Update time! There might be a slight inconsistency in this chapter, namely Eraniel's mood switch, but I was planning to have an Eraniel POV in the next chapter so we can find out what actually happens. I present you...
The two elves continued their tedious journey as the early hours of morning passed by, the density of the trees providing a slight challenge for the two while they searched for a way out of the great forest. The solitary howl of a shrrg would sometimes penetrate the serene landscape, forcing the elves to be on their guard. Out of a sudden, one of them stopped, panting heavily. Drops of sweat were visible on his brow, his ebony hair hanging loose into the wind.
"I suppose we should stop here and rest for a while. There's no reason for us to exhaust ourselves like that considering the length of this journey. We are not going to see the plains anytime soon," said the elf, often pausing in between his words to catch his breath. His interruption forced the other elf to stop running, his speed decreasing out of a sudden as he nearly tripped due to his speed. Turning around, the older elf threw Deleith a glance of irritation, frowning. It was almost as if his actions were an insult to him, a thorn on his side that persistently clung onto his skin. Without saying anything, Eraniel turned his head to the left and threw his knapsack on the ground with a sigh.
A great relief washed over Deleith when he saw what Eraniel did. They have been moving at a fast pace since he pointed his companion the right way, stopping only for a short while to catch their breath. The young elf was not used to be pushed to his limits, and because of that, he began to slow Eaniel down.
The elder elf realized with a bit of bitterness what the problem was and decided to show his companion a bit of kindness in exchange for his services by allowing him to rest for a longer period of time. Despite the visible signs of exhaustion, Eraniel wasn't the type of person who would postpone his objectives, even if this meant to push himself over his own limits to reach his goals.
"Finally! I was beginning to think that you are not an ordinary elf when you kept going at that pace for so long without showing visible signs of fatigue. You know, I think we…" the elf was forced to stop when a deeper voice interrupted him.
"Spare me of your senseless rambling. Make use of this time, for this is not going to happen again until the sun is high in the sky." The bitterness in his voice puzzled the raven-haired elf, who had hoped that he would get along with his companion in this journey. Hunger made itself noticed when Deleith's stomach started to ask for food in its specific way. The elf groaned and extended his hand to reach for his knapsack. After he pulled it to his side, he started to rummage through it, but nothing comestible was in there. Disappointed that not even a fruit lingered on the bottom, Deleith expressed his concern with an aggravated voice.
"My friend, do you mind sharing part of your food supply with me? It seems mine had run out. Could it be…"
"Silence!" Eraniel howled. "All you seem to do is complaining, and you are wearing me more than the constant running. If food is what you wish for, then go search for it, but keep in mind one thing: If you do not return to this place quickly, I will leave without you." Deleith tried to adopt a submissive attitude to find out why was his companion acting the way he was, but another shout reached his ears, causing him to shudder.
"Why are you still here? Can you hear what I said? Go and fetch us something to eat or you will become food for the beasts once I leave you alone in this forest." This last comment annoyed Deleith, who barely kept his mouth shut to hide his disgust at Eraniel's behavior. Irritation visible on his face, the raven-haired elf quickly got up and ran in a random direction, searching for different sources of food. In spite of his skills as a tracker, Deleith had no luck in finding what he was searching for, so he had been forced to return and inform his companion about his failure after a while. The bad news did not surprise Eraniel, who apparently had little faith in Deleith ever since he had met him.
"Then we will continue our search for the way out of this blasted forest, no matter the circumstances." Eraniel got up, picked his knapsack and rested his sword at his hip before he started to move. He paid little attention to the elf who desperately wanted an answer to all of this.
Deleith's frustration began to accumulate, his self-control being the only thing that had prevented him from starting an argument with Eraniel. All that he could do was obey Eraniel's strict rules until they would part. He did not like his company, but at least he was a skilled hunter ready to kill a beast that might cross paths with him. Feeling the need to vent his frustration, the raven-haired elf clenched his teeth as he kicked the earth. Why have I run into this arrogant elf? Can't he at least have the decency to address me properly?
Deleith moved his hand which was now forming a fist to his mouth, thinking about the different possibilities. There is something about this hunter, but I can't really put my finger on it. As much as I loath this type of behavior, I can't help but to feel helpless when it comes to face a beast of the forest. He also… the elf reached into his knapsack, his fingers making contact with the paw that represented his trophy. Because of him, I am alive and my honor will not be tarnished when I show this trophy to the others.
Deleith smiled as he tried to put his frustration aside by thinking about the future. Truth is, his age was fragile for a hunter participating in the Festival of hunt, but fate seems to take care of things in the most unusual ways sometimes. Uncertain about what was going to happen, Deleith hastened his pace to meet up with Eraniel, who now covered a significant distance.
Eraniel did not go back on his word about the resting schedule, pushing Deleith to the brink of his limits without giving a second thought to his desperate pleas. The pathetic excuses the elf found along the way have done little, least impress the hunter in any way; his unbending will remained strong as ever, and not even the king himself seemed capable to withstand such a resolute elf.
What displeased Eraniel further was his companion's incapability of maintaining a steady pace, but in his condition, it was nigh impossible. After only a short moment, moans and cries disturbed the calm silence as Deleith began to give in again, his legs bending in pain and sweat dripping off his brow.
"Eraniel, please! My strength has reached…" his heavy panting forced him to stop and catch his breath for a moment," I have reached my limit and you still want me to keep going? I ate nothing since yesterday and I barely have the energy to take a step, least keep going at this pace!" cried Deleith in exasperation and dropped on his knees, the hard ground feeling like the most comfortable place to stay on for him at this time.
Anger flashed in Eraniel's eyes as he turned around and sprinted towards his companion. As soon as he reached him, he raised his hand threateningly and slapped him as hard as he could, the powerful impact with his face making him shake his hand in pain, a mere sting in comparison to the mental pain he was forced to endure due to Deleith's weakness.
Deleith let out a loud scream and trashed on the ground, rubbing his now ruby colored cheek and temple with disbelief. Amazement, the worst kind of it together with fear was visible in his eyes.
He could barely say something coherent as he stuttered, "You…you're so heartless. It is obvious that I cannot walk one more blasted step, yet you hit me as if I am some kind of animal. That's it!" he spat with forcefulness, "I refuse to subjugate to your diabolical methods and lack of compassion for the weaker." Even he couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth, but the momentary surge of bravery inspired him to never falter in front of the likes of elves such as his companion.
Eraniel smirked at Deleith's pain, "If complains and faint-heartedness would provide you with a small amount of strength, then we would have been out of the forest by now." His vile grin disappeared, a serious look on his face replacing it, "I am tired of your different complaints meant to alleviate your pain and the pathetic excuses you come up with. I feel the need to discipline you, for the lack of it in that department disgusts me. That slap was just the start of it."
Deleith threw him a disdainful look and almost defended himself were it not for Eraniel's louder words that completely dwarfed him, "Life IS painful, and understanding the pain will give you powers beyond your imagining. For instance, it will help you to get up, because I am not going to. We are going to make a stop soon, so I would suggest you to keep going until that. Else, I'll let my imagination run free when I will deal with you" he added venomously, despite his desire to keep going.
The exhausted elf was well aware of the false promise of Eraniel meant to encourage him, but he had no choice in it. Either his way or the fate's choice, he thought while he got up using both of his arms for support. As if by an invisible accord of fear installed by Eraniel's ruthlessness, the raven-haired elf walked at a significant distance behind him. He wished for nothing more than to become invisible in Eraniel's eyes. Only then he might cease insulting him.
The two elves kept going at a slow pace, mainly because of Deleith, and soon enough they found a clearing where the trees were not so dense. Eraniel dropped his knapsack swiftly, the small brown sack hitting the ground with a thud due to its contents. He then laid his head against it, looking at the sky blankly.
Deleith caught up with him shortly after, crashing on the ground as soon as he reached the clearing. He tried to get a much-needed rest, but his empty stomach rumbled loudly, enough to make Eraniel turned around and looked at him with an angry stare.
"If that innocent look on your face is supposed to make me hunt something for you, then you are terribly mistaken. As I said, you have to get it yourself. I am sick of providing you with what your heart yearns for. You know what else does the exact same thing? A parasite. A filthy parasite that can only survive on the other's suffering," he said, hate and venom latching his every word.
Deleith tried to ignore him, but his words hurt too much. "You speak like the blame is mine for not finding anything to eat in this forest. If you remember well, I'm in this situation because you ate everything I had, so you should be grateful for that!" he spat angrily.
"A good choice of words for someone as helpless as you. If words could sate your hunger, then you would be fat by now. So if you want to prove otherwise, go and fetch something to eat, else get out of my sight. I need a moment of silence, and as long as you are still here, your complains will deny me this opportunity.
Deleith threw a wave of endless insults at Eraniel in his mind and got up in an instant, running towards the forest.
What happened to Eraniel? Is arrogance finally coming up to the surface? Are these his true colors? Can the death of a dragon change someone so much? Or something else happened? If someone can answer to these questions before the next chapter, you have the chance to win a cookie!
I hoped you like this elf chapter, which was more of a dialogue between Eraniel and Deleith. The next chapter will come it two or three days hopefully, as I had to cut off a part because it did not sound good. I would love to hear your opinions about the relationship between Deleith and Eraniel as of now.