Prue heard Pan hesitate. “I need a moment to speak with Prue. Alone.”

She felt him take her arm and guide her some distance away from the others. When she could sense that they were far enough removed that their conversation would not be overheard, he stopped and faced her.

“I have some things to say before I go. Some things I need to say. I want to begin with this: I will never forget what you did for me. Not ever. I owe you my life, and I will dedicate that life to doing the things I think you would want me to do. You gave up so much for me, Prue. Your sight, but more than that. Your whole life was settled. We were to be together, partners and Trackers. Now that won’t happen. But maybe some other things will.”

“Pan, you don’t have to—”

“Just listen,” he interrupted. “Just let me get this out. I’m going with the Orullians because I believe that at the end of the day we will all have to go. We will have to leave this valley and find new homes. We won’t leave together or stay together. Trolls, humans, Spiders, Elves, whatever names we give ourselves, we won’t stay together. Different paths will be taken and different futures found. What I want to do is find our future, yours and mine.”

She felt tears spring to her eyes. “I would like that.”

“I can’t imagine my life without you, Prue. You are my best friend; you always will be. You are another part of me, a part that when missing leaves me feeling incomplete. I want us to be together again. I want us to get back what we can of our old life, even if it’s not here. Will you wait for me so that we can try to do that?”

She put her arms around him. “You know I will, Pan. I will always wait for you.”

His hand came up to cup the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her red hair. “I won’t make you wait long, I promise.”

He held her and for a long moment neither of them spoke. Then Prue broke away, stepping back, pushing at him. “You have to leave now. Go on. Tasha and Tenerife are waiting.”

He stayed where he was for a moment longer, and then she heard him walk away. She followed, taking her time, listening to the voices of the others greeting him as he returned.

Then they were all hugging one another a final time, exchanging good-byes and good lucks and promises to be careful and to meet again soon.