So i think i fixed the formating. i hope this is better. sorry for the screw up. i would hate for it to ruin the chapter

~oOo~

Hayley has always been protective in regards to her own.

Whether in regards to possessions, passions, or loved ones, she has always had that protective streak when it came to the things that really mattered to her. She supposed one could say it had to do with her turbulent childhood. That may be true, to a degree. But Hayley also felt that it was just a part of her DNA.

It had been a bit of a trial for her and her brother growing up. They had moved here from Greenland but Halyley did not have much memory of that. She knew that was were her mother was from. That she had been Inuit, specifically Kalaallit, but also some Inughuit because it was in the northern territories where her parents had met. Her father had been stationed at Thule Air Base and had run into each other while she was visiting family. Hayley had vague memories of her father laughing at how her mother did not want to have anything to do with him in the beginning. There was some lingering animosity from the locals towards the base over how they came by the land. But then forcibly moving anyone from their homes rarely ever went well.

Eventually he won her over though and the rest, as they say, is history. A tragically brief history since her mother died shortly after she and her twin brother Hayden were born. It was shortly after that her father was discharged and moved them to the states, bringing them to New York.

Some might think it would be difficult, being raised without a mother. But Hayley did not think that way. While she would agree she had felt as if there had been a void in her life, like some missing piece to a long worked on puzzle that she could never finish, her father had loved them very much and worked hard to make up for that absence. He had been big and strong and had taught them to never be afraid of defending themselves or those who need it. Not that he encouraged them to go looking for a fight, but if one came to you despite all attempts at avoiding it, then always face it. Never let anyone back you into a corner.

Her father had always been there for them when they were young. He had been her hero. And for a time, he had filled the void.

He had also been a member of New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 3 and had been swept away from her in a ball of fire, ash and an avalanche of twisted steel in 2001.

The void now became great gaping gulf in her life and it was then that the nightmares began. Horrific, warped, sadistic monsters with razor like claws and gnashing teeth invaded her dreams. She fought the monsters every night, and every night the monsters dragged her father down.

With the only family they had ever known taken away and very little known about her mother's family, she and Hayden became wards of the state. They moved from one foster family to the next until they were 18, upon which both of them joined the service. It was the most logical choice for them at that time and worked. It gave them skills. It gave them a purpose.

And for a while, the military filled that void with her blood, sweat and tears, making her too exhausted to focus on that emptiness while giving her laser focus on others. She and Hayden both served overseas. She had become proficient in hand to hand combat to the point that she was encouraged to compete. She had always made high marks with tactical skills and had been told on more than one occasion she could be officer material.

But despite her success, the void was always there, a lingering, nagging sensation. An itch that could never be scratched to satisfaction. It constantly pulled, reminding her that it remained while all others left, that it was unfulfilled and was going nowhere.

She and Hayden had not seen much of each other while serving but had always remained in contact. They had been through too much not too. At one point they both managed to take some leave at the same time and decided to visit the home of their mother. Through random means they had been able to track down members of her family and, after many letters and emails, found themselves nervously knocking on the door of a house in a town called Ilulissat.

There had been much hugging and crying that day.

But Hayley had discovered something, or perhaps found something. For her, to call the land beautiful would be inadequate. It went beyond words. The land was protected by walls of ice and ocean, with valleys surrounded by snow capped mountains. The only thing bigger than that range of granite peaks was the sky, clear blue and as vast as any eye could see. They had called to her, those mountains, speaking to her on a spiritual level. She would live in those mountains. She would know every inch of them. This place wrapped her in peace. She belonged here. She looked out at the round faces smiling up at her, reflections of her own. These were her people.

This is where she is meant to be. This is home.

And so, after eight years and two tours, she turned down the resigning bonus for the military and returned to civilian life. This time with purpose.

And for a little while, the nightmares ceased.

She decided she would use her benefits to go to school. Perhaps study something that she could use to help the community. Something where she could keep those who had no one, safe. And she found herself being pulled back to New York.

It made sense really. She knew the city, and it would offer the most options for schools and jobs. And perhaps that little bit of her father within her wanted her to tuck those demons away and come to peace with her past. Even Hayden encouraged her to return. He had remained in the military and had even married and was now looking to be stationed back in the states, hopefully Virginia. They would be able to see each other again and Hayley could finally meet her sister-in-law. New York seemed to be the place she needed to be more and more.

Of course, Hayley now knew it was more than just coincidence.

Moving had turned out to be uneventful aside from the usual challenges. She had found herself a relatively decent apartment in Harlem. It was small and while not in the most desirable area, affordable. The location did not concern her. She had never been given any grief while she lived there and liked how it kept her on her toes. She settled in and began a routine. Even found a gym were she could work out and spar. But things did not always run smoothly.

Her nightmares had returned, although there was a change with them. Perhaps it was her new found sense of purpose, but she no longer fought alone in those dreams. Someone stood beside her, guarding her back. The dream had become so vivid that she thought she could feel the brush of wind against her cheek from his movements behind her, or that she would wake still feeling the sensation of his arm around her waist as he would sweep her aside.

And then there was that void she had always felt within. She had thought it had gone away after her epiphany in Greenland but she had been wrong. It had returned after she had moved to the city and its icy fingers raked at her more than ever. She had brushed it off at first some sort of malaise from moving back. The memories of her father and her childhood lost. But that had not been it. It was something else. Something unrelenting and continuous. There were times when she would leave her apartment and could not shake the persistent feeling that she was forgetting something, that something had been lost. At times the feeling was so overwhelming she would find herself unconsciously looking around or squinting off into nothing trying to remember. These moments always ended with her having a splitting headache. It could get so bad that once she had missed her stop on the train and in her frustration, went to a small off street cafe to get a coffee and find some relief for her head. She had just sat down to drink it when, she felt more than saw, someone staring at her. When she looked up, her gaze landed on him immediately.

He sat at a table at the back of the room holding his own cup of coffee. He was dressed in a white shirt and black pants and an apron was tied around his waist. Some employee on break. He had long dark hair and striking grey eyes that seemed to be as startled by her as she was annoyed by him.

She had narrowed her eyes at him slightly in warning but instead of hastily looking away, his face split into a wide beautiful grin.

The sound of glass clinking brought pulled Hayley's attention back to the here and now. So many things had changed since she met Cirian. So many things had fallen into place after she had found him. And not just for her.

She looked across the room to see Andrea pouring wine in to glasses. Upon discovering that her friend was facing circumstances very similar to hers, Hayley could not help but become concerned. Andrea may be an old soul, but she was also a gentle one. And from she could tell, she was quite smitten with this Aegnor.

Agner. She had to remember that. His true name is Aegnor, but the name he goes by here is Agner. Just like Cirian, who she had known by many names in the past, but his true name was Caranthir.

Any way, once she had gotten the story from Cirian, Hayley could not help but be concerned. Their story had been tragic. Cirian had been vague on the details, saying that he was neither close nor interested in anything his cousins were up to during that time, but from what he did say Hayley knew that there had been no happy ending for either of them. Even Cirian had seemed troubled by what he had learned from talking to Agner.

Hayley had liked Agner very much for her part. She found him to be genuine and quite sincere, especially when it came to Andrea. She did not find him at all to be the pompous ass that Cirian said he was.

But then Cirian could be temperamental. Old habits die hard.

When Cirian told her that he and Agner had to leave for the woods sooner than expected, Hayley decided this would be a good time to drop in on her friend. Hayley felt it was a good thing to do. Not only because Andrea was her friend but because Agner had agreed to help Cirain. She was grateful that Cirian would not be alone.

Hayley heard the sound of footsteps and turned to see Andrea approaching with two glasses in hand. Hayley smiled. Her friend looked good, hell she was glowing. Her voice had a joyous and airy quality about it and her eyes practically sparkled.

"This is a pretty nice set up you have here."

"Oh thanks," Andrea said with a grin as she walked over to where Hayley stood and handed her a glass. "I mean, not much with square footage but the roof top balcony makes up for it. I hear the neighboring brownstone is up for sale. You should look into it."

Hayley snorted into her own glass, almost spitting out the sip of her drink she had just taken. "I can't with you right now," she sputtered.

"Just a suggestion," Andrea replied, feigning innocence as she walked over and took a seat on the sofa. Hayley followed and plopped down next to her.

"Seriously though," Hayley continued, "is the entire building his?"

"I think so," Andrea shrugged. "I mean, he only lives on the top floor, but the building is his. The bottom floors are all rentals."

"Damn, he must make a killing."

"You'd think right? But he actually as some sort of self imposed rent control on the place. There is a lady who has lived here since the early fifties and she still pays the same rent as when she moved in. He says he doesn't need the money. He apparently owns a few buildings like this."

Hayley sipped her wine. It made sense. Cirian did much of the same thing. Buying and selling buildings, passing them down to his "heirs". He said it was becoming even easier with the internet. He did not even have to physically deal with people anymore. It was a nice building too. Spacious and simple with a classy type of comfy. Not at all like Cirian's apartment in Hells Kitchen. He had always had a taste for the finer things.

"So," Andrea looked at her from over her glass, "you and Cirian?"

Hayley blinked, suddenly remembering that Andrea did not know. Andrea had been surprised when Hayley had buzzed to come in, but nearly as surprised as when she found out that Hayley was with Cirian. When she had told Andrea that Cirian was the one who said she was staying here, Andrea had asked how she knew him. And when Hayley had told her they were living together, Andrea had about fell out on the floor.

"Mmmm, right. Me and Cirian."

"Oh no you don't. You are not going to clam up on me now. How did you meet? How long has this been going on? And what type of guy is he? I didn't even know Agner had a cousin, much less one right here in the city."

Hayley swirled the wine in her glass in glass in an effort to buy some time. It was not that she did not want to tell Andrea everything. It was just that she was not sure of what all Andrea did and did not know. Agner said he was going to tell her and she believed him. But it was not like it was an easy subject to broach, and Hayley did not want to be the one to reveal anything.

"Well, let's see. We met," a series of images flashed through Hayley's mind. A bloody field, a broken sword. The two of them setting fire to a pile of grotesque monsters, and another as they stood side by side to bury the dead. "It's kind of typical really. Boy meets girl. Girl thinks boy is an ass. Boy hounds girl until she goes out with him. No big deal."

"Really?" Andrea's nose scrunched up with disappointment. "That's it?"

Hayley shrugged. "It turns out we have known each other for a while actually, running into each other here and there. Just took a bit to figure it out."

"Oh wow. Well that's crazy. Almost as crazy as them being cousins and both of us dating them right? I mean small world right?"

"Crazy," Hayley agreed. It seemed to her that if Andrea did know, then there would be no reason to keep such a thing a secret. The only answer it could be was that Agner had not told her yet. Hayley felt a small flicker of concern. She understood how difficult this would be. She hoped he would not take long. Andrea was definitely taken with him and Hayley did not want to see her hurt.

"So tell me about him."

Hayley gave Andrea a questioning look.

"Cirian," Andrea gave an exasperated sigh, "tell me about him. I have only met him once and, while memorable, didn't really tell me much."

"Ah, ok. Well," Hayley set her glass down on the table and raked her fingers through her short black hair, "how to describe Cirian. He ... can be a bit dramatic ..."

"No," Andrea gasped, feigning shock. Hayley smirked.

"A bit," she continued. "He tends to be somewhat reactive to things, kind of a temper. Nothing violent," she interjected at Andrea's sudden look of concern, "more like a tantrum really. But still emotional. But he can also be very ... sweet too. Gentle and kind. I think he just isn't very comfortable showing it, that side of him. He is protective, sometimes annoyingly so, but I get it. He had some things happen when he was ... younger and I think that kind of changed him, or at least the choices he makes now."

"Agner had said that he had some family he was not very close to when he was young.But then he doesn't really talk about his family that much. I only guessed that Cirian was one of them. He didn't seem happy when he saw him."

"They weren't close," Hayley nodded, "Cirian said as much. And Agner was probably not happy to see him because he broke into his house. I'd be pissed too."

"He told you about that?" Andrea looked surprised.

"It's not very easy for him to hide things from me. He's a shit liar."

"Well he startled me," Andrea laughed, "and Agner was definitely not happy, I know that for sure."

"Rightfully so."

"I'm glad though that they are doing this," Andrea continued, "going on this trip. Agner doesn't have any contact with his family. I think, not that I think Agner would ever admit it but, I think that he's kind of ... I don't want to say happy, but maybe, grateful? That doesn't make sense does it?"

"It does," Hayley leaned back against the sofa. "Cirian does too. And I know he would never admit it. But he does. They have too much in common and as for what happened in the past, I think they have both come to terms with it. They need each other more than they know."

"Do you know what happened?"

Hayley blinked. She had spoke without thinking on that. It must be the wine.

"Not much," she deflected. "From what I could gather it had to do more with their fathers than with them. They were just dumb kids carrying on a family grudge."

Andrea sipped at her wine. "They look alike."

"What?"

"They look alike," Andrea repeated. "I mean, not exactly alike, but very similar. Their profiles. I noticed it that night. They were standing there talking, in that language and I noticed it. Their nose, and the color of their eyes."

"They take after their grandfather," Hayley said. "According to Cirian he looks more like his grandfather than Agner but his opinion could be a bit biased."

"He sounds like a handful," Andrea giggled.

"You have no idea." Hayley sighed.

"Oh I don't know. Agner has caused his share of headaches. It took us a while to get to this point. He was so reluctant to do anything at first but now, well ..." Andrea looked at Hayley and beamed, almost giddy, "he's amazing. I have never felt this way Hayley. Ever. I mean, it's like we know each other, but like we've always known each other you know? I know it sounds crazy, but if he were to ask me to marry him tomorrow, I would. I mean, don't tell him that though. I don't want to run him off."

Hayley laughed. "I don't think you will."

"I don't either but I am trying to be careful. I have never been this close to someone though. It's like he knows what I am thinking. Do you know that once I had been thinking of him and had ended up getting on the train and going to where he was at work?"

Hayley looked at Andrea. "You did?"

"I don't even remember doing it," Andrea laughed. "I was so tired, that must have been it. We had just returned from the cabin and, well, it had been a good trip. I guess I was just thinking of him and the trip and my subconscious took over."

"I guess."

Andrea looked down into her wine glass, swirling the red liquid within. "And the sex ..."

Hayley's heart dropped. "The sex?"

"Is amazing!" Andrea squealed. "I had no idea it could be this way. I mean before Agner I was fine never doing it again to be honest. But with Agner, it's like I can't keep my hands off him. And I don't want to either."

Hayley suddenly sat up straight, causing Andrea to jump. "Andrea look at me."

"What?"

"Just look at me!"

Before she even realized what she was doing, Hayley had grabbed Andrea by the sides of her face and peered fixedly into her friends eyes. She could feel her heart hammering as she studied the colors. Andrea's eyes were grey with flecks of blue and green and even a streak of amber in once, but those were not the colors she was interested in. It was the light that shone deep from within, the faint glint that one would stupidly mistake for sparkling. It was him. Agner. The light from his being infused with Andrea's own.

Hayley fought the rush of furious emotion that raged through her body.

"What? What is it," Andrea protested in concern, pulling her face from Hayley's hands. "Do I have something on my face? What?"

"No," Hayley replied as she regained some semblance of control. "For some reason I just thought your eyes were hazel, not grey."

"That's it? God Hayley, next time just ask instead of scaring me half to death," Andrea laughed.

"Sorry," Hayley smiled apologetically. "You know me, always acting before thinking. So, where are these super cute kittens you want me to help you find families for?"

"Oh my God, I forgot! They're in the back. Just a sec."

Hayley smiled at Andrea as she simultaneously set down her glass and jumped up from the sofa. As soon as her friend was out of the room her smile disappeared.

He had bonded her. Without her knowledge.

That son of a bitch.

~oOo~

The morning air was thick with the smell of fire and blood.

Black smoke rose high from the fires that still burned. There would be more fires to be lit as well, after last night's killing. But not right now, not at this moment. This moment was for gathering the glorious dead. The fallen brothers. But she would not mourn. Not now. Not in front of her people. They had to see her strong and she would not falter.

Somehow, they had lived through seven nights of hell. Seven nights of shear unwavering madness. She did not believe they would have survived another. She had made preparations accordingly for there could be no surrender. Not with this enemy. There would be only death. And she would rather it come from her hand than by their foe. For her hand would be far more merciful. The were backed into a corner and there could be no other way out.

That is why it had surprised her to see the enemy suddenly turn away. Morning was still a few hours away, they had to know her battlements would not stand much longer. Perhaps it was a trap. A lure for them to follow. The men were looking at her questioningly. It was up to her again.

She climbed to the top of the ramparts constructed from burnt timber and wagons and the mangled corpses of the enemy. They had hurled various body parts of her people that they had taken captive into the ramshackle fort they had constructed during those first nights of fighting. And so she had returned the favor in kind by using the mutilated flesh of her enemies like mortar for the walls of her battlements. Grotesque heads were set upon pikes and lit like torches in the night.

Several of the men protested as she made her way to the top of the ramparts, but they were silenced with a quick wave of the hand. They did not question her. Not anymore. She had saved their lives to many times. At one time, she might have been touched by their concern, but now it was simply a nuisance. It was her duty, and her father had always said that one can only lead by example.

She stood above the fray and looked down at the battle field. It should not have been possible for her to stand so out in the open, but then the enemy was no longer interested in her or her people. They were scattered, high pitched squeals piercing the night as they ran in all directions, blind with fear at the cavalry that rode them down.

Elves. The bloody fucking elves had come.

They shone like a bright white flame in the night, swords flashing as they cut through panicked enemy line. Their armor seemed to reflect the light of the stars themselves with their intensity. It reminded her of glow flies that used to swarm the fields of her childhood.

"Pretty ..." a voice muttered beside her. She turned to see Betha standing next to her observing the battle. She simply grunted in reply.

"What do we do."

She sighed inwardly. For a brief glorious moment, she had forgotten these things were up to her now.

"Get Andir to gather anyone who can still stand and see to those who can't. You will go to Clodagh and tell her that what we discussed will no longer be necessary."

Betha gave a grim nod. Clodagh had been guarding with those who were either to old, to young, or to wounded to fight and knew that surrender was not an option.

A movement in the peripheral made both women look down to see one of those hell spawn's pathetic attempt to escape by climbing the rampart. Betha moved to intercept but she waved her off.

"I will take care of this. You find Andir."

Betha gave a quick salute and made her way down. She fought the urge to roll her eyes. She would have to do something about all the saluting and chieftain talk. She did not do anything that any of them would not have done. Her voice just happened to be the loudest. Still, she could not help but feel a small amount of pride as she watched Betha leap down from the ramparts. Even the women had taken up swords to fight. As they should. What else would they do? Stand there as their men were slaughtered. Better to die fighting. This was something she would not see end. The women will be able to defend their own alongside their men if they wish it. She would most certainly see to that. She had earned it. They all did.

She reached for the great ax that was strapped to her back, pulling it over her shoulder. It had been her father's and for a short time after, her brother's. Now it was hers. She looked down at the twisted creature that writhed at her feet. So many of her people had died at their hands. They had the dark one's own luck but that would end tonight. At least when it came to her people. She swore to herself at that moment that she would give her own life to see them strong again. She would do what ever it took to see that they would be safe. They would never be caught unprepared in the dark again. She swung the great ax, severing the goblin's head with one strike.

She hefted the ax back up, resting it on her shoulder, as she kicked the body. She watched it as it rolled limply down the rampart, stopping at the feet of a great warhorse. It was easily one of the most magnificent animals she had ever seen. It stood steadfast as the body stopped in front of it, not even a flinch. But it was nothing compared to the rider.

She had likened the other riders to the glow flies of her youth, whisking quickly across the fields, illuminating the ground with their radiance. But this one was nothing like those. This one seemed to be lit by the heavens itself. This one had some how managed to capture the splendor of the stars themselves in his armor. Only the dark stains of the blood on his sword marred the brilliance. His face was obscured by his helm, but is eyes shone bright from within with an intensity that would rival the sun.

He must be their lord, or chief or king or whatever these bloody elves call the one in charge. She made a mental note to learn what to call him.

He continued to stare up at her saying nothing. If he was waiting for her to blink, it was not going to happen. Her own eyes may not shine like two little moons but they could certainly narrow in annoyance.

She was about to open her mouth to speak when he moved, acknowledging her with a respectful incline of his head. Uncertain of what to do, she returned with a curt one of her own. It seem to satisfy him for he turned his mount and trotted swiftly away, towards his men.

She watched him for a moment. It seemed that they were starting to set up some sort of a camp. She sighed. He would more than likely want some sort of homage or recompense or something like that for his aid. She could not help but wonder where the hell he was seven nights ago, when the worst of the attacks started. She grimaced inwardly at her pettiness. They had saved them, that was the truth of it. It would not hurt to give thanks.

But that was all they would get. She did not give a damn if he was the king of all the elves, that was all she would give. Her people are her priority now. They were a free peoples and nothing would take that from them, not even some bloody elf lord. She would protect them with her own life without hesitation. This was her family. They were all the family she had now.

And Haleth had always been protective in regards to her own.