Chapter Nine: Goodbyes

I woke up the next morning and looked outside. It was still dark but I could see the light on the horizon, signalling for me to start getting my things together. I take a hot shower, probably the last I will take in a while. I dry myself and put on some warm clothes. Although it is the start of summer, the nights can become colder so wearing more at the start of my journey is a good idea.

I take the items I placed on table and pack them into one of the bags that Elijah had given to me a while ago. I take the bow and quivers and place those over my shoulders, making sure I’d still be able to walk and run freely. I walk towards the door and before opening, I turn to take one last look at the home I have made for myself over the last few months. I’m saddened to know that this is probably the last time I will ever see this place. The place I have called home the last several months.

I open the door and close it behind me, sighing as I do. I wish I didn’t have to leave so soon but nothing will stop me finding my fate. I don’t lock the door as I know it will be cleared later. I take a few moments to clear my mind before turning towards the Northern border entrance and start heading towards it. A few moments later, I hear footsteps coming towards me from my right, knowing full well it would be Elijah to see me off.

“Hello little duck” he greets me with a sullen smile. “Are you all set up to go?”

“Yes, thank you.” I say bleakly. One thing I have been dreading is saying goodbye to Elijah. He places an arm around my shoulder and we start walking in silence for about ten minutes until we turn a corner, with the Northern entrance within view.

I remove myself gently from his arm around my shoulders and look at my friend who looks to be holding it together. Probably a good thing as we see the Elders waiting for us at the gates, along with Orla. She sees us coming towards them and she does a short jog to us, pulling me towards her and engulfing me in one of her bear hugs making me wonder how she knows I’m leaving today.

“Didn’t think I would let you leave without saying goodbye! I know everything!” She gives me a huge smile and holds me at arm’s length. “I will miss you little one. You will try and come back to us, yes?” she asks, hopeful.

“I can’t promise that.” I say honestly, looking at both her and Elijah. “I do hope we cross paths again though, whether it be here, or somewhere else.” All three of us embrace, for what seemed like a long time, until we all pulled away.

“I have to go now Aliana. I wish you the best, and hope you find what you’re looking for. I know you’ve not got any, so please, take some of these.” She hands me some of her hand crafted moss bandages. “I hope you don’t have to use them, but you have some if you do. They work like any other bandage, just make sure they’re tightly wrapped.” She gives me a smile, hugs me tightly, and then heads away from us.

Elijah and I walk the short distance towards the Elders. The first one to greet me is Elder Forlum. He stands in front of me and extends his right arm. I take my right hand and grab his arm, and he does the same. Usually these gestures are for warriors about to leave for a long journey to war.

“I wish you the best Aliana. I hope you find what you seek.”

“Thank you, Elder Forlum. Stay safe” is all I could muster, as he was the one to inform me of the evil coming our way. He bows slightly and takes his leave.

The next Elder to see me out is Elder Dioder. He steps forward “I wish you good fortune Aliana.” He bows his head and follows Elder Forlum away from the border entrance. He’s always been straight to the point. I smile to myself. I expected no less.

Elder Horenti then came and stood in front of me, and took my hands into his. “Dear child, your journey is only starting. As with the others, I wish you the best and pray you find your way. Please take these with you. The bread will last for weeks. A sip of the water will keep you hydrated for hours.” He says as he turns, picks up a small satchel behind him, and gives to me. Before I could thank him, he bows his head and heads the same way the other Elders departed.

Elder Liandor looked between me and Elijah and sighed slightly, before standing in front of me. He smiled. “Aliana, I’ve always known there was something about you since you were first brought to me. I think Elijah knew it too.” He says as he looks at Elijah, then back at me. “I wish you weren’t leaving, but the other Elders are right. This is not where you will find your destiny. I hope you find it, and perhaps one day come back to us and tell us of your journey.” He says, and then instead of extending a hand, or simply saying goodbye, he takes me into a warm hug which takes me by surprise, as the elven Elders never show this kind of affection to anyone. Not even their own, at least not that I had ever seen. I reciprocate the embrace. We both then part, and he bows his head to me, then takes his leave after the other Elders.

I’m still a bit shocked from the Elders hug, and I’m brought back to reality when Elijah places his hand onto my shoulder. He pulls me round facing him, and I can see he’s finally let down his walls and has a tear falling down his face. This man has looked after me since I first arrived, and I was now leaving…possibly forever. I can feel the tears starting to form myself, and before I knew it I had a few rolling down my cheeks. Elijah wipes them away, and then pulls me into a hug.

We hug each other, without any words for ages. We both knew this was coming but we weren’t ready to let go of each other, potentially for the rest of our lives. He has been my rock here and now I am letting him go. It hurts so much to leave, even if it is for my destiny. I will miss him so much.

“Aliana, it’s time for you to go” he says softly, taking a step back knowing I should leave sooner rather than later. “I hope the Moon Goddess will bring you luck, and the Sun God will light the path you are to take.” He says. “I wish they gifted me you as my destined mate, but that is not in their plans it seems.” He looked towards the floor, looking beat.

“Elijah…I..I know there will be someone here that will fill the hole in your heart when I leave. I hope the Goddess will give this to you sooner rather than later.”

He shakes his head at me. “No Aliana, no one will fill the hole in my heart when you leave. I know that I will find my destined mate at some point in my life, but for now, I can live with the what ifs that I associate with you. I hope the Goddess gives you a destined mate, so you won’t be lonely in the future.” He says, flinching at that last part as he is unable to associate himself to me that way.

I hug my friend tightly once more. “Goodbye Elijah. Thank you for being there for me.”

“Goodbye little Duck. May the Goddess and God show you the way.” He smiled and motioned for the guard to open the gate, allowing me to exit the community.

I walked out of the gate, and turned round to see the gate closing, with my friend on the other side of it, tears streaming down his face. I see him disappear behind the gate. I turn round to start my journey. Before I start walking, I take one more look behind. The gates are no longer there, and instead I am faced with a light forest. The community has disappeared. Normal elven magic, concealing the community, the Elders must have set this up as soon as I turned my back.

I stand for a few minutes, taking in the scenery before me. I can see ahead the large valley, with large mountains either side. The information I had read said that there was a simple path that goes between the mountains, which is where I would start.

As soon as I started walking towards the centre, I hear a small voice speak which makes me jump and on alert. “Hello Aliana.”

Who the fuck was that?