Author's Note: Before anyone rages about this concept let me explain. First and foremost, this is not a Mary-Sue. I think we can all appreciate the significance lost love holds on our most beloved characters, and how it makes our villains and even our anti-heroes relatable and empathetic to most audiences. Unless further information was given in the novelization of Hellboy II, we are not privileged to know if the reason why Nuada hates humanity is due to a general prejudice (a prejudice that the rest of his kin mysteriously does not seem to share) or something else. It seems this is left to the audience to derive, and it is to this story my mind went. The quote below brought this concept forth in my imagination and I became so obsessed with the idea that I had to give it life. I hope you enjoy the reading of it as much as I did the writing.
Thank you.
"You cannot be that mad."
"Perhaps I am. Perhaps they made me so."
- King Balor and Prince Nuada
Chapter 1 : A Meeting
There had been a time before the golden army, before the wars, when Prince Nuada had not hated humans, though he had not loved them either. Instead the prince had felt an indifference and wariness of them. Humans were an unruly lot, uncivilized by his standards, as they seemed to have no control over their primal natures and self-serving hearts. It had once been an old fable of his people that humans were created with holes in their hearts, but the few experiences Nuada had had with them had rendered that to be a truth in his mind. Humans were wrought with greed and desire, a ceaseless want that could never be quelled. He had heard tales over the centuries of human sons overthrowing their fathers, daughters murdering their mothers, siblings pitted against each other all in the pursuance of the physical and tangible. Such stories brought a chill to Prince Nuada's heart, as he could never see himself harming either his father or sister for anything. Family was a dear staple of culture to the fae folk, and only a true sense of duty would justify turning away from them.
Still, the elves did not wish to murder humans or lay waste to their cities, as they were also creations of nature; spawned from the love of the gods and the soils of the earth just as the fae folk had been eons before. As such, the Bethmoora clan desired to strive to find a truce between the races so that all could live freely. This endeavor had resulted in many meetings with the leaders of the human tribes and cities – sadly, few of which were promising upon conclusion.
It was during one of these meetings, however, that the prince laid eyes upon a woman that had, for a short time, changed his heart. Over time, the very thought of her would begin to plague his senses, and eventually his every waking moment. It is sometimes said that it was her that was the cause of his hatred of mankind in the years that followed, but that remains the opinion of the listener.
Prince Nuada had always taken note how little the humans listened when his own people spoke when together in council; how they whispered amongst themselves and shook their heads in distaste. It became evident as time wore on that the humans had made up their minds long before they had ever come to hear the words of the elves. This displeased Nuada, as he knew how his father's heart broke when the rift between their two peoples grew wider. Yet it was during one such meeting that as Nuada's eyes peered over the masses of frowning faces and pursed lips his gaze fell upon a face that held none of the bitterness that her counterparts possessed. In fact, she sat remarkably still throughout the ordeal as if lost deep in the words of the elf king. This lady had, for whatever reason, caught the prince's temporary notice.
Over the course of the debates, Nuada had thought he'd seen her glance his way as he sat in silence, and on one occasion they had caught each other's eye. She had quickly looked away, though he thought he had witnessed the slightest sense of heat rising to her pale cheeks. He considered her carefully for a moment before turning his own gaze away from the talks, bored and frustrated as he watched his father interrupted again and again by the latest king they wished to seek a truce with.
When the talks had come to a close the humans had left the halls of their city, arguing heatedly over the displeasure they had with the elves and their words, Nuada glanced over them with growing dismay. Why his father sought to seek peace with these heathens, he did not know. However, as he stared out at them with silent condemnation, he found that he had once again caught the mysterious young woman's eyes from earlier. This time her gaze rested on him considerably longer, and Nuada could not help but give her the same careful consideration. What he had thought to be fear or distaste in the minute glance of her countenance he now found was in fact neither, but instead a friendly curiosity as she unapologetically eyed him up and down.
Astonished by her boldness - but not altogether offended - he afforded himself the same with his own eyes and was surprised to find that he was not at all displeased with what he saw. Where many humans were either too thin from top to bottom or bulged in places that were unbecoming, her structure was pleasing to his eyes. She seemed demure but held within her a bold flame that flowed through her very essence. Her hair was the color of leaves in the fall and her eyes matched it in a reddish brown like some of the southern soils he had once played in as a child. Her skin was white, though not as much as his own, and her cheeks flushed dark when their eyes met again. He saw no rage, but was otherwise unsure of the exact emotion that laid in her reaction.
As he turned to inquire who she was to his father a gentle hand brushed his opposite shoulder. It was his twin sister, Nuala, attempting to delicately garner his attention.
"She's coming to speak with you," her soft voice whispered in his ear. Evidently his sister had watched the visual play that had occurred between this human woman and her twin brother and had been amused. Nuala, who loved the humans as her father did, would not care that her brother had teased the idea of flirting with a human, so the prince had no reason to be concerned that his sister had noticed. Regardless, it was not an action he wished to admit to, yet as he turned to argue with her he was stopped upon realizing that the human woman was now only feet from him and Nuala and still approaching.
As politely as he could muster Nuada advanced slowly toward the young woman who seemed to be no older than her early twenties, a child among her own people and an infant amongst Nuada's. He stopped within an appropriate distance and afforded her a curt bow; she returned it with a warmer curtsey and a drop of her hands before rising to meet his gaze.
"Prince Nuada," she spoke as she moved – making it aware that he need not introduce himself. "I had hoped to speak with you if you've a moment."
"Of course, my lady" he offered with a stiff incline of his head. She smiled, seeming to be understanding of his terseness, or at least unperturbed by it.
"I wished to thank you for taking the time to visit our city. I wish I could speak for everyone here when I say that it is truly an honor to have the elven royal family here with us today."
The prince was somewhat stunned at the kind words she offered him, though did his best to hide the fact. "You are quite gracious," he offered, unsure of what else to say in the face of such unfamiliar human courtesy.
"I wish the same could be said of all of my people," the lady cast a shameful glance behind her toward her peers and frowned. "Truly, I don't know why they think you are such cruel folk. Do you know I heard one of our nobles claim that your people come in the night to steal children from beds?"
"Goodness," he tilted his head with a bemused grin, "is that what they say of us?"
"Those who do not see you for what you truly are," she stated, a twinkle in her eye that Nuada found annoyingly un-placeable, "yes."
The prince cocked his head now, curious. "And what are we truly?"
The woman closed some of the distance between them and Nuada caught his breath in his throat. He could smell her now, and like her physical appearance, her scent was pleasing to him. She started to speak but a sharp bark caught her attention and pulled her gaze away from Nuada. The elven prince found himself dismayed that those eyes were now not fixed on him, and was then curious as to why he felt that way at all. He followed her gaze in annoyance to see the human king that his own father had been arguing with earlier staring the young woman down with a sense of anger. The woman sighed and turned once more to Nuada.
"I fear that is a question that must wait to be answered. However, I am sure I will see you again."
Out of habit she extended her hand but seemed to think herself silly a moment after the gesture, aware that it was not one that the elves were accustomed to practicing. She aimed to pull it back but Nuada, having seen the motion occur between humans and having become familiar with it, caught it gently before she had the opportunity to do so. His grip was firm but tender as he leaned in to kiss the top of her hand, and was surprised when she did not pull it away. Instead he smiled inwardly as he sensed the heat of her face rise up once more. This time however, he knew why her countenance flushed and for some reason this pleased him.
"I certainly hope so," he said as he tilted his head; his pale white locks falling in front of his face as he did so. Their eyes were locked and for a moment Nuada was painfully aware of all of her: eyes, hair, scent, body… "Forgive me my lady, but I did not receive your name, and I should like to greet you properly next time we meet."
Her smile wiped away the flush instantly. The woman curtsied, more formally this time, and said, "I am Princess Alannah,"
Nuada, having not yet let her hand slip from his, kissed it more tenderly this time, taking in the soft warmth of her flesh. "Princess," he whispered; "…until we meet again."
"Let us hope it is soon," she smiled then turned away from him. He watched her walk, attempting to make it unobvious that his eyes consumed her every motion. It was some time before he heard his sister call for him.
"Dear brother, have you fallen in love so soon?" she asked teasingly. Her amber eyes, much like his own, flashed as deviously as her angelic face would allow.
Nuada laughed as he took her hand, helping her down the stairs - more a gesture of affection than necessity – and walked with her to meet his father's court as they pooled from the halls of the human city.
"Nothing of the sort, dear sister!"
A small curl at the end of her lips told Nuada that she did not believe his lie for a second.
"Are you sure, brother? I don't think I've ever seen you stare at something so longingly before."
"I was not staring."
"You tell tall tales, brother! I know it! You cannot fool me." Light flitted across her eyes as she turned to face him.
They both laughed, arm in arm as they joined the caravan of elves back to the forests, returning home again to organize their next series of moves.
"I suppose I cannot, dear sister. I will admit, she was a beauty, if still a human."
"They're not all bad," Nuala opposed gently.
"No, just smelly, dirty, selfish, sweaty and filled with greed and lust."
"You didn't seem to notice any of those things on her."
Nuada had to admit, he had not. In fact, everything about her had pleased him – though it was still a first meeting. He couldn't be sure of anything just yet, and even then it was not as though he had fallen in love; he had simply found her attractive as he found many things attractive. Elves were different than humans in that way – they could see the beauty in most things where humans could not. He told himself it meant nothing, and he would probably not see her again as it were, so he would afford it no more thought.
"You will marry her I bet," Nuala smiled deviously once more, throwing her brother off his train of thought.
"I will no more marry her than you will fall in love with a fish," Nuada teased. His sister laughed lightly and he smiled for it – it had always been a sound he loved.
"If he is a sensitive, caring fish that knows poetry, then perhaps I might."
It was Nuada's turn to laugh, and they returned home jesting at each other's expense.
Nuada had run into Princess Alannah again some weeks later, this time in a different city. While he was surprised at this, he also found himself dismayed. He had hoped to put the human out of his mind for good, yet here she was again like a wraith who sought for his heart. After careful consideration, he had decided to approach her to prove to himself once and for all that he had not felt anything for her other than some mild curiosity and appreciation for her natural beauty.
Later he would come to know how wrong he was.
The princess spotted him in his approach and gifted him with a smile that forced him to return one of his own. The pleasure of seeing him again shone in her bronze eyes and for a moment Nuada felt what one might call flattery. He had only ever seen that sort of joy in a face from Nuala, none other had ever been so happy to see him otherwise.
"How is it that we have come to meet again so soon?" he asked her with a sense of played amusement. If Alannah saw through his charade, she made no hint.
"These cities are all city-states that make up a giant fiefdom," she had explained casually. "My father rules the southern city you and your people came to last time. This city is beholden to my uncle, as such it is my family's obligation to be present."
"Is this entire countryside then ruled by those in your family?"
She bowed her head in confirmation. "It is, and each is joined either by blood or by marriage into my family."
Nuada raised his eyebrows, mildly impressed.
"That's quite a tract of land for one family."
Princess Alannah smiled grimly. "And they are always looking for more."
'Of course' Nuada thought sourly. "So where does that leave you as a princess and heir to such a massive amount of riches?"
Alannah laughed bitterly as she lead him down a leaf-covered road that was to bring them to the location of their consulate.
"Betrothed to some fool whose only concern is to gain more wealth through heirs and the subjugation of his people, no doubt."
Nuada was saddened to hear this, feeling his heart sink at the thought. It seemed a shame that of the many things humans deprived themselves of in their greed that love was among them. "When is that to happen?"
Now Alannah offered him a generous smile. "As soon as my father finds a man my mouth does not offend."
Prince Nuada laughed now, "This happens often then I take it?"
"Probably as often as you might believe."
"Hardly. The women of our courts are expected to speak as often and as loudly as the men, and they do so frequently." The last portion he added with a slight laugh.
Alannah frowned at him and Nuada found himself slightly taken aback. "Truly?"
He nodded distinctly in confirmation. "Yes. We are all one people and all affected the same by the results of a ruling decree, why shouldn't a woman speak her mind?"
The princess frowned and lowered her head. For a moment, Nuada was fearful that he might have offended her, but she spoke immediately, albeit quietly – dissolving his fears. "Your people are far more enlightened than I could have hoped for," Alannah stated as she swished past him to open a gate. They were slowly closing in on their destination and would have to part ways shortly. Nuada did not wish this, but knew non-attendance was inconceivable for both of them. "We women are not afforded the same consideration amongst the men of our people."
"That is unfortunate," he replied with earnest.
"Generally, though truth be told I find so many of my female peers so idiotic I can sometimes understand."
"You don't speak highly of your kind as I might expect a member of the ruling class to do," Nuada observed with a wry grin. "Why is that?"
"It is not that I do not care for my people, the ones who need to be cared for at least," she spoke quickly. "It's just that I do not deny the many inherent problems within our society. We have inequality, suffering, and all of it extends from the roots of greed, ignorance and fear – much like how my people treat yours." Alannah was facing him in full now, the earnestness shone in her eyes and he knew she was speaking truthfully from her heart. "If I may be honest, it breaks my heart to see that our two peoples cannot get along. We could all learn so much from each other I think, but because of our ignorance we starve ourselves of what would make us better as a whole."
Nuada gazed into her eyes and saw the passion laden in them. Something within the prince changed upon seeing her this way. He would not admit it to himself, or perhaps he did not yet recognize it, but the words she spoke endeared her to him and he found himself enjoying her company in the way that he had not known before with another. He wanted to lean in closer and feel her heart beat, to listen to the sound of air filling her lungs and the hum of her thoughts, but knew it would be inappropriate.
"What?" she asked hesitantly. As she did so, Nuada realized that he had been staring at her wordlessly and for much longer than was considered proper.
"My apologies," he whispered in a rushed tone, bowing politely – and genuinely. "It is just that…I have not heard a human speak in the way that you do. It is…refreshing."
Alannah smiled and cast him a long, slightly playful glance and returned his bow with a curtsy.
"It is a pleasure to have such a kindly and esteemed elven prince who listens. It is…refreshing, as you say."
Nuada smiled and held the gate aloft for her so that she might pass through. As they neared the courtyard they could each of them hear already the raised voices of men and elves.
"This mess will be starting soon," the princess sighed sadly. "I had hoped your father might have an easier time here but it seems that that will not be the case."
Something flittered in the prince's heart as they neared the throngs of their own kin, and Nuada knew that if he did not find the courage to ask now he might lose his chance forever. Bravely, and perhaps a little too forwardly, he stooped and grasped Alannah's hand. The gesture stopped her in her tracks and turned her with a jolt to face the elven prince. Her expression, to his relief, seemed startled but not displeased.
"Princess Alannah," he asked, pushing out of him and through his words all the sincerity his heart could muster. "I fear that after today, no matter how these meetings go, that we might not have the chance to see each other again." The princess seemed momentarily stunned by the bluntness of his words, but Nuada, sensing no displeasure in her mannerisms, pressed forward. "I would humbly request the honor of calling you friend, and hoping that I might one day be able to visit you again in your home city."
Prince Nuada was surprised when her hand gripped his with tenacity.
"I would be honored to be called your friend, Prince Nuada," she stooped to curtsy, her smile and a blush rising as she did from her gesture. "And you are most welcome to visit me any time you wish."
Nuada felt a great warmth spread from his heart at hearing this, and he immediately kissed the back of her hand as he had done upon their first meeting. Again, Alannah did not pull away. In fact, she leaned into him as they entered the court and very deftly she slipped her arm through his. He took it and held it as he often did when walking with his sister, all the while feeling very much like a clumsy youth – a sensation he had not experienced in countless centuries. How a human had brought about these feelings in him, he did not know, nor did he care even as he felt the heat of human eyes boring into him. He kindly showed Alannah to her seat and, upon finding his, sat with his kin.
Nuada could not tell what was said throughout most of the meeting. His eyes kept flittering back to the human princess who had made him feel as inept and as jovial as a child. Her eyes in turn continued to meet his throughout the meeting and on far too many occasions he caught himself holding a smile far too inappropriate for the circumstances surrounding them both.
When the meeting had ended he caught sight of her once more and, without a thought or consideration to his surroundings, followed. Nuada found that he could not help himself when it came to her; something about the princess was causing him to take leave of his senses. If the Prince had known better at the time, he would have known that he was dancing on the dangerous and heavy precipices of love. If he had known better, and wished to save himself, he would have ceased to follow her, returned home, and never sought her again, but love is responsible for many things – the dulling of the senses least among them.
As they both walked, she took note of him in her shadow and cocked her head, inviting him to follow – if only quietly – in her wake so that they might talk more privately.
Before either realized it they were alone outside the walls of the courtyard, the conversations of elves and humans alike burst over the walls and rained down upon them, but the words were lost like remnants of a fall rain. Instead they spent time staring into one another's eyes, whispering quietly and low so as not to draw attention. Only when the masses of people, humans and elves alike, were dwindling and the trumpets of the elven royal house sounded to announce their leaving did Nuada finally take motion to depart. The princess walked with him to see him off.
"You must come to my home soon," Alannah stated very matter-of-factly, her arm slipping into the crook of his own once more as they walked together. "We have much to discuss I think, perhaps I can even help your father win his case against my own."
A genuine smile bore down upon Nuada's face as he looked down upon her auburn hair and cheeks, now flushed with the chill of an early autumn.
"I will do so," he promised. "And perhaps one day you may see our homes so that you might tell your people of mine, and how we are not the types that steal babes from their cribs in the night."
The princess laughed lightly at this and Nuada felt something foreign and wonderful bubble up within him at the sound. Her laugh reminded him of his sister's, and he finally realized the allure this woman held over him. She was Nuala in human form, though more stalwart in her mannerisms. Still, the genteel soul was one in the same. It was likely in this instance that she stole the prince's heart, though neither of them knew just yet.
They stopped in their walk and stared at each other for some time. Suddenly, without any warning from even his own body or reflexes, the prince found himself leaning in, kissing the human princess fully on the lips.
It was delightfully scandalous and oddly mortifying. This was improper even by his own people's standards, and not only because she was human – by which he knew this would also be improper by her people's standards – yet she also did not resist. In fact, she pressed deeper into him, their noses now touching in a fleeting moment of uncontrolled passion. He tasted her breath and the sensation sent a thrill down his spine. As soon as he felt it he knew then the hunger of the human heart, because he immediately wanted more.
Prince Nuada pulled away, knowing that it was better despite how much he wanted otherwise. Alannah apparently had felt the same, her slightly hungry expression suddenly regaining its composure as she straightened her hair – though it did not need it.
They stood together in a momentary stunned silence before either of them spoke.
"I…." the prince breathed, his voice shaking. "I am sorry princess…I do not know what came over me."
Alannah held no anger in her voice, only quiet fear as her eyes darted to and fro, looking for any eyes that might have seen. When she seemed satisfied that her quick query warranted no results, her gaze turned back to him.
"We should not speak of this," she stated matter-of-factly.
Nuada felt his heart sink slightly. He had hope that she had at least enjoyed the experience, but now he could not tell. She started forward, now a few paces ahead of him and he followed somberly. So lost was he in his own thoughts that he did not hear the ceasing of her footsteps, nor did he register how close she was until he looked up, now caught in another stolen kiss – only this time it was the princess that was the thief. The heat rose up in him again and he felt that hunger once more, but he was left starving a second time as soon as she pulled away. Their eyes met and this time he understood. The hunger was there in her eyes also, as was a devious smile that he soon shared upon realization.
"Until we meet again," she whispered, and they parted ways, she leaving prince Nuada alone at the forest edge with a new found feeling pooling deep in his heart, and in other areas that will not be mentioned here.
