“How have you been faring?” he asked, and she laughed.
“It’s been a challenge, of course,” she said, sighing. “I never thought I’d come back to our little farm village. But for now, I’m happy here.”
“I’m glad,” Korik replied. After a beat, he added softly, “We’re happy to be here, too.”
She leaned against his shoulder, looking fondly down at her son. They sat there together until they were called away for supper.
The cottage was not built for so many people, so Korik and Varen both had to sleep out in the sitting room. But it was just as well; Korik wouldn’t have fit in any elven bed anyway, and this way they got to sleep beside each other. It was much more comfortable than sleeping outdoors, to be sure.
As they prepared for bed that night, Varen was all smiles in the candlelight.
“You’re happy,” Korik remarked, laying down beside him.
“I’m very happy,” Varen murmured. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“Did you already know Enriel named the boy after me?” Korik asked softly, and Varen shook his head.
“No. But I’m not surprised,” he said.
“Did your parents say anything to you about us? Me?” he asked, and Varen chuckled.
“No. They know I’m very much a grown man, and I’m going to do what I want,” he said, then added in a softer tone, “But they like you already. Their grandson is named after you. Enriel loves you.Ilove you. What is there to protest?”
Korik smiled in return. Varen leaned over, closing the space between them, and kissed him.
“I love you,” he repeated, just above a whisper.
“I love you, too,” Korik echoed, wrapping his arms around the elf as he settled down beside him.
They stayed with Varen’s family for two weeks before preparing to leave again—once again into the north, this time to find the mountain clan led by Rhagir. Laena would leave at the same time, traveling with them a few days north to Castle Aefraya, before parting ways.
To Korik’s surprise, it was Enriel who was most concerned about their plans. When Varen had explained to his parents that he and Korik would join the mountain clan together—or if they were no longer welcome, they instead intended to travel the mountainous region for a time, before coming further south once again—the pair had seemed a little uncertain, but supportive.
Laena had remarked that any clan should be glad to have a healer and a ranger as well-suited as they were; Caedes had no outward reaction; but Enriel’s brow remained furrowed the whole time. Later, she had taken them both aside to talk privately on the matter.
“Are you sure about this?” she asked them, worry evident in her tone. “Will you be safe traveling in an orc clan? Both of you?”
Korik started to speak, but Varen beat him to it.
“Of course we’ll be safe,” he said, smirking. “We’ve met these people before, and they were perfectly polite. Very helpful, in fact. It was Korik who was invited directly, sure, but they were nice enough to me.”
Enriel looked unconvinced. Varen added with a chuckle, “And I’ve been practicing my orcish, too, so that should be another point in my favor.”
She finally laughed at that, but when she glanced at Korik, a hint of worry still lingered in her face.
“He’s right,” Korik said softly. Without thinking, he reached for Varen’s hand and interlaced their fingers. “They very much wanted me to stay. I’m sure they would welcome Varen, too, knowing we come as a pair. But even if they don’t, we’ll be alright. We’ll explore somewhere a little safer for two travelers. And we will send letters either way.”
Enriel glanced between the two of them. He couldn’t blame her for being worried. He had felt anxiety of his own—wondering how well Varen would take to life in a clan, and how easilyhewould be able to get back into such a different way of life—but everything he said was the truth. Rhagir had been desperate for him to stay. She had been suspicious of the elf, but not at all hostile, even going out of the way to give Varen a cloak and snowshoes that would fit him.
And if not... He wasn’t sure what, exactly, they would do if that came to pass. They had a vague plan to travel to the southern foothills of the Krag Gabriz and roam there for a little while, but anything beyond that was unknown. They had agreed that they would take things as they came, so it was be a problem for another day.
“We make a very resourceful team, you know,” Varen said, leaning closer to Korik.
A smile spread across Enriel’s face as she lifted her hands in an appeasing gesture.
“Alright, alright,” she chuckled. “I suppose you’ve convinced me. Gods, I don’t know how you two went from barely tolerating each other to being all over each other so quickly.” Her eyes softened. “But I’m glad. Take care of each other out there, alright?”
“We will,” Korik said, nodding gravely. Varen only snorted, but when Enriel reached for him, he hugged her back fiercely.
