Epilogue

How Can I Not Love You?

I found it difficult to sleep... or whenever I did manage to close my eyes for a few minutes they would soon reopen...

I lay in the darkness... my hands behind my head... Then my gaze fell upon my little Shen asleep in her own cot near mine... As always, she had her doll, her Kuan Yin, under one arm, and Vachir nestled under the other... Gently I brushed a few stray stands of hair away from her face and tucked the covers over her shoulders, giving her a kiss on her cheek...

At this, the child stirred and smiled in her sleep... "Mama..." she murmured...

I smiled and stroked her hair lovingly... Then I gathered up little Vachir in my arms and silently made my way out of the ger... There was something I had to do, right now, before I changed my mind...

I made my way past the sentries guarding our camp. They greeted me with a nod, but asked not where I was going at this hour of night.

I made my way through the night woodlands... down abandoned paths, past trees and small streams... until I came to the top of a small mountain ledge... I paused to gaze at the view before me... The moon shone above the trees, illuminating the distant, higher peaks... Vachir was hopping up and down on my wrist excitedly... spreading his wings... I knew what must be done now, regardless of the risk that he might never come back... "Alright, old friend," I smiled through my tears, gently untying the string from his leg... then I raised my arm towards the night sky, giving him the signal of flight... "You are home."

Can not touch

Can not hold

Can not be together

Can not love

Can not kiss

Can not have eachother

Must be strong

And we must let go

Can not say

What our hearts must know

How can I not love you?

What do I tell my heart?

When do I not want you here in my arms?

How does one waltz away from all the memories?

How do I not miss you when you are gone?

Can not dream

Can not share sweet and tender moments

Can not feel how we feel

Must pretend it's over

Must be brave

And we must go on

Must not say what we've known all along

How can I not love you?

What do I tell my heart?

When do I not want you here in my arms?

How does one waltz away from all the memories?

How do I not miss you when you are gone?

Must be brave

And we must be strong

Must not say what we've known all along

How does one waltz away from all the memories?

How do I not miss you when you are gone?

How can I not love you when you are gone?

("How Can I Not Love You?" from "Anna And The King")

The End

All characters are a copyright of Disney, with the exception of Jade, Bavgaj, Meng Tian, Yeh Shen and the Chinua clan who are my own creations.