Hello All,

New piece is up. It's entirely inspired by NIN song Non-Entity. I believe that's how Nuada would feel.

As always thank you for reviews Guys. They motivate me to write on (apart form Nuada of course... *drools*)

This is again sort of plot twist so please let me know if i'm not screwing up here.

Thanks

MS

The way back to the lair went by in silence. None of them spoke a word. But both of them cast furtive looks at each other. Last evening was some kind of breakthrough. Going back to how it was, was simply impossible. Nessa's mind and heart were flooded with an ocean of conflicted thoughts. On the one hand, she regretted being honest with Nuada, on the other, however, she felt lighter, relieved. She was tired of him treating her like inferior, thoughtless and spineless being. She knew perfectly that her confession shocked and pained him. She managed to undermine his confidence, which she couldn't deny, was pleasant. Not that she loved her race, on contrary, she hated most of humans she had ever come across. Even women and children could be cruel and ruthless. Sometimes maybe more than men ever could. But still there was her, there was Jon, there was Rhys, there must be plenty of good people out there. She hated categorizing, assuming without deeper insight. Yes, it made life easier, but definitely not better. If she learned to categorize well, she wouldn't have to hide in abandoned buildings, she would just slash her way up to the very top of society. She might have become very powerful, but she chose to differ. Perhaps this was not the life Rhys would want for her, but the older she got, the more confident she was, that he would not entirely disapprove of her choice. As for the elf… she was confused too, he fascinated and repulsed her at the same time. She was impressed by his skills, his inner fire, his authority and incredible commitment to his objectives. His discipline and self control reminded her of Rhys. His body…. well very reluctantly she had to admit that she wondered what kind of lover would he be. Fierce and rough…. or gentle and caring? Swordsplay and sex had very much in common. Challenge, close contact, breaking defenses…. although her intimate experience was not very rich, every single time she perceived it as a kind of a duel, she had to win. And she did every time. She couldn't help wondering how would it go this time, with opponent not willing to give in that easily. She slightly blushed at her thoughts. What was she thinking? This elf would never touch her the way she would enjoy. And she didn't want it. This was a repulsive part. He was self-centered, arrogant, obnoxious and ungrateful fool. She fantasized of smashing his skull for dozen of times at least. The wished to wipe this sneer off his face, to have him at her feet defeated and broken, to make him pay for all he put her through…. But still she couldn't stop wondering how would he touch her… She took a deep breath fighting the heat wave rushing through her body. She hoped that this month she promised him will pass soon, for these thoughts seemed to appear way to often recently.

Nuada's head was not calm place either. He stubbornly came back to his final duel with Nathaniel. He recalled his face and his words over and over again. Then the words of human stating that not all of them are corrupted kept hammering in his head. Even if they were not, it didn't change a thing. His people were suffering because of that cursed race. It's war, there are always innocent victims. He could not stop just because this particular one saved his life. He recalled her face while she was taking care of his arm. He didn't ask for anything, and she took care of him as if he was one of her kind. As if he had never threatened , humiliated, and endangered her. The memory of her touch made pleasant shiver run up and down his spine. He didn't remember anyone touching him like this. Except for his sister Nuala, who always ran first to fix his wounds. He smirked to himself. So different and so alike at the same time.. Nuala and this human… Nessa. Nuala, feminine, ethereal, gentle.. Nessa, fierce, warlike definitely feisty. But they both knew how to play him, how to blunt his anger, how to make him smile. He recalled yesterday's evening. After she served him a few punches, at first he was ready to tear her to shreds. But when he looked at her, gasping, with blood trace in her mouth corner, ruffled hair, when he looked into her eyes which bore no sign of fear, he felt something, he found difficult to accept. Desire. He had to fight himself not to approach her and claim her in this grove. He wished to feel her skin, touch her scars and ask how she got them. He wanted to make her surrender to him in purest form. He wanted to know that he had power over her. And he was very ashamed of those thoughts. Especially now when his former allies betrayed him he had to revise his plans. And she didn't allow him to focus. Each scrap of thought seemed to drift towards the sea of her eyes. Eyes that caught him from the very beginning. He exhaled with a hiss, and quickened his pace. He wished to be in the lair now. He needed to find peace, and her proximity made it impossible.

*******************************************

"MASTER NUADA you're back! Finally!" Quirks voice resounded through the walls of the lair. Sincere joy on fairy's face made Nuada's face lighten. At least someone was happy to see him alive.

"What's with your arm? Where is Nessa? Where is the rest of companions?" Quirk showered him with questions

"I'm here" – Nessa answered emerging from behind the curtain

"And this is the only companion I brought home." Nuada finished fixing his eyes on woman

"What… happened" Quirk queried flying up so that she was at more or less their eye level – "Did they fall?" she added moving her gaze from Nessa to Nuada. Nessa escaped her gaze and spoke – "I think you should take a look at his arm. It needs better treatment that I was able to provide." – she tried to pass Quirk, but she didn't allow her to.

"You have dried blood in your mouth's corner, bruised face and your arm needs a closer look too. You will not hide it from me. Tell me what happened!" – Quirks voice now was filled with irritation

"That's enough QUIRK!" – fairy twirled at her master's voice – "We are tired, we need to rest. Take care of …Nessa.." first. I need to see Wink. And don't molest her…." he threatened her with a finger and headed for the exit.

"Auuuurgh!!!" Quirk growled reversing to Nessa – "I hate when he does that!"

"What? Treating you like half witted life form?" – Nessa mocked – "I got used to this. You should too."

"Let me see this arm…" she demanded dryly

"Do not punish me for his bad temper Quirk. This one thing I won't handle…" Nessa warned fairy in low voice

"You're right"- Quirk sighed after a moment of silence – "What happened? Who did this to you?" she investigated examining the joint with her hands – "Was there an ambush? Did you get into fight?"

"Don't get me wrong Quirk…. You know that nothing would make me more happy than disobeying your Master's wish. But not this time… This is something you need to hear from him. Trust me. I understand why he doesn't want intermediaries for this." Nessa's tone was gentle and soft which made Quirk worried even more. She knew however that further investigation would make no sense. All she could do was to wait until Nuada would talk to her. She returned to Nessa's arm.

"I see in has already been set. That's good. All we need is jus a small tap right here…"she whispered some sort of enchantment while touching the joint. Nessa felt her bones move. Silent "click' sound meant that everything returned to how it was. At least physically.

"Well here you go" – Quirk send Nessa weak smile and added – "as for bruises and the rest, there's actually nothing else that I can do. If you are in big pain, I can try lessen it, but that's all..'

"No Quirk, thank you. That will be enough… When will I regain full strength in my arm?" she queried

"If you will use it wisely, it will take no longer than a month" – Quirk replied - "Come, I'll help you to clean yourself. Then I'll prepare your bed. Master Nuada is right you need to rest. You look like a ghost."

"Thank you Quirk. Your honesty is…..exceptional" – she smirked at the fairy. Quirk however didn't smile back. Her thoughts were hovering around her Master, and his eyes filled with grief.

*****************************************

"Wink my friend….. my ONLY friend…. I failed, I failed at almost every frontline. " – Nuada leaned against the tree and studied his spear's blade. Wink remained silent, waiting for his Prince to continue.

"I've invited a traitor to my home… and heart. I endangered my sister. I….owe a life to a human…what more could go wrong?!" – with a roar he hurled the spear sending it against tree located at the opposite end of the clearing.

"You have the crown piece My Lord. Wasn't it what you were searching for? What you were fighting for?" Wink queried

"Yes my Friend… I do have the piece…. And yet this victory seems so bitter. " Prince mused

"You see… I've been pursuing this dream for so long, I sacrificed my life, my father's love… my sister's respect…. Everything that ever mattered to me…. And now this metal is so cold….And this human…." Nuada rubbed his face and turned to face Wink – "I think I've been alone for too long. I think it's eventually driving me insane… Once everything was bright, clear, defined…. Now I think I'm loosing my sight. I… I'm lost Wink. And this state of mind is driving me crazy even more… It's like disease that's making me weak, useless. I need time to think… to clear my mind. Yes….I need time to think…"

"First you need to have this wound fixed" – Quirk's voice broke the silence – "And do not expect me to do it here. We need to go back to the cave, to the light…"

"To this human…" – Nuada slurred

"If her presence bothers you, why don't you let her go.?" Quirk asked gently tugging his arm, pulling him towards the lair – "I think her task here is done. Release her."

"I think that could be rash decision… She still might come of use" – Nuada frowned following fairy. Somewhere at the bottom of his heart he knew that it wasn't the only reason. He found it….hard to let her go. He didn't understand why, but there was something, something hidden deep underneath his beliefs and feelings that made a thought of her departure…. Unpleasant.

"Well then I don't see other way than accepting, that she's here. You brought her here yourself, and only you can make her go away." Quirk shrugged – "I sense some kind of new tension between you two. Strangely this human became loyal to you, and didn't say a word about what had happened back there. She insisted that you should be the one to tell me. I think I deserve to know." Quirk stopped folding her arms upon her chest

"Yes Quirk you definitely do, but…. it's very hard for me to say… to face the truth again." Nuada hesitated avoiding her gaze. Then he straightened and added – "But the sooner I do it the faster I forget… Nathaniel betrayed me. He wanted the crown and Bethmoora for himself. He planned to….. he backstabbed me. Forgive me Quirk, this is to painful for me…" he turned his head away

"I'm so sorry…." Quirk whispered watching her master's face filled with pain – "Did….. did you kill him?"

"No…. I didn't… " Nuada replied with a sigh – "She did. She saved my life. If she didn't sent dagger his way, I'd be dead. She saved my life twice. She came back for me. Willingly. She could have escaped, but she didn't. She risked her life to save mine. And it makes it all too difficult. This one night made everything I believed in a lie. That's why I cannot be near her. She's the symbol and cause of my confusion…. HUMAN'S CANNOT BE LOYAL…. I cannot owe them anything…. But I know that I owe her everything and…..it's a little too much for one night."

"That's true" – Quirk agreed – "that's why we need to have you fixed and you need to rest. When mind is clouded with difficult thoughts, only time can make things better. And this is what you need, time and rest…." Her heart shuttered to pieces when she looked at this proud warrior now lost and torn apart. I hope that time will be able to fix this… she added in her thoughts

***************************************************

Hours turned to days, days turned to weeks. Although time was a valuable commodity these days, Nuada seemed withdrawn… absent. As if his mission suddenly stopped to be urgent. He avoided Nessa like fire. What disturbed her most was the fact, that it was not the hostility she got used to during their short relationship. It was more like fear. He avoided her company as if she was infected with some disease, he didn't look at her didn't touch her, hardly spoke to her. For numerous times she tried to drag him into conversation, even a fight, but he simply ignored her attempts. This actually hurt her. She didn't expect him to be grateful, she just didn't want to be ignored, and that was how she felt. She even asked him do dismiss her since there was nothing more to do. He refused pointing out that the promised month was not over yet. So her frustration kept growing. She spent her days talking to Quirk, training and watching him train. There was something wrong going with this Elf. For the amount of evil he recently experienced he was calm. Far too calm. Quirk seemed to share her concerns. Even Wink looked worried though he refused to share his thoughts with the fairy.

Nuada definitely was not well. He hardly ate, hardly slept, trained to the point he was not able to stand. His mind and heart were filled with pain and shame. He couldn't find peace even it this one place he called home. His frustration grew even stronger for his plan for regaining all crown pieces shuttered to pieces along with Nathaniel's betrayal. He was positive that during his exile Nathaniel prepared ground for further action. Apparently all his proceedings were dedicated to greater good… HIS GREATER GOOD. Even a glimpse of thought that he planned to use Nuala to achieve those twisted goals of his…If something happened to Nuala that would definitely took the rest of his sanity away. All this situation made him realize the weight of responsibility he carried upon his shoulders. And overwhelming loneliness. He remembered well his father's words

To be a king my son means to be alone. Always and till the rest of your days…if this is your fate, you will not escape it.

He remembered his father's eyes, tired and filled with sadness. It was right after Balor decided to withdraw Golden Army. It was when Nataniel, Nuada and few of Elven royalty refused to accept king's decision. He stood there alone against the flood of rage, accusations and fierce argumentation. He stood his ground until the last of his adversaries, his own son went silent. Alone and outnumbered, but led by duty to protect his people. Although Nuada perceived his people's good in extremely different way that his father did, he strongly believed that his father morale was by no means weaker than his own. He knew, that for Balor this disgraceful truce was a way to save his lieges… to justify their existence in the world of men. WORLD OF MEN. This world was not meant to belong to men. The Elves were true children of the Earth. And now they were supposed to subside? Why in the name of Gods should they do that? Where did his father take this idea from.? If his fate is to be alone, then he shall be alone. And he will finish what he had started. ALONE.

Nuada's feet soundlessly touched the ground after final somersault. After landing he staggered a little. Two bottles of wine apparently started to affect his balance. He tossed his lance aside assuming that training is over. He spent last three hours on the clearing twirling, lunging, cutting and killing. This time all opponents had Nathaniel's face. But right now he had enough. His chest and abdomen were wet as well as his hair. Very slowly he approached the tree reaching for the third bottle. If previous two didn't manage to blunt the pain this one surely would. And tomorrow he would return to realizing his plan. Determined more than ever. Tomorrow…. He sat heavily on the ground fixing his eyes upon the lake. He took a gulp of wine and smiled. Tomorrow everything will be clear… and tonight? All he had to do is to escape the maze of his thoughts.

****************************************

Nessa sat at the table slowly spinning the dagger in her fingers. Tonight was the last night she was supposed to stay here. The funniest thing about all situation was, that month ago, she would just stand up and leave… without looking back. Tonight something was holding her back, telling her to stay. The was torn away from her musings with Quirk's voice

"You are going to leave us, aren't you?" fairy queried sitting on the table

"The month has passed, I did my job and paid my dues. There's no reason for me to stay…" Nessa replied fixing her eyes upon Quirk. Fairy was definitely experiencing fierce inner fight. She opened her mouth to speak, and then closed them as if she couldn't find the words. Finally she blurted out

"I think he needs you… I think you have the power to bring him back…"

"I don't think I understand…. Are we speaking of the same Elf? The same that treats me as if I don't exist?" Nessa mocked – "I feel sorry for you Quirk, and I feel sorry for him. I believe he went through a lot. I can see it and feel it. But if there is someone who could help him… that definitely wouldn't be me. Moreover I'm convinced that my presence bothers him. When I leave, he'll be back. You'll see." Nessa finished getting up – "Now I'll go and end this misery. He'll release me, and…. we all will be able to return to our lifes."

"You have no idea what kind of power you have over him" Ouirk snarled blocking her way –You are alive…. He respects you…All this month his absence… he hates humans. He cannot accept that he came to… care for one. YOU. If you have any honor left, you will not leave him like this. YOU WILL NOT LEAVE…"

"Get out or my way Quirk" – Nessa growled – "Honor you say?! I saved his life, risked my own, and all I got in return was his deep disdain.... So don't you tell me about honor... I'm not a monk and neither a priest. My job isn't to save lost souls, or giving soul consolation. I'm sorry. That's what I am… hollow soulless creature who doesn't care about anything. That's how your master sees me and that's how it will stay. Now, MOVE!" – she snapped making Quirk jump slightly

"I thought you were different" – Fairy slurred as Nessa was passing her by – "Master was right about you all, you are heartless creatures! You are…" her voice broke as Nessa stopped and spoke from over her shoulder – "I am everything that your Master says. Because it is easier to believe so. And I'm not going to be a loop in his perfect judgment… I will come back for my things after I corroborate your Master's theory concerning humans. That should make him feel better…" –she left the have leaving furious fairy behind

She found him sitting on the grass, shirtless. His lance was lying a few yards away from him. He was looking at the lake and seemed to be very lost in his thoughts. Half empty bottle in his hand made Nessa's brows furrow.

So he is pitying himself… she thought folding her arms upon her chest

"Which one is it, first, second?" she mocked standing one foot away from him

"That's none of your business.." he snarled looking quite surprised to see her – "What are you doing here? I didn't require your company…" he took a solid gulp from the bottle

"Well I came to tell you that the time of your requirements, demands, and orders has come to an end. A month has passed. Release me." Nessa stated calmly

Nuada felt a sting of anger. He was so lost in his pain that he forgot about their deal. His mind felt relief, but his heart refused to let her go. Not that fast… not right now…

"If you release me, you may stop self pitying yourself… I won't be here to remind you how wrong you were about certain…. Issues…" she couldn't help saying it

"Go…." Nuada's voice was merely a whisper – "I release you. Quirk will know. She will undo the enchantment. Just leave me"

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness…" Nessa exclaimed making exaggerated bow – "Just one more thing I'd like to ask you. Give me that bottle. I don't want to remember you as drunk, pitiful boy. You've had enough." – as she was reaching for the bottle he pushed her hand away

"Do not provoke me human…. I'm not in the mood for your games" Nuada growled casting her a murderous look

"And there goes this human again…"- Nessa made her voice sound disappointed – "Oh well, as always it takes hard way…" with one fast move she kicked the bottle out of his hand making the rest of the wine spill on the grass. Afterwards everything went fast. Within the fraction of second Nuada was on his feet. In his right hand he had a small dagger that the had pulled out of his bootleg. With his left hand he grabbed Nessa's neck and with all the rage he had inside of him he pushed her until he pinned her against the nearest tree trunk. The force of the hit made Nessa's lungs clench. Then she felt cold blade pressed to her neck. The looked up to meet Nuada's outraged gaze…

"Tell me human…" – he panted – " what kind of magic are you using on me…" – his breath smelled of wine. He was slightly drunk, but still his reflex was unbelievable. Nessa didn't actually expect such outcome. She underestimated him.. again. Now the only thought that slid through her mind was if she would get out of this alive. For this time she went way to far. But if you take first step, you need to be ready do make another one.

"It's not me not wanting to die…." – she started looking him straight in the eye – "It's you who doesn't want to kill me…You own my life, you should know the answer…"

"You're right…." Nuada's lips curled in devilish grin – "I do own you. And I think it's the highest time I …." he paused looking into her eyes. They seemed to be ocean now, and he was standing on the shore. The waves were hypnotizing him, calling his name, encouraging him to plunge. He looked back at the shore he was standing on. It was made of his beliefs, judgments and feelings that used to make him feel safe. But not anymore. He closed his eyes spread his arms and jumped.

"I think it's the highest time that I claimed what's still rightfully mine…" he finished tossing the dagger away. The moment after he slammed his face into hers, kissing her with brute force. If it was to be a mistake, he had a lifetime for regrets.