Ch. 5Codladh Sámh - Sweet Dreams

It was early fall when Nuala found not only the leaves shedding their summer colors but to find her brother had gone. She never realized how hard it would be that morning to come to breakfast only to find her father. The empty space across from her made her heart sink lower when she thought who it once belonged to. Balor sensing his daughter sadness leaned over placing a warm hand on her shoulder. "Do not fret Nuala. Your brother is safe and will be taken care of." She knew without a doubt he would, and as long as there was breath in her body she would know the state of her brother, but it was more than that. Part of her own soul felt as if it had been ripped away and is now trying to find a way back with her helplessly looking out onto the horizon waiting for that piece. The days dragged on, winter soon came and Nuala with her study's and priestess duty's found the days tedious. Cuts, scrapes and bruises formed all over her body, not leaving time for them to heal before the next one formed on her leg or arm, but this did not bother her she only prayed for her brothers safe return. She did find comfort in returning to the temples away from the castle and memories but her father called her back often as he was not use to the silence and the absents of his children. As spring came she and her father would spend most of their days outside in the garden watching as each day a new scarlet flower would bloom, sitting together they smelled the sweet perfume that scented the air. Another fall and the anniversary of Nuada's departure came and went without a single letter. She couldn't help but feel a little hurt, did her brother not care to write? She herself would write but she was not even certain if they were on the same continent. "What a funny letter that would make" she thought "To the Elven Prince Nuada Silverlance of the Current Residences of Nowhere" She tossed and turn in her bed, but sleep was elsewhere "Just like he is. . . What if he has already forgotten all about me?" This of course was not possible and she thought that he must have "simply forgotten to write and planned to later on" and that "I must be patient" but as the years passed more and more scarlet color flowers bloomed but not one letter arrived. The garden became Nuala's favorite of place to be; though slightly irritated it was there that she would say her prayers for her brother, read many old scrolls, and watch the sky thinking Nuada was under the same blue sky . . .somewhere . . .far off.

One night sleep refuse to take her again and it was there she prayed to Aiden "Show me," she begged "please, show me where he is." She fell asleep reading her letters from the temple and in that sleep she felt for the first time in years the trail of her brothers' spirit and in her dreams she followed it.

In a distant land that she did not come to recognize she was surrounded by the stars in the night, the wind gently tussled the tall grass around her that grew to her knees. On the horizon she saw dark clouds, lightning clash, and heard the gentle rumble of thunder. In front of her stood a man, one she almost did not come to recognize, "Nuada."The night air brought a chill to her; and his breath could be seen in puffs of steam. Darkness engulfed him, she found him to be a bit frightening. He raised his blade and in one swift movement he moved through the tall grass, cutting down nonexistent enemies. How much it looked like a dance, with each step precise and graceful, his blade, her gift, an extension of each other. Suddenly he stopped directly in front of her his weapon brought to his side; another puff of steam, his golden eyes trailed up watching the stars above.

"I'll be home soon." He whispered and then let his head fall back down, he paused as he was still attempting to catch his breath when he raised himself once again, his eyes found hers.

"Nuala."

The first day abroad was relentless and for the longest time Nuada came to almost regret his decision but he had no choice, and knew that one day eventually he would have to leave. Beyond frigid lands over mountains and across the sea, Nuada came to a country whose name he could barely pronounce. There he spent his time mastering the art of war. Nuada and his companions would spend their days charging at one another creating a story to tell with each new cut they made on the other. Many were uncertain at first to fight with the prince when partnered with, but in their hesitation to fight he would take advantage of their skepticism, leading most to limp away with broken bones. They repaid his kindness in deep cuts and painful bruises that would last for months. He was thankful to them for not holding back. In his lonely hours when he couldn't sleep he would light a candle in his tent, and in that flickering light he would think of her. He attempted to write letters to her with:

Nuala . . .

Dearest Nuala . . .

Sister . . .

My Beloved Sister . . .

He could never get past writing her name, it was one he could spell out for hours and be in such deep content with. He never sent any letters though for the very actions brought a great desire to leave everything he worked for just to go and stand by her side. The days melted to years and Nuada longed to see his sister. His senses were not as strong as hers but he knew when his soul was too far from her no longer able to find her, he became incomplete. He would pray often after his time scribbling her name, "Nuala, Nuala, Nuala" he tossed and turned moaning "Nuala, Nuala, Nuala." "Please Aiden" he whispered "Let me see her." As Nuada came to rest his unconscious mind pulled him away to his home he once knew. He dreamt of her not in a too far off distance. As the sun was setting Nuada saw a lovely creature in blue there in the garden joined with her servants. "Nuala." He could hear as they played for her the music of the spirits, their harps and flutes, joined together in a perfect matrimony with the melody of the birds, singing in the trees. She sat surrounded by the crimson flowers they planted together so long ago. They were many now and they were all in bloom, their color was that of a blazing fire and for a moment he feared she could be burned. He could smell their sweet fragrance, he could see how beautiful they were as the setting suns light danced off their petals. Yet Nuala, his beloved sister, had become far more exquisite than any flower resting in the garden. He watched as her eyes left the story on the pages she read to glance up at the flowers, she reached for one and for a moment he really did believe the blossom was ablaze and she would be hurt, but the flower greeted her with the soft touch of its petals. She smiled, leaning forward and gently she kissed the petal as if it were the hand of a lady, Nuada suddenly felt a sense of jealousy until she whispered "Please be safe." She then turned to face him, her eyes baring into his. "Nuada."

Then suddenly they were together. Their eyes met, the very same golden eyes they had always known and for a brief moment nothing else existed but them.

Nuada had come to fall over Nuala's beauty as it had matched heaven itself. "It is a waste," he thought, "for her to be a priestess."

Nuala had come to adores Nuada strength that matched the earth and his cunning speed. "The story's there will be of his reign" she contemplated.

They whispered each other's name and both awoke with a gasp escaping their lips. Their eyes shot open to the morning light.

When both were fully awake they felt a deep burning sensation that would not leave them. Nuala was frightened by this feeling and begged to escape it. She feared the night coming to bring her back to sleep, worried that a priestess would wake with such sinful thoughts. The worst of it is, she regretted, is that she wanted the sensation to continue. Nuada was entranced and became enraged that the night hours had not become long enough for him and he grew to hate the morning as his conscious mind pulled him back. His thoughts of Nuala became more than what a brother should dream of his sister, imagining seeking her lips as he held her gently in his arms, sweetly embracing in a tender kiss.

Writers corner

Alright after this the story gets a bit more . . . . Mature ;D See you guys in Chapter 6! Enjoy!