m: Sorry I haven't updated in awhile but I've been sick. I'm actually not better but I'm writing anyway. 'Woke Up This Morning' belongs to Nickelback.

Shadow0015: Rapiers are cool. Yes, explanation C does make the most sense doesn't it? I can't tell you anything about women's ethics or else I would be betraying my entire gender. 'But women are master linguist, word for word, right. Man, I hate that.' You'll get used to it. My sister has repeatedly tried to hurt me as well. I need to listen to 'Your Disease' by Saliva. I like the band although the only song I've heard is 'Bleed For Me' and 'Hero' though that was done with Chad Kroeger. I have plans for Seel's death…

Guan: Review 1: Zarra's pure evil. I loved creating her character.

Review 2: Ah yes, Nackor. He's my Drak substitute.

Review 3: I'm always afraid I'm gonna screw over the fight scenes. Thank you.

Review 4: Thanks

Review 5: Zorro is an awesome movie!

Review 6: Don't worry; Nackor is one of my favorite characters too. Except for Drak of course. ;-)

Chapter Seven

Nathyrra and Seelamin sat at a table. Nathyrra looked up at the barbarian. "Tell me more about the surface."

He looked at her, his brow knotted in confusion. "What do you wish to know?"

"I don't know, tell me how it's different from the Underdark."

He gave her a rare smile. "The surface is quite different form the Underdark. The most notable difference would have to be that there is no never-ending darkness. There is the sun."

"The sun?"

"It's like a giant candle that lights up the world. Its bright rays provide both light and heat. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen." With the exception of you.

He continued to tell her more of the surface. She held on to his every word, entranced by his description.

---

Hours later, Nathyrra walked towards her room. Nackor was walking down the hall towards her, whistling a tune. She scowled. "Will you please desist that obnoxious tune? It's going to be stuck in my heads for hours. Do you enjoy the sound of your own voice?"

He looked at her with tear filled eyes. "You! You cruel woman! Don't you know that I'm deaf!?"

She raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Deaf?"

"'Tis true. The only reason I understand you is because I can read lips!" A tear leaked out of his eye, "That horrible, horrible, marching band accident."

"What?"

"When I was a young boy, I was in high school. They decided to have a pep rally. I loved the marching band like a dog loves a good bone and tried to get closer. Suddenly, all of the drummers started playing their drums. I was shocked by all the noise and ran towards the cheerleaders with their flaming batons. I got too close and they accidentally set my ears on fire."

"Accident. Sure."

"I rolled on the floor screaming, twitching, and crying out for mercy from the gods, until my teacher came by and poured water on my ears. My pappy sued the school for trauma and used the money he received to buy me prosthetic ears."

"Okay, now I think you're lying…"

He shook his head. "I think I need a hug." He an up to Nathyrra and put his hands around her waist, bawling. She shoved him away. "Get away from me, stupid dwarf!" she cried. Nathyrra looked down at her wet shirt and frowned.

Nackor shrugged. "It was worth a shot. Especially considering Seelamin…"

Her interest immediately perked up. "What about Seelamin?"

He grinned, revealing rather large teeth. "I might know something…"

"What do you want?"

"You know what I want, lass." He said, wagging his eyebrows at her.

She let out a cry of rage and frustration. Using a spell to increase her strength, she picked up the dwarf by his shirt and started shaking him. "Tell. Me. What. You. Know!"

"Choking…not…breathing…"

She dropped him on the floor. He shook his head. "You crazy bitch! Zarra sent him an invite to her rooms."

"What!?"

"You know, so that they could…" he noticed the astounded expression on Nat's face. "They're gonna do it, go all the way, get to home base, have a 'woohoo', make love, screw each other, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE SEX, DAMMIT!"

"I KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO!" Nathyrra shouted.

Nackor blinked. "Okay then."

Nathyrra shook her head. "I just didn't know that they knew each other that well is all…"

"I understand." He spread out his arms. "You seem upset, gimme a hug." He walked towards her.

She gave him her coldest glare. "You touch me and I'll rip you a new asshole."

"Err…"

Nathyrra smirked and walked off.

---

Nathyrra scowled and ran the brush over her nails. In an effort to distract herself from Seelamin she had started painting her nails. How could he lead me on like that!?

You did the same thing.

For awhile. I love him though. I'm sure of this. Zarra's going to turn him into her personal toy until she gets bored!

Nathyrra continued to reflect upon the event until she finally snapped. She grabbed the bottle of polish and threw it against the wall. Not caring about the large stain on the wall, she dragged herself into bed.

She tried to fall asleep but it was useless. She rolled over, making the blankets even more twisted around hr legs. Out of sheer frustration she threw the pillow on the floor. A few minutes later, Nathyrra used her magic to return it to her, deciding that she needed it after all.

She picked up the sound of someone knocking on the door. Sighing, she got up and opened the door. Seelamin looked down at her. "Can I come in?"

"What? Not happy in my sister's room?" she snapped. She started to turn around. Seelamin caught her arm with one hand and used his other to close the door. "I need to speak with you."

"About what?"

"I didn't sleep with her."

"Sure. Tell me how you got out then."

"I told her that I was in love with someone else."

"And that worked?"

"She yelled at me a lot. Then she threw a vase at me. I took that as my cue to leave." He told her. Nathyrra chuckled. Seelamin sat on the bed next to the drow. "Do you know who that person was?"

"Give me a hint."

"Begins with an 'N'."

"Nackor?" she asked innocently.

He stared at her. "Ha-ha-ha, very funny, Nathyrra. That's a crack I'd expect more from someone else in truth."

"Gee thanks."

"Seriously though, do you know who I said?"

"Who?"

"You."

"Me?"

He cupped her chin in his hands. "I love you, Nathyrra. You've given me a reason to live. You make me whole, something I haven't felt since the death of my family. I love you. I want you be mine and I want to be yours."

"I…I don't know what to say."

"Then say nothing." He leaned down and pressed a passionate kiss to her lips. She returned the kiss, running her nails down his back. She abruptly broke away when she felt his hands reaching underneath her shirt, caressing her back. He looked at her with confusion. She smiled. "Barbarian." she informed him before kissing him once more…

---

The next morning, Nathyrra slowly opened her eyes. For a minute she wondered why their was a seven foot man sleeping on top of her and how she hadn't suffocated during the night when the events of the previous night came back to her. A feeling of cold dread washed over her. Gently, she pushed the man off her. She breathed a sigh of relief when he did not awake. Nathyrra gathered her clothes off the floor and started to dress. When finished, she looked over at the sleeping barbarian. This won't work…

---

Seelamin smiled and opened his eye, expecting to see the face of the woman he loved next to him. He saw that she wasn't there. Confused, he got up and dressed. He stepped out of the room, almost running into Nackor.

"Hey there, Seel."

"Hey Nackor, have you seen…?"

"Nat? Never mind her, there's something you should know."

"What's more important than this?"

"Nat had a bet with Zarra. They were wagering to see who could make you their toy first. I'm sorry, Seel…"

Seelamin wasn't listening. He felt as though a knife had just stabbed him through the heart.

I paid my last respects this morning on an early grave
Already said goodbye... nothin' left to say
A tiny church, a tiny town and not a tear was spent
Not how I wanted it... I'm hating all of this
Now I know why I hide my love from you somedays
No I don't mind keeping this bottled inside me
You came along and tore this wall down around me
Looks like you found me... now I know why
I felt like shit when I woke up this morning

I've been a loser all my life, I'm not about to change
If you don't like it... there's the door... nobody made you stay
There ain't a woman on the planet who can deal with it
Just how I wanted it... I'm hating all of this

Now I know why I hide my love from you somedays
No I don't mind keeping this bottled inside me
You came along and tore this wall down around me
Looks like you found me... now I know why
I felt like shit when I woke up this morning