The first question that came to my mind is what is a epilogue. A common definition is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature. The stated purpose is to bring closure to the work, to help flesh out what happens after the story is done. It's high noon and the gunshots just rang out, the bodies fall. You turn the page and there is nothing. You sit there wondering. What happened to the main characters? How did things work out after the main story ended? That's the purpose of an epilogue - to help flesh out what happens after the story is done. Another reason for an epilogue is after a traumatic or violent climax.
So what is the difference between an epilogue and the final chapter? The final chapter is necessary for the story, the epilogue isn't. An epilogue can also be used when the information it contains is too disjointed from the main plot. The storyline is wrapped up, but there isn't necessarily a clear insight into the future. I'm thinking of the time travel romance, you know the heroine tried to shift back to be with the one she truly loved. But did she make it? The epilogue shows the discovery of a portrait in the attic of the heroine. She's dressed for a different time period and she is happily standing arm-in-arm with the man she went back to be with.
Now as a rule I don't do epilogues. I prefer to have a final ending. And I particularly don't like cliff-hangers. That said, I am breaking both rules with my latest release, Windmaster Legend from BWL Publishing.
We end with the hero and heroine trapped with no escape.
“I’m sorry, Iol,” Pelra said. “It’s my fault you lost your ship, your crew. Now when those of Pirri arrive, they’ll put both of us on the pyre.”
A tilt of his head indicated the waves below. “Trust me?”
“Of course, my love.”
She stepped into his arms. He pulled her close. One finger tilted her head up, he lowered his. His lips met hers. The world fell away, time suspended. For long moments, not even the baying of the hounds broke through.
A deep sigh and Iol broke the embrace. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Taking her hand he walked to edge of the cliff. A narrow path wound its way partway down the cliff. “We’ll climb down as far as we can. If we make the beach, we head north. If we can’t, we’ll jump. That ledge mid-way down the cliff juts out beyond the rocks. It will be like the cliff divers of Tarekus.”
At the flash of fear in her eyes, he squeezed her hand. “It’s no higher than the leap from the yardarm every novice has to make.”
“I never made the leap,” Pelra confessed. “My test was from the bowsprit.”
“Just jump out as far as you can and cross your arms across your chest. After you hit the water, kick towards the light. I’ll come over and get you.”
He kissed her again as if it was for the last time. “After all, it wouldn’t do for the bearer of gold bracelets to let someone drown on their watch.”
“Then let’s go, captain. I have the urge to swim,” Pelra answered.
Down the pair climbed. Each step took them closer to the lower ledge and the tentative safety.
All too soon, it became clear. They would never reach the beach. They would have to jump from the ledge.
Iol stopped and turned. Pelra moved into his embrace. They held the position, lovers frozen in time and space. A loud, “There they are,” and they broke apart. “On three,” Iol said. “One… two…I love you, Pel.” A deep breath and, “Three.”
A tilt of his head indicated the waves below. “Trust me?”
“Of course, my love.”
She stepped into his arms. He pulled her close. One finger tilted her head up, he lowered his. His lips met hers. The world fell away, time suspended. For long moments, not even the baying of the hounds broke through.
A deep sigh and Iol broke the embrace. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Taking her hand he walked to edge of the cliff. A narrow path wound its way partway down the cliff. “We’ll climb down as far as we can. If we make the beach, we head north. If we can’t, we’ll jump. That ledge mid-way down the cliff juts out beyond the rocks. It will be like the cliff divers of Tarekus.”
At the flash of fear in her eyes, he squeezed her hand. “It’s no higher than the leap from the yardarm every novice has to make.”
“I never made the leap,” Pelra confessed. “My test was from the bowsprit.”
“Just jump out as far as you can and cross your arms across your chest. After you hit the water, kick towards the light. I’ll come over and get you.”
He kissed her again as if it was for the last time. “After all, it wouldn’t do for the bearer of gold bracelets to let someone drown on their watch.”
“Then let’s go, captain. I have the urge to swim,” Pelra answered.
Down the pair climbed. Each step took them closer to the lower ledge and the tentative safety.
All too soon, it became clear. They would never reach the beach. They would have to jump from the ledge.
Iol stopped and turned. Pelra moved into his embrace. They held the position, lovers frozen in time and space. A loud, “There they are,” and they broke apart. “On three,” Iol said. “One… two…I love you, Pel.” A deep breath and, “Three.”
But I wanted to allow a reader to have their own vision of what happened to the star-crossed lovers as well as tying the work to the other books in the series so I wrote an epilogue. The final scene takes place decades later on a ship not far from where the lovers leaped. A child (whose ancestors are featured in the earlier books) asks her grandfather about two bright stars in the sky. Presented is the legend of what happened, the local story, and the official record. She decides the ending she wants and so can the reader.
Rima watched the clouds overhead for several moments. “So they [Iol and Pelra] could have survived the jump. Iol was a skilled swimmer.” Her face pinched in contemplation “A fisherman from the Isle of Mages found them on a floating log far north and took them to sanctuary with Dewin and the other wizards. Or the seidhern tracked them down and took them to Dewin.” Happiness danced in her eyes. “I like that. Pelra and Iol deserved to be with each other. They did nothing wrong, brought no dishonor to their house. And their families changed the records because they regretted their mistake.”
His expression neutral, her grandfather said, “That is one way it could have happened, ramkin.”
“Ok, grandpa, what is the legend.”
“Because of Iol and Pelra’s devotion to each other and to the water gods, the gods brought up a storm to protect the lovers. Then they transformed Iol and Pelra into shipfish. Legend has it they swam together to the end of the world.” He pointed to a pair of stars so bright they were visible despite the shimmering curtain of green lights. “One powerful leap carried them into the night sky.”
Rima studied the sky as the lights gradually faded until only the stars appeared.
His expression neutral, her grandfather said, “That is one way it could have happened, ramkin.”
“Ok, grandpa, what is the legend.”
“Because of Iol and Pelra’s devotion to each other and to the water gods, the gods brought up a storm to protect the lovers. Then they transformed Iol and Pelra into shipfish. Legend has it they swam together to the end of the world.” He pointed to a pair of stars so bright they were visible despite the shimmering curtain of green lights. “One powerful leap carried them into the night sky.”
Rima studied the sky as the lights gradually faded until only the stars appeared.
This is a blog hop. Visit the other authors in the challenge to see whether they use epilogues or not. And a vote in the comment section as to whether the final scene should be titled epilogue or by chapter number would be appreciated.
~till next time, Helen
I generally don't do epilogues, but they do help on rare occasion to tidy up the loose ends.
ReplyDeleteThe epilogue in Windmaster Legend is the first time I felt the need. All the other books had a clear ending. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI think the story dictates the use of an epilogue. I love the ending and epilogue displayed here. Adding the epilogue was the right choice. :-) Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts. I could have made a firm ending but it kept feeling anti-climatic. The epilogue felt right.
Delete