A strange sap like substance burst from the elementals shattered head. It landed everywhere and when it did, it wasn't a gruesome site, as the human's blood was, who Nuada had killed. Instead, it turned to textured moss and long wisps of grass. Fine blooms sprung to show their pretty faces, which hadn't grown in centuries and spread as far as they could beneath our feet. I had not expected this and I wandered out further now that the danger had been eradicated, followed by Abraham.

Not even its death wound could sadden anyone, as its giant petals unfurled of the purest white, releasing seeds of many ancient plants, that the wind would carry far and wide. In them the elemental will live on and something from the old world will return. One such seed danced before me like a ball of cotton.

"its…beautiful."

I couldn't agree more with Abraham, "Aiglin Bless."

Liz came up from beside me, a coat in her hands which she draped around my shoulders, having forgotten the amount of skin I had on display after my ordeal with the Skolga. I blushed and thanked her dearly gripping her elbow to keep her as close to me as possible and stared once more where Hellboy was.

This time, he was alone. Nuada had disappeared…somewhere underground I could feel, which meant for a moment I didn't have to worry about him.

The serenity of the elemental's passing didn't last long and a commotion commenced between the BPRD and all the rest of those wearing a uniform. It was a power struggle over who was in the right to demand answers for what just occurred and Manny stepped up to his previous role again, to try and ease the scene with elaborate stories.

I couldn't help but giggle at the way he was making a point of involving the German to prove his worth and seek approval. Of all the names he has called the unusual, the fae, or demonic, here he was doing his best to appease one similar to us. It was poetic in a way. Liz and Abe caught me up on what I missed. Apparently, the air man was in charge now and it has been met with mixed opinions.

Liz who couldn't care, Abraham who adored Johann's intellect and Hellboy with hatred having been shown up by the newcomer once or twice.

"he seems to know what he's doing," I commented, reflecting on what I heard in the troll market and regarding the elemental.

"Aww! You too Nimue."

It looked like Hellboy had finally come down from his perch, with barely a scratch more than what I had initially seen him with earlier, as he set away his gun for when next it was needed.

"that's one baby sorted. How's this little man" he cooed, wiggling a finger at its button nose.

Impressively I had managed to get it to sleep, after realising that he wasn't so different from an elven babe, and passed the child along to its original saviour, who showed no signs of the awkwardness I had displayed at first. He continued to coddle it with all kinds of nonsense speech, which I thought would make it a simpleton. Especially by the way Hellboy altered his voice and pronounced some words, but I happened a glance at Liz.

I suppose shock might have been one way to describe her, as she saw the man who was the father of her children, for the first-time handle one. I bet this was hardly what she expected from the muscular and often egotistical rascal and I smiled widely at her, hoping it would ease some of her stress. After all, Hellboy had an excellent father figure and so did she in the professor to, therefore all the best of the professors parenting skills, was in them both.

"What have you done to my baby?!"

We were all so absorbed in watching Hellboy, none of us noticed a woman storming in our direction. She had managed to push past a number of men to get to where we were, snatching the babe from Hellboy as it soundly slept. At her rash behaviour the child was startled, crying as it hadn't done since we found it alone in the car, However, its piercing cries caused uproar among the public, who Hellboy had just saved.

"the baby's fine," he tried to assure, but no one was listening.

What's more, the crowd had gotten a lot larger and at the forefront were those boxes that projected things on TV's, like Hellboy has in his room, and cushioned bars that amplified sound. Their guardsmen weren't doing much now either, so the only control to keep the raging humans at bay, came from our men in the BPRD.

The abuse was nothing we hadn't heard from Manny or even from some of the other agents. Only there was a particular venom behind their tone that cut deep and for someone like Hellboy, who has wanted nothing but acceptance and to join the world for what it is, this crushed him. His wish was simple compared to most people's, yet he could not be granted it, despite all he has done.

I suppose he couldn't understand how his father could accept and treat him with love, while others could not. Making him miss the man, all the more.

I got to thinking about my people. They were never too far from my mind ever since I became a monarch. Currently they were safe from this ridicule Hellboy endured along with Abe and I, but did they share Red's dream? Maybe the younger generation, like Una. The majority yearn for the old days, whereas she never saw our people at the height of our glory so there was nothing to miss of our cities, towns and festivities. However, it must haunt her the same as Hellboy, that there was a wider world out there rather than the confines of four walls. Even if she were to walk the troll market, it would be rife with danger.

I didn't understand it before, his need for their acceptance, but as they shut him down, I see her face too, wondering why it is up to others to decide her place in the world, and that included me, when she has so much to give.

However, I've been told my gift is extraordinary, but not even I can predict the future. Who knows, with the humans now realising that they are not alone, perhaps come another century, their attitude could change. Perhaps they will see the value in what we could share with them.

Sneakily as my trail of thought continued, I projected it. There wasn't an answer, but I knew he heard me.

As things got out of hand, there was one who would stick with Hellboy no matter what. She was bound to him now, by a force that could possibly rival mine and Nuada's. The bond of parenthood. He was the father of her children now after all, and there was nothing he wouldn't do for her or them, when she gets around to telling him that is. I have every faith they will endure.

"Nimue."

I turned but I should have done it with a bit more haste. That way I would have seen the agents clink a pair of handcuffs around my wrists. Honestly, I needed to reassess my instincts, because too many things had taken me off guard these last couple of days. Fortunately, Abraham had been close by to see what had happened as I was ushered away. I recognised Agent Ross of course, the boy who I scolded with his handling over the troll and he seemed to delight in this payback. He wasn't alone and two of them lead me to the van we usually store the fae we detain in, depending on their risk factor.

I figured pretty quickly that if it wasn't already clear, this was a reassurance that I was no longer a member of the BPRD and as far as they were concerned. I was under their custody as any other criminal would be.

"we haffen't had ze chance to properly meet. Dr Johann Krauss."

I remained silent, knowing his intent, which was to find out about me, Nuada and the situation that has unfolded pretty rapidly, since only the previous night at the auction house.

"und you are Nimue. or am I misdaken, for zere zeems to be a lot of mystery zurrounting you. if I may be zo bold."

"Johann, just what in the hell do you think your doing!"

The frustration he didn't unleash on the humans, Hellboy displayed here towards Johann stepping toe to toe as a challenge and towering above him.

"control yourzelf agent. You must know zat after zese events, we couldn't allow zis girl to slip avay, as she did in your last mizion. Zere is protocol to follow."

Johann was clearly just as stubborn and stern in his decisions. Honestly what else did I expect. I had been standing on thin ice before I left and, in my abandonment soon after the tooth fairies, suspicion could only lead the BPRD to me. I have since solidified their just cause to do so and didn't want to fight against them, though it would be easy to do so and run. Perhaps our reunion could benefit me and in return they can get the information they desire.

"yes, totally agree with you," Manning chipped in, following his newfound master like a pup.

He leant on the van doors which would shut to become my cage, "I mean we don't know who we're dealing with. You know? I mean what's to say she isn't behind this whole thing with the walking yard trimmings and the gnashing fairy things..."

I glared at him as he chewed that infernal substance which Hellboy used to stick under every surface, including a page from one of my favourite books when he was a child. Funny, Manny wore the same smug expression Hellboy once did when I told him off for it. But where Red had improved his ways (to a degree), here a child still stood, trying to pass for a grown man.

"on the contrary Human, coincidently in fulfilling my duty towards my race, I am also redeeming myself in my duty as an agent, in ensuring the safety of your kind; and by safety I mean the prevention of your total annihilation, in the most brutal and merciless way imaginable."

No one spoke as my words sunk in. Even Hellboy lowered his guard and exchanged a look at Liz who had joined to hear my statement, as well as Abraham.

"I'm not zure, I know quite vat your implying."

My stance grew taller as I straightened my back, "your right, proper introduction is needed. I am Nimue, Princess of the Bethmoora Clan, 'the sons of the earth.' Wife of Silverlance prince Nuada. I bare a royal crest and so much more."

"It is true. We connected in the troll market, I read her as she projected her thoughts. Nimue, she shares my gift, although she can implement thoughts into others."

"Really?" a few mouths mumbled together.

"yes, really," I projected to everyone listening in on this conversation and seeing a few disturbed eyes.

"so that was what you did earlier," Liz added in, "and your emotions, I could feel them too. You were terrified Nimue. It was the same fear I used to feel, about myself, but you; you were scared of someone."

I couldn't deny her that. It was harsh of me to expel what I did onto her and dangerous at the same time, since I didn't exactly have much control after the poisoning, to be wary of the dark turn my gift could have gone. But it proved how desperate I was for her to understand my predicament and to do as I said.

"A long time ago, we were at war. My people and yours. This was before humans could record history for what it was and is. That war ended because of a truce King Balor made and he upheld it and died doing so. If it were not for him, then the human race would have been wiped out centuries ago. However, his actions were not supported by many but above all, his son Nuada. He seeks now to command that foe which is best to leave locked away and he is close to his goal, but he needs what lies in Liz's pocket."

Confused, she reached into her jacket and found my piece of the crown, which I had snuck in there, while we were running and lost sight of each other.

"what is this? She asked, turning it in her hand and stroking the engravings.

"the final piece from the crown of Bethmoora. The other two, Nuada already has. Claiming one at the auction and the other from his father's body."

My voice cracked at the thought of Balor's body been defiled like that and I winced at the incoming image. Speaking about it had triggered Nuada's shared memories with me and I felt cheated of the small mercy in not witnessing his demise myself.

It was just how he wanted it to end though. Standing on his aged legs, his arm extended in welcome and then the blow to his heart. Quick and hopefully painless.

I could feel how Nuada's decision to kill his father was not born from lack of love. It was due to the fact that with Balor alive, the golden army would not obey him, even with the crown whole. The commanders right had to be challenged and Balor was no fighter in a physical sense. His death was the only way Nuada's goal could be achieved and if he could have avoided it, he would have. Part of the reason why it took him so long to return from exile and begin his plan, was because he was coming to terms with what he had to do. Had gone through the grieving process by himself, questioned it and then mentally prepared for the confrontation, until he finally believed he had the confidence to fulfil the deed.

That is until the moment his weapon plunged deep into his father's chest and part of the grieving, he thought to have conquered, returned. No matter what, Balor had been his parent and Nuada his child. Their relationship had been a strong one, because for many years it had been just them two. A monarch without a mate could father a child, from a willing woman, who would remove herself from their lives soon after birth. Thus, he had been all Nuada had ever known to rely on, find protection and wisdom in, all of which shaped him into the elf he was.

To have him gone; it was indescribable the ache of loneliness reserved for a parted parent and nothing could fill that void; it just became easier after a while.

"Ze golden Army!"Johann chipped in with excitement.

I was surprised he was aware of there being such a thing. The only book I could recall to contain their story was that of the professors and I had burnt it the same night we met. I had insisted actually, when he promised I could start anew. It wasn't like he needed it anyway. Not when I was around. As the year's past, he did ask a few questions now and then about anything that piqued his interest about my race, or our customs and technology. So perhaps he recorded a few things in his notes that got distributed after his funeral, to those he had said were like minded to him. Could Johann have been such a person?

"that,'" I indicated to the piece, "is the key to their entire existence and whoever wears the crown, holds the power over an indestructible army."

There was a frightened silence. Disbelief for some as well, for who enjoyed the thought of someone seeking mass murder, where you were the victim in that scenario. It must be overwhelming, but not too far a stretch from the fear the fae live with. Because not all the captured creatures were set free when taken by the BPRD. Some were so much a curiosity, that I have seen supposed doctors dissect and store them into jars, in order to create weapons to exploit their weaknesses. The humans did not condone the thought of someone overstepping their mark of potential harm or dominance over them. Not even from their own kind, where they constantly walked a fine line between war and peace.

"…You choose to tell us this now."

There was a hint of betrayal in the sound of Hellboy's voice. Apart from his father, I am the one who has lasted the longest in being with him, since he was a boy. A constant in his world since the day we met and I had shattered that trust by keeping so much a secret from him, that now I was a stranger in his eyes.

"Actually, had Abraham not followed me, I had no intention of ever returning, or seeing any of you again."

I had gotten in the habit of truth telling now, that I couldn't stop. I was sick of hiding things and it would only hurt them more if I lied.

"it would have been for your own safety. You don't understand, just how dangerous Nuada is."

"Oh, I have an idea," Red scoffed, as the sounds of sirens still echoed around us and the elementals damage still fresh, that it left a gaping hole in the city where tall buildings had once been.

"that's the thing, He wasn't trying to kill you Hellboy. It was to test where your loyalty lied, and to get an idea of your strength. He was willing to kill innocent people in order to get that. Because to him, where humans are concerned, there are no innocents."

There was a body not too far away to prove that all the more. A victim not of the elemental but Nuada. I didn't have to search to know that there was no regret to be found on his part. I doubt he has even considered it since, or the wider factors death effects, such as family. Mindless animals, rodents he had compared them to and I wasn't sure there was anything that would make him see beyond that belief.

"zen that settles it, das piece will remain with us. Agent Sherman, if you'd please."

Before Johann could step any further towards Liz, Hellboy reached out to protectively cover her from the air man's meaning to take it without question. He still didn't seem used to being refused orders and despite his show of devotion; Manny raised his eyebrows at the agents who still held me captive, as if to say 'see, not even he can control him.'

"wait, if Nimue wasn't on our side, she would have already given this to Nuada," she argued in my defence.

"it's true, she promised king Balor to keep it safe at all costs; and you weren't down there in the troll market, she fought her own people and risked her life to keep her word sound."

Abraham referred to wink and the council, I suppose. A sensitive topic now, as I dwelled over the thought of the troll I had spared and at the same time, wounded by separating him from his friend and prince. Would he obey my order I wondered and if not, would I have the heart and courage to insist he leave again?

Wink was a proud troll. Honour would have seen my will be done. I sympathised with his situation, which I had forced him into, but I did not regret it. If he was out of the picture now, there wasn't anything that could put his life in danger and should I succeed in my endeavour, whether it takes a hundred years, then there will be nothing to stop him from returning to us when the time was right. And I would welcome him warmly after our cold goodbye.

"I did promise King Balor, only things have changed. There is a link that bounds Nuada and I together and it has been rekindled. A tether you cannot see, which makes us as though a single person. He knows my every thought and action, and there is no distance that is great enough that he will not be able to find me, because of this bond."

"a mating ritual if I'm not mistaken?" Johann asked, as Abraham turned away from me sharply, "so, if you know its location, as does the prince. See agent Sherman I must have the crown piece. Nimue has validated my reasoning."

I nodded to permit Liz in doing so and it fell into his hand. I understood too, my deciding this, but it still felt like a was being disloyal. I just prayed that the BPRD would not let me down.

"you can never tell me where it is; otherwise he would know too. Another country, beneath the ground, or launched into the stars. The fate of the world depends on it."

Two pieces for the elves, one for the humans. It had come full circle, only this time I should not expect for the value to be lost over the piece and have it fall into the wrong hands. They must live up to their word, because the consequence in not doing so would be far worse than mere tooth fairies.

"you can count on it, und I vould rather act sooner rather zhan later. Come now."

Again, I was being hastened into the back of the van, handcuffs still in place.

"wait… I told you everything. Will you not let me go?"

"I'm zorry but zis does not buy your freedom. ven your prince makes his next move, we might need you still. zere is a system set in place and ve, as agents, must obey."

I was pulling against their efforts of hauling me into the vehicle, straining my arms as I stretched myself around the doors, as the air man walked off, shouting out to him desperately.

"hey, watch who you're pushing around!"

They didn't listen to Hellboy and linked my cuffs to a chain that then hooked to the floor.

Still I screamed, "protecting the crown piece was not all I swore to the king. I have to find a way to get through to Nuada, to try and change his ways!"

Why would no one see sense?

have I just made the greatest mistake of my life?

Couldn't they see that by taking me to headquarters, it worked the same way, that he would know where we were because of our bond. That there would be no time to relocate the crown piece in a place I deemed appropriate and no matter how safe they thought headquarters was, nothing about it impressed me, therefore it would be laughable to Nuada.

The last thing I saw before the doors shut was Manning with an amused glint in his eye.

"protocol cannot be ignored for the sake of lovers quarrels."