Sorry for being a day late, but I had some problems with . Nonetheless, the final chapter is finally here. Hope you enjoy. A special thanks to zealousfreak27 for reading this story, even though this is not her fandom. Also, thank you all for the favorites, reviews, and hits.
Now, to the conclusion.
Chapter 10: Acceptance
Lloyd waited patiently as Colette got herself ready to leave. Despite the mayor having major grievances about the whole thing, a deal was a deal. He couldn't back paddle his way out of it, especially with a town full of witnesses.
It also helped that his reputation within the village had skyrocketed since the duel. The people may not completely approve of him, but they didn't give him dirty looks anymore. They were actually warmer towards him and greeted him openly when he came into town, although he wondered if that had more to do with him being friends with Colette than anything else.
"Hey, Lloyd!" Colette yelled as she carried a backpack with her. Phaidra was holding her hand, keeping her from running off ahead of her.
Lloyd gave a warm smile. "Hey, Colette."
They reached the gate of the village where, for once, no guards stood. "Okay, Lloyd, I leave everything in your hands. Remember, don't pass by the Ranch. Even with the treaty, the Desians are not to be trusted," Phaidra warned.
Lloyd nodded. "I wasn't planning to."
It had more to do with the fact that the Ranch was at its worst during the hot months. The smell was enough to make a normal person faint and Noishe wouldn't go in that direction even if monsters filled the other path.
Phaidra looked towards Colette. "Remember to behave yourself and respect Dirk. I expect you back here tomorrow morning."
"Okay, grandma." Colette smiled.
Lloyd hopped on Noishe back. Colette walked over to join them and was pulled up by Lloyd. "Okay, Noishe, lets get going!"
Noishe gave a loud bark as he took off into the forest. The sun was bright which made the trip all the more enjoyable. Colette hugged Lloyd's back tightly as the movements of the giant dog eased her.
"This reminds me of the first time I came into the forest," Colette said.
Lloyd laughed. "You act like it was a long time ago, when it's really just a couple months."
"Time just went by so fast," Colette said. "I mean, just a week ago I could never have come here."
"Well, you can't stay protective forever," Lloyd said. "Chosen or not, you only live once and life is too short."
Lloyd suddenly felt Colette tense. It was subtle and not something he would have noticed a couple days ago. If it weren't for his exsphere, he would have completely missed.
"Is there something wrong?" Lloyd asked.
Colette shook her head and began to giggle. "It's nothing."
Lloyd frowned. That giggle didn't sound right. It didn't have her usual cherry tone and it sounded forced. He wasn't sure what to make of it.
"I'm sorry if I said something wrong," Lloyd said.
"I'm the one who needs to apologize," Colette said. "I'm ruining such a good day."
"Nah, this day can never be ruined," Lloyd chuckled.
Colette smiled and hugged Lloyd tighter.
Since the monsters appeared to be behaving themselves today, they made it to Dirk's house without any trouble.
Lloyd jumped off of Noishe and smiled. "Hey, mom, I'm home!"
He helped Colette down, who made her way towards the gravesite. She knelt down and gave a small pray. She actually spoke in a language that he couldn't understand.
"What are you saying, that isn't dwarven," Lloyd said as Colette finished her pray.
"It's the language of the angels," Colette said. "I was taught it as long as I can remember."
Lloyd rubbed his chin in thought. "It sounded like the common tongue, but not."
"The language of the angel is the basis of all languages in the world," Colette said. "It's what made the common tongue. Even dwarven is based off of angelic."
Lloyd's eyes widen. "Really, so that's how you can understand dwarven!"
"No, but I can understand some words and phases since some words are similar, especially the more ancient version of dwarven." She then began to blush. "But I don't know it like you do."
"Well, I have been living with Dirk for years, so it's only natural for me to learn his language," Lloyd said. "It was kind of awkward at first, but it's second nature to me now. I actually can speak dwarven better than common."
Colette stared at him in surprise. "Really, but you speak very good."
Lloyd chuckled. "Not really. I just used more simple words. I still have problems pronouncing big words. That's why I sometimes replace words with dwarven."
Colette suddenly brightened up and smiled. "Why don't you go to school with me this fall? You can learn all sorts of things."
"I don't know," Lloyd said as he looked at his mom's grave. "I've seen the school a couple of times when I was in town with Dirk and I never got into what they said. Just seems you guys spend a lot of time sitting around reciting verses and talking about people who died thousands of years ago."
Colette clapped her hands together. "But we do fun stuff too like arts and craft, science when you suck an egg through a bottle, and other stuff. You also get to know the other kids better."
"Well, I would have to give up my training with Dirk," Lloyd said. "It takes a lot of hours of dedicated training to become an expert craftsman. Not to mention my sword training." He gripped one of his two wooden blades.
Colette looked down at her feet. "I would really like it if you came."
"What?" Lloyd asked. She said it so low that he could barely hear her.
"Nothing." Colette blushed.
Lloyd looked at her for a long moment. "You're such a knäppis."
"Knäppis?" Colette repeated.
"It means someone who is cute, but dim," Lloyd said, curving the severity of his language.
"Oh." Colette giggled. "That reminds me when the school kids call me things like dork. I always thought it was an insult."
So that was the translation. "Well, maybe I should call you dork for now on," he teased.
Colette smiled. "Well, just think about it, okay," she encouraged. "I'll think you'll like coming to school."
"Let's go inside," Lloyd said, wanting to change the subject.
Colette nodded and followed Lloyd inside. Dirk was working on iron weaving when he saw them. "Welcome." He then got up and shook Colette's head. "I'm glad you could finally formally come to our house. It's not much, but it's home."
Colette smiled. "It's perfect. It's really homie and I can feel the love within these walls."
"You're too kind, lass," Dirk said. "Lloyd's room is upstairs. The sleeping bag is all ready."
"Thanks...Dirk," Lloyd said uncomfortably.
Their relationship was still odd since the day of the duel. They still did work together, Dirk even made him makeup those three days he lost preparing for the duel, but it was not the same kind of bond that they had before.
It all happened the moment he accidentally called Dirk dad. He still was not sure what came over him in that moment, but he couldn't say he regret saying it and it left him conflicted. He had a father. He was out there somewhere looking for him. Dirk, as nice as he was, wasn't his father. Nonetheless, he still didn't regret it.
Dirk for his part never mentioned the incident. He acted like it had never happened, which made Lloyd wonder if that slip of the tongue meant anything at all to him. He wasn't happy by the thought, since the term father meant so much to him. If what he said to Dirk that day meant anything, he wasn't letting on.
"Hey, snap out of it, lad," Dirk said, knocking Lloyd from his thought.
Lloyd shook his head. "Huh, what?"
Dirk sighed. "Take Colette upstairs and get her comfortable."
"Oh, yeah." Lloyd blushed as he helped Colette up the stairs.
Colette was in awe when she saw his room. It was filled with wooden models and had a large open doorway to the balcony, which let a nice breeze in. "Your room is so neat!"
"Thanks," Lloyd said with a slight smile.
She then walked over to one of the models. "Did you make all these?"
"Yeah, Dirk helped me with some, but I carved most of them on my own," Lloyd said.
Colette picked up one of the carvings. "Have you ever considered selling them?"
"Oh, no, no, no," Lloyd said as he grabbed one of his models. "They're no way near good enough, especially compared to Dirk's work."
Colette looked closer at his collection and saw a lot of models that looked like Noishe and others that looked like different versions of Dirk. They were also piles of books on craftsmanship, drawing, and dwarven history.
The book on dwarven was opened and Colette took a look at it. It was written in words she had never seen before, but one looked familiar.
"Dwarven löfte nummer sever, rättvisa och kärlek kommer alltid att vinna," Colette managed to read in a broken tone. She then looked up towards Lloyd. "What does this passage means?"
Lloyd sighed. "That is dwarven vow number seven, justice and love will always win." He rolled his eyes. "The cheesiest vow of them all."
Colette gave him a confused look. "What are dwarven vows?"
Lloyd's eyes widened in shock. "You don't know?"
Colette shook her head and lowered her eyes. "Sorry."
"Don't say sorry," Lloyd said, ashamed at his reaction. "I just thought everyone knew them." He paused as he thought of an explanation. "Well, the dwarven vows are a set of morals that we all try to live by. There are three-hundred and fifty vows and all."
"That many?" Colette said in surprise. "And you know them all?"
Lloyd nodded. "I was taught every last one of them in common tongue and then in dwarven."
"Amazing," Colette said in awe. "The dwarven vows sounds like the seven laws of Martel. Our seventh law is Goodness quod diligo mos usquequaque lucror."
"What does that mean?" Lloyd asked.
Colette smiled. "Goodness and love will always win."
Lloyd groaned. "Apparently the Church of Martel and the dwarves had the same cheesy script writer."
"It's true," Colette said cheerfully. "No matter how bad things get, goodness will always prevail."
Lloyd wasn't too fond of Colette's rose colored point of view. The fact that his mother was in a grave and his father had disappeared was proof of that. But he didn't want to destroy the mood. Whether he liked it or not, Colette did give him a sense of hope. A hope that one day things would be better. Then again, she was the Chosen.
Colette then proceeded to take some of his models down. "Let's play!"
Lloyd laughed as they played with his models until it was time to eat.
Dirk came upstairs to get them clean up before they ate and was a little surprise in what he saw. He saw Lloyd sitting in a chair sipping what he assumed to be tea, although the cup was empty. Colette was also pouring imaginary drinks.
"What are you kids doing?" Dirk finally asked once the shock had worn out.
"Playing tea party," Colette chirped.
"Want to try some, Dirk?" Lloyd asked happily. "Mines is lemon, no sugar."
Dirk pressed his lips together before answering. "Dinner is ready."
Lloyd's eyes lit up. "Yeah, thanks Dirk."
He turned around and went back downstairs. There were some things about humans he would never understand.
It took some time to put all of Lloyd's stuff back, but they eventually made it downstairs just as Dirk finished setting up the plates.
Lloyd grasp in surprise when he saw an entire bowl of beef stew sitting on the table. "Dirk..."
"Since this is your first overnight visitor, I thought I'd treat you," Dirk laughed. "I even got something for Colette." He put down a bowl of apple salad. "Both recipes came from Phaidra, so ya know it's good."
Colette clapped her hand excitedly. "Oh, thank you, Dirk!" She walked over to the table and took her place. Lloyd followed shortly behind her, his month was practically watering.
However, before he could stick his spoon into the bowl, Colette stopped him. "We have to say grace first."
"Grace?" Lloyd questioned.
"You don't know what grace is?" Colette asked in surprise.
Dirk looked towards Lloyd. "Den sång av välsignelse och tack."
Lloyd's eyes widen. "We don't say ours until after the meal."
"Since you're our guest, we let you say the pray," Dirk advised.
"But, you don't believe in Martel," Colette said sadly.
One thing Lloyd still didn't like about Colette was that look of pity she would give him over his lack of faith. Thankfully, it was a subject that didn't come up too often.
"Well, how about this," Dirk said. "You say your prayer and I will say mine at the end of the meal as usual. That way we worship both of our deities."
Colette gave a look that Lloyd couldn't identify before she smiled and nodded. "Okay," She put her hands together and bowed her head. "Carus uranicus matris, nos gratulor in is dies namque una per amicitia in is dies vos have beatus. Servo nos tutus ex vulnero quod incubo qui es in valde postulo of vestri misericordia. Vigilo qui operor non animadverto vestri palma quod plumbum lemma tergum obviam vox semita. Quod vestri nomen nos precor, valde uranicus matris of totus."
She then put her hands down.
"Good prayer," Dirk said in a tight voice.
Although his angelic was lacking, he knew what the last part of that prayer meant. He was not insulted, however. He knew in Colette's eyes she was trying to save them. In the Church of Martel's view there was nothing but Martel. Those who believed otherwise were savages who were destined for damnation.
This poor girl would know nothing else, especially the real truth. She would continue to live and die in that lie. However, that was the destiny of the Chosen.
"Can we eat now?" Lloyd's rude question brought Dirk back to the moment.
Colette's smile returned as she nodded.
Within seconds, Lloyd attacked his dish with vengeance. It had been a long time since he had beef. It was expensive to buy since there was no cows or bulls in the area and Lloyd couldn't hunt them.
"Take it easy, lad," Dirk advised. "You're make yourself sick eating that fast."
Lloyd slowed down and began to eat at a more human pace.
There were some chatting about event of the village, but it was mostly quiet. Lloyd was a person who always focused on food during dinner, unless it portended to craftsmanship or swords.
"Finished," Colette said politely as she pushed her plate besides.
"You know, you try to act so polite, but you eat like a horse." Lloyd chuckled.
Dirk shook his head disapprovingly. "Be nice, Lloyd."
"Isn't it time for your prayer, Dirk?" Colette suddenly asked.
Lloyd raised an eyebrow. It must have been his imagination, but it sounded like she was challenging Dirk.
Dirk put his right hand over his heart and bowed his head. "Origin, I ditt namn vi tack för vårt mjöl och dela denna stund mellan familj och vänner. Låt detta mjöl att fostra våra kroppar och själar och vänner. Låt detta mjöl att fostra våra kroppar och själar och kan du fortsätta att vägleda oss och skydda oss i din kram. I ditt namn, ge oss en fredlig natt."
He then put his hand down and looked towards Colette. They stared at each for a long moment before Dirk finally decided to speak. "It's late. You two should be getting ready for bed."
Colette nodded. "Yeah, I'm sorry for being rude."
Dirk laughed. "No need. In this day and age, we need as many prayers as we can get."
Lloyd looked between the two in confusion. What just happened here?
Colette stood up. "Come on Lloyd. We have to get up early."
Lloyd nodded numbly and escorted Colette back upstairs. They changed into their nightwear and he allowed Colette to have the bed. He didn't mind sleeping on the floor. He was also worried that he might have nightmares with Colette around.
"I really had a fun day today," Colette said. "I hope I can visit again."
Lloyd smirked. "You can, since the mayor made that deal. Dirk won't mind since we hardly get anyone around here."
Colette suddenly had a serious look on her face. "Lloyd, why do you still keep calling Dirk by his first name?"
This caught him off-guard. "What?"
"When you won that duel I heard you call Dirk dad," Colette said. "But, you haven't called him that the entire time I've been here."
Lloyd looked out his window, unable to face her. "He...He's not my dad. He's my caregiver."
Colette frowned. "Caregiver, is that all Dirk is to you?"
"No!" Lloyd exclaimed before he knew what he was saying. "I mean...I don't know." He slumped over on his sleeping cot.
"Lloyd, what does a father mean to you?" Colette asked after a long silence.
Lloyd thought about it for a moment. "A dad is someone who cares and looks after their child. Tells them stories, look at stars, you know, fatherly stuff."
"Hasn't Dirk done all of those things?" Colette asked.
Lloyd closed his eyes as he thought about his years with Dirk. Since the day he had found him, Dirk had cared for him. Dirk built him a home and buried his mother when he just met him. He could have easily sent him away and not have been bothered, but he didn't.
He taught him dwarven, the vows, and his craft. Lloyd looked towards the wall where his two steel swords laid peacefully. Dirk had given him so much, but...
"I...I can't," Lloyd finally said. "What if my real father finds me one day? I mean...he could still be alive."
"There is saying in the Book of the Angels," Colette said. "Semita ut gaudium est instituo in illud inter vos."
Lloyd looked towards Colette. "What does that mean?"
"The path to happiness is found in those around you," Colette translated. She then gave him one of her best smiles. "Goodnight, Lloyd." She then turned over in his bed.
Lloyd stood wide mouth for a moment. The path to happiness is found in those around you? He frowned as he thought over those words. He felt like he was betraying his real dad by becoming fond of Dirk for all these years. The final betrayal would be to call him father. That was a sacred word to him. Not something to be given away.
Lloyd suddenly felt a burning sensation on his hand and he pulled his right hand up. Through the cloth, he could see his exsphere glowing brightly. It was like it was saying it was okay to accept Dirk. But, that was silly. It was just a crystal. What did it know? It shocked him again for good measure.
He growled in frustration as he laid on the floor for over an hour, lost in thought. He looked out the window and saw the stars shining brightly. He always loved the stars. For as long as he could remember he had looked at them for comfort. It was one constant thing in his life.
However, he could no longer remember why he loved the stars or who taught him about them. It was a near faded memory lost in the darkness of his own mind and he could no longer seem to reach it. All that was left was a worn memory of a cape and a shadow. He knew the man and felt he was closed to him at one point, but he couldn't be sure anymore.
What was his real father like? Maybe he didn't try to look for him or his mother. He could have left them all to die as far as he knew. How could his dad not find him after all this time? Didn't he care or even know?
The questions were proven to be unbearable, but there was one thing he did know. He was happy here. Yeah, it sucked at times, but it was still good. Things were better than ever in fact since he had a new friend and welcomed within the village. Would he truly be happier chasing a shadow of a past he could no longer remember?
"Vägen till lycka finns i din omgivning," Lloyd said slowly.
He stood up slowly, making sure not to wake Colette, and went downstairs. True to form, Dirk was still awake.
"Lloyd, why are you up?" Dirk asked.
Lloyd stayed silent for a moment. "Dirk, do...do you remember what I said after the duel? When I called you dad?"
Dirk put down his knife. "Ay, I do. I understand it was in the moment. Think nothing of it."
"That's the thing," Lloyd said. "I have been thinking of it since that day."
"Lloyd," Dirk said slowly, but realized that Lloyd wasn't done.
"I called you dad, but I don't regret it. Not even once," Lloyd continued. "In all honestly, it felt good calling someone dad after all this time."
Dirk looked straight into Lloyd's eyes. "What are you trying to say, lad?"
"I've...I have been chasing a vision of my dad for as long as I can remember," Lloyd whispered. "He has become more of a phantom than a real person. I doubt I would even know him if he came to Iselia toda." He began to laugh humorlessly. "I guess what I'm trying to say...can...can I call you dad?"
Dirk dropped his knife in shock.
"I want a father and you have been that and more," Lloyd said. "You raised me like I was your own, even though we're so different. I know in my heart now that even if my real dad does return someday, you would still be my dad too."
"Lloyd...I would be honored to call you my son," Dirk stated. Without warning, Lloyd ran into his arms. Dirk returned the gesture with a big hug.
"Da...dad," Lloyd muttered. Dirk continued to hug him as tears ran down his face. He could also feel his exsphere tingle like it was singing in joy.
In the stable, Noishe looked through the opened window and appeared to smile. Let out a small whine as if to say, "It's about time."
Dirk held Lloyd until he fell asleep. He then carefully made his way upstairs and tucked Lloyd into his sleeping bag. He thought it was sweet Lloyd gave up his bed for his friend. It showed he had good character and kindness. He would grow up to be a great man one day.
He looked up towards Lloyd's balcony and stared at the stars for a moment. He was certain a higher being had a hand in this moment. Whoever they were, he was forever grateful to them.
In his eyes, Lloyd was always his son. He has been for a long time. Since the day he held Lloyd by his mother's grave over five years ago, he became his kin. He just couldn't call Lloyd that until he was ready. He didn't want to take his birth father's place. He wanted that bond to stay forever in place. He just wanted to be part of it and share in that father's joy.
Dirk remembered how proud he was the other day and how his heart nearly stopped when Lloyd called him dad. At the same time, he was horrified when he saw the scared, confused look on Lloyd's face. He thought he had somehow hurt Lloyd and caused him to betray his birth father's memories. He may never be sure if it was right, but he held no regrets.
He walked outside the room and closed the door behind him. Dirk's thoughts then turned towards the sword he pulled out of that unfortunate woman's body. That was undoubtedly his birth father's blade, ruined by the acid blood of the Exbelua. He still had the sword, but could never decide its fate.
Even though the sword was forged with love and care, the innocent blood that it was forced to shred forever tainted it. It felt wrong to destroy it, but it didn't feel right either to repair it. Now, he knew what he wanted to do.
The steel of the blade was ruined beyond repair. He would have to reforge it. He would destroy it and fashion a new, but keep the original hilt. The new blade would have shades of the old one. To honor both the past and the future. This blade would have to be special. It was the only way to pay proper respects to it.
Weapon forgery was not his mastery, but he still had his old teacher's book. He was dwarf without equal when it came to the art of forging. He may not have half his skill in that area, but he would give it his all. And, when the time was right, he would give Lloyd this special blade. The one link, besides his exsphere, that he had left to his old family.
Dirk gave a small smile as his mind was made up. He put his hand on his heart and put his head down. "Anna, thank you for giving me a son. Your death was not in vain and I will fulfill my promise and more to you. I pray Lloyd does find his real father someday or at least find peace knowing that you two are safe in Origin's embrace."
He finished his pray as he went down stairs. Unconsciously, he gave one last prayer under his breath. "Må du vila i frid."
Well, that concludes this story. This story was a pleasure to write since it gives Dirk some much deserved spotlight. Showing the bond that was created Lloyd and Dirk is one of the most overlooked things in this fandom, in my opinion. I hope that even if you do not care about Dirk, you enjoyed reading this story.
My next Tale of project should be the novelization. Because of school, however, that will not be posted until a couple more weeks. So, just wait a little longer.
Anyway, until next time, stay safe.