Friendship between elves and humans was truly a strange thing. Humans had such short lives, while elves lived for centuries.
Even if such friendships formed, they almost always ended in tragedy. They could never have a perfect ending.
And yet, there was something uniquely meaningful about them, a symbol of the bond between two individuals.
"Um…" Tias said hesitantly, "Will you… come back to visit me?"
"Of course I will. Aren't we friends?" Noel replied naturally.
"Are we really… friends?" Tias asked, blinking in surprise.
"Of course we are. We've argued, we've laughed together, and we've even faced death side by side. If that doesn't make us friends, then what does?" Noel said with a smile.
Memories of the past few days replayed in his mind, moments he would never forget.
"I don't fully understand what 'friend' means, but… just hearing the word makes my heart feel warm." Tias placed a hand over her chest, feeling the heat that bloomed there. What was this strange sensation? Her gaze seemed unable to leave Noel, her eyes filled with him.
"As elves, we are usually solitary. We don't like noisy crowds, nor do we like being around humans."
"We prefer to live alone, but now… I think maybe I was wrong. Maybe our ancestors were wrong." Tias said, realizing that only by connecting with the outside world could there be growth.
"Living alone in such a small place is so dull. We may oversee the entire forest and know everything that happens in every corner…"
"We've encountered humans before, but we've always seen them as omens of misfortune—until I met you."
"I realized that humans can be truly fascinating creatures, capable of noble character and a passionate spirit different from ours." Tias looked at Noel with genuine admiration.
"Don't try to define humans as one thing. Not all humans are like me, and I can't represent all of humanity. I can only represent myself." Noel replied earnestly.
He wanted it to be true, but reason reminded him that there were many bad people among humans, and many more flaws.
But God never created perfect beings. It was precisely these flaws that created beauty.
If everything was made the same, the world would lose its color.
Just like the leaves in the forest, no two are exactly alike. Every person is unique, and so is every elf.
But thought is free, knowledge is free, and there are realms of the unknown that remain free.
"I know not all humans are as kind as you, Noel. But perhaps it's time we elves reconsider how we treat our guests." Tias reflected, realizing how extreme the wood elves' attitudes toward humans had been.
Some humans were good—Noel was proof of that. Of course, others remained to be seen, but didn't they deserve some trust?
Perhaps in the future, she could share some of the forest's goods with humans, trading and exchanging with them.
Through contact with humans, she could learn about their society, discover new and beautiful things, and perhaps realize that there was much in the world beyond the forest worth seeing.
She found herself thinking that perhaps her ancestors, and even she herself, had been too narrow-minded.
Noel hopped off the bed, and Tias scolded, "You haven't fully recovered yet! You should rest in bed a bit longer. Are you trying to get away from me that badly?"
"No, it's just that the Water of Life worked so well that I feel perfectly fine now."
Noel even started running around the treehouse. "See? I'm full of energy! I'm perfectly fine."
Tias didn't say anything more, but she felt a strange sense of admiration stirring within her.
"If possible… I should say goodbye now," Noel said after a moment of hesitation.
"Why? Are you leaving because you don't like it here?" Tias' heart twisted, unsure what to say.
"No, your home is wonderful, and I've enjoyed my stay here. Your hospitality was warm, and I've loved it. But I came here with a purpose."
"You've taken such good care of me, but I haven't yet experienced surviving alone in the wild. I'd like to spend my last day at my camp." Noel explained.
"You mean that little tree hollow you made? Can I come visit it?" Tias asked.
"Of course! The door to my tree hollow will always be open for you. You're welcome anytime, and I'll even cook you some grilled meat."
Then Noel remembered the grilled flying fish he had cooked that day, and a bitter taste filled his mouth.
He quickly added, "Although… I can't promise it will taste good."
"That won't be necessary. We elves are vegetarians, you know. Some fruit will be enough." Tias quickly clarified.
"Oh, I see. Well, I'll find some fruits then. Don't underestimate me—I know many types of fruits, and I'll make sure to get the tastiest ones for you." Noel thumped his chest confidently.
"It's a promise then. Don't you dare lie to me, or I'll punish you for it," Tias said in a childish tone.
Noel couldn't help but laugh, realizing how childlike Tias could be. He had thought she would be a difficult elf to get along with.
But now, he saw she was the easiest to get along with: warm, sincere, a little suspicious, but that was fine.
"If you're worried, we can pinky promise," Noel suggested suddenly.
"What's a pinky promise?" Tias asked, having never heard of such a thing. Was it some sort of special contract?
"A pinky promise is a special ritual. Once you do it, a promise between two people will never change," Noel explained.
"How amazing! I didn't know humans had such a powerful ritual. As an elf, it's embarrassing that I didn't know." Tias admitted, still half-skeptical about whether humans could perform such a "powerful ritual."
"Let me show you." Noel hooked his pinky finger. "You copy me like this."
Tias did as instructed, not knowing what special meaning it held. Their pinky fingers linked together, and for a moment, it felt as if their hearts were connected.
"For our friendship—pinky promise," Noel declared.
"Pinky promise, a hundred years, no change. Whoever lies, is a puppy!" they recited together.
"That's it? This simple ritual is all it takes? It doesn't have any magical power?" Tias said, sounding disappointed. She had expected something grand.
"It's not a contract—it's a promise of the heart. If two hearts are aligned, their friendship will last forever," Noel explained.
Tias only half understood, but deep down, she felt it.
She had a feeling that their friendship would last forever.
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