|Later|

It took longer than just a few days for her throat to heal. Coughing up blood had had the one 'advantage' that Nuada had eased up on the hostility, even going so far as making sure she had tea with an overdose of honey every morning. When she woke up the mug would be standing on the ground, steam rising in the cool air.
Of course Rhianwen had attributed the small kindness to Wink. The troll had been the one to procure a mattress for her as well as several herbs meant to help her recover after all. Until one day she'd woken up with a queasy fear in the pit of her stomach and locked eyes with a feral, amber and very surprised gaze.

For a moment something had shifted deep inside her. She'd noted Nuada's eyes, slightly widened at her jerking awake, then the mug he was just placing on the ground. In that second he had reverted to his usual glare but not fast enough. For a moment there had been no hostility towards her in those regal features, no downward pull on his mouth. The moment had caught the both of them by surprise. The elven prince had placed the mug on the ground, not meeting her eyes.

After that the tea had always been lukewarm when she woke up.

The pixies had never fussed over her quite as much either. High-pitched voices tittered all day long and well into the night. Every once in a while a pixie would demand to examine her. It didn't matter most of them wouldn't know what to do with a common cold, let alone a supernatural attack. It was the act of fussing that soothed them and allowed them to show their friendship. Rhianwen had never slept alone for a day in her life but now more pixies than ever insisted on sleeping next to her. In the morning she woke up to fluttering wings and Pip's snores in her ear.

And then the talking had started. After her report - Nuada had squeezed every drop of information from her, his lance never leaving his hands - several of the pixies had shouted ideas to protect her. Right now they were once again at it, flying to and fro, some in hushed tones while others sounded like panicked mosquitoes.

Rhianwen sat down on the small platform while she listened, a good three feet removed from the not so surly elf prince. He was working on a kind of golden puzzle box, alabaster fingers moving deftly in placing cogwheels. Between the two of them was a plate filled with cheese and a herbal wine. It was quite possibly the most peaceful time the two of them had spent in each others vicinity.

"There's a good chance I will be leaving soon," Rhianwen announced out loud as she observed Pip and Lenore. They were the two main voices in the current debate.

Nuada's fingers halted for a moment before selecting a new cogwheel, hardly bigger than the nail of her little finger. "But the promise has not yet been completed."

"They're trying to find something for you, aren't they?" Rhianwen asked out loud, surprised that the man would be willing to keep her here if it meant getting whatever it was he wanted.
"I don't think you'll need to worry. From what I gather Pip intends to help you as a sign of goodwill." Though the matter seemed more complicated than that to her. Pip didn't seem happy about finding it but he wanted to because… because she had survived in here? Something like that, perhaps.

It was silent after that for a while. When Nuada finally spoke again it nearly caused her to choke on her wine.

"I would not be entirely opposed to you remaining here," Nuada spoke. This time he was watching her, weighing her for the gods knew what his intents were. She wasn't quite sure if she liked him studying her like that, as if she was a kind of insect he hadn't encountered before. Surprised she noted he had darker patches of gray on his face, like freckles. She wondered if elves could have freckles.

"I'm… not sure I heard you correctly there. You're saying you wouldn't mind me staying here?" Rhianwen spoke slowly to make sure he heard every word she said. Perhaps she had finally started hallucinating.

"Not entirely," he clarified at once. His hands were steady as he took a sip of his own wine, the distance between them at once vast and minuscule. "But you stood by Wink back then, instead of running away. I'm sure he would like the chance to repay your bravery." He didn't sound quite so convinced about a positive quality in a human.

Rhianwen took a sip of her drink herself so she could buy some time before answering. "I don't think bravery is the word you're looking for there. Stupidity, maybe. Poor judgment. Lack of survival instinct."
When Pip had heard what she'd done there had been no end to his lectures. As he had reminded her, running away was the smart thing to do if you were the weaker party.

When she noted Nuada's surprised look - a quick turn of his eyebrows, hardly noticeable - she explained herself. "I was as useful as a wet rag back there, and I knew it. I knew it before I decided to run back. If being courageous means being an idiot then yes, I was the most courageous person on earth."

"Courage does not mean being an idiot. Looking an adversary in the eye, in equal combat, in order to protect a comrade is one of the most honorable things you can do," Rhianwen recognized how his mood was taking a turn for the worse quickly but this time it was mixed with obvious incomprehension.

"I turned back because I like Wink. Pixies always run away when there's trouble, but they run away together. And compared to those things I could just as well have been a pixie," But then Wink had decided to stay back and fight.
"I wanted to run. I wanted to run away so bad. I begged Wink to come with us but he decided to stay and… I stood with him because he wasn't behaving like I was."
She could never have lived with herself if Wink had died trying to protect her. "Could you tell him he owes me nothing? If anything I owe him."

Nuada resumed his work on the puzzle box, eyebrows knitted together in a scowl. Rhianwen could almost hear him trying to figure out how everything fitted together, how he was supposed to handle this. Bored - more intimidated but she didn't want to admit that - she turned her head to look inside the alcove where the prince slept. Next to his simple mattress his lance lay, gleaming in the candlelight. Wink had told her about how that weapon was one of Nuada's birthrights. It had taken centuries before the weapon had completely accepted the elf as its master.

"Standing beside a comrade despite fear is still honorable. And I can not believe it, just as you can't." Nuada's voice was barely loud enough to be heard. But he had intended for her to hear or he wouldn't have spoken out loud.

Rhianwen looked back ahead of her, the prince visible from the corner of her eye. "As long as you don't start to believe I'm nobler than the average human we should be fine. I prefer you thinking I'm just as lowly as all the other 'mortals'."

"Do you have a reason for that?"

"I have an annoying habit of trying to live up to expectations. If you start believing I'm actually not horrid and corrupted I'd have to start acting like it."

Surprisingly enough that drew a chuckle from him. Rhianwen quickly averted her face to hide her own smile at the sound. Nuada might be rude and unwelcoming, but she supposed he had his good sides. He just knew how to hide them very well.

The next few days somehow flowed more easily. It was as if Nuada's chuckle had lifted a tension between them that, although not having lessened the scowling, had made their interactions not quite so heavy. There was still shouting and glowering and the occasional insult. But the severity had dropped down somewhat.
Pip had reacted just as surprised as she had when discovering Nuada didn't want her out quite so badly anymore. And it had made him quite a bit happier. Lena's baby had starting to move quite a bit and once she'd had fake contractions sending the entire group in a panic. He didn't want to move his wife back to the pixie kingdom without Rhianwen, and the human just couldn't move as swiftly between realms as they could.

Lenore was less happy. She had advocated a return to the pixie realm in hopes it would throw Fortuna of their scents. After Rhianwen's story none of them could really believe they would remain hidden for much longer.

Rhianwen was currently entertaining a crabby Lena by doing card tricks and juggling. Both of those required a quick hand and some showmanship which Rhianwen happily contributed. Lena needed all the distraction she could use at this point.

"It's spring now, up there. Right?" Rhianwen yawned, turning her simple loop in an eight shape. The colorful leather balls gleamed in the shady environment. She had slept horribly lately, as if someone was watching her in her sleep.

Lena nodded, arms folded over her protruding belly. "It is. You've been here for a rather long time."

Rhianwen yawned again. "Isn't mother worried in the least?"

The pixie princess couldn't hide a certain conflicted look on her face. "Pip has made sure she's kept busy."

The pang of sadness combined with fatigue caused her to fumble the balls. Most of them dropped to the ground except one. That one somehow bounced higher and out of Nuada's living space, up the stairs and out of sight. The two women looked at the occurrence with surprise before Rhianwen chuckled. "Must be some of the younger ones. I'll get it. You should take it easy, remember?"

Lena nodded, smoothing down her dress. "Be careful?"

Rhianwen jogged up the steps that Nuada had used earlier that day. For a moment she paused as she looked down the spacious corridor that lead to the troll market. The leather ball lay innocently in the middle of it, further than it had any right to be. "There's nothing to be scared of, Lena."

Just in case she rested for a moment, gathering energy so she could check for any pixie traps. After the familiar popping sensation she looked around, careful not to forget any corners. No matter where she looked, she could see no hidden shields or pixie traps. "Completely safe. Don't worry too much, it's bad for the baby."

Eager to get back to the spacious half-circle that was Nuada's training ground Rhianwen ran through the corridor. At least she didn't need to worry about getting in a shouting match if the prince caught her here. He was just as anxious as she was to have Lena's baby come to world as peaceful as possible.
"There you are. But who was the trickster that did this?" Rhianwen mumbled as she picked up the ball. There wasn't a pixie in sight, nor any sort of prank that could have befallen her. The absence of both made the hair on her arms prickle in anticipation.

"I prefer god, if you have to name it,"

Rhianwen whipped around, her heart jolting at the unfamiliar voice. The woman standing behind her - far too close for comfort - had not been here before. Her face was smooth, no trace of fatigue or worry tracing lines around topaz eyes. Lips the color of rubies curled in a smile as the woman leant closer, grabbing Rhianwen's wrist and squeezing.

"F… Fortuna?" Rhianwen's mind felt dazed as if someone had wrapped it in cotton wool.

"That would be correct. You must be my precious new treasure," the goddess answered her, golden ringlets bobbing up and down in absolute delight. A plump hand, cool on Rhianwen's heated cheeks, scratched for a moment.
"With some work… yes, you would be quite pretty. There is hope for you yet."

"Let me go," the order turned into a plea halfway, Rhianwen's knees knocking together. Fortuna's grip had become tighter, hurting her. Rhianwen was sure the other woman knew that well enough.

"But that's not how it works, is it, my precious?" Fortuna kept stroking Rhianwen as she talked, winding dark red hair around a finger.
"But you are a lucky one. I've decided to give you a chance. If you're good and come with me right now, I won't punish your little friends too much." Fortuna yanked Rhianwen closer, whispering in her ear.

"All you have to do is kneel."

Pip's warnings came back to her. Rhianwen knew what would happen to the pixies if she gave in. What would happen to Lena and Pip's child. "No."

She could feel ruby lips curling into a smile against her ear. "I thought you might say that. Are you sure though? I might decide to not only punish them but you as well. Surely you don't want that."

"No. I won't kneel, nor bow or do anything for you."

The sigh in her ear made Rhianwen shudder. Fortuna smelled of incense and the heavy scent of dying lilies. "Last chance before I get angry, precious little Sphere. It's not your fault that you were cursed like this. If you're good I'll be merciful."

"You'll kill all those children."

"It's not killing if they never drew a breath, is it? I'll simply rearrange their fate. What do you say? I'm offering you a good life, an eternal life, if only you say yes."

Rhianwen closed her eyes, heart hammering in her chest. She was safe as long as she didn't kneel because Fortuna wanted the Sphere back. A flimsy comfort but the only one she had at the moment. She felt as if she could lose consciousness at any moment if her heart kept hammering like this.
"No."

Fortuna flung her away, into something not quite as hard as a wall but firm enough to disorient her. Through a mass of red curls she could see a tall man with platinum hair smiling down on her while Fortuna talked. "Very well. We'll see if you change your mind after this."

Before Rhianwen could pull away the strange man grabbed her by the chin, bringing his mouth to her. Instinctively she tried to pull away, kick him or scratch. The angry red mark she left on his arm vanished as soon as she had created it. "It'll be alright. Sleep, daughter of mud."
His breath carried a rich and almost sickly sweet smell with the request. Rhianwen's own breath hitched when he placed his lips over her. Her attempts at screaming subsided as he breathed into her, draining the strength of her body. She felt warm, as if laying in the sun.

When he let go of her a second set of hands held her up. It was another man this time, with eyes like glittering amethyst. Dazed she realized he was trying to say something to her. Strained she focused, her vision swimming.

"Enjoy, daughter of mud," New scents washed over her, lavender and wine, as the stranger offered the sentence. Rhianwen tried to turn her head away but was stopped. She thought she heard a chuckle before he too placed his lips on her.

This time she was prepared to be handed to another man. Straining herself she pushed away, shouting disapproval. Clearly they hadn't seen it coming because this time there were no hands to catch her, only the ground meeting her. The shock cleared her head somewhat, enough to attempt to stand up. "Don't."

A slender boot was placed in front of her, soon replaced by a man who was not above kneeling so he could face her. Hair like ink framed his face as he too touched her face, cupped her chin and forced her to be still. They all had looked timeless and peaceful, but not he. Lines of worry had drawn a crease near his mouth as he looked down on her.
"Scream, daughter of mud." An order this time, accompanied by the scent of dust and blood.

Rhianwen couldn't fight any more. A numbness caught her mind and dulled her senses. Vaguely she felt how the third man let go of her, allowing her to slip back on the floor. A sense of heat and relaxation robbed her of volition, trapped her in her own body. She wanted to scream but only her eyes fluttered closed, darkness creeping in from all sides.

Above her they talked. Fighting the dark she could hear them talking, but not about her. Then a voice she knew sounded. Nuada, she thought. It had to be him, angry and demanding. Her last thought was for Pip. She'd tried, hadn't she?

'Sorry… Pip…'

Nuada came back from the troll market, carrying some provisions and ingredients for new toothpaste. As he rounded the last corner he saw several men and a woman talking. This was strange enough since no strangers ever walked here unless they had first sent a message. He had taken care not to let leak out a human was residing with him.
Then he noted a fifth form on the floor, a pale hand stretched out near what looked like a small ball. Red curls tangled on the ground.

At once he disliked the scene. "What is going on here? What have you done?"

The strangers looked up at him, eyes glittering as they laughed in unison. The woman spoke first. "If it isn't the staunch protector. You're too late. The Sphere has refused me three times and now… well."

A dainty foot appeared from beneath the woman's robes, turning Rhianwen's sleeping face towards Nuada. Sleeping, he noted with relief, because he could see her chest rising slowly. Suddenly one finger twitched, sending the group in a new fit of laughter.

"Already?"
"We have a spirited one."
"At this rate she won't enjoy it at all."

"You're worrying the boy," the woman announced, lifting her hand to motion the men to silence. Her red lips drew in a charming smile as she gestured to her sleeping prey. "Don't worry, she's not dead. In little over a month I'll send for her to pledge fealty. You can keep her safe until then. I assure you, she won't cause you any trouble like this."

Nuada stepped closer, reaching for the lance strapped to his back. The woman tutted when she saw him do that. He ignored the impertinent gesture, stopping in front of them. "Wake her."

"That's no way to make requests. The only reason I'm leaving her here is because I respect your promise to the conniving little pests." The woman waved her hand, knocking him back a few steps. Her tone dropped below freezing level.
"Don't think I won't do the same to you."

Before Nuada could charge the gods - he was sure they were gods and one of them Fortuna - they faded from sight, only leaving a lilting laugh behind. He walked towards Rhianwen, resting one knee on the ground as he touched her cheek.
When no reaction followed he tried a small pinch, followed by a light slap. The only movement she made was a twitch in her hand or a sudden flinch. None of those were a reaction to him however. "Woman, answer me."

Nothing. "This is no time for your impertinence. Answer me!"

Two flinches in short succession this time.

Nuada considered his options. It was clear she wasn't responding to him. Chances were she didn't even realize he was there. He sighed, placing one hand around her shoulder and the other underneath her thighs. As he lifted her her head rolled against his shoulder, eyes still closed. Her breathing was so even he could scarcely notice it.
In any case this situation would have repulsed him. Having a human so close to him - carrying the wretch - was an indignity he had never dreamed off. But he had promised to keep her safe and it was quite clear he had failed her.

He took a first step, strands of white hair tickling the mortal. Nuada paused, pretending he had to adjust her weight. The next step came easier until he was striding at a fast pace with his unexpected cargo. "You will wake up, Nicolson. I give you my word on that."

Yay, new chapter. And the first time Nuada is actually being nice-ish to her. Which is good, right? Still not going OOC here, am I? But we are getting to a part I wanted to write for a long time so yay, go me.

GoddessNefertari17 : Glad to hear you're liking the story ^^ Sadly enough one of them has to get in pretty bad trouble before they can grow closer. Mostly because I'm sadistic like that.