~~They Will Not Fade~~

Chapter 4: Failure to Convince

~Alvara~

"Now, friend… What do you know of what's going on?" Nuala asked Alvara. "I trust you knew of mine and my brother's passing."

Alvara nodded. "Well, obviously, the two of you have been revived." Nuala nodded patiently. "…And you were revived by me."

"What?" she was surprised by that. "Why…why would you want to do that? You knew what Nuada planned to do, didn't you?" she almost stood, but she knew her legs wouldn't support her. And she may even need to take a rest after this talk.

"Yes, I knew of his plans." Alvara said calmly.

"Then why bring him back? He will begin his plans once again!" she said, getting worried and she was also slightly annoyed with her friend. "I know he cares for his people, but that is not a proper cause to shed more and more blood!"

Alvara kept up a calm and quiet act. "Because, Princess-no one else can lead our people. We will not last long without the two of you, we need you. I know of a place where there are still green fields and forests-we can head there and preserve it, so no human can continue destroying it's beauty. And we can live on, and worry about the humans afterwards."

"Are you saying you believe in my brothers plans to bring down the humans?" Nuala asked softly.

Alvara was quiet for a moment. She had not experienced anywhere near the amount of battles Nuada had, but she had seen how monstrous the humans could be and she was nowhere near fond of any of them. And she hated them for what they do to this world and its inhabitants.

Though she did not wish to cause a blood bath (for she knew this world cannot continue to thrive, with so much blood spilt), but…something inside her wished for them to suffer as well-suffer and go into hiding as they had.

"I understand his reasoning's." She answered Nuala finally. "I would want to do the same as him, though I'm not sure what method I would take."

Nuala sighed, but nodded. She was quiet for a moment, thinking, then she looked at Alvara. "So, you would…like me to return with you. To be by my brother's side and to lead our people again?"

Alvara nodded.

Nuala looked away. "Dear friend, I'm not sure I can do that."

Alvara's face changed from calm to slightly annoyed, but she then composed herself. "And why is that, Princess?"

"I care for our people dearly, and I shall do anything I can for them-but, they have my brother, and there is no real need of me. I think I belong here…" she did not look at her friend.

Alvara glared, but she could not glare at her friend. She could not feel anger towards her, ever. "Princess…I know Nuada is very capable of leading his people on his own, but…I think our people also need a kind heart to look to as well. They need you as well as your brother."

Nuala shook her head. She cared for her people, but there were other's she cared for as well and she did not wish to leave that person. Not just yet. Not again.

"Princess!" Alvara was beginning to become impatient. "Please, we need the both of you-two leaders, not one! You must come back with me, please."

"My friend, I cannot." She told her softly. Then, a thought shot through her mind and she said, "And you know, there is someone who could be at his side. It does not need to be someone of royal blood, since there aren't many."

"No!" Alvara objected quickly at what she was implying, who she was talking about. But she composed herself, calming her voice. "No, it must be you, Princess… Do you not wish to be with him?"

Nuala looked up at her friend like she had just offended her. "Do not ask me of such things…. I love my brother, dearly, for he is part of me as I am a part of him. But you know how different we have become. Too much has changed."

And at that Alvara was reminded of Abraham and glared more than she already was.

"I'm sorry, friend. But I cannot come with you. Not now."

Alvara stayed quiet after Nuala said that. Until finally, after her annoyance simmered down, she nodded. "I see. Well then, Princess, I must say good-bye then."

Nuala seemed sadden by that. "Must you go now?"

Alvara nodded. "There are things I still need to do. I'm truly sorry I could not stay longer…" she managed a smile and bowed.

"I am as well…"

Alvara almost stopped, she did not want to leave her old friend, but she bowed her head once in good-bye and headed out the door.

Abraham seemed to try and asked her something, even if she tried to continue walking. "What is her brother planning? Is she in danger? Please, I need to kn-"

"She is not in any danger, Abraham Sapien. And Nuada is none of your concern." Alvara told him, before raising her hood once more and heading back for the trees.

~Nuada~

I must convince Alvara to help me. It shames me to admit it, but I cannot do this alone. Not in this state. The prince thought to himself as he still sat against the books. He had memorized the information by now, that he had taken from the book.

Only after a few more minutes of rest did he stand and leave the great library still standing in the Nightlands. He went back to the throne room, located through the doorway in the main room, where of which he had been killed, then awoken.

He checked the things he had packed before going to the library. He would need to find better food, he was lucky the goblin ventured in here from time to time, or else this place would be deprived of any food at all. Or water.

Once he was sure his things were ready, he left the throne room and headed back into the main room. He looked down at the ground before him. Golden metal ground…this was where his sister had been, when she had stopped him.

"Nuala…." He whispered sadly. Why? You knew our kind could not last unless something was done… Why could you never understand what I was trying to do?

"Because, you were barbaric to her. You hated humans for what they did to us, when you were willing to do the same back to stop them." he told himself. Two different parts of him were fighting with each other. His younger self which had known his sister better. His younger self whose link with his sister was stronger. And his older self, who had seen so much blood, so much pain and sorrow befall his race and fellow fea creatures.

Well, what else is there? How else can the bloodshed end? It's ironic it can only end this way, but I've never seen anything like peace treaties or promises of peace hold out! Never, for the humans are hallow and shall continue to try and fill that endless hole which they are damned with! The only choice is to fight for our freedom, for our right! Or fade…

"Which I shall not do…. Ever…" the prince whispered to himself.

Just then, he felt that same tug he had felt in the library. That tug pulling somewhere far off, to Nuala.

"Sister…" he whispered, feeling the link growing back, growing stronger. He wished to give in to the pulling tie that told him to go and be with her. But then again, he could not do as he planned with her with him. She would not let him… She may even repeat her sacrifice, just to stop him.

He sighed and sat on a stair, many lifeless, unmoving soldiers lay around him. It will be another day or so before Alvara returns, I'm sure. For Nuala will refuse to return. I might as well test the strength I've regained. In body and mind…

He began, at first, with his mind. Still feeling that tug, that pull. He wanted to talk to his sister, at least know she was alright. He reach out, through that pull-in the direction it came from and he felt her. She was weary and sleeping. Her dreams were filled with worry, for many things and many people. He knew she thought of him and his heart sank when he felt not only worry, but…like he was a threat to her…

You should be used to it, you fool of a prince. You declared war, you left, only to return, kill you father and kidnap her! All in attempt to destroy a race! You are dangerous. You are not only her brother anymore-with age, you have changed! Why should the change of her feelings surprise you?

He asked himself and wanted to know badly, why he must feel this once again! He thought maybe it was because of his awakening. He would go through these feelings again before he regained his original feelings-he could already feel them coming. He could already feel the acceptance of her fear…her disappointment. He had grown used to it through his years of exile.

He stopped trying to connect to her, it hurt too much. He had never tried so hard to feel her when he was in exile, or else she would have tried to come for him, to persuade him to come back. Only when he needed the link, would he use it.

"We've grown so far apart, it's almost as if our souls were never one…"

Once the words left his mouth, and before the sorrow could seep too deeply into him, he shook it off. He could not have feelings such as these clouding his judgment. He had a mission. His one and only mission, and he had to be ready to execute it.

He then began training alone, his imaginary advisories surrounding him. And he took them down easily. Only to become weary. Ashamed, he kept trying, only to become more and more tired. He couldn't resist much longer and he went back to his spot on the stairs, sitting and resting and regaining his strength.

I have to break through this weakness. I have to. I must convince Alvara to follow my plans. And I must head to Egypt, and locate The Shadow Legion that lay in wait and slumber there.

~Alvara~

Alvara walked slowly, trying to calm herself. She had hoped to persuade her friend to return to her brother with her not only because she was a dear friend and Alvara missed her so-but, she did not think the people would follow so easily and swiftly, if only with Nuada. Not only is a kingdom better ruled with its strong, loyal king and loving, strong-willed queen-but she knew no one would follow him willingly. Not without persuasion, and she wasn't sure she could provide that effectively when she introduced her plan to the rest of the clan. She knew only Nuala could.

She took deep breaths to clear her head as she re-entered the thin-tree forest. She could hear the sound of fea, whether it be the giggling of pixie's and fairies, or the screeching of either. Or the grunts of trolls and ogres. Finally, she could hear Caolan's impatient murmuring ahead.

"After all these years, training her-with her. Becoming good friends of hers and her late father, only to have her keep secrets form us…" he sighed. "But she must have good reason. She may be childish at times, maybe even rash, but she is a smart and brave warrior. Her father raised her to be so."

"Talking to yourself, Caolan?" she asked, passing by. She was a few steps across from him, he could only see her through the thin trees.

He cleared his throat and followed through the trees until he was beside her again. "What else is there to do, alone?" he asked and she did not answer. "Well then, what happened? Did you find who you were looking for?"

She was quiet for a second. She knew she couldn't stay quiet for long and expect them to continue to help. "Not exactly. I have to return to Antrim. Do you think you and your brother shall be up for it? Or shall I find another way of transportation?" she looked him in the eyes.

He was caught off guard, with her thinking they would not want to help her. He sighed. "I think I can stay by your side a little longer, but I can't say the same for Berach. It would help if you would just tell us what's going on…" he continued.

She just ignored it, trying to stir his conversations off course as they continued back. Asking questions like, 'Did you think we have enough supplies?', even though she was sure they did. And many more questions, which he sighed and answered. It continued until he got tired of it and gave up, half-way back to the shore.

Once they made it to shore, Berach immediately jumped out of the boat at the site of them returning, and then he began asking her the same questions as Caolan, just less polite. She did the same thing as she had with his brother.

"Are you two sure these sails are in good condition?" she gazed at them with a fake unsure look.

"Yes, we're sure." Berach said, annoyed. "Now why are we running back and forth?"

She acted as if she hadn't heard him, for a moment, and then asked, "How are you two feeling? Shall we eat before we set off?"

Berach grumbled and went to the end of the ship, ignoring her so he could calm down. She turned to Caolan, eyebrow raised.

"Sure. I'll get some of the bread we packed from home, and water." He said, heading into the small compartment they had below deck.

She sighed. If only all judgments weren't so clouded, then I could tell them my plans. I'm not happy with lying to my old friends and brothers-in-arms…she watched them, as Caolan returned and his brother still kept himself at a length. The three of them had seen battle together, many a times. They felt, to her, like the brothers she never got the chance to have (since her mother had died giving birth to her). Even if they could be annoying, older brothers at times, that's what they felt like to her.

But she could not tell them. They, like most other elves of the Bethmora clan, did not want to risk more death and blood to save what was left of them. They would not approve of what she's done, by bringing Nuada back. And they would not follow her much longer if they knew, especially if she helped Nuada rid the world of humans.

And that brought her to question herself. Do I want that? Is my honor and need to preserve my fellow elves that unyielding that I would want to destroy an entire race? ….That's what they've almost done with us, so why should I feel guilt? She sighed. Her feelings were a mix of her friend's feelings. Like Nuada, she wanted the threat gone. She wanted them to suffer, as well, for she had seen friends fall. But like Nuala, she did not want to give into their ways, nor shed more blood. See so many families and loved ones and children, destroyed.

She sighed. There is no perfect way to win this battle. I do not need to worry on this subject right now, anyways. Like I told Prince Nuada, we need to worry about preserving what's left, and deal with the human threat later.

After eating, they continued traveling through the seas, the hours passing slowly, but passing.

~Nuala~

Nuala began to stir from her slumber than. She had decided to rest, knowing it was no use to push her when her body was so weak and needed to get used to working again.

She sat up, opening her eye's slowly. She was in the room again, the room with scrolls and candles all around, for it was the only room with a bed. That she could use, at least. Abraham had a special tank in the largest bedroom, as she had found out not long after awakening.

She sighed as she moved. The clothes she wore were getting tiresome, she needed a change of clothes. She headed into the next room, hearing humming that made her smile. it was Abraham, singing one of his favorite songs he enjoyed listening to in his tank, at times. He was cooking, as well. Of course, all he needed was raw eggs, but he couldn't let her eat that. He decided to make a salad, sure that she must not be one for meat.

"Good morning, Abraham." She greeted, with her usual soft voice and smile.

He looked up and smiled at her. "Good morning, your highness. I thought I should make you breakfast. Is salad alright with you?"

She nodded. "Thank you. I shall go freshen up." She said and he nodded, finishing up her salad.

And she did so, enjoying the feel of water on her skin. Once she was done, she felt clean and content. She put on the under dress and its first layer of robbing, knowing she did not her third. It was a slight relief, though she still wished for different clothing.

Once she was dress she sighed happily and headed to the other room, only to stop when she heard voices.

"Abe, where have you been?" a female voice asked. Nuala knew it was familiar, but she couldn't place it right away.

"I'm sorry, Liz, I've…been a bit occupied…" Abraham told her.

Elizabeth! Elizabeth Sherman! Nuala remembered then, the female human who was born with the power of wielding flame. She was happy at first, her first feelings being that of wanting to greet her as an old friend. But of course you can't! You'll alarm her, you're supposed to be stone! She became nervous and unsure. Should I stay here or go in there? Oh, would I mess up any plans of Abraham's, of telling them?

"Well, Red needs you. It's your turn to go out to the fea inhabitants with him and see if there's any trouble today." She was going on about. "I'm staying here with the twins today."

Twins? Nuala thought. Were they hers?

"Again, I'm sorry. I know I should have gotten there earlier, it's just…" She could hear in his voice, he was unsure of how to tell her.

Should I go out? Nuala was so unsure.

"It's just what? Red's waiting. Is something wrong?" Liz could tell something was up.

"No, nothing's wrong…exactly…" he said.

"And what does that mean?"

"Well, it…." He was stuttering, unsure if he should lie or tell her, Nuala knew this. She had her hand raised and she could feel it slightly.

I have, they must know. She finally decided and walked into the room, slowly and quietly. She had her head half down and her hands crossed in front of her.

When she finally made it into the room, she stopped.

"Who's…" Liz wondered for a moment, until she started noticing the familiar clothing and hair, and once Nuala raised her face, Liz gasped.

"Hello, Elizabeth…" she greeted with a nod.

"How…how is she…?" Liz was stuttering, backing away a few feet in surprise. "Why is she back?"

Once again, Nuala felt guilt for things out of her control. She felt guilty about being back.

"I mean, no offence to you, your highness, it's just…" Liz realized what she said may have sounded offensive.

"I understand, don't worry. Not only have I returned, but so has my brother and that worries you. As it should."

Liz took on a look of annoyance and worry. She hadn't expected this when she came over. "Well…have you heard anything from him yet…?"

"Not from him directly… But, an old friend of mine came by, to talk with me. She has plans to try and bring us together to lead what is left of our race. I'm still unsure of her plans against humans, but I doubt she'll choose to ignore them…" Nuala said. "Do not worry about my brother. For now at least, for we are both weak after awaking. I don't know how long it will last, but neither of us can exert ourselves much in this state."

"Oh….Ok." she let out a sigh, but the worried look on her face didn't falter. Just because he was out terrorizing now didn't mean he wouldn't at all. "Well, is your friend dangerous?"

"…I guess it really depends. She's part of the royal guard and would give her life to protect and help us. If you got in her way, she could be dangerous…" she felt slight guilt at telling this as well, like she was trying to get a friend in trouble, but she had to tell them this.

Liz nodded.

"Well, should we…get Red? He needs to hear this, too." Abraham said. The two of them nodded.

Nuala took a deep breath, as well as Liz and they left, heading to the cottage not far from Abrahams.

~Nuada~

There was a sigh as Nuada began to raise himself up. He had fallen asleep while resting. He stood and stretched, wondering what time it would be now. He must have been asleep for an hour or so. Once he was done, he picked up his spear, which had been lying on the ground and he paced, taking deep breaths as he readied himself. He opened his eyes once, to see the lay of the room, and then he shut his eyes again, remembering it easily.

This way, he could imagine his adversaries much more affectively, and battle, having a well enough memory that he knew where everything was.

There were many tall and huge troll's surrounding him, as well as other swift creatures. With the troll's, he used his speed and agility, somersaulting away from their attacks and finding a weak spot, like exposed skin. And with the other's, he used his battle skills, speed and strength, taking them down almost as fast as the trolls.

But too soon did he become weary again. He became angry, wanting to know when this would stop. He then decided it was best not to exert himself so, if he wished for this weakness to pass. Instead, he explored through parts of the Nightlands, finding small trinkets and machines and decided to do some tinkering. It always gave him joy and entertained him very well.

His strong and sure hands knew what they were doing as he worked on his project, his eyes locked on what he was doing.

But of course, eventually that was out of the way. He sighed and took out the piece of paper he'd torn out.

"Before finding The Shadow Legion, I have to find this." He said to himself, looking at an expertly drawn picture of what looked like a silver/metal vembrace, lined with golden swirls and designs here and there and in the middle lay a blood-colored stone. It was said it was the only thing to be able to control the Shadow Legion. He sighed. "The will take a lot of convincing…" he said, thinking about getting Alvara to help him. But either way, he was going to do this. He had to.