Chapter Six

Navaren did not like me riding so far away from him and several times Lurka suggested that we switch spots. But poor Rabbit wouldn't be able to handle the weight. But, Tuck insisted, saying that she should be fine if we carried the heavier items on Gwen. So, we stopped in the middle of the dirt road and did the exchange. I smiled and nuzzled into Navaren's back, wrapping my arms about his waist.

"How are you feeling today...?"

"Good. No nausea."

"That's good." He nodded and placed a hand over one of mine. "Tahleth..?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know...how far you are?"

"Uhm...almost two months." I looked down at my abdomen. A bump. Only about three inches larger than my original size.

"Two months..." I saw his ears turn red. No doubt remembering that night we spent in the woods. I smiled.

"Navaren?"

"Yes?"

"How much farther until Kreytzen?"

"A few more miles. Not too much longer. Why?"

"I'm just really tired..." I felt my eyelids grow heavy as I reached into my pack for the loaf of bread we still had. I tore half off and ate it all before closing my eyes and leaning my head into Ren's back. I fell asleep. Four hours later, I woke up to the sound of a castle gate being lowered and hooves trotting across. We were in Kreytzen. Finally. We all dismounted and tied the horses up at the stable just inside the gate. Lurka looked around and gathered her things up. She turned to me and smiled.

"Tahleth."

"I know."

"It has been a great honor fighting and traveling next to you. You are an amazing being." She smiled and held out a hand. "May we meet again one day."

"Of course! We'll keep in touch! I'll write you everyday!" I pushed her hand aside and wrapped my arms around her neck in a tight embrace. I fought off tears and failed miserably. She hugged back and chuckled. "Good luck with your studies, Lurka..."

"Good luck with your..." She looked at my stomach then up to Navaren. "With your life. And don't forget what we talked about. You'll always have a place, Tahleth."

"Thank you, Lurka."

"And thank you, my small elven friend." She smiled once more and turned, walking away and disappearing into the crowd of people. I sniffled, wiping my face with the back of my hand. The remaining three of us made our way down the cobblestone street, occasionally stopping to look through a merchant's wares, until we came to a courtyard. More merchants were set up here, though not nearly as many, and most of the people perusing, were aristocratic. I sighed and looked down at myself. Worn leather armor, dirty boots, and scars. I was filthy again. Tuck wondered towards one of vendors, dragging Navaren with him. I shrugged and went a different direction. An ear or corn, perfectly golden and very delicious-looking, caught my eye. I approached the counter and looked through all the different produce.

"Looking for anything in particular, Ma'am?" A smooth, deep voice asked melodically. I looked up at the merchant...dark hair, elven ears, violet eyes...no. It couldn't have been this easy. It wasn't him. It couldn't be. I stared at him for a long moment, my mouth gaping. I felt the tears coming to my eyes and I struggled to keep them at bay.

"T...Tahlen...?"

"Yeah...that's me." He smiled awkwardly and furrowed his brows as he looked me up and down. His eyes suddenly went wide, his smile gone, and his perfect honey voice spoke again, barely a whisper. "...Tahleth..."

"No. No, no, no...I'm dreaming, right? This can't be real. I must be dead. That dragon really did kill me, didn't he?"

"Tahleth." The smile broke onto the merchant's face again and he quickly came around to the front of his stall. It was him. It really was him. He wrapped his arms around me and that was when I cried. My brother... "Thank the gods you're alive..."

"Tahlen...I knew you were alive. I just knew it." I pushed him back and looked him up and down. "You've gotten tall. And you cut all your hair off..."

"I am forty-five, Tahleth. And the hair, wasn't my idea." He smirked and took my hair in his hands. "You look just like mom..."

"Mom! Is she...is she here...?"

"Not any more." He frowned. "She died a few years back. The famine..."

"What happened to you? To everyone?"

"Let's go somewhere else to talk. My home. Let me pack my things, and I'll show you the way."

"Alright. Let me gather my traveling companions." I turned and pulled Tuck and Navaren over while Tahlen packed up his wares. "Get over here!"

"Woah...it's Tally if she were a lad!" Tuck chuckled.

"Yeah...it really is..."

"Tuck, Navaren, this is my brother, Tahlen."

"A pleasure." He bowed a little and slung his wares over his shoulder.

"Nice ta meet ya, boy Tally!"

"Y...yeah."

"Alright, follow me. I'll show you to my cottage. It's just outside city walls. Out in the fields."

"You're a farmer?"

"And a merchant. My wife Araya used to be my farm hand, but...we're expecting so she's not allowed to. All the heavy lifting is bad for the baby." He smiled widely. "My crops are so good they gave me a special spot in the courtyard. Lots of rich folk shop there, so I'm pretty set if we keep up the good produce."

"When did you get married...?"

"A few years back. When you're thrown into my situation, you have to grow up a lot quicker." He sighed. "Baby's due next month."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you. Oh, we're here." He pointed out to the fields to a small cottage next to a corn field. A small garden for personal use was situated to the left side of the home. "Araya will be happy to have company. Especially one that is such a surprise!"

"What a quaint little home...it's cute."

"Thanks. Built it myself."

"Really?"

"Mmhmm." He gently put his wares down and opened the door. "Araya, I'm home a little early. We've some special guests."

"Coming, dear." An elven woman with long, chestnut hair and bright green eyes came out from a back room, one hand cradling her larger stomach. "Who are our guests?"

"Ara, you'll never believe it. It's my sister, Tahleth and her friends!"

"Your sister? I thought you said you thought she was dead...?"

"Yes, I thought she was..." the woman turned and faced me.

"How did you escape the slavers...?"

"...Slavers...?"

"Sit down, sister. I'll tell you all about it." Tahlen's face went grave and he took a seat at a dining table. I followed suite, Navaren and Tuck next to me. "What do you remember about that night?"

"Not much. I remember mother telling us to go to the neighbor's...She ran, I couldn't see father anywhere. There was fire, and smoke and...screaming. I woke up in the woods and Dad carried me away to the Inn." I pulled out the brooch from my pack. "I went back later and found this..."

"Dad?"

"Oh...sorry. I'm used to calling him that. A human couple took me in after that. I was raised in a small town and work in the Inn and, sometimes, Tavern there."

"I see..." He nodded, then looked up to meet my gaze. "That night, after mother sent us away, we hid. One of the slavers stumbled drunk into our hiding spot and dragged me away, mumbling something about drinking too much and seeing double. Me, all the other children, most of the women, and a few of the men, were loaded into a caged cart and taken away. Father died protecting mother, and later, mother died of the famine here in Kreytzen a few years afterwards. That next year, Lord Umbermoor died and his son took over the throne. Umbermoor was a tyrant...it was under his orders that our clan, and many others, were ransacked. That brooch belonged to him. I had always liked Umbermoor's son. A good kid, always trying to talk some sense into his father, alas, to no avail. When his son took over, the first thing he did was lower taxes, then free the slaves. I was twenty-five. That same year, I met Araya."

"I had no idea..." I shook my head and leaned it onto my hands. "I...I should have come sooner. I should have done something!"

"What could you have done? We were eight, Tahleth. Children. There was nothing either one of us could do. Don't blame yourself." He placed a hand on mine and smiled. "And besides, it worked out in the end, right? We found each other. Well...more like you found me."

"Heh, yeah..." I smirked and squeezed his hand. "I...guess you're right."

"I know I am."

"Ha! He's as cocky as my dear Tally! We're gonna be good friends, lad!"

"Uhm...okay?" Tahlen chuckled awkwardly and looked at me again, clearing his throat. "How long can you stay?"

"As long as you want me to. Though, I would like to go back to Direham before mom and dad get too old..." I sighed and frowned. They were very old and wouldn't be around much longer. "I should...spend more time with them before it's too late."

"I understand." Tahlen smiled. "Stay until tomorrow. Araya and I will see you off in the morning."

"Okay." I smiled.

We sat at the table for the rest of the night talking. Talking about everything. Everything that we had missed in each other's lives. I retold my story. My departure from Direham, my arrival in Havengate and it's demise, our travels through the countryside and the dragon in the mountains. And he told me his life. Not nearly as adventurous as my own, but comfortingly normal. The work he did as a slave, how life was, how mother died, life afterwards. How he met Araya and their wedding. I sat, wide-eyed and listening intently, as he told me about his life. I had missed so much. I had missed him. I sighed and smiled with gratitude as Araya served us all dinner. A hearty stew made with their own produce and meat bought from the market. Bread. The smell was so familiar, it sent me back to my childhood. Mother made that same exact bread all the time. I cried as I ate, blaming it on the baby. We slept in the spare room, Navaren and I in the bed, Tuck in a large, comfy chair. In the morning, we packed our things, accepted a generous sack of food and other supplies, and began our good-byes. Tahlen and I exchanged addresses, promising to write everyday for the next eight-hundred years. It was hard to leave...harder than I ever imagined. Like I was leaving a piece of myself behind.

We left along the same road we came in on, heading East. I couldn't help but look over my shoulder at the small elven couple waving at us from the gates. I cried again, hiding my face in Navaren's back as the sobs shook my body. I didn't stop until we were out of sight of Kreytzen, the castle a small speck on the horizon past the trees. On our way back, we passed up the mountain village, continuing. We stopped and camped when night fell. It would be another four months before we arrived back at Sandybanks. Mrs. Puddle welcomed us back with open arms and congratulating me on the baby. By that time, I was six months along, and struggling a little to keep up with everyone. I grumbled as we all sat at the long table for diner, scratching at my abdomen. I ate everything and promptly fell to sleep.

In the morning, I poked and prodded Tuck until he finally got his lute out and went to impress his girl. I smiled, watching from the window as the half-ling woman smiled and giggled at Tuck's song to her. In the end, he held out his hand. She took it with a blush, and they began walking along the pathways around the village, talking to each other. I smiled and leaned against the windowsill, letting the sun warm me up a little. Winter was nearly upon us, making the sky a bleak cornflower and the trees to shed their golden leaves. That afternoon, before we said our good-byes again, Navaren pulled me aside and we went for a small walk. He fumbled and stuttered, nervousness. It was cute. Finally, he got down to one knee and practically shouted his question at me, the words slurring together. Will I marry him. I giggled and quickly agreed. He put the small ring on my finger, saying that Tuck convinced him which one to get back in Kreytzen. Gleaming, we returned to the Puddle Estate. I bid Tuck farewell, hugging him and crying again. He wouldn't be too far away. I had to keep telling myself that. My darling half-ling had become my best friend. I kissed his cheek and Navaren and I mounted Gwen. We waved and set off at a steady trot along the path East.

Havengate was nearly as functional as it was before. It was smaller than it had been, a few of the decimated buildings left abandoned, new ones in their place. I smirked at the Tavern and chuckled as we stopped at the Inn to rest. I sighed when we left. I was headed home. Four days, just like the first time I had traveled along the path. In four days, we reached Direham. I smiled widely at the familiar, rustic buildings. The old Tavern. The old houses. The old Inn...it was dark, and the lights were on in the downstairs. We tied up Gwen and entered through the creaking front door, a sound I didn't realize I missed so much. The smell was musty, but it was the smell of my childhood. A mix of all sorts of smells. Dinner cooking in the next room over, old wood, old tapestries and rugs. I took a deep breath and smiled.

"My dear Tahleth..." The woman said from her chair in front of the fireplace. "You've come home..."

"I told you I would, Mama." I smiled and knelt in front of her, taking her aged hands in my own. "I told you I would."

"Oh, you've always been true to your word, dear." She smiled and looked me up and down. "You've been busy."

"Ha, yeah." I flushed and looked up at Navaren. "Mama, there's someone I want you to meet."

"A boy?"

"Yes, a boy." I chuckled and pulled Ren over. "Mama, this is Navaren Oakenheart. Navaren, this is my mom."

"Oakenheart, eh?" She squinted up at Ren's face and took one of his hands. "A nice, strong name. You take care of her, son."

"I will, Ma'am. I promise."

"Mama?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Where's Papa?"

"Oh...my dear." She sighed and a mist covered her eyes. "Your Papa died. He was already very old, and he got sick."

"...He died...?" I choked back a sob.

"Yes." A tear rolled down her face and I wiped it away. "I am soon to follow, my dear. I don't have much time left."

"Mama..."

"Shhh, dear. It is the truth. I am old. I have lived a long, full life. A life full of joy." She nodded and closed her eyes, rocking lightly in her chair. "I was lucky to have your Papa. And even luckier to have you. Here. Take this."

"What is it...?" I took the small stack of parchment from her and flipped through the pages.

"My will. And your father's. Funeral arrangements." She smiled. "I want to be buried next to him."

"Mama..." I couldn't hold it back anymore. I let it fall. All the tears I had been holding back rolled down my cheeks, hot and stinging.

"I know I can count on you, Tahleth." She smiled and struggled to stand up. "Will you help me to bed, dear? I am very tired."

"Of course, Mama." I handed the papers to Navaren and put an arm around her waist. She had gotten so thin...I frowned, remembering the stout woman with brown hair and laugh lines. She was shorter and much, much thinner, her hair completely white now, her laugh lines deeper and surrounded by more creases. We hobbled into the next room over and I gently helped her into the bed and under the quilts.

"Thank you, Tahleth." She smiled and sighed contentedly, closing her eyes. "I can finally sleep."

"Mama..." I knelt next to the bed, holding her hand as she fell to sleep. I cried and cried, letting the tears fall and stain the quilt. Mama's hand went limp, her breathing lighter and lighter until I couldn't hear it anymore. This must have been what Tahlen had gone through...Mama was gone. Navaren knelt next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. It the morning, she was buried next to Papa's grave in the cemetery at the far end of town. Everyone in the small town gathered 'round, offering condolences and shedding tears of their own. I was the last to leave, Navaren by my side. We went back to the Inn and I sat down in Mama's chair by the fire, reading the papers. The Inn and all of their things were mine now to with what I wished, as Papa had phrased in his neat handwriting. I stood and looked around. This was my home. I took a deep breath, taking in the smell again. The smell I had missed so much. I put the papers down and hugged Navaren. He was the last part of my family that I had left. Him and our unborn child.

We settled down in Direham, our wedding taking place about a month before our precious baby was born. Ferel Oakenheart. A healthy baby boy with dark hair and blue eyes. A wonderful addition to our little family. We lived peacefully and happily together in the small town. It wasn't for another seventy-five years after that when adventure called my name once more...