Disclaimer: don't own them, only borrowing.
A/N: *takes a deep breath* I apologize for the long wait, its really very terrible of me but I've been seriously uninspired, plus Gracie decided to right 2 shorts, one of which is posted (Tea With the Devil) the other of which is written but not typed. Anyway, not much actually happens this chapter but it does give you a look at where the Midlor live. I promise we're only a chapter or 2 away from more interesting topics.
Part Four
Dusk had begun to gather, bathing the densely wooded forest of tall emblar trees in silvery moonshine. In and among the branches, buildings and large covered areas sprouted up at intervals, almost appearing to be mere extensions of the trees. Protruding out from the buildings were built open air catwalks, the width of two persons walking abreast of each other. Delicate vines looked the floor and support beams.
A light, smoky fog was rolling in, blanketing the walkways in damp blankets as young children flitted about the walkways and buildings. A quick firm touch to the crystal lanterns scattered throughout the branches caused the carved luminescent rocks within to glow a clear steady light. The little lanterns sparkled like large diamonds in the darkness, creating an extensive network of light in the trees. The sight was a familiar one, a beacon on the horizon for wayward travelers in the Underground. Revered for its beauty, the site was oft called Nǽrvanǻ Leigǿs, or heavenly lights.
High up in the very treetops, two tall slim figures strode the narrow foot-ledge. One dressed in velvet died in shades of gray the other robed in dark maroon. Long black hair sprinkled with silver cascaded down the back of the taller figure in loose ringlets, contrasting drastically with the pale ash curls of her smaller companion.
"It is good to walk and speak with you again Lorea, it really has been too long," the smaller woman's voice was affectionate and tinged with aged wisdom, though her face belied that fact, so smooth and flawless as it was.
Lori turned glowing lavender eyes on the figure, "You're right of course." Her eyes darkened almost imperceptibly, "Things have been… difficult, complicated for so long."
"And after all your hard work and diligence they have only unraveled worse then before, eh?"
The raven haired Midlor laughed, her voice ringing with mirthless irony, "Oh, to put things mildly." She stepped up to the edge of the walk way, her long maroon skirt playing with the open ledge.
Luve' Teniel mê'lorn Verites kept back in the shadows cast by the thinning tree limbs. She carelessly brushed a lock of hair from her fair brow; such a young, pretty face, but her eyes… ancient eyes so full of sorrow and knowledge, eyes far too old for the face they belonged to. A calculating gleam shinning from behind sea tossed blue green eyes, "They have called a special session of the courts you know."
Lori glanced back sharply, eyes bleeding to a dark crimson, "When?"
"It's scheduled for the fortnight before the harvest moon."
The younger Midlor scowled, "Who called the session?"
Luve' picked absently at the hem of her tunic, "Resgan de Trenou', Leprechaun King."
The red paled, warping into a sickly yellow green color before snapping back to a neutral gray blue, "Really?" her voice forcefully dispassionate. "Any idea what for?"
A small wry grin crossed Luve's' lips, "Court gossip says he is looking to expand his kingdom."
The comment which elicited from Lori at that remark was uncommonly cruel, her lips twisting distastefully, "And since when have you ever parried blows and gossiped with the inner courtiers?"
A pale eyebrow rose mockingly, "Oh, so I'm suddenly too old to socialize with the younger partisans who grace that madhouse they call a court, is that it?"
Lori rolled her eyes, attention turning back to the dark landscape spread out beneath her. Her voice was soft, like the sound of the moonlight made tangent, a rolling caress across the unearthly skin, "He will not be able to conquer her. No one has… none but Jareth." His name was barely a whisper on her tongue.
Luve' leaned back against the thick emblar branch, hands stuck into the wide sleeves of her gown. She hummed softly in thought, "Hmmm, the way ward king has returned." Her eyes met Lori's, "To find his kingdom, in ruins." She spoke, words slightly halting, as if she was pulling them from the mist around her.
"He will not conquer her," she repeated.
The older Midlor nodded cautiously, "Yes, of course."
* * *
TBC
A/N: Sorry for the long wait, it took me about a week to right the first draft of this chapter which actually included a whole other scene. Then I got swamped by school work and by the time I got around to typing this up I had run into a nice little road block. Suffice is to say, this last week I've been trying to draw up a rough sketch of the next 6 or 7 chapters and when I did I realize to scrap the aforementioned extra scene (that's why this is so short). Anyway, I think I'm mostly done with the outline for the next "section" of the story so hopefully I'll have another chapter to you soon! As always please leave a little review telling me what you think.