Skulduggery Pleasant - Until the End

Sisters

Valkyrie knocked and walked into Tanith's room. Not being able to move was driving Tan mad and she could tell. She had brought her stuff to do.. To try and take Tanith's mind off of her loss. She owed her that much she figured, Tanith was her 'sister' after all. Tanith had protected her and fought for her and now Val had her back, she wasn't ever losing her again.. Not even to the pain she was suffering.

Losing Tanith had been one of the hardest things the magical world had thrown at her but she reminded herself that she'd have never met Tanith without it. The remnant had been coming for valkyrie and Tan had saved her but in turn lost herself. Val pushed that thought to the back of her mind, she had her back now.

It was over.

But not all of them had made it. Valkyrie missed Ghastly so much but nowhere near as much as Tanith did and she didn't know how skulduggery felt, he never spoke about it. Tanith didn't remember the last few years at all. She didn't remember how she'd broken Ghastly's heart or how he'd only become an elder to find her. Valkyrie figured she was better of not knowing that yet, she had enough on her mind.

Val pulled a black leather covered book out of her pocket and smiled at it. The last book her late Uncle (well his echo) had ever written was due to be published next year, but before the stone had been wiped, he had made a single book containing all of his works for Tanith who adored his novels. Valkyrie had been planning on giving it to her for her birthday before the remnant took her away. Now she finally could.

In gold thin text on the cover read;
"The complete works of Gordon Edgely"
and then on the back
"Dedicated to my dearest Tanith Low, who took everything life could throw at her and still looked fabulous. A true hero. ~ Gordon"

Tanith was still fast asleep and val gently pushed her hair away from her face and kissed her forehead, as she placed the book on Tanith's bedside table, next to her sword, coat and a battered photo of herself, tanith, ghastly and skulduggery. They all looked happy, Val with her eyes closed from laughing. Tanith had her arm wrapped around Ghastly. He looked awkward but happy to be so close to her. Valkyrie had always thought those two were meant for each other but fate was a cruel thing.

Tanith yawned and turned slowly over to look at Valkyrie. "Hey Tan" she said.
"Hello" she replied forcing a smile as she attempted to sit up, eventually giving up and just lying there at an awkward angle. Valkyrie and Tanith had never been ones for small talk so val picked up the book and passed it to her grinning, "I got you something".
Tanith raised and eyebrow and smiled a genuine smile, the first genuine smile Valkyrie had seen on her face in ages. Tanith read the front and flicked through the book and grinned, for a moment being genuinely happy. "Oh my god" she said "there's a new one? I haven't read 'the lonely night'! Thank you so much Val!"
"No problem." Valkyrie replied hugging her friend "anything I can do to cheer you up." She took the book from Taniths hands and turned if over so she could seen the writing on the back. "Oh my god" Tanith said again, her eyes tearing up "he really meant that for me?"
Valkyrie laughed "of course he did! I think you'll like some of the characters in the new story too, one of them is once again very much based on you!" She winked at Tanith and now it was Tan's turn to laugh with delight. She grinned from ear to ear and hugged Valkyrie. "Oh and before I forget, that book is one of a kind, probably will be very valuable one day and 'the lonely night' isn't due to be released until next year. You get the only preview copy."

Tanith sighed and put the book down. "I love you so much Val" she rubbed her hair affectionately and Valkyrie laughed. "Right back at ya'" she replied. "Say thanks to Gordon for me will you?"

Valkyrie looked away. "I can't" she muttered. "Darquesse took over the stone when she left my body and when she left the stone for Stephanie's body.. Well the stone was wiped. Gordon's gone now, forever. That was his last ever work."

Tanith moved across on the bed and opened her arms for Valkyrie. They lay there hugging each other for a while in silence. "I always dreamed of having a sister when I was a kid." Tanith said. "So did I" Valkyrie replied "and now I have two!"
"Oh my god your parents had another baby!??" Tanith asked!
"No they didn't" Valkyrie said smiling "they didn't need to"

Tanith finally understood what Valkyrie meant and hugged her tighter.
"I love you" Tanith whispered "thanks for the book"

"I love you too sis" Valkyrie replied.