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A few days later, after stumbling through the mud and narrow gaps between the trees, Jak, Faramir, and Daxter found their way to the other side of the forest. Ahead of them lay Umbar, City of Corsairs.

"And you are sure that is where Vadrielith is?" Faramir asked.

Jak nodded. "Yes... I'm sure she's there... she's gotta be."

And so they went down the hill into the city. It was morning, and the city was quiet, except for the occasional calls from shopkeepers to their apprentices to work faster and a large commotion down by the docks. The three made their way there, only to find that it was a farewell party. A convoy of ships was preparing to set out across the bay, their passengers waving earnestly to the onlookers on the docks as they slowly began to board, one by one.

"Just hope Vadri wasn't on one of those," Jak muttered.

After the ships left and the commotion was all overwith, the day went on quietly. The three companions decided to stay the night in Umbar, hoping to find an inn, and continue their search elsewhere the next day.

~~~~~~

Umbar at night was quite similar to Tortuga, with the exception that there was no gun shots ringing through the air. But the pirates were just as loud, and just as drunk, and the whores were just as plenty as in Tortuga. Jack, of course, was getting slapped several times by women, just for being seen talking to Vadri. She found this immensely funny.

As they walked into one of the bars, her laughter was immediately stopped as she saw Jak and Faramir sitting on barstools, Daxter on Jak's shoulder. Her first reaction was to run over to them, but she stopped herself. She was a corsair now, why would she go back to them? But there was no need for her to go with them; Daxter had noticed her out of the corner of his eye and told Jak, who quickly turned and saw her. He walked over to her, grabbed her by the arm, and led her into an alley behind the bar, leaving Daxter with Faramir.

They stood there for a long moment in breathless silence, the hubbub of the city sounding in the back ground. Then, several things happened all at once. Jak started to say something, but was cut off as Vadri kissed him; Daxter and Faramir were thrown into the alley from the back door of the bar; and Jack rounded the corner into the alley, having realized Vadri wasn't standing next to him and gone to look for her.

After the moment of awkward silence was over, Vadri looked up at Jak and said simply, "I am not going back."

Although this could have meant several things, Jak understood her. She wasn't going back with him. She was staying with the corsairs, and there was nothing he could do to stop her, and she wouldn't let him stay.

She closed her eyes for a moment, focusing her power, then opened them again, releasing Light energy. She dragged her hand through the air, creating a rift. Through it was Spargus City. Jak grabbed Daxter from Faramir, and with a final, longing glance at Vadri, stepped through the portal. As soon as he was gone, Vadri collapsed onto the ground, and the rift closed.

~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Faramir returned to Gondor, and Vadri set sail with Jack across the Bay of Belfalas. According to Jack, across the horizon was paradise.

A paradise? Perhaps, it could be so... she thought to herself. Very often, she cought herself thinking of Jak, small smiles tugging at the corners of her lips. No, she told herself firmly, this is my life now. He belongs in Spargus, I belong here... But she often wondered if it was what she really wanted.

The End

Yay! Another story is done!! This is going to have a sequel... when I get around to it...