Hello Everyone,

A small piece, I know, but again it took me a lot of time to bring it to you.

Thank you for your kind words, they motivate me to go on. (not as fast as I would wish however they are great reward )

I hope you'll enjoy this one.

Regards,

MS

PS: I don't know why, but for some reason, when I save the document, paragraphs are dissappearing. I will try to work it out and republish.

She was standing in at the entrance to a small alley. She was fourteen. She stood there tensed, clutching her hand on short sword that she had received from Rhys. This was her initiation night . It has been decided that she was old and trained enough to kill. She wanted to protest, but she knew that it was useless. Deep down inside she knew, that this was coming. But she did not feel ready. Moreover she was afraid, that she never will. And this meant end of her world. She knew that only proving herself useful will allow her to survive. To stay with him. To make him proud. And she knew that she could not go back.

Her body was trembling. She felt panic crawling towards her throat. She has never killed a man before. What if she will not make it? What if it is too much for her? What will she say to Rhys? What will she do? Suddenly her vision went blurry. Very unwanted tears started to fall down her cheeks. What if all that Rhys has sacrificed for her, all his great involvement to make her self sufficient, all the effort was made in vain? What if she was waste of his time?

NO! with one swift move she wiped her cheeks. She clenched her teeth and took a deep breath. She was offending her teacher by questioning his judgment. If he thinks she's ready, that that's a fact. And she'll do anything to make him proud. First step she took was hesitant, but then there was only determination, in her posture, in her eyes and in her heart.

What happened afterwards was just distant memory for her. She acted methodically, mechanically. As if her body had been programmed. First she slit man's throat, woman died right after. She didn't even make a sound. All that Nessa could remember were her eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and accusation. Blood stains spread quickly over the white sheets. She stood there hypnotized, not able to move an inch. Her heart beat frantically, her hands started to shake. She felt her stomach content coming up her throat. But she could not fall apart now. Very slowly she approached the man and reached for his right hand. She took off small mechanism that Rhys had given to her. With the help of device, she cut off men's ring finger. This was a proof which she was supposed to provide. She didn't feel proud. Only relieved. But this would come. If Rhys says so, it will.

It was a stormy and rainy night. His boots were sinking into sodden brande. This made remaining silent slightly more difficult. If he wanted to approach human keep, he wouldn't need to care. All those lazy rats ever cared for was not to get wet or cold. But he was in Bethmoora, domain of the elf folk. Remaining unnoticed here demanded extraordinary effort. Finally he reached his destination. A small cabin. She would always come here to be alone, to think, to seek for comfort. He knew how much he hurt her with his choice. She was so noble, so pure.. and so naive. She truly believed that humans can change, that they can look at the world with her eyes. What did she know…

Within a fraction of a second he was inside. He frowned at the poor security. Entering princess' quarters without any restrictions? This would not have happened if he was in charge… Very slowly he entered the main room. She was standing by fireplace, lost in thoughts. She did not notice when he stopped a foot away from her. He looked down on her inhaling her scent. It was the moment he realized how much he had missed her. Every single thing about her, her smile, her laughter, even her chastening look. How did they come to this? How could they end at the opposite sides of a barricade? Grief took over his heart.

„Onoone*"- He whispered making her twirl around. She looked at him with eyes filled with fear. Her mouth opened to scream, yet she didn't make a sound. She just stood there trying to catch her breath. So fragile… so beautiful. Just like he remembered her. He smiled at her lifting his arms up in gesture of surrender.

"I'm not going to hurt you… I came… just to see you… There's no reason to be afraid…"

He watched her face expression change. Tears appeared out of nowhere. Very slowly she approached him, studying his face as if she was afraid this was not real. The moment after

she clang to him as if she was afraid that he would disappear if she let him go. She wept against his chest

" Toron…I thought that I have lost you forever…. I…"

Her tears were burning him, almost hurting him physically. He has never seen his sister so broken, helpless. She was always strong and reserved. He didn't want her to suffer. He

wanted her to understand, to see….

After a moment she calm down. After taking a deep breath she spoke.

"Forgive my weakness Brother… Since you've been gone, my mind kept producing terrifying pictures of you and your proceedings. I was afraid that you lost yourself completely on a path you have chosen. I could not hear of feel you. This was too much to bear… Since you are here… is it too much to think that you've decided to come back to us?" – she asked searching for his eyes – " Our Father… - she paused – Our Father is not well since you left. He's blaming himself for your choice. He's ready to forgive you everything. Just stop the madness.."

"Nuala…" – Nuada started avoiding sister's gaze – "I came to see you, because I love you and miss you." –he paused and confronted sister's gaze – "If you know me, and I know you do… you know that I never turn back if I believe in something. I hurts me so bad to see You and Father are so blinded by humans talk. I'd say even more, I'm angered, that the wisest Elves I know fall, for their lies that easily. I cannot believe that you entrust our people's fate in hands of those…. Creatures. They have shown for many times that they do not have honor, and they do not treat us as equals.. EQUALS! As if our heritage was equal to theirs. They have no respect for our nature and beliefs. They do not respect our home….." – he paused and approached Nuala. He lifted her chin to make her look at him "Now Nuala wise as you are, tell me…. How in the name of All Gods am I supposed to go back?"

After a moment of Nuala's cold voice broke the silence

"How?" –she slurred moving away from him – " How you ask me? Allow me to ask you one question then… How come this human by your side is still alive? How come that of all creatures it was you who saved her life? Do you know the answer BROTHER?" Nuada's mouth opened, but he could not find an appropriate answer. Seeing his confusion, Nuala continued her assault

"You don't know, or are you afraid of the truth? She's a human, filthy soulless, lowest of creatures. What about her makes Nuada Silverlance , Defender of the Fey weak? Why aren't you able to kill her? Why do you CARE?"

"I DO NOT CARE!" – Nuada's roar made Nuala take step back – "She's just a tool I' m using at the moment. Ant she's different from… them. She sees and understands more…" "Oh does she?" – Nuala mocked – " And what keeps you from believing that there are more like her? That there are more of them that see and understand? If you could just try to know about them, just to listen…"

"NO MY SISTER!" – Nuada snapped – "No… I'm sorry, the choice has been made. I will not turn back. It…. It cannot be undone….. I… I'm sorry. It has never been my intention to make you suffer. But in time you'll come to understand… You'll see that all I did, I did for you… And Father… For all Bethmoora. I am a warrior Nuala, I was born one. I have no choice but to fight for my loved ones."

Nuala's eyes filled with tears again. They stood there sharing the most painful moment. Meant to be one, torn apart with every word they spoke. Eventually Nuala's eyes darkened. "Warrior has no choice but to fight for his loved ones…" – she spoke quietly – "Then Wiseman has no choice but to protect ones he loves. You gave me no choice Nuada…. Amin hiraetha, amin Toron…*GUARDS!"

Nuada's eyes widened in shock as he watched his sister's unmoving features. He heard the soldiers at the door. He was outnumbered by far. He knew they would not kill him, just take him captive. He would spend the rest of his life in the closet, forced to watch as his Father destroys their kingdom. Before the first blow came , all he had managed to say was "Mankoi?*"…

He woke up covered in sweat with his spear unsheathed, ready for attack. It took some time before he realized where he was. It's been a long time since he lost control over his dreams. He put down his spear and took off the sweaty shirt. He approached a dresser wondering if Nuala could sense his weakness. He washed his face and leaned against furniture's cold surface. His whole body ached from tension. Why would Gods haunt him with such dreams? His choice could not be wrong, this path was the only one he could take…. He focused his gaze at the small shape laying on the bed. Was this human a test he needed to pass to prove he was right? Was he able to end it? This woman was doing something evil to his mind. He was ready to annihilate every obstacle that stood in his way. Man, woman, child… But why did he feel so weak? Why did he care?

She was standing in the middle of her training room. She was surrounded by weapon stands and training mannequins. All of them wore one face. Face of a man she knew. It's view brought such hatred, that she must have known him. She just could not recall his name. His venomous eyes were taunting her, lips stretched in malicious grin invited her to attack. She tried to strike a blow, but her body just would not listen to her mind. Her arms seemed far too heavy.

Come to me my Dancer….. Come and embrace me with your Fire…. Come and burn me with your passion. Strike me with your wraith, annihilate me with your revenge. For all you've lost, for all I have taken from you….. Come… I invite your light to break the shadows I dwell in…. Come to me….

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Taunting whispers that surrounded her seemed to grow stronger every minute, feeding her anger, weakening her self- control. She tensed her muscles and attacked. Cry that came out her throat could have crashed every wall. She cut, stabbed, attacked and dodged. And cried. She cried until her throat would bleed. All the hatred, hurt, pain, all the poison that was running her insides was released with this cry. When she came to her senses, her surroundings were piles of splinters. She took a deep breath. The pain in the chest paralyzed her. She fell to her knees fighting for air. The pain was overwhelming. She fell to the side feeling her lungs clench. She felt some liquid, most probably blood flowing down her chest. Everything was getting blurry. Then she heard distant voice singing in strange language.

Anírach únad
Egor gurth hen
Han cenin vi chen lín
Egor ú-erin le devi
Tellin men achae
Brennin men anann
Rago! Ú-erich leithio,
Ú-erich o nin gwanno.*

Strange warmth spread all over her body. Her lungs relaxed enough for her to take a deep breath. It was still painful, but not paralyzing. Suddenly she felt her body being lifted up. Her eyelids fluttered. When she opened her eyes, all she managed to see was, distant shape of a person bathed in light. No not light. Hair. White hair. Strong arms were pressing her against strangers chest, and she heard comforting hum. She blinked for several times to clear her vision. Eventually she was able to recognize the person. She coughed and faintly pressed her palm against his chest. His body tensed as he slowly leaned her back to examine her face. His amber eyes were filled with concern and were eyes you could not forget. Very delicately he laid her back on a bed. Then he went back to examining her features very thoroughly.

"You've been dreaming, bad dreams I assume." – he spoke slowly piercing her through with his amber eyes – "Your tossing must have opened your wound" – he paused waiting forany reaction – "I need to fix it. Will you allow me?"

She nodded her head without saying a word. She watched him in silence as he washed her and changed her bandages. When he finished he laid her back he heard silent whisper:

"Why are you doing this?"

"Cause I feel obliged to" – he answered leaning against dresser – "You don't remember how all of this happened, don't you?"

"All I recall are blurry visions, but judging on my condition, it was rough…" – she coughed making him frown.

"Do not strain yourself Human…"- he ordered – "I assume that you do not recognize me as well?"

"Oh I could not forget the Prince who insist on calling me Human. I thought we had this one cleared out." – she laughed and coughed – " Yeah I remember you Goldielocks… I still wonder however how did you end up nursing me?"

"Just paying a debt… You saved my life, I'm saving yours. There's nothing more to it."- he replied smirking. It comforted him to see her old attitude back.

They studied each other in silence for a moment.

"I… I wanted to thank you" – she broke silence –" thank you for keeping me alive…." – she hesitated for a moment – "This song you sang….that brought me back…. What is it about?"

Nuada frowned and slowly approached the window. His mind was racing over the answer. He could not admit that he used ancient elven magic to save her. After a moment he spoke

"This is an old song. My guardian used to sing it to me when I was ill. It seems to work…" he turned to look at her – "you were dreaming…. I have never heard any creature screaming like this before. My guardian used to say that bad dreams need to be spoken of, to be released." – he approached the bed and sat on the edge – "so tell me all about the nightmares of a warrior"

Onoone - sister

Toron… - brother

Amin hiraetha, amin Toron - I'm sorry my Brother

Mankoi - why

You want nothing more
Than this death.
I see it in your eye.
But I cannot let you
We have come too far
We have held on too long.
Reach! You cannot let go,
You cannot leave me.

Words by Philippa Boyens, translated into Sindarin by David Salo,