The Paintbrush leader gave orders to his men to ready the village for conference. The spiders had all been released and the soldiers had all returned. Messengers were sent to inform the Pen and Pencil villages of what had happened.

A feast was laid out in the clearing and the leaders gathered. Magnus, Arnie and Isabelle all sat there too. There were several other representatives of each race too. The food was identical to the food Arnie had experienced with the pens and pencils. The whole set up was similar. He and Isabelle sat throughout the various discussions and debates and said very little.

Arnie was pleased with the results but knew it was not his place to intervene. His part was done. In fact he knew he would be leaving soon, he had to seek out the Queen. He thought that this would be his only way home. He thought Isabelle probably felt the same although hadn't asked her yet.

The friendliness between all three races he also found astonishing. After the war and all the animosity that had occurred they molded back together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. He saw the childlike natures of them all - even the wise leaders - begin to surface more and more and he knew this was how they should be. A friendly and fun group, shaping Writingshire together. He felt a warmness at having helped to re-create this natural order of things.

The meetings went on for ages. All manner of subjects were discussed and notes were taken on blank canvas that had been provided to all of them. One member of each race took notes. The paintbrushes used paint of various colours while the pens and pencils used ink and graphite respectively. Each representative using his own body to do the writing. Arnie was amazed at how the handwriting looped on the pages like an ancient wizards scroll. Surrounding the meetings in the village lots of work was occuring. Cleaning and sorting, mending and painting.

The meetings were specific and detailed and Arnie would often drift off into his own mind. He didn't think anyone noticed particularly except perhaps Isabelle who gave him the odd nudge in the ribs.

This went on for what felt like days to Arnie. Although there didn't seem to be days here. They were kept supplied with food and no one seemed to tire, so it continued.

Then, suddenly, it was finsished. Each leader signed the bottom of each others canvas of agreements and it was sealed. The pen leader took the painted scroll, the pencil leader took the pen's inked scroll and the paintbrush leader took the pencil one. This would serve as a reminder of their unity.

Then the entire village feasted and everyone celebrated. The spoons and birds, prompted by Magnus, brought them music. There was dancing and merry making for a long time. Arnie mostly stayed off to the side during this, lost in thought. Wondering where his path would lead him and how he would proceed from here. Isabelle persuaded him to dance once or twice. He felt elated as they moved and swayed to the music but also somewhat ridiculous. His awkwardness was counterbalanced by Isabelle's grace. He knew it was time to leave these people to go their own way. And so, during their last dance of the party he told Isabelle his plan.

"I'm going to seek out the Queen now. I feel that my work and involvement here is finished."

Isabelle answered, her sweet, lilting tones sounding mischevious and playful, "Me too. I'll go with you. I'm pretty sure our paths are headed the same way."

He was very happy to hear the words come from her mouth. Although he had thought she would say it, he hadn't realised quite how much he had hoped she would. He smiled. "I'm glad. I think we should tell the leader's now. No point in hanging around."

The party was dying down anyway and the music was a slow, quiet sort of backround sound. Arnie and Isabelle made their way over to where the leaders were sitting in conversation. Magnus was also there.

"You are planning to leave already?" Magnus was the one who spoke first. "I didn't think it would be so fast, but I understand why."

"Yes, we want to seek out the Queen." Arnie said. He tried to keep the surprise out of his voice at Magnus' pre-emptive statement.

"She expects you to do just that. I have a guide for you in fact." A piece of paper appeared in Magnus' hand and he passed it over to Arnie who reached down and took it. "This is a guide to the Queen. You will go back to the forest and retrace your steps. Make your way to the Pen stronghold. Continue past and you will reach mountains. Pass through the northerly mountains and into this realm here." He pointed at a grey area on the map. "From there you must allow yourself to be carried. You cannot take yourself, attempts will be futile. You will then walk straight and true and will enter the Queen's domain. There you will be greeted and welcomed. Do not stray from the map's route. Sockland is a large and, in some parts, treacherous place." He paused and looked between Arnie and Isabelle.

"Once you arrive in her domain you will find your way to her. She knows you will be coming."

Arnie nodded but said nothing. Isabelle stared at the map.

"It has been an honour and we are eternally grateful for what you have done Arnold and Isabelle. The prophecies were true in an unexpected way." The Pencil leader said.

"And you shall always be welcome in Writingshire. Any time. You will be drawn and painted into every village." The pen leader continued.

Arnie felt humbled. Tears were building in his eyes and he didn't know how to reply. Isabelle stepped in and saved the day. "I think I speak for Arnie too when I say that the honour has been ours. Helping one's friends is payment in itself."

"Wise words Isabelle." The paintbrush leader was talking now as Arnie nodded agreement. "I must express my gratitude to you for saving me from the prison within my mind." Isabelle nodded respectfully.

"We will accompany you back some of the way as we are going to return home now." The pen leader was talking again. We have much work to do and much news to spread. We will be leaving soon."

"I'm glad we'll have more time together." Arnie replied.

There was nothing more to say. Orders were issued and the pens and pencils readied themselves to return home. A few of each were going to be staying behind as messengers and helpers and a few paintbrushes were coming with them down to the pen and pencil villages.

As preparations were underway and Arnie was at the far end of the village he heard music again and looked around for the source. Over the wall he saw Magnus dancing away surrounded by the spoons. He ran to the wall. "Magnus!" he called as loudly as he could. He saw the magnet turn and look at him.

"Farewell Arnold! Follow the map and perhaps some day we shall meet again." And he turned and danced off at a rapid speed, his metalics surrounding him.

A short while later, Arnie and Isabelle, accompanied by the pen and pencil leader and surrounded by the pen and pencil soldiers made their way out of the village and up the path to the hill. They left the splattering of colour that was the village behind and headed back into the dull, unending gray of the surrounding hill and environment.

The journey went quickly. They walked mainly in silence and were over the hill and heading for the forest again and it felt all too soon when their paths were ready to diverge from the pencils and they would head with the pens back to their main village before continuing on.

Arnie stopped and knelt down as he gave his final goodbye to the pencil soldiers and leader.

"The honour has been mine. I shall not forget our battles fought and our friendships forged." he thought he sounded stupidly formal but couldn't help it. Each of the soldiers and the pencil leader said a few words of goodbye. They were ready to turn and leave when a voice rang out.

"I am coming with you Arnold. I will leave Writingshire and join you on your quest." It was Flimgog. Arnie felt, mixed with the sadness, some joy in this.

He couldn't find words to express what he felt and so he said simply, "Thank you."

The journey continued to the Pen village and there a similar routine was followed with Isabelle giving her goodbyes to the pens. She cried without shame as she managed to hug the small pen creatures in turn.

"I have learned from you my friends, I have learned more than you can ever know." She said, her voice shaking with tears.

The pens turned and made their way down to the village.

Arnie pulled out the map, as he, Isabelle and Flimgog stood and looked to the pink horizon.

"It seems our mountains, although not visible now, lie in that direction." he said, pointing at the pink sky.

"And so we leave a chapter behind." Isabelle said and they began walking into their journey beyond the realms of the known in this strange and wonderful world.

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