This was requested and co-written by ViperGal. Thanks for your ideas and imagination!
Hellboy and its characters belong to those who invented them. Our OCs are ours. Do not use unless with permission from one of us.
Nuada nearly groaned with impatience. He glanced over at his sister, scowling. She only gave him a sympathetic glance. They had been awaiting their guests for over an hour. Even the nobles, behind them, were starting to stir.
Why King Balor forced his son to join the welcoming for the Aos Sí king, he had no idea. It certainly wasn't Nuada's idea. In fact, he should have been in a training session at that moment… not that he needed any. Then again, meeting the Aos Sí king could be an interesting visit, on account of his status as a warrior and fine swordsman.
The Aos Sí were truly an… interesting race. Their skills in battle were infamous and strange, their looks also. Some said that they were the spawn of angels, while others claimed that they were sirens of the underworld. Both were frightening.
Horses came galloping down the road, all dark and strong. Their riders wore the dark armor of the Aos Sí, light and unlike the armor of the elves. The horses neighed, as they came to a stop. One of them reared, but its rider remained calm.
The Elf prince was not impressed.
They dismounted with ease, their faces hidden by the dark material covering their mouths and noses. Their dark cloaks blew in the breeze, as their swords gleamed. Darkness was often the Aos Sí's ally. After all, they lived in underground shelters, during battle and military threats.
One of the dark riders stepped forward, removing its hood and covering. It revealed Eldon, King of the Aos Sí and ruler of the Underworld, so it was called.
Nuada could not help but scoff, silently. Humans described these beings as angels and heavenly creatures. So naïve. The Aos Sí were pale and more fair than Humans, however, not quite compared to the Elves. Also, Aos Sí were known for their strange eyes. Where the white should have been, was instead a strange violet shade, of which not even Nuada could place. Their pupils were often an even stranger color, such as light green and sometimes even pure white.
The Aos Sí king's eyes were a pure, emerald green. Bronze hair fell below his shoulders, becoming caught in the wind, as well. His cloak pulled back, revealing the royal seal. A black eagle. Why they chose this emblem, none knew.
King Balor stepped forward, his arms open. "My king Eldon, it is an honor."
The strange creature gave a low nod. "The honor is mine, King Balor."
The One-Armed King of Elfland turned to the Elves behind him. "Fellow kindred, let this day be known as the day that Aos Sí and Elf kind may yet be friends and allies."
"So be it," some murmured.
The Aos Sí were silent. It was not surprising. If they were not known for their warriors' strength and strange appearance, then it was their pride. Most likely, an alliance was not their priority. It was King Balor who wished it. Why would the Aos Sí even accept the invitation?
The Elf prince's thoughts were interrupted by King Eldon stepping forward. "If it pleases your highness, I would speak to you in private."
No remote kindness or pleasantry was in the Aos Sí's face. It was not that Nuada cared. It was only that he would have thought that he would aim to please and compliment his host. Obviously, this was not his objective.
The king nodded and urged his guests to follow him into the palace. The four riders followed, silent. Nuada caught the gaze of one, finding that its pupils were black as coal.
Nuala came to her brother's side, placing a hand on his arm. "Brother… something about them frightens me. They are so… I don't know how to describe it."
He shook his head. "They are surrounded by our guards at all times. They will not trouble us."
"But I heard that King Eldon himself slayed one hundred of the Ogre's finest warriors," she exclaimed, worriedly. "If only one Aos Sí could do such a thing-
"Nuala," he groaned. "Don't worry yourself about it."
She sighed and then walked towards the palace.
"They are ugly, to be sure."
Nuada turned his gaze to Ahearn, one of his two friends and comrades in arms. The Elf leaned against the tree, passively. His pale yellow eyes looked into the prince's with all seriousness.
"You're one to talk," muttered Cathaldus.
Ahearn gave his friend a kick, knocking him to the ground. Nuada smirked, unable to stop himself.
"I speak nothing but the truth," retorted Ahearn. "What kind of a creature has eyes, such as that?"
"Apparently an Aos Sí," answered Nuada, twirling a stick.
Cathaldus spat the grass out of his mouth. "Well, if you two are so bothered by them, then leave the palace for a few millennia! I'll remain here and keep all the Elf maidens to myself."
"As if you would even have any," said Nuada, glancing at Ahearn.
"If you two disappeared, then perhaps I would," he sighed, standing.
Ahearn walked over to him, putting a firm hand on his shoulder. "It's more than looks, my friend. It takes the strength of a warrior and the tongue of an angel to tame the wild beast, which is the female race."
Nuada's brow rose. "And I suppose that you have acquired these skills?"
"Of course," he answered, picking a flower and sniffing it. "After all, I am a sensitive and tender-hearted soul."
"Ha," mocked Cathaldus. "You wouldn't know tenderness if your own mother was standing in front of you!"
Nuada gave a half nod. "I must agree with him on that matter."
"Traitor," muttered Ahearn.
"Well, you did refer to the female race as a wild beast," pointed out Nuada. "I highly doubt that your Elf maidens would take that as complimentary."
"That is why you do not utter such words to the female race," he hissed, through his teeth.
Cathaldus's eyes glinted with mischief. "If you pardon me, I must be going."
He took off in the direction of the female servants' quarters. Ahearn was not even three feet behind him.
"Cathaldus!"
"May I tell Oriana about your lifelong dream to be her mate?"
Nuada chuckled, about to join them, when he thought he heard a giggle. His eyes narrowed, as he looked around. He did not sense anything awry. Then again, a giggle would not appear from a potential assassin.
It came from a bush, nearby. He slowly approached it, unsure of who are what it could be. His hands reached out a separated the branches.
No one was there.
His brows furrowed. There was someone there a moment ago.
"Hello, down there!"
Although he would never admit it, the Elf prince jumped, startled. He looked upwards, finding that a female was up the tree. She was no elf, to be sure. Her shade of skin was too dark.
Nuada's eyes narrowed, when he saw that she wore the armor of the Aos Sí. "Who are you?"
She giggled, wrapping her legs around the thick branch, so as to hang upside-down. "Kiara."
He crossed his arms. "It is a capital offence to intrude on the prince's conversation and can be punishable by death."
Her eyes only brightened, as her smile. "I somehow doubt that that will happen."
Nuada studied the girl. Her hair was a peach color and quite long. She most likely had bangs and long ones at that. He could not tell for sure, though, with her hanging upside-down.
"I suggest that you return to your people, before you find yourself lost," he said, walking away.
He only walked a few steps, to hear footsteps behind him. An annoyed groan appeared in his throat, as he turned to look at the female. She did indeed have bangs. Her eyes were that of an Aos Sí's, however, her pupils were a deep maroon color.
"Do you not know who I am," asked Nuada, warningly.
"You already said," she pointed out. She placed her hands behind her back. "You're Prince Nuada, the Prince and future king of Elfland."
"Then you will know that I am not a patient male."
She gave a slight shrug. "I know."
Did this female swallow a fairy? She sounded like a child, although she looked old enough to marry. Her eyes brightened, as he turned… and ran.
"Nuada," called Cathaldus, when Nuada found the two Elves. "Where have you been?"
He breathed, heavily. "Truly, you do not want to know."
Ahearn looked behind him. "Who's your friend?"
Nuada groaned, not even turning. "I told you to go away!"
"No you didn't," said Kiara.
"It was implied!"
Cathaldus tilted his head to the side, as if to see her better. "I didn't know King Eldon brought an Aos Sí girl."
"I'll have you know, that I am forty moon cycles old and am now considered a full-grown female to my people," she retorted, crossing her arms in indignation.
Nuada shook his head. "An adult female would know to leave an adult male Elf alone."
"And an adult male Elf would know when not to act so rudely around a female Aos Sí. The adult male Elf could be hurt in the process."
He turned towards her, now truly aggravated. "Listen closely, little one. I am not here to entertain you, nor to explain the fundamentals of common courtesy towards one's host. If you know wish to live to return home, then you will leave me be!"
Kiara looked at him, with an unreadable expression. He thought that she was about to cry… but was sorely disappointed when she only smiled, wryly.
"Your father was right," she said, a giggle escaping. "You're fun to tease."
She then turned and walked off. Nuada's brows furrowed and his mouth fell agape. His father had spoken with her? Why? And why on earth would he speak about Nuada?
"Hmm," hummed Ahearn, coming to his friend's side. "It seems that you have an admirer."
Cathaldus started chuckling. "I think you'll find that his highness is not in like with this one."
They laughed. Nuada growled.
Author's Note; This is before the Golden Army. Nuada is considered a "teenager" who is close to adulthood. That's why he is with such obnoxious and mischievous, younger Elves.
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