NaNo Day 52 – THE END

It’s been a long road,
Getting from there to here.
It’s been a long time.
But my time is finally near.
I can feel a change in the wind right now.
Nothing’s in my way.
And they’re not going to hold me down no more.
No, they’re not going to hold me down.

Cause I’ve got faith of the heart.
I’m going where my heart will take me.
I’ve got faith to believe,
I can do anything.
I’ve got strength of the soul.
And no one’s going to bend or break me.
I can reach any star.
I’ve got faith, I’ve got faith,
Faith of the heart.

It’s been a long night,
Trying to find my way.
Been through the darkness.
Now I finally have my day.
I will see my dream come alive at last,
I will touch the sky.
And they’re not going to hold me down no more,
They’re not going to change my mind.

I’ve known the wind so cold
And seen the darkest days.
But now the winds I feel
Are only winds of change!
I’ve been through the fire,
And I’ve been through the rain,
But I’ll be fine.

I’ve got faith, I’ve got faith,
faith of the heart.

It’s been a long road.

Today, I went back to the beginning, all the way back to Rose of Shanhasson.  I pulled up the original series theme song, Faith of the Heart, sung by Rod Stewart, and played it on an endless loop.

I brought 300,000+ words full circle.  Back to Dalden Bay, standing on the Sentinel, looking out over the waters.  Only Shannari’s answer was very, very different this time.

And yes, like a complete and utter sap, I bawled. 

This ending has been a long time in coming.  Five years to be exact.  I’ve dreamed and dreamed and dreamed this story.  Gregar haunted me.  Sal mocked me.  Rhaekhar threatened to challenge me a dozen times if I ever once thought about quitting.

I’m ashamed to say, I did, more than once.  But not for long.  I couldn’t.  This story would not let me go, and I’m so thankful that it didn’t.  Five years of growing pains, agony, blood, sweat and tears, have all gone into this story, and even in the darkest night, the moon shone all the brighter.

Today:  3,990

NaNo final count:  105,340

Snippet:  Final line, subject to revision.

Now, my heart, I run to you.