Chapter 50: Epilogue

Maevis had spent much of her time in Serendipity's cottage awaiting word from her ward; would she choose to stay in the North Pole, or would she quickly return via some magic portal or reindeer transport?
She had received a bit of an indication that Serendipity may have decided to stay when all of her doll parts suddenly disappeared out of the cottage and Marwolaeth Hall simultaneously. However, she wasn't quite sure what to make of it without some direct word from Serendipity herself. It was early on the third day when, as she continued to straighten and clean Serendipity's workspace, the only task she could find to keep herself busy, she heard a bustling at the fireplace at her back. She turned quickly to see a magical envelope dancing atop the blazing fire, and careful not to burn herself, she used the poker to draw out the letter.?Upon tearing it open, she read the following, written in the familiar hand of one Cornelius Cane:
Dearest Maevis,
I hope this letter finds you well and without care or concern for my well-being. I should like to inform you that I have decided that the North Pole truly is the most fitting place for me.?It was only once I discovered the magic of a year-long Christmas season that my eyes begin to open to other types of magic as well, such as friendship, kindness, love--and perhaps most importantly of all, forgiveness. I speak, of course, of forgiving myself. I am forever indebted to you and Ms. Crotlybloom for your service and devotion over these past eight years. As you can see, my dolls have all been relocated here, which you must have taken as a sign of my intention to stay. I hope that you shall be able to sell Marwolaeth and make some sort of a profit to split between the two of you. As I have said before, I shall never return to that place; this time I truly mean it. I shall return shortly to collect my mice friends and to pay you one last visit. I do hope that you shall visit me here often. Remember, all you should need to do is drop a letter addressed to me into any fireplace, and I shall receive it. Once again, I thank you for your love and devotion.
All of my love,
Serendipity
Maevis held the letter to her chest and let out a deep sigh as a tear began to roll down her face. Serendipity had found it in her heart to forgive herself at last. A chirping at the floor drew her attention, and glancing down she said, "I do hope the lot of you appreciate a chilly breeze, as it seems you shall all be living amongst the reindeer soon, my little friends. Serendipity has found her place in this world at last."
In reply, there was an excited array of squeaking, which Maevis took to mean that they understood. Even Serendipity's mouse friends knew what it meant to be able to forgive oneself and move on. Now, Serendipity would be at peace at last, something she so very much deserved.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the North Pole, that very same morning, Mr. Waddlebug poured Corey a cup of hot tea as his master sat down to a breakfast of poached eggs and ham. "Well, it seems your record is still intact, sir," he said, taking his usual seat across from Corey.
"Yes, I suppose it is," Corey admitted, taking a drink of his tea. "But that is certainly not as important as the fact that Serendipity chose to stay here at the North Pole. I am very much looking forward to getting to know her better--and learning how to make model ships."
Mr. Waddlebug looked at him with a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "Am I to believe, then, that you have changed? That the Cornelius Cane I have known all of these years is gone?"
"Precisely," Corey assured him. "I am a new man, Mr. Waddlebug. I am falling in love with Serendipity, and I hope to make a happy life with her here in the North Pole for several centuries to come."
Mr. Waddlebug dropped two lumps of sugar in his own cup of tea before asking, "And what will happen if she decides she wants to go back home to Dunsford, perhaps to visit her caretaker?"
Corey looked at his valet, an expression of wide-eyed innocence on his handsome face. "Whatever do you mean?" he asked before taking another sip of his tea.
"I think you know what I mean," Mr. Waddlebug replied, his eyes narrowing.?
"Mr. Waddlebug, surely you don't think?" Corey began.
"You know what I think," Mr. Waddlebug interrupted. "Tell me, am I correct?"
Corey held his gaze for a moment before a sly grin crossed his handsome face. Returning his attention to his breakfast he said only, "Come now, my good man.?If Serendipity decides she'd like to return to Dunsford, we shall cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, I must be off. I have a date to keep with a very attractive doll maker." And quickly raising and lowering his eyebrows two times, Corey arose from his chair and was off to grab his coat from the hook by the front entry, the kitchen door left swinging as he did so.
Mr. Waddlebug followed behind him, opening the door, and saying, "Do you mean to tell me" but by the time he reached the living room, Corey was gone, with only a cloud of mist and glitter left in his wake. Mr. Waddlebug shook his head, his hands on his stout hips. Perhaps he would never know for sure if his suspicious were correct.
When Corey appeared in Serendipity's toy shop, she was already hard at work, giving directions to the elves, showing them her precise technique for making her dolls exceptional and unique. He appeared in a swirl of light and sparkles, swept her into his arms, and led her outside where he twirled her around in the freshly falling snow. Corey leaned down and pressed his lips to hers as the snow gathered in the peak of his perfectly sculpted hair.
Serendipity giggled with glee as he dipped her low to the ground and proclaimed, "Serendipity Fizzlestitch, I love you!"
"I love you, too," Serendipity replied, her cheeks growing rosy in the frosty air. She had found happiness at last, in his arms, and amongst her new friends at the North Pole, where she would always be the doll maker's daughter at Christmas.
The End