And that was that. They finished packing their things, and the next day gathered their horses, the mule, Roz, and K’lir, then said their goodbyes. The whole family had gathered in the yard again to see them off.
“Make sure to write to us,” Cendel said to Varen. Despite the gravity of his tone, his eyes crinkled in a smile.
“I packed some extra sweet rolls for you both, so don’t let them get squished,” Faerel said, lightly touching Korik’s arm. “Make sure he gets enough to eat, alright?”
“I will,” Korik agreed.
“If you find another cat like K’lir, I want one,” Caedes said. Varen patted his shoulder with a laugh.
“I don’t think Mother and Father would agree,” he said, then leaned in closer to his youngest brother with a conspiratorial whisper. “No promises, but I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Stay safe, both of you,” Enriel urged, embracing Varen when he turned to her. Cyrin was in a sling strapped to her chest, and he let out a squeal as he was pressed between the two of them. Varen laughed and leaned down to kiss the baby’s cheek. Enriel grabbed Varen’s face with both her hands before he could straighten back up, forcing them to be eye-to-eye. “I’m serious! Be careful. You can always come home. Always.”
Varen’s expression softened. “I know,” he replied, and he leaned in to kiss her cheek, too. “You worry too much. We’ll be perfectly fine. And if we aren’t, we’ll come right back. Isn’t that right, love?”
It felt like everyone’s eyes landed on Korik all at once. He felt a flush rising in his face, but when he smiled, it didn’t feel forced.
“Of course,” he agreed simply. This seemed to be assurance enough. Enriel released Varen to hug Korik. Cyrin squealed again, caught in the middle. Korik embraced them both.
“Thank you,” he said softly. “You were the first to be so kind to me. I will always appreciate it.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” Enriel replied, grinning up at him. “It was easy.”
Korik’s heart squeezed. He had never expected to be welcomed so readily, so fully, into an elven family; but here they were. If he could integrate with the elves so easily, he had no doubt Varen would fit in with the orcs just as well.
“We’d best be off,” Laena called from the front gate; she had already mounted her horse. “We’re burning daylight!”
“And that’s our cue,” Varen said, grinning up at Korik. “We’ll be in touch, everyone. See you soon.”
They joined Laena at the gate as the family called out their goodbyes, and then they were on the road again. Varen was silent as they passed through the village and eventually rejoined the main road, traveling back the way they had come just a few weeks ago. Laena let them go ahead, trailing a bit behind, as K’lir made her mare nervous.
“What are you thinking?” Korik asked after several long minutes of silence passed. Varen looked up at him and grinned.
“Just looking forward to our next adventure,” he said, his eyes sparkling. Korik chuckled.
“Are you sure?” he asked, and Varen laughed.
“That I love you and want to travel with you forever?” he replied, mouth curled in a teasing grin that made Korik’s heart stutter. How had he ever gotten so lucky? “Yes, I’m quite sure.”
Epilogue
Varen
TwoYearsLater
“We’ve already got one, Varen,” Rhagir whispered, staying crouched next to him in the brush. Varen didn’t look at her, his eyes remaining locked on the grazing buck in the field below. He breathed in slowly, the cold air sharp in his lungs. The slight tension of the bowstring in his fingers felt as familiar as his breath, and he knew when he pulled back to shoot that his aim would be as true as ever.
“I can get it,” Varen breathed out, steam emanating from the words. “This one is bigger.”
Rhagir made a softly irritated noise, but said nothing more, remaining motionless beside him as they waited.
His patience paid off, though; only a moment later the buck lifted its head, peering off into the distance long enough for Varen to pull back and release the arrow straight into its skull. The creature collapsed instantly, dead before it hit the ground. Rhagir let out a delighted laugh, straightening up quickly.
“You’d think I’d learn my lesson by now,” she snorted, extending a hand to help him up. He smirked as she hauled him to his feet, gritting his teeth at her powerful grip.
“I told you,” he replied with a chuckle. They made their way down the hillside to retrieve the elk. “You’ll stop underestimating me someday soon, I hope.”
She laughed again, chagrined. “Perhaps someday.”
