Ahaha...yeah. I'm a lazy individual. Sorry for the delay with this one.
At the end of this chapter there's a heap of dedications and mushy crap. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

It was long after nightfall when I finally stopped running. I was unfamiliar with the part of the forest my feet had taken me to but I couldn't have cared less. I was alone and that was all I wanted.

The trees around me were taller than any of the others around the territory I was familiar with, so I simply assumed I had made it to somewhere near the centre of the forest. Very little light from the moon was filtering down through the canopy, leaving small specks here and there over the forest floor. If I hadn't of been so distraught then perhaps I may have found it beautiful.

My legs felt like rubber and my lungs were aching, so much so that I found myself clutching at my chest and grimacing in pain. I ripped my mask down around my neck and gulped in the fresh air of the night, leaning against the closest tree to help support my body. It would have taken at least seven of me hand in hand to be able to ring around the base. I got the feeling every tree around was an ancient one.
Tears were flowing freely down my face and I eventually gave up on wiping them away. New ones would only take their place anyway so why bother wasting my energy?

After growing up under my Master's care and coming to peace with the fact that I would never know my parents, I had detached myself from the world of emotions. Instead I had chosen to focus on training and becoming stronger. I can handle physical pain, but emotional pain is a whole other story.

Looking back, I probably should have allowed myself to form attachments to beings other than my Master and Leif (I guess you can count him). Maybe I would have been better able to cope with loss that way, but as it was, I had been completely unprepared and the shock of everything was reeking havoc to me. I spent the rest of the night curled up between the roots at the base of the tree I had leaned on, crying to myself and letting everything out.

When morning finally came I really didn't feel like moving. I hadn't slept at all and my muscles were aching from the run. Normally it would have been no sweat for me but as I had run off without warming up and forgotten my training I felt the way I had way back at the beginning after my first ever training session.

I forced myself to my feet and hobbled towards the sound of water. My throat was desert dry and I was finding it a little harder to breath than normal. I was light headed and the world around me seemed to flutter, to focus and then blur. I also felt yucky from dried sweat that had mingled with dirt and filth from between the tree roots so the idea of bathing was very appealing to me. My face felt stiff from the dried tears and my robe was torn from my mad dash. All in all I was in a fine state. Master would be proud.

The water source hadn't been all that far from where I had spent the night and I was slightly ashamed that in my panic and distress last night I had missed it.
It was but a modest creek surrounded by vines and dense shrubs, long reeds and moss covered rocks. Fallen trees lay stretched out over the water, some half submerged and others just skimming the surface as they held their grip in the soil. Many also had grown out this way, reaching out towards the middle of the water. It was a perfect habitat for water fowl and other birds and creatures.

First I sated my all mighty thirst before laying in the shade of one of the trees not stretched out over the water while my body rested. Next I stripped off leaving only my under garments on as I washed my robe and clothing, jumping in myself after that chore was completed.

The water was cool and clean. It tingled against my filthy body as I slowly paddled around, diving under the surface and staying there as long as my lungs would allow. Swimming had always been an escape for me. It was pure freedom. It was like flying in a sense, just as leaping through the trees at incredible speeds.

I was weightless and for the first time since I had arrived home I was calm.

It was a completely different world under the surface. Fish lazily floated by through the reeds and exposed roots. Towards the bottom the water became murky with stirred up sediment. Sunken logs and branches broke the flat sediment bottom into jagged spears, almost as if a battle had raged here in the bast and all that remained were the bones of the landscape.

While in the water I lost all track of time. I assume I was in there half the day as when I got out my skin was pruned and wrinkly but I had never felt cleaner. My garments were also dry by the time I left the liquid sanity. Things were becoming clearer to me, all my lessons were slowly returning to me. My Master's wise words were once again making sense to me. I had been a coward when I had fled but I would have gone mad had I stayed. It was a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation. I would have to return sooner or later and face everyone, especially Leif. He had been nothing but kind and attentive this whole time and I had all but shoved it back at him. I may as well have spat at his feet when I left. He had been calling to me when I ran but in my paniced state I had taken no notice, but reflecting back, it couldn't have been clearer.

I took my hair from it's braid and combed through it with my fingers to allow it to dry properly before re-braiding it and getting dressed, anything to stall myself. I took my time walking back, not wanting to confront anyone about my behavior. I wasn't worried about getting or being lost. The forest would always guide me home, this much I knew. Master had taught me to read every sign and every clue left behind and I found it easy enough to retrace my steps.

To be completely honest, I was quite disgusted by the path I had blazed last night. A child could have tracked me! Out here survival depended on staying hidden and covering your tracks, it was one of the first lessons taught to all students. He would have been so disappointed if he had been there to see it. Guilt was starting to rip at my gut and the tears were beginning to once again prickle at my eyes. Gritting my teeth, I wiped them away furiously with the back of my hand and scalded myself for my weakness. My feet knew where they were going, so I simply allowed them to take me there.

I saw him perched upon a log as I reentered the clearing by the cave. He looked dejected, like a kicked pup, lost, confused and wounded. There was probably a lot going on in his mind, somethings he would never share.

I felt guilty, I'd probably added to his distress with my actions. At the time they had felt justified. Breaking free and running, the cowardly thing to do. I wanted to walk up to him and tell him just how sorry I was but my legs were locked in place so I did the only thing I could right then and stared at him.

His mouth was moving and at first I thought he was muttering to himself and found myself wondering if he had gone mad and if I had casued it. That was all I needed.

It wasn't until a few moments later that my mind registered another elf sitting beside him. He looked a proud fellow with finely polished boots and his armor in perfect condition. His spear also had a grandness to it with beads on coloured leather straps winding around the shaft, binding the spear head to the body. Feathers hung from here and there from many a bird, the finishing touch on what, I must admit, was a beautiful weapon. Clearly for display only, making the owner someone of great importance. He looked exactly the way I'd always imagined a Drow Chief to look.

"Sister, are you well? You had us all worried." The stranger's voice was smooth and deep and came as a shock to me as I stood there.

"Sister?" I couldn't help but question his use of the word. We had never met before this, except for that one horrid morning when we had lost our Master, not that I could remember the face of anyone trying to comfort me or give their condolences.
My voice was unsteady and it was hard to keep it from breaking as I stared.

"Of course," he sounded amused as he rose to his feet and walked towards me. His boots made very little sound, almost as if he walked on pockets of air instead of leather and leaves, he must have been a practiced hunter to be able to achieve this. Most drow I had met were heavy footed, even if they thought they had been quiet in their steps.
His hand had found it's way to my shoulder as he greeted me and I found it hard not to recoil and tell him off for touching me, but I bit my tongue. Obviously, he and Leif had been discussing something important for Leif's face was still strained and concentrated. He was refusing to meet my gaze.

"We are all brothers and sisters in some way or another depending on how you choose to view the whole. Come. Join us. We were just finishing up discussing a rather unpleasant topic anyway and would be glad of your company. He won't admit it, but he's been worried sick. Come, come. Sit yourself."

I sat in silence for the longest time listening to Leif discuss important things with stranger who I soon came to know as the chef of one of the many Drow tribes in the area. He refused to mention the name of his tribe or the area they called him, for what I can only assume was the security of his people. He was nice enough, his words wise and his mind at peace. He was mostly concerned with what would happen now with the Forest Guardian gone, who would take over and what would become of the truce enforced over this particular territory.

To a lot of his questions, Leif had no answers. He would sit there, fidget around and play with his hair as he thought. A new 'official' Guardian would be elected in time, but until then, all those who held the of 'forest guardian' in the minor sense had a responsibility to continue protecting the forest as they had before the Master had passed. That meant Leif, myself and several others would have to meet up some time soon and organize watches which was something I dreaded.

It would be a while before the community among the trees regained it's feet and sense of normality.
With all important matters out of the way, the chief then turned his attention to me.

"You're the talk of the entire camp, young lady.' His words turned my body to stone. His voice was soft and smooth as silk, but there was a hidden warning between the fibers. "It is not often a future Skylander and the Drow are a part of the same gathering or forced into uneasy truces. I can assure you that my tribe will not harm you, but I can not vouch for any others."

I gave him a simple nod. My throat felt as if someone had poured honey down it and stolen my ability to speak. This man had rendered me helpless within a matter of seconds purely by the power of his voice. Whether to trust him or not I was still unsure so I allowed him to continue.

"We may fight for opposing sides, but I would still hate to see anything happen to you. You hold yourself well for someone so young and you have impressed us all. One day peace will rein and harmony will once again fill the worlds. Our forests will return to their former glory and the need to fight will be obsolete. On such a day I hope we can look past the petty differences that separate us and join together as one people again, just like the time of our ancestors. 'Drow' will no longer be a filthy term for anyone of our race. On such a day I will seek you out."

He paused, seeming to contemplate something, his hand coming up to rest upon his chin before he turned to look at Leif, who had remained silent.

"I have already extended one invitation to dine with myself and the tribe tonight, but it was turned down in favour of unfinished business so I now extend it to you Stealth Elf. No harm will come to you, it is merely a show of goodwill, trust if you will. I sincerely hope to see you there. I'd hate to be disappointed for a second time today. Peace be with you Brother and Sister, always."

We watched him go and I allowed myself to take in his appearance properly. His skin was marred by countless scares no doubt obtained in battle, slightly darker than my own. His hair was a faded blue, most likely that way due to age and grey hairs, and was pulled back into a lose pony tail with several locks separated and beaded. Feathers hung from the ends of the beaded locks which sat on either side of his head. There was an ancient quality to him even if he himself was only middle aged. He was exactly as I had always pictured ancient and past tribal leaders. In short I was both awed by him and frightened.

"You can choose not to attend."

"Huh?" A rather dignifying response, but he had just snapped me from my trance.
"The invitation Aika extended to you."
"Aika?"
"You're joking right? Aikanaro Nenharma? Chef of the largest neighboring tribe? Famous for his ability to strike fear into his enemies with only a whisper from his lips carried by the wind to their ears?"

"Nope. Nothing springs to mind." Leif's irritation was somewhat amusing, but I wasn't doing it to mess with him. I honestly had no idea who this Aikanaro was, although with what Leif had just said, I could certainly believe he was to be feared.

"By the Ancestors! What in Skylands DID he teach you then?" His eyes were wide and I was finding it hard to contain myself.

"Mostly, he taught me how to survive, and how to analyze a target to find the weak spots." I pretended to examine my nails, or what little nails I did have. Long nails were an inconvenience in battle so I choose not to deal with them and kept mine trimmed to a sensible length. My lack of interest was driving Leif nuts. He stood as if his behind had caught fire and paced before me.

"I can't believe that. He didn't teach you anything about the politics of this island? The truces? The tribes? The leaders? ANYTHING?"

"Nope. He just said there were a lot of tribes and I should just stay away from them all and concentrate on bettering myself and perfecting my skills."

"Well, I guess that rules you out." He sighed.

"Huh?" I mused again. This time I was trying to irritate him.

"Nothing. But seriously. You really don't have to go. It's not that I don't trust him, because I do. He's from a different time, his honor is still intact and will remain true to his word. It's the younger Drow that I don't trust. It's no secret who you are or what you do."

"I'm going Leif."

I don't know why I had said what I had. I had no intention of going, but as soon as Leif had started, I had felt the urge to go against his wishes. Even now I still don't understand it, but I'm just going to put it down to some form of teenage rebellion and the need to prove I could look after myself. Stubbornness.

I gave him no more of my time as I rose to my feet and stretched. I had forgotten everything for a short while and I felt lighter than I had the past day or so.

I left him standing there as I headed back towards my tree house, perfectly intent on now accepting Aikanaro's offer.

I just want to give a big shout out to everyone who supports me and is always there for me. It's been a rough few months for me and these people have helped keep me on my feet. Maybe this should be at the end of the 'Saying Goodbye" chapters (or at the end of the fic but whatever) but I feel like now is the right time to write these and post them.

Warning.

If you don't like sap then read no further. It's all mushy and stuff.

-My gorgeous guardian angel and Squish.-
Without you I'd have lost my sanity a very long time ago. I know I'm not always easy to talk to but you never give up on me, even when I get moody and messy. Love you guys. I'm sorry I'm such a pest most of the time

-Wifu-
My best friend since forever. You know me better than anyone else alive and I'd be so lost without you. I've said it all before and no doubt I'll say it all again. You're your own person and so unphased by what others think. I wish I could be more like you. All those nights we spent staying up late talking about nothing in particular were some of the best times of my life. I miss them like you wouldn't believe. You don't read my fics so I'm sure you'll never see this but it's here none the less for ever more. HAH ;D

-Seraph of Enigma.-
I can not even begin to tell you how much I enjoy our conversations. They give me something to look forward to on those days when things aren't going as planned. You know what it's like holding off the zombies and dealing with the rude people on a day to day basis and I find I relate so much to you. Your support with this fic and my other means so much to me. Thank you for giving my work a chance.

-Numbuh 94.-
I don't even know where to begin with you. We've only been chatting for a little bit but already I find it's impossible to maintain a bad mood when talking to you. You make me laugh when I'm ready to punch people. I love the things you send me, and then you go ahead and tease me about things you're not going to tell me about the next chapter you're working on. You're so mean to me. I'm snickering now just thinking about it.

-FAYTHIE-No words describe how much you mean to me. You're like a little sister to me and I love you twice the length of the internet. Our shenanigans know no bounds! You're adorable and you put up with my ramblings always. Don't ever let people get you down and never doubt yourself. You're stronger than you think, you just need to see that sometimes.

-Snugs-
I know you don't read my work so you'll probably never see this but you put up with EVERYTHING I throw at you and then bound back as loving and caring as ever which means the world to me. You've been there before so you always offer good advice, even if you doubt yourself. You're an amazing person and so much stronger and smarter than you give yourself credit for.

-TyTy-
My brother in arms and partner in crime. You are dead set insane and so am I. I'd say we were peas in a pod but I don't think either of us actually likes peas so.
Your writing is amazing and I love reading it. I still go over our old collaborations and smirk. We need to meet up one of these days and cause some trouble, go out for a night on the town and then cry about our hangovers and feeling like the living dead. We also need to finish our older works at some point. I won't let them die.

-Damian-
Another who will never see this. You mean so much to me. We can stop talking for months and then pick up right where we left off as if nothing ever happened. 4am phone calls with either one of us drunk and or crying, inside jokes and never a speck of judgement. I'd be lost without you as well.

-Shanny cherry wolf-
You are a nut. An absolute nut, but I still loves you. You and I can go on and on for hours about anything and everything (especially Durarara and Kingdom Hearts). You're so enthusiastic about my works that it always makes me smile.
I tease you relentlessly and you never bat an eyelash, instead you laugh along with me and silently plot revenge (I assume anyway).
I love the stupid things that come out of your mouth sometimes. You always brighten the room. Feel better soon kiddo.

-My Followers and those who comment-

Axel 8-8
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Guest (whoever you are xD so mysterious I love it)

I read each and every comment and I do take into consideration what is suggested to me. I really appreciate the time you all take to give me your thoughts and ideas. It really keeps me strong. Thank you so much.

-Last but certainly not least. My family and friends.-
I love you all loads and even if we don't always get along, you've helped make me into the person I am today so I'm indebted to you.

Alright. I'm done with my sentimental crap now.
I feel a bit better now that it's all been let out. I never intended for it to be this lengthy but whatever. I'm sharing the love. Sorry if I've missed anyone! You may kick me if I missed you.

I'll see you all in the next chapter!

-Xandy