Disclaimer: I own nothing.
AN: R&R. Hope you enjoy. Questions welcome. Signed in reviews preferred. Happy holidays to all my readers.
Chapter 6. Half Breed.
He awoke to a strange pressure on his chest. He looked down to find Ella in her cat form curled up asleep on top of him. He smiled and moved her to the side. He'd been sharing his bed with her for a week and she had slowly become more comfortable each night. The first night she slept as far from him as possible. The second night she actually turned to face him. Over the next several nights she had edged closer to him. The morning before today he'd found her cuddled up to his side. She woke as he moved her and stretched her front legs before laying her head back down.
"Good morning my friend," he scratched her behind the ears and rested his head on his free hand.
She lifted her head and shook it before sniffing his fingers and brushing her head against his palm, prompting him to pet her. He took the hint and began stroking her from her head to her lower back. She started purring almost immediately. He liked her adronite (AN: In this story it's a term magical beings use to describe someone in a "human" shape. I.e. witch, elf, human, vampire, etc. Meant to be the original way of saying "humanoid form" to avoid implying that one adronite form is any more important or dominant than the rest.) form too but this form was particularly affectionate and didn't seem to mind what he did. She liked when he pet her. She relaxed almost every time when he pet or scratched any part of her head and he could even pick her up and carry her around without her getting nervous. It was also strange to him that he found himself enjoying the physical contact with his friend as much as she seemed to need it.
"I don't want to interrupt your fun brother but at some point we should have breakfast," Nuala stood half amused in the doorway.
He looked up and nodded, "I'll get started on that right now then," he carefully got up so he wouldn't startle the little feline.
"Actually I already took the liberty of making it myself. You're not the only one here who can cook brother," she interrupted.
He picked up Ella and followed Nuala to her room. There were eggs and pancakes with some pomegranate seeds on the side. Ella returned to her adronite form as soon as he set her in her chair. She seemed to like the princess' cooking almost as much as she liked her master's.
"So did you dream of that voice again Ella," the prince asked.
She shifted uncomfortably and nodded, "Yes my Lord. I did."
"Did you run again," he was used to her being uncomfortable with this conversation.
She shook her head, "No, I waited to see who it was my Lord."
"And," he prompted.
She swallowed hard trying not to hold back tears, "She's my mother."
"She must be a very powerful sorceress to visit you in your dreams," he smiled, trying to be patient and let her tell him at her own pace.
She shook her head and began crying as she realized the direction this conversation was going, "No my Lord, she wasn't a sorceress."
He abandoned his meal and drew her into his arms, "What was she then?"
Her back heaved with a sob, "She was a pureblooded human my Lord."
He hugged her tighter and rubbed her back, "I can understand why that would upset you. Do you fear that you'll turn out to be just like the other humans?"
She pulled out of his arms and wiped the tears from her cheeks, "I'm going to do my chores now my Lord," she said dryly and left the room having eaten only half of her breakfast.
Stunned by his servant's outburst the prince did not move until his sister gave him an irritated slap on the shoulder. He looked at her, "What?"
She narrowed her eyes at him, "That is not why she is upset you insensitive idiot."
"Why else would she be upset," he asked in annoyance.
Nuala rolled her eyes. No matter what species or raising very few men knew anything about women, "She is mourning the death of her mother. Honestly brother. With no memory of the quarrel between magic and humans what reason does she have to hate her mother for being human?"
He thought about that for a second, "Other than the stories I'm guessing none but still, why would she mourn the loss of a mother she has little to no memory of?"
Nuala rolled her eyes, "Apparently you were born with all the fighting skills and I was born with all the emotions. Did you even mourn when Mother died?"
He thought back to their childhood and remembered that fateful day. The whole kingdom had been excited for the arrival of the new baby. Then the miscarriage had happened and she went into mourning. Their father was left to handle the kingdom and care for the twins. She was weak in her sadness and faded to the earth soon after. A tear slid down the prince's cheek at this memory, "Why did she leave us? We still needed her."
"We were so young we barely remembered her now aside from losing her. Don't you think Ella feels the need for her mother's presence now as we did then," Nuala placed a gentle hand on her twin's shoulder.
He considered it and nodded, "What do I do now?"
"You could start by giving her an apology for assuming she shares your hatred for humans," Nuala suggested.
He nodded his agreement and swallowed, not used to delivering sincere apologies, "Should I bring her the rest of her breakfast?"
Nuala nodded, "She needs her nutrients. Half breeds fall ill so easily. In fact I think it best we be more attentive to her diet. You have spent plenty of time with other magical beings. I paid enough attention to humans to know their needs. We can work together on a meal plan later."
"Is that really necessary," he picked up Ella's plate and stood up.
She shrugged, "Only if you have a care for her health. As her friend I would hope so."
He paused halfway to the door. Had he really been so blinded by his hatred for humans that he needed his own sister to teach him how to be a good friend? Or was it just that females had different expectations of their friends than males? Either way, he decided, he would be grateful to his sister for her help, "Thank you sister. I hope she will appreciate our efforts," Without another word he left her room to go find Ella.
He found her in his room stripping the sheets from his bed to be cleaned. She was visibly upset. She had to pause constantly to wipe her eyes and by the sounds she made her nose was running. Her face was turned down rather than facing up into the distance as usual. Her breathing was uneven in the almost random pattern of crying. He set the food on the table and went to her. She showed no acknowledgement of his presence when he touched her arm lightly. He understood this as a sign of her anger.
"I was foolish to think you hate humans as much as I do. If you are patient with me I will soon learn to accept your human half. I apologize for offending you. Can you ever forgive me my friend," he ignored his pride and let the words flow from his mouth.
She glanced in his direction and sighed before returning her attention to her chores, "I may bear the weakness of temptation as humans do but so do all. What matters is how we choose to deal with it. Humans are naturally destructive but can learn not to be as my mother did. I will forgive you if you swear not to insult her like that again.
He nodded and drew her away from her chores to the table, "I swear," he placed a fork in her hand, "Now, finish up your food and then you may return to your daily chores."
She smiled, "I forgive you my Lord," she continued eating her breakfast.
He sat at the table trying to figure out how to get her talking, "My mother is dead too," he finally said.
She turned her head slightly towards him with tears in her eyes, "What happened?"
He wasn't sure if this would help her cope but maybe it would, "It's not uncommon for elves to fade to the earth due to emotional turmoil. Nuala and I were too young to retain much memory to adulthood but this we remember. She was pregnant and she miscarried. Father only held on for us. Nuala and I were afraid to die like that. She was so sad. I hardened my heart and my sister took on a shy cautious personality."
She took that in and suddenly abandoned her food to sit on his lap and hug him, "Oh gosh, I had no idea. I'm so sorry for your loss."
He wrapped his arms around her awkwardly. As usual she never failed to surprise him with random physical contact. A tear slipped down her cheek for his mother, "Did your mother tell you how she died?"
She pulled back enough to wipe at her eyes and nodded, "She said she died giving me life and has watched over me ever since."
He smiled, feeling himself warming up to this ghost just a little, "That's nice. Also it provides good news. Sorceral beings can't conceive a child without binding their souls to their partner's. If she can go into your dreams your father must still be alive somewhere or her soul would have moved on from the astral plain."
She looked uncomfortable as she considered that, "Doesn't the astral plain cause suffering to those who are trapped there?"
He realized her fear and held her tighter, "Not in her case. Those held to the astral plain by a love bond only suffer when their loved ones suffer. That's why you should be strong. Your strength is her strength. Your joy is her joy."
She understood that he meant for her to stop grieving. Her mother was happy. She didn't need sorrow caused by Ella's grief. She nodded and wiped her eyes before pulling her almost empty plate over to herself, "Thank you my Lord."
She finished her breakfast quickly and returned to her chores. He watched her put the sheets in a laundry basket and remake the bed with fresh sheets she'd gotten from the royal linen room. He smiled and picked up the plate and silverware before proceeding to walk with her to his sister's room to she could repeat the process on her bed.
"Everything alright," Nuala asked when they entered.
Ella smiled and nodded in her direction before returning her attention to her chores. Nuada set the dishes he carried in the dirty dishes basket by the door and sent his sister a wave of optimism through the bond. She smiled and returned her attention to her book. Once the girl finished the bed and left to clean the sheets, Nuala set the book aside and smiled at her brother.
"About the menu, I know for a fact that humans need fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and grains. Sweets used for human dessert should be avoided for the most part but are fine in moderation," she explained.
"How moderate," he asked.
"For a normal human less than two servings a day but for her I would stick to special occasions such as holidays or as a reward for especially good behavior," she suggested, then she added, "They also need a lot of water."
He nodded, "That covers most sorceral needs as well. They only need fruit, water, and herbs."
For a while they continued planning the meals for next week. Since fruits, vegetables, and herbs were often seasonal they had to take into consideration that it was winter. They would have to go above and trade for some of their food for her. If she remained till next year they would be careful to store up some food for winter for her. Dairy wasn't hard to get at any time of year. The city had a place to keep cattle. All they would need was a cow and a bull to impregnate her. She'd produce milk as needed then and plenty of those above would trade some stores of grain to feed them and Ella. Meat could be bought from butchers for now. Come spring they'd work out a better more self sufficient setup.
"What can we trade though? The city is empty. Few valuables remain if any," Nuada wondered aloud.
Ella returned for the dishes in time to hear this, "Gold," she suggested, "Goblin has been melting the golden army into gold bars until they can be used. Are they not valuable?"
"An excellent idea Ella. We shall see if those we trade with will accept it. Now back to your chores. Nuala and I will get started on making lunch," he went to her, wrapped and arm around her shoulders, and gave her a gentle squeeze.
She nodded and smiled before returning to her duties. She was happy to help her friend and master with anything even if she had no idea what he was up to. She'd probably find out soon anyway if he wanted her to. As long as he accepted her for all of her and not just her magical half she would be happy to remain a faithful and trusting friend and servant to him.
TBC…
AN: Hope you all liked that. Have a great holiday everyone.
