Title: Forever Yours
Author: Noelwing
Email:
Summary: The tale of an English Lady, an Elfin Prince and the events between them that led to Nuada's decision to awaken the Golden Army. Nuada/OC. Pre HB2 universe.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of the HB2 universe. Any other characters are creations of the author and belong to her.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings include domestic violence and some adult situations in later chapters.
Author's Notes: I just want to apologize for the lateness in posting this chapter. I am trying to post a new chapter once a month. So please enjoy and a big thanks to those who have been kind enough to leave me feedback. I really appreciate it ^_^
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Part three: Reencounter
Nuala threaded a silver thread through the eye of her needle. As eager as she was to hear her brother's tale, her fingers itched to continue with the embroidery. Nuada, graciously, did not mind. He could never get in the way of his sister and her art.
He lay on her bed while she sat at her table working the humble thread into a grand design. The sound of the needle piercing through the fabric was quite soothing and Nuada was content to simply listen.
"So after all you went through, you simply let her go. Just like that." Nuala laced the thread through the silk as she spoke.
"It was too good an opportunity to pass by. It would be far easier for her to return the spear to me rather than use her as a bargaining chip."
Nuala giggled. "Come now brother, you let her go because you believed it when she said the man looking for her had a twin sister."
Nuada, albeit reluctantly, nodded his head. He did not know what he would do if anyone in anyway took his twin away from him. How could he knowingly, do it to anyone else?
"But I know you have the spear back in your possession which means Sophia was true to her word."
"Yes, she did keep her promise. However, the bargain did not carry out as I would have liked it to."
*********
Everything moved in one huge blur. She could smell the scent of horse sweat and feel the jarring of the animal's gallop. Alexander's constant reassurances that she was safe sounded like echoes rising from a deep canyon in her ears. She barely noticed her hunger or the ache of her fingers as they remained locked onto Alexander's shoulders.
Alexander was very worried. Lady Sophia had not responded to him for some time now. Her body was cold and stiff and she had not uttered a sound since they had begun to ride. More worrisome still was the condition of dress in which he had found her. Had her kidnapper defiled her? He prayed not.
Finally, after what seemed like ages, the manor came into view. "Blessed be the saints, we've made it home." He said joyously. But Sophia remained silent.
Alexander's eyes landed upon the small crowd that had musters outside the manor. Among them were many of Alexander's co-workers; obviously it was the, now not needed search party Master Kanner had assembled.
Mr. Monroe yanked the riding glove onto his wrist and flexed his fingers. Richard was currently leaving instruction that his house be guarded round the clock. If in the event the kidnapper made demands in his absence, those demands were to be ignored. The kidnapper was not to be given the upper-hand in anyway.
Finally, Richard mounted his horse. All Monroe could think was that it was about time, he had had enough of just milling about. The group started their horses off at a slow trot as they headed for the gate. Monroe made ready to set at a gallop when he noticed a man on horseback coming towards the gate. And he was not alone.
"Master," The man cried out. Obviously the man was one of the household staff. The man waved is hand to get the attention of Master Richard.
"Will you look at that," Monroe said as he realized that the one with the rider was none other than the Lady Sophia.
"Master, I found her, I found her." The man called, is Irish accent ringing ever clearer as he rode up to the now, unnecessary search party.
Richard was off his horse and running towards the Irish man-servant before Monroe could exhale his sigh of relief.
Alexander halted the horse and let Master Kanner close the distance between them.
"Sophia, my darling" he cried and pulled her off the horse. She gave no sign that she heard him and fell like a rag doll into his arms.
"Sophie, can you hear me?" Richard lowered her to ground and shook her gently by her shoulders. Her skin was pale and cold. Richard removed his coat and covered her with it.
"Richard, you bloody fool we need to get her inside." Monroe insisted, his heart going out to the poor woman.
"Right, lets go," Richard said and not even bothering to thank Alexander, picked up Sophia and carried her back to the manor.
*********
Mr. Monroe and several of the servants waited anxiously outside the door of Sophia's bedroom. There was no real physician near by for them to call upon. But thankfully, one of the servants in Richard's house hold did have some nursing experience and was able to attend to her mistress. Richard waited outside as well, but he was hardly idol.
"Young Alexander, I want you to tell me everything that happened." Richard was short and cross with the young servant. Alexander was clearly intimidated by his master's scolding. He kept his head down and fidgeted with his black bowler cap and Monroe could see sweat slightly glistening on his brow.
"I have told you already sir. I decided to g'out huntin in the woods. Lady Sophia just appeared out of nowhere. I brought her back as quickly as I could. Dat's all dat happened."
Mary, who had been standing by, took the shaking hand of her twin brother. Master Richard was an intimidating man, and did not appreciate things that went on without his knowledge. Therefore it was probably best that Alex used the hunting story as a cover. No need for Master Richard to know that a servant had taken it upon himself to rescue his wife.
"But the one responsible for her kidnapping; was there any sign of him?" Richard demanded.
Both Alexander and his sister coward under Richard's ever raising voice. Monroe had seen enough.
"Oh what difference does it make?" Monroe got in between Richard and the Irish siblings.
"Miss Sophia is home and safe. I pray you to stop interrogating the poor man. He did the right thing by bringing your wife straight home and is a hero for doing so."
Richard raked his hand through his hair and rolled his eyes. "Yes but that… that freak is still out there some where. How do I know he will not try to attack my home a second time?"
Before Monroe could utter a word, the wooden doors to Sophia's bedroom opened and the nurse emerged. Like Alexander and Mary, she was Irish but much more advanced in her years. Her snow white hair was pulled back into a typical ladies bun. Her face was etched with lines but maintained a kind of dignity and grace that spoke of the woman's wisdom.
"Miss Shannon, how is she." Monroe asked.
"I'm happy to say that the lass does not appear to be harmed, not physically anyway." Relief shone through her pale green eyes.
"Is she awake?" Richard asked.
"She is my lord but I think it best that she be left alone for now. The poor dear has been through a terrible ordeal. What she needs now is rest."
Richard sobered. "I know, but I just need to see for myself that she is alright."
From inside the bedroom, Sophia could here the request of her husband. Sometimes his acts of devotion could be so convincing and it came as no surprise that the nurse acquiesced to him.
He shut the door as soon as he came in. She said nothing and only watched him approach. A fire was burning in the fireplace and Richard eyed it approvingly. Sophia lay in her four poster bed propped up by several pillows and wrapped well in blankets. Of all the things that could ail her, the cold was not going to be one of them.
Richard sat on the bed and reached out his hand to her. Sophia felt his fingers stroke through her hair and then push several strands behind her ear.
Still shaken by her experience, Sophia gladly accepted the offered affection and cradled her face in the palm of his hand. "Richard, it was horrible…" Sobs kept her from saying anything more.
"Sophia, darling, it's alright you're home now."
Sophia leaned forward and rested against Richard's chest. She just wanted to enjoy the comfort while it lasted.
"Sophia, how ever did you manage to escape him?" Richard asked with grave curiosity.
"I did not escape. He let me go," Her voice was soft and detached, like she was recalling a dream and not reality. However, everything about Nuada was too vivid to be a dream. The look of his eyes, the intensity of his voice and the warmth of his hand. Her own hand tingled at that particular memory.
"He just released you, just like that?"
Richard's question caused a stir of fear in Sophia's heart. Her release had carried the price of a bargain with it. A cloud of doubt shadowed her heart. Had she done the right thing? Fear that she had put the entire house hold in danger passed through her mind.
"Is he gone, do you think?" Richard's tone had changed from soft to serious.
How she wished that were true. But she did not doubt for a moment that Nuada would make good on his word to return. The wise thing to do would be to tell Richard so that the house and its people could be protected.
She opened her mouth and drew breath to speak but the words never uttered. At the very last second some unknown part of her soul silenced her. What it was and where it came from eluded her. She hearkened to it, agreed with its reasoning that the spear was all that Nuada wanted. Once he had that, he would most certainly disappear.
"Let's hope so," She finally said. She still feared for the house and those who lived within it. The only way to truly keep them safe was to say nothing. Nuada would simply be her secret. Sophia rolled away from Richard and settled back down on her pillows.
Richard still hovered over her. She could feel the scrutiny of his gaze boring into her. "You are hiding something from me, I can feel it." He made no effort to disguise his accusation.
"What are you talking about?" All she wanted was to sleep and Richard's accusations only added to the stress she was already feeling. By God, what was going through the man's mind this time?
"I refuse to believe that he simply released you. It does not make sense especially after all the havoc he caused to begin with"
"What does it matter? He failed to steal from you. Perhaps he has simply given up." She dug her fingers into her pillows, "Now please, let me rest." His insulations were making her nauseous.
"He failed to steal the weapon so perhaps he decided to make do with stealing something else. Tell me, did you have a tryst with him? Did you betray me in order to gain your freedom…"
Sophia had rolled over and swiped her hand across Richard's face. It all happened so quickly that she did not even realize what she had done until it was over.
Anger rolled out of her like a wave over the sea. "How dare you accuse me of infidelity?" She said, the wave finally breaking.
Retribution was swift. Richard's hands shot out and grasped her shoulders.
He held her much like an eagle grasped its prey in its talons. Richard pulled Sophia from her pillows and shook her violently.
"Richard, Richard what is going on in there?" Mr. Monroe's voice rang out from the other side of the bedroom door. Richard released his hold on Sophia and she shrank away from him pulling her blankets up over her face.
Richard stalked out of the room without a word. Sophia curled into a ball. Sweat beaded on her forehead and she felt dizzy from hyperventilating. She was only vaguely aware of Mary and her attempts to sooth her.
Richard paid the servant girl no mind as she ran past him. He glanced back for one second to see the servant trying to calm her mistress. Good, someone else could deal with the neurotic woman.
"Richard, is everything alright?" Monroe could tell by Richard's flushed appearance that something most upsetting had transpired.
"She says that devil simply let her go. But I don't believe this is the end of it." His voice was loud and rigid.
"What do you intend to do then?" Monroe knew the answer would be less than rational.
Richard paced in front of the bedroom door for a few minutes while he thought. "I want to go out and find that bastard and put an end to his threat once and for all."
"Richard, think about this logically." Monroe called on his experience as a lawman to prove his point. "If the kidnapper let your wife go unharmed, then it is possible that stealing from you no longer holds his interest."
Richard sobered under Monroe's logic. His wife was back and claimed to be unharmed and untouched. Furthermore, Monroe did have a point and Richard could see the logic behind it. Yet logic was not enough to repair Richard's damaged sense of security and pride.
"I understand what you are saying and perhaps you are right. However, I do not think it worth the risk to stand down just because Sophia is back."
Monroe nodded. "This has been traumatizing for us all. Listen, the search party has not been disbanded. I will take the hunting party into the woods and see if we can't find any trace of Sophia's kidnapper. Don't worry my friend. I will take care of this. You just be with your wife for now."
Richard sighed heavily. "Thank you my friend, thank you."
********
Monroe did as he promised. He and the team of hunters went into the woods to search out any sign of the kidnapper. But they turned up nothing. Even the hunting dogs they had brought with them had not detected anything. After three days of searching, Monroe finally decided to call off the hunt.
Richard had been less than pleased when Monroe returned without success. But if anything, Richard hoped that the search party had sent a clear message to the would-be thief/kidnapper that should he decide to return, there would be consequences.
An entire week would pass without incident. Despite the sensationalism of what had happened, life at the Manor eventually returned to normal. Accept for a fever, Sophia had not sustained any permanent harm and as far as Richard was concerned, had not been changed by the experience. In the days since the incident Sophia had been quiet and kept to herself-just as she always had before.
With nothing else to be done, Richard said goodbye to Mr. Monroe and all of his other associates that had remained to help. Richard sat alone in his study, a glass of brandy and a cigar ready and waiting. Both items were favorites that Richard often enjoyed on a night like this when another storm was brewing but he was hardly in the mind set for relaxation.
Since his office would be out of commission for some time yet, his study would serve as his retreat. It also served as a secondary storage. Hidden behind a false wall of books was a secondary safe that would house his latest acquisition for the time being. Hopefully, no one would be destroying this one.
Richard had been a long time collector of ancient weapons and artifacts alike for many years. Therefore, tales of tombs or artifacts protected with curses were nothing new to him. He had always dismissed such things as mere superstition. However, recent events had caused him to re-evaluate his opinions.
He barely knew anything about the spear's origins or the original owner who had put it up for auction. What he had learned was that the original owner had spent the last several years moving from one end of England to the other-had he been running from something or someone? Whichever one it was, the man's frequent relocating caused him to eventually lose his wealth.
Richard knew well enough that the price he paid for the weapon would be enough to restore the man to grace. But as Richard had relayed to Monroe, the man was happier to simply be rid of the weapon. And Richard had certainly not forgotten the warning the man had given him either.
Richard finally decided to accept the brandy that he had poured earlier. He swallowed the drink in one big gulp and the alcohol went straight into his blood. As he relaxed further, he let his mind shift to more pleasant things.
"Josephine," He said longingly. Josephine Rotchford, his lovely mistress. He had seen her only a few weeks ago and already he missed her terribly. She was indeed the epitome of the English Rose with her blue eyes and honey-blond hair. Better still was her youthful spunk.
Sending Sophia out to this house had freed him to be with Josephine more often but propriety demanded that he return every now and then to his wife. How he hated the formalities of his generation-it would so much easier to just divorce Sophia and be done with it.
Unfortunately, he had learned from the experiences of others that the scandal of a divorce could be far more tarnishing to the reputation. Mostly, it was easier to keep a mistress in secret. For now, that would have to be enough.
Fortunately, the headquarters of his business was in London and he had been away long enough. Sophia would be fine with the servants to take care of her. As for the spear, Richard felt confident that it was secure. He was the only one who knew about the false book case that concealed the vault. Yes, the spear would be just fine.
The brandy had full well settled into Richard's veins and was doing its work to his head. Thanks to that he was feeling ready for bed and he needed to rest-he had a long journey ahead of him tomorrow. He headed off to his own bedroom. Already his mind drifted to tomorrow night when he would be at his estate in London. Their, he would not be going to bed alone.
********
The soft and consistent tapping of rain on her window did not serve as the lullaby that it normally did. There was no sleep to be found. Sophia sat on a cushioned stool in front of her dresser. The glow of a kerosene lamp held vigil against the darkness of the room. The only challenger to it warm glow was the occasional flash of cold lightning.
Richard had left that morning for London. He would be returning to his business and all other distractions that kept him in London for any given amount of time. She had been there to see him off, as propriety demanded. Then, just like always, he got into his carriage and was gone.
Sophia stared blankly into the mirror. In her hand she held her beloved tortoise shell comb. Dear sweet Mary, the Irish girl must have found it and left it on the dresser for Sophia to find. She ran her thumb over the teeth of the comb. The points had been dulled with age and use. She had far grander pieces in her collection but this comb was, and would be forever, her favorite. It had once belonged to her mother and therefore, it held a value all its own.
Her body inhaled air of its on accord and filled her lungs that exhaled in the form of a yawn. With it, came the lazy pull of fatigue. Perhaps she might finally be able to sleep. Sophia reached for the lid of a glove box and pulled it open. Inside the box she kept her most cherished items and she put the comb in its place among them.
Before she shut the box, the dim light betrayed the details of a photograph that also had a place in the box. Four faces, including her own (although several years younger) stared back at her. It was the last photograph of her family together before…
Sophia slammed the lid shut and the cluck of the wood echoed loudly in the room. She willed her memories away before they entirely came into focus. Dwelling on the past had never helped her deal with the present.
She propped her elbows on the shelf of the dresser and rested her head on her up-raised hands. For the next several minutes, her head swam between wakefulness and the pull of fatigue. A sudden gust of wind followed by a creaking noise roused her back to awareness. She groggily turned to see that one of her windows had blown open.
The white, sheer curtain flapped violently from the invading wind. Cold began to impose upon the heat in her bedroom. She looked at the window with a perplexed look on her face. The wind was not blowing all that hard. She went over to the window and examined the latch thinking it perhaps broken.
Her white nightgown rustled in the invading wind and the rain dampened her hair. The latch appeared fin to her but she would inform Alexander in the morning anyway. Better safe then having to listen to Mary lecture her on the dangers of contracting illnesses from the cold.
Sophia shrugged and pulled the window shut .Cut off from the wind, the curtain floated back to an inanimate state and the warmth of the room began to cradle her cold skin. The hairs on the back of her neck tingled and she knew it was not from the cold. She realized that she was no longer alone.
"Nuada," She spoke softly. "Are you here?" She inhaled deeply and clenched her fingers when she answered.
"Yes, I am here," Nuada said dropping the last of the glamour magic he had been using to conceal his presence.
Sophia raised her gaze to the glass window. Looking back at her, reflected in the glass was a pair of piercing, gold eyes. She turned around and there he was standing only a few inches in front of her.
"Nuada," She said softly.
The woman gazed at him with tired but shining gray eyes. Her hands were clasped together over her chest and trembled slightly. Her fidgeting most obviously was a result of nerves. But otherwise she was calm. The last thing Nuada wanted for the woman to for to panic and wake the whole house hold. He had well learned that her voice was more than capable of doing so.
"You are rather fond of gawking at me, aren't you?" Nuada crossed his arms over his armored chest.
Sophia snapped out of her trance and looked away like a berated child. "I'm sorry, I do not mean to offend. It's just that you're back."
"I said that I would return to you." The tone of his voice was serious but still soft. It was easy for Sophia to drop her guard and relax a little.
"Ai, you did," She said softly and nodded her head. "I thought you would have come much sooner."
Nuada's lips pursed and his brow creased. "I would have. However, I could not do so until I was certain you had not betrayed our bargain."
Sophia raised her flustered face to him. Her jaw was set and her eyes angry. "Do not insult my honor! I have not betrayed you and certainly not our bargain."
"Then might we proceed?" The tone of his voice restored the woman's respect, if not fear, of him. It was clear by the way she backed up suddenly. He could not afford to lose control of the situation, not when he was so close to retrieving the spear.
The woman glared at him before turning to her bed and picking up a robe. She hastily shrugged the garment on before snatching up a lamp from her nightstand. "If you will follow me sir," She said holding the lamp a loft. She headed out of the room while Nuada followed silently behind her.
She was only a woman but Nuada kept his hand on the hilt of his sword anyway. This woman could be trying to lead him onto a trap. He had to consider the possibility despite her promise. Unfortunately for him, he had no choice but to follow her to the situations end.
There was almost no light in the manor save for the occasional flash of lightning that flashed through the windows illuminating things for only seconds. The hour was late and the servants had all retired to their quarters. Sophia knew that if Nuada did decide to hurt her, there would be no one to help. Sophia suppressed her fear by focusing on getting to Richard's secondary office which was like trying to get through a maze.
Nuada never would have thought that the interior of this dwelling was so complex. He followed the woman through seemingly endless halls and rooms. Finally they arrived at a pair of cherry wood doors-rather humble in appearance compared to some of the other, more ornate doors he had seen on his silent tour of this house.
The woman gripped the door knob. She looked over her shoulder to him and in the dim light, he read what he thought was relief in her eyes. "We're here," she said and opened the doors. The room appeared to be a study of some kind. Not as grandiose as the room he had been in the night of his botched assault.
Sophia moved with purpose to the desk that stood at the end of the room opposite the door. She set the lamp down and opened the top drawer. Inside the drawer were scraps of miscellaneous papers and a small hand gun. She, being so accustomed to weapons being hid all over the house, gave no thought to picking it up. The sudden touch of cold steel pressing against her cheek halted any further movement.
Nuada's sense of awareness had been heightened due to being so deep within the human dwelling. The woman's silenced mixed the sudden determination when she entered the room only made him more suspicious. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword when the woman's hand disappeared into a drawer. When her hand came into view, the glint of metal, a weapon, pushed him into action.
Both figures stood motionless. Nuada had his sword at Sophia's neck ready to deliver a lethal strike. Ice blue eyes met fire gold.
"I need to take it out so I can get the key." She held her free hand up in the air in a gesture of peace.
The blade still pressed at her throat and Nuada's eyes still flared.
"Please, I am not going to hurt you." She considered the only option she had and, keeping her eyes fixed with his, she cast the gun away. The weapon landed somewhere in the shadows with a loud thud.
A moment of silence passed between them before Nuada, finally, removed his sword from her neck. She waited for him to sheath it before exhaling in relief. She reached back into the drawer and pushed a small button at the back. The bottom of drawer popped open revealing a hidden compartment. Inside that compartment was a ring of keys.
"Richard does not think I know about this." She pulled out the keys and selected the one she would need. "If he were not so prideful he would know that secrets do not always guard themselves."
She spoke hoping to nullify the tension between them. She was able to calm herself a little at least. She stepped out from behind the desk and went to an innocent looking shelf of books. But this time she made sure not to surprise Nuada.
"The vault is hidden behind this shelf." She reached for a red book and pulled it forward. There was a clicking noise followed by the shelf coming forward. Sophia pushed the bookcase aside with one hand and the door to a safe was revealed.
"Is it common place for human wives to plunder the secrets of their husband's?" Nuada asked with dry curiosity.
"Let us just say that I have plenty of time to go snooping about," She said wryly.
Nuada stood by and watched the woman use the key to unlock the safe. His heart skipped a beat when she pulled forward the black box that contained the spear. In a moment, it would be his once more.
The box was a lot heavier than Sophia thought it would be and she had to kneel down to the floor to open it. Nuada knelt down in front of her looking to the box first and then to her. Without delay she opened the lid of the box and pushed it towards him.
"Here sir, what I promised." She imagined him reaching and taking a hold of the spear. He would take it and then he would be gone, disappearing from her life forever. That was the only possibility and she waited for it to happen.
His goal was right in front of him, all that needed to happen now was for her to place it in his hands. Yet suspicion still lingered. Surely there would be serious consequences for the woman when her husband realized the spear was missing. Was she genuinely not concerned or did she have some ulterior motive that overruled any concern?
"What is your game? Really? Sooner or later your husband will discover that one of his treasures is missing."
Sophia gripped the cold edged of the box's lid and suppressed the bitter laughter that stiffened her throat. "No game, I am simply honoring our bargain."
"Indeed but surely their will be consequences for you. Does that not concern you?"
The woman's face hardened. Her stormy eyes shone with unshed tears. Her lips Then she spoke, and when she did, she spoke in the most flat and cold tone Nuada had ever heard.
"Oh their will be hell to pay but I am far beyond caring. I hate that man." Her jaw clenched and her body trembled with the want to say more, to expel the hatred through words. But like so many times before, Sophia swallowed it all back into her heart where the hate would fester and poison her soul further.
"Besides, what do you care," She said bitterly. "This is what you want right here. Now take it and go." She shoved the box at him and, much to Nuada's vexation; left the room without another word.
The lamp had been left behind and the spear glimmered in the vague light. Yet in its dimness, it mocked Nuada as brightly as the silver glare of its blade. With no human to physically put the spear in his hands he could not reclaim it.
Of course he could chase after the foul tempered woman, drag her back to the room (if he had to) and try and force her to hand it to him. It was an option but he seriously doubted it would work. This woman was proving to be far more complex than he originally thought.
Whether Nuada wanted to accept it or not, he had just driven away the only person who might have returned his long lost property-possibly forever. Yet only one thought came to mind that Nuada could voice.
"Women." He said most dejectedly.
TBC: Please Review ^_^
