Note: When Thariel first finds Legolas and Aragorn, it is about 3:00 in the afternoon. By the time this chapter takes place, it is about 7:30.
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Chapter 5
That evening, after dinner had been finished and the dishes had been done, Thariel sat on the floor by the fireplace with her knees drawn up to her chin. She was watching her father talking with Aragorn and Legolas. From his expression she guessed that they had told him of her encounter with Jonen's group this afternoon.
"Thanks a lot Legolas and Aragorn," she muttered to herself.
"Thariel, did you have trouble with Jonen today," Beriel asked her as he walked into the room.
"Yes father. He cornered me on the way home from Jilien's."
"And what happened."
"It's not important father. I'm fine. No harm's been done."
"You're only safe because Aragorn and Legolas were there to help you. I shudder to think of what would have happened had they not been there." He sat down upon the couch. He took a deep breath then continued.
"Thariel, I've been giving you a lot of thought lately, especially with the atmosphere in Conath these days and with what has happened today, and I've come to a answer. I want you to leave Conath and go to live in Rivendell." The three of them looked at Thariel. She looked back at them and calmly said, "No."
Legolas and Aragorn hid their smiles behind their hands.
"What do you mean no," Beriel asked. She stood up and put her hands on her hips.
"I mean no. I'm not leaving you, and I'm not leaving Conath."
"Thariel, don't be stubborn. I want you to leave for you own good. So that scenes like today's are not repeated." She started pacing.
"So let me get this straight. In order to protect me, you are going to send me far away from home to live with strangers. That makes much sense," she said sarcastically.
"Watch the tone you take when speaking to me my daughter." Two sets of identical silver eyes stared at each other.
"You are going Thariel. That is my final word on the matter. You'll leave tomorrow evening." She stared at her father for a moment then without another word she turned and left the room. Beriel ran one hand through his hair. The silence that followed her departure was broken by Legolas.
"You were right Beriel. She can be stubborn and headstrong." Beriel grinned mirthlessly.
"I don't know how to impress the importance of this upon her. How can I make her understand that what I do, I do for her." There was a knock at the door. He sighed then got up to answer it.
"Coniel, come in. What brings you out this eve?" A man stepped in followed closely by a young girl of 5. Codian brought up the rear.
"Allow me to introduce you. Legolas, Aragorn this is Coniel. The shy one is his daughter Muria. I believe that you've already met Codian. Please be seated." He went into the kitchen and returned with a tray.
"Where's Thariel," Codian asked.
"She's in her room. We had a disagreement. You can go see her if you wish." Codian left the room.
"What's wrong Beriel," Coniel asked him. Beriel sighed. He quickly explained what had happened to Thariel this evening.
"I told her that I want her to go to Rivendell. She does not want to go."
"Are you sure that is the best thing to do?"
"I'm sure. Elrond and the elves of Rivendell will keep her safe." Legolas felt a touch on his arm. He looked down and saw Muria. He smiled at her and she climbed into his lap. She reached up and touched his ears.
"Pretty ears. Like Thari's." Everyone laughed.
At the same time, Thariel and Codian were sitting in her room. She had just told him that her father wanted her to leave Conath. He stared at her in disbelief.
"What do you mean, he wants you to leave," he finally managed to say.
"My father believes that I will be safer in Rivendell. Aragorn and Legolas are to escort me there."
"Why? Why must you leave?"
"I think it's mostly because of Jocen's attitude towards me. He's managed to turn most of the city against me. Father thinks it will only be a matter of time before he tries something else. What happened today didn't help matters either."
"What happened today." Thariel no longer met his eyes. "Thariel, what happened." "Jonen and his friends cornered me in the alley. There was a little bit of shoving involved. They ran off when Legolas and Aragorn arrived." Codian jumped up from the chair where he had been sitting, his eyes flashing.
"That son a dog put his hands on you. What else did he do?"
"Nothing. I'm fine," she said, trying to placate him.
"I will teach that scum a lesson tomorrow."
"Please don't Codian. Jonen does not play fair. I do not want you to be injured on my account. Promise me that you will not go near him." Codian stood there mutely.
"Codian, if you are ever my friend you will promise me."
"I promise you Thariel. I will not go near Jonen." He sat back down. "I do not want you to go Thariel."
"I know. And I do not wish to go."
"When do they leave," Coniel asked Beriel as he watched Aragorn and Legolas play with Muria.
"I wish them to leave tomorrow night."
"Under cover of darkness?"
"Yes. Jocen has met them, and I fear he would try to stop them. Especially with the ban against Thariel leaving the city." Coniel was silent a minute.
"Do you trust them Beriel?"
"I do. In one of the letters I've had from Elrond, he told me that he had taken in a human son, and Legolas looks enough like his father to convince me they are as they say. They told me this eve that they would protect her with their very lives. Thariel will be quite safe with them."
"I will be sorry to see her go, and I do not care to imagine how Codian will react. He is very fond of her." He stood up.
"The time is late, and Muria has fallen asleep. I will take my leave of you." Beriel stood as well.
"Legolas will you please go fetch Codian?" Legolas handed the sleeping child to her father and went to Thariel's room. He knocked on the door then opened it when Thariel called "Come in."
"Codian, your father is leaving." Codian stood.
"Thank you. Thariel I will see you tomorrow."
"Remember your promise Codian." He nodded then left.
"Thariel, may I speak with you a moment."
"Very well," she said as she pointed to the chair that Codian had just vacated.
"Do you know why your father wants you to leave Conath?"
"He is being overly protective. He thinks that Jocen will do something to hurt me." "It's not only that. He has explained to us that you have a gift so to speak. He says there are times when you automatically know if someone likes you, or that you will need a skill for the future. He wants you to be somewhere where you can develop your gift. There are no elves here that can train you." She was silent, so he decided to switch tactics.
"You seem to be an intelligent child. Do you really believe that it will be easy for your father to say goodbye to you. He does not want you to leave Thariel, but he is willing to let you go so that you can be safe. He is doing what all parents do for their children. He is sacrificing his own need and happiness for yours." Legolas stood and left. Thariel watched his retreat with a pensive look on her face.
An hour later, Beriel, Legolas and Aragorn were sitting in the main room, playing a game when Thariel entered. She went and stood before Beriel. He looked up at her.
"Father, I've been thinking. I do not want to leave you nor Conath. I know your reasons for wanting me to leave." She took a deep breath.
"If it is your wish that I go, I will not fight you. I will leave with Legolas and Aragorn."
