Chapter 2-Blue Words

Abe was resting in his cool tank, listening to his favorite classical song. He needed to keep his mind occupied because if he didn't--

"Abraham," a voice whispered. He looked around the room but there was no one there. He was alone in his sanctuary--or at least tried to make it a sanctuary after being dragged back into the paranormal investigation gig. He didn't make friends with the people who worked with him, nor was he inclined to make friends.

"Guten nacht mein freund." Dr. Krauss approached him, which tore him from his thoughts--thank God.

"What would they have me do tonight Dr. Krauss." Abe asked a little annoyed.

"No, no, nothing like that. I only come to visit." Johann pulled up a chair. "How are you doing?"

Abe turned his back to him. "I will not have this talk." Abe turned up his music to drown out the ectoplasmic being.

"If you will not talk to me," Johann shouted. "Then perhaps you can be persuaded by Liz." The music played just as loud until it was turned off completely. Abe turned around and saw Liz holding the end of the plug.

"Much better. You know you can go deaf by having your music that loud. And in your tank, you've got to be feeling quite nauseated." It was true, Abe felt the vibrations of the sound waves so hard that they completely wiped out his sense for only just a moment.

Hellboy was with Liz too, as well as their children who were pulling at Hellboy's goatee. How could he have missed them grow this much. Abe was still considered their friend, and yet all they were to him were painful memories. Why, he pleaded with himself. Why did Nuala have to--the pain. Liz reacted climbing up the tank's side and trying to reach for Abe. Hellboy handed off the twins to Johann so as he could assist Liz.

"Abraham," the voice called out to Abe as his eyes fluttered open.

"Jesus Abe, you scared the crap out of me." Liz had been leaning over him and gave a sigh of relief. Abe looked around the room as did everyone else.

"Abe you feeling alright bud?" Hellboy asked with his hand on his back. Abe blinked his eyes and looked at his friends.

"Yes, I was just--" Trevor and Anya began crying in Johann's arms.

"Hush little ones," he bounced them in his arms. Abe stood up and walked over to him. Liz watched carefully as Abe asked for one of the babies and Johann handed him Anya.

Anya looked up at him with her bright golden brown eyes as Abe's lips curled up into a smile.

"Abraham, what are you smiling at?" The fair Princess Nuala asked as she lowered her book. Abe became flustered, his cheeks turned a dark blue-green, and he started to stutter.

"I, uh, I--I was just admiring how smooth this table was." He placed his hand on the mahogany wood. Princess Nuala walked over to him and grazed her hand over the surface as well, briefly touching Abe's hand. Her cheeks glowed bright red.

"Yes, indeed." She put her hand to her mouth to keep from smiling and to hide her blushing.

For a moment the room was filled with silence, that is, until Abe asked what book she had taken from the shelf. 'Blue Words' was inscribed on the cover along with an illustration of a grand waterfall. "This is my favorite book." Princess Nuala looked at him with interest. "One of the poems, is very beautiful." Abe reached out his hands. "May I?" Nuala handed him the book as he began to flip through the pages, stopping at one in particular, then returning it to the princess. She read it out loud with Abe standing at her side.

She danced at almost nothing

He wishes some kind

To want a shimmering diamond

We pierced the sea

An azure world

Taste the rain

Thick clouds

Emotion is in me

So is too, missing you

From this note I'll remember you

Hold you close and share your memory

My love, forever, never will you die

"Abraham, I don't understand." Nuala closed the book. "Humans write about love, but they destroy it as well with lying, cheating--killing." Abe looked away from her.

"Yes well, that is one thing all have tried to figure out. But--"

"But there are loving individuals." She smiled at him. "Liz Sherman is human but she finds a beauty in Hellboy, as well as in you." Nuala blinked, looking into his eyes.

"I think she likes you Abe," Liz said looking down at Anya and then over to Hellboy. "She likes you," Anya was reaching up to touch Abe's face, smiling but he wasn't anymore. He gave Anya back to Liz and retreated in the library.

Liz and Hellboy looked at each. "We shouldn't have come," Liz hugged Anya close and walked out.

Abe ran to the shelf that still smelled of Nuala. He searched the spines and stopped at dust covered book, bearing a magnificent waterfall. "Nuala, I miss you and I can't go on without you. Please--please let me be with you." Abe's gills flapped as he took in the lavender air around him.

"I'm waiting."

Abe's heart skipped a beat and he ran out to the others.

In the chamber where the Golden Army lay, two children of elven blood were laid to rest. One was of pureness and light, the other of strength and honor. Two halves of a whole bound by an invisible thread. Encased in marble, forever in stone. A gentle wind blew leaves across the floor and grazed the bodies. "Arise my children and take form once more."

"Who is Abraham, Nymueline?" The elf looked to her friend and said,

"I don't know, but somehow, I know him."