Okay…so I wasn't able to update quickly, I sowwy! But thank you to everyone who reviewed! And I know you probably all want to hurt me for taking so long…but please refrain…I wuv you!
Disclaimer: Nope…don't own War Craft…or anything that has to do with War Craft…
The pub had filled considerably since Carya and Illyath had gotten back from their outing. After Agraelith had come to the conclusion that he was not horribly injured, they decided to join Illyath downstairs. A large fire was going in the hearth, giving it a slightly more pleasant look than the day before. Smoke filled the room and everyone seemed preoccupied with something. No one seemed to notice the human and the elf enter.
They could make out the lithe figure of Illyath slouched over the bar, conversing with a rather unpleasant looking man. Carya hung back slightly but Agraelith slid in next to his friend. When Illyath turned to greet them, the man he was talking to stood and left without a word.
"Hello you two, finally remembered me?" He asked with a pleasant grin.
"Actually no, just happened to wander down here, figured you looked a bit lonely," Agraelith slapped him across the back. Carya did not think that she would ever understand why that seemed to be a common greeting between them.
"Need to talk to me about anything?"
"Yes but," he lowered his voice, "In private, without her," he gestured towards Carya.
Agraelith shrugged, "If you think it's necessary. Carya?"
"Yes?" She had heard him of course but she knew that he would ask her anyway.
"Do you mind if we talk alone for a bit?" He looked almost apologetic.
"No, it is all right."
"I'll find you later, okay?"
"I can watch out for myself," she turned and began walking away.
"Carya, I will see you later, correct?" Illyath asked with a wink.
She smiled, "If you wish."
Once she had been completely enveloped by the crowd, Illyath turned to Agraeltih with a serious look. "I spoke with her earlier."
"Yes, I know," Agraelith said indifferently.
"You like her, don't you." There was no hint of a question in his voice.
"As a friend, yes."
Illyath smiled, "right…then why are you staring at her?"
Quickly Agraelith focused on Illyath, trying to conceal the fact that indeed his eyes had been wandering over to the striking elf. "I was not."
"You sound like a little boy, anyhow…I knew that there was some reason or another you were still hanging around her. Now I know what it is."
Agraelith rested his head on the counter top, "Suppose I do like her…" he murmured, lifting his head again, "What of it?"
"First off, promise me you won't get offended."
"What?"
"Just promise," Illyath said exasperated.
"Fine, I promise not to get offended."
"All right then…I understand why you like her…I mean…she's great. Incredibly beautiful too…" then he added, "Not that I like her…in that way."
"What's your point then?" he snapped.
"My point is…she's a night elf."
"And?"
"And she's a night elf…she's not human…she's immortal…you aren't…"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Agraelith growled. "Are you saying that because she is not human, not 'our kind' then I can't have anything to do with her? Is that what you're getting at, because if it is then even if we are friends—"
"That's not what I'm saying at all, will you let me finish! Although if you think that I would care about something like that, then it's obvious you don't know me as well as I thought you did."
Immediately Agraelith felt slightly guilty. "Sorry, I know you don't think like that…"
"Yes…now, may I continue?"
"Get on with it."
"All right…I was going to say that…never mind," he said simply.
Agraelith stared at him, "I beg your pardon? Never mind?" His had to admit that his friend could be an odd one.
"Well, I suppose it isn't that important. So what have you been up to today?"
"Illyath, what was it you were going to say, tell me now."
"I just said that it really isn't important."
"Then why were you all fired up to tell me a moment ago?" he asked, trying as hard as he could not to lose his temper.
"It truly does not matter," Illyath said with a small laugh.
"Just tell me!"
"All right, all right. I was just going to say that maybe you haven't exactly thought things out properly."
"Like what?"
"As I said, she's immortal, you aren't."
"Yes, now will you elaborate a bit? Because honestly, I don't get what you're trying to imply." Sometimes Illyath seemed to think that everyone knew exactly what he was speaking of without going into details.
Leaning forward slightly, Illyath sighed. "What's going to happen? There's a war going on, even if you survive it she'll live on forever, even after you've died."
"Do you think I haven't realized that? Do you think that she doesn't know it? My gods man, what do you want us to do? Pretend that we have no feelings for each other, pretend that we don't care?" Agraelith scowled as Illyath began to laugh once more. "What's so funny?"
"You seem to be doing a very good job at that, unless you looked closely you'd think that you two don't care for each other at all. Also, back to my point, you do realize that not everyone is going to…erm…welcome to the idea."
"They can get over it."
It seemed that there was no sense in continuing the conversation as it appeared that Agraelith was being extremely stubborn. "Want something to drink?" Illyath asked and Agraelith nodded, his mood suddenly lightened.
A wooden bench in front of the hearth was the only spot that Carya could find to seat her self. It creaked under her weight, much like all the other furniture in the building, but it was sturdy. The man who already occupied the bench brushed his hair back from his face, then self-consciously shook his head causing his hair to fall back into place. His clothes indicated that he was short of money, and the way he carried himself indicated that things had always been hard for him. Next to him slumped a girl who looked nearly identical to him, though her clothes were clearly more cared for, they were worn down and thin. They sat next to each other in silence, until finally the man nervously turned to her. He was about to speak when he seemed to think better of it, then he caught himself and spoke, "Erm…please don't think me rude milady, but are you a night elf?"
"I am." She was slightly taken back by the way he had addressed her. Her impression was that the term, milady, was reserved for those of a higher status.
He seemed at a loss for words and stared into the fire. The girl next to him nudged him sharply and he looked sheepishly at Carya. "My sister…she uh…she was just curious as to what you're doing her…you see…strangers are not exactly welcomed at a time like this…" he stammered.
"I came here because…" she did not want to tell the truth when she barely knew them…not when it contained so much. "I came as an ambassador," she said finally.
The girl seemed to perk up at that, "So you came to help us? The night elves…are they coming to help?" she asked eagerly. Carya suddenly wished that she had not lied, the girl seemed so…hopeful. The girl continued, "Are they going to help prepare?"
"Prepare for what?"
The young man and his sister exchanged a look, "War," he said finally.
"I had heard that there may be a battle…there are raids up and down the country…my friend…his town was burned to the ground," she said softly.
"But you came to help, right?" the girl pressed.
She did not have the heart to say anything otherwise. "Yes…they sent me…to help…" she managed to say.
"But you are a woman!" The man exclaimed surprised.
"So you've noticed that too, boy," a man had wandered over and slid down next to Carya. His robes were made of fine cloth and his hair and beard were both neatly trimmed. She immediately felt more of a liking for the two poorer people, they seemed more…real.
The man who had just seated himself grinned at her, "My name is Alren," he said.
"Carya," she bluntly introduced herself.
"Now then, what exactly is a beauty like you doing down here all by yourself?" he asked. She realized then that he was slightly intoxicated.
"I suggest, sir, that you go to your room…"
"Only if you come with me," he smirked and made a grab for her. She easily moved out of the way and stood up.
"If you will excuse me…" She glanced over to the bar trying to find Agraelith. She could not believe what she was witnessing.
Agraelith picked up yet another pint of ale and downed it was quickly as he possibly could, only encouraged by Illyath's hearty laughter.
"Didn't know you had it in you, never seen you really drink before," his friend found it mildly amusing. Normally he was the one getting drunk. "Think you've had enough yet? I bet you have, can't take it can you?"
"Guess again my friend."
And so it went.
Warmth was spreading through his body. He felt his mind clouding but he could not stop himself, not when it felt so good. Weariness seemed to slide off of him and all his worries from the past weeks slipped away. This was what he had wanted, but he had been afraid. He drank occasionally, but he was too careful and practical ever allow himself to become drunk. The last time he had, or rather the first time he had, the outcome had not been so pleasant. Illyath had been there to witness it and even he had been surprised at the sudden change that overcame his friend. At the moment however, they were both too intoxicated to remember the mishap.
"Y' know Illyath," he slurred, "I think I love her, I really do…"
"I still say it's a bad idea," Illyath countered.
"Don't say that…I mean…just look at her…" Both turned simultaneously, and Illyath was forced to grab Agraelith's arm before he did anything rash.
Carya was standing up one man had grabbed her by the arm and the other was in the process of pushing him away, while she was tugging out of his grasp. "Lemme go!" Agraelith pulled out of Illyath's grasp.
"Will you calm down, I'm sure it's not as bad as it looks," Illyath grabbed for his friend once more. Only to receive a fist in his stomach, he fell backwards but managed to recover quickly. "Get back here!" but Agraelith was already halfway across the room. He ran after his friend and managed to wrestle him to a stand still. "Calm down," he hissed in his ear.
Agraelith paid no heed and instead wrested himself away, starting once more towards Carya. Wisely, Illyath decided to let him go but stayed one step behind him. He thought that Carya was more than capable of handling the situation and he knew that Agraelith was well aware that she could hold her own. His stomach was aching and he grimaced slightly, his friend was stronger than he had thought. It was irritating to him that one who was supposed to always be there for him had decided to throw a punch at him…but he was not angry. At least not at the moment.
"What're you doing?" Agraelith growled and the two men and Carya turned around. She had a slightly guilty expression on her face though she had been doing nothing wrong. Unfortunately for the three, Agraelith was unable to think clearly. "Let her go!"
"What's it to you?" Alren snapped.
"I told you to let her alone," the younger man said.
Agraelith seemed not to hear them, "What were you thinking Carya?"
"What exactly do you mean by that?" she asked while wrenching her arm away from Alren's clasping fingers.
"I mean, coming over here with a bunch of men you don't know."
"I can handle things myself, I am no child," she said a little impatiently, the trials of the day had worn her patience rather thin.
"Told you," Illyath muttered under his breath.
Alren straightened himself up, "What? Mad because your little night elf decided to go traipsing around with other men?"
Cary started to speak but Agraelith's fist was faster. Before anyone knew what was happening, Alren lay on the floor clutching his jaw, "Gods man, what's the matter with you?" he managed to say, cringing slightly.
"Agraelith, I really think that you have had a bit too much to drink…perhaps we should go to the room…" Carya said softly.
"When I want your opinion I'll ask for it," Agraelith said testily.
"I beg your pardon?" She was tiring quickly of his antics.
"Honestly Agraelith, I think she's right," Illyath said, taking his friend by the shoulder but Agraelith shrugged him off. "I say that you overreacted just slightly…"
"I haven't overreacted."
"Whatever you say, come on now...Carya can handle things on her own."
"That's it…" Agraelith looked from one to the other. "That's it…I knew it…when you two decided to go out horseback riding I knew it…you bastard." He swung again at Illyath and hit him square in the face. Illyath had never considered that his friend would hit him, let alone twice, else he would have moved.
Carya stared at him for a moment then kneeled and pulled Illyath's hands away from his bloody face. "I think your nose may be broken," she said calmly. "I think I can fix it though, elves have their own methods to healing." At his puzzled looks she said, "Magic…" She then stood up once more and faced the fuming yet surprised Agraelith. "What was that?"
"What was what?" he answered angrily.
"You just hit your best friend in the face and possibly broke his nose."
"You and him…" he growled.
"You need to go somewhere and calm down," she stated. "Until then, do not bother trying to talk to me…"
The innkeeper, upon hearing all the noise had decided to investigate. He shook his head, "Agraelith…either go up to your room and sober up or get out," he said wearily. He knew Agraelith and it was hard for him to comprehend what had happened.
"Come on Carya, let's get back to the room," he said.
"No, you go to the room, I will do what I want too," her face was set.
"You bloody will not! Not if it means running around with them!" He gestured towards Illyath and Alren.
Her eyes hardened and Agraelith unwittingly took a step back. "If you think that I am that kind of person, then you do not know me at all. When you are ready to apologize to your friend an myself, then I will talk to you. I cannot believe you and your…your…jealously, nor the violence you resorted too."
Everyone in the room had turned to watch them. Illyath and Alren had picked themselves up off of the floor. Alren scowled and left the room angrily, Illyath stared at his friend obviously hurt. Without hesitating Carya turned and walked out into the clear night, Illyath following at her heels.
Er…hmm…not sure how well that actually turned out. Before you start questioning I assure you that Illyath is not going to end up with Carya and that things will all work out…well…kind of.
Please review, and once again I really appreciate everyone who reviewed...
Next Chapter: Talk with orc (I know that I had mentioned it would be in this chapter but I didn't quite get there), apologies, and well…you'll see.
