Arjuna nodded, once more, then knelt before the love of his life and prayed for her spirit to find its way to a place of eternal peace and rest. After they prayed, the brothers made their way back to the palace. Arjuna felt a sense of tranquil sadness. He was happy that he was able to pray for her and to see her, one last time, not at a distance, but up close, a view he had never seen her in. Even in death, she was still so beautiful. He was thankful that he was able to revisit her enchantment for the last time, before it was covered and bound and hidden from the world, forever. It was a strange paradox of emotion.

“…hey, Alder?” he whispered.

“Hmm? What’s wrong?” Alder asked.

“I am so tired, but I don’t want to return to my room. The silence is…too much for me, right now. Even though I know that I am not alone…”

Alder patted his hairless head and said, “Do you want to sleep in my room?”

Arjuna nodded and replied, “I would really like that.”

Alder smiled and said, “Good, because Palm is already there.”

Somehow, that bit of information gave the Second Prince a mild sense of merriment and he chuckled, quietly. Likewise, Alder couldn’t help but to find amusement in the placid situation and smiled as he wrapped his arm around his brother’s shoulder. Their spirits just a bit higher, the pair walked with steps a little lighter than before, as they made their way back to the palace, back to their home, back to their family, back to the ones they loved the most.

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