I waited a few moments before I left the room. Silent and unseen. I walked to my room by the court and I stopped short f the door. My hand rested on the handle but I didn't open it. Shouting had seized my actions.
"You are a Prince! You must choose a suitor!"
"I will, but someone on my own accord. I do not need you to tell me who or when I am to marry!"
"I will settle for no less than a noble at the least!"
"It is not your choice to make!"
"Nuada! Do not walk away from me!" Nuada entered the hall just as I shut the door. I shut my eyes. I could still hear King Balor shouting. The night dragged on. I couldn't sleep. I entered the hall. It was silent and all were asleep. I made my way to the garden and sat by the fountain. The cool night air felt good against my skin. I closed my eyes and listened to the steady stream of the water.
"Why is a woman alone at this time of night?"
"General, I did not mean to-"
"Tell me, why are here?"
"I could not sleep." He seemed suspicious,
"Why are you alone?" I opened my mouth to say something but a deeper voice took over,
"What makes you think she is alone?"
"My Lord," He bowed to Nuada who stood beside me, "I'm sorry. Had I known-"
"Had you known you would've said nothing. Yet, though if I were not here your badgering would have continued."
"My Prince-"
"Leave. Now." He did. Nuada wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck. I was definitely not going to get any sleep now. He buried his face in my hair,
"What are you doing to me?" I smiled,
"More like what are you doing to me?" I felt him smile against my skin. "How did things go with your father? He seemed…upset." He let out a sigh,
"He wished to bring me suitors and for me to pick one," I knew all this but I wanted to hear it from him, "I told him it was my decision and that I will choose someone of my liking."
"And tell me prince, have you? Have you found someone to your liking?" He smiled and lifted me into the air, spinning me around before putting me down,
"Yes, I think I have." I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck. Just as I was about to kiss him a horn blew. My heart stopped,
"Trolls." We both took off, making a mad dash for our armor and weapons. I ran to Nuala's room, "Princess, come with me." I grabbed her hand and led her down a hallway. I opened the secret door in the wall and pushed her and the other women into the room, "Do not open this door." She nodded her head. I ran outside and stood between Nuada and a soldier, "Now you get to see how a Blackwood fights." A smile played at his lips,
"It would be an honor to fight beside you my lady." It was a long grueling battle and so many were either dead or wounded. I was fighting a troll when I saw a big one charge at Nuada. His back was to it though due to the two in front of him. I finished the one in front of me and charged at Nuada, knocking him out of the way. He hit the ground just before the huge troll ran his sword through me. I heard Nuada's cry and watched as the troll pulled his sword out of me, my blood all the way up to the hilt. Slowly everything began to go. My knees gave as I fell to the ground. Nuada charged at the troll and slayed it then killed the two around me. He knelt down beside me with anger and tears in his eyes.
"Nuada," it hurt to speak.
"Arainia," his voice was breaking, "Stay with me. I'm going to save you." He picked me up and ran back to the palace,
"Nuada," He glanced down at me, "I'm so cold." Death seemed to be reaching for me.
"Stay with me. I won't loose you!" Now we were in the palace and Nuada was running. He set me down and my eyes were half closed. He ran a hand through my hair.
"Sire, we have it from here if you want to return to the battle."
"I'll stay." The healer let out a sigh,
"Very well sire, though she has lost a lot of blood."
"You will do everything you can to save her." He bowed his head and began his work. My vision was blurry and it took everything had to stay awake. Nuada was pacing back and forth when sleep over took me.