Chapter Text
“So, you said you had a plan.” Henry commented to Maja once the group reunited. A purple and red gemstone shone in Ludus’ and Maja’s hands and the latter began explaining.
“If my magic is in these gemstones, I can use them to call the identical one back here, with anyone who happens to be holding onto it. I’m sure you can see where this is going.” She paused to let them think, until Lisette bounced up and down excitedly.
“Oh! By connecting them all together, we can call them back! But…how can we do that if they’re not here to connect them?” She asked, and Maja put her hands on her hips, Henry taking the opportunity to take the gem out of her hands.
“Well, you see! By pointing the three gems at the sun, the strongest star of them all, they’ll all be connected at a fixed point. So, what do you think?” A smug smile was stretched across her face, and the three of them nodded eagerly.
“At this point, we don’t have much to lose.” Ludus remarked, and with that, Lisette began to lift the gem towards the sky. She went as straight up as she could, even walking a few paces, until she definitively decided that she was as close to pointing directly at the sun as she could manage. Henry began to do the same, ending up back-to-back with Lisette, and waiting for something to happen.
For several minutes the world seemed uninterested in giving a response. Nothing changed about the blue stretched out above them, besides a few clouds passing by.
“Rats, have they really not gone to see that dreaded Goddess? I thought for sure she’d tell them to do the same thing.” She grumbled, and continued to sit there as Ludus began to pace.
“Maja, if my family ends up having to walk all the way back here-”
That’s when their visions were blinded with a flash of light. Within seconds Henry felt himself being grabbed and pulled into a tight hug, and he could hear the same happening to Ludus several steps away. He pulled away to find Holly standing before him, grinning from ear-to-ear.
“I’m so glad it worked, the Harvest Goddess was right! Thank you Maja, for having the same idea!”
Henry almost chuckled at the slight blush that spread across Maja’s cheeks.
“Y-You’re welcome. I only come up with the best ideas.” She eventually recovered, but was almost winded when Holly pulled her into a hug.
“I’m glad you’re well.” Ludus said as he separated from Iluka. She nodded at Ludus, but didn’t hesitate to sharply turn on her heel and go charging towards Maja. Before she got there, Henry stood between them, looking between Iluka and the floor, before eventually opening his mouth to speak.
“Listen. I know what Maja did was wrong, and I’m not saying you can’t complain to her about it. But she’s sorry, okay? So if she hears you out, please offer her the same grace.” He moved out of the way before Iluka could reply, and there she was, faced with a Maja who seemed the quietest she had been in all the time she had known her.
“Look, Maja. What you did sucked. I was super worried about Holly and I thought we were in some serious danger of not being able to get back. But, thanks for helping us get back. But I still can’t quite forgive you.” Her solemn words caused Maja’s eyes to widen, and she looked between Henry and Holly, who both shrugged.
“Well say something, damnit!” Iluka eventually started again, which shocked Maja back into speaking.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I know I messed up. But I also didn’t appreciate you attacking me and Henry. What I almost did to Holly at your wedding was meant to be a prank, but I didn’t think it would have upset you so much. Henry thinks we could get along and end up pranking just about anyone we come across.” Maja ended with a chuckle, and eventually Iluka let a few giggles slip.
“Maybe. Well maybe if you can pull off a good enough prank, I’ll believe you. And maybe, just maybe, forgive you. Eventually.” She shrugged, and moved to hold Holly’s hand.
“Before we go, I should probably clarify which gift was for who.” Maja got their attention just as they were about to leave. First she turned to Holly and Iluka, handing them the purple hoof gemstone.
“For you two, I figured how much farming means to Holly, and how much Iluka likes purple.” They both thanked her with bright smiles, holding the gemstone between themselves.
She then took the green gemstone from Holly and Iluka, handing it to the recently married Lisette and Ludus.
“For you two, I know how much greenery matters to you. For Ludus,that means your community, and for Lisette, it means your livelihood.” Lisette was quick to take it and hold it close to her chest, before handing it to Ludus who equally cherished it in his hands.
“Thank you, Maja. May this be a sign of better relations between us.” Ludus said, when Lisette could only offer an excited squeak.
Lastly, she took the red gem from them and handed it to Henry, which he took in one hand, moving the other to twirl the hair at the back of his neck with a bashful smile.
“And this one is for you, Henry, the love of my life, and the man I’m so glad I married.” Rather than offer up any words, he pulled Maja into a close embrace and gave her a chaste kiss. Cheers sounded in the background, causing both of them to cough, splutter, and then separate.
“With that, I do believe a party is in order!” Holly cheered, and the rest soon followed with various levels of enthusiasm. Each person took their partner’s hand in their own and began heading to Lulukoko.
However, as they were walking, they found Henry lagging behind, with his legs stuck together like a penguin waddling along.
It wasn’t as hard for Iluka to forgive her after that, as Henry toppled flat on his face to a chorus of giggles. However, Henry got the last laugh when his wife picked him up and carried him all the way to the town square with a matching blushy smile.