AN: This is an alternate universe version of Nir and Miranda's story where she wasn't raised by Marak and never engaged to Catspaw. This is my attempt to show whether Nir and Miranda being together was just about his magic forcing them together or if they could really have a relationship that starts with love.

Chapter 1

Something terrible was going to happen that night. Nir felt it all the way down to his bones.

It was his magic. It told him to do something again. He would do it of course. He had to. For some reason he didn't understand yet, doing this was best for the elves.

The elf lord awoke in the evening twilight with the bizarre knowledge that he must accompany Galnar to the fair in the Hollow Lake village. That was what he must do, but he had no idea why. Nir prepared to obey and a nauseating sensation stirring up his stomach. Ever since his magic forced him to give Arianna to the goblins, the elf lord was even more wary of what the mysterious magic might do next.

The elves ate the evening meal and Nir noticed that he had just now became used to taking only one share instead of two. When the meal was over, Willow approached his lord. First, he stuck to nonsensitive topics such as hunting and when they would move camp. Then he eased into a more sensitive topic.

"My youngest daughter will be turning twelve at the next full moon," Willow said. "She'll be ready for an engagement soon."

Both men shifted awkwardly. Willow wasn't the first father to hint at a possible engagement between Nir and his daughter. Ever since he lost Arianna to the goblins, he had become the recipient of attempts at matchmaking. What he couldn't understand was why anyone would want their daughter bound to him after what happened to his wife and then his fiance.

"Congratulations, Willow," Nir said. "I hope your daughter finds a good fiance. Excuse me, Galnar and the others are waiting."

In the music room on the western side of the Hallow Hill mansion, a statuesque young woman with auburn hair sang the Russian song, "Shine, Shine, My Star." Her fingers danced across the black and ivory piano keys, accompanying her voice with the melody.

A chill breezed through the room. The girl knew the sudden change in temperature had nothing to do with the coming autumn or the setting sun.

No, her mother just entered the room.

Til listened for a moment, leaning her slender form against the door frame. Finding nothing to critique of in her daughter's music ability, she proceeded further into the room and made a grand announcement.

"Miranda, you are about to receive a marriage proposal from the most eligible man in miles," Til said, "and you will accept him."

The music came to a complete halt with a sour clank of the wrong key.

Miranda turned her brown eyes to her mother with an appraising look, not entirely surprised. Her parents had been hinting at making a match for her since just before her older sister, Katherine, died.

"Might I ask the name of the man?" she asked. "Or should I just be on guard at all times, lest some random gentlemen drops to one knee without warning?"

Til's already coal black eyes darkened. Looking stunning in a crimson frock, her mother sauntered further into the room and situated herself on the settee, spreading her skirts out to create an attractive picture.

"Charlie Hempstead." Till purred the name, accentuating each syllable.

Gloomily, Miranda flexed her fingers out and began the third movement of Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2.

Charlie Hempstead was a pale, stuttering young man who lived in an estate nearby. Growing up, he had a troubling fixation with insects and never had any interest in playing with befriending anything he couldn't study with a microscope. He returned from university recently, even gawkier and more awkward than he had been in childhood.

"His mother and I had a chat today," Til continued. "We agreed that a match between her Charlie and my Miranda would be good for both of our families. And, he fancies you, you know."

Miranda honestly doubted that man possessed the capabilities of taking a fancy to any woman.

"At the fair tonight, you will pay him every attention," he mother said and paused. "Are you listening to me?"

"Yes," Miranda replied crisply. "I'm to marry a man who can barely string two words together because it will be good for both of our families. Whether the marriage will be good for either Mr. Hempstead or myself, well that probably doesn't matter much."

Til stared, unimpressed. "Really, darling. What a stupid thing to say."

The stiff, white human shirt had to be secured to Nir's chest by a long row of circles that ran the length of the garment. The black britches cinched at his waist and the clunky brown boots that encased his feet were equally as uncomfortable.

Used to the soft and stretchy elf clothes made by Igira, Nir never dreamed he would ever don human clothes, let alone attend a human fair.

Nir kept his eyes on the dark blue green sky with the multicolored stars as he, Galnar, Hunter, and a number of other elves slipped through the rows of trees, toward the village. The others were already in high spirits, laughing about all the pranks and jokes they would play on the humans.

They were all oblivious to the pair of goblin guards lurking at a respectable distance as the group of elves made their way through the thinning trees along the border of the human mansions. Nir was anything but oblivious. He felt the sicking sensation of insects crawling under his skin at the enemy's nearness. Fortunately, the goblin guards maintained their distance on their own side of the border and were soon far behind them.

The trees continued to thin and a cacophony of crashing voices mixed with human attempts at music filled the air.

"Won't take much effort to dazzle this crowd," Hunter joked. "I could do a better job asleep and snoring through my pipes."

Everyone laughed as the blond elf pulled out his wooden pipes and proved his point. If elves did indeed snore, they would indeed have made a beautiful melody.

The elves passed a final row of pines and stopped within their shade. Though it was evening and the night was already settling in around them, light from the Hollow Lake village shined exceptionally bright as the fair got underway.

Concentrating on each individual torch, candle, and lantern in the area, Nir brought the flames down until they flickered dimly enough for both humans and his companions to see.

Something strange happened when the group stepped into the village. It wasn't the sudden halt in the music and the whispering hush that vibrated through the crowd at their approach. It wasn't the startled and bewitched expression each human suddenly possessed. It was Nir's magic.

The power was doing something without his sanction. It was searching, he realized. For what, he couldn't guess. He felt the magic assessing each human in their turn. Not knowing what it had planned, the elf lord stopped.

Oblivious, his companions continued on, melding into the crowd. Soon, a rendition of Morning Star filled the air, replacing the human music. A noticeable change overtook the humans. Their dancing became more vigorous, though not more graceful.

Ignoring the change in atmosphere, Nir turned to the stars, looking for answers from those burning globes in the sky. As usual, answers did not come swiftly. But he felt the process his magic was going through much more strongly. That's when he realized the power was analyzing everyone in the crowd. It narrowed its scope to just women. Then unmarried women. Then, finally, unmarried women of child bearing age.

Nir suddenly gasped. He knew what he had to do.

Black eyes miserable, he surveyed the dancing crowd. Instead of moving as one graceful body in motion like the elves did, humans paired off into male and female partners. The women's long skirts twirled with each spin. Many stared beyond their partners at Nir, craning their necks with an effort in some cases. It was as if they knew.

A knot of agony tightened in Nir's stomach. As usual, his magic made a very clear demand without any explanation.

The elf lord was to choose one of the human women. Steal her. Enchant her with spells to force her into a world not her own. Then make a son with her.