My Elven warlord can't be this cute!

Tiffania Westwood needed a familiar, she just didn't know it yet. Who is a better familiar for an innocent elf maiden than a King of Elves? The Witch King, of course! To Malekith at least the trees didn't have eyes and no Chaos Daemons were in sight.

Warnings: see chapter 1, I'm wrecking Warhammer lore as I yet have to read the Sundering series.

Disclaimer: Don't own shit except the belief that Malekith is entitled to tendies and Mommy's milkies

Chapter 6: In academic pursuits II

Kouran Darkhand was not a man with quick temper. Those who knew the grim Black Captain of Naggarond, knew that the dark-haired elf was not one to be trifled with. Thousands of victims and 17 separate challengers could attest to this fact, but however, only Eresh Khial, the Pale Queen would hear them.

For this disposition and loyalty, coupled with efficient cruelty, he had been picked as Malekith's right hand and now during his liege's latest stunt, the captain now had been raised to the status of DreadGuard,a title only second to that of Witch King himself. While many would have been ready to climb over a mountain of corpses, Kouran would have given over the position freely if he knew it would fall into safe hands. Across the ocean Hellebron and Morathi bickered, both women sent back with their own forces to their respective cities, while this sentiment could be weathered.

Trustworthy was not how one would describe Morathi or Hellebron, but with this tenuous balance based on their rivalry, he could get some breathing room and Shadowblade provided to be an indispensable asset to manage the sorceresses in secrecy.

All was quiet on Ulthuan as the first stages of Malekith's grand plan of uniting the Elvish folk. Standing from him makeshift throne in the former tower of Swordsmasters of Hoeth, Kouran approached the balcony, nodding to his bodyguards to open the door. Having stepped outside, he looked across the inner sea to survey the white tower of Phoenix King that remained empty, save the two personal handmaidens of Malekith, whom the Hag Queen had left in a hurry when she returned to Grond. With regular patrols both by the assassin's remaining killers and Blackguards to make sure nothing was happening without his say so.

Past the gleaming tower and shrine, past Felhearts Black Arks glinding across the Sunset Sea, the eyes of the warrior were drawn to many little lights across the shorelines and deep into the mountains. With the gruelling war won, these past weeks of rebuilding were going without a hitch in his humble opinion. Reeducation camps were in full swing and were quick to weed out the adults who resisted. Of course, they were many, but hopefully the children would be raised to be loyal to their liege and abandon the treacheries that poisoned the common folk for thousands of years.

"Bring me my goblet" he grumbled to a captured maiden of the Everqueen, a rare one who had survived Shadowblade's trap. Dark iron manacles hung loosely to her wrists, while she herself was dressed in her full armour save the tacky helmet- a testament of their victory.

Any lesser Druchii would have trusted the slave and have her prancing around in skimpy armour, but Kouran Darkhand was far above all of them, maybe save few exceptions.

With little fanfare the redheaded elf left and after a moment returned with a pitcher and goblet, both brimming with the best wine that the Kingdom of Eataine could offer. Taking the goblet, he examined it with a careful eye and snapped his armoured fingers.

Into the room two guards dragged a small child, no older than ten summers of age and completely traumatised, judging by the terrified expression on her face. The female elf remained impassive as the small thing was brought before the grim form of the Black Captain.

"The goblet, Meiriel" he beckoned with his outstretched hand and with dispassionate frown looked at the elf, who gave him the vessel, the slightest twitch of hand betraying nervousness. To Kouran it was just a waste, like all of this resistance. He held no hate for his foe, just a disdain for wastefulness and futility that barred their ascent. Looking at the small child, he flashed her a the most calming smile he could and beckoned her.

"Come closer little one" the man beckoned her, kneeling down to the girl's eye level. With quiet silence the scene played out, with the small child taking her little steps towards the warrior.

"How was your day?" he asked and the elfling stopped in her tracks, one of the black guards gently pushed her forward. Flashing an apprehensive look to the guard, who nodded towards Kouran, she continued to approach him.

"Lord DreadGuard" the child attempted to curtsy "It was great, the nanny showed us how to make pretty l-lights" she explained, and a small ball of light lit up in her palm. the Druchii smiled and offered the little girl the goblet.

"It must have been daunting to make such a light indeed" the little girl took the goblet with her two hands "This here is a powerful drink to restore your powers" he motioned to her.

"Drink childe"

The child looked apprehensively at him and Meiriel, whose features were as if cast in stone. Putting the little goblet to her lips, the elfling drank. With dark curiosity Kouran watched as she tenuously took a sip of the sweetened wine.

"Was it delicious?" he asked and much to everyone's relief she nodded. The captain patted the child on the head, before sending her back to the guards. The two armoured figures bowed lightly and the child tried to mirror them with little grace, albeit unsuccessfully, but amusingly.

Within a second all of them were gone from the balcony and Kouran was left with his wine and his slave. He took a hearty sip, while the captive handmaiden looked at him with burning hatred. At this the Black Captain merely raised an eyebrow after emptying the container. Smiling he offered the Asur the empty goblet.

"After only one child you have learned not to try to poison me" he noted and turned his back to her. The Druchii could hear her teeth grinding. Looking at her he could see that she was about to throw the golden pitcher at him.

"Remarkable, so you can learn" he noted with some amusement. However, this time he didn't get to continue his little monologue as no longer Meiriel remained silent.

"You are despicable ,Druchii scum" she ground through her teeth and yet Kouran's answer was a mere risen eyebrow and a light smirk.

"I would ask you of how you dare to sacrifice children to make me submit to be your trophy, but like your depraved master, the depths of your corruption know no bounds!" she snarled at the Black Captain approached her and took the pitcher out of her hands, his purple eyes piercing hers from above.

"You know this resistance is futile as we hold your vaunted Ulthuan in our gasp. Would it be so hard to admit defeat and join the new order?"

She spat on him, the spit landing on his cheek "Never!" she barked with rage filled eyes "Your kind has been driven from Ulthuan time and time again and we will scour the world from your taint, you trai-"

Before the woman could finish her sentence, Kouran had backhanded her across the room, sending her crashing into a small table full of books and scrolls. With texts littered and broken wood surrounding her the handmaiden groggily rose from the ground and grabbed the broken table leg.

"I sometimes question my decision to spare you, Asur" the Black Captain spoke as he wiped the spit from his face with a white napkin. He took a look at her, bleeding and armed with a stick and shook his head.

"Some perverse idea of punishment? To keep me like a shackled animal while you raze our very existence around us? To leave me untouched while your hosts pillage and rape with no end in sight?! " she ground out with laboured breaths.

"Yes" the Captain nodded "I keep you as my trophy, knowing that each moment you spend untouched and unharmed is that because I bade it so. Having you here like an ornament is exquisite! It is only comparable to sampling finest vines with His Majesty himself! However, the concern of your chastity that you brought to me is of most import" a smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth "Maybe this issue should be dealt with. Say how does the thought of the Everqueen's maidens and Phoenix King's Black Guard union of flesh sound to you? I think the results would speak for themselves! What do you think, O fair captain of Alarielle? Would children from our union inherit mine or your enchanting features?"

The shock, the rage, the indignation was all clearly seen on her face. As if frozen in time Kouran could see her teeth revealed in untamed snarl, ready to pounce at him, while uttering most imaginable of curses, but after all, He was Kouran Darkhand and she was centuries too young to scratch his armour.

Instead of attacking her enslaver, the former handmaiden of the Everqueen received a goblet knocking against her forehead and downing her once more. This time she didn't get up.

The warrior shook his head and snapped his fingers and soon enough two shades appeared behind the columns of the balcony.

"Bring her to my chambers and chain her in the corner next to the bed" He ordered and turned from them "However, if I find her further damaged, your skin will become my new banners"

"M'lord" was the only acknowledgement from the Shades before they left the balcony with their package in tow. With silence returning to him, Kouran listened to the lull of the waves. It played gently on the surface, rising and falling. It truly was a beautiful night, he didn't show it, but in his heart, there was a certainly a part of him that welcomed the change of pace after the conquest.

The vision which Malekith had shared with the bodyguard was truly something to behold.

However, the dreams of vision realized was put on hold as a violent red light rose from the Loremasters tower. The captain immediately downed his wine in a hurry and uttered a prayer to Khaine violently, before leaving. He cursed and cursed himself again for failing to check if truly the sorceresses had gone from the tower. Of course, they would have bribed the dreadlord tasked with the task or cast glamours to trick them.

Kouran promised himself that heads would roll.

Onto the very top the tower a crimson glow rose in the sky, makings of a great and terrible spell. Immediately the Captain knew that it would be Morathi who could command such dark forces, especially after their triumph. Snarling and cursing again he raised a talisman, gift of Malekith himself and summoned his own trusted black dragon, one of Seraphon's surviving brood.

As the ferocious roar echoed in the distance, the Black-haired elf continued to watch over the spell that was taking place. Destructive tendrils snaked across the land, like violent bolts of crimson lightning first were stuck the shrine of Asuryan, which with its golden glow resisted the magical assault. However, it seemed that the Hag Queen had realized this as another serpentine tendril cut through the skies of Ulthuan, undoubtedly towards the Shrine of Widowmaker. Roaring ferociously the black dragon Gorthaurion descended from the skies in front of it's master, it's venomously green eyes shining with joy at the upcoming massacre.

"Old friend" The Viceroy addressed the great beast "Let's do your kin proud, shall we?"

With what could have been interpreted as an agreement, the dragon roared, and a wry smile appeared on Darkhand's face. Summoning his halberd to his hand, another boon of his service, the deadly weapon in his hands, the short swords on his hip, the elf broke into a sprint, before jumping from the rails of the balcony and unto the back of the dragon, grabbing it's reins tightly. Roaring loudly the dragon flapped it's wings and flew higher into the air, heading straight for the Loremaster's tower. Behind him multiple flaps of wings could be heard.

Turning his head back, Kouran saw sorceresses on their manticores, staves raised intent on spelling his imminent demise, but these women despite their numbers only had manticores, whereas his dragon was one gifted by the Witch King himself, as his faith in the Black Guard and it's captain! He wouldn't let these worms best him!

Soaring high in the sky, the dragon and it's rider swiftly changed their course, knowing that it would put them into the crosshairs of the assassins. Their bodies tensed, in history very few riders had become bound to their dragons, making the beast an extension of themselves, achieving agility unparalleled.

Opening it's maw, the dragon let out it's deafening roar as it dove straight for it's prey.

"Bring their heads to Khaine Gorthaurion!" the deadliest Dark Elf soldier roared as the dragon's breath spew through it's gargantuan maw, bathing the lesser beasts and their riders in acid. He could hear the screams and the stench of melting flesh. Out the corner of his eye, he saw another squad of riders approaching them, staves already glowing. Kouran cursed, he was now flanked by the riders and there was too little time for them to change course, if they could avoid the damage.

Suddenly another roar echoed through the air and another blast of acid enveloped these new attackers. As one of them tried to flee, the sword like teeth grabbed the manticore and flung the woman to it's doom. The elf looked at the beast that had come to his help and with relief he honestly smiled at the sight of the other dragon.

Seraphon had come to their aid and it was well known fact that if Malekith's dragon wanted to stretch her legs, no one was stupid enough to try and stop the ornery beast. Taking it as a sign of favour of the Eagle-Father as much as he had shunned him in his service, Kouran yanked on the reins and the dragon roared, not wishing to be ordered like a beast of burden.

This gargantuan dragon flew over the Black Captains head and with a mighty roar flew towards the tower and he had no other intention, but to follow and stop whatever was happening on top. In his gut already he knew who had dared to disregard direct contingency orders of Malekith himself.

Of course, it had to be her.

Kouran, in all his years of service had tried countless times persuade Malekith for stronger control of the Hag Queen, but to reasons unknown of them, his liege and lord had rebuked him every time, citing her arcane prowess and how embedded she was with her servants. Not this time, now that Malekith was out of his way, he could prove himself right and save the elves from her menace. Her decadence had ruled them long enough, he supposed.

Levelling the Red Death at the peak, he roared a battle cry and the guided the dragon to join his mother.

It was a not an unseen sight of these past days as the two dragons soared over the tower , their claws gripping the walls with considerable force, their roars echoing across the tower. What Kouran saw didn't surprise him at all, if anything it proved him even more correct in his assessment and steeled his resolve. The King's Mother would die today, there was no doubt about it.

Morathi stood in middle of a glowing ritual circle formed by sacrificed human slaves, their dirty blood staining human white steps, while her cultists surrounded her and offered their own lifeblood. Even if it was of Asur make, it was not right to bring cattle onto the sacred Isles of Ulthuan. The enchantress was chanting something in long forgotten tongues, only thing he understood was the prayer to Khaine and Malekith's name.

Praying quickly to Khaine and Ereth Khial, he leapt into the battle for his sovereign's soul.

Dragons were peculiar beasts and bonded with their riders extensively, Gorthaurion was no different, having inherited Kouran's fierceness and pragmatic cruelty, as much as the acid spewing beast could allow to and as if heeding his master's thoughts, the Dragon released an acidic miasma upon the now alert cultists, who still overcome with extasy of the performed ritual couldn't move and were swallowed by the green mist, while Seraphon merely watched, as if to decide whether or not to join in the battle.

As the miasma cleared and the decayed bodies of cultists crumpled on the ground, leaving Morathi alone in the still working ritual circle, who had successfully managed to dispel the Dragon's breath. Turning to face Kouran, Morathi twirled her own halberd Darkrender behind her and with a furious jeer addressed the Black Captain.

"Do you know what you have brought to ruin you fucking idiot?" She roared, pulling back any veneer of seductive beauty or grace she presented to the outside world. So, this was how Malekith knew her behind closed doors.

"You disobeyed your son's orders" the Captain said calmly, while approaching sorceress, blade within reach. It almost surprised himself, how long had he managed to stay alive.

"Morathi, out of my love for my King and his dream, I plead you one last time to cease and travel to Grond" He said, but both of them knew that this would have never worked.

"You fool" She hissed, eyes glowing mad with sorcerous might as the marble beneath her feet cracked "I am the only one who can save him, the gods can't be trusted!"

Kouran smiled sadly "But what of Malekith? Do you not trust your son? The second man you have ever loved in your wretched life, one whom you have tried to mould in your image, do you not trust him, my lady?" He readied the Crimson Death.

"Do not speak to me about love" if she had not been angry before, she was steaming with rage right now and the captain could swear that the skies themselves darkened even more.

This was how THE Captain of the Black Guard of Naggarond would face his doom, fighting for his King and his dream.

As Kouran Darkhand sprinted forward a true smile was on his face.

Hopefully King Malekith would forgive him this misshap.

In another world the Witch King unleashed his full magical might on the Everqueen. Tongues of fire and bolts of lightning fired around Malekith as he deftly pushed aside all defences Alarielle and the human mages would throw in his way. As if absorbed by his very being, these pitiful spells had nothing to him.

Behind him in the fire, Tiffania Westwood was crying. While she had known of Malekith's tendency for violence and his sordid past, it was nothing of what was happening now. This senseless slaughter, mayhem and terror his being exuded, battling what was one of his people. Mal wouldn't do it! He was a hero, a prince, who would bring her back to her people, not this beast of fairy tales.

Oh why this had happened? Barely moments ago they had been joking and he was telling of his adventures with the Dwarves, when suddenly a cold chill had appeared on her skin. While nothing had changed, she had started to shiver and Malekith's own eyes had been glowing. At first she had thought this simple magic, but when he had addressed the beautiful elven woman, she knew that there was something wrong with him. No longer he was cheerful and gentle, instead he had turned bloodthirsty and cruel, clad in his midnight black armour from her nightmares.

As she saw the slaughter there was nothing she could do, trapped as she was in this ring of fire. Through the orange flames, she saw Malekith becoming a whirlwind of magic and violence, moving almost faster than her eye could see, cutting and burning through all challengers even as the earth itself tried to destroy him by the behest of the elven sorceress. With bated breath she looked on as Malekith used the same dance he made her do by dodging the weird earth golems and kicking them apart with brute force as he had told her. What was more impressing was seeing him freeze everything around him and send it back to it's casters.

How horrible it was to see children, like those at the orphanage dying as they attacked him. Tiffania prayed that most of them would choose to flee, lest they became victims of the Witch King's rampage.

Through the flames she saw Mathilda on her earth golem trying to leave the battlefield and the half-elf couldn't take it anymore. She would save her sister or die trying, there was no in-between, however, soon she found herself facing a major hurdle. Malekith's flames were blocking any possible exit.

Immediately she recalled his lessons in manipulating the nature and with much luck, there was enough water into the tub to douse the line of fire and allow herself to escape her prison.

"Please work" she muttered and willed for the water to rise, instead it merely rippled, causing the young girl to cry out in terror as she imagined Mathilda one of Malekith's victims.

"Work, please." still the water did not rise and she continued call for it, yet no magic could be sent forth. Tiffania had then recalled a tale Malekith had told of the wise Eagle god, who would look over elves wherever they may have roamed. Tears started to stream from her eyes as her actions still had no effect

"A-Asuryan, p-please heed my prayers. I wish to save my sister and my friend. He is overcome by strange madness, please Eaglefather. Malekith believed in you, I want to believe too" she offered her prayer to the strange god and continued to attempt her casting.

"Work god damn it!'' she called and to her surprise the water started to spill over the edges of the tub and as if willed with a mind of it's own the water attacked the fierce flames, causing smoke to billow until there was nothing but the burnt line of grass left. Grabbing the hem of her dress, she ran after her sister.

Mathilda hadn't gotten far as she used her golem to protect herself from any stray damage as Malekith's rampage was aimed at those who attacked him, stood in his way or was the blonde elven woman and Tiffania was oh so happy that she was alive, but now the hard part would be her to convince the older girl to come with her.

"Matty!" she cried as she saw the other girl, who immediately turned to face her, but instead of the happy reunion she slapped the half-elf as her own tears streamed down her face.

"You idiot!" she cried as she hugged the dazed half elf "What in Brimir's hairy ballsack are you doing here?!"

The half elf brushed her own tears away and rubbed her stinging cheek "Believe it or not, but we came to get you…"

"We?!" to say that Mathilda was surprised was an understatement.

"So you're telling me this mad elf sorcerer, who has almost destroyed the academy is your guide?!"

Tiffania now had the decency to blush "yes, but something came over him I don't know what! If we don't stop him, he'll kill that poor elf woman"

"What about her?" Mathilda barely contained her irritation at her adopted sister, who still hadn't let go of her. The blonde girl was looking in her brown eyes with strange determination.

"They are family and I refuse to abandon them."

"Oh, so you know" the green haired woman spoke quietly and Tiffania knew that she had done it not out of cruelty, but because she had wanted to protect her from the cruel world that lay outside and she had been right.

"Alright" she sighed and Tiffania smiled widely, but Mathilda was still sceptical "But how do you plan to do that?"

The elder sister took one more look at Tiffa and already dreaded the plan she had come up with.

Alarielle cursed herself that she had become so comfortable in this new world. As another hapless golem was rent apart by the Witch King's malice, the Elven Queen started to think that maybe she should have paid more attention to the training her captain had offered her, as her foe showed, just how devastating a sorcerer trained in magical arts could be as Malekith made short work of all that opposed him.

She was not surprised at his might, for the if anything, Aenarion's bloodline ran through his veins for better or worse and her hated foe was if one would have melded Tyrion and Teclis together, then turned them cruel. Yet The approach the Tyrant of Naggranond took while battling her minions and deflecting her magic was far more than that of common Druchii savagery. There was a method to his madness and yet with all the magic of her line and that of Isha, she knew that this was not enough. The longer she kept him at bay, the more she felt her powers taking toll on her as it was not a common sorcerer or a champion of the foul gods, but as if an entire mountain was pushing on her barriers and with each destroyed golem it was harder and harder to create a new one and as terrifyingly as it sounded, it would not take long for Malekith to break through.

"Alarielle, who is he?" an out of breath Louise and another girl, who was apparently the heir of human kingdom had huddled up next to them.

"Louise, what are you doing here?" she didn't dare to allow these humans see her in obvious state of distress

The foolish human was about to say something, but the princess interrupted her "We came to aid you lady Alarielle against this brute as this attack on the Academy is an attack on Tristain!"

It was adorable that these little children thought that they could stand a chance against the sorcerer that was older than their entire civilization. Gently Alarielle rebuked the two girls with a wave of her hand

"This man is the scourge of my people and much older than the faith of Brimir. The Witch King Malekith is beyond your approach. Leave and save yourselves, this is my fight and I shan't let innocents suffer!"

This didn't deter the girls, who both raised their wands. The Everqueen commended their wish to fall with her on this day, but these…babes did not deserve that, they had a short and painful life ahead of them, yet still she did not wish them suffering, instead human bravery or was it stupidity had grown on her.

With a smile, she was about to send the girls away with a vine, trapped beneath her own throne, but instead they both were grasped by a giant hand made from dirt, while another reached for her. How cunning it was for the Witch King to create another golem to send and try and flank her, but she was no slouch in magic and was about to banish the golem. Twirling the staff and word of rupture on her lips, The Elven Queen was knocked to the ground by a female figure.

Opening her eyes, she saw a golden eyed elven maiden sitting on top of her, hands outstretched as if trying to placate the Witch King. How had an elf ended up here, her brain tried to find a solution to this sudden problem, but instead it opted for the most logical option and pushed the smaller girl off of her.

"Get off me" she spoke and rose, sending the peasant girl onto the ground, now once more she was ready to face the Witch King, hopefully it wouldn't be too late.

However, it was already too late as Malekith's sword tickled the underside of her chin, almost drawing blood, but not quite.

"Excellent Tiffania" the Druchii addressed the fallen girl and revulsion overcame her. The peasant girl was a traitor?

"Malekith, please stop this isn't you!" the blonde stood up, much to the Everqueen's shock and approached the Avatar of Khaine. Strangely enough, the blackguard allowed the traitor near him, grabbing her around midriff and pulling her closer.

"Oh is it not me?" he rumbled and pressed his lips against hers. Only then Alarielle realized, just how handsome the fallen prince had been before the attempted coup. She could see the poor girl struggling against his brutal kiss, but eased into it while the tears still fell from her eyes, dragging her own hand that held the Destroyer. As soon as she held onto him a gentle golden glow shone from the place the hands had been linked and immediately Alarielle looked at her own familiar's mark, which resembled Isha's.

Soon however, what would have been a heart-warming scene to Druchii scum, turned to horror as Malekith suddenly released her and dropped his sword, falling to his knees in agony and screaming bloody murder as if he was burned by the Flames of Asuryan. Served him right, thought the Everqueen and was about to reach for her staff, when once more a sword was pointed at her throat, but this time by the very same young girl, who had been assaulted by the fiend.

Still on the ground Malekith continued to scream as the golden glow overtook his full body. As it slowly vanished, the Witch King of Naggarond sluggishly rose from the ground and almost crumbled on the other elf's shoulder. His eyes half lidded, like one would be from a half-remembered dream.

"Tiffa" Malekith slurred, his voice sonorous and melodic "What happened?"

"First we get house back flying then I'll tell you everything, alright?" the blonde girl asked and much to the surprise of all gathered, the warlord nodded just as sluggishly.

"Great" she patted him on the back and suddenly Alarielle was grabbed by the golem's hand and hoisted into the air as she was carried to Malekith's impromptu fortress.

This day couldn't get any worse.

"Tiffania, what do we do with the prisoners?" a green haired woman appeared from behind the golem. Slowly the Everqueen of the Asur started to understand the hate Druchii held for humans.

"Well we can't leave them, besides they will tell on us"

This day got worse.

Then Louise started cursing and the Queen of Elves was certain that now was the worst day in her life, but at least they didn't forget her staff.

A.N: Shit, sorry about the late update. Keep safe amidst this epidemic and I'll see you soon. All comments are welcome and I'll see you next time- Spook