A/N: Here, another long chappie. I got the eight reviews (you guys made posting this story an absolute JOY; I LUV you all!), so here you go. I just went ahead and made the two-part epilogue into one chapter. I know it's sorta... sappy... but it all ties in later, I swear [yes, the whole 'promise' thing actually ties in]. Hope you like it. (BTW, everything in *....* is supposed to be in italics. In the story, that is.) Ah, yes, the prologue is up as well, so when you finish this, you can go ahead and read that. *bows to readers* Never mind me (I'm prolly babbling 'cuz this is the epilogue *sniffs and wipes eyes*). *sighs and shakes head* Just read it. Thanks for bothering!
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-ONE WEEK LATER-

--------------Sorlo----------

I was sitting in the niche of one of the higher-up windows in the Main Hall when I heard footsteps below me.

"How the hell do you manage to get in such high places? You're so short. And aren't you still weak from that curse? I mean, you spent two days asleep. You sure you should be up?"

I glanced down to see Ami looking up at me, a perplexed expression on her face, hair tied back in a low ponytail. My face broke into a smile and I replied, "I don't think you're one to criticize, being as you are no taller than I am. How I got up here is one of my secrets, Princess. And I feel fine. If I can get up here-" I gestured. "-then I think I'm healed."

She smiled as well. "You can keep your secrets, just get down here below with the other earth-walkers. We are going for a walk."

I leapt down from my perch and bowed foolishly. "Yes, Princess."

***

"I'm changing my name from Ssith to Daith. Daith was-"

"Your mother's maiden name. You have no relation to the former, departed King, and thusly, no reason to bear his name."

"You know too much about me and my Family. It's creepy."

We were walking out on the grounds in silence for a few more moments when she stopped and looked at me.

"Sorlo, you're different. When you first met me, your expression was cautiously blank, like you were careful to keep it that way. And it was always slightly angry too. But when I called to you earlier, you looked at me, and your expression was blank, but open, and happy. But sometimes, I still wonder...would you have killed to meet me, really?"

I stared at her, surprised, but not unpleasantly so.

"Quite observant, aren't you?"

She nodded, a grin on her face.

"Well, you're right. I have changed, and it's due to you."

"Pardon?"

"Well," My voice was reflective and soft, my face thoughtful, "Before I met you, I was careful not to let any emotions show, due to the fact that I believed emotion was weakness. But I already told you that, didn't I? Then we met, and I discovered that while you showed your emotions to an almost embarrassing extent.."

She blushed.

"..you are by no means weak, and that allowed me to open up around you. I didn't have to be silent to show that I was strong anymore; I could be myself for the first time in many years.

"If I could at last show my true feelings, then I could, in a sense, free myself. More likely than not, if I had not shown my actual self, then it would have remained hidden, eventually dissolving away forever; I would have become a shell of my former essence, a person who killed only because there was no longer anything else that amused them; a person who lived only for the sight, the scent, the taste of blood. And then, not even for that. I've seen it happen before, to someone I knew; I never would have wished that fate upon myself."

"You freed me, Ami." I embraced her before adding thoughtfully, "I would have killed, yes. Selfish. But if I could, I would take the pain away. _If_ I could. But since I can't, there's no use regretting it."

She smiled and, draping her arms around my neck, murmured softly into my ear, "Quite the philosopher, aren't you?"

"Yes," I replied, my voice just as soft as hers. She turned her face towards me, then her lips found mine in a gentle kiss.

*"I would take the pain away."*

I pulled away from the kiss, and berated myself silently.

'No.'

"What is it? What's wrong?" Ami asked, deep aquamarine eyes searching my face, confused.

"I would take the pain away," I whispered, pulling myself from her grasp.

"What?"

I looked at her sadly and replied in a rueful voice, "Pain. I don't like to cause pain."

--------------Amirilla------------------

Now I was getting angry, but not very. I was more curious than anything else.

"And?"

He sighed, gray eyes sorrowful. "I can't stay."

"What?!?"

He brushed his fingers across my cheek before tucking a loose strand of crimson hair behind my ear, replying, "It all has to do with pain. If I stay, I could cause you pain, and I would never, never, have wanted to do that. I don't want to hurt you, and that's why I can't remain here."

My eyes stung and I whispered hotly, "No.. why?"

He smiled faintly.

"I just told you. But, anyway, I would never make a good leader. I don't know how to rule. But there's no need for you to worry, I'll be fine. I'm going to be something of a hermit, and live in the Grand Forest. I'll be fine," he whispered hurriedly, seeing me blanch. "It's okay, I've been accepted by the Forest. I'll visit. I promise."

I felt hot tears running down my face; ignoring them, I clutched the front of Sorlo's shirt, half in desperation. I didn't want him to leave! "You're hurting me now."

"It will hurt less over time." His voice was soft and infuriatingly calm.

"How do I know you will keep your word?"

He pried me off his shirt and wiped my tears. "I promise. Here.."

He pulled something from beneath his shirt. A necklace; a single, shimmering black teardrop opal hanging from a fine silver chain. Unfastening it from his own neck, he clasped it around mine; it hung down to my chest.

"There. That was my mother's, and now it's yours. It's my pledge that I will return from time to time." He kissed me one last time before wiping the tears that still ran down my face and turning away.

"I promise."

What more could be said? He left that night. I stayed up all night, and when the sun rose, golden rays spilling through my window and over me, I whispered, "Sorlo, I hope you're seeing what I am."

*"I promise."*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That was the second book in the 'Dendurr Legacies' trilogy. The next and last installment in the series is 'Dendurr Legacies', a story that occurs 5 months later.