Chapter Twenty-one: The Return of the King
They had fixed up her outfit; mended any holes that had been gathered, and adjusted them so they now fit her slender frame. It was the one outfit she said she was going to be wearing to the coronation. Aragorn had stopped any argument about her choice of garment. She didn't care that it wasn't formal, it was who she was.
Kendra stood next to Legolas, watching as Gandalf placed the crown on Aragorn's head, declaring him the new king of Gondor. Soon, Aragorn was walking down and being acknowledged. Just as he came to her, he stopped.
"Kendra, I wish I could help you get home. You do not belong here and you have done more than you should have. This was not your concern and yet you made it your first priority to help us. I have nothing to express my gratitude for that."
"Aragorn, all I can say is that you rule your people wisely. Do not let them fear or hate, like my people. Do everything you can to keep darkness from them."
Aragorn smiled before embracing her, a hug that made her realize that she had a brother again. It was then that something happened. A flash of darkness appeared in the middle of the courtyard. In the middle of this darkness was a small bit of light.
"Kendra! Kendra, come back. Please come back," a small voice was heard.
Kendra moved forward, stopping just ahead of Aragorn. "Cory," she whispered.
"Kendra, please, big sister. Wake up!"
"Those are my sisters and my brother," Kendra said, tears starting to stream down her face, the first tears she had cried in a long time.
"Go on," she heard Aragorn say. "Your family awaits."
Kendra started towards this portal. She stopped just before she stepped through, turning back with a tear streamed face, "I'll never forget you. Good bye!"
Those who remained of the Fellowship, and those who had met her briefly, watched as the portal seemed to swallow her. As the portal vanished, Aragorn knew she had made it home.