The post, Where's the Ending? from the 2018 challenge dealt with epilogues. In the year that has passed since I wrote Where's the Ending, I still don't write epilogues. This time around, we are asked not whether to have an epilogue or not, but more of the why.
To me, an epilogue hurts a story. I prefer to have a final ending to a story. And many guides state a happily-ever after ending, or at least a happily for now is a requirement for the romance genre.
And I particularly don't like cliff-hangers. Even if a work is a series, the main thread should be tied up enough to leave the reader feeling satisfied.
That said, I broke my own rules with Windmaster Legend. The story ends with the hero and heroine trapped with no escape. Or more accurately, I should say that the last numbered chapter ends at the edge of the cliff.
“I’m sorry, Iol,” Pelra said. “It’s my fault you lost your ship, your crew. Now when those of Pirri arrive, they’ll put both of us on the pyre.”
A tilt of his head indicated the waves below. “Trust me?”
“Of course, my love.”
She stepped into his arms. He pulled her close. One finger tilted her head up, he lowered his. His lips met hers. The world fell away, time suspended. For long moments, not even the baying of the hounds broke through.
A deep sigh and Iol broke the embrace. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Taking her hand he walked to edge of the cliff. A narrow path wound its way partway down the cliff. “We’ll climb down as far as we can. If we make the beach, we head north. If we can’t, we’ll jump. That ledge mid-way down the cliff juts out beyond the rocks. It will be like the cliff divers of Tarekus.”
At the flash of fear in her eyes, he squeezed her hand. “It’s no higher than the leap from the yardarm every novice has to make.”
“I never made the leap,” Pelra confessed. “My test was from the bowsprit.”
“Just jump out as far as you can and cross your arms across your chest. After you hit the water, kick towards the light. I’ll come over and get you.”
He kissed her again as if it was for the last time. “After all, it wouldn’t do for the bearer of gold bracelets to let someone drown on their watch.”
“Then let’s go, captain. I have the urge to swim,” Pelra answered.
Down the pair climbed. Each step took them closer to the lower ledge and the tentative safety.
All too soon, it became clear. They would never reach the beach. They would have to jump from the ledge.
Iol stopped and turned. Pelra moved into his embrace. They held the position, lovers frozen in time and space. A loud, “There they are,” and they broke apart. “On three,” Iol said. “One… two…I love you, Pel.” A deep breath and, “Three.”
At this point, the major issues between the hero and heroine had been resolved, and they were together. I could have written several more chapters giving details of what happened after the step, but it felt way too anti-climatic.
What happened to the two lovers according to legend was mentioned in the two earlier books in the series and several possible outlooks after the leap were already presented to the reader. Depending on their mood of the day and whether they wanted fantasy, romance, or a mixture of both, I wanted to allow the reader to have their own vision of what happened to the star-crossed lovers. Instead of telling them, I wrote an epilogue.
The trick was to tie this un-numbered section into the two earlier books and the current one. I did this by having the narrative presented in the point-of-view of the ancestress of one of the characters from the two earlier books. A child she asks her grandfather about two bright stars in the sky. Readers who haven't read Windmaster or Windmaster Legacy, are told the legend. Then the various endings, all happily-ever-after of course, are given.
“Because of Iol and Pelra’s devotion to each other and to the water gods, the gods brought up a storm to protect the lovers. Then they transformed Iol and Pelra into shipfish. Legend has it they swam together to the end of the world.” He pointed to a pair of stars so bright they were visible despite the shimmering curtain of green lights. “One powerful leap carried them into the night sky.”
Rima studied the sky as the lights gradually faded until only the stars appeared.
I hope you consider adding Windmaster Legend to your to be read pile so you can chose the ending you prefer. This is a blog hop. Visit the other authors in the challenge to see whether they use epilogues or not.
~till next time, Helen
