I was clearing out old drafts from my overflowing gmail and found some correspondence with Robin that included my reactions after finishing the series. I won't include her replies, but here's some excerpts of what I said to her.

"I'm trying to remember which movie this quote is from: "Are there any happy endings?" "No. Because nothing ends."

"Even if you never return to the Realm of the Elderlings (which somehow I doubt) there is plenty of fodder for our imaginations. The surviving characters are fascinating people with feet placed on the trailheads of the rest of their lives, doubtless with many more nexus moments to face - whether or not that ends up being documented."

"This morning I'm enjoying late breakfast with my daughters on their first day of summer vacation, finishing my first reread of Fool's Quest and Assassin's Fate. I've read so many different reactions on the unrestricted chat Facebook page, and I think those who didn't get what they wanted will find more richness, more solace when they come back knowing what to expect. I'm glad you stayed true to your vision." "I hope you are basking a bit. Ending a series is bound to arouse every reaction under the sun from your fanbase. For me, having Fitz/Beloved/Nighteyes become the Wolf of the West was just the perfect resolution. Their circle forever joined at last. They are still alive in my head every day. I also love how much agency Bee seized for herself. Amazing, powerful girl!"

Got a new tattoo today! I have a lot of *thoughts* about it. Partially the above. Partially my beloved The Last Unicorn quote, "There are no happy endings because nothing ends." But it's MORE than just that moment in TLU. It's the whole damn scene.

Here's the best clip I can find:

PRINCE LIR: Unicorn, mermaid, sorceress, no name you would give her would surprise or frighten me. I love whom I love.

SCHMENDRICK: Well, that's a very nice sentiment. But when I change her back into her true self-

PRINCE LIR: I love whom I love.

LADY AMALTHEA: (comes from the front of the party.) I heard what you said. I will go no further.

SCHMENDRICK: There's no choice. We have to go on.

LADY AMALTHEA: (to Lír) Don't let him change me. The Red Bull has no care for human beings. We may walk out past him and get away.

SCHMENDRICK: If we do that, all the unicorns in the world will remain prisoner forever except one, and she will grow old and die.

LADY AMALTHEA: (to Lír) Everything dies. I want to die when you die. I'm no unicorn, no magical creature! I'm human, and I love you. Don't let him! Lír, I will not love you when I am a unicorn.

PRINCE LIR: Amalthea, don't.

SCHMENDRICK: Then let the quest end here. I don't think I could change her back even if you wished it. Marry the prince and live happily ever after.

LADY AMALTHEA: Yes. That is my wish.

PRINCE LIR: No. Lady, I am a hero, and heroes know that things must happen when it is time for them to happen. A quest may not simply be abandoned. Unicorns may go unrescued for a long time, but not forever. The happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story. (They walk ahead.)

MOLLY GRUE (to Schmendrick): But what if there isn't a happy ending at all?

SCHMENDRICK: There are no happy endings, because nothing ends.

MOLLY GRUE: Schmendrick, let her stay the way she is. Let her be.

SCHMENDRICK: That's not in the story. Lír knows that, and so does she.

MOLLY GRUE: You don't care! You don't care what happens to her, or to the others, just so you become a real magician at last. You don't care!