They decided to get food and find a quiet place in the Garden before reading Huck’s note. “It’s not quite a Redwood, but it’s a nice tree.” Remarked Cinderella.
“I think you should read it,” Harry offered the note to Cinderella. For a moment she hesitated and then took it. The envelope was sealed with a tiny bit of wax which, when broken, released the scent of lavender. Inside there were 3 pages all written by hand.
“I’m not sure I’ll get through all of this,” she smiled nervously.
To my friends
I gave this to one of the Freds before we went into the library. I had so many things I wanted to say, but I wasn’t sure we’d have the time, or I’d have the guts, to share them face to face, so here you are reading my words in my absence. Please don’t remember this sadly. Yes, it’s the impossible wish of the dead, but I would like you to remember me as ‘he who was never supposed to live’, so given this opportunity, to have you as friends, have this adventure and ‘breathe’ the air was a privilege.
The first person I met in this world was Cinderella. We were both new here and connected from the first moment we met, sharing all the new challenges a ‘modern’ human world would bring. So I’m going to speak about you last, Cinders, and do this in reverse.
Fred, I want you to know I am excited for the adventure you are about to have. I think humans will be glad to call you a friend, and I certainly am. You are about to experience life as no other human can. Its injustices, its bias, its irrational and ignorant hate and also its capacity to love, to dance and to create. I envy you, my friend and wish you all the best things in your journey. Also, turning into a giant white Owl is ‘so fucking cool’, in the modern vernacular.
Susan, you were really the first human I met properly, and it’s true you are no ‘normal’ human, if such a thing actually exists, but as dark as you portray yourself, as cool and in control as you seem, the warm soul and passion of who you are shines through, especially to your friends. Death must be a proud grandfather, watching you fly between the realms and navigate life. I am proud to have known you, my warrior friend.
Harry, I’m not sure where to start here, but the night in the garden, when we first spoke, I knew you were different. It is cold and too impersonal to refer to this fellowship as a mission, because it was so much more. It was the power of friendship and love against evil, and you were never the most powerful player on the board. You knew that, but you were the glue that held us together, the heart of the group, even when you were so seriously hurt. It was my pleasure to meet you that first night, and to join you in this adventure that has turned out to be the end of my story. Read this and remember me as your friend, always.
So, Cinderella, my heart, this is an impossible task, isn’t it, but I’ll do my best. Well, my sister, you became, and that doesn’t change because I am gone. You should know that in some way I will always be with you. You will sometimes find me in books, maybe on a breeze one night, or when sitting under a tree and are disturbed by a falling leaf. I will always be with you, in your heart and mind. Many stories are written around strong men, warrior women and gods, but ours was the quieter path, and we both stood together, laughing and crying, holding one another up. I love you. It is a fixed point in space, and no rain, fire or monster would ever rock this relationship, my sister, my friend, my twin flame. I hope you get the chance to live a full life, don’t settle for less than you deserve, and please come chat to me once in a while, under any tree or by any river. They were always where I remember us living the most x.
I hope I helped. It’s all I ever wanted to do, and I hope you are reading this after you have succeeded and stopped the insanity of the mad god Smedley. Please take care, my friends and live your lives and dreams. I might see you in those, and if you see me, please say hello.
Yours respectfully
Huckleberry Finn
Cinderella was crying. Harry had taken he letter from her when she got her part, as she was sobbing so much. He struggled but managed to finish, shoulder hugging her as he read.
“My first ever toast,” said Taylor, their eyes wet with tears. “To Huck, he was our friend.”
They all chinked cups and drank.
Afterwards, Cinderella told them stories of mini adventures she and Huck got up to before meeting with Harry and the Fellowship happened until eventually it was time to sleep. Harry went over to Susan and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’m going to go to bed,” he said. Susan smiled at him, and they held each other tight.
“Go to bed. I think there might be one other surprise yet tonight, but I’ll see you in the morning.”
He left the room pondering what she might mean, but he was so tired his thoughts soon changed to sleeping and seeing Susan in the morning and… ‘What would be next with Susan?’ he thought. He got to his room, flicked on the light and realised someone was sitting near the window.
“Hello Harry, I’m guessing you might have questions,” said Gandalf.