Emerald was being led further into the dark cavern. Going by a room off the main passage, she caught a glimpse of stone shelves holding earthen jars, and large copper pots and pans dangling from hooks attached to the ceiling. They continued on to a high ceilinged room with ragged holes broken clear through one wall. As a subway train then flashed by on the outside, visible and loud through the gaps, she jumped at the screeching sound.
"Do not think it would aid you in your escape, human. These tunnels are filled with creatures that would feast on your flesh...and if you do escape that fate, do not expect to find your way through the maze." Nuada spoke softly, but she did not miss the tone of cold warning in his words. She resumed following Nuada into the darkness.
Next, they entered another room furnished with a large bed covered by thick, embroidered quilts. In a corner was a desk which held an assortment of scrolls, feather quills and ink pots on its surface. What appeared to be golden clockwork pieces and other items lay scattered among the mess. Greenish light glowed from a number of small lamps hung on chains suspended from the ceiling.
"Stop gawping at my belongings, human!" shouted Nuada. "Do not even think to steal from me!"
Emerald gave an indignant cry. "I'm not going to steal! I'm just looking!"
Nuada scowled and pointed to a door at the end of the tunnel. He was growing extremely annoyed by the curious human who seemed to forget that he still held her life in his hands. The woman had called herself an archaeologist, but he scoffed at the idea. Treasure hunter was a better suited term for what she did. What else would motivate humans to explore and labour inside dark, hazardous caves, if not for treasure?
Emerald hobbled past him and went in through the door, to a small rectangular room which had several pipes criss-crossing the ceiling. She walked to a stone basin to see herself in the large spotted, cracked mirror hanging over it. She looked completely worn out; her eyes glittered more brilliantly in her pale, grimy face, and her dusty, tangled hair hung limp. Several barrels of water stood by the basin. She splashed her face, spluttering at its freezing temperature. But it made her feel better.
Nuada stood fuming on the other side of the door. It was killing him to have to stand there and wait for this human to finish her business. No matter, he thought to himself. He would take her to Romeran tomorrow, and supply him with all the information he had collected from her. The court mage could then determine her true nature by delving into his extensive library of mystical knowledge.
When Emerald came out, he escorted her back to the outer chamber. There was already a small fire in the grate and Nuada deemed that it would suffice to keep her from freezing in the night.
"You will sleep now. Do not even think of about escaping, if you want to live. And you will not touch anything in my lair, or I will break your hands," he threatened, then walked away.
Emerald wanted to scream and throw something at his retreating back. Sighing, she looked around to find anything that might make sleeping on the cold, hard floor comfortable for her. Of course there was nothing, so she seated herself close to the fire grate and rubbed the chill from her arms. Though it was difficult to fall asleep, her exhaustion and earlier blood loss would not allow her to think any further.
Nuada came in to check his prisoner an hour later. He did not think she had much self-preservation or survival instinct, judging by her erratic behaviour. He needed to keep her alive until he had identified what she was, and how he could utilize her power. She had seemed extremely weak earlier; barely capable of walking, and he didn't perceive much of a threat from her.
He found her sitting with her arms around her drawn-up knees, dozing by the fire. The woman was shivering slightly but Nuada hardly cared. He would treat her as a human would treat his own - as a mindless animal. He was at least kind enough not to beat her to a pulp, or ravage her. "No, I have exceeded in my benevolence," he thought to himself.
He walked back to his own into his own chambers and donned his armour. He would still not let his guard down with the enemy so close by. He found humans pathetic and weak, but he never underestimated their cunning. He placed his lance right beside his bed and checked to see if his knives were in place under the folds of his sash. Satisfied, he lay down on his bed for his slumber.
Nuada tried not to think about the opportunities that would arise if the human's words proved to be true. For one, she could be made to restore the forests in the barren and abandoned lands of Bethmoora, once he had the rid the world of humans. He began to envision the green woods and was soon immersed in a light drowse.
"Aaaarrrgghhh!"
Nuada was jolted awake. He picked up his lance and was in the outer chamber within seconds, frantically looking around to see what had caused the human to shriek so wildly. He frantically looked around to see what had caused the human to shriek so wildly. He found her cowering in the furthest corner of the room, pointing a shaking finger at something on the ground. It was a little two-headed wartcap which was staring back at her, just as frightened. Nuada couldn't help but smile inwardly. Wartcaps were absolutely harmless creatures.
"Stop screeching!" shouted Nuada, causing both Emerald and the wartcap to jump. The wartcap immediately ran to Nuada, who leant down to take it into his hand. It chattered incessantly, with both heads at once nodding and shaking, while the prince waited patiently for the creature to end its rant.
Emerald stared at Nuada, mesmerised by the kindness and indulgent expression in his eyes and face; it was like looking at a completely different person.
Nuada turned his head to look at her and immediately his smile vanished, vaporised to be replaced by an angry scowl. "How dare you scare my friend, human?!" he hissed. "You profess to know a great deal about elvish history and do not recognise a wartcap? They are completely harmless, even to being without teeth."
"How am I to know what it is? I've never seen anything like that in my life! It was poking me in the face in the dark, and it scared the hell out of me," she said shakily.
"I will kill you if you ever try to harm one of my kind." And he went off, taking the little creature with him.
Emerald tried to hold back her emotions. Cold, hurt and hungry, she had never felt this horrible in her life. The elf prince had nothing but insults and threats for her. She desperately wanted to get out of the dark cave and breathe fresh air, beginning to regret having run from the BPRD. Had she stayed, Hellboy would have at least looked out for her. She missed him terribly now, and prayed that he would find her and rescue her from this hellhole. She shivered badly in the cold. The fire had died down and only the glowing embers remained behind. There was no wood in sight and she didn't dare venture outside the room, fearing Nuada's presence. Crying silent tears, she soon felt worn down enough to doze again.
Emerald awakened to hard pokes in her ribs and realised that Nuada was prodding her with his boots. She slowly opened her eyes. The room was dark as ever. A chunk of bread was thrown at her.
"Hurry and eat," Nuada commanded, leaving her. He returned with a long length of thick rope. Emerald watched apprehensively as she tried to chew on the dry, hard bread. After she was done, Nuada roughly caught her hands and tied them together, as she weakly resisted. "Get up!" he ordered. "We are going to see someone."
"Who?"
"You dare question me again?"
"I don't want to go anywhere with you! I want to go home. I told you everything I know, so let me go or kill me, already. Stop torturing me!" she cried.
Nuada laughed softly. "Torture you? Let me assure that I have not even begun that pleasurable task." He gave the rope a sharp tug, forcing Emerald into a painful lurch forward.
Nuada uttered incantations to open the mouth of the cave and led her through it. The cave then closed upon itself behind them. Emerald tried to make out any sign that could point to her location in the underground tunnel, but was soon lost amid Nuada's twists and turns. Hobbling badly, she allowed herself to be led as if in a daze, too exhausted to care.
After awhile, she lifted her head as she heard the rising sounds of many voices and bustling activity. She could see that they were fast approaching the Troll Market, and heading into an area where she had not been before. It was a different part of the market where she had not been the last time. The shops and streets were crowded as ever, with a myriad of creatures all noisily parading, yelling over each other, selling, shopping and haggling. Vapours and coloured mists hung over the entire marketplace.
As Nuada led her through the crowd, Emerald felt the creatures turn in her direction and gradually, as if in unison, the marketplace erupted in a loud buzz. There were cries of "Human! Human in the market!" These exclamations rang with alarm in the beginning, but quickly changed to jeers and hisses as they soon realised that she was tied up and a captive of Prince Nuada. He merely smiled and jerked tugged at the rope. Emerald tripped and tried not to fall. She had barely recovered when she heard the crack of a whip and felt a sharp sting on her arm. She looked down to see that she was bleeding through her torn sleeve. The crowd jeered louder as she screwed her eyes against the pain, willing herself not to let tears fall.
"Give her to us, Prince Nuada. We'll take care of the human for you," said a gigantic ram-headed creature covered in thick black fur. He brandished the whip in his hoof, giving Emerald a sneer of pure loathing. She looked among the crowd to see if there might be any help for her, but was faced instead, with hundreds of evil eyes being cast upon her. Instinctively, she tried to hide behind Nuada. He felt her body close against him and jerked aside, pushing her away. As she crashed down, the mocking shouts intensified.
"Dare to come so near, human!" he spat. "Come along!" He pulled on the rope but this time, Emerald did not get up. She sat on the dusty ground with her head hung down, and one hand clutching her bleeding arm. She couldn't move even as she saw black hooves stepping dangerously closer.
Nuada then spoke to the mob. "The human is my prisoner. You can have her when I am done with her." The crowd gave a collective disappointed sigh and broke off to return to market business, once there was no more entertainment to be had.
A gasp escaped Emerald as she felt herself being lifted off the ground. Nuada had tossed her limp body over his shoulder, and as he walked on she remained slumped, feeling nothing but weakness and the pains shooting through her.