Have Hope

Epilogue - Part 2

"Well, I'm an abridger, so I'm entitled to a few ideas of my own. Did they make it? Was the pirate ship there? You can answer it for yourself, but, for me, I say yes it was. And yes, they got away. And got their strength back and had lots of adventures and more than their share of laughs.
But that doesn't mean I think they had a happy ending, either. Because, in my opinion, anyway, they squabbled a lot, and Buttercup lost her looks eventually, and one day Fezzik lost a fight and some hot-shot kid whipped Inigo with a sword and Westley was never able to really sleep sound because of Humperdinck maybe being on the trail.

I'm not trying to make this a downer, understand. I mean, I really do think that love is the best thing in the world, next to cough drops. But I also have to say, for the umpty-umpth time, that life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all." William Goldman, The Princess Bride

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Epilogue – Part Two

"Today I am very proud of the house," Kit said powerfully, standing at the front bench beside Prime Minister Ashcroft. "That we could come together to not only invest in the future of this country, but to ensure the immediate futures of our children."

It was difficult for Kit to maintain his firm, unwavering demeanour. Today was a day that he had been working towards for years. Two thirds of the house had just passed a bill making schooling compulsory for girls to the age of fifteen and boys to the age of thirteen. This was Kit's law. This was what he had entered parliament to do.

It was at times like these that there was really only one person that Kit would like to celebrate with. But he never opened that door. He closed it a long time ago, along with it the pain.

"Now as we conclude this session of parliament, I would ask you all to join with me in saying a prayer and sending our deepest condolences to His Majesty on the passing of the Prince of Wales, and we ask for the protection and guidance of our new Prince of Wales."

Kit led the house in a heartfelt prayer. Politicians and the Royals alike were never meant to show an affinity for the other, but the death of the Prince of Wales had quickly shocked London, and would the rest of the nation when the news spread to the papers outside the city.

Charles had fallen from his horse only yesterday, and his death had been swift. Kit had not known the prince well, only that his father loved him dearly, and would be deeply hurt by his loss. Kit felt more for Edward, his greatest, though secret, friend. Edward was now the Prince of Wales, the future King. Kit had not the opportunity to see his friend, though if he knew Edward, he would have gotten himself as far away from London as possible. This sudden pressure, coupled with his father's disapproval of him, would kill him.

"Well said, Kensington," commended the PM upon the parliament's closing.

Kit smiled. "Thank you, sir. I am sorry for the Royal Family."

"Yes, yes, we all are," Mr Ashcroft said dismissively. "It is not as though there is a succession crisis though. What I was talking about was your bill. Excellently said, excellently put, an all-around good job." He slapped Kit on the back.

Mr Ashcroft had been Kit's mentor these last nine years. He had helped Kit rise through the ranks, so that he was now his number two as Ashcroft was PM. But upon the next election in only a month, the aging Mr Ashcroft was to stand down, and Kit, the once illiterate orphan without a name, was to stand as Prime Minister.

Despite the turmoil he knew that his friend would be feeling at this moment, Kit could not wipe the smile off of his face as he left parliament. He had really accomplished something today. The country would be a better place after today. Children would be educated for longer, given better opportunities than their parents.