"It is good to see you again, Lady Burrfoot." The elflord bowed to the aging Kendermaid, then helped Selina, then Alisha sit. He then made himself comfortable. As always he was never far from Selina.
"What do you need from us, Grandma?" Alished asked. "Anything."
Tassana reached into her pocket and pulled out a set of keys. She handed these keys to Alisha. "Alisha, my beloved granddaughter, my only granddaughter. I want to give you my home. I've been wanting to do this and since I won't be around, I think it should go to you. I know how much you love the garden and that you will take care of it. Enjoy it's beauty. Surround yourself with it, my love. It is a tranquil place and as close to the elven homeland that you can get in these trying days."
She then looked at Alia. She reached to her side and pulled out an old cylinder case. She handed it to him. "This is my gift to you, Alia. These are the maps of my father, the infamous Tasslehoff Burrfoot. These maps can take you whereever your adventurous heart guides you. Keep them safe and remember one thing: Maps are meant to be redrawn, for you never know what will change."
The kender sighed as Alia took the gift.
The half-elf looked at the map case curiously. He had heard legends of Tasslehoff's maps, but never had he seen them. His hands ached to go through them, but he knew he had to wait. His grandmother was not finished.
Tassana reached to her neck and undid the clasp to the necklace she wore. It was a beautiful necklace with a unicorn head pendant. "Ventranolf, come here," she said, softly.
The drow approached her and bent to one knee. The kender reached around Ventranolf's neck and put the necklace on him. "This is the Pendant of the Forestmaster. With this, you can call upon the aid of magical creatures. Use it well and wisely. It will come in handy in time."
Ventranolf reached up and touched the pendant gingerly. Tears welled in his eyes as he felt the cool ivory.
Tassana smiled and touched the young drow's cheek. She then looked at her youngest son. "Arisoon, my son, you are a powerful mage. As time goes, you will become even more powerful. Take this," she said, handing him the Golden Hoopak. "It will aid you. For, not only is it a good walking stick, but it has the power to knock it's foes down with a single swipe. It's sling can shoot bullets straight through the hearts of several foes at a time. It will always come back to you in times of need and you can easily call upon it when you wish. Just call it by it's name, 'Goldie.'"
The demigod nodded, though was confused by it's name. "Goldie? Surely there wasn't a better name?"
"Be careful. It's sensitive. It will not respond if you change it's name," the kender said, smiling.
She looked to Brightsky. The pegasus nodded. Tassana whispered a word of magic and a sword appeared in her lap. It was a delicately carved sword. Slender and seemingly easy to break. The hilt of it had ivy leaves carved into it. Tassana looked at Callia. "This is Windweaver. This is the sword of Garthalas Kalinysas. This sword, I'm giving to you, my daughter."
Callia accepted the sword and tested it's blade. It was sharp. She looked at her mother questioningly.
"Windweaver is known to slice through anything as if it were the wind. Including any type of armour," the kender explained.
The drowkender smiled and nodded her acceptance.
With Brightsky's help, Tassana stood up and walked to Saegle and Selina. To Selina, she pulled out a delicate chain from her pouch. "Do you remember me talking about my friend Gail? This is her coveted anklet. It is said that the anklet gave her special powers. Extra powers to help her with whatever she needed, including talking to other's through their minds. Once you put this anklet on, it will not come off until your death," the kender forewarned as she put the anklet on Selina's ankle. "I've heard that when you wear shoes, the anklet becomes uncomfortable. It likes to be seen. But, I've found that when I was able to get Gail to wear sandals, it wasn't as bad. This anklet will protect your feet from getting calloused or cold. So, you needn't worry."
She turned to her firstborn and drew out a daggar. "This is Rabbitslayer," she announced. "Saegle Darktime, I give it to you. You know the legend behind this incredible knife. Cherish it as your grandfather did."
Saegle's heart skipped a beat as he carefully took the famed daggar from his mother. He had been looking for the daggar for so long. And now, here it was. His mother had had it all along... Just like she should have.
Alia asked, "But, Grandmother, why do you give us these gifts? What is the purpose?"
Tassana looked at her grandson. "No matter what I choose, I will not need these things any longer. They should go where they will be used."
She turned to Brightsky. By this time, Tinsel, Coby, and Zynx had came to the inn. "My dear dragons, my precious pegasus, I release you all from my services. You may live your lives where you choose to."
Coby stepped up and spoke, "My life is here in the village. Though I am no longer in your service, this is where I will stay."
Tinsel smiled, "And I go whereever Coby goes."
Zynx nodded. "I stay here, too. My family is here."
Brightsky sighed and shook his head. No matter what you say, my lady, I will always belong to you. And if I can no longer protect you, then I shall protect those descended from you. Until I no longer draw breath. This is my vow.
Tears welled in Tassana's eyes as she hugged Brightsky. "You are always faithful, my Beloved," she said.
Alisha took the gift of the keys lovingly. She had always adored her grandmother's home, revelling in how close it seemed to bth the gods of magic and to Quailnesti. She had always wanted to go to the elven homeland, to see it with her Mother, but Selina's monthly visits to see her people were alwas made alone. It was good for the elvenwoman to spen time with her people, so everyone understood, but her time there was a constant curiouity to her daughter.
Now she had the next best thing. She smiled, though there were tears in her eyes.
Selina, too, had tears in her eyes as she accepted her gift. She looked down at the delicate anklet in wonder as he remembered the stories of Gail. Indeed, it was a precious guesture to have given the anklet to the elfmaid.
Keryl sat silently as the family had what appeared to be one of thei last moments together. As he watched the heartfelt love pass between them, his heart skipped. How much he wanted love like that in life, how he wished he could be part of the close-knit family.
He bowed his head so as to not see the pain in Selina's eyes. To see her hurting so much and not be able to soothe it was unbearable. And, young Alisha...how the loss of her grandmother must hurt.
He made a silent vow to shield them from that pain however he could.
The Black Widow was never one to like the "lovey-dovey." She hated sentimental moments. "So, Tassana, did you make your decision? Or are we to wait until tomorrow?" she asked impatiently.
The kender sighed and went back to her chair near the fire. She whispered a word of magic and the floor rose up behind her to let her rest her back against it. It looked as if she were sitting in a recliner. She did not look like the same kender she was a few days ago.
The brightness of her eyes had faded. Her hair was shaggy and grey. Her face wrinkled, her hands whithered. Her clothes seem to hang reluctantly on her shoulders.
A three coloured swirl appeared in the middle of the room. White, red, and black twirled in one place. When it dissipitated, three cloaked figures stood there. Solinari wore his ceremonial white robs. Lunitari was garbed in her finest red robes. Nuitari looked as black as ever.
Solinari smiled softly at the kender. "You have come to your decision, Tassana Burrfoot."
"Of all the people on Krynn, you have been one of the greatest. Your trials and tribulations will be remembered throughout the years. No matter your choice, you will be immortal to the hearts of many," Lunitari cooed.
Nuitari approached the kender and knelt on one knee. He took her whithered hand and looked at the pale flesh. "Only in the flesh are you a kender, my Beloved. Your heart is elven. You need say the word and elven you shall be," he whispered, kissing the back of her hand.
"Please, my dear kender, tell us your decision," Solinari offered.
The kender looked at the three gods. She looked at her family and friends gathered around her. She reached out to Brightsky and touched his muzzle.
"You are all dear to me," she began. "Growing up, I never really had a family. Yes, I had my adopted father and mother, and they loved me dearly. Never had I dreamed of finding a place where I fit in.
"Through the years I have found much pain and much joy. My joy is right here," she said indicating her family and then her heart. "You are all I have ever wanted. When I bore Saegle, I was worried that my life would change. And it did. For the better. Saegle, my firstborn, you gave me something to live for.
"I didn't have Garthalas anymore. I was in so much pain from that loss. I love him so much. When he died, I thought I would never love again. But, Saegle, you showed me differently. You became my rock. My salvation. Through you, I found courage to fight and live another day.
"Selina, I was so worried for you. On the day you were to be wed to my son, your life hung on balance. How I wanted to be there. To see how beautiful you were. What you don't know was I was there. I sat at the Inn of the Last Home and watched the whole wedding through a divining pool Palin helped me create. You were beautiful. And I know you are right for my son. You have already proven that.
"My love, my only daughter. I have wished so much for you. You have been a blessing. Keeping life exciting and invigorating. Great things will come from you in the future, I know this. You have the determination of your father and my good heart. Don't lose either of those.
"My youngest son, Arisoon. How I would've loved to watch you grow. I regret that our time together has not been much. I can only hope that one day you can forgive me of my negligence. You have turned into a fine young kender and one day you will show the world how truly wonderful you are.
"My grandchildren, my heirs. The three of you are a part of me. Forever will I be with you. No matter your heritage, you have kender in you. Do not forget that. The kender will spark your curiousity and take away your fears. Live life as fully as you can and leave no corner unexplored. You are my wings and you will become my eyes. Show me how much this world has changed."
She sighed and coughed. She looked at the pegasus to her side and petted him softly. She then looked to the Black Widow.
"I have never had any siblings that I know of. You have been like a sister to me, Black Widow. Though many times we have argued, I have always considered you a dear friend of mine. May my memory live in you forever.
"My silver dragons. You have been ever so kind and generous to me. Keeping my friends and myself safe from harm. I owe you so much, I don't know how I could ever repay you.
"Zynx, my spunky little dragon, you are the most rambucous of us all. Keep your spirit and never lose heart. Your chaos is what I've been through my whole life. You will be fine.
"Brightsky," she whispered. She paused momentarily as she looked into the sky blue eyes of the stallion. "Were you a person, you probably would've became my Beloved. As it is, you were my Beloved in many more ways. Always there, always with me. You have kept me safe all these perilous years. You have comforted me in my sorrow and brought joy to my life. Of everyone, I owe you the most. You gave me something I had always desired, a true friend and companion. You are my guardian, you are my true love in more ways then you can imagine. Of all those I will miss, I will miss you the most. Keep me in your heart and let me be your rock and protector as you have been mine.
"I love you all. People come and go, but you have always been there for me. I am saddened that there are those who cannot join me, but I am glad for those who have. You will all be missed. Keep me in your hearts and remember me. I will always be with you. Look to the stars, feel the cool breeze. I am there."
The kender looked at a corner. The same corner she had been looking at the day before. But this time, the corner was filled with four travelers. The kenderman looked the worse of the group. His dirty clothes and unkempt hair belied the sparkle in his eyes.
A woman sat next to the kender. She had raven coloured hair and cold blue eyes. She was shorter then most humans and was shoeless. On her hip, she wore a sword.
Sitting next to the woman was a Dark Knight. He had hair and eyes the same colour as the woman. He was tall and dark. The lily was branded on his armour and he had a sturn look.
Opposite of them all, leaning against the wall, was an elf. He was a little bit shorter then the knight. He had long light blonde hair and the bluest eyes you could ever see. He wore elvish garments of green and brown and looked like a ranger. A longbow and quiver of arrows were slung over his back and a sword hung at his side.
Unable to help it anymore, the kenderman skipped up to Tassana. "Well, Tass? Are ya comin' or ain't ya? We can't be waitin' for ya all day," he said gayly.
The woman rolled her eyes and snapped, "Tiger, if you don't get over here, I'll ring your neck."
The name rung a bell to Saegle. "Tiger?" he asked, confused. "Not Tiger Curlknot?"
Tassana smiled at her son and nodded. "This is Tiger as he should be. Young and full of life."
Tiger giggled and ran back to his trio of friends. The elf lifted himself off the wall and bowed. He looked at the kendermaid, "Will you join us, Beloved?" he whispered.
Brightsky helped the kendermaid up. Tassana looked at her family and then looked at Garthalas. She almost didn't know where to go. But, she knew in her heart. She gave Brightsky a final kiss on the cheek and walked up to Garthalas.
Taking the elflord by the hand, she turned back to the family she was going to leave behind. "Make sure you plant a tree where I rest. And don't forget me. I'll be watching you all," she said as she waved to her family.
No one said anything as the kender allowed the elf and their companions lead her away.
"Well, Tass, it sure took you long enough," Gail complained as she looked down at her friend.
The kendermaid, only a foot shorter then the woman, smiled, "Yes, well, you don't know how hard it is to raise a family."
"Thank the gods," the woman agreed as the kender turned back into the youthful kendermaiden she had once been.
They disappeared. All that remained of Tassana Burrfoot was an old body and rags. The family stood there for a while.