra.

“He is there to collect information regarding the Planetary Alliance and their connection to them, of course Comigae is with the Planetary Alliance and will not disclose information.”

“How long will he stay?”

“I believe a week,” said Treau. Treau’s information comes through sources that are deep within the NyKarin government. There are many NyKarins who are against Soran and have aligned themselves with the Planetary Alliance and remain surreptitious.

“I need to get to the catacombs. The catacombs are where Soran hides his abominations, the ones that did not fend well during the transformation process in becoming an Enforcer,” she said. Chandra is wearing a fitted grey uniform jumpsuit with the NyKarin symbol on the left shoulder and her hair is tied back in a ponytail. She is not afraid to venture into the catacombs but knows there is a dark entity within them, that is stealthy and vicious. It will pursue its prey relentlessly. Even though she is an Empress, she is not allowed to roam freely anywhere in the city, in fact, Soran has guards following her when she steps out of the room. Lucky that while he is away, Treau showed up. He told her that Linnea saw a vision and in it were two outcomes to her situation but only one is the best option. He did not give her details about the vision but if Treau is there, then it is the best choice and will produce a more productive outcome.

 “Well let’s go,” said Chandra. She brought with her a pistol tucked inside her leg holster. She is an ex-Enforcer and even though many eye her with disdain, not one of the citizens approached her. It is not because Treau is with her, it’s because they fear Enforcers. She made her way to one of the electric vehicles parked at a public transport dock. The vehicles run through large clear travel tubes which are a part of an intricate railway system that extends throughout the city. Treau and Chandra arrived a few blocks away from the restricted zone. There are no guards present, but a highly sensitive sensor is erected to deter curious eyes.

(This excerpt is available to listen on my YouTube channel)

Chandra's Quest available on Amazon

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Updates

My Author's Q & A's

 

(Once every other month I will post Q & A's that readers have asked me)

Q- Will you be posting new short videos or excerpts on Path Less Taken from the Phoenix Files? I’ve seen that you haven’t posted anything about that book, and I thought that maybe you decided to abandon the project. J. Peters

A-I appreciate your interest in my work! Currently, I'm focused on completing "A Time Traveler's Companion," which is nearly 500 pages long. Once I wrap that up, I plan to finish "Path Less Taken" and will share some short videos and excerpts soon after. 

Q- When will you publish the recent version of Chandra’s Quest on AppleBooks? You mentioned that you combined all four books into one. I would love to read it. Mary Fuentes

A-Regarding "Chandra's Quest," I do intend to release the new version on Amazon and Apple Books, but as mentioned in a previous blog post, it won't be available on GooglePlay and AppleBooks until July. An audiobook is currently being made.

Q- Do you use AI generated images for your short videos? Jessica P

A-Some images in my promotional videos, are AI-generated, but I use them primarily to depict the characters visually for the readers’ entertainment.

Q- I really enjoyed Flare and I would like to know if it is available as an audiobook. ldyVamp

A-I'm glad to hear you enjoyed "Flare” there is indeed an audiobook available on GooglePlay, so feel free to check it out!

Q-I enjoyed reading the book about the Backrooms from the Phoenix Files, will you be writing another one related to the Backrooms? Anonymous

A-There will be another installment in the Phoenix Files series that revisits the Backrooms, specifically in volume 4. It will be available in the future.

(I love receiving questions from readers through social media, and I promise to feature them on my blog in the coming months!)

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Updates: Chandra's Quest & A Time Traveler's Companion

 

(For those who are new here, this is my Author's blog under the pseudonym Cecile Garcia, where I share excerpts and updates about my writing projects.) 

I am currently focused on completing part 5 of A Time Traveler’s Companion, which I plan to release on Google Play. Ultimately, I intend to compile all parts into a single novel for publication on platforms such as Amazon, Apple Books, and IngramSpark. Won't be doing the Kindle Select Program because of issues with them!

Additionally, the full-length novel eBook of Chandra’s Quest is now available on Amazon, Apple Books, and Google Play, while I continue to work on the paperback version, which I will also re-publish on Amazon. Please do visit the link in my profile to view details on books.  

UPDATE: At the moment Chandra's Quest (eBook) is unavailable on AppleBooks until July, the same  for GooglePlay. I am having issues with the Kindle Select program. Anyways, this book will eventually be available on GooglePlay and AppleBooks in a few months, please visit the link below to one of my other blog entries discussing the reasons.

Below is a link to a short video I recently made related to A Time Traveler's Companion, enjoy. The 4 incarnations of Mr. Smith. Remi at ages: 18, 21, 28, 30.

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What Can Be Copyrighted

Writers Who Use AI to Produce Multiple Books in A Month

KDP Select Program: Should You Join it?

Hardcover Books

 

Many of the titles I offer on Amazon and Google Play are available in paperback or eBooks formats. However, after I finish A Time Traveler’s Companion and combine all four volumes of Chandra’s Quest into one book, I plan to release a hardcover edition for these two works.

Chandra’s Quest has reached more than 500 pages, while A Time Traveler’s Companion exceeds 300 pages as well. 

For A Time Traveler’s Companion, I’m in the process of editing it and merging all the sections into a single volume.

I currently offer eBooks and paperbacks for some of my books on Amazon. Since In the Company of Elves is under 200 pages, I won’t be providing a hardcover edition. I invite you to check out the link in my profile to explore my Amazon and GooglePlay pages.

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We All Make Mistakes

 

After all these years as an indie self-published author, I still find myself making mistakes. While browsing through the ebook of In the Company of Elves, I stumbled upon a little error in the table of contents. It's not a major issue, but I definitely need to fix it. 

The correct page number is 150, not 1502. None of us are flawless, and even the Indie Authors with top ratings have stumbled occasionally. Next week, I’ll be fixing that error. Additionally, I've updated Secret Diary of a Gypsy Heart, adding three new chapters. Please note that it is no longer available in paperback; you can now find it exclusively as an ebook on Amazon and Google Play. I appreciate your support, so please check out the link in my profile. Thank you!

Chapter 1 Excerpt from, In the Company of Elves

 

(An excerpt from the first chapter of In the Company of Elves)

As she walked along the path, she sang a tune from a song she heard on the radio:

“Hey, soul sister
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair, you know
Hey, soul sister.”

Melissa walked east from the patio towards the old oak tree and spotted a white rabbit sniffing along the wall’s bottom edge. She paused and gazed intently. Her brow furrowed, and a perplex look crossed her face. When she moved nearer to the rabbit, it glanced up at her and began to dig wildly, as if trying to burrow beneath the wall. “What is it doing and how did it get into the yard?" she mused.

“Hey little fellow, what are you doing here? Where did you come from?” The rabbit stopped and stared at her. Its nose twitched, and the rabbit went back to digging, determined to get to the other side. Melissa scratched her head. “You must be one of the neighbor’s pets. How curious,” she said. As she inspected the wall, she noticed a door obscured by vines.

 "Where did this door come from? I never noticed it before." The rabbit froze, its black eyes looked up at her. She leaned in closer and started pulling the vines off the door and uncovering it.

Her hands ended up with a few scratches, but what she found was amazing. Her eyes widened; her mouth dropped. “Wow, this door looks ancient,” she exclaimed and touched the door. An unsettling realization washed over her as she beheld the indiscernible writing etched across the upper edge.

“This is weird, maybe grandma didn’t know about this door, I guess,” she pondered.  “This door seems to be pretty old little fellow," she said as she looked down at the rabbit. The rabbit looked up at her and twitched its nose. Suddenly the rabbit scratched the door, as if it was trying to tell her to open it. She got the impression that it understood what she was saying, and she sensed intelligence behind those black eyes. Melissa spotted a lock on the ground, picked it up and looked at it carefully. “Wow, how weird!” she paused.

 “I wonder how old this is?” she said and sighed, “I guess someone must have unlocked the door. But who? This is truly a unique lock.” She had butterflies in her stomach and felt a little uneasy, though she couldn't quite put her finger on why. A wave of dread washed over her, but it was tangled up with a strong sense of curiosity. Melissa raised her eyes and stared at the door for a moment. It beckons her, coaxing her to open it. Something about it piqued her curiosity even more than normal. She gulped, "You know, I wonder what’s on the other side," she said out loud. One of the rabbit’s ears twitched as Melissa slowly opened the door.  

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In the Company of Elves

 

One of my favorite works is "In the Company of Elves." Although it is categorized as a children's book for readers aged 10 and up, I initially penned it in 2006 and released the first edition in 2009. Subsequently, I revised the text during the 2010s, resulting in the publication of the second edition. At this moment, I am conducting a final revision of the book. I am eliminating certain sketched images and incorporating new ones. The back cover will feature an illustration of Arowyn and Melissa. In the upcoming weeks, I will provide a link to the updated version of the book. Please check my Linktree to explore my books available on Amazon and Google Play.

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Excerpt from: Lost in the Backrooms Chapter 5

 

(Excerpt from Chapter 5: Talia)

“Talia we are with the Church, we’re here to bring you home,” said MK. They could hear the girl breathing heavily, she was scared and hungry. Talia feels defeated and afraid. MK extended her hand into the darkness of the small space; Talia slowly reached out her hand to meet MK’s. MK brought her out. The girl’s dark brown hair is disheveled, her slender frame was crouched tightly within the space. Her clothes are dirty and torn, and her face shows some light bruising; her big brown eyes show fear and distrust.

When she stepped out, in her hand was almond water. “Where did you get that?” asked MK.

“I found it,” she whispered. MK looked at Jane, perplexed. “Come, let’s go, we can’t remain in one place for too long. When we find a good place to rest, you’re going to tell me how you survived and how you accidentally slipped into this place,” said Jane. Talia nodded. They continued onward until they came across what looked like a library, an empty library. “Look at this place Jane,” MK said. Jane looked around, the shelves were empty, no books, only a computer table and some chairs situated at the center. Jane, MK, and Talia quickly walked in and found a secluded corner and sat down. Jane took off her backpack and MK did the same. “I have an uneasy feeling about this place, even though it’s just a library, there’s something about it that gives off a hollowness of darkness and despair,” said Jane, looking around nervously. “Here,” Jane handed Talia an energy bar. “This should help with your hunger.”

“Talia, how did you get that almond water?” Jane asked. Talia gulped, “I found it in a crate. The wooden crate was open, and one bottle was in there.” “You must’ve come across the wooden crate we opened earlier but how? You could’ve been behind us somehow, but we did not see you,” Jane said and pondered. The structure of the Backrooms changes once every hour, so Talia was randomly thrown into different areas of the Backrooms. 

“Did you come across anything unusual while you journeyed through the Backrooms?” asked MK, she could sense Talia’s angst and the trauma she has experienced. MK looked into her brown eyes. She can see Talia’s memories and her experiences in the Backrooms. “Don’t worry we really are from the other side. We were sent here to bring you back. Father Patrick sent us,” MK reassured her. Talia gulped then spoke, “A werewolf or something like it, tried to grab me, but I ran away, and a Hunter shot at it with a gun. I should have stopped but I just kept running. He called out to me; I hesitated but I didn’t trust anything or anyone in here, so I kept on running,” she paused, “Some of these creatures can mimic your voice or someone else’s voice to lure you toward them. I found a crate with one almond water; I drank the water and suddenly I got a boost of energy, and I ran and kept on running.”

“That other Hunter, did he say his name?” Jane asked.

“No, I wasn’t sure if I should trust him. When I ran, he came after me but the walls in here sometimes shift, I think we were cut off from each other. I found the crawl space and hid in it, I don’t know how long I’ve been in there, I don’t know how long I’ve been in this place either.” A tear ran down her cheek, she wiped it off. MK hugged her, “It’s okay, we’re here and we will help you get out.” Jane sighed and gave her a nod. “Don’t worry little one, we’ll get you out,” she said. “So, it’s true, the almond water in here has healing properties," said MK. Jane nodded, “It’s best to keep some around then.”

“Do you remember how you came into the Backrooms?” Jane asked.

“I was angry with my mother for grounding me, so I decided to slip out at night to go with my friends to a party. I climbed down the sturdy vine trellis on the side of the house where my window is, then I jumped down, it was then that I ended up here. It’s as though I fell through the ground. Am I in hell?” she asked. “No dear, but it does come close,” Jane responded, grimly. They remained quiet for a brief moment, before MK's expression shifted dramatically. "I feel something approaching," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with urgency as she rose to her feet. "What do you mean?" Jane also stood, clutching her crossbow tightly.

"It feels like a creature is near," MK replied, taking a moment to focus. She attempted to delve into its thoughts to pinpoint its hiding place, then MK’s eyes looked up.

“It’s in the ceiling,” she whispered. “Talia, go hide under that table and don’t come out until it’s clear,” said Jane. Talia nodded and scurried under the librarian’s desk. Jane looked at the ceiling and noticed that some of the panels were punched out. “The ceiling has some missing panels,” she pointed up. “I can feel it coming closer it will be appearing soon,” MK warned. A strange long dark insect leg stretched downward from one of the missing panels, it looked like spider legs. “There’s nowhere to hide for us, we’re just going to have to face it. Be prepared,” said Jane. MK took out the taser that was in her backpack, the new weapon that the scientist created. The creature managed to squeeze down from the hole, emerging in full view. Talia screamed. “Jane it’s a very large spider or,” she paused, “Well, something like it I guess,” she said, with a shaky voice. Jane gulped. She can see that the creature looks like a spider by all respects, but there are indiscernible features she can’t make out. When they kill it, she will examine it. It lifted itself using its back legs, exposing what looks like a vertical maw, wide open revealing jagged teeth.

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Excerpt from A Path Less Taken Vol. 2

Excerpt from Chapter 4

Excerpt from In the Company of Elves

 

Chapter 5: Melissa & the Seven Elves

 

   Morning broke, and Melissa was the last one to rise. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. Keefe’s bed was made, and Fagan’s sleeping bag and pillow lay neatly on a chair in the corner of the room near the window. She found her dress on Keefe’s bed. Arowyn and the others were not in the room. Everyone was up early. Melissa could hear talking and the sweet smell of breakfast.

 “I wonder what elves eat,” she thought as she slipped on her dress eager to find out. She found a brush on top of a chest drawer in the room and combed her hair.

 “I hope they don’t mind me using this,” she said to herself. “After all I came unprepared for this trip.” She grimaced and rolled her eyes, letting out a soft sigh. A soft knock sounded at the door.

 “Milady, breakfast is ready.” Nolan said. Melissa smiled. She joined the elves at the table. Breakfast was interesting. There were vegetables, lightly toasted mushrooms, along with large grubs and freshly baked bread. A pitcher of water was next to another pitcher with raspberry juice. Scrambled eggs were on a long platter ready for eating. Melissa is intrigued.

“Where do you keep your chickens?” She asked. “The chickens belong to the community, and they are in a chicken coop in the far side of the village.”

She did not see bacon or ham. “Don’t you guys ever eat ham, bacon or sausages?” Nolan’s eyes shot open, and he shook his head. “We do not eat meat,” he responded. “Most elves are vegetarian, however in this community, we occasionally eat fish,” Adain added.

“Oh, so you are Pescatarians?” asked Melissa.

“I suppose we are. We Elves are a race of beings that have a great respect for life,” said Nolan. “Paradoxically some of the greatest assassins and knights in all of history have been elves, not to

mention some of the best archers in the world,” Keefe said. “Wow I didn’t know,” said Melissa, intrigued by what he revealed. She ate her breakfast as if she had not had breakfast in a long time. “Going through that wormhole or whatever it was, really made me hungry,” she stated. The sauce is quite good, made of natural herbs and vegetables. Melissa did not touch the wine. She drank the raspberry juice that Nolan made instead. Something tastes like tofu, but she isn’t quite sure what it is, nevertheless she enjoyed her breakfast very much.

“Who cooked the breakfast? It is good.” She said, as she finished her drink.

“Arowyn cooked this meal,” said Demetrius. Melissa smiled at Arowyn and winked approvingly. Arowyn smiled back with a twinkle in his eyes. Later Melissa spoke to Arowyn about her stay with them.

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Can You Copyright Titles, Names and Slogans?

 

What can be copyrighted?

Recently an author published her book called Chandra’s Quest. I can’t believe the shock I felt. Yes, I was a bit irked by the fact that someone else used the same title as my book but upon looking up the copyright rules, well here is what I found:

Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks. In general, book titles are not eligible for copyright protection. The U.S. Copyright Office views book titles as “short slogans,” not intellectual property. The underlying theory to this notion is that there may be other instances where the same or a similar title is equally appropriate.

Yes, it’s true even though an author copyrights their written work, it doesn’t mean the author owns the rights to the title, and names in the book. Slogans & short phrases is different and might be protected by trademark. 

The difference between the Chandra's Quest by Barbara A. Miller and my book is that they both are of different genre. My Chandra's Quest is sci-fi/fantasy, Miller's book is general fiction/romance. I read a few pages from the sample book, it seems to be a western type of romance book. 

After I revised, In the Company of Elves, I published it on KDP. A few years later another author published her book using the same title. However she did write a fantasy book much like my book but there are significant differences between the two. 

I copyright my books with the Copyright Office so I am not worried. Bottom line is that names & titles are not copyrighted even if the author sent their manuscript to the copyright office. 

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What to Expect This Coming Year

 

I don't always write in my blog but I do hope people will visit this blog and read any updates I do post. I started working on the Spanish version of Secret Diary of a Gypsy Heart last year, but I haven’t completed it. This coming year It will be published. 

I am also working on a prequel to Chandra’s Quest, and a short story relating to Arowyn and Melissa from the book In the Company of Elves. 

In addition, I am working on making a Spanish version of Chandra’s Quest. 

Chandra

I feel that publishing a Spanish version of some of my books opens the opportunity for a wider range of readers to read my books and review them. 

What will be published this month:

I am working on a book of poems and Haiku which will be published in the coming month. Overall, be on the lookout for the Spanish version of Chandra’s Quest and Secret Diary of a Gypsy Heart. Pleaae do rate and review. 

NOTE: I will be writing a novelette nonfiction book based on Sign Twirling job I did. It will be published on GooglePlay under a different pseudonym. In fact I will not link it to this blog. I will link it to other website.

Have a blessed New Year.

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In the Company of Elves: Epilogue

 

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.

Despite being eighty years old, Melissa appears to be in her sixties due to her elf heritage. “Mom, thank you for letting me meet my real dad many years ago. I was blown away to find out that he is an elf—a real elf,” said Marina.

She served Melissa a steaming cup of Chamomile tea. Melissa propped up on her bed with a pillow supporting her back, she turned her gaze toward her daughter. Marina inherited Arowyn’s hair and his striking deep blue eyes, which sparkled with an enchanting vibrancy. “Your great-grandmother had knowledge of Agartha, and I have a little secret to share. Your grandmother has elf blood, just like you and me. I take great pride in being your mother.” She wrapped her arms around Marina in a warm embrace.

“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.

 In the Company of Elves