Chapter Text
Epilogue
November, 1896
(Seven Months Later)
“That’s it, Linus, Easy.” Henry gently said as Linus had just backed into his warm little shed at the von Kapital Railroads, “You’re, okay, you’re doing fine.”
Linus slowly backed in , giving a labored chuff which then led into a coughing spasm for the poor train. It seemed that ever since he had been shot, this was the end result of it. If he overexerted himself he went into a coughing spasm or tried gasping for air.
“Whoa, Linus, easy now!” Henry said as he applied Linus’ break, swiftly jumping out of the cab and running up to him as he then leaned into his side, gently petting him until his coughing was done, “You’re okay, just take it easy now, shh, shh, it’s okay.”
Henry gently hugged his side, petting him softly until he caught his breath.
“There we go, all better now?” Henry asked as Linus nodded with a weak chuff, “That’s my good train.”
Linus nuzzled into Henry, he missed him so much that he would actually begin to grow nervous if Henry had to leave. But Sampson was always there to talk to. The two trains had begun to grow quite close those past two months, even talking long into the night. But it was these moments alone with Henry that Linus had treasured the most.
“Here, I got something for you.” Henry said as he pulled out an ear of corn from his pocket, causing Linus to instantly perk up, “Gently now.”
Linus gently took the corn and began to eat it, nuzzling back into Henry as he did so. The moment didn’t last long as they heard Sampson returning with Katrina and Emmett in the cab. Sampson had been out running passengers back and forth all day while Linus was still healing. Linus couldn’t help but feel guilty about his but Sampson would always remind him that the running did him good and helped to make him stronger. Sampson then got turned around as katrina was gently guiding him back into his shed that was next to Linus’, it even had a metal plate with his name above the door just like Linus had.
“Hey there, big guy.” Henry gently said as he slowly walked up to Sampson, stopping just a few feet from him as he held out his hand for Sampson, “Long day huh?”
Sampson nuzzled into his hand as he chuffed gently in agreement. Sampson had come a long way since the day he was first found in the scrap yards, cowering in fear from any engineer. Now at least Henry and Emmett were allowed to come up and pet him, provided they stopped and held out their hand so that he could come to them. Even though Henry was Linus’ engineer, he still would make time to say hello to Linus just as Katrina and Emmett would make time to stop and check up on Linus. They wanted the trains to feel comfortable with everyone here, as it did help to socialize them better. But they still had to be very careful as Sampson had been known to spook easily if he were surprised or nervous. There was also no way that Emmett or Henry was still able to get near Sampson’s cab or his controls without Katrina around.
“Good boy, Sampson.” Henry said as he patted him gently, “Very good.”
Sampson then yawned and stretched out in his shed, his massive form seemed to sprawl out forever as he did so, settling on his tracks as Katrina and Emmett then climbed out of the cab.
“Good job, Sampson.” Emmett said as he walked up to him, giving him an ear of corn as he usually did to remind the train that he was a friend, “Gentle now Sampson.”
“Gentle Sampson.” Katrina smiled, “I think it has a nice ring to it.”
Henry couldn’t help but smile with a chuckle as Sampson rolled his eyes, chuffing out a complaint, something he would have never dreamed of doing three years ago.
“Hey, if i have to put up with ‘The Railroad Princess’, you can be ‘Gentle Sampson’.” She laughed as she patted him too.
“But it suits you so well.” Henry said as he and Emmett took off their caps while they and the trains bowed, “Your majesty.”
“I think father needs me at home.” She said, trying to suppress a grin of amusement as the two engineers laughed while the train hissed in amusement.
“I need to head home myself.” Emmett said, his smile now melting away into a more solemn expression, “I don’t like leaving Griff alone for too long.”
“How is he?” Henry asked as Emmett gravely shook his head.
“Not good, the mechanics say he’s not going to be around much longer.” Emmett said sadly, “He’s just getting too old to keep up steam anymore. The best thing I can do for him now is to make him comfortable until the Death Train comes for him.”
“I’m so sorry.” Katrina said as she put a hand on his arm, “If there’s *anything* that my father and I can do-”
“Thank you kindly, miss.” Emmett said glumly, “But I doubt there’s not much anyone can do for him now.”
With that, he turned and left with a wave of goodbye. Katrina also then turned and headed towards her carriage and waved through the window as the driver then clicked his teeth, making the horses move forward towards home. Now it was just Henry, Sampson, and Linus.
“Such good trains.” Henry said as he was petting both of them, “Get some rest now you too, you’ve earned it.”
“With that he then walked back to his house that was just off to the side of the sheds, seeing Scarlet standing on the porch waiting for him.
Linus and Sampson could see Henry stepping up to her as the two kissed, holding each other in a warm embrace as the two trains playfully whistled at them.
“GOOD *NIGHT* YOU TWO…!” She playfully scolded as the two of them settled back down with a hissing laugh.
“Good night Sampson.” Linus yawned as he then drifted off to sleep, happy to be safe and warm in his own little shed again.
“Night Linus.” Sampson said, a small smile crossing his lips as he then sighed and looked at the setting sun.
He knew Contessa very well, she wasn’t done yet. He knew she loved to keep her grudges and she would be back. What he didn’t know, and what frightened him the most, was what she had planned for them. He felt as though it were his fault, he ran to this company for help and now brought her attention straight to them. He wondered if he could just run again tonight, sure he would miss everyone here, but they would be safe because she would be out looking for him. But to run away again would cause a huge scandal for Baron and potentially cost him everything.
“Engine Eternal.” He began quietly, “I don’t know what to do, how can I protect my new home?”
He seemed to hear only one word back as he glanced over to the now sleeping Linus, “Stay”...
THE END?