Final chapter! I'd like to give a huge thank you to anyone who still cares about this fanfic. It has taken years to complete. After all this time, I truly hope at least a few of you are satisfied with how things have progressed and turned out.

The characters in this story are derived from Hilari Bell's Goblin Wood, and are not mine.

Chapter 19

The Hedgewitch:

"It is good to see you all." Makenna said, her voice resounding through the council hall.

Her goblins advisors were gathered around the table Her knight was seated adjacent from her. Not long after her arrival to the city, she'd called a meeting to discuss recent events and explain her illness. The goblins watched her, expectantly. She had chosen to stand as she spoke, and her tone held all the weight of her authority in it. After they'd apprised her of the most recent affairs in the city, she offered them an account of her and Tobin's journey to St. Agna.

"The priest Agna banished the wraith that was cursed on me by the Sorcerer. I will likely be forever marked, but as for the creature itself, it is gone back to the Dark One. Although his powers were considerable, Agna insisted that it was Tobin who saved my life. I'd agree that much is true, but add that all of you who did in your own way, the ambassador included. Although it was the centaur who dragged us into this conflict and put us in danger with their civil unrest, we owe him a debt of gratitude." She said. A few of the goblins nodded in agreement, but most remained still, awaiting more news.

"With regard to the centaur internal conflicts, it is my view that attempting to involve us in any shape would be in violation of our terms of alliance. Master Erebus, I asked you to review the document and search for the relevant articles, which you confirmed. Does anyone here disagree with this stance?" She asked, sliding a button across the table to the Bookie.

Only one goblin spoke up. Commander Binmal.

"I don't disagree, but I would like to remind everyone here that our alliance was only with the Ferkai tribe. The other tribes might not hold the same regard for the document." He said. Makenna nodded.

"A prudent reminder, thank you. I do not think we should sit back idly while this conflict unfolds. In fact, I think we should begin further defensive preparations in the city, and not just for the centaur but also the barbarians." She said this, but did not slide a button to Binmal over the table. This did not go unnoticed. He took this to mean that she was not commanding him to do so and by his expression, clearly sensed something was amiss.

"As for the cities affairs, Miggy." She said, getting his attention. Miggy's gaze sharpened on her.

"Yes, Gen'ral?" He asked.

"You've done a fine job of keeping the city in order while I was away. In light of this, I propose that you continue your duties for the time being." She said. The goblins murmured. Miggy protested.

"Gen'ral...but why?" He asked, alarmed.

Makenna smiled, hoping to reassure them, but it was bitter.

"This has been a long time coming. There is no longer an imminent human threat to your livelihood here. Without that, I don't believe it's right for me to lead the goblins." She said. A few goblins stood up in protest, their chairs knocking the floor as they fell. Miggy's voice was loudest of them.

"No, Gen'ral, that's not true! You just said so yourself, we should prepare for possible incursions from the barbarians." He said. Even Tobin was shocked by her words. Makenna rested her eyes on the table for a moment to collect herself. When she looked back up, she was resolute.

"Gone are the days when your foremost need was my expertise of the hierarchy and the ways of humans. We've now seen that Itola is surely vast enough for all manner of being to live freely, including the goblins. As for the barbarians, I will gladly remain an advisor on the council to speak on human affairs here, but I think it is time for another to take the reins as general of goblin-kind. Is this not what's best?" She said.

The room had fallen silent as the goblins starred at one another in shock. Many of them seemed to look at Tobin for a response. Seeing their gazes, he shifted. Uncomfortably.

"I cannot say I am in complete disagreement." He said, albeit a bit unwillingly.

"You too?" Mourry said, exasperated. Next to him, Commander Binmal sat quietly, his hand raised to his chin in thought.

"It's not such a bad idea. Many of those who are in the city now were refugees from the south. They never knew Makenna as their leader before coming here. Sure, they respect her as any goblin wood, seeing she's a crafty spirit, but they might feel more at ease with a goblin leader." He said, thoughtfully.

Many nodded in agreement. Makenna saw that it wouldn't do to drag this decision out, lest she tempt their refusal or they balk.

"What do you all say?" Makenna asked.

"Very well."

"Aye."

"Aye."

"I'm not happy about this, but I would not stand against it." Miggy grumbled.

At this, Makenna nodded curtly and sat down. She remained silent until Commander Binmal spoke up, posing a vote for how they would elect a new leader. As the hours went by and their heads became fuzzy with so many words spoken, Makenna found herself looking more frequently towards her knight, wondering how he was taking the new. On the edge of her thoughts was the kiss he'd given her. He had been right; she would not soon forget it. His expression told her that his mind was also leagues away, much like her own. When the council meeting was adjourned, Makenna had to dodge a very persistent Master Erebus in pursuit of Tobin, who seemed to want to leave the chamber without saying anything to anyone. She made a quick promise to the Bookie to exchanged tales with him, and then hurried along outside. Along the outer battlement wall, Tobin overlooked the city, which was backlit by the yellowing afternoon sun. Makenna joined him, leaning out over the wall to inspect the newly built structures along the perimeter. She stole a glance at him, weary but hopeful.

"You should have told me." He said. His tone was hurt.

"I wanted to, but you might've tried to stop me." She said. He faced her now, his expression saddened.

"Of course, I would. These are your goblins. I would have reasoned with you." He said in protest.

"Tobin, I told you how I see things differently now, right? I saw something clearly for the first time. That I have needed my goblins more than they have needed me... but they don't need me anymore." She said, turning towards him. At this his mouth parted, his eyes falling low in thought.

"That's not true."

"It is and you know it. Do you want to know what else I've realized?" She asked, shaking with nervousness. He looked up, startled by her tone.

"That I need you. I am human, despite it all." She said, blood rushing to her face.

At this, Tobin's expression twisted. She did not know whether it was in frustration or immense relief until he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. He held her there for as long as he dared, long enough that she felt his chest rising and falling with uneven gasps and worried that she had been too selfish and had hurt him. She tried to pull away to see his expression, but he held her there, firm and gentle.

"Damn sorceress, look what you've done to me." He said, cursing. He held her tighter still. Makenna smiled against his chest.

"Don't go getting any ideas." She whispered. At this, he half released her. It was just enough for her to finally look up at him, but before she knew it his lips were on hers and she was enveloped in him all over again. Then, just as she was wondering why her limbs had melted into jelly, she was startled by a goblin voicing its repulsion.

"Eeeeeew. Did you see that? Did you see what he did to her?" The young goblin cried from below the wall. A few other goblins look up, but having missed it, they seemed unconcerned.

Makenna looked down and made a sour face at the boy. He scurried away, crying foul. Makenna and Tobin laughed together at this, heartily. She remained there in his arms, smiling and content, uncertain and excited. He too felt the same. She thought of all the new runes and spells she could learn, all the magic inside of her yet to be refined. More than that, Otherworld still held so many mysteries, together they would explore them, the knight and the sorceress, ever at odds with one another, but fast friends, and at long last, in love.