CHAPTER 54 DIAMOND BLOSSOMS AND FAERIE CREATURES

Diamonds and Rust, Blackmore's Night

Magic words, Coco Lee

For the xmas part I like It's party time!


Laira

Even though Nuada had moved away, his sneezing could be heard.

"Wear a jacket, don't go out too late," I said.

He sniffed. "I'm fine. No need to go tonight. Can we speak for longer now? I want to."

"Yes." I shoved aside my notes in glee. Nuada paused. "I'm done studying. I'm not clever. Clever people don't have to. It's no fair."

"Really. I don't believe that. Everyone has gifts. That'd be a supernatural thing not having to work for a result. Abnormal."

I laughed. "Elf no way. You're funny. And, how are your nightmares?"

He explained about a dream slowly. "… can't see them clearly. It was not frightening, but when I woke up, it was dawn and I could not close my eyes without going back there. Yesterday it stopped. I hope I can sleep without dreaming, then I can get enough."

"If you're tired, I don't mind. See you."

"Lyra, no it is nice chatting. Don't hang up yet," Nuada conveyed.

"Ok I won't. You are sad? What's wrong?" He sounded hurt and lonely.

"I like chatting with you. Nothing is wrong… what movie shall we watch?" He seemed to be smiling at this moment. Maybe he was unwell, since he had sneezed just now. According to experience, guys are troubled with stuff but don't tell directly because of the need to be strong.

"Light comedy. That fine with you?"

"Sure. Halfling, do you dream every night? What is it like?"

I forgot them. Usually in Rem mode, we tend to dream as our brains don't sleep but remain active. Most of the time we cannot remember what it was like, unless the dreamer is some genius or mad. No stress for dreaming! Nuada listened without interrupting. "Haha sorry. You are bored eh?" I felt awkward.

"Not at all, you are so smart. I'm unaware of such things. Animals have dreams too. Somebody here is obsessed with the need to dream. He is mad." Nuada snorted. "Feel like hitting him then ask if he can still dream."

I laughed till tears came. "The author of a book interviewed someone, he said it's not true that when the head is bopped, memory will be lost, then bop again, will come back. I think the man will be dead if you hit him, Nuada! Aww. Is he human?"

"No he has a thick skull. Can take a lot of damage. Bop is a good thing. Haha." Drawer opening, papers shuffled. "I bought some postcards with animals. Pick one, dog, cat, or bird?" he added.

"Cat and dog." I said.

"One," Nuada emphasized.

"Dog then. You want to give it to me, it's alright." I beamed.

"Yes I can write something short and send to you with a new stamp. I want to." My throat constricted at his consideration. Elf really cares. "Halfling are you there?"

"I'm here, yes. Ok. I don't like horses so much. They're too emotional. One hurt you."

Nuada replied quietly, "I like them. It was not the horse's fault. Big animals are my favourite. Even wolves, do you like wolves? Don't say no….." He warmed to his topic. I was agreeing with his point that animals don't bite out of nothing or deceit, they were just hurt at the moment. Elves are so attuned to other living things. At 9.30, I suggested he get some rest.

"Very well. I want to hear from you again. Much warmer now… where is Joe?"

"He's not home yet. Why?"

"Pass him this message, I like his card and thank you."

I whispered 'Airgetlam'. He growled. "Not in public or I will walk away. I'm sleepy. Work hard, maybe I will buy you a reward. Night."

On Friday a doggie card arrived, hanging out its tongue. Nuada signed his name: hi Lyra good luck. I like your letter. It's open so I won't have personal things here. Enjoy your day. (drawing of a flower)

Coco's song accompanied me at this moment.

You just touch me like I love, and loving you

Feels new again

Then you just say the magic words oh babe

And I feel the sun shining down on me again



The reticent elf was early. He sat with his back to me. Nuada looked slimmer, hair loose and seemed paler in the sun. Children playing nearby. He raised a hand up, and I saw the glove. The weather was chilly. Before I reached there, a child ran up to Nuada. What? He was holding out something to him. The mother smiled.

He stood up. I waited, would elf see me now? When he spun on his heel and faced me, I saw my name on his lips. He looked so special. The fringe fell over his scar. I walked the last few steps and took his hands. "No glamour?" I whispered.

You can see. I am using it. Is it your necklace?

No I'm not. Yay! Nuada pretended to look innocent of his compliment. We discussed our days and happenings. "It is cold. I don't like this weather." His jacket was a lighter blue hue with a white shirt inside. He wore sport shoes. I guess that was more comfortable.

"It was summer all the time, there?" In his homeland I meant.

The elf nodded, dreamy. We chose to watch a play not a movie. The live action was not as noisy. Nuada asked me what certain lines meant. He thought it was great. When we go into my town, I can introduce you to some famous elven artistes. They are very skilful and convincing.

Later when we were in Dean's grove, the usual meeting place, Nuada said something. A curtain parted for us to step through. "You can see it now. I don't need to explain."

We removed our jackets. He slung his on a waiting branch, slipped off the gloves into his slingbag. It was our gift to him when he doesn't carry a lot of things.

"Nuada I think I did well. I want to study less."

"I see. Any more to go?"

"One…. Are you sick?" I felt his forehead. He gazed at me. He had slept early on all the nights following our conversation.

"I am better." Nuada let my hand touch his face to my satisfaction without fidgeting. Have I told you how his skin feels? It's rough on some scarred parts, the runes on forehead and close to lips sunken in. It was really exotic to touch an elf. "Are you finished, doctor?"

"Yes! I can be a doctor to handsome guys."

His stifled laughter could not be suppressed. After Nuada stopped, he told me, "You reject the ugly men? And old? So evil. Oh I want to be doctor too, for one day. I can give lots of injections and cuts. "

"Usually elves are very healthy, but if you get sick it becomes very grave isn't it?"

He had this piercing stare into space above me, looking for some divine help?

"Who told you these things?" he rubbed calluses on his hand.

"Doctors had the files, it's a hereditary genetic illness. The royalty may suffer, like sister." Nuada just nodded but did not comment. We strolled around the area. I could now see it was an alternate barrier to the humans for our privacy. I love the secrecy arcane-ness of it. My tension had not left me yet. I observed elf's every move. His skin was warmer than normal. 40 degrees, higher than mine.

"My arm's circulation will be cut off if you do not let go of me soon. Maybe snap," Nuada commented drily.

"Oh sorry!" It would not, he was so strong.

You are worrying more. What can I say to reassure you?

Gosh, prince didn't even probe my mind. I shrugged. He smiled wide. "Look, see them." His finger pointed to overgrown ivy moss disguising a cave. The cave was inconspicuous from view. The animals had furred bodies glowing orange, thick lustrous manes. They made whining sounds. Tails tapered at the rear, the front had horse faces. The herd/pack grazed in front. I suppose a mist surrounded them. Nuada whispered- wolf unicorns. They are a herd, more unicorn than wolf. Aren't they majestic?

Haha, the picture book I had. Haven't seen them before. I replied, squeezing his hand. We were crouched some distance away. One beast lifted his head. The horn was short stubby, blinking like a beacon. They are carnivores or herbivores?

Herbivores. They attack like wolves, snapping and biting.

The cute wolf hybrids scampered in the area, playing and chortling for hours. Then they left. He turned to me, his timbre positive, "I am not afraid of anything. Except spirits. I won't let illness defeat me."

My hand tightened on his shirt. "But I don't want you to suffer, Nuada. Seeing sister ill was…." Frustrated me. I was hopeless!

He tilted his head and watched me fidget with my belt sash. When I am upset, I will tie and untie strings. How to explain? Gentle fingers touched my round ear. "Let me show you something. Come." Nuada beckoned, walking ahead.

It is an antidote?

No. you will love it. Nuada parted some big leaves. From within, a diamond flower with blue petals surrounding it waved out. Beside it, a little round thing was stirring. I peered closely. Purple petals unfurled from a centre diamond. It looked like the real thing. "Nuada it's nice. But why?"

"Why do you think I want you to see this?" he asked in return.

Um to watch it grow? Its habitat is cloaked… I guessed. The elf chuckled.

Despite being tiny, this flower can grow and thrive well. It used to be rare but not now. It is persistent and resilient to attacks. Has thorns below. Look. Yes they were to prevent other insects and animals from eating it. Ingenious!

"Nuala said you did not give up on her. You spoke and told stories. I think it is a gift and you used them well to ease and sooth. I will need that, Lirael. You don't have to be a doctor to heal patients," he said with encouragement, patting my shoulder. I could not control the wetness blurring my vision. I smiled.

"Will you promise to tell me once you've a fever? I need to prepare myself." I held him tightly. The elf laughed and promised. After a while, Nuada cleared his throat. Rustle of paper, and tissues were in my face. I blew my nose. "Thanks."

"Welcome." That day my friend turned to his brighter side of realist to console me. I had renewed confidence again. Abe too took me aside when I went to talk to them. "I'll know the first thing if he falls sick. We recorded Nuala's symptoms and since they are related by blood, they will be similar. We can definitely give Nuada better treatment and medicines. And I will take care of him too." He waved his fingers.


Christmas was closer. Less to do in the Bureau but still paperwork. When I dropped by, Nuada's speech of opening- "I am fine. Don't ask if I have fever. I don't."

"Oi not that. I won't be the same daily. Besides I should be loving you."

Elf did not have the mood for my cares, darn it. I mean not always. That went in my journal of elf behaviour too. How could he not appreciate it? He cheered up circling a block of days at Christmas time. Haha. "Others will come in to fill for the minor missions. Since HB needs to spend the time with the family, I also said I want the time off. I missed last year. Can I come to your house?" Nuada had an imperious tone. I nodded.

"Yes! Got presents? I love prezzies."

"You Shallow being, Christmas is not about presents but bonding and care. I am disappointed." Nuada shook his head. I was flamed. I didn't care and played carols on the radio. Nuada laughed at my dancing. Some of his friends made him wear the bell cap but he wouldn't sing or move. The stormy Nuada glared at them as they pranced like pixies. "Take it off. I am steaming." He demanded, shaking fists at the group. Krauss bobbed like it was funny too. The cap was enchanted to stay on for a few hours. I snapped a pic of him which is adorable. But can't put it up proudly or he'll have my hide.

We decorated the medium size plastic tree with tinsel, balls, toys and ribbons. Every one of my friends had contributed an item. Liz had given me stick candy canes, Abe with gingerbread figurines, Salem and Uriel handmade elves. My human friends too. The tree was our own customized one. Nuada's delight didn't let up. He had brought some cookies as gifts and some decorative ones for the tree. "We had something like that long ago. I forget the name. It's my first time celebrating!" he exclaimed. Nuada stepped back to admire the art, then tweaked some of the lights properly.

I kissed him. Later we would be expecting Nuala and Abe over. They wanted to do shopping first. Nuada had written a card for us. I got the set of scented colored pens as promised and a looking glass. Animals raced in the glass when I look into it. So special. Elf whistled a tune.

Joe wanted Nuada to open his gift right away. "Bro I want to see your reaction. Please please!"

"All right, thank you." The elf gently opened the box. "Wow!" plus something in elven. Nuada's smile broadened. He showed them to me, a set of mini wolves in various poses- sitting, running, howling etc.

"Yay! I know they're your favorite."

"Oh I hope that's not too expensive. Thank you. And this is yours, don't open now." My brother went to keep his gift in his transformers' room. I laughed.

"Why not?"

Elf chuckled. "He will neglect us. What time are they coming? It's almost seven now."

The dinner would not be that grand. But I didn't mind, for once we had a family to celebrate with. Salem's sister had given a few cakes, plus one burnt one. Eh? Nuada sighed. "It was a circle when I put in the oven. But it is still nice. Try."

I did. "Yes yummy. You can bake now!"

"No no, it is with guidance."

The other food was Joe's cooking, and Mom's dishes. She only came for four days before, whipping up her signature dishes stewed potatoes and veges, handmade icecream, waffles. Abe bought a roast chicken. It was mouthwatering fare. Before we started, I took a photo of the spread.

Nuala asked, "Why do you want to do that?"

I beamed. "For fun. I like the look of it. Smile." Nuala leaned close with her spouse. Nuada declined. "You already have a few of me. No need."

Abe regaled us with his glorious singing voice for carols. Joe and him later had lengthy conversations, with Nuada making comments here and there. Nuala and I sat together to exchange presents. She had made me a cloak, to be like Red riding hood. Cool! Mine is nicer than that person's one, it's a rich type of scarlet.

Abe said, "I'm not a busybody! It hurt my feelings." In response to the elf prince's Gaelic. He sounded indignant. Nuada beamed like a child sprite.

"Do you like it?" Nuala asked, stroking my hair.

"Thank you. Your health is better now? Did you stay up late?"

"I'm totally recovered."

But I didn't have a present in return. "Sorry. But you can eat a cookie I made. Here." I opened a box. These are for the guests who come impromptu. I didn't know what to get for Nuala. She did not mind.

This is a nice festival. I am so happy. I would like a letter from you again..

Sure. I said.

Abe was imploring Nuada not to hurt him anymore. "Nuala looks like we should intervene." I motioned to the living room.

"Not my intention. This term is my affection for you. If I say your full name, then it's not good." Nuada's smile was frosty. It was his attempt at banter. Joe tried out the phrase. "Not bad." Elf clapped him on the shoulder.

Abe blinked his large eyes. His voice was weedy, "It is useless to argue. And barbaric. We are on totally opposite spectrums. Girls, hello. Your hot temper is bad. It deters enemies."

"Tell us Abe." I bounced on the sofa. Elf balanced a toy on my head.

"I will advise that we move slowly. And he glares at me. Next moment he rushes ahead with guns, and swords drawn. Usually the latter. We don't want you hurt."

Nuada corrected, "I do not rush ahead. I have already seen what to do. Swords and guns together? When? "

Abe demonstrated. We laughed. Elf grunted. "I couldn't do that. You saw the wrong person. I know I am hot tempered, you hesitate too much Abraham. And vindictive, I saved your life more than once." His tone took on a proud warrior's.

I said, holding his hand, "Yea I kind of agree. Nuada is in between dark and light. And he's special, unique." That was the right speech, my mate hugged me. Abe pretended to weep in exaggeration.

"Here don't cry hubby. I will beat him up for you." Nuala laughed and patted his shoulder. Joe suggested they do it right now. Nuala glanced at her twin. They both grinned. "On second thought, it is a bad example. We're too old for that."

Abe magically recovered. He replied softly, "Guys it is a hypothetical example. Your rashness cost us some machines. But the spontaneity is welcome. It is an asset."

"Brother, I am proud of you."

My mate bowed his head to each of us. "Thank you. I am touched." His expression was so calm we laughed more.

Abe: it's funny. He will deflect all my remarks smoothly. Not shy at all. I cringe at the description.

Nuala: sometimes he will be. Then you won't see him smile at all.

Nuada smelled secure and exotic, but accessible to me. He thought of nicknames for fishie, then they had more heated arguments. "Where is the temper? Defend yourself. It brings change."

"Don't quote the documentary out of context."

"It is not." Nuada argued. "Hey how many ex girl friends did youhave?"

Abe spluttered holding his face. He gaped. Nuala folded her arms. "Hey. You had exes? Why didn't you confess?" She looked mad. But she smiled.

Nuada laughed so merrily he held his stomach. We were astonished. It was rare to see. Then he was more serious, "If I catch you having a mistress now, you'll be worse than chopped fish. In the market."

Abe swore he would not. He asked him aside and they had a normal chat. Exchange presents too. I admired Nuada's side profile, wheat colored locks held back with black ribbon. Tonight, since it was Christmas he wore cream instead of black. Nuala read my notebook of the twins' findings. I felt shy.

"Oh I hope you don't mind. It is wonderful. Mind if I have a copy?" she looked up. I said ok and explained my more illegible scrawlings. Her brother's paragraphs were neat and detailed with anecdotes. "Oh he remembers some. I don't."

Seems that they had different perspectives. Nuala wrote other points. She was sure I would get published. Yay! ' fraternal twins have a strong Link, it is a mystery to many researchers…'

The lights winked merrily on our tree. Fireworks burst in the sky. The elves were mesmerized, but I focused more on the wonder on the male elf's features. He said, "That one looks like a cat. I like the green and yellow most."

"yes." He closed his eyes seeming to pray. Red green blue lights colored the dark. I walked to Abraham and poked him. Thanks for coming.

I wanted to. No prob, hey we're relatives. So are you married?

Hmm yes. It was done quickly. I am… planning to have a foodie fest with you all. When Nuada is agreeable to the number.

Elf was engrossed in his wishes. Joe held his hand speaking.

******

Slept late. I rolled over smiling ear to ear. We stayed up till past midnight, to see all the fireworks. And the Christmas special movie Luthien was singing, my bracelet. He had been good and not hurt me.

Nuada wasn't awake yet on his side of the room. Some kind of jewel had dropped on the floor. The strength in it electrified. Was it his? Images of lush autumn and summer trees, serein falling in a mist, blooming sprigs, birds. What was this? Heart throbbing to my soul, pulsing passions, my aunt's face…..

"Sis hey sis! Sup?" he called. I jumped and shushed him, shutting the door softly. "Oops. Can I see, your pres?"

"No. I think it's elf's." Joe held it. He zoned out.

Abe and Nuala had breakfast with us. Nuada looked groggy still and yawned. His mood was gentle though. Nuala talked to him in elven for their moment together, before they left.

"It rolled on the floor beside you. Here." I gave the crystal. It was transparent, and now it had turned milky blue. Nuada thanked us. "What is it?"

"An elder gave it to me. It wards off evil."

Joe added he saw different things, structures, ivory strong and eternal. Plus a giant lake. "I swam inside. Normally I don't swim in lakes. Why?"

Nuada nodded slowly. I told him my vision. "This is a crystal for seeking happiness. You have dreams. I don't. So far, I just sleep better."

The prince thought for a moment, said he had it for a few months already. "Ah that lake, my friend. No one has discovered that part of Bethmora in decades. I think it's great you can see. Want to touch more?" We caressed the thing on the table so it wouldn't break. Nuada wanted to cook for us. We asked him to rest. His eyelids were low.

He waved. "I'm your family. I brought a recipe book that can't wait to be tried. I will take a nap later ok?" Berry dessert from cherries and blackcurrants, some sandwich elf style with more veges, crackers in dipping cream, soup. For the last two, the recipe was secret. He shooed me out, wanted it to be a surprise.

Delicious! Nuada and me lay side by side. He wanted to know what I wished for. "Did you? What's yours?"

I smiled. "Can't. Secret."

"Aww. I wanted to tell you mine. It is better that way. All right… it is only xmas the fireworks are lit? I love that!" He blew on my face. I nodded.

In the evening, we went for a walk. Nuada showed us a Path to a feytown. He wanted to drop gifts to his friends. "I want to spring a surprise on my friends." It was an elfhome.