occhi_bella (occhi_bella) wrote in story_arc, @ 2008-04-05 18:47:00 |
|
|||
Current mood: | accomplished |
Entry tags: | fifteen set 03, ichabod crane, occhi_bella, sleepy hollow |
FIC Aftermath - Epilogue
Cross-posted to occhi_bella and unknown_fandom.
Title: Aftermath
Author: occhi_bella
story_arc Set: 15-03
story_arc Theme: None
Fandom: Sleepy Hollow (movie)
Character: Ichabod Crane
Rated: M
Warning: Non-explicit implications of rape and incest. Spoilers
Disclaimer: Sleepy Hollow and its characters do not belong to me. I make no money from this.
Link to Story Archive and All Chapters
Summary: Ichabod departs for New York with Katrina and Young Masbath, but their journey is delayed by unexpected complications. Picks up at the part where the Hessian disappears into the Tree of the Dead for the last time with Lady Van Tassel.
Epilogue
The touch of his wife’s lips on his cheek woke Ichabod from his slumber and he raised his head. The coach was stopped and he gazed out the window, realizing that they had arrived back in New York. He sighed contentedly.
They left McKinley’s tavern and the village as soon as the weather allowed. Other than a warm exchange with James McKinley, in which they thanked him for his hospitality and he expressed gratitude to Ichabod for bringing closure to a horrific incident in the town’s history while still honoring Abigail’s memory, and a last minute visit and farewell from Mrs. Greeley they departed without meeting another soul from town. Everyone else appeared to be in hiding.
Two things happened before they departed from that place. Emily Jenner had finally been given a proper burial in the cemetery where the rest of her family rested and next to where her mother’s body lay. And Magistrate Dockery died a day after they found the girl’s body and was himself laid to rest. Ichabod wondered if Abigail had visited the magistrate in spirit, forcing him to face something he couldn’t. Of course, since the man was over seventy years of age his death was likely a natural ending to his long life. The timing may have merely been a coincidence. Whatever the explanation, Ichabod could only pray that the souls of Abigail and Emily had finally found peace.
Both Ichabod and Katrina had insisted that Stephen sit inside the carriage during the ride home but the boy couldn’t stay still for a moment. He fidgeted and shifted position constantly. After they stopped and the three of them took a walk to stretch their legs while Van Ripper watered the horses, they conceded and allowed Stephen to sit up front with Van Ripper. Ichabod had slept for the rest of the ride home.
Ichabod turned to Katrina now and smiled, reaching for her hand and squeezing it. Then he opened the door to the coach and alighted, turning and holding out his hand for her to hold onto as she stepped out of the carriage.
Stephen was in good spirits and clearly happy to be active again as he eagerly assisted Van Ripper in unloading their belongings from the coach.
“What a lovely street!” Katrina exclaimed, admiring the beautiful three- and four-storey residences that lined the cobblestone street and the white façade of Ichabod’s elegant home.
Snow was falling in flurries here. They approached the door to his building and Ichabod reached into his pocket, withdrawing his keys and stepping forward to open the door. Katrina stamped the light dusting of snow off of her boots and stepped inside. He held the door open and Stephen hurried in lugging four bags at once. Van Ripper lumbered after him, carrying the rest of their belongings.
After they had said their goodbyes and Van Ripper left, they began to remove their boots and coats.
Katrina shivered with cold and Ichabod put an arm around her. “I’ll get a fire started, my love.”
“I’ll do it,” Stephen offered eagerly. He pointed to the first room off to the right. “This way?”
Ichabod nodded and watched him bound off into the sitting room.
“Stephen seems to be himself again.”
“He looks much better. The color has returned to his cheeks and he’s gained some weight back. But we’ll need to find activities to keep him busy,” Katrina remarked. “I’m afraid lying in bed for so long left him with excess energy.”
“Yes. I only hope…do you think he remembers anything? It’s hard to determine if he was even aware of her presence while she…he hasn’t spoken of it at all and I haven’t mentioned it to him.”
“Nor have I. But I have faith that he will heal completely, whether he remembers or not. You do not have to worry, Ichabod. He’s young and resilient.”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Ichabod shook off the haunted feeling that lingered as they spoke of it and took her hand with a light smile. “Come, my love. Let’s join Stephen in the sitting room and warm up by the fire. And then I will show both of you around your new home.”