Chapter 11

By that evening she had finished. In the end all she took with her were several changes of clothing, a silver brush/comb/mirror/ set that had belonged to her mother, a gold cloak clasp that had been her father's, and a small portrait of the three of them.

"Thariel, are you sure that's all you want to take with you," Legolas asked her. She nodded.

"This is all I need; a little trinket of each one. Everything else I have right here," and she placed her hand over her heart. "Ada always said that the best reminder of people is the love you feel for them, and the love they feel for you."

"Your father was very wise Thariel," Aragorn told her. "What is to be done with that stuff," he asked, gesturing a small pile by her feet.

"Those are farewells and reminders for the people here. I'd like to say my goodbyes tonight.

After dinner, Aragorn and Legolas escorted Thariel through the village. The first place she went was to see Jilien and Tolon. "I've come to say goodbye," she told them with a tremor in her voice. "Tomorrow morning we leave for Rivendell." Jilien held out her arms.

"Come here little one," she said softly. Thariel threw herself into the waiting arms.

"I'm going to miss you," Thariel sobbed. Jilien rocked her.

"I'll miss you too Thariel, but you have a chance now for a happy life. That's all any of us want for you." She gently wiped the tears from Thariel's eyes.

"I'm never going to see you again."

Tolon knelt down beside them.

"Never is a long time Thariel, even for an elf. No matter the odds, there is always a chance for what you truly believe in. If you believe in your heart, then we may see each other again one day. Even if we do not, you will always be a part of us, and our love will go with you." Thariel stood up and hugged him. She opened the sack she had brought with her. She handed Tolon an intricately carved box. He opened it and pulled out a set of tools wrapped in leather. He looked up at her.

"Thariel, are you sure you want me to have these?" She nodded.

"Ada always said that, other than himself, you were the best carver in the village. I know he'd want you to have them." She handed two things to Jilien. One was a silver barrette; the other was a small blanket.

"I know the barrette was yours Thariel. What about the blanket?"

"My mother made it for me, and I want you to have it for your daughter. As a reminder, so you won't forget me."

"We could no more forget you than we could forget to breath. You have been as a daughter to us. You know we have no children."

"You will have a daughter. I know you will." The adults looked at her. No one spoke for several moments after her announcement. Finally, Jilien broke the silence.

"On the day we do have a child Thariel, I will gladly wrap her in this blanket, and she will know all about you."

"I'm ready to go now," Thariel said to Legolas and Aragorn. Tolon and Jilien saw them to the door. Thariel hugged each again, and then went outside.

"Keep her safe," Tolon said to Legolas and Aragorn. He put his arm around his wife's waist and watched the three walk away. Thariel turned once and waved. They waved back, then went inside and closed the door.

Thariel led Aragorn and Legolas to Coniel's door. She knocked and the door was opened by Coniel, with Muria behind him.

"Tharie," she screamed in delight and threw herself at the elf. Thariel caught her but stumbled back and would have fallen if Aragorn had not caught them.

"Muria, let our guests in the house before you ambush them," Coniel said mildly as he stepped back and ushered them in.

"What brings the three of you to my door this eve," Coniel asked as they sat.

"I've come to say my farewells. In the morning we leave for Rivendell." She looked around the room.

"Where's Codian?

"He's upstairs." She nodded and headed upstairs. She knocked on the closed door.

"Come in." She opened the door and walked in. He looked up from the book he was reading. The smile that started to form on his face was quickly replaced with a frown.

"You're still leaving, aren't you" he stated

"Yes," she said as she went and sat beside him.

"I don't understand why you have to leave. Jonen is gone. He is no longer a threat to you." Thariel sighed.

"Jocen may be gone for now but who knows when he'll return. Even if he doesn't what about Jonen?"

"You bested Jonen today."

"No. I all did today was embarrass him in front of his town. I fueled his hatred of me and all elves. He'll soon get over the initial humiliation and will come back to reclaim whatever honor he carries in his mind. If I stay I will have to constantly look over my shoulder, I don't want to spend my life being afraid."

"I would protect you Thariel," he said earnestly.

"I know you would but that wouldn't be fair to either of us. You deserve a normal life, and so do I. I want to be somewhere where no one stares at me, or whispers about me. I want to be somewhere I can be accepted for me"

"And that place is Rivendell?"

"For now it is. My father wanted me to go, so I will."

"I don't want you to go.

"Part of me doesn't want to go either. There are people here that I will really miss. Jillien, and Tolon, and Muria, and your father, and you of course. Maybe someday you can come visit me in Rivendell."

"Or you can come visit here again."

"Maybe. Someday. Let's go down so I can spend time with everyone." She stood and held out her hand. After a moment Codian took it, and they left the room.