Disclaimer: I don't own Hellboy and all that implies, but if you want to send me Nuada gift wrapped and dipped in chocolate, you're more than welcome to!

Note: I apologize for the shortness of the chapter, but I'm cutting it close between classes just to post it. A big Thank you to all those who reviewed and added me to alerts and favorites! Sorry I couldn't reply back, but school is eating away at the vital parts of my brain!

Chapter One: Unhealthy Obsession

1255, England:

'What in the seven hells are you….' Nuada watched her through narrowed eyes, one shoulder propped up against the bark of an oak, arms crossed in contemplation. Meanwhile the girl bent down, picking up a handful of dried leaves before throwing them in the air. None the wiser to those golden eyes following her every turn as she danced under the shower of red and brown leafs. She laughed; plucking out the petals that had fastened into the mass of dark curls falling down and across her shoulders in a chocolate waterfall.

Always laughing, smiling. The prince ground his teeth, willing his hand that had slowly tightened on the handle, away from the sword at his side. Her incessant glee was starting to grate his nerves.

The once bell like sound of her giggling, after nights of continual, almost maniacal joy, had quickly soured to a mocking shrill in his pointed ears. A sneering chortle that at every peal said; 'Na-na-na-na-na-na, you can't catch me….'

The elf couldn't fathom the level self-loathing that was driving this strange obsession. It was unhealthy.

He had resolved himself to just one more night of watching her, watching her and waiting for that little spark of light to come to him. That moment of recognition where the puzzle that was her origins would finally resolve, leaving him with the self satisfaction of being just a little more clever than before.

That was a week ago.

Seven nights had passed and nothing to show for it except a headache. Nuada closed his eyes, rubbing his temples between the thumb and middle finger of his left hand.

He really didn't have time for this kind of distraction. His journey back to the very boundaries of Bethmora was much to pressing. He had to find out what was causing this slow rift between he and Nuala. Was it distance? Time? Or some outside force brought in by his father? No matter what it turned out to be, it was certainly more important than standing around leering at young girls like a perverted old Troll.

The sound of her humming broke through his ruminations, making him visibly wince. If there was one thing she was unequivocally not, it was a Siren. The girl couldn't hum, sing, nay, even whistle, a tune to save her life. Had it not been for the fact that he had seen her with his very eyes, he could have sworn she was a Banshee.

Her attempts at melody were that bad.

Prince Nuada began to rub his temples more emphatically, his headache growing worse with each passing second. He unconsciously reached for his sword once again. If she didn't quiet soon, he'd just as well kill her, puzzle or not.

And as if the Heavens heard his pleas, she stopped. The elf opened his eyes immediately honing in on the now empty field. Had it not been for the stirred leaf pile, he'd have never known she had been there minutes before.

'It must be near sunrise.' Sure enough, not but moments later the sun broke over the forest canopy, bathing the small meadow in a kaleidoscope swirl of pinks, oranges, and reds.

She always left before the dawn.

Golden eyes traveled the tree line, narrowing at the small path leading deeper into the forest opposite him. There was a brief flash of brown curls and white skirts beyond the shadows and without speculating the possible consequences, Nuada pushed off the oak and began to follow.

Little did he know, that seconds later he'd be pinning his mystery obsession up against a tree, his sword biting into the pale column of her throat.


A/N: Dun Dun Dun! If you want to find out what happens, be sure to review! Again, sorry for the poor length of this chapter, I'll try to make the next one longer!