7: Discovering Talents and meeting the BPRD

Kind of a part 2 because so far it has been about Nuada with the 2 humans, but this will have more characters like Liz, Nuala in depth, plus surprises.

My favorite books: Golden Compass and Lirael by Garth Nix.

Laira

After that incident, the elves had a more neutral standpoint of us mortals. Nuada actually had to stay in bed for two months. But you know his restlessness. Two days of recuperation and the prince had taken to walking around the Burreau of Paranormal Research Defense, with Nuala. Also, he made regular trips to Bethmora for the progress. This I gauged from listening to conversations, it is handy to have fine tuned hearing like that. I was now trying to overhear where he had gone this time.

But exceptional hearing was nothing new to me. I heard someone call me. "Liz?"

"Little heroine! How's your hand doing?"

"Fine.. You're the hero, Liz. I love the way your flames come on. Better than the fake fantastic 4 Johnny Storm."

She laughed. "He's better, he can fly. Thanks. So why are you here? To see his Highness?"

I blushed hot. "We're not lovers. I don't think also, that a… human can fall in love with an elf. And our age span." I changed the word halfling to human- Nuada had mentioned I was half-elf. But evidently I needed to confirm again.

"You wanna join us? I noticed your blooming talent. It'd rate like necromancy. Most openings are for folks older than you are. Only we dare to undergo the shit life flings at us. And we're gonna ask the twins to join."

"What?" Nuada a BPRD? So unlikely, given he still loathed humans thinking they are scum, and his arm fracture barely healing yet.

"Yea we got to give and take. He's not going to be easy. Red and him would fight like crazy. You guys are amazing. How did you manage to muster that ability to talk in the Gaelic tongue? To Nuala, she says it's the most advanced level of fey language ever used. Your brother also did something similar!" she gushed.

I smiled. I just could. "I remember things like a visual. The mind is a sponge. Just apply and learn."

Liz asked me what other things I did, so I discussed some of our archaeology things and findings. Joe was engrossed with the princess and Sapien. He seemed so tied to them. Joe in love? Oh please! She was already attached.

I guess Nuala was too polite to push him away. I waved. Only Abe saw me and waved back. He's cute.

"How did you come across the prince? Since 5 years ago, the Golden Army was shut down and Red spared his life. We all saw them turn to stone after Nuala stabbed her chest…. How did he survive?"

"I dunno, it's a miracle! Elves are part of a lost heritage, Liz." Could she hear the absolute contentment in my tone? In colors it would be a rainbow.

*****

I reveled in Nuada's voice, after the initial scolding I got for being stubborn, he was full of praise. "Worthy of a warrior mortal halfling," his grand opening, when I walked into his room yesterday.

"Is that supposed to make me mad, or happy?" I replied.

Nuada smiled. Sitting up straighter now, he was much better. However his expression was strained. "Mad I prefer. Do I get a present if I made you mad?"

His eyes lit with pleasure.

I set down a few books. "Here they are, Lirael my favorite book. She can summon spirits and use bells and a sword too to fight evil. I can identify with her shyness, then…." Listening to my recommendations, Nuada flipped through some of them.

"Thank you. At least I can read when I'm bored. These drugs supposed to make me tired all the time?" He shook his wrist with the IV tube attached. I glanced at the transparent liquid.

His skin was warm. He allowed me to rest my hand for a moment.

"To stop the pain, Nuada. Aren't you screaming from the intensity?"

"No. I'm fine. Would you read to me?" He lay down and gestured for me to sit too.

"Why?"

He gazed at me, stoic and yet piercing. I guess he wanted to hear my voice, or he was too dizzy to read. I began with "The Golden Compass". I thought he had fallen asleep already halfway but when I stopped, he said, "She has your name. Fitting. Did you mean to hint at something?"

"Nope. I just like the story."

"How long is it?"

I told him 3 books and he frowned. "Eugh, so long. But all right, it sounds like more action is coming up. Proceed."

After half the book was done, the elf gestured stop and took my hand with the sigil. Ouch. He sighed heavily at my pain. But it seemed reduced now that he had touched it. A blue flame over the mark. Healing spell?

"No Nuada. You'll get tired. I'm fine." Hurriedly, I stopped him.

"Is there nothing that can be done? You want a scar that stops you from writing? You need your hands." The heat in his voice stunned me.

"I know. But I can't bear it if you use your- magic now."

His ambers glared, freaking me out. I still did not comprehend why other elves exuded charisma and happiness but this prince of the Twilight clan became incensed. If he had other colored eyes and been little less paler, it would certainly help.

You are scared, little one. It thrills me that you're both halflings. Part elf. He projected.

A halfling? How can it be?

But don't tell anyone. I felt it just before I passed out. There was no fear in you that first time, when most mortals would…

Nuada it's impossible. I'm human.

No it is totally possible. Believe me, when I have the strength I shall prove this to you. The prince insisted. Before I could add anymore, he was already asleep.

******

Back to this moment, Liz patted my back. "He is attractive. Oh no, who started that?" She ran, activating her flaming aura. "Hey no combat allowed!"

A figure in penitant black with silvery hair. I didn't think of silver till I saw that word somewhere. The elf prince! He was holding out a scimitar to one guy, shaking and aiming a pistol at him. When I got nearer, Nuada's face was more analytical than aggressive.

"Why are you attacking them? All right, what happened?" Liz demanded, getting between the elf and the humans. The flames almost reached the ceiling. Some people stepped back.

"We're guarding the weapons. As with protocol. Someone saw him take that out. He is hostile." More people chatting and the noise level increased.

"Ok. Prince please put down that sword." Liz said.

He seemed surprised she was entirely flaming. Shrugging, he lowered the weapon with his right hand. The left one was wrapped in white cloth.

"I do not plan to fight. I just wanted to talk to you about your proposal. Hi Laira."

He smiled as I came forward. I hugged him and glared at those idiots still treating him like a hostile creature.

"Everybody back to your posts! I'll take care of things here."

"Your facilities are interesting but easy to penetrate," Nuada said slyly. I found that comical. How did he get in?

"You should have talked to somebody first. Wasn't too long ago about that incident. Your case was recent. Hope you understand," Liz answered, calling back the fire.

"Really. I did not think it necessary." He showed her his injured hand.

"I'm afraid Mannings doesn't permit a patient to walk around with weapons. May I have it back?" Nuada obeyed her.

"I want to know- if I join you, is the focus on saving the humans or saving the creatures?" Liz pressed a couple of buttons on the console. The room was full of the weapons, blades of all lengths and sizes. He held my hand as she returned the scimitar back.

Liz elaborated that both goals were important, especially creature preservation.

The elf weighed these answers silently. He walked gracefully, for a person who has not rested enough.

"I'm going outside to see Bethmora, how it's doing. Want to join me?" Nuada asked, at length.

I agreed. "Ok! I missed you Nuada. Did you? "

He smiled gently. "I will not forget my friends. Liz you may call me by my name. Forget the royal title, some people are hostile still." Oh yes, he was not wearing the seal. Maybe I could keep it as a souvenir.

Liz wanted to shake his hand properly. Since they did not have a good start previously…

He looked at it doubtfully. "Don't burst into flames when I touch you."

She nodded. Satisfied Nuada bowed and they shook hands. I felt a thrill.

"Actually I am always in control, unless things get really bad. Remember Laira?" Liz teased.

Indeed! The file showed the details, named: Prince Nuada 's war on humans, and the Golden Army. But the pictures were just on site, not of the army itself. I'm not telling you why I am allowed- let's just say it's an inside job.

Then Liz led us to the main entrance. You could almost get lost in here, with the number of exits and backdoors, emergency stuff in the headquarters. Abe had made me a spare kind of badge for free access. Despite my excellent mindmap, I still get a bit lost.

"You will need an escort. I am volunteering to be yours, prince."

I thought this would be the last straw and Nuada would shout at her to leave us alone.

But he simply smiled. "As you wish. Thank you."

"We could do with an extra hand- elf knowledge about weaponry, especially swords. Nobody here can actually fight without guns. We seriously lack that kind of finesse."

As a sort of large black car with tinted windows drew to a halt, Liz spoke to the chauffeur. Later I want to tell you something. Not in front of them, or her.--- he said internally.

Are you talking to me?

Nuada gestured to get in with a meaningful stare. I got in. What about? The Halfling thing?

I buckled my seatbelt, then helped him too.

You're not fully mortal. I heard some doctors discussing… you have a talent.

Liz asked if he wanted in, again.

"Hmm. What about Nuala, is she joining? I assume she has taken to Abraham Fishman. All I hear is their singing and poetry."

Liz laughed and the car started. Then it got too much for me too, at the lovie dovie image.

"It's Sapien, not Fishman," I put in. The elf smirked.

"You are a joker now… whose masterpiece is this? This guy was totally serious badass last time," the fire girl remarked.

"Yup. I claim credit- he's so cute isn't he?"

Nuada Silverlance said quietly, "No I am not cute. My people are fewer, and here I'm outnumbered. I realize I need to change. But I still loath disgusting mortal human- ancestors."

"Don't you like Sapien? He is compassionate and friendly."

Nuada coughed. We girls talked mostly, with the elf prince inserting some serious faced unwitting jokes sometimes.

Finally we were there. Nuada was decidedly uncomfortable with being in the car for so long. His silver mane seemed free now we were outside. Liz asked, "Want to sit down? You're still hurt."

"Thank you, no. My health is much improved." He winced when he curled his left fingers.

She checked him critically, "All right, which way we headed?" The whole place was still beautiful, in an ancient- city way. Faded in glory. BPRD agents scattered around, trolls and faeries (ought to be as they flitted around) restoring buildings by hand. They lifted bricks five by five. The faeries called out to one another, stars flying from their legs and wings. Maybe they helped to grow the flowers back. The paths were decorated by falling golden leaves, from large trees that reminded me of forest gods. I slowed to a stroll behind my friends, breathing the fresh air. It felt wonderful,. Must have been even better last time. Why did humans destroy Bethmora?

They should have seen first, before jumping to conclusions. I could empathise where the exiled prince was coming from- rage at these barbarians. I'm now half-elf, so I think stupid idiots!

"Come on," Liz urged. I ran to catch up.

"What do you think? Isn't it nice, breathtaking? My home," Nuada said, sounding wistful and proud. The destination was a stone fountain farther in, up a long flight of stairs. This was the fountain of Life, aka Youth.

Energetically, Nuada bounded up, speaking in their native tongue to the trolls and other fey there. Liz looked around. It seemed these fellas still supported him, we were basically safe. Only the weirdos that attacked us were hostile.

Some green skinned tall flower women answered. He bowed to them. The trolls spoke in clicks and grunts. But they all did not need any translators. Nuada nodded, listening intently.

The statues sitting astride the huge circular structure were phoenix and unicorns. Water would be squirting out if they were functioning. The stonework cracked on the inner circle. I peeked in. A small pixie, with its buddies, hauled out some gold boxes. It looked pink.

"For me? Thank you." Nuada dismissed the pixie.

"What are those?" I asked. Liz watched. Her cross emitted a blue flame.

"Buried underneath. Perhaps they impede the flow of water." Opening one of them, revealed dazzling pearls and shiny gems. A bracelet curving like plants,delicately fashioned. I wanted to try some of them on. These jewellery were hand crafted and exquisite. They beat any human designing.

"Will it be all right for us to document these artefacts? Then we will return them to you."the agent posing this question swallowed and stepped back as Nuada rose. His firegold eyes levelled at the man.

"No problem. Treat them with care please."

"Ok ok sir."

I wanted to persuade him to wear a cast for his arm. How would it heal? Liz watched some fae carrying the boxes off. "I wanna wear them. I'm sure Nuala will also."

"Too bad we got to wait for them to be documented, and cleaned." I scowled.

I flopped down on the steps. Nuada settled beside me. His long hair swished with his movement. "Are you tired?"

I grinned. "No, this place rocks!"

"Meaning?" He looked puzzled, cocked his head.

"Awesome and magnificent," Liz replied, looking up. The sun was glaring but being of flame, she did not feel the impact of its heat. She stood, legs apart on the steps. A dome was over the whole place and was only visible at times. He accepted the compliment.

"The other elves have crossed to the other side through the Veil. Everything is pristine and intact there. Why didn't you, Nuada?"

He glanced at her. "Only this place has the healing spring I need to recover. They are not close to my clan." So lonely.

I waited for more. Nuada tends to speak succinctly with innuendo. But he did not continue.

Liz whistled. "Look at that! What is it?" A shimmery creature translucent rainbow crossed the sky. It was so near, half -bird, half- equine.

"A kirin." He smiled. " A symbol of hope. It hasn't appeared since I was ten."

He stood beside her. She tiptoed to whisper in his ear. He laughed freely.

I guess they would be allies in no time! Hellboy would not so readily accept my friend however, they had come to blows.

******

"I would like to be alone for awhile. In there," Nuada said, indicating a green maze. Liz hesitated, her arms burning a bit. Her dark eyes searched his face.

"I will be outside. Call if you need me. Use the phone." She looked kind of hurt that he was pulling away. The elf patted his breast pocket. It was a new jacket, it looked similar to his usual robe except it had more pockets.

"Sure. See you. Come my child…"

He navigated the twists and turns with ease. It took a long time. The structure was entirely plant material, linked by entwining stems of creepers. I followed him closely. The scent of green matter. Deep in the centre there was a bench.

Nuada remained standing. His voice was so soft I thought I heard wrong. "You have a talent: affinity with artefacts. Did you realize?"

I observed the withered tree and its arcing branches.

I thought he was joking. But despite his cordial manner, I didn't think so. "Not really. But not strong I think… I have good hearing and excellent memory. When my mom left home, I could always find her by touching her belongings."

He was listening. Here no one else would overhear us, so I talked some more. I almost cried, but Nuada wasn't looking at me directly. I had never confided so completely in anyone before.

Then I asked, "Is your hand hurting? A cast will help you."

Nuada sat down, looking exhausted. "No." He was lying.

"How did you come to this conclusion? Maybe it was a coincidence."

"Only a person with this talent can subdue a powerful demon Horrormask. The senses you mentioned come with that too. I wanted to share this with you, but I fainted. Now we have time alone I can explain to you." His gaze was faraway. "You do not fear the unknown world and the unexplored, like insects and heights. Traits of Severn elves."

Wow. I replied, "Yea! Me a half-elf. You know, I think you should wear a cast."

He refused. "It is heavy. I still need the freedom of movement. My arm should recover in a few months."

Yea the supernatural healing abilities exceeding human's.

"I see. Ok. But your other injuries? You only lay down for 2 days. That's not enough rest." I stood on the bench to look at the tree behind us more closely. It looked like a small bird was engraved on it.

Nuada admitted, "I miss the outdoors. It is boring inside the BPRD and very cold. I want the sunlight." I felt his gaze on me but it was all right.

"Sorry I babbled so much on my story of my life. Did you mind listening to me?" I said.

"Not at all. I can tell you miss her."

A lot. I need someone more than my brother. And my fantasies help to keep me sane.

I carefully knelt then leapt to the ground.

"Liz was hurt. She felt leftout. How about next time?"

The elf looked mildly surprised. "I didn't notice. Not really, this was my childhood- home. A private place."

And he invites me to come? That is an honour.

"You look sleepy."

As I straightened, Nuada kissed me on the cheek. "You always know that. Let's go, then. Do you remember the way? Lead me."

"I'm not sure."

"Try. I'm too tired to." A hint of mischief. I walked ahead. Sometimes I veered off on the wrong turn and doubled back again.

9