Well, this is the end. Final chapter. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Thanks for all the reviews. I hope to read all of your stories as well. Have a good day.
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Chapter 12
The next morning, after a quick breakfast, the three of them gathered their packs and weapons and left the house. As they walked through the village, Thariel said goodbye to everything that was familiar. In her mind she said goodbye to her childhood. None spoke to them until they reached the edge of the village and found Codian sitting on the ground, waiting for them.
"Codian, what are you doing here," Thariel asked in surprise. She had thought they had said their goodbyes last night. He jumped up from the ground.
"I want to come with you Thariel." She smiled and turned to Legolas and Aragorn. "Can he come with us?" They exchanged looks.
"What about your father and your sister," Legolas asked, stalling for time.
"Father and Muria are leaving Conath, along with Jilien and Tolon. Father has kin in Voldel, and they are going to live there. They will be leaving within the week. Can I come with you?"
"You do know that we are going to an elvish city," Aragorn asked.
"Yes, I know that. I can even speak elvish. Thariel taught me," he replied. Aragorn pulled Legolas aside.
"What do you think Legolas? Should we take him with us?" Legolas thought for a moment.
"I'm not sure. On one hand it would be good for Thariel to have a childhood friend with her. It might help her adjust more readily to all the changes in her life." He fell silent and watched the two youngsters talking with each other. He noted the look in Codian's eyes.
"But," Aragorn prompted him.
"But I think the young human has more than friendly feelings for her, which might cause problems later on."
"I've noticed it as well. They are both young yet. Things change."
"That is true," Legolas agreed. "My initial judgment is to trust him. He seems like a capable boy. He has some rudiments of skill with his sword, and if he can speak elvish then all the better."
"I agree with you, but we still haven't asked the biggest question yet. What will Elrond say? He was only expecting us to return with Thariel. What will he do when we bring back a human boy with us? Will he be willing to take him in as well?" Legolas grinned at him.
"Well, he took you in didn't he? So he's obviously not too choosy." He easily dodged the half hearted blow that Aragorn aimed at him.
"Are we agreed then?" Legolas nodded, and they walked back to Thariel and Codian.
"Codian, after talking it over, we've decided to let you come with us," Aragorn told him. He was rewarded with a smile from Codian, and a hug from Thariel. She hugged Legolas then said, "Don't worry you two. Lord Elrond will welcome Codian too." She smiled innocently at both of them. Legolas laughed while Aragorn shook his head. Thariel was definitely an interesting child; he mused to himself, as Codian buckled on his sword and shouldered his pack. The four of then walked up to the top of the valley.
At the top, Thariel paused as the others walked on. She looked down at the village where she had been raised.
"Goodbye Father," she whispered. "I'm going to follow my own path. I love you." A tear slid down her cheek.
"Thariel," Legolas' voice called out from behind her.
"Coming," she called back, as she wiped the tear away. She resettled her pack on her shoulder then turned from her past to go find her future.
