Journey of the Half-Elf - Book 1

Chapter XI - Farewell, My Loved Ones

"Have you got everything?" Dawn had asked, wanting to make sure that Guinevere was fully equipped for the journey ahead.

"I think so." The 16-year old replied, sifting through the bag hooked onto the saddle. "Flask, knife, spare tunics, period towels, apples... I should be fine until I get to Father's. It is roughly an hour's ride, I will be there before I realise.

I wanted to say thank you, again. For all that you have done. Last night I noticed Ka'raag's case of silver blades. As I said, I understand why he has them.
There is one thing I need you to do, however."

"What is it, Guinevere?" Alice wondered.

"Yesterday. When Darelene was snatched by those two Elves. She did not have any weapons on her at all. No steel or iron blades, let alone silver. She was wrought with fear, scared to death.
If I was not there, Alice..." The young woman sniffled and sighed, "she would not be here.
I was six years old when my mother gave me my first knife. She taught me that at all times, I needed to be ready for danger, prepared for a possible fight no matter the time or place.
I was not prepared that night. I did nothing until it was too late, like a coward. And my loved ones suffered. So did innocents.

That is why I am telling you to prepare that innocent little girl. It is so vital that she knows how to defend herself. She is but a child, in a land where Orcs and anybody with so much as a drop of their blood within them, are hunted for sport, burnt at the stake and kept as slaves. On both sides of the border, Darelene is a target. As long as she lives, she will always be a target.

So please, teach her how to fight before it is too late. That is all I ask, Dawn."

"Of course, Guinevere. I admit, I have not been doing as much as I should. I have always taught Darelene to run from danger rather than face it head on, because that is how you survive. Or at least, I thought.

With Nerian, who takes after his father more, raising him to be strong and brave felt more natural, you know? Darelene is more like me. She does not like to fight. She is gentle, cheerful, easily scared.

Thank you, Guinevere. Thank you for helping me to reflect on my mistake. I will make my daughter as strong as steel. Unbending, unflinching, she will be brave. She will need no one to hold her hand in the darkness."

Dawn spread her arms out and lightly hugged the Half-Elf's waist, the top of her head grazing her burnt chin. "Have a safe journey." The saddened woman then pulled away, weaving her arm through her husband's.

But then, as she flung her brother's hand away, Darelene stormed forward, bursting into tears as she tightly held Guinevere. "Don't go!! Don't leave us! Who will protect us? I hate it here! Bad people are everywhere. Why can't you stay with us, Goowee?"

"Oh, Darelene..." Her sister figure knelt down, softly placing her burnt hand on the girl's green cheek. "I do not want to leave you, but I have to. I need to see my father.

Darelene, I need you to do something for me. Will you do it?"

"What do you need? I promise I will do it." She replied immediately, gazing deeply into her green eyes.

"I need you to be strong. I need you to learn how to fight: How to use a knife; a bow; your fists. From this point forward, I need you to train hard. When you are not eating or sleeping, you must be training. Always preparing for an attack, always ready to defend yourself and your family. No more running. Be brave.

Listen to me.
In this world, it is so, so important that you know how to protect yourself, because your mother, father and Nerian will not always be around to save you. Neither will I. I know, I KNOW, deep down you do not want to hear these words. But I am telling them to you because I care for you, Darelene. So much.
You are like the little sister I never had.

So please. Be strong, and be good for your family. Cherish every second with them. But most of all... never forget who you are. A beautiful, kind, gentle soul."

As she stood back up, Guinevere leaned down and kissed Darelene on the forehead, before turning to her brother.

"Take care of her, Nerian."

"I will protect her until my last breath. Go, Guinevere. We will be fine.
Thank you, for all that you have done. Truly."

The young woman, both sad and afraid to leave them, simply smiled back before mounting the horse.

"Wait, Guinevere." Dawn called to her from below. "Take this, it will bring you tenacity." She said, unhooking the precious necklace and handing it to her.
"What is it?" The Half-Elf enquired, securing the braided silk around her scarred neck, tucking it under the tunic.

"That is the mouth of the Black Wolf, the valiant God of my true religion. His fangs are ever bared, his roar unceasing. With Him, you will be just as courageous. Like Him, you will persevere until the very end.

Now go, Guinevere. Your father is waiting."

Before she departed, the 16-year old said one last thing.

"Farewell, my loved ones. Stay safe, and stick together. I hope to see you again, one day."

With the morning sun shining down on her path, Guinevere rode away, never to forget yesterday. Of course, she would remember Dawn's plea to not pursue vengeance, but the most important thing to never forget, was the happiness: The happiness she felt with that family. The happiness that she so desperately yearned for to fill the crater in her heart. That crater —formed by the death of her mother, the death of her mentor, the deaths of all those innocents who did not ask to perish in the red flames— began to be filled. It wasn't much at all —it still had a long way to go— but it was a start.

And a single start, even the smallest one, was better than no start at all.