Mirajane V

Much to her surprise, in what was now the month since she arrived, Mirajane was very gradually starting to get used to the cold climate of Naggaroth. Not that it was essentially any pleasanter, but it was getting more bearable as time went by. Also, Mira figured that as things went, things could have been a lot worse for her. Though perhaps she was just rationalizing what was happening to her.

The Take Over mage was sitting on a balcony, looking over the cold, mountains landscape. If it had been sunnier, it may have actually been a rather pretty sight.

"Pardon me, my Lady," one of the most saccharine voices Mira had ever heard called. She looked over her shoulder, and saw a woman about her height, with deathly pale skin, scantily clothed, and with a massive weave of hair that was tied up and back. She immediately knew who this person was.

"You're Morathi," Mirajane said, taking an instinctive step back. She'd seen her a couple of times, and heard a lot about her, but never actually met Malekith's mother. Mira was somewhat taken aback by the elf's youthful appearance; despite being Malekith's mother, she somehow looked only maybe a few years older than Mira herself. The Queen Mother of Naggaroth approached Mira, nodding in respect.

"Indeed I am, my Lady," Morathi said in a tone so respectful Mirajane didn't believe it for an instant, "My apologies. We have never been able to properly meet up until now when we should've done it long ago."

"I suppose we haven't," Mira said suspiciously, taking an instinctive step back.

"I must commend you," Mortahi said, "Not many have been able to take my son's ear like the way you seem to. Only a few aside from myself come to mind."

"Thanks I think."

"Another comes to mind. Have you heard of Allisara?" Morathi asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes." Mirajane had heard about her, but not much in particular. The most she heard was Allisara was one of Malekith's wives, who died in unknown circumstances.

"She was one of many who thought they could woo the Witch King of Naggaroth," Morathi said as she looked over her nails, "They all attempted to appeal to my son's nature for their own gain. I don't think I need to tell you of what ultimately came of them."

"Is there a point to any of this?"

"Those who become to close to Malekith, generally do not meet an especially favorable fate," Morathi all but sneered. On reflex, Mira charged up her magical reserves. She could've sworn that she could see Morathi's eyes glow a more than slightly sinister red.

"Mother!" Malekith's voice called, "Step away from her!" Mirajane never thought she'd be happy to hear the Witch King's voice as he made his way in, flanked by his guards.

"My apologies, my son," Morathi answered, "I was simply engaging with you're handmaiden."

"I am not a handmaiden!" Mira blurted out.

"You will not touch her," Malekith said, positioning himself between the two women, "Is that clear?"

"Completely, my son," Morathi answered, bowing her head, and taking a respectful step back, "I just presumed she should be warned of the dangers of this world."

"Yes, I suppose by being in your presence, she is being warned of the world's dangers." That was subtle Mirajane thought. It didn't seem that subtlety really ran in this family.

"I will take my leave now," Morathi said, stepping away, bowing slightly "Sleep well tonight you all." Mirajane watched closely as what she knew some referred to as the "Hag Queen" take her leave, glad that the exchange was over. Malekith then took this as an opportunity to guide Mirajane away, and to her chambers.

"Avoid my mother whenever and wherever you are able," Malekith said, "She is not to be trusted in anyway."

"She's evil," Mira said plainly, as she sat on the bed, "You know that right?"

"I'm not blind," Malekith said, walking to the balcony, and looking over his capital.

"Why do you keep her around at all?"

"Here she is in my sights," Malekith answered, "I am far more comfortable when I know where she is and when." Mira briefly wondered why Malekith didn't just kill her, but figured maybe even he couldn't find it in him to kill his own mother.

"Malekith," she said, "Who was Allisara?" Malekith suddenly looked at her, surprised by the question.

"Where did you hear that name?" he asked.

"She was your wife wasn't she?" Malekith didn't answer as he averted his eyes.

"No, she was more than that," Mira said softly, "You loved her, didn't you?"

"It doesn't matter," Malekith answered after being silent for a time, "It is in the past. There is nothing to do about it now."

"That proves something to me," Mira said, as she walked over to where Malekith was standing, "You weren't always like this. You once had honor, nobility, and even love in your heart, didn't you?" Malekith looked straight at her, before slowly removing his helmet. However, this time, Mira didn't just see his scars. She saw something else in him…

"If I did, the flames have long since burnt them out," Malekith said, as he set his helmet on the table, turning away from her.

"You are the son of Aenarion, aren't you?" Mirajane said, walking up behind her "Your father sacrificed himself to protect you, his people, and practically the entire world. Do you think he would have wanted any of this? Would he have approved of this?" She could see the Witch King's fists clench at that.

"I…" But he didn't answer, since he had nothing to say in response to that.

"You aren't like your mother," Mira said, putting a hand over his, "You aren't evil, not in your heart."

"What do you know about that?" Malekith hissed, pulling his hand away. Now Mirajane saw something different him. A look of what almost looked like… pain, and sorrow.

"More than you might," Mirajane said, "Please, let me help you."

"There is nothing you can do for me," Malekith insisted, as he looked away from him. That was when something stirred inside of Mirajane as she stared at Malekith. A feeling she initially didn't recognize…

"The armor dulls the pain, right?" Mirajane asked, as she suddenly cupped Malekith's face.

"Yes?"

"Maybe I can do the same thing," Mira said. With that, she pulled herself up, and pressed her lips against his. She wasn't sure why she did it; it was almost an act of compulsion than anything else. Malekith at first pulled back, as he stared at her in surprise.

"I'm sorry," Mira said, "I…" However, Malekith pulled her close, and kissed her as well. After some surprise in her own right, Mirajane returned the kiss. Eventually the two parted.

"I generally pride myself on my ability of foresight and knowledge," Malekith said, "But I will admit, it is hard for me to ever admit I was wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"After all these centuries, I didn't think I could ever truly love someone after the death of Allisara," Malekith said, as he stroked Mirajane's face. Mirajane just blushed, as the two kissed again, as their tongues slid out, and entangled each other. After the two parted, Mirajane retreated back to the bed, starting to take off her clothes.

"My body….," Malekith began.

"I couldn't care less," Mira said, as she removed her last article of clothing. Malekith then eventually came up, and embraced her. With that, the two fell on the bed, ad Malekith began to take off his armor. And for the first time in what seemed like forever, the Witch King of Naggaroth felt truly happy.

Note: So Malekith and Mirajane are a thing now apparently. Morathi isn't going to like this.

Let it be said that if not for Mira, Malekith would never have become like this. Malekith is not completely evil (at least not yet), and he was not incapable of love. In many respects, Malektih's evil is due to Morathi's dark influence.

That said, based on the lore I've read, any relationship the two may have had left after everything that happened, evaporated when Morathi had Allisara killed. When the Wood Elves invaded Naggaroth, and went after Morathi, Malekith didn't lift a finger to help (not that he should've). Their relationship seems now more based around a mutual dislike, but also an understanding that neither is powerful enough to openly challenge the other, and that they may need each other yet in the long run.

Please review. Next chapter we'll see Wendy, rounding out the elves.