Time passes. It never stops to let us mourn our losses or heal our wounds. Yet, the passage of time does bring with it a certain amount of comfort. Though the pain is never forgotten, the passing of days dulls the sting that the suffering once had, making it easier to live.

Life had significantly changed for the little girl that Leonie was. No longer was she just a fatherless little girl to be pitied and protected. She was a powerful woman who offered help and protection to others.

Her life was as happy as one's life could be, yet she was often reminded of the sorrow of no longer having a father. The smallest details, the strangest moments, evoked the memory and clouded her countenance with sadness.

Sometimes it was a little girl clinging to her father's hand, the same way Leonie used to do that dealt the punch to her heart. Other times it was a remembrance as small and as insignificant as the smell of wood as it brought with it the memories of watching her father cut wood for winter.

It was something that she could not control. Something she did not wish to stop since many memories of her father faded away as she grew older.

The tone of his voice, or the loving expressions that his face held, were but dim recollections. Even his protective hug after a nightmare was not as vivid in Leonie's mind as it used to be.

However, she kept reminding herself that even if her mind did not recall all the precious moments, her heart did. It remembered sensations, emotions and that was enough. As long as her father lived in her heart, he was there with her every step of the way. He was with her through each challenge life put on her path, big or small.

Many times, during the training that Leonie and Nald had to become the Mages, Leonie wanted to give up. She thought it was too much for her to bear, that she was not good enough. Yet, remembering her father's sacrifice for them to have a better life, she persevered.

What also helped Leonie was that she had her brother's support and presence to lift her up whenever she felt down and unworthy. For him, the training was the most exciting and fun thing that had ever occurred in their lives.

"Come on, Leonie! Wouldn't it be awesome if we learned how to heal people sooner? We could become the new Mages tomorrow!" Nald said on one hot summer day, dripping with enthusiasm.

"Nald, it's too much. I can't do it." Leonie said.

"You defeated the Fears, your best friend is a dragon, you can do anything!" Nald answered energetically.

"Don't you think so, Rim?" Nald asked, relying on the dragon for support when it came to motivating his stubborn sister.

"Nald is right, Leonie. Toras wouldn't have chosen the two of you to carry on his legacy if he didn't believe you could do it. He is too proud to make a mistake like that." Rimar said.

"What if he did make a mistake? Maybe Nald is the only one who should become a Mage." Leonie said, tired of constant training.

More than anything, she was exhausted by the number of fundamental mistakes she had made in both healing and other fields that being a Mage included.

"You don't believe that, and neither do I. You two work best as a team. Besides, neither one of you is good enough with magic to do the job alone." Rimar said.

"You are right. I am just so tired. It feels like being a Mage is more difficult than anything I have ever done. I have no idea how Toras managed to do it all this time alone." Leonie said.

"He was born into it. However, he deserves a very long vacation after the number of years he spent on the job, don't you think so?" Rimar asked.

"Yes, you are right. Can we go home now and have a bite to eat before I drop?" Leonie asked.

"Sure. Would you like me to fly you home?" Rimar asked with unbridled enthusiasm.

"That would be awesome! How about you, Nald? Are you coming?" Leonie asked.

"Nah, I am meeting Autumn. She wants to show me the new berry bush she found," Nald said.

"Aww, you and Autumn are like cute lovebirds," Leonie said honestly.

"Leonie!" Nald exclaimed, blushing profusely.

"Sorry, sorry. I know that you two are just friends. It just seems like you spend a lot of time together these days." Leonie said.

"Well, since Autumn no longer has to hide me from her father, she was able to show me many cool Gatherer places and teach me some tricks they know," Nald said excitedly.

"I see. Well, have fun, and don't get into any trouble." Leonie said as she climbed on Rimar's back.

"Maybe it's better he isn't coming along. I feel like eating a whole pig. It's been too long since the last time I had meat. I know that it's easier for mom and Nald if there isn't a lot of meat lying around, but I am famished. I do hope Toras will be able to prepare one of his famous roasted pigs." Leonie said.

"Hey, how about me?" Rimar asked with fake insult.

"You can hunt your own food. You aren't as tired as I am. All you did was sit and watch us practice." Leonie said.

"Hey, I did warn you that one time that you would fall over. That was helpful." Rimar said unabashedly.

"It sure was. It would have been even more helpful if you said it on time." Leonie said, smiling.

Flying with Rimar and having a banter with the dragon had become Leonie's favorite part of the day. She enjoyed her magic training, but it was exhausting at times and required undivided attention. On the other hand, time spent flying among the clouds with Rimar was utterly exhilarating.

"We'll be home soon," Rimar said much sooner than Leonie was ready to say goodbye to the clouds.

"Could you please announce our presence this time? I don't want a repeat of the last time." Leonie said.

"Don't mind if I do," Rimar said.

Then he opened his enormous mouth, and an ear-shattering roar filled the air.

"Well, that was anything but subtle," Leonie said.

"Hey, at least we are sure they heard us," Rimar said, smiling broadly.

"True," Leonie said, rubbing her still painful ears.

Soon enough, they landed with a big thud and were welcomed by Amitola and Toras.

Leonie still could not get used to her mother's utterly changed countenance. It was as if a new light had started burning in her eyes, brightening up her whole face.

Though she still had her moments of sadness, Amitola was much livelier and energetic than she was after Rimodar died. There was a new life in the eyes that were once dulled with sorrow, and Leonie was thrilled to see it.

The mother that Leonie knew from her childhood, the happy and active one, was back, and it was all thanks to Toras. Leonie could not even begin to list all the things she owed him gratitude for.

However, every time she tried to repay him for all that he had done for her family, he would refuse. It was clear that he had all he ever wanted, Amitola's love freely given, a place in the heart of the woman he came to love.

"Where is Nald?" Amitola asked.

"He went berry picking with Autumn," Leonie said.

"He better come back in time for the wedding, or he will be in a heap of trouble," Amitola said, though her voice was more gentle than mad.

"He'll be here, don't worry. There are still a few hours until the wedding. Besides, Autumn is coming too, so she won't allow him to be late." Leonie said.

"That's true. Alright. I'll go and start getting ready. Can you come help me when you have the time?" Amitola asked, nervousness seeping into her voice.

"Of course, I'll just have something to eat and I'll be right there." Leonie said.

"So how is the training going? Were you okay today without me?" Toras asked as Amitola moved towards the house.

"It was fine. We cut it a bit short because I was starving. Is there any chance I could grab a piece of meat before the wedding?" Leonie asked.

"Sure, this way," Toras said as he led her to the food tent.

"So, how is she really doing?" Leonie asked as she started munching on a piece of meat unladylike.

"More nervous than I have ever seen her. I can't help but wonder if she is having second thoughts about me, about us?" Toras said.

"Of course not. It's her wedding day, I am sure it's normal to be nervous. Besides, you know as well as I do that if she had had any doubts, she would've never agreed to marry you." Leonie said.

A few hours later as Leonie stood near the altar with Nald by her side, she could not help but admire the beauty that was her mother. She was uncertain what shone brighter the magnificent shimmering dress that Aqua had gifted to her pet or the radiant smile which adorned Amitola's face.

Although Amitola was never one to show her emotions openly, as she walked down the aisle to the altar, her love for the man waiting for her was as clear as day. The moment she stepped on the rose-covered path their eyes met and they never let go of each other's gaze while bright smiles escaped their lips.

Leonie felt like the whole world, the trolls, the Gatherers, the Hunters, the villagers, and even the elementals who circled above the gathering, stopped to matter for the two people in love. All they saw in that one perfect moment was each other.

Everything they faced was behind them, and even the Hunters were willing to leave the past behind. Even they were ready for a new, friendlier beginning and were happy to share in their friend's happiness.

As Amitola put her hand in Toras', her heart skipped a beat as if it was saying yes to the man even before being asked. It felt like the most natural thing to do, to hold the hand of the man who showed her a second chance for love.

Toras' eyes filled with tears as they said their vows, which was no wonder for a man who spent centuries without love. For a man who finally found it in the warm eyes of the woman who stood before him. It was as if all his dreams were coming true, even the ones he never dared envision.

As their lips connected to seal the union, golden specks of fire brightened the night as Flame expressed his joy. Joy at love found and embraced and a happy ending in whose creation he believed he had participated by guiding Leonie to her rightful path.

The kiss united two souls as one. It was a promise given and a promise taken, to be as one and to stay true to each other, to their family, no matter what happened. No matter what others believed, Amitola knew that there was always a second chance. Love didn't happen only once. It could come into one's life if people but allowed it entrance.

Love always blossoms in life, in the hearts of old as well as young. It's never too early or too late for love. If you open your heart for different kinds of love, they will come in abundance. 

THE END