Glad faced her final choice.
Not death—creatures didn't die easily. But transition. The Eldest had offered her a place among them. An honor rarely given.
"I could watch over everything," she told Ariel. "All creatures, everywhere. Like the Eldest."
"And?"
"And I'd have to leave you. Leave here. Leave everything."
Ariel was quiet.
"What do you want?"
"I want you. I want the garden. I want our life." She took his hand. "I've spent centuries building something. I don't want to watch from afar. I want to be IN it."
"Then stay."
"Even if it means giving up the honor?"
"The honor is being here. Being loved. Being us."
She kissed him. "Then I stay."
The Eldest understood.
*You choose love over power. As always.
"Always."
*Then go in peace, Gladys. You've earned it.
The offer faded.
Glad remained.
Where she belonged.