Judy feared for her sisters and the Dark Lord's safety, if she stayed in Dreamworld. Her decision to return to her mountains was pure selfishness on her part. If she was going to die, that was where it had to happen. She loved these mountains in East Tennessee, and had spent many an enjoyable time there. But her friends, her Sisters, and Taker had to come first. They had to be protected from her, at all costs.
Walking up to her favorite spot behind her cabin, Judy sat down and leaned back against the old pine tree. She bet that pine was nearing 100 years old. Before coming out here, she had written everything down. Last will in testament, if you will. She had made a few phone calls to certain people so she knew her note would be found. Judy had sent Kane an urgent telepathic "message" for him and Storm to come to her cabin the next day.
With a sigh of resignation, or relief?, Judy was ready to face what she must do. Being a vampire she was forbidden from taking her own life, but she knew what she could do. Leaning back against this old pine tree, she watched as the sun showed itself over the tops of the peaks she was facing. It wouldn't be long now. Early morning had always been her favorite time of the day. Watching the sun rise, seeing the sky turn from midnight blue, to magenta, then slowly to a beautiful light blue as the sun made it's presence known.
A peaceful smile graced her lips as she took in the magnificence of her last sun rise. As the sun rose higher, it's rays gradually touched her smoking skin, she knew peace at last. She knew serenity. Slowly, the sun burned,seared her skin. Finally unable to stand the pain any longer, she screamed in agony, frightening the wild life in the woods all around her. Moments later, all that was left of her, was a steaming puddle of goo, and a pile of bones.
"Judy!! Where are you? JUUUDYYYY!!!!" Storm called to her friend outside as Kane searched the inside of the cabin.
"I don't think you're gonna find her!" Kane said as he came outside holding what appeared to be a letter of some sort. Birds chirped in the trees, a warm breeze blowing gently through the valley, all lent a tranquil feeling to the area.
"What's that?" she asked as Kane's head snapped around in the direction of the towering pine that sat on a slight incline back behind the cabin. Without answering, Kane started off toward the tree, dropping the letter he had been holding.
Storm finally caught up to him, having picked up and read the letter. Kane stood with his head down staring at the remains of a close friend. Tears ran down his face. Turning toward his wife, he pulled her into his arms, allowing his grief full reign. Finally, some time later, he and Storm went in search of a shovel.Judy's last request was to be buried under the ancient old Pine tree.
"Kane,...." Storm stopped, unable to go on.
With bowed head, Kane asked what was formost on his mind. "Do you want to live here? To raise our child here?"
His task of burying the bones had been done in short order. Storm had layed wild flowers on the small mound when he finished.They had decided to spend the night at the cabin rather than going back to town.
"I wouldn't mind it, if you don't. It IS nice here." Storm said softly, watching this man she loved above all others.
"Then it's settled. I like it here too." Kane wrapped his huge arms around his wife. "I'll send word to the others that we're staying here then, if you're sure that's what you want."
"That's exactly what I want. Oh Kane, can we really live here together?" She asked, almost afraid of what his answer would be.
"If that's what you want. I'll never let you go." Kane said as he nuzzled his wife's neck..
Kiri was pleased to here Kane and Storm were going to live in Judy's cabin. Kane said he was sending letters to her to pass out to all the others, from Judy. Kiri cried for her lost friend, but knew it had to happen like it did. As with all things, this too had to end. The other Brides were already making plans of their own. Taker had already left to go back on the road, taking Kaliegh with him. They promised to stay in touch, but she wondered if he would even remember. With a sigh, Kiri thought about her own plans. It would be good to have things back to normal. She was going to miss all the Brides, but there was always the computer. Suddenly, a stack of letters appeared on the hall table. Picking them up, she slipped the one addressed to her in her pocket to be read later in private. Wiping away a tear, taking a deep breath, she called the others.
"Ladies, I have something for each of you." And Kiri passed them out.
Jean had left to return to Annwn shortly after Kiri gave her the letter from Judy. The others were returning to their old lives, but she wanted to stay here. This was the place she loved best. This was the place she wanted to be. She would still be able to visit the others too, so she had the best of both worlds.
The other Brides all left, going their seperate ways, going back to their old lives. None would have missed these passed few months for anything, but all agreed they wished it had ended differently. All promised to stay in touch via e-mail. One by one the Brides of The Lord of Darkness drifted their seperate ways, ending a very exciting, sometimes a very painful, sometimes even funny, time in their lives. Definately a time none would forget.
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