Ch 1 My Sister Bride

XxX Nuada XxX

Generation of humans have passed but only in the blink of an eye for my kind. Where man has once festered my people have learned to flourish like the emerald grass and grow without end. After centuries of war Nuala and I have returned to our home, Eire. There the fields have sprouted green, the flowers bloomed and the trees have budded from young saplings into miles of forest's. No trace of man is left and Bethmore has become an even greater city than it once was. No longer living in the shadows Bethmore has expanded above the ground and further inland, so far that our walls touched the new mountains. This place was not just our home, but the home of many travelers, wanders and creatures. The lights of the city illuminated, shining down on the new streets. The smell of cooked meats from the fresh game that roamed our homeland filled the air. The constant sound of merchants haggling with buyer shouting at one another of the price. Treasure from far and wide in this new world were brought in and out of the city and I watched all of this from our palace balcony. I smiled and couldn't help but laugh a little. I lead our people from the shadows back into the light. A promise I had made centuries before, along with another.

" Your royal highness . . ."

I turned to see the servant bowing

" Sir, its time."

I smiled and followed the young elf boy as he lead me through the twist and turns of the palace into the great hall. The sound of the many honored guest were hushed as I made my way in. Reaching the center of the alter all eyes were on me. My grooms clothing were ones that were similar to the clothes I wore into battle. The tunic the color of amber fitted comfortably under the tight vest. Trouser, black, were fastened by a red sash and belt with the family's emblem. My polished boots were the same boots that took me into combat and lead me into a new life filled with victory. I happily wore them for this special occasion as they lead me into another new life. With my spear sheathed to my back, my sword to my side, and the crown of the army's graced upon my head I held my breath as all remained silent. Everything was dressed in splendor, the marble pillars trimmed with gold aligned each side of the hall holding up a magnificent ceiling painted to resemble the heavens. The candles that stood on iron stands lit the hall. Their light reached the chandeliers above, causing the many diamonds that hung from the silver-gold to glitter down upon the seated guest. Flowers were spread along the floor of the aisle, their perfume was alluring and my thought drifted to Nuala and of the events that were soon to follow.

I pushed the thoughts away as the great oak doors opened. Nuala made her entrance. Her dress was exquisite - fitted to her body perfectly the dress was the color of the bleeding twilight that when it flowed out to the ground the color darkened into a deep blue that shimmered as if it were the evening sky filled with stars. Her arms covered with lace traced up to the beading along her neckline glimmering along with the chains of old gold that adorn her neck. She wore no crown, but she didn't need one, her beauty was so great that she could outshine any gem placed upon her She herself could have been the Northern Star. Her light shone so bright that it guided me to her.

xXx Nuala xXx

The room carried an otherworldly trance. I felt myself frigid as I gulped making my way to Nuada.

As I began my walk down the aisle I felt my hands tremble by my side. I knew this day would come, I could see it in Nuada's mind. His dream was always the same, and though it held no malice it always paralyzed me with fear. The same fear now weaved its way into my heart trapping me like a song bird in a cage. My heart began to race, growing heavier as Nuada reached his hand out to me. I showed no emotion as I accepted it. I didn't need to my heart betrayed me, he could feel everything as one soul. As he held my hands in his I could only stare down at the permanent bruises on my wrist.

Five centuries ago when the war started Nuada hid me away from the rest of the living world and for those five centuries I remained locked away. I was chained to the room, for protection the servants would say. Chained for so long that my wrist and ankles were permanently bruised by the cuffs that held me. My prison was lovely, my shackles extended long enough for me to explore its entirety, but that is all it was . . . a prison. With no windows I never knew where I was hidden. If it was in the deepest dungeon or the tallest tower and with no song of a bird or the voice of a gentle soul I felt frightened and alone. The room itself could have been a library as thousands of books were arranged covering nearly every corner of the walls. Each one filled with its own story of adventure, love, and horror. The first few decades I was trapped inside them unable to tear myself away until one day I found blood splashed on the words I had grown to love. I was unable to finish and for the rest of my time there the servants read to me. I never touched another book on any of the shelves for fear of finding more of Nuada's murder spilled onto their pages. The wardrobe was filled with dresses hand selected by Nuada. Each dress had colors found in nature, but one dress stood out. The color was blue but its long sleeves were trimmed with gold and threaded into intricate Gaelic designs. The complex patterns formed leaves that stretched up the sleeves into the bodice where they entangled themselves in a much broader design of branches twisting themselves into a tree, the roots stretched down the skirt touching the feet of the maiden who wore it. As I examined the dress more, the shade of the fabric changed as it moved with the light. It seemed it had gathered every shade of blue and violet. It grew to be my favorite.

The bed was filled with the softest down, and I would slip into a whole other world. In my dreams I would swim through crystal-clear oceans with the greatest treasures hidden in their depths or fly to the highest star, seeking its light that could lead me home. But my favorites were the ones I had of Father and Mother and even Nuada before the darkness had reached his heart and clouded his mind. We would all sit together and just talk. Smiling and laughing, father and mother would embrace me, telling me they loved me. Nuada would hold my hand and I wouldn't be afraid. Sometimes the dream became so strong that I could feel his hand in mine. That warm touch gave me the strength to open my eyes and face the cold chamber once again yet when I awoke it left me wanting more, pleading for sleep to embrace me, for Nuada to come and whisper my name.

Every few months though he would send me letters telling me stories of the construction of Bethmore and plans of our future. As I read more of our new home I became angry and in a fit of rage I ripped the letters, crumbling it up and throwing it away" Why can't I stay there?!" I asked aloud. The servants replied "You're safer here." Astonished I looked down at my chains.

Safe?

I was thankful that he never wrote to me of the war and though his stories helped my loneliness Nuada's letters would come to me each time trickled in blood. I didn't know if he did it to scare me. I wouldn't acknowledge his letters until the blood was somehow removed. With each word he wrote I found myself longing for him by my side, wanting him, begging him to let me know "How much longer? How long do I have to stay here?" I could always feel myself on the edge of tears. I would know his answer, with a cold voice he would answer "Until every last human is gone." And I knew he would mean it. His words had hurt me and in the far off lands he could feel that, but the last letter I received a tiny blue flower laid tucked inside, a forget-me-not, its colors were still as vibrant as when it was picked, the letter read "I will come for you."

So I waited, but not longer for him, but for the day I could see the sky again.

Then, in the middle of the night, I was awaken and dressed in the beautiful blue and violet hue gown I admired and waited as the servants scrambled about. I began to ask what was wrong when suddenly he stepped in. I was shocked to see how much he had grown in the years we were parted again. Nuada was dressed in his finest uniform, dark and fitting his blades sheathed at his side with no trace of blood, which could only have meant his hunt was over. Everyone was gone.

"Nuala." I turned my gaze away from him. His word's sought my affection. Silently I could feel him stepping closer to me. He looked at the servant and silently she retrieved a small delicate key handing it to him, with his approval they all left. I was afraid of what he would do and he could see that, but he tenderly looked at me sending the fearful thoughts away. He took my chains and gently removed them to reveal the porcelain white skin stained by the black iron. He took my wrist in his hands, softly kissing the discoloration. Then kneeling down he did the same for my ankles almost as if hoping he could heal what he had done. He then stood up to face me, but I couldn't face him.

"I'm - I'm so sorry for being away for so long, and . . . I'm sorry for what I did." He gently took my wrists into his hand's revealing again the bruises of my chains. Under his long sleeve I could see the shadow of his reflecting bruises.

"Nuala." I felt his heart ache in mine but my eyes still could not meet his gaze.

"You look beautiful, Nuala." he gently lifted my chin tilting my face to him and after thousands of years he no longer held back as he locked his lips with mine. In the black of night I still did not recognize where I was. By horseback Nuada had me ride with him. I rested my back against his chest as I gazed at the stars that I had almost forgotten. We rode never stopping, not until we reached the new Bethmore. Upon arrival I was amazed to see the castle walls. They were above ground. Nuada gazing down at my expression smiled. Entering I marveled at its splendor. We were escorted to our own rooms and Nuada gave me the freedom to explore my new home, but soon he came to me and I knew what it was for. As the new leader his people needed a queen a mother for the lands, but Nuada desired a wife. I had no choice. When I was young I dreamt of marrying Nuada, I had loved him as he loved me. A dream I held in my heart I kept hope for it to bloom one day until my father explained my sin. It then rotted and become the source of my fear. After that father shielded my heart from Nuada's and it left me feeling empty.

We said our "I do's" and the ceremony ended. Everyone cheered and Nuada smiled the biggest I had ever seen, but all of this only made my heart ache more.