Matter of Perspective
Chapter 1
Nuada knew that his sister felt justified in her decision. She never trusted the ways of the humans; she knew that humans were sloppy, ruthless and not known for keeping their promises. Nuada knew that there would be no way that Nuada would just sit by and wait for the humans to screw up; he just wished that it wasn't going to end like this.
Nuada walked down the great hall to the sleeping chambers. Nuala had already met with her father and the Council. Everyone knew that in a few hours it was her intention to leave and not return, 'until her people needed her.' He walked into his room, knowing that would be where he would find her. He stood in the doorway, watching her. She wore a long, blue dress, he thought that she always looked so beautiful in blue; it was after all her colour. Just as his was always black. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders; he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He wanted to commit everything about her to his memory.
"Nuala, is this necessary?" He pleaded with her.
She sighed. She wished that her brother would understand. She was only doing what needed to be done. There was no way that she could just sit by and watch everything she loved be destroyed.
She leaned into her brother's touch. The last thing that she wanted to do was to cause her brother pain but she knew that it had to be done. "Nuada, I will not sit idly by. I shall leave and when the time is right I will return."
Nuada turned so that he was facing his sister. The look of determination that was on her face was the same look that he often gave right before he went into battle. He knew right then that it no longer mattered what he said. She had made up her mind and that was that.
She closed her eyes and put her hand over heart and he did the same to her. He closed his eyes against the tears that threatened to fall. He knew that crying wouldn't solve anything. It wasn't that he thought that to cry was a sign of weakness; after all elves cried for many reasons. But he knew that he would not win this one. He realized that despite his efforts to control his tears they fell anyway, he knew this by the wetness on his face and the tear tracks marking Nuala's face.
With the hand that wasn't on his chest she wiped the tears from his face. "Nuada, I wish I could make you understand. I know that you think that I'm being ruthless, but I have to do this. You could come with me if you wish.'
Nuada shook his head. "There is no telling how long you will be gone. There is no telling if something would happen to Father in our absence. No, I must remain here." He let go of her and looked at her for what he assumed would be the last time in a long time.
She tossed her long blond hair over shoulder and nodded to her twin. She knew that this wasn't going to be easy. She glanced out the window seeing the sun slowly disappear behind the trees, she knew that she would need the cover of darkness in order to leave the Unseen Realm unquestioned. Elves leaving, royalty or not (unless in a time of war) was unheard of and not welcomed. She opened the window, glanced at her brother and then jumped. The last memory that she would carry with her for the years ahead was the crushed, desperate look in Nuada's eyes.