I am stunned into silence. My mind is numbed, unable to comprehend what Maria speaks of. My eyes flit from Maria to Jethro, looking for an answer in both. When neither speak, I do. My words are staccato, stumbling over disbelief, "Jake...he...he is here...returned...from the cave in which Ali and I laid him to rest?"

Maria's glee glows greater, "Yes lavender, come now and rejoice with us." Her hand grasps mine, pulling. I grasp Jethro's, pulling him with me. But I feel his resistance, his pull back is strong, "Come with us, Jethro," I implore.

His response is resolute, "No, Lavender, this reunion must be without me." My eyes search his face, "But did you not say you wished to meet Jake?"

He drops his head, "Indeed I did, but I should have liked to meet him as an equal, not a cruel adversary."

When I look at Maria, I see her joy is undiminished, unaffected by Jethro's words. Her pull intensifies, "Come quickly, Lavender."

My conflict is considerable.

Jethro's first tear hits the floor of our tiny compartment, its sound jolts me, "Jake is not your adversary," I say.

The soft pitter-patter of his tears accompany his subsequent words, "In life he is my adversary for your heart." He lifts his head, his grief sodden eyes sadden me and I surrender to him, falling into his embrace.

I want to close my mind on this quandary and stay in a forever hug here with Jethro, but Maria places a gentle hand on my shoulder, "Come lavender."

Jethro unwraps me from his embrace and swipes his tears, "Go lavender, you must go to Jake."

I relent to Maria's pull and find myself being dragged through the Sheroa's corridors.

I look back to see Jethro blowing me his kiss and waving goodbye. What is happening, how can this be?

Maria's hold on me tightens, "He looks resplendent Lavender, when you see him your heart will soar once more."

I am trapped by this quandary, unable to think or act with certainty.

And still, Maria pulls me toward her risen son. I close my mind to the reality of this reunion and allow myself be led through the snaking network of corridors carved by generations of Cutters.

When we enter a dining hall Maria releases my hand and turns to me, "The earth saved him." She points towards an opening in the wall ahead, from which a light emanates, "In there is where Jake resides; I shall remain here as it would be wrong for me to accompany you for this reunion."

I am like a tree, rooted to the ground. It takes Maria's push to enable my walk towards the light.

At the entrance, I pause and look back. Maria smiles with pride and joy, whilst I frown with feelings I struggle to comprehend.

I can feel the beat of my heart in my every breath. Inhaling deeply, I exhale and walk into the space carved into this great rock.

My eyes are dazzled by the light and I cover them until they become accustomed. With a hand over my eyes, I softly say, "Jake, I am here."

When there comes no reply, I look up. Before me, raised from the floor and surrounded by candles is a luggage trunk fashioned from wood and preserved animal skins. Tentatively I walk towards it.

And in the candle light I see Jake's face, and his body lying in repose, his remains have been returned. His face is without blemish, saved from decay and preserved by the earth. Gently I place a finger on his cheek, he is cold to the touch, "This is what your mother meant by your return." I gaze at him, marvelling at his beauty, even in death. "Jake, may I have your permission to love again?" I whisper. When our baby flutters within me, I know that this is his affirmative answer. My smile is wide, "His name is Jethro, and he is as noble and brave as you; he shall raise our child befitting of your values, of that I am sure." My mind settles and my heart lifts, "Jake, you must meet Jethro, he will come and pay his respects to you before we embark on our journey into the unknown." I kiss his cold forehead, "I shall go henceforth and fetch him."

Maria clasps her hands as if in prayer, "Blue-dissenters retrieved his remains so that we can mourn his passing and lay him to rest with dignity; isn't this so wonderous, Lavender?" I place my hands over hers, "It is miraculous, Maria." From behind her, I see a solemn line of people approaching, "Many are coming to pay their respects to Jake; I shall go now, but will return soon, with Jethro." She kisses my cheek, "Yes, of course, you must," she says, turning to greet the mourners as they pass.

......

My mind settles whilst I walk the rock's environs back to the Sheroa. When I reach the part where the rock opens to the sky I see that it is still night, we have a few more hours before the sun rises on our momentous day. In the morning I will inform Ali and Armina of Jake's return. But first, I must fetch Jethro.

Turning a corner, I am halted by the majesty of the great Sheroa. I marvel at the visual power she possesses. She is perched upon her pedestal, eager to protect and carry her human cargo across the great ocean to our life of dreams.

I walk her corridors with a pace of calm leisure that is at odds with my prior chaotic haste. I ruminate on how, when we are not given the full facts, our minds invent falsehoods that can lead to catastrophe.

And this rumination causes me sudden chill. Jethro and I interpreted Maria's words..."he has returned,' to mean Jake had returned to us, living.

I have no time for idle leisure, I must return to Jethro with haste and inform him of the truth.

My sprint leaves me breathless such that I cannot speak when I arrive at our compartment door; I rest against a wooden panel to recover.

With my breathing returned I decide not to rap the door lest I startle Jethro from sleep. I gently push the door, gladdened to feel it open.

The candle is almost burned down, casting a dim light into the compartment.

The compartment that is now empty, "Jethro," I say, knowing speaking his name will not summon who isn't here.

The deck?

Maybe he has gone for a walk in the night, I surmise.

Turning to leave, my eye catches sight of a piece of folded parchment that lays on our sleeping mattress.

My heart quickens as I bend to pick it up.

My heart sinks when I read the words, "To my beloved Lavender, I bid you a final farewell."