The New Zealand Chronicles: Part V, Chapter Thirty-One

[stmargarets]

Chapter Thirty-One: The Pieces Fall Into Place
Word Count: 7,100
Warnings: unbeta’d. Emotional author's note because this is the last chapter.

ETA - The Prince went by royal coach to school today!

Comments

[insertparagraph]

This whole story really is something, y'know. Bravo!

I have to admit mild bewilderment about the "rough patches". I've read enough fic now to have a reasonably good eye for bits where the author wasn't entirely comfortable with the end result. That hasn't been obvious in the unbeta'd versions of these chapters. I'll have to wander over to PS and compare, I suppose.

Ian, who like everyone else is very much looking forward to Ron the Builder

[stmargarets]

Bless you, it's not the writing that was rough - but the writer hitting rough patches in inspiration, confidence, and energy. I found a great poem by Mary Oliver that describes how I felt as I wrote this story. I'll post it later on in the week.

[insertparagraph]

Oh, right! *nods* Sure, that makes sense. (Although I think that sort of rough patch often shows up in the "feel" of written work as well, but didn't appear to have affected tNZC as I've been following it over the last few months.)

[neetha]

I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face because of how beautiful this story has become. It came full-circle, with Ginny winning the Strait race and the veil becoming a canopy and knowing there is a baby. This is easily my new favorite story and I'm almost afraid to read the beta's version now! Excellent, incredible job!

[stmargarets]

I cried when I finished it - and I really can't say why. Happy things make me cry more than sad things sometimes. I'm glad you noticed the circle - that's what I was going for. Thanks for reading!

[fitzette]

Oh, Mary. I'm actually crying.

I could tell you a million things about this chapter and this story that I loved, but it doesn't seem right to pick it apart. It's whole and lovely and a million wonderful things that don't even have words.

And I'm so proud of you for finishing! I know it was a HUGE undertaking and yet here it is! *throws confetti*

[stmargarets]

Thank you sweetie, you have been such consistent support through all of this (and while dealing with your trials and tribulations) The ending made me cry, too. *hugs*

[madeof_stars]

Congrats on finishing, my dear. I'm so happy, proud and understanding (I know what it's like to finish something you've put so much into. It's exhilarating and heart-breaking all at the same time) *hugs*

Now, I get to go back and read them all in one go!!! :D

[stmargarets]

Bless you, it's ridiculously long. What was I thinking? Thanks for your words of understanding. You're right - it's both exhilaratign and heart-breaking.

[amamama]

Ahhhh, Mary... Thank you, thank you, thank you. This has been such a wonderful journey, through highs and lows, deaths and births, sadness and celebration. You've managed to put a real life into words, with everything there is to it. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful

[stmargarets]

I'm glad you liked it. And of course, Ginny needed a clear-cut victory in the broom race. She didn't get one in her last Quidditch match. I'm glad you like the house. I thought that something a little grand - but homey - would be perfect for H/G.

And that was another warm up to Ron the Builder. I had better get cracking on that! I keep dangling enough hints. LOL

Thanks for all of your warm words of encouragement - and your friendship. It's meant a lot over these many months. And you know - it's always like that for me at the end of a story - maybe it's the universe's way of putting it all in perspective. :)