Hey everyone! Sorry for the depressing intor last chapter. I'm about to fall asleep so this should intersting. I am not putting what Nuada does because we, being Nuada fans, have seen Hellboy II so many times we know by heart what's happening. I'm also introducing Nuala! I just didn't want to be repetitive. Also, if you haven't noticed, I love dialogue! Sorry if that's notwhat your into, but I love it. I'm almost done! So, enjoy!!!
Note: A lot of shifts again. I'm trying to seperate them. And, for those a bit squimish of twincest(like me), a fair warning. Nuala mentions Nuada's love for her, but nothing more! Just thought I'd let you know.
"YOU'RE A PRINCE?!?!?" I yelled at Nuada. "How could you keep this from me?"
"It's not important."
"It is too important. It's part of who you are."
"It's not only who I am."
"I know that, but it's still a piece of you you kept from me. I've lived with you almost a whole year Nuada and you never thought to bring it up?"
"I thought you would treat my differently if I told you. For once I was just Nuada."
"I wouldn't have treated you any differently. You will always be just Nuada."
"Even now, your wondering how to act around me."
"Well, excuse me, m'lord." I returned, sarcasm dripping thickly off the words.
"See? I told you."
"I was doing it to spite you, you oaf!"
They continued to bicker as Nuala watched them. Wonderful. He's finally forgetting and forgiving. She could have run, but the chance to get to know the human girl that had captured her brother's heart was too tempting. Besides, Nuada had to face the consequences from his actions in Ireland. Now, she would just let him think he had control.
"What happened to your cheek?" I nearly screamed as I noticed the shallow cut. It marred his face with dried blood and it's presence in general.
"Nothing. It was an accident."
"Let me clean it up for you." I told him as I walked to the kitchen to get a washcloth.
"I'm fine."
"What are you going to do now?" I asked, starting on cleaning up the blood.
"My brother is going to Ireland to aw-" Nuala tried to tell me, but Nuada cut her off.
"To finish some business. Right, Nuala?"
"Yes." She answered meekly.
"I'm going too." I proclaimed, putting the cloth down.
"No, you will not." Nuada's voice was hard as steel.
"Yes, I will. I know, Nuada."
"Know? About what?"
"The auction house. That is was you who killed all those people."
"Brother, it would be most beneficial for her to come. I am in need of a companion since I was forced to flee the courts." Nuala offered.
"Please, I just want to understand. Let me go." My voice was soft and helpless as I pleaded. Nuada gave a great sigh.
"Be ready in the next few hours. It will be a long trip." I walked over to him, placing my hand on his arm.
"Thank you," I whispered, barley audible even to own ears. He kept walking, not even acknowledging it.
"Come, I have the perfect dress for you." Nuala motioned as Nuada left the apartment.
"Ok." I replied, allowing her to pull me over to a new dress that had mysteriously appeared.
An hour later, Nuala was helping me with the finishing touches on the gown, mainly lacing up the back. It was a gorgeous emerald green, rich, light fabric that had bell sleeves and a wide sweeping skirt that started expanding at the waist. It had a sweetheart neckline with a fitted bodice that, fortunately, did not choke the breath out of me. Nuala was already in her dress of a exquisite cream color and a large coil of almost shiny gold fabric wrapped around her underbust to her waist, the skirt splitting to reveal a red underskirt. The edges were embroidered in a gorgeous gold, swirling design. Her sleeves were like mine, huge bells that extended to the ground. Her neckline was a bit more conservative, going all the way up to her chin.
"You look just like him you know." I told the princess. "But, you're different. You're...lighter than him. Your lips and eyes are a very pretty maroon while his are black. Your eyes are softer than his, too."
"Thank you, I think. "
She finished the last tie. I turned around to look at her. She swept her hair back behind her ear shyly. It was then I noticed the cut on her cheek. It was on the same cheek as Nuada.
"What happened to you? Why didn't you tell me and I would have cleaned that up when I did Nuada's?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
"It is. Strange, it's in the same spot Nuada's was." I noticed as I cleaned off her scratch as well.
"That's because Nuada and I share a bond. We're twins, you see. Ever since we were little we've shared a connection. And though it's strong with us, we can still sense others as well."
"What do you mean 'sense'?" My voice held a note of panic.
"We feel, I guess you could say, what someone near us is feeling. Or, if there is physical contact, we can feel it even more strongly, and sometimes even see it."
"Nuada." I growled.
"Hahahaha. Turn around so I may do your hair, please."
I turned in my seat in front of the vanity to face the mirror. I looked at Nuada as she carefully brushed out my long hair. Her eyes were far off, stars practically bursting to get out. She sighed for the millionth time since we had started getting ready.
"What's his name?" I asked innocently, still looking at her through the mirror.
"Who's dear?"
"His name?"
"Who's?" She laughed, wondering what game I was playing.
"The guy you love."
"Uh, I'm not, no. I'm not in love." She flustered, her cheeks turning red.
"Oh, come on, Nuala. You have stars in your eyes, you're distant, and you've sighed for the millionth time since I met you." She sighed in defeat.
"Abe. Abe Sapien. He works for the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense with the demon, Hellboy."
"Oh, I saw that in the paper. He looks like a sweetie."
"I've never felt like this. Nuada tried to make me feel like that for him, bu-"
"Wait, Nuada was in love with you?"
"Yes. I thought he told you."
"No, today was the first day I've ever heard your name. Nuada." I growled again.
"Hahaha. It's fine. I forgave him long ago. Besides, you love him don't you?" She asked. Her voice was sweet and pure. She was a good woman.
"That bond you two share..."
"I am able keep somethings hidden from him. This conversation will be one of them." She laughed again.
"Yes, I do. I don't know when it happened, but it did. He was so nice to me. Later, that is. He almost killed me several times those first few months. Lately, he carries me to bed, tucking me in when I fall asleep reading. He taught me to protect myself when I was mugged in March." I sighed, looking back at it all.
"He can be like that sometimes, but the war hardened him. It was heartbreaking for him and my father. They just wanted the best for our people."
"I understand that. I think that's why he's going to do what he's about to. Your people are an amazing...people. The fact that humans have forced them to the furthest reaches of the Earth make me so angry and sad. It's really bad, isn't it? What he's going to do?"
"Yes, my dear. It is."
"Will you tell me?" I asked, looking at her pin up a long, curling strand in the mirror.
"No, I'm afraid I can't. That is up to Nuada." Her face fell with the knowledge of what her brother was going to do.
"Tell me more about Abe." I giggled at the quick change of topic (and how red Nuala turned), thankful for the lighter mood.
Nuada returned to the cave to hear his sister and Aednat giggling in the back room. He saw Nuala pin up the last bit of Aednat's long brown hair when she spotted him.
"No, brother. Not yet. Go! Shoo!" She scolded.
He laughed at the hen like activity of his sister. He had never seen her like this. It was good to see her smile. She was glowing like she had a secret, one that she couldn't wait to tell the world. He went into the front room again. He decided to train as the girls finished. He took off is shirt and puled out his special sword. It was made with a notch in it to capture his opponents weapon more easily. He swished around the room, sweat beginning to form on his brow as Nuala called to him.
"We're ready brother."
He walked to the back room, a fire glowing on the two women standing in front of him. He had seen Aednat in a dress before, but this was...different. She looked regal with her hair pinned in an intricate design, curls springing out in just the right places. Her eyes were covered in a shimmery white shadow and her lashes were darkened my a single coat of mascara. Her cheeks glowed from a natural blush, brought on by him studying her. Nuala looked lovely as well, but Nuada was not able to take his eyes off Aednat. Nuala noticed this, her work accomplished.
"I only have to put on my boots. Then we can go. Unless you need to change, too?"
"I do, but it won't take as long as you two."
"Ha,ha. Very funny."
She sat on the bed, but her dress would not let her bend over to put on the boots she wore to the Troll Market. Nuada saw her struggle and took the boots from her. She laid back on the bed as he gently pushed, first one, then the other boot on. Aednat blushed as the boots were quite high on her legs, about to her calves, allowing Nuada to touch a very sensitive mark for her.
Nuada was true to his word, taking only fifteen minutes to change into a tunic much like the color of Nuala's. It had strange lined padding on the chest, arms and back, and a red undershirt with a red sash. On the sash was a symbol of a tree, one with large branches full of leaves, encircled in a golden circle. Matching red pants and dark brown boots accompanied. Aednat said good-bye to Beech and Birch, saying she would be back soon. With that,they were off to Ireland.