A measure of peace filled the land.  The Kobalos had been defeated, a few remaining souls retreated north and hopefully would never come back to this land that is no pushover. There were many to be buried.  The survivors that were witness to the horrors and great loss of life remained sober as they did their task.  The four friends were called on to act and they had answered. They were able to put their distrust and dislike apart for a united front.  The company of unlikely friends sets off on horseback triumphant but somber for their long journey was finally reaching the end. The evening descended into darkness as they reached the crossroads to Chipenden cottage.  Grimalkin was eager to see James again but there was something stopping her.  Would he be safer with her gone from his life? Tom sensed the turmoil in her, he just needed to give her a little push in the right direction.

"Grimalkin, wait!" Tom said, "there is something I need to get off my chest."

She turns to look at him and the pain shows on her face.  The others continue walking giving them a measure of privacy.

"I want to thank you for all you have done for me and our friends, especially James.  I know it's a lot to ask but I was wondering if you could do one last thing," Tom paused to collect his thoughts.  He knew it was too much to ask but he had to try.

 "Say it," Grimalkin said, her commanding voice echoing in his head.

Tom gets up the courage to tell her.  "If you leave now, we can tell James that you died in the battle so he won't go after you."

His words feel like a punch to her gut but she knows what motivates him to say it.  Their enemies had come together to fight the Kobalos but now that the threat was gone they would come after her again in retaliation for the hobbling of the Fiend.  James' being her weakness they would use him to manipulate her.  She thought of the danger James had been in and the suffering he had to endure because of her.  Her shoulders drooped in resignation.  She loved him so much it would be the hardest thing she ever had to do. 

And then ... she thought of the pain he felt when he thought she didn't love him when she chose the prince over him.  She could not do that to him.  The absence of their love would surely kill him and her as well.  What would be the point in living with your heart torn from your chest?  No matter the danger they had to be together.  For however long they would live they would be appreciative of the time they had.  She looked up at the entrance to the Chipenden garden that they were approaching.  Her heart swelled with love anxious to see him again and a smile graced her lips.

"You had to say it my friend, but I can't grant your request.  If I leave him, it will surely kill us both."

Tom looked at her and chuckled. "I had to try."

They both looked up to see the Spook and Alice greeting Sally and James.  James looked beyond Alice's hug anxiously searching for his love.  His face lit up with so much happiness when their eyes met.  Grimalkin bit her lip trying not to cry her body trembling at the sight of him.  He was pale and thinner than she remembered but his cheeks were pink at the sight of her.  She had secretly been so worried that he might have died while she was away.  She ran the short distance to him and buried her face in his neck.  

"My dear beloved, it's so good to see you again!"

"Grimalkin!  I missed you so much, I love you so much!"  He said.

"Jennie," she replied nuzzling into his warm neck, "my name is Jennie."