A/N: Wow. It's kinda been awhile since I last posted, hasn't it? I'm really sorry about that. I know that you don't want to hear excuses, so I'll cut that out of this rant. Just know that school's to blame for this madness! It is! Anywho, thank you to all who faved and reviewed this story while I was gone. And thank you to Reinamarie Seregon for encouraging me to write this. Enough of me blabbing now. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do I really have to? I's do's not owns Hellboy. Happeh? Oh yeah, or any Inkheart whatnot.


'Where am I?'

The thought was at the forefront of the resurrected prince's mind, who currently had no sense at all of where he was. He could no longer feel the breezes that belonged to the blissful afterlife of the fair folk. He could no longer hear the voice of his sister calling gently to him. He could no longer sense the rich, abundant earth that he had grown to know so well in the two years he had slumbered.

Cursing underneath his breath, Nuada's golden eyes snapped open so as to analyze his current location. However, no premeditated attempt on his part could have prevented the shock that invaded his mind. The room he was currently occupying was actually one of the many dungeons in his father's palace. 'Accursed cowards,' he thought heatedly as his confusion quickly melted away. 'Daring such a thing rather than to face me alive…' As Nuada attempted to push himself up from the sharp stones that littered the floor, he was surprised to find that vines had bound his arms behind his back. The armor he had worn since his death clanked noisily against the stones as he struggled against the vines with every ounce of his strength.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps could be heard steadily approaching the chamber where Nuada was held. Stilling his movements as the door opened soundlessly, Nuada watched as an entire guard was speedily positioned around the cell. Why his own men were now placing themselves against him, Nuada hadn't the faintest clue.

"My lord," a tall elf murmured, gracefully circling about the prince. "It would be wise if you ceased your struggling. The bonds shall be undone soon enough…of course, if you are willing to comply to our conditions that is."

"Who are you? And what are you blathering about?" he growled. "I demand that you tell me why you have summoned me back if all you wish is to imprison me."

"I assure you Prince Nuada that that is not the purpose for which you are needed. I, Gaeleath Silvertongue, swear it."

"Then, pray tell, what do you intend to do?" Nuada hissed. A silence almost immediately blanketed the cell's area. Shifting his gaze about the room, Nuada could see the guards look intently at Gaeleath through their beaklike masks, as if anticipating to hear what he would say.

"…My lord," the elf finally said. "We are aware of the…disagreement...that occurred precisely two years ago. The very disagreement that robbed you of your life as a matter of fact. We are willing to overlook this…dispute…in the hopes that you will return to your throne and your people once again."

"And that is all?" Nuada questioned, raising a single brow.

"That is all," Gaeleath confirmed, a small smirk framing his face. "However, the counsel will be…crucial to many of your decisions so as to ensure that such a disagreement will not occur again."

"So you need a puppet."

"If you wish to phrase it in such an uncouth manner, then…yes."

"And what should happen should I refuse?"

"My lord, I think it fairly safe to say that you lack the advantage in these surroundings." Drawing a blade from his side in the blink of an eye, Gaeleath swiped it across the prince's throat as a single drop of blood soon ran down. Never breaking eye contact, he murmured, "My lord, do you not recognize the blade?"

Nuada remained stubbornly silent as his own blade was pressed even more against his pale throat.

"Then you will be pleased to know that if you fail to agree to these terms, it has been decided that your life shall be ended a second and final time by your own weapon. Ironic, yes?" Only met with a glare for a response, Gaeleath heaved a sigh. "Very well, I shall return tomorrow for your answer, my lord. Until then, I wish my king a pleasant night."

And with a turn of the heel, the elf departed from the cell, leaving Nuada with the motionless guards completely surrounding him.

What'd ya think? Sorry for the cliffy, couldn't really think of how else to end it. Again, sorry about everything taking so long. I'll try to be faster next time around. Thanks again for all of your support!