Epilogue

The horizon beyond

On a cold but sunny winter morning, Golbez left. He had packed his few things in secret and as he was not much for tearful goodbyes, he had left the castle, unnoticed by anyone. Or so he thought - he had already crossed the courtyard and was about to step through the castle gates, as a voice held him back:

"Golbez!"

The dark haired man froze and for a moment it seemed as if he was not sure what to do. Then, very slowly, he turned around to face his brother.

"Cecil… You should better stay in the castle. It is cold," he said, expressionless.

Cecil shook his head. "I don't care. I woke up early and accidentally spotted you out of a window. So you're leaving after all…" he said, and although he tried to sound calm, his voice could not hide the disappointment andsorrow he felt.

Golbez's expression became softer and he took a step towards the other. "Of course I'm leaving, I've already waited long enough.… I don't belong here - I told you so from the beginning, Cecil."

"But you cannot return to the moon so easily!" His brother retorted nearly angrily. "Besides where do you think you belong?"

Golbez raised an eyebrow. "I don't know, myself. There are many things I don't know. That's why I'm going: I want answers. About me, about why I'm here."

"But Mallack--"

"Mallack said that the black stone has brought the moon here, but I don't think that's the whole truth. I think he didn't know himself why the moon came back. Look," the dark-haired wizard pointed to the faint silhouette in the clear, blue morning sky, "it's still there. Maybe I can find a way to return to it - maybe not. It's not really important. I've thought a lot about my motives for leaving Baron and traveling the lands and I've come to the conclusion that I've got mainly one desire…"

"And that would be?" his brother asked, curiosity in his voice.

Golbez's eyes narrowed and he took a deep breath. "I… I want to search for our father. I want to know why he abandoned us, if he abandoned us..."

"What?" Cecil was puzzled. "Is it because Mallack told you that father knew that you would fall victim to the dark side? You cannot possibly believe this!" He shook his head, "I can understand that you want answers to certain things, but will these make life better for you? Will they help you to find your place? A friend once told me that it's not the place that is important, but the people you're with…"

For a moment Golbez was silent, and it was visible that a fight was raging within him - then, the words just came gushing out of his mouth: "But that's why I'm going! I want to know why I'm this way…" he pointed to his chest and his eyes filled with grief. "Why my heart is so cold, why my feelings are so twisted that I feel… That I feel forced to leave the people I care for!"

He violently turned his head away, so that Cecil might not see the sadness in his eyes.

"There. You know now why I wanted to leave unnoticed…" he chuckled bitterly. "Stupid emotions..."

"Golbez…" Cecil was so surprised and moved that the words nearly failed him, "If…if you feel this way, why can't we find out about the way you are together?"

"No. I want to do this alone and I've already caused you enough worries. I think your Kingdom and your friends need you more than I do…"

"I won't deny that things are still in an uproar…" Cecil had to admit - indeed a lot had to be done. During the last weeks, he had his hands fullwith voyages to Damcyan and Tororia to check the state of things there. Although Edward was well, and had regained the sympathy of his people, he felt slightly overstrained with certain political actions and had asked Cecil and Yang for help, as well as Edge. The ninja had finally brought it over him to take on the responsibilities as a ruler and was still occupied with Eblan's reconstruction. This new eagerness had pleasantly surprised everyone, although Cecil could not help but wonder if Edge wasn't just trying to impress Rydia again. The young caller was still staying in Baron - Cecil had offered her to help her with her magical studies. Maybe she even wanted to teach some of it to others, but she had not yet said anything about it. In fact, the Paladin was not sure if she would stay in Baron for long, but he and Rosa were glad to have her with them for now. Especially, since Kain had left Baron only one week after their return. The ex-dragoon had explained that he needed some time alone to think and then wanted to visit Diane. Cecil had not heard anything of his friend since then and he could only hope that this had a pleasant background.

Cecil had not too much time to worry about such things, though. Too many diplomatic bonds had to get renewed, and this time, the young King of Baron wanted to make sure that the people were content with the decisions their rulers made - a high goal which was not easy to achieve. He had had to face this sad truth already in Golbez's case - even as most of the people in Baron knew by now about the real identity of the black haired man, Cecil often had the feeling that they only tolerated him, but still did not trust him and would rather welcome his departure. And he knew that he probably could not change one or the other.

"Very well, then. Though I wish that you'd stay, you're of course free to do what you want... " he told his brother, though it was clear that what he had said wasn't at all to the Paladin's liking.

"It's not what I want, Cecil, but what I must… There's a lot I must know, not only about me and our father, but also about--" Golbez suddenly frowned, "I'm talking too much. I have to go now…"

Cecil's heart became heavy. "So this is the second goodbye… Will this be the last one?"

His brother shrugged. "Yes, I suppose so…"

"I see…" Cecil cast his eyes to the ground, a feeling of grief and emptiness overwhelming him. Thus, he failed to notice the amused look in Golbez's eyes.

"Cecil, all I was saying is that if I decide to return one day, I won't be leaving again. So, see you, little brother..."

"You--" Cecil looked up, surprised, but his brother had already passed through the castle gate and was following the path to the woods.

"Yeah, see you… I hope you find what you are searching for…" he murmured, unintentionally smiling as he watched the lone black figure amidst the pure white snow. Then, unlike his normal habits, he raised a faireyebrow:

"So there you go big brother. Always trying to solve things alone and making everything worse with it… Idiot…"

"Are you talking to yourself?" a soft, female voice suddenly laughed behind him.

"Very funny, darling," Cecil laid an arm around Rosa's shoulder. "Golbez has left us…"

His wife was not too surprised about this fact, though it made her still feel…just sad. "We both knew that this would happen. He's got a lot to catch up with in life. I wonder where he's going…"

Her husband frowned, drawing her more tightly in his embrace to lessen the feel of the chilling winter air--and the chill which surged up in his being, now that his brother had once more left them.

"I wonder, myself, where his travels will lead him…"

Just then, the silhouette of black had disappeared in the white woods outside the castle. Cecil thought about what Golbez had told him; or better, about what he had not told him, and suddenly he knew very well where the other would go to.

And someday, Cecil too would voyage to the coast near Mysidia once again. He would look up to the silent moon over him and watch the thundering sea beneath him, waiting.

Waiting and hoping, against all reason, to hear a clear, bright laughter in the wind.

The End.

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Author's notes

"The End"… Yes, after three years the "Three Sides of the Moon trilogy" has finally come to an end. As I write these lines, I feel a bit sad about it, but at the same time I feel happy that the story has come that far.

Some of you might know that I'm from Europe and that English is not my native language, so naturally, the writing of this story was a great challenge, but also a great experience. I've always been a great fan of FF 2/4, but in Europe, not many people know of this game. So I was more than happy to discover one day FF4 websites and FF4 stories in the internet. It was then, that I decided to write down my own ideas, though I can assure you that not everything went like I had imagined it: I'm no poetic writer (though I adore people with a poetic gift very much), but I just like to tell stories, stories about people. The basic idea for TSotM was to show different emotions and expressions (trust, betrayal and hope) in their various forms, but soon, the plot and the relationships within the story became much more complex. Also, I had to discover that the characters in my story had an "own flow", like each living being has an own mind and that I could do nothing but to get a raft and to take a ride…

And the ride is not over, yet.

Maybe I should now write something like: "If enough people tell me that they want a sequel, I will write one," but I fear that I will write the sequel anyway – no matter if you want it or not… ;) The ending of the story left many things open, and since Golbez has become one of my personal favourite characters, I'd like to accompany him on his way a bit more.

"The colour of the soul" (temporary title), kinda a TSotM sequel dealing with Golbez (and Edward – surprise, surprise…;) is already in the making, as well as a short FF4 prequel which deals with the love triangle between Cecil, Rosa and Kain. Okay, now I'm getting tired of my own ramblings, but if you ever have any questions (and even if not) feel free to email or AIM me! J

And now to the thanks section:

This story is dedicated to all creative people. May you always be inspired!

Although they will never read this, I want to thank Suzanne Vega, Jethro Tull and A-Ha for the musical background during writing… ;)

I'd like to thank the webmasters who allowed me to put my story on their sites, namely Aywren (who was the first to give me a chance :), Andromeda, Doc and SDarkwind.

Another "Thank you!" goes to all reviewers and to the people who emailed me about the story. You all were the force that kept me going! I refrain from listing all names here, as I fear that I might forget someone. However I'd especially like to thank my few "old" reviewers, who did not even seem to mind the long time it took me to write part three, and the new reviewers who did not get tired to review Hope on a regular basis. ^_^

There are also some very special persons I owe something to, so the biggest thanks go to:

SDarkwind for beta-reading parts of Trust and Betrayal;

Biggy, for listening to my ideas (and to the badly translated version of my story) and for not getting tired of supporting me;

My friend Nina (Rinoa) for listening to my ramblings and encouraging me (with very harsh words, though…;) to continue writing when I wanted to give up after part two;

And last, but surely not least, thanks go to my friend Doc for so many things: For beta-reading Hope, helping me with the other two parts, listening to my complaints, never getting impatient with my questions and for inspiring me with her own writing. Thank you. J

Until we all meet again!

~Titania, August 2003